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felassan · 3 years

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Dragon Age Library Edition Volume 1 annotations & additional pages/art compilation

Dragon Age Library Edition Volume 1 is a hardcover collection of some pre-existing Dragon Age comics that was released in 2014. It comprises of all issues of The Silent Grove, Those Who Speak and Until We Sleep. In places, it includes additional annotations/commentaries by the illustrators and authors, as well as a few additional pages with additional art. iirc these additional annotations and pages/art aren’t featured or available anywhere else (in the franchise I mean; other people have probably put them online at some point I’m sure).

From what I can see at least, Library Edition Volume 1 is no longer in print, and as such listings for it on resale sites etc are.. price-inflated & prohibitively expensive (~£100+, which I’m sure we can all agree is just not reasonable or accessible to most people). Due to this, I’ve compiled the additional annotations and pages here in this post. Thank you and credit to @artevalentinapaz, who kindly shared the material with me. This post has been made with their permission. The rest of this post is under a cut due to length.

These commentaries are in the context of The Silent Grove, Those Who Speak and Until We Sleep. If you notice any errors or annotations missing, or need anything clarified, just let me know. I think the annotations are in chronological order. In places I elaborated in square brackets to help explain which part of the comics an annotation is referring to. A note before you proceed further: some of the topics referenced in the annotations/additional pages are heavy or uncomfortable. The quotes here are word-for-word transcriptions of dev/creator commentaries, not my personal opinions or phrasings.

(Also, I do recommend always supporting comic creators by purchasing their comics legitimately. I own each issue of these comics having bought other editions of them all legitimately. The reason I put this post together is because this specific Library Edition volume has been discontinued and the consequently-inflated cost is so high, rendering the additional material inaccessible to most.)

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The Silent Grove annotations

Illustrator Chad Hardin: “I used to be an environmental artist for video games, so I built a 3-D model of Antiva City using the program Silo. Many of the buildings are simple cubes, but a few are more detailed. Overall, I spent the better part of a day building it, but I used it again and again throughout The Silent Grove to maintain continuity in the backgrounds.”

Script Writer Alexander Freed: “Even working with David Gaider, it took me several drafts to find Alistair’s voice. His narrative had to convey his humor and self-doubt from Dragon Age: Origins while suggesting a newfound weariness earned during his years on the throne. For readers familiar with the character, he needed to seem like a changed Alistair - but Alistair nonetheless.”

Chad Hardin: “If you read a lot of comics, you might wonder why the majority of the heroes wear skin-tight suits. Well, I can tell you: they are easy and quick to draw. In video games, you build the model once and then animate it, so details don’t slow you down. In comics, everything has to be rendered by hand. Varric and Alistair’s outfits were quite detailed. It took me a long time to get used to them, and even longer to memorize the designs until drawing them was second nature - Varric’s knee armor in particular! Oy vey!”

David Gaider: “One of my favorite scenes in the entire series [when Varric and Isabela are disarming traps and picking locks together while Alistair looks on]. Isabela and Varric, doing what rogues do. I had a suggestion for how to put it together, but Alex managed to make it fit and did a great job with it.”

Chad Hardin: “I never used to keep any of the artwork I created for comics. I would just hand the pages over to my agent to sell. This page [when Alistair, Varric and Isabela are in a tavern together, with hookah in the foreground] I kept for myself. I love the hookah-smoking elves in the second panel and Isabela’s face in the last panel. I rendered the first four chapters of The Silent Grove in grayscale using ink washes, gouache and Copie markers.”

David Gaider: “For a little while, Varric [in these comic stories] was supposed to be Zevran from Dragon Age: Origins, which would have made sense, Zevran being Antivan and all. I know that some fans would have loved to see him, but the dynamics of the group just didn’t work as well. Then a planned cameo later had to be cut for space. Ah well, Zev, another time.”

Alexander Freed: “Isabela at her most dangerous [climbing up the side of the cliff]. This scene - featuring a scantily clad, dripping-wet woman who tends to flaunt her sexuality - could easily have come across as exploitative, but Chad did a lovely drop portraying Isabela as purely focused and deadly.”

Chad Hardin: “Isabela rising out of the water and scaling the cliff with the knife in her mouth is one of my favorite parts of The Silent Grove. It is one of those moments where the writing really inspired the art. Hats off to Alex and David. This is another page I kept for myself.”

Colorist Michael Atiyeh: “This is one of my favorite Dragon Age pages. Chad is such an amazing artist; I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him.”

Chad Hardin: “I love that this page [when a guard spots Varric and shouts ‘Intruder!’] made it in uncensored. So many times in comics, I draw something and some stuffy lawyers come out of the woodwork and tell me to tone it down. Dark Horse and BioWare always let me have fun, and this turned out to be one of my favorite pages with Varric and Bianca. Any guesses to which word he is mouthing in the second panel?”

Alexander Freed: “Note the simple decency of Alistair as he gives his cloak, without comment, to Isabela. For all his flaws, he’s genuinely kind at heart - a rare enough trait in Isabela’s world that I think it’s much of what she values in him.”

Chad Hardin: “I love the opening panel to this chapter [the opening panels to Chapter 3, when the team are on a ship at sea]. It’s the image I use on the homepage of my website. This page was a gift to my cousin Wendy, who loves pirates. Seascapes with sailing ships might be clichéd in fine art, but for me it was a first.”

David Gaider: “I wanted to have this story center on the group travelling to a Witch of the Wilds other than Flemeth, and originally I had set it somewhere else - until I remembered a Codex entry from Dragon: Age Origins that offhandedly mentioned a witch in the Tellari Swamps. Brilliant! It’d look like I planned it all along. I didn’t.”

Michael Atiyeh: “I love opportunities where I can show a change in the time of day as you move from panel to panel [when the ship heads towards and the team arrive in the Tellari Swamps]. I feel the palette of each panel is very distinct and beautiful.”

Alexander Freed: “Why did Alistair choose two people he barely knows to be his companions on this quest? We never make this explicit, but of course Varric is on the right track. Alistair wants to surround himself with people who don’t know him and won’t judge him, yet it’s Alistair’s idealism that Isabela and Varric work to preserve.”

Chad Hardin: “Another page where the writing inspired the art [when the group suddenly encounter a dragon]. I love the dragon bursting onto the scene and Isabela’s stare. Some writers will try to cram six or seven panels on a page like this and the pacing just doesn’t allow the artist to give each moment the right punch. Can you imagine if the first panel was crammed into a single square inch?”

Chad Hardin: “Yavana was one of the only characters that we did no preliminary sketches for. I don’t know how that happened, but thankfully it worked out.”

David Gaider: “I love how Yavana looks like a cross between Flemeth and Morrigan. Flemmigan? She’s totally Chad’s design, and it’s great. Typical for these witches, she never says things straight. In my mind, this Alistair is the one who did the Dark Ritual in Dragon Age: Origins - and I was half-tempted to have him lose his cool in this first scene [opening panels of Chapter 4] with her. Too early, though.”

Alexander Freed: “Through this whole sequence [the page when Varric aims Bianca at Yavana], Yavana is dropping cryptic hints and Alistair is refusing to play along. He’s met Flemeth and Morrigan - he knows Yavana won’t give him a straight answer, and he won’t give her the satisfaction of asking needlessly.”

Michael Atiyeh: “Sometimes it’s the little things on a page that spark my interest. Here [when the team navigate vines and mud to get to the temple], the sunset panel came out great and the mud looks really thick and gooey. It’s fun to focus on these details and make them stand out.”

Chad Hardin: “I hated drawing this scene [when Isabela gets kicked] where Isabela gets the boot to the face. Call me old fashioned, but I was raised to believe that only a coward would ever hit a woman (even a battle-hardened pirate adventurer). I draw at home, and my girls often watch me work in my studio. This was a page I didn’t want them watching me draw. I do like, though, that Isabela gets up, yanks the arrow out, and then soldiers on (and later extracts brutal revenge).”

Michael Atiyeh: “Poor Isabela. It seems I gave her more bruises and black eyes than any of the other characters. [when Isabela is yanking the arrow out]”

Chad Hardin: “It’s always interesting to go back and look at artwork because it reminds me of what was going on in my life at the time. I inked this page [opening panels of Chapter 5] at a ‘draw night’ session at an anime convention in St. George, Utah. I was one of the special guests, but I missed the first day because I was at my grandfather’s funeral in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seeing this page brought back those memories.”

David Gaider: “‘Bianca says hello.’ [quoting the panels being referenced] I adore Varric. I was tempted to have him narrate the entire series [in reference to these three comics], but then again I liked the idea of having each series center on one of the trio’s viewpoints. This book belongs to Alistair, but that doesn’t stop Varric from getting all the best lines.”

Alexander Freed: “Claudio, of course, is not a terribly sympathetic figure. But I wanted to emphasize that he takes this fight as personally as Isabela - he sincerely loved Luis and blames Isabela for the man’s death. I think it’s important to give every character, even the most loathsome, some dignity. [when Isabela and Claudio are fighting]”

Chad Hardin: “Payback! Here is where Isabela extracts her revenge on Claudio [when Isabela stabs Claudio]. I never enjoyed killing off a character so much. I particularly enjoyed putting the look of shock in his eyes. He had it coming. There is something satisfying about killing a ‘made man’.”

Chad Hardin: “Every now and then when drawing comics, I wish I could animate some panels and watch them as a cartoon. It would be great to see this sequence [when Yavana catches Claudio’s soul] in full motion as Yavana snatches Claudio’s soul, makes it reenter his corpse and then extracts information from him until he bursts into flame. It was a very Hellboy-ish moment. I enjoyed the movie that played in my mind while drawing this scene. Hope everyone liked the result.”

Chad Hardin: “As I mentioned on page 17, I rendered the first four chapters in grayscale, which made the black-and-white art look great, but had a neutralizing effect when it came to colors. By the time I drew chapter 4, I had seen the effect it was having and decided to stop using the grayscale so the colors would pop. When I saw this page [when Alistair says to Yavana ‘And we helped you find it’] in print, it confirmed to me that I made the right decision. I honestly feel this art was the best of The Silent Grove.”

Chad Hardin: “I practically painted these pages [when Yavana says ‘It is permitted. Tonight and only tonight’] in thumbnails hoping it would help me choose how to render them in ink. It is so hard trying to figure out how to get a full range of value out of just black and white. There are some artists and inkers that make this look easy. Mark Schultz comes to mind. Michael saved my bacon. Colorists really do so much work when it comes to rendering; this page came out awesome because of him.”

David Gaider: “Here we reveal the existence of Great Dragons (as opposed to High Dragons), and also that Yavana was the source of the return of dragons to Thedas after their departure for so many centuries. But why? There’s the rub, and not even Alistair can trust that she’s telling him the truth.”

David Gaider: “Here’s the controversial scene [Alistair killing Yavana]. I think some fans don’t like that Alistair did this, and have said they consider it out of character. I don’t. From his perspective, Flemeth and her daughters have been toying with the world for reasons that can’t be trusted. They dragged Maric away from his family, from him. One might think his judgement foolish, but considering what Alistair was capable of deciding even back in Dragon Age: Origins, it’s certainly not out of character.”

Chad Hardin: “[same scene as above] This was a controversial page, and there were a lot of people who thought it was out of character for Alistair to kill Yavana (I didn’t see it coming - I mean, you just don’t kill a Witch of the Wild), but here is the thing: this page is Alistair acting as a king. Yavana has been manipulating him, trying to play him like a pawn, and he just can’t allow that. There’s too much at stake, for himself and for his subjects.”

Alexander Freed: “The end? An end, at least [the trio walking off into the distance]. The series needed a note of closure while leading into Those Who Speak (which wouldn’t arrive until many months later). David tweaked the ending in the outline several times, and I did my best to balance resolving Alistair’s emotional journey without resolving the quest. It’s not as clean as I’d have liked, but fortunately, now it’s all in one volume...”

Those Who Speak annotations

Alexander Freed: “Capturing Isabela’s narrative voice was much easier for me than capturing Alistair’s - partly because I’d already written The Silent Grove, and partly because of my own writing proclivities. Rereading now, I wonder if I laid on the (mild) profanity a bit too thick. I’ll leave you to judge.”

David Gaider: “I like the additional detail Alex and Chad put in, letting us see more of Qarinus and more of Isabela’s crew. Alex wanted to give her crew more of a presence, and let her first mate have some face time, so they weren’t just parts of the scenery. Good call on his part.”

David Gaider: “I’m really fond of the formal getups Chad made for the party. Isabela’s actually comes from a concept we didn’t use from the cancelled Dragon Age 2 expansion, if I remember right. And Maevaris came from me asking for ‘someone who looks like Mae West’ - with the wonderful outfit all Chad’s doing.

Chad Hardin: “Maevaris. I love Mae. When David and Dragon Age art director Matthew Goldman spoke to me about designing Mae, they wanted her to be fully female with the exception of her biology. They told me to think ‘Mae West’. Well, when I think of Mae West, I think of her... womanly shape. So, drawing Maevaris was always walking a fine line between portraying Mae’s identity and her biology. The process endeared her to me.”

Michael Atiyeh: “Just like in The Silent Grove, we are introduced to another gentleman from Isabela’s past [when the team meet Lord Devon and Isabela threatens him]. As was the case with Claudio, he will meet his fate at her hands.”

Chad Hardin: “When I was drawing Titus, my kids asked me why I was drawing ‘angry Jesus’ or ‘evil Jesus’. I can’t remember which term they used exactly, but it made me chuckle. I was going for a mix of Rapustin and Joe Stalin, but ‘evil Jesus’ would do.”

David Gaider: “I’m not sure it’s apparent here [when Alistair says ‘I’d really rather not’], but Alistair was supposed to be using one of his Templar powers on Titus (that’s why Titus recognizes what he is on the next page) and disrupting his magic.”

Alexander Freed: “Isabela is witty and charming enough that it can be easy to forget that she’s not, in fact, a nice person. Even after finishing the outline, David was concerned about making her too unsympathetic - but I loved his approach in this series. The dark deeds Isabela commits - this murder included [Isabela killing Lord Devon] - are what make her guilt tangible and no easy matter to overcome.”

Alexander Freed: “I thought the notions of Isabela’s pride in her captaincy and dedication to her crew were some of the most interesting aspects of her character in David’s story. In scenes here [when Isabela is on her ship saying ‘Keep them focused and keep them sober’] and elsewhere, I did my best to emphasize their place at the core of Isabela’s world.”

Chad Hardin: “Most of the time I draw from imagination, but because of the complexity of this page [Qunari trying to board Isabela’s ship] I decided it would work better if I had photo reference. On this page are my nephews Jared (Varric) and Adam, my niece Melissa, my kids Erica, Tasey Michaela (Isabela) and Chad (Alistair), my friend’s daughter Amy, my wife Joy, and the neighborhood kids as Isabela’s pirate crew. (The crew member mooning the Qunari is out of my ol’ noodle.) I paid their modelling fee in pizza and root beer. Also, I had originally drawn cannons on Isabela’s ship, so if there are parts of it that look slightly wonky, chances are there was a cannon there.”

David Gaider: “Ever since the BioWare artists finally did a concept for female Qunari, I’ve been itching to include one in the game. It’s always slipped through my fingers, so I was going to be damned if I’d have a Qunari plot in a comic - without the same technical limitations - and not have one present.

Chad Hardin: “I had no idea this was the first time anyone outside of BioWare had seen a female Qunari.”

Michael Atiyeh: “I really like the lighting in this sequence [Isabela in her cell thinking ‘I haven’t eaten in days’], especially the strong white light and the characters in shadow.”

David Gaider: “The entire sequence of Rasaan interrogating Isabela was something I plotted out in detail when this series began. Here they discuss names - something treated in a manner peculiar to the Qunari, considering how much importance they apply to what things are called (and not called), because it forms the core of their identity. Isabela brushes it off, but as we find out later it’s also at the core of her identity. I liked that parallel.”

Alexander Freed: “To balance out the relatively static talking pages elsewhere in the issue, I hoped to make the interrogation and flashback sequences beautiful and full of information. I proposed an approach to Chad, and he wisely reshaped it into what you see here [the page with the scene where Isabela says ‘I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes’]. Anything that succeeds on these pages should be credited to him; anything that fails is my fault.”

Chad Hardin: “Probably the most challenging spread I have ever done. My friend Stacie Pitt was the model for Isabela on this page, and my wife Joy was Rasaan. I saved these pages [around the scene when Rasaan says ‘Mistakes can be corrected’] for myself.”

David Gaider: “Sten from Dragon Age: Origins becoming the new Arishok of the Qunari was something we'd planned even during Dragon Age 2. This was a great opportunity to show that, and also to show that Sten didn’t acquire horns even despite the makeover the Qunari received in DA2. Hornless Qunari are considered special, and Sten is no exception.”

Michael Atiyeh: “I think that David, Alex and Chad handled Isabela’s flashback [to when she was sold by her mother] in an interesting way, and it created a nice flow to the story.”

David Gaider: “This was a controversial scene [what happened to the slaves Isabela was transporting], the end result of a lot of discussions between me and Isabela’s original writer on the team, and it went through a lot of revisions over that time. It needed to fit with the story Isabela told the player in DA2, but fill in the blanks of what she didn’t tell. We didn’t want Isabela to be someone who became who she is because she was ‘broken’ but instead as a result of her own actions - yet also not be completely beyond redemption.”

Chad Hardin: “These were hard pages [as above] to draw. It was difficult knowing that events such as this are part of human history, such as the Zong massacre in 1781, where the British courts ordered the insurers to reimburse the crew of the Zong for financial losses caused by throwing slaves overboard when faced with a lack of water. Horrifying beyond words.”

Michael Atiyeh: “Here, Isabela visits here crew, and I wanted to play up that she was in the light and they were in a dark cell. The light streaming through the bars gave me the opportunity to highlight Brand, who also had dialogue in the scene.”

Alexander Freed: “I struggled to find a way for Varric to contribute to victory without distracting from Alistair and Sten’s big fight. I’m happy with the solution: a brazen lie seemed appropriate to the character without taking away from the main show.”

David Gaider: “I believe my original plan had Isabela’s and Alistair’s fight scenes happening separately, but I like how Alex intertwined them in the script and I especially like how this ends up highlighting the differences between their characters when their fights are resolved. Isabela is defiant, revealing her name not because Rasaan demands it but because it’s her choice. In both cases, mercy is strength.”

Michael Atiyeh: “The brush I created for the clouds really gave them a nice watercolor effect here [on the deck of the ship, Sten calling Alistair ‘kadan’]. That brush has become a staple in my toolbox.”

Alexander Freed: “With the strong theme of names running through these issues, I liked the notion that Isabela had outgrown being, well, ‘Isabela’. When her name comes up in Until We Sleep, it’s largely played with ambiguity.”

Until We Sleep annotations

Alexander Freed: “The story of ‘Arthur’ is one of my favorite minor sequences [Varric infiltrating and fighting his way into the fortress]. It tells us something about Varric and it delivers plot information - and it’s also a reminder that our heroes kill an awful lot of people during these series and cope with it in their own ways. In general, writing Varric let me skirt the edge of metacommentary, which I greatly enjoyed.”

David Gaider: “Varric, as always, is my ‘voice of the narrator’. Here he’s expressing some of my own amusement at Alistair’s growing list of peculiarities [‘Your majesty is quite the special snowflake’]. To think, back at the beginning of Dragon Age: Origins he was just the player’s goofy sidekick who grew up in a barn.”

Michael Atiyeh: “By the third series, Until We Sleep, I really started to have a complete feel for what I wanted the final art to look like. As an artist, it’s important to continue to evolve and grow. The close-up of Sten’s face [same page as above] is a perfect example of how I wanted the rendering on the characters to look.”

Alexander Freed: “David’s outline called for a short, somber reveal of the Calenhad story by Sten. Fueled by my desire to avoid ‘talking heads’ sequences, I scripted it as a full-on storytelling flashback. David made sure the history worked (at least from the Qunari point of view), and Chad did a beautiful job handling it in a mere two pages.”

David Gaider: “Blood is important in Dragon Age, as a theme. Here we tie in the dragon blood that was mentioned all the way back in The Silent Grove and explain what it means at last. I was a bit hesitant to tarnish the legend of Calenhad the Great in this way, but I comfort myself with the knowledge this tale is but a viewpoint and not necessarily the entire truth.”

Michael Atiyeh: “Titus melting the attacker is a great example of classic comicbook storytelling and exactly what made me fall in love with the medium.”

David Gaider: “I was really happy with how Chad handled the reveal of Mae as transgender [the scene with Mae in the cell]. My worry was that Varric finding her disrobed might be potentially titillating, but I think he handled it nicely. I only wish there was more time to have Mae properly respond to being exposed in this manner, even to a friend.”

Chad Hardin: “I originally drew Mae as female [same scene as above], then changed her anatomy, so the psychological violation and humiliation she felt would be the focus. Hope that came across.”

Chad Hardin: “When in doubt, have Bianca shoot it [Varric shooting the artifact].”

David Gaider: “This scene [Varric and Bianca the dwarf] with Varric was one I wanted to do for a very long time. We’ve hinted that Varric’s crossbow was named after a real person, someone he never wants to talk about. Now I finally had the chance to show why.”

Chad Hardin: “Of all my Dragon Age pages, this scene was hands down my favorite, because Varric is my favorite. It was awesome to get to draw Bianca in her dwarven form. These scenes give you a glimpse of the love Varric and Bianca shared. It doesn’t tell you the whole story, but you can assume plenty from what is shown. You get to see Varric mostly naked (you’re welcome), but most of all you witness Varric’s heartbreak. I felt privileged to draw it. I got so obsessed with drawing this page I did an entire watercolor painting based on the last panel [Varric gets up to leave, ‘This isn’t right’ - ? or perhaps the scene where he opens the door to leave].”

Alexander Freed: “Unreliable narrators are always tricky - done wrong, they can just confuse the reader. But I’m fairly happy with Varric’s lies throughout this series, most of which are used to downplay the emotional cost of events rather than whitewash the events themselves.”

Michael Atiyeh: “This palette worked perfectly [Varric standing in front of the doorway/portal in the Fade proper], but I can’t take all the credit because BioWare provided reference for the Fade. I added the hot orange energy for the doorway, which looks great with the sickly green sky.”

David Gaider: “This scene [Isabela’s Fade nightmare] was actually inspired by a fan named Allegra who did a cosplay as a Qunari version of Isabela. I knew I wanted something like this for Isabela’s Fade section of the comic, but it didn’t really solidify until I saw the cosplay.”

Chad Hardin: “Isabela is more affected by her encounter with Rasaan than we were led to believe. A portent of things to come?”

Michael Atiyeh: “I love this shot of Mae in the fourth panel [on the page where Isabela is affected by vines]. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what a great character she is in the series, and Chad captures her beautifully in this shot.”

Alexander Freed: “I saw this issue as a sort of downbeat victory lap. Over the course of the previous series, our protagonists largely came to terms with the inner demons the Fade confronts them with here. The fact they’ve come so far lets them win this last battle... but they still have scars that will never completely disappear.”

David Gaider: “Maric was in the first two novels I wrote for Dragon Age. Seeing Chad’s rendering of him as a regal, grown-up version of Alistair made me incredibly nostalgic. Some characters you just never let go of.”

Alexander Freed: “I feel Varric’s lines (‘tell yourself the stories you need to tell’ but ‘never live your own lies’) are the natural endpoint of all the exchanges he’s had with Alistair, starting from the end of Chapter 1 of The Silent Grove. And of course it plays off the story of ‘Arthur’, as well.’’

Chad Hardin: “I’m happy with the way Titus came off in these pages [Titus attacking and saying ‘The last magisters of Tevinter were so close’]. He looks threatening and powerful when fighting Alistair, Isabela and Varric, but genuinely confused by his inability to defeat Maric. Bye-bye, evil Jesus.”

Alexander Freed: “I can’t help but feel for Titus. He was unthinkably corrupt, but I see him as genuinely motivated by Tevinter’s glory. (The fact Alistair reads zealous ideology as a lust for power says a lot about both characters.)”

Michael Atiyeh: “I love the seamless transition of color from Titus’ magic to the dragon breath and then back into the orange remnants of his magic in the smoke. This was a really fun panel to color [Titus saying ‘Die by what wrought you’].”

David Gaider: “‘You are not the dreamer here. I am.’ I always have a scene or a line that’s in my head when I begin a tale, and this line of Maric’s was one I wanted all the way back when I started working on The Silent Grove.”

Chad Hardin: “I love this page [Maric and Alistair clasping hands]; Mike’s colors are spot on. We get to see all our heroes in an ideal state for the last time. This is the last Dragon Age page I saved for myself.”

David Gaider: “This scene kills me [Alistair destroying the Magrallen]. I knew it needed to happen; I knew I wanted it to happen even back when I began the story. Alistair lets Maric remain in the Fade rather than dragging him back to a world which has moved on. Alistair’s ready to move on, but forcing him to give up that hope... it makes me feel like a bad person.”

Chad Hardin: “Heartbreak for Alistair as he realizes that once again, as a king, he must kill: this time, his own father (granted, the Magrallen did most of the work). I really like how Maric crumbles away in the end. This was my last page, and the emotions on the page and in my studio were very final. Altogether, this was a year of my life in the making. On my last page, I wrote a thank you to everyone involved, the crew at Dark Horse and the crew at BioWare. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them again. It was a thrill. Finally, a huge thank-you to the Dragon Age fan community, whose support was overwhelmingly awesome.”

Michael Atiyeh: “As the story came to an end, I knew I was going to miss these characters. Writing these annotations reinforces the fact that I hope to work with this great creative team again one day. Many thanks to Dark Horse and BioWare for the opportunity to work on Dragon Age.”

Alexander Freed: “The tension between the art and the narration on this page [the one with Alistair sitting on his throne while nobles argue] is something you can only pull off in comics. Neither tells the full, bittersweet story alone. Similarly, these issues wouldn’t have been possible without everyone on the team; thanks to David, Chad, Michael, and everyone I lack space to list!”

Additional pages / art

Library Edition Volume 1 also came with some additional pages, with additional art and commentary. These are as follows (I’m including them for the sake of completion, click the links to see):

1. Alistair and dragon concepts

2. Rasaan and Maevaris concepts

3. Sten, Titus and Yavana concepts

4. A series of cover pages 1

5. A series of cover pages 2

In case anyone has trouble reading the notes that accompany these images, I’ve transcribed them below:

1. Dragon Age Sketch Book

Alistair Concept

Dragon Age / Dark Horse

Chad Hardin: “The headshot of Alistair is from a finished sketch with a rejected armor design. In order to save time, the redrawing was completed on the computer, where tweaks and changes are quick and easy, if somewhat less glorious.”

[Dragon] Head #1 / Head #2

Chad Hardin: “Everyone liked this dragon sketch so much that Dark Horse printed it for signings at conventions. You can see I did multiple proposals for the dragon’s head. It was more effective than drawing the body over and over.”

2. [arrow pointing to Mae’s sleeve] concealed [I think that’s what it says anyway] daggers / shurikens?

Chad Hardin: “When designing Rasaan and Maevaris, I wasn’t exactly sure how their roles would play out in the series. Maevaris’ outfit was inspired by brothel madams of the Wild West. I thought it would be cool to have some weapons concealed in the formal wear. These never came into play in the series, but they were there in my mind.”

3. Chad Hardin: “Although we only see Titus in his battle garb in one issue, I really liked the design of his armor. The sketch of Yavana was done on the fly and served as both a rough preliminary sketch and as a panel layout. You have to work hard and smart in comics to keep up with the deadlines.”

4. Cover Artist Anthony Palumbo: “This was my first assignment for Dark Horse, and I was both excited and nervous. I drew pencil sketches of the main characters, scanned them and played with different arrangements, poses and color schemes in Photoshop.”

5. Anthony Palumbo: “Fellow illustrator Winona Nelson helped me by sitting for photo reference. I created the mock-jewelry with gold-painted Sculpey. That’s a quick photo of my own gaping maw, to help with the image of Varric.”

#dragon age #bioware #video games #artevalentinapaz #alistair theirin #fav warden #morrigan #queen of my heart #long post #longpost

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sulphuryasecretcloset · 3 years

Text

What if...things are not what they seem?

“Okay…” Dulsissia cradles Nemi close and turns to face the teens while Davarax stands next to her. “Paz, you’re responsible for keeping Raga and Barthor on the Razor Crest.” He nods, so she continues; “Mose, you’re responsible for keeping Zev and Din on the ship. Nobody leaves. Understood?” The Hutt nods.

Corin crosses his arms with a sullen look. “I don’t get why Din can’t come along.”

“It’s just for a little while.” Davarax says. “You two can survive without each other for a little while.”

Din sighs. “It’s fine, Corin. Go. I’ll be here when you come back.”

Dulsissia is already regretting her decision, but now they’ve come here and landed the ship so might as well get it over with. “Okay…” She repeats, stalling for time and probably would have stalled longer if not for Davarax placing a gentle hand on her arm.

She’s not alone. That gives her strength. She can do this.

Wearing Manadalorian armor draws quite a lot of attention, people on Seswenna are not used to seeing someone who is neither rich or a slave walk among them, but Dulsissia has no trouble holding her head high and the helmet serves mostly to hide her own disdain for these people.

The guards at the Motti mansion hesitate to let them in and Dulsissia actually has to remove her helmet for them to believe she is who she claims to be, and even then they insist on sending a message inside to see if she’s welcome.

For half a second, Dulsissia is not sure. If her mother is in a bad mood, she might not be. But shortly after, the gates open and the guards ushers them inside.

Antonia Motti greets them in her office. That alone tells Dulsissia how low she’s ended up on the Motti ranking system. She’s not allowed into the private rooms, it seems.

“Mother.” Dulsissia greets as she walks into the office, followed by Corin and then Davarax.

Sitting behind her desk, Antonia looks at her with a cold, calculating gaze and the smile on her face is mixed with disdain. “Dulsissia.” Her gaze flicks over at Corin and one of her eyebrow lifts, but then the bundle in Dulsissia’s arms makes a sound and her focus snaps back to Dulsissia.

“I thought maybe you wanted to meet your granddaughter?” Dulsissia says, absently rubbing her daughter’s back in an effort to either soothe Nemi, or herself. This is a bad idea. Why had she felt that she should let her mother know she’d become a grandmother again and let her see Nemi?

Antonia gets up from her chair. “You had another one?” She looks over at Davarax. “With this one?” A wry smile to her lips. “Macero must be spinning in his grave.”

Davarax is about to say something, but then Antonia steps forward, eyes on him, and he falls quiet. She continues to walk forward until she’s right in front of him and then, to Dulsissia’s indignation, Antonia circles her husband with a critical eye before coming to a halt between them. “Davarax, correct?”

“Ma’am.” He replies with a nod, polite as always.

Antonia makes a thoughtful hum, then turns to face Dulsissia and holds her arms out with an impatience Dulsissia remembers too well from her childhood. “Come on then. Let me hold her.”

Strangely reluctant, she has to remind herself once again that this had been her own idea, Dulsissia eases Nemi over into her mother’s arms and clenches her hands into fists to keep herself from reclaiming her daughter.

Antonia looks down at Nemi, scans her features and probably finds a rank for her among the Motti grandchildren. “She looks healthy.”

“She is.” Davarax replies with pride. “She’s strong. Like her mother.”

Antonia sends him a dry look. “Like her father. A big buck like you will give strong children.” She turns her attention back to the gurgling Nemi for a moment before looking at Corin. “Though, my daughter always makes her children beautiful. It’s the Motti blood in her.”

Corin has been trying to do his best to melt into the background and now his eyes widen as he is under his grandmother’s scrutiny.

“I don’t think you should underestimate your daughter’s strength, ma’am.” Davarax gently counters. “Few would have been able to go through what she did and come out even stronger on the other side. She’s truly a remarkable woman.”

Dulsissia has to bite her lower lip to keep the tears back, dank farrik if she’ll cry in front of her mother, but Davarax’ words makes her heart glow.

Antonia does not look impressed. “If she had listened to me, she wouldn’t have had to go through all that mess.”

Anger and humiliation flares up inside Dulsissia. “And if you had listened to me every once in a while, I wouldn’t have been so desperate for attention that I believed his lies.”

A wry smile tugs at Antonia’s lips. “Blaming others for your mistakes, Dulcy? Now you sound like your father.” She rocks Nemi gently and tuts as the girl makes a worried sound. “There, there, little one. Mottis don’t whine.”

Gritting her teeth, Dulsissia steps over and reclaims her daughter, but the irate glare she sends her mother goes unnoticed as Antonia simply moves on to stand in front of Corin.

“Grandmother.” Corin greets her, a little cautious and very nervous.

“Corin.” Antonia says. “You should meet your cousins. I’m sure you would get along really well.”

A look of curiosity takes hold of Corin and Dulsissia feels a stab of fear. “Another time.” She sees Davarax frown from the corner of her eye and prays he keeps quiet. “We have to leave now.”

“Already?” Antonia says, a little confused. “But you just got here. Surely you could let a grandmother spend some more time with her grandchildren? I’ve barely gotten to see my granddaughter. Stay for dinner at least.”

“Sorry.” Dulsissia glues on a smile. “We have other obligations. Maybe next time.”

Antonia does not look not pleased at all, then turns back to Corin. “Let me know if you want to visit, Corin. I’ll send someone to fetch you and you can meet your cousins. I know Monarch would love to show you his new ship that he got for his fifteenth Life Day.”

Corin blinks. “He has a ship of his own?”

“Of course.” Antonia says, as if it is perfectly normal. “All the Motti children have their own ships.” She reaches out and takes a light hold of Corin’s chin, moving his face a little from side to side to really study him before letting go. “Send me a message, yes? I’m sure we can find a ship for you too.”

Corin nods, all eyes.

Dulsissia is clenching her jaw so hard it hurts and it takes no small amount of will-power not to flinch away when Antonia comes back to hover over Nemi again.

“She looks promising, Dulcy.” Antonia says, which is as close to a compliment Dulsissia can hope to get from her. “I look forward to watching her grow up.”

“We have to go.” Dulsissia repeats, clutching her child a little closer.

Antonia nods absently, reaching up to gently ease the blanket around the girl down so she can see all of her face. “We have excellent nannies here on Seswenna, as you know, Dulcy. Feel free to bring her with Corin, if you and… Davarax want some time to yourselves. I’m sure even Mandos babysit for each other?”

“We do, ma’am.” Davarax confirms. “Very kind of you to offer.”

“Goodbye, mother.” Dulsissia blurts out, leans over to place an air-kiss by her cheek and then turns to usher her son out of the room.

Davarax looks a little confused, but he gives Antonia another respectful nod before following Dulsissia out of the room and eventually the mansion.

Corin is trotting ahead, eager to get back to the Razor Crest where he can brag to the others that his grandmother wants to buy him his very own ship, while Dulsissia and Davararx follow at their own pace.

“That didn’t go too bad, did it?” Davarax asks as they approach the hangar.

“Other than her trying to buy my son and treating you like livestock? It could have gone worse, I suppose.” Dulsissia looks down at her daughter and has to kiss her head.

Davarax snorts a laugh. “I’ve been called worse and treated a lot harsher, so don’t worry about it. As for Corin, I suspect she doesn’t know any other way to connect with others. Maybe letting her spend time with our kids could-”

“No.” Dulsissia halts and spins around to face him so abruptly he nearly walks into her. “Corin and Nemi will not be staying with her.”

Davarax frowns. “But she’s their grandmother…”

Dulsissia cradles Nemi with one arm so she can reach out with the other and her fingers grab a hold at the top of his breastplate. “Listen, I need you to promise me something.”

“She is my mother and I unfortunately haven’t been able to find a way to stop wanting her approval, but she will not poison my children. Our children.” Dulsissia states, her voice as hard as Beskar. “Her interest in Corin and Nemi is all about what they can bring to the family. It has nothing to do with any kind of love for her grandchildren. I don’t think that woman is capable of feeling love.”

Her harsh words seems to stun Davarax.

“Anything.” Davarax says, but he sounds and looks uneasy.

“If something happens to me, if I’m no longer around, promise to never let her watch them. Promise me you will never let them out of your sight if she’s around.” Because Dulsissia knows, if he does; he will never see the children again. Livestock is not worthy of bringing up Motti children.

Davarax gives a faint nod, but he doesn’t look any less uneasy.

Dulsissia nods and tries to put on a smile. “Good. Thank you.” She lifts her hand up to cup the side of his face for a moment in an apologetic and comforting gesture. “Let’s go home.”

And Antonia Motti watches them walk away with a sharp smile on her face.

#the mandalorian his son and the storm trooper #What If #Mandorin AU #Dulsissia Motti #Davarax #Teenage Corin #Fearsome Four #the one-shots start coming and they don't stop coming

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spell-cleaver · 4 years

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"You have to do what is best for him," Sabé snarled, "not you! If you really love him, then you'd care for his well-being instead of selfishly keeping him here!"

Previous parts on the masterpost here!

"You have to do what is best for him," Sabé snarled, "not you! If you really love him, then you'd care for his well-being instead of selfishly keeping him here!"

Sabé's advice was not nearly as useful as he'd been hoping for.

It was downright ridiculous.

It was blasphemous.

“What,” he snarled, “are you suggesting?”

“Exactly what I have been suggesting since Luke called me back to look after him,” she said, her chin held high. She even stood up, scraping her chair back from behind her desk and glared at him, lips pursed. She was at least a head shorter than him and she was terrifying.

“Exactly,” she continued, voice trembling with rage—no, not rage. With passion. “What I have been wanting to do with Luke for years. Exactly what Padmé wanted for him! To take him to Naboo, and let him be happy!”

Vader blinked. “He is not going to Naboo, he wants to go with—”

“That academy Leia and Zev will be attending is in Theed,” Sabé informed him. “Leia chose to study Naboo as one of Alderaan’s most beloved allies because of the friendship between her father and Luke’s mother, in fact. Luke could go with them—enjoy his time with his friends and make new friends—and stay with Padmé’s family, as you know he wanted to. Queen Dalné has already told them what Luke told her during his most recent visit; they want to meet their nephew, grandson and cousin.”

Padmé’s family.

Of course.

Vader said, “You did not tell them of Luke’s existence before?”

“Tell them what? That their nephew was secretly alive, but he’d been kidnapped, raised and abused by a madman and there was no way of retrieving him?” Sabé folded her arms. “I’m not in the interest of ruining people’s lives like that. I wasn’t going to tell them until I could give them hope. But they know now, and they want to meet him. When we got back from Mustafar I was fielding a thousand messages from them.”

“They do not deserve him.”

“And you do?” Her voice was scornful.

Vader said quietly, “No one does.”

“We’re in agreement there,” she scoffed. “But… Luke deserves to be happy, don’t you think?”

Vader clenched his fists. “He needs to be safe.”

“He can be safe away from you, Anakin.”

“Do not call me—”

“Don’t distract from the issue. Palpatine is dead. His supporters are crushed—you found their base on Mustafar, and you found their communications, and I’m sure that you will spend the next weeks or months or years or however long it takes hunting them and crushing them to dust.

“But until then, so long as Luke remains on Coruscant, they know where he is. He is no safer with bodyguards here than he would be with bodyguards on Naboo.” She watched him with sharp eyes. “And on Naboo, he would be happy.”

Vader bowed his head. He couldn’t deny that.

“I…” he said, swallowing the words before they came.

“You want him near you,” Sabé said. “I know. I do too. I love that boy—I love him more than anything, and I will miss him more than anything.”

She paused, then said softly:

“I missed him so much it hurt, all the years I was away.”

Then her voice hardened again. “But this isn’t about you, and it isn’t about me.”

She blinked—Vader was startled to see that her brown eyes were glistening; even before his shocked gaze, a tear ran down her face and she went to wipe it away.

“This is about Luke,” she said, her voice cracking.

He folded his arms. “Luke is the Emperor. It is his birth right.”

“His birth right is killing him. Luke is more important than your delusions.”

“I am willing to accept that he may go away for a while. That could do him good—the trip to Naboo was excellent for him, until he was kidnapped. But his foolish wish to stop being Emperor is ridiculous, and we would have to be present for any leave he would take.”

“You’re needed here, aren’t you?” She gave him a pointed look, leaning forward to plant her hands on her desk. “You need to obliterate the rest of Palpatine’s supporters—Luke killed him for good, but they are still out there. And someone will need to guide the Senate in the absence of an emperor.”

“You would seize power?”

“I became the handmaiden to a queen and served her loyally from the age of fourteen until this very moment,” Sabé said. “Power has never been my aim. You know this, Anakin. And you know that this is not about politics.”

No.

He knew that.

“Anakin,” Sabé said. “Vader. This is for Luke.”

Vader clenched his fists tighter.

Closed his eyes.

Luke’s terrified face flashed to mind.

No. He couldn't let Luke go. Naboo was in the Mid Rim, parsecs away from Coruscant. He would not let his son leave him alone here—he needed to protect him.

Luke was all he had.

The only person he cared about. Padmé's son, who deserved the galaxy and would be given the galaxy. Luke was his son, and he would not be parted from him the way—

The way he'd been parted from his mother.

He thought of her, then.

Gentle hands on his head, a soft voice, calling to him across the sandy streets... He thought of her fear every time he'd go podracing, he thought of her acute attention when patching up every scratch and bruise, he thought about how she'd put herself between him and Watto's beatings, always, his steadfast protector in that most miserable of lives.

He thought about how, when Qui-Gon had come to free him, she hadn't hesitated, hadn't held on to him. She'd let him make the choice she must have known he would make—had watched her only source of happiness vanish in the distant hope that out there, he would be free.

Anakin hadn't understood it at the time. Not truly. He'd barely understood it years later.

But, thinking of Luke, thinking of Naboo, and Sabé, and Padmé... he understood it now.

Luke had been so happy on Naboo. He would be so happy on Naboo.

Above everything—above the Empire, above the Force, above himself—Vader wanted Luke to be happy.

And that meant, he realised, throat choked up and suddenly grateful that he could no longer cry, he had to let Luke go.

“I see,” he said finally. His mother’s voice rang in his ears, though he could not have repeated the words—there was so much she had taught him, so much he had forgotten…

…so much he could still learn.

He needed to let Luke go.

No matter how much it hurt.

No matter how much he loved him.

No matter how much he wanted him to stay.

This was what would be best for Luke. So he needed to let Luke go.

“Luke will go to Naboo,” he said, choking on the words as he said them. “He… he should be happy. I want him to be happy.”

Sabé smiled, her eyes still sparkling with tears. “Me too.”

“I will ask him about being Emperor,” he continued. “I… I want him to have the galaxy, the way I wanted Padmé to have it—”

“The way neither of them ever wanted it.”

“—but I understand if he will not accept it.” Because he knew, with certainty, that if Anakin had returned to tell Shmi that he was not happy with the Jedi, then she would have fought the suns to find a better place for him. Whether she’d thought it was the perfect life for him, a life of glory and prestige and power that he would never have otherwise had… she would have done it.

Ani, I wanna have our baby back home on Naboo…

Vader turned away.

“Thank you, Anakin,” Sabé said to his back. He didn’t acknowledge him.

“You will have to be appointed as Regent in his place,” he said dully. “If anyone is to respect your authority.”

“I know.”

He didn’t have anything more to say to that.

“Rule well,” were his parting words. “Make a better galaxy for Luke to live in.”

And though he left before he could see it, Sabé bowed her head and wept, smiling more broadly than she had since before her lady had died, because—

At last.

At long last.

Padmé’s son was coming home.

“I will,” she promised.

Beginning | Previous | Next

#luke palpatine #the heir #sabé #darth vader #HELP #I GAVE MYSELF FEELINGS #my writing #random words on a page

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nobloodneeded · 3 years

Text

me drawing fan art and writing background hcs of my latest Warden? Couldn’t be.

Name: Rylan Amell

Orientation: Gay, switch. As a shameless flirt, often people are shocked that he is only attracted to men. He likes to casually drop such a fact into conversation and revel mischievously in the shocked or scandalized reactions.

Notable moments:

- The time he ran out of mana and lyrium potions and was chased up a tree by a bear that turned out to be a Sylvan in the Brecilian Forest.

- He and Alistair told Leliana they were all going to jump into Lake Calenhad off the dock together, but on the count of three as Leliana leaped in, they planted their feet so she was the only one who got wet. The two slept in shifts in the same tent that night, but it was worth it.

- He once drank Oghren under the table at camp only because while the beserker downed his mug, he would throw the drink over his shoulder. Oghren admired Rylan highly after this and boasted about his defeat in good humor while the rest of the party could only bemusedly shake their heads.

- Weeks of Sten muttering to himself new names for the group in Qunlat, Rylan answered him back in the same tongue because he had an affinity for learning languages in the Circle. Similarly, when Zevran got passionate about a topic he would switch to Antivan and it took the assassin a moment to realize Rylan had been carrying a conversation in his native language.

- After the explosion of the Chantry, Hawke and Anders fled Kirkwall as fugitives and set off to find Warden-Commander Rylan; as the Champion’s long-lost relative and the man who conscripted Anders. Rylan and Zevran at the time were on the search for the cure to the Calling. When they had found the two, after pulling them into a warm hug, Rylan joked, “If YOU’RE the gay cousin, and I’M the gay cousin, who’s steering the cart?!”

Major relationships:

- Best friend: Alistair.

Alistair had become a true brother-in-arms and kindred spirit.Their shared dislike for the templar order, sense of justice, and deflecting their pain with humor forged them as fast friends. The two were seldom seen apart, commiserating their woes or pulling pranks at camp. A sound more common in the camp than the Mabari’s howls were the chortles of Rylan and Alistair.

He was there to pick the pieces of Alistair's heart when he met Goldanna and, tired of seeing his friend mistreated, chose to harden him. Rylan believed in Alistair and after Anora's betrayal - though he appreciated what she had done for the people of Ferelden - he did not trust her to rule alone. The two remained incredibly close throughout the years.

Upon finding the cure, Rylan’s first stop was to Denerim.

- Romanced: Zevran; immediate infatuation on sight.

Rylan’s first thought upon seeing him was "He's the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on." It took restraint not to brush the silky blond hair away from his would-be assassin's face. Fighting it was futile, the moments he tried Zevran only tried harder. He would attempt to keep distance by moving Alistair, Morrigan, or other party members in between them. Once, Zevran tripped himself and, while the others continued, Rylan helped the rogue who locked eyes and said, "Well, it looks like I've fallen for you, my dear Warden."

Rylan had only ever experienced superficial carnal releases in the Circle, as everyone knew love was a weapon to be used against you on a whim. He was content that sex was all it as ever going to be; like Zevran, he had known nothing else.

He had begun to dip his toes into the pool of this rogue's companionship and soon found the water had come up to his neck. It wasn't long before he was drowning in this new feeling; a painful euphoria that burned and ached in his chest. He adored the way Zev's tongue rolled over the R in his name as he moaned it and his charming sense of humor. He loved the way his hair fell across his face in the mornings and the way he arched his back against Rylan's front for more contact in the night. He enjoyed the sensation of his thumb gently massaging circles into the flat Zev’s ear. He began to see signs of reciprocation when Zevran's usually lustful sidelong glances softened at their corners as he looked on in longing instead.

Having come to terms with his own feelings, when Zevran offered the earring, Rylan initially declined unless it meant something real. The second time the earring was given, after Zevran had reconciled the sincerity of his feelings, Rylan reached to place a comforting hand on the assassin's shoulder. He clumsily lost his balance and tipped forward. Zev's quick reflexes failed him as he tried to catch his partner, who fell down to one knee and spoke softly, "Well, it looks like I have fallen for you, my dear Crow." Zevran laughed heartily and pulled Rylan up to share a passionate kiss. The next day, Rylan had a sore ear and a soaring heart as he wore the earring with pride.

Once the battle of the Archdemon was won, the two were inseparable. Aside from quick forays and jobs that took Zevran across Thedas, he always returned to his Warden and dutifullly traveled with him to find a cure for his Calling.

Dark Ritual: Performed.

Rylan was incredibly conflicted over this decision. Morrigan's confession came like a physical blow to his stomach. He knew he could never ask Alistair to do this; as a bastard himself, per Morrigan's pact and their distaste for each other, it would mean forcing him to sire what he hated being himself.

Rylan had never thought of siring a child, never dreamt it or wanted it. He saw what happened to babies born from the Circle and as a gay man his only course of action would have been adoption - and the Templars barely let mages have autonomy of themselves, let alone their children.

It seemed initially like an easy decision: sex in order to save your life, even if it was with a woman. However, it wasn't just sex. He would be fathering a child - a child whose mother explicitly forbade his involvement. He would be forced to abandon his own child, one he never anticipated, but would exist nonetheless.

He thought then to Zevran, the man he loved and who loved him in return. He knew to save the heart of his beloved, he had to do this. Thoughts of the babe plagued him after the battle. He searched high and low for Morrigan's trail after things in Amaranthine had settled. His goal was to get closure from his friend who had stolen away immediately after the Archdemon was felled. He let her go, in the end. She did not need him around, he would not have gone; he wished her and their son all the luck in the world.

For years, Rylan would write letter upon letter and Zevran would watch as he crumpled each with a mixture of frustration and regret. Ten years had passed, Leliana and Zevran reignited communication through dealings with the Inquisition. Business aside, she sent word that a familiar apostate graced Skyhold with a strapping young lad, who though well-behaved, had a familiarly mischievous glint in his eye. Attached to the correspondence was a sketch of the boy. Without a word, for none could encapsulate the myriad of thoughts on the subject of his son, he placed the drawing in a locket Zevran had snatched off a target long past. Rylan never went without it again.

#personal #i have....a lot of feelings about my warden clearly #dragon age oc #dragon age #zevran arainai #alistair theirin #rylan amell #warden oc #leliana #morrigan #hawke #anders #long post

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an-egg-broke-my-heart · 4 years

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Rille Tabris

Age: 22 when recruited Sexuality: Bisexual Origin: City Elf Three words to describe his personality: Dirty, bubbly, lethal. Theme song: A Little Wicked (Valerie Broussard)

Class: Rogue, Dual Weapon Specialization: Bard Mages or templars: Mages Reaction to made a warden: partially "can you give me a minute my cousin was just raped and my fiancé was just murdered" and partially "fuck yeah bitch let's gooooo"

Romantic Interest: Zevran Kids: Adrel Best Friend: Oghren Biggest Rival Companion: Despite their differences, she adores them all. And while she may drive them crazy, they all feel the same. Go-to party members: Zev, Wynne, Oghren

After Awakening: Rille and her newly pronounced husband honeymoon across Thedas and only settle back down in Denerim when she gives birth to their son, Adrel. The family lives in the alienage there happily while Rille serves as advisor to the throne (per Alistair's demands, much to Anora's distaste) and often adventures around Fereldan just for the hell of it, until one day Zev is woken by the sound of Rille seizing in bed next to him. That day they pack up and their travels begin again. The calling will not take her from them.

5 random tidbits: -Rille is partially blind and has been her whole life, although it gets worse as she ages. The way she sees is similar to consistent tunnel vision, so while fighting she relies heavily on instincts and her other senses. She considers this an advantage, as when others may be incapacitated in the dark, Rille is able to seek out and conquer her enemies with ease. -She was simply obsessed with the way people expressed themselves through their physical appearance as her travels began. She had always worn clothes that were available and just let her hair grow. Exploring the world of hairstyles, fashion, jewelry, tattoos, etc. was one of her favorite fascinations. When her companions saw things they knew she would like but were too distant for her to see, they would always explain them to her and she adored it. -Due to the above, during the year she spent fighting the 5th blight she had Morrigan chop off of her hair, got her first tattoo in the Dalish camp, had Zevran pierce her ear, and giggled with Leliana about wardrobe choices in each new area. -Cannot hold her liquor but is absolutely adorable when she tries. She'll stomach the worst of Oghren's booze and joke with him for hours until Zevran eventually comes to make sure she gets to her tent for the night safely. Her jokes are terrible and, Maker, he loves her for them. -She did not get along with Alistair when they initially met, he was a young man that reminded her a bit too much of the shems back in Denerim. But he was soft and patient with her, and is one of the main reasons she was able to start working through her PTSD. Her use of humor as a coping mechanism may have been influenced by him as well. His want to not sit on the throne is exactly why she put him on it, it was time that the power-hungry men loose the upper hand.

#rille #rille tabris #aebmh oc #aebmh about #grey warden #warden tabris #dragon age origins #dragon age #dao #da #zevran #zevran romance #zevran x warden

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gingerbreton · 5 years

Text

about the muse meme

tagged by @apostatetabris thank you!!

- your muse’s name:

Ysabelle (Izzy) Sophia Dryden

- a favourite picture / faceclaim of your muse:

This is Izzy in DAO vs DAI, plus her face claim is Christina Hendricks - that’s my favourite pic for when I’m trying to give people a proper impression of my girl. She actually has very green eyes and some freckles as well, but that hair is perfect for her!

- two headcanons you have for your muse:

Izzy spent the first 14 years of her life travelling with her father’s merchant caravan across Ferelden, mostly along the northern coast. This resulted in her accent being a mix Coastlands/Highever (Northumbrian) and Amaranthine (Yorkshire). Even though her accent has softened after 10 years in Denerim, during moments of high emotion or when she is around her family, she always slips back into her regional accent. Plus she’s never stopped calling everyone ‘pet’ or ‘love’! (This HC is born of so many discussions with @laurelsofhighever about regional accents around Ferelden - thank you for so much inspiration!)

If anyone is wondering where Anders is during DAI, he is travelling west with Izzy in search of the cure. After the whole Kirkwall business Izzy managed to get him safely back to Ferelden and away from searching Chantry forces. When she’s exhausted all hope of finding the cure in Thedas’ know regions, it’s Aedan, Anders and Nathaniel who join her as she travels west.

- three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:

reading: Izzy loves to read! She is absolutely amazed by the library at the circle when they go there - even with all the demons! Don’t even get her started on the Palace library. If ever Alistair can’t find her, he knows that’s his best bet.

knife tricks/training: it reminds her of her time back in Denerim when one of her father’s friends trained her to defend herself properly - at her dad’s request as she was sent to Denerim after the caravan lost a lot of people to bandits. It was the only thing that stopped her feeling abandoned back then and it still brings her comfort now. She loves learning new skills from Zev!

music: she loves listening to music and, it’s not like she sings like Leliana, but there is always a tune on her lips, especially when she is distracted. When she’s feeling relaxed enough she will sing duets with Leliana in camp.

- seven people your muse loves / likes:

Alistair - it took her a while to get her shit together but she loves that boy more than life. The daft lad even married her! Morrigan - they clicked unexpectedly almost instantly, naturally feeling able to trust one another. It breaks Izzy’s heart when she leaves after the final battle. Aedan - her baby brother not by blood. She was asked to look out for the devastated young Cousland by her old warden mentor and they ended up like family (arguments included). Levi - her cousin who practically raised her after she was sent to Denerim. It was his words to Duncan that got her recruited rather than executed. Anders - they share the same jaded view on the world combined with a real love of life. They got on from the instant they met. Nathaniel - Nate is her right hand warden during her Amaranthine days. He is possibly the only truly responsible person she holds dear. The poor man puts up with a lot during awakening! Zevran - they bonded over their occasionally dark humour and an appreciation for the roguish arts. When Alistair searches for Maric, it’s Zev who keeps her appraised of what happened, at least within Antiva. And when she travels west, it’s Zev who she trusts to keep an eye out for Alistair yet again.

- a phobia your muse has:

Spiders. Izzy is not good with them at all! Her first run in with giant ones was just her and Morrigan outside Lothering, and i think most of Lothering probably heard her scream. The Deep Roads were not her happy place!

Tagging @magpiesandmabari @laurelsofhighever @weirdnproudofit @allisondraste @daydreamingdragonage @dickeybbqpit @gothkimmyschmidt and anyone who wants to! Just tag me, I’d love to see your muses!

#ysabelle dryden #my oc #dragon age

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ageofdragon · 6 years

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DA4 Cameos and Companions

I wanted to address this, since I really liked this post by @quizzy-tielle but there are a few more notes that can be added. tdlr at the bottom, under the read more.

Origins

Alistair: Alistair will probably only have a Cameo since he has two different paths (Warden or King), but I could see him being plot relevant. Maybe only a Warden like in DA2, even if it is possible for him to “die” in DA:I. This is because DA:I leaves that open if they want to “retcon” it. The words used in the choice implies you might be leaving Alistair to his death, there is an open end there. Especially since we don’t see his dead body only what looks like him going down. On the other hand, it has been a while since his Joining and unless he is like his mother (or the dragon’s blood theory is true), then he is almost due for his Calling. So if Al is there in DA4, expect him in Grey Warden regalia.

Morrigan: I don’t think Morrigan will ever be a Companion player again, but she will be a major npc no matter where the game takes place. Not only is she headed where we are supposed to be, but she is now carrying some of the last remnants of Mythal whether in her head (depending on who drank the Well) or in her blood.

Leliana: If our game does actually take place in Tevinter, I think she might get a mention at best. Either by reminiscent characters or in the grand scheme of things. I don’t see her playing to much part unless some of the game returns to Orlais, in which case as a Divine she could very well pop up. As well as still being interested/running the Inquisition’s spies against Solas (I believe even as the Divine), so again a peripheral character. That said I’d really be interested to see if Lyrium Ghost Leliana pops up anywhere!

Wynne: Wynne has actually died by Asunder; leaving not a character no one cares about, but one that even if people wanted her she is unable to return. Unless as a spirit of course. That said it is not out of the question to meet her son Rhys and perhaps recruit him as a companion, along with his Templar sweetheart Evangeline.

Oghren: I could have seen Oghren returning when the team consisted of mostly the old writers. But with Weekes in charge and a few new writers around, I agree he is probably too lowbrow and overlooked (even among the writers) to pop up again. At the very most, if at all, it’ll be a quick mention somewhere.

Zevran: I agree that Zevran possibly being dead makes it hard, but honestly if I don’t get to see Zev once in this new engine. I will move to Canada just to stand outside Bioware studios and scream continuously at them till the day I perish. Zevran deserves more and if Leliana can resurrect, why not our favorite elven assassin.

Sten: Sten is actually a pretty popular character, only he doesn’t go by Sten anymore. Well at least not for most people. Which is where the conflict comes in. For anyone who earned Sten’s loyalty, he is Arishok now. Which big Qunari plot means definite appearance by the Arishok. However, I don’t see him being a companion, at best he would be a NPC ally. On the other hand, those who didn’t help Sten left him without the Qun...unless he went back and became Arishok later (after the Warden) which is a very easy work around.

Shale: I could actually see Shale being a companion. I mean they can reuse at least one (even in DA2, Nathaniel was going to be a return companion but they scraped it). Shale was a character a lot of people liked, but being a DLC character was underexplored. She was last seen heading to Tevinter to discover how to be a dwarf again. So golem, dwarven, or a mix of the two, Shale is a huge possibility.

Hero of Ferelden: Bioware has pretty much confirmed the Warden won’t be back in full capacity ever. Mostly because creating a unvoiced major character is very hard, when they once spoke (unable to make canonically mute) and finding a voice is no solution (they wouldn’t be able to appease enough people, no matter the actor). Which pretty much seals it as, if the Warden shows up, it is in a written or spoken about capacity and nothing more.

Dragon Age 2

Carver/Bethany: It would be such a guilt pleasure if they did show up, but I highly doubt they would and certainly not as a companion. They have too many outcomes and possible paths, it’ll probably be like in DA:I where they get a special mention. OR if Bioware was really clever, they’d make an obscure Warden in the background look like them but obscure enough they can handwave it as “no, but maybe”. Either way, might show up in the Weisshaupt storyline as a special mention, but not much more.

Fenris: I agree with the other post, that Fenris is the one person who would be the one most likely to pop up. I still don’t think as a companion, because he can die. But I do think he could be an ally NPC. Fenris either gets sent back to Danarius or has spent the past years hunting down slavers, so he is bound to be in or near Tevinter. I have almost no doubt we’ll see him, physically, at least once. Though I wouldn’t rule out him being a Weisshaupt too, if he romance Hawke and Hawke wasn’t left in the Fade.

Isabela: Isabela has been in every game so far and if they don’t continue this in DA4 I will be upset. Seriously, it’s like an expectation now. Every DA game is like sex, it’s fun, there is depth, and Isabela is there. Maybe as a companion, maybe as an NPC, or a extra to the cause. Don’t care, she just has to be there now. It’s a signature. Which...if we can get her in her sick Captain’s outfit again, more kudos to them.

Merrill: Hmmm, I don’t know about Merrill. She is such a good and well liked character, and I really need her to interact with Solas. BUT she had far more reason to be in DA:I, in a game that most likely will take place in Tevinter and surrounding area...I’m not sure where she’d fit. Not as a companion I don’t think. Maybe a cameo in Weisshaupt or when dealing with Solas stuff, but even then, her investment in those things seems a bit weak. The most likely place for me, would be dealing with the Eluvians or maybe even helping run an elven slave underground...kind of. But it would really depend where the game chooses to focus (on Tevinter, Solas, Weisshaupt, all 3 equally by some miracle).

Anders: I think at this point, everyone who loves Anders wants Anders back and safe, but also doesn’t want him to be touch by Bioware anymore. And anyone who hates Anders has either killed him or hoped that he was dead...so... Mixed feelings and mixed ideas. I don’t think he’ll ever be a companion again, Bioware learned their lesson (kind of considering Sera). But also being the entire world’s [of Thedas’s] scapegoat for the Mage War/Mage Split, I’m 99.9% sure we haven’t heard the last of some saying something bias, pretty much untrue, and absolutely scathing about him.

Aveline: She is helping run Kirkwall, which is where she belongs. If the game reaches out to the Free Marches, a glimpse or mention of her is sure to be heard. After all, she is the biggest badass there at the moment. Her days on the screen are probably over though, she was a good character but not one interesting enough to last past a single game of screen time. That said, I’d love to see her side-story with the Du Lacs actually revisited at some point, give us a deep Investigative story with her.

Varric: I mean I have to agree with quiz tielle, it pains me but his days as a companion are probably over. That said, I absolutely believe he’ll still have a large role to play. For starters, he is still our storyteller. Thedas’ storyteller and I highly doubt he’ll miss a chance to write out all of Thedas’ major historical events into eye-catching adventure novels till the day he dies. He may be a played out companion (can’t relate) but he isn’t dead and he is still an adventurer at heart, no matter how much he complains about the outdoors. All that aside, he is cousin to probably the most important, incredibly attractive magister in Tevinter right now, Maevaris Tilani (Tethras). I can definitely believe he’ll pop in to say hello and maybe scoop up a story or two, during DA4.

Sebastian: I’m not sure, I forget how his War Table mission plays out...but also not to offend any diehard Seb fans or anything...but he is shit and if he returns I’ll want to punch him. I mean he tried to overtake Kirkwall, for no reason than his own pride and probably a political move to strength his own country. It’s a Free Marcher thing, sure. But still, Sebastian Vael can get stuffed. That so awfully said, if he does come back I’ll still have a good time. Which serious for a moment, I don’t know why he would. Unless like I said we return to the Free Marches for whatever reason.

Tallis?: I have no idea if we have seen the last of her or not. I mean according to DA2 we haven’t and she was a War Table in Inquisitiion. So I suppose if there is a Qunari plot in DA4, you’d expect see her there. But I don’t know how there she’ll be...she could even be a companion. It’s a possibility, but I don’t expect it as a strong one.

Hawke: Hawke is definitely coming back, I don’t know when and I don’t know where but they will. I don’t say this as someone who loved their Hawke tho. I say this because Weisshaupt’s storyline seems to weigh on Hawke’s presence (if they escaped, they said that is where they are headed) and again, like I said in Alistair the decision to leave them behind in the Fade wasn’t final. Hell I wouldn’t be surprised in if in the obligatory Fade mission we ran into a Hawke that got left behind, half dead but still trucking along with that Purple Hawke smirk on their face. “You look like wyvern shit, Hawke.” “You would know.”

Dragon Age Inquisition

Josephine: I think if the Inquisition is there, Josephine is definitely going to be there in some regard. Even if it is a few letters lying around. She’ll be less relevant that she was in Inquisition though, well unless you romanced her. She still has a family to take care of, plus all that new trade and a few diplomatic graces. A lot for her to take on, plus a maybe slave rebellion?

Cullen: Cullen time has come, I don’t think Cullen wants a thing to do with Tevinter cause mages and honestly I’m glad. I mean yeah, he was the white boy version of Isabela’s cameo, but far less entertaining with his anti-mage, but they’re sorta of okay rhetoric. A little salty, yeah. Cause Bioware had 3 chances to get him to a better place (aka make him a great character with growth), but never got there. So as much as I’d love to see them try and fail to make him a better person one more time, it’s time to let him rest. With his slightly changed notions, his lyrium detox facility, and his dog. That rant over, he could be there in the same capacity as Josephine. A few letters and a little something extra for romancers.

Blackwall: A hard one...in theory Blackwall could make a comeback during the Grey Warden plot, Bioware hyped up. He could even be a true Grey Warden companion this time. However, he has a lot of variables and that makes it hard to bring him back as a return character. He could have died, he could have been saved and hidden, or he could have been saved and made a Grey Warden. Not to mention adding romances and whether he got the Grey Warden epilogue or the “prison counselor” epilogue.

Cassandra: I think Cassandra will have the same role/handling as Leliana honestly. She won’t be a companion, but we will see her interacting with the Inquisitor. Divine or not, she is still helping them with Solas. Though we might not actually interact with her, unless Orlais. Again like Leli.

Iron Bull: Another difficult one. On one hand, he could be dead and that is the end of. On the other he could be with Dorian, who I’ll get to in a minute. I think it’ll be a bit easier though, because they can use him like they did Stroud. If he is alive and helping Dorian (or the Inquisitor) then he can show up, be his usual self. Make references to the past game and his Chargers. If he is dead, then he has a blank stand-in that we kind of get to know during the rest of the game, but never to the extent that we know/knew Bull. That said, he is definitely not becoming a companion. Only two characters with a possible death have ever became companions again after said moment, and I think the fact it happens in the same game leaves Carver and Bethany in a completely different category.

Dorian: Alright, if we were ever going to have a returning companion it will probably be Dorian. I have to agree with the assumption. Because Dorian is Tevinter. He’s the good, the bad. The parts that need change, but also the parts that should be praised. He was singled out for this in Inquisition. It was focused on heavily about him being the new Tevinter ambassador. Of him and Mae taking Tevinter by storm. Their reformation of the Magisterium. They even gave him a plot item, that seemed unnecessary and yet provided a link. Which I’m talking about his sending crystal/magic cellphone. It was endearing and also telling. Why need a crystal when letters work too? And I highly doubt it was just to introduce the idea for fun...I’m getting carried away on my favorite boy. What I mean to say, is Dorian, if not a companion, will be a huge player in the next game. Assuming they are still sending us to Tevinter as planned. Not just because he was so loved, which he way. Or because he is an utterly striking, handsome character, which he is. But because Dorian is a major player in Tevinter as is, trying to change his country and you don’t just go to a country and not meet the most influential of them all.

Solas: Oh boy, I have so much to say about this. First off, I don’t agree with the other post. I don’t think Solas will be the biggest villain this game, this time around. Unless Weekes is really enamored with getting that story out of the way, which he might be. I think he’ll be a smaller big bad in the grand scheme of things, whereas he was the big bad in Inquisition (literally all that happened because of him). I think it’d be interesting to see him as a return companion though. Like yes, we all know who he is. But to our new character? Maybe he is just a revolutionist, maybe he was the one who freed them (if they go the slave plot for the PC). Another chance for him to play the PC and we have to watch it happen. But also, we have to figure out why he’d help us with this rebellion (again relies on the slave plot being used) when he has no horses in the race. I don’t know, it is a possibility and a frustrating, but interesting one.

Vivienne: If she is Divine, I don’t see her doing anymore that Cassandra or Leliana in the position. And again, very dependent on if we go to Orlais. Maybe more so, since she wasn’t a founding agent of the Inquisition like Leliana and Cassandra. However, if the Mage College/Circles of Magi issue is more prominent than I think it will be in DA4, then she might show up a bit more than usual. Still don’t think she’ll be a big role or ally to the main character though.

Cole: I don’t agree with Cole not fighting people, but I do agree that he has other things to worry about that the PC in DA4. That said, when it comes to Solas I feel like Cole will be back instantly. Solas and Cole were incredibly close (for a few reasons I can theorize, coughelves=spiritscough), and he was one of the few who actually wanted to save Solas. So if he is there, he is there for his friends and Solas only. Which means no companionship from him.

Sera: I can’t see Sera giving it a try in Tevinter, for so many reasons. Unless the Inky asks her of course. Every thing from the elves, many who just accept their lives. To the magic, to the lack of friends due to brainwashing and fear. It’s just not an environment Sera would enjoy or even want to be it. But if Orlais is still playing a big part in the next game, I’m sure we’ll turn up the Val Royeaux Jenny eventually. Or like I said, if Inky needs her. I doubt she’ll have much to do with the main character though.

Inquisitor: They’ll be there. In some shape or form they’ll show up, that I have no doubt of. How or when will be a mystery. It might be in the form of speaking to Dorian through the sending crystal (removes the need for a CC) or it might be as a Major Ally (i.e. Hawke in Inquisition). I don’t think the story will center around them as much as we think or would like though. Since this isn’t another Inquisitor story, but our new PC’s story.

Tldr:

As far as I believe, there could be a ton of cameos from almost anybody. Seriously, there are maybe 3 who won’t come back and none of them are the Wardens or Hawkes left in the Fade.

The only one from DAO I could see being a companion is Shale, but Sten/Arishok deserves a mention if the Qunari War Plot is going to be as important as we’ve been led to think.

From DA2, I can only see Tallis as a companion, again due to the supposed Qunari War plot. But I’m sure we’ll see Fenris, Varric, Hawke, and Isabela again somewhere in DA4.

Inquisition provides the most likely return companion, Dorian. I could see Solas or Blackwall returning as a companion, but I don’t think they truly beat out Dorian in the amount of importance and content we could get from a returning character by our side. Since Inquisition is the newest game, I especially see most if not all of the characters making some form of cameo.

Some Special Mentions I want to throw out there too. I imagine Calpernia will still be relevant in some way to the story. As she is also someone who wants to redeem Tevinter (in her own way) and could not be killed by the Inquisitor, even being a villain in their game.

Marius, Tessa, and Charter all seem to relevant, recurring characters in the extended media. I wouldn’t be surprised if they roles in the next game. Especially given Marius’s ties to Tevinter and Calpernia

If we don’t have Maevaris Tilani as a companion, after all of this, I will be shocked and scandalized. She has been another character that has both importance in Tevinter and seems to hold importance to the writers (though how this will go now that her main writer, David Gaider has left I don’t know. Weekes still has access to them and he should use it).

We haven’t yet seen the end of Valta...and perhaps Renn. I’m not sure Bioware will approach more dwarven concepts in DA4, but one can hope. Even more so, since I want to see what happened to Valta and just what is happening with the Titans.

#long post #is long #DA4 Speculation #DA4 #Dragon Age #dragonage

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aly-the-writer · 6 years

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OC Interview Meme

Tagged by @hoehoehoelt. Pretty sure everyone I can think of has already been tagged so going to open it up to whoever wants to do this. :) This one is for my Tabris Warden, Van.

Van Tabris

1. What is your name?

Van, but you can call me whatever you like. ;)

2. What is your real name?

Evander Tabris, but really, no one calls me Evander. Except my Father, the Queen, Chantry Mothers, and Nate when he’s annoyed – which is frequently but besides the point.

3. Do you know why you were called that?

I don’t know. Mom liked stories about heroes, I guess. My twin sister was named ‘Serena’. ‘Serena and Evander’ sound rather like the sort of stuffy names that legendary heroes would get saddled with, don’t they?

4. Are you single or taken?

Happy to be taken. :D

5. Have any powers or abilities?

Nope. None. Really, I am the most boring Warden you’ll ever meet.

6. Stop being a Mary Sue.

HEY! Take your casual sexism out of here. There is nothing wrong with ladies who are powerful without having to bend over backwards to make themselves palatable for some snuffling shem asshat who has nothing better to do with his pathetic life than rain on other people’s fun. Nothing wrong with writers who use characters to express aspects of themselves so *rude hand gestures*

7. What’s your eye color?

Hazel. Or gray. Or hazel. Or gray. Or hazel. Someone can never remember which one it is so it is in constant flux. Isn’t that beautiful?

8. How about your hair color?

Ooooh, that one’s easy! I’m a red head. Kinda blond-red but still.

9. Have you any family members?

Mhmm. There’s Dad and Shianni and Soris and Se………..I, uh, sorry. Serena isn’t around anymore. I also have a cousin that the Templars took away to the circle, Alim.

10. Oh? What about pets?

I didn’t have any until Lute. Lute’s my Mabari. :D

Unfortunately, the traitorous hound found a proper Ferelden to adore instead. My own dog betrayed me for a Howe, can you believe that? Lute took one look at Nathaniel Howe and decided to love him more than me. D:

He also likes Sigrun better than me but I’m pretty sure that’s mostly about bribery.

11. That’s cool I guess, now tell me about something you don’t like.

The Blight, brood mothers, Rendon Howe, the Archdemon, Darkspawn, the Architect, the Blights, the Taint….uh…there’s a theme, but let’s not linger on the unpleasant. Come on, there’s got to be something more interesting you want to ask me about.

12. Do you have any hobbies/activities you like doing?

I’m a bard. :D I can play something for you – or I would – but someone stole my instruments. >:| Apparently it’s depressing and creepy when the Warden Commander wanders around the walls in the middle of the night playing sad music on panpipes.

13. Ever hurt anyone before?

Yeah. Not that I enjoyed it but I grew up in the alienage. I was a Red Jenny for a while before I became a Warden and I was a thief way before I became a Jenny.

14. Ever…killed anyone before?

Pretty sure that last question answered that, but, yeah, of course.

15. What kind of animal are you?

Oooh, that’s easy. I’m obviously a magnificent songbird! Hear my sing! La-lah-la-la~~

16. Name your worst habits.

Pffft, I don’t have anything terrible. But to prevent any of the Vigil’s residents from giving a list thirty pages long I will admit that I, uh, flirt under pressure. Usually at inappropriate times. I flirted with the Mother not fifteen minutes after I had used nearly the exact same line on the Architect.

17. Do you look up to anyone at all?

Not really. I liked the story of Garahel but I never planned to be a Warden so I never really looked up to him either.

18. Straight, gay or bisexual?

Those are the only choices? You’re missing a whole range of people there! I mean, I’m bi, but still!

19. Do you go to school?

I mean, I studied a bit at the Chantry when I was a kid. That’s where I learned to read and write. I had a nice voice and was fascinated with the instruments. Mother Boann thought that having me learn how to play would keep me out of trouble – and it did mostly, I certainly got into less of it than Serena, just not entirely.

I stopped going after the idea that I should go to Orlais and study at the Conservatory was proposed. Someone had to look out for Rena and Soris and Shi and make sure that Denerim didn’t chew them up too badly. It was kind of stupid of me to think me sticking around would be enough to protect them, looking back on all that happened.

20. Do you ever want to marry and have kids one day?

I always intended to marry a nice woman and start a family the way my father wanted me to. He wanted grandchildren, and I didn’t see anything wrong with that ideal – just wanted to pick my own wife. But then I became a Warden.

During the Blight I gave up on that dream…and then…I survived. I have a son, but I have never met him. I’m not even sure I can rightfully call him my son in these circumstances….

*shakes himself; laughs softly* I do intend to marry though – Delilah has been getting more and more plain in her hints that we need to set the actual date.

There’s an ongoing debate over whether we should have the state wedding the Queen wants me to as ‘Hero of Ferelden’ – a title, which, by the way, is entirely ridiculous, all I did was stab an overgrown lizard with a temper, that doesn’t make me a hero – or have something small here at the Vigil.

21. Do you have any fanboys/fangirls?

Of course. Just look at me.

22. What are you most afraid of?

What are you, the Aegis? To answer your question, I fear losing those I care about. It’s not a very unique fear, but I’ve failed my loved ones too many times, and I have lost too many of them.

23. What do you usually wear?

*grin* Well, everyone loves a man in uniform.

24. Do you love someone?

Oh, uh. *laughs* Yes. Yes, I do.

25. What class are you? (Socioeconomic)

I was born in the alienage and now I rule a rather wealthy arling. So I think the best class for me is ‘confused’.

26. How many friends do you have?

*laughs* Oh, I have lots of friends. It’s good to have Friends to watch your back, you know. Little f and big F.

27. What are your thoughts on pie?

Tasty. Also I need some now. I wonder if I can beg the cook into making some today?

28. Favorite drink?

Anything that won’t kill me is fine. I’m really not that picky.

29. What’s your favorite place?

My bed. It’s warm and fluffy and the most dangerous thing in there is a sleep deprived Nate. And he’s way more bark than bite.

30. Are you interested in someone?

I should hope so. Nate – Nathaniel Howe – and I are engaged.

31. What’s your bra cup size and/or how big is your willy?

Wouldn’t you like to know?

32. Would you rather swim in the lake or the ocean?

Definitely lakes. Actually more like ponds, small ponds. Ponds are nice. I don’t care what Nate says waves are not fun.

33. What’s your type?

*laughing* No need to choose just one to enjoy when all of them are wonderful. Oh Maker, I sound like Zev. I’m engaged to Nate though so I guess ‘brooding human with a bitter sense of humor’?

34. Any fetishes?

Oh, plenty.

35. Top or bottom? Dominant or submissive?

Both? And depends on my partner?

36. Camping or indoors?

Indoors. Andraste help me if I ever have to camp again – and I will, but I would really rather not. I love having a castle. It’s wonderful and warm and there’s no threat of a bear coming into camp and knocking it over and eating my leg off.

37. Are you wanting the interview to end?

What? Not really. I love talking about myself. Well actually I just love talking, the topic very rarely matters. I’m terribly vain, you see, and in love with the sound of my own voice.

38. Now it’s over!

Does this mean I have to go back to being Arl and actually doing my job? Because I don’t want to – wait, where are you going? Come back!

#tagged #Asks answered #hoehoehoelt #oc: evander tabris #dragon age origins #dragon age: origins

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october-rosehip · 6 years

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OC Interview Meme- Ceilidh

I was tagged by @mocha-writes, who has tagged some of the usual suspects so I will tag... @madamsnark and @icylook, in case you need a timewaster.

I’m convinced all my art sucks lately so have a dollmaker Ceilidh. You can play with it here... http://www.rinmarugames.com/playgame.php?game_link=mega-fantasy-avatar-creator

1. What is your name?

“Ceilidh Tabris. It is pronounced KAY-leeh.”

2. What is your real name?

“Hero of Ferelden, Arlessa of Amaranthine, Warden Commander, Maestra Arainai? Pick one.”

3. Do you know why you were called that?

“Assorted reasons.”

4. Are you single or taken?

“Taken.”

5. Have any abilities or powers?

“All sorts. I can sew, I know how to cook, I'm decent at poisons... Ohhh you mean ways of kicking ass.” By her smile you can tell she knew that, and is messing with you. “I'm very good at stabbing things very fast, I get really mean when I'm angry, and I have a good relationship with the fade for a 'normal'. I drank Avernus' weird crap, too, so there's that.”

6. Stop being a Mary Sue.

“Unlike certain cuddly mages a universe or two away from me, I'm quite sure that term doesn't apply to me.”

7. What’s your eye color?

“They're green. Most people tell me they're my best feature.”

8. How about your hair color?

“Dark brown. Can't you tell? I have enough of it.” She tosses her mass of curls around, several loops of braid almost failing to keep them from escaping and frizzing out in all directions.

9. Have you any family members?

“Yeah! My family's huge. My dad, Soris, Shianni, all our adopted Crowlets; Zev's family now, and we have a daughter. Also, we found a cousin in Kirkwall. At least, we're pretty sure. He could be my brother, as similar as we look, but we don't have access to his records. But seriously, our noses, eyes, and eyebrows clearly grew on the same tree.”

10. Oh? What about pets?

“I still have my dog, and I keep a butterfly garden wherever I go. And, I mean, I have a sword with an undead dragon in it? Is that a pet?”

11. That’s cool I guess, now tell me about something you don’t like.

“Damn right, it’s cool. Anyway, I don't like politics, but I'm doomed to be involved in them, forever. I also don't like Chantry people looking sideways at my kid.”

12. Do you have any hobbies/activities you like doing?

“I love to read. I have those butterflies. Zev taught me to draw a little bit. We also have a slightly more personal hobby.”

13. Ever hurt anyone before?

“Of course. Often with much enthusiasm.”

14. Ever… killed anyone before?

“Did you notice that civil war we just had?”

15. What kind of animal are you?

“I don't do nice things to people who call me an animal. Just so you know.”

16. Name your worst habits.

“Other than fucking shit up for asshole humans? I... might have a bit of an issue with alcohol.”

17. Do you look up to anyone at all?

“All kinds of people. I didn't do any of it on my own, you know?”

18. Gay, straight, or bisexual?

“Bisexual is the best word, I think.”

19. Do you go to school?

“Aw, you probably think you're funny.”

20. Do you ever want to marry and have kids one day?

“I've done that. Though, I guess 'married' might be stretching matters, but like fuck I'm going to do that shit again.”

21. Do you have any fanboys/fangirls?

“I do, and it's weird.”

22. What are you most afraid of?

“Well, let's see... plenty of things. The world is scary. But I will tell you that I am NEVER going on my Calling and tradition can fuck itself.”

23. What do you usually wear?

“Ideally? Light linen or silk tunics and pants. Dalish leathers sometimes. Platemail more often than I want.”

24. Do you love someone?

“Very much.”

25. When was the last time you wet yourself?

“Other than when I was a baby? The beatdown I took on the way to Fort Drakon might have caused that. It's hard to tell. I don't remember it very well, but I was bloody, smelly, and concussed by the time I got there. That’s how humans deal with surrenders, for you.”

26. Well, it’s not over yet!

“What isn't, my life? Are you saying my time in human prisons isn't over? Because if that's the case, I should warn you that we're less alone than you think.”

27. What class are you? (High class, middle class, low class)

“Are you fucking serious? Oh, hah, you are. Well, I have several titles and a ton of money but I have no idea what half those forks are for, and my ears are pointy. Too many people in Denerim remember me as an assistant tailor, and in Antiva, it's complicated. I bought a house of assassins to save on the bloodshed, but that makes me technically a Crow, and most Crows were slaves. Yeah... it's weird.”

28. How many friends do you have?

“So many. Lots of people are decent if you just listen to them.

29. What are your thoughts on pie?

“Pie is useful. You can turn anything into pie. My favorite involves cheese and vegetables.”

30. Favourite drink?

“I like brown ale and I like chicory. Zev makes fun of me for both, but mostly because he likes to make me pretend-angry.”

31. What’s your favourite place?

“Hmmm... the beach, I think. Also, the roof. I like fresh air and I like people not knowing who I am, right away.”

32. Are you interested in someone?

“In what way?”

33. What’s your bra cup size and/or how big is your willy?

“All right, look, underclothing sizes are complete trash, and if you want something to fit, you have to have it made. I can help you with that. But if you want to know how big my tits are, they range from smallish to medium depending on if I've had enough to eat, lately. Being a Warden is hard on the grocery budget.”

34. Would you rather swim in the lake or the ocean?

“Ocean! The ocean is awesome.”

35. What’s your type?

“I like someone kind, and funny, and not too far above me.”

36. Any fetishes?

“Oh, tons. I'll try anything once.”

37. Seme or uke? Top or Bottom? Dominant or Submissive?

“I don't take orders well, that's for damn sure.”

38. Camping or indoors?

“I love camping. It was so strange moving back into a building after the blight. That said, I'm sure everyone I know is glad Zev and I have walls, now.”

39. Are you wanting the interview to end?

“Are you trying to see how far you can push me? Is that why you're asking? Silly you.”

40. Now it’s over!

“Hah! I win!”

#Meme thing #Ceilidh Tabris #profanity warning #That's just how she is

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da4dogpls · 6 years

Text

Warden Bio Meme

Introducing people to my main warden via use of this thing by @fuckyeahcullenrutherford because I should at least explain who I reference

(image by @tinymacaroni)

Name: Yara Surana

Class: mage

Race: elf

Gender: male (cis)

Age/DOB: He’s 17 during the events of Origins; his birthday was about two weeks before his Harrowing.

Specialization: Yara likes spirit magic and is a spirit healer. He also learned shapeshifting because he thought it was cool but never gets the chance to use it in battle. It turns out if you’re busy being a swarm of bees you can’t heal your buddies when they get low on health.

Family: He doesn’t remember much of his family. His mother’s name was Mewen. He knows his parents’ names because he and Jowan snuck into the archives once to see what the senior enchanters were writing about them and it was on his file. He might have a younger sibling, as he vaguely remembers a small child being family. Of course, they also could be a cousin.

Tattoos: He wants to get one after beating the archdemon as he sees it as kind of an elfy thing and wants to reconnect with his heritage. That said, he has no idea what to get a tattoo of.

Height: 5’0”

Weight: Shale can lift him easily but Shale can lift everyone easily

General Favorites: seafood, red, birds, the stars, the Fade

General Dislikes: things that look like meat but aren’t, a particular shade of deep purple, horses because they’re big and creepy, High Fashion because they always judge him, templars because they make him uneasy

Personality Traits: a little naïve, unerringly polite, tries to please everyone, worries if he gives people the slightest reason to hate him they’ll latch onto it and take a mile, determined to help people, open-minded, likes learning, has very little pride, keeps all the snark in his head, caring, loyal, would die for anyone who calls him a friend once, tries his best

Romances: Zevran. Yara had never been flirted with before, nor had he considered romance as an option available to him. Zev showed interest and Yara folded like a wet paper bag. He initially had a crush on Alistair, who turned out to be straight. In the GateVerse AU he romances Nathaniel Howe.

Rivalries: Morrigan scares and frustrates him, but he expresses none of this to her face; by looking at them you’d think they were best friends

Single Best Friend: Alistair, but he’s good friends with all the companions aside from Morrigan and Oghren (he does eventually warm up to them though)

Single Worst Enemy: the archdemon (I guess) since Yara doesn’t tend to hold grudges and has no beef with Loghain or the other villains besides them hurting Alistair or other people

Quirks:

- A huge dork

- Obsessed with the Fade and feels more comfortable there than in the real world. Although he refuses all offers from demons, he loves studying the arcane lore surrounding it

- Terrified of being in charge but can’t say no to Alistair

- Gets sidetracked on missions by history and culture

- Kind of a pushover

- Named his dog after his mom

Alignments: starts out lawful good, spends Origins moving towards neutral good, ends Awakening chaotic good

Biography/History: Yara was born in the Highever alienage. When he was around 6 his older cousin saw him using magic to put a baby relative to sleep and freaked out, alerting the templars to his existence. He was taken to the tower and doesn’t really remember his previous life, family included. At the tower, he was pretty shy. His only friend was Jowan (or Lily in GateVerse AU) and he overlooked any failings out of pure loyalty, which was probably bad for both of them. He was nervous about being rejected over being an elf and found it difficult to interact with his fellow mages, throwing himself into arcana instead. After trying and failing to help Jowan escape from the circle, he left to become a Grey Warden feeling betrayed that his friend hadn’t trusted him. He quickly befriended Alistair and they fought back the Blight. Although initially he was planning on returning to the Circle, his experiences with the Grey Wardens left him yearning for freedom and he eventually left with Zevran and a few other friends to investigate the origins of the Blight.

Yara exists in the primary timeline, as well as the bad end AU (Yara accidentally alienates Alistair), the GateVerse AU (Yara is joined by Reyna Cousland and Rylen Mahariel of @neumaage), and as Inquisitor Yara Lavellan (Yara gets smuggled into a Dalish clan instead of taken by templars)

#the yara basics I guess #I’m always down to talk about my wardens/hawkes/quizzies #yara surana #dao #surana #hof #dao spoilers #kinda

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maiden-of-wolves · 6 years

Text

Naeleen Fluff

So... I did a thing... Because muses are fickle. And it told me to write Naeleen (Naema x Atheleen ( @quizzikemen ‘s child) fluff. So. Meeting. Hopefully it’s not completely out of character for Atheleen...

Naema had honestly never expected to hear from Leliana again. They had tried so hard to keep in contact when their respective positions prevented them from physically being together. Warden Commander wasn’t something that Naema could just put down to go prancing over to Orlais. Not to mention that she had little love for the chantry outside of her love for Leliana. It was a topic they avoided and had fought about before Leliana left the Keep to accept the newest Divine’s offer to become her Left Hand.

Letters were constantly exchanged between the two, many of ‘interesting’ content and eventually Leliana made Naema learn a cipher so that they could still send the naughty messages without people knowing about their relationship. Naema made it a point to tell Leliana that she took offence to the idea that she didn’t want their relationship known. She remembered the exact phrasing she used when Leliana had insisted she was just protecting her: Let them come. I’ll eagerly chop them down and you’ll have less problems. The Left Hand had not been pleased with her and communication went silent for a month.

When Leliana finally broke her silence, the letter arrived to the Keep after Naema had slept with at least two different Wardens out of either desperation for sexual contact or belief that they were suddenly over. Naema didn’t reply for over two months, partially out of pettiness and also because she couldn’t figure out what to tell her. A letter arrived from Leliana for her before she sent hers, asking if she was alright. Naema replied, but enclosed her simple gold engagement ring. She cried over the letter and agonized over sending it, but knew it was for the best. It only said: I’m perfectly healthy. But I can’t do this anymore.

Now, here she was, in a new Keep that was controlled by the Inquisition. The movement that Leliana worked for as Spymaster was an impressive force that had kept a great deal of people safe and calmed chaos that had been spreading through Ferelden. Naema had laughed until she cried when she read Leliana’s comment about it being led by a Dalish elf. Serves the shems right! She thought, First they had to give my cousin an Arlship so they couldn’t pretend that we were insects to be crushed whenever they saw fit… now the greatest savior in remembered history is a Dalish!

It was too much to hope that the general populace would start changing their tunes about elves, but at least within this “Skyhold” she’d yet to experience or hear shems calling her kin ‘knife ears’ or even watching her warily. It was a welcome change. Naema’s heart clenched as she looked up the first set of stairs to find Leliana leaning against the archway.

“Hero of Ferelden,” she greeted. Her voice was still as melodic as Naema remembered, but it had a sharp edge. This was business. It hurt. It hurt so much that she couldn’t just crush the beautiful redhead to her chest.

“Leliana,” Naema greeted back with a stiff nod. “Thanks for not dragging me into this shemlen mess when that Seeker was looking for a leader.”

Leliana hummed, a tiny smile flickering at her lips. “Cassandra would not appreciate knowing that I kept you from her,” she said. “So please keep that between us.”

“Just like everything else,” Naema replied, a pained laugh escaping her lips. “I am everyone’s hero, except yours. And you were the only one I wanted to worship me.”

Leliana laughed as well, the sound just as strained as Naema’s. “I seem to recall plenty of evenings where I worshipped you in great detail…”

“Oh, believe me, I survived on those memories for quite a long time.”

But not long enough. That was the expected attack, but Naema only saw Leliana gesture for her to follow. “Come, we should introduce you to the Inquisitor.”

Naema’s heart squeezed again. She was the petty one. Leliana had always been her better half, and now she was empty. “I do really want to meet this Dalish. What’s her clan?”

“Lavellan,” Leliana said simply as they climbed the stairs.

“You said in the letter her name was Atheleen?”

“Yes. But you should mind yourself for now,” Leliana warned. “Lady Lavellan would be a good title to use. Or simply Inquisitor.”

“What, have you Orlesian shems gotten to a Dalish about the need for titles and ‘propriety’?” Naema snorted.

Leliana stopped, rounding on Naema. “Says the elf that is only here because of her title,�� she snapped.

Naema stiffened, but didn’t dare challenge her. They spent several uneasy moments staring at each other, each looking as pained by the exchange as the other. Leliana eventually broke eye contact and began leading Naema up to the great hall again.

Leliana swept her gaze across the hall, not finding who she sought at first. The Hero of Ferelden followed dutifully as she continued on.

“Is this the special guest you told the Seeker you’d be bringing to help?” a dwarf asked, putting down a quill he’d been fiddling with.

“Yes,” Leliana answered, pausing in her search to put on her polite smile for him and chat. Naema knew that smile, and it was not the one she’d pulled from her as she tickled her in bed. “Varric, meet the Hero of Ferelden. Naema Tabris.”

“An honor, serah,” Varric said, bowing his head low and offering a flourish with his arm. “Maybe while you’re here you could tell me about your adventures and I could have a full set of the best heroes of the Dragon Age.”

Naema looked to Leliana, clearly confused. The bard laughed. “Varric Tethras is an author. He wrote ‘The Tale of the Champion’. Surely you’ve heard of it?”

“In passing,” she said. “I… don’t read much.” Well this was awkward.

“It’s alright. Actually kinda nice that you’re not a fawning fan,” Varric replied with a chuckle. He wasn’t at all offended, which made Naema relax. “Still, the offer to write your story wasn’t a joke. Come find me while you’re here and we’ll have a fun chat about it.”

“Uh… sure?” Naema answered, nodding.

“Ah!” Leliana exhaled. The noise was familiar to Naema’s ears and she blushed for a brief moments as memories flooded her mind. “Atheleen!”

Naema looked to where the redhead was quickly approaching. The woman she’d called out to stopped and seemed a bit surprised. “Leliana? Did you need something?”

“Yes. I…” Leliana paused, turning to gesture for Naema to approach. The Warden did, though she wasn’t in any hurry. “This is the Hero of Ferelen, Naema Tabris. I thought we could use her knowledge of the Wardens to help us with this business at Adamant.”

Naema bowed her head low, closing her fist and firmly placing it across her chest. “Leliana’s told me much about you, Lady Lavellan. I’m just glad to not be the only elvhan to make the shems see us as people.”

“Half…” she muttered.

“What?”

“I’m only half. Not a pureblood.” She reached up as if out of reflex to touch her ears. Naema frowned. The action reminded her of her sister. Well, at least before she finally got Zev’s attention firmly attached to her. “So don’t get your hopes up too high. I doubt anyone with a sense for tales will place me as a hero to the elvhen.”

Naema reached out, patting Atheleen’s shoulder with a grin. “Blood don’t mean shit,” she said.

“Naema!” Leliana gasped.

The elf only flickered her gaze over to the spymaster for a moment before refocusing on Atheleen. “Don’t let anyone tell you you’re less than. Don’t care what the reason is. Prove ‘em wrong.” She paused, gaze settling on her ears for a moment before she removed her hand and gestured to them. “My sister would’ve killed for cute little ears like yours, Atheleen. Wear them proud.”

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felassan · 4 years

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if it's not too much to ask, which of the characters introduced in tevinter nights do you think have "potential companion energy" and why?

Not at all! It’s just feelings I get mind. Cut for length and obviously there’s spoilers under there.

One is Strife. This is partially wishful thinking on my part, but not completely. He’s both City and Dalish, bringing knowledge of both perspectives in one slot. He’s an example of City-Dalish solidarity/working together, which I think we need more of, especially in the face of what’s coming. I can’t see him not wanting to improve the lives of the remaining City Elves, and I’ve said before I’m in desperate need of a modern elf who is FOR!! modern elves as a whole, not other or semi-related groups like slaves and the little people (which are absolutely worthy causes, just not the thing I mean). Members of both elf factions are followers of Solas, I’d like for members of both these factions to be represented among our companions/followers/agents as well. He’s older (and not in a “I’m an immortal ancient being” way), which we haven’t had before in an elf dude companion or indeed in any elf companion before. He’s explicitly pro-Dalish, as in how they are in the present, and is proud of being Dalish/an elf which is a perspective we’ll be sorely in need of on the companion roster in the next game (like if it’s lacking in this I will be frustrated. It was already lacking in DAI which I think is a game that really needed it). He’s “elfy”; we haven’t had an “elfy-elf” male companion. He seems happy with his new Dalish life and has good relationships with his clanmates. He’s also not a Dalish exile. Love Merrill and Velanna, but wouldn’t it be nice if we had a Dalish companion who wasn’t an outcast with a strained relationship with their clan? Give me examples of that BioWare. He’s not explicitly attached, like Irian. Not that his single-ness matters (this comment isn’t in terms of availability as an LI) or that having an SO precludes someone from being a companion. But for example, Irian also has Big Energy, but I think it’s probably a bit harder/less convenient to write a companion who has an active SO with whom they have a close, healthy and current relationship with elsewhere? Oghren was kinda estranged from both Branka and Felsi in those games, and Aveline and Donnic, while lovely and wholesome, was player-choice dependent and not from the very outset of the game. The love between Viv and Bastien was real, but he dies in the game. Strife is also not an isolationist-Dalish - he and his clanmates are clearly interested in and troubled by the current events unfolding in the wider world, worried about how it will effect/what it will mean for the Dalish, and wanting to keep an eye on it, to the extent that they launch an intrepid covert mission to infiltrate a Vint city while it was the middle of being invaded by Qunari (dangerous!!) to steal info on the Qunari plans. “Clans” implies multi-clan cooperation which I’m interested in, and there’s your motivation - Strife is clearly interested in doing dangerous things in order to protect his People, even if that involves being away from his clan. You could easily turn that into “I’m going to help the DA4 PC stop Solas, because I want to protect my People [and again, for him this = City and Dalish both, potentially saving another slot from needing filled/represented]”. He also has Felassan-style energy and I think quite a few folk are interested in having an elven companion like that. And he’s cool, with his height and silver hair.

He has a notable snappy name and gets a lot of spotlight in that short I feel, and that’s a prominent place to have, in the opening story to boot. The language describing him is consistently complimentary. His role in the story is heroic. And he’s clearly super-skilled/competent! Just from memory, he’s intelligent/smart/a quick thinker, strong and sturdy and spry, a decent hand-to-hand fighter, is able to infiltrate a Vint city, a great archer, light-footed, an agile tree-climber, brave, possesses elfy-knowledge, is open to changing his mind/new perspectives (character development), knows some elven, can navigate in the woods, etc. He’s also fairly sassy which is generally always welcome in companions.

I got the biggest companion energy from Lucanis though. I’m less interested in having him and therefore another Crow as a companion (no offense to my boy Zev, it’s just something that’s been done before), but he is pretty cool/interesting and his story really seemed to idk like.. talk him up. He’s obviously a skilled combatant as an expert Crow, one whose reputation proceeds him and whom others/those he is hunting are largely super afraid of/concerned about. Literally evil powerful Magisters cower in fear at his name, and he’s a lowly foreign non-mage! They’ve started calling him “The Demon”, that’s how afraid of his prowess and him coming for them they are! Heck in this short alone his recent body count starts at 9 Venatori (and that’s just his recent contracts) and he ends it having killed like, 8 guards, 1 Magister and inadvertently like 40 decadent slave-having-approving Venatori-supporting/sympathetic partygoers!! He’s clearly intelligent and smart, agile stealthy and resourceful, has keen senses. He’s visually striking, lean, dark hair, umber eyes, basically sounding dangerously handsome in a rugged sort of way, and wears a badass Designated Cool Guy black leather greatcoat. “Focused and intense - the kind of man you couldn’t look away from. Until he looked at you.” Arsenal of daggers and throwing knives. He seems like he was made with “attractively brooding” in mind lol. Quiet bad boy with a heart kinda deal. This isn’t a crit or saying he’s one-note or one-dimensional, not so, he has a lot of character for a character in a short story. He’s uniquely-skilled for a non-mage, with these instincts he’s developed - able to feel magic energy and tell when the Veil is thin or when there’s tears in it/mages are pulling across it. He also seems to have some knowledge of Veil/artifacts/demon/mage/red lyrium/magic stuff, more than you’d expect from a random non-mage normie Thedosian. Despite being a Crow he’s very different to Zevran, so it wouldn’t be a duplicate situation. Despite being a gruff killer and stuff, he had a lot of emotional depth like. He’s written sympathetically - he has standards (e.g. no red lyrium), a soft heart which he tries to hide even from his cousin, and which his enemies i.e. remaining Venatori know they might be able to exploit (his kind treatment of Effe, risking things to free the Magister’s slaves, ending the suffering of the experimented-on people and allowing them to take vengeance), and espouses stuff the fanbase just devooours, like loving killing racist evil supremacist Magisters. “[I LOVE] killing racist blood mages who have it coming”, lol! He’s the Great Lucanis, no Ordinary Crow, Master Dellamorte. In contrast to his sassier, chattier, more “lolol” and dramatic cousin, he’s the ‘straight’ man, but still has that dry/wry wit/sense of humor thing going on people are suckers for (again not a crit). His marks all have a gleam in their eyes that show they’re evil (i.e. they deserve it and showing he usually only takes such contracts), he thinks ignorance is not innocence. He says cool badass stuff. He’s like a bingo-board of all the things people love. He does the brooding “we’re not freedom fighters, I know what I am, I’m a killer” thing, but you get the distinct impression that he’s not just that. The Magister’s obscene cruelty makes him rage. He’s like a mashup of Thane (custom-designed to be an LI) and Ezio (a very popular character). Important to note that his brooding is really mild, not at all annoying, not overdone, which are common crits of such chars. AH! He’s like Antivan Batman lol.

Seems like he’d have interesting stories to tell. He’s noted to be more widely travelled than his cousin. His orientation hasn’t been specified so there’s wiggle-room. The return to being hero protector freedom-fighters rather than what they are right now thing for the Crows is hinted at for at least some parts of the Crows in the 8 Talon story. Lucanis’ relationship with his cousin and gran, and the issue of the First Talon succession/his grandmother would be a perfect loyalty/personal mission/arc and in general are really interesting. He admits that it’s impossible to refuse his gran, only prolong her. I can imagine exploring his feelings about his grandma and the life she made him live in order to become strong. Is he really ok with that history? Does he not share his cousin’s bitterness? His cousin is like how long are you going to keep doing this, our gran’s bidding? His cousin also offers that if he was First Talon, he’d let Lucanis quit and be free. I can imagine the peeling away his layers stuff and the “you’re not just a killer” “your calling is more than death bro!” char arc. His anti-Venatori crusade is not complete, and the story ends with setting up his clearly insanely cruel/evil enemy Magister Renata - unfinished business much. If the plot of DA4 has a route the remaining Venatori arc, he could show up and fit right in. There’s your motivation-y stuff. The Crows are prominent in the book and seem like they will be prominent in the next game (Antiva’s only line of defense against the Antaam invasion), and this guy is a high-ranking Crow related to Queen Crow. If it turns out his mysterious hirer for the Venatori jobs was Solas/a Solas follower, there’s potential for the little “aw shit” reveal.

I would like Teia to show up in a Briala-esque role. She’s amazing but I don’t want to separate her from her cute, finally!! newly-budding close romantic relationship with Viago.

[msg refs this post] warning, Tevinter Nights spoilers at link

#dragon age 4 #the dread wolf rises #dragon age #bioware #mj replies #anonymous #video games #spoilers #spoiler #tevinter nights spoilers #tevinter nights spoiler #tevinter nights #strife #mj meta #felassan #best elf #solas

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theassassinlover · 6 years

Text

Home

Here’s the other fic. This one covers Venna’s return to the alienage and the slaver incident.

Venna tried not to grimace when she and Zevran first entered the Alienage. She didn’t know what kind of conditions specifically he’d grown up in, but his expression told her it was better than this. “It’s...not usually this bad.” She told him. It wasn’t a lie, the streets were littered with more trash than usual, and many of the homes were now boarded up. “What happened here?” She wondered out loud.

Zevran kept close as she walked, keeping an eye on the wound to her thigh. The one Taliesin had given her. For the most part, she seemed unaffected, but Zev could see the slight limp as she walked. “We need to get something for your leg.” He reminded her.

“I know. Come on, let’s check Alarith’s shop.” She headed toward a building. “He usually has something helpful in stock.” She led the way forward to a small shabby looking building. Given the appearance of the surrounding ones, however, Zevran found this to be in a rather good condition. Venna opened the door and entered, hesitating only briefly as she did so. “Alarith?” She called out softly. A red-haired elf stood from where he had kneeled behind the counter.

“Well, look who it is.” He said with wide eyes, before quickly recovering with a huffed laugh. “Welcome home. When we heard what happened at Ostagar everyone assumed the worst. Have you seen Soris or Shianni yet? And would it kill you to let us know you’re alive? What is being a Grey Warden too important to visit family?” He said only sound a bit accusing.

Zevran was a bit annoyed by the way this man greeted her but Venna just sighed softly. “I’m sorry. A lot has happened since I left and I...I tried to visit before. The guards wouldn’t let me through, said there was a plague.”

“There’s something going on. Shianni has done nothing but pester the healers from Tevinter. Honestly, I get being suspicious of strangers, especially ones from Tevinter, but they came here to help us.”

Despite how calm Aralith sounded, Venna had alarm bells go off in her head. “Well then, that does seem like something she might do.”

“She hasn’t been quite right since your wedding. I think it still haunts her.” He told her sadly.

Venna nodded, trying to ignore the obvious way Zevran tensed behind her. “Well, this is one of my companions, Zevran.” Venna introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” Aralith said.

“The pleasure is mine.” Zevran responded.

“He and I were ambushed on our way over here. Grey Wardens have a lot of enemies. I took a nasty hit to the leg. Was wondering if you had anything to help.” Venna continued.

“Of course I do. One moment.” Aralith rummaged under the counter before reemerging with a roll of gauze, needle and thread, and a salve. “These should do the trick.”

“You’re a lifesaver.” Venna told him gratefully. “How much do I owe you?”

He shook his head. “This one’s on the house. Take it as a welcome home gift, just make sure you try to do some good out there.”

“Thank you.” Venna said with a smile. “I owe you one.”

“So did your mother, I’ll just put it on her tab. You’ll get back to me eventually right?” He asked with a humor in his voice Venna hadn’t quite heard before.

She laughed. An honest laugh, unlike any Zev has heard. “That does sound like her. I’ll see what I can do. Oh, I meant to ask. Where’s Soris?”

Aralith’s expression fell. “He’s been staying at your father’s. I’m not surprised you haven’t seen him yet.”

Venna tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“There are good people in this world who can’t sleep at night unless they can blame someone for the things that happen. After you left soldiers raided the alienage. You weren’t here, lass. Everyone blamed Soris, said you two brought this down upon our heads. They’ve cursed, spit, and thrown rocks at the poor man. And those are the nice folk. Soris has been laying low lately.” Aralith told her with a sorrowed expression. “I feel bad for him. What you two did was right.”

Venna’s fist clenched with rage. “I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. We’re all guilty of placing blame, but to put it all on Soris…” She sighed. “I suppose I can work on clearing his name up later. For now, though, I think I should go see my cousins. I can fix my leg up at my house.”

Aralith nodded. “Be safe out there Venna. Don’t be a stranger.” He looked at Zevran. “Keep an eye on her.”

Zevran simply nodded.

Venna could see Zevran’s urge to question her as they walked toward her house. Venna just continued to look straight ahead, and give him no opportunities to speak. She wasn’t quite ready to discuss what he no doubt wanted to know about.

Finally, they approached her home. She saw Zevran give it a quick look up and down. “It’s not a lot.” She told him. “But it’s where I grew up. It’s as close to home as I can get.”

Zevran could understand that.

The two entered, effectively startling a young elf with reddish-brown hair who had not been too far from the door. “Cousin?” He asked in surprise. “Venna...Maker’s breath it is you!” He quickly pulled her into a tight embrace. “We feared you were dead.”

“It’s good to see you Soris.” She said softly. “I head about what’s been happening to you.”

“Ah,” He rubbed the back of his head. “Yes, well. I can’t blame them fully. I mean, we did storm the estate.”

Venna shook her head. “You saved us Soris. Have they completely forgotten about that?”

“I...I don’t know. A lot has happened.” He said quietly. Venna was saddened by her cousin’s demeanor. It was like the happy, sweet, humorous boy she grew up with was gone.

“What exactly happened?” Venna asked him.

“Arl Howe led a purge. Vengeance for Vaughan’s death they say.” Soris told her. “Before you ask, I don’t know how many died. We were struck with a plague of pestilence after. Hard to say who was murdered and who fell ill.”

Venna fell silent, wandered over to one of the wooden chairs and collapsed into it. Zevran remained unmoving by the door. He knew when to stay out of a conversation.

“Where’s Valora?” Venna asked looking around.

“She went to the hospice a week ago. They said she was sick. I didn’t believe it. I mean, she was fine! No signs or symptoms at all. They took her to quarantine anyway. I haven’t seen her since.” Soris was visibly irked by this.

Venna glanced at Zev, then back to her cousin. “You’re certain she wasn’t sick?” She asked him, her unease about the healers returning.

“I don’t know for certain. What I do know is that Valora seemed to be in perfect health.” He replied.

Venna fell very quiet. She stared at the floor as she tried to bring herself to ask the next question. Finally, she looked back up. “Where’s my father?”

“They...took him to quarantine yesterday. I-I’m sorry Venna.” Soris said, sorrow in his expression.

Venna’s world spun. She put her face in her hands breathing heavily, fighting back the urge to cry. At seeing this Zevran finally moved, going to stand behind her. “Where is this hospice?” He asked Soris.

Soris seemed startled, as though just realizing he’d been there. “A house on the north side of the square. You can’t miss it, there’s a huge group of people gathered there.”

Zevran nodded. He set a hand on Venna’s shoulder. “We will find your father.” He told her and Venna looked at him surprised. “But first, let’s fix your wound, yes?”

Venna nodded and gave Zevran the supplies. He cleared out any dust with water Soris retrieved for him and then used the fire to sterilize the needle. He worked quickly, dexterous hands stitching the skin together with little issue. Venna hardly twitched as the needle pierced her skin, far too used to more severe pain lately. Once it was successfully held Zev applied the salve and wrapped gauze around the stitches to protect them. “That should do.”

“Thank you, Zev.” Venna told him. She looked to Soris. “It is good to see you, but I think I should go see what has become of our loved ones. I’ll see you later.”

Soris nodded. “I understand. Stay safe.”

Venna recovered rather quickly and was able to lead the way to the house Soris mentioned. The first thing Zevran noticed was the red head shouting at the crowd. “Go home! It’s the best thing that can be done for you and your families. How many people who are perfectly healthy have gone in there and not come back? Where do you think they’re going?”

“Stop trying to make everything worse, Shianni. These men are here to help us.” Was the sharp reply she received.

“Calm down, we’ll help as many as we can today, so long as it’s in an orderly fashion.” One of the men called out.

“Oh, you’re helping us? Helping us like Valendrian and my Uncle Cyrion. Helping us never to be seen again!”

Zevran watched as Venna walked straight to the girl, “Shianni?”

The woman turned around. “I don’t believe it.” She whispered. “Maker’s breath! They said all the Grey Wardens died with the king. Everyone thought...Valendrian even had a funeral for you.”

Venna felt her heart break for her father, who watched a funeral be held for his only daughter. A daughter who was, in fact, still alive. “It’s really me Shianni.”

“Cousin, you have no idea the...the things that happened after your wedding and I...I’m babbling aren’t I? I’m so happy to see you!” Shianni smiled. “It’s good you’re home.”

“A wedding, so there is a secretive side to you after all.” Zevran said, an odd expression on his face. Venna wanted to curse the inability to avoid what he just said.

“I...was betrothed. It did not end well.” Venna said slowly.

“Ah, you left him at the altar didn’t you?” Zevran tried to make a joke.

“He died.” Venna’s voice was completely devoid of humor and Zevran’s face fell.

“I...do not know how to respond to that.” He told her.

“We’ll discuss this later.” Venna said before turning back to Shianni. “They took Valendrian and my father?”

Shianni had been watching the exchange with great interest but recovered quickly. “Yes. Valendrian wasn’t even sick! Healthy as a war hound, but they took him and won’t let anyone see him. I told Uncle Cyrion not to go, he just had a cough, but they took him yesterday.”

“These are educated men Shianni. Let them do their jobs.” Venna recognized the man antagonizing his cousin. He lived on the other side of the alienage. He was never very approachable but had always been kind at least. So much was different from when she left.

“If their spell works then why are half of the people they’re taking not even sick?” Shianni shot back. She looked at Venna again. “I can’t believe these people. All of them are blaming you and Soris for what Arl Howe did. And no one wants to believe that these humans may have ill will.”

“Everyone knows that what those two did brought this upon us, Shianni.” He looked at Venna. “You have a lot of nerve coming back here.”

“I came back here to help.” Venna snapped. “But if you’d like I can be even more of a nuisance to you. How about I start by knocking some of your teeth out? We’ll see how well you slander names then.” The man’s eyes widened slightly before he moved a small ways from the three of them.

Shianni laughed. “You have not changed at all cousin.”

Zevran, on the other hand, was slightly perplexed. The Venna he saw now was not the one he had grown accustomed to. Not that this Venna was bad to say, just interesting. The way she held herself in front of family and protected them fascinated him.

“Don’t worry Shianni, I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Venna told her.

“I knew you would do something. Thank you cousin!”

Venna had a plan to get inside the hospice. Once again she and Zevran found themselves at her home. She dug in a chest next to one of the many beds in the home where she retrieved a plain shirt and pants. “One good thing about leaving so suddenly is that all of my things are still here.” Venna said relieved. She dug a bit further, the very bottom and pulled out yet another pair of pants and a shirt. These were fit more for a man. “Here, these will hopefully fit you. A...friend left them here long ago. I never really got around to returning them.” Venna shrugged with slightly red ears.

Zevran had a feeling this “friend” left in quite a hurry to have forgotten his clothes. It brought a memory of his own to the front of his mind, one involving a certain pirate and her late husband’s unexpected arrival home. “Thank you.” Was all he actually said.

The two changed quickly, hiding their daggers under their clothes. Once they were done Venna looked each of them over. “Well, we definitely look like alienage residents.” She said. “Come on, let’s get to the bottom of this.”

Venna wandered with Zevran back to the hospice, approaching at a slight angle to make sure they didn’t walk up in plain sight, or through the large crowd of elves. Venna walked onto the deck right beside the man. He looked at her and Zevran and blanched. “Good maker, woman. How long have you two been sick?!” In place of an answer, Venna simply let out a few convincing coughs. “Out of the way, these two are very sick.” The man said leading them inside.

Venna almost laughed at how easy that had been. Almost. She and Zev easily took out the men inside, pulling their weapons from under their clothes. Venna looked to a pair of caged elves when the last man fell. “Let us out! We aren’t sick!” They pleaded and Venna quickly unlocked the cage. “Oh thank you.” The one said. “I knew the things they said about you weren’t true.”

“Wait, what did they say about me?” Venna asked.

“It doesn’t matter! Clearly, it’s not true. You’re here now, helping your people. Thank you again. Now, we’re getting out of here.” The two ran out of the building through the back.

Venna was slightly perplexed but brushed it off. Walking over to the corner desk she found a key next to a piece of paper. What was on the paper made her blood run cold. ‘Bring eight males and six females for the next shipment.’ Her expression must have shown her distress.

“What’s wrong?” Zevran asked her.

“They’re slavers.” She whispered. “My family has been taken by slavers.”

Zevran’s face hardened. “Then we must move quickly.”

They used the key to get into a long building running through apartments that eventually lead to a warehouse. At one point they came across an elf seemingly unharmed. “Where is everyone?” Venna demanded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He replied.

“Tell me what you know or you’ll find that your insides are now your outsides.” She threatened.

“O-okay. I saw them, they took everyone through here. I-I’m sorry. They threatened to take me too.” He stuttered.

“You are a coward. Worse than the stealing dogs the humans take us for. Run, now, before I change my mind.” Venna hissed. The elf scurried away terrified and Venna and Zevran moved on. Zevran had to admit he didn’t know if Venna had been bluffing or not. Given her protectiveness toward her family, he had a feeling she wasn’t. “Come on.” Venna told him moving ahead once more. He followed without a word.

Each room they went through saw Venna getting more and more tense. Every elf they freed had her looking more worried. She cut through her enemies thoughtlessly. Ignoring any pleas for mercy.

When they reached the last room Venna looked sick. Zevran knew why, there had been no sign of her father, her elder, or her cousin’s wife. This was her last hope. Upon opening the door they found a mage, a magister Zevran suspected, and several guards. He offered Venna a deal, payment to let him finish his business. “Fuck. You.” Was all Venna said. Then she charged, snarling as she sunk her blades into the first guard. The battle took time, but Venna never seemed to tire, her adrenaline and anger giving her all the energy she needed. Zevran, on the other hand, was not doing as well, but he was able to keep up all the same. When she downed him the magister looked ready to speak again, but Venna crossed her daggers through his throat before he even had the chance.

Zevran paused a moment to look at Venna, this woman who he always knew to keep calm in stressful situations, and be kind to everyone, was now panting heavily and covered in blood, her eyes filled with a fury he had never seen. Then, suddenly, it stopped. She fell to her knees and sobbed. Zevran hesitantly knelt beside her, setting a hand on her back in a comforting manner. As she calmed Zevran saw one of the elves locked away come to the front of his cage. “Venna?” The man asked softly, so quiet it was nearly inaudible.

Venna went silent and still, looking up very slowly. When she saw the man her eyes welled with tears again. “Papa!” She cried out, running to the cage and undoing the lock. When it opened she hugged the man, who seemed less than bothered by the fact that his daughter was currently covered in blood.

“My little girl. I never thought I would see you again. When I heard what happened at Ostagar. I was sure I had lost you.” Cyrion told her holding her just as tightly.

“I thought, I was so scared that…” Venna took a deep breath. “I thought I had lost you like mom.”

Cyrion hushed her softly, as though she were still a child rather than the twenty-two-year-old woman in his arms. Finally, she was able to let go. “I am so relieved to see you.” Cyrion told her.

Venna smiled, then looked around the room. “One moment. I should probably help the others.” She went around from cage to cage, opening any that had elves inside. In the end there were only four others, none of which were Valendrian or Valora. Venna returned to her father, a bit disheartened.

“What had you coming back here?” Cyrion asked her.

“I kept trying to visit the alienage whenever I was in Denerim. They always said it was closed. I finally had my chance, and I couldn’t let them hurt my family. Not when I could do something.” Venna told him.

Cyrion laughed softly. “I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re so much like your mother.” He said fondly. “She would be...well, proud doesn’t really begin to cover it.”

Venna smiled and then noticed Cyrion looking behind her. She only then remembered Zevran was still there. “Ah, um, this is Zevran. He’s one of my companions. He traveled to the alienage with me, and helped me to save everyone.” Venna said awkwardly, pretending the maybe Cyrion had missed the way he comforted her after her meltdown.

If he had noticed he didn’t show it. “Pleased to meet you Zevran. I thank you for your help.”

“It was no problem at all. I could not stand by and watch as Venna’s family was harmed.” Zevran told him. Venna felt her lips curve at that.

“Well then, this is by no means a good place to talk. Let us return to the house. We can all get cleaned up and talk.” Cyrion told the two who nodded in agreement.

After everyone had a much-needed bath and a clean change of clothes they all sat in Cyrion’s home around his table. “Dad, what happened to Valendrian and Valora?” Venna finally asked the question she didn’t want the answer to.

“They took them to the ships a few days ago, I heard. But you mustn’t dwell on those you couldn’t save, Venna.” Cyrion told his daughter in a comforting tone. “You did so much for us.”

Venna nodded solemnly. “I know. I just wish things had been different.” She glanced to Soris on the other side of the room. He looked grief-stricken. Venna couldn’t blame him. Then she caught sight of the mess in the corner. “Um, did Soris destroy the house while we were gone?”

Cyrion laughed. “You hear that Soris?” Despite his mood, Soris’ lips did quirk. “No, if it looks messy it’s because I had to pull up the floorboards to get this.” Cyrion told her, bringing a dagger up from under the table. “Your mother would have wanted you to have it.”

Venna took the blade slowly. It was beautifully crafted, likely made of dragon bone, and clearly something her mother had brought with her when she left her clan. It had the marks of being a Dalish craft, though much older. Though it had clearly seen many battles, it was well cared for. “It’s beautiful.” Venna whispered.

“It’s an heirloom. The fang of Fen’harel I believe your mother said it was called. It was passed down her family for generations, ever since the Dales.” Cyrion told her. “I kept it hidden so that one day it could be yours.”

“Thank you.” Venna said with a teary smile. “I’ll cherish it.”

Cyrion smile back before standing. “Now then,” He said. “How about dinner. After all, you look all skin and bone, don’t they feed you?”

Venna laughed. “Well, I have been living off of rations in the woods for the better part of a year. The only time I get a halfway decent meal is when this one manages to catch some actual food.” She said indicating Zevran.

Cyrion smiled though his gaze did drift the Antivan briefly. “Well, you’re having a decent meal tonight. Soris? Go and find Shianni will you? She’ll miss dinner.”

“Yes, uncle.” Soris said. He scurried quickly out the door.

“Will he be alright?” Venna asked worrying about what Aralith had said.

“Yes, no one would dare mess with him with Shianni around. Whether they find her crazy or not, they do know she’s more than willing to fight. They don’t want to cause so much trouble.” Cyrion replied.

“That does sound like Shianni.”

It took longer than expected for them to return, but once they did Venna saw why. Shianni set a bottle of wine on the table. “I managed to get Aralith to give it up. Told him you’d just saved the alienage from slavers. That did the trick pretty quickly.”

“Gee, I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact he was a slave.” Venna said dryly. “I want to say that was underhanded, but it’s also something I probably would have done.”

“Only you could make me feel bad about wanting to drink, cousin.” Shianni said sorely.

Zevran shook his head slightly at the family’s antics. He had almost left, but Venna insisted he stay. “After all,” She said. “You helped save them as much as I did.” Zevran decided he would stay, but it was more for her than anything else.

After dinner and a fair amount of drinking between Shianni and Venna, Venna and Zevran decided they should probably head off. Venna wasn’t quite tipsy but wasn’t quite sober either. She bid her father goodbye, promising to come visit again when she got the chance. She passed Zevran to head over to Shianni and Soris, casually grabbing his ass as she did so. Zevran was surprised at the way she continued like nothing happened. It then occurred to him that he had never truly seen her drink. Interesting.

“Shianni, Soris, perhaps you should walk with your cousin and her companion to the gate.” Cyrion suggested. The two readily agree and headed to the door with their cousin, Zevran in toe. “Zevran.” Cyrion’s voice stopped him cold. “May I speak to you a moment?” It wasn’t truly a question, Zevran could tell, so he paused as the other three exited, seeming not to notice he was no longer following.

“Yes, sir?” Zevran asked, though he had a feeling he already knew.

“I am becoming an old man but I am not blind. I see the affection my daughter has for you, and in turn, you seem to have for her.” Cyrion told him. “I do not know what all she has seen fit to share but know this, my daughter has been through a lot in the way of heartbreak, despite her young age. I would not see that happen to her again. If I find you are not treating her well, I might just find the strength in these old bones to beat you within an inch of your life. Understood.”

Zevran was surprised by how casually Cyrion had just threatened him. Despite the casual tone, however, Zevran could see in his eyes that the man was serious. Though he knew Venna’s father would not stand a chance against him, and the man no doubt knew this as well, he still took the words he said to heart. He had no doubt that if Venna came home hurt by him, her father would genuinely try to fight. “I understand. I have no intentions of harming your daughter in any way.” Zevran told him. Between her father and what he heard of her mother, he no longer had to wonder where Venna got her fiery spirit from.

“Good,” Cyrion said seeming pleased. “Go on and catch up then, before they notice you’re missing.”

Zevran nodded in agreement, bid farewell, and slipped out the door. He was able to catch up without anyone even realizing he was gone, much to his relief. He really didn’t want to share that he had just been threatened by a Grey Warden’s father about treating his daughter well. That just made for an embarrassing tale more than anything else.

He and Venna bit a final farewell to her cousins at the alienage gate and headed back to Eamon’s estate. Venna was humming quietly to herself, up in a world all her own it seemed. Zevran had a feeling that was related to the drink. “You are much like your family, amor.”

“Yeah,” Venna said breaking her hum. “We’re all pretty tight-knit. Us and anyone who gets close to us.” Her face fell. “Valora told me before I left that I was like the sister she always wanted. I feel like I let her down.”

“You did not let anyone down, Venna. You did all you could, more than anyone else did.” He told her.

“I’m just glad we saved my father. I...I don’t know what I would have done if he’d been gone. Blight be damned I might have been halfway to Tevinter right now.” Venna said honestly.

“But you are not. You are here, your father is safe, and your cousins know you are alive. And we both got the first home cooked meal we’ve had in quite a while. Close to ever on my part, so it was a good day, no?” Zevran asked smirking at her.

Venna laughed lightly. “Overall I suppose it was. It was good to see everyone, all things considered.” She looked up at him. “They like you. Well, Shianni and Soris do anyway.” Venna paused her steps to look at him and he did the same. “I’m glad they do.” She whispered, lips parted slightly.

Zevran took this cue and kissed her. Venna pulled him close to her, hands lacing up into his hair.

“Oi, what are you elves doing out here?!” They heard a guard shout and Venna pulled back slightly embarrassed.

“Sorry, we’re going now.” She told him. “Come on,” She whispered to Zevran. “My room at the estate is rather cold. I was hoping you might be willing to warm it.”

A knowing smirk crossed Zevran’s face. “I am yours.”

#zevran arainai/tabris #zevran arainai/warden #tabris #zevran arainai #zev #dragon age #dragon age origins #cyrion tabris #shianni #soris #fanfiction #theassassinlover

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snarky-bee · 6 years

Text

INTERVIEW MEME Tagged by @raymurata

Post Origins: Kallian Tabris

After the defeat of the archdemon and the warden was named Hero of Ferelden

Swearing censored for publication.

1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Shouldn’t you know that already when you come in here?

2. WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?

Kallian... Tabris...

3. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU WERE CALLED THAT?

Kinda figured my parents just liked the name.

4. ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN?

-smirks- Very taken

5. HAVE ANY ABILITIES OR POWERS?

You know I’m a Grey Warden right? Stamina, sensing darkspawn, all that s***?

6. STOP BEING A MARY SUE.

Uh, okay?

7. WHAT’S YOUR EYE COLOR?

-points- Brown

8. HOW ABOUT YOUR HAIR COLOR?

-points again- You blind or what? I’m a blondie, clearly.

9. HAVE YOU ANY FAMILY MEMBERS?

Well there’s my cousins. I guess you could count brother and sister grey wardens too. I do. -laughs- Guess the king is my brother.

10. OH? WHAT ABOUT PETS?

There was Fang, my mabari. He died during the Blight though... so none now, I guess.

11. THAT’S COOL I GUESS, NOW TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE.

I don’t like when random shems say it’s cool my dog died? Also books, don’t like those.

12. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES/ACTIVITIES YOU LIKE DOING?

-stifles laughter- Uhh, don’t think stealing really counts -- I’m only joking! -flashes an innocent smile- I like cards, betting games, and I just learned how to make this fucking amaaazing pastry thing. It’s Orlesian - one thing they do right is desserts, Maker.

13. EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE?

Yeah, that’s usually like step one for making someone become dead, you know?

14. EVER….KILLED ANYONE BEFORE?

No, I fought the f***ing Blight using... what’s the word for it? Passive! Passive resistance. In the end the archdemon and I agreed to end things peacefully. It was all very nice. -draws dagger, flipping it in her hand- These are just for show -grins wickedly-

15. WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU?

An... animal? I’m an elf. What’s this question supposed to mean? Like what would I be if I could be one? Maybe like, a bird, flying seems pretty awesome.

16. NAME YOUR WORST HABITS.

-groans- What did Alistair tell you? I saw you talking to him. Whatever he said about laundry, he’s the one with the bloody stinky socks! I... like to sleep in, apparently some a**holes think that’s a problem.

17. DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE AT ALL?

Oh... I guess I never really thought about it... there’s my mum, I s’pose. Uh, next question?

18. GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL?

-blushes then her eyes narrow- None of your f***ing business.

19. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

-combs hair behind pointed ears- You know the Chantry cares very much for the education for elves. -eyeroll-

20. DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS ONE DAY?

-blushes again- Think that’s between me and Zev. -fiddles with gold hoop earring- ...Did he say something?

21. DO YOU HAVE ANY FANBOYS/FANGIRLS?

Do I? Did save the alienage, the mages, bunch of people in Redcliffe, got named a Hero.... nah, nobles still hate me -grins-

22. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF?

-grin falls from her face for a moment then she smirks again- Nothing. I faced an archdemon and lived, what do you think? -scoffs-

23. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR?

Armour.

24. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE?

Mhmm. An Antivan assassin who was hired to kill me. At least that’s what the rumours are -laughs-

25. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WET YOURSELF?

Ew.

26. WELL, IT’S NOT OVER YET!

Okay...

27. WHAT CLASS ARE YOU? (HIGH CLASS, MIDDLE CLASS, LOW CLASS)

-frowns- I’m a warden. We’re our own class

28. HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?

I have plenty of the right kind of friends.

29. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE?

So good! I thought meat pies were all well and good but fruit, Andraste’s t***! Cherry, pecan, and-and there was this creamy one with bananas. Favourite dessert aside from chocolate. Maker, you’re making me hungry.

30. FAVOURITE DRINK?

Mead, cider, and I guess I’ve come to enjoy some really nice Antivan Brandy, if we can find it.

31. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE?

The Pearl. -cracks up-

32. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOMEONE?

I said I’m taken, remember? Same man.

33. WHAT’S YOUR BRA CUP SIZE AND/OR HOW BIG IS YOUR WILLY?

Cup size?

34. WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN?

Lakes are usually a bit warmer.

35. WHAT’S YOUR TYPE?

Type of what?

36. ANY FETISHES?

-turns bright red up to her ears- You can’t be serious

37. SEME OR UKE? TOP OR BOTTOM? DOMINANT OR SUBMISSIVE?

Top or... Oh -still blushing- Ask Zev - wait! Don’t ask him. Maker’s a**. I’m... -smirk settles over face- flexible. Next.

38. CAMPING OR INDOORS?

I’m camping all the time whether I like it or not. Beds are nice though, and a roof. Yeah, indoors.

39. ARE YOU WANTING THE QUIZ TO END?

That’s it? You didn’t even ask me anything about, you know, slaying the f***ing archdemon! Mhm, getting to know the person behind the Hero, right, got it. -muttering- I killed more than one dragon too, you know... but sure.

Tagging: @greyvvardenfell @lostfanboy

#oc interview meme #kallian tabris #this is silly and i like it #also up to you to decide when the interview is taking place

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the-jade-goblin · 6 years

Note

fic prompt: sleep

eyyy thanks fam, this is perfect since I can’t sleep myself right now. this fic is more about not being able to sleep more than sleeping, but whatever close enough right?

also I may have started out with the intent to write a drabble and it turned into a 2000 words fic oops

“Time to wake up cousin,”

Lori yawned, squinting her eyes up at herred-haired cousin. “Five more minutes...” she protested sleepily.

Shianni giggled. “Wake up silly, don't youknow what today is?”

Lori strained her ears as she sat up in themusty bed, the itchy blanket falling off her. From the sound of merrimentoutside that was not the normal atmosphere of the alienage, she would have tohazard a guess.

“Someone's wedding?”

“Yours.” Shianni reminded her. “You andSoris are getting married today, remember?”

“That's today?” Lori glanced out the window.The day had come so quickly...she felt a wide grin blossom on her face. “That'stoday!”

She sprung up and hugged Shianni, who laughedat her childish excitement.

“Exciting isn't it? This is the day you've beenwaiting for your whole life. I almost envy you cousin,”

“Oh Shianni, I wish you were getting marriedtoo.” Lori said with a small pout. “Knowing Soris, I'll have to drag him to thealter in chains for his bride.”

Shianni chuckled. “He'll settle down don'tworry. Come on, I'll help you into your dress.”

“Oh it's beautiful,” Lori whispered asShianni took out her dress from the wardrobe. “It must have cost a fortune,”

“Your father and I have been sewing it sinceyou were little, the fabric was expensive but we got it in little pieces overthe years. It's been waiting for you. Let me put it on you,”

The dress fit her perfectly, it wasperfectly white and embroidered in soft gold, almost invisible to the humaneye, but the to the elven eye the gold spirals shifted subtly amongst thefabric, shimmering in the light. It was snug to show off what little curvesLori had, had golden ropes that looped down her sleeves, and was just shortenough to avoid getting it caught in the mud.

“You look amazing,” Shianni said showing herin the mirror.

Tears sprung to Lori's eyes.

“Oh, I almost forgot. One more thing, here.”Shianni handed her a golden locket to loop around her neck.

Inside there was a small portrait ofShianni, and of Lori's father.

“It's to remember us by, when you go toRedcliffe with your husband,” Shianni said softly.

“Oh Shianni...thank you.” Lori hugged hercousin tightly, trying not to cry. “I'll never take it off I promise.”

“I'm already looking forward to seeing youagain at the gathering,” Shianni said. “Your children will be so cute, I'lllook forward to meeting them.”

Lori smiled sadly. “It's such a long timeuntil we see each other again.”

“Not if you keep smiling,” Shianni said.“Now come on, enough of this sad talk. Today is a happy day. Go out there andmeet your husband-to-be. You're going to be so happy after today cousin.”

Lori took a deep breath, and frowned. Wasthat fire she smelled? She glanced at the window. Why was she smelling smoke?

“Shianni do you smell...Shianni?” turningher glance from the window, she looked to see that Shianni was no longer there.She whirled around. “Shianni! Where are you?”

A dark chuckle reached her ears, and fromthe corner of her eye, she saw Lord Vaughn step up behind her, and realised shewasn’t in her home any more, but the Bann's estate.

“Get away from me you sick pervert!” Loriscreamed, trying to run away.

She looked down to see her perfect weddinggown was now ripped and dirty, covered in...was that blood? Why was shebleeding...? She felt hands on her and looked up into the eyes of the guardVaughn had sent to 'take care of her'. From behind she felt the other one, andscreamed and struggled in their grip.

“Let me go! Let me go!” she cried, but thegrip on her only become more intense.

Tears poured from her eyes as she screamed.Her betrothed, gallant and brave, sprung out from behind the door, calling outto her. He'd come to save her! He'd – but her joy was cut short and turned tohorror as he was cut down where he stood. She screamed and struggled againstthe hands holding her, but they wouldn't release her.

“Shianni!” she screamed. “Shianni help me!Soris! Father! Someone help me!”

“Lorianna!”

Through her tears she heard a voice.

Who...?

“Lorianna! Lorianna be still!”

Be still? Why...?

“Lorianna calm down, it's not real. It's notreal mi amor.”

Mi amo – ? Zevran! It's Zevran! Open youreyes Lori!

Lori's eyes flew open, a gasp runningthrough her body. The smell of smoke was strong, and she realised she was bythe camp fire, wrapped in a blanket. She felt arms around her, and looked up tosee the Antivan elf staring down at her in concern, his grip strong as she wasno doubt thrashing in his arms moments ago.

“Let me go! Let me go!” she screamed tryingto get away from him.

“Lorianna – ”

“Zevran please let me go!”

Zevran, registering that she was indeedawake, let her go and she scrambled a few metres away from him, tangled in theblanket. Where was she...? This wasn't home...why was Zevran here? Why wasshe...

She breathed heavily, eyes darting aroundher. She saw the tents of her companions, her mabari sleeping at the entranceto her own tent, and Zevran watching her carefully, moving slowly so he wouldnot startle her, as one might behave around a skittish deer. It had been just adream.

“Zevran...” Lori felt tears gather in hereyes again, she crawled back to him and fell into his waiting arms. “Oh Zev...”

“Shh mi amor, I am here. I'm here,”Zevran held her more securely now, and she looped her arms around his waist,burying her face in the crook of his neck.

Zevran made all his movements slow, allowingher to protest against his touch, but she didn't shy away from it this time. Hefrowned deeply. She must have been very distraught to willingly let him touchher without giving him expressed permission Normally, whenever he or Alistaireven stood too close to her without warning, she scrambled a few feet away to acomfortable distance.

When they’d first met, whenever he tried to touch her sheflinched away, whenever he moved she would shift her body to remain a safedistance from him. At first Zevran had assumed it was because she did not trusthim, but she reacted even worse with Alistair, like she was afraid of him.These days they were quite close, in more ways than one, but she still was wary,and he cautious in his movements, always asking permission to tough her andwaiting for the okay.

He never dreamed that one day Lori would beliterally jumping into his arms out of the blue like this.

This behaviour scared Zevran. What hadhappened to make her so vulnerable? What had she been dreaming of? Lori seemedto be calming in his embrace however, he smelled of Antivan leather and thesalty spray of the sea, and Lori revelled in it. His touch was still slightly foreign but itwas so soothing, it sent calm waves through her body, and she settled in hisembrace, eyelids drooping sleepily.

“Was I screaming in my sleep?” she murmured.

“Yes.” Zevran answered softly. “You werecalling someone's name. Shianni, I think?”

Lori sighed. So she had been saying that outloud. She wondered how much she'd said, how much Zevran had heard, and if herother companions and heard her screaming.

“You can tell me, if you want.” Zevran said.“I will pass no judgement.”

“I...thank you Zev but I...don't feel liketalking about it.” Lori said, closing her eyes.

“Very well. I'll be here should you need methough,” Zevran took to twisting her long red hair in his tanned fingers,plaiting it as she huddled against his chest. He had learned early that playingwith her hair was always the fastest way to put her at ease.

It had grown since last she was home. In thealienage she wasn't allowed to wear her hair down, her father told her it wouldmake her a target for humans if she looked too pretty, she had kept it in atight bun at all times. Even when she joined the Wardens she kept it up, shehad retained a fear of the human men using her hair to tug her over to them asthey had done to Nola at her wedding.

The one time she had chosen to have itdown in the open was at the camp-fire where she was combing it. It only reachedjust above her chin then, but Zevran had given her many speeches of how lovelyher long hair was out, and eventually she had kept it out completely. It waslong now, almost to her elbows, and Zevran never missed a day telling her howbeautiful she was. Even now she was sure he had the words ready on his tongueas he made small plaits in her hair to keep her calm. For all his talk andscoffing at romance, he was the sweetest man she'd ever met. Lori bit her lip.Maybe he deserved to know.

Even as she contemplated telling him, hebegan to sing softly to her in Antivan. She couldn't understand the words, butthey were comforting, and soon she felt herself falling asleep in his arms.That night she slept soundlessly in Zevran's bedroll, the assassin holding hersecurely to keep her nightmares at bay. Nothing more would disturb his Warden'ssleep tonight.

“A wedding? So there’s a secretive side toyou after all?”

“Later Zevran.” The hard, queer look on herface stopped any further questions he may have had.

Clearly she didn’t want to speak. Zevranworried. But he kept quiet nonetheless. He was nothing if not patient.

“Zevran?”

“You call?” Zevran looked up from his bed.

It was late, everyone else in the inn had longsince gone to sleep, but here was she at his door, candle in her hand. Not thathe minded being interrupted, he had only been meditating after all. He didn’tmind the company.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you today at the alienage.”

“No harm done my dear, we all have a past wewish to escape do we not?”

“That’s why I’m here I…want to stop running.I was hoping you’d help me.”

“You wish to speak of it now?” Zevran asked.

“I do. I um...owe you an explanation. Italso has to do with the reason as to why I didn't accept your...um…offer, before.” Lori blushed.

“Mi amor you do not need to explain,I offered my company and you are not comfortable sharing it, I understand, thisyou know,” Zevran said. “But, anything you would like to tell me, I am all earsas we elves say,”

Lori smiled a little. “It's nothing to dowith you personally Zev, it's just...I was engaged once, not long before theBlight began.”

“Once...? Your cousin mentioned a wedding,you are not married?” he asked with a frown, noting the way she tuggednervously at the golden ring on her necklace.

“My betrothed was killed by humans on theday of our wedding,” Lori sighed. “A human noble gate-crashed mine and mycousin Soris’ wedding, and he insisted on taking several of our women. Shiannitried to resist him, but they took her away with several others. Nelaros...mybetrothed that is, not my mabari,” she gave a wry smile, glancing at herfaithful mabari, who had accompanied her to Zevran’s room. “He promised hewouldn't let them hurt me, but I am not some damsel in distress.”

Zevran grinned at that.

“They had my cousin, I was going to killthem. I tried to fight them, but one came from behind me and knocked me out.When I woke up we were all at his estate.”

Lori played with the golden ring absently,staring down at the engraving of promise.

“Vaughn's men came for the women, and tookthem away. Two of them stayed behind with me...and they...” Lori bit her lip,tears forming in her eyes. “I wasn't strong enough to fight them off me...theywere too strong, they pinned me down and they...they...”

“Stop.” Zevran murmured gently. “You neednot say more Lorianna,”

Lori looked up, and could see the pure rageboiling in his eyes. She wiped at her eyes with her sleeve.

“Soris found me, and threw me a sword. Ikilled them both, but Vaughn was long gone in the estate, with the other women.Soris and I made our way through the house, killing everyone. Soris and I foundthe women, Vaughn had...violated Shianni, the way he had me...I gutted him likea pig for what he did to us. Shianni and I never told the others what happenedto us. After that, the humans wanted me dead for the murders, and Duncanstopped them, recruiting me for the Grey Wardens. That's the story,” Lorisighed.

“And your betrothed?”

“He…had tried to rescue me. Vaughn’s mensimply cut him down. Right in front of me. I couldn’t stop them, I wasn’t fast enough;I didn’t reach him in time.” Lori’s eyes were wet with unshed tears she refusedto let fall. “He died for me and we’d only just met, he didn’t even get achance to get to know the girl he died for.”

She watched Zevran under her lashes for along time, giving him a silent nod when he hesitated to put his arms aroundher. In his embrace she felt calmer, and lighter having told the story tosomeone. She settled into his warmth, letting him hold her.

“It is a good thing you killed them.” Zevransaid eventually, untamed rage barely hidden beneath his calm tone. “Because ifnot I would have hunted them down and gave them the most painful deaths imaginable.”

He tightened his arms around her, and sheburrowed into the crook of his neck. She gave his middle a squeeze.

“I swear, no one will ever harm you like that again.” Zevran promised. “Not while I havebreath in my body.”

“I’m not that frightened girl anymore,” Lorimumbled. “I won’t be taken down that easily again.”

“No, you won’t. And I’ll kill anyone whoeven thinks of trying.”

Lori smiled a little. “Don’t think you getto have all the fun Zev, you’ll save some for me won’t you?”

Zevran laughed. “Of course my love ofcourse.”

“Good. Because I’d hate for them to diewithout me getting a few good hits in too.”

“Aha that’s my tough girl.” Zevran grinned. “Mydeadly Grey Warden.”

“Just deadly?”

“My sexyGrey Warden, that too of course.”

Lori grinned. “That’s better.”

#ask #fic prompt #dragon age #dragon age origins #dragon age fanfic #fanfic #zevran arainai #warden tabris #lorianna tabris #zevran/f!warden #tw: rape #rape mention #trigger warning #Anonymous

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