#Dragon Age Confessions

[dragonageconfessions]

Got really sick...Confessions will resume in a few days

I probably mentioned this before but my brother in law and I run a very successful party/catering business. We recently did a kids party and a few days later we both got sick because some parents evidently let their sick kids come to the party. It hit us both hard with a high temp, cough, body aches, nausea, etc but was worse for my bro in law since he hates being sick. (Its a chef thing)

And no it was not Covid as we tested for it but whatever it was completely drained us.

We're still not feeling great and now my brother and my guy have it and we feel bad because they were taking care of us.

This experience has also made us decide to only do parties for those 16 and over from now on since its apparent a lot of parents out there can be thoughtless. (We found out several others became sick as well along with our client who paid us)

Anyway I just wanted to let you know and apologize for the blog not being updated. Everything will be back to normal soon. Thanks for understanding. -SMC

Lord Seeker Lucius smiling

#Dragon Age Confessions

[kaija-rayne-author]

So, it should be pretty obvious by now that I'm firmly against fans boycotting Bioware and Dreadwolf due to the layoffs. I'll put it in business terms. I've worked for Fortune 500 companies, and I speak from that perspective.

The people who made it are hoping, and have said, that they hope people will love Dreadwolf as much as they do. Even when they were laid off.

It would punish the creatives who made the game far more than it would punish Bioware. They likely can't even talk about it due to NDAs unless/until it's released. Can you imagine not being able to talk about a thing you loved and poured years of your life, creativity, and passion into? I can. It would be heartbreaking.

I don't want to be responsible for harming people who love dragon age enough to make it for us. If I boycott, that's exactly what I'd be partially responsible for. I'm usually very pro-boycott, but in this case, I'm not.

So here's the question... we unequivocally live in a late stage capitalist nightmare world. Do you know how many other companies have laid off employees this year?

This type of behavior has been pro forma for corporate for at least 20 years, probably longer.

So, why would people boycott Dreadwolf and Bioware when they're by far not even the most egregious example of mass layoffs?

In 2022-2023, we've had these mass layoffs.

Meat giant Tyson Foods is laying off about 15% of senior leadership roles and 10% of corporate roles, according to an internal memo shared with CNN.

Y'all gonna boycott meat? I didn't think so.

3M announced significant layoffs as part of another major restructuring plan. The brand behind Post-It Notes and Scotch Tape said in a statement it would lay off 6,000 staff around the world.

Gonna boycott tape? Ear plugs? Sticky notes?

Lyft (LYFT)’s move in November to cut 13% of its workforce, citing fears of a looming recession.

Buzzfeed announced a 15% reduction in its workforce, or about 180 employees.

David's Bridal is eliminating 9,236 positions across the United States but did not specify how many stores would be affected.

Walmart is laying off more than 3,000 workers.

And I know many people can't afford to boycott Walmart.

Meta announced an additional 10,000 layoffs across several months on top of mass layoffs in 2022.

You still use Facebook? I personally loathe it and only keep an account for marketing reasons. I can barely even make it work anymore.

Three rounds of layoffs hit Disney (DIS), announced through a March 27 internal memo to employees. Around 7,000 people will be affected by the move over the next several months.

Amazon (AMZN) said in March it would cut 9,000 jobs, bringing the total number of Amazon (AMZN) staffers eliminated this year to around 27,000.

Indeed.com announced cuts of approximately 2,200 employees, representing almost 15% of its total workforce, the company said in March.

Satellite radio giant SiriusXM laid off 475 people, or about 8% of its workforce, as part of a broad restructuring.

Zoom (ZM) said it will lay off about 1,300 employees, or approximately 15% of its staff, in a memo to employees in Feburary.

Dell (DELL) laid off roughly 5% of its workforce, the company said in a regulatory filing in February. Dell had about 133,000 employees, the company told CNN. At that level, the 5% cut represents more than 6,500 employees.

Gonna refuse to use your computer?

Microsoft said in January it would be laying off 10,000 employees, according to a securities filing.

This was only up to around March of this year. There's loads more.

Point being it's ridiculous to boycott a company and hurt the people who made a thing they love just because they got laid off.

This is what corporations do. There is 0 loyalty to the employee at a corporation. It's all about the bottom line.

Maybe all y'all haven't worked in corporate, maybe people are hopping on the 'I'll boycott too' bandwagon. IDEK.

I honestly don't care if I change anyone's mind about it all, but it’s silly. Just outright ridiculous to expect a corporation to do anything but what corporations do.

It's not right. It's awful. I hate that Bioware basically backstabbed the creatives who made them what they are. But it's not new or even remotely rare. Bioware has laid off roughly 125 employees in the past handful of months.

Every company I named laid off far, far more. And if you think I'll believe you're going to boycott Microsoft, you must have a bridge you want to sell me, too.

Here's the source, if you want it.

#dragon age series #dragon age #dragon age confessions #dao #dai #da 2 #bioware critical #Bioware #Dreadwolf #dragon age: dreadwolf #dragon age inquisition

[louminescence]

Is it just me that wishes that for Bull’s romance when we ask about what he wants and he replies with something along the lines of “what matters is what you wants” to the Inquisitor, we have the option to insist on what he wants instead of what we want? 

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #the iron bull #dragon age romances #dragon age confessions #brain tingzz

[saykataruok]

#you think I wont but I will

#solas dragon age #dragon age dreadwolf #dragon age confessions #dragonagememe #dragon age

[lenskyq]

I loved my "meow meow" Red Hawke!!

Many people have said that Red Hawke is not necessarily a bad and terrible person, as long as you do not force him to commit disgusting actions, but few people say that to play for any Hawke you have to alternate answers of different types of personaly. This is especially evident in the Dissent quest, where the first red answer means Hawke's full agreement with Anders and a desire to help him (unlike blue and purple, by the way), and the next condemnation of his actions and disagree. And then, when Justice takes over Anders, the red answer means "we will kill all these stupid templars."

So… it doesn't make any sense to poke at all the red answers if you play as a red Hawke, otherwise you won't have a character, but a hodgepodge that contradicts theyself.

That's why my red (Alfred) Hawke is a great guy! Yes, he speaks harshly, does not hide what is on his mind, and may seem rude. But he is the one who will help you if you REALLY have problems that are not your fault (in his opinion) and if you deserve help. (he refused to help Ninnet's husband, because think him disgusting, but at the same time he started looking for Ninnet herself) When he met Merrill, he didn't behave like a bastard, but introduced himself to her, and when she asked if he liked Kirkwall, he replied with a red line that Kirkwall was a fucking dump. In the first act, he doesn't trust Varrick and Isabella, and I think they were uncomfortable with him, but in the second act, when three years had passed, he started joking with them, he supported Varrick after what happened with Batrand, and … damn, too many examples!

And the game still sees him as a red Hawke. See? You don't have to be rude for no reason when playing as a red Hawke, especially if you roleplay them as a character. You can alternate answers, your red Hawke can choose blue answers, purple answers, and from this it will not cease to be red if it predominantly chooses red lines. And red lines are not always aggressive and negative (of course, sometimes they are and out of place, but it is for such moments that you need to alternate lines), characters often agree with them. And many lines of the red Hawke are an icon.

#red hawke #agressive hawke #hawke #champion of kirkwall #dragon age #dragon age 2 #dragon age meta #dragon age confessions

[meanstreak-girl]

Dragon Age: Dark Age Chapter 3 (Edited)

Cullen paced back and forth as he waited for Evelyn to be ready and bring Alyndra to the throne room. It was her name day and all nobles from far and wide made it to Alyndra's name day. Only a week had passed since Alyndra was born and it was nothing but chaos. Josephine had a handle of most of the planning but of course Cullen and Evelyn had to make many of the decisions. Josephine made sure to remind Cullen how important this was as it was their first ball since they were named Tyern and Tyreness. All the nobles would be gathered at Skyhold to welcome Alyndra.

Finally, he sees Evelyn exiting the door to their chambers. "She looks so beautiful," he thought to himself. She wore a beautiful royal blue dress that was long-sleeved with a velvet touch. A light blue sash with a gold broch hung around her waist, and a gold circlet crown wrapped her beautiful chocolate brown hair. It was still hard for Cullen to get used to the fact the Evelyn wears more dresses than she does her Outerwear she wore during the age of the Inquisition.

Evelyn hooked her arm through Cullen’s and carried Alyndra in her other. This would have been impossible but there was a mage that was able to somehow give Evelyn back her arm after the mark was removed. They did not know who this mage was as they never saw her face, but were grateful all the same. 

As they approached their thrones, Josephine announced the Rutherford family. Evelyn placed little Alyndra into a beautiful ivory and gold crib, a gift from the King and Queen of Fereldan. 

"Everyone, if you could please gather so that we may commence the name day ceremony. "

Everyone became quiet as Josephine bowed and gestured to Cullen and Evelyn. They stood to address the assembly hand in hand. 

" On this day the Maker and Andraste have smiled and blessed us with a  beautiful baby girl." Evelyn says beaming with happiness.

" On this name day we ask that each of you pay your loyalties to the new lady of the Rutherford household. Today we would like to introduce to you Lady Alyndra Rutherford, Heiress to the land of Skyhold." 

Everyone applauded and  began to come forth to present their many gifts the little lady. Most were extravagant dresses, jewelry, toys and even betrothal offers to some of the most esteemed families. Some of them Cullen recognized from when he had received the same request at the Winter Palace during the civil war negotiations. Cullen knew that as soon as the festivities were over these requests would be kindling for their fire. Many of the lower class citizens gave them food, animals, and anything that they could bring abundance to their land. 

Then the King of Fereldan made his way to meet Alyndra along with the Queen and their son and only heir Prince Duncan. The prince would not have been born had it not been for the help of a group of Grey Warden mages wanting to give a gift to the new King and his Queen. One of the mages sacrificed their life so that the Warden Queen could conceive a child. Unfortunately for the King and Queen they did not have a choice in the matter as they had performed the ritual before they were to face Alistair and his Queen. For the mages they were given their lives but were sentenced to fight in the Deep Roads to pay for their crimes as Blood Magic was still outlawed despite Mages gaining the freedom they had always wanted. 

Alistair was the first to look upon Alyndra and the first thing he did was to make faces and coo at her so that she would laugh. However, her big blue eyes were locked on to Duncan as the Queen held him. When the Queen lowered Duncan to Alyndra, both babies began to laugh and look as if they were trying to play. 

"Our congratulations on your daughter's name day. You are welcome to come to Denerim should you require anything and know that our doors are always open to you and your family."

" Thank you, your Majesties, we are deeply honored for your consideration."

They bow to the King and Queen as they head back into the crowd to mingle with their people. 

As the festivities continued on and the nobles were almost done with giving their gifts, a dark black smoke began to fill the floor of the throne room. Everyone became quiet and watched as a woman dressed in a black dress  with silver elvan trimming sauntered into the throne room. She was tall and pale as the moon, eyes black like the night sky and red lips the color of blood. 

" How quaint, a little brat gets more respect than that of a Goddess." she said with an evil grin.

Cullen drew his sword as he stood in front of Evelyn as she grabbed Alyndra to protect her. The soldiers of Skyhold and the Kings guard surround the mysterious woman. Alistair, the Queen and Duncan hurried beside Cullen and his family. Alistair also drew his sword as the Queen kept her hand on her hip where her sword was holstered.

" Who are you! What do you want?" Cullen yells at the woman.

"You really have no idea who I am, do you? My name is Andruil, Goddess of the Hunt and it was my instruction to find both the King and the Lion of Fereldan.” She said with an evil hiss to her voice.

" There is no way you are Andruil, all the Elven Gods were locked away in the vail that separates us and the Fade." Said Evleyn as she cradled her daughter.

" Yes that was true, but Fen'Harel has freed some of us. We are here to make sure that there will be no resistance in tearing down the veil and here we will find the key to release my family." 

Just as she had finished her sentence a wave of shadows that looked like people made their way through the crowd killing many of the nobles. Screams filled the throne room as the soldiers charged on Andruil and the slaughter began. Alistair yelled for the Queen and Duncan to run away as him and Cullen engaged the shadow warriors. They managed to escape off to the side as they were not the prime target of Andruil. Evelyn tried to run away as well but was stopped by the shadows. 

Andruil made her way through the crowd of scared people trying to make their way out of the keep. She did not care for the young people she only cared for Cullen and Alistair as they were her biggest game she was commanded to kill. Cullen and Alirstair fought the shadow people to protect Evelyn and Alyndra as there was nowhere they could escape. Andruil dissipated into nothing and then appeared behind Evelyn. 

Evelyn turned around and then instantly felt a sharp searing pain spread throughout her abdomen. She looked down only to see an elvish dagger buried deep into her flesh. Andruil smiled as she took a screaming and crying Alyndra from her arms. Upon hearing his daughter's screams Cullen turned around to see Evelyn fall to the ground, blood pooling around her body. Cullen tried to rush to his wife's side but was dragged out by the last of the guards knowing that their lady and her child were dead. 

#dragon age #Dragon Age Cullen #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age confessions #dragon age inquisition #Dad!Cullen #cullen x inquisitor #cullen x trevelyan #cullen rutherford #cullen&trevelyan #dragon age origins #fen harel #Solas #dread wolf #andruil #goddess of the hunt #elven #elves #denerim

[perlen-gold]

Confession

Give me a fun modernAU fanfic where Fenris and Anders are forced to do the 36 Questions That Lead to Love experiment as done by Penny and Sheldon in that one episode of Big Bang Theory (’The Intimacy Acceleration’  I think) with the both of them them ending up in unwanted mutual respect and liking  AND grudging, unintentional, inadvertent friendship (which, despite their frantic attempts to hide it, becomes apparent through their actions)

God, would I LOVE to read that!

Confession over.

#anders #fenris #dragon age II #dragon age 2 #da 2 #da II #dragon age confessions #any writers out there hear my cry??

[dirtybiowareconfessions]

Confession: i must inform all dragon age fans that shale has a visible rock vagina on her model and no one ever talks about it like its right there

#shale #dragon age #dragon age origins #bioware #dirty confessions #dirty confession

[an-established-butt-dent]

One of my many Solavellan head cannons.

They traveled together for months, years even. Don't tell me these lovesick fools didn't regularly disappear into the woods together, to have a quiet romantic moment away from the prying eyes of the other companions.

Mixed media on paper.

#Only to return to the morning back to camp with Lavellan having slightly more dishelved hair than usual. #and Dorian commenting on it immediately ofcourse #Like their romance is incredibly angsty but i really wished there had been more scenes of them just them having a sweet and intimate moment #I mean yes there is the balcony scene at skyhold #but solas literally runs off when he confesses his love for Lavellan. LOL #talk about running away from his feelings #kinda hard to run away from your love when you are travelling months together. I imagine they have had moments where they basked- #-in the newness of it all. A moment of quiet understanding and feeling alive. Of new love. #Ugh these two #solasmance #Solavellan headcannons #solas x female lavellan #solas x inquisitor #inquisitor lavellan #my art #solas #dragon age inquisition #art #my fanart #dai #drawing #traditonal illustration #pencil art #the dreaded husband rises #the dread egg #solas dragon age #solavellan fluff #solavellan fanart #dragon age dreadwolf #da: dreadwolf

[dragonageconfessions]

CONFESSION:

Sometimes when killing the ghouls in the Darkspawn quest at the Storm Coast, some of their loot would be Ferelden-based like a toy soldier and I would realize these were likely people fleeing the blight and caught by darkspawn ten years earlier.

#dragon age confessions #dragon age inquisition #the storm coast #dragon age #darkspawn

[kaija-rayne-author]

Is Solas a Villain?

Spoilers for Dragon Age Inquisition and Trespasser DLC. Maybe DAO and DA2 too.

So is he a villain?

Nope!

That's not me being a Solas apologist.

That's me being a pedantic AF writer/editor/word and literary nerd.

Solas, no matter how players feel about him, is an anti-hero.

Firstly, what is an anti-hero?

1. A character who is a hero to some, a villain to others.

Solas was a hero to the ancient enslaved elves, even if he did end up basically destroying the world. If he does what I suspect, he'll also end up a hero to the current generation of enslaved elves, too. He's mentioned he has spies, many, indicating that many people, even good people, serve him. Because they think of him as a hero.

2. A character whose existence offers a critique of social morals and reality.

Can you think of any other character in DA:I who calls attention to the problems of the status quo more than Solas? I mean, truly pointing out the uncomfortable truth?

This convo w/Dorian sort of illustrates that point.

Dorian: Solas, for what it's worth, I'm sorry.

Dorian: The elven city of Arlathan sounds like a magical place, and for my ancestors to have destroyed it...

Solas: Dorian... hush.

Solas: Empires rise and fall. Arlathan was no more "innocent" than your own Tevinter in its time.

Solas: Your nostalgia for the ancient elves, however romanticized, is pointless.

Solas: If you wish to make amends for past transgressions, free the slaves of all races who live in Tevinter today.

Dorian: I... don't know that I can do that.

Solas: Then how sorry are you?

3. A character who is the focal point of conflict in a story.

Rather a no-brainer on this one. I truly think the actual villain/s of DA:D won't end up being Solas. I think, as he was in DA:I, he's a massive distraction. A misdirection of attention.

4. A character who is particularly engaged in the conflict, typically on their own will, rather than for a specific call for the greater good. As such, the anti-hero focuses on their objective first, and everything else is secondary.

Solas, if Romanced, gives up his heart's desire, the Inquisitor, the only person that has ever drawn his attention from the fade, for his goal, even though you can see how much it destroys him to do it.

His heart, hers, his friends... NOTHING can get in the way of the goal. And it's a goal he's taken on of his own will. He's taking the responsibility of fixing his fuck up because he fucked it up. (He's foolish because if he'd just stop and think for a second, he'd realize he's really bad at fixing things.)

5. An Anti-hero is still operating for what they think is the greater good. Solas truly believes that fixing what he broke is for the greater good of Thedas. Not just his own people, (that's an enjoyable side benefit XD) but Thedas itself. Because it was never meant to have the veil in the first place. (We'll just brush that whole evil self-absorbed mage-gods being set free at the same time under the carpet? Because he has "plans". Solas, Solas, just stop and think for a minute!)

6. They tend to be flawed heroes in the sense that they do wrong things/screw up/cause harm.

Welp. That's pretty much a dictionary definition of Solas, isn't it?

So how is that actually different from a villain?

A villain is a malicious, often cruelly malicious character, who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime or hurting others for their own sake. One who contributes evil agency (motivation) to the plot.

The literary purpose of a villain is to stand opposite the hero to help the plot move forward.

In contrast with the hero (which is defined by ingenuity, bravery, pursuit of justice and the greater good), a villain is most often defined by their acts of selfishness, evilness, arrogance, and or cruelty. They are often cunning and display unilaterally agreed upon immorality that can pervert or oppose justice.

In short, an anti-hero is a character who does too much good to be truly bad, and too much bad to truly be considered good.

Solas, as a character, gives unflinchingly of himself to the Inquisition. He gave them his home, if you believe Skyhold is actually his.

He gives of his blood and flesh in battles.

He gives his knowledge.

If Romanced, he gives his heart to a mortal inquisitor.

And he's willing to give whatever is left of his heart, his soul, and very possibly his life to fix what he broke.

Sorry, Solas haters, he's just not the villain you want him to be.

And that's what makes him so bloody fascinating!

Humanity loves our anti-heroes.

Did you know the term anti-hero was used as early as 1714, but that the character archetype has been used by Homer (Theristes), in Ancient Greek drama (Medea), in Roman mythology (Hercules), and in a lot of Renaissance literature (Don Quixote)?

At some point, the existence of an anti-hero character eventually became an established form of social criticism. Which Solas is very good at.

Other examples of anti-heroes most folks will likely recognize

Wade Wilson/Deadpool

Huckleberry Finn

Lou Bloom/Nightcrawler

Bruce Wayne/Batman

Mad Max

Captain Jack Sparrow

Lisbeth Salander (Girl w/dragon tattoo)

Han Solo

Pinnochio

James Bond

Lestat de Lioncourt (Interview w/a Vampire)

Geralt of Rivia (Witcher)

Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Dexter Morgan (Dexter)

Indiana Jones

John Rambo

T-800 (The Terminator)

John McClane (Die Hard)

The Beast (Beauty & the Beast)

Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

Magneto (X-Men)

Logan/Wolverine (X-Men)

Riddick

Shrek

Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)

Harley Quinn

Hellboy

John Constantine

Frank Castle (The Punisher)

V (V for Vendetta)

Tony Stark/Iron Man

Sherlock Holmes

Judge Dredd

John Wick

Maleficent

Venom

Angel & Spike (Buffy)

Dean & Sam Winchester (Supernatural)

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow

The Mandalorian/Din Djarin

Wednesday Addams

I'll stop there, because the list could probably go on for a looong time (as if it hasn't already? 😅)

My work of words is my only income. Please consider a tip or becoming a patron. :)

#dragon age series #solas #solavellan #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #inquisitor lavellan #solavellan hell #dragon age confessions #solas dai #dai

[louminescence]

I still think about what more we could have gotten from the romances in Inquisition. Imagine if we have one thing similar to choosing between lyrium or stopping, saving the Chargers or the Dreadnought, but this time, it’s to influence the love interest? Am I making sense?  Think about it. Imagine managing to convince Cullen that not all mages are bad. Sure, it takes time but it’s something we can begin. Imagine telling Bull that he’s human too, not some killing machine that he portrays himself to be. It’ll take time too but he can acknowledge that, because he feels by getting hurt, by becoming happy, by becoming sad, he is human.  

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #the iron bull #cullen rutherford #dragon age romances #dragon age confessions #brain tingzz

[charmre]

Thank my father before me His mother before him Who would I be without you, without them?

#Dragon Age #Dragon Age: Origins #Eden Cousland #Warden Cousland #Alyssa arts #been working on this on and off again for a while now #yes that is a boygenius lyric what about it #∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿ #I never finished the game bc the PS3 I was playing it on crashed and lost all my data for ALL of my games ahahahahah #I got past Orzammar and I had Alistair give me the rose bc 17? year old me romanced him #And then I got cold feet and stopped playing #and THEN all my shit crashed when I went back to play it a few years later #(yes it took me a few years to get back to Alistair confessing his love for my Cousland I'm sorry Alistair) #will I ever get back to the game? I've tried to but it just feels like me trying to speedrun where I was before and that takes the fun out #so idk :( #but if I ever do y'all will know lol I'll stop rambling now

[biancadavri]

#an entire week feels a bit too much but i have to confess: i don't understand time zones enough to try and find an optimal posting time #dragging the dwarven protagonists kicking and screaming into caring about something so deeply they'll put it over their own survival #dragon age #dragon age origins #dragon age inquisition #aeducan #dwarf noble origin #brosca #dwarf commoner origin #cadash #inquisitor cadash #my posts #polls

[meanstreak-girl]

Dragon Age: Dark Age Chapter 2 (Edited)

Long were the months that passed as all of Fereldan waited for the arrival of the new baby of Teyrness Rutherford. In fact, it brought new friends to help them with all the chaos that was about to erupt with a new noble baby. Josephine had made her way back to Skyhold as if she had never left. She had left to help her family with all the new trade that was being circulated after Evelyn was able to help Josephine get trade in Ferelden. She was once again the ambassador that was going to handle all the affairs that came with having an heir. Countless betrothal requests were coming in for baby Rutherford even though they were not sure if was a boy or girl. With the Teyrn being so new there was much to organize and facilitate that Josephine was eager to help with.

As the days grew closer to the arrival of the new baby, many came in the hopes that they could at least greet their new lord or lady as well as pay respects to the new Teyrn and his wife as there had not been a proper ceremony since Cullen and Evelyn had become the higher nobility of Fereldan. Evelyn had been very sick throughout her pregnancy, and many feared for her life and the life of their unborn child. So, it was directed by many healers that she remains in bed and or not doing anything too strenuous in order to keep her and the baby safe. Cullen was left to deal with nobles, land squabbles, and anything else that would be required of Evelyn as she was the only one that had experience in the matter.

Cullen loathed each and every day as he had to listen to the pettiness of many. He knew he was not cut out for this but if it meant Evelyn and his child would live then he had no issue with it. Or rather he was less inclined to get up and leave in the middle of the meeting. Many days he would imagine helping with the soldiers that were under his command again, but Josephine was always there to bring him back to reality reminding him that this was all for his family.

It was a bright morning on the morning of 9:48 Dragon and Cullen have already had his fill for the day of politics. Vivienne, who was the first mage who volunteered to help with Evelyn and the baby’s health promptly came downstairs to lean into Cullens ear and whisper, “It's time."

Cullens eyes open wide as he nods to the guards and at Josephine to clear the throne room.

"I must take my leave as a very important matter needs my attention." As he stands up and bows out.

He nods one last time at Josephine to take over and without seeming to be in too much of a hurry he heads up to Evelyn's chambers.

As he makes his way up the stairs, he hears the words "Push, push!" As he heard this along with the moans and cries of his wife, he froze.

He didn't know if he wanted to go into the room. How can he see her in that much pain? He had almost lost her twice in the span of three years, what if he loses her today?

" I need Cullen, where is he?" She asked as she pushed through the pain.

" He should be on his way, my lady."

With that, he knew he needed to be by her side. He hurried the rest of the way up to their chambers and saw her on the bed pushing as the midwife was looking under the sheets to preserve her modesty. As soon as he saw her he hurried to her side and offered his had that Evelyn was all happy to take.

"It's alright I am here now." He said as he moved her now long hair out of her face.

****

Hours passed and Evelyn was barely making any progress. She was exhausted and it was beginning to look grim. Evelyn was growing pale and even the healers knew that the baby was not going to hold on much longer. Cullen dropped his head and prayed to Andraste and the maker for help.

"Maker please, don't let it end like this. I have been faithful; I have fought for so long in your name. Please if I could ask for one thing, it would be to save my wife and my child, please."

Then a light caught his attention. He looked up in a swift motion and what he saw looked almost like the bright silhouette of a woman. Just as fast as it appeared if it flashed towards Cullen and Evelyn. He closed his eyes and held his arm up to shield his eyes from the bright light. When he opens them, the light is gone, and Evelyn begins to scream in pain. The healer quickly lifts the blanket over her and looks stunned.

"Listen, the baby's head is halfway out. I need you to push hard my lady, push like your life depends on it."

Evelyn nods her head, understanding what she needs to do. With the next contraction, she pushes with all her might lifting half her body up to help. Then she falls back onto the bed. A moment of silence that seemed to last far too long, when finally, a baby's cries filled the room. Cullen let out a breath not realizing that he had been holding it.

"It's a girl!" The midwife exclaims as she wipes off the girl and hands her to Evelyn.

"Thank the Maker, she's alright, you are alright." exclaimed Cullen as he kissed Evelyn's head.

The baby was placed in Evelyn’s arms and as soon as the baby was against her chest she immediately calmed and began to root. Evelyn moved her tunic off to the side and the baby was able to latch onto Evelyn's nipple to be fed.

As the healers made sure that they would be alright they left the new family to bond. Cullen stroked his child's head gently and then kissed the top of Evelyn’s as he saw that the color finally returned to her face.

“I thought I had almost lost you.”

“I was so afraid, Cullen. I was so afraid that the baby was not going to make it, but then it was like a burst of energy entered my body and I was able to push through it. I am not sure what happened.

Cullen was shocked as he realized that Evelyn had not seen the woman or the light just before the baby was born. He didn’t know what to make of it and would be asking around later, but right now he was just relieved that who ever it was helped save his wife and child.

“Would you like to hold her?” Evelyn asked looking up at Cullen.

He reaches out to his daughter and then pulls back. " I have never held a baby before.” It was true as even though he had nieces and nephews, he never held them. He only got to meet them when Evelyn forced him to go and visit his family.

"It's alright, I will help you."

Cullen gives Eveyln an unsure look. She slightly nudges him to hold their daughter when he finally takes the little girl slowly into his arms.

"Mind her head," Evelyn says.

Cullen looked down at his daughter and everything in the world seemed to stop. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She was so small and fragile, yet it took so much for her to come into this world. The Maker and Andraste answered his prayers. He began to sway her back and forth smiling as she seemed to fall asleep in his arms.

"What should we name her?" Asks Cullen.

"Well, I was thinking about Alyndra."

"That is a beautiful name. What is it from?"

"It was my grandmother's name."

Welcome to the world my little lady. Alyndra.

#dragon age #Dragon Age Cullen #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age confessions #dragon age inquisition #Dad!Cullen #cullen x inquisitor #cullen x trevelyan #cullen rutherford #cullen romance #post inquistion

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

This. This. This entire conversation with Morrigan actually makes me want to sob. She and my Tabris always becomes close friends over the course of DAO; that, paired with the fact that my Tabris always romances Alistair, makes everything about this hurt so much more when you take DAO's ending into account.

Her confusion over why my Tabris didn't send her away. Why she didn't abandon her after they learned of Flemeth's plans. Why Tabris went out of her way to slay Flemeth and bring her the true grimoire. She asks Tabris why, and is baffled when the answer is, "I did it because I'm your friend," as if it's that simple.

The way Morrigan looks at the warden, the way her voice cracks when she says, "I want you to know that while I may not always prove... worthy... of your friendship, I will always value it."

She knows how this will end; Flemeth sent her with the wardens with the end goal of stopping the blight and obtaining the old god soul through the dark ritual. Morrigan knows that Alistair and Tabris are the only Grey Wardens here, and assuming they don't find more, one of them will have to die defeating the archdemon unless they agree to do the dark ritual.

With that context, her asking Alistair, "And what if a Grey Warden has forced to choose between the Warden he loved and ending the Blight? What should his choice be?" suddenly has so much subtext weaved through the words that I'm gonna start foaming at the mouth. She's practically telling Alistair that a warden has to die. She's scrutinizing his reaction to find any hint that suggests he would agree to the dark ritual in order to save himself and the woman he loves. And when he doesn't choose, she has her answer.

Morrigan made comments to Tabris about him, almost hopeful that their relationship was just a physical thing between them and not actually riddled with feelings... and then gives disapproval when Tabris says she loves him.

She doesn't want the warden to die; hell, she doesn't want Alistair to die, either; whether because she does actually care about him or because she knows it'll break her friend's heart if she loses him, or both!

Things would be so much easier if the only two Grey Wardens left to defeat the blight didn't fall in love, wouldn't they, Morrigan?

She knows that in the end, no matter the outcome, she will lose the woman she called sister and it's devastating.

Morrigan, who has never known true friendship. Who grew up isolated in the woods with an abusive mother and terrible implications for her future. Who discovered said mother planned to take over her body just as she did with her other daughters. Who doesn't understand kindness as it was rarely given to her without a catch. Who isolates herself from the others in camp. Who finally has a companion she cares about... and in the end, if her plan works and the dark ritual is completed, she'll end up pregnant and alone and wearing Tabris' resentment like a tender wound on her heart.

Or Tabris will reject the ritual, and will die to the archdemon.

Or her lover will.

I just- the dynamic between the warden, romanced Alistair, and Morrigan is so good and painful and rich that I'm gnawing on furniture as we speak.

#dragon age origins #dao #alistair theirin #dao alistair #dao morrigan #dao tabris #warden tabris #i'm replaying dao right now in case my recent written posts haven't made that obvious #the relationship dynamics the warden has with each of the companions is so so soooo good like there isn't a companion i dislike #i play into the slow burn with alistair's romance but it's not even just the romance aspect it's also their friendship too #playing dao and not romancing alistair would feel wrong at this point for me it's so crucial to the entire story and its development #and i love morrigan's friendship with the warden and how gutted tabris is when she comes clean about everything and offers the ritual #and then bails once everything is over and tabris is torn between hating her and feeling hurt and not wanting morrigan to be alone again #i talked more in depth about morrigan and the ritual in a previous post but it's a lot... especially when it comes to the witch hunt dlc #oh and then there's the friendship between tabris and zevran like don't even get me started on that sksksks i won't be able to stop #even a character like oghren who is the last person you'd think tabris would ever become friends with since he's y'know *oghren* #but i'll go on the record and say there's more to oghren that gets overlooked and overshadowed by his glaring flaws #and i don't wanna talk about leliana... she makes me too sad like ever since my last playthrough where i accidentally triggered her romance #while i was deep in alistair's romance i have a really hard time not reading into the things she says to tabris #in my last playthrough i dunno what i did but she confessed to tabris even though she was fully aware that tabris and alistair were togethe #and it was a *mess* okay like it really felt like we killed marjolaine and leliana was in a vulnerable position yet was hardened enough #to be like 'i know she and alistair are together but i'll take my shot anyway and attempt to break them up' like.... noooooo leliana D: #and the rest of the game it felt like she was bitter and still in love with tabris and i felt *horrible* #i just said i don't wanna talk about it but hhhnnngggg i'm taking extra precautions to not have a repeat of that this time #excuse my tag ramblings i'm just very passionate about dao and the companions okay #also want to note that this is my interpretation of morrigan's motivations based on how i play the game and my warden #so others might view this reaction and the warden/romanced alistair/morrigan dynamic differently and in that case #i would be interested to hear that different interpretations because those are always fun to read