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viiisenyas · 2 years

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Favourite Fem!OCs (pic crew)

Alessa Cousland

Elethara Mahariel

Giselle Hawke

Valeriana Tidarion

#oc stuff

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spainkitty · 1 year

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I just happened to choose elf mage for DAI. My gamer friend said it was a good idea, but mainly I went with it because I went Cousland for DAO and Hawke is human no matter what and I was ready for something new. (Plus, I'd made a Surana Origins file and had to delete her before her story was finished to dl DAI, so I remade her)

but after Haven, and Mother Giselle starts to sing "The Dawn Will Come" and then EVERYONE sings and bows. and fuck. no matter who you play, I get it. it's good. it's EPIC. but there just something about being an elf and/or mage, but especially an elf mage, that makes it SO MUCH MORE. I couldn't breathe watching that, trying to get into my Lavellan's head as this is happening right after she tells Giselle "Blind faith is not enough" and she's so unsure of what she can do, and then all these, people who should hate or be afraid of her, maybe her whole life that's exactly how she was treated, how she was raised to view the world outside the Dalish, but they all have their faith in HER. And it isn't blind faith. They've seen what she does, they're looking right at her and her ears and her vallaslin, and they BELIEVE in what she can do. Her. a Dalish elf. a Dalish mage elf. She's not an alien, she's not a criminal, she's FAITH. She's HOPE.

I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes the entire time. I can't imagine playing any other race and/or class having that same amount of poignancy. Being a dwarf or qunari would be close I think? But not the same. They're isolated from or enemies of this culture. It's not the same as being institutionally oppressed by almost every country, by the MEGA church of the world, for thousands of years, and then having all these people who'd been raised in that culture of oppression turn you into their Symbol of Hope.

That moment. That moment changes the ENTIRE WORLD if you're a Dalish Elf and/or mage.

#dai #kitty babbles about dragons #i love my lanil lavellan so fucking much #yes i have rewatched that scene too many times on yt #yes cullens voice made me gasp #i think i started crying/smiling when Leliana joined #gorgeous #wonderful

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starrypawz · 2 years

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📓

Hey, here’s a fun new game. Put “📓” or some other version of a book emoji into my inbox and I’ll explain the plot of a fanfiction that I haven’t written but daydream about.

A... while back (at least a few years lmao) @daraasum and I came up with an idea that was 'So what if childhood friends to lovers Alistair/Cousland because instead of being sent to Redcliffe Alistair was sent off to Highever and he's raised as a Squire rather than a Templar

So Giselle 'Elle' Cousland and Alistair grow up together and become besties, the plot of DAO kicks off and they both escape the castle and become wardens and then thankfully a little after Lothering they run into my Mahariel warden Eirlys who then has the fun of finding out she's apparently the most senior warden in Ferelden all of a sudden as she wasn't at Ostagar

So then it's up to the three of them to hopefully stop the Archdemon you know... destroying everything and preventing outright war and all that fun stuff

(And we get Cousland/Alistar and Mahariel/Zevran out of this set up)

#dragon age #alistair theirin #cousland #elle cousland

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linkurinkuarts · 6 years

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Here’s a compilation of all the Dragon Age inktobers I did, I figured I’d post them! In order we have Delia Tabris, Cassandra Pentaghast, Alaina Surana, Giselle Cousland, And Leliana :)

#art #traditional art #dragon age #dao #dai #grey warden #my Warden #Tabris #cousland #Surana #cassandra pentaghast #leliana #linkurinkuart #my art #delia Tabris #Alaina surana #Giselle Cousland

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sugarbubbleslove · 3 years

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Dragon Age

Alright - I'm gonna go with what I would love to see in Dragon Age 4.

Stealing. I want to steal back. I LOVED being the Dark Wolf in Origins/Awakening. (My Cousland adored having everyone freaking out). It's part of the reason why I can't really play as a rogue in II because it feels wrong with no stealing.

Healing. PLEASE give me my goddamn healing ability back. Screw limited potions and no healing. I want the chance to play as a spirit healer again.

Bombs/Traps again, please? Because those were fun. Origins were so much fun because of their versatility.

Hybrid classes. Looking at the Trailer for DA4, I get the feeling Magic is going to play a big part in it and I'm...not enthusiastic about it.

Don't get me wrong - I love playing as a mage (Damien Amell/Melinda Hawke dominate the battlefield) but I do LOVE playing as a Rogue/Warrior.

But I want how the Warriors could dual-wield, use archery and steal. Hell, even my mage could steal.

But I would love it if my Warriors could bash locks or my Mages could use magic to open locks. (Origins really makes me feel I should be playing as a rogue with the number of locked chests about).

More Specializations. I like Ranger for my Rogue. Summoning animals, yes, please.

Spirit healer was fun - and would have been an awesome addition to Inquisition if you could have a spirit agree to help you with your magic, imagine the conversation Solas/Cole could have had with your spirit (But at the same time, I get why they didn't because you know - can't have the 'Herald of Andraste' communing with spirits (never mind that Andraste could have been communing with a spirit)

The options to USE ALL MY TALENTS I unlock! Like in Origins/II, you could use the wheel to access more abilities where in Inquisition, you're freaking LOCKED!! Unless you have it on the tab, you're screwed and it's annoying!

What's the freaking point of giving us all those talents if I can't access them while in battle?! Seriously! GIVE ME MY GODDAMN TALENTS!!

And...I'm gonna be spiteful here but this is mostly because of my current playthrough - the chance to kill off my Inquisitior....

I have a playthrough where my Cousland romances Alistair, makes him the King and agrees to be his Queen only to refuse the dark sacrifice and takes the final blow. Then I leave my Hawke - who romances Sebastian and makes him prince, becoming his Princess - in the Fade so....please? I kind of wanna continue the trend of my heroes pretty much giving the country/world the finger before jumping to their death.

(Though I was even more bitcher and had my Cousland keep Alistair a Grey Warden, refused the ritual and took the killing blow then left Alistair in the fade because...fun...)

I would be so fucking gleeful if I get the option to actually kill off my inquisitor at some point (or find out they died in between Inquisition and 4th game).

To keep the chance to refuse to believe in the Maker. God, that was so funny, I actually played my Trevelyan who refused to believe in the Maker, who refused to believe it was Andraste in the Fade (arguing with Mother Giselle as a result) and I got the option to tell Mother Giselle that she was happy that was she was right about it just being dumb luck that she had the Mark and that the Maker/Andraste had no say in it and Mother Giselle actually called out my character, saying she was no better than those who like to shove their facts down people throats.

I was actually stunned and I wanted to bite off Mother Giselle's face for the first time since playing this game by reminding her that the Chantry shove their 'facts' down everyone's throat, constantly cut out/covers up the parts they don't like. Like I didn't hear about Shartan being cut out of the chant you hypercritical little bitch! I was there at fucking Haven when Shartan said he fought at Andraste's side yet your pathetic cult cut him out because he was an elf and you can't have your precious Andraste cavorting with an elf, can you.

It was actually the same with Wynne, my Cousland told her that she never wanted to become a warden, didn't find it an honour and just wanted to find her brother. Wynne actually called Cousland selfish for wanting to put her own needs above the world.

Like excuse me you little cunt, you were locked up in that circle the whole fucking time. YOU have no idea what is required to become a warden. If you thought it was such a fucking honour, then you should have offered your own ass to Ridoran when he was looking for Wardens. Then I could have given you to the Archdemon.

And not to mention Grand Elthina. Like holy fuck did the Maker have a fucking hand in my Warden saving the world. She didn't save it for the Maker's sake, she died because she LOST her fucking FAMILY to betrayal. Seriously - if my warden was there, she would have snapped the old woman's neck. Glad that my Hawke could say that the maker had nothing to do with it.

And I still firmly believe she was setting up the stage for the templar/mage war. Like hell the Maker would waste their time saving your pathetic ass when you couldn't even do anything to stop the war.

She could have easily gone to the Divine with her fears and suggested a change in Knight-commander and First Enchanter. What did she do? Tell Hawke to tell Leliana that everything is peachy keen and there is nothing to world about.

I told Leliana to get the Divine to start a fucking holy war before the war actually broke out (and look what happened, Elthina died. The Maker didn't save her)

and WHY do people think the Maker would actually save them? Like hello? The last time the Maker, apparently, got involved - Andraste was BURNED at the freaking STAKE!

Do you really think the Maker would risk that again?

And I just went off on a rant...sorry about that.

But, by all means Bioware, keep giving me shitty old woman who thinks they know better so I can keep kicking them off the ledge of their high and mighty horse.

#Dragon Age #What I would love to see in the next game #Yeah #you #I actually like my dead Cousland/Alistair pining for her playthrough #and it makes sense that Alistair would be left behind in the fade #Mother Giselle critical #Elthina Critical #Wynne critical #fuck off old ladies #stop acting like you know my character #you know shit #Sorry about the rant #apparently it's been building up

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biserker-kadan · 3 years

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I bought Dragon Age Origins for PC and I love the gameplay but I'm having trouble sticking to one play through and deciding which one I want.

I've got Clara Cousland, young and naive until Howe butchers her family in their own home and now she's just angry sad.

Afeir Surana, smart and kind and very much upset about losing her home and family because she tried to help her friend.

And finally, Giselle Tabris, survival mode always, unaware that sometimes communication is key and no - you can't just stab everything.

#new ocs!#new dragon age ocs #dragon age #dragon age origins #ts dragon age ocs #clara cousland #afeir surana #giselle tabris

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morganaseren · 3 years

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WIP Meme (Warden Inquisitor Niamh/Warden Bethany)

Tagged by: @illusivesoul Many thanks!

Tagging: @this-is-something-idk-what, @noeldressari, @jellydishes, @w-h-4-t As usual, I suck at telling who has or hasn’t been tagged yet.

So this WIP is from prompt #3 I made off this list. It doesn’t tie into the other Warden Niamh/Warden Bethany AU I’ve already written; this is something wholly separate. No knowledge of it is needed to read this.

Granted, this is a much rougher draft than what I’d normally post here, but given I’m already more than a month behind on updating OtSttCA, I thought you guys would appreciate the treat. :)

Things you might want to know:

As with any AU where Niamh is a Warden, she’s the one who undertakes the Dark Ritual with Morrigan in order to spare anyone from being sacrificed once the Archdemon is slain. Through magic, Kieran is born as a result of their union. While both women carry a great deal of respect for one another, they aren’t and were never in a romantic relationship although there’s gonna be a whole separate AU for that once I get around to writing it.

Niamh is the Warden-Constable for Ferelden while her sister Saoirse is the Warden-Commander and Hero of Ferelden. Saoirse and Leliana are married sometime after the end of the Blight.

As a result of going on the Deep Roads expedition with her sister, Bethany contracts the taint and has to undergo the Joining in order to save her life. She is transferred to the Fereldan branch of the Grey Wardens by Stroud not long afterward.

Niamh and Bethany are in an established relationship by the time the events of Inquisition begins.

While Niamh would normally be off searching for the cure by then, I'm just going to headcanon that she and Morrigan weren’t able to find a suitable lead in their research until much later—enough that they start hearing about the mass disappearances of Wardens across Ferelden and Orlais.

Out of concern, Niamh and Saoirse convince the remainder of their comrades (except for Bethany obviously) to head toward Weisshaupt for help, but Niamh senses that's enough wrong about the situation that she also tells them to journey there in secret. Vigil’s Keep is pretty much closed down at this point until they can figure out what’s going on.

Niamh and Bethany head out toward the Hinterlands to follow up on reports of some Warden sightings in the area. It's when they're stopped in the Crossroads area (where you meet Mother Giselle) that Niamh has Bethany to ask the villagers for any leads while she heads up to the Temple of Sacred Ashes to follow up on a tip there. The usual stuff happens, and she ends up waking up in Haven's dungeons, where she gets interrogated by Cassandra.

Honestly, this follows pretty closely to how OtSttCA unfolds as far as the major decisions being made within it goes. However, because she wasn’t in self-exile for a decade, Niamh’s a lot more laidback and confident in her ability to lead, especially with Bethany by her side.

Along that same vein, Bethany is also more self-assured in her abilities as a mage now that she no longer has to fear hiding from Templars. As such, she’s much quicker to speak about what’s on her mind rather than bottle them up as she used to in the past. She confronts Cassandra like an absolute badass several times during the beginning of the story in defense of her lover, which you can check out below the cut with the rest of the content. ;)

Like in her canon world state, Niamh isn't treated well when she’s imprisoned. The guards merely know that she's a mage, so they're operating under the assumption that she caused the explosion at the Conclave. It doesn't help that Niamh's been essentially undercover to search for the missing Wardens, so she's not wearing her usual uniform to signify her status. Cassandra does her whole intimidating interrogation as per usual when Bethany—in all her Warden regalia—bursts in with Leliana.

---

"She leaves with me," she leveled at the Seeker coldly before turning to Leliana with a deep frown. “Why did you not put a stop to this?”

“I arrived here at the same time as you. I didn’t know she was here until she was already imprisoned.”

Niamh couldn't help but chuckle under her breath, utter relief filling her. “I think you may invited utter ruination upon your heads with those two."

Cassandra frowned. "What? Why?"

“What do you mean why?” she parroted with a roll of her eyes, unimpressed with what she had seen of the woman and her colleagues thus far. "Leliana’s my sister-in-law, and the Warden next to her is my fiancée, whom—might I add—you've actually succeeded in making angry.” The corners of her lips turned up into a languid smile. “Not an easy feat, and not a fate I would normally wish upon anyone.”

“Hush,” Bethany muttered as she brushed past Cassandra—all but shoving her aside with a pointed shoulder—as she knelt at Niamh’s side to begin healing the wounds she’d received from her captors. All the soldiers began backing away uneasily, especially as Leliana walked alongside her. “I’m already upset that you sent me down to the Crossroads while you went up to the Conclave alone.”

“It was the easiest way of scoping out the area," Niamh defended even as she sheepishly shrank back beneath her lover’s glare. "If the individuals we were searching for were still down in the village, you would have seen them, and if they were up at the Temple…Well, I suppose that’s a moot point now, given what our new acquaintances have just revealed to me.”

“Do you remember seeing anything at all?” Leliana asked then in concern.

“I can’t recall much of anything before the explosion.” Niamh admitted with a frown. “I thought I remembered someone screaming, but then there’s just... nothing.”

“And...” Leliana gestured toward her hand. “That mark?”

She shrugged as much as she was able to, especially given her heavy shackles. “It certainly wasn’t there when I went to the Temple.”

“What is going on here?” Cassandra demanded then, perhaps confused as to why their supposed prisoner had proven so much more forthcoming with Leliana than anyone else thus far.

“You’ve met my wife before, yes? This is her younger sister Niamh Cousland. She is also the Constable of the Grey here in Ferelden, Cassandra,” Leliana stated gravely. “While the Wardens may not regularly involve themselves in politics, Niamh’s high enough up their chain of command that this country’s branch would fight to the death to get her back, and that’s not even involving what Saoirse herself will do once she finds out her sister's been hurt.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose wearily. “Not to mention the Teyrn of Highever…”

---

After the demons upon the frozen lake had been defeated, Niamh felt the brush of a warm hand in the crook of her elbow gently pulling her back before all she could see was Bethany’s back as her lover marched right up toward Cassandra, heedless of the obvious height difference between them.

"Point your sword at her again, Seeker! Kindly test my patience right now, and see what happens!"

Niamh was mildly amused when Cassandra actually appeared to be a bit startled and had to move back a step so as to not accidentally stab the woman. The Seeker’s dark brows furrowed in confusion. "Are... Are you threatening me?"

"Only because you’ve threatened her repeatedly!” Bethany scowled. “Niamh's very life is in danger so long as that portal in the sky exists; she has no reason to put yours in harm's way. She’s made it more than abundantly clear she’s willing to cooperate even after the mistreatment she received from you and your colleagues." Amber eyes narrowed, and despite their bright depths, there was little mistaking the ice within them. "I haven’t, however, and I’ve no reason to if you’re going to blatantly ignore your own words to the contrary simply because she’s a mage."

Cassandra sheepishly sheathed her weapon. "I’m—"

"If you ever think of drawing a sword on her again, your friendship with Leliana or no, I swear it will be the last time you ever draw breath," Bethany spat, tilting her chin up defiantly. "I’ve lost enough. I will not lose her too." She turned then to hold out her hand for Niamh, allowing the first bit of tenderness to enter her expression as she called out to her. "My love..."

Niamh chuckled quietly even as she weaved her fingers through Bethany’s. “Still so quick to defend me?”

Her lover smiled. “Always.”

Afterward, Cassandra was left to follow behind the two women, who proceeded to lead the rest of the way up the mountain.

"I did tell you not to make her angry," Niamh quipped to Cassandra later upon reaching the first outpost, grinning when she earned a soft sound of disgruntlement.

---

Nothing had really prepared Bethany for the sight that greeted them upon reaching the Temple of Sacred Ashes.

There were so many bodies scattered across the immense crater, expressions twisted in permanent states of terror as they tried to guard themselves against a danger beyond all earthly imagining. Horrified with such evidence of the Breach’s power, it was then that she realized that if Niamh hadn’t somehow received the Mark, she likely would have—

"Bethany?"

She jerked in place, turning to see her lover’s concerned eyes watching her.

"It's nothing,” she mustered up with a weak smile. “I'm right behind you."

Bethany saw, however, that Niamh couldn’t be convinced, as was evident in the tender way the other woman had taken hold of her hand. Niamh said nothing else, as was always her way. She never pressed her to offer anything more than she was ready for. She sighed.

"I should have been there with you," Bethany murmured at last, looking at the strange mark still glowing upon her lover’s palm. It was nothing that even with all her healing magic can hope to fix, but Niamh merely shook her head.

"No.” She brought Bethany’s hand up to her lips to press a kiss reverently across her knuckles. “Were you there with me, I fear you would have died with everyone else," she admitted solemnly. "My heart would not have survived such devastation."

---

Bethany was beside herself with worry when Niamh fell unconscious upon the first, unsuccessful attempt to seal the Breach. Niamh was brought back to Haven to recover, but Bethany refused to leave her side despite Leliana's attempts to get her to take care of herself as well.

"Bethany—"

"You know as well as I do that your colleagues would have killed her down in the dungeons if we hadn’t arrived when we did," Bethany said flatly from where she sat by Niamh’s bedside. "Everyone in the village knows she’s a mage now, and I don’t need to remind you of how well-liked we are on a regular basis..."

"I’ll have my agents watching her. What nearly happened outside the chantry will never happen again."

Bethany bristled instantly at the memory.

---

She’d still been inside the building to relay some information regarding Saoirse to Leliana when they heard the first outraged cries beyond the doors. As the uproar grew louder in volume—all demanding the death of the one who had supposedly killed the Divine—Bethany had rushed outside immediately just in time to see civilians and more than a few soldiers attempting to stone Niamh.

Infuriated by the blatant injustice, Bethany reached over her shoulder for her staff and immediately slammed its point into the ground. At the moment of impact, a wave of force magic traveled violently across the ground, taking the mob entirely off their feet. She had been mindful to curve the energy away from Niamh—and inadvertently Cassandra, who had sidled up to aid the other mage, just as she unleashed her magic—so her lover had remained unharmed and even grateful for her arrival if her relieved smile was any indication.

Still, Bethany steeled her features to utter impassivity as she coolly strode through the crowd. Those within it seemed to be in various states of bewilderment as they tried to regain their bearings, but she took note of the many widened eyes that recognized the blues and silvers of her Warden regalia.

“You will show Ferelden’s Constable of the Grey the proper respect she is due,” Bethany said lowly as she placed herself alongside her lover, her gaze searching for any signs of rebellion to her words. “Anyone who would dare accost her in spite of her title will sorely live to regret it...”

---

"Can you really make such promises?" Bethany asked dryly.

"I can certainly try. Niamh’s family. Saoirse would never forgive me if something happened to her, especially if she knew there was anything I could have done to prevent it." She sighed. "Nor would I be able to forgive myself for that matter. Niamh’s a kind woman, and much like you—and any mage—she’s so undeserving of the treatment she often receives from others.”

---

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE mages; thus, it should come as no surprise that I always go to get the mages at Redcliffe as allies.

It should also go without saying that Bethany also would have gone with Niamh to deal with Alexius and the Venatori. Per the events of In Hushed Whispers, it's canon that the companions who went with you there become prisoners in the twisted, future version of Redcliffe.

While Warden mages are more susceptible to Corypheus' influence, I headcanon that Bethany was so furious with the loss of Niamh to Alexius that she fought against the mind control even to the point of torture like Leliana. When Niamh sees her in the future, Bethany's so pained, broken, and exhausted but so very thankful to see her lover again.

There's hope again—no matter how small—and Bethany's determined to help her set the world right again.

What little happiness they have at their reunion obviously doesn't last long, especially with Alexius’ death. With the Elder One beckoning at their door, Bethany goes off with the other companions to stall the demons and Venatori outside to give Dorian time to cast his spell.

I’ve always headcanoned that mages have auras unique to the type of magic they specialize in and that they’d be able to subtly influence the world around them based on their emotions. You see evidence of that a lot in OtSttCA, especially in those moments where Niamh’s angry or upset.

In any case, per my headcanon, mages would be able to sense one another although the distance at which they could detect such magic would be dependent on the senser’s overall power or their relationship with the other mage. As close as both women are, Niamh absolutely feels the moment Bethany dies... :(

---

She felt the absence of Bethany’s magic like a dagger to the heart.

It had been there, burning as bright as the sun, and then it had stuttered—dark clouds eclipsing its light—until it simply settled inside her like a dead weight. Left bereft of that familiar, constant presence that had been her very reason for breathing for so long, it was as if water had pooled into her lungs, threatening to drown her. The sensation immediately brought her to her knees, leaving her gasping for breath.

"No..." Niamh whispered out brokenly, anguish and horror overtaking her even as Leliana tried in vain to urge her back up to her feet again. She couldn't hear the other woman's concern past the shattering of her own heart. In its place was simply an aching emptiness that slowly began to consume her whole...

---

Let’s just say that Niamh’s not happy with Alexius when she and Dorian manage to return to the present...

---

The fighting between the Inquisition and rebel mages against Alexius and his Venatori was brought to an abrupt halt by the presence of the Fade rift that appeared overhead. The force with which it easily tore space and reality asunder was enough to take everyone within the audience chamber off their feet, especially as stifling heat and wind spilled from the portal along with two figures.

“Give her back..."

Bethany blearily looked up when she heard Niamh’s familiar voice, and relief filled her when she saw that she was standing beneath the now sealed rift. Even with its disappearance, however, she realized all too soon that it had done nothing to quell the storm that had now taken residence within the room, sending banners and tapestries flying with whipping gusts of wind. At its center was her lover, who was standing so still amidst the chaos around her, regarding Alexius with such apathy in her expression.

“What?" the old magister uttered in confusion, shakily rising to his feet only to have his progress nearly undone as lightning struck the ground next to him with a deafening peal of thunder.

Bethany saw how his throat undulated as he swallowed in nervous regard of the mage slowly making her way toward him. His fingers trembled with the effort to form flames between them.

"...Who gave you the right?” Niamh asked, voice as low as the rumbling thunder, as she strode toward the dais.

The pressure within the room escalated once more as an aura of absolute fire surrounded her. Like vines, they rose from the floor up in spiraling patterns before enveloping her entirely with almost playful licks of flame. Nothing in Niamh’s expression indicated the display of power was in any way exhausting to maintain whereas Alexius was already weakened from his initial spell to destroy her along with his efforts to keep the Inquisition at bay.

But it was not a woman who sought to meet him.

It was death.

As if aware of the sudden danger he was in, Alexius threw forth several barrages of fire at Niamh, but her smooth, relentless advance couldn’t be stopped. She made no attempt to even bat away the bursts of magic. If anything, the flames just seemed to absorb themselves into her. Her aura flared higher, burning more brightly beneath each attack, and as Alexius tried to back away, he inadvertently tripped himself into the throne behind him. He flinched as another peal of thunder made itself known, and as he reflexively turned his gaze to the dark storm clouds coalescing above them, he didn't see Niamh Fade-stepping forward to close the distance between them until he was choking from the fingers around his neck. With her enhanced Warden strength, Niamh was able to lift the magister off his feet entirely, leaving him to dangle helplessly.

“Who gave you the damned right to take her from me?!” she demanded.

With her cry, the fires along the sconces and the hearth behind the throne went out entirely, gone with the sudden gale of wind. As such, the only light to be seen came from the flashes of lightning above them and the fiery aura surrounding her. In the sporadic moments the room illuminated itself, there was little mistaking the utter hatred in Niamh’s eyes.

She was going to kill Alexius.

It would have been well within her right, given the magister had attacked her first within their meeting, but Bethany’s eyes widened when she saw how the staff on Niamh’s back began to rattle violently. Against the sheer heat emanating from her body, the silverite wolf head adorning the top of the staff began to melt entirely onto the floor in thick dregs of liquid while the shaft bowed and arched until it creakily bent in the middle, angling itself with the sharpness of an arrow.

Oh, no... With dread, Bethany scrambled to her feet and darted over toward Niamh. Without her staff to act as a catalyst, if Niamh burnt too much of her magic away, she could cause irreparable damage to herself and those around her.

Upon reaching her lover’s side, she placed her hands on Niamh’s face, desperately trying to draw her attention from Alexius. For a moment, nothing could sway her from trying to squeeze the life out of the magister, and she winced when she felt Niamh’s magic already begin to fluctuate erratically against her own.

"No, no, no! Look at me!” She jerked her lover’s head toward her. “Look at me, Niamh! Please!"

And as Niamh did, she watched in confusion as the woman’s expression froze. The lips that had been pulled back in a sneer of bared teeth slowly went lax, forming an ‘o’ of awe and disbelief, as recognition began to dawn in her lover’s gaze. With it, Alexius gradually slid from her grasp to collapse at her feet with desperate gulps of air, but Bethany paid him little mind. With relief, she saw Niamh’s fiery aura dissipate along with the glow of her eyes until they returned to the pale grey she adored.

"That’s it. Come back to me,” she encouraged. “Just breathe." Bethany took one of her lover’s hands in hers, placing it over her own chest, allowing Niamh to feel her breathing. “Slow and steady. Just like that.”

As each breath fell into sync with her own, Niamh's expression gradually softened into something so reverent and sweet that it almost hurt to see—as if salvation had finally blessed her—but Bethany smiled when she saw the battle rage finally leave her.

“There we are."

Niamh used her other hand to gently cradle the side of Bethany's face. “You’re still here…” she breathed, utter relief in her voice.

“Yes.” Bethany frowned in concern at her reaction. “Always."

---

When they returned to Haven, where Niamh gave her official report to her War Council, Bethany was horrified to learn all that her lover had endured from Alexius’ spell.

Afterward, Niamh suggested they spend the evening in their cabin together rather than explore the trails out the village as per usual, and Bethany didn’t object. She understood her lover’s need to reassure herself that she was still there with her—that she wasn’t simply caught in a dream that she could never wake from.

“Is... Is this okay?” Niamh asked quietly, wanting permission to seek such comfort.

Niamh was always thoughtful in everything she did for her—in bed or otherwise—and while she never treated her like glass, Bethany could count on one hand the number of times she saw her magic unfettered like in Redcliffe. She had felt subtle traces of it occasionally with their intimacy although it was usually with purposeful design—heat, ice, and tickling traces of lightning—that were meant to tease.

But rarely was it ever so close to the surface like this—a conduit of power coiled so tightly within mortal form—waiting to burst beneath Niamh’s skin.

“It’s okay,” Bethany said, gently lacing the fingers of Niamh’s marked hand in hers.

The other woman had been reluctant to let her touch it although it hadn’t shown any notable effects toward anyone—or anything thus far—save for its ability to close rifts. Still, Niamh had been skittish all the same, fearing that it might harm her.

...Or perhaps she believed it was a damning mark of shame—of guilt—much like it had been when the people of Haven had attempted to stone her to death.

---

“There’s no denying that this mark is tied to the Breach. You saw the wreckage at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. You saw how many people died, and I still can’t even remember what happened before or after that moment beyond waking up in the dungeons. What if I did do something to cause that explosion?”

“If you had, it would not have been intentional,” Bethany insisted with a frown. “The mark is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, yes, but that you bear it all does not mean you were the one who created it.”

But Niamh couldn’t be swayed as she paced back and forth before the hearth of their cabin. “How can you be so certain?” she murmured.

“Because I’ve known you for years, Niamh. You would never purposely hurt anyone without provocation. Trust in me if you can’t yet trust in yourself.”

---

With permission given, Bethany found herself gently laid out against their bed as Niamh sought to touch and bring her pleasure all throughout the night.

Over the years, she’d become remarkably acclimated to Niamh’s magic that felt so much like a forest caught beneath a winter storm of ice and lightning. It was normally as calm as it was now—crisp as the first intake of breath beneath a cool dawn—but there were times where it could be provoked. The incident in the audience chamber was proof enough of that, where it had settled over them all like the tolling bells of judgment—an inevitability inviting the nascent danger of death.

Bethany had been beyond concerned when she had seen the first bits of viridian energy springing across her lover’s eyes then. There had been an almost disturbing beauty to them—a ring of vines gathering just at the outside perimeter of silvery irises—but that they had pulsed in time with the mark upon Niamh’s hand...

Bethany had feared for her, especially when it seemed to flare all the brighter with the fury that had overtaken her.

She was glad to see no evidence of that now as Niamh laid contentedly next to her. Even though Niamh was sated at last—the burning, restless energy within the other mage having finally simmered down to faint embers—she seemed reluctant to drift off into sleep. Winter-grey eyes continued to lazily rove across her face and form, as if cataloguing every detail less she forget later.

In response, Bethany reached out to tangle her fingers through the dark mane of tousled hair, letting her nails gently rake across her lover’s scalp. Pale eyes had widened imperceptibly at the sensation, but like always, they soon became half-lidded with the soothing nature of it. She heard the quiet hum of disgruntlement, as if protesting the notion of Bethany’s attempts to lull her to sleep against her silent vigil, but she merely shushed her.

“Shh… Rest, my love. I’ll still be here in the morning when you wake.”

---

And that’s basically it.

Again, since this is still in its rough draft phase, it’s not as polished as I’d like it to be, but I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, leave me a like, comment, or send some love to my inbox! Until next time, dear readers!

#Dragon Age: Inquisition #bethany hawke #female warden/bethany hawke #fanfic #My writing #OTP: In Search of Silver Linings #lee's au ideas #female cousland/bethany hawke

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elfyourmother · 3 years

Text

anyway it’s kind of ironic to me that my queue put this post up right as talk of gaider and why he’s so awful is happening again because me tagging that with Gisele wasn’t just an IC thing but also meta commentary on just how poorly she was treated by the canon of her home verse

years and years ago, ok, like “DA wasn’t a trilogy yet” years ago, I made a deeply personal post about my disappointment as a Surana player with the canon Al*stair romance, specifically placing it in the context of lived experience when I was much younger and dating a white dude who turned out to be married (and distinctly not poly, as far as I was aware). Like I said this was a deeply personal post talking about the pain I felt and how the game narrative was reinforcing a lot of ugly tropes about the value of marginalized women esp. Black women. I barely was involved with any DA people on here at the time—deliberately, because I’d been alienated since the bad old days of the BSN—but somehow some folks found it and I proceeded to get brutally dogpiled by a slew of people telling me that I should just roll a Cousland if I was so mad about it, being totally dismissive of my feelings and the pain of my lived experience, in really condescending ways that smacked of misogynoir.

after that I jumped into ME because I didn’t have the strength to deal with that again. I only returned to actively participating in DA fandom because I hung out with some very lovely people at a local meetup (many of whom I’m still pals with today). but when I did, and I said something about the writing making me feel a way and that’s why I changed so much of it in my Gisele fic—starting with making her queen? at some point someone commented to him on Twitter about it and he lost his shit and started crying about how he’s such a good ally and he doesn’t understand why I have to do these things and call him a racist etc etc. Like literally the head writer of the franchise at the time trashed me, my character, and my fan work because it personally offended him. me, a queer disabled neurodivergent black woman writing a queer, disabled black female character hurt this powerful white guy’s feelings because I said the writing hurt me and I remixed it as transformative fandom does into something where I felt seen and valued. “I’m not the enemy!” he cried as his fans harassed me and he said nothing to stop it. a slew of back and forth over the years, a whole lot of toxic bullshit with toxic fandom being fueled by things like this, and that was a wrap for me.

it makes me sad and angry and resentful that these people are still living rent free in my head after all this time, but I realize it’s because it’s very much triggering to me in that fandom and fannish things were a vehicle for abuse prior to this, and I was hearing echoes of my abuser in everything. I don’t have a right to have a voice voice, I need to make myself small and not take up space, etc etc. it’s hard to unpack that. it took me almost a year to broach the subject with my therapist even though I had talked about the abuse regularly with her, because I was still feeling ashamed and embarrassed by my reactions to it.

anyway, if you wonder why I seem weird and cagey and neurotic about Gisele’s story as the Warrior of Light or my xiv work in general despite this being a totally different kind of fandom environment, why I seem extra needy and desperate for validation, this is why. It’s hard to feel confident when the head writer of your favorite game was literally personally shitting on you and your work.

#fandom fuckery #negativity cw #this is a Voldemort hate blog #this is a voldy hate blog #(and yes I’m the person who coined that nickname for him)

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viiisenyas · 1 year

Note

8, 10, and 37 for the OC asks? :3

OC Ask Game !!

8. which oc prefers flowing clothes? tight clothes?

Valeriana prefers flowing clothes; specifically flowy dresses 0u0 Giselle Hawke prefers tighter clothing ehehehe

10. which oc is the biggest romantic?

1000% Arthur. Not only does he believe in true love, he totally believes in love at first sight and soulmates. old sap *sniffles*

37. which oc has the best handwriting? the worst?

For the best handwriting, I'd like to think it's a tie between Alessa Cousland and Valeriana :D For the worst handwriting, it's definitely Reggie Hawke. It's legible (barely), but... I'll be real, this man could probably be a doctor in a modern AU with his chicken scratch.

#oc asks #ask games #n7viper #thank you for sending this in my dear! <3

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tadcoopers-throneroom · 5 years

Text

DA characters described with Galavant

All of these are scenes, direct quotes or ads for Galavant. This was a team effort from both people running this blog. Also do not start character discourse on this post. We did a lot of people and we tried not to be a dick to people with their faves. And some of these characters you may not like. I will delete any comment trying to antagonize people. Also some characters have multiple pics, that’s because we managed to find multiple pictures that worked and made us laugh or were perfect. It has nothing to do with favoritism. You can also suggest characters but hopefully we got the most noteworthy, but there is a lot and we could easily missed a fave.

And some characters were suggested by

@rileysfs

@minty-bunni

@radioactiveblight

@phantombeaver

@jasonphantombear

Dragon Age Orgins

Warden

Brosca

Aeducan

Tabris

Surana/amell

Cousland

Maheriel

Alistair

Zevran

Leliana (DAO)

Morrigan

Orghren

Wynne

Sten

Shale

Loghain

Awakining

Warden(again)

Nathaniel

Anders

Valena

Sigrun

Justice

Dragon Age 2

Hawke

Fenris

Isabela

Merrill

Anders

Aveline

Sebastion

Varric(DA2)

Bethany

Carver- this is one picture.

Dragon Age inquisition

Inquisitor

Non mage Trevelyan

Mage Trevelyan

Lavellan

Cadash

Adaar

Iron Bull with Chargers

Iron Bull

Cassandra

Dorian

Sera

Blackwall

Solas

Vivienne

Cole

Varric (DAI)

Cullen

Josephine

lelianna(DAI)

Non LI/Companions

The Chargers

Krem

Dalish

Grim

Rocky

Skinner

Stitches

Mereidith

Dagna

Mother Giselle

Anora

Seneschal

Talis

Saemus

Viscount

Leandra

Gamlen

Tamlen

Bodan

Sandal

Segritt

Harrit

Rylen

Kierran

Scout Harding

Shaper Valta

Poetree- The talking tree in DAO

Hermit- The acorn dude

Coreyphus

Ser Barris

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starrypawz · 3 years

Note

📓

Put “📓” or some other version of a book emoji into my inbox and I’ll explain the plot of a fanfiction that I haven’t written but daydream about.

What I call the 'Squire Au' which is an idea me and @daraasum run with fairly often.

Giselle Cousland has grown up with Alistair, an apparent orphan taken as a squire at Highever. Despite differences in station they've become close over the years, as friends and maybe something a little more. Then disaster strikes and the pair of them are thrown into something much bigger than the pair of them. At least thankfully a slightly more senior warden, Sylen Mahariel found them on the road so maybe they have a fighting chance.

#alistair theirin #giselle cousland

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pbmychoices · 5 years

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Choices Books

Book Title, MC Name & chosen LI

1. 🎓 The Freshman • Rinoa & Chris 2. 🚢 Rules of Engagement • Noa & Leo 3. ⚔️ Crown & the Flame • Kenna & Diavolos 4. 🌋 Endless Summer • Corinne & Jake

5. 💻 #LoveHacks • Hollis & Ben 6. 👻 The Haunting of Braidwood Manor • Gisele & — 7. 👑 The Royal Romance • Reid Trevelyan & Liam 8. 🦸‍♀️ Hero • Daenerys & Greyson

9. 🎓 The Sophomore • Rinoa & Chris 10. 📚 High School Story • Misty Lavellan & Michael 11. 🌲 It Lives in the Woods • Aura & Conner 12. 🏠 Rules of Engagement: Newlyweds • Noa & Leo

13. ❄️ Home for the Holidays • Zarina & Nick 14. 🎞 Red Carpet Diaries • Rey Organa & Matt 15. 🤖 Perfect Match • Talia & Damien 16. 🧛‍♂️ Bloodbound • Selene & Adrian

17. 🎓 The Junior • Rinoa & Chris 18. 👰 Veil of Secrets • Jyn & Flynn 19. ♥️ America’s Most Eligible • Leliana & Adam 20. 📜 Desire and Decorum • Emma Darcy & Ernest

21. 🚀 Across the Void • Cerelia & —, Eos & Lyra, Pax & Holmes 22. 🎓 The Senior • Rinoa & Chris 23. 🐮 Big Sky Country • Vivienne & Sawyer 24. 🎭 High School Story: Class Act • Elle & —

25. 🧟‍♀️ It Lives Beneath • Finley & Parker 26. 🧙‍♀️ The Elementalists • Wynter Amell & Beckett 27. 🗡 A Courtesan of Rome • Ilaria & — 28. 💎 The Heist: Monaco • Ilsa & —

29. 🚘 Ride or Die • Blair Cousland & Logan 30. 🥼 Open Heart • Pawter Jacobis & Bryce 31. 🌍 Passport to Romance • Yalena & — 32. 💭 Wishful Thinking • Lyra Calrissian & Jaime

33. 🐺 Nightbound • Aneela & Nik 34. 🎤 Platinum • Jasmine Yardeen & — 35. ☀️ Sunkissed • Qira Antilles & — 36. 🍼 The Royal Heir • Reid Trevelyan & Liam

#i will be updating this as the new books come out #playchoices #choices #choices stories you play

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