#anti celene

[gloriousonemahanon]

Oh, no no no Bioware. Are you really trying to tell me that Celene immediately choosing to commit genocide against thousands of her own citizens because her cousin is a cunt was 'a tragic necessity', but Anders destroying a Chantry with twenty or so people inside after years of trying peaceable and nondestructive routes and options while said Chantry ignored the horrendous and public abuses inflicted upon the mages was 'monstrous and unforgivable'??

#dragon age #anti chantry #pro mage #elven rights #anders was right #anti celene #dragon age 2 #the masked empire #bioware critical #cw genocide

[shiobookmark]

I just reread the Masked Empire and was struck again by the idiocy of Celene. For all she tells us that she’s a masterful player of The Game, most of the evidence in the story is to the contrary. The first big gambit we see is her diffusing hostilities by asking her Champion to duel Bann Teagan with feathers, thereby ensuring that while honor is satisfied no one is hurt and their alliance with Ferelden holds. But lets analyse that a little. For one, Bann Teagan could have taken the duel as yet another insult. Gaspard openly derides Ferelden royalty as little more than bandits and idiots (and I don’t understand how that doesn’t make him the aggressor who insulted Teagan’s honour first but... Orlais thinks itself above everyone I suppose.)

and then Celene interrupts to suggest that Teagan demand a duel before Gaspard can, leaving her to decide the choice of weapon. She choses feathers, and the only feathers on hand are Chevalier crests. Teagan could have easily taken this as further mockery, but thankfully realises that she’s an ally and allows himself to be made fun of to diffuse tension. Notice Celene left no room for Ferelden pride. She relied on Teagan realising that the Chevaliers were being mocked first, and playing along.

For another, Celene congratulates herself for knowing her fickle courtiers will delight in the spectacle but utterly fails to consider how the nobles (ie. The people who actually give her material support) will see it. Chevaliers are revered in Orlais. They’re all nobles prancing around with a code of honour and license to do whatever they like to peasantry, pretending they’re clever and honourable people. It’s a pretty easy critique of the ‘code of chivalry’ romanticised in a lot of fiction - they have the appears of honourable knights, but the peasants suffer for it.

And they hate being made fun of and will fight to the death to defend their honour. Celene should know this. Yet she mocks them anyway and is then surprised when a number of the nobles, who have relatives who are Chevaliers if they are not Chevaliers themselves, turn around and support Gaspard. This shows how little she actually understands what motivates people. And then there’s the genocide against the elves of Halamshiral. Gaspard creates a play insinuating that she is too distracted by her Elven lover to rule the country and Celene, thin-skinned as she is, decides to prove him wrong. And she knows he wants her to react with violence. She knows he’s forcing her hand. But she considers doing so to be ruining his plans. When all she’s doing is proving that she is exactly as short-sighted and dim-witted as people think her to be. So not only is Celene a vile, murderous and self-obsessed ruler. She’s also stupid and easily manipulated. Gaspard insults her, so she does the opposite of what she’s accused of, thereby playing straight into his hands. There will be no elven university students or traders when she’s burned them all to death, she undoes all her work she claims to care about.* Gaspard later says that when someone flinches, it teaches him where to hit them. And Celene flinched, and praised herself for flinching. So in the future all her rivals have to do is insult her in the right way, and she’ll do exactly what they want just to prove them wrong. And it’s a shame none of this made it into Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts because it is vital information when picking a ruler. Celene has only successfully ruled Orlais because she had Briala by her side, propping her up and telling her how to win people’s hearts. Briala understands people, Celene does not. Celene is an ineffectual ruler who fancies herself clever and misses the forest for the trees, focusing on clever pageantry over actual tactics. Briala is cunning and plays the Game masterfully, if ruthlessly, while caring about elves and servants. Her weakness is Celene and she can be encouraged to continue abandoning her. Gaspard is a glorified thug who is clever and cunning, but ultimately understands military tactics more than he does The Game. He’ll outmanouvre someone on the field but won’t really stand up against politics. It’s noted that when his military gambit fails, Orlais descends into chaos almost immediately and under his rule the whole thing would collapse. He loves war and little else. Given this, Briala is the best choice for Orlais because she understands a little of both Gaspard and Celene’s worlds while actually trying to make things better. The Dalish clan Virnehn used and betrayed her, but she didn’t let that stop her trying to help them as well. I question how well she could control Gaspard long-term, given he’s better than Celene, but since we’re not given the option to have Briala control Celene and I also question the wisdom of putting her in close contact with her abuser...

*To be clear Celene visibly does not care about elves. She cares about being perceived as a wise and benevolent ruler who people serve unquestioningly and loyally out of gratitude for not being oppressed as much as they might be. imho she’s pretty clearly written to criticise white saviour type characters by showing them as the self-absorbed idiots they really are. I enjoy Celene’s character very much and wish we could see more of her. But I enjoy her specifically because we’re shown the stark contrast between how she perceives herself and what she truly is. (Briala is my favourite and she deserves the world. Solas made a big mistake.)

#The Masked Empire #dragon age #DAI #anti celene

[immawraffle]

Empress Celene: *is assassinated*

Inquisitor Lavellan:

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #inquisitor lavellan #lavellan #celene valmont #empress celene #anti celene #wicked eyes and wicked hearts #dai wewh #winter palace #🧇

[v-arbellanaris]

on divine justinia (pt 3)

Justinia V will be remembered as one of the most progressive Divines in the history of the Chantry. Before her untimely death at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, she made strides to break down barriers for both mages and elves, as well as encouraging free thought among the Maker’s many children. For her views, she won as many enemies as she did supporters.

-- World of Thedas Vol 2.

PART THREE of a series, exploring Divine Justinia’s political stance. Was she really as progressive as people claimed?

Firstly, before we even dive into looking at Justinia as a character, we should define ‘progressive’. In the most base of definitions, it implies progress -- a gradual betterment. As a widely accepted definition, someone whose politics advocate for social reform. 

PART ONE - LELIANA'S SONG. / PART TWO - DRAGON AGE II. / PART THREE - THE MASKED EMPIRE.

The Masked Empire

As always, before we begin, here's some contextual factors to this story that are necessary to know/things I'm going to emphasise here out of relevance:

There are three weeks in-world between the events of TME and Asunder -- that means the Order is still bound to the Chantry, and the Circles are still very much in-tact.

One year after the events in Kirkwall, Fiona is elected as the new Grand Enchanter and immediately proposes to secede from the Chantry. In response, the Chantry disbands the College of Enchanters and stops them from meeting, despite the fact that this vote did not go through (in large part due to the urging of Wynne).

The War of the Lions hasn't yet started in earnest, though tensions between Gaspard and Celene are running high.

For the most part, I'm going to focus specifically on two scenes, both involving conversations between Celene and Leliana, who is acting as a representative for Divine Justinia.

Well! Let's dive right into it -- in this first scene, Leliana and Celene meet to discuss the growing mage-templar tensions, and what Justinia will do about it.

Celene: The templars have become even more restless since what happened in Kirkwall, as have the mages, for that matter. What does Dorothea intend to do? Leliana: The Divine does not wish to assume that what transpired in Kirkwall was anything more than the actions of a single mad mage driven to tragic action by overzealous templars. You know that in some Marcher city-states, mages face more restrictions than they do in Orlais.

"A single mad mage" is an obvious reference to Anders. Anders was not "mad" -- some strange writing decisions seemed to conflate his shared body with a spirit of Justice to having bipolar disorder. Even if you do interpret that as Anders also being bipolar, that wouldn't make him crazy. More than that, Anders protested Meredith's treatment of mages -- and he was right about all of it, in the end. Alrik really was making mages Tranquil to rape them -- and he really did propose a Tranquil solution to the Divine, who rejected it. (Unsurprising, considering the looming threat of the Qunari invasion in Act 2; I've written here about how the Circle functions primarily as a military resource and how the only time you see mages let out in Kirkwall properly is during the Qunari invasion when the templars instruct the Circle mages to defend the city). Meredith really was turning Harrowed mages Tranquil -- Karl Thekkla, for example, but she also turns Maddox Tranquil and can turn all of the surviving Starkhaven mages Tranquil as well -- against Chantry law. Most damningly, Meredith had already called for the Right of Annulment in Kirkwall long before Anders took any action at all -- she really was going to kill all of the mages and had taken the steps necessary to facilitate that action. Anders' actions were a direct response to Meredith asking the Divine for permission to slaughter the entire Circle. Cassandra interrogates Varric in 9:41, and it's unclear where that fits into this timeline, but Varric does say that he was brought to Haven after his interrogation. I'll give Leliana (and Justinia) the benefit of the doubt here and say that maybe they don't have the full story just yet.

But Leliana also says "overzealous templars" -- overzealous templars that Leliana and Justinia had plenty of opportunity to censure or bring to heel, and never did. Overzealous templars -- because of course, they're just very passionate when they're sending death squads to hunt down civilians accused of helping "apostates" and murdering nobility trying to organise an election of a new Viscount. They're just very passionate about their beliefs in the Maker when they make mages Tranquil to rape them, when they beat Tranquil mages over things they can't control, and making eleven year old children Tranquil. They're just very passionate about their beliefs in the Maker which is why they refused to investigate the actual serial killer using magic in Kirkwall, because they wanted to remain in favour with the nobility. And Justinia knows this because this was going on for three years, during which Justinia did nothing until the mages started to rebel.

More importantly, this is ... the direct opposite of what Leliana said in DA2. In DA2, Leliana explicitly states that they (both herself and the Divine, who she speaks on behalf of) attribute the unrest in Kirkwall to the Resolutionists -- an offshoot of the Libertarian Fraternity, who are interested in freeing mages from the Circle. Not that the unrest was a result of horrific abuses in the Circle, or even the untenable political situation in Kirkwall. There was certainly no indication that Justinia suspected or agreed that the templars overstepped their bounds -- there was no directive from Justinia, who would have overruled Elthina on the matter, forcing Meredith to back down. There was no statement ever claiming that the templars were wrong to act as they did. If anything, Justinia threatened an Exalted March to help the templars maintain their control of Kirkwall.

So why phrase it like this? I think the interesting thing to note here is actually Leliana's use of the phrase "the Divine does not wish to assume". This seems to indicate that at this time, Justinia is trying not to treat the situation as a mage rebellion - she is treating Kirkwall, not as the start of a mage rebellion, but rather an isolated incident involving a single crazy mage and some passionate templars. There is some indication here that she's reluctant to consider Kirkwall or the mages voting for secession as indicative of a wider problem but...

“I do,” Celene said, “and I also know that you have not answered my question. If Dorothea proposes to do nothing to unite the templars and the mages, she is following in the footsteps of Grand Cleric Elthina, who waited and prayed while Kirkwall tore itself apart.” She turned and faced Nightingale directly. The other woman had reacted again at the use of the Divine’s given name. “Justinia wishes to see this world made better, Your Radiance. We gain nothing by acting capriciously.” “Sometimes events do not allow us the time we wish, especially when magic is at play.” Celene looked at Nightingale, who sat as a proper lady, relaxed and poised in her simple robes, and made a guess. “I understand that during the last Blight, the Circle tower in Ferelden was nearly lost when one of their senior mages became an abomination. After killing the creatures, the Hero of Ferelden was forced to decide on the spot whether to kill every remaining mage in the tower.” Her barb struck home, as Nightingale blinked, then said with heat, “We are hardly in the thick of battle, Your Radiance.” “We are always in battle,” Celene said. “It is only that some of us do not always realize it."

Following on from the thread of the previous conversation, to me, Celene seems to be urging Leliana to tell the Divine to take more definitive action against the mages. She deliberately creates a parallel between Elthina insisting she had control of the situation and not taking direct action to Justinia insisting Kirkwall was a single isolated incident. She directly draws parallels between how Elthina's lack of action led to the situation in Kirkwall and how Justinia's lack of action could lead to a similar situation with the mages and templars.

More alarmingly, however, is Celene's next, far more subtle proposal. To me, I was always baffled by why Celene suddenly started to talk about Kinloch Hold, but after looking at this context, I actually think Celene is suggesting a much more permanent, direct resolution to the mage problem, similar to the kind of decision the HoF had to make - whether or not to annul the entire Circle.

To me, I think this reads as Celene proposing the Chantry goes to war on the mages. She chooses the specific example of Kinloch Hold because Leliana was there - so that Leliana will not misunderstand the kind of action she expects the Divine to take.

To Leliana's credit, she does retort that the conflict hasn't escalated to the point where that's necessary yet, and that the Divine does not wish to act "capriciously".

“Perhaps I might,” Celene said, and smiled before lowering her voice and continuing. “Divine Justinia must know this: I have nobles begging in private salons for the throne to take direct action in this matter.” At Leliana’s shocked look, she nodded. “There are men of Orlais who would sooner see us march upon our own people in the name of safety. I would despise that. Dorothea knows that I would. But I must offer them some alternative.” Leliana stood, frowning in thought. “You wish the Divine to make some overt show of ameliorating the situation.” Celene let out a breath. “In truth, any overt show will bring complaints that I have allowed the Chantry free rein to rule this empire for me,” she said, and Leliana nodded wordlessly. “But if Justinia can calm tempers before I am forced to turn the blade of the empire upon itself, then I will pay such a price willingly.” Leliana smiled. “You think less for yourself and more for Orlais than I had expected, Your Radiance. It is a fortunate quality in a ruler, and one I have not seen enough.” Celene stood as well, and for a moment her gown was bathed in the crimson light of the stained glass. “Tell me something. How large was the Archdemon?” Leliana laughed the delicate cultured laugh of a noblewoman or trained bard. The effect made her sister’s robes look like a poor disguise. “Large enough, Your Radiance, that after having seen it, most problems seem small by comparison.” Her face turned serious, and she added, “I will ask Justinia to consider acting directly. She will want your support, to head off accusations that she might be attempting to steal power for herself.” “Of course. Perhaps if she made a statement at a ball thrown in her honor?” Leliana considered it. “It is not the place where one would expect her to make such a pronouncement…” “Which is why you like the idea,” Celene said, smiling.

Celene makes it clear here that the Orlesian nobility is restless about the growing mage/templar situation which is quickly growing unstable. I specifically want to draw attention to Celene's phrasing here - "march upon our own people in the name of safety" - because I think the implication here that she considers the mages as "her own people" is an appeal to Leliana to get the Divine to act.

But how does she want Justinia to act? At a first glance, it seems reasonable here that Celene is asking for Justinia to try and talk to the mages and templars and settle things between them. Except, when Leliana specifically asks whether Justinia should "make some overt show or ameliorating the situation", Celene's response is that "any overt show will bring complaints" - which reads to me as a decline. She is declining that Justinia should try to reason with both parties.

On top of that, there's some more ambigious phrasing here. ".. if Justinia can calm tempers" - Celene makes no mention here of whose tempers she means. From a first glance perspective, or even from Leliana's perspective, it might seem like she's referring to the roused tempers of the templars and mages, following on from the actions in Kirkwall. But with the context of the previous paragraph in mind, where she very much points out that the nobility of Orlais are not happy with the state of the mage/templar situation, I think she's referring to Justinia doing something that will calm the tempers of the nobility of Orlais.

Later, she follows it up with the phrase "I will pay such a price willingly", referring to the public loss of opinion with the nobility if Justinia can calm these tempers. To Leliana, I imagine it reads as something magnanimous - indeed, Leliana even says that Celene thinks "more for Orlais" than herself, which was unexpected.

But to me, it reads as Celene promising Justinia that if the situation worsens, if Justinia calls for an Exalted March on the mages, Orlais will answer the call. Orlais is willing to march on the mages, if only Justinia calls for an Exalted March, and Orlais -- through it's Empress -- is willing to lose the small amount of public opinion - that people might whisper she's allowing the Chantry free reign of Orlais (and, presumably, all it's resources, for the purposes of this Exalted March, which is actually... an interesting perspective for Orlais to take. But I will not get sidetracked here) - if it accomplishes the greater goal of resolving the mage/templar tensions directly and definitively, because the lack of resolution is causing a negative reaction from the Orlesian nobles, which we know Gaspard is taking advantage of.

(Important to note: at this point, an Exalted March is still entirely feasible; the Order is still bound to the Chantry by the Nevarran Accord. Justinia has been considering an Exalted March since 9:37, though Leliana's dialogue suggests she's hesitant to go through with it. Historically, Orlais has contributed to the Exalted Marches and has been the sole contributor of at least one Exalted March.)

But Vee, I hear you say, this is absurd. Surely, this is a bad faith reading of the situation, no way Celene would propose something like this. No way Leliana or even Justinia would agree to this.

I have several counterarguments to this: firstly, the Grand Game of Orlais relies on complexity of word play and layered meanings. It relies on saying on thing and meaning, at the very minimum, three other things. It's entirely plausible for Celene to be appealing to Leliana's sense of empathy and justice, to seem to be proposing that Justinia soothe the tempers of the mages and templars to prevent something worse from happening, using the same words that she's actually proposing something entirely different - and more violent and direct - to Justinia with.

Secondly, by the time Justinia calls for the Conclave at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, she already has a writ for the creation of the Inquisition prepared and Leliana already has agents planted in the Hinterlands, only minutes away from Redcliffe, where the mage rebellion is seeking refuge. The Inquisition was planned and I am fairly sure that the Inquisition was created specifically to march on the mages. This is not a last minute thought - that writ is huge - this was planned. This was in the works already - why isn't it feasible that this is where it starts? Justinia was already considering an Exalted March on Kirkwall. Why is it so unfeasible that she'd consider more direct action to deal with the mages?

Thirdly, there's actually a follow-up conversation with Leliana about this that I think pretty much confirms that this is what Celene and Leliana (and as she's a proxy for Justinia, also the Divine) are discussing here.

Take the next excerpt:

Celene shut her eyes. “And what does the Divine think about this?” Leliana smiled. “The Divine has never had a very high opinion of the theater, Your Radiance.” At Celene’s silence, the Divine’s representative sighed. “The elves are the children of the Maker, just as we are, and just as deserving of His grace.” “But the Divine will not say that,” Celene guessed. Leliana looked away. She had been trained as a bard, so every movement she made was likely deliberate, but Celene thought that her discomfort was genuine. “I have … been comrade-in-arms with elves. I would not see them harmed. But you did not ask for her support in that matter.” She looked back at Celene. “You asked for her support calming the templars and the mages.” “Indeed.” Celene nodded. “And will she give that support?” Leliana let out a breath. “She will,” she said, nodding slowly, “but in return, she needs to know that this matter with the elves is under control.” Celene felt her heart break inside her, for all that she had known within moments how the conversation would go. She breathed a tiny sigh, and then said, “Of course. I could hardly ask the Divine to keep her affairs in order were I not willing to do the same myself. I hope you enjoy the coming ball in Justinia’s honor. I fear I will not be able to attend in person.” “The Divine understands,” Leliana said, and in a soft, sad voice, added, “Walk with the Maker’s blessing.”

I've written a little bit before on how Justinia doesn't seem to care very much about the methods that Celene uses to resolve the situation with the elves -- it's Leliana who hopes for a peaceful resolution. It's Leliana who believes elves are children of the Maker.

But I actually think what's happening in this scene is more horrifying than I initially thought. This is the second interaction between the two -- and with the context of the first scene, it feels like this is Leliana saying the Divine has agreed to more drastic measures for the mage rebellion if Celene will also deal with the elven rebellion. That the Divine will accept Orlais' support and march on the mages if Celene can deal with the elven rebellion quickly.

This is Leliana passing on Divine Justinia's agreement to a more permanent solution to the mage rebellion. This is Divine Justinia agreeing to an Exalted March on the mage rebellion, and agreeing to support Celene if Celene will support her. Justinia's support here is conditional on Celene maintaining control - and Celene's support is conditional on Justinia maintaining control.

That's...horrifying. But why else would Leliana sound sad, unless she knew exactly what Celene was going to do? What the Divine was allowing Celene to do? What the Divine was telling Celene to do in exchange for the solution Celene proposed? Celene herself explicitly states that she cannot ask the Divine to take action without also being willing to take kind of action herself.

And as we know, the direct action Celene takes to deal with the rumours in Orlais of her sympathising with elves, to solidify her political position, is to slaughter all the elves in the Halamshiral alienage. That is the clearest indication to me that what Celene was proposing was an Exalted March on the mages - and the Divine agreed.

i want you to keep in mind that, at this stage, the College of Enchanters has been dissolved. Fiona has proposed seceding from the Chantry but the vote did not pass. For the most part, there is no mage rebellion currently; they've been cut off from each other, their right of assembly has been revoked, and the templars are still very much aligned with the Chantry. What Justinia is agreeing to here is if the situation gets worse, she will take action, and Orlais will back her up on it.

This sets up the background for Asunder; the Divine's last ditch attempt at resolving the situation before she takes definitive action against the mages.

Could they be with Gaspard, countering Celene’s plan? Unlikely. Ser Michel would never have turned traitor, and while Melcendre had lured him out with blackmail once, he was still too ashamed to allow such a ruse to work twice. They had come from Celene. Had Gaspard done something to force the empress’s hand? Had the Divine made a new demand? What had changed Celene’s mind? Then, as she came past the torches, Briala saw the night sky, glowing a sooty red. She smelled the smoke of Halamshiral’s slums burning. After that, Briala stopped thinking.

#i think this is going to be the most controversial one yet #my da meta #dragon age: the masked empire #divine justinia v #da the masked empire #celene valmont #leliana #justinia critical #celene critical #anti chantry #edit: added an extra sentence for clarity #the entire justinia/celene thing is quid pro quo. and it relies on them keeping in power #edited x2: for some spelling errors and a missing hyperlink #on divine justinia meta series

[squirrelwithatophat]

I’m finally reading The Masked Empire, and boy... Inquisition really toned down how dumb and repulsive Gaspard is.

It’s only the middle of Chapter 3, and over the course of - what, two days (in-universe)? - he taunts a foreign representative with a sword taken off the corpse of a loved one (in hopes of baiting him into a public fight), boasts openly of conspiring to overthrow the government in order to invade a neighboring country (saying this explicitly to the empress’s face), hires a group of thugs to assault a military officer who embarrassed him at a party, complains about women’s inadequacy in leading battles (again, to the empress’s face), and propositions his own cousin (the same empress he had been repeatedly insulting, in the same conversation) and threatens her with violence when she turns him down.  Classy.

Then in Inquisition, he’s just... Some Guy.  He’s nice to you, even if you’re an elf or some other minority race, while others at the party call you slurs and treat you like a servant or a criminal.  He actively helps out; after all, he’s your only invitation to the masked ball you need to get into to stop the Bad Guys.  EDIT: He does call Briala a “rabbit” and make another racist comment during the final confrontation, as long as Celene is dead (already leaving him the only viable candidate for the throne), though.

You aren’t warned that he’s a warmongering sociopath until after you place him on the throne (if applicable).  You have to read TME to learn about all the depraved shit he’s done.

#dragon age #the masked empire #dragon age the masked empire #Gaspard de chalons #briala #empress celene #Celene valmont #gaspard #anti gaspard #dragon age inquisition #dai critical #100 #200

[thedragonagelesbian]

also sera’s approval in we+wh makes no sense.

#why does she care so much about celene living!!!!!!! #miss anti noble people up top have to listen to people down here REALLY greatly disapproves of killing celene???

[mywitchcultblr]

Reddit: Orsino is as bad as Meredith, Briala and Celene are girl power romantic couple uwu

Me:

Each dumbass takes push me closer to goes renegade and join Solas. Yeah just tear it down, make all people mages again so the anti mage people will shut up and elves wouldn't be treated like garbage again (yeah yeah just make sure not all people gonna die... Which i doubt they all gonna die when the veil goes down )

#solas #dai #da #fen'harel #dread wolf #orsino #briala #celene #mage rights #elven rights #anti templar #anti chantry #anti circle #thedas really sucks #oh my god #some people in the fandom can be really sucks too #da fandom #reddit #tumblr

[bunabi]

da4 taking place in tevinter + playable origins would blow my tits clean off. honestly playable origins is the best way to introduce us to the dynamics of tevinter vs the south. I just hope they give us a lot of chances to say fuck the chantry and fuck you slaver trash. I want to be able to make my anti-establishment protag already

That's so true :O

What are the dynamics of a mage-run society, what are the local conflicts, what's the general scenery, serving us a little snippet at the start of the game would help set the stage of the new region(s)

I hope they handle slavery in a normal way but I aint holding my breath lol

I like the freedom to make choices that are pro status quo or evil

So long as its without any heavy handed grey morality 'hmm maybe this isnt so bad wink' peppered in

Weekes threw a pinch of that into Masked Empire in regards to the alienage rebellion and Briala whispering "elven rights" into Celene's coochie as activism, but its been years since that was published; maybe things will be different now : )

#: ) i hope #replies #oop got the book name wrong its been that long

[belleropheon]

OH RIGHT I also think on the whole Wardens front, it's similar to what they did with Dorian and Tevinter. Tevinter has never been anything more than bad evil bad not good, but Dorian sheds light on how Tevinter actually is.

Still bad! But much more human. He explains how, for example, slavery isn't actually seen as something negative for those who sell themselves into it. It's a noble position that has your entire family cared for, where you're fed and dressed and housed. Just like how Vivienne explains that Circles are sometimes fantastic places to be housed, fed and educated. I think they wanted to stop making things seem black and white.

They already sort of did? I mean in the Mage origin you can talk to different mages some who are pro circle and others anti and some "we need to have a circle but no chantry cuz f em" it's just that the whole kidnapping of kids isn't a black and white thing or the whole "do what we say or we can easily kill you without concequences" is also pretty wrong.

Wasn't it already implied that Tevinter "ruled by mages so magic bad not classism" did have circles just without the whole "property of the chantry" stuff attached to it?

There is slavery in Orlais they just don't call it that tho and slavers also get tons of slaves from the Marches and Ferelden.

I really dislike the whole being spoonfed the "see we have nuance and grey morality! See?! See?!" Like I'm not a small child I can grasp with the whole "show don't tell" stuff.

Show don't tell is a whole lot more effective than just saying A and trying to make me like Orlais and Celene as this bastion of progressive stuff because they said so (while everything we see points towards "no")

#Dragon age

[daitranscripts]

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Pt. 2

The Masked Empire

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Masterpost Previous: Gaining an Invitation

The PC meets the advisors in the war room.

Cullen: We have the reach the empress before Corypheus. The only question is: how?

Josephine: We know how. I have our way in. The real question is: where is our enemy hiding? At the urging of Grand Duchess Florianne, the empress is holding a ball. Absolutely everyone will be there. During the festivities, Celene will be meeting for peace talks with the usurper Duke Gaspard and Ambassador Briala.

Leliana: The assassin must be hiding within one of these factions.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Tell me about Gaspard. [2]

Investigate: Tell me about Briala [3]

Investigate: Tell me about Celene [4]

Investigate: Why not just send a warning? [5]

General (after investigate): That’s a lot to consider. [6]

General: Let’s go then. [7]

2 - Investigate: Tell me about Gaspard. PC: What do we know about Duke Gaspard? Cullen: The man who would have been emperor. He’s Celene’s cousin, and was first in line to inherit the throne when Emperor Florian died. Celene outmaneuvered him. She won over the Council of Heralds, who hold authority over title disputes. She became empress, and he a general in the Imperial Army. He’s well loved by the troops. He’s also a chevalier. Most of their number sided with him when he turned on the empress.

Dialogue options:

Special: Gaspard has Chevaliers? [9]

[Back to 1]

9 - Special: Gaspard has Chevaliers? PC: Aren’t the chevaliers part of the army? Why would they follow the duke? Cullen: Most chevaliers are sworn to serve the crown, but that does not give them faith in the person wearing it. The empress has tried to improve relations with Ferelden and Nevarra. The chevaliers see her as anti-military. They believe Gaspard could lead the empire back to the glory of Drakon’s expansion years. [Back to 1]

3 - Investigate: Tell me about Briala. PC: Who is this Ambassador Briala? Leliana: An ambassador in name only. She has organized the elves of Halamshiral into an underground army. The empress invited her to the peace talks in a bid to gain the elves’ alliance in the war. That would be scandal enough, without the rumour that Briala is a jilted lover of Celene’s. A personal grudge and a network of saboteurs at her command? A promising lead.

Dialogue options:

Special: Celene had an elven lover? [10]

[Back to 1]

10 - Special: Celene had an elven lover? PC: Wait. The elven leader is a jilted lover of the empress? Leliana: It’s not widely know. Just a rumour whispered among the palace servants a few years ago. If it’s true and were to get out—the empress and an elf—the scandal could destroy Celene’s court. Even if a lie, Briala could use it to blackmail the empress. She has some connection to the throne. [Back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Tell me about Celene PC: Tell me everything we know about the empress. Josephine: Empress Celene is a renowned diplomat and reformer. She works tirelessly to secure peace for the empire. Unfortunately, many Orlesians view peace as complacency. She has yet to name an heir, leaving the future of the empire in doubt if anything happens to her. Especially when the next in line is her cousin Gaspard, who’s made few friends on the Council of Heralds. Leliana: Celene is surrounded at all times by countless guards, courtiers, servants, and vassals. What better place for an assassin to hide than the empress’s own household?

Dialogue options:

Special: Gaspard is Celene’s heir? [11]

[Back to 1]

11 - Special: Gaspard is Celene’s heir? PC: How can Gaspard still be next in line while he wages war against his empress? Cullen: The title “grand duke” indicates that he was a prince before the empress took the throne. [Back to 1]

5 - Investigate: Why not just send a warning? PC: Do we need to go to the peace talks? The empress must have personal guards. We could just warn her she’s in danger. Josephine: We’ve made the attempt, but… Leliana: It seems that our messages never reached her. Someone intercepted them. Cullen: It’s better that we don’t leave this to chance. If Orlais falls to Corypheus, no land is safe. [Back to 1]

6 - General: That’s a lot to consider. PC: You’ve given me plenty to think about. Cullen: With Gaspard and Celene’s armies entrenched, we cannot openly march troops to the palace. Leliana: My agents will ensure your soldiers get inside, but it must be a few at a time to avoid attention. Cullen: Understood. Cullen (to PC): Just give the world, and we’ll begin. [12]

7 - General: Let’s go then. PC: We shouldn’t waste any time. Let’s go to the Winter Palace. [12]

12 - Scene ends.

Next: Guests of Gaspard

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #dai transcripts #dai dialogue #wicked eyes and wicked hearts #wewh

[weptpride]

part one of ?

Following Corypheus' defeat, Gaspard renews his war against Celene. Ultimately he fails, Florianne's betrayal casting a shadow over him. He is either slain or executed prior to the Exalted Council.

Briala, meanwhile, is keeping a low profile. She returns to sabotaging both armies, but it seems lackluster, nothing like the effort she'd put into it the first time around.

To assume her weakened would be a deadly mistake.

Her very public elimination of a Venatori cell influencing Celene in 945 leads to Celene responding by 'exposing' Briala's connection to the demon which had infiltrated the now-defunct Inquisition. This ramps up anti-elven sentiment, which had already seen a resurgence as a result of the Exalted Council. Briala then initiates an empire-wide strike, calling for Celene to put an end to increased violence against elvhen citizens.

All of this comes to a head with Celene capturing her. Briala is kept prisoner in Val Royeaux itself. A week in, she is on display at a fête, in chains for every onlooker to witness. Celene's message is clear:

Briala is not untouchable, that she is still a subject of the empress, that this glorious symbol of the elves is as vulnerable as the rest of them.

This does not end how Celene wished.

The entire ballroom goes silent whilst Celene laughs at a cousin's joke at Briala's expense, every guest parting in a wave to reveal the disgraced former Inquisitor making their way to Briala. Her shock lasts only a moment, at which point she commands them restrained. Present chevaliars move to obey, only to fall dead as one, with no outward sign of the magic used to kill them, and Alanari does not pause.

Not another word is uttered. Briala's chains fall away with a touch. She stands and together they walk the same path back through the crowd, not one of whom attempts to apprehend them.

When they draw in line with Celene, across the ballroom, Briala pauses, takes up a dagger from a fallen chevaliar, and throws it with precision at the empress. It flies faster and farther than it has any right to, and strikes her chin, leaving a scar she cannot hide without a full-face mask.

part two: the revolt (coming soon)

#this is all very theatrical by intent. it is designed to strike fear into celene and her supporters. #verse tbt. #fantasy racism tw #i have not proofread this. i will do that in the morning

[atimefordragons]

HE'S SO OBSESSED WITH ME, AND BOY I UNDERSTAND

☾♔; June 8, 2022 ☾♔; 6:32pm ☾♔; sotd: River - Ochman ☾♔; cotd: Kamala Khan ☾♔; Boyfriend Material ☾♔; High Fashion Layout (I Guess)

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: yeah, the title is a lie, I'm the one who's obsessed. lyrics from Taylor's "I Think He knows"

literally had to make a fucking template in photoshop, and it still took forever! at least this set is better than the celene and andreas one. yikes.

side note, this form was such a fun dive, because I never really think about what my characters want in like a romantic partner, or even a friend, I sort of design them to be what I like in relationship dynamics and think how they should be. so this was fun to try and expand my thinking.  

𝗕𝗢𝗬𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗜: 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗟𝗘 urstyle.fashion/contest/5974-introduce-your-couple

𝗬𝗢𝗨

𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: Alexis de Angelis

𝗔𝗚𝗘: 26

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀: a song of ice and fire, daenerys targaryen, dragons, winter, blizzards, maple syrup, the raptors (go raptors go), tolkien, dostoyevsky, tolstoy, history, cities, cars, driving, astronomy, space, the moon, disney, lilo & stitch, anime (big time nerd), sci-fi, fantasy, EUROVISION, peonies, rose gold, blue, pink, purple, sailor moon, the mandalorian and ONLY the mandalorian, the rest of star wars does not exist.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀: americans, anti-dany's, stansa's (not sansa stark, but her psycho fans), game of thrones, conservatives, quebec, instagram/tiktok (aka influencers, urg, the scourge of the earth), woods, "nature" (she's glad it exists, she just doesn't want to be in it), bugs, slow internet, the goddamn patriarchy, and the fucking TTC.  

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: a wife guy, if you're not obsessed with your partner you're doing it wrong. aside from that, someone... dreamy and enchanting, not a literal like fairy prince, but someone who makes the rest of the world invisible from just their presence alone. someone with a good heart, nice hair (jk, mostly), someone who will be there, no matter what, and who will always show up. she's prefers and honestly just needs someone mature and put together, at the very least someone who can stay calm and rational so that she can do the freaking out and the yelling.  

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: an american. lmfao, can you imagine? that'd be a fucking nightmare (yeah, that's more clara than her oc's, but also all my oc's, we all hate america together). apart from clara's anti-american bias, someone who mansplains. there's being explainary, and then there's acting like the authority on a subject the other person has a fucking degree in, shut the fuck up. someone who is disloyal, gaslights, and is a fucking dick. being a bitch on it's own is fine, fun even, but to your friends, family, the people you're supposed to care about? you don't fuck them over, that's how relationships work. don't be a douchebag, that's why you're alone and no one likes you.

also, anyone who says bullshit like "girls don't like me because I'm a nerd and don't look like thor," no, girls don't like you because an asshole. and newsflash, only one person looks like thor, thor! idiots.  

𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥

𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘: Sebastian Piper

𝗔𝗚𝗘: 31

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀: coffee, cooking, history, magic, taylor swift (don't lie, she makes everyone feel things and there is no shame about it), tv shows about witches and magic (they're kinda funny and he's definitely not totally actually obsessed with the original charmed - he very much is), reading, wikipedia deep dives, mythology, autumn, halloween, monster movies, godzilla, carrie, stephen king, britney spears, kafka, kazka

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀: summer, mornings, kale, clients (god, they're the worst), annoying people (no, he will not spell out what he finds annoying, good luck to you), his little sister's mean streak (she was so nice when she was little and now she's so mean, and he's so shocked about it, like she didn't pick up that bitch ass behaviour from him), "rare" meat (it's literally just uncooked, you freaks), america

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: he thinks he doesn't have a type, but it's definitely the type of woman who could kick his ass, and kick your ass. an "in love with your carnage" boy.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿: an insufferable know-it-all, and someone too gossipy, like, tv mean girls who make their whole personality about shit talking, that's so boring, you have nothing else to do with your life? delusionally self-centred people, the world revolves around the sun, not you, get some damn perspective.

#urstyle #high fashion layout #I guess #mine #boyfriend material (ocbg) #la paura del buio (rp) #alexis de angelis #sebastian piper #contest entry #jcb cinematic universe

[v-arbellanaris]

how about 7, 28, 46, and 60?

thank you sm for the q's!!!!

7. Favorite DA:O backstory?

AHHH!!! evil question! i think my favourites are probably amell/surana, tabris or mahariel origins. but the one i replay most often is tabris (specifically f!tabris)! i really love the feeling of community and i really identified with a lot of the themes present in that origin; im also really really fond of the tabris family, and i love a good revenge rampage.

28. Inquisitor’s feelings on being the Herald of Andraste?

both marya and isra HATE being the herald but i think isra is much more vocal about it than marya is - marya tends to keep it all inside. marya is dalish and fairly devout at that and being lauded as the herald of andraste really is very chafing for her when she does not believe in the maker at all - and more importantly, everyone around her is constantly spitting on her beliefs.

in a slightly similar vein, isra is a rebel mage - in every iteration of her (vee verse or my limited to canon playthroughs), she's always pro-mage, anti-circle, anti-templar, pro-elf. she's loud and unapologetic about her beliefs and stances and -- it's not a matter of whether or not she believes in the maker but rather the specific way that being the herald of andraste, and therefore a tool of the very inquisition trying to put her people back inside the circle in the name of "order", infuriates her. comparatively to marya, isra is much more aware of the political ramifications (and advantages of the inquisition, which she loathes) of being titled the herald of andraste.

46. A character you’d love to drop in a volcano and forget about?

AEDAN COUSLAND. karras <3 CELENE VALMONT <3 PETRICE <3 GRAND CLERIC ELTHINA <3

60. Who do you wish had been given more story?

MAN THIS IS SO DIFFICULT??? literally every f!love interest in the novels - rowan, katriel, adrian (ADRIAN MY BELOVED) lmaoooo. also justice, specifically in da2. HE GOT SHAFTED he wasnt even a character he was just jhepler's projection of ableism :(

#asks #amatres #isra trevelyan #marya lavellan

[wicclan]

one comment cullen makes that i've always missed when you're discussing the 3 options for the orlais throne is that Gaspard has the support of the chevaliers because they see Celene as "anti military" for attempting to make peace with Nevarra. which is the worst fucking take i've ever seen. so if you replace Celene with Gaspard, we're pretty much guaranteed war in the future between orlais and other countries.

#something to think about fr #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #wicked eyes and wicked hearts #i don't leave celene in power though. briala ends up pulling the strings because the elves deserve someone who'll actually look out for them

[blaserables]

Item Conversions (Vol 2): Rings from Origins

Rings from Dragon Age Origins are converted for your use in the RPG!

From The Wonders of Thedas Podcast, by GM Reyn [Part One] [Rings] [Belts] [Amulets] [Robes] [DA2 Rings] [Axes]

A little lyrium on a simple gold band around the finger can sometimes make all the difference.

Empress Celene kept a magical ring that protected her from an ambush by creating burning wounds on those she touched. Some rings have been passed through many hands, both heroic and otherwise, and many cultures give rings as part of rites of passage or age. Mages have the most use for rings, as many of them boost magical powers, but warriors and rogues have a few choice rings they may wish to snag when the chance arises. The influence of these rings isn’t always obvious, but they can give the heroes that last push they might need!

Below is a collection of rings that have been converted/inspired by the rings in Dragon Age: Origins. This list in not exhaustive, but feel free to use them as you see fit or adjust them as you need them! The levels listed next to the item suggest a recommended level the PCs be before they find an item of this nature.

As a general rule that is upheld by the video games, a character can only gain the magical benefits of two rings at once, but the RPG currently has no rules for permanent magic item limits so feel free to adjust this!

Ash (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

This potent magical ring feels blisteringly hot in the outside of the band, but the inside seems cool like river water. This ring is bursting with power, and the wearer may use the Fast Casting stunt for 3 SP instead of the usual 4 when casting fire and lightning-based spells. When worn with Icicle on the other hand, the wearer becomes a true force of primal magic, treating their Magic as 3 higher when using Primal spells.

Band of Fire (Ring, Level 10)

These rings are forged with great care by the Formari in the Circle of Magi. Powerful flames are bound into the ring, often causing accidents of lost eye brows or hair during their creation. Some say this is why the Formari often shave their heads… Wearing the ring ensures that the wearer is protected from fire, granting the wearer not only a +2 bonus on tests to resist fire-based effects, but increases the wearer’s Armor Rating by 3 against these effects. Versions of this ring that protect against other elements exist, most notably the Band of Ice and the Band of Lightning.

Blessing of the Divine (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

These rings were given by Divine Justinia II to Templars and Seekers who performed with distinction. Ironically enchanted to improve a Templar’s abilities, some members of the Templar Order argued that they didn’t need more magic to fight against magic. Regardless, the rings were potent and saw great use among the Chantry’s best hunters of maleficarum. A Templar with this ring increases the range of their Master degree anti-magic burst to 10 yards, and they no longer take the -2 penalty to Defense when using it. This ring and the Mark of the Divine rings usually come in sets. When worn together, a Templar also gains a +4 bonus to Armor Rating against spells and magical attacks.

Blood Ring (Ring, Level 10)

Dragon carvings encircle the ring’s face, and the wearer swears that someone is whispering nearby, but not close enough to understand. This fell ring improves the efficiency of blood magic. Blood Mages who wear this ring may choose to increase the penetrating damage taken by a target (themselves, allies, or enemies as is appropriate for talent level) by at most 3 points, increasing the Mana gained from the blood taken by the same number. You always take 3 less damage from the bloodletting, but your allies are not so protected unless they have one of these rings as well. If the target is helpless, as per the conditions of the Master degree of the Blood Mage talent, you can deal at most 6 extra points of penetrating damage for the same amount of extra Mana. These rings are often recognized by Templars as dangerous artifacts, and may draw unwanted attention if the ring is not concealed.

Dalish Battery (Ring, Level 10)

The Dalish have great respect for nature, and they understand its power well as seen in this ring. The spiraling band of lyrium on this ring seems to draw power from the air, and sizzles when a storm is overhead. This potent ring makes lightning-based spells strike harder and faster, allowing the wearer to perform the Mighty Spell stunt for 1 SP instead of the usual 2 when they cast a spell with shocking effects. If this ring is worn with Twitch on the other hand, the wearer crackles with electricity while under stress. The bonuses to damage that Twitch grants to electricity-based spells and effects doubles while the Dalish Battery is also worn.

Dalish Promise Ring (Ring, Level 5)

These enchanted silver rings are typically crafted by Dalish Keepers to protect a married couple so they may live long and healthy lives together. The rings protection is potent, as the wearer gains +1d6 Health when healing is received from a spell, a potion, or rest.

Dreamsever (Ring, Level 10)

An old ring from the time of the Third Blight, this ring creates strange ripples in the Veil when used to remove magical effects, making the world seem more real. The wearer gains a +3 bonus on Magic (Spirit) tests to dispel magic when casting spells like Dispel Magic or Anti-Magic Burst. Consequentially, the strange, silencing energies in the ring also grant a +2 bonus to others attempting to dispel magical effects that are affecting the wearer specifically (not area of effect effects that the wearer happens to be within). How this ring might work in the Fade has never been tested, but few think it wise to ope the Veil to try anyway…

Earthbound (Ring, Level 15)

A ring of gold with geometric veins of lyrium inset into it, this ring was one of a set created by an ambitious Archon of Tevinter named Lovias. Through these rings he sought to control the physical world and the Fade, with one in each hand. The rings did no such thing, but were still quite potent. The wearer of Earthbound may use Fast Casting stunt for 3 SP instead of the usual 4 when casting Primal spells. When both this ring and Soulbound are worn together, the wearer gains a +2 bonus to Spellpower.

Ember (Ring, Level 5)

This ring is warm to the touch, warm enough that most bearers begin to worry it will burn them eventually. It never seems to cool, but has also never burned anyone (as far as we know). Focusing the primal energies of fire, this ring grants the wearer’s fire-based spells a +1 bonus to damage for each d6 of damage rolled (this bonus also works with stunts like Mighty Spell or Lethal Spell). This bonus also applies for bearers whose weapons deal fire damage from the Flaming Weapons spell, and it doubles the bonus fire damage from an Elemental Rune of Fire.

Focus Ring (Ring, Level 5)

Made of three loops of intertwined silver, gold, and copper, this ring has a deceptively strong connection to the Fade. The ring sharpens the wearer’s connection to the Fade and any Spirit spells they cast that deal damage gain a +1 bonus to damage for each d6 of damage rolled (this bonus also works with stunts like Mighty Spell or Lethal Spell).

Frostshear (Ring, Level 10)

Blue icicles seem to float about the hand that this ring is worn on, and a palpable aura of cold can be felt when brought close. This potent ring makes ice-based spells freeze harder and faster, allowing the wearer to perform the Mighty Spell stunt for 1 SP instead of the usual 2 when they cast a spell with icy effects. If this ring is worn with an Iced Band on the other hand, the wearer seems to be covered in a rime of azure frost. The bonuses to damage that an Iced Band grants to ice-based spells and effects doubles while Frostshear is also worn.

Golden Ring (Ring, Level 5)

The geometric patterns on this golden ring mark it as dwarven-made. The gold seems to have an odd green sheen, suggesting gold is not the only substance used to make it. The wearer is granted a +2 bonus to Constitution (Stamina) and Constitution (Drinking) tests. Dwarven enchanters will likely not allow you to enter contests of drink while wearing this ring.

Harvest Festival Ring (Ring, Level 10)

A cunningly simple ring, this wooden band has designs of vines and pumpkins on it. When mages live among small communities away from the Chantry, usually in times of merriment, they will craft rings like these as prizes for friendly village competitions. More potent than most of the competition winners realize, this ring bestow its wearer with a champion’s charisma, allowing the wearer to perform the Jest stunt for 2 SP instead of the usual 3, and the Flirt stunt for 3 SP instead of the usual 4. Subjects affected by these stunts may take a -1 penalty to tests to resist the wearer’s charms, if the GM deems it appropriate.

Iced Band (Ring, Level 5)

This lyrium encircled ring has a perpetual coating of frost on its face. Focusing the primal energies of ice, this ring grants the wearer’s ice-based spells a +1 bonus to damage for each d6 of damage rolled (this bonus also works with stunts like Mighty Spell or Lethal Spell). This bonus also applies for bearers whose weapons deal ice damage from the Frost Weapons spell (increasing the total damage bonus to +3), and it doubles the bonus ice damage from an Elemental Rune of Ice.

Icicle (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

This ring is numbingly cold on the outside of the band, but the inside feels warm. This ring is bursting with power, and the wearer may use the Fast Casting stunt for 3 SP instead of the usual 4 when casting ice and earth-based spells. When worn with Ash on the other hand, the wearer becomes a true force of primal magic, treating their Magic as 3 higher when using Primal spells.

Imperial Ring Set (Rings, Level 10; 15 if together)

Supposedly, these two rings were gifted to Darinius from Endrin Stonehammer in the early days of the Imperium, to signify the bond between the Tevinter Imperium and the dwarves. Darinius wore them until his death, and then they were both lost in the squabbling for his throne. The first ring, Dawn, was made from a single perfect topaz and feels like it has bee left in the sun. The second ring, Dusk, was made from a flawless amethyst and feels cool in the hand like a night breeze. These rings are part of a set. The wearer of Dawn treats their Strength as 2 higher and their Cunning and 1 lower while the ring is worn. The wearer of Dusk treats their Cunning as 2 higher and their Strength as 1 lower while the ring is worn. If both rings are worn, the wearer treats their Armor Rating as 2 higher, in addition to the benefits from both rings (evening out to +1 Cunning and +1 Strength)

Keeper’s Ring (Ring, Level 10)

A simple band of willow wrapped around the finger, playful halla and other woodland creatures seem to dance in the wood grain. Often granted to new Keepers after the passing of the originals, these rings grant their wearers a +3 bonus on Magic tests to activate spells that have the Keeper specialization as a requirement (or that requires another spell that does in the case of Stone’s Throw). Additionally, the spell Wrath of the Elven now deals your Magic in penetrating damage to those who fail a Constitution (Stamina) test to resist it, and half your Magic in penetrating damage to those who succeed the test to resist it.

Lifegiver (Ring, Level 15)

This ring was crafted by a powerful blood mage, but its powers have protected many a hero or noble over the centuries of its existence. Some say that its powers are not free, and the ring exacts a price for its protection, but none can say what that price is. This powerful ring protects the life of the wearer, increasing its Armor Rating by 2, and granting the wearer additional Health from spells and other healing effects equal to the wearer’s Constitution (even if the wearer’s Constitution is already added to the healing received, such as with potions or rest). Finally, the wearer’s Constitution is treated as 2 higher while the ring is worn.

The Lucky Stone (Ring, Level 10)

Some say this ring has a life of its own, desiring adventures while on the hands of heroes. When grand quests end, the ring disappears, supposedly to seek new challenges. The wearer of this ring fund that luck often turns their way when they most need it to. Wearers of this ring once per day may increase or decrease the result of a Dragon Die by up to 3.

Mark of the Divine (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

These rings were given by Divine Justinia II to Templars and Seekers who performed with distinction. Ironically enchanted to improve a Templar’s abilities, some members of the Templar Order argued that they didn’t need more magic to fight against magic. Regardless, the rings were potent and saw great use among the Chantry’s best hunters of maleficarum. A Templar with the Journeyman degree of the specialization talent drains an extra 1d6 Mana from its targets while wearing this ring. This ring and the Blessing of the Divine rings usually come in sets. When worn together, a Templar also gains a +4 bonus to Armor Rating against spells and magical attacks.

Ring of Ages (Ring, Level 15)

Some claim that this ring is one of the oldest magical item in Thedas, even going so far as to suggest that magic was still new to the elves when this ring was crafted. While this is likely an exaggeration, the ring still feels impossibly ancient and powerful. The wearer always benefits from half of their Armor Rating, even against penetrating damage. A wearer with the Master degree of the Armor Training talent always uses 3/4ths their Armor Rating against damage, penetrating or not.

Ring of Faith (Ring, Level 10)

This band of ivory has designs that almost seem primitive on its face. Rays of warm sunlight encircle the ring, and it seems to keep the bearer warm. This potent ring makes fire-based spells burn harder and faster, allowing the wearer to perform the Mighty Spell stunt for 1 SP instead of the usual 2 when they cast a spell with fiery effects. If this ring is worn with an Ember on the other hand, the wearer seems to be surrounded by an aura of flame and smoke. The bonuses to damage that an Ember grants to fire-based spells and effects doubles while the Ring of Faith is also worn.

Ring of Discipline (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

An engraving in ancient Tevene encircles this bloodstone ring: “A master without discipline is no master at all.” The wearer treats their Willpower as 2 higher, and their Cunning as 1 lower. When worn with a Ring of Mastery, the wearer also treats their Magic as 1 higher.

Ring of Mastery (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

An engraving in ancient Tevene encircles this dawnstone ring: “What use is discipline with a lack of skill?” The wearer treats their Cunning as 2 higher, and their Willpower as 1 lower. When worn with a Ring of Mastery, the wearer also treats their Magic as 1 higher.

Ring of Resistance (Ring, Level 10)

A strange shimmer dances across this iron band when it is held in the light. The wearer gains a +1 bonus to tests performed as a reaction to defend the wearer against something (such as spells, hazards, traps, or some special attacks of adversaries at the GM’s discretion).

Ring of Severity (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

In Antivan writing, the engraving inside of this steel ring reads “not all men are subtle.” The wearer of this ring feels like they can take on the world, and treats their Strength as 2 higher, and their Dexterity as 1 lower. When worn with the Ring of Subtlety, the wearer also treats their Constitution as 1 higher.

Ring of Study (Ring, Level 5)

These silver rings are one of the handful of gifts given to apprentice mages who pass their Harrowing and become full-fledged members of the Circle of Magi. The ring grants a +1 bonus on Magic tests to cast spells while the ring is worn.

Ring of Subtlety (Ring, Level 10; 15 with set)

In Antivan writing, the engraving inside of this steel ring reads “not all men are severe.” The wearer of this ring feels like they can take on the world, and treats their Dexterity as 2 higher, and their Strength as 1 lower. When worn with the Ring of Severity, the wearer also treats their Constitution as 1 higher.

Ring of the Warrior (Ring, Level 5)

Despite the name, Warriors and Rogues would find this steel ring useful. The wearer gains a +1 bonus on all weapon damage rolls while the ring is worn.

Seal of Rat Red (Ring, Level 5)

When Orlais conquered Ferelden, a folk hero by the name of Rat Red appeared and vexed the occupying forces endlessly with simple pranks against high-ranking soldiers and the sabotage of wagons and weapons. They were impossible to kill by the Orlesian’s perception, because the hero was actually a title passed between multiple people who took up the mantle when the current hero could no longer fight. The wearer of this signet ring, which bears the symbol of a smiling rat, may once per day choose to reroll a single ability test made to resist mental or physical harm. The results of the second test are final.

Silverleaf (Ring, Level 10)

A wooden ring with a sheen like silver, this ring appears like a leaf that has curled around the wearer’s finger. Often worn by experienced Keepers, the rings seem to whisper the answers to questions they hear, if the bearers listen closely. The wearer gains a +2 bonus on Cunning tests involving lore (such as Arcane Lore, Cultural Lore, or Historical Lore).

Soulbound (Ring, Level 15)

A ring of silverite with geometric veins of lyrium inset into it, this ring was one of a set created by an ambitious Archon of Tevinter named Lovias. Through these rings he sought to control the physical world and the Fade, with one in each hand. The rings did no such thing, but were still quite potent. The wearer of Soulbound may use Fast Casting stunt for 3 SP instead of the usual 4 when casting Spirit spells. When both this ring and Earthbound are worn together, the wearer gains a +2 bonus to Spellpower.

Surveyor (Ring, Level 5)

This copper ring is inset with several stones that only slightly resemble opals. Some people swear that the opals blink. The wearer gains a +1 bonus on Perception (Searching and Seeing) tests

Twitch (Ring, Level 5)

This ring seems to smell ozone, and the hand it is placed on spasms on occasion. Focusing the primal energies of lightning, this ring grants the wearer’s electricity-based spells a +1 bonus to damage for each d6 of damage rolled (this bonus also works with stunts like Mighty Spell or Lethal Spell). This ring also doubles the bonus electricity damage from an Elemental Rune of Lightning.

The Wicked Oath (Ring, Level 10)

The worrying legend of this ring is a tale of blood magic, a trapped Antivan countess, and the murder of her husband to secure her flight from his clutches. This ring is a boon to any who wishes to make a quick kill, but can shine brightest in the hands of a Rogue (particularly skilled Assassins). The ring grants a +2 bonus on damage rolls that are modified by class powers or stunts that add dice to a damage roll. For each extra die rolled (from powers like Backstab, Bluff, or Mighty Blow), that damage roll gains a cumulative +2 bonus. For example, a Rogue who backstabs and gets a Mighty Blow stunt would add 2d6 to their damage roll from the power and stunt, so the damage bonus from this ring would be +4. Flaming Weapons does not get a bonus from this ring.

#blase dattrpg

[lunarscaled]

companion codex. ( DA: I )

I forgot I had filled this out forever ago so I wanted to repost it. feel free to steal it / modify it for other fandoms ( i'll probably do a bg3/d&d version too )

RACE, CLASS, & SPECIALIZATION:

Human / Rogue / Tempest / Mage / None

VARRIC’S NICKNAME FOR THEM:

Snowflake

DEFAULT TAROT CARD:

EIGHT OF SWORDS: Sickness, Calumny, Criticism, Blame

ROMANCE TAROT CARD:

TWO OF CUPS: Trust, Deep Friendship, Romance, Commitment, Bonding

HOW THEY ARE RECRUITED:

Lyric’s recruitment is a side-mission DURING wicked eyes and wicked hearts, automatically unlocked after collecting 15/30 secrets in the great blackmail hunt. The quest title is "Patron of Blood Arts." The Inquisitor’s interest in the scandals of the court uncover a ploy to poison one of the guests of the ball–an esteemed noblewoman by the name of Aceline Durand. Conversing with Empress Celene’s ladies-in-waiting reveals that Lady Durand is a well-known supporter of the arts, withholding an extensive collection from the public. If she were to be removed, her works would be forfeit to her eldest son, a greedy man named Léo, who has long since been trying to persuade his mother to sell the works at high prices. Questioning the nobles in the garden will hint that someone was seen sneaking into the library in a rather crumpled guard uniform and that Lady Durand has disappeared. Lyric is one of three masked cohorts in the library who have cornered the lady patron. Entering this area will trigger a brief cutscene of Lady Durand crying out to the Inquisitor for help, startling the trio and triggering a fight. Defeating all 3 enemies will cut to their attempted escape through the balcony and over the palace roof, with Lyric choosing to help their injured allies over obstacles and leaving last. Unable to move both their allies and themselves, they are captured by the castle guards who deflect to the Inquisitor for judgement. Lyric, revealed to be no more than a young adult, begs for the Inquisitor’s mercy as they were only doing what they were paid to do.

OPTION 1: Conscript Lyric (Lyric will become an available companion and romance option)

OPTION 2: Give Lyric to the guards (Lyric will not be recruited later and hung at the gallows for treason)

CONSCRIPTING Lyric makes them an available agent option following Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts and earns slight approval from mage-sympathetic party members and Varric. It earns slight disapproval from Vivienne, Cassandra and Cole.

WHERE THEY ARE IN SKYHOLD:

Lyric can be found in one of Skyhold’s library alcoves, near to where Dorian is. If the Inquisitor is in a romance with Dorian, they will comment “Not to get the books messy.” Responding to this positively or with sarcasm increases their approval.

THINGS THEY GENERALLY APPROVE OF:

Tempest Specialization, Herb Garden Upgrade, Sarcasm, Diplomacy, Red-Lyrium Studies, Completing Companion Quests, All Codex Entries feat. Mage History, Expressed an Interest in their Studies

THINGS THEY GENERALLY DISAPPROVE OF:

Aggressive Responses, Death Sentences when Judging, Anti-Mage Responses, Cruelty to Animals, Cruelty to Refugees, Refusing to Assist, Templar Specialization, Sexual Advances

MAGES, TEMPLARS, OTHER?:

LOW/NEUTRAL APPROVAL: Neither HIGH APPROVAL: Mages (revealed in conversation at Skyhold)

FRIENDS IN THE INQUISITION:

Cole, Varric, Dorian, The Chargers, Sera

ROMANCEABLE?:

Romanceable by any race or gender; High approval required for Templar Specialization; CANNOT BE ROMANCED IF THE INQUISITOR DEMANDS A SEXUAL ASPECT TO THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

SMALL SIDE MISSION:

Lyric’s Lament

Lyric wants to hear a song their brother favoured when they were children. Go to Val Royeaux to purchase the music and deliver it to Maryden for Lyric to hear.

COMPANION QUEST:

The Note Desolation Plays

Lyric has received a letter from their father claiming their mother is soon to pass and that Lyric must return home to see her before her death. Lyric, troubled by their tempestuous family history, asks that the Inquisitor come accompany them to Lydes to see their family. If the Inquisitor agrees, Lyric will be waiting for them by the gate to Skyhold; dialogue options concerning their past, their brother and his death will unlock. The mission can be continued from the War Table, under the quest name the note desolation plays. In Lydes, Lyric will firstly be greeted by their two younger siblings, Marianne and Claudia, before being confronted by their father. He will immediately recognize the Inquisitor by the Anchor and tell Lyric they are wasting the Herald’s precious time by dragging them into family matters. The Inquisitor can choose to SUPPORT or SCOLD Lyric, gaining approval or disapproval respectively. Regardless of the answer, the Inquisitor will be invited inside to meet Lyric’s mother and bare witness to her final moments. As the scene progresses, it is revealed that Lyric’s brother was actually their twin and was meant to secure the family a higher social standing by marrying the daughter of a recognized merchant, while Lyric was to be sent away to the Circle to tame their harsh magic. Privy to the true plan–to send Lyric away for fear of their volatile magic, whereas Kamille was a gentle mage–Kamille wore Lyric’s clothes and switched places with them, willingly going to the Circle to prevent his twin from being sentenced to sure death. Despairing at the loss of their only son and left with a stubborn, vicious daughter, Lyric’s parents became distant for many years before sailing to Kirkwall to abandon them far, far from home after learning of Kamille’s death. Lost and afraid, Lyric stumbled the long way back to Orlais, barely surviving. They smothered their magic, refusing to ever use it again. They blamed it for both Kamille’s untimely demise and their parent’s spite. Lyric’s mother will repent for every abandoning their child and ask to make amends. Lyric, clearly quarreling with their feelings of the past and wanting to forgive their family, will look to the Inquisitor to decide.

OPTION 1: FORGIVE HER.

Lyric will forgive their mother, despite how it hurts, in order to give her soul some resemblance of peace. Her mother will pass with Lyric at her side. Lyric will ask the Inquisitor for some time alone with their family and meet the Inquisitor back at Skyhold. At Skyhold, they will express their thanks to the Inquisitor, saying they feel as if a weight has been lifted from their chest.

OPTION 2: DENY HER.

Lyric will refuse to accept their mother’s request, causing the sickly woman to begin to cry and beg them to reconsider. Lyric will call their mother a traitor and a heretic, leaving the house without resolving their past or their emotions. The party will return to Skyhold where Lyric will again express their conflicting emotions to the Inquisitor, but vow to never forgive their family or return to Lydes. ( CHOOSING THIS OPTION WILL MAKE LYRIC UNROMANCEABLE. )

TAROT CARD CHANGE

OPTION 1: Two of Swords: Courage, Friendship, Affection, Choices

OPTION 2: Death: Morality, Endings, Loss, Alteration for the Worse

#* ooc. #⋇ WE ONLY DO WHAT’S RIGHT: DRAGON AGE: INQUISITION #I forgot I had this filled out on Lyric's carrd so im reposting it hehe #* headcanon.