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sweetmage · 10 months

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Deathroot and Embrium for the OCs you most want to talk about (I can't decide!!)

Thank you for the ask!! <3 Let's see... Maybe I will do some characters I don't talk about often 🤔Also this got suuuuuper long! I am bad about that, sorry 😅 Embrium: What is the kindest thing anyone had ever done to your character, and do they remember or even know it happened?

One of the most pivotal moments during El'la's brief stay (about 2 years) in the circle was when they first met Owain. It was their first direct interaction with a tranquil mage and they implied that Owain was not a person because of what had been done to him. Their discussion on personhood and emotions really impacted El'la for several reasons: El'la is neurodivergent, they don't emote much, struggle significantly with understanding their own emotions and the emotions of others, and they have their own unique ways of processing and interacting with the world that others may fail to understand. Because of this, they were able to realize their ignorance in implying someone's situation (a cruel one at that, brought about through coercion and inspired by fear and shame) makes them less of a person. Someone close to her (Lorenzo, one of my other OCs) had been made tranquil (against regulations, at that). She never saw him, but she'd heard the news of it and was very unnerved by what that meant for him and what might have become of him. El'la and Lorenzo reconnect years later and she is better able to support and understand him. Most importantly, I think this event is what helped radicalize El'la. Living, breathing people were being exploited by the circle, used for labor and profit, their susceptible natures taken advantage of. On top of that, they were ostracized, othered, and used as examples as if their fate wasn't enough. El'la already despised the circle and the chantry as a whole, but this was certainly their tipping point. El'la aligned herself with the beliefs of libertarian fraternity and later the resolutionists. She also questioned the rest of the Chantry's warnings and teachings, seeking knowledge in "forbidden" practices and familiarizing herself with spirits, blood magic so that she may one day dispel the fears that had been ingrained in her and others about it and find a way to engage with these things in safe and informed manners. It wasn't a sweet and sugary kindness or an emotionally driven one at all, but the time he took to explain to them and undo their biases did more for them than anyone else could have. Deathroot: What is the most horrifying thing the Nightmare can cause your character to see? I am going to put this one under the cut because it contains horror elements and heavy themes relating to Tamlen, 'came back wrong' scenarios, and the like!

So Savil (pic included because, despite him being one of my OCs with the most detailed backstory as well a DAO and DAI playthrough, I basically never post about him for some reason😅) has a pretty clear and definitive fear. So for some backstory: ⚠ tw horror In his canon, after the ghoul attack on their camp, Tamlen is incapacitated but lives still. Savil informs the other Wardens that this is his friend and he would like some time alone to 'bury him', but he instead deserts the Wardens and runs off with Tamlen. Despite the dangers and ethical questions, he becomes consumed with finding a cure for him even as Tamlen loses more and more of himself. Sometime after DA2, Savil reunites with Merrill who, after much catch up, discussion, and hesitance cures Tamlen of the taint via blood magic. Initially it appears to be a "came back wrong" scenario, though as the years pass by he regains more of himself, his memories and motor skills slowly return, and is ultimately his happy and thankful for his life, but Savil remains horrified at the conditions he allowed him to live in for 7 years and how he selfishly played god with the life of someone he loved. Soooo... all that is to say, what he saw in the fade during DAI were the twisted forms of a Tamlen who was more grotesque and clearly suffering, a Merrill who was under duress and in despair, and many other ghoulish figures representing those he had cut down and never put in the effort to save like he did Tamlen. He has issues :)

#oc: el'la #el'la uses all pronouns but has a she/they bias so I am alternating here!#oc: savil #tranquility tw #<-in case anyone is bothered by this!#ask to tag #jun rambles #jun answers #long post

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tathracyn · 2 years

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@ziracona has been playing through Dragon Age and we’ve been talking about our different experiences. R just reached the Well of Sorrows quest and aftermath, and asked about my opinion on it, because Boy Do I Have An Opinion.

R, this is for you.

God, where do i even start. First off is the fact that you've found one of the last undisturbed remnants of pre-Dalish culture... and you're forced to desecrate and defile it. That's it. You find a holy site, and the story makes you ruin it completely. Because fuck elves and fuck their culture. You don't get to preserve your heritage; the living culture residing within this untouched temple will hate your guts and then you have to violate this sacred place.

There's also Morrigan's extended rant about how she's the "only one who can use it" and she "deserves its power " or whatever, which is fucking appropriation and she's doing it right in front of a Dalish Inquisitor! She claims, in front of two elves, that she knows their culture better than they do and that she deserves to take it for herself. And!! Even if it's true that she's researched elven history more than Ahsra!! Whose FUCKING fault is it that, human. Where did our history go, huh??

And then you drink from the well, and oops! It turns out??? It makes you a literal slave to your gods! Hey yall, at LEAST half a dozen of the elven gods were slavers! They were evil! Because of COURSE they were, every FUCKING faction in Thedas is slavers it feels like! Nobody gets to have culture they can be proud of, they're all evil and cruel and you should hate them!

And what do we even get from it??? Super special secret knowledge that essentially boils down to "If: Blight, Then: Kill Dragon". Really??? That's the ancient knowledge I committed atrocities against my own cultural heritage for?? You're telling me that between the Wardens' knowledge, ALL the mages of Ferelden, Solas's magical expertise, our knowledge of how Red Lyrium works, and EVERY OTHER FUCKING RESOURCE WE HAVE, not a single fucker could piece that together? Fuck that. I consider that bad, forced writing that ignored the obvious alternatives in order to force you into their agenda.

And then Flemeth/Mythal. Turns out, the goddess of motherhood and justice is an abusive parent And a literal slaver who abandoned her own people for thousands of years in pursuit of mindless vengeance and cruelty! Why? Who knows! She doesn't even TRY to give you an explanation! She completely dodges the question, because why would they bother telling players! They don't need to know why one of their gods is suddenly a horrific, terrible person!

Fucking. All of this is awful and I hate it, but its made even worse when set against the radically increased pro-chantry mindset the rest of the game has. The connotations I got from the whole shitshow were "Look at these foolish pagans, worshiping wicked idols and practicing vile slave magics. Look at the atrocities of their cultures and condemn them for being stupid enough to follow them still." You play a Dalish? Fuck you, your gods are evil slavers, your religion is a lie, your culture is written by stupid children, and you're nothing. Die mad about it.

It's so degrading to elven characters. It's such a kick in the teeth.

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #ahsra #the specific emotion it makes me feel is 'rip their throats out with my teeth' anger

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softersinned-arc · 2 years

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@higheverlost

At first, she thinks it’s a dream.

The world, these days, is wretched and cruel. A Blight creeping toward them, the sick and rot of the taint spreading across the land and the people; the dead rising, denied any hope of peace while they tore their families to pieces with their own bony hands; her father, trapped, no doubt murdered, in the castle where his old friend slept and would not wake. And her friends, dead, slandered — had Eleanor and Bryce begged for their children’s lives? Had Lily suffered? Had Ellis —

— she cannot think of Ellis.

So when she hears the echo of his voice in Redcliffe’s Chantry she thinks it a dream. Perhaps a gift from Andraste, in thanks for her first real attempt at prayer, or rather a punishment for the years she spent so close to the Chantry in Amaranthine without any shred of real belief. And when she lifts her head to look for the source, there’s no one there, only whispered mentions of Grey Wardens and the promise of their aid.

When she hears it again, she’s prepared. The leather gloves she’s trying to fit on fall from her hands and she ignores them, and she takes off in a run, dust kicking up from beneath her feet. She could swear it’s him. The hair is the same dark mess of curls she’d once combed the knots from with her fingers, one evening in Highever when they had slipped past his parents and her own to sneak to the turrets and watch the stars, his head in her lap, her back to the stone. The hands, now free of the no-doubt ill-fitting gauntlets that must match the armor he wears, are certainly the same hands that covered her mouth when she dissolved into helpless giggles at sunrise when they tried to sneak back in.

And his voice. She would know that voice anywhere.

“Ellis?”

She’s throwing herself into him before he’s fully turned to face her, arms around his neck, a hand stealing into those curls, Astoria on her toes to reach him. She’s been in mourning for him — she’s been plotting Howe’s slow and painful death, certain that the accusations of treachery are false, because how could they deserve such a fate — she’s been thinking of herself very nearly as a widow, miserable at the thought of never seeing him again —

When she pulls back from him it’s only to take his face in her hands and stare at him, tears spilling onto her cheeks in a rare and unconstrained display of emotion. Her heart is swelling with relief. Her hands are shaking against his skin. (He might have been her husband, sooner than later if their parents had their way, but practically since their meeting he has been her friend and she has loved him as well and as wholly as she could love anyone, has shared countless secrets with him, has felt his loss like an open wound.)

She draws his face down to her and presses a furious kiss to his forehead, ignoring the curious stares of the strangers around him. They have had him for Maker knows how long; now she’ll have her turn. Astoria brushes an errant curl back, then lets out a quiet, wet laugh.

“They told me you were dead.”

(And suddenly she finds that she barely cares about Redcliffe and the walking dead,)

#higheverlost #thread: higheverlost001 #(i'm vibrating w excitement this is gonna be !!! SO good !!!)

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kantrips · 3 years

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Alistair & Celia Headcanon Collection

Some Amell x Alistair (largely fluff) headcanons! Includes some from Origins, Warden time at Amaranthine and the Inquisition-era. Some of these I have had since my first playthrough, but others I may have read elsewhere, loved and thusly absorbed so please let me know if I can link anyone!

Origins

The first time they meet at Ostagar, Celia thinks Alistair is the most fascinating person she has ever encountered because no one in the Circle had a particularly boisterous sense of humour. Alistair is oblivious to her heart eyes, and also holds back because he’s worried she won’t survive the Joining.

Even after the Joining, Alistair tries very hard not to ~feel feelings~ despite the clear signals Celia is hurling at him because he assumes she won’t like him once she gets to know him more/she will get bored of him/ she will leave like everyone else i.e. the boy is hecking damaged.

Celia laughs obnoxiously hard at all Alistair’s jokes because a) she finds them unexpected, and b) because, like a dork, she wants to prove she gets the punch line. Alistair is perplexed by her reactions at first, and cautiously wonders if she is mocking him. Once he realises she is genuinely amused, it bolsters his ego significantly.

Celia has no concept of personal space and sits and walks very close to everyone. There wasn’t a lot of room at the Circle so she forgets she can spread out. Morrigan makes it clear she needs to back off (Celia doesn’t need telling twice) but Alistair is more relaxed and gets used to it quickly after the confusion of the first night when she blithely sets up her bedroll right next to his. Alistair assumes she is a bit scared of sleeping in the forest but really she is just accustomed to the need to cram as many apprentice bunks into a room as possible.

In a way, Alistair is also used to sharing small spaces (Chantry and Wardens) so it doesn’t bother him at all when Celia chooses to sit pressed against his side, walks so their arms bump together, or unconsciously brushes an eyelash from his cheek. He quickly grows to like her overfamiliarity (for some reason…).

Similarly, Alistair eats Celia’s leftover food if she can’t finish it or doesn’t like it, even before they’re a couple. She just offers one day and after that it becomes a given. The others side-eye them but they are happily oblivious.

Celia gets in trouble from the rest of the party for getting distracted yelling encouragement and cheering Alistair during combat. In turn, Alistair gets in trouble for turning around mid-battle to thank her when she buffs or heals him. Morrigan advises that if they are both so determined to get killed, she is more than happy to assist with hastening the process.

Celia’s mabari, Trevor, is quickly accepting of Alistair and his proximity to Celia because he observes Alistair protecting Celia in battle and thusly deems him to be a ‘good dog’ and considers that they are equals in the pack.

Alistair and Celia vandalise each other’s wanted posters whenever they come across them. It gets competitive.

Celia doesn’t really want to be in charge of saving the world but has three things working in her favour: 1) she absolutely hates letting people down 2) has an intense need to finish what she starts 3) she is in possession of a bossy streak.

That said she spends the entire Blight screaming internally to an extent not even Alistair fully grasps.

They go to the Circle Tower first, because Celia thinks she will have the best chance of getting help from people she knows and is also ‘homesick’ in the sense that she is very glad to be free of the place, but stressed enough with everything going on to crave something familiar even if she resents it. The events there devastate her. Along with the loss of friends and mentors she has known since childhood, being trapped by herself in the fade particularly terrifies her as she has never truly been alone for so long before in her life. It reminds her of the Harowing which totally blindsided her. She is very teary, untalkative and introspective for some time afterwards, but both Trevor and Alistair have the correct instinct to stay close without trying to interact with her which she finds incredibly comforting.

Accustomed to making potions, Celia will not under any circumstances deviate from a recipe while cooking, whereas Alistair just chucks everything in to use up leftovers and see what happens. Alistair gets meals together super quickly whereas Celia takes forever. A little unfairly, Celia is perceived as the better cook because she produces very consistent meals, while Alistair’s experiments sometimes do work, and sometimes don’t, with people tending to focus on the disasters rather than the successes. Meanwhile Celia is rather: “should I add half a sprig of rosemary? No I mustn’t: it would be far too daring!” so everyone learns to tip their own seasonings into their bowl before even tasting her food.

When they’re travelling and walking for days on end, Alistair and Celia make up a lot of games in the vein of ‘I spy’ and ‘would you rather?’ They can occasionally persuade others to participate though no one enjoys them or gets quite as invested as Celia and Alistair (who are actual children).

A game stops abruptly one day when Celia guilelessly asks if Alistair would rather be Emperor of Orlais or King of Fereldan and he gets extremely defensive and answers, “Neither.” Having no context for this reaction (yet), Celia (a stickler for the rules) pushes him, insisting his answer isn’t allowed and that he’s cheating until Alistair gets grouchy, stomps off and refuses to play anything for days.

Celia figures he must be overtired, but his unhappy reaction does come back to her later at the Landsmeet and contributes to her already firm resolve not to put him on the throne.

When bored, Alistair also periodically asks Celia to, “Do a trick!” with her magic and she usually obliges with something small and silly which Wynne always scolds them for (but they continue to do anyway).

Celia does not like Eamon one bit and makes it clear from their first meeting. Alistair actually gets a bit annoyed at her because she is polite to 99% of the other people they meet and he can’t understand what her problem is. Celia won’t say because she doesn’t want to drive Alistair away so she remains coldly civil towards Eamon and commences a long, looong process of nudging Alistair towards having the realisation himself that a) Eamon is manipulative, selfish and cruel and b) Alistair deserves better.

Celia wants to collect some of the books they find which is not practical given they are constantly travelling, but Alistair carries as many as he can in his pack and suffers in silence for it, ultimately finding it worth it for her enthusiastic gratitude.

Celia cuts Alistair’s hair and does a very respectable job after weeks of him complaining it’s flopping in his eyes (they used to cut each other’s hair in the Circle). Zevran pretends she did an awful job, gasping in horror at Alistair’s appearance, much to Celia’s ire. Alistair (internally weeping) tries to be brave until he can check his reflection in some plate mail and see it is fine.

Celia is very naïve about how the ‘real world’ works having been at the Circle since she was a child. This is especially evident in Denerim and Alistair has to explain how money works and grab her before she wanders down dicey looking alleyways.

Alistair nearly dissolves into a paroxysm of agony when he points out his favourite type of cheese at the Denerim Markets and (accustomed to the very limited range of bland foods provided at the Circle) Celia innocently asks, “There is more than one type of cheese?” Alistair makes it his mission to educate her. She doesn’t like most of what he feeds her but doesn’t say so to protect his feelings given he seems to take the matter so incredibly personally.

Leliana convinces Celia to sing one evening at the campfire. She’s breathy with a very limited range but manages okay, and Leliana plays and harmonises in support. Watching on with a goofy smile plastered over his face, Alistair comments to the surrounding companions about how talented she is and they’re like “…she’s really not mate.”

When they both wake up from a blightmare (or Celia has one and wakes Alistair with her flailing) they sneak about and eat anything they can find then sit up and have massive deep & meaningfuls (i.e. in the spirit of going for a long drive with a friend or being in the garden with someone outside a party and spilling your guts). Eventually they start blaming the depleted food stores on Leliana’s nug, Schmooples, much to Leliana’s displeasure.

Given Celia usually responds so well to his jokes, Alistair gets a bit peeved when Celia starts replying to some of his more severely self-deprecating humour with an unamused, “No you’re not,” or, “That’s not true.” He defensively argues it’s just a joke, but he does stop doing it so much as time goes on.

Celia is SO excited when Alistair gives her the rose. She never in her life thought she would be the recipient of a proper ~romantic gesture~…however she accidentally sits on the rose about five minutes after she gets it. Celia is devastated. There is a lot of panic and tears and she keeps one petal pressed in a book but has to unceremoniously ditch the rest in secret.

Celia doesn’t tell Alistair about this until years later and she’s terrified he’ll be hurt but he just laughs because he was so worried he was going to be the one to squash it and then she destroyed it basically the minute she got it. Alistair acknowledges it was an impractical gift given their situation. Celia gets mad and says it was a PERFECT gift and is annoyed at how funny he finds it given this has been a crushing, guilty secret hanging over her for years.

Following this, every time Alistair gives her any kind of gift, he can’t help but throw in a ‘Don’t sit on it!” and cracks himself up, especially when Celia gets grumpy about it and accuses him of spoiling the moment. It happens so often that when Alistair chooses a horse for her and plans to teach her to ride, Celia manages to cut him off with, “Yes, I know Alistair: I can sit on this one,” and steals his thunder.

Alistair periodically says Celia’s name just to check if she’ll answer, especially after a long period of quiet or to see if she’s awake à la screaming in the chantry because it’s so silent. When she responds he says, “Nothing” or “Never mind” but he finds it vaguely comforting just to hear her reply and it’s a habit he never loses, even when they have been together for years and he is much less isolated generally. Alistair doesn’t realise he’s doing it, and it never happens frequently enough for Celia to notice: she just assumes he has lost his train of thought.

They sometimes conspire to purposely fall to the back of the group while on the road so that they can hold hands. Everyone knows full well what they are doing, but Alistair and Celia think they are being incredibly ~sneaky~.

The first time they sleep together they laugh. A lot. Before, during and after.

Alistair snores loudly but only when he’s on his back. Celia is used to the noise of people sleeping around her at the Circle so it doesn’t bother her and she doesn’t want to disturb him because she knows he needs the rest.

When they are known to be sharing a tent however, their companions will slap on the walls of it and demand she kick him until he stops snoring. Celia will relent and gently prod and nudge Alistair until he rolls over with a bit of sleepy grumbling.

I think everyone has this headcanon to the point it is basically actual canon HOWEVER I am legally obligated to include it: Alistair is a professional body heat distributor and Celia drastically cuts down on the number of blankets she uses once they are sleeping together. If she stands in front of him on cold days, he understands the non-verbal signal and will automatically wrap her in his cloak.

Also might as well be canon: Alistair likes to be the little spoon. He doesn’t say, but Celia knows.

Decidedly not a fluff one (you can skip to Amaranthine to avoid) but the ritual with Morrigan fairly significantly messes Alistair up (both the act itself and his consideration of the repercussions i.e. Kieran). He’s jubilant and relieved at their victory over the Archdemon, but in the background struggles to process and there is some fallout once the victory celebrations lull and he has time to fully register what happened. Alistair grapples with a lot of guilt, disgust and confusion. He doesn’t know how to express it or where to direct his emotions so it mainly manifests as self-loathing. He wants to talk to Celia about it but can’t articulate his feelings which makes him feel worse.

Celia tries to comfort him, but he needs space on and off for a long while after and she gives him it. She feels a lot of guilt too, and never stops wondering how much it was actually his choice to do the ritual, worrying that she made him feel like he had to do it. Eventually they discuss it openly and honestly, which eases both of their minds somewhat, but it takes a long time to get to a point where they can talk on the subject. Meeting Kieran at Skyhold also helps Alistair down the line, though it’s obviously painful.

Amaranthine & Inquisition

Alistair keeps an eye out for people struggling, especially new recruits who are having trouble fitting in. He takes them under his wing and is very good at building people up and making sure everyone is included. He’ll just start enthusiastically greeting people like they are his best friend and squeezing himself onto the bench next to them at meals until everyone else follows suit.

For recruits that don’t respond well to his ‘mother hen’ type attention, Celia is good at assigning tasks that specifically highlight their strengths and builds their confidence/sense of purpose which also gains them the respect of their peers.

Alistair has been known to stand behind Celia while she is giving mundane orders/making speeches and pull faces or impersonate her, turning stony and impassive when she spins around accusingly because people are laughing.

But if anyone else talks smack about her he gets very, “Sorry mate, just to clarify was that comment directed at my wife, your Commander, the hERO OF FERELDAN, VANQUISHER OF AN ARCHDEMON!? That’s lucky, I didn’t THINK IT LIKELY. Because that wouldn’t be WISE, would it now?” etc. with some loud, fake laughter and firm backslapping for the worst offenders.

The plan for them to part ways so that Celia can search for a cure goes very badly, especially because Celia (under a lot of stress and not coping™) eventually devolves into, “I’m in charge and I say so,” which is a big betrayal of their agreements both to stay together, and make decisions together on equal footing. She realises this and takes it back but Alistair is demoralised and gives in with a bit of petty, sarcastic reverence e.g. saluting and, “Whatever you say boss, don’t know why I dared to utter an opinion how foolish of me...” so they still part on slightly strained terms, even after later mutually apologising and trying to make the most of their time together before they go.

Both regret the argument during their separation and write horribly soppy letters to each other, but something still feels uncomfortably unresolved until they are together again. They pine. So much. It’s disgusting and cliched. There is considerable sighing and staring at the moon or deep into tankards, very much to the ire of those around them. Alistair can be particularly annoying: “This roll reminds me of my wife...she eats bread sometimes...”

After Celia sends the letter to the Inquisitor, she writes to Leliana directly along the lines of, “I know it was incredibly subtle but I wanted to check: did they get the message? That I will destroy them if Alistair gets hurt?” and Leliana replies in the vein of, “Hon, it wasn’t even remotely subtle ffs…”

When reunited, though ecstatic and nearly delirious with joy and relief, it takes a while to rebuild the trust they once had, especially for Alistair. There’s an unfamiliar awkwardness that flares up unexpectedly, but it doesn’t last and they’re both fully committed to each other and to staying together permanently this time.

Celia and Alistair have a conversation recapping everything that happened while they were apart in which Celia is all, “Poor Hawke. Honestly I’m shocked you didn’t do something obscenely idiotic like try and sacrifice yourself thank the Maker for that…” and Alistair is there, nervously sweating, looking for an exit, loosening his collar etc.

As they settle back into their old routines Alistair will occasionally blurt out things like, “I really like having breakfast with you,” and then berate himself internally for how trite that sounds but Celia replies on cue, “I love waking up next to you and the way you groan when you stretch your back out and the way you check your hair twice before you leave the room and the way you complain if I don’t eat my crusts and the way you still hold my hand when we’re walking...” and basically they’re just blissfully happy being comfortably domestic and even as they get older they are forever just teenagers in love.

The Wardens at Amaranthine acquire/receive a griffon egg and the hatchling imprints on Alistair and decides he is their mother. It can’t cope with separation, crying constantly if Alistair goes out of sight, and won’t let anyone else feed or handle it so Alistair carries them in a sling 24/7. He gets to give orders and run training sessions with the tiny griffon occasionally poking its head out just to glare at everyone.

Whenever the baby griffon squeaks, Alistair automatically replies, “Well said,” or “Excellent point, Ser Beaksly” with a totally straight face.

For the first few months, Celia gets nipped or scratched if she approaches Alistair unless he wraps the griffon up. It so badly wants to fight her. Celia is permitted to sleep in her own bed, as long as the griffon sleeps curled on Alistair’s chest and Celia doesn't try anything outrageous like touching her husband even fleetingly. It gets a little frustrating as the months drag on, but the image of Alistair with the sling over his armour, or with the griffon snuggling possessively around his neck staring daggers at everyone, is so entertaining that Celia can’t get truly annoyed about it. As the griffon gets older it does learn to tolerate other people and becomes more independent but remains very protective of Alistair and favours him above all others. Insert the ‘Ah yes. Me. My husband. And his thousand pound murder-bird-cat child’ meme here.

Modern AU Bonus Round

They share headphones while commuting.

They occasionally end up wearing sort of matching outfits, mostly unintentionally.

They consistently refer to their dog, Trevor, as their son to the point that people who aren’t familiar with them assume that they actually have a child.

#dragon age #dragon age origins #alistair theirin #warden alistair #warden x alistair #amell x alistair #warden amell #headcanons #my art #my writing #file under no one cares but me #but my goodness do I ever care #I can't wait to delete a bunch of these from my phone where they have been lurking forever #this draft is weeks old why am I so scared of posting on tumblr???#the problem is the longer I leave it #the more I add #I'm out of control #this is too many headcanons #I must be stopped

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kayura-sanada · 2 years

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It's funny how despite both Wynne and Bethany being in the Circle, they didn't let it harden them to the point that they ignored the suffering of other mages, plus they're both very open as people and you can get to know them well. I just don't get that from Vivienne,sadly

I have no idea if you were expected a long, rambling meta response quite like this, but I'm gonna give it, anyway, because that's what I do. Sigh.

Wynne, at the heart of her, is a character who has accepted, even embraced, the Chantry's teachings. Even when they hurt her - even when she is personally wronged, her baby son ripped from her arms just after she gave birth to him - she still defends the Chantry wholeheartedly. Because of this, she unswervingly follows the Chantry's desires without question.

Bethany seems to become resigned to her situation, and while she may not wholly agree with the idea of being locked away, she doesn't seem against the idea that she perhaps should be, or that the Chantry is wrong. Bethany speaks of how she's been accepted by the other mages, and perhaps in this we're given a clue about something Bethany had always wished for - a community of her peers. Because of this, she seems content, or at least accepting of her situation within the Chantry.

Wynne hasn't needed to hide any part of herself, because she truly believes in the Chant, and the Chantry, and the place she's been fitted into. Bethany had a loving family that practically coddled her, and then she found a group of people who were like her - something she'd longed for. But Vivienne never longed for that. Perhaps she always wanted power. Perhaps she grew into that fantasy after her time in the Circle.

But Vivienne - despite how she acts, she definitely doesn't agree with the Chantry at all.

Bear with me here! All of Vivienne's arguments for the Chantry are steeped in her desire to lead the mages. To take power for herself, and to ensure she maintains it. They are not about how great the Chantry is. She may repeat the garbage the Chantry spouts, but she never talks about how great they are. The kindest thing she says about the Circles is that the offenses listed were exaggerated. Not, interestingly, that offenses did not occur. In other words, she knows damn well how horrible the Circles are. She just uses these arguments to try to get the power and control she wants, whether the price is other mages' happiness or not.

Because, you know, Wynne did ignore the suffering of other mages, just like Vivienne. She and Anders came from the same Circle, but Wynne brushed off the injustices done to herself, to him, and to others. Not out of any sense of cruelty or apathy, but because she had adjusted to her imprisonment by accepting it. We like her because she's nice to us, but that doesn't mean she's kind to those mages who want freedom any more than Vivienne. As much as I like Wynne, my thoughts on her are complex because I truly see her as someone with severe Stockholm Syndrome, and a part of me just wishes I could shake her and make her understand that she's backing an obviously unequal and cruel regime.

And Bethany was only in the Circle for a short time, and even though it was bad in there, she'd found other mages like herself, and she was happy to finally be a part of a group. In focusing on that instead of everything wrong with Kirkwall's Circle, she allowed herself to be imprisoned simply to belong (and because she believed she could be dangerous, after all, meaning she also began to accept the role the Chantry had assigned for her). Bethany chooses to hide in the Circle, not wanting to have to run or fight anymore. Compared to Anders, it's cowardice, yet her kindness to us stays our frustration.

But what of those who don't accept the Chantry's teachings? We've seen the consequences over and over again - relentlessly hunted, captured, kept in solitude, and eventually killed. Vivienne could have become just as bitter, but with the desire to rise above and not be pushed into a cell or killed. Sure, she could fight against the Chantry and demand reform, but has that ever worked before? Look at what's become of Anders - homeless, hated and despised throughout the land, even by mages, despite the fact that any freedoms mages can discuss are a direct consequence of Anders' actions, whether you can even slightly agree with them or not.

And Vivienne - she has scraped her way into power through blood, sweat, and tears. She's pretended to not be afraid when facing the templars at least since her Harrowing, when she smiled in order to show she was herself. She has sold her body to a stranger in order to amass a title and a position within the royal court despite her being a mage.

These constant battles, and the likely endless ones she's faced due to being a part of a nobility that prides itself on subterfuge, manipulation, and trickery, has left her bitter. Bitter and tight-fisted with every scrap of both herself and her power.

Whatever the case, Vivienne learned to close herself off and look after number one. Vivienne became hardened by the world. Honestly, I would have been very interested in a character like that... you know, if she hadn't decided to wrench that power from everyone, even the weak. It's not like I need a character to be nice to me, after all.

If Vivienne's character arc was about her choosing herself above everything, I wouldn't have minded that much. It's not a likable trait, but it's an understandable one. The problem is that she steps on everyone - not just nobles, not just the Chantry, not even just the mages. She insults and degrades everyone equally, no matter what. What could have been a prickly, defensive exterior became a venomous, pompous one. She insults Sera for being uneducated, Solas for being... literally anything, really, and derides every idea not in like with her own; she mocks anyone who tries to do right and even goes so far as to insult a group of people being hunted to death (Crestwood's residents) for being dirty! It's so constant it doesn't feel fake. She seems less like she's become what's necessary to survive and more like a demon twisted from its purpose.

In all this rambling, I guess my conclusion is that Vivienne having a closed-off, apathetic personality would have been excellent if it was couched more in the terms of a survivor and less in the terms of a manipulator. In fact, if this was all we saw of her, I might have liked her, because I would have filled in these gaps. Unfortunately, we get more - cruelty instead of apathy, manipulations instead of even a single instance of kindness or vulnerability - and we as a character always remain a pawn in her game of power, whether she likes us or not. She is so immeasurably cruel to everyone, and so endlessly self-serving and self-aggrandizing, that thinking she's faking it until she makes it just doesn't fit anymore. So we are left with nothing compelling or likable or empathetic or even properly pitiable. Hence why, in the end, I just really hate Vivienne and can't come to hate Wynne or Bethany despite their flaws.

#nonny #response #dragon age #vivienne de fer critical #anti vivienne de fer #wynne #bethany hawke #meta #long post #fuck the chantry #this is kinda meandering but I don't have any more time to try to edit this #or try to hone my response #so i'll just end this with 'vivienne and wynne are two sides of the same coin' and stop there #the only real reason vivienne doesn't work is because we never see her as anything than what she shows us #and in the end her actions speak louder than words #and her actions are self-serving and crew over countless others. sometimes to death in terms of the college #so she stops being understandable and starts being abhorrent #/shrugs/

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crackinglamb · 3 years

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You Have Chosen Nydha To Be Your Companion!

Hopping off @little-lightning-lavellan's idea to take a DA:I OC and turn them into a companion, may I present Banal'ras Nydha (from Hope Is a Fragile Thing) and her wiki page.

General

Banal'ras Nydha looks human, although there is something that doesn't seem quite right about her. She has dark hair and skin and startlingly green eyes, and speaks with a low, raspy voice. It is often difficult to find her in a room. Nydha first appears, and is available to recruit, in the Temple of Sacred Ashes before attempting to close the Breach. She offers knowledge and combat tactics against demons. If dismissed, or never spoken to, she will then be spotted in Haven behind Solas's cabin. She will not be available to recruit at that time, although once the Inquisition is relocated to Skyhold, she will make an offer to travel with the Inquisitor. If dismissed again, she will become a non-interactive NPC in the Rotunda, usually found near the mural or atop the scaffolding. If she is never recruited, she will disappear from Skyhold after the final battle with Corypheus.

Nydha is not romanceable by any Inquisitor, but can engage in a relationship with Solas if a female Dalish Inquisitor has not done so. She is friendly and bonds well with most of the other party members, especially Cole, Dorian and, of course, Solas. She prefers diplomacy and tends towards mediation rather than confrontation. If a Dalish Inquisitor has romanced Solas, and has high approval, Nydha will offer comfort and sympathy upon termination of the relationship. If low approval, Nydha has nothing to say.

She has strong opinions on the plight of elves, slaves and mages. She is supportive of any measures that would improve the lives of them. Her early banter with Dorian revolves around debating Tevinter's practices and trying to get him to see a better way. She will also speak with Iron Bull about the shortcomings of the Qun, although never with the same level of disdain as Solas. While she never openly mocks the Chantry or Andrastianism, she isn't a strong supporter or believer and has no opinion on who becomes Divine.

Location

In Haven, Nydha can be found behind Solas's cabin, usually in the darkest corner. Once the Inquisition relocates to Skyhold, she can be found in either the Arcane Library or the Rotunda.

Approval

Nydha's approval level is based upon empathy. An Inquisitor who is helpful, respectful and curious will gain approval. Nydha has no opinion on quests such as Wicked Eyes, Wicked Hearts or the outcome of Here Lies the Abyss, but approves diplomatic resolutions to judgments. She will greatly approve allying with the Free Mages, and only slightly approve conscripting the Templars. Conscription of the Free Mages or allying with the Templars will result in full disapproval. She will greatly approve Iron Bull becoming Tal-Vashoth and keeping Cole as a spirit. Actions that are ruthless or cruel will lose approval.

A high approval Inquisitor will learn that Nydha was born in another world and 'crossed over' through the Veil when the Breach opened. She will tell the Inquisitor that her name was given to her as a gift from someone she met in the Fade. She does not, however, say that it is Solas (see below for unique Trespasser dialogue). She will say that her name means 'Shadow of Night', according to her translation. A Dalish Inquisitor can have special dialogue to recognize the name as being Elvish and can question how a human came to have it. Nydha will answer that it is because the native language of the Fade is Elvish, a remnant from when elves held all of Thedas before human arrival.

A low approval Inquisitor will not learn this part of her history and she will remain an enigma. If approval falls to zero, she will refuse to speak to the Inquisitor, although she does not leave and is still available as a companion.

Quests

Survivor In the Shadows – the quest for meeting Nydha initially at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. It begins upon speaking with her, and ends with either recruitment or dismissal.

From the Ashes – only available after either In Hushed Whispers or Champions of the Just, but before completion of In Your Heart Shall Burn, Nydha will ask the Herald to accompany her back to the Temple of Sacred Ashes to search for her few belongings. The Herald will find a journal, a bundle of unusual clothes and a single unmarked vial. Nydha will approve completing this quest.

A Better Form – Nydha will ask for help in stabilizing her corporeal body if Dagna is brought into the Inquisition. Resolution of this quest will involve having Dagna create a unique amulet that will act as a permanent grounding source, rather like a lightning rod. Components for this amulet are: 1 blank rune stone, 1 wisp essence, and either 5 dawnstone or 5 volcanic aurum (both imbue constitution bonuses). It will act as an Amulet of Power, granting Nydha an extra skill point. This is the only time such an ability will be available to her. This will also allow her to wear other amulets throughout the remainder of the game. She, and Solas, will greatly approve completing this quest.

Twice-Born – available during the Jaws of Hakkon DLC. Nydha, if in the party, will ask to speak with the Augur of Stone-Bear Hold once relations with the hold have been established. If she is not among the Inquisitor's party, she will be found in the main scout camp near Professor Kenric. What the two speak about will be unknown, but at the end of the quest, Nydha will inform the Inquisitor that she has been given the legend-mark Twice-Born from the hold's 'gods'. Cole will greatly approve completing this quest, regardless of whether or not he is in the party.

Note: This quest is not dependent upon approval, but is the only time she will speak with a zeroed out Inquisitor, should that level of low approval be reached.

Ability Tree/Specialization

Nydha is technically a rogue, and can utilize either a bow or double daggers. She has an autolevel preference for the Subterfuge tree, and has an additional, unique starting skill in Fade Cloak. This does not require further leveling to be active. It is the only skill that cannot be deactivated from her skillset.

She can specialize in either Tempest or Rift Mage, due to her nature as a being from the Fade. She is not otherwise a mage. Her decision on specialization can be influenced, as she will ask the Inquisitor's opinion. If no opinion is given, she will default to taking Tempest.

Combat comments

“Come get some!”

“Catch me if you can!”

(If specialized in Tempest) “Burn, baby, burn.”

(If specialized in Rift Mage) “Ooh, the stuff of nightmares.”

Kills an enemy

“Another one bites the dust.”

“Cool story, bro.”

“Then perish.”

Low Health

“This was not on my agenda today.”

“A little help?”

Low Health (Companions)

For all general companions: “I have your back.”

If in a romance with Solas: “Take a breather, fenorain.”

Fallen Companions

For all general companions: “I'll make them pay!”

If in a romance with Solas: “NO!”

Location Comments

Ferelden:

Hinterlands: “Why is it so big? Why is everything so big?”

Fallow Mire: “I have mud in unmentionable places. Can we go now?”

Storm Coast: “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky.”

If companions question her: “It's just from a poem I once read.”

Orlais:

Exalted Plains: “So much death. Can't you feel it?”

Emerald Graves: “This forest is old. Very old.” [laughs] “I always wanted to say that in proper context.”

Emprise du Lion: “Stay away from the bloody lyrium. And wear a hat.”

At Suledin Keep after Imshael, if Solas is in the party: “Ir abelas, lethallin.” (If romanced) Ir abelas, fenorain.”

Solas's reply (only translated if the Inquisitor is Dalish): “Ma serannas. Ea lam'an.” (It is in the past)

At the Pools of the Sun, regarding the trio of dragons: “Can't we just leave them alone? They really won't hurt anyone if we keep our distance.”

Hissing Waste: “You know, if you ignore the endless vista of sand, it's really quite beautiful. In a bleak kind of way.”

Western Approach: “Hot. Hot and blighted. I need a drink.”

Forbidden Oasis, upon reaching the second camp: “That's it, I'm never leaving.”

Arbor Wilds: “Mind your footing. This place is full of secrets.”

In Val Royeaux: “Pretty place.”

Frostback Basin: “I could stay here forever. Even with the varmints.”

The Descent: “Nice and dark, just the way I like it.”

At the Wellspring: “Wow...that's amazing.”

Trespasser: “Now it all ends, my friend.”

If the Inquisitor questions the statement: “You'll see soon enough.”

Companion/Advisor comments

Varric – Gotta watch out for Spooky, there's something about her I can't put my finger on.

Cassandra – She is an able fighter, but I would not trust her out of my sight, which is far too often.

Solas – She is secretive by nature, but I would assure you that she means no harm.

Iron Bull – She's a tricky one. Good fighter, lotta secrets. Good at keeping them too. I don't think I've cracked a single one that she didn't tell me herself.

Dorian – She's fascinating. I am not at liberty to say why, of course, if you don't already know.

Cole – Bright as the sun and scattered as the stars. She wants to help, just like I do.

Vivienne – She seems capable enough, my dear. But I would not dare to trust her. She is an accomplished player of the Game, for all her smiles and good cheer.

Sera – She's as bad as Creepy, although she's better at jokes. She's better at hiding than I am!

Blackwall – She knows something. She knows too many somethings.

Josephine – She keeps to herself and has caused no diplomatic incidents. I wish I could say the same for some of the others gathered here.

Leliana – I find it curious that I cannot find any solid evidence of her existence before the Conclave, but that does not automatically mark her a spy. However, her nature makes me no more inclined to trust her. I would be wary of her.

Cullen – Who? Oh, the...shadowy...person. I hear she can handle herself. I can't say I've spoken with her, so I don't have an opinion.

Trespasser

There is a unique dialogue tree available to the Inquisitor while speaking with Solas if Nydha was recruited as a companion.

“Did you know about Nydha?”

“Yes, I am the one who gave her her name. I found her while I yet slept, and she became corporeal after the Breach.”

(First branch) “Is she one of your agents?”

“No. She has only ever been my friend.”

(Special, if not romanced) “Your friend? It seemed to be more than that.”

“In another world, perhaps.”

(Second branch) “Is she joining you?”

“No, I would not wish her on this path.”

(Third branch) “She knew this whole time. Why didn't she tell me?”

“She had her reasons for not telling you. (If high approval) I hope you will not hold them against her.”

Regardless of approval, Nydha disappears after the Exalted Council. She settles in the Frostback Basin among the Avvar. A high approval Inquisitor will receive correspondence from her from time to time, but she will refuse to come back to the 'civilized' nations of Thedas, preferring privacy and isolation.

Trivia

If in the party during Here Lies the Abyss, the Nightmare demon will speak to her in Elvish. Her reply is a scoff and nothing else.

Nydha can be a third option at the Vir'Abelasan if she is in the party. If she is chosen to drink from the Well, Abelas does not object, although he will still point out that she will be bound as they are. If Nydha drinks, she will summon Flemeth and work with the Inquisitor to tame the dragon for the final confrontation with Corypheus. If she is in the party during Trespasser, she will be able to provide the password to the spirit guards, preventing a fight.

If Morrigan is allowed to attack Abelas, she will attempt to defend him and will argue that the witch is not worthy of the knowledge she seeks if brutality is her only way to get it. If there is a peaceful alliance with the Sentinels and Morrigan is chosen to drink, Nydha will slightly disapprove but hold her tongue on the matter.

If the Inquisitor drank from the Well, and succeeds in finding enough clues to determine that Solas is Fen'Harel, Nydha will appear saddened when the Inquisitor rebuts to the Viddasala that they already know. She will state that this was what she'd been waiting for. The Inquisitor will have the option to accuse her of knowing the whole time. She will answer yes, but she won't explain.

If Nydha is never recruited, and remains an NPC in the Rotunda, one will hear her occasionally speak with Solas. These conversations range in topic from books they are reading to the mural. Never about Inquisition business. There is a slight chance to hear them speaking in Elvish, and their words are not translated, regardless of Inquisitor's race. Solas's replies appear to be noncommittal.

Nydha will remark upon the Inquisitor's romantic choices, usually with something supportive and a hope that they are happy together. She will also comment something generally pleasant about each companion if asked. The exception to this is if Iron Bull remains Ben-Hassrath. Nydha will caution the Inquisitor to be careful of telling him too much since his loyalty is now unknown.

It can be implied from various interactions and from high approval conversation that Nydha was in fact aware of everything that would happen during the course of the game. She never gives a reason for keeping her silence on matters pertaining to what foreknowledge she had, although any input given during the game events is sound and often given in such a way so as not to risk suspicion.

It can also be implied that regardless of what Solas says during Trespasser, Nydha has actually left the Inquisition to join his ranks, or at least does not stand opposed to him. This is not confirmed, however, and according to her epilogue card, she is enjoying a quiet life in the Frostback Basin with no intention of ever interfering with Thedosian politics or events again.

#dragon age inquisition #oc as a companion wiki #original female character #banal'ras nydha #hope is a fragile thing #this is super long #I might have gotten carried away

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dreadfutures · 3 years

Note

A: 1,6,8. B: 8, 16. C:1,8 for the long OC ask, please and thank you.

Thanks for the ask, Noire! Putting this behemoth under the cut lol

1. What of the Meyers-Briggs personality types they most fit into? INFP, ENFT, et cetera…

ENFJ-t (the Protagonist! lol but turbulent)

6. Does your OC tend to assume their interpretation of events and reality is correct, or do they question it? I.e., “I’m sure that’s what you said” versus “It’s possible I misheard you.”

She questions everything. The slightest bit of questioning will make her completely doubt her reality, even. She has gotten very good at just plowing on until someone confronts her, or she has definitive proof that she needs to reassess herself.

8. Is your OC a martyr?

You bet she is. She will work herself to the bone, give up limb and life, swallow her unhappiness She needs to learn to fight like that for herself, even just a fraction.

8. Is your OC considered funny? Do they believe they’re funny?

She's really not, and she's under no illusions about it.

16. Does your OC like to be the center of attention or more in the mix?

She wants to be in the mix. She wants to be surrounded by people, period, and she wants attention, but she doesn't want to demand it for herself. After so long as Herald/Inquisitor, it's hard not to feel like getting something because you asked for it is some obligation, some sort of favor she gets because she's The Inquisitor. She much prefers to have company that's not centered around her. It's something she can be certain of.

1. Does your OC have a moral code? If not, how do they base their actions? If so, where does it come from, and how seriously do they take it?

She has a very hard, black and white moral code, but at the same time....it allows for a lot of gray. No one is beyond redemption. People who consciously choose to continue to harm others are evil. People who use others' lives as bargaining chips are evil. People who do not act when they could prevent evil, are complicit. Everyone must aspire to Be Better--not necessarily kinder, not necessarily good, but actively not bad.

Ixchel never executes people. She never condemns anyone to be Tranquil. Killing people on the field of battle is somewhat different but even then, she so often offers opportunities to surrender peacefully. She is at once merciful, and stringent, and impossibly expectant.

She got this from being raised on her own in the wilderness. Agency, freedom, and safety are paramount to her, and her philosophy can basically be viewed as being entirely centered around protecting her own, and others', rights to those things.

(You know what the Chantry doesn't do?)

8. Is your OC more practical or ideal morally? I.e., do they hold people to high expectations of behavior even if it’s not realistic for the situation, or do they have a more realistic approach and adapt their morality to be more practical?

She is often called out for being unrealistic and too idealistic. Impractical.

She tells them to just try her.

(Remember, she's a martyr.)

"Whatever the 'bad' outcome is to being kind, I will accept it, because the outcome of being cruel is worse."

Everything--everything--that can be construed as "it's not realistic in the situation", Ixchel will take you by the shoulders and shake you and say, "But what if you did it."

#ask #ixchel lavellan #let's talk about celene #let's talk about alistair #let's TALK about how it's better to eat political crow than it is to BURN A FUCKING ALIENAGE TO THE GROUND CELENE

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feathered-serpents · 3 years

Text

The Official Post About the TMA Dragon Age AU

I talked about this before but have now finally made a long ass post with everyone’s roles + past roles but cleaned up. I love TMA and Dragon Age just That Much (Only the first couple descriptions are Super Long and the rest are under the cut)

(If there’s typos in this I’m sorry this has been in my wips for so long I’m so TIRED OF LOOKING AT IT)

The Tower

All Circles of Magi are governed differently depending on the templars that run them, this circle is known for having some...odd practices. The mages within are largely tasked with the study of the more “forbidden” practices. Especially the Fade and demons. They’ve become known for their expertise in this area, and reports of demonic possessions or any other “dark and forbidden” occurrence is brought to them.

This is done with the Chantry’s consent, with the belief that the understanding of such things is the best method to learning to combat them, but it has given this Circle a bit of a reputation among the rest. It is allowed by the Chantry under the assurance all research is done under Knight Commander Elias’ strict supervision, and all findings are given directly to him.

The tower itself is particularly tall, and has a glassy structure at the top that can be used as a viewpoint. Those passing by it and the few that live near find its gaze unnerving, gaining it the name “The Eye.”

Jon

Jon is an elven man, not unskilled in magic, but not nearly the skill level one would expect of the newly appointed First Enchanter of the circle. There were several mages more senior than him who could’ve easily taken the position after the previous Enchanter’s death, and no one is more aware of this than Jon himself. The obvious doubt coming from his fellow mages has not at all helped to ease the pressure of this sudden change in rank. Nor has the arrival of an apostate, allowed to enter the circle under the approval of Elias, and without any consent from Jon.

Regardless, Jon takes his role as First Enchanter incredibly seriously, trying his hardest to fill a role much to big for him. He has to, he owes Elias so much.

Jon has been in the Circle since he was eight years old, far younger than most find themselves gifted with magic. Jon might have still been able to live outside a Circle for a few more years had it not been for the “incident in his village.” Never has anyone in the Circle heard him speak of it, Jon himself giving no indication that anything of the severity of what happened occurred, but Elias knows.

Any other Circle would have executed him instantly for what he did. Child or not, the whole village saw how he summoned a demon to kill a boy in his village. Sometimes evil is simply bred from birth. But Elias took him in, and has not whispered a word of it.

Martin

A half-elven man, though Martin is an example of the rare scenario in which a half-elf looks more elven than human. His father the elf, and his mother the human, his father walked out on their family when his mother began to show signs of some sort of illness. Martin was too young to remember him, but his abandonment left his mother with a deep bitterness towards Martin and all elves, something he had to quietly live with.

Martin has, unlike most mages, lived the majority of his life outside a Circle. He began to show signs of magic when he was fifteen, and disappeared from normal life because of it. Doing his best to go unnoticed so he could continue to live outside of a Circle and care for his mother. Martin never used his magic openly, even going as far as to conceal it from his mother, but he did use it to assist him in making potions to ease her pain as her illness worsened. To this day, he does not know his true magic talents, if he has any beyond potion brewing at all.

He was only recently turned over to the Circle after ten years of life as an apostate. He doesn’t know how he was discovered, and has had trouble adjusting to life inside a Circle. Where he’s under constant supervision and his First Enchanter determined to hate him for his “dangerous lack of skill.”

Tim

Tim doesn’t seem to take the study of magic nor the practices of the Circle seriously. He constantly toes the line of what’s “allowed” in a circle tower, making him the bane of the Templars and a controversial figure among the mages. Some say his antics are fun, while others say it brings on unneeded- and unwanted- Templar attention.

The reality of it is that Tim is actually a very skilled mage, always surprising people with what he knows, and he hates the Circle to his core. He and his brother both were mages, taken from their home young, and when the time came for their Harrowing, the proving that they are able to master their magic, and will not be a danger, Tim passed, and his brother did not.

Sasha

A talented mage, and many believe, if the Knight Commander was going to chose such a young mage to be the new first enchanter, it should have been her. If Sasha herself is disappointed, she doesn’t show it, what is she going to do about it? No, Sasha would rather focus on keeping herself busy, she’s in a tower after all, it can feel very small very quickly if you don’t have something to do.

She is one of the tower’s most prized researchers, and she is particularly fearless in their studies in demonology, and while he hasn’t made her First Enchanter, Elias has indeed taken quite an interest in her.

Daisy and Basira

Two of the most notorious Templars in the tower. “Daisy” as she is called by her partner, is the Knight Captain, one step below Commander. Elias keeps a frighteningly tight hold on all the Templars below him, but he especially seems to have quite the hold over her. She is feared by the mages, as she is known for dealing the harshest punishments. Her gaze is inescapable, the mages say she stalks the halls of the Tower like some hungry animal, waiting for your single misstep, her excuse to strike.

Basira is often seen with her, and while she isn’t held on as tight a leash nor is she as cruel, she never speaks up against her partner’s actions. Making her no more favorable in the mages’ eyes.

Georgie

A Chantry scholar, with an interest in the study of the occult, anything forbidden caught her eye, this made her a bit of an outcast amongst her fellow sisters. But what did she care? Georgie’s research eventually lead to her briefly gaining the ability to study in the Eye, she being one of the very, very few to willingly seek out and ask for entrance into the tower. She was allowed, but just barely. She was permitted to study in the library under only the strict supervision of the templars as well as assistance from a tower mage. This assistant, came in the form of an Enchanter by the name of Jon.

He did indeed help her with her studies and in the process the two formed a romantic relationship that they were able to carry on in secret for quite some time. They were both smart enough to be very, very careful, and carried the relationship almost exclusively through notes and whispers, it was thrilling for a time, but where could it go? The relationship ended, as one could argue it was always doomed to, and the two have not seen each other since.

Georgie did go on to publish some of her studies in books. Several of her works were banned by the Chantry, but they have earned her a bit of notoriety, and just might have found their way into the tower’s library.

Melanie

An apostate, like most apostates, one that never stays in one place for long. The Chantry IS aware of her, as she tends to leave, at least in their words “a path of destruction” in her wake.

The reality of it isn’t as dire, but she is more than willing to use her magic to defend herself, and that magic might become a bit untamed if she’s angry, and she might be angry often. What? Wouldn’t you be? She’s never known another way to be, never known another way to stay safe. She doesn’t like it. She knows this is all because one woman said one line hundreds of years ago, and people have decided to damn her for it. She didn’t have to live like this. Wouldn’t you be angry?

Elias

Knight Commander of the Eye. All things considered, he is a rather...lenient Commander, selectively at least. He is known for being especially merciful towards apostates, while many Knight Commanders execute adult mages that have thus far lived outside of a circle for their “danger to the tower mages” Commander Elias will take them in, and offer them a place in his tower. It doesn’t exactly matter what goes on IN the tower after that, at least those mages are allowed to live somewhere.

Of course, mages in the tower tend to go missing often, but who outside is going to notice?

He claims that the research he has the mages doing on the Fade and demons is known and approved by the Chantry, but the reality is if the Chantry knew exactly what went on inside this tower, and what was being allowed, his Circle would be annulled in an instant, and Elias is well, well, aware of it. But what’s the worry? So long as he is Knight Commander, the Chantry will never find out, he’s quite proud of his ability to forge reports.

The realities of Elias’ existence are far, far worse than anyone can imagine. Elias is one of the original Tevinter mages that sought to enter the Fade, extending his life through grizzly, hellish blood magic. Thousands of years ago, he and his fellow mages entered the fade to take their place on the throne of the Golden City, but we all know the story, there was no throne, and the city was black.

But what destroyed Elias’ fellow magisters sparked something in him. Oh, there was a city, empty and godless, with a bare throne for the taking. Whoever sits in it, becomes the god of this world and whatever world comes after. This is what the Eye is truly researching, a way back in, a way for Elias to wear the crown of the gods.

#TMA #Dragon Age #The Magnus Archives #I spent way too much time on this for something that only 5 people are going to care about #but that's fine

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emerald-amidst-gold · 3 years

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10, 16, and 24 for the DA OC ask? :)

*waves excitedly* Hello, hello! :D Welcome to my curiosity shop, but instead of selling curiosities; I supply them! >:D

Thank you so much! Let's ramble! >:3

10. Do your protagonists share the same opinions on the Chantry?

For the most part, yes. Fane is simply the more volatile of the three. He just...does not do good with religion or faith or divinity in any capacity. His kin suffered under the hands of beings who believed themselves gods, and he doesn't want see the same thing happen again. He's also very, very sensitive about Tranquility, the whole Chantry's habit of turning their gazes away while still spouting that, 'We're here. We'll protect you. The Maker will see us through this.', and the self-righteousness, the corruption, the double standard. He also doesn't like the whole act of racial profiling, how the Chantry makes one faction greater or lesser than the other and practically signals them out every time something goes wrong on their end. Fane may refer to most by their race (elf, qunari, dwarf, human, creatures), but that's only because he's laying the base; he's seeing the natural aspect. He never means it as an insult or a slur. Sadly, his tone can come across that way, but it's something he does work on. People are people. No more, no less.

Fane values freedom of thought, of a world where people can think and depend on themselves rather than run to a priest or cleric for certainty. He wants people to believe in themselves. That's all. He knows what it means to be met with silence, to cry and cry and cry for mercy and receive nothing from those that are said to answer with swiftness and benevolence. He doesn't want that to continue. The world is weeping from that kind of attitude, and Fane will do anything to see those tears dry up.

And well, he's also very bitter on the military side of things, too. Templars that get within even a five mile radius of Mhairi or Solas get a claw to the face, especially if they manage to silence or smite them. Fane sees nothing but ruin with the Chantry in place. Rylen and Elise see its importance, its relevance in some capacity, but even they can agree it needs to either change or just go.

Rylen would probably be more close to Fane's reaction though. The Chantry fucked Rylen royally before and after his mother died, and now they continue to play innocent, like everything was his fault? Yeah, no.

Elise is devout. She believes in the Maker, looks up to Andraste and follows her guiding principle to some length, but Anders' predicament before Awakening and after, and the Circle Tower during the Blight had her shaken, had her eyes opening. In those moments, she didn't see magic as the villain, the cause. All she saw was the Chantry, hands bloody, but a smile on their faces and a brand waiting along the sidelines.

'It's to protect you, and those from you. Magic must serve man, and never rule over him.' Elise used to find comfort in those words, believing it was a well thought out plan to ensure everyone was on the same page. Now, she wonders who truly rules over who. It most certainly isn't magic or mages. And motherly smiles of clerics and vacant eyes of those she once knew for their passion, their fears, their hopes and dreams, don't feel like safety anymore.

16. Would your protagonists have the same Hogwarts house?

I'm not too versed in Harry Potter-esque stuff, but I know the houses! And I think I can safely say that, no, they wouldn't have the same house. XD

Fane would probably be Slytherin or Ravenclaw. He's ALWAYS two! I can never just go with one for him! XD

Elise would be Ravenclaw. Without a doubt. She's curiosity and learning incarnate. More than Fane, honestly. PFFT!

Rylen probably Gyrffindor, if I had to choose one for him!

Me: You're a wizard, Fane! >:3

Fane: ...I'm a dragon.

24. How do each of your protagonists handle loss?

Elise:

This girl becomes a mess. Not joking. She's lost so much in such a short amount of time. Her family, who she can't even remember, Jowan, Alistair, Anders. The list goes on and on. Loss to Elise doesn't just mean in death. It could mean someone parting ways with her, whether through an argument or just cruel, cruel fate and the flow of the world. She has a hard time letting go, and even ten years later she still thinks about Jowan and how she wished she could have helped him more, done right by him. And it takes a while, but Nathaniel helps her learn how to let go, to restart and look forward, not back.

Rylen:

...Heh. Rylen also has lost a lot in a short period of time. His losses were like a domino effect, too. Malcolm, then Carver, then Bethany, then Leandra. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Each lost, each one given a silent burial. Rylen never had time to grieve properly, so he bottles all of it, holds it tight and close. He's actually amazed he's been able to keep the cork on his heart for so long, but he knows eventually it'll burst; all the pain and sorrow finally getting a chance to scream as he wants to. Until then, he smiles, he jokes, and he crumbles in silence. Fenris and Sebastian, especially Sebastian, help coax Rylen into caving eventually, but the man's stubborn and prone to holding up a front.

Fane:

Like Rylen, Fane bottles his emotions. He encourages others to let their emotions out because he understands from a practical standpoint that it's detrimental, but it's harder to make himself let go. When his mother died, Fane went mute for several months; no one could get him to speak. He had receded into himself, only acknowledging others with a sidelong glance and a contempt twitch of his mouth. He wouldn't pick up a book of poetry, he wouldn't look at Mhairi half the time because of her eyes and hair, and he wouldn't go near the halla pen or the tree she would guide him to when a bout of rage took him at a young age.

Fane had reconnected to his nature without knowing after her death. He chose silence and vacant observation to cope. But, all it did was sow the seed of resentment and disassociation. Eventually, Fane began to speak again and look at his sister and run his fingers along a stanza of measured words and reach a hand out to a halla, even knowing it would spook, but his mother's absence lingers like the ghostly eyes of his kin and all he wishes is for her to appear one day, maybe just in the Fade, and tell him, 'It'll be all right, da'len. I love you. I will always love you, no matter what. You are my da'isenatha (little dragon)'. She didn't know, of course, but when Fane hears that term in her voice, he breaks and he weeps until he's numb.

...I made myself cry agiaaaaain! *wails*

#asks #ask #dragon age #oc: fane lavellan #oc: elise amell #oc: rylen hawke #that last question #WOOOO #it had me tearing up! ;3;#fane and his mother make me tear up all the time #i need to write something with them #all my children bottle and then overload :3 #...i think that says something about me personally #HMMMM #thank you again! <3

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lesetoilesfous · 4 years

Text

ON THE RIGHTS OF MAGES - AND THE LIBERATION OF THEDAS

(Here’s my version of Anders’ manifesto. I wrote it for my Fenris/Anders fic, A Song of Love from Long Ago, but I figured it might be fun to share with y’all. I cannot believe I have now written a manifesto for a video game, but here we are. Also, writing manifestos is HARD. Please be kind)

The Maker’s Children

Andraste suffered at the hands of magisters. Thus, she feared the influence of magic. But if the Maker blamed magic for the magisters’ actions in the Black City, why would He still gift us with it? The oppression of mages stems from the fears of men, not the will of the Maker.

Andraste said “Those who bring harm without provocation to the least of His children are hated and accursed by the Maker.” Perhaps mages are the least of the Maker’s children: if they were, would not harm without provocation break the law of the Maker?

What provocation justifies the harm of children in the eyes of the Maker? If a child breaks a pot, is this provocation? Without magic, certainly not. And yet with magic, I have seen children barely walking harmed severely for far lesser crimes. At what point is a mage child provoking harm? By using magic? This is as natural to them as breathing, weeping, laughing.

Can a follower of Andraste truly say they have listened to Her words, and obeyed them, when they would harm a child for existing?

Furthermore, are not we all children in the eyes of the Maker? Magic is more than just a weapon. It heals. It brings joy. Only turn your gaze to such apostates as the Darktown Healer for evidence of this.

If those who bring harm without provocation are accursed and hated by the Maker, what of those who prevent healing? Who would stop mages using their Maker given gifts, who would extort the free citizens of Thedas for the privilege, and keep their healers locked and beaten behind walls built by slaves?

No citizen of the Free Marches should live in fear of abuse. This includes the mages.

The Fereldan Blight

Where do donations to the Chantry end up? Following the Fereldan Blight, thousands of refugees found themselves on the shores of Kirkwall, neither welcomed into the city nor able to return home. This, surely, was a time for the holy sisters and mothers of the Chantry to act - for the Templars to act, to provide aid and safety to all in need.

Are we not all the Maker’s children?

But such action didn’t come. Hundreds died of their injuries below the cliffs of Kirkwall. Hundreds died of starvation and disease. Many who survived those first months and years came to regret it later, forced into work that was dangerous or illegal or both. What freedom is this? Can it be called Justice?

The plight of the Fereldans, like so many in our free lands, could have been eased by magic.

Mages can heal: even the most common hedge witch can prevent infection. They can help boil water and purify it, clearing disease. They can cook food, prevent illness. But where were Kirkwall’s mages, when they were so badly needed?

They were locked in their tower. They are still locked in their tower. Reader: the mages wanted to help. The Circle would not let them.

On Community

There is much that the poor of Thedas and its mages have in common. If you have lived as a citizen of the Free Marches, you have seen its injustices. You have seen the way in which ordinary people are treated by the rich and powerful. How many amongst you have lost a sibling or a child to an Arl’s lustful eye? How many have served in so-called noble houses only to be kicked and beaten like dogs? This is not justice. This is not freedom.

If you have lived with your head bowed, afraid of meeting the eye of the rich and powerful, then you know what is to be a mage.

We are not so different! Together, we are so much stronger than the sum of our parts. Kirkwall was reclaimed by a slave rebellion. We can free Thedas. Freeing the mages returns power to the people of the Free Marches, redistributing it across our lands. No longer are the mighty only those with coin enough to buy a sword. Our power is in our children and our neighbours, our friends and our lovers.

Our oppressors seek to divide us. They seek to make us hate one another, because it is so much easier and less frightening than engaging in a battle we may not win.

Remember these words: We can. We shall. We will.

The Matter of Tevinter

If Mages are to have their freedom, it cannot follow the route of destruction cleared by the Tevinter Imperium. Freedom built on the backs of slaves is no freedom at all.

Many believe that mages in Thedas see Tevinter as a paradise. This is not true. Consider the following, and you will understand why no mage should ever wish to be a magister.

Point the first: the matter of the elvhen. In the Circles of the Free Marches, there are many powerful, respected elvhen Enchanters. First Enchanter Orsino is a great example, a man with a reputation for kindness and just dealings. The human mages of Thedas are not taught to see elvhen people as below them. They are their colleagues and friends. No human mage would wish the perverse brutality of the Tevinter magisters on any one of their friends, on anyone at all. This includes the elvhen.

Point the second: the question of power. Not all mages are powerful. Their power, like the body’s strength, varies from person to person. If one woman can lift a hay bale, another boy might not. It is the same with mages. Some apprentices may only ever be able to summon sparks. Others can rain down fire storms. In Tevinter, weak mages face slavery and humiliation as much as those without magic. As with the body’s strength, ‘weak’ magic is normally tied to factors like diet, lineage, and illness. Our weak, our poor, our sick, would be enslaved. That is no paradise.

Point the third: common suffering. Do you truly think a mage who has fled across the Free Marches - who has risked Blighted townships and beast infested mountains just to seek their liberty, has no concept of how it might feel to be a slave? It’s true that the brutality faced by slaves in Tevinter is exceptional, and not every Circle is as cruel as that of Kirkwall.

But mages do know something of captivity. If you have too, you will understand why they would not wish to inflict it on another.

The Brutality of Templars

One of the most crucial arguments for the liberation of mages is the abuses of the Templars. Founded under allegedly noble principles, the order has become a sanctuary for the cruel and cowardly: people who hide behind the name of Andraste, and use Her name and kindness to excuse everything from needless humiliation to the torture of children.

Both within and without the Circle, the Templars rule with an iron fist, and it is the poor, the elvhen, the mages, who suffer for it. Unsupervised, corruption runs rife, with Templars extorting innocent neighbourhoods for protection money and inspiring fear in the vulnerable populations which they claim to protect. This is to say nothing of the illegal trade in Lyrium.

The working people of Thedas do not see a Templar and relax, knowing themselves to be safe and guarded by a servant of the Maker. They get out of the way. There is something wrong, here.

If you have ever known the edge of a Templar’s blade, consider now the plight of the mages. Most are sent to Circles in childhood, where they are kept away from the sun and open fields, where their magic is monitored and leashed. They are not taught to fight: why would they be?

Never mind that their Harrowing will demand the greatest struggle of their lives. It serves the Templars far more effectively to see their mages defanged and dull. If the result is a few teenage corpses which could have survived their Harrowing, had they only been taught how to lift a sword? So be it. It is a sacrifice the Templars are willing to make in the name of Andraste, regardless of Her will.

Free mages: apostates and hedge witches, must learn to fight if they are to survive, and resist the attentions of thieves and slavers, as so many citizens of the Free Marches are forced to do. But if you are an ordinary person, if you must work to eat, if you have ever known a Blight or been a refugee - then you understand the profound disadvantage at which lack of coin might leave you.

How can a poor hedge witch who has only ever served his community afford anything that will protect him from greatswords and plate armour? How can an apostate, with her stolen staff, hope to protect herself from cavalry and crossbows? We are hunted, like animals. And we are beaten when we are caught.

Magical Knowledge

The improvement of magical knowledge is a thing that is not only of use to mages.

Any person who has been treated by a magical healer should know this: because almost every healer owes what they know to the mages who have come before them. Circles have long been centres of study and learning.

Reader, it is not the Circle itself with which I take issue, necessarily. It is the removal of choice. It is control by the Chantry. It is the abuses of the Templars. It is the limitation of magical knowledge.

Due to an increasing atmosphere of paranoia and outright slander, the Chantry has begun to stifle magical learning with more and more prejudice in recent decades. The progression of magical knowledge in Thedas has ground almost to a halt, whilst our neighbours in Tevinter have moved forward in leaps and bounds. I do not, perhaps, need to explain to you the danger of having a power-hungry slave-trading nation at our borders which knows more of how to weaponise magic than we do.

Beyond the practicalities of war, perhaps the most egregious area in which this suffocation of knowledge has taken effect is that of healing. Issues that were solved in Tevinter half a century ago are barely understood here: treatments for chronic illness and disease, ways to ease pregnancy and childbirth, effective and safer methods of surgery. For what possible reason could the Chantry wish to limit this knowledge, and restrict the movement of those who could use it for good?

I can find only one conclusion. They fear mages more than they claim to care for their people. To use a Fereldan idiom: they would cut off the nose to spite the face. The Chantry has decided your sacrifice, your illness, your injury, is a price they are willing to pay. Have you?

Safety in the Circle

The fundamental principle behind the Chantry’s interference in the Circles of Thedas is, ostensibly, one of safety. They claim that the Templars exist to protect the mages - from external threats, from demonic temptation, and, if necessary, from themselves. The reality of course is that the Chantry oversees the Circles in order to control them.

The Chantry has at its fingertips a concentrated force of every healer and magic user powerful enough to present a threat to them. Thus, they stifle the possibility of rebellion. Thus, they wield more power across the Free Marches than any city-state.

Templars do not protect mages. Some might claim to do so, might even mean to do so. But throughout their training Templars are taught that mages are poisonous and corrupt, fallen from the Maker’s light, spurned by the mercy of Andraste. Combine this with the common side effects of the lyrium onto which they are weaned: obsession, paranoia, waking nightmares and delusion - and perhaps you can imagine how a Templar begins to abuse their charges.

Heavily armed as they are against unarmed mages as young as six, there is little that can be done to protect oneself from a Templar within the Circles. They see crimes and disobedience everywhere - agitated by their lyrium, haunted by their faith. And this is only those who would not otherwise have seen the opportunity to bully and intimidate hundreds of unarmed people and exploited it without hesitation.

Templars of both schools run rife throughout the Circles of Thedas - mad and cruel, they rarely see consequences for their actions. Instead, mages learn to live with these abuses, and do as they are told, even when what is asked for them is violent or humiliating. Even when it is a violation.

I repeat. There are mages in the Circles as young as six. Is this the will of Andraste?

The Freedom to Love

In the Circle, love is only a game. It gives the Templars too much power over the mages in their care if there is something they couldn’t stand to lose.

Can you imagine that? Being afraid to love, from childhood, for the rest of your life, for fear that you and your lover would be torn apart?

Over the centuries, mages have found other ways to share these things: coded languages and secret intimacies that are all we can borrow from the simple freedoms enjoyed by the people of Thedas outside our towers. We cannot marry, we cannot have children. We can only exchange secrets, and take one another’s hands in the hope that no one sees us.

If you are one of those who has loved a mage, you will understand something of the agony of this. If you have been in any way imprisoned, or abused, or enslaved, then you may well understand the things of which I speak. If you have not, I am afraid I cannot explain it. Only look at the people you love, and imagine being as afraid of your own affections as you are commanded by them. It is a terrible thing, to be afraid to love.

Instead, within the Circles, mages are forced to perform a twisted mockery of love. It is not uncommon for Templars to become fixated on one or more of their charges, driven by the madness of lyrium and obsession. The mages are asked to do ‘favours’ for their captors. I will not detail the nature of these things. Suffice it to say that there are children in our Circles, and that these are things that should never be asked under threat of violence, from anyone.

Tranquility

The Rite of Tranquility is intended to protect a mage and those around them from suffering the devastating effects of demonic temptation. It is, legally, meant to be used only on mages who have not passed their Harrowing. A mage who has passed their Harrowing has proven, at risk of their own life, that they are able to resist the many dangers of demons in the Fade.

However - not only have multiple mages who have passed their Harrowing been illegally made Tranquil, many more have been prevented from undergoing their Harrowing in order to force a Rite of Tranquility on mages deemed troublesome or, in too many unsavoury cases, desirable, by their Templar keepers.

Some mages request the Rite of Tranquility. This, to an uninformed reader, might be difficult to understand. I must remind you: we are taught from birth that we are poison. Corrupted. Demonic. Evil. We repeat these lessons daily. We are taught to love Andraste, we are taught that she despises and fears us. The most common cause of death for mages in a Circle is suicide. It is not difficult to find books on parenting in Thedas that suggest drowning a child is a better fate than letting them live with magic.

I am sure that there are some mages who make the choice to become Tranquil with a clear mind and peace in their hearts. But I am also sure that there are many who make the choice out of fear and self-hatred, sickness of the mind and grief of the heart.

Imagine how unhappy you must be to willingly forego the right to dream, to love, to laugh, to live freely and with feeling as you once did, only in order to cut away a part of yourself.

Then imagine that you could not, would not part with those things. Imagine the anger that has kept you alive when you were in danger, the grief you felt for those you lost, the love you have for your companions. Remember the joy you feel when you dance. Imagine these things being taken from you, against your will, because you disagreed with a Templar.

The Rite of Tranquility is unjust.

Every mage in Thedas fears it, and the Tranquil themselves - who are still thinking, living, breathing people - are treated as little more than slaves. At best, they are tolerated. But they receive no care, no reprieve. They make convenient workers because they do not possess the desire to protest. So they work.

If the mages of Thedas are to be free, the Rite of Tranquility must be abolished.

If the people of Thedas are to be free, we must treat the Tranquil with respect and dignity, as we should do to all. They are people. They must be treated as such.

Revolution and Freedom

It has often been said that if those who are oppressed seek freedom, they must pursue their cause with non-violent means. It strikes the writer that it has most often been said by those who wish to perpetuate oppression, or else live among the ranks of those powerful and privileged enough to live freely and safe from harm.

Who, in our society, defines what we count as violence?

Is it violent to imprison someone for the rest of their life because of who they are?

Is it violent to remove children from their parents?

Is it violent to force lovers apart?

Is Tranquility violence?

Peace is, always, an ideal to which we must aspire. Violence is chaotic and unpredictable. It is not moral. It cannot be moral. None of us can ever predict the true consequences of our actions.

However, if one group of people assigns moral superiority to their own violence and calls it Justice, what must we do then?

We are asked, told, taught, to turn the other cheek as we are beaten. Our priests demand that we accept our suffering as divine, even when it is borne from the hands of men.

I do not wish to start a war. It has already begun. I only want it to end.

We cannot defeat an army without violence. Others have tried. They were murdered.

My people are dying. Our people are dying. Children are dying.

We must fight.

It will not be perfect. It will not be right. The greatest lie ever told is that there is morality in violence. There is only suffering, and survival.

But I am a man, and I love my people. I want to survive. I want to be free.

I believe it is the right of every person, in every land, to live freely, to love freely, and to exist without fear of abuse.

If you agree, reader, I have one final question.

Will you join me?

#long post #anti chantry #da2 #anders #anders was right #mage rights

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meteorjam · 4 years

Text

Merlin Dragon Age!AU

I made a whole written out, in detail plot for this but here’s the pre TL:DR for anyone who just doesn’t want to read me describing it all. Though all their positions in this world are described in the text if you want more info.

Uther Pendragon: Knight Commander of the Knights Templar in the Free Marches Arthur Pendragon: Knight Captain of the Knights Templar in the Free Marches (leaves his position and ends up being the Inquistion’s Military Advisor when the Breach appears in the sky after the explosion at the conclave) Morgana Pendragon: Grew up in the Circle of Magi in the Free Marches and ran away when the Mage Rebellion began (comes back to help the Inquisition later and her and Arthur mend their broken relationship) Merlin: A powerful mage that is the bridge between the Fade (the world of spirits and darkspawn) and Thedas (the mortal plain). His destiny is to aid the Inqusition in closing the Breach and saving both worlds. Gwen: A Seeker in the Order of the Seekers of Truth meant to keep the Templars in check. She invokes the right to start an Inquisition after the Breach appears as she sees the Templar Order has become corrupt and can no longer work in the best interest of Thedas. Will: He’s literally the Inquisitor and doesn’t know why the hell the Maker chose him to have this glowing green thing on his arm that gives him the power to seal fade rifts but he’s seriously pissed off that the military advisor is a Templar. They’ve made him the leader of the Inquisition just because he happened to be at the Conclave at the explosion and was the only one to survive and gain weird fade powers? Ridiculous. He never wants to walk through the Fade again. He’s going to kick this Archdemon’s ass. It’s on sight.

Ok I put these under the cut because it was getting too long for the “short version.” Gaius: The Inquistion’s physician Daegel: A young mage who was recruited to join the Inquistion and reaaaalllllyyyy wants to study under Merlin The (Main) Knights: Fleshed out more in the text but they come from all over Thedas to train under Arthur to fight for the Inquistion. Out of the group, only Leon is a Templar.

Uther Pendragon is the Knight Commander of the Knights Templar (thought by many to be next in line to be Knight Vigilant, leader of the entire Templar order) in Starkhaven in the Free Marches. Templars are loyal to the Chantry (Thedas’ main religious organization) and they hunt abominations, apostate mages, and look over the Circles of Magi meant to keep mages in line. Uther’s views towards mages are ruthless and he is more often than not in favor of invoking the Right of Anullment (a practice that not only rids a person of their magic but all emotions) for mages that step even a bit out of turn.

Arthur Pendragon has recently become Knight Captain of the Knights Templar in Starkhaven and was taught from a young age that a mage’s magic was meant to serve the Chantry and the Divine (Head religious figure) and nothing else. But, as his father’s methods concerning mages become more cruel, Arthur begins to second guess if Uther’s ways are what’s best for the people of Starkhaven

Then the Chantry in Kirkwall (another city in the Free Marches) is blown up by an Apostate mage and the Mage Rebellion begins. Morgana Pendragon, Arthur’s sister who’s been, according too Uther, plauged with the burden of magic, runs away during this time. She had spent most of her life in Starkhaven’s opressive Circle of Magi. Arthur is apalled by the actions of Kirkwall’s Knight Commander (who used the power of a red lyrium idol to try and destroy those that went against her) and begins to rethink his loyalty to the Templar Order.

After months of brutal fighting between mages and templars, the Chantry organizes a meeting between the mages and the templars at the Conclave south in Fereldan near the Frostback Mountains. A huge explosion happens at the conclave killing all in attendance including several mage and templar leaders and the Divine herself. A giant veil between the mortal world and the Fade (the world of spirits) appears in the sky and it is known as the Breach. Smaller fade rifts begin to appear all over Thedas and spirits and darkspawn start plaguing the land.

It becomes clear to Gwen, one of the head Seekers in the order of the Seekers of Truth, that the Templars can no longer be trusted to protect Thedas and that, without the rule of the Divine, the land is weak. With the authority that comes with being a Seeker, a direct servant to the Divine, Gwen invokes the right to form an Inquisition to protect Thedas. Arthur catches wind of her plans and, having always respected the Seekers love for justice, pledges his help. He resigns from his position as Knight Captain in Starkhaven, much to the displeasure of his father, and moves south towards Haven (near the Frostback Mountains in Fereldan) to join th Inquistion.

The thing is, one person did survive the explosion at the conclave and he’s now their prime suspect. Will tries to tell him that he’s just a young man from a farm in Redcliff Village in the Hinterlands who was meant to bring provisions to the meeting at the conclave, but they won’t listen. After the explosion,Will was thrust into the Fade with the Divine and she sacrificed her life so that he could leave the Fade. He woke up in Haven with his arm suddenly glowing green in response to the Breach in the sky. He’s not a mage, never practiced magic. (To skip forward in the game, the green glowing thing is called an Anchor and it was meant to be used by the Archdemon responsible for the explosion to destroy the world and assume the postion of a God but Will touched the Anchor when the Archdemon had an altercation with the Divine and it became a part of him).

After Will proves his mark is useful at closing fade rifts and can even close the breach in the sky, he becomes the leader of the Inquisition upon their arrival in Skyhold (a stronger fort in the Frostback Mountains) after Haven gets destroyed when the Archdemon attacks with his dragon. Will hates being Inquisitor. He never wanted to be in charge. But this is bigger than what he wants. He just wishes he didn’t have to work with a bloody Templar. Him and Arthur do not get along. Will has always had a deep distrust towards Templars and towards the whole Chantry system. He regularly tells Arthur he wishes a Wayvern would just get it over with and swallow him whole already. Arthur is not amused.

Of course one of the most powerful mages in all of Thedas comes rolling into Skyhold because why not. Merlin has been a nomad for the past few years, aiding mages where he could and trying to help those effected by the recent Mage Rebellions. Turns out the man just... walks in the fade. He can’t actually close rifts like Will and can’t really do anything about the situation itself on such a large scale but he does just talk to spirits a lot to get their advice. Daegel, a young mage who had joined to help the Inquisiton, once asks him what his branch of magic specialization is, and Merlin just shrugs and responds “all I suppose.” Daegel never stops bothering him after that day because Merlin is insanely powerful and Daegel needs to learn from him. He just needs to.

Arthur is pissed off by Merlin’s connection to the Fade. It’s a dangerous place crawling with malicious spirits and darkspawn. He distrusts Merlin deeply in the beginning and is weary with how freely Merlin demonstrates his fade magic around others. Merlin assures him he only ever really talks to the good spirits. Somehow, that doesn’t ease Arthur’s worries.

Also, they find themselves on missions together all the time and Arthur just gets bullied by Will and Merlin who’ve become great friends. Also, Merlin is capable of blood magic but he hates using it. I imagine they encounter some situation involving the Deep Roads (roads under Thedas that were used for trade by the Dwarves but are now usually crawling with Darkspawn) where Merlin does have to use blood magic to get them past something and Arthur’s legitmately frightened for him because he’s seen mages get posessed while using blood magic before. Merlin just tells him to relax because “this spirit owes me a specific favor, he’s not actually capable of possessing me after I bound him last time” and Arthur’s just like “!!!! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!!!!” He doesn’t use blood magic again after that around Arthur because the Templar looked like he was about to pass out. Merlin isn’t really fond of it anyway so its fine.

Morgana shows up at the Inquisiton at some point and Arthur is just shocked to see her. They really don’t know how to act around another because Morgana still thinks Arthur hates mages as much as Uther and Arthur thinks she can never forgive him for all the lies he belived, all the hurt he caused her. Morgana becomes a great spymaster for the Inquistion, having gained many connections in her time spent travelling.

Some of the strongest fighters in the Inquistion are Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival, Leon, Elyan, and Mordred. Leon grew up with Arthur in Starkhaven and followed him to Fereldan. Lancelot has always wanted to be a Templar but never got to join the order because he was busy taking care of his ill mother. It may have been a blessing in disguise because he begins to see the atrocities the Templars are responsible for and how some have even been corrupted and joined the Archdemon. He fights for the Inquistion tho because he sees it as a noble cause. Gwaine comes from Fereldan and has been looking for this type of adventure. He’s not exactly pleased he’s under the command of and surrounded by Templars, but he’s here for the journey and the found family.

Percival is from Kirkwall but had traveled south to Fereldan when his family was killed by Templars during the battle between Mages and Templars after the Chantry explosion. Elyan is also a Seeker along with his sister and trains under Arthur to hone his fighting abilities. He does help Gwen with organizational matters concerning the Inquistion. Mordred is one of the few mages who also chose to fight as a knight of the Inquisiton. Other mages opted usually to use just magic and trained on their own. Mordred wanted the advantage of both swordskill and magic so he works twice as hard as anyone in Skyhold. He really makes Arthur rethink some of the values he’s been raised with all his life.

Anyway that’s where I’m leaving it because I’ve spent an hour on this. Haven’t even gotten to who would be the Inquistions Ambassador. Or anything about Greywardens or who the Hero of Fereldan was or if Hawke is still just Hawke or if I replace the Champion of Kirkwall with another Merlin character. Might screw around and make a part 2 who knows.

#BBC Merlin #Merlin #Dragon Age #My HC #rip this long ass text but I'm making you see at least the first part of it #long post

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bushelofmuses · 3 years

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Botanical Headcanons

@distant-wcrlds / @laimdalen-itellam asked: Anemone, iris, lilac?

//I'm assuming this is for Ameridan

Anemone : How does your muse view the world; as a cruel & unforgiving place, a land full of wonders, or something in- between? Where does that world view come from (what experiences, life lessons, etc.)?

Ameridan can see the beauty in the world still. He's tired, sometimes a little cynical, even if he keeps it to himself, but he isn't totally bitter. He knows there's hope, that while things may be shit at the moment, that it'll be better eventually.

He went from a famous dragon hunter, to a man who made friends with an emperor and Wisdom, to helping formalize the Chantry, to helping separate the Seekers and Templars and then leading the Seekers, to connect the Seekers to the Chantry, to being an Inquisitor for the sake of unity, to having to sacrifice himself and Wisdom to imprison Hakkon, to waking up 800 years later and finding out his best friends and his lover were dead and that the world is doing its damnedest to end.

He has every reason to be bitter and cold but he's trying his best to get through his mourning and help the best he can.

If this is the main verse as Dirthamen, then he's been through a shit ton more. Some of it deserved for what he'd become before his imprisonment. It is what's driving him to try and be better and atone for it. He's not looking for forgiveness from others either. He's lost his people and the empire they had made for themselves, watched them fall into ruin as they destroyed themselves.

Again, this man is tired.

Iris : If your muse could convey one last message to someone they have lost or left behind, what would it be?

"Why didn't you listen? My darling dear, We told you to run, to distance yourself and go back, but you stayed. You died because We weren't strong enough to stop Hakkon permanently and We're so sorry, my love. We're sorry and We wish We could do it over again so you wouldn't have to suffer for Our weakness."

Lilac: What was your muse’s childhood like? How has their upbringing affected them as they’ve aged?

For the main/Dirthamen verse:

His childhood was colorful, the Fade and waking world in one space was a wonder that he never grew tired of. It's also how he met and befriended Wisdom before the Fall.

He came from a well off family that could afford to give him the best education and training imaginable. He was a reckless youth, however, always looking for trouble. His parents were eternally exhausted.

Because of his more lavish upbringing, getting used to not having the finer things after the Fall was...rough. Hunting near home was easier than after the Fall because the resources were never not there. There's camping in an RV and camping with just the sky over your head. He wasn't used to the sky over his head until much much later.

He had to learn quickly how to fend for himself which led to him becoming more resourceful. This helped him hold his own and be a more practical leader.

He does miss his mother's cooking though. Food isn't as flavorful as it was before the Veil.

#ask reply #meme reply #ameridan #outofink #laimdalenitellam #long post

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boethiahsboytoy · 4 years

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List of my OCs:

Jo'safiir, a Khajiit mage (but wait, there's more!), and Arch Mage of the College of Winterhold. Learns he's the child of Hermaeus Mora after spending months in Apocrypha. Big fucking nerd. As he grows older he eventually tasked up his role as a Demi Prince and takes control of his own portion of Apopcrypha, the Forbidden Archives. A place where all manner of ancient, lost, and of cours forbidden magic can be found, studied, and practiced. Still thrives on the Power Of Friendship (and has “stolen” his husband Miraak and made him his “Champion” to spite his Father).

Serene, Jo'safiir's Dremora that he "stole" from Mehrunes Dagon. Big piece of shit, loves causing trouble. Later servers Jo'safiir when he takes his own mini plane of Oblivion within Apocrypha. Mellows out a bit, but if he catches you alone in the Archives with the Arch Mage nowhere to be found, you may not return to Mundus alive...

Vyrthaal, a snow elf child preserved for thousands of years. Not only was he gifted Aurie-El's Bow by Akatosh himself, he was then given the soul of a Dragon to help defeat Lord Harkon. BFFs with Serana and largely ignored by the prophecy of the Last Dragonborn. Loves ska.

Sinarwyn Ice-Blade, a snow elf and former Knight-Paladin of Auri-El, given the name “Ice Blade" from a found family. Adopts Vyrthaal after meeting his other adoptive mom, Marzog. Helps him and Serana find Auri-El’s Bow and fight off Lord Harkon’s Army before deciding to stay with Gelebor at the Chantry for a while, reuniting with her long lost friend.

Kill, a young Falmer that Vyrthaal eventually meets and who travels with him and his moms. A very talented cook and alchemist! Helps translate many times when the group wanders into various Falmer Caves.

Tiika, a kind mushroom farmer and elder of a Falmer clan in the Forgotten Vale. Assists Vyrthaal and co. to the Chantry after they help fight off the feral Falmer that attacked his clan. He’s a loving father figure and caretaker for any young Falmer born in the Vale.

Niralek, a Spriggan who once lived in the Riften woods before her home was overtaken by vampires hunting for the Redwater spring. Unable to fend them off she reluctantly offered her aid to the Dawnguard, where she made unlikely friends with Pelaril, an Altmer, and Isran. Returns to her home after Harkon's defeat but remains friends with the Dawnguard, who still call for her aid at times. She always readily gives it to her friends.

Gorbek, an Orsimer Priest of Kynareth who works in Whiterun after being exiled from his stronghold. Also known as one of the best cooks in the Hold, a title he bears with pride. He's so big because he's filled with love. A bit of a “filler character” to give Whiterun more life (and me an excuse to make a big soft Orc Dad OC) but I love him so much.

Daronan, a Forsworn Breton. Hircine's champion, and gifted with Lycanthropy by the Daedric Lord himself. Apprenticed as a healer to his mother until he decided to travel Skyrim for a little while, where he meets and befriends a Nord named Sybilla. He’s very quiet and surprisingly gentle, but is also the sort to playfully wrestle or spar with his close friends at a moment’s notice.

Sethsa: A blind Dunmer woman and daughter of Nocturnal, she is the Demi Prince of fear and is rumored to be summoned by utering her name. Feared through the Thieves Guild for her cunning, cruel streak, and prowess as a conjuration and illusion mage. Aided by a daedra known as Deathcry who commonly takes the form of a massive hound made of gore. Her only known friend is Chal, a Dwemer, and she bears a grudge against Clavicus Vile.

Deathcry: Sethsa's mysterious companion and service "dog." Really spooky but loves kids and belly rubs. Often gets "treats" of fingers from Sethsa's...erm....friends.

Hjorvar: A Nord, and member of the inner Circle of the Companions. Makes an unlikely friendship with Daro thru their mutual friend Sybilla. Gets flustered easily. Would die for his family. He’s the sort of man that looks terrifying at first glance, but as son as he opens his mouth you realize “Oh, this is just a walking teddy bear.” He of course is still a strong and capable warrior, but when he doesn’t have to fight he’s the most gentle giant you’ll meet (besides Gorbek).

Illorna: Altmer Demi Prince of Meridia who came to Nirn to aid the Dawnguard in fighting Lord Harkon. Decides mortals are more than just tools for Daedra to control and sticks around after Harkon is defeated after growing close to several of them. I still like her but I don’t know if I actually want this to be her story or nah. SHe’s fun tho!

Studies-by-Moonlight: An Argonian scholar who's primary focus was formerly the Dwemer, until she began to study the Falmer. Deciding to dedicate her work to helping them fix the damage caused to them by the Dwemer. It takes years for her to build trust with one of the Falmer Clans but she becomes recognized as a safe person and spends a great deal of time studying Falmer society. Eventually just sort of....hanging out in Blackreach for the most part.

#OC masterlist #my OCs #there's they!!#i'm miraak and you're watching disney channel

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tokutenshi · 4 years

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Fanfic Friday

I really need to put these on a queue so I stop forgetting.

Though the Darkness Comes Upon Me, part 1

“I Shall Embrace the Light” chapter 8

Cullen leaned forward in the chapel's front pew, staring at his sister's letter once again. He'd read the message so many times by now that the words were practically memorized. He tried to imagine them coming out angrily from Mia's mouth, but he realized that not only was his elder sister now a woman and would sound different, but he couldn't recall exactly what her voice was like before either. He folded the letter back up for the hundredth time, lining up the creases with care and slipping it back into the envelope to keep it protected.

He heard soft footsteps approaching, not the loud clanking of a templar, and quickly rose to his feet. Cullen tucked the letter into his sash and left the chapel, not wanting to get caught in a moment of weakness by his charges or make a sister think he was running out on a service. He turned the corner and sighed in relief when the footsteps faded, indicating the person had entered the chapel. It did rather feel like he was hiding from the clergy, however, and a small pang of shame washed over him. Cullen was a strong believer in the Maker and His holy bride and tried to attend services in the Chantry at least once a week – the only time he could be found out of uniform – but he had trouble associating the Maker's Light with Circles. Here, he was always to be vigilant, always watching for trouble. Here, he could not let his heart sing the Chant. Not after everything he had seen.

To his annoyance, the footsteps returned, moving quickly behind him. He groaned, thinking he had been seen fleeing and the sister was going to try and drag him back. Ignoring the lapse in his faith was easy when he could separate the devote man from the dedicated templar, but having the issue forced in front of him tended to make him feel like a fraud. Hoping his pursuer would take the hint and give up, he increased his pace. The robed figure did too.

Groaning in frustration, Cullen spun around. “Can I help you?” He snapped the words unintentionally.

Ebrisa stood in the middle of the corridor, eyes wide and mouth hanging open just a bit in surprise. “I- I just...”

Well, at least he hadn't yelled at a cleric. Somehow, this didn't feel much better. “Yes, Trevelyan?”

She extended her hands, holding out an envelope addressed to him. “You dropped this, Knight-Captain.”

Cullen's hand flew to his waist, feeling for the letter's duplicate and finding nothing. “So I have...” He took the envelope, noting how carefully the mage held it, and checked the contents to ensure Mia's letter was inside. After losing it once, he wasn't going to walk away again without everything. He glanced at the young woman and caught her eyes briefly. “Thank you. This is... thank you.”

Her lips moved into what should have been a smile, but it fell just short of the name. “The difference in writing between your name and the address shows how much the author cares for you, so I knew it had to be important.”

“The difference...?” He echoed, studying the front of the envelope.

“In the pen strokes,” Ebrisa explained, moving to his side to point at the dark swirls. “The address is neat, but some of the letters run together with just the tinniest trail of ink, as though the quill wasn't lifted off the parchment enough. Your name, however, is written out with deliberate, defined strokes. Ser. Cullen. Stanton. Rutherford. Not a single slip of the hand in the entire line.”

Cullen let out a single puff of laughter. “How did I not notice that?”

“In all likelihood, you were more captivated by the contents of the letter than its packaging. A testament to how special this person is to you.”

“She is,” he smiled at that. “The whole lot of them are.”

“Whole... lot...?”

“That's right. Though I'm sure Rosalie would like to think she's the favorite just because she's the youngest,” Cullen explained as he tucked the letter away, taking the time to ensure it was properly secured. When he looked back at the mage, her face was amusingly red.

“And they...” Ebrisa lowered her voice. “They know about each other?”

“Yes?” He raised a brow at the mage. “Why wouldn't they...” The words trailed off as he figured out what the young woman was thinking before he flushed a bit himself. “Maker's Breath, I'm referring to my siblings!”

Ebrisa covered her face to hide her horrified expression, but her ears burned a shade Cullen hadn't even thought was humanly possible. “Oh, I- I am so – Andraste's Pyre! Of course you wouldn't have multiple lovers. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that, Knight-Captain. You are a man of character, and I am – Maker's Mercy – I am an idiot.”

Cullen was used to making mages uncomfortable, but to see Ebrisa work herself up into an embarrassed, fumbling mess without any assistance from him brought a lightness to his weighed down thoughts and he chuckled. The mage stopped her babbling and lowered her hands, staring up at the man.

“Apologies, Trevelyan,” he said as the too short bit of mirth subsided. “It was rather cruel of me to laugh.”

She straighten and brushed back her hair, but dropped her gaze. “Not at all, Knight-Captain. I'd gladly subject myself to further humiliation if it allowed you to laugh more.” Ebrisa raised her eyes and smiled sheepishly. “Though I hope that isn't the only way to make it happen.”

#fanfic friday #dragon age fanfiction #dragon age 2 fanfiction #kirkwall #da2 #dragon age 2 #templar!cullen #cullen rutherford #ebrisa trevelyan #cullen x ebrisa #cullen x trevelyan #open mouth insert foot #toku writes

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tevivinter · 4 years

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die for you

Chapter 2: weak spots

[read on ao3]

Her movements were quick but calculated, feet moving only enough to dodge and parry at the exact moment. Darya flashed an arrogant smile, hair slick with sweat, air rushing in and out of her lungs. She had been sparring with Alistair for an hour or so, but the adrenaline coursing through her blood made it look like only a few minutes had passed.

She blocked his sword with one axe, and a metallic sound followed when she jolted the other one against the blade, pulling it away from him like a hook. The weapon fell to the ground with an empty thud.

Darya gave out a bored sigh, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I told you not to go easy. You are not really trying to hit me, are you?"

"Uh, did you forget about the part where you insisted to use real weapons?" Alistair pointed at the sword for emphasis. "And that maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance you might actually get hurt?”

“Oh, please.” Darya suppressed a mocking laugh, her stance becoming more relaxed as she rested one axe upon her shoulder. “Did the templars train you with wooden swords by any chance?”

“What? No!” She raised one questioning brow at his quick denial, and Alistair couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. “I mean, only at the beginning-”

“Well that explains a lot,” she interrupted dryly.

He groaned. “Look, my point is that I don’t want to accidentally stab you. Or have your axe buried in my head. Nope, I’m totally fine as it is.”

“No need to be so dramatic, Chantry boy.” Darya rolled her eyes. “Besides, you wouldn’t manage to land a hit on me even if you wanted to.”

"Thank you so much for the compliment," Alistair muttered sarcastically. “Why don’t you… I don’t know, ask Zevran instead?” His gaze soon turned to the elf’s usual spot by the camp, glancing at him from a distance. “I bet he wouldn’t mind that."

The annoyance in his tone was crystal clear, but Darya ignored it as her thoughts went in an interesting direction. It would be nice to spar with someone else for a change - she had been practicing with Alistair long enough to read and predict most of his actions. Zevran, on the other hand...

"Well then." A new surge of determination made her tighten the grip on both axes. "This might be a genuinely good idea.”

Zevran sat near his tent, calmly sorting out what appeared to be small bottles of poison into his bag. He didn't need to look to know that the footsteps coming into his direction belonged to Darya. It wasn't exactly his plan to overhear their conversation, but he couldn't do anything about his elven hearing either. Still, Zevran waited until Darya stood right beside him, her shadow looming over his belongings.

He pretended to be surprised as he tilted his head up to face her. “Oh? Is there something you need, bela?”

"Yes. I happen to be looking for a sparring partner." She vaguely pointed one axe towards Alistair. "Chantry boy there would like to learn a few things."

"Hey, I didn't say anything!" Alistair protested from afar.

"Hmm. I'm intrigued." Zevran leaned back a little, a spark of curiosity shining in his eyes. "If I might ask, is there a particular reason why you want to spar with me? There are plenty of candidates in this camp after all." Then his lips curved into a smirk, as if he had just realized something. “Is it because I’m ‘handsome’, as you like to call?”

Darya’s scoff was louder than expected. That was more of a side benefit, actually, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing either way. “Don’t push your luck, assassin. We haven’t sparred yet - let’s just say I’m curious.”

“Whatever you say, my dear warden.” Zevran said nonchalantly as he stood up, proceeding to pick up his daggers. He followed Darya’s steps to an open space between the tents and the edge of the camp. “Shall we compete for points then?”

“Do as you like.” She rolled her shoulders in preparation before positioning herself at a reasonable distance from him. Then she drew her axes once more, an arrogant smile lighting her features with determination. “Just don’t expect to win.”

Zevran mirrored her expression, but Darya stepped forward before he had any chance to reply. She wanted to surprise him with a quick attack, yet Zevran managed to parry the blow, daggers crossed to lessen the impact. She was forced a few steps back to avoid the swift swing of his blades. His speed was far greater than expected, and the contrast between his fighting style and his laidback attitude was like day and night.

Zevran was, after all, fighting to win.

A flurry of metallic sounds followed, axes and daggers relentlessly colliding with one another. It was almost like performing a dance, their rhythm oddly in sync as they moved. It was hard to pay attention to his footwork and parry when she had so little time to act. Turns out Darya was not as fast as him - but she was definitely stronger. She ducked to the side and used the momentum to hit the back of his legs. The impact caused Zevran to lose his balance, daggers slipping away from his hands when he fell.

Darya gave a satisfied smile. “One point for me."

Zevran chuckled before easing himself up again. “I must admit that this was not what I had in mind when I pictured you pushing me to the ground.”

“Keep distracting yourself and this will be over real soon, handsome.”

Both of them stepped back, using a small moment to catch their breaths before starting all over again.

Sparring with Zevran was unlike anything she had ever done. Darya felt a different jolt of adrenaline course through her blood each time he managed to surprise her. She was used to restrain herself while practicing, measuring her strength and abilities in order not to hurt her partners too much. Truth be told, it was no easy task to find someone as skilled as herself. But this, him- Darya couldn’t remember the last time she felt so free. For once she didn’t need to worry, instead only focusing on proper combat. Zevran offered her some kind of challenge, one she had desperately missed for so long without even realizing. It was something so new and refreshing but also powerful, like an electrical storm rushing through her veins.

The camp soon faded into the distance. They sparred for a long while until the back of her neck became damp with sweat, several strands of hair escaping from her loose ponytail. Darya's shirt clung to her skin, the grip on her axes considerably weaker than before. Zevran appeared to be in a similar situation, chest heaving up and down as he breathed. Darya searched for a weak spot in his stance. There was an opening at his left side, she realized, but it took only a second before he closed the gap between them. A dagger attempted to hit her right side and Darya easily defended it – only to realize it was a blow meant for distraction.

And soon she was lying on the ground with Zevran hovering on top of her.

He let out a breathless chuckle, one hand pinned to the ground to keep his balance, the other holding a dagger a few inches from Darya's chin. "It appears luck is on my side today, no?"

She stared at him, finding herself to be completely speechless. It was careless and stupid of her to let that happen, yet her frustrations were soon forgotten when Darya realized how close he was. Zevran seemed to notice it as well, and for a moment there was nothing but the sound of their ragged breaths. He unconsciously lowered the dagger to take in the sight of Darya lying beneath him. Her lips were slightly open as she panted, face flushed by the adrenaline, strands of golden hair sticking to her sweaty skin. She was gorgeous even like that, and Zevran resisted the urge to trace her jaw with his fingers.

That is, until Darya pulled him down for a kiss.

She curled her fingers around the fabric of his shirt, a soft sigh leaving her lips when Zevran kissed her back just as fiercely. She opened her mouth to meet his tongue, molten desire making her heart thump with the taste of him. Demanding hands urged Zevran even closer, and Darya felt his smirk against her lips. He allowed his body to relax more, but only enough to press her down a bit.

As soon as Zevran had his guard down, Darya took the chance to flip them over.

A smug smile crossed her lips when she had him pinned down, knees firmly placed on either side of his ribs and hands trapping his wrists above his head. More importantly, the last dagger was gone from his grip.

"To be honest, I didn't think you would fall for that. It’s the oldest trick in the book," Darya scoffed. "But I told you it wasn’t going to lose."

Zevran didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, he appeared to be enjoying the whole situation. "You are as cruel as you are beautiful, my dear.” He glanced up to indicate his wrists and then back at her. “Still - if you wanted to bound me, all you needed to do was ask.”

She chuckled in response - except this time it felt genuine.

Zevran became used to the fact that Darya wasn’t spontaneous about her feelings. She often wore a smug smile, one that worked wonderfully to deceive most people. It didn’t take him long to realize that her smiles never reached her eyes. Deep down they were just invisible walls, cold and hard to see through. Zevran only did because he could relate to that. He, too, had been building up walls ever since he was a child.

And so her laugh came out as a surprise. It was brief, yet warm enough to light up her whole face. For only a moment there were no signs of sarcasm, just the real her, bright and welcoming as the sun. For only a moment her gaze softened and he could see how beautiful she truly were.

But Darya soon snapped back to reality. She leaned back a little, a small frown the only visible sign of her confusion. She continued as if nothing had happened, though her voice became undeniably harsher.

“In your dreams, handsome.” There was an uncertain feeling to her look that she just couldn’t shake off. Darya soon stood up, ignoring the curiosity in Zevran’s gaze. “We’re done for today.”

Under normal circumstances he would have continued to tease, but he knew it was not the right moment to do that. Not anymore at least. Zevran simply nodded then, proceeding to get on his feet as well. “As you say.”

Then she walked away, her conflicting thoughts being the only company she had for a while. To think that she actually had fun with Zevran... it was odd. She didn't plan any of that. It simply happened, and Darya hated to deal with things that were beyond her control. T here was something about him that s he couldn't place yet - something different. Whether it was good or not, only time would tell.

#my writing #darya aeducan #zevran arainai #zevwarden week 2020 #dragon age #i'm super late but god help me i'll fill the entire week

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