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eeldritchblast · 7 months

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They’re Not “Playersexual”, You’re Just Biphobic

(I was going to save this until September 23 because I thought that would be an appropriate date, but the Ask I got included in this essay just put me over the edge. So, here it is now. Buckle up.)

Bisexuality/Pansexuality is the attraction to people regardless of gender. About 4% of the USA alone (over 13.6 million people) openly identify as bisexual, according to Gallup’s latest polling. But unfortunately, bi/pan identities are so scary to some folks that they need to make up terms to avoid calling their favourite characters such. Thus, the term “playersexual” was born: a term to describe a game character who is attracted to the player character... regardless of gender.

If that sounds like it’s just a circuitous way of describing a bi/pan character, it’s because it is.

I first heard of the term “playersexual” almost a decade ago, from a Dragon Age fan complaining that Dorian was gay and thus it was “unfair” that she couldn’t romance him as female character. This fan said they wished BioWare would go back to Dragon Age II’s model of everyone being “playersexual” for “equality”.

Now, if you’ve actually played DA:2 and you’re not a bigot, you’re probably rolling your eyes just as hard as I did when I first read such a ridiculous statement. Well, prepare for this next one:

“When you make a male Hawke, Anders and Fenris are gay and Merrill is straight. Opposite is true if you make a female Hawke.”

These people are so afraid of bisexuality that they cannot even fathom its existence. They can believe in dragons and magic, but they cannot believe that a character is simply bi/pan. I find this especially hilarious for Anders, considering he had a canonical boyfriend, as confirmed both in-game and in The World of Thedas: Vol. 2 book.

I truly thought we were past this nonsense in 2023. I really, truly thought that. But then Baldur’s Gate 3 was released in full, and suddenly these same fuckers came out of the woodwork to bend over backwards avoiding calling these characters anything except bi/pan.

Note how in the above Ask, the anonymous questioner actually doubles down on avoiding addressing these two characters in particular as bi/pan!

“Playersexual” doesn’t even truly work for the characters of Baldur’s Gate 3 regardless, because the definition is oriented around attraction to the player character… which these characters are not exclusively attracted to. Here are some examples that prove otherwise:

If neither Lae’zel nor Astarion/Gale/Wyll are in a romance with the PC, Lae’zel will say she plans on propositioning one of the men for sex at the night of the tiefling party. She also flirts with Karlach in party banter.

Shadowheart expresses interest in Karlach, (“I like her. She looks like she could throw me over her shoulder and carry me to safety, should the need arise”) as well as Halsin if he leaves the party, (“he may have been misguided, but I liked looking at him.”)

Astarion flirts with nearly everyone in the party, but to just pick two examples: he mentions Wyll is the type of princely figure he used to dream about marrying, and says to Shadowheart “such a grim name for such a beautiful flower”.

Gale used to date Mystra. He also debatably flirts with Astarion by offering him some blood, after Cazador’s battle.

Wyll flirts with Lae’zel in party banter, and also refers to Halsin as a “delight” and “hunk”.

Karlach seems to have a little crush on Jaheira by the way she reacts to meeting her. She also says of Halsin, “everyone in this camp wants to climb that oak”.

Please keep in mind these are just a few examples I’ve picked out from screening through the dialogue, and there’s even more that prove the attraction to different genders these characters have is not related solely to the player. It’s just part of their identities.

In the Ask sent to me above, the anonymous questioner said they “cannot see Karlach as anything except lesbian and Astarion as gay.” This is just as bad as saying they are “playersexual” in my opinion, because yet again it’s erasing their bisexuality/pansexuality. Worse yet, it’s doing it because of the way the characters act. You cannot measure queerness based on actions and appearances being in line or not with queer stereotypes—it’s not a scale! And bi/pan folks are just as queer as lesbian and gay men, by virtue of simply being bi/pan!

All in all, I think this entire “playersexual” debate boils down to the fact that some people still refuse to see bi/pan identities as anything but “discount straight”. And that’s why people are rightfully angry when folks try to further this myth by pretending bi/pan characters don’t actually exist.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #meta #queerphobia #biphobia #panphobia

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hotvintagepoll · 1 month

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Propaganda

Maria Montez (Cobra Woman, Arabian Nights)—maria montez was a dominican actress who rose to fame starring in a series of technicolor adventure movies in the 1940s hollywood, becoming popularly known as "the queen of technicolor”. her dramatic persona and elaborate bejeweled attire in these films subsequently lead to her becoming an early camp icon to underground queer filmmakers like jack smith and andy warhol. maria was fiercely determined to become a Movie Star from early on and tirelessly promoted herself (she would be killing it as an influencer today probably) - she deliberately cultivated an outré star persona in the tradition of old school screen vamps like theda bara and alla nazimova and she was always serving no matter where she was or what she was doing.

Judy Garland (Meet Me In St. Louis, A Star is Born, Summer Stock)— Judy is the GOAT when it comes to classic movie musicals. The voice of an angel who deserved so much better than she got. She can sing she can dance she can act she's a triple threat. Though she had a turbulent personal life (her treatment as a child star by the studio system makes me mad as hell like Louis b Mayer fight me ((she was made to believe that she was physically unattractive by the constant criticism of film executives who made her feel ugly and who manipulated her onscreen appearance by capping her teeth and using discs in her nose to change its shape and Mayer called her "my little hunchback" like imagine hearing that as a child and not having damage)) she always goddamn delivered on screen and in any performance she gave. She began in vaudeville performing with her sisters and was signed to MGM at 13. Starting out in supporting parts especially paired with mickey Rooney in a bunch of films (she's the best part tbh) she eventually transferred to the lead role. She is best known for her starring role in movie musicals like the iconic Wizard of Oz (somewhere over the rainbow still hits hard and is ranked the top film song of all time), meet me in St. Louis (Judy singing have your self a merry little Christmas brings tears to the eyes she is that powerful), the Harvey girls (she looks like a technicolor dream and sings a catchy af song about trains), Easter parade ( dancing and singing with Fred Astaire), for me and my gal, the pirate, and summer stock ( with pal Gene Kelly who she helped when he was starting out and he helped her when she was struggling). But she also does non- singing just as well like the clock ( her first movie where she sings no songs and is an underrated ww2 era romance), her Oscar nominated a star is born ( like the man that got away she put her whole soul in that and I have beef with the fact she lost to grace kelly ((whom I love but like still not even her best work)), and judgement at Nuremberg (a courtroom drama about the nazi war criminal trials). Outside of film she made concert appearances to record-breaking audiences, released 8 studio albums, and had her own Emmy-nominated tv series. She was the youngest (39) and first female recipient of the Cecil B DeMille award for lifetime achievement in the film industry. Girl was a lifelong democrat and was a financial and moral supporter of many causes including the civil rights movement (she was at the March on Washington and held a press conference to protest the 16th street Baptist church bombings). She was a friend of the Kennedy family and would call jfk weekly often ending the calls by singing the first few lines of somewhere over the rainbow (she thought of them as Gemini twins).She was a member of the committee for the first amendment which was formed in response to the HUAC investigations. Though she died far too young and tragically she remains an icon for her work and her life. As a girl who didn't feel like i was as pretty as everyone else I have always felt a connection to Judy and I just really love her.

This is round 2 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut.]

Maria:

Dominican actress dubbed the Queen of Technicolor. Starred in colourful action adventure movies and was Universal Studios “glamour girl” of the 1940s. She starred in 26 movies before her untimely death in 1951. Shot to stardom with Arabian Nights in 1942. Fought with universal over roles she was cast in and managed to negotiate better pay for herself before going freelance and starring in European movies.

Judy:

Judy's voice alone qualifies her for at least top ten hottest HOT VINTAGE MOVIE WOMEN. She was a truly incredible swing singer, with a stunning voice on top of her technique. Her short dark hair looked incredible in just about any style. Have I mentioned her swagger? I can’t do it justice with words. She had swagger. She was funny as hell, and clever too. Incredibly charming and cool. I adore her.

Her eyes, her voice have bewitched me

I mean how can you beat the one and only Judy? She's beautiful, her smile is contagious, the way she sings with her whole body. You can't help but love her.

youtube

Beautiful woman, love her singing voice. And she can do everything between happy or silly and angry or heartbroken

#judy garland #maria montez #hotvintagepoll #fuck that old woman #ladies 2

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vigilskeep · 6 months

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everyone in camp with long enough hair losing their minds when they find out brosca used to help fix rica’s hair and can do the best braids in thedas

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bluerose5 · 1 month

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Hmm how about Halsin and Iron Bull (in whatever relationship dynamic you like!) commiserating after a fight with some goblins?

The kind of ship that snuck up on me out of nowhere. These two 100% took control of the fic and made it longer than what I intended, although I'm not complaining. 😌

...

One thing the Iron Bull never expected was for Halsin to admit to being a lightweight of all things.

While the tieflings' party was in full swing, he made his rounds throughout camp, took note of where everyone else's minds were at, his companions' especially, and he drank.

That was, until Bull realized the liquor on hand was some of the weakest shit compared to back home.

Still, it was a celebration, so he accepted drinks when offered, disgruntled by the fact that he was barely breaking a sweat over it.

Sobriety aside, he waited to speak with Halsin last, mostly because he wasn't quite sure what to make of him yet.

For one, he was big. Probably a little shorter than your average Qunari, but bigger than any elf Bull encountered in Thedas at least.

Secondly, he wielded magic different from most that Bull was familiar with, and the fact that majority of spellcasters in Faerûn didn't have to struggle against demons and possession in order to control their power...

Strange. Reassuring in a sense, but very strange.

When all was said and done, Bull figured no harm could come from getting to know the newcomer. This esteemed, knowledgeable "Archdruid" of theirs.

Who happened to be easy on the eyes —well, eye, singular— as well, but that was neither here nor there.

The Iron Bull sauntered up to him with a friendly smile, his head held high in a show of confidence.

"Well, it looks like I saved the best for last!" Bull greeted. "Settling in okay?" Before Halsin could answer, Bull interrupted. "Wait! Wait." He gave a dramatic pause. "I couldn't bear it if you said 'no.' Haha!"

He beamed at Halsin, who couldn't resist a snort of amusement, the corners of his eyes crinkled in delight.

Bull could practically hear Krem grumbling from there.

"Do not concern yourself with me. I am settling in just fine," Halsin assured him. "Of course, it always helps to have a host as gracious as yourself."

"Let's see if you still think that by the end of the night," the Iron Bull joked. He stood at Halsin's side, giving him a playful nudge with his elbow. "Seriously, though, that fight at that temple was great, yeah?" His heart raced at the memory. He leaned in, his voice low, appreciative. "You were incredible."

"Oh, come now," Halsin said, brushing off the compliment. "I don't know about that. You and your companions did most of the heavy lifting, after all."

"Don't downplay your role in our victory," Bull told him. "The sheer amount of goblins alone would have proved a challenge for anyone, but you cut through them like it was nothing." Try as he may, Bull couldn't help it, his eye trailing up and down Halsin's body. "All of that fury and rage, unleashed, directed at our enemies. You were a sight to behold, but tell the truth. You enjoyed it, didn't you?"

Halsin glanced at him, not even bothering to hide how his eyes raked over his frame in return.

"Perhaps," he allowed, taking a second to clear his throat. "I must admit, I have come to expect at least a hint of fear from outsiders in response to my wild shape."

"Heh," Bull chuckled. "I fought dragons before, pal. It's gonna take more than a big teddy bear like you to scare me away."

"Is that so?" Halsin raised an eyebrow at him, surveying the area around them. "Maybe I should work on that then. Everyone should maintain a healthy balance of fear and respect for nature."

"Trust me, I respect it plenty," Bull said, "but by all means, do your worst."

Halsin shook his head, smiling to himself.

"Tempting as that is, you surely have others to go mingle with. Don't let me keep you."

"Nah." Bull waved off that concern without second thought. "I've done more than my fair share of mingling for tonight. I want to get to know you better."

He gave him a playful poke to the arm.

"Hmm..." Halsin hummed in contemplation. "I wouldn't want to be selfish and rob others here of your company. I can wait until morning to speak with you at the very least."

"Which is fine, if that's what you want," the Iron Bull whispered, "but what if I want you to be selfish?"

Halsin searched his expression for any sign of deceit.

When such scrutiny proved fruitless, his entire demeanor shifted, more open to the idea compared to before.

"In that case," he responded, "will you tell me about one of your dragon hunts then?"

"Fuck yeah, I will!" Bull exclaimed, his excitement radiant like a flame.

He clasped a hand onto Halsin's shoulder, giving it a warm, companionable squeeze.

A small shiver shot down his spine, one that Bull was quick to watch with keen interest.

The Iron Bull reckoned that Halsin didn't know many people who towered over him. It was almost funny how often his gaze would level with Bull's pecs or wander farther below before darting up to his face yet again, as if he had to constantly remind himself that he was the shorter one for once.

Then again, maybe he just liked the sight of his chest. Bull couldn't fault him for that.

"Let's see. Let's see," Bull said, rubbing at his chin while he thought it over. "I could go simple. The first dragon I ever hunted alongside the Inquisitor was terrorizing the countryside we were in at the time. It was a Fereldan Frostback."

Already, his eye was glazing over at the tale, his voice taking on a tinge of admiration that bordered on reverence. Or as close to it as he could get.

"Extremely territorial, those ones, and damn if she wasn't a beauty. All of that raw, untamed power, but unfortunately for her, her territory happened to include a few defenseless villages that couldn't ward her off on their own. That's where we came in."

He wrapped his arm around Halsin's shoulders, drawing him in closer as he spoke, staring off towards a faraway land that was well beyond their reach for now.

"That sharp burst of air that rushed past as she swiped her tail at us. That loud ringing in our ears when she screeched at the skies. That molten heat that radiated in the air when she snapped her teeth at us, so close that we would have been her next meal, had we not rolled out of reach in time."

He bared his teeth into a grin.

"That was a good day," he all but growled. "A good day, indeed!"

Halsin shifted in place. Of course, it didn't escape Bull's notice how he eased closer to him in the process.

He stared at the Iron Bull with a mixture of heat and shock.

"You almost sound excited," he said, hesitant, not wanting to overstep his bounds.

Not that it deterred Bull in the slightest.

"That's because I am," Bull stated, unashamed. "Even now, something about it gets my blood pumping and my heart racing, more so than any other fight." He grunted loudly as he lingered on the memory. "Maybe it's in my blood."

"Your blood?"

"Yeah," he said, "rumor has it that there might have been some dragon's blood mixed into the Qunari's somewhere along the way." He shrugged. "No one knows for certain. Would be pretty badass, though, wouldn't it?"

"Definitely."

"Okay, now it's your turn."

"My turn?" Halsin questioned.

"To share. Come on," Bull encouraged. "You can't tell me that you don't have some wild stories stashed away."

"Well," Halsin launched into his tale without missing a beat, "it's not too different from yours. Back in my youth—"

"Nuh-uh, none of that," Bull interrupted. "You're not that old."

"I'll have you know that I am three hundred and fifty years young."

"Hot."

Bull smirked when that got a laugh out of him.

"I can admire anyone who is so open with their desires," Halsin said, "but shall I continue the story?"

"Oh, alright, I'll behave."

"Somehow I doubt that," Halsin teased, "but as I was saying, I was young and impulsive at the time, traveling and exploring the world to my heart's content. After indulging in nature's gifts on land for so long, life led me to the sea. Throughout my journey, I heard about a string of pirate attacks, led by a rogue band of water genasi. Their greed had already impacted several coastal villages by the time I caught wind of it."

Bull made a mental note to ask more about the race later, too intent on listening to the current story to venture off on another tangent.

"People were being taken from their homes, everyone from their children to the elderly. Those who relied heavily on fish as a staple found themselves on the brink of starvation. Resources were being drained. Their valuables were looted. Any who fought against the genasi were executed or enslaved, made an example of."

"But you stopped them?"

"Eventually," Halsin sighed, it obviously taking a toll on him that he couldn't save more than what he did. "I studied their movements, their tactics. At first, I would rally others behind me, wait until the genasi tried for an ambush, and attack then. But there were still too many deaths for my liking, so I went on the offensive. The locals provided me with a vessel of my own, and I sailed out into the open waters. I took the fight to them, grew more and more cocky with each ship I took down. I believed myself to be invincible, and that made me reckless."

"What happened next?" Bull asked, although he already had an idea.

"You clearly survived, though."

"I was taken prisoner. One of my attacks went exactly as I planned, but I didn't know that the genasi had others lying in wait, holding back until they saw the perfect opportunity to strike. They outnumbered me, enough so that they were able to overpower me, and that was that."

"That, I did. With me as their trophy, the band that captured me left the coastland for quite some time. About a year and a half passed, give or take a few months, but I forced myself to be patient throughout that time of servitude, difficult as it was. I earned the trust of the crew. And later, the captain.

"Then one day, I felt it. There was something stirring in the water, restless, massive in size. I could sense it, and part of me knew that it was my time to act.

"I convinced the crew that there was treasure, worthy of the gods, in some nearby wreckage. I made up a lie, said I recalled the area from my studies, and they believed me."

"You led them right into a trap," Bull said, impressed.

Halsin nodded.

"It was a kraken's territory," he explained. "A sea monster of great power and might. It rose up from its dark depths to confront us. The waters turned rough and formed a large, gaping vortex that threatened to consume us all. The winds whipped at blinding speeds. Storms formed that spewed lightning everywhere you looked. The kraken even managed to charm some of the crew into fighting under its thrall, so you can imagine how everything turned into a bloodbath from there."

"Damn." Bull released a low whistle, recalling a few stories he heard of dreadnoughts encountering an aban-ataashi —a sea dragon— while out on their patrols.

He imagined this creature must have been similar to cause so much destruction.

"Nothing against you or your skills, but I'm surprised you survived."

"You and me both," Halsin agreed. "I was so weak that I couldn't switch forms all that much at the time, but I managed to rely on some basic spells to keep me safe long enough to escape. I fought alongside the crew for a while to discourage any suspicion, but I stole one of the ship's work boats the second it was clear that the crew and the kraken were going to go down destroying each other. Through the gods' mercy alone, I managed to make it out of there. I watched both ship and kraken sink into the sea from afar, and I somehow survived until I found land once again."

"Okay, now that story deserves a drink," Bull said. "Or several. Care to share one with me?"

"In truth, I rarely imbibe," Halsin answered. "The stuff goes right to my head."

The sounds of the party returned to them then. Voices rose and fell. Squeals of delight and the clink of tankards greeted their ears.

People danced and swayed, stumbling around without a care in the world.

"Wait, really?" Bull asked, incredulous. "You're telling me that you can't hold your liquor?"

Somehow, that was even more unbelievable than him fighting a kraken.

Halsin laughed, holding his hands up in surrender.

"All I'm saying is that it won't take long before I'm breaking into song or declaring love to the first person I lay eyes on."

"Well, I mean, if you need a target to focus that energy on..." Squeezing him up against his side, Bull flexed his free arm, waggling his eyebrows at him. "I'm your guy."

"A tempting offer, I'll admit," Halsin said, admiring him openly.

"Plus, I've also been known to break into song here and there."

"Now, that, I have to see."

"Find me something stronger than the swill they serve around here," Bull challenged, "and you're on."

"Ah." As understanding dawned on him, Halsin flashed Bull a secretive smirk. "You thought that I meant that I can't handle the spirits such as those at this party." At Bull's confused look, Halsin clarified. "I keep a, uh, personal flask on hand for special occasions."

"No shit," Bull said, watching him closely, unable to keep his curiosity at bay. "You have your own recipe or what?"

"Something like that, and I have my pipe on me too, if you're interested."

"Don't have to tell me twice. Let's go make a little music, yeah?"

Amused, Halsin readily agreed.

They didn't even try to hide it as they ditched the party in favor of the surrounding forests, neither of them the type to sneak about in such a manner anyways.

They spent the rest of the night in high spirits under the stars, drinking, smoking, trading stories. And yes, singing rather terribly as well.

They fell asleep bathed in moonlight, and only when the rising sun bid them to wake did they return to camp together to discuss their next move.

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #dragon age #dai #halsin #the iron bull #the iron bull x halsin #halsin x the iron bull #ironbear #bluerose answers #bluerose writes #crossover

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dragonageconfessions · 9 months

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CONFESSION:

I often think about inconvenient things that probably exist in Thedas, but aren’t mentioned, like mosquitos, wood ticks, bedbugs, lice, dysentery… Haha yes, traipsing about the Hinterlands is fun until you have legs full of ticks! And you’re being eaten alive by mosquitos! And then the water at camp makes you sick!

#Dragon Age Confessions #bioware #Dragon Age #Dragon Age Series #the hinterlands

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fishklok · 1 year

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In an effort to combine both of my interests, I decided to expand on my Dragon Age!Metalocalypse AU in the style of Dragon Age: Absolution. I'll do more detailed designs later, I just wanted to get the basic concepts down

The general concept of this AU is that 5 musicians discover that weird magic shit happens whenever they perform together, due to demons or old gods or something like that. They're being watched over by a mage who's trying to study this anomaly and the Prophecy behind it. Also Crozier (not pictured) is a former Templar commander who's being mind-corrupted by Salacia (not pictured), the reincarnated visage of an old god.

Nathan: Qunari warrior (reaver). Nathan was raised by his adoptive human parents who love him very much (they're still alive; his backstory is very wholesome). However, Nathan started to manifest these weird magic-like abilities that could only be activated by screaming. Over time, he learned to finesse these abilities and now he can use them for cool pyrotechnics and stuff when he performs. Death metal exists in Thedas now.

Pickles: Dwarf rogue (tempest). Pickles was born to a very traditional merchant caste family in Orzammar, specifically a region in Orzammar where everyone has Midwestern accents. After being fed up with always getting compared to his twin brother, Seth, and not being able to live up to his ancestors and family expectations, he left for the surface. He expected to spend the rest of his life drinking his sorrows away, but then he met Nathan and they started a band.

William: Dwarf rogue (legionnarie scout). William is a casteless dwarf who was infamous for his abrasive personality. This ended up getting him into trouble when he was overheard badmouthing a particularly sensitive noble, and he was banished to the Deep Roads as a punishment. However, he actually enjoyed his time in the Deep Roads and felt a lot of pride dedicating his life to fighting the Darkspawn. His new purpose in life became wanting to join the Legion of the Dead. He manages to escape the Deep Roads sometime after the Blight, but he's still very proud of his legionnarie duties. He's a very good bassist because spending so much time in caves has given him a better understanding and appreciations for deeper sounds and vibrations.

Skwisgaar: Elf rogue (bard). Skwisgaar was well known in his Dalish camp for being the best musician in his clan. But over time, the novelty of that started to wear off and Skwisgaar wanted to be the best musician in other larger communities. He left home in search of a way to truly hone his potential as a musician. Also since he has a wolf motif in the show, there's probably some kind of Dread Wolf connection somewhere, I'll wait for the DA lore to update.

Toki: Elf mage (blood mage). Toki was born to an isolated village that was definitely ruled by a cult (think DA:O Haven). He spent his childhood being plagued by nightmares that eventually manifested in him accidentally summoning a demon that killed everyone in his village. But that didn't stop Toki from befriending the demon. Now Toki is just wandering around Thedas, developing an increasingly large arsenal of demon friends and being uncomfortably chipper despite his horrific abilities.

Charles: Human mage (knight-enchanter who is blood magic curious). Charles is a Circle Mage whose noble background has made his time in the Circle a bit smoother than most. After the Circles fell, he became the magical advisor to a few nobles, but he always felt intellectually unfulfilled. He decided to give up assisting nobles and instead chose to monitor this weird group of musicians, not knowing the kind of power he just tapped into. Also he's been secretly studying blood magic and necromancy.

Knubbler: Elf mage (rift). Knubbler is one of the mages Charles brought on to help him with his efforts. His time studying rifts left him blinded and a bit corrupted in the head, but his knowledge of magic is almost unmatched. Charles is the only person in Thedas still willing to work with him.

Abigail: Human mage (force). Abigail spent most of her life trying to be a perfect, by the books Circle Mage. But then the Circles fell and Abigail realized that none of this shit matters, so she might as well have fun. She joined Charles' team where Knubbler works as her assistant.

Melmord: Human mage (knight-enchanter). Melmord is a mage who fronts as a rogue. He was caught trying to steal Charles' research and Charles thought he could easily defeat him with magic, but oh no Melmord is a mage too. They have a homoerotic magical swordfight before Melmord falls off the tower. No one hired Melmord for this job. He just showed up and started causing problems.

Seth: Dwarf guy. Seth is Pickles' twin brother who did everything a merchant caste son in Orzammar is supposed to do. He married a merchant caste woman and had a kid, he honors the ancestors, he brings in coin, etc. However, Seth tends to get in trouble with the law quite a bit, specifically gambling, working with smugglers, fixing Proving matches, etc. But he's always able to pay off his crimes, so no one seems to care.

Amber: Dwarf lady. Amber is Seth's wife and another merchant caste dwarf. She has a pretty spotless record and tends to go unnoticed. I thought about making her secretly a former Silent Sister to explain why she never speaks, but I think even Seth would notice if she literally didn't have a tongue.

Magnus: Human mage (necromancer). Magnus was born in Seheron, but he moved to Tevinter in the hopes of expanding his knowledge of magic (and probably changed his name too to fit in). Unfortunately, even Tevinter thought he was too dramatic to put up with, so he was cast out of every group he joined. After getting fed up of his cool ideas not taken seriously, he joined forces with an escaped Qunari Saarebas, who is definitely going to listen to his ideas instead.

The Saarebas: Qunari mage (saarebas). The Saarebas is Qunari mage who escaped from his Aravaarad and went on a rampage across Tevinter to try and find his long-lost brother who was taken there. When he discovered that his brother was killed, he went on another rampage. He was able to escape Tevinter with Magnus' help and the two joined forces.

#metalocalypse #dragon age #nathan explosion #pickles the drummer #william murderface #skwisgaar skwigelf #toki wartooth #charles offdensen #dick knubbler #abigail remeltindtdrinc #melmord fjordslorn #seth metalocalypse #amber metalocalypse #magnus hammersmith #metal masked assassin #dragon age au #my art

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felassan · 6 months

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Spiced Jerky recipe from Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas.

Transcribed lore blurb:

"Spiced Jerky Preserved foods play an important role in many different cultures across Thedas. Not only do they help certain communities weather times of scarcity brought on by the changing of the seasons, but they also ensure that long journeys away from home are possible. Imagine how difficult it would be for Dalish hunters to bring back meat the clan is depending on if they have to be back for supper every night - or, worse, hunt on an empty stomach! This spiced jerky ensures that all Dalish hunters are well provisioned whenever they set out on a hunt so that no one, either the hunter or the clan at home, must go hungry. I do wonder, given how well this food keeps, whether it's used in offerings made by certain Dalish elves to Fen'Harel. Although his shrines are usually located well outside of Dalish camps, I can't imagine that leaving behind food that'll readily spoil is good practice, especially if the prevailing opinion about these shrines is to avoid them. Besides, he is the Dread Wolf. If any god would enjoy a good piece of jerky, it should be him!"

Source: Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas.

#dragon age #bioware #video games #solas #one of the solas mentions in the cookbook (in full)

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blarrghe · 4 months

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The Hunter, the Snake, and the Fox

M | No Warnings Apply | M/M | Pavellan | Canon-Divergent

Summary:

When Magister Dorian Pavus' expedition meets unexpectedly with a clan of unhappy Dalish elves, First Taren Lavellan may be the unhappiest among them. Unhappier still to be put to the task of helping to see his quest through. This is the tale of how a fortnight in the forests of the Free Marches can change everything.

Notes:

This is a canon-divergent, enemies-to-lovers tragedy. I'm just gonna say that last bit once. Set in a canon-compliant Thedas where the Breach/Inquisition simply never happened. Other game-typical politics and prejudices are intact.

This is also a first for me in that this fic is already finished, and I will be updating weekly! Consistency! Wow!

Ch. 1/26: Master Pavus

Snippet:

The dawn rose misty. Soft brushes of pale white fog hung low in the air, painting the forest floor in a glittery dew. Rays of watery yellow echoed through the slats between trees in a faded memory of sunlight. It was quiet. The blue-grey soaked cushion of a cluttered forest floor insulated the small clearing where Dorian's company had made their camp. Only a few faint birds chirped, calling out desperate, lost calls in a farewell to summer.

Dorian Pavus woke damp in his tent, cursing the chill.

DAFF tage list: @warpedlegacy @rakshadow @rosella-writes @effelants @bluewren @breninarthur @ar-lath-ma-cully @dreadfutures @ir0n-angel @inquisimer @crackinglamb @theluckywizard @nirikeehan @oxygenforthewicked @exalted-dawn-drabbles @melisustheweee @agentkatie @delicatefade

#I'm finally posting ittttttttt #pavellan #my writing #my fic #dragon age #dragon age fanfic #dragon age inquisition #dragon age inquisition fanfic #da:i #dorian pavus #dorian x lavellan #clan lavellan #enemies to lovers #canon divergent au #but also canon compliant ish? very much in the DA universe for a change #the hunter the snake and the fox #I'm so exciteedddddd

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belleropheon · 8 months

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I think only Mahariel and maybe Cousland have actual survival/camping skills out of all the OGs.

Mahariel by virtue of being Dalish and knowing the evade shems/Keeper Marethari life with Tamlen (you can't tell me they never did something and choose to hide from Marethari for a few days in the forest). Probably the one that can conjure up an arravel out of a nail and some leaves a la A team

Cousland for being the kid of the Seawolf, biggest baddest bitch this side of Thedas, they probably also know how to sail and tie 40 different knots in their sleep as well

What I'm getting at is I would've loved to see Morrigan trying to explain to Aeducan that no, she isn't going to magic up a nice hot bubble bath in the middle of nowhere cause they need to 'relax' and they can set up their own tent

#Dragon age #Dragon age origins #Dao #Still crack up that Aeducan had to rawdog the deep roads with nothing but bare hands and luck and just casually strolled up to Duncan #As if they were just on a casuall stroll and happened upon him by sheer coincidence

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theluckywizard · 6 months

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In the Shattering of Things, Ch. 55: The Dead Outnumber the Living Part II

Chapter summary:

Rose, Hawke, Blackwall and Varric contend with an undead ambush and then continue onward to dine with the mayor. Their humble dinner in little, seemingly insignificant Crestwood village is tenser than Rose ever imagined it could be.

Fic Summary:

Lady Rose Trevelyan's idle, aristocratic life blinks out in a haze of irrelevance when the breach destroys the Conclave. She may be soft and coddled when she joins the Inquisition, but there's a fierceness inside her she's yet to fully recognize. Armed with only a few relevant skills and the mark that makes her a legend, she is thrust onto a path delivering hope where it’s long been scorched away and finds comfort in the grumpy, handsome stick in the mud charged with her protection and training. As she stumbles her way across southern Thedas, she begins to realize she's tangled at the center of machinations she barely understands, and she's not alone in that. Enter Hawke.

Excerpt Below the Jump ⏬

The following morning I delegate most of my companions into crews to accompany scouting missions— one resource gathering mission further to the north consisting of Solas, Vivienne and Cassandra another along the lake shore with Bull, Blackwall, Varric, Sera, and Hawke to further investigate the undead problem. Dorian remains in camp with Harding and I and I assume that Cole is around somewhere in the ether. He didn’t attend our morning meeting but he’s never far.

“I’ve been meaning to catch you alone,” says Dorian, leaning against my desk where I’m scanning through an update missive from Leliana that Harding has decrypted for me. “How are you?”

“I’m keeping busy,” I say, pitching him a half smile.

“It’s been a week and a half. Have you heard anything from him?”

“You mean beyond his parade of dismally dry requests for signatures and permission to buy toys for our army?” I say. “Why? Do you think he’d send anything different?”

“You both care about each other.”

“I still have a foolish amount of hope inside me, but he drew a clear line. And logically I know I should accept it. Maker knows I’ll be more productive if I do.”

“If he weren’t such a self-flagellating sad sack—”

“ No . I don’t know what he told you, but he’s entitled to feel the way he does. I don’t like it, but I understand. It hurts . But I understand.”

“ Fasta vass , Rose,” Dorian sighs. “You two are infuriating. Whatever happened to talking things out like grown ups? Fighting for one another?”

“I’m sorry if we’ve disappointed you, Dorian. But some things aren’t a matter of fighting,” I tell him. “And clinging to hope is foolish. He made that perfectly clear.”

“Let me see these notes of his,” Dorian says, scanning my desk like he might stumble upon them.

“ Dorian .”

He sighs.

“I just need someone to be happy around here, I suppose,” he says into his folded hands. I reach over and squeeze his upper arm.

“And what about you?”

“ Me ?”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t been making eyes at Bull these last several weeks. I may have prodded you about it while it was still a fleeting thought, but it’s a little harder to mistake now.”

“Rose, you were an appalling matchmaker then, you’re an appalling matchmaker now,” he says in an obvious deflection. The man never seems to blush, but he scratches his forehead in the sort of tell that satisfies me.

“Then I shall leave your stolen glances be for the moment. No harm in them.”

“Certainly no more numerous than your obvious looks at a certain celebrity hero.”

“Obvious? He’s the second biggest thing here next to Bull. There’s no avoiding looking at him.”

“And now you understand me!”

Read the chapter here Start the fic from the beginning

DAFF Crew Tag List:

#cullen x trevelyan #in the shattering of things #rose trevelyan #dragon age inquisition #hawke x trevelyan #dragon age fanfiction #cullenmance #cullen rutherford #dragon age fan fiction #dragon age #theluckywizard

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vivispec · 26 days

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Happy Friday and welcome to DADWC! For your Lavellan/Solas, perhaaaaps: "A meticulously clean elven mosaic" from the Artifacts of Thedas!

i may have gotten carried away and spent the better part of 2 dadwc chipping away at this one, but in my defense my fridays are pretty full. it was a LOT of fun thinking about Viera, and her faith after everything. i def think it's getting a full write one of these days

@dadrunkwriting Viera'vun / Solas words: 1445 cw: discussion of character death

Solas had never seen Viera bow her head until now, nestled there within the rubble.

Their travels had led them deep into the embrace of a long forgotten forest, and to the clan whose camp spilled from the mouth of its nearly buried temple like water from a cracked vessel. Her absence that morning had been no surprise—the Herald often rose with the sun, and the promise of a hunt amongst her kith come dawn had nearly kept her from sleep the night before—however, when the hunters returned and she did not, he couldn’t hold himself from questioning.

No satisfying answers were forthcoming. “She is where she needs to be,” they told him, “leave her. An outsider wouldn’t understand.” It was truly impressive, how they handled the ‘flat-ear’ in their midsts with such tolerance. As morning bled into midday, however, and Viera was still nowhere to be found, he searched for the answers on his own, following the echo of her mark as it called to him from within the ruins.

And ruins they were, a shrine to the dead that was itself decaying. Dust danced in the light pouring in from above, seeping its way through what remained of the high ceiling to feed the blankets of moss that coated each and every stone. The Dalish residing there had not been negligent, however, and while much of the room had been consumed by time’s passage and nature’s reclamation, not all was lost. It gleamed as it caught the light, a mosaic spanning the back wall entirely, carefully cleaned and preserved. From within varying shades of restored tile towered a hooded figure, pointing into the distance with a crook in his elbow, an owl lifting to follow his outstretched hand. A countenance he recognized, if bitterly so.

It was at its feet he found her, still as those who were honored here. He’d nearly overlooked her amidst the mess, eyes passing over the crown of her head until she moved, bending further forward in her deference. At her lowest point she whispered a prayer, too quiet for him to hear, before lifting her eyes back to the altar and the offering she’d made there—old bones, carved and painted, nestled within bright purple flowers. That was when she noticed him, surprise flashing across her face as she turned towards him, before a smile overcame it.

“Ah,” she breathed, “you found me.” Her head tilted, questioning him with a blink. “Is something wrong?”

“Not to my knowledge, no,” he answered, clasping his hands behind his back before padding closer. “I only thought to search for you, when you hadn’t returned by midday.”

“I told the two I hunted with to mention where I’d gone. They didn’t, did they?” He bit his tongue to keep from saying anything hasty, though she read the answer easily enough across his face, sighing. “I might’ve figured. I only wanted to make an offering, but…I guess I lost track of the time.”

He studied her as she returned her eyes to the mosaic and her hands to her lap, the woman outlined in gold. For all the worries she carried he’d hardly seen her so relaxed as this, shoulders sloped and features soft. It was reminiscent of those rare moments they stole together, quiet and away from camp. “You don’t often speak of your faith.”

“I don’t often find that there’s much to say,” she answered, though his words hadn’t been a question. “Even as the Keeper’s kin, I wasn’t very diligent. Not compared to Ilo’s family, anyway. I prayed before and after the hunt, gave offerings when it was time to…I guess it was always just a personal thing, to me. Private.”

“Shall I take that as a hint?”

“Not at all, it wasn’t intended that way. In fact, I’d like it better if you stayed.”

She’d gotten bold with him since their jaunt in the Fade, possibly dangerously so. Still, despite his pause, he did oblige her. Picking a path through the debris he joined Viera at her side, there beneath a glimmering face shaped by hands he knew to be unwilling, ones that were long dead. Cleansed after millennia by those deluded into worship. Before his lip could curl his eyes flicked away, down and to the altar, to the flowers and the bone. It was there that his growing discomfort softened into something somber, something concerned, recognizing what it was she’d come here to do.

“...It is for the First?”

He didn’t look at her, but still he could feel her—the way she froze as if seen, exposed, before letting free her breath to fly. Her words caught at first, tripped by an unsteady heart, but she pushed through it. Often, he knew, she did. “It is. You recognize the offering?”

“The bones of an owl, the messenger between the Fade and the waking, carved with a prayer,” he said, “and the likeness as well. Falon’din.”

“Friend of the Dead.” She sighed through her nose, enough to push the petals atop the stone to tremor. “I never had the chance to make an offering for Rehn, after I buried him. I’m sure the clan did once they were a safe distance, but I…I never could. I was too busy running.” From the corner of his eye he saw a flicker of movement, of fingers swiping quickly the peak of her cheek. “I’m not running anymore. Even if his soul has long since passed on, I needed to do this. I have to move on.”

“If only it were so easy as that,” he muttered, and meant it. She didn’t dispute him. Gesturing with his chin, he carried on, pushing past the pang that asked questions of himself. “The flowers you’ve chosen, your purple phlox: I’ve not seen them used in this way. Have they a meaning for you?”

“I saw them while we were on the trail this morning, tucked at the edge of the treeline, like they were sitting in the shade. It reminded me of him, how he’d read scrolls while I climbed trees. He liked flowers, purple ones especially.” Her eyes roamed up the mosaic, flashing like its tiles as they climbed, a ripple stretching across her brow. “We’re taught that the Creators are trapped. After everything, I couldn’t see the point to it anymore—why pray to gods who can’t hear, let alone answer?—but then there were those damned flowers. I couldn’t get them out of my head all morning, it was like…like…” She shook her head as she searched for the words, growing still as she found them. “Like he was reaching for me across the Veil, one last time. ‘Keep climbing, Vie, I’m just below.’ Like somebody was, anyway.”

“You might be more correct than you believe,” he said, meeting her gaze as a question tilted her towards him. “I’m sure you’ve surmised that the Veil is thin, here in this long forgotten remnant of the past. For all my criticisms of the Dalish, your kith have treated this place with due reverence. It is not so hard to believe that which troubles you might have resonated with the denizens of this place—Love or Compassion, maybe, drawn by lost goodbyes or unresolved remorse, and beholden to those who restored their home. Enough, even, for their sympathies to reach across that barrier between worlds, to draw you to this place where you might know peace.”

“Or, perhaps,” she countered, softly, “my proximity to people like my own was simply enough to reawaken memories I’d believed buried. Maybe, flowers are merely flowers.”

“Of course, it is a possibility. The phlox specifically, however, gives me pause.” Running his hand along the rim of the altar, Solas gently lifted one of the blooms, tilting its lavender petals with the pad of his finger to face the starburst at its center towards him. “Across cultures spanning centuries it signified many things: the hope for unity and harmony, or deep bonds between friends and family. ‘We are alike’. There is another interpretation I prefer, myself.”

“Which is…?”

“‘Our souls are united’,” he answered, and let the flower fall back to the stone. “Nuarehn’s soul may have long since passed, but just as his memory lingers in the shade of the trees, I wonder, too, if he might linger within you.” Turning from the altar his hand clasped her shoulder, feeling as she breathed his words in. He squeezed, and let her go. “I will tell the others that you are safe. Take all the time you need, lethallan. We will be there for you, when it is done.”“I will,” she uttered, quiet. “Ma serannas, lethallin. Ma serannas.”

#solas #viera #oc: viera #solavellan #dragon age #dai #my writing #dadwc

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daitranscripts · 2 months

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What Pride had Wrought Pt. 6

Base Camp

What Pride had Wrought Masterpost Previous: The Arbor Wilds

The PC heads through camp. Josephine is nearby.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Gaspard rules alone [1]

Briala and Gaspard rule [2]

Gaspard executed [3]

Celene rules/Public truce, Gaspard alive [4]

1 - Gaspard rules alone: Josephine: We are humbled by Orlais’ support, Lord LaMarche. Emperor Gaspard has saved Thedas. LaMarche: His Majesty is overjoyed to fight alongside the Inquisition. “A worthy hunt,” he said. Emperor Gaspard will avenge his cousin’s murder. Josephine: Then let this be for the memory of Empress Celene, and the peace of Orlais. LaMarche: Quite so, Ambassador. May the empress watch from the Maker’s side. [5]

2 - Briala and Gaspard rule: Josephine: Lord LaMarche, we thank Orlais for its swift and steady friendship. LaMarche: It’s to our elven nobility your thanks should be directed. Marquise Briala insisted His Majesty help the Inquisition. As you know, he values her advice immensely. Josephine: Without it, Orlais would face Corypheus on its own soil. This battleground is preferable, no? LaMarche: (Sighs.) Doubtless. [5]

3 - Gaspard executed: Celene: Your faith in your commander is well places, Ambassador. Victory is all but in sight. Josephine: With Orlais’ imperial guard joining us, it was never in doubt. Corypheus has been seen in the fray. Will you not consider moving further from the front line? Celene: Dear Lady Montilyet, we cannot send our subjects where we ourselves fear to tread. All Thedas will see Orlais stand triumphant with the chosen of Andraste. Josephine: As Your Majesty wishes. [5]

4 - Celene rules/Public truce, Gaspard alive: Celene: We are aware of the designs Corypheus has on our lives and people, Ambassador. You must excuse us, however if our mind wanders to our beloved kingdom. Josephine: I pray Orlais fares well in your absence. Celene: It is our return to court that concerns us. Our dear cousin Gaspard warns it might align with poor weather. Josephine: it is ambitious to predict so far into the future. I’m confident Your Majesty can weather any storm. Celene: We’ll see how this battle proceeds. Corypheus yet threatens to engulf us. [5]

5 - Scene continues.

The PC speaks to Josephine.

Josephine: Inquisitor. I hear this “eluvian” lies in a temple nearby.

Choice dependent dialogue:

In relationship with Josephine [6]

Not in relationship with Josephine [7]

6- In relationship with Josephine: Josephine (in relationship): No doubt you’re departing for it now. Be safe.

Dialogue options:

General: I worry about you. [8]

General: I’ll be back soon. [9]

General: We’ll celebrate alone later. [10]

8 - General: I worry about you. PC: Promise me you’ll leave the instant the fight comes closer. Josephine: I promise. Return once you can. [15]

9 - General: I’ll be back soon. PC: We’re so close, Josephine. A few more hours, and this will all be over. Josephine: Maker, let it be so. Return once you can. [15]

10 - General: We’ll celebrate alone later. PC: Once we’re home, we’ll spend quite some time in private. Josephine: Shhh! How can you think of that now? PC: How can I not? Josephine: We’ll… arrange something after. Return once you can. [15]

7 - Not in relationship with Josephine Josephine: That’s where the fighting will be worst. Andraste keep you safe.

Dialogue options:

General (claimed chosen): She will. [11]

General: We’ll make it. [12]

General: Keep yourself safe. [13]

General: Come join us! [14]

11 - General: She will. PC: Our Lady guided me to this moment. She would not leave us now. Josephine: Then I will be as the other faithful and wait. Good luck. [15]

12 - General: We’ll make it. PC: Our soldiers have courage. The Inquisition will make it through. Josephine: Then I will be as the other faithful and wait. Good luck. [15]

13 - General: Keep yourself safe. PC: Move everyone immediately if the fighting comes closer. Josephine: You may count on it. Good luck. [15]

14 - General: Come join us! PC: Are you sure you don’t want to grab a sword and wade in? Josephine: (Sighs.) I shall remain where I’m of some use, your worship, if it’s all the same. Good luck. [15]

15 - Scene continues.

The PC speaks to the ruler of Orlais.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Celene rules/Public truce [16]

Gaspard rules alone [17]

Briala and Gaspard rule [18]

16 - Celene rules: Celene: We are gladdened to see you, Herald. This day will be recalled for ages. We are privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Inquisition’s purpose.

Dialogue options:

General: The honor is mine. [19]

General: The Inquisition might persist. [20]

General: My soldiers need me. [21] + Sera slightly approves (if in party)

19 - General: The honor is mine. PC: The sight of our Orlesian allies risking their lives here humbles me. Celene: Your worthy cause would have friends, even if we did not will it. Men and women of faith serve you. Their favor is no less than our own, their service no less dear. With Orlais at your side, we will see you victorious against Corypheus. May you walk in the light. [34]

20 - General: The Inquisition might persist. PC: There are other ills, Your Majesty, that the Inquisition may be called upon to attend. Celene: We will note them with great interest. Their favor is no less than our own, their service no less dear. With Orlais at your side, we will see you victorious against Corypheus. May you walk in the light. [34]

21 - General: My soldiers need me. PC: I can’t speak long. I must join my soldiers on the field. Celene: It would be selfish to keep you. Their favor is no less than our own, their service no less dear. With Orlais at your side, we will see you victorious against Corypheus. May you walk in the light. [34]

17 - Gaspard rules alone Gaspar: A fine day for sport, Inquisitor! Come, let’s show these red templar brute rage founders against good Orlesian steel.

22 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Should you be fighting here? [23]

Champion: To glorious battle. [24]

General: Thank you for coming. [25]

General: Anxious to start? [26]

General: Let’s see who’s better. [27] + Dorian slightly approves (if in party) + Sera slightly approves (if in party)

23 - Investigate: Should you be fighting here? PC: Should you be risking your life here? Gaspard: As Emperor Drakon before me, I lead my nation from the front lines. There is time enough to grow old and wise and dull on my throne. For this day’s glory, I would be alive. [back to 22]

24 - Champion: To glorious battle. PC: We have the might of the Inquisition and Orlais behind us. If our enemies do not yet fear us, they soon will. Gaspard: (Laughs.) Who better to instruct them than you and I? It is your right to lead the charge. Go, and I shall follow. [28]

25 - General: Thank you for coming. PC: It’s an honor to fight alongside Your Majesty. Gaspard: Escaping the court is its own reward. One I intend to enjoy. It is your right to lead the charge. Go, and I shall follow. [28]

26 - General: Anxious to start? PC: You’re eager to join the fray, Emperor. Gaspard: If my reign is filled with honest battles, Inquisitor, I will die a happy man. It is your right to lead the charge. Go, and I shall follow. [28]

27 - General: Let’s see who’s better. PC: Only if we compare how many monsters we strike down today. Gaspard: (Laughs.) I’ll take a careful tally. One is honor-bound not to exaggerate! It is your right to lead the charge. Go, and I shall follow. [28]

28 - Scene continues.

Gaspard (spoken to again): At your pleasure, Inquisitor. By the Maker, I’ve missed this. [34]

18 - Briala and Gaspard rule Briala: You’ve put together an impressive army, inquisitor. PC: You’re dressed for battle. Briala: If the Herald of Andraste dares the fray, I could hardly stay home.

Dialogue options:

General: Should you fight, Marquise? [29]

General: You still have an edge. [30]

General: You want to be seen helping. [31] + Cassandra slightly approves

29 - General: Should you fight, Marquise? PC: Should you risk yourself in battle, Marquise Briala? Briala: It’s safer here with red templars than home with Orlesian nobles eyeing my back. It will be refreshing to see the blade coming. [32]

30 - General: You still have an edge. PC: Are you sure? Court life makes one soft, I hear. Briala: (Short laugh.) Show me a palace where that’s true, I beg you. Briala (Dalish PC): An elf with power still shocks. You know how it feels to hear those whispers constantly. Enough of that. Sound the charge and we’ll show Corypheus the displeasure of Orlais. Briala (non-Dalish PC): Sound the charge, Inquisitor, and we’ll show Corypheus what comes of interfering in the affairs of Orlais. [32]

31 - General: You want to be seen helping. PC: You want people to see the first elven noble in history helping the Inquisition. Briala (Dalish PC): Our people need it. The more we are seen in important position, the harder it is to ignore us. Sound the charge, Inquisitor, and we’ll show Corypheus what comes of interfering in the affairs of Orlais. Briala (non-Dalish PC): Sound the charge, Inquisitor, and we’ll show Corypheus what comes of interfering in the affairs of Orlais. [32]

32 - Scene continues.

Briala (spoken to again): Whenever you’re ready Inquisitor. [34]

34 - Scene continues.

The PC continues through the camp, overhearing soldiers.

Soldier 1: We can’t send people east! Soldier 2: We can’t let the red templars break the supply lines. Soldier 1: Those shit-eating bastards don’t have the strength! Soldier 2: We thought that days ago. Would you risk them breaking through again?

Soldier 1: Where’s General Cullen? Soldier 2: He led the charge at dawn. Hasn’t stopped fighting since. The man hasn’t slept more than and hour two days running. Soldier 1: Andraste give me the strength. Or make me that young again.

The PC approaches what appears to be an area for the wounded.

Soldier 3: Where does it hurt? Soldier 4: Everywhere. Soldier 3: Maker, don’t move. You’ll open the wound. Soldier 4: Are we driving them back? Do the red templars fall? Soldier 3: They fall. You’ve done your part. Rest.

Soldier 4: Maker, I feel the ground shudder. Soldier 3: Catapults make short work of the bastards. Soldier 4: All those trees gone. Too nice here for a war… Soldier 3: I said rest.

Soldier 4: Where are Lachlin, and Allain? Aren’t they here yet? Soldier 3: Allain is fine. Lachlin… Lachlin fell behind. Soldier 4: What? Soldier 3: I’m sorry. Soldier 4: His mother was like an aunt to me. She kissed us farewell. What will I say when I return without her son? Soldier 3: That he fought for the Inquisition. That he triumphed.

A soldier prays to a figure of Andraste.

Soldier 5: As the sun renews itself, so must the faithful renew their love of the maker. Your penance shall be a joy, serving Him with a heart of love unbound. Your struggle shall be a gift, for it redeems you in His sight.

Dialogue options:

General: [Finish the verse.] [35]

General: Your work isn’t unnoticed. [36]

General: You’re not the Maker’s yet. [37]

35 - General: [Finish the verse.] PC: Maker let me be a worthy servant, that you might take me unto His side. Soldier 5: My thanks, your worship. Andraste must hear you. [38]

36 - General: Your work isn’t unnoticed. PC: The Inquisition brought you into this struggle. Without men like you, it would fail. Soldier 5: I… the fight is justly entered, your worship. [38]

37 - General: You’re not the Maker’s yet. PC: The Maker can’t have you yet. Not while the Inquisition needs you. Soldier 5: My sword is yours, your worship. [38]

38 - Scene continues.

Soldier 5: I was a pilgrim at Haven. I saw the wreckage, and how you emerged to lead us. If the Maker bids me serve you, it will be done. Andraste help me.

The PC heads towards the battle.

Next: Cutting Through the Enemy

#dragon age inquisition #dai transcripts #dragon age #dragon age transcripts #dragon age dialogue #dai #long post #what pride had wrought #wphw

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hotvintagepoll · 1 month

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Propaganda

Claire Bloom (The Haunting of Hill House)— She played a hot sarcastic psychic lesbian in a haunted house! What more do you need?

This is round 1 of the tournament. All other polls in this bracket can be found here. Please reblog with further support of your beloved hot sexy vintage woman.

[additional propaganda submitted under the cut]

Maria:

#maria montez #claire bloom #hotvintagepoll #fuck that old woman #ladies 1

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lairofdragonagelore · 11 months

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Brecilian Ruins - DAO

[Remade post, originally from here]

I don't know what to make of Brecilian Ruins. Can we truly trust DAO design with its statues? Spoiler answer: no.

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]

The following post contains

Tevinter architecture filled with Elven traps

Iconography

The Well of Sorrows: DAO version

The Tevinter Artefacts

Extra minor details

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore]

Tevinter architecture filled with Elven traps

The first thing we have when entering these Ruins is Morrigan telling us that, despite seeing the whole place with the same architecture we saw in the Ruins of Dalish origin, this is Tevinter. Sure, we can assume that the Dalish hunters know nothing of Elvhenan Architecture or Tevinter Architecture, so their opinion about those ruins being elven could be wrong from the first moment. They are, after all, extremely unreliable beholders of the reality.

Anyways, let's assume Morrigan is right and we see Tevinter arquitecture with Elven traps. This is quite different of what we usually find in Thedas: which is elven structures appropriated by Tevinter humans. This makes sense when you think that the elves were the first creatures in this world, and humans came later, in addition to Tevinter always co-opting any knowledge or techniques from the Elvhenan.

However in Brecilian forest the order of the events seems to be on the other way around. Historically speaking, it can be explained in the following way: we know that Tevinter invaded Ferelden and built many structures with defensive purposes, like Ostagar [which was built to contain the “danger” of the Chasind in the far South].

We also know in the DLC: Witch Hunt, that slaved elves ran away from the North to the South years later after the fall of Arlathan. We know they hid for a while in a Thaig, but maybe some could have reached these forest and inhabit the ancient human structures, protecting themselves with elven traps to keep Tevinter slavers away from them.

Another possibility is that Tevinter simply co-opted the Elven traps and used them in their own buildings. It would not be the first time doing this.

Iconography

The Ruin corridors and chambers are filled with statues. They are the same statues we saw in Zathrian's camp: Sylaise (woman with a vessel), Andruil (woman with a sword. Why? Should not be a bow?), and Ghilan'nain (woman without head and hands).

These are the same exact statues we find in any Chantry, Circle of Magi, or human town, so this is exactly why I never trusted DAO design in general. I don't know if the engine and its lack of resources made them reuse a lot of background details, or there is a real intention in them [I incline to the former]. Considering that DAO had almost 10 years of development, I want to believe that this is not by chance... but maybe the limitations of the engine forced them to remove most of the potential that environmental telling has to offer... I don't know.

In any case, inside the Brecilian Ruins we see a symbol or figure we also saw in the Dalish origin: a kind of dragon-head like figure, accompanied many times by one of those figures that we believe, it represents Andruil (the goddess of Hunt). This could also represent Andraste [who always has a sword or a shield in her representations] beside two figures that look like dragon heads. This would link Andraste with Dragons too, which has been a repeated association that we are not stranger to.

In DAO we see that the dalish are deeply related to Dragons too if we pay attention to the enviromental details that are not repeated anytwhere else: in Zathrian's clan we see many aravels with masks that are dragon-like skulls, and when you click on them, you find out it's a representation of one of their elven pantheon.

We see the concept art of these in the credits of the game.

By now it's quite difficult to say if this is an obvious link of the Elven Pantheon with dragons or maybe Old Gods, or it's just a vestige of former slave elves whose masters may have forced them to worship the Old Gods. It is not strange that a slaved group takes the religious symbols of their slavers and worship them in the name of their own (forbidden) gods. We know that we can't trust in Dalish tales as reliable sources of History, because it's extremely fragmented and lost (thanks to DAI we are truly aware of how false they are containing barely a pinch of truth in them, twisted and romanticed).

On the other hand, I am inclined to think that this is just a representation of how the Elvhenan had, originally, a religion based on Dragons. We know that they venerated a “divine” shape that was meant for their gods and their chosen ones that implied Wings, and due to Mythal’s shape, we associate this Divine Shape with the form of a Dragon. Additional material that can support this speculation can be found in the first three comics of DA comics [The Silent Grove , Those Who Speak, Until We Sleep] where we are informed that the Dragons were the ones who controlled the skies originally, possibly had a broad power over the Fade [Dreamer-like, so from the Fade they could alter reality], and they may have been related to an original non-fragmented “song” that everythign and everyone in the world sang. Also, Dragon Blood is “the blood of the World”, placing the Titans in a confusing position within the lore.

In these Ruins we find a codex of Falon'Din. Which is the same god that Talem told us about when we asked him if he could identify that strange winged statue. So... the confusions gets worse here: it's a Tevinter Ruin, with elven traps, and Elven God statues.

It’s impossible to overlook the fact that this statue of Falon’Din has strong resemblance to the Old God statue of Urthemiel. As if Falon’Din wanted to have the shape of Urthemiel.

The chamber with the fire traps displays “Sylaise” and “Andruil” statues. Which in terms of Dalish Elven lore makes little sense. Andruil? Sure, she is the hunter goddess, though in these statues she is not in a aggressive stance. So is she chasing after you?. And what about Sylaise? The goddess of the domestic arts? Trying to kill you? Protecting the home of the elves? In a Tevinter structure? This makes a bit of more sense if we keep in mind what we know about Andruil from DAI and the little bit of Sylaise [read their sections in Evanuris]; Sylaise is a very agressive, envious goddes of Fire, who is described top have fire breath [like a dragon?], as powerful as Andruil’s spear [a very dangerous and brutal weapon so far we know]. Andruil is presented to us in DAI as the goddess of Sacrifice, brutal and merciless so far we can gather from the codices. So both goddesses seem to fit a bit better in a deadly trap room if we keep in mind the interpretation we had from DAI.

The Well of Sorrows: DAO version

Then we reach to our first "Well of Sorrows". Or more like "Puddle of Sorrows", lol. Once again, we find a wall covered with that Dragon-like skull statues of “Andruil” and “Sylaise” [I keep the quotation mark because we know we can’t trust little these representations]. We also find the codex of an ancient elven tablet explaining the ritual which, after DAI, makes more sense. You drink from the water of the pool, taking the knowledge left by other elves, and then you put the rest of the water in it, leaving your knowledge there [it works similar to what Abelas explained about the Well of Sorrows]. It seems to be corrupted or empty since you don’t have any whispers or sudden knowledge inside your head, and many Shades are summoned if you fail in the procedure. This chamber unlocks the following one where we find the Uthenera chamber.

Since the only Elven god codex we found in these ruins is Falon'Din’s, it could be fair to believe that this may be interpreted like a "Well of Falon'din" which gathers all the knowledge of those elves that want to stop living and go to Uthenera.

This is consistent with the info provided in The Masked Empire, when Felassan explains that powerful mages went into Uthenera in underground tombs beneath Orlais and their servants had to take care of their bodies until they rebelled to them and slit their throats. This part of the Ruins are deep down underground. It is also reasonable in its location: Mythal’s Temple is located in the Arbor Wilds, South of Orlais, while this potential ruin in the depth of the Brecilian Forest. What’s a bit inconsistent is that some chars [Morrigan] said that this place was a Tevinter building [not an elvhenan one], but we can’t take Morrigan’s words as reliable either. She has been wrong many times along the series.

The one thing that deeply disturbed me was that there were two spirits, a little boy and a woman, clearly humans, talking in elven. We could assume they were elf-blooded, but there is no assurance in this. I want to believe this is not a mistake, there is purpose in them being humans since this game has elven models. There is no “engine” limitations there. Now, about the meaning of it, it’s another thing entirely.

The ghost human woman is beside the altar where you find the codex of Uthenera, some elven remains, and a piece of the Juggernaut (a lot of these Ruins History can be scratched via the rare items you find, so sometimes finding a particular item in a particular place is not minor).

Another detail that annoyed me is that the platform where the elven burial lays is surrounded by Alamarri/Tevinter statues. It’s not clear the story of this building: was it originally elvhen? retaken by Tevinter and later taken by elves again? Or this was an Elvhenan ruin, taken by the Avvar or Alamarri of any tribe, and then taken by Tevinter when they invaded the South? It’s not clear neither the original construction of this building nor the succesive invations and appropiations of it,

So the elven chamber dedicated to Uthenera is surrounded by dragon skull-like figures, there are Sylaise and Andruil statues on the outside ring and Alamarri/Tevinter statues with spears in the inner ring. Clearly this shows that we can’t truly trust much the enviromental telling of DAO due to the restriction of resources.

The Tevinter Artefacts

Finally, when you head to the deepest bottom of the ruins, you find a big statue I can't establish to what culture belongs yet; I speculate it's Tevinter due to the places where I found it most of the time. It has a similar flavor to the ones found in Kirkwall.

Behind it, an instrument with two tables filled with research stuff. The instrument is something that I can't decide if it is the same artefact we use in DAI to strengthen the Veil, those elven artefacts, or it's a prototype version of the Tevinter artefact to see the stars: the astrarium [which would make NO sense in the deep bottom of the Ruins, lol. What stars are you looking at?].

In any case, after this part you find a big chamber with a quincunx. Probably the first time we see this organisation. Which makes us remember Solas Tarot Card: the thing we find in a quincunx’s centre tends to be of great importance.

So, this disposition makes a quincunx inside another one, since each of them is also a quincunx, but its centre must be.... a person? a sacrifice?

And if this symbol were not crazy enough already, the squares have a Chantry symbol in each corner. Not the Imperial Chantry (which won’t be a big fuss) but the Standard Chantry! I can’t believe this is a lack of resources... the sunburst symbol is extremelly important in DA series.

In the centre of this big chamber, once again, we found another artefact that may be an Astrarium or an Elven Artefact. We are sure it's Tevinter, since the same object can be found in the basement of the Circle of Magi. We have no idea what it does, or if it's related to any other artefact we found in DAI. (But it’s related to the one found close to the tables full of research stuff. They look the same, one only has a spherical glass around it while the other is more like the skeleton of the first one, with some missing part)

Anyway, returning to the quincunx Chamber: Here we fight an Arcane Horror. I always found these creatures with a design preeeetty close to the Sidereal Magisters. I don’t know if this means something, but in this context, it hints that a Tevinter experiment went wrong in this chamber and corrupted the mage performing it. It’s not by chance that Arcane Horrors are a product of a Pride demon taking control of a mage corpse. It has a big symbolism.

So, we can speculate that some Tevinter experiment happened here, there is no doubt. Not by chance Zathrian and the Oak tree tell us that the Brecilian Forest has a particular thin Veil, and rage demons possess the trees around. We also find a lot of revenants here (pride or desire demons bound by blood magic, explained in the codex The Black Vials). In short, Brecilian forest has similar symptoms to Kirkwall. Tevinter made experiments here, but it’s not sure if they were performed before or after the slave elves lived here.

Extra minor details

In these ruins is where we found a soul trapped (or bound?) to a gem that will teach us the ancient arts of the Arcane Warrior. It says that it is the last of their kind, implying that if you don’t acquire this knowledge, it will be lost forever and would make no sense for Viviene to have this knowledge in DAI.

All over the Ruins there are some rugs with a symbol that can be interpreted as an oversimplification of the Tevinter Imperium heraldry.

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore ]

#Playing DA like an archaeologist #quincunx #tevinter #dragon #andruil #sylaise #tevinter artefacts #uthenera #brecilian ruins #elven pantheon

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