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nirikeehan · 3 months

Note

Happy Fridayyy~ For DADWC: "DAY 23: presumed dead" ;-;

HI GIN THANK YOU. I got Thalia x Saeris on the brain again so here, have some pain.

Thalia and Dorian discuss the loss(?) of a certain elven scout for @dadrunkwriting

WC: 667

---

“Word for you, ser,” says the requisitions officer, handing Thalia a missive.

She takes it, unrolls the parchment, reads the words. Then reads them again. The third time, the ink starts to blur together in her vision.

“This can’t be right,” she whispers.

It says her scout, Saeris Lavellan, was ambushed with his team by a group of Freedmen. None were presumed to have survived. Her mouth feels dry and sticky.

She leaves the camp, sits on a log, and stares out over the leafy expanse of the Emerald Graves, the missive clutched in her hand.

Dorian finds her there, some time later.

“Sovereign for your thoughts,” he says, stepping over the log with long legs and settling beside her.

Thalia swallows hard and looks down. “It’s nothing.”

“Ah, yes. Getting a letter, going white, and then disappearing for hours certainly implies it’s nothing.” Dorian adjusts himself, dusts a bit of pollen off one shoulder. “Beautiful place, these Graves, but I’m being eaten alive by mosquitos. Maker, do I hate the South.”

She can tell he’s trying to get a laugh out of her, but she can only manage a pained smile. “Do you remember one of our scouts? Saeris?”

“The elf with the great hair?”

Thalia snorts. “That’s the one.”

“Only in passing. I’m not sure we ever talked. But he cut a striking figure, so I confess he does stand out in my memory.” Dorian narrows his eyes at her. “What about him?”

The words stick in Thalia’s throat. “He’s dead.”

“Ah.” Dorian shifts his weight. “That’s too bad.”

Too bad. Is that really all it is? She crumbles the parchment tighter in one fist. “He’s, um. He was nice to me. I liked his bird.” She sounds like an idiot. She inhales sharply, fighting an onslaught of tears.

Dorian peers at her, surprised. “Sounds like it was a touch more than that, perhaps?”

“Yeah. Maybe.” They had kissed once, while camping together in the forests outside Crestwood, when she was brooding over the mistakes she’d made with Blackwall. She agonized over that kiss afterward, worried it was too forward of her, too stupid for her to jump at the first man to be kind to her since the warden. That maybe it would be too strange to continue, her as a highborn lady and Saeris as a representative of the Dalish. But she’d wanted to, maybe, once time permitted. Once her responsibilities cleared out, and she could think about it logically.

And now it was too late.

“The Freedmen,” she says, with a sniffle and a scoff. “They’re just some desperate rabble-rousers. That’s hardly a fitting end.”

Dorian watches her with a heavy expression. “I am not sure any end is fitting, when it comes down to it. It’s always too little, too soon. You always think there will be more time.” He’s looking past her now, into the rustling foliage. Thalia swallows, remembering that Dorian has ghosts of his own, ones that follow him in his quest to aid the Inquisition.

She sighs, wiping at her eye with a knuckle. “They didn’t even find his body.” There was a grim poetical quality to it, that Saeris should be lost in a land named for the slaughter of his ancestors.

Dorian puts a hand on her shoulder. “Come now. It doesn’t do to dwell on the gruesome details. Return to camp with me and we can toast to his memory.”

Thalia raises an eyebrow. “You’ve brought alcohol with you?”

“When am I ever without it?” Dorian grins. “A nice Minrathous red I’ve been saving for a special occasion, ever since I bribed the quartermaster to obtain it.”

Thalia snorts in spite of herself.

Dorian nods. “I think now could not be a finer time to drink it.”

He leads her through the gathering dusk by the elbow. Thalia stuffs the missive in the pocket of her trousers. She’ll pull it out from time to time in the future, read it over again, and wonder.

#dragon age drunk writing circle #fics #thalia trevelyan #oc x oc #saeris lavellan #dorian pavus #will maybe refine this for febuwhump but leaving as is for now

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daitranscripts · 2 months

Text

What Pride Had Wrought: Deleted Dialogue

Various snippets of dialogue that didn’t make it into the final cut of the game - listed in scene order.

What Pride had Wrought Masterpost

—

At the eluvian in Skyhold:

Morrigan: That would be unwise.

In the crossroads

Special: The energy here is strange.

PC: This place isn’t natural. It almost seems… constructed. It’s as if someone made a pocket within the Fade, with its own rules of reality. If the ancient elves could do this… Morrigan: It seems remarkable that the magisters of Tevinter could ever challenge them, yes. PC: It’s deteriorating. Eventually this place will simply collapse on itself. Morrigan: Who can say how old it is? For now it stands, and thus retains its value.

—

PC: Our our allies prepared to march with the Inquisition?

Josephine: Emperor Gaspard has sent his chevaliers. His scouts have gone ahead to meet Leliana’s people in the Arbor Wilds. Josephine: Ambassador Briala has dispatched her elven hunters. They’ll meet with Leliana’s scouts in the Arbor Wilds. Josephine: Empress Celene has sent imperial soldiers. Her swiftest archers will meet Leliana’s scouts in the Arbor wilds.

Leliana: They’re trapping and harassing soldiers of Corypheus. Our own should catch up soon.

Josephine: Lady Morrigan will help us find this eluvian within the forest.

Cullen: It will be bloody, Inquisitor, but our men and women understand what must be done. The time to rout Corypheus is now.

—

Morrigan: A question, soldier, before you are lost to the din of battle. The elven ruin of which you spoke… where is it located?

Captain: The scouts say it’s to the northwest, Lady Morrigan.

—

LaMarche: In times such as these, I wish I was meant to be a chevalier. What finer work is performed today than that of our knights?

Josephine: I have seen Corypheus’s wrath, Lord LaMarche. It is even more terrible than his agents’. May the chevaliers be as fortunate as they are brave.

LaMarche: Yes, of course. Maker guide them.

—

Briala: Be on guard, Inquisitor. My scouts caught glimpses of Corypheus heading toward the temple.

—

Gaspard: Maker willing, we’ll see more fighting before the day’s end.

—

Leliana: The temple is close. I pray you find it before Corypheus.

—

Cullen: I’ll be fine! Keep going! Cullen: Onwards! Cullen: The temple’s ahead, Inquisitor. Cullen: Maker keep you safe. Cullen: Go on. We’ll hold things here.

—

Sentinel 1: Fenhedis! Ma halani! Ma halani! Sentinel 2: Dareth shiral vhenan! Ara— (Gasps.) Sentinel 1: (Screams.)

—

Vivienne: What was that? Sera: What was that? Varric: You hear that? Iron Bull: You hear that? Cassandra: The temple’s guardians, perhaps. Blackwall: What was that? Cole: Worried, wary, watchful, and we are unwanted. PC: What’s that?

Dorian: Is it the elves watching us, or the Venatori? Solas: Our movements here have not gone unnoticed. Cole: Someone’s watching us. Blackwall: Wonder if we’re being followed by elves or Venatori. Cassandra: Who goes there? Show yourself? Varric: Don’t waste your time, Seeker. Nobody ever answers that. Iron Bull: Gotta be elves. The Vints aren’t this quiet. Varric: If we’re being stalked, I’d rather they get it over with. PC: Who’s there?

—

PC: Closed, as if it’s sealed.

Morrigan: If this door is anything like the previous, only completing the rituals will open it.

—

Morrigan: You missed one of the steps. All of them must be touched to proceed.

—

Party comments:

Cassandra: The path is blocked. Perhaps you can jump over the rubble?

Iron Bull: I think you gotta hop over the rubble in the middle.

Blackwall: I don’t think you can finish walking this ritual without jumping over to the other side.

Morrigan: The intended path is ruined. Leap over the rubble if you wish to proceed.

—

Sentinel (guide): Awell!

—

Abelas: And we will defend the vir’abelasan, as we ever have.

Morrigan: With what? These few warriors who remain at your side?

—

Abelas: The shemlen are as poor at keeping their word as reputed.

Morrigan: As you assumed, else why would you have fled to destroy the Well?

—

Morrigan: What about one trained, prepared in your arts?

—

Dialogue options:

Is the Well dangerous?

Is the Well dangerous? PC: You said the knowledge inside the Well might be “too much”… is it dangerous? Abelas: No being so young has ever partaken of the vir’abelasan. I cannot know. You could never prepare as Mythal’s true servants did, in the scant years granted a shemlen. Morriga: Your vast lifespan did not ready you to drive off the Venatori. It has limits, clearly. Ableas: That is true.

—

PC (at the Well): Is that so?

—

Dialogue options:

Amazing. PC: There was… that was power like nothing I’ve ever felt. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

I’m not sure. PC: Ask me again once I’ve a chance to think about it. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Terrifying. PC: I think I nearly died. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

I’m fine. PC: No permanent damage, I think.

Scene continues.

PC: The next thing to do is—

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

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buttertrait · 3 months

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As a "sim parent" (sim maker) we shouldn't have favorites - but we do. Post your favorite sim baby (the golden child) and least fav. Pass it on!

ahhh thank you for the ask lana!

so i’m sure it’ll come as no surprise who my favourite is, the golden child who can do no wrong in my eyes:

Elvene ofc! although elvene is more of a general oc, i dont really have a lot of ocs so we’re just going to roll with it.

when i first made elvene i actually made her because i wanted to make my dnd character as a sim, and she’s since evolved and become so much more than that and i treasure her so much. she is the reason i love writing fun lore for my characters, she was the first character i started to properly develop a story for and come up with facts for. honestly any excuse for me to talk about elvene i will take (honestly id happily just sit and talk about her all day. like pls feel free to ask me anything about her) she is my baby, my favourite, honestly i just love her so much.

as for my least favourite, i don’t really have a least favourite especially as like i said i don’t have very many ocs, but i guess if we’re talking about who do i neglect the most literally every other oc i’ve ever made probably my other like main oc that i tend to neglect would be xyla!

if you guys have followed me for a while you might know her you might not like i said i defiantly do neglect her in favour of elvene. xyla is from the same universe as eleven (they’re both fantasy characters. they’re also both elves although eleven is a forest elf and xyla is a high elf). she was a princess who ran away from a life of luxury to become an adventurer, and ended up joining elvene and her party. originally i made her based on princess zelda (especially appearance wise) however she has since again evolved a lot more and i honestly should post more of her but i just never know what to post.

#again thank you for your ask!#sorry it’s kinda long #max asks #sim: elvene sharp #sim: xyla farrington

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paper--moons · 1 year

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Regressor!Aragorn Headcanons

(with cg!Elrond)

While it might be a bit difficult to pin down a specific regression age for him in terms of numbers, Aragorn consistently occupies a soft smear of toddlerspace whenever he's feeling small. Just old enough that he is filled to the brim with curiosity about the world around him and having a want to do things on his own, but still small enough that he needs a lot more help than he thinks he does. It is because of this that he's something of a trouble maker—not intentionally, mind you, but because like a lot of children at that stage they want to do the first thing that comes to mind however ill-advised it may be. A fact that is doubly true when that toddler thinks they're still a grown-up. Why can't he go wander through the forest on his own in the middle of the night? It's dangerous? That doesn't mean anything to him when he's so little and believes he's still got his big boy senses about him. Yet all of those alleged big boy senses get tossed aside when a lightning bug catches his eye and leads him away as he fumbles to catch it. Which is why it's pretty imperative that he regress with someone to mind after him to avoid incidents like those. Luckily for Aragorn, he has Elrond keeping an eye on him—a task that by far isn't anything new for the elf, though somehow his charge always manages to keep him on his toes.

As for when he started regressing? Aragorn couldn't properly tell you that either. Mostly because the way he matured was a bit different when compared to a typical human with an average lifespan; what might be seen as immature or regressive behavior to some is actually pretty common in those who, like Aragorn, are mortals with elven heritage. Elves (being longer lived) have longer childhoods, so there are occasional hiccups as a sort of holdover from his lineage. These holdovers are only encouraged by where he grew up—it wasn't exactly uncommon for the residents of Rivendell to unintentionally baby him. Humans are squishy and fragile, and this one was theirs! So of course the treatment he received was reflective of all of that. Though by far the person who doted on him the most (and who still dotes on him) is Elrond. Despite the great gap of generations between them, that doesn't change the fact that Aragorn is descended from Elros; Elrond would be lying if he claimed that Aragon being his brother's descendant didn't grant him extra affection towards the boy. No matter how old he gets, he cannot help but indulge his little Estel whenever he can, even if it's often in subtle ways. (Or at least Elrond thinks he's being subtle, but everyone else Knows.)

For the longest time, Aragorn doesn't know that anything related to his regression might be viewed as "unusual" to other people as he has never had to hide it. He was incredibly young when he first came into Elrond's care, and didn't leave Rivendell for quite a number of years after that. Even then, he wasn't exactly in the company of the common folk, instead traveling with rangers that aren't exactly known for their social graces. And due to the type of regressor he is—little to no speaking, prone to wandering off, a tendency to want to nap—most of the time it can be brushed off. But those times that it can't be so easily explained away? It gets suggested that maybe he should return home for a little while. Surely his increase in picky eating or the crying over minor injuries (when he's definitely had far worse that he didn't even bat an eye at) must be a sign that he's homesick or something. Though this isn't exactly a misattribution! If Aragorn finds himself regressing while he is away from Rivendell—away from Elrond—then he needs to return as soon as he is able. Because while brief snatches are one thing, Aragorn tends to spend long periods of time regressed. This only becomes more and more necessary the longer he spends traveling. Similar to the concept of a "sleep debt", he has something of a "regression debt" and will need about a week of being small to catch up.

And while it will eventually happen whether he likes it or not (or even means for it to happen!), regressing outside of Rivendell is something that is very difficult for Aragorn. Though a lot of his regression feels wishy-washy and he doesn't acquire the concept of embarrassment about it until a lot later than others might, that doesn't mean he's ignorant to how truly vulnerable it can make him. It's honestly a relief to be able to have Elrond fret over him when his sense of self-preservation is overruled by the childish mindset that "nothing bad will happen" so long as he follows (most) of his Ada's rules. Being away from that protective environment leads to an unease in his chest, a feeling of being unsafe that makes it hard to let go like he needs. Not to mention the other factors at play in regards to why it's just easier for him to be small in Rivendell; there's the familiarity for starters, but also? It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that being surrounded by people that are centuries upon centuries older than you would make anyone start to feel awful little indeed. Go ahead and tack on the fact that they tend to treat him like the child he can often be for the very same reason! In other words, it creates quite the positive feedback loop.

Once he's there though, he's there. As previously mentioned, Aragorn regresses for long periods rather that short bursts—three days on the lower end and about a week or so on the upper end—so long as the specific requirements are met. Everything has to be just so before his mind can properly settle into one of his regression periods, otherwise he can get a little fussy to put it mildly. For starters, he has to be out of any traveling clothes and armor, instead dressed in the softest clothes kept for him at Rivendell (specifically the blue ones and not the green ones). Then there's the fact that his diet becomes extremely limited in that he will only accept curds and whey topped with freshly picked berries. Anything else is so yucky, Ada! and he is not eating it, nuh-uh. But most importantly he has to have his blanket that stays safely tucked away and awaits his return every time; weaved silvery threads with pale blue stars adorning the edges, the blanket having been made for him by Elrond not long after Aragorn first came into his care. To keep the chill at bay, along with any unpleasant feelings. He would be hard pressed to find another object so comforting as his special blanket; just snuggling the downy blanket and rubbing the velvety texture against his rough cheek causes him to become absorbed in the contrast, so much so that it makes him sleepy and soothed.

Though prone to wandering, a day spent exploring the gardens of Rivendell isn't actually what his ideal regression day would be! Contrary to popular belief, Aragorn isn't happiest on one of his little adventures (as they usually wind up to him getting in some sort of trouble), but rather when he's getting quiet gentle time and attention from his Ada. This quiet gentle time most often comes in the form of bathtime. Nothing makes him feel as small and as cared for as being helped in the bath, the steamy water and sweet scent of rose and honey soaps easing tense muscles and making any mental barriers lax until he's occupying that sleepy babyspace. In fact, Aragorn almost always falls asleep by the time he's been fluffed dry with a towel and is having his hair carefully braided. But he fights to stay awake, attempting to rub the sleep from tired eyes and asking so softly for a story as he's tucked into bed with his special blanket being pressed into his arms, more lovey-sized than blanket-sized these days. Elrond is more than willing to oblige the request for a bedtime story, knowing that Aragorn will be fast asleep with a thumb pressed into his mouth not long after any "once upon a time"s.

No matter how long he is away for, Elrond always welcomes him back just the same as if he had been there all along. It's the one constant that Aragorn relies on in a world that is oftentimes quite tumultuous as theirs tends to be. While he knows Aragorn has responsibilities elsewhere at times, Elrond always makes sure to keep his things in order, makes sure he knows he has somewhere to call home. Because for as much growing up as he has done, it's difficult for him to not see the little boy that was entrusted to his care many decades ago. Because how does one stop caring about their charge, no matter the apparent physical age? The answer of course being that you don't stop caring, and if anything care more as the years pass by if you're sentimental (which, perhaps regrettably considering he has become attached to a mortal, Elrond is). Seasons come and go, as do the hardships and the adventures, but deep down Aragorn knows that he will always have somewhere—will always have someone—to return to, when things become too much to bear alone.

#sfw agere #lotr #lotr agere #lotr aragorn #agere aragorn #lotr elrond #agere elrond #moons hcs

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lairofdragonagelore · 1 year

Text

Andrastian Design: Tapestry and Tryptich

Even though there is tapestry of each cultural group all over DAI, it’s common to associate tapestry with Ferelden mainly. In game we mostly find in Ferelden houses some of these Tapestries, that like the Stained Glasses of the Chantry, narrate the story of Andraste.

The main reason why I assume these are Ferelden-made is basically because, 1) we find them always inside houses and castles of Ferelden, and 2) by analysing their frame, they are associated with the Ferelden Wyvern.

The frame

Fist of all, let’s see the details of the frame: They are decorated with a beautiful colourful complex set of patterns: dots, geometrical lines, circles, swirls, half-circles, and star-like figures compound it.

On the top corners we find two different kind of owls.

Owls have always been part of Ferelden design because they belong to their alamari heritage, given the important role that the Lady of the Skies [represented as an owl too] have in the alamarri/avvar religion. Since they are also quite close to spirits, I would not be surprised if these owls are also a link to the Elvhenan [we know that a curious pair of birds can be found in the Hidden Armoury [Elven mountain ruins] and there are many owls in Skyhold [specially in the front gates and in the basement library that may or may not be related to the ancient elvhen presence in it] as well as in the Inverted Ward.

In the lower part of the frame, we find a Ferelden Wyvern, which are represented in several places throughout DAI. They are related to a non-official folktale of Andraste that we find in one of the books of World of Thedas. The tale is quite meaningless and shallow [more details in Crestwood]. This detail is the main reason why I think these tapestry are strongly Ferelden made.

The Story of Andraste

1-Unknown Event

The first of all these tapestries is the one most difficult for me to understand. Based on the Chant of Light, it may represent the dark times alamarri were living; most of their territories were invaded by Tevinter, their resources were stolen and their people were kidnapped and turned into slaves. These strange harpy creatures may be a rare representation of Tevinter preying on Alamarri [it’s very strange since Tevinter is always represented with a snake or a dragon]

On the other hand, we see two bridges and a big elevated structure that makes me remember Ostagar, which was a Tevinter structure to keep the Chasind away from the invaded regions of Ferelden.

Another interpretation is that this may represent the Golden City of the Maker, desecrated with the entrance of the Magisters. We have to remember that Andraste’s Tale comes half a century after the end of the First Blight. Still, it’s a weird representation since it’s not a floating city in the air, but a fortress in an island, with access through bridges, and there is water bellow.

We also know that by that time, Andraste called the Alamarri gods for help, but they remained silent [meaning, neither the Lady of the Sky, nor Korth, nor Hakkon answered her] and this scene may represent the despair that such situation may have caused.

Finally, as a last interpretation, this structure may be Kinloch Hold, where the current circle of Magi of Ferelden is located. The original construction was built by the Avvar with some help from dwarves. It served as a fortress and a watchtower and was long considered impregnable until the Tevinter Imperium drove the Avvar from it in a brutal campaign. Maybe this image represents Kinloch Hold but surrounded by harpies and despair due to the lack of answer of the gods while the avvar were attacked by the Tevinter forces.

In any case, I can’t totally trust 100% any of these interpretation. The drawing is very strange for the lore we were given.

2- The Maker speaks to Andraste

Without the answer of her gods, Andraste roamed the forest of Ferelden until the Maker appeared. Here we can see once more the figure of a man, without face, covered from toe to head, only wearing a crown. He is presented with a glow of green and golden, making his connection to the Fade a bit subtler in this drawing than in the Stained Glasses.

His veil has a pattern of what I think it’s a rose or a flower with vines, but sadly it’s not easy to see the details. I could not find a better quality image for a decent zoom-in.

Over him, we see the moon with three borders, and I can’t avoid making a connection with the murals of Solas [Murals in DAI] where the Veil is represented with thick borders. This is very curious because in the other tapestries the moon appears like a normal element in the drawing, so this representation emphasises to the Player [not to the people inside Thedas] that there may be some special relationship with the moon. It’s also worth noting that the moon has a yellow/golden border same as the figure of the Maker, and golden decorations are usually related to godhood [at least inside the elvhenan context].

This scene represents the verses of Andraste 1 [Chant of Light - Part 1] where the Maker claims that the world has forgotten him, and invites Andraste to join him to the Golden City and leave the sorrow behind, but Andraste asks him to forgive humanity. He accepts, promising his return if his children listen to her.

3- With Maferath, Andraste leads the Exalted March against Tevinter

Here, Andraste and Maferath lead an Exalted March against Tevinter in order to spread the word of the Maker and stop Tevinter oppression all over the alamarri lands. We see in this tapestry several alamarri warriors using a shield with the symbol of the Sun and hilts with wolf/mabari shapes. Again, the mabari is a Ferelden icon, while the Avvar prefer the wolf, since it’s an animal of freedom and not tamed as the hound [A Plea from the Warrior to the Spirits]. Depending on how we perceive the alamari around Andraste, this hilt can be also a subtle elvhen symbol of rebellion. I insist in relating the Avvar/alamari with the elvhen simply because their perception of the world of the spirits gave them similar wisdom than the Elvhenan.

Andraste is also wearing her typical one-spiked crown. Behind her we can see Maferath. She and Maferath wear a common element: a series of golden tiles around their chest or veil to emphasise the link they have: they are the leaders guided by divine words in this “divine” march against Tevinter.

Also, notice how different the moon is represented in this tapestry in comparison with the previous one.

4- Andraste fights in Tevinter territory

This seems to be a depiction of a battle close to Minrathous. The background shows typical Tevinter buildings. On the left side of the tapestry we can see Tevinter warriors being killed by arrows [probably a subtle calling of Shartan presence], while Andraste, as a [superheroe] warrior, jumps in the air.

Behind her, we see a lightning and a dark cloud, suggesting three potential things: when we read about the role of Shartan and the elves, their contribution is usually described as the responsible for creating “dark clouds of arrows that fall upon the enemy”.

The other interpretation, more andrastian, is that the Maker presence is there, helping them in battle. Finally, in the last interpretation, this cloud may be a representation of Andraste’s magical powers [in DAO we have the icon of Tempest looking similar to this: clouds and lightnings]. There is a glowing circle behind her face similar to the moon in the previous tapestry. These details may reinforce the idea of Andraste as a prophet of the Maker, or as a mage [specially if we read about her childhood with that strange episode of her half-sister dying in a fire, in the middle of the forest, implying that Andraste may have lost control of potential magical powers or was possessed by some spirit; the interpretations of this vague episode can go wild].

On the right side of the tapestry, I can see a statue that I suspect is of Nevarran origin [Egyptian-like design], meaning this battle may have been close to the borders of Tevinter and Nevarra.

Again, like in the post of Stained Glasses, I don’t find a particular group of verses where Andraste narrates her movement across Ferelden, the Waking Sea, and Nevarra to attack Tevinter lands. The closest verse to this action is in Shartan Verses [Chant of Light - Part 2] but also historical battles are implied in Hymns and Transfigurations [Chant of Light - Part 1] where Andraste prays to the Maker before heading to combat. It is curious that there is no verses about the “travelling” part of Andraste and her armies, not even when crossing the Waking Sea and Nevarra in which land there are some tales going on as we saw in Emprise du Lion: Pools of the Sun with her supposed Nevarran disciple/lover Hector. In fact, in this local tale, the event of the betrayal is placed there, in Nevarra and not in front of Miranthous ready to lay a siege [hence my complete confusion about where exactly this betrayal happened, and if any siege to Miranthous truly happened].

5- Andraste is handed over to Tevinter

In this scene we see when Maferath hands over Andraste to Tevinter. Since in the previous tapestry we see hints of Nevarra, and then we have this tapestry of the betrayal, we can assume that the tapestries narrate Andraste’s story in a way that makes Hector easy to be included [check Emprise du Lion: Pools of the Sun], while the Stained Glasses seem to remove any presence of Nevarra in her story. But the Stained Glasses have the presence of Shartan, which has been completely erased in these tapestries, making me suspect that maybe these tapestries keep the tale of Andraste with a strong Ferelden vision, probably closer to the most ancient versions of her tales [likely before the Long Walk of the free elves to the Dales, time when the tale of Shartan appears as we saw in The Chantry and the Mythology of the Chant of Light].

Here, we see Andraste being held by two Tevinter guys who look very evil. Like in the Stained Glasses, Havard is not here either. According to the Chant of Light, The Aegis Havard was supposed to be here, and unable to fight his Lord Maferath as well as to hand Andraste over to Tevinter, he puts himself in between Andraste and the evil Tevinter and ends up deadly wounded [Chant of Light - Part 2].

In the shadows, representing the secret arrangement, we see Maferath giving a handshake to Archon Hessarian.

Behind them, a snake passes by: it has the tip of the tail golden, continues black, and then it turns out white. I’m not so sure if this means the transition of Archon Hessarian, from worshipping Old Gods, to kill Andraste, and then repent and became an Andrastian follower himself.

In the background, we see more Tevinter buildings with “evil” red glowing windows.

The moon has a similar style to the one we saw in the tapestry with the Maker, but its borders are smudged. The colours seem to be the same ones but desaturated and muddy.

I’m not sure if this represents some “lack of presence of divinity” since Andraste’s golden tiles are also hidden below her hair, giving the idea that the Maker abandoned her. She is not wearing her typical one-spiked crown either.

This tapestry represents the verse of Apotheosis 1 [Chant of Light - Part 2].

6- Andraste is killed

In the next tapestry we see the public execution of Andraste in a pyre. The background shows Tevinter buildings, suggesting this is Minrathous.

On the left we see Havard, the avvar warrior who is wearing a klimt-yellow robe. He is looking down, lamenting this situation. He is not “deadly wounded” as the Chant says. It seems that in this Ferelden version, Havard never was in the moment Maferath hands over Andraste, so he appears safe and sound at the moment of her execution.

Close to Havard, we see a woman, kneeling as she cries, that maybe is Justinia, the original one. I guess this because it makes not much sense to add a random woman in this scene; all the characters present in this image have a relevance in the story of Andraste.

There is also a Tevinter man in black robes who also seems sad about this execution [Is this Trefir? the Archon’s slave who left Tevinter carrying the Sword of Mercy and was supposed to found the Blades of Hessarian?, more details in “The Chantry and the Mythology of the Chant of Light”]. I’m surprised of seeing another “sad Tevinter” considering this is made by Ferelden and one would expect a more anti-tevinter propaganda.

In the centre we see Archon Hessarian, wearing a white robe, the same white that Andraste. This is very unusual given the typical dark outfit of the high hierarchy in Tevinter, so I’m inclined to interpret his figure here as “a purification” that the Archon experienced when he killed Andraste out of Mercy. If Andraste was purified by fire, the Archon was so by his merciful act. Again, a veeery rare representation of Tevinters, specially coming from a Ferelden source. As the Chant claims, he is sinking his sword in Andraste’s heart to give her a merciful death.

In the pyre, Andraste’s bleeds to death, tingeing her hair of red too. she still wears a minimal line of golden tiles.

On the right side of the tapestry, we see Maferath, leaving the scene with some facial gesture of regret, while holding in his hand a crown, that may represent the Maker, as if “he removed the Maker influence in this story”, or more likely, to “recover” his leadership of the alamarri.

I think this crown has one longer spike, so it may be Andraste’s crown, but it’s not the same crown that Andraste uses in previous tapestries, so the interpretation is a bit more loosely. Ferelden art depicts Andrates’ crown in very different ways.

The verse that this tapestry represents is Apotheosis 2 [Chant of Light - Part 2].

7- Andraste ascends

Here we see the ascension of Andraste to the Maker’s side. Also, notice that this tapestry shows a normal moon too.

The background displays two tree, one of them looking a bit like a thorny vine. There is a sky full of stars. An intense white light wraps her and makes her raise. She is wearing white, implying how the fire purified her. Below her, we see Maferath and Archon Hessarian, surprised.

The verse represented in this image is the last part of Apotheosis 2 [Chant of Light - Part 2].

8-Havard takes Andraste’s ashes

In the last tapestry, we see Havard, wearing this iconic klimt-yellow robe, carrying Andraste’s ashes in the night, leaving Miranthous/Tevinter. We will know later that he went to the Frostback Mountains to build Haven, founding the Temple of Andraste that later will be developed into the Disciples of Andraste.

The verse represented in this image is the last part of Apotheosis 2, [Chant of Light - Part 2], even though it is curious that the Chant claims that Havard was healed by the ashes of Andraste, while we see in the tapestries that he was not even hurt. It’s also curious he looks more like a mage [yellow robe and staff] than an avvar warrior.

Many of these tapestries, including this one, display small lines of green in the scenery as if it were mist, but they give an eerie feeling to the drawing, almost a subtle Fade-y effect.

The Orlesian Triptych

Why do we assume this is Orlesian? Simple: it’s not only over elaborated, it has a Quincunx design in it [more details below] which is present in the Orlesian design of rugs,

and has the typical triangular face of Orlais, that may represent Andraste [we find it in many sculptures of Orlais], Celene or Drakon’s Heraldry. I cannot point out exactly who is this triangular face, but all these options look reasonable in my opinion.

The Orlesian triptych is focused on the execution of Andraste and her later ascension.

At the top we see three iconic symbols in circles: in the centre, below the Orlesian face [or Drakon’s heraldry, I never know], we find a circle depicting the Golden City. At the right side, the typical icon of the six snakes with that little polygon in the middle, which used to be the typical symbol to represent Tevinter in a more “arcane” way [ check Nation Art: Tevinter].

On the left side, we find a simplification of a Ferelden symbol we found in Nation Art: Ferelden, which shows a face crying. I assume this is a representation of Andaste’s face in a Ferelden style or a vestige of a Sun-based religion before the alamarri trinity religion.

As apparently Orlesian design implies, the triptych shows the 3/4 of a Quincunx, completing the fourth circle on Andraste’s heart. Therefore, the middle of the complete Quincunx would show the face of Andraste wearing her typical spiked crown. The Quincunx has been quite a repetitive element in DAO, being forgotten in later games. In DAI we only see it in Solas’ Tarot Card, and in some Orlesian designs that are seen in the concept art but not inside the game so far I’ve seen.

Below the Ferelden symbol, we see Maferath. He is wearing a crown of three spikes, a bit squared. He can’t see the light that Andraste radiates. Ironically, he is drawn in a more darker and evil way than the Archon, which is surprising for me, since Orlais did not show a strong negative sentiment towards Maferath as Ferelden does [in the Hinterlands, we see in very raw sculptures the strong rejection that Ferelden has towards him in general]. Instead, I was expecting Orlais, headquarters of the Chantry religion, to be more negative towards Tevinter because their Imperial Church.

Below the symbol of Tevinter, Archon Hessarian looks at Andraste, unbothered by the radiance, ready to use the sword as we can see his hand ready, close to the hilt of the sword at his waist. A white snake is surrounding him, probably as a symbol of his change of heart that gave him some level of “cleansing”.

The two panels are separated by a sword that lays over the burning body of Andraste: this is the Sword of Mercy that we see in many other pieces of art. Curiously, it’s the same sword that the Tevinter Warrior holds in the statues Female Kossith/ Desire demon /Tevinter Warrior which decorate the columns of the Imperial Highway. This makes me suspect, in combination with such a positive view over Tevinter elements, that maybe this triptych is older than i expected, maybe older than the Schism of the Chantry. However, we have no information to confirm or debunk it, sadly.

When we open the Triptych, we can see Andraste, purified [wearing white] and the sun behind her.

This figure is a copy of the tapestry of the ascension of Andraste: I mean, from a design point of view, the designer copy-pasted the same Andraste and altered it a bit, meaning that one of these pieces of art if the copy of the other.

On the left, we see the Ferelden side: Maferath is kneeling down, defeated, regretful, with his crown on his lap.

The Chantry hierarchy can be easily seen here represented by the three people lamenting Andraste’s death and looking down at Masferath: Sister/Brother and revered Mother.

Beside Andraste, we see the “white” Divine, the Divine with main residence in Orlais.

On the right, we have the Tevinter side, mirroring the left side: we see that Archon Hessarian is on the ground, regretful, in similar position to Maferath. He, as well as Maferath, wears a red cord in his head that was not present in Maferath’s head in the previous image. I don’t know what it could mean, since it stands out a lot in the drawing of dark and white colours.

Behind him, we see a group of Tevinters that I assume belong to the hierarchy of the Imperial Chantry. Just by the outfit, we can see a magister, and probably a Revered Father and a sister.

I assume this one marked in the image is the magister simply because he wears similar to the Magister Erasthenes that we meet in Orlais: Shrine of Dumat.

Beside Andraste, if I’m not mistaken, we can see the “Black” Divine, the imperial Divine. The curious helm he uses reminds me a lot of the mysterious symbol we found in Hinterlands: The Unknown Ruin.

Now, this Triptych is astonishing and mega-surprising for the presence of the Imperial Chantry in equality to the Orlesian Chantry, “Black” Divine included, since he’s considered a “false” divine. So, I think that this triptych, usually seen in Orlesian places, is quite subversive. I’m sad we don’t have much information about who painted it and when, because, again, to place the Imperial church in the same level than the orlesian Chantry, mirroring it no less, it’s very, very strange.

#andraste #andrastian design #maferath #hessarian #archon hessarian #chantry #chant of light #sword of mercy #ferelden design #Ferelden Wyvern #owl #Quincunx #the sun symbol

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rma1031 · 10 months

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Hermit Age: The Map - Origins #1

Hello! This post is going to highlight the locations each current character came from for my AU, Hermit Age!

If you require more information about Hermit Age, check my masterlist out! Every bit of information helps to understand this AU. The masterlist includes the gist of the AU itself, the plans and vision of it, as well as my interpretations of each Hermit and their friends within the world of Dragon Age.

Also I am using some maps from this wonderful person's post (link to the map downloads included in the post) to detail the characters that I have so far interpreted.

(You can check the map in better detail if you go to the webpage)

So this is the place where Dragon Age takes place, Thedas. The games, the books and novels, the comics, and the animated movie and mini-series took place within this world.

[Dragon Age: Origins and Awakening as well as its DLCS takes place within the Kingdom of Ferelden. Dragon Age II takes place in the city of Kirkwall as well as its outskirts in the Free Marches, with its DLCs taking place in certain locations in the Free Marches. Dragon Age Inquisition takes place throughout certain regions of Southern Thedas (specifically Orlais and Ferelden).]

There are different kingdoms and nations in this world and a lot of cities and towns and locations to see! But for now, let's focus on each character and their location of origin.

Origins

Let's start with the Hermits and their friends from Ferelden!

Impulse

The dwarven warrior is from the dwarven kingdom of Orzammar. Orzammar is located deep within the ground of the Kingdom of Ferelden. It was his first home until he decided to leave for the surface forever. He could never really come back there, given his casteless status.

Skizz

The human ex-templar warrior came from Highever, the ancestral home of the Cousland family. He grew up in the town and lived a life close to the Chantry in his aspirations to become a templar to serve the people and the Maker. He would first be posted there, before being moved to Kinloch Hold.

Scar

The elven Grey Warden archer originally came from Denerim, the capital of the Kingdom of Ferelden. He lived in the squalid and impoverished alienage before he escaped the city and was eventually found by a Dalish clan passing by. They took him in and on that point, he grew up with his newfound people within the Brecilian Forest. Where he lives within its great expanse is unknown.

Now we head on to the people from Southern Thedas!

Gem

The elven rogue belonged to a nomadic Dalish clan that went around Southern Thedas, from Orlais, to Ferelden, and to the Free Marches (denoted by the light green shapes around the map). By the time the Fifth Blight struck out, her clan was in the Brecilian Forest. Fearing for their lives against the darkspawn, they migrated to the Free Marches and settled down near the city of Ostwick.

Their nomadic lifestyle ended as they try to permanently settle down far from the human settlements of the city-state.

Pearl

The elf-blooded mage came from Ansburg, a city-state known as the center for agricultural trade. She lived there for most of her life, with much of that centered on the Ansburg Circle of Magi, that is until the Mage-Templar War occurred. By that point she escaped, fearing for her life.

Tango (Tekhalas)

Tango is a Spirit of Passion from the Fade so he doesn't really have a corporeal body to begin with. He lived in the Fade until he decided to cross the Veil and explored Thedas. He would eventually meet Tekhalas, an elf mage that is his host, after a mutual agreement that the elf would become possessed by him.

As for Tekhalas, he is from Cumberland, an influential port-city in the Kingdom of Nevarra that is also the place where the Colleges of Magi convene. He lived in Cumberland's Circle since he was a young child. He would take the chance to escape during the chaos that transpired after the Mage-Templar War began.

Bdubs

The human apostate mage grew to live somewhere between Nevarra and the Free Marches. He lived in secrecy like a hermit, training his magical capabilities even without any formal education from the Circle, from casting spells, to using mana effectively, to honing willpower. He lived quietly for most of his life, away from human settlements.

His quiet life as an apostate in this area of Thedas would change the moment he meets Etho.

Now we head onto the only character (as of now) from Northwestern Thedas!

Etho

The white-haired human rogue comes from the city of Hossberg, the capital of the Kingdom of the Anderfels. He lived as a street orphan, making ends meet by becoming a thief, stealing from people even as a young boy. He lived for himself for most of his life there, until he was "recruited" by the Antivan Crows.

This map explains his venture to Antiva City, the capital of Antiva, with the Crows that took him in. They took the sea route, eventually reaching Antiva City after months of travel. In Antiva, he would learn how to be an assassin and become a Crow.

That is it for the Map! Once I get more of the Hermits interpreted and make some stories to further build up the AU, the Map would definitely get updated.

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maykitz · 11 months

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only asking if that was sei shoujo art so i can ask which game

iirc it was from last origin, one of the characters depicted is named "elven forest maker"

#answered

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anneapocalypse · 10 months

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WIP Wthursday

Thank you for the tag, @theluckywizard! I'm a day late and a dollar short but in the past week I managed to actually finish a chapter, so I'm here to share!

Tagging: @warpedlegacy @ar-lath-ma-cully @rosella-writes @nirikeehan @crackinglamb @doomhippy83 @rakshadow and anyone else who'd like to share.

Context: While our heroines were in Denerim getting hitched, the banns of Gwaren have rebelled. Briala and Talith have just made it out of the Brecilian Forest. Now they need a plan to take Gwaren back.

~~~

"So…" Talith said with a great sigh as they reached the edge of the outskirts, where the trees thinned and gave way to farmland as far as the eye could see. She trailed off, but Briala felt the implicit Now what?

"Allies," Briala said. "Lanaya was right about that. And we will need information. If the castle holds, if it has been taken. How many soldiers guard the town. We will need a plan to get inside."

Talith brightened just a little. "I know how we can get inside the castle. You read the biography of King Maric, didn't you? The Stolen Throne? You know about the Deep Roads entrance?"

In all the concern for how they would get out of the forest, Briala had admittedly forgotten. With Talith's words, the story came back to her. "Maric Theirin used the Deep Roads to reach Gwaren after the battle of West Hill. But that entrance opened into the town, if I recall." She did remember that part. The rebel King, believed killed at West Hill, emerging like a sign from the Maker himself to greet his loyal followers and lead them to victory, avenging his mother's murder and driving the Orlesians from Ferelden. Briala wondered how many details had been altered or embellished to place Maric in the light of legend, like his forebear King Calenhad. Fereldans, like Orlesians, were fond of their bloodlines. Still, it was a compelling story.

"Right. But the old outpost extends under all of Gwaren. It runs under the castle itself. I don't know if Maric could have gotten that far in his time—the passages might have been blocked off. But they're cleared now. We went down there—the Grey Wardens—to clear out the darkspawn and reclaim the salt mines. It's all sealed off from the Deep Roads proper now, to keep the darkspawn away. But you can still get to the castle from the town entrance."

"Then we need to get into town without being seen."

Talith sighed. "That's going to be the hard part. There will be guards everywhere, and they'll be looking at elves harder than anyone." She grimaced. "I hate to admit this, but some things were easier when I could still be invisible."

"No doubt it was," Briala agreed. "But were that still the case, you would not have a castle reclaim."

"Sometimes I wonder if that would really be worse."

Briala decided to let that remark pass. "Are there any vassals you can trust? Anyone you can be sure would aid you in reclaiming Gwaren?"

Talith looked dejected at that. "No. Not all of them have actively risen against me, but… I can't be sure they'd help, either."

Briala nodded. It was, in truth, the answer she had expected. "Then it is too risky to contact any of them directly. We will simply have to turn elsewhere for help." She paused, considering. "Do you know where the herbalist lives?" She had not spent days and weeks traveling into town and speaking to the elven townspeople for nothing.

"Alys? Outside of town, I believe. She grows her own stock there."

Briala nodded. "Precisely. I have an idea."

If no nobles would take their side, Briala knew who would.

#ahsig #fic snip #wip wednesday #talith tabris #briala #briala x female tabris #dragon age fic #wip

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kavasiriel · 9 months

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I really love dactylic hexameter, (technically dactylic duodecameter) it's so annoying but so fun. I might write the whole book like this.

🌊🌋🧝🏽‍♂️🧝🏽‍♀️🌋🌊

The son of Ivaldi, king Torvyn of Falu lay as if dying, with his wife by his side

Thora the daughter of the field and the forest doomed in her dreams was his spring born bride

For long had it been since she first heard the whisper a prophecy echoed from a space beyond time

For all that was green and all that was growing bent towards a fate where futures align

Long passed were the days, when reeling with terror the elven maid sought out Ivaldi’s son’s feet

And struck with compassion, the wise lord of Falu in her green eyes did sorrow meet.

For in those days his house was ennobled, across the ancient Earth

None were so blessed as the sons of Ivaldi in their wisdom or their worth

For in the time of the elven king’s epoch they learned the secret ways

and captured the spark of the lord of the lightning and the storm cloud grey

For it was wise Torvynd who spun the gold plaits to crown high heaven’s queen

So it was that the goddess sent out far sighted Thora to fix in fate her dream

“oh, son of Ivaldi, born of fire and water, who spun the golden tress

Heed ye my words for the works of your hands, may curse as well as bless

The ocean will boil the heavens will rage and all things will find their end

Lest you turn aside from the green growing earth and hide from the face of men.”

Hearing the words of the maid of the woodlands, the king looked at last on the earth.

Weeping for all that his works might destroy and wondering at their worth

For mankind in that age were simple and harmless, to a fairy king of ore and ice

The oceans were empty, the stars clear and ancient and he wondered at the awful price

Gathering round his wandering people, cast away from Ivaldi’s doomed shore

He stood beside the prophetess maiden, and spoke to them the grim news that she bore.

So was the realm of fair Falu buried, far beneath the earth where men would not delve

And over its gates and its deep, sacred cloisters, spells were laid in layers twelve

but mighty Havad, that spear wielding warrior, for his brother was dismayed

for it seemed that kind Torvynd had banished his wisdom, and into folly strayed

so were the brothers for many years sundered, and as the eldest before

Who sailed his ship across the ocean to seek some long imagined shore

Tended they their kingdoms for many long centuries and ever deeper made Myrkalfar home

By the green grace of queen Thora’s own power, by electrical lamps which glittered and shone

The Myrkalf of Falu established in grandeur, a realm carved from bedrock both secret and deep

But over the lives of the dark elven people their queen’s warning words would echo and creep

In peace they had dwelled through the echoing centuries binding their long lives to the ore and the stone

Seeking for allies King Torvynd Ivaldi, found that in his need, he was quite alone

Rough were the picks and the shovels of mortals, but just as had spoken his wife

Doom had at last found the high king of Falu, and she begged the gods for his life

For an age had the king’s peaceful will kept him sundered from a brother fond of slaughter

Havad in his folly wed his bitterest rival, Brekke the ring maker’s daughter

Bound for so long to the earth and the metals king Torvynd grew weak to his death

For the heart of the king was made of bright copper and it trembled in his breast

“Who will now go to seek aid from those sundered, the House of the Ring and the Spear?”

The noble queen asked with her grandchildren gathered, close so they might hear.

Vigi it was, the oldest and bravest of Torvun Ivaldi’s sons

Who first ventured forth from dark Myrkalfheim, to seek again the sun

Years in the dark had changed them and made them pale and strange to see

And the men who had once looked upon them in wonder turned their backs to flee

Vigi son of Torvynd fell at the cruel hands of a miner with a sharpened rough tool

That which was ancient and dearly beloved fell by the hand of an ignorant fool

Even in his grief, King Torvynd Ivaldi would not doom the foolish men

So on the still night of the high midsummer his sadness shook the earth again

The deeply delved mines of industry driven to scratch up flakes of shining ore

turned the queen’s augurs to history written in the cruel annals of war

The tunnels came crumbling down all together, sealing the place where Myrkalfheim hid

But short were the days, as his power waned, and council soon the wise king bid

The Son of Ivaldi, King Torvyn of Falu, lay as if dying, with his family near

For a mortal had knocked on his doors made of stone and all within could hear

“Who will go out, from our fortress of stone, to brave again the cruel earth?

who will seek out my long sundered brother and prove to me their worth?”

“I will go father.” Said the voice of the youngest, Kavas the bright eyed grandson of the king

“for I have never seen the sky or the water, we know nature only in songs that we sing

Long I have learned the story of starlight, and wondered long at the myth of Mankind

Let me go forth to find word of your brother, let me go forth to enrich my own mind.”

Torvyn wept at the words of the boy who had lived not one hundred years in his realm

“I would not have your life put in danger my child,” the king shook his head, his kind heart overwhelmed

“But neither will I make a prison, of a kingdom made for peace. May you succeed where your uncle could not.

Therefore, you are now released. But heed ye these words, well thou this understand

Mortals have minds which will turn truth to folly and no taker of life may enter this land.”

#epic poetry #poetry #poets on tumblr #elves in wigs #original fiction #norse mythology #mythology

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