#Redcliffe Partners

[redcliffepartners]

Expert Investment Guidance for Expats in Abu Dhabi

Introduction

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a thriving hub for expatriates from around the world. Many expats in Abu Dhabi seek professional financial guidance to navigate the complexities of investing in a foreign country. Expat investment consultations Abu Dhabi provide personalized advice tailored to the unique needs and goals of expatriates. This article explores the benefits of expat investment consultations, what to expect during a consultation, and how to find reputable advisors in Abu Dhabi.

Benefits of Expat Investment Consultations

Expert Local Knowledge

Investment advisors specializing in expat consultations possess deep knowledge of the local financial markets, regulations, and investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Their expertise helps expats make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls associated with investing in a foreign country.

Tailored Financial Strategies

Advisors provide personalized investment strategies that align with the unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon of expatriates. Whether you're looking to grow your wealth, save for retirement, or plan for your children's education, tailored strategies ensure your specific needs are met.

Tax Efficiency

Navigating the tax implications of investing as an expat can be challenging. Advisors offer tax-efficient investment solutions and strategies to minimize tax liabilities, ensuring you retain more of your investment returns. They provide guidance on the tax treaties and regulations between your home country and the UAE.

Diversified Investment Portfolio

Advisors help expats build diversified investment portfolios that mitigate risk and enhance returns. They offer access to a wide range of asset classes, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments, ensuring your portfolio is well-balanced and aligned with your financial objectives.

Continuous Support and Monitoring

Expatriate financial advisory services include ongoing support and monitoring of your investment portfolio. Advisors provide regular updates, performance reviews, and adjustments to your investment strategy as needed, ensuring you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.

What to Expect During an Expat Investment Consultation

Initial Assessment

The consultation typically begins with an initial assessment of your financial situation and investment goals. Advisors gather information about your income, expenses, assets, liabilities, and financial objectives to understand your current financial standing.

Goal Setting

Advisors work with you to set clear, achievable investment goals. Whether you aim to grow your wealth, plan for retirement, or save for a major purchase, advisors help you define specific objectives and create a roadmap to reach them.

Financial Analysis

Advisors conduct a thorough analysis of your financial data to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This analysis includes reviewing your investment portfolio, risk tolerance, and tax situation. The goal is to develop a comprehensive understanding of your financial health.

Personalized Recommendations

Based on the assessment and analysis, advisors provide personalized investment recommendations. These recommendations may include specific investment products, asset allocation strategies, and tax planning techniques to help you achieve your financial goals.

Action Plan

Advisors outline a step-by-step action plan to implement the recommended investment strategies. This plan includes specific actions, timelines, and milestones to track your progress. Advisors may also offer ongoing support and monitoring to ensure you stay on track.

How to Find Reputable Expat Investment Advisors in Abu Dhabi

Research and Reviews

Conduct thorough research to identify investment advisors and financial institutions in Abu Dhabi that specialize in expat consultations. Look for online reviews, testimonials, and ratings to gauge their reputation and quality of services. Financial websites, forums, and social media platforms can provide valuable insights.

Credentials and Experience

Ensure that the advisors you consider have the necessary credentials and experience. Look for certifications such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). These credentials indicate that advisors have undergone rigorous training and adhere to professional standards.

Initial Consultation

Schedule initial consultations with potential advisors to assess their approach and compatibility. Use this meeting to ask questions about their experience, services, fees, and investment philosophy. A reputable advisor should be transparent and willing to provide detailed information.

Recommendations

Seek recommendations from fellow expatriates, friends, or colleagues who have worked with investment advisors in Abu Dhabi. Personal referrals can help you find trusted advisors with a proven track record of delivering results.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure that the investment advisors and financial institutions you consider comply with local regulations. In Abu Dhabi, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees financial services within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Check if the advisors are registered and regulated by the FSRA or other relevant authorities.

Conclusion

Expat investment consultations in Abu Dhabi offer numerous benefits, including expert local knowledge, tailored financial strategies, tax efficiency, diversified portfolios, and continuous support. By conducting thorough research, considering credentials and experience, and seeking recommendations, you can find reputable investment advisors to help you achieve your financial goals. Whether you're planning for retirement, growing your wealth, or navigating the tax implications of investing as an expat, professional investment consultations provide the guidance and support needed for financial success.

Name: Redcliffe Partners

Address: #256 Al Wafra Square Building, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Phone No: +971 2886-4415

Website: https://redcliffepartners.ae/

FAQs

What is an expat investment consultation?

An expat investment consultation is a professional financial advisory service tailored to the unique needs of expatriates. Advisors provide personalized investment strategies, tax-efficient solutions, and ongoing support to help expats achieve their financial goals.

How can I benefit from an expat investment consultation?

Expat investment consultations offer expert local knowledge, tailored financial strategies, tax efficiency, diversified investment portfolios, and continuous support and monitoring. These benefits help expats make informed investment decisions and achieve their financial objectives.

What should I expect during an expat investment consultation?

During a consultation, expect an initial assessment of your financial situation, goal setting, financial analysis, personalized recommendations, and an action plan. Advisors gather information, analyze your finances, and provide tailored advice to help you reach your investment goals.

How do I find reputable expat investment advisors in Abu Dhabi?

To find reputable expat investment advisors in Abu Dhabi, conduct research and reviews, consider credentials and experience, schedule initial consultations, seek recommendations, and ensure regulatory compliance with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

Are expat investment advisors regulated in Abu Dhabi? Yes, expat investment advisors and financial institutions in Abu Dhabi are regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Ensure that the advisors you consider are registered and comply with local regulations.

[ciderjacks]

satire detective show… save me satire detective show

[styrofauxm]

Here's my masterlist of aspec headcanons and canon characters (that I know of)!

Always Human (Webtoon):

Rae (aromantic and asexual) - canon, discussed in the media itself (link)

And Another Lovely Day (Webtoon):

Nora Chestnut (aroace) - canon, main character, discussed in the media itself

Elliot Lam (aroace) - canon, main character, discussed in media itself

AstralSounds (Webtoon, Website):

Resilient (aromantic) - canon, main character, confirmed in a bonus episode (link)

Yunni (asexual) - canon, main character, confirmed in a bonus episode (link)

Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra:

Toph Beifong (aromantic and acespec) - I really see her as thinking she has a crush on Sokka because she's never really been allowed to explore that before. But those thoughts die as quickly as they came. Later in life, she wants kids, but she really does not want a husband or long-term sexual relationship. She finds some people who are cool with that, and then raises her kids alone!

Deadloch:

Eddie Redcliffe (aroallo, romance favorable) - She just has aro vibes, okay? She does. I talked through it a bit in the comments on this post.

Dungeon Meshi (Manga Series, Anime Series):

Laios (non-sam aromantic) - I don't think he's even ever considered romance as a thing he would be interested in. Dating someone has simply never occurred to him. If someone asked him out it would certainly lead to a lot of thoughts.

Mithrun (loveless aromantic, romance indifferent) - I'm right and I know it. This unfortunately means I'm the only person who truly understands Kabru/Mithrun (/lh).

Every Heart a Doorway (Book):

Nancy (asexual) - canon, main character, discussed in the media itself

Fablehaven (Book Series):

Kendra Sorenson (asexual) - She makes one comment about "never going to the playground" in book one and I took that and ran with it

Seth Sorenson (aromantic) - I honestly just think it's fun to make one sibling aromantic and the other asexual

Gravity Falls (Cartoon Series):

Mabel Pines (aromantic) - I view Mabel's obsession with boys as playing into her own internalized amatonormativity and comphet. She'll be much happier once she realizes she doesn't actually want to date anybody (I also love the cupio and lesbian hcs, this is just my interpretation)

Dipper Pines (asexual) - once again, very fun to make one sibling aro and the other ace

Stanley Pines (aroallo) - vibes

Stanford Pines (aroace, non-partnering) - I mean the Book of Bill all but confirms this, right?

Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss (Cartoon Series):

Alastor (aromantic and asexual) - canon, main character, hinted at in canon, confirmed outside the source material (too complicated to link)

Angel Dust (asexual, sex favorable) - read a fic with this (no, I don't remember which one unfortunately) and it's compelled me ever since

Octavia (asexual) - canon, major character, confirmed outside the source material (link)

Mammon (asexual) - canon, confirmed outside the source material (link)

Marvel Comics/MCU (Comic Series, Movie Series, TV Series):

Daisy Johnson, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. show (aromantic, acespec) - vibes, but also I just don't see any chemistry between her and the people she dates on the show T-T

Ruby Hale, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. show (asexual) - canon, major character, confirmed outside the source materal (link)

Nadia Van Dyne/The Wasp, comics (aroace) - canon, confirmed outside the source material (link)

Yelena Belova, Black Widow movie, Hawkeye show, comics (aroace) - canon, confirmed in the source material (link)

Gwendolyn Poole/Gwenpool, comics (aroace) - canon, confirmed the source material (link)

Muted (Webtoon):

Silvia Severin (aroace) - canon, major character, confirmed in the source material (link)

Market Of Monsters (Book Series)/Not Even Bones (Webtoon):

Nita Sánchez (arospec and acespec) - Canon, main character, confirmed in the source material

Kovit Sangwaraporn (arospec and acespec) - Canon, main character, confirmed in the source material

Adair (aromantic) - Just how he talks about romance

Diana (aromantic) - Again, how she talks about romance

Protector of the Small (Book Series):

Keladry of Mindelan (aroace) - canon, main character, confirmed outside the source material (link)

Roar Howl Run (Website):

Ata (aroace) - canon, main character, confirmed in the source material

Seven Days in Silverglen (Webtoon):

Mira (arospec) - canon, main character, hinted at in the source material, confirmed outside the source material (link)

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Cartoon Series):

Mermista (fluxromantic) - mostly vibes but also it just makes sense to me

Seahawk (fluxromantic) - same as with Mermista

Glimmer (aspec) - idk what she is but it is not alloallo

Bow (arospec and acespec) - I think it's fun for the arrow-ace characters to be aroaces

Entrapta (cupiorose) - I relate to her character a lot and as such I can stretch canon to make her aroace too

Steven Universe (Cartoon Series):

Peridot (aroace) - canon, hinted at in the source material, confirmed outside the source material

Amethyst (arospec, acespec) - saw someone say this once and I liked it

The Dragon Prince (Cartoon Series):

Rayla (aspec) - Once again, vibes. I saw both her and Callum this way all the way back in S1 and it hasn't died for me.

Callum (aspec) - Vibes, read above.

The Good Place (TV Series):

Eleanor Shellstrop (demiromantic) - she doesn't fall in love easily, because she doesn't connect with people easily. Her falling in love with Chidi multiple times is a huge deal for her.

Chidi Anagonye (demisexual) - I think it would be fun if he was demisexual and Eleanor was demiromantic

Tahani Al-Jamil (aroallo) - She really just seems unbothered by the romantic parts of her relationships in the show, and her arc ends up with her staying single.

Michael (aroace) - I know this because he told me personally

The Owl House (Cartoon Series):

Luz Noceda (asexual) - If you flip her outfit upside down it makes the asexual flag

Lilith Clawthorne (aroace) - canon, major character, confirmed outside the source material (link - I could not find the original)

Vespertine (Book):

Artemisia (aroace) - canon, main character, confirmed outside the source material (link)

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

I love the romances in datv (Neve my Beloved) but I can't get over all the talk about how it'd have the most romantic romances in the series. They aren't bad but most romantic? I wish I didnt go into it with that expectation lol

Oof. Yeah.

My opinion on Veilguard is complicated, but when it comes to the romances...? I feel that, anon. I feel that so damn hard.

The romances are one of my favorite things about a Dragon Age game because it's a choice that can, when done well, completely change your experience playthrough to playthrough, y'know?

And for me there are a handful of romances where if I don't choose them, if I do an alternate playthrough...? I miss them so goddamn much. I miss them enough that I actively struggle to even finish alternate playthroughs. That's how much they've impacted me.

I'll always hold Alistair up as like.... the romance for me. Honestly, I think DAO set the S-tier of romances with him, Leliana, Morrigan, and Zevran as far as writing goes and how interwoven their romances are with the HoF's arc and the plot... they're not just fluff that's tacked on, it's not just, "oh, if you romance them, you get one unique scene toward the end of the game, and some different dialogue!"

I could go on, and on, and on about Alistair and his romance with my Tabris. Hell, even outside of the romance, just their dynamic in the game. Their friendship! I could write essays about the little nuances and how beautiful and tragic his romance can be, and the branching paths, hhhhnnngggggg you can have so many different endings with him!

In DAO, you have many opportunities to flirt. You can give them gifts, and special gifts give you cutscenes where you actually talk about the gift you're giving them. You can set the pace of the relationship. You have different paths you can take and you can discover cute things, like okay.... for Alistair, there's the conversation where he gives you the rose. If you go out with only him in your party, and trigger that, you can get special extra dialogue because you two are alone.

Like... they thought about that. They thought about the player taking just Alistair around somewhere. Why would they? Why would you?

Unless you're roleplaying walking around Redcliffe together to gather supplies to bring back to camp and accidentally talk to him, triggering the scene on the docks.

It's little things like that, special things, that make every playthrough with a different romance feel unique. It feels like the writers put so much thought and care into every situation you'd be in, they thought about how the romance would not only affect your playthrough, but how it'd affect the character you're romancing beyond just... ending the game with a partner.

Hell, it makes you want to replay the game because if this romance was this good, what are the others like? Y'know?

Which is WHY when I heard them make the very bold claim that Veilguard would be the most romantic, I had doubts... because they're competing with Alistair. They're competing with Morrigan, Leliana, and Zevran. Not to mention literally everyone else in DA2 and DAI...... except maybe Sebastian.

If there's one thing I can say about Veilguard's romances, it's that at least they're better than Sebastian's... which is not a high bar because Sebastian's DLC, can only be romanced by a lady Hawke, and from what I've heard/seen of the romance, they don't even get a kiss...

Look, if Veilguard wasn't a Dragon Age game, I'd say the romances are fine, good even... for what they are. Because they do have good moments! They're just lacking, and in some cases, feel unfinished... like there are scenes missing.

I romanced Davrin on my first playthrough, Lucanis on my second. My third playthrough with Carver as Rook is undecided, though I'm thinking either Neve or Bellara.

With Davrin I played an elven Grey Warden, and that really enhanced his romance with me because 1. surprise, surprise, CJ really likes the Grey Wardens and when the opportunity for another Grey Wardens in love story to happen, she picked it, and 2. It felt like Nesryn and him had actual chemistry when talking about warden things, which led into feeling they had chemistry outside of that.

With Lucanis, I played a Lord of Fortune because I thought it'd be kind of funny for this himbo of a man, the literal embodiment of sunshine, to be a pirate who then falls in love with an Antivan Crow. And I have..... feelings. About Lucanis' romance. Especially as someone who also is an Andersmancer. It's good, but also not. It healed parts of me, only to then do more damage when I realized that Lucanis feels like the AO3 version of Anders who is chill and controlled and Justice is also in love with you, actually........ and that brings up conflicted feelings within me.

Looking back at these two now, I prefer Davrin's romance. But the problem with Veilguard's approach to romance, in my opinion, is not just the lack of content. It's not just the feeling that some of the companions have better chemistry with each other than they do with Rook. It's not just the weird pacing of it all.

God, how do I word this.... when I play Tabris, Alistair is crucial to her arc. Absolutely crucial. Remove the slow burn of their romance, or remove their friendship, and she's a completely different person.

When I play Ed Hawke, romancing Anders is interwoven into his arc. The playthrough wouldn't be the same if they remained friends. The impact of the ending would hit entirely different. Then, when I play Aris Hawke, romancing Isabela adds such a different flavor to the story. It's like night and day. And they're both great, that's the thing!

I think Cullen and Josephine are my favorite romances in DAI because they're not traveling companions, they're your advisors. It's different, and it adds layers to their romances. I'm in war table meetings with them. We're leading this operation together, and I find those dynamics so interesting.

In my opinion, the romances do not add anything crucial to Rook's story. At the end of my second playthrough, I wondered if I should bother trying the others out... which is not great!

Though, honestly, a criticism I have of Rook is in both playthroughs I did, they felt like the same character with different skins despite me picking different choices. Different faction, different dialogue.

Carver's run is going a little different but I think that's just my brain filling in those blanks, which.... yeah. I feel like any depth Rook and the romances had was concocted in my mind because the game didn't give me much to chew on.

So even though I did two romances that feel different, Rook remains the same in the end, and like.... that's not something I can say about HoF, Hawke, or the Inquisitor.

There's always going to be headcanon and personal writing when it comes to DA, that's how fandom works, y'know? But unlike the previous games, this actively feels unfinished, and like it expects me to finish it for them.

Yes, you get cute, flirty banter with them, and you get the scene where they go to your room... and from what I've heard Emmrich actually gets a bonus scene so like good for him.

I mean that genuinely, too. Seriously, good for him to be the standout of having an extra, romance specific scene. I haven't seen anyone mention any of the other companions getting one.

But do I feel like the romances impacted Rook to the same level of depth? No, unfortunately. And it sucks! Because I do enjoy the companions! And the bits we do get of the romances, I like!

But do not try to tell me they're the most romantic in the series because they're not, I'm so sorry. I want them to be! I want them to feel fleshed out and interwoven with Rook's arc within the actual game, and not through headcanon! I see the potential, I see the intrigue of certain Rooks with certain companions!

I could go on and on about this, and I will if anyone else asks, but yeah, anon.... I feel you.

Also, I'd like to hear other opinions on this since I've only done two of the romances, so maybe there is more depth to be found that I just don't know about. Maybe I haven't found my golden combo yet.

Plus, I just like reading about other people's experiences with DA romances, I find it super interesting.

[razbrry]

Can we get headcannons for Grelle and Angelina with an s/o that really just loves them? Like they love complimenting these women, giving them gifts, and expressing their love physically and verbally?

note💋— going up and beyond for our stunning women in red? sign me up!! i love this imagine, im like giggling and kicking my feet they deserve so much. (gulp i like redcliff

when you’re a truly loving and over-achieving partner— ft. angelina and grell

angelina—❦

“well aren’t you just the sweetest thing?”

oh she is absolutely loving your affections.

where do we start?

angelina LIVES for those verbal affirmations, the solace she finds in them knows no bounds. and the gift giving? this is all too much.

and you know what? she’s standing proud about it. and you’ll find that she isn’t arrogant about it whatsoever.

positive trait of her’s; angelina knows her worth!

she knows she’s a powerful woman, and adores you for your compliment that.

let me tell you about the butterflies she gets.

angelina would be getting ready, accessorizing with those darling pearl pieces you mindlessly gifted to her the other day.

because they ‘bring out the glowing edges of her complexion’.

you big sap oh my lord just say the pearled jewelry looks pretty on her. when you begin wording such things with an extra extravagance, her heart flutters.

we’re not exaggerating, we truly love and pay attention to every inch of this woman.

you’d come up behind her, muttering about the complimentary shades of red from her gown, wrapping your arms around her waist and holding her close.

oh, she could just eat you up!

angelina feels so truly cherished by you. she’s eternally grateful that her lover recognizes her elegance and treats her as such.

expect to be pulled in by your chin, those red lipstick marks painting every inch of your face. you’d look so pretty in red for her! ♥️

she cares for you so deeply, your efforts only deepen what you have further.

and she’s lovin’ it!

grell—❦

crashing out. SHE’D CRASH OUTTT.

what do you mean she ‘looks like a goddess in that outfit?’

like yeah she’s a grim reaper, a divine being, but goddess— wait… where’d grell go?

oh, the twitching puddle next to your leg.

we know grell is all in for the theatrics.

always playing the dangerously irresistible damsel, like seriously the whole nine yards.

now it’s not so silly, huh?

not really an angst, but it *is* quite sad how grell finds this treatment LEGENDARY.

well, it truly is, but oh dear,

the complimenting was enough to send her through the roofs!!

until you begin to spread your amour for her further and further:

“for me? FOR ME?! ugh, darling, take me away to the moon where we can flaunt our shared ecstasy without a care in the world! these are simply to die for!”

…yeah i think she likes the heels you bought her!

babe the only thing grell has received recently is her death scythe back from her temporary termination. your gifts absolutely rock!

she gets all jumpy and giddy, her appreciation is most visible than anything else.

we love our enthusiastic girl, and she loves you.

what you can’t quite compare with her other appreciative tendencies is the way she handles receiving physical touch.

you can feel her stop in her tracks, slowing down for a deep breath as she melts into your embrace.

grell shuts up on camera not clickbait???

no please don’t shut up.

you like to show you care by genuinely listening to all of her tacky commentary.

she’s so perfect for you, please keep being peculiar, grell!!

she’d most definitely love pda with you

hell, she has a blast doing anything with you. she’s being cherished! or as she’d say;

“worshiped!”

[mercysought]

hi skells can u kindly tell us about asharen's relationship with the rest of the inner circle? who she does and doesnt trust? who she views as a friend versus an acquaintance?

character questions! // accepting // @martyrmarked

For you, nik, always ✨

It's been a very long time since I've played Inquisition so I am fully going off vibes and pure memory. I need to replay this game at some point, it truly has been nearly ten years lmao I have something written on her page without many details but looking at it I don't know how true those things are anymore.

The one thing I will say which encompasses them all however is that Asharen is a trusting person, she has a trusting nature for better or worse (truly more often for the worse)

Let's start with the folks that she considers her closest friends:

Cole, who is literally her best friend, the person that she is likely closest to and the one that is basically the first person who she talks to about her crazy ideas for rift artifacts. Cole is such an important person for who Asharen eventually becomes.

Dagna, while technically not in the inner circle, Dagna is instrumental to be able to craft the lyrium needles that eventually become Asharen's signature way of using rift magic. She is her sparring partner, and the person that she knows is always willing to talk about topics that most would consider boring. She is in the inner circle to me

Varric, The Iron Bull and Solas are the three people that she takes consistently out with her on missions. She likes their sense of humour and it's always a pretty good time. She likes hearing Varric's stories and likes his sense of humour, very smart in things that she excelled in the clan and makes her understand how much she actually doesn't know about finances lmao; the Iron Bull is literally unlike anyone she has ever known, she likes his relaxed attitude towards things and Solas just knows so much about magic and history that it makes her head spin. They are all incredible at what they do.

Josephine, as the only other "antivan" there (if Asharen can even be considered such) and the first person that actually tries to engage with her culture in a respectful manner? And coming from a human? It's nice. It doesn't surprise her that it would be an antivan woman that would do it, her experience in Antiva City does say that they are more knowledgeable and open than others. Still, Josephine becomes the arm that she leans in when it comes to politics. Even if Asharen does get angry at her because of the Florianne's box debacle.

Friends:

Sera is someone that starts off on a rocky foot for obvious reasons but they eventually become friends - Sera is fairly younger than Asharen (I think they put Sera at 18-21 and Asharen is around 33 by Inquisition) which gives her the impression that this is probably what she sounded like to her older siblings. Sera one day made the mistake to prank the Inquisitor and got at least ten of Leliana's pigeons just loose in her small room in the Inn. It's not what Asharen would like to have done but they become more creative with the pranks

Dorian is someone that she takes a while getting warmed up to but it's hard not to be charmed by him. Also, he is frighteningly intelligent and it's impossible to not want to drown him with questions on his research on the magic that eventually led to Redcliff. This period of Inquisition is a lot about Asharen finding about herself and her interests and Dorian helps a lot in this. However, I would say that they become closer at the turn of Veilguard since Dorian does become someone that she reaches out frequently. That being said, their first conversations around each other's cultures does make her want to scream inside, but she listens and they have discussions which would likely be closer to debates in other circles than anything else. A later stronger friendship.

Cassandra in the weirdest of ways I think that Cassandra can potentially help Asharen a lot. Their faith are obviously not the same, they do not operate the same way but there is a lot of turmoil that is happening with Cassandra's story which does inform her own experiences once the Vallas'lin information is revealed. In a way, I can totally see conversations with her on matters of faith molding and informing her own opinions on where she eventually lands on the Evanuris and the future of the dalish. Asharen never thought that she'd be able to have those sort of conversations with a human much less the right hand of the divine. But she knows so little about it and I think if nothing else, Asharen would be there to give her a warm hug and a shoulder if she needed it after the Seeker's situation. So a much later friendship for sure

Acquaintance & Advising roles:

So here is where things are a bit more complex and harder for me to pin down.

I think that Thom Rainier (Blackwall) 's betrayal of trust doesn't land as hard because they aren't necessarily close during Inquisition. However, it still hurts. And I just think this kinda speaks to her trusting nature (and her lack of knowledge about the wardens) that she never saw it coming. It is actually just a taste of what is to come, but speaking to him and taking him to help atone for what he has done and eventually join the wardens does set a precedent, doesn't it?

With Vivienne she respects the woman, it's impossible not to, but her opinions about mages and what their future should look like makes her head spin and she cannot find common ground where either of them can give ground. The dalish have their own set of beliefs of magic (which can vary from clan to clan) and after all that they learn about the circles and the templars, especially with the information that comes out from Redcliffe and what happens to the Tranquil? It's hard. Vivienne is brilliant and Asharen leans on her for any and all knowledge specifically about how to handle the mages within the circle and the templars she will give the Inquisitor because it would be foolish not to. Asharen helps her with the heart of the wyvern and offers her shoulder if Vivienne ever wants but I don't think they are ever friends. There is deep respect, but friendship seems out of reach.

Leliana is quite closed off, I think that Asharen would be too focused on too many other fronts to attempt to peel those layers of ice unless her attention was pulled or an opening was given which I don't think Leliana would often do. She trusts that Leliana is the best in the business though and would not want to have her as an enemy.

Cullen is a complicated one. She respects him and his knowledge and respects so much where he is now, it takes quite a lot to turn around and attempt to unlearn a lot of things that have been (at times) literally beaten into you. She tries to meet him with compassion because that is what he also met her with the first time they spoke in Haven. Even if she was taught as a child to run from people like him, and hide. In the strangest of ways I do think they could become friends, especially if they both try to improve on their chess skills. I will say, there are exceptions to this, or making this friendship harder / easier depending on who is in her life. But this is default state.

And here is another thing which I find important to bring up: Despite how it all started, Cassandra, Leliana, Cullen and Josephine represent something so important to Asharen and how Inquisition becomes what it does to her and how it paints the world.

The first few days in Haven post the first trek up the mountain, the way that they do try to comfort her when they can't find her brother and keep trying to find him (my headcanon, don't @ me but I think that Cullen would have asked their soldiers and Leliana would have kept contact with their scouts trying to find Ren), it's important. They are human, not mages, they owe her nothing, they are important people in their organizations and she is just a dalish girl with a mark in her hand who might have caused this disaster. And yet they still try to help her and find her brother. They still listen to what she has to say and consider her words.

It is important and it matters. It shows her that something that she thought would never be possible can be. That is really what the whole story of Inquisition is for Asharen.

[thewardenisonthecase]

Anneliese Cousland

Character Tag

Annelistair - Shipping tag

Lineage: Human Class: Sword and Shield Warrior Specializations: Champion, Reaver, Spirit Warrior Date of Birth: Wintersend, 9:11 Dragon Parents: Bryce and Eleanor Cousland Siblings: Fergus Cousland Partner: Alistair Theirin Children: Duncan, Brynne, Eliana, Connor Height: 6'7 ft/2 m Physical Description: long black hair, green eyes, physically really strong, has a tooth gap, 250 pounds of muscle-. also has a scar across her face from the fight with the archdemon Current Status: Alive

Pre-DAO:

Anneliese Cousland was born in Highever as the second and youngest child of the teyrn and teyrna Bryce and Eleanor Cousland. She was doted on by her parents as a child, and grew up quite sheltered, as she never left Highever.

Ever since she was young, she had a love for stories about knights and warriors, and began training as soon as possible. She was quite a skilled warrior, using a sword and shield as her preffered weapons. Besides sparring, her favorite pastime was embroidery.

She was close to her brother, Fergus and his family, and though her mother pushed for her to find a husband, Anneliese was quite unsuccesful as most noble men were intimidated by her. She had one bad experience with Vaughann Kendells which also drove others away. However, she did have various dalliances with the noble women her age, and a few servants, but none of those relationships lasted long. For a time, she had a crush on Ser Gilmore, but never acted on it as she doubted anything would come of it due to their differences in statue.

Anneliese looks unapproacheable and many are quick to cast her off as cold, but she is a very respestful and kind young woman, who does have some insecurities regarding her apperance. Anneliese, however, takes a lot of pride and confidence in her prowess with the blade.

Anneliese has a good relationship with her family, being close to her father. She saw Oriana as a big sister and she loved her nephew. She also somewhat saw Howe as a distant uncle, but that was mostly due to her childhood.

On the night of Howe's betrayal, she was in bed with Iona when her mabari Buddy began barking. Iona opened the door to investigate and was shot by Howe's men. One of them almost chocked Anneliese to death if it hadn't been for her mother's arrival. That was also the first time she ever killed anyone.

She agrees to go with the Wardens, due to that being her father's wish and the experience hardens her.

Post DAO:

Anneliese and Alistair get engaged and marry two years after the end of Origins. In that time, Anneliese is promoted to Warden-Commander of the Grey.

Anneliese was overall a good Commander. Her recruits could count on her for help, and she did her best to protect as much people as she could, while also ensuring her soldier and fortress were strong. Her presence did a lot to help both the Wardens morale as well as make the people of Ferelden respect them.

In 9:37, she goes after a cure for the Calling. While unsuccesful in her attempt, she is able to slow down the progression of the taint. A year later, her and Alistair welcome their first child, Duncan. In 9:43, they have a daughter named Brynne, and in 9:54, she has twins, Connor and Eliana (also, because she participated in the dark ritual, she is also biologically Kieran's mother. don't question it).

Main Choices:

Arl of Redcliffe: Redcliffe protected, Connor dead Broken Circle: Sided with the mages Nature of the Beast: Brokered peace between the elves and werewolves Paragon of Her Kind: Sided with Caridin, Bhelen is King Landsmeet: Loghain killed by Alistair, Alistair as King and Anneliese as Queen The Final Onslaught: Dark ritual completed, protected the Denerim market and the Alienage, everyone lives

Companions:

All companions were recruited and are alive and well. Alistair - Hardened and romanced Morrigan - Flemeth killed, dark ritual completed with both Anneliese and Alistair Leliana - Killed Marjolaine, Leliana left unhardened/softened Sten - Reunited Sten with his sword Wynne - Reunited Wynne with her apprentice Shale - Brought Shale to Cadash Thaig Zevran - Defended him against Taliesen, Zevran stayed with the Warden Oghren - Reunited with Felsi Dog - his name is Buddy

DLCs:

Soldier's Peak - Avernus is alive and allowed to keep his research. Drank from his potion. Killed Sophia Dryden Return to Ostagar - Gave Cailan proper burial rites and burned his body Golem in Honnleath - Killed Kitty and both Amalia and her father are alive and well. Shale recruited Awakening - All companion's recruited and all their personal quests were done, did not discover the conspiracy but did peacefully resolve the peasent rebellion, Vigil's Keep got upgraded, Amaranthine saved, Architect alive Golems of Amgarrak: There's not really any choice here but she did go there. Everyone died in the battle and she killed the Harvester alone if that accounts for anything but its only game mechanics Witch Hunt - Discovers the history of Cad'halash, Lets Morrigan go

Other Stuff:

If Anneliese were a spirit, she'd be Valor

Her tarot card association is The Emperor

Anneliese's biggest fears are broodmothers and becoming corrupted by power

Her favorite color is pink but she doesnt wear it a lot

She got Gwaren

Anneliese has an unbreakeable will to live and that motivated some of her choices

She has a sword collection. Her favorite swords in no particular order are Vigilance, Starfang and Maric's Sword

[fadeling]

helia week ✨ 05

day one | day two | day three | day four

🌻 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 🌻

21. Did the Warden romance anyone from their group? If so, what attracted them to their partner?

Alistair, of course, which i've already more than alluded to a few times and i already accidentally answered the second question in the previous post. i'll just talk about their romance in general here

despite both having warm and intimate feelings for each other, it took awhile for their relationship to begin in any capacity. this is because helia is a little bit stupid when it comes to realizing her own attractions and romantic feelings, and is even less aware of when that attention is directed towards her. she just didnt really think about it, assuming that the hope she'll get to spend the rest of her time as a warden with him is Totally Platonic and that there's no deeper feelings to analyze there. just utterly clueless.

Alistair was the more emotionally aware one. at least he has the capacity to know and acknowledge when he feels something for someone. i think he's utterly fascinated by helia, never has he known someone so poised and yet so. weird. i think he wants to study her. how could he not want to fuck her. there's a nervousness too, she seems better than him and considering her lack of flirtations he might just be an asshole for presenting his feelings

funnily enough, it's actually helia who encourages him into sharing his attraction for her. he calls her beautiful and then retracts it, then even asks what she'd think if he really did call her that. and so she says she'd love to have an answer but she can't know until he commits to it. which like fair enough, so he does!

the rose conversation happens ( jsyk redcliffe is one of the last things i do before the landsmeet arc) and helia reciprocates deeply. it's extremely kind and fuck, of course she feels the same way? however. and im not bullshitting you. she is COMPLETELY unaware that this conversation is romantic in any way. and he doesn't know she doesnt know. so imagine her surprise when later on, during another romantically charged conversation, he kisses her. helia is completely fucking blindsided its awesome

... which he realized after and oh my god he can't believe it! this woman can read an assassin out of a throne room, how can she have not figured it out by now ? it's very very funny. it's very cute and he's super lucky she said that it's fine because she liked it.

another fave moment is that i usually do things in a way where after his personal quest i get the sex cutscene, and then immediately after THAT one i get the post-hardened "i think from now on im going to do whatever i want that makes me feel happy" like um. yeah man. i can tell. <3

22. Which gifts would raise the Warden's approval, if they were a companion?

These questions are always really hard for me to answer umm. She’s not a very picky person but she appreciates things she can use more than appreciates aesthetic. if you give her expensive jewellery she'll end up selling it unless you clarify extreme sentimentality, for example. she doesn't want for very much.

i can imagine that she's interested in books. of all kinds. geography, history, biography, even magical tomes, she hungers for Lore. she'll even enjoy a random tattered journal you found in a well. i think she also enjoys candles.

also it's cliche but she fucking loooves blades and weapons, not just because shes a sicko but because she's also a geek about the craft. she appreciates a well-designed weapon, and enjoys clever add-ons. She actually perked up when she heard her betrothed has ties to blacksmithing. I think its a special interest of hers :) if you gave her starmetal to craft starfang with it would change her life

23. If Dog is in the party, what did the Warden name him and why?

Bloodkin because he also drank darkspawn blood, lived, experienced ostagar, and then lived from that too. just like her and alistair did. ^_^ there's a deep companionship found in the events that brought them all together and helia finds that deeply important. He's A Part Of Them. he's called bloody for short btw

24. Did the Warden complete the companions quests?

yeah, i very rarely ever have a character who will skip out on optional questlines and companions because I simply Just Dont Want To so my rpg protags will sometimes have through-line similarities. but in different flavours i do still try and think about it.

im pretty sure i said before that helia considers her relationships to be a part of her duty, so going out of her way to do extra things for her comrades, i mean... how could she not?

25. Did the Warden focus more on their objective or did they do side quests?

She likes helping people and stealing from nobles. And delivering justice. so hell yes

[in-the-drowning-deep]

2, 11, 18 from the Rook & LI ask meme <3

thank you, lovely! (questions from this meme)

2. When does the partner realize that they're in love with Rook? 

Oh man. I think Lace is attracted pretty early on. She has a real competency kink, and she loves how down to earth Esha is (and secretly finds her terrible puns endearing - it's a very Fereldan sense of humour for a northerner). So a crush kicks in quickly enough, but love...

I think the first moment is when Esha's helping her practice her stone magic for the first time. She's SO excited by what Lace can do - as a mage who works a lot with stone, she can't do anything with the material itself, only the forces acting on it, and she's thrilled to see how Lace can manipulate the stone itself. She goes off on a little nerd-out tangent about it, and Lace watches her babble about physics and matrices of magic, and the Arlathan sunlight is so beautiful in her hair and on her skin, and - oh.

Oh.

11. Who says "I love you" first? What is the other's reaction? Who thinks it first?  

After that Arlathan moment? Lace is thinking it more or less constantly, every time she looks at Esha. Esha takes a little while to catch up, but tbf there's a lot going on on her end - for her, the thought first crops up in that moment when they're both sitting on Lace's bedroll in the Lighthouse. The plants in Lace's room have just begun to bloom, and she's got this uncharacteristically shy smile on her face, and Esha's whole brain sort of short circuits with a sudden bright blast of 'I love you'.

In terms of when they say it, though, I think that goes to Esha.

After the whole debacle with the kiss and lyrium poisoning in the Hilt, Lace confronts Esha and asks why the hell she didn't say anything about the lyrium poisoning sooner. Esha tells her she didn't want to burden Lace with anything more than she was already going through, but that was stupid - "I love you, and I can't promise I'll always tell you everything, but I'll try." Which pretty effectively takes the wind out of Lace's sails right there. Esha's very good at doing that- she does it again post-canon. Lace goes to Ferelden to get her Ma's ring to propose with, and when she gets back to Minrathous Esha sees her walking up to their home in the sunset and blurts out "marry me".

Which! Is just rude! That's - of course her answer is yes, you boob, but Lace had PLANS!

18. When all is said and done, where would they like to retire together? Is marriage in the cards for them? Children? Pets? 

Marriage absolutely happens - they have a ceremony in Minrathous and another in Redcliffe so all the people who are important to them can attend. Harding's Ma goes to both, and is blown away - not just by the who's who of Thedosian power players in attendance, but mostly by the fact that her little Lace's wedding is officiated by both the White and Black Divines!! No one's ever had that before, have they?

She will be telling this story to anyone who'll listen until her dying day, and she embroiders the laurel leaves, Tevinter orange blossom, and Fereldan cherry blossom the two brides wear in their hair as a border around the big map she keeps to try and follow all Lace's journeys.

Neither of them are particularly interested in having children, though they're Aunty to a lot of them. Several years after Veilguard, Lace is gifted a mabari pup by Cullen; she calls her Lady, and while the cats in Minrathous are wary at first, Lady is the sweetest, gentlest thing and eventually wins them over.

[emmieloumay]

OC Tag Game

Thank you, beloved @introvertedfangrl 🤲💐

I shall tag, no pressure: @kai-dimir, @hellomehlo, @eli-serpin <3

OC: Linnet Thorne

I just wanna... UGH, my BABY - I wanna be her so BAD

General:

Name: Linnet Helen Thorne Alias: Rook, Lin, Nettie Gender: Female Age: 26 Spoken Language: Common - Fluent/Native, Tevene - just the swears, Elven - swear and terms of endearment (thanks to Davrin and Bellara), Antivan - only really picked this up when Lucanis joined them. Sexual Orientation: Bisexual Occupation: Fisherman, Student, Grey Warden, unfortunate Leader of the VG

Favorite: 

Color: Lyrium Blue Entertainment: Tavern Troupes/Travelling Bands I’m writing about a dance with a certain someone 👀 Pastime: Painting, and painting Davrin’s figurines.  Food: Fisherman’s Pie - it’s like Shepherd's Pie, but with fish! A big staple in the Thorne household. Drink: Whiskey! It gets her the loosest. Hot Toddies too.

Have They…

Passed University: Technically? She was good enough to be passed off to the Wardens after work with whatever ‘College’ she went to. Honestly still working on the lore for this part. Had Sex: Oh yeah. She’s had one other partner before Davrin. Had Sex in Public: Isn’t that what Arlathan Forest is for? 😈 Gotten Tattoos: She’s got two! The one on her face was done on a dare when a travelling artist from Tevinter came to Redcliffe - she thought the white ink would not be so vibrant. Her mother was livid, naturally. The one on her arm was done by the same artist, four years later when she found them again while travelling with a group of junior Wardens. It was fitting that it reflected her current profession, a proud griffon in that similar white ink. Gotten Piercings: She had her ears pierced when she was little, but after being shocked once or twice by her own magic, she took them out by 17 and haven’t had any since.  Gotten Scarred: She’s got plenty of various ones all over from missed blocks, arrows, maybe her own clumsiness - her major one is the collection on her forehead. They were her first true injury as a mage and within the Wardens - given to her by another novice’s unstable spellwork during a gruesome training exercise.  Had a Broken Heart: Yes, by her first true relationship.

Are They…

A cuddler: YES, give her that FEATHERED FIEND it is NAPTIME! Scared Easily: After being snuck up on in 9:41, Linnet is easily startled when her focus is elsewhere. Jealous Easily: I would say no? Trustworthy: Oh, 100% - her father told her trust is how the world runs, and took that to heart. Only when she had made The Big Choice does she have a mini-crisis. 

Family

Sibling(s): Yes, one younger brother, Amos. He was two when she left for the Wardens. Parents: Yes, Miriam and Theodore Thorne. Children: I am unsure HOW the Blight changed, since it’s hard for two Wardens to have children to begin with - if it does change, I would love for her and Davrin to have at least two. IMAGINE the BABIES. If it doesn’t change their ability - I have no doubt Linnet would adopt one or two, maybe three. Pets: Growing up, she had a female torbie cat named Lily - little thing had a stubby tail and was a little cross eyed. 

[serpercival]

Get to Know Your Mutuals

tagged by @alohawhore!

what's the origin of your blog title?

Trapper quote! From the pilot

otp(s) + shipname(s):

BEEJTRAPHAWKKKKK. Traphawk is a close second. I think BJ provides a really good balance, though;I generally think Trapper needs variety or he goes insane and giving him a second-long term partner—particularly one who's going to spend time with Hawkeye when Trap's out cruising on his own, because he needs to—keeps him sane. Punnitraphawk's the same to me but if I'm writing stuff on my own I generally don't worry a whole ton about the offscreen wives

favourite colour:

Pink!

song stuck in your head:

funnily enough. Stuck In My Head by Forrest Day

weirdest habit/trait:

I put hot sauce on goldfish crackers, does that count?

hobbies:

WRITING. crochet and board games as well!

if you work, what's your profession?

working on my associates degree <3

if you could have any job you wish, what would it be?

uhhhh. macrodata refinement without all that bad stuff. do you get what I mean. I just want to put numbers in boxes.

Legit I want to and am looking forward to doing data entry temp work

something you're good at:

Crochet amigurumi! I'm good at making stuff look nice without a pattern.

something you hate:

what people consider merging speed

something you collect:

w. wayne rogers movies. Also dice

something you forget:

EVERY FUCKIN THING my brain is a sieve

what's your love language:

I had to go take a quiz but quality time apparently

favourite movie/show:

Groundhog Day and MASH

favourite food:

I think the thing I end up eating most often is chicken wings just because those are a safe food for me texture-wise and you can get them at almost any restaurant

favourite animal:

Manatees and foxes :3 we can take a wild guess at when I picked that second one up but I was at Blue Springs, Florida when I was ~8 and got to touch a manatee! We definitely weren't supposed to but they were very friendly fucking surprised us swimming because they were ridiculously early in the season. Turns out it's not easy not to touch a manatee if the manatee wants to touch you.

what were you like as a child:

Weird 👍 not that I'm not weird now. Also very angry.

favourite subject at school:

English!

least favourite subject:

Civics

what's your best character trait?

Creativity, I hope!

what's your worst character trait?

Insecurity

if you could change any detail of your life right now, what would it be?

Wish I didn't live with my parents 👍

if you could travel in time, who would you like to meet?

sigh. I wish I had a better answer but hyperfixation brain would really like to talk to Wayne Rogers

tagging @hballegro @remyfire @trappper-johnathan @hearteyespierce @goofo @eddie-redcliff @emsposterwall @erikraven if any of you feel like doing it! Open to anyone else as well <3

[anextravagantliar]

Five times of receiving letters for maxima

They write often, more than what should be socially acceptable for two people no further intertwined than their financial situation to those who looked no closer. Business is part of it, unlikely acceptance and friendship being the rest. 

A look into the friendship and financial relationship of Varric Tethras and Maxima Aurum —  A meme from the Great Abyss -

9:41 Dragon 

Magister Aurum 

Thank you for your insight during today's Merchant’s Meet within the Inquisition. It seems these devilish dukes and cowardly counts are becoming bolder with the ongoing civil war. I appreciate the backup; it was unexpected and much needed. I do say we caught some of their rarest behaviour. 

Why don’t we cut them out of the deal?

If the cloth has to move through Jader, we should send it through Kirkwall and avoid most of Orlais if possible. I am aware of where Jader sits, but Redcliffe seems too far and likely that Arl would want a piece of the pie if that were the case. What do you think?

Want to make a bit of gold?

Of course, you do. Come find me at the Herald’s Rest when you’re up for it. Tiny and his bunch will help with logistics. 

Deceitfully yours,

V. Tethras

9:43 Dragon 

Lady Maxima Aurum, Magister of House Aurum,

Well, well, well! You certainly were a sight for sore eyes. All gold and glitter, if you had been any more shiny, every damn bird in Kirkwall would have been on your shoulder. Don’t tell me that’s the trend in the North now.

All of the teasing aside. It was nice to see a friendly face among the sea of sycophants and dignitaries, the same thing if you ask me. If you are still in town, please come by the Keep. I will not be in that hideous crown, but I would like you to sign the trade paperwork and make you an official partner. You deserve it. You took the helm on some projects for me when Kirkwall needed more of me than I could give. You’ve been a boon to this city. We’re a great mixing pot. Lowtown has people from all over, and they are doing better; their crafts are going further because of us. 

On a lighter note, I owe you one. Drinks? I will even take you to a nice bar in Hightown since The Hanged Man was so offensive last time. It was just one bar fight, with just one well-known criminal. You act like that doesn’t happen in Minrathous. I know it does, I get the papers on delay, but I get the papers the same as you. 

Bran will have something more fancy and official delivered to you at a later date. 

Stay golden, 

The Viscount of Kirkwall

Varric Tethras      

9:46 Dragon

M, 

If you’re reading this note, I am about to pass you my hand and flip the table - the man across the table has a knife. I also think he’s who we are looking for. Charter said he could have changed his appearance. 

It takes more than blood magic to fix a bad personality. 

- V

9:48 Dragon

Maxima, 

I’m stepping down as Viscount. You’ve likely seen the papers, the charges. You know it’s assumed guilty in this city-state, right? 

Shit. 

Before you offer me your opulent and beachfront home, I say in jest, knowing how rainy and horrid Minrathous is, I know I am already out of the city. I’ve been out since they started making threats. The old bald one, Orkney ( yes, I am aware half of them are old and the other half are bald; this is the one that is both ), was the one that had charges drawn against me and started making threats at me and my house. You can threaten me, but the girls are another thing.

Do you know what the charge is? Something about embezzlement, well - it doesn’t matter if I have proof or my books are clean, I did gamble buildings away in 9:42 Dragon. However, the buildings were seized by Dumar and then another by Stannard. 

I just don’t have the proof for that. 

I’m also not fighting it. 

Things are picking up again; I’ll need you to take the helm on some of the trading companies. I’ve outlined the ones my estate can run, but I’m handing these over to you. You don’t even have to do anything; my solicitor has seen to it all. You should have the paperwork soon. 

Don’t blow it all on shoes. 

Your deposed Viscount, 

Varric Tethras 

9:52 Dragon

Maxima, 

Thank you for taking care of the businesses over the last few years. I didn’t expect the turn this took. I don’t think any of us did. I want to say thank you for all the help you offered Charter and me in Orlais. I’m currently in Minrathous, in Dock Town. I don’t know for how long, but if you aren’t offended by The Swan, come and find me. I have some additional things for you that you will need and some information that I cannot safely put in this letter. 

You know who to look for.

Varric

An Undated Letter 

Max, 

Hopefully, you find this on a warm day. Hopefully, the sky has cleared, and all of this has come to a close. Hopefully, the city is starting to heal, I knew a thing or two about broken cities in my day. 

Whatever you choose to do with our trade network is entirely up to you, and there is no wrong choice. The thing we built together, I have slowly put in your hands over the last six years. I watched you rule from the sidelines during our time in the Inquisition; you challenged the norms of those traders and made me question myself. Not many people give me pause; you’re on a shortlist. 

Well, Max, is this our great parting?

Highly unlikely, as House Tethras still owns a good fifteen percent. Will I be less annoying? Likely, considering that half of our trading partners think I’m rotting somewhere. I am currently rotting, can’t tell you where, but the terrain is awful. They offered me a horse, with my hip and shoulders? 

I’ll walk. 

Take care of yourself, and stop letting weird dwarves talk you into bad business deals. 

VT

[cassiaorsellio]

20 and 11 for leto or arthur? whichever you fancy for these questions more?

Thank you, Aev!

11. Are they attracted to anyone (specific person or just negative qualities) they really shouldn’t be?

Oh yes in both cases.

Arthur finds his attraction to templars a little mortifying, but the smell of lyrium on them is just so good and irresistable to him that he finds it hard to ignore. He's fully aware of how unbecoming, dangerous and unprofessional it is for him to be so into it (not to mention the optics of it. He's definitely had a "templar's whore" thrown around his name a few times, particularly as he chose to go to Therinfal over Redcliffe), but he can't help it. At least he managed to snap himself out of an ill-advised crush on Cullen...? (There was a moment of weakness before he snapped out of it and realised Cullen's far too pretty for him.) And he does tell himself (often, at the beginning) that he shouldn't be attracted to Bull but thankfully Bull gives him some of the best post-nut clarities of his life and he finds himself no longer caring (as much) what anyone thinks of his proclivities. It takes a lot of time for him to work through it.

For Leto, I think Cassia counts. When his father told him to 'cultivate a close relationship with your Navigator', I don't think Admiral van Mynaard meant that close, particularly when your Lady Navigator is also the Novator of her House and has such powerful abilities. Even if she does decide to forsake her duty to House Orsellio to be with him for as long as the stars allow.

20. What do they like seeing their partner in when they “dress-up?”

This is just for Leto as I got this one for Arthur in a separate question.

Leto just wants Cassia to be comfortable, honestly. I can't imagine those heavy robes and the breastplate are good for intimacy at all, but she feels to wear anything else would stir too much gossip and speculation about their impropriety (as if the entire bridge didn't know they were together.) On the nights he comes to her in the Navigator's Sanctum, though, she's often wearing lighter robes (and as they become far more intimate and less subtle about their relationship, gauzy nightgowns) — things far more simple but comfortable and easy to undress. Her headdress, for obvious reasons, always stays so he's not vulnerable to her third eye. But he likes her in those. He loves them.

[daitranscripts]

Skyhold Conversation: Fiona

Leader of a Rebellion

Skyhold Masterpost

Fiona: Greetings, Inquisitor. That… is your title now, yes?

Choice dependent dialogue:

Allied mages [1]

Conscripted mages [2]

1 - Allied mages Fiona: I should thank you. The way things ended in Redcliffe, you could have demanded anything you wished. Yet you chose to make us equal partners. I was not expecting that.

Dialogue options:

General: I believe in your cause. [3]

General: The mages are useful. [4]

General: You’re not “equal” partners. [5]

3 - General: I believe in your cause. PC: You rebelled for good reason.

Fiona (mage PC): I knew you, of all people, would understand. [9] Fiona (non-mage PC): I’m pleased to hear you say that, Inquisitor. [9]

4 - General: The mages are useful. PC: Having you here willingly can only make us stronger. Fiona: Fair enough. [9]

5 - General: You’re not “equal” partners. PC: Let’s be realistic: you’re not “equal” partners with the Inquisition. Fiona: Fair enough. [9]

2 - Conscripted mages

Fiona: I admit, I was worried what being conscripted into the Inquisition would mean… but it's not as bad as I feared. We survived the attack on Haven, and this fortress is secure. It's more than most of us have known for a long time.

Dialogue options:

General: That’s good. [6]

General: Just stay in line. [7]

General: There’s more to come. [8]

6 - General: That’s good. PC: I'm glad you've settled in. Fiona: It's better than being hunted by templars for months on end. [9]

7 - General: Just stay in line. PC: Don't get out of line. That's all I ask. Fiona: Fair enough. [9]

8 - General: There’s more to come. PC: Don't get comfortable. There's more on the way. Fiona: Fair enough. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Fiona: (Chuckles.) I’ve been a Grey Warden, grand enchanter, leader of a rebellion… and now I am none of those things. Odd where fate takes you, as you’re no doubt well aware.

[richwall101]

Top Image -The Redcliffe Shot Tower - Bristol

Lower Image - The 'NEW' Shot tower

The Redcliffe Shot Tower was a historic shot tower in the English city of Bristol. It was the progenitor of many similar towers built around the world. The tower stood at the corner of Redcliffe Hill and Redcliffe Parade, in the suburb of Redcliffe, between the years of 1782 and 1968 when it was demolished.

In 1775, William Watts, a plumber, started converting his house, near St Mary Redcliffe Church, into the world's first shot tower, in order to make lead shot by his innovative tower process. He did this by adding a tower atop his house, and by excavating a shaft into the soft sandstone below, achieving a total drop of around 90 feet (27 m). By 1782, the tower was complete and in production, and Watts was granted a patent on his process, which involved pouring molten lead through a perforated zinc pan into water below thus producing round shot pellets....

The lower image shows the "NEW" shot tower on Bristol's Cheese Lane. Its no longer in use for lead shot production, and is listed Grade II as "Sheldon Bush and Patent Shot Company Limited".

The "NEW" tower was designed as a replacement by E.N. Underwood and Partners, a firm of structural engineers, for the Sheldon Bush and Patent Shot Company Limited. It was constructed on a site already in use for other purposes by that company, and is some 500 yards (460 m) from the site of its predecessor. The structure is of reinforced concrete, with a twelve sided crucible room at the top, giving it an outline reminiscent of a cotton bud. It is the last such tower to be built, one of the few to be built in the 20th century, and one of only three to survive in England. It received the Civic Design Award from the Bristol Civic Society for the year it was completed in 1969.

The tower is 142 feet (43 m) tall, giving a drop distance for the lead shot from the crucible room of 120 feet (37 m). The crucible room has a diameter of 24 feet (7.3 m) and originally housed a gas fired cast iron cauldron, for melting the lead ingots. A lift provided access to the crucible room for both personnel and ingots, along with an emergency staircase. The lead shot fell into a tank of cooling water at the foot of the tower, and were transferred by a conveyor belt to hoppers in the roof of the processing building.

[onceawake]

thinking about sharrah's complex relationship with humanity by the end of origins ngl.

daughter of clan sabrae, which was subject to humans stepping in and raiding and destroying dalish lives and property.

life saved by duncan, who is human, but grey warden first, and even her Keeper offered a reverence of sorts. paired off with Alistair as a combat partner and fellow new recruit, and also painfully human, but more strikingly prone to putting his foot in his mouth and apologizing for what might seem like the smallest overstep in comparison to human hostility towards the dalish.

oh so frustratingly nursing a crush on said new recruit to the point where her answers to his advances are as blunt as possible. ( if she doesn't scare him off by calling his bluff, or if it's not a bluff at all— ) which escalates into wanting so fucking badly to climb him even though he's a gods-damned shem, but he's handsome and utterly sweet when you catch him out from under the facade

and it's just them and this ragtag party against the world, and it's Leliana and Morrigan and Alistair all sanding the edges off the wariness towards humankind ( because they're just people at the end of the day and they are not trying to kill her or hers ).

but it can't also be all of humanity that's like this, right? because she's seen too many humans kill and steal and hurt her people. or maybe it is, and the dalish have only seen the worst of it

and then it's Denerim. it's Denerim, and what few elves they even see in the city are barely second class citizens despite their closeness to humanity. despite almost being flat-eared themselves.

it's Denerim, and the nobles are turning a blind eye to the alienage, it's Denerim, and a deal has been struck for tevinter slavers to operate with impunity to steal people who could have been her kin. more fucking humans doing nothing but hurting.

the tevinters see no mercy. not in their lives, not in their suffering. they don't die as cleanly as they could have ( as she was taught to end the life of an animal ).

it's Denerim, and Anora seems to betray you twice. time and again. so maybe it's just the fucking nobility, except you still see people averting their eyes from the suffering.

( so, too, why you don't deny Alistair his own wish. to remain out of the nobility. away from that kind of power/destruction )

it's Denerim and Redcliffe and people see you the way they saw Duncan. warden first. you are a Warden before you are a dalish elf.