#rook codex entries

[sternentreue]

2 and 15 from the codex thing for Firion please!

Finally getting to my huge pile of asks this weekend! Thank you for sending these, I had so much fun with them!!! 🩷

I still haven't decided how Firion feels about the slow burn, if he's just as oblivious or frustrated at some point, so for now I settled on "desperate for feeling loved", oops.

transcript under the cut

2. An entry from Rook’s journal

A PAGE FROM ROOK'S SECRET JOURNAL

The paper is slightly damp and the ink has run out here and there.

Spite made an appearance today. The others still think he's dangerous and they keep their distance, but I think he's just confused and lonely. Lucanis doesn't pay attention to him and drowns him out. And he tries to hide this side of him from me, more or less successfully. I told him Spite didn't bother me and then something shifted in him. He was so close, I barely remember how it happened, my ears were ringing and my knees almost gave out. My heart is still pounding just thinking about it. But he stopped halfway and left.

I thought he would kiss me. I must have looked like an idiot.

I can't seem to figure him out. One minute he just looks at me, and me alone (maybe that's just wishful thinking), with his big brown eyes that make my stomach turn, and he says these sweet things and makes me snacks in the middle of the night, and the next minute he's being obscure and treats me like an associate.

Did I misread his sweet gestures or have I not shown him enough that I’m interested? Or too much? Sometimes he seems to be uncomfortable with my attempts at flattery. Maybe he's not into men, or elves? Or maybe (illegible) in me as a person. (illegible) hurts, thinking about it. But I mustn’t be selfish. I am not entitled to his affection. I shouldn’t be feeling this way about him, (illegible) anything at all. He must focus on our mission and so must I. But I’m I want (illegible) feel so alone.

I was looking forward to spend a little time with him today. I hope he will still allow it.

15. Rook’s packing list for travel to a quest location

SCRIBBLED NOTE

Harding wants to look for the missing dwarves tomorrow. Deep Roads — ask Davrin to come with us.

To pack: 

— back pack — bed roll — comfy pants — brush  — water flask — washing cloth + soap — bandages — canavaris (ask Lace) (packed some — Lace) — petroleum jelly (hands) — long coat (ask Davrin) — treats for Assan (ask Lucanis) — sketch pad (just in case) — books (just in case) NO BOOKS (— Lace)

Added in Lucanis' handwriting: I expect you will be gone for a few days, so I packed some boxed lunches for you, including treats for Assan. Remember to eat and drink enough, I know you tend to forget. It will be cold too, please wear the socks I have knitted for you. I don’t want you to come home with your toes all blue. Be safe. — Lucanis

[rookamell]

Rook codex writing prompts:

2.) An entry from Rook's journal

Transcript

Overheard in Arlathan today:

Told by the First of a visiting Northern Dalish clan at the Veil jumper camp -> he said the story came from Arlathan in the days of the Elvhen.

"Once, long ago, there was a beautiful elven(1) maid. She had many suitors, but spurned all of them, for she loved none of them(2). One day, a great lord(3) came to her, and asked for her hand. She spurned him as she had spurned all others, and in a rage, he caughte her and spirited her away to his home by force. Here, he locked her in a great tower(4) so that she would not be able to escape him. He told her he would let her go, all she had to do was consent to be his wife(8) . She refused. Every day she refused. Every night she prayed to the gods(5) for her freedom. Eventually, after months and years of her prayers, Ghilan'nain, the Halla Mother, took pity on her. She transformed the girl into a white bird, and she flew off into the woods to live the remainder of her days in service to the god who had freed her(6). The lord went up to his tower to find her gone, and in a rage he tore down his great tower, leaving him bereft and broken hearted, for in his way, he had loved her(7)."

At the top of the page is a crudely drawn tree and tower, with a bird flying away. The page has other doodles as well, even what looks like it's trying to be a page divider.

Notes:

1.) Why the specific use of 'elven'? If the story is from Arlathan, would that not be implied?

2.) Very reminiscent of Alindra's Tears. Ask Cailan How probable is it that the story originated in the Dales and was changed by Orlesians to be 'more romantic'?

3.) Did Arlathan elves have 'lords'? Seems again like it's referring to Emerald Knights

4.) Again, similar to Alindra.

5.) This could also explain why most versions of Alindra's Tears use the word 'gods' instead of 'God' even though many in Orlais would/should consider that blasphemy. (My theory has always been Tevinter, but I digress)

6.) Based on what I know about Ghilan'nain now, I wonder what she was really turned into. If the story has some truth to it.

7.) Was this supposed to be the moral? That not everyone loves the same? Interesting way to try and express that if so... Cailan would understand it better.

8.) Almost forgot! Elves didn't marry! Maybe stole story BACK from Orlais?

Here is a small drawing of a knife with a note. And a flower.

Final Thoughts: Interesting connection between the more northern Dalish and the Dales. Would not put it past Orlais to steal the story. How would it have been thought to come from Arlathan? -> Ask Bellara? -> Could elves have stolen it back from Orlais?

*Oh also follow up on bears in the north!

[kakibot]

This post has a very narrow target audience, Lucanis romancers who chose the "I also love coffee!" option during the Treviso coffee date.

A big shoutout to everyone else who has baked the Nevarran Hazelnut Torte before me because they made me panic less when I reached the "why is this just a big ole lump" stage. 🖤

[rook-laidir]

Codex Entry: Additional Wicked Grace Rules

In Davrin’s handwriting

- No cheating

- No arrows at the table

- No Rivaini rules if we have to get up earlier than midday

- If Assan eats a card, it’s out of play

- Smelling the other players counts as cheating (this includes Spite)

- If you run out of gold, you can still bet something of similar value (just keep your clothes on in front of Manfred)

- Card counting counts as cheating (sorry, Bellara)

- Card counting while being a detective still counts as cheating

In Neve’s handwriting You’re just sore I cost you 10 gold

- Rook’s going to cheat anyway. When playing against Rook, you can ignore up to 3 rules

[0alix0]

looking at nexus mods you really understand just how lazy BW was with veilguard

one of the first mods that has been made (aside from sliders) was about making varric actually look like himself. i'm no modder but i doubt it took a lot of time, and it probably would've taken even less for a professional game dev

there's a mod for nudity for companions in a romance sex scene

the ability to choose clothes for you inquisitor instead of that ugly ass SD pajamas

adding letters between inquisitor and their SO (who isn't Solas, cuz seriously they didn't even get that much)

better eye/skin/hair colors

smaller more proportional heads

and lets not forget, that this is the first goddamn game that people need to mod CODEX for

Like, something so basic, so easy to fix that fans did it a week after release.

the level of laziness, my god....

[dragonbabes]

I'm okay, thanks for asking, I was just thinking about this codex entry

then got carried away about how a romanced Lucanis and Viago would meet to discuss just how many enemies Rook made the day they scrambled the Antaam's plans like an egg and the two assassin's would scheme together; how to keep Rook safe once the blight and newly-resurrected-elven-gods contract is complete (because we all know that if they're still cringing over Zevran, they're still foaming at the mouth over Rook) and they both get to the point that they're like "death, death is good" and start to plot the demise of everyone that simply looks at Rook wrong.

How Viago might start making a little more poison than he usually does. How Lucanis would be very interested in what Bellara knows about masking flavors; how he would absolutely bring Bellara to one of their meetings. And Bellara would only ask why they wanted to know once, before offering her services to them any time they needed.

Idk it's just kinda cute, makes me kick my feet a lil. Like they would murder for Rook <3

[purple-frost]

A letter found folded on the table in Rook’s room after Tearstone Island, its edges worn soft as if handled many times. There are faint smudges where ink has blurred, streaked by droplets of water.

Lucanis, If you're reading this, it means I never made it back from Tearstone Island. I need you to know—whatever happened, whatever kept me from returning—it is not your fault. Please, please, don’t blame yourself for my absence. Promise me that you won’t lock yourself away behind walls of grief and regret. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, Lucanis, and I think you might already know. Maybe you’ve always known... I love you. I love you so, so much. I’ve loved you since the moment we found you in the Ossuary. I’ve loved wandering the streets of Treviso with you, the late-night coffee, the quiet moments, the shared laughter, everything. I’ve cherished every single second we spent together. Not one of them was wasted. Not one of them do I regret. If I have any regrets, it’s only that I didn’t find the courage to tell you this face to face. But I couldn’t leave without ensuring you knew. I love you, Lucanis. I always have. I always will. No matter what. - Kay

[basket-of-cats-and-witches]

Codex entry: Rook Finally Joins Book Club

(yes this is a reference to Skyrim. Thanks to my friend Mika for helping me figure out the name XD)

--------------

Notes for our fifth book club meeting.

We finally managed to get Rook to join! Lucanis made something called pandoro as a bribe.

Attending: Lucanis, Bellara, Harding, Neve, Rook, Emmrich. (Davrin has a cold, promised he'd be here next time)

Book: The Frisky Wyvernian Waitress by [Name scratched out] (Chosen by…someone? Neve suspects the wisps.)

Notes taken by: Bellara

Notes:

-Lucanis threw this book out a window. Appalled at inaccurate depiction of wyverns.

-Emmrich impressed by amount of euphemisms. Said he'd never be able to think about “bread rising” the same again.

-Neve impressed someone had the good sense to obscure the author’s name. Is trying to decipher what's left of it to find who wrote this.

-Harding couldn't stop blushing. Complained about lack of plot and repeating phrase “Plenty of time”.

-Rook annotated their copy. Said it gave them “a lot to think about.” Emmrich was appalled they would mark up a book.

-Bellara (me) also annotated the book. Use as reference for writing later. For euphemisms, not for plot.

Wisps are banned from choosing books. Rolled a dice, Davrin is next. Neve says he'll be glad he missed this one.

----------------------

[vigilskeep]

i wonder how affected the mourn watch & emmrich were by the mage rebellion. i guess less than any other southern mages because they have the necropolis to run, which can’t be abandoned and strongly has the good will of the nobility, and also good fucking luck to the templar who tries to get at them in there. but at least politically/socially there must have been something. it’s robably because of how lax and (relatively) welcome it is, but nevarra was a centre for the circle of magi, it’s where the first enchanters used to gather for the college

[missriggie]

DreadRook Week 2025

Day 6: The Ending

//"No real god need prove himself. Anyone who tries is mad or lying."

@thelighthouse-server

Folded under cushions of the chaise in the Meditation Room in the Lighthouse, is a rather heartfelt page of a journal.

When all is said and done, Rook sympathised with the Dread Wolf and all his mistakes, working damn hard to grant him the opportunity to see the error of his ways, and bids him a safe journey through to his eventual redemption.

Elven Translation: 'Safe Journeys, Dread Wolf, May you find your way to freedom.'

[genjyoandgojyoandhakkai]

The List

Xiqaa, Emmrich, and Lucanis agreed with Spite that he should have control of the body one day a month. In exchange for allowing Lucanis to focus (more) on work for the other twenty-nine days, Spite may choose the activity for his allotted time.

A crumpled but tightly rolled scroll contains the list of proposed activities, written in Spite’s unmistakable handwriting - vivid red ink, likely expensive.

Three additional colors mark the annotations:

Black with gold ink: Rook

Blue ink: Lucanis

Deep purple ink: Emmrich

The outer side of the scroll bears a warning, courtesy of Lucanis:

"Manfred and Spite, do not forget to return the ink-making supplies to Bellara!"

Underneath, Bellara’s handwriting appeases:

"It's okay, Lucanis! They're having fun! ❤️"

Spite’s List of Activities (One Day Month)

Fight Compassion in the Hall of Lords

(Spite, I do not believe Compassion will fight you, but we can ask Seer Rowan if another spirit would be inclined. Regardless, you may engage in combat within the Hall. - Lucanis)

(Spite, what he means is we’ll find someone’s ass and kick it, don’t worry. - Rook)

Taste every plants in Harding's garden at the Lighthouse

(The plants in Harding’s garden are alchemical ingredients. This would be dangerous for both of you.  - Emmrich)

Make candle

See how high Lucanis and Spite can fly before they fall

Fall into ocean from flying too high

Neve

(Crossed out by all three colors. In the margins, Lucanis has written "¡No mames, Spite!" diagonally. Spite has retaliated by drawing his ‘signature’, a complex decagon filled with geometric designs - over it.)

Crow contract

(Rook: Hmm. Do we think Illario might be willing? Spite is at least a fledgling by now…)

(Lucanis, in very small script beneath: I am the First Talon. He will do as I say.)

Treasure hunting with Rook

(A small doodle of a smiling face with heart-shaped eyes has been added next to this.)

Dinner of Candles with Manfred

(Lucanis has crossed this out repeatedly, as though physically restraining himself from setting the scroll on fire.)

Curiosity and Spite visit the Necropolis

(I shall accompany you with pleasure, my darling. - Emmrich)

Satinalia

Crossed out. (Lucanis has written "NO" in precise, neat script, then drawn a long-stemmed arrow pointing toward this entry.)

Cooking with Rook

(Rook underlined this enthusiastically and scribbled: "See, Lucanis? Not everyone thinks I am too chaotic in the kitchen!")

Learn POISON Viago

(Crossed out by all three colors.)

FIRE

(Perhaps worn down by repeated requests, no one has crossed it out.)

Rook wear Crow Head helmet on date

(Sure thing, var malignitas! You know I love that helm. - Rook)

(Lucanis wrote, and lightly crossed out, No me puedes creer todas las pendejadas...)

Spite and Lucanis eat Joining Feast Day with Rook and Emmrich

(Rook: How do we think we could pull this off? Seems harder than the Maker’s eternal erection.)

(Lucanis: Mierda. That is not a feast day.)

(Spite: Do not care. Spite and Lucanis HAPPY. Want feast.)

(Emmrich: My eternal flames, perhaps I can consult with specialists in the Necropolis. Let us revisit this another year.)

At the bottom of the list, a final addition appears, scrawled hastily and signed with a simplistic drawing of a skeletal hand:

I LOVE YOU, family! Xx, Manfred.

The scroll bears various stains and should probably not be examined too closely. Evidence suggests it has traveled with its authors, likely crammed into a hidden cape pocket or retrieved from a location that suggests deep regret. Whatever the outcome, it is evident that Spite’s wishes were thoughtfully considered, if not entirely encouraged.

Lucanis, probably:

translations:

var malignitas - our Spite (elvish + vint slang)

¡No mames, Spite! - crude Spanish for no way, or you're kidding

No me puedes creer todas las pendejadas - I can't believe this shit

thanks to @doc-notarealone-salas for the excellent screenshot for my meme 💖

[ofcrowsanddragons]

Enabling Bellara's reign of terror

Bellara scribbled on a sheet of parchment as she worked on the Eluvian, mumbling the words as she wrote. "Theoretically, could you tune the dampener to a person's resonance instead? Make it so they couldn't use magic?"

She startled when a voice answered her.

"That sounds useful. That would interfere with magic directly instead of a mage's connection to the Fade, wouldn't it?"

When Bellara spun around, it was Magpie the assassin. Or Rook. Or Mags. Bellara wasn't sure and mostly resolved to wait until other people addressed them enough that she would know how to get it right. Same with the pronouns, really.

"Oh! Yes, you get it. Kind of. In theory, anyway. Right now we would probably point it at someone and they would go 'Splat!' and we would all die because the Lighthouse would spin off in a billion directions into the raw Fade."

Magpie hummed. "So that would be bad right now. But if we could duplicate it... you know we couldn't get a shot at Solas because he was commanding too much magic during the ritual, right?"

"That's right! And it might be a matter of whether someone is commanding magic they already have or if they're drawing from the Fade..."

"Because that would affect the resonance?"

"Mhm," Bellara was mostly lost in thought at this point. "But the gods might have some artifacts around still that are tuned to their specific resonances..."

"And it could probably stop blood mages too, right?"

"Red Lyrium's iffy, though," Bellara said, tapping the parchment and suddenly realizing that Harding and Neve were watching her, too. Oops. No harm done, probably.

Magpie shrugged. "If we have time, maybe we can test a small scale-version and make sure it doesn't blow anything up. Then you can try it on me and we'll see if we can make it work."

"Right," said Neve, very voice curling sardonically around her tongue. "Just so you know, I am not volunteering for that."

[proffbon]

That's cool and all but I'm not even technically Qunari.

[kmackatie]

Codex: The Chess Piece

[found on a table in Emmrich's room in the Lighthouse after a visit to Dock Town] A note from Rook, attached to a worn scroll yellowed with age: Professor, Overheard you discussing Dalish funerals with Bellara when I was speaking with Rana at the Wall of Light. I remembered a scroll that the Veil Jumpers unearthed that had sat in storage waiting to be catalogued correctly. I’m no translator, but my ancient elven is half-decent and I happen to have an interest in and personal connection to Falon’Din. —Rook P.S. Don’t tell Bellara where you got it from. I’m in enough trouble with Strife as it is.

After deep-diving on some codex entries for a different fic, an idea lodged in the back of my head to attempt to write a fic made up of codex entries that would add into my Rook's journey. Thus, this was born, in which I lovingly spent even more time deep-diving into codex entries and taking a crack at writing some.

Also spending over an hour creating a mock-codex entry in Procreate.

read on ao3 here

Rating: T Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Relationship: Rook / Emmrich Volkarin Characters: Rook, Emmrich Volkarin, The Veilguard Companions and NPCs Additional Tags: Character Study, Canon Compliant, Worldbuilding, Epistolary, Codex Entries (Dragon Age), Codex Entries for Rook, Male Rook (Dragon Age), Dalish Rook (Dragon Age), Mage Rook (Dragon Age), Developing Relationship, Dragon Age: The Veilguard Spoilers, self-indulgent expansion of Rook's character, Discussions of Past Relationship Words: 6,865

[rook-laidir]

21 for the codex prompts?

Venatori,

Thanks to your uselessness and ineptitude, I’ve found myself in a rather unusual predicament. Rest assured, my power has not been diminished, merely redirected in ways that obstruct some of my physical capabilities.

By now, even you braindead fools should know about Rook. They’ve been a thorn in many sides for quite a while now. Currently, Rook, Volkharin, and their other nosy layabouts are inviting me to reside in their study. As a result of my aforementioned redirection of my physical form, I am graciously honoring their request.

If you sniveling idiots manage to find me and restore me to my former glory, I might consider letting you live.

- J.H.

*in Rook’s handwriting*

Emmrich,

Found this by your door. How did Hezenkoss hold the quill?

[mrsdellamorte]

Codex Day 11: Letter from Rook to their love interest

A Letter to The First Talon

No drawings are on this sealed letter. The wax seal is stamped with ‘A.L.M’ for -Althea Loren Mercar- on orange parchment, with hints of lavender in the folds

Dear Lucanis,

As I’m writing this, you’re fast asleep next to me. You look so peaceful… beautiful even. You deserve that and more after everything you’ve gone through. Thank you for trusting me enough to see you this way.

The last few weeks have been so jarring between saving the clan, dealing with Aelius, clearing out Invenci and the Antaam-it’s hard to find a second to breathe. So, this letter is just to say thank you.

From the moment we saved you from The Ossuary, you haven’t left my side. I was nervous at first, that you felt as if you had to, like you owed me a debt. But now, looking back now, I’m so grateful you were there.

In the midst of all this chaos, with the weight of the world possibly ending, to know you were always within an arms reach or deflecting a blow I didn’t see, squeezing my hand through my panic-I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

And tomorrow, we face the impossible, stopping the gods at Tearstone Island. With you by my side I feel I can conquer anything, and I know you don’t do promises but… I will do everything I can to keep you safe. I vow that to you. We will make it through this together.

You have brightened my life in ways I can’t even describe. To know you is a joy, to be known by you is something I will never take for granted. You have shown me so much patience, love and care, and that extends to Amalia as well. Thank you. You always make things better whether you know it or not. I hope you do. Thank you for being you.

Tomorrow, I’m not sure how things will go, and just in case I don’t have the chance to say:

My heart is yours. It’s been yours since I saw you unlocking the gate in Minrathous.

I love you.

-Althea