#solas is TRULY built different (worse)

[sunlight-shunlight]

one interesting thing about the solas crestwood catastrophe is that:

if we look at the relationship from solas' perspective, he knows he's already... permanently altered lavellan with his magic, in a way that they didn't consent to/fully understand the ramifications of. oops! that was accidental, and he didn't even know them then, so presumably he manages to get over the guilt enough to have somewhat of a normal relationship afterwards.

but then, let's assume that he did stick to his plan to tell the truth... then he essentially:

altered their physical body with magic.

lied a LOT by omission.

drew them in with friendship/affection before dropping a Huge Moral Burden onto them.

can't REMOVE the magic in his current state, until he gets the orb back.

if the explanation goes badly, and lavellan ends up hating him/disagreeing with his plan, they wouldn't even be able to tell him to fuck off permanently. bc the anchor is still slowly killing them.

if lavellan agrees with his plan in theory, then... they still have to accept the deaths of most people they knew and cared about. which even if they're ok with for the Greater Good™, will horrifically change their personality and ruin their life.

if lavellan agrees to help with the plan, then... they're basically solas' agent afterwards, and will have to personally bloody their hands even more. and the power differential only gets Worse.

so he's... a bit mythal-esque in his approach, by accident, isn't he? RIP! mythal is of course, the Best Of The Evanuris™ and a girlboss, but that's presumably unsettling to him when he realizes it. it seems like he had thought his confession through up to the point of "hm, maybe if i explain it really well, they'll accept me as the dread wolf, and the necessity of my plan? and we'll be together :)" without planning any further steps fhsjsgjf

so then he goes "oh, fuck. nevermind. what if i just stay as solas the Normal Apostate™ a bit longer. but, i need SOME pretext about why we're even here, or what 'the truth' is that i'm telling them. uhhhh... the vallaslin are... removable?" out of reflex.

then that's, once again:

lying, and with the expectation that he'd have to keep lying even longer.

encouraging lavellan to change an integral part of themselves, when they trust him deeply.

which is STILL very mythal-esque, or possibly dread wolf vs his foes type of behaviour, and it's towards someone that he loves! even when he's trying to be solas the Normal Apostate™. incredible. then solas either takes off the vallaslin, and realizes that he's altered lavellan further on false pretenses; or lavellan refuses, and he realizes that he's asked them to change themselves, still on false pretenses. and then he decides that it's Joever and there's no way to remain in the relationship that preserves his ethics. presumably, the fact that he killed felassan for showing 2% of this emotional bias towards mortals, is also weighing on him throughout.

BUT. then he does say afterwards that "everything will be made clear once corypheus is defeated". which is a pretty douchey thing to say if he expects to take the orb, and then for lavellan to like... die in the veilfall immediately? hdjsjfhsf. so to me, that seems like he had an intention to retake the anchor, and then tear down the veil and reveal his identity, and expected lavellan to still be alive afterwards to see it. and then they would no longer be magically attached to him, so at least that would equalize the situation a bit.

but then the orb breaks too! so, he has to slink off with 0 additional clarity to lavellan beyond saying "ough... what we had was real 🥺" before going to kill mythal himself. absolute trainwreck of a breakup.

[vaguely-concerned]

it's so incredibly interesting to go in with this plan I have for rye's ending, because so much of it is built up in their relationship to varric -- and the relationship they have to varric is so completely different to and entirely separate in my head from the relationship I have to varric after loving him for more than a decade and relentlessly psychoanalyzing him and his many and various insane emotional intimacy issues through the rich medium that is dragon age 2, but it's arguably even stronger. I love varric, but rye LOVED this dude for being exactly the person they needed when they were lost and needed someone to truly recognize them and ground them in the world as they lost their anchors. (with some additional baby bird 'DAD SHAPED!!!' primal instinct from their father figure growing up). but also rye didn't know varric like I know varric. (the same way you uh. can't know your parents until you come along to be born, sort of thing I guess lol.) and I know the reason varric immediately took to and understood this kid is that they remind him so much of hawke as a young man that it hurts his heart a little bit with sheer tenderness for rook, for hawke then and hawke now -- for himself back then, (for anders, always, beneath the old and ashen anger, sometimes despite himself). for every lost and young and struggling person who's trying their best and truly could not have known any better until the one day they did, no matter what happened later in consequence. which is also part of what I feel towards rook.

I am making out with the fourth wall right now. me and the fourth wall are doing some things that wouldn't fly on tumblr after 2018 to each other. (it's what varric would have wanted)

(rye being someone who beneath it all is so desperate for parental warmth and guidance and being seen (and even more basically with feeling warmly invited by someone into the story of the world/reality as someone who is a unique and separate and loveable part of it. which, for all I love the grand necropolis and all the absolute fifth house style weirdos that inhabit it, is not something the mourn watch is very good at giving people if they need it, I think) that he'll take even the hollow shell appearance of it with only the lightest touch of blood magic to help him along in accepting the unreal scraps as enough. grief fills the room up with my absent dad, speaks with his voice, walks the necropolis halls up and down with me every day already, I'm GREAT at ghosts I call them up all the time just to have a chat. gimme back cloth mother I'll bring her to some semblance of life with necromancy myself if I have to. like yeah it feels like varric is becoming more distant and unreachable to me every day in the lighthouse. just like the man who was to all intents and purposes my father did, when he was dying. and afterwards the necropolis swallowed him up in its quiet eternal mercy that'll never give him back to me. if anyone knows there's no struggling against that it's a watcher. so I can never ask to have him back, and the helpless child-like cry for it anyway will find its peaceful tomb in my throat and never be let out. oh rye. oh buddy. yeah I'd probably also want to stab solas to something worse than death, under those psychological circumstances, fair enough. rye 'I keep all my feelings bottled up in here and then one day. I will die. trust me on this' ingellvar but the bottle finally broke and now it's the nastiest kind of barfight you can imagine)

[wootensmith]

Through the Glass, Darkly

He felt it when she went, even half a continent away. A sudden rush of power, like rivers running back to the sea, as the remnants of the anchor found the way to him and her will was extinguished.

He’d thought he’d prepared himself for it in more than just his mind. He’d had what he needed for the ritual for years. His waiting was purposeful. The Veil had to fall, but he tried to give them a temporary reprieve, hold it off as long as he could. The devastation in the wake of that final breath was unbearable. He’d tried to find her in the Fade, prove himself false. All he’d found was the absence where she ought to be. Not even an echo of her. He was uncertain whether that was worse or if it were a mercy. He didn’t send out agents to verify her loss. It was unnecessary. It was always going to end this way.

He grieved. Alone. 

And when there was no time remaining, he began the ritual. 

He comforted himself with the idea that the process was almost finished. A few more tasks and he could finally put the burden down. Let go. Release his consciousness back into the void, rivers returning to the sea. No longer alone.

The transfer was delicate. That is what he told himself afterward. That he had been too absorbed in its complexity to remember all the precautions he should have. In his deepest heart though, Solas knew that he’d let Varric find him. He’d hoped— well, it didn’t matter any longer what he’d hoped. For a scrap of her to remain perhaps. For some last thread of sanity for him to grasp onto, some alternate way that Varric or Dorian or anyone had dreamed up. A way out. 

The night was chilled, brittle. A long and drenching rain beat down on the stone steps, on the expressionless, titanic stone statues that guarded the prison Solas had built so long ago. He would have liked to do it some balmy summer night, late, late, when all the land slept, a peaceful slide into the end. But there was no more time, his pursuers were closing in and he could delay no longer if he truly wished to complete this before he was discovered. A few hours more and the crisis would be over, for good or ill.  It took time to build up the necessary power to burst through the Veil, even with his dagger. He concentrated on gathering his strength in the nucleus of his ritual.

“Hey, Chuckles, hope I’m not interrupting.” Solas wished he could feel the relief he’d expected at Varric’s voice, but rage and sorrow swept it quickly away. “You should not be here,” he said, turning momentarily toward Varric. He was much older than Solas’s memory. More somber, no sly grin or glint of sarcasm in his eye. Just exhaustion. An overwhelming tide of grief tugged at Solas. An instant of recognition of what they had both already lost. “No,” admitted Varric. “It shouldn’t be me who’s here. We both know that. And if you’d let us find you a year ago, it would have been her instead.” “Go home, Varric. It is perilous for you to remain,” he said, ignoring the raw anger in Varric’s voice. “It’s perilous everywhere else, too.” Solas began to turn back to take the next step in the ritual.  “She believed in you to the very end, you know,” said Varric.  Solas hesitated, the enchanted dagger clenched in his hand.

“That’s why I’m here instead of barricading Kirkwall’s harbor or raiding the wine cellar at the Hanged Man and drinking away the final nights of the world. Her last breaths were asking us to find you. She was convinced you were in trouble. None of us could persuade her of anything different. And we tried, Solas. We tried. So here I am, to ask you because she can’t. Don’t do this.” Solas shook his head and returned to the ritual. “You don’t understand. The Veil is a wound inflicted upon this world, it must be healed,” he said, squinting against the increasing wind and rain. “By drowning the world in demons?” “I have taken precautions to minimize the damage, Varric.” “Minimize the— People are dying right now! You need to listen.” The click of Varric’s crossbow was still familiar after all this time and forced Solas’s attention back to him. “Please,” Varric added.

It was his desperate tone that pushed Solas too far. He shattered Bianca with a thought. Told himself it was to prevent Varric from using it, but they both knew the crossbow was only a prop to catch Solas’s attention. Neither of them had the will to harm the other. Not now. No, he destroyed the crossbow in a paroxysm of sorrow and jealousy. Varric had been with the Inquisitor in her last moments. Had been where Solas should have been. And now he stood where she should have instead. Some part of his anger was for the Inquisitor as well, irrational as it was. For failing. For not standing in Varric’s place.

“People are always dying,” Solas snapped. “It is what they do.” He turned back and struck again at the Veil.

“You’re not the only one who misses her,” said Varric, so quietly that Solas almost missed it. “Destroying everything we fought together to preserve isn’t going to make you feel better.” Solas didn’t answer, concentrating on his task. The air smelt of ozone and rain, something he tried to grasp onto, to ground himself. “Why did you bother helping us?” asked Varric after a moment. “Why not just let Corypheus win if this was all you were after?” He shut his eyes, hearing an echo of the Inquisitor asking the same, though it had been about the Qunari invasion, not Corypheus. He was not ready for the physical ache in his chest. He grit his teeth and slashed at the widening tear in the Veil.

“Was it just your ego? Couldn’t stand for someone else to destroy us and wanted to do it with your own hands? Or was it that you didn’t have the anchor and you couldn’t do this without it? That why you used us? Her?” Rage simmered in Varric’s tone, and Solas couldn’t help but try to explain. “No! I—” “Why now then? It’s come back to you, hasn’t it? The anchor’s power? That’s it, isn’t it? You were just waiting for her to die. I guess I should be grateful you waited then.”

Solas whirled around to face Varric. “I wanted you to have more time,” he said. “But there is no more to be spared. This is bigger than us. Bigger than the Inquisitor or our friendship. Bigger than me. Whatever your plan is, Varric, it will not alter this. I cannot allow you to threaten this ritual or me.” Varric laughed. “Me? Take down the Dreadwolf? No, I just wanted to ask you a question.” Solas hesitated, wary. His skin prickled as the Fade leaked from the tear, washed over him, beyond him.

“This ritual of yours— what’s it meant to do? I mean, from what the Inquisitor told me, you rebelled against the Evanuris and that was a disaster.”  “They’re imprisoned,” Solas protested. Varric ignored him. “You created the Veil and that’s a disaster. How will this time work any better? Tell me that.” You haven’t told them everything, Solas reminded himself. “I understand your hesitance, but what I do now has to be done. This is beyond your comprehension.” “So explain it,” Varric insisted. “Tell me why. Why tear down the Veil knowing all the lives it will cost?”

Solas bit back his impatience. “We can have this conversation later. Let me fin—” “Just like you were supposed to explain to the Inquisitor once we defeated Corypheus? Or like you apparently intended to do when we chased you across the Crossroads years ago? You keep promising to explain ‘later’ and then chickening out. It’s later, Solas. Explain now. What is so vital that it’s more important than all the people who are dying?” “We shared a journey years ago. Do you truly believe I would do this if there were some other better option?” “A year ago I would have said no,” answered Varric. “But now— I don’t know what to think anymore.”

It stung, hearing Varric’s doubt. I cannot afford to linger, he told himself. “You came a long way and made a valiant effort, Varric, but this story does not end with my downfall.” Varric sighed behind him. “I never wanted your downfall, Solas. None of us did. Do you know what she said the last time I saw her? The anchor, your anchor, had spread, eating her up like frost crackling across every inch of her. Agony. And we were all helpless. All of us. She should have been furious. But she wasn’t. ‘He’s in trouble.’ That’s what she told me. ‘I don’t know what and and I don’t know how to aid him, but he’s in trouble and he needs us.’ That’s why I came. Because she knew you needed—” he broke off as a terrible rending rumble erupted beneath them. The ancient carvings began to topple in a nightmarish slow slump toward them. 

Horrified, Solas managed to catch the foremost statue and push it away. But he was too late. The Veil stood open, the ritual interrupted. The creatures of centuries of nightmares erupted from the yawning Fade. Solas froze in shock until he distantly realized that Varric was calling him. “— out of here, Solas! We can’t stay!”  A tug at his elbow shook Solas loose from his paralyzing fear. “Run, Varric,” he croaked, trying to shield the dwarf bodily, “Fly from here!”  His ancient spell collapsed, sucked itself back, an implosion. When the rumbling stopped, the world was gone. And Solas was again, alone.

[bearlytolerant]

Fandom: Dragon Age

Rating: G

Pairing: Solas x Sarya Lavellan

Word Count: 475

(why yes I do have some dragon age up my sleeve)

Good Enough

There’s something about her gaze as the firelight reflects in her pupils. Both here and in the ether she exists, lost to the world for the empire she’s built in her head. It seems rude to ask to be let in.

“Inquisitor?” Half beat of a pause and then once more, a little louder. “Inquisitor?”

He lets out a sigh because it seems far worse to just storm the keep.

“Inquisitor!” Sarya snaps to attention, head craning to gaze up at the Seeker.

“Yeah? Something the matter?”

She hasn’t noticed him staring, not that he should want her to notice but he finds himself wanting anyway. Wanting, willing and waiting for her to notice him.

Seeker Cassandra hands over a bowl of stew. “Eat. We must keep our strength up.”

Sarya’s hands take the bowl and she brings the edge of it to her lips while the Seeker eyes her and nods, nudging her to sip. One loud slurp and the Seeker is satisfied, leaving Sarya be. The bowl finds rest on the ground and Sarya catches him then and there’s a hint of a smile. Hand to the dirt, she smooths a space for him and he knows his calling.

“They want too much,” she says while the flames dance in her pupils.

Does she read minds? His want is no different.

“What of you, Solas?”

He swallows, shudders an involuntary shiver under the potential of vulnerability.

“What do I want?”

“Yes, what do you want from me?”

Everything. All of you. To lay you out beneath the stars and rule the empire you’ve built so carefully inside your mind. To be wanted in every way by you in return.

“Nothing,” he says, a flat out lie. The only one to be held against him.

There’s the hint of a chuckle. “If only we could all be so good as you.”

“I—am not good,” he says, this time it’s not just a thought but voiced aloud, interspersed between the crackle of wood made ash.

“Good enough,” she tells him then fits her hand into his. She brings his hand up to her lips and kisses his knuckle.

“Then I take back what I said,” he tells her. “I want to be good enough. For you.”

“No, no, that still counts—what you said before. You want nothing from me. But for me. It’s nice.” She kisses his cheek and leans into his shoulder.

But she doesn't realize that it is what he wants from her. He wants her to always see him that way. Good enough. When he is the worst of everyone. That he would malign the good that she truly is so that she could understand his goodness. If such a thing for him even exists anymore.

He wants everything of her. And he will take it. She just doesn’t know it yet.

[abanaqun]

I am so happy to see this post you have no idea oh my god. if I'm hijacking lmk and ill make my own post!

I never understood solas' quest to bring down the veil as a quest to bring back ancient elvhenan - more a quest to bring back the conditions under which ancient elvhenan came to be. I don't think he's trying to resurrect an empire he killed! like - for any motivation he has that isn't fueled by guilt, he's doing this for the spirits.

and if the veil had come down,,, the evidence we have got re: that going nothing but awful, demons and death and destruction only, is a botched ritual executed by a blighted tevinter magister. but a) Solas is less desperate now, less in a "I just woke up this is a waking nightmare I need to fix everything immediately" mood. he says he has a plan, spirits standing by to minimise the damage. I don't think he's lying about that* because b) he's either befriended or romanced the inquisitor, who does "defy the categories he's built for himself", and who was the first to give him enough evidence that the world as it is now isn't entirely worthless. its been ten years, who knows where he went and what he experienced in the meantime.

*obligatory in my worldstates disclaimer. who knows, if you're a true dick to him he might not bother with precautions. I know he does in the text but maybe he shouldn't maybe it should matter what your relationship to him was like in the previous game or something idk

my theory is that the veil going down would have varying impacts on different geographical regions and locations based on the area's relationship to and history with mages, magic, and spirits, as well as its. idk. vibe and history in general. The fade and its spirits are shaped by this world after all, reflect it, to the point where a nightmare demon can control vast swathes of real estate if there's too much forgotten fear in the air.

so I think the way things go in Rivain, in Nevarra, with the Avvar, is already quite different from each other, and probably still relatively destructive, like an earthquake is destructive. but you can rebuild after earthquakes. if peaceful coexistence/mass effect symbiosis ending can be reached, it will be easiest in places like that.

in a place like Kirkwall or Minrathous, the veil coming down truly is as bad as everyone fears, it is destructive like an atom bomb is destructive - nobody is coming to rebuild because the ground and air has been poisoned by rage and suffering and fear for thousands of years, previously trapped in the fade, and now it's right here instead of over there in the form of demons and sundered fade landscape or something probably.

I'm not saying it wouldn't be awful, especially in places we've visited before (because chantry doctrine teaches fear and IS in fact WRONG about that), but I am saying that I'm not convinced it would be worse than the Double Blight that Swallowed the South because Rook tried to stop Solas.

idk man. what if maintaining the objectively shitty status quo ("restoring order") wasn't the main goal of my fantasy story, or something.

It itches my brain, fam, because I can *see* all the perspectives and philosophies. If he leaves well enough alone, he is forsaking the ancient elves and condemning their society to utter extinction. He has the ability to fix things (supposedly) and simply accepting things as they are is like getting away with murder with a “sorry”. But if he does try to change things, he is condemning an entire world to death. He is trying to wrench the past into the present, trying to resurrect an empire. Even though he hates imperialism and empires, that’s what he’s doing.. He is trying to replace those alive *now* with those whose existences are *potential*. He’s trying to bring back people who lived during a time of great splendor and eminence. In essence, Solas wants the ancient elves to *replace* those who are presently living. He doesn’t get into what this means for humans or qunari or dwarves (the latter existed during ancient elvhenan). Can we be sure that the ancient elves would resist exerting superiority/supremacy over the remaining living people? Can we?

As far as I understand. I still don’t understand what he means by bringing back the Ancient Elves. If he means that there are ancient elves in comas he wants to resurrect or souls stuck in the Fade he wants to give bodies? Or he means the few elves like Abelas that are still alive that he wants to return their pre-Veil powers to. IT’S REALLY UNCLEAR.

The reason WHY I am so furtive about the Veil is because so many important details are left unknown. In a conversation you have with him in DAI on the balcony, he tells you to your face you flout the categories he has created for the different races, and this is him as Wisdom-Pride given mortal form. I cannot shake the nagging worry that the Ancient Elves, if they were to return, wouldn’t reassume a collective sense of racial superiority over the surviving living races. If they truly get their resurrected empire off the ground, I can 100% see them marginalizing the modern elves, dwarves, humans, and qunari. Everyone would be “separate but equal”, and not even Solas with his good intentions and “philosopher king” pursuit of freedom would be able to prevent it. If the ancient elves were to get their shit together, some form of organization would need to be arranged, and like Elgar’nan, it could lead to a consolidation of power that recreates oppressive hierarchal structures. Solas would probably take up the mantle, reluctantly, but for all of his desire that rulers cede power when they are no longer needed, he would have to remain a ruler if only to prevent war lords and ambitious ancient elves from pulling another elgar’nan. He would either need to become the thing he detests, watch the ancient elves make the same mistake as before, or watch the ancient elves wither away and die before their society ever had a chance to see its true birth. Just because the ancient elves were slaves and freemen who suffered under the tyranny of the Evanuris doesn’t mean that their suffering will make them nobler or more insightful and more sensitive to the harm they could inflict on the survivors of the apocalypse. Because it would be an apocalypse.

But again I need details on how Solas’s plans allow the ancient elves to come back and exactly how many people will die if they were to go off without a hitch. We talking 25%? 50%? 75%? 80%?

I want to live in a world where it is possible for there to be a Legend of Korra style Harmonic Convergence where spirits and people can mish mash together with minimal death and bloodshed. Where the hell is that option. Yes it’s very neat and tidy and “happily ever after” but I don’t care, make it one of the most difficult and intricate world states that you need to do a fuckton of things to be able to trigger! Have your Inquisitor and Solas be the sacrifices needed to make that happen so that you still get that bittersweet tragedy, crib the “Shepard is Spacedust Spacetime God” for it, idk! Make a dozen different endings, if you want.

Veil comes down (Inquisitor dies)- Inquisitor dies in attempt to prevent it. Thus Solas wins, but it’s a pyrrhic victory because it is the final piece of his humanity he has sacrificed. He rules as a stone-hearted king. Romance version: Solas has once again lost a world he cherished. His heart.

Veil comes down (Solas dies)- Solas dies to ensure it does, believing the world is better without him in it. The final sacrifice. But without Solas to lead the ancient elves, his efforts are all but wasted. They cannot gather together to rebuild and meanwhile every other kingdom and empire is crumbling from the shock of the Veil torn down. The world is on fire and demons are everywhere and oh my God what the fuck. This is the worst ending.

Veil stays up - Inquisitor dies to keep it up and things end up in such a way that Solas is incapable of ever interfering with the Veil again. His punishment is to live in this world created by his actions, divested of power, neutered.

Veil stays up (Romance optional: Stop Solas) - Solas somehow, either voluntarily or involuntarily, sacrifices himself to keep it intact. Essentially the “Good” and “Trick” DATV endings.

Veil stays up (Romance optional: Stop/Save Solas) Solas abandons his desire to tear down the veil. He accepts that trying to change the world is not worth it because this world is also worthy of life. Solas is basically put in Inquisitor’s/Lavellan’s custody. One can choose whether to imprison Solas, Tranquilize him, kill him, or task him with helping make the world a better place.

Veil comes down (Romance-Save Solas) - By some means, Solas and Lavellan sacrifice themselves to bring the Veil down safely. LoK Harmonic Convergence. It is more difficult for the world to adjust. Solas is not there to lead the ancient elves, Lavellan is not there to help unite modern people. It’s a brave new world, for better or worse. Underlying theme: We have to believe and hope that people will strive to make the world better.

Veil comes down (Romance-Save Solas) - The rarest and most difficult achievement. Solas and Lavellan survive and the Veil comes down. They are there to lead their worlds toward integration and coexistence. They live happily ever after. I don’t know what big sacrifice needs to be made for this to work. Perhaps Solas completely loses his magic? Perhaps he also loses a limb. I don’t know, fam.

Anyone got any other ending ideas?

I’m just talking aloud and getting my thoughts down. Pay no mind to me. I have never claimed to be good at writing stories.

[the-lightning-mage]

Inquisition OC as a Companion

I’ve already made a post about some stuff about Holly, but I love the format @little-lightning-lavellan​ made, and it really made me think. The picture is my best attempt at making her on artbreeder. 

You have selected Holly Trevelyan to join your party!

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Class: Mage

Specialization: Rift mage

Background:

Holly Trevelyan is the second youngest of seven children born to Bann and Lady Trevelyan. Born in 9:12 Dragon, she is also the only mage of the family. She came into her magic when she was 12, and thus spent most of her life in the Circle. Due to the more lax nature of the Ostwick Circle, and her being from a noble family, she was able to regularly send and receive letters. The only person she ever really got letters from is her younger sibling. This caused them to be incredibly close despite the distance.

In her early years she spent most of her time studying healing magic in hopes it would help let her get out of the circle. After lots of discouragement, she ended up giving up on that dream. Instead she focused her studies on storm based magic, as she had always found rain and thunder comforting.

After reading several books, and hearing several accounts as to how much more advanced Tevinter magic could be in certain areas, she had a new goal. She decided to try to harness electrical based magic so that it could be used as an energy source. This path has led to her becoming one of the most powerful storm based mages in Thedas.

When the talks of rebellion began, she was a part of them. She hated being cooped up all the time, and she had heard horror stories of how other mages were treated. When the rebellion began, she was not so involved. She was horrified by the levels of wrathful violence some of her peers employed. She spent a lot of time helping people escape. When she herself did, she knew that the entirety of the rebellion could not be like that, and she seriously considered joining them. Instead she decided to go find her younger sibling. That choice only solidified when she heard of what happened to the Conclave.

She becomes a rift mage because that is what either a. Killed her sibling or b. Almost killed them.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

She arrives in Haven shortly before the party leaves to address the Chantry in Val Royeaux. She shows up not to necessarily join the Inquisition, but in an attempt to find out what happened to her sibling. She can be found just outside the gates near the stables arguing with Cullen, demanding information.

If the Inquisitor is human, and thus her sibling, the conversation to recruit her flows a lot more smoothly. She will then ask to be part of the Inquisition, saying she damn near had a heart attack when she thought they had died, and that they had been apart for far, far too long. If she is refused, the Inquisitor will tell her to go home. There will be a war table mission to ensure she gets there safely. If she is accepted, she rises through the ranks rather quickly due to her skill. Solas will accuse the Inquisitor of nepotism.

If the inquisitor is not human, she will get emtional, wanting to know where her sibling is. She will demand to join the Inquisition to get justice for her fallen sibling. If denied, she will join the rebel mages instead. If they are sided with, she will technically be part of the Inquisition, but not as a companion. If not, she discovers Dorian, gives him what info she has, and flees. If she is accepted, there will be a war table mission to find her sibling’s remains or something they had on them.

In Haven, she can be found near the Inquisitor’s cabin. In Skyhold she can be found in one of the unused towers near Cullen’s office. It will have fancy looking equipment for her experiments.

She can be used to gather rebel mage support.

Approval and Romance

As they are siblings, human Inquisitors will have an easier time gaining approval, but for certain situations, they will face greater disapproval than non-humans. For example, non-humans will get “Holly disapproves” if they conscript the mages instead of treating them as allies, but humans will get “Holly greatly disapproves.”

When it comes to the big decisions, like what to do with the Wardens, who goes into the Well of Sorrows, etc. She tends to take in all of the “what ifs?” and bases her own opinions on that rather than her own morals. She may not like a decision, but if she thinks it will ultimately have the best out come, that is the one she goes with.

She likes to view most things from every angle she can. She prefers more merciful forms of justice, and can tend to be very forgiving. She likes it when the Inquisitor tries their best to understand others, while not necessarily condoning their actions. She likes it when they help those in need, though not as much as Cole does.

She can only be romanced by non human Inquisitors for obvious reasons, and she can be romanced by both men and women. If neither she or Cullen are romanced, they will end up in a relationship together. Instead of having a big romance scene, at high levels of approval, human Inquisitors will get an emotional scene where she tells them just how much she was worried about them.

Her personal quest involves her closest friend from the Circle. He sends her a letter telling her that he alive, and would love to catch up. It turns out to be a ploy, as he betrays her. He can be killed or talked down and shown mercy.

Her romance quest involves taking her to a few different locations throughout Orlais and Ferelden.

Trespasser

High Approval: She stayed with the Inquisition over the last to years as their advisor on matters of the Arcane. She presents them a unique weapon she had been working on in free time. Romance does not change this.

Low Approval if Cullen was romanced: She spent the last two years traveling. Seeing the world she never could see before. She helps and sends word back to the Inquisition when need be.

Low Approval if Cullen was not romanced: She remains with the Inquisition, helping where she can. She spends a lot of time helping Cullen figure out how to best utilize the mages.

Post trespasser: She spends much of her time working, and when she is able to get a working prototype she presents it to whatever Mage authority there is, and gets funding. It helps propel mages into good opinion. Details about her relationship are shared.

Combat Comments

Killing an enemy:

“Block this!”

“Eat ash!”

“You shouldn’t have underestimated me!”

Low health:

“Do we have another healer?”

“Armor failed me.”

“Help!”

Low health Inquisitor and Companions:

“Inquisitor!”

“Brother/Sister!”

“I’m on my way Dorian.”

“Maker, someone help the Seeker.”

“I’ve got you, Varric.”

“Shit... Bull!”

“Cole’s down!”

Other

Approaching camp: “I’ve always want to go camping.” “I’m not expert, but this seems like a lovely place to stop?”

Approaching a High Dragon: “Are they really that big?”

Using an ocularum for the first time: “Are you sure you don’t want me to examine it first?”

Picking up shards after finding the temple: “What are these doing all the way out here?”

Location Comments

Arbor Wilds: “It’s a shame we have to fight here.”

Old Crestwood: “No wonder they’re having problems with undead. Look at all the spirits.” “I think I’m going to be sick.”

Emerald Graves: “Am I the only one who thinks this place is beautiful?” “Wow....”

Emprise du Lion: “This... this is why I wear a cloak.” “I should summon some lightning. Start a fire and destroy the red lyrium. Two birds with one stone.”

Exalted Plains: “They really could not think of a worse name.” “A place that is a monument to humanity’s evil taken over by demons. Ironic.”

The Fallow Mire: “Ugh.” “I think I saw a bug the size of my hand.” “I love nature, but I hate this place.”

Forbidden Oasis: “This place would be nice if it weren’t for the Venatori... and the giant.” “I’m confused. Why is they’re a temple here? Who built it?”

Hinterlands: “Can we visit Redcliffe?” “So much chaos....” “We can help the people here, right?”

Hissing Wastes: “How do I have sand in my armor?” “Dwarven ruins on the surface? This is a dream come true.” “Great. Venatori.”

Storm Coast: “Crossing the Waking Sea was my favorite part of getting here.” “I actually quite like the weather.” “I wonder... is this place more prone to lightning storms?”

Western Approach: “Talk about a wasteland.” “Poison hot springs and chasms into the Deep Roads? At least there are ruins.” “I suppose this is a good place for nefarious deeds.”

Advisor and Companion comments

Blackwall: “She’s very dedicated and has a good heart. She’s what people should think of when they hear “mage.””

Cassandra: “She is very dedicated to the cause, though I worry she might set fire to Skyhold with one of her... experiments.”

Cole: “Trapped. Walled in. Caged like a fancy bird. Not anymore, but she stays because she wants to help. Is helping. She’s good, like her healing spells.”

Cullen: “She’s dedicated, clever, and very, very persistent. She’s been a great help with the mages.”

If in a relationship with her: “She’s... amazing, isn’t she? I’m not sure what she sees in me.”

Dorian: “You don’t find many people so open to new ideas, or people that are that accepting. She is excellent company.”

Iron Bull: “She’s different from the other mages. Too entrenched in her work to boast about it. Way more practical. I have a lot of respect for what she’s trying to do.”

Josephine: “Though I wish we could make better use of her noble ties. She is invaluable, and holds great conversations.”

Leliana: “It’s not often you meet someone who has truly nothing to hide.”

Sera: “I dunno. She makes too much sense for a mage, ya know? At least she’s pretty.”

Solas: “Holly? Ah. We don’t particularly get along, but I approve of what she is trying to do, and has accomplished.”

Varric: “You wouldn’t guess it, but Bookworm is just as good in battle as she is in that tower of hers. Thank the maker it takes a lot to piss her off. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of her lightning bolts.”

Vivienne: “I’ll be honest, I do not agree with her on everything, but at least she is loyal. Her work ethic is to be admired as well. She dresses rather simply though.”

Trivia

At first, everyone thinks Holly is the nickname Varric gave her. It doesn’t match her personality.

While she may not believe Dorian about the time magic, she immediately believes him and Felix about the Venatori. She had heard rumors about them before the events of Hushed Whispers, but nothing concrete enough to tell anyone.

Her relationship with Cullen starts with him asking her if she can soothe headaches. She has somewhat of a reputation for her healing magic, even if she doesn’t use it much.

She is an excellent singer.

Like Solas and Varric, she acts like a parent towards Cole.

If the Inquisitor is a human man who romances Dorian, she’ll tease him for having a type.

[elfrootaddict]

Now You Know - Chapter 5/8

CONTAINS SPOILERS - DO NOT READ ON UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED DAI TRESPASSER DLC!

DESCRIPTION: Experience (my first) Lavellan’s thoughts and feelings during the final cut scene of the Trespasser DLC. Including her experience when she loses the Anchor.

Chapter 1 ¦ Chapter 2 ¦ Chapter 3 ¦ Chapter 4 ¦ Chapter 5 ¦ Chapter 6 ¦ Chapter 7 ¦ Chapter 8

***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

To all those in Solavellan Hell,

I have written this to not only express my emotions but to hopefully capture some of yours, too.

After completing Trespasser, and going through the hell that is the final cut scene, I had to do something. So, to help myself work through it, I’ve written (my first) Lavellan’s thoughts and experiences down during the DLC’s final cut scene.

This is my very first FanFic, so I hope it doesn’t turn out completely terrible. *fingers crossed*

Happy Dragon 4ge Day!

WARNING: Chapter 6 contains a moment of distress and gore. Read with sensitivity and discretion.

***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***   ***

CHAPTER 5

When Lavellan was still Keeper Deshanna’s First, her priority was always to her clan and to the elves. Whether they were Dalish, city-born, followed the Qun or slaves of Tevinter. She always held the deepest, most sincere hope that there would come a day when the elves could be what they once were. That there was a forgotten ruin that contained the key to achieving that dream. Surely the past was better than their present? The answer was out there somewhere.

But after being thrown into the role as Inquisitor, she saw both the true beauty and ugliness of Thedas. Even though Keeper Deshanna had an open mind about the shemlen, which helped her not be so narrow-minded like other Dalish elves, she still hadn’t really seen the whole of Thedas.

There is a vast array of beliefs, cultures and practices. So many different types of shemlen! They truly weren’t one and the same. After her years as Inquisitor, she realised how small her world really was amongst the Dalish. 

This world may not be what it once was. It may not be Elvhenan. But it is still magnificent. It is my home. Everybody matters. The elves are not the one and only important race. No time is more important than another. 

Lavellan wants to do right by the Elvhen and improve their lives. Solas is that missing key. He can achieve what she has been dreaming for her people. But her eyes have been opened to what Thedas contained. It cannot be destroyed. 

She can also see how incredibly torn Solas is. Does he truly want to do this? Does he even have a choice?

There has to be another way. A different way. We can figure it out together, vhenan.

“Let me help you Solas.” begs Lavellan.

With his back still towards her, he rejects her assistance, “I cannot do that to you, vhenan.” 

She thinks back to being in the Fade. Solas’s gravestone of fear read ‘dying alone’. He did not see her notice it. She’s kept this knowledge of him to herself. But nevertheless, she knows one of his deepest fears and this causes great distress in her heart.

With her voice shaking and desperate she cries, “But you would do it to yourself? I cannot bear to think of you alone.”

“I walk the Din’Anshiral,” replies Solas with distress. “There is only death on this journey. I would not have you see what I become.”

Crushed, Lavellan closes her yes and drops her head. 

I will always love you, Solas. I will always accept you. Don’t you understand? 

Turning around to face Lavellan, Solas’s tone of voice changes. He is always better at suppressing his emotions than she is. Like simply blowing out a candle’s flame. 

In a matter-of-fact sort of way, Solas changes the subject, “It is my fight. You should be more concerned about the Inquisition. Your Inquisition. In stopping the Dragon’s Breath, you have prevented an invasion by Qunari forces. With luck, they will return their forces to Tevinter. That should give you a few years of relative peace.”

With her emotions all over the place, that nearly makes her burst out laughing. Why would he suddenly care about the safety of Thedas, when moments ago he declared he was planning on destroying it? And was it really ‘her’ Inquisition? Solas has clearly been using the Inquisition to right a wrong. How many spies are there? She didn’t believe herself to be naive, but now she feels foolish. She does not like to be made a fool of. 

Now frustrated, her anger helps focus her thoughts. She is still Inquisitor and is going to get as much information out of him as possible. She knows she isn’t going to get a chance like this again.

“The Qunari said the Inquisition was unknowingly working for the agents of Fen’Harel.” asks Lavellan angrily, feeling deceived.

“I gave no orders.” Solas replies promptly.

Irritated she says, “You led us to Skyhold.”

“Corypheus should of died unlocking my Orb. When he survived, my plans were thrown into chaos,” he pauses. “When you survived, I saw the Inquisition as the best hope this world had of stopping him. And you needed a home. Hence, Skyhold.”

“You gave your Orb to Corypheus?” Lavellan asks with disgust. 

“Not directly,” Solas answers. “My agents allowed the Venatori to locate it. The Orb had built up magical energy while I lay unconscious for millennia. I was not powerful enough to open it. The plan was for Corypheus to unlock it, and for the resulting explosion to kill him. Then I would claim the Orb.” 

Solas looks down towards the ground and shakes his head in disbelief. “I did not forsee a Tevinter magister having learned the secret of effective immortality.”

With a quiet and downcast voice she asks, “What would have happened if Corypheus had died and you’d recovered the Orb?”

With his face unveiling the amount of remorse in his heart, “I would have entered the Fade, using the mark you now bear. Then I would have torn down the Veil. As this world burned in the raw chaos, I would have restored the world of my time… the world of the elves.”

“If you destroyed the Veil, wouldn’t the false gods be freed?” Lavellan asks alarmed. 

“I had plans.” he answers assertively. 

Lavellan is picturing Solas as... Corypheus. He has indeed changed in her eyes. In her mind's eye she sees him holding the Orb and disintegrating the Veil. She can’t stomach the fact that, should things have turned out as planned, Solas would of been the one responsible for the chaos that ensued. 

He is so tenderhearted, thoughtful, respectable and gentle. She can hear Varric saying, “It’s always the quiet ones.”

She knows his heart. But his mind has always been a mystery. She refuses to believe that Solas is completely alone in this decision. There has to be more elements at play here. 

She can see his heart and mind battling each other. He may be good at playing nonchalant, but she knows him better than he realises. There is something he is not telling her. Perhaps if he did, he would have to admit he needs help. Her help. 

Shaking her head in disbelief, “I never thought of you as someone who would do that, Solas.”

He looks away with relief, “Thank you.” 

Solas attempts to convince her, “You must understand. I awoke in a world where the Veil had blocked most people’s conscious connection to the Fade. It was like walking through a world of Tranquil.”

Disturbed she asks, “We aren’t even people to you?”

“Not at first,” he says. “You showed me that I was wrong… again,” looking down with guilt he murmurs. “That does make what must come next any easier.” 

Despite all that has transpired, Solas still stayed to defeat Corypheus. Even though it seems pointless to her now, she always prided herself in displaying her appreciation towards others. It is something Keeper Deshanna ingrained into her.

“Whatever your reasons,” says Lavellan. “We couldn’t have defeated Corypheus without you.”

“Your doubts are misplaced,” declares Solas. “Everything you accomplished, you earned.” 

Lavellan feels comforted by his praise. She constantly craves for his approval in her decisions. He always had a wealth of knowledge and wisdom on hand. She thrives on learning from those around her and Solas had in abundance. 

Remembering his concern over the Inquisition, she has to know his thoughts on the matter. He would clearly offer sound advice that would be imperative to hear. 

“What’s wrong with the Inquisition?” she inquires. 

Solas gladly bestows his counsel, “You created a powerful organisation, and now it suffers the inevitable fate of such: betrayal and corruption.”

“It’s not that simple.” says Lavellan ignorantly. 

With an air of superiority he explains, “Do you know how I discovered the Qunari plot? The plot I disrupted by leading them to your doorstep? The Qunari spies in the Inquisition tripped over my spies in the Inquisition. The elven guard who let you to the Qunari body, who intercepted the servant with the gaatlok barrel? Mine.”

“Why bother disrupting the Qunari plot, if you’re going to destroy the world regardless?” asks Lavellan in disgust. 

He answers sympathetically, “You have shown me that there is value in this world, Inquisitor. I take no joy in what I must do. Until that day comes, I would see those recovering from the Breach free of the Qun.”

“Why?” she asks bewildered. 

“Because I am not a monster,” proclaims Solas. “If they must die, I would rather they die in comfort.” he pauses. “In any event, it is done.”

Lavellan feels indebted to him. He helped her and Thedas… again. 

“I guess we owe you for that one, too.”

“I hope it gives your people some final peace.”

Without warning, Lavellan feels her mark starting to violently pulse in the palm of her hand. Cursing the Anchor in her mind she realises she has finally run out of time. Unlike Solas, she has never had a problem admitting she needs help. She needs his help. And she needs it now.

Trying to shake away the pain, in discomfort she says, “There’s still the matter of the Anchor. It’s getting worse.”

Solas looks away with grief, “I know, vhenan. And we are running out of time.”

And just like that, the Anchor flares up and it is the worst pain she has ever felt. It completely cripples her and she is unable to stand. The Anchor even propels her body forward. She has absolutely no control. Clenching and supporting her left forearm with her right hand, she grunts and cries with agony.

Solas slowly kneels down in front of her and says, “The mark will eventually kill you. Drawing you here gave me the chance to save you… at least for now.”

Lavellan feels she finally understands his determination and conviction. Solas is a loyal servant of Mythal. He knew the All-Mother. From the Dalish tales and what Solas has described, Mythal was clearly the voice of reason amongst the Evanuris. She was wise in her judgements and loved by all who lived in Elvhenan. Solas’s loyalty to Mythal is enduring. And therefore, Solas has to see Mythal avenged and the lives of the elves restored to what it once was.

If she was in Solas’s position, she would also most likely be making the same choice. 

Their love did complicate matters. It was clearly unforeseen and something neither of them expected. 

Nevertheless, their love did happen. Their love has turned into a force unto itself. You can feel it in the air around them. It didn’t diminish in the time that they were apart - if anything, it only grew stronger. 

Even if Solas wouldn’t admit it to her or himself, she knows this is not the end. She knows him to be stubborn but she is stubborn, too. 

I may not save you today, my heart. But I will save you from yourself. I will not give up on you.

The Anchor has almost depleted all the energy she has left in her. She can feel her mind beginning to fade. The pain is just too much. 

In a desperate attempt, she cries, “Solas, var lath vir suledin!”

Looking down with remorse he says, “I wish it could, vhenan.”

Lavellan no longer holds back her tears. She has no more energy left for pretenses. Between the pain in her heart and her hand she can’t tell which one is more agonising.

Solas starts to lean in closer to her and whispers, “My love…”

Holding the side of her face in his hand, he guides her closer to him. His eyes light up with the same magic as before. Lavellan tries her best to ignore the pain of the Anchor and to just focus on him. 

She has never felt more at peace than when he is this close to her. This is where she belonged. This is where he belonged. When he finally kisses her, she can feel his yearning. She can feel his heart being torn in two. 

Should the Anchor kill her now, there would be no better way to die. She is in his embrace and that is all she could ask for. 

It doesn’t have to be this way, my Dread Wolf! You could stay! I can see it on your face!

Solas slowly stands up. With utter despair, only for her to hear, he whispers, “I will never forget you.”

Lavellan is still on her knees. The Anchor renders her powerless. She cannot move. She cannot run after him. 

He is walking away. 

For whatever it is worth, she can still use her voice. She has to try. 

With Solas almost reaching the eluvian, and with tears flooding down her face she cries after him, “Don’t leave me like this! Solas! Solas!”

Solas reaches the Eluvian. He stops. 

And without looking back, he steps through.

[dragonagecompanions]

DAI companions and advisers reacting to Teen!Lavellan post trespasser getting black out drunk after finding out that the elven religion is a big ass sham built on slavery and brainwashing? Especially the andrastian companions, to whom they ask "are you happy now?" (because I am a horrible horrible person :3)

Cassandra: The question cuts her to the core, and in thatmoment the Seeker cannot help but remember every time that she could havesupported them –encouraged their beliefs rather than questioning their faith-and she feel sick. Was she so desperate for the Chantry to be salvageable andher mentor to be avenged that she was willing to cast her own Exalted March ontheir lives? The answer to that frightens her, but where that might once havecaused her to lash out she instead holds her peace. At this young elf’s sideshe has learned patience and understanding, even against her instincts. And soshe does not respond to the question as they expected, but simply folds theminto a stilted hug.

“Who could find happiness in the face of such pain? I amsorry for all that you suffer, and will be with you through this as you stoodbeside me when my own faith was shaken.”

Varric: He’s by no means a Theologian, but no one in theInquisition is better suited to handle misplaced drunken anger. It’s not asituation that can be handled with a story about Hawke or some tale fromKirkwall though, and so the dwarf grabs a pint of his own and sits next with atired sigh.

“I walked away from the Stone, you know. Bartrand neverreally did, I don’t think, but it never mattered to me. It was part of Orzammarand the whole backwards way of life they have below the surface. The Maker andthe Chantry…they were sort of trappings of surfacers and so I stepped into thatat first. And…shit, I don’t know if the Maker is really there or not, but I’vealso never had to stand there and have someone I trusted tell me that he’s amurdering lunatic either.” He downs some of the alcohol and pats them on theshoulder. “I’m not happy about this, Kid. No one is. But you fixed ourreligious shit when it was broken, so we’ll do what we can to return the favor.”

Solas: While he’s not there in the aftermath, Solas felttheir despair in the crossroads. Everything the Dalish had taught them is turningto ash before their eyes, and in truth a part of him weeps for the Da’len. Forone so young they showed such wisdom and understanding, and to cause pain inwhat they had always trusted in brings him no joy. But it was for other youngelves that he had made his choices in the first place, and he must followthrough for them now. And yet the sight of them in pain and crushed will haunthim for many nights to come.

Vivienne: She is not, but the question does not offend her. Theyoung elf before her has proven to be a true friend more than once, and despitetheir years she has always trusted them to make the best decisions. More importantlyin this particular moment is the fact then when her world was falling apart –whenBastan was dying before her and nothing she was trying was going to work- they hright there for her. Fighting dangerous animals in dragon ridden territory fora mage whose believes are in contradiction to their own. But Madame de Fer haswatched them grow from a young elf more frightened by their surroundings thanthey wanted to admit into a confident Inquisitor learning to navigate power andpolitical turmoil like they were born to it.

But now they need someone who isn’t so deeply involved, andshe has been made of iron for far longer than they have. “I am angry, darling.Angry for you, angry for what has happened. I will stand for you in this, evenif you don’t want me to right now. None of us are happy for your suffering, mydear, but we will help you to make it right.”

Blackwall: Thom Ranier oncestood on the side of a road in Orlais and lost faith in all he believed in, andnow –decades later and hopefully wiser- it hurts to watch the same thing happento a younger and far more innocent person. Their pain resonates with what hehad felt when Gaspard betrayed everything he had fought for, when the GrayWardens had crumbled beneath him. Bht there was no one to catch him then—he isstanding both arms ready if they stumble.

“Never happy for that,lad/lass. But here for you, when you are ready to be again.”

Sera: The resulting argumentis loud and painful and full of words that neither of them mean, but when thedust has settled and the wounds have healed the fight is the best thing thatcan happen. They might be far more elfier than she ever wants to be, but Serahas always cared about the little people. And right now, with only one hand andno sobriety and so much pain in them Sera can only see them as someone whoneeds a Red Jenny at their back.

“Nobs and gods and all doesn’tmatter. We’re going to fix it, yeah? We fixed the sky and we can fix this.” Andwhen the inquisitor finally breaks down it’s on her shoulder.

Dorian:  Maker how many times has this been him?Sitting in a tavern and too drunk to think or speak anything but exactly whatis burning through him in that moment. And its more than he can bear. Lavellanprobably doesn’t know what is going on before he is hugging them tight. He can’tstand to see them hurt, and quite honestly his faith has never been a huge partof his life. But he knows that they are hurting, and for the teen who has beenstrong enough to stand before Orlesians and Fereldens and Magister Halwardfucking Pavus Dorian can find some strength to stand for them.

“Happy? No. But I am herefor you, and whatever you need. You are so strong, and I am sure you can do this.I know you can.”

Iron Bull: He’s lucky enoughto be spared the pained questions, but that means that all he is left with isgrief. And if he has lost the Qun then Bull is right there. He knows exactlyhow he feels, exactly how it feels to have everything you believe destroyedthrough what you care about. And he would never trade the Chargers, he’s madethat choice and will gladly live with it. But they are so young and so shaken,and all he wants to do is wrap them up like the Tamassran he truly is and takecare of them.

“Easy, imekari. We can’t fixthis right now, we can’t make this better. But we will.” And his bg hands aregentle as they rest on their shoulder, very subtly pushing the alcohol away.

Cole: “So much hurting andeverything is gone, why would he do this why why why.” The pain is so much, andCole doesn’t know how to stop it. But he sits with them and after awhile that’senough.

Josephine: She just wants to hold them. Oh how many times has she said, out loud, that she thinks they are the Herald of Andraste or that it would be easier if they were the herald of Andraste? How many times has she not dismissed their beliefs, but simply forgot about them in the face of her other duties. They are younger than Yvette but already so burdened with responsibility and she could have been helping instead of making it worse.

She probably doesn’t say much and might have to leave to hide her ters, but the next morning the Inquisitor wakes up in a darkened room with everything needed for a hang over and a letter in Josephine’s hand outlying the first political steps needed to stop Solas and the promise of her total support.

Leliana: Its a hard question for the most Andrastian spy master who ever walked the earth. If she still truly believes that the Maker spoke to her during the Blight then she is, in a way, even more sympathetic to them. She knows what it is to face your gods and come out changed from it. And they are so young, younger even than the warden was. Her protective instincts are in full force, and it comes out in her answer.

“I am happy you came back. I am happy we have the chance to protect you now, when we couldn’t afford to before. I am so happy that you are safe. The rest can be fixed.”

Cullen: Maker’s breath where does he even start? How many times did he cry out to the Maker, to Andraste, to anyone he thought would hear him in Kinloch. For a long time he thought no one answered, though later he was able to accept that the Warden was very likely an answer to those. But while most Andrastians are raised from birth to believe that the Maker has turned his face from them he knows that the Dalish have different beliefs. And finding out that your gods are actually evil rather than locked away but general caring can’t be easy. Still...

“Happy that you aren’t actually the Herald of Andraste? Actually yes.” At their incredulous look he reddens and rubs his neck awkwardly. “It’s such a burden for one so young, and we know you don’t believe, so this means that you can finally just go back to beig you and have as normal a life as is--”

At that point the inquisitor is probably just holding onto them and blubbering because they haven’t had anyone really encourage them to give up the role, so he just awkwardly pats them on the back and starts to lead them to the door.

–Mod Fereldone