#that and the way zevran says 'my friend!' is all that's keeping me going right now haha

[vaguely-concerned]

emotional security is stored in the undramatic calm utterly certain and unbearably soft way alistair says 'my love?' when you switch to him once he's reached 'love' status

[chanafehs]

My Veilguard review:

Note - I will be honest in saying this is very long and very negative. If you enjoy this game please don't let me be the one to ruin that for you and skip on this post. I will be discussing spoilers. This is just my opinion so please don't crucify me for it.

I think my thoughts about this game were shaky to begin with as I had been exposed to different spoilers and information before the launch. I wasn’t actually expecting this game to be amazing but as someone whose favorite Dragon Age game is Dragon Age 2, which is arguably the weakest in the series (until now), I still went in with the impression I would have a good time regardless. I did not have that at all, in fact towards the end of Act 2 and the beginning of Act 3 all I wanted was for the game to be over. 

The problems for me really started right in the beginning with the Inquisitor character choices and their characterization. No choices for your Warden, no choices for your Hawke, and only three choices for your Inquisitor out of the dozens you made in Inquisition. The romance option just felt like a very polite way of asking if you romanced Solas or not, especially after completing the game where your non-solas romance will only get one letter for you to read, outside of that, the Inquisitor will not even mention them. Disbanding the Inquisition meant basically nothing and vowing to stop Solas felt like it had little bearing on what my Inquisitor said when she showed up. 

The time frame to make Dragon Age 2 was just over a year and somehow included more choices from Origins than Veilguard did with over ten years of production. That is the information that's been banging around in my head throughout this entire game. In Dragon Age 2, we get the consequences of our decisions with Alistair’s fate and we get extra dialogue concerning Isabela/Zevran/Leliana/Anders/Nathaniel + some sidequests. Veilguard couldn’t even give us so much of a mention of our Inquisitor’s friendships and the consequences of those friendships outside of Solas. The Inquisitors themselves are locked into one personality type as well, and regardless if you choose to stop Solas or not, they are very amicable toward him. 

During the second cut scene you get with the Inquisitor in Dock Town, they will go on to ask you about your progress and then go on about Solas. Mind you, my Inquisitor is extremely unsympathetic to Solas and I chose the option to stop him no matter what, so why is it that every time I speak to her, she keeps trying to ask me if Solas is being genuine and that he was her friend? That doesn’t sound like someone who has vowed to stop him. They will also try to draw parallels between you, Rook, and Solas. Even at the end of the game, they will still try to appeal to you to see reason with him. That is essentially all the Inquisitor is there for. Incredibly frustrating. 

Throughout the game you will get missives from the Inquisitor detailing the devastation that is being brought to southern Thedas and every letter feels like more and more of an insult. To keep it short: Southern Thedas as we know it has been essentially wiped out. I think that deserves more than a footnote in some missive most players aren’t even going to see.

So the setting we spent all three games in, that we saved countless times, had our companions and protagonists die for, gets demolished in the background where we cannot see it. Skyhold had to be taken back from demons and whoops, that's not actually something you can do anything about. Nothing the Warden, Hawke, or the Inquisitor ever did mattered at all and it renders everything from the previous games absolutely irrelevant. 

With that aside, the companions are also another issue for me. I found myself having trouble getting attached to any of them and every single time I recruited one I had the internal question “Why are you even here?” None of their companion quests really tie into the story at large, save maybe Harding and Davrin, and they are incredibly boring save for a few cool moments.

The main appeal of Dragon Age for me is the companions, it’s why Dragon Age 2 is my favorite of the series. Despite the overused environments and the rushed production I still had a great time with it because of the companions. I was actually eager to do the companion quests and learn more about them and how they all fit into the main narrative. Even characters I didn’t like, I still understood why they were important to the story. Like I can’t stand Anders but I know why he is there, he has a purpose.

Every companion is painfully amicable towards you even if you decide to be “stern” towards them. I found myself not caring what dialogue option I chose about them because it made absolutely no difference. There is nice, funny nice, and gentle parenting. That is really all you have to work with in terms of the dialogue wheel. It was more difficult to get disapproval than approval and I can probably count on my fingers every time in this game I actually got companion disapproval. There is only one companion in my playthrough that became hardened, Lucanis, and it had virtually no impact on his character other than the fact he leaves for a couple of saves and comes back to kissing your ass. 

Something I actually really liked about BG3 and the previous Dragon Age games was working for your companion approval - this meant actually learning about your companion and what made them tick. If you don't understand them well enough you get disapproval, when you actually listen to their ideas and thoughts you get approval - there is an active effort to get these things. In Veilguard this does not exist and you are essentially promised approval no matter what, meaning there is no encouragement to know who these people are if they're just going to support you regardless.

I have to agree with the Skillup review they made about this game saying that every dialogue option feels like it was made with HR in the room and I one hundred percent agree. This is not how real people talk to each other. This is how teachers talk to toddlers when they want to explain the virtues of sharing toys with their classmates.

It felt honestly insulting at times to be treated like I don’t understand the concept of bigotry, I still have no idea what they were trying to go for with this, like were they trying to appeal to a market of high school boys who hadn’t discovered what empathy was yet? There is zero trust in the player and every dialogue and decision you make in these moments feels handhold-y and preachy. Like Pixar levels of life lessons you learn.

In the moments where I had to settle arguments over coffee and companions not respecting each other's interests, I could not honestly believe this is the same universe with Loghain Mac Tir, Meredith Stannard, fuck even Corypheus. Humor has always existed in Dragon Age and I love the comedic banter between the characters but it was always humor that served as an escape from the oppressive and dark situation around you, here the dark and oppressive situations feel like an escape from the unrelenting friendliness and tone deafness of your companions. 

The companion I probably had the most issue with was Taash and the way they were handled. I’m not going to get too deep into the Bharv scene because even thinking about it makes me cringe but If someone messed up my pronouns and then immediately dropped to do pushups I am most definitely killing us both. Isabela’s explanation is extremely preachy and she proceeds to do the exact thing she says she hates about people messing up pronouns. Anyways. Moving on. 

Taash I think is a good example of how to not write a multiethnic character. I don’t expect a white person like Trick Weekes to understand the first thing that comes with being multiethnic or having strict parents that intersects with that identity but it is most definitely not whatever the hell this is. 

The only thing I can offer here is that as a multiethnic person (my father is Palestinian and my mother is mainly Irish and Seminole) is that there has never been a point in my life where I felt like I had to choose what culture I am let alone give that choice to someone else in my life I just met.

That’s not what being multiethnic is. I do not have to choose between anything - I am whole and I don't need to cut myself into halves and quarters to be accepted.

It also feels subconsciously like you are supposed to choose Rivain as the Qunari are depicted as bigoted and oppressive as they always have been in this game. Knowing all of this really tainted my experiences with them as a character and I understand a lot of other non-binary individuals love the representation they brought on that level but personally, I’m just tired of “queer representation” always coming with racist undertones. Again, this game feels like it always had white queer people in mind, not lgbt poc. 

These kinds of comments are really only made worse knowing what the Qunari take inspiration from - primarily Black and Brown SWANA Muslims. Why should Trick Weekes have any authority over a questline like that is beyond me. 

Also, this sucked. Especially because they said it to Neve too. I don’t really want my non-binary representation sprinkled with Misogyny as well, especially since we can’t really call Taash out on this comment unless you’re playing a woman (as far as I know).

Aside from Taash, I thought the writing around Harding was strange. Don’t me wrong, I love Harding, but I do not remember her being this friendly and people-pleasing in the Inquisition. If you play as a Dalish elf the first thing she says is she’s surprised that you would care about anyone else - there is absolutely no inclination of this kind of perspective in Veilguard. Additionally, despite knowing everything Solas has done and the consequences that had on her ancestors, she still tries to push you to reason with him?

All of her quests about learning about the Titans, experiencing and embracing their anger, and you still want to appeal to Solas? That was another thing I found so weird about this game, throughout the entire story you are being told again and again that Solas cannot be trusted, he is to blame for everything, and will stab you in the back and yet it seems like every companion tries to push back on you if you agree with this viewpoint? 

Also, something I didn't know at this point of the game but I do now is that Solas had killed Varric and she does know this so why is she acting like this knowing Solas had killed her friend who she spent years with?

Genuinely this whole game felt like: Devs: Solas is a villain

Rook: okay understood

Devs: actually nvm you don't understand him if you think he's a villain

The only companion quests I was actually genuinely interested in were Emmrich and his thoughts around death and becoming a lich. Lucanis' quests had the best boss fights for sure. Outside of that, it felt like “Go here with Bellara” or “Go here with Taash” and it got so grating I couldn’t wait for these quests to be over so I could progress with the main story. It felt like an annoying back-and-forth game to finish a main quest just to finish all the companion quests and then go back to the main quest. Like a list of chores to get through before you can have any fun. 

The inclusion of characters like Morrigan and Isabela in this universe was extremely hollow and they do not feel like the Morrigan and Isabela we know at all. With Morrigan there is a bit of an explanation to this with the essence of Mythal however she reiterates that it is still herself and it is only the memories of Mythal that remain inside of her.

In my canon playthroughs of Dragon Age, I romanced both Morrigan and Isabela, so I was curious to see how the developers would address their pasts with our Warden and Hawke. Unfortunately, the answer is that they don’t address it at all. Morrigan hardly mentions her past, leaving us to wonder if Kieran even exists. The game implies that the relationship between Morrigan and the Warden is insignificant; a codex entry oddly suggests, in a very slut-shamey way, that Morrigan had more lovers than there are trees in the forest. Isabela doesn't reference Hawke either, as she fondly remembers Kirkwall for found family and friendship. It seems that if you romanced Isabela or Morrigan, congratulations—your canon doesn’t exist.

I will echo the statement others have made about all the cameos feeling like mascots because that is really what they are. There is no substance to any of them, Isabela only feels like she is there to be a supportive voice for Taash, Morrigan will only really talk about Solas and Mythal-Dorian is the only one who actually gets a substantial quest related to him. I thought he was fine minus the "illegal slavery" bit because what is illegal slavery Dorian. Next up we will discuss legal murder.

Another thing that genuinely broke the immersion for me in this game is how awful the armor is. It is a Dragon Age game so I wasn't expecting Haute Couture but the design is all over the place and nothing looks right. Not to mention the extremely weird orientalist undertones that follow the Lords of Fortune everywhere. The outfit Isabela is wearing is even worse in person and I tried to give this game the benefit of the doubt by thinking we would be getting some underwater mission with her and that would be the explanation behind her bikini outfit - this did not happen.

The belly dancer-esque outfits with the coin-bedazzled turbans were pretty egregious and made me want to limit my time in Rivain as much as possible. For a game released in 2024, I am disappointed we are still dealing with the same Orientalist fantasy tropes. Even the Qunari are more naked in this game than I had ever seen previously. At least DA2 and DAI gave them pants. But hey the Antaam are all blighted and evil so who cares right.

Speaking of the Antaam, a lot of the antagonist motivations for this game genuinely did not make sense to me. The Antaam are suddenly giving up their fear of magic to pair up with...the Venatori? To fight for the elven gods? It honestly felt like they had no idea who to make fight for the Evanuris so they just pulled two of the baddies from the Inquisition and went "We can just use them and call it done". When you press for information on why this is the answer is always a mustache-twirling dialogue about power. Nothing much deeper from that than any of the villains besides Solas. All of the villains, especially Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, are extremely one-dimensional and have no motivations other than being evil and striving for power. At least Corypheus had cool lines.

I'm not going to get too deep into lore changes since I know a lot of things happened in the comics, books, and TV show (all of which I did not read or watch) but I honestly do think it's a bad idea to have a "soft reboot" while needing to read several books to understand everything. That's not being welcoming to new players that's homework. If you wanted a soft reboot probably don't start off with half your plot and characters coming from various comics and novels people need to catch up on.

The portrayal of the Dalish in this game is inconsistent. When we inform them that their gods are evil and planning to overthrow the world, they respond, "Okay, heard you." How can they accept this explanation so readily? In previous interactions, Solas shared that the Dalish did not listen to him and even threatened him when he revealed this truth. Yet, when we present the same information, they believe us almost immediately. Is there no pushback or skepticism? The Dalish accept everything about the evil elven gods meanwhile Andraste’s followers remain completely unaffected by these revelations.

I think what frustrated me even more was watching our elven companions express grief and regret over the actions of the elven gods like they had something to do with it, painting the Dalish as adjacent to oppressors when they themselves are oppressed in every way. The only thing that remains consistent is the sad boy Solas act about it.

At the end of the game, two of my companions - Harding and Emmrich- were killed. Emmrich's death was unfortunately overshadowed by a zoom-in on a rock and I had no idea he had died until I got the popup. Still, all I can think about is just going "Rock moment" when he died. I don't really have anything negative to say about Harding's death other than the way she went out was fitting for her narrative. Bellara got blighted and there were no consequences for this and she walked away from it - forgive me but I am still under the DAO impression that if you get blighted that's game over but all the rules about the Blight have been changed in this.

I decided to trick Solas, and honestly, I don’t have anything negative to say about it, except that Solas should have noticed me holding the fake dagger since it was clearly in his line of sight. I liked the idea of outsmarting the god of trickery. While it wasn’t extremely satisfying, but I’m okay with how it turned out.

Even as the credits began rolling I still have trouble believing rook's role in any of this. Just the persistent nagging idea that they really just have no place in this story at all. In the beginning I wanted to see how Rook is looped into all of this and how they become central to the fight against Solas but just like with most of the companions, I have no idea why they are here. This should've been the Inquisitor's story to finish.

I'm not going to pretend that everything about this game was irredeemable and terrible. There were genuinely parts I enjoyed and had a good time with. The romance ending scene with Neve was fantastic, even though it took a long time to get there. Davrin was an unexpected aspect of the game that I actually liked, as I never cared much for Grey Wardens before, but he changed my perspective. Harding's mention of the Inquisition was also very sweet. Although I wasn't particularly invested in Emmrich, I loved the conclusion to his quest when he became a lich lord.

While I'm not the biggest Solas fan, I actually really enjoyed the cutscenes between him and Rook because one of my aims with this game was the ability to be mean to Solas and kick him while he was down. They definitely delivered there even though everyone else kept disagreeing with me.

The worlds are beautiful and the CC is definitely the best we've gotten in any Dragon Age game, I spent probably a solid hour in there. The hairstyles are great and the four unibrow choices? Bioware you shouldn't have <3.

Overall I definitely didn't have the best time with this game and towards the end of act 2 I was incredibly bored and the combat became repetitive and stagnant enough that I turned down the difficulty to get through it faster. I can't see myself replaying this any time soon and I am unsure what my stance on Dragon Age is now, do I Ignore this game ever existed or do I carve out everything I liked and pretend this is the Dragon Age I love? I have no idea, I am disappointed at how this game leaves us off and I really wanted to sit here and say It's good but I can't.

I think this game will reach out to and resonate with a different group of Dragon Age fans than me, I just wish I could enjoy it as much as I see other people doing. I was originally going to give this game a 3/10 but knowing you can pet the cats I will give it a very generous 3.5/10.

[vivispec]

Hello there! I'm not even sure how to start. So I felt very disappointed by DA:TV, because of various reasons. Not trying to dampen the mood, I am super happy for you if you actually enjoyed the game! If you do not mind, could you list the things you liked/loved about the game? Help me see the "bright side"? Just gush a litte about it, I could use some positive input around my favourite gaming series of all time. :') thank you <3

Absolutely! For me, I think I always figured I was going to like this game, even if it wasn't my fave of all time? Trick Weekes always writes characters/quests that I like, and for me, story/characters come before anything else. I liked Andromeda, flawed as it was. Even if the gameplay was mediocre, I was certain I'd find something I'd like.

But the gameplay wasn't mediocre. It was actually really, really fun. I played Spellblade, and honestly, the gameplay might be a highpoint for me. I don't really like action gameplay, I tolerate it. I loved this, though.

The biggest thing that really sold me is the fact that the big choices in this game are difficult in a way Bioware has been trying to capture since Origins, but I don't think they've ever nailed until now (except maybe in Mass Effect). Even in Origins, when they had big choices like what to do with Connor, or how to deal with the werewolves, there was always a cop out choice. There isn't one in this game, so far as I can see. At the end of EVERY companion quest there was a choice I couldn't choose, something that made me wonder just what would've happened if I'd picked something different, and don't get me started on the endgame. The endgame was brutal :')

I love the characters, too! I do think some of the writing can get a bit campy or be a bit on the nose, I think some subtlety is lacking for certain characters especially in the beginning, but once shit hits the fan just about every companion has their gutwrenching moment. I felt for every single character in this game, during their act 2 personal quest moments. In all the other games there was at least one character I just couldn't care about, but even the ones that I thought wouldn't tickle my fancy snuck up on me. By the end, I loved all of them so much. I only wanted more.

I like Rook, too. I think I can see how their characterization might be disappointing, though. I think the key for me and my friend @sweetmage was finding the right Rook to play. We both had lots of concepts and while I plugged in the right one first, I know they struggled until they found the right one. Rook is kinda like Hawke in the way that they have a bit of personality already and a defined character path, which can get in the way of true RP. Once I stopped fighting it and let Rook be Rook, I liked the game a lot more, and I liked my character a lot more.

Then there's lore. Oh, lore. I have listened to or read every codex. I have a treasure trove of theories I keep locked in my head. All I need is a corkboard and some red string. Getting to see so many of those theories come to fruition? Things they've been teasing since Origins, that I picked up on when I was 12? Absolutely magical! Some of it I think they bungled--there's one reveal I've been waiting for for 15 years that I found in a note, not codex, on a bridge in Minrathous, no fanfare or anything--but the majority of it punched me right in the face with so much force I had to pause the game and do a little pacing. I won't get into specifics for spoiler reasons, but seeing all those little dots connect? seeing when I was right, and when I was wrong? SO euphoric for me!

A lot of the things I didn't like, too, like making the Crows less shitty--so easy to headcanon around, in ways that don't contradict canon! It's one of my favorite things to do, it feels like a puzzle to me, making everything that is for certain and everything I want fit together. That one, for instance, Zevran totally gutted all the shitty Crows, and left only the good ones :)

I will say, it's clear they were trying to wrap things up. I got the sense while playing it felt that they didn't want to leave any loose threads in case this was their last DA game, so that felt a bit rushed. But I loved it. To me it was a love letter, saying goodbye. Wrapping everything up in a nice little bow. I've always struggled to choose a favorite game in the DA series, they all do something I love so differently that I can't pinpoint one singular favorite, and I think this one is right up there for me, tied for 1st place with the other three games. Like DA2 and DAI I think it could've cooked just a little bit longer, there's a lot of potential for it to be a 9/10 game imho if they'd smoothed a couple of things out, but there's a lot in there for me to love.

Thank you so much for the question, I hope the wall of text will help you see a bit of the light haha. I don't mind that people didn't like it--that's just how it goes sometimes, and I think there are a lot of valid criticisms to be had. For me I was just super bummed that it was the only thing I was seeing online. I'm following lots of positivity now, so the occasional disenchantment is not a problem. Idk if it'll work for you, but @sweetmage was similarly disappointed until they streamed it with a friend, and then just having someone there to converse with it on really helped them to enjoy it. I hope you can find something to love in it, too!

[postcardsfromheapside]

So I finished my DA2 replay, and I had wondered if I would feel differently after taking my time with it, and with the perspective of Veilguard. And yes, in small ways I do, but about the series and about Anders, I don't. That is to say: I think Veilguard is a fucking fantastic capper to the series (I mean, pray there is more, "hope for the best, expect the worst" as the Mel Brooks song goes), and Anders is relatably angry, even if the "betrayal" is frustrating and heart-breaking.

Also, there's just too much Dragon Age just the same way there's too much Tolkien, it's just that I can relisten to Tolkien via audiobook while I work and don't have time to constantly replay Dragon Age to absorb every little detail that my broken brain forgets (and I'm pretty good with lore) and I wish parts of this fandom were more curious than scathing about things they've obviously forgotten. Or skipped through, according to some of them, because I guess the context of dialogue and a cut scene isn't necessary for some of them to weigh in on things.

Word vomit of notes below the break:

First of all.

Can these two just fuck already. Watching Cassandra go from throwing him around to absolutely ENTHRALLED by Varric's complete bullshit is just going to make it so much better when I hit the "Guilty Pleasures" quest again in DA:I. This woman is SEDUCED by his story-telling, and you *cannot* convince me he wasn't gagging on his power trip.

Second.

I never played Mark of the Assassin before, and had completely forgotten Felicia Day was in DA2, and laughed like hell. I really enjoyed it. I haven't really used a stealth option in a game since leaving Skyrim for other stuff (do we ever really leave Skyrim?) and it was really fun, but I think the wyvern at the end of the DLC was actually the best fight in the entire game, even more than Corypheus. It hinted at the dragon battles to come in Veilguard. Also, I loved how Anders' dialogue got more relaxed outside of Kirkwall, like shedding the city let him loosen up. The back and forth with Hawke about his fantasy for being rescued was completely unhinged - after I accused Hawke of being feral and lacking social graces, I've decided the two of them match each other's freak and they're fine.

Third.

All the people who were losing their minds about the line "A crow never abandons a contract" and acting like the devs forgot Zevran.

He literally addresses it in the game. I keep having these moments where shit that people bitched about regarding Veilguard is addressed right *there.*

"The crows do like saying that, but I am living proof it's a lie."

No one actually forgot, but I'm sure the Dellamorte's wish to the Maker a motherfucker could.

When people complain the writing in Veilguard is too modern, I'm going to remember Hawke complaining exactly like this. She sounds like I do when I'm side-eyeing my friends in the year of our Maker 2025.

Fourth.

I had planned on romancing Blackwall this DA:I run, finally, because I'm a little obsessed with this Warden throughline from Anders to Blackwall to Davrin. From a cage, to hope/redemption, to a more meaningful path of positive change and impact.

They both haunt Veilguard's narrative and dialogue.

And then of course:

hrm.

Fifth.

I do hope we get another DA. Or supplementary material. Because I want to know what the fuck is going on with this story I had forgotten the details of, especially with the decision regarding the Nadas Dirthalen.

These two fucking idiots. I can't believe in different lives I've schtupped them both. (I can absolutely believe it)

Sixth.

The worst part of Meredith is she sounds like conservative family members of mine. 'Better to punish the innocent than risk even one guilty person go free', rather than the opposite. To them it sounds so reasonable. To us, it's abhorrent to punish everyone else for other people's crimes.

I couldn't bring myself to feel betrayed by Anders, even though I tried to play my Hawke as I think she would have felt: betrayed by the secret-keeping, if nothing else. The shock and hurt at the innocent lives. But it's hard not to feel an understanding when I sit here in a political situation with - maybe not less fraught, but at least less fantastical - implications and certainly still feel like violence is inevitable and we are way past the point of compromise and words.

Anyway.

This dwarf.

[floralprintsharks]

Prompt 33, bandaging the other’s hand and not quite letting go, for dragon age? ❤️

"Ah, I miss our dear Wynne and her impressive bo—"

"Don't. Say it."

Alistair has no capacity for Zevran's jokes right now. Every single muscle in his body is hurting and his blood is humming with the awareness of at least a dozen Darkspawn in the area close by.

Zevran's ability to make light of situations is something that Alistair might be able to admire if Zevran wasn't also bleeding out of various wounds.

Having Wynne here would make all of this so much easier and way less dangerous.

"It would do you good to think of something nice in a dark situation like this, my dear Alistair", Zevran says and doesn't bat an eye when Alistair goes to wash one of the deep cuts between his ribs. Zevran's pain tolerance is a frightening thing to behold.

The sweat on his forehead and his unusually pale skin tells a different story, of course.

He wishes he didn't drink his last healing potion an hour ago. While Zevran's pain tolerance might be very impressive, Alistair knows that he's the one who can take the heaviest hits. He should have taken the brunt of this.

"Yet again you're not following my advice. You look as if you're thinking of funerals and Mabari excrements", Zevran says and manages a smirk.

"I'll start thinking about nice things once you stop bleeding out", Alistair mumbles, pressing a bandage on one of the wounds and tying it as tightly as possible to stop the bleeding. Then he moves onto the next.

Three Darkspawn down the tunnel behind them.

He hopes Nerian is safe. Usually Alistair wouldn't mind if Morrigan's head got ripped off by an ogre, but maybe not while they're already in such dire circumstances.

"Is that worry I detect, my friend?"

For some reason Alistair wishes that Zevran wouldn't keep calling him that.

"I don't want Nerian to look at me with a disapproving frown when I let you die", Alistair lies, rummaging around in his pack to see if he has any elfroot left to disinfect some of the nastier cuts on Zevran's thigh.

Since they headed into the Deep Roads Alistair didn't exactly have time to examine his feelings for—well. Neither Nerian nor Zevran. Instead of taking some quiet time to contemplate his attraction towards not one but two men, Alistair is zoned into the constant humming of the Darkspawn blood flowing through his veins.

He could really use a good night of sleep under the stars without nightmares of the Archdemon.

"Ah yes. Your fellow Grey Warden has a fierce aura of disapproval about him whenever something displeases him. I can see how that would strike fear into your heart", Zevran says and watches Alistair's every move as he does his best to clean the wound with water and elfroot.

Alistair glances up at Zevran's pale, sweaty face and swallows.

"So. I noticed you—uh. Stopped. With the. With the flirting", Alistair finally says. This is absolutely the worst time to address this, but Alistair could do with a little distraction from the horrors and maybe Zevran feels the same.

Zevran chuckles weakly and Alistair is concerned about the way his eyelids droop.

"I am nothing if not respectful", Zevran says, making Alistair snort. "And since I noticed that you fancy our dear leader I have graciously decided to take a step back."

Five Darkspawn fifteen meters ahead.

The air smells like dust and blood.

"You don't have to", he finally mumbles, his ears burning with shame and the blood rushing into their tips.

There's a beat of silence while Alistair starts bandaging Zevran's hand. He's very aware of every callus and the way they're almost holding hands like this, with Alistair cradling the bleeding palm in one hand while cleaning the wound with the other one.

This is ridiculous. He has to concentrate.

For a breathless moment Alistair is scared that Zevran went unconscious, but when he glances up he registers that Zevran studies his face, his expression unusually serious and below all the strain there's a hint of curiosity that makes Alistair's cheeks burn and his heart hammer in his rib cage.

"Well, aren't you full of surprises", Zevran says with a lopsided smile. Alistair fumbles with the final bandage as he tries to sort the Darkspawn awareness from the rushing of blood he feels while he feels Zevran's eyes on him.

He only realizes too late that the bandage is already done and he's still holding on to Zevran's hand. Alistair takes a deep breath before hastily letting go and turning away from Zevran to grab his shield.

"Stay there", he orders and in one fluid motion beheads a Darkspawn turning the corner.

No one is going to die today. Not on his watch.

feel free to send me one of these <3

[bioticgoddess]

Because I'm at work and bored (it's a slow day) you are now all subject to some semi-rambling Head-canons for my Dragon Age OCs and some of their companions, things I consider canon from my playthroughs.

Origins:

Female, Elf Mage named Maeve. She romanced Zevran and survived the fight with the Archdemon. Alistair fathered Morrigan's son despite having allied with/marrying Queen Anora, his former Sister-In-Law.

We all know he's trying but Anora is the reason Ferelden isn't in tatters let's be honest. She paid attention to everything the late Queen Rowan did and that woman is the whole reason Ferelden survived Maric...read Stolen Throne it'll all make sense.

At the time of Veilguard the pair of Elves are still west of the Anderfels and Maeve has told the First Warden to fuck off several times, as has King Alistair (who says as a Warden he would only answer to Commander Maeve). Zevran has offered to kill him, like a good Crow and a man very tired of seeing his partner bothered by "this awful old man".

Dragon Age 2:

Astrith Hawke is a human mage who romanced Fenris. She killed Anders after he blew up the Chantry because she recognized that that only made things worse IMMEDIATELY and was incensed that her friend manipulated her into helping him construct and place the bomb. Her brother Carver is with the Wardens and following Kirkwall, the pair of them and Fenris go on the run/are being hidden by their friends. Isabella hosts them for a while in Rivain as does House Arainai in Antiva (thanks for dealing with the Zevran incident regardless of the fact that she sent him off with supplies back to Warden Maeve). They even run into the Chargers at one point - Bull is on a separate mission so Hawke doesn't meet him until the Inquisition.

Astrith comes out of the fade in Inquisition (either survives because of course she would or because of leaving a Warden behind, I have done both), meets up first with a very distressed Fenris. Hubby is happy she's safe and back and alive but pissed as hell she went and got left in Fade because "Are you mad Woman!!!" "Yes and you love me." "There is no flaw in your argument." "I love you too Fenris." (I have been working on a fic for this for a while...might finish it when I'm on my upcoming vacation).

During Veilguard the pair and Carver are no where near Weisshaupt, the latter having told the First Warden to fuck off and gone to help Warden Maeve on her expedition following a letter from her by way of the Hawke's cousin the Mage Amell who had been at the Ferelden Circle with her (and survived albeit barely). Carver convinced his sister and brother-in-law to go with him so they are all off West.

(Note: If you haven't played Origins, the Human Mage is an Amell and the cousin of the Hawkes through their mother. That character origin is referenced, regardless if you played an Amell Warden, in DA2.)

Inquisition:

Female, Elven Mage named Elentari Lavellan who romanced Solas. She's also an ancient elf who participated in Fen'Harel's rebellion but due to the violent manner that shocked her into Uthenera she woke with none of her memories of having 1. Known Solas and Felassan (I have a short in progress), 2. Been a spirit let alone an ancient elf, 3. That she helped with the rebellion. The Lavellan Keeper has suspicions they keep to themselves but suggests her name is Elentari. The Keeper uses magic to help sell the lie by marking her with the Mythal Velaslin (I know I spelled it wrong). Solas recognizes her but decides she deserves better than the weight of their past...they fall in love again and well...we know what happens there.

Right before Veilguard's End Game missions her memories return the rest of the way and among the things she leaves behind before going North is a letter to be given to Harding should she not return. It's an apology for her role in hurting the Titans by taking physical form and details on what those she met were like as well as an apology for not being there to tell her this in person. She also nominates the Mage Brigit Trevelyan (Cullen's wife and my human mage inquisitor) along with her former Advisors and Charter to run the Inquisition as a council. (Cassandra is the Divine in my canon). Trevelyan and Cullen are also the babysitters for Morrigan's son at this point since he's being kept as far away from Ghila'nain and Elgar'nan as possible despite his age (20 ish I think based on the timely).

Obviously she's gonna have the "good" Solas Ending because Lavellan deserves it regardless if Solas does or not.

Veilguard:

Human Mage and House de Riva Crow, Alecto.

Yes in the game we aren't supposed to know Illario and Lucanis pregame because they need to explain things to the player but given how close Rook is to Teia and Viago there is no way on HELL they didn't know the surviving Dellamorte Scions personally. It might not have been a close relationship but they definitely knew one another. So my HC includes that Alecto knew the pair, got on better with Lucanis than Illario and she may have had a schoolgirl level crush but nothing came of it prior to Veilguard. Viago considers Alecto to be his right hand within the house and she is the closest thing he has to a sister, which is part of why he threatens to find her in the Fade if she dies. She's also Teia's best friend and the trio trained together despite being from separate houses some of that was due to Alecto having caught that the pair kept making eyes at each other so she was playing wing woman.

She has to apologize to Neve because yes, she lies about not knowing Lucanis. It's a reaction and a protective behaviour as a result of the coup they nearly wiped out Caterina's family.

There are 2 Reasons she doesn't pick a fight with Solas at the end: 1. Alecto and the squad (Lucanis and Emmrich) are exhausted and mostly tapped out. 2. She thinks the Inquisitor and Mythal/Morrigan deserves the chance to talk him down. Worst case, the breather will help if they have to fight. She does NOT expect Lavellan to go off with him but thinks that's what the elf wanted all along.

Post Veilguard...Alecto and Lucanis return to the Crows and House Dellamorte. They and the rest of the Team maintain a presence in the Lighthouse and the Crossroads, helping to clean it up from lingering Blight and closing Access as best their can to the Venatori remnants (who Lucanis makes the responsibility of his House).

The Blight in Thedas:

Those infected with it during Veilguard who didn't become Wardens and didn't die are cured as a result Elgar'nan's death. So people like Neve, the Magisters, and the Viper are Blight Free. The Wardens are still subject to the Blight but are now less likely to go mad through the Calling as a result of Solas's ongoing efforts (with Lavellan's help) to calm the core of the blight in the Fade. I think the pair of them (or even just Solas) eventually succeed but it takes a while.

I hope you enjoyed my shenanigans. Needed to get it on paper. So yeah feel free to borrow bits of them if you like. Gotta write/finish a couple short fics for these Mages so expect those. Yes my Inquisitor is named for Elbereth of Lord of the Rings.

K Bai!

[asexualtabris]

Happy Friday! From the touching prompts, how about: shielding the other one with their body for ZevSurana?

Hiiii Happy DADWC Friday to you both 💜 @lottiesnotebook Thank you for the prompts! I decided to combine these into a scene I've been thinking about for a while 😈

for @dadrunkwriting | divider by @/dwarvenagenda

Context: This is for my modern AU, in which Zevran has escaped from the Crows and is lying low in Amaranthine. My Surana, Cylas, is in Amaranthine for university. They meet and start dating, making this take place after they have gotten together. Look at Cylas here 👀

M | 1524 words | CW: canon typical violence, killing

Zevran froze mid-step when he saw the man at the table talking next to Cylas, the drinks held in his hands spilling at the sudden stop. Unfortunately, he knew this man, a Crow from House Arainai, a few years older than him.

Martín was smiling that cheap, flirty smile that all Crows knew. Zevran's pulse spiked and he surged forward, putting himself between Martín and Cylas.

"Ah! Zevran! I was just talking to your friend here!" Martín said, slapping Zevran on the shoulder. "It's been too long, where in the Void did you disappear to? It couldn't really have been sleepy Amaranthine, huh?"

"Martín, how wonderful to see you again." Zevran flashed him a dangerous smile before looking at Cylas. He looked a bit nervous, but was smiling openly at Martín "Is this guy bothering you?"

Cylas gave a small nervous laugh and stepped closer to Zevran, wrapping his fingers around Zevran's bicep. "I didn't expect someone from Antiva to find you tonight." He said, keeping his voice light. But Zevran could hear the strain even over the music of the bar.

"Neither did I," Zevran said, forcing a laugh. "What brings you to Amaranthine, Martín? Certainly you didn't come all this way to look for me?"

Martín laughed and shook his head. "Please, Zevran, don't flatter yourself." his tone joking. "I had a contract in Ferelden and my connecting flight is here in Amaranthine. I thought I'd come have some fun before heading home. And who do I happen to see but my old pal Zevran walking off to the bar to buy his friend a drink." Martín's expression turned sharp and predatory. "I hardly expected to see you here, either."

"Right, well," Zevran said, keeping his voice playful. "don't let us get in your way of a nice evening." He glanced at Cylas again. "Really, we should be heading out."

"Nonsense!" Martín cried, he clapped Zevran's shoulder again, much heavier this time. "You've only just gotten your drinks!"

"You can have them," Zevran said, gripping Martín's wrist and prying his hand off. "Consider it a gift from an old pal for a job well done. Safe travels."

Zevran grabbed Cylas's hand and led him away from the table. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't let Martín go back to the Crows and tell them where he'd been hiding. But right now, he needed to make sure Cylas was safe and that meant walking out of here.

But then Martín spoke again. "Are you jealous, Zevran?" He called over the music, making Zevran freeze again. "That I get to go home? And you never can again?"

Zevran's face twisted into a snarl and Cylas gave a light cry as his hand was crushed in Zevran's grip. But he schooled himself almost immediately, putting a playful smile back on his lips and loosening his hold on Cylas's hand.

He spun on his heel and looked back at Martín. The other Crow was watching him smugly. Mind racing, Zevran opened his mouth. "Martín, old friend, why don't you come with us for a smoke?"

"Zev?" Cylas asked quietly, leaning into his shoulder, his expression nervous.

"I won't let him hurt you, I promise." Zevran assured him under his breath. "Just do exactly as I say."

"Okay," Cylas said with a small nod. He squeezed Zevran's hand and Zevran let the support bolster him.

Martín finally moved; he let out a raucous laugh, throwing his head back. His eyes were dark and dangerous when he looked at them again. He knew exactly what Zevran was going to try. He met Martín 's gaze evenly, not backing down. Martín stepped away from the table.

"Sure... friend." Martín said and followed them out of the bar.

Zevran didn't stop where the other smokers were lined up outside of the bar. Martín followed a few paces behind them, his steps unhurried as Zevran led them away from the crowds. With playful prodding, he pressed Martín for more information, trying to suss out how much information the Crows had on him. He didn't get much, even less that was helpful.

Once they were far enough away from prying eyes, Zevran quickly turned down the dark alley to their right. Martín followed just as nonchalantly as he'd been the whole way here. He knew what was coming and he wasn't scared. Well, neither was Zevran.

He whirled to face Martín, pushing Cylas behind him. He wouldn't let the Crows, this one or any other, touch him.

"Zevran," Martín said, spreading his arms out to the side. "Let's be reasonable."

"Certainly, Martín," Zevran crooned to him. "Reasonably, I cannot let you leave here alive." Cylas's breath shuddered behind him. "Cy, stay back and stay quiet." He added. "You don't have to watch this."

"Aw, how sweet of you Zevran," Martín purred. "I'm sure Eoman would be fascinated to know how much you've softened since you ran away." He silently unsheathed a dagger from his thigh, the blade glinting in the dingy city lights.

Cylas gasped. "Zev-!"

"Not to worry," Zevran assured him, pulling out two of his own daggers that were hidden in holsters under his jacket. "I'm always prepared."

Martín's tilted his head forward as he took a step toward them, his playful facade fully shed now as he honed in on his target, turning into something sharp himself.

Zevran moved then, too. He rushed forward, gambling on the hope that being on the offence would play to his advantage. Martín put his hands up in defence but Zevran didn't give him time to get comfortable. He struck out with one dagger, which Martín blocked easily, only for him to bring his other dagger up on Martín's now open side. But the other Crow was fast, his free hand flashing out, though he caught the blade in his gloved fingers. Zevran yanked the dagger, hoping to lacerate and disable the hand in one movement. Martín let out a yelp but Zevran didn't let himself count it as a victory yet.

If he was lucky, Martín would be tired from his job, but he wasn't going to count on it. He shoved with all his strength where he and Martín were still connected at the daggers and the man stmbled backward. Zevran didn't give him a chance to breathe, he surged forward again, his daggers hungry for more blood.

He leapt at Martín, knocking him further off balance. He dropped the dagger and it clattered off to the side. Zevran went down after him, landing with a knee on one arm and his foot holding down the opposite arm. He held his daggers over Martín's neck.

Zevran could feel Martín tense under him and he braced himself for a kick in the back of the head. But it never came. In fact Martín wasn't moving at all, though it looked like he was trying to. Zevran was so confused he paused for a breath, assessing the situation. What was wrong with him? Was he he caught in a spell?

Zevran focused himself and didn't waste any more time. He slit Martín's throat and watched the man bleed out below him. He didn't move, even when the light had left Martín's eyes. He had to make sure the man was dead. Otherwise he'd never be safe again. The Crows had to know something, how else would he know what bar to go to? There was no way it was a coincidence like Martín had said.

But they would know something now. Unlike he'd gloated before, Martín was never going home either. And his House would come looking for answers.

Either way he was completely and absolutely fucked.

But killing Martín bought him some time to figure out his next step.

"Zevran!"

He realized Cylas had been calling his name and was now crouched next to him, trying to avoid the growing pool of blood on the concrete. But Zevran couldn't tear his eyes away from the corpse growing cold underneath him.

Looking away meant he had to figure out what the fuck he had to do.

Warm hands cupped his jaw and Cylas placed a line of soft kisses along his cheek. He stopped and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Finally, Zevran looked away from Martín and over to Cylas. His expression was scared, but his dark green eyes still shone determination. Zevran leaned in to give him a quick kiss back, then stood and stepped away from Martín's body. He pulled Cylas into his arms and released the tension in his body. Cylas clutched at him and buried his face into Zevran's neck.

"Are you okay?" Cylas asked him, voice muffled.

"I should be asking you that question," Zevran huffed.

"I'm fine," Cylas assured him, nuzzling closer to him. "Thanks to you."

Zevran held him tightly looking back down at the dead body on the ground next to them. Things had just gotten good. Nice even. He'd almost let himself settle in here, had even thought about getting comfortable.

And now he'd have to run.

This is what he got for letting his guard down.

Fuck.

[the-cryptographer]

Finished Mass Effect 2 as well.

This game did get me a bit more invested in the worldbuilding. Idk, I think it retains a lot of the basic jarring gender existentialist issues that were in ME1, but I admit the like... emotional resonance of a lot of the ambient dialogue on Illium and Tuchanka - the conversation with Aethyta - made it come together in a way that felt harder to dismiss.

I think the same goes with the Quarians. idk, in the context of dragon age you can still see the sort of anti-nomadic and anti-indigenous settler-colonialist sentiments come through in the dialogue about whether Tali needs to regain the homeworld or move on. But the extra levels of sci-fi, the fact that the Quarians are the creators of the Geth, really do sort of distance it from real life in a way I feel more inclined to engage solely on the merits of the text. And it really helps that the Tali loyalty mission was so standout. The way she defends her perspectives to you. The way the game rewards you ultimately not for taking the right side on the political conflicts of a culture you are not a part of, but for showing up to support and protect Tali and respect her wishes about her dad while she is under scrutiny by her own people. It was very emotional - honestly everything I wish we had gotten from the Merrill character quests in DA2 - and it gave me a pretty clear picture for why she is the favoured romance for the more straight dude part of the fandom.

Am super excited to replay her character quest with Legion as part of it too. idk, love that funky little geth dude.

I did come around on Miranda, even before she tells the Illusive Man to go to hell in the final quest. Idk, she didn't become less objectionable on a personal level exactly, but she does gain depth and did ultimately make me appreciate her part in the story.

Yeah, really glad I installed the Jack romance mod to restore the cut content with fshep. Was worried I was jumping the gun thinking she'd be the character I went feral over but, nah, I was exactly right. Truly she is like Fenris and Sera had a horrible horrible child with all his angst and all her emotional volatility and I love love love her so much. I admit her romance is def the like creepy da2 lis and zevran brand of trying to tongue someone whose agency is undermined by having nowhere else to go after repeated exploitation, but something something what were you doing at the devil's sacrament? At least you don't shove her into a wall directly after she has a ptsd episode and assume that's consent.

idk, for things i disliked: the da2 style dialogue wheel of saying shit I never would have predicted really continues and is tbh worse because exhausting the questions on the left side of the dialogue wheel sometimes results in shep making wildly contradictory points that are really not compatible with one another at all. idk, i was basically reloading every major conversation twice trying to find the options that actually seemed to come together into the character I was actually trying to roleplay.

more than one loyalty mission fell apart for me on the sudden moralising about who is okay to let your friends kill after an entire mission of gunning down hundreds of people. idk, i have individual opinions about how safe it is to let some of those fuckers keep running around with their heads attached vs others, and also opinions on who it is mentally healthy for the companions to act out their murder impulses on, but these two opinions do not always match and in almost all cases shep is so high handedly moralising about it I want to slug them.

ammo management in this game kept being a huge pain in the ass. there was absolutely no rhyme or reason I could tell between missions that overloaded me with so much extra available ammo that I was drowning in it, vs missions that were so stingy with it I was almost out of rounds on my third non-preferred weapon by the end of it.

[cursedhaglette]

I've actually always been curious what Morinne would think about the companions from Origins and DA2 - who would have been her best friends/confidantes and who would she have shacked up with if Solas wasn't in the picture? But did she also have any fervent opinions or beliefs re any of the decisions HoF and Hawke had to made?

okay so this is such a fun thought exercise for me but i will warn you i have only played DAO and DA2 once each (i know, please beat me with the shame stick) because of console limitations. i'm a controller girly and the options with controller on PC are so ass. if you know a way to make those better, lemme know and i'm on it like RIGHT NOW.

ANYWAY.

for DAO, i think bunny would have loved young leliana so much. i think her journey from naive, young woman to The Spymaster kind of echoes (at least in my mind) morinne's journey from the start of DAI to where she ends up come DAV. i also think she'd love wynne and would look up to her. she'd go for zevran, without a doubt, she'd fall hook line and sinker for him. i can't imagine her finding alistair too charming in his naivety (i'm so sorry angel i'm so sorry) and her relationship with morrigan requires age and perspective on both parts for them to become friends. barkspawn duh. oghren i mean no.

as for decisions made by the hero of ferelden (a miss amelie surana, if you'd like to know) i can't think of anything morinne would have truly disapproved of besides maybe fucking alistair skjdfhkasjdhf she also probably would have been a lot more...intense about the nature of the beast quests, which i apparently didn't finish in my run cause not all the side quests are checked off in my keep (oops)

as for DA2...i know so many of you want me to say fenris. i want to say fenris. the bitch would fall for anders, i'm so sorry. the mage rights and cat and the clinic and yeah she'd fold so damn quick. i do think she'd butt heads with fenris in a way that she would eventually read as sexual tension, but at that point, i think she'd be cooked for anders. she'd absolutely adore merrill (duh, who doesn't) and they'd be besties. and i think isabela would probably rub her the wrong way. especially after everything with the arishok. she wouldn't take that well.

as for hawke's decisions...well...i killed anders for the drama of it so. umm. she wouldn't love that. for the record i love anders and i think he was right i was just gagged that it was an option and was like oh okay wow and then went with it. in my mind, hawke was just really, really overwhelmed by everything going on and yeah ANYWAY i feel like i'm gonna be shot for saying i did that. anyway morinne would also kill me and hawke to avenge her cat man.

anyway that's all i can think of! i hope that satisfies cause it was fun for me hehe

[harlotofandraste]

the last few weeks i have been obsessively playing Dragon Age, in preparation for the veilguard release of course.

Dragon Age: Origins is still a work of Art and I would die for her and every companion

Dragon Age: 2 is not as bad as I remembered it? Sure it has it's issues but the story is genuinely so fantastic. Like, the story, the characters, Hawke's relationships with the companions - the combat is almost an annoying obstacle to get to the heartbreakingly tender moments between Hawke and their damaged, broken, hurting friends

For that reason I would love for an option to just skip combat alltogeter and turn it into a walking simulator.

In both Origins and 2, the male love interests are so so so much better holy fuck

Like the first time I played as a lesbian (of course) and romancing Leliana in Origins. Which is... sweet and everything, but the relationship with Leliana always felt... hollow. Love without any true base in Friendship. If that makes sense.

This time, my warden was a bit of a slut and romanced Leliana, (also Isabella), Zevran and lastly Alistair. And holy fuck, the relationship between Warden an Alistair is just perfect. Me playing a female elf only added to the perfection. Sad I couldn't marry him at the end, but hey, staying as the King's mistress is fine with me, Anora's cool with it, mostly, and nothing can get in between true love. I mean, the relationship between Warden and Alistair starts off with pure banter and friendship, you can feel them acutally caring for each other way before you even start any romance. They feel like two people who just fit like puzzle pieces. Jokes, support, bleeding together, either one would not think a minute before sacrificing their own life for the other. and finally, after weeks of pain and suffering and drinks in taverns and jokes around the campfire and horribly traumatizing deaths all around, they both realize that they aren't just friends anymore. Fucking hell that is literally the perfect fictional relationship omg i have never shipped a straight couple harder.

Also I found the thought of being a slutty warden who bedded every available character before finally taking the future king's virginity, then arranging a marriage between her boyfriend and another woman and then also arranging for her boyfriend to get her other friend pregnant just... incredibly funny ngl

And in DA:2 on my first playthrough I romanced Merril. Which was... fine. Though I find it kinda difficult because I didn't like the idea of Hawke just being completely fine with blood magic and all that. Merril also isn't that interesting a character. I mean, comparing her to many other games she is fantastic!! But in this game, she just kinda pales in comparison to everyone else.

Now I'm playing a male gay Hawke and I first romanced Fenris. And I am just a sucker for a sad, hurting man learning how to feel again. Fenris is just such a good character. Of course he is horribly racist agains mages, which i mean, not that i / Hawke condone it, but anyone would need years of therapy to get over what the magisters did to him, so i love the thought of Hawke being patient and slowly trying to show him they are not that bad.

So I love to kinda torture Fenris and run around with him, anders and merril, their companion banters are so great.

But Fenris of course dumps Hawke after the first time and sure you COULD wait for him to come around in act three but screw that, I will not have my feelings played with like that.

Especially when there is an even sadder, more broken man waiting for me. Anders is probably my favourite character in DA:2. Even the last time I played, without romancing him. But now I startet DA:2 right after finishing the Awakening DLC and I just LOVE the difference and the similarities between the two Anders versions. Some might say it's inconsistent. But I choose to believe that in Awakening, even if Anders had seen so many horrible things already, he was still able to keep a more happy-go-lucky facade. I imagine between the end of Awakening and Hawke first meeting him, Anders has seen many many more horrible things while being with the wardens. So he is just extra-traumatized in 2. And of course, his character changed with the whole spirit of justice thing. But even if he is a lot more serious and a lot sadder, he still has that Anders-Charm. I love his love for kittens and his need for justice for the mages

And even if the DA:2 love interests (apart from Sebastian) are all bisexual, I love that they are not just default staights that can just also be romanced by same gender Hawkes. Like, when Anders confesses that Karl, who just died, was his first boyfriend??? I think I cried. The PAIN the HURT the HOMOSEXUAL ANGST. I will burn down all of Kirkwall if that makes Anders feel even a little better.

The rivalry / rivalry romance aspect is really cool and I love it exists but unfortunately i am incapable of not being liked by everyone.

Seriously how does a game that was pretty much universally considered a disappointment by the fandom (i previously didn't like it either!! Idek why!!!!) have storylines that trump pretty much any movie of tv show made in the last 5 years. Please let me play this just as a story game/walking simulator i need to look into mods i want to see every possible conversation and fuck everyone (tenderly and with love. and also as hateful rivals)

Also I have played the games so much recently I hope I don't accidentally say "by the maker" in public lmao

[agendratum]

so okay about those dragon age thoughts that kept me up from sleeping, i really need to write this down otherwise it will keep boiling inside my head (it will anyway)

i've been thinking what backstory i could do for rook. yes, there is not possibly enough information about them, it makes sense, the game isn't out yet. which means that i don't feel too comfortable making any final decisions, not really knowing how their character will play out, how the whole faction thing will work, etc. so i'm trying not to set anything in stone thinking about it. that being said, i got a little bit hang up on this idea of making rook to be my warden's, ruth', daughter. a little bit i say. i haven't stopped being able to think about it. i just love it a lot okay

and here's how i think it could work. first of all, the timeline allows for it to work, right? if say, ruth happened to make (another) child somewhere right after the events of origins, in the first year, two maybe, after the blight ended, then by the time of veilguard that child would be around 20 years old.

next part is a bit more tricky. so what i'm guessing is that this time the pc's backstory will depend on those factions. and a bunch of them are pretty tightly connected to a specific territory. tevinter, to be precise (and nevarra). and the thing is, i would want for it to be possible, with all the travels and what not, for ruth to be able to be present in this kid's life. at least somewhat. considering she has whole other child she can't see at all. and that limits my options i think.

of course, i don't *have* to worry too much about it, because, relocation is possible. say, ruth and this partner she has briefly find out they are going to become parents. and even tho the blight is technically over, there is still the aftermath, which means danger. people, if possible, probably wouldn't want to raise children in such conditions. so i think ruth could help them move somewhere else. but i do find it unrealistic that tevinter would be a desirable destination for such move

anyway, that's why my main bets for now are as follows

grey wardens. a seemingly obvious one. her mother is a grey warden, the grey warden some might say, so she's following in her steps. tho i do think that ruth wouldn't be super excited about her kid becoming one, you know, with how many people she knew died because of being grey wardens or being in a close to them (and darkspawn) proximity. and also she's still looking for that cure, so. she wouldn't be able to stop her, but she wouldn't want it. but that would make things easy for me personally

lords of fortune. this one is a type of "i've connected the dots (you didn't connect shit) i've connected them". ruth wants to help her partner and their kid to escape to a safer place. ruth's best buddy that she travels with is zevran. zevran's good friend is isabela. isabela is a pirate ship captain and is from rivain. lords of fortune are based out of rivain. it all makes total sense to me. yes. anyway, they ask isabela for help, she smuggles them out to rivain. the kid grows up with a lot of influence not only from her moms, but from zevran and isabela (getting to be the grey warden's kid's aunt and making the warden owe her) as well. which would affect her character in a way that i would like (yes i'm looking forward to those purple responses).

and also after i thought all of this up, i remembered that i guess for each faction we have one companion representing that faction. idk how this will affect the story, but maybe that would mean rook shows up in the city with the person representing the faction? possibly. lords of fortune are represented by taash, and i simply love the image of this little funny elf girl i made up showing up with this big badass lady, like i don't know them yet, but in my head they're the cutest duo. (not even in a romancing sense, idk who i will romance, but like in a general sense). then of course, her being a grey warden would make them besties with davrin and his pet griffon which is also amazing

oooooooooooooooooof this is it for now i think

one more thought, would it be fucked up or what, if when the game finally comes out and i get my hands on a character editor, i'll start by making ruth first, how i think she would look with veilguard's graphics, and then i'll work from there to make changes and create her daughter, resembling her but different. fun thought

andd another thought, i'm also trying to come up with this mysterious other mom of hers. and i just think she could be like a city elf bard. they wouldn't be in love with each other with ruth, but they would find each other's company pleasant. nice. not worrying too much about obligations. other than, you know, a child happening. unexpectedly, but neither of them would against it. this is it for now for real this time

[stonesense]

sorry if you've gotten an ask like this before, but imagine your hawke and warden (any of your choice) got flipped, how do you think they would get along w the companions from the other game? and in general how would they do and feel in the position of the hof/champion, hypothetically?

i just love hearing about your characters ngl i really want to put them in situations

LOVE asks like this pls put my guys in situations

keir as the hero of ferelden... i guess not totally unreasonable, he did fight at ostagar, duncan could’ve picked him up (read: pried him away from his family with the right of conscription.) he’d get along with alistair well enough, though it might take him a minute to warm up to him for near-templar reasons. wouldn’t get along too well with leliana or wynne, and wynne would leave the party after he defiled the sacred ashes, leliana only staying via an intimidation check which is a thing you can do if she’s hardened iirc. fuck the chantry he’s gotta get them reaver powers. not much patience for oghren. would do well with sten, shale, zevran. would kill loghain, no doubt abt that. and honestly, i’ve said before that they maybe had a thing in lothering, keir would romance morrigan and do the dark ritual with her (suddenly just realised the hilarious implication that kieran’s name is loosely inspired by keir possibly in the normal worldstate as well). keir would be fairly bitter about the whole thing and abt the wardens, and his priority would still be finding his family and (if only by virtue of stopping the blight) keeping them safe. he would put alistair on the throne alone, not hardened

it’s harder to see how minerva would become the champion, but if she wasn’t the hero i guess she could end up as an apostate and maybe wind up in kirkwall fleeing the blight like everyone else. if she had the relationship hawke has w varric they’d get along like a house on fire, i’m trying to find a normal way to say she loves when people are obsessed with her AGHASJSKSKK. i cannot imagine her talking to sebastian. minerva and aveline in a room would not go well. she would rival fenris but like still a close important relationship but that means even more tension. friendship with anders but she wouldn’t distract the grand cleric for him even if she would support him in the end; she doesn’t act if she doesn’t know what’s going on and she doesn’t appreciate being asked to let alone what she sees as the attempted emotional blackmail. easily friends with isabela and definitely sleeps with her regardless of romance choice, that happens in dao anyway lmao. friends with merrill, would be such an interesting way to explore minerva’s growing confidence in blood magic. i’m honestly undecided on romance—isabela hits a lot of the same beats as zev’s and thus makes sense for her to go for, merrill would be incredible for her as dalish love interest for minerva makes me insane conceptually let alone a fellow blood mage, fenris would be kind of an unhinged choice for, you know, noted blood mage, but also it’s a different flavour on fen rivalmance because of the shared heritage and i know she’d be into him and like... the drama of it all... anyway minerva would love gaining power in kirkwall as the champion and would lean ambitious, maybe even try for viscount even if it was impossible because of who she is. and in the last straw would be mad at anders for going behind her back—significantly more mad than she is in the canon situation where she is generally highly supportive, actually, because she was right here anders we could have fucking talked abt this and planned ahead—but she’ll support him when it comes to it and she’d never let anyone lay a hand on him

[heniareth]

Find the Word game

Thank you @yukichouji for the tag! I really enjoyed these games. They make me revisit sections I've written a long time ago (I keep them all in one document and it's probably 300-odd pages long) XD XD XD XD

Echoing

"Ogre's getting closer, golem," Oghren shouted.

"It has less dead weight to carry, dwarf," Shale answered, but strained against the wagon to speed up.

An arrow hit against Wynne's blue shield, then another, and another. Behind the ogre were genlock archers. Dread sank into Astala's bones as hurlocks started breaking through the genlock ranks and running after the ogre, their sinister laughter echoing through the stone halls. Her hands uselessly tightened around the wooden planks of the wagon.

Claws (clawed. Close enough.)

"Warden," Zevran said, cutting her off, "Are we friends?"

Astala nodded.

"Then please, let me help. Like you allow Leliana to help."

Another sob clawed its way out of her throat, and this one wouldn't stay down. Astala allowed Zevran to pull her in and pressed her face against his shoulder, willing the world away. Zevran was warm. He didn't back away when the tears started to fall and stain his shirt. He didn't say anything, only rubbed small circles into her back and let her cry. At some point Astala wrapped her arms around him too. He smelled nice. None of this would help her terrible terrible crush and once this was all a memory, she’d probably look back at it with shame. Maker, she’d promised herself not to string him along, but she couldn’t- wouldn’t let go.

Space

Warmth surrounded him, but when Zevran pressed his arms against his chest they were still cold. He wrapped the blankets tighter around himself and stared at the sleeping figure of the Warden. How could she endure temperatures like these? How could anyone in Ferelden for that matter? And with only one blanket! Truth be told, hers was a blanket made for a lord or lady of high standing; size and quality reflected it. As Zevran's eyelids started to grow heavy again, his mind wandered off to memories of his childhood; to kids crammed into one shared sleeping space, never an empty spot to his right or to his left; to little bodies huddled closely together around a hearth when the brief winters descended upon Antiva; to the whispered story of a princess who lent her bed to a pauper to save him from the cold. He'd have his own tale to tell now: how an assassin came to offer his bed to a Grey Warden, and she accepted only to share her blanket with him. And an assassin who had tried to kill her, no less! What a riveting story--although, truth be told, every Antivan he told it to would bemoan the tameness of it. He meanwhile wondered how it would end.

Shock (cw: drunkenness)

The dwarf was slumped over the table, staring up at them with bleary eyes too unfocused to properly see them.

"You're not bringin' me ale."

"Well spotted," Astala said and sat down in front of him. "Though I'll happily get you some if you make this worth my while."

The dwarf let out a dirty laugh. The shock of red hair on his head, thinning out by onsetting balding, wobbled about as drunkenly as he did. "Make it worth your while, eh? You wanna-"

"I want to know about the Deep Roads," Astala said and leaned forward, right into the alcohol-laden breath of the dwarf. "And I want to know everything you can tell me about paragon Branka."

Hey, I got them all! And 2 out of 4 snippets with Zevran! I don't think I'll get a special prize for it, but it's satisfying XD XD XD XD

Thank you again for tagging me! I'm gonna tag @wild-houseplant @icy-warden @bumblewarden @oxygenforthewicked @themarkedkyusei and anybody else who sees this and thinks it's fun to find the words home, laugh, bind and sky (for when and if you want to do this ^^). I hope you have a splendid day and an even more splendid day tomorrow!!

[hellas-himself]

ZevWarden Week 2022 Day 3- Fights and Reconciliation

My kid had her annual check and there was a lot of feels about how fast times flies and kids grow and this happened lol Literally everything I've written in preparation for this week I've scrapped and started over. Any who- I hope you all enjoy this!!!

Zevran was not sure how they got here, exactly, with his wife pulling her dresses off their hangers and throwing  her underclothes out of the dresser. 

Well. No, that was a lie. 

He had not done anything wrong, not really. Leliel loved Isabela. Leliel loved her so much, they were wed on her ship under the full moon, had sailed with Isabela for months on end. They bought each other gifts, though he knew Isabela stole most of it. That was neither here nor there. Leliel loved staying up late with Isabela to talk and drink, to talk about him together and laugh when he caught them. 

So what did it matter if Isabela arrived in the morning and Zevran welcomed her into their home? When had he never complimented Isabela for the way the ocean sun blessed her skin or how he noticed the new rings and necklaces she wore? When had he never embraced his friend in greeting, knowing his wife would join them, happy that Isabela had returned? Sometimes, she even beat him to it!

Zevran sighed, holding the white dress Leliel had thrown at him to his chest.

“Mi amor-”

“I hate it! I hate everything!” 

“Don’t say that, you love that dress.”

“You don’t,” she said rather miserably. 

“That’s not true-” Zevran caught the gold chain right before it hit his face. 

“Y me vas a mentir en mi cara?!” she shrieked. “You never look at me like that anymore! You never say anything!”

Zevran set the chain and dress on the dresser and joined her on the floor. 

“Don’t touch me!” she cried as he tried to reach out to her. She shoved a pile of clothes in his arms. “None of this fits anymore! Nothing looks right anymore! And don’t you try to tell me it does!”

“We can go get new clothes, I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

“That’s not the point, Zevran. You don’t want me anymore! And I get it. Isabela is beautiful and her body is perfect and she isn’t hot and sick all the time. You could’ve just told me, I get it I do-“

Zevran reigned in the urge to sigh and threw the clothes aside. She breathed in sharply and was looking at him with tear filled eyes, and he imagined she thought he was now upset with her. He wrapped his arms around her, not letting her go as she wept and weakly pushed against him. 

“Leliel,” he said softly, “enough.” 

It took no effort to carry her out of the closet and to their bed. To put as many pillows needed at her back to keep her comfortable. With soft kisses and whispered words, he convinced her to let him leave the room long enough to get the bath filled with water. He couldn’t help the smile when he returned and she willingly wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to the tub. 

He took his time undressing her, pressing kisses to every spot of exposed skin until he fell to his knees and kissed the swell of her belly, placing his hands there. Leliel’s hands naturally covered his, moving them to feel the baby kick. 

“Tienes que ser más tierna con tu mamá, angelito,” he spoke softly and kissed her belly again before getting to his feet. Leliel was still crying, but she was smiling and that’s all that mattered. 

Zevran helped her into the tub and took his time washing her hair and though he had no intention of doing anything more than bathing her- well, they both ended up needing a proper bath after that. 

He carried her to bed, massaged her body with oils and combed her hair. He held her in his arms, telling her how much he loved her, how much he desired her always, and a string of praises until she began to fall asleep. 

“I’m sorry, Zevran,” she whispered. He heard her sniffle and sighed. 

“Whatever for?”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it, I promise I didn’t…”

“I know.”

He couldn’t help it when he smiled as she began to cry again. 

“Ay mi cielo, what will I do with you?” 

After many promises to cook her dinner and many, many kisses- his wife fell asleep. He waited until she started to snore, one of the newest changes the healer had told them to expect. He fixed her pillows and got dressed before leaving the room. 

He found their friend in the kitchen, sitting at the small table by the window. She’d helped herself to bread and cheese it seemed and had opened a new bottle of wine. The grapes that were in a wooden bowl were nowhere to be seen. 

“Tell me you didn’t eat all the grapes.”

“Was I not supposed to?”

Zevran groaned, scrubbing at his face. He would be crying by the end of the night at this rate- 

“I’m kidding! And I brought her some of that cake she likes, too. I won’t be making her cry, that’s your job.” 

Zevran let out an aggravated sigh. 

“Is she alright?” Isabela asked, setting her glass of wine down. 

Zevran rubbed his temples.

“She is.”

Isabela laughed. “Serves you right. Though I feel bad… ah, sweet thing. I’ll just get her some bracelets. Oh! Maybe anklets. Who the hell needs clothes when you’re covered in gold!”

Zevran chuckled and rolled up his sleeves. 

“You have a point,” he said. “But I’ll leave the search for gold to you, my friend. I have dinner to cook and no doubt a long night apologizing.” 

Isabela rolled her eyes. 

“I thank Andraste’s ass the guest room is on the other side of the house. Though I will say- well done, my friend.”

Isabela began to laugh at the look Zevran gave her. She rose to her feet and drank all the wine left in her glass. 

“I’ll be back with gold. Don’t make her cry again, or I’ll be the one cheering her up.”

Isabela hurried out the kitchen cackling, missing the knife Zevran threw after her. 

(Later, when Leliel wakes up, she'll find Isabela there and she'll apologize though Isabela will just laugh it off and use that as more reason to bother Zev. They'll have dinner and eat the things she's been craving, they'll talk about baby names and Isabela will get emotional about feeling the baby kick but Zevran and Leliel won't say anything. It's a good night.)

[spacetrashpile]

so fun fact about me is that when i bought this game, i set out to romance leliana and probably not do the ritual and as such let my warden die. it should be known that these goals were about the extent of what i know about the game, outside of some vague stuff that comes up during inquisition (one of the two other da games i’ve played) and some very, very basic facts about who your party members are. i am playing this game mostly blind.

another fun fact is that i was live-blogging this experience to three of my friends, only one of whom has played origins or is at all familiar with the game. that friend has been in the throes of sickness and migraines for the last day and a half, and so was not really paying much attention to anything i said about the game all day. keep this in mind for later.

so, i’m playing the game as normal. i go to lothering with alistair, morrigan, and my dog. the templar at the front of the city tells me that everything in lothering is very bad. i run around for a while. i find sten and threaten the chantry mother to give me the key so i can recruit him.

i continue on my adventure. i leave lothering and have my first warden dream. i go collect shale. all is well except for the fact that my party is made up of some of the worst people to bring anywhere.

i begin to consider what i want to do next. i decide i want to go deal with arl eamon first, because alistair will probably appreciate that and he’s not super happy with me right now.

i head to redcliffe with alistair, sten, and my dog. sten is not very happy that we are detouring from the darkspawn to help with the town’s zombie problem. i make a remark of some sort to my friends about how i really need to pick up a companion who endorses side quests soon, and that maybe i’ll just google how you get leliana or oghren or zevran when i’m done here, rather than continue to just barrel through the game with the perspective of “well i’m sure i’ll find them eventually”. i will bring this prospect up a non zero number of times more throughout the day and only become more set to do it as time goes on.

i help redcliffe with their zombie problem. isolade shows up and i go “oh yeah, connor, the other thing i know about this game!” i go to redcliffe castle and am presented with the three options to save connor. i decide that since i was gonna side with the mages over the templars anyways, i might as well go do that now so i can minimize bloodshed with the connor thing.

i go to the circle. i recruit wynne. i march my way up the tower. i go to the fade. i hate the fade. the fade takes me over an hour and following a guide extremely meticulously to complete. my friend informs me this is famously the most well hated part of origins, and i commiserate. as i approach the end of the fade, i say something along the lines of “well, at least i never have to do this again”.

i exit the fade. i side with the mages. i save connor. i get the zevran taking a contract on you cutscene. i give all my companions nice gifts. everyone is full of joy. i have been at these two quest lines for about four hours and have leveled up multiple times.

finally, i am out, and i google where to get leliana. i voice my surprise that i haven’t encountered her yet. i am surprised to see that she’s apparently been in the tavern in lothering this whole time and i somehow missed her. the aforementioned friend who’s played origins is slightly more lucid now and says “yeah, that’s weird, she’s very excited to join your party, idk how you missed her.”

no matter, i’ll just backtrack real quick and-

hey. hey. why can’t i go back to lothering.

i am in despair. i somehow managed to soft lock myself on recruiting my FUCKING LOVE INTEREST. i managed to do that to myself FOUR HOURS OF GAMEPLAY AGO. i have to lose FOUR HOURS OF GAMEPLAY if i want to recruit her. I HAVE TO PLAY THROUGH THE FADE AGAIN.

i cannot believe i managed this. this is perhaps the greatest example of “i am bad at video games” i have ever displayed. the groupchat is in shambles. i am being laughed at in about equal measure as i am being apologized to for my woes.

anyways. i’ve now recruited leliana. path re-centered. i will not be playing origins for a while, i need to recover from the shame.

hey does anyone wanna hear about the new and innovative way (re: so bad that my friends were in shock about how i fumbled the bag so hard) that i figured out how to play dragon age: origins in the year of our lord 2025, over 15 years after its release?

[makerscockandballs]

Bestie I've been too busy to do this sooner but how are we not supposed to just throw all the numbers for the oc game at you for all of your ocs??? I just like your writing and the weirdos you made and wanna read all about them is that so much to ask??? God's hardest little test yet tbh. So for now 4 for Maison, 5 for Orev, 13 for Thelrael so I don't overwhelm you with these too much at once

Matthew dude you're so nice thank you :^) I only have No. 13 and 4 so far but here they are:

13: transcript of an interview with your OC

Codex Entry: Interview with Inquisitor Lavellan

The elvish has been struck through and corrected by the Inquisitor himself. Translations were added later by a third person.

Topic: Luring and killing the Abyssal High Dragon of the Western Approach

Leanash hanin! [A glorious day!] Did you see that? Bastard tried to fry me, and I got it right in the eye! Su an’banal i’ra! [Unknown, possibly a curse.] Once we’re back in civilization, drinks are on me! Yes, even yours, Bull.

(Several sentences yelled in elvhen; the Inquisitor spoke too fast to allow transcribing them. When asked, he responded that he is too excited to recall what he said, and that it probably did not matter.)

Oh, right, you wanted to know how it was! Gigantic. That thing could sneeze your tent all the way to Redcliffe if it wanted to. Well, could have. Past tense, hah! You think we can keep the head? We could use it as a coffee table. No, we should put it in the hall! Point to it if anyone tries to threaten us.

Okay, okay, staying on topic. Long story short, for how much the big fucker likes fire, it can’t handle explosions. You just have to hit it when it opens its mouth, but before it starts roasting you. Sera got a few explosive arrows in, mines work wonders too if you get it to chomp down on them.

About the luring, uhm… ir abelas, falon. [Sorry, friend.] I wasn’t thinking much aside from “Dread Wolf’s ass, that’s a big lizard!” Dorian might have more to say, he’s good with this academic stuff. Da’assan? [Little arrow, possibly term of endearment.] Would you mind helping out the dragon guy? Thank you. Min'nydha juveran na su tarasyl. [Innuendo likely aimed at Lord Pavus. I will not bother adding the translation.]

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

4: a letter from your OC to their love interest

Dearest Zevran,

first of all, thank you for the colorful description of your most recent exploits. Once again you have impressed me with your skills, and every day I yearn to be by your side to witness them firsthand again. Alas, Amaranthine has more need of aid than you currently seem to – but if that changes, send for me. My allegiance lies with you just as much as it lies with the Wardens.

I am still making sense of everything here, so I shall tell you more when we meet again. Soon, I hope. I know how busy you are in Antiva, but if you do find the time, come visit me in Amaranthine. You would adore some of the new Wardens. Do you remember Rendon Howe, that Arl you stabbed for me? It was very romantic. (Did I ever tell you how captivating you look in battle? I should do so more often.)

His son was not too happy about it, though. He tried and failed to kill me in retaliation, and it reminded me so much of how we met that I couldn’t help but let him join. Do not worry, he has gotten over the death of his father. Still, do not spin a grandiose tale of it if you two ever meet, that would not go over well.

A dalish elf has joined our cause as well, and I wondered if you two might bond over shared heritage. She knows some dalish lore and history, and I know how your eyes light up when it comes up. I asked her to copy bits of her writings for you, but her response did not make it clear if she would. I will include those in a letter if I ever get them.

When the issues with Darkspawn are settled here, I will notify you. I do not like being apart from you for so long, perhaps I could join you in Antiva if you will have me. Keep your blades sharp until then.

All my love

Maison

PS: The bracelet you enclosed in your last letter is lovely. Did you “acquire” it on one of your murders, or is it from an antivan market?