davtranscriptions

[davtranscriptions]

No transcripting today. Bestie’s birthday.

[davtranscriptions]

No transcribing tonight. I have to get some work done on my fanfic.

[davtranscriptions]

The End of the Beginning Part 2

Sweeping shot downwards to the door of a bar. Someone walks by, a barrel balanced on one shoulder. Two other people stand idly beside a fire somewhere nearby. The door slams open as a member of the Venatori is thrown against it, rolling down the stairs before stopping with a grunt. Rook stands in the open doorway, brushing off their hands.

Rook: Let’s try this again: Where’s Neve Gallus?

Rook walks forward, scowling. Four Venatori surround them, two on either side. The bartender lounges atop the bar, leaning back on one arm. She stares down at her left hand, rubbing her thumb repeatedly over her index finger, before looking up with an incredulous expression.

Bartender: You think you can come into my bar and make demands?

Cut to Rook. They take another step forward.

Dialogue Options:

I’ll do more than demand.

Let’s talk this out

I’ll do more than demand:

Rook’s scowl deepens.

Rook: Neve Gallus is my only shot at finding the Dread Wolf. I’m not leaving until I know where he is.

Rook stalks forward.

Rook: Be ready to talk by the time I get to you.

The bartender laughs, swirling a bottle around in her left hand.

Bartender: Oh, darling, you’re adorable.

The group of Venatori tense for battle. Rook surges to the right, kicking a barrel just as one of them runs to attack them. The Venatori trips over his feet, landing hard on his shoulder with a shout. Another rushes Rook, grabbing ahold of their left wrist. Rook jabs his stomach twice with their right, before throwing him to the ground. They try to throw another punch, but another of the Ventori behind them grabs their arm and knees them in the stomach.

Rook is shoved forward against a table. The bartender watches on with a smug grin on her face. Their attacker grabs their shoulder, but Rook hits him in the face with a bottle. It shatters against his face in a shower of broken glass and blood. As he falls to the ground, another of the Venatori comes running up, winding up a punch. Rook is hit once, but blocks the second punch, driving their fist into the man’s face.

The bartender’s grin has fallen. She watches on in amazement.

Hands wrap around Rook’s waist. A Venatori in front of them goes in for a punch, but they kick him square in the chest, knocking both of them backwards. Rook slides out of his grip, but the Venatori tries to grab them again. Rook responds with an elbow to the face.

Bartender: Not enough gold in the world for this…

The bartender jumps over the bar. 

Rook: Varric, now.

Cut to a shot of a crossbow. A bolt is released. It catches the bartender’s sleeve, just grazing the skin beneath with a few drops of blood spray, and pinning her to the shelf behind her.

Varric: Meet Bianca. She’d like you to stay awhile.

The crossbow is put to the side, revealing Varric. It cuts back to the bartender, who is tugging at the crossbow bolt at her shoulder with gritted teeth.

It cuts back to Rook, who looks around for a moment. A Venatori suddenly tackles them, shoving them against the bar. Rook falls to their knees in pain. They pick up a nearby stool and drive the legs of it into his side, before introducing his face to the seat. Another of the Venatori sprints for them and Rook throws the stool directly into his head. He falls into a crumpled heap.

Panting slightly, Rook stands up and turns to the bartender. They hurl themself over the bar.

Rook: Neve Gallus.

Bartender: Dumat Plaza! The Venatori cultists took her to Dumat Plaza…

The bartender reaches up and grabs a bottle from the shelf above her, aiming for Rook’s head. Rook catches the bottle and headbutts her.

Rook: Thanks.

Taking the bottle, Rook hops over the bar. Varric approaches them, reaching over his shoulder to holster Bianca.

Rook: Your friend Neve Gallus is at Dumat Plaza.

Varric grabs two mugs from a nearby table as he walks.

Varric: I heard. That’s why you’re my second in command.

Varric takes the bottle from Rook, setting the mugs on the bar. He pours drinks into the mugs, handing one to Rook.

Varric: Although for the record, there was probably an easier way to do that than fighting an entire bar.

Let’s talk this out:

Rook: It’s not a demand. It’s an offer. Telling me what I need to know it’s… it’s the smart play here.

Rook steps forward, hands raised placatingly. The Venatori close in on them. The bartender invites Rook closer with a quick flutter of her fingers.

Bartender: How do you figure, sweet talker?

Rook approaches. The Venatori let them pass, following behind them, closing them in.

Rook: Neve Gallus is my only shot at finding the Dread Wolf. I need to know where she is.

The bartender takes a swig from an ornate looking cup.

Rook: We were supposed to meet here, in your bar, but you let Venatori cultists drag her away.

The bartender sets her cup down.

Bartender: I didn’t “let them.” They paid me.

Rook: So answer my questions, and walk away with the coin. Or spend it cleaning up the place when I’m through.

Rook gestures to the bar with a sweep of their arm. The Venatori shuffle around.

Rook: Your choice.

Rook leans against the bar. The bartender rests her chin on her shoulder, looking Rook in the eyes.

Bartender: You’re adorable.

The bartender slides down from the bar.

Bartender: Dumat Plaza. That’s where you’ll find Neve Gallus.

The bartender gestures to the Venatori before leaving, a small smile on her face.

Rook: Thank you.

The bartender turns back towards Rook.

Bartender: You want to get yourself killed fighting the Venatori, it’s your ass.

She leaves, and the Venatori step closer. One of them follows behind the Bartender. The others turn towards Rook. 

Rook: That offer’s good for all of you, too.

The Venatori continue their approach, undeterred. Rook shrugs.

Rook: No?

Varric: If they won’t listen to you…

Cut to Varric standing behind the Venatori, crossbow raised.

Varric: They can always listen to Bianca.

A volley of bolts pelt the ground beside their feet. The Venatori stumble backwards. Slowly, they leave. One towards the left of the group points to Varric, before looking at the bolts on the ground and leaving. Rook chuckles.

Varric approaches them, reaching over his shoulder to holster Bianca.

Rook: Your friend Neve Gallus is at Dumat Plaza.

Varric grabs a bottle from a barstool and two mugs from a table as he walks.

Varric: I heard. That’s why you’re my second in command.

Varric sets the mugs on the bar. 

Varric: Although for the record, you might be too charming for your own good.

He pours drinks into the mugs, handing one to Rook.

Dialogue Options:

I had you on my side.

Okay, but it worked, though.

Whatever works.

I had you on my side:

Rook: What’d I have to worry about?

Rook gestures upwards with their mug, splashing alcohol onto the floor. They take a drink.

Rook: You were there watching my back.

Varric: Yeah, yeah.

Okay, but worked, though:

Rook: See, you say that…

Rook takes a drink.

Rook: But we do have Neve’s location now, so…

Varric: Don’t get cocky.

Varric takes a sip of his drink.

Whatever works:

Rook: It got us Neve’s location.

Rook takes a drink.

-

Rook: Come on. Harding will be worried.

Rook sets their mug on the bar.

Varric: All right, break’s over.

Varric takes a gulp of his own drink, before setting his mug on the bar beside Rook’s. The two of them approach the exit to the bar.

Rook: I hope Neve’s as good at finding people as you claim.

Varric: She’s the best damn detective I’ve ever met. If she says she’s got a lead on Solas, I believe her.

Varric swings the door open. There’s a sweeping shot up towards the Archon’s palace hovering above Minrathous, lit up with spotlights.

Next: Scout Harding (transcription pending)

[davtranscriptions]

The ‘Where’s Neve Gallus’ scene is in the works. It’s easier to describe for me than the intro was, that’s for sure. Movement and expression are definitely something I’m familiar with. Paintings and symbolism are hard.

I could just do dialogue, but then having visual descriptors usually helps me to understand a character’s tone. It’s easier to write dialogue if I know the way they move when they speak, if that makes sense. Body language is as much a part of voice as words.

Anyway, back to it! Expect it up soonish tonight.

[davtranscriptions]

The End of the Beginning Part 1

Opens with a painting of solas standing atop a mountain, dressed in simple clothing. His head is haloed by a stylized sun.

Varric: I knew him as Solas. Smart, thoughtful, loved to hear himself talk. But Long ago, he had a different name:

Solas’ simple clothing becomes more decadent armor. A large wolf’s head with six red eyes appears behind him. At the center of its forehead and behind Solas head, the stylized sun has become a simple yellow circle. 

Varric: The Dread Wolf. Ancient Elven god of lies, or heroic rebel against tyranny, depending on which story you believe.

Transition to a shot down the cobble road of a sprawling city. There are buildings floating on islands in the sky. The sky is dark and filled with stars. Every window is lit up with warm light. symbols representing each of the elven gods floating above it haloed by light.

Varric: In his desperate fight against the corrupt elven gods, Solas imprisoned them…

A ring rises from the bottom of the screen and closes around the elven gods. The islands in the sky disappear. The lights on the houses and the stars go out. Black fills the circle like ink soaking into paper.

The circle twists shut with the sound of a prison door closing. 

Varric: …Creating a Veil that split our world from the raw magic of the Fade.

The circle fades away, leaving behind an image of a desolate city. 

Varric: He had won.... But the Veil cost the elves everything: their magic, their freedom, even their immortality. 

With an explosion of green light, Solas appears again, turned away from the viewer. His arm is stretched up, holding a glowing dagger to the sky. He casts a long shadow, backlighted by a massive cracking sphere.

Varric: Now Solas wants to tear down the Veil and undo the damage he caused… even if that means our world has to burn.

Fade to black.

Varric: Somebody’s gotta stop him… and that’s where you come in.

Varric: So, where were we? 

Fade back into to Solas with his back to the viewer, his cape flaring out dramatically to the side.

Varric: Oh, right. Him.

Varric: Our best plan is to stop the Dread Wolf before he can perform his ritual.

A sweeping shot of a map. At the bottom are Aravels beside an inquisition logo. Moving up, there’s a wooden lion figurine to the left. Up and to the right is a depiction of Nevarra, a swirl of green fire and black skulls wrapping around a tower in the center. In the top left, a depiction of a dwarf, hammer raised and ready to strike an anvil.

Varric: After following his trail across half the known world…

The shot slows down. There’s a stone statue of a griffon to the left. And to the right a pile of snakes surrounding a floating city, a palace floating above it like a crown.

Varric: …We’ve finally tracked him to Minrathous, capital of the Tevinter Imperium.

Varric: But to find the Dread Wolf in a city this big…

An image of Neve Gallus appears, framed by a circle of blue light.

Varric: So, naturally, our story begins where all great stories begin: with the seediest bar in town, and a missing contract.

Next: Where's Neve Gallus?

[davtranscriptions]

The End of the Beginning Masterpost

I am breaking this up into parts to make it more coherent, since there are bits of gameplay in between cutscenes. This is just to make it more coherent.

I'm kind of new to transcription, so I've been looking at @ daitranscripts (don't wanna bug them, so I won't actually @ them) to help me figure out how exactly to do this, and that's how they did it.

Advice is appreciated if you have any. Anyone is free to contribute if they want to, as well. Just let DM me and we'll work it out.

Oh! And just for fun, I'll be taking some screenshots with my main character Mori. Just for something pretty to look at. I’ll try and do a new one for each quest.

I Knew Him as Solas

Where's Neve Gallus?

Scout Harding

You Need to Listen

[davtranscriptions]

Do I describe things happening or just do dialogue? I could provide screenshots to go with it, sure, but that only works for stuff like the intro, and it doesn’t offer any information on audio or motion.

Mixed media, maybe? Descriptions with screenshots?

Gonna work on The End of the Beginning transcript first. Then work my way up. I’ll start on Companion Dialogue and Companion Romance masterlists once I get past that first bit.

[davtranscriptions]

Gonna work on The End of the Beginning transcript first. Then work my way up. I’ll start on Companion Dialogue and Companion Romance masterlists once I get past that first bit.

[davtranscriptions]

Companion Banter

A list of links to companion banter transcripts. Will likely take a while to fully complete as I am unsure of just how much banter there is. There's also just a ton of extra banter and slight variations depending on who Rook's romanced to and what faction they belong to.

I'm gonna be honest; I have no idea how this is supposed to be formatted. Suggestions are appreciated

Completed transcriptions will be marked with a ★

If I miss anything, let me know.

Bellara

Davrin

Emmrich

Harding

Lucanis

Neve

Taash

[davtranscriptions]

Side Quests

A list of links to side quest transcripts, sorted by location. This likely won't be a full list for some time as, unlike the main quests and companion quests, I can't find even a partial list. It's also the lowest priority compared to literally everything else.

But it will likely be one of the easiest, since there doesn't appear to be much in the way of variation.

Unmarked quests will be included only if they have significant dialogue.

Completed transcriptions will be marked with ★

Please, let me know if I miss anything.

The Crossroads

Arlathan Forest

Dock Town

Treviso

Grand Necropolis

[davtranscriptions]

Companion Quests

A list of every companion quest, sorted by companion. Some quests listed here will also be listed in the main quest list.

Companion banter and romance scenes will each have their own masterlist.

Quests with completed transcriptions will be marked with a ★

If I missed any, please let me know.

Bellara

0/4 transcribed

in Entropy's Grasp Echoes of the Past The Demon's Bargain Hummingbird's Lament

Davrin

0/6 transcribed

A Warden's Best Friend How to Train a Griffon A Friend in Need The Palate of a Griffon The Profane and the Lost Home Roost

Emmrich

0/3 transcribed

Where the Dead Must Go Walking the Graves House of the Dead

Harding

0/4 transcribed

An Unfamiliar Sense The Waiting Stone The Bond Rekindled The Heart of the Titan

Lucanis

0/5 transcribed

Sea of Blood Coffee with the Crows Bidding Farewell Bloodbath Inner Demons

Neve

0/3 transcribed

The End of the Beginning A Study of Dock Town A Clear Mind

Taash

0/5 transcribed

The Dragon Slayer Fire on the Sands A Little Dragon Hatches Slaying the Fangscorcher Fit for a Dragon Hunter

[davtranscriptions]

Main Quests

A list of every main quest, sorted by Act. Will be edited as transcripts are made. Some quests listed here will also be listed on the companion quests masterpost.

Quests with completed transcriptions will be marked with a ★

If I missed any, please let me know.

ACT 1

0/23 transcribed.

The End of the Beginning Shadows of Ancient Arlathan In Entropy’s Grasp Shadows Crossing The Singing Blade The Enemy of My Enemy Into the Crossroads Sea of Blood Winding Ways The Smuggled Relic Case Friends in Hidden Places Shadows of Minrathous In Peace, Vigilance A Warden’s Best Friend On Deadly Wings On Blighted Wings Completing The Veilguard The Dragon Slayer Where the Dead Must Go Shades of the Blight Something Wrong A Change on the Wind The Siege of Weisshaupt

ACT 2

0/17 transcribed

After The Storm Bloodbath The Cobbled Swan Case The Cauldron A Fighting Chance Fire and Ice Unwanted Guests Grim Bonds Blood of Arlathan Words of the Wolf Legacies and Legends For the Love of Treviso To Act as One When Plans Align The Shadowed Sun Isle of the Gods A Cage for Gods

ACT 3

0/4 Transcribed

The Dragon and The Dread Wolf The Last Gambit One Last Breath The Dread Wolf Rises

[davtranscriptions]

Transcription Master-Masterpost

The masterpost that will eventually lead to every other masterpost. Once they're up, anyway.

Will be constantly updated as masterposts are created.

There likely won't be any complete masterposts for some time, but when there is they will be marked with a 🌟

Main Quests

Side Quests

Companion Quests

Companion Banter

Companion Romance

[davtranscriptions]

Here it is! Nothing on it yet (besides this post). But I'm planning on making separate posts for each part and then linking them in one giant masterpost.

I’m gonna start transcribing stuff as a fanfiction resource. I’ll post a list of things I need to transcribe. Maybe do individual ones for different things so I can actually link other posts? Like, one for companions, for example.

Maybe I should make a separate blog for this.