milly0309

[milly0309]

da2 isn't the best dragon age game *because* it's openly a tragedy, but being a tragedy forces a level of narrative coherence that the other games in the series don't have, and *that's* what makes it a better game.

okay, so. dragon age 2 runs on nested foreshadowing and a limited set of themes that almost every character and plot beat fall into: love is not enough, wealth is not enough, power is not enough, good intent is not enough. the problems you run into are structural, rather than individual, and your ability to resolve them as one person is strictly limited. the arishok is a central figure for this, because he prefigures every other tragedy and makes the game's thesis statement as clear as possible. he doesn't want to be in kirkwall, but he is compelled to remain until he gets back what was stolen. he doesn't want to lead a coup attempt, but he is compelled by qunari codes of justice to act. he does not want to die and fail his duty, but but he is compelled to by the other two impossible demands. every tragedy in kirkwall is the result of too many people with wildly different definitions of justice crammed into one place specifically designed to maximize human misery and suffering, and so you get a wonderfully nested narrative onion where each quest reinforces that idea, where there are no good options, just positions you can take — even the affinity system plays into that, where constantly gassing up your friends or constantly pushing them to change are equally correct ways to go, but ones that won't ultimately make a huge difference in their lives or characters, because no matter how much they like you, they're not under your control.

this coherence is even justified by the framing device. of *course* the moral of the game is "insisting on a dogmatic, narrow idea of justice destroys individuals and societies," it's a yarn being spun by varric the con artist to a chantry cop!

neither origins or inquisition play with that sort of narrative complexity. origins is a jaundiced hero's quest, certainly, but it's still basically a hero's quest; inquisition has a number of characters who question what you're doing and why, but the multitude of voices pulls the game in too many potential directions. DA2 was so constrained in its production that it pulled on decidedly ancient theatrical traditions, and it worked so, so well

[milly0309]

Writing Description Notes:

Updated 9th September 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Facial Expressions

Masking Emotions

Smiles/Smirks/Grins

Eye Contact/Eye Movements

Blushing

Voice/Tone

Body Language/Idle Movement

Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted

Silence

Memories

Happy/Content/Comforted

Love/Romance

Sadness/Crying/Hurt

Confidence/Determination/Hopeful

Surprised/Shocked

Guilt/Regret

Disgusted/Jealous

Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried

Anger/Rage

Laughter

Confused

Speechless/Tongue Tied

Fear/Terrified

Mental Pain

Physical Pain

Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Eating

Drinking

Warm/Hot

[milly0309]

Got to give Owlcat props for writing one of the best “I can fix him” romances I’ve seen in a long time with Heinrix because it works so well in an iconoclast playthrough because it’s not like you’re changing Heinrix as a person, you’re just giving him permission to be kind, to be merciful, to be a person after so many years of being abused and dehumanized into a weapon for a facist police state to use to abuse and dehumanize others. Getting Heinrix to leave the Inquistion feels so good because it’s allowing him to make his own decision about who he is and who he wants to be for perhaps the first time in his life and he’s choosing to be Heinrix, not Interrogator van Calox, not a tool for the Inquisition but just a man.

[milly0309]

A Kiss At Dawn . 2024

Another piece of Heinrix and Rogue Trader for deary @milly0309 ! Thank you so much, I love working on these 2 pieces for you, it was very freeing and inspiring for me!

________ Timelapse will open on Jan 8th 2024 for paid Patreon members, go subscribe to me on: patreon.com/nananarc. You can commission me on my website: nananarc.art/

[milly0309]

"you are the one bright light in kirkwall" says the guy who, at great risk to his own safety and freedom (and probably health), runs an illegal free clinic for the poor and refugees which people are literally told to find by "looking for the lit lantern" I'm so ill. he doesn't even see his own light.

[milly0309]

Keep it together, Van Calox. prints | patreon

[milly0309]

study of my new husband 🖤

[milly0309]

Commission done by MIAU (_miau@plurk).

Been obsessed with my RT and her interrogator since I got my hands on this game. My dysthymic disorder has largely improved ever since. The magic of pixel boyfriends I suppose?

[milly0309]

Heinrix Voice Lines | Romance

"I swear my eternal loyalty...to you"

[milly0309]

The tall, dark-haired man sizes you up with a quick glance; a supernatural chill is making the air around him crackle softly. "Interrogator van Calox, I presume?"

"Yes", - The man turns away slightly to clear his throat. The room starts to get noticeably warmer.

[milly0309]

TAIWAN CAN HELP.

[Taiwan was wrongly accused!!?]

“Three months ago, this attack came from Taiwan. We need to be honest. I will be straight today. From Taiwan,” ?????

Please stop false accusations! Taiwan was still electing the president three months ago, and we have never racially discriminated because he was a black man! Instead, we protested against his contempt for the epidemic. From the beginning, we tried to express to WHO the severity of the epidemic, which is not as simple as China said. But because we are not a member, we are ignored as a country that is not worthy of China ’s recognition, so We can only protect ourselves by ourselves!. We strive to keep to this day. Taiwan ’s medical care is recognized by the world, and we also strive to call everyone to beware, so Taiwan can control So stable, even though we are next to China, because Taiwan ’s information is transparent and open, and it is a democratic country where we can exchange and discuss with each other.

However, he transferred the fault of his own judgment error to Taiwan. He believed that he was forced to step down and take responsibility because Taiwan. He began to attack us. This is obviously wrong. We have always called for cooperation, but from the beginning, he ignore us because of his political position (At the time he thought we were making a fuss…) Isolated us. Is it difficult to admit mistakes ?? Now everyone have fight THIS epidemic! We are still working hard, please don’t attack Taiwan because you are challenged.

We are a democratic country. Taiwan has experienced same-sex marriage equality, and strives to accept diversified remarks, and strives to increase the production capacity of masks to protect ourself and others, and many people will not attack others because of racial discrimination.

TAIWAN CAN HELP

[milly0309]

Zevran was requested by my Patrons last month, and I couldn’t get that image out of my mind of him as a fire poi performer (from this post by @kirkwallgirl)

If you like my art, consider becoming my Patron in return for some neat rewards!

[milly0309]

Sonnie’s Edge fanart

[milly0309]

sometimes you want to go someplace where everybody knows your name

[milly0309]

The Hero of Ferelden. 

[milly0309]

My lovely Dot

[milly0309]

Life is a journey, don’t be afraid to see where it takes you.