#archon dorian pavus

[mywitchcultblr]

"Hold on, is that... Archon Pavus's husband? The rebel mage from Ostwick? The inquisitor?"

"Yes, look at his outrageous jewelry and outfit, probably costed thousands of sovereigns."

"I heard Lord Trevelyan bought the late Empress Celene's Petit Trianon château for College of Enchanters mages, scandalous!"

"He told magisters who complained about their bonuses cut to 'tighten their belt' and 'just eat some cake!' I mean, the nerve! Trevelyan wanted Archon Pavus to use the extra fund for qunari and elven orphanages... What a waste!"

"Some Orlesian called him Monsieur Dèficit."

"Clearly, Lord Trevelyan has artistic temper."

Gossips about Lord Francois Trevelyan at The Archon Palace in Minrathous. Although he was a hero who hailed by many as a harbinger of equality and freedom; Lord Trevelyan's 'radical' progressive politics, influence, and expensive spending habits were not popular amongst conservative nobility in Thedas. 9:50 Dragon.

[sulky-valkyrie]

Calloused hands in soft hands prompt for Dorian/Fenris?

this went a little sideways on me, but I hope you like it anyway! for @dadrunkwriting

~~~

I hate him, Dorian thought sullenly.  It was just a small fire, everyone makes mistakes.  Granted, most people don’t make them in the middle of a garden party while trying to show off for Rilienus, but that wasn't the point.  That topiary was dry as a desert and it could've happened to anyone.

But it had happened to him.  And now he was banished from the party like a bloody child.  It wasn’t my fault.  He hadn't meant to use fire at all, just call a few spirits up and make the bush dance.  And everything had been going fine until Rilienus touched his arm.  It made him feel hot and cold and nervous and powerful and he’d lost control immediately and then everything turned into fire.  You’re an idiot, he wasn’t even that cute.

He lingered in the entranceway.  Sitting bored in the carriage for hours seemed worse than whatever punishment he'd get for disobeying.  Maybe he could hide in the library.  Danarius always boasted that he had a collection to rival the Archon's, and there hadn't been any specific directive from his father on exactly how soon Dorian should begin his exile, only that he needed to get out of his sight immediately.

Fuck it.

He turned and headed deeper into the mansion.  The library wasn’t hard to find, and while he wasn’t convinced it was quite the jewel of Minrathous that people said it was, it certainly was larger than the one at home.  Ancient scrolls and tomes covered the walls, next to gilded copies of the Chant of Light and transcripts of famous speeches given in the Magisterium.  He picked through them at random, finally settling on a ragged stack of parchment covered in swirling silver and blue lines scrawled with Ancient Tevene.

"Altus Pavus."

He dropped them in guilty surprise.  A dark-haired elf about his age was standing in the doorway.  Had his father caught him out already?  "What?"  he asked haughtily, trying to put as much disdain into the single word as his mother could.

"You were ordered to return to the carriage."  The elf's voice was soft, but not timid.

"Go away."  He crouched down to pick them up, keeping an eye on the slave.  He was one, no doubt about it.  "I'm conducting important research."

The elf looked puzzled.  "You were ordered to return to the carriage," he repeated.

"Are you my keeper now?  I've got enough of those already."  The design was eye-catchingly mesmerizing, and looked like it connected from one page to the next.

“Those are not yours.”  The elf slapped the papers away, pointedly not touching him, but coming very close.  No slave would dare lay a hand on a citizen, except in defense of their master, but this one was toeing that line.  Dorian grabbed for them, and caught his hand instead.  It was rough and calloused, and felt nothing like he’d expected.  And what had he expected, anyway?  Skin was skin, whether it was on an elf or a human or a dwarf.  Qunari skin was different, he’d heard; something to do with that strange poisonous shit they smeared on themselves, but why had he been so surprised that aside from the ragged fingernails and the rough spots, a slave’s hand felt no different?

The elf jerked away like Dorian had burned him.  “You need to leave,” he insisted.

Would any of the slaves at home guard the library so zealously?  “What’s your name?” he asked.  Perhaps he could convince his Father to make a purchase. 

“Leto.” He started to say something else, but -

“Damien, haven’t you damaged enough of my property tonight?”  Danarius loomed in the doorway.  He wasn’t a particularly tall man, but looming was just what he did.

Dorian pursed his lips in disgust.  “It’s Dorian, and I was just leaving.”  He pushed his way past Leto.  “Lovely party, sorry about the possessed on fire topiary.”

If Danarius had anything to say after that, he didn’t catch it.  Perhaps there were worse things than sitting bored in a carriage.

[kiastirling-fanfic]

happy friday! for one of your Lavellans perhaps, "‘the only thing that makes them listen is power.’" from the circe prompts?

Happy friday indeed! I'm not sure how this is the scene I decided on but here's some just-barely-before-Trespasser Atrian Lavellan/Dorian Pavus, when Atrian learns what Dorian's planning for Tevinter.

@dadrunkwriting

“You know what you’re planning here,” Atrian sucked in a harsh breath as the depth of Dorian’s notes truly struck him. When had it started? “If you do this, everything in Tevinter changes.”

“Yes, well, I suppose I have to do something to live up to your legend, haven’t I?” Dorian coughed into his hand, clearly discomfited by the wonder in Atrian’s voice. “Perhaps I’ve simply come to realize that my homeland needs some changes.”

“This isn’t ‘some’.” Atrian released one slow breath. It was ambitious, but if Dorian had the allies he thought he did, even if the Inquisition didn’t help him openly it would change so much. Freeing the slaves was only a single facet. “You’ll be a modern day Andraste.”

“Does that make you Mafarath? No, don’t answer Amatus, I don’t think I want this particular analogy to go any further.” He’d learned his lesson about Atrian’s witty tongue apparently. It had only taken him a few years. “So. What do you think? Really?”

“I think I want to drag you up to my tower. And that you deserve all the wine.”

“While that is sweet and very tempting, you know that isn’t what I meant.”

“I’m- Dorian, I’ve never been so glad we had a shouting match in the middle of Haven. Really. But Archon? Do you think you can do it?”

“Well it’s- it’s not strictly necessary to make things work but- well, you know how these people are. Take Orlesian nobility, make them all mages and wedge the sticks another foot up their asses and you get the picture. Also the blood magic but I'm not sure where that fits in the analogy. Maybe that's the frilly cakes. You know there’s little else that will get their attention; the only thing that makes them listen is power. Else the only other option is likely a civil war, and I’d rather like to avoid it.”

“If that’s what it takes.” Atrian nibbled his lip. “I’ll do what I can to convince the Council to back you up-”

“That’s another thing I wanted to talk to you about, actually. I don’t want the Inquisition involved if we can avoid it. A revolution created by outsiders, especially ones affiliated with the Southern Chantry, it wouldn’t work. We’re proud people, and if there’s even the slightest inkling that it’s the work of outside forces- it wouldn’t take. Because it wouldn’t be Tevinter reforming itself, and slavery and the blood magic- it would return in our lifetime, if I succeed on those terms.”

Dorian’s words were a blow, much as Atrian understood. “You’re leaving then.” Alone. Atrian had thought he might finally lay down his mantle and follow, but if Dorian needed him to stay in the South… “When?” It hurt.

“After your grand hearing at the Winter Palace, I suppose. I’d rather not leave you alone to handle it, and Maevaris says there’s a bit more to do to lay the groundwork for my return. But it can’t be long after. I… I hear my father has taken ill, and I should at least do my filial duty to sit at his death bed if it’s come to that.”

“Of course.” Atrian didn’t really try to keep the hurt from his voice, so it was no surprise that Dorian noticed this time.

“Amatus, I- I won’t be gone forever you know. A few years perhaps. Or you could come to Tevinter, just not- not immediately.”

“You’re right, Vhenan.” Atrian took Dorian’s hand from his cheek and pressed a kiss into the palm. “It won’t be long. Besides, you’ve spent all this time as the Inquisitor’s man, perhaps it’s time we reverse that a bit.”

The nobles wanted the Inquisition dismantled? That worked just fine for Atrian. He’d not leave Dorian along in the viper’s nest for long, not if he could help it.

[delicatefade]

wip wednesday - The Veil Falls over Tevinter

I got tagged by @nirikeehan on Jan 11th. Still counts, right? I'm working on a post-Veil fic, a sequel to my published post-Trespasser solavellan fic. A couple of you don't want spoilers of the sequel (looking at gabs and narra) so I am putting it under the "read more!" wc: 535 Tagging @mindfogger | @inquisimer | @anneapocalypse | @brainworm-terrarium | @demarogue | @ir0n-angel | @kirkwallsokayesthero | @melisusthewee | @queenaeducan-writes | @roguelioness

In the Tevinter capital of Minrathous, Magister Dorian Pavus sat on the roof of his estate with his boyfriend Lukas and his closest friend and political ally, Magister Maevaris Tilani. They sat on a woven blanket and shared a bottle of Antivan wine. Their attention was turned up towards the eerie beauty of the dying sky. The deep purple of the Tevinter night had blanched to a bone white, and that color was now being replaced with a green so pale Dorian could not say whether or not his eyes were playing tricks. Dorian’s moneyed neighbors had also gathered on their roofs to watch the Veil draw its final curtain. They lifted their glasses to each other in rare and buoyant camaraderie, borne both of wartime nationalism and the need to maintain morale in the midst of this millennium’s greatest calamity. Magister Irian Amladaris called over to Dorian across the alley between their estates and shouted, “Is that the best the Dread Fucker’s got?” Dorian grinned thinly and lifted a glass to acknowledge Amladaris, who just last month had tried to censure Dorian in the Magisterium. Hours ago, graduates from the Circle of Magi had lined the city wall and erected a massive, magenta shield over the city. The Siccari, Tevinter’s mage spies, had gotten a lucky and timely break. The city’s readiness was proof of the Imperium’s power and the shield assuaged the fears of its people, for now. The lower castes congregated in the main square outside The Needle, the tall, thin building that served as Archon Radonis’ residence. The Archon’s voice boomed throughout the public square and to every corner of the city. …No nation is better prepared to face this threat than our Imperium. The continent knows no better mages than ours. Throughout our long history, Tevinter has persevered against impossible odds. We do not know what lies ahead, but we know what has always been unchanging: Our glory is divine. We rejoice in the Maker’s gift of magic and in turn he smiles on us. The Imperium has never been stronger… Had the Imperium never been stronger? He and Maevaris had founded the Lucerni caucus in the senate to answer that very question. He met Maevaris’ eye and saw his skepticism reflected in her stare. Decades of complacency, corruption, and lethargy had made Tevinter’s institutions weaker than they ought to be. But all the same Dorian wanted to believe in the greatest of his country, in its ability to come together to do incredible and inspiring things, and to survive the villainy of a wicked elven god. He wondered what Solas was doing at that very moment, and if Eilan was with him. He wondered if she had fought until the bitter end, or had she, as Dorian feared, joined Solas willingly. He bristled at the latter, could not believe it. He imagined Eilan alone somewhere, unable to stop Solas, regretting her poor decisions and impotence. His lip curled as he blamed her for her role in The Fall, but his anger was tempered with pity. Had she made better decisions, would it have made any difference in the end? Did she worry about Dorian as Dorian worried about her?

[midnightprelude]

Major Arcana: Justice

Written by @oftachancer and I for the @30daysofdorian event!

Masterpost | First | Previous | Next

CW: conversion therapy (aftermath); successful blood magic ritual; recovering from trauma; adopted children

The sound of the portal opening in the courtyard was like a clap of thunder, shaking the walls and shaking the manor’s denizens. Rilienus was huddled on a chaise, his first foray into the sunshine in days, and the light had been stinging his eyes. He was tired. His father was, too; he knew just by looking at him. They were, he thought grimly, looking far worse for wear than Felix and that was an accomplishment. Rilienus still couldn’t quite taste anything yet and swallowing anything remotely cool felt like blades of glass cutting up the inside of his neck, so he swallowed mouthfuls of kava and tea praying for the heat to salve the ache and tried not to notice the worried glances Dorian and his mother shared. 

But the portal. 

No one should have been able to open the portal. No one outside of their family. No one but-

“You.”

Flowing robes as radiant as the sunset and a broad gilded helm with cloth of gold streaming over his shoulders. Radonis. 

Fuck.

Rilienus tried to stand up, wincing. “Your radiance,” he croaked.

“You,” Radonis pointed at him, stalking across the courtyard. “You are supposed to solve problems. Not bring them to me unfinished and then disappear- Maker’s breath, you look as though you’ve been poisoned with kaddish powder.” He paused. “…have you?”

Rilienus winced. “I’m afraid so.” He cleared his throat. “And my father.”

Marius gave a weak wave from where he had given up trying to stand. “Your radiance.”

“My mother, Auna. My fiancé, Dorian.” Rilienus grimaced. “Mother- could you… that probably woke the twins.”

She glanced between him and the Archon, waiting until he waved a hand before she dipped a curtsy and headed off towards the children’s room. 

“Your radiance,” Dorian said, dropping into a low bow. “Our sincerest apologies for not anticipating your arrival. I would be happy to fetch anything you require-“

“Water,” Radonis removed his helm, resting it on his lap as he took a seat across from Rilienus. “That will be all.”

Dorian glanced at Rilienus, frowning, then followed Auna back into the manor.

“Halward Pavus was arrested at his home in Qarinus and brought to Minrathous for questioning and, eventually, a trial. We have yet to locate the blood mage.” Radonis’ face was 

locked in an almost perpetual frown. Rilienus had only seen him smile when one of his many cats was nearby. “It has been a very, very long time since I’ve seen evidence of a pool of power that large that didn’t result in abject failure.”

“Not abject failure,” Marius corrected, “but my son managed to reverse some of the effects of the spell.”

“That is… reassuring.” Radonis nodded, studying him. “Infighting between the great houses during broad daylight- You can understand my irritation, I’m sure.”

“I understand it and share it.” Rilienus curled his fingers around the clay mug of hot tea, feeling the warmth pour in from all sides. The sunshine. The water. They’d arrested him. Caught him. Gods, Dorian- “They're quite sure they’ve actually collected him and not one of his seemings?”

“I was assured the appropriate tests for simulacra and illusion were conducted. Yes. He went quietly with the Templars. Only a handful of people know and of them, only you and I are aware of the entire story.”

“I have no intention of making the scenario public, your radiance,” Rilienus told him, the words sawing at his raw throat. “I would not bring shame to your office if I can help it.”

“Your discretion is appreciated, as always, Rilienus. Particularly as it was Halward’s request as well, in exchange for providing detailed information on the Maleficar. A quiet abdication and indefinite imprisonment.”

Abdication? He’d tried to kill Rilienus and his father and now he was willing to abdicate? Impotent fury swelled in Rilienus’ chest and caught painfully with sorrow as Dorian carried a pitcher of water and glasses from the house. Rilienus dampened his lips and reached for him once Radonis had been served. “What would you have of us, your radiance? If he’s confessed-“

“He has.” Radonis sipped casually from his glass, sighing. He reached into his pocket and handed a golden letter with a dark seal to Dorian. “I don’t normally play messenger, but in this instance, I thought it appropriate.”

Dorian frowned, taking the missive in hand, scanning the official document.

“Congratulations, Magister,” Radonis hummed, tapping his fingertips against the glass. “My office will require statements from the three of you, upon your return to Minrathous.”

Dorian blinked, reading the paper again. “There’s no way my father- He’s alive, still, is he not?”

“Oh, yes.” Radonis’ frown deepened. “Alive and revealed. I’ve known him since my ascendance-“ He trailed off with a grim shake of his head. “A full audit of the council and the senate will be required sooner rather than later, Rilienus. No more snakes in the garden, understand?”

“Yes, your radiance,”  Rilienus agreed, pressing the cup to his chest, then peered at Dorian. “What is it?”

“He kept me as his heir, even after all this.” Dorian wrinkled his nose. “I’m to take his place in the Senate.”

About fucking time was all Rilienus could think, then- still work to be done. Still weaves of the spell to untangle. He seemed improved, in parts, but there were still whole swaths of Dorian’s memories yet to be uncovered. He glanced at his own father, draped in linen blankets and cradling his own tea. What if there was something else? What other aspects of Dorian’s heart and mind had Halward sought to alter? How could they find them- return Dorian to himself- without knowing where to look? “It sounds as though you might keep your name,” Rilienus murmured, his gaze traveling over Dorian’s features, “if you want it.”

“I…” He folded the parchment and tucked it into his pocket. “Yes. It does seem like a possibility.” Dorian ducked his head. “I’m sorry for the trouble my family has caused you, your radiance.”

“Sorry? I’ve lost a counselor I’ve relied upon for years-“ Radonis’ broad bushy brows drew together in consternation. “I’ve discovered,” he amended, “that a counselor I’ve relied upon for years is unstable, not to mention false. Are you unstable, Dorian Pavus?”

“If I am, it’s only from the remnants of the spell my father ensnared me with, your radiance. I would suggest, if you’re amenable, submitting myself to a full medical and arcane examination before being allowed to make any decisions that could affect others outside of my house.” Dorian rested his hand on Rilienus’ shoulder. “We aren’t yet certain of the extent of damage it caused.”

Radonis narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “Very well. I’ll send someone out.” He paused. “…you’ve attended nearly every Circle in this country.”

“I bored easily as a youth.”

“And you were under the mentorship of Gereon Alexius.”

“I was, for nearly a decade.”

“Where is he now.”

“South, outside of our borders. He left while I was… interned at my father’s house.”

Rilienus glanced between them, trying to read into Radonis’ narrowed gaze. 

“South where.”

“He was in the Free Marches, when last he wrote to his son. He didn’t say where he was headed from there.” 

Radonis watched Dorian for what felt like ages, still and studying. “You will tell me if you or young master Alexius receive word.” He rose, settling his helm onto his head and rolling his shoulders back. “An assessment and an audit. You will both present yourselves to me the moment you return to Minrathous.”

“Of course, your radiance. Your offices will be our first stop when we return to the city.” Dorian cleared his throat, glancing at Rilienus, then the Archon. “You’ll also be receiving an invitation to our wedding, within the month. I do hope you’ve time in your schedule for a bit of leisure, your excellency.”

“In Minrathous. Nihalius will ordain it. The Maker knows we need a distraction from the current mess. That will do. Good thinking.” Radonis dusted his hands together, striding to the blackened circle that his arrival had left behind. “Two months. Rilienus, schedule it,” he added, waving a hand, and cracked the air open to step into a portal. “Look less like the living dead by then. This isn’t Nevarra.” 

It snapped shut behind him with a sizzle.

“A marriage ordained by the Divine himself,” Marius croaked, sitting up slightly. “Well done, my boy. Or should I say, Magister.”

“Not until I’ve been cleared,” Dorian murmured. 

“I’ll get back to it,” Rilienus assured him, squeezing his hand. “As soon as I’m able.”

“You’ll rest,” Dorian lowered himself to sit beside him, easing Rilienus’ head into his lap. 

It wasn’t what they’d wished for. It wasn’t what they’d planned. The simple ceremony with their friends and family in the orchard at sunset. The quiet joy. But it was… something. Spectacle, yes. Distraction. But also acknowledgement. 

Why had Radonis been asking about Alexius? What did he want with Dorian? 

“I’ll rest,” he agreed quietly, settling into the sensation of Dorian’s fingers through his hair. “And then we’ll finish bringing you home.”

[dalishious]

Am i misremembering, or in Half up Front did the main characters (its been a While sorry i cant remember their names rn) mention being hired a while back to steal from the archon, which backfired and got one of them injured, by a *Pavus*?? Cuz if so, its obviously dorian who would have done so, and ive seen absolutely no one mention it

Yes, they refer to “the Pavus job”. I think they were hired by Dorian.

“But they keep that—I mean, it’s in the Archon’s palace. Remember the Pavus job?” “Every time it’s cold.” “How did they manage that?” she mused, her interest clearly piqued.

She looked at me levelly. “Pride. That Pavus job. The Archon’s palace beat you—and now you want a chance to try again. Make up for your mistakes. Because you can’t stand not being the best.”

[nerd-elf]

DA4 just can't get fast enough

[trashwarden]

is dorians and felixs relationship in the bloodlines au more tense than in the regular parents au? you mentioned how you feel felix would be more bitter in the bloodlines au :(

It is! Mostly due to both of them never really working through their grief properly - Dorian isn’t the best example in this area. They both feel a great deal of bitterness. Blame a lot of people for what happened. On top of that Dorian had become overly protective, terrified to lose Felix as well, in result making his son feel like his stuck in a golden cage.

They love each other very much but Vax’s topic is the big elephant in the room. Instead of helping each other heal they try to do it separately which takes way longer and makes things a bit awkward between them. But despite it all, Dorian did a pretty good job raising Felix on his own, just like Fenera said ;)

For unaware peeps, here is where you can read Bloodlines, amazing story written by my dear @jessicapendragon

Also a redraw of old sketch for that merry occasion 😌

[nomouthtospeakof]

another round of ‘SHUT UP ABOUT MUSIC SHUT UP ABOUT MUSIC’ but i’m reading the lyrics from principium by the arcadian wild and losing my gd MIND thinking about dorian n his father. all the insanely complicated feelings and love there between them and the combination of halward loving dorian as an extension of himself, dorian internalizing the idea that he’s bad and wrong while still resisting the temptation of taking the easy road and following his father’s footsteps and what’s expected of a tevinter altus, and dorian still loving his father and his homeland despite everything they’ve done to him, despite the fact that he maybe shouldn’t. and all the horrendous guilt and self-blame dorian carries with all of that.

ok im gonna put the lyrics that are making my brain insane under a read more bc it’s a teeny bit long but. i want a collection. n also to share the brain rot.

Spring: Wake

You are prince of all you see I’d like us to care for it together You just look so much like me My affections for you have no measure

Summer: Walk

Go and play among the beasts, and never once know shame You can roam around without a fear, just remember your name //

Keep your eyes on me, watch and learn how to be If you keep ahold of me, you will truly be free

The sky is clear for all etеrnity This ground is yours; what more could you ever need?

Fall: War

You gave me all your love I thought there was more Chaos, she politely knocked So I opened the door

I saw my nakеd form In a moment shame was born; I hid my face

You camе back down to earth And find I had cursed the world you made

You gave me all your love, but I love makin’ war Chaos, she politely knocked So I opened the door I looked from left to right for somebody to blame I believed a viper and grew a pair of fangs

Winter: Will

What once was whole has chosen defection I felt the chaos, and came with her the hail Hail, hail creation; long live your volition Will we go on like we deserve a pardon As we walk out of the garden //

I was living in a paradise, but now I fight A war against my own name and I’m fighting all alone Gained, I have, the world; lost, have I, everything else

[mywitchcultblr]

Dorian pavus supporting slavery

Jesus fucking Christ on a tricycle you missed out a lot of dragon age stuff eh?

Post trespassers once he went back to Tevinter and took his father's seat as a magister, Dorian became the only magister who no longer have slaves. I support him to be Archon and to do a reform (Francois support him too because Dorian is his husband and they are both progressive, also Dorian the only ones besides Mae who is strong enough to change Tevinter)

[enrychan]

just two old men reuniting after a couple of years of long distance relationship

[capricious-and-melodramatic]

Birthright

You can find it all on here

"You only got here thanks to your birthright, if Howard had enough brains, he would have disowned you years ago, or had another child anyway. Kill you off, train a better one, not some bastard son who fled to the southerners, at least you fucked the inquisitor, shame she didn't like you enough to keep you around. You really must be that bad." The woman was deathly white, hair a lovely shade of blood and a voice so shrill it drove the dogs mad. A magister with a daughter almost ready to take her seat, Vespia made sure to remind Dorian he didn't belong. "To think, I even considered an alliance to House Pavus. Ugh, I wouldn't even let you marry my knife eared stable girl."  

 "Your Elven Stable girl deserves better then you anyway.” Dorian muttered. Vespia didn’t hear him and just kept prattling on. It reminded him of the random hens the Inquisitor had acquired one outing into the Hinterlands. Lovely little ladies, puffy cheeks but always complaining about something.  

 "She is from a proud line, Magister Pavus. You should be honored to consider it. With my House and its connection, you wish you could be like me."    

 "And how did you get here? Ah, that's right no one can be bother killing a pathetic house like yours. I'm sure the Archon keeps your house here just for the occasional laugh. I know I get one when every I see you face."  

 "I'm really surprised it hasn't fallen off. What blood magic are you using to keep yourself together?"  Dorian quipped.  

 Vespia sneering at Dorian and Maevaris. Dorian was trying to keep his calm, but this was the 3rd time he had to deal with Vespia and her kin in the last week, and the 8th time he had to deal with comments of his sex life in the south.  

 First it was with a random, Orlesian's noble he'd never heard of, one with Commander of the Inquisition forces (The letter he had sent after that conversation had a prompt reply from Elena saying she needed a good laugh and Cullen ‘may never look you in the eyes ever again’) and another with inquisitor, to which most forgot there was 2, or happily erased from their memory that one was a Tal Vashoth. They must have decided to change it, the lower parts of the city heard about Adaar. Dorian wondered who had told them.  

  Maevaris walked past Vespia, waving ever so politely, "We must be off dear, we will see you for the Archon ball though?" She smiled.  Dorian let out a bow and followed suit, catching up to Maevaris.    

 "On one hand, I would appreciate her out of my life. On the other…"  

 "Her daughter is there to take her place."  Vespia was getting on, with every day she looked more and more like a corps, rumors had it she was really dead and someone else was pulling the strings. Even so, they would rather her then her daughter. Her daughter had already aligned herself with House Danarius and cozied her way up to some of the older houses. Her daughter, who after a decade or more, reappeared to take her mother's side. After a decade of Vespia claiming she had no daughter. She had her own son killed for not getting married, Dorian’s guess that the daughter was allowed back because the son had failed. Vespia knew her time was at an end, surely. Either by natural causes or by her daughter's hand.  

 As they both managed to get back to the Pavus Estate in one piece. The attempts on their lives, no matter how normal, where slightly less than normal. Thanks to no assassins getting past the hulking Mabari and the Vashoth that occupied the Estate temporarily.  

 “You know, we need to get away from here. I can't even sleep-in without some Assassins coming into the bedroom and trying to kill me. Granted they don’t last long, but still.” Arn had finished helping clean up the mess in the room. “Lucky I have Cupcake.”  

 They looked around; Cupcake was nowhere to be seen. “Cupcake?”  

 Maevaris was also missing. They heard the telling signs of a tail thumping against a wall in delight. In the hall, Maevaris was cuddling and kissing Cupcake. Praising her on all her good work.”  

 “You saved you Pappy! You’re such a good girl! Yes you are!” She praised Cupcake who was so happy to see Maevaris. “Who’s my precious baby, who’s good for there pappy? You are! Yes you are!”   Maevaris reached into her dress pocket to pull out some treats for Cupcake.  

 Dorian sighed loudly, “Must you keeping feeding the dog all those treats? She doesn’t listen to me as it is, I don’t need to be lower than everyone else in the dogs’ books.”  

 Maevaris smiled, Cupcake saw Dorian’s pouting and waddled over to give him some attention. Arms crossed; Dorian looked to the dog. “No, I'm not giving you any treats.”  

 Cupcake sat next to him, her big head resting gently on him.  

 “You want to give Dorian some love too.” Arn asked. Cupcake’s tail wagged as she whined at Dorian. He rolled his eyes and scratched her ears, which she loved. A large leg thumped on the floor in delight.  

 “You are a Ferelden through and through aren’t you dear?” He asked cupcake who let out a bark of agreement.  

 Arn put his hand around Dorian. “So how was your day?” he asked  

 “You know how it goes, give a compliment take a compliment, give an insult, take one. Constantly being threatened, ‘You don’t deserve your birthright’. Just usual things.” Dorian complained.  

 Arn leaned down to kiss him on the head, “We’ll me and Cupcake are glad you and Maevaris are here. Cupcake wouldn’t calm down until you arrived. She was worried.”  

 “Worried that she’d have to go back home with you if I died? The girl is too spoilt here.”  

 He could feel Arn frowning at him. Two large arms grabbed him into a cuddle. “You know you can come with me when I leave. You don’t have to be here. Maevaris can hold the fort.”  

 “And let her get all the credit? Perish the thought.”  

 Maevaris let out a chuckle, “It would hurt his ego too much, you know how he is My Dear, He must be the best.” She joked. “He’s just not happy being the best in his life, but apparently mine too. He left for how many years? And he came back like nothing had changed.”  

 Maevaris walked up to Arn, “Don’t worry dear, the Magisterium will break soon, you know how us politicians are. We don’t work, we just yell at each other.”  

 Arn looked to Dorian, “Does that mean--?”  

 “YES,” he Sighed. “We will both be down for Wintersend.”  

 “Oh no you don’t Pavus. I’m refuse to go down there in the snow.”  

 “If I must, so do you.”  

[midnightprelude]

Major Arcana: Temperance, Reversed

Written by @oftachancer and I for the @30daysofdorian event!

Masterpost | First | Previous | Next

CW: conversion therapy (aftermath); successful blood magic ritual; recovering from trauma; adopted children; attempted assassination

Rilienus’ tongue felt like a lemon peel, sour and oddly rippled and too thick for his mouth. Breathing hurt. He flexed his hands and found they tingled delicately in response, tiny needles gouging his fingertips. 

“There you are.” Baergeson, the Nevarran who had been helping with Felix’s potions and various ministrations, peered down at him through his thick lenses. “That was a nasty bit of work you had coursing through your system.”

“Rilienus?” Dorian roused from the chair next to the bed, his hair flat against the side of his head as though he’d been sleeping there. “Thank the Maker.” In a rush, he was kneeling at Rilienus’ side. “Your father woke up earlier this morning.”

“Hm.” Rilienus coughed weakly, easing up onto his elbows. “You- You’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Just worried.” He brushed sweat-damp curls back from Rilienus’ forehead. “Marius said you found him at the Senate? What were you doing in Minrathous?”

“Brought… evidence to Radonis.” He stretched his jaw tentatively. “Plini? Bella? Mada?”

“All safe. All well.” Dorian kissed his chin. “You both tumbled out of a correspondence portal in the study. Radonis. So you found what you needed?”

He nodded hesitantly. “I… It was important that it- He shouldn’t be on the council, with what- I had to bring it to the Archon. Can you understand?”

“You nearly died.” Dorian frowned, studying him. “In and out, you said. Nobody would know, you said.”

“Yes. Well.” He grimaced. “I saw your father.”

“You-“ Dorian hissed. “So that’s what happened.”

“I asked him to go peacefully. He was, as evidenced, disinterested.” He stretched his jaw again. “I should have waited. I- I was so- I wasn’t thinking.”

“You both could have died, Ril.” Dorian grimaced. “You’d have left Plini and Bella without a father. You’d have left me- I don’t know what to do without you. Do you understand?”

“I wasn’t thinking,” he repeated grimly. “I’m sorry. What do you want me to say? I saw him and it was all red and burning.”

“What did he say? What did you say to him?”

Rilienus closed his eyes. “He said you were missing. He said there were rumors I’d attacked you and then you’d gone missing.” How to tell this man that his father hadn’t seemed the least bit guilty nor regretful? How to tell him- “He said I didn’t understand sacrifice. I told him what I knew of sacrifice. I told him he could come with me to the Archon and seek mercy.”

“…and he did not.” Dorian dipped his chin. “A Pavus never fails.”

“He did.” Rilienus grasped Dorian’s chin, lifting it. “He did. I’m alive. You’re breaking free of his chains. He failed his plots. He failed you. Fuck him.”

“I wish he’d have gone with you,” Dorian admitted softly.

That. That goddamned heart. Too soft, Halward had said. Maybe it was. Too soft. Too full. Too strong. But that was part of him. That was part of what made Dorian quintessentially Dorian. Part of what made him think the way he did. Made him brilliant. Made him daring and impulsive. Made him powerful. “It would have been much less painful,” Rilienus agreed, bowing his head to rest on Dorian’s shoulder. “I want to see the kids.”

“I thought you would.” Dorian hugged him, rising to his feet. “I’ll go fetch them, shall I?”

Rilienus nodded slowly. “Pater- He’s… You said he was awake.”

“Yes. With a headache, but awake. Your mother made him eat a salad.”

“Salads heal everything.” Rilienus pinched the bridge of his nose. “Was it- Was it the same poison? Did we get- a sample? I need to add it to the evidence-“

“Ril. I don’t care about evidence.” He cupped Rilienus’ cheeks. “I care about you.”

“And I care about you. Which means I care about evidence. To keep you safe. To keep us all safe.” He brushed his lips against Dorian’s. “I need to write to Radonis. I need- Baergeson?”

“There may be some left from mixing the antitoxin. I’ll cork it for you.”

“Thank you.”

Dorian quirked his finger and parchment flew through the air, a quill and ink floating to rest on the side table next to him. “I’ll bring Plini and Bella. Do you need anything else, love?”

“You and a thousand gallons of apricot wine.” He caught Dorian’s hand and squeezed it. “You are exquisite and extraordinary. And mine. You’re very much mine.”

“I am,” Dorian agreed softly, a smile blooming across his face. “I’ll be back shortly.”

He took advantage of the time and silence to scratch out a weary note explaining his absence to Radonis: the timing and reasoning and perpetrator. It had to be done. He rolled the letter carefully and slipped it into the pocket that connected directly to Radonis’ vault. Just in case.

Plini launched himself across the room as soon as they returned, cuddling up against Rilienus’ side. “Papa. We went to see the honeybees today.”

“Did you?” Rilienus gathered him into his arms, resting his chin on the boy’s head. “I take it you enjoyed yourself. Did your pater show you the combs?” 

“He did! He showed us all inside the bee houses! There were so many! And Pater said that we call the main bee the Archon even though she’s a lady.”

“We do, indeed.” Rilienus kissed the top of his head. Light and wonder. Shy and sturdy. His son. The thought that he could ever look at Plini and want him to be anything other than the fantastical creature that he was, that he was becoming, was anathema. “Did your pater tell you that the first time he told me he loved me was over honeycomb?”

“Really?” Plini poked his cheeks, as though he were examining him. Bella stood with Dorian in the doorway, her hair in a messy braid, a leaf stuck to her cheek.  

“Really, really.” He held out a hand. “Bella? Did you have fun with the bees?”

“They have fuzzy, round bums.” She giggled, crossing over to him and joining her brother on the bed, her sticky fingers leaving stains on the sheets. 

“They do.” He squeezed her to his side. His. Two years ago, they’d been strangers. Now he couldn’t imagine a world without them. They were his. It didn’t matter a whit that they didn’t share his blood. What was blood in the face of love? Rilienus carefully plucked the leaf from her cheek. “You’re turning into a tree.”

“Like a dryad from the stories?” Her dark eyes lit with excitement. “Plin can already play the pipes like a goat-man.”

“Mmhmm.” Rilienus looked over her head at Dorian. His home. His family. “A dryad, a satyr, and a will’o’the’wisp. My triumvirate of forest sprites.”

“I’ll be back with your wine,” Dorian winked, as handsome as ever. He’d shaven away the beard in Rilienus’ absence, returning to his familiar curved mustache. “And some cinnamon cookies.”

“You spoil me.” He paused. “…you didn’t bake them, did you?”

Dorian rolled his eyes. “Your mother did.”

“Oh.” Relief. He met Dorian’s gaze with a little half smile, pillowing his cheek atop Isobel’s head. “Extraordinary,” he repeated. “Exhilarating.”

“I wouldn’t dare feed you anything I attempted to cook. I do like to have some self-esteem.”

“You made a wonderful salad,” Rilienus assured him with a little wink. “You can slice an apricot like no one else.”

“You don’t even like eating them sliced,” Dorian sniffed. “You like to eat them, skin and all, like a heathen.”

“Pater, can we have cookies, too?” Plini asked hopefully.

“One each, I think,” Dorian hummed thoughtfully. “You’ve both already had more than enough sugar, but I do think your papa’s return deserves a celebration.”

“Maybe you’ll sing for us?” Rilienus wondered, watching him. “Since it’s a celebration.” A celebration. Dorian’s father had tried to destroy Dorian, had tried to have Rilienus murdered, was still at large- but they were alive, they had each other. “What do you think?”

“Only if I’ve company.” Dorian crossed to him, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Welcome home, darling. We’ve missed you something fierce.”

[ringneckedpheasant]

Rules: Make a post recommending a fic you love from at least a year ago. Dust off the archives, dig through your AO3 history and share those old fics with newer fans who might not have seen them - and the fans who’ve been around forever and might want to revisit an old fave.

was tagged by @midnightprelude

How The Seeker Got Her Humph by coveredinfeels | T | 1/1 | 3,408

A meeting between Cassandra Pentaghast, Seeker-in-Training, aged sweet sixteen, and the (self-proclaimed) future Archon of Tevinter.

What could possibly go wrong?

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read this but I know I’ve read it more than once and found myself absolutely delighted by it every time. Don’t worry, it’s just a gen fic so there’s nothing shippy happening between Cassandra and Dorian.

making gen fics a theme for this friday

Nothing Like by breathtaken | T | 1/1 | 5,991

It isn’t that he dislikes Pavus. He doesn’t care nearly that much. He’s just so… Tevinter.

In which Dorian learns that he and Krem are less alike than he thought, and Krem learns they’re more.

I just. really love gen fics exploring Dorian’s relationships with other people, and Dorian and Krem are especially interesting to me because they have no canon interactions, but they would be Bound to have some opinions of each other, for good or for ill.

@queerspacepunk @merrybandofmurderers @deputychairman @youandthemountains if y’all want to participate!

[alenoah]

tell me more about this dorian guy. i’m intrigued about what you like about him.

Ok I will try to keep this short so I don’t accidentally write 500 words.

Dorian Pavus is so many things, all of which contribute to my love for him, but perhaps the thing I love about him most is how he loves. When Dorian loves something, he is unapologetic for his love of it; this isn’t to say he doesn’t call out its faults, (it’s usually the contrary) but he absolutely refuses to love something less because of someone else’s opinions.

For example, we have Tevinter, his homeland. It is hated by every other country in Thedas; a place where mages not only run free, but are treated as superior to non-mages. Everything has been kind of going to shit there as of late, most prominently a group of violent nationalists supporting a darkspawn (big evil man) that wants to be god. Dorian knows how bad Tevinter has gotten, but he continues to love his homeland. He knows it’s capable of change, and he wants to be the catalyst of that change.

He also loves his father, but it’s... a little more complicated than that (also I’m so tired of seeing people say he doesn’t even care about Halward because there’s a whole canonical conversation Cole has with Dorian about this). To break it down for you, Dorian is the heir to his father’s seat in Tevinter’s lawmaking body, but like every noble family in Tevinter, they want to train him to one day become Archon (the person with arguably the most power). “Every Tevinter family is intermarrying to distill the perfect mage, perfect body, perfect mind. The perfect leader. That means every perceived flaw, every aberration, is deviant and shameful; it must be hidden.” Dorian...did not want to hide who he is, didn’t want to marry a woman he hated and keep the Pavus line going. So Mr. Halward Pavus tries to do a Very Bad Thing with blood magic, but Dorian learns about his plan and runs away: to the south, to Fereldan. He certainly doesn’t ever forgive his father, but that’s his DAD, yknow? He’s loved him his whole life, and even with this evil, selfish act he wanted to do, even though in his anger with Dorian he said “you are no son of mine” and MEANT it, both parties still feel that love. It’s just tangled with anger and regret now.

This was very sloppy but I need to stop Now before I write a fifth full essay on this man so I will say one more thing. Dorian is a character about love & application. But he also gets to be a charming egoist with dramatic flair, as a treat.

[cheshirelives]

headcannons for F.T link below.

please read first:

https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Farchiveofourown.org%2Fworks%2F28208757&t=YjFlZjQ4MDZjODJiN2ZmOTI1NzE2NjVmYzY5Mzc5NWI5YWJiNTc0ZixjNjM0ODEyYzk5MzI4NDk3NDU1MzFkMGI4ZTk4MjVjODk4YWJmYjA5&ts=1608524541

ok so my thinking is this:

Tevinter is homophobic and a bad place to live if you are not upper class or a mage

Mommy and Daddy Pavus love Dorian and are ok with him being gay, they just don't like how/who he choses to sleep with. they want him to be with someone very high up- or very powerful to counite the good breeding of the family

they dont like how he goes to unsafe places-because he is the great-great-grandson of the Archon-others will want to kidnap him-there have been attempts before

were very thankful for Alexius: pulled their sons attention away form boys to work

were not happy about him finding love with a laetan, but had to admit he was powerful enough and handsome enough for their son

hated him for getting Dorian pregnant before they were married

if i think of anymore ill post them