#daughterofhighever blog

[quiisquiliae]

A reunion, of sorts.

Drabble for @daughterofhighever-blog and I's arranged marriage AU between Azriel Trevelyan and Elissa Cousland. Takes place after the attack on the Couslands, Elissa was taken to the Circle for safety by Duncan and Warden recruit Finn Tabris. Azriel has just arrived to retrieve her and guess who shows up to recruit help from the mages.

The ride had felt like a blur, despite how painfully long it had taken the pair to reach the Circle of Magi near Redcliffe. Word had first been received that the Couslands had been viciously slaughtered, and shortly after, word received that Elissa and their young daughter had escaped and been on their way to the Circle for safety. Azriel had spent the last ten days hauling ass, pushing his mare as fast as she could go to get to the Circle. He had to see if Elissa and Evie were ok. They had to be alive- right?

Rita's head hung low, exhausted by the pace they'd set the last several days as he and Alaric pulled up to the inn on the edge of Lake Calenhad. Alaric's mount wasn't faring much better.

"Let's ask the innkeeper if we can keep our horses here," Alaric suggested. "It's not like we can take them on the boat- or have any use for them at the tower."

Azriel was loathe to stop and make small talk, but he had to admit his brother had a point. His own mind was clouded with fear and anger, and it was good that at least one of them was thinking straight. He nodded, having not spoken much on the ride and dismounted, tying Rita to the rail.

"Let's just make it fast."

As they entered the inn, it was delightfully warm, the smell of hearty roast and stew wafting through the air. A pang in Azriel's stomach prompted him to realize he had forgotten the last time he'd eaten anything.

"Can I help ye?" The large, friendly looking innkeeper asked from behind the bar where he was drying some glasses. He eyed the pair, noting how tired and worn they looked. The blond looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. "We got a room open if yer lookin'."

"No, not right now," Azriel started. "Would it be at all possible if we could keep our horses here while we go to the Circle across the lake? We shouldn't be too long, I just need to get my wife and-"

He was cut off, as a large dog barked from upstairs excitedly, and came bounding down the stairs, jumping on him and toppling him over into a table behind.

"Hakkon!"

The dog barked happily, covering Azriel's face in slobbery kisses as Azriel cracked a smile for the first time in weeks, some of the weight having lifted from his chest. Figuratively speaking anyways, as there was a hundred plus pound Mabari pinning him down. If Hakkon was alive, then maybe-

"I take it he knows ye?" The innkeeper laughed. "He hasn't much let anyone around him or the babe since they were brought here. Certainly not me, and barely my wife."

"The babe?" Alaric looked at Azriel, who paused the petting of Hakkon to return the hopeful glance. "Then that means-"

"My daughter is here?" Azriel was pushing Hakkon off, looking at the innkeeper, hardly able to contain himself. "Where-"

"She's here, safe and sound," The innkeeper's wife said smiling, as she came down the stairs with Evie in her arms. Evie cooed and squealed in glee as soon as she saw her father, reaching her chubby little arms out to him. "It seems this little one belongs to you."

Azriel took Evie in his arms, holding her as tight as he dared and pressed his face into her soft red curls. For a moment, it seemed as though time had stopped. His daughter was safe. The toll the last few weeks had taken on him and the immense relief he felt right then was too much, and he started to cry silent tears into her little dress. They were only missing one more piece, and then everything would be ok again… Right?

"Thank you," he rasped out, voice breaking.

Alaric rested a hand reassuringly on his brother's back. "Where's Elissa? Evie's mother?" He asked the innkeeper.

The wife shook her head. "There was only a Chantry sister who came with the dog and baby. The mother- Elissa- stayed in the Circle. There's been a lot going on, and she was concerned for Evie's safety and so sent her here."

It was then that the door opened once more, and all four adults looked up to see who it could be. A redheaded elf entered, followed by a redheaded lady, a dark haired mage, and another young man. The men were wearing the classic blue and silver indicative of the Grey Warden order.

"Grey Wardens!" Alaric breathed softly, surprised. Hakkon wagged his nub of a tail, almost smiling at the elf. Azriel raised a confused eyebrow at the dog.

"Back so soon my friend?" The innkeeper asked, smiling.

The elf nodded, looking at Hakkon, offering his hand for the dog to sniff and receiving an affectionate lick in return. "Good to see you too. Both of you." He turned towards the innkeeper, as Hakkon and his own Mabari sniffed each other inquisitively. "Any word on what's going on? The Templar at the boat seems rather tight lipped."

"You're trying to get to the Circle too?" Alaric asked curiously.

Finn tilted his head, looking at the other. "We are. Why, are you? What business do you have there?"

"My wife is there," Azriel said. "I need to go get her."

"Dunno if you've heard, but apparently there's a Blight trying to start and we're hoping they could help us," the other man said.

The innkeeper shook his head, frowning. "They haven't let anyone over there in awhile since the mages returned from Ostagar. Something's going on with the mages. Dunno what, that fellow with the boat is pretty tight lipped."

"We're Wardens. They have to listen to us… Right?" Finn looked at Alistair, raising an eyebrow.

"Perhaps we could intimidate him into letting us cross," the mage offered.

Finn shook his head. "No. We're Wardens. I'll talk to him."

"Can I come with you?" Alaric asked. "I can fight- I've trained to be a Templar, but I haven't taken my vows just yet. I can handle a sword and bow though."

"You're a former Templar recruit too?" Alistair asked. "We should really start a club!"

"A club for former Chantry dogs who've since come to their senses?" The mage quipped.

"Morrigan!" The red haired lady admonished.

"We'd be happy to have you along." Finn reached out a hand and Alaric grasped it, both boys smiling. Finn turned to Azriel, still snuggling Evie close. "Are you coming as well?"

Azriel's stomach dropped to the floor. On one hand, he wanted desperately to go to his wife and make sure she was safe. On the other, he couldn't stand the thought of letting his daughter out of his sight again. Or even putting her down for that matter.

"We have a goat," the innkeeper's wife offered softly, seeing the concern written on his face. "She's been eating well here and has been an absolute delight. We wouldn't mind having her for a little longer."

Alaric rested his hand on his brother's back once more. "But no one will blame you if you stay. I promise I'll bring Elissa back safe and sound."

Azriel rested his lips against Evie's forehead and said a silent prayer for forgiveness and a promise to return to her quickly. I love you baby girl. Steeling himself to not cry again, he handed her back to the wife giving her a nod. "Please keep her safe for me."

"Of course I will," she responded solomnly, taking the babe in her arms once more.

"You keep an eye on them, got it?" Azriel said to Hakkon, who dutifully sat next to the wife and Evie.

"Alright. Let's go."

[persephoneggsy]

A sort of follow up to that, "What if Sebastian went to the Wardens instead of the Chantry?" what if...

So you think there was ever thought or discussion about Sebastian going the Templar route in his Chantry service, vs the sworn Brother route? Why or why not? What would a Templar!Sebastian's life end up looking like if it ever did happen?

So I actually had an AU for this — not Templar!Sebastian, but Seeker!Sebastian.

Apparently a Vael served as the leader of the Seekers (Alandra Vael, per the Dragon Age wiki), so instead of being sent to become a brother in the faith, Sebastian’s parents send him to the Seekers of Truth. He’s a bit older than their usual recruits, and he’s certainly more rebellious, but he shows great potential, so they accept him.

Sebastian fights against his training at first, and tries to escape multiple times. He’s always caught, however, and the senior Seekers treat his escape attempts as amusing distractions. Eventually, he has a talk with an older Seeker, Cassandra Pentaghast, who at first disliked him due to his arrogant nature and perceived selfish attitude. She offers him the chance to escape for good, but asks what he plans to do.

This causes him to realize that he has nowhere to go. His family won’t take him back, they might even send him somewhere worse. He breaks down at this revelation, causing Cassandra to feel pity for him. She tells him that the Seekers are a good and noble group, and she thinks he could do very well here, if he chooses.

He calms down and returns to the Seekers. Cassandra opts to supervise his training herself, and true to her word, once he applies himself, he does very well. Archery remains his primary skill, but with some help from Cassandra, he becomes a passable swordsman as well. He also takes his studying more seriously and turns more to his faith.

Soon, he’s able to undergo the process of becoming a proper Seeker; a full year of fasting, prayer, and seclusion. He completes this process, but when he comes out, there’s unfortunate news: two weeks after his seclusion began, his entire family was slaughtered.

Of course, Sebastian is distraught, and furious that no one told him (because they wanted him to complete the ritual uninterrupted). It’s been long enough now that his cousin Goran is seated comfortably on the throne, and due to marry Flora Harimann. The prime window of opportunity for staking his claim to the throne has passed, and his choice is made for him.

It takes him some time, but he has Cassandra and perhaps other Seekers as support, so eventually he accepts his lot in life and faithfully carries out his work as a Seeker. He’s still restless and angry and grieving, but he’s learned to hide it better.

Then, one day, he’s given a task by his superiors to investigate the suspected abuse committed by the templars at the Kirkwall Circle of Magi. As it happens, he’s been conducting his own secret investigation into his family’s deaths, and his last lead also ended in Kirkwall.

Cassandra confides in him before he sets out and tells him she recommended him for the assignment. He’ll have to do his duties as a Seeker first, but if he has free time, she doesn’t see why he can’t look into his own business while he’s there. Touched by her support, Sebastian thanks her, and sets out.

I like to think he arrives sometime before Act 3 starts, and runs into Hawke, the newly-named Champion of Kirkwall…

[fen-dwxller]

[Ask My Muse]

Does Fenris have any knowledge or opinion of Grey Wardens? If so, what are they? Does Tevinter have its own Command of Grey Wardens the same way other nations and regions do?

send me questions you have about my character! // @daughterofhighever-blog

( warning, long post )

i think fenris has a very surface level understanding of the grey wardens. he knows they exist to fend off the blight, have certain oaths like templars do, but other than that, i don't think he has too much of an opinion of them.

from what i understand, the first grey wardens originated in tevinter to fight off the first blight, but whether or not they still exist within the imperium is completely up for debate (and will most likely be explored in da:d) i'm certain that there are books that exist in the imperium which talk about how the grey wardens began since it is a big part of their history

but since fenris doesn't read, i don't think he really understands anything more than grey wardens being necessary to stop a blight. after all, he was alive during the fifth blight-- undoubtedly he would have heard the stories. i would say that he would even categorize the mages that are grey wardens as something akin to the circle, given his very limited knowledge on grey wardens. he'd be suspicious of them, yes, but once hearing that they're all doomed to die due to the taint in their blood? i think he'd just say that it's for the best, and it's a good thing that they don't overstay their welcome.

put him in da:i, i think he would want the grey wardens to be preserved, but only if they had a leader to help them rebuild (alistair or loghain, since they're heroes of the fifth blight). but of course, this is at the expense of killing hawke. if the inky chooses to save hawke in the fade, then i don't think he trusts the inquisition enough to rebuild the wardens, especially if inky chooses to side with mages. i think he'd vote to exile them in that case.

fenris would be on the same level as bull-- that it wouldn't be smart to get rid of the only people that know how to get rid of the blight, but also i think he'd believe that it's useless to keep them around if they don't have a significant leader to prevent them from being corrupted again

this is all banking on fenris not knowing that grey wardens originated from tevinter. if he did know, he'd want to exile them no questions asked, regardless of who is alive.

tl;dr - no opinion. understands their purpose, but no actual opinion. considers the mages within something akin to the circle. in da:i, he'd want to recruit if hawke is dead. if hawke is alive, he'd choose to exile them. this depends on his prior knowledge of grey wardens.

[chasindtrevelyan]

Question Sentence Starters - ❛ Wait, what? Where did you hear that at? ❜

"That particular rumor, I'm not sure, but it's one of many floating about. Not that I'm surprised, it happens all the time." Rumors and gossip were practically the lifeblood of any keep, one simply needed to be able to weed out what was true and what was the imaginings of bored nobles. The number of wild tales had increased quite a bit since they'd become home to more Orlesians.

[deadlynightshcde]

elissa & silas — daughterofhighever-blog — 🎨.

[wywardprince]

God Of War: Ragnarok Starters - "Have you ever been in love?"

The question caught him a little off guard. He hummed a little in response, considering, weighing his words.

"There was a time when I thought I was, or might have been," he says evenly. "But things didn't line up to work out. I have loved many, though, but it was more appreciation than deep commitment."

[champion-fem-hawke]

Ask Meme (re: their Warden Sibling) - "They won't shut up about you, you know."

@daughterofhighever-blog

Hawke softly laughed, a genuine smile gracing her features. "I hope you have only heard good things," she replied. "But I can't say that I'm overly surprised... I miss them dearly."

[deadlynightshcde-a]

❔ (As if I *really* needed to ask, LOL...)

madam, i think you already know lmao. i'd love for my other dragon age ocs to interact with elissa too!

[soiasan]

🫢 (as is, or reversed - dealer's choice)

Send 🫢 (or "oops!" if you can't see the emoji) for my muse's reaction to yours walking in while they are changing / getting dressed! ( accepting & this one is reversed! )

Since Solas began traveling with the Grey Wardens’ party, he found he had a startling lack of time to himself. The world was in the middle of a Blight. The Fifth in history, to be exact. Sleep was not to gain knowledge or catch up with old friends. Sleep was to gain the slightest bit more energy for the day ahead. Sleep was short and often interrupted whether it be by darkspawn or that dog. Solas was growing weary so he was resoundingly grateful when he came across a fresh water oasis during their travels.

The party was camped nearby enough that Solas could come if called for and far away enough that dipping into the waters to bathe felt like sneaking away. The water was cool, a grace in the uncharacteristically warm Ferelden weather. Soon, Solas was clean again and stepped out onto the grass, where he had left his clothes. Solas opted to enjoy the air hitting his skin for a moment. A moment, indeed, as Solas soon heard his name called. That call did not come from the camp, no, it came from just around the corner. And there she was. Elissa.

Solas closed his eyes, too long for a blink but just short enough to be coupled with a sigh. He looks at her without moving to cover himself.

“Is it urgent?”

[blightcd]

Valentine's Gift Meme - 💞 (Anders, or Loghain )

A gift for the warden-commander, what did you get someone who could get whatever they wanted when they wanted? Not like Anders knew the answer, but he would act like he did. Always. Picking through thoughts throughout the entire morning, going to and fro between merchants and his own personal items, anyone might've thought for once he was being a bit more diligent in his errands.

Ah, but there it was! Only after hours of looking naturally. Of course with his luck he was lucky it didn't take the entire day just to end up empty handed. Picking at the taunt red ribbon strung around the box as he wandered to the door of the main hall in search of the gift's recipient.

❝Oh, perfect. Always right where you need to be when I need you.❞

It was a gift at this point. Like a mabari could track it's owner without much of a thought. ...Maybe not the best comparison if he thought about it, but he didn't need to right now. Presenting the simple box with little flair for once. Inside lay a simple enough broach, nothing fancy maker knows he didn't get paid that well to be shelling out on friends just yet.

❝Ignore that this is a holiday namely for lovers and children and just accept it. I don't take back gifts.❞

𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴

[divxne-calcmity]

{ Concern Prompts } - Adir

“You need to stop doing stupid shit like that, or you will get yourself killed.”

"Perhaps, but it is worth it. Yes?" Adir said, slowly wrapping his arm that had gotten grazed by a rouge's knife in the last fight. "Wouldn't you do anything if it meant you'd leave the world better for it?"

[quiisquiliae]

@daughterofhighever-blog

Poly ship aesthetic! Matty Beaumont x Nick Sokolov x Elissa Cousland

[persephoneggsy]

A 'what if?' to possibly contemplate - Sebastian's parents kicking him over to the Grey Wardens instead of the Chantry?

Ohhh, now that’s interesting…. I don’t know if Sebastian’s parents would’ve held the Grey Wardens in as high esteem as he does, so I don’t know if they’d kick him off towards them. Most of Thedas seem to regard them as uncaring extremists who are obsessed with darkspawn — bear in mind a lot of folks outside Ferelden aren’t totally convinced the Fifth Blight was even a real Blight because it ended so fast and never spread outside the country, unlike Blights in the past.

So I think the best way for this to happen is for his parents to force him into the chantry, as per canon, but then when he’s given the opportunity to run away, he actually takes it. Maybe he wanders a bit, living the free life he’s always wanted, but it’s… empty. He feels restless, and guilty.

Maybe he’s contemplating returning to the chantry, when he encounters a Grey Warden, who sees that Sebastian is a good fighter and is itching for a good cause, so he’s recruited. Sebastian is positively giddy, joining his childhood heroes, and frankly I think he has an even greater respect for the Wardens after going through the Joining and learning what it’s really like to be one of them.

I don’t know if Sebastian would mention his royal heritage to anyone. Not like it matters to the Wardens either way, and he’s pretty much been written off by his parents anyway, so what’s the point? So maybe no one knows who he really is.

And then… his family dies. I’m not sure how a Warden Sebastian would handle it. He’s not supposed to care about titles and the like anymore, and having heirs would be difficult if he’s been a Warden for a while.

For the sake of convenience, let’s say his family stays alive. Maybe they’ve found out he went and joined the Wardens, and his parents were furious enough that they fully disowned him. He’s disappointed, but not surprised.

A fun idea could be that he’s met Anders and possibly Justice. I’ve always thought a pre-chantry Sebastian and a pre-Justice Anders would be friends (or at least friendly). He’s naturally very concerned when they merge.

Maybe he comes to Kirkwall to try and convince Anders to come back to the Wardens, and he stubbornly remains until he changes his mind. So he still ends up in Hawke’s little group but in a different capacity.

(I did also have the thought that he could be the Warden that takes Hawke’s sibling to undergo the Joining, replacing Stroud. And that could lead to him being Hawke’s “Warden contact” in Inquisition and maybe they fall in love because I can’t NOT have SebHawke and then oh god no one of them has be left behind in the Fade fkshfkshd)

[fen-dwxller]

Iron Bull Starters -

"Sure, it’s cold, but at least it’s a dry cold."

𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 @daughterofhighever-blog

❝ always the optimist. ❞ he took his hands off of the body, away from the dead elf's neck. ❝ this means it's been here for at least a day. ❞

❝ but you're right. it's better that it's a dry cold. ❞ out of all that fenris had experienced, fondling a decomposing body was not part of that bucket list.

this was their lead. they were supposed to meet her here to point the way. but now she's dead. what do they do now? where do they even go from here?

❝ kaffas... ❞

[chasindtrevelyan]

Ask Meme (if you're still accepting) - ❛ You think I owe you an apology? For what? ❜

Golden eyes flicking up from the parchment scattered in front of him, Max regarded the woman curiously. "I think," he said after a moment, "that you might have the wrong person. I've not demanded an apology from anyone." Least of all from someone he didn't know, though it wouldn't be the first time a stranger had gotten huffy with him for some reason or another. He had that affect on people, or so he'd been told.

[deadlynightshcde]

elissa & haelia cousland — daughterofhighever-blog — 🎨.