#dragon age romances

[mostwantedpotato404]

Fenris - Dragon Age2 

ART PRINT

[dragonageconfessions]

CONFESSION:

I love BG3 a lot but man did the romances make me miss DAI and MEA’s “Heart Icon” to indicate flirting. I had pretty much every character try to get in my character’s pants when I didn’t even try to show any interest in them. I like it being clear what the game considers flirtation! It’s hard to see a character as your good friend when they dropped an “I Love You” out of literally No Where.

[justcallmecappy]

The Andersmance as a narrative of hope

One thing I've noticed while in the Dragon Age fandom is the prevalent interpretation of the Anders romance as a tragedy, or a romance that's inherently tragic. Anders acts behind Hawke's back, destroys the Kirkwall Chantry no matter what choices the player makes, the player sees this as a huge betrayal, and — despite having romanced Anders, and/or being mage-sympathetic — they decide to execute or banish Anders as punishment for his 'crime'. Tears are shed; it's all dramatic and tragic and angsty.

While I sometimes appreciate tragedies, I would like to posit a different perspective: The romance with Anders is a story of hope; a story of standing up to insurmountable odds and overcoming them. The romance with Anders can be approached as one with a happier ending, where Hawke and Anders are the heroes.

Before I elaborate, a disclaimer: These are my own opinions. I understand some players prefer the Andersmance as a tragic romance, and to each player their own. I am not here to dictate the choices you should make in-game or how you approach your playthroughs, merely to present a different perspective to one I've seen very often.

Also, this post is critical of the rivalmance with Anders — more on that later.

The Andersmance as a narrative of hope relies on two perspectives:

Firstly, the Chantry is an authoritarian institution who are the antagonistic force that the heroes need to oppose and take down. There is plenty of meta that explores and supports this.

Secondly, Anders is a heroic character:

He is a healer who set up a clinic providing free healthcare for the marginalized and downtrodden people of Kirkwall who otherwise have gone overlooked by their own Chantry.

He let a Spirit of Justice into his body, simply to help Justice continue to exist in the physical world when he would have otherwise disappeared into the Fade.

He regularly risks his safety and security by helping mages escape abuse in the Gallows and have a chance at freedom via the Mage Underground.

These are all acts of someone who is kind and compassionate, and, yes, heroic.

He is not a villain who needs to be stopped. He is the hero of the story who needs help and support as he challenges systematic oppression. He's Katniss Everdeen standing up to the Capitol; he's Luke Skywalker opposing the Galactic Empire.

Hawke is that supportive pillar, that safe harbor, that source of unconditional love for Anders in his times of struggle. "The one bright light in Kirkwall" who stands by Anders' side as they face insurmountable odds together.

In World States where Leliana becomes Divine Victoria, this means Hawke and Anders' struggles were not in vain. Through their actions, they sparked a series of events that culminated in the abolition of the Circles.

Anders' prophetic speech about how, "Ten years, a hundred years from now, someone like me will love someone like you, and there will be no Templars to tear them apart" carries so much more weight, because loving Hawke gave him hope for a better future that Anders actually gets to witness in his lifetime.

Do you know how powerful such a love story is?

Their love literally changed the world for the better.

They loved each other, that love gave them courage, and now future generations of mages are free to find a love as strong and precious as the one Hawke and Anders share.

Of course, the condition of this is that Hawke loves and supports Anders wholeheartedly, meaning that this obviously takes the Friendship route for the romance. The rivalmance where Hawke downplays Anders' struggles, breaks Anders' spirit, undermines Anders' confidence, and tries to convince Anders that his cause is needless has no part in this narrative of hope; in fact, I would go so far to say that Hawke is the villain in that version of the story.

Personally, stories of hope have always strongly resonated with me. I gravitate towards stories where our protagonists are presented with challenging obstacles (whether they be internal, external, or both), and things may seem bleak at first, but they bravely carry on, and by the end of the story the characters have made themselves better people, and/or made the world a better place.

Anders and Hawke had many chances to turn away and ignore the plight of mages and just get their own happy ending, but they didn't — they carried on, because they were the heroes, and they knew all mages deserved to be free as they were.

[misculenica]

All Inquisitor's Romance Last Lines

Because I did first lines. Trespasser btw, and the romancee's responses.

Solas: "Var lath vir suledin" / "Our love will endure" "I wish it could, vhenan... My love..." Cassandra: "Whatever happens, I wouldn't trade the years we've had together for anything. I love you." "And I you. Always and forever, my love." Cullen: *Hugs sadly* Josephine: *Kisses sadly* Sera: "Whatever happens, I wouldn't trade the years we've had together for anything. I love you." "Fucking words. We do, and we fight until... *breaths* I love you, and I get to keep something. You hear?" Blackwall: "Whatever happens, I wouldn't trade the years we've had together for anything. I love you." "This isn't over... But I love you, too." Iron Bull: "Just try to keep up, darling." "AAhAAAHAAhhAAHaaha!" Dorian: "Whatever happens, I wouldn't trade the tears we've had together for anything. I love you." "I knew you would break my heart, you bloody bastard. *sobs*"

[shiftycatstudios]

I've been sad as hell and Alistair makes me happy. So...a doodle dump it is (ft. my Warden, Selph).

...Okay, maybe a little more effort was made than doodles--expressions, shading, and angles were practiced, too. :T

Please do not edit or repost any of my works, thank you!

⭐ Click here for larger pic

⭐ Insta / Ko-Fi ~ @theshiftycat ⭐ Everything Else ~ @shiftycatstudios ⭐ Link Tree

[midorisudachi]

“The Inquisitor And Her Commander”

As some of you may have noticed, I am a huge fan of the Dragon Age games, especially Dragon Age Inquisition. Last year, I had planned on drawing all the main [playable] characters up until Dragon Age Day (which took place on December 4th), but I just didn’t have time to draw more than three characters (the Inquisitor, Solas, & Varric…please check them out in my gallery) due to being busy with work and other things. I’ll eventually draw the other characters when I gather more motivation to do so.

For now, please enjoy this piece. I hope everybody likes this. I worked very hard on this artwork. It took longer than usual to create, due to all the small details, the poses, & the armour. (Armour is not easy to draw for me!) For those of you who are DAI fans, you may recognize the flowers: Crystal Grace on the bottom and Andraste’s Grace on the top. I know Andraste’s Grace is not in DAI, but I thought it would be pretty to add to the artwork (since it technically exists in the Thedas world).

 My OC Inquisitor is named Bryony Trevelyan. She is actually my 2nd Inquisitor character, the first one having been an elf (which I may draw someday). I had been playing DAI for the 3rd time, a few months ago, as a male character (since I wanted him to be in a romance with Dorian, so yes, my male Inquisitor is gay), but I stopped for a bit since I am playing Skyrim at the moment (with updates & mods). Anyway, back on the main subject: I drew Inquisitor Bryony Trevelyan in the Armor of the Dragon Hunter outfit (from the Jaws of Hakkon DLC), which I had altered the colours by tinting it with Veil Quartz. I based her crown from concept art for DAI. So much armour in the game! Which I love, especially since the DA games don’t give female characters the stereotypical skimpy outfits…I love that I get to make my female characters wear bad-ass armour.

Cullen Rutherford is such an adorable and slightly awkward character around my Inquisitor. I knew I had to romance him right away, because his looks are the type of man I am attracted to in real life. (I’m not going to lie…in the game, he’s hot for a video game character. Ha ha!) I’ve always enjoyed the flirting in the DA games when it comes to the relationships. The best scene was right before their first kiss, when Cullen got interrupted by a member of the Inquisition, and then got mad about it. Ha ha. I liked when my Inquisitor asked Cullen, “The day you kissed me on the battlements…how long had you wanted to do that?” And Cullen replied (with a laugh), “Longer that I should admit.” Awwwww.

I also liked the part in the Winter Palace, when all these people were flirting with Cullen, and one asked him, “Are you married, Commander?” And Cullen replied, “Not yet, but I am…already taken.” Double awwww, because a loyal man is so dreamy. :3 I actually had Bryony & Cullen get married in the last DLC. :3 They adopt a Mabari (dog), too!

I love DAI too much. :D It’s such a fun game with the most gorgeous graphics (especially on the Xbox Series X).

Drawn with Sakura Pigma Micron pens, then coloured in with a mixture of Copic Markers & Ohuhu Markers. I used Koi Watercolours for the background. White accents done with both a gel pen and white watercolour. Gold acrylic was used for the Inquisition Symbol & the lines, which the scanner absolutely murders...the gold is such a pretty, shimmery metallic in real life. The light green around my art was done in Photoshop Elements.

Dragon Age Inquisition © Bioware & Electronic Arts

Fan artwork © Jacqueline E. McNeese

[b-e-e-h-o-p]

Solavellan hell this, Cullen that yada yada

WHAT ABOUT

HER

[dareactions]

SO SO SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK

Don't you mind writing Dorian/Inquisitor marriage proposal? We were so robbed at the end of the game please.

Okay, so I haven't played Dorians romance in a while, so excuse me if its a bit OOC here. Tried my best to keep his personality in check lmao.

I decided to do the Inquisitor proposing to Dorian rather than the other way around, bcs our man deserves that. (Altho I do have an idea for him proposing as well maybe.)

Dorian can feel that something is off, it's in the air. It's that odd peculiar shift that sometimes passes by unknowingly and gradually but he can pinpoint the exact moment it occurred, it was two weeks ago during dinner. His amatus, the love of his life, the savior of the world- all that very important stuff, looked up at him with the most peculiar look and ever since it's been off.

''You'd tell me, if the world was ending again, wouldn't you?'' He speaks up from his seat near the open fireplace, his love glancing up from the mabari that had kept his focus for most of the night. Dorian didn't actually mind the dog as much as he thought he would. It's kind of cute, in a saliva slobbering kind of way. ''Yes, I'd like to think so. Why? Am I glowing green again?'' The joke falls horribly flat, Dorian does absolutely not smile whatsoever thank you very much.

''No, you're not glowing green. You're just being weird lately. Weirder than usual.'' Dorian can't help but huff, putting his book on the side-table with a lazy arm, it makes an uncomfortably loud 'thud' sound upon hitting the wood and he can't help but frown. ''I'm not being weird, you're being weird.'' Is the lame counter his boyfriend offers, focusing back on the mabari with a laugh.

Except Dorian knows that isn't it, not quite. ''No. Something is off, what is it? You told me after- after everything you'd be more honest.'' After the arm. After the mark almost tore him apart, he'd promised Dorian wholeheartedly to not keep a single thing from him.

His amatus stares for a long moment, long enough for Dorian to fidget in his chair. He pulls at the fabric of his linen shirt, and pushes a hand through his hair in an attempt to look less nervous at bringing up the promise. ''It's not the right moment.'' He finally responds, soft words that are barely heard over the crackling fire. ''I don't care about it being the right moment, if something is wrong I want to know.'' His words have far more bite in them than Dorian intends and he sighs after a while.

''Nothing is wrong, I promise.'' His lover stands up and makes his way across the room, and Dorian tries to not pout as a warm hand makes it to his knee. It's such a gentle motion he probably would've cried had it been done a few years ago.

''Then tell me.'' Dorian pushes and his love dares to smile that stupidly charming smile and make his chest clench in affection. He'd love this man until he died, well and truly. There was no other way around it.

''Very well, but you can't come and complain to me that I didn't do it properly later.'' He sighs and Dorian perks up, sitting up attentively and ignoring the laughter that makes the smallest hint of embarrassment rear its head.

''We've been through a lot, too much probably. And I honestly wasn't sure if I'd survive long enough to ask this. For a while it seemed like I'd be robbed of the chance to do so before it even seemed a possibility.'' Their hands interlink and Dorian for the millionth time notices all the small scars that cover his lovers hand. They speak tales of battles fought before and after they met, struggles nobody could ever dare to try and understand.

''But there was never a doubt in my mind. Because you are the most brilliant man I've ever met, compassionate enough for both us and snarky enough.'' ''Excuse you, I will have you know-'' Dorian interrupts but quickly gets shushed with a grin. ''Shush, I'm being romantic, love.'' His love laughs, pressing a kiss against Dorian's hand and sure enough its enough to shut him up.

''What I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted. Is that you have enough positive qualities that I could write more than a few books about it. You know, normally people have enough time to write speeches down for these things- but you just had to be so perceptive.'' Dorian should probably be annoyed at that, but he just grins- the most proud smug look that he could manage right now when he feels the need to cry sneak up on him.

''You're tearing up, oh, andraste's tits-'' ''Amatus, hurry up and ask so I can say yes.''

''Dorian, will you marry me?'' The question is barely asked before Dorian kisses him, all giggly and warm and far too eager. They stumble to the floor and their laughter bounces off the walls of the study, Dorian's tears an annoying addition he'd lie about later if asked.

''Yes, I'll marry you. I'll marry you a hundred times over, fall in love with you in every life possible- you absolute fool, I followed you to the ends of the world, of course I'll marry you.''

Dorian followed him to the ends of the world and he'd do it again, but this time he'd much prefer if they had matching rings for the occasion.

[yesiplaygamez]

Romancing the iron bull be like

[mostwantedpotato404]

Anders off duty in his clinic

[eryniell]

My Lavellan Eryniell and Cullen <3

Cullen is so cute, he always cares so much about her *-*

[andiegyanko]

Old doodle.

[dragonageconfessions]

CONFESSION:

So when Inquisition was first coming out I had hoped that we’d get Varric and Vivienne as romance options. Hilariously, we got neither. After playing the game, I’m fine with Varric not being an option. I don’t think it would add anything particularly interesting or do much for his character except maybe help him move on from Bianca, which would be Fine but I’m not like craving.

Vivienne though, I think would have been better with a romance arc. Her biggest problems are that she’s a static character and kind of underwritten, the extra focus she could get via a romance could let her open up and be vulnerable and be more than a massive fake out as The Mage Who “Betrays” You (we seriously do not talk enough about how hard she was positioned as that to throw the lead off Solas). Furthermore, I think her status as a side piece undercuts her character a lot. She’s supposed to be a skilled political player who used her intelligence and force of will to gain status, but a lot of it also comes from the fact that she’s fucking that dude, which I feel like is a really bad look for a female character. Like getting rid of that would do so much for her character guys.

All of this is to say, sometimes people want romances for reasons beyond just being hot for the video game character dammit.

[dercicerone]

My Hawk and her pirate-wife

[misculenica]

All Inquisitor's Romance First Lines

Just as a reference for myself for later use;

Solas: "You came here to help, Solas. I won't let them use that against you." Cassandra: "You're kind of a force of nature, aren't you?" Cullen: *BIG SMILE* Josephine: "How did someone so lovely and selfless go into Orlesian politics, Lady Montilyet?" Sera: "I think I'll enjoy having you around, Sera. I hope you feel the same way." Blackwall: "You're oddly charming for a man I found wandering in the forest." Iron Bull: "I'm glad you're here, Bull." Dorian: "If they're anything like you, I approve."

(Not all of them are the first romance lines, purely because it can differ based on your inquisitor's backstory/decisions/etc)

[dootdootmf]

A little bit ago after delving deep into my first Lavellan play thru of Dragon Age Inquisition I was scrolling thru Solavellan Hell Tumblr and came across @noobsydraws page and her lovely work. They have such a wonderful art style, her own Lavellan/Solas work was so expressive and immersive that I asked if she was open for commissions. I was delighted that she said yes!

It was a pleasure to commission her. Working with her was 10/10. My only initial concept for this was that I want a sweet moment for Lavellan and Solas since they have such a tragic storyline.

I pitched them sitting together, Lavellan reading tea leaves 🍃 as tho to look towards the future and Solas inspecting the anchor as though reading a palm---focused on past mistakes.

It's perfect and I love it.