#i guess dreadwolf will be about a wolf who is dreaded?

[aquarines]

love how you can tell what every dragon age game is about just from the title. dragon age origins? you can have a different origin each play through. dragon age 2? sure was the second game released in the dragon age series. dragon age inquisition? there is an inquisition like yes!

[sockenpuppe]

charcoal and red pastel chalk on paper (size A4)

[the-perrepatae]

Why is Lucanis The "Mage Killer"?

Mage Killer means something SPECIFIC in Dragon Age. This is like having a prison warden companion called "The Warden."

We had an entire comic series literally called Magekiller (one word, à la Dread Wolf vs Dreadwolf I guess) about one.

It's not just "anyone specialized in killing mages". It's a very specific person. Marius is sometimes just called perrepatae, or just "the Mage-Killer", because that's who he is.

Or, to put it in Marius' own words...

It ain't just a title you slap onto anyone. Unless Lucanis trained with a perrepatae, then we have some talking to do.

[bloedewir]

Some Dragon Age: Dreadwolf guesses that seems convenient to me according to information we already have.

(Just thoughts, to fill the emptiness of actual info).

Dragon Age day (4th December, 2022)

Concept art and "can't wait to share more" tweets to give anything it's almost a tradition now. Maybe another short story?

TGA (8th December, 2022)

I'm pretty sure it will work this time. Summoning circle is ready.

Release date

Still think it's can be announced for Autumn'23 and then will be delayed for Spring'24.

Side materials

"Tevinter Nights", "Blue Wraith", Netflix "Dragon Age: Absolution".

Some characters will appear in DA:D. Some can be mentioned somehow during the game. NPC's, temporary allies or companions, or their actions can affect on something. Like it was with Cole: player doesn't need to read "The Asunder" to understand the game BUT it can be useful to catch up tiny hints so it worth to be mentioned.

Special attention to upcoming "Absolution". No cast members announced yet, so far we know: there will be Tevinter. If 9th December is correct date it means there's two opposite variants:

Next day after TGA because they told nothing and it's a consolation prize.

Next day after TGA because it's time to launch hype train.

Technical issues

Frostbite.

There was troublesomes with DA:I as well and then we saw the ME:A condition. The good news is all facial situation got big improvements in Anthem. Expressions was actually good and game has zero cringe grimaces, also environment was amazing.

Point is, locations in DA:D will be stunning as hell, I can bet my left hand on it. However never forget about first day patch, glitches of any kind and bugs. It's just expectable, no reason to get mad about it.

Locations

Easy enough to predict Tevinter and Nevarra. Published concept arts and recent game's codex pages is kinda confirming that it will be a big part of plot.

Seheron, Orzammar and Antiva - most likely will be involved to the plot, maybe not as much.

Weisshaupt Fortress, my hopes on that. Because: Hawke/Warden gone to Grey Wardens after Adamant Fortress; because Ike Amadi *possibly* playing a Grey Warden in DA:D and if you remember that voice from Mass Effect 3, you know that voice just illegally to use for ordinary Warden. (If it's not for Dragon Age: Absolution, of course).

Traditionally: Deep Roads and the Fade, it's just a some sort of law.

Cast

Well.. Gareth David-Lloyd for sure.

Steve Valentine (Alistair), Freddie Prinze Jr (Iron Bull) are not.

(Heard about Jon Curry (Zevran/Inquisitor) who is also won't return but can't find any mentions).

Supposable year is 9:52 or later

Can't imagine if they post "The Flame Eternal" just for fun to spoil the end of upcoming game (I mean, if 10 years after Inquisition past and world is fine it means wolf plan has failed. Pointless). The such late date is fitting in by few reasons:

Conception "new story - new heroes". Some known characters may be already dead or too old to fight, so it explains the appearance of new characters.

Ten years after Inquisition so as ten years after Dragon Age: Inquisition in real life. Such dramatic number.

Easier way to present a world's state as it need for story at the beginning.

Easier way to catch up new players who doesn't want play previous parts. New game, new story, no need to worry about lore.

Dream team

HoF, Hawke, Inquisitor.

My hopes vanishing with every day that pasts. I think in the end all that we'll face with: few game's codex pages and few npc's comments. HoF may be dead of Blight or disappeared anyhow, Hawke may be dead in the Fade or disappeared anyhow, Inquisitor may be dead because of Anchor' corruption or disappeared anyhow.

(My hopes for sudden dramatic entrance near to the end).

Drama

Bioware as it is, yes? Complex decisions, consequences, morality and all that. Choose between your LI and duty, choose between Hawke and Alistair. It won't be a surprise if they'll raise a bet. Just to make all Dread Wolf situation more difficult for player. Yeah, destroying the Veil is sucks for NPCs we doesn't know, but is it actually a drama for player? What about killing someone player know by itself? Just a thought.. but it can be the Protagonist's origin, the reason to stand up and fight. Or it can be death of some of the Dragon Age fandom mascots: Alistair/Zevran/Fenris/Merrill/Hawke/Inquisitor/HoF/you get the thought. If Dread Wolf kill someone that is actually important for fandom it will be fantastic twist (now I sound sociopathic).

I mean, it's good to be ready to get punch in face with giant fist of feels. Y'all know how it goes in Bioware games.

Atmosphere

Time is changing, people leaving Bioware. It isn't bad or good, it's just fact. DA:D won't be feel like DA:O or DA:I. Prepare yourselves if it needed, there's much fandom curses on the horizon. If i'm right and if we'll start to get more actual information (including characters presentation or teasers) in 2023, fandom toxicity is unavoidable. Get ready to find a shelter when it's time.

[sinsbymanka]

Hello!! It is @rare-egg-hunt month which means we are officially celebrating all our Solas rare pairs!

If you're following this blog you may be somewhat aware I've been "painting" my eggs all through March. Starting next Monday I'm going to be pushing out a multichaptered story built around 12 of the prompts from the Rare Egg Hunt. It's called Cheating the Dread Wolf and will focus on the post-Trespasser love story of Maria Cadash, Solas, and Varric Tethras.

Maria Cadash hung up the Inquisitor's mantle for the Viscountess' crown, but she's unable to stop her desperate and impossible struggle to stop Fen'Harel from destroying the world both her husband and daughter inhabit. The fact Varric, Maria, and Solas are all madly in love with each other just means she may have enough of an edge to win this game.

In other words, everyone is poly and happy but first there's some shit they've gotta go through. I promise there will be angst, fluff, smut, dad Varric, dad Solas, and mama Cadash. Plus an absolutely ADORABLE baby as a treat.

I also have a playlist to go with it! Here's a list of all my songs and why I've picked them as a sneak peek!

Things That Stop You Dreaming by Passenger

If you can't be what you want You learn to be the things you're not If you can't get what you need You learn to need the things that stop you dreaming Oh the things that stop you dreaming

The PINING at the beginning of this story is outrageous. It is honestly a sequel to two fics, the first of which was written by the lovely @blarfkey who inspired, enable, and beta'd this entire project. (seriously. It would never have happened without her and I owe her so much for the idea and the love she's poured into it alongside me).

The two fics can be found in the series Three Liars Mend Broken Hearts on AO3. It shows the way Solas and Maria can't seem to stay away from each other and the ill advised sexy times that happens as a result (yes these are both smut with plot and feelings). So by the time we start Cheating the Dread Wolf they've already acted on their feelings even though they shouldn't and they're all a bit of a mess.

Rest of the playlist below!

Never Really Over by Katy Perry 

Two years, and just like that, my head still takes me back Thought it was done, but I guess it's never really over Oh, we were such a mess, but wasn't it the best? Thought it was done, but I guess it's never really over

I revisit the theme of not being able to let go and move on a lot in this story - in both good and bad ways. Varric, in particular, is completely unwilling to give up on Solas no matter what. Solas is unable to let go of his past. Maria can’t let go of her distrust. It’s all a mess.

Power Over Me by Dermot Kennedy

So we hide away and never tell You decide, if darkness knows you well That lesson of love, all that it was I need you to see You got that power over me

This is such a good smut song. I will live and die on this hill. It’s on my smut playlist too. ANYWAY. This is a good song for Maria and Solas. Also. Smut. 

That Man by Caro Emerald

Ooh that man is like a flame And ooh that man plays me like a game My only sin is I can't win Ooh I wanna love that man

This is a recommendation from @blarfkey and is the quintessential Varric romance song. I picked this one for a very specific chapter where Varric in effect tricks Solas into a tea party with him and Varric and Maria’s daughter. 

Hold My Girl by George Ezra

I've got time, I've got love Got confidence you'll rise above Give me a minute to hold my girl Give me a minute to hold my girl

This is actually for a chapter that mostly focuses on parenthood and how it brings our trio together. It’s very angsty and heartwrenching and I love it so much. 

You are the Reason by Calum Scott

I don't wanna hide no more I don't wanna cry no more Come back I need you to hold me (You are the reason) Be a little closer now Just a little closer now Come a little closer I need you to hold me tonight

This is THE OT3 song and the unofficial theme song of this fucking fic. I have listened to it on repeat more than anything else on this playlist. 

Me and the Devil by the Fratellis

Tell one last beautiful lie for me Make all your promises rhyme for me Keep me in line but do it honestly Make it real, make it slow, stay alive for me Come on, babe where the line goes dead I'll be fire, I'll be rain, I'll be joy, I'll be dread Come on, baby don't be shy All I want is you and I Out on the street I'll be every face There'll be no man alive That can take my place

This song just gives me Solas related chills. I cannot with it. These two verses in particular scream Varric, Solas, and Maria. This is also on the playlist at approximately the part of the story where shit starts going down. Also another @blarfkey recommendation. 

Move by Saint Motel

This girl, this beautiful girl, with eyes the size of the o-o-ocean. This man, this dutiful man, he's got these mixed up emo-o-o-tions. I want it, can't have it. Oh I can hardly stand it. Oh what's a man to do... Gotta get up, I gotta get up. Move!

A recent addition to this playlist thanks to @paisleybees who sent this to me as I was writing a chapter that fit it PERFECTLY. I actually picture it as a Varric/Solas song for this work. 

Monster by Paramore

I'll stop the whole world, I'll stop the whole world From turning into a monster and eating us alive Don't you ever wonder how we survive? Well now that you’re gone, the world is ours

Another “shit is getting real” song and another @blarfkey recommendation. This is a McFighterson Cadash song for sure. It’s also what I picture for the sole action sequence in this fic. 

Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars

You only know what I want you to I know everything you don't want me to Oh your mouth is poison, your mouth is wine You think your dreams are the same as mine Oh I don't love you but I always will

Enemies and Lovers. Enemies and lovers. Need I say more?! This is SUCH a good song for that trope!

Silence by Marshmello (featuring Khalid) 

I found peace in your violence Can't tell me there's no point in trying I'm at one, and I've been quiet for too long I found peace in your violence Can't tell me there's no point in trying I'm at one, and I've been silent for too long

Circling back around to themes of letting go and holding on. This kind of starts the happy ending bit of this work (YES I SWEAR THERE’S A HAPPY ENDING). 

This Year’s Love by David Gray

This year's love had better last 'Cause who's to worry if our hearts get torn When that hurt gets thrown Don't ya know this life goes on? Won't ya kiss me on that midnight street? Sweep me off my feet Singing, "ain't this life so sweet?"

HAPPY ENDING. A bittersweet but ultimately hopeful one <3 

Glitter and Gold by Barns Courtney

Do you walk in the valley of kings? Do you walk in the shadow of men Who sold their lives to a dream? Do you ponder the manner of things In the dark? The dark, the dark, the dark I am flesh and I am bone Arise, ting ting, like glitter and gold I've got fire in my soul Rise up, ting ting, like glitter

This is for the epilogue. It’s called the Dread Wolf Cub Rises and I refuse to give any other details. 

BONUS

Problem by Natalia Kills 

I'm your dream girl This is real love But you know what they say about me... That girl is a problem Girl is a problem Girl is a problem problem

Bea Cadash shows up a lot in this fic with her background sweet angel boyfriend Cole. There’s been a couple times where I need to write Bea and this is just the perfect song to capture her goddamn attitude. 

Anyway! Happy egg hunting!