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anderfels · 3 years

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Uh oh, uh oh, looks like I’ve done Inq-as-a-Companion stuff.

I’ve taken the general template from here. If you end up doing this too, please tag me because I love all of your Inquisitors. This is also uncomplete, I’m just posting it now... because... reasons... I’ll be filling out the rest later and also will be coming up with extras.

I also have no knowledge on tarot or anything related to tarot so the image descriptions are just going to be image descriptions of what I think would fit, there is no tarot equivalent lol. I tried searching up meanings but all that gave me was confusion and I’d rather not throw out what I think might be compatible with tarot but it turns out to be Terribly Wrong. So, yeah. No tarot meanings, just pretty images (or what I think would be a pretty image).

All of this is subject to be changed because I think something can be good one day and then look at it the next day and decide that it’s Cringe.

Name: Davhalla Athdheani, but his friends sometimes call him “Dav” (”Dahv”) for short, a.k.a Yet Another Generic Pretty Boy Elf (As If The Dragon Age Fandom Doesn’t Have Enough Of Them Already) Race: Elf (of the Dalish variety) Class: Rogue Specialization: Ranger (I know this is from DA:O, but I don’t think the other specializations in DA:I fit him that well, lol. He can choose to summon a dog, elk, or a bear. Each summon lasts until they die. Throw in a passive or something where hawks will sometimes swoop down and do 300% weapon damage to an enemy. Fail miserably at attempting to adapt the Ranger specialization into something more modern.) Varric’s Nickname For Them: Icing, due to the fact that he likes sweet rolls. More specifically, he licks the icing off of them. Yeah. Please don’t let him into the kitchen.

...This might just be a placeholder. It depends on if I can think of something better (probably not). He also finds it incredibly embarrassing whenever Varric calls him this. He just thinks that the icing is sweet and tasty and he didn’t know Varric was standing there and he should probably be quiet now, shouldn’t he? Short Bio: I’ll fill this in later once I can come up with something that isn’t complete nonsense.

Companion Card: Him and a halla, facing the left. They’re in a verdant forest, the canopy preventing most sunlight except for a few golden rays, outlined with white, from peeking through. There’s a river flowing in front of them, and Davhalla has his hand on the back of the halla’s neck as it drinks. His head is facing away from the viewer, looking deeper into the forest. There’s a bow slung across his back along with a quiver containing a few arrows. It would look peaceful if not for the fact that his free hand is clenched into a fist. If Loyal (All Personal Quests Completed): He’s shown picking up a flower, outlined in white, in a lush garden, kneeling on the ground. He’s wearing his default armor, while his bow and quiver lie on the ground next to him. This time, the viewer can see his profile. The flower’s petals rest underneath his nose, barely touching his upper lip as he takes in its fragrance. His eyes are closed. He seems serene. If Romanced: He’s shown with his back to the viewer, pointing to the rising sun on the horizon, thin, golden lines emanating from it and spreading across the sky. He appears to be standing on a cliff, one foot resting on a rock. He doesn’t have on his bow or quiver, and a small, white flower is seen on the side of his head, looking like the one in his loyalty card. He is shown holding someone’s hand, but the only thing visible is their armored arm.

Recruitment Mission: After meeting with the Chantry in Val Royeaux and going to a camp in the Hinterlands for the first time, an Inquisition messenger comes up to the Herald and talks about a Dalish elf who seemed very insistent that they meet them. If asked why the elf isn’t there, the messenger says that they left around half an hour before the Herald arrived, claiming that they needed to hunt their food for today but they said that they would be around the southeast, near that “weird... cult... people...” a.k.a near Winterwatch Tower.

He is found a bit to the northeast of Winterwatch, near where you would find the cabin key for the Conscientious Objector sidequest. When approached, you find that he’s being attacked by outlaws. He’ll ask--well, yell at--the Herald for some help. He’s clearly outnumbered.

After defeating the outlaws, he will dust off his armor and greet the Herald. If the Herald is also Dalish, he greets them with “Andaran atish’an,” and proclaim his surprise that they’re Dalish, as he wouldn’t have expected humans to follow an elf. The Herald can ask if he’s really never heard that they’re Dalish before, and he’ll sheepishly say that he assumed that it was a rumor made up to discredit the Inquisition. If they’re not, then he greets them with a simple “Hello,” and says that he’s pleased to finally meet them, along with thanking them profusely for getting him out of that situation.

He’ll explain that he left his clan--but leave out the part where it was against his mother’s wishes--in order to join the Inquisition. If asked what he could bring the Inquisition, he’ll say that his clan, Athdheani, is well-established with some other clans and that the fledgling Inquisition could use all the help they could get, right? The Dalish have powerful mages, unparalleled trackers and navigators, people who have been using a bow, a sword, a dagger ever since they could hold one, healers who know of methods that others have forgotten, they’re the only people who can forge ironbark, etc. If it’s a Dalish Herald asking him this question, a line is added before in which he says, “I’m sure you know what we could provide, Herald, but just in case...” A Dalish Herald can also remark about how they could have heard of Davhalla’s clan before--their Keeper was pretty fussy at the last Arlathven.

Davhalla laughs. “They can be like that.”

If accepted into the Inquisition, Davhalla will thank the Herald with a polite bow and tell them that he’ll send word to the clans that he knows--you can notice that he never says he’ll get into contact with his own clan. The updated quest text will read Davhalla has joined the Inquisition. You now have the strength of the Dalish behind you.

If denied, Davhalla will still politely bow to the Herald and say that he supposes they know best. “I pray that Mythal guides your path and Andruil allows your weapons to strike true,” he says before leaving the game permanently. The updated quest text will read Davhalla has returned to his own clan--and got quite the talking to by his Keeper.

Location in Haven: He can be found at the edge of the frozen lake, near Cassandra. He’ll be sitting, but if the Herald engages him in conversation, he’ll stand up. Location in Skyhold: (before repairs) He can be found next to the main gate, leaning against the wall. (after repairs) He can be found in the gardens, to the left of the herb pots. Location in the Winter Palace: In the gardens, next to the fountain.

Personal Quests: ...I’ll do this later. Romance Quest: See above.

How To Get His Approval: Like most other companions, simply being nice and doing everything you can to help innocents and civilians will gain his approval. He appreciates it when asked about his culture and his clan--in a respectful manner, of course. There is no approval gain for a Dalish elf for asking about his clan and their customs, but there is a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs gain for non-Dalish Heralds/Inquisitors. He also approves of being respectful towards mages, other elves, and recruiting others for the cause.

More approval can be earned in the field by helping the Dalish clan in the Exalted Plains. Each completed quest for them grants a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs.

Recruiting Loranil into the Inquisition grants an Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs (does not have to be in the party).

Helping the refugees in the Hinterlands grants a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs each time as well.

Recruiting Vale’s Irregulars grants an Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs (does not have to be in the party).

Completing the “Flowers for Senna” sidequest in the Hinterlands grants Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs.

If Davhalla is in the party and the Inquisitor (as the dialogue option is only available in Skyhold once he relocates to the gardens) has triggered the dialogue where he talks about pressing flowers for his best friend and his sister, the Inquisitor can find Gorgeous Flowers throughout Thedas. Most are in the Emerald Graves, while places like the Hissing Wastes and Emprise du Lion have none. If a Gorgeous Flower is found (the mini-map pings when near one), it grants an Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs. He thanks the Inquisitor in either Common or Elvish--it’s random which language he uses.

How To Get His Disapproval: Again, like most other companions, he disapproves of a rude, malevolent Herald/Inquisitor. He dislikes it if the Herald/Inquisitor dismisses Dalish beliefs (doubly so if it’s a fellow Dalish) or if they ask why he can’t worship the Maker as well (available for a faithful, Andrastian Herald/Inquisitor only). Disapproval can also be earned by siding with the Templars (unless they disband them), allowing the Grey Wardens to stay, and by executing prisoners.

More disapproval can be earned in the field by opening the graves in Var Bellanaris or opening Unadin Grotto. Each grants a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs.

Killing the nugs in the Flooded Caves in Crestwood grants a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs.

Killing a halla with him in the party and not “looting” it grants a Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs the first time it is done. (They can continue around the map, but if they zone out/fast travel without "looting” the halla corpse, that’s when the Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs pops up.)

Bringing him along to the Winter Palace hits the Inquisitor with a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs the first time they speak with him.

Approval/Disapproval Gains From Major Events:

Giving the mages an alliance: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Conscripting the mages: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

Giving the Templars an alliance: Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Convince Templars to disband: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

Say that “an elf will stand for us all” during the ceremony after In Your Heart Shall Burn: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Say that you’re doing it “because it’s right”: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Say that “Corypheus must be stopped”: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Say that you will “lead them to vengeance”: Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Say that you will do it “for [my] own power”: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

Have Wardens join Inquisition: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Exile the Wardens: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

Publicly expose the Grand Duchess: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Turn the Grand Duchess over to the guards: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Allow Celene to be assassinated: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Reconcile Celene and Briala: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Force all three to work together: Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Make Gaspard emperor: Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Make Gaspard puppet for Briala: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs

Skipping Elven rituals: Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Completing Elven rituals (doesn’t have to be in party): Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Ally with Sentinels: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Reject alliance with Sentinels: Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs Drink from Well of Sorrows: Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs OR Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs if the Inquisitor is in a romance with him. Let Morrigan drink from Well of Sorrows: Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs OR Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs if Inquisitor is in romance with him.

Romanceable?: Yes, by any gender and any race. If Not Romanced, Does He Start A Relationship With Another Inquisition Member?: No, but if asked about his opinions on companions, he will sometimes comment that he finds Cassandra’s scar to be attractive. He will also comment on Blackwall’s beard.

Who Are They Friendly With?: He’s quite friendly with Cole and Josephine, saying that he considers the both of them the closest friends he has in the Inquisition (if the Inquisitor has completed all of his personal quests and his approval is 75+, he adds on “including you, of course!”). He starts off distrusting Dorian, but ends up warming up to him through party banter (this also changes what he says about Dorian when asked). Like Dorian, he is also distrusting of Iron Bull at first. If the Inquisitor saves the Chargers, he warms up to Iron Bull, but if the Inquisitor saves the dreadnought, he continues to distrust him.

Who Do They Dislike?: He tries his best to get along with everyone, but he does butt heads with Solas on occasion due to some differing opinions in regards to *gestures vaguely at Dalish stuff*. This can be heard through party banter. He dislikes Sera at first also due to differing opinions--but he does deserve any pushback he gets as he keeps poking at her for not believing in the Elven gods and “trying to distance herself from her heritage” as he claims. He does manage to stop pestering her about it and apologizes, saying that he never meant to make her upset. The Herald/Inquisitor also has the chance to interject and tell him to knock it off, after which he will acquiesce. After Blackwall is found out to not really have been Blackwall, he expresses contempt at what he has done. He only starts liking Blackwall again after a series of banter. Opinions On Mages/Templars/The Whole World Going To Shit: He says that society could learn a thing or two from how the Dalish treat their mages (ignoring what Minaeve said lol). He won’t deny that there is danger, but that Templars aren’t an answer. He says that mages should have the choice between being free or studying in a Circle. He’ll even offer up the information that his mother and his best friend are both mages and they’re two of the best people he’s ever known.

On the topic of Templars, he finds them to be corrupt and beyond salvation. If the Inquisitor points out that he’s never had a first-hand experience with Templars, he’ll respond that he may not have, but he’s heard the stories from those who have suffered at their hands. A human mage Herald/Inquisitor can say that they’ve never had troubles with Templars before and he’ll simply huff, saying that even if the Inquisitor never had a problem, there are others who have. He’ll also say that there are probably good Templars out there, but they didn’t exactly stop the bad ones, did they?

The Herald/Inquisitor can mention that Cullen used to be a Templar. Davhalla simply replies that he knows. After a second of silence, he asks the Herald/Inquisitor if they expected him to say anything else.

Yeah. He’s kind of got a black and white view of the whole thing with just the slightest shades of grey in there.

But what he wants more than anything is to close the hole in the sky. I think that’s an opinion that everyone can agree on.

Something Guaranteed To Make Him Leave The Party: As with most companions, getting his approval below -30 will cause his “crisis” cutscene. It requires the Inquisitor to actually talk to him for it to trigger so, honestly, they could keep him at the lowest approval possible and still keep him as long as they don’t actually talk to him lmao.

He criticizes the way that the Inquisitor has been handling things, saying that perhaps their ideals do not match and he would not be suited to continue travelling with them. Any major events that the Inquisitor has done that grants disapproval will be mentioned during the cutscene (e.g. “You reined the mages in with fear knowing well that they were taken advantage of. (if Inquisitor is a non-mage) Would you enjoy being constantly scrutinized and kept under lock and key? / (if Inquisitor is a mage) I cannot believe that you would turn on your own so easily,” if the mages were conscripted.)

If the Inquisitor says that they’ll change, he Gʀᴇᴀᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs and will stay, but if his approval goes back under -30, he will leave and not give the Inquisitor a chance to convince him otherwise. The Inquisitor can also tell him to leave as they didn’t have much use for him anyway, to which he will reply, “(If Inquisitor is Dalish) Fen'Harel ma ghilana. / (If Inquisitor is not Dalish) Farewell, Inquisitor. I will wish you luck. You will need it.” There’s also a... politer? option in which the Inquisitor tells him he can leave if it bothers him, to which he will bow his head and leave in silence.

(Do you think Solas’ ears tingle if Davhalla says the Fen’Harel line? Idk it’s hilarious to me thinking about how he’s like. Argued with Fen’Harel before.)

I also had another idea but honestly it felt like... a nightmare from a logical standpoint but I also liked it but I also had no idea how to implement it lmaoooo.

Special Events:

Imprisoned at Redcliffe:

He can be found in the same cell that Sera would occupy--if Sera is in the party, then he occupies the same cell that Cassandra would occupy. If Cassandra and Sera are in the party, he occupies the same cell that Iron Bull would occupy. When found, he’s sitting cross-legged, facing the wall, praying to the Pantheon. When talked to, he expresses disbelief that the Herald is alive, saying that he thought Falon’din had guided them to the afterlife a long time ago. When Dorian explains that they were simply sent to the future, he looks both relieved and bitter. Relieved because that means this could all be avoided... but the Herald and Dorian didn’t have to live what they’ve been through. “Reverse this. Please.” He says after a moment’s pause, looking hopefully at the Herald and Dorian. “What they have done... it was monstrous. You cannot let this happen.” If he is the first companion to be saved, he informs the duo that Alexius was simply a puppet for the Elder One. “He assassinated the Orlesian Empress. He brought with him an army of demons. No one could stand against them. Elgar’nan knows we could not, hard as we may have tried.” He looks at the Herald. “It was... hard, without you. We had no time to mourn, but I prayed that you found peace.” If he is the second companion to be saved, he tells the Inquisitor that the guards have been talking about how Alexius never leaves the throne room--not even to eat. “He would have starved to death if not for his servants.”

The Party at the Winter Palace:

Oh, boy. As said before, the Inquisitor is hit with a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Dɪsᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs the second they talk to him. He’s not enjoying himself at all, saying that he’s been mistaken for a servant thrice despite him wearing the uniform of the Inquisition. If he is romanced, he’ll say that he’s glad the Inquisitor is around, though. “It gives me peace knowing that you are close.” He will also tell the Inquisitor to be careful, saying that it feels like they are being observed like a hawk watches their prey. He’ll also whisper something about being uncomfortable with how much scrutiny they are under. This happens regardless of romance. A romanced Inquisitor can ask him if he would like to dance, but he declines, saying that he does not want the Inquisitor’s reputation to take a hit for dancing with an elf. If the Inquisitor is also an elf, he’ll say that the court can barely take one elf, what more with two? His disapproval can be offset by asking him if he wants something to eat. Embarrassed, he will say that he saw some sweet rolls on a table somewhere and that they looked rather enticing. You get a Sʟɪɢʜᴛʟʏ Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs just for asking and a full Aᴘᴘʀᴏᴠᴇs if you actually do it. While exploring the Palace, Davhalla will express his desire to keep a halla statue for himself.

In The Fade:

I’ll think of his reaction to actually being in the Fade later lol. His gravestone reads “Loneliness.” The demon taunts him about how everyone he loves is going to leave him sooner or later, and nothing he can do will stop that. He responds with a small huff.

Greetings:

Cold/Hostile (-30 to -5):

“I assume this is important.”

“May I be of assistance?” (said in a crisp tone)

“What is it you require?” (said in a crisp tone)

“I am surprised to see you here.”

He will bid the Inquisitor farewell with “Indeed.”

Neutral (-4 to 34):

“Hello.”

“Am I needed?”

“I am listening.”

He will bid the Inquisitor farewell with “Goodbye.”

Warm (35 to 74):

“May I be of assistance?” (said in a warmer, excited tone)

“What is it you require?” (said in a warmer, excited tone)

“I am here to help.”

He will bid the Inquisitor farewell with “See you soon” or “As you were.”

Friendly (75 to 125):

He will also use his “warm” greetings, but is more likely to say these:

“On dhea’him.”/”Good afternoon.”

“At your service.”

“Whatever you need, my friend.”

He will bid the Inquisitor farewell with “See you soon” or “I hope we talk again” or “I will be here.”

Romanced:

“Ma vhenan.” (My heart.)

“Ma lath.” (My love.)

“What do you wish of me?”

He will bid the Inquisitor farewell with his “friendly” greetings or “Dareth shiral” or “Come back soon, ma vhenan.”

I’ll come back to this later. Or never. It depends. I’ll probably... revise the recruitment quest too or something. I’m not a game developer so naturally... not the best ksdjfgkfdslajf

#Dav as a companion is... pretty different than him as an Inky.#For one he's... a Very Big People Pleaser as an Inky but as a companion he's not afraid to argue and poke and prod.#Interesting how the character changes lol.#Trying to find the balance between likeable and Yeah This Guy Can Be Annoying and being unsure if I actually did it lol.#The fact that this is longer than some of my essays in university and it's not even finished lmfaooooooo.

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spiteweaver · 7 years

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The day was fine and calm. Overhead, fluffy white clouds scudded across a clear blue sky. Dreamweaver watched them until they melded with the mists ringing Weaver’s Crown; the peak was some distance from Feldspar Proper, but visible from most parts of the territory, and theirs was a particularly lovely view. Its sides had begun to blossom with fresh verdure, threatening to push the snow back from its ever-white cap.

Below, where they stood in the village square, life proceeded as it always had. Tau’s troubles with the Lightweaver had been seen to largely in private, and so the clan had little reason to feel ill at ease. Most were unaware of his loss; he told only those he felt needed to know. The primary market was flooded with visitors from across the Continent. With winter now creeping toward spring, the caravans were more active than ever.

“I think this is everything,” Banrai said as he stepped from the cool shade of their home and into the humid warmth of the square. He wiped beads of sweat from his brow. “Argus should be coming along with Mergo soon enough. I thought you lot were only staying in the Wasteland for a few days. You definitely over-packed.”

“It pays to be prepared,” Dreamweaver replied, and pressed a sweet kiss to their husband’s damp forehead. “I could have carried that.”

“You’ve a long journey ahead across hostile territory,” Banrai said, returning their kiss with one of his own. “You’ll need your strength. By the way, Phantasos is still pouting.”

“I know he wanted to see the Wyrmwound,” Dreamweaver said, “but I need him here helping you oversee the clan while I’m away.”

“He understands,” Banrai assured. “He’s just wheedling you.”

“There’s Plaquemine,” Dreamweaver said. They waved to the Plague Ambassador from across the square; he did not return the gesture. Even at a distance, they could see that he appeared anxious--more so than usual. “Oh dear,” they murmured, “I wonder what’s happened now.”

The clan’s Nature Representative, Keakaokalani, joined Plaquemine as he crossed to the founders. They spoke in harsh, hushed tones, Kea moving his hands rapidly in a series of complex gestures. Dreamweaver strained their ears to catch snippets of the conversation.

“--a-a-and I trust you’re f-f-fully aware of to whom the b-b-blame will fall,” Plaquemine concluded.

“Yes,” Kea said, the mouth beneath his mask of feathers turning sharply downward, “I am. I trust you are fully aware that this was an unforeseeable mishap.”

“I am,” Plaquemine agreed, “but my p-p-peers are less easily convinced.”

The pair met Dreamweaver at the door to their home. They had already opened it, and stood aside to allow their ambassadors entry. Neither stepped forward. “You aren’t coming in?” they said.

Plaquemine and Keakaokalani exchanged a glance. “The meeting hall might serve us better,” Kea replied. “We’ll need to summon all of the clan’s Flight Representatives.”

“For what purpose?”

“There’s been an incident,” Plaquemine said. “The Armistice has been b-b-broken.”

In stark contrast to the pleasant afternoon outside, the air in the meeting hall was thick with uncertainty. Dreamweaver sat at the head of the table, their face craned low over a set of letters in their hands. The letters were a courtesy, come to them from the Scarred Wasteland and the Viridian Labyrinth respectively, informing the Lightweaver’s most trusted acolytes that the Armistice had died the day before following a series of (as of yet) unexplained events.

Reading the account in plain draconic did nothing to aid their comprehension of the matter. They knew of the Armistice, but the thought of it having ended, after over four hundred cycles of unbroken enforcement, seemed utterly improbable, if not altogether impossible.

Yet, there it was, in plain draconic.

“What does this mean for our clan?” they asked, eyes never leaving the parchment.

“Hopefully nothing,” Plaquemine replied. “Our clan is far removed from this c-c-conflict. Keakaokalani and I are b-b-both in agreement that, regardless of the outcome, we hold no ill will toward one another, and will d-d-do what we must to ensure stability within Feldspar lands.”

“No leads on how Ambassador Liefa fell so ill?”

“None yet. Her quarters were zealously g-g-guarded.”

“Keakaokalani, have you heard anything out of the Labyrinth?”

Kea bowed his head. “Only whispers of rumors,” he mumbled in response. “In Liefa’s visions, she saw the Behemoth wither, and with it the Labyrinth. Some have taken it as an ill omen; perhaps her visions were not merely fever dreams. She is returning to the Labyrinth with the First Seed.”

“What of Ambassador Yugona?”

Plaquemine shifted uncomfortably. He was a deeply asocial individual on a good day, let alone when eleven other sets of eyes were gazing at him expectantly. “She has not b-b-been seen since her d-d-dismissal from the Labyrinth,” he confessed.

“Sabotage?”

“We w-won’t know until she’s found.”

“There’s more,” Volskaya said. As always, he sat more rigidly than any of his colleagues, his face set in a grim mask. He was plucking almost imperceptibly at a loose fiber in one of his sleeves. “Crucis and I have both received word from the Oculus--something has happened to the Shifting Expanse ley line.”

“Magister Beatrix is suspected of foul play,” Crucis went on, “but Volskaya and I feel otherwise, especially after what occurred at the Oculus before the ley line went dark. The Crystalspines are on the move; they nearly engulfed the Oculus entirely.”

“There have been rumblings in Dragonhome as well,” Rosegold informed. “I know through my contacts that strange discoveries have been made, marked by stranger disappearances. One such disappearance happened seemingly instantaneously, in the presence of several other dragons. None of the missing have been located.”

“The Twisting Crescendo reversed its direction recently,” Dahlia chimed in, “after many months of absence. We do not know if it is merely the playful whim of the Windsinger, or perhaps something more dire. I have spoken with witnesses who claim that the Windsinger was present under a mortal guise, but they are merely guesses.”

“There was an odd occurrence in the Wood,” Silhouette continued, in their wispy, wavering voice. “A voidling disappeared from the Thorndark Alter during a routine gathering. Three guesses where he reappeared.”

Dreamweaver clenched their jaw. “The Sunbeam Ruins.”

“Close,” Silhouette said, “the Hewn City. A cartographer witnessed his arrival.”

“I met with the cartographer in question,” Dawn added hastily, noting the paleness of their founder’s complexion. “She confirmed the event, and the, er, ‘voidling’ has been taken into custody for the time being, to be returned to his mother shortly. He appears unharmed.”

Dreamweaver opened their mouth to speak, but dropped their head into their hands before they could do so. They suddenly wished they had allowed Banrai to accompany them; they would have given anything for his hand on their shoulder. “Is there anything else?” they croaked.

Izalith cleared his throat. “Apparently a new landmass arose from the seas between the Ashfall Waste and the Southern Icefield.”

“Why did you all keep this from me?” Dreamweaver asked.

The group conferred with one another in hoarse whispers, their gazes darting sidelong to gauge their founder’s reactions. Finally, Rosegold spoke. “We did not feel there was cause for worry until today,” she said. “The incidents were unnatural, but seemingly unrelated. We believed they may have been the results of magical mishaps, or perhaps merely the Eleven toying with the shapes of their own lands.

“However, with the Armistice now at its end, it has become clear to us that something greater is afoot. That is why Plaquemine and Keakaokalani chose to request a formal Meeting of the Flights. All across Sornieth, peculiar things are happening, and they appear to be growing in intensity.”

“I’d imagine we’ll be hearing from the Sea soon enough,” Levi said, “or else the Southern Icefield.”

“Perhaps we already have,” said Juneau. “I didn’t mention it before, because, well, everyone else’s reports seemed so much more dire, but there have been some odd weather patterns recorded around the Crags.”

“Just the Sea then,” Levi amended.

“Tighten security along the Water border immediately,” Dreamweaver ordered, getting wearily to their feet. Although they appeared weak, they spoke with authority. “I will inform the Wardens and our allies in Aphaster of the incident in the Hewn City. Volskaya, return to the Shifting Expanse. Learn what you can of the troubles with its ley line. Crucis, put us in contact with the Magisters at the Oculus as soon as possible. Silhouette, council with the Shadowbinder. She may have some insight we lack. Rosegold, continue to gather intel from Dragonhome; have Caesar send word to Ambassador Akhtar at the Warren. The rest of you, make contact with your respective homelands. Plaquemine, you will accompany me to the Scarred Wasteland.”

“You’re still going?” Dawn asked incredulously. “Shouldn’t you remain at home? There’s no telling what may happen next.”

“I will be gone for only a few days,” Dreamweaver replied, “and I promised our allies abroad a meeting before the eon was out. They are expecting us within the week. At this juncture, the Sunbeam Ruins appear stable. If they were not, the Lightweaver would have sought me out. We cannot be crippled by uncertainty. We must move onward.”

“Friendly Plague clans will be all the h-h-happier for our presence during this time,” Plaquemine agreed. “It may help to f-f-further f-f-facilitate a smooth alliance.”

“You all have your tasks,” Dreamweaver said. “Go, and do not breathe a word of this to the people. I will make a formal announcement upon my return.” When their ambassadors remained seated, they shouted, “Go!” and the group rose as one, retreating out into the square.

Plaquemine was the only member of the assembly to remain. “A-are you certain you’re well enough for t-t-travel?” he inquired tentatively. “You look w-w-worn.”

Dreamweaver sighed, collecting the letters and various other documents they’d brought with them in their arms. “We need to strengthen ourselves and our allies now more than ever,” they replied. “This meeting is imperative. There is power in unity.”

“United we s-s-stand, divided we fall.” Plaquemine nodded. “I ag-g-gree that the meeting is imp-p-perative, but...” He dropped his gaze shyly, hiding his crimson eyes beneath long lashes and his many pelts. “...but what if you sent Prince Phantasos in your place?”

Dreamweaver staggered and fell against the table. “Beg pardon?”

“He’s p-proven himself m-m-more than enough,” Plaquemine pressed on, “and y-y-your power should remain here, in case of emergency. You’ve t-t-taught Prince Phantasos w-w-well. M-Mergo and I would g-g-guide him; it could be a t-t-test, on your terms.”

Again, Dreamweaver opened their mouth to speak, but found that they could not. They knew that, logically, their only arguments against sending Phantasos to represent the clan in their place were emotional; they feared for their child’s safety, and so they coddled him more than they ought to. The very thought of allowing him to leave the Sunbeam Ruins terrified them.

Plaquemine was right, though. Time and time again, Phantasos had proven himself capable; reckless, perhaps, but certainly capable, and becoming more so with each passing eon. He had saved them all from the pink celestine growth on Observatory Hill, he has enlisted the aid of Ozymandias using only his own smart mouth and quick wit, he had handled Thalassinus’ arrival with aplomb, and he had cultivated a strong relationship with their people, Feldspar’s allies, and the surrounding Beastclans.

He had much to learn about magic, but as an ambassador, no one was better suited. He would be open and honest in a way Dreamweaver often struggled to be; more importantly, he would be unflinchingly sympathetic to the needs of struggling clans.

“He’s so young,” Dreamweaver whispered, “he’s still so young.”

“Sometimes, y-y-youth is what is c-c-called for,” Plaquemine said.

Dreamweaver nodded. They did not trust themself to speak. With Plaquemine in tow, they exited the meeting hall, making at once for their home across the square. Banrai awaited them on the stoop, eyes shimmering with worry. “Well?” he prompted.

“Phantasos will accompany Plaquemine and Mergo to the Wasteland,” they said. “Fetch him. There is much I must discuss with him before his departure.”

[ Like my work? Here’s my ko-fi! ]

#flight rising #fr #bounty of the elements #zach writes #clan feldspar #feldspar lore #c: dreamweaver #c: keakaokalani #c: plaquemine #i hope to GOD i don't have to come back and edit this lol

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