#pt. 4 for endings

[youryesman]

My Veilguard Rewrite Pt. 1

[The structure and main objective] Yeah this game really disappointed me. Not only was the scene-to-scene craft abysmal (unsubtle and juvenile dialogue), but they butchered my favorite lore. In service of a trite interpersonal story about “persevering against staggering odds” which was explored with much better prose by LOTR, and in a stronger adult narrative in Cyberpunk 2077 (which doesn’t have to say the word “regret” for you to feel its presence).

I pondered my orb for a while. I came up with something that is very recognizable as the original game, but it interacts with the preexisting lore closely and pins the cast against a dilemma that asks more interesting questions of them. Because Dragon Age was my favorite ongoing series for 6 years, and I need a workable ending.

@ / mythalism made a great post about how the question of the Veil is not interacted with meaningfully, and the solution forced into every ending doesn’t make sense with how the Veil is shown to work. In the comments I ended up brainstorming, which might be a Tumblr social faux pas (if it is sowwy. Lmk, I’m still getting the lay of the land). Because I agree. I was gnawing at the bars of my enclosure every five seconds begging a character to bring up the fact that, while the gods undoubtedly need to be stopped, without their power there is nothing to keep the Veil up. Solas had to trick the Evanuris into imprisoning themselves, *because* he *lacked the power* to seal them away on his own. If you have a building held up by seven load-bearing pillars, and their materials have started leaking toxic gas into the air, you can’t just bulldoze two and expect the building to not fall, and you also can’t replace those load bearing pillars with one well-placed forklift. Veilguard just ignored it and retconned most of how the Veil worked, to inorganically erase the existing conflicts and then reintroduce ones that had nothing to do with what the last three games built up to.

In light of that here’s my thought:

The Veilguard’s job/plan is to find seven individuals to participate in a ritual that will siphon the gods’ power to them, which will then allow those seven to take the place of the Evanuris in the veil structure to keep it up.

I don’t think they have that ritual solution with the details ironed out right away, but the perilous endgame of the Veilguard should be known to the characters by chapter 2.

The main axis of the RPG choices/ending variety would be the final lineup of companions and their willingness to see the ritual through to the end with you. I say at least one core companion doesn't change (Harding probably), then five in either direction of ideology, with half being more idealistic/lawful and the other half being more chaotic/individualistic (in terms of how they judge MC’s actions). Each having their own unique perspectives on spirits, magic, elves, and their culture. You may persuade or trick Solas (alongside a couple other significant NPCs), into taking a spot reducing your “needs” to 4-6.

Friendship/Rivalry:

I imagine a friendship/rivalry system similar to DA2. Persuasion/Force. They’d advance in tiers based on a combination of story choices and conversational choices with Persuasive Power being furthered by things like directly addressing companions' fears/unfinished business or forming a deep romantic relationship, and Force being furthered by setups, threats, or even eliminating these characters’ closest relationships. I picture each character having a different central hangup (it’s just 11 stories at the end of the day, weave them into main questlines as needed) and Rook’s choice becomes how they elect to get them over that hangup (if they do at all, you’ll see as I discuss endings). Then have 4-5 conditional Solas Spies, characters who will defect or betray in the final confrontation if you fail to be compelling to them. Impossible for more than three to activate in one playthrough.

Main Plot Kind-of Stays:

Main Narrative can still primarily be about killing the gods (go from two to all five besides Solythal, and have them ascend in difficulty, they can be set in thematically appropriate pairs to reduce game length). The environments they try to conquer reflect the Evanuris’ hopes and the old joys they pine for– from a combination of meeting them and Solas memories, you become more aware of who they were. Besides killing them there could be a method with which you can appeal to some gods or nonviolently outwit them. No one character can outwit them all, unless (surprise surprise) your Rook’s personality and methodology resembles Solas. This Rook learns from spending a lot of time with Solas, studying the Evanuris and spirits, swaying Dalish clans to work with them, and being more calculated with the lives of those that follow them, no matter how that choice needles them later. I think it would be appropriate for this real Solas foil route to unlock unique conversations, but it could disillusion companions to you.

In each area a god has started blighting or magically dominating, there can be a political conflict/domestic problem with 2-3 outcomes. You can ignore them in favor of just getting whatever tf you need and killing the god and then getting tf out of there (which will walk hand in hand with an ending where you let the Veil fall), or you can follow those questlines to completion, granting the area a set outcome. Some companions will be barred further behind those domestic quests, while there will be a few baseline companions that come with the area or as a point of story progress regardless of where you are. (Compare Sten or Zevran to Alistair) See pt. 2 for the faction rewrites See pt. 3 for cameo/past game tie-in rewrites See pt. 4 for endings

[thebubblesareevil]

Only the best Kings wear pink! Pt 3

When Jason started to wake, he kept his eyes closed; his training kicking in to assess his surroundings. He could hear…giggling children?

He thought back on what happened and reassured himself that he had not passed out on a playground.

He could feel someone poking his cheek before someone else, an older woman, shooed the children away.

“Dear sir, feigning sleep will do you no good.” Announced a gentle voice.

He opened his eyes to see a woman draped in a medieval a large amulet around her neck, she had her hair tied back in a simple braid. She could definitely be considered attractive, he chose to ignore the glowing green skin for now.

He swiftly opened his eyes, it didn’t take long to realize his mask had been confiscated, which definitely didn’t help his mood any.

“Where am I and who are you?!” He demanded in a gruff voice.

“You’re in King Phantoms personal healing quarters. Sir Frostbite has informed me that you will make a full recovery from your overindulgence of distilled ectoplasm.” She giggled. “Must have been quite a wild night to still be feeling the effects this long, you must connect me with your supplier!” She chirped as if he understood a word of what she was saying. She straightened her back.

“As for who I am, I am Queen Dorothea of Maddingly. A pleasure to make your acquaintance ” She giggled a little as she gently held out his hand.

“Red Hood.” He answered, taking the hand. (Stranger or no, Alfred would kill him if he forgot his manners)

“The please is mine.” He grunted. He felt unusually calm considering his situation. Truth be told he couldn’t remember how he got there.

Then he remembered.

Lian. Roy. The summoning.

Jason jumped from the bed, much to the amusement of the Queen as he stumbled over his own legs.

“Where’s Lian??!!” He shouted at the Queen.

She only raised a single brow in amusement. “I can take you to the little princess now, though you may want to use the rest-“

Jason glared. Queen Dorathea giggled.

“Very well Sir Hood. The little princess is in the garden with her father having tea. Shall we?” She gestured to the door.

Then she started gliding out of the room, barely waiting for Jason to grab his guns and follow after her.

The traveled through the gloomy halls, though he could hear echos of children laughing. It should have been comforting.

It was creepy.

When they finally exited the castle, Jason was greeted with a bright just off-Lazarus green sky. Glowing children and various creatures roamed the gardens as he passed. Some carrying trays, some just stopping to smell the roses? All paused to greet the Queen.

Finally they came upon several arches and tables with little girls and boys talking in the most exaggerated fancy voices he had ever heard. He would have laughed if he weren’t listening for one particular little voice.

“JAYJAY!”

Jason spun around just in time to be tackled by the little cannonball. He allowed himself to be knocked to the ground, basking in the little girl’s laughter.

“Uncle Jay! Uncle Jay! Are you gonna have a tea party with us???” She chirped, beaming up at her uncle.

“Who?” Jason looked up to see Roy standing a few feet away, holding back laughter as he snapped pictures with a glowing green camera.

A boisterous laugh came from the table behind his friend where he found the so called Ghost King….wearing a princess crown??? (One of those pink cone ones with the ribbons)

“What on earth?” Jason muttered.

The king snorted. “I see the younglings managed to break into the medical wing.”

Jason frowned. Roy took more pictures.

The Queen giggled. “I did try to warn him.”

“Warn me? What??”

The large ghost approached Jason with some kind of disk. He had no chance to protect himself if the ghost attacked with Lian in his arms…

The King knelt in front of Jason and turned the platter to face him.

“Personally I think you look adorable.” He gave Jason a wink as Lian giggled.

Not that Jason noticed as he looked at his reflection in the platter to see his face covered in heavy glittery pink blush, his eyelids with a dark unflattering blue eyeshadow and bright red lipstick circling his lips.

That plus the little bows in his hair left him quite a sight.

Jason took a deep breath as he carefully got to his feet. He handed Lian to the Ghost King who dutifully snuggled the little monkey.

He turned to Roy. He didn’t hesitate, he took off after his dear friend, intent on prying the camera from his cold dead hands.

Roy booked it, the two performing impressive acrobatic feats from one tea table to the next as the fought for possession of the blackmail.

The King let out a booming laugh, turning to the little princess.

“Who should we help, daddy or uncle Jay?”

Lian tapped her chin, thinking carefully.

“Both?” She replied, tilting her head.

Danny grinned. “Both is good”

He released the little monkey as she raced to tackle her uncle Jay while Danny valiantly picked up the young archer by his armpits.

———

Clockwork sipped his glowing green tea. Entirely too pleased with himself as he enjoyed the sound of laughter returned to the infinite realms.

All was as it should be

[easyaesthetics]

3rd Semeser + The Onion & Reductress Headlines

[violentdelightshavevioletends]

Onyx Storm

— Ending Theory #1 —

MAJOR SPOILERS!!!

Question/Theory (1): There is a new Venin, who is it? I believe this to be Garrick Tavis because of the following:

"And now that my Sage has another sibling he can use against me...I'm screwed. I glance past Berwyn, past Sgaeyl and the venin, to my new brother and the unconscious dragon lying in the valley beyond the canyon, guarded by seven wyvern. How could he do this? Choose this after watching me stumble and fall over the last five months. How could he willingly walk the path l've fought like hell to leave? He's the last person I ever would have expected to turn, and yet here we are. I can't let Sgaeyl die. Can’t leave him to stumble down the same path I did." — Xaden Riorson, Chapter 65.

The 1st confirming of a “new Venin brother” passage which shows us that:

This is a male identifying character hence “he”.

The terminology is “new brother” meaning it is not someone such as Bodhi Durran, as in Chapter 58 —“Theophanie glances at Brennan, then Bodhi. "I didn't ask for either of you to attend." "I thought you requested brothers? Next time be more specific about who's invited," I suggest.” — he is already addressed as such.

Someone who has seen Xaden fighting not to channel because they know he is Venin (this limits us to a small group of people) & someone Xaden trusts (an even smaller group of people now) and who has been with them for the past 5 months (at the very least; presumably making it someone on the front lines and Quest Squad).

And someone Xaden “cannot leave” (like a best friend).

Adding onto it are these quotes from Imogen Cardulo & their chapters information as a whole, showing that:

"I notice the circles beneath his beautiful eyes, the unusual pallor of his complexion. He's exhausted, and for the first time in my life, I don't care that he's seeing me at my weakest, because he's right there, too. My chin tips in a nod. "All right." He moves quickly to the step beneath us, kicking something out of the way and gathering both of us into his arms. I lock mine around Quinn so she doesn't slip as we're lifted off the floor, and the landing beneath us loses its color. "Let's get you out of here." — Imogen Cardulo, Chapter 63.

Garrick is burnt out at best, and at worst already channeling (it is dark in the first scene; the circles beneath his eyes could have been Venin veins; while this is unlikely, as she does still call his eyes “beautiful”… Imogen is noted to struggle to meet anyone’s eyes in the following passages, so it’s possible she doesn’t note it while already in this state of shock).

There is also the possibility that “the landing beneath us loses its color” was not all due to other dark wielders; it may have already been Garrick as well.

Rebecca takes the seemingly unnecessary time to point out Garrick “kicking something out of the way” only she very rarely puts something pointless in her writing (& while I’m unsure of what it would mean, there is potential that it is hinting at something) & along the same note; the tense of Garrick’s phrasing is “you” not “us” (this may hint that he knows he will not be leaving this battle).

Finally, it’s worth noting that in this passage Garrick has just lost another friend (another one of the rebellion) making him not only wracked with grief but even more desperate to save Imogen (as the last book showed that mixture is rather dangerous when it comes to creating Venin).

& as he next states: "It's still not enough." Garrick's head hangs as he stands. "I can't..." & the following:

"Where are you going?" I shout at Garrick's back. "I can't walk again. Even if I made it to Aretia, I'd never be strong enough to get back," he calls over his shoulder. "So, I'd better find some fucking way to do something."

He is going out alone, to find a way to do something, dare I say anything. That is the last known sighting of him.

Not to mention that Chradh has made 0 appearances (making it feasible for him to be the “unconscious dragon” in reference).

And that he is powerless at this point. Yet, he is also one of the few riders who could possibly get to Riorson in time (let alone be helpful in the following “mysterious” & presumably chaotic 12 hours that then follow).

In that, we can also presume a few things from Chapter 66:

"Official numbers are four riders, their dragons, and three elders murdered in the valley in what we're estimating is the last few hours," Weilsen says. "And we still have five riders missing—four now," he adds, looking at me. His mouth tenses. "But after that display, we all know Riorson did this. I bet the other three are already dead." — Weilson, Chapter 66.

While we do not know who the (now) four riders are (aside from obviously Xaden) it does show that it is primarily dragon riders that are missing (again upping the odds of one in three being Garrick).

“The last few hours” meaning this all occured after Violet “went missing” and the “new Venin brother” went with—well—whomever they went with… possibly making a bigger spectacle, then the one earlier (and being that one in reference instead).

Again, as stated; Garrick also has the powers thanks to his second signet (which was specifically introduced in this book) to assist in the spread of said “display” and desecrations all across the battlefield (even if they are most likely Xaden) he is the signet match for any and all… he and Xaden very well could’ve gone to find the other “traitors” using Garrick’s teleportation & Xaden’s inntinsic skills, thus seemingly killing the three “elders”.

Finally, these last portions to the point:

"Do you know where he is?" Brennan asks me softly once the other rider is fully out of earshot. "Riorson? You heard what Weilsen said. We have dead dragons and riders and missing eggs, and if you've seen Riorson, I need to know, Violet." "I..." Words fail me. Why can't I think? "I don't know." I raise my hands to my mouth, and a piece of parchment in my front pocket catches on my arm, then falls. Brennan catches it. "Cardulo?" He lifts his eyes to Imogen. "I haven't seen him since yesterday," she says, her voice low, almost monotone. "Lieutenant Tavis?" "Among the missing," Brennan answers gently, then glances my way and does a double take. "Holy shit, Violet." "What?" I lower my arms. Garrick is missing, too? Who else makes up the four riders Weilsen mentioned? "Your finger," Imogen says, then stares at the ground. — Chapter 66.

Imogen has not seen XADEN since yesterday, she does not specify upon Garrick. …If she had seen him, she would have good reason to keep it a secret (as if she already didn’t for Xaden alone; though she definitely would’ve been more inclined to help with his favor)… and while she does ask (which leads me to believe she does not know for certain) I think it is a pointed question not of “please let him be alive” and more of “please let me be wrong” with whatever she does know. & again this would add to her completely numb/in-shock heartbroken can’t-look-a-soul-in-the-eye nature here; as she loves Garrick! So, if he turned she would also be joining the “heartbroken wives” club (that I have a feeling Violet and Cat will be forming in the next book… along with the likely subsection of “dissapointed/disgruntled mothers” for Sgaeyl; cause hell hath no fury like a woman blessed by Dunne, and seeking revenge to rescue her lover from himself). And as we all obviously know Imogen does know something! (She didn’t have to look first to tell Violet to check her finger) like I said she can’t look her (or anyone) in the eyes (not until Violet asks that darn right single question “What did you do?”). And while Brennan doesn’t seem shocked to see her (Imogen) she very well may have been among the missing riders (seeing as Violet sneaking in to find her prior to Brennan seems unlikely & difficult under the current discourse).

*edit* as I’m re-reading this Chapter 11 prologue from Iron Flame felt enough like foreshadowing to add it onto here:

"Garrick has always been my best friend. His father was my father's aide, which in a way makes him my Dain, except trustworthy. After Liam, Bodhi was and still is the closest thing I have to a brother, perpetually tagging along a step behind. —Recovered Correspondence of Lieutenant Xaden Riorson to Cadet Violet Sorrengail"

[12am-motivation]

the rui butler experience™

[chiarrara]

new scene, inspired by this art, which set me off on another daydream. this is recollection, not writing:

I'm starting to imagine more and more scenes that don't fit exactly into the outline I have, which is fun because i think the story is developing and getting better because of it. I don't know how it's gonna turn out, or if I'll even use everything. But I'm having a good time, and I like where it's going.

this iteration of megumi is really interesting to play with. it's like the most extreme version of everything that makes him him and how he confronts it when those things are baked even deeper into his dna

[awrkive]

ok... so i might have this thing...

[skrunksthatwunk]

not gonna elaborate rn but fkmt gave me a gift personally in those little moments of gratitude kaiji shows for the minor favors of ppl who are putting him (or others) through deathgames. like that's power at work baby

[awkwardnerdylesbian]

i’m. hmm. ok still can’t get over bi benedict

THANK YOUUUU and that small gay panic from francesca amazing

[acourtofquestions]

Overhead, the stars shone clear and bright, and though Mala had only once appeared to him at dawn, on the foothills across this very city, though she might be little more than a strange, mighty being from another world, he offered up a prayer anyway.

Then, he had begged Mala to protect Aelin from Maeve when they entered Doranelle, to give her strength and guidance, and to let her walk out alive. Then, he had begged Mala to let him remain with Aelin, the woman he loved. The goddess had been little more than a sunbeam in the rising dawn, and yet he had felt her smile at him.

Tonight, with only the cold fire of the stars for company, he begged her once more.

A curl of wind sent his prayer drifting to those stars, to the waxing moon silvering the camp, the river, the mountains.

He had killed his way across the world; he had gone to war and back more times than he cared to remember. And despite it all, despite the rage and despair and ice he'd wrapped around his heart, he'd still found Aelin. Every horizon he'd gazed toward, unable and unwilling to rest during those centuries, every mountain and ocean he'd seen and wondered what lay beyond... It had been her. It had been Aelin, the silent call of the mating bond driving him, even when he could not feel it.

They'd walked this dark path together back to the light. He would not let the road end here.

[nekomamiiz]

❕ ＢＬＯＲＢＯ ＣＨＥＣＫＰＯＩＮＴ ❕

you have stumbled across an official nekomamiiz blorbo checkpoint. think of your fave, answer in the tags or however you like and then continue on your adventure (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭ ♡

which blorbo is currently floating around in your brain?

how did you two meet?

any fun date plans tonight?

a movie you two watch together religiously?

favorite meal to cook together?

if you play video games, what is your favorite to play together?

lastly, who said “i love you” first?

thank you for participating in this checkpoint ! rb's and tags are encouraged ♡ hope you had fun :)

[youryesman]

My Veilguard Rewrite Pt. 3

[ cameo rewrites ]

The choice of Isabela as a previous game cameo was crazy. I like some of the Gaga songs, what the fuck does she have to do with the Veil? Then they had the audacity to make her skinny and put her in the ugliest bikini I’ve ever seen. Death sentence for whoever greenlit that. Anyway:

Devs put forward a lot of BS about “not wanting to overwrite the worldstates other people imagined. We wanted to focus on having meaningful, branching choices for this game” (loud incorrect buzzer). The only things they didn’t retcon were because they erased them from the ENTIRE SETTING. If it doesn’t matter anyway let's get some meaningful extras in here. Dorian, Maeveris, Morrigan, and the Inquisitor good picks. I have notes but their presence makes sense. Though Morrigan's relevance becomes extremely questionable when you remember The Well choice wasn't carried over.

Besides that I’ll go with the obvious: Cole. Ffs where is Cole. Sera and Fenris in Tevinter with a city elf faction Kieran if he exists should absolutely be a companion Merrill Josephine in Antiva Sten as the Arishok

I say Sera, Cole, Fenris, and Merrill as carryover companions or advisors that can become Veilguarders (aka take slots in the ritual). Sten and Dorian can also be persuaded to return at the end to take one of the spots. I think you could ask Josephine as more of a joke option but she would refuse. Pt. 1 for overarching plot rewrite Pt. 2 for faction rewrites Pt. 4 for endings

[bipirate]

my friend who im watching jojos with fucking HATES polnareff and it's so funny because as we were watching pt 3 she kept going 'i hope he dies' and i kept laughing it off. and now we've just started pt 5. i literally cant wait until we get to polnareff's reintroduction

[girlwithakiwi]

I really want to write some more Jonerys one-shots this year. I should do one of those meme things again to get some ideas from the crowd—after all, that's how lighthouse came into existence

[violentdelightshavevioletends]

Onyx Storm

— Ending Theory #2 —

MAJOR SPOILERS!!!

Question/Theory (2): How did Imogen save Dain & herself? — Does Imogen have a Second Signet? — Here’s why I think she does & what I think it is:

"You have a second signet, don't you?" And like Xaden, he hid the strongest one. — Violet Sorrengail to Garrick Tavis, Chapter 11

This shows the pre-existing patterns/plans of the children of the rebellion (even more so; their dragons) hiding the strongest “weapons” they have.

While Imogen’s known signet is pretty powerful as is, this doesn’t count against the theory, as much like Xaden shows the “known” signet can be nearly just as powerful as the unknown (so it’s not like a contest of “topping it” in a manner that she could not).

It is also something they hide no-matter what (not purely as a “secret weapon”) but because having two signets goes against the rules & endangers them all in itself.

This does get further complicated in some cases (such as Xaden; where his need for hiding his signet is also out of the signet itself being a death sentence). Though it does beg the question of who (if anyone) knows about Imogen’s second signet?.. and what that may mean for the power level of whatever it is?.. I’m willing to bet it’s closer to a Garrick situation than a Xaden, as Dain does witness it (& while this was not the goal) it did not seem to be a death sentence (nor something she needed to take the time to make him forget)… Though the biggest question still stands of what is allowed and whatever that means in terms of the “magical balance” of their nature demands… posing the question:

How many of the same signets can exist on the same side? What is “the balance”? And is there such a thing as “signet-gaps”?

"At its core magic demands balance." — Chapter 60 Prologue (Iron Flame)

Time and time again this is said… but what does it really mean?

"There is only one exception to the rule, Violet Sorrengail. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be you." — Theophanie to Violet Sorrengail, Chapter 60

When Theophanie tells Violet she is "the only exception" to “the rule”… this could very well be due to the anomaly of a shadow & lightning wielder being alive at the same time (two shadows, one per side, and one lightning total) however (unless I missed something which I very may well have) I presume it meant/hinted at something more.

Such as there being a “counter” or “Dark-Wielder-self” per signet we know.

"I think you exposed your desperation with your once-a-century comment. You need me." "Another will come along," she warns. "You are not special." — Violet Sorrengail to Theophanie, Chapter 60

Violet may not be “the only one” or special as much as she is rare, but there is some balance the world is waiting on in what it allows to occur at one time.

"My signet is always the balance," Bodhi argues, lifting his hand as the wind rises to a constant roar at our backs. "I can stop her!" "You can't!" I push again, and this time he stumbles sideways. "Your signet must only work on our magic, not theirs." — Bodhi Durran to Violet Sorrengail, Chapter 60

Despite Bodhi’s power; it shows it is not him. He is not the balance… or at least not theirs… Much like how magic doesn’t work on dragons, there is a difference within the Venin; and whatever that all does to the “rules of magic”. He cannot be the counter for them all… so what is (if Violet is the only un-countered signet)?

"She isn't the dark wielder version of you." — "She's their answer to my mother." — "She was the answer to me,". — Bodhi Durran, Violet Sorrengail, & Theophanie, Chapter 60

This notes "the answer" from both sides. And that “magic balance” I’m speaking of… it seems like a similar structure to how signets are formed around need (Xaden needs to know who to trust = he can read intentions, Violet is desperate to speak to a sleeping Andarna = she can dream-walk) there is a storm-wielding Venin = Lilith Sorrengail the storm-wielding General.

"That's not possible," Imogen says. I turn around, reaching for a dagger, and freeze completely. Lynx stands in the middle of the hallway, shaking from head to foot, staring at the darkness that envelops his hands. "It's all right." Rhiannon rushes to Lynx's side. "Breathe. You're just..." "Manifesting," Xaden says, putting himself in front of Lynx. "Don't be scared. They're defending you. Fear. Anger. Whatever it is, level out your emotions, and they'll recede." Manifesting? Shadows? "I can't—" Lynx shakes his head, and the shadows creep up his arms. "You can," Xaden assures him. "Close your eyes and think of the place you feel safest. Go ahead." Lynx slams his eyes shut. "Good job. Now breathe deeply and picture yourself there. Calm. Happy. Safe." Xaden watches as the shadows recede. Lynx's breaths even out, and his hands reappear. "Get him to Carr now," Xaden orders Rhiannon, and she nods. The squad ushers Lynx down the hall, but I stay behind, shock gluing my feet to the carpet. "I don't understand. You're our generation's shadow wielder." "Not anymore. Magic knows." Xaden's shoulders dip as he turns slowly to face me, his brow scrunching in apology before he schools his features. "He's the balance." — Xaden Riorson to Violet Sorrengail & friends, Chapter 46

Something that appears to shock everyone; Imogen included… while this may have simply been the shock of shadows, or a fear of an attack, or even a rapidly turning Xaden, etc. it doesn’t change the fact they are all shocked… which implies some of these “once in a century” skills are very unknown in what the world of magic “allows” (especially when already intentionally “breaking the rules” as their dragons seem to be doing in choosing them).

"Heads up," Garrick says, and we both look forward as a first-year with a rebellion relic steps into the pit with Timin Kagiso-the newly promoted wingleader for Second Wing. "Let's try to keep anyone else from burning." Go figure another fire wielder was Second Wing's executive officer when Aura died. — Garrick Tavis to Violet Sorrengail, Chapter 28

Finally, the note that there are known multiples of signets (for-instance) flame-wielders as shown above. And the possibility that they switch out upon death?..

And in many other moments it is shown that signet “categories” can be vastly unique & frankly complicated… for instance the world of Intinnsics. While true intinnsics are killed, truth-sayers are not. Along with many other signets in the “mind-category” that skirt the edge (or don’t fully encompass) that which would get them killed, while being highly classified and quite similar to that of “full intinnsics” (like Xaden & Violet; who also have powers that take very different forms despite both being kinds of intinnsics; key word “kinds”) as very much seen in the spectrum of “minds” between Imogen, Dain, and Varish’s abilities.

We are also shown some signets that did appear at the same time (even if we didn’t know it) this may possibly be due to the rebellion relics or the fact they are second signets but it does occur; for instance Liam & Ridoc (both are ice-wielders).

"Are you pissed I didn't tell you?" I shake my head. "You don't owe me your friends' secrets." My brow knits. "But twenty hours of flying gave me some time to think. You. Garrick." I tilt my head. "And I once thought I saw Liam..." "—Wield ice," Xaden says, stroking his thumb along my chin. I nod. "How often do second signets accompany these particular relics?" My fingers trail down the side of his neck. "Often enough to be sure Kaori can't possibly have accurate records, but not too completely that anyone questions why I only present with one," he answers. "Our dragons came looking for us. They knew what they were doing." "Giving you a better chance of survival?" I rest my hand over his heart. "If you wax sentimental. More like building their own army." A corner of his mouth rises. "More signets equal more power." — Xaden Riorson to Violet Sorrengail (in reference to the rebellion), Chapter 12

This discussion confirms that there are not only “second signets” that we do not know about, but also a habit of the "marked ones" / “children of the rebellion” being chosen for them leading to further questions on a “dragons rebellion” (which I will discuss further in an upcoming post).

All in all this makes it far more likely for Imogen to not only have a second signet as a marked rebel, but also keep unknown to us/Violet/or even Kaori at this time.

Continuing on the note of “knowledge” / the danger these secrets pose in knowing them, it’s worth noting:

"Hey, Bodhi?" I whisper so only the two of us can hear. "Hey, Violet?" he answers, looking up. "What's your second signet?" I lower my voice even more. He lifts his brows, then glances in Garrick's direction. "Don't have one." "As in you don't have one that I get to know about but will eventually see you wield, or don't have one have one?" A corner of his mouth lifts into a wry smile that reminds me of his cousin's. "Don't have one. Just like Xaden. Why?" "Curious," I admit. — Violet Sorrengail to Bodhi Durran, Chapter 28

Violet does not ask to know about everyone else… even going so far as to later ask Bodhi if he had one. Meaning another inner-circle & third-year bestie like Imogen could very well have one.

Finally, on the note of “what” that signet may be & the known powers of Imogen + the primary OS quote that brought this to my (and apparently Dain’s) attention:

Another set of footsteps joins mine, and a flash of metal sparks in the corner of my eye. Aetos catches up on my right, half his face drenched in blood, bearing his own dagger and a shield half his size. Shit. That's not good. Twenty. I channel my rage, rejecting any notion of fear, and draw one of my alloy-hilted daggers from the sheath at my arm in preparation to strike. We're almost there—The dark wielder pivots, whipping to face us with an unnatural speed even I can't match, and swings his staff in our direction. Fire erupts, barreling toward us in a deadly stream, and I weigh our options for all of a millisecond as we skid to a halt. It hits? We die. Jump? We die. "You will not burn!" Glane demands. Fuck, I really didn't want to have to do this, but I mentally open the door to my childhood home and flood my body with her power. "Get—" Aetos starts to yell. "Get behind me!" I shout, ripping the shield from his grip. His eyes flare wide, and he lets go. We have seconds, so I flip the shield, then slam its flat top between the row of stones at our feet and drop behind it, keeping my hand on the leather strap. Aetos jumps behind me as power rushes into my fingers so quickly I clench my teeth to keep from screaming. Heat surrounds us and the leather hardens in my grip as the shield turns to stone. Fire roars, blazes, flows around us. We are the rock in the river, demanding the water part. The heat dissipates as the blast ends, and Aetos dives to the left and throws. An alloy-hilted dagger sails from his hand and I rise, clutching my own. The dark wielder's expression of shock remains permanent as he desiccates a few feet away and falls off the wall. One down, but the guards are missing from the top of the turret, and I see a flash of purple disappear into the tower. Worse, another dressed in crimson strides along the eastern wall. Aetos jumps to his feet and draws his remaining dagger. "I'll take that one. You get the one in the tower." He glances at the stone shield, then breaks into a run, and I follow, sprinting as fast as I can. "And we're going to talk about whatever the fuck that just was later," he shouts over his shoulder, but l've already passed him, using lesser magic to boost my speed. — Imogen Cardulo, Glane, & Dain Aetos, Chapter 63.

First off: Imogen’s known & shown signet is short-term-memory wiping… this in itself is of course VERY powerful, classified, & helpful; most likely explaining the ending of this book & leaving us without plot holes in power (like that which Liam had)… this signet would even be extremely helpful for concealing a second signet. And so far, this signet has fit ever feat we have seen her do, with the other “how” being lesser magic in that she (like Xaden) uses & states here "to boost speed". However, none of this accounts for the way she survived above. Or even some actions that would be out of character, for example the fact that she risked her life for Dain; I am not saying she wouldn’t, or even did risk it intentionally (she may have simply been refusing to cower behind him & unnecessary chivalry, or realizing the fastest way was to save them both) but jumping in here without a plan seems like too much a risk for too little a relationship to me… unless she had a way that was not some fluke or freak accident… perhaps it had something to do with the runes she goes to work on shortly, again mentioned by a mark on Dain Violet notes earlier (I’ll discuss this more in an upcoming post). But honestly, all of that fails to clearly answer the how of how she & Dain survived that & the way in which it is described. To me, that screams only one answer; a Second Signet.

This moment is also questioned & jarring to the characters themselves as Dain takes the moment to note its oddity while adding it to his “list of things to talk about later” (which began with the reveal of another second signet to him in the form of Garrick’s distance-wielding, making it even more fitting to end with one too).

+ Let us not forget (as Liam’s ice mentioned in FW came to prove itself right in OS) Rebecca doesn’t leave plot-holes. She leaves clues. And even more often adds details specifically & with intention.

In this moment Imogen describes "throwing open a door" in her mind (a very common phrasing for magic & the control of it among dragon-riders) one that she did not want to visit (or perhaps more so, did not want to reveal) with this timing & placement (“exposure to Dain”). But seeing as its life or death, she does as a last resort. Furthermore, on the note of “last resorts” the phrasing is extra intriguing to me because her thought of grounding comfort is also one of pain & in itself reminds me of somewhere she would "not want to visit" & has kept shut away… similar to how a hidden second signet would be treated.

Glane tells her, “demands”/nearly-commands her "not to burn" (& while the way dragons show affection is often in a “don’t die” way) they have already covered this base earlier; it feels more like a reminder/order to open that “forbidden” power & door to said second signet. One that would do exactly what we see her do; stop her from burning.

Not to mention the fact she is “flooding” herself with power, this would be senseless right now if her only signet was short-term memory-loss. That will not stop the Venin Dark Wielders or flame, nor prevent them from burning, or protect her/Dain in any way we know of. Nor would lesser magic. So, anything she’s summoning has to have a different purpose… and she’s gather a lot of it.

And then we see this series of events that does not make sense with any other answer: Imogen forcing Dain behind her. Taking his weak shield that is smaller than them in size and not large enough to block flames (or by the sounds of it even sustain in materials & burnable leather against such a thing). Flipping it (again… odd), and slamming it into stone (I imagine this is not an easy thing to do as that sounds like breaking solid rock at your feet) and then seemingly it becomes stone itself. As Imogen stays holding on to it, not burning as heat goes around them, only feeling pain from a rush of power. Not to mention the question of where that stone appeared from in the first place (I can’t imagine a Dark Wielder taking aim right in front of a pillar of stone large enough to hide them). And then she says it; she IS the rock. She demands it to part. (Also, while this may be a stretch that means nothing; rock is mentioned heavily in the upcoming scenes, including the runes being formed, and the ground turning gray & draining while not yet harming that which she stands on).

As far as what powers that leads us with, we can of course, eliminate many that make no sense; both from these “requirements” & the plot (as an example: healing… if Imogen had that signet she would’ve saved Quinn right then and there… whatever her power is, it was at its limit & without that capacity). Originally, I did think it could be some sort of Flame-wielder but that still wouldn’t explain turning to stone. Then I considered welding (some sort of Metallurgist like Sawyer), however, the more and more I read, I think that Imogen truly meant what she said (and it’s the biggest clue Yarros gave, therefore silly to ignore & guess around) she turned it to stone. So, if not directly some sort of “rock-wielder” maybe some sort of “changing-materials”? Though I do think rock is the strongest theory, as if she had any substance at her fingertips, I’d guess there are more fire-proof options she would’ve used (unless it’s limited to that which she can touch… still… she didn’t pick what the shield was made of; she chose to change it to rock).

And who knows, (many second signets make a lot of sense in hindsight) so maybe that’s why she weight trains with Violet (she just makes rock weights lol… okay, that’s a stretch) but that’s the closest theory-ish thoughts I have!

P.S. final thought — why does Imogen say:

I unsheathe my last alloy-hilted dagger and stare up at the wyvern-filled sky. Then I make my way back inside, slip Quinn's last dagger from her thigh sheath, and reach for Glane. "Tell every rider within the walls to get over here and disarm. It's the only way we're living through this." — Imogen Cardulo, Chapter 63

Could this possible hint at the Second Signet as well? — Why else would disarming be helpful (as opposed to dangerous)? — Maybe she can turn these walls into the alloy if it is a substance-shifting signet… or do something with the walls material & stone?

So, in total I think there is only one conclusion; Imogen has a Second Signet & it rocks (literally).

[commander----shepard]

A Murder at the End of the world Episode 4: Family Secrets pt.1