#sten is amazing

[vigilskeep]

you did not take the magebomination stopper trained warrior to the mage circle filled with abominations? 😭 (/lighthearted i forever support party composition purely based on vibes and vibes be thine own resolution but i just thought it was funny going to the mage tower and being like huh i could use a spell neutralizer rn . oh well)

templars arent special. everyones a spell neutraliser if they stab fast enough

[h-a-unted]

Neagley + Reacher in S1E5: No Apologies

[s-ewell]

Insane how in dragon age: origins when you meet sten for the first time and ask why he's been arrested he says "yeah I got a little too crazy and murdered an entire family including the children ://" and so you go "why?? can you elaborate?" he's like "nah ://" and the warden basically goes "very well, I would like you to travel with me then" like?????? Blights sure are a desperate time.

[castledvania]

my dragon age opinions are insane and not to be trusted. i spent my childhood feeling weirded out by sten but when inquisition fans started dickriding the iron bull i was like sten is literally better than him……

[umanta]

i was going to play the sims but fuck it. new origin time

[autisticempathydaemon]

Hello... again! Are you hyperfixated on RedactedAudio?

Do you want (need) to know who to follow to cultivate your dashboard and feed your gremlin brain good, good boyfriend roleplay content and my first recommendation post of magnificent fan-artists and fan-writers wasn't enough dopamine for you?

Cool, I’ve got you, and I’ve got even more hyperlinks. Buckle up.

(Note: This is by no means a comprehensive, objective, or complete list, as I have biases and favorites and limited time. If you feel I've missed someone, please feel free to reblog with your additions! I just would have loved a guide like this when I got into the fandom back in August 2022 and wanted to spread some positivity~!)

Fanfiction:

@agentplutonium: they/them

Pluto is just one of the many gorgeous people who've migrated to Tumblr now that Twitter is, ya know, on fire. I've been following them on Tiktok for ages, and I'm so pleased they joined us on tumblr now! Highlights: "Constant" and "Inconvenience" mean the world to me, because there are just not enough aspec headcanons in the fandom, we could always have more.

@angelicaether: they/them

Aether is a fucking gem unto this fandom- not only do they run Sky Side, a friendly, closeknit (hehe) server for 21+ Redacted fans but they also were who we have to thank for Redacted Kinktober 2023, bless them~ Highlights: New Job Posting is magnificent if you’re in the mood for some David/Angel smut today and this cute couple crossover fic if you’re feeling more SFW!

@caelumsnuff: they/them

Phoenix is magnificent, creative, and endlessly sweet. I also respect the hell out of anyone that can take the anon hate that they get with as much grace and attitude as they do /gen /pos Highlights: I love this gift for the Quinn-fuckers they wrote, I do, but I have to admit I'm partial to the Imperium!Vincent/Imperium!Asher piece they did, because their tension and hatred was just too palpable to deny, I needed it.

@empydoc: any pronouns

Empy's Soul Eater AU has not only taken over my life but has also got me deeply wanted a Soul Eater rewatch. God forbid xe succeed because this post has already been delayed enough /j Highlights: I love the Marcus/Asset post, because that's my favorite pairing but also because Asset as both an android and a weapon is so, so interesting. Blake/Bestie's is also a particular gem, because being a meister just gives him a new dimension to his manipulation and I love it.

@floofdeloop: she/her

Not only is Floof a beloved fic writer but she's also one of the adored DJs of the fandom. Are you really a fan if you haven't looked up Redacted on Spotify and saved all her playlists? /j Highlights: Her whole playlist page is literally so good, but I love the cute, domestic vibes of this Geordi one or the tragic, angsty, Britrock vibes of this Porter playlist~!

@joshusten: they/them

Sten is one of if not the writer that comes to mind when you're looking for amazing Guy/Honey content! Highlights: Bitter Melon is my personal favorite of their work; what can I say? I'm a sucker for a little jealousy in my fics. You also can't miss Honeysuckle, their most recent piece which gets into Guy's canonically less-than-pure mind~

@pinksparkl: she/her

Gosh, where would we be without her? Pink never has a bad word or thought for anyone and just persists in being a delightful, sweet presence in the fandom. Highlight: I can't decide what I'm more obsessed with- their Adam-centric fic exploring the Progeny/Maker bond or their nsfw Gavin-centric with his tail exploring Freelancer nudge nudge wink wink

@redlikeredacted: they/them

Just as their blog says, they are the CEO of Dasher. In my head, they are the president of both the David/Asher and the Autistic!David fan clubs, and I'd vote for them a second and third term okay I love Red Highlights: Their "David bottoming for the first time" fic is everything to me okay I am here for nothing but this except maybe this Milo fic where he gets Aggro~

@teafairywithabook: she/they

A lovely writer, voice actor, and person, Cheri does it all! With a whole 34 Redacted works on AO3, they are a must-follow. Highlights: I'll provide the masterlist of previously mentioned works, but I must recommend her nsfw Avior/Starlight fic keeping us sated until we finally get an Avior BA and their fic of Alexis's POV of Sam's turning I couldn't not okay I'm just a person I have biases

@tepid-judas: he/they/it

My favorite Adam stan, my friend, and the person who converted me into an Adam/Brighteyes shipper, I thank Judas every day for that. Highlights: I love their series of epistolary fics, because who doesn’t love a good letter, but I would be remiss if I didn’t rec his DAMN polycule plus Xavier fic cause fuck canon let's add frosty the snowman to the orgy /lh

@themonotonysyndrome: she/her

Lady, my dearest friend and greatest foe~ How else do I describe the gorgeous, sociable, friendly person who bought Alexis/Christian into the world and ruined my life? (affectionate) Highlights: Let these two assholes in love take you on a ride, fall in love with them too. If that's not your vibe, I cannot recommend enough her insane, gen z Bright Eyes being an absolute fucking terror /pos

Fanart:

@androgynouspenguinexpert

Can YOU believe Penguin's only been posting art since, like, December? I certainly can't, because it's like they've drawn every boy at this point and each is as smoochable and adorable as the last. Highlights: Their Porter is one of my favorites; what can I say? Who can resist this high ponytail and cape combo? I also love their Hush, cause look at him~! He's adorable! Penguin gives all these boys such luscious, floofable hair; I love them!

@cute-brainz: she/they/it

Kindly, lovingly, respectfully, Cute's listeners designs reduce me to a sniveling, simpering puddle of a simp. I become nothing but a humble, simple straight man, and none of you came blame me good god their listeners are hotter than all the redacted men- Highlights: Like, look at their Lovely: the hair, the singlet, the VIBES? Fuckin irresistible; like Vincent, I'd give them anything their heart desires. And their ANGEL? The MINUTE David Shaw fumbles that bag, I'm on my knees with a ring hello earth angel will you be mine

@darling-solaire

Darl has been posting art for only a month and a half at the writing of the post, and yet I feel like I've loved their Solaires for forever. They, as a unit, are hot and tragic as fuck, and I love them. Highlights: I am obsessed, particularly, with the Solaire family portraits, but maybe that's because my girl Alexis is up there, and I love her. There's also this bust compilation of more Redacted boys in case you didn't find your favorite in the Solaires~!

@free-boundsoul: she/her

Okay so, like, vibe with me did you ever love Lisa Frank products with the bright, saturated colors and sparkling eyes but wish instead of cuddly animals that there were really hot men? Then Savvie is the artist for you~ Highlights: One, it's fun to see a Regulus that's not blue, okay? It's thinkin outside the box. Two, the CRACKS? WITH THE GOLD PEEKING THROUGH? I'm inconsolable my god. Speaking of daemons, Fool!Gavin is sort of everything to me. He's just really rocking that sweater vest!

@hotmcrodz: he/they

I know for a fact that I'm not the only one obsessed with the way Jai draws human anatomy. I have unironically seen a Jai piece in the tag and gone "WOWZA" like I'm Jim Carrey in The Mask; that's what they do to me. Highlights: This Milo was one of the pieces that made my eyes pop out my head like a cartoon wolf; I think it's the shirtlessness plus the muscle pose. I just couldn't handle it. I also reacted like that to their Babe because I am an equal opportunity pervert /hj

@izzuku: he/they

Izzuku designs characters with the most realistic and gorgeous body types; like, I love the soft jawlines and how warm and touchable they draw skin. Every Izzuku design is kissable as hell. Highlights: I have to recommend his Regulus and Hush designs, obviously, they're my favorite men. However, I can't let the world go by another rotation without recommending this special Halloween version of Vincent~!

@kilarthmac: she/they

In case we needed another reason to love and appreciate the iconic timestamping account we all recognize from the Redacted comments, we cannot neglect their fanart! Highlights: Like, look at this brought-back-wrong Vega! This Hush with his cute face and off-putting air! He's so cute and so weird! I also love this piece they've done for one of my favorite rarepairs, Imperium!Lasko/Adam~

@latenightsleeper: he/they/it/she

My kinfolk and my beloved, one of the few people who understand me and the vision that is beautiful, blonde, dumb and lovable Christian. They will give you so many feelings about Darlin and Christian, and they will cause you agony /pos Highlights: Obviously, I'm obsessed with the Tank/Christian art like this one (Christian is just so cuuute), but we're all obsessed with this Sam/Darlin animatic set to Eat Your Young.

@maxpaulll

An amazing artist that I'm so glad we managed to get to migrate to Tumblr from Twitter so I could put them on this list~ Highlights: I am obsessed always with their Indigenous character designs, especially David. Like, look at him, he's indescribably beautiful, outshone by no one except maybe Max's Imp!Vega, because oh my god look at him~

@nortyourself: she/her

I don't think there's anyone who's not obsessed with at least one of Rachel's pieces; like, I believe she'll get to every Redacted man with the speed and beauty she works. Even Reticuli has gotten the Rachel treatment and been made hot af. Highlights: Technically, this Imperium!Damien just takes me breath away; like, it would be blown up and framed in his palace (for all of his short and tempestuous reign). Personally, her Hush has a dear and special place in my heart. He's just my favorite~!

@penncilkid: any pronouns

One of the most gorgeous and darling and non-stop creators in the space! They're a true triple threat, kicking our hearts in the butt with their art, their writing, and their audio roleplay series~ Highlights: With so many mediums under their belt, it's so hard to choose. If you're looking for purely Redacted content, their art is prolific and so creative, I've got to share the whole gallery. If you're in the market for a new VA to fall in love with, you've got to check out their youtube channel~!

@pycth: any pronouns

I dont have anything creative or profound to say here- all of pycth's designs are smoking hot and would render me selectively mute with a glance, 'nuff said. Highlights: How can I PICK? Ugh, hottest of the hot that comes to mind has got to be their President Moore art; like, this pose isn't FAIR. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want your heart kicked in the butt, I don't think any of us are over this Sam piece or ever will be.

@rainingcatsandjune: any pronouns

Another new artist who's only been here since April, and yet- I would die for his and his fine-ass, touchable Sam. Like, hell, render any man pretty like that, and I'll die for him. That's how pretty this art is. Highlights: Like, look at him. How does one do anything but look at him, especially in this pose? Again, look at him! Look at the hands. The soft, touchable glow and how it lights and shades his and Darlin's skin. The broad shoulders good god~

@sainthowlzon: they/he

You can't turn a corner on tumblr without seeing some of Howl's adorable Scribble Dolls or Icons! (Or any other social media actually. I feel like I've deffo seem some of Howl's icons on Tiktok too.) They're cute, they're iconic, and there's one for almost everyone! Highlights: Here's that full set of icons for your perusal; my personal favorite is Asset's. And here's the full set of Redacted Scribble Dolls; my favorite is Regulus, I think, because of his freaky vibes, but it's so hard to pick!

@sincerelywhistler: any pronouns

Like everyone with a working set of eyes and a beating heart, I am obsessed with all of Wes's designs; like, who wouldn't fall in love at first sight with all those beautiful and often shirtless people? Highlights: There's honestly too many to pick from, but I'll TRY. Their Gavin is an absolute must, I share it with the Discord on sight, he's that it girl if you will. Oh, and one cannot neglect Avior's HBS piece; I'm not even an Avior girlie, and I was like daaaaaamnnnnnnn~

@slushiepizza: they/them

Where would all the guy-lovers be without Slushie and their absolute cornucopia of Guy and Honey delights? Like, where else would we get our homemade, MacGyver'd serotonin? Highlights: The "Everyday" series is everything to me, and I mean everything; Guy has become too relatable and has struck me right in the heart. If you're not in a Guy mood, I'm also in love with their older, cozy Anton~!

@s0lairee: she/they

Jo's style is just so clean, so cute, and I really love it when they play with lighting in their pieces. Like, we are almost, almost there to making me stan Vincent if you're gonna drape him in moonlight like that... Highlights: ...thought, if I had to pick, I'd probably lean more towards Vincent's partner. They're rocking the red eyes, I love them! I'm also obsessed with their freckle-y, sweet Lasko, because who isn't?

@strawberrybouvine: he/they

The artistic equivalent of gourmet candy, I am absolutely obsessed with the gorgeous colors of Jasper's art and cannot get enough of the sweetness! Is this sugar running through my veins or unparalleled cuteness? Highlights: I'm not even a David stan but, like, jesus christ, the long hair and hairy chest makes me want to go feral. Don't even get me started on the cuteness of his chibi art, I really will start foaming at the mouth.

@theflowersaremine

I don't know exactly what medium Haylin uses or what colors or effects they use, but goddamn it makes those men so dreamy. I'm not even a Sam stan, but that's a smoochable man right out of Gilmore Girls /pos Highlights: Like, are you seeing the Gilmore Girls vision? That's a handsome man from a wholesome show geared for women- almost as handsome as this art of David. I see this smile in my dreams; it's so beautiful.

@venuslove-28: any pronouns

Venus's art is strawberry and vanilla soft serve injected straight into my heart; it's so familiar and cute, so charming, and I want to stim and bounce in excitement when I see it. Does that make sense? It'll make sense when you see it. Highlights: Personally, I have never and I will never stop thinking about this Huxley, I am simply not capable. Their Avior is also cuter than all get-out, I must admit.

@wingless-cupid

I don't think anyone does cute and colorful and pastel and kawaii quite like Cupid. You can't help but look and admire all the eye-catching colors and then want to hug their cheery, dynamic characters! Highlights: I'm highkey obsessed with their Freelancer and DAMNily and all their d(a)emons in general. Like, look at this! Minh is such a cutie and a simp, I love them! I'm also constantly thinking about this art in particular, because look at all these PRICELESS EXPRESSIONS!

@yoteako: he/it

Would you like stunning, high quality art and tragic, old man yaoi on your dash? That's a silly question; of course you do which is why we're going to follow and love on Yote. Highlights: See how beautiful, doomed, and intimate this multi-page comic is about two characters who've never canonically spoken? That's devotion. On the less forsaken side of the narrative, their Gavin/Lasko ship art is embedded into my heart.

If you’re reading all the way here, I hope you found the post helpful and smiled while making your way through it! Or both! The RedactedAudio fandom is truly one of my favorite spaces on the internet; it’s so intimate and creative, and I’ve found some amazing, perfect friends here, so I hope you will too 💖

[bigfan-fanfic]

Home Now (Male!HoF x Alistair Theirin)

I don't know. Can I just get some Alistair and male warden being adorkable together after their first night together?

"The Maker has blessed us." Alistair winks. "We've been granted a day of rest."

You raise an eyebrow at him, and he grins, looking up at the the softly vibrating fabric of the tent as it shakes from the heavy raindrops hitting it.

"What are you talking about?" you ask, chuckling a little.

"We can't possibly make it to Denerim today in this rain. So... we should just stay in here."

"Alistair..."

"Please. Let me have this, Y/N. Last night was absolutely amazing, and... I don't want to have to be Wardens yet."

"I wasn't going to deny you." You chuckle. "I want to stay with you too."

He gives a nervous laugh and leans down for a kiss.

You happily sit up to meet him, and you both tumble back down into the bedroll, his arms wrapped around you.

"I love you." Alistair mumbles, and you bury your face in his neck. "Is that too early to say?"

"I think I knew that from the moment you gave me that rose."

He blushes and you kiss him again. "I love you too."

The morning is spent sheltering from the rain, cuddling with Alistair and simply talking, a big dog curled up and snoring softly in the tent with you.

When it lets up, it's past noon, and everyone is hungry.

Sten and Leliana are taking care of the meal, which means that Zevran and Morrigan immediately see you both and have very different reactions in the same category.

Morrigan gives you a look that clearly indicates that she has serious doubts about your taste.

While Zevran grins. "Ah. I see you two have finally sorted out your, ahem, tension."

Morrigan rolls her eyes. "At least we will no longer be subjected to the longing looks."

"Or the searing gazes."

"Or the-"

"Alright!" Alistair yelps, looking at you in abject embarrassment.

You kiss him right there in the middle of camp, no longer caring about Morrigan's disdain, Zevran's interest, Leliana's grins, or Wynne's disapproval.

He melts into it, completely forgetting other people are around.

"Get used to it." you say firmly to them all, and pull Alistair over to a log, practically sitting in his lap.

"I like seeing you get all... bossy."

"Bossy?" You smirk.

"Well... Commanding. That's the word."

"As I recall, you do prefer to follow, right?"

His mouth falls open. "I was- I, er, I, that... hooo.... that was in reference to the chains of command."

"Ah, so you enjoy chains as well?"

"I-" Alistair nearly goes cross-eyed. "That... do you have some?"

You laugh and kiss his cheek. "I'll get some. For us."

"Sweet Maker..."

"You look adorable when you blush."

He blushes fiercely and then smashes a kiss against your lips. You yelp, the sound cut off and strangled into a moan as he holds you close.

"Ah, your weakness. You can't tease me while I kiss you."

"I am at your mercy, Ser."

Morrigan smacks the soup pot, making a loud noise. "IF you are quite finished, we are eating now. Though you've ruined my appetite."

The two of you chuckle, a little embarrassed now, and hurry in for bowls.

"I don't expect a repeat of last night, by no means, but... I'd be honored if you shared my tent again." Alistair whispers to you during dinner.

"I'd be happy if we never slept apart again."

"Oh, Y/N... I'd be the happiest man alive."

"I'll see you tonight, then."

"All the nights."

[iwrite-sinsandtragedies]

OC x Canon Week 2025 Day 2 — Intertwined Fingers + (Practical/"So, are we official then?")

Game: Dragon Age Origins Characters: Male!Mahariel x Zevran Arainai

Here's our next piece for @theocxcanonweek

For those who have played Origins or at least are familiar enough with the story - this scene would take place shortly after the Sacred Ashes mission.

To answer: Yes, Thy desecrated the ashes and yes, Leliana was there. Unfortunately for her, so were his two most loyal companions, Sten and Zevran.

Now, for a little added context here: My first play experience with Origins was honestly vastly different from many other players that I've met, to the point that I was starting to feel a little insane whenever I talked to them about it. However, I was very recently vindicated by my brother who confirmed that - because our version of DAO was the first disk release back in the early days, our game was full of glitches, and so our playing experience was completely different.

Thy here is the character I played on that first release. As such, my memories of when and how certain things happened isn't at all consistent to what other people believe is the only way the game can be played. Zevran's earring, for example, being available to me far earlier than it currently is. In fact, Zevran's whole romance in my first playthrough with him was completely glitched.

But, it lead to a lot of amazing moments, made the romance a lot more tragically sweet. I've never had a version of Zevran where he was so unconditionally committed as he was in this playthrough with Thy and it forever cemented him as one of my most favourite characters because of it.

He took a character I had designed to only feel pain and hate and made him remember what it was like to also feel love. Zevran's romance saved Thy's character - if there's any reason on why I still love Thy, even to this day, I think I can thank a lot of that to this.

[thewardenisonthecase]

Shameless Self Promo Saturday

I didn't get tagged but I wanted to go ahead and do this anyways

The idea: We make a post and show off, what cool stuff we created over the past week. Art, Screenshots, writing (anything from a questionnaire about your OC to the 100K epos...) anything we do is worth to be seen and to be promoted. And by tagging people, commenting, and reblogging, we share the love and boost ourselves, and other's confidence. No matter what form you choose, whether you reblog your initial post, or create a new one with teasers, you decide!

So, i didnt do much this week because i got into a frenzy due to imigration stuff but I was able to write this Meredith/Elizabeth fic (that i randomly began writing on like a tuesday when i had insomnia). there's sugestivennes, there's introspection, there's implied sex and cuddling

now, i know the name is self promo, however, since i have so little of my own to promote, i decided this time i'll shameless promo some incredibly people's works

@flowersforthemachines recently got to over 100 DATV trivia facts + she's also a modder who also blessed her with divorce and grey warden!bellara and writes fic - read Second Opinion, its really good

@hightowerqueen is an amazzzzing writer, their really creative and they also have great opinions. Their fic headlock is so good it revived some of my love for the ship in question

@paragondreams has been feeding us with great Meredith art and lovely ocs, they have a circle mage!hawke au that is so aaaaaa, and the video on that one trend is still HAUNTING me

@cacturne makes some of the silliest and funniest doodles i've seen and then on the next second, makes art that makes my heart bleed, and their ocs are everything to me

@rookinthecrownest is such a good freaking artist with incredible ocs and stories, and who keeps turning both lovely and gut wrenching work all the time and im biased bc little mermaid is my fave but this art has been on my mind rent freeee

@viina-art has incredible ocs and such good art and is also a big supporter of women and their wrongs. Her biker leliana art did something to my goddamn brain chemistry

@championofthefade writes so wonderfully and beautifully and has amazing ideas and scenarios and i'm always in awe of how she manages to write for so many different characters. Her Lonan/Helia (@/fadeling’s warden and who btw, you should also check out her blog for more helia stuff) fic that she posted last night was so freaking good

@saltyowlets has some of the best cullen takes AND has amazing art to follow, and this medea/cullen art is so freaking delicious i wish i could devour it

@huldine fellow solas rare pair shipper with some really creative AU ideas that make you go wow i would have never thought of that, like their solas/trevelyan fic Telanadas, sa'lath lasa

@gwinaesfer made one of my favorite pieces of art i've seen of solas and rook, also makes some really nice sketch art AND who's a fellow brazilian

@psykopsy who's a fellow merehawke enjoyer and who wrote some really good merehawke fic over on AO3 that i have been rotating in my mind ever since i read it (essa fic alugou um triplex na minha cabeça viu) AND FELLOW BR BR

@mageknife also has amazing ocs with the most intricate relationship charts i've ever seen and who's Red Wolf of Denerim art is a must reblog whenever i see it (and also read their arum hawke possession arc fic its really good)

@couslander has been absolutely COOKING behind the scenes with amarys/alistair stuff and who's meme art of @/sha-brytols elnora lavellan is smthg that gives me a good laugh everytie (and also check out sydney's ocs and ocasional writing too)

And lastly @lizzybeeee, who hasn’t been here a lot but who I still want to bring attention to her art since it’s so fucking good and soooo funny, the sten one lives rent free on my mind

there's so so so many more wonderful and hard working and talented fic writers and artists on this fandom that i could mention here too and just know that

also im not tagging anyone cause i alreayd tagged too many people to the point where i think i hit a limit on who i can tag on this post but if you want to do this, you can say i tagged you

[lkblackham]

Warning: this is an angst post about Dragon Age, EA, and the state of the corporate-driven art world in general. I totally get it if you're really over this. I am right there with you. But if you DO read, thanks. You're a peach and I love you.

To begin:

It looks like Dragon Age is done. BioWare has made it clear that the last patch is where they're leaving it. EA was disappointed with the player count, and I'm betting they're not going to greenlight a new entry in the series anytime soon. And that honestly breaks my battered 32-year-old fantasy artist heart.

So imma angst about it for a second because this is now a Dragon Age page and it's all I talk about on here, because honestly where else am I gonna angst about this.

As much as I gush about Veilguard on here, I am actually well aware of its flaws. Believe me, I *know* it's not perfect. When I got the art book, I saw just HOW FRIGGIN MUCH the team had planned for DA4 - and how much they had to cut to finish it, after 10 YEARS of development. I know about the absolute *hell* it went through, the massive number of team members that were fired or left the studio before it was finished, the ridiculous expectations and demands EA executives made that caused the studio to scrap everything and start over several times.

Knowing this, it's incredible that Veilguard is at least *intact* and *playable* and still has that Dragon Age personality (at least to me, personally - I understand why some people do not feel the same way, and that's perfectly valid) (and by valid I do not include the 'anti-woke' brigade, you can fuck right off my page if you're here for some strange reason).

THAT is what I gush about - that feeling is still there, even when it's not perfect and had a very troubled development.

This series has meant so much to me over the decades, and remains my favorite fantasy series, period, overall. It's my comfort place (rather weirdly, considering the blood, gore, and brood mothers) and also served as something of a social simulator for me when I was really young and had social anxiety so bad I literally couldn't say hi to people I knew in public. I was convinced I would do it wrong. So having these pre-constructed interactions with fictional characters that I could go back and redo if I wanted was really therapeutic.

I mean, I did go to actual therapy and take medication as well, but you know, this stuff is important, too.

The example I will always cite (and probably have already on this page but whatever) is Sten. Sten, in Origins, is the huge stoic badass warrior archetype, and I was constantly trying to earn his approval in the game. But I kept FAILING. He kept UN-HEARTING me. And I couldn't figure out why! I was saying all the nice dialogue options! I was agreeing with him on stuff! So what would it take to get some approval from this asshole?

I finally caved and looked up a guide. And I was floored to discover that, actually, Sten approves of you *when you stand up to him*. He wants you to have a backbone, even if it means disagreeing with him. He respects a strong leader who stands up for what they believe in, not a yes man trying to get him to like them.

This concept, the idea that even a *fictional character* like this could exist, was absolutely amazing to me. It sounds really dumb, but seriously, it actually shifted my thinking about how I talk to people and what they expect of me. It was a small shift, but it's still stuck with me all these years later. It's a testament to the power of stories, and how the interactive nature of games can tell stories in a way no other medium can.

I've had many other experiences with other games and books and movies and TV series like that since. But because of that effect it had at that time in my life, Dragon Age has a special place in my heart no other series does.

But... That's not the only reason I'm sad about the outcome with Veilguard. It's really only half the reason, actually.

The other half is my anger at the game development machine as a whole. We all know it. We've all watched it churn and grind several studios into pulp. We've seen big time studio execs - most of whom, these days, haven't ever actually worked in game design and probably don't even play games themselves - treat designers like garbage they can just throw away when they're done with them, or they don't perform their perceived function the way the execs want them to. (I know it's not just execs that do this, but they're certainly the central problem). These people are in charge, but they aren't artists or storytellers. They see things in terms of products and consumers, monetization schemes, player counts. They don't see the value in what they sell, beyond how much money they bring in.

There is a necessary place for people like this in any business, certainly, but they should never, ever, EVER be the ones in charge. If the past three decades have taught me anything, it is this. These people care about how much wealth they can hoard, and nothing else. We now live in a world where creativity is manufactured by an algorithm, because these people don't want to pay actual humans to do it. The value of artists and what they make is reduced purely to profit.

Don't get me wrong, as an artist myself I do like being able to make money. I certainly like being able to do what I do for a living. But I don't do it *just* to earn money. If that were the case, I would have just stuck with my job chopping vegetables at that deli in my hometown that paid way better and gave me health insurance (not that that's a shameful profession - I seriously would have stuck to that job if I had actual business brains). I do art because it's what I love and what I live for. Hell, I am making NO money from my art right now, but I still make it. Even when my projects fail, I still think they're important, and are worth investing in. I go back to those projects, get feedback, see what I can do better, and try again. I grow, and do better, and give those stories a chance to grow as well.

And that's what's missing from not only the games industry, but most creative industries now, at least on the market end: that understanding of art's inherent worth. That willingness to try again, and improve. Giving things a chance to grow, beyond just player counts and profit numbers.

That was what made Baldur's Gate 3 such a phenomenal success, from which (I think) competing studies took the wrong lesson. Larian worked on the game as a labor of love (as well as a labor of money) interacting with the people playing it, taking feedback, and incorporating their own passion for the project over and over again. They went the extra 1000 miles. They let the game grow and do better.

I'm not saying that Veilguard should have done that BG3 did. What I am saying is that it should have been given more of a chance to grow. As it is, right now, there is still potential to do better. But.... it's not getting that chance. It's the first Dragon Age game that isn't getting any DLC, no extra content, no other chances to expand upon the story. And, it looks like, the series as a whole might not be getting any more chances at all. Maybe I'm wrong - I might just be coming over all bitter and cynical (as only an unemployed artist with mountains of student debt can). I understand that BioWare might just be done with it after a friggin decade. But... it just feels unfair. And sad. At least for me.

It is just a game, at the end of the day. There will be other games, other products to consume. But. This product meant a lot to me. Art, of all kinds, means so much to me. And seeing the way art of any kind is treated now, but especially things like this... It hurts. A lot. And it keeps happening.

So. In order to combat that, lest I fall down a despair hole and never come out: I'm going to keep filling in holes. I'm going to make my OWN personal DLC.( Or, um. Just 'C', I guess.) Even if I can't code and model, I can write and draw and comic. I have my own stories in my own self indulgent fantasy worlds to tell, but I'm also going to keep adding to Dragon Age, at least in my own canon. Even if it doesn't mean anything to anyone else, it'll mean a lot to me. And I hope I'll get to see other people continue to make their own DA art and stories, as well as worlds of their own making. We need art - ALL art - right now, more than ever. Seriously.

As Andrew Wincott, the actor behind Raphael in Baldur's Gate 3, said: "Keep being creative. Keep making these worlds, and maybe one day we'll learn to protect the one we're in."

And that's me, angsted out. Thanks so much for reading. If you've made it this far, I have a gift for you:

It's Varric's chest hair. One of my criticisms for Veilguard is that there is not nearly enough chest hair on anyone but particularly not on Varric, which I think might be an actual crime.

[lobotomiesatclaires]

me crying looking at the art concept of Dragon age Joplin:

im glad if you love Dragon Age the Veilguard, I wish i did, I was excited but the game was just really disappointing. You could see the writers couldn't bring their own vision to light because of EA, multiple teams being fired, and the development hell it went through but damn Joplin was such an amazing concept.

Spoilers for Joplin art and Veilguard below:

We could have had a spy thriller story with more companions and advisors, a dreamer antivan crown, the return of Sten and a companion called Imshael that was possibly romancable but was a double agent for Solas. The person left in the fade would have come back on a rescue mission and joined the cause. We would have been reporting direct to the inquisitor and so many old story lines would be brought back like an awakened dark-spawn mercenary, and possibly a companion, along with things such as going undercover in Tevinter or the Qun and a SUBMARINE THAT LOOKS LIKE A DRAGON ALONG WITH AN UNDERWATER MANSION ATTACHED TO A SEA MONSTER.....im crying. I was so disappointed with Veilguard that it killed any interest I had in Dragon age and I was a fan from the beginning but Joplin makes me want to write a long form fanfic on the story that could have been.

if you want more information on Joplin screenshots come from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hYocL1UNOo&t=1459s Dragon Age Veilguard: Joplin & the Artbook [SPOILERS]

[myrosrava]

Which bully r u choosing?

Якого хулігана обираєте?

This picture is a parody of Disney princesses from different countries

Ця картинка пародія на принцес Дісней з різних країн

[dragonagegayz]

✨Why My Character Sucks✨

omg I am so excited to be doing this cause I saw this making the rounds and I really wanted to do this!!! So thank you to the amazing @officialnostradamus for the tag!! <<33

I love a good flawed character and all of our Rooks have such good depth for flaws that exemplify them into these rich characters!

Oh, Oz, my lovely, totally not-a-disaster boy whom I am so obsessed with. Does he have issues? Oh yes, absolutely. I'm just saying that a man who runs around with his titties always out and a smile on his face is hiding some deep insecurities behind that charming persona of his.

Self-Conscious

You know, again, he runs around without a shirt on, flirts with every adult he comes across, faults himself basically, what does he have to be self-conscious about? Well, everything. This young man is a deeply troubled, insecure individual who thinks the only aspect he has for himself is his looks. He finds himself unworthy of nearly everything after a mess of relationships where the people he was with only wanted him for his body, for the conquest of sleeping with Oz Ingellvar. He feels there has to be something wrong with him, be it his personality, his looks, his general being; he truly thinks there is something fundamentally off about him and that is why people don't stick around. How does he cope? Sex, of course. Why do you think he and Emmrich are always going ham, doing it? Because Oz is worried that if they stop, Emmrich won't be getting anything out of it. (Imagine if those two just talked about their feelings 😱)

Immature/Impulsive

While Oz, for the most part, is a well put together leader, he is still 23 years old. He has the tendency to make decisions on a whim, even if those choices end up getting him hurt. He never quite sees the whole picture when he is in deep shit and just tends to do the first thing that comes to mind, whatever will get the problem solved in that immediate moment. How else is he going to get the job done? Well Oz, a few more seconds of thinking and- ope no there he goes, fist fighting a pride demon because obviously that's the only way to go -_- He always makes some rather immature choices, be it when his ego is at risk or one of his companions is hurt. Always quick to violence or hurtful words, where he knows he'll win in the end, but others will look down at him for the decision he made.

Stubborn

Gods, is this boy stubborn. Very much bull-headed if you get what I'm saying. Even if he is wrong, especially if he is wrong, he feels the need to be right. He used to argue with his parents for hours on end over things that he was wrong about, but his ego can't handle that. Sten used to say he kept his brain in his horns. It takes being the leader of the Veilguard, months in the role, to realize that being wrong isn't inherently bad. Learning from others, taking the time to grow and learn from his mistakes, is important, though sometimes he still gets very "it's my way or the highway" with some choices.

Very Gentle tagging: @adhd-riddled-crow, @whispersleo, @alystrin03 <3

[thedastravelerer]

I just finished the Dragon Age Veilguard and I need to scream my thoughts into the internet void.

My Rook, Lucrezia, was bought along with other kids by the house de Riva when she was 3 years old. She doesn't remember anything before that. When her magic manifested at the age of 8, she begged Viago not to send her to the Circle. Viago saw great potential in the little elven chaos gremlin, so he decided to hire private tutors for her. From the age of 14, she became Viagos apprentice, accompanying him everywhere. Her sunny, bubbly personality was a great distraction in social settings. She was the Robin and Viago was the Batman, basically.

Inquisitor romanced Solas.

So that is the viewpoint, from which I experienced the game.

The good:

The music is AMAZING

The environments are gorgeous

Spellblade is sooo much fun. The perfect mix of rogue and mage.

Treviso is so beautiful. I am never saving Minrathous. That sh*thole can get swallowed by the ocean.

The final missions were great. The tension, the loss, the heartbreak, the betrayal—10/10. No notes.

Baby griffons

The conversations/dynamic between Lucanis/Spite and Taash crack me up

The dynamic between Viago and Lucrezia was everything I could have hoped for. I still laugh when I remember the letter from Viago starting with "IDIOT".

Viago and Teia—I would die for them. Every time they flirt, I picture Lucrezia sticking fingers into her ears and going LALALALA. I don't want those pictures in my head.

Harding wins the competition for the prettiest room in the Lighthouse.

I love the little offhand comments and banter between all of the Crows. It was fun to hear Lucanis or Lucrezia randomly mention Viago or Teia. It really painted a picture of them knowing each other for a long time and being able to poke fun at each other.

I loved Lucanis as a character. Also, the 3-way relationship between Rook-Spite-Lucanis is perfect. I loved that when Lucanis learns about Caterina being alive, he shuts down and Spite is like: "What?! Why are you putting more locks into our prison? I AM GETTING ROOK! :D

The "Solas therapy" ending was heartwarming (and also a bit funny)

I loved Solas as a character. I see, why he is the god of trickery and lies. And how his wisdom turned into pride. I just wish I could slap that stubborn liar. Just once.

You know it is real love when you spent the last few hours chomping on an archedemon and your Vhenan still kisses you.

I liked the relationship progression between Davrin and Lucanis. They went from open hostility to mutual respect to drinking buddies.

Lucanis questioning Bellara and Neve about their business decisions was hilarious. Crows are first and foremost business people.

Isseyas storyline. I just wish they delved deeper into her story instead of getting an infodump. I enjoyed seeing how the blight twisted her grief and regrets. How she remembered only her love for the griffons she saved. And the blight corrupted that love, forcing her into horrible mistakes.

The bad:

The story is so shallow in comparison to previous games. All of the nuance is gone. There is no Loghain, no Meredith and Orsino, no Anders. Everyone is either the good guy or the bad guy. Maybe except for the Butcher and Isseya.

A lot of the darker, complicated, interesting themes are ignored. After the Antaam Qunari (Sten in DAO), the Ben-Hassrath Qunari (Bull in DAI) we finally meet a scholar of Qun and we get NOTHING interesting from her. We can't have a deeper conversation about the Qun. We can't even talk about her hypocrisy of running away from the very rules she forces on Taash. The Antaam are the a$$holes and everyone else following the Qun is good. Until they disagree with their assigned role in life and get their mind broken until they fit the mold again. But we don't get to learn that.

Who TF is Anaris? Why is he the Forgotten One? What does it even mean? What beef did he have with the Evanuris? We don't get to learn that. We get MWHAHAHA I AM SOOO EVIL. Boring and disappointing. It would have been much more interesting if he convinced Cyrian his sister was a pawn for the Dread Wolf. There could have been a conflict between elves choosing Anaris, who promised them power after their gods turned out to be a$$holes, and elves choosing a new, free path.

Are we not going to address the EXECUTIONER in the room? Who is he? Where did he come from? Why is he totally cool working a desk job in the Necropolis?

We finally see Kal-Sharok and we learn almost nothing about the dwarves living there. How did they survive? How do they govern themselves? What is the culture like?

I don't understand the Titan powers Harding has. Like, I get the concept, but the details are confusing.

I am sick of the words "ritual" and "artifact"

The quests "press button in three places" or "destroy/place crystals so they link/unlink" were a bit repetitive.

Characters sometimes have lapses in memory. Ferelden has fallen to the blight, but Emmerich and Harding are going camping there... Mmmmkay. Rook, baby, you have used the teleport vortex like three times before. We have 2 in the Lighthouse.

I love Lucanis, but his romance is very undercooked. I get, that he pushes a lot of emotions down, and flirting is just another weapon the Crows use to get to their targets. But we see no inner turmoil in banter, no notes wondering about Rook. He touches Rook exactly once - in the romance scene at the very end. They never even address the almost kiss.

The brutality of the life of Crow recruits is smoothed over to be nice and family-like. We are talking about an organization that buys enslaved children and forces them into hunger games to shape them into elite assassins.

The widespread Tevinter slavery is mentioned minimally. The only mention might be the codex of Dorians speech in the Magisterium. Their whole social system is built on slavery and caste system. We don't get to talk to Neve about any of it.

Most of the helmets are hideous.

The "stealing cultural stuff is wrong and we, the pirates and treasure hunters, are not doing it. We are the good guys!" talk you have with Taash right when you meet her was so jarring. Like, it makes sense, because Isabella is in charge. It would have been funnier and less preachy if they went with "We don't steal cultural stuff, because Isabella stole something from the Qunari once and it was a sh*tshow".

No dirt, no persistent gore

You don't get to have deep conversations with your followers. Instead, you get to read their diaries and letters in the codex. I felt like a creep snooping through their notes and letters to each other. Same feeling with the Lighthouse banter.

I miss the more abrasive followers. Everyone is high on friendship. Why is no one protesting against the demon-possessed assassin cooking all of our meals? Why isn't Bellara more wary about the Tevinter mage? Emmerich gets a lot of sh*t for the creepiness, but nobody questions the morality of using body parts as Legos.

I wish we could choose a class for the Inquisitor. She looked so ridiculous and out of place in the last fight. She is one of the most fearsome fighters in Thedas and she wears the blandest outfit possible. She isn't even armed.

We find out the Andrastian faith is a fairytale and no one except Harding comments on it? All of the human followers grew up in Andrastian cultures. Religion forms the structure of society, customs, inner values, viewpoints on the world, and what is considered "normal" on a subconscious level. In DAI you have a conversation with Josephine about how the Andrastian faith provides common ground for negotiations across cultures. Cassandra walks through an elven temple that is older than her religion and still wonders who could believe this nonsense. Why aren't you more upset, people?!

I am going to pretend the post-credit scene didn't happen. You will not soil the beautiful tragedies of the very human mistakes and choices the imperfect characters like Loghain made. I will not accept some demon whispering over the wonderful multi-faceted people and their rises and falls. F*ck you.

The bug, where the game loads the preset character instead of your custom Rook is annoying and didn't get fixed by the patch.

I hate the UI with a passion

No grey streaks in Inquisitors hair is a crime.

I hate the underwater view in Rooks room. I have an irrational fear of deep waters and sea life. The Ossuary is a prison of my nightmares.

I hate the redesign of the demons. They look like dementors with their robes open.

It is not clear how long was Rook trapped in the prison of regrets.

Anyway... rant over. I enjoyed the game like I enjoy the Marvel movies. With half of my brain turned off.

[jackgoodfellow]

💖🌹ALISTAIR GOT YOU A ROSE!!!🌹💖

He even worked up the cajones to ask Morrigan to enchant it so it wouldn't decay! She was... surprisingly less mean about it than he thought she was gonna be. Guess she wants the Warden to be happy too! (Gave him one hell of a Shovel Talk though.)

Video description under the cut.

Video description:

A series of digital illustrations animating characters from the game dragon age origins, including the warden character, who in this case is a handsome chubby Dwarven man with face tattoos, short hair, and no beard. The audio for this video is the last 50 seconds of the song "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons.

The warden stands in front of Alistair in front of a green forest. the warden is smiling casually, but Alistair is sweating and blushing, clearing his throat and hiding Something behind his back.

Alistair produces a large red rose from behind his back, Sheepishly offering it to the warden while looking nervously askance and blushing even harder with a queasy smile. The warden looks shocked; he also blushes hard.

Cut to a different angle of the two of them standing across from each other. The warden continues to blush and look silently stunned at Alistair, who laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his head with one hand and holding the rose to his chest with another, as though making a very weak joke. The hand behind his head slowly comes down as he smiles insecurely. He then holds the rose with both hands to his chest, frowning and looking away, then sweating as he glances back at the warden, then to the rose, then the Warden again. As he does, his blush spreads to his chest and neck and arms. The warden's eyes flick between alistair's face and the rose a couple times.

then, a close up shot of the warden's face in great detail. His eyes shine in Wonderment, and behind him, a starburst effect sparkles in a deep pink.

The close-up zooms in even closer as the warden breaks out into a huge grin, excited tears of joy in his bright eyes. The abstract background sparkles even more.

A reverse shot close-up of Alistair Looking down at the warden in relieved amazement and joy, with a similar sparkly pink background.

A medium shot at a profile showing the warden clasping Alistair's hands holding, which are still delicately holding the rose. The Warden is leaning towards Alistair, saying something happily and excitedly. a little heart sits between the two of them. Alistair's gaze is relieved, soft, and so full of love as he listens to the Warden talk. Both of them continue to blush.

As the song reaches its last chorus, the shot changes to show the Warden now holding the rose and looking surprised as the other members of their party appear behind Alistair, with Zevran and Leliana popping out from behind a tree, and Wynne popping up from a bush. Zevran gives the warden a smile a wink and a thumbs up. Leliana cheers with both fists in the air. Wynne looks delighted; she politely claps. Alistair looks Even more surprised than the warden, and his blush of embarrassment reaches his ears.

another angle change shows the warden and Alistair laughing off their embarrassment while holding both of their hands together lovingly. the warden has tucked the rose behind his left ear, which also sports a small gold hoop earring. behind them from this angle, Sten and Morrigan stand next to each other. Morrigan smiles smugly, one hand on her hip and the other palm up towards Sten. Sten the grudgingly deposits a gold coin in her fist. At the last moment, Shale shows up in the distant background, looking confused at the habits of humans.

the two lovers are then comically tackled to the ground by an enthusiastic war dog who just wants to be part of the excitement.

the scene fades to a different setting as the Songs instrumentals fade out And only the voices remain. Under a gorgeous starry sky With a half moon, the two lovers sit next to each other on a felled log in a deep blue grassy field. They are facing away from the camera and largely in silhouette. they are holding hands. then, the warden leans his head on Alistair's shoulder. alistair turns to hold the warden's face in his hands and look into his eyes. They kiss; a little heart appears over their heads, and the warden clutches Alistair's upper arms passionately, pulling him closer.

The video fades to black.

[bunabi]

For the "anyone who didn't die onscreen" tweet I do think it is sort of like. Take it with a grain of salt. Because Bioware has always reduced cameos for quantum characters. But they also tend to leave a lot of wiggle room with deaths, looking back at DAO even. You can stab Morrigan, shell still appear in every game trailer. You can in gameplay murder Leliana at Haven, but she will then be a major character advising your character two games later like nothing happened. Alistair's execution isn't on screen, Sten is left off screen to die on prison, etc. I think they'll do whatever is most entertaining while still feasible, there's a reason you just "leave some one in the Fade" in Adamant, leaving open potential for fun stuff later! I feel like the only characters that might be Dead Dead are like Wynne who have proper dramatic deaths even if it's in the side materials.

That's what I think too

This is gonna sound cynical but most choices dont really matter in DA

It's impossible to callback all of the possible outcomes in DAO & DA2, they've been taking more control of the plot progression, being more selective with what carries over, and now Keep is dead indefinitely

So if a character coming back makes for a better setup or makes fans say yippee they should stay flexible 😭

The idea of honoring individual players' continuity and having more roleplay freedom was amazing while it lasted but the dream is over