#varghest

[ilona-art]

𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 Originally sketched this guy last year but decided to finish it today. A Varghest from Dragon Age Inquisition. Absolutely love the design of these guys.

[creatures-and-doodles]

This exact drawing defeated me three times along the years, but I happen to be very stubborn and will try again, I am going to win >:v

[rivvvyp]

Been thinking about Lucy and Beans so I drew up them when they were little

[exhausted-archivist]

here's to a calm and steady surgery recovery!

to keep you distracted with something silly: who is your favorite codex author in thedas? which of them would you most like to see codices from in future installments of dragon age? which one would you prefer to sit next to on a long bus ride?

Thank you! I'm doing good so far so gonna listen to keep it that way haha. But oooo this one is a tough one because it is actually one of the teased codices for da4 in this blog post from BioWare. (codex under the cut for spoilers) I have a theory it might be Taash because it is written by Trick Weekes. Second place is Professor Frederic of Serault, I love his codex on the Varhest.

The varghest is now known to be a distant relative of wyverns and dragons, but in ancient times, it was believed to be a spirit manifest in the world. Ciriane legend says that the varghest hunts those who have committed great wrongs against their own kin, and when the creature finds its quarry, it drags the guilty party to the gods for judgment. This is perhaps due to the beast's hunting habits: varghest prefer to bring prey still living to their nests to feed their young. —From A Study of the Southern Draconids by Frederic of Serault, published in the University of Orlais

But honorable mention is Genetivi, not because he's reliable but because of how descriptive he can get and he is the most common author.

The one I want to see most though (ad why I answered three lol) is the author who I suspect is Taash or Fredric. Or someone similar. I love the descriptive fauna lore.

Fredric can sit next to me on a long bus ride and just info dump on me. Tell me your secrets Fredric. Tell me.

Transcription: [Redacted] Talks: Dragon—Vinsomer Appearance: Dark back and light underbelly. She's hard to see when underwater. Like those whales. Diet: Squid or those big worms that burrow near the shores. Uses her lightening to stun prey. Jaws are more like a beak. Good to grip squishy stuff or crack shells. I think the lightning also helps her see down in the deep water. She does little crackles before she strikes. Behavior: She's hunting more than she needs. She's also not attacking [redacted] unless they get close to her lair. Then she kills them fast. I think she has dragonlings. Must be trying to keep them fed and not look for fights. Only reason a dragon stays that quiet is to protect her kids.

[skyheld]

do we have confirmed lions in thedas or could it be a mythological creature i think it would be so funny

[weptfreedom]

I'm not here, but you know what would be an excellent dynamic? Hassalin and Fenris. that is all.

[ndostairlyrium]

He needed a face, figured I could share it u-u

Other deets:

cat person, has owned four. The last one is a stubborn tortoise calico named Patricia (carries around a locket with some of her fur)

"do you wanna see my collection of phoenix scales?" actually shows you phoenix scales, and occasionally varghest teeth ("they're so shiny!!")

knows the name of every mountain in the Free Marches

well informed on his children's whereabouts, yet he doesn't want to get involved in their lives

falls in and out of love very rapidly. Longest relationship he had was with Amun's mother (one month)

[jukkaricity]

DATV Companion Week - Davrin - Day 5

I had this one ready ahead of time, so hopefully I'll manage to catch up on the yesterday's prompt.

About 1.2k words, Bellavrin kinda

Today's prompts for Davrin Appreciation week hosted by @datvcompanionweeks were:

Woodworking/ Bestiary/ Singing

Davrin spun a block of aspen wood in his hand, absent-mindedly looking into the fire pit. He was surrounded by wooden shavings pelting the floor like first snow and at least half a dozen shapes abandoned at various stages of the process. Assan slept curled up close by, his back paw twitching rhythmically. Davrin hoped that whatever the griffon was dreaming of was worth the chase.

Normally carving would ease his mind. A steady, careful task, to keep both his thoughts and hands steady. Sculpting was simple. Or at least it was when he was working for himself. When it came to crafting a gift? For the first time since forever he found himself hesitating. It wasn’t the task itself that was a challenge but deciding what shape to settle down on. 

First he thought of a halla, to match the hairpin she wore most often, but it seemed not personal enough to him. Everyone gifts hallas to elves. He did not want to be everyone. Shortly he considered a griffon, something from him for Bellara to keep close. After all, she's jokingly asked for a spare one before. A figurine could be the second best thing.

He discarded the idea midway however. It was supposed to be about Bellara, not him. 

Three carved nugs later he was ready to abandon the idea altogether.

She did insist she didn’t want any gifts. It was more of a slip that she even mentioned her birthday approaching when they were discussing their respective clan's celebration practices. Hers tended to throw a little party with dancing and singing, his usually landed on a gift crafted by the entire community. He still wore the leather belt his clan had given him — the last gift before he left. A reminder, maybe, of what it all should mean. 

Two more ogre sculptures and he swept off the shavings from his clothes prepared to ask Neve what Bellara might want. Other than another serial, or goat cheese. Either way Neve already called dibs on the former and Harding on the latter. The others had their own gifts ready as well. He scratched his chin, studying the shelf filled to the brim with his older works, as if one of them could come to life and give him a spark of inspiration. He got up to stretch and maybe start up on hacking down another batch of wood—when the doors to his room creaked open and Bellara jogged inside, notebook in hand. He couldn’t help but smile, the journal meant a long conversation in the making.

“Hey! Hi, Davrin.” She fixed her hair even though it was set up perfectly. Then she glanced at her notebook. Twisted it around. Reached for the hairpin again. “I’ve been writing that serial I told you and Neve about before? You know, my own version of it? I thought, maybe, could you help me out? I wanted the hero to fight a Varghest, but I don’t want to just make up things? I mean I do, but not about that. Soo…” she hesitated before actually asking the question, turning the notebook in her hands again. 

“I hope you’ve got the time, Bellara,” he smirked, making space on his desk so she could sit down and make notes comfortably. “Varghests make for a really nasty hunt.” 

***

“And so, we returned with no berries, but with a nug and two dozen eggs. The Keeper was so mad.” Bellara wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. They had been exchanging stories about their childhoods for hours now. How they got here from talking about predatory habits of Varghests was not entirely clear. Not that he particularly cared.

Assan perked up, noticing a break in the story and squawked expectantly. He’s been waiting patiently so far, but it’s been getting past his snack-time, maybe the most holy of griffon traditions. 

Bellara jumped up, her face turning a bright shade of pink. 

“Oh, oh no. I didn’t mean to take up your whole afternoon,” she mumbled. “Thank you for your help. And the stories. And everything. I’ll go now!” she skittered away before Davrin had an opportunity to tell her it was anything but a problem. He watched the doors swing shut and realized that chasing a hummingbird might be a lot more challenging than he anticipated.

He took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. First things first. Assan needed to eat. Then he can go back to worrying about the gift. He glanced at the desk where Bellara’s absence seemed a lot louder than it should and noticed her red-feathered pen still lying on the desk. He’ll have to bring it back to her workshop. She’ll probably tear the place apart looking for it before remembering she might have left it in his room. For a moment he wondered if all birds in Arlathan came in such bold colors.

Assan chomped next to his hand, reminding him about his priorities. Right. Food first, then thinking. As the two made their way towards the kitchen, Davrin was only partially present. Perhaps Bellara just solved his gift-giving problem for him. 

***

“Oh, a hummingbird? It’s amazing, Davrin!” Bellara turned the figurine in her hands giving it a careful look. It was smooth to the touch and shaped perfectly. A tiny water-drop like silhouette and outstretched wings. It must have been the best one he’s ever made and not just because it was for her. 

“You can balance it on your finger,” he said, offering a crooked grin. It took some practice to get it right, a careful combination of weight and shape. But watching her delight made it all feel worth it. Bellara seemed completely enchanted by the toy and she squealed when it did in fact perfectly balance on her finger tip and didn’t topple over when disturbed. 

“Davrin! This is like magic!“ Bellara was already buzzing. She held onto the toy as she threw her arms around Davrin in a tight hug, her face buried into his chest. Her hair smelled like summer berries and pine trees, as it tickled his face. 

“But it’s not magic, is it?” she pulled back and Davrin let her go, his touch lingering just a moment too long. She was always beautiful, but never more than when something new lit up her face.

“Then, how does it work?” Bellara pulled the bird close to her face, studying it carefully as if expecting some hidden charm or some other overly complicated explanation. Davrin opened his mouth but she cut him off. “No! No, no. Don’t tell me. I’ll figure it out.” 

She nearly bounced away, already mumbling theories to herself. 

Assan rubbed his head into his thigh and squawked, a mixture of rising notes.

“Hey, don’t get all smug about this,” he chided, scratching the griffon's head. “It was worth the hassle.”

Somehow, the scent of the forest clung to him for the rest of the day. 

[abyssal-ilk]

What do you think about the "snowy wyvern" in Vivienne's personal quest actually being a white gurgut? I'm not sure if the developers made a mistake, simply couldn't give us an actual white wyvern, or we're supposed to accept the creature is a white gurgut but Vivienne will simply accept it anyway?

honestly, i'm not actually sure what was going on with the wyvern! the snowy wyvern we kill for vivienne in dai is. well. i mean, that's just not a wyvern, even by dragon age standards. which is odd considering we do have actual wyverns in dai!

(the wyvern in crestwood vs the snowy "wyvern" you kill for vivienne! which, as you'll notice, is just a recolored gurgut!)

the wyverns in dai have generally been kind of "smoothed" down in-comparison to how they look in da2, to the point where they no longer have their wings or extra frills, but that doesn't account for the fact that the wyvern and gurgut's models are still completely different– and its not just the wyvern's model that is out of place. wyverns are noted as being solitary, territorial creatures, but the snowy wyvern in vivienne's quest is not only found with a group of gurguts, but with a high dragon in extremely close proximity. it is also in the exalted plains– but a typical wyvern's natural territory would be in the mountains.

which is just!! confusing. it's confusing. chevaliers have died trying to hunt down the wyvern for vivienne, and that is definitely in-line with how fierce wyverns are in dragon age, but again,,, the creature we kill for its heart just. isn't a wyvern. it's not even particularly challenging to beat. which could be interesting if vivienne had intentionally set the player to kill a gurgut while claiming it is a wyvern for whatever reason (<- i have thought about the potential reasons before), but we know that isn't the case because of how she reacts to being brought the wrong heart. for all intents and purposes, the snowy wyvern is supposed to be a wyvern. but uh. it isn't. so. ??

i think it's possible there was just a mistake made, or there was some error of oversight. dai has a few moments like that. considering the fact that there is a legendary varghest in the hissing wastes that shares a model with the wyverns instead of the other varghests, i think it's even possible we were supposed to hunt down that instead for vivienne, but something happened in the process and so we didn't.

like.

(the legendary "varghest" and a wyvern in the hissing wastes vs a regular varghest in the western approach)

so i'm not really sure what happened or why the wyvern we fight is a gurgut. i DO know, however, that it annoys me. vivienne's quest is aggravatingly short as it is and severely lacking in content, and then the wyvern we are sent to fight for her isn't a wyvern at all, which makes her out to be almost. silly. i dunno, anon. your guess is honestly as good as mine when it comes to this.

[creatures-and-doodles]

having a varghest oc is awesome until the moment i have to paint him 😔

[lyriumtits]

Consistently tinting Enid’s armor with everknit wool, velveteen, plush fustian velvet, canine leather, and varghest scales, and then I go oh no, she’s in Thedas’ version of Mossy Oak.

[exhausted-archivist]

Complete Post of the Poisons of Thedas

Updated: June 2024

I have the time and the energy (as in I've had this info sitting in one of my various spreadsheets) so let's get into the poisons of Thedas. I've also split this apart from a much shorter version so if you want a TLDR, please see this post.

For the purpose of this list I'm including any weapon coatings as they can be multiuse. Additionally, Inquisition has "tonics" which include poisons, potions, and actual tonics; so things described as poison are listed there. As well as anything mentioned in Tevinter Nights short story "Eight Little Talons" that is connected to Viago as he is a poison master, he makes and keeps poisons and various toxins, or other caustic substances. I've also included bombs, grenades, and traps as they use the same poisonous ingredients and sometimes share similar effects.

The definition of a poison that I am using is: "A substance that causes injury, illness, or death, especially by chemical means. Or a substance that inhibits another substance or a reaction."

Known Coatings and Poisons

Brief note, there are some general mentioned poisons not listed here, such as "contact poison" which is far too general for me to feel like I could add it here. Things like this, and other notations of poisons I will list at the bottom under additional info/trivia.

Acidic coating

Adder's kiss

Aquae Lucidius

Arcane poison

Choke powder/Choking powder

Crow Poison (regular and concentrated)

Crow venom

Deathroot Extract (regular and concentrated)

Deathroot Toxin

Debilitating poison

Deepstalker spit and aqua regia mixture

Demonic poison (regular and concentrated)

Dispel coating

Elemental coating

Exotic dwarven poison

Fell poison

Flame coating

Fleshrot

Freezing coating

Hale's Dust

Havard's Grief

Knockout Powder

Maferath's Embrace

Magebane (regular and concentrated)

Marrow lock

Odorless Crow Poison

Pillow Talk

Qamek

Quiet Death

Saar-Qamek

Shock coating

Soldier's bane (regular and concentrated)

Soulrot coating

Spider venom (regular and concentrated)

Tears if the Dead

Venom (regular and concentrated)

Vitaar

Wyvern venom

Known Bombs, Grenades, and Traps

Acid Flask

Acidic Trap

Acidic Grease Trap

Antivan Fire

Choking Powder Trap (Mild)

Choking Powder Trap

Choking Powder Cloud Trap

Combustion Grenade

Confusion Grenade

Fell Grenade

Fire Bomb

Fire Trap

Freeze Bomb

Freeze Trap

Jar of Bees

Misdirection Cloud Trap

Pitch Grenade

Poisoned Caltrop Trap

Shock Bomb

Shock Trap

Sleeping Gas Trap (Mild)

Sleeping Gas Trap

Sleeping Gas Cloud Trap

Soulrot Trap

Tar Bomb

Ingredients That are Poisonous or Used to Create Bombs, Grenades, and Poisons

Adder Venom

Aqua regia

Black Lichen

Blight

Blood Lotus

Bulbs of the Frostback Mountains

Concentrator Agent

Corpse Heart Ichor

Corruptor Agent

Deathroot

Deep Mushroom varieties

Deepstalker Spit

Demonic Ichor

Distillation Agent

Dragon Venom

Felandaris

Fire Crystal

Firedust

Foxite

Frostrock

Frozen Lightning

Gaatlock

Ghoul's Beard

Glitterdust

Heatherum

Lifestone

Lyrium

Lyrium Dust

Madcap Bulb

Rashvine

Rashvine Nettle

Redmoss

Snake Venom

Spider Venom

Toxin Extract

Vasanthum tree

Varghest Blood

Wyvern Venom

Descriptions of Crafting Ingredients

The only discriptions included are those provided in game or text.

Adder Venom

A snake native to Antiva, known for its quick acting and deadly poison. It has a paralyzing component and works to shut down the heart and lungs of the victim. There is an antidote, created by Viago known as "Up and Adder".

Aqua regia

Not defined, but presumably another highly caustic alcohol made of wyvern venom like aquae lucidius or lyrium like aqua magus.

Black Lichen

Mentioned in the Official Dragon Age Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, this is a lichen used to make bread and can be toxic if not cooked before consumed.

Blood Lotus

Awakening Description: This flower is famous for surviving in almost any climate. DAI Codex: Do not try to get out of this. We were told you were the best. That is why you were contracted. Was it not you who obtained the two hundred white blooming rose bushes for the Empress's winter ball last year? The comtesse has been infinitely patient 'til now, but she doesn't understand why it is so hard to fill the garden pool. She wants no more excuses. And no, she will not compromise with the dawn lotuses. They're white! The flowers have to match the silk canopies. It is crucial! Dark purple. Dark red. Do not try to frame this as a safety issue. The guests will be perfectly safe. Why, if they experience any hallucinations from the concentration of lotus essence in the air, I'm certain it will only make the evening more thrilling. I don't care if you have to send someone to some Fereldan peat bog to get it all. Just do it! —A note from Chamberlain Laurent to Grand Gardener Umbert Vauclain, over the decorations for Comtesse d'Arnee's summer garden party According to gossip in Val Royeaux, the chamberlain did succeed in convincing Grand Gardener Vauclain to provide four hundred and twenty lotus plants. The party was considered by most to be a roaring success, even though the evening concluded with at least twelve guests asleep on the lawn, three in the pool, and one lady losing several teeth trying to take a bite out of a marble statue of the comtesse's father, which she was convinced was made of cake.

Concentrator Agent

DAO Description: Heatherum and Foxite are both common herbs in Ferelden. When distilled to be sufficient purity, they may be used as herbal agents to concentrate the effects of many potions, salves, and poisons.

Corpse Heart Ichor

Used in concentrated demonic poison, this thick, black ichor comes from the heart of corpses that have been possessed by demons. Seperated from demonic ichor as that ingredient can come from other sources aside from a corpse heart.

Corrupter Agent

DAO Description: Said to have been made from lifestone that has been corrupted by the darkspawn taint in the Deep Roads, this powdery agent is required to create some of the most powerful poisons and traps known.

Deathroot

DAO Description: A harmless enough plant on its own, deathroot's thick leaves contain an extract that the Chasind have used to induce hallucinations for centuries. Sufficiently concentrated, it can be made into a deadly poison. DA2 / DAI Codex: Deathroot has been used in magic and potion making for centuries. It's a fragile-looking plant with a thin stalk and purple flowers, which fruits once a year developing bright red fleshy pods that cause disorientation and dizziness if ingested. There are two varieties. The more common Arcanist Deathroot was first found by Archon Hadrianus when he discovered it growing on several dead slaves. The other, Lunatic's Deathroot, is most closely associated with the story of the courtesan Melusine, who sought revenge on a powerful magister and his family. She harvested the plant, baked it into small pies for the magister's banquet, and presented them to the magister at a banquet. All the guests were seized by terrifying hallucinations after eating the pies and tore each other to pieces. —An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist

Deep Mushroom

DAO Description: Fungi found underground in close proximity to lyrium veins. In addition to their restorative properties, they can also be made into poisons. DA2 / DAI Codex: "Deep mushroom" refers to the entire group of fungi that grows underground in caves and many parts of the dwarven Deep Roads. Collection can be a dangerous task, as the Deep Roads are often infested with darkspawn. Because of this, dwarven merchants often recruit "casteless" hirelings for the job, and pay them a meager percentage of what they earn selling the mushrooms to surfacers. The most common varieties used in the herbalist's trade are the Blightcap, Ghoul's Mushroom, and Brimstone Mushroom, almost all of which tend to carry the darkspawn's corruption. While they cannot transmit the disease, this trait often makes them quite poisonous. Deep mushrooms should only be handled by experienced herbalists and should never be consumed without first being adequately cleaned and prepared. Careless consumption has been known to cause insanity, severe abdominal cramping, and even death. —An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist

Demonic Ichor

DAO Description: Understandably difficult to find, this ichor can sometimes be found in the hearts of corpses that have been possessed by demons and is naturally both thick and black. In the right hands in can be made into a very potent poison. Note: Can only be looted from darkspawn, usually alphas and emissaries.

Distillation Agent

DAO Description: One of the three rare bulbs found in the Frostback Mountains, when dried and powdered they become an excellent distillation agent required to evoke magical properties in crafting.

Dragon Venom

Mentioned to be an ingredient in gaatlok.

Felandaris

Used to craft poisons. DA2 / DAI Codex: The name felandaris is elven, meaning "demon weed," which is fitting for this rare plant because it grows only in places where the Veil is thin. Felandaris is easily identified. It's a twisted, wicked-looking shrub with long, thorny shoots, and no leaves: a skeletal hand, reaching out from an unmarked grave. Many swear the plant radiates a palpable aura of malevolence, so it comes as no surprise that it unnerves many a junior herbalist. —An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist

Fire Crystal

DAO Description: These shards of lifestone are infused with magic, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil. They're white-hot and useful in many fire-related potions and traps. DA: TTRPG Description: Fire crystals are lifestones that have been infused with agitated thermal energy, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil.

Frostrock

DAO Description: These shards of lifestone are infused with magic, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil. Frostrocks radiate cold and can be used in many cold-related potions and traps. DA: TTRPG Description: Frostrock is lifestone that has absorbed some of the cold of the Frostbacks, either naturally or through the efforts of the Tranquil.

Frozen Lightning

DAO Description: Frozen lightning is a common name for a crystal that can naturally store electricity, which has made it a sought-after ingredient in the composition of several items and salves. DA: TTRPG Description: These are crystals that store natural chemical energy, effectively making them electrical batteries.

Glitterdust

A mineral used to craft poisons and bombs

DA2 Codex: Glitterdust is the powdered form of a rock found along the Wounded Coast. When explorers brought the sparkling rock to the markets of the Free Marches, it became immediately popular among wealthy ladies who crushed it and applied the powder to their faces. The added brightness and lustre to the skin, however, soon paled in comparison to the developing rash and coughing fits. As it turned out, glitterdust is dangerous if ingested or inhaled. It's also extremely flammable, as several ladies discovered after powdering their hair while standing next to a candle. Unfortunately, this resulted in a dozen deaths by conflagration. These days, glitterdust is used sparingly, and only by experienced alchemists. The most common form of the substance is Volatile Glitterdust. If gathered from caves where darkspawn dwell, the rock produces a powder known as Tainted Glitterdust. —An excerpt from The Alchemist's Encyclopedia, by Lord Cerastes of Marnas Pell

Lifestone

DAO Description: These rare rocks have existed in close proximity to lyrium ore, and as such, they have absorbed some of its traits. Lifestones enhance the natural properties of other materials used in item creation. DA: TTRPG Description: Lifestones are chunks of rock that have lain in long proximity to lyrium ore and gained unusual properties from the exposure. They are invaluable for enchanting a wide variety of objects.

Lyrium Dust

DAO Description: This is lyrium found in a natural powdered state, ready to be incorporated into potions. DA: TTRPG Description: Lyrium found in a naturally powdered state, far easier to employ than lyrium ore.

Madcap Bulb

Awakening Description: Fereldan youths sometimes try eating madcap bulbs. They rarely repeat the experience.

Rashvine Nettle

Awakening Description: This plant burns the skin, but surprisingly not the tongue. It has no flavor whatsoever.

Spirit Shard

DAO Description: Spirit shards are enchanted lifestones that are used in several potions and poisons that affect the mind.

Toxin Extract

DAO Description: As one would expect, extracted venom from various creatures often makes potent poisons. Dropped by Giant Spiders Note: It is deemed a "venom" in the item id of the game

Descriptions of Poisons and Their Effects

I focused mainly on their descriptors provided in games and novels. I only include the gamified elements and effects for completeness of the entry as well as to elaborate on additional effects.

Acidic Coating

DAO Description: A small vial that contains a warm, lime-colored liquid.

Adder's Kiss

DAO, Awakening Description: An Antivan noble killed his adulterous wife by coating his lips with this poison and kissing her. He died as well. DA: TTRPG Description: Adder's kiss was the principal agent in the great Antivan tragedy Rosetta & Javier, supposedly a historical account of a nobleman who believes his wife has been having an affair. After a series of apparently innocent misunderstandings, Javier at last kisses his wife with lips coated with this poison, and neither survives.

Arcane Poison

DA2 Description: Weapons coated in this potent poison weaken the ability to resist magical effects on any enemy they touch. Ingredients: Deathroot, Deep Mushroom, Glitterdust

Aquae Lucidius

DA: TTRPG Description: Its venom makes the wyvern widely sought by potion-makers, alchemists, and crafters of potent liquor called aquae lucidius. A miniscule quantity of wyvern venom remaining in the aquae after distillation results in a unique hallucinatory effect. Just how effective wyvern venom is at enhancing potions and alchemical recipes is either a closely guarded secret or a continuing mystery; opinions differ. Making a batch of aquae lucidius requires 1 dose of wyvern venom per 10 servings, plus additional brewing supplies such as water, sugars, herbs, and yeast (costing about 10 silvers for a 10-serving batch). Crafting any sized batch of aquae lucidius requires an advanced TN 15 Cunning (Brewing) test; each roll represents about an hour’s work. Those who drink a serving of the stuff must make a TN 13 Constitution (Drinking) test, the result of which determines the drinker’s general reaction to the brew. Increase the TN by 1 for each additional serving consumed after the first. Any character who fails the test passes out after 1d6 minutes of dizzying, ugly hallucinations that leave him rattled and uneasy (–1 to Cunning and Perception) for 1d6 hours. Characters who succeed react to the drink based on their Dragon Die result, compared to the table below. (No actual magic effects take place but drinkers may be difficult to convince of that.)

Choke Powder / Choking Powder

Both a type of poison and a class of poison. Fleshrot is an examole of a choke powder, other descriptors used for the traps are powdered rock, metal, or spices.

Crow Poison

DAO Description: This poison is a favorite of the Antivan Crows, whose efficient administration of death has built a nation's reputation. DA: TTRPG Description: The poison is mainly derived from the venom of a particularly deadly Antivan serpent

Concentrated Crow Poison

DAO Description: An enhanced version of the Crow original, this poison turns its victim into a veritable sitting duck for an efficient killer. DA: TTRPG Description: This wicked brew results from a long, complex distillation process. A character suffering its effects immediately moves to the end of the initiative order. Additionally, the victim must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test or cannot use any stunt costing more than 2sp from the remainder of the encounter.

Crow Venom

DA2 Description: Weapons coated in this potent poison slow the movements of all whom they touch. Ingredient: Deathroot, Deep Mushroom

Deathroot Extract

DAO Description: Even a quick sniff of this sludge is enough to cause hallucinations. DA: TTRPG Description: Deathroot is a common and relatively harmless plant. The Chasind Wilders use a distillation made from its root bulbs to induce vivid hallucinations in which they seek mystic knowledge. When concentrated the substance can be used as a weapon. Those exposed to deathroot extract must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina or Drinking) test. Those who fail suffer hallucinations according to the Deathroot Hallucination table.

Concentrated Deathroot Extract

DAO Description: Although the deep blue-black color is attractive, clothing dyed with this liquid has proven unpopularly fatal to wear.

Deathroot Toxin

DA2 Description: Weapons coated in this potent poison deal additional nature damage with each hit. Ingredients: Deathroot

Debilitating Poison

DA2 Description: Weapons coated in this potent poison undermine the combat effectiveness of every enemy they hit, reducing the damage the foes inflict. Ingredient: Deep Mushroom

Deepstalker spit and aqua regia mixture

A caustic substance used by Viago to eat away at metal. It is highly potent.

Demonic Poison

DAO Description: The appearance and smell of this liquid are entirely unnatural, to say nothing of its effect.

Concentrated Demonic Poison

DAO Description: An extremely powerful poison derived from the thick, black ichor found in the hearts of corpses that have been possessed by demons.

Dispel coating

Awakening Description: This liquid in this flask reflects no light whatsoever.

Elemental coating

Awakening Description: A vial that contains a dark, viscous liquid.

Exotic Dwarven Poison

DAO Mentioned in Dwarven Regicide Antidote.

Fell poison

DA2 Description: Weapons coated in this potent poison leech life from every enemy they hit, transferring it to the poisoner instead. Ingredients: Deathroot, Deep Mushroom, Felandaris

Flame coating

DAO Description: A flask containing a white-hot liquid.

Fleshrot

DAO Description: The nasty concoction somehow rots flesh while the victim is still alive, accompanied by the usual stench. DA: TTRPG Description: Nasty stuff, fleshrot causes a victim's skin to immediately begin to slough off, which is horribly painful and grossly noxious. Each round for 2d6 rounds, a victim must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina ) test at the beginning of their turn to overcome the pain. If they fail they can only take a minor action that turn. A –2 penalty to social tests where a disgusting appearance would be relevant persists for a number of days equal to the number of rounds the immediate effects persisted.

Freezing coating

DAO Description: A small vial with a thick, frosty liquid.

Hale's Dust

DA: TTRPG Description: Originally used by the eponymous healer to help subdue and quiet wounded or troubled soldiers who were too much for him to handle, others have since come up with more sinister uses. Its effects last for the duration of the encounter.

Havard's Grief

A poison derived from wyvern venom, an unsubtle but a reliable one that is very popular in the Grand Game.

Knockout Powder

Mentioned in Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is mentioned in the ability "Knockout Powder" that this will put enemies to sleep for a short amount of time. There is another version of this powder that will additionally make it so the enemies are slow to wake up.

Maferath's Embrace

A toxin that increases the blood pressure of the victim, causing the veins and organts to rupture. It is a particularly rare and expensive poison. It was used once in a famous assassination done by the Antivan Crows during the Towers Age; they were hired to eliminate the highest members of the Templar Order in retribution for covering up the slaughter of mages during the Right of Annulment, where the crows spiked the lemon cake. This earned the job the moniker "Just Desserts".

Magebane

DAO Description: The Chantry's templars keep whole vats of this substance in Val Royeaux. DA: TTRPG Description: Developed by the Templar Order, this violet liquid is anathema to apostates, draining their arcane energy. Circle mages aren’t exactly fond of it either.

Concentrated Magebane

DAO Description: Most experienced spellcasters feel their stomachs drop whenever they see something whose color reminds them of this fierce substance. DA: TTRPG Description: A more potent version of magebane, templars supposedly keep huge vats of the stuff in Val Royeaux.

Marrow lock

DA: TTRPG This insidious poison runs ice through its victim’s limbs, all but locking them into place. Marrow lock’s victims can only take minor actions without consequence for the remainder of the encounter. To take a major action they must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test. On a success they suffer 1d6 penetrating damage and can carry out their action. On a failure they suffer 2d6 penetrating damage and can do nothing but howl in agony.

Odorless Crow Poison

This poison is a gas, heavier than air that will steal the breath of those sleeping but it leaves those seated or standing unharmed.

Pillow Talk

A creation of Viago's, it is a rose-coloured ointment with a greenish tint in the candlelight. This ointment is comprised of varghest blood and something from a gurgut. Viago implies it might not be effective on vashoth (qunari). It is administered anywhere on the skin.

The poison is an influencer substance that makes a person believe they can say or do anything, that the individual is safe.

Poison

DAO: Awakening Description: A deadly toxin smuggled from Antiva. Ingestion is inadvisable.

Qamek

It is not exactly known what makes qamek, though it glows similar to lyrium. This poison is used by the Tamassrans to help reeducate, neutralize captured mages, or on those who refuse to convert to the Qun to mindless laborers. Its effects will allow the mind to be easily shaped in small doses, in larger doses it renders victims mindless and causes irreversible damage.

Quiet Death

DAO Description: A foul mixture of poisons that are each deadly even on their own. Quiet Death is so potent it unnerves even the most experienced assassins. DA: TTRPG Description: A foul mixture of poisons infamous even in assassins’ circles, quiet death kills instantaneously—or doesn’t, if (say the legends) its intended victim is destined for greater things. Victims must make a TN 19 Constitution (Stamina) test, but also add their level to their roll. Those who succeed shrug off the effects. Those who fail fall immediately to 0 Health and soon expire according to the normal rules for dying. Attempts to stabilize victims of quiet death suffer a –3 penalty.

Saar-Qamek

A lethal poison that can be a gas or a substance converted into one. It is lethal to all races except the vashoth (the horned race / qunari). It drives its victims mad before they die; it can set the enemies of the Qunari into a blind rage and cause them to turn against themselves.

Shock coating

DAO Description: A small vial with a strangely glowing substance.

Soldier's Bane

DAO Description: Whenever nations find themselves at war, envoys of the opposing generals inevitably discuss a ban on this effective toxin, but the talks never result in a lasting pact.

Concentrated Soldier's Bane

DAO Description: This effective anti-infantry poison is too thick to pour from the flask. Smashing the glass is the only way to get it out.

Soulrot Coating

DAO Description: A small vial that contains a dark viscous liquid.

Spider Venom

DA: TTRPG Description: Extracted from the massive arachnids the dwarves call deep crawlers, this poison can take the edge off a warrior's skill. Its effects last for the duration of the encounter.

Concentrated Spider Venom

DA: TTRPG Description: A concentrated distillate of an already-deadly natural poison. Its effects last for a day.

Tears of the Dead

DAI Effects: The next 3 hits inflict poison on the target, causing 44 damage per second for 15 seconds. The poison remains on the weapon for 10 seconds before expiring. Noted in the item id as "Crow Poison"

Venom

DAO Description: A potent poison extracted from deadly plants and the venom of several reptiles.

Concentrated Venom

DAO Description: A complicated distillation process has made this poison much thicker than any of its individual ingredients.

Vitaar

Known as "poison armor" in Qunlat, it is a mixture that is magical in nature and hardens the skin of vashoth to an iron-like quality without hindering flexibility. The mixture contains poison and an unknown neutralizer (thought to be their own blood). But it is only for use on their physiology, all other races would perish instantly.

The process of making vitaar activates the protective effecst in the poison in a similar manner to lyrium ruins.

It is notable that currently all vitaar names stem from either a poisonous plant or animal, or in a few cases like the dragon hunter and cretahl vitaar, dangerous predators.

Notable descriptions:

DAI Description: This strange Qunari face paint is created from deadly poison—fatal when applied to anyone other than a Qunari, whose unique physiology somehow not only neutralizes its effect but also allows the paint's magic to harden the flesh and provide other protections. Arishok's Vitaar According to stories out of Kirkwall, the military leader of the Qunari spent a number of years marooned in the Free Marches city of Kirkwall – without once receiving supplies from his people or calling for help. Why he did so, and how the Qunari got along without an arishok, is unknown. The Qunari in Kirkwall did, however, have to trade considerable supplies from their sunken ship… including the Arishok's personal face paint, created from a rare and venomous snake in Par Vollen known to kill a person in seconds.

Wyvern venom

Both a poison in itself and an ingredient to many. It is potent and has given rise to a family of poisons developed in Antiva. It can be recognized by the crimson speckling of the skin on its victims.

DA: TTRPG Description: Wyvern venom slows prey and kills gradually. Once afflicted, a target is in mortal danger. After a few moments, however, venom exposed to air becomes far less dangerous. Thus it is essential to harvest wyvern venom quickly and carefully if it is to be stored for future use by, say, poisoners. A TN 17 Cunning (Poison lore) test, requiring the remains of a freshly slain wyvern, harvests 1d6 doses of viable venom, leaving none behind for a second attempt. When using the Poison-Making Mishap rule, wyvern venom adds only a +1 to the mishap result with a maximum result of 6—it never slays outright. A character poisoned with wyvern’s venom must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test or be subject to its effects. A poisoned character drops to 0 Health after a number of hours equal to 1d6 + Constitution (minimum one hour), dying unless they receive a dose of antidote before their time runs out. During this time, victims are subject to fever, visions, and a -4 penalty to Dexterity. The antidote to wyvern venom is a potion (crafted with a TN 15 Cunning (Poison lore) test) made from a mixture of three particular herbs: Andraste’s mantle, drakevein, and winterberry. Andraste’s mantle, drakevein, and winterberry are not particularly rare, in general, but may be out of season or found mostly in distant lands if you want to increase the difficulty of such a quest.

Descriptions of Bombs, Grenades, and Traps

Acid Flask

DAO Description: A flask of corrosive acid. DA: TTRPG Description: Corrosive fog that burns skin and corrodes everything else emerges from these flasks. Armor worn by those in an acid flask’s attack radius permanently loses 1 point of Armor Rating (before the acid damage is applied) until it is repaired. Increasingly severe damage to armor can accumulate from the effects of multiple acid flasks.

Acidic Trap

DAO Description: The surface of this device has been terribly etched by small leaks of its corrosive contents.

Acidic Grease Trap

DAO Description: The acid burns nicely through leather, cloth, and skin. The grease clings to anything. It's a perfect combination for a sadist.

Antivan Fire

DAI Effects: Spreads sticky fire at the target location, causing 46 burning damage every second to enemies inside the fire. The fire remains for 30 seconds.

Choking Powder Trap

DAO Mild Choking Powder Trap Description: The packet of dust contained within is surprisingly heavy, as if it were powdered rock or metal. Choking Powder Trap Description: A debilitating kitchen accident with expensive imported spices led to the development of this trap. Choking Powder Cloud Trap Description: The inventor who devised this trap can no longer speak, so powerfully did his throat object to the mishaps along the way.

Combustion Grenade

DA2 Description: When thrown, this grenade explodes with flame, dealing fire damage to all it hits. Ingredients: Deep Mushrooms

Confusion Grenade

DAI Effects: Enemies within the area of effect will attack other enemies for 20 seconds.

Dispel Grenade

Awakening Description: This flask is meant to shatter when thrown, and not before.

Elemental Grenade

Awakening Description: A flask of corrosive acid.

Fell Grenade

DA2 Description: When thrown, this grenade explodes with flame, dealing fire damage to all it hits. Ingredients: Deathroot, Felandaris, Glitterdust

Fire Bomb

DAO Description: A glass flask filled with a flammable liquid. DA: TTRPG Description: Often made using dwarven firedust or gaatlock (Qunari black powder), this combustible liquid sets flammables in its attack radius ablaze, which is generally a minor (1d6) or moderate (2d6) hazard, but varies depending on the exact circumstances.

Fire Trap

DAO Description: In its current state, this trap is cool to the touch, but the substances contained inside are certain to react violently when mixed.

Freeze Bomb

DAO Description: A glass flask filled with an ice-cold liquid. DA: TTRPG Description: An ice-cold liquid distilled by using powdered frostrock, these grenades blast cold through the limbs of their victims, slowing their movements until the end of the encounter.

Freeze Trap

DAO Description: When packed next to each other, this trap can keep a cut of meat fresh for days longer than otherwise. But its primary use is still as a deadly weapon.

Jar of Bees

DAI Effects: Summons a swarm of bees at the target location for 30 seconds. The swarm attacks the first enemy that comes near it, for 163 damage per second for 15 seconds. A target affected by the swarm has a 10% chance every second to become panicked.

Knockout Bomb

DAI Description: You hurl a grenade containing a powerful concoction that put nearby enemies to sleep. Sleeping enemies awaken after taking damage.

Misdirection Cloud Trap

Awakening Description: Forming a coherent thought about this trap is nigh impossible.

Pitch Grenade

DAI Effects: Coats the target location with pitch, which remains for 60 seconds, slowing any enemies that enter it.

Poisoned Caltrop Trap

DAO Description: Poison on the surface of the skin is one thing. Poison deep within the veins, courtesy myriad deep punctures, is quite another.

Shock Bomb

DAO Description: A glass flask filled with a strangely glowing substance. DA: TTRPG Description: A brilliant fluid that scintillates with raw energy, these flasks contain powdered frozen lightning and explode with a burst of light and the stink of ozone. They cause penetrating damage to anyone clad in any kind of metal armor.

Shock Trap

DAO Description: Even packed safely, this trap causes hair to stand on end.

Sleeping Gas Traps

DAO Mild Trap Description: Even the tiny amount of gas leaking out of this trap causes a tingling sensation. Standard Trap Description: The original formulation of this trap induced snoring too often. The new design makes it a more a dignified weapon. Cloud Trap Description: This trap is swaddled thickly in cloth, lest the owner bump it too hard during transportation and lose half the day to an unwanted nap.

Soulrot Bomb

DAO Description: A flask filled with a murky green potion.

Soulrot Trap

DAO Description: To know this trap is to know despair.

Tar Bomb

DA2 Description: This bomb explodes in a thick tar that immobilizes nearby enemies for a short time. Ingredients: Deathroot, Deep Mushrooms

Antidotes and Antivenoms

Up and Adder

An antidote created by Viago.

Wyvern Venom Antidote

One well known antidote is comprised of three herbs: Andraste’s mantle, drakevein (a deep mushroom variety), and winterberry. It is not the most accessible cure as you can find yourself in need while either out of season or not in the range of the ingredients.

Wyvern Antivenom

One way to treat wyvern poisoning is to craft an antivenom using fresh venom from a wyvern and various herb. It will create a bone white paste that will help save the victom.

Tables and Text Provided by the TTRPG

Aquae Licidius Effects

1 - "I can see through time!”

2 - “You’re all just made up of firelight and shadows, you know, flavored like blue and yellow. If I douse you, you might go out. Wouldn’t want that.”

3 - “I had a brief vision of my great-grandmother, though she was eating turnips with a modest dragon and Andraste was there putting salt on everything.”

4 - “It was as though my soul took wing and floated about my head.”

5 - “I feel strange but also good!”

6 - “That stuff works well enough. ‘Nother round, anyone?”

Possible Deathroot Hallucinations

Roll 1 - "Even the birds are Mocking Me!" The character spends the next turn raving at and attacking something innocuous like a tree, barrel, wagon, shrub, or bird.

Roll 2 - "Get it Off! Get it Off! Get it Off!" The character is convinced they are covered by bugs, leeches, snakes, or the like. They spend the next turn swatting at non-existent creepy-crawlies.

Roll 3 - "You did this to Me!" The character believes one of their comrades has backstabbed them or is otherwise plotting their demise. On the next turn the character can only take the defend action and yell in outrage at their “betrayer.”

Roll 4 - "The Sky, the hideous Sky!" The character believes that some malign creature from the sky is about to carry them off (or, for dwarves, that they are going to fall into the sky). The character spends their next turn dropping their weapons and grabbing something solid.

Roll 5 - "The shadows are alive!" The character is overcome with fear of the surrounding shadows, including their own. They spend the next turn running at top speed away from the closest concentration of shadows.

Roll 6 - "Foul darkspawn!" The character is suddenly convinced that a random nearby ally (determined by the GM) is a darkspawn or other natural enemy. The character spends the next turn attacking that “enemy,” with a +1 bonus on attack rolls for their fervency.

Poison Texts

Heart of Fire This substantial tome was written by an anonymous priest of the Imperial Chantry. In it, he discusses the most and least proper methods for raining the wrath of the Maker on His enemies. It contains recipes for shock bombs, magebane, and concentrated magebane.

On Combustibles and Corrosives This book by a dwarven miner named Grundrak discusses the use of combustibles and corrosives for best effect. It contains the formulae for both acid flasks and fire bombs. Grundrak wrote it in the Trade Tongue, certain that humans needed its advice most of all.

Riaan's Hammer A noted work by the templar Riaan, this book mostly concerns subjects other than poison making, most notably the effective torture of maleficarum to save their souls. Even so, the chapter on magebane contains its recipe. The Chantry supposedly has copies that also contain the formula for concentrated magebane, but none are known to exist outside its cathedrals and it would be heresy to possess one.

Thoughts on Fragrance Supposedly written by the Antivan poetess Evelina, this book is a masterwork of cunning prose. Those who know the correct Crow ciphers are aware that, along with its fancy turns of phrase, it contains recipes for crow poison, concentrated crow poison, and adder’s kiss.

Unusual Diseases This large physician’s reference tome was written by the Tevinter physician-mage Telregard. Not only an invaluable study of the many strange ailments that afflict Thedans, it also contains detailed notes on substances that can cause the semblance of such diseases. These notes include the recipes for fleshrot and marrow lock. The book also gives a +2 bonus to Cunning (healing) tests for those treating the more outré diseases of the world.

The Web of Decieving This folio by the Shaper and naturalist Orgaard contains extensive notes—in the Dwarven tongue—on deep crawlers, which he studied extensively. It contains the recipes for both regular and concentrated spider venom.

Additional Notes/Trivia:

While aquae licidius is a liquor it is mentioned and shared in the poison section and so it is included here. As alcohol is technically poison, but if you want a complete list of alcoholic beverages please reference the drink post I have.

According to the Dragon Age Tabletop, some creatures may be immune to the effects of certain poisons, or of all poisons. The guide says the ruling should be based on logic over biology. Using the example of the incorporeal nature of shades and ash wraiths would logically render them immune to the effects of toxins. Where in contrast nothing in the nature of blight-tainted beings would suggest they're immune to the effects of poisons.

According to the Dragon Age Tabletop, most noble houses of Orzammar employ one or several poisoners at all times. As well as herbalists who develop complex antidotes to counteract the poisons.

Poison Text mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop Core Rulebook; "Heart of Fire", "On Combustibles and Corrosives", "Riaan's Hammer", "Thoughts on Fragrance", "Unusual Diseases", "The Web Decieving".

"Poisoned weapons" in Dragon Age: Inquisition uses a "deadly toxin".

"Toxic Cloud" is an ability in Dragon Age: Inquisition that states you "unleash a cloud of toxic dust" that damages all enemies

"Explosive Toxin" is an ability in Dragon Age: Inquisition that states your "poisons curdle the blood of your targets."

Sources:

Dragon Age: Origins + Awakening

Dragon Age 2

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: The Last Court

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne

Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights

Dragon Age Tabletop RPG

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[weptfreedom]

does the idea of justice and morality align for emithas, or does emithas have a point where he will do anything for his loved ones?

I've said before he was raised with the ideal of doing no harm, by people new to physical existence, who became that way through coercion and refused to continue to take part in war.

To go from that into an existence in which most of what he did was harmful without a choice in the matter, well...it changed him. How could it not? How could he hold onto that ideal in such an environment?

Taking on the identity of the Varghest gave him some means of striking back: little, spiteful moments of inconvenience for the tyrants who'd uprooted his life and salted the bare earth.

And the rebellion? to borrow Tas' phrase, it was not civil. It was not bloodless. It was not gentle. They were up against primordial beings of immense, reality-shaping power (Rook's ability to stand against Elgar'nan was the result of a perfect storm scenario, any deviation from that would have meant their failure. I said what I said 🤷) far beyond any of them.

All that to say, ideals are great, but Emithas' lived reality made holding onto them a pipe dream.

does he have a point where he will do anything for his loved ones?

He reaches that point, or as far as he's ever gone, in one endgame scenario. He is desperate. He has tried to reason with Mythal. He has fought her. Neither convinced her. Now, in a highly fraught moment, he bargains, he keeps his word. He uses what's left of her as the anchor that maintains the veil, and it is not done (solely) in order to spare Solas that same fate.

In that moment, Emithas is vengeful.

[in-the-drowning-deep]

"Riding the Bull just got a lot more fun! It simply does not cut the mustard to have one sixth of [the available love interests] look like a tree-stump that got chewed up and pooped out by an angry varghest.

So I'z done it. Bull is now (hopefully) a lot less awful to look at"

NO. i'm taking the iron bull away from you and everyone who downloaded this mod. you don't deserve him. fuck off.

[jackals-ships]

okay we're in just Animals Lockdown bc in the dragon affiliation faction you ALSO have the wyvern

look at their mandible mouths. look at their little not wings (they use them to glide rather than fly) and they spit VENOM instead of fire/frost/etc like dragons + are solitary and territorial + have been described as being able to take down a high dragon

also this is Leopold, the duke prosper de montfort rides him

this is the gurgut it is very animals and also wants me very dead

they live in swamps :} and eat mostly fish but also there's a codex entry; "Its pallid belly stretches and distends, disdaining all reason, when it gorges itself upon its prey. I have seen such a lowly beast swallow a chevalier whole, the great and shining warrior taken by surprise in the tall grass, his silverite armor gleaming as the gurgut unhinged its jaw to draw the chevalier in."

this is the varghest it Also wants me very dead

they live in the western approach + hissing wastes and are described as bringing still living prey back to their nests for their young i love their weird ears and the fact they kinda look like a goblin shark wrt the head area

[jazzmckay]

Oasis on ao3

Chapters: 1/1 Rating: T Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi & Bull's Chargers Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Swimming, Slice of Life, Canon Trans Character Summary:

The journey through the Western Approach is gruelling, but there are pockets of respite to be found.

written for krem week 2024, day 5: respite/fight

Sweat trickles down Krem’s nape, getting caught in the back of his armour. It’s sweltering within his gear, the metal of his breastplate likely scorching to the touch, heated by the sunlight that also reflects off the stretches of sand and rock around them, glaring and stinging. Krem’s breath shudders with exertion as he lifts his maul into a swing, throwing a Venatori soldier straight off his feet. At least the sight of the Tevinter extremist getting knocked on his ass offers a bit of satisfaction to ease the discomfort of the desert sun bearing down from above.

A trap of Rocky’s springs ahead as a couple more Venatori charge towards them. The metal contraption sounds like clashing razors, and sends a cloud of sand into the air along with a splash of blood from the man who triggered it. The man screeches, then goes silent when Skinner flickers through the dust cloud, cutting him off with a dagger through the throat.

Krem hefts his maul again, smashing it down into his own target, who is still scrambling to get back on his feet. To Krem’s right, Grim slashes through another with his sword, and somewhere further away, he hears the crack of pinpointed lightning strike the spellbinder working in the back of the Venatori squadron.

It isn’t long before the fight is over, leaving the Chargers standing victorious upon the sand dune, the bodies of their foes lying around them. Krem tugs a gauntlet off so he can drag the back of his hand across his forehead, mopping the sweat away and shaking droplets off onto the ground.

“Good work, Chargers,” he calls to the group as brightly as he can muster, even though the heat and the fight have sapped him of his energy.

The chatter has been minimal for the last couple hours, none of them feeling very upbeat anymore, but they’ve been fighting well, and Krem wants to be sure they know it. Dalish leans heavily on her staff, Grim’s cheeks are flushed with a burn, and Skinner has crouched low in a rest pose, a hand up to shield her eyes from the sunlight. They’ve had a long day of fighting their way across the Western Approach, heading towards Adamant Fortress. The Chief is still back at Skyhold, or maybe on the way to Halamshiral if he’ll be attending the Empress’ peace talks masquerading as a ball. In his absence, Krem has been leading the Chargers.

He decides they’re in need of a break. When it isn’t the Venatori, it’s varghests, and if it isn’t varghests, it’s darkspawn. No matter which opponents they face, the desert sun has been beating down on them to add an extra challenge.

To their south, the dunes trail down towards a ravine where they should be able to find some shade, maybe even a cave to set up inside.

“Let’s find a good place to camp.”

“Thank the ancestors,” Rocky says with a groan.

A murmur of exhausted but wholehearted agreement passes through the group. Together, they move across the sand and rock, their progress much slower than it was at the start of the day. At the ravine, there are some ladders and planks descending downwards, which they take single-file. Skinner darts ahead to scout the way while they follow carefully, and when she returns only a couple minutes later, she has a rare grin on her face.

“There’s a lake,” she says. “Mostly hidden from the sun, too.”

Behind Krem, Stitches lets out a light laugh. “Thank Rocky’s ancestors.”

With a bit more pep in their tired forms, they continue onward, following Skinner along a stone plateau, then into a cave opening that carves down through the ravine wall towards the basin below.

Sure enough, it opens up to a lake bordered with desert trees and blood lotus growing in the shallows. Sunlight glints off the surface of the water where it can reach straight down through the ravine, but half of it is already beyond the sun’s reach, shadowed and inviting. A little oasis tucked within the otherwise unforgiving Approach.

Relief sinks into Krem’s worn muscles.

The Chargers all hurry to set their packs and weapons in the mouth of the cave, then scramble out of their gear. It might be the quickest they’ve ever made camp; Grim starts putting together supper while everyone else gets their bedrolls set up so they won’t have to worry about it later, and then it’s only a matter of time before everyone is hurrying for the water.

“Grenade!” Rocky hollers as he takes a running leap for the deep center of the lake, sending a great splash of water all around him.

Skinner stands under the torrent, her face tilted up and arms spread wide, taking the rush of water gladly.

Dalish pulls her woollen bodice straight over her head and tosses it away, baring her chest for all to see before jumping into the water with a joyful cry.

More sedately, Krem does the same. He unbuttons the collar of his undershirt, then pulls it off, throwing it back towards the camp as he continues into the water. He feels no discomfort with the scars on his chest when he rests back in the water’s shallows, watching the others splash about around him. The Chargers have seen a lot of each other’s bodies through the years of fighting and camping alongside each other, and a couple have even been around long enough that they saw him bare before he had the scars at all. They’ve only ever made Krem feel accepted.

The day’s struggle washes away in the oasis’ gentle waters. Krem draws his hands up his arms and around his shoulders, sweeping away sand, dirt, and sweat. After the day they’ve had, it feels heavenly.

More than that, it brings a smile to his face to watch the others enjoying this respite as well. Dalish is drawing her fingers across the top of the water to leave little designs of ice in their wake, and Grim is floating along on his back, eyes closed in relaxation. Stitches, like Krem, is focused on washing the grime of the day off his skin, running wet hands over his short-cropped hair. Skinner and Rocky seem to be having a contest to see which of them can hold their breath under the water for the longest.

The glaring sun finally begins to fade as the day winds down, leaving the lake even cooler, darker at the depths. Feeling refreshed, Krem pushes forward through the water, kicking against sand and rock to propel himself towards the others, seeking to join them for this brief time they have together. Moments like these aren’t to be taken for granted, he knows; tomorrow will be another day of scorching sun and dangerous enemies, but unwinding with the Chargers is always more than worth the battles they face.

As he draws nearer, Dalish glances at him with a mischievous grin on her face and sends a splash of water his way.

Krem grins back as he pauses to lift an arm, shielding his face. “Are you sure this is a fight you want to start?”

“I think it’s already started; what are you going to do about it?” Dalish replies, sweeping her hand through the water to launch another attack.

Taking in a deep breath, Krem ducks down into the lake to evade the splash, and swims forward to catch her around the middle, hearing her muffled shriek and ensuing laughter through the water.

The others are quick to throw themselves into the playful fray, turning it into perfect chaos, their earlier exhaustion all but forgotten.