#virelle lavellan

[bunabi]

my annual Inquisitor painting is done

[otherwolves]

Happy birthday @bunabi!! 🎉🎉🎉

[griffinsanddragons]

After You [Prologue]

Virelle remembers the day everything changed.

Oh hey I finally got around to finishing that WIP. 

A little-known fact is that @bunabi developed our iteration of the Lavellan Clan together. We share a group of Elves.

This is a story about Adaara and Virelle. 

The proudest moment of Adaara’s life, she thinks, was the moment she was chosen to be First.

‘Pick me.’

She was silent, her emotions and expressions near impossible to read–but despite the control she held in her dark features, her golden gaze seemed to scream: ‘pick me, pick me, pick me!’

But Deshanna stayed quiet: her posture stern, face stoic—cold despite the early morning heat; and like every Keeper before her (and every Keeper after) Deshanna wore the color of creation–green.

Virelle watched the pretty fabric of her robe shift like leaves against the morning breeze because everything else was quiet.

And the silence was resounding.

But then someone sighed behind her, Deshanna turned her steely gaze, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Virelle remembered she wasn’t watching this alone. Her clan stood together in a peculiar array; a sea of brown faces, young and old, gathered together to watch the proceedings.

Like Virelle, most were quiet, soundless in their curiosity. Meridan, however, grew restless—his boredom growing. But as Deshanna turned to look at him and he met her weathered gaze, both fear and dread spread across his naked face.

[Keep Reading] 

It was rare for those considered children to attend the more sacred proceedings of the clan, but when they did they were expected to carry themselves well. It was for that reason many of their friends were missing; like Meridan—but unlike Virelle and Adaara who carried both silence and the marks of June exceedingly well—their faces were bare.

Deshanna watched him for a moment, her dark skin flushed warm beneath the heat. Meridan stepped back behind Felen, his brother, his deep purple gaze cast downward in apology.

The exchange was grueling.

So when Deshanna’s eye’s snapped forward, the world exhaled a sigh of relief and all was quiet again. As though nothing at all happened, Deshanna turned to face the girls again with scrutiny, her fingers curled around the wood of the staff she would gift to one—her apprentice, the First of the clan.

‘Pick me.’

Adaara was the second, already in training and technically the next in line. But Mera, who stood beside Adaara with a look more nervous than pleading, would be easier to shape; She was younger, more timid, less proud than Adaara was.

But what Deshanna needed, what the clan needed, was loyalty.

No one knew why her first apprentice wanted to leave, but rumors spread throughout the clan like a great climatic wave.

‘Something scared her in the wilds; she was inconsolable for days; she wanted to get away.’

But when Virelle asked Adaara about it, a strange look spread across her freckled face; like a child caught with her fingers in a jar of honey—she looked startled, afraid.

“How would I know,” she started, plucking at the berries that grew beneath the shrubbery.

“Maybe she just wasn’t strong enough to be the Keeper. That’s why wanted to join another clan—she ran away.”

Whatever the case, only one thing was certain: Deshanna couldn’t make the same mistake.

‘Pick me.’

“Adaara,” she spoke after what felt like an eternity, “you shall be my first apprentice. Mera, you will be the second.”

Murmurs of joy and pride echoed through the crowd, their voices rising like thunder on the distant sea. Adaara beamed; her face split into a large grin that bared the gap between her teeth. And though it was the dead of summer, and her skin was tinged a russet hue, Virelle swore she saw her cheeks grow redder as her eyes spread wide with both joy and relief.

“Yes Keeper,” Adaara crossed her legs and bowed deeply, Mera did the same.

“Come, Da’len.

We shall prepare you for the ceremony.”

Virelle, still too short and close to the ground, was shifted behind the others as the clan parted to make way. Nevertheless, she caught Adaara’s eye.

She smiled at her, her face and posture brimming with happiness and pride; a pride that carried her off to a place Virelle could no longer see

[dross-the-fish]

a quick sketch of Virelle Lavellan for @bunabi I had a lot of fun making this, I really love the design of this character.

[acathea]

still going at it! this time it’s @bunabi‘s virelle lavellan! she was so fun to draw! i hope i did her justice ;;

[aischeu]

Happy birthday @bunabi ~🎉

[needlesslycryptic]

i sketched @bunabi‘s amazing Virelle Lavellan in between commissions!

[souryadas12]

पाँच पहर धंधे गया, तीन पहर गया सोय । एक पहर हरि नाम बिन, मुक्ति कैसे होय ॥

[pinayelf]

OC as a Child

I was tagged by the lovely @star--nymph!

Here’s Imryll as a baby:

Imryll was the roundest kid ever lol

Who named them/Significance of their name:

I’m going to be honest, I used a name generator to name her because she was originally going to just be someone I tested mods on, but I got attached. I really wish I named her something Tagalog, which is what I try to do for most my OCs.

Imryll is an elven name, since her family comes from Seheron it probably has roots there, but the meaning is now unknown.

Home they grew up in:

Clan Lavellan is nomadic, but they stayed mostly around the Free Marches. Imryll was a skittish kid, so she usually stuck close to her parents when they’d travel. She liked sitting in the aravel when her mother pushed it. Wherever they’d camp, her father would surround the tent with dried herbs, so that smells reminds her of home.

Imryll is shy, and she often had trouble making friends. They had to come up to her first. Her brother was her first best friend and he helped her break out of her shell a bit. She becomes very good friends with Liranael because she initiated the friendship first - she always give Imryll a confidence boost and that’s why she fell in love with her. 

As for with the rest of the clan, Imryll is close to the Keeper. Because she’s shy, for the most part she’s on decent terms with the other members, but not super close to them. However, this other elf in her clan, Adwen, was jealous of her brother (who was popular) and after her brother’s death began to pick on Imryll because she became so vulnerable. That affected her greatly.

Relationship with parents:

At the beginning of Inquisition - strained. Her brother’s death shattered her family. Her father, Thrilan, who is the more affectionate one, withdrew and got lost in his own grief. Her mother, Adrila, is more stoic and has a very “tell it like it is personality” and wasn’t very good at giving comfort. When Imryll lost her brother, she also kind of lost her dad as emotional support. Her mother urged her to be “strong” for her father, despite the fact that grief was swallowing her. This built up some resentment, so Imryll saved her affections for the Keeper, Liranael, and her other few friends.

During Inquisition, Imryll being away gave all of them time to reflect and realize that they’d taken being together for granted. Initially, Imryll talks to them through letters to the Keeper, but then when she starts to pull herself out of self-wallowing, she so badly wanted to speak to them again. She was close with them when she was a child and she missed it. So she sucked it up and made the first move, she wrote to her father first, gushing to him about Cullen. She got a sweet letter back and she cried.

Pre-trespasser, after Corypheus’ defeat, her parents come up to Skyhold to visit her and they start to mend their relationship.

Three Words to describe them as a child:

Nervous, shy, quiet

Childhood friend(s):

Liranael - who became her first love and late girlfriend, a girl named Danae, and a boy named Virell who got transferred to a different clan who needed a mage. She and Danae drifted after Liranael died but when she returns they rekindle their friendship. 

Favorite Toy:

Her father’s dried herbs lol, which drove him crazy. She loved how they smelled, so her father would take some leftovers and put it in a pouch so she could just smell it because it helped her calm down. Not really a toy, but before her brother’s death, he weaved her a bracelet and she wore it all the time, unfortunately she lost it at the conclave.

Childhood Trauma?:

Her brother’s death. Her brother was sort of her security blanket when she was younger, being shy and all. They were also close. Plus, his death almost tore her family apart. 

Hobbies:

Picking herbs and drying them, experimenting with salves and balms, hearing old Dalish tales, taking naps (lmao), learning alchemy

Childhood fear(s):

Things that go bump in the night. Or just things that go bump.

Quirks:

Imryll often looked at her feet, she didn’t like looking at people in the eye. When nervous she tilts her head to the left and digs her heel into the ground. Also she squeaks if she feels a sudden rush of intense emotion. Sera spooks her? Squeaks. Josie tells her that nobles want to meet her under short notice? Squeaks. Varric almost flops down the stairs? Squeaks. Cullen’s shirtless? Squeaks. 

I’m tagging @wardenofmyheart @athdhea @windysuspirations and @elevanetheirin! 

[bunabi]

they don't see eye to eye (Virelle is shorter)

[otherwolves]

Virelle’s got fire in her eyes and in the colour of her hair 🔥

This is my half of an art trade with @bunabi!

[griffinsanddragons]

Fanfiction: A Year in Review

While I’ve had a pretty productive year academically speaking, I had to put my artistic ventures on hold.  Despite this, I had a lot of fun this year and hope to make even more art in 2019!

So here we are with my 2018 Fanfic Year in Review!

Inquisitors, as far as the eye can see!

1) After You [Prologue]  [Part 1]  [Part 2]  [Part 3] - “Before arriving in Halamshiral for the decennial gathering of the clans, The First asks Virelle to accompany her on a journey to find Hanal'ghilan, the Golden Halla of legend and myth.”

Taking place years before the events of DAI, this story is all about the individual members of clan Lavellan. I plan to post the rest into the new year but for now, you can read the first few chapters on my blog or on AO3!

I should mention again that @bunabi and I developed our Lavellan’s together. Her precious Virelle takes the lead!

2) Keeper Specialization 2.0 -

Not a story, but I decided to revamp the custom Skilltree I made for my Inquisitor, Adaara and I’m pretty proud of the result!

The DA2 Crew 

3) Idle Chatter - “Hawke and Justice talk while traversing through the Fade.”

While Justice has been featured in my writing before, this was his first time taking front and center stage! Here we learn how Anders’ perceptions help shape Justice’s own, as well as see how our favorite fade spirit feels about Hawke. #FilandersLITE (And I’m talking real scarce!) 

4) Untitled drabble -“Isabela laments about a glorious ship”

Though technically posted in 2017, I posted this one super late into the year. This time, it’s Isabela’s turn to take center stage. She loves big boats and she cannot lie. 

5) Clarity - “Sebastian takes a walk in hopes to find some clarity, instead, he runs into a familiar face.”

I have plenty of feelings about Sebastian but I can’t deny he’s a very interesting guy! I realized I’d never featured him in any of my other stories and needed to rectify that. Here we are provided a bit of insight on his relationship and reaction to Hawke. 

If you want to read anything from years before or work that’s not featured not on the list, you can find my work here or at @griffinsnoir!

Signed and Sealed with the Offical Adaara Stamp of Approval! Courtesy of @bunabi

[dross-the-fish]

For @bunabi A quick sketch of her inquisitor, Virelle Lavellan 

I really love her design and the intensity she radiates, I didn’t have a strong attachment to my inquisitors but I honestly enjoy other people’s DA oc’s. 

[eleplay]

the family house internet stopped working fsr yesterday so my solution was to draw some lavellans playing a sweaty game of cards. special feat. @bunabi‘s virelle and @xfreischutz‘s eremes

[bunabi]

and if I draw my inquisitor for the millionth time 🤷🏿‍♀️ what then

[griffinsanddragons]

After You [Part 3]

This Story is Now on AO3!

Summary: Before arriving in Halamshiral for the decennial gathering of the clans, The First asks Virelle to accompany her on a journey to find Hanal'ghilan, the Golden Halla of legend and myth.

She agrees

Knowing this is perhaps the last adventure they will take before Adaara takes the mantle of Keeper of their Clan, Virelle tries to find a way to close the distance between herself and her oldest friend.

[Prologue] [Part 1] [Part 2] 

Part 3: Felen leads them up the mountain. 

The next morning, Virelle woke to the sad sound of Felen’s whining. “It was a cruel deed, Great Leader!”  “Then let me be cruel; I do not care,” Adaara answered, her voice level, almost daring as she stood beside the dying embers.  Felen frowned, his grey eyes dimming in defeat.  From what she gathered, Adaara caught a beetle with a luminous shell; it hadn’t survived the cold of the winter—or maybe it died another way. But nevertheless, she took it, plucked it from its shallow grave, set it in her box, and began to examine its metallic wings. Felen wanted to touch it—as it somehow reminded him of another hunting story—but Adaara refused him selfishly.  It was a silly exchange, trivial and not worth pursuing, but there was something about their stubborn stances, the way they spoke and bantered so seriously that warmed Virelle’s heart completely.  Adaara could still be silly.  The argument between, however,  them was all but forgotten when they reached the base of the mountain on the very same day. What should have been joy, however, was replaced with an overwhelming feeling of dread.  “Broken hedges,” Felen pointed out, “And horse prints.” He touched his hand to the frost-laden ground.  “Could they be from the Avaar?” Adaara asked, pressing the pads of her fingers together in a gesture of thought.  “I don’t think so. You see the way they seem to backtrack? Its like they were leading a stubborn mule. It makes me think these are hunters with less experience like they don’t know what they’re doing. What do you think?”  He turned to Virelle, who walked along the prints leading up the winding path.  “There’s a large group of them. Maybe 10. 12 if two were on horses.”  “We should be on alert,” Felen told them. “Anyone seeking passage to Ferelden would have gone through Gherlen’s Pass. They’re probably after bear pelts but there's a chance they might be thieves.”  They agreed. 

The path was too narrow for their wagon so they were made leave it behind. Thus they gathered themselves and their packs slowly, sure to grab the sled Felen used for hunting to tie their baskets down. Then, Adaara raised her arms in a sweeping gesture, calling forth the roots from below the ground. They responded with vigor, bursting from the frozen soil and pull their ride into the underbrush.  Virelle whined. 

“What are you doing?” She asked, moving toward the bushes with her arms stretched wide. 

“Don’t be dramatic, I wouldn’t destroy our way home; I'm making it so it won’t be seen.” Virelle looked forward, thinning her eyes so that she could see.  Though it was dark and the vines wove tight around its body, the wagon was, in fact, fine.  So they took a moment to collect themselves and headed up the mountain in a single file line.  Occasionally, their party would stop and Felen would uncover something that took them all another way; There were times even Virelle wasn’t sure what he saw but differed to his judgment anyway.  “I just feel lucky,” He’d say, but this was the first time Adaara allowed another to take the lead.  They needed to be more than lucky.  So they forwent the path altogether and made their way through the trees. The pines were dense and every so often a branch would reach forward to smack someone, usually Elori, in the face. But as the days stretched, the pines gave way to sparse bushes and long stretches of land for the animals to graze.  At night, Adaara used her magic to weave a dome of branches and vine. It was high enough not to burn beneath the heat of their cookfire and mostly functioned as protection against unseen beasts.  They pitched their tents beneath it and continued keeping watch in rotating shifts.  There was no sign of Hanal'ghilan.  But still they remained optimistic, or at least they tried.  Elori and Virelle talked about their clan mostly; how the others were fairing; whether or not they’d be the first to arrive in Halamshiral; and how Mera was taking to her new responsibilities. (Adaara had a strong opinion on that point specifically.)  “You’re aware that the Sabrae Clan moved to the Free Marches aren't you? They were in the path of the blight.” Elori told Felen, the natural conclusion to a long conversation they'd been having. He seemed to notice her weariness and sought to distract her by talking as the group marched around a particularly large rock.  “Really? Had I known that I would have paid them a visit. One of their hunters—” He froze.  Felen stopped suddenly, thrusting out his arm as a sign for the rest to do the same.  He was uncharacteristically quiet as he looked above them and slowly took aim with his bow.  But he didn’t shoot.  Instead, he looked toward Virelle and she quickly unsheathed her sword.  “Looks like we’ve become the hunted.” When he finally shot the arrow it skirted the rocks above them swiftly, and something unleashed a mighty roar.  Adaara took to her magic in an instant, grabbing her staff the instant a feline creature appeared.  Elori gasped behind them, her legs shaking in fear. The creature growled, revealing a jaw that was crowded with teeth, a cavern of white against its russet pelt, lined with black and gray.  It was the famed Red Lion, looking for prey.  “I’d like to see Fenarel make that shot,” Felen beamed, proud to see his arrow sticking out from the shoulder of the beast.  It roared again as if to answer, and Virelle pulled Elori behind her with ease.  “Don’t be scared,” Felen told them, calm as though nothing strange was happening.  His voice held little of the joy he always presented, instead, he sounded sure, sturdy, as though he already knew how this would end. He’d boast and cheer but when it mattered most, nature welcomed Felen easily. It was as though he’d moved with it, understood it, shared the same heartbeat; he was truly the greatest hunter their clan had ever seen.  But when the Red lion’s body lunged forward, moving with striking speed, it was meant with magic, not arrows, flying through the air. It all happened so quickly: Felen pulled another arrow from his quiver but before he had the chance to pull the string, the beast was struck by a streak of lightning.  It fell to the ground and snarled, yet somehow struggled back to its feet.  “I don’t fear beasts,” Adaara stepped forward as if to meet it, a great ball of fire blooming in her hands, “They should fear me-” But as she prepared herself to throw it, Felen pulled her back by the arm.  Adaara lost her footing and fell to the ground, the thud accompanied by an embarrassing yelp as her fire vanished quickly.  He shot another arrow and it landed straight between the eyes of the beast.  The world went quiet around them but Felen grinned cheerfully, his smile wide and bearing teeth.  “I-”  “How dare you!” Adaara spoke with a glare as feral as the beasts.  He froze immediately. And Virelle might have giggled had she not been flooded with relief. Elori slacked against her shoulder, nearly fainting.  They stood in silence together, content to listen to Adaara and Felen’s bickering.  “You’ll pay for that!”  “Burning down the woods would have been a terrible thing, Great Leader!”  “I could have handled it.” Adaara, clearly affronted, crossed her arms indignantly. Felen grinned, and pat her shoulder as if to comfort a younger sibling.  Virelle blinked, her thoughts folding together quickly. They acted like a pair of siblings—and Adaara seemed so happy.  And it was in that moment something seemed to break or melt between them. Virelle’s heart began to swell, joy filling her heart till she burst open with laughter.  Adaara glared at her, her gold eyes thinning.  “Is there something funny, Virelley?”  “The way you went for the Red Lion—what you said— and then he—” Her sentence was broken by fits of giggles that only added to the red growing on Adaara's face.  “Would you like to be next? Is that what you want?” She threatened, summoning the fire back into her hands.  Nevertheless, Virelle couldn’t stop laughing. Her laughter then made Felen laugh and even Elori failed to withhold a quiet chuckle as they continued marching. 

Killing the Red Lion only made him more confident so they picked up their pace and traveled till evening. They made another fire beneath their shelter and warmed themselves with laughter and stories.  “Let's have a cheer for our fearless leader,” Felen teased, lifting his portion of salted meat and pickled lemons.  Adaara stayed quiet and looked to the side, still stewing in embarrassment.  And even though she lashed out when Virelle and Elori raised their food in return, her glared seemed a little softer, as though it lost its edge.  They talked about who they wanted to see at the Arlathvhen and how they longed for their return to Nevarra and the brilliant summer heat.  “You know who I’m not looking forward to seeing?” Felen began, “ The Ralaferin clan.” Adaara agreed. 

Later that night, Virelle took the second watch with Felen. It was nearing sunrise but the fire kept strong, feeding off their kindling.  “Do you think we’ll find her?” Virelle asked, looking out into the clear morning sky. “Hanal'ghilan?”  “Of course. We’re close on her trail.” Felen told her, confident as always as he fiddled with his bow.  “How do you know?” They could be trailing Hanal'ghilan or a different animal entirely.  “What do you see when you’re tracking?”  “You know, the same things you do; footprints, broken twigs, whether or not there are signs of grazing—oh, do you want to know the secret? Of being a good tracker?” Had he not been plucking on the strings of his bow, Felen would have cupped the side of his mouth and leaned toward the fire mischievously. And though Virelle could almost hear the joke coming, she nodded resolutely.  “It’s to be very lucky.”  She sighed and Felen laughed a little too loudly.  He looked over at the tents but when no one stirred or shouted, he beamed.  “Do you know any stories of Hanal'ghilan?" He asked suddenly, "How she grants fortune to Elves in need?”  “Of course, we all do.”  “They’re more stories than the one the Hahren’s tell us, stories only the Keepers know. Hanal'ghilan is ancient; as old as anything I can think of.” He began, looking up into the sky dreamily. “Some of them are exaggerated for sure but most are true; I mean they have to be. I saw her.”  “You saw Hanal'ghilan? When?” A rush of excitement rippled through her like a wave.  “Once,” he told her, “Years ago; When I had to prove I was ready for my Vallaslin; I got my foot caught between two rocks in a river and happened to look up when I tried to pull myself free. When I saw her, everything was quiet—it was like time stopped moving. She was drinking from the river. At first, I thought it was one of our Halla who’d gotten free but then she looked at me. Well, we just looked at each other and then she turned to leave.” He recalled. “And from then I just felt really lucky.”  “Lucky?” Virelle thought for a moment.  She’s heard him say that countless times, something about himself being lucky.  Could that be the reason Felen tracked so well?  Did Hanal'ghilan grant him good fortune?  Or was he simply just that? Lucky?  “Exactly. After I got free, I went and took home that Wild Hart. I told Keeper Deshanna what I saw but she just told me to ‘hold my fortune closely.’ I took that to mean don’t tell anybody so I didn’t—except my parents and my partner—Adaara knows too, that’s why she asked me to come—and now you—but that’s it. I haven’t even told my little brother.”  “But if its a secret then why tell me?”  “Well,” He leaned back as far as he could without falling. “ I just don’t want you to worry. The weather will turn soon but we’ll find Hanal'ghilan before that. It’s strange but it’s like I can feel her close to me; We’re nearby.”  Virelle hummed, gazing out into the great expanse of the sky.  “You said the Keepers know all the stories; do you think Adaara knows?”  “I don’t see why she wouldn’t. Our Great Leader is shaping up to be a strong Keeper, she’s got to know by now.” There was something fond within his voice, something like a sense of pride.  It reminded her of her earlier revelation, the way the two of them behaved.  “You sound happy.”  “Do I?” He laughed boldly. “I suppose I am; after all, it seems like only yesterday when the three of you were running around playing with Meridan.” He sighed wistfully, his thoughts most likely stuck on the days before three became two.  He was quiet.  “Y’know, after Tharos left I didn’t know how she’d cope; I mean everything seemed to happen all at once—Tharos getting magic, Esdeth leaving, Mera getting magic right after, Tharos going too.” Felen sighed, looked toward the tent, then smiled.  “It’s good to know she still has you.”  Virelle blinked, her cheeks warm despite the chill of the night.  “You think?”  “Of course. 

You know how she is, she’d never confess to it but you help keep her head on her shoulders. Why do you think she asked you to come along?”really lucky.” “Lucky?” Virelle thought for a moment. She’s heard him say that countless times, something about himself being lucky. Could that be the reason Felen tracked so well? Did Hanal'ghilan grant him good fortune? Or was he simply just that? Lucky? “Exactly. After I got free, I went and took home that Wild Hart. I told Keeper Deshanna what I saw but she just told me to ‘hold my fortune closely.’ I took that to mean don’t tell anybody so I didn’t—except my parents and my partner—Adaara knows too, that’s why she asked me to come—and now you—but that’s it. I haven’t even told my little brother.” “But if its a secret then why tell me?” “Well,” He leaned back as far as he could without falling. “ I just don’t want you to worry. The weather will turn soon but we’ll find Hanal'ghilan before that. It’s strange but it’s like I can feel her close to me; We’re nearby.” Virelle hummed, gazing out into the great expanse of the sky. “You said the Keepers know all the stories; do you think Adaara knows?” “I don’t see why she wouldn’t. Our Great Leader is shaping up to be a strong Keeper, she’s got to know by now.” There was something fond within his voice, something like a sense of pride. It reminded her of her earlier revelation, the way the two of them behaved. “You sound happy.” “Do I?” He laughed boldly. “I suppose I am; after all, it seems like only yesterday when the three of you were running around playing with Meridan.” He sighed wistfully, his thoughts most likely stuck on the days before three became two. He was quiet. “Y’know, after Tharos left I didn’t know how she’d cope; I mean everything seemed to happen all at once—Tharos getting magic, the other first leaving, Mera getting magic right after, Tharos going too.” Felen sighed, looked toward the tent, then smiled. “It’s good to know she still has you.” Virelle blinked, her cheeks warm despite the chill of the night. “You think?” “Of course. You know how she is, she’d never confess to it but you help keep her head on her shoulders. Why do you think she asked you to come along?”

[Virelle belongs to @bunabi , we share our Lavellan Clan.]