#why don't i have an amell and a cousland?

[ninapedia]

Codex entry: Grey Whiskey/Ritewine/Conscription Ale

Fun writing / OC exorcise - making a Conscription Ale name/profile for all my canon wardens.

Vintage: Warden Viera. Sweet Dreams. | Surana

The thick build up of honey at the bottom of the bottle ensures whatever goes in is tasting of it. Don’t know why it smells vaguely of lavender though.

Vintage: Warden Ny’ari. Mythal’s Mercy. | Mahariel

More of a remedy than a spirit. Tasting largely of mint and elfroot - which is obvious by the plants stuffed within the bottle.

Vintage: Warden Nadia. Feels like falling. | Brosca

If you’re able to taste the notes of cinnamon before passing out you have a stronger constitution than most.

Vintage: Warden Varryn. Still better than what Ohgren’s drinking. | Aeducan

Whoever this Oghren is should be arrested if this is better than they were drinking. It’s brown.

Vintage: Warden Cyril. Drink when desperate. | Tabris

It’s not a title, it’s a warning. The first sip is the worst, after that your taste buds are all seared off anyways.

Vintage: Warden Odile. Swan noir. | Adras

It was probably wine at some point. It’s so red it’s black. And somehow smoother than a rose’s petals.

Vintage: Warden Nika. Furnace fuel. | Kader

Somehow so clear the bottle looks empty. Not much of a fragrance yet singes the inside of your nose anyways.

Vintage: Warden Pierrot. Curtain call. | Caron

How this wine still sparkles is a mystery for the ages. A pleasant pink colour and an al together not unpleasant bitter sweet taste.

[crossdressingdeath]

Mouse: You made me believe in you. You're a true mage, one of the few. Mouse: The others, they never had a chance. The Templars set them up to fail, like they tried with you. Mouse: I regret my part in it, but you have shown me that there is hope. You can be so much more than you know.

I know Mouse is (or at least appears to be) a pride demon and his main MO seems to be him trying to suck up to the Warden by talking about how great they are, but I don't think this is entirely an act. When Mouse says that the Warden is the only one he's ever seen bargain with Sloth to get him transformed into a bear to help them fight, or the only one he's seen fight or outwit Valour to get a weapon, I think he means that! I don't know if he means the bit about regretting his part in the deaths of multiple apprentices (assuming that that's true to begin with; it's entirely possible that that's as much of a lie as the dead apprentice thing), but I do think he really does respect the Warden's strength and intelligence. The Warden is set up to fail, and instead they shine. They clear the Harrowing in record time! They can outfight Valour, or browbeat it into handing over a staff for free by pointing out that it's acting no better than the demons preying on them! They can win a riddle contest against Sloth and gain its willing (if sarcastic) aid without having to actually give it anything! This young adult, in their early twenties at most, can effortlessly outwit, bargain with, and defeat the denizens of the Fade, and I can definitely see why a pride demon (or spirit of wisdom) would be impressed by that and have high expectations for what they'll achieve going forward.

Mouse: Maybe they are right about you.

I believe this line in context is about the Chantry and the Templars and their fear of what mages can do? ...Yes I just played this like two hours ago and I've already forgotten shut up. But when Mouse is caught out, he doesn't attack or otherwise try to take the Warden over by force. He accepts it, offers a final piece of advice, and... lets the Warden go. Mouse seems to be genuinely ceding victory to the Warden out of respect. It might have a different feel if he ever showed up again, but... he doesn't. The Warden wins. It's one of the few pure victories in DAO; no sting in the tail, no compromise to be made, no losses. You just... win. You might not kill your enemy, but there's no sense of Mouse looking down on you or dismissing you as a non-threat: he looks at you and sees the best the Circles can possibly create, and says "You have nowhere to go but up", and he lets you go to see what you can become. Mouse seems to actually want the Warden to succeed. And having Surana/Amell in particular's first taste of combat and danger in the game end in such total success and acceptance and respect feels important? Mages in Thedas are feared, but never respected (despite them being incredibly powerful; Surana and Amell are absolutely the most powerful Wardens by a mile and I will fight you on that), so it means something that it wouldn't with say Cousland or Aeducan that the end of the first section of their origin is such a powerful being showing them the respect required to let them go.

[gayhawkelatehomicide]

Updated Protagonist List

I'm going to add images to this, so it's going beneath a readmore for length reasons

Wardens

Aridhel Mahariel - bow rogue, romanced Zevran, straightforward dalish who neither understands nor cares about shemlen (or durgenlen) politics, blood magic is probably fine as long as you use it responsibly, anxious and blunt. "Let's focus on stopping the world-ending plague of darkspawn first, and worry about the rest of this bullshit later, hm?"

Saffron Cousland - sword and shield warrior, romanced Alistair, noble in every sense of the word but cheerful and friendly, Queen of Ferelden, Arlessa of Amaranthine (and Highever), killed Rendon Howe with her father's sword, fixated on duty. "Because it's the right thing to do."

Theodore Amell - arcane warrior mage, romanced Morrigan, bastardization arc powered by Morrigan whispering bad ideas in his ear, loves his terrible witch girlfriend, blood magic is fine and the chantry is oppressive, ambitious. "I am no longer baby, now I want power."

Renan Tabris - dagger rogue, romanced Leliana, exactly zero patience for shem politics, raised Andrastian (derogatory), canonically kind of a bitch, evil sense of humor, loves her stupid new shem baby brother, harden everyone, distrustful. "Like dogs, Shianni."

Valda Aeducan - two handed warrior, romanced Leliana, honorable and serious, trusts no one, girl raised in harsh political nonsense learns to trust her found family and forgive her bio family while unlearning bad lessons simulator, sneaky/quiet sense of humor, intense loyalty to her people, values tradition but values compassion more, genuinely regrets what happened with Trian. "For the honor of my house, though I myself have neither house nor honor."

Emmaera Surana - blood mage spirit healer, romanced Alistair, fey and strange, sweet but a little out of it, she and Merrill would get along so well because they both just say what they mean, falls for Ali like a ton of bricks after trusting him exactly 0% at first, has a council of spirits that advise her, definitely more than a little possessed, Templars aggro on sight, besties with Morrigan. "The Chantry won't tell you anything useful about the Fade, but I could. If you want."

Ashaterylen Mahariel - champion fighter, loves Morrigan but it's complicated, aggressive and no-nonsense, adopts Alistair as her comic relief to fill Tamlen's shoes, Not Okay™ but doing a good job regardless, my only warden who straight up dies, but we still get Kieran because magic, rather laconic, probably my most heavily headcanoned origins character. "Duty trumps sentiment. Every time."

Hawkes

Iris Hawke - knife rogue, romanced Anders, diplomatic but also way too intense for her own good, loves mages so much, circle mage Bethany, will do anything to protect what's left of her family, noble impulses but awful sense of humor, fanatic, very angry underneath her shell of politeness, diplomacy as a tool. "Why don't we try asking the Arishok nicely?"

Ian Hawke - elemental mage, romanced Fenris, sarcastic, sided with the templars because magic is an essential part of him but it's brought nothing but grief to him and his family, templar Carver, quip for every situation, never loses his positive outlook for long, self-loathing but doing his best not to make that everyone's problem. "Dad did WHAT for the Wardens? Why am I not surprised."

Kiera Hawke - two-handed warrior, romanced Isabella, sarcastic → aggressive, sad bastard warrior Hawke, everyone who gets close to her dies, Bethany dies, good attitude wrecked by the wear and tear of life, loves her buddies who are also terrible, angry and broken. "You tell me where Bartrand is, I'll help you wring his fucking neck"

Alice Hawke - knife rogue, romanced Merrill, circle mage Bethany, p much pure diplomatic, diplomacy as a way of life, mom friend central, no one is irredeemable, far too trusting, kind of a busybody, always thinks she knows best. "Clean your blades, watch your purse strings, don't be a dick."

Delilah Hawke - entropy mage, in love with Varric, pure sarcasm, sends Carver to the wardens, adores her stupid chaotic bisexual family, beat down by this world but stubbornly clinging to joy, flat refuses to talk about her problems. "Where would I be without my trusty dwarf?"

Quinn Hawke - blood mage, romances Anders, red from the beginning, low-key an asshole but also high-key he just doesn't know how to communicate, oldest sibling syndrome turned up to 11, inspired by Harker Zevsurana's Kier, fuck you mage rights. "Well, shit."

Andy Hawke - force mage, romances Anders and Fenris (it's complicated), strong purple laugh-or-cry type, so many canon alterations but the twins both live, grows a lot over the course of the campaign, big fuck the chantry, uses their staff as a polearm bc they're not great at magic, easily my most headcanoned Hawke. "Have any of you guys considered having a normal reaction to anything? Ever? Didn't think so."

Inquisitors

Miriani Lavellan - assassin bow rogue, romanced Solas, confused hardass Dalish girl doing her very best to navigate suddenly being in charge of all of this stuff, cares so much about everyone all the time, terrified but resigned to her responsibilities, self-sacrificing, sense of humor buried under all that sincerity. "I am the Inquisitor, through no virtue of my own. Vir suledin nadas."

Asher Adaar - two-handed warrior, romanced Sera/nobody (bc I meant to romance Sera but didn't know the right dialogue options so I kept waiting for it to pan out and it just sorta didn't), blunt and direct Tal-Vashoth mercenary who gets persuaded that maybe she actually is the herald of andraste, but honestly just wants to handle the things with as little religious and/or political nonsense as possible, blunt and violent. "We save Thedas TWICE, my hand wants to kill me, we save the exalted council specifically, and this is what we get?"

Stephan Trevelyan - rift mage, romanced Cassandra, a good sweet Andrastian boy, true prophet who has a meltdown when he finds out about Solas, best friends with Dorian, keeps the inquisition and wants to really save the world, a genuine idealist, stubborn AF. "Faith is a choice. The Maker set these events in motion so long ago we can no longer see His hand in them."

Samahl Lavellan - tempest knife rogue, romances Dorian, cheerful, sarcastic, and overwhelmed, insanely competent but good at hiding it, terrible little bastard, hates responsibilities, laughs in the face of danger (and Cassandra), keeps insisting he's not the Herald, kinda lazy. "I guess I'm learning now, aren't I, Mother?"

Riska Cadash - artificer knife rogue, romances Sera, direct and sometimes brutal but ultimately caring, criminal upbringing noble fashion sense, besties with Blackwall, andrastian and confused, consistently astonished by how easy it is to get things when you're the most important person in the world, one of my younger inquisitors but she doesn't act like it very often, really only when she's with Sera. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Dahlia Trevelyan - mortalitasi lightning mage, romances Blackwall, cheerfully irreverent young noblewoman flexing the edges of what she's allowed in this new role, filled with chaos and violence and entitlement. Fully does not believe in the Maker. Classically beautiful but with blue-gold eyes that go past "striking" into "genuinely unsettling" and, she caught some shrapnel from a spell gone wrong with her face a few years back so she's got distinctive scars. "Hey, look, at least dragons are real."

The Trio (all of whom have individual playthroughs but also come as a set)

Isene Lavellan - fire/rift mage, romances Iron Bull, primarily jokes and asks questions, basically a horrible mix of Miriani and Samahl. Sweet and a bit of a brat but ultimately up to the challenge. A disaster at the winter palace. Her general response to her workload getting heavier is to adjust the straps that hold the world on her back and carry on with a smile. "Bull, remind me why I accepted this job? Oh, right."

Harea Lavellan - knight enchanter and ice mage, romances Cullen, open minded and sweet, a bit naive but genuinely wants to make the world better, distressed by the mark and the everything but willing to bear it to keep others from suffering. Self sacrifice is a big theme here. Just a little (read: protected like Wynne) possessed by the actual spirit (of Wrath) who was attendant upon andraste, so she is quite literally the Herald. "No one is irredeemable!"

Rogelan Lavellan - sword and shield warrior, romances Josephine, kind of a hard-ass but willing to be romantic, would rather talk than fight but won't give up his ideals, careful and deliberate in everything he does but bold when he's made a decision. Stoic and pithy, but can be eloquent if he needs to. Understands shem bullshit better than most, because he's the kind of guy who studies the things that scare him. "Tell me how to help."

Continuities

Primary "Cannon" Continuity - Aridhel, Ian (or Iris), and Miriani - Protector, Catalyst, Survivor

Strong code of honor - Saffron, Iris, and Asher - Shield, Dagger, Sword

Fucked Up Andrastians - Theodore, Kiera, Stephan - Ambition, Sorrow, Faith

Terrible Senses of Humor - Renan, Alice, Samahl - Vengeance, Kindness, Laughter

Wrongest Choices - King, Viscount, Divine (I haven't actually made this playthrough but is a male rogue cousland, probably a guy Hawke as well and obviously not a mage but idk what class, and fem warrior Trevelyan)

Dwarf Run - Valda, Delilah, and Riska - Honor, Love, Trust

Definitely Not Possessed - Emmaera, Quinn, and Harea - Council, Temptation, Authority

Three Inkies - Ashaterylen, Andy, Rogelan/Harea/Isene - Sacrifice, Victory, Vigilance

[themournwatcher]

9 Ship Songs

Was tagged by @shivunin for this game! I will also not be doing 9 songs for one ship, but instead splitting them up between a few, lol. I know I haven't been good with tag games lately, i've had the eeby sleeby! Songs and tags will be under the cut :)

In'nan and Solas (#divorcecore)

1. "No Children" The Mountain Goats

I am drowning There is no sign of land You are coming down with me Hand in unlovable hand And I hope you die I hope we both die

2. "That Unwanted Animal" The Amazing Devil

And you, you follow philosophies, but me, I laugh, I choke "Well, hello, my hollow Holofernes" I wink, but you don't get the joke "Hold the hand of the god-child, " they said, "as he falls from the sky" "Be good to me, " I beg of him "Be good to me, " I beg of him Be good, be good, be good, be good, be good, be good, be good And he replies (oh), "No, no, not I"

3. "I Want You to Know That I'm Awake/I Hope that You're Asleep" Car Seat Headrest

It doesn't matter what I say If you don't say anything in response The final phrase of my last sentence Hangs in the air, sounding stupider and stupider ... Two days ago it was really bad I couldn't get my head straight all day And everything you said seemed to have an edge You were disappointed and I didn't know why Eventually it came to a head Over something as stupid as making coffee You said it was a mistake to ever try and help me

Jurian Amell & Fenris

1. "It Could Happen" Dave Matthews Band

Oh, how it happened, blew the lid And got a taste, it's some kind of magic It could happen like it did Like we awoke, we were still dreaming When it happened like it did If I wasn't there, I wouldn't believe it

2. "Dance Macabre" Ghost

You'll soon be hearing the chime Close to midnight If I could turn back the time I'd make all right How can it end like this? There's a sting in the way you kiss me Something within your eyes Said it could be the last time 'Fore it's over!

3. "The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit" La Dispute

I want to feel it out. I want to know how it works. I want to know if it was worth it to worry, About the ghosts I feared would haunt the memory, About the damage that I’m sure the fear has done to me now. I want to know what it is in me that won’t follow through Those nights the instinct takes a hold of me and pushes too. Maybe it’s only that I’ve never gotten over you. Or am I still scared?

Mahanon Tabris

he just has a lot of ships to me ok

1. "Judas" The Reverent Marigold

I'm upstairs breathing in the scented oil on his skin And exactly as he taught, I take the holy spirit in The body on my tongue and the blood dripping down my mouth Who among us apostles has ever been unclouded, without sin?

2. "The Summoning" Sleep Token

Oh, and my love Did I mistake you for a sign from God? Or are you really here to cut me off? Or maybe just to turn me on ... I've got a river running right into you I've got a blood trail, red in the blue Something you say or something you do The taste of the divine

3. "Touch Tank" Quinnie

He's so pretty when he goes down on me Gold-skinned eager baby, blue shirt out the laundry He tells me he's gentle when he wants to be So I think he wants to be gentle with me

tags!

@amatres @becauseanders @bitchesofostwick @daggerbean @dragonologist-phd @demandthedoodles @ell-vellan @flashhwing @fergus-cousland @greypetrel @gvnseylike @hannahrama @idolsgf @jellydishes @nightmarist @ocean-in-my-rebel-soul @rustythorns @v-arbellanaris

[vakarians-babe]

tagged by both @bigcheezey and @siennamain to list 5 songs that remind me of my characters, so I wanted to do one for each of my Dragon Age main characters (including my fledgling DA4 protag hehe

i'm tagging @bitchesofostwick @cullenvhenan @cairamelcoffee and @tatert07s 💗

Talvinder Kaur of House Cousland, Hero of Ferelden, Queen Consort to King Alistair Theirin, First of Her Name

Ek ladki ko dekha, Kumar Sanu

When I saw this one girl I felt like, when I saw this one girl I felt like: Like a blooming rose, like a poet's dream, like a glowing ray of light, like a deer in the forest, like a full moon night, like a soft word, in the temple, like a burning candle.

Aislin Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall, Princess of Starkhaven, Friend to the Inquisition

I love you but I need another year, Liza Anne

I don't think enough before I say too much I'm digging my own grave with all the shit I say I keep my head high, kind of like a lie To say I'm doing fine even when I'm losing my mind

Stay here, I know I love you but I need another year Oh, I don't wanna drag you through it Stay here, I know I love you but I need another year Oh, I don't wanna drag you through it

Elodie Aubert-Amell, Viscountess of Kirkwall, Flame of the Orlesian Court

Land of the Living, Roo Panes

Where did they go? That which I cherished and that I wrestled. Don't want to be like the dust that settles This empire of nothing. I find that I'm king of all these empty halls, that I'm ruled by my own floors.

But you can't be an old fire if you were burning with a new flame. So remember that you were never a forgotten name.

La'ara Ma'Suledin O'Cathasaigh, First of Clan Lavellan, Inquisitor

In the Kitchen, Mree

Bounded by the gravity Of all the other dreams that I was given Memories start calling me I have to find my way to find my rhythm Night on the avenue on the wrong side of town I thought, I thought, I thought I heard them call

Badhbh the Faceless

Here Come the Wolves, Lola Blanc

Here come the wolves Coming to get ya I run through the woods I'm not gonna let you go I'm baring my teeth, I'm ready My tongue is a sharp machete So why do I feel unsteady?

You can run, run, run, little lamb And it's not, not, not who I am But I'm a wolf now Guess I'm a wolf now

[irhinoceri]

One of the funniest things about Dragon Age Origins is how you can apparently have a torrid love affair with multiple companions in under 5 minutes just by running around camp having vaguely flirtatious dialogue with them. And they will deadass talk to you like this has been going on for months. Maybe you are supposed to talk to your companions one time between each quest instead of spamming them in camp while giving them gifts to artificially max out their friendship, but look, I'm on a schedule. This isn't my first rodeo. I have several different playthroughs in various stages of disrepair completion and I logged into my Mahariel Warden save last night only to realize that I had left it off at the start of the Redcliffe quest (which I always do right after Lothering). So I played through Redcliffe, then recruited Zevran and within minutes I was getting dialogue from Zevran, Alistair, and Leliana about what my intentions were. I don't even remember what I had done with Mahariel, since the last time I play DAO I was in my Amell save and I stopped at the end of Broken Circle, and that was months ago. I've only ever managed to do a whole complete play through as Cousland, but I distinctly recall having no idea I was romancing Zevran until he asked me to choose between him and Alistair and the game took a screen shot of his devastated face when I told him I chose Alistair. I think I had just met him 5 minutes prior. I got a matching screen shot of Alistair last night when this time I told him that I was choosing Zevran. Sirs, I just met you. Why am I getting -20 friendship over this.

BioWare -- here is the exact moment you crushed their souls. Screenshot saved.

[bumblewarden]

I want so bad to do an Oops All Origins for the worldstate of Mr Novhen Tabris, but it may end up just him, Amell, Brosca, and maybe Cousland

I've already sacrificed Aeducan for the drama. He and Brosca have too strong of a conflict between them, and i thought it'd be the most fun to make them mutually exclusive companions. If you try to keep them both in the party for long enough, eventually they fight and only the survivor will stay with you. Brosca, in this case. Yes, this had just happened to me in Baldur's Gate right before i came up with this. Xzar and Montaron had it coming. Why do you ask?

Surana and Mahariel might be next to get booted. Surana has already suffered from too many applicants to make herself stand out, but the reason they're both on the chopping block is that Novhen needs to feel isolated. After 20+ years in Denerim's alienage where he could only rely on other elves, he's now being ping ponged wildly between the wilderness and (usually non-elven) courts with his predominantly human party whose only other elf was hired to assassinate him. Even if he and Zevran have different relationships to being an elf (although there's definitely a degree to which Zevran is downplaying whatever relationship he does feel), it was absolutely a factor in Novhen's romancing him. For that part of the story to remain untouched, Novhen needs to feel isolated, and in general, his loneliness gives more to his story than it takes

Cousland is a maybe. I have a vague personality for her. Main issue with her is i don't like playing warriors but want her to be one. Second issue is Nathaniel needs Novhen to be Howe's killer, but it's too important for Cousland's story for her to not kill him. Novhen rightfully wants revenge for the purge, but it's her central arc. I have a comic draft where Novhen incapacitates him but lets her get the final blow. That would be the best compromise arc-wise, but then fucking Nathaniel (Disclaimer: love that guy) has to go and fuck it all up. It's just hard to make it narratively satisfying to keep them both on board. If i do kick her out, i'm thinking of having her show up in the dungeons somewhere

Yes, Ghilana exists, but a drawback of using many smaller fics without orbiting any central longfic is that it becomes difficult to include any OC whose not already based in one of the PC origins. Still, pre-quest, Ghilana is going to identify as Qunari before elven by a mile. Might also make him a later addition to help balance it out

That's not to say all my excluded Wardens will be totally shunted to the void. Aeducan gets a couple Deep Roads scenes during Paragon of Her Kind before Brosca on-screen murders him (good for her). Surana might briefly appear during Broken Circle or the Battles of Ostagar or Denerim, and she grew up with Novhen prior to her encirclement. The party might meet Clan Sabrae after Nature of the Beast, and Novhen would respect it if Mahariel wishes to die in the arms of their clan. If Cousland gets kicked next, i might have her and/or a male Cousland appear in the cells of the arl's estate of Fort Drakon after surviving the attack on their family's castle. I don't know if a non-Warden Cousland retains their status to vote in the Landsmeet on behalf of their family, but they can at least speak against Howe and Loghain

[walpurg]

Okay but the fact that none of the potential wardens (except for Tabris) don't know shit about economics and money. Like. Cousland and Aeducan are both rich af, they probably never paid for themselves, their families just bought things for them. Both of them are "How much could a banana cost? Ten dollars?" meme. PLUS ther're a lot of things on the surface that Aeducan simply never saw before. Like an apple. And they see it and ask Alistair about it and he says "oh it's an apple?? you never ate one???" "no, there's no such things in Orzammar. is this some sort of delicacy??" "AN APPLE?!"

Amell and Surana both lived in the Circle since they were kids, everything of their personal stuff were given to them by the chantry and it was only the basic necessities. They had the same robes as everyone else, they had the same staffs as everyone else. And now you expect them to buy things? With real money?? They've never had a coin in their hands and now they have to buy food and tents and weapons and not only they don't know how much any of this things cost but they also have no idea how to tell if this clothes are poorly sewn or this food is badly cooked (i bet they didn't have fancy meals in the Circle you know). Help them.

And then there is Mahariel. Who barely even knows what money is. It's the first time they have to worry about equipment, the first time they can't just hunt for food. They are so used to the fact that the clan's craftsman would always make armor and weapons for them, that they can trust Ilen with this. And now they have to trust some human merchants? This armor is not even that good why must it cost so much? And Alistair says that this is a normal price? They should pay 5 golden coins and for what. Plus in a way their situation is also similar to the Aeducan situation, ther're a lot of things that Mahariel didn't even know about. Leliana tells them about fancy orlisian boots and they're like??? Ther're different types of boots? For what???

Brosca knows that shit is expensive. Ther're so very little people in Orzammar who would trade with a casteless and sometimes they would overcharge and it's a fact that there's a whole ass shadow market in the Dust town. And then Brosca goes to the surface and suddenly they no longer need to lie or pay extra money, people are willing to trade with them. But Brosca is never sure because what if they're trying to fool them? What if this thing is actually not so expensive? Or what if this food is spoiled because there's no way that the meat is this cheap??? Alistair's trying to tell them that this is not "too cheap" it's actually quite expensive but this is kinda normal for meat prices and Brosca says that they've paid twice as much for the piece of meat that was twice as small.

[dalishious]

Hi Lydia! May I ask you about humans and their facial tattoos? They say facial tattoos are uncommon among most humans, being the Rivaini, the Chasind, the Antivan Crows and some Avvar people the only ones who have a rich tradition in tattooing. I picture them using plant-based organic inks, also wood-ash ink, such as the Dalish do (don't they?). Do you think it's appropiate for a Hawke, Amell, Cousland, Trevelyan, etc. to have one in case they're are not related to any of them?

Yeah, why not? They are in the CC for you to use them if you want.

[emerald-amidst-gold]

For the character asks - Sten, Nathaniel, and/or Merrill!

Ooo, gave me some tricky ones, did you? I like, I like~! >:3

(We're gonna do them all because: yes.)j

Sten

First impression

So, I had actually played DA2 before Origins. Since I did that, I knew about the Qunari and when I first saw Sten in that 'lovely' little cage I was like, "...No wonder the Arishok blew up. Though, you seem pretty chill aside from the slaughtering villagers thing. I wonder why..."

Impression now

I really like Sten; I liked him from the very beginning, truthfully. As someone that played DA2 before Origins, I got to see things in reverse. In 2 you see the Qunari in a more...aggressive light, or at least, the characters attempt to show that. They treat them as animals waiting to strike, when it in fact, they're more or less just like Sten--contemplative, steadfast, pragmatic, homesick. In Origins, you get to see the Qunari for what they are; people. I love talking to Sten with whatever Warden I'm playing at the time, and every single one ends up being extremely close to him.

Favorite moment

I always laugh when you go to Lake Calenhad and speak to Carroll with Sten in your party. There's just such a final, serious air to how Sten says, 'He didn't need them' when talking about the child he 'relieved' cookies from. It's so ridiculously silly~

Idea for a story

I've been trying to write more with my Warden Amell, who actually had a very, very close relationship with Sten by the end of the Blight. Mainly just slice of life, but I can never the image out of my head of how Sten must really, really feel after getting his sword back. I'd love to one day try my hand at writing that interpretation. :3

Unpopular opinion

I don't really have one for Sten, and I never see much in terms of negative feedback from anyone else to even contemplate an unpopular opinion. If I had to think of one though, maybe that his way of viewing the world isn't so...harsh? Like, my feelings on the Qun are mixed; it's good for some, not so much for others. For Sten, it's all he knows, so obviously, he's going to see the lives as others as strange or a waste. And that's okay. People can have differing opinions and beliefs, and shouldn't be called 'monsters' or 'heretics' because of it.

Favorite relationship

I really like Leliana and Sten's banter. I like Shale and Sten, too. But the way Leliana, someone heavily devoted to the Maker, teasing and accepting someone of a doctrine that's seen as heresy is just *chef's kiss*.

Favorite headcanon

That he is very good at braiding hair. I mean, have you seen his hair? Enough said.

Nathaniel

First impression

"Howe had children? And this guy is his youngest? Ohhh, boy. Is he the little rebel type? I hope he is. He seems like he is. He's got his father's nose, that's for sure. Well, come on. Time for some Joining juice." (I hadn't played the Cousland origin for some time, so I completely forgot Howe had a family. PFFT.)

Impression now

*takes a deep breath* ...Why is this man not romanceable? WHY? Like, I'm serious.

I really, really liked his development, his transition from 'My father only did what he did because it was war!' to 'My father did what he did because that's who he was; a man fixated on expedience and never satisfied. A man who enjoyed inflicting pain. I'm not going to be like that. I won't be like that.' And in so many of his banters and dialogue trains with the Warden, he's so endearing, he's so good of heart, and most of all, he's still just a boy. A boy who had dreams of banishing the evil of the Black Marsh. A boy who just wanted his father to notice him and be proud of him. Nathaniel was the one that deserved more. I want him to come back so bad.

Favorite moment

I liked the reunion between he and his sister. It just showed where his priorities, beyond being a Warden, truly lied; his family.

Idea for a story

I am an avid Warden x Nathaniel shipper. You bet your buns that I got ideas for this man and my dear Elise! I actually have two stories written with them interacting, but I do have an idea of Nathaniel going with my Warden on her journey to find a cure for the Calling. Much fluff. Very sweet. :3

Unpopular opinion

Again, don't really have one for Nathaniel, either. Then again, it's been a hot minute since I've played through Awakening, so my memory is a bit...fuzzy. I need play again to really get my mind churning. XD

Favorite relationship

Nathaniel and Anders always manage to make me smile. I love their banter and their dynamic. I'm not affronted by the romantic side that the fandom, either. SHIP IT! SHIP IT ALL! >:3

Favorite headcanon

I'm on that bandwagon of: Nathaniel gave Justice the idea to merge with Anders. I mean, come on. By the end of that banter chain, Justice was like, 'Hmm. It's okay, right? If I ask, right? But, wait, what if...no. It's possible. It's possible. If I ask and the mage is willing.'

Merrill

First impression

"Ohhh, I remember you! Why does she look so different? And her voice changed! I like the voice, though. But, uh, what was she doing? She kinda looked like a bird staring down at something it found interesting.."

Impression now

You talk about Merrill badly, I will fight you.

...Joking, joking! I'll debate, not bully! :3 Most of the mage/apostate characters have been gradual builds for me; I always start off as, 'Eh.' with them. However, as I've matured and as I've repeatedly played, I've grown to like each of them the most. And I really adore Merrill. Her sense of duty to her people, even if they spit on that effort, is inspiring. She's willing to sacrifice everything she knows, that she finds comfort in, to see them restored and better off than they are. She has no fear of change; she wants change. She's incredibly intelligent, open-minded, and actually very level-headed. She doesn't bend, and she doesn't break just to placate other people.

...Did I splash a bit of Merrill into Fane, too? Mayhaps. Mayhaps.

Favorite moment

In Act 2, when you go with Merrill to get the Elvhen tool for the eluvian, I really, really like how she stands up to the Keeper. Like, obviously beforehand, she says she's afraid to confront Marethari, but with Hawke's support backing her and her own drive to see this through, Merrill goes from kitten to lion the minute the Keeper attempts to break her down, make her doubt, make her feel guilty. It's the perfect instance of Merrill starting to find her own place in the world while still endeavoring to make the culture she so dearly loves just a bit more complete.

Idea for a story

I sadly don't have anyyyy! I haven't really thought too much about fanfiction for DA2, but I do want to try it some day! But, I always did want to try playing the 'what if' card (like I always do X'D), and replacing Morrigan as Merrill in Inquisition. LOST OPPORTUNITIES MAKE ME EHHHHH!

Unpopular opinion

That she's not a bumbling, bubbly, naive Dalish? Seriously. It sometimes annoys me when people just see the 'air-head' in Merrill. It's not really that she's an airhead; she's in a whole new world in Kirkwall. She's not going to know everything about human culture, she didn't study that. Her 'naivety' is literal curiosity. Her bubbliness is a part of her. She tries to take the good with the bad, and a lot of people don't respond well to that because all they've known is 'bad'. Her knowledge of magic is sound, her understanding of spirits is accurate, and like many other things, it's a different view. Elves used to coexist with spirits, so even with their history fragmented, they still retain that base principal, that acceptance. It's not unawareness of the danger; it's understanding the danger. And Merrill understands the danger, as well the benefits.

Favorite relationship

Isabela and Merrill make me all warm and happy! I also enjoy Varric and Merrill! I think they help her a lot throughout the course of DA2. And it may seem strange, but Isabela and Varric might be the best ones to teach her because they're unbiased in a lot of things. They don't lean one way or the other. And that's good for Merrill, I think.

Favorite headcanon

That when she goes to the Viscount's gardens, she makes flower crowns. What? You have all those flowers, you gotta make a flower crown! My Hawke, when he becomes Viscount, literally just lets her go ham and sheepishly accepts the mighty crown forged by the petals. >:3

---

And there we have it! 3 for 3! I hope they were coherent! I have a lot of thoughts, so sometimes they get muddled! But thank you for asking! X3

[crossdressingdeath]

A thing that haunts me: we never learn what happens to Surana/Amell if we're not playing as them.

I mean... all the other potential Wardens, we have either firm confirmation or at least a very strong guess. Mahariel dies of the Blight, Brosca starves in a Carta cell after going on a hunger strike, Aeducan dies in the Deep Roads after being exiled, Cousland is murdered by Howe's men (or possibly tortured to death in Fort Drakon since we know some of the Couslands' household were brought there, although given if memory serves the bodies present don't change when you're playing as Cousland that seems unlikely). Tabris is a little more unclear since as far as I'm aware they're never mentioned if they aren't the Warden (which is why in my headcanon my Tabris lives even when she's not the Warden), but likely they're executed (given there's no evidence of them in the prison, unlike Soris). Surana/Amell, though? There are so many horrible options for what could've happened to them! I mean, first off even if you're playing a mage one of them is unaccounted for since they share an origin, which leaves me at least with the impression that the one you're not playing either died as a child (likely either suicide or death by Templar, given how the Circle is) or failed their Harrowing and is either dead by Templar or Tranquil. ...Or I guess possibly was never brought to the Circle, but given every other potential Warden is confirmed dead (with the possible exception of Tabris) that seems unlikely.

And then for the mage who does end up as Jowan's best friend if they aren't picked... we know nothing about their fate. All sorts of horrible things happen to Circle mages, even ones who haven't helped a blood mage escape. Were they executed? Sent to Aeonar themselves along with Lily? Locked away, where they were easy prey for either the demons infesting the Circle or the Templars (if you choose to annul the Circle)? Illegally made Tranquil (maybe not given Kinloch Hold is one of the "good" Circles, but it is possible)? We never find out. They're never mentioned if you aren't playing them (which. hey, Jowan, why aren't you talking about your best friend who sacrificed everything to get you out of the Circle?), and if you are playing them Duncan steps in before you learn what their sentence for helping Jowan will be. I can only assume that Jowan would have talked about his best friend who helped him escape if him being a companion hadn't been cut, but as it is we never learn what happened to the mage Warden if Duncan wasn't there to save them and I will never be able to stop thinking about that.

[gayhawkelatehomicide]

Protagonist Masterpost

Here's the list of my playthroughs for reference if anyone's curious who tf I'm talking about in my pieces!

Wardens

Aridhel Mahariel - bow rogue, romanced Zevran, straightforward dalish who neither understands nor cares about shemlen (or durgenlen) politics, blood magic is probably fine as long as you use it responsibly, anxious and blunt, "let's focus on stopping the world-ending plague of darkspawn first, and worry about the rest of this bullshit later, hm?"

Saffron Cousland - sword and shield warrior, romanced Alistair, noble in every sense of the word but cheerful and friendly, Queen of Ferelden, Arlessa of Amaranthine (and Highever), killed Rendon Howe with her father's sword, fixated on duty, "because it's the right thing to do."

Theodore Amell - arcane warrior mage, romanced Morrigan, bastardization arc powered by Morrigan whispering bad ideas in his ear, loves his terrible witch girlfriend, blood magic is fine and the chantry is oppressive, ambitious, "I am no longer baby, now I want power."

Renan Tabris - dagger rogue, romanced Leliana, disaster bi, still grieving for her almost husband but would rather die than admit it, exactly zero patience for anyone's bullshit, raised Andrastian (derogatory), canonically kind of a bitch, loves her stupid new baby brother, harden everyone, distrustful, "like dogs, Shianni"

Valda Aeducan - two handed warrior, romanced Leliana, honorable and serious, trusts no one, girl raised in harsh political nonsense learns to trust her found family and forgive her bio family while unlearning bad lessons simulator, sneaky/quiet sense of humor, intense loyalty to her people, values tradition but values compassion more, genuinely regrets what happened with Trian, "For the honor of my house, though I have none myself any longer."

Hawkes

Iris Hawke - knife rogue, romanced Anders, diplomatic as a means to an end, loves mages so much, circle mage Bethany, will do anything to protect what's left of her family, noble impulses but awful sense of humor, fanatic, "why don't we try asking the Arishok nicely?"

Ian Hawke - elemental mage, romanced Fenris, sarcastic, sided with the templars because magic is an essential part of him but it's brought nothing but grief to him and his family, templar Carver, quip for every situation, never loses his positive outlook for long, self-loathing, "dad did WHAT for the Wardens? Why am I not surprised."

Kiera Hawke - two-handed warrior, romanced Isabella, sarcastic/aggressive, sad bastard warrior Hawke, everyone who gets close to her dies, Bethany dies, good attitude broken by the wear and tear of life, loves her buddies who are also terrible, angry and broken, "you tell me where Bartrand is, I'll help you wring his fucking neck"

Alice Hawke - knife rogue, romanced Merrill, circle mage Bethany, p much pure diplomatic bc she's genuinely that nice, mom friend central, no one is irredeemable, far too trusting, kind of a busybody, "clean your blades, watch your purse strings, don't be a dick."

Delilah Hawke - big damage mage, in love with Varric so no romance because Bioware are cowards, pure sarcasm, sends Carver to the wardens, adores her stupid chaotic bisexual family, beat down by this world but stubbornly clinging to joy, flat refuses to talk about her problems, uses her staff as a polearm, "Where would I be without my trusty dwarf?"

Inquisitors

Miriani Lavellan - assassin bow rogue, romanced Solas, confused hardass Dalish doing her very best to navigate suddenly being in charge of all of this stuff, cares so much about everyone all the time, terrified but resigned to her responsibilities, self-sacrificing, sense of humor buried under all that sincerity. "I am the Inquisitor, through no virtue of my own. Vir suledin nadas."

Asher Adaar - two-handed warrior, romanced nobody, blunt and direct Tal-Vashoth mercenary who gets persuaded that maybe she actually is the herald of andraste, but honestly just wants to handle the things with as little religious and/or political nonsense as possible, blunt and violent, "We save Thedas TWICE, my hand wants to kill me, we save the exalted council specifically, and this is what we get??"

Stephan Trevelyan - rift mage, romanced Cassandra, a good sweet Andrastian boy, true prophet who has a meltdown when he finds out about Solas, best friends with Dorian, keeps the inquisition and wants to really save the world, stubborn AF, "Faith is a choice. The Maker set these events in motion so long ago we can no longer see His hand in them."

Samahl Lavellan - tempest knife rogue, romanced Dorian, cheerful, sarcastic, and overwhelmed, insanely competent but good at hiding it, terrible little bastard, hates responsibilities, laughs in the face of danger (and Cassandra), keeps insisting he's not the Herald, kinda lazy, "I guess I'm learning now, aren't I, Mother?"

Riska Cadash - artificer knife rogue, romanced Sera, direct and sometimes brutal but ultimately caring, the WORST sense of humor, criminal upbringing noble fashion sense, besties with Dagna, vaguely andrastian and very confused, "What's the worst that could happen?"

Continuities

Aridhel, Ian, Miriani - Protector, Victim, Survivor

Saffron, Iris, Asher - Shield, Dagger, Sword

Theodore, Kiera, Stephan - Ambition, Sorrow, Faith

Renan, Alice, Samahl - Vengeance, Kindness, Laughter

Valda, Delilah, Riska - Exile, Prodigal, Pauper

Miscellaneous Inquisitors

Isene Lavellan - fire mage, romances Iron Bull, primarily jokes and asks questions, basically a horrible mix of Miriani and Samahl. Sweet and a bit of a brat but ultimately up to the challenge. A disaster at the winter palace. Her general response to her workload getting heavier is to adjust the straps that hold the world on her back and carry on with a smile. "Oh I would've made a shit Keeper, I like starting fights, lighting fires, and knowing stuff I'm not supposed to know way to much."

Harea Lavellan - knight enchanter and ice mage, romances Cullen, open minded and sweet, a bit naive but genuinely wants to make the world better, distressed by the mark and the everything but willing to bear it to keep others from suffering. Self sacrifice is a big theme here.

Rogelan Lavellan - sword and shield warrior, romances Josephine, kind of a hard-ass but willing to be romantic, would rather talk than fight but won't give up his ideals, careful and deliberate in everything he does but bold when he's made a decision. Understands shem bullshit better than most.

Helga Cadash - big hammer warrior, romances Blackwall, personality tbd

[fade-and-loathing-in-thedas]

Inspired by @antivanmonarch and their post I have now created an entire set of DAO OCs (one for each origin) that co-exist and stop the Blight together. Basically the AU where nobody dies.

Let me introduce you to my merry band of wardens:

Amos Brosca, ex-Carta thug, strong boy and protective big brother, lives by one rule: "There are three types of people in this world. Those you follow, those you protect and those you kill."

Declan Aeducan, a silver-tongued rogue who never intended to remain with the wardens but found meaning where he least expected it: "If we're being honest, I don't want to be a warden. I'm not interested in the life. I'm not interested in the fighting, not interested in the cause. I don't care much for the deep roads, while we're on the subject. But being a warden, it offers me an opportunity I don't believe I can find anywhere else--a chance to regain my status. And with it freedom from a life of obscurity."

Connor Cousland, the arrogant and spoiled younger son who is too serious for his own good: "Ordinary men avoid trouble. Extraordinary men turn it to their advantage. I'm nothing less than extraordinary."

Eden Amell, a mischievous, overly flirtatious and entirely inappropriate primal mage: "Why would I stop just because it annoys you? The secret to getting what you want lies in annoying people. Trust me, they won’t know you exist otherwise."

Adelene Surana, a entropic mage who's only wish was to study magic and has now found herself stuck with her best friend's other best friend to both her great comfort and annoyance: "If you're in some kind of trouble and you need my help, then you should ask now and not wait till it's too late and everything's all messed up like you usually do."

Viera Tabris, highly intelligent and skilled at weapon improvisation and trap making, is the baby of the group and permanently attached to the hip of the surrogate big sister she found injured in the Brecilian Forest: "If I think I can figure things out, is that curiosity or arrogance?"

Assana Mahariel, surrogate big sister and the level head of the group who spends too much of her time keeping everyone on mission: "I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, in fact I encourage you to challenge me when you feel it's appropriate... Except in this situation, where I am clearly right and you are clearly wrong."

[morganlefaye79]

💗 Describe your OC’s partner(s) from their point of view! What do they really think about them?

Aedan Cousland: He is sometimes to hard on himself, he is perfect as he is.

Dagur Aeducan: Everything I was told my whole life tells me that I should despise her, but I cannot.

Dante Amell: I never would have thought that a woman could manage to steal my free will from me.

Kahlan Tabris: I feel safe with her.

Linea Mahariel: His words are sweet as honey and his tongue is quick.

Morgan Cousland: I feel like I have 2 puppies sometimes. I adore them both!

Natia Brosca: He is an idiot, but mine!

Nava Surana: He is going to die from a heart attack when he doesn't stop working that much.

Gore Hawke: He is spirited.

Goldie Hawke: brooding time!

Nadia Adaar: I don't know why I sometimes feel the urge to make an appointment to kiss my wife.

Aeryn Lavellan: I love that bear(d)

Jonne Lavellan: Cracking her hard shell was absolutely worth it!

Vajk Cadash: -

Gretchen Trevelyan: Bees! No serious, cookies?

[crossdressingdeath]

While the origins only impact the prologue of Origins, you do find hints here and there in the game of the other origins despite which one you picked. Like Jowan escaping the Circle. Guards at Howe's estate talking about the elves who broke in there or the attack at Highever. But if I remember correctly, different races were only added later in development since they only planned for the inquisitor to be human, unlike origins which was about the origins. So they simply didn't have the time.

No yeah, that's what I meant about the origins in DAO being relevant insofar as they impacted the plot. We know they all happened regardless of who the Warden is, because the events that get kicked off by each origin happen; the Warden is decided by which location Duncan decided to go to for recruitment, not by which origin happened. I guess it's technically possible that Tabris, Cousland and maybe Surana/Amell as individual characters don't exist unless you're playing them, since as far as I'm aware they're never mentioned at any point in the series if you don't pick them and the events of their origins could conceivably have happened without them? Less so Surana/Amell since Jowan was using their status as a Harrowed mage to get the rod of fire to melt the lock of the phylactery chamber (although one of them is definitely non-canon for shared origin reasons, it's probably Surana based on plot relevance but I like Surana so I'm going with Amell as non-canon, also obligatory why couldn't Surana and Amell have separate origins Bioware there are five non-mage origins). Probably they're all canon, but it is possible that some of them aren't. Also, still annoyed that both Brosca and Aeducan are canonically male; Bioware, we know those two are potential Wardens, we would not have minded you doing some linguistic acrobatics to avoid using any gendered pronouns to refer to them.

Honestly, rather than a lack of time I suspect a large part of why the four Inquisitors (or five, if you count mage and non-mage Trevelyan as separate characters, which is a definite possibility given how the two of them have separate reasons for attending the Conclave) are never confirmed as all being present is just that... since they're all starting at the Conclave with no specific origin events to set up a major plot beat later, confirming that they were present would require the game taking a detour to do so. Could the story have brought up the existence of a Carta dwarf and a Dalish elf sneaking into the Conclave to spy on the proceedings (side note, imagine Cadash and Lavellan running into each other and teaming up. ...I may have to do a Cadash run just to set up a Cadash for future multiple Quiz AUs), or a band of Qunari mercenaries hired for security, or a noble and/or mage of the Trevelyan family being there as part of one or the other factions? Sure. Would it have added anything to the story? No. DAO never goes out of its way to prove the existence of the potential Wardens that you aren't playing as because it doesn't have to; the events of each origin have a massive impact on the plot of the game (except for arguably Cousland; somewhat amusingly the slaughter of one of the most powerful families in Ferelden has the least impact on the rest of the plot of all the origins. Still an impact, just less of one). In DAI the game would have to go out of its way to prove the existence of the other Inquisitors, so I can't blame them for leaving it up to precedent and letting the players make up their own minds from there.