the-dalish-outcast

[the-dalish-outcast]

I keep forgetting I made this blog

Because I can't think of things to write

/weeps

[the-dalish-outcast]

I find it really funny that the last two Dragon Age games have advisors to guide them through the game. Like the Hero of Fereldan got a brief introduction and a slap on the ass before being immediately placed in charge.

[the-dalish-outcast]

Grey Warden: Concept Art

Game Appearance 1, 2, 3     Concept Art 2, 3     Illustrations 1, 2

[the-dalish-outcast]

An Antivan Bar Fight

It didn’t occur to him just then that he had no reason to fight. He could have simply moved away and continued to be ignored.

He moved purely by instinct. And that was the damn problem.

Insults were exchanged, a punch had been thrown, someone was knocked into him and -

Snapped hastily out of his stupor, Taeven sprung like a rapid beast and smashed his bottle against the closest head. The trickle of remaining liquor mingled with the blood splatter down his palm.

And the entire bar went up in arms.

His head throbbed as the room spun around him. He could barely register what was happening amidst the blurs of lunging bodies, the ruckus of screams, and splinters shattering over the ground. A bellowing sound from his left made his fist, unknowingly holding the now broken half of a bottle, swing out in a sharp hook.

A hot pain flared in his hand. Taeven briefly saw the glint of shards embedded in his skin when a force knocked him down to the ground. Light flashed, making him hiss. He felt a blow to the side of his head, and saw red.

“Gusano!”

His hands dropped to his belt. No touch of the cool blade handle happened. Fuck. Where did I put them this time? 

After another blow was struck, the scent of blood filled his nostrils. His fingers dug into the stone floor beneath him. Close your eyes. Let it be over.

~

It was the thirst that woke him in the end. His parched mouth felt worse than the aching pains against his skull. 

Taeven rolled onto his front and heaved himself up just in time to empty the contents of his stomach into the closest flower pot. With the final spit, he turned himself around and pressed his back against the wall.

Its cold surface tingled against him as he surveyed the scene in front of him. Two bodies, one definitely dwarven, was being dragged out of the door by a barmen. At least five others were slowly coming around judging by the twitching of their limbs. 

Not the worst he’s seen. 

He leant against a chair and pulled himself up to his feet, with a slight sway when he finally straightened. 

Wouldn’t be long until the guard arrives to arrest the unlucky remnants. So much for a peaceful night. He picked up one of the few remaining bottles as he stumbled on his way out, ignoring the frustrated shouts of the staff.

It was raining, naturally. It quite often rained here. It was different from Ferelden rain, it - 

His feet halted in their steps. Taeven cursed softly under his breath. It was water from the sky. That was the same everywhere. 

With a bitter scoff, he downed the bottle then tossed it aside. 

It was only bloody water.

Taeven stared up at the heavens above. Only water. Water happened everywhere. 

With a great inhale, he closed his eyes. He could feel every single drop, dancing a steady rhythmic beat against his bare skin. Drip. It’s only water. Drop. Just water. Drip. It rains every fucking where. Drip. It’s only - Fuck this. 

He dropped his gaze and looked around. Drip. The bottle had been smashed in parts against a low wall. Drop. Empty. Drip. And fucking useless. Drop.

Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop. DripdropdripdropdripdropDRIPDROPDRIPDROPDRIPDROP.

He clenched his hands over his ears and hastily took himself far away from the bar. 

~

It never ceased to amaze him the amount of empty crates and barrels that would be left to litter along the alleyways. Usually, he would be thankful. A slight readjustment could provide a small shelter from the rain.

But his hair was already sticking to his face, and his boots were squelching with every step. So instead he simply dropped down to the ground and leant against a barrel, keeping himself upright as he closed his eyes.

His head was still throbbing. The pain was almost a comfort, demanding most of his attention for itself. It was going to be a difficult night. But made easier for each spasm and every hot pierce that shook through him.

After all, this was as good as it was ever going to get.

[the-dalish-outcast]

I feel like I need to practice writing prompts...

Before I try to get back into role-playing. I'm so excited to write again but I have been staring at the screen for two hours now and "inspired" myself by looking at DA fanart

[the-dalish-outcast]

[the-dalish-outcast]

What happened to Taeven Mahariel? (Part 2)

(part 1)

After Inquisition: 

After assisting the Inquisition against Cory-Tits, Taeven vanished again. Seeking for the cure went nowhere. He didn’t have the knowledge nor the magic to understand and has come to accept his fate (especially after the Fake Calling that almost drove him to suicide). 

He never kept with the Wardens and was not involved in the mess they created. And hates them even more for it. He never refers to himself as a warden from this point on again. He’s merely a Dalish outcast that travels, slaughtering darkspawn whenever he can.

During Veilguard:

The rage has finally died within him. Seeing the countries fall to darkspawn/blight, he has become an empty shell of himself. The only motive he had to live has been crushed. 

He fought. He fought. He fought more. And then, just broke. 

He was never going to be free of the Blight no matter what he did. The Calling was ever coming and going - with him not knowing if it was the real one or not. The Creators revealing their true nature when he used his faith in his gods to keep him going all these decades… 

Taeven left the battlegrounds and became a refugee, drinking his way to numbness.

[the-dalish-outcast]

What happened to Taeven Mahariel? (Part 1)

(part 2)

After Origins: 

Taeven developed unfortunate side-effects due to the events of losing Tamlen; he struggles to look in mirrors, has a intense hatred for eluvians, and a phobia of being underground (without immediate access to the sky).

Taeven has a bitter hatred for the Grey Wardens. He feels used and betrayed by them after being told there was a ‘cure’ which merely prologued the taint instead of curing it. Unable to return to his clan, he does the role needed of him but with cold fury.

Taeven did do the ritual with Morrigan but never sought her out afterwards. It was a mutual agreement and it stays this way. He’s unaware of Kieran and likely wouldn’t want to interact with him.

Taeven is suspicious of spirits and has a bitterness towards the Chantry after the encounter with “spirit Tamlen” who, for a short while, Taeven felt able to put to rest… and then darkspawn Tamlen appeared and Taeven feels tricked and resentful of spirits and Chantry like dealings. 

Taeven drank the concoction created by Avernus. He has unlocked the Power of Blood and uses it to his advantage in his fights.

After Awakening:

Taeven vanished. He tried to be a Warden Commander but couldn’t fulfil the role. He loathed subjecting others to the Joining. He made the excuse of seeking a cure (which he did eventually decide to do after a brief repose). 

During his time as a Warden Commander, he learnt to write and read. His reading/writings are poor as he may have dyslexia.

[the-dalish-outcast]

Returning to Thedas (& Taeven)

Now that I have finished playing Veilguard, I find myself feeling heavily nostalgic for the 'good old days'.

And I always found myself thinking back to Taeven Mahariel. My moody Dalish Warden. I had soundtracks for this guy (which I still listen to!) and many attempts to write up parts of his story (which went nowhere).

He's the first character I made in a Dragon Age game. He's my canon-run. He's the one that brought me into the Dragon Age fandom. And he also brought me great joy through role-playing. I remember my favourite role-players; the laughs, the angst, the smut, the stories, and overall enjoyment we had with each other.

Maybe this account will become a nostalgic outlet for me to channel/process through. I have missed role-playing so much (it's been years!) but mostly I miss the friends that came with it.

Or maybe this account will become a role-playing one again. I'm sure the fandom still exists here (even if they are still very torn over Veilguard. Might wait for that to calm down a little...)

[the-dalish-outcast]

I'm so giddy about being back on tumblr. I wonder how much has changed.

.... and if I can remember how to make blogs look good.