#before the herald becomes inquisitor

[thatwavephenomenon]

The concept of Inquisitor Anders (and Justice) is so special to me actually. Everyone agree that everything the "regular" Inquisitor goes through/accomplishes is already mind-blowing. But for Anders to be the Inquisitor? The stakes would be even more impossible.

Anders thought he was going to die for what he had done, but Hawke spared him. After that he has to go on with no plan whatsoever, as best as he can while on the run as one of the most wanted man in Thedas. The only thing that is clear to him is that he has to keep helping the mage rebellion until he is either caught and killed, or until his Calling. All he has is borrowed time. So even as a fugitive, Anders' story is likely already written and over.

And then the Conclave happens, and Anders not only has his eyes glow blue sometimes, but he now has an occasionally green glowy hand as well.

So here he is, Anders the apostate, Anders the Kirkwall Chantry criminal, who has nothing but with *everything* to prove.

Remember. This is the man that gave everything that he had, everything he was to his cause. He fought for *years* in Kirkwall with his clinic, his manifesto, with the Mages Underground and still things worsened, with barely anyone listening to him until he blew the Chantry up. And now he has to convince everyone that he isn't responsible for the explosion at the Conclave? Right, as if his track record would permit that. How could he possibly be able to close the breach in the sky when he was the one who started the war between the templars and the mages in the first place?

The regular Inquisitor already has trouble proving themselves trustworthy at the beginning of DAI, so imagine it now with Anders. People would literally be out for blood. The Chantry would not only discredit the Inquisition as heretics, it would call for his immediate dissolution/destruction. Anders would also try to help all the refugees just like before in Kirkwall, while being the very reason these people lost so much in the first place this time.

Now on to the advisors and companions. How would Leliana, who also walk the path of violence for her cause, who is pro-mages but also had great faith in Justinia, interact with Anders? Even if Cullen has left the templars, could he and Anders even manage to cooperate after everything? Especially considering that Cullen was Meredith's second and the one who dismantled Anders' Mages Underground? How would Josephine and Anders work together to promote their cause, with how Anders must regard nobility after living in Darktown for years or after watching Kirkwall nobles interact with Hawke?

After investigating what happened in Kirkwall, Cassandra would probably be more than wary of Anders. But at the same time in DAI she is among the first ones to believe that the character must be the Herald of Andraste. I imagine that Cassandra would be particularly conflicted on how to treat Anders because of this.

Varric. Anders was his friend. Anders is the one who set Kirkwall on fire. For all that they know each other, things would probably still be tense between them at first. Varric also followed Hawke to see him rise from having barely anything to his name to becoming the Champion of Kirkwall. What would he think about Anders, a companion of the initial protagonist (or even protagonists, if you take into account DA Awakening), when he's now taking a path that seems to lead him towards becoming so much more? Especially considering that in DAI Varric struggles with how to perceive the Inquisitor, having to juggle between seeing the character as his friend (if you have a good relationship with him) and seeing them as an icon, the Herald of Andraste.

Anders and Vivienne would absolutely despise each other and their snark matches would be the stuff of legends. The only reason those two could even work together is if they agree that closing the breach takes priority over everything else.

I imagine that Anders, Justice and Solas would have some interesting conversations about spirits and the Fade while also butting heads on a lot of things. Both would be convinced that they are the authority on these subjects. But perhaps they would learn to eventually concede on some things with time.

I think Sera would really like Anders for his continued dedication towards helping people and his insistance to give up what he has for others. Sera's fear of magic and Anders absolute pro-mages stance would definitely cause more than one row between them however. Not to mention Justice. Their relationship would be one of the most interesting there in my opinion.

Blackwall would also be another greatly interesting character to watch interact with Inquisitor Anders. Anders would be able to tell that Blackwall is bullshitting about being a Warden from the get-go, because he was one and can sense the taint. Those two would definitely have some interesting debates on justice (and with Justice), or talks about how to go on and do good after having committed an atrocious crime. Blackwall's admiration for the Grey Wardens versus Anders "Oh yeah, I was a Warden once, then I just quit" attitude would also result in some great banters I'm sure.

Anders would say to Iron Bull that he is very different from all the other Qunaris that were in Kirkwall, though I don't know how that conversation would go. Iron Bull would also definitely be afraid of Justice. I can see him adressing the question/problem of Anders being an "abomination" quite directly, because he is not comfortable with spirits/demons that are capable of taking over someone's mind, and Anders is a living proof of that fear. Despite this, I like to imagine that Justice would actually grow to respect the Iron Bull in some parts after hearing the Chargers' stories about him and seeing how protective of them Iron Bull is.

Despite their different upbringings, I think Dorian would somewhat remind Anders of himself when we was younger/before he merged with Justice. If Hawke isn't a mage, I can imagine Anders' relief and joy about finally being able to talk to someone about magic normally and openly. They would have conversations about Tevinter, politics, etc. In DAI, the Inquisitor can inspire Dorian and support him in his fight to change Tevinter. With Anders as the Inquisitor, this aspiration for social changes could be even more relevant.

Cole and Anders/Justice interactions would be another cool thing to see. Justice would recognize Cole as a spirit of Compassion right away. Despite their differences as spirits, I could see Justice becoming quite protective of Cole and defending him against people like Cassandra or Vivienne, having an unfortonate amount of experience being treated as a "demon" or "abomination". Cole would also try to help Anders with his guilt of course.

Discovering that Corypheus is their enemy would be less of a "oh it's him again/oh okay this is the villain" moment and become a lot more personal, with the worry that Anders could fall under his control if he is not strong enough.

Meeting Hawke once again in Skyhold would be An Event for sure, espeeecially if Hawke and Anders were (are?) in a romance. I'm letting everyone imagine how that would go with their own Hawke here.

And The Choice in the Fade, you know the one, would be even more heart-wrenching. Particularly if the Warden is someone that Anders knows, like Nathaniel Howe or even the Hero of Ferelden/Warden-Commander.

Bonus: Anders could also meet Fenris by chance during a mission to eliminate some Venatori.

Anyways. I really like the idea of Inquisitor Anders, yes.

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #dragon age 2 #da2 #anders #anders dragon age #headcanon #leliana #cullen rutherford #josephine montilyet #hawke #cassandra pentaghast #solas #solas dragon age #varric tethras #sera dragon age #blackwall #iron bull #dorian pavus #cole dragon age #cole #vivienne de fer #justice dragon age #handers #fenris #wave posts

[alenseress]

Okay big Dushan (he/him) lore dump before I move on with my wips (1/?)

He's my main Inquisitor oc and comes and goes in my art. So if you like him or DA content specifically, stick around, it pops up every few weeks

He's in his mid 30s/early 40s, House Trevelyan is technically on its last breath by the time their only acceptable heir (Dushan) is born. Him being afab opens an opportunity for arranged marriage with another noble family, with an ultimatum that the contract will only sets in motion if the marriage successfully brings a child to join their names and blood. With that nuance Trevelyans (as a bit too fanatically religious house) can't send him off to grow up into a templar or a chantry initiate. It leads to him being brought up in a cult-ish environment to become his family's sacrificial lamb (or foal. Bc get it, Trevelyans) Homeschooled church kid, if you will. Sometime before the marriage his younger sister is born and sent off to the Circle as soon as she walks. At 17-18 the marriage goes through but doesn't last long

Dushan is terrified of both his now-husband and the idea of carrying a child. The years of pent up fear and abuse make the generally quiet kid go off the RAILS in one night, killing his husband, beheading his father and declaring himself the only son and the new head of the house. There's not much anyone can do about it with his mother being long gone, the family being in shambles and him indeed being the next in line

He's heavily pro-mage not even because of mortality of the question but because his sister in the circle is his closest and only beloved family left. He spends years clearing and building up their family name through dirtiest play so his sister can have proper noble privileges. In the process of it, through revenge, assassinations and more dirty play, the house ends up almost completely wiped out. Including the sister herself

By the time of the conclave he's broken. He has the name, the power, the skills, the flourishing land but noone left by his side. He serves and sponsors the Ostwick chantry his family was affiliated with, attending the conclave under its name

He himself lost his faith years ago and being forced back into it by the whole herald thing makes him gasp for air anywhere he can. Between living in the goddamn Haven, being trapped between soldiers of the chantry that don't really give a fuck about him at that point, he clings to Solas and his talk of fade and spirits and wonders that are so hated by the chantry he fears. They bond frankly inseparable in the first act

#dai dushan #dragon age inquisition #dragon age #inquisitor trevelyan #lore #I have so much to say about him he's my favourite

[ladyofsnark]

I want to make it clear that I like Dragon Age Inquisition. That’s literally not the issue.

But I’ve had this long standing, unnamed problem with the Inquisitor themselves and I think I know why.

Because they’re a literal blank slate.

In Origins and in DA2, we start off in the middle of a very personal story. The Warden is a Casteless dwarf that becomes Champion, they’re an elf who has to escape her captors and fight her way to her friends, they’re a noble’s child who watches their whole life burn down in the course of a few hours.

And we can tell the King to his face “I murdered my cousin’s rapist” “my parents are dead”. We get an outside element who reacts to us and even shares our grief.

There’s an immediate, emotional reason to CARE about them because it starts off as THEIR story and then they become the person that the whole world’s fate is hinging on. But they start as a person and we make them a legend.

With Hawke, about 90% of the game is how these people’s interpersonal lives affect things and how they affect the world and the world-ending stuff doesn’t happen until the very end as a culmination. You start as a penniless refugee outrunning the apocalypse and your first immediate concern is the fact that the only person who’s going to save you from that is YOU.

The Inquisitor wakes up in the Fade and is immediately made the Herald of Andraste. We get literally two? lines of dialogue that even vaguely let us react to the absolute insanity happening around us. But becoming the Herald literally consumes everything. And that’d be a really awesome story if we knew who the Inquisitor was before? But we get two vague lines about our background on the origin selection page, a smack on the tush, and we’re off to save the world.

We don’t get that same kind of emotional foothold with the Inquisitor that we do with our Warden and our Hawke. Your inquisitor doesn’t HAVE a story in game.

And the biggest place where this is noticeable is with Clan Lavellan.

Whether your clan is destroyed or saved, nothing changes. You don’t get a dialogue to acknowledge your grief or your relief, you don’t get anything from your companions, you don’t even really have any involvement in it besides moving some chess pieces around. It just happens in text and then absolutely nothing.

That’s it. Something that should fundamentally destroy your character just happens and the only person who reacts to it at all is the player and the Inquisitor is just our little hand puppet and THAT is the disconnect. 

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #inquisitor

[thekingofwinterblog]

The Problem with Trespasser

So there has been said a lot about the flaws of tresspasser as a finale to Inquisition, as it can basically be divided into two sections.

There is the lore, the character stuff with your companions, and the actual titular trespasser section of the story, which is generally liked.

Then there is the Exalted Council part of the Story which is generally greatly disliked for the way it portrays Arl Teagen as an ungrateful arse, who even though he's in the right that the Inquisition really does need to disband, is such a bitch about it that a player might feel the desire to keeping it intact just to spite him, despite all the reasons that is a terrible idea(Such an organization being doomed to become the templars 2.0 being the single biggest). Not to mention the way it makes Thedas's nations look like they have the memory capacity of a goldfish, given how instrumental the inquisition was in stopping the last massive threat and might be so again against the plenty of obvious threats on the horizon(and sure enough, the stop the Dragon breath terrorist attacks that would have happened with or without them being there).

However, looking at the big picture, i don't think the actual writing of Arl teagen was the problem here.

No the problem is that Arl Teagen and the rest of the world's reaction to the Inquistion is very, very clearly taken from an older draft of this story, where the Inquisitor was far less... An unambiguous force for good, lets say.

The concept art for inquistion tells a story that is very, very different than what we get in game, with a lot more emphasis is put on the inquisitor very obviously being a dick, that is not well liked by anyone around them.

There is also the way said inquisitor could be far, far more pragmatic and morally grey or dark, like here, where the Inquisitor could force the Venatori to serve after defeating them.

Way more emphasis is built on the idea that the Inquisitor is creating a cult of personality around you, personally.

Essentially a dark mirror to the Hero of Ferelden and Galahad's journeys to defeat their own crisis'.

The option of letting celine die was always gonna be a part of the game, but rather than a pragmatic, move of standing aside and let it happen, your companions would have very negative reactions to this choice, with you having to force Blackwall in particular to stand back as he curses you.

And of course, it would all cuminate in the logical endpoint for the herald of andraste, the living embodiment of the Andrastian reformation as you took your place on the sunburst throne, and usher in whatever changes you want.

This outcome... makes perfect sense. Frankly speaking, this is a much more narratively fitting ending for the inquistior, that has a clear climax from where they start.

Of course we all know this didn't actually end up happening. The Inquisitor ended up being the most passive of all the PC's by a wide margin(you could shape them into having a personality, but not one with a true backbone like Hawke and the Warden), and all these very morally dubious options was taken out of the game in favor of a much more morally simple story.

The most evil thing you can do in DAI is to choose the templars over the mages... and rather than being portrayed as the clear evil choice as it should have been(and still been a legitimate and pragmatic option for you to take) there is instead attempts at making it more nuanced.

Other than that, you don't have the kind of options that the Warden had, and even hawke did(like selling Fenris into slavery), to be a dick.

With all this in mind, it's blatently obvious why Teagen and the world is so damn afraid of the Inquisition.

Because this part of the story was written from before this change in the direction of the game, and was never updated to fit the final product.

If the original vision of the game had to to pass, Teagen's extreme reactions to the Inquistion would have been far, far more understandable, and in it's own way a way of calling the player out on their bullshit.

However, the final product just makes it appear he's way overreacting, rather than maybe questioning that maybe Teagen is right, maybe it is time to end this inquisition for the good of all.

Its one of the biggest problem with what is otherwise a very good epilogue to Dragon Age Inquisition.

#dragon age inquisition #meta #concept art #original story direction #inquisitor #what could have been #arl teagen #teagen #ban teagen #trespasser

[lulu2992]

Exploration of the now-offline Far Cry 5 official websites

Part 13: John Seed

Recovered content

On or before July 13th, 2017, a description for John appeared on the American website:

THE INQUISITOR JOHN SEED John’s doctrine is “The Power of Yes.” As the reaper for Eden’s Gate, John will use intimidation, faith and violence to secure resources vital to the Cult’s survival—whether it’s home or human. And anyone who tries to interfere with The Project will face a merciless death… Unless of course, John has another use for them.

The next time the page was archived, on February 9th, 2018, although the rest of the text remained the same, John’s title was changed and became THE BAPTIST instead of THE INQUISITOR.

On or before March 27th, 2018, a Cult Vignette trailer, the one dedicated to John, was added.

It’s this video:

The page existed and looked like this at least until February 7th, 2020.

On the European website, only about one-third of the description was used (and the word “human” became “a person”), but his title was always The Inquisitor. In the game, it’s only The Baptist.

Commentary

There it is: John’s title changing from The Inquisitor to The Baptist before our eyes! The description still seems accurate, and my guess is that the “other use” he has for people who try to interfere with the Reaping (and who don’t get killed) is sending them to the other Heralds. As a Resistance fighter in Far Cry 5 says, “Whoever John doesn't keep, he sends to Jacob. Or Faith”. A cultist in John’s Gate also explains, about people who said “no” to him, that “in his infinite mercy, he’s decided to send them east. They’ll walk the path and become Angels.”

Under the cut are all the available source files, saved directly from the website, of the images you see in the screenshots:

#far cry 5 #john seed #eden’s gate #'shameless plug' as people say #aaah I only knew about the european website when I wrote my posts about his evolution! #never mind #at least that proves it indeed was his title in 2017 #jacob seed #faith seed #mentioned in the quote

[grandpasauce]

Can I just say that I love the idea of Solas falling for Lavellan from afar. Like during their journeys before they become Inquisitor, when Solas is still in his ‘none of you are people’ phase. Maybe they don’t talk a ton in the beginning but the more Solas watches the Herald and the choices they make and how thoughtful they are, HE starts coming to THEM for questions first. He’s becoming impressed by them (at the very least curious about them), and he can’t help but want to learn more about them. And then his questions spur the Herald’s own curiosity and now they’re asking HIM questions back and he loves it because he’s a lonely nerd who likes to feel smart.

Point being I like the idea of Solas sort of pursuing Lavellan first. Not necessarily in a romantic sense but like, cause he can’t help himself? He’s kind of fascinated by this person who consistently surprises him (cause let’s be real my man’s old as shit, I assume there aren’t many things that really surprise him), and can’t help but want to Know Them.

And then UH OH turns out Lavellan’s even cooler than he initially thought and woops now he’s in love yike lol….just…..solas taking a more active role in the formation of their relationship is so 👌🏼 I need more of it

#this is a long winded way of letting you all know that Solas is a SIMP #dragon age #solas #dai #solavellan #solavellan hell

[haggishlyhagging]

It has taken me a surprisingly long time to appreciate the degree of misunderstanding within this magnet for fantasy, this image of a heroine with superpowers—as witches are portrayed in all dominant cultural productions going. Half a lifetime to understand that, before becoming a spark to the imagination or a badge of honor, the word "witch" had been the very worst seal of shame, the false charge which caused the torture and death of tens of thousands of women. The witch-hunts that took place in Europe, principally during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, occupy a strange place in the collective consciousness. Witch trials were based on wild accusations of night-time flights to reach sabbath meetings, of pacts and copulation with the Devil—which seem to have dragged witches with them into the sphere of the unreal, tearing them away from their genuine historical roots. To our eyes, when we come across her these days, the first known representation of a woman flying on a broomstick, in the margin of Martin Le Franc's manuscript Le Champion des dames (The Champion of Women, 1441-2), appears unserious, facetious even, as though she might have swooped straight out of a Tim Burton film or from the credits to Bewitched, or even been intended as a Halloween decoration. And yet, at the time the drawing was made—around 1440–she heralded centuries of suffering. On the invention of the witches sabbath, historian Guy Bechtel says: "This great ideological poem has been responsible for many murders." As for the sexual dimension of the torture the accused suffered, the truth of this seems to have been dissolved into Sadean imagery and the troubling emotions that provokes.

In 2016, Bruges' Sint-Janshospitaal museum devoted an exhibition to "Bruegel's Witches," the Flemish master being among the first painters to take up this theme. On one panel, he listed the names of dozens of the city's women who were burned as witches in the public square. "Many of Bruges' inhabitants still bear these surnames and, before visiting the exhibition, they had no idea they could have an ancestor accused of witchcraft," the museum's director commented in the documentary Dans le sillage des sorcières de Bruegel. This was said with a smile, as if the fact of finding in your family tree an innocent woman murdered on grounds of delusional allegations were a cute little anecdote for dinner-party gossip. And it begs the question: which other mass crime, even one long past, is it possible to speak of like this—with a smile?

By wiping out entire families, by inducing a reign of terror and by pitilessly repressing certain behaviors and practices that had come to be seen as unacceptable, the witch-hunts contributed to shaping the world we live in now. Had they not occurred, we would probably be living in very different societies. They tell us much about choices that were made, about paths that were preferred and those that were condemned. Yet we refuse to confront them directly. Even when we do accept the truth about this period of history, we go on finding ways to keep our distance from it. For example, we often make the mistake of considering the witch-hunts part of the Middle Ages, which is generally considered a regressive and obscurantist period, nothing to do with us now—yet the most extensive witch-hunts occurred during the Renaissance: they began around 1400 and had become a major phenomenon by 1560. Executions were still taking place at the end of the eighteenth century—for example, that of Anna Göldi, who was beheaded at Glarus, in Switzerland, in 1782. As Guy Bechtel writes, the witch "was a victim of the Moderns, not the Ancients."

Likewise, we tend to explain the persecutions as a religious fanaticism led by perverted inquisitors. Yet, the Inquisition, which was above all concerned with heretics, made very little attempt to discover witches; the vast majority of condemnations for witchcraft took place in the civil courts. The secular court judges revealed themselves to be "more cruel and more fanatical than Rome" when it came to witchcraft. Besides, this distinction is only moderately useful in a world where there was no belief system beyond the religious. Even among the few who spoke out against the persecutions such as the Dutch physician Johann Weyer, who, in 1563, condemned the "bloodbath of innocents"—none doubted the existence of the Devil. As for the Protestants, despite their reputation as the greater rationalists, they hunted down witches with the same ardour as the Catholics. The return to literalist readings of the Bible, championed by the Reformation, did not favor clemency—quite the contrary. In Geneva, under Calvin, thirty-five "witches" were executed in accordance with one line from the Book of Exodus: "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18). The intolerant climate of the time, the bloody orgies of the religious wars—3,000 Protestants were killed in Paris on St. Bartholomew's Day, 1572–only boosted the cruelty of both camps toward witches.

Truth be told, it is precisely because the witch-hunts speak to us of our own time that we have excellent reasons not to face up to them. Venturing down this path means confronting the most wretched aspects of humanity. The witch-hunts demonstrate, first, the stubborn tendency of all societies to find a scapegoat for their misfortunes and to lock themselves into a spiral of irrationality, cut off from all reasonable challenge, until the accumulation of hate-filled discourse and obsessional hostility justify a turn to physical violence, perceived as the legitimate defense of a beleaguered society. In Françoise d'Eaubonne's words, the witch-hunts demonstrate our capacity to “trigger a massacre by following the logic of a lunatic.” The demonization of women as witches had much in common with anti-Semitism. Terms such as witches "sabbath" and their "synagogue" were used; like Jews, witches were suspected of conspiring to destroy Christianity and both groups were depicted with hooked noses. In 1618, a court clerk, whiling away the longueurs of a witch trial in the Colmar region, drew the accused in the margin of his report: he showed her with a traditional Jewish hairstyle, "with pendants, trimmed with stars of David."

Often, far from being the work of an uncouth, poorly educated community, the choice of scapegoat came from on high, from the educated classes. The origin of the witch myth coincides closely with that—in 1454–of the printing press, which plays a crucial role in it. Bechtel describes a "media campaign" which "utilized all the period's information vectors": "books for those who could read, sermons for the rest; for all, great quantities of visual representations." The work of two inquisitors, Heinrich Kramer (or Henricus Institor) from Alsace and Jakob Sprenger from Basel, the Malleus Maleficarum was published in 1487 and has been compared to Hitler's Mein Kampf. Reprinted upward of fifteen times, it sold around 30,000 copies throughout Europe during the great witch-hunts. "Throughout this age of fire, in all the trials, the judges relied on it. They would ask the questions in the Malleus and the replies they heard came equally from the Malleus." Enough to put paid to our idealized visions of the first uses of the printing press! By giving credence to the notion of an imminent threat that demanded the application of exceptional measures, the Malleus Maleficarum sustained a collective delusion. Its success inspired other demonologists, who became a veritable gold mine for publishers. The authors of these contemporary books—such as the French philosopher Jean Bodin—whose writings read like the ravings of madmen, were in fact scholars and men of great reputation, Bechtel emphasizes: "What a contrast with the credulity and the brutality demonstrated by every one of them in their demonological reports."

-Mona Chollet, In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women are Still on Trial

#mona chollet #witch hunts #womens history #printing press #female oppression #male violence #anti semitism #misogyny #european history

[andraste-preserve-us]

hi i have cullen thoughts for you <3 do you ever think about a mage trevelyan who had a Bad Time in the circle and how she and Cullen would get past the whole mage/templar mistrust and trauma thing?? it’s one of my fave fic tropes and i’d love to hear your thoughts! :)

Hi! Yes, I do. I actually had a whole fic with my mage inquisitor, Margo Trevelyan (my profile pic), who had that exact situation. I orphaned the fic on AO3 a while back, since it became really big and I just couldn't keep up with it, but I'm thinking of revamping it into a different version where Margo is actually the inquisitor's little sister who shows up at Haven insisting she help.

But anyway. In my original fic, because of her Bad Time at the Circle, she doesn't particularly trust Templars. She doesn't hate them, but isn't usually ready to get cozy super fast either. So she's not very forthcoming with information about her past trauma. However, she and Cullen are still very drawn to each other and become good friends. He does slip up from time to time though and there was one chapter where he made a comment about how she was different because she was more "responsible" with her magic than other mages he'd met and she really let him have it - she did still explain things to him without being rude or insulting, but was very visibly angry as she did so and they struggled a lot in the beginning because Margo would assume he was less and less safe with each comment like that while Cullen's facepalming in his quarters like "why did I have to put my foot in my mouth." With the stress of being the Herald, everything kind of gets to her and she starts isolating a lot and Cullen feels extra guilty.

I think a similar situation would happen with any sort of mage inquisitor, but I also think by this point, Cullen is committed to making a different path for himself. I feel like the "mages cannot be treated like people" comment and sentiments from DA2 probably still haunt him and he's determined not to have a repeat (re: his comment in DAI "the inquisition is my chance to atone"). So I think he would really try to make amends and open up about exactly why he's so jittery around magic, then maybe ask if they'd consider helping him overcome it (which was the plan with Margo before I orphaned the fic and she ends up giving him kind of magic lessons? Obviously he can't do magic, but knowing the mechanics of it really lessons the fear for him).

I think even after that, it would still be something that occasionally triggers him and something a mage inquisitor would have to be mindful of. He would never expect them to not use magic at all in front of him, but he really appreciates when they're able, giving him a heads up before they do any big spells or ask if they can use magic to heal him/help soothe his withdrawal symptoms. I think especially if he was having an episode, respecting his boundaries of not using magic at that time unless they absolutely have to would be a big one.

I think overall, a relationship between him and a mage inquisitor would take a lot of tactful, respectful communication, understanding, and patience - but also that's most healthy adult relationships, and I feel if Cullen really cared for and saw a future with someone, he would be determined to get it right and eventually, I could see him being a lot less triggered by magic in general and actually find it kind of beautiful (sorry this got so long, this is a topic I really enjoy talking about).

#dragon age inquisition #cullen rutherford #dai #commander cullen #cullen x inquisitor #dragon age #da #cullen x trevelyan #cullen x mage inquisitor #margo trevelyan #mage trevelyan #mage lavellan #cullen x margo

[dragonagesb]

This is a lot of rambling

Trying not to cry or throw up thinking about how Iron Bull grows up under the Qun a place where you don’t have names and are addressed by titles Bull’s title literally being Liar but he describes finding his purpose as being a slab of marble having the last of the junk knocked off and finally seeing the final form of what you’re meant to be taking shape

He becomes one of if not The Best Ben-hassrath (secret police) agent ever, Gatt (a former Tevinter slave now Qunari agent Bull himself freed and gave the nickname Gatt short for gattlock the explosives) says Bull kept the streets of Seheron (a place that’s been in the crossfire of a seemingly endless war between the Qunari and the Tevinter Imperium full of constant death) clean longer than anyone before or after him to the point it almost kills him waking up one day and not being able to find a single reason to do his job anymore

He reaches his breaking point and turns himself into the re-educators people that literally torture you to try and ‘re-educate’ his obv ptsd but idk if that really works so instead they send him far away to Orlais to work undercover as a mercenary “tal-vashoth” (people who from his own experiences are ruthless bloodthirsty killers) (still battling with the being an object/person) he loses his eye and builds his own family of misfits, makes a name for himself (literally)(and makes a point of using an article to sound more like a ‘mindless and destructive thing’)

Eventually a demon spitting hole opens in the sky and a longdead archdemon-controlling darkspawn magister shows up claiming god is dead and he’s taking over, and now Bull finds himself working for this inquisitor some rando from no where that is the worlds only chance at beating this undead not-god and the inquisitor is also the guy who in one instant has the power to sacrifice Bull’s new family for an alliance with the Qunari or not and have Bull officially be considered Tal-Vashoth and be excommunicated from his home, friends, and family

All this to say I thought about what if in Demands of The Qun you tell the chargers to hold their position and then Iron Bull returns to Skyhold afterwards all alone…still technically apart of the Qun still technically an agent of the Ben-Hassrath, still another tool to be used by someone else….and he just has to keep going, keep lying

I’m going to start crying jfc just the thought of Bull sitting in the back of the Herald’s Rest all by himself, there’s still the hustle and bustle of Skyhold, all kinds of people coming and going but none of them will be his boys anymore (´༎ຶ^༎ຶ`)

#the iron bull #iron bull #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dai #It just made me really sad and I needed to word my thoughts #that version of tresspassser would be so enjoyable from a viewer perspective but how devastating for those characters #if u sacrifice the chargers idfwy

[theheraldsrest]

Hey!

If you’re comfortable with it, may I request the companions reacting to a teen (14-16) Inquisitor? And/or some platonic headcannons with them (like how they may treat them differently to an adult Inquisitor or if they’d be more protective of them because of their age), and how this person who isn’t even an adult is basically tasked to save the world. This feels like it has the potential to be really fluffy and angsty.

Have a nice day/night!

“Companions react to Teen!Inquisitor”

Who’s ready for the Parent-quisition? Because I am! Poor kid’s got 12 parents and they all teach a lesson. Are they good lessons? Maybe not.

-Lord Lex

Cullen

-He’s used to young recruits, but a child leading the inquisition? He’ll argue with Cassandra and Leliana about it but there’s no changing it. You have the mark and you’re able to close the rifts. It bothers him so much to hear you ask what certain things are when an actual leader would. Don’t get him wrong, he’s impressed with everything you do but a child of your age should be worrying about chores or having fun, not leading an entire army. He’ll do his best to advise you. 

Josephine

-I’ve said it before but Mama Bird is watching over you. Out of everyone, she is the most against this. As much as you have proved yourself, you are still young! Yes you have the mark, but can’t someone else run it? She never fully gives up on this argument but she does try to make it easier for you. She’ll even tutor you herself on certain subjects so that you have a better understanding or that you don’t stress too much. Josey’s an older sister, she won’t let you go into this blind.

Leliana

-Listen, she was just as surprised as Cassandra was when they found you amongst the rubble, not to mention with the mark on your hand. It’s the first time she’s ever seen Cassandra back off an interrogation so quickly. But since then, you have proven yourself and have even impressed Leliana. She has no objection to you becoming the Inquisitor. She’ll help where needed and take some of the more gruesome problems to the others so that you don’t have to know the details. I mean, Josey had to stop her from explaining to you how she’ll take down some of your enemies.

Vivienne

-Vivienne never wanted kids, she thought she’d never be able to stand them nor give them a good childhood. And yet, here we are, her watching over you and sitting with you to teach you whatever you like. When she got word that the Herald was young, she hadn’t expected a young teen. She won’t treat you like a child but a growing adult, eventually you’ll have to learn about the world and it would be better sooner than later. Has you under her wing and shows you that the ice queen can, indeed, be warm hearted.

Varric

-Didn’t expect to be adopting anyone when he ‘joined’ the inquisition, but now he’s got two kids, Cole and you. Did he have a choice? No. Does he regret it? No. Makes a great uncle, cracking jokes and trying to educate you to the best of his ability things you should know. Subjects he’d rather not talk about are “Go ask Cassandra.” You shouldn’t have been made Inquisitor, in his opinion. Varric’s got nothing against you, it’s just…he doesn’t want to see another Hawke. You're young, you’ve got a lot to learn, not to mention you’ve got the mark that he sees makes you flinch when you use it. He’ll try his best to make it easy for you.

Cole

-The mind of a child is a wonderful yet sad thing. Usually they have yet to know what awaits them in the real world, but you do. Cole can see the turmoil and wants to help but he makes it confusing sometimes. Other times, he’ll make you laugh. He knows some things and you know others through your new lessons. You teach each other. Tries his best to stay near you to make sure you’re ok while also helping you understand what’s going on.

Solas

-One of the only people who actually thinks it’s a good idea. Most elven children are taught at a young age to be responsible and to solve problems. Not only that, but you also have the mark which is a new type of magic to many others. He sees it as an opportunity for you to learn so many things and he’ll happily help with that. Anything and everything, he’ll educate you. Surprisingly, he also knows how to calm you down when you need it, either with talking, giving you some tea, or just even showing you some magic.

Cassandra

-She wanted so badly for it to be an illusion, a trick of the mind possibly but no, this is an actual teenager who is very much not evil and very much scared. It’s a constant turmoil for her. On one hand, Cass wants to treat you like a growing adult, teaching how to defend yourself and what you must know. On the other, you’re a child. You shouldn’t be in this mess. She really does try to go easy on you but it starts to become overbearing when she tries to keep you from getting hurt by anything. Poor guard got yelled at because you bumped into him.

The Iron Bull

-If you’re qunari, he’ll treat you as any other child would’ve been taught in the Qun. If not, then that’s a different problem. Tries to still apply what he’s learned from his young years to what he’s learned about children of other regions. Trains you to your limit and will try to push a little bit further while also educating you more in military tactics. Doesn’t matter if you're young, he’s going to make sure that you have a fighting chance. Though he will back off a bit and give you time to still have fun and live. As for leadership, he thinks you deserve it but that you should have someone take the more pressing and stressful matters. At least then your plate won’t be so full. You also end up being adopted by the chargers. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.

Dorian

-Who let a child in here?! After first will try to keep his distance since he doesn’t think he’d be a good influence on you, not to mention the rumors. But if you keep pestering him, he starts to grow fond of you. Dorian’s the uncle that tries to pamper you, getting you little gifts and trinkets to make you smile, sneaking sweets from the kitchen, or even looking for books and other things to help boost that curiosity for history and discovery. Whereas Vivienne might take you by the hand and introduce you to 200 nobles, Dorian keeps you away from dumb matters and only introduces you to those who genuinly want to help you or the inquisition. Was with Josey on not letting you lead the inquisition. He knows what happens when you throw a child into the fray of politics. He doesn’t want that for you.

Sera

-Sera will absolutely follow you into battle. Someone has to be around to keep an eye on you two when you're together because she will most definitely teach you things you shouldn’t know. She actually thinks it's brilliant that you're leading. Certain people are older than time and making shit decisions. But a child? They have so many ideas and thoughts that almost seem ridiculous but could work. She trusts you wholeheartedly and will get into little fights that just end with you guys sticking your tongues out at each other. Feels bad that your stuck to the weird magic hand, though.

Blackwall

-He…is on Josey’s side here. Sure, you’re growing up and you’ll be a young adult soon but making you the leader of the inquisition? Of an army? Just because your hand glows??? Now everyones lost their heads. He’ll be the most father of the fathers and he didn’t even think he’d have it in him. Teaches you how to fight with different weapons, educates you on how to survive if on your own, etc. He’ll act exactly like a father, making sure you’re ok, bringing you food or telling some dumb (dad) jokes. Also, anyone who tries to intimidate you will find a bear standing over you. They should run

#dai #dragon age inquisition #inquisitor #cullen rutherford #commander cullen #josephine montilyet #dragon age josephine #lelianna #leliana #madame vivienne #vivienne #madame de fer #varric dai #varric #dai cole #dai solas #fenharel #cassandra #cassandra pentaghast #iron bull #the iron bull #dorian pavus #dorian #solas #dai sera #sera #blackwall #thom rainier

[palipunk]

Sir, sir just a quick question about divine lavellan. Our lord and saviour. How's cullen dealing with it? Also is vivienne proud or jealous?

HIII OKAY OKAY SO I’ve given this some thought! I don’t know if I’ll create an actual written au but I have considered both of these points:

Cullen

Cullen's feelings are…complicated. Cullen would definitely be incredibly uncomfortable in the beginning, I mean he has experience with his superiors going mad and seizing power while using the Chantry to do it. He rationalizes it at first by repeating things like Asma is not like Meredith and Meredith thought she was doing the Maker's will while Asma doesn't believe in any of it. There was only so far would he go, and Meredith and Asma both knew/know that.

Another thing he has to reconcile with is the idea that his lover is now the leader of his faith, it feels nearly blasphemous to be with her or know her as intimately as he does. This is a bit of the same dilemma he had when she was Inquisitor but less about her being the herald and more about her being his boss. Now he doesn't know how to separate what is the Divine and Asma, he was able to do it when she was Inquisitor, and now he must learn it again.

When he learns she is to become Divine after the end of the main game, he asks to take some time away to think about the change and really make up his mind about where he wants to go from there - he is in a transitional space where he could follow Asma as Divine and remain at her side despite the conflicting feelings he has or he could leave, decide his work as commander was done, and continue good works on his own terms. I think though Cullen had already made up his mind the moment he stepped past the gates and knew he would return. If he is not devoted to the templars, the Inquisition, or the chantry - the only thing that remains is his devotion to her and that holds stronger than anything.

Cullen comes back and resumes his position as her advisor though it does take some time for their relationship to go back to normal, like a reset button, it was like falling for each other all over again with shy touches and nervous looks on his end.

Eventually, he becomes the leader of the Divine Guard (after trespasser this is the remainder of the Inquisition forces) and is Asma's chief advisor on all matters dealing with Templars - most importantly her husband.

Vivienne

I definitely think Vivienne is proud of Asma, throughout the main game, Vivienne is Asma's friend and confidant and they see eye to eye on many things, especially in regard to magic. Asma owes a lot of her success as Inquisitor to Vivienne's guidance and knows she would have failed in many aspects if Vivienne were not there.

Becoming Divine opens up new positions for a lot of people, including the right hand of the divine, which is arguably the most powerful position you can have next to being the divine - or how some have used the position to become more powerful than the divine herself. Asma offers this role in confidence to Vivienne which she accepts.

Vivienne becomes a crucial figure in the reformation of the circles and her position as the right hand of the divine gives her power to enact these changes over southern thedas with the DIvine's support, of course.

She is given more power as the right hand of the divine than she has ever had before, also, it's hard to accuse the Divine of falling to the corruption of magic when the Divine is herself a mage!

Additionally, they are both of the "We didn't come here to negotiate if you don't listen we're going to rain hell on you" mindset which helps.

In short. I love them both but Cullen definitely had a religious crisis when he realized his girlfriend is now the pope

#insert mia going 'brother are u sleeping with the pope' and he passes out #dragon age #cullen rutherford #asma lavellan #ask #dragon age inquisition #hoiist #I held onto this for so long I wanted to get out all my feelings #divine asma

[criticalrolo]

backstory I’ve come up with for my da inquisitor Vaelmir is basically. youngest child to a semi prominent family by a long shot, he was a complete surprise 15 years after the other kids. born under extremely strange circumstances like mom refusing to speak through the entire pregnancy and when she went into labor she just headed out to the woods and came back with a baby before Immediately Leaving Town and Disappearing.

Father becomes convinced there's Something Wrong With This Weirdly Perceptive Child despite the fact that he's really sweet and helpful and charming. dad gets increasingly paranoid about him, to the point of like. abandoning him in the woods or subtly arranging for Accidents To Happen. But Vaelmir is ALWAYS okay, always barely averting disaster despite the increasingly dangerous situations he keeps ending up in "accidentally." He manifests his magic pretty young, and his siblings FINALLY intervene once their dad actually physically attacks Vaelmir and arrange for him to go to the circles/boarding school.

Everyone at the school likes him, he's extraordinarily kind and will help anyone out with whatever problem whenever they can. There's something a bit strange about him - sometimes looking at him is like staring at the sun, but then you blink and he's just normal. A few years later when the world hears that someone Survived The Rift, everyone who knew him is lowkey Not Surprised that it was him.

He's lovely and helpful and kind, and sometimes you see him staring at the sky like he's holding up the world on his shoulders and wonder if he really IS the Herald of Andraste, but when you look at him again he's just a normal guy. It's probably nothing.

#anyway i might change a few details and make this my bg3 guy. he's fun and i love him lowkey

[dareactions]

I'm a sucker for angst and tragedy, so I'd love to see your take on how Romances would react to an Inquisitor who's become corrupted by Red Lyrium- maybe sort of like Corypheus? God-like powers at the cost of sanity... but it's fiiiine cause they're on *our* side... right?

So, I'll be honest I think a lot of them would dip if this went down, like instantly. Specifically Iron Bull and Blackwall probs? I think they'd either try to make you reach your expiration date faster or run for the hills, but like, what if they didn't.

Also this was written while suffering some real shit health issues so apologies for any spelling mistakes ;; I haven't really been able to move around a lot rip

Cassandra: She isn't one for staying silent. Cassandra watches quietly for the shortest of moments before she voices her concern over the situation, it's hard to not do so to the Inquisitor directly but Red Lyrium makes people temperamental at best. Cassandra is the first to bring up being ready, in case something ever goes wrong. In case they finally step over the threshold Corypheus did. There's something so unsettling about watching someone you know slowly crumble underneath a pressure they have no control over, watching them slowly go from a perfectly normal person to the husk of who they were. Romanced: It's worse when it's someone you love. Her eye keeps searching them for any trace of the person she loves and sometimes, just sometimes, she can see it in the edges of how they look at her but it's not the same. There's nothing to really remove the evergrowing pit in her chest, the way it aches and cracks more and more every day as they go further down a path that Cassandra can't really do much to save them from. Being the person she is, there's that obvious need to protect- but you can only do so much to protect someone from their own downfall.

Blackwall: It's really hard for Blackwall to not just instantly run off. To not tuck his tail between his legs and dash out in the dead of night because he made a promise to follow the Herald, the Inquisitor, someone who stood strong and bravely in the face of disaster- not whatever has taken their place. He does his best to spend as little time around them as possible because in a way they feel like a bigger reminder of his own failings. The inquisitor gave up what is practically themselves for the greater good, and he is well aware he could never even consider following their lead. But that doesn't change the unease, the way he can't help but feels his fingers twitch for a blade whenever they get more obviously inhuman so to speak. Romance: His heart will never recover from this. After everything, all the ups and downs and this might just be what makes Blackwall properly break. He watches their gradual change with a twisted expression of grief and knows he can do nothing. There is no talking someone out of this, once it begins it doesn't really stop. Blackwall can make as many toy horses or wooden ornaments as he'd like, it doesn't ease the stress of knowing the person he loves is slowly dying and he has no power to stop it. The worst part is even if he did, Blackwall isn't entirely sure if he would. They made this choice, a choice that cost them everything but a choice made with so much love for the world around them he isn't sure if he could take that from them.

Dorian: In some ways, it reminds him of Blood Magic. The way the Lyrium corrupts and takes whatever it gets its hands on, and he is equally uncomfortable watching this. Dorian has seen people fall for less and the idea that the Inquisitor is now walking the thin line that most have failed to walk before without tipping in either direction makes him nervous, to say the least. It's heartbreaking, really, to watch someone you cherish and in the past looked to for guidance become this and Dorian will probably never stop questioning if he could've done something. Magic can do so many things but not the thing he wants it to do. Sometimes he sees a hint of the old Inquisitor, and that's almost worse than dealing with the current corrupted personality he sees daily. Romance: Dorian never dealt well with grief, it's not quite an emotion he likes to linger on. And here he is, feeling it heavy on his heart more so than ever, watching the love of his life slowly dwindle into nothing more than a memory. He isn't really sure how to cope, if there is a right way to go around it, or if he can even do anything to help. There is one thing he knows for certain though and that is that people are far too quick to give up hope. Dorian can see his love in the small actions that nobody else seems to notice, the remaining sliver of hope shining like a beacon in the dark. The Inquisitor is slowly becoming more and more corrupted, but Dorian loves them and he isn't ready to give up hope yet and he isn't sure if he ever will be.

Iron Bull: There are some things Bull doesn't fuck with, and demons are one of them. Even if this is different, a corruption, unlike anything he has seen it is eerily familiar. He doesn't want to be on guard around the Inquisitor, they're taking one for the team- they're pushing themselves so far they're willing to become something unrepairable. And maybe that is a part of the reason he feels bad whenever his fingers twitch to reach for his axe when he holds his breath occasionally when they pass. There is a level of trust but it is far more brittle and he isn't sure how to go around it. Bull has seen more stable people do horrible things and the fact that every day the Inquisitor threads closer to something similar to Corypheus horrifies him. Romance: I can't see him not making his stance on the matter very much known instantly, if this was an accidental thing there is just heartbreak- but if the Inquisitor did it as some self-sacrifice I imagine him to be very hesitant to even let them. It's their choice, it is their sacrifice to make but Bull loves them so wholeheartedly and he wonders if there really isn't any other way. He values every little second more than ever though, the small moments have all the more importance because he knows it might be the last moment where they are themself. It is partly overshadowed by the fact that he knows that if it comes down to it, there might be a day when they're gone and there is just an empty husk in their place and he isn't sure if he will handle it.

Sera: The way Sera pulls away is instant. She doesn't fuck around with demons, and even if the Inquisitor isn't one entirely- they're all the same in her book. They're doing it for the greater good- blah blah, it doesn't matter. Because at the end of the day, she has absolutely no reassurance this won't turn around and backfire. It just shows that the inquisition is like every other political faction and organization in the world, it doesn't matter who is being torn down or hurt if it's for the cause. As long as it's for the good of the people a little damage doesn't hurt, which is fine and dandy when you're fighting rogue templars or mages- but not when you watch your friend and leader slowly turn into a less horrific version of the man you're trying to end. Romance: She has never really been one to hold back and that doesn't change even when she is in a relationship, I think there'd be an instant discussion because if Sera doesn't like something- she won't let it happen. Her words become snappier and the occasional comment becomes a daily occurrence, her distaste for the situation is obvious and she has no intention of hiding it - and if she is ignored she'll take her leave even if it breaks her heart a million times over. She isn't going to watch the person she loves break themselves down from the sidelines, she isn't the person to do that.

Solas: Oh, what has he done? Solas always edged on the feeling of remorse, pity, and regret for the fact that these are the steps he has to take to reach his goal. This wasn't in the plan. There is something so grotesque watching someone pull themselves apart at the seams because of you, because of something you put in place and orchestrated. He watches the Inquisitor lose themselves with morbid curiosity and horrified dread because it's something that in many ways is on him. This is his goal and agenda affecting the world and he gets to see it in the worst possible way. Solas keeps telling himself it is worth it, even if he feels an unsettling sense of dread settle in his stomach more and more every day. Romance: Every action, whisper, and loving word is given with a steady hand that is entirely held up by a devouring sense of guilt. Whenever he looks at them, their form and being slowly corrupting more and more with each passing day and sanity fickle- he knows it is his doing. Yet Solas selfishly loves them, he takes and gives and then takes some more because gods the way they smile at him and say his name - it's enough to make any sensible man lose their wits. But he lays away, staring at his hands as he wonders just what he is doing- what he has done. He ruined the person he loved, but it's for a cause, it's a must. A necessary sacrifice, or so he will continue to tell himself as they crumble from the ripples of his actions.

Cullen: Every time they are in the same room he feels that familiar suffocating panic that he did in the tower. There's only so much he can ignore, so much to look away from and it tears him more every day. But Cullen is no stranger to dealing with horrible conditions and accepting questionable morals to get the job down. He has no issues swallowing his doubts and concerns if it means the world becomes better, and they save people. If that means being unable to rest easy at night or holding his hands closer to his sword than he is comfortable doing, so be it. If Romanced: There isn't much that can make Cullen falter in his affections, not even this. If anything, to him this is a showing of his own failings. Damned, be this templar and his ability to turn everything into something he has done wrong or can fix. He isn't as blind as most probably think he is, Cullen sees the alarming signs of instability and they scare him- of course they do. But Cullen is just better at hiding it than some of the others, he just knows how to keep his concerns within the innermost circle, and keep the crying behind closed doors. But it's tearing him down slowly and it's just a matter of time before his love just isn't enough.

Josephine: From a work basis, she despises it. Josephine has always been quite good at separating her feelings when it comes to work, she can look past her own feelings on the matter to realize just how hard this will be to sell to the world. To make them realize the price someone is paying for their safety. But then there are obviously the personal thoughts, the ones that creep in late at night as she stares into the burning candle on her desk. The Inquisitor is a friend, a close one at that and she has to watch them slowly die practically. She isn't sure what to do about it, what she can even say or do or think to make this situation not feel like watching a person get tortured. Josephine lives every day with the anxiety that one day there might not be recognized in their eyes when they look at her. Romance: Nobody knows when Josephine will break, but mostly everyone knows she will. It's obvious in the way she seemingly cradles the fragility of her relationship with the Inquisitor in her hands. They will one day be gone and she probably won't get to do the things she wanted. Go to places they discussed, have her family meet them properly- these are all things that won't take place because they're a walking corruption. Proof of the fact that the veil keeps taking from everyone- the Inquisitor especially. One day she'll crumble into pieces and not be able to entirely pick herself up, and it'll be the day that the Inquisitor is the closest thing the world has ever seen to a god- and that will be the day they will most likely be killed, and Josephine will be defenseless to do anything.

#cullen rutherford #josephine montilyet #solas #sera #blackwall #iron bull #the iron bull #dorian pavus #cassandra pentaghast #dragon age reacts #dragon age reactions #i rly enjoy ur work btw #this was very wild for me to get in my inbox lmao

[altimysart]

Your character with Cassandra is really handsome. I'd love to know more about them, if you're inclined to share!

Thanks for asking! I'm honored that you like the art! 🥺 This is pretty much my first time drawing my inquisitor, even though I finished the game last September! I'll drop details under the cut because they are quite long...

Although he began his journey as somewhat of a self-insert, my inquisitor Imys Adaar started developing a character of his own.

He is a gentle giant; a soft-spoken Tal-Vashoth mage (specializing in electric magics and necromancy). He tries to avoid trouble if at all possible, because he's not confident in his problem-solving skills, but as he grew into his role as inquisitor, he became more daring and involved.

Imys wanted nothing to do with the Inquisition after the conclave. When he first started his journey, he didn't believe in the Maker and only tolerated the Chantry as a religious organization, frowning upon its political power. Initially, Imys had not thought highly of his own power or agency, so he sought to quickly appease Leliana and Cassandra's demands before escaping and regrouping with other Tal-Vashoth. Over the course of the Inquisition though, he truly grew into himself, and realized he did matter, and he did have the power to enact change.

But also perhaps to his own detriment, he became what he didn't want to be: the Herald of Andraste and an arm of the same institutions that he didn't trust. He thinks he's doing the best he can with the power he has, but good intentions only get you so far...

With respect to his relationship with Cassandra: He fell in love with how she was a romantic at heart and how she wanted to change the very institution she was a part of. He loves performing large romantic gestures for her, because she loves it. He supported her decision to become the Divine, even if that meant they couldn't be together, but there's something so loving about their relationship that is more important than marriage and sex.

I'd write more about his relationships with other characters, but it'd take all day. I hope you like my Inquisitor! I'd love to see yours too!

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #inquisitor adaar #doodles

[shivunin]

A Gravity Assist

For @greypetrel for Christmas/New Year's c: I was inspired by the piece you wrote about Aisling and Maria in the Western Approach. Here are our girls doing more questionable science! Happy new year, and I am very glad to know you 💗

(Maria Hawke & Aisling Lavellan | 3,042 Words | No Warnings)

Gravity Assist: A maneuver done in space in which a vessel is pulled partially into the gravity of a celestial body in order to alter its trajectory or speed (sometimes called a slingshot maneuver)

“You like her?” Varric said, peering down at the sheet of parchment before him. 

It was late. Most of the Great Hall’s occupants had wandered off or gone on to other duties, and Skyhold slept quietly around them. Hawke swirled the liquor in her glass for a moment, considering her answer. She didn’t need to ask who he meant, of course. There was only one “her” that really counted around here. 

“I do,” she said at last, and searched for the right words to explain why. 

While she’d been trying to become truly anonymous in the Ferelden countryside, Varric had been here and in Haven, helping to build the organization she sought help from now. Obviously, she’d come here with half an intention to stage a rescue. If Varric had actually been held here against his will, she rather thought she would have pulled it off, too. She’d been surprised to find that he was here entirely of his own volition, and even more surprised to find that it…suited him. 

Hawke had arrived at Skyhold wary, though not actually planning to act against the Inquisition. She’d intended to help to the extent that she could—with Carver’s life on the line, how could she do anything else?—but she hadn’t expected to enjoy it very much. She certainly hadn’t expected to find the much-lauded Herald of Andraste…earnest. Kind. Damn good company. 

“You didn’t want to,” Varric went on, plainly following her own thoughts, and Maria laughed. 

“No, I can’t say I did. I was expecting someone more…Oh, self-important, I suppose. Like the nobility back home. I’d heard she was an elf, of course, but I heard just as many say she was any number of other things. It didn’t occur to me that she would be so good at…” she paused, gesturing with the glass while she thought, “experiments.”

“She is that,” Varric said, tapping his quill into the inkwell and scrawling a single line onto the next page before setting it aside to dry. “Couldn’t stop her if we tried, and Curly certainly wanted to try.” 

“Did he now?” Hawke asked, and Varric laughed. 

“Leave it, Hawke. They’re both in one piece, aren’t they? She doesn’t need someone to defend her. She’s got plenty. And, ah—” he laughed, one of the knowing chuckles that’d driven her mad when they’d first begun to know each other, “—I don’t think you need to defend Aisling from the Commander.”

Maria hummed and lifted her glass again. For a time, they were quiet. The fire was plenty engrossing to watch, and the soft scribble of Varric’s quill on parchment was a familiar sort of accompaniment to her thoughts. The whiskey was warm on her tongue when she sipped it, and it was all rather cozy. 

She didn’t like the comfort of  it. Time was running perilously short, there were a thousand things she’d left undone at home, and she was spending her time here attending fetes and trying to keep herself too busy to think. It didn’t feel right to be kicking her heels here when there was so much that’d gone horribly wrong in the world. It didn’t seem—

“Cham—Hawke!” she hardly heard the Inquisitor before the elf sat hard on the bench beside her. “I was looking for you. I had a question, you see. Oh—was I interrupting?”

“Not at all, Lucky,” Varric said, setting the page aside and shifting another closer to him. “Hawke here was just telling me she thought the Inquisitor would be self-important.” 

Maria smiled and kicked him under the table. Varric grunted. 

“What I said,” she informed the Inquisitor, looping her arm through the other woman’s, “was that you have exceeded my every expectation. Don’t listen to him; he’s dreadful at paraphrasing. You’ve no idea the amount of things he left out of that dreadful book.”

“Dreadful,” Varric scoffed. “Dreadful! I’ll have you know I was interrogated over that book, Hawke. For days. Weeks, even.”

“I remember it quite well,” she informed him, for she’d neither forgotten nor forgiven the Seeker for it. 

It had been worth sneaking into the woman’s quarters, she decided, for the clear discomfort the woman had felt without access to any undergarments. Good riddance; may the hares and foxes in the valley below enjoy them well. 

“Did you want to say something, dear?” she added, nudging Aisling. “You seemed excited.”

Aisling, who’d been holding herself very still with visible effort, brightened. 

“Oh—yes, I almost forgot. I had a question to ask you, if you don’t mind the asking, about those force spells you showed me the other day…”

They sat before the fire for some time, discussing magical theory and the likely velocity of a given object if one tried to use a telekinetic spell to hurl it into a gravitic ring. It was pleasant to think about, actually—good exercise for a mind that had taken to pacing itself in circles. Hawke found herself awake long after she’d intended to be, more comfortable than she’d managed these last restless weeks at Skyhold, and relieved to remember that there’d been a life before all this fear. Magical theory existed rather completely beyond the question of Wardens and Callings and would-be gods who ought to have been long dead.

She’d been honest when she told Varric she liked the Inquisitor, but it was more than that. There’d been a horrible, niggling guilt at the back of her mind: she’d known that the Chantry was looking for her, known that she’d been wanted at the Conclave. When the sky had been ripped open, when Varric had told her all that had happened, her first thought was that she should have been there. Corypheus was her responsibility. He was a Hawke’s burden to carry and she had failed. 

If she had been at the Conclave…

No, no; leave that to think about after she got into the bedroom. It would do no good to consider it here and now. 

“Goodnight,” she told the Inquisitor some time later, and relished the comfort of being able to actually hug somebody else for once. Varric, for all his familiarity, had always had a rather low tolerance for her long goodbyes. Aisling allowed them for far longer, to Hawke’s infinite relief. 

It was difficult to realize how much one had come to rely on consistent physical contact until one had lost the opportunity to have any at all.

“Goodnight,” the elf said, squeezing her in return. “Tomorrow morning, maybe later in the week—do you think you have time to test it out? I do think it could be helpful for a variety of applications.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Maria said. “When someone is falling, for example, or perhaps we can find a way to sort of slingshot things using it…or we could use it if you need to fight a dragon again. Dreadful creatures. I was almost eaten by one, you know.”

“Varric told me,” Aisling said, and they unfolded themselves from each other at last. “I am hoping we might use the two in combination to lower goods into the valley and bring them up more easily than the road allows. But—tomorrow!” 

“Tomorrow,” Maria agreed, smiling—genuinely for once, and turned to leave for her quarters

“Goodnight,” the elf said again and bounced away, already patting her pockets for something. 

A notebook, Hawke supposed, or something to write with. When she slipped into her own room at last, she locked the door behind her and tapped into the wards she’d left here when she’d gone away for the day. 

All was well. This annoyed her; if there’d been an issue, it would have been nice to solve something for once.

When she’d finished changing, Hawke slipped beneath the covers and rested a hand over her eyes. She’d thought they would be gone from here by now, had thought they’d already set out for the Western Approach and whatever waited for them there. But—amassing an army and getting it to move took a great deal more time than she’d expected. They would leave within the week, certainly, but it still didn’t feel soon enough. 

No; no. There was nothing she could do about the Inquisition right now. 

Gravitic rings and telekinetic bursts. These, she knew. She turned her mind to the experiment the Inquisitor had proposed until she was too tired to think. When she dropped off to sleep at last, she did so occupied with the thought of experiments and logic, not the pressure of time.

For the first time in days, she actually slept through the night.

|

“What’s happening over here?” Varric asked some time later, and the three mages peered down from the upper level of the ruins. 

It was hot in the Western Approach, to say the least. They’d been up here long enough that the pale Inquisitor was noticeably pink about the cheeks. They probably ought to find shelter from the sun soon, it was only—well. It’d been ages since Maria had worked magic in tandem with someone else, and it was invigorating. She almost hadn’t noticed the time passing at all, but the angle of the sun indicated they’d been up here far too long. 

“Varric!” Aisling called, waving. “Stay right there. We’ll show you!” 

When she nodded to Hawke, the two of them gestured and called forth their respective magics. Dorian, who’d taken more than one turn in either of their places by now, took a long-dry carafe and hurled it into the stream of the first spell. For a moment, it flew through the air, cartwheeling end over end as it was caught in the force of the telekinetic spell. Then, while Maria held the gravitic ring steady, the carafe hit the perimeter of her spell and slowed noticeably. 

Varric, who’d taken several steps back when Dorian threw the carafe, approached slowly. 

“Huh,” he said, and caught the pottery when Maria released the spell. 

“Isn’t it lovely?” she said, clapping twice. “Can you imagine if we’d figured this out sooner? The things I could’ve thrown in my foyer at the manor. But wait—there’s more. We started toying with the rotation of the ring and—”

“—if we are careful about how we aim it—” Aisling interjected, and Maria gestured in agreement. 

“—it can even be used to redirect objects already in motion, so long as there was sufficient force behind it to begin with,” Maria finished in a rush, rocking from foot to foot in excitement. 

“Perhaps you’d better stand back,” Dorian told Varric. “I don’t know about you, but I didn’t especially enjoy having a rock thrown at my head.”

“Oh, it was a complete accident—you’re fine now,” Maria said, waving a hand, and he cast her a sidelong glance. 

“Yes, I rather find that healing magic has that effect,” he said drily. “Well, then. Ready, all?” 

“Yes,” the other two mages echoed, and this time Dorian tossed a rock into the force of the first spell. Hawke adjusted the second, concentrating on the way it spun, and they all watched the rock turn in midair and shoot off over the dunes. After a moment, there was a distant thud, and the three mages cheered. 

“Hang on,” Maria called to Varric. “We’re coming down. It’s time for a break, I think.” 

They made their way down the ladder one at a time and Maria drank from her waterskin while she waited for the others. Obviously, she’d known that this would be a desert. She’d known it would be hot, but she hadn’t figured on the air itself being so dry. It felt like she was forever reaching for water to wet her parched throat. 

“Drink,” she told the Inquisitor when the other woman reached the ground. Aisling took her waterskin and drank while the two of them moved into the shade. 

“There a purpose for this trick of yours?” Varric asked, ducking under the other side of the ruins. 

“Always best to keep busy,” Maria told him. “Also, Cullen has banned us from playing with the trebuchet and this is a nice substitute.” 

“Well, perhaps part of the problem is that you continue to call it playing with the trebuchet,” Dorian informed her, capping his own waterskin. “Somehow, he found that less charming than the rest of us.”

“Fie,” Hawke said, flicking her braid back over her shoulder. “The man must have a sense of humor somewhere. I’ve just got to dig a little deeper.”

“Well, they are very difficult to manage,” Aisling said absently, examining a patch of reddened skin on her forearm. “They each take a whole team of bronto to move, you see, and calibrating them properly can be very time-consuming.” 

Hmm, Maria thought. Varric’s comment about the Commander not meaning the Inquisitor harm came to mind again. The woman was friendly enough that it could mean nothing, but…well. She chose to keep her thoughts to herself. 

“In any case,” Hawke said, “this is a suitable substitute. It might even be helpful in the battle to come, I suppose, if your mages can learn it in time.” 

They spoke more as they made their way back to the camp, though the latent exhaustion from standing in the sun and working magic for hours gradually slowed the talk to a crawl. The four of them separated as they neared the camp, each stepping away to clean up. When Maria had finally changed into lighter clothing, she heard a soft sound outside her tent. 

“Inquisitor?” she called, nudging the mess of clothes under her cot and out of the way. 

“Yes,” Aisling replied, “do you have a moment?” 

“Of course; come in,” Maria said. 

Aisling entered, carrying a small, familiar pot of ointment. Maria would have known it from the smell even if she hadn’t already become very acquainted with it. 

“Sunburn?” she asked, holding out a hand, and the Inquisitor nodded miserably. There were already streaks of green over her arms, the skin beneath a bright pink in contrast. 

“If you can do your weather trick, I’ll get whatever you can’t reach,” Hawke told her, “or heal any of the blistered pieces, if you’d like.”

“Just the ointment is fine,” Aisling said, sketching runes in the air. The air in the tent cooled gradually, filled by a fresh breeze from nowhere at all. Hawke sighed in relief and took the little jar of ointment from Aisling. 

“I should’ve worn longer sleeves,” the elf murmured, sitting on the edge of the cot and tipping her head forward. Maria sat beside her and removed the lid from the jar. 

“Probably,” Hawke agreed, carefully smoothing a swathe of elfroot ointment over the back of Aisling’s shoulder. “We’ll have you right as rain soon enough, and it was time well spent nevertheless.”

“Hmm,” Aisling said, and added after a moment. “Are you…feeling better?”

There was a hesitance to the question that Maria understood at once. Do we know each other enough for me to ask? she was saying. 

“Yes, somewhat,” Maria admitted, and gathered more sharp-smelling salve. “Thank you—for all the distractions. I am grateful, truly. You’ve been a—a good friend to me.”

“Oh!” Aisling said, glancing back at her. “I’m glad you think so.”

There was a moment of silence. It would have been easy to fill—both of them were fond of talking—but Maria let the silence rest for a moment instead. Sometimes thoughts had to be given space to breathe before they could be spoken aloud. This seemed like one such occasion. 

“Before you came,” Aisling said at last, her voice very quiet, “I did not think we would like each other. Everyone—so many of them wanted you instead. Before I became the Inquisitor, I mean. I was so sure you’d know what to do where I don’t. I thought, if you’d been at the Conclave instead…”

“I would have died,” Maria told her, for she’d thought about the same thing many times. “Truly. It had to be you. The Chantry was more than half-convinced that I was personally responsible for what happened in Kirkwall. Can you imagine if I’d been the only one left standing after the death of the Divine? They would’ve killed me outright, even if I’d actually survived the destruction at the Conclave.” 

She sighed, setting the little jar aside, and nudged Aisling. The elf turned to look at her, her usual expression replaced by one far more somber. 

“When I told you before that you’re doing great, I meant it,” Hawke said, patting the Inquisitor’s hand. “Really. How could anybody look at all you’ve achieved and think otherwise? And that’s just on the surface. Knowing more—knowing some of what happened in Redcliffe—you’ve a great deal to be proud of.”

“Yes,” Aisling said, squeezing her hand in turn. “I was going to say—I was relieved when you didn’t agree with them. I’m glad you came.”

“Me, too,” Hawke said, smiling. “How else would I have thought to put a fully dressed skeleton in a trebuchet? Who else would have painted targets on boulders with me so we could use them for magical experiments?” 

Aisling laughed. Some of the serious air dissipated, and their conversation turned to other topics. The time for the battle drew very near—only one more day, perhaps two before they would need to make their assault on the keep. There wouldn’t be much more time for this sort of camaraderie. They couldn’t know what would come next; perhaps much of the world’s brokenness would be fixed after the battle. Perhaps it would grow worse. Either way, she was grateful she’d be facing it down amongst friends. 

For months, Hawke had wondered if the rift in the sky was somehow her own fault. Maybe it was. But—now that she’d met the Inquisitor, now that she knew Aisling herself, it was easier to set some of the regret aside. If there was somebody she trusted with the weight of all this, it had to be Lavellan. She had a good head on her shoulders and an earnest interest in understanding how the world worked. If somebody was going to have power over a large swathe of Thedas, Maria’d rather it be someone who wanted to understand why things were the way they were. Also—and this was crucial—she gave excellent hugs.

#maria hawke #aisling lavellan #gift fic #shivunin scrivening #i hope i got her voice right arja!! i wanted this to sort of fit around the piece you wrote as well c: #so sorry this is late

[anneapocalypse]

You Miss, Then You Don't: On Sera's Archery Skills and the History of Red Jenny

The Sera Series: Exploring Sera's Character and Background

Sera is a skilled archer, and this comes up as a point of confusion both in the game and in supplementary materials. Multiple characters seem confused as to where she learned her archery skills. In early conversations in Haven, Sera tells the Inquisitor she had no teacher, that she just "picked it up here and there." She admits that it takes some work, but adds, "I mean, you miss, then you don't. Is it that hard to see when it's wrong?" When the Inquisitor asks if it's an "elf thing," Sera only laughs and replies, "Most I know couldn't find an arrow sitting on it."

In The World of Thedas, Volume 2, a note from the Antivan Crows poses a similar question:

I get it. They all wear the same mask. The rest is bullshit.

The elf, the voice says Denerim, a mutt. But she's got a trainer who must be somebody. You don't split flies like she does without someone teaching you how to nock an arrow. Who gets that at birth? No one the living are supposed to know. (p. 236)

Sera has annotated her usual answer in the margins. "Is it so hard for everyone? You miss, then you don't."

I think it's very easy to misread aspects of Sera's character if you take things she says early on in the game and in party banter literally and at face value. Initially, I accepted her answers as such myself. Later, as I got to know Sera, I realized that her early answers are really non-answers, which she gives specifically to deflect what she sees as nosy and invasive questions.

One thing I was sort of taken aback by, when I was just getting to know Sera, is how much she dislikes Maryden's song about her. Sera likes girls, Maryden seems to like Sera, Sera even comments that she thinks Maryden is "chatting her up." You'd think she'd be flattered Maryden wrote a song about her, right? Wrong. Big wrong. In her journal, she calls the song "creepy." Later, in Trespasser, after Sera offers the Inquisitor the chance to become a Red Jenny, Maryden can be heard starting up the song, abruptly interrupted by the sound of breaking wood, followed by Sera's final declaration, "Creepy song is creepy. Ugh!"

Sera has… let's say, a particular dislike for people being too nosy about her life.

Look at it this way: in Haven, Sera has just met the so-called Herald of Andraste. And she is taking a big chance on them. They're not the "Big Hat" yet, but they're already surrounded by nobs and Important People and Sera's whole thing is she wants to see if they're worth knowing before they get too big to bother with. That's what she says when she meets them: "Get in good before you're too big to like." So when she talks to them in Haven, she's not sure if she likes them yet. She's feeling them out.

So, when Sera's just met the Herald and is asked, "Who taught you to use a bow?" and she says, "No one" … that's not really an answer. It's like when Dorian asks the same, if she just picked it up one day and was a natural, and Sera's response is, "Not your business if I do or didn't. Like I don't ask if you 'naturally' shoot fireballs out your arse, or just opinions." 

It's not an answer, at least not literally. It is an insight into Sera's character, but not in the sense that it's telling us she's a natural born archer who never had to work at it a day in her life. (I mean, she even walks it back two lines later after the Inquisitor prods her further, saying that it does take work.) But what's she's really saying is the same thing she's saying to Dorian: "None of your business."

It's not like it would even be so weird if Sera was a self-taught fighter. As I brought up in a previous Sera post, I think there's some in-universe prejudice in the incredulity characters have about a city elf being good at fighting. No one repeatedly interrogates Duncan about how he learned to stab people good with a dagger.

But that's all beside the point. Because once Sera likes the Inquisitor, she tells them something different.

After raising Sera's approval high enough to get the cookie cutscene—a scene in which she opens up about her painful childhood—the Inquisitor can ask her more about herself. Sera still expresses reticence but is now willing to answer more questions. Let's have a look at that conversation.

Inquisitor: I'd like to know more about you, now that you're comfortable. Sera: Suppose. It's embarrassing enough now, might as well. Inquisitor: Anything more to say about where you came from? Besides hating cookies there. Sera: Denerim, mostly. Before running into another Jenny. He was fun. Had weird friends, though. I think some of them were a lot more serious about being serious. Got some of them killed. I suppose they were like family. Better than Lady Emmald ever was. You know why? They didn't give two squirts about who or what you were. It was all what you did. Inquisitor: So where are the rest of them? Sera: All over. Or they stopped to let new people go all over. Some get rich and stop playing. They can do good things with it. One or two don't. Eventually, someone asks for a favor against them. So don't get like that, you hear? Inquisitor: Denerim is a long way from Orlais. How'd you get there. Sera: By stinky horse? Inquisitor: Sera... Sera: Denerim wasn't much fun after the Blight. Everyone trying to recover, you'd even feel bad for the nobles. But Val Royeaux... that's a fat city full of fat heads. They just don't know when to stop. You saw it. Orlais is rich and stupid. Ripe for the picking. Inquisitor: So is that who showed you how to fight? Gave you your skills? Sera: Nobody gave me anything except a chance. And maybe some lessons to start. But mostly just the chance. I took that and ran.

And maybe some lessons to start.

There it is.

She's not a natural born archer. Maybe she had a normal level of affinity for it, but she didn't magically know how to archery without ever being taught or practicing because of elfy reasons or magic reasons or whatever other tinfoil hat reasons. She had some lessons. And then she practiced. And then she got good. Simple, ordinary people reasons.

And if you read between the lines here I think it's implied who gave her those lessons to start.

You see, the Friends of Red Jenny seem to have originally been a minor assassins' guild. And by "originally" I might right up until the time of the Fifth Blight. Also from World of Thedas Volume 2:

The knives I found think the Friends of Red Jenny started in Ferelden, maybe a hundred years back. Could be longer—they're hard to track. Don't know if the name is a rank or what, but pretty sure it's older than they are. They were assassins back then, but I doubt they competed with true guilds. They were cheap, small, and made a habit of paying urchins to get information or plant weapons. They recruited that way, but that doesn't seem like a way to get skilled people. The Friends had some teeth, and they weren't shy about getting bloody if their people were threatened, but they were strictly local.

It's recent that the Friends have been more active. Since the Blight, mostly. A new Red Jenny at the head—or seems like—in Val Royeaux. And in Kirkwall. Maybe more. Thing is, they might be doing more, but they stepped back from being assassins. And there are a lot fewer of them. Could be Blight—it killed a bunch of everybody. But my gut says different. They didn't just move; they changed how they work.

I found Red Jenny herself, or one of them, I guess. Tall for an elf. I approached her plain, figured we'd talk guild to guild. Her answer was two fingers. She could move, she's proper skilled, but I don't think she's competition. What she and her friends do has nothing to do with us. (p. 236)

The first we hear of the Friends of Red Jenny is in Dragon Age: Origins, when the Warden finds a small painted box in the quarters of First Enchanter Irving, then a note on the body of one of the Crows who ambush the party. The note indicates where the box is to be taken, and is signed "Friends of Red Jenny.” To complete the quest, the box must be delivered to a house in Denerim, where the player can hear the sound of a young girl laughing. No further information is given in that game.

In Inquisition, in conversation with Sera, the Inquisitor may ask her about the Blight, to which Sera replies, "That was ages ago. I was playing with small painted boxes and burying stuff I stole." It's possible this is just meant to be an easter egg, but for the sake of the argument let's assume that Sera does in fact mean that small painted box—that she was working with the old Jennies in Denerim. That one of them gave her that box to play with. Maybe they only needed what was inside it.

I initially read that "more serious about being serious" line as Sera referring to some Jennies who were more actively revolutionary. But I now think I was missing the bigger picture there. Sera was referring to the earlier Red Jennies, the ones she met in childhood before the Blight—the Jennies who were not merely tricksters but assassins.

This dialogue also really frames meeting that other Jenny as a turning point in Sera's life, and from it a picture of her life after Lady Emmald's death emerges for me. Having refused the estate, and still a child, she returned to the streets of Denerim where she met an assassin—a man who was "fun" but had "weird friends." They were "like family," she supposes. "Better than Lady Emmald ever was."

Someone fun with weird friends who took a liking to this little street urchin, perhaps. Gave her tasks to perform for a coin or some food. Gave her some trinkets to play with. Gave her a few lessons with a bow. Never cared that she was an elf, didn't bring it up constantly or tell her it was why people hated her.

Why didn't she just say that from the start? By the time you make it to the end of the cookies friendship cutscene in Skyhold, you've probably figured out that Sera's whole childhood is a painful, difficult subject that she doesn't like to talk about. She's not avoiding the subject of Denerim and her past because she's trying to be difficult; she's avoiding the subject because it's traumatic and a period of her life that she's trying to leave behind. She didn't ride all the way to Val Royeaux by stinky horse because she just loves clopping through miles of wilderness and woods full of the elfiest elves. Denerim is full of painful history for Sera, and I think the old Red Jennies are a part of that painful history. Her voice softens, gets quieter, when she talks about how being "more serious about being series" got some of them killed. World of Thedas Volume 2, in speculating about how the Friends of Red Jenny shifted from assassins to pranksters, notes that the Blight may have played a role in their shift, as it "killed a lot of everyone," so perhaps that contributed. Either way, I think Sera lost friends in Denerim. People who were "like family." There are things there that hurt to remember, and to talk about.

Sera's initial insistence that she didn't have a teacher might not be strictly a lie, especially if she only had a few starter lessons and did the rest herself. If she was observant enough, she might have picked up certain skills simply from watching the assassins she was around all the time. But it's also worth remembering that Sera is very resistant to talking about things that make her uncomfortable or bring up bad memories. Before she knows the Inquisitor well, when they push her to talk about her past, she'll say, "It's complicated. I don't like complicated. Let's leave it at that." Her commentary in the margins of the notes on her life in World of Thedas are mostly flippant, sarcastic, but one of the few that sounds really angry is the note after the old Marcher tavern song "She of the Red," which certainly sounds like it's about assassins and not merely pranksters:

She of the Red, Oh, She of the Red, She's under a lake with no water, it's said. As friendly as any, and then you are dead. "Forgive me; I've killed you," lies She of the Red.

Which Sera has annotated: "Frigging. Piss. Off!"

We might take from this that Sera simply doesn't like having songs written about her (given how deeply unimpressed she is with Maryden's efforts), but I get the sense she also really dislikes people bringing up what the Red Jennies used to be. I wonder if she was even fully aware as a child what the guild was really doing. But she must have made a conscious decision to take the Friends in a certain direction when she took over.

And I do think she took them over after the Blight. World of Thedas notes that Sera "appears to hold seniority, earned at a very young age." She was very young, still a child, when Emmald died. She fell in with the Red Jennies, began to learn archery. Then the Blight tore through Denerim, and a lot of people died. I suspect that the assault on Denerim (whether the attack itself or the ensuing disease) wiped out most if not all of the old Red Jennies, leaving Sera and whatever other urchins the guild had taken under their wing. She'd lost yet another family.

So Sera decided she'd be Red frigging Jenny.

But she didn't want to get people killed. Whatever she knew of the old Red Jennies' line of work, she was aware that it was dangerous. She'd lost friends. And besides, assassins are beholden to people with the coin to hire them—most likely nobles. And there's no one Sera hates more than nobles.

So Sera remade the Friends of Red Jenny into something new. She remade them in her own image and took them to Val Royeaux. They spread north to the Free Marches. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all over Thedas by now. Probably for the best that they're no longer anything the Crows would see as a threat.

But if you're a noble stepping on little people, best look out for arrows. And mind your breeches.

#sera dragon age #dragon age sera #red jenny #friends of red jenny #dragon age inquisition #world of thedas #world of thedas volume 2 #dragon age meta #dragon age #blunders of thedas #sera series #sera