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blood-bound · 1 year

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(gehenna-calling) um. 22&23 for mark, 38 for porphyria

I. I TYPED OUT A LOT AND THEN IT CRASHED AND LOST MY PROGRESS. UGHASHFDAJF Anyway thank you beloved mutual for helping me out of the pits of despair.

22 and 23 - What does your character like in other people? And: What does your character dislike in other people? (I’m gonna answer in one paragraph.)

I’ll kind of divide the people Mark likes into two categories - the people who he more quickly gets along with, though sometimes in a shallow sense, who he likes (liked?) to surround himself with - and the people who he Likes on a more deeper level even if they don’t vibe at first. For the first, Mark likes people that are similar to the image Mark projects of himself. Being around other snarky academic types makes him feel safe; he knows what role to play, they understand him, and it’s easy to find things to talk about that aren’t too personal. The conversations are legitimately enjoyable and yeah, it’s basically Comfy. They aren’t going to push him too far and any deep conversations won’t be about personal topics, and as long as they aren’t misanthropes (Mark truly loves all that humanity has accomplished and believes it will keep improving, though he doesn’t show this side of himself often), they’ll get along well. His touchstone Dr. Armatto falls into this category; though this is a deeper care/like because he shares that love of humanity’s history and Mark has just accepted that he isn’t gonna share deeper personal things (like that he’s gay) with him, and has made his peace with that.

For the second part, of course the standard things that make people like others apply - but there’s a certain type of personality, that is willing to meet Mark where he’s at but also know the right ways to push him gently, subtly, in a way that doesn’t have to make him acknowledge that he’s being pushed, that he likes, even if he couldn’t put his finger on why. This type of person also has to be capable of indulging Mark’s nerdiness even if they don’t share it, lol. So someone more extroverted but with patience, if I had to oversimplify it a bit. Sampson fell into this category. I think his coterie member Rose might fall into this too, though their friendship kind of developed weirdly because they had to start trusting each other with their lives on like, night 1 of knowing each other and then for many battles after.

What he doesn’t like is overt misanthropy - which I mentioned before. Like, Mark IS cynical, but not about humanity in a large sense. He also doesn’t like impulsive people; he needs stuff to be planned and if possible, know what to expect. Incompetence bothers him more than the average person I suppose; he’s less likely to brush something off as ‘its fine don’t worry’ (even if he helps out the person who screwed up anyway, lol). He doesn’t like laziness either - Mark works hard! (Don’t think about the fact that at this point, some of that GrindSet is just an excuse to Not Think About The Horrors). He doesn’t like it when he’s pressured into things, he’ll get stubborn about it and think the individual is obnoxious (even if again, he does deep down want to be pushed, it has to be in a certain way.) Uhhhh also even if it is the 2000s and a lot of people are homophobic, if they’re vocal about it obviously Mark won’t like that either even if he wouldn’t say anything.

Then for Porphyria:

Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

This one is pretty easy - she is more likely to remove the problem, because she sees it as a mage’s duty to help sleeper society. So if it’s a problem, she and her cabal can certainly fix it, instead of leaving it for someone else to run into. She would only remove herself if she can’t fix it - and she can check this with a simple scrying spell. It’s easy for her to know if something is possible, or very unlikely, even if she isn’t yet strong enough in the time arcana to know the details.

So yeah - she would see it as irresponsible to avoid the problem when she could fix it, and she’s pretty confident that she, with her cabal, can solve most anything they come across. What a QUEEN i love her.

#mark vtm oc #porphyria mage oc

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crossdressingdeath · 1 year

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One headcanon I have for Templar abilities is the factor of willpower.

Basically, a mental battle between a mage and a Templar over the mage's own abilities/mana. A task more onesided if the mage is conditioned to have a weak mind. A large part of Circle "education" is to make the mages have a lot of self-doubts and it makes the Templars appear much more powerful than they actually are. A tactic seen in a lot of authoritarian systems.

This is why more times than not, any new apprentice of the Circles are children, easier to mold. It also makes them easier to recapture if they escape. However, adult apostates, especially those who have never been inside a Circle, such as Hawke, Morrigan, and Merrill, prove a much higher danger to them. They lack the mental conditioning and that eliminates a lot of the Templars' strength/.

The advantage swings so far the other way that it's a general rule to try and kill non-Circle apostates instead of trying to take them in alive. And the success rate of killing them is incredibly low, a fact that Chantry keeps secret for obvious reasons. Any survivors are told to shut up, with the consequences being basically what happened to Sampson.

Once blood magic and spirit-bonded mages come into play, it's over for the Templars. As their powers affect fade-based powers only and spirits are just too powerful for them to counter, even in larger numbers. However, encounters with either are very rare.

The main reason I came up with this HC is that I felt Templar powers were too much of a universal trump card for all magic and I never liked those types of anti-magic powers. It's just so boring.

But at the same time, I didn't want them to be a complete joke. So I added a little bit of nuance to them. Sorry if this isn't well written, my brain is fried from school.

The fascinating thing to me is that Templar abilities seem almost tailor-made to be used on Circle mages. If the mage has ways to defend themself other than magic (which, any apostate would likely know at least one other means of fighting just so they wouldn't be reliant on their magic in a fight) or uses a form of magic that the Templars can't mess with (blood magic being the prime example), Templars can't do shit to them. Circle mages are specifically blocked from learning how to defend themselves with mundane weapons and blood magic and spirit possession are eeeeeeeeeeeeevil, which keeps them vulnerable to Templars. Plus Circle mages are blocked from meeting non-mages other than Chantry people and Templars, so they never get the chance to ally with non-mages who wouldn't be affected by Templar abilities; the fights in the games featuring loads of Templars are a lot easier with some non-mage party members! And yeah, if you look at the companions and the various codex entries it does look like Templars fail to capture apostates more often than not, except for when those apostates are Circle escapees.

I think the thing with the Templars that gets missed a lot is that they're not some sort of Chantry super-soldier. They're bullies. You'll note they tend to fold the second they're faced with any sort of actual threat! Circle mages are conditioned to be terrified of them, which keeps them vulnerable. Meanwhile apostates are still scared of Templars, but they don't have that learned helplessness and would know ways to defend themselves that don't rely entirely on magic that they know their greatest enemy can neutralize. Side note, this does almost certainly mean that the prevalence of mages turning to blood magic that the Templars insist is what they're protecting people from only exists because of Templars, because those mages don't want to be left without magic if the Templars catch up to them. But Templars just... are not anywhere near as big a threat to a mage who's lived outside the Circle, especially not one with allies to support them. See the Dalish clans, who the Templars largely leave alone (although with some exceptions) despite them passing through Chantry lands; that's not because they've abruptly developed some respect for other cultures, that's because the Keepers and their Firsts are competent mages comfortable with their abilities and because the clan will defend their mages. The Templars aren't going to pick a fight with them! In other words I don't know if it's a willpower thing, but definitely being raised with that sense of learned helplessness and terror leaves Circle mages vulnerable to Templars in a way apostates aren't.

#dragon age #asks #spikerwolf5896

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oc-name-database · 2 years

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Hi I was wondering do you have any ideas For names who use fire/smoke Mage please (ive been struggling a while on this one , to be honest 😝) (it’s mostly for father and son due who uses fire magic if that helps 😊) please , if it’s not to much trouble

Hi! No trouble at all! (Sorry it’s taken me so long to answer these!)

For this situation, I would start with root words, and find names from there. It really depends on your characters’ cultures if this would work because if I’m being honest, I’m only familiar with the mechanics Latin roots, so take all of this with a grain of salt. (All of the names listed are regarded to be male names.)

Root: Igni (meaning: fire/burning)

Ignatius (Latin origin)

Ignacio (Spanish origin)

Agni (Sanskrit origin)

Inigo (Spanish origin)

Root: Sol (meaning: sun)

Sol (Spanish origin)

Anatole (Greek origin)

Sulien (Welsh origin)

Solaris (Latin origin)

Root: Brent (meaning: burnt)

Brando (Italian origin)

Branton (English origin)

Brenton (English origin)

Brand (English origin)

Root: Helio (meaning: sun)

Elio (Italian origin)

Apollo (Greek origin)

Helios (Greek origin)

Root: Aiden (meaning: fire)

Aiden (Irish origin)

Aidan (Irish origin)

Kiran (Sanskrit origin)

Hayden (English origin)

Keegan (Irish origin)

Egan (Irish origin)

Hagan (Irish origin)

Other names I’ve found in my research for this ask:

Cyrus - Sun (Persian origin)

Cole - Black coal (English origin)

Kenneth - Born of fire (Scottish origin)

Aarush - First ray of sun (Hindi origin)

Flint - Rock to start fires (English origin)

Surya - Sun God (Hindi origin)

Fintan - White fire (Irish origin)

Uri - My flame (Hebrew origin)

Ra - Sun god (Egyptian origin)

McCoy - Fire (Irish origin)

Tyson* - Firebrand (English origin)

Seraphim - Fiery (Hebrew origin)

Cymbeline - Sun hound (Celtic origin)

Sampson - Sun (Hebrew origin)

Ishaan - Sun (Hindi origin)

Keahi - Flames (Hawaiian origin)

Haco - Fire (Cornish origin)

Horus - Sun god (Egyptian origin)

Nuri - Fire (Arabic origin)

Conley - Chaste fire (Anglo-Saxon origin)

Conleth - Chaste fire (Irish origin)

Bhaskara - Shining (Sanskrit origin)

*Associated with Chicken Nuggets in the United States of America, so use with caution

#asks

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linandara · 1 year

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Remembering Agnes Sampson who was executed for being a witch on this day in 1591 and many other victims of witch hunts. C.S. Lewis said: "Three hundred years ago people in England were putting witches to death. Was that what you call the 'Rule of Human Nature or Right Conduct?’ But surely the reason we do not execute witches is that we do not believe there are such things. If we did—if we really thought that there were people going about who had sold themselves to the devil and received supernatural powers from him in return and were using these powers to kill their neighbours or drive them mad or bring bad weather—surely we would all agree that if anyone deserved the death penalty, then these filthy quislings did?" No, we wouldn't, Mr Lewis. No persecution ever should be based on belief without evidence. Or on evidence obtained with torture. Anyway, there is a picture of a witch and for me mages and witches symbolise aging properly ("disgracefully?"). Not withering away in front of a tv, for sure... I keep thinking, it's either becoming a witch, or perishing in a random ditch, or, maybe there are some interesting intentional communities taking elder folks in? #witch #shaman #shamanic #power #card #linandara #isitreal #escape #innerwork #digitalart #layersofexistence #freedom #feeltheforce #thoughts #illustration #history #life #woman #aiart #ai #calendar #January #livingmeaningfully #fakephotography #adventurethatislife #iamdreamer #mystery #otherness #weird #agingdisgracefully (at Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, Powys) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn-N2BgNZu5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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tomorrowedblog · 1 year

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Friday Releases for December 9

Friday is the busiest day of the week for new releases, so we've decided to collect them all in one place. Friday Releases for December 9 include Pinocchio, The Whale, Empire Of Light, and more.

Pinocchio

Pinocchio, the new movie from Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, is out today.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro reinvents the classic tale of the wooden marionette who is magically brought to life in order to mend the heart of a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto. This whimsical, stop-motion film directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson follows the mischievous and disobedient adventures of Pinocchio in his pursuit of a place in the world.

The Whale

The Whale, the new movie from Darren Aronofsky, is out today.

From Darren Aronofsky comes The Whale, the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

Empire Of Light

Empire Of Light, the new movie from Sam Mendes, is out today.

Set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s, EMPIRE OF LIGHT is a powerful and poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema, from Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes.

Looking For Her

Looking For Her, the new movie from Alexandra Swarens, is out today.

When her family guilt-trips her into going home for the holidays and bringing her girlfriend along, perfectionist Taylor concedes, but there’s one little problem: they broke up. Not wanting her family to know, Taylor hires an actress to pose as her girlfriend.

Something From Tiffany’s

Something From Tiffany’s, the new movie from Daryl Wein, is out today.

Nothing compares to the magic and excitement of the holidays in New York City, where the streets blaze with lights, windows dazzle and a special box from Tiffany could change the course of a person’s life. Or several lives. Rachel and Gary (Zoey Deutch, Ray Nicholson) are happy enough but not quite ready for that big commitment. Ethan and Vanessa (Kendrick Smith Sampson, Shay Mitchell), the perfect picture, are just about to make it official. When a simple mix-up of gifts causes all of their paths to cross, it sets off a series of twists and unexpected discoveries that lead them where they’re truly meant to be.

Dragon Age: Absolution

Dragon Age: Absolution, the new TV series from Mairghread Scott, is out today.

With great power at stake, a group of mages, fighters, and thieves goes head to head against a sinister force possessing a dangerous artifact.

Little America S2

The second season of Little America, the TV series from Lee Eisenberg, Emily V. Gordon, and Kumail Nanjiani, is out today.

Inspired by real stories of immigrants from around the world who are pursuing their American dream, the highly anticipated second season of “Little America” will feature performances from Phylicia Rashad, Alan S. Kim, Ki Hong Lee and more.

Random Acts of Flyness S2

The second season of Random Acts of Flyness, the TV series from Terence Nance, is out today.

Artist, musician, and filmmaker Terence Nance returns for a long-awaited second season of the acclaimed series Random Acts of Flyness. Exploring the metaphysics of Black life through avant-garde storytelling, the second season follows Terence (Terence Nance) and Najja (Alicia Pilgrim), a couple working towards healing generational wounds and reintroducing themselves to the ways of their ancestors. Each of the six episodes explores a different dimension while presenting a rich tapestry of audio and visuals to illustrate the spiritual practice of Black liberation.

Choo-Choo Charles

Choo-Choo Charles, the new game from Two Star Games, is out today.

Navigate an open-world island in an old train, upgrade it over time, and use it to fight an evil spider train named Charles.

SOS

SOS, the new album from SZA, is out today.

#Games #Movies #TV #Music #News

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literallycreativelylit · 2 years

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About The Hawkins Coven

The trail-blazing Hawkins Coven with their infamous fire magick and affinity for the theatrical and culinary arts. #fantasy #teen #yafiction #myoc #originalcharacters #blog #blogger #indieauthor #magic #supernatural #witch

Coven Heads Cyrus Hawkins – Patriarch (Rank 5 Fire Mage), 2003-present Cole Riddle – Rank 5 Alchemist Carolina Silva – Rank 5 Healer Kordell Fox – Rank 5 Fire Mage 💁🏽 With their specialty being pyromancy, the patriarchs of this coven are almost always fire mages. Alchemists and healers are also prevalent here, and the rest are simply mages. Former Heads Sampson Hawkins – 1978-2003 Keagan…

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star-the-gremlin · 2 years

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Fuck it Imma list a lot of things I might hit one for Maidens Knight AU

Is Kim a

Messenger

Chef

Scout

Footman (Military)

Prince

King

Sampson's apprentice

Teacher

Butler

Mage/Wizard/Alchemist/Druid etc etc

ehehe, none of the ones listed

#ask #answered ask #a maiden's knight au #kim le chien #this is gonna be fun

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ghost--dragon · 5 years

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"There was a whole box of those frilly Orlesian cakes on my desk. All that's left is crumbs..." *gives Ambrose the side-eye*

“ Was there? Are you sure that you left them here? What if this box is meant to simply catch crumbs? “

As much as she wanted to, she really couldn’t talk her way out of this one. Twelve frilly cakes, gone in a matter of minutes. There was even a little smudge of icing on her lower lip. Perhaps she should stop skipping breakfast.

#{ Templar Never Forgotten } Sampson #{ Man Of The Hour } Shield-of-shame #{ A Mage and Her Friend } IC #{ It Seems As If Someone Has A Question } ANSWERED #( She would 100% do this nonsense)

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rusted-pipe-of-wisdom · 3 years

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Poetry 4 for Sampson/Anders.

@contreparry sent the same but ship-free so I decided to tackle it and... this happened.

Thou art a symbol and a sign To Mortals of their fate and force; Like thee, Man is in part divine, A troubled stream from a pure source.

---

"This..." Samson had to pause to clear his throat. "This one's gotta be your craziest idea yet."

They stretched into the darkness of the catacombs - the strings of barrels, stuffed to the brim with coarse crimson powder. There were many of them. Rows upon rows upon rows. The sand flooring has turned red with the accursed dust; it reeked of piss and gunpowder, stench sharp enough to wake the dead.

The dead slept, however. Rows upon rows of them, too. They slept and cared not for the mage who was about to send them flying up sky-high.

The rat bastard had slipped. Samson had enough of a templar left in him to spot the bluff, but in this case he could have been as well living with his eyes and ears shut - Anders couldn’t lie to save his life. Literally.

He let his hood fall back now, knowing he was caught and had nowhere to hide. The light of searing torches danced upon the gold of his hair. In this contrast of light and dark it became obvious how exhausted he was: the haggard features, the untamed stubble, the lilac imprints of insomnia. He never slept much and was always tired, but this was different.

Samson circled the crypt in slow, careful steps. There was a slight draft coming from the stairs. It rocked the lethal garlands ever so gently, producing a subtle sound. Like the creaking of a ship in the docks.

“I told you to stay away!” There was a desperate tremor in Anders’ voice. “Dammit, Raleigh, why can’t you listen when I talk?”

“It’s like listening to two snails going at it. Gets boring by the second hour.”

Anders choked on a mad laughter. His fingers trembled. Samson instinctively took up a defensive stance - the kind that his trainers have drilled into him to the point of automation. Except he was unarmed and has not been taking lyrium for more than a year. If Anders, or whatever was left of Anders inside of that man, wanted him dead, there was nothing he could do.

But then again, it’s not like he was against the idea.

“You do know what this means, right?.. There will be war.”

“I imagine so, yes. If not, perhaps I’ll take out another one and see what happens.”

Samson let out a bitter, barking laughter.

“When Meredith finds out-”

“With any luck she won’t live to.”

“That so...” He relaxed. The visible surprise on Anders’ face brought him an odd sense of joy. “Well then, general. Where’s your army?”

“Right here.”

Anders raised the torch.

Samson took a step back, dumbfounded. He hadn’t noticed them. They stood still like salt pillars. Hooded cloaks covered their faces. They didn’t seem to even breathe, aiming to make themselves invisible. Only Anders stood out, dark mantle swirling in crimson dust around his boots.

“The Underground?..”

“The Underground.”

“But the guilt is yours alone, I take it?.. You fucked-up messiah. They’ll kill you.”

“Maybe it’s for the better.”

A moment of tense silence stretched between them. A possessed apostate and a disgraced templar. Wounded pride, broken promise. Pact made in the Void, some might say. Only they both knew that their real enemy reigned high up above them, above the crypt, above the bodies, above the lives He had disregarded, above His abandoned flock, above the thieving priests and lying saints. Above Kirkwall, the Free Marches, the continent.

He really didn’t care. Else He’d never let them be here.

Samson rubbed his palms together and rolled up his sleeves.

“Fuck it,” he said, and spat on the floor. ”Let’s do this.”

---

@dadrunkwriting

#dragon age #dragon age fanfiction #da2 #anders #raleigh samson #brotp: two birds #TWO BIRDS TWO BIRDS TWO BIRDS KJSEFKJSDGKJL #dadwc

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everythingisblue-if · 11 months

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NEW CHARACTERS

New side characters you’ll meet in chapter one of the Everything Is Blue rewrite, and whose portraits will be displayed in-game:

Meet Brewer (left) and Sampson (right)

Brewer the Soldier (male)

Brewer is a soldier in the Blue Army; the soldier who will take M’s place as second command to B, once M becomes your knightly protector. (You’ll know more about him as the story progresses)

Sampson the Mage (male)

Sampson is a mage medic (healer) for the Blue Army. You might see him more should the crisis arise in terms of war. (You’ll know more about him as the story progresses)

I kinda I forgot about them until I tested the game and saw that I put them in there 🫢

#everything is blue #if #interactive fiction #sampson #brewer #side characters #new characters #sorry for forgetting them #I never throughly read thru the game #but I saw them in the side menu and went 😳

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novamm66 · 4 years

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Red Sky in the Morning - Chapter 24 - Sailor’s Delight.

This is it folks. The conclusion to my (first) story. I am a bit sad. This has been one wonderful journey for me and I have learned so much.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Everything happened at once. Imshael screamed and exploded into its demon form the moment it lost contact with Kiaya’s magic. Dorian retracted the spell, and suddenly Kiaya was flying through the air to crash into Sera’s arms. The moment Kiaya’s knees hit the floor, she vomited, but she pushed Sera’s hands away.

“Go,” she croaked, “Help them.”

Kiaya’s head was spinning, and her eyes wouldn’t focus as she tried desperately to track what was going on. Dorian was casting while Sera was off to the left. Still, Kiaya couldn’t see far enough to know what was going on anywhere else.

Kiaya focused on Dorian’s feet and the snap of Sera’s bowstring, trying to ground herself. She was utterly useless in this fight, which was the point, but she would not abandon her friends and let unconsciousness take her. A call from Sera drew her attention, and Kiaya watched as the rogue raced to Varric’s aid before he was overwhelmed. This left their flank open, and an enemy fighter less than nine paces away. He was held in a trap for the moment but quickly fighting free.

“Dorian,” Kiaya croaked.

“I see him,” Dorian answered. Then the fighter broke free. “Shit! There’s nothing I can do!” Dorian was balancing two spells already, and dropping either one of them was not an option. The fighter charged at the mage, ready to cut him down, but Kiaya lifted herself on hands and knees and lunged directly into his path.

Kiaya took his boots to her ribs before the man fell, trapping her beneath his legs. She tried to roll away, but she was too weak to push him off. She heard Dorian scream her name, but her vision was filled with the sword rising above her.

Before the blade could fall, Cole appeared and opened the man’s throat. The sword clattered to the ground next to Kiaya’s head, and in a blink, Cole was gone. It took all of Kiaya’s energy and focus to struggle free of the dead man. She crawled until she came up against stone, then collapsed. She tried to open her eyes to see what was happening, but she couldn’t move. She could hear the ebb and flow of battle, heard Imshael’s screams fade to silence. She tracked the footsteps of her friends as they approached her.

“Kiaya, can you hear me?” Dorian’s fingers pressed to her throat.

“What happened?” Cassandra was panting, but she sounded unharmed.

“She saved my life and took a hit to the ribs for the trouble. She’s alive.”

“Heal her,” Sera demanded from near Kiaya’s head.

“I can’t, not with mage bane in her system,” Dorian replied. Kiaya could practically hear him roll his eyes. “Help me sit her up.”

Kiaya felt a bottle pushed between her lips and tasted the bitterness of an elfroot potion across her tongue. Kiaya felt her strength return, and she opened her eyes and lurched to her feet.

Hands reached out to stop her, but she shook them off. “I have to know. I have to walk.” Kiaya took a few steps, her hand never leaving the wall. “Ok, that’s enough of that.” Kiaya sagged against the wall before Bull caught her and lowered her down to the floor.

“Easy,” he chuckled.

You’re a bloody fool.” Dorian knelt in front of her. “Attacking an armed opponent like that. How many fingers do you see?”

Kiaya squinted at Dorian’s outstretched hand, “Four, but I’m assuming the two floating around not attached to anything aren’t real.”

Dorian shook his head and started checking to see if anything was broken. Kiaya glanced around, taking comfort in the smiles of her friends.

“Imshael?” Kiaya had to ask.

“Gone,” Cassandra answered. “Banished back to the fade.”

“Thank fuck. Can we go home now?”

—

Kiaya’s happy relief lasted until they entered Skyhold’s lower camp. It was evident by the activity that something had happened. Skyhold itself was just as busy, everyone moving with haste and purpose. Loaded wagons were rolling through the gates. Kiaya asked her friends to stay ready until she figured out what was going on, and she headed for the war room immediately. The advisors were leaning over the map, but they straightened and smiled when Kiaya entered.

“Welcome back, and congratulations,” Cullen said warmly.

“Thanks,” Kiaya reached for and squeezed his hand. “What’s going on?”

“Corypheus has surfaced again,” Leliana answered. “His army is tearing up the Arbor Wilds.”

“Just for fun? Or are they looking for something?” Kiaya frowned.

Cullen shook his head. “It’s definitely a search for something. Whatever it is, it’s unlikely that we want him to have it.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Kiaya stared at the map, calculating the distance. “I guess there is no reason to unpack then.” She sighed.

Josephine patted Kiaya’s hand with sympathy. “You and your team can rest and ride out tomorrow. You will be able to catch up to the army quickly, which will be leaving within the hour. We have also just received confirmation the Orlesian troops we requested will meet you there.”

Kiaya glanced up in surprise. “Our army isn’t enough?”

“Reports have the red templars outnumbering us. I would guess it is most of his forces.” Leliana’s voice was grim.

The lightness Kiaya had felt from returning home was gone. Corypheus was still out there, and this time they had no idea what he was planning. “Alright, can you let everyone know to be ready to ride out again tomorrow at first light?” Kiaya asked.

“Of course,” Josephine answered and hurried out the door. Leliana followed her, leaving Cullen and Kiaya alone.

“It figures,” Kiaya sighed as she turned and sat on the edge of the table. “I’m getting back, and you are leaving.”

Cullen chuckled as he moved in front of her and placed his hands on her face. “I’m glad you are back in one piece. Are you alright?”

“Yes, although Corypheus has put a damper on our success.”

Cullen expressed his relief by kissing her slowly, deeply. Kiaya sighed her disappointment when he stopped, Cullen smiled down at her. “I wish we had more time, but I have to leave.”

“I was really looking forward to celebrating with you tonight,” Kiaya huffed.

“I know,” Cullen laughed, pulling her to her feet, “but I promise to make it worth the wait.”

—

“Where is she?” Cullen stormed into the tent where Leliana was questioning Samson as quickly as his bandaged leg and walking stick allowed. Cullen had taken an axe to the thigh while protecting Kiaya at the gates of the temple. She had been forced to leave him bleeding in the water as she raced Corypheus to the temple, and that had been the last time they had seen each other. It was easy for Cullen to let his desperation show.

Samson, stripped of his armour and chained, sneered at him. “How would I know? Bitch left me for dead.” His injuries from the battle had been healed, so they weren’t life-threatening, but he still looked battered from his encounter with Kiaya’s team.

Cullen was ready to lunge at the man, but Leliana beat him to it, striking Samson across the face hard enough to bloody his lip. “You are not in the best position for glibness. Next time I will let the Commander pummel you.”

Cullen leaned across the table that separated them. “Where would Corypheus take them?”

“That was always your problem, Rutherford: Always asking the wrong questions.” Samson grinned as Leliana shifted. “Corypheus has no interest in taking anyone anywhere. If he had caught her, all you would have found is the pieces.”

Cullen’s vision went red, and he reached out and slammed Samson’s face into the table. Touching the other man-made Cullen feel ill: he could feel the lyrium in Samson’s veins, and he backed away while Samson laughed through the blood streaming from his broken nose.

Leliana had watched the exchange with a relaxed smile. “Thank you, Commander. Perfectly done.”

Samson continued to snicker as the two moved to leave the tent. “Just look at us now, Rutherford. How far we have come,” he called after them. Cullen paused, but he didn’t rise to the bait, and Sampson’s gurgling laughter followed him out.

“You were right, he did respond better to you,” Leliana said as they walked the short distance to the command tent.

Cullen shook his head in disgust. “He has nothing left to lose and has no reason to tell us anything. I am glad he couldn’t resist taunting me even if we didn’t learn anything more useful.”

“We know it’s likely that Kiaya and the others are alive, given what Samson just said and the fury that Corypheus was in when he left. With three of the most powerful mages in Thedas, they are likely somewhere safer than we are.” Leliana touched Cullen’s arm reassuringly. “The question is, what do we do now?”

Cullen sank into a chair, his freshly healed wound throbbing from the short walk. “I would like to leave two divisions to help the Orlesian army flush out and deal with the remaining red troops. They do not seem to be organized, so it’s likely he has abandoned them, but they still pose a threat. A small compliment will ride back with us, and three divisions will follow quickly to bolster Skyhold’s defences if Corypheus strikes at us there. The remainder of the army will travel back with the wounded.”

Leliana nodded at his plan. “When do we ride out?”

“Tomorrow. I don’t like leaving Skyhold’s weakened as it is, and it’s the first place Kiaya will send word.”

—

To: C.C. & L.N.

We are back in the Sky. We are safe and well.

Are you?

—

To: K.T.

Message received. We are two weeks out from joining you.

I am well. Thank the Maker, you are alright.

—

Cullen’s heart was pounding in time with his horse’s hooves as he rode onto the battlefield. It was Solas who approached as Cullen dismounted, the mage looming in Cullen’s vision. His voice echoed when he spoke.

“Corypheus is defeated, but the Inquisitor is dead.”

Cullen surged forward, his vision narrowing to what lay on the ground beyond.

Cullen bolted upright, his heart pounding wildly as his eyes darted around the room and canopy above until they landed on the sleeping woman beside him. Amazingly, Kiaya had not been disturbed by his outburst, and Cullen focused on her face, trying to slow his breathing to match hers.

It was only a dream. Cullen told himself. Once his heart stopped racing, Cullen shifted out of bed carefully and dressed. He wasn’t going to fall asleep again, and Kiaya had only just returned from a round of missions. She deserved all the sleep she could get.

Cullen had trouble setting into his work. His mind kept bringing back images from his dream. Eventually, he made his way to the Chantry, with the sun still well below the skyline. He knelt in front of Andraste’s statue and prayed until sunlight bathed Her face. When he finished and turned to leave, Kiaya was watching him from the doorway. He quickly crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.

“Are you alright?” Kiaya asked as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“Better now,” Cullen sighed into her shoulder.

“Nightmares?” She asked.

Cullen nodded. “I didn’t want to disturb you.” He held Kiaya tighter. “I can’t bear the thought that you have to face Corypheus again, that I have to send you against him, and there is nothing I can do. Kiaya, I…” Cullen’s words shuttered to a stop, and his breath rushed in and out of his lungs.

“Shhh. I know.” Kiaya sighed and stroked his hair. Her fingers travelled to his jaw, and she looked deeply into his eyes. “Nothing is for sure, but I promise you that while there is life in my body, I will fight with everything I have to make it back to you. Our luck has gotten us this far. I love you, Cullen.”

They stood in the morning light, wrapped in each other’s arms until the breakfast bell sounded.

“Shall we eat before getting to work?” Cullen asked, keeping her hand in his as they moved out into the gardens.

“Unusual for us, but let's try it.” Kiaya laughed.

A few steps short of the doors to the main hall Kiaya froze. “Cull-” but her voice cut out as the mark snapped to life, and Kiaya doubled over and screamed.

“Kiaya!?” Cullen panicked, his eyes darting around the peaceful garden for any sign of a threat, but there was nothing that looked threatening. Doors and windows were banging open, but that was apparently in response to Kiaya’s cries.

The mark stopped as quickly as it had started, leaving Kiaya gasping on the ground. Before Cullen could do or say anything, Kiaya shot to her feet and took off running. She stopped on the top step outside the main hall doors, her eyes focused on the horizon to the south-east.

“What is going on?” Cullen asked, ignoring the confused voices from behind them.

“I don’t know.” Kiaya sounded strained. With a crack, the mark flared again, and if it wasn’t for Cullen catching her, Kiaya would have toppled down the stairs. Kiaya muffled her screams in Cullen’s shoulder. The mark stopped again, Kiaya’s panting breath the only sound Cullen could hear. A green light split the horizon, and moments later, a boom echoed off the mountains.

“Corypheus has reopened the breach,” Kiaya said. Her face was pale, and her eyes wide as she stared at Cullen. He could feel her shaking against him.

Skyhold suddenly exploded with activity. Alarm bells sounded, and the defensive measures they had put in place filled the air with running feet and shouted orders.

Kiaya looked up at him. “I have to go.” They stood together a moment before Kiaya pulled away and took off towards their quarters and her gear. Cullen headed down the steps to oversee the activity at the gate. Leliana appeared at Cullen’s side.

“Can we send soldiers with them?” She asked.

Cullen shook his head. “We don’t have the numbers. Most of our army is still days away; if we send any troops that we have here, Skyhold will be undermanned and at risk. Kiaya won’t agree to leave our people here unprotected.”

Cullen shaded his eyes. He could just see the signal flags up in the village below. Their soldiers would be organizing the civilians to come up to the fortress. It was going to get very crowded, very quickly.

Cullen and Leliana moved towards the stables as Kiaya and her friends appeared, quickly tacking up their horses. Cullen set Kiaya’s saddle and tightened the cinch while she fastened Rollin’s bridle. Cullen lifted Kiaya up onto the bay’s back, but then he couldn’t let go of her hand.

Kiaya’s fingers squeezed his. “With everything I have,” she repeated her promise. Kiaya kicked Rollin into a gallop, and her party thundered through the gates.

—

Night had almost fallen, but no one was showing any sign of leaving the rookery.

Cullen was pacing back and forth the length of the floor while Leliana was at the spyglass. Josie, Evelyn, Danin and Lyra were sitting on the barrels and crates stacked along the inner railing. They were waiting for news. The Breach had disappeared from the horizon just before midday, but no word had arrived yet.

No one spoke as the light slowly disappeared, the tension was palatable, so when Leliana hissed and swung the glass, everyone jumped.

“It is a raven. One of ours.” Leliana confirmed, and there was a collective sigh. But Cullen couldn’t fully release his worry. It seemed to take forever for the bird to arrive and for Leliana to retrieve the message.

Everyone was silent as she turned back to the group, unrolling and scanning the tiny scroll as she turned back to the group.

The relief in her smile told Cullen what he needed to know before she spoke.

“She won, and they are all alive.”

—

Kiaya stared at the bed canopy above her. She was tired, but sleep was out of reach. This was the first quiet night after the victorious return of Kiaya and her party to Skyhold. The celebration had lasted two days, and the party spread from the keep down to the camp below. Kiaya had been in high demand, and it wasn’t until now that her mind had a chance to catch up.

Kiaya sighed and slipped from the bed. She stirred up the fire and curled up on the couch in front of it. She was going to have to get used to being the Inquisitor. When Evelyn told her that she was pregnant again, Kiaya decided that she would step up and allow Evelyn to have the normal life she deserved. Kiaya was excited for Danin and Evelyn, but she wasn’t looking forward to the public role Kiaya would now fill.

Kiaya reached for her neglected sketch pad and pencil, opening it to a blank page and staring for a moment before starting to draw. Corypheus’s death had not eased the burden from Kiaya’s shoulders, and the victory felt hollow for her. She should be grateful for the ease of his defeat, but it had left her angry, and Kiaya wasn’t sure she would ever be able to let it go.

There was so much damage still left to repair, and much that would never be the same. Before Kiaya had reached Skyhold, Scouts had reported that there were still active rifts, and the red lyrium infecting the land hadn’t receded, while the political and religious landscape was drastically changing. The new Divine would be leaving for Val Royeaux in the next few days, and that would be the beginning of the end of Kiaya’s little family.

The lines on the page began to form a face, and Solas was looking over his shoulder at her. Kiaya was worried about him. He had taken the destruction of the orb personally and had disappeared before she had been able to talk to him. Kiaya knew in her heart that this time he wouldn’t be coming back. The rest of her friends were sticking around to help for a while, but eventually, they would need to move on as well, and that thought made Kiaya’s chest ache.

Kiaya knew that she was worried about the inevitable, and there was nothing she could do about it. Everything was going to be different now, and she was still burned by the mark. She hadn’t told anyone, but the mark’s power had changed: it was stronger, wilder, and it scared Kiaya.

She heard Cullen shift in bed. ”Kiaya?” His voice was foggy with sleep.

“I’m fine. Just can’t sleep,” Kiaya answered. She thought that Cullen had fallen asleep again, but after a few minutes, she heard him get up. He settled on the couch next to her.

“Sweetheart, I can feel your worry.” He kissed her shoulder. “You have done great things, can’t you give yourself a little time to enjoy that?”

“Apparently not,” Kiaya answered. “I know that I should give myself a break, but I haven’t figured out how to do that.”

Cullen waited until Kiaya looked at him. “Whatever happens next, we will face it together.” Truth and love glowed gently in his eyes, and Kiaya’s tension eased. She nodded, unable to think of anything to say. He kissed her tenderly. “Come back to bed. Tomorrow we will figure it out.”

Kiaya followed him and curled in close to Cullen’s chest. He gently rubbed her back, and the warmth and tenderness chased Kiaya’s anxiety away and allowed her exhaustion to pull her under.

She pressed her lips against Cullen’s heart and fell asleep.

********

There we have it. Thank so very very much for reading.

Like and reblogs are always appreciated. Asks are very welcome too.

To read from the beginning the Master List is Here or if you prefer it is here on AO3

#Red Sky in the Morning #cullen/trevelyan #dragon age fanfic #cullen rutherford #female inquisitor #Kiaya Trevelyan

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blood-bound · 10 months

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Haha, I like seeing your wall of text about Mark and his adventures! :D

Lanford has been really sheltered in their Chantry (and abusively controlled by their Sire) since their Embrace in the 70s! And they've actually never had an incident of losing control to the Beast. So I think they'd say "Individuals are not monsters, that's simply a way of categorizing things which frighten or confuse us. Clinging to the belief that Kindred are 'monsters' rather than understanding we are a new life form with different needs and behaviors is like drawing 'here be dragons' on every map. It's just ignorance." Lanny is very fun to play because they are analytical and condescending. They HAVE been punched in the face by a Brujah for not knowing when to shut up XD

They know about the history of the Tremere as mages but they consider thaumaturgy to be perfectly consistent with the prior Hermetic practices, or maybe even superior since it's using the capabilities of vitae to power it. They've never met a mage before but they would be super excited about that! :0 Lanford has met fey creatures and gotten super messed up on their blood though.

Can I ask about Mark's relationship with his Sire? You mentioned his Sire has very powerful blood? (Or, is a low generation?)

hi im feeling like more of a human so i cna finally finish this post and resurrect it from my drafts i am so so sorry for the delay.

GOOD sometimes tremere nerds have to get punched in the face that's just the way it is. Mark can relate to being abusively controlled by their sire or at least, he would if he really realized it <3

Hehe Lanny you don't know shit if you don't know about how much stronger mages are. Too good.

OK yes so Mark's sire is super old idk why the ST lowkey gave special snowflake syndrome but whatever he can have a sire thats over a thousand years old as a treat.

gasp. yes, that means he was around when the tremere went from a mage house to a vampire clan. that's nuts! he was already older than most humans because he was a mage trying to extend his lifespan. thats how he's so GotDamn old.

His name is Julius. I think he's technically 8th gen but he did weird blood sorcery shit to make Mark essentially an 11th gen as far as blood potency is concerned. He uses Mark as a spy/errand boy but Mark doesn't mind because, due to high level blood bond, he thinks Julius helps him a lot (technically does ig) and is really happy when he pleases Julius.

He is starting to recognize that, rationally, the only reason to help him would be out of fear, but the blood bond is still there oc which makes it complicated.

Julius keeps him financially stable, will fulfill basically any minor request Mark makes of him, and due to his high position in the Tremere keeps him safe politically just by being his sire.

In return Mark gives him weekly reports, does various spying things when requested, (largely against Julius's rival, Gaius, which is a whole nother' story), and is basically at his beck and call.

For his part Mark is mostly in awe of Julius, terror in the classical sense; sees him as super powerful, wants to please him; but at the same time recognizes that Julius is fairly like, inhuman and awful, so hides how much he cares abt humans and such, in fact he kinda feels ashamed of it, which is sad :(

Julius had Mark's ex spy on him before his embrace/while they were still dating - he didn't directly do it, but ordered another kindred to get info on Mark and thats how he did it. Basically ruined Sampson's life. So yeah. pretty fucked. A quote that lives in my head rent free is when Mark was concerned about sampson and asked Julius abt him for the first time Julius said "You can have many Sammys" so he clearly doesnt like. get it. lol.

#mark vtm oc #sorry i just NEEDED to get this out of my drafts so i just did stream of consciousness feel free as fuck 2 ask cliarfying quetsions #i hope this made at least a lil sense

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