8061 réponses à ce sujet

[TanithAeyrs]

Corker wrote...

...he would do anything for love, but he won't do that?
*sigh* There are worse earworms to have than Meatloaf, I suppose.

Blame Meatloaf for the prompt.  My youngest loves it and we listened to "the Very Best of Meatloaf" during errands today.

Page topper, needs Aimo art from one of my favorite stories - Shadow of Light Dragon's "The Hunt"

Modifié par TanithAeyrs, 21 septembre 2010 - 03:15 .

[TanithAeyrs]

ejoslin wrote...

 Well, I've been playing with the cutscene editor some more.  I'm not sure if I should ask this here or in the dwarf thread, BUT...  I want an opinion (hah, and to post my youtube links!).

Which dwarf kiss do you prefer?  I have this one, which is the vanilla kiss, fixed.  And I just modded this one, which is my favorite Zevran kiss, extended and slightly tweaked for position.  I haven't released the second one yet, but I most likely will.  So, ummm, opinions?  Is the second one a bit too hot and heavy for an anytime kiss?

I'm a sucker for Zevran kneeling to kiss the dwarf.  Admittedly, the kiss looks better with a longer haired dwarf, but both should also work for males.

 I like them both, but the second one is pure awesome.  Oh my, probably a little much on the streets of Denerim, but the second one is so good I think I'd rather have it a little over the top then be stuck with the vanilla kiss all the way through.

[ejoslin]

TanithAeyrs wrote...

ejoslin wrote...

 Well, I've been playing with the cutscene editor some more.  I'm not sure if I should ask this here or in the dwarf thread, BUT...  I want an opinion (hah, and to post my youtube links!).

Which dwarf kiss do you prefer?  I have this one, which is the vanilla kiss, fixed.  And I just modded this one, which is my favorite Zevran kiss, extended and slightly tweaked for position.  I haven't released the second one yet, but I most likely will.  So, ummm, opinions?  Is the second one a bit too hot and heavy for an anytime kiss?

I'm a sucker for Zevran kneeling to kiss the dwarf.  Admittedly, the kiss looks better with a longer haired dwarf, but both should also work for males.

 I like them both, but the second one is pure awesome.  Oh my, probably a little much on the streets of Denerim, but the second one is so good I think I'd rather have it a little over the top then be stuck with the vanilla kiss all the way through.

I still can't put anything up at DANexus, but I did put it up here on BSN.  My next playthrough is definitely going to be a Princess Aeducan   Thank you!

Edit: It's now up at DANexus.  YAY!  I'm glad it's working again.

Modifié par ejoslin, 21 septembre 2010 - 10:57 .

[TanithAeyrs]

ejoslin wrote...

[

I still can't put anything up at DANexus, but I did put it up here on BSN.  My next playthrough is definitely going to be a Princess Aeducan   Thank you!

Already planned a Princess Aeducan as my next playthrough (only origin I haven't taken all the way to the Archdemon).  Will download the new kiss before I start.   Thanks again for making the game so much better with the ZDF and now another new kiss.  The mods you and Charsen have done have added so much to my game.

[ejoslin]

Gah, you're welcome. I have to admit, the kisses are FAR more fun to test than the bug fixing.

Modifié par ejoslin, 21 septembre 2010 - 11:04 .

[jenovan]

/delurk

Fun prompt, Tanith! And I'm glad I didn't think of that song immediately for no good reason.

[Corker]

TanithAeyrs wrote...
Prompt: Even as a friend Zevran says he will go to the gates of the Black City with you.  But Zevran has his limits; what would Zevran  be reluctant to do, or even flat out refuse to do for the Warden?  Can be serious, funny, or whatever you want.

Oh, my Dalish has a list as long as her arm...

Fly Away

"What I want is to begin again."

Vashti Mahariel tilted her head, her dark face still but hope sparking in her eyes.  "To begin again? A new life, free of these Antivan Crows?"

Zevran nodded.  "I... owe you much," he said slowly, looking at her hands as if they were two snakes he was considering capturing, and wondering how to go about it without being bitten. 

She was not unaware of his interest; but then, he was vocally interested in virtually everyone in the group save Oghren and the dog.  And while he was undeniably handsome, he had seemed a flat ears at heart to Vashti - too content to live among humans and do their bidding.  She had tried, as best she could, to show what it meant to live as a free elf, with the hope that he might understand, might choose a better life for himself.

So, with only a second of hesitation, she took both his hands in her own.  He looked up, surprised, and she caught and held his gaze.  "You wish to live free?"

The intensity, the heat in her voice confused him.  "Yes, I... I..."  Realization dawned and he said slowly, "You are speaking of... something else, no?"

"No.  I am speaking of the only free life for the elvhenan."

"So I thought."  He looked away, and Vashti realized with sinking heart that the new beginning he wanted had not been an elven one.   But he did not draw away, and instead asked simply, "Is that where you will return, when this is over?"

She dropped her head in sorrow.  "I cannot.  I wish that I could, but... I cannot.  I must remain with the Grey Wardens."  She would not bring the taint back to her people.

"Then," and now Zevran did draw his hands back, gently, "I am sorry to disappoint you, my dear Warden, but... as I told you, I have tried the Dalish life.  It... did not suit me."

Vashti's chin came up, and her eyes were dark with anger and dismay.  "Fly to a new gilded cage, then, crow," she spat, "and feast on whatever scraps and leavings the shemlen see fit to toss to you.  It is by far easier than the life of the hunting hawk, I suppose."

He bridled at that.  "There are more possibilities in life than slavery or wandering poverty.  Hawks nest also in the cities."

"And they are the weaker for it," Vashti shot back.  She raised a hand and turned away, not wishing to speak any longer.  "Do as you will," she said bitterly.  No healer could make the blind see.  It was not her fault that he did not wish to leave the humans.  Not her fault.

"I had thought perhaps to remain in your company."  From any of the others, the words would have been heavy with reproach.  Zevran said them idly, as if they were but a passing thought, but they stopped Vashti short regardless.

She did not turn back around.  "You deserve better than that," she said after a moment.  "But do as you will."

[jenovan]

ohh... lovely and painful, Corker. :< Definitely makes me wonder what will become of them.

[caridounette]

@ Corker This is simply awsome. Really. I love when Zev stories arent too fluffy. The Warden's personality shows through very well in such a small text. And it really shows how attached Zevran is without his saying so ( isnt that his special trademark?)





Oh and talking about fluff... those extended kisses are very sweet! Specially the end of the dwarf on ( i think, i jsut watched 4 of them in a row) where he slowly pulls his head back. It would be nice to be able to choose the kiss we want ( like in the dialog options). A little smouch in the street of Denerim or after Zev said said one of his cute banter or helpful dialog, and the big smouch at camp or after the jalousy talk, after Talissen, etc. Could that be possible?

[ejoslin]

Actually, yes, it's possible, but it's a bit of work since I'd have to add to zevran_main.dlg. I was looking at it, though; I can add lines like, "Si Amora," and such to the kisses as well. If I do that, I will NOT make it dialog tweaks compatible -- I'll add different kisses and such at different occasions (I will make it ZevRing compatible and vanilla game compatible). There is a breakup line which I was trying to figure out how to fit in with a kiss, but in a sweet way, maybe just before the arch demon (but I can't think of a line for the warden to lead up to it) saying, "Fare you well, my love, and good luck." But it would be awesome if, when you clicked on Zevran in Ft. Drakon, you would have the option to say something that would lead up to that. The problem is, it's a goodbye, but it's not sad enough for it to be a death goodbye. It's very tenderly spoken, though, so it's not necessarily a goodbye.

Edit: Of course, cmessaz and Hilde are working on a mod that will most likely do all this and more.  I'm just playing around trying to learn how to use the editor.

Modifié par ejoslin, 21 septembre 2010 - 03:46 .

[Sialater]

So... for these prompts... if I do this, can I steal it back and reuse it in my fic? It's a Moira & Zev convo I've got in mind after all.

[jenovan]

Sialater, I don't see why not, a lot of folks are writing their fic-Wardens in their prompt responses

[Sialater]

jenovan wrote...

Sialater, I don't see why not, a lot of folks are writing their fic-Wardens in their prompt responses

Awesome, now to do it without spoiling anything.

[caridounette]

 thanks Ejo, its nice to know it could be possible 

oh and you mentionned fort Drakon... it remembered me how much annoying it is not to be able to kiss a savior LI when they get you out of that cage.  
Does it have something to do with the fact that you control companions for most of the time in there?

[ICevoL]

TanithAeyrs wrote...

Here's the new prompt:

***Banner by Minaleth***



Prompt: Even as a friend Zevran says he will go to the gates of the Black City with you.  But Zevran has his limits; what would Zevran  be reluctant to do, or even flat out refuse to do for the Warden?  Can be serious, funny, or whatever you want.

----

All or Nothing
 
As her companions filed out of the Arl’s dining room, Castielle stayed behind for a few moments to gather herself. She felt the thrill of triumph pass through her. Everything had gone exactly according to her plans – Alistair would be the next king of Ferelden, and she had convinced him to stay in their relationship. She hadn’t expected him to try and set her aside, but it hadn’t been difficult to persuade him otherwise.
 
She was so close to the security she’d always craved – at the side of a man powerful enough to protect her should the Chantry or the Circle try to drag her back to their phallic prison after all this Blight nonsense was dealt with. The victory thrummed through her veins, pulsing excitement into her core. She needed a release, and she had no patience to wait for Alistair to finish schmoozing with the nobles – per Eamon’s instructions -- before they all departed for Redcliffe the next morning. Even if her lover were available to her, Castielle didn’t believe him capable of satisfying the urge within her. Alistair was a tender lover to be sure, but he had far too sweet a temperament for her preference. Half the time she feared contracting diabetes from the sugary behavior he exhibited.
 
No, Alistair wouldn’t do for this hunger. She needed someone wild and uninhibited, and she knew just the one to fit the bill.
 
A predatory smile tilted up her lips as she tossed her long ponytail over her shoulder and went in search of Zevran. She found him easily; he was in the guest room he’d been allocated at the Arl’s estate and, luckily for her purposes, the elf was alone. She knocked to announce her presence and stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her and leaning against it. Her eyes devoured the other elf’s lithe body as her skin tingled with anticipation. She’d caught Zevran looking at her with a hungry expression more than once. Given the stories he’d told her, she had no doubt he would be an excellent lover and more than willing to accede to her request for sensual relief. “Hello, Zevran.”
 
The elf closed up the satchel he’d been packing and turned to her with a sly grin and a raised brow. “Greetings, my dear Warden. You risk loose talk amongst our companions by closing us in here alone. Whatever will they assume we are doing in here?”
 
Little did he know that Castielle intended for said speculation to be fact, without the inconvenient gossip accompanying it, of course. “Everyone is too busy to notice that we’re unaccounted for, at least for a little while.”  Castielle threw an extra sway into her hips as she approached Zevran where he stood next to the bed. She saw his eyes widen and fly to her face, clearly trying to assess her intent. When she was close enough to touch, she stopped walking and traced the lines of the tattoos on his face with the tips of her nails. “I wanted to spend some time alone with you. The next few days promise to be hectic, and I could use your… expertise, with a problem I’m having.”
 
“Hmmm…” Zevran replied, resting one hand on her hip, neither pulling her closer nor pushing her away. “I will assist if at all possible. What is this problem you mentioned?”
 
“I am in need… desperate need, in fact.” Castielle brought her lips up to Zevran’s, catching his eyes and breathing heavily, her tone of voice dropping to one that left no question what she meant. “I’ve seen the way you look at me, and I think we both owe it to ourselves to explore what’s between us.”
 
Zevran brought his hand to her other hip so he had both of them bracketed. He still made no move toward or away from her, and his response blew hot breath against her lips. “I do believe Alistair would object to sharing you, lovely Castielle… or did I misunderstand your conversation earlier? Are you free to be offering yourself to me in this way?”
 
Castielle leaned forward, tracing the shell of Zevran’s ear with her tongue before whispering to him, “He doesn’t have to know. This will just be between the two of us… our little secret, as it were.” She skimmed her mouth along his jaw until her lips hovered over his once more. “I know you want me, Zevran. Just take me and we’ll both get what we want.”
 
Zevran’s eyelids dropped for a moment and she felt his chest expand with a deep breath. He met her eyes again and expelled the breath on a sigh as he extended his arms, the hands on her hips setting her out of his personal space. “You are quite tempting, as you well know. However, I must decline.”
 
Castielle felt her jaw drop in shock and snapped her mouth closed. One cannot seduce when looking like a codfish. “Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?”
 
Zevran retrieved his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. “I will only take you if you no longer belong to another. I find myself feeling rather selfish where you’re concerned. If I cannot have all of you, then there can be no more between us than the friendship we already share.” Zevran caressed the side of Castielle’s neck before he strode past her toward the door. She spun around to watch him, scarcely believing he actually intended to leave her untouched. “If you decide that I am the one you want, bella, I will be waiting for you eagerly.”
 
The door closed behind him with a definitive sound, and a part of Castielle wondered if choosing Alistair had been the right decision after all.
 
--End--
 
(Note: Castielle Surana is the character from my current DAO play-through, and while she has not yet gotten to the Landsmeet, I could see this exact scenario happening with her at that point in the game. It’s what immediately flew to mind when I read the prompt *G*)

[ICevoL]

@Corker -- ooohhh, I love this. Rather heartbreaking to look at it this way, but it makes complete sense to me from both characters' perspective. This makes me even more anxious to do a Dalish playthrough.

[payroo]

@ejoslin: *downloads ALL of them* Dammit you, you are foiling my dwarf playthrough plans to finally get around to romancing Morrigan! That Zevran is kryptonite.



@corker: Vashti is an interesting one, to be sure. I like seeing the clash between her and Zevran's ideas of 'freedom.' I'm hoping she comes round to at least see it from Zev's point of view (since he did try the Dalish life, while she has very little idea as to where he's coming from.)



@ ICevol: Something in me *loves* seeing Zevran defy PC expectations of his man-****ness and act with his own sense of pride/honor.

[Corker]

Ah, Castielle is still one up on my post-Landsmeet dumped f!Cousland who went looking for some revenge breakup Zevran. The dialogue option wasn't even there.



Good choice of motivations, I think. It's easy enough to do an unsympathetic, power-hungry, I-used-him-for-the-crown Cousland; a mage who wants protection is more sympathetic while still being obviously a user.

[Minaleth]

@ corker and icevol - good reading. It's an interesting prompt though the situation is somewhat depressive, seeking the Zevrans limits.

[Corker]

@ICevoL, Dalish playthrough - it was startling. When you get to the Long Road and the ambush, pause and reread the Dalish motto a few times. Then play it through. I never reacted as badly to Zevran's offer as when playing a Dalish. (YMMV if playing a Dalish who couldn't wait to get away from kith and kin, of course.)

[maradeux]

TanithAeyrs wrote...


Here's the new prompt:

***Banner by Minaleth***



Prompt: Even as a friend Zevran says he will go to the gates of the Black City with you.  But Zevran has his limits; what would Zevran  be reluctant to do, or even flat out refuse to do for the Warden?  Can be serious, funny, or whatever you want.

Time: 1 hour

Dark Blood

It had been a long, hard day. Zevran had trained some recruits in sword fighting. Tenuvien was with another group in the Deep Roads to make them familiar with the Darkspawn. Now they finally found some peace, as they sat in the evening sun on the roof terrace of Vigils Keep. The assassin rubbed Tenuvien's shoulders and neck. "You seem so pensive, amore. What crosses your pretty mind?"

The city elf rogue turned to her lover and looked him searchingly in the eye: "You would never join, am I right? Not that I would ask you. I would be too afraid that you would not survive the joining, but ... "

The Elf chuckled. "You know, there are ..."

"Yes, I know," she interrupted, "liquids that you would never touch. But I know you. This is one of your famous jocular excuses. There is more behind, isn't it? Otherwise... You are not the type who would fear a bit of tainted blood."

Zevran looked at his wife very seriously and thoughtfully. "There is something I've never told you, that I have never told anyone, it is one of the secrets of the crows, a secret of their power ..."

***

The young assassin was just twenty when one of the masters, who had been kind to him, asked him for an interview. He admitted that he would like to see him as his successor. But he had to do something to gain an ability that characterizes the masters of the crows, it made them special. It gave them unprecedented power, the master said. Magic was involved.

Zevran had been blindfolded, the place was secret. A windowless room, where hundreds of candles were burning. On an altar in the center - which was stained with a lot of old blood from fromer rituals - lay a young man. He was alive, his chest was moving quietly to and fro, his eyes were closed, as if he were sleeping peacefully.

"It is important that they are still alive." An unfamiliar elf in a long robe said, "I am Master Dendayar. And a mage. Come over here. I must prepare you." It was difficult to determine the age of this elf. A hood covered his hair, its shadow fell deeply in his face. His voice was deep and sonorous.

Zevran went to the assigned place. The master rubbed Zevrans left forearm with a liquid from a blue-tinted vial. It prickled on the skin, a feeling between tickling and burning. The magician took a knife, cut into a vein in that arm and collected some of Zevran's blood in a bowl.

With the bowl, he went to the young man on the altar, cut into a vein on his neck and also let fall some of his blood into the bowl. He put the jar on a stone table, opened another vial with a purple liquid and let fall a few drops into the mixture. Then he concentrated, muttered something and fired short bursts from his hands. They transformed the dark red liquid in the bowl into a black substance. This he brought to the young assassin. "Drink this!"

Zevran hesitated: "Blood? I shall drink blood?"

"It is not simple blood," the master said. "It is a magical mixture. And you have to drink it while it is warm, otherwise it was all in vain." He put the bowl in Zevran's hands. His gaze allowed no opposition.

The elf took the cup to his lips, closed his eyes and drank. The substance tasted disgusting. It burned in the throat and stomach. It was hard for him to quell the nausea.

"Well," said Dendayar. "Do you feel something?"

"No," replied Zevran honestly. "I'm just sick."

The Master laughed: "The best answer that anyone has ever given me." Zevran was again blindfolded. He was led blindly around the room. Finally, someone gave him a dagger in his hand: "Find him," he heard the sonorous voice of the master: "Find him and kill him."

In the darkness of his covered eyes, Zevran saw a diffuse red ring and went towards it. As he approached, mysterious runes were visible inside the ring. He was attracted to them, the ring was his goal, he stabbed in the middle. A short, silent sigh was heard. The master took off the blindfold. Zevran's dagger stuck in the heart of the young man on the altar.

"Congratulations, that was good," the mage said with satisfaction. "Not everyone hits his aim the first time as accurately, you have talent. This is now your gift. You have to concentrate, then you can mark your targets magically and meet them more effectively."

"The boy was not just asleep, right?" the assassin asked.

"Of course not, the magic sleep was part of the ritual. And now - take advantage of your gift. From time to time it makes sense to repeat the blood ritual, you will feel if this is necessary. But make sure that the substance is pure. Let it never be contaminated by corrupted blood."

***

Tenuvien closed her eyes and leaned against the shoulders of her lover. It was another dark secret of his past. "So, the skills you have taught me, were not the real assassin skills?"

"They were, except for the magic-blood part. And you should never do that, it could kill you with your..." His voice sounded afraid, he stroke her tired face.

She nodded understanding. "And you really have to repeat it?"

Zevran shrugged. "I would not want to repeat it. Not anymore. Maybe I will lose a part of my abilities soon."

She looked him into the eyes. "You don't need that ritual. You will still remain the best comrade-in-arms, friend and lover I've ever had."

[wildannie]

good stuff!



@corker - I really like the sadness and tension you evoke.

@ICevol - I love this, how Castielle has misjudged him, Zevran is so confident - priceless

@maradeux - This is a really interesting idea, there is such darkness in Zevran's past, I can definitely see this ritual as a very plausible event. I like how it ties in so well with the warden's story.

[Corker]

@maradeux, thumbs up on the lore. Zevran mentions blood rituals in Haven, and the Mark of Death clearly seems to be pseudo-magical - it makes sense to tie them together.

[ICevoL]

@maradeux - I'm echoing what Corker said about your lore use here. Excellent idea and execution. The story was dark but highly plausable. Kudos!

[jenovan]

@ICevoL - excellent. Like payroo said, I love seeing Zevran choosing a bit of self-respect and integrity -- and honesty. But what will Castielle do now, I wonder...



@mara, wow, interesting This is the Mark of Death skill, yes? Nice exploration, as Corker said, of some of the Crows' supposed blood rituals.