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[TEWR]

WARNING: My OP will be long, continuously updated by me to include all my headcanons. So skip ahead, as this is more for me to have them in one spot. You'll find them throughout the thread.

 

Considering how often I talk about my personal world-state in Bioware's DA games on various threads, and how tiring and annoying it would be to have all those posts scattered in different forums in my favorites, I figured it would be a good idea to centralize them in one thread -- and open it up to all the other players out there.

 

Here, in the interest of creativity and unbridled passion, we should take the time to talk about what happens in our world of Thedas. Feel free to talk about anything, from your Wardens to your Hawkes to your Inquisitors. Talk about what happens in Ferelden under the auspices of your writing mind, or abroad. Feel free to share fanart or fanfic! Tell us how you expand on Bioware's canon or rewrite it for what you feel works best! 

 

There is only one rule: Keep it civil. Attack no one's headcanon, attack no one's version of events or their choices, and do not attack the person. This applies to everyone, poster and dev alike (not that I have any authority over the devs nor do I expect them to do this, but it is a good note to post regardless I feel). And if someone does attack your headcanon people, ignore them. They're not worth your time or consideration, because it's about what makes you happy in your world, not what makes them happy.

 

That said, discussion on a person's headcanon is welcome. Ask questions, or point out confusing aspects that might need some elaboration, but do not tell a person they are wrong or a bad person for having something different happen in their universe then happens in yours.

 

I'll start with talking about Tobias Hawke's (my Hawke) brief tenure as Viscount before he was forcibly ousted by the Red Templars.

 

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Tobias began the long hard task of rebuilding Kirkwall after the infighting that tore it apart following Anders' bombing of the Chantry and the subsequent unjust Annulment called down upon the Circle by Meredith the Mad. Having saved many mages from death, many of them chose to flee -- feeling that Kirkwall was the final straw, the nail in the coffin. Just as many elected to stay behind, feeling that it was their home. Bethany was among them, while First Enchanter Orsino wished to bring news of this to the other Circles.

 

Knight-Commander Cullen and Knight-Captain Thrask oversaw dealing with the last vestiges of the Demons and Abominations that poured through in the Gallows and the streets of Kirkwall, with assistance from Aveline (who made a snarky remark that it was "about damn time the Templars did their actual duty". 

 

Tobias also began to institute reforms to Kirkwall, such as changing its layout -- to remove the Tevinter glyph that it was constructed in the form of -- to giving the Elves of the Alienage more freedoms, such as a position of authority in the nobility and the right to bear arms. He also made it so that the Dalish Elves could feel welcome in Kirkwall and trade freely, while granting them a portion of Sundermount as theirs to live in (though he informed them that the Veil would need to be mended as much as possible, and that they could not isolate themselves from Kirkwall). And he also had a group of Mages travel beneath Kirkwall with him to strengthen the Veil.

 

Unfortunately, his assuming the mantle of Viscount and marrying Merrill caused quite a stir with some of the nobility. Though he had stood against Meredith and earned the approval of much of the nobility, a fair portion were upset that a Mage was being allowed to take a noble title, with the added caveat that he was married to "an Elven ******" who was rumored to be a blood mage.

 

These nobles had valid concerns in that they feared Merrill was manipulating Tobias for her own agenda, at least insofar as they were espousing, but these nobles were not acting out of concern but out of spite. They were ardent supporters -- zealotous, really -- of Meredith's reign as Viscount, either because they supported her methods or they benefited from her rule because their opponents were weakened or because they wanted to curry enough favor with her to gain the seat themselves.

 

There was a small uprising that had to be put down, and the nobles were driven out into hiding, but Kirkwall was able to deal with it. Unfortunately, with them in hiding, this allowed the Red Templars to take root. Some of the Templars, who were suffering from the effects of lyrium withdrawal or (again) zealotous supporters of Meredith began to interact with and suffer from the effects of Red Lyrium (a few believed the voice they heard was Meredith, who had somehow "ascended" to a higher plane of existence) thanks to Samson introducing them to it and these same nobles gave the Red Templars their backing. An underground network of shadowy traitors providing coin and connections to a rebel army, that ultimately struck against Tobias and Merrill, forcing them to flee alongside most of their companions.

 

Tobias had Aveline and Warden!Carver stay behind so that they could rally the city's defenses and keep the people safe against this new threat, while he ventured to Starkhaven with Sebastian, Merrill, Fenris, Bethany, and Varric to get Sebastian his place on the throne so that his army could help retake Kirkwall from this new threat. Once that was done, he received a letter from Carver saying that Stroud and Loghain both felt that something was amiss and were investigating Corypheus and that they would be good contacts for him, so Hawke and Merrill took off to investigate red lyrium.

 

Once the Inquisition received word that Sebastian's army was ready to march on Kirkwall to give aid, as the Red Templars had taken control of a good part of Kirkwall and Venatori agents were trying to take the Circle Mages that remained for themselves, they sent their own forces to help out. All out war broke out and while deaths were high, the city was liberated -- though the Mages had to retreat from the Gallows and now the Red Templars are in control of that area, trapped but no less a threat (the Gallows itself is practically a fortress that can be used against Kirkwall's forces should it try to be breached, especially with Venatori mages there).

 

As it stands, it was a Pyrrhic victory for the Inquisition. While they saved the city, they were unable to truly remove the threat in Kirkwall and the Red Templars still have a firm hold on one of the strongest ports of call in the Waking Sea, which they're using to move supplies to their forces through covert channels.

 

EDIT: Oh yeah, forgot to mention that Anders wasn't killed on the spot but was taken in by Donnic and the guardsmen to face trial and execution for his crimes, and his hanging was in the public venue of, funnily enough, the Gallows. 

 

A fitting place, really.

 

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Whooo, that was a lot. Now it's your turn, fellow posters! And if you wish to ask me about my world-state, feel free to do so! Don't just talk about your own, ask other people questions! Questions help us grow as writers!

 

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ON CORYPHEUS' ARMY

 

Following Nasir's dismantling of the Envy Demon's plot to corrupt the Templars that had gathered at Therinfal -- of which though they were substantial in quantity, were not all or even the majority of Templars in Thedas -- Corypheus saw that he could make this defeat work to his advantage. He had placed too much faith in the Envy Demon to carry out its orders without getting too ahead of itself, a mistake he would not repeat.

 

So he saw fit to summon about two dozen Envy Demons through the Veil and bind them to his will, so that they could not do anything he did not wish of them. He then instructed them to go out into the countryside and find people of import and take on those roles. Generals, politicians, well-to-do merchants, ship captains... it didn't matter. All of them would play a role in the rebirth of the Imperium.

 

And so they went, masking themselves as commoners to begin with so they might draw close to people without suspicion, and now there are many people within Orlais and Ferelden that are not truly people, and are causing havoc while covertly helping Corypheus -- unable to truly use their Envy to their desires to go for someone new.

 

Further, Corypheus took the Red Templars he had gained from Kirkwall and had Samson correspond with agents throughout Thedas to see how their efforts fared. They had failed to take control of Therinfal, but there were Templars being taken from Tevinter, Nevarra, the Anderfels, Antiva, Rivain.... every nation had Templars that were being turned to Corypheus' will.

 

Indeed, Rivain was perhaps the one most affected, for the Templars there were thrilled to go to war against the Mages, having slaughtered the Dairsmuid Circle so readily. Knight-Commander Daleth led his Templars to a long abandoned Tevinter fortress, promising his men and women power enough to fight the "ungrateful apostates and maleficarum" -- as you might suspect, this power was Red Lyrium. 

 

In the end, Corypheus' Red Templar army numbered perhaps 15,000 - 20,000 minimum -- taken from all corners of Thedas (maybe more if I feel the need to expand).

 

Similarly, plans were made to take control of the Rebel Mages scattered throughout Thedas. Venatori agents infiltrated numerous cells of refugee Mages and promised to give them safe shelter with their own allies, and many took the offer upon seeing Templar flags in the distance (in actuality Red Templar flags, but this was all part of the ruse). 

 

Under Calpernia, the elderly and the children that these numerous Mages brought with them were to be granted complete safety within the ranks of the Venatori. They were not to be used for ritualistic sacrifice and more importantly were not pressed to fight either. Corypheus saw no problem with this arrangement, for after the Venatori also took control of the remaining Mages in the Circles of Markham and Perendale the Venatori Mages were numbering roughly 5,000 -- this is not counting the original members hailing from Tevinter.

 

And of course you have to factor in the soldiers from Tevinter who joined up, desperate to see the war with the Qunari end. Desperate to return home to their wives, their children, their friends. They want the Imperium to not live solely off of war anymore, but to be where culture flourishes and there is peace again. A longing for the glory days of the Imperium so that the world will be better off.

 

This isn't even addressing the Wardens that Corypheus took control of, or the Darkspawn he's using as a guerrilla army, having them ransack villages and towns in a seemingly disjointed effort. This way, to the eyes of the unknowing the Darkspawn are raiding more and more, but have nothing behind them.

 

It should be mentioned however the Mage-Templar arc is a lot longer in my headcanon then just what the game gave us.

 

--------------

 

On Marisa Lavellan, Recruited by Nasir Cadash into the Inquisition.

 

Marisa Lavellan was born in the year 9:16 Dragon as a cousin to Anessen and Lysa Mahariel. When the Arlathvhenn gathered in 9:21 Dragon (as Merrill is 24 in 9:31 Dragon, she was given to the Mahariel clan in 9:11 and born in 9:07 Dragon), it was discovered that her gift of magic had manifested unusually early. This was seen by Keeper Mahariel (Anessen and Lysa's father) as being a great thing, and it was decided that she and her parents would move towards the Lavellan clan, where she would adopt the last name of said clan.

 

Marisa found that she had to compete with the other children for the position of First, which was not something she took much comfort in. The other kids were, predictably, mean to her and tried to upend her. But when she concocted a plot to get back at them after they left sap in her hair which attracted all manner of insects, she showed them how better-suited she was to be the Keeper's apprentice. To keep a long story short, magic was involved that had her show more mastery then the others (though she was still raw and inexperienced and in fact needed a lot of teaching still. It was just better compared to the others).

 

Marisa's childhood was much like Merrill's, in that it was a very lonely experience filled with study, study, and more study. Often, she would sneak away from the camp to wander through the woods, finding a peace and serenity there she found indescribable but beyond amazing. She had perhaps only three friends within the clan, while she was friendly with the others.

 

When she was 13 years old, she attended the Arlathvhen with her Keeper, as it was called upon early by the Mahariel siblings' clan. Normally, the Keepers were to be sequestered all on their own while everyone else waited and intermingled. Such gatherings of the clans were a time for celebration as well as discovery, where festivities would be held and tournaments competed in, along with marriages performed to strengthen the blood ties between clans and keep them fresh. Keeper Deshanna had promised Keeper Iloweyn Mahariel long ago that they would work together to forge a new future for the Elves and the humans, and bringing Marisa to the rotunda where the Keepers were assembled was meant to be the first step, to give her an edge that would allow her to think on things.

 

Of course, Keeper Marethari had brought Merrill along as well. Deshanna and Marethari had a feud years ago that soured their friendship, and now they couldn't really stand to look at one another. But Merrill and Marisa were deep friends and they were glad to see one another once again. Marisa's memories of Merrill were limited, but what she remembered was a kind soul that would always feed her sweets and play with her.

 

Deshanna was saddened to hear that Iloweyn had passed on before he could tell the world of his news, that there was hope for the Elves to be given justice by the monarchs and lords of Ferelden, something he'd talked with King Maric about in 9:22 Dragon. On his way back to the clan, he and his wife had been ambushed and killed by bandits, and when news of this was learned the Elves demanded retribution and vengeance. King Maric had punished the bandits when he learned of it and had Loghain lead the charge, but some had called for blood still, believing the king had wanted to get rid of the Keeper and now was trying to cover his tracks.

 

At any rate, Merrill and Marisa bid their farewells to one another and she returned to her life wandering the wilder areas of the Free Marches. Fast forward to 9:31 Dragon and she hears that her cousins have played a huge part in ending the Blight. Her heart swells with pride and she stands in admiration of the Grey Wardens, hoping that one day she can meet her relatives. And then she heard that they were to be given lands of their own in Ferelden! She believed that Keeper Iloweyn's dream might finally be coming true. 

 

Deshanna was skeptical and sent a few elves as emissaries to keep an eye on the situation. Seven clans made the journey to the Hinterlands and began to set up shop there, but tensions soon flared up again with the Elves and the humans living in the region (both the Chasind barbarians and the Fereldans). The Fereldans eventually killed a group of Elven children, claiming it was an accident, but the circumstances were too suspicious for the Elves to feel comfortable believing such a tale. Shouts and cries were uttered, profanity-laden language used, and there was a battle that ended with an entire clan being nearly wiped out. The remaining clans left the Hinterlands, knowing that they couldn't make a home there.... not now and possibly not ever.

 

She was saddened to hear the news, but this gave her a sense of resolve. When the first battle of the Mage-Templar War erupted in the Gallows in 9:37 Dragon, her clan ended up giving weary shelter to First Enchanter Orsino, who relayed the news to them. They gave him shelter and food, along with the few Elven mages he brought with him, and he also told them of the Champion's refusal to cull the Mages for a crime they didn't commit. Moreover, he asked them if they were the clan of the woman the Champion was seen with. When they said no, Orsino told them that he thought they were the clan stuck on Sundermount.

 

After a time, he left to go to the other Circles, while Clan Lavellan went to rescue Clan Sabrae with their halla. Upon arrival in Kirkwall, Marisa Lavellan saw Merrill again and was amazed to hear that she was now Viscountess of Kirkwall (Tobias Hawke has a polyamorous relationship with Merrill and Athenril, but Athenril can't afford to be publicly connected to the Champion) and Merrill gave Marisa some of her notes on the Eluvian, beseeching her to not disclose it to anyone so that she wouldn't face the same scorn she (Merrill) did from her clan.

 

Marisa was incredibly curious as to the nature of the Eluvians and upon hearing the tale agreed with Merrill's perception of them, and also promised to deliver them to Velanna if she could -- as Merrill wished of her. With luck, Velanna or Marisa could pick up where Merrill left off, as she began to suspect Kirkwall wouldn't be her home for much longer (Velanna eventually did pick up the Eluvian).

 

When the Mage-Templar War erupted in 9:38 Dragon in full force, the Lavellan clan saw an influx of Elven Mages that wished nothing more then to avoid the horrors of war. They found they could not give enough shelter towards, as they didn't have the resources -- to say nothing of the attention it would draw. So an emergency Arlathvhen was called and the Elven Mages, Orsino among them, spoke up about what they wished. It was decided that they would form their own clans and go their own ways, recruiting from the Alienages. Orsino agreed with the premise, and the gathering was one of the longest yet as there was much knowledge that needed to be shared -- both from the Circle and from the Dalish.

 

Then the Conclave was heard of, and Marisa was sent as a spy to determine how the war would affect Thedas. When the explosion happened, she was buried in a cave-in and had to fight her way out using only her magic, as her staff had broken in two. Inquisition forces eventually discovered her fighting off Demons and took her into custody. 

 

Nasir Cadash interrogated her with Solas and Cassandra nearby and asked of her to join the Inquisition. She very reluctantly accepted, as she wasn't very trustful of this organization (or humans in general).

 

It's worth pointing out that Marisa doesn't hold disdain for the City Elves. She actually respects them, sort of. She certainly admires Orsino when she meets him.

 

 

[LobselVith8]

Considering how often I talk about my personal world-state in Bioware's DA games on various threads, and how tiring and annoying it would be to have all those posts scattered in different forums in my favorites, I figured it would be a good idea to centralize them in one thread -- and open it up to all the other players out there.

 

Here, in the interest of creativity and unbridled passion, we should take the time to talk about what happens in our world of Thedas. Feel free to talk about anything, from your Wardens to your Hawkes to your Inquisitors. Talk about what happens in Ferelden under the auspices of your writing mind, or abroad. Feel free to share fanart or fanfic! Tell us how you expand on Bioware's canon or rewrite it for what you feel works best! 

 

There is only one rule: Keep it civil. Attack no one's headcanon, attack no one's version of events or their choices, and do not attack the person. This applies to everyone, poster and dev alike (not that I have any authority over the devs nor do I expect them to do this, but it is a good note to post regardless I feel). And if someone does attack your headcanon people, ignore them. They're not worth your time or consideration, because it's about what makes you happy in your world, not what makes them happy.

 

It's a cool idea, TEWR.

 

In the aftermath of the crisis with the Breach, the Inquisition stood triumphant, while it's members departed towards their own goals: the mage allies left to establish the autonomous College of the Enchanters, Leliana departed to take up the reigns of the Divine, Cassandra ventured to locate any remaining vestiges of the Seekers of Truth, Varric helped in the restoration effort of the Free Marches, and Vivienne returned to Orlais.

 

As a result of the failure of the Crown to implement the Hero of Ferelden's royal boon for the kingdom's Circle of Magi, Queen Anora and King Alistair sought to bequeath the savior of the Fifth Blight with another boon to remedy their inability to fulfill their promise; the position of Teyrn, and the teyrnir of Gwaren, was gifted to Warden-Commander Surana.

 

Morrigan and Kieran reunited with the Hero of Ferelden (and his faithful Mabari Hound), who used the blood magic practices of Avernus to postpone the effects of the Calling on his mind and body, to give him more time with his family. As he had done years ago when he approached Morrigan at the Dragonbone Wastes, he put aside his life as a Grey Warden to spend his remaining years with his family. The apostate Kieran eventually grew to become the new Teyrn of Gwaren.

 

The Champion of Kirkwall valiantly gave his life to defeat the treacherous Nightmare, and remove one of Corypheus' strongest allies. His sacrifice was remembered by the Orlesian Wardens of Adamant. Inspired by the apostate Champion, they declare it time to emerge from the shadows, and join the rest of humanity. After Corypheus was defeated, Warden Loghain ventured to Weisshaupt.

 

Merrill, accompanied by the Champion's Mabari Hound (who imprinted himself to her), continued to lead the Andrastian and Qunari elves who sought her leadership in the wake of the Mage-Templar War. In the wake of the victory against the Elder One, she lead them to Skyhold in the Dales.

 

While the city-state of Kirkwall was partly in the control of the Prince of Starkhaven, the "victory" allowed the Inquisition to cement control over both the controlled territories of Kirkwall and Starkhaven. With the Inquisition firmly entrenched within the power struggle of the two city-states, an alliance was established with Wycome, a city-state under the control of a council that included Clan Lavellan.

 

The Orlesian Empire remained under the control of Briala, who brought reforms and hope to the elves of her empire. The elves became prosperous in a way that they never had before, and their prosperity drew many elves from distant parts of Thedas.

 

Having drunk from the Well of Sorrows, Revas of Clan Lavellan, and Merrill of Clan Sabrae, pooled their collective knowledge to replicate the magic of the ancient elves, creating an artificial reality within the Eluvians that could sustain the People. After repairing the Crossroads and establishing a sustainable realm for their people, Revas and Merrill lead an exodus of many Dalish clans to a new home where they can be safe from the shemlen, and forge a new future for the next generation.

[raging_monkey]

Well ill start with Pride Hawke's adventures while on the run with merrill
9:37
After watching meredeth turn into statue pride ran from kirkwall with merrill and the gang in toe lest the templars forget that their "champion was rogue like his mage bretheren". As they ran through dark town escaping the fighting and aiding straggler they found anders old tunnels that led out of kirkwall. The following day team hawke departed for their own ways, with hawke telling varric they will be with merrill and her clan and tell nobody of where they were unless a demon invasion came about.

merrill and hawke met up with the clan as they were leaving. With a heart felt apology and genuine guilt merrill was able to be taken back into the clan and pride as a propabtionary member due to his friendship with marethari.

9:38
the next year the two lovers acted as de facto keeper and "arcane associate" helping refugees and avoiding templars and city guards. Hawke during this time began learning more of the dalish and becoming more than a simple outsider... but a friend that kept evil at bay and tutoring some fellow mages in "creative casting".

9:39
After almost a decade of being together and things finally settling down ,pride carved a wooden ring and gathered the clan to propose to merrill having a traditional dalish wedding even though some greatly disapproved

9:40

After 2 years of marriage pride and merrill have a child naming her bethany after his deceased sister who gave her life so he could survive the blight. The clan was glad to have a new member even if she was human.

9:41

upon hearing of a inquisition afoot pride contacted varric to stay informed and upon learning of red lyrium and cory survival he bid his farewells to his wife and child and left to fix his mistake

[procutemeister]

This topic is really interesting. I'll get around to posting my own world state when I have time!

[TEWR]

 

 

I'm curious, what does everyone want when it comes to the outcome of their respective elven Inquisitor? Whether or not it's within the boundaries of the game design, is there an epilogue that you specifically want for your Dalish protagonist?

 

Well, in my world-state where Nasir leads a Lavellan, a Trevelyan, and an Adaar alongside him (and previous companions join the Inquisition as agents), Marisa would like to study the knowledge the Well of Sorrows granted her -- and Merrill, Velanna, Vanessa Surana, Lysa Mahariel, Morrigan, and Nasir -- to learn more about their past, as it's clear that what they remember is a tale that never was, of an era that never existed, with a people that were not as great as they thought.

 

She is torn between wishing to do what you suggested earlier, which is using the knowledge from the Well to create, or find, a new dimension with which the Elves could settle down in peace. While on the surface this seems a good idea, it has drawbacks. It's isolationist in nature, and worse it demands that they be unable to monitor the situation on Thedas. And if somehow the humans were to gain knowledge of the Eluvians and find them, they would be taken by surprise.

 

So she, at Nasir's urging, decides it might be better to take advantage of the political precedent set up in Ferelden, Wycome, Kirkwall and Orlais. With Briala's Eluvian network and her agents everywhere, coupled with Denerim's new Bann of the Alienage Shianni, and Clan Lavellan having a seat on the Wycome City Council, and the few reforms Tobias Hawke and Merrill were able to enact in Kirkwall for the Elves in the Alienage before he fled from the Red Templars shortly into his time as Viscount to begin to help the Elves. 

 

Orzammar also counts itself as an ally of the Elves under King Xanthos' rule, though very few Elves choose to live underground I think. I dunno.

 

With enough time, and influence, the Elves would be better poised to do the whole "Live in another dimension/world" thing and rebuild, as they would be able to receive information from agents stationed in Thedas through Briala's chain of spies.

 

Risky, to be sure, because who knows what the future might bring. Some Elves down the line might distort history and then you have a war between the Elves from this other dimension invading Thedas and the Thedosians therein. Or something else bad might happen. The future is anything but clear, but I think that's where she would start.

 

 

 

This is from the Elven Support Thread, where Lobselvith posted a question to the Elven players. This was what I thought on the spur of the moment, but it merits a lot more depth and exploration.

 

Well in my headcanon my Aeducan was there, along with Loghain (and maybe some other characters. I dunno). But I suppose it would go something like this.

 

Fear Demon: Xanthos Aeducan, King of Orzammar, Hero of Ferelden, Vanquisher of the Blight, and Paragon to not just the Dwarves but to all of Thedas. Do you truly believe you can save your people from extinction? Do you truly believe you can undo centuries of damage? How arrogant of you. All you have done is prolong the inevitable. How many people died because you were too afraid to kill Bhelen, because he was family? How many Dwarves died because of your weakness, their blood paving the way for your throne of lies? And you cling to that spirit of yours -- and indeed, that Spirit -- so tightly. Does death frighten you so? Is that not why you agreed to your beloved Morrigan's offer, so you wouldn't die against Urthemiel? Your mind will rot away, as it does for all Wardens. You cannot escape your fate, Your Majesty. Death will come no matter what, for you and for all those you hold most dear. Your wife in Orzammar and Morrigan and Leliana, your son Kieran, your family and friends. You will lose it all."

 

Xanthos: Do your worst Demon. Nothing you say can change where I stand or who I am. I have killed many of your kind and I'll not fall to false words you utter to compensate for your own weakness, nor idle threats that I've heard time and time again. I am here, I will remain, and you are but a fleeting shadow in the trail I walk. "

 

EDIT: Actually I kinda imagine it would continue past Xanthos' comeback, with the two of them just going at it for a bit with their own retorts.

 

 

While this was pulled from a thread that dealt with if our Warden from Origins was in the Fade with us in Here Lies the Abyss. Being that I have multiple Wardens, each with their own path in my headcanon, very few would've been a part of the Inquisition.

 

Damaeus and Amalia Cousland are Teyrn of Gwaren and Chancellor, respectively. Darius Brosca is Warden-Commander of Orzammar. Lysa Mahariel and Vanessa Surana were helping out Avernus, but Avernus sent aid to the Inquisition (these two being that help) and they were present in the siege of Adamant (uncertain if they fell into the Rift with Xanthos, Hawke, Loghain, Stroud, and Nasir, plus the companions Nasir brought. Merits exploration and thought).

 

Gatrie Amell and his sister are staying with Avernus, while Anessen Mahariel is Warden-Commander of Amaranthine. He sent Velanna to the Inquisition. And Darrien Tabris was traveling the lands on orders of the First Warden.

 

(that's not even touching other Wardens in my headcanon, like Jowan). 

[TEWR]

bump (until I can post in here later).

[Carmen_Willow]

bump - until I can post later.

[teh DRUMPf!!]

Ooh!

 

I actually have two "main" world-states. One I committed to, another that became too cool to be considered second-fiddle or less. I’ll do a little something for all 6 characters. Not all at once, though!!

 

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[DAO/A] **Stream of consciousness ahoy!**

 

Theryn Mahariel was the king of the forest. Born with slight magic in his blood (Keeper father), Theryn had a strange ability to attract nearby animals to attack his enemies, and even accompany his fellow hunters. He was revered by the clan -- all the kids wanted to be like him, and he dallied with female hunters in the forests fairly often. In his upbringing, the clan always told Theryn cautionary tales of humans. While still young, his people tangled with some human and city-elf bandits that killed many of his fellow clansmen, which made him very hateful of humans.

 

Theryn was also very proud of his Dalish background and always dreamed of leading his people back to greatness. That desire to help his people was what led him into the ruins with Tamlen to uncover elven artifacts, only to contract the blight from an eluvian mirror. When encountered by Duncan and offered the cure in exchange for conscription, Theryn grudgingly accepted, knowing his life depended on it but unhappy about leaving behind the world where he lived as a god. However, Theryn did also see it as an opportunity to get a better understanding of the humans and to prove what a Dalish elf can do.

 

After the events of Ostagar thrust him into the role of leading the Grey Wardens, Theryn led with the ulterior intent of spreading the influence of his people. As a leader, he was as dogged and ruthless as he was when leading the hunters of his clan. In the process, he also gradually became less hostile towards humans. He thought Alistair to be a fool, but a genuinely good-hearted one. Leliana was perhaps the kindest soul he had met (if also the most deceptive). And Morrigan was uncannily similar to himself: raised in a forest, enjoying the company of wildlife, not being particularly fond of human civilization and instilled with a survivalist instinct from her upbringing. They had a "misadventure" in her tent one night, but denied it being anything more than that. She fought feelings of love, he fought feelings for a human.

 

He also did the unthinkable in recruiting Zevran, someone who had the look of everything he hated. However, Theryn noted his skill (if inferior to his own) and sought to "enlighten" the flat-eared elf. It was one of his best decisions. Zevran became a good friend, and passed on his great skills as an assassin over to him. Theryn similarly accepted Loghain's surrender at the Landsmeet, though this would spell Alistair's death. Though Alistair always disapproved of what he did, Theryn felt genuinely guilty about blindsiding him like that. But this was war, and if Alistair would not cooperate, he had to make room for one more qualified than himself. Theryn privately planted a tree over Alistair's grave after the Blight was vanquished.

 

Theryn knew the threat of the Blight threatened his people and would sooner die than let it claim a single clan. However, when Morrigan offered him the opportunity to survive the fatal blow of the Archdemon, Theryn accepted. Their night together was magical (lol). In slaying the Archdemon and surviving, Theryn achieved a great deal towards his own ends, taking riches and a title as his boon and using his status to give the elves their own land. However, despite the glory of victory and celebration, one thing remained on his mind that brought him unexpected sorrow: Morrigan was gone.

 

Theryn was called upon to lead the Wardens in Amaranthine, and also contracted by a dwarf interested in crafting golems (a craft Theryn had helped preserve earlier in his adventure through the Deep Roads). Both seemed important and he vowed to see them through. As Warden-Commander, Theryn hit the ground running. Old buddy Oghren joined up, he recruited the healer-mage Anders, and gave Nathaniel the Zevran/Loghain treatment. While not off on missions, Theryn recruited merchants and committed his soldiers to protecting trade routes. Back on the trail, he bumped into Velanna, whose actions he understood (since he was little different before being conscripted) and whom he allowed to join. He also recruited Sigrun, whom he adored like a sister. In the Blackmarshes, he got off on the wrong foot with Justice (sided with the Barronness), but they decided to give each other a chance. Theryn was wrong about humans once, after all, and Justice recognized the Warden's worthy cause.

 

In the final stages of the war with the Darkspawn, Theryn left the city behind, seeing it as a trap he was unwilling to walk into. He got heat for this decision, compounded by the fact he was Dalish. Vigil's Keep held, repelled the Darkspawn, and thrived after the war into a central hub of commerce and the true power of Amaranthine. Things got complicated, though, when Theryn ran into the Architect. After hearing his case, Theryn agreed to ally with the enigmatic emissary, given similar interest in his research into the taint/blight as Avernus (whom he had allowed to continue his research, unrestricted). This, however, led Sigrun and Justice to turn on him after he responded to their objections with dismissive arrogance. Theryn just about spit on Justice's corpse, but killing Sigrun broke his heart and scarred him just as Alistair's death did. In the end, he resolved to take out his anger on The Mother. Noting his previous strategy against Broodmother, Theryn commanded his mage companions to uses AoE magic to keep her brood off of them while he and Nate melted it with arrows, poison, and explosives.

 

Before wrapping up business with the Wardens, Theryn and Velanna agreed to conceive a child together, both wishing to produce a pure-blooded Dalish before leaving behind their people. He had conveniently forgot to put her through the ritual until after the war was settled. Velanna eventually joined the Architect. Theryn left in search of Morrigan. The child was orphaned to a clan Lavellan (see where this is going?)...

 

Theryn also paid Queen Anora a visit -- sneaking into her Denerim castle in the dark of night -- who was about to be unhappily married to Fergus Cousland. However, Anora was always fond of her little elven ally. Theryn knew this, and knew she would need to produce an heir to the throne, so he talked her into doing the deed with someone she trusted. So Anora, in typical human noble fashion, dallied with her elven companion. After it was done, Theryn lied and told Anora he would not seek to use the child some day in the future.

 

Finally, Theryn tracked down Morrigan to an eluvian mirror, coming full-circle with the beginning of his story. In their absence of each other, they had both grown fonder (dirty cheater though he kind of was), and together they walked into the unknown together...

 

... hoo boy. That was wordy. I'll do my canon Hawke next in a separate post and then I'm done for the day.

[teh DRUMPf!!]

DA2 (1/2)

 

Ilda Hawke was the eldest daughter of Malcolm and Leandra Hawke. As a father, Malcolm was firm but fair, and was most fond of his "battle maiden" (the meaning of her name). That name suited her well. Ilda was a fierce combatant, trained in archery and dual-wielding (daggers). She was always tomboyish and enjoyed sporty activities, playing with Carver a lot while Bethany spent more time training with her father away from the two of them. Nobody knows how Ilda developed her aggressive temperament, but she tended to be very direct when spoken to and sought first to pounce whenever problems arose. Though she was a rogue by trade, she was one of the more aggressive than subtle variety (often employing a high-risk/reward style in combat with but few skills in stealth). The only thing deadlier than her demeanor was her looks. Though rough, boyish, and altogether very "Fereldan" in appearance, Ilda had a kind of beauty to her that helped her charm her way out of some of the trouble she got up to.

 

Ilda loved her life in Lothering. It was an idyllic and small town where everyone knew each other and shared in a strong sense of community. Life there was happy, and the family was doing well. Then one day, Malcolm died of an illness, and asked his eldest daughter to help take care of the family just before he passed. Ilda did some odd jobs, took on some postings on the Chanter's board, and managed Old Barlin's tavern (she was particularly useful for killing giant spiders). Three years later, the Blight would claim everything they had.

 

Only Leandra was hit harder by Carver's death than Ilda. Though Ilda enjoyed picking on her little brother and never showed him much affection, she dearly missed her lifelong playmate. As they stuck out to make a new life in Kirkwall, however, Ilda grew much closer to her sister Bethany. As kids, Ilda mostly left her alone, vowing to keep her hidden from the eye of the Templars. Working together with Aveline, however, the two sisters became very good friends. Ilda also came to really value her magic in a fight.

 

They worked as smugglers under Anthenril, though Meeran's job looked safer, mainly because Bethany did not seem to like the idea of being a hired sword. As always, Ilda did what she felt was best/safest for her sister. As smugglers, Hawke was the one getting her hands dirty, whilst Bethany and Aveline -- ever the moral ones -- rationalized that they were there as Hawke's personal bodyguards, defending her from rival gangmen who would kill her. This setup worked exceptionally and put Anthenril's group in the same league as the local Carta. Athenril tried to keep her valued asset longer than was agreed, however, and they parted on bad terms.

 

Anthenril's loss was Varric's gain, however. As a partner, Ilda poured in the coin Varric and Bartrand needed to get their Deep Roads expedition underway, and was invaluable leading the men. Along the way, Ilda assembled the whole band: Anders, Merrill, Fenris, Isabela, and SeaBass. Ilda was not the friendliest person in the world, but she was compelling and greatly respected, and that made her the glue that held all of them all together despite their many differences.

 

It was this unifying force that made her noticed in Kirkwall, where the only thing that typically brought anyone together was coin. Ilda was not too different -- she, too, sought profit -- but those who followed her were loyal to more than the money. They were loyal to what she stood for. What she wanted was what she had back in Lothering, her home: a simple, tight-knit community where everyone was loved and family to each other. Kirkwall could not have been more different. Officially, she stayed because of family ties (mother and sister). However, there was a part of her that felt that simply leaving the city in its state would be an admission of defeat. As she confided with the Arishok, Ilda recognized the influence she had gained, and that she thought it was best used by changing things for the better.

 

Her approach to changing things in Kirkwall, however, could be described as repeatedly punching it in the face. Ilda brought her wrath down on thugs wherever she found them, but in Kirkwall that could describe anyone from an actual gangman, to a rotten Templar, to a corrupt city guardsman, to a maleficar, to a nobleman. They all had to go, and when Hawke’s wrath came down on anyone, she swept through like a hurricane -- leaving vast destruction and few (if any) survivors in her wake. She was the bane of Aveline's existence, whose rivalry with Isabela paled in comparison to that with Hawke. Hawke got up to illicit activity, stirred up chaos, and strove to be Aveline's biggest doubter. It all culminated into a slightly-drunken Aveline (aptly) calling her out as "A highwayman who just stumbled into becoming Champion." Ilda just responded by getting deeper under her skin 'til finally Aveline cracked and let Hawke have it... for a few seconds. Ilda could only respond by getting up, dusting off and laughing, claiming victory simply for pushing her to that point.

 

The Arishok came to respect and admire Ilda for her influence in the city and declared her alone basalit'an in the city. In truth, Ilda would have likely done well under the Qun and might have even liked it, aside from the overbearing authority involved which she has never been (nor will be) a fan of -- hence her fight against their attack. Though Hawke took Isabela to task for running away and, in effect, endangering the rest of their group, she ultimately resolved to duel the Arishok for the sake of her best friend. Hawke used every arrow she had, and then turned to her twin daggers when it was all on the line. Though she got nicked up pretty good in the fight, Ilda's assassination skills came through as she got the better of the mighty Qunari leader.

[teh DRUMPf!!]

DA2 (2/2)

 

Anders had won over Ilda earlier as a fellow Fereldan, good friend of the esteemed HoF, and a mage whom Bethany described as being a lot like their father. Off-screen, they had a thing going shortly after Hawke moved up and out of Lowtown, but it did not last. Anders’ views were too extreme, even for her, and she hated Justice’s influence standing between them. So they decided to be just friends. In truth, this may have been as big a factor in Anders’s slow descent into madness as any. To add insult to injury, Ilda moved on to Fenris, and that relationship would last. Ilda made waves for the public nature of her relationship with an elf. She, however, was all too happy about the attention, feeding the "rebellious noble" image she wore around proudly. It made their affair all the more thrilling.

 

The mage/Templar conflict truly tore Ilda in so many ways. On one hand, Ilda was raised with distrust and disdain towards the Templars, and she never did like authorities figures anyway. However, nobody gave Ilda more trouble during her time in Kirkwall than blood-mages. After Quentin, Ilda was no more forgiving to problem mages than Knight Commander Meredith. Fenris may have also swayed her in that direction a bit. Though she would show no mercy to the mages that so much as hinted at corruption, Ilda had major issues with Meredith and detested her rule as defacto Viscount. After Anders destroyed the Chantry, Ilda’s path ahead was clear. The Templars threatened to kill what she vowed to protect, her only family left. And so an epic estrogen-battle between two powerful female warriors ensued, with Ilda Hawke on one side, and Knight-Commander Meredith on the other.

 

Though she had long since moved on from the days they were intimate together, Ilda still had some feelings for Anders. She tried to help him and keep Justice from getting the better of him, but she failed. Hawke did not entirely disagree with what Anders had done, recognizing that there could perhaps truly be no peace in the conflict that had long been brewing. However, Anders betrayed her trust by putting the rest of them in serious danger. Though it broke her heart to do so, Ilda ended Anders's life.

 

Perhaps the most touching moment throughout this whole ordeal was the final conversation Ilda had with Aveline in the Gallows, where she acknowledged making Aveline's life very difficult, but appreciating that she was always there for her nonetheless.

 

Varric lied about Orsino, hence the slight disapproval for questioning him on it. The Templars had cornered Hawke and the mages in a certain-death situation, but Orsino had anticipated it earlier and confided in Hawke about the blood-magic spell he had learned. Hawke was angry to learn of his part in her mother’s death, but allowed him to perform the spell, figuring the sacrifice he would make of himself was punishment enough, and it gave them all a chance at getting out alive. Orsino’s transformation into a Harvester unleashed hell on the Gallows. The Templars did successfully slay it, but not before it tore a hole through their army that allowed Ilda to pass through and face Meredith in the Gallows Courtyard once and for all. At that point, Meredith’s red-lyrium influence was revealed, and Cullen -- who had long felt guilty for taking Bethany away and admired the beautiful Ilda from afar -- was the first to turn and support Hawke. Relentless though she was in her fight, all had turned on Meredith by that point until finally the idol consumed her.

 

With that, Hawke sailed out of the city for good via Isabela’s fancy new ship with whomever would join her. It is unclear what the future holds for the city, but Ilda did not go out on a whimper accepting defeat. She, for better or for worse, forever left her mark upon Kirkwall.

[SgtSteel91]

I have to structure the whole thing but here's something I have in mind:

 

Warden Commander Cousland (romanced and did Dark Ritual with Morrigan) and Warden Loghain accompany Alistair, Varric, and Isabela during The Silent Grove, Those Who Speak, and Until We Sleep. Queen Anora thinks Alistair is being too reckless to go off to Antiva and Maker-knows where else based on a rumor and has Loghain accompany him partly to protect him and partly because Loghain and Maric were friends so Loghain should be a part of this quest if Maric really is alive but in trouble. Cousland also comes to accompany Alistair in part to mend their friendship after he spared Loghain and for his own reasons. Alistair is none too happy about his additional companions but still sets out to find Maric.

 

Changes to Silent Grove:

• There are arguments between Loghain and Alistair about Alistair being a poor King and only going on this quest so that he doesn't have to be King anymore/Loghain not deserving to live after his betrayal at Ostagar. There are many times Cousland and Varric have to break up the argument.


• Alistair asks Cousland why he has been frequently leaving Fereldan the past few years. Cousland at first says it's a Warden matter but relents to Alistair that he's looking for a cure to the Calling, and thinks he may come across leads on this quest.


• Yavana somehow knows that Cousland did the Dark Ritual with Morrigan but doesn't outright state it to everyone. He and Alistair go to the inner sanctum where Alistair kills Yavana, which surprises Cousland because he was planning on killing her himself; having determined that Yavana was a threat to his family. But out of sight of Alistair, he retrieves a Grimnoir from Yavana's corpse.

Changes to Those Who Speak:

• Loghain and Cousland are like 'dude wtf...' when Alistair immediately reveals himself to Aurelian Titus


• Loghain puts himself between Alistair and a fire spell meant for him. Alistair is surprised why someone he hates would risk his life for him.


• Alistair, Loghain, and Varric spend three weeks together in a cell when captured by Qunari. It goes about as well as you expect. Tensions rise and Alistair and Loghain duke it out. Or more like Alistair starts wailing on Loghain, who isn't really defending himself. Alistair demands why Loghain is letting him punch him and Loghain goes into this big spiel about how he knows how much he messed up during the Blight and knows he should have died at the Landsmeet and would have accepted death there or death at defeating the Archdemon, but he's been denied that and forced to face the scorn of his countrymen and the Grey Wardens so he's accepted all his failings and trying to find redemption with himself, at least. Basically, they have a heart to heart and Alistair softens on his views of Loghain and comes to understand why Cousland spared Loghain when he did.


• Cousland, meanwhile, was named Basalit-an by the New Arishock, Sten from Origins, and was given better quarters to stay in until the Arishock arrived to talk with him, personally, and dissuade him from going after Titus. Cousland replies that it isn't his call, it's Alistair's.


• Alistair still duel's the Arishock and is still named Basalit-an.

Changes to Until We Sleep:

• In the Fade, Loghain and Cousland are with Alistair in Maric's dream. Cousland is best friends with Alistair and his entire family is there along with Morrigan and Kieran. The former is getting along with and has been accepted by Cousland's parents as his wife and the latter is getting along with Oran. Loghain is still Teyrn, friends with Maric, and married to Rowan (Maric is married to Katriel), and still has Anora as a daughter.


• Alistair and Loghain both convince Maric to return to them, as son and best friend.


• Maric says he knows what Loghain did during the Blight because of the Fade and forgives him. Loghain, for his part, tells Alistair he will be a better King than Maric and gives his (long overdue) blessing to marry Anora.


• Alistair ends the adventure on better terms with Loghain and can bring himself to call Cousland a friend.


• Before leaving, Loghain comes across information that connects Titus to the Venatori (Titus was a Venatori agent and the Magrallen was to be used by Corypheus, but Titus got too greedy and planned to use that power for himself) and plans involving the Grey Wardens, which sets him on his investigation and his eventual encounter with Hawke.


• Before leaving, Cousland takes an old Grimnoir. He returns to Morrigan and Kieran in Orlais. He tells her all that happened (even she's surprised that Alistiar was the one who killed Yavana) and gives her Yavana's Grimnoire, which will help Morrigan in her research and fending off Flemeth. She asks if Cousland came across anything that would help on his quest to end the Calling and he says that Titu's Grimnoire may hold the key to a cure.

[TEWR]

On Amaranthine and the Political tensions therein:

 

--------------

 

So for Xanthos Aeducan, who had assumed the position of Warden Commander about one month after Origins ended (I reject the 6 months thing, as I'm trying to figure out how the timeline would feasibly work while having Anders in Kirkwall), he had to deal with the political instability in the region while leading Anessen Mahariel, Gatrie Amell, and Lysa Mahariel (Jowan, the female Amell, Darrien Tabris, and Darius Brosca were in different points of the world while Damaeus and Amalia Cousland are Teyrn of Gwaren/Chancellor respectively) and trying to rebuild the order.

 

The first matter of business was how he had expected, given that these lands belonged to the Howes, there to be some loyalists to him. During the Blight they had only kept quiet because once Howe had been arrested and executed the lands passed into the hands of the crown, and they thought it might pass to one of them in the absence of any heirs to be found. But with the Wardens gaining the lands their resentment grew.

 

So he knew from the beginning to expect something going on. More importantly, he figured that it would be a coalition of like-minded lords who, with their own lands and soldiers, would pose a significant threat to the Wardens' ambitions to secure the region. Thus when Teyrn Damaeus Cousland was seen in Amaranthine in a chance encounter where Nathaniel reunited with Delilah, he asked his old friend if he could bring word to Amalia Cousland of the imminent rebellion that would spring up. She is the one who runs the Dark Wolves (of Mibu =P) which allows her to know much of what goes on in the country. It's not an organization like the Antivan Crows are but rather an elite network of agents, kept separate from each other and in the dark on the others, so that Amalia has a means to ferret out problems at home or abroad and help give Ferelden some better sense of cohesion and unity.

 

(originally that idea was KoP's, which I'd forgotten about for a few years. The idea came to me again after rewatching Rurouni Kenshin, where I then went back and reviewed KoP's blog.)

 

With the news gained from the Dark Wolf assigned to the foreign quarter in Amaranthine -- she had already guessed it would happen, in fact -- Xanthos began to move against Bann Esmerelle. But once Bann Esmerelle heard that her plot was uncovered, she closed off Amaranthine and marshalled her forces to begin waging a campaign against the Wardens. She had even kidnapped Delilah and hoped to put her in as Arlessa while her family was held hostage to force her compliance in what she wanted.

 

The reason she had closed off the city wasn't due to her plans -- as she couldn't openly declare such -- but rather under a guise of wanting to curb the smuggling coming into the city. At the same time, she's been systematically spreading rumors that the Grey Wardens are using the Darkspawn fear to gain tithes from the nobility and that the actual threat is far less then they claim. And of course, the whole peasant revolt was a means to further demonstrate to the nobles that Xanthos, a Dwarf, could not be the leader Amaranthine needed and that he would only be at best incompetent and at worst a tyrant (all lies, of course, as he's King of Orzammar and very competent at that)

 

Meanwhile, she snuck out of there with her hostage and met up with the others in a keep well supplied with soldiers gained from Lord Guy, Lady Liza Packton, Ser Temmerly, her own men, and so forth, along with mercenary companies hired to bolster their manpower (like some Qunari companies). And maybe a few apostate mages/maleficarum who were given leave to create small armies of their own (with no connections to Esmerelle to be readily seen).

 

So Amaranthine almost saw a small war in the Feravel Plains, at a time it could ill afford, but it didn't last long as Xanthos, figuring such would happen, ended up quelling the threat before it could ever truly take root. He had asked Zevran and the Dark Wolf to infiltrate the keep to assassinate Esmerelle (as he works freelance as an assassin for Orzammar and Ferelden when he's not dodging other Crows). With their leadership being dismantled from the inside, they fell rather easily to Xanthos' attack.

 

-----------------

 

Something along those lines anyway. Might need more fleshing out, I suppose. It always bothered me how one of the wealthiest Banns in Amaranthine's arling (actually the wealthiest, as she's called) who has other nobles coming to her side.... decides to pull something like that in-game. She could've been a substantial threat yet she's relegated to being just as incompetent as every other Bioware politician/noble -- it is evident it's not their skill in their writing. It's even worse when you factor in how she could've tried for a puppet on the throne.

 

Her ambition was purely "get revenge". She had nothing beyond that in a writing perspective. Her prospects were ruined, sure, but how did she expect to get them back? There was no plot in play.

 

Anyway, if I didn't have a migraine again this would probably be easier to talk about *grumble grumble*

[TEWR]

Small little Maric/Loghain fic I wrote for my world-state.

[SgtSteel91]

Small little Maric/Loghain fic I wrote for my world-state.

 

Great fic

 

So I guess Alistair stays as King and Maric becomes an advisor or retire?

 

Oh, man is Fiona alive in your headcanon? Is there a meeting between her and Maric?

[TEWR]

Great fic

 

So I guess Alistair stays as King and Maric becomes an advisor or retire?

 

Hey thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

 

Maric pulls a Duke Renning. That is to say, he abdicates his right to the throne and serves in an advisory capacity (at times), but mostly he just wants to spend what remaining years he has in Ferelden with his grandchildren. In my headcanon Anora and Alistair have children, but Anora and Alistair are also involved with the Cousland twins I created. Damaeus is Teyrn of Gwaren and Anora is intimate with him and Alistair.... while Amalia the Chancellor is intimate with Alistair and Anora.

 

That's it though. No incest going on. It's just a very open relationship between the four of them. Of course they don't openly showcase their interests in the others, as they have to keep up the appearance they hold. Amalia and Damaeus are basically considered by the public to simply be good friends of the monarchs and nothing more.

 

Anyway, they have children, a son by Alistair and a daughter by Damaeus, with another child on the way. So Maric just hopes to spend his twilight years as a grandfather, occasionally seeing Loghain from time to time when he's able to visit.

 

And yup, Fiona's very much alive! My Cadash recruits both the Mages and Templars (though Corypheus gets his army still because the Templars and Mages aren't going to be centralized in one locale. I found that silly). I imagine there would be a meeting between her and Maric some time after she's recruited into the Inquisition. I expect he might be sent as a representative of Ferelden? I dunno. It's worth some thought into how they'd meet up again.

[TEWR]

On Kal-Hirol:

 

So after Xanthos had cleared out Kal-Hirol, he had sent a letter to his wife and Queen Nerav Helmi, informing her of the prospect of taking the old thaig back now that the Darkspawn were at their weakest in centuries, not just from the death of the Archdemon and the many Darkspawn killed, but also due to the infighting going on amongst them in Amaranthine's arling. 

 

He told her that House Xanthos and House Aeducan should travel to Amaranthine so he could lead them through the Darkspawn back to Amaranthine, while she appoints her relatives Adal and Jaylia to lead their House from Orzammar to Amaranthine (in Xanthos' name of course) with House Brosca as well led by Darius (again, in the king's name). The idea is to create an expedition that will attack the Darkspawn from both sides, leaving them little opportunity to flee.

 

It's worth pointing that 100 casteless volunteered for the mission, now that caste restrictions were loosened, which Nerav gladly accepted knowing that Kal-Hirol's history Xanthos informed her of would justify the decision even more and allow for greater reforms.

 

When Trian came at the lead of House Xanthos/Aeducan after Amaranthine was secure and the Mother defeated, they warmly embraced one another again and laughed that they'll be taking the fight to the Darkspawn. As they stood at the edge of the passage leading to the Deep Roads, blocked off from the earthquake that exposed the great thaig to the surface, he had sixty of House Aeducan's warriors and smiths stay behind to keep Kal-Hirol safe, study what they could, and clear out the corruption the Darkspawn had created from their presence. They also had 10 Golems from the Thaig itself, and more importantly he wanted information on the Inferno Golem -- hoping that they could be replicated, as it pained him to destroy the one that was there.

 

And more importantly, he gave to the forces under his command an impassioned speech, which I will transcribe here if not fully at least partially:

 

My brothers and sisters, warriors and fellow Dwarves! We stand here in the vast hinterlands of our once grand and expansive empire, with the aim to take back that which was stolen from us so many generations ago! All that we've endured, all that we've suffered, will now be paid back in the blood of our enemies! We will make the Stone tremble with our footsteps, and She will sing songs of glory and praise for ages to come! This will make what we've regained pale in comparison! Aeducan, Cadash, Ortan, Caridin's Cross... those small points served their purpose as a symbol and an idea, a beacon to stand as a reclamation of hope and pride beyond measure! And should we succeed, we will move forward and take back more of our land! Here and now is where we will make history and show that so long as a single Dwarf is alive, those black bastards will face a reckoning to shake the very heavens!

 

Then he told Dworkin to set the explosives meant to clear away the debris and the army set forth in the long dark of the Deep Roads, with a light burning bright in their hearts.

 

And now I'll reread everyone else's posts and see if I can think of any questions for you guys for your world-states.

[TEWR]

I'm kinda sad this thread isn't taking off. I sort of thought it would be popular

[TEWR]

bump. Will post more tomorrow when I'm at work, since there won't be anything to really do then.

[raging_monkey]

Imma post something warden related soon

[ThePhoenixKing]

A lot of this stuff here is really theoretical at the moment, or things I eventually plan on introducing into my fanfiction works in the future (hint hint, nudge nudge, nod's as good as a signature to a brown bat ), but here's some stuff to wet your whistle.

 

First, one of the big changes that occurs compared to the canon storyline is that the Warden manages to bring the Avvars into his alliance against the Blight. An official treaty is signed between the Wardens and the barbarians, as binding as the other treaties for the Dalish/Circle/Orzammar, and the presence of several thousand Avvar warriors, along with their blood mages, tamed beasts and Horrors does a great deal in helping to stop the Blight, and trying to limit the damage the darkspawn cause.

 

(Yeah, you remember the Sky Horror from Mark of the Assassin? The Avvar bring several into the fight).

 

Next, once Alistair takes the throne, he immediately begins liberalizing Ferelden's anti-elven laws, bringing forth new opportunities and rights for the country's elves. Indeed, after a few years, Ferelden becomes known as a place where an elf could get a decent shake, and the kingdom sees the immigration of elves from across Southern Thedas. One of his more controversial reforms is to allow elves to bear arms, as well as raise companies of troops from within the elven community. Like the Night Elves during the Rebellion, these "Alienage Auxilaries" quickly make a name for themselves as ruthless, effective and dedicated archers/light infantry (think the Tuskagee Airmen meet the Tanith First-And-Only), their lethality in battle matched only by their loyalty to the Grey King, as Alistair is known. Their most notable leader is, of course, Bann Shianni Tabris of the Denerim Alienage, "The Red Wolf of Denerim," while she also serves as one of Alistair's primary advisors.

 

Another decision King Alistair makes is to strike up an alliance with Neverra, the wealth of that kingdom flowing into Ferelden to help it recover from the Blight, in exchange for a mutual defense pact in the event the Orlesians go to war with either one. The alliance is sealed by a marriage between Alistair and one of the Pentaghasts, though it incurs the anger of some of Ferelden's more conservative nobles.

 

If you're all interested, I'll have more to come!

[teh DRUMPf!!]

Some thoughts on (my) Hawke's return in Inquisition...
 
Hawke was not ruined for me. In some things, they got her right, and other things not so much. Overall, though, I was fine with it and rather liked seeing this chapter in her story unfold.
 
In her first scene, Ilda kind of beats herself up for Kirkwall having been torn apart by the mage rebellion that took place there. In truth, I think Ilda felt like Kirkwall needed to be smacked around a bit, and she readily obliged. However, she clearly recognizes that her way of doing things does not save worlds, it destroys them. Again, Ilda is an illegalist and insurrectionist -- the means to her ends are often illicit activities and/or leading mob riots! In that, she may have even felt like her title as "Champion" (which she says she no longer goes by) to be a joke, as was said before by her personal rival, Aveline. In that moment, I actually kind of felt sorry for her.
 
Ilda's stake in the fight against Corypheus is clearly stated by her as a sense of personal responsibility for having failed to kill him. One would imagine that this would translate to guilt for which she seeks to redeem herself. However, someone who has gotten up to as many nefarious activities as herself, that does not seem appropriate. Instead, I imagine her to be driven less by guilt and more by her overly-aggressive nature. A master assassin does not simply let her mark walk away and suffer rivals; Corypheus got out of her grasp and she will see that failure rectified.
 
Her aversion to blood-magic made total sense. Blood mages and demons were easily the toughest enemies she faced in all her time in Kirkwall. Only thing, she was too preachy about virtues at times like these for someone who clearly is no saint in her own right.
 
Seeing Ilda and Loghain working together on a mission was awesome, since the latter is my favorite NPC in the entire series. Their banter with each other in the Fade was particularly amusing, since Ilda had seemed to be giving Loghain the "Aveline treatment." So, to the age old question as to what would happen if an unstoppable-force met an unmovable object, we now have our answer: the unstoppable-force would (eventually) win. Loghain, ever the cold and stoic soldier, proved much tougher to incite than the righteous and passionate Aveline -- mostly just brushing aside her negative comments with hard rationalism. But Ilda is a master troll and eventually got him to snap.

 

Loghain shot back by saying that she was responsible for the mage rebellion in Kirkwall, which Ilda defended as necessary to save innocents (which was true, and a pretty accurate reflection of her motives behind that). However, the two of them put their differences aside upon facing Nightmare and were willing to die throwing themselves at the uber-powerful demon for the others to live. Loghain felt it his duty to make things right for his fellow Wardens, and Ilda again claimed responsibility for Corypheus altogether.
 
That Ilda would sacrifice her life over mere principle made me reflect a bit. Though it did not seem a quality that would fit one as unapologetically corrupt as herself, to my surprise, past history would support this more than I thought. In fact, Ilda had many times stood against a tide just to uphold what she believed in -- be that a Qunari invasion, the Templars' annulment of the Circle, an Orlesian nobleman and his pet wyvern, etc. And perhaps it was precisely that firm, stoic conviction that inspired the loyalty of those around her to similarly stand and risk themselves behind her lead. It was just as Flemeth told her. Ilda's greatness was less about her own, individual skill, but more because of her willingness to leap while the world around her crumbled into an all-consuming dark hole.
 
Fortunately for Ilda(, Varric, Bethany, and Fenris), the abyss would not claim her here. Loghain, instead, went out in a blaze of glory. In truth, that end seems all but inevitable for Hawke herself, anyway. It is possible that she will continue cheating death enough to see old age, like Loghain himself. Time will not claim her, however. Wherever Hawke goes next, she will find some way to make waves, and eventually, go down fighting. She would have it no other way.

[TEWR]

Faith is a luxury to those whose lives have always held comfort and tranquility, and a refuge to those whose desperation for something greater inevitably has them gravitate towards it, especially in the face of adversity in their own lives. I have never really had faith, not in higher powers nor in people. How could I? Born as I was, living as I am... -- Nasir Cadash, as he conversed with Cassandra in Haven.

 

While most Dwarves in the Carta are born outside of it and end up joining, Nasir was one of the few -- lucky or unlucky he has never determined -- to be born squarely in the Carta. The youngest child of the Cadash Syndicate's leaders (born 8:94-95 Blessed), he was never expected to take control of the entire operation but be merely another one of its leaders. He had every opportunity to learn however, as his parents felt that a child such as he should not become merely a brute who couldn't think of himself.

 

When he was thirteen, they had sent him on his first official mission for the Carta. A Dwarf named Oskias had pilfered some lyrium that belonged rightfully to the Cadash family, and Nasir's job was to get it right back by any means necessary. He hadn't really known what to do, so he just did what came to his mind first. He ran up to Oskias and played the part of a lost little boy, who had gone without food for several days. Oskias took pity on Nasir and gave him some of his food while taking him to his home in Kirkwall. From there, it was easy for Nasir to find the small container of lyrium.

 

When Oskias came back with some tea, Nasir used a bit of deathroot he'd found in the wilder regions of Sundermount and taken the extract from to give Oskias some slight poisoning. He ended up leaving the room saying he needed to rest and that Nasir was free to stay the night, and as he stumbled away he muttered about "pink griffins".

 

Nasir then grabbed the lyrium and ran as soon as Oskias passed out, returning to the established meeting place. He was congratulated for his work and brought back to his father, who sat like a king in the Cadash Syndicate's palace out in Starkhaven (they have operations everywhere in Ferelden, Orlais, and the Free Marches). Unfortunately, he ended up learning about a month later that Oskias was found hanging in a tree, his limbs pulled as far as they could go without being torn off.

 

That told Nasir the true nature of the Carta, something he hadn't realized at all. All he knew was that his life was one of affluence that he attributed to mere mercantile efforts in various fields (banking, goods, mercenary companies) but he didn't realize the true and brutal aspects that led to this life.

 

He became disillusioned with it at that point, but didn't have the courage to run away. Part of that I suppose was him believing that he could ascend the ranks and take control so as to turn the Carta legitimate and respectable. A boyhood dream, and one he believes he's grown out of. So he continued working for the Carta, doing odd jobs, eventually picking up a sword and shield and guarding caravans or going to certain areas to buy and sell smuggled goods. He quickly climbed the ranks because he was so adept at any task he was given and eventually earned the right to be a commander of a mercenary company that operated in Ferelden, as a means to see if he could be their liaison and overseer of Fereldan operations.

 

It wasn't until the Fifth Blight, when he was twenty-five years old, that he met Xanthos Aeducan. The two of them met on the wayside up near Highever as Xanthos was on his way to Orzammar, and established a camp in the same vicinity. Though Nasir knew he could earn a great deal of coin for the Cadash family by turning over the leader of a group of an outlawed order, something within his being told him that he shouldn't. And he couldn't quite place it.

 

Eventually, as he talked with Xanthos, he felt something deep within his spirit. He felt.... like there was more to be gained from working with this young Dwarf then there was in the Carta. He felt a connection to this man, not romantic in nature but more.... akin to being a proud Dwarf, one who could hold his head up high.

 

As it happened, his business was taking him to Orzammar as well for business, and Xanthos convinced him to be his eyes and ears within the Carta. It was a private meeting between them, you see, but it was here that he met Leliana, Morrigan, Darius Brosca, and Shale (among a few other people). He wouldn't learn that Shale was his ancestor until after Xanthos returned from the Deep Roads, but it was still an interesting encounter for him.

 

As for his faith, he's always believed in the Stone, and he's always felt a connection to it. But he's always felt that he wasn't worthy of that connection because he was a part of the Carta. He considers it his great shame, and much as he feels he's now a better person for having met Xanthos (whom he considers a friend) and actually standing for something beyond money and prestige, he doesn't quite feel he's worthy of being returned to the Stone.

 

So his faith, while there, has never been strong. And thus he says the line above. Though you might be asking yourself now "Doesn't that line contradict what you're saying now?". On the surface, yes it does, but as he is Xanthos' eyes and ears and he's loyal to the King of Orzammar he can't let it slip that he's doing things for the good of Orzammar or that he holds an allegiance to them, especially when he's one misstep away from falling into the fire about being responsible for the Conclave's destruction (as Orzammar and the Carta would greatly benefit from the Mage-Templar War). 

 

Leliana and Morrigan are also working to advance Orzammar's interests, but Leliana -- being a bard and all -- knows how to keep her loyalties fluid enough. So she's loyal to Orzammar and the Inquisition, figuring that she can do what's best for both (a route Nasir doesn't know how to adequately do and often struggles with). She recognizes Nasir when they meet in prison, but she doesn't actually know that Nasir is also working for Xanthos. She wasn't around for that discussion the three Dwarves had (Darius Brosca being the third).

 

And if you were to ask him what he missed about Carta life, he would say the friends he made there. He was respected and loved in his mercenary company -- basically like Thom Rainier, but without the Callier Massacre -- and he had people who would give him his all. And he made sure to give them his.

 

Next! A letter sent to Nasir at a point in time I have yet to appropriately determine.

[TEWR]

To the most esteemed Nasir Cadash,

 

It is my understanding that you have been searching for Wardens, whom have mysteriously disappeared. I have met with ambassadors of your Inquisition, and while it is true we are still Grey Wardens -- bound by all that entails -- I'm afraid my brother Damaeus and I and Alistair have since doffed that mantle in favor of our political roles and cannot return to the fray. But there is more to it then a simple "retirement" from the Wardens I'm afraid, though these are secrets I cannot divulge so easily and readily, especially in a letter.

 

Rest assured though that not all of the Wardens in Southern Thedas have vanished. Ferelden's Order has gone underground, but they are still here. I know this because I know a great deal of Wardens within the ranks, and I have my ways of knowing what transpires in Thedas -- as your own spymaster is aware. Do give her my regards, and tell her it would be nice to see her again.

 

I understand you are going to Crestwood to meet with the Champion's contacts. One of them will tell you more, I'm certain, about where the Fereldan Wardens have gone off to and what they're doing. For now, allow me to tell you that after you have met with them, to go to a thaig at the southwestern edge of the Frostbacks to meet with.... an ally. I advise you to take only those who will refrain themselves from rash decisions and follow your lead.

 

This person is rather reclusive in nature, but he is a friend and ally and I am certain Corypheus' movements have not escaped him. He is a friend towards the King of Orzammar, but I will not talk freely about this person either. But the King is a wise man whose judgment I trust, so I'm sure you will trust it as well.

 

Suffice to say, you have shown yourself an ally to Ferelden, and Ferelden gives you its support. We will offer insight wherever possible and use what resources we can to discover more about this threat, for Ferelden has had enough trouble with the Darkspawn in this Age. Any more is just dreadfully tiresome.

 

Sincerely,

 

Grand Chancellor of the Fereldan Court Amalia Cousland.

[TEWR]

I also want to ask questions to the people in the thread, whether those who have already posted or who might post in the future:

 

1) What are your characters' perception of the Mage-Templar conflict?

 

2) What do you imagine your Warden was doing in the time-span that isn't elaborated upon in depth?

 

3)What would your Warden and Hawke say if they met each other? Or your Warden and Inquisitor? Or your Hawke and Inquisitor, beyond what happens in the game proper?

 

4) And taking from Professor X's post, what was the childhood of your characters like?