Whooo, this took me a while, but thanks a lot for the prompt, it was much appreciated! ๐ฅฐ
6. A time Rook was severely injured.
I apologise if this didn't turn out exactly the way you might have thought... but I guarantee you, there is some severe suffering involved! ๐
A gift from the Wetlands
โIโฆ I really donโt feel good. Itโsโฆ bad, isnโt it?โ
A rasping voice, a wet cough. A trembling hand rested on a heaving chest.
Davrin cocked his eyebrow at the sight before him.
Shortly after their return from the Hosberg Wetlands, Akela had collapsed unceremoniously on the sofa in the kitchen. Sweat beaded on his brow. He tried to swallow several times and it looked like hard work. Then his body seized up and he retched out a series of violent coughs, before he coiled in on himself in pain.
Davrin averted his gaze.
โYou should have been more careful, Rook. Thereโs nothing we can do for you nowโฆโ
Akela moaned.
Davrin sighed.
โDavrin, I thinkโฆโ Akela pressed out weakly, then hesitated, looking up at the elf with feverish eyes. Davrin scooted carefully closer, exasperation and worry warring for control within him.
โDavrin, I think I might be... Blighted.โ
A snort broke out of Davrin. This was getting ridiculous.
โYouโre not Blighted, Rook. You caught a cold.โ The elf shook his head as finally amusement won over.
Akela stared at him. Processing Davrinโs words seemed like hard work too, judging by the bemusement shining out of the manโs eyes where quick wit usually dwelt.
โBut Davrinโฆ I feel likeโฆ shit... Iโve never felt like that beforeโฆ I sweaโโ Another cough split the manโs lungs, followed by a heart and ear wrenching sneeze.
Shielding his ear, Davrin brought some space between himself and the sofa again.
โYeah but thatโs not because of the Blight, trust me. Iโve seen my share of folks dying from the Blight...โ He trailed off.
Akela threw a watery, pleading gaze at Davrin.
โThis hereโ, the elf continued, folding his arms and nodding curtly toward the limp form on the sofa, โgot nothing to do with the Blight. This is because youโre a wimp who canโt handle some cool weather and wet boots for a day and a half.โ
Hopeful eyes turned hostile, and Akela felt around for a hand-sized item to haul at the sneering elf. The tin mug he found missed its mark by more than two feet and clanked noisily to the ground.
โThat was pathetic!โ Davrin laughed. โYou really are out of it, huh? Whoโd have thought that all it takes to stop a Crow is a whiff of bad weather. Seems like folks in the Anderfels will have nothing to fear on that front any more.โ
Out of throwables and strength to argue, Akela opted for a rude hand gesture toward Davrin before he buried his throbbing head under an arm with a groan.
โAlright, alright, let me see if Harding and Lucanis have returned with those herbs from the market yet. That should put you back on your feet. Try not to die in the meantime, yeah?โ
A resonating sneeze was all he got for an answer.
I hope you enjoyed @im-on-fire-today โ๏ธ๐ He did get better, I promise!
Seriously though, the Wetlands look deadly with all the water you run through and the cold and the snow... and the Blight. It's not something my guy's cut out for. He was taught to endure cut wounds and light torture... Not wading through icy water for days on end ๐ค
Visibility tags for some people who might enjoy this too โค๏ธ
Whooo, this took me a while, but thanks a lot for the prompt, it was much appreciated! ๐ฅฐ
6. A time Rook was severely injured.
I apologise if this didn't turn out exactly the way you might have thought... but I guarantee you, there is some severe suffering involved! ๐
A gift from the Wetlands
โIโฆ I really donโt feel good. Itโsโฆ bad, isnโt it?โ
A rasping voice, a wet cough. A trembling hand rested on a heaving chest.
Davrin cocked his eyebrow at the sight before him.
Shortly after their return from the Hosberg Wetlands, Akela had collapsed unceremoniously on the sofa in the kitchen. Sweat beaded on his brow. He tried to swallow several times and it looked like hard work. Then his body seized up and he retched out a series of violent coughs, before he coiled in on himself in pain.
Davrin averted his gaze.
โYou should have been more careful, Rook. Thereโs nothing we can do for you nowโฆโ
Akela moaned.
Davrin sighed.
โDavrin, I thinkโฆโ Akela pressed out weakly, then hesitated, looking up at the elf with feverish eyes. Davrin scooted carefully closer, exasperation and worry warring for control within him.
โDavrin, I think I might be... Blighted.โ
A snort broke out of Davrin. This was getting ridiculous.
โYouโre not Blighted, Rook. You caught a cold.โ The elf shook his head as finally amusement won over.
Akela stared at him. Processing Davrinโs words seemed like hard work too, judging by the bemusement shining out of the manโs eyes where quick wit usually dwelt.
โBut Davrinโฆ I feel likeโฆ shit... Iโve never felt like that beforeโฆ I sweaโโ Another cough split the manโs lungs, followed by a heart and ear wrenching sneeze.
Shielding his ear, Davrin brought some space between himself and the sofa again.
โYeah but thatโs not because of the Blight, trust me. Iโve seen my share of folks dying from the Blight...โ He trailed off.
Akela threw a watery, pleading gaze at Davrin.
โThis hereโ, the elf continued, folding his arms and nodding curtly toward the limp form on the sofa, โgot nothing to do with the Blight. This is because youโre a wimp who canโt handle some cool weather and wet boots for a day and a half.โ
Hopeful eyes turned hostile, and Akela felt around for a hand-sized item to haul at the sneering elf. The tin mug he found missed its mark by more than two feet and clanked noisily to the ground.
โThat was pathetic!โ Davrin laughed. โYou really are out of it, huh? Whoโd have thought that all it takes to stop a Crow is a whiff of bad weather. Seems like folks in the Anderfels will have nothing to fear on that front any more.โ
Out of throwables and strength to argue, Akela opted for a rude hand gesture toward Davrin before he buried his throbbing head under an arm with a groan.
โAlright, alright, let me see if Harding and Lucanis have returned with those herbs from the market yet. That should put you back on your feet. Try not to die in the meantime, yeah?โ
A resonating sneeze was all he got for an answer.
I hope you enjoyed @im-on-fire-today โ๏ธ๐ He did get better, I promise!
Seriously though, the Wetlands look deadly with all the water you run through and the cold and the snow... and the Blight. It's not something my guy's cut out for. He was taught to endure cut wounds and light torture... Not wading through icy water for days on end ๐ค
Visibility tags for some people who might enjoy this too โค๏ธ
Fixed untriggered lines at the end of A Time to Kill quest.
If the player saved Treviso:
Teia: I think the future is promising.
Viago: A lad like thisโmakes you think, doesn't it?
Teia: Viago, dear. Do you want children?
Viago: I rarely see the dog.
Viago: I think he could be the best of us.
Teia: That's a high bar. Including you?
Viago: Well, perhaps second-best. Behind you.
Teia: Flattery will get you everywhere.
If Treviso is blighted:
Viago: When will the garrison be fit to live in again?
Teia: Once we are certain the darkspawn did not spread any blight inside.
Days are growing longer and our Summerday Festival approaches. Mayor Neve is deep in preparations for this annual highlight, in order to celebrate the sunny season and give back to our lovely community.
She is happy to announce this year's Official Highlight: ๐ Renowned street artist and island resident Caelan has agreed to give no less than TWO open air shows at the beach! ๐ (Non-flammable head coverings are recommended for all attendants as a precautionary measure.)
But despite the mayor's best efforts, some problems remain yet unsolved and we need YOU to give her your input.
What kind of Party Setup would you like to see at the beach for this year's festival? Neve and Amara have received offers from 4 different catering firms, and would like to place the final decision in the community's hands.
Choose your preferred vibe!
What setup do you prefer for the Summerday Festival?
1. Classy ๐ฅ
2. Naturalistic ๐ฟ
3. Music!! ๐ธ
4. Leisurely๐น
Voting ended onMay 20
Next up, we'll be checking in for your individual Menu Wishes, so STAY TUNED! ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ธ
The mayoral office is also open to further suggestions and volunteers for the evening programme. Have an idea? Want to get involved? Let us know in the comments!
(Gemma would like to remind the community that for safety reasons, only ideas with advance notification will be allowed.)
Here's to another amazing Summerday Festival!
โ๏ธ๐๐น๐๐จ๐ฅฅโฑ๏ธ๐บโ๏ธ
PS (Gemma): We mean it. Don't even try anything funny! Upon entry, all participants will be checked for illegal firework this year.* **
*Zalan will be checked twice. Per hour!!!
**Sabriel, Nona and Thana have hinted that they would prefer attending the festival themselves this year, rather than attend to burns and that one dislocated ankle at the clinic like last year.
Just finished my 7th DATV playthrough with Akela so I can start my 8th (while also procrastinating on finishing Trespasser ๐๐). Thought I might give the German voice over a try, just to have some fresh elements for this run... .... .......... ...won't happen.
Except for Emmrich, who is surprisingly close to the English VA, everyone's voice has suuuuuch a different quality compared to the "original" one. Especially Neve and Lucanis both lack that signature growl. Lucanis actually sounds a lot like the Zevran VA, which is a no go for me ๐ซ They're too different as characters.
And male Rook sounds so... young. So... un-Rook-y ๐ I can't ๐ซฃ I've come to love Alex Jordan's voice so much - I'd even say he's my favourite of all the VAs in the game.
So, with all respects to the German cast - I can't ๐ซ
Hot plan right now: only three hours ago, I booked a full-month stay in Venice! Venice!!!! I'll be back!!!!
It may well be the best and only chance to do as I dreamt, to live and work in this beautiful city for an extended period - before I need to take on another regular full-time job at home. The apartment is tiny, has no AC and I'll be going at the height of summer, but it stood out among all the others and it was basically the only affordable option for me. I hope I'll survive, haha. Either way, it's clean and quiet and, most all, in my favourite Sestiere - so I'll be good on that front. Can't tell you how EXCITED I am.
Now on to fandom plans ๐คญ
Various DATV ficlets
Akela reconnects with Treviso and some old friends (this project was actually--surprise--born a year ago during my last trip to Venice, haha! I am sure I'll have plenty of time and inspiration to finish it this summer! โบ๏ธ๐ Needs rewriting from scratch though, because I started it in my mother language)
Cuddle-time with Akela and Lucanis after the Final Battle (minor angst, major flufffff!! I wish I could have done it for RookanisWeek, but I was way too busy in real life then. Still am, actually.)
Antivan party-time in Treviso after the Final Battle (probably angstier than you think. Guaranteed inspiration boost in summer when I'm in Venice! ๐คญ)
Viago and Akela finally talk like grown-ups reconcile after the Final Battle (Character study. Some angst, but also humor. Needs rewriting in English as well)
Writing prompts from that prompt game last year (no, I have NOT forgotten ๐)
Various Crossroads Island AU projects
Akela confronts Ilene over spilt coffee
Akela meets Anselm and learns about stars. And bugs
Valerie and Nevermore finally get their new saddle
Akela has to figure things out between himself and Dione (and Khepri)
Summer Festival (๐คซ)
DATV mini-comics
Davrin gets "critter revenge" on Akela
It's very quiet in D'Meta's Crossing
Lucanis and Akela slowwwww-buuuuuurn in the kitchen โ๏ธ
Rook can't swim
Rook's shattered shins
You can't unlearn the silent step (or: Should Rook wear a bell?)
Yup, I'm leaving out all other explanations. Just indulge your imagination! ๐
Visibility tags and gentle invitation to play along
Because when I saw this post with the shots by Steph Wilson, I just knew it had to be Ayanne. And I was right. Doesnโt she look gorgeous like this? :)
So, long story short, during my usual infamous Arlathvhen, a bunch of guys are there with a little stand offering to body paint people. And you know what Ayanne would think: why stop to only a little part of the body when you can do it all? :)
A special shout out to Grey Enchanter (BluSky ; Instagram) for this beautiful piece featuring Magnus and Lucanis. My bois are enjoying a peaceful morning in Treviso...
Head is stuffed full of real life stuff, and I've barely had a mind to look at Rookanis Week posts yet, let alone create something for it ๐ญ But I just remembered that I've got a gallery full of screenshots waiting to be shared, so I've decided I'm participating with some more silly guys time! ๐ค๐ฅฐ
My canon Rookanis run is all about my favourite two romance tropes: Slow Burn + Idiots to Idiots Lovers
Such was Lucanis' and Akelaโs typical relationship progress:
Lucanis POV: "He looked at me..."
Rook POV: "He looked at me!!!"
And it'd be another 4 months until their hands touched ๐๐๐๐ I love them!
Some visibility tags under the cut because I want to share and spread their silly ๐ฅฐ
It's been a hot minute, but @kabsey tagged me in this admittedly very adorable Picrew game! Since I have no immediate plans to "burden" Akela and Lucanis with kids, you'll get Akela as a kid instead ๐
Might this be of interest to you @davrinsleftpectoral ?? ๐
Have a scrawny little Akela not-yet de Riva!
He's about 7 in this picture and he has settled in quite ok in his new life in Treviso. It has been about a year since he fled the Blight in Amaranthine, his place of birth, after his parents got murdered in their shop in cold blood by scavenging bandits, due to the upheavals in Ferelden.
That beaming smile, those bright eyes and his unwavering spirit got him passage on a ship headed for his dad's fabled homeland Antiva, and he loves the place he's ended up in.
He's currently making the smallest of livings as an errand boy for different shop keepers (which already caught the attention of the local Merchant Princes, also known as Crow House Valisti). Every once in a while he also surprises the drunk grown-ups in taverns around the city, by kicking increasingly serious butt in Wicked Grace.
But most of his meals come from kind-hearted people who take turns in looking out for him a bit. (I'm sure his smile, eyes and spirit helped with that too.) Some of these connections are going to last through to his adult days, leaving him with a deep emotional connection to Treviso.
Thus, in his short life, he has already known much hardship and struggle - but also genuine love and kindness. Both will shape him equally, as he sets out to become "Rook" one day...
I've seen several people already did this a while back, but I'd still like to tag @serialsforbellara @wolfsong-the-bloody-beast @trashwithvariety @vishantikaffar @in-the-drowning-deep @mushrooms-x-moss @cute-ellyna and whoever would like to join this game! If you've already done the game, please tag me so I can see your pixel kids โบ๏ธ
Look, I think Lucanis having this impossibly sweet and caring side is one of the most beautiful-est things about him ever. BUT. I am also a big CompetenceKink!Lucanis truther.
Man was raised to be a perfect fighting machine - it's only reasonable to assume he'd recognise, and be drawn to, a person who's similarly proficient in their own respective field of expertise. (Bonus points, from my POV, if they're a skilled but underrated Crow from another House, who know exactly what he's all about.)
I just think that's neat.
Zero pressure visibility tags for my (assumed) Akela/Lucanis/Rookanis fans ๐
actually no i wanna talk about lucanis and how i thought they were gonna go the aging athlete route with him. keeping in mind he's 36, so not THAT old, but he's been working on the field for more than half his life by the time Veilguard came out. And yes i know that Crows don't really have a retirement plan in general; we see Noa and Neri still being on the field too and they're much older than Lucanis. An Old Crow's Old Tricks short story in Tevinter Nights feature a practically ancient Crow still taking jobs.
but Lucanis is a Dellamorte and therefore there's politics involved. maybe Caterina is pushing him to be First Talon not just because of favoritism but because it's a little strange for him to still be out and about doing jobs when it's high time he took to administration and do behind the scenes work. maybe tongues are already wagging, what's Caterina doing? Is she waiting for him to get injured during a job or Maker forbid.. a mistake? He's not getting any younger.
^ in the concept art this is even mentioned down to his posture of gripping his sword because he still wants to work on-field!!
idk i thought it'd be cool if we'd get a bit of 'i still want to work i like working coach dont put me out of the roster no coach pls i can still play a bit despite my devastating knee injury from the 9:39 thedas cup coach im thedas's lionel messi' you see what i see, yes?
I'll simply go pretend this is canon, and part of all the stories that couldn't be told in DATV for... known reasons. But rather than dwell on the what-if's, let's concentrate on filling in those blanks ourselves ๐