I commissioned this piece from the unbelievably talented Hotwe, who is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, deliberate artists I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I cannot express how grateful I am for the kindness shown towards my imaginary dolls at every step of this process. Thank you! <3
This is a paired piece to this one, also by Hotwe, which I commissioned immediately after finishing Inquisition for the first time. Once I finished Veilguard and filled out how the story ends for these two, I knew I desperately wanted the other half of this diptych.
Close-ups and lengthy notes on the incorporated symbolism are below the cut.
Where the first piece was much more somber and determined, I really wanted this moment to feel triumphant (if not unreservedly happy). These are two people at the end of a long war with each other, and moving forward doesn't mean erasing the road before.
Some notes in no particular order:
Solas's hands are now open, releasing the hard and inflexible grip he had in the original piece
The constellation is Fervenial, the Oak, for its associated concept of Vir Tanadhal: "fly straight and don't waver, bend but never break, and the idea of balance. ...The imagery of the hunter (Adahla) metaphorically striking like a bolt on Solas' plans and forcing a reframing of the lightning/smite-y/fate concept of Fulmenos into a concept of balance and growth/organic/spring" - straight from the artist's massive brain
(I've written about why constellations & stars, especially Fulmenos, are important to them here)
Red embrium leaves for healing
Spring growth for seasonal change
Solas, being pushed forward by the strong wind behind him, is finally able to stop thanks to Adahla's pressure
Adahla's dress is inspired by this statue (San Joaquín, Santa Ana y la Virgen Niña by Juan Alonso Villabrille y Ron), but has been reworked with Dragon Age motifs and emblems
The gold vines are from my post-Veilguard fic for them, The Heart Where I Have Roots
I plan to do one more post with both of these pieces together as soon as I can; their journey's been messy to the max, but it honestly brings me so much joy to know they've landed somewhere like this, and I'm again so thankful to Hotwe for bringing that ended war to life.
I commissioned this piece shortly after completing my recent DA:I playthrough. The artist has requested to remain anonymous, but I can still say here how grateful I've been for their enthusiasm, communication, and attention to detail throughout the process. Thank you so much!
ETA June 2026: the artist has given me permission to add their name! This is by Hotwe, who is one of the most talented and thoughtful artists I have ever worked with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Soooooo after the new details that have been revealed about Veilguard, how do we all imagine a Solavellan reunion is going down? Trapped in the fade together? Lighthouse makeout sessions? A very sad mural dedicated to his Vhenan? My brain is infested with new headcanons.
These tears you cry have come too late.
Take back the lies, the hurt, the blame.
And you will weep when you face the end alone.
You are lost, you can never go home.
~Gollum's Song (The Two Towers), Emiliana Torrini
Dragon Age post Trespasser AU: Solas x Inquisitor Lavellan
Alternative reunion.
What happens if Solas asks Lavellan to help rebuild the world after the sundering of the Veil?
The freed Evanuris are on the brink of war, while Solas is on the edge of a breakthrough. He knows how to lead a rebellion, but Lavellan knows how to rebuild a broken world.
They have kept in touch over the years through shared dreams, discussing the changed world and the consequences of their actions. Old scars have not yet fully healed, but neither have Solas and Lavellan forgotten their connection.
Now they meet in person for the first time.
Will she accept his invitation?
A short comic fueled by my rage about the tragic ending and heartbreak in Trespasser. I fear that da:Dreadwolf might not give us the Solavellan closure we deserve, so I took the matter in my own hands.
Any skilled fanfic writers out there that want to send me prompts for the 'to be continued' chapter? xx
Made with acrylic ink and colored pencil on paper.
I have thoughts, and when I have thoughts, they get written down into a thing.
The fact there even is a Solas romance blows my mind. I mean, here is a world Solas has written off as being full of not-real beings. Small minded, uncaring, unfeeling things. He has no notion or reasoning to get attached to anyone.
Yet Lavellan completely catches him off guard. At first, I’m sure he convinces himself his preoccupation with her is strictly situational. She has the Mark, after all. Of course, she would hold his attention.
“You were a mystery. You still are.”
But little by little, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. He becomes enamored by her. Yet even when he admits his feelings to himself, he knows it can never be more than a fantasy.
Then they find themselves in the Fade together, and Solas’ feelings slip through. He tries to cover his mistake by telling her his words were only a figure of speech. He turns away from her because he knows this cannot happen. He will not encourage this. But then she turns his head and kisses him, and all his will power goes out the window.
“You change everything.”
Even then he tries to fix it. This isn’t right. We shouldn’t. This could lead to trouble. Even if Lavellan agrees with him, he still thinks of her. He can’t not. And when we find ourselves on the balcony scene, Solas’ feelings slip again, and again he tries to walk away. But Lavellan takes his arm and asks him not to go, and he is completely doomed.
He is in love with her, and there is no escaping it.
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