#curiousaugur

[anecdotist]

@keepslore asked: ❝ i am just a lost traveler, seeking rest for the night. ❞ // for rikvi or vald send memes!

The wind in the Frostbacks was particularly biting as winter began to fall in Ferelden. The sun, already starting to set, pushed the temperatures even lower, the craggy rocks and ever present snow already forgetting the warmth of the day. Despite the hardy pine trees dotting the landscape, there weren't many good places to shelter and get away from the evening's chill. Any cave one stumbled upon was likely to already be inhabited--if they were lucky, it was a bear and not something far, far worse.

The presence of lost wanderers in the Frostbacks this time of the year wasn't unusual. Scouts and hunters would regularly report back the presence of a party, lost and nearing the end of their supplies, asking the Jarl what sort of action they should take. And usually, if the party was small enough and showed signs of being traders or peasants, Vald would issue the command to bring them to Falcon-Nest Hold. Once there, they'd be able to rest, trade for supplies, then be sent on their way with general directions towards their civilization.

Lords and soldiers were left to find those caves filled with things worse than bears.

This Inquisition didn't quite fall into either. When scouts had reported the presence of strangely armored humans and a small party of travelers, both Rikvi and Vald had descended from the mountain hold to find the party and see for themselves what they were dealing with.

"A lost traveler with an entourage?" Rikvi's voice dripped with her skepticism. Even if an elven mage was at their head, human faces and human swords were covered with Chantry iconography. The spirits pressed against Rikvi's mind, her anxiety and fear melding with theirs.

Vald laid a hand on his twin's shoulder. Always the cooler head between the two of them, he gave the elf a small smile. "I'm sure there's a reason you've come here." He gave Rikvi a weighted look. "One that can be discussed over an open fire."

Rikvi tightened her hand on her spear as a nearby dead log erupted into flames. As the sudden light cast a stern shadow to her features, she narrowed her eyes at the elf. "Speak. Why are you really here?"

[anecdotist]

it just occurred to me, but i think one of rikvi's (and probably an augur in general) unique abilities would be subduing the host and summoning the spirit possessing someone. generally i think this would be done peacefully through meditation, in order to speak to the spirit and communicate directly.

but i can also see this happening against the host's will. probably even against the spirit's will, esp if it's an unwilling possession.

[anecdotist]

i've got rikvi brainrot so here's some insight into her abilities as an augur

she can talk to spirits, not a complex thing. she can hear spirits like spite or justice who have possessed humans.

more interestingly, she can see spirits. usually she enters an altered mental state to see all spirits clearly (elfroot + other herbs) during certain cermonies, but in her day-to-day, she can see strong, powerful spirits by themselves, even as they reside in the fade, where the fade overlaps with the physical realm.

people who are possessed, then, have a specific aura about them, which sometimes includes additional limbs, colors, elemental effects, blurriness, etc.

if she sees someone is possessed, rikvi does not out them, but she will go out of her way to talk to both the person and the spirit to ensure that they're doing alright. this goes especially double for lowlanders. if it's an avvar, she's simply checking in on them as an augur should. if it's a non-avvar, though, the red flags begin to wave and she feels duty bound to ensure the health and happiness of the spirit and host.

she will prioritize the spirit's health over the host's, especially lowlanders. she would rather the host die than see the spirit corrupted into a demon or even see the spirit develop into something it should not (ie a spirit of compassion becoming a spirit of obsession).

demons are very specific things to rikvi--they are spirits forced through the fade and made to manifest here, and changed against their will in the process. spirits can embody negative emotions, and just because a spirit changes it's emotion within a host does not mean a spirit has become a demon. for example, she does not believe spite is a demon, just a spirit of determination that has further defined itself in a specific form of determination (spite) vs others (perseverance, stubbornness, etc), much as the spirit of compassion became eulogy in minrathous. but the summoning of wisdom in dai, to use wisdom to fight, a forcible change in it's nature, caused it to become a demon. it's a fine line, but one she cares deeply about

one of her duties as being an augur is to ensure their god spirits maintain their purpose. complex spirits like the lady of the skies or hakkon, generally require specific ceremonies that last years and require multiple steps that reaffirm their roles in the clans. this includes things like telling stories, clan history, and the god's role in those events, or holding elaborate reenactments where the god is invited to temporarily possess the actors to relive their past. simpler spirits, like ones that possess mage apprentices, are often more singular, and are generally reaffirmed via guided meditation with the host during possession, and small ceremonies when the possession ends. these ceremonies are incredibly diverse, but could be anything where the spirit is invited to bear witness--for example, a spirit of passion might be invited to a debate between clans, an artistic competition, or the joining of two lovers, all during which they feed off off the passionate feelings produced by those there.

[anecdotist]

@valorcorrupt asked: How would the twins respond to the death of each other?

Badly, to say the least.

If Rikvi lost Vald, I think she'd deal just a little bit better. Well, better in some ways—as Augur of Falcon-Nest hold, it would fall to her to deal with her funeral rites and would likely reach out for him via the spirits. I think she'd ultimately have a harder time letting go and moving on, simply because she would repeatedly reach out and try to talk to him/spirits representing him.

Vald, on the other hand, would be worse up front, but probably healthier overall. It's a grief he'd carry for the rest of his life, and for about a year he'd just be inconsolable. He'd refuse to name another Augur until the issue came to a conflict, and then only reluctantly name somone for the position, starting the grief cycle all over again. He doesn't have Rikvi's spirits to talk to, but he does visit her favorite meditation spot and feel like he's closer to her again.

For both, there's something of a phantom limb syndrome going on, where it just feels like the other is there, even though they're not. Being twins, they always had a bit of a twin sense going on, just knowing when the other was stressed or worried or happy or hurt without even needing to be nearby. Suddenly not having that makes both of them feel off balance and like there's a massive blank space in the world where the other should be.

[anecdotist]

dragon age: the veilguard.

After the Exalted Council, Rikvi and Vald finally return to Falcon-Nest Hold. Life there begins to look normal: Vald has a few children from a few marriages and begins choosing a heir, while Rikvi takes on an apprentice to teach the ways of being an augur.

Life, for a time, passes without much trouble.

But over the years, spirits slowly reach out to Rikvi. They tell her of The Dread Wolf, of his plans to tear down the veil. Rikvi herself isn't all too sure that that's a bad thing--but the spirits are less concerned with themselves and more worried about the fallout. The deaths of those they've loved and watched over. The suffering of the people the have no desire to hurt.

After telling Vald of her dreams, both of them come to the same conclusion that they must help stop the veil from coming down. It's less about the veil itself and more about the catastrophic, sudden change and the deaths and chaos that'll bring. Unfortunately, by the time they arrive north, The Dread Wolf's ceremony has been interrupted, and the remaining Evanuris have been unleashed.

As things progress, the twins offer effort in a few ways:

Avvar agents, able to deploy in the south as messengers and a larger organizing force

Rikvi aids in understanding the Fade, spirits, and spends the majority of her time reinforcing and securing the Lighthouse

Vald, as an experienced warrior, keeps a tactical eye on their enemy movements and a deeper understanding on how to attack the large armies against them effectively

[anecdotist]

dragon age: inquisition.

Rikvi and Vald return from raiding to find their place in the hold unsatisfactory. The death of the hold-beast prompts the twins to lead a rebellion against current leaders, splitting the tribe in half. The twins lead their half of the tribe towards a place in Rikvi’s dream, founding the new Falcon-Nest Hold. It’s shortly after that that the skies split and the new clan has to decide what to do about the lowlanders gathering too close for comfort. Set during 9:37 Dragon to 9:44 Dragon and covers the events of Inquisition and Trespasser.

companion information

How They Are Recruited: Upon hearing how these lowlanders are taking up residence at Haven, close to Avvar territory, the Thane of Falcon-Nest Hold sends a messenger to the newly formed Inquisition. They’re invited to visit the Thane and explain what this ‘Inquisition’ is, it’s goals, and why it is located so close to Avvar homelands. If the Herald chooses to speak with the Thane, they meet Vald and Rikvi, and have a chance to invite one or both to join the Inquisition. Regardless of who you invite, the twins migrate a portion of their clan to Haven.

Where They Are In Skyhold: They have two tents set up beside the stables–one for Vald, another for Rikvi. Rikvi’s tent is filled with herbs, pelts, and tomes. Vald’s tent has animal furs and a perch for the Hold Beast.

Approval: Firm answers (positive or negative but not grey), humor, allowing the Grey Wardens to stay

Disapproval: Exiling the Grey Wardens, forcing the Mages or Templars to submit

Mages, Templars, Other?: Rikvi does not like the Templars but will approve of recruiting either so long as both groups can join of their own free will. However, Rikvi will have dialogue stating her concern about having Templars so close to her clan’s mages and how if they threaten her, she will not hesitate to take them down. Vald respects and approves of both factions. He's curious about the Templars' abilities and seeks to understand their powers, whereas with the mages, he endeavors to teach and protect those brave enough to speak to him.

Small Side Mission: Rikvi approaches the Inquisitor about some mages who are being plagued by demons. If asked how she knows this, Rikvi will admit that her spirits are the ones that told her about the mages. She gives the Inquisitor a list of five mages who need their help. Two are in the Hinterlands, one in Val Royeaux, one in Emprise du Lion, and another in Crestwood. Each of them is plagued by three of the same types of demon: Rage, Terror, Desire, Pride, and Despair. After defeating all of the demons, the mages are safe.

Companion Quest: After Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, Vald approaches the Inquisitor with some concerns. Falcon-Nest Hold had agreed to support the Inquisitor, but other Avvar holds did not. After interacting with Orlesian Nobles, three holds have joined together: Peak Hold, Rams-Horn Hold, and Crag Hold. They’re all united under one war-party leader, Revik Red-Blade, who plans on moving first on the Inquisition before attacking Ferelden. Vald is willing to fight against Revik with his own people, but is having a hard time tracking him down to one hold. Peak Hold is the closest and one of the largest, Rams-Horn Hold is a medium sized hold to the South close to the Ferelden border, and Crag Hold, while smaller than the other two, is located to the North of Skyhold and has access to the Storm Coast, making for a good trading and smuggling port. Attacking the wrong hold will leave Vald’s people open for retaliation.

Option 1: Failure to find Revik results in an attack on Falcon-Nest Hold. The Inquisitor joins Vald in the fight, and they must save warriors from Revik’s forces. Vald eventually faces Revik in a one-on-one duel, barely winning. Falcon-Nest Hold survives and continues to support the Inquisition, though they’re less in numbers than before. Option 2: By attacking the right hold, Vald was able to defeat Revik in single combat. The Avvar following Revik then bent knee to Vald and agreed to support the Inquisition. Vald then obtains the title of Jarl of the Frostbacks, though still remains Thane of Falcon-Nest and a possible companion to bring on missions.

[anecdotist]

dragon age: origins

Rikvi and Vald are members of Cliffside Hold. They grow and learn in their own ways, always keeping their dream of being augur and thane. When they hear the news of the Fifth Blight, they prepare their home as best they can to face the darkspawn that may come. Set from 9:10 Dragon to 9:31 Dragon and covers their childhood through Origins and Awakening.

dragon age ii.

The lowlanders suffered with the Blight, but the darkspawn never came to the frozen Frostbacks. Stronger now than ever, Cliffside Hold takes advantage of their strength in the harsh winter to follow the Blight and sends their warriors raiding. Vald and Rikvi lead a small band of avvar during the raiding season, wandering far from home in search of riches and battle. Set from 3:31 Dragon to 9:37 Dragon and places them anywhere in Thedas.

[anecdotist]

rikvi dragon-skull - #curiousaugur

twin to vald, rikvi was the one to dream of life in a new place amongst the mountains for falcon-nest hold. after defeating a dragon to claim their territory, rikvi became the augur for her people, guiding them and communing with spirits and gods.

link to full bio. list of all verses.

tags

main character tag - curiousaugur

headcanon - curiousaugur / headcanon.

aesthetic - curiousaugur / aes.

answers - curiousaugur / answer.

threads - curiousaugur / thread.

verse info - curiousaugur / verse info.