So...@davrinsleftpectoral used an Ayla save for an epic all Rooks vs. Solas endgame fight. Then sent me the video. And the Rooks she chose just so happened to belong to a certain Lighthouse Tourney Rook’s Books bracket…
…so my unhinged brain turned it into a Nugflix trailer. Because of course it did. 🤷♀️
🎬 BELOW THE CUT: Check out an exclusive interview with the cast, and behind-the-scenes photos!
This weekend, Nugflix released the official teaser trailer for DEATHBRACKET, the latest Nugflix Original film. While the movie won't be available on the ubiquitous streaming service until Summer 2026, the trailer took the internet by storm, racking up millions of views in just a single day immediately upon release. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the cast of DEATHBRACKET in Los Angeles, California at Turvi Laidir's lavish seaside estate, and asked about their experience filming one of the summer's hottest films, as well as how they're handling their overnight superstardom.
The transcript below is from my interview with the film's stars: Turvi Laidir (@davrinsleftpectoral), Veryl Ingellvar (@hedwigoprah), Zalan de Riva (@blackwall-my-tiny-husband ), & Ayla Thorne.
Thanks so much for having me Turvi! Your home is absolutely gorgeous. Is that real gold on the walls?
TURVI LAIDIR: Aw, thanks Fern. You're welcome anytime. And yes it is, you've got a great eye! Mimosa?
AYLA THORNE: Andraste's tits, you didn't even ask the first question and he's already trying to get you drunk.
TURVI: I am not! I'm just a good host.
ZALAN DE RIVA: Please excuse her, Fern. That one wouldn't know the first thing about entertaining. Thank you, Turvi.
AYLA: *grumbles inaudibly*
VERYL INGELLVAR: Hey T, can I grab one of those?
TURVI: Of course, V!
Alright, let's get started. What first drew you to this project? Veryl, let's start with you.
VERYL: Oh. Well...I actually signed by accident.
AYLA: Wait WHAT?! *loud cackling* V, how don't I know this??
VERYL: Because it's embarrassing!!!
TURVI: Come on, V. Spill.
VERYL: Ugh. When I saw the listing for 'a cutthroat rogue' that would do whatever it takes to stop an evil guy from taking over the world...I just assumed it was a help wanted ad.
AYLA: *laughs uncontrollably*
VERYL: Wow, thanks, Ayla. Can we please move on!? Zalan? What about you?
ZALAN: Hmm. I was excited to do my own stunts. Especially since they gave us real knives. They even let me keep a few! Shout out to Holden in the props department! You're a real one.
Turvi, why did you want to be involved in the film?
TURVI: Like Zalan, I was really looking forward to doing my own stunts. Plus, I felt like someone needed to keep an eye on Ayla.
AYLA: Aw, Turvi! That's so sweet.
TURVI: Uh...I didn't mean that as a compliment.
AYLA: I know.
TURVI: *chuckles* What about you, Goblin Queen? Why did you sign on to the project?
AYLA: Oh! I thought you knew this already. I just really, really wanted to kick Solas' ass.
ZALAN: Maker, not this again.
AYLA: WHAT?
ZALAN: You know he's not actually evil right?? He's an actor! He's playing a character, just like we are.
AYLA: Yeah, well I still don't trust him.
Speaking of: what's the atmosphere like on set? Do you all get along?
TURVI: Oh! Funnily enough, I actually go to the same gym as Solas. So we already knew each other. He comes to my sunrise yoga classes sometimes. Despite the character he plays and Ayla's insistence, he's really such a sweetheart. We play pickleball on Tuesdays.
VERYL: Yeah, he actually tells really good stories. He's way older than he looks, honestly ANCIENT, and he's been all over. We're planning a backpacking trip to the Anderfels this spring.
AYLA: I love hanging out with these guys, and I adore our director! Bellara Lutare is a hoot, and we go way back. She's the biggest reason I wanted to get involved with this film. Besides punching Solas, I mean.
ZALAN: Our sparring sessions in between takes were unreal. I'd kill for these guys. And have.
VERYL: He's joking.
ZALAN: ...Right.
Who's the biggest troublemaker on set?
VERYL: Turvi.
TURVI: Oh 100% Ayla.
AYLA: Turvi!
ZALAN: Ayla for sure.
Without giving anything away, can you share a favorite line, or scene that you worked on? Ayla, what about you? I heard you have a pretty big action sequence right at the start of the film. I think we even have a clip of it we can share with our readers.
AYLA: Ooh! Yeah!! Maker, that was a blast. Teia, our chorographer, did an insane job blocking out that fight. She made me look like such a badass!! Did you SEE that stool throw?! Fucking incredible. And I would die for Varric. I love him so damn much.
ZALAN: You had an iconic line there too.
AYLA: 'Be ready to talk by the time I get to you.'
VERYL: *deadpan* Chills.
Zalan, speaking of writing, I was so excited to see your surprise credit as a DEATHBRACKET screen writer! Can you tell us a little more about that?
ZALAN: No.
Well, I think that's just about all the time we have! Thanks again for chatting with me!
TURVI: Always a pleasure, Fern!
AYLA: Later, gator!
ZALAN: Ciao.
VERYL: Thanks.
DEATHBRACKET will be available for streaming on Nugflix Summer 2026.
Tagging some folks I think might get a kick out of this! 😂💕
@onelooseskull @serialsforbellara @grand-crow @vishantikaffar @redaresss @sandcastlekings @handsignals @sorcerousadventurer @seaglassmelody @serstolas @in-the-drowning-deep @ermagerdperpehs @opulentshits @sunny374940 @brightbreezeblog @trash-nerd @curiouswisp @rooks-dagger @wolfmoonwildflowers @tevivinter @pinkvbay @kabsey @introvertedfangrl @guacamolleee @casa-dei-corvei
Alrighty, now that my Hallmark AU demon has been well and truly exorcised (for now...) I figured it was about time I caught up on all these end-of-year tags! So how about a little 2025 Unwrapped?
🍿 NUGFLIX STYLE!
✍️ 2025 Writing Recap
YEAH. I know I said I wasn't gonna do one of these because I kind of got all emotional in my last Hallmark AU post, but in the most classic Fern move ever, I made this gigantic fucking thing anyways! 😂
I didn't start writing fanfiction until early August this year! I looked up my very first post, and it was exactly on 8/1/25! So while this is an EOY wrap up, it's technically for 8/1/25 - 12/31/25.
✍️ Writing Master Post
Balconies, Beetles & Blankets 🪲
Words: 97,285
Episodes: 18 & Counting!
This is my FIRST EVER fic that started out as silly Tumblr brainrot back when I had no idea what I was doing or that I was on my way to writing over 100k words about these two little idiots in love!! And it will always have a very special place in my heart!! 💕
Chapter 12, AKA 'Baby's First Smut', is also my first foray into smut, and decidedly the spiciest (the entire chapter is the smut lmao). The latest installment, Chapter 18: Danse Macabre, AKA The Ball, is probably my favorite thing I've written this year (tied only with a certain little Nugflix holiday special below hehe).
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
🪲 Master Post
The One Where Emmrich Fights a Dragon 🐲
Part of Oops! All Emmrook Fluff, a collection of one-shots
Words: 2,576
Episode 2 of my growing collection of one shots: Oops! All Emmrook Fluff. This one's a silly little story about a newly-coupled Em x Rook fighting Kataranda the Stormrider!
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
📸 Bonus: some fun in-game shots of the fight
Making Spirits Bright ❄️
A Nugflix Original Film
Words: 24,376
Yes, the lovely little Hallmark AU holiday special that consumed / possessed me over the past week! I still can't believe I wrote this let alone in the time frame I did lmao and it's definitely one of my favorite things I've written all year!!
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
🍿 Bonus: the official Nugflix movie poster
Gravemist 🪦
Words: 1,500
Episodes: 1 released, 1 in production
In my Emmrook long fic, Rook has always wondered just what the hell is going on between Myrna & Vorgoth, and her nosiness became mine, until my brain rotted from the inside out. I am very invested in these two!! #Myrgoth #JustYourAverageGal&HerAmorphousMistyPal
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
🪦 Bonus: a behind the scenes look at the upcoming ep!
The Sun, The Moon, The Truth 🌔
🎬 Co-Directed by @guacamolleee & @introvertedfangrl
Words: 11,136
Episodes: 2 released, 1 in production
I've been having a BLAST cooking up juicy telenovela drama with my fellow co-directors for our dramatic little Crossroads Island blorbos. We can't wait to share more! EP. 3 COMING SOON!
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
🎶 Bonus: the official #Rookine playlist!
The Spirit Box Mysteries 👻
🎬 Co-Directed by @serialsforbellara
Words: 2,836
Episodes: 1 released, more in production
I absolutely adore working with my fellow co-director here, and I will never stop being obsessed with buddy cop duo Gemma & Rook! We have a huge list of ideas we cant wait to chip away at for more Scooby-Doo style hijinks & mysteries! EP. 2 COMING SOON!
👉 Add to your Nugflix queue!
🏝️ Join the Crossroads Island Community!
✍️Writing Favorites & Not
1. Favorite character to write for/about
Gentleman Professor Emmrich Volkarin ofc. Followed closely by my lil' Goblin Rook, Ayla Thorne. 🙂↕️
2. Least favorite character to write for/about.
I don't really have a least favorite character to write for or about, but I have noticed I tend to shy away from writing Harding for some reason! I love her dearly, so the only thing I can pin down here is that I personally feel like her voice is maybe the least distinctive of the team, which makes it a bit more of a challenge, writing-wise? I also tend to not use her much in the game. I also still need to play DAI!
3. Favorite pairing
Sorry but I'm a broken record on this one: Emmrook for life. 💚 Specifically a feral Rook. I just think it's a sweet yet hilarious pairing.
4. Least favorite pairing
Solavellan. Maker have mercy on me, but Rook's dislike of the man has very much rubbed off lol. I just feel like the Inquisitor deservers better, ya know?? 🥲
5. Favorite POV and Tense
3rd person for sure, and my fav POV is Emmy! My long fic alternates between Emmrich & Rook.
6. Something new you did this year
*Gestures broadly around* ALL OF THIS!! LITERALLY.
Some other highlights besides writing include:
🏝️ Serving as the Director of Resident Services over at the Crossroads Island Tumblr Community - it's an honor to serve!
Making HUNDREDS of silly DATV / Emmrook memes, & coining #TextPostTuesdays, where I posted batches for 8 weeks in a row!!
(They're all linked in my masterpost AKA the Lighthouse Library, & every batch post is linked together at the end!)
7. Something other people have told you that you're good at
Reading them literally always ALWAYS makes me cry, but the most consistent positive feedback in my comments has been for my Emmrich POVs and voice. I enjoy writing him immensely!! 😭💕
8. Something you think you're good at
I try to add humor wherever I can in my writing and I like to think I do a decent job at it!! (This was hard for me to write without my brain attempting to undersell it lmao).
9. Something you want to improve on
LENGTH. Maker have mercy, length. 😂
10. Favorite thing you read this year
Oh my god what an impossible question hahaha! There are wayyyy too many, and my 'To Read' pile is shamefully long, but I'll do my best to pick a few favs:
💚 Immortally Yours
Directed by @theyearningghoul
While all of these fics & ofc all of y'all are very near and dear to me, I wanted to give a special shout out to this one because it was the first Emmrook fic I ever read & what kicked off this entire damn journey!! I literally cannot thank you enough for writing it. Especially being so open about your first smut too! 💕😭🫶
🌸 A New Bloom & She Deserves Better Than This
Directed by @onelooseskull
Kione & Emm are THE CUTEST and they are having a baby y'all! There is very delicious spice, there is so much sweetness, THERE IS A VERY VERY CUTE BIG BROTHER MANFRED, and there is some interesting mysterious plot cookin' here! #FeralForPeepaw #GirlDadEmm
🧀 Welcome to Nug E Cheese & Turvi's Island Adventures
Directed by @davrinsleftpectoral
I know I am late to the game here for Nug E Cheese, but I am slowly catching up! I cackle every time I read this and I can't wait to inhale more. (Em is called Dr. HOTPANTS?!?!!! Like do I even need to say more?!) And Turvi's island adventures where he's hurting himself to talk to his crush Dr. Sabi is stinkin' adorable.
🐦⬛ The Tale of an Antivan Canary
Directed by @serialsforbellara
Also know I am late to the game on this one too, but Gemma de Riva is a hoot, and a very sassy assassin!! I am slowly catching up on this as well, but so far I adore her humor & relationship with Harding. I also love your Lucanis voice, and Gemma's complex relationship w/Illario.
🌔 Bluebird Moon
Directed by @hedwigoprah & @sandcastlekings
Literally was impossible to pick an installment of #Vericho goodness to highlight here, so I just went with ALL. OF. IT. I love V x Jer Bear sm!!
🍎 sugar apples
Directed by @guacamolleee
This made me blush multiple times irl & some bits of it still live rent free in my head to this day...whoops! It's v spicy and was my first intro to my sweet friend Lee's beautiful, beautiful writing!!
😈 Demons & Dreams, specifically Part 7: See & Be Seen
Directed by @trash-nerd
Yet another amazing series on my To Read list (do y'all see the pattern here yet? lmao) but I jumped right into Part 7 after Ash posted a snippet and didn't stop reading until the end. I can't wait to read more!
⚡Torn, specifically Part Two
*just make sure you have tissues ready!! 😭
Directed by @dudewheresmynug
Pretty sure I attacked Raz with a HOW DARE YOU!??!! message right after reading Part Two, but I don't regret a single second of it. The voice you gave Lydia's mom, Alana, is absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching and FUCK I'm gonna cry again aren't I?!? Lmao. Little cinnamon roll Lyds must be protected at ALL COSTS!!
⚔️ Into the Grey & The Dance
Directed by @redaresss
Ohhhhh I am a sucker for this entire premise #WardenDrama, and I'm still working my way through catching up here but Zea Thorne x Emmrich & their wild adventures navigating the changes in the blight amongst other things I REALLY WANT TO SAY BUT DON'T WANT TO SPOIL have been a super fun & interesting read!! Zea is one BADASS lady!!
🚿 V is for 'Volcarnage'
Directed by @opulentshits
Literally did not stop cackling once while reading this entire thing. If the idea of Emmrich beating up a group of Lord of Fortune bandits with a very silly weapon WHILE NAKED sounds fun, then you gotta read this Emmrich crackfic STAT!!
💀 Anselm's Midnight Wanderings, Part 1
Directed by @vishantikaffar
This post by my very sweet friend is EVERYTHING. I will never be able to get enough of Rook & Anselm's friendship!!! They might be total opposites in almost every single way, but damn if they aren't just the cutest little duo you've ever seen. I can't wait for more of your Ans writing!
11. Favorite event you did this year
ROOKFEST ROOKFEST ROOKFEST!!! My pal @curiouswisp and the entire @rookfest crew did an incredible job hosting this event!! I met so many lovely people & was so creatively inspired by the whole damn thing, I literally cannot thank y'all enough! 🫶💕
Ayla wrote a few posts herself, had a blast at the masquerade ball, and got in on the Lighthouse Tourney action by hosting Rook's Books bracket match ups! #DeathBracket4Lyfe...y'all know who you are!!
👉 Rookfest 2025 Master Post
12. Favorite song to listen to while you write/get you in the writing mood
I have ADHD & need ABSOLUTE SILENCE to write, unless I'm editing, and then I might listen to music without any words lol.
13. Favorite type of fic to write (crack, fluff, angst, smut, etc)
Fluffy action/adventure/romance!!!
✍️ Favorite Line of 2025
‘And while it felt as though his heart now lived outside of his chest, and since taken the form of the most breathtakingly foolhardy soul he had ever known, it gave him the strength to carry on; the terror of his own demise laughably minuscule and inconsequential when compared to the hysterical dread at the idea of Rook falling beside him.'
Balconies, Beetles, & Blankets
Chapter 9 | After the Storm
👉 Original post here w/full passage!
WHEWWWW damn y'all, I'm outta breath haha 😅
Did I do it?!?! I think I caught up on most of these!! I don't typically make New Year's resolutions, but I will include any of y'all that tagged me in your lovely posts for those too! I will say, my biggest goal for this upcoming year is: KEEP WRITING, KEEP READING, & SWEET MAKER HAVE MERCY catch up on my damn Read Later pile!!
Happy New Year y'all! 🫶
TYSM for tagging me in your 2025 wrap up posts! I'm including some pals who have tagged me in some other things recently too for a sign of life (I am WELL behind on those lol) but also to let y'all know that ILY!! 💕 trash-nerd, serialsforbellara, dudewheresmynug, sandcastlekings, vishantikaffar, redaress, davrinsleftpectoral, guacamolleee, @tevivinter, @lycheecatee, @brightbreezeblog, @blackwall-my-tiny-husband, @rooks-dagger, @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai, @sorcerousadventurer, @handsignals, @sunny374940, @seaglassmelody, @serstolas, @grand-crow, @notyourmamasdeerbat, @samsincerely, @kogarashi-art
Welcome to the 2025 Lighthouse Tourney Masterpost, the unhinged tourney brackets I made in honor of Rookfest's 'Lighthouse Tourney Day' that got wildly out of hand (by which I mean spectacularly spiraled out of control into a wonderful weekend of chaos, hand-to-hand combat, and friendship/romance).
Oh, and Rook's Books branded coffins! Can't forget those.
I've been meaning to make one of these for a while now, and finally got my ass in gear to do it.
⚔️ The Brackets
⚔️ The Final Results & Tourney Scrapbook
⚔️ The Post-Tourney Media Interviews
⚔️ The Rook Hype Playlist
Also featuring the creative works of my pals below!
'Tourney Love Matches'
by @blackwall-my-tiny-husband
ft. Esha x Eris, Fi x Ruk, & Jericho x Veryl
'What Really Happened'
a mini-fic by @serialsforbellara & @brightbreezeblog
“You threw a fireball at my head!” Akela looked at her outstretched hand suspiciously. “Why?”
“It just happened.”
Sabi's Grace in Defeat
by @seaglassmelody
'Tourney In Motion'
by blackwall-my-tiny-husband (title my own lmao)
And once again, huge congratulations to our 2025 Tourney Winner Ruk Ingellvar (@curiouswisp), whose death caller spells and mighty sword helped her win the night!
