#hlta

[wyvernscales]

Obviously I know that it would be logistically impossible in game, but the idea of Hawke’s Warden contact being their sibling makes me ILL.

Like imagine Hawke reconnecting with their sibling as the Order gets more and more reclusive. They have lost so much, but they have each other now, if only for a moment. The fear Hawke feels when they learn their last remaining family member (except for gamlen I guess) has begun hearing the Calling. The Calling isn’t a bandit or a raider. They can’t protect Beth/Carver from that. They can’t do anything but watch them hear a terrible dirge that grows more and more beautiful by the minute.

And if it’s Beth? The knowledge that she could’ve become yet another demon bound mage in Corypheus’ army. Just like any one of the many Warden mages they’ve had to cut down.

And then they march on Adamant with the Inquisition. The Hawke siblings, united in battle again. But the Hawke family bears a terrible curse, and it’s Inquisitor who decides which one becomes the final Hawke remaining.

Uhghggggfgggfg I’m SICK.

[daitranscripts]

Cullen Conversation: Here Lies the Abyss

An Example

Cullen Masterpost Related Quest: Here Lies the Abyss

Cullen: First the templars, now the Grey Wardens. Both devoted their lives to fighting evil. Now they serve it.

Dialogue options:

Mage: So, if I was possessed… [1]

Templar Spec: We don’t. [2]

General (allied templars): We have the templars. [3]

General: They’re not willing. [4]

General: Corypheus is cunning. [5]

General: They were desperate. [6]

1 - Mage: So, if I was possessed…

Cullen was told to continue lyrium Cullen: You’re not—and there’s been no cause for concern. PC: You’re avoiding the question. Cullen: What answer would you have me give? That I would ignore a threat to our people’s safety or that I would deal with it? Scene ends.

PC is romancing Cullen Cullen: Please, don’t ask me this. PC: I think I know the answer. Cullen: I don’t think you do. It’s not that simple, and I… I would rather not think of it. Scene ends.

Cullen quit lyrium/has not decided on lyrium. Cullen: I would rather not consider it. Scene ends.

2 - Templar: We don’t. PC: I’m a templar. I don’t serve Corypheus. Neither do you. Cullen (continued lyrium and was told “you chose this life”): You’re right. Cullen (did not continue lyrium/did not discuss lyrium): A former templar and one who never joined the Order? I suppose that’s something. [7]

3 - General: We have the templars. PC: We brought most of the templars over. Cullen: Thank the Maker for that. Even if we were too late for some. [7]

4 - General: They’re not willing. PC: Not by choice. They were manipulated by Corypheus. Cullen: I’m not sure that’s a comfort. [7]

5 - General: Corypheus is cunning. PC: What better way to demoralize the people of Thedas than to corrupt their heroes? If Corypheus appears with the templars and Wardens at his side, why shouldn’t they follow too? Cullen: (Sighs.) Because now is not the time to lose hope. [7]

6 - General: They were desperate. PC: They were so desperate to destroy their supposed enemies, they did not see the one standing before them. Cullen: A mistake I’ve made before and do not wish to repeat. [7]

7 - Scene continues.

Cullen: The Inquisition must serve as an example. We must stand where others fall.

[notebooks-and-laptops]

"I thought I was chosen by the maker...but I'm not. I'm just a fraud."

Oh boio was Adamant hard for my young sweet faithful Lyra. As The Winter Palace was the height of her confidence and power, so Adamant becomes the lowest moment of her life. As the truth is revealed about the mark and what really happened at the conclave, Lyra Trevelyan is left thinking she has tricked everyone, that she is just a fraud. The crisis of faith affects her deeply, and for a month after the events at Adamant she barely leaves her room, let alone manages to plan strategies at war table meetings.

Very difficult for her...but very fun to play an oc with such a strong, life changing reaction to this mission. Let's she is she can pull herself together by the time she has to march on the arbour wilds.

[donttelljim]

We Held On Too Tight

Dragon Age Origins/Inquisition Alistair Theirin x Warden Thoughts from Alistair to his beloved as he opts to stay behind in the Fade... Dark rituals, siding with the Architect, and now everything the Grey Wardens have become - Alistair can't shake the fear that fate is punishing the Wardens, and the world, for that night they cheated death, and whatever they allowed to happen to his child in order to make that happen. They shouldn't both be alive, and he fears the grey choices they might keep making to stay that way: one of them has to break the cycle. Written for @chaos-company Angstpril 2022 Day 16, Holding On Too Tight Basically me venting in the attempt to stop crying! 😂 (On AO3 here) =========================== “I have also included a note of a personal nature for Warden Alistair. Please take care of him. Like me, he was instrumental in ending the last Blight. I trust his compassion and his strength above any other's, and I would not go through such effort to overcome our Callings only to lose him to your Inquisition - ”

We should have lost each other so much longer ago, shouldn’t we, love?

Do you ever worry that we gave too much?

Not of ourselves. Of everything else. I never expected the last sky I looked at to be green. Since my Joining, I suppose I’ve always expected to reach this moment looking up at stone. Feeling a sky above me at all right now is a blessing, even if it is one in the Fade. It’s oddly pretty, in a way, when you’re not in a hurry to leave. I wonder what you’d make of it, if you were here? You were always better with the Fade than me. You were trained to walk it; I was trained to wait behind. We swapped places, in the end.

…It’s time for us to stop, dear. We’ve risked so much - we’ve pushed too many lines. We’ve ignored too much. You haven't seen what the Wardens have become, but if you’d been there, I know you would agree with me. You would want to fight, of course, to find another way - you’ve always had so much fight - but in the end, I know you'd agree.

This isn’t what we wanted to build, but I’m worried it might be what we built. I think we did this. In war, victory

Blue flags hung torn, trodden into damp and blood, abandoned on the ground. As if they meant nothing. All we had created together was rubble. Wardens in charred uniforms, lining up to become Abominations… You should never have to see your people go that way a second time. But they have. I’m sorry I won’t be beside you this time when you face it. I hope you aren’t angry with me, dearest. But… we shouldn’t both be here. We know this. It’s not a new thought, not some lie from this part of the Fade: we’ve known it for a long time. It’s followed us, lurking behind our joy as we lay together, hovering in the dark corners of our room, never quite banished no matter how bright our love shone. It's been the pause between my words, the crack in your smile. The ignored pain in our hearts every time we’ve said ‘We won’.

We’ve known it since the parade when they named you Hero, and we dodged Weishaupt’s questions and Anora’s speeches to scurry off and hide in a forgotten part of the palace. I’m grinning to myself as I remember it: you’d never looked more beautiful than you did as you wrapped around me in that stairwell, when we found something much better to do than wave at crowds and talk to nobles. I remember how bright your eyes were, how free we felt, how explosively healing it was to blessedly be with you again, and not - It was clear to us, in that moment: we mattered. Our love was worth every battle and any price. It’s not selfish, is it, when it’s love? We would solve the tomorrows we’d caused as valiantly as we'd saved the world yesterday - it didn’t matter, as long as we kept stealing another ‘today’. I wouldn’t trade that memory, even now. But I should want to.

We cheated fate that night. 

In life, vigilance. I remember her bedsheets in my hand. I focused on that, on the balled up linen, its coarseness, the strain of my knuckles against skin as I gripped it. I tethered myself to that feeling as much as I could, desperately trying not to feel anything else. My eyes were pressed shut, the black behind their lids blocking out all other darkness - the dark of that room, her magic. I thought of you; we thought of us. I refused to be my father. But what if my son ever feels like me...? Maric didn’t know me, either. Does my son know that I love him? Even if I wronged him in the moment I fathered him and allowed him to become…whatever we made him into. What have we left behind?

The Theirin throne is melted down. A double of your strange ally is leading griffons off of cliffs, their wings clipped. The oaths our Order swore are broken; I’m not sure if the words died in their mouths or ours. The Calling is the toll we vow to pay, but it became just the latest enemy. Our latest fate to outwit - one more cost of our duty that we refused to accept. Victory has only ever been one stubborn close of our eyes away.

We shouldn’t both be here. As long as we are, the world reacts. It becomes more broken, it demands balance. We shouldn’t both be here, and the world needs you more. You were always the brilliant one. You’ll just have to trust me on this, dear - one more stupid call of Alistair’s. I hope you understand it. You’ve often been the only one who does. You didn’t see the flags. 

You are the love of my life. Standing beside you, I could never stop looking at you, and for some reason that I still don’t understand, you never stopped looking at me. Perhaps it’s time to stop.

I feel oddly at peace. This place is made of fear: it’s determined to tell me that I’m wrong, that I’m throwing you away, that I’m letting everyone down yet again - but it doesn't reach me. I finally don’t care what I’m told. I know it isn't true. I feel like something fits again; something makes sense at last. The only part that hurts me is knowing that I can’t be there with you, to hold you when you get this news. I would give anything to hold you today, believe me. But I suppose that’s always been the trouble, hasn’t it?

In death, sacrifice. We held on too tight.

[meatbag-status]

Bull had fun in the fade.

[daitranscripts]

Here Lies the Abyss Masterpost

Main Quest:

Pt. 1 - The Champion of Kirkwall ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 2 - Crestwood Optional: Warden Recruit ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 3a - Warden Alistair Pt. 3b - Warden Loghain Pt. 3c - Warden Stroud ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 4 - Lord Livius Erimond ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 5 - Blood Magic ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 6 - Plan of Attack ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 7 - The Siege of Adamant ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 8 - Clarel ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 9 - The Fade ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 10 - Staying on Guard ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 11 - Divine Justinia ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 12 - Questions for the Divine ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 13 - Nightmares ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 14 - Memories Restored ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 15 - Sacrifice ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 16a - Fate of the Wardens - Warden Left in the Fade Pt. 16b - Fate of the Wardens - Hawke Left in the Fade ㅤㅤ ㅤ Pt. 17 - A Significant Blow ㅤㅤ ㅤ Deleted Dialogue

Quest Related Ambient Dialogue:

Morrigan/Warden

Quest Related Conversations:

Hawke Warden Alistair Warden Loghain Warden Stroud - Dagna Morrigan

Related Companion Cutscenes:

Cassandra: I Should Have Known Varric: Talk to Her Blackwall: O Grey Warden Cassandra: Recording History Dorian: Trite Propaganda Iron Bull: Anti-Demon Stick Sera: Something About Spiders Varric: Letters - Leliana: Illusions

Related Companion Conversations:

Blackwall: Rumors about Wardens Cole: Helpful Solas: Unnerving Vivienne: Positively Envious - Cullen: An Example Josephine: A Petition

Previous Quest: In Your Heart Shall Burn Next Quest: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

[daitranscripts]

Leliana Conversation: Here Lies the Abyss

The Hero of Ferelden

Leliana Masterpost

Related Quest: Here Lies the Abyss

After HLTA, if the Hero Of Ferelden is alive and Leliana was recruited in Origins

Choice dependent dialogue:

HoF romanced Leliana [1]

HoF did not romance Leliana [2]

1 - HoF romanced Leliana

Leliana: What we learned at Adamant concerns me. The Hero of Ferelden and I have been together for years. I nearly lost [them] to the Archdemon. [They are] looking for a way to stop the Calling from taking [them], as it does every Grey Warden. But if Corypheus has power over the Wardens, my love could be in danger.

3 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Where [are they] now? [4]

Investigate: What leads [do they] have? [5]

Investigate: Were you two happy? [6]

General: What do you suggest? [7]

4 - Investigate: Where [are they] now?

PC: If you two are still together, why [aren’t they] here?

Leliana: [Their] quest took [them] far to the west, to lands that have never known the Blight. But Justinia needed me here. I owed her that much. My love and I are never truly apart. When this is all over, I will join [them] again. And this time, nothing will come between us. [back to 3]

5 - Investigate: What leads [do they] have?

PC: What makes [them] think [they] can stop the Calling?

Leliana: It has been done before. Grand Enchanter Fiona was once a Warden, but something took all trace of the Calling from her. A Warden mage named Avernus also found a way to prolong his life with magic. It wasn’t much, but enough to start the hunt. [They] will find a way. I have faith in [them]. [back to 3]

6 - Investigate: Were you two happy?

PC: Were the two of you happy together in the years after the Blight?

Leliana: Happier than you could imagine. The only shadow over our love was knowing that one day, I would lose [them] to the Calling. [Their] quest is for me, as much as for [them]. [Their] knows how much I have lost. [back to 3]

7 - General: What do you suggest?

PC: What would you like to do?

Leliana: I do not know where the Hero of Ferelden is, precisely, but I know how to get a message to [them]. [They] may have information that helps the Inquisition. At worst, it will do no harm. I will draw up a plan in the war room. Thank you.

Scene ends.

After receiving letter from the HoF

Leliana: I received a note from the Hero of Ferelden. [They miss] me. I very much needed to know [they were] still out there, fighting to be with me. Thank you. It is a great relief, and I appreciate you allowing me to send the messenger. Now, can I help you with anything?

Scene ends.

2 - HoF did not romance Leliana

Leliana: I expected the Hero of Ferelden to be at Adamant, but [they were] not with the other Wardens. [They] studied the Blight after killing the Archdemon, and may know something that could help us. If you like, I can have agents look for [them].

Dialogue options:

General: Good idea. [8]

General: It couldn’t hurt. [9]

General: It’s not a priority. [10]

8 - General: Good idea.

PC: That sounds like a wise choice.

Leliana: I’ll make preparations in the war room. Now, was there anything else?

Scene ends.

9 - General: It couldn’t hurt.

PC: I doubt it will make anything worse.

Leliana: I’ll make preparations in the war room. Now, was there anything else?

Scene ends.

10 - General: It’s not a priority.

PC: Our main focus must be on Corypheus.

Leliana: Understood. If you change your mind, I’ll have a plan ready in the war room.

Scene ends.

[daitranscripts]

Skyhold Conversation: Here Lies the Abyss

Warden Alistair

Skyhold Masterpost Related Quest: Here Lies the Abyss

The PC can speak to Alistair up on the battlements.

Speaking to Alistair before the Western Approach: Alistair: We should get to that ritual tower in the Western Approach, ideally before it lives up to its name.

Speaking to Alistair after the Western Approach: Alistair: I can’t stand this. How many Grey Wardens died here? And for what? Erimond and the Grey Wardens are definitely holed up at Adamant Fortress, by the way. Don’t know if Hawke told you.

—

Alistair: Need something else?

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate (Hero of Ferelden survived): Where is the Hero of Ferelden? [2]

Investigate: You fought in the Blight? [3]

Investigate: Tell me about the Wardens. [4]

Investigate (after Western Approach): How could they pay this price? [5]

Investigate (after Western Approach): Who is leading the Wardens? [6]

Investigate: What do the Wardens know? [7]

General: Goodbye. [8]

2 - Investigate: Where is the Hero of Ferelden? PC: Was the Hero of Ferelden involved in all this?

Alistair: I’m not sure. After we defeated the Archdemon, [they were] made Warden-Commander of Ferelden. [They] disappeared some time ago, not long before I started investigating rumors of Corypheus. [They] may have joined the Orlesian Wardens after I went into exile. If so, hopefully [they’ll] be on our side. Alistair (Morrigan did dark ritual): But I wouldn’t count on it. When we fought the Archdemon, [they] did things that… [They] walk a dark path.

Alistair (HoF rules w/ Anora): I couldn’t say. I was exiled after [they] decided [they] preferred Anora’s company.

Alistair (romanced but HoF): No, [they] left before any of this began. A mission of [their] own, something personal. We Wardens don’t live that long. The Calling I spoke of, the real one—before it went crazy—eventually it kills us. The thing is, when we killed the Archdemon… we discovered that might not be as set in stone as we thought. So [they’re] searching for a way to end the curse. For both of us. Maybe for us all.

9 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why aren’t you together? [10]

Investigate: You can end the Calling? [11]

Investigate: Have you been happy? [12]

Investigate: Could [they] help us? [13]

[back to 1]

10 - Investigate: Why aren’t you together? PC: The way you talk about [them], I’m surprised you aren’t still together. Alistair: Oh, there was a discussion, believe me. Someone had to look into the rumors about Corypheus. We didn’t know what was involved at the time. [They] were going to stay to help, but we had a lead that couldn’t wait. One of us had to go. When I’m done here, we’ll be together again. Forever, this time. [back to 9] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 11 - Investigate: You can end the Calling? PC: How can the Calling be stopped? If that actually possible? Alistair: Grand Enchanter Fiona was once a Warden, so I’m told, but had the taint completely drawn out of her. There was also a Warden named Avernus who extended his life far beyond what should have been possible. So we looked into it. We weren’t going to give up without a fight. That’s when we found a rumor that meant going deep into the west. It wasn’t much, but we’ve done more with less. My love will find a way. I’m certain of it. [back to 9] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 12 - Investigate: Have you been happy? PC: Have you been happy with [them] in the years since the Blight? Alistair: Happier than I ever dreamed possible. [They’re] more than I deserve… and I hope I make [their] days easier as well. [They] were rebuilding the Wardens in Ferelden, while I hunted darkspawn left over from the Blight. It was hard work for both of us, but we always had each other. [back to 9] ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ 13 - Investigate: Could [they] help us? PC: If [they’ve] been looking for a way to stop the Calling, perhaps [they] could help us. Alistair (after Western Approach): I doubt it. This false Calling that Corypheus created isn’t the same as the real one. Still, it couldn’t hurt to check. [They’re] deep into the west by now, but I have a way to contact [them]. Alistair: I’ll give the information to your people in the war room. If nothing else. I’d like to warn [them] about Corypheus. [back to 9]

3 - Investigate: You fought in the Blight? Alistair: I’m going to be answering that question for the rest of my life. Yes, I was there. It was big. The Hero of Ferelden was brave. But that was ten years ago. “What have you done for use lately, Alistair?” New time, new problems. [back to 1]

4 - Investigate: Tell me about the Wardens. PC: What’s it like being a Warden? Alistair: Oh, it’s wonderful! You get fresh peaches delivered every morning, first choice of local village girls, and bunnies, too! Well maybe it’s not that. Not even close to that. (Sighs.) I watched my brothers die at Ostagar soon after I joined. Never thought I’d see Wardens kill themselves.

Dialogue options:

Special: Why were they after you? [14]

[back to 1]

14 - Special: Why were they after you? PC: Why were the Wardens trying to kill you? Alistair: When Clarel started talking blood magic and demons to deal with the Calling, I said it wasn’t a good idea. First it was awkward silences and some coughing… but when I mentioned Corypheus, things went really wild. The Warden mages said I was interfering, called me a traitor. Funny how often that happens to me. [back to 1]

5 - Investigate: How could they pay this price? PC: How could the Wardens willing sacrifice their own to summon demons? Alistair: I know it sounds nutty. Being a Warden makes us special, but it comes with a heavy price. You have to walk away from your old life and be prepared to do anything to stop the next Blight. And we are they only ones who can, the only ones willing to make the decisions—the sacrifices—to do that. You wouldn’t understand. Or, well, with that mark on your hand, maybe you would. [back to 1]

6 - Investigate: Who is leading the Wardens? PC: You mentioned Warden-Commander Clarel. Is she behind this? Alistair: She’s the one who summoned me and the other Wardens to Orlais when she started hearing the Calling. I don’t know her well. She’s a mage—smart, careful, determined. The sort of mage the the templars told me to keep a close watch over. Makes her the best kind of Warden. Or at least, I would have thought so. Maybe the templars aren’t wrong about *everything.

Dialogue options:

Special: Is Corypheus controlling her? [15]

[back to 1]

15 - Special: Is Corypheus controlling her? PC: Do you think she’s helping Corypheus willingly or was she duped? Alistair: Clarel would never serve somethin that looks like a darkspawn willingly. I heard about an “advisor” of some kind though. Maybe we’ll learn more at the Western Approach. [back to 1] (this is a follow-up conversation to the above that is only triggered after the Western approach? I’m not sure what the deal is here.)

7 - Investigate: What do the Wardens know? PC: Corypheus was held in a Warden prison, right? So the Wardens should know all about him? Alistair: You'd think the Wardens would share information with each other, but they’re really big on keeping secrets. Maybe they think some knowledge is too dangerous? I don’t know. For most Wardens, he’d be nothing more than an old legend, dead long ago. If they knew of him at all. [back to 1]

8 - Goodbye. PC: We’ll talk later. Alistair: Another time, then.