#lydiago

[sorcerousadventurer]

Viarook Week Day 1: Gloves | Skin

Thank you @viarookweek for hosting 🖤

I'm so excited for this week! I'm in my Lydiago era, so I plan to do something for 4-5 days.

Let's start with something soft.

[sorcerousadventurer]

Viarook Week: Hands | Dom Viago

@viarookweek thank you for hosting 🖤

Lydia gladly let's Viago take reigns in the bedroom. It's good for her well-being and for his ego.

The adder with jade stone ring is Viago's gift for Lydia. She wears it even after their breakup - it's one of her two favourite jewellery pieces (second being her mother ring which she also receives from Viago).

[sorcerousadventurer]

Lydia probably got distracted, did something stupid, got yelled at by Viago, started crying and now Viago feels bad and wants to comfort her. There. That's the story.

@thimblings made me do it by sending this Viarook coded gem on a server. Thank you 🖤

me: just a quick sketch, so I can fully focus on my art trades.

also me: draws Viago's hair for almost 2 hours.

[sorcerousadventurer]

Viarook Week Day 5: Deception | Trust

@viarookweek thank you for hosting 🖤

Taking off gloves - I don't think that there is a greater sign of trust from Viago. Allowing himself to be vulnerable around someone. But all the doors and windows are locked with multiple locks and every surface was checked several times for any poison.

Tumblr ate the quality, but it looks as it should after tapping/clicking on the pic.

[sorcerousadventurer]

Viarook Week 2026

I planned on doing at least four pieces, so I'm counting this ship week as a win 🖤

Gloves | Skin

Worship

Reunion | Semi-public Sex

Trust

Hands | Dom Viago

And I learned A LOT while drawing all those things! A bit of my yapping under the cut.

🐍 Now I'm much more confident in drawing hands - I used to hate drawing them, but now hands are my favourites 🖤

🐍 I struggle less with hair - I usually need a lot of references for strands and locks to make it work. This time I went with just outlining the vague shape, and general direction and texture first and after that? Pure vibe drawing. I like it.

🐍 I enjoy drawing smutty things. There, I said it. Posting it is still a bit frightening, but I got so many kind comments, that I should struggle with it less in the future 🖤

🐍 It's nice that I'm able to convey emotions through art. That people notice the intention behind all the small details.

Thanks @viarookweek for hosting 🖤 And thank you all the lovely people for all your reactions 🖤 Every like, every comment, every reblog means a world to me.

[sorcerousadventurer]

A Rook by Any Other Name

I think most of us have a primary/canon Rook - but who would they be if they ended up with one of the other factions? How would they have ended up there? What decisions would they make differently? How would their personality change? What bits of them are immutable across timelines? What would they wear?!

I was tagged by @serensama (go and check out her Rooks' alternative stories!). I went totally into the rabbit hole with this, so this will be long. But oh well, it was fun to make! I'm not tagging anyone since I don't remember who already did this, feel free to do it and tag me to see it!

Original Rook: Lydia Ingellvar - necromancer, healer and spirit whisperer

Lydia was found as an abandoned infant in an Ingellvars' crypt in Necropolis. She was raised communally by Mourn Watchers, mostly by Vorgoth who became her parent figure and Myrna who treats her like a little sister. Her magics manifested when she was still a small child and since she was already living in Necropolis, she trained there instead of being sent to a Circle.

She finds out who her parents were when she is 15, just after her Harrowing. Kirke de Riva was an elven mage and master assassin, a mentor to Viago and mother to Lydia. She had an ongoing romance with a minor nevarran noble that resulted in pregnancy. But she didn't want her child to undergo a tough Crow training, so she gave birth in secrecy and left her newborn with the father. Little did she know that he had multiple romances and didn't want to deal with yet another affair child, so he ordered his servant to get rid of the baby. On her deathbed, Kirke confessed that she had a daughter and made Viago promise that he'd find her and check if she's doing all right. The father was long dead but Viago found out what happened to the child from the servant. Having an elven mother is a surprise since there's no elven trait in her appearance. In the end Lydia visits Salle regularly, working closely with Viago, studying the effects different substances have on different organisms (he aims to use it for his poisons, she - for working on her doctorate on healing). This leads to an on-and-off relationship with him that ends because neither is willing to let go of their ambitions to commit fully to each other. The breakup is amicable and they stay in touch, with Lydia rooting for his relationship with Teia.

Lydia leaves with Varric when she's 29 and they disrupt Solas' ritual a year later.

What is she like?

Lydia's shy, kind, a bit weird (she was raised in a big graveyard, mostly by an entity without face expressions that speaks in capital letters, you'd be weird too), spends her time reading, drawing, studying (she's fascinated with anatomy and myconology) or hanging out with wisps and spirits. She's quite trusting of others, likes to see (and bring out) the best in everyone. She is confident in her skills and knowledge but also very self-conscious since she knows she was raised in a very specific environment and fears that people won't accept her for who she is.

Specialisation: Death Caller

She always feared that she could be sent away to a Circle (she especially dreaded Kirkwall) and several demons of fear tried to use it and possess her during her Harrowing. It turns out she's exceptionally resistant to being possessed against her will, so she succeeds against them but it leaves her with lightning scars and her right pupil permanently dilated. Despite it, she sees spirits as persons not threats, is fascinated by how Avvars and Rivaini approach them and it doesn't take much time for her to practise the controlled possessions on herself. This helps her in honing her skills as a healer who specialises in treating wounds and illnesses made with the use of blood magic.

Significant other

Lydia has a hard time finding a stable relationship until she meets a certain charming Antivan Crow with caffeine addiction. At first she's mostly determined to help him and Spite reach an understanding but she's quickly developing a crush on Lucanis. She's also the first to treat Spite as a person, not a nuisance, so she ends up in a happy relationship with the Crow and the Demon.

Lydia's choices:

- Treviso is saved (she truly believes that Shadow Dragons are able to defend Minrathous)

- Bellara is blighted (Neve becomes Lydia's best friend and she needs her in her team, not being distracted by wards)

- Lace sacrifices herself (because they never find a body, Lydia is convinced that she can be found and saved)

- Solas is persuaded to tie himself to the Veil

Post-Veilguard:

Lydia is happily married to Lucanis (and Spite!), they navigate their life between Treviso and Necropolis.

Lydia grows to her full potential in Mourn Watch and is most happy there, I put the other factions in order of where she would thrive the most. Kirke's romance with a nevarran noble and Lydia'a age when leaving with Varric are constant in her story, what happens next makes the difference in her future whereabouts. More under the cut!

Lydia de Riva - interrogator, poisoner and healer

Kirke decides to keep the child and is overseeing her training personally. She has Lydia under her care, shielding her from schemes and some of the Crows' cruelty. Kirke dies on a contract when Lydia is 16 and she falls under Viago's care as his protégé.

What is she like?

Her character doesn't change very much - she's less trustworthy of others and has more confidence in herself. Her morals are also more dubious, after all, she's a Crow. She's still shy and unassuming and others tend to underestimate her (which she uses to her advantage).

Specialisation: Spellblade

She's not the classic stabby-stealthy-flirty Crow, she tends to act as a support: observing, gaining information, making openings for others. She's still a skilled healer but she doesn't excel at it without the help and knowledge of friendly spirits. She works closely with Viago, being his shadow and right hand, also sharing his fascination with poisons. It is believed that she can get information from anyone although no one is willing to learn how.

Significant other(s)

It takes her and Viago more time to fall in love and they're fiercely loyal to themselves with Viago being also terribly jealous. This doesn't prevent him from being in his usual on-and-off relationship with Teia. They remain together until Lydia is cast out after compromising an operation against the Antaam - Viago is doing anything in his power to save her from other Talon's ire but she thinks he is ending things between them by assigning her an impossible contract she's not supposed to return from (we all know that Viago is not the best with translating his feelings to words).

Lydia falls for Lucanis but things get complicated when she learns that Viago still cares for her. They end in a polyamorous relationship (she catches Talons like pokemons XD).

Lydia's choices:

- Treviso is saved

- Neve is blighted (Lydia grows closer with Bellara because she teaches her about her elven heritage)

- Lace sacrifices herself (and Lydia is looking for a way to find her)

- Solas is tricked

Post Veilguard:

Officially, Lydia is married to Lucanis and leads the Crows with him, while Viago becomes a king with Teia at his side. Unofficially, the four of them seize the power in Antiva, strengthening the crown and the Crows at the cost of merchant princes. Antiva thrives under their rule but their power is occupied with a lot of blood and losses.

Lydia Laidir - rebellious healer and spirit caller

After learning she's pregnant, Kirke decides to fake her death to raise her daughter away from Crows and her poor excuse of a father. She left for Rivain because there she could live as a mage without being separated from her child. Kirke makes sure that Lydia has good and extensive education, she has her trained by herself and several different seers. Lydia's 15 when Anders blows up Kirkwall's chantry and she meets him a year later when Kirke starts working with newly formed Lords of Fortune (I am a believer of Isabela taking Anders to Rivain after Kirkwall).

What is she like?

She is bold and rebellious, she has a hard time dealing with who she is (should she identify as a Crow, as a Nevarran, as an elf, as a human or maybe as a Rivaini?) which causes a rift in a relationship with her mother. Lydia is often helping Anders with healing and he sees she's got a talent for it, so he trains her. They grow very close, Anders becoming not only her mentor but also a father she never had. He and Kirke end up together which helps in mending daughter-mother relationship.

Specialisation: Spellblade

Under Ander's tutelage Lydia is becoming a skilled healer and training under seers makes her especially receptive to spirits.

Significant other

Lydia is fascinated with Emmrich (because of her nevarran heritage) but she grows close to Lucanis (and Spite!) and pursues a relationship with him.

Lydia's choices:

- Treviso is saved

- Neve is blighted

- Lace sacrifices herself

- Solas is tricked

Post Veilguard:

Lydia is in a stable relationship with Lucanis, traveling between Treviso and her home in Rivain. Both Lucanis and Anders (and also Spite and Justice) become close and this helps them navigate their spirit/demon situation better.

Lydia Mercar - a rebel, a healer, a leader

Kirke leaves her daughter with her father and the servant sends her to his relatives in Tevinter. On the way their caravan is ambushed which results in Mercar finding her and adopting.

What is she like?

She's shuffling between her home and Minrathous Circle, constantly trying to meet the high expectations of her father which makes her horribly ambitious. Things change when she finds out about being a half-elf from Viago - her family wants to keep it a secret, so she can still get a good husband but she's determined to make a difference for elven slaves. She's more serious as a Mercar and she sacrifices a lot to fight injustice.

Specialisation: Evoker

Lydia's efforts are seen by Maevaris who introduces her first to Lucernis then to Shadow Dragons. She is acting wherever and however she can, she doesn't fear any type of job. She's still got a knack for healing.

Significant other

She works a lot with Tarquin, at first they can't stand each other but then something is blooming between them (she has a thing for brooding, dark-haired men, ok?). The forming relationship is interrupted by Nessus job. Lydia tries to flirt with Lucanis but she still has feelings for Quin (and saving Minrathous ends any efforts with the Crow). After the final battle she and Tarquin start their relationship.

Lydia's choices:

- Minrathous is saved

- Bellara is blighted

- Davrin sacrifices himself (Lydia mourns him but treats it as a necessary loss)

- Solas ties himself to the Veil

Post Veilguard:

Lydia returns to Tevinter to further fight for a better future. She's in an on-and-off relationship with Tarquin (mostly on and mostly happy but they're both morons to each other).

Lydia Aldwir - a healer

Kirke decides to fake her death and run away with her daughter. As a teen she was freed from the slavers by Crows but before this she was living in a Dalish clan. She finds it and is welcomed back.

What is she like?

As a half-elf without any visible elven trait, Lydia has it tougher than other kids in her clan. She's raised as a Dalish but is treated differently, not with hate or contempt but differently enough to never feel like she belongs. She constantly doubts herself and has a hard time bonding with others, so she keeps mostly to herself. She never got a vallaslin.

Specialisation: Death Caller

Lydia was learning mostly what was valid for the clan life, so she was trained in healing rather than necromancy. She became the clan's Second but decided to leave when she heard about Veil Jumpers.

Significant other

She has a hard time choosing between Davrin and Lucanis but settles for the latter.

Lydia's choices:

- Treviso is saved

- Neve is blighted

- Davrin sacrifices himself (she will never forgive herself for it)

- Solas is forced to tie himself to the Fade

Post Veilguard:

She leaves the Veil Jumpers and clan life completely to live with Lucanis in Treviso.

Lydia Thorne - a Warden without a calling

Everything happens the same as in her original timeline until one impactful event. After she learns about her mother she's invited to visit Salle. While on the way her caravan is ambushed by darkspawns, she gets blighted and decides to join the Wardens.

What is she like?

Miserable. At 16 she loses the life she loves and is thrown to a completely different, much more brutal environment. She never accepts her fate, grows up bitter and reclusive, doesn't even try to embrace the new reality. She worships everything that is associated with Nevarra and Mourn Watch. She also hates Antiva and the Crows, blaming Viago for what happened to her - if he never found her she would have never taken the journey that caused her so much misery.

Specialisation: Death Caller

Lydia doesn't seek company and is avoided by other Wardens because of her demeanor. Her necromantic skills are mostly useless against darkspawns, so she focuses on her healing abilities which keeps her away from most of the action. She's befriended only by Antoine who is sharing similar curiosity and drive for knowledge.

Significant other:

Lydia doesn't form any relationship while being a Warden. This is the only timeline where she doesn't pursue Lucanis because of her contempt for Crows. She tries very hard to impress Emmrich but is put off by his gentle efforts to clarify that most of her takes on Mourn Watch are false because she's idolising them. Finally, she finds happiness with Davrin.

Lydia's choices:

- Minrathous is saved

- Neve is blighted

- Davrin sacrifices himself

- Veilguard falls, Lydia makes a sacrifice to trap herself and Solas in the Fade

Post Veilguard:

Everybody dies because Lydia is a very, very poor leader.

So, that's a wrap! I congratulate you if you read everything. Lydia's a quirky and inquisitive girl and she develops most of her best traits in a scholarly type of environment with the right people around her. I bet that closeness to the Fade and spirits (and Crows, perhaps?) also helps here.

[sorcerousadventurer]

For the Valentine's asks for Lydia: U !

UNREQUITED.   has your muse had their heart broken?

Unfortunately - yes. But not because of unrequited love.

When Lydia ended things with Viago she was very much still in love with him. And he was in love with her. But their lives and ambitions always got in the way of their feelings and they decided that it would be the best to split before they start despising each other. This one occurs both in the canon and modern universe.

In the Mafia AU (@woundedsoul12) Lydia was in a relationship with both Teia and Viago and ended it while still loving them. But she was in quite a problematic spot, between two passionate Antivans who were constantly splitting and coming back together. It was really hard to navigate her feelings through it, she never wanted to take sides, but staying objectively neutral was almost impossible. It was mentally draining. Add to this both of the Crows being mafia bosses and Lydia being at the beginning of her medical doctor career. She needed to choose: herself or her love. And she chose the former even though it broke her heart.

[sorcerousadventurer]

For the OTP ask:

How do they hype one another up?

Where would they go to get away from everyone else and just be alone?

The OTP questions can be found here. Sorry it took that long to answer!

Since you didn't pick a pairing, I'll do it!

How do they hype one another up?

For @woundedsoul12's Riley x Lydia

Riley is Lydia's most encouraging partner, he believes in her and her skills more than everyone else (including her). And he learned that all 'you've got this', 'you're capable' and 'you can do this' won't work - she knows all of this, just doesn't feel it. Especially when self-doubt creeps in and makes itself too comfortable.

No, Riley eventually found out that what Lydia needs is just a little faith in herself and this? This he has plenty. So he usually holds her, looks deeply into her eyes, smiles gently and says that he believes in her and her ability to manage any obstacle. And if she falls? He'll be there to catch her.

Riley is a confident bastard, he usually doesn't need any additional boost. But when Lydia sees he needs some extra pick-me-up she usually jumps on him or drags him down by the collar (imagine Riley's surprise when she does this for the first time), kisses him fiercely and murmurs something along 'You've got this, big boy', so only he can hear it.

Where do they go to get away from everyone else and just be alone?

When Lydia feels overwhelmed she likes to just sit and stare at the sky. Wherever she's not in Necropolis that is the thing that calms her down and she likes to share this moment with her loved ones.

Viago: First time she sneaked on the roof of the de Riva villa in Salle? Viago nearly got a heart attack when he looks for her (thinking she got kidnapped/poisoned herself accidentaly/finally snapped and left him/put any other paranoid thought here). But when he sees that is what she needs, he finds some secluded place, where they can safely stargaze together. He won't admit it's calming for him too, stating that he does it only for her, but she just smiles everytime he mentions it, knowing he's lying.

Lucanis: he often sees her on top of some high building in Lighthouse (how in the Maker did she get there?), just staring into the Fade. On their first proper date he takes here to the top of the Treviso's Chantry to show her the views. And everytime The God Killers want to have time for themselves they just sneak out of wherever they are, find the highest vantage point and just enjoy the silent moment together.

Spite: he noticed Lydia's sky gazing tendencies even before Lucanis did. So one night (day? It's hard to say in the Lighthouse) he just grabs her and flies to some distant building. After the initial shock Lydia was pleasantly surprised that Spite took the notice and wanted to humour her. He doesn't understand why she just sits and stares, so Lydia starts a game of 'what does this cloud looks like' and Spite loves it.

Riley: their first date was on a rooftop with a beautiful view of the city and the harbour. Whenever one of them feels overwhelmed with the world, they take some snacks and blankets, and go there. Eventually Riley builds some kind of canopy there (it almost always rains in Minrathous after all), so they can enjoy the space and the views regardless of the weather.