Time for everyone's favorite show that isn't on TV, with no prizes and free beer, hosted by the Lords of Fortune!
Isabela: Alright everyone! We know why we're here, right!
Everyone: YEAH! ~ whooping and hollering in the background
Turvi: It's the free beer! ~ more hollering, with a lot of sloshing mugs clanking together
Gladius: I have no idea, but I'm still happy to be here!
Isabela (aside): You did get a free drink though, right sunshine? Just sit, answer everyone's questions and look pretty.
Gladius: That's why I'm happy! Besides all of these gorgeous people, of course! winks broadly and blows a kiss to the audience
Everyone: raucous cheering followed by several roses and a couple sets of underwear tossed up on to the stage
Isabela: All right, none of that yet! You need to tell people about your self. Well, you need to answer some questions. That someone has definitely written down somewhere for me to ask.
Isabela: It's time for your favorite game and mine, Get To Know Rook! Where you ask stuff, Rook answers, and we maybe all get a little drunk!
Mateo: A LOT DRUNK!
Everyone: more raucous cheering
Isabela (aside): You did bring the cards, right Taash?
Taash: Nope.
Manfred: CARDS! ~excited hiss
Isabela: Yes, thank you— Manfred. I see you added some of your own? Right. Sure that's fine.
Gladius: fist bumps Manfred
Isabela: Alright! First question, probably from the audience. Gladius, do you have a favorite animal?
Gladius: A type, or a specific one?
Isabela: How the — you know, sure. How about a specific one.
Gladius: Probably my horse, Apples. He's old, loves to give my nieces rides, and he bites people he doesn't like.
Ilene: SO DO I!
Everyone: audience laughter
Gladius: makes finger guns and winks at Ilene
Gladius: Shout out to my buddy, Assan, though. He's an ally and friend, but he is a mighty griffon, so, I guess that counts as a beast? animal? I don't know monster biology.
Isabela: Are you sure you want to put the murder-bird in second place? It's your skin, sunshine.
Isabela: Next!
Isabela (aside): This just says "HISS?" What am I supposed to do with that?
Gladius: Oh, I can answer that one. No, Manfred, I will not be organizing another game of Pick-Up-Bones in the Necropolis. Emmrich was quite firm about that being 'unethical' and 'disrespectful to the dead' even if it was really fun, and the wisps all had a good time throwing their bones around.
Isabela: blinks Right, kinda not sad I missed that one. flips to the next card
Isabela: Do you have a favorite Lord of Fortune and why is it Turvi? OH COME ON, GUYS
Turvi: WOO HOO!
Naera: full body tackles Turvi to the ground with a crack of lightning
Gladius: I plead the fifth.
Isabela: We don't have that. I can get you a fifth of something though. Might need it when they're done.
Everyone: laughs as Turvi pops up and starts running through the crowd chased by Naera
Isabela: takes a drink from a rum bottle then passes it to Gladius who takes a big swig as well
Isabela: Right. flips to next card OK, that's another hiss. tosses out card This one's actually not bad.
Isabela: How did you get your name?
Gladius: Oh, my dad found me strapped to a sword on someone's back as a baby. Wasn't too creative with the name on that one, but I like it.
Taash: He found you on someone's back and just.. took off with you? Who does that?
Gladius: Yeah he — oh, yeah, no. The other person was super dead when he found me. My dad didn't just steal a baby off of someone's back in the middle of a battle.
Isabela: Thank the Maker, your dad is way too hot to be a baby stealer.
Gladius: What?
Isabela: What? You know, let's move on. flips card
Isabela: OK, folks! Time for one last question! flips cards dramatically
Isabela: From the audience, what's your favorite crime?
Gladius: I wanna say arson—
Chorus of Crow and Shadow Dragon Rooks: YES!
Gladius throws a wink at Riley, who rolls his eyes in return
Zalan: Assassination!
Gladius: I do really enjoy a good assassin from time to time.
Gladius: throws a few targeted winks and a shit-eating grin out to the crowd
Illario, Lilya, and Lucanis: blush furiously while everyone else whoops and whistles
Gladius: And have been told I'm trouble…
Neve: Oh, hush.
Gladius: But… favorite crime? Of all of them? Grand theft larceny, with a side of treason.
Isabela: Oh, I like it! Any favorite targets— er victims you know of?
Gladius: Oh, you know. The odd sprawling empire or two. How else will elven and qunari artifacts get liberated?
Isabela: Not on their own they won't. It's practically a community service!
Isabela (aside): Hit me up some time, sunshine. I love serving my community.
Isabela: And that's all we have time for!
Everyone: Awwwww!
Isabella: If any of you crazy kids want to stand up here and ask questions, be my guest.
Isabella: throws cards theatrically in the air
Gladius: So, does that mean it's an open bar?
Everyone: OPEN BAR! very loud cheering erupts
Isabella: THAT'S ON YOUR TAB, MERCAR!
If anyone wants to throw more questions in, hit me up in the ask box, or post them below throughout the week. I'll update this thread, and then post the whole thing over on AO3 when it's all done at the end of the week.
Thank you to @serensama, @kabsey, @davrinsleftpectoral, @woundedsoul12 and @blackwall-my-tiny-husband for letting me shamelessly borrow your Rooks to be hanging out with -- Naera Laidir, Lilya de Riva, Ilene de Riva, Turvi Laidir, Riley Mercar and Zalan de Riva.
If anyone wants to take/use this format, please do! And thanks to @curiouswisp for the RookFest dividers!
Laird "Rattles" Ingellvar: a Minor Rook Masterpost
I was tagged by @starfleetteddybear to make one of these. Unfortunately I am computer illiterate as fuck but finally got around to it!
This feels like a good time to add some additional details I could not fit on there!
But a little disclaimer first...
No you cannot have his sliders. Idc if sharing Rooks is common this precious dingbat is not up for grabs.
Do not just borrow or use any pics or art I have of him willy nilly. I trust a handful of people with his content. If you are one of them, you will know who you are. If I catch stolen or AI junk we're gonna have problems.
We good? Great. Now let's talk Laird!
First things first: Who does he romance? EMMRICH!
They have 3 songs I put to their vibe no I will not explain you will have to listen to them to get it. XD
Grave Gold: Laird in all has 20-22 pieces of grave gold (largely depends on how much effort I feel like putting in lmao). The most common you'll see are the 3 helix hoops on each ear, a braided torc capped by skulls, and a sapphire ring on his left middle finger. Others include a mid tri-section cuff on his right arm, a pair of braided bracelets matching his torc, miscellaneous gold bands on his thumb, middle, and pinky fingers, a small bull ring (septum piercing), a hand chain on his right hand, an anklet with a labradorite center, and- though VERY little known- a tongue piercing!
Foodie: Laird is a fairly decent cook! He has a recipe for strawberry waffles, pumpkin/squash soup, grilled leeks, black garlic ravioli, potato bread, fried "chicken" sandwich made with Enoki mushrooms, and his specialty: kimchi! (which should have also been listed as a fav but I was struggling lol)
Personality: The Laird you get LARGELY depends on your relationship to him. Regardless, however, one thing remains consistent: the amount of personality packed into a single man is overwhelming. Enemies get a rage demon with a bushy beard. He'll have little to say, but you will absolutely hear him (and you'll feel it after via a summoned Tempest). Strangers will meet either a very awkward, glib, unserious young necromancer or a direct, soft spoken, Mortalitasi scholar. It depends on what the occasion calls for. But his closest friends will receive a deep well of vulnerability laced with existential rambling and enough smartass remarks to catch even Isabella off guard. Laird can be unsettlingly upbeat in the face of demise. But he's doing it for himself more than his friends. He suffers from Thanataphobia just as terrible if not moreso than Emmrich's, and if he doesn't laugh through the fear, he completely shuts down verbally and mentally. He is prone to going Non-verbal, even when everything is fine. This embarrasses him terribly. So far, only Neve, Myrna, and Emmrich know the secret to bringing him out of these episodes.
Magic: Laird is a tank of a mage, and not one anyone should be on the wrong end of. He has a basic grasp of most elemental fields, and can raise the dead about as well as Emmrich, but his proficiencies lie in entropic necromancy and electricity... and just a touch of self regulated blood magic. He inherited The Bargain from Vorgoth, with the understanding his Thanataphobia would balance out his anger issues on the battlefield. And boy were they right. Many assume a short, portly mage to be little threat. They do not get to make that mistake twice, where he often mage-steps into the path and casts Soul Burn, Blizzard, or Tempest before most opposition even knows he's there. But if you've hurt someone he loves, he wants you to see him coming. That, objectively is worse.
Features: Laird is particular about his hygiene and how he presents himself. He's tatted from head to toe, with his most prominent being the pitch black ink over the skeletal scars born of his path as a mortician. The ones on his hands healed the worse, and he actually has very little sensation in the back of his hands as a result. His hair is what he takes particular pride in. Being trans, that beard took AGES to grow out. Messing with it would be considered an act of war. Striking moldovite eyes. Freckles like a map of the stars, a big jackass grin. From the shoulders up, he knows he's not terrible looking and is an accidental ladies' man despite being gay as a picnic basket. But everything below that is where he struggles. He's heavily self conscious of his weight and height. He's 5'4" and pretty fluffy. It makes his skin crawl when people try to say "you're not fat, you've got lots of muscle/big boned/etc." He knows the reality and really just wishes people would be honest about it or just not say anything at all. Emmrich's been chipping away at that mountain of insecurity, but he's the only one who gets to reap the reward of that love and reassurance. Any built confidence immediately dissipates when they aren't alone together. But if asked, Laird will say he doesn't mind the top surgery scars and abundance of body hair, at least.
Lore and Attributes: There's far too much for me to unpack with Laird here. But he has plenty little nuggets of lore!
Starters, Laird is a MASSIVE pothead and goes through about 60-70% of Veilguard absolutely baked. The nickname "Rattles" comes from the sound of his gold and gear with his constant shakes. There is no diagnosis or context for the shakig. He just does that. He's the Thedas equivalent of a Mid-November Scorpio (don't @ me for not knowing off the top of my head the DA calendar confuses the shit outta me). He likes to keep his nails painted either black, lavender, minty green, or some sort of cat eye. He loves Malachite. He's obsessed with the big black pheonixes seen all over Hossberg, though Emmrich refuses to let him try and domesticate one (sad). Laird has a mild pineapple problem. He's allergic to seafood (not that it matters lol), latex (in modern AUs), and wasps. He does have an unpublished Modern AU I'm too chicken to actually post. (though smut art does exist of it 👀). His favourite flowers are bronas blooms and orange blossoms. He's incredibly brother coded, whether or not thats older or younger depends on the person. He's horribly awkward with children but can fake it super well for like 10-15 minutes before he runs out of scripted Cool Dad Friend dialogue. His magic also smells different and changes shades of green based on his mood at casting!
Laird also has a very distinct scent. He'd never divulge but I wrote his ass so I will:
Base Notes: Patchouli, Magnolia, Oud Wood
Middle Notes: Peppercorn, Juniper, Vetiver
Top Notes: Indigo, Bergamot, Oakmoss
A notable factoid I enjoy, Laird absolutely loves his parents. He's right smack between being his eldritch father's feral son and a total mama's boy. For all his smartass antics, Myrna and Vorgoth raised him well and he will fight anyone that downplays their validity as family. Post-Veilguard, he aims to inherit Myrna's role as Keeper of Seals.
Last tidbit, and perhaps my favourite... Laird has a portrait painted by @deny-the-issue! *Sigh* if only it were in game. It would be found in Myrna's quarters if it were and the Necropolis was better expanded upon. Regardless, my bestie is super fucking talented and you can pry this piece from my cold dead hands.
That's all I have the spoons to write BUT I hope this gives you lovelies a better insight into this little orange cat bastard I have cultivated over this weird fucken year. If you aren't satisfied tho, go on ny blog and search the tags #laird "rattles ingellvar or #laird ingellvar. I promise you will be blessed with a whole trove of memes, ask games, tag games, and art/photos of this lil dingus. 🥰
Altara De Riva was born Albino, her mother used to call her a gift from the moon itself or so she was told, she knows little of her parents only what was left in a note in the basket she was left in, on Viago De Rivas Doorstep, there was something in her eyes, that's what he kept telling himself as he raised her like she was his own.
At first, she hated being singled out, her Albinism drew alot of attention from the other fledgling crows, not all good, but later it became something she was proud of.
On her first contract after passing the trials, she was caught leaving the scene, half out of a window by a servant, with the full moon at her back, her face covered in blood. The servant screamed, thinking she was a ghost.
rumours spread into the streets of a Ghost assassin, earning her the nickname the Ghost of House De Riva. Viago capitalised on the rumours, after all, with a title like that, she could charge more for her services.
Much like Lucanis did with the Titles of Mage Killer and The Demon of Vyrantium. Neither had ever met, but they knew of eachother, perhaps even admired eachother.
Years later, when Altara messes up a crow operation against the Antaam, Viago sends her away, to protect her, he said.
He lent her to Varrick for an important mission to hunt down a rogue elf called Solus. Altara had no idea that in a matter of months, she would lead the Veilgaurd in a fight against gods, rescue the Demon of Vyrantium from an underwater prison and fall in love with not only the man but his Demon too.
"So you're the Demon of Vyrantium" Altara takes him in. "I thought you would be taller," Altara smirked when the man raised an eyebrow, his gaze trailing over her curiously.
"Funny, you're exactly like I thought you would be." He smirked back, trying to hide a wince. He might have looked a little intimidating were he not in rags, his hair a mess, beard unkept and in dire need of a trim.
"You've heard of me?" She asks, curious, surely the Demon of Vyrantium would have no idea who she was.
"The Ghost of House De Riva." He grinned, and he looked years younger despite his haggard appearance.
"The Demon of Vyrantium knows about me, I'm flattered," she grinned back.
"Lucanis, please." He said, titles were fun, but being referred to as the Demon of Vyrantium was a little too close to home, considering his new condition.
"If you two are done flirting, we should probably get out of here," Harding says, her bow still drawn. This guy was possessed, she didnt trust him.
"I can't, not yet, I have a contract, Calivan, you know a crow never abandons a contract." He crosses his arms.
"We'll help, here." She tosses a large sack to the floor at his feet. He crouched down and opened it, a smile curling his lips, it was his stuff.
"Caterina thought you might need them." She smiles, making no attempt to turn around. He glanced up at her and shrugged off his torn tunic, unbothered that he had an audience.
Even as thin as he was, she could tell he worked out. She blushes, turning around when Harding clears her throat and pulls her to the side.
eluviana profile - origins
day one: intros - @rookfest
Return to the Lighthouse:
Selora stands in front of the Vi'Revas, the Crossroads at her back. Memory plays tricks on her as she hears voices echoing against the ancient stone columns. Voices familiar and fond and distant from her at this moment for she has taken this journey alone. The winding ways of the Crossroads now quieted, no enemies to assail her. Only the spirits of the Fade, settled into calm, with no need for the sentinels the Caretaker had once crafted to guard them.
It is that enigmatic being that has brought her here. The invitation is folded and tucked away in her pocket, the words on it a curious call to return. Dweller, it says, as if she never left the Lighthouse. Part of her never did, she supposes, realizing how much has changed since the last time she darkened its threshold.
A strange thing it is, to be here now. The vhenadahl is silent. The air still. The thorny blighted vines that once twisted up the walls and columns now cleared away. There is nothing in this pocket of the Fade to fear. Not anymore. All around her there is... peace. It settles the flutter of her heart as she turns her attention to the elvhen mirror.
The surface shimmers with magic beyond her ken, the mercurial glass rippling as she steps forward. She's done this hundreds of times by now, passing through eluvians from one place to another, but this time feels different, somehow. This time it does not feel like a journey to be made. Rather, it feels familiar and anticipated, like the final steps home.
Hallo and happy Rookfest! Thank you @rookfest mods for bringing this event to life <3
Lydia Ingellvar is a Mourn Watcher mage, found and raised in Necropolis. She is a gentle and kind person, often perceived as naive (which she uses to her advantage). She feels a strong connection to the spirits and follows Rivaini and Avaars in their practices of allowing spirits to possess them.
She's probably known by her fellow Mourn Watchers and some Crows (she spent a chunk of her life in Salle), but feel free to approach her at the Lighthouse reunion if you want to say hi! She's generally shy and probably won't be first to make contact (unless she sees something that fascinates her and feels the urge to compliment - an interesting piece of jewellery, some skull, a cool tattoo?). But after a while, she warms up to people, and you may be showered with yapping about a subject she's passionate about. Her newest academic paper on healing? Intricate differences between Nevarran and Antivan landscapists' styles? Some new area uncovered in the Necropolis? You never know. She will also gladly listen to any topic you seem to be interested in (and will ask many, many questions).
Here's more detailed information:
Feel free to include Lydia in any shenanigans you plan for your Rooks :)
You can find even more in my masterpost.
My asks and DMs are open, if you want to know more.
About: Juno is a Minrathous native; he grew up poor, and his real family were forced to indenture themselves to a magister. It... Didn't go well. He doesn't remember much (or so he says), but its had a lasting impact on his views of Tevinter, magisters, and the altus class. He loves his country, but hates what it stands for. The Mercars taking him in added to this feeling; he was the black stain they kept hidden, once it was clear he would not be following Charon's steps into the military.
He is extremely loyal to the every-day people of Minrathous, and spends a lot of his personal time helping them in whatever way he could, even before the Threads and the Shadows. His relationship with both organizations are tense and fraught; neither group believe he stands for what they believe in. But Juno is the type to use what he can to his advantage. He frequently has fights with other Threads over extorting locals, Tarquin actively hates him, and he has issue with the Shadows being run by magisters and altus.
In VG, Juno is 39, and fucking exhausted. He is a smarmy, smooth talking rogue that seems to always know just what to say to illicit any response he wants -- anger, lust, frustration, understanding. He prefers to use a bow and arrow and keep his distance, but he will get up close if he has to. He and Bellara get on well from the start; Harding likes him bust is frustrated by him at times; Neve knows he is a mess and a half; and Lucanis is half certain Juno is going to get them all killed.
He does save Treviso; this... Obviously is a major issue between himself and Neve, and they definitely have many, many fights over the course of the game about it. About what happens after. If it was a mistake, or just a way to make the Venatori act that plan now right than later. Its not enough to keep them from getting together (and if rivalmance was a mechanic in the game, Neve and Juno would be it).
Fun Fact: Juno has a pet rat, named Rat! Rat is a very large sewer rat Juno just grabbed like a fish off the streets one day, and in return, Rat bit the tip of Juno's left ring finger clean off. Once that has been settled, Rat seemed content with the situation and gladly remained with Juno. Juno sews little pockets into all of his armor and casual clothes, so Rat can travel with him always. Rat will also join the frey, most often by surprise attacking someone too close to Juno (unless they know they'll be fighting darkspawn; Juno will leave Rat at home then).
He also has a little gold earring that I do have to (poorly) edit into pictures but am usually too lazy to LMAO
