once we were

We held together / The fragile sky / To keep our way of life. esquitor's dragon age (inq) feelings

[thisfragilesky]

PDF File

(image is outdated there were like 8 typos to change. rip me.)

I COME BEARING GIFTS.

just give it like 20 seconds to load. file is 16mb (down from the original 125mb uncompressed).  please do not try to print it. it is 4 feet tall.

if there’s a major-ish thing that i might have missed (like a Big Fortress) or something wrong feel free to drop an ask.

featuring!

therinfal redoubt! finally!! this was my only reason for making the map.

adamant fortress!

haven is probably in this location but i don’t really know because i’ve seen three maps with three different markers for haven!

same with skyhold. no one knows where skyhold is which is probably for the better.

here lies the abyss is there because i keep trying to remember where it takes place and i’m still not sure but that’s where it’ll be for now!

rough distance grid! give or take a day’s travel or two.

‘show pdf tools’ bar at the bottom SHOULD have a working search function assuming we spelled things right

zoom in 100%

those fucking marsh ponds were not fun

you can absolutely download to use offline but the link self-updates with the latest version. feel free to edit with your own custom markers but please don’t try to pass it off as your own i spent 3 days on this and it’s free. don’t do that.

references used:

travel times/grid: https://leliaanaa.tumblr.com/post/139327010450/travel-times-in-thedas-i-am-a-terrible

borders: https://www.deviantart.com/bardofrosenheim/art/Thedas-Ethnolinguistic-Map-503564439

Bioware’s canon base map that is very lovingly rendered but really hard to read sometimes and lacks some details i wanted to see

to-do:

dalish clan locations (maybe)

deep roads and thaig locations (thinking about it, but there’s already a map for that)

regular roads (VERY TENTATIVE MAYBE i tried once and it came out kind of wonky i’m not good with guessing where roads can go)

common trade routes (idk i just kind of want to figure out how that would work. sea routes too.)

‘fifth blight died here’ commemorative marker

i think i’m missing a sea or two

a knife icon over solas, tevinter

[thisfragilesky]

[looks at to do list above]

[does none of them and instead fixes the color grading]

may tweak the text color after this... should do the dalish clan locations next..

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

i'm getting real lazy about summaries and notes and please read my fic

Summary:

"Is that how you see it, Solas? That because it's in a dream, a vision in the Fade, it isn't real?" "That is the most common perception, is it not?" Solas's eyes narrow. "A dream is a dream, not reality. Perhaps it was once, or will be, but it is not in the present sense." "Do you think you're dreaming when you walk the waking world?" Solas doesn't let show how that question startles him. It hits close to the truth, though he doesn't know how that could be. Unless- does Mahanon think the same way? After all these visions, these dreams of dying.. does he think he is in another dream that will end the same way? (is he waiting to wake up? or waiting to fall asleep again?)

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

solavellan chapter........ or is it :)

Summary:

"..Are they getting worse, the attacks?" he asks. "No. This situation makes it worse.. and I really am tired." "May I ask how it is worse?" Mahanon glances at the other elf and wonders how long he should or needs to wait before telling Solas about what happened in the future Redcliffe. Something more than 'I have visions of possible future outcomes. Bad ones.' Would it make a difference? Maybe not. Maybe it wouldn't mean anything at all. Maybe it wouldn't matter.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

solavellan chapter........ or is it :)

Summary:

"..Are they getting worse, the attacks?" he asks. "No. This situation makes it worse.. and I really am tired." "May I ask how it is worse?" Mahanon glances at the other elf and wonders how long he should or needs to wait before telling Solas about what happened in the future Redcliffe. Something more than 'I have visions of possible future outcomes. Bad ones.' Would it make a difference? Maybe not. Maybe it wouldn't mean anything at all. Maybe it wouldn't matter.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

update...!!!

Summary:

"So Corypheus might be deluded by these visions and his aspirations of grandeur. He thinks they're real.. or revelations, and he assumes you've traveled back in time to foil his plans. And since Alexius has proved time travel to be possible, he has no reason to assume this isn't the truth." "I guess?" "Mm." Evelyn nods. "Is this what we tell the others?"

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

update...!!!

Summary:

"So Corypheus might be deluded by these visions and his aspirations of grandeur. He thinks they're real.. or revelations, and he assumes you've traveled back in time to foil his plans. And since Alexius has proved time travel to be possible, he has no reason to assume this isn't the truth." "I guess?" "Mm." Evelyn nods. "Is this what we tell the others?"

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

UP...dATE...

"Corypheus knows you disappeared in Redcliffe, right? And he doesn't know you're back. Does he?" "He almost did," Cullen says. Whatever was going on earlier seems to have passed and he's leaning back again, as if he could remove more of his presence to make Mahanon more comfortable. "It was.. prevented." Evelyn is pretty sure it isn't a templar's presence that triggers Mahanon, or else it would've happened a lot sooner, and a lot more often. "So we keep you hidden with those escaping." Evelyn nods. "I'll tell Corypheus you died, or something. Maybe blame it on Alexius and say you've disappeared because of weird time magic and we've no idea where you are." For some reason, that makes Mahanon laugh, hollow and raspy. She's not sure what's funny about it, but she'll take that small victory.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

UP...dATE...

"Corypheus knows you disappeared in Redcliffe, right? And he doesn't know you're back. Does he?" "He almost did," Cullen says. Whatever was going on earlier seems to have passed and he's leaning back again, as if he could remove more of his presence to make Mahanon more comfortable. "It was.. prevented." Evelyn is pretty sure it isn't a templar's presence that triggers Mahanon, or else it would've happened a lot sooner, and a lot more often. "So we keep you hidden with those escaping." Evelyn nods. "I'll tell Corypheus you died, or something. Maybe blame it on Alexius and say you've disappeared because of weird time magic and we've no idea where you are." For some reason, that makes Mahanon laugh, hollow and raspy. She's not sure what's funny about it, but she'll take that small victory.

[thisfragilesky]

the downside of having 7 chapters drafted/ready for editing and posting is that i just want to post them all at once and i really. really shouldn't. i should have a schedule. work on more chapters

...but i wanna possttttttt

i sitll have no idea how to continue the second half of the series jflkasdjfksd. all my energy has been planning on just Getting to Skyhold which incidentally is all Mahanon has been thinking about. after skyhold? we've got no fucking clue what to do next.

[esquitor]

mahanon lavellan & evelyn trevelyan

his usual thinky face + her unusually dour disapproval.

~3hrs & 1.5hrs respectively i haven't drawn anything properly in like. at least 2 years. playing around with hairstyles... maybe eve needs a trim.

[vaguely-concerned]

I understand and agree with a lot of the frustrations about the shortcomings of Inquisition as a story. but sometimes when I hear people complain about the chosen one narrative in it I do want to just be like... you know it's a deconstruction of the concept more than anything, right. the inquisitor isn't actually chosen by anything except stumbling into the wrong (right?) room at the right (wrong?) time because they like, heard a noise or whatever. or if you think they are chosen, as many do in-universe, that's something you have to take on faith, the maker-or-whoever moves in mysterious ways indeed-style. the Inquisitor isn't actually a Destined Chosen One, they're a Just Some Guy in a fancy hat, self-delusions of grandeur to taste as you'd prefer.

a running thread that goes through all of the personal quests of the companions is the concept of a comforting lie vs. an uncomfortable truth, upholding old corrupt structures vs. disrupting them, and the role of faith in navigating that. (blackwall the warden vs. thom rainier the liar and murderer. hissrad vs. the iron bull, or is that the other way around? cassandra and the seekers -- do we tell the truth about what we find, even if it means dismantling the old order of the world? and so on.) and your inquisitor IS at the same time a comforting lie (a necessary one, in dark times? the game seems to ask) and an uncomfortable truth (we are the result of random fickle chance, no protective hand is held over the universe, it's on us to make a better world because the maker sure as hell won't lift a divine finger to help anyone, should he against all odds exist). faith wielded for political power... where's the point that it crosses the line into ugliness? is it before it even begins? what's the alternative? will anyone listen to the truth, if you tell it?

interesting how you also get a mix of companion agency in this -- you have characters like dorian who ALWAYS choose one side of the comforting lie vs. uncomfortable truth dichotomy. he will always make up his own mind to go back to tevinter and try to dismantle the corruption of the old system no matter what you say, or how you try to influence him. meanwhile iron bull is on the complete opposite side of the spectrum -- so psychologically trapped and mangled, caught in an impossible spiritual catch-22, that his sense of identity is left entirely to you and your mercy. you cannot change dorian in any way that matters; you can be his friend or not, support him or not, but he is whole no matter what. you are given incredible and potentially destructive-to-him power over bull's soul. it's really cool (and heartbreaking) to think about.

this is a game about how history will eat you even while you're still alive, and shape you into whatever image it pleases to serve it, and for all your incredible power right now you are powerless in the face of the gravitational force of time -- of more than time, of History. you won't recognize yourself in what History will make of you, because you belong to it now. you don't belong to yourself anymore and you never will again. the further you were from what it needs from you to begin with, the more you will find yourself distorted in its funhouse mirror. (why hello there inquisitor ameridan, same hat!)

and to me this is so much the core of what Dragon Age is about right from the Origins days -- how and by whom history gets written, the inherent unreliable narration of it all. I hope you like stories, Inquisitor. You are one now.

I do think it's probably still the weakest of the games narratively, and it's hampered by its structure and bloated systems. but I also find it disingenous to say that there's nothing deeper or actually interesting going on with it, thematically. if you're willing to engage with it there is Some Real Shit going on under the high fantasy-tinted surface.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

an update?? yes indeedy do it is.

Summary:

“I believe that we are seeing reflections of his attempts to return to us through the Fade. Perhaps they have found their way to the Breach in their future– I assume it is still there. It may be a bleed-over, from their side into ours.”

“But why would he be at the Breach?”

“It could be that he knows you will try to seal the Breach even without him. If you are in the same place, even at different times… the resonance between your marks could help him find a way back to us.”

Evelyn searches his face. Whether she’s looking for the truth or reassurances, he doesn’t know. He can give her neither. He has no answers for her, not this time.

Solas isn’t sure what he wants to be the truth, either.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

an update?? yes indeedy do it is.

Summary:

"I believe that we are seeing reflections of his attempts to return to us through the Fade. Perhaps they have found their way to the Breach in their future-- I assume it is still there. It may be a bleed-over, from their side into ours."

"But why would he be at the Breach?"

"It could be that he knows you will try to seal the Breach even without him. If you are in the same place, even at different times... the resonance between your marks could help him find a way back to us."

Evelyn searches his face. Whether she's looking for the truth or reassurances, he doesn't know. He can give her neither. He has no answers for her, not this time.

Solas isn't sure what he wants to be the truth, either.

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

chapter 18 is up!! too lazy to do the entire share textwall so we go simple this time.

Summary:

"Tell you what, Buttercup. I think we're winding down over here. You grab something for yourself, I'll bring her a drink and send her your way. Keep you company while you eat. Sound good?" "Sneaky." She crosses her arms. "What d'you want?" "Eve's a bit stressed about the Breach thing. Sealing it, I mean. Maybe take her mind off it?" "Sure. I'm good at that. No work, all play." Sera giggles. "Have her back to you nice and shiny in the morning, yeah?" "Not too shiny." "Piss on that. Gleaming."

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

chapter 18 is up!! too lazy to do the entire share textwall so we go simple this time.

Summary:

"Tell you what, Buttercup. I think we're winding down over here. You grab something for yourself, I'll bring her a drink and send her your way. Keep you company while you eat. Sound good?" "Sneaky." She crosses her arms. "What d'you want?" "Eve's a bit stressed about the Breach thing. Sealing it, I mean. Maybe take her mind off it?" "Sure. I'm good at that. No work, all play." Sera giggles. "Have her back to you nice and shiny in the morning, yeah?" "Not too shiny." "Piss on that. Gleaming."

[lairofdragonagelore]

The Crossroads [DLC Trespasser]: Forgotten Tower and Hidden Hollow

Through the Crossroads we access to two hidden spaces: The Forgotten Tower may be located along the coast of Volca Sea or in one of its isles, and the Hidden Hollow, which location is unknown, although its visual may suggest a place along the Waking Sea due to its similarity to caves of the Storm Coast.

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore]

Keep reading

[thisfragilesky]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

i update!!!

Chapters: 17/? Fandom: Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age (Video Games) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Male Lavellan & Female Trevelyan (Dragon Age), Future Pairings - Relationship, Sera/Female Trevelyan, Male Lavellan & Solas Characters: Male Lavellan (Dragon Age), Female Trevelyan (Dragon Age), Cassandra Pentaghast, Fen'Harel | Solas, Varric Tethras, everyone, Dragon Age: Inquisition Ensemble Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Time Travel, Time Travel Fix-It, more like Time Travel Wreck-It, prior knowledge recommended, Dalish headcanon, Blind Character, Lyrium Withdrawal, Sort Of, Two Heralds/Inquisitors, Party Banter Unlimited (tm), Dragon Age: Inquisition Spoilers, Spoilers for Tresspasser DLC, Trans Inquisitor (Dragon Age), Bisexual Inquisitor (Dragon Age), Lavellan and Trevelyan are both bi because i can, POV Alternating, Mystery, Groundhog Day, Ensemble Cast, Worldbuilding, i just focus on details too much, Mage Lavellan - Freeform, Warrior Trevelyan - Freeform, mahanon is Tired and Sad, mahanon and evelyn deal with some Lite Anxiety, mahanon deals with panic attacks too, game dialogue remixed Series: Part 2 of the night is long (and the path is dark); Summary:

"Are you.. alright?"

"It.. the Envy thing was. Complicated. Weird Fade stuff... I've got a lot of questions for Mahanon. Just my luck he's disappeared."

"May I provide any assistance?" Solas offers. "I take it this is regarding his Fade-visions."

"How did you ever guess?"

"It is a topic that comes up quite often."

Varric laughs. "He thinks out loud sometimes when we drink."

"Oh?" Evelyn cocks a smile. "What does he talk about?"

"Mostly Glimmer's-"

"Mahanon's visions, Herald," Solas interjects before Varric can say anything else. He looks a slight bit flustered.