I love talking about Dragon Age - mostly Solas and Lavellan and Inquisition. For anyone following me - I'm an unapologetic Solavellan - they are my OTP.
World State -> Romanced Lavellan (female mage) x Solas -> Atonement -> Reunited.
VhenHarel on AO3
BlueSky
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Solas ◈ Solas/Lavellan ◈ The Inquisitor ◈ Elgar'nan/Mythal ◈ Evanuris ◈ Solas & Mythal ◈ Felassan ◈ Mythal ◈ General Dragon Age ◈ Rook & Veilguard ◈
#I was Solas first / #vhen'harel / #dreadquisitor / #elgythal / #evanuris / #Wisdom as a Weapon / #the slow arrow / #the all mother / #Da Lore / #rook
My interpretations are fluid and always evolving, because I am always evolving. Something I posted 2 months ago may change as my perspectives change. My posts are my interpretations and thoughts. I like exploring authorial intent as well as symbolic meaning, looking at how themes, narrative, dialogue, and lore shape character and relationship arcs.
My Official Dragon Age Canon OCs:
DAO: Ellindar Tabris, Female City Elf, Rogue - with Alistair
[You'll see what I did there when you get to the end.]
I forgot this was in my drafts, kicking it out. It has been evicted.
Flashback to when I played my off-brand Tav, Inith, a Galemancer.
Walk with me, talk with me. Let's discuss the Galemance/Solasmance similiarites.
Two male magic users, you say? Eh, there are a million of those, Amoa. Dime a dozen. Come back with better receipts.
Okay, well, hear me out.
Gale/Tav and Solas/Lavellan's first kiss happens with direct ties to The Fade/The Weave.
At first, I'm thinking, Okay, that's a neat coincidence. Then Gale hits you with:
“I know this is all unreal...”
Lavellan has that same realization in the Fade, recognizing that what they're experiencing isn't real in the conventional sense.
And suddenly I'm sitting there with the most intense Solavellan whiplash because apparently my brain has decided that “mysterious male mage kisses you in a dreamlike realm” is now a genre.
Then there was this line that Tav can choose to say which was later echoed by a Lavellan in DAV. [Keeping in mind BG3 did it first.]
Lavellan:
Depending on which translation you prefer:
Lavellan: "There is no Fate, but the love we share."
Or
Lavellan: "Nothing is inevitable. I love you, my heart."
So now I'm sitting here looking at the romance parallels:
The Weave.
The Fade.
A romance with a male magic user.
A kiss occurring in a space that exists outside ordinary reality.
The rejection of inevitability in favor of love.
And both of the women above are, unintentionally, my two redheads.
In Arlathan, behind a ruin that acts as the Veil Jumper's base, there is a little vegetable garden. In it all manner of things are growing well; courgettes and parnips and peas and beans tied to wooden stakes, cabbages and beets with leafy tops splaying over the soil. The carrots are in a raised bed to avoid a type of fly that likes their roots.
Strife is amongst it all pulling up weeds.
"May I help?" Emmrich asks, as he kneels next to Strife.
"They're just normal weeds," Strife says.
Emmrich had helped with a more magical weed problem some time ago, wild fast-growing things that had attempted to choke out the plants, as well as a few unfortunately Veil Jumpers. Nobody had come to harm, only the crop suffering.
"I know," he says brightly. "I have done my time tending the Memorial Gardens, I understand the need to keep them at bay, magical or not."
Strife sits back on his heels, rubbing at his nose with the back of his hand and returns a smile so soft and bright it makes Emmrich's chest flutter.
"You look beautiful like this," says Emmrich.
"What, covered in dirt?"
"Yes. It's charming. That you tend this, to keep the Veil Jumpers in good food."
"It's not so selfless," Strife says. "The Veil Jumpers know to leave me in peace when I'm in the garden."
It is not a veiled comment, but Emmrich considers the possibility of the meaning anyway.
"Would you like me to leave you to your sprouts, my love?"
Strife catches his wrist as if he is worried Emmrich means to leave. He hesitates then, looking at the dirt spread from his hand to Emmrich's. He links their fingers together before Strife can pull away, and leans across to press his lips to his bared shoulder.
"You bring me peace," Strife says seriously.
Emmrich sighs happily. Grave or garden, he's never minded a little dirt.
[my fic on ao3] [my fic on tumblr] [bluesky] [prompt me]
Inspired by a headcanon from @imrisah about Strife having a little garden 🌱
I don't know why I'm still surprised (though I shouldn't be) that people both one-dimensionalize Mythal herself, and Mythal's relationship to Solas to such a degree. When like, IN THE CANON we are constantly reminded that this relationship both defies our ability to strictly define it, and all we have is a collection of second-hand memories which are immediately challenged.
Like in all Solas's memories, he both regrets being convinced of things by Mythal, but also regrets betraying her. But the Mythal we meet in the Crossroads immediately calls into question Solas's regret memories in general, basically implying his memories have morphed over time into a story he's told himself from his own perspective, which are largely filtered through a sentimental lens. But then, the Mythal herself who tells us this is, according to Morrigan, the part of Mythal that is harshest, most resentful, and cold. Which would color her own perspectives.
That's not to get into the overwhelming other evidence about their relationship, and who they both are/have been as people across countless millennia. Every piece of which is fascinating in its own right... and incredibly contradictory.
Solas is sworn to Mythal's service, but his statues exist alongside Mythal's in her temple - he was a fellow god, not a servant. And Solas's memories rarely show him being ORDERED to do anything, but instead convinced by a friend or colleague. But "releasing" him from her service is what breaks him of his burning need to tear down the Veil. But it's not as if he has never defied her or put his quest above her - he quite literally kills her and abandoned the part of her that is left at the end of Inquisition, in order to complete said quest. He speaks of "always following her wherever she would go" as a kind of foregone conclusion from the very first, before they even had BODIES, back when they were spirits. Which speaks of a relationship that likely predates even the concept of servitude or conscription. And he is protective of Mythal and her legacy. Enough to constantly be defensive or wax poetic about her whenever he speaks of her. And also he is extremely bothered if the Inquisitor drinks from the Well, which supposedly binds them to Mythal's will. He's called Mythal's lapdog by Elgar'nan, but it's also probably likely that Elgar'nan (as implied to be Mythal's husband at some point in history) resented Solas's relationship to Mythal. Solas hated the gods enslaving the people, but as per my last, Mythal's followers saw her as someone who firmly rejected obeisance. Seeming to correlate with Solas's own proclamation that "Mythal was the best of [the Evanuris]." Not an easy feat, since apparently there were once many more Evanuris than we currently know about. And yet, Mythal was implied to be married to Elgar'nan, who headed up their whole corrupted pantheon, and who Solas at least seems to have a particular disdain, when it comes to Elgar'nan's lust of power. And yet, Solas also might have some personal reasons to dislike Elgar'nan, beyond whatever he might stand for. Which include murdering Mythal. Which Solas is... not happy about or celebrating, to put it lightly. And there's the fact that Solas still trusts Mythal and meets up with her even during his rebellion. And the fact that, apparently, his trust is at least somewhat earned, as Mythal DOES go challenge them about their use of the blight in their fighting... enough so that it gets them killed.
And much much more!
Like, literally, there's so much. I could just keep going, remembering evidence and contradictions in the way their relationship (and their individual states/roles in their own time) is hinted at.
But always contradictorily. Defying any easy conclusions or categorization.
Which leads into how the conversation between the Veilguard, after seeing some of Solas's memories. With the team disagreeing over whether or not Solas and Mythal were lovers or just very close friends. How that is obviously based on modern conversations about historical figures or relationship depictions: In that boundaries and norms and even relationship types are different across cultures, and oftentimes harder to define through modern lenses. But also there can be an element of intentional obfuscation, when something about a relationship is uncomfortable or politically inconvenient to modern sensibilities, and gets pushed down by readers in a given period.
The effect is the same either way though: An intentional implication that it is extremely hard to completely understand relationships that have a different context and come from a different era. At least without a lot of other information to illuminate that context.
Context which, in the case of Solas and Mythal, we don't really have.
Which makes coming to oversimplistic conclusions about what did or didn't happen between them... around them... what their relationship was at a baseline... whether or not it changed or the lens through which it was viewed would have changed as they moved through the eras... moved from effectively being whole entirely different types of entities...
Just. Impossible to do. In good faith.
(And that's not even getting to how this is likely portrayed this way on purpose; a major theme of the Dragon Age series as a whole has been that history is almost impossible to understand in its reality. Because every person who experiences a historical moment experienced it differently, so even a straightforward historical account lacks details, embellishes, carries bias. Because only certain lenses are preserved enough through history to be passed down to far-flung, future generations - which wildly influences what is known and believed. And because modern political factions have their own agendas and recontextualize/boost/obfuscate historical information whenever its convenient. Like this is all one of the most major themes of the whole franchise - that power and perspective shape knowledge and beliefs.
Trying to assign Solas and Mythal's relationships easy categories/pathologies when the only people who were there and talking about it at all have wildly contradictory opinions, when both of their perspectives are intentionally called into question by the narrative itself, and when we the audience never truly get either one of them to sit down and focus on autopsying this relationship directly...? Like, yeah.
We shouldn't expect that we understand more than a smidge of what is/was going on between them. Because we're clearly being intentionally kept in the dark by the narrative, and given only broken tidbits of biased implications otherwise)
I love the Dream slides at the end of Trespasser for a variety of reasons.
First, I appreciate that the slides belong only to the Lavellan who won't give up on Solas and reaffirms the love for him.
What I love about this is that it's a response to Lavellan's choice. Lavellan has just learned the worst things about him but still loves him, even though they are now in opposition. And I like that for the Lavellan who rejects him, ends the relationship, vows to stop him no matter what, that Solas respects their choice and that's the end of that. To have that continuing dream connection only exist where Lavellan has chosen not to sever it is such a lovely reactive part of the narrative.
And that admission from Lavellan that they still love him? Must have absolutely thrown Solas (but Lavellan has always had a talent for doing that to him). He's just revealed everything. He's Fen’Harel, he created the veil and is walking the din’anshiral and fully expects that once Lavellan understands what he is and what he intends to do, that will be it.
Nope.
And so it keeps this open bond and door between them that results in these dreams. And I also love the dreams are ambiguous - they never clarify exactly whose dreams they are, just that Lavellan sometimes wakes up from them. They are also plural, so how many dreams and how frequent and when are up to the player and how you might interpret Solas.
The dream slides also reveal a pattern between them. Solas watches sadly from across an endless distance, but he never leaves until Lavellan reaches for him. He wants the connection, he clearly hasn’t stopped loving Lavellan, but he also believes he has no right to it. Looking at Lavellan? Yes, he can allow himself that much. But the moment Lavellan becomes aware of him, starts reaching for him, now it's too close. The possibility of touching, speaking, comforting, arguing, or just being together would mean letting the relationship continue, and that's what he's trying to deny himself. There's almost a moral line too where he can admit he still loves Lavellan, clearly misses them but won't ask Lavellan to keep loving him while he prepares to destroy the world. But he's also selfish and yearny! By keeping these dream connections he is in a sense asking Lavellan still to love him. Ugh. Him! Lavellan and their love is selfish to him because all he's ever known and been committed to has been service and duty. But he can't let Lavellan go.
So this "endless distance" is also to protect himself. Lavellan is dangerous to his resolve. He can’t even tell himself anymore that Lavellan only loved "Solas". Lavellan knows Solas is Fen’Harel, knows everything now and still wants him. I love the idea that the “endless distance” between them is something Solas himself is maintaining. He keeps Lavellan far enough away that he can still look, but not close enough to remind him too strongly what it feels like to be himself, Solas instead of the Dread Wolf. (To stay with you as Solas, as I wanted - that line from his letter will forever make me emotional.)
But what I also love about that "endless distance" or how I see it at least, is that their connection has no end - it keeps stretching across time. His love is endless too.
More Solavellan ArlathanAU because the last one was a lot of fun and playing with a younger Moro and Solas is a fun change
More Kiss Prompts
"And where is this one scampering off to?"
Elgar'nan grabs Moro's hands and twirls her, it earns him a giggle from both the young woman and Mythal beside him as he then pulls her back towards them.
"Oh leave her be Elgar'nan," Mythal gently chides him. "As long as she isn't wandering off into the west wing it shouldn't matter."
Moro shakes her head, but the glint in her eye is anything but innocent and Mythal picks up on it instantly. But unlike her companion, Mythal enjoyed seeing this new spark of life in the young girl. It was clear she was seeing someone, that much was obvious to a seasoned player of court like Mythal was. Whether Elgar'nan was suspicious or not was hard to tell, if he was - he seemed content with not questioning the young girl openly, and simply thwarting her at every opportunity.
"I won't go far I promise." Moro squeezes Elgar'nan's hand for emphasis, relieved when he released her. She turns to leave but feels his large hand upon her shoulder, his head leaning in to her ear.
"Nothing good will come of his company, you would do well to not waste any more time with him…"
"Who are you talking about? I'm not going to see anyone…" Moro's voice warbles subtly as she turns to face him, but it is enough for Elgar'nan to catch on to the lie and it bothered him. Bothered him that she would lie so blatantly to him. But the All-Father never raised his temper with Moro, never Moro. His willpower in that regard was absolute, but a grumble of disapproval spilled forth regardless. It ignited her own spark of anger and frustration.
"You are angry with me-Why? I haven't done anything wrong! Fine I will stay."
Elgar'nan tuts, exhaling through his nose.
"Enough!" Mythal interjects sternly, wedging herself between them. "Elgar'nan let the girl be, surely she has been raised well enough that she will not shame you. Do not ruin this night for her, leave her to her own devices she is not a child anymore."
Elgar'nan and Mythal stare eye-to-eye until Elgar'nan finally relents, snatches another wineglass from a poor servant's tray and steers to look at Moro but he jerks in surprise, completely befuddled. For Moro is no one to be found.
"She was-She was just here!"
~~
"You are late."
"And you do not have a multiple gods breathing down your neck and watching your every step -ow!"
"Sorry," Solas whispers, gently holding her ankle. Bruised from an accident on the way to the cut off west-wing. He uses his magic to heal it, it goes from bruised flesh to her original hue but is still tender to the touch. Before he can put it down she uses it to lift his gaze at the chin, a sultry and mischievous glance pulls at him.
"Kiss it better."
Solas shakes his head but smirks, pressing his lips to her now healed ankle. Before she has a chance to pull away Solas is under her dress, ignoring her squeaks of surprise as he leaves a tingling trail of nips and bites up her calf. Moro giggles away until she sighs, her laughter melting into breathy gasps of delight as Solas lavishes equal attention on her thighs.
"Oh, you're so romantic, Solas. 'Come find me in the west wing, Moro. Let's sit amongst debris and dust that smells like old books while I hide under your—' DRESS!" Moro bursts into a larger, fuller laughter, before crying out jovially when Solas bites at her thigh harder.
She continues to laugh, even as she squeezes his cheeks between her thighs and pulls her dress up to see him. She shakes his head pllayfully before loosening her grip, allowing Solas to rest his cheek on her thigh, hands rubbing up and down her sides.
"Then come to the Vhen'Theneras. There is much there I would like to show you. And it would make for a more romantic setting."
"Now?"
"Why not? Leave the party, there is nothing for you there of value." Solas rises from his knees, there is a vulnerability to him, as if he fears a rejection that has been repeated so many times before. Puts his weight on his palms as they cage her in, his forehead pressed against her own.
"Come with me…"
Moro does not move away, but the sound of distant chatter and laughter breaks the silence and it leaves a pit of dread in her. She knew it, Solas knew it, she wanted anything else but to return to there.
Lady Daylin Fen'Harel from the victorian murder mystery! Solas took her out for their first outing in awhile and got her a new dress 😭 dusty rose looks so good on her!
I mixed victorian and regency dresses as she is not one for the bigger and poofier dresses of the time, preferring the naturally falling dresses
god the anchor deterioration was so good. remember how terrifying that was when you had no idea what was going on, and every once in a while the inquisitor would spontaneously hiss and flick their hand in first surprise and then pain, and then suddenly control over them would be fully wrested from your hands as they writhed and cried out in agony, and the music was a drumming heartbeat in your ears, and finally you could see it fragmenting and dissolving with shreds of it drifting off in the breeze like it was nothing more than vapor after a detonation. yeah.
