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A tiny blog dedicated to the Bhaalspawn siblings Neil and Mordriel (@monsterlimbs Durge) and all the Rooks I will obsess over

[brambeag]

evanuris

[marshmallsy]

when you make enemies with one of the two unofficially assigned chefs in the groups

[wanderingloreweaver]

Guys, guess who could stay away and needed to make a second run with their first Rook?

That's right, this idiot here!

At least Varian will collect more trauma and a new cool look! (It's just sad that I can't give him a eye patch...)

Anyway, here is a new pic of Varian!

But something is different this time...👀

[wanderingloreweaver]

Hey guys, I have a question for you:

I will be starting my first even DA Origin run probably on the weekend and I'm totally lost on which build and which origin I should choose

I know I wanna definitely romance Zevran and Morrigan, maybe Alastair

Warrior would probably be most fitting, given that I mostly just run into enemies and start attacking without much tactical thinking in other games.

But I've seen some other really interesting sounding builds, so I wanted you guys input on which build you did for your first run or which backgrounds go well with which class for roleplay purposes

Any tip would be appreciated! :3

[wanderingloreweaver]

And we ended today's session with finally meeting Emmrich 🤭 Now the real fun can begin!

Also, a small Davrin appreciation because how could I not honor the man that started my love for this game?

[wanderingloreweaver]

Don't mind me, just some of my favorite pics from today's Veilguard session ☺️

[wanderingloreweaver]

I've just read some of @bluerose5 (I hope it's okay that I tag you) Zevcanis ideas here on Tumblr and I'm about to head over to ao3 to devour every of of their Zevcanis fic but I have to get this one out:

Because of them I now think about my just tiny idea if Zevran as Rook. Which, to be fair, the idea was only about how Zevran would use the silliest disguise and make it work. Like I can kinda can see him going in contact with the crows and either wearing a super fake mustache as a disguise or this ridiculous crow head to entirely hide his face.

Both would be funny options but to go for a more fitting way, he could also just use one of the crow masks to hide beneath them and maybe send Neve with Harding or Bellara to the Crows to meet them because he probably would want to make his appearance some kind of big reveal. Like he walks in with a saved Lucanis and just reveals who he actually is and let's shit break loose. But the Crows can't really go after him because he's now the one they have a contract with, plus he saved Lucanis which is another point for him.

But, and this is now a bit inspired by Bluerose5s idea how Zevran returns to the Crows, he disguises himself, maybe even learns to not speak with his accent or at least alter it so it's not immediately recognized. He could just do this as a way to get information at first but since he probably cares a bit for his city, he more and more improves it in subtle ways that dont make it obvious it was him. Just a simple hint here, a important target there - small things that make a difference. Maybe some Crows do see a pattern and maybe some are even able to recognize Zevran's handwriting in this (yk, I would say probably Viago. This man is paranoid enough to get information about everything)

Now that I think about it, these ideas can totally be fused.

Gosh, I have one Zevcanis fic to write ( working title 'When Crows Fall' cuz it references how Lucanis and Zevran fall for each other while also referencing how Lucanis and Spite got together and all that ) and I didn't even start that and am already thinking about the next one. Like, I already have some title ideas and I can't decide already:

A Knife Beneath the Rose

Masks We Wear

The Contracts We Keep

The Crow Who Came Back

They all have something with 'A Knife Beneath the Rose' being more a play on Zevran's charm and deadliness, like beautiful things can still cut deep.

While 'Masks We Wear' is a reference to the not only the mask reveal scene but also the many other masks Zevran wears literally and figuratively. Could also somewhat reference to Lucanis

And 'The Contracts We Keep' is, again, a okay to the contract the crows made with Zevran and that he, to some extent, manipulated to Crows into making which they now can't break without looking like hypocrites

Lastly 'The Crow Who Came Back' plays not only into Zevrans reveal and his return to Antiva but also Lucanis return "from the dead"

So yeah, as you can see, to many ideas and too little time to write

[bluerose5]

One of my favorite dynamics for Zevran (as Rook) and Lucanis is them being able to just be themselves in the weirdest ways around each other. I've seen it said before that the Crows don't realize how off-putting they can be at times to those who aren't assassins, so I love that idea applying to these two. They'd start off bonding by swapping stories about their most exciting jobs, probably trying to one-up each other, let's be real. Maybe there's actually some recognition involved with a few of those stories in a "Hey, that was you!" kind of way. Then they get onto the topic of all the boring parts of their job, such as long stakeouts and the like. They exchange ways of making the time go by faster —reading, stargazing, etc.

Next thing you know, these two are talking about the best ways to kill people over dinner in front of everyone else, correcting each other, getting into debates, and trading tips. They talk about ways of "extracting" information out of their targets, and it gets to the point where they don't leave any of the details out, and it takes one person to make a point of clearing their throat for these two to get the hint that maybe they should shut up about that. For now, at least.

Not to exclude typical rogue talk either. They discuss their favorite designs for blades and armors, along with best lockpicking techniques (and before the same Zevran "insufficient skill" joke gets used for the 10,000th time, yes we get it, just invest your points into lockpicking for him, he's not incapable of learning xD).

Eventually, someone —I'm thinking maybe Bellara— comes into the kitchen to help Lucanis finish up on dinner one night. Tries to sample one of the dishes he already set out, and he's instantly rushing over there, grabbing it out of the way, going "No, no, no, no!" When Bellara asks what the big deal is, he gets kind of shifty and explains that he's been helping Zevran build up his immunity to some of the Crow's latest poisons they've been making. With his consent, of course! Meanwhile, Bellara is just standing there because What the fuck is wrong with these two?

[bluerose5]

After making quick work of the guards there, they escaped back into the night, but they didn't leave the way they came, as expected. Instead, Zevran switched out his daggers for his bow, and led them farther along the docks. Some of the lookouts they spotted earlier had already been felled, their bodies’ locations obscured by night and shadow, yet others still remained in the distance ahead. Upon their approach, Zevran unleashed arrow after arrow into them, taking them out without hesitation, moving with a deadly precision that took Lucanis's breath away.

Getting a bit flustered because your partner(-in-crime) kills so well. Just Crow things.

[bluerose5]

The thing about my Second Talon AU is that I like the idea of Zevran and Lucanis knowing each other before Veilguard because it's ripe with potential. I'll entertain the idea that Zevran has lost the Warden either due to the Ultimate Sacrifice or due to the Calling at this point. He lost someone who was either his closest friend or quite possibly his love interest, reader's choice on these options because I could work with it either way. Then, he returns to the Crows when Antiva faces the threat of a potential Qunari invasion. He doesn't return with the intent of "reforming" them for their own benefit, but he returns because they're essentially Antiva's defense system, and if Antiva stands a chance at weathering this storm, then her Crows need to be strong. When all else has been lost to him, he is Antivan first and foremost, and he cannot stand idly by to watch her fall to ruin. Even if that means he must return to his gilded cage in order to protect his home from within, then he shall. Maybe after all of this has been dealt with, he'll return to his life on the run. Maybe not, but he has to do something.

Befriending Lucanis isn't something he expects, but he's curious about him. He has privileges as a Crow that Zevran could only dream about growing up, but there's something different about him compared to some of the others, which is reflected in the company he keeps. It's no surprise that he finds allies in Teia and Viago, because all three of them stand out in the fact that they care. For Antiva. For her people. They're good at their jobs. They accept their roles as Crows, but they extend that role as a duty to protect their home from any threat, both outside and within.

So, Zevran meets Lucanis, the First Talon's grandson, and while this rich boy can come across as a little out of touch with your everyday Antivan at times, Zevran is more than happy to remind him who and what they're fighting for, just as Lucanis is ready to remind him that it's okay to be selfish and have someone care about him and his needs for a change. They spend time together over the years from the moment Zevran takes charge after Guili Arainai's death, and they grow close, often raising questions from others about Zevran's motives, which Lucanis tries his best to brush off. Nothing really happens romantically between them until the last year or two before Lucanis gets imprisoned, but even that is more of a "will they, won't they" dynamic than anything actually occurring between them. They're okay with being just friends, but the potential for more is very much there. Of course there is some uncertainty for both, Lucanis and his inexperience, Zevran and his history of loss when he allows others that close (Rinna, Taliesen, the Warden).

But then the chance is gone. Lucanis is imprisoned in the Ossuary. Zevran spends day after day trying to search for answers, but nothing ever comes from it. To tie in Zevran in the role of Rook, Varric finds him at that point. He's trying to hunt down Solas, and Bela passed along his name. Said that he would be the perfect person to help him find him. That his history with the Hero of Ferelden and the Crows could prepare him for almost anything they face. Thinking about what the Warden would do in his situation, Zevran leaves his second-in-command in charge, and sets out with Varric.

That's not even getting into the relief of Zevran finding Lucanis. The situation with Spite. All of the unresolved feelings between them, and the fact that Lucanis gets to experience that same loss that Zevran felt when Zevran eventually gets trapped within the Regret Prison for weeks.

[wanderingloreweaver]

Well, I was thinking a lot about Dragon Age.

At first it was just a 'how much trauma can I give my Rook (Varian Thorne aka the dude on my profile)?' which escalated in a very big background story that I will share with you guys soon. When I have it somewhat clear written down and not just all ideas in a non chronological order.

The other thing I was thinking about was Zevran. And that got so worse, I now can separate my ideas in two categories 'Before Zevran' and 'After Zevran'

Why you ask? Because that man now sneaked his way into so many ideas. Which resulted in a nice idea for Lucanis x Zevran. Which then turned into Lucanis x Zevran x Spite

And let me tell you, I'm a sucker for that idea. So let me tell you what I have:

The very first ideas I had was a storyline where Lucanis tries to hide Spite and the fact he's a abomination and it would either be revealed in act 3, the siege of Weisshaupt or any other climatic scene. Why would he hide it? Well, I think Zevran would find these wings and Spite attractive and I want this kinda be a bonding moment type of thing, yk?

This then turned into the idea of what if Lucanis technically is in pain when he uses Spites wings? Like they tear out of his flesh, even tho it leaves no wound? Maybe just torn clothes? And what if his veins are darker thanks to Spite, have maybe a soft violet glow? But like the pain gets weaker the more in balance Lucanis and Spite are. And the veins get more and more darker, the more he uses Spites magic and need time to return to their 'subtle' dark shimmering look.

But that was all just 'character concept' which finally led me to a real fic idea: That it would be interesting idea if the fic plays before Dragon Age The Veilguard (so no Spite yet). That maybe Lucanis is tasked with killing Zevran (who maybe was in a relationship with the Hero of Ferelden at first?) but he for some reason fails and catches feelings for Zevran? And then things go wrong, Lucanis is captured and brought to the Ossuary for experiments and has Spite out into him. And after Rook frees them, he finds Zevran again, who is now part of Rooks team?

Did it bring me to the idea to now throw my Rook (Varian Thorne) and Davrin into the mix and create Viagos worst nightmare. This is a maybe idea tho, so that much poly might not happen but we'll see (As I know myself, it probably will happen)

But still, at the end, I have a little something for you: A little reaction from Zevran about Lucanis that was written before I got the idea that their first meeting was before Veilguard started but could also work for that idea

"Zevran knew three things within five minutes of meeting Lucanis Dellamorte:

1. The man was dangerous.

2. The man was broken in all the worst ways.

3. Zevran absolutely should not want to kiss him."

And yes, I definitely gave @monsterlimbs a lot to catch up on in terms of ideas

[wanderingloreweaver]

I finished my first playthrough of Veilguard after putting in 80 hours and what can I say?

I loved it. I never played any other game of the franchise but this game really awakened my love for the series. Sure, it probably had its issues but I loved it.

And I can't wait to replay it! While yes, it does not have such a big impact in terms of choices, I still want to see how different these interactions can be, how it will be different if I choose the other option at the end of the companions quest or ending. Plus, I wasn't able to fully level up the Shadow Dragons so I don't know which quest they might have given me!

All in all, Varian Thrones Story might have come to an end...

But Vaerion Ingellvars is just about to start!

And as a little Bonus (and because I totally overlooked that when I made Varian), his Inky!

[wanderingloreweaver]

I just had the Davrin confession scene and-

They're just so cute🥺 I love how surprised my Rook looked when getting kissed, even tho he just said that he wants to be with Davrin

And don't get me started on Assan. They're a happy little family now and nothing will change that! (Hopefully)

[wanderingloreweaver]

I might be interpreting too much but the way Lucanis leans on Emmrichs chair? When I first saw that, I thought "they have something going on" which would make sense? In a way?

Does someone else see this?

I mean, Emmrich can hear Spite (don't remember if he can see him too) so it would make sense that he would come closer to Lucanis trying to help him and Spite to settle down and find an arrangement that works for them.

Am I crazy for thinking that they would make a nice couple?

[wanderingloreweaver]

So, I've been playing Veilguard for the past few days and well... I fell in love with my little Rook <3

I was a bit overwhelmed with all the sliders when creating him but now I absolutely adore him!

So meet Varian "Rook" Thorne, a Reaper Warrior Warden! I thought it was fitting to be a warden for my first playthrough

[monsterlimbs]

I like it when Durge finds out they're REALLY good at niche/odd things.

Like @abandoned-child-of-bhaal's durge, Neil, sees some herbs and suddenly goes "I need to mix those" then hands them off to someone, and all of a sudden that someone feels extra strong. Or my durge Mordriel realizing he's a REALLY good surgeon and knows anatomy to a staggering degree, and weirdly enough he's a REALLY good cook. ...Especially cooking meat. And no one in camp wants to let him cook, especially cook meat, because they've SEEN what he eats (it's dwarf. he eats dwarf.) and don't really want to partake in... that. And no one wants to let him patch them up, or even heal them with lay on hands, not until act 3, because he's... him. Also, he killed Gale once throwing a healing potion so I think everyone's pretty set on avoiding a repeat of that.

[wanderingloreweaver]

So I decided to finally start a Honor mode run and ofc I had to make my and @monsterlimbs durge siblings<3

So meet a new version of Neil and my take on Mordriel!

What makes this Neil different to the other is that this Neil never had the troubled past her OG version has. This Neil was strong from the start, a true Bhaalspawn. She embraced her origin from the start, hence the longer hair

(It's a little headcanon of mine that all worshippers of Bhaal only cut their hair when they disappointed Bhaal)

(Also, ignore that Neil misses her scales and Wings. I basically just got out of character creation and needed to most this)

But ofc I can't hide their Dream guardians from you! The emperor really did try his best to be able to manipulate the siblings in the long run but some things just aren't quite right xD