Writers of Thedas

Resources, writing advice and prompts for writers of Dragon Age fanfiction.

[wardenkader]

Last year I set up Dwarf Appreciation Week, and was totally blown away by the response it got. So I decided to make it a yearly thing, as well as to set up a blog to keep everything all nice and archived. So if you love dwarves, take a gander over at @dwarfappreciationweek!

Dwarf Appreciation Week will run from July 24th to July 30th. If you’d like to take part, please tag your posts with #dwarf appreciation week! I’d love a chance to reblog all the awesome dwarf-centered art, fics, graphics, meta, headcanons, fanmixes, cosplays that people come up with. If it’s dwarf-related, tag it!

DAILY THEMES

To aid in creative efforts, I’ve decided to do a daily theme throughout the week, focusing on various dwarves of Thedas.

July 24th: Cadash Appreciation–A day to focus on our lovely Inquisitor Cadash. Tell us all about your inquisitor, through art, fic, personal headcanons, graphics. It’s up to you! What choices did they make throughout the events of Inquisition? Who did they romance? How did they come to be, even before the Breach? July 25th: Warden Appreciation–Focusing on our dwarven Wardens, Brosca, Aeducan, and Kader. What sort of Warden did they become, who did they romance, what choices did they make during and after the Blight? July 26th: Dwarven Gals–A day to love and appreciate the fine lady dwarves we’ve met throughout Dragon Age. Tell us your love for Dagna, Bianca, Sigrun, Lace Harding, or any of the other lady dwarves that come to mind. July 27th: Dwarven Dudes–Can’t forget our fantastic dwarven dudes! Got love to proclaim for Sandal, Bodahn, Varric, Oghren, or any other dwarf dude in Dragon Age? Today’s the day to do just that. July 28th: Shale Appreciation–As a golem, Shale canonly has no gender, but that doesn’t mean you can’t love them any less. Show some slightly squishy love for Shale today. July 29th-July 30th: Dwarves of Thedas–A more generalized focus on dwarves of Thedas. Perfect for any meta, graphics, fanart, or fanmixes for dwarves that don’t apply to one character or another.

As stated, I’ll be reblogging anything that’s tagged under #dwarf appreciation week. But please be courteous to others and tag your nsfw! Otherwise, have fun and enjoy the awesome content that you or others have created.

Feel free to reblog as well! Let’s get the word out for the event.

[danceinthemagic]

Storytelling Through Tarot

I’ve noticed that a lot of other witches also enjoy fiction and writing! Tarot itself tells a story, and you can do so much with using tarot to outline your story and characters! So here’s a 13 card spread that can be shortened down to six if you need to. The order in which you lay them really depends on if you’d rather do a six or thirteen card spread. 

1-6 are the main points of the story. 

Beginning - What are things like at the beginning of the narrative? Where do your characters start?

Climax of Act One - Something has drastically changed in your MC’s life. What is it? What do they need to do now?

Midpoint: big twist! - Need a plot twist? Someone is hiding a secret? Things aren’t going as planned? This is where something unexpected happens.

Climax of Act Two - It looks like the bad guy is winning, nothing is going right. What does the most intense part of your story look like?

Wrap up - What loose ends need tied up?

End - Where are things now at the end of the story?

Now, the other cards go in between those main six points. 

Beginning

Inciting Incident - What happens that shakes up the status quo?

Second Thoughts - What’s your character thinking now with these events looming on the horizon?

Climax of Act One

Obstacle - No one said this journey was easy

Obstacle - Yup, more things to keep your hero from meeting their goal

Midpoint

Obstacle - Getting frustrated? Good.

Disaster - The “oh shit” moment

Crisis - The “no no no no no this isn’t happening” moment

Climax of Act Two

Wrap up

End

And there you go! Hope this helps!

[wanderlustywriter]

Things To Do When Your Muse Is Ignoring You

Happy Monday, writers and readers!

You know those writing days when your writing is flowing like a magical waterfall out of your fingertips and onto the page and you’re practically crying with joy at the brilliance that is you?

Yeah. Those days don’t happen to me all that often, either.

Most days, sitting down to write is something that makes me happy–but not always. There are days when it flows like magic, days when it flows a little less magically, days when it’s hard, and days when it’s downright near impossible.

Today I want to talk about what to do on those impossible days. Generally, you have two choices: 1) Keep writing or 2) Don’t.

If you feel you can power through, by all means power through. But there are days–and I know I can’t be alone in this–when I really just can’t sit there any longer trying to squeeze more out of my deadened mind and onto my blank screen.

So these are the things I do to help me get my mojo back.

1. Take a walk Just getting outside–especially when you live in a city and/or work in an office building all day–does wonders for your mind and health. No matter the weather. Fresh air, sunshine or rain, feeling your feet move under you–just go.

2. Take a bath When searching for a new apartment last year, I was shocked at the number of places we looked at that had no bathtub. That’s a deal-breaker for me–but not, apparently, for a lot of people. I think we should all take more baths–they’re good for your muscles as well as your mental health. Get some epsom salt, light some candles, close your eyes and just let yourself relax for once.

3. Read a book Reading is a more indirect way to enhance your abilities as a writer than actually writing, but to paraphrase Stephen King, there are no good writers out there who aren’t also readers. Also, reading is the best.

4. Cook Getting your mind focused on something else–like following a recipe–is a really great way to give it a break from whatever current plot problems are plaguing it. Bonus: when you’re done, you have something delicious to eat (hopefully).

5. Clean I generally hate cleaning. Except when I’m doing it to distract me from something else. I like to put on some Netflix in the background and just get in a cleaning zone. This activity comes with two bonuses: 1) if you’re watching a well-written, clever TV show, it could spark an idea for your writing, and 2) your apartment is actually clean when you’re done.

6. Exercise Akin to taking a walk and taking a bath, this is something that’s really good for you both physically and mentally. Getting your endorphins and strengthening your body for those marathon computer sessions is only a good thing. I also find that my best ideas, without fail, come when I’m moving. Which is why, against all advice ever, I always keep my phone at the edge of my yoga mat–so I can tap out my stroke of brilliance before I forget it.

7. Socialize Life is fodder for writing. If you don’t talk to anyone or experience anything, your writing is going to be boring. Go out and talk to people. Maybe it’ll spark an idea; maybe it won’t. But having friends is good for you.

Those are my tricks for getting the muse to come back to you. Do you have any of your own? I’d love to hear them!

[ageofdragon]

List of Canon Ships/Pairings

I need a list of all canon pairings for reasons, so I figured I’d start a post so others could use it too. It seems like a good thing to have.

This will include characters who flirt with one another, confirmed in-game, and confirmed by Bioware. I’ll try to distinguish those too. These are all possible pairings in Dragon Age media, as in they do in fact exist and happen canonically. If I do inevitably forget one you can remind me via message or ask and I will add it. Feel free to ask about some pairings too if you are unsure on sources, I can point you to the right places (for example, Greagoir/Wynne seems heavily implied due to their corresponding sections in WoT Vol. 2. Where the Templar Wynne was intimate with, left and returned; while Greagoir was sent to Denerim as a disciplinary action during his younger years.)

Dragon Age Origins

Andraste/Maferath (In-game)

Maric Theirin/Rowan Guerrin (In-game)

Vasilia/Hessarian (In-game)

Eleni Zinovia/Valerius (In-game)

Calenhad Theirin/Shayna (In-game)

Calenhad Theirin/Mairyn (In-game)

Marethari Talas/Sarel (WoT Vol. 2, Extended Media)

Bryce Cousland/Eleanor Cousland (In-game)

Fergus Cousland/Oriana Cousland (In-game)

Landra/Loren (In-game)

Bhelen Aeducan/Rica Brosca (In-game)

Beraht/Jarvia (In-game)

Leske/Jarvia (In-game, dependent)

Gorim Saelac/Unnamed Surfacer (In-game)

Jowan/Lily (In-game)

Cyrion Tabris/Adaia Tabris (In-game)

Dilwyn/Gethon (In-game)

Soris/Valora (In-game)

Soris/Unnamed Human Woman (In-game)

Anora Theirin/Cailan Theirin (In-game)

Jory/Helena (In-game)

Dorothea (Divine Justinia V)/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song, Hinted)

Harwen Raleigh/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song)

Calian Theirin/Celene Valmont (In-game, Return to Ostagar, Hinted)

Loghan Mac Tir/Celia Mac Tir (The Stolen Throne, Extended Media)

Rendon Howe/Eliane Bryland (WoT Vol.2, Extended Media)

Herren/Wade (David Gaider)

Cammen/Gheyna (In-game)

Drass/Desire Demon (In-game)

Isolde Guerrin/Eamon Guerrin (In-game)

Teagan Guerrin/Bella (In-game, dependent)

Teagan Guerrin/Kaitlyn (In-game, dependent)

Athras/Danyla (In-game)

Pyral Harrowmont/Tercy Harrowmont (In-game)

Branka/Hespith (In-game)

Oghren/Branka (In-game)

Oghren/Felsi (In-game)

Sten/Shale (In-game, Flirting)

Leliana/Marjolaine (In-game, Leliana’s Song)

Zevran Arainai/Rinnala/Taliesen (In-game, WoT Vol. 2 , Extended Media)

Zevran Arainai/Isabela (In-game)

Wynne/Unnamed Templar [likely Greagoir] (In-game, Extended Media)

Alistair Theirin/Anora Theirin (In-game, dependent)

Dragon Age Awakening

Kristoff/Aura (In-game)

Deliah Howe/Albert (In-game)

The Architect/Seranni (In-game, Hinted)

Justice/Aura (In-game, Discussed)

Nathaniel Howe/Velanna (In-game, Flirting)

Dragon Age II

Leandra Amell/Malcolm Hawke (In-game)

Gamlen Amell/Mara Hartling (In-game)

Aveline Vallen/Wesley Vallen (In-game)

Johane Harimann/Ruxton Harimann (In-game, The Exiled Prince)

Jethann/Ninette (In-game)

Ghyslain de Carrac/Ninette (In-game)

Elegant/An Unnamed Noble (In-game, Mark of the Assassin)

Nyssa/Huon (In-game)

Orlanna/Feynriel (In-game, dependent)

Grace/Decimus (In-game)

Thrask/Ambra (WoT Vol. 2, Extended Media)

Emile de Launcet/Nella (In-game, dependent)

Dulci de Launcet/Guillaume de Launcet  (In-game)

Bran Cavin/Serendipity (In-game, Mark of the Assassin)

Arianna/Vincento (In-game)

Karl Thekla/Anders (In-game)

Aveline Vallen/Donnic Hendyr (In-game, dependent)

Fenris/Isabela (In-game, dependent)

Carver Hawke/Merrill (In-game, Flirting)

Bethany Hawke/Sebastian Vael (In-game, Flirting)

Dragon Age Inquisition

Celene Valmont/Briala (In-game, The Masked Empire)

The Iron Bull/Unnamed Chantry Sister (In-game)

The Iron Bull/Unnamed Skyhold Servants (In-game)

Dorian Pavus/Rilienus (In-game)

Varric Tethras/Bianca Davri (In-game)

Vivienne/Bastien de Ghyslain (In-game)

Blackwall (Thom Rainier)/Josephine Montilyet (In-game, Flirting, dependent)

The Iron Bull/Dorian Pavus (In-game, dependent)

Ameridan/Telana (In-game, Jaws of Hakkon)

Bram Kenric/Lace Harding (In-game, Flirting, Jaws of Hakkon)

Svarah “Sun-Hair” Janesdotten/Amund “Sky Watcher” (In-game, Jaws of Hakkon, dependent)

Cole/Maryden Halewell (In-game, Trespasser, dependent)

Cremisius Aclassi/Maryden Halewell (In-game, Trespasser, dependent)

Sera/Dagna (In-game, Trespasser, Fixed: dependent)

Other Media

Loghain Mac Tir/Rowan Guerrin (The Stolen Throne)

Maric Theirin/Katriel (The Stolen Throne)

Fiona/Maric Theirin (The Calling)

Edit: Nicolas/Julien (The Calling)

Evangeline de Brassard/Rhys (Asunder)

Garahel/Amadis Vael (The Last Flight)

Claudio Valisti/Luis (The Silent Grove)

Maevaris Tilani/Thorold Tethras (Those Who Speak/Until We Sleep)

Cassandra Pentaghast/Regalyan D’Marcall (Dawn of the Seeker, In-game)

Calpernia/Marius (Paying the Ferryman)

Maddox/Unnamed Woman (Paper and Steel)

[ageofdragon]

EDIT: Dragon Age Inquisition: Zither/Maryden Halewell (In-Game, Trespasser, dependent)

[badassunicorn2016]

Writing Tip June 4th

A list of body language phrases.

I’ve included a very comprehensive list, organized by the type of body movement, hand and arm movements, facial expressions etc. In some cases, a phrase fits more than one heading, so it may appear twice. Possible emotions are given after each BL phrase unless the emotion is indicated within the phrase. (They are underlined for emphasis, not due to a hyperlink.)

Note: I’ve included a few body postures and body conditions as they are non-verbal testimony to the character’s physical condition.

Have fun and generate your own ideas.:-)

Eyes, Brows and Forehead

arched a sly brow:  sly, haughty

blinked owlishly:  just waking, focusing, needs glasses

brows bumped together in a scowl:  worried, disapproving, irritated

brows knitted in a frown: worried, disapproval, thoughtful

bug-eyed:  surprised, fear, horror

cocky wink and confident smile:  over confidence, arrogant, good humor, sexy humor

eyes burned with hatred: besides hatred this might suggest maniacal feelings

eyes flashed: fury, defiance, lust, promise, seduction

eyes rolled skyward: disbelief, distrust, humor

forehead puckered:  thoughtful, worried, irritation

frustration crinkled her eyes

gaze dipped to her décolletage: sexual interest, attraction, lust

gimlet-eyed/narrowed eyes: irritation, thoughtful, mean, angry

gleam of deviltry:  humor, conniving, cunning

kept eye contact but her gaze became glazed: pretending interest where there is none/bordom

narrowed to crinkled slits:  angry, distrust

nystagmic eyes missed nothing (constantly shifting eyes):  Shifty

pupils dilated:  interested, attraction to opposite sex, fear

raked her with freezing contempt

slammed his eyes shut:  stunned, furious, pain

squinted in a furtive manner:  fearful, sneaky

stared with cow eyes:  surprised, disbelief, hopeful, lovestruck

subtle wink:  sexy, humor/sharing a joke, sarcasm

unrelenting stare: distrust, demanding, high interest, unyielding

Place To Place, Stationary Or Posture

ambled away:  relaxed, lazy

barged ahead:  rude, hurried

battled his way through the melee:  desperate, anger, alarm

cruised into the diner:  easy-going, feeling dapper, confident

dawdled alongside the road:  lazy, deliberate delay for motives, unhurried, relaxed

dragged his blanket in the dirt:   sadness/depressed, weary

edged closer to him:  sneaky, seeking comfort, seeking protection, seeking an audience

he stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sudden interest, sexual attraction

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig: demonstrates physical condition – he has to pee

hips rolled and undulated:  sexy walk, exaggerating for sex appeal

hovered over them with malice/like a threatening storm: here it’s malice, but one may hover for many reasons.

hunched over to look shorter:  appear inconspicuous, ashamed of actions, ashamed of height

leaped into action feet hammering the marbled floor:  eager, fear, joyous

long-legged strides:  hurried, impatient

lumbered across:  heavy steps of a big man in a hurry

minced her way up to him: timid, sneaky, insecure, dainty or pretense at dainty

paced/prowled the halls:  worried, worried impatience, impatient, diligently seeking pivoted on his heel and took off:  mistaken and changes direction, following orders, hurried, abrupt change of mind, angry retreat

plodded down the road:  unhurried, burdened, reluctant

practiced sensual stroll:  sexy, showing off

rammed her bare foot into her jeans: angry, rushed

rocked back and forth on his heels: thoughtful, impatiently waiting

sagged against the wall:  exhausted, disappointment

sallied forth:  confident, determined

sashayed her cute little fanny:  confident, determined, angered and determined

shrank into the angry crowd:  fear, insecure, seeking to elude

sketched a brief bow and assumed a regal pose: confident, mocking, snooty, arrogant skidded to an abrupt halt: change of heart, fear, surprise, shock

skulked on the edges of the crowd: sneaky, ashamed, timid

slithered through the door:  sneaky, evil, bad intentions

stormed toward her, pulling up short when: anger with a sudden surprise

swaggered into the class room:  over confident, proud, arrogant, conceited

tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing

toe tapped a staccato rhythm:  impatience, irritation

tottered/staggered unsteadily then keeled over:  drunk, drugged, aged, ill

waltzed across the floor:  happy, blissful, exuberant, conceited, arrogant

Head Movement

cocked his head:  curiosity, smart-alecky, wondering, thoughtful

cocked his head left and rolled his eyes to right corner of the ceiling:  introspection

droop of his head: depressed, downcast, hiding true feelings

nodded vigorously: eager

tilted her head to one side while listening:  extreme interest, possibly sexual interest

Mouth And Jaw

a lackluster smile:  feigning cheerfulness

cigarette hung immobile in mouth: shock, lazy, uncaring, relaxed casualness

clinched his jaw at the sight:  angered, worried, surprised

curled her lips with icy contempt

expelled her breath in a whose:  relief, disappointment

gagged at the smell: disgust, distaste

gapped mouth stare:  surprised, shock, disbelief

gritted his teeth:  anger, irritation, holding back opinion

inhaled a sharp breath:  surprise, shock, fear, horror

licked her lips:  nervous, sexual attraction

lips primed: affronted, upset, insulted

lips pursed for a juicy kiss

lips pursed like she’d been chewing a lemon rind: dislike, angry, irritated, sarcasm

lips screwed into: irritation, anger, grimace, scorn

lips set in a grim line: sorrow, worried, fear of the worst

pursed her lips:  perturbed, waiting for a kiss

scarfed down the last biscuit:  physical hunger, greed

slack-mouthed:  total shock, disbelief

slow and sexy smile:  attraction, seductive, coy

smacked his lips: anticipation

smile congealed then melted into horror

smile dangled on the corner of his lips: cocky, sexy

smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder:  conceit, sarcasm, over confident

sneered and flicked lint off his suit: sarcasm, conceit

spewed water and spit: shock

stuck out her tongue: humor, sarcasm, teasing, childish

toothy smile:  eagerness, hopeful

wary smile surfaced on her lips

Nose

nose wrinkled in distaste/at the aroma

nostrils flared:  anger, sexual attraction

nose in the air:  snooty, haughty

Face in General

crimson with fury

handed it over shame-faced

jutted his chin: confident, anger, forceful

managed a deadpan expression:  expressionless

muscles in her face tightened:  unsmiling, concealing emotions, anger, worried

rested his chin in his palm and looked thoughtful

rubbed a hand over his dark stubble:  thoughtful, ashamed of his appearance

screwed up her face:  anger, smiling, ready to cry, could almost be any emotion

sneered and flicked lint off his suit: conceit, derision, scorn

Arm and Hand

a vicious yank

arm curled around her waist, tugging her next to him:  possessive, pride, protective

bit her lip and glanced away:  shy, ashamed, insecure

brandished his fist:  anger, threatening, ready to fight, confident, show of pride

clamped his fingers into tender flesh:  anger, protective, wants to inflict pain

clenched his dirty little fists: stubborn, angry

clapped her hands on her hips, arms crooked like sugar bowel handles:  anger, demanding, disbelief

constantly twirled her hair and tucked it behind her ear:  attracted to the opposite sex, shy crossed his arms over his chest: waiting, impatient, putting a barrier

crushed the paper in his fist:  anger, surrender, discard

dived into the food: hunger, eager, greedy

doffed his hat:  polite gesture, mocking, teasing

doodled on the phone pad and tapped the air with her foot:  bored, inattention, introspection

drummed her fingers on the desk:  impatient, frustrated, bored

fanned her heated face with her hands: physically hot, embarrassed, indicating attraction

fiddled with his keys: nervous, bored

firm, palm to palm hand shake:  confident, honest

flipped him the bird: sarcastic discard

forked his fingers through his hair for the third time:  disquiet/consternation, worry, thoughtful

handed it over shame-faced:  guilt, shame

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig:  physical need to relieve himself

limp hand shake:  lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm

propped his elbow on his knee: relaxed, thoughtful

punched her pillow:  restless, can’t sleep, angry

rested his chin in his palm:  thoughful, worried

scratched his hairy belly and yawned:  indolent, bored, lazy, relaxed, just waking

shoulders lifted in a shrug:  doubtful, careless discard

slapped his face in front of God and country:  enraged, affronted/insulted

snapped a sharp salute:  respect, sarcastic gesture meaning the opposite of respect

snapped his fingers, expecting service:  arrogant, lack of respect, self-centered

sneered and flicked lint off his suit

spread her arms wide: welcoming,  joy, love

stabbed at the food: anger, hunger, determined

stood straighter and smoothed his tie:  sudden interest, possible sexual interest

stuffed his hands in his pockets: self-conscious, throwing up a barrier

sweaty handshake:  nervous, fearful

touched his arm several times while explaining:  sign of attraction, flattery, possessive

wide sweep of his arms:  welcoming, all inclusive gesture, horror

Sitting or Rising

collapsed in a stupor:  exhausted, drunk, drugged, disbelief

enthroned himself at the desk:  conceit, pronouncing or taking ownership

exploded out of the chair:  shock, eager, anger, supreme joy

roosted on the porch rail like a cock on a hen house roof:  claiming ownership, conceit, content

sat, squaring an ankle over one knee:  relaxed and open

slouched/wilted in a chair and paid languid attention to:  drowsy, lazy, depressed, disinterest, sad, totally relaxed, disrespectful

squirmed in his chair: ill at ease, nervous, needs the bathroom

Recline

flung himself into the bed: sad, depressed, exhausted, happy

prostrated himself: surrender, desperate, miserable, powerless, obsequious, fawning, flattering

punched her pillow:  can’t sleep, anger, frustrated

threw himself on the floor kicking and screaming: tantrum

Entire body and General

body stiffened at the remark:  offended, anger, alerted

body swayed to music:  dreamy, fond memories, enjoys the music

bounced in the car seat, pointing:  excitement, fear, eager

cowered behind his brother:  fear, shyness, coward, desperate

curled into a ball:  sorrow, fear, sleepy, defensive

heart galloping:  anxiety, joy, eager

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig

humped over his cane, each step shaking and careful: pain, aged

inhaled a deep breath and blew out slowly: buying time to find words/thoughtful, reconciled

quick and jerky like rusty cogs on a wheel:  unsure of actions, self-conscious, tense, edgy

rocked back and forth on his heels:  impatient, cocky, gleeful

manhandled the woman into a corner:  bully, anger

slumped shoulders: defeat, depressed, sad, surrender

stiff-backed:  priggish, haughty, affronted

stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sexual interest, wants to make an impression

stooped and bent: aged, arthritic, in pain

stretched extravagantly and yawned:  tired, bored, unconcerned

sweating uncontrollably: nervous, fear, guilt

tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing

was panting now at:  afraid, exhausted, out of breath, sexual excitement

-Sharla Rae

[krawalle-n-hiebe]

Dorian x Inquisitor Appreciation Week

Hey, everybody! We just decided that we need more anatomy practise and also the Dorian Romance need more love!

So we are starting the Dorian x Inquisitor Porn week! 

Originally posted by crying-ren

Will start at 20.June and end on 26.June. Everday has a theme. Monday: We will start easy with a make-out session. Thursday: Just casual Sex. Take it easy and stay hydrated! Wednesday: Kinks. Like sextoys, roleplay, hair pulling. Whatever feel free! Thursday: favourite sex postion Friday: favourite sex location Saturday: Sex accident (be creative) Sunday: Point of view ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ (have fun)

Please share, reblogg, tell your grandma, kick your local club, make some noises! Adaar, Cadash, Lavellan, Trevelyan…I don’t care as long Dorian is satisfy and Inquisitor happy.

Remember kids have fun, take it easy and don’t do drugs! Everyone is encourage to take part. Fanart/-comic, Fanfictions, Cosplay, stage play, clay work, chestnut man, feel free to pick your medium! I want to encourage beginner artist. Hell, even when you only can draw stickmans or started with english some weeks ago. This is for pure fun and not a competition! Also send me the link over the messenger, I try to have a look at everything :) Maybe we should come up with a tag, like I don’t know xD Make some suggestion!

Sidenote: Please consider the applicable law of your country! It’s still porn and maybe needs some different marks. You need to be at a legal age!

[grogblogging]

Hello! Just clicked on the "request a route" link in your Dragon Age travel times post – I couldn't see these on there, so could I request how long it would take to get from (a) Kirkwall to Chateau Haine in "Mark Of The Assassin" and (b) Kirkwall to the Carta hideout in the Vimmark Mountains in Legacy? Apologies in advance if this has already been done. Thank you so much!

i usually ask for specific locations/coordinates for places that aren’t on the main thedas map, but with some detective work i’ve actually managed to find a decent guess for the location of chateau haine! this codex entry tells us it’s on the western slopes of the vimmark mountains, pretty close to kirkwall. 

kirkwall to chateau haine

60 miles on mountainous roads7 days on foot | 3 days on horseback | 2 days fast carriage (if it can get up there)

unfortunately there’s no such handy info on the carta hideout, & as the vimmarks are quite a long mountain range i can’t safely hazard a guess for even a rough area im afraid =/ if anyone has any more info/any guesses, i’d love to hear them!!

so all i can give you for the moment is chateau haine; sorry i couldn’t be more useful!

all routes // request a route

[hollyand-writes]

Thanks so much for this! It’s really helpful. Much appreciated.

Also, @writersofthedas - one to add to your Dragon Age writers’ resource list?

[writersofthedas]

Absolutely!

[rederiswrites]

Music of Thedas

So one of my interests is European ‘early music’.  There’s a lot of truly wonderful pre-Classical and traditional acoustic music out there, and it’s this sort of stuff that I imagine when I think of music you might actually hear if you were traveling through Thedas.  This is the music I imagine playing in the village square at festival time, or twirling the dancers ‘round at the Winter Palace, or following Alistair as he strides to his throne.  This is the music I imagine pulsing around the winter fires of the Avvar or moving the women of Rivain through their daily work.  Vital, complex, acoustic, varied, and beautiful.

I’ve divided the selections up by country but it’s not driven by any deeper logic than my own feelings.  These songs speak to me of what we know of these countries; that’s all.  There’s a very wide variety here, so if the first isn’t your thing don’t let that deter you.  Listen to it a bit at a time, or just your favorite countries, whatever.

All of these and quite a few besides are compiled on this playlist, which is also good to write to because a lot are either instrumental or in languages most people don’t speak.

Keep reading

[thewritershandbook]

[thedasthoughts]

Inquisition Random Flavor Text Lore:

Elves

[basiliskonline-deactivated20221]

[an-author-and-his-books]

Best writing advice ever!

[deathandamoth-deactivated202011]

Honestly, this is why I love Alice. And she’s my writing hero/role model.

[naito-nii-deactivated20181216]

Who is this person and does she have more of these helpful, motivating messages?

[basiliskonline-deactivated20221]

Since someone deleted my caption: This is alice oseman (found on @chronicintrovert) shes amazing and wonderful and very communicative with her fans and stuff

[chronicintrovert]

omg this is still going round!!!!! niceeeee

[grogblogging]

Can you make a master post for all of your travel times posts?

coming right up!

travel times in thedas masterpost

there are quite a few, so i suggest crtl + f / cmd + f to search the page for your destination!

by game

originsawakeninginquisition

by character

duncan’s route to all the originscousland’s route to ostagarhawke’s escape from lotheringsebastian’s journeys around the free marches – new!!danarius’ route to kirkwall – includes two possible routeslavellan’s route to the conclave – includes three possible routesthe inquisition’s route to skyholdbanished wardens’ route to weisshaupt

by route

adamant fortress to weisshauptamaranthine to denerimamaranthine to the dragonbone wastesantiva city to denerimantiva city to val royeaux – includes two possible routescumberland to vyrantiumcumberland to ostwick – new!!cumberland to seeker fortress (hunterhorns) – new!!dalish camp (origins) to ostagardalish camp (origins) to mont-de-glacedenerim to dalish camp (origins)denerim to havendenerim to lotheringdenerim to soldier’s peakgherlen’s pass to kinloch holdhaven to skyhold – after ‘in your heart shall burn’highever to denerim – includes three possible routeshighever to havenhighever to ostagarjader to havenkinloch hold to amaranthinekinloch hold to higheverkirkwall to amaranthinekirkwall to cumberland – new!!kirkwall to cumberland (alternate route) – new!!kirkwall to higheverkirkwall to jaderkirkwall to ostwick – includes two possible routeskirkwall to seeker fortress (hunterhorns) – new!!kirkwall to starkhaven – new!!lavellan clan camp to haven – includes three possible routeslothering to dalish camp (origins)lothering to kinloch holdlothering to ostagarlothering to redcliffeminrathous to estwatchminrathous to kirkwall – includes two possible routesminrathous to vyrantiumnordbotten to weisshauptostwick to seeker fortress (hunterhorns) – new!!redcliffe to gherlen’s passredcliffe to havenredcliffe to honnleathseheron city to qunandar (par vollen)skyhold to adamant fortressskyhold to crestwood villageskyhold to cumberlandskyhold to dalish camp (inquisition)skyhold to din’an hanin (emerald graves)skyhold to estwatch – includes two possible routesskyhold to fort connor (hinterlands)skyhold to halamshiralskyhold to hargrave keep (fallow mire)skyhold to havenskyhold to jaderskyhold to minrathous – includes three possible routesskyhold to ostwickskyhold to redcliffe villageskyhold to rock top ridge (hissing wastes)skyhold to sahrnia (emprise du lion)skyhold to solasan (forbidden oasis)skyhold to south reachskyhold to suledin keep (emprise du lion)skyhold to the storm coastskyhold to therinfal redoubtskyhold to val royeuxskyhold to wycomestarkhaven to hercinia – new!!starkhaven to kirkwall – new!!starkhaven to markham – new!!starkhaven to ostwick – new!!starkhaven to tantervale – new!!starkhaven to wycome – new!!vigil’s keep to amaranthinevigil’s keep to the black marshvigil’s keep to the knotwood hillsvigil’s keep to the wending woodweisshaupt to val royeauxwycome to denerimwycome to estwatchwycome to haven – includes three possible routeswycome to jaderwycome to kirkwall

DIY

transport speeds – includes dragons & ravensscale map of thedas – includes my reasoning & maths

route not here?

latest version of this post – most up-to-date, check here for more routes!da travel tag – all routes & da travel discussionsrequest a route – i’m literally always up to do map shenanigans =]

UPDATED 16.6.16

[andrasteshaircurlers]

On Ferelden Geography

    Ferelden is a temperate and fertile country, though its winters are unforgiving. Ferelden boasts a wide variety of terrain, and large portions are still untamed, which can prove hard on the unprepared. To the immediate north of the region known as the Coastlands is the Waking Sea, which parts Ferelden from the Free Marches, a collective name given to a series of wealthy city-states that control the central portion of the continent. Denerim, the capital city of Ferelden and home of the King, rests in the east. A large portion of the east to southeast of Ferelden is a feral wilderness, dominated by the hoary Brecilian Forest. The forest is said to be a cursed place, an abode of thieves, murderers, and werewolves. The trees themselves are rumored to move and slay the unwary. Only the strange folk known as the Dalish elves dare to enter Brecilian regularly, leading many to believe that they may have had a hand in whatever cursed the place. Those Fereldan who are willing to brave the forest generally live in the city of Gwaren, a city port on the Amaranthine Ocean. The Amaranthine forms Ferelden’s eastern border. It is a massive body of water, stretching beyond the horizon, and remains uncharted.     The south of Ferelden is mostly hilly grasslands, in many parts covered with wide tracts of untamed forest. The region is unofficially split by the remains of the ancient Imperial Highway which still snakes its way down from the west, all the way to the ruins of Ostagar. The area east of the highway is known as the Southron Hills, to the west lie the Hinterlands. The Southron Hills are rocky highlands that stretch into the southern portions of the Brecilian Forest and edge the Korcari Wilds. The Hinterlands run from the massive inland Lake Calenhad out to the first peaks of the Frostback Mountains. A long stretch of the Hinterlands borders also borders the Korcari Wilds. With the Avvars to the west and the Chasind to the immediate south, the folk of southern Ferelden are justly famed for their stoicism in the face of danger. Whatever lies south beyond the Korcari Wilds, if there is more than just endless plains of tundra, the Chasind do not speak of.     To the west Ferelden is bordered by the Frostback mountain range, home to the tribes of the Avvarian hillsmen. The Frostbacks hold numerous high peaks, many of which are snow covered year round. Strange ice formations form regularly before quickly shattering, including “ice bridges” that run between peaks, which the daring can cross. The yearly runoff from the Frostbacks feeds the cold waters of Lake Calenhad.     The Lake is a magnificent clear blue and is said to have mystical properties. That is not surprising, though, as the Circle Tower, home to Ferelden’s Circle of Magi, is situated on an island located in the northern portion of the lake. The tower is a landmark, visible for many miles across the entire countryside. Orzammar, the last kingdom of the dwarves, is carved beneath the northern end of the Frostbacks. The dwarves deal cautiously with all folk, though they are always wary when dealing with the Avvars. Beyond the Frostbacks lies the Empire of Orlais, center of the Chantry and presently considered by scholars to be the most powerful country in all of Thedas. Since the Orlesians occupied portions of Ferelden well within living memory, peace treaty or no, relations between the two countries remain tense.     At the central heart of Ferelden, both geographically and politically, lies the Bannorn. This great valley hosts the majority of farming within Ferelden. While freeholders own their land, political and military control over the Bannorn is split between many different banns, a title taken from the ancient Alamarri word for “chieftain”— hence the region’s name.

Extracted and compiled from the Dragon Age Tabletop RPG by bloodypenofferelden More to come!

[lianabrooks]

Quick And Dirty Tips For Creating Subplots

– Not everyone should love the hero.

– The more antagonists you have the more conflicts you create.

– Real life should happen to the characters, even if they are saving the world they have jobs and responsibilities.

– Give the character interests and friends outside of work.

– Multiple point of views aren’t a bad thing if you know how to juggle them.

– It all needs to come together at the end.

– Not every antagonist needs to be vanquished at the end.

– – Give us more than one character to love– (from Diantha)

— Make each and every character count — (from Diantha)

Stories need subplots. Make sure yours has one.

[lotusflwr]

How to Play Wicked Grace, the 2-Player Dragon Age: Origins Card Game

Deck

You will need a deck of cards, preferably one with 5 suits and a joker - I used cards from one of my favorite card games, Five Crowns. (A great game in its own right!)

If you need to use a regular deck of cards, then grab a joker, and A-5 of all four suits, plus 9-K of one suit to make up your ‘fifth’ suit.

Regardless of what deck you use, decide beforehand what suits equal the Wicked Grace suits. Serpents < Daggers < Songs < Knights < Angels.

(It doesn’t really matter what each individual card equates to — suit is what is important. Still, I’ve posted the individual card names at the bottom, in case anyone wants to create their own custom deck somehow.)

Winning conditions

The game is over when the Angel of Death (joker) is drawn and discarded. *

Hands are ranked the by number of suited cards in your hand. Lowest to highest - no matches, one pair, two pair, three of a kind, full house, four of a kind, five of a kind

Suits are ranked lowest to highest - snakes, daggers, songs, knights, angels

When two hands are equal, e.g. full house, the person who has the most cards of the highest rank wins. Example 1: 2 knights + 3 daggers is a better hand than 2 daggers + 3 snakes, Example 2: 2 songs + 2 knights is a worse hand than 2 angels + 2 daggers, Example 3: Pair of Knights vs. Pair of Knights, compare other unmatched cards (kickers) to determine who has the highest ranked kicker(s).

* Thus it is not too terribly hard to cheat and pretend like you didn’t draw the Angel of Death, using it whenever you think you have the best hand. Or, you could be like Isabela, and just cold stack the deck, palm cards, draw two at a time, hide good cards about your person, etc…

Gameplay

Pick who shuffles/deals however you like. (Coin flip, winner or loser’s choice, age before beauty, etc.)

Shuffle, then deal 5 cards face down to each player.

Place the remainder of the deck on the table. Do NOT turn over the top card.

First player (non-dealer) draws one card from the deck, then discards one card face up onto the draw pile.

Players take turns drawing one card from the deck or the top of the discard pile.

When the Angel of Death card is drawn, the game ends immediately. Players will compare their hands.

The highest ranked hand wins.

General Tips & Hints

Only 5 cards are allowed in your hand at one time, except when you are preparing to discard. Any more than that is cheating ;)

You must play the Angel of Death card immediately upon drawing it, or announce if you are dealt it. Anything else is cheating ;)

Because of the ranked suits, it is a good idea to favor cards like knights and angels, but don’t discard a strong hand like four of a kind for it.

Cheating is a big part of the game, but do it at your own peril. No one wants to play Wicked Grace with an obvious cheater.

Card Names

Some are directly from DA:Origins. Others, I filled in myself to make up 5 of each suit (6 of Angels, since the Angel of Death is a special card.)

Serpents

Serpent of Deceit

Serpent of Avarice

Serpent of Lust

Serpent of Jealousy

Serpent of Pride

Daggers

Serpent-entwined Dagger

Dragon’s tooth Dagger

Wolfhead Dagger

Boar’s tusk Dagger

Spider fang Dagger

Songs

Song of Temerity

Song of Mercy

Song of Love

Song of Parting

Song of Courage

Knights

Dawn Knight

Dusk Knight

Eclipse Knight

Noontide Knight

Twilight Knight

Angels

Angel of Fortitude

Angel of Truth

Angel of Charity

Angel of Kindness

Angel of Virtue

Angel of Death

[heronfem]

Gentle reminder that often creativity decides to hibernate for a bit.

It’s okay.  You’re not broken, you’re resting, and much like spring, creativity comes back.

[autumnyte]

Just for laughs, has anyone worked out how long it would take to travel from Kirkwall to Minrathous? I’ve seen a few posts with Thedas travel times, but I can’t seem to find any with Tevinter factored in. 

[thejerseydevile]

gasp I know one of my followers made a big map/reblogs a big map often about this????

[meridok-old]

Idk if you meant me or not, as I’ve never done a travel times map per se but its definitely that could be calculated… with some drastic differences depending on your scale preferred, etc

[rainbow2pointohyeah-deactivated]

I’d recommend checking out @writersofthedas because I know the mods there have figured out this kind of thing, so they may have made a post about it. If they haven’t, they’re open to requests  for posts about lore, so I’m sure they can help you out!

[writersofthedas]

This map is highly recommended:

http://bendingwind.tumblr.com/post/140662912713/interactive-map-of-thedas-v20-an-update-a-bit