Sleepy Siren

18+ • she/her • bi & poly • switch • gaming addict • writing obsessed 

[dellamortal]

Cole: Splintering wood beneath careful hands, carving to keep them steady. If the knife keeps moving, the thoughts stay quieter.

Davrin: That obvious, am I?

Cole: Tired in the bones, deeper than sleep fixes. Wardens carry it differently.

Davrin: We carry a lot of things differently.

Cole: But you still laugh when Assan steals your gloves.

Davrin: Someone has to enjoy himself around here.

Cole: It helps more than you think.

[bronzieinthedas]

I got my fic professionally printed and honestly…. it‘s such a good feeling :)

again many many thanks to @ratbagjasper for the amazing cover illustration, and @ferusaurelius for beta-reading! the world might be hard and kinda shit, but we have each other, and our creativity.

find Birds of Passage on AO3 HERE!

[merrinla]

Fledglings training. Cut content.

Near the Cantori Diamond there are two fledglings - Dartonia and Timetri. In the game, they just chat, reflecting on the plot events. But previously, they participated in a quest given to the player by Heir. Rook had to fulfill the contract to kill the Antaam, Kavaarad the Lash (sometimes he mentioned as Tavaarad). It was necessary to get through the Antaam checkpoints and kill his guards, and then him. The fledglings scouting the necessary checkpoints, watched in action how to kill the Antaam, and joined the player in the boss fight.

There are references to this quest in Dartonia and Timetri's character files.

crw_faction_crow_recruit_1_loc Character Name: Fledgling Dartonia Speech Pattern: Tentative due to inexperience. More confident after seeing Rook in action. crw_faction_crow_recruit_2_loc Character Name: Fledgling Timetri Speech Pattern: Over-disciplined to compensate for inexperience. They relax after seeing Rook in action.

There are many entries in the codex that aren't implemented in the game. One of them related to the fledglings training

Observations on the Antaam -Despite posturing, Antaam usually only venture out in groups. They are watchful for the Crows. -Treatment of Treviso's citizens is harsh, clumsy. Antaam not taught to rule a conquered city. Some indulging in cruelty, or exercises of power. (Rebellion against the strict discipline of the Qun?) -From Viago: "Half the Antaam act as though Treviso will steal their souls, and the other half carouse and pick fights like overgrown brats." If not for the Butcher, I suspect the first half would have already left. -This restlessness is useful. It makes some Antaam take risks that can be exploited. Carefully. —From Heir's notes on the Antaam. (For lessons for the fledglings.)

Some of the dialogues during the training lessons can be found in a text file. Tried to sort the lines manually.

Heir: Our young must see how it is more than a keen edge that turns a battle. Meet recruits in the streets and assassinate Tavaarad, a vicious Antaam commander. Rook: Am I really what you really want for a teacher? Heir (if Rook Crow): You've proved yourself willing to join the fight. I expect no less from a Crow. Heir: You've proved yourself willing to join the fight, even if not a Crow yourself. Heir (if Rook Crow): You are adept at facing the Antaam. As a Crow, you know how important it is to share skills with the fledglings. Heir: You are adept at facing the Antaam. We Crows value the skilled. Our fledglings must see you in action. Heir: Our recruits need to see how to craft a kill. Particularly Jacobus. He is… at risk of losing himself to grief. Rook (Crow): We Crows can be dangerous when we're "at risk." Rook: I get the feeling it's dangerous when a Crow is "at risk." Heir: Baiting the vicious Kavaarad is your contract. Go, and teach our students in the streets.

Rook: Hello, Jacobus. Ready to meet up later for some training? Jacobus: We don't need training. The Antaam need killing. Rook: Can't have one without the other.

Rook: Are you all right, Jacobus? I look forward to meeting you later for training. Jacobus: I want a contract, not training. Set me loose on the Antaam. Rook (Crow): We Crows aren't "set loose." Rook: I don't think Crows are "set loose. Jacobus: Maybe we should be. Maybe that's what my dead house needs. Jacobus: If I had a house left, our banner would deserve better.

Jacobus: Just go. I'll do this "training" if I have to. Just get it over with.

Rook: I see why Heir thinks Jacobus is "at risk."

Rook: We're looking for a young Crow recruit in the Drowned District.

Companions: - So how do we spot them? - How are we gonna find them? Crows are masters of disguise. There could be dozens around us right now. - How will we know them? - How will we know it's them? - Right. How do we spot them? Rook: It's a young Crow. Feathers and attitude? Rook (Crow): If they're like I was, they'll be trying very hard to look the part.

Lucanis: If they're like Illario and me, they'll be trying hard to look the part. Rook: Wish I could have seen that. Lucanis: Ugh. Don't remind me. Lucanis: I was terrible. Illario was worse.

Companions: - There's our Crow fledgling. - There's our Crow recruit. (Sighs.) The young are so serious at that age. - Guessing that's our Crow recruit. All serious and earnest there. - I bet that's our Crow recruit. - That looks like our Crow. New recruits are always so serious. - There's our fledgling. Can't mistake a fellow Crow, even a young one. - That looks like our Crow recruit ahead. So serious. Rook: Oh. Yeah. That's probably them.

Rook: Their job was to scout Antaam. Our job is to show them how to bait out a leader.

Fledgling Dartonia: Hi! Um, hi. Are you my contact? I probably shouldn't be asking everyone that. Rook: Just do what Heir said. You'll be fine. Fledgling Dartonia: Right! Your target is marked. These Antaam serve Kavaarad, a vicious commander. Fledgling Dartonia: You… deconstruct his men, I will watch and learn.

After the fight.

Rook: Well, fledgling? What did you learn? Fledgling Dartonia: - I expected no less from a proud Antivan Crow. I am inspired. - The Lords of Fortune are more than I expected. So much raw… rawness. - It would seem the Grey Wardens have much to teach… everyone. - I've never seen a Veil Jumper in action. So much to learn! - I knew our Shadow Dragon friends were skilled, but this was… enlightening. - I've never seen the Mourn Watch… anywhere. Where do I even start? - I got to see the Demon of Vyrantium in action. And you matched him. That's… terrifying.

Fledgling Dartonia: I've marked where your next student is. He's already working on the next step to flushing out Kavaarad.

Rook: Our next fledgling student is in Central.

Companions: - I think our next fledgling is ahead. They look very proper. - Don't have to be a Crow to recognize a kid who's trying a little too hard. - Ah. All diligence and determination. - Aww. Trying so hard. Adorable. - They're trying so hard! Let's keep a straight face. - And like they're trying very hard. - Okay, I recognize a very serious fledgling ahead.

Fledgling Timetri: Recruit ready for instruction, teacher! Rook: Whoa, okay. Relax. Fledgling Timetri: Understood. Relaxing. Your target is marked. They're due to report to their commander. Fledgling Timetri: I will watch and learn.

After the fight.

Rook: Well, fledgling? A useful lesson? Fledgling Timetri: - Lucanis is truly the best of us. And I can only hope to reach your level as well. - Heir was right. A true Crow in action is the best teacher. - I've never seen a Grey Warden fight. You have my respect. - I'm stunned. Veil Jumper stories don't compare. - The Shadow Dragons have more than earned their reputation. - The Lords of Fortune are so much more than I heard. - You're Mourn Watch? Is that what I saw? Amazing.

Fledgling Timetri: Heir said this will flush out Kavaarad. I haven't heard from Jacobus, but I've marked where he is meant to be for the last step. Rook: Wait, you haven't heard from Jacobus? Fledgling Timetri: No. But he seems like that. He's never talked to me.

Companions: - That last recruit was a lot more serious than Jacobus. - That last recruit carried himself very differently than Jacobus. - The last kid and Jacobus—they're pretty different. - The last one was really different from Jacobus. - Last kid's pretty serious. Not like Jacobus. - The last kid had a very different personality than Jacobus. - The last recruit and Jacobus could not be more different.

Rook: Getting close and… that's Heir, not Jacobus.

Rook: Heir? Where's Jacobus? Heir: I was about to ask you the same. Did you speak to him? Rook: I didn't. And the last fledgling didn't see him. Heir: He was upset about needing training, and very concerned about his house? Rook (Crow): He's the last of his name and thinks hate is all he has. But hate isn't why Crows kill. Rook: I fear he's chasing his hate. He's the last of his house name and thinks that's all he has. Heir: I will check the Diamond for Jacobus. If you could finish your excellent tutorial for the others, we will again be in your debt.

Companions: - Jacobus didn't check in with the last trainee. Not good. - Jacobus didn't check in with the last trainee. That's not good. - Our last fledgling said Jacobus didn't check in. - Jacobus didn't check in with the last trainee. That's a problem. - Jacobus didn't check in with the last trainee. That's not good, is it? - It's suspicious that Jacobus never checked in with the last trainee. - Jacobus didn't check in with the last trainee. That's a worry. Rook: Let's hope he didn't rush this commander on his own.

Companions: - Mierda. Of course he did something reckless. - Oh, I hope he hasn't done something dangerous. - Hope he didn't do anything stupid. - You think he did something stupid? - What are the odds he's done something reckless? - I hope he hasn't done anything rash. - I hope he hasn't done anything reckless! Rook: Yeah. Not the example I was supposed to set.

Rook: The last step in the Kavaarad contract is by the garrison.

Rook: Kavaarad has revealed himself. His final lesson is also waiting.

Lines from the boss fight: - The Crows send their regards! - This is the whelp picking us off? We are better than this! - No one can defy the Antaam! - The Crows beg to differ! - Where are my reinforcements? My throat-cutters! - They learned their lesson! Now it's your turn! - This cannot be! We have brought this city to its knees! - And we're training them to stand!

Rook: Contract complete. Hope the training was helpful. Companions: - We should talk with Heir back at the Diamond. - Nice! Like we're all real Crows! We should check in with Heir back at - the Diamond. - Job's done, but we should check in with Heir back at the Diamond. - This job is done. We should tell Heir back at the Diamond. - I'm sure it was, but let's speak with Heir back at the Diamond. - Job's done. But we should talk with Heir back at the Diamond. - Okay! That's all done, at least. We'd better check in with Heir back at the Diamond.

Heir: Thank you, Rook. Killing Kavaarad taught many lessons. If only Jacobus attended. Rook: Where is he? Heir: I don't know. He risks hanging his banner on hate and revenge, but you know that's not what we do. Heir: Contracts have an end. Heir: I will let you know when I find him. Until then, thank you.

Fledgling: Thank you, Rook. Your skill was humbling to behold. Fledgling: Jacobus would've enjoyed this. Rook: Any news on Jacobus? Fledgling: No. I bet he's mad he missed it. Fledgling: He makes me nervous. His eyes go like a doll's eyes.

Fledglings banter: - Seeing a Crow like Rook in action is amazing. - Seeing Lucanis in person is amazing. - Seeing a Grey Warden/Lord of Fortune/Mourn Watcher/Veil Jumper/Shadow Dragon in action is amazing. - People said so. I believed, but seeing is different.

There's a reason Jacobus missed his training, but that's for another post once I finish sorting Treviso cut content (not soon!).

[merrinla]

Cut lines from Solas and Rook after Weisshaupt. None of these are voiced, so only text. Some are rewritten in the game.

Solas: You once told me that you would stop the gods without getting "thousands of innocent people killed."

Solas: You once told me that you would accept whatever consequences came from your battle.

Solas: You once told me that the consequences of your battle would be a problem for "Future Rook."

Rook: Yeah.

option: Don't mock me, okay? Rook: Whatever your big trickster-god lesson is, could we just... not? Solas: Why not? What makes this time different? Rook: Weisshaupt? Solas: You have seen death before.

option: I let the team down. Rook: I went to Weisshaupt to stop the gods... with a team of people I'd recruited.

Rook: Davrin, Lucanis, all of them... I convinced them to join. I told them we could win. Rook: And right now, it feels like I lied to them.

option: I was in command. Rook: But I've never been in charge. And this time...

Rook: I punched the First Warden in the face and made everybody listen to me.

Rook: I got the First Warden to listen. I got him to believe in me.

Rook: And then I... I couldn't get it done. I failed. And Weisshaupt fell.

option: This time broke me. Rook: This time, I feel... nothing. Solas: And still you hide your feelings.

Rook: No, I mean... I try to think about what I'm feeling, and I just... there's nothing there. Rook: If I think about what happened at Weisshaupt, I just... stop. Like I could go to sleep and never wake up. Rook: And I can't afford to do that. Solas: Why not? Rook: Because I let everyone down once already. I can't do it again.

Solas: There it is. The grief of having not lived up to the trust that others placed in you. Solas: It is a pain worse than any Elgar'nan or Ghilan'nain could inflict, and if you let it, it can help you. Rook: How?

Solas: There are those who hold their emotions at a distance to avoid the sting of failure. Solas: To defeat Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, there can be no distance. You must be committed. Rook: What, you think we failed because I didn't want it enough? Solas: I cannot say. But you chose this battle, and in so doing, you chose these consequences. Solas: Regret is the price we pay for acting when no one else will. Solas: Without regret, we would not be driven to correct our mistakes, to improve. To get it right.

option: I'll get it right. Rook: Next time, we won't miss. Solas: I believe you. Solas: And I believe that if you listen to me, then Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain will fall.

option: I don't want to feel this. Rook: It still hurts. Solas: I have lived thousands of years and made countless mistakes. It always hurts. Solas: If you listen to that feeling, perhaps you may never need to feel it again so keenly.

option: I'm not here for this shit. Rook: I didn't come here for your philosophical bullshit. I came for help! Solas: What did you think my help would look like? Solas: I cannot promise that our talks will be easy. All I can promise is that if you listen to me, Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain will fall.

option: I need some support. Rook: Could you be hopeful Solas instead of smug Solas right now. Rook: I don't need you to convince me how bad things are, okay? I get it. I really, really get it. Solas: You have finally met the Evanuris in battle.

option: I have to act confident. Rook: Yeah, we met the gods, and now I have to act like we're not completely screwed and this was a good step forward. Solas: Why? Rook: We lost a lot of Grey Wardens. We lost Weisshaupt. If we lost all of that, and I didn't accomplish anything? Solas: Then what? Rook: Then there's no way I can win. I should just start running now. Rook: But I can't. I have to keep acting like there's some way to win. And that's... terrifying.

Solas: Good. There it is. The fear. Solas: You finally see the consequences. You know the stakes. That fear, the terror of what you face now, can help you, if you let it. Rook: How does admitting I'm terrified help?

option: And I'm in charge. Rook: And somehow, I'm supposed to go up against them again, and everyone is looking to me for a plan. Solas: The plan will come. Once you have marshaled your forces...

Rook: I had a legendary assassin, a dragon hunter, and an army of Grey Wardens, and we still failed! I still failed. Rook: People keep asking me what we do now, and I have no idea. And that is... terrifying.

option: They're too powerfull. Rook: Yeah, and it turns out that when you're fighting a god, terror is a perfectly rational feeling!

Rook: And don't give me that "Evanuris" crap. You can turn people to stone with your eyes! Solas: Yes, and yet I wield far less power than Ghilan'nain or Elgar'nan. Rook: The world is going to end up a blighted wasteland unless I stop them, and... I don't think I can.

option: This is your fault! Rook: No. You don't get to come in here all superior. A whole lot of people just died, and that's on you! Solas: I have made many mistakes, but I did not free Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain. Rook: Fine. Whatever. Solas: No. This is important, Rook. Solas: Your fury is real, but you can only defeat it if you identify its source. Who are you truly angry at?

option: Everyone! Rook: I'm trying to save the world, and everybody's kicking me in the shins while I'm doing it!

Rook: Tevinter and the Antaam would rather fight each other!

Rook: The Grey Wardens wouldn't listen until I punched their leader in the face and took over!

Rook: The First Warden wouldn't listen until the enemy was stomping all over his courtyard!

Rook: I can't do this alone! I need people to shut up and do what I tell them for once, or I'm going to fail again!

option: Ugh. Myself! Rook: I know who I'm angry at. It doesn't matter. Solas: Of course it matters. You must learn who you are.

Rook: The whole world is gonna know who I am! They're gonna make statues of me!

Rook: "In honor of Rook: He/She/They almost saved Weisshaupt!"

option: Bad luck? Rook: I don't know! Fate, luck, something! This whole mission has been one disaster after another. Solas: And how would luck help you? What is it that you need?

Rook: I need a break! I need one damn thing to go right for once! Solas: Because you deserve it? Rook: Because I can't do this! Rook: But if I don't, nobody will. So I've gotta keep banging my head against this wall like an idiot hoping for a miracle!

Solas: There it is. The anger. The frustration at having failed. Solas: Properly channeled, that rage can flare hot enough to burn away any impurities. Rook: Fine! I'm angry! How does that help?

option: We made progress. Rook: I'd hoped we'd take down Ghilan'nain, but we did kill her Archdemon. That's a good start.

Solas: "A good start." I wonder if your fellow Wardens would agree.

Solas: "A good start." I wonder if the Grey Wardens would agree.

Solas: Does this truly feel like even a partial victory, or does something uncomfortable lurk behind that easy smile?

option: No. But being sad won't help. Rook: No, of course it doesn't feel like victory. But that's what leadership is. Rook: It's putting your own feelings aside so the team doesn't collapse. Solas: And what is so dangerous that the mere sight of it would destroy your team? Rook: That I was wrong.

option: I'm tryung to believe. Rook: It has to feel like a partial victory. If it doesn't...

option: I need to seem confident. Rook: How do you think I feel? But the team needs me to look like I know what I'm doing. Solas: And what do you need?

option: Thanks, Past Rook. Rook: Sounds like something Past Rook would say. He's/She's/They're kind of an asshole.

Solas: (Chuckles)

Solas: You use humor a great deal.

Solas: "The elven god of sarcasm."

Solas: "This is the reason nobody likes you."

Solas: "Killing an Archdemon is the easy part."

Solas: Is all of this really so amusing, or is that wit the blade with which you keep less comfortable feelings at bay?

option: It's that or cry. Rook: I'm doing the best I can to hold it together. Sometimes that means stupid jokes. Solas: And when those fail? Rook: Then I probably start ugly-sobbing. Snotty nose, blotchy face, the whole deal. Solas: Why? You are no stranger to death. You have seen warriors fall in battle before.

option: It's that or panic. Rook: Well, I don't think uncontrollable screaming is gonna help anything, and that's the only other option. Solas: Uncontrollable screaming at what?

option: It's that or rage. Rook: Yeah, there's a pretty good chance the jokes are how I cope. Solas: And beneath those jokes? Rook: Why does that matter? Would me yelling right now help anything? Solas: It might help you know who you are.

option: It's a lot to accept. Rook: I was thinking I'd be accepting hurt feelings, not a whole fortress falling to darkspawn. Solas: Sometimes the hurt feelings are worse.

option: I guess? Rook: Weisshaupt could've fallen without us killing Ghilan'nain's Archdemon. That would technically be worse. Solas: Technically.

option: That's still true. Rook: And I stand by that. Solas: Truly? You watched a fortress fall and Wardens die, and it touches nothing within you?

Solas: I expect that you call it professionalism.

Solas: No hesitation. "We stopped you. We'll stop them."

Solas: No concern. Just targets. "Any other surprises we should know about?"

Solas: What are you so desperate to avoid feeling?

option: Numb. Rook: Nothing. Solas: So no fear, no anger, lurks beneath the surface?

option: Terror. Rook: Ghilan'nain was so much worse than anything I expected. She's a god.

option: Fucking furious. Rook: I am so fucking tired of being the one who has to do this while the rest of the world ignores the problem!

Solas: And while your grief is valid, the situation is not as dire as it seems.

Solas: And while your fear is valid, the situation is not as dire as it seems.

Solas: And while your frustration is valid, the situation is not as dire as it seems.

Solas: You have slain an Archdemon, a feat only a few have accomplished over the centuries. Solas: Ghilan'nain is now mortal. If you can find her and catch her unprepared, you can kill her. Rook: So how do I find her? Solas: Your team has ties to organizations with connections you lack. The Shadow Dragons in Minrathous, the Veil Jumpers in Arlathan, and so on. Solas: Strengthening your team will strengthen those groups. Prove your value as an ally, and they will give you the openings you seek. Rook: Okay, I'll see what I can do. Solas: Good. And Rook... I am sorry for the necessity of this lesson.

option: No, I appreciate it. Rook: You don't have to apologize. I know you're trying to help, so... thanks. Solas: Don't. Don't thank me. Solas: Our talk today will lead to Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain falling, but it is not a kindness. Solas: Good luck.

option: It's not wholly unexpected. Rook: You talk with the Dread Wolf, you gotta be prepared to bleed a little. Solas: A painful assessment, but more than fair, especially today. Solas: If I knew some other way to prepare you for what lies ahead, I would do so.

option: Whatever. Goodbye. Rook: We're done here. I'll talk to you when I know something. Solas: Of course. Then I will simply wish you good luck.

[merrinla]

Davrin vs Lucanis cut content. Actually, some of it was rewritten, but most of it was cut.

I guess this is a previous version of the dialogue after Weisshaupt.

Davrin: My problem is you've got a demon in you. That's enough to lock you away. But you're also very good at killing people. Davrin: Combine the two, and I don't know how we let you anywhere near this team. Lucanis: Because it wasn't your decision. (?): Lay off, Davrin. It's not your place to interrogate him. (?): Rook made the call. Rook: All right, all right. That's enough. Davrin: No, it isn't. Davrin: If this demon gets out of hand we're all in trouble. Rook: I'm not worried about Lucanis. Davrin: But you should be…. (?): But you were worried, Rook. Rook: Well, I'm not now. Rook: Everyone deserves a chance. Rook: I stand by my decision. Lucanis and his demon will behave. Davrin: But how can you know that? What if Spite attacks Assan? Lucanis: He'd win. Davrin: What? If anything happens to Assan— Lucanis: The Venatori were better at it. Davrin: Yeah? Well they had your number real good. Lucanis: And what about you, Warden? Don't all your kind have the blood of darkspawn in your veins? Davrin: What do you know about that? Lucanis: Adamant Fortress. The Wardens must have told stories about it. Everyone else did. Davrin: Are you seriously trying to pretend the tragedy at Adamant is the same as your demon? Lucanis: At least I know I'm a threat to everyone around me. You think a noble cause and a little honor make you safe. Lucanis: Prison warden… Grey Warden, what's the difference? Davrin: Let me get my blade and I'll show you— Option (Grey Warden origin): Hey, I'm a Grey Warden. Rook: Careful there, Lucanis. I'm a Grey Warden too. option: Both of you work this out. Rook: You're adults. You can settle how to work together yourselves. option: Davrin is right. Rook: Obviously, having a demon in the Lighthouse is dangerous. We can't pretend otherwise. Lucanis: You're no longer glad I'm here? Rook: I am. But Davrin's not wrong. Lucanis: And I thought we were getting along. Rook: I still need to be careful. option: Lucanis is right. Rook: Every single person on this team is dangerous. Nice, safe, regular people don't fight ancient gods. option: I'll be watching Lucanis. Rook: We're being careful. I'll be keeping an eye on Lucanis. Rook: Somebody has to. Lucanis: Such fine hospitality. Davrin: Just be grateful you're not back in the Ossuary.

The conversation with Varric after that.

Rook: Davrin and Lucanis hated each other on sight. And I just ticked off Lucanis. Again. The minute he got back. Rook: Davrin and Lucanis hated each other on sight, and now Lucanis is probably ticked at me. Rook: Davrin and Lucanis hated each other instantly. And now Davrin's ticked off at me. Rook: Davrin and Lucanis hated each other on sight. And now they're both ticked at me. Varric: Don't panic. Things always seem impossible. Just fight one battle at a time. option: I need to find the enemy. Rook: I can't fight any battles right now, Varric. We have no targets. Rook: Don't give me sage advice. Give me a target. option: I need a plan, not platitudes. Rook: I know you're trying to help. Rook: I appreciate the effort, Varric, but that doesn't exactly help when we don't know where to go next. Varric: Look around you. You've got all these people. Experts in all sorts of things. Rook: I just told you, the team— Varric: No, no. That's the problem. You have people. Not a team. They don't know each other, and they don't know you. Varric: Work on getting to know them. The better you understand your people, the closer you get to having a team. Rook: Understanding won't make them work together. Varric: No, you have to do that. Which means they all have to trust you. Even if they hate each other. Rook: That's not going to work. Varric: It's worth a try. Rook: How? I've never led people like these before. Varric: Ordinarily, I'd say you should get them all into a game of Wicked Grace, but I think you'll have to work up to that. Varric: Start with Lucanis and Davrin. Something else must be eating at them, to get them at each other's throats. Rook: I guess it can't hurt. Varric: That's the spirit.

Another squabble.

(?): The trail's gone cold. (?): We don't have any leads. Rook: Hey, what's— Davrin: You're the Crow! You're supposed to have eyes and ears everywhere! Or maybe the only voice you hear is Spite's! Rook: I said, Hey! Lucanis: You're the Grey Warden, the "expert" on all this blight! You're supposed to have answers! Lucanis: Maybe you're spending too much time playing with your flying cat! Rook: So the two of you decide to tear into each other? Knock it off. Rook: That's not anyone's fault. We just haven't caught a break yet. Lucanis: Tell him that. You said it yourself, Rook: Davrin's the problem. Davrin: Tell him that. You said it yourself, Rook: Lucanis is the problem. Rook: Seriously! You need to take all this anger and use it against Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain! Davrin: I'd love nothing more. Just as soon as Lucanis and his Crows do anything to find them. Lucanis: We're waiting for you and your Wardens to remember your job is to… What is it again? Oh, yes—destroy the blight. Rook: You think it makes me happy? I'm pissed off, too Davrin: You should be pissed at him. You said it yourself, Rook: Lucanis is a problem. Lucanis: You should be pissed at him. You said it yourself, Rook: Davrin is a problem. Lucanis: You should be pissed at him. I tried to warn you. Davrin: I tried to warn you about him, Rook. Davrin: If you'd listened to me about him, we wouldn't have this problem. Lucanis: You said it yourself, Rook: Davrin is a problem. Davrin: You said it yourself, Rook, Lucanis is a problem. Rook: The way you two are going, I'd rather spend my time talking with Solas. Rook: I wouldn't mind a little break from reality right about now. Can you guys knock this off? Rook: I know you're both doing your best. That doesn't mean you have to like each other. Rook: But it does mean you have to stop the constant fighting. Okay? Rook: I'm not tolerating this. You're both professionals and I expect you to act like it. Understood? Davrin: I hear you, Rook. But as a professional my duty is to keep an eye on him and Spite. Lucanis: And with darkspawn blood running through your veins, I'll be watching you. Professionally.

[merrinla]

Cut romance lines from the finale

Before meeting Solas.

Davrin: If he thinks he can pull some mind-game stunt on you again… Rook: I know you'll be there if he does. Emmrich: He'll not use magic to deceive you again, darling. Not as I stand. Rook: I'm glad you're here, Emmrich. And I believe it. Harding: After what he did to you—to us—I just want to jam an arrow in his stupid… shiny… head. Rook: I'll let you get the first shot in. To celebrate us. Lucanis: He doesn't have a dragon, right? I can just kill him for what he did to you. Rook: You're sweet, but he's mine. Taash: Hey. Taarala. I'm gonna kick his ass for what he did to you. Rook: Thanks. Let's focus on saving the world first.

I don't know where Bellara and Neve's lines are, but I found others when Rook frees them from Elgar'nan.

Rook: Elgar'nan won't get to you again. I won't— Bellara: I know, Rook. I know. Rook: For what he did to you, Elgar'nan will suffer before he dies. Neve: Sweet-talker.

[merrinla]

More post-prison content. It seems like companions talk to Rook after the regret prison depending on the romance.

Lucanis: Spite caught your scent before we all heard you. Taash: Then I caught your scent. Sort of. It was your scent but with magic and feelings and crap. Emmrich: Then suddenly, I heard you, darling. And the welcome pull of your voice. Emmrich: Finding you was fiendishly difficult. I tried a number of rituals. Multiple attempts.

Not sure, but according to the localization in my language, these are the lines of a female character. Harding, Neve, Bellara?

But I heard you. Over everything else. Because, well. It's you. I heard your voice. I wasn't sure it was real but… here you are. I didn't believe it at first, when I heard your voice. But it was you.

Once again according to the localization in my language, these are the lines of a male character. Davrin, Lucanis?

And then all of a sudden, I could hear you. Across the Veil. Then I heard your voice. No way you're getting away from me that easy.

No idea.

(Chuckles.) Welcome back. We missed you.

Rook: You're all incredible. I… I don't know what to say. Rook: I don't think "thanks" really covers it, but thanks. All of you. You saved me.

[merrinla]

Cut references to DAI in the prologue

In Solas' hideoit, Rook was supposed to find statues of petrified Venatori, just as the Inquisitor found statues of petrified Qunari in Trespasser. But I don't think these Venatori were completely removed. Most likely they were moved to the scene with Neve, when we first meet her, and instead of being stone, they became frozen. Alas, this conversation isn't voiced.

Rook: What is this? Those statues look like… Neve: The Venatori who came in after Solas. He turned them to stone. Varric: Yep. He does that. Varric: He did this to half a Qunari invasion force a few years ago. If Rook is a mage Rook: I've studied magic a fair amount, but… the sheer power involved… Rook: Neve, did your training include a counter-spell for this? Neve: I'm not sure there is a counter-spell for this. Rook: I've never seen anybody petrified by magic before. Rook: Neve, how do you counter something like this? Neve: I'm not sure you can. Varric: I told you he was too powerful to just punch in the face.

There was also supposed to be a weapon rack, and Rook could borrow something from there. At that moment, Varric could remember how Solas left after the finale of DAI along with the Orlesian silk or whatever your Inquisitor gave him.

Visit Original Link

Rook: Might be some useful gear there. Varric: Grab whatever you like. Solas left the Inquisition with some of our best gear. Far as I'm concerned, he owes us. Varric: Help yourself. Solas won't mind.

[merrinla]

Dragon Age Joplin - Davrin's content

Even though the Project Joplin was cancelled and much was removed, the DAtV script contains scenes from Davrin's post-recruitment on the Dumat submarine. However, this content was more rewritten than removed. Unlike Calpernia or tevinter spy Lucanis, Davrin's concept hasn't changed much. But there are still some differences.

It's unknown under what circumstances Davrin and Rook met, but by that time the griffons had already been kidnapped. Davrin was reluctant to discuss this topic. Later on the Dumat, Rook gets to know Davrin better and they discuss griffons, the times when he was a First to Eldrin, why he left his clan and joined the Grey Wardens. There is no mention of Isseya here, but of exotic creature hunters who sell them on the black market.

Below are quite a few lines that I have manually sorted as best I could.

Davrin and Assan arrive on the Dumat. Previously, it was a player base similar to the Normandy from Mass Effect, only wrapped in Dragon Age.

Ship captain is not very happy about the presence of the griffon. Yes, according to the artbook, Dumat had its own captain. Rook also mentions him.

Captain: Rook, you're okay with letting this creature onboard? Rook: And you're not? Captain: This vessel's designed to go underwater. It works because the water stays outside the vessel. Anything that damages it- Davrin: He won't be a problem. He'll behave. Captain: You can't know that. Captain: It's been centuries since anyone cared for one.

Option: Their exploits are legendary. Rook: You're looking at one of the most legendary animals that ever lived, one that saved Thedas from several blights, one we thought was extinct... Rook: And you want to kick it off the ship? Davrin: (shrugs) Growing pains. He's still trying 'legendary' on for size.

Option: It's an honor. Rook (Grey Warden): As a Grey Warden myself, it's an honor to have such a magnificent animal onboard. Rook: It's a privilege to have such a magnificent animal onboard.

Option: I see your point. Rook: One leak and we could all be in trouble. Davrin: We'll be careful. Besides, I think it's already settled — unless you can move him? Assan: (Squawk) Davrin: (grins) He says you're welcome to try.

Captain: Can it can breathe underwater? Davrin: He's not a fish. Captain: (terse) Then when it punctures the hull it'll be extinct again.

Rook: Heh, get a few bottles of Dragon Piss in the captain and he'll be asking to ride Assan in no time. Rook: Welcome aboard. Davrin: Impressive ship. Makes a nice hunting blind for whatever lives down here. Rook: It's the monsters on land we're worried about. Davrin: Yeah. Seen my share of those. Davrin: Course, none of them were gods. Makes things interesting.

Option: Solas is a formidable opponent. Rook: Don't let Solas' "divinity" fool you. Or his good manners. He's ruthless and won't stop until everyone in this world is dead. Davrin: Not if I get him first. Davrin: Dread Wolf or not, he's still a wolf, and wolves can be hunted. Davrin: (amused chuckle) Sorry, once you put the smell of blood in the water, no stopping me.

Option: You're not worried? Rook: And that doesn't worry you? Davrin: In my experience that's when the world gets interesting. Rook: Or dangerous. Davrin: The code I live by is pretty simple: every shadow I confront makes me stronger. Davrin: Forges some steel in the soul.

Rook: Driven, aren't you? Davrin: That happens when you've got an expiration.

Rook (Grey Warden): (understands; quietly) The Deep Roads. Davrin: I don't know about you, but the day I answer the call, I want it to be as a man who gave more to the world than he took.

Davrin: Someday the Deep Roads will call. Davrin: And the day I answer it, I want it to be as a man who gave more to the world than he took.

Davrin: (laughs) And along the way kicked death in the balls every chance I got.

Flirt option: I like your confidence. Rook: You're bold. I like that. Davrin: That's how you win. Rook: (flirty) A battle? Or...other things? Davrin: (laughs) You don't waste anytime, do you? Looking for a little fun on the side while we save the world? Rook: Testing the waters. Davrin: Well, I like a challenge. Rook: What kind? Davrin: Depends. Are you the sort that likes to hunt? Or be hunted?

Flirt option: I like to hunt. Rook: If I want something, I grab it. Davrin: If you can catch it. Rook: Not hard when it's standing right in front of you.

Flirt option: I like to be chased. Rook: I'm all about the thrill of the chase. If you can catch me. Davrin: There's a doubt? You've seen what I can do. Rook: Didn't say it was you I wanted to catch me. Davrin: And so it begins.

Option (possibly cutt off flirt): Sorry. I overstepped. Rook: You know what — I think maybe I came on too strong. Didn't mean to. Davrin: (smiles) I'll keep that in mind. Davrin: I can handle it. Way I see these things, wilting flowers never catch the bee.

Option: Thanks for the talk. Rook: I'm glad you joined, Davrin. Davrin: Glad to be here, Rook.

Davrin: I may not be the type to hang 'round Orlesian parties putting on airs and licking boots, but I do know my way around trouble. Davrin: So you just point me where you need me.

Later, Rook could talk to Davrin on various topics on the ship.

Davrin: Rook. Something on your mind?

Option: Tell me about the griffon. Rook: I know you said Assan was sensitive business, but we can't have any secrets on the Dumat. Davrin: I appreciate that. But I don't know everyone on the Dumat, not yet.

Option (GW Rook): I'm a Grey Warden. Rook: We're both Grey Wardens. That should count for something. Davrin: It does. If you're one of the good ones. Rook: Am I? Davrin: Haven't disappointed yet.

Option (Dalish Rook): We're both Dalish. Rook: We're both Dalish. That should count for something. Davrin: Like you trust every Dalish you meet? (laughs) Well, I figure if I've misjudged you, then I'm wrong about a lot of other things.

Option: You can trust them. Rook: We're a team. We have to start trusting each other. Davrin: When it's earned. Anyone messes with Assan here and I re-arrange their skull into little pieces of skull. Rook: I'd help you. Davrin: Well....fair enough.

Option: Then trust me. Rook: Well you can trust me at least. I trusted you. Davrin: (grins) Right. Bait. I guess that counts for something.

Davrin: So most people know, Grey Wardens used to ride griffons into battle against darkspawn. This went on for centuries. Davrin: But during the Fourth Blight, about 400 years ago, they went extinct. Exactly why has always been something of a mystery. Davrin: Though we know the griffons were tainted somehow. Infected by the Blight. After that they died off.

Option: Then how is Assan alive? Rook: Yet somehow Assan here survived. How? Davrin: A clutch of eggs was found not too long ago. Hidden all these centuries. Rook: A clutch? You mean Assan isn't the only one? Davrin: That's the "sensitive business". The Wardens ordered me to look into it. Quietly. I don't have any answers yet.

Option: Why did you leave your clan? Rook: I take it from this business with Keeper Eldrin that you left your clan at some point? Davrin: When I was younger, I was a First to Eldrin. He saw me as his apprentice. Spent all my time studying history with him. Davrin: We'd talk about elves who'd been dead for thousands of years and would keep on being dead for a thousand more. Davrin: Then I had my first Arlathvhen. Other Dalish clans would come and we'd argue about the old legends and maybe change the wording of some scroll. Davrin: That's when it hit me. The same old stories being told. Nothing new. Isolated from the world. We weren't growing.

Option (Elf Rook): I never paid attention. Rook: To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to our history. Rook: Well, if I'd known we were going up against the Dread Wolf himself...

Option (Elf Rook): Solas is part of our stories. Rook: Yet Solas is one of us. He's a big part of that lore.

Option: Solas is part of those stories. Rook: Yet Solas is an elf. He's a big part of your mythology.

Davrin: Oh, I know irony when I see it.  The Dread Wolf was once just a name in dusty old books.

Option (Elf Rook): Our history fascinates me. Rook: I've always found the history of our people fascinating.

Option: Elven lore fascinates me. Rook: I've always thought the history of your people is fascinating.

Davrin: It is, but it's history. We spent all our time obsessing over things that couldn't be changed.

Davrin: Eventually I left the clan. It broke Keeper Eldrin's heart. He thought I was trying to forget the Dalish side of me. Rook: Were you? Davrin: More like finding a new side. See the world. Bring something new back to my people. Davrin: But that stretched on for at least a decade, and, well... Rook: Do you regret it? Davrin: I know Eldrin did.

Option: Why join the Grey Wardens? Rook: How did you end up in the Grey Wardens? Davrin: After I left my clan, I spent years wandering Thedas as a hunter for hire. Sharpened my skills and made some coin while I was at it. Davrin: But I needed a bigger challenge. Davrin: So I knocked on the door at Weisshaupt and told them I wanted to kill every darkspawn I could find.

Option: It's not that simple. Rook (GW): You're talking to a Warden. We both know it's not that simple. Rook: I don't imagine the life of a Warden is that simple. Davrin: It can be. If you embrace your fate, use it to motivate you. They say age grants wisdom - well, I don't want to wait that long. Davrin: What good is it if I'm old and need help taking a piss? Joining the Wardens gave me a deadline.

Option: That sounds crazy. Rook: There must be other challenges in life that don't end in corruption and death in the Deep Roads. Davrin: I'm not trying to live forever. Joining the Wardens gave me a deadline.

Davrin: By the time I hear the Calling I better have made my mark.

Option: Tell me about your code. Rook: I'd like to hear more about this code of yours. Davrin: Simple, really. The only way to know the measure of your own light is to hold yourself up to the darkness. Davrin: Some people sit around chantries saying prayers and burning candles. Just a lot of melted wax. Davrin: What good is a candle if there's no shadows to ward off?

Option: It's useless. Rook: It's just ceremony. Davrin: And proves nothing.

Option: Shadows scare people. Rook: People avoid the dark for good reason. A lot of nasty things live there. Davrin: Not if you meet them head on. Davrin: The only way to know your own strength - to  turn your candle into a torch - is by confronting the shadows. Davrin: That's what the monsters of this world really are — the darkspawn, demons from the Fade, or Solas.... Davrin: They're kindling for our own light. We need them. Rook: That's one way of looking at it. Davrin: We'd go soft otherwise.

Option: Goodbye. Rook: That's it for now. Davrin: Drop by whenever you like.

Next, when Davrin trusts Rook more, there is a cutscene with Assan, in which he finally tells what happened to the griffons in the fortress.

Assan: (Squawk) Davrin: Quiet! Assan: (Squawk) Davrin: (exasperated) Assan, it's explained right here in the manual— when I say "Quiet" you're supposed to be quiet. Davrin: Rook. Glad you're enjoying the show. It's the one command he refuses to learn.

Flirt option: Try charm? Davrin: There are other ways to get what you want. Maybe try that smile of yours?

It seems the lines are different, Rook chose the role of the hunter or be hunted.

Davrin: (chuckles; smiles) And now I feel like I'm being hunted. Rook: There it is. Davrin: (teasing) Who said this smiles was for you?

Davrin: (chuckles; smiles) Didn't realize you noticed? Rook: There it is. Davrin: (teasing) Well, soak it up while it lasts...

Davrin: Let's see if Assan cares...

Option: Ask nicely? Rook: Or it could be the one giving the command. Maybe he needs to hear "please"? Davrin: It's not supposed to be a negotiation. Davrin: Well, maybe a little...

Option: You'll need to earn it. Rook: I don't expect my team to just do whatever I say. Respect is earned. Davrin: Unless you can buy it...

Option: Assert yourself. Rook: You need to let him know who's in charge. Davrin: I will, as soon as I figure it out. Have you seen what his beak can do? Davrin: Best to keep it busy.

Davrin: (to Assan) How 'bout some nice salmon for a nice quiet griffon? Assan: (Squawk) Rook: Sounds like Assan agrees? Davrin: Nah, just means he's hungry. Pretty much all he ever talks about.

Rook (GW): In my time with the Wardens, I've heard stories about griffons choosing their riders, not the other way around. Rook: I've heard griffons used to choose their riders, not the other way around. Davrin: It's true. And only fair given what we asked of them. They'll tear into darkspawn without hesitation; challenge an archdemon head on. Davrin: But that's because the Grey Wardens raised them to.

Option: We'd be dead otherwise. Rook: And we're all still alive because of it. They helped end the blights. Davrin: Just wish they hadn't gotten the raw end of the deal.

Option: That's a pity. Rook: I suppose they weren't really given a choice. Davrin: Well, they're good at it. Natural hunters with an instinct for the kill. Wardens just focused that instinct.

Rook: And what about Assan? Has he chosen you yet? Davrin: He's still sizing me up. Though I'm not sure I want him to — he's pure, like the halla I chased as a boy. Davrin: Beautiful white stags, bigger than a deer. The Dalish part of me wonders what a wild griffon would be like.

Option: Intimidating. Rook: With that temper, I imagine they'd own the skies. Davrin: And maybe everything else too. Not a lot can stop them.

Option: Free. Rook: Free to find a new purpose in the world, I imagine. Davrin: (musing) Yeah. Leave the past behind them.

Option: Lost. Rook: Hunting darkspawn is what they do. Without that purpose they'd be lost. Davrin: [chuckles] Not sure if you're talking about the griffons or me.

Rook: Any word on the others? Davrin: I wanted to talk to you about that. When the Wardens found these griffons, they put them in quarantine. Davrin: It was a remote fortress, in case they were tainted. Then the place was attacked, the griffons went missing. Rook: Are there others griffons? Davrin: For a long time, no. Griffons died out during the Fourth Blight. But Assan was part of a clutch of griffons found a few years ago, hidden away. Davrin: Grey Wardens put them in quarantine at a remote fortress, in case they were tainted. Then the place was attacked. Rook: What happened? Davrin: The griffons went missing. Assan was the only one left. But I've gotten word — there's a black market that specializes in monsters and beasts. Davrin: It's a traveling caravan. Moves around the wilds. And someone said they spotted a griffon.

On Davrin's page in the DAtV artbook, you can see the concept of this market.

Option: This caravan sells monsters? Rook: What do you know about this caravan? Davrin: Ruthless band of hunters. They trap anything they can find and sell it to the highest bidder. Rook: And they have a griffon? Davrin: If they do, it'll be snapped up. And after that...nothing good. A lot of mages and cultists dabbling in the black arts buy from them. Davrin: A griffon would be a prize like no other.

Option: Tell me about the quarantine. Rook: What happened with the quarantine? Davrin: We lost contact with the fortress. So I was part of a group sent to investigate. We found a massacre. Rook: The Wardens? Davrin: Dead Wardens. And missing griffons...well, all except one. I was searching the undercroft when I found him - Assan. He'd been hiding. Davrin: Tried attacking me on sight he was so terrified. It took two days before I could coax him out of there. After that, I was the only one he'd trust.

Option: The griffon was alive? Rook: The other griffons could still be alive? Davrin: At least one. We need to check it out before this caravan pulls up stakes.

Rook: I'll see what we can do. Davrin: Can't wait too long. Only a handful of griffons left in the world.

[merrinla]

Lighthouse Malfunction Cut Content

Before Blood of Arlathan, there was supposed to be another quest in the game - Darkness Falls. The astrolabe was breaking down, there was no way from the camp, because the eluvians weren't working either, and it was getting dark. The Lighthouse defense was slowly fading. Emmrich and Bellara came up with a plan to fix it. Rook had to go to one of the islands near the Lighthouse to get an elven artifact that could repair the astrolabe. But to get there, the help of the spirit was needed. Thus, the player had to choose who to take with them - Manfred or Spite.

In the game, the astrolabe is already broken. It can still be fixed, but this is a side quest, it doesn't play a role in the plot. This will only give you a discount at the Caretaker's workshop and an alternative look of the library.

However you can still find mentions of the Lighthouse Malfunction in the files.

Some of this content can be activated in the game using modding tools. For example, sky textures that look like twilight.

There's also malfunction lighting. I'm not sure I triggered it correctly because it looks like horror for epileptic people. But maybe it's just unfinished.

The localization file contains many lines of deleted dialogues from this quest. Hard to say whether they were voiced.

It all started with Davrin meeting Rook outside.

Rook: Davrin? You know what's happening? Davrin: Something's strange with the Lighthouse. Emmrich said to find him.

Emmrich's room, where he and Bellara discuss what to do next.

Rook: The eluvians don't work, and neither of you know why? Emmrich: The astrolabe in the main hall is out of alignment. Until we correct it, the Lighthouse's protective wards will slowly fade. Rook: And if we don't correct it? Bellara: Without the wards, we'll be open to all sorts of bad stuff. Raw magic, demons, the work. Bellara: Well not yet! Emmrich: You know, it's more than just the wards. Half the artifacts in my room have shut down, and I don't know why. Bellara: Right Professor.

Option: What caused this? Rook: Why'd the astrolabe break? Emmrich: We're not sure. The Lighthouse is so old, it could just be time. Bellara: It certainly wasn't caused by a greater spirit, or a sudden swell of magic. And yet... Emmrich: Well. Let's turn our thoughts to repairs.

Option: We've seen worse. Haven't we? Rook: This can't be as bad as some of Arlathan. Can it? Bellara: In Arlathan, we could leave. Sometimes. But we've got a plan.

Option: Well, still standing for now. Rook: I'm sure our senior necromancer would warn us if we were about to be crushed. Emmrich: Well, it would be more akin to being etherically attenuated than crushed. Bellara: It won't come to that! We've got a plan.

Option: We'll solve it together. Rook: We've got you and Emmrich, the rest of the team. We'll figure it out. Bellara: Oh! We already have a plan.

Option: What's the plan? Rook: How do we fix it? Bellara: We figured that out! Mostly.

Emmrich: Bellara's tracked down an artifact we can use to repair the astrolabe. Rook: Tell me where. Bellara: Professor Emmrich found this magic... thread from it that leads to one of the floating islands. Rook: How do you two even know this artifact exists? Bellara: A receptacle in the main hall came to life when the astrolabe malfunctioned. Bellara: I've seen them in Arlathan. Inserting the right artifact will make repairs. Emmrich: Yes. All of which we determined before you clambered up the astrolabe. Bellara: I had to double check! Rook: Okay. We need to get to the island with the artifact to fix all this. Emmrich: It's on one of the floating islands. You'll need help reaching it. Spirit help.

Next, Lucanis, Manfred and Spite take part in the conversation.

Side note. This is just my guess, but I think some of Lucanis' lines in this quest differed depending on whether the player had completed the Inner Demons or not.

Lucanis: You want Spite to help? Emmrich: We require both of you, Lucanis. Lucanis: Never! Lucanis: Emmrich. Unlike Manfred, Spite does not love doing what he's told. Emmrich: Perhaps, but Spite grows so much more aware when he works with you, Lucanis. Lucanis: Or you could send Manfred. Emmrich: Unsupervised? Bellara: Hmm. Manfred could probably find a path to the island for Rook. Manfred: (Excited hiss.)

Option: Why doesn't Emmrich do this? Rook: Can't you find this spirit path, Emmrich? Emmrich: Certainly, but— Rook: But you and Bellara have to stay here and stop the roof from collapsing? Emmrich: We have a few days before anything really bad happens. But it's safer.

Option: I'll take Manfred. Rook: You ready to go Manfred? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Emmrich: Oh, if he must. Don't let him out of your sight!

Option: I'll take Spite. Rook: You up for this Spite? Lucanis: No. Lucanis (Spite): (Inhales.) Smells like... fear. Sweat. And frustration. Lucanis: (Deep groaning.) Lucanis: (Sighs.) I'll—we'll be outside.

Rook: What's this artifact I'm after look like? Emmrich: Same shape as the astrolabe, but much smaller. The path to it should start near Harding's room. Emmrich: Bring it to the main hall once you've found it. We'll ensure the Lighthouse is warded again.

Journal note The Lighthouse is normally shielded from the raw magic of the Fade, but something has gone wrong. The team must repair the ancient devices keeping their headquarters safe and hidden, before the wards fail and chaos envelops them.

Companions in the library: - Why's it so cold all of a sudden? - I'm cold now too. Why can't I see my breath? - See the astrolabe up there? It normally keeps the Lighthouse steady, but something's amiss. - Magic, probably. Not my specialty this time.

- Bellara and Emmrich will fix it. - Speaking of which, where was Manfred going in such a hurry?

- Bellara and that death mage said they'd fix things. - Hey, was Lucanis arguing with Spite when he passed by us?

Rook: Manfred must already be outside. Rook: Lucanis must already be outside with Spite.

In the courtyard.

Rook: Can you help turn on this portal to the island, Manfred? Manfred: (Happy hiss.) Rook: Thanks!

Rook: Spite? Can you activate this portal to the island? Lucanis (Spite): Finally! Lucanis (Spite): Rook. Needs me. Everyone. Needs me. Lucanis: Ignore him.

The full picture is unknown, only some details. Rook moved between the islands around the Lighthouse, for this Manfred or Spite held the portal for them. Unlike Spite, Manfred needed to be directed to the waypoint.

Lucanis has some raw animations in the files when he's in Spite mode holding the portal for Rook.

Rook: Think you can help find a path to it? Manfred: (Curious hiss.)

Lucanis (Spite): It's here. The path. I will take it. Lucanis (Spite): Move!

(Thunderous rumble.)

Manfred: (Frightened hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): We both grew up in the Necropolis, Manfred. We can handle whatever that was. Rook: I don't know what that was either, Manfred. Let's keep going. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)

Rook: Spite? Lucanis (Spite): (Angry snarl.) Close. Lucanis: Let's keep moving. Lucanis (Spite): Faster!

The path to the artifact is blocked by a barrier that can be lowed by wisps.

Rook: A barrier?

Manfred: (Concerned hiss.) Rook: Maybe it's part of the Lighthouse's defenses.

Lucanis: I see it. That barrier could be the Lighthouse defending itself.

Rook: We'll need a wisp here.

Rook (Mourn Watch): Manfred? Would you do the honors? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): Thanks Manfred. And hail the eyes of the dead. Manfred: (Very excited hiss.)

Rook: Where do we get a wisp? Rook: Unless you can call one up Manfred—wait. Can you? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Rook: It worked! Thanks Manfred. Manfred: (Pleased hiss.)

Rook: They won't answer. Lucanis: They will. Lucanis: Call. Lucanis (Spite): COME. OUT. OR I. WILL FIND YOU! Rook: That worked? Lucanis (Spite): Curiosity. Is predictable.

Rook finds an artifact.

Inscription on a Plaque A talisman to repair the protection of our sanctuary. Caution: Misuse may sever you from the flow of all things. Crafted by she who was once a servant, but now works happily to set our people free.

Rook: That has to be the artifact Emmrich needs. Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Lucanis (Spite): Trash. Stinks of magic. Mine. Is better.

On the way back.

Rook: Wait here, Manfred. And don't wander off, Emmrich would kill me. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)

Lucanis: We'll wait here and make sure the path doesn't strand you.

Suddenly the gods cut off the path that leads Rook to the spirit companion.

Elgar'nan: At last. The Dread Wolf's little soldiers. Rook: Elgar'nan? Ghilan'nain: We have scryed you out by the blood of my dragon on your hands. Ghilan'nain: Solas erected veils of secrecy around his old lair. We've had such difficulty finding it.

Rook: That was the gods!

Rook: Manfred? I'm trapped up here! Can you help? Manfred: (Concerned hiss.)

Rook: They trapped me here! Lucanis: We'll find you a way down!

Manfred: (Loud hiss.) Rook: A path. Good work Manfred! Meet me below. Manfred: (Tired hiss.)

Lucanis (Spite): Do. What. I. Say! Lucanis (Spite): Now! Rook: I see the path! I'll meet you two down below! Lucanis (Spite): (Panting.) Go. Now.

Lucanis: Is that the gods? Are they closer?

Rook: It's just voices. They aren't here yet! Elgar'nan: Oh, but we shall be soon.

Rook: We have to hide the Lighthouse. I need to get this artifact to Emmrich!

Rook (Mourn Watch): I'll get us around this. Stay here Manfred. Watcher's orders. Manfred: (Obedient hiss.)

Rook: Sit tight, Manfred. I'll get us around this. Manfred: (Consoled hiss.)

Rook: Done! Come on Manfred. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)

Lucanis (Spite): (Inhales.) Wrong. Wrong. Wrong! Lucanis (Spite): Stench. Of pride! Old. And stale! Lucanis: Calm down. Rook: I'll get us past this. Spite, just concentrate on making this path exist.

Elgar'nan: You thought we wouldn't notice you harrying our forces. Elgar'nan: But I assure you: I see all. Rook: Get... get out of my head! Elgar'nan: It would be wisdom to simply submit. To obey. Ghilan'nain: We will make far better use of this place, and yourselves, than Solas ever could. Elgar'nan: And learning what the Dread Wolf has told you all. Rook: We don't answer to you! Ghilan'nain: They resist. We are not close enough to Solas's lair. Elgar'nan: Distance will be of little consequence, after we visit Arlathan.

Rook returns to the Lighthouse. Manfred and Lucanis falling over with tiredness.

Manfred: (Unhappy hiss.) Rook: Manfred? Rook: You all right? Maybe Emmrich should look you over. Manfred: (Sad hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): The local astral instability must have overtaxed you when you channeled the path. Rook: You're not used to channeling this much magic for spell-casting. Rook: I've got to get to the main hall. Emmrich will help you after.

Lucanis: Do you have the—ugh! Rook: Lucanis? Rook: You two okay? Lucanis: Spite wore us both out to make that path. Rook: Did doing all this magic... hurt you? Lucanis: It doesn't matter. Get to the main hall.

Ghilan'nain: The Fade is clouded. Obscured. Ghilan'nain: We must find these mortals. Elgar'nan: I am keen to explore Fen'Harel's vaunted refuge. Ghilan'nain: We can reshape it. Repurpose it. And the mortals within.

Companions in the library: - Does anyone else... hrm. Thought I heard a voice. - Is that the gods? - Are the gods here? Right now? - They're saying stuff... in my head? - If Emmrich doesn't fix that astrolabe—damn it. I can hear them! - Don't listen. Block them out! - The gods are trying to bring the Lighthouse down on our heads! - They won't get the chance. This is our home now!

Ghilan'nain: My finest work. An Archdemon like no other. Planned for, nurtured, improved. Ghilan'nain: Slain by mortals. Elgar'nan: When we free the blight, you will raise a thousand Archdemons as your host.

Ghilan'nain: Dark. Shifting. The Dread Wolf's lair hides his underlings. Ghilan'nain: Everywhere sounds different now. Ghilan'nain: The blight calls as well. It will take great effort to unleash it all from the Fade.

Rook: Here's the artifact! Emmrich: Just in time! Place it into the receptacle.

In the game, Rook fixes the astrolabe by activating the device. But during malfunction this was only 50% of success. Restoring the Lighthouse's defenses also required manipulation by Emmrich and Bellara.

Companions in the library: - Were the gods almost here? - They're gone right? - They're gone! - I can't believe the gods were so close to finding us. - Hey. Glad you made it safely. - I don't feel them anymore. But Rook's got to tell us what happened.

Rook: I'll fill everyone in.

Lucanis: I'll make coffee.

Team sofa conversation or in the kitchen dunno.

Davrin: Glad to see the Lighthouse is once again our home sweet home. Emmrich: The artifact that fixed the astrolabe is a miniaturized suppressing element. It negates Fade energy! Emmrich: Including the gods' magic. We are hidden from their scrying. Rook: Thanks to you and Bellara.

Bellara: Professor, about that artifact... Emmrich: It's safe to remove, if you'd like to study it. Bellara: By seal and light. By the indwelling flame. (Magic crackling.) Bellara: The spellwork was straightforward, but I sense quite a few interlocking mechanisms inside. Bellara: I've never seen anything like it.

Rook: Harding. Harding: But it's all over, Rook. Right?

Option: It mostly worked out. Rook: If Manfred hadn't been here, and Bellara didn't know about that artifact, and Emmrich hadn't fixed it... Rook: If we didn't have Spite, if Bellara hadn't found that artifact, if Emmrich hadn't repaired the astrolabe... Harding: I know right? How are we even going to sleep tonight? Rook: Count your victories.

Option: They came so close. Rook: This was too close. Can't believe the damn gods were nearly on top of us. Rook: But even with no warning, we slipped away. Harding: Bet they're angry they failed. Rook: They'll be mad. Good.

Option: But we still beat them. Rook: We're still here. And only a little scared. Come on, that's something! Harding: All right, the gods aren't infallible. Rook: Damn right they're not.

Rook: And Manfred. Is he all right? Emmrich: Exhausted. But he'll recover. Emmrich: I'm afraid I won't be of much help, however, until I reknit his corporeal tethering. Neve: That sounds calmer. Good work, Fred. Manfred: (Tired hiss.)

Rook: And Spite and Lucanis. How are you two doing? Lucanis: Fine. We're fine. Neve: That's a lot better. Thanks Lucanis. And Spite. Lucanis (Spite): Mine! I am. The stronger one! I... (Tired growl.)

Lucanis: Spite... may have overdone it. I can barely keep my eyes open. I think he needs a nap. Lucanis (Spite): No! Sleep! Is weak—(Yawns.)

Harding: What's our next move? Rook: Elgar'nan confirmed the gods want something in Arlathan. The Veil Jumpers might know more. Harding: We actually got a message from them, before all this. Morrigan wants to meet. Didn't say why. Rook: Okay. We'll ask the Veil Jumpers about the gods, and pay Morrigan a visit.

Journal note: When the Lighthouse lost its magical protection, little did the team realize the cause of this breakdown was the elven gods attempting to track down Solas' old lair. With help from the others, Emmrich restored the wards and hid the Lighthouse again from the gods with an old, elven artifact. Bellara took the artifact for study, noting it had strange, magic-nullifying properties that could be very useful indeed.

There's an alternative post-malfunction convo. The speakers aren't fully identified.

Bellara: The suppression element is... doing what it does. Really well! Emmrich: Direct nullification of the Fade energy that powers it. Ingenious. Rook: The Lighthouse is stable? We're sure the gods are out? Emmrich: Thanks to your taming the device, yes. The gods are blind to us. Bellara: So we're safe here. Rook: Good, good. Just one question, then.

Option: Everyone ready to hit back? Rook: They probably think we're reeling, like they got us afraid of them. I say we get moving.

Option: What unbelievable assholes. Rook: Anyone else as pissed as I am? They go where they want like they own it, like they're.... Bellara: Like they're gods? Rook: No, they're assholes just... fucking up our house! I want a plan that hits back.

Option: Can we use it to attack them? Rook: Can you get it small enough to shove up a god's ass? Asking for a friend. Emmrich: We can study the suppression device. But the gods are moving now.

The rest of the party talk: - See? They try to scare us, and instead, consensus. I want a plan. - And me. - Lick our wounds later. Get to business. - Right. We need a plan. What do we know? - The voices we heard. I don't think they knew we could hear them. - Elgar'nan may intend a mass sacrifice. - To do what? - Then Elgar'nan's got plans for a ritual. He said he wanted "magical fodder." - "From the dust of our empire." That's got to mean elves. - Like the Wardens said. Guessing he's not planning anything good with them. - This is tricky. Elves need to know the threat. - Even if they know, they might try to get involved anyway. - We've got a useful tool here, and we'll study it. But we can't let them take people now. - Are they taking people, or are people joining them? The Venatori did. - We've seen what they really are. Our "gods." More than once. - So we know where they'll be, and we've got some idea about their plan. - This may be our chance to take down Ghilan'nain. We'll talk to the Veil Jumpers and figure out what's going on in Arlathan. - And if the gods are already there? Gathering "fodder." - We warn them, but with care. - Well, looks like we're going to Arlathan. - Whatever happens, let's be careful. We can't afford to miss anything. - We need to move fast. - Doesn't matter. We stop it. - Time to visit Arlathan.

And it seems that the Music Room and The Wolf's Den could only be explored after the malfunction quest.

The release version didn't include these Rooks' lines from there: - I'm glad we got that fixed. - A piano? I wonder who played. - Wow. - A hideaway inside a hideaway. - Solas must've spent a lot of time here.

[weenwem]

Merrill

[merrinla]

In Lucanis' mental prison, Harding is the only person for whom Spite gives no emotional description. In a cut post-game scene, if Harding sacrificed herself on Tearstone Island, he could even ask what (who) is this?

[weenwem]

Anders

[housederiva]

[jurassicshields]

Morning Walk

[hollytree33]

ANd i should finish this one

[crescenji]

Mother's Day❤️✨