Where Every Scroll is a New Adventure
Datv Spoilers - Blog Posts
To Walk the Path of Death
Solas x Lavellan | Chapter 1/1 | 1.8k words
Summary: Lavellan receives a letter from Rook and reminisces on their prior conversation at the Cobbled Swan. (ao3 link here)
Tags: mutual pining, love & loss, slow burn, spoilers, grief/mourning, solavellan hell
Dear Inquisitor Lavellan,
I found the attached letter in the Lighthouse, in one of those secret rooms I told you about. I don’t know if Solas ever intended on sending it, or if it was another self-flagellation of his, but it was meant for you. I thought you ought to read it.
I met Mythal in the Crossroads like Morrigan suggested, or a piece of her. I wanted to know what she was like, beyond the bias of Solas’ regrets. She was exactly what I expected her to be, just as arrogant and righteous as the rest of these elven gods. Solas included - no offense. Cruelty comes in different forms. I’ve seen my fair share. Just because she isn’t a tyrant like Elgar’nan, or heartless like Ghilan'nain, doesn’t mean she isn’t cruel. I know Bellara and Emmrich have said that it’s only a fraction of her spirit, that the kinder, wiser part of her is what Morrigan holds. I know Bellara’s past is important to her, so I won’t say anything about it, but I think they’re both wrong; I think Mythal is exactly who we saw in that snowy field. She chose to rule above her own kind, just like the others. She branded them with the slave markings. Morrigan called her a spirit of Benevolence, but I don’t believe that for an instant. When faced with monsters like the Evanuris, it doesn’t take much to be considered kind.
I wish she faced reparations for her actions. I’m taking some satisfaction in knowing that she’s gone from the Crossroads, at least. I don’t like the idea of her in there. Who knows what she might plot. We’ll see if it was worth it to obtain a god shard, but at this point, I’ll take whatever I can get. I’ll let you know if I learn anything else.
Thanks for listening to me. Unless you ignored all of this, then thanks for at least letting me write it all out. You told me in a previous missive that it isn’t easy to carry burdens like ours, and the longer I’m in this position, the more I agree. I’m looking forward to the next time we can see each other.
Let me know how it’s going in the South.
Yrs,
Kione “Rook” Mercar
ㅤThe parchment is old. Its aged surface feels as soft as silk, and the center of it is well creased from when it had been folded and unfolded countless times. She knows she risks tearing it, but she can’t stop herself from smoothing it out once more, tracing her fingertips over the letters inked into the vellum. Solas had performed his ritual only four months ago, it shouldn’t be an antique; Rook hadn’t remarked upon it, but she can guess as to why the Fade has shaped it this way.
ㅤ“What I feel for you will never change.”
ㅤA sigh slips from her lips, the familiar taste of bitter regret sitting on her tongue, “Oh, Solas...”
ㅤFrom the corner of her vision, she sees shadows shift. The bulky figure silhouetted against the crackling fire pulls his legs down from the barrel they are using as a makeshift table, his ever-dancing voice mingling with the pop and snap of the wood.
ㅤ“Got another fan mail?”
ㅤShe feels her lips twitch, threatening to form a smile. Besides Dorian, he is the only one who gets those out of her these days, though they are rare and fleeting. She folds up Rook’s note, but kept Solas’ out, pinned under her hand.
ㅤ“Another message from Rook. No good news, I’m afraid, just a personal missive.”
ㅤShe gets a grunt in response, but Hawke doesn’t ask for the letter and she doesn’t hand it over. He leans back in his seat again and throws his arm over the edge of it, the metal tips of his glove glinting in the firelight.
ㅤ“Guess they’re going to need what they can get, all the way up there. The South might be struggling, but I don’t envy them, stuck all alone.”
ㅤA lock of her hair falls from her loose braid, brushing along her cheek. She tucks it back behind her ear and straightens up, casting a glance over the large, makeshift war-room that they have constructed in their tent. The layout changes ever-so-slightly each time they reconstruct it, but the furniture, and the stained cloth that envelopes her always remains the same. She is sick of eggshell white, sick of bloodstained mud and the rotten stench of decaying flesh. The Blight is another monster entirely from the lyrium-encased corpses she’d fought during her time with the Inquisition. It is senseless, unsleeping, ever-devouring, demanding her attention at all times, lest it slip past her watch and grow out of control. She’s been told time and again that this Blight is unlike the rest, that it behaves like a living being, but it is a cold comfort to know that they are faced with a far deadlier plague than ever before. It only means that they know very little, and have less resources.
ㅤShe hears Hawke shift in his seat again, a puff of steam clouding into the cold air from his exhale. Even with the fire, it is difficult to keep warm. They are approaching the unforgiving winter months of the South. Her gaze wanders to the massive map of Thedas that is spread out across the table, the corners of it brushing against her hand. Chess pieces are scattered across it, makeshift representations of sections of their army. Even with the devastation this Blight has brought, she is still amazed at how many have risen to the occasion. They have the numbers to withstand such an assault, but until the Archdemons are defeated, their efforts are in vain. They’d have a better chance at stopping the tide with their bare hands.
ㅤIf you had succeeded, vhenan, you would have flooded the world with demons. You would have brought just as much destruction. Is this what you wanted? Is your victory worth this suffering?
ㅤShe puts her hand to her heart, curling her fingers into the cotton as her chest constricts with pain. Every time she thinks she knows what to expect, she is dealt another blow. Even after ten years, each new cut feels as fresh and raw as the last. She’d sworn that she’d fight for this world until her last breath, but with each passing day, that vow weighs heavier on her bones. Rook’s remark to her, although meant as a jest, has become a ringing mantra in her ears.
ㅤ“You sound like, if you had the chance, you'd join him in that prison.”
ㅤShe’s spent so long chasing after Solas, down the dark and dangerous road that he was walking. She’d poured all of her efforts into protecting and preparing Thedas while she desperately searched for him, her heart and mind so consumed with what she could possibly say to him to make him listen. She hasn’t really thought about the ‘after’. ‘After’ implies that she’d be successful, and with the world in turmoil, she doesn’t know what that success would look like.
ㅤBut if she could be with him again...
ㅤHis long fingers tangle in her hair, the taste of tears on her lips as he kisses her like he is drowning and she is his air. The buzz of the Fade along her skin as she pulls him closer, the edges of her fraying with the knowledge that they can only have this in a dream, but craving this one night of surrender, nonetheless.
ㅤShe told Rook that she didn’t know what she would do. It hasn’t taken her long to make that decision, though, now that she’s returned to the South. If she has the chance to finally stand before him again, she will never let him out of her sight. If it means a lifetime in a prison built for gods, she will go there happily, as long as she is by his side. After years of walking with the ghosts of the elven’ past, she feels like little more than a shade herself, cold and empty, drifting in a world that rushes on without her. She knows she has loved ones who would miss her. Dorian would never let her hear the end of it.
ㅤBut she misses her heart.
ㅤThe sound of a trumpet drifts through the thick front flap of the tent, followed by muffled cheers. The chair creaks as Hawke twists around to look toward the disturbance; the light of the flame pools across his cheeks and darkens the bruised shadows under his eyes. Grief has aged him. It has aged her, too.
ㅤ“Sounds like General Tabris is back,” he says, “Good. It’s about time that we get this debrief started. I’d like to start the trip back to Kirkwall tonight, if I can.”
ㅤ“Are you sure that’s safe?”
ㅤ“It’s not, but I’m going to risk it. I don’t like leaving the city to itself for even a few days. You know how things can fall to shit when you’re not there.”
ㅤShe knows that all too well. She presses her lips together to keep herself from voicing further concerns and nods. Hawke rises from the chair and stretches his back, groaning softly as he worked out the kinks in his muscles.
ㅤ“I’ve got some advice for you, Amarel. Don’t get old. It’s a terrible fate.”
ㅤThere came a near-smile again, making her face feel stiff and foreign to her. She studies him as best as she can in the low light, glancing at the strands of silver that are threaded through his beard and the crows feet that now crinkle pleasantly whenever he makes jokes.
ㅤ“I’d hardly call you old. You’re in your prime. Aging like fine wine, one might say.”
ㅤHe snorts, but falls still, his gaze growing distant, “You sound like Varric.”
ㅤAnother blow to a fresh wound, another cut to her damaged heart. She has to swallow down the lump of sorrow that forms in her throat before she can speak.
ㅤ“I wasn’t nearly as eloquent as him. It’d be impossible to imitate that.”
ㅤ“Yeah. It would be.”
ㅤHe exhales a quick, shaky breath, then flashes her a grim smile before he joins her at the table. The clank of metal and the heavy tread of armored boots is growing louder as the final leader of their fighting force approaches. Not wasting any time, as usual. With tender care, Amarel re-folds Solas’ note and tucks it into the inside, breast pocket of her jacket, as close to her heart as she can get it. It feels warm through her clothes, and she swears she catches the smell of pine and storm air. Tears prick the corners of her eyes, but she pushes them back.
ㅤVar lath vir suledin, vhenan. No matter what it takes, I will see you again. I will prove you wrong, one last time.
Oh my good lord you’re not wrong 😆 it would be the blight 2.0
I'm glad a romanced Lavellan goes with Solas, as a public service if nothing else.
With this man's track record, if he tries to soothe the blight by himself he's almost certainly going to put his foot in his mouth, say some kind of Titan-specific slur, and make the already pissed off blight SUPER DUPER DOUBLE pissed. He cannot be left alone with this.
Lavellan's his wife, but also his PR manager😂
Before Veilguard's release I was theorizing the Veilguard companion characters might have been designed to be parallels to the known Evanuris, but I couldn't place all of them.
Now that I've played the game (almost twice) I think I've figured them all out.
Rook - Elgar'nan, the leader. Controller of light and dark. The one who influences the others.
Neve - Mythal, who can be a fierce protector or a source of inspiration and hope.
Harding - Andruil, the hunter, who went mad from the Void and had to fight her way back
Bellara - June, the inventor. Master of magical artifact.
Lucanis - Dirthamen, keeper of secrets, who mastered the twin ravens of Fear and Deceit, and returned from death.
Davrin - Ghilan'nain, Master of Monsters, Keeper of Halla.
Emmrich - Falon'Din, the necromancer. Friend of the dead.
Taash - Sylaise, who's fire cannot be quenched.
Which leaves Solas to play the role he always has - Fen'Harel, the trickster and betrayer, who could ally with them, if only they will listen to his advice and try to protect their world as best as they can.
DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD — COMPANIONS WEEK DAY 1 & 2
Veilguard Spoiler (Cute!)
Just visited Holden and his daughter Mila in Hossberg and you know what banter I just got?
Holden asks his daughter if they’ve earned a treat that day, she of course agrees and the dad essentially says “Good, cause Rook’s Crow friend brought me some cioccolata calda.”
Lucanis went out of his way to purchase, package and hand deliver luxury coco (you know it’s not cheap, he’s Rockefeller level rich) to a child he met exactly one time in the middle of a battle to thank her for saving their lives. What a sweetheart. What an angel. Pookie bird. Love of Rook’s life.
I can’t not marry this caffeine-addicted bird man.
Definitely don’t picture him standing there in shock for a few seconds. Don’t imagine that split second he needs to process Rook is gone. Really, don’t delve into the way Spite came to realize it, too. Given the demon originally has no sense of space/object permanence (banter with Emmerich) and has to very quickly come to terms with the sudden grief, and fear, and unbridled rage overcoming his host.
Probably the closest they’ve ever come (apart from Illario’s betrayal) to going full demon and almost everyone was on eggshells around him. Guaranteed, Harding and Belara were keeping those enchanted arrows close. Just in case he fell too far into himself to come back as the Lucanis that they know.
The Lucanis who was willing to kill any god Rook wanted in the name of safety he could no longer provide…
Reality so utterly out of their control, again…
But can you imagine. Lucanis on the high of finally landing his shot at ghilan'nain. That moment of anxious disbelief thinking "I did it, we did it, she's dead, Rook is safe" only to have Rook suddenly ripped away just gone into nothing, the Dread Wolf carving his way out in their place. Solas gives his "price of winning" speech to Rook but it's Lucanis who was left untethered in his fear and anguish.
Imagine how feral he probably went in those hours after. Spite howling at the forefront, wings thrashing, throat hoarse from yelling. This isn't something he can fight- it's not even a cloud face, it's just nothing. A void where Rook was meant to be. Taash is too lost in their own grief to bring Spite to heel and so it's left up to Davrin and Neve to keep Lucanis from mauling Emmrich as he rages with two voices at the mage to FIND THEM. FIND ROOK. BRING ROOK BACK (they were supposed to be safe)
And just to add into my own post, a kiss in the rain?Wings out? Just leaning into Rook, like his life depends on it…???
*Veilguard Spoilers(sorta)*
Just saw another tweet with some concept/story boarding art from Lucanis’s romance…???
Fanfic girlies take notes (I am girlies)
His wings were supposed to pop out during/ to interrupt a kiss? Romance scene in a gondola? Possible multiple sets of wings when he’s really pissed/Spite’s crashing out? A lake scene? (Possibly at his family estate…???)
So many ideas…
*Veilguard Spoilers(sorta)*
Just saw another tweet with some concept/story boarding art from Lucanis’s romance…???
Fanfic girlies take notes (I am girlies)
His wings were supposed to pop out during/ to interrupt a kiss? Romance scene in a gondola? Possible multiple sets of wings when he’s really pissed/Spite’s crashing out? A lake scene? (Possibly at his family estate…???)
So many ideas…
the heart is ever searching for its truest home
ATTENTION WILD VEILGUARD SPOILERS!!!! But I cried and laughed when I draw it 💀
OC Meme: Savar Mercar
(I wasn't tagged, I just wanted to participate ^_^)
GENERAL
Name: Savar'inan Mercar
Alias(es): Rook, SJ, Savar
Gender: Nonbinary
Pronouns: Any
Age: 25 (As of 9:52 Dragon)
Place of birth: Free Marches Tevinter (Or so they were told)
Spoken languages: Trade, Elven, a bit of Tevene (mostly swear words)
Sexual orientation: Demiromantic Asexual
Occupation: Trained as a bard in order to join the Shadow Dragons when their childhood dream of becoming a Crow was shattered by their father. (Long story, but I'm gonna write a fic about it)
FAVOURITE
Color: Blue
Entertainment: Playing the lute (it was their favorite part of bard training)
Pastime: Reading about elven culture. They didn't grow up Dalish, and their parents were humans, so it was the best way they could think of to find some sort of connection to their heritage.
Food: Most breads and cheeses (or anything Lucanis is cooking)
Drink: Antivan hot chocolate (It's just better there... for some reason)
Books: Anything on elven culture. Or dragons, those are cool too.
HAVE THEY
Passed university: Nope. Most of their magic training came from their parents, and all other academic subjects were homeschooled.
Had sex: No.
Had Sex in Public: Very No.
Gotten tattoos: Oh yes. So many. Usually to mark important events in their life, but one was because of a crush. (Surprisingly, not Lucanis)
Gotten piercings: Nope! Not against them, just never got around to it.
Had a broken heart: Not romantically, but their friendship breakup with Tarquin hurt a lot more than they were willing to admit at the time.
Been in love: Just with Lucanis.
ARE THEY
A cuddler: Absolutely. Much to the delight of their favorite touch-starved Crow. They both sleep better in each other's arms.
Scared easily: Depends! Of cultists and blight? Nope. Of spiders and snakes? Yes, very much so.
Jealous easily: A little. Savar doesn't think they're easily jealous until they see someone else flirting with Lucanis and then it's like "Oh... Oh I don't like this feeling at all..."
Trustworthy: Depends on who you ask. (Just don't ask Tarquin and the answer is yes.)
FAMILY
Sibling(s): None. They are, however, related to the Inquisitor without either of their knowledge (for now). Dorian is technically their cousin-in-law.
Parents: The Mercar parents think Savar is dead. After the job in Nessus forced them into hiding, they were told they could never go back home, and have had no contact (aside from the odd covert observation from afar) with their parents since. They send anonymous gold home when they can, as an apology.
Children: Hell no.
Pets: Eventually (post-game) they adopt a mabari with Lucanis. He is their child. (Debating them also adopting a wyvern because the image of a baby wyvern snuggled up to a mabari warms my heart)
ATTENTION WILD VEILGUARD SPOILERS!!!! But I cried and laughed when I draw it 💀
Sorry, excuse me, just imaging Spite taking over a romanced Lucanis' body when Rook is pulled into the regret prison, kicking Ghilan'nain's dead body over and over again, screaming to give Rook back until Davrin and Bellara have to drag him away as he slowly fades back into a sobbing Lucanis...
I was surprised no one was talking about Rook trying to say Lucanis that they love him before the battle against Ghilan'nain, and Lucanis not allowing it, just for Rook to be lock up in the Fade for weeks. The angst, the regrets Lucanis should have felt.
Then I realized that it might not be as obvious in English. In the second wheel of that conversation, if you choose "I'm here to help you" Rook starts a sentence with "Lucanis, I...", before Lucanis makes them stop. There are a lot of things they could have said with that "I", but in the Spanish subtitles, Rook doesn't say "I...", they say "Te...".
There are a handful of sentences you can say, but there are far less possibilities than in English. One of them, the one that makes more senses in the context, is "Te quiero". I love you. Lucanis knows what they are going to say and he doesn't want to hear it, because when you put your businesses in order, you're preparing for the end. He said that much during a banter, but sadly I can't remember why or with whom.
Anyway, Rook complains after that conversation.
In English it would be: "Right, business as usual. Definately not thinking about that all day" They've been waiting the whole day to say that. They've been preparing themself to say "I love you" to Lucanis, and Lucanis didn't let them.
Then he lost Rook. Rook tried to say I love you, and now Lucanis would never hear that, he could never say it back. They lost their only chance and it was his fault.
Or so he thought, because Rook comes back.
That's why there is no more hesitation after. That's why Lucanis is the one that says 'I love you' before the final confrontation. Because he made that mistake once, and he's not making it ever again.
So insane to me that his merchant in Treviso has not one but TWO griffon skulls at their market stall. Did they raid the Cauldron or what?
Reblog to share awareness, because I certainly did not know THAT
Are you seriously telling me that I rawdogged 200 hours of Veilguard without upgrading my Rook's spells at the Caretaker
I understand the controls better on my second run, it's not quite as bad.
"Why are there so many dragons to fight?!" I mumble, exasperated, as I play the latest installment in a franchise entitled DRAGON AGE.
I desperately want more information about this!
Thinking about how Ingellvar!Rook being in a relationship with Emmrich looks to the rest of the Mourn Watch.
One of the most high ranking and respected Mourn Watchers goes on sabbatical to apparently help save the world?? And he comes back with motherfucking Ingellvar??? Y'know, that crypt orphan Watcher who took one for the team so hard that they had to be sent out of the fucking country to keep the nobles from getting nasty???? And apparently they're back at it again with the taking one for the team schtick, because they're the one spearheading the saving the world thing????? And people call them Rook now??????
But amidst all that, the real kicker is that Volkarin and Ingellvar are obviously fucking. And possibly 10 seconds away from getting married. The amount of Not Giving A Shit What The Nobility Think coming off of Volkarin for this is staggering. The brass balls on that man. And what a comeback for Ingellvar. Left in big trouble, returned on the arm of The Hot Professor. No one is doing it like them.
I like to think that Myrna is proud of them both in different ways, Emmrich for letting himself make such a connection and Rook for choosing an excellent partner. Vorgoth is offering their wishes of ABUNDANT EXULTATION or some shit.
Meanwhile, the rest of the order is either losing their shit in various ways or just straight up confused. Either way, these two have got to be the talk of the Necropolis.
My beautiful Rook, Loviata Ingellvar, modeled after my most recent D&D character. After about 80 hours, I have finished Veilguard. I'm doing some achievement fishing in an earlier save right now, I only have a few more that I want to make sure I get.
I found the game lots of fun and the lore rich but easy to follow. This is my first DA game, and honestly my first RPG with real-time combat. I'm bot good at it and played on the easiest difficulty, but I had a good time!
I'm already planning out a second Rook, but I will be sad to leave this one behind. I know she and Emmrich will live happily ever after until the end of their days.
Me when a romanced Emmrich only says "Spectacular, Rook!" during combat instead of "Well done, dearest!"
Me, innocently playing Veilguard: Wow, I usually fall for non-romance-able NPCs, I'm surprised I'm starting Act 2 and not geeking out over anyone yet.
Me, upon meeting Makal Damas: Okay, well now wait a minute....
(I don't actually remember the order of operations here, I did a lot of little side quests today, but I'm fairly sure Weisshaupt was yesterday's big deal.)
I KNEW IT! Matt Mercer voiced The Viper! I had it clocked as soon as that character started talking, I fucking KNEW IT.
bro.....he's crying during the kiss... special tear mesh and everything
My headcanon for Veilguard is that it was a book Varric wrote, but the Chantry got involved and made him change a bunch of stuff. Most of it didn’t happen, at least not that way. They needed some propaganda, and quick. Their precious Herald of Andraste just fucked off with the Dread Wolf himself to live in the Fade forever. Varric begrudgingly made the edits, killed himself off in the book, then washed his hands of it, and is relaxing in sunny Rivain under a fake name right now.
i KNOW they’re not gonna do it (and like, why would they, to be fair) but i would go feral for DLC in which you can play as solas investigating the blight (optional rook/ inquisitor presence???)