DAI x BG3 matchups I need to see. I’m not good at writing crossovers nor am I clever at all. This is very much non-exhaustive and very much not the end point of these characters’ potential interactions with each other.
Karlach + Sera + Iron Bull
The absolute chaos. The absolute CHAOS. A powerhouse. Putting aside Karlach’s demon heritage aside, she and Iron Bull tossing back tankards and swapping war stories as vets that have been dealt shitty hands but continue to chug along despite it. Karlach and Sera connecting over growing up mainly on the streets and having soft spots for little ragamuffins. Plus they all talk about women’s tits a lot. I feel Sera would find Karlach sexy and funny.
Wyll + Cole
Like Solas and Varric, Wyll would take to Cole because he recognizes Cole’s desire to help others, even if his methods are a bit unorthodox. He would recognize Cole’s soul as gentle and kind, and his efforts to atone for the murders he committed in the Tower as proof of his humanity. He will join the Uncle-Dad Duo and complete the Uncle-Dad Trio. Cole would gravitate toward Wyll’s goodness in turn, and probably tell Wyll that him making a contract wasn’t foolish because in the end he saved a city, and if that was his desire, then he committed no sin in doing so.
Solas + Astarion
The messiest shit can only occur, and my messy bitch self wants to see it. Watch as Solas’s upright and stiff demeanor utterly bores Astarion. Watch as Astarion’s selfishness, penchant for violence, and casual disregard for the well-being of others utterly pisses Solas the fuck off. Watch as Astarion yawns or interrupts Solas’s lectures with a “yes, yes, we get it” or the most dramatic eyeroll and overwrought “ugh”. Watch as Solas and Astarion immediately sniff each other out as liars and schemers from first jump and hold each other at a distance, the tension spiking at random moments early in them knowing each other where the other prods at their falsehoods. Watch as Astarion is dumbfounded by Solas expressing his condolences to Astarion upon learning of Astarion’s enslavement to his master, because how could a man who holds such reproach for him still manage to feel pity? ‘It is not pity, but compassion, which you are at liberty to reject. That is your right as a free man, just as it is my right to feel it.’
In the best case scenario, Astarion calms down eventually, teasing Solas but still treating him like that friend of a friend that you grudgingly admit is useful. I think a part of Astarion would find Solas’s penchant dislike of him funny.
Vivienne + Astarion + Dorian
We are all doomed. The haughtiness will be scarcely contained. Dorian and Astarion are definitely flirting. Fucking? Not sure. But definitely flirting and enjoying killing bad guys, playfully arguing over wine, snickering over Solas’s shabby dress.
Shadowheart + Leliana
Tools forged to serve a religious order? Check. Crisis of faith? Check. Subterfuge preferred? Check.
Lae’zel + Cassandra
Soldiers recognizing soldiers. 🫡 ‘Why are the men around me so annoying.’
Minsc & Boo + Cole
Cole might be able to understand Boo! If not his speech, then his little hamster feelings. Minsc might be wary of Cole for the information that he manages to glean from Minsc’s head, but his unquestioned understanding of Boo would probably smooth that bump in the road, right?
Solas + Gale
A friend remarked that Gale would remind Solas too much of himself (prideful, ambitious) and thus they would not get along. There is that. I think that Gale would get a small smile out of Solas every now and then with his quips, because Solas himself is clearly a fan of banter; Gale would provide more of the energy in the same way Dorian does with his and Solas’s more civil banters. Gale and Solas also both hold a great measure of respect and adoration for magic as a force, an element, a piece of entirety that is beautiful for its own existence. Not simply just what magic can do for them as wielders of magic, but what it is and how it does so much to enhance a person’s understanding and interaction with the world, as precious as sight or sound.
Minthara + Iron Bull
Oh she will have him cowed in a goddamn minute. Oh man. Oh no. ‘Yes ma’am’, ‘no ma’am’.
Minthara + Cassandra
Oh this would be so interesting. Disciplined, serious bulwarks with little time for silly little men—Minthara would share Cassandra’s frustration and lack of amusement with Varric, though Cassandra would consider her suggestions to maim him.
Solas + Halsin + Iron Bull
I see potential here. Iron Bull and Solas already have a dynamic of Iron Bull’s “I have a pretty good idea of who you are, and it’s a liar” toward Solas, while Solas grudgingly respects Iron Bull’s strength and mental acumen in the same way you would respect a very intelligent bear—do not draw attention more than necessary, but stand tall lest it smell fear. Halsin feels like a softer Iron Bull, a mediation between the two. Like Iron Bull, his stature and build belies a thoughtful and sharp mind. Like Solas, he sees everything as connected, feeding into the other as part of a system, and would too feel a sense of loss at magic and mundane being so dramatically split as it is in Thedas—an aberration against what is natural. Also like Iron Bull, he’s frank with his sexuality. I’m certain the two would swap stories over booze. The trio would be arguably the three most mature and experienced in a room in any given situation. Not only that, but Halsin is far more actively in touch with his heart and honest with his feelings than Solas or Iron Bull. The latter two very much care about their loved ones, but with Solas it is under the surface and with Iron Bull it’s mixed up in cultural trappings of romance not being a “thing” in his culture, and thus both struggle with their feelings. Halsin however is very much in touch. There is next to nothing obstructing what his head and heart wants. He listens to his heart and he follows it. Solas and Iron Bull could learn a thing or two from him, tbh
Also I feel like Iron Bull, Halsin, and even Solas have a bit of a brat tamer streak in them so there’s that
Also Astarion would outright reject the notion of drinking Cullen’s blood cuz it smells like battery acid.
Gereon Alexius & Pteriidum - Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) Like Alexius, emperor penguins go to extreme lengths for their children, of which each season they only have one. If they lose their child, they will even steal one from another penguin. Penguins care deeply for others (see Alexius wanting to fight corruption in Tevinter), but the love for their child trumps all. After the magister’s run with the Venatori, Pteriidum manifests Gereon’s deteriorating mental health as catastrophic molt.
Felix & Melzar - Yellow-winged bat (Lavia frons) Bats are symbols of vigilance, and Felix will dutifully watch his father in order to help him and others. Bats are also known as holders of disease, similar to how Felix suffers from the Blight. Yellow-winged bats are social animals and will search for their fellows if they are lost. They are also especially vigilant; during the day, one of a mated pair will stay awake to guard their territory. And they’re yellow.
Halward Pavus & Aplites - Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) A bass is no trogon or felid, but it is a carnivore, and its mouth is full of teeth. It will eat anything in its path, and will not change course in its ascension. While not feared, it is formidable. Aplites is kept wet by enchanted jewelry and “swims” through the air in a bubble of water following her other half. Halward and Aplites had great things planned for their son, but if it takes too long for the fry to leave, the parent bass will not hesitate to eat them.
From the Dragon Age fan who brought you Wines of Thedas, I now have some cheeses that you can pair them with! I love love love the cultures and climates of Thedas and dreamed up these cheeses to make the world feel a little richer, so feel free to use them in your writing and worldbuilding.
In parentheses, I included the Real World cheese the Thedas head canon was inspired by, when applicable.
Enjoy!
Gwaren chumlavi (norwegian brunost) - This semi-hard cheese is mild, a little tangy, and a little sweet. It is made on the island off the coast of Gwaren in southern Ferelden. Local cheese-mongers boil a mixture of milk, cream and whey until the milk sugars into caramel, giving the cheese its characteristic brown color. Local legend claims it was a favorite of the dwarves who traded with the outpost during the Divine Age. In recent history, it is a favorite staple in the diets of fishermen and sailors who traverse the Frozen Sea, as it travels well and can be sliced easily to add to bread or hardtack.
Ceodre (cheddar) - A hard, off-white cheese, named after the small village it originates from in the Highever region, where a number of caves maintain the humidity and temperature needed for maturing the cheese. Delightfully sharp in flavor, its popularity has let to its spread across the southern countryside and has become a favorite on Ferelden farmsteads. In Orlais, the cheese is similarly loved, but not wanting to be associated with the palate of dog-lords, the Orlesians claim the cultures originated in the caves outside Montsimmard and call it “grottes fromage” or simply “grottes” which translates as “cave cheese.”
Keep reading
so, because I love little worldbuilding details, I decided to scour minrathous and ended up finding lots of unique assets! some of my favorites below:
I already dedicated a one-off post to this, but the first time you travel to minrathous after the prologue, you can catch a glimpse of the viper on the rooftops.
speaking of the viper, he decides to meet up with you literally right across from a wanted poster of himself. so far, this is the only copy I've found, so it may be an entirely unique asset intentionally placed there. thanks to caitie ghiil dirthalen's post on the tevene alphabet, I was able to translate the heading as 'reward.' the second line? lorem ipsum lmao.
you can find this venatori surrounded numerous candlehops in a small locked alcove; I believe there are at least 10 candlehops in the vicinity?
unsurprisingly, snakes turn up a lot in the architectural details; you can find them in braziers, gutters, pipes, pillars, etc.
I was absolutely delighted to find out that the cobbled swan - the tavern you visit for several major story beats - has a unique sign. it's so cute :') (and contains another snake).
the cobbled swan also offers an interesting look at some culinary staples of minrathous. the calamari and oysters were expected since it's a coastal city, but the scorpion pasta was a surprise...
Thinking about the mage rebellion and Fereldan. My main Warden is a Surana that sticks Alistair with the throne so I never really gave it much thought about why Ferelden's ruler would accept the rebellion.
But I replayed and something stuck out to me: Connor was frustrated about them being in Redcliffe. He asks how that could be seen to be a good idea. And honestly? Given that the Wardens rule Amaranthine and it's a major point of entry from the sea it wouldn't be that hard to have set Fiona's people there and gotten fewer side eyes by the locals. They're used to Wardens, mages ain't that weird in comparison. Especially after the Warden-Commander let a possessed corpse follow them home from the swamp like a lost mabari.
But Ferelden has a population problem. Lots of dead young men and women just at Ostagar, let alone the southern hills, the bannorn via the rebellion, and Denerim. And the survivors of the Siege at Denerim would have had high chances of Blight Sicknesses, there were probably epidemics following 9:31. That would have crippled the fighting population. That doesn't even count that a lot of the refugees who made it to the Marches and elsewhere never returned.
Redcliffe is the fortified gateway to Ferelden from the /Orlesian/ border. The same Orlais that certain powers (Gaspard) want to return to being an expanding empire.
Celene's hold was weak. Weak enough the Inquisitor could arrange to break it entirely.
The Chantry is primarily Orlesian and that would give the mages a reason to not want Orlesian control if it came down to Gaspard as Emperor bringing chevaliers back across the Frostbacks.
I don't think Ferelden took the mages in out of generosity. At least not entirely. I think they saw a chance to add a significant military force to their country if their gamble paid off - and that's why Teagan agreed. Unfortunately for the rebellion the Tevinter thing is a definite point of no return - the mages weren't loyal enough to their own cause, to where they were, to continue the risk of keeping them.
yall. in a few days we're getting new dragon age. new companions who will stick with us for years. new narratives to pull at our heartstrings and occupy our thoughts and drive us a little crazy. new banter to delight at, new jokes. new dialogue to pick apart for hidden meanings. new dialogue options that don't match the voiced lines. new locations to explore, new architecture to admire, new flora and fauna to study. new codices to collect. new spells to toy with, new builds to create. new npcs to meet. new outfits to gush over or criticize, to see in fanart over and over again until it's like meeting an old friend. old mysteries to finally solve, new mysteries to uncover and chew on for however many years. NEW LOREEEEEE
In my efforts to expand the Lore around Ferelden and it’s lands, I had a thought that got a little big and unwieldy but with @ordoachao (seidrthemes) amazing help, I’ve sort of managed it! This is a map of Ferelden with names of Bannorns, Arlings and Teyrnirs which you can hover over and read more about the area. I made it for me, so it’s for writing my Characters, but anyone is welcome to use it for Roleplay or Fanfiction as they like! It is as close to canon as I can possibly go, considering how slim the actual canon is, so there is definitely some of my own ideas and interpretations in here.
However, whilst I’ve written a whole bunch for a lot of the areas already, there are a ton of Bannorns that require addition and some of the places are lacking in detail. I’m very open too SUBMISSIONS, SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK. You wanna design a Bannorn? Add a Lord to a Bannorn or a Character into a place’s history? Feel free to submit your ideas to me! Let’s populate Ferelden with our ideas!!
- Inspiration for the Borders of all the Lands from HERE and HERE
my best friend varric dragon age
A timeline I put together for my own personal reference, which I figured I'd share. It does not include every single piece of Dragon Age media (for example, it doesn't have all the short stories Bioware has put out or some of the older comics) but it's got all the big ones.
These dates are either taken from the timeline found in the first volume of "The World of Thedas," surmised from evidence within the stories themselves, or in a few cases provided by the writers and creators.
Events listed under the same year are not necessarily listed in chronological order, as it's often not clear in which month specific events took place.
The events of "Stolen Throne" (novel)
The events of "The Calling" (novel)
The events of "Dawn of the Seeker" (animated film)
The events of DA:O begin
The events of DA2 - Prologue
The events of DA:O conclude
The events of DA:O - Awakening (DLC)
The events of DA:O - The Golems of Amgarrak (DLC)
The events of DA2 - Act 1
The events of DA:O - Witch Hunt (DLC)
The events of DA2 - Act 2
The events of DA2 - Act 3
The events of DA2 - Legacy (DLC)
The events of DA2 - Mark of the Assassin (DLC)
The events of "Redemption" (web series)
The events of "Silent Grove" (comic)
The events of "Those Who Speak" (comic)
The events of "Until We Sleep" (comic)
The events of "Asunder" (novel)
The events of "The Masked Empire" (novel)
The events of DA:I begin
The events of "Last Flight" (novel) begin
The events of DA:I conclude
The events of "Last Flight" (novel) conclude
The events of DA:I - The Descent (DLC)
The events of DA:I - The Jaws of Hakkon (DLC)
The events of DA:I - Trespasser (DLC)
The events of "Knight Errant" (comic)
The events of "Deception" (comic)
The events of "Blue Wraith" (comic)
The events of "Dark Fortress" (comic)
The events of "Tevinter Nights" (short story anthology)
The events of "Absolution" (animated series)
The events of "The Missing" (comic)
The events of "Vows & Vengeance" (podcast)
The events of DA:V begin
*From what I could find, there is conflicting information from different devs as to the exact year that Veilguard begins. If anyone has newer information or an official answer, please let me know.
We call it kirkwall fashion
Wire-haired Dachshund (C. l. familiaris)
When Thom Rainier settled, his father did not say anything of note, and his sister could not, for she was dead. The first comments on Marta’s form were made by the dog-hangers, and they said, “Fitting that your daemon would be a little bitch, Rainier!” Thom and Marta both wanted to beat the living daylights out of them. They chose not to. They chose to do nothing.
Blackwall, the real Blackwall, had a black bird. Small, and unnoticed most of the time. The imposter Blackwall could lie and say, “No, no, I have a black dog, not a black bird.” No one did anything. How could someone have the audacity to imitate another man and his daemon?
Blackwall is often covered in bites of unknown origin. Well, he knows. They come from Marta, who delivers the punishments she believes are deserved. She bites and growls and hisses insults at him. Nobody loves you. They all hate you. Thom believes her.
A collection of canonical and non-canonical lore of Thedas, and archive of the amazing meta this fandom has produced. All work will be properly sourced and any use of other's work should conform to their requests. (icon made by @dalishious)
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