ɴᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴏꜱᴇɴ ᴏɴᴇ

#ASSECTATIONS. an INDIE!ROOK of dragon age: the veilguard. med. activity, written by Mana. 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐒: carrd. rules. about. 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃: tba.

𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘 𝐈𝐍: unfavourable odds , intrigue , cloak and dagger games , worth determined by coin , self vs self , no regrets , house always wins, the trodden comes with teeth bared and knives drawn , cheap thrills & finishing unfinished business.

"Oh— ?" An ephemereal flicker of false surprise, punctuated by the barest hint of teeth in a grin that wouldn't otherwise exist. "What makes you say that?" His fellow Crow's casual observation brings a welcome momentary reprieve from the bottleneck of the day. And, at large, a spot of levity in the unforgiving tedium between each cresting wave of action. Tracking Antaam was a passion project as much as it was an open contract, crow feed tailored to the veteran as much as the opportunist. They spend antivan goods like a spendthift parted with their andris in the casino, and when oil on canvas and gilt can no longer settle the balance — they pay in lives instead. His umbrage at that had been what'd gotten him in trouble in the first place, but he'd never been more unapologetic. Sliding his hood from his head, the elf loosens the tie holding auburn strands in a thick but practical braid, and combs out the lingering ache from his scalp. He knows which woman he means. Pretty thing, with eyes the colour of polished amber, walking the fine line of thinly veiled interest, with a dancers practiced grace. Something he's no stranger to, in varying degrees of authencity.

BOLD  WHAT  YOU  APPLY  TO  YOUR  MUSE.  REPOST,  DO  NOT  REBLOG!

DEFENSIVENESS.   arms  crossed  on  chest /   crossing  legs  /   fist-like  gestures /  pointing  index  finger   /   karate  chops   /   stiffening  of  shoulders  /   tense  posture  /  curling  of  lip   /   baring  of  teeth

REFLECTIVE.  hand  to  face  gestures  /   head  tilted  /   stroking chin  /  peering  over   glasses  /   taking  glasses off —  cleaning   /   putting  earpiece  of  glasses in  mouth   /   pipe smoker  gestures  /   putting  hand  to  the bridge  of  nose   /   pursed  lips  / knitted  brows

SUSPICION.   arms  crossed /   sideways  glance  /   touching  or  rubbing  nose  /   rubbing  eyes   /  hands  resting  on  weapon  /   brows  rising   /   lips  pressing  into  a  thin  line /   strict  unwavering  eye  contact  /   wrinkling  of  nose

OPENNESS  +  COOPERATION. open  hands   /   upper  body  in  sprinters  position   /   sitting  on the  edge  of  a  chair  /   hand-to-face gestures   /   unbuttoned  coat   / tilted  head  /   slacked  shoulders  /   droopy  posture   /   feet  pointed  outward  /   palms  flat  and  facing  outward

CONFIDENCE. hands  behind  back   /   hands  on  lapels  of  coat   /   steepled  hands  /  baring  teeth  in  a  grin   /   rolling  shoulders   /   tipping head  back  but  maintaining  eye  contact /   chest  puffed  up  /  shoulders  back   /   arms  folded  just  above  navel

INSECURITY  +  ANXIETY. chewing  pen  or  pencil  /   rubbing  thumb  over  opposite  thumb   /   biting  fingernails   /  hands  in  pockets  /   elbow  bent   /   closed  gestures   /   clearing  throat   /   “ whew ”  sound   /   picking  or  pinching  flesh   /   fidgeting  in chair  /   hand  covering  mouth  whilst speaking   /  poor  eye contact   /  tugging  pants or clothes   /   jingling  money  in pockets   /   tugging  at  ear  /   perspiring  hands   /   playing with  hair   /   swaying   /   playing  with pointer   /   marker   /   smacking lips   /  sighing  /  rocking  on  balls  of  feet   /  flexing  fingers  sporadically

Past/Birth:

Does your muse know their name day? Rhen was born on 5 Firstfall 9:22 Dragon, he's a Satinalia baby. What's their sign? (Which month were they born in?) it'd make him the real world equivalent of a scorpio. What is your muse's background? Rook's a City Elf, orphaned at a young age by misfortune, and taken in by a few individuals who may have not been kind hearted, so much as . Where are they from? Rhen comes from the Antiva City alienage, though he was born in Salle. Do they know their parents? What kind of relationship do they have with them? His parents died while he was just a boy, and his memories of them are fragmented, and half-forgotten. But there is a fleeting, tangible feeling of warmth whenever conversations drift toward family. Do they have close family? he doesn't have blood family left ( as far as he knows and is concerned ), but there are a couple individuals he might admit are like family, dangerous as it is to have that sort of sentimentality, and that's good enough for him. Is your muse born with any distinguishing characteristics (heterochromia etc) or disabilities? Heterochromia, it's perhaps one of the first things people notice, before his decorative additions. His right eye akin to the ocean by moonlight, a dark rich blue steadily gradienting the same way the night sky does in proximity to the moon's glow the closer to the iris it gets. His left holds similar hues to the raw, green saturated magic found in Arlathan and it's greenery, flecked and veined with rich red-brown, like the leaves turning upon the trees. Do they discover anything strange about themselves in childhood? Sensitive to magical fluctuations ( more so where the veil grows thin ), an Heir thought he might prove to be a mage because of it ( albeit somewhat of a late bloomer ), but his magical talent is about as existent as Ghilan'nain's ethical sympathies.

Present/Life:

How long has your muse been alive? He's been kicking around for 30 years. What is your muse doing? Presently? Currently he's head of the Veilguard, and currently attempting to stop the two blighted elven gods insistent on blighting everything from doing just that. The whole North is his problem, and then some. Does your muse have a "day job"? Something to go back to when their "cause" is over? He will go back to being a Crow from House de Riva, not that he ever stopped being a Crow. Who are your muse's closest friends? Teia & Viago, and during the events of tresspasser, he comes to see each one as an exception to his rule of arms length personal involvement. Lucanis, Davrin, Neve & Bellara grow on him in particular. What are your muse's favorite hobbies? Does your muse have a place that they live? Multiple places? He lives with the rest of the de Riva's in Treviso, he's also come to consider the Lighthouse another Home Address.

Future/Death:

Dawn

When does your muse usually wake up? Rhen typically wakes up about an hour & a half before sunrise, regardless of whether he retires early the evening before. Though in general, Rhen is an sporadic rester at best, thanks to his lifestyle & the nature of it, and is far more comfortable sleeping in short bursts than extended periods of time. What does your muse do to get ready for the day, do they have a "morning routine"? Morning excercises take precedence until just before others in the Lighthouse begin to rouse, at which point he's bathed, dressed, made himelf coffee and has already rotated into the library. He tries to get ahead of everyone in that early morning rush. He'll typically go over whatever missives the Caretaker has left, and small talk his way over the dining hall, where he'll hover around the food being prepped — no offense to those cooking, it's not them, Rhen won't typically eat anything he's not seen be prepared himself.

Day

Before the events of their "story", what did your muse's day-to-day look like? Not much has changed between his day to day, the location has changed certainly, and the faces he more frequently associates with, and perhaps the stakes are a little higher than he's used to. Rhen's life was never regular or ordinary to begin with. As a veteran crow of House de Riva, much of Rhen's days were spent collaborating with Viago ( see: being told what to do by Viago & endeavouring to get him to lighten up ) and corroborating with other crows on their contracts, and seeing to his own. Now and again, he'd help oversee some of the fledgling house hopefuls and put them through their paces. The Antaam occupation made a workaholic out of him ( more than he already was ), and an ornery one at that, frustrated and chewing at the bit. Frustration is something he's long grown used to, but the newfound sensation of not quite helplessness rankled him unreasonably. Crows are used the long game, but the inherent wrongness and no clear mark made him bitter. His day to day really only ever got bigger. What does your muse do for a day job? Have they ever held a “regular job”? . If they had to go get a day job… what would they pick? He's a damn fine Crow. And as for a job, he wouldn't, the climate for Elves is forever tenuous, and their prospects at the best of times are nebulous, and grim at worst. Prone to the whims of individuals whose opinions, and offers, can be dangerous.

Dusk

How does your muse relax and unwind? Unironically, he relaxes by socialising. This is strictly reserved for individuals who have managed to pass through Rhen's personable but always at arms length disposition he curates, and earn his approval. In good company, Rook is quite happy to simply exist and breeze through whatever topics of conversation come and go. Otherwise, there's something incredibly therapeutic about blade sharpening, between the repetitive motions and sounds, it also helps him clear his mind. He also has been known to read, so there's always a couple scattered books of varying genres in his rooms. Was your muse told bedtime stories as a child? if he was told stories as a child by his caretakers in the alienage before being bought by the Crows, he doesn't remember them. He and the other fledglings who he grew somewhat close to would often make up wild, inventive and daring tales as a way to take their mind off the worse of the training, the bruises and everything else. Do they have any bedtime stories that they tell to anyone else? No — not so much, at least not for a long time. In instances where sleep escapes either himself or another, he prefers to simply talk. It can be about anything at all, but these days Rhen feels like embellished stories are a blatant ( and often poor ) cover up. Does your muse have campfire stories to tell? he's got plenty, and Rhen is a grand storyteller when he's inspired, or taken with a topic. From tales he's heard from others which seem to get grander and grander with each retelling, to embellished eye witness accounts from his own travels, and finally his own theatrically decorated past contracts that've had time to cool and age.

Night

Preferred name:  mana Preferred pronouns: they / them. Favorite dinosaur: allosaurus & carnotaurus, they're just neat. What's the coolest rock you ownor have seen: alexandrite, super beautiful stone.

What piece of media was your first experience with Dragon Age?: dragon age: origins, I watched my friend play. What was your first Dragon Age game?: dragon age: origins, my first playthrough I never finished ( borrowed from a friend ), but I played I & II completely before Inquisition dropped. Which is your favorite DA game?: Inquisition. What was your first DA book or comic?: the last flight. Which is your favorite DA book or comic?:  I'm currently reading the masked empire & enjoying it, but I think I'm gonna love the wigmaker job. Who is your favorite DA character? Varric.  What was your first ship? Romantic or platonic: I had an enjoyment of Morrigan x Leliana, but my first real deep dive was Hawke x Fenris. What's your "forever" ship? Romantic or platonic: levallan x solas. What is your favorite DA-verse creature? (nug, giant, halla, etc): highland ravager.