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Divergent Paths is a Dragon Age Inquisition expanded retelling with a focus on the relationships Lavellan and Solas builds throughout the events of the games. The primarily featured relationship is between Solas and Lavellan, but there is a deep exploration of friendships, romantic attachments and rivalries among the companions as well as some original characters.

The work is structured into chapters and scenes within the chapters. The narration is in the style of "together with", alternating between Lavellan and Solas point of perspective. Usually one POV per chapter, sometimes, when the structure calls for it, alternating per scene.

It is a work in progress, but I do have a thought out and planned ending and a skeleton for the entire work. I will not abandon it, or give up on it.

There is no update schedule at the moment, I tend to update new chapters as soon as I am pleased with them.

As of late, I've been focusing on making illustrations for the chapters. Once I'm caught up, I plan to publish chapters with the according illustration, for the full effect.

My aim is to explore the in-between moments, the ones that happened off-screen mostly, while keeping the integrity of the story intact. There will be canon divergence in this story, first in small ways that allow for my Lavellan and Solas to react to situations in a way better fitting to their characters, in my opinion. Later in the story, there will be points of significant divergence that will affect everything. Overall, however, I am to keep as canon compliant as possible for the sake of the established characters, history and lore.

The scope of this work is rather ambitious, and it may take me a long time to finish publishing the story, but I can promise that I have an ending planned and I don’t intend to abandon it. So please, jump on board and enjoy the ride! I am delighted to have you here.

🛠️What modern Thedas invention does your Solas begrudgingly admit is useful?

💘What is the most ordinary thing Lavellan does that absolutely wrecks Solas? What about the other way around?

👄Who talks more while travelling?

🍵What habit did they pick up from each other?

I will answer these from the perspective of the story as far as it is published. As of right now, Chapter 33: Unravelling.

🛠️What modern Thedas invention does your Solas begrudgingly admit is useful?

Ooooh, I think there are several contenders for this one!

🕰️Mechanical clocks and watches! I think in the age of Elvhenan there were time keeping pieces, but they all worked with magic. There were also sundials and hourglasses and other old-world ways of timekeeping as well as celestial observations. I think Solas would be fascinated.

“A machine that tracks time by counting its own failures. Ingenious! The mechanical clock works because every component is slightly imperfect. Friction slows it. The mainspring loses tension, gears wear down, gravity pulls, energy leaks away. The mechanism is constantly drifting towards disorder.”

I think he might be able to mask his… fascination by simply leaning into the science nerdiness of it around the right people. Otherwise, he would avoid speaking of it, lest he give away how novel this technology is to him.

💣Another contender is gunpowder – gaatlok. We know this was invented by the Qunari, so it definitely postdates Arlathan. Solas would simultaneously admire and despise it.

⛵Modern sailing technology would also fascinate him. Ocean-going navigation, sextants, naval warfare would be surprisingly novel for someone who comes from an age where they heavily relied on Eluvians.

💘What is the most ordinary thing Lavellan does that absolutely wrecks Solas? What about the other way around?

For Solas:

➿I think adjusting her hair casually, pinning back bigger strands that escaped her bun. He’s obsessed with the little curly whispies at her temples so any time active touching is introduced, he needs to make an effort to not stare and bite his lip.

✨Oh an Dia being so effortlessly capable with some magic and not giving it a thought.

🪄Dia gets weak knees every time Solas demonstrates something with his hands, especially if it includes handling her staff. He’s so gracious overall in his movements, his long-fingered gentle hands drive her a little bit insane. That and his plush lower lip. Add the two things together, like catching an errant drop of syrup with his lower lip from his thumb and she’s cooked.

👄Who talks more while travelling?

It’s actually hard to decide! Solas is prone to long periods of silence, but then he will talk at length on a topic that interests him or feels like his interlocutor rewards him with their full attention.

Dia is less likely to go on too long on a topic, she is constantly worried about being perceived as “too much”, but she is more likely to engage others in chat, ask them questions, getting them to talk. She always wants to learn about the people around her, both for strategiacal and personal reasons. If she cares for them, then it’s genuine curiosity and desire for intimacy through shared knowledge. If it’s an enemy, rival, or someone she does not respect, she still knows getting people talking is a good way to gain ammunition against them. Just in case.

So, I think overall it would seem Dia talks more, because she will prompt and ask and make leading statements. But overall word count would definitely be Solas. Especially as he is one of Dia’s favourite targets.

🍵What habit did they pick up from each other?

Solas from Dia:

🫐Watching for berry bushes on the road and picking handfuls without really stopping for snacking, hydration and cure for boredom.

🦶Wearing his footwraps Ilvaren-style (method I invented for my story, as described in the Dalish cultural codex annex in Chapter 28: Serpentstone). It is a more practical adaptation of how he already preferred to wear his. The adjustment to the Dalish style he found lasts longer without adjustments for longer treks on foot.

Dia from Solas:

So many! She unabashedly considers him a teacher when it comes to magic.

⚕️Holding and using her staff in the way he does, including hand placement and channelling.

🔮Casting spells she learned from him his way, by default.

📖Making notes while she reads, as she noticed Solas does. Especially after she received the annotated history books from him.

🔤Adjusted her pronunciation of Elvhen words to match his, as she accepts his authority on the matter – if he got it straight from memories of Arlathan in the Fade, it must be the right way, right?

Thank you so much for asking, @fadetouchedlurker this was fun!

Who realized they were really in love first?

Do they have any small friendship rituals between them?

As my story is not fully written yet, this first question is a bit hard to answer. As I am writing Divergent Paths from alternative persepctives, I hope I am showing how both slowly, but surely fall utterly in love with each other. Who will realise it first? I am not quite sure yet.

Dia is more honest with herself and knows that there is no use in avoiding things sometimes, so it may be that she will have the holy shit moment first. I think there have already been moments of crystalisation, but not quite to the depth of recognising it is love. She can be avoidant with her emotions.

In parallel I think Solas knows, before he allows himself to admit it. He's going to dance around with it, convince himself it is filial affection and fondness, intertwined with physical attraction... But at the end what else is "love"?

Do they have any small friendship rituals between them?

As of where we are in the story now, I think the biggest one is how much both of them look forward to magic lessons / staff training. It's a perfectly acceptable excuse to spend time together.

Other than that, Dia is very much prone to expressing affection, care and friendship by performing care tasks, and preparing food. She loves feeding her people. Solas happily partakes.

On the other hand Solas has already noticed that care tasks are one of her "love languages", so he accepts more doting from her then he would normally allow. He does not like to be served, per se. But because it brings her joy and makes her feel normal, he happily eats the food she makes and takes the plates or drinks she offers.

At the same time, he tries to perform care tasks in turn, like offering to heal her, any time he gets the chance to, despite Dia herslef being a healer. Also there was that one time he laundered all her clothing and conditioned her footwraps when she was... indisposed for a while.

This is for my Solavellan Longfic Divergent Paths.

“Come in, come in! Have a seat, there’s chairs over there and refreshments! I do hope you will try my pumpkin bread, I am trying a new recipe, they should be moist, not dry like last time. We have red wine and mead, which would you like?” The horsemaster’s wife was a friendly doting lady, ushering them in, smiling wide at everyone. The wooden house had a much different atmosphere with her presence and hospitality. Even Dia’s frown had disappeared for the moment. Solas let himself be ushered to one of the chairs by the table and sat, resting his staff by the wall. The pumpkin bread on the table smelled sweet. The house was crowded, and some were clearly sitting on borrowed chairs. Elaina insisted everyone sit and had drinks poured – Solas accepted a mug of mead. The platter of pumpkin bread got passed around and everyone had to take a slice before Elaina allowed her husband to speak and get to business. As a strategy, it was a sound one. It was much harder to appear imposing while munching on what turned out to a be, a sugar-syrup drenched vaguely pumpkin adjacent bread, that was actually cake. Solas licked his thumb to catch the drop of syrup running down the length of it.

Chapter 14: Monster

“Am I needed for something?” “No, kid. I just wanted to check on you.” Answered Varric. He fished in his pocket and found his pipe. “I’m fine.” Said Dia, giving him a smile. It was true, oddly enough, given the events of the day. “U-huh. Talk to me, kid.” Said Varric. He picked a spot on the ground at her left, facing the stream like she was, and sat. “What would you like me to say?” She asked, continuing to work on the braid. Varric stuffed his pipe, then lit it, taking a few popping puffs to get it going. “I don’t want you to say anything. I just thought you might want to talk.”

Chapter 15: Religion

“I want to learn. I always wanted to learn. I don’t want to just savagely throw fire around, base and instinctual.” Dia felt defensive, she did not want Solas to see her as some magic barbarian, she knew he disliked the Dalish already. “It was not an insult, Lethallan. Quite the opposite. Elves have magic in their blood. What is unnatural is the elves who posses no magical abilities.” Explained Solas in a very calm, lilting voice. “Oh. That’s an uncommon take. Not even the Dalish believe that we should all have magic. I think… that notion would terrify most people.”  Said Dia. “Indeed.” Solas reached out to offer the staff back to Dia. She took it, placing her hand a little distance under his hand, careful not to touch. Even as she did, she wondered what it would have been like if their hands did accidentally touch.

These are illustrations I made for my Solavellan longfic Divergent Paths. It is a work in progress, but there are 33 published chapters available already and I have a plan and ending for the fic, I won't abandon it.

Thanks for the tag @vhen-harel! I've never done one of these, but it seems fun! My Inquisitor's name is Dia'Adahl.

D - Dance With the Dragon by Dark Sarah, JP Lepaluotto

The lyrics don't fit perfectly, but the vibe is specatcularily Solavellan! At least the chorus, when Solas finally breaks?

"Take my all, I surrender, surrender Look at me and the way I ask for Forgiveness, kindness and help Take my all, I surrender, surrender You will die another day, another way"

I - I Am a Stone by Demon Hunter

"Though it's me to blame There is no more shame in me, in me I just feel the same Immune to all you say, and the scars don't write a song for me at all No, your tears won't line a path for me to crawl"

A - All the Things She Said cover by Madbones, original by t.A.T.u.

"I'm in serious shit, I feel totally lost If I'm asking for help it's only because Being with you has opened my eyes Could I ever believe such a perfect surprise? I keep asking myself, wondering how I keep closing my eyes but I can't block you out Wanna fly to a place where it's just you and me Nobody else, so we can be free"

A - A Better Son/Daughter by Rilo Kiley

Honestly I could copy the entire lyrics here. It's so Dia. Her self-perception and self-talk. What she strives for. How she lived before with her clan, distupted by the Conclave. Harder, yes. But better? Hopefully. "Your ship may be coming in You're weak, but not giving in To the cries and the wails of the valley below And your ship may be coming in You're weak, but not giving in And you'll fight it, you'll go out fighting all of them"

D - Darksome by Beseech

This one is for loss, grief and survivour's guilt.

"So long dear friends, be prepared today Life can be darksome, but shiny in so many ways So long dear friends, take it as it comes Life can be darksome, but shiny in so many ways"

A - Angels by Within Temptation

I feel like modern AU Dia would listen to this on repeat right after Crestwood. 😜

"This world may have failed you It doesn't give the reason why You could have chosen a different path in life The smile when you tore me apart You took my heart Deceived me right from the start You showed me dreams I wished they'd turn into real You broke a promise And made me realise It was all just a lie Could have been forever Now we have reached the end"

H - Higher by Edenbridge

Another one where the lyrics don't match perfectly, but it very much gives me the vibe of Inquisiton in full swing, when she's running around across the continent, closing rifts, recruting agents, putting out fires, dancing at balls and never having a moment of rest.

"Give a little try, give a little more try Never fall in line for a fleeting moment Be and end all, I am aiming high Climb a little higher"

L - Luxtos by Eluveitie

Most of the lyrics for this song are in Gaulish, and it's not a perfect match anyway, but this one feels like it's so Dalish! This song represent the part of Dia that will forever remain Dalish, no matter how many titles are foisted onto her, no matter the great things she experinces in the great world.

"A kingly tribe sublime Arose in its golden time In a prosperous era The age primordial reign"

Rules: color all that applies to your OC and their vibes! Whichever section you get the most in is your OC’s archetype, although you can also add in whichever section you get second in to create a subclass of sorts! (Ex: the heroic maiden, the sagely monster, the outcast hero, etc!) Feel free to name it as you see fit, discuss your results, and add some vibe inspiration if you’d like! ✨

Thanks for the tag @fadetouchedlurker! I'm tagging gently @virshiral, @luzial, @tulipathy, @vhen-harel, @foxeareddevilish, @hallahart, @haezelnut, @thedaswolves, @theriothag. I'm doing this for Dia'Adahl, First of Clan Lavellan, reluctant Herald, Solas' (secret) Heart. I'm also basing the choices on who she is right now, in the last chapter of my story. She is not the Inquistior yet.

The Hero – 6

Impulsive action, bravery in the face of fear, unwavering self-sacrifice, resilience, fighting for those who cannot, action before contemplation, revenge over absolution, my strength serves the virtuous, an oaken shield, the thrill of battle, glowing smile and freckled cheeks, glory and remembrance, arrogance, red blooded anger, a journey begins with one step, excitement over safety, rising after every fall, shooting from the hip, a knight in shining armor, a sapling which thrives despite the fierce wind, I will succeed or die trying. 

The Juvelescent – 2

Blooming flowers, gentle sighs upon a lover’s chest, freshly gathered wildflowers, assumptions assumptions assumptions, twice bitten, bright eyes which so lovingly cut through you, isolation in a sea of admirers, long hair pulled back with a ribbon, soundless footsteps in the grass, naivety shifting towards corruption, my image is not my own and the distinction it lends is not mine either, the gold that stays, sneers and smiles, white cotton dresses in the rain, negations of culpability, a bird in a jeweled cage, a smile as a sword, flushed cheeks amid longing glances, a feast you must not partake in. 

The Guardian – 2

Solid rock withstanding ocean waves, sentinel, a vibrant sun through rain clouds, protecting the threshold of glory, boastful smiles and gentle laughs, reluctantly passing the torch, leading through example, past splendor: never again felt but often remembered, the darkest memory is what could have been, the shine of glory never fades, goodness is worth protecting at any cost, sacrifice begets greatness, stories to legends to myth, delivering the final blow, practice makes perfect, the tallest and oldest tree in the forest. 

The Creator – 10

Giving until threadbare, abundance and growth, I made the stars for you, gifts upon meeting, feasting but never satiated, an artist’s eyes lend tender brushstrokes, I will mold you how I see fit, freshly sprouted herbs, idealism and perfectionism, big bright smiles, making for the sake of making, self immolation, never forgive and never forget, a bountiful garden, birds which scatter seeds, these hands heal and hurt in equal measure, ask and you shall receive, necessity is the mother of invention. 

The Monster – 10

You must not gaze upon me, bizarre and unexpected, hidden for your own good, driven on by an unstoppable force, rage and fear, earthquakes, carcass under the hot sun, the weathered oak withstands, overworked muscles, fierceness of spirit, the blight that poisons, my inhibitions died with my innocence, screaming into the wind, otherness, a fall from great heights, I don’t even understand myself, power reveals all, the void stared back, existence is a perverse experience, blood runs hot, primal and feral joy.  

The Outcast – 4

Always running, life is a series of fleeting joys, I wouldn’t recognize myself, a rushing river obscured by mist, a whispered name, mercurial and capricious, your shadow your sole companion, last bloom of the season, individuality above acceptance, a pallid complexion, isolation and silence, wanting looks, one cannot be lost when they belong nowhere, here and there, hiding between shadows, nonconformity lends insight and perspective, my heart is mine alone, running against the wind, to be irreplaceable one must be different, a gaze which stirs indescribable feelings. 

The Sage – 5

Tall green grass, parchment and ink, listen closely for I rarely repeat myself, freshly lit candles, an idol placed on a faraway shelf, knowledge is power, sparkling grey hair, owls, strength of spirit, to receive you must first give, a lonely mountain overlooking the valley, appraising glances, unnoticed subtlety, seldom found and often forgotten, aquiline noses, scrawled notes haphazardly stored away, knowing glances, piles upon piles of books, I am as profound as I am clever, curiosity killed the cat; satisfaction brought it back, furrowed brows.  Looks like Dia is a Monstrous Creator! Not exactly a surprise, but more intersting how many didn't fit! Especially from the Juvalescent and Outcast categories! I know this is very much like horoscopes of personality quizzes, so it's Barnum statements. Things vague enough that they could fit anyone. But it was a fun excercise! The Monstrous Creator archetype fits, because she did pick June for her vallaslin and has great admiration for creafts and creative endevours. Her own craft, magic, is something she wants to learn to wield ever more skillfully. She does have some hands-on skills and talents too, but I'll leave those as a mystery for my readers to discover as the story unfolds.

These are for my Solavellan fanfic, Divergent Paths.

Chapter 12: Crossroads

Chapter 09: Herald

Chapter 10: Name

Bonus illustration for Chapter 10: Name.

I couldn't decide wich scene was most important, so I made both for this chapter! 😁

Chapter 11: Practice

Thanks for the tag @fadetouchedlurker! To answer your question, yes, I am working on more chapter illustrations as we speak. I will share some finished ones soon! Here's a sneak peek at one of my current works. I tend to work on several at a time, sometimes getting caught up in the concept for the scene, other times wanting to do line work, or colouring. Though colouring is my favourite, I think! It's the most relaxing part.

Thanks for the tag @fadetouchedlurker!

This is the last complete pragaraph I am happy with from Chapter 34 of Divergent Paths. I am still in the writing/ editing stage so it may change before publishing.

“Magical theory aside, we should press on. There’s no telling how many more Venatori are on their way. These ones sounded like they were looking for us!” Intervened Cassandra, curtailing whatever quip was blossoming in Dorian’s chest. He was just about to say something with an impish smile.

I just realised I managed to skip posting the illustration for the second chapter of Divergent Paths! Here it is:

As it often happens, I got swept up in a new thing once again, and now I can't stop wanting to work on the illustrations for my Solavellan fic Divergent Paths!

Chapter 07: Boom - first illustration.

Chapter 07: Boom - second illustration. This is my first dual Solas-Lavellan chapter and both moments are so important to me, I made an exception and made two illustrations for this chapter. The norm will continue to be one per chapter.

I have made some more illustrations for my fic, Divergent Paths.

Chapter 03: Bewildered

Chapter 04: Waves