#amom

Here boiks, take this man's cheat-sheet for writing purposes uwu. I'm excited for this!

@pixiedurango, @alystrin03, @ezriell, & @only-slightly-terrified

Nyx de Riva

Viago's 'Little Star' Age: 27 at the start of Veilguard 5'0" (152.4cm) Black hair with one shaved side. When he's a fledgling, he has long hair down to his lower back. Violet Eyes Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Gay. Though he's technically Uranic, meaning he's attracted to anyone who considers themselves 'masculine aligned'.

Nyx is a nervous bundle of anxiety. He copes using dry humor at the worst possible times and the best as well. Just expect a sarcastic or asshole remark out of him if you talk to him. Some (Viago) would consider it his worst quality.

Former slave to Danarius from ages 2 to 8. Danarius leaves for Kirkwall and does not return. Rumors spread he died and his slaves were quickly rounded up and shipped out to different locations to be sold off. Nyx is among the slaves being transported through Treviso when Fenris finds them and kills the slavers imprisoning them. Once released, the slaves scatter, most of them scared of Nyx or refusing to even consider taking him. Fenris, left with an 8-year-old child, decides to contact the Crows.

Weapon(s) of choice:

At 19-years-old, he carries around a mage knife made of crystal/ore that matches his eye color. A gift from a previous lover (*cough* Illario). During Veilguard, he puts that mage knife into retirement and then carries around a wyvern tooth mage knife given to him by Lucanis. If you ever see him with a staff, put him down. He's been possessed. Nyx refuses to even touch a staff or stave. Hates them passionately. He always carries multiple daggers of varying sizes in his clothes just in case. He is also a mage, so that is his true weapon of choice. He specializes in lightning magic.

His best non-combat Crow skill is seduction/manipulation, as much as he hates to admit it. Second best is definitely stealth.

His worst non-combat Crow skill is keeping an impassive expression/body language. He can do it if pressed, but he often wears his emotions of his sleeve. Second worst would probably be torture.

Hobbies/Interests:

He likes cats as well, though most cats are neutral towards him. Loves Viago's pet adder.

Though he complains, he very much enjoys the alchemy taught to him by Viago and is generally happy to take micro-doses of poison with his mentor.

He loves people watching, honing his skills on the best way to manipulate someone while also just trying to figure out others.

He takes his 'job' very seriously, even if he seems like he doesn't care outside of a contract.

His favorite thing to do is complain.

Fun Facts!:

Nyx has sharper than average canines for an elf, easily able to puncture human skin. No he hasn't ripped someone's throat out. Would he consider it? Possibly...

Has two major scars. One from his lip to his ear on the right from a slightly botched contract on his own. Second one, which covers the expanse of his torso, thighs, arms, and back, is lightning scars that were self-inflicted when he was 6.

Nyx has a nearly full body tattoo he got when he became a fully fledged Crow.

Nyx was friends with Illario Dellamorte from age 17-19, and he was in a tentative, 'worst kept secret' relationship with him from age 19-21.

His neck and chest are very sensitive. Lovers tend to target that area to get a rise out of the elf.

At 22, Nyx left Treviso for a while to become a member of the Shadow Dragons. He was allowed to do so as long as he did all the contracts based in Minrathous.

This man is the tiniest twink you will ever see in your life. His waist is heckin tiny.

Forgets to eat a lot or avoids eating when busy. He can't cook to save his life and usually relies on others for an actual meal (mostly Viago, who is sick and tired of it). He considers a handful of granola or trail mix to be a 'meal'.

First of all thank you @pixiedurango for this, I'm so excited to dive in this AU! Let's put our darling Fledglings in the same space, nothing will happen :) I'm always happy to ramble about my beefy boi, and I can't wait to read all about @alystrin03 @nyx-de-riva & @only-slightly-terrified's Rooks!

I took pixie's template because honestly it works so

Xander "Xan" De Riva (he/him) 6'4'' (195cm) Short black and curly hair, shaved on the side Golden eyes, one slightly darker than the other Age at the start of VG: 29 He did his face tattoo around the time he became a Crow, and his left leg tattoo when he was 22. All the others marking are body paint, that he changes whenever he feels like it.

bi - sexual and romantic but he just finds it to be the easiest way to describe it, he doesn't attach any feelings to the label itself. He does prefers to have sex with people that don't consider themselves women, but it is merely that, a preference.

He is a chronic overthinker, and is conscious of it, but since it helps him on the regular, he doesn't mind.

He has an almost permanent neutral expression if he's not only in trusted company (some calls it his Resting Bitch Face)

He knows Viago since he was eight, and was trained by him since he was ten. Xan first met him when he saved him, which brought attention to him, and he got snatched by the Crows alongside other orphans. He is loyal to Viago rather than the Crows in themselves, so as long as Viago is loyal to the Crows, so his Xander. He doesn't have a particular nickname, but it is a known fact that if he isn't on a contract, he'll be found around Viago, lurking in his office.

Weapon(s) of choice:

Rapier and dagger: he usually forgoes the second when he uses his shield. But like any Crows, he learned to use these emblematic weapons, associated to any and all asssassins.

Sword and shield: He learned to use them by age 23, taught by a warrior trained in Mourn Watcher's techniques. It is adapted to his build, and people expect him to have these type of weapons. So he learned, to always have an ace up his sleeves.

Throwing knives: Versatile, just like him. Can be used from range but just useful up close. Xan likes to have options, when fighting.

Hand-to-hand: Someone his size would clearly lose at not being trained at hand to hand combat. He's generally taller and larger than their opponents, so it taught him to still be quick and light on his feet.

His best non combat Crow-skill is controlling his body language/facial expression. It is his natural state of being. He almost constantly think of the image he wants to project and adjust in consequence. The second best would probably be Infiltration, for the same reason, as well as the stealth drilled into him since he was a child.

His least best non combat Crow-skill is Seduction. While he can handle these types of contracts if necessary, it is usually very specialized to people known to have a thing for Qunaris. Being one of the few Qunaris, it fell in his lap more often than not, but it clearly isn't where he shines, despite his acting skills.

Hobbies/Interests:

Painting: Xander is an artist, who's favorite medium is paint. He specialized in body painting as an extension of his habit of using vitaar

Reading: He is a big reader, mainly fictions or history books. His favorite types of fiction are Thriller and Mystery.

Astronomy: Xan sleeps badly, which means he's often awake at night. He likes to watch the night sky, and spots different stars and constellations

Animals: Loves every and all animals. Most of them likes him. He has his own pet snake, Daar, who usually stays with Viago's adders.

Vitaar: He is constantly tring new things with vitaar, creating new combinations for different effects. It is an extension of his body paint, sometimes extravagant and sometimes discreet.

Brewing: Since he was a child, he liked brewing potions and healing salves with his mother. He has since extended his index with poisons and their antidotes. His smell is quite useful for this.

Lesser known facts:

He is trans, which isn't really obvious when you look at him (thanks fantasy hrt and Qunari genetics)

He was an Adaari, but his mother permanently altered this capacity, so he only has the great sense of smell

He never stopped microdosing, and quite literally poisons everything he consumes, both by habits and because it usually disuade anyone to steal his food/drink

He is one of the Master-Poisoners of House De Riva. He names his poisons and antidotes according to flowers and plants.

He likes physical contact. If you're close to him and needs a weighted blanket or a hug, he's your guy.

He can play the piano. He taught himself, and almost no one knows.

He knew Lucanis since he was 20, and they dated from his 26yo to his 28yo. Then Lucanis was declared dead. He is cordial with Illario, and Caterina hates his guts.

a mourning dove; ink and watercolor

last seventeen days listening:

leyla mccalla - vari-colored songs

lava lava - hey fragile

janis ian - janus ian

the lentils - take it easy the hard way

ella fitzgerald - the cole porter songbook

sonic youth - rather ripped

weird al yankovic - straight outta lynwood

amon/the dumb fat kids - world made us crazy

nofx - the war on errorism

alkaline trio - maybe i’ll catch fire

stricken for catherine - on the dark

loretta lynn - you’re looking’ at country

lifetime - hello bastards

alice in chains - sap

korea girl - korea girl

the coup - sorry to bother you

I was tagged by a bunch of awesome people, for example @ezriell , @alystrin03 and @serensama for several post something from your current WIPs -may it be the last line, of 7 sentences or a whole paragraph... tbh I haven't written that much, more diving headfirst into a new project and trying to find out where my lovely OC Cara de Riva fits there and how. But I have a little something to post now and since it's a short piece, I will post it completely. Viago (a fledgling still probably at this point) tries to talk his little sister, 9yo Cara, out of her decision to join the Crows rather than going into exile and live the careless life of a noble.

“Listen to me, Caramella.”

Cara knew it was serious by the way, Viago used her full name and not ‘Cara’ as he usually called her. She raised her chin in what was supposed to look as brave and courageous as a nine-year-old girl - just a little too small and too bony for her age - could muster. But the way her lips trembled, betrayed her, giving away, how frightened she was.

“I’m listening” she pressed out the words.

Viago was her brother. Her half brother, to be precise. Years older than Cara and the only hero she had always ever looked up to.

Being like Viago - the big, adventurous heroic, dangerous and handsome Antivan Crow, was everything the little girl with the untamable fire red curls aspired to be like when she would be big one day.

And when they had asked her the other day whether she wanted to leave Antiva and live the beautiful life of a noble girl - or, and of course you won’t want that… hahaha… becoming an Antivan Crow, Caramella had shocked everyone - including Viago - by choosing the latter.

They had been questioning her for hours, whether she knew what she was choosing, and it seemed - for a child of her age she had been able to give reasonable answers.

Then they had tried to bribe her to choose exile, and maybe they even would have succeeded - but the second she learned she would not be able to see her brother again, she was back on her initial choice and nothing made her rethink it from there on out.

Now they had brought Viago in, to talk some sense into her.

He had knelt in front of her, to see eye to eye, and told her to listen.

“Look at me, Cara mia!” rarely had he ever used that term of endearment, which worked so well with her name. And yet he gave his voice a serious tone sounding as stern as he could. “I understand that you think, staying in Antiva and becoming a Crow will be a big adventure, and that you and me will spend much time together as we are learning to become assassins and all will be a lot of fun. Believe me, Cara, it isn’t!” He put his hands, that were covered by snug leather gloves, on her shoulders and intensely looked into her eyes.

“I know it is no fun.” She boldly objected. “I read many books. We are going to be assassins. It means we kill people for gold. And it is very hard to become a good assassin.” She ignored the part where he had said, they would not be able to see each other much. Cara’s little, very much overwhelmed mind was only able to process so much at the same time.

“You could have a pleasant life, Cara mia.” Viago tried another time. “Living without a care in the world, if you would be willing to travel somewhere else, out of Antiva.” The last words were hard for him to speak, because only he knew how much he would miss this silly little ball of energy that was his sister.

But he also did not want her to face the same hardships that he had gone through on his road to become an Antivan Crow, and still had to face every single day.

In order to become a successful assassin, many, if not every fledgling had to become ruthless - which often included cruelties against the other fledglings. From bullying to full on physical or psychological cruelties - nothing seemed off limits for some.

“I don’t want a life without Antiva. And without my family. Without you.” Her voice was small and trembling, but even that could not hide, how serious Cara was about it.

“We won’t see each other much.”

“I don’t care.”

“You know, the other children will not always be nice to you. And I won’t be there to help you.”

“They can try! I know how to defend myself.” Her little fists clenched, and her face scrunched in a little show of what she thought was looking dangerous.

Viago suppressed a sad little smile, remembering just how cruel his own early days in the Crows as a royal bastard among literal street rascals ganging up on him, had been. But he already knew there was no way to talk her out of it. Thus,he continued talking to her, but more like stating facts than trying to convince her to leave.

“There is a lot to learn. You will be busy all day and sometimes more than half the night to keep up with the demands of your trainers.”

“I love to learn new things.” this much, he knew was true.

“Will you be able to follow orders from your superior Crows?” this one would be the real challenge for her.

“When the orders make sense, of course.”

He had to stifle a grin. Just what he had expected.

“And if they don’t make sense? Cara, sometimes you will have to follow orders that don’t make sense to you.”

“If they are good orders, someone will explain me, why they make sense and all is good.” Cara insisted in what was something she still fully believed in. But she would have to learn very quick and thoroughly that in reality often no one would bother to explain anything but expected flawless execution. "No, listen to me! You will follow orders, no matter how dumb you find them! It is your job and even though I know how much you love to discuss things, you won’t be allowed to do that. And when you ask me ‘why’ now, I’ll carry you out of Antiva myself, because a Crow arguing for reason all the time won’t survive the training for a week!"

Her eyes clearly told him, that she was working hard to not open her mouth and asking exactly what he had just told her, not to do.

If she would manage to keep quiet now, he would accept her choice, even though it would make his own life even more complicated as it already was - without his baby sister at his literal heels.

Cara just stood there, almost choking on the urge to ask why there was a rule so stupid, but bravely keeping it in. Pressing her little lips together and nodding furiously as a sign, that she could do anything her big brother would ask of her.

Little did she know…

Alecto De Riva Cheat Sheet!

For @pixiedurango "A murder of misfits"! I'm so incredibly excited with this!!

I'm eager to see what happens when @nyx-de-riva @ezriell @pixiedurango @only-slightly-terrified OCs and Alecto share space! This is going to be so fun!

Alecto de Riva " The Shadow"

(she/her) 5'3'' (1,62m)

Black straight hair, braided in different shapes, half of her back. Brown eyes with purple traits on them

Age at VG start: 31

Small tattoo of De Riva House under a scar in her left ribs when she became a full-fledged Crow

Bisexual - Panromantic/pansexual - Hypersexual (no attachments involved, not interested in relationship except for her loved one)

Orphan rescued by a member of House Arainai, left in House De Riva. Best frends with Viago since they were 12-13 yo (in love with him since 16-17, not romantic relationship with him til 27-28). Living together as friends (and nothing else) until he became first Talon.

Bullied from many fledglings, they called her "The Rat of De Riva", until she became the grim girl who used to accompany Viago (and beat their asses)

Humorous, easy going, hot blooded (too many discussions with Viago, they usually end yelling each other but will die for the other). Impatient and too impulsive. Easily distracted, her mind has always too many thoughts at the same time. Thinks that orders are more guidelines. Swears A LOT

Works with a teammate, Lorenzo "Renzo" De Riva, really good friends but also friends with benefits (but nothing serious, she does not love anyone but Viago - and later, Lucanis)

Loves physical contact with the people she knows. Always ready for cuddles, (friendly) kisses and everything else. Could sleep hug to any of her friends. Twists her mouth when trying to focus or think

Smells like lime, lilac and rainwater/petrichor

Weapon(s) of choice:

Ceremonial dagger and orb, fond of ice magic (shards and spikes) but also lightning and electricity. She always carries with her a couple of hidden knifes and a collection of poison vials, also some antidotes.

Skilled in hand to hand combat, trained with Renzo for years (he is a 2h warrior, 190cm tall) to improve her weaponless combat/killing.

Likes to provoke opponents (mostly men) by getting really close to them with a silky voice, like she is trying to seduce them (she is not)

Non combat skills: Stealth (she is nicknamed The Shadow, not many people can go as unnoticed as her), disguises easily so can infiltrate most of placed. Could perform seduction jobs but not interested in doing it for work

Her worst skills are lockpicking or anything that involves thinking a lot before acting.

Hobbies/Interests:

Animal lover to the core. Spends way too much time cuddling cats, dogs or whatever animals are nearby. Has a horse named Malekith, a huge Italian trotter with a really bad mood (bite Viago many times).

Loves reading any kind of books (except for poetry), specially Murder/mistery. Has a copy of The Tale of the Champion gifted by king Fulgeno II.

Too fond of sleeping. Can get asleep anytime anywhere, but no problem on waking up and getting things done asap.

Loves eating lemoncakes and roasted chestnuts. Only drinks beer (too much), does not like wine or other spirits. Really has a drinking problem: it's her way to cope grief and to have fun. Too fond of partying & flirting with anyone interested. Hard to get drunk

Sings to herself when she is focused in chores like cleaning or braiding her hair.

Love life

Has been in love with Viago since she was 15-16 yo. She is not sure he knows it, because he sends her mixed signals. However, they have nothing until six months before the Antaam incident (28 yo for Alecto). Their relationship is not clear for them, as they do not speak about feelings until it's too late (until Veilguard events, I mean).

In the meantime, as she knows she cannot be with the man he loves, she enjoys carefree sex with whoever catches her eye. Her companion and her tend to sleep together frequently, but they are not in a relationship at all.

Henri Laurent, Harry Potter + a moodboard for every oc (65/?)