#ashrookanis

It has been brought to my attention (thank you @woundedsoul12!) that I have only one picture of my main Rook on my tumblr! So, without further ado, here's Nicias Mercar - Shadow Dragon, Mage, Spellblade, Romances Ashur|the Viper prior to the game, and Ashur|the Viper and Lucanis both post-game.

A new fluff piece for Rook/Ashur/Lucanis for our Stanley Cup 2026 Fluff challenge.

(commissioned art by @eluvisen)

Title: Playing A Game

Summary:

An evening's relaxation for Rook and Ashur used to revolve around a chessboard, but Lucanis' addition to their relationship adds a different dimension to things.

Or, Lucanis knows more than just coffee tricks.

Excerpt:

Chapter: Portents

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Male Human Mercar/Ashur | the Viper, Male Human Mercar/Lucanis Dellamorte, eventually Ashur | The Viper/Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte, Rook/Ashur | The Viper, Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte, eventually Ashur | The Viper/Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Male Human Mercar, Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship, Lucerni, Divine intervention, Fade to black, eventual poly relationship

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

Rook took one step out of Lucerni headquarters and sighed as he fought to recall the old saying his mother used to tell him as a child.  It never rains but it pours.  Not meant, perhaps, so literally, but he could be forgiven.  So far this year, the rain in Minrathous never seemed to stop.  He’d lost count the number of days straight spent dodging raindrops and puddles as he moved about the city only to have the Watch or some magister’s entourage go marching by – said magister conveniently safe and dry inside their palanquin – to splash him yet again.  The capital had been left a far damper and more dismal place than usual.  With a soft snort to mask the heavy sigh, he flicked up the collar of his cloak, resettled his hat atop his head, and stepped outside.  The Chantry bell was ringing the hour as he turned towards home.  Today’s forecast had been no better; the skies were as dark now as when he and Ashur had arrived that morning.  Dark, overcast, and lightning dancing across skies over the Nocen Sea.  It made for a spectacular display, if a somewhat damp one. Reaching the main street, he paused.  He glanced right then left to make certain he wasn’t about to get splashed; but before moving, he lifted his head toward the sky.  Just a quick peek, to for any sign of hope – a break in the clouds, a stray sunbeam, no matter how weak, even a light, airy mist would be better than the continuous buckets that had been tipping down... A few fat droplets landed on his left cheek... 

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur | the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.

Chapter 2: The Viper

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Rook/Ashur|the Viper, Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Rook, Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

Someone was following him. The day had started well enough for Nicias; a breakfast he was actually hungry enough to eat, seeing his father off to rejoin his troops as they headed off to face the Antaam threat in the south, and, for the first time in weeks, a sense of hope filling his chest.  But almost from the minute he stepped out onto the streets of Minrathous, as he joined the lively and chaotic mass of people, markets, and gods only knew what else, an old and all too familiar sensation crept up his spine settling at the back of his neck.  A sensation he had thought he left behind with the Legion.  Someone had their attention focused on him, and they were close. 

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur|the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.

Chapter 5: Warning Bells

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Male Human Mercar/Ashur | the Viper, Male Human Mercar/Lucanis Dellamorte, eventually Ashur | The Viper/Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte, Rook/Ashur | The Viper, Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte, eventually Ashur | The Viper/Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Male Human Mercar, Rook Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship, Lucerni, Divine intervention, eventual poly relationship

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

The service was well under way and the Divine had just stood and moved forward to lead the congregation in prayer when the doors at the far end were suddenly thrown open, hitting the walls behind and sending a crack and thunderous boom down the nave.  It brought the entire cathedral to silence.  Acting in unison, hundreds of pairs of eyes turned, focusing on the frail figure of an elderly elf as he stumbled closer.  Grey hair a disheveled mess, darker and matted to one side near his temple.  Air rattled through his lungs as he gasped for breath, struggling to speak.  A few more hobbled steps down the aisle, one hand clenched tightly to his chest, brought him to the edge of the upper dais before the Divine. “M-magister,” he choked, voice so quiet Nicias had to lean towards him in an attempt to hear, “M-magister Treviyan...murdered...”  For one second, the silence was so loud Nicias heard the birds on the roof of the cathedral as they cooed and clucked, unaware of the drama below. Treviyan.  The name was old and one of the Altus lines.  It was also one with which Nicias was familiar.  The magister had visited the Divine not three days before to discuss an upcoming debate in support of legislation being led by the Lucerni. The silence broke as the elf released a pained groan and collapsed to the floor.  The chamber went from complete silence to a cacophony of gasps and cries as well as shouts of disbelief, concern, and alarm. It was all Nicias needed to spur him into action...

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur | the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.

Chapter 3: Divine Intervention

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Rook/Ashur|the Viper, Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Rook, Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship, Lucerni, Divine intervention

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

“There you are.”

His thoughts were elsewhere, and as the voice reached him out of the blue from the shadows lining the streets this late in the day, Nicias nearly jumped out of his skin.  The sudden appearance of the man who had been dominating his thoughts Nicias back to the present.  Blinking through the rain, he was speechless and could only stare. 

It was a gift, he decided as astonishment faded into acceptance.  And one he would take.  Finding a smile, he laughed and offered a sheepish smile.  “Here I am.  You’ve found me.”

Dressed in his usual hat and face covering and standing in the darkest of shadows, it was difficult to get a good look at Ashur at first.  Until Nicias realized that the shadows he had thought were due to the angle of his hat weren’t just due to the lack of lighting but were aided by dark smudges beneath his eyes.  Combined with eyes that pinched tight at the corners, Ashur looked...beyond tired.  Exhausted. 

Concern stirred and Nicias stepped towards his friend.  “You all right?”

Even Ashur’s smile was tired, more of a sagging struggling thin line than an upward curve at both ends.  “I’m fine.  It’s been...a busy few days.”

Nicias smiled in sympathy.  “Sounds like a story there...”

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur|the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.

NOTE: Sorry for the delay in posting the next chapter. I've spent the last month toiling over my story for the Dragon Age Big Bang. BUT! It's written and in in the hands of my artist while I await edits from my betas, so I can now focus back on my boys!

Chapter: Nicknames

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Male Human Mercar/Ashur|the Viper, Male Human Mercar/Lucanis Dellamorte, eventually Male Human Mercar/Ashur|The Viper/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Male Human Mercar, Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship, Lucerni, Divine intervention, eventual poly relationship

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

It was Nicias’ turn to contemplate his move.  “But...the Viper?” Ashur chuckled warmly.  “Well, I had half considered The Dragon, but you seem to have the corner in that market.”  He dropped his voice an octave as he added, “Paulo draco.” The chess piece Nicias had lifted slipped from his fingers, clattering loudly onto the board.  A quick scowl wrinkled his brow as he protested, “Dorian told you.”  It had to have been his cousin; his father had been off with the Legion for months now. Ashur’s smile did not fade.  If anything, it softened.  “I like it,” he replied, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.  “Dragons are fierce protectors.”

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur|the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.

Chapter 1: The Dragon

Series: Paulo Draco

Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Summary: Minrathous, the capital city of Tevinter, and home of the Dragon. It is also the home of the Dragon's heart; the Viper. By day they protect the city and its people, by night they protect one another. Until the Dragon, a man used to making decisions and living with the consequences, is sent away and has his heart stolen by an Antivan Crow…

Relationships: Rook/Ashur|the Viper, Rook/Lucanis Dellamorte

Characters: Rook, Ashur|the Viper, Lucanis Dellamorte, Spite, Charon Mercar, Dorian Pavus

Tags: angst, drama, pre-game background development, romance, idiots in love, developing relationship, established relationship, past relationship

[tags will be adjusted as the story moves forward]

Excerpt:

“I thought he might be of some...value in helping our mutual friends,” Charon concluded.  “Should they have interest in such a thing.” Mutual friends?  Nicias stared at his father in confusion, but Dorian quickly jumped in.  Using a hand to rub his chin thoughtfully, the magister replied, “I daresay you may be right, cousin, and Maker knows we could use the help.” Clearing his throat, he waited for both men to look at him before asking, “Mutual friends?” Dorian blinked and from one second to the next, his face relaxed, a soft huff escaping his lips as his eyes sparkled.  Sparing Charon a look, he asked, “You haven’t told him?” Charon, not one prone to outward acts of amusement, chuckled as well.  That was probably more disconcerting to Nicias than not knowing the topic of discussion.  “I keep that information as secret as my battle plans, as you well know.” A smile widened across his face as Dorian turned his attention back to Nicias.  “Well then, where shall I begin?” Before he could, Charon raised a hand, palm outward, and asked, “Is it safe to talk here?” One elegant brow arched higher than the Archon’s palace.  “It is safer here than anywhere in Minrathous,” Dorian assured him.  “My people can be trusted.”  He turned back towards Nicias.  “Now then, are you familiar with the Lucerni?”

~~~~~~~~~

So excited to start sharing some of the background story for Nicias Mercar!!! For reference, this Rook is a Shadow Dragon mage who will romance both Ashur|the Viper and Lucanis Dellamorte.