#dafanfic

I think as Fanfic writers, we often add lore to our stories. It is natural for us to build upon the pillars set for us. But what about the foundations, gravel and grit? What was a piece of Lore you added to Dragon Age that wasn't pre-existing?

I will provide an example of my own below from two chapters concerning the topic. CW for Blood and Violence.

Hawke is hiding a secret; one that Cullen will discover when he visits the manor on the night of the full moon. (Explicit/18+)

The full moon lighting his way, Cullen Rutherford hurried through the streets of Kirkwall, hand on his sword.

What Meredith needed from the Champion at this hour, he would never know. And he didn't dare ask, either. The Knight-Commander had been in a temper, as of late, and he didn't want to be the one to test it. No, it was best simply to do as she said, and deliver the message to the Hawke Estate.

But he was ill at ease. He could still remember the stories he had been told as a child in Honnleath, of the strange things that happened on the night of a full moon. Maleficar and worse.

Cullen shook his head. He was a man grown; a Knight-Captain of the Templar Order. He had been tortured by demons and lived to tell the tale, not that he ever spoke of Kinloch Hold.

There was no fear to be found in children's tales. Not any longer.

Nothing prepared the Herald to what he was going to face inside that Chantry, though. The Breach was in the sky, demons poured inside the building and still, a mage fought them all alone, as if he did that every day, and he still looked impeccable.

When he grinned at Connor at the end of the battle, the warrior felt a slight shiver. “Damn, he’s handsome.” He thought. Even Bull pointed it out. Dorian Pavus would never go unnoticed, even if he wasn’t Tevinter.

Day 2: Sneaking Out Together Fandom: Dragon Age 2 Rating: General Audiences Ship: Female Hawke/Isabela Notes: For @flufftober2021 Summary: In an attempt to avoid Leandra, Isabela inadvertently reveals her true feelings.

Hawke grabbed Isabela around the muddle with one hand, the other over her mouth, and tugged her backwards.

"Mmmph!" 

"Shh!" Hawke said, whispering in Isabela's ear. "Bodahn's coming, and he tells mother everything."

Isabela licked Hawke's palm, but Hawke, used such behavior from her lover, bore it with grace, and pinched Isabela's rear in revenge.

Isabela jumped, but any thoughts of getting Hawke back for her behavior seemed to vanish as Bodahn walked by their hiding spot, humming. 

They froze, watching him, but he didn't seem to notice them. Hawke quietly thanked Andraste and the Maker that Sandal wasn't with him. Her retainer's son was far too perceptive, and would have pointed them out in a heartbeat.

That boy was odd.

Bodahn was soon gone, and Isabela turned in Hawke's arms, jumping up to wrap her legs around Hawke's waist and kiss her. 

Hawke enthusiastically returned the kiss, turning to pin Isabela against the wall. She held Isabela up by her hips, pressing their bodies together, until Isabela broke the kiss. 

I’m really sorry for my absence in the Andith ship lately.  Just to let you all know that I’m okay, if a bit...well, OLD.  I’ve been just tired lately, nothing awful going on (so says Dr Clarkson anyway).  I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Miss you all!

Cyrano/Baron Munchausen

Prompt: “I know you do.” Fandom: Dragon Age: Origins

Odette walks with her father, making their way through Highever to the practice yard. Though she trains every morning, today her father is coming along to observe her progress and she hopes that perhaps seeing her in action can convince him to change his mind about her place in the coming battle. Keeping her tone level, the very voice of calm reason expected of a Cousland no matter the circumstance, she makes her initial attempt to sway her father’s decision.

“I don’t understand why I can’t be the one riding with you to Ostagar. After all, Fergus is the heir to the teyrnir, not me. Better to leave him in charge of the castle.”

Bryce laughs at his youngest. “I have no doubt you would prove yourself in battle, pup, but I am not willing to deal with your mother if you join the war.”

She frowns, casting a sidelong glance at him, certain this is a fabricated excuse. Eleanor Cousland had once been a famous sea raider, it’s how she and Bryce had met, after all. She, more than most, will understand the desire to fight rather than sit at home and wait for the men to return.

“I’ll speak with her. If she knows I’m going instead of Fergus, rather than the both of us, I’m sure I can convince her.”

Not giving him the chance to object or point out that she would also need to convince her brother, she bounds into the training yard. As she pulls her daggers from their sheathes on her back, she sticks her tongue out at Ser Gilmore. He rolls his eyes at her, but she catches the tug at the corner of his mouth as he parries a sword thrust from a young recruit. She throws herself into her training, ignoring the sweat that drips into her eyes and the wisps of hair that free themselves from her ponytail. The knights jeer and jape with each other and Odette, having trained with them from the moment she could hold a dagger, joins in. When she’s in this yard, she’s one of them, not the noble lady of the house and that’s the way she likes it.

When she finally stops to catch her breath, her father is nowhere to be seen and she sighs. She’s finally managed to best Ser Derric, a beast of a man who favors a sword and shield. While there’s no doubt that news of her victory will travel through the castle, Odette would rather her father saw it firsthand. How better to convince him of her rightful place at his side in battle than with a hard-fought, well-earned victory?

“I hate this,” she groans, sliding her daggers back in their sheathes.

“I know you do. I’m sure your father had a good reason for excusing himself.” Rory shakes his head with a laugh, watching her smear the dirt around her face. “Here, you’re just making it worse.”

Odette freezes as he caresses her face (okay, he doesn’t caress but tell that to her stomach). Ser Gilmore has been her best friend for as long as she can remember but, only recently, Odette has started to notice how kind he is, to take note of the way his muscles ripple when he trains. They still joke and have at one another, but when he touches her, she remembers that she is a woman and he a man and wants nothing more than to find out if his kisses are as kind as he is or if he has a hidden passion locked away, like the knights in some of Oriana’s steamy romance novels.

Not that she can ever tell him that.

Oh, she flirts, of course, but she’s too much of a coward to ever make her silly advances seem anything more than good-natured teasing.

“Ettie, you still there?”

She startles and pulls her arm away from his grasp. “Of course I am. What, did you think I got lost swooning in those blue eyes of yours?”

He smirks and rolls his eyes again. “Go, find your father. If I know you half as well as I think you do, you’ve already got plenty more arguments to sway him into letting you ride with him into battle.” Leaving her, he joins some of the other knights and their squires in a far corner of the training yard.

Odette pauses to splash water on her face, as much to drive away these strange desires as to wipe away any remaining grime. She decides to seek out her mother first, convince her of the wisdom in Odette’s plan, so that the two of them can approach Bryce together as a united front.

“That was a fine display of skill.”

She looks up from the water barrel to find a man—one she has never seen before—beside her. His skin, several shades darker than her own, gleams like burnished copper in the gold of the mid-morning sun. Despite the wrinkles around his eyes and forehead, not a single strand of grey can be found in the black locks of hair tied at the nape of his neck. Sword and dagger are strapped at his back, the hilts of both weapons speaking to their craftmanship.

“Thank you, serah.” She shares a smile with him, pleased that this obvious warrior has recognized her talent.

“Duncan, please. You wouldn’t, by chance, be Ser Gilmore, would you?” His gaze has turned from admiring to curious, mayhaps even a little hopeful.

“Me, Rory?” She laughs. “Not even close. He’s got about eight inches and three stone on me. That redhead over there,” she points to the corner, “is your Ser Gilmore. Shall I call him over?”

“No, I can speak with him momentarily.” Duncan says with a shake of his head. “You must be Odette then, Bryce’s youngest. Forgive me, my lady.”

“I don’t fault you the mistake. You could hardly assume I’m a teyrn’s daughter dressed like this! You know my father then?”

“Indeed. Do you know where he is?”

“I was just on my way to find him. I would welcome your company. Perhaps on the way, you can tell me more about yourself.”

When she learns that he is a Grey Warden, one of the fabled warriors and heroes of old, her mind begins spinning. Perhaps he can convince her father for her. After all, Duncan witnessed her talent and who better to speak on her behalf? If he hears how impressed Duncan is with her, he’ll have to let her fight in the coming battle.

Cyberpunk 9:30 Dragon — by enbyseven a.k.a. @thaig​ ↳ a dragon age: origins novelization // cyberpunk au

The year is 9:30 Dragon. Aeducan Inc. is doing better than ever, and its heir presumptive, Ana, is about to make a move that will ensure her inheritance. Maura, the second child of the CEO of Cousland International, is being promoted. And, in Kinloch Hold, Jordan Amell is quickly rising in the ranks as a newly minted enchanter.

Then all of them are betrayed.

Their lives are saved when they're recruited into the Grey Wardens, only for most of the Ferelden order to be wiped out in one blow, along with President Cailan Theirin. Saved only by the efforts of a mysterious mage, the surviving wardens are Ferelden's only hope.

In a world of magic and machinery, of technology and spirits, of demons and AI, can they stop the Blight before it devours all of Thedas? And if they do, what will be the cost?

↳ Chapter One: In the Hall of the Mountain King

Ana Aeducan looked into the mirror, straightening her white blouse and skintight black trousers. The plunge down the front of her shirt was a little bit risqué for a formal business meeting, but there would be no fun if she couldn't scandalize a couple of the old men and women who made up the board.

The necklace that disappeared into her cleavage was made of pure platinum, a gift from her father that she made sure to wear to every board meeting of Thaig Inc. It was her responsibility as Chief Operating Officer, after all. 

The position had come along with the necklace for her eighteenth birthday. And her brothers had received similar gifts, though they had gotten watches to go with their positions. Trian was Chief Fiancial Officer, and Bhelen was Chief Marketing Officer. 

Her father was a generous man, at least when it came to his family.