#emerald graves

dragon age inquisition scenery gouache sketches

'You know… I could have cast that. Mom taught me a barrier like this one.' 'Sure, you could, but you were too busy climbing up that pillar over there. If you catch cold, suits you just right.' 'Yeah, yeah… Whatever. But next time I'll be the one to cast it.'

Remembering how much I love drawing water and rainy weather.

Dragon Age: Inquisition - Maps

Another commission!! This time, for friendlygoblin.bsky.social (over at Bluesky) of their Inquisitor, Varand in the Emerald Graves!

Graves

My mage trevelyan was having a terrible time. I'm still developing her back story, but she definitely does not have a good relationship with her family due to being a mage and them being devout Andrastians.

Each letter or diary entry that outlined the horror of what happened in that house had a deep effect on her. From the obvious mistreatment of a mage child. The fear and hatred of magic seeping through in their treatment, the search for magic cures or suppression tools. To the child finding a friend in a demon that leads to their possession and the deaths of those in the house.

It brings up a lot of emotions and memories for her. Im imagining her group traveling back to skyhold with her in a daze. When they do get back, she goes to Cullen (who she is in a slightly tentative relationship with). While she initially is seeking comfort from someone she trusts, she ends up spiraling and questioning how much Cullen as a former templar could truly care for her.

This leads to her asking him if he would kill her if she ever became possessed. Cullen still has his Canon response, please dont ask that of me, its not that simple. He is already trying to navigate his feelings for her and the obvious distress she is in and his own guilt from his past.

But what Evelyn truly means is, would you be complacent in how I am treated by those who hate or fear mages? Would you allow or join in pushing me towards the desperation of seeking a demons company? Could anyone ever love me exactly as I am?

Get Your Comfortable Boots

Emerald Graves Masterpost

Harding: Good to see you again, Inquisitor. Hope you’ve got your comfortable boots on. The scouts have seen a number of Fade rifts, all over the forest. We’ve located this mysterious “Fairbanks.” He won’t share his information with anyone but you. He and his men are camped out at Watcher’s Reach, on the path ahead. From what we can tell, they’re refugees from the war. Peasants, mostly.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: I do like these little chats. [1]

Investigate: Tell me about Fairbanks. [2]

Investigate: Anything about the area? [3]

General: I’ll be going then. [4]

1 - Flirt: I do like these little chats. PC: I do enjoy these encounters. It’s like we’re getting to know each other. Harding: We are, aren’t we? Such a shame our meetings are so brief. But, you know, saving the world and all that. Busy, busy! [Return to dialogue tree.]

2 - Investigate: Tell me about Fairbanks. PC: Tell me everything you know about Fairbanks. Harding: We don’t know much about him. He appeared after the civil war started, helping people fleeing from the destruction. “Fairbanks” is likely not his real name. [Return to dialogue tree.]

3 - Investigate: Anything about the area? PC: Do you know anything else about the region? Harding: They call this place the Emerald Graves. Legend says that a tree grows here for every elven knight of Halamshiral who perished in its defense. Makes you sad, doesn’t it?

Dialogue options:

General: Yes. Truly. [5]

General: I don’t let it bother me. [6]

General: It’s history. [7]

Dalish PC: “We are the last elvhen…” [8]

5 - General: Yes. Truly. PC: What was done to the elves here was unforgivable. Harding: Never again. At least, I hope not. [Return to main dialogue tree.] 6 - General: I don’t let it bother me. PC: Thedas is soaked in blood. If I worried about those who’ve died in every place I went, I’d be a sobbing mess. Harding: That’s… one way of thinking about it [Return to main dialogue tree.] 7 - General: It’s history. PC: It’s in the past. I care more about the future. Harding: Then let’s pray something like this never happens again. [Return to main dialogue tree.] 8 - Dalish PC: “We are the last elvhen…” PC: “We are the last elvhen, never again shall we submit.” Harding: Oh, I… I’m sorry, Inquisitor. I spoke thoughtlessly. [Return to main dialogue tree.]

4 - General: I’ll be going then. PC: Thank you for the information. I’ll head out.

Harding: Ah, one other thing.

If PC has been to the Exalted Plains: Harding: You’ve tangled with the Freemen of the Dales before. They have a presence here.

If PC has not been to the Exalted Plains: Harding: A group of deserters from the Imperial armies has established itself here. “Freemen of the Dales,” they call themselves. They are hostile to the Inquisition… and everyone else.