#opheart

Yardan

Located in Central Rodinia, Yardan was originally occupied by a tribe made up of mostly nomadic clans; a minority of clans had pseudo-permanent settlements established around more remote resources.

The clans generally avoided extensive interactions with each other in times of peace and abundance, limiting contact to trades and negotiations pertaining to keeping that peace. During times of strife, clans would enlist the help of other clans or temporarily join forces to resolve a common problem. Monogamous marriages between clans were allowed, providing that one of the couple fully assimilate into the other’s clan.

While the clans have generally agreed to coexist within Yardan’s borders and share its resources, conflicts between clans have inevitably arisen throughout history, and the clans’ sometimes conflicting values and identities have kept Yardan from becoming united. As far as the people of Yardan was concerned, this was all good and well, and nothing that could not be resolved by utilising their existing agreements.

The Alpine Water Crisis

Around two decades before the Annexation of Yardan, a crisis presented itself: the alpine water sources in the north were becoming depleted, and with most of Yardan being arid, this was a problem for all the clans.

Councils were held and most of the focus ended up being the assignment of blame and speculations - some thought it was the fault of one or more of the settled clans in the area, others pointed the finger at Sastrugia, the ever-expanding and industrialising neighbour to Yardan’s north. Yet some thought it was simply the result of nature running its course, and attributed the water scarcity to droughts, fires, and earthquakes.

Riesa the Bedrock

Eventually in one of these councils, a young woman spoke up and raised an unpopular idea: for the clans to work together and search for a solution, regardless of who or what was at fault.

While this approach was previously disregarded, this time the council listened, for it seemed that the young woman had in the past garnered rapport amongst the people - multiple clans corroborated accounts of this lone traveller appearing in their times of need to lead their members to water and safe shelter.

When questioned, the young woman would not disclose her clan of origin, and no clan would claim her as one of their own (it is entirely possible that her true clan of origin had sworn to secrecy on the matter, for one reason or another). She merely introduced herself as Riesa of Yardan. When asked about her abilities, she stated that they were beyond the magic and crafts practiced by some of the clans; her power was from the gods, she claimed, and she was their medium - a catalyst for their will in this world.

The people of Yardan gave Riesa a chance, and indeed, under the guidance and protection of the various clans, she secured new sources of water. Witnesses would say that her methods was inexplicable: she seemed able to revitalise spent streams, make dammed and dried rivers flow again, and even call forth springs where none had existed before. Her deeds were accompanied by tremors deep underfoot, as if the earth itself would shift and shape to her will.

Years of effort eventually saw not only the security of water and the resolution to Yardan’s crisis, but the clans were more united than ever before. There were children who grew up without witnessing animosity between clans. For both her gods-given powers and her role in consolidating the people of Yardan, the young woman was lauded as Riesa the Bedrock, Hand of the Gods.

Clan Feran

Of the many clans of Yardan, nine actively practiced magic in some form. Clan Feran was considered a group of warrior-mages, and the most attuned of these were able to harness the power of natural elements.

Unlike those in what some would consider more developed civilisations, the Yardani people did not approach magic via scholastic and theoretical methods. Instead, the practice of magic was more approximate to shamanism, rooted in intuition and spirituality. Members of Clan Feran would, from a young age, discern and attune themselves to specific natural phenomena. By becoming familiar with them overtime, the warrior-mage would be able to master their favoured phenomenon through an understanding that is innate and instinctive.

Nel the Stormpiercer

Amongst the members of Clan Feran was Nel, a young girl considered a talented warrior-mage who seemed born with an attachment to the winds. While most of her clansmen discerned their attuned phenomenon by their young adult years, Nel had by the age of twelve attuned herself to windstorms. Gifted with sharp eyes, she also trained in the use of missile weapons.

Nel was able to combine her skills in magic and weapon in a most unique manner when there are strong winds: she could counter the gusts and gales immediately around herself and/or her weapon(s) in such a way that when she fired a missile, it would fly straight and true despite the turbulence around it.

When her clan was approached with the task of providing protection for Riesa on her more treacherous journeys, Nel was one of those chosen to accompany the young woman, as a chance for her to shadow more senior warrior-mages. The two soon fostered a close intergenerational friendship, and the girl proved her loyalty in how seriously she took to the role of being the woman’s guard. Despite Nel’s young age, Riesa petitioned for her to be granted a moniker befitting of a mature warrior-mage of her clan; thus the girl was known as the Stormpiercer, and became one of Riesa’s closest bodyguards.

The Curse of Yardan

The stability and growth of Yardan did not go unnoticed by Sastrugia, Yardan’s highly militarised neighbour. While it had expanded its borders in the past by offering aid and protection to less developed adjacent nations, and subsequently establishing vassal states, nothing less than an invasion would have claimed Yardan. With a culture where magic was both exclusive and feared, it did not take much for propaganda to convince Sastrugia’s people that this “untamed and dangerous threat” of a neighbour ought to be pacified before it could grow much greater.

Yardan, united as it had become, was no match for the organised assault of the Sastrugian army. Its people wanted Riesa - their treasure, bedrock, and the hope of their nation - to be protected, and so she was left in the protection of warriors; Nel served, of course, as her personal bodyguard.

Tragically, during the last stand of the Yardani tribe, and in the midst of her attempt to channel her gods-given powers to protect what was left of her people, Riesa was assassinated.

In their shock, grief, and despair, those who remained - mage or otherwise - broke a taboo and invoked a curse upon their captors: that they would “never obtain the power for which it lusts”.

Aftermath

The few Yardani who survived the invasion, including Nel who had witnessed Riesa’s murder, were taken prisoner. Most died in captivity soon after, being subjected to mistreatment. Nel, through the intercession of Riesa’s killer herself, was spared, and subsequently brainwashed, “reformed”, and integrated into the very army that killed her people and annexed her nation.

Maika 莓香

Backgrounds: Privileged, Wilderness, Military

A native of the Earth Kingdom, Maika was born and raised on Kyoshi Island as a non-bender.

Training: Technology, Weapons

Deemed suitable for the role, she underwent training as a Kiyoshi Warrior for a time, but ultimately preferred dabbling in technology of the likes of exploding slimes. Lacking in willing test subjects, she sometimes tested the potency of various chemical components on herself.

Playbook: Successor

Coalition/Invasion

Neither of them would have foreseen the return to their homeland and their reunion with one another to happen the way they did.

Aeollis G. Fjorde, who had built a life in a foreign land and paid her dues in giving back to it, returned with honour to Sastrugia in times of strife to offer a deal: for her two beloved nations to form a coalition and stand against the empire from across the sea bearing down on them with military might. With much to gain and everything to lose, she would put all she had on the line - her wit in dealing with matters of diplomacy, her intelligence in the form of technology she helped develop, and even her life to ensure that the leaders of Sastrugia would be saved, that her homeland would be preserved.

Arkos Ferani, who had long since shed the names that branded him a property of Sastrugia, arrived as vanguard to an empire's invading army. Wanting the system to go down without taking the people with it, he demanded blood of only the members of the High Chamber. He sought not personal revenge, but a way to break the wheel, to see the end to a malicious cycle that kept a nation running by sacrificing the humanity of individuals. Once a weapon, he was still a weapon, but now by his own choosing, and - despite what it might have looked like - for his own ends.

The soldier and the weapon. Safety and Trigger. Twins. Fellow oblations of the Fjorde family. "Galen".

Examination

The Fjorde twins, both and collectively named "Galen", were dedicated to the government of Sastrugia before birth as part of an agreement between the nation's rulers and the elite magical families.

Since a young age, the twins underwent regular examination to ensure that they grew up healthy and to monitor their development. It was deemed that the male and elder Galen had greater magical capacity and strong intuition, but was physically more frail and prone to mood fluctuations. The female and younger Galen, on the other hand, was born with strong constitution, tended to act more rationally and was more emotionally/psychologically stable; however she was was deemed less magically talented.

By the end of one examination, the mother of the then-three-years-old twins concluded:

"The boy is a powerful weapon, but the girl will make an ideal soldier."

Education/Evaluation

The female Galen, known as "Aeollis", was a quick learner in conventional education but showed little interest in cultivating her magical talents. She was self-motivated and keen to learn, and when presented with books and lessons, eagerly absorbed any knowledge offered to her. She displayed interest in all academic topics, but took to scientific ones well enough to warrant continued training in the subject areas therein.

The male Galen, known as "Arkos", did not take well to structured learning; his intuition however allowed him to develop his magical abilities largely independently. As such, test and experiments were performed to further evaluate his magical growth and potential. These apparently had an overall negative effect on his delicate physical and psychological disposition.

The twins shared a cordial relationship at this point, and Aeollis was the only one guaranteed to be able to placate her brother during times of distress.

Separation/Isolation

As they grew up into preteens, the twins' personalities became more apparent, as did their differences. Where Aeollis was obedient and respectful to authority figures, Arkos was rebellious and sceptical.

Their communication and relationship broke down over time, and an incident occurred when they were eleven years old: an argument between the twins escalated into a physical altercation, during which Arkos struck his sister with lightning magic sufficient to cause a cardiac arrest.

Aeollis recovered from this but retained nerve damage in her arm. After the incident the twins were physically separated; Arkos was regularly isolated for others' safety.

Indoctrination/Insubordination

In the wake of the aforementioned incident, Aeollis was sent to board at a military school and studied as a cadet. There she furthered her knowledge in the scientific fields, and conditioned her body through fitness and combat training. She took well to the nationalistic indoctrination to which she was exposed. She developed social skills, was generally well-liked by her peers, and displayed potential in diplomacy.

Arkos was encouraged to continue developing his skills in magic, and was offered education in relevant scientific areas to that end. He accepted these but only up to a rudimentary/foundational level, and preferred to improve his magical prowess through trial-and-error. He was deemed unstable and dangerous - strict rules, regulations, and restrictions were put in place to ensure the safety of him and his handlers. Despite this, he remained dangerously obstinate and was frequently insubordinate to even his parents.

Migration/Desertion

Having grown into a young woman demonstrating unwavering loyalty to her nation and its values, Aeollis was given clearance to leave Sastrugia, go abroad, and attend the Academy of Heroes, which focused on the education of magic. By the time she graduated, she received a fellowship offered by a foreign university to continue fostering her passion in scientific research. She sought and received government permission to accept the offer.

The year following his sister's migration overseas, Arkos was reported missing. This was openly presumed to be a case of kidnapping, but desertion by Arkos' own initiative was considered a possibility.

Installation/Induction

Four years on and Aeollis had settled into the university and been installed as a tenured academic. Her contributions to the understanding of electromagnetism and other related fields of physics were widely acknowledged.

Arkos had by this time resurfaced in a nation who was considered an adversary to the one that had taken in Aeollis, as a fully-inducted agent under a high-ranked military officer.

New Era

Both twins had now settled into their roles outside of Sastrugia -

Aeollis was a researcher, diplomat, and single mother, responsible for the physical theories behind the development of technology that safeguarded her new adoptive nation. She was always eager to offer her skills for the defence of this country she now called home, always keen to cater to the needs of its leaders. For this new happiness, and for the future happiness of her daughter, she would gladly work.

As an ideal soldier.

Arkos answered to one man who served an empire, acting as his agent where force and bloodshed was needed. In the depths of war he found his peace, in destruction he found belonging, in corruption he found humanity. In a foreign land, in a household made up of broken individuals, he found a family bound by loyalty, and it was one he would willingly serve.

Zylin Skerr

One of the most successful oblations from the most prominent Elevated Family of Sastrugia, Zylin Skerr, who was offered for lifelong service to her country at the age of two, had proven to be a prodigy in material physics and weaponry. Such skills and knowledge culminated in her unique ability to cleave through matter with the application of little strength and magic, securing her a place in a covert military force as an assassin before she reached her teenage years.

She was offered special exemptions, from access to training and resources usually only open to veterans who have earned them through years of service, to the exemption to keep long hair and wear makeup and jewelry.

Riesa of Yardan

At thirteen years of age, Zylin participated in the final battle that saw to the completion of the annexation of Yardan. During the height of the battle, she slayed a woman regarded by the Yardani clans as "hand of the gods": Riesa of Yardan, a young woman whose gentle disposition and powerful earth-moving magic were believed to be able to bring Yardan to internal peace, self-reliance, and cultural advancement.

With her death, the battle and the nation of Yardan itself were lost, and the remaining people cursed Sastrugia to "never obtain the power for which it lusts" as they were either killed or taken prisoner.

Nel of Clan Feran

The Yardani prisoners were subjected to procedures of brainwashing, experimentation, or both; eventually, only a twelve-year-old girl would survive - Nel of Clan Feran, a talented warrior-mage with power over the winds.

Nel was tenacious - this had in fact caught Zylin's attention, and she petitioned for the younger girl to be spared harsher treatment. After months in captivity, however, the procedures inflicted upon her caused her to be subservient to the very people that destroyed her nation, people, and history.

Renamed Petronilla Ferani, she was deemed "successfully reformed" and integrated into Sastrugian society. Three years after her capture, she was serving as a sharpshooter in the army.

A mere six years later, Petronilla was forcibly retired from field duty due to a serious injury to her hand sustained during a skirmish. She became coupled with her ex-subordinate - Aren Fjorde, an oblation from another Elevated Family - almost immediately.

Aftermath

Zylin would eventually mentor Aren and Petronilla's children - a pair of twins, brother and sister - in combative magic and material physics, respectively. She cared little for these "Yardani mutts", but strove to do her job well, nevertheless. She had sundered the hope of Yardan, and she would carve its endlings.

As she aged, she continued to hone her skills, and made a name for herself by successfully completing high-profile missions one after another, only putting a short pause in her career when she had a child - a son - for the sole purpose of having a progeny. Several of her grandchildren inherited at least a fraction of her talents.

Still, the thrill of snuffing out a "hand of the gods" as Riesa called upon her power was etched into her being. Even after decades of fighting, hurting, and killing, the memory would still evoke a stinging heat that spread under her skin, like an itch she could not reach.

Eryth Surana

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Themes: Freedom. Experience. Fulfilment

Specialisation / Build: Mage - SPIRIT HEALER > Blood Mage

Other significant decisions:

Gave the guard’s lunch to the prisoner at Ostagar

Sacrificed Isolde to go into the Fade herself and free Connor

Brought along Genetivi, preserved the Urn of Sacred Ashes, let Genetivi go back to report to the Chantry

Agitated Ruck to the point that she had to kill him, then told his mother the truth

Helped Burkel form the Chantry in Orzammar

Recommended Dagna to the Circle

[Stone Prisoner] Refused to agree to Kitty’s terms and solve the puzzle, killing Kitty and getting Amalia killed

[Warden’s Keep] Killed Sophia and had Avernus continue his research ethically

Kept Alistair softened, hardened Leliana

Was not betrayed by Zevran when facing off against the Crows in Denerim

Had Alistair duel and execute Loghain

Had Alistair complete the Dark Ritual with Morrigan

Left to travel (with Leliana) after the Landsmeet

Trivia:

She has no memory of life before she was taken in by the Circle.

She belonged to the Libertarian Fraternity in the Circle and was irreverent of the Chantry.

Aside from Leliana, she had the highest approval with Sten of all her companions.

While she had persuasion skills, her emotions and naivete often got the better of her, and ended up escalating many conflicts.

She learned blood magic from Jowan (my headcanon for how she could access the Blood Mage specialisation despite never making a deal with a demon) mostly out of rebellious curiosity.

She hardly used blood magic, but when she was going about Denerim and a group of rogues closed the portcullis behind her and cut her off from her party, she used Blood Wound to kill them all in desperation.

Alistair was the one who got her first kiss, however Leliana was more forward in her advances and ultimately sealed the deal with her.

She was close to allying with Branka, until she mentioned enslaving her people.

She put off going back to the Circle for as long as possible.

She lost against Ser Cauthrien and was imprisoned with Alistair; she decided to break out, and met Morrigan and Leliana on the way.

While she gathered all the evidence and people to speak out against Loghain at the Landsmeet, she got too emotional, and the event devolved into an all-out brawl before the duel was called by Grand Cleric Elemena.

She disliked Anora, but prioritised Alistair’s happiness to remain as a warden and his reluctance to be crowned king.

Despite her distaste for the Circle and her disagreements with Wynne, she had confidence in the senior mage’s abilities and put her in charge of the defence team during the final battle.

She called on the dwarven army for most of the final battle, but had the mages fight by her side against the Archdemon.

Ilya Hawke

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral -> True Neutral

Themes: Survival. Spite. Perseverance

Specialisation / Build: Warrior - REAVER > Warmonger

Other significant decisions:

Worked for the Red Iron mercenaries

Returned the cargo of poison to Martin

Killed Kelder

Matchmade for Aveline and Donnic

Killed Idunna

Sent Feynriel to the Dalish, freed him from the Fade demons, and he went to Tevinter

Gave Ketojan back to the Qunari

Spared Gascard

Of Yevhen’s sons, saved Merin instead of Iwan

Made it clear to Isabela that he intended to return the relic to the Qunari; she ran away and did not return

Killed Javaris

Duelled the Arishok

Told Emile to escape

Did not fight Merrill’s clan, thus they survived

Had Merrill destroy the Eluvian

Had Bartrand killed and did not give Varric the red lyrium shard

Betrayed by and killed Fenris in the final battle

Trivia:

He was aggressive towards most people, but almost always diplomatic and forgiving when it came to family, and often held back his temper with authoritative figures.

While he wasn’t intentionally hostile to his friends, he also didn’t mince words and tended to be brutally honest.

Before Isabela fled, she was his rogue-of-choice for the party.

His closest friend among his companions was Anders, closely followed by Fenris. He had high rivalry with Merrill and moderate rivalry with both Isabela and Aveline.

At the start he would do anything to ensure his and his family’s survival at Kirkwall; once he got comfortable and secure he tried to do better morals-wise.

He stood for mage rights for the sake of Bethany and the freedom he thought she and people like her deserved.

He befriended Alistair on the basis of his looking after Bethany after she became a Warden.

He executed Anders as a mercy-kill. He disapproved of his actions, but was sympathetic of his motives, and would rather his friend dies at his hands than anyone else’s.

He was heavily scarred (his face included) from the final battle at the Gallows, since he no longer had Anders with him, on whom he had heavily relied since the start.

Veika Cadash

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral -> Neutral Good

Themes: Hope. Renewal. Inspiration

Specialisation / Build: Rogue - TEMPEST > Double Daggers

Other significant decisions:

Declared the inquisition be led under her name, but eventually became devout

Upgraded Skyhold with a Chantry garden, a training ring, and a Mage tower

At Theinfal Redoubt, raised the flags in descending order of people, Chantry, Templar

Dissuaded Cullen from continuing to take lyrium

Went the long and diplomatic route to deal with Josephine’s assassins

Retrieved Blackwall the complicated way, using underground connections to avoid bloodshed

Freed Blackwall as Thom Rainier for him to atone

Helped Solas free his friend

Made Cole more human

Saved the Bull’s Chargers thus making Bull Tal-Vashoth

Saw Sutherland’s group succeed and stand on their own

Killed Imshael

Pursued Calpernia through the fissure, thus disrespecting the rituals at the Temple of Mythal and antagonised the guardians

Convinced Calpernia to betray Corypheus

Leliana inspired (softened) and made Divine

[Jaws of Hakkon] Shared the truth about Ameridan

[Trespasser] Freed Ataashi

[Trespasser] Wants to stop Solas

[Trespasser] Inquisition disbanded

Trivia:

She initially had reservations about divine intervention in her circumstances, but gradually became inspired by Andraste, and grew to believe in the Maker’s will.

She was close with Sera, but they grew apart as she became more devout and open-minded about history and beliefs. They broke up over an argument following the events at the Temple of Mythal.

She’s on decent terms with all her companions, but liked Cassandra and Dorian the most.

While she was grateful for her life in the Carta, she saw being the inquisitor as a precious chance for a new life and becoming a better person, and eventually embraced the role and all that it entailed.

She had experience in dabbling with alchemical concoctions even before she took the Tempest specialisation; her hair was bleached as a result of this.

She favoured Leliana’s suggestions at the war table.

She preferred exile and deferral (e.g. referring to precedence, giving Erimond to the Wardens) in judgement.

Initially she led the Inquisition under her own identity, but eventually led by faith.

She allowed Hawke to take the fall for Alistair as that was what Hawke would want, since Alistair watched over his sister and he had otherwise very little left to lose.