#reprisals

I shall do my best to tag all Dragon Age: The Veilguard posts as "veilguard spoilers" for those who wish to block any info related to the game. If I miss one, feel free to let me know and I'll tag it. You have been warned.

Reprisals

So it occurs to me I’ve never actually created a promo post for my ongoing fic of Theresa Trevelyan, my Inquisitor OC. So here goes! 

Reprisals is about lies. But it’s also about the truth. In very much the same way a shadow comes from light. The Chantry has told many lies. Theresa Trevelyan is merely one of them. They called her a heretic first, then a savior, then a prophet. She rejects the myth they've made of her life and her suffering. But more than this, she resents their erasure of the truth behind her rise to power. You think you know the story of the Herald of Andraste? Now you will hear the truth. With a little help from Thedas's favorite serial author, of course.

Set within a frame narrative of Theresa telling her story to Varric, who is writing it all down with the intent that the world will finally know the real person behind the stories. Reprisals is about lies and truth, yes. But it’s also about being seen. About learning to see ourselves, to look inward and find our own truths. About relearning who we are after the pain - not because of it or in spite of it, but simply after it. 

This project started simply as a desire to get back into the writing groove after a long hiatus by documenting my headcanon story of DAI. And it kind of snowballed from there lol. You will see my writing change as it goes along, as I grow more comfortable with both Theresa’s character and my own voice. I hope if you choose to engage you will enjoy the journey as much as I am! 

Reprisals, main series

Book One: The Rise - Begins with the game’s beginning, up through their arrival at Skyhold and the naming of Theresa as Inquisitor

Book Two: The Reign  - Continues on from where The Rise left off, meant to go up through the end of the base game’s events. Currently WIP. 

Book Three: The Revelation - Has yet to be written. Is meant to cover the events between the end of the base game up through Trespasser. 

While Time Remains

Currently WIP, post-Trespasser series. Theresa and Cullen begin their new lives after the events of Trespasser. A multi-chapter series meant to bridge the gap between DAI and DAD. Mostly focusing on the domestic lives of Theresa and Cullen, but with some tidbits of angst, smut, child rearing, action, and espionage thrown in. There are at least four planned arcs, and a planned end.

’Til Winter’s End - The first arc for WTR. After the events of the Exalted Council, Theresa feels adrift. No Anchor, no Inquisition, no home, and no left arm. What she does have are two clear points of reference. The first is her steadfast determination to stop Solas from enacting his plan to destroy the world. The second is in her husband, Cullen. At his suggestion, they spend their honeymoon in South Reach with his family for a long-awaited reunion, where Theresa begins to recuperate. But when all the bustle of duty and danger is gone, she is left with only herself, and has to relearn who that is.

The Black City - WIP, Picks up where TWE left off. Kirkwall is known as the “City of Chains”. Its jet black walls feel like an appropriate backdrop for a site whose history is filled with dark and bloody deeds. It is also where Theresa and Cullen have decided to make their new home, now that the Inquisition has been disbanded. Together with Cullen’s youngest sister, Rosalie – an apostate and now Theresa’s pupil – and their mabari Cal, they make a valiant attempt at settling down and starting fresh. But the past will not stay quiet, and unresolved hurts begin to fester, spreading their corruption into the present, and possibly poisoning any future they hope to build. (fic banner created using concept art for Kirkwall, commissioned art by neonteeth with permission, and flycam shot found here)

Side stories set within the same canon

Swept Away: Set post-Trespasser, with Josephine Montilyet and Isabela as the main characters, with small tidbits of Theresa’s world state peppered into the background as passing mentions only. If you like Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride and Prejudice, and ever wondered what a story that combined the two would look like, then look no more! Josie/Isabela is a rare pair that I deeply love and think it deserves more attention.

350: A series of drabbles about various characters and moments within the DAI storyline, each one exactly 350 words. This was a personal challenge for me to help fix my at times overly-verbose writing. 

Seeker, It’s Cold Outside: Varric/Cassandra, trapped in a cave during a snow storm. No smut, just fluff and some humor, with some very strong hints at shipping. And vitriolic banter, because who’re we kidding it’s the whole appeal of this pairing. 

Fools (or, Truth and Lies): Varric/Cassandra. If you read the above story and thought, “okay but do they bang?”, this fic is the answer. (spoilers, the answer is YES). 

The Catch: Theresa/the Iron Bull, set after Haven’s fall, during their time trapped in the mountains before reaching Skyhold. FWB. Smut as hurt/comfort. Some light D/s and sex-in-a-tent kinkiness. 

An Evening In: Cullen/Theresa. Set sometime during Book Three: The Revelation. The Inquisitor's latest excursion has had to be delayed due to an impending winter storm. With forward progress stalled, Cullen suggests they take the chance to comb through some much-neglected paperwork whilst secluding themselves in her quarters. This unexpected gift of extra time together leads to an unexpected revelation for Cullen.

Just Missing You: Cullen/Theresa. The Inquisitor finally returns after an extended journey, eager to reunite with her love, but she and Cullen seem to keep just missing each other, pulled apart as they are by the endless tasks of Skyhold.

Morningside: Cullen/Theresa. Porn with feelings. Theresa awakens after recovering from a serious injury, and is in the mood. Luckily, Cullen is right there. Mostly some light-hearted sexy fun, with a bit of character and relationship development thrown in as extra toppings.

Fluffuary: Exactly what it says on the tin. This is where I post all my filled Fluffuary prompts that are set within the Reprisals world state.

Blood in my mouth, and the bitterness in goodbye: f!Warden Cousland/Leliana. Leliana-focused story, takes place in between Origins and Awakening. Sort of a prologue for her story in Reprisals.

Fiercely Perish: You want Die Hard in Thedas? I got your Die Hard in Thedas! Sort of a crack fic, but also just a fun time. 

Theresa Trevelyan in other stories

The Storm Within: Part of DAFF server’s OC exchange event, written by @lalaenwrites. Theresa meets a Dalish Keeper with whom she seemingly has nothing at all in common... until they find common ground. 

Clearing the Field: Another OC exchange fic, written by MakjangCandy. Theresa and Cullen navigate a field of glyphs, both literal and figurative, together.

Silk & Steel: Another OC exchange fic, written by Gynedroid. The Inquisition has been disbanded, and the mark is gone. That means the Inquisitor's job is over, right?Well, not quite. Theresa Trevelyan will never turn her back on those who need help, particularly the mages she fought so hard to save. She no longer has the armies of the faithful at her back, or some of the best spies and diplomats the realm produced.  She has nothing but words at her disposal to persuade the famously iron-willed Queen Anora. Let it be enough.

Avatar by @neonteeth

“It’s just wrong,” the president said when asked about the report on April 6. “Did I hear the word ‘inspector general’? Really? It’s wrong. And they’ll talk to you about it. It’s wrong.” He then sought to find out who wrote the report. “Where did he come from, the inspector general? What’s his name? No, what’s his name? What’s his name?”

Thank you for the tag @dreadfutures and @a11sha11fade! Here is some chess and banter between Dorian and Theresa for your enjoyment! In return, I’ll tag @skogrr and @kantrips and anyone else who’d like to participate! 

Dorian steepled his fingers over his knees, watching me while I pondered the chess board between us with growing frustration.

“Your move,” he said.

“I’m aware.” I dabbed at my running nose with my scarf, reigniting the earthen scent of the salve spread across my upper lip - a saving grace during our continued journeys through rural Ferelden. The aging apothecary from the Crossroads had been so overjoyed at his son’s return that he’d gifted me an entire pouch of the mixture. I appointed him the Inquisition’s official apothecary for our Crossroads base in return. 

Dorian’s moustache curled up his cheeks in amusement at my delay. “Decisions, decisions…” 

I ignored his taunt and pondered over the simply-carved wooden pieces and their intricate weave of possibility, trying to trace the path toward victory. Dorian had picked the set up at the last trading post, and we’d been bent over it every morning since. Most of our matches ended in a draw, to our increasing aggravation. 

My hand hovered over the tower but I pulled back, noting at the last moment that would leave my divine vulnerable to Dorian’s knight. He was playing passive aggressively this morning, and I suspected a feint. He was trying to draw me into a false sense of confidence. 

With a huff, I moved a pawn instead, blocking his knight’s passage forward. It was a lateral move, and the glint of victory in Dorian’s eyes confirmed it. 

“We should get moving,” Cassandra called from somewhere over my shoulder. It was hard to blame her for the impatience in her tone. We’d been searching the hills and caves for nearly a week now with little to no sign of our quarry. 

“Two more moves,” I said without turning. For all that Dorian liked to hurl accusations of cheating, I hadn’t failed to notice how pieces had a way of teleporting whenever my attention left the board. 

“In two more moves it’ll be another draw,” Bull drawled from the edge of camp. He was pacing a heavy line in the dirt, as restless as Cassandra to get moving.  

“You can’t possibly know that from where you are.” Dorian retreated his knight. Perhaps that pawn had given me more of an advantage than I thought. Bull snorted in amusement. “With how coy you’re being and how careful the Boss is, you two’ll just circle each other and snarl until it’s all over. Like always.” 

“‘Coy’ am I?” Dorian hadn’t removed his finger from his piece, and replaced it to its previous position. Damn. Instead, he selected his divine and set it a mere two squares from my king. “Check.” 

He realized his mistake the very next instant, as I smirked victoriously and took his divine with my king. 

“Check,” I declared with pride. 

We both stared down at the board, realization dawning. Neither of us had any more valid moves that didn’t place one or the other in check. It was another draw. 

Thanks for the tag @whataboutbugs! 

I don’t know exactly how many sentences this “counts” as because weird letter formatting, but here we go! 

Inquisitor, 

I’m writing to once again urge that you reconsider your refusal of Arl Teagan’s invitation to

I feel a fraud writing this. We both know Lady Josephine and Sister Leliana put me up to it, and I see no need for pretense. Normally I find myself at odds with them, but in this even I must admit I was surprised at your response. I understand Redcliffe holds unpleasant memories for you I understand you are eager to continue your progress, but your feverish pace has me us concerned. 

Tired people make mistakes. Mistakes in the field can be deadly. Yes, I heard of your encounter with the dragon. I strongly recommend you take this opportunity for respite - if not for you, then for those you travel with. I’d much rather you return to Skyhold late than not at all. 

Please. Take care. 

Cmdr. Cullen Rutherford