#rookery

He once belonged to clan Lavellan and was 17 (almost 18) when the woman who would become the Inquisitor left for the conclave. They knew each other, but not well. Felix knew she was a powerful mage, quick-witted, and kind. When the clan got word she'd joined the Inquisition, he wanted to join the organization, as he'd recently proven himself to be a skilled hunter. The Keeper denied his request, as promising young hunters in the clan were few and far between.

Shortly after turning 19, he was out hunting with a group of hunters from his clan when they were attacked by darkspawn. Instead of fleeing, he fought off the horde, ensuring the safety of his other hunters, but he ended up blighted after being injured by the darkspawn. Knowing Grey Wardens were in the area, the hunters took Felix to them and pleaded with the Wardens to save his life. While the Joining is not to be used as a life-saving measure, the Wardens were already preparing for one for a group of new recruits, and they were impressed with the hunter's recounting of Felix's bravery and skills. They agreed to allow him to attempt the Joining, saying they would send word from Weisshaupt regarding his condition. (Obviously Wardens are going to keep their secrets...don't want to tell them he might die choking on darkspawn blood).

He survived, started going by Rook (because he cheated death..."rook" is slang for cheat/swindle), and immediately became a...Thorne (lol) in the First Warden's side. He is an absolute shithead. I love him.

He knew who Davrin was, but nothing beyond passing greetings at Weisshaupt. There was talk amongst senior leaders of also sending Rook to be an additional bodyguard for the griffons and their trainers, but then Rook decided to climb to the top of the First Warden's shit list.

Rook is driven by his emotions but is more likely to hide their outward manifestations with sarcasm and jokes. He tries not to take things too seriously unless the situation calls for it because he still can't decide if those hunters did him a favor when he was 19 or not. He reacts strongly to injustice, feeling part of his duty as a Warden is to correct it when he sees it. His correction of such situations is usually through force...he's not afraid to get into a physical confrontation if he feels it's called for.

He's also quick on his feet, often meaning he's prone to "do now, ask for forgiveness later" actions...which eventually lead to him being sent with Varric (see: First Warden's shit list).

He's a shameless flirt and has charmed the pants off many partners with relative ease.

He can't say he's ever been in love. There was one girl back in his clan he thought maybe one day... but when he went back to visit after surviving the Joining, she was married with babies on the way. He wasn't particularly upset or heartbroken over it and sent the family a gift when the babies were born.

And then he met Bellara.

At first, he found her a bit odd, constantly bouncing from one thing to the next. Obviously, he thought she was beautiful, but when his usual flirting fell flat, he just assumed she wasn't interested and made peace with just being friends.

What Rook thought was disinterest on her part was largely due to her inexperience. The topic of her inexperience made him nervous at first, mostly because he had plenty of it. He'd put plenty of notches in his belt and didn't want her to think she was just another one, or to think inexperience on her part was some kind of kink for him. He was nervous that despite his experience, he wouldn't be enough for her. It was paramount to him to make sure she felt safe, cherished, and cared for. She may have fallen first, but he definitely fell harder.

The night they...well, you know... He spent the time afterward worshipping every inch of her body he could get his hands and lips on. She traced his tattoos with her fingertips, and he mimicked her motions with his.

With Elgar'nan defeated, and Solas successfully tricked into using the fake dagger, Rook and Bellara return to Arlathan. While the blight within him may have changed, his experience as a Warden was still invaluable to the Veil Jumpers when fighting off any blight or darkspawn that lingered. Evka, now First Warden, assigned him to remain in Arlathan to assist with recovery efforts there and help Eldrin with the griffons now under his care.

Davrin also built a cabin nearby to "help with the griffons." (Eldrin, Rook, and Bellara are the closest thing he has to family but won't admit he wants to stay close to them).

He and Bellara get married by Eldrin in a small Dalish ceremony witnessed by Davrin and the Feather Brigade, and he starts going by his name again.

....