Here’s the character sheet for my lovely Ren Lavellan - She means a lot to me and I loved drawing her looks You can find more info about her on my Twitter and my AO3 fic if you’re interested
I’m sorry if this offends but the hat Solas wears at the winter palace looks like a wrapped Hershey’s Kiss to me. And after everything that happens and when alone, he takes it off and eats it.
Summary: During the events of Halamshiral, Marel meets a rather unique guest that offers him a mutual alliance of sorts.
Marel searched the ballroom with tired eyes, not once bothering to hide his sour mood. It had been only an hour or two since the Inquisition’s arrival at Halamshiral, but Creators, that already felt like an eternity ago. Even with Josephine’s warnings, Marel couldn’t have possibly imagined how insufferable those Orlesian nobles would come to be.
He could hear the venomous whispers everywhere, like he was stuck in a pit full of snakes. Bunny. Savage. Knife-ear. Some guests would even say that to his face - such as Gaspard himself - and yet he couldn’t do anything but listen. Such words caused him to clench his fists, eyes burning with unspoken rage as he forced himself to remain calm.
“Keep doing that, Boss, and you’ll dig a hole into their heads.” Bull stood at Marel’s side with his arms crossed, causing the fabric of his formal wear to strain almost desperately against his large build. “It’s a good thing you’re not a mage, otherwise half the guests would be on fire at this point.”
“I haven’t met a single one that hasn’t spoken shit to me.” Marel muttered, his jaw set as he watched the crowd. He could feel the weight of other people’s eyes on him as well, their ornate masks doing little to hide their judgemental looks. “I can’t wait to get out of here,” Marel grunted before glancing at Bull. The qunari’s expression was nearly unreadable - something that didn’t come out as a surprise - but he seemed to be focused on something. Or maybe someone. “See anything interesting?”
Bull gave him a small nod. “There’s a guy that keeps showing up whenever you’re around.” His attention finally shifted towards Marel, his tone way too casual for what he was about to say. “You’re being followed, Boss.”
Marel frowned, lowering his voice so that no one else could hear them. “Leliana didn’t mention any spies, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Celene or Gaspard sent someone after me.”
“Nah. The guy is an elf and his clothes are too fancy. No spy would want to attract that much attention.” Bull concluded. Marel was about to ask more questions when Bull interrupted him, slightly pointing forward with his head. “He’s coming.”
Marel barely had the time to look at the right direction before an elf approached them.
“It’s an honour to finally meet you, Inquisitor.” His voice was like melted chocolate, warm and inviting, a smile dancing at the corners of his lips. Streaks of pale blond hair framed his face when he gave Marel a respectful bow. “May I have a moment of your time?”
Marel stared at him with a frown. Bull was right - there was definitely something different about that guy. For starters, he was far too well-dressed to be a servant. Intricate silver patterns decorated his purple jacket as well as his trousers, giving him an almost regal look that was fit for a noble. On top of that, an elegant white mask covered the upper half of his face, its edges vaguely resembling bird feathers.
What caught Marel’s attention, however, were the pink eyes staring at his direction. They were unflinching and alluring in equal measure, and Marel couldn’t bring himself to look away from them.
“Who are you?” He asked sharply.
“Forgive my manners,” the elf said with an elegant flourish of his hand. "You may call me Cadence for the moment. I’m a bard from Val Royeaux.”
13.03.21 | Maps of Halamshiral’s Winter Palace for the Wicked Eyes & Wicked Hearts quest because I am a masochist.
The map of the Servants’ Quarters looks comparatively empty and plain next to the others but at least it no longer looks like the in-game one, which resembles something raised off the seabed.
