Black Emporium Letter 2022

[dawnwriter]

 

Some prompts and ideas if you’re not sure what the appeal of these pairs are to me, or need something to kick off of. Feel free to ignore them if you have an idea of your own! :D I prefer not to get anything over a “T” rating this year.

My likes and preferences are listed at the end.

Knight-Captain Briony/Agent Rector

These two are Inquisition members who report to Cullen and Leliana respectively. 

Under a certain set of conditions, either of these two can end up on a mission where they have to stop a cadre of rebel mages who have been gathering explosives. 

One of the outcomes with Rector is that Inquisition spies have to attend a list of parties to smoke out more of the rebels and their collaborators. If Briony was sent for the Arl’s Invitation mission, she’s newly famous for her performance at the Grand Melee. Perhaps, knowing and admiring her skill as a fighter, Rector could ask for her to go with him as a distraction and as backup while he sneaks around, but they both end up distracted by each other. 

I’m fine with them discussing the political situation regarding the mages (who in this worldstate would have been conscripted) & Templars, and having disagreements about it or even questioning the actions of the Inquisitor, but mostly I’d like to see them flirting and potentially hooking up.      

Hinterlands Widow (Dragon Age)/Redcliffe Widower:

The Hinterlands widow can be found at a cabin in the hills upset that the rogue Templars have murdered her husband and stolen her wedding ring. The Redcliffe widower asks the PC to take flowers to his wife’s grave because the fighting has made it impossible for him. 

Other than the loss of their spouses these two are fairly open for interpretation, so feel free to give them names and more developed backgrounds as you like. The widow’s main characteristic seems to be that she’s vengeful, and the widower is wistful, which speaks to the different length of time since they’ve lost their partners. Perhaps they already know each other in passing from better times, being city elves eking out a living in rural Ferelden.

 

Scenario 1: The Inquisitor (any race or class) is an incorrigible matchmaker, and has Josephine arrange a meet cute for them. Even if it doesn’t turn into anything they become friends. 

Scenario 2:  Post-Inquisition, the roads are safe(ish) again, and the Widower can take flowers to his wife’s grave again. On the way there he comes across the Widow who is up in the hills on that side of the Hinterlands picking herbs or hunting—you can fill in the rest. :3 

Crassius Servis/Sister Tanner

Crassius is a ridiculously pretty smuggler for the Venatori, who the Inquisition can capture and put to work for them. Sister Tanner is also a smuggler and also not really a Chantry Sister, and can also be recruited as an Inquisition agent.

When you put Crassius to work there’s a war table mission where you can have Leliana’s spies keep an eye on him and he gets caught skimming goods for himself - though he acts like he was just testing them. I’d like the person who caught him to be Tanner who has been keeping an eye on him for more than one reason. Somehow, given the way he flirts, she thinks he was trying to get caught.  

Calpernia/Marius

These two were lovers while in service to Magister Erasthenes, though Marius was sold, and Calpernia ended up working with Corypheus. Later they meet again when Marius is charged with a mission to assassinate several mages one of who turns out to be Calpernia. He can not do it and they part again fondly, but he has to go on the run for disobeying Radonis. Marius was last seen in Neromenian in Tevinter so it’s likely they’ll cross paths again. I’d love to know how that goes for them. :3

Dorian Pavus & Maevaris Tilani

Magister Friends in Minrathous Go to Parties, Get Drunk, Save Tevinter. Anything with their friendship, getting into trouble, getting out of trouble, saving each other’s asses—I want to see it allll.

Francesca Invidus/Tractus Danarius

Two more Tevinter mages with bad dads, and despite the abuse and neglect, Francesca turned sweet, but Tractus turned sour. 

This one feels like it would take a lot of set up, but Tractus is on the run with a dangerous artifact, and Francesca is headed to Ferelden with her friends. Perhaps they could meet on the road after he’s lost or been forced to part with the red lyrium idol, or is taken in by the Inquisition for questioning about it and they cross paths again there. 

Fenris/Francesca Invidus/Vaea

I’m just imagining these three northerners all running up against their first Canadian Ferelden winter and huddling for warmth becomes snuggling for warmth and then they realize the intimacy is extremely comfortable for all of them. 

Francesca Invidus/Vaea

Taking the really darling friendship these two have into a more romantic direction feels like it would be as easy as breathing. During the comics they learned to work as a team, and even though Vaea’s likely becoming a knight of Ferelden, she may not find it easy to stay there - especially as an elf with a Tevinter mage as her partner. Vaea seems to have found work with what’s left of the Inquisition as of Tevinter Nights, so perhaps they settle in the Marches.  

Fenris/Vaea

Honestly, I have been into age-gap pairings my entire life, and I completely adore the idea of these two finding affection and even love with each other now that it’s been planted in my head. Neither of them are the settling down type I think, so more of their adventures on the way south, or Fenris comforting Vaea during Ser Aaron’s funeral pyre in Ferelden would be so sweet. Him standing with her during her investiture as a knight in Ferelden would be awesome too.  

Cabot/Elan Ve'mal:

As of the story Callback in Tevinter Nights, it seems that these two are together though if you listen to the messengers Elan already favored Cabot in the game. So how did the laconic bartender and the studious herbalist finally hook up?  >.>

Zevran Arainai/Josephine Montilyet

Bringing this one back because I loved their dynamic so much in the gift I got for Smutquisition. :3 

Josephine doesn't usually enlist the help of the Crows, but in this case a former Crow will do. Zevran, of course, is always pleasing to deal with.

Lucanis Dellamorte & Illario Dellamorte

These two grew up in the Crows together under the watchful eye (and cane) of their draconian grandmother Catarina. I'd like to read more about their youth together, how they helped each other keep going despite their difficult training and the harsh world around being from a family of assassins. Platonic family feels for this one.

Zevran Arainai & Caterina Dellamorte

This one is fairly simple - Zevran has vowed to destroy the Crows, and Caterina is the First Talon of the Crows. The Crows still exist, as does Zevran as of Inquisition if you don’t kill him in the first two games. I feel like they could have fought before and it ended up a stalemate. I’d love to know more about that fight, and how much of a pain in her ass he is. 

Andruil & Solas

These two seem to have had a fraught relationship to put it mildly. She, the daughter of an eternal queen who could never inherit her mother’s lands. He, the servant who got the mantle of Evanuris through favoritism and then threw it all away. I’m looking for something worldbuildy with this set - politics and court life and navigating Elvhenan’s version of the Game.  

Felassan & Solas

They were trusted friends once. T_T

I don't mind if the story takes place before or after the events of Masked Empire, but if it's after, there has to be some mention of how Felassan survived (perhaps he was Tranquil for a time). How he manages to forgive Solas could be an interesting journey, and Solas admitting he was wrong might be a vital part of that. 

If it's before, something set right after Solas wakes from uthenera could be interesting, or if you want to delve into their friendship during the time of Ancient Elvhenan and the Evanuris, and potentially their days as servants to Mythal or during Fen'Harel's rebellion, an Arlathan AU-type thing would be fine in this instance.

Abelas/Mythal

He is an eager and willing servant and she is a benevolent and just Queen/Empress/Goddess over the course of years. What was between these two that made him change his name to reflect a permanent state of mourning? Did she feel the same?

Solas/Female Surana or Female Mahariel/Solas: 

Solas famously doesn’t care for the Grey Wardens, though the reasons behind that are still somewhat murky. He does seem able to separate people from the organizations they work for however, as evidenced by his friendships with Blackwall and Cassandra (though Bull staying with the Qun is a bridge too far). 

Perhaps Surana or Mahariel met Solas out in the wilderness not long after he woke, and they had some interesting fireside chats. Maybe one of them hears of his ability to search the Fade and comes asking for help to find a cure for the Blight, and there’s an attraction there, but of course with the rest of the baggage that comes with getting too close to him. Maybe he finally slips up and says something he knows about the Blight that he’s told no one else, as a cover for not telling the truth about himself (as opposed to the vallaslin like he did with Lavellan). Maybe the Warden knows something about the Blight that even he doesn’t know, and he’s forced to completely reconsider everything. I feel like there are a lot of interesting ways this could go. 

Female Lavellan/Female Mahariel/Merrill/Solas:

Bringing back a cheesy old prompt - I'd like to see a story where Solas is forced to participate in some sort of Dalish Dating Game type scenario, much to his embarrassment and indignation, and to the amusement of all three women. 

Maybe it’s a post-Veil collapse lark, where the world isn't destroyed, and nothing quite goes according to plan. Now he has to placate one of the groups of elves he's leading, by allying with one of their own via marriage. Very much want to see all three ladies ganging up on him, having their way with him and with each other for their own enjoyment. I’d prefer something lighthearted and playful here, where Solas’ flirting game is as on point as it was when he admired Lavellan in Haven. Feel free to use generic OCs or your own characters for this scenario if you’d like to use it.  

Belinda Darrow/Sidony:

The theme of this prompt is the very simple trope of the sunshine one and the grumpy one. Belinda is so warm and personable it makes Sidony look even more unlikeable and grim, but Belinda knows Sidony cares or she wouldn’t be fighting with the Inquisition. 

Sidony: This is ridiculous. Why did I agree to come here?

Belinda: Because deep down you know you love us.

Sidony: Once this is over, the spymaster promised to let me look at her library.

Belinda: (giggles) Did she? I hear she collects rare romances, even the naughty ones!

Perhaps Belinda could make Sidony blush by picking out some choice passages from one of Leliana’s books?

Leliana/Sidony: 

Leliana sees Sidony’s potential as a spy, though she needs a few lessons in soft skills — and she intends to teach them to her. Her library is merely bait. Sidony hides it well, but she is fascinated by Leliana, and getting access to her library is merely an excuse to get closer to her. They quickly learn they have so much they can teach each other.

Cillian & Neria Ralaferin: 

These two elves are complete polar opposites, though they came from the same clan. Cillian is dreamy and easygoing, and Neria is sharp-tongued and direct. It’s uncertain if they’re cousins or uncle and niece or related by marriage. I’m interested in the fact that Cillian left to do his own studies and Neria got the job of First but she doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it - enough so that she ran with the opportunity to go work for the Inquisition. I’d like to see her resentment explored and how it just bounces off the more laid-back Cillian. Were there enough/too many mages in their clan that they were both encouraged to “go take a walk out in the world” by their Keeper?  

Emmrich Volkarin & Myrna

From the two stories he’s in, Emmrich seems to be a kind, compassionate and patient man. As his student, the cool, collected Myrna admires him greatly and has learned much from him. Much like morticians, their work as Mortalitasi and members of the Mourn Watch gives them a window on people in their most vulnerable and emotional moments—but they have to take into consideration the fact that these events are prime opportunities for demons to appear. 

Perhaps a story with them could explore how she initially became his student, and/or a particularly memorable occurance of a demonic funerary disaster, how they got it under control, with Myrna coming into her own as a Mortalitasi.  

Audric Felhausen & Myrna

Mr. Bones & Ms. Tomes - Tell me more about their working relationship, perhaps the next mission they take on together for the Mourn Watch. Purely platonic, please, I'd love to see a friendship develop between them and learn what else Audric has to say about architecture. 

Antoine/Evka Ivo

I love love love these two, a pair of Grey Wardens, an elf and a dwarf who are lovers, a team who travel together, fight darkspawn and solve mysteries. As of one of their latest short stories, these two have decided to get married—but who’s going to do the ceremony? 

Feel free to choose an officiant of your liking. :3

Abelas/Felassan/Female Lavellan or Abelas/Felassan/Female Lavellan/Solas or Abelas/Female Lavellan/Solas

I’m honestly curious what you’d like to do with these character sets. I feel like something outside the game either pre-Haven or post-Trespasser would work best. Or even an Arlathan AU where they’re all servants of Mythal and their different statuses make things difficult, or to complicate things even more, the roles they play in Fen’Harel’s rebellion. 

I prefer it if all of them are into each other and enjoy spending time together, though a V or Y is fine if it works better for the story. 

Female Lavellan/Sky Watcher or Female Cadash/Sky Watcher

Smol and Tol, whichever Inquisitor flavor you like, feel free to use your OC or a generic Inquisitor. I love how big Amund is next to a dwarf or an elf and wouldn’t mind a bit of focus on that. The Inquisitor spends quite a bit of time, money and manpower building treehouses and bridges in the Frostback Basin while investigating there. Plenty of time to have another run in with him since he’s an Inquisition agent, and have him show her around and help her understand his culture, as an elf or a dwarf, perhaps she can do her own cultural exchange. ;D  

Lace Harding/Male Lavellan

Another cute Dwarf/Elf pairing to round things out!

My last playthrough, I had my male Lavellan flirt with Harding at every opportunity and it really is cute. It was just enough to make me want a full blown romance between these two. It’s not acknowledged until Trespasser of course, so maybe it takes that long for things to get serious. I’d love something with these two getting together after things have settled down with the Inquisition a bit, and they’re able to stay in one place for longer periods of time. Maybe they settle in Kirkwall together and marry, working on nothing for a while except fixing up a crumbling estate there. Lavellan can be any class, though I’d prefer a dual-wielding rogue. 

General Preferences:

Mission fic/case fic where they solve a problem

Loyalty kink, kneeling

Ust, resolved ust, friends to lovers, enemies/rivals to lovers

Angst and hurt/comfort

Friendship, fondness, matured relationships, quiet family time

Slice-of-life, humor & general shenanigans

Wild escapes, daring rescues

Making camp together, cuddling up for warmth

Exploring or expanding on existing canon and lore; worldbuilding

Anything pre- or post-canon

Romance-specific Preferences:

Flirting, playful conversation

Kissing, deep kissing, hickeys

Licking or sucking at erogenous zones

Gentle biting/nibbling, especially at neck and ears (marks are okay, but no blood)

Touching, stroking, fondling, groping, massage

Snuggling, spooning

Bathing together

Roleplay, sharing fantasies

DNWs:

No character death, character hate or bashing of any kind; no unrequested background pairings, Modern AU, first-person, second-person, readerfic, crossovers with non-Dragon Age canons; no rape/noncon or underage; no breathplay, choking, or restraints of any kind; no injury or harm to children; no humiliation or bodily fluids; no anal penetration or rimming; no unrequested tentacles, oviposition, inflation, body horror, or A/B/O Dynamics.