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OUT OF CHARACTER:
Name/Handle: TJ
Contact:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
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IN-CHARACTER:
Character name: Arhen Lavellan
Character journal:![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
noherald
Series name: Dragon Age: Inquisition
Canon notes: For specific plot choices in his route:
In Hushed Whispers/In Your Heart Shall Burn- Sides with mages and recruits them into the Inquisition.
Here Lies the Abyss- Alistair stays in the Fade, and the Wardens join the Inquisition. Afterward, Magister Erimond is made Tranquil, very nearly causing the mages that joined the Inquisition to rebel before the situation is smoothed over (though some uneasiness lingers.)
Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts- Celene lives and rules alone; Florianne is killed, Gaspard is executed, Briala is pardoned and exiled, and Morrigan (who never had a child) joins the Inquisition. His canon point is after the return to Skyhold from the Winter Palace.
Other notes on his route: Arhen was romantically involved with Dorian in this timeline, which is remaining canon for him with the player's permission; Mistakes Were Made in handling the Lavellans' troubles when aid was needed, and his clan was wiped out between the events of In Your Heart Shall Burn and Here Lies the Abyss.
Species: Elf
History: This codex entry is the elven Inquisitor's basic background in the game, but to add a little more detail there:
His role as First to Keeper Istimaethoriel meant he was essentially being trained as her replacement, intended to eventually lead the Lavellan clan, but at the time he was sent to spy on the Conclave he still had plenty to learn about actual leadership. Arhen's training had largely been focused on controlling and using his magic, learning more of their culture, the elven language and how it was written-- and learning a bit from the hunters too, as he wanted to be able to defend himself without magic if necessary. If he had been older and more prepared to actually take over the Keeper's role, he might have acclimated better to his position as Inquisitor, but as things stood... well, he's still trying to fully adapt.
The synopsis here is a quicker summary of the game's plot, and the quests listed under the Main Plot header here cover the game storyline's events in more detail (up through Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts in Arhen's case). The most major plot-relevant decisions are in the Canon Notes above!
Personality: Arhen is probably not the type of elf who comes to mind when one thinks of Dalish apprentices and Keepers. He has a keen interest in his people's heritage and culture, sure, and just as much fascination with magic, but he's far from the calm and studious sort. Put him on a battlefield and you won't find him standing back and casting-- he prefers to be at the heart of the action instead, striking his opponents with lightning bolts or summoned blade and taking control of the fight with well-placed walls of ice. Inaction is something he dislikes, even when he knows it's the better option (or that there's nothing to do but wait), and he's quick to grow restless.
Fortunately, a good adrenaline rush is hardly the only thing that keeps him from boredom. Arhen's more of a hands-on learner than a scholar, but that doesn't mean that he can't take pleasure in reading as well, and having some sort of work to do is often more than enough to keep him happy. He's curious about other cultures, ways of life, people in general; the Lavellan clan didn't have that much contact with humans or anyone else who wasn't elven, and getting to experience more of what Thedas and its people have to offer is one aspect of being the Inquisitor that he honestly hasn't minded much.
...the rest of the job, though, is a different story. In the beginning he was largely resentful of the way things seemed to be decided for him, that with his ability to seal the rifts he'd become a necessary part of the whole 'saving the world' equation whether he liked it or not, and he especially didn't like being taken for some prophet of a deity he didn't even believe in. Recovering his memories of the Conclave was a huge relief for him, rather than a disappointment-- finding out he was lucky, not chosen, made it easier to deny-- but being called the Herald of Andraste was something he never had much hope of stopping, with how fast it spread. Arhen's role has been performed mostly due to necessity and the knowledge that the Inquisition needs to succeed, for Thedas' sake; on a more personal level, though, he's always felt that he's more of a symbol than anything, and the inability to easily divorce himself from his image as the Inquisitor drives him up a wall.
It doesn't help that he's a Dalish mage, seen as either wild, heretical, or both by many in Thedas. Learning politics has been a struggle, and without Josephine and Leliana's help he would have been sunk. It's still something that's an act for him more than a real skill, and most of what he's learned is not how to be good at diplomacy, but how to be passable and not offend people. The rest is what he has an ambassador for. (Surviving the ball at the Winter Palace without utter disgrace took plenty of intensive coaching, and he would very much like to never do that ever again.) Given that he grew up living outdoors, staying in Haven and then Skyhold has taken a lot of adjustment as well, and Arhen pushes back against having to adapt to it in what ways he can. He continues to dress in the elven style he's used to whenever he doesn't have to look 'presentable' by human standards, goes barefoot when he can-- he's gone as far as removing the bed in his quarters at Skyhold to replace it with a more comfortable pallet of blankets, furs, and pillows, on top of decorating the room with plenty of potted herbs and other plants. As far as he's concerned, the Dalish way of doing things is the right way, and damned if he'll abandon his former lifestyle completely. He's still holding out hope that once the threat is dealt with, he'll be able to leave.
As far as social skills that don't involve his position go, Arhen is much better there. His genuine curiosity about others leads him to seek out their company, and he's not generally shy about his opinions. Not that this is always the best thing-- the urge to tell someone they're being an ass is one he often fails to stifle-- but people he interacts with socially tend to find it easy to know where they sit with him, and those who appreciate his penchant for dry humor are almost always folks he likes hanging around. His own problems and negative feelings are often swept under the rug, though, and he'll brush off most concerns unless they come from someone he feels he can confide in; the Dalish keep to themselves for their own safety, after all, and after events in Kirkwall and the subsequent mage rebellion, mages are not well trusted either. So while he's friendly toward people he doesn't know well, if they're left with the impression that things are intentionally kept at a more superficial level... they're probably right. Since joining the Inquisition, he's also developed a fondness for using Elvish to say things he wants to but can't or shouldn't, usually pretending he isn't sure how it translates or that it has no equivalent phrase in their shared tongue; it helps in dealing with frustrating associates, and there's no harm done if they don't understand, right?
Abilities: As a mage, Arhen has largely focused on lightning and ice spells, and specializes in techniques derived from elven Arcane Warriors-- he has a Knight-Enchanter's skillset but refuses to use that name for it. (He did not pick up all of the listed skills, though, only the ones up through 'Knight-Protector' on the list.) He prefers to be an offensive combatant, and uses his defensive capability with barriers just to keep himself protected. Mages are squishy.
Other magic: he can create barriers (Spirit tree, Barrier ability only); when destroyed, they burst and freeze opponents who are too close. (Winter tree, Mana Surge). Also uses Winter's Grasp and Wall of Ice from the same tree. Electricity is his favored magic type; abilities he uses from the Storm tree are Chain Lightning and Lightning Bolt, and he has the effects of Conductive Current/Gathering Storm, plus Static Charge (without the paralyzing effect, though. That one's here just for flavor.)
Magic can be used without a staff, but summoning a spirit blade requires the hilt for a focus-- so he won't have the same melee capability without it (and while he knows how to create one, it needs a spirit bound to it to work, so that's unlikely to happen.) He can wield a sword made of magic, but a real, solid blade that size will throw him off. The spells listed above are mainly the stronger, potentially destructive ones, and they're the ones that'd be used in combat; the rest of the magic he knows is just smaller utility spells that don't really have an in-game ability tied to them, little stuff like conjuring a flame instead of lighting a match.
Additionally, he's picked up skills mages from other backgrounds may not have. Where others were trained in Circles, his nomadic lifestyle and time spent with the clan's hunters taught him basic survival and stealth; he's no real hunter himself, of course, but he can move pretty damn quietly when he wants to and won't die alone in the woods. Sort of the equivalent of taking one level in rogue.
The mark on his left hand holds the power to close Fade rifts, and in one case tears a new one open; the Inquisitor comments in-game that they couldn't create a rift into the Fade like that on purpose later, though, so Arhen doesn't really have the capability to go ripping open dimensional holes like that whenever he wants. Since he can open up existing unstable magical tears, if there's ever a situation where he could use that ability then he won't be able to use it against the fleet (but really, he's had enough of that mess, I doubt wanting to open up a rip will be an issue unless it has to be done to properly close it.)
Augment Skillset: Pilot. (His people are travellers, it seems fitting, so... the stereotype of the magical wood-elf being the navigator lives on.)
Sample: (network type!)
[The first glimpse of Arhen's face shows him with his brow furrowed slightly-- just knowing how to use this thing is a bit unsettling, and he's about this close to asking whether it's working even though he's sure it is.]
Well, this is- it's one way to get out of a job, isn't it?
[The smile's crooked and a bit forced, but still there. It's a start.]
I'd be flattered that I'm in demand outside Thedas too, but being wanted anywhere usually turns out to be a problem... and I feel I should warn whoever decided on this that inquisiting things is really not as interesting as it might have sounded, if they're even listening. You know. Lots of documents to read, plans to make, meetings, things to set on fire-- I apologize, but you might be disappointed.
[He allows a moment to pass there, smile widening slightly before he finishes with-] Tel'abelas. ['I'm not sorry.' It's said as though it might be well-wishing, something like 'good luck' or 'good night'; apparently someone hasn't yet learned that passive-aggression toward non-elves just got harder, thanks to translation.]
Name/Handle: TJ
Contact:
IN-CHARACTER:
Character name: Arhen Lavellan
Character journal:
noherald Series name: Dragon Age: Inquisition
Canon notes: For specific plot choices in his route:
In Hushed Whispers/In Your Heart Shall Burn- Sides with mages and recruits them into the Inquisition.
Here Lies the Abyss- Alistair stays in the Fade, and the Wardens join the Inquisition. Afterward, Magister Erimond is made Tranquil, very nearly causing the mages that joined the Inquisition to rebel before the situation is smoothed over (though some uneasiness lingers.)
Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts- Celene lives and rules alone; Florianne is killed, Gaspard is executed, Briala is pardoned and exiled, and Morrigan (who never had a child) joins the Inquisition. His canon point is after the return to Skyhold from the Winter Palace.
Other notes on his route: Arhen was romantically involved with Dorian in this timeline, which is remaining canon for him with the player's permission; Mistakes Were Made in handling the Lavellans' troubles when aid was needed, and his clan was wiped out between the events of In Your Heart Shall Burn and Here Lies the Abyss.
Species: Elf
History: This codex entry is the elven Inquisitor's basic background in the game, but to add a little more detail there:
His role as First to Keeper Istimaethoriel meant he was essentially being trained as her replacement, intended to eventually lead the Lavellan clan, but at the time he was sent to spy on the Conclave he still had plenty to learn about actual leadership. Arhen's training had largely been focused on controlling and using his magic, learning more of their culture, the elven language and how it was written-- and learning a bit from the hunters too, as he wanted to be able to defend himself without magic if necessary. If he had been older and more prepared to actually take over the Keeper's role, he might have acclimated better to his position as Inquisitor, but as things stood... well, he's still trying to fully adapt.
The synopsis here is a quicker summary of the game's plot, and the quests listed under the Main Plot header here cover the game storyline's events in more detail (up through Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts in Arhen's case). The most major plot-relevant decisions are in the Canon Notes above!
Personality: Arhen is probably not the type of elf who comes to mind when one thinks of Dalish apprentices and Keepers. He has a keen interest in his people's heritage and culture, sure, and just as much fascination with magic, but he's far from the calm and studious sort. Put him on a battlefield and you won't find him standing back and casting-- he prefers to be at the heart of the action instead, striking his opponents with lightning bolts or summoned blade and taking control of the fight with well-placed walls of ice. Inaction is something he dislikes, even when he knows it's the better option (or that there's nothing to do but wait), and he's quick to grow restless.
Fortunately, a good adrenaline rush is hardly the only thing that keeps him from boredom. Arhen's more of a hands-on learner than a scholar, but that doesn't mean that he can't take pleasure in reading as well, and having some sort of work to do is often more than enough to keep him happy. He's curious about other cultures, ways of life, people in general; the Lavellan clan didn't have that much contact with humans or anyone else who wasn't elven, and getting to experience more of what Thedas and its people have to offer is one aspect of being the Inquisitor that he honestly hasn't minded much.
...the rest of the job, though, is a different story. In the beginning he was largely resentful of the way things seemed to be decided for him, that with his ability to seal the rifts he'd become a necessary part of the whole 'saving the world' equation whether he liked it or not, and he especially didn't like being taken for some prophet of a deity he didn't even believe in. Recovering his memories of the Conclave was a huge relief for him, rather than a disappointment-- finding out he was lucky, not chosen, made it easier to deny-- but being called the Herald of Andraste was something he never had much hope of stopping, with how fast it spread. Arhen's role has been performed mostly due to necessity and the knowledge that the Inquisition needs to succeed, for Thedas' sake; on a more personal level, though, he's always felt that he's more of a symbol than anything, and the inability to easily divorce himself from his image as the Inquisitor drives him up a wall.
It doesn't help that he's a Dalish mage, seen as either wild, heretical, or both by many in Thedas. Learning politics has been a struggle, and without Josephine and Leliana's help he would have been sunk. It's still something that's an act for him more than a real skill, and most of what he's learned is not how to be good at diplomacy, but how to be passable and not offend people. The rest is what he has an ambassador for. (Surviving the ball at the Winter Palace without utter disgrace took plenty of intensive coaching, and he would very much like to never do that ever again.) Given that he grew up living outdoors, staying in Haven and then Skyhold has taken a lot of adjustment as well, and Arhen pushes back against having to adapt to it in what ways he can. He continues to dress in the elven style he's used to whenever he doesn't have to look 'presentable' by human standards, goes barefoot when he can-- he's gone as far as removing the bed in his quarters at Skyhold to replace it with a more comfortable pallet of blankets, furs, and pillows, on top of decorating the room with plenty of potted herbs and other plants. As far as he's concerned, the Dalish way of doing things is the right way, and damned if he'll abandon his former lifestyle completely. He's still holding out hope that once the threat is dealt with, he'll be able to leave.
As far as social skills that don't involve his position go, Arhen is much better there. His genuine curiosity about others leads him to seek out their company, and he's not generally shy about his opinions. Not that this is always the best thing-- the urge to tell someone they're being an ass is one he often fails to stifle-- but people he interacts with socially tend to find it easy to know where they sit with him, and those who appreciate his penchant for dry humor are almost always folks he likes hanging around. His own problems and negative feelings are often swept under the rug, though, and he'll brush off most concerns unless they come from someone he feels he can confide in; the Dalish keep to themselves for their own safety, after all, and after events in Kirkwall and the subsequent mage rebellion, mages are not well trusted either. So while he's friendly toward people he doesn't know well, if they're left with the impression that things are intentionally kept at a more superficial level... they're probably right. Since joining the Inquisition, he's also developed a fondness for using Elvish to say things he wants to but can't or shouldn't, usually pretending he isn't sure how it translates or that it has no equivalent phrase in their shared tongue; it helps in dealing with frustrating associates, and there's no harm done if they don't understand, right?
Abilities: As a mage, Arhen has largely focused on lightning and ice spells, and specializes in techniques derived from elven Arcane Warriors-- he has a Knight-Enchanter's skillset but refuses to use that name for it. (He did not pick up all of the listed skills, though, only the ones up through 'Knight-Protector' on the list.) He prefers to be an offensive combatant, and uses his defensive capability with barriers just to keep himself protected. Mages are squishy.
Other magic: he can create barriers (Spirit tree, Barrier ability only); when destroyed, they burst and freeze opponents who are too close. (Winter tree, Mana Surge). Also uses Winter's Grasp and Wall of Ice from the same tree. Electricity is his favored magic type; abilities he uses from the Storm tree are Chain Lightning and Lightning Bolt, and he has the effects of Conductive Current/Gathering Storm, plus Static Charge (without the paralyzing effect, though. That one's here just for flavor.)
Magic can be used without a staff, but summoning a spirit blade requires the hilt for a focus-- so he won't have the same melee capability without it (and while he knows how to create one, it needs a spirit bound to it to work, so that's unlikely to happen.) He can wield a sword made of magic, but a real, solid blade that size will throw him off. The spells listed above are mainly the stronger, potentially destructive ones, and they're the ones that'd be used in combat; the rest of the magic he knows is just smaller utility spells that don't really have an in-game ability tied to them, little stuff like conjuring a flame instead of lighting a match.
Additionally, he's picked up skills mages from other backgrounds may not have. Where others were trained in Circles, his nomadic lifestyle and time spent with the clan's hunters taught him basic survival and stealth; he's no real hunter himself, of course, but he can move pretty damn quietly when he wants to and won't die alone in the woods. Sort of the equivalent of taking one level in rogue.
The mark on his left hand holds the power to close Fade rifts, and in one case tears a new one open; the Inquisitor comments in-game that they couldn't create a rift into the Fade like that on purpose later, though, so Arhen doesn't really have the capability to go ripping open dimensional holes like that whenever he wants. Since he can open up existing unstable magical tears, if there's ever a situation where he could use that ability then he won't be able to use it against the fleet (but really, he's had enough of that mess, I doubt wanting to open up a rip will be an issue unless it has to be done to properly close it.)
Augment Skillset: Pilot. (His people are travellers, it seems fitting, so... the stereotype of the magical wood-elf being the navigator lives on.)
Sample: (network type!)
[The first glimpse of Arhen's face shows him with his brow furrowed slightly-- just knowing how to use this thing is a bit unsettling, and he's about this close to asking whether it's working even though he's sure it is.]
Well, this is- it's one way to get out of a job, isn't it?
[The smile's crooked and a bit forced, but still there. It's a start.]
I'd be flattered that I'm in demand outside Thedas too, but being wanted anywhere usually turns out to be a problem... and I feel I should warn whoever decided on this that inquisiting things is really not as interesting as it might have sounded, if they're even listening. You know. Lots of documents to read, plans to make, meetings, things to set on fire-- I apologize, but you might be disappointed.
[He allows a moment to pass there, smile widening slightly before he finishes with-] Tel'abelas. ['I'm not sorry.' It's said as though it might be well-wishing, something like 'good luck' or 'good night'; apparently someone hasn't yet learned that passive-aggression toward non-elves just got harder, thanks to translation.]