I’ve decided to flex my imagination a bit, and keep a “journal” from my Dragon Age:Origins latest character’s perspective. I haven’t written any fictional stories since I was 12, but it seemed like a fun project. This is part three. You can find part one here, and part two here

It was a long journey to Ostagar, longer than any I’d ever taken. Though I hardly noticed the time passing, I was so absorbed in my own misery. But, finally it was in view. As we entered, Duncan explained the history of the massive fortress and why it was fitting that we take our stand against the horde of Darkspawn here. Darkspawn are vile, ugly, evil monsters he told me, usually led by an Archdemon, that swarm over the land killing everyone and everything in their path. He informed me that only Gray Wardens can stop the blight, but before he got the chance to go into detail we were welcomed.

A Royal welcome so to speak. It was then that I found myself face to face with King Cailan. He hadn’t changed much since I’d last seen him, he was still handsome, quick to smile, and extremely confident. He had clearly become an adult, but still had so much child about him. The way he spoke of the Wardens was like Ohren regaling me with stories from his adventure books.

He was quick to recognize me, and ask after my family. I lowered my head, and quietly told him what had happened at the hands of Arl Howe. He promised justice, and that made me smile a bit. Some of my sadness lifted knowing His Majesty had always been a good man, and always followed through on his word. Before I could ask about my brother, Fergus, he told me he had been sent into the Korcari wilds on a scouting mission. Being in no hurry to break my brother’s heart, especially before a battle such as what lie ahead, I agreed it best to wait until after the battle ended.

After we parted company and headed toward the tents, Duncan told me to take some time to look around, and clear my head. I was then to go in search of another Warden by the name of Alistair.  Duncan headed off, and my supposedly faithful hound followed with him, leaving me with my thoughts. Shadow had never left my side with anyone, let alone a complete stranger…this bodes well I thought. Either that or he suspected there was food to be had.

I stopped to look out over the Wilds at a particularly beautiful spot. Somewhere in the forest, was my brother. My poor, unknowing brother. How would I tell him what had happened back at home? How would I explain leaving mother and father and fleeing? Even with their blessing this guilt wouldn’t subside. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to remember the meditations I had learned in our Chantry. Trying to find the inner strength I would need desperately. I thought of my mother’s sacrifice…for that is what got me here. That was the jolt I needed. This was her gift to me, her final one. And I cannot squander it. I would make her proud, I would avenge them.  To do that, I must get moving. I could waste no more time sulking, and I could not let self blame take over my mind.

I strode into the camps, determined to get through whatever came next. I even took time to stop and talk to others that have gathered there. The first person I came across was a fellow by the name of Daveth. He was trying his absolute best to coerce a woman soldier into a romp before battle. Maker’s breath, does that old “we could die tomorrow” line even work? If a man were to try that line on me, he’d find my blade in places even the best healers couldn’t cure.  I shook my head and continued my exploration, coming across an older mage named Wynne. She seemed a very kind woman, motherly in a way, and with the same determination my own mother possessed. I found myself comforted by her words, and wishing we could speak longer.

I walked a bit further and found who I was looking for.  I stopped just out of view, but close enough to overhear his conversation with a mage. Apparently, he had been asked to deliver a message to this mage, but was taking the opportunity to harass him a bit. Sarcasm dripped from  every word and I was surprised at myself when I had to stifle a laugh when he said “And here I was going to name one of my children after you. The Grumpy one.” I failed at my attempt to stifle the laughter however, and he realized I was there.  He walked over and made a comment about how the blight brings people together, to which I was forced to tell him how strange he was. This was clearly Alistair. Traveling with him should prove interesting. I had a feeling I’d want to strangle him more often than not. But he did make me laugh for the first time since I’d left Highever, and that was not an easy feat.

The first urge to strangle him came within minutes, when he observed that there were not any women in the Wardens. Wonderful, here’s another Andraste’s gift to the female species type. It’s always the handsome ones. And my family wondered why I’d been just as happy without a man in my life. We headed back to Duncan, and I met the other two recruits. A knight from Redcliffe named Jory, and…Ser we might die tomorrow. Wonderful. It was then I myself found myself wishing for women in the Gray Wardens.

As we gathered, Duncan, having heard about the previous conversation with the mage, reminded Alistair that we had to keep the peace with everyone, and I saw something else in this slightly arrogant sarcastic man. I saw respect and admiration in his apology to Duncan. Something I felt myself. Bt first impressions being what  they are, I was surprised to see it from Alistair.  I was looking forward now to being a Warden, and getting on with the joining ritual. But first, it was off to the wilds to gather what we needed. Blood of the darkspawn themselves, as well as some old documents in a long abandoned ruin.

Finally…something to take out my still burning rage upon. None of us except Alistair knew what the ritual really entailed, it’s very secretive, but I trusted Duncan, and would do what I must.  Even if that meant showing what I had truly been trained as behind closed doors.

I understand secretive. Only a few people knew the skills I possessed, and all but Duncan, and my brother had already taken the knowledge to the grave that bastard Howe had driven them to.

Preparation brought to you by Lady Jess - (Have You Seen My Stapler?)

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I’ve decided to flex my imagination a bit, and keep a “journal” from my Dragon Age:Origins latest character’s perspective. I haven’t written any fictional stories since I was 12, but it seemed like a fun project. This is part two. You can find part one here.

My sleep was abruptly interrupted by the angry barking and growling of Shadow. I thought at first he sensed more rats, but the way his hackles bristled told me something was very wrong. Someone was pounding desperately on my chamber door. When I opened it, the guard simply yelled help…before he was dead at my feet, an archer’s arrow in his back. That’s when they came for me. Two of Arl Howe’s men…I’m not sure how I defeated them, with my mind spinning wondering how? why? It was then my Mother came running, asking the same questions I had just voiced to myself.

We were under attack, we had to fight. But why is this happening? The troops…were they delayed on purpose? to come here and take our home? There is no other explanation, or time to think about it. There is only time to fight, and survive.

I immediately ran to my brother’s rooms…horrified to find they had slaughtered his wife, and my darling young nephew. Innocents, harming noone…why?  I found the same of my darling old teacher in the library, my mother’s friend in the guest room, I did not have the heart to check the Chantry, I knew what I would find there.

I dragged my mother out, handed her a weapon I had taken from one of the Arl’s men I had killed, and we set off to get to Father.  Everywhere we turned there were more soldiers fighting us, fighting our guards, setting barricades and lighting them ablaze to block our escape. We found Ser Gilmore in the main hall with his men, and helped them secure the room. He told us where to look for Father, and I was torn. Stay and help my best friend, or get to Father and escape? He insisted we find father, and the last I saw him he was bravely holding the gates with what was left of his men.

Before heading to the servants tunnel, my mother remembered the family sword, and was determined it not fall into our new enemy’s hand. We got to the Armory just in time to stop the bastard thieves. My heart was beating so hard I thought it might break out of my chest, and I was scared, for all my bravado, this was my home, this was my safe haven, and I’d never felt less than secure here. Mother grabbed my arm and forced me to focus, and we again set off to find father.

Finally making it to the larder, where the exit is hidden, we found him. He was so badly wounded, we tried our best to stop the bleeding, to convince him he must try, he must go with us. But he was insistent, I was to take mother out. Leaving him here. A task I could not perform. It was then, that Duncan appeared in the doorway. He was covered with blood, he had fought his way to us, he would help us.

My stubborn father would not listen to him either. All he asked was that he take mother and I out. It was then, that my mother refused to leave him. No argument would convince her, nothing I, or Duncan could say would make her leave my father’s side.

“My place is with my husband, through life, death, and beyond, and I’ll kill any bastard that comes in here so you can escape, now go!” she said. Duncan agreed, and asked one thing of my father. It was the one thing he came here for. He asked to take me, into the Gray Wardens. “But what about Ser Gilmore?” I asked, and he replied that in truth, it was me he came for. Me? why me? how…too many thoughts at once were making my head spin. I could not leave my father like this.

My stupor was broken when my father’s voice fell upon my ears, agreeing with Duncan’s request. I felt myself being dragged to my feet and pulled away, it was the last time I saw my parents alive.  And the first, I would see…Ostagar.

In Darkness brought to you by Lady Jess - (Have You Seen My Stapler?)

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I’ve decided to flex my imagination a bit, and keep a “journal” from my Dragon Age:Origins latest character’s perspective. I haven’t written any fictional stories since I was 12, but it seemed like a fun project. This is part one.

My name is Teressa Cousland, daughter of Teyrn Bryce Cousland and Teyrna Eleanor. I answer to many names however. “Tressa”, as my little nephew Ohren called me before he could form my name properly. “My Lady” as the staff and soldiers address me. “Pup” seems to be my parents’ favorite endearment. Home is Castle Cousland, in the land of Highever on the northern coast of Ferelden. This, is my story.

I awoke to the familiar sounds of barking warhounds, clanging swords, and orders being shouted. Some would say it was odd that as a noble woman, they were my favorite sounds. But I suppose I’m not your average noble female. Preparations are being made to send our troops to Ostagar, to fight a threat more evil than politics. A Blight.

I rushed to put on my armor and get to the courtyard and train for a while. Some say my being trained as a warrior is unladylike and sure to keep the men away. I think that is to my advantage actually. Sons of nobles are entirely too prissy most of the time. My Nan could bet most of them in a fair fight and she’s…well, she’s old.

I made it to the training yard in time to work out some frustration, only to be summoned to the great hall by my father. Much to my disappointment, when I arrived he was entertaining Arl Howe. Oh how that man does make me cringe. There is something about him that makes me uneasy. Perhaps his habit of trying to pawn off his simpering son Thomas on me. The thought alone makes me sick. I have no desire to be some noble’s wife to be paraded around as a prize winning mule. Especially with that family nose. Horrid. Howe sees my refusal to entertain the thought as a result of my father’s choice to have me trained as a warrior. A “unique” decision as he calls it. I don’t see what is so unique, before marrying my father, Mother was quite the battlemaiden herself.

It turns out, my father wishes me to carry a message to my brother Fergus. Howe’s troops are delayed, and he must head to Ostagar without my father. I am to be in charge of the castle until they return. I tried my best to argue that I should go with Fergus and fight, but my father would have none of that.

It was then he introduced me to the dark, quiet stranger I had seen on my way in. As the man made his way to us, I sensed something dark about him, yet gentle and kind. This was a man to be trusted. Unlike our other guest. His name was Duncan, and he was one of the great heroes of our lands. A Gray Warden. My teacher had taught me much of them, and I greatly admired them. He was here to recruit Ser Gilmore, my oldest and dearest friend…one of our best guards. I was to see to his needs.

The conversation then took a shocking turn, he wished to recruit me as well. I joyfully said I’d do  so…but my father, again, refused. He says he has not so many children that he’d send them all off to battle. Gray Wardens possess the right of conscription, but it is rarely used, and unfortunately for me…I would still not see any battle.

I then set off to find my brother and deliver his message. No sense listening to war plans if I can’t be a part of it.

As I was heading towards the chambers, Ser Gilmore came running up to me with the news that my Mabari Warhound had invaded Nan’s larder. This is never good, Nan has threatened to quit many times over this habit of his. But, she is still here. It turns out, Shadow, brilliant hound that he is… had found giant rats invading, and was simply defending the kitchen. I’m very lucky to have my own Mabari, mostly they are used only in war, and kept in kennels. Not as pets. But Shadow is special. And smart, unlike most human males I’ve known. I’ve had him since I reached the age of 16, and for the last four years he has never left my side, nor unfortunately, obeyed anyone except his mistress. With that crisis averted, I went back to my task.

On my way through the Atrium, I found my mother entertaining some of our noble friends. I never remember the woman’s name, only that the last I saw her she was completely drunk at a party we attended. But here she was, with her son and lady in waiting. The son…a strange young man, rather feminine, immediately begins flirting with me. Disgusting. I told him to go soak his head, much to my mother’s disappointment. This of course led to yet another discussion about getting me married. Remembering my errand, and having an excuse, I left again to find Fergus.

When I finally found him, he was in his quarters with his lovely young wife and son. They were so cute together it warmed my heart. I of course told him they were making me ill. I can’t have them thinking I might want some of that warmth and contentment for myself, else they’ll get to trying to marry me off as well. My ruse failed of course, and I was informed I’ll find a man that can handle me. HA! Handle me, right.  Thankfully I was spared by my parents entering the room. Making me wonder in fact, why had I been asked to deliver this message if my father was coming here in the first place?

I had been tricked it seems. Father simply wanted us all in one room before he headed off to battle. Had I known what was to come that evening…I’d have appreciated his effort much more.

It Starts brought to you by Lady Jess - (Have You Seen My Stapler?)

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