Post by sageoflife on Nov 25, 2021 1:54:55 GMT
An old thought experiment that I'm surprised hasn't appeared here before. What if Duncan had been able to recruit every "potential" Warden. What would the team look like? What kind of relationships would they have with each other? Which one becomes Warden-Commander of Ferelden?
Note 1: Including both mage Wardens is optional, but if you do so please explain how the Magi Origin is altered to account for both of them being present.
Note 2: Some aspects of headcanon do not need to be possible in gameplay.
Solona Amell
Mage
Spirit Healer/Battlemage
The third child of Revka Amell. When Solona arrived at the Circle, she quickly adopted Jowan as a surrogate for the older siblings who were taken before her, and later Alim Surana as a surrogate for the younger siblings she left behind. While she believed in the Aequitarian viewpoint that mages must use their powers responsibly, she resented the Circle for what she felt was a waste of her abilities. Her infamous self-confidence was tempered when she agreed to assist Jowan in his escape attempt. She helped Surana convince Duncan to recruit him as a Warden candidate despite him being an escapee from the Circle. As a Warden she fell into a leadership role, most notably in preventing them from fracturing over the question of what to do with Logain, and convincing Alistair to remain with them. She voted to execute Logain, but kept her word when the vote to recruit him won. She fell in love with Alistair due to his humor and a sense of comfort. Amell dealt the final blow to the Archdemon, unaware that Warden Cousland had performed the Dark Ritual. For this and her leadership role throughout the Blight, Amell was named Warden-Commander of Ferelden. Blessed with strong healing talent at a young age, the Blight forced Amell to develop her offensive abilities to the limit, and she asked Surana to train her in the ways of the Battlemage. Her weapon is the Staff of the Magister Lords, which Irving rewarded her for saving the Circle.
Aedan Cousland
Warrior
Champion/Guardian
The second son of the Cousland family. Aedan had a reputation as a trouble-maker and a womanizer, but his kindness to his subjects made him beloved by the people of Highever. The sacking of Castle Cousland left a dark mark on his personality, his desire for revenge against Howe leading him dangerous places at times. He quickly became interested in Morrigan as someone who would meet him as an equal rather than fall for his charms and status. Both were surprised when their feelings turned far more serious. Morrigan convinced Cousland to undergo the Dark Ritual so none of the Wardens would need to die. Cousland did not disclose the ritual to the other Wardens until after the Battle of Denerim. When the Blight ended, Cousland's family status led him to be declared the Warden-Constable of Ferelden, a role he faithfully carried out during the Awakening Crisis. Eventually, Cousland left Vigil's Keep with the Warden-Commander's blessing to chase after Morrigan. Trained as a Champion of Highever from a young age, he later sought training as a Guardian from Warden Aeducan, becoming a master of defensive combat. Cousland's arms are the Starfang and the Warden Tower Shield, both gained at Soldier's Peak. The Starfang is a Masterwork Tevinter Longsword with a Tevinter Longword Grip, enchanted with an Elemental Rune, a Menacing Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. The Warden Tower Shield is a Masterwork Grey Warden Shield made of silverite.
Kallian Tabris
Rogue
Duelist/Bard
The only daughter of the most comparatively wealthy family in the Denerim Alienage. Tabris was ambivalent about her impending marriage, but in hindsight she believes that she and Nelaros could have been happy together if given the chance, and still wears his wedding ring. Tabris killed Vaugn rather than accept his bribe, making it as painful as possible on behalf of Shianni, Nelaros, and Nola. When the guards came she claimed sole responsibility in order to protect her cousin Soris. Tabris is wary of humans, especially male humans, but eventually became good friends with her fellow Wardens and found new love with Leliana. Following the Battle of Adamant, where Warden-Constable Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to help them rebuild, Tabris became the new Warden-Constable of Ferelden. Trained as a Duelist by her mother, Tabris was later taught the ways of the Bard by Leliana. Tabris's weapons are the twin Fang daggers inherited from her mother. The Fangs are a pair of Masterwork Dual Curved Blades with a Dense Dual Blade Grip, and enchanted with an Elemental Rune, an Intensifying Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. She is also practical and carries a bow, eventually taking up the Ancestral Heartwood Bow during the Awakening Crisis, which she uses with Elf-Flight Arrows.
Theron Mahariel
Rogue
Ranger/Shadow
The only son of the Sabrae Clan's previous Keeper. Raised as a hunter, when Mahariel came of age he chose Andruil's Vallaslin, a mark of his oath to fulfil the ideals of the hunter. He believed that he would eventually become the lead of hunter of the clan and Keeper Merrill's husband, but that future was torn from him when he encountered the Eluvian. He was initially disdainful of both his human and elven companions in the Wardens, but eventually became closer to them as he realized that humans and city elves are both more complicated than the Dalish claim. Despite his growing bond with his companions, Mahariel never forgot his feelings for Merrill and remained unattached. His hunter training has made him an accomplished Ranger, and he later asked Warden Brosca to train him as a Shadow to further his ability to slay enemies from a distance. Mahariel's weapon is the Sorrows of Arlathan, which he found in the ruins containing the Eluvian. His preferred ammunition is Elf-Flight Arrows. He also carries a pair of basic Dalish daggers for when melee combat is necessary.
Alim Surana
Mage
Battlemage/Arcane Warrior
Born in the Denerim Alienage, Surana was sent to Kinloch Hold at the age of four when his magic manifested. With only vague memories of his older siblings, he quickly adopted Jowan and Solona as surrogates. Surana's talents as an elementalist were noticed very early. Fascinated by ideas about ancient elven magic, Surana grew to increasingly resent the Circle for denying him the chance to truly study his heritage, and came to identify with the Libertarians. His Harrowing was a week away when Jowan discovered the plans to make him Tranquil, and Surana jumped at the chance to help his friend. As he was still an apprentice, Surana also took the opportunity to destroy his own phylactery while finding Jowan. His plan was to escape at a later opportunity and find a Dalish clan. When Jowan revealed that he was a blood mage after all, Surana fled the Circle while the Templars were still indisposed, knowing that nothing stood in the way of making him Tranquil for what he did. When he saw Duncan and Amell outside the Circle, he approached them and appealed to Duncan to accept him as a Warden recruit. Amell vouched for his skill as a mage, and the two successfully argued that with his phylactery destroyed, the Templars had no proof that Surana was anything but a random apostate. Surana served with distinction as a Warden and following the Battle of Adamant he transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to provide his magical knowledge in rebuilding him. His affair with Zevran was initially primarily physical, but soon became much more, and by the time the Blight ended the two were near-inseparable. Surana was trained as a Battlemage to hone his advanced elemental abilities. While exploring the Brecellian ruins, the Wardens found an ancient phylactery. Perhaps because he was the only elven mage present, it reacted to him when the others got no response, and the presence inside taught Surana the way of the Arcane Warrior and helping him along his dream of learning ancient elven magic. Surana's arms are the Spellweaver and the Fade Wall. The Spellweaver resembles the Fadeshear and is enchanted with an Elemental Rune and a Paragon Paralysis Rune, and the Fade Wall is a Masterwork Sentinel Shield. After becoming an Arcane Warrior, Surana replaced his mage Warden uniform with a warrior uniform. Surana also used the sword Vigilance for a time, but after it was stolen he returned to the Spellweaver.
Duran Aeducan
Warrior
Guardian/Berserker
The second son of the dwarven king. Aeducan believed that both of his brothers were dimwits and that he was the best suited to be king of the three, an argument bolstered by his much greater popularity. While he may have been right about Trian, underestimating Bhelen proved to be his downfall. When Bhelan claimed that Trian intended to kill their middle brother, Duran attempted to confront Trian nonviolently. Forced to kill his older brother in self-defense, Duran found himself right in Bhelen's trap. While he initially wanted revenge on Bhelen, his return to Orzammar made him rethink dwarven society and Bhelen's motives, especially as his fixation on revenge nearly destroyed his budding relationship with Warden Brosca. The deciding factor was the fate of his nephew if Harrowmont was allowed to continue Orzammar's broken system, although actually forgiving his brother was a long way off. After Warden Cousland departed to find Morrigan, Aeducan was promoted to Warden-Constable of Ferelden, a role he served in for nearly ten years. Following the Battle of Adamant, Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to rebuild them. Aeducan was trained as a Guardian to maximize his chances of survival in the Deep Roads. He later trained as a Berserker with Oghren to create a balance of offense and defense. Aeducan's arms are the Reaper's Cudgel (Golems of Amgarak appearance), that he found in the Deep Roads after his exile, and the Ancestral Shield of Aeducan. The Reaper's Cudgel is enchanted with an Elemental Rune, a Menacing Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. The Ancestral Shield of Aeducan is a Dwarven Proving Shield.
Faren Brosca
Rogue
Shadow/Assassin
As a casteless, Brosca always believed that the Carta was his only hope for survival, even as he hated what they made him and his sister do. It is this hatred that led him to spare Oksias and make some coin of his own, even as it risked Beraht's wrath. When he learned what Beraht planned to do to Rica, he took great pleasure in making his former master's end as painful as possible. When the Wardens traveled to Orzammar, Brosca embraced Bhelen and his reforms. This created tension in his budding relationship with Warden Aeducan. The two had several vicious arguments, where Brosca repeatedly cited what would happen to their shared nephew if Rica were forced to return to Dust Town. Brosca made it clear that this was more important to him than even their relationship. The two recovered and became stronger after Aeducan agreed to support Bhelen, and the two were rarely seen apart. When Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens after the Battle of Adamant, Brosca followed without hesitation. The necessities of surviving in Dust Town and working for the Carta have made Brosca an accomplished Shadow. He later asked Zevran to train him as an Assassin to better kill his enemies without being seen. Brosca's weapons are the Vashialle axe, which he stole from Bodahn, and the Rose's Thorn dagger, which he stole from a merchant in Orzammar shortly before leaving with Duncan. Both are enchanted with an Elemental Rune, an Intensifying Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune.
Note 1: Including both mage Wardens is optional, but if you do so please explain how the Magi Origin is altered to account for both of them being present.
Note 2: Some aspects of headcanon do not need to be possible in gameplay.
Solona Amell
Mage
Spirit Healer/Battlemage
The third child of Revka Amell. When Solona arrived at the Circle, she quickly adopted Jowan as a surrogate for the older siblings who were taken before her, and later Alim Surana as a surrogate for the younger siblings she left behind. While she believed in the Aequitarian viewpoint that mages must use their powers responsibly, she resented the Circle for what she felt was a waste of her abilities. Her infamous self-confidence was tempered when she agreed to assist Jowan in his escape attempt. She helped Surana convince Duncan to recruit him as a Warden candidate despite him being an escapee from the Circle. As a Warden she fell into a leadership role, most notably in preventing them from fracturing over the question of what to do with Logain, and convincing Alistair to remain with them. She voted to execute Logain, but kept her word when the vote to recruit him won. She fell in love with Alistair due to his humor and a sense of comfort. Amell dealt the final blow to the Archdemon, unaware that Warden Cousland had performed the Dark Ritual. For this and her leadership role throughout the Blight, Amell was named Warden-Commander of Ferelden. Blessed with strong healing talent at a young age, the Blight forced Amell to develop her offensive abilities to the limit, and she asked Surana to train her in the ways of the Battlemage. Her weapon is the Staff of the Magister Lords, which Irving rewarded her for saving the Circle.
Aedan Cousland
Warrior
Champion/Guardian
The second son of the Cousland family. Aedan had a reputation as a trouble-maker and a womanizer, but his kindness to his subjects made him beloved by the people of Highever. The sacking of Castle Cousland left a dark mark on his personality, his desire for revenge against Howe leading him dangerous places at times. He quickly became interested in Morrigan as someone who would meet him as an equal rather than fall for his charms and status. Both were surprised when their feelings turned far more serious. Morrigan convinced Cousland to undergo the Dark Ritual so none of the Wardens would need to die. Cousland did not disclose the ritual to the other Wardens until after the Battle of Denerim. When the Blight ended, Cousland's family status led him to be declared the Warden-Constable of Ferelden, a role he faithfully carried out during the Awakening Crisis. Eventually, Cousland left Vigil's Keep with the Warden-Commander's blessing to chase after Morrigan. Trained as a Champion of Highever from a young age, he later sought training as a Guardian from Warden Aeducan, becoming a master of defensive combat. Cousland's arms are the Starfang and the Warden Tower Shield, both gained at Soldier's Peak. The Starfang is a Masterwork Tevinter Longsword with a Tevinter Longword Grip, enchanted with an Elemental Rune, a Menacing Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. The Warden Tower Shield is a Masterwork Grey Warden Shield made of silverite.
Kallian Tabris
Rogue
Duelist/Bard
The only daughter of the most comparatively wealthy family in the Denerim Alienage. Tabris was ambivalent about her impending marriage, but in hindsight she believes that she and Nelaros could have been happy together if given the chance, and still wears his wedding ring. Tabris killed Vaugn rather than accept his bribe, making it as painful as possible on behalf of Shianni, Nelaros, and Nola. When the guards came she claimed sole responsibility in order to protect her cousin Soris. Tabris is wary of humans, especially male humans, but eventually became good friends with her fellow Wardens and found new love with Leliana. Following the Battle of Adamant, where Warden-Constable Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to help them rebuild, Tabris became the new Warden-Constable of Ferelden. Trained as a Duelist by her mother, Tabris was later taught the ways of the Bard by Leliana. Tabris's weapons are the twin Fang daggers inherited from her mother. The Fangs are a pair of Masterwork Dual Curved Blades with a Dense Dual Blade Grip, and enchanted with an Elemental Rune, an Intensifying Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. She is also practical and carries a bow, eventually taking up the Ancestral Heartwood Bow during the Awakening Crisis, which she uses with Elf-Flight Arrows.
Theron Mahariel
Rogue
Ranger/Shadow
The only son of the Sabrae Clan's previous Keeper. Raised as a hunter, when Mahariel came of age he chose Andruil's Vallaslin, a mark of his oath to fulfil the ideals of the hunter. He believed that he would eventually become the lead of hunter of the clan and Keeper Merrill's husband, but that future was torn from him when he encountered the Eluvian. He was initially disdainful of both his human and elven companions in the Wardens, but eventually became closer to them as he realized that humans and city elves are both more complicated than the Dalish claim. Despite his growing bond with his companions, Mahariel never forgot his feelings for Merrill and remained unattached. His hunter training has made him an accomplished Ranger, and he later asked Warden Brosca to train him as a Shadow to further his ability to slay enemies from a distance. Mahariel's weapon is the Sorrows of Arlathan, which he found in the ruins containing the Eluvian. His preferred ammunition is Elf-Flight Arrows. He also carries a pair of basic Dalish daggers for when melee combat is necessary.
Alim Surana
Mage
Battlemage/Arcane Warrior
Born in the Denerim Alienage, Surana was sent to Kinloch Hold at the age of four when his magic manifested. With only vague memories of his older siblings, he quickly adopted Jowan and Solona as surrogates. Surana's talents as an elementalist were noticed very early. Fascinated by ideas about ancient elven magic, Surana grew to increasingly resent the Circle for denying him the chance to truly study his heritage, and came to identify with the Libertarians. His Harrowing was a week away when Jowan discovered the plans to make him Tranquil, and Surana jumped at the chance to help his friend. As he was still an apprentice, Surana also took the opportunity to destroy his own phylactery while finding Jowan. His plan was to escape at a later opportunity and find a Dalish clan. When Jowan revealed that he was a blood mage after all, Surana fled the Circle while the Templars were still indisposed, knowing that nothing stood in the way of making him Tranquil for what he did. When he saw Duncan and Amell outside the Circle, he approached them and appealed to Duncan to accept him as a Warden recruit. Amell vouched for his skill as a mage, and the two successfully argued that with his phylactery destroyed, the Templars had no proof that Surana was anything but a random apostate. Surana served with distinction as a Warden and following the Battle of Adamant he transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to provide his magical knowledge in rebuilding him. His affair with Zevran was initially primarily physical, but soon became much more, and by the time the Blight ended the two were near-inseparable. Surana was trained as a Battlemage to hone his advanced elemental abilities. While exploring the Brecellian ruins, the Wardens found an ancient phylactery. Perhaps because he was the only elven mage present, it reacted to him when the others got no response, and the presence inside taught Surana the way of the Arcane Warrior and helping him along his dream of learning ancient elven magic. Surana's arms are the Spellweaver and the Fade Wall. The Spellweaver resembles the Fadeshear and is enchanted with an Elemental Rune and a Paragon Paralysis Rune, and the Fade Wall is a Masterwork Sentinel Shield. After becoming an Arcane Warrior, Surana replaced his mage Warden uniform with a warrior uniform. Surana also used the sword Vigilance for a time, but after it was stolen he returned to the Spellweaver.
Duran Aeducan
Warrior
Guardian/Berserker
The second son of the dwarven king. Aeducan believed that both of his brothers were dimwits and that he was the best suited to be king of the three, an argument bolstered by his much greater popularity. While he may have been right about Trian, underestimating Bhelen proved to be his downfall. When Bhelan claimed that Trian intended to kill their middle brother, Duran attempted to confront Trian nonviolently. Forced to kill his older brother in self-defense, Duran found himself right in Bhelen's trap. While he initially wanted revenge on Bhelen, his return to Orzammar made him rethink dwarven society and Bhelen's motives, especially as his fixation on revenge nearly destroyed his budding relationship with Warden Brosca. The deciding factor was the fate of his nephew if Harrowmont was allowed to continue Orzammar's broken system, although actually forgiving his brother was a long way off. After Warden Cousland departed to find Morrigan, Aeducan was promoted to Warden-Constable of Ferelden, a role he served in for nearly ten years. Following the Battle of Adamant, Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens to rebuild them. Aeducan was trained as a Guardian to maximize his chances of survival in the Deep Roads. He later trained as a Berserker with Oghren to create a balance of offense and defense. Aeducan's arms are the Reaper's Cudgel (Golems of Amgarak appearance), that he found in the Deep Roads after his exile, and the Ancestral Shield of Aeducan. The Reaper's Cudgel is enchanted with an Elemental Rune, a Menacing Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune. The Ancestral Shield of Aeducan is a Dwarven Proving Shield.
Faren Brosca
Rogue
Shadow/Assassin
As a casteless, Brosca always believed that the Carta was his only hope for survival, even as he hated what they made him and his sister do. It is this hatred that led him to spare Oksias and make some coin of his own, even as it risked Beraht's wrath. When he learned what Beraht planned to do to Rica, he took great pleasure in making his former master's end as painful as possible. When the Wardens traveled to Orzammar, Brosca embraced Bhelen and his reforms. This created tension in his budding relationship with Warden Aeducan. The two had several vicious arguments, where Brosca repeatedly cited what would happen to their shared nephew if Rica were forced to return to Dust Town. Brosca made it clear that this was more important to him than even their relationship. The two recovered and became stronger after Aeducan agreed to support Bhelen, and the two were rarely seen apart. When Aeducan transferred to the Orlesian Wardens after the Battle of Adamant, Brosca followed without hesitation. The necessities of surviving in Dust Town and working for the Carta have made Brosca an accomplished Shadow. He later asked Zevran to train him as an Assassin to better kill his enemies without being seen. Brosca's weapons are the Vashialle axe, which he stole from Bodahn, and the Rose's Thorn dagger, which he stole from a merchant in Orzammar shortly before leaving with Duncan. Both are enchanted with an Elemental Rune, an Intensifying Rune, and a Paragon Paralysis Rune.
