So These Are Only Parts Of Two Separate Discussions I Found On Twitter That Biowares Mary Kirby Had [x]

So these are only parts of two separate discussions I found on Twitter that Bioware’s Mary Kirby had [x] and [x] about Merrill and Keeper Marethari and their arc during Dragon Age 2, but I thought I’d screenshot and include the relevant bits here for meta/discussion here. I thought it was good food for thought, if nothing else. 

In short, what Mary Kirby said is: 

Merrill/Marethari’s arc is her favourite out of those she’s written, and shows how vicious and toxic the whole prideful “self-sacrificing for those you love” can be for female characters, rather than being the “good” outcome presented in a lot of media

Marethari was likely more influenced by Audacity (i.e. the pride demon on Sundermount) than explicitly said in-game…. did she really bind it to herself in Act 3 to protect Merrill from it, or was this something Audacity suggested that Marethari eventually fell for?

Marethari (out of her own pride?) doesn’t trust Merrill to make her own decisions/mistakes and tries to overrule them to “protect her” – something the playable character can also do to Merrill (especially if Hawke chooses to withhold the arulin’holm from her which Merrill gets VERY mad about)

Yes, Merrill uses blood magic and deals with demons in DA2, but so does Solas and Dorian in DA:I with very little judgement

Here’s a late birthday present for @stellorc​ !! I hope you’ve been well celebrated!

Do have any insight as to why the alienage is so against the Tabris family?? I have some of my own thoughts but I’d love to hear your view on it

The Tabris' status feels like a (mostly) twofold issue to me, boiling down to:

Money, status and contextual privilege

Outspoken activism and percieved risk to the community

Before I start, I want to preface that any privilege spoken of with regards to the Tabris family is entirely contextual within the social hierarchy of the Alienage. In a wider context, theirs is still a life shaped by systemic social injustice, discrimination, violence and poverty. I'll also be writing this based on canon observation, as opposed to Bair-specific headcanon. Elaboration under the cut!

From the very start of Tabris' story, it's made clear through direct canon and complementary sources such as WoT that the family is viewed as financially privileged and well connected in the eyes of the wider Alienage community. Talking to NPCs in the run up to the wedding rather quickly reveals that, while some are happy for you or just pleased to be knee-deep in joviality no matter the reason for celebration, others are quick to compare your "lavish" ceremony and "dream come true" of a partner to their own.

"What exactly is your problem?" "You. Strutting around like you're the queen of Ferelden. Your father has the money to get you a great match. Meanwhile, what did I get? A fat old man who smells like the docks and wouldn't know what to do with a woman even if he was sober. You think you're better than me? Well you're not! I may have got a poor match, but at least I have some dignity, wench."

---

"You should thank the Maker for your great fortune! I wish my wedding could have been as grand as all this!"

Cyrion, as a relatively young, single, working father to not just you but also his niece and nephew (it's worth noting here that while Shianni is shown to be a direct live-in member of the household, Soris seems to be a separate entity in terms of residence and finances. His match was not influenced by Cyrion's investment and the home's sleeping arrangement consists of three beds) has managed to invest enough money into matchmaking to secure you a partner who is objectively good looking, of good social standing, trade-trained and required secure passage south to the Denerim Alienage from Highever. Further to this, his connections include Valendrian, leader of the community and long-time friend of Ferelden's Warden-Commander, and Alarith, owner of an ample dry-goods store and occasional smuggler. It also feels worth mentioning that his sister, Shianni's mother, not only moved to the country but seems to have been a freeholder. Upon her death, he was also able to take the time to travel to her home to retrieve is orphaned niece, no doubt stepping away from work and having to hire some level of transport to do so in a safe and timely manner.

Where apartments are implied to be the living arrangement, the Tabris home is large and well furnished, even by wider Ferelden standards. Most of the incidental homes we see contain a single bed, a small hearth, perhaps a table or two and are often without flooring. By contrast, each family member is shown to have a bed and the dining space is large and well stocked with firewood and utensils. There's a tub, wine bottles, large furniture in the form of shelving, a large wooden horse no doubt kept out of nostalgia (given you and Shianni both being adults). Of course, practically speaking these are likely pre-existing assets used to add flavour, but they were still laid out with purpose. If anything, conversations and canon imply the house is more populated with objects than we see, with allusions to your late mother's possessions and the tale of your childhood stuffed mabari, passed along to Shianni when she was first taken in.

The family is literate (though literacy in Thedas is a canonical mess), well informed - especially politically - well connected and contextually monied. As it is directly leveraged at you and Shianni by another elf during Unrest in the Alienage, the Tabris family is viewed as seeing itself as above its peers. Whether that's the case or not in practice, it is clear others view them as a family with ideas above their station.

"You just don't care about how much trouble you bring down on us, do you? Must be nice to be above your own people."

I've picked that quote from Unrest as a purposeful bridge from the last point and into the next. It's no secret that the Alienage can see itself locked down and purged in a heartbeat. Escape routes are sealed and houses are set aflame, community members kidnapped or murdered. It is also no secret that the Tabris family is outspoken in its activism and views on Thedas' widespread political injustices. Adaia, described as "a bit wild" and sharp-tongued, was martially trained - likely having served Loghain himself - and eventually killed for reasons that are not disclosed but are heavily implied to be related to the afformentioned outspoken nature of the family and a want for change.

Cyrion, who asks you to hide your martial talents and generally seems to exude a reserved front in public, speaks openly about social injustice, fearlessly harbours Soris while the community actively bays for blood, having passed the blame for the events that follow your killing Vaughan to him, and borderline idolizes his late wife. As much as he tries to stop your planned recruitment into the Wardens, and as much as he speaks with fear of the inevitable as your wedding day spirals out of control, he gushes with pride on both his and Adaia's behalf when you speak up, speak out and otherwise protect those around you.

Shianni is very attuned to the system and its injustices, not just as an elf but as a young woman and, like the other Tabrises, she is unafraid to speak out about it. She eschews traditional expectations and often acts spontaneously, coming into her own during Unrest, showing acute awareness of the truth of the situation at hand and desperately trying to convince those around her to open their eyes and listen, something they are, for the most part, unwilling to do.

Even Soris seems to know his way around a sword and manages to make his way through the Arl's estate in one admittedly nervous piece. He grows in his self assurance and eventually marries a human woman after the events of the game - an act that causes an active riot if he's Bann at that time.

Life in the Alienage is one hinged on survival, and a part of that survival could very much be said to be one of quiet compliance in the eyes of the general population and local nobility. If trouble isn't stirred, then trouble doesn't come to their gates (though this is not objective truth, in practice, of course) and the Tabris family seems set to compromise that peace at every turn. In the eyes of some, they're radicals fighting a brave fight. In the eyes of others, they're a threat not just to themselves but to everyone within the community's walls.

this was my first time properly drawing him so ty for the opportunity @sealeneee !!!

I Shall Move Hell

angry self-righteous jedi about to take a trip downhill. In this house we support unhinged women.

process gif under the cut :)

i had to stop this piece for three weeks until i had the courage to stare at armor pics and do studies to make the metal not look like actual shit. Goal accomplishment is questionable but at least is Done.

very proud of the mask tho

💙💚❤️