i'll wait, so show me why you're strong
[ Generally, people need time to cope and gather themselves after a... thing... like that. Unfortunately, that's not how Vanille sees it. Her thing is avoid, and once she gets out of that hellhole that's the courtroom, she makes her way to the supplies closet, then to the library. She spends some time setting up things, pushing things aside to make room. Once she's finished, and she's met up with the Party Brigade, she makes enough invitations for everyone. She slips them under everyone's doors, or hands them out if she sees someone walking around.

Inside the library, there are candles set up to provide some soft, comforting lighting. There are pots of tea, courtesy of Mercy, pancakes made by Viktor, and books (picked out by Estelle, of course) laid out on the surrounding tables. The others have provided their own touches, and Vanille's even managed to make something: sugar cookies, which are actually very good. They're flavored lightly with all sorts of flavors--not all in the same cookie, okay--and each plate is marked with whatever flavor she's put in them.
After a successful trial, it's healthy to indulge, right? Let's mingle. ]

Inside the library, there are candles set up to provide some soft, comforting lighting. There are pots of tea, courtesy of Mercy, pancakes made by Viktor, and books (picked out by Estelle, of course) laid out on the surrounding tables. The others have provided their own touches, and Vanille's even managed to make something: sugar cookies, which are actually very good. They're flavored lightly with all sorts of flavors--not all in the same cookie, okay--and each plate is marked with whatever flavor she's put in them.
After a successful trial, it's healthy to indulge, right? Let's mingle. ]

i promise varric will be done running his mouth with this next tag.
Anyways. The Wardens would rise up, but first they needed allies. Ferelden's best were either killed in action or ran from the fight. There was no way two kids were going to fell the army by itself.
The Wardens were smart though. A long time back, they created treaties with the various groups around the country -- the elves, the dwarves and the mages. So that's what they went and did.
Once they had their army though, they faced a pretty big problem. Ferelden was still under the grips of a traitor, and they had no true leader. Or at least, that's what they thought.
Turns out, one of the Wardens had a secret. He was no run of the mill bastard, but a royal one, and the last remaining heir to the Theirin line.
Now all they had to do was usurp the tyrant.
IT'S FINE DON'T WORRY
[While he's not usually here for happy endings, he does love a good underdog story.]
no subject
With the Warden, Alistair, installed as king, all that was left to do was fight the Archdemon. It was a vicious battle, and it nearly leveled half the capitol, but in the end, the Wardens prevailed.
It... wasn't without tragedy of course. Not many stories are. The only way to kill an Archdemon is to take its soul into yourself, something that only the Wardens can do. And that's exactly what the Hero of Ferelden did.
[No happy endings here, Gangrel. At least not entirely happy ones.]