Mina Lavellan

Mina Lavellan (Art by Freeshies on Tumblr)

Mina Naya Lavellan is the First of Clan Lavellan, with her identical twin sister, Lira, being Second. She is a hopeless romantic shapeshifter mage sent to the Conclave because her Keeper found out about it too late to be able to send anyone else. She suffers from severe depression (more specifically, Bipolar Depression) and PTSD because of a traumatic experience as a child. **TRIGGER WARNING: I will talk about all of that in detail, and since there are no spoiler tags in this wiki, if you have any triggers (including, but not limited to, rape, depression, suicide, and magical torture), I would highly recommend not reading this page.**

## Overview

### **Physical Appearance**

Mina has a blue Vallaslin of Ghilan'nain. Her eyes are blue, but they turn purple when she shapeshifts. She has long, wavy, strawberry-blonde hair that she usually keeps in a braided up-do, but will sometimes wear down and put little ice crystals in it that go well with whatever she is wearing.

### **Personality**

Mina is very caring. If she sees someone suffering, she will try to help them in any way she can. She is also a huge prankster, so when Sera suggests pranks one day, she is all for it. She is smart for her age, and once corrected her Keeper on the logistics of a certain spell at the age of 4, which was 6 years before her magic manifested. She doesn't tolerate rapists, and will magically castrate them and feed them their own balls if she catches them.

### **Motion/Sea Sickness**

Mina gets motion sick very easily when riding anything. The only way she doesn't get motion sick is if she walks or if she shapeshifts. Ginger root only goes so far. If the motion/sea sickness is particularly bad, she will develop a fever and her heart rate will increase before she eventually passes out.

### **Talents and Skills**

Mina is a very powerful shapeshifter mage (Solas once says she has the power of the Evanuris). She has an eidetic (photographic) memory and is a Savant in that way. She is a really good artist. She has always been more of a crafter and a healer, magic wise, but is not a Spirit Healer. She can create anything out of her ice magic (like Queen Elsa in the Frozen franchise). Whenever she shapeshifts, her eyes turn purple and stay like that for a minute or two after she reverts back into her normal form. She and Lira both pass out when Silenced, and Cassandra works with her to try to help fix that for them.

#### **Non-Canon Magic Abilities that I have Named and/or Often Used**

* **Force-Slap:** Mina slaps the target magically. Has the exact same effect as a regular slap, but Mina can be a safe distance away when she does it.
* **Magical Castration:** This one isn't really named, but Mina is able to wrap her magic around a man's scrotum, and can even magically castrate the man if she wanted to. She does this to any rapist she finds.
* **Shapeshifting other People:** Once again, this one isn't really named, but Mina can shapeshift other people, whether to turn them into a toad or something when she's mad at them, or to transport them to a safe or different location, such as with Cassandra after she accidently gave her a concussion. She considers the former a last resort and has yet to actually do it, but she knows how to and won't hesitate if she feels the need to.
* **Ice that Never Melts/"Never-Melt Ice":** Another one that isn't really named (edit: I've started calling it "never-melt ice"), but, as mentioned above, Mina is able to create almost anything with her ice magic, and whatever she does create will never melt. She can also magically color/recolor any of these creations at any time. If she wants, she can also make them virtually indestructible. However, that takes a lot more out of her than normal and requires a large mana pool.

	+ **Current things Mina has made with this magic:**
		- Chest that Lira keeps her stuff in
		- Halla figurine on a chain (as a necklace) for Eva
		- Shoes (for her, and then a little later, after they see hers, for Leliana and Josephine)
		- A whole city (in a dream)
		- Hair crystals (for both her and Eva)
		- Cover-up (in Chapter 19 of *This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story*)
		- Leg splint (in an upcoming chapter)
		- Something with a very intricate design that she slams against the floor to show that the leg splint is strong enough to not break (in an upcoming chapter)
		- Many figurines of many flora, fauna, factions, and places (castles/fortresses) she's been, all to scale so she and Varric can tell the stories of her adventures (In Blessings and Curses)
		- Custom necklaces for the entire Inner Circle with many small figurines that represent each person (In Blessings and Curses)

## Biography

Mina writes almost everything that happens to her in a journal on a daily basis. She still has all of her journals so she can remember what happened when she was younger. She's also a really great artist and will draw her nightly dreams with pin-point accuracy (She has an eidetic (photographic) memory and is Savant in that way).

### **History**

#### **Birth**

Mina and Lira were born on Wintermarch 7, 9:21 Dragon. They were born two months early. Their mother (who was the Clan's Second at the time) died soon before they were born because of a bear attack (it was a mild winter and the bears came out of hibernation early that year). Because of this, a spell had to be used to deliver the twins. Mina was born first, and Lira was born second. This was two days after their father, Harrian Lavellan, left to go to the Ten-Year-Gathering (which Cassandra saved him from dying at; see her section below).

*From Chapter 18 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:*

> “You once said she’s not as smart as you, yes?” Leliana asks. Mina nods. “And you’re sure you two are *identical* twins?” Once again, Mina nods. “Did something happen during the birth that might have caused this?”
>
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> Mina sighs. “I honestly don’t know. All I know is that Mother died either soon after or soon before we were born, so they had to use a spell that speeds up the birthing process, but also has a high chance of killing the mother if she isn’t already, so they only use it in extreme cases, like Mother’s. I was born first and was told that they didn’t use the cream they use for the births of multiples, so Lira could have suffered some brain damage from running out of air, but I don’t know.”
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*From Chapter 11 of Blessings and Curses:*

> “Do you know the recipe for the substance the Dalish use with births of multiples?” Mina asks Risa.
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> “I do, but it needs magic to work, Your Worship,” Risa replies with a nod.
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> “I’ll handle that part. Just go get the rest of the recipe ready.”
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> Risa nods and rushes off to get that made.
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> “What is this substance for?” Josie asks Mina once the door closes.
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> “Once your water broke,” Mina begins, “the babies slowly began to lose access to air. One baby can usually handle the amount of time it takes for it to be born, but more than one and you have a higher chance of only the first one making it. This substance is magically powered to give them more air and thus more time to be born. It’s sometimes used if it’s taking too long for a single baby to be born, but that is rather rare.”
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> “Is it a tea?” Josie asks.
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> “Creators, no!” Mina laughs. “It is a cream, more like a poultice, that is rubbed on your belly and is immediately absorbed and does its job.”
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> Josie nods as another contraction rolls through her. “You have surprised me with how much can be done magically,” she says afterwards. “Does that include speeding up the birthing process? These are relentless!”
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> Mina sighs. “I’d be lying if I said no.” When Josie looks at her with a curious yet hopeful look, she holds a hand up. “However, there are major risks and possible complications involved, including a much higher chance of rupturing a blood vessel or even the death of any of you, mostly you. Therefore, I won’t allow it.”
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> “Then why is there even a spell for it if there are major risks?” Josie asks before another contraction rolls through her.
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> Mina sighs again. “Remember how I said my mother died giving birth to me?” Josie nods, a little confused. Dalia gasps and looks at Mina with wide and sympathetic eyes. “Well, what I failed to mention was that I was born two months early because my mother was…” she sighs again, her voice returning with a little more squeak in it: “she was killed in a bear attack and they had to use that spell if I was to have any chance of surviving.” She looks at her legs, which are crossed in front of her.
>
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#### **Magic Manifestation**

Mina's magic manifested at the age of 10 (on Cloudreach 14, 9:31 Dragon).

*Entry from Mina's journal that day (As seen in Chapter 6 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story):*

> Cloudreach the fourteenth, 9:31 Dragon:
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> Creators, I have magic! And so does Lira, apparently! Sylaise has blessed us both with her gifts! Unfortunately, however, Falon'Din took our First, Calan, and our Second, Adwen from us when we manifested. It saddens me that the boys Lira and I were going to marry one day are now in the Beyond, but Keeper says I must not lose faith. They were only fifteen and I was beginning to actually like Calan… Anyways, Keeper says I need to document what happened when our magic manifested, so here goes…
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> The four of us were out hunting when a bear appeared out of nowhere. It scared me, and I only assume it scared Lira as well, since the both of us immediately had fire shoot out of our bodies, killing the bear and the boys. Lira and I were badly burned, but Keeper found us and was able to heal us. She says it’s a miracle we both survived the severity and multitude of the burns on our bodies. Lira still hasn’t woken up, but Keeper says she will be fine. I pray that she’s right. Anyways, it is late and Keeper is going to begin to teach us how to control our gifts tomorrow, so I’d better get some sleep. Good night, journal.
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#### **Sexual Assault/Lyrium Accident**

On Bloomingtide 14, 9:31 Dragon, exactly one month after her magic manifested, Mina is given a task to go into town alone to trade with humans. She had been observing other members of the Clan trade with humans all of her life and had even been tasked with supervised trading in the past. This time, however, she was to trade with humans unsupervised and with the Clan about an hour's walk away. This was set as a test by her Keeper to officially become her First if it goes well.

When Mina gets to the square where she will be doing the trading, a man helps her get a good deal for everything. Afterwards, he leads her out of the square. Once far enough away from everything, he gives her a vial of Lyrium, telling her he sensed that her mana was low and that it would help. He tells her what it's used for and that he shouldn't really be giving it to her, but that he didn't have a use for it, whereas she did. After Mina puts the vial with the rest of the traded goods to ask her Keeper about it later, the man sexually assaults her and says that if she ever tells anyone, no one will believe her, as it is common and even widely accepted behavior. *(I wrote the whole incident in Chapter 23 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story, which is where you will learn more about it.)*

On her way back to the Clan, Mina runs low on mana again and uses the Lyrium out of desperation. By taking the Lyrium, Mina learns both that she can shapeshift and that she can't take/touch Lyrium because of the severe side effects it gives her. She later writes what happened in her journal (she leaves out what the man did to her, though):

*From Chapter 2 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:*

> *Entry, written in Elvish, in which Mina would be ten years old:*
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> Bloomingtide the fourteenth, 9:31 Dragon:
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> I touched a vial of blue liquid a shem gave me today. He said it boosts my magic. I heard it calling to me. I should ask Keeper Deshanna about this later. However, he said that it is addictive and that it also gives non-magical shems called Templars abilities that allows them to cut off a mage’s magic. Keeper Deshanna has told me about these so-called Templars before. We always called them “Mage Killers” because they are also known to kill mages. I asked him what it costs and he said for a pretty knife-ear like me, just my word that we would continue doing business with him. He said that he shouldn’t really be giving me the magic booster—I think he called it lyrium—but that he noticed my mana was low and said it would help. I don’t know how he could tell my mana was low, but I thanked him and am now on my way back to the clan with the rest of our traded goods.
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> *Another entry, also in Elvish, written seemingly several hours later:*
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> Creators, this is why a lot of clans don’t trust shems! I may have run low on mana again, more severely this time, and used the vial of lyrium… I lost control of my magic… turned everything around me to stone, and I turned into a tree. Keeper found me a few hours later and was able to make everything right again, but was very cross with me. I am now not allowed to trade with shems anymore. She said I was always really smart for my age and that I once corrected her on the logistics of a spell around six years ago, but after my magic manifested a month ago, I’ve been nothing but trouble… I am very sad that I can’t adventure out alone anymore. Now the only time I can be alone is when I have to relieve myself… Anyways, it’s getting late and I have a drop of lyrium left in the vial that Keeper doesn’t know I have… I wonder if the effects are similar by just touching it… Let’s go find out…
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> Creators, that’s even worse! As soon as I touched it, it made my magic surge to my hand and I burned my entire body. Keeper found me again and healed me, but I still have a lot of scars, and she said that she is very disappointed in me. Said tomorrow she will begin training me as First, and my identical twin sister, Lira, who is less smart, as Second. She and I unfortunately killed our previous First and Second when our magic manifested at the same time a month ago. Keeper said it’s a miracle we both survived, as we were right next to each other when we each had a burst of fire shoot out in all directions from our bodies. Shit… Keeper is telling me to stop writing and go to bed… Guess I’ll have to follow directions now…
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When Mina finds out that what the man did was not normal behavior five years after the incident, she is absolutely livid.

*From Mina's Suicide Note to Leliana in Chapter 11 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:*

> This all started when I was ten, the day that man gave me the lyrium and I had my accident from the exposure to the Blighted mineral. You see, what I didn’t write in my journal that day was that… Creators, this is hard… that man… he… well, I can’t even write the word for some damn reason… but he did something to me and said that if I ever told anyone, no one would believe me, as well as that what he did was normal and even widely accepted behavior. I later learned that was not the case and felt so disgusted. Still, I never told anyone, since it was five years later, and there was a greater chance that no one would believe me then. So, I took it out on the man that tried to do the same thing to another girl in the clan and fed him his own… well, you know that story… Anyways, that began my very depressing mission of making every man who tries to do that to a girl pay for his crimes. I don’t know if Cassandra told you about what Solas did in the Fade the night before we started heading back from the Hinterlands, but it was something similar. Thank the Creators he stopped when I asked. If she feels up to it, you have my permission to ask Cassandra exactly what happened, as I told her in grave detail. I didn’t write it in my journal, because of the same reason I didn’t write the first encounter, or even what I did to the man five years later: I was scared and I didn’t want anyone I didn’t want to find out do so.
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(She feeds the man his own balls, if that wasn't obvious.)

#### **Just Before the Conclave**

When Keeper Deshanna Istimaethoriel Lavellan learns about the Conclave, it is too late to send anyone but Mina, who can shapeshift to travel faster. Therefore, Mina travels to the Conclave in Raven Form.

## **Relationships**

### **Family**

Family Tree

In Order of Age

**Harrian Lavellan:** Father

**Lira Lavellan:** Identical Twin Sister

**Eva Lavellan-Pentaghast:** Half-Sister

**Nessa Adara Rutherford:** Daughter

**Arianna "Ari" Camron Rutherford:** Daughter; Triplet

**Bracen Hamet Rutherford:** Son; Triplet

**Alvin Thresas Rutherford:** Son; Triplet

### **Friends**

##### **Cassandra Pentaghast**

Once Cassandra has deemed Mina innocent, they become fast friends, and Mina first calls her "Cass" the day they leave for the Hinterlands to meet with Mother Gisselle. Mina finds that she trusts Cassandra really quickly, especially considering the Seeker saved her father at the Ten-Year-Gathering (during the events of Dawn of the Seeker). When she finds out that the Seeker is a hopeless romantic like her, that trust is boosted.

##### **Leliana**

Leliana is the first person Mina ever tells about being sexually assaulted as a ten-year-old girl. She does this in her suicide note to her on Bloomingtide 17, 9:41 Dragon. Mina finds that, as with Cassandra, she trusts Leliana really quickly. Being another hopeless romantic might be one reason for this. When Mina learns that Queen Raisa had similar problems as she did during the Blight, and that Leliana was one of the ones who helped her through all of it, she finds that she trusts the Spymaster even more. She eventually shows Leliana the memory of her rape incident, something Raisa did as well during the Blight.

##### **Varric Tethras**

Mina Force-Slaps him after he teases her about staring at Cullen after they meet. Despite this, they become good friends and Varric gets her a copy of *The Tale of the Champion* and *Hard in Hightown*. His nickname for her is "Flashy" due to, not only her mark, but also her fast reflexes and short temper.

##### **Solas**

Mina finds him interesting. However, he does kind of remind her of (unbeknownst to her) his true identity, Fen'Harel. He compares her to the Evanuris when she is able to transfer her mark to Lira for a few seconds to close a rift. He teaches her how to become a Dreamer. When he makes a move on her on Bloomingtide 5, 9:41 Dragon, it is in the Fade. However, Mina doesn't like the way he does it, and she wakes herself up after she tells him to stop, which he does.

##### **Cullen Rutherford**

Upon first seeing him, she thinks he's beautiful, but doesn't even consider pursuing him until after a Fade-Touched nug named Marc tells her that her clan will accept him. She accidently tells him about being sexually assaulted as a ten-year-old girl the day before she leaves to return to Redcliffe to recruit the mages. They get to know each other and eventually form a romantic relationship. Mina ends up marrying him and they have four kids together.

##### **Josephine Montilyet**

Mina and Josephine get along well. However, it takes a bit longer than Leliana and Cassandra to get comfortable enough to call her "Josie", mostly due to how proper Josephine always is and stuff like that. Still, both being hopeless romantics, they become great friends.

##### **Sera**

Mina loves her sense of humor from the get go, and has to keep from laughing when fighting the guys with "no breeches" soon after she meets Sera. When Sera suggests pranks one day in Skyhold, Mina is all for it. On Sera's part, she's quite scared of Mina's magic at first, but once she gets used to it, and gets to know Mina better, she is actually somewhat jealous of her.

##### **Vivienne**

Mina doesn't really like Vivienne and her beliefs/motives, but tries to be civil when around her. Nonetheless, they become good friends.

##### **Iron Bull**

Bull is the first one to suggest Mina reveal that she can shapeshift to everyone, much to everyone else's disagreement. Because of this, Mina does become a little more confident and starts to agree with him. When she reveals she can shapeshift during the match with the Blades of Hessarian leader and gets positive feedback from not only the Blades members, but also Bull, that confidence is boosted. She still holds off on revealing it to everyone, though, mostly due to everyone else's disagreement. She and Bull become fast friends, and will sometimes shapeshift and land on his horns/head to get a better view of something.

##### **Blackwall/Thom Rainier**

Mina and Blackwall get along well and become good friends. When his true identity is revealed, Mina is shocked, but understands his reasoning and pardons him, not only because she knows he has changed since then, but also because she has seen the way he and Josephine get along and her hopeless romantic heart won't let that be tarnished because of that. She teases him about his relationship with Josephine a lot as well.

##### **Dorian Pavus**

Dorian senses Mina's power the day they meet in Redcliffe's Chantry, but doesn't find out what that power is from until after he arrives in Haven and Leliana tells him. He is glad Mina isn't a blood mage, as he may have briefly considered the possibility, and is actually quite jealous of her. Mina actually likes his wit sometimes, but, as with Zevran, his idle flirting gets on her nerves usually, but there are times when it helps her. They become great friends, and Mina eventually considers him a brother.

##### **Cole**

Cole senses Mina's pain immediately and does what he can to help her. He knows that Leliana and Cassandra are the only ones who are allowed to disregard Mina's request to only talk with her about her mental health if she initiates it (at first; Cullen is added to that list later), and that there are only a select few people who know about her rape incident, and does his best to only go to those people when Mina isn't doing well mentally. Mina actually finds him interesting and accepts him in the Inquisition almost immediately. However, she doesn't like it when he makes her forget, so he rarely does it to her. Whenever Mina is having a mental breakdown, and/or is considering taking her own life, he will either get someone more qualified to help her, or he will take immediate action and stop her from killing herself if he doesn't have time to get someone else. When he becomes more human, he still senses her pain and still does what he can to help her.

#### **Other Inquisition Characters/OCs**

##### **Knight-Captain Rylen**

Rylen is assigned to guard Mina during the day. They get along well, and Mina teases him about his relationship with Cassandra a lot.

##### **Knight-Lieutenant Jessica**

Jessica is assigned to guard Mina during the night. They get along well.

##### **Fiona**

Mina detects the Taint in her almost immediately (I wrote the chapter before I found out she doesn't actually have it anymore). She is honored to meet a Grey Warden, whom she has always had great respect for, but never thought she'd ever get to meet one.

##### **Alistair Theirin**

When he learns that the Herald of Andraste experienced a similar traumatic experience as his wife did, his heart drops and he pledges his and the Crown's support to her in any way she might need.

##### **Queen Raisa Amell-Theirin**

Leliana connects the two since Raisa had similar traumatic experiences in the Circle that Mina did as a child and they write letters to each other well before (and after) they meet for the first time in Redcliffe after Mina gets sent into the future.

#### **Characters From Other Games Not Canonically in Inquisition**

##### **Isabela**

Due to the fact that Mina gets motion sick (and sea sick) really easily, she and Isabela haven't talked much, but it's similar to her relationship with Zevran, except the flirting on his part is really more like sexual talk on Isabela's part.

##### **Zevran Arainai**

Mina doesn't really like his constant flirting, and when she finds out Zevran and Leliana are in a relationship, she likes it even less. However, there are days where his easy flirting helps her through a hard time.

##### **Anders**

I'm not sure if I'm going to include him yet, but I'm leaving a space for it just in case.

## **Miscellaneous**

### **Likes**

* **Favorite Breakfast:** Halla butter on toast

### **Dislikes**

* Rapists
* Blood magic
* Tranquility

### **Fears**

* Spiders (particularly the big ones)
* Being raped again
* Being exposed to Lyrium and having a reaction to it
* Tranquility

## **OC Questions I have answered**

*Note: these are how I answered the questions on a whim, so the details may change if and when I do write them in my story, but they are likely to remain at least roughly the same. Also, these are copied and pasted into a word document directly from where I answered them in Discord, so if you notice anything that is repeated, that might be just because I pretty much had to give context every time. Any questions I may ask don't need to be answered. That is just what I asked someone on the discord server. Also, please ignore any spelling/grammar mistakes. I'm a lot different grammar wise when on Discord lol. Anything in both italics and parentheses is something I added here and is not part of my original answer. If it's not in both, it was part of my original answer. Ignore anything about PMing someone about the triggering things. That was just put there because I'm not allowed to talk about the triggering topics as freely on discord as I am here.*

* How does your OCs live in old age? What type of old persons will they be?
	+ She and Cullen had four children together (two girls and two boys), the first of which manifested when she was still an infant. The other three are triplets. She too loves to spoil her children/grandchildren/maybe even great grandchildren.
* Are they tall or short or somewhere in between?
	+ She’s an elf, so she’s shorter than most humans. She has to stand on her tip toes to kiss Cullen if he doesn’t bend down to her level.
* What does your Inquisitor think about her task? Would she leave it if she could and pass the responsibility to someone else?
	+ She didn't ask for it and it stresses her out. However, she wouldn't leave if she could in the long run, because a Seer cryptically told her it's her destiny. She still thinks she'll return to her clan after her purpose to the "shems" is done for a while in the beginning, but once she realizes she's in love with Cullen and that her job to the "shems" is much more than she originally thought, she realizes she will probably never be able to go back.
* What's your character’s most important possession, and why?
	+ She has 3 things really (4 after Cullen gives one to her).
		- 1. Her journals. She writes just about everything that happens to her in them on a daily basis. She also draws her nightly dreams in them with pin-point accuracy (she has a photographic memory and is a Savant in that way). She still has all of her journals all the way from when she first started doing this in childhood.
		- 2. Her baby blanket. It has an enchantment on it where if it detects an injury or illness, it will actually heal her, but if the illness/injury is too severe/complex for it to heal, it will start to glow to let someone know that it needs a mage to heal properly. It only works on her, and she still uses it for minor injuries when she's low on mana.
		- 3. Her mother/grandmother's blue sundress. Her mother really liked it when her grandmother wore it, so when her mother's magic manifested and it became clear that she was going to have to move clans, her grandmother gave it to her mother for when she would grow into it. Mina received it from her Keeper (since her mother died just before she and her identical twin, Lira were born) to wear when she got her vallaslin.
		- 4. The lucky coin Cullen gives her, for obvious reasons. She makes a necklace for it out of her magical ice that will never melt, and enchants it so it won't break or fall off.
* What does your OC think about fighting/violence as a solution to problems? Is there a fight that they have nightmares about?
	+ She's had to learn the hard way that violence doesn't solve problems. (are we able to talk about possibly triggering content here? If not, don't click the blocked out portion, and let me know so i can edit it out) She was raped as a child and fed a man his own balls (which she magically castrated) for trying to rape another girl from the clan 5 years later. One, that killed the man, two, it didn't do anything except make her depression/PTSD worse.
	+ I just realized I forgot to say that Mina Lavellan will Force-Slap a person if she's mad at them... she does it to Varric after he teases her too much about watching Cullen leave the battlefield after she first meets him. She also does it to Zevran (who I put in my fic as Leli's LI and Second-in-Command) after he tells Leliana and Cassandra about something that she did that worried him after she threatened him and told him not to tell anyone what he'd seen.
* What profession did your OC wish to have as a child?
	+ She wanted to be a hunter for her clan, but when her and her identical twin, Lira's magic manifested at the same time when they were 10, that changed to being First, which she ended up being.
		- Did she ever wonder if life would have been better for her if she had been a hunter instead?
			* Many times. She had a traumatic experience while trading with humans and she knows she wouldn't have been trading alone if it hadn't been a test to become First. (if you don't have any triggers, i'll pm you what happened if you want)
		- Did Mina ever have a period of time where she didn't want her magic?
			* Not necessarily. She considered it a blessing from Sylaise, and so she cherished it.
		- Did Mina enjoy all the studies that came with being First?
			* Mina LOVED it! She has a photographic memory and is a savant in that way, so she learned everything really quickly. she's also super smart for her age, so that helped her learn stuff quicker as well.
		- why was mina chosen as first over her twin?
			* well, for starters, Mina was born first. Second, Lira suffered some brain damage from running out of air during the birth and isn't as smart as Mina. Lira barely learned how to Fade-Step a week before Mina left for the Conclave.
* How does your OC comfort their LI or BFF? How do they attempt to comfort their other friends or acquaintances?
	+ She's usually the one being comforted, but when she has to comfort someone else, she does so by singing *Suledin (Endure)* to them, rubbing their back/arms/whatever's easiest soothingly, and/or whispering soothing words to them. She's done this to Eva a few times, especially after the child has a nightmare.
	+ When Cullen has lyrium withdrawals, she'll stay with him and do whatever he needs until he's better. If he can't get up to his loft, she will either shapeshift both of them to get him up there, or, if Cullen doesn't want her to do that, she'll lead him to her quarters or something.
	+ Despite her own troubles, she tells everyone (family, friends, strangers (after they talk a little bit, of course), pretty much anyone except nobles) that they can come to her at any time if they ever need anything, including just someone to talk to. Not many people take her up on that offer, mostly due to her title as Inquisitor (after that happens, of course) and also because they don't want to bother her, but those who do come to realize that Mina is so caring and will do whatever she can to help them.
		- Does Mina ever let others in when she's havig problems?
			* sometimes, but not all the time. However, as the months go on, her companions/advisors learn her quirks and are able to tell when she's not in a good place. Right now, Cassandra and Leliana are the only ones who can ask her about her mental health without her initiating the topic (Cullen and just about everyone else gets added to the list later, but for now it's just Cass and Leli), and they are the ones who she trusts the most at the moment.
		- do raisa and mina develop a friendship over time?
			* Yes! Mina even travels to Denerim a few times in her raven form (which takes 1-2 days that way, versus several weeks traveling the old fashion way) if she's really needed to talk to her face to face.
* What is your OC's ideal way to be courted? Do they want to be read poetry? Brought flowers? What's the best way for a romantic interest to win them over?
	+ Because of a trauma she experienced as a child (pm me if you want the details and you don't have any triggers), Mina is very shy about pursuing love. She may be a hopeless romantic, but really what would win her over is just going slow and assurances that he won't take advantage of her and that they won't do anything she's not comfortable doing. Cullen's gentleness is something else that helps win her over in the end.
		- Was it Cullen who was the one who took a more active role in their relationship, or did Mina guide him along at her own pace, so to speak.
			* both, really. Cullen still does that forceful kiss after Jim interrupts them, but he's still very careful to make sure that she's sure with everything else.
		- So respect and consideration are the main way for Mina and Raisa to be won over? As opposed to gestures like flowers, etc.
			* pretty much, though the gestures and flowers are still extremely appreciated.
		- Has Mina ever encountered anyone who experience similar trauma? What did she do to cope with it ? And does she drop any hints / clues about the being such a hopeless romantic?
			* Leliana actually connects Mina and Raisa and they write letters to each other well before they meet for the first time in Redcliffe after Mina is sent into the future. After she found out that it wasn't normal behavior (which is what she was told at the time the trauma occurred) five years later, she made it her mission to make anyone who tries to do that to anyone pay for their crimes. And she's totally open about being a hopeless romantic! Unlike Cass, who would prefer it remained a secret, Mina will actually apologize and admit she's one after teasing someone a bit too much.
* What does your OC enjoy receiving the most? Oral, hands or both? Do they have a favourite position?
	+ After getting over the traumatic experience she had as a child (pm me if you want details and you don't have any triggers), Mina finds that having sex with Cullen actually helps her. Granted, she's had to masturbate several times (before her relationship with Cullen) because of weird dreams she's had or something like that (one time, Leliana catches her and helps her--which is in the next chapter of my fic that will be posted), and she's always hated herself for it. Starting out, she doesn't really like doing much, so just regular sex is preferred, but as she gets more confident sexually, she lets Cullen give her oral, and she finds that she actually enjoys it.
		- Does Mina become the one that is in charge in the bedroom to help her feel more confident as well?
			* it depends on if it's one of her good days. on bad days, they usually just won't have sex in the first place, but if Mina feels the need to, she'll usually take charge that time. If it's one of her good days, she'll let him take charge, and after their relationship grows even more, they know each other's bodies and so she lets him take full charge most of the time, since he knows how to make her feel good and special without triggering anything.
		- Does Cullen know of Mina’s trauma?
			* Yes! She accidently tells him the day before she leaves to go back to Redcliffe to recruit the mages.
* How loyal are your OC’s to the people/ideals/organizations they care about?
	+ She's extremely loyal. The only loyalty she ultimately breaks is to her clan for falling in love with Cullen, but her clan accepts him ultimately.
		- why didn't Clan Lavellan approve of Cullen at first? Is it just the mixed race thing?
			* it wasn't that they didn't approve at first. In fact, they are very happy she found love, since she and her identical twin accidently killed the boys they were set to marry when their magic manifested at the same time, and they hadn't found suitable replacements (not that you could ever replace them). Did they wish she had fallen in love with another Dalish elf, yes, but when the Seer told her Keeper that she would fall in love with a shem and not to call her a Harellan (traitor to one's kin) and disown her, Deshanna knew to follow the Seer's insight.
* What does your OC's average morning routine look like?
	+ She gets up, maybe takes a bath, depending on when she last had one and how desperately she needs one, gets dressed/ready, goes to have breakfast, and then does whatever needs to be done that day. If she's out in the field, she will get up, get dressed/ready, go make/eat breakfast, and then they will head out.
* In the spirit of Thanksgiving, what are the things your OC is most thankful for?
	+ Before Inquisition: Her clan. If it weren't for them, she wouldn't've made it. It was because of them that she and her identical twin, Lira, survived being born 2 months early (their mother died of a bear attack soon before they were born). Plus, if it weren't for her clan, they wouldn't've learned all they have about magic and Dalish lore.
	+ Beginning of Inquisition (before her romance with Cullen started): Cassandra and Leliana. They are the first people she ever tells about a traumatic experience she had as a child (let me know if you want me to pm you details and you don't have any triggers) and she becomes friends with them fairly quickly.
	+ Inquisition (after her romance with Cullen started): Cullen is added to that list. Really, at this point, all of her Inquisition companions are added to this list, but Cullen especially.
	+ After her kids are born: Add them to the list. Family is super important to her.
* What do your OCs and their LIs like to be called in bed?
	+ She loves it when Cullen calls her "Vhenan" or "love" and usually hates it when he calls her "Inquisitor" or "Herald". They kinda stress her out and turn her off. If they're feeling particularly... uhh what's the word... primal maybe?... she and Cullen will call each other their respective titles, but that is rather rare. She'll call Cullen "Vhenan" or his name usually.
* What are your OC's tells when they lie? Do they fidget around more than usual? Are they a good liar, or can people tell they are lying on the spot? *(This was a question I submitted!!!)*
	+ When she joins the Inquisition, one can immediately tell when she lies. After Leliana and Josephine teach her how to play The Game, it's much less obvious. I haven't written any specific tells for her yet, but I'm thinking something along the lines of fidgeting around more than usual and looking away, or something like that.
* What would an in-game smut author name their work that featured your Warden/Hawke/Inquisitor?
	+ Taming the Beast (this could mean taming either of them, since Mina is a force of nature when she's mad)
* So in a similar vein as our last question, i have something for y'all to discuss while I'm at work: OC Question: How would your OCs react to learning someone in-universe has written smut about them?
	+ She wouldn't take it well.... Mostly due to the traumatic experience she had as a child (I can't go into details here, but pm me if you want details and you don't have any triggers)
* How do your OCs feel about skirts/dresses/kilts vs pants? What do they prefer to wear when they're at home and not out in the field?
	+ She loves wearing dresses! However, she prefers wearing pants when out in the field. She has a blue sundress that she loves wearing that was her mother and grandmother's. For the Winter Palace, Josie and Leli wanted something that stood out and fit her personality.
* What are some song lyrics that capture a dynamic in your OCs' relationship with their LI, a companion, or perhaps an enemy?
	+ I started writing storyboards for most of Panic!'s songs, and a lot of them just say "Mina and Cullen love story?" on them, so here are my favs of that... I'll put my spotify playlist in #music for the rest.
	+ "The Good, The Bad And The Dirty" by Panic! at the Disco (P!ATD)
		- You've been gone so long/I forgot what you feel like/But I'm not gonna think about that right now/I'm gonna keep getting underneath you/I'm gonna keep getting underneath you/And all our friends want us to fall in love
	+ "The End Of All Things" by P!ATD
		- The whole song, really
	+ "Trade Mistakes" by P!ATD
		- The whole song, really
	+ "Always" by P!ATD
		- The whole song, really
	+ "The Overpass" by P!ATD
		- The whole song, really
	+ **Solas when he leaves the Inquisition:** "That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)" by P!ATD
	+ **The Anchor talking about the Inquisitor:** "Pas De Cheval" by P!ATD
* Which of your OCs don't care for alcohol? What do they prefer to drink instead?
	+ She's 20 at the start of Inquisition, but she's never had alcohol before. However, that may or may not change as Inquisition goes on (idk yet).
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered this question for.)* They all drink water, milk (Halla milk in Mina and Lira's case), etc.
		- do they prefer halla milk, water, or tea?
			* Mina and Lira don't have a preference, but Eva prefers water and regular milk (she hasn't tried halla milk or tea yet).
* When did your OC realise that they were in love with their LI? Did they accept the fact at the same time, or did they try to deny it at first?
	+ Excerpt from Chapter 1 of *This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story* where Mina has just met him:
		- “Are you alright, miss?” a male voice asks.
		- Mina looks up and sees a man crouched down in front of her with a worried look on his face. His amber eyes seem to be peering into her soul. She notices a few of his blonde locks of hair have fallen from the confines of whatever he uses and are extremely curly. *Creators, he’s beautiful!* “I—uh—not really,” she stammers out her reply. “Stupid demons keep flanking me!”
	+ Another excerpt from the same chapter soon after:
		- *Creators, I shouldn’t be feeling these things for a shem! Why do I just want to see what’s under all that armor? Is it his voice? His eyes? Creators, this won’t end well for me if I fall for him…*
	+ So, pretty much, she falls for him on sight, but she doesn't even consider pursuing him until ***after*** a Fade-touched nug tells her that her clan will accept him (long story, but I can dm you some more excerpts from chapters 2 and 3 if you want to know more).
	+ On Cullen's end, he also falls for her quite quickly, but he doesn't think she feels the same way, even with Leliana telling him in Chapter 2:
		- Leliana smirks. Cassandra had also told her about the threat Mina made Varric after he teased her a bit too much. “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” she asks innocently. “I think she might be developing feelings for you too, you know.”
		- “Maker’s breath, Leliana!” Cullen forces out in shock. “Even if I *was* developing feelings for her, which I don’t think I am,” Leliana raises an eyebrow at him, “okay, maybe I am a little bit, but still… She deserves some basic human decency! Maker knows what traumas she’s experienced at the hands of our people! Void take me! Have you seen the scars on her arms, Leliana? She’s clearly been through a lot!”
			* Is Mina afraid to fall for a human? Is that why she’s so hesitant to admit she loves Cullen?
				+ the Seer didn't tell Mina that she would fall for a shem, just her Keeper. So, she's afraid her clan will disown her and call her a Harellan (traitor to one's kin). But, when the Seer told her Keeper, she also said not to disown her or call her that. So, Mina has nothing to worry about.
* Out of companions, who did your OC have the best and worst relationships wise and why?
	+ Best: Besides Cullen, it would probably be Cassandra or Leliana. Really, any of her companions, but Leliana and Cassandra are the ones she trusts first, and probably the most, and they are the first people she ever tells about a traumatic experience she had as a child (pm me if you want details and you don't have any triggers).
	+ Worst: Probably Solas or Vivienne. She genuinely likes Solas, but there are many things they disagree on. When she finds out who he actually is, she is absolutely ***livid***. On Vivienne's end, they disagree on almost everything, and she does get on Mina's nerves. Still, they greatly respect each other.
		- The way Mina and Solas get along is quite similar to my Aurelia Hawke and Anders! Interesting! Did Viv ever try changing her appearance in which she deemed more fitting as an Inquisitor? Or was Mina confident enough to do her own thing?
			* Oh, Viv tried, but Mina didn't really listen! I'm thinking about having Viv have a pretty big influence in Mina's Winter Palace gown, but I'm not sure yet.
* What is your OCs profanity of choice? Do they invent their own? Or do they prefer to keep it clean and swear minimally or not at all?
	+ She says "Fenedhis" (currently undefined canonically, but I use it as 'shit') a lot. She'll also say "Fuck" or "Fucking" a lot. Sometimes, she'll write "Shit" when she's writing in the common tongue, or will say "Shit" in the context of something along the lines of, "All this shit is happening!". She's also said "Damn" or "Damn it" a few times. Pretty much, she curses like a sailor, but once her kids are born (or when around Eva), she tries to keep it to a minimum. She said her first curse word at the age of four and hasn't stopped since.
* In what way(s) does your OC annoy others?
	+ She will say she's fine, but she's really not. She's also really stubborn. Right now, she can't lie well at all, and when she does, one can immediately tell she's lying. So, when she says she's fine but really isn't, her companions immediately know something's up. Sometimes when they try to help her, she'll snap at them, but they know not to leave her alone when she's like this.
		- Why is Mina so bad at lying?
			* She just is, and always has been.
* In what ways did your OC change, as a person, by the end of their in-game story/adventures?
	+ I unfortunately can't go into details about this here, since it involves her extremely dark backstory, but she has changed dramatically as a person since the start of Inquisition.
	+ She's also a lot better at lying and playing The Game, cuz Leli and Josie had to give her lessons.
* What are your OC's thoughts on dragons?
	+ She's kinda fascinated by them. The first time she shapeshifts into one, it is a small purple version of the one on the Storm Coast. It was soon after she and her traveling companions saw it fighting that giant, and it was for the battle against the Blades of Hessarian leader (I made it a one-on-one fight in my fic). When she has to start killing them, she's a little sad, and she shapeshifts into a bigger version of a dragon than when she first did it to kill them.
	+ Here's my little additions on that infamous War Table quip by Leliana that I'm likely gonna put in my fic:
		- Leliana: Someone's turning into a bit of a dragon hunter, I've heard.
		- Cullen: Maker’s breath, really?
		- Cassandra: Ugh, as much as it’s sweet of you to worry about her, you weren’t there the first time. Or any of the times after that. She is able to handle herself just fine.
		- Leliana: Are the rumors true then?
		- Mina: (sighs) Yes, I shapeshift into a dragon to defeat the Blighted creatures. It makes it quicker and less painful for them.
		- Cullen: Why am I just now hearing about this?
			* Did shapeshifting into a dragon come easy to Mina? And more importantly, has she used this skill against Cory's pet?
				+ Small ones, yes. The bigger/smaller the thing she has to shapeshift into is compared to her, the more mana it takes, and the harder it is. She has been able to master shapeshifting into a small purple butterfly, but that's only because it's one of her favorite things to shapeshift into. That actually takes a lot less mana than it normally would now.
				+ Regarding Coryphyshit's pet, I haven't gotten to the point where she meets them yet, but I've been imagining making her shapeshift in that scene during In Your Heart Shall Burn, but I'm not positive yet. I'm thinking some time around then is when the people learn she can shapeshift, but, again, I'm not sure yet.
* What about your OC's children? What do/would they name them and why?
	+ They have 4 children together. *Nessa Adara Rutherford* is their firstborn. Cullen named her Nessa, and Mina loved it so much better than Adara which she was going to name her. Cullen suggested making that her middle name, so that's what happened.
	+ With the triplets (one girl and two boys), they come up with the names together. They decided to name the girl—the first born—Arianna “Ari” Camron Rutherford, the first-born boy Bracen Hamet Rutherford, and the second-born boy Alvin Thresas Rutherford.
* Have your OCs ever been caught in a compromising situation? Who walked in, what/who was your OC doing and how did everyone react?
	+ Leli caught her masturbating once. Mina had a really weird sex dream while on the road (she and Leli shared a tent) and couldn't go back to sleep due to the need for release in between her legs. So, she made sure Leli was still sleeping and put a silencing ward around herself. A few minutes later, when Mina was close to her peak, Leli wakes up and sees the ward over the Herald. A little worried, she asks if everything's alright. Since Mina is a terrible liar at this point, she extends the ward to include the Spymaster and tells her the situation. Leli asks if she would like some help, to which Mina finally turns to look at her and asks if Leli just asked what she thought she did, which was what happened. She reluctantly agrees to let Leli help her find the release she so desperately needs, and actually genuinely enjoys it.
	+ OH! I ALMOST FORGOT!
	+ When Mina got pregnant with her and Cullen's first-born, Nessa, everyone in Skyhold heard it. They (Mina) can get... pretty loud sometimes...
* Do your OCs (that swear) see a difference between 'street' profanity (like sodding) and blaspheming (Andraste's tits!)? How/why?
	+ She says "Creators" a lot, but will also curse outright ("Fenedhis", "Fucking", "Damn", etc.). She will eventually say "Blighted" (or, at least, I have a plan for her to), but she doesn't really see a difference between "street" profanity and blaspheming.
* How does your OC's companions react to the OC's relationship with their LI / BFF? Who does/ doesn't approve? Why don't/do they?
	+ No one really *disapproved* of her and Cullen's relationship. Except maybe Solas at the beginning since he had feelings for her and she turned him down. But, he ultimately considered it a good thing since he has his own plans to adhere to.
* They're allowed to pick out a pet as a child, what do they chose? (Pretty much anything but dragons are fair game, go wild!)
	+ Halla fawn (is that what the babies are called?). She's always loved the Hallas that the clan keeps, and would often shapeshift into one herself when she wants to hide from her identical twin, Lira, or something. She also picks the vallaslin of Ghilan'nain (the Mother of the Halla).
		- what would Mina think when the fawn wasn't a baby any longer?
			* Oh, she still loved them. Hallas are fascinating/mystical to her, whether a babies or full grown.
* Does your OC dance? Are they good at it? How comfortable are they dancing in public?
	+ She prances around a bit every now and then, but she doesn't really *dance* until Josie/Leli insist on giving her dancing lessons before the Winter Palace. (The song, "Shut Up and Dance" is how I've been imagining I'll write that scene with Cullen lol)
* How many languages does your OC speak? Where did they learn? Is there a particular one they don't know yet but would like to learn?
	+ She speaks Elvish and Common. Both taught to her by her Keeper, and a little bit by her father before he died when she was 15. She learns a bit of the other languages during her time with the Inquisition (mostly key phrases her companions/advisors like using), but doesn't become fluent in them.
* They can't be Big Damn Heroes all the time, what do your OCs get up to on a slow day, assuming nothing that would require them to do their "official" job comes up?
	+ If she isn't pining after the Commander, she may shapeshift into her butterfly form and lets little kids chase her around. She also has a spot in Haven that she will go when she needs to be alone for a bit. Leli knows where she is at all times though. Once they get to Skyhold, she may be tending the herb garden, reading with Dorian, teaching Eva/some of the other mages, playing chess with her companions, chatting with her companions/advisors, etc. She also draws a lot (mostly what happens in her dreams, but she will sometimes draw other people/things)
		- Does Mira have a regular chess partner, other than Cullen?
			* Dorian, but he cheats, so not that often.
* Whether terrifying, inventive, or simple and to the point, we all like a good threat. What is the worst threat your OC’s ever delivered? Who was it to? Why? Did it work?
	+ She can turn people into toads if she wanted. However she considers that a last resort and thankfully hasn't had to do it yet. What she does quite often is use a magical spell I like to call Force-Slap. It's the exact same thing as a regular slap, but Mina can both be a safe distance away when she does it, and she can also control how strong the slap is. If I remember correctly, she's had to do it at least 3 times so far in my fic.
	+ 1. The first time was with Varric. Mina had just met Cullen for the first time on their way to stabilize the Breach, and he caught her staring after him as he walked off the battlefield. A little bit of teasing ensued, and Mina (even though she's a terrible liar) says "I'll have you know I'm a married woman!" to Varric. He can tell that's a lie right away and teases her a little more about it. Something snaps in Mina and before she knows what she's doing, she Force-Slaps him hard and gets in his face. She tells him that if there weren't witnesses to that, she would've just killed him, and that he's "walking a very thin line, dwarf!". She recommends keeping his mouth shut for a while, and, seeing how much she towers over him, he gulps nervously and nods. He doesn't talk again until they get to the temple.
	+ 2. The second time I can't really talk about here cuz it can be a bit triggering.
	+ 3. The third time was with Zevran. She nearly does it in Val Royeaux when he wouldn't get out of her and Cassandra's way so they could go eat breakfast, but he finally moves. She Force-Slaps him after he caught her freaking out after flirting with Cullen for the first time and he tells Leliana out of worry after she threatens him. Even though she's a lot smaller than him, he actually thought the look she gave him was the stuff of ***nightmares***!
* META OC QUESTION: which of your OCs changed the most from what you'd expected/planned? How/why?
	+ She originally couldn't shapeshift. In my first ever fic (for any fandom), *Blessings and Curses*, when I was also still quite new to the fandom, I originally only wanted to just give her and Cullen kids while also writing smut. After Chapter 3, this whole 6-chapter (around 5k words each) arc happened where I started developing the traumatic experience she had as a child. Then it turned into me giving Thom/Josie and Rylen/Cass kids as well.
* Not every question in life yields a definitive answer; what are some of the lingering mysteries your OC ends up with over the years? Do they often think about them/wonder what the answer could be?
	+ Currently, she's finding out some things about her father that she never knew. She thought he died of the Blight, but after meeting Fiona in Val Royeaux (I wrote the chapter before I realized she doesn't have the taint anymore), she starts to wonder if he became a Grey Warden instead. I'm honestly not sure where I'm going to go with that yet, but considering all the other circumstances that possibly lead up to him getting the Blight, it could go in any direction at this point. If you want me to type out all of what Mina knows so far, let me know. I think I can do it in less than 2000 characters, but I will put it in a doc if it ends up being longer.
		- what's the biggest thing she found out about her father?
			* He married a shem during the trip into town where he supposedly got the Blight and produced a child (Eva Lavellan-Pentaghast) with her. He died just a few days after Eva was born, and there's a chance that he never knew about her, but Mina doesn't know for certain yet (and I'm not certain myself either).
* What are some of the things your OC is sick of hearing from people?
	+ She doesn't like it when people call her (or other elves) a "knife-ear" or "rabbit" and will defend herself/the other elves if she can. She will also defend anything "Elfy" or Dalish if she hears someone disparaging them. Since she's a powerful mage, a lot of the mages at Skyhold (and Haven) ask her to teach them some spells, and that can get annoying/tiring after a while. When it's revealed she can shapeshift, some mages ask her to teach them, but she's a lot more hesitant to teach them how to shapeshift than she is with other spells, and it can get tiring after a while having to decline the requests.
		- Has Mina ever gotten into trouble for defending herself/other Elves against racial slurs?
			* Being the rebel she is (though it's a lot less than when she was a child), she doesn't really care if she gets in trouble for defending herself/other elves against the slurs (much to Josephine's chargin) and she's not afraid to make that clear to the nobles (or whomever) who used the slurs.
* Animals are full of love. What is the most memorable thing your OC has ever done or experienced with an animal?
	+ She always wanted a halla fawn of her own as a kid, but once her magic manifested at the age of 10, she focused her attention on her studies. At the next Arlathvhen (Arlathven?), a Seer told her, "Be weary of the bear, for many will cross your path, only one of which will actually be friendly, but you will know which one that is before you encounter her." (if you can't tell, that's about Storvacker). When she finally meets Storvacker and has to judge her, she finds that quite memorable. Then, there's the time where she has an interaction with the golden halla (during my fic, *Blessings and Curses*) where it shows her the location of someone she's been searching for for a long time (I can't go into further details here cuz of the nature of it). Even just meeting and herding the mythical creature to the Dalish camp is quite memorable to her.
* Who was your OC's childhood companion?
	+ Her identical twin, Lira. Before they accidently killed them when their magic manifested at the same time when they were ten, the boys they were set to marry one day (the clan's First, Calan, and the clan's Second, Adwen) were also their companions. They were Keeper Deshanna's identical twin boys and were 5 years older than Mina and Lira.
	+ But, Creators, the stuff she and Lira would get up to! You'd think they didn't know how to behave themselves (which they most certainly did know how to behave themselves)!
* OC's Thoughts on Circles
	+ She's never been to one, but based on what she's heard about them, she doesn't really like them.
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered the question for.)* Everyone understands that some people love them because of the fact that they provide meals, housing, and education, but they don't like that it's basically a prison since mages are pretty much taken from their family at a young age.
* Your OC is forced to undergo Anger Management. How does it go?
	+ She's known to be a force of nature when she's mad, so she understands why they want her to go, but she honestly would benefit better if it were a trauma aftermath therapy group (even though the traumatic experience happened more than 10 years ago). Still, she participates in the anger management group willingly.
		- who would want Mina to attend in the first place?
			* Viv would probably be the one to voice her opinion on the matter the most, cuz appearances and all, but Josie and Leli would probably agree with her. Really, the whole Inner Circle would probably agree with Viv, but not everyone would admit it.
* They are allowed to change ONE event in their past. They aren't allowed to kill anyone or let anyone die who they saved. What do they do?
	+ Mina Lavellan wouldn't let that man help her get a good deal for the traded goods. Then he wouldn't've done that traumatic thing to her, nor given her the lyrium (which caused a severe reaction and is how she learned she can't ingest it nor touch it and how she learned she can shapeshift). She loves that she can shapeshift, but what the man did to her, not so much. She'd probably learn she can shapeshift/about the catastrophic side effects to lyrium at some point, but she'd rather it not be associated with what that man did to her.
		- What does Mina love to shapeshift into?
			* Her favorite thing is a small purple butterfly (like the image I'm about to attach). Everything she shapeshifts into has some sort of purple in it (usually the eyes) since her eyes turn purple whenever she uses her shapeshifting magic.
* What were your OCs first impressions of their companions?
	+ Cassandra and Leliana: From Chapter 1 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:
		- *What do these shemlen want with me?* Mina thinks as she sees their stern faces. *What did I ever do to them?*
	+ Varric: Finds him interesting, but quickly Solas's point on "You may reconsider that stance in time" is proven right, as she Force-Slaps him just after she meets Cullen and he teases her about it.
	+ Solas: She finds him interesting and well-learned for being a city elf (she thought). She didn't really like him grabbing her hand to close that first rift though.
	+ Cullen: From Chapter 1 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:
		- Mina looks up and sees a man crouched down in front of her with a worried look on his face. His amber eyes seem to be peering into her soul. She notices a few of his blonde locks of hair have fallen from the confines of whatever he uses and are extremely curly. *Creators, he’s beautiful!*
	+ Josephine: Mina is surprised when she speaks in Elvish, but a little bummed when she tells her that was all she knew.
	+ Sera: From Chapter 14 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:
		- Before Mina can question Sera on what she means by that, they are attacked by the said reinforcements. It seems as though the elf was speaking the plain truth, as none of them have pants on. *Creators, I’m starting to like her sense of humor,* Mina thinks as she tries not to burst out laughing while fighting them.
	+ Vivienne: From Chapter 14 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:
		- Mina sighs. She doesn’t really like this woman, but she knows the Inquisition can use all the allies it can get. “What exactly can you do for the Inquisition?” she asks.
	+ Isabela: *(She's the main boat captain for the Inquisition)*
		- From Chapter 13 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story:
			* Mina sighs. “Captain, please call me ‘Mina’,” she says as she holds her hand out.
			* “Only if you will call me ‘Isabela’,” the Captain says as she shakes Mina’s hand. “And it’s Admiral now. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
			* Mina chuckles. “Believe me, the honor is mine. Varric has told me a lot about you.”
	+ Zevran: *(Leli's LI and Second-in-Command)*
		- From Chapter 13 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story: (Translations: Garas quenathra?: Why are you here/Why have you come?)
			* They exit the room and head down to the main hall. When they get there, they see an elven man standing there.
			* “Who are you?” Mina asks.
			* The man turns around and looks at Mina and Cassandra with a small smile on his face. He bows to them.
			* “My Ladies, it’s an honor,” he says. “I do apologize for any interruptions this may have caused.”
			* “Answer the question, damn it!” Mina snaps.
			* The elven man chuckles. “Maker, Leli used to do that, too,” he mutters.
			* Mina gives him a death glare.
			* “Now, My Lady Herald, don’t give me that look,” the man says. “It’s bad for your health.”
			* “Answer the fucking question *now*, or be prepared to face my *wrath*!” Mina snarls as she takes a step forward.
			* “*Mina*!” Cassandra exclaims in horror as she goes to look in the Herald’s eyes. “*What* has gotten *into* you today?” She turns to the elven man. “My apologies, Sir. She isn’t usually like this.”
			* The elven man snorts. “She’s got ample reason to be hostile towards me,” he says. “I totally understand.” He reaches his hand out toward Mina. “Zevran Arainai, at your service, My Lady,” he says.
			* Mina shakes his hand. However, just as she is about to introduce herself, Zevran goes to kiss her hand. She pulls it away just before his lips touch her skin. “Garas quenathra?” she asks.
			* Zevran looks at Mina curiously. “Can’t you tell?” he asks. “I want to join the Inquisition!”
			* “If you’re a friend of Leli’s, then why didn’t you just write her or come to Haven?” Cassandra asks.
			* Zevran smiles and pulls out a letter from his pocket. “Because I did write her, and she said to meet your party here.” He hands Cassandra the letter.
			* Mina sighs. “Cass, you handle this,” she says. “I need some time.” With that, she turns and Fade-Steps away.
			* Cassandra sighs. “Welcome to the Inquisition, Zevran,” she says as she hands the letter back to him. “I apologize for being so short with you right now, but I should go make sure she’s alright. Excuse me.” With that, she rushes to follow the Herald.
		- From Chapter 15:
			* “If flirting is your way of being friendly, be prepared to face my Force-Slap sooner or later,” Mina replies. “Now, if you will please move. I am *very* hungry and would like to have as much food digested before we have to get on that freaking boat, as I likely will not have anything in my stomach within the first few minutes of the ride.”
	+ Blackwall: She’s extremely grateful for him blocking the arrow that would’ve hit her in the head. She already has a great respect for him because “he’s a Grey Warden”, but that just enhances it.
	+ Bull: She finds him a bit intimidating at first, but that’s only because she’s never seen a Qunari before.
	+ Dorian: She’s curious about him pretty much from the get go. Her trust in him is boosted greatly when they are sent into the future at Redcliffe.
	+ Cole: I haven’t gotten to meeting him yet, but I’m imagining Mina is curious about him pretty much from the get go. Even more so when she learns he’s a spirit.
		- does Mina wind up having many other impressions of Bull other than 'he's big'?
			* considering he's the one who pretty much caused her to gain more confidence to stand up for herself about revealing that she can shapeshift to everyone, yes.
* Out of your OCs, who partakes in elfroot?
	+ She uses elfroot a lot, as it's an ingredient in many traditional Dalish recipes.
* How well can your OCs hold their drink?
	+ She'd never drank before coming to the Inquisition, and even where I am now in my fic (Future!Redcliffe), she hasn't drank yet either, but I'm imagining when she does, she's a lightweight (is that the right term? I'm not 21 yet lol).
* They are the best man/woman at their best friend’s wedding. What stories do they tell to embarrass them?
	+ Considering I am planning like a week of marriages soon after Coryphishit is defeated in my fic, whooo this is gonna be fun!
	+ Cassandra/Rylen's wedding: She'd probably mention when she found out Cassandra reads Swords and Shields. She'd already found out the Seeker is a hopeless romantic (that happened on the way to the Hinterlands to meet with Mother Giselle), but she never thought Swords and Shields was something she liked until she found out.
	+ Josephine/Thom's wedding: She'd probably mention how hard it was to get the both of them to actually take the chance to be together, instead of just idle flirting back and forth.
	+ Leliana/Zevran's wedding: (Not sure this one is actually happening yet, since Leli becomes Divine, but this is what would probably happen if it does happen): She may or may not mention the time she caught them... you know... back at Haven. Or the time when they were heading back to Redcliffe to recruit the mages and the two sparred before Zevran made a wrong move and paid for it later...
	+ Dorian/Bull's wedding: (Another I'm not sure I'm gonna write, since Dorian has to go back to Tevinter): She'd probably retell the "Leaves" conversation.
	+ Sera/Dagna's wedding: She'd probably retell some of the pranks they'd pulled.
	+ Bonus: At her own wedding with Cullen, she'd probably retell the Wicked Grace night.
	+ Eva Lavellan-Pentaghast/Adrian Weiss's wedding: (This is many years after Inquisition since Eva and Adrian are only 5-6 during that time): She'd probably tell the story about the time she feigned a look of disapproval after watching the two spar in Haven once. The looks on their faces were priceless.
		- gee Mina's a menace! No one is safe from her stories - which would be her favourite couple to embarrass?
			* lol she's a hopeless romantic, so she loves teasing just about everyone. Though, if she'd have to pick, probably Eva and Adrian. Eva's her half-sister, so... yeah...
* How do they handle disappointing food?
	+ Before Leliana and Josephine teach her how to play the game, her disappointment is pretty obvious, even if she tries to hide it. After they teach her, though, it's less obvious. She'll still eat almost anything, though.
* How does your OC handle arguments and fights between their LI/bff and other other friends/companions? Do they get involved? Do they leave them to it? Or do they do something else entirely?
	+ Oh, if she's mad, which she rarely is, you ***know she's mad***. Yelling is involved; magic is probably involved; and it can sometimes take a Silence at ***minimum*** to get her to calm down, since she passes out when Silenced (she's given Cassandra permission to Silence her whenever they can't get her to calm down otherwise, as it does help reset her mindset). Once their relationship is established, Cullen isn't that happy whenever he finds out Cassandra had to Silence her, but he knows that it helps. In regards to her companions arguing (such as Cassandra and Varric after Hawke arrives at Skyhold), if she can, she'll interrupt before it gets too violent. She may take sides, but usually she won't.
* An animal gives them the eyes for “You are now my slave; Feed Me”. How do they react?
	+ She'll feed just about any animal that gives her that look. If she notices an injury or something, she'll heal it the best she can. She has had a few animals not want to leave her side due to her kindness, and she does her best to care for them, but her clan never really let her keep them. She'd hide them until caught, but a lot of times the animal would either pass away naturally or go on its own before that happened.
* Has your OC ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?
	+ Some of these do have familial relationships, but not parental ones.
	+ Her Keeper, since her and Lira's mother died giving birth to them (well, just before... It's a long story, but let me know if you want the details), and their father died when they were 15 (I think I did the math right, but I may have messed up by a year). Cassandra is old enough to be her mother, but she's mostly just a friend to Mina.
* Does your OC have a favorite historical figure they look up to or admire?
	+ *(This is for both Mina and her father, Harrian Lavellan.)* Little backstory first... Mina and Lira (Mina's identical twin) were born 2 months early after their mother was killed in a bear attack. Harrian had left 2 days prior to go to the Ten-Year-Gathering that is depicted in Dawn of the Seeker. When he got back, Harrian told the story of what Cassandra did to the whole clan so often (even after Mina and Lira were old enough to understand) that Mina thinks he probably had a crush on the Seeker. When Mina meets Cassandra after the explosion at the Conclave, it's not until Varric calls her "Seeker" that she realizes this warrior is the same person who had saved her father and thousands of others 20 years prior, and she then has a new respect for the warrior.
		- Do Harrian and Cassandra ever meet again?
			* No, unfortunately, Harrian dies when Mina and Lira are 15. And they never actually "met". Harrian was just one of the many innocent bystanders who would've died if it weren't for Cassandra.
		- Does Mina look up to or want to emulate any figures from Dalish or human legend?
			* Besides Ghilan'nain (which is who Mina's vallaslin represents), perhaps Ameriden when she finds out who he is. She does look up to Cassandra as a child, but only because of how heroic her father's tales of her seemed. When she finally meets the Seeker, they become fast friends.
* How do your OCs handle capture/imprisonment? Are they already planning their escape or are they more likely to freak out?
	+ She'd probably freak out, since she's a bit claustrophobic. She definitely freaked out (at least on the inside) when she woke up after the explosion at the Conclave.
* What is your OC's main Love Language? How do they express said Love Language to their LI/BFF? (The Five Love Languages are: Words of Affirmation; Physical Touch; [Receiving] Gifts; Quality Time; and Acts of Service)
	+ Her love languages are pretty much all of them except physical touch, and maybe the gifts. She does love receiving gifts, but not as much as the other three.
* For OCs that are married, what moment made them realize they wanted to marry their LI? For OCs that have a LI that aren’t married, what’s a reason why they haven’t married their LI (ie domestic partnership; no time; no desire; etc)? For OCs that don’t have a LI, what’s their opinion on marriage as a whole?
	+ She's a hopeless romantic, but she doesn't really realize she wants to marry Cullen until soon before he proposes soon before the final battle (I don't have a definitive date yet, but it's definitely not during Trespasser).
* What is something they’ve done that historians in the future will consider to be impossible and label propaganda?
	+ Probably the time she was able to transfer the mark to her identical twin, Lira, for a few seconds to close a rift. Surely that would take a shit ton of blood magic to do, right? Even if they ***are*** identical twins...
		- How did Mina transfer the Mark?
			* They're identical twins. Their connection is so strong that even ***spells*** (as well as Spell Purges and Silences) often accidently get transferred to each other! Even after Mina becomes the Herald/Inquisitor! (Ever hear about how identical twins can feel each other's pain without being in the same room or even knowing the other is hurt? That's pretty much what I'm going off of here.)
* Our OCs have frankly frightening powers at their control and are (half the time) very frightening people. What’s the most violent/vengeful/shocking way your OC has ever killed someone?
	+ She once magically castrated a man for trying to rape a girl in the clan and then fed him his own balls. She does this to any rapist she comes across...
* For warriors, how many people in their party have they tried to physically pick up, and were they successful? For rogues, how many people in their party have they freaked out while going in/out of stealth? For mages, how many people in their party have they accidentally (or on purpose) zapped/frozen/set on fire/magically affected during combat?
	+ She's hurt many of her companions accidentally in her sleep (Fade Dreams/Nightmares)... I actually just got done writing a scene with the HoF, Queen Raisa Amell-Theirin, where she hurts her (but only very mildly) in her sleep due to a nightmare... Nothing in combat that she (or I) knows of... Once she gets the Ring of Doubt, she does startle her companions (both accidentally and on purpose) many times when switching in and out of stealth... Plus, since she's a shapeshifter mage, whooo, Maker, the stuff she can get ***up*** to!
* A bakery decides to name a cupcake after them. How do they react?
	+ If the cupcake is about her magic abilities (or maybe has a purple butterfly theme since that's one of her favorite things to shapeshift into), she'd probably be flattered. If it's about her temper or something, she'd probably be more mortified.
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered the question for.)* Depending on what kind of cupcake, they'd either be flattered or mortified (though at least slightly embarrassed either way)...
* Their LI (or FWB) commissioned artwork of themself "tastefully unclothed" and had it sent to your OC. How does the OC react?
	+ Considering she's usually the artist, she's a little bummed that he didn't ask her to do it, but she understands why he didn't. She hangs it in her closet where no one but her (and Cullen) sees it.
* OC Question For Spirit Healers: Did they pair with a spirit? If so, which (and why)?
	+ I nearly made Mina Lavellan a Spirit Healer, but I ended up scrapping that idea. Had I gone through with it, the spirit would've chosen her, and it was both a Spirit of Compassion and I think Faith. Hang on, let me look... Nope! It was Hope and Compassion. I didn't like where it was going, and scrapped the idea. If you want to read what I wrote at first vs what ended up being published in the chapter, let me know.
* What companion (or NPC) did your OC form an unlikely friendship with? How did they manage to bond with one another, despite any (possibly perceived?) differences?
	+ As stubborn as they both are in their beliefs, she and Cassandra form a really great friendship and she is the second person Mina ever tells about a traumatic experience she had as a child (Leliana is the first). She tolerates Vivienne, and they greatly respect each other, but she wouldn't call her a ***great*** friend like she would Cassandra.
* Most races have a split: Dalish/City elves, Nationality and 'barbarian' for humans, Caste/surfacer dwarves, Vashoth/Tal-Vashoth/Qunari. How does your OC see the split within their race?
	+ She's very devout in her faith, but she respects everyone else's beliefs. Does she wish they believed in the Creators like she does? Yes. But she still respects their faith.
		- How does Mina view the split between City Elves and the Dalish?
			* She knows they don't usually believe in the Creators, and when she meets Solas, she starts questioning that since he appears to be a city elf since he doesn't have a vallaslin, but in all other sense he seems Dalish. Yes, he tells her that he doesn't identify with either, but that just confuses her. How can he be neither? Yes, he kind of reminds her of his, unbeknownst to her at the time, true identity, Fen'Harel (spoilered just in case), but she doesn't make the connection until she actually learns the truth...
		- Interesting. And culturally? What does she think of the reverence most City Elves had of the Dalish? Or the Dalish disdain of the City Elves?
			* ... I may need to brush up on my lore lol... But, to transpose myself on her, she'd probably be like "why can't you understand and respect that we all have different beliefs?!"
* OCs and Happy Endings
	+ Marries Cullen soon after Coryphishit's defeat (I'm planning like a week of weddings for all of my pairings) and they have 4 kids together (a girl and then triplets (a girl and 2 boys)).
* Are your OCs morning people or night owls?
	+ She's more of a morning person, but there have been times where she has been known to be more of a night owl.
* What is one companion they have wanted to slap around/shake/snap at because they simply do not get along?
	+ Vivienne. They disagree on many things, but do greatly respect each other. However, there have been many times where Mina had to control her anger when she was about to Force-Slap her.
* Have they ever been on the receiving end of a prank? What kind of prank was it?
	+ She and her identical twin, Lira, are more of the pranksters, but they have both been on the receiving end of payback-pranks.
* if your oc was a companion in one of the games, what would their personal quest be?
	+ Finding the man who (tw: underage rape/bipolar depression/suicidal thoughts/actions) raped her when she was ten and who caused all of her mental health issues (bipolar depression and suicidal thoughts/actions).
* What was their first time with the LI like? Was it loving and romantic? Awkward as hell? Hard and fast? Their very first time as well?
	+ Her very first time was not something she likes to remember, and she considers her first time with Cullen to be her first time, even though she's masturbated in between the two.
	+ With Cullen, considering the trauma her first experience consisted of, he makes sure she is sure about everything and it's both loving and awkward.
* How do they react to statues being built of them
	+ She understands that people look up to her because of her mark and her eventual title as Inquisitor, but she just doesn't understand why shemlen like to waste precious resources on unnecessary things such as statues. Couldn't they put those resources toward something else, like building homes for the homeless or something?
* OC Question for OCs who are married or to-be married: If your OC was proposed to did they expect it? If your OC proposed, did they have a plan for the moment or did they play it by ear?
	+ He proposes soon before the final battle with Coryphishit. Not at the Exalted Council. Beyond that, idk yet lol (it's still over 70 chapters away lol).
* What custom nickname would Varric give to your OCs and why? Wardens included.
	+ He calls her "Flashy". Originally, I just went with that because she wasn't as developed when I created it (plus I was still quite new to the fandom) and I just couldn't think of anything else. Despite being pretty cheesy at first, it ended up fitting her perfectly, not only because of her mark, but also because of her quick reflexes and short temper.
* meta question! who was your first da oc, and how did you begin developing them?
	+ Mina Lavellan was my first da oc, but I didn't really start developing her until I started writing *Blessings and Curses* (the fic where I gave her and Cullen kids) less than 2 months into the fandom. However, I developed her even more when I started writing her main inquisition fic. She couldn't shapeshift in *Blessings and Curses*, and I like her as a shapeshifter better lol.
* What is one thing your OC is just plain awful at?
	+ Lying. At least before Leliana and Josephine taught her how to play the game.
* How do your OCs feel about Tranquility? Do they feel like it’s ever justified as a punishment or not? How do they feel about it as a voluntary procedure?
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered this for.)* Nope. Don't even get them started. A ***LOT*** of yelling (and likely magic) will be involved.
* Has your OC ever done anything unintentionally sexy in front of their LI? What was it and how did their LI respond?
	+ She once decided to wear her hair down and a dress. This is the first time she did this (way back in Haven), and, being the hopeless romantics that they are, Leliana, Josephine, and Cassandra thought she looked like a goddess and tricked Cullen into coming in Josephine's office just so he could see her. He called her beautiful and he always feels himself harden slightly whenever she wears her hair down and a dress (no matter what dress it is). Later on, when their relationship is in full swing (and after the desk sex), he finds it hard to keep his hands off her whenever she wears her hair down and a dress. (A/N: that chapter (chapter 9) was my favorite chapter to write so far!)
* Do your OCs have any siblings? How do they get along with them? For OCs without siblings, do they have a sibling-like relationship with anyone?
	+ She has an identical twin, Lira. They are really close, and Lira doesn't want Mina to go to the Conclave. They are so close that they often have spells/Spell Purges/Silences transferred to each other, even ***after*** Mina becomes Herald/Inquisitor. Mina is also able to transfer the mark to her for a few seconds to close a rift. She doesn't think she'll be able to do that again, though.
	+ She also has a half-sister, Eva Lavellan-Pentaghast. They click almost immediately after Mina, Leliana, and Cassandra save her from her mother's blood magic, even before they learn that they are half-sisters. Eva ends up staying with Mina in her cabin in Haven.
* How loud is your OC in the bedroom (i.e., are they a screamer, average amount of noise, little soft sounds, somehow totally silent)? And how does their LI feel about that?
	+ She's ***suuuuper*** loud. Case in point, when she got pregnant with her and Cullen's first-born, everyone in Skyhold heard it. Cullen finds it pretty hot, though he'd never admit it.
* For mage OCs, how old were they when they came into their magic? For warrior and rogue OCs, how old were they when they began to learn their skills?
	+ *(This is for both Mina and Lira.)* They were 10 when their magic manifested at the same time and they accidently killed the boys they were set to marry (the clan's First and Second at the time).
* Meta OCQ: If you were to meet your OC (as one of their peers, not their creator), would you like them? Would they like you?
	+ All of them would love me, and I'd love them just as much! They're kinda me in general anyways lol
* Your OC has the power to have the ultimate private night with their LI, what do they do? Location, Prelude, Activities, Positions, go wild (or not, if they prefer something tender)!
	+ I actually wrote this already with Mina Lavellan and Cullen... I think it was when she got pregnant with the triplets, but idr for sure lol
* They say desperate times call for desperate measures, what's the most drastic thing your OC has done in a desperate situation? How did people around them react in the moment? Does your OC ever think about what happened afterwards?
	+ This has not been written yet (I write by the seat of my pants, so the biggest details could change, but idk yet), but I've been thinking about having Mina reveal she can shapeshift sometime between In Your Heart Shall Burn and soon after they get to Skyhold. I'm still not positive on this, but I'm thinking about her shapeshifting herself and other residents of Haven (which she has already done a few times with some of her companions, but those are stories for another time) during In Your Heart Shall Burn to get them to the Chantry quicker. Then she goes back into the fray to do it all over again. This saves many residents, and she doesn't regret it. Especially since the residents are extremely grateful for their lives. I'm also thinking about having her shapeshift during the Coryphishit encounter, but I'm not sure yet.
* What are the in-universe origins of your OCS names? Do they have a specific meaning out of universe that you chose them for?
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered this for, and I edited this to have the links as text instead of the way I had them when I originally answered it.)* Pretty much all of my OCs names came from this fabulous website but a lot of them I do know someone with that name irl. Names I just can't do because of how close to someone I am are Riley (my name), Elsa/Anna/any Frozen name (obviously), Emily, Maggie, Ashley, Beverly, Susan, and Dorothy, among others. However, since I created them, I have used this website to look up what they mean, and I have found that a lot of them fit the character lol
	+ For example:
	+ **Mina (Lavellan):** She is my Inquisitor and has blue eyes. She's also a hopeless romantic.
	+ Hindi : Precious blue stone
	+ Arabic : A place near Makkah
	+ German : Love
	+ Persian : Sky blue
	+ Old German : Love
	+ Hebrew : Bitter
	+ Danish : Goddess of sun, moon, and stars
	+ Teutonic : Fierce protector
* How does your OC’s own perception of themselves compare to how other people see them? Is your OC aware that other people see them differently (if it’s different)?
	+ She doesn't understand her own beauty and the effects it has on people. Especially when she wears her hair down and puts little magical ice crystals in it and magically colors them to go well with whatever she's wearing. Even Cassandra was awed by her beauty the first time she saw it. Add on whenever it's soon after she shapeshifts and her eyes are still a little bit purple because of that, and many people think she looks like an absolute goddess! Let's just say that after their relationship is in full swing, it's a lot harder for Cullen to keep his hands off of her when she wears her hair down and a dress.
* How would your OC describe their love interest?
	+ *(This is for all of the OCs I answered this for.)* Beautiful.
* What is something that you OC THINKS is a secret only they know, but in fact somebody else knows it as well?
	+ (Note, I haven't written some of this yet, and so I'm not positive on some of the details. Also, SPOILERED PARTS ARE TRIGGERING FOR SUICIDE, RAPE, AND DEPRESSION!) She was raped as a 10-year old girl, and she never told anyone until her suicide note to Leliana, who later had to tell Cassandra for Mina's safety. The part I'm not sure about is whether her identical twin felt it when it was happening and/or whether her Keeper knows. Or if her father knew before he died. Being as she and Lira are identical twins and often have spells (even Spell Purges and Silences) transferred to each other, even after Mina became the Herald, I'm thinking about Lira feeling at least some of what Mina felt when the incident happened. Lira does know that Mina has suffered from severe depression because of it (I wrote that in Mina's suicide note to her), but Mina thinks she doesn't know the true reason why.
* What death, if any, affected your characters the most?
	+ *(This is for Mina and Lira.)* Probably their father's (when they were 15). Being as their mother died just before they were born from a bear attack, he was the only biological family they had left, besides each other, in the clan. Or, there's Calan and Adwen, the two boys that they were set to marry one day, but whom they accidently killed when their magic manifested at the same time when they were 10. The boys were the clan's First and Second at the time, and were Keeper Deshanna's identical twin boys. They were 5 years older than the girls.
		- Did Mina and Lira end up replacing them as the Keepers first and Second? How did Deshanna feel about teaching them after what happened?
			* Yes, Mina and Lira did end up replacing them. Deshanna did take about a month to truly reflect on what happened and to grieve (they weren't officially First and Second until then), but she did start to train them the morning after they manifested. No one wants the two young girls to turn into abominations and then leave the clan without a First and Second, or even worse, kill the whole clan.
* How do your OCs feel about blood magic? Do they ever think that it's justified or okay or are they completely against it?
	+ She hates it, especially considering she's often incorrectly considered one because of her shapeshifting abilities. If she ever met Merrill, however, she'd probably find her cute (I know ***I*** did when I first met her lol). The blood magic, on the other hand, not so much.
* Question for Mages: What's the most unorthodox way in which/purpose for your OC has used their magic?
	+ She uses it for everything. She... oh, maker, that ***scene!*** okay, give me a bit to stop laughing...
	+ okay, I think I can write what happened now...
	+ She once used it to wake up Cassandra and then landed on the Seeker's head in her butterfly form. This is in an upcoming chapter, so I won't give many more details than that lol.
	+ She also uses it to shoot ice in the bathtub and then to heat it up. She has also made many things with her ice magic. Including but not limited to:
		- 1. Chest that Lira keeps her stuff in
		- 2. Halla figurine on a chain (as a necklace) for Eva
		- 3. Shoes (for her, and then a little later, after they see hers, for Leliana and Josephine)
		- 4. A whole city (in a dream)
		- 5. Hair crystals (for both her and Eva)
		- 6. Cover-up (in Chapter 19 of This Shit is Weird: The Inquisitor Mina Lavellan Story)
		- 7. Many figurines of many flora, fauna, factions, and places (castles/fortresses) she's been, all to scale so she and Varric can tell the stories of her adventures (In Blessings and Curses)
		- 8. Custom necklaces for the entire Inner Circle with many small figurines that represent each person (In Blessings and Curses)
	+ I'm thinking she will be the one to make Cassandra's wedding veil, and to color the bridesmaid dresses for each wedding (did I mention she can also color any of her ice creations magically?).
	+ She can also turn people into toads if she wanted, but she hasn't had to do that yet (though I'm thinking about having her do it to Florienne (is that how it's spelled???) since she wouldn't be able to save Empress Celene otherwise), and considers it to be a last resort. She does shapeshift herself and other people (to transport them to a different/safer location) several times, though.
* Question for Mages: What's the most unorthodox way in which/purpose for your OC has used their magic? (Bedroom Edition)
	+ She sometimes uses it when she has to masturbate, but that is rather rare. So is using it when she and Cullen are getting frisky in the sheets.

### **Trivia**

* After realizing I have a recurring bear theme in Mina's story, I looked up what bears symbolize, and I realized that the bear is pretty much Mina's spirit animal. I will likely not mention it explicitly in the fic, but I will forever be considering the bear Mina's spirit animal. Learn more about bears as spirit animals here.
* Originally, I didn't have it where the man who helped Mina with the trading was the one who raped her, hence not mentioning it in her journal entry that day. When I decided he was the one who raped her, I got around that by having it so that she intentionally left it out of the entry.
* Mina is loosely based on Elsa in design (and some magic abilities). When I created her, I was still in the phase (well, technically, I'm still in it, but it was a lot worse then lol) where every character/profile I create is based on Elsa.
* Mina and Lira's middle names are the same. Naya was their mother's first name. However, no one in the Inquisition knows this yet. Leliana might know, but she hasn't said anything.

## **Links**

### **AO3:**

Mina Lavellan's Inquisition Story (The fic that depicts Mina's time with the Inquisition)

Blessings and Curses (The fic where I gave Mina and Cullen kids that I wrote before Mina Lavellan's Inquisition Story and when she wasn't as developed as she is now)

### **Tumblr:**

Fan Art People have Drawn for Me (Thank You!):

Freeshies's drawing of Mina

Fashion References that I posted on my Tumblr page:

Miscellaneous and Winter Palace

Weddings

## **Gallery**

* Fan Art
* Screenshots
* Fashion References
* Weapon Concept Art
* Heromachine.com
* Shapeshifted Forms
* Miscellaneous

Mina by @Freeshies on Tumblr

Mina after her first kiss with CullenMina LavellanMina during a talk with CullenMina during the Coin Scene with CullenMina breaking the 4th wall during the Coin scene with CullenMina during the Coin Scene with CullenMina during Wicked GraceMina during Wicked GraceMina at the Winter PalaceCullen asking Mina to dance at the Winter PalaceMina at the beginning of THE SCENE™ with CullenMina during THE SCENE™ with CullenMina says "I love you" to CullenMina I think talking to MorriganMina sitting in judgementMina on her balcony in SkyholdMina armorThe Anchor going off at the beginning of Doom Upon All the WorldMina at the beginning of Doom Upon All the WorldMina and Dorian during Doom Upon All the WorldMina during Doom Upon All the WorldMina during Doom Upon All the WorldMina when she arrives back at haven after the final battleMina and her advisors after the final battleMina and Cullen getting some alone time after the final battleMina meeting Inquisitor AmeridanMina after defeating the dragon in Jaws of HakkonMina at the beginning of The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The DescentMina during The Descent

Winter Palace and Wedding images have been moved to Winter Palace and Mina Lavellan and Cullen Rutherford's Wedding respectfully.

Butterfly NecklaceButterfly ShoesCasual Blue Dress From Mother/GrandmotherCasual Green DressDark Purple DressButterfly Cloak 1 (Imagine a cross between this and *Butterfly Cloak 2* to get Mina's cloak)Butterfly Cloak 2 (Imagine a cross between this and *Butterfly Cloak 1* to get Mina's cloak)

Made on this website.

This is how I imagine Mina's staff to look like.

These were made by me via this website.

Mina's Light Blue Dress with her Butterfly CloakMina's in-game Skyhold OutfitMina's Winter Palace GownMina's in-game Final Battle ArmorMina Purple Wedding Gown

Butterfly FormMina Cat FormMina Nug FormMina Raven FormMina Dragon Form (Found when searching "Dragon Age Dragon")Mina Halla FormMina Mabari FormMina Bat FormMina Horse Form. I was not able to make the eyes purple on this one, but know that they are purple.

Profile version of Mina breaking the 4th wall screenshot that themightyironstar#1122 on Discord did
## **Legal Notes**

* All credit for Dragon Age content/characters goes to Bioware and the fabulous game creators/editors/the whole team.
* All credit for Dragon Age Wiki links goes to the fabulous people who create/edit/run the pages and that website.
* All credit for any templates that I use that aren't my own go to the fabulous creator(s) of said templates.
* All credit for any idea that I put in my fics that aren't my own go to the fabulous people who gave me the idea (usually from me reading their fic).
* All credit for anything not my own goes to the fabulous people whose own it actually is.