Conversations
Bellara Act 1 Conversations
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Conversations are in order of availability.
Into The Crossroads
Rambling
Available after entering the Crossroads for the first time.
Bellara is laying on the ground in her room, working on the Nadas Dirthalen.
Bellara: Ah… Oh, shit! No! Okay. Try again. Deep breaths. Hmm. Mmhmm… mmhmm… mmhmm… mmhmm. (Gasps) There!
She stands.
Archive Spirit: (Distantly) Sulahn’nehn. Vir sulevanan…
She starts smacking it with her wrench.
Bellara: (Frustrated grunts) Gah! Damn it!
The wrench flies from her hands and almost hits Rook as they walk in.
Bellara: Oh, no! Sorry! Just breaking things.
Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: It’s okay.
Rook: Take a deep breath. Let’s talk this through.
Bellara: I wish I could. But I can’t. Not right now. My thoughts just keep bouncing around. Won’t line up.
2 - Sarcastic: Can I try?
Rook: Want help? I could, I don’t know, kick it or something?
Bellara: Oh! Yes. Just be careful. Some things don’t do well. If you break them, I mean.
Rook: What kind of “don’t do well” are we talking about?
Bellara: Oh, you know. Reality tears. Wild magical energy. Also, for some reason, bees. I… don’t know why. And I don’t know why this won’t work. Thought I’d figured it out. But it keeps breaking. And I can’t get my thoughts to line up.
Rook: You fixed the eluvian, though.
3 - Stoic: That won’t help.
Rook: Easy, there. Smashing things won’t help.
Bellara: Sorry. I’m frustrated. My thoughts aren’t lining up.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: The eluvian was easy. Once I replaced the resonance crystal, adjusted the lyrium lens, it worked fine. I mean, I had to re-align the matrices. But it just worked. Not like this thing.
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: You’re smart. You’ve got this. [5]
- Affable: You’ll de better than I would. [6]
- Stoic: Give yourself a break. [7]
5 - Flirt: You’re smart. You’ve got this.
Rook: You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.
Bellara: Well. Thank you. For thinking that.
Rook: Of course.
6 - Affable: You’ll de better than I would.
Rook: Bellara, I don’t understand half the words you just used. You’ll figure this out. Whatever “this” is.
7 - Stoic: Give yourself a break.
Rook: This stuff’s thousands of years old. Nobody could figure it out right away. Also… what is it, exactly?
8 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: It’s the Nadas Dirthalen. The eighth Archive. We— I heard it was gone forever. But here it is.
Rook: So what does it do?
Bellara: It knows things. Whatever its creator knew, at least. So much knowledge. All the wonders of Elvhenan. Or at least, bits of them. Which is more than we have. Once I figure it out, at least. Whoever made it was powerful. But clumsy. It’s resonating off-tempo. Need to match it. First, introduce a micro-fracture. But before that, you’ll need the Fade harmonics, so—Sorry. I ramble sometimes. I’m a rambler. Ruined a lot of relationships. Most of the people I’ve been with didn’t care for it. And… I’m doing it. Again.
Dialogue options:
- Flirt: I like your rambling. [9]
- Affable: It’s okay. [10]
- Sarcastic: I’m right there with you. [11]
- Stoic: Focus on the task. [12]
9 - Flirt: I like your rambling.
Rook: I could listen to you ramble all day.
Bellara: Oh. Well. Same to you! Not that you ramble. You should talk more! I mean, you talk plenty. Just the right amount. Ideal talking.
10 - Affable: It’s okay.
Rook: Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t bother me.
Bellara: Oh! Well, good.
11 - Sarcastic: I’m right there with you.
Rook: I’ve been known to ramble now and then. Sometimes I get ahead of my thoughts, and when I try to sort them out, they’re all jumbled.
Bellara: Right! And they’re slippery, and fast, and you can only catch some of them. I wish I could catch the thought that would let me fix this thing.
12 - Stoic: Focus on the task.
Rook: It’s an ancient elven artifact. An unstable one. Just get it working. And try not to blow anything up.
Bellara: Oh! Okay. I’ll remember that.
13 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: Okay. Anyway. The Nadas Dirthalen. I’ll get back to it. Soon. But I think I need a break. Maybe take a nap. And I can finish later.
Dialogue options:
14 - Affable: Whatever helps.
Rook: Hey, if napping works, then nap away.
Bellara: Okay! I will.
15 - Sarcastic: Good plan.
Rook: Personally, I always endorse napping.
Bellara: Right! Never underestimate a good nap.
16 - Stoic: Don’t take too long.
Rook: We can’t wait too long.
Bellara: Right. A short nap, then.
17 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: Anyways. Let me know if you need me. I’ll be ready.
+ Bellara Approves
The scene fades, and one of Varric’s narratives cuts in.
Varric: They’d found someone who could fix their mirror—one of Arlathan’s own Veil Jumpers. Just what they were looking for. And Bellara had found something else: an artifact that held a wealth of lost knowledge. But a prize like that was going to attract more attention than they’d bargained for.
Khachapuri
Neve: A sharp eye, a quick mind, and luck. That’s most of the job.
Bellara: So do you think I could become one? An investigator?
Neve: It takes a certain amount of focus, too.
Bellara: Oh, okay. Well, maybe not, then. I still can’t believe it. I’m talking to the Neve Gallus.
Neve: And that’s sweet. But I don’t need the flattery.
Bellara: Right. Just a person. I’ll try to remember.
Neve: Rook! Here to join us?
Dialogue options:
- Affable: What are you doing? [1]
- Sarcastic: I see you’re making friends. [2]
- Stoic: I’m checking on Bellara. [3]
1 - Affable: What are you doing?
Rook: What’re you two up to?
Bellara: We’re talking. Just two normal people. Talking about things. You know. Very casually.
Neve: It turns out Bellara knows my work. Or at least, the parts that make the papers.
2 - Sarcastic: I see you’re making friends.
Rook: I’m glad to see you’re making friends, Bellara.
Bellara: Oh, definitely! Neve’s, well. Neve. She’s been just so kind!
Neve: Bellara had more questions about my work. She can be quite persuasive.
3 - Stoic: I’m checking on Bellara.
Rook: Just came to see how Bellara’s doing.
Bellara: Oh, I’m good. Great, even. Neve and I were just talking. You know. Casually.
Neve: It turns out Bellara knows my work. Or at least, the parts that make the papers.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: It all sounds so exciting! The things you’ve done, the people you’ve helped.
Neve: Those are the ones that go well. You don’t hear about the rest. Everyone wants a scandal. Or a happy ending.
Bellara: Or both! Like that time you told the marquis to—
Neve: Hold on. I don’t think Rook’s interested in that story.
Dialogue options:
- Affable: Up to you. [5]
+ Neve Approves - Sarcastic: I love scandal. [6]
+ Bellara Approves - Stoic: Probably not. [7]
5 - Affable: Up to you.
Rook: You don’t need to tell me if you’re not comfortable.
Neve: It’s less that, and more that the story needs the right atmosphere. After dark over bad coffee. Or expensive wine. Take your pick.
6 - Sarcastic: I love scandal.
Rook: Rook’s a little interested.
Neve: Look, I’d love to. Honest. But that story needs the right atmosphere. After dark over bad coffee. Or expensive wine. Take your pick.
7 - Stoic: Probably not.
Rook: I’m not one to push for details.
Neve: Maybe another time. Over bad coffee or expensive wine.
8 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: Speaking of! What’s the situation with cooking, exactly? Are we on a rotation, or what? I can help out. I’m a pretty good cook. With some things, at least. Well, most of the time. Sometimes I get distracted, and things burn.
Dialogue options:
- Special: I have to go. (Leave Neve and Bellara to finish the conversation without you.) [9]
- Affable: It’s kind of free-form. [10]
- Sarcastic: I know that feeling. [11]
- Stoic: Then you’re excused. [12]
9 - Special: I have to go.
Rook: I see… Well, talk to Neve. And Harding. I’m sure the three of you can work something out. I’ll… see you both later.
Scene ends.
10 - Affable: It’s kind of free-form.
Rook: There’s no official rotation—everyone just makes extra food when they get hungry.
11 - Sarcastic: I know that feeling.
Rook: Oh, good. It’s not just me.
12 - Stoic: Then you’re excused.
Rook: Then I hereby excuse you from kitchen duty.
Bellara: I promise I’ll keep an eye on the stove.
13 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Neve: Do you mostly cook Dalish foods? I haven’t had a chance to try many.
Bellara: Sometimes. Not a lot of options when you’re out in the forest. But I’ve learned a lot of different cooking styles! Antivan, Rivaini—I even learned how to make Tevinter khachapuri.
Neve: Wait. Real khachapuri? The hollowed-out bread? Three kinds of cheese? I love khachapuri. What about you, Rook? What are you craving?
Dialogue options:
- Getting back to work. (Leave Neve and Bellara to finish the conversation without you.) [14]
- Dalish Food. [15]
- Khachapuri. [16]
- Anything, really. [17]
14 - Getting back to work.
Rook: Nothing, right now. I’m just… happy you two are hitting it off. I’ll see you later.
Scene ends.
15 - Dalish Food.
Rook: Wild meat and mushrooms sounds pretty good.
Bellara: Really? Maybe I’ll make some! Lots of herbs out in Arlathan! Just don’t pick the glowing ones.
16 - Khachapuri.
Rook: “Cheese” and “bread” were the only words I needed to hear.
Neve: You have no idea.
Bellara: It’s good! With the right cheese. Which can be hard to find out in the forest.
Neve: Well, we’ll have to see what we can find you.
17 - Anything, really.
Rook: Anything. I’m not too picky.
Bellara: Really? Maybe we’ll surprise you! But the good kind of surprise, for once.
18 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Neve: You should have an assistant. Someone to make sure it doesn’t burn. See if it tastes right. That sort of thing.
Bellara: Neve Gallus? Helping me cook?
Neve: Again. The flattery…
Bellara: Right. Just a person. Got it.
Neve: Great. Now. Let’s see what we can scrounge up.
+ Bellara Approves + Neve Approves
Worth a Thesis
Back to Emmrich Directory
Bellara: No, I know. It doesn’t make any sense. But it works!
Emmrich: Wouldn’t the connection to the lyrium cause—
Bellara: The Veil to rupture? Not if you’re careful. Really, really careful.
Rook joins them in the libaray.
Emmrich: Rook! Good to see you. Bellara was telling me about one of the artifacts she calmed. Her manipulation of the hylic spheres puts some circle mages I know to shame.
Bellara: Oh! That’s so nice. Really?
Emmrich: Bellara, repairing the eluvian network alone is worth a thesis.
Dialogue options:
- Investigate: Ever see anything like it? [1]
- Affable: He’s right. [2]
- Sarcastic: And she knows big words. [3]
- Stoic: Everyone earns their keep. [4]
1 - Investigate: Ever see anything like it?
Rook: Have you run into anything like it before?
Emmrich: Not at all. The principles are familiar, but the application, the finesse… Though admittedly, my interests lie more with the spirits. Look to Bellara for elven magic expertise.
2 - Affable: He’s right.
Rook: You were here, what? Five minutes? And you had that thing fixed.
Emmrich: And it’s quite a complex mechanism.
Bellara: Well. Thank you!
3 - Sarcastic: And she knows big words.
Rook: She came right in and started talking about “interstitial resonance” and stuff.
Emmrich: Yes, not everyone who’s self-taught bothers with complex theory.
Bellara: Well. Thank you!
4 - Stoic: Everyone earns their keep.
Rook: I expect everyone to bring their best. That’s why you’re all here.
Emmrich: I’m flattered to be a part of it. I’m glad we kept up our correspondence, Bellara.
Bellara: Oh, me too!
5 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Emmrich: That said, I’ve noticed you working at all hours on that artifact.
Bellara: Really? I don’t think it’s all hours.
Emmrich: And you’re either the first to wake—
Bellara: Ummm…
Emmrich: —or you simply aren’t sleeping some nights.
Bellara: Thank you, Professor. But I’m fine. Mostly.
Dialogue options:
6 - Affable: Are you sure?
Rook: You don’t seem that certain.
Bellara: Well. When you’re in the Fade, there’s no sun. Or moon. So I tend to lose track of time. Just a little bit.
Emmrich: So you sleep more regularly outside the Fade?
Bellara: Well. Sometimes. Maybe. But we’re in Solas’s old home! There’s so much to learn.
7 - Sarcastic: Mostly?
Rook: That was really reassuring until “mostly.”
Bellara: Um… In between the two? It’s hard! I’ve never had a chance like this. This kind of access to knowledge. It’s Solas’s old home! I want to learn as much as I can.
8 - Stoic: You have to be.
Rook: We need you rested and ready to go. At all times.
Bellara: Maybe I’ve had a late night. Or two. Or more. And… Maybe I fell asleep in my breakfast. A couple of times. But we’re in Solas’s old home! There’s so much to learn.
9 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Emmrich: And we’ve time to learn it. But in order to do that, you must take care of yourself.
Dialogue options:
10 - Affable: Rested minds think better.
Rook: That knowledge isn’t going anywhere. Relax a little. Get some rest. You’ll feel better and work better.
Bellara: Right. I’m not great at that. Relaxing, I mean. I think to myself, what if I do it wrong? Then it’s three hours later. And I’m even less relaxed than I was.
Emmrich: Perhaps I can help you.
Bellara: With what? Relaxing?
11 - Sarcastic: Even Solas slept.
Rook: Not that Solas should be any kind of example… But even he slept. You can, too.
Bellara: Sometimes. Sometimes I can’t. Fall asleep, I mean. My thoughts get in the way.
Emmrich: Perhaps I can help.
Bellara: With sleeping?
12 - Stoic: He’s right.
Rook: Emmrich’s right. Relax. Sleep. You’ll work better.
Bellara: I try. Then I start to think I should be doing something. Anything. Then it’s three hours later. And I’m even less relaxed than I was.
Emmrich: Perhaps I can help you.
Bellara: With what? Relaxing?
13 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Emmrich: Yes. I can teach you some breathing exercises. The ones we show initiates.
Bellara: Oh! That’s very nice. Thank you.
Emmrich: Of course. We must look out for one another.
Bellara: And thank you too, Rook.
Rook: Anytime.
Bellara: Okay. I’m going to relax. Right away. But, um. First. I had another question.
Emmrich: I thought you might.
+ Bellara Approves
+ Emmrich Approves
I Cannot Say
Bellara: Who created you?
Archive Spirit: I cannot say.
Bellara: What can you say?
Archive Spirit: I cannot say.
Bellara: Right. Deserved that.
Rook: Got the archive spirit working, I see?
Bellara: Rook! You’re here. And I did! Sort of. A little bit. It appears—but it won’t tell me anything.
Archive Spirit: You simply ask the wrong questions. A common affliction of the weak-minded.
Bellara: Also that. It’s kind of mean.
Dialogue options:
1 - Affable: How does that happen?
Rook: I thought it was just an archive? How can it be mean?
Bellara: The creator. Its creator, I mean. An archive spirit takes on the personality of whoever makes it. Which… okay. That’s an idea…
2 - Sarcastic: Insult it back.
Rook: Just insult it right back—assuming you know how to insult a spirit. Bellara: I’ve never thought about it. How would you do that…?
| Emmrich recruited | Emmrich not recruited |
|---|---|
| Bellara: Emmrich might know. Hmm… that’s an idea. | Bellara: That’s an idea. |
3 - Stoic: Show it who’s boss!
Rook: You should remind that thing who’s in charge.
Bellara: Hmm… that’s an idea.
4 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: Cyrian learned a lot. Taught me a lot. About these archives. They have, well… not thoughts like us. But sort of… pathways, I guess. They can only respond to specific questions. Worded in specific ways. So: If you’re powerful, like almost god-level powerful… How would you talk to someone you see as lesser?
Dialogue options:
5 - Condescendingly, it seems.
Rook: Really condescendingly, based on experience so far.
Bellara: Right! You wouldn’t ask questions, you’d tell them what to do. So let’s try that.
6 - Forcefully.
Rook: I’d probably just tell them what to do.
Bellara: Right! Don’t waste time on them, just get to the point. Let’s try it.
7 - Like a jerk.
Rook: Given our examples, I’d be kind of a demanding jerk.
Bellara: Right! So. Let’s try that.
8 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: Archive! Tell me who built you.
Archive Spirit: One of the greatest of Elvhenan. A steward of her glory. Truly, I was blessed to bathe in his warmth. Anaris built me. And to him I shall someday return.
Bellara: You mean… the Forgotten One?
Archive Spirit: I cannot say.
Race dependent dialogue:
Bellara: Good point. That was us.
Dialogue options:
9 - Forgotten One?
Rook: A Forgotten One? You mean the “bad gods” parents use to scare their kids into behaving?
Bellara: Don’t speak their name, or they’ll come for you. Now we know what the so-called “good” gods were like. Really like, I mean.
10 - That name. Anaris…
Rook: Anaris. I know I’ve heard that name before.
Bellara: Yeah. A Forgotten One. Remember the nursery rhymes? Don’t speak their names, or they’ll come for you? Unlike our so-called “good” gods. Which, well. We saw what happened there.
11 - What was us?
Rook: What do you mean by “that was us”?
Bellara: The Dalish called them that. Forgotten Ones, I mean. I don’t know what they were before. You weren’t supposed to speak their names, or else they’d come for you. Remember? The nursery rhymes? You know. Unlike the upstanding Ghilan’nain, or Elgar’nan.
12 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: So who knows what they really were. The Forgotten Ones.
Non-Elf Rook: Bellara: Good point. It came later.
Dialogue options:
9 - Forgotten One?
Rook: What or who is a Forgotten One?
Bellara: The bad gods. Or so we were taught. Told never to speak their names. Elgar’nan, Ghilan’nain—they were the good ones that you could pray to.
10 - Who’s Anaris?
Rook: Did that name mean something to you?
Bellara: He’s a Forgotten One. Got told they were the “bad” gods. We couldn’t speak their names. Not like the good gods. You know, Elgar’nan. Ghilan’nain.
11 - What came later?
Rook: What do you mean by “it came later?”
Bellara: Oh! I meant “later, after Elvhenan fell.” We didn’t call them the Forgotten Ones ‘til after that. They were the “bad” gods. Disease. Pestilence. Weren’t supposed to speak their names. Not like the good gods. You know, Elgar’nan. Ghilan’nain.
12 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Bellara: But now we know the truth. About the Evanuris. So we don’t know for sure. What the Forgotten Ones were, I mean.
Bellara: They used to say Solas was one. So best-case scenario, like him. Worst case… well. You heard it talk.
Rook: Right. So this thing’s dangerous if it belonged to one of them.
Bellara: Could be. But still: important. And invaluable. Everything Anaris knew? This thing knows. And my people deserve to know. If I can get it to tell me.
Dialogue options:
- Investigate: [Ask about the Evenuris.] [13]
- Investigate: [Ask about Solas.] [14]
- Affable: Do what you need to do. [15]
- Sarcastic: Good luck. [16]
- Stoic: Don’t make things worse. [17]
13 - Investigate: [Ask about the Evenuris.]
Rook: Archive: Tell me about the Evanuris.
Archive Spirit: A group of cowards. Hiding behind their more “powerful” magic and “superior” numbers. Their jealousy of Anaris was palpable. Their war is unending. But Anaris will prevail.
14 - Investigate: [Ask about Solas.]
Rook: Archive: Tell me about the Dread Wolf.
Archive Spirit: An ideologue and a fool who will soon pay the price. When Anaris dispatches the Evanuris, he will spare a thought for Fen’Harel.
15 - Affable: Do what you need to do.
| Elf Rook | Non-Elf Rook |
|---|---|
| Rook: You’ve got a chance to learn more about our people. Go for it. | Rook: You have a chance to learn more about your people. Go for it. |
Rook: Just be careful, and try not to break anything.
Bellara: Right. Thanks, Rook.
Archive Spirit: All thanks must be given to Anaris! For he will cast down the oppressive Evanuris and take his rightful place!
16 - Sarcastic: Good luck.
Rook: Have fun with the condescending spirit!
Bellara: I’ll try. Could be worse. I guess.
Archive Spirit: Worse, like the wound of betrayal Lord Anaris suffered. Soon he will cast down the oppressors and take his rightful place!
17 - Stoic: Don’t make things worse.
Rook: Don’t piss it off. Or accidentally bring back a would-be god.
Bellara: The two we’ve got aren’t really “would-be.” But they’re probably enough.
Rook: Good call.
Bellara: Okay! I’ll get back to it. Thanks, Rook.
Archive Spirit: All thanks must be given to Anaris! For he will cast down the oppressive Evanuris and take his rightful place!
18 - Scene continues.
Return to previous tree.Rook: What a shame I can’t stay longer. Good luck!
Bellara: Appreciate the support.
+ Bellara Approves
Deleted Dialogue