Dragon Age: Origins/Fanfic Recs

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth being tainted for here:

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Dragon Age Fan Fics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

Do warn when a fanfic may head into homosexual or non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business. Also, because of the new content policy, we will not be accepting recs for porn or pedophilic content.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

Authors and Websites
None yet.

General Fics
''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.''

''Trouble & Strife by scarylady1 (Alternate Universe fic. M-rated for some sexual situations, although they are mostly glossed over)
 * Recommended by Lady Demonique
 * Synopsis: The Blight is over; Melissa Cousland to be entombed at Weisshaupt. King Alistair must go to Orlais and select a bride of Imperial blood, while in Ferelden the Chantry has plans of its own. A tale of fluffy romance and unfluffy politics.

Diplomatic Relations by Mutive
 * Recommended by Niniane
 * Synopsis: An AU <> where Cailan divorces Anora to marry Empress Celene and everything quickly goes to hell.
 * Comments: A delightfully fun soap opera with strange pairings and some delightful cliff hangers. It's hard to tell what is going to happen next in this wild ride filled with an interesting mix of humor, drama, action, and pathos.

Heliocentric by Hekateras
 * Recommended by bakfanny
 * Synopsis: Would a wolf still seek out the wild if tamed so completely? The Fog Warriors are dead, but the challenges they pose to the truths of his world live on. On a dark and not quite stormy night, Fenris hides in a cave and wonders why he ran away.
 * Comments: A shortie with introspective!Fenris shortly after the incident with the Fog Warriors. The psychology explored in here is powerful and the imagery is compelling.

Ridiculously Awesome by Mutive
 * Recommended by Niniane
 * Synopsis: Duncan makes a psychopathic, nymphomaniac elf-mage a Grey Warden and chaos erupts.
 * Comments: A laugh a minute! It's hard to figure out what Neria is going to do next. (And sometimes you really don't want to know...)

Rain by Tacens
 * Recommended by starfrost
 * Synopsis: A fic from Jowan's point of view of Solona Amell's (the PC's default name) life in the Circle Tower. Extremely mild unrequited Jowan/Solona and references to Jowan/Lily.
 * Comments: Oneshot with mild spoilers regarding Mage origin. Also spoils the endgame fate of the Grey Warden. Recommended for those who sympathized with Jowan during their playthrough.

Dragon Age: The Crown of Thorns by Karmic Acumen
 * Recommended by Sarah1281
 * Synopsis: Bhelen had all bases covered, but didn't consider that his older brother would get himself framed on purpose just to fake the death of a certain someone. AU Fanfiction including all Origins as characters. Different outcome for House Aeducan and Orzammar.
 * Comments: After being forced to time and again fall victim to Bhelen's plot, it's refreshing to see a story where things aren't so set in stone. Despite being perfectly in character, Trian isn't dismissed as just a useless, arrogant fool while Bhelen isn't deemed unrepentingly evil which is a nice change. Things have changed enough - and believably - that while the DN still leaves to join the Wardens it isn't clear just how things are going to play out, especially once the other origins get involved.
 * Now has its own Tropes page.

The Keening Blade by Arsinoe de Blassenville
 * Recommended by Sarah1281, Gadeel, Pygmalion
 * Synopsis: She hesitated-"Mostly, I couldn't kill you, knowing that I cheated. At the Landsmeet. Our duel." There was a heavy silence. Loghain said slowly, "You do realize that I am holding a naked sword at this very moment?" M for naughty language.
 * Comments: Initially a one-shot that's been expanded upon, this story has Loghain as the Only Sane Man with a hilariously unstable Cousland Warden who actually acts out gaming mechanics like stopping to loot everything and randomly giving presents to bribe people into liking them while the other companions have long since accepted her behavior and even encourage it.

In a Mirror, Darkly by Crisium
 * Recommended by Socially Disoriented
 * Synopsis: Loghain sees more than he expected in the Warden who spares his life.
 * Comments: An insight into Loghain's character and, to a lesser extent, the PC's. Generic female Warden, spoilers for end game. Wonderfully written oneshot that sheds some much-needed light onto Loghain's thoughts, motivations etc.

I Am Not A Tragic Figure by Sarah1281
 * Recommended by Lady Stacy
 * Synopsis: Aunn Aeducan, practical if sheltered exile, knows only two things for certain: if she returns to Orzammar she'll probably end up actually committing fratricide at some point and it's about time to show the world what a dwarven princess can really do...
 * Comments: It's not easy to find an Aeducan story and even harder to find one that's not paired up with Alistair (which is nice but sometimes seeing something different is good). This story doesn't have any romance aside from a past relationship with Gorim but it is a nice retelling of the story with a Warden who never quite manages to forget where she came from and doesn't really fit the bill of a conventional hero.

Purpose by Sinvraal
 * Recommended by Spark Moon, Mordorqueen
 * Synopsis: From the summary: The trouble with winning is that you have to figure out what do to next. A short character piece focusing on everyone's favorite bird-hating golem, Shale.
 * Comments: A short yet very interesting story centered around a criminally underrated character who doesn't get nearly as much love in Dragon Age fan fiction. Shale is a tricky character to write properly, much less as a POV character, but Sinvraal handles the surly golem in a way that's both wryly funny and believeable.

The Last Warden by Bamftastik
 * Recommended by Mordorqueen
 * Synopsis: From the summary: What if the Warden had died during their origin story? What if Alistair found himself alone, facing the task of uniting Ferelden against the Blight? How would things differ? What would happen to the others?
 * Comments: Brilliant. Bamftastik catches the essence of every character; her portrayal of Alistair is remarkably and painfully accurate, from the way he's cruel to Morrigan and often thoughtless, an aspect many fans of Alistair forget. Kudos for the ghosts of Wardens-that-could-have-been. Originally on Livejounral, where it had illustrations.
 * Illustrations here.

Life on Thedas by Hazza137 Has its own page.
 * Recommended by Zerban, Mordorqueen
 * Synopsis: From the summary: A young man awakens on the field of Ostagar, apparently transported from another world. Joining the Warden, he must face danger at every turn - and learn to separate fiction from reality.
 * Pairings: F!Cousland/Alistair and OC/Morrigan
 * Comments: Noted as better than it sounds by pretty much all reviewers. The Self Insert character stays far from Suedom, going through a Humiliation Conga, several Mind Screws and Sanity Slippage.

Rob Thy Neighbour by Wynneception
 * Recommended by Anaja Rift
 * Synopsis: A Ferelden refugee in Kirkwall decides to rob a house in the Alienage, only to be caught in the act by Merril.
 * Comments: A wonderful oneshot that is both hilarious and shows just how sweet Merril is.

Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

A Practical Romance by Prisoner_24601
 * Recommended by Niniane, Mordorqueen
 * Pairings: m!Amell/Morrigan, m!Amell/Anora, Alistair/Anora, Alistair/Morrigan
 * Synopsis: A series of short stories where the pragmatic mage Marcus Amell has a brief affair with Morrigan, falls madly in love with Anora, then marries her to Alistair for the good of the kingdom.

Love and Levirate by Jessica Jones
 * Recommended by Niniane, punchclockhero
 * Pairings: Alistair/Anora
 * Synopsis: Arranged marriages aren't easy, especially between two very different people.
 * Comments: It's the understated simplicity of this story that makes it so sublime. The characters grow and come together in a natural, unforced way with real human emotion.
 * Agreed. Very subtle evolution of emotions, and the quiet "everyday" tone of voice used just makes the relationship between Alistair and Anora grow in a very real way. Anora's character is very well-developed, showing the insecurity behind her queenly mask. A very good read.
 * Also read her sequel, Pride and Parity. Jessica is a truly gifted writer.

Two Sides of the Same Coin by Nightsfury
 * Recommended by Spark Moon
 * Pairings: M!Tabris/Zevran (slash)
 * Synopsis: From the summary Love hurts, metaphorically and literally. That lesson is one every Crow learns early. But there is another side to that particular sovereign. A retelling of the game -so spoilers are/will be present-, but with an emphasis on The Grey Warden (a male City Elf) and Zevran, and eventually their relationship.

The Crow and the Wolf by Sesquipedalian Loquaciousness (M-rated. Contains, as the writer puts it, homoerotic romance. Game spoilers ahoy)
 * Recommended by Lady Demonique
 * Pairings: Zevran/M!Cousland
 * Synopsis: As part of summary goes: "There are many tales told about the Hero of Ferelden, but few have been told about his various comrades." The game retold from Zevran's point of view, regarding his attraction to the Wardens as well as his opinions and reactions to the events of the game.

Fascination by Grandiose Me
 * Recommended by Orn
 * Pairings: Generic!Male!Warden/Morrigan
 * Synopsis: M!Warden/Morrigan. Ten years after the fact, he still has no idea what will come of it all.

Blackthorn by tjadis
 * Recommended by Socially Disoriented
 * Pairings: Fem!PC/Zevran (PC's origin does not appear to have been specified)
 * Synopsis: "He has seen the cold equations in her eyes, and this time she has come out the cipher."
 * Comments: An angsty little oneshot focusing on a darker side to both Zev and the PC that is not shown in-game. Major spoilers. Inspired by an anonymous 17th century Irish poem that has been converted to music by various people. Beautiful, understated prose, well worth the read.

Strangers With Cookies by Twist Shimmy
 * Recommended by Mordorqueen
 * Pairings: Fem!Dalish PC/Sten, some Alistair/Leliana in the background.
 * Synopsis: So what happens when representatives of two of the prickliest, most insular cultures in or around Thedas are asked to help save a country that neither of them cares about very much? Three guesses.
 * Comments: A lovely, amusing look into the unique mindset of everyone's favourite Proud Warrior Race Guy, and the other characters come across nicely as well. Unsurprisingly given the site it's on, later chapters contain lemon.

Magnificent Seven by Grandiose Me
 * Recommended by Lady Stacy
 * Pairings: M!Cousland/Morrigan, M!Surana/Zevran, F!Tabris/Leliana, F!Aeducan/Alistair, some others like Mahariel/Tamlen.
 * Synopsis: M!Cousland/Morrigan, M!Surana/Zevran, F!Tabris/Leliana, F!Aeducan/Alistair. Het, slash, and femmeslash. What if Duncan had been able to recruit all six possible Wardens for Ostagar, instead of just one?

Hero by Koch
 * Recommended by Shepherd
 * Pairings: M!Cousland/Morrigan
 * Synopsis: A young man is thrust into the shoes of a hero and is forced to fight the Fifth Blight as one of the last Grey Wardens in Ferelden.
 * Comments: A novelization of the events of Dragon Age that follows a Morrigan romance. The lead character seems to go through a sort of coming-of-age though it’s definitely in the background through most of it. The romance is largely front and center from the beginning, and it can make for slow going when coupled with the game’s plot. Altogether enjoyable read.

Fragments by Astalavista
 * Recommended by The Clam 6767
 * Pairings: Merrill/F!Hawke
 * Synopsis: "Feeling betrayed by Lady Hawke, Merrill seeks to remove her from her life. Or does she? A Lady Hawke/Merrill rivalry romance."
 * Comments: This was a surprisingly well written story that managed to be very good and this is coming from someone who hates angstmance. I also recommend the comedic story set before the last chapter because it is funny.

''Gentrification, or How Not To Be A Sow's Ear by stragegibbon
 * Recommended by Hekateras
 * Pairings: Fenris/F!Hawke
 * Synopsis: "Hawke needs a few lessons in etiquette and Fenris is the most qualified to help, much to the dismay of both parties. Hopefully they can manage not to kill each other in the process. Non canon but not completely AU."

''The Danger of Touch by Ambrel
 * Recommended by Hekateras
 * Pairings: Fenris/F!Hawke
 * Synopsis: A series centering on Fenris's and Hawke's early and uneasy relationship building, Act I and past it.
 * Comments: Low on action, high on interesting interactions and psychology. One of the better and more detailed takes at Fenris's psyche and the way his past experiences still haunt him and color his everyday actions. Read carefully, there's a lot between the lines.

Love in Dreams by Thessali
 * Recommended by redbess
 * Pairings: Alistair/F!Cousland
 * Synopsis: What would happen to the Warden's if they realized that they shared the Fade? Would it help them in their quest to defeat the archdemon or would it ruin their chance to survive?. Mildly AU.
 * Comments: M for some language and definitely sex. Pretty lengthy at 98k words (and change), covering the entire timeline of the game and all its events. It's a very well-written exploration about Cousland and Alistair adjusting not only to their roles as Warders but also their growing feels for each other.
 * While the story is epically long and has an interesting take on the fade and its effect on the main characters, the story is hardly as well-written as most of the others listed here. The author uses an odd form of present-tense that feels jarring and more like a general overview of the game's events rather than a story. The relationship between the two leads feels rushed (compared to the in-game relationship that develops over the course of several months rather than just a few days) with love scenes and descriptions bordering on Purple Prose. There are some incidents of uncharacteristic behavior from some of the other players as well, particularly Zevran, and the writer's take on the Grey Warden herself gives us a protagonist who comes off as a bit Faux Action Girl, in my opinion. I would not recommend.

Of Elves and Humans by Merilsell
 * Recommended by The Morninglord, Natzo
 * Pairings: F!Mahariel/Alistair
 * Synopsis: Trust is a delicate flower that needs to get nurtured and time to grow. Even more so love. A tale of two disparate Wardens forced together, of finding a way to overcome the distrust, and their own painful past in the time of the Blight.

Elysium by "The Writer formerly known as RCD-Anon" (Alternate Universe fic. Very M-rated, mostly for loads and loads of sexual hijinks, and some potentially squicktastic situations.)
 * Recommended by Lady Demonique
 * Pairings: Alistair/F!Cousland, Zevran/F!Cousland, Alistair/Zevran, Alistair/Zevran/F!Cousland
 * Synopsis: In the aftermath of the Orlesian occupation, young Teyrn Bryce Cousland married the daughter of a dispossessed Fereldan merchant whom he found working in an Antivan brothel. A generation later, his daughter Rìona confronts the Blight equipped with a noblewoman's ambitions and a courtesan's approach to diplomacy that will bring her into conflict with politicians, the Chantry, and her fellow Grey Wardens. The story begins here: Prologue

Peace and Belonging by Raido (M-rated for explicit slash sex. One of the chapters contains crossdressing.)
 * Recommended by Lady Demonique
 * Pairing: dom!Fenris/M!Hawke.
 * Synopsis: All Aodhan Hawke wants is peace, all Fenris wants is a sense of belonging... which, it turns out, are not so different ends. A series of connected shorts, many of which will be kmeme fills.

Coffee, Black by black_ink_tide
 * Recommended by: Jesajew
 * Synopsis: Awkward Garrett Hawke is a barista with a crush on the guy with white ink tattoos who comes in to Bianca's Coffee every morning. His friends Isabela, Merrill and Andy take it upon themselves to help him, in the capacity of Wingmen, to not totally blow it with him.
 * Pairing(s): Fenris/Male Hawke, Anders/Isabela, Anders/Nathaniel Howe, Male Hawke/Sebastian Vael
 * Tags: Lemon, AU
 * Comments: Awkward, adorable, hilarious, and incredibly realistic. This story is a fun, easy read that isn't weighed down by excess description, and Hawke's fantastic internal monologue is guaranteed to make you laugh at least once per chapter.

"Unrequited" by Suilven
 * Recommended by: khalcyon
 * Synopsis: When Morrigan develops feelings for Alistair, she struggles to maintain her mask of indifference. Will she succeed or will he be her undoing?
 * Pairings: F!Cousland/Alistair and Morrigan/Alistair (keep the title in mind for this one)
 * Comments: A well-written look at the effect Morrigan's upbringing has on her now that she's joined the Warden's party. As implied in the synopsis, she fights an internal battle between everything Flemeth taught her and her growing feelings for Alistair. Contains a number of realistic tear jerkers. M rated, so not for younglings.