Dorian Pavus

PLAYER
NAME: LT
CONTACT: PM
ARE YOU 18 OR OLDER: Yes

CHARACTER
NAME: Dorian Pavus
CANON: Dragon Age Inquisition
AGE: As of Dragon 9:41 he is 30 years old
CANON POINT: Somewhere between “In Your Heart Shall Burn” and “Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.” None of his personal quests have been done and no romance has been activated. He will be a member of the Inquisition at this point.
HISTORY: http://dragonage.wikia.com/wiki/Dorian_Pavus
PERSONALITY:

Dorian is irreverently cheeky, unapologetically vainglorious, and peculiarly clever and he is very aware of these traits, considering them some of his finest qualities. These attributes are typically best observed in party banters when he’s conversing with the other companion characters—

Blackwall: Corypheus. One of yours, isn't he?
Dorian: One of mine? Like a pet? Like a giant darkspawn hamster with aspirations of godhood?
Dorian: 'Dorian, why can't you look after your little friends? Corypheus peed on the carpet again!'
Dorian: In this analogy, the carpet is Haven.

Cassandra: You're not as handsome as you think, Dorian.
Dorian: I must be, or you wouldn't have been thinking about it all this time.
Cassandra: Anyone who claims it as often as you must be dreadfully concerned they're not.
Dorian: Look at this profile. Isn't it incredible? I picture it in marble.

Solas: I notice you used a nullification enchantment combined with an offensive attack.
Dorian: The nullification disrupts any ambient magic lying about. Things then burn hotter.
Solas: Don't you then waste an inordinate amount of magic overcoming your own nullification?
Dorian: Ah, no. I warp the Veil slightly to effect distance between the spells.
Solas: Of course. Have you considered snapping the Veil-warp to enhance the relative energy?
Dorian: Like cracking a whip? Yes, tried it once. Made my teeth taste funny.

Dorian is a specimen of what is known as “Tevinter Excess,” his upbringing included much wealth and indulgence as the scion of House Pavus. As such he can come off as incredibly elitist and self-entitled--for example when Varric calls him “pampered,” Dorian responds by saying that he can’t be pampered, since his joining the Inquisition no one has peeled a grape for him. His elitism also manifests itself in a variety of ways, he tends to needle everything about southern living, from clothing, to the drinks they serve, to whether or not they are literate. Most of this is done to some affect and to encourage a reaction from those he speaks to. He is never truly serious when he takes these jabs, for the most part he is in it for the banter, such as with Vivienne. He and Vivienne snipe at one another, each viciously attacking the other's homeland and sense of taste to which Vivienne refers to as “perfectly civil conversation” and Dorian concurs with “I’ve heard worse from the gardener back home” suggesting that a great deal of his arrogance is posturing. To some extent Dorian wants people to see what they want to see, “the evil magister,” not that he makes it a point to be evil (or is, in fact, evil, he is quite "sweet" actually), but he isn’t afraid of unleashing the full force of his personality on anyone either. If they choose to get to know the Dorian underneath they might see that there is more to him than just a Tevinter mage trying to exploit the Inquisition (which is the image he spends much of his time fighting against as when Dorian is romanced he absolutely refuses the Inquisitor's help for fear of being seen as using him). That there is more to him than this, not that it undermines how confident and sure of himself he is, or how willing he is to find amusement at the expense of others, this he certainly is and he makes no apologies for it either.

While Dorian is spectacularly aware of his own enumerable assets, to which he has no problem boasting about, he is also aware of his flaws as well as his blind spots. Dorian wears Tevinter colored lenses and prides himself on being a mage of impressive skill--given how gifted he was at a young age this is no surprise. This does, unfortunately, mean that he holds certain beliefs and assumptions, at least in his world, about the way things are and the way things should be. It isn’t until he joins the Inquisition that the scales begin to fall from his eyes and the truth begins to slowly take a hold of him, especially through conversations with his companions. From Solas he learns how detrimental slavery is and has always been to the elven race, and how Tevinter has mistreated elves for centuries. He did not really think much about slavery until he journeyed to the south and since his family has always treated slaves well he simply assumed it was better than poverty. He also made the assumption that many of the magical techniques that are used in Thedas today came from Tevinter, but this is because he prides himself in the rich history of his homeland. When he discovers that much of what was learned in Tevinter was actually taken from the elves he is quite speechless. Dorian is also capable of saying some cutting and hurtful things when he wants to, or when he is feeling emotionally threatened. For example, if he is involved in a relationship with the Inquisitor he criticizes his library and tells the Inquisitor that he couldn’t forgive him for sending him on ahead in the Fade and not following. Also, if the Inquisitor is a mage and tries to help Dorian in the library, Dorian will poke at the dubious education in the south. After realizing how unworthy a statement that was and that he only said it out of fear and confusion, he does apologize--so he is quick to recognize his errors. Dorian is not very skilled when it comes to intimate relationships, something that will be explained later, and often tends to say the opposite of what he means: “you are dull and I hate you” and “I hope this ends soon.” So when emotionally threatened by someone he cares about his first response is to lash out as a manifestation of his deep fear and concern.

He has also made snap judgements about the Grey Wardens and the Seekers referring to the Grey Wardens as murderers who go poking around in prisons for recruits. This led to friction between Dorian and Blackwall. With the Seekers he judged them for failing to stop the Mage Rebellion, causing Cassandra to respond defensively. Of course he considers himself more enlightened than his countrymen, so when he finds himself on the wrong side of the argument he is certainly not too proud to apologize after a fashion, he’s very practical about such matters. With Blackwall it was about getting to know him and understanding that he wasn’t a thug, and that changed his perspective. With Cassandra it was about being able to relate her defense of the seekers to his own defense of Tevinter and that he should not throw stones. So one of his more positive traits is his determination to seek out the truth and to grow from what he learns, sometimes he has to navigate to get there, but he tends to arrive eventually. He has enough insight and sensibility to know when he’s been bested, whether in a game of wits or due to his own short comings, the best he can do is become better for it.

Truth is important to Dorian only because he views lying as a convenience, a mask to hide behind and a mask he spent so many years hiding behind that it led him down a self-destructive path. “Selfish I suppose, not to want to spend my entire life screaming on the inside…” “…living a lie…it festers inside you, like poison. You have to fight for what’s in your heart.” Dorian grew up in Tevinter, it is a society that is trying to distill the perfect mage in order to be the perfect leader, a standard that is impossible as Dorian well knows. He’s said that "every flaw, every aberration, is considered shameful and it must be hidden," kept a secret, with Dorian expected to play pretend for the rest of his life. He was arranged to marry a woman named Livia Herathinos, he would marry her, they would have children, and live miserably hating one another while pretending to be happy in public. In Dorian’s younger years he got into fights, was expelled from one Circle only to end up in another, he drank (and he still does, he is an alcoholic "drunkard" in some measure), and ended up in a whorehouse--a house of ill repute. He was distracted for a time by working as Alexius’s apprentice and was incredibly successful until the two fell out. He went back to his old habits until his family decided that they were done with their son’s scandalous behavior and his open attraction toward men that created his stubborn refusal to marry. Kidnapped and nearly forced into a blood ritual that would have made him more “acceptable,” Dorian finally ran away.

Tevinter and its lies, its manipulative politics, the way his countrymen believe in the greatness of their own legacy, and yet they expend so much energy trying to maintain this false sense of greatness, and blood magic. All of these things combined have created a resentment for his country, not to mention his parents, and a steadfast desire never to settle for lies--he figures that the vast majority of his countrymen could use a good dose of the truth. That they are not as great as they think they are or that they pretend to be. Regardless of this, Dorian still loves his country, it’s a strange dichotomy, but in spite of how corrupt it is he does not believe that his home is beyond saving. He still believes that there are people there who thinks as he does, that blood magic is the “last resort of a weak mind,” that Tevinter tyranny has made a complete mess of his homeland. He loves his country for its rich history and for the fact that mages are not rounded up in cages, or Circles, as most mages spend their entire lives in the Circle south of Tevinter (whereas in the Imperium, Circles are like prestigious academies).

In Tevinter Dorian is considered a social pariah and quite happy to be so, he thinks of it as being part of his charm. His estrangement from his homeland and family, his refusal to accept their mentality, and his sexuality have made him an outcast in society--he wears it like a badge of honor. In spite of this there is no getting away from some of what his culture and being born into wealth and privilege has instilled into him--the elitism, his sense of aesthetics, understanding upper-class politics, and how to behave in court. These are something of a gift and a curse along with his excessive drinking and his occasional stubbornness. When he has his mind set on a task he typically prefers to go it alone, not wanting to be indebted to anyone, even friends who offer their help. If romanced he will refuse the Inquisitor’s help to get his amulet back, he will also refuse the Inquisitor’s help in turning Tevinter around knowing that the Inquisitor would end up doing it on his own (and of course it would put them at risk). It is something Dorian wanted to do by himself, to inspire people the way the Inquisitor inspired people. This is a source of pride for him and it can and does make it difficult to reason with Dorian as he doesn’t want to appear as though he were unmotivated and ill-intended. He genuinely wants to do good and he is compassionate underneath all of that practicality.

Dorian is also “sweet,” though this side of him is only truly revealed if romanced, he can be affectionate and loyal, but he cannot drop his sassiness and will often say the opposite of the things that he means. He calls the Inquisitor (or Iron Bull) Amatus (beloved) on several occasions, he’s incredibly loyal, and often gets worked up when the Inquisitor puts his life at risk. Dorian is also unfailingly flirtatious by nature and he will flirt with anyone, regardless of their gender, because it is fun--granted he does end up leading a female Inquisitor on. Flirting is still a source of amusement, however, as much so to him as light teasing or a good banter. He sees himself as charming and through flirting Dorian can be quite the soft-soap, and almost as complimentary of others as he is of himself.

Briefly on Dorian’s sexuality, ironically, while he doesn’t go through the trouble of denying who he is as he disavowed his country and his family to be himself, this is actually secondary to making Tevinter a better place. He is uncomfortable talking about his sexuality openly, though he might have run away from his homeland, some of their oppressive ideals tend to linger. Dorian’s preferences are actually difficult to grasp at first as he flirts with everyone, and if you were playing the game blind, you wouldn’t know it until after you’ve completed his personal quest “Last Resort of Good Men.” When he admits his sexuality openly in front of the Inquisitor and his father, there are several options to choose from. If the Inquisitor picks the “I wasn’t expecting that” line, then Dorian will say “Well it’s not as if I introduce myself that way. 'Hello, my name is Dorian. I like men.'” [sigh] “Maybe I should start. Some days it seems that’s all anyone cares about.” And this is very telling indeed and reveals more about his discomfort in discussing his sexuality. He has already been reduced to the status of a deviant by his own country and he doesn’t want people to reduce him to a single aspect of his identity, because he is more than that. So he won’t be open about it, and he will be subtle unless asked directly.

POWERS:

As Dorian is a mage he possesses a range of magical skills that fall underneath his ability tree. One can divide magic up into many categories, but his capabilities lie in these specific areas.

✹ Spirit: As one might expect from this category, most of the spells are passive or not nearly as aggressive. Barriers, revival, and making your enemies tranquil so they are less likely to attack you fall under this branch of magic. The ability dispel, dispels other magic in the area, particularly hostile magic effecting other characters. Mindblast is really the only aggressive form of magic under this particular skillset, it requires the mage to have a staggering amount of willpower that can shove their enemies back.
✹ Storm: The storm branch is lightening, static, and energy based in most of its attacks. These attacks might be used to paralyze, cage or home in on enemies so that you might barrage them with a blast of electrical energy. Passive spells in this category include stormbringer which comes to the casters aid regardless of whether or not they cast the spell. Conductive current increases the amount of damage a spell can do depending on the energy put into the spell. Gathering storm shortens the time between cooldown periods. Static charge creates an electrical barrier giving you time to cast spells, so that if enemies attack you during cooldown periods they will be paralyzed.
✹ Inferno: This magic is fire based and given Dorian’s fiery and flashy tendencies it is a branch of magic that he, not only favors, but he will use most often as far as elemental skills are concerned. Most of these attacks are aggressive, explosive, and quite flashy, though Dorian can create glyphs that when stepped on will burst into flame like a trap. As with other elemental magics there are passive forms of Inferno--clean burn burns away magic that slows down casting, pyromancer enhances effectiveness, chaotic focus offers you a barrier bonus, flashpoint prevents the next spell you cast from having a cooldown period.
✹ Winter: This is magic that revolves around ice and cold and there are passive forms of winter magic just as there are more aggressive forms of winter magic. The more passive forms take the shape of protection or mana restoration, there is also a skill called Fade Step that enables the mage to be pushed ahead swiftly over a short distance. Most attacks in this field of magic, as you might imagine, involve attacking with ice and biting cold.
✹ Necromancer: This is a specialization that is restricted only to the mages that have the interest and the required skills to master it. It is the same with Knight Enchanters, Rift Mages, and Spirit Healers etc.--very specific areas of magic with a very limited number of mages who have the skill or are willing to learn. Mostly because specializations tend to put one in close proximity with spirits and demons, increasing the possibility for them to become abominations, or mages who are possessed. A possessed mage is an insurmountable threat, when bound to a demon, together they can destroy whole villages.

As the name implies the Necromancer’s abilities are centered around death, horror, and haste. Death is used in a number of ways—he can bind spirits that are attracted to death and use them to fight for you or on your behalf. Dead bodies can be turned into bombs. Energy can be siphoned from the dead. You can inspire horror in your enemies.
✹ Other: Aside from magical skills Dorian is able to wield his staff like a bow or a spear (a blade can be added to the end of a mage’s staff turning it into a weapon that one can use in physical combat during cooldown periods).

He can also use his magic to move things or rebuild structures that have fallen. Not massive structures, but bridges and ladders, and other small features (the roof of a small house perhaps, but not an entire castle).
✹ Weakness: Magic does have a weakness in Dragon Age in that it usually requires some recovery time leaving the mage vulnerable. Dorian is also dependent on magic and is therefore weak in a sense that his muscles are more for show than actual fighting. He can carry a fully grown man, but if put in a position to throw a punch he would be outgunned.

MISC
PLANS: After amassing appropriate attire for himself he will endeavor to bend history to his sense of aesthetics.
ITEM: Tempest staff
HOW DID YOUR CHARACTER JOIN COST? He might have thought that the operative was a desire demon and rolled with it. Dorian's one to play along with desire demons up until the point they try to possess him so...why not?