Dragon Age Inquisition: Masquerade

**UPDATE** If you would like to support 'Masquerade' in the Bioware Fanclub's contest, please vote for it here: biowarefanclub.deviantart.com/…
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Buy the print here: society6.com/auburnrogue/drago…

Derwent Colorsoft Pencils (72 colours) accented with a fine nib black ink pen, on 30cm x 42cm (12" x 16 1/2") 110 GSM white drawing cartridge.

MASQUERADE AS A WIP:

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This baby took me about 80 hours to complete, and was created as an entry for Summer Long Contest.

This was the first time I have actually visualized my Inquisitor and her love interest, Cullen. I have really grown to love Cullen recently, and I am very much looking forward to seeing how his character will grow when paired with the Inquisitor.  I toyed with the idea of a dance, or even the exchange of a gift by moonlight, but in the end the idea of just a quiet moment alone overlooking an emptying ballroom won me over. So here it is, the idea that inspired this depiction of an Orlesian Masque Ball – featuring my Inquisitor, Arida Levellan, and Cullen.

Cullen strode up the grand staircase, his amber eyes surveying the ballroom floor anxiously. Behind him, the grand clock struck midnight. But to his dismay, the glistening silk gown of Inquisitor Levellan were nowhere to be seen. 
Letting his mask fall to his side, Cullen moved toward the darkened balcony, his leather boots clicking against the marble tiles. The sound echoed off the walls resoundingly, each footfall in time with his heartbeat. 
Where has she disappeared to? 
The hall was empty - most of the guests had already departed. The candle flames were burning low, the wicks stirring hot wax and sending it cascading down the sides of the tapers. Cullen could hear the candles flicker when he strolled past, the waft from his cloak causing an audible stir in the air. The movement caught a nearby curtain. Cullen paused when he noticed that the lengthy blue drape had been released from its sash, hanging free and obscuring the balustrade.
Stepping closer, Cullen could hear the faint sound of humming. Reaching out, he brushed his hand along the fabric and pulled it back slowly.
Rich eyes, as vibrant as the feathers of a Kingfisher, shone right back at him.
“Inquisitor,” He smiled in relief.
“You didn’t think I had abandoned you, did you, Ser Cullen?” Arida Levellan flashed a gentle smile and cocked her head to one side, auburn curls falling across her shoulder.
“Of course not,” the templar stammered. “But next time you decide to spend some time alone, advising me of your plan would cause much less anxiety on my part.”
“Perhaps you worried that thugs had stolen me from my own keep?” Arida’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “I am fine, Ser.”
Cullen can’t help but smile at the slightly wild look in her eyes – those eyes that had taunted and goaded him for weeks now laughed at his concern. It was both frustrating and endearing. The fact that they had finally admitted their feelings for each other had not diminished that ever-present sparkle of amusement – in fact, it only seemed to have made it brighter.
“Well... Actually, I was looking for you because I wanted to give you something.”
“Give me something?” The Inquisitor’s brow arched. “What kind of something?”
“Does the idea of my giving gifts worry you that much?” Cullen laughed.
“No... No it’s just that I’m not accustomed to being given trinkets or,” the elf turned her nose up at the jewels on her gown, “Polished stones to adorn myself with. It is not unpleasant, but it is still a custom I find strange among your people.”
“Well, you’ll enjoy this gift then,” Cullen tells her gently. “You don’t have to wear it to enjoy it. Now, close your eyes.”
Arida lets out a heavy sigh, “Must I?”
“If you would, my lady – it is part of the surprise.”
Levellan complied, turning her back to him. Cullen moved to step behind his love, and slipping his hands around her waist, he pulled her close. His hands drew a small bundle from his pocket.
“Hold out your hands.”
Arida made a low, protesting grumble, then cupped her palms together. “Very well.”
Cullen folded the gift into her fingers, and then whispered in her ear, “Open it.”
The elf barely so much as lifted her head before unfurling the fabric wrapping. But she drew a sharp breath when she beheld the tiny gold globe sitting on her hand. A shimmering crystal dome, polished to perfect smoothness, bounced rays of candlelight across her skin. Within it, a pair of tiny marble dancers were balanced, entwined in each other’s arms.
“Cullen...” She gaped, her eyes widening in amazement. “I have never seen anything like this.”
“Turn it about,” he told her, reaching out to touch the small dome. “Here – like this.”
The globe eagerly responded to his touch, and as he turned it, a cascade of fine gold dust filled the globe, floating down around the dancers in a flurry. Only now did Arida notice that the marble figures were of a tiny Dalish maidan and a Templar.
“It is beautiful,” the Inquisitor whispered, turning her eyes back upon him. This time, they shone with amazement. “Never have I seen magic like this – a moment captured in a glass.”
“And I couldn’t think of a more perfect moment to give it to you,” He replied, his smile only growing larger at her response.
Levellan slipped the gift into one of her hidden pockets and leaned back into Cullen’s shoulder. “The Masquerade was wonderful.”
“That it was,” He returned, his heart warming at her weight against his chest. He wrapped his arms back around her waist, pressing his cheek to her hair.

The ballroom is my interpretation of Bioware's preview snapshots. Instead of opting for the sharp shoulders (and wild hats!) for my Inquisitor, I decided to go with a peacock concept for my Orlesian masque ensemble: a style that reflected a combination of Antoinette hair/feathers and Elizabethan sleeves (since the Orlesians love a bit of fine glamour, haha! And the ballroom just screams for a bit of Versailles-inspired fashion). The gown is actually designed to reflect a favourite fabric of mine, teal silk shot with vibrant purple. Overall the effect is like staring at a sapphire, and I have always wanted to colour a gown like it. Cullen is dressed as a pirate rogue with a white laced shirt, a red leather vest edged with gold braid, black pants and boots, and a long scarlet cape. (He also carries a fox mask and plumed black hat, which despite my wanting to include it, sadly did not make it into this picture). 

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it, and seriously, head on over and check out the contest! It is amazing fun!    And as always, you know I can't wait to hear from you all.