Dragon Age: The Undoing

[The Valkyrie]

Hi there!

If you're reading this, we've finally finished DATU. I came into this story with no GM experience to speak of, a bunch of vague ideas, and a little too much ambition. That's not normally a formula for success, and in some places, I'm sure my inexperience shows through quite clearly.

But for all its shortcomings, setbacks, and imperfections, DATU has an irreplaceable spot in my heart. It was the first story that my entire writing group started together, and in many ways it was the first layer of cement on our friendship. And though other players came and went, those four stuck with me—through periods of inactivity when real life caught up with us, through dubious-at-best plot elements, through things I hadn't thought enough about before I had to write them, and probably worse than that as well.

But despite everything, they constantly impressed me. Their ability to work within tight constraints to make their characters come to life and shine, and to push me to make mine do the same, will never cease to amaze. I'm a better writer for DATU, and a better person for the friends it made me.

Next to that, a little plot snag here or there hardly bears talking about.

So of you, dear reader, I ask a little indulgence, should you choose to pass your time with this story in all its dear imperfection.

And to them—Yonni, Tally, August, and Kiku, from the bottom of my little feely heart—

Thanks. You guys are the best.

-Val