''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6403532/1/Life_on_Thedas Life on Thedas]]'' is a ''Franchise/DragonAge'' fanfic that has the basic SelfInsertFic setup. Guy plays video game, goes through some unexplained incident and winds up in the world of the video game. In this fic, the narrator wakes up in the middle of the Ostagar battlefield [[{{Squick}} surrounded by mutilated corpses]], is nearly killed by two darkspawn and [[HumiliationConga it all goes downhill from there]]. Enter Elisa Cousland, a GenkiGirl with a [[BewareTheNiceOnes darker side]], who quickly becomes the narrator's WarriorTherapist.

There are [[FollowTheLeader similarities to]] ''Fanfic/MassVexations'', obviously, as the writer is a self-confessed fanboy that often reviews Vexations 2 chapters. Then Herr Wozzeck [[AscendedFanboy endorsed the fic on Vexations 2]], so that says something.

Be warned; due to a FirstEpisodeTwist, you should read until chapter 6 if you don't want to be spoiled.

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!!The following tropes apply to ''Life on Thedas'', in addition to the tropes found in the source material:

* ActionGirl: The Warden, natch.
* AsYouKnow: An odd variation. At first original dialogue was directly transcribed, but further on the author just writes his own by paraphrasing the events of the game. The narrator also tries to avoid slipping up and revealing something he ''shouldn't'' know. For example, Morrigan suspects that [[spoiler:he knows about the Dark Ritual]] because he asks if she'd "[[HeroicSacrifice be willing to die for something really important.]]"
* AuthorAvatar: Of course, but with a heaping dose of SelfDeprecation.
* BatmanGambit: The narrator tries one to protect Redcliffe Village during the Arl of Redcliffe quest. [[spoiler:[[GoneHorriblyRight It backfires. Badly]].]]
* BerserkButton: Elisa's seems to be threatening her [[TrueCompanions party members]].
* BetterToDieThanBeKilled: The narrator ponders if he has to die to go home after a ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}''-style hallucination, just like [[Fanfic/MassVexations Art]]. The difference is that the narrator admits he wouldn't have the guts and he'd [[DirtyCoward probably run away if the situation arose.]]
* BewareTheNiceOnes: Elisa is usually very pleasant. Getting on her bad side isn't a good move.
* BigDamnHeroes: The party saves the narrator in Lothering when he stops to help Bodhan Feddic.
** Malcolm comes out of nowhere to save the narrator [[spoiler:after he sets Redcliffe village on fire]].
** Subverted when the party charges into the carta hideout to save Malcolm [[spoiler:to find him saving himself quite nicely.]]
** In short, just take a shot each time Malcolm pulls one and you'll be too drunk to read the rest.
* BlowYouAway: For some unknown reason (presumably [[MeaningfulName thematic purposes]]) the narrator can use wind magic.
* BodyHorror: Turning into an abomination isn't fun. Especially when it's happening to the narrator.
* BreakingSpeech: Bhelen gives a couple about Elisa's choice in Orzammar.
* BrokenAce: Elisa shows a few shades of this, between her almost-bipolar switches from GenkiGirl to TranquilFury - especially when Arl Howe is mentioned, and the revelation that she's [[spoiler:a DeathSeeker.]]
* ButtMonkey: The narrator can't catch a break.
* CanonForeigner: Two so far. [[Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail The Black Knight]] and [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Epona]], the latter eliciting a FlatWhat from the narrator.
* CassandraTruth: When asked by Elisa, the narrator explains that he's from another world. She thinks he's just making up an interesting backstory and accepts him into the party.
* ChangedMyMindKid: [[spoiler:Malcolm returns and defies Flemeth to save the party.]]
* CharacterDevelopment: The narrator is noticeably less timid in the latter parts of the story, and of course his fighting skills improve.
* ChekhovsGun: The Desire Demon possessing Connor recognizes the narrator. This is left basically uncommented-on until the Circle Tower, when Uldred apparently awakens a demon inside the narrator.
** Not to mention that in the Circle Tower Wynne recognizes the narrator by his assumed name. The narrator then flashbacks to when he met Wynne at the army camp in Ostagar. [[MindScrew Despite the fact that he only entered the Dragon Age world AFTER the battle]].
** The fact that the narrator's mind apparently follows Film/{{Inception}} rules in the Fade is certainly not going to be forgotten, complete with a good-counterpart for the Mal figure. [[MindScrew Maybe]].
** During their first training session, the narrator works out that the biggest flaw in Elisa's style is that forcing her onto the defensive is the easiest way to beat her. Come chapter 10, the narrator uses this in his fight with Zevran.
** The narrator is forming [[VideoGame/Persona3 Social Links]] with the party. This is a HUGE unfired gun.
* ChristmasEpisode: Which included the start of the narrator's involvement with Morrigan.
* CloudCuckooLander: Understated, but visible. For example, in Redcliffe he jumps at the chance to kick down Dwyn's door 300-style. [[EpicFail It doesn't work.]] On the whole his mental train derails when he's agitated or scared, such as during the defense of Redcliffe village where he debates whether to call the attackers [[OurZombiesAreDifferent zombies]] or [[NotUsingTheZWord undead]].
* ColossusClimb: Zevran gets to perform one of these on Flemeth in her dragon form.
* CombatPragmatist: The narrator doesn't have much sword skill, so he makes up for it with this.
* ConvenientlyUnverifiableCoverStory: The narrator tells the Warden that he was a commoner who ran away from home to join the army at Ostagar, then survived the battle and came to find her. [[spoiler:Subverted, as the narrator is actually the City Elf PC, who actually was at Ostagar but lost his memory. [[MindScrew Maybe]].]]
* CurbStompBattle: The [[Film/ThePrincessBride friendly duel]] between Elisa and Zevran.
** [[spoiler:Possessed!narrator]] murders a whole bunch of darkspawn without breaking a sweat.
** Invoked at the conclusion of Orzamamr. [[spoiler:Duran Aeducan]] kills [[spoiler:Bhelen]] without any effort whatsoever.
* ADayInTheLimelight: The narrator strikes out on his own for a couple of chapters, [[spoiler:even managing to kill Flemeth]].
* DeadFic: Last update was May 2011.
* DeadpanSnarker: The entire fic is a WorldOfSnark - possibly the only non-snarky character is Leliana.
* DeathSeeker: [[spoiler: Elisa]], at least in part.
* DemonicPossession: The narrator. It leads to struggles and nightmare fuel alike.
* {{Determinator}}: Despite being [[spoiler:cursed by a werewolf]] Elisa escapes her tent to help the others.
* DisneyVillainDeath: How Uldred is disposed of, though it doesn't fulfill its role as a GoryDiscretionShot.
* DreamWithinADream: The narrator lands in one after getting pulled into the Fade. The recurring dream of his [[Franchise/KingdomHearts station of awakening]] is implied to be the third dream level, or limbo.
* DualWielding: The Warden's combat style. The drawbacks of the style are addressed, however, and Elisa is shown to be constantly honing the style. The only time she dual-wielded two full-size swords was to curb stomp the Broodmother.
* DudleyDoRightStopsToHelp: The narrator pulls this to save Bodhan Feddic and his son from darkspawn outside Lothering. Thankfully the party saves him before he's overwhelmed.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Sigrun is part of the Legion of the Dead detachment the party comes across in the Deep Roads. [[LampshadeHanging The narrator is utterly confused]].
* EpicFail: As the narrator concocts a plan to protect Redcliffe village [[spoiler:and subsequently burns the whole thing down save for the chantry.]]
* {{Expy}}: Malcolm is essentially Dragon Age's version of [[VideoGame/NieR Father Nier]].
* EyeScream: The demon pulls this on the narrator in one of his nightmares. [[spoiler:Malcolm lands his axe in Dragon!Flemeth's left eye, too.]]
* {{Filler}}: The ChristmasEpisode ends up subverting this. Not only is Sten's personal quest resolved, but Elisa and Alistair receive their RelationshipUpgrade. Plus the narrator and Morrigan kiss.
* FireForgedFriends: The narrator becomes this with the rest of the part over the course of the story.
* FirstEpisodeTwist: The narrator is a mage possessed by a demon. It's only revealed in chapter six, but it's pretty much the central conflict of the story from that point on.
* FirstKiss: The narrator and Morrigan in the ChristmasEpisode.
* FishOutOfTemporalWater: The first few chapters include some complaints about Ferelden's medieval trappings, but they fade as time goes on.
* ForWantOfANail: The narrator's presence does change a few things, such as another Chasind Grey Warden by the name of Malcolm surviving Ostagar, but a multitude of other things happen that seemingly have nothing to do with him. The Warden having a much more affecting personality, for starters. More importantly, the narrator is apparently an abomination the whole time. Then again, the narrator [[spoiler:is the City Elf PC]], so that complicates things.
* FromACertainPointOfView: The narrator never actually lied to the party. [[spoiler:He's just talking about memories of his past life in the Alienage that he lost.]]
* GenreSavvy: Both the narrator and, oddly enough, Elisa. She playfully discusses some fantasy hero tropes with the narrator when he does badly in training. [[HarsherInHindsight At least one of them is actually true.]]
* GlowingEyesOfDoom: The narrator gets these when [[spoiler:the demon takes full control of him]].
* HeelFaceDoorSlam: Teased but ultimately averted with [[spoiler:Malcolm.]]
* HeroicBSOD: The narrator goes through one in the Fade at the Circle Tower where he admits he knew it was a dream the whole time, but wanted to stay because [[spoiler:it's two years ago and his parents aren't divorced]]. It takes Elisa's PatrickStewartSpeech to get him out of it.
** Elisa goes through a couple herself - first a minor one when her family sword breaks, the second when she and Alistair get a RelationshipUpgrade, but finds herself agreeing with Wynne's sentiments.
** The narrator has another one when he loses control to the demon, running away from the party. He needs a CoolDownHug from Wynne to get better.
* HeroicSelfDeprecation: In spades, especially about the Redcliffe incident.
* IAmNotLeftHanded: Pulled off by Zevran [[spoiler: and Elisa]] during the ''Princess Bride'' re-enactment, though anyone who saw the scene could guess the spoiler.
* IWarnedYou: Malcolm pulls this on the narrator when [[spoiler:he betrays him]].
* KatanasAreJustBetter: The narrator's signature weapon is the Green Blade, a katana-like elf sword. However, he gets a regular bastard sword later, regulating the Green Blade to a backup monster-killer.
* MeaningfulName: [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep Ventus]], which is Latin for wind. When Uldred awakens his powers, wind is a prominent part of the ensuing PowerIncontinence. He also uses it to help kill the Pride demon.
* MentalWorld: The narrator has one that he winds up in a lot. [[EmpathicEnvironment It slowly gets more corrupted as the demon gets stronger]].
** It's also pretty much the Station of Awakening from ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'', but then again the narrator ''is'' a gamer.
* MikeNelsonDestroyerOfWorlds: The narrator [[spoiler:burns down Redcliffe village and blows the top off the mage's tower, both by accident.]]
* AMindIsATerribleThingToRead: The narrator experiences Elisa's memories of Howe's attack and it nearly kills him. [[spoiler:Subverted with Malcolm, as his memories give the narrator the strength to fight off the demon.]]
* MindScrew: The fic seems to be taking the ''Series/{{Life On Mars|2006}}'' bent. Is he in a coma dream? Is he simply a resident of Ferelden gone mad? Or has he really been transported to another world? Evidence for all three of these is starting to pile up. Not to mention his Fade dream, which goes all [[BuffySpeak Inception-y]].
* TheMole: [[spoiler:Malcolm.]]
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: The narrator [[spoiler:burns down Redcliffe village]]. This doesn't go well.
** Nice job using that plate on your armour, narrator. [[spoiler:It's only making the seal keeping the demon at bay break down.]]
* NinjaProp: The demon in the narrator gets strong enough to [[OhCrap hijack the narration]].
* NoNameGiven: The narrator adopts the name [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep Ventus]], but through TheAllConcealingI, completely avoids mentioning his real name. [[spoiler:Then his pregame memories vanish, so even he doesn't know it.]]
* PensieveFlashback: The narrator gets one to one of Malcolm's memories when [[spoiler:he uses blood magic on him]].
* QuitYourWhining: Morrigan, in true Tsundere fashion, hurls these at the narrator whenever he might start Wangsting.
* RazorWind: The narrator uses this in chapter 18 [[spoiler:under the demon's influence]]. It CleanCut[=s=] an ''ogre''.
* RedRightHand: The narrator gets one after rescuing Connor from the Fade. His bound armour gets corrupted, giving it a [[DarkIsEvil dark grey colour and clawed fingetips]].
* ReforgedBlade: Alistair offers to collect the pieces of Elisa's sword after [[spoiler:it explodes]] in response to her HeroicBSOD. She refuses.
** Also, [[spoiler: Topsider's Honor]] plays it straight and even replaces the first sword.
* RunningGag: The narrator mentioning people's voice actors and people mentioning how he [[spoiler:burned down Redcliffe village]].
* ShoutOut: [[ReferenceOverdosed Way too many]]. Just for starters there's a million to ''Fanfic/MassVexations''.
** The title is one to ''Series/{{Life on Mars|2006}}''.
** On the ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' front, the narrator calls himself [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep Ven(tus)]], and has a dream that plays out very similarly to an 'awakening' from KH.
** Elisa quotes [[Franchise/MassEffect Zaeed]] in reference to what [[DoomedHometown Arl Howe]] did.
** The narrator quotes [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Jolee]] in one conversation with Morrigan.
** During the defence of Redcliffe the narrator mentions the amount of zombie kills it took to get a particular achievement in ''VideoGame/DeadRising'', then comments that in Dead Rising he wouldn't have anyone in [[MemeticMutation MY STOOOOOOOOOOORE!]]
** When Elisa breaks her sword at the mage's tower, she uses two short swords afterwards. This is referenced as going ''Film/HighlanderTheSource''.
** After Zevran's ambush is defeated, Elisa offers a fair duel in exchange for a chance at living. Their dialogue and actions will seem [[Film/ThePrincessBride fairly familiar]] to many people.
** The narrator during a training session with Morrigan: [[Franchise/DragonBall "Kamehameha,]] [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch."]]
** One to the game of ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' in chapter 12, with 'I hear Grey Wardens can parry an arrow in flight'. [[spoiler:It almost has the same outcome too.]]
-->"I'm a Witcher," '''I growled in a Franchise/{{Batman}}-esque voice.''' "Once I give you twenty Dire Bear asses I wish to sex up your village's entire female population. Then I want dirty playing cards of them. No, don't ask why."
** Foreshadowed, but in chapter 12 the Persona 3 reference comes right out. There are at least three party members with whom the narrator has started a [[VideoGame/Persona3 Social Link]].
** [[spoiler:Under the demon's control]], the narrator can kill people by grabbing their heads and exploding their brains. [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist Who else have we seen that can do that?]]
** Elisa and Bhelen paraphrase the infamous exchange from the ''Film/JudgeDredd'' film in one chapter.
** [[Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing "This one breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark."]]
* SociallyAwkwardHero: The narrator to a T, though this improves as he begins to feel more comfortable with the rest of the party.
* SupportingProtagonist: The narrator shows a lot of this, even edging to OvershadowedByAwesome considering what a badass Elisa is.
* TakeAThirdOption: Due to not being limited by the gameplay, rather than Bhelen or Harrowmont, the Warden ends up choosing [[spoiler:Duran Aeducan, the Dwarf Noble PC,]] to be king.
* TakeThat: An affectionate one to ''Fanfic/MassVexations'' when Zevran is recruited, as the narrator wonders if he'll act wildly out of character because he doesn't like him.
** Later, through a set of circumstances the narrator ends up with an equipment set a lot like [[VideoGame/TheWitcher Geralt's]]. He then talks about TwentyBearAsses and all the gratuitous sex to himself.
* TarotMotifs: Goes hand-in-hand with the ''VideoGame/Persona3'' reference. So far we have Leliana as the Moon, Elisa as Justice, Wynne as the High Priestess and Malcolm as the Tower.
* TemptingFate: The narrator internally snarks [[spoiler:after burning down Redcliffe village]] that he'll probably end up blowing up the mage's tower. [[spoiler:Well, not all of it. Just the Harrowing chamber.]]
* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Elisa pulls this on Uldred in [[WhamEpisode "Dreams and Demons"]]. [[NoSell It doesn't work]], obviously, but [[spoiler: the still-embedded sword becomes a weak point that the party attacks to inflict massive damage.]]
* TranquilFury: A favoured tactic of the Warden's.
* WhamEpisode: Both Redcliffe and the Circle tower, though particularly the latter because not only does it throw the narrator's reliability into question, it reveals that he's been an abomination the whole time.
* WhamLine: "Ven, where's [[spoiler:Leliana]]?"
* WreckedWeapon: [[AncestralWeapon The Cousland family sword]] is broken, [[spoiler:well, exploded, defeating Uldred.]] It causes Elisa to have a minor HeroicBSOD.
* YouAreNotAlone: Wynne comforts the narrator about his possession with a big hug.
* YouAreTheTranslatedForeignWord: [[LampshadeHanging "And there's the Dragon Age version of]] [[Franchise/MassEffect 'siha']]."