Rara Avis

A Crow Rare Pair Zine

RARA AVIS is a pay-what-you-can digital fanzine celebrating the complex relationships of the Antivan Crows. This project focuses on lesser-explored relationships (rare pairs) that demonstrate how love, loyalty and ambition intersect in the deadly world of assassination and intrigue inhabited by our favourite faction.This page will be updated as more information is added.

Visual assets from BioWare, extracted by PinkyDude.

About

The Antivan Crows are Thedas's most deadly guild of assassins. In many ways the effective rulers of Antiva, the Crows are renowned for their shifting allegiances, treachery and backstabbing. This web of intrigue and deceit makes relationships between Crows both complex and potentially lethal.RARA AVIS is an upcoming fanzine dedicated to celebrating the beautiful but deadly world of the Crows and those who inhabit it. We are specifically focused on the "rare birds" of our title, and aim to celebrate less common pairings featuring Antivan Crow characters. (Sorry, Rookanis and Zevwarden – we love you, but this project is not for you!)

What is a Crow Rare Pair?

Core Requirements

  • Must have fewer than 300 completed works on AO3 [Exception: Viago/Teia is eligible regardless of work count, as it’s often a background pairing in existing works]

  • Must include at least two Antivan Crow characters [Exception: Pairings with non-Crow Rook are accepted]

  • Cannot be Lucanis/Rook, Lucanis/Spite/Rook, or Zevran/Warden

Relationship Types

We welcome all forms of intimate relationships including:

  • “Traditional” romantic/sexual relationships

  • Polyamorous relationships

  • Queer platonic relationships

Additional Guidelines

  • In polyamorous relationships, Crow characters should be the majority.

  • Original characters are welcome, but should primarily be Antivan Crows.

  • Stories featuring non-Crow characters should primarily engage with Crow themes and settings.

  • AUs in which a non-Crow character is a Crow for purposes of the pairing are accepted, though canon Crow pairings will be given priority. AU pairings should involve at least one character who is a Crow in canon.

If you’re not sure if your pairing will be eligible, please feel free to reach out to us directly.

Examples of Eligible Crow Rare Pairs

  • Viago/Teia

  • Lucanis/Rook/Viago/Teia

  • Teia/Rook

  • Viago/Illario

  • Illario/Rook

  • Zevran/Rook

  • Zevran/Viago

  • Chance Candide/Rook

  • Dartonia/Timetri

Rook may always belong to any faction.

Examples of Non-Eligible Pairings

  • Lucanis/Rook

  • Lucanis/Spite/Rook

  • Zevran/Warden

  • Crow Rook/Non-Crow NPC
    - i.e. Rook/Taash, Rook/Emmrich, Rook/Neve, etc.

  • Crow NPC/Non-Crow NPC
    - i.e. Lucanis/Josephine, Viago/Bellara, Zevran/Alistair, Zevran/Fenris, Illario/Zara

  • Polyamourous relationships in which Crows are not the majority
    - i.e. Lucanis/Davrin/Emmrich, Zevran/Fenris/Hawke

FAQ

Can I purchase a physical copy of the zine?

No, RARA AVIS is a digital-only zine.

Will the zine be free?

We will be distributing the zine on a pay-what-you-can basis. All proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline.

What kinds of contributions will be accepted?

We wil be accepting both fanfiction and fanart submissions. Exact specifications will be announced at a later date. This zine will allow explicit content.

Who can contribute?

Because this zine will include explicit content, all contributors must be at least 18 years old.

Have other questions?

Please feel free to shoot us an email or send us an ask on Tumblr!

Contributor Info

Rules & Requirements

  • Contributors must be 18+ years old, as this project allows explicit material.

  • Explicit material that includes characters under 18 is strictly prohibited.

  • Explicit non-con material will not be accepted for this project. However, works that explore themes of survival, recovery and/or revenge are welcome.

  • AI-generated content will not be accepted under any circumstances.

  • No whitewashing.

  • No changing the sexual orientation of canonically homosexual characters.

  • No changing canonically trans characters to be cis.

  • Works should be created originally for this project, not reused/reposted.

More information on contributions will be coming following the interest check.

Schedule

Please note this schedule may be subject to change.

  • March 22: Contributor applications open

  • April 5: Contributor applications close

  • April 19: Contributors selected and notified

  • April 26: Concepts finalized

  • May 30: Check-in #1
    - Artists: Sketches finalized
    - Writers: Outlines finalized

  • June 30: Check-in #2
    - Artists: Line art (or equivalent) done
    - Writers: Draft 50% complete

  • July - August: Spotlight posting

  • July 15: Contributor preview graphic made and available

  • July 31: Check-in #3
    - Artists: Flat colour (or equivalent) done
    - Writers: Full draft complete

  • August 31: Final works due

  • September 21: Zine fit and layout done and posted for review

  • September 28-30: Final review/checks and zine posted

The Team

inquisimer (mer)

I face-planted into the Dragon Age fandom back in 2021 when my best friend gave me a PowerPoint presentation on Solavellan Hell, and while I came for the story and characters, I stayed for the uplifting community and mutual support. Some of my most important friendships have come out of this amazing fandom and it is a privilege to be part of events like this one that keep that spirit and enthusiasm alive. Veilguard was the first time I experienced a DA game release in real-time–it was incredible, and the Crows brought my love of rogue and assassin-type characters back full-force. I’m beyond excited for this zine, and the amazing works everyone will create!

Favourite rare pair(s): Viago/Rook/Teia/Lucanis, Illario/Crow!Rook

mossful (moss)

I fell in love with the world of Dragon Age ever since Origins, and never stopped since then, playing and replaying all the games. Only now I’m beginning to actually interact with the fandom, and I’ve found such lovely and talented people! I live for all the different interpretations, headcanons and theories, all the essays and the art and the fanfic that enrich these stories I already loved. The Crows have always been fascinating to me, and the moment I got to interact with several of them during the latest game, I immediately fell for them. Now, here we are.

Favourite rare pair(s): Viago/Teia/Crow!Rook & Viago/Teia/Lucanis/Crow!Rook

wishforhome (alix)

I’ve been playing Dragon Age games since Origins came out, but only ever dipped my toes into fandom until Veilguard. Now I’m done with lurking, and I’m so passionate about this fandom. We are so fortunate to have so many amazingly talented writers and artists making beautiful things in this space. With this latest game, I’ve become utterly obsessed with the Crows and all the wonderful stories to be found in this world of politics, intrigue and murder-for-hire. This is my first foray into creating a fanzine, although I made and distributed poetry and non-fiction zines in my twenties and used to be a magazine editor and journalist.

Favourite rare pair(s): Viago/Crow!Rook & Viago/Teia/Lucanis/Spite/Rook

Contact Us

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please reach out to us. We're not usually stabby.

[email protected]