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About this mod
My own vision of what Josephine would sound like in her romance codex
- Requirements
- Permissions and credits
- Changelogs
This mod rewrites Josephine's part of the romance codex called Notes from the Inquisition. I'm an absolute menace of a yapper, so I spoiler tagged my notes below to not overwhelm people with walls of text. However, there's no actual spoilers for DAV save for Josephine's letter, of course, and is safe to read. If you just want to see how the letter is rewritten, you may refer to the screenshots, or the whole text will be included further down the page.
Project files have also been included, so you can make changes according to your own taste. In order to actually see all text in the game, you will need to click View on the top, and select Bioware Localized String Editor. Then, you can search for the edited codex either by text, or you can jump directly to them by copying 0010BF3B (fem!inky) and 0010BF3F (masc!inky) in the first search bar.
Small note: I just realized that chronologically the letter doesn't make sense, as the others suggest they were sent before Solas' ritual and I make references to the blight and apocalypse, but eh - I do admit below that this is basically fanfiction anyway ☺️
Notes on the mod and writing:
Notes on my vision for the rewriting:
What's in the new letter:
Install this mod using Wavebend's alpha version of Frosty. Please keep in mind that modding is in its early days; text modding should be fairly safe and can be removed at any point from your load order, but nonetheless, proceed with caution. If you need the encryption key, you can find it in PinkyDude's guide.
I don't have a great track record with staying on top of updating things for a number of reasons. Still, if you encounter any issues, please do share in the comments, so at least the community might be able to help.
Project files have also been included, so you can make changes according to your own taste. In order to actually see all text in the game, you will need to click View on the top, and select Bioware Localized String Editor. Then, you can search for the edited codex either by text, or you can jump directly to them by copying 0010BF3B (fem!inky) and 0010BF3F (masc!inky) in the first search bar.
Small note: I just realized that chronologically the letter doesn't make sense, as the others suggest they were sent before Solas' ritual and I make references to the blight and apocalypse, but eh - I do admit below that this is basically fanfiction anyway ☺️
Notes on the mod and writing:
Spoiler:
● This rewrite is effectively a fanfiction mod. I may have strong feelings on why the original doesn't feel authentic, but it's not an objective commentary on the quality of the game's writing. Let's keep it respectful and sensible, be it comments on the game itself, or feedback on this mod's writing.
● Speaking of feedback, I am broadly open to it as it may lead to fun discussions on how Josephine's character is interpreted. But it's highly unlikely I'm going to change anything about the writing, especially as I'll be providing everything you need to make your own tweaks.
● An exception to this is the Spanish endearment I used. I chose "mi cariño" for a few reasons:
○ She already calls you "dearest", so being called dear as a regular pet name seemed fitting.
○ As far as I could tell, it's used in a gender neutral way which is always a plus for me.
○ It seemed like one of the most natural Spanish pet names for her to say in her own language, regardless of how much she may or may not speak Antivan on a daily basis.
● However, I am not a native Spanish speaker, so if native speakers would like to share what they think would better suit Josephine, and I see enough of a consensus on it, I'm happy to change it to something more authentic!
● On the note of language, if anyone wants to translate this to supported languages, please feel free to! However, please do not translate my writing through online translation or AI.
● I have AuDHD. It took great efforts to chisel down the wall of text I originally started with. I do think personally that Josephine would've written a longer letter than in vanilla, but it may still be too long. If you find that bothersome, or otherwise nonsensical and rambling, I'm sorry, I tried :'D
Show
● This rewrite is effectively a fanfiction mod. I may have strong feelings on why the original doesn't feel authentic, but it's not an objective commentary on the quality of the game's writing. Let's keep it respectful and sensible, be it comments on the game itself, or feedback on this mod's writing.
● Speaking of feedback, I am broadly open to it as it may lead to fun discussions on how Josephine's character is interpreted. But it's highly unlikely I'm going to change anything about the writing, especially as I'll be providing everything you need to make your own tweaks.
● An exception to this is the Spanish endearment I used. I chose "mi cariño" for a few reasons:
○ She already calls you "dearest", so being called dear as a regular pet name seemed fitting.
○ As far as I could tell, it's used in a gender neutral way which is always a plus for me.
○ It seemed like one of the most natural Spanish pet names for her to say in her own language, regardless of how much she may or may not speak Antivan on a daily basis.
● However, I am not a native Spanish speaker, so if native speakers would like to share what they think would better suit Josephine, and I see enough of a consensus on it, I'm happy to change it to something more authentic!
● On the note of language, if anyone wants to translate this to supported languages, please feel free to! However, please do not translate my writing through online translation or AI.
● I have AuDHD. It took great efforts to chisel down the wall of text I originally started with. I do think personally that Josephine would've written a longer letter than in vanilla, but it may still be too long. If you find that bothersome, or otherwise nonsensical and rambling, I'm sorry, I tried :'D
Notes on my vision for the rewriting:
Spoiler:
● I'm not sure how out of place even this bit of Antivan feels, but I always wanted her to display at least just a bit more of her language. I figured a pet name would be a great opportunity for that, to use the language of her heart, home, and family, for someone who becomes just as important as those.
● She's a diplomat so her letters would naturally have an air of formality to them. But she's writing to her partner of 10 years, surely she can write more comfortably, openly, and affectionately? The vanilla letter is too dry and formal for my taste, when considering it from that perspective.
● Josephine is an overachiever and borderline matriarch of the household even when we first meet her. At the same time, when it comes to romance she's very romantic and princess-like regardless of partner.
● So what do you mean that:
Her and inky are still not married in 10 years,
Josephine is the one proposing basically through TEXT,
Yvette got married and had 3 babies before her, which happens sometimes but whuh?
● Josephine being the one to propose is okay, sometimes it's the femme princess taking the knee. But not specifying who proposed imo is better suited for her writing, since there's already deliberate ambiguity about other things in her romance, so players can fill in the blanks.
I've tried my best not to go overboard with cheesy, sappy language. But this is the same lady who can have an elaborate courtly romance with Blackwall all about poetry and beauty. In a romance, she leaps into your arms for a twirl after you duel her arranged fiance to win her heart. She takes you the opera and gushes about the artistry and intense feelings it evokes. She's not just cheesy, she is cheese incarnate! (Also after I looked at the other love letters, she's the only one who doesn't even use the word "love" once in her letter, aside from Solas 😭 who is this woman, that's not my wife!)
● I don't think Josephine would be the type to have to write postscript in general, but especially not about her own sister being pregnant and inviting them over for a social function. Things can always slip through the cracks especially during such chaotic times of course, so ultimately no biggie, just explaining why I didn't keep that bit in the new letter.
● I wanted to give Yvette two possible outcomes since the "almost eloped with a pirate prince" epilogue was fun and inspired a lot of people. And on a personal note, I'm not a fan of Yvette apparently marrying Lord Otranto asap once Josephine is unavailable and becoming a baby machine for him. Summary of the two outcomes:
○ LOF: After Yvette's stormy relationship with the pirate prince fell through, she found herself stranded in Rivain for a time. After a lifetime of silky comfort, easy meals, and being surrounded by fine art and wealth, it took her some effort to get used to the rough life of an adventurer. But once she'd adapted, she never looked back, and built herself a new life as a romantic free spirit and eventually, a Lord of Fortune. Nobody knows how long this life will last, least of all Yvette. But for now, every day brings something new and the thrill of unpredictability pushes her to live life to its fullest.
○ Settled: The Montilyets and Otrantos still had an outstanding agreement to unify the two families, and fulfilling that responsibility fell on the next available Montilyet. Yvette is a romantic free spirit, and while she finds Adorno attractive, she struggles with commitment. Adorno is a romantic of his own kind, and is willing to pursue Yvette's affections so long as she shows interest too. After a stormy relationship with engagements broken and rekindled, Yvette had become comfortable with the idea marriage, and come to understand that commitment doesn't have to compromise who she is, so long as Adorno respects her boundaries.
Show
● I'm not sure how out of place even this bit of Antivan feels, but I always wanted her to display at least just a bit more of her language. I figured a pet name would be a great opportunity for that, to use the language of her heart, home, and family, for someone who becomes just as important as those.
● She's a diplomat so her letters would naturally have an air of formality to them. But she's writing to her partner of 10 years, surely she can write more comfortably, openly, and affectionately? The vanilla letter is too dry and formal for my taste, when considering it from that perspective.
● Josephine is an overachiever and borderline matriarch of the household even when we first meet her. At the same time, when it comes to romance she's very romantic and princess-like regardless of partner.
● So what do you mean that:
Her and inky are still not married in 10 years,
Josephine is the one proposing basically through TEXT,
Yvette got married and had 3 babies before her, which happens sometimes but whuh?
● Josephine being the one to propose is okay, sometimes it's the femme princess taking the knee. But not specifying who proposed imo is better suited for her writing, since there's already deliberate ambiguity about other things in her romance, so players can fill in the blanks.
I've tried my best not to go overboard with cheesy, sappy language. But this is the same lady who can have an elaborate courtly romance with Blackwall all about poetry and beauty. In a romance, she leaps into your arms for a twirl after you duel her arranged fiance to win her heart. She takes you the opera and gushes about the artistry and intense feelings it evokes. She's not just cheesy, she is cheese incarnate! (Also after I looked at the other love letters, she's the only one who doesn't even use the word "love" once in her letter, aside from Solas 😭 who is this woman, that's not my wife!)
● I don't think Josephine would be the type to have to write postscript in general, but especially not about her own sister being pregnant and inviting them over for a social function. Things can always slip through the cracks especially during such chaotic times of course, so ultimately no biggie, just explaining why I didn't keep that bit in the new letter.
● I wanted to give Yvette two possible outcomes since the "almost eloped with a pirate prince" epilogue was fun and inspired a lot of people. And on a personal note, I'm not a fan of Yvette apparently marrying Lord Otranto asap once Josephine is unavailable and becoming a baby machine for him. Summary of the two outcomes:
○ LOF: After Yvette's stormy relationship with the pirate prince fell through, she found herself stranded in Rivain for a time. After a lifetime of silky comfort, easy meals, and being surrounded by fine art and wealth, it took her some effort to get used to the rough life of an adventurer. But once she'd adapted, she never looked back, and built herself a new life as a romantic free spirit and eventually, a Lord of Fortune. Nobody knows how long this life will last, least of all Yvette. But for now, every day brings something new and the thrill of unpredictability pushes her to live life to its fullest.
○ Settled: The Montilyets and Otrantos still had an outstanding agreement to unify the two families, and fulfilling that responsibility fell on the next available Montilyet. Yvette is a romantic free spirit, and while she finds Adorno attractive, she struggles with commitment. Adorno is a romantic of his own kind, and is willing to pursue Yvette's affections so long as she shows interest too. After a stormy relationship with engagements broken and rekindled, Yvette had become comfortable with the idea marriage, and come to understand that commitment doesn't have to compromise who she is, so long as Adorno respects her boundaries.
What's in the new letter:
Spoiler:
Mi cariño,
I have spoken to friends in Minrathous. They offer us their hospitality, not to mention shelter from the worst intrigues of the Archon's Palace. While you're well acquainted with the mundane threats that are the roving eyes of grand courts, please be careful: Tevinter's regard can be the oldest and cruelest of them all.
However, I must confess that I'm ever more terrified for your safety, as yet again you face the threat of divine nature. One should not have to fight a single self-proclaimed god within one's lifetime, let alone several, powerful enough to back up their claims. I have the utmost faith in our friends' capabilities to protect you when it comes to politics — but who may protect you against the whims of such ancient creatures, save for the Maker perhaps?
I dream of the day when you can finally come home and rest, and trust that duty won't steal you from our bed ever again. My heart aches thinking about how dearly I miss you.
Until then, I shall always be inspired by your strength and determination to keep the peace of Thedas, to save it from utter chaos and devastation. I shall always be there to support you in those secret moments when everything's just too much to bear. And I shall always love you, with the same affection that swelled in our hearts when we first confessed to each other. The Maker bore witness to my promises to you nearly a decade ago, and may he witness them fulfilled for many decades more.
Please keep my words with you, wherever you may go next. Knowing how powerless I am to protect you in the face of such dangers, it's a poison most insidious; the belief that my words of affection may shield your heart at least is the only antidote I have for such fears.
On a less dour note, the family writes the weather back home is beautiful; one could scarcely believe there's an apocalypse sweeping across the continent, let alone within the borders of Antiva. I can hardly wait to finally enjoy the Antivan warmth together. And as trying as they may be at times, I do miss my family's exuberance and fervor, bringing such color to our everyday lives.
[LOF: Speaking of family, I've finally received word from Yvette. I know she tries her best to keep in touch, yet sometimes I can't help but wonder if it's really that difficult to send letters from Rivain. Perhaps I underestimate how busy a Lord of Fortune can be — a title I'm still not entirely clear on what it means, if it's even a title. When your travels take you to the north once more, perhaps you could help me shed further light on the matter upon your return?
In any event, it sounds like Rivain has miraculously avoided most of the blight's corruption. She's in relative safety, meaning the only dangers she faces are the ones she voluntarily leaps into. I can't say that I understand why she'd spurn the comforts of our family estate in favor of braving storms and ancient ruins — but I know she felt the call of adventure since we were little, and so I'm proud of her for staying true to herself. Although if she keeps writing so infrequently, I'm liable to brave the eluvians myself and finally visit her in person.]
[Settled: Speaking of family, I've also received bittersweet news: after years of an intensely stormy relationship, Yvette and Lord Otranto are officially married at last. No more dramatic back-and-forth, spontaneous plans to elope only to call their engagement off altogether — honestly, it's as if she wanted Mother to die of heart palpitations! — and they are in fact, fully settled down at Lord Otranto's estate.
I only call these news bittersweet as I wish we could've been there to celebrate their new life together. Of course, that's just me being selfish: I'd love to see my sister in person as she begins her new journey in life. But what matters is that she's finally found happiness with a man we both know to be a truly good person, and I'm so proud of her. I have sent our warmest regards and best wishes to them. When we return to Antiva, following a well-deserved rest for us both, I'd like us to visit them and make up for lost quality time.]
I hope this small bit of family gossip was able to provide you with a brief sense of normalcy. I know it helps me stay centered to remember for whom we're fighting in our own ways, to whom we will be returning when it's finally over. I pray that end is in sight, and that I can finally have you in my arms, safe and sound. May the Maker watch over you, mi cariño.
Always yours,
Josephine
Show
Mi cariño,
I have spoken to friends in Minrathous. They offer us their hospitality, not to mention shelter from the worst intrigues of the Archon's Palace. While you're well acquainted with the mundane threats that are the roving eyes of grand courts, please be careful: Tevinter's regard can be the oldest and cruelest of them all.
However, I must confess that I'm ever more terrified for your safety, as yet again you face the threat of divine nature. One should not have to fight a single self-proclaimed god within one's lifetime, let alone several, powerful enough to back up their claims. I have the utmost faith in our friends' capabilities to protect you when it comes to politics — but who may protect you against the whims of such ancient creatures, save for the Maker perhaps?
I dream of the day when you can finally come home and rest, and trust that duty won't steal you from our bed ever again. My heart aches thinking about how dearly I miss you.
Until then, I shall always be inspired by your strength and determination to keep the peace of Thedas, to save it from utter chaos and devastation. I shall always be there to support you in those secret moments when everything's just too much to bear. And I shall always love you, with the same affection that swelled in our hearts when we first confessed to each other. The Maker bore witness to my promises to you nearly a decade ago, and may he witness them fulfilled for many decades more.
Please keep my words with you, wherever you may go next. Knowing how powerless I am to protect you in the face of such dangers, it's a poison most insidious; the belief that my words of affection may shield your heart at least is the only antidote I have for such fears.
On a less dour note, the family writes the weather back home is beautiful; one could scarcely believe there's an apocalypse sweeping across the continent, let alone within the borders of Antiva. I can hardly wait to finally enjoy the Antivan warmth together. And as trying as they may be at times, I do miss my family's exuberance and fervor, bringing such color to our everyday lives.
[LOF: Speaking of family, I've finally received word from Yvette. I know she tries her best to keep in touch, yet sometimes I can't help but wonder if it's really that difficult to send letters from Rivain. Perhaps I underestimate how busy a Lord of Fortune can be — a title I'm still not entirely clear on what it means, if it's even a title. When your travels take you to the north once more, perhaps you could help me shed further light on the matter upon your return?
In any event, it sounds like Rivain has miraculously avoided most of the blight's corruption. She's in relative safety, meaning the only dangers she faces are the ones she voluntarily leaps into. I can't say that I understand why she'd spurn the comforts of our family estate in favor of braving storms and ancient ruins — but I know she felt the call of adventure since we were little, and so I'm proud of her for staying true to herself. Although if she keeps writing so infrequently, I'm liable to brave the eluvians myself and finally visit her in person.]
[Settled: Speaking of family, I've also received bittersweet news: after years of an intensely stormy relationship, Yvette and Lord Otranto are officially married at last. No more dramatic back-and-forth, spontaneous plans to elope only to call their engagement off altogether — honestly, it's as if she wanted Mother to die of heart palpitations! — and they are in fact, fully settled down at Lord Otranto's estate.
I only call these news bittersweet as I wish we could've been there to celebrate their new life together. Of course, that's just me being selfish: I'd love to see my sister in person as she begins her new journey in life. But what matters is that she's finally found happiness with a man we both know to be a truly good person, and I'm so proud of her. I have sent our warmest regards and best wishes to them. When we return to Antiva, following a well-deserved rest for us both, I'd like us to visit them and make up for lost quality time.]
I hope this small bit of family gossip was able to provide you with a brief sense of normalcy. I know it helps me stay centered to remember for whom we're fighting in our own ways, to whom we will be returning when it's finally over. I pray that end is in sight, and that I can finally have you in my arms, safe and sound. May the Maker watch over you, mi cariño.
Always yours,
Josephine
Install this mod using Wavebend's alpha version of Frosty. Please keep in mind that modding is in its early days; text modding should be fairly safe and can be removed at any point from your load order, but nonetheless, proceed with caution. If you need the encryption key, you can find it in PinkyDude's guide.
I don't have a great track record with staying on top of updating things for a number of reasons. Still, if you encounter any issues, please do share in the comments, so at least the community might be able to help.