calperna

[calperna]

heads up ! in a play this weekend, will likely be scarce thursday - sunday

[calperna]

you   know   the   distance   never   made   a   difference   to   me.   i   swam   a   lake   of   fire,   i'd   have   walked   across   the   floor   of   any   sea.   ignored   the   vastness   between   all   that   can   be   seen   and   all   that   we   believe

MIREVAS INQUISITOR LAVELLAN, WRITTEN BY STELL

[calperna]

Calpernia in What Pride Had Wrought

[calperna]

“I'm getting too old for this nonsense.” (+veilguard era? 👀 )

blood is spattered across them both - - - blood mages, of course, why not - - - and calpernia swipes the back of a gloved hand across her face to remove a smear of viscera with a slight wrinkle of the nose being the only thing to give away her distaste at the state of them. a quick glance is spared the inquisitor and calpernia's lips twitch further towards frown as she shakes gore from her hand.

"you need not tire yourself, inquisitor," calpernia braces herself against her cane as she crouches to roll over the corpse and begin the dirty work of looking through their pockets and pouches, "return to the lighthouse and leave the work to those with stomach for it."

[calperna]

"How does it feel being back in Tevinter?" Lace looks up at Calpernia then back across the Minrathous skyline.

"Does it feel like home, or...." Worse?

Lace doesn't finish her sentence, cheeks turning red in embarrassment for what is such a careless question.

"it is the closest i have to home," calpernia answers as though the question is not clumsy from her seat at the edge of the dock. her hands rest in her lap, folded tight, her jaw set as she stares out across the water rather than looking at lace, "though i doubt it is the same feeling as you would have in your own." not that she has the words to explain such. this place is home. it also prison. cage and key both. calpernia's jaw tightens in thought and she finally looks at the other woman with a quick glance of cool eyes, "you need not blush over it. it was a fair question."

[calperna]

𝐁𝐆𝟑 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

a selection of lines from the various companions' banter quotes (not cut scene dialogues!) from baldur's gate 3. these are generally spoiler free and non context specific so they can apply to different settings and dynamics! feel free to change names and the like to customize the prompts.

“Death can't have me. Not yet…”

“Calm yourself. There is plenty of me to go around.”

“Realmspace is vast. Countless worlds to be mapped, kingdoms to be conquered.”

“I have missed this. The adventure. The danger. The kicking of butts!

“Let me guess - you need something.”

“Such attention.. I never realised I was so popular.”

“Let's cook with fire, baby.”

“Do you intend to vocalise every thought?. Or just the most obvious ones?”

“Wherever we go, ye gods let there be something green.”

“Careful, or I will take your toy away from you.”

“Watch your elders and learn.”

“Perhaps try attacking the enemy?”

“So much we don't know, lingering in the furthest reaches of existence.”

“All the world's my stage and you're just a player in it.”

“The shadows are my friend.”

“Yes, yes, have your fun. It isn't you they're trying to kill.”

“Feet planted firmly on Faerûn, please.”

“Admirable stamina, yet terrible priorities.”

“Well you certainly have the 'omnipresent' part down, don't you?”

“I am ready, whatever may come.”

“My faith protects me.”

“Need a throat slitting?”

“Death greets us all - but not today.”

“You need my expertise?”

“Can you feel death's cold grip?”

“So many stars, so many mysteries yet to be discovered.”

“Death comes quietly.”

“And I thought we were going to be friends.”

“Locked tight, but there must be some way to open it.”

“No, you can't die. Get up, damn you!

“You had my attention, now you have my fury.”

“From silence to suffering.”

“So many worlds out there. You'd need a thousand lifetimes to see them all - more.”

“I hope this is important. For your sake.”

“Let them gaze deep into their own abyss, and wonder just what it is they are trying to achieve.”

“I ought to just burn this whole thing down.”

“We have slightly more pressing matters to attend to.”

“You have still have time to surrender.”

“Every kicked buttock, another step on the path.”

“Weave save me. I can't take much more…

“You are right to fear me.”

“Let me look around. Might be something that'll help me crack this thing.”

“Incredible, to think how many worlds exist beyond this tiny speck within a speck I call home.”

“I really wish I could cast a Hold spell on you.”

“I can fawn over my face later.”

“Ready for another round?”

“Keep your blade close.”

“I can't unlock it from here, but there must be a switch or a button somewhere…”

“No, that's not moving. There must be a way to open it somewhere.”

“Battle favours the fearless.”

“Sleep with one eye open, evil. Maybe both.”

“Gotta be something around here to unlock this thing.”

“Why do beautiful people taste better?. It hardly seems fair on the ugly - they have such wonderful personalities.”

“Oh, calm down. I'm happy to see you too.”

“Just go for the Magic Missile and fire away. Never fails.”

“Still standing, no matter what you heard.”

“Enough waiting. I crave blood.”

“Hang on - I won't allow this. You aren't dead, go it?”

“GODS, it's HOT in here!”

“No rest for the wicked, I see.”

“Better to hide than fight, sometimes.”

“Would that I could hide from you, too.”

“Are you feeling lonely, perhaps?”

“There is no right or wrong, only truth.”

“Battle is afoot - you can poke me once we are safe.”

“What good all this ethereal eladrin blood if I can still get pimples?”

“I should've been a drow. They have such stylish armour.”

“I am armed! Armoured! And entirely sick of your foolishness.”

“Let's have some fun.”

“War is an old woman's game.”

“No rest, be you wicked or wise.”

“I'm getting too old for this nonsense.”

“I would poke you back, but I fear that's what you want.”

“You have my attention - now do something with it.”

“You are insistent, are you not?”

“Do what must be done.”

“Your suffering will be spectacular.”

“Lest I sit down for a rest and not rise again.”

“Better to look evil in the eye. Even if it be very small.”

“I'm not built to crouch.”

“I think I could go another round.”

“Always the same old song.”

“Is perfection too much to ask?”

“Eyes on victory, tummy on dinner.”

“So many places to be.. and I chose Baldur's Gate.”

“I'm not opening that. Not from here, at any rate.”

“What is the point, if not victory?”

“Won't last much longer like this.”

“Let's hope the locals are friendly.”

“Let us show them how it's done.”

“Weapons high. Standards higher.”

“Must everyone be so exhausting?”

“What I would not give for a chunk of fresh honeycomb…”

“Which way to the nearest library?”

“Now this is my happy place.”

“Who shall I silence?”

“Stop, or die.”

“Wear your scars proudly.”

[calperna]

i fear i love this lil guy

NEW PLAYTHROUGH ... new lil guy ... ignore the armor he's a warden

[calperna]

everyone talking about shipping ??? ... anyways cal is hell to romance ( she cannot let herself be vulnerable she thinks it's a one way path to being betrayed / hurt ) but also imagine getting her to open up to u !!!

[calperna]

she remembers him ; she had sent spies out to discover all that could be found in each member of the inquisitor's inner circle. it had been such a strange occurrence, just how little there had been to uncover on the elven apostate. some handful of missives with little background beyond exploring ruins and fade expert. calpernia had thought little of it at the time - - - her own past would appear similarly scarce when the inquisition's spies delved into it at the time, and the man had not seemed a great enough concern to waste too much time on. what a foolish choice.

"i would not be so certain, solas," there has been one other she bowed to, used titles for - - - she will not be calling this man one of his many other monikers, "for your motives are of great import, and i am aware of your proclivities to ... reveal what is convenient and color what is less so." there is no judgement or any such other nonsense in the words. what would be the point? she is many things, but calpernia endeavors not to be a hypocrite where such can be avoided. she has lied. she has revealed only enough to benefit herself. she has tried to destroy the world, for the one they are in is beyond saving. no, calpernia has no harsh words for him ; only discerning ones. "you have been freeing slaves. to what ends?"

he recognises the name  :  another rhyme to the melody sung thousands of years ago,  when the world needed revolutions to survive.    through little manipulations in his web of informants,   she had outwitted him enough to convince him to come  ( or,   perhaps,   he had willingly stepped into a trap,   knowing the hunters would approach close enough to feed from   …   or bite, but we could never know )  ,   and that in itself is worth indulging his curiosity.

he pulls down the hood from his weatherworn cloak to reveal a nondescript elven face.    weak candlelight battles valiantly against the tavern’s dim airs,   casting both their features in flickering,  faltering shadow.        ❛❛  the why is irrelevant.    you have not brought me all this way to inquire on motives you might already know,   lady calpernia.  ❜❜        he sits up,   meeting her gaze  :  a coiled snake,  sharp - fanged,  sharper - eyed,  the lingering scent of lightning crackling around her.   the wolf smiles without eyes,   without teeth.        ❛❛  yes,   i remember you.    you cared far more for tevinter than corypheus ever had.  ❜❜        what he had recalled of her from within the stone walls of the inquisition was the name of an adversary,   but in name only.    he picks up his cup of tea and does not drink from it.        ❛❛  perhaps a partnership will benefit us both.    is that not why you risked contact with me ?  ❜❜

[calperna]

npcs i have made up who are important to cal. ( this will get updates as i mention folks )

jem ; elven mage ( knight - enchanter ), former venatori, one of the many freed by calpernia who chose to follow her. he is one of the ones who physically carried her out of the temple of mythal after her confrontation with corypheus post-well. a member of the shadow dragons, one of calpernia's most trusted friends & advisors, often aids her in some of her more ... bombastic and attention - grabbing endeavors. aka has helped her plot the mysterious accidents that have taken out some magisters.

caia ; human rogue ( assassin ), former venatori, similarly one of the original freed venatori who remained loyal to calpernia after corypheus. sort of a shadow dragon, in that she works with them when asked, but is more suited to spy work. tends to operate mostly on her own terms but will do favors for calpernia if asked - - - and calpernia does the same. unlike jem, caia tends to keep out of calpernia's political business and calpernia returns the favor ; they have similar enough goals.

[calperna]

"oh, i am supposed to?" dangerous words, tossed back at him as she sets the quill she had been using to the side so that she might fold her hands in her lap as she leans back in her seat. it is quiet tonight, a few others on the side of the room speaking in low tones. calpernia will not go further than sharp-edged words when there are others present ; tarquin is lucky for that. she is not above lobbing spells to prove a point.

"i would keep my tongue on the skill of our charges. you would do well to remember most are from households wherein they were taught only enough magic to keep a pot warm." magic is a gift for any family within tevinter, but within the ranks of those enslaved all it manages to change is how you are forced to complete your tasks. calpernia makes a sharp tsking sound and tips her head at him, "or have you more uninformed opinions on the skill of my charges?"

"you'd like that wouldn't you?" he retorts, finally getting down to the layer of clothing that isn't smoking. "isn't a matter of skill, calpernia, but a question of tolerance. what good's a mage if they can't keep their damned fire to themselves?" it's a matter of liability, anyway - one wrong move and an entire operation can go up in literal flames.

"besides, you're supposed to be minding them as it is," tarquin is quick to remind her. "more of a reflection of you than of me that you've got initiates with no discipline."

[calperna]

calpernia does not laugh at being told. her lips quirk into something nearer a frown than the indifferent expression that generally occupies her features. fingers delve into one of the many large, hidden pockets of her robe as the other remains steadfastly on the head of her cane - - - the many twisting roots provide far too many opportunities to lose her footing if she does not pay more attention than usual to her placement. calpernia draws a handful of steps closer to bellara and whatever it is she is doing ; if one were to look closely enough they might see the glint of curiosity that has taken up residence in her eye.

"my life has largely been spent in more ... occupied regions. there is little opportunity to collect sap in the streets of minrathous." largely. the blip of trekking through woods and strange ruins had been spent largely within her tent when not actively on a mission ; she was never one of those tasked with things such as hunting or gathering sap. calpernia wonders if the others had done this. she will have to ask jem and caia ( two of her closest, former venatori, those who had followed her through thedas nearly twice over now ) if this is something she had missed while pouring over scrolls and following leads fed to her by a would-be god.

"do you oft trek out into the wood for grocery trips?" there it is ; the faint twinkle of amusement that is the closest she gets to the emotion in her voice. it is ... sweet. something beyond loyalty. saccharine, almost, cloying and clinging to calpernia's tongue like spun sugar. "or is this a special occasion?"

it surprises her, sometimes, how blind she'd become to the sight of them. so numerous, varying sizes and positions.. bellara no longer grimaced at the sight of them. she no longer gasped when the hand reaching from the trees was small and delicate ; a child. what a cruel complacency, time won. would continue to win, too, if her settled focus spoke of nothing else. more apt to continue this chore than delve into more questions about her ancestors and why they'd done things so.. wrong.

" i'm collecting sap, " this, she could talk about. she could smile while doing so and twist the corkscrewed nozzle in deeper. " and you'll laugh at me if i tell you. " not that she'd ever, really, heard calpernia do that. laugh. show something higher than an unenthused contempt for these tedious outings. what always kept bellara wondering why she'd come. why she'd seemed, at first, to've wanted to come, too.

the toughest nuts to crack, though, often had the best flavor.

" lucanis asked me to do it. " a request without bloodshed, deep in the forest she'd called home for so long each tree felt as an extension of herself ? that outstretched arm was her arm. the bent, crooked legs ? her legs. a whole body of people, begging not to be forgotten, their roots as deep in her as they were in the ground. this tree, in particular.. she'd thank it when she was done. " it's for a recipe. i'd told him i would since i was going out already. " before she'd learned she'd not be going alone. in light of recent events, it feels silly, now. " this.. isn't the first time you've seen someone do it, is it ? "

[calperna]

alright … i think i write again tonight

[calperna]

i had to put down my cat today. ive had him since he was 10 weeks old and he was 11. gonna be gone for a bit.

[calperna]

Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring in Dune Part 2 ( 2024 )

[calperna]

calpernia meets the grin with a cool look, a glance over the inquisitor and then away again - - - her glare settling upon one of the bottles that line the back of the bar. she is sorely tempted to reach over and snag one ; it would certainly serve the bartender right, to allow her to be caught like this. neither woman needs introduction to the other and yet calpernia cannot help but feel as if she is, in some ways, a very different person than the foolish girl who had stood before the inquisitor last. how naive she must have seemed ; how silly. it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

"you are bold to call it such," she says as she swivels on her stool to look properly at the other. she is older. obviously. calpernia herself knows she is different, the prosthetic and the way she has styled herself ( red, still, lush and less practical these days ) perhaps the most obvious. "we are not on opposing sides, but i would not call us unified in vision."

the  inquisitor  had  always  nursed  the  suspicion  that  she  would  see  calpernia  again.  it  was  only  through  circumstance  that  they  had  once  found  each  other  at  the  opposite  ends  of  a  blade  —  thrust  into  war  by  corypheus'  bid  for  godhood.  it  has  been  a  decade.  they  have  both  aged.  but  evelyn  recognizes  the  hair,  the  freckles.  the  air  of  immense  arcane  ability,  crackling  like  static  before  a  stroke  of  lightning. 

she  isn't  sure  if  it  was  a  shadow  dragon  or  an  agent  of  the  inquisition  that  had  swept  the  tavern,  but  she  takes  a  chair  anyway,  an  open  grin  on  her  lips. 

“  lady calpernia.  i  hear  we  are  on  the  same  side  these  days.  ”

[calperna]

an unimpressed glance is cast over their person and calpernia's lips purse. "seven."

🏹⠀ ── ⠀ @calperna liked for a one liner starter

"how many knives d'you think i have on me? bet you can't guess."