#— ✦ ・GATES of PARADiSE————————————————

[soldat-buck]

gonna tell the kids this is Astarion Baldursgate from the hit video game

[mysterious-secret-garden]

Wilhelm Bernatzik - Gate to Paradise, 1906.

[lostsoulsparadise]

Lost Souls Paradise | Instagram

[favvn]

Pairing these two scenes together because there's Something about their phrasing that is driving me Insane. (Is it the use of religious imagery turned on its head--purgatory is not a thing to desire much less create for yourself, losing paradise is normally a tragedy to be mourned--to highlight a unifying belief that both Kirk and Spock live by? That both accept the loss of paradise for the uncertainty of life?)

Like. I Know Spock's line about "self-made purgatories" (and what a line! I am gnawing on it like a dog with a bone) is referring both to his Duty to The Enterprise and Kirk as the First Officer vs his experience of love from the plant spores, but it's also referring to him being both human and Vulcan and trying to adhere to one half at the expense of the other and finding himself fitting in nowhere as result (although, I would argue The Enterprise with Kirk is where he fits in as Kirk has consistently shown he doesn't expect Spock to be More Vulcan or More Human but to just be Spock).

And Kirk.... knowing his past on Tarsus IV and how he shouldn't be alive had Kodos had his way.... His dogged determination to beat the odds against him.... Dare I say it's giving Born To Run vibes? The mindset of, "Fine. Paradise is lost, but I'll keep going anyway."

[emaadsidiki]

Florence Baptistery & The Gates of Paradise ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-

[shrimpy-draws]

With pmd on the brain I wanted to replay the games, but I've replayed blue rescue team and explorers of sky a lot. So this time I decided to replay the game I played the least; gates to infinity.

[anotherdarkiboi]

He... he did the thing. The first time you meet (with a knife to your throat).

[shashasidetrash]

Art! First post to show some love to my favourite white haired fictional men <3

[whereifindsanity]

[murfeelee]

BG3 INSP: Spare the Illithid, Spoil the Flood Tide - Pt1

Allandra Grey, the Flood Tide (high priestess) of the sea goddess Umberlee, had made a grave mistake once as a youth. She had never seen a Mind Flayer in the flesh before, so when one just so happened to be marooned in her seas, she thought nothing of bringing the creature safely to shore. She had quite the fondness for tentacles, after all. Umberlee, however, was furious, ordering her daughter to quickly dispatch the Mind Flayer she was sheltering, lest the Illithid scourge spread through their domain!

MY THOUGHTS & CC CREDITS

MY THOUGHTS

I forgot to post this way back in February with the rest of my BG3 gameplay. Oops? (I totally made all this up, LOL, including what Umberlee looks like.)

CC CREDITS

This was just me messing around with the awesome Mermaid mods at MTS by @puddingface1902 (here), and Xantak22 (here).

- Allandra's Umberlee set by me

- Mind Flayer head by me

- Umberlee's dreads by Vittler, top by @rstarsims3; skin & octopus tail by @niobecremisi

- Mermaidia world by @crowkeeperthesimmer

[toasty-tealeaf]

Opening up some slots for 50 usd icon commissions to help pay off my sewer and water main pipe replacements! They will be in this style but with flat colors. I really want to do some Tavs! DM me if interested!

[hereforthepotions]

You know Shadowheart and Gale both listen to Lana Del Rey.

[ghostlyarchaeologist]

"We're gonna have to hop the gate."

Almost Paradise S02E01 The Magellan Cross.

[1000punks]

Of Paradise For Hell (Part 1)

masterlist. || read on AO3

pairing: Haarlep x named!Tav (non-binary OC) / eventual Haarlep x named!Tav x Raphael

warnings: 18+. nsft. mdni. obviously spoilers for act 3 (house of hope). very slow burn but they're naked the whole time. a later chapter will contain consensual somno.

word count: 2, 993

named!Tav is my non-binary tiefling ranger, Festé. i was seeing far too few fics with tiefling!Tav and i thought it was crucial, nay, critical to include them in the headcanons. i hope you all enjoy! ♡

Today had been a frustrating and long day. Festé and the others had finally succeeded in rooting out Orin's lair and clearing it of Bhaalists. They would save the Bhaalspawn herself for the next day, retiring back to their rented rooms for the night.

As Festé was crawling into bed, however, they found yet another one of the envelopes, this time a deep crimson, tucked halfway under their pillow. Understandably, Festé's nerves were frayed, having been the one to find all of Orin's little "gifts" in their camp since she had first appeared before them in Rivington. Looking around nervously, they picked the envelope from between the bedclothes, swallowing and flexing their fingers cautiously before tearing it open from the corner. Festé held their breath as they all but tore the stiff parchment from inside, scanning it quickly and relaxing exponentially when they recognized the script. Not Orin's messy, chaotic hand, but elegant, sloping Infernal. Meant for their eyes only.

He will be gone for half a tenday. Stay with me. Don't make a mess getting here or it will be your soul as well.

Festé sighed in relief, letting out a half-chuckle at the prospect of him owning their soul. They knew it would never come to that, he was far too infatuated with the chase of it all, the theatrics. They looked up and around once more at their sleeping comrades, hastily scrawling their own note that they would be back in the morning. They could only be so reckless when there was a shapeshifter on the loose, after all. Festé grabbed their cloak and stole out of the room, quiet as a mouse, you could say.

They arrived in the now-familiar castle, breathing out deeply and pausing to feel the warm air of Avernus enveloping them, almost nostalgic for it. Unlike the others, especially Karlach, they embraced their short trips to Avernus - now, it was like coming home. Ever since they made their unofficial agreement with Haarlep, it was their nearly-private refuge.

And the agreement wasn't anything like what he wanted from them, they shivered involuntarily at the thought as they crossed the antechamber quickly, their armour making soft clinks as they picked up speed.

"Come on now, don't seem too eager, you dolt," they muttered, trying to shake off the excitement and the nerves as they reached the doorway of the Boudoir. They halted suddenly when they saw Haarlep's all-too-familiar frame, biting into their lip. Would it ever get easier, they thought, would the sight of him ever fail to make them feel so weak and lightheaded?

"There you are, little mouse. And dressed in such fine armour, no less. I hope … " Haarlep trailed off, reclining in the bath and flashing a grin, putting palms together over the surface of the water, "… I pray … that you didn't come here to fight, dear one." Festé only rolled their eyes playfully, relaxing their stance at the doorway before slowly walking into the room, their eyes fixed always on the incubus. Haarlep cocked an eyebrow as Festé reached for their longsword, unsheathing it in one motion before setting it on the floor, straightening up and matching Haarlep's wide grin.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Haarlep…" they drawled softly, reaching back to loosen the straps of their armour, lifting the plate over their head and letting it clatter to the floor as well. "I wouldn't say no to some, er, help with my boots and breeches though." They met Haarlep's eyes once more, their confidence faltering as a blush crept over their already rosy skin. Haarlep had sat up in the water almost silently, wings unfolded halfway and dripping softly.

"No, no, little mouse. Tonight you undress yourself, and come to my lap. I've already poured the wine for you." He gestured to their legs with an open palm, his gaze raking over their body already.

Festé's blush deepened, relenting easily under Haarlep's gaze, holding it with their own as they kicked their boots off one by one, bending to tug their breeches down soon after, raising their eyebrows as a silent plea. Haarlep always knew what to say to undo them, but was not forthcoming this night. Festé steeled themself and, underclothes be damned, treaded slowly into the water. They couldn't let Haarlep win all the way, could they?

"Now pet," Haarlep tutted, reaching out to hook one of the straps of Festé's bra off their shoulder, "You know I meant all the way." He purred, sitting up further and gathering them into his lap, forcing them to straddle his thighs and letting his tail snake up their back, pushing it's way under their bra slowly as he chuckled. Festé suppressed a shiver, not wanting him to win. Not yet. Haarlep, content with teasing them, turned and reached for the goblet of wine, pressing it gently to Festé's lips with an encouraging look, ready to pull away if they refused, but knowing they could not resist.

Festé caved on that front, a little too easily, and drank deeply, the wine warming them from the inside out. Haarlep silently set the goblet aside, replacing his tail with his hands on Festé's back as he leaned close to their ear, breathing hotly, "Very well, I can see that you're too stunned to speak in my presence, dear one." He loosed their bra from their body, letting it fall away in the water. "I hope that my … expertise - " he growled from his chest, eliciting the softest of moans from Festé's lips, "will loosen your tongue as it has a good many times before. After all, you little imp… " Haarlep clawed down their back slowly, as if carving his next words into their flesh, "what hath night to do with sleep?"

Festé pulled back and looked up at him dazedly, bringing their hands to his chest, their gaze now fixed on his lips like the old romantic they had always been. Haarlep leaned back, forcing them to press themself closer to him and knowing that the wine was doing curious things to them, particularly their heartbeat. The needy whines would start soon enough, he was sure, and trailed his fingers lightly up their back.

They both sat like that for a while, Haarlep tracking how each of his slow, gentle movements made Festé's breath hitch, finally taking his hands off their skin and chuckling when their hips shifted, their head shooting up from its place on his shoulder.

"Haarlep, I-I'm - " they breathed out a sigh of despair, rolling their hips forward slowly and relaxing somewhat at the relief it seemed to give them, if only momentarily. "What have you done to me, you godsforsaken incubus?" Their voice shook almost imperceptibly as they lay their head back on Haarlep's shoulder. Festé's breath was hot against Haarlep's neck, and it was almost enough for him to take pity and give them the relief they sought.

Instead, he gripped their hips tightly. forcing them to stop with a purr, "Why, only what you agreed to when accepting my invitation, little mouse. the cat is away, and that is our cue to play, is it not?" Haarlep moved one hand to Festé's chin, tilting their head up and leaning close, "My intent is to undo you completely, I want your inhibitions low, your guard down. I want you to prove to me - " he paused, brushing his lips over theirs, the sudden heat making Festé flinch, " - that your body belongs to me."

Honeyed words, Festé thought, tilting their head and pressing a chaste kiss to Haarlep's lips, but part of the dance nonetheless. They sat back and studied his face, willing their hips not to move as they panted out, already desperate for release. They flashed the incubus a cocky smile against their better instincts, knowing it would be used against them later. "You," they rasped, "have to take it from me. You … have to make me lose control."

All it earned them was a hearty laugh, a deep belly laugh that echoed off the stone walls of the Boudoir. Haarlep adjusted his grip to their jaw, squishing their cheeks firmly and leaning down to lick up their neck, growling softly, "I wish it were more of a challenge, pet. Even with your 'superior' instincts, you make it so deliciously easy for me." He pushed Festé back from himself suddenly, enjoying the fleeting fear that flashed across their face, paying no mind to the water splashing around their two bodies. "Get up, pet. It is time you let old Haarlep lead you to ruin."

Festé scowled, defiance rising in their chest at his implications, settling themself firmly on Haarlep's thigh and starting to move their hips once again. Starting to shake as the wine bolstered their already growing lust for the hateful incubus. They moaned brazenly now, their eyes glazing over and their mouth falling open, resting their cheek to Haarlep's palm as he slowly released his grip on their jaw. They knew that with a snap of his fingers, he could have them bound in chains or completely nude, but the moment didn't come. Perhaps it was a testament to the devil's self-control, or simply that he was enjoying the show. Festé guessed at the second one, feeling Haarlep's free hand claw up their back once again, harder, more painful as he pulled them in for a hot kiss, molding Festé's shape against his own. The kiss grew deeper, Festé's moans muffled against Haarlep's silver tongue; and they grew more desperate, grinding their hips more firmly, chasing their pleasure along his thigh. They almost didn't notice Haarlep's arm snaking around their waist, crushing them closer.

Haarlep's wings flexed once more above the surface of the water, dripping softly for a moment before propelling both of them into the air. He broke the kiss first, laughing his deep laugh once more as Festé choked back something between a scream and a whimper. The momentary fear and the loss of contact left them a clinging mess, wrapping their arms around Haarlep's neck tightly and growling, "Usually the art of seduction doesn't include trying to kill the object of your desires, Haarlep!"

Their trajectory suddenly changed, Haarlep was pushing their body below his as Festé looked up at him in abject horror, earing only a chuckle in return as they careened back toward the floor. They prepared themself for the inevitable pain, when he would break them, quite literally, on the hard stone below. But again, the moment never came. Festé's back hit the soft cushion of the bed instead, Haarlep's body instantly covering their own like a blanket. He pinned them gently but effortlessly as they tried to catch their breath. His hands closed around their wrists like manacles as he towered over them, smirking widely. "Fear, in a healthy dose, is an excellent seduction tool, precious little lamb. You know your dear incubus would never let this beautiful body come to any real harm, don't you?"

A look of concern, real concern, passed over his face as he stroked Festé's cheek, waiting for their reassuring nod and shudder at his touch before he ghosted his fingers down their neck, moving them even more lightly down their sternum and stomach, allowing them to arch up to his touch before laying over them, whispering to their ear, "And you know our safe word, pet?"

Festé nodded once more, this time letting out a whimper at the heat of his skin on theirs, squirming under him and knowing it was useless. His grip on their wrist tightened, his palm pressing into their stomach firmly. "Say it, pet. I want to make sure you remember." His tone was playful, but commanding.

"P-precor … " Festé stammered against his neck, and suddenly the pressure on their stomach was released, replaced by the slow, teasing touches they had grown to love so much. Haarlep truly had a way with melting all the tension out of their body, as well as stringing them so tightly that they feared they would break. It contrasted so well with his touches that the two together would surely make them burst.

Haarlep broke them out of their reverie by slipping his hand down the front of their underwear, kissing them softly and chuckling, "Come now dear, you have the look of someone who is realms away. Let us bring you back here to Paradise… " And indeed, he did, Festé's lust for him rising too easily as he began to tease over their clit, his gaze fixed on their face.

Festé was long past pretending now, long past holding back their sounds from the devil. This was a battle they could never win, and in truth, they were glad to lose it, every single time. They strained against Haarlep's grip on their wrist until he relented with a playful sigh, only allowing them to prop themself up on their elbows as he continued his slow, heated touches between their legs.

"Please, p - unh … Please, Haarlep… kiss me… " it came out as a sighing moan, and the incubus was only too pleased to indulge them, leaning down and locking their mouth with his own, gripping the back of their neck tightly and giving them no escape. Festé returned the kiss with vigour, daring to lick into his mouth and earning a bite as Haarlep pressed his weight down on them. He slowly drew his fingers through the growing slick in the tiefling's underwear, withdrawing his hand slowly and spreading his fingers over their lower stomach. Festé could only whimper as Haarlep gripped their thighs, drawing them around his waist while he deepened the kiss.

The incubus' self-control was, once again, astonishing to Festé. They drew him closer with their legs, pressing their hips up to grind against him slowly, breaking away from his lips to moan against the shell of his ear before moving to bite down his neck. Haarlep betrayed a low groan in response, resting his full weight on top of them with a relaxed sigh. His hips slowly began to meet Festé's rhythm as his hands smoothed up their sides. He wouldn't ever say it out loud, but he enjoyed a little care being taken with his needs as well. He keened at Festé's particularly hard bite to his shoulder, his wings spreading above them both instinctively.

Festé chuckled softly against his heated skin, looking sideways up at him before sucking a deep bruise into it, their hands massaging the spot just under his shoulderblades. Haarlep shot an uncharacteristically tender glance down at them, moving to press them down against the bed with a soft laugh. "Such a sweet pet you are. But… " he traced a single finger over their bottom lip lightly, "I want to show you what Haarlep's mouth can do, my dear." His voice was a little sharp, making Festé smile and suck at the tip of his finger, pushing their luck just a little further.

It was to no avail, he was already working their underwear off their hips, meeting their eyes and clawing down their stomach. With a wide smile, he forced their thighs apart, running his thumbs along either side of their precious slit, humming his approval at the gasp they sucked through their teeth. "It's just as I thought, little mouse," he whispered, his face going slack in mock seriousness, "You find me so utterly irresistible, don't you, sweet … little … dear … " Haarlep punctuated the last few words with slow kisses over Festé's chest, pausing to suck deeply at one of their nipples and all but ignoring the near-scream they let out above him. It merged with the softest symphony of whimpers as he moved down, planting hot kisses to their stomach and hips. Festé threw their head back, trying to even out their breathing as he kissed the insides of their thighs. At the first lick, their hands shot to grasp at his horns, and the second had them letting out a throaty moan, rolling their hips up to meet his mouth.

Haarlep paused, holding their hips for a moment before squeezing them tightly enough to plant bruises, burying his face deeper between their thighs. Festé could only respond by tugging at his horns more insistently, trying to find a rhythm with their hips once more. Haarlep wouldn't allow it, digging his nails into their flesh hard enough to draw blood. Festé looked down, a little shocked with the pain, but nodding breathlessly, relaxing into the feeling that began to build low in their stomach. Haarlep kept his eyes on theirs, cocking an eyebrow as they started to stifle their moans, and finally moving one hand to their stomach, pressing firmly as a final warning.

Festé finally relented, moaning deeply ad they looked into his eyes, no longer able to follow the individual movements of his tongue as the licks and sucks became too intense and began to blur together in a crescendo of heat. They went limp, finally breaking for him. Their moans echoed off the stone ceiling as they pressed their hips up shakily. Up to his touch, his mouth, shuddering and twitching above him as well as against his lips.

"Thank… thank y-you, Haa-ahh - " they clenched their teeth around another moan as they felt two of his fingers slide easily inside them, Haarlep chuckling deep in his chest as he continued to lick at their clit, soft as you please.

Except that Haarlep suddenly looked up, his mouth glistening, and seeming to notice something that Festé could not. He never stopped his fingers as he listened for a moment. "I have a surprise for you, little one," he whispered, leaning up to press kisses against their neck, nuzzling their skin as he slowly worked them up again. Then finally, in the moment before Festé came undone for him a second time, they heard the footsteps.

A/N: heyyyy! couple of things

1. i know this seems super self indulgent, and it is! i wanted more time with the damn incubus and his damn demon master

2. i know Haarlep has been accepted as non-binary by the fandom, assume this is masc!Haarlep and consider it being easier to use he/him for them to not confuse what they're doing with the other non-binary they/them doofus- it's just for clarity and ease of reading, lovers please don't come for me :'D

3. Festé is pronounced "fest-ay", it's a name i got from a character in twelfth night- the fool. Festé is a fool and in my bg3 file they are an astarion truther. you can see where i'm going with this: they're a "i can fix him" girlie

[mentallyillmeowmeow]

⁑ GENEVIEVE ⋯ ✦ ⋯ it/they ⋯ autism + avpd ⋯

The first cat who got too curious and took a sip from the soup of the sea. Which left it a fuzzy mercat,,, and a criminal due to not having permission to take a sip from the colony's rarest stew,,,,,,,,,,

they sent it to the expedition team for that, a litol herbalist in the team earned them teasing from each member. Vie was already new so this wasn't a warm welcome to bugs creek but despite being a little plant lover guy it turned out they were quite useful in the field !! they're still living out their sentence although that left a stain on the original Genevieve.

psst! plain text stuff under the cut!

⁑ GENEVIEVE (link) ⋯ ✦ ⋯ it/they ⋯ autism + avpd ⋯

The first cat who got too curious and took a sip from the soup of the sea. Which left it a fuzzy mercat,,, and a criminal due to not having permission to take a sip from the colony's rarest stew,,,,,,,,,,

they sent it to the expedition team for that, a litol herbalist in the team earned them teasing from each member. Vie was already new so this wasn't a warm welcome to bugs creek but despite being a little plant lover guy it turned out they were quite useful in the field !! they're still living out their sentence although that left a stain on the original Genevieve.

[wgm-beautiful-world]

THE GATES OF PARADISE - Battistero di San Giovanni, Florence, Tuscany, ITALY