#Elturel Has Fallen

[bg3-ficrecs]

Thunder reforged: Rolan x Dammon - #BG3 FanFic Review

Review by Aivu (@aivuthedragon)

Happy timezone, dear readers! Today I'm happy to bring you this incredible series of works by velocitross on AO3. What's hotter than a tiefling wizard with a knack for a well-timed thunderwave? Said tiefling wizard having a rendezvous with his tiefling blacksmith paramour, of course.

A note from the BG3FicReviews team: The entire BG3 community was been rocked by the recent controversy surrounding Dammon's VA, including the various fanwork creators who've fallen in love with Dammon, included him in their work, and are part of the LGBTQAI+ community themselves. We want to express our support and love to Dammon fans, Dammon fan work creators, the LGBTQAI+ community generally and all those adversely affected by what's happened. As such, we have decided to feature such works in our reviews this week. Make your love louder than the hate. 💜

As always, mind the tags! Our review is continued below the fold due to the NSFW nature of the content in these works.

This incredible artwork by @arczism was inspired by velocitross's Rolan x Dammon fic Working Steel, which is included in today's review.

Working Steel, the first of velocitross’ three works that include this rare pair, is a masterwork in character portrayal. The author adeptly captures the at-a-glance somewhat incompatible personalities of the two tiefling refugees who fled Elturel together and now reside in Baldur’s Gate. In this work, the relationship between Rolan, the ever-surly wizard and the newly ‘appointed’ master of Ramazith Tower, and Dammon, the gentle yet infernally talented blacksmith of the Forge of the Nine, has grown far beyond mere friendship.

Rolan, frustrated by his attempts to catalogue the mindless chaos remaining after the untimely death of the tower’s former owner, approaches Dammon to ask for his help and visits him at his forge. But what could a blacksmith possibly offer a wizard? Well, a good fuck, for one thing. Rolan is pent-up, impatient, and needs a good lay. And, it turns out, so does Dammon. The smut that ensues is not only blazingly hot but also beautifully captures the tender affection between the two tieflings through not only their words, but small, unique gestures of love and care. (Mind the tails. I mean, tags. No, tails.)

In Up in the Tower, it’s Dammon’s turn to visit the wizard’s domain. But the blacksmith receives a less-than-warm welcome, as the ever-grumpy Rolan becomes highly annoyed at having his work interrupted. But considering Rolan is dressed in little more than his underwear and an open robe, I’m more than willing to forgive him for his surliness. Dammon, however, being the sweet, gentle soul that he is, insists on taking care of Rolan beyond his carnal needs alone. In this work, the relationship between the pair deepens, and the author has wonderfully captured the intimacy of the pair. Lastly, we have Within the Storm. This work takes us back to the Shadow-Cursed Lands as the tiefling refugees attempt to cross its desolate lands on their way to Baldur’s Gate. When the Absolute’s forces ambush the group, Rolan expertly wields his magic to stave them off. But when something happens to Zevlor, the battle takes a turn for the worse. In the chaos, Rolan’s siblings, Cal and Lia, are kidnapped and several of his friends and co-travellers are brutally murdered.

Once at Last Light Inn, Rolan is a fucking mess, devastated by his siblings’ capture. Lost in the depths of his despair and way too much drink, the tiefling wizard finds comfort in the arms of a fellow refugee he’d known since childhood - Dammon. And thus the gentlest embers of affection between the pair begin to spark to life. This lovely one-shot serves as a prelude to the author’s much-anticipated long fic about the pair, their growing affection for one another and what looks to be a truly beautiful love story. If you would like to follow velocitross’ incredible work about the love between a tiefling wizard and blacksmith, please be sure to subscribe to the author on AO3 and follow their work and the pending long fic. We have included a snippet of Working Steel below for your enjoyment. As always, please support the writers of our incredible fandom by leaving kudos and comments on their work. 🫶

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Working Steel

By velocitross on AO3

The ring of his hammer fills Dammon’s ears and his attention as he works. A soft frown of focus curves his lips. It’s a simple enough repair—restoring a blade for the halfling woman standing outside the forge watching him work. Still, there’s a satisfaction to it: the rhythm of his strikes, the heat of the day in Baldur’s Gate warming him beneath his layers of apron and clothing. The ordinary busy noise of the city goes on just outside his focus, a subtle, stabilizing comfort even months after the Netherbrain’s defeat.

When he glances up from his work, a distinct figure catches his eye amongst the passersby. Rolan, with his proud bearing and his regal blue and red robes, coming toward the smithy with a tense, bothered scowl and his tail lashing behind him. A smile touches Dammon’s lips. He knows that look.

“I’ll be with you in a moment,” he says as Rolan comes to a stop an awkward few feet from the halfling waiting on her sword.

“Well, don’t take too long,” Rolan snaps, and then reddens further when Dammon raises an eyebrow at him. “Sorry. I’ll just—I’ll wait.”

Dammon lifts the blade off his anvil to study it. He smiles at the halfling as he passes her the sword.

“Give that a try. Come back if you need anything else.”

She moves off to the side to examine the blade, allowing Rolan to step up to the forge. He stands, arms crossed, his face flushed as he fixes Dammon with his bright yellow stare.

“Anything I can help you with, Rolan?” the blacksmith prompts.

Rolan sighs. He places his hands carefully on the edge of the anvil, glances again toward the halfling woman, and leans in toward Dammon.

“I need . . . Steel.”

Dammon breathes a good-natured chuckle.

“Come on,” he says, nodding over his shoulder toward the building. “I could use a break, anyway.”

[gaysindistress]

Never Love an Anchor

Pairings: gn!Tav x Zevlor

Summary: a ship can never love an anchor so Zevlor cut you loose but kept the love he held for you in his heart, hoping that maybe that might change.

Warnings: talks of cannon violence in bg3

Word count: idk man I wrote this in my notes and it’s more than a Drabble but not a fic so somewhere between? 🤷🏻��♀️

I highly recommend listening to ‘never love an anchor’ by the crane wives. I read something from @gnomishcunning awhile back about the things that Zevlor deserves and that’s what inspired this so give them love too 💕

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The great Hellrider Commander. The new leader of the exiled Tieflings. An old and broken paladin with no faith to draw strength from. A man who’s been charged with the protection of his people and expected to do right by each and every one without fail.

Commander Zevlor.

Or simply Zevlor as many of his people call him.

You’ve heard many stories about this famed man but never have you laid eyes on him. Elturel isn’t far from Baldurs gate so it wouldn’t be completely unimaginable to say that he somewhat of a hero to you. What happened to the city struck both fear and sorrow into your heart. The worst part, however, is knowing that the tieflings would be the ones to suffer the consequences of actions they had no part in. It takes a selfless soul to take on the duty that Zevlor has and this only adds to the respect you have for him.

The first time you meet is during the fight in front of the Grove. Arrows and spells are flying around as you battle the goblins with people you don’t even recognize. One goblin in particular has evaded your attack almost every time and has moved into a lethal position. Their arrows are landing successfully every time on the tiefling guard above the stone door, nearly sending him to an early grave.

Vaguely you hear someone shout his name as he stumbles backwards when an arrow lands in his shoulder,

“Zevlor!”

Shadowheart is doing what she can to protect you as your world seems to slow. Lae’zel ’chk’s at you when she notices your faltering movements and cuts down a worg coming for you while Astarion sneaks behind the remaining 2 goblins. The one that shot at Zevlor and has been dodging you also notices this and makes to attack you next. Your blade is faster than their bow.

They fall to the ground as you throw your last healing potion at the fallen tiefling and order Shadowheart to use her last spell to heal him.

The battle is won soon after and you’re finally able to meet this hero of yours for the first time. Rather than reducing to a star struck mess, you keep yourself composed as you approach him arguing with Aradin. Somehow you manage to convince them to stop fighting before yet another battle breaks out. You direct Aradin back with a simple point of your finger before turning to the Hellrider. It’s then that you realize there was one important detail missing from his legends; his striking beauty.

His horns stretch and bend far beyond most tieflings indicating both his age and wisdom. The infernal ridges that line his cheekbones and forehead bring attention to his entrancing eyes. Glowing like the enteral torch, Zevlor’s eyes study you with caution as you marvel at his appearance. Moving from his face you take in the worn but cared for chain mail armor that sits upon his strong shoulders that carry the burden of thousands. His chest, board and equally strong as his shoulders, seems to move in time with your own breath; adrenaline filled but calming all the same. It’s a testament to the seasoned paladin that lives within him, his reassuring strength that does not waver in the face of danger. It’s proof of the well trained commander within him that strategizes his every move as well as others.

Whatever words you thought might aid you in introducing yourself seemed to disappear and all you can offer is a half smile. Zevlor thanks you for your help but it’s not without a lingering gaze that cuts through your confidence. It seems he’s mistaken your shyness for indifference towards his people. Regardless he still asks for your help in getting his people to Baldur’s Gate. Your immediate acceptance causes several of your companions to be upset with you. Frankly Shadowheart is the only one who has an inkling about what’s truly going on. That night at camp, she brings whatever wine she could find to your tent and slowly drags the truth out of you.

“I couldn’t help but notice your fascination with Zevlor,” she muses from behind her chalice before adding, “well I could but there’s no fun in that.”

You chuckle at her as you take a sip of your own wine. It’s bitter and foul but it’s something to sooth your nerves no less.

“My fascination? And what exactly did I do for you to notice such a thing?”

“You stared at him as if he were the most beautiful piece of art work you’d ever seen. That or he was a feast after starving for weeks on end.”

“I did no such thing!” You try to defend yourself but it fails horribly when neither of you can stop laughing. “Fine maybe I did but can you blame me? He is a beautiful man.”

Rolling her eyes, Shadowheart finishes her chalice and turns to face you. It’s startling to have her full attention on you like this but the wine has lessened your concern.

“Tell me truly; do you have feelings for him?”

You stare back at her and hope that her goddess might have mercy on enough to smite you where you sit. Alas you have no luck and are forced to answer.

Your eyes find the empty chalice in your own hands as it dangles from your fingers between your knees.

“I think..,” you start with a sigh, “I think that my feelings are irrelevant in our current situation. A relationship, a romance has no place among the fight we’re facing. Matters of the heart have no relevance when making decisions the lives of many.”

Your strangely beautiful yet sobering confession renders the cleric speechless for once. She glances to between the moon and you before nudging you with her shoulder.

“Do not be so quick to cast your feelings aside. You never know when matters of the heart may take precedence.”

Some months later after the nether brain fight, everyone has settled into their lives and gone their separate ways. Wither’s gathering has already passed and this would be maybe a few weeks later. lakrissa and alfira have gotten married and theres to be a small reception in the city at the Elfsong. Of course the heroes of baldurs gate are invited seeing as without your party, the couple wouldn’t have survived this far.

Zevlor and the tieflings have made amends following the finale battle so he’s in attendance as well. He’s still cautious and honestly probably a little scared that they will change their mind and shun him for what happened at Moonrise so he’s a wall flower. He makes his rounds and keeps up polite conversation but he doesn’t want to overstay his welcome so he plans to leave pretty early on. The rest of the party has arrived; Karlach and Wyll are the current stars of the hour as they tell fabulous tales of their time in Avernus. Gale and Lae’zel have sent their regards while Astarion and Shadowheart keep their chalices full and their gossip hushed. The only ones missing are you and Halsin.

Everyone knows that the two of you had something special but no one could ever figure out what. Shadowheart swore herself to secrecy and Astarion charmed the conversation to something entirely different. As for the others, no one knew why you chose to follow Halsin to the former shadow lands, only that you had and seemed to be content. Zevlor hasn’t seen you since the last fight and it created a deep rift within himself to think about it.

On one hand, he had nothing more than your conversations and the one near kiss to use as evidence of your affection for him. On the other, he remembered your tears when you found him the mind flayer colony and how you whispered a promise of forgiveness to him before you left to fight Thorm. He recalled in excruciatingly vivid detail the feeling of your tear soaked lips pressing to the corner of his as you pulled away and the utter devastation that filled your eyes.

“They will understand and they will forgive you if you give them the chance, Zevlor. You are their commander, their leader, their champion. You are not at fault for this and they will see that if you let them. Promise me that you will try. Promise me that you will not forsake yourself.” You whispered to him in a cracked and pleading voice, “promise me you’ll try. You deserve it.”

His heart pounded against his ribs as he forced himself to look at you in the eye. His knees buckled as your lips brushed against his. His voice wavered as he agreed to your promise. His strength cracked as you smiled at him and left to face almost certain death.

Zevlor isn’t so foolish to believe that you would’ve chosen to follow him after the finale battle but his heart yearned to think about that possibility. The chance, no matter how small, still felt real even as he anxiously waited for your arrival.

Like a goblin’s arrow, the sight of you walking into the Elfsong arm and arm with Halsin pierces Zevlor’s heart. You do in fact look content; your skin is glowing from being able to eat your fill and sleep as long as your desire. Your hair has been released from its strict hairstyle; bouncing around your face back in soft waves and shines in the pale evening light. Your eyes, while they’ve always been stunning, have a new spark of warmth and joy. No longer are you clad in armor but instead you’re wearing a white and blue patterned outfit that flows around you like water. Your figure has also changed but in this new attire, it becomes even more apparent that you are healthy, happy, and a feast yourself. The smile that blesses his dreams widens as you begin to notice your companions and former allies.

Zevlor casts his gaze to the ground when Halsin presses a kiss to your hairline. This confirmation is too much for him to bear and he finds anything to occupy his mind.

As the gathering quickly turns into a celebration, Zevlor attempts to make his exit. He quickly bids the couple farewell and congratulates them before trying to slip out without being noticed. A deep sigh leaves him as soon as he’s outside the doors and it’s not one of relief.

Frustration maybe.

Anger perhaps.

Or is it shame that forced him to leave without even acknowledging you?

“I knew you were not one for crowds but this I did not expect.”

He halts and squeezes his eyes shut. He’s been caught.

“The city has been treating you well, I take it. You look…” you trail off as you allow the tavern doors to close behind you, “good. Not that you didn’t before but… a life of ease agrees with you.”

Zevlor doesn’t face you, a choice that pains you more than you’d like to admit. He’s almost frozen in place as you approach him.

Coming to stand just beside him, you murmur his name and all but beg him to look at you.

With great effort, he does. A hint of blood woven pain flashes in his infernal eyes as he gazes down at you.

“But how have you been treating yourself, hm? Have you forgiven yourself or have you forsaken yourself to a life of solitude?”

He says nothing but it’s an answer enough; he’s not kept his promise to you. He crosses his arms over his chest and attempts to look more casual about the whole situation.

You begin to say his name but he cuts you off, “go on and enjoy the celebration. There are many people who have been waiting for a chance to speak with you.”

“what about you?”

His thick brows knit in confusion, “me?”

“Is there anyone else out here?” You tease for a moment, “I did mean you, Zevlor. What about you? Were you one of them?”

He wants to pretend that he wasn’t but he can’t, not when he’s been agonizing over this moment for months now. A particularly loud shout draws your attention back to the tavern and when you’re not looking, he can’t help his gaze. Almost immediately he finds himself staring at your revealed chest and the way your shirt does little to conceal the vast plains of your torso. A lump grows in his throat at the thought and he barely swallows it before you look at him again.

“I’ve thought of little else but what it would be like to see you again these last few months,” you say after taking a deep breath, “Halsin finds it difficult to not tease me about how ‘preoccupied’ I seem most days. On our way here, he told me that I better say the words I’ve been pondering all this time or he would do it for me.”

At the mention of Halsin, Zevlor unintentionally stiffens and looks over your shoulder towards the tavern. You follow his line of sight and step in front of him once more. It’s a bold move but no bolder than what you’re about to do.

You place your hands on his folded arms and gently pull, asking him to step closer and to give his attention.

“I know of the rumors about Halsin and I. I’d hoped that you hadn’t heard of them but it appears that you have and now I fear you won’t hear what I have to say.”

Zevlor stares at your hands for a moment before letting his eyes flutter closed. “Speak plainly, y/n.”

His words are uncharacteristically short and cold, a stark contrast to the person you’d come to know. You go to drop your hands and step back but one of his shots out and grabs your wrist, keeping you in place.

“I need you to be clear and precise right now. There cannot be any doubt or confusion from this moment forward.” he tells you in a low tone, one of authority and of a Hellrider Commander.

The hand on your wrist shifts to grip your bicep and pulls you impossibly closer. Your own breathing quickens when your feel your chest press against his and you find yourself leaning into his grip, relying on his strength to keep yourself upright.

Your voice, usually strong and confident, wavers as you whisper, “Halsin and I….we are no more than friends.”

Zevlor stays silent, only searches your face for any tell that you could be lying. The hand on your bicep flexes and his claws press into your skin. You hold back a hiss from the sting, pushing aside the pain to become fully absorbed in his presence. He goes to apologize however your lullaby words silence him, “He is not the one I’ve longed for since we first met.”

His hand tightens and tries to hold you in place but his strength fails him. Your hands drift from his arms to his chest and come to rest on his jaw. The tiefling’s eyes flutter closed at the contact and he takes a deep, sharp breath.

“Y/N,” he warns.

“I’ve admired you from the moment I first heard your story. I’ve known that you were going to be someone deeply important to me from the moment we fought side by side in the grove. I’ve yearned to learn everything about you since you reject my advances at the celebration, claiming that I could have anyone I desired. I’ve cared for you since learning of your fate in the Shadowlands. I realized that I loved you when I found you in moonrise in that awful colony but I’ve loved you far longer. I’ve loved you all of this time but yet I couldn’t find it within myself to tell you for fear that you wouldn’t feel the same.” Tears begin to flow from both of you as you whisper your confession to him and he keeps his eyes closed, “Zevlor I’m in love with you and I want nothing more than to be with you if you’ll have me.”

His tail wraps around your waist, keeping you close while his hands slid up onto your neck and tilt your head up. With a shaky deep breath, he musters the strength to open his eyes and look at you. The old paladin has forsaken his forgotten god many months ago and promised to live in your honor. He’s swore an oath to you that you know nothing about but it would seem that you have done the same.

“My love for you knows no bounds and no rivals,” he whispers as his lips brush against yours, close but not close enough. “I’ve waited long enough to hear that you feel the same. Promise to me that this is not some cruel joke, a drunken confession but the truth. Promise to me that you truly mean that you love me.”

“I love you,” you hastily whisper before finally capturing him in a passionate kiss. A groan slips from him at the feeling of your desperation to convey your feelings but it’s returned tenfold.

It seems that Shadowheart was right all those months ago.

[jellyfitzjelly]

I wish you would write a fic where…Zevlor accidentally saw shy gn reader (crush) absolutely being enraged with Aradin for being so rude, and disrespectful towards Zevlor!

Sorry for the long delay, anon! I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless. 🥲

Disrespect | T | AO3

Zevlor strolled throughout the Grove, unable to find Tav. He had found himself seeking their presence more and more ever since they arrived. The Hellrider had to be honest with himself: he had been besotted with the adventurer ever since they punched Aradin. They were a shy, pretty thing but steel was hiding beneath this enchanting exterior. Zevlor had fallen hard and fast.

As he was still searching for Tav, he heard voices. He approached the secluded spot, curious. He spotted Aradin and Tav talking.

“I’d love to give it to you and wish you a happy funeral, but I only got the contract. Have it if you so desperately want to get diced by goblins.”

Tav took the contract from the young man, reading it over.

“Now fuck off and go back to sucking horns’ tail.”

“What did you say?” Tab bristled.

“What? Like I haven’t seen you make bedroom eyes to that foulblood. Ain’t that why you had a go at me? So you could suck devil dick?”

“Don’t you dare disrespect him like that,” the young adventurer growled.

“Or what, bitch?”

“Zevlor is a thousand times the man you’ll never be, bitch,” Tav spat. “He’s a hero, you’re just a pissypants afraid of a few goblins.”

Zevlor saw Aradin clench his jaw, bunching up his fist. Instincts taking over, he sprinted and arrived just in time to shield Tav and push Aradin to the ground.

“Have some respect for the person who saved your miserable life,” he growled, eyes burning with anger. “If you dare raise your hand to anyone in this camp, you will have to fight tougher enemies than goblins!”

Fear flashed in Aradin’s eyes. He got up, throwing an angry look to Tav.

“Fucking foulblood. You’ll see, one of these days!”

He walked away, throwing looks behind his shoulder as if Zevlor was going to pursue him. The Hellrider turned to Tav.

“Are you alright?” he asked with concern, bringing a hand to their cheek.

The young adventurer blushed bright red.

“Ah, y–yes, thank you,” they stammered.

Zevlor couldn’t help a fond smile. He tucked a strand of hair behind their ear.

“I am truly thankful for the high regard you hold me to, but you shouldn’t put yourself in danger because of me.”

“Aradin was being disrespectful!” Tav bristled again.

“My life has been a long succession of Aradins being disrespectful,” he sighed. “One more won’t upset me.”

“Was life that bad in Elturel?” they murmured, eyes filling up with sadness.

“It wasn’t,” Zevlor reassured them. “Now, the sun is setting. You should go back to your camp.”

“Could…Could you walk me back?” they asked innocently, but Zevlor could see the blush in their cheek and the eagerness in their eyes.

He chuckled.

“Lead the way.”

[bara-izu]

My current Faerun campaign characters (plus Morpho who's from Pathfinder) - more details under the cut >:)

Morpho is a freed slave of Absolom, who was 'contracted' as a performing entertainer for the past 10 years. Since slavery was outlawed in Absolom they managed to move to a small town called 'Otari' where they met a band of budding young adventurers and accompanied them on their quest to disable the 'Gauntlight'.

Halion, taking leave from his order after an argument, was caught up in a failed attempt to rob the tollhouse within Baldur's Gate. The City of Elturel has just 'fallen', and Baldur's Gate is being swammed with refugees. After being wrongly accused of coercing with the criminals he is now acting as a temporary Flaming Fist, helping them uncover the resurgence in crime committed under the name of the 'Dead Three', and doing his best to help those fleeing the Holy lands of Elturgard.

Null is a carefree wanderer who works for the highest bidder. After the party of nobles they were commissioned to escort into 'Undermountain', were wiped out on the second floor, they were picked up by a second group, confused by their seemingly blase nature to it all. Null is polite and friendly, but sometimes says the most macabre things out of nowhere...

Derendil is an elven prince from the surface. After being cursed by a witch to take the appearance of a quaggoth, he was cast down into the underdark and captured by drow.. While the rest of the party have never heard of his kingdom, nor can he remember much about his life before he was imprisoned, he is determined to get to the surface as soon as possible...hopefully before the demogorgan can do so...

[lostinforestbound]

Inspired by @slumpsnail 's piece of their Dark Rolan concept! Check out their other piece here!

The Rise or The Downfall of a Wizard's Apprentice?

CW: Blood, Death, Description of Breakdown

The first emotion was shock. Rolan couldn't move from his place on his knees as he watched his master clinging to whatever life he had left. His hands are stained red, settled on his lap while Lorroakan crawls to him, his own blood seeping onto the floor in rapid speed. Rolan can't recall what he did exactly, but it was during one of his usual beatings. Something about being a "failure" and "an idiot who deserved everything he gave to him". The memory is fuzzy now, he didn't even realize he stopped shaking from fear.

Lorroakan doesn't say anything, not that he could from the pain, but he looks fearful. A fear of death, perhaps? What a coward.

His mouth spits blood out, and he looks ready to beg. For mercy, Rolan hopes, because how humiliating would that be, for a master to beg for his life from his student?

His mentor doesn't get the chance before he stops moving, the life leaving his eyes, wide with a permanent terror. Rolan wonders if he's going to one of the Hells, his soul forever tortured.

After the initial shock dies down, he runs his hands down his face, uncaring of the blood trail he leaves on his bruised cheekbones as his eyes shine with glee. He killed Lorroakan, the Lorroakan, and yet he felt nothing but pure joy. Is this how Tav feels when they kill someone they hate? This addicting satisfaction that makes his blood rush with adrenaline?

By the gods, is he going insane? He can't find it in his heart to care, so he laughs.

He laughs and laughs, loud and prominent, echoing in the stillness of the room. What a fool he has been. Was it always this easy to kill someone? Does it matter now? It felt so fucking good. Even as he calms, his happiness still remains. In all honesty, he thought he could have died here. When he first struck his master, it was out of terror. He was going to beat him again, and he pleaded for him to stop. It didn't work, and when his teacher's staff raised once more, he held out his hands and- Bursting into a new, quiet giggle fit, he rests his head on his still-wet hand, staring down at the body with a smile. "Oh how the mighty have fallen, Master Lorroakan. Though, you were not mighty to begin with."

A small part of his breaking mind is screaming at him, wondering what in the hells has he done? What would Cal and Lia think if they saw him now, practically bathing in his master's blood? What would their mother think? What would they think when they realized he it enjoyed it?

It doesn't matter, they're all dead, including the man he once was.

He gets up on surprisingly steady feet, leaning down and grabbing Lorroakan's hair by the scalp, beginning to drag it towards the balcony. "Master Lorroakan, do you believe in karma?"

There is no response, but it's not as if he was expecting one. The body's getting cold.

"I'm not talking about you, oh no, I'm talking about yours truly." He says casually, grip tight. "My parents abandoned me, and when I get adopted into another one, their mother dies. Then The Descent, where I saw prowling devils and undead roam the streets, tearing people apart. When we finally escape, we're exiled by Elturel, our only home. When we finally make our trek to Baldur's Gate from a grove that hated us, Cal and Lia are eaten alive by shadows."

He finally reaches the railing, leaning against it to rest briefly. "Then, when I eagerly arrive to you with nothing, you beat me for saying the wrong answers to nonsensical questions. Yet look at you now."

Lifting the head to his face, he grins happily as he stares into the lifeless eyes of his mentor. "Master, I believe karma is finally on my side, after all this time. This tower is mine now," he snorts, trying not to laugh again, "I suppose I should thank you! None of this would have happened if it weren't for your weakness."

He picks up the body proper now, getting closer to the railing. "Goodbye, Master. I'm sure there's a special place in the afterlife, just for you."

Without thinking twice on it, he throws Lorroakan's body off the edge, watching it fall down the edge of the tower. He can't see the bottom from here, but he can't only imagine the body mangling as soon as it hits the ground. The people down below probably won't recognize who it is, but that doesn't matter.

All of this knowledge in the tower he now has access to, but where to start? He should probably clean all the blood but...no, he'll keep the stains there for a while longer, as a reminder of one of his greatest achievements.

A spineless wretch is what Lorroakan was. A pathetic, greedy human who wanted to keep this almost infinite knowledge and artifacts all to himself. Now it was all Rolan's, the new master of Ramazith's tower.

Master Rolan has a good ring to it, and he's too excited to get started on his infinite studies.

That's when he notices that dwarven man in the corner of the red stained room, shaking like a leaf. Another apprentice under Lorroakan. He saw everything. What was his name again? Ah, well...

He fires his magic missile in an instant, killing the man from where he stood with the brightest smile he's ever had in many years.

There cannot be witnesses, now can there?

Part 3

[scandistar]

Whipped together some portraits of my Tav’s family. I’m quite happy with how they turned out, but my favorite part was probably coming up with their designs. I love drawing families, especially siblings, because of the challenge of making them distinct from each other, but still similar enough that you can tell they’re related.

Anyhow! I’ll give you a ”short” introduction.

The Morensis family

Charrelin. Neurodivergent ranger/druid with a keen eye for nature and biology. Studied with a elderly druid for four years as a child, but had to return home when her family lost their farm. She had worked with mercenaries for two years, but her entire team was slaughtered by vengeful thieves that would snatch her and keep her chained in a basement for more than a tenday. She was freed when harpers had happened upon her during their raid of the bandit hideout. She suffered a punctured lung during her captivity, but despite being healed, she developed a chronic cough.

Neira. Charrelin’s little sister who struggles with body image issues because of her infernal features. She compensates by making herself more physically and socially appealing. Has scars on her horn from trying to saw it off in her childhood. Is a talented musician and works at her mother’s shop most days.

Tyra. She’s the oldest sibling and takes that role seriously. She joined her father when he moved to Elturel to find work to support his family. She stayed with him for the next 14 years while he worked as a carpenter. The both of them lived with an old friend of her father, under the condition that they pull their own weight. She did so effortlessly. She also started working as a butcher to add to their earnings. After Elturel had fallen, she had become one of the tiefling refugees traversing the perils on the road to get to Baldur’s gate.

Sedja. Mother of four and a farm girl since birth. She inherited her father’s yard after his passing and would raise a family there with a man from Elturel. She has a deep understanding of agriculture and after she lost her farm, she’d go on to establish a flowershop in the lower city of Baldur’s gate.

Orendal. Father and husband. Moved to Baldur’s gate when he fell for Sedja and joined her efforts of maintaining a farm and a family. He worked hard, was well liked by those not opposed to his existence, and took good care of his family. Until another farm brought competition, slimming down their profits. He would injure himself after an accident and was forced to give up their property. After he recovered, he was quick to depart for Elturel to find a new job, joined by his eldest daughter. After Charrelin’s abrupt dissappearance, he’d become a drunken mess out of worry for his family. It got worse over the years, until he stumbled and fell off a roof and injured himself again. Old as he was getting, he couldn’t return to work after his recovery. When Elturel fell, so did he, into Avernus.

Magnus. He’s the youngest of the four siblings. He was only seven when his father had left for Elturel. He grew into a silent young man, one to keep to the background while his sisters ate the attention. He did what he was told and never objected much. In his later teens, he had started working for fishermen to make some coin of his own. It was going well, aside from that one night he had been ordered by the captain to hoist a body off the boat. As usual, he did what he was told and never spoke of it to anyone.

There is so much more I’d like to say about them all, but for now I’ll just leave a little appetizer.

[forgeofthenine]

I got bit by another idea bug and I blame you for reblogging the “Single Dad Dammon” post. I see that and raise you “Tav and Dammon were together before the fall and got separated because Tav was away when the city fell”. (The Tav in the scenario that bit me is not a tiefling, mainly because mine isn’t but this narrative does also work with a tief Tav)

And then when they’re freed from the hells, he has no idea how to find you and you have no idea how to find him. But gods you try. You follow every scrap of a rumor once you’re done grieving and manage to pull yourself together when you can accept that yes, for now (only for now, it can only be for now, please gods don’t let this be life from now on) your husband and child are gone. You chase every thread of hope until there’s nothing left to give and then you move onto the next. The old adventuring instincts you buried when you put away your weapons and armor come screaming back to life from where they went dormant the second you found yourself caught by a pair of eyes like the sunrise over the horizon.

And then you get the word that the city is back and you immediately turn and start running home. But before you can make it there you here word about the city exiling all the tieflings and you can only force yourself to march on, listening for any word of where they may be headed while a white hot rage burns in your chest at the thought of your family going through yet more hardship.

You finally learn that the exiles are heading to Baulder’s Gate and you make your way there, beating the crowds and finding a place to live in the city. (You’ve amassed a small fortune in your recent travels, but it was already a struggle to force yourself just to survive and frivolities held no joy. The only exception was if some little bauble or trinket caught your eye that you thought either of them would enjoy.)

You spend days checking with those managing the influx of refugees, checking multiple times a day for if their names have come though with no results. Logically, in the part of your mind that has to know these things, not everyone who disappeared would have survived Avernus. Ever more have probably fallen on the journey to a new home. But you can’t think about that. They will make it, you will hold them again. You will. (You dont know what you’ll do if you can’t)

One day you overhear some of the newer arrivals talking about the troubles on the road with the goblins and the Absolute’s cult and this is a problem you can help with. You had no way to get to the hells and save your family, never mind rescue your entire city (because as much as you want to, as much as you would want to take your family and run, you would have to try) but goblins and cultists? These are mortal issues that can be solved by mortal means. So you once again put away your sensible clothes, you lock up your new home and task a neighbor with watching it while you’re away and head off, newly armed.

Your maybe a day or two from the city when you get snatched by the Nautiloid and now you have a whole new host of problems to deal with and as much as you wish you could abandon everything and keep searching, you’re no good to anyone dead or a mindflayer. And so you gather your new companions and march on.

Back at the Grove, Dammon is as settled as they can be when your hosts are already planning to chase them from the only safe refuge they’ve had in recent memory. The Archdruid who championed their stay is gone and Zevlor isn’t making any headway with Kagha. Now the goblins are literally at their door again and they’re just waiting until the druids push them into their arms when a ruckus at the gate swells and then suddenly ends. The sounds of battle outside fade to nothing and the gate is opened.

Those that left with Halsin rush in first, followed at a more sedate pace by your party. You have your talk with Zevlor and learn that this is another group of refugees from Elturel. It takes a moment for your heart to catch up with your mind after the conversation ends and suddenly you’re moving, scanning every face you pace, looking for those eyes. The sounds of the world fade away as your ears are full of nothing but a roaring. You pass the training area, your companions following you worriedly. One shouts your name as you head into the common area the tieflings are sharing and Dammon head snaps up at the sound. Your eyes track the movement as a result of years of habit and there he is.

Your reunion is slow, you’ve never been one for big showy emotions but that does nothing to stop the tears from beginning to pour from your eyes as you abruptly start forward towards him.

Dammon is frozen as you walk towards him. He slowly puts down his tools and takes off his apron, convinced that every move he makes will wipe away the mirage he’s sure you are. And yet you’re still there, still walking towards him. He can see the tears and he longs to wipe them away. Then you’re in front of him and you don’t know which one of you reaches for the other first but you hold each other so tight you know there’ll be bruises. It’s only when your child runs up to you and cries out for you that you separate for a moment and come back together again, the three of you bundled tightly with Dammon holding you both so securely that you wondered how you hadn’t fallen apart without him.

I can honestly see it going either way after that, either Dammon joins your camp (because like hell is he letting you run off without them so soon. And you may as well be together anyway, the last time he and your child stayed behind for safety the hells opened up and swallowed their city.)

Or you separate with plans to meet up in Baulder’s Gate once you’re safe again and then reuniting at the Last Light instead. He confess how guilty he feels for running with your child, how others might have been saved if he stayed but he couldn’t take that risk. You hold him while he shakes with his guilt and kiss his brow, his cheeks, his lips, whatever you can while you thank you for saving your child and himself. 🪻

I'm honestly so obsessed with this you won't even believe-

The idea of a short trip separating you from loved ones for weeks, not even knowing if they're alive or if you might see them again. That sweet relief of reuniting (and the palpable confusion of the rest of your group), the needing to figure out 'whats next?'

I'd honestly love a way for Tavs to have a previous connection to existing NPCs (other than durge and Orin/Gortash), even if just from a roleplaying perspective. I adore this though, I always love seeing what you send in flower anon <3

[thranduil-aran-edhil]

BALDUR'S GATE 3: DESCENT INTO AVERNUS

AKA Baldur's Gate 3: Fury Road :D

(BG3 and Descent Into Avernus spoilers ahead!)

The relationship between the D&D module Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus and BG3 is a very interesting one. The module acts as a sort of prequel to the video game and we see the consequences of one version of a Descent Into Avernus campaign in the video game.

The premisse of the module is: the city of Elturel has fallen to the Avernus, (actually it's been pulled into it by Zariel) and it's up to the players to save the city and find out why and how that happened.

By the time the Tadfools arrive at the Emerald Grove, Elturel has already returned to the Material Plane. We don't know who did it, Zevlor only tells us "a group of adventurers" did it. But reading the module and comparing it to BG3 we can deduce a few interesting things about how they did it.

Since, in BG3, Zariel is 1. Still alive 2. Still the archduchess of Avernus we can be certain the Heroes of Elturel didn't defeat her nor did they redeem her, both things you can do in the module. So they either:

a) Made a deal with her to let the city go or b) Pulled one Hell of a plan to find and destroy the Infernal Contract binding the city, sever the chains that kept the city in Avernus and then lift it back up to the Material Plane.

If option 1 is true, the only thing Zariel would accept in exchange for letting Elturel go is her Sword. And if given the Sword as part of a deal, Zariel will simply destroy it and her only chance of redemption along with it. Her best friend, Lulu the hollyphant will probably go mad and die.

Then the only way to recover Karlach's heart is to defeat Zariel. Very epic ending to her story, and would be an amazing boss battle too.

HOWEVER. If option 2 is true, if the Heroes of Elturel went out of their way to bypass Zariel almost entirely, if they got the contract and destroyed it, if they got some powerful being to destroy the chains and if they freed the Companion and the planetar inside it lifted the city back to the Material Plane, all under Zariel's nose... Then the Sword still exists, then Lulu is still alive, if very very sad, by the end of BG3.

And that means Karlach can get her heart back by redeeming Zariel. And by having a sick ass MAD MAX STYLE adventure in Avernus!! With the Tadfools!! After the Netherbrain battle!!

[orkbutch]

rly excited to share got! but I'm really not in a writing fanfic mood so im just gonna post abt it lol.

I'm MOST excited about Zariel & her Fallen Angels. For those who don't know Zariel's lore, she used to be an Angel of justice, and she got corrupted by Hell in her attempt to enter Avernus and beat back the Abyss, cause her biggest goal in Forever has been wiping out Demons. That failed, she got corrupted by Avernus, and she decided to martyr herself and become the archduchess so she could fight the Blood War. Some other shit happened, she got deposed then came back, stole Elturel for a while until it was recovered in the events of the Descent To Avernus.

In got! she is no longer the archduchess of Avernus, and has been Mildly Redeemed in the past by the events of Descent Into Avernus. She's not become an angel again, defs still a devil, but she is far more pragmatic than most devils (rather than outright evil) because of her angelic origins. She gave up her post as Archduchess willingly and struck a deal with Asmodeus, and technically shes a duchess within Nessus, but she is usually in the Material Plane operating Zariel's Fallen Angels.

Her goals are still to defeat the Abyss and also to either destory or usurp Hell, but her plans to do so have shifted away from pouring more soldiers into Hell (which does not work and has lead her to do many an atrocity) and toward gaining some kind of extremely potent power outside of Hell.

Because of this, her and Karlach's relationship is also very different; Karlach was offered ZFA membership during a 10 year murder sentence inprisoned in Baldur's Gate. (She was framed by Gortash.) Karlach accepted for the sake of her own safety and survival, and because she didn't know the full terms of the membership, which is in fact a Pact Eternal.

This Pact Eternal grants a power: Zariel's Rage, an extremely volatile and powerful rage state uniquely tied to loyalty to Zariel, where her angelic-turned-devilish vengence is channelled directly. Basically, Karlach's rages are buck fucking wild. Her fire isn't a piece of machinery, but instead an organic transformation she underwent as part of her membership; all members must take on a devilish transformation. Gortash and Zariel have no allience or history.

[too-chill-ka]

Dudes, Elturel has fallen. Did you know?

Day 6: Murder, Forbidden Love, Awoken, Lust, Support

[haru-sen]

His Oath Renewed

A Through The Gates of Horn and Oak Act II Zevlor Ficlet

He clenches his fists, feeling that familiar power pour through him, anchoring him to his body once more. He missed this, the tight bonds of his oath keeping him upright, giving him clarity and purpose. But he has it once more, now that his god saw fit to grant him mercy, to give him the salvation he yearned for. With his faith restored, he can hold his head up high once more. He needs no reminder that he is a Hellrider for life.

The armor is different, the insignia unfamiliar. His gauntlets are gone...in your care now. He sighs, a feeling of warmth bubbling up in his chest. The gauntlets were merely a token, a remnant of his fallen pride. At the time, it seemed right to pass them on to you, and with his oath reinstated, they are of little concern. You will have him at your side, a paladin once more.

And both he and Halsin are now free to put down their mantles. Neither man wished for leadership, it was a burden thrust onto their shoulders by bitter circumstance. But that is done now and there will be more time for personal pursuits.

Tell us about the Archdruid. Tell us about her.

The voice is soft, feminine, yours. He relaxes. Of course. You have this way of getting past his guard, under his skin, into his head-

And yet, something is not right.

Tell us, Hellrider.

He kneels before you, resting his cheek in your palm, the warmth of your skin soothes the ache inside him. He deserved none of this before, but now...

Show us that you are worthy.

Is he worthy though? His jaw twitches, and for a moment, he recalls the shadows. He remembers telling them to lay down their weapons. The Absolute is going to save them. The Absolute gifted them this chance. They just had to trust him-

It was your voice, but those words, that intent-

Zevlor remembers. And he instantly wishes that he did not. A sickness blooms in his heart, the visions appear clearly once more. The blood on the road, the screaming, the slaughter of his people, even as some laid down their arms, as they trusted his command. He led them astray. He bartered their lives for his own hollow dreams. What else could they expect from an oathbreaker? It is his weakness that ruined them all, his feeble heart, rotten from the inside. It is no different than if he put them to the sword himself. He paid for his torment with their blood and now he is reaping his rewards.

No oath can mend this.

If he screams here in the blackness, no one hears him.

Tell us, Zevlor.

That is not you. You are not here. You were never here. And if Ilmater has any mercy left in his broken body, you will never come here, you will never find out what happened to him.

Zevlor, it doesn’t have to be this difficult. It sounds so regretful, and even though he knows it is not truly you, hearing that wounded disappointment in your voice cuts him to the core. We will reveal the truth of your soul yet. We will break you down. We will build you anew.

And then it begins again. He stands in the streets of Elturel, watching as his home falls into Avernus, knowing that there is nothing he can do to save himself, let alone his people. He tastes bitter ashes and smells the blood on the wind. It is already too late. There is no escape.

The sky is burning.

[pebblethestone]

The Paladin and druid

Zevlor x druid reader

Summary - You go out looking for herbs and someone saves you from a goblin.

Masterlist

Paladin And Druid Masterlist

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Words - 1435

A/n - hello so uh Zevlor definitely needs more love and more story's for him so I thought why not make one foe him so here it is. Happy with took one day and bot 4 lol, I'll probably come back to this to fix bits and bobs

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Your eyes scan the area as you walk along the dirt path looking for herbs as well as berries to pick to help back at the grove, your eyes land on a gooseberry bush with some light green round berries on it as you grab a container from your basket you hold in one hand, opening it and then start plucking out some berries that looked good.

As you were busy you didn't hear the sound of footsteps approaching you from behind as you heard a voice shout out to you.

"Watch out!" You hear from behind you and turn around to see a goblin running straight at you with its sword raised, your eyes widen you don't have enough time to react, feeling someone push you to the side as you land on the ground, hearing two swords clashing against each other looking up to who save you from being stabbed by a goblin.

You see a tiefling whose skin is a deep red, his horns dark He is tall and looks strong as he fights the goblin, watching as they move away slightly from where you where as you continue hitting their swords together you see as the goblin grows weak as the tiefling strong blows weaken it, the goblin realises that it didn't have a chance as you drop it sword and run away. The tifling turns back to you.

"I do apologise for pushing you over miss/sir/mx," he says as he exchanges his hand to

rds you to help you up, you reach up and take it, giving him a little smile.

"No, no it's quite alright you did save me from being impaired by a goblin, Sir," you say looking at him as you look back where you were on the ground you see that your basket had broken and the herbs and berries that you have collected had all spilled out, making you sigh a little.

Bending down as you try and pick it all you and put it back into your broken basket, seeing the tifling bend down to also help you pick up the container of gooseberries as he hands it over to you.

"I am Zevlor, by the way," he says as you both stand up straight, you now holding your basket in both arms.

"Am Y/n, you are quite far from home no?" You ask, eyes watching him.

"Our home Elturel has fallen, we are refugees and we are looking for somewhere to stay, while we get ready to travel to Baldur's gate" he explains to you, your eyes filled with sadness as you frown a little.

"Well am sure my people will be happy to take you in for a while, until you are ready to travel again, but I'll have to talk to them about it," you say with a small smile.

"Actually, how about you come with me to the grove, so you can talk to the first druid and no need to worry he is very nice" you say as you grab Zevlor's hand and drag him with yours as take turns, left and right following the dirt path coming to a place with a huge wooden gate.

As they open you're welcomed by Halsin who is your brother as well as the first druid, looking a little crossed with you with his arms crossed over his chest, as you were actually not allowed to be out of the grove because of the goblins roaming around, give him a little sheepish smile as he raised his eyebrow at you then looking over at Zevlor, the tifling becoming a little nervous.

“Brother, I have come with someone seeking shelter as well as his people, I think we should let them stay with us until they are ready to head on their way to Baldur's gate” You walk to your brother as well as see Kagha standing nearby, as she watches the tifling.

“Y/n I told you to stay in the grove, or go out with someone not yourself,” he says with a sigh.

“I know, but I did get some of the herbs we needed,” you say, as he gives you a look.

“The tifling and his people need somewhere to stay for a while?” Halsin says as his eyes move to look at Zevlor, as you nod.

“I am Halsin, First druid and you may be?“ he asks as he holds his hand out to shake.

“Am Zevlor, I am leading my people to Baldur's gate for a better life, am asking if we can seek Refuge here until we start travelling again,” He says explaining to Halsin the elf nodding.

“well am more than happy to let you stay until you are ready to set off again you may stay here as long as you need, Y/n will go with you to go back to your people and help guide you back here” looking back at you giving a little nod, and you give him you basket.

“it will be getting dark soon we should go get your people,” you say as you turn your head to Zevlor having to look up a little.

“You right we shall return before it becomes too dark” he says to your brother as the elf nods, as you take the lead on heading out the grove watching the big wooden open again letting you and Zevlor out.

After walking in silence for 20 minutes following Zevlor he speaks up.

“So what do you do at the grove?” he asked with curiosity.

“oh am a healer and study animals, and what role is it that you are?” you ask looking at him.

“I tend to think that am a leader to these people helping them find a better life,” he says to you, making you feel warm that it seems he cares deeply for his people.

“it's nice to see you care so much about your own it's hard to find now a days,” you say

“Thank you, we're almost there just around that corner and our small camp is there,” he says pointing to where it is as you nod.

Once you get around the corner you see tiflings crowded around each other some look tired, some are in need of food and some ill children are running around playing seeing them makes you smile a little.

“well then let's get you people to the grove, they need better shelter,” you say looking back at Zevlor.

“yes I'll tell everyone what's going on and then we will travel back to the grove,” he says as he walks off to tell his people about what's happening. You look around until you feel a tug on your sleeve, looking down you see a little girl tifling looking up at you with curious eyes.

“Hello, miss/sir/mx why are you here?” she asks, she has orange-ish hair her skin grey and purple and bright orange eyes. As she stares at you.

“I am here to help you until you are ready to set off to adventure to Baldur's gate,” you say as you crouch down

“What's your name, am Y/n” you say as she still looks at you with big eyes.

“I'm Arabella, I like your bracelet” she says as you look at your bracelet made up of different greens, browns and tans, that you made in your spare time when you were bored. You untie it with your other hand as you look back at her.

“Hold out your hand, small one” you say as you tie the bracelet onto her wrist as she takes her hand back looking at it.

“thank you, I got to tell my parents,” she says as she runs off making you smile as you feel eyes watching you, you turn around and see Zevlor leaning on a tree his arms crossed but a smile dances on his face. Deciding you get up from the crouch you are in and stand up straight watching him as he pushes himself off the tree and heads towards you.

“It seems that everything is ready and we will head back to your grove once we're done packing” You nod your head as his eyes watch every movement you make.

“It was very kind of you to give that bracelet away to the child,” he says to you, as you hum a little before replying.

“Yes, but she seems very interested in it and they are easy to make so I might as well give it away” you say turning to look at him and seeing something in his eyes, not knowing what it is.

[rinwellisathing]

Get to know my OCs: if they were party members:

Sentry Ojeda:

Where to find him: aboard the nautiloid, he is disoriented and covered in blood, you can ignore him and run past or stop to try and help him, adding him to your party. He only remembers that he is a paladin of Ilmater and believes he has fallen under a terrible curse.

Personal Quest: The Cursed Paladin, help Sentry uncover his past and learn more about this curse which afflicts him and how to break it.

Betrayal conditions: killing the tieflings in the grove, choosing to kill Gortash (without high enough approval), choosing to give Raphael the crown, becoming an Unholy Assassin

Romance: act 1- you find him sketching a dark haired man and he tells you he dreams about him and believes he was his lover. With high enough approval, he will offer to draw you.

Act 2- he admits to feelings of bloodlust and a certain darkness to his creativity, you can encourage him or offer support, with high enough approval, he will sleep with you.

Act 3- he gives you the portrait he has made of you and calls you his muse. He offers to teach you to paint and to be your canvas, you paint eachothers bodies by moonlight.

Approval conditions: kindness to tieflings, appreciating art or doing something creative, kindness to children, killing abusers and slavers, being a dick to Oskar Fevras

Father Ilya Barghest:

Where to find him: in the grove providing healing to the tiefling refugees and taking orders from Zevlor and Tilses. If you've been kind to the tieflings and offer to find Halsin, he offers to help. He introduces himself as a paladin of Ilmater from Rivington who had been traveling with some adventurers to return Elturel from Avernus. When the tieflings were cast out upon return, he joined them, hoping to put in a good word for them with his adoptive father at The Open Hand Temple.

Personal Quest: The Cheerful Knight, Ilya wants to bring hope to the downtrodden and lighten the burdens of those around him. With your help, he hopes to raise spirits and be a beacon of good in the world.

Betrayal conditions: attacking the grove, siding with Nere or the duergar in Grymforge, killing or abducting Isobel, abandoning Zevlor, becoming an Unholy Assassin, accepting Orin's deal

Romance: act 1- you come upon Ilya reading a romance novel and he confesses to adoring them and wishing life could be like them sometimes. You can discuss your favorites with him, tease him about it, or ask for recommendations.

Act 2- Ilya is aiding the refugees at Last Light Inn, you can join him and he will tell you about his upbringing at The Temple of the Open Hand, his early childhood in Rasheman, and his adoptive father, Father Lorgan. He will inquire about your past as well, eager to exchange stories. After the conversation and all the refugees have been assisted, he will ask if he can kiss you.

Act 3- you find Ilya at the temple of Ilmater mourning Father Lorgan. You can choose to comfort him or distract him, ultimately he will offer to show you his childhood sleeping quarters and you make love on his old bed.

Approval conditions: helping refugees, the downtrodden, children, and the enslaved, being kind or having a good sense of humor, helping Minsc and Jaheira, respecting others' faith.

Jaina Thalassia:

Where to find her: at the grove giving a lesson to a few tiefling children about nature with some shells and sea blooming plants. She mentions she'd like to find some more books for the children and perhaps some quills and ink and offers to accompany you so she can look for some safely. She presents herself initially as a simple teacher and not an adventurer.

Personal Quest: The Pirate's Code, Jaina is actually the daughter of notorious pirate and Umberlee worshipper Jonah Thalassia, a very important man with ties to the church of Umberlee in Baldur's Gate. Although Jaina insists she isn't an adventurer, she is a fairly capable sorceress with natural talent. Helping her gain confidence in herself will cause her to open up and reveal she is a Chosen of Umberlee.

Betrayal conditions: harming the tiefling refugees, killing or hurting children, refusing to destroy The Iron Throne or Steel Watch Foundry.

Romance: act 1- You encounter Jaina bathing in the river and singing a haunting melody. She invites you to join her, informing you communal bathing is natural where she comes from. She will offer to brush and braid your hair for you and talk about the soothing nature of water, asking you what you find comforting.

Act 2- Jaina is found standing on the shore of the lake and wonders aloud what effect the shadow curse has had on the creatures in it. Through talking, she opens up about the high expectations her parents and her goddess have for her and how she much preferred being a teacher back in Baldur's Gate. You can encourage her either that teaching is her passion and she should remain in the Gate or that her destiny is on the open sea. Either way, she will offer you a drink and kiss you.

Act 3- after visiting The Wave Mother's House, you can find Jaina collecting sea shells on the beach. She invites you to join her and you come upon a ship wreck on the shore. She urges you to explore it with her and talks wistfully about her father's magnificent ship and how he hoped she would captain it one day. When you find the captain's quarters of the wreck, she playfully asks what you'd do with the captain's daughter. You can either tease back or tell her she's the captain from where you're standing. Both result in a steamy encounter on the desk.

Approval conditions- kindness to children and tieflings, clever solutions, talking or tricking your way out of fights.

Kroger of Creche K'liir:

Where to find him: at the crash site looking for his kin. He will hail you and ask if you've seen a woman about his age matching Lae'zel's description and ask for your help finding her, informing you that she was in charge of his party. He is a ghustil in training, a healer among his people, and fears his kin may have been injured in his absence.

Personal Quest: The Good Doctor, Kroger has been a loyal cleric of Vlaakith his whole life, but often finds his oath to heal and protect as well as his own gentle nature at odds with her teachings. He needs to find a way to either reconcile this or be freed from Vlaakith.

Betrayal conditions: attacking the grove, siding with Nere at the Grymforge, killing or abducting Isobel at Last Light, choosing to kill Orpheus

Romance: act 1- Kroger mentions you might feel better if instead of relying only on healing magic, you allowed him to assist your recovery as well. He cleans and bandages a wound of yours before casting his healing spells and explains the importance of cleaning in the healing process. If you point out his tenderness compared to other Githyanki, he admits his doubts about Vlaakith.

Act 2- grappling with being declared H'sharlack, Kroger is conflicted and troubled as he does his best to help the healers at Last Light. He also bitterly laments that a monster like Malus Thorm was allowed to consider himself a doctor and a healer. He asks you about Baldur's Gate and if you know what the houses of healing are like there. While you talk, he rests his head on your shoulder and confesses he feels safe with you, like he can be himself.

Act 3- Kroger excitedly asks you to follow him and leads you to an abandoned building. Proudly proclaiming that when the journey is over, he plans to save up to buy it and turn it into a free clinic to treat all the sick and injured of the city and how your journey inspired him. He will hold you tightly and kiss you, thanking you for giving him the courage to do this as the scene fades to black.

Approval conditions: healing the sick and injured, using caution, standing up for yourself.

Octavia of Creche K'liir:

Where to find her: tied to a chair in the grove. She does not seem to have a problem with this and smiles patiently at the druids who have her captive while calling out to you calmly for some help. You can tell the druids she's no threat and is with you and offer to keep an eye on her. She introduces herself as a scholar and researcher of the githyanki people, but she initially ended up here in her capacity as a young gish in training with a small company of her kin.

Personal Quest: The Practical Githyanki's Guide To Faerun, Octavia hopes to publish a book on getting around Faerun and all there is to know about its people, cultures, flora, fauna, and geography for her people to be better familiar with it in their constant fight against the Mindflayers. All she asks is that you answer her questions thoughtfully and honestly and allow her to examine your surroundings when she travels with you.

Betrayal conditions: none

Romance: act 1- Octavia asks to interview you for her book. She will appreciate honesty as well as humor and in this process will explain her goals involving this volume. If you mention wanting to "get to know her better" she will eagerly agree and you can trigger a sex scene early on in the romance, this does not negatively affect your relationship and she thanks you for your openness.

Act 2- Octavia asks you to escort her around the shadowcursed lands to find some specimens to study for her book. She is fascinated and awed by just about everything you find and will playfully cling to you and jokingly thank you for protecting her from all the scary things in the dark.

Act 3- Octavia asks you to show her the most fascinating place you can think of in the city and answer some questions about it. While there, she gives you an advanced copy of her book, thanking you profusely for all your help. She then confesses she loves you and appreciates how you've been so accepting, kind, and open and she offers a thrilling night together.

Approval conditions: showing curiosity, reading books, making perception and insight checks, open mindedness.

Jackal Silk:

Where to find him: assisting Minthara at the goblin camp. He clearly has contempt and disdain for her. If it seems like you're his ticket out, he will cozy up to you and offer to join your party, suggesting how much help he could be since as a ranger, he knows his was around the wilds and the cities.

Personal Quest: A Knife In The Dark, Jackal is very open about having been a serial killer back in Baldur's Gate and offers to teach you some of his methods. Ultimately this will culminate in the expectation that you complete the Unholy Assassin trial in Baldur's Gate, a role he is attempting to groom you for.

Betrayal conditions: saving Minthara, refusing to become an Unholy Assassin

Romance: Act 1- Jackal asks to talk for a moment and tells you he could tell you were someone of importance and power from the moment he saw you and how he'd like to serve you, guide you on the path. You can command him to kill someone for you, get out of your sight, or even to sleep with you and he will obey any order.

Act 2- if you have been sufficiently cruel and vicious, Jackal praises you and offers you a tribute (a random dismembered body part or bone), claiming he knew you were the right choice. He will get to his knees before you as the screen fades to black. If you have not been sufficiently cruel and vicious, he chastises you and encourages you to let loose and not be afraid to be strong. He will admonish you, but tell you it's alright, cubs need to be trained, just need a little push, then offer you a dagger.

Act 3- if you became an Unholy Assassin, Jackal will bring you back to the murder tribunal and bathe in the blood pool with you, offering a truly visceral encounter.

Approval conditions: brutality, cruelty, bullying, betrayals

[jellyfitzjelly]

May I request a prompt where Zevlor accidentally overheard his shy gn reader (crush) struggling to say something to Tilses so he misunderstood that they're confessing to Tilses because of how nervous they are but he heard them trying to confess to HIM?

Of course! Hope you like it! [READ ON AO3]

Zevlor was strolling around in the forest, enjoying the fresh air and the quietness. He was wondering where Tilses had disappeared to; he hadn't seen her for the past hour. He couldn't help but worry about her.

"I–I wanted to see you today because...Because...."

Was that Tav's voice? Zevlor frowned, puzzled, and approached the source of the sound. He stumbled upon Tav and Tilses visibly discussing something. The Commander felt curious, and decided to stay hidden and partake in some harmless eavesdropping.

"What is it, Tav?" Tilses asked them with kindness and an encouraging nod.

"Well.... I wanted to see you...b–because I l–like you! I–I've been charmed b–by you ever since you fought off those goblins at the gate!"

Zevlor blinked, stunned. Tav had a soft spot for Tilses? The revelation made his heart ache, but he harshly reminded himself his lieutenant was a far more better fit for the beautiful adventurer than he was. He may have fallen immediately for them when he saw them fight, but they were still half his age and full of life. Besides, he had a duty to fullfill. He wouldn't have been able to make them happy. No...it was better like that. Better to leave now before he hurt himself some more.

Zevlor left the forest quietly, trying to deny the wound in his heart as he made his way back to the Grove. He plunged himself back into work, but Tav couldn't leave his thoughts. He never had any chance. Of course he knew this, but to be faced with the reality of it felt like leaving Elturel again.

When Tilses came back almost an hour after his return, she acted as if Tav didn't confess their feelings to her.

"Nice walk?" Zevlor asked tartly, looking for blood.

"Commander?" she asked, hurt and confusion in her eyes.

Zevlor's anger left him, guilt needling his heart. He sighed wearily.

"Forgive me, Tilses. I am in a sour mood. I shouldn't have talked to you like that."

"Is something the matter?"

"I'm just tired," he lied with a smile.

The hours went on and night fell, yet Zevlor persisted in staying up to work, unwilling to be left alone with his thoughts.

"A–Am I disturbing you?" a familiar voice softly asked.

Zevlor lifted his gaze to see Tav in front of him, clutching their lantern as if the object might grow wings and fly away. They seemed very nervous.

"Are you well?" he asked with concern.

He watched Tav's throat work as they gulped.

"I–I wanted to–to see you today."

"Why?" he asked, rounding the stone table to face the adventurer.

He observed their hands shake.

"Because....because I– I like you! I've been ch–charmed by you ever since you fought off t–those goblins at the gate! I've been–"

"Are you kidding me?" he erupted.

Tav looked at him with wide eyes like a terrified deer.

"Did you recite your speech to everyone? Has everyone around here been blessed already to receive your affection? Or is that just reserved to Tilses and I?" he snarled, angry.

He would not see his lieutenant hurt by uncaring people. Enough of that. She had already suffered enough with the Descent!

"I heard you in the forest," he continued.

"Y-You–"

Tav stopped themselves, eyes filling with tears, hands shaking even more. It broke Zevlor to see them like this, his anger melting away at their obvious distress. He was regretting his words already.

"You could have just say no," they whispered as tears streamed down their cheeks. "Why did you have t–to be so cruel? I–I spent the whole a–afternoon with Tilses rehearsing!"

"Rehearsing?" Zevlor repeated, puzzled, mind finally working again.

Oh no. What had he done?

"Yes, rehearsing!" Tav burst out, anger giving them confidence. "A whole afternoon trying to formulate the admiration and attaction I had for a man I thought was good! And kind!"

"Ilmater's ashes," he murmured, despaired.

"I never knew you could be so cruel," they told him, hurt.

"I'm sorry," he started saying, but Tav chuckled bitterly.

"Now you're sorry?"

They turned away to leave, and time slowed down as Zevlor felt his heart pound in his chest. He had ruined it all. His thick head had ruined the thing he never thought possible in the first place. He couldn't bear to see them leave, to lose them forever.

He grabbed their wrist and pulled them flush against him, tilting their chin up to crash his lips against theirs. For the first few seconds, Tav resisted, but they quickly melted against him. They deepened the kiss as Zevlor wrapped his arms around them.

"By all the watching gods, I've been a blind fool," he croaked when their mouths finally separate. "Here I thought you were playing with Tilses' feelings!"

"What?" Tav blinked, all traces of anger gone from those stunning eyes.

"I heard you in the forest," he whispered, embarrassed. "I thought you were confessing to her."

"But she was helping me," they answered as if it was obviousness itself.

Zevlor chuckled fondly.

"You haven't chosen the sharpest sword in the forge," he told them softly, caressing their cheek.

"Maybe," they shrug, "but I love you nonetheless."

He kissed them again, smiling against their mouth.

[ravnloft]

im about to try to superimpose the bg3 act 1 and 2 maps with a map of western faerun and also take into account d&dbeyond's road to baldur's gate mini-adventure everyone stay tuned

The trip from Waterdeep to Baldur’s Gate covers about 750 miles of both road and off-road wilderness. A small party on horseback can cover about 24 miles per day at a casual pace, with just under two days off for rest per tenday of travel. All in all, this journey takes about a 45 days to complete for a small party of adventurers—assuming they’re well-prepared and no serious complications arise. The characters ought to have some sort of light mount, such as a riding horse, a pony, or a riding dog (for Small characters). [D&DBbeyond, Encounter of the Week: The Road to Baldur’s Gate)

The distance from Elturel to Baldur's Gate is nearly 200 miles. Given the pace at which the refugees are likely to be traveling, it'll probably take ten days for them to reach Baldur's Gate. [The Alexandrian, Remixing Avernus]

It's a little over 200 miles according to the maps. It would take over 8 days to walk, maybe 6 on horses if you can replace them with fresh ones at intervals, a Keelboat is about the same as walking, and the fastest racing Galley will get you there in a little over 2 days. Don't think about it too hard though, or all the exposition in the book with Kreeg, Reya, and refugees makes no sense at all. I ended up saying the catastrophe in Elturel was a week before the campaign started just to give people time to get there. [Reddit, How far is it from Elturel to Baldur's Gate?]

Map of Western Faerun [D&D 5E]

one of the tieflings on the emerald grove palisade says that they are roughly a tenday's walk from baldur's gate, which implies that you start the game far closer to elturel. baldur's gate lies on faerun's western coastline, and the river chionthar leads directly through several cities, including elturel, before meeting the sea of swords at baldur's gate. one could in theory follow the river directly-- and indeed the chionthar seems to intersect with at least two regions in the game, emerald grove environs and reithwen/the shadow cursed lands-- by using the risen road (which, i want to note, has only ever been mentioned in bg3, so we don't really know how well-traveled it is*). however, the road is destroyed in act 1 and forces the party to go detour through a mountain pass (or the underdark, but we're ignoring that for now**)

my first thought was that the nautiloid crashes on edge of the wood of sharp teeth. but, the emerald grove environs map seems to be cut off on the east and south corners by the chionthar, rather than the north, as would be true if it was in the wood of sharp teeth. so maybe the nautiloid crashed in the fields of the dead***? this area is north of the chionthar, as seen in the game map for act 1; it is roughly equidistant between elturel and baldur's gate, which is further west than i predicted, but the longer travel time noted in game dialogue makes sense if the tieflings are slowed by their numbers. there are children, elders, they don't have mounts, etc.

it also has a fun lore thing where it's an ancient battlefield so full of fallen soldiers that farmers sometimes churn up bones and shit when they plow the fields. cool as fuck and sounds a lot like the area around reithwen***

except. the mountain pass game region has a fast travel marker named "trielta crags", which presumably puts it in the trielta hills region of western faerun. trielta hills is also directly north of the reaching woods, which is a logical place for the emerald grove to be.

but trielta hills is in the wrong direction?? if you're traveling to baldur's gate???

so maybe trielta crags is just a misprint/miscommunication/video game writing being video game writing? but like. it's so weirdly specific. why would you call something trielta crags if it was not located in the trielta hills. in the region of triel. which is quite close to elturel. which the tieflings have departed from.

*the risen road is used by the tiefling refugees and the zhentarim caravan. it also passes by a toll booth and an inn, both of which double as zhentarim warehouses. this, and given that the road directly parallels the chionthar until baldur's gate, makes it likely that the risen road is the main route between elturel and the sword coast. it also likely intersects with the trade way and the coast way, which are both main roads.

however. the risen road is closed during bg3 "due to inclement weather". a detour is provided that goes through the mountain pass and on into reithwen, implying that the shadow curse is a very recent occurrence. but the game also states that the shadow curse has been there for decades.

and from the forgotten realms wiki on fandom.com:

Sometime around the Year of the Wrathful Eye, 1391 DR, the predecessor Archdruid and the grove's druids were allied with the Harpers forces commanded by Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun to thwart the SharranKetheric Thorm and his Dark Justiciars in the Chionthar Valley. The war ended with the spread of shadows around the Moonrise Towers and the cursed death of many, including the predecessor Archdruid. Halsin took over as the next Archdruid and lead the survivors away. For many years to come, the Emerald Grove's druids and the Harpers worked to find a way to fight against the shadow curse and to heal its afflicted lands.[1]

so like. what the fuck?

***re: reithwen and the fields of the dead. while there is a lot of fun to be had with a decades-old shadow curse, i think it is narratively a lot more realistic for the curse to be a recent thing. it makes more sense to me that the githyanki, the druids, and the flaming fist are all caught unawares by the curse, given that none of them are really. doing anything about it. despite it being. Apparently On A Major Thoroughfare (The Risen Road).

**the underdark map in act 1 is most likely located in the region of old shanatar, which lies under the lands of intrigue in western faerun. which is also not exactly on the way to baldur's gate from elturel. but for this i will at least give them a pass because it's the underdark and we don't have specific maps of most regions.

went on this journey to try and draw a map for the bg3 party progress but honestly i have come out of it somehow even more confused and also more convicted than before. confused, because where the FUCK is all of this happening. and convicted, because this supports my headcanon that ketheric was fished out of the afterlife by myrkul once the dark urge and gortash realized they needed a third (lol) to fully dominate the netherbrain, and THAT'S when the shadow-curse happened, rather than a century ago when he died. it also supports my theory that the emperor is NOT balduran, because he specifically mentions being lured to moonrise towers and turned into a mind flayer before the shadow-curse happened.

i think gortash was setting the foundations for the absolute at that point by spreading rumors of treasure in some ruins, and luring adventurers in to tadpole, who would then go on to recruit more and more people to the cult. the brain got antsy, orin started causing problems (good for her.jpg), durge and gortash decided to complete the dead three triad and myrkul chose ketheric. ketheric agreed on the condition he'd get isobel back. isobel was understandably horrified, and when she ran, ketheric unleashed the shadow curse. which now that i think about it should probably be myrkulite in origin rather than sharran in this scenario. but whatever.

tldr: the shadow curse can only reasonably have happened within the last few years, if not within a matter of months. no one knows where the fuck they are going in act 1. every man in this game is trying so hard to seem cool except for ketheric thorm who just wants his daughter to settle down and give him grandchildren already (derogatory)

[blackjackkent]

All right. Sort of found Minsc last night, but hopefully tonight we find him for realsies!

To the sewers! Show me how excited you are about going back to the sewers, Hector.

That's what I thought.

I stole some fancy new armor for Jaheira out of the back of the secure vault from a box with a DC-30 SoH check; I savescummed it, yes, but I feel no guilt from an RP level bc it was not labeled as an item that would be considered theft. XD So I'm choosing to believe Glitterbeard gave this to us as thanks for saving his hide.

It looks pretty dope on her.

We have to be somewhat careful here because (I have been informed by @aloptext) the game actually isn't kidding about Florrick only having five days to live. So if I want to get Minsc and then save her we need to be fairly judicious with our long rests. So for now we'll go straight to Minsc and try and avoid getting caught in any other trouble in the meantime.

...

...

I wrote the above and was IMMEDIATELY accosted by a woman in the street out of nowhere. It actually startled me a little.

"You! The gods-damned disease of the Gate! Lady Mizora told me everything - how you and the Blade of Frontiers slaughtered his own father, how he craves ultimate power, how he means to make the city bow to him and him alone! First I finish you! Then I finish the duke's traitorous son!"

...Mizora, you motherfucker. >:|

I guess we should have expected this. Hector's pretty upset about it; they already had Orin doing her best to smear his reputation in the city. He doesn't need Mizora doing it too.

The woman's anger seems sincere, though; he suspects she is a decent, honorable person being misled by Mizora's lies but doing what she believes is the right thing. And-- I recognize her name!

"Cordula Eltan." Almost certainly related to Duke Eltan, founder of the Flaming Fist, who was present at Caden's adventures in BG1.

We have the option to address her with recognition, as her family has "a storied history" in the city, but Hector has a history check he can take instead, nerd boy that he is.

[HISTORY] A relevant thread of knowledge pokes at your mind. Explore it.

Narrator: You remember the stories of Elturel's fall. The city was dragged into the Hells at Zariel's behest - and Ravengard along with it.

Ooh. I actually forgot that Ravengard was apparently involved in the original fall of Elturel. It's not super clear if the implication here is supposed to be that Mizora is shooting for revenge against him for escaping Zariel's grasp, but that certainly seems to be the line Hector is trying to take.

"Zariel's stunt destroyed countless lives," he says soberly. "Mizora is her minion. You can't trust her."

Eltan hesitates... then sheathes her blades. Hector gets the distinct impression she was already thinking this in the back of her mind and he has merely forced her to confront it.

"Stand down," she mutters. "I believe you, the Battle Lord help me. What darkness has fallen upon us..." A slight pause; she looks Hector up and down consideringly, then seems to come to a decision.

"Listen. There's something Wyll should know," she says earnestly, her voice softening. "On his way from Elturel, Ravengard sent a messenger with word of the cult. He knew about the Absolute. I thought little of it at first - but he realized the danger before anyone else did. He understood that if the cult were successful in raising an army, Baldur's Gate would be doomed."

Her eyes narrow. "And he knew that to protect the city, one trained in the ways of the great champions would have to rouse the wyrm living beneath. If I'm not mistaken, that would be Wyll."

Wait.

What?

Hector blinks rapidly, thrown by this unexpected pivot in the conversation. "Do you mean there's a *dragon* living under the city?" he asks, bewildered.

"A bronze dragon, to be precise," Eltan answers gravely. "Sleeping beneath us. The wyrm goes by many names. Ansur. The Waiting Storm. The Heart of the Gate. He made Balduran a binding promise to protect the city when its need was greatest."

...Interesting. (Especially interesting that the Emperor didn't feel like bringing this up when it mentioned we need to look for allies. Seems like the sort of thing that would be valuable information.)

"The city's survived countless threats," Eltan goes on. "But Ravengard knew its walls would fall to the cult. With him gone and the city near ruin, your call is to unleash the Heart of the Gate." She hands him a curled scroll of paper; he feels the fragility of it, the age of the paper. "'The Legend of Ansur.' The bards call it a tall tale. But every last word is true. Follow its path to the wyrm." She scowls tightly. "Or do not, and let the Coast be drowned in blood."

Hector considers the woman in silence for a moment. He has heard of this story obliquely in some reading or other - but not as something seriously considered fact. But this woman seems quite lucid in all other regards so he is hesitant to call her mad in this one. And if it's true...

They need allies. And, to be honest, Wyll needs something to give him a sense of purpose in the wake of the terrible sacrifice he's had to make.

"Your faith in us is well-founded," Hector says, matching the younger woman's serious tone. "We will seek the wyrm and ask for his help."

Eltan nods crisply. "I was right to lay down my arms, Foehammer be praised. I should go, gather allies. We'll join you in your hour of need. Free the wyrm, and may his thunderous wind drive the Absolute from the Coast."

-----

Well, that was unexpected. XD Hector's days continue to get weirder.

The written tale she gave us is fun because it has notes from Wyll's dad written in the margins.

I guess we'll go look into that after we've gotten Minsc, Florrick, and potentially Ravengard himself to safety.