#EmpTav

[magmethius]

for today's @theemperorweek prompt: exploration

The colors of the flora on this satellite are like nothing you've seen before. The way the blue-shifted light passes through the giant leaves of the canopy beyond you seems fresher, somehow, as if it diffuses into different, softer prisms. And yet, as you and the Emperor make your way through the knee-tall grass of the outerworldly meadow, you spot something that grounds you, reminds you that the dirt beneath your feet was indeed once part of Toril: a patch of daisies.

daisies for daisy. <3

[fiddlehead-soup]

A Balduran fan who grew up reading stories about his adventures falling for the Emperor without knowing their past life is just so funny to me.

Like at first it might annoy tf out of Emps but then they catch feelings for fan Tav despite. Tldr, their genuine excitement, nerdiness, and persistence in face of challenges win Emperor over.

They're basically Wyll, always referencing Balduran, using his name ("Thank Balduran") and idolizing him and stuff, except they don't have Wyll's strong moral compass so they're into the "conspiracy theories" that Balduran wasn't always that heroic but "cool" nevertheless.

Then, they find out the truth in Ansur's Lair...and become even more insufferable. Except now it's really cute how eager they are to keep asking Emps questions instead of annoying bc Emps wants to impress them and has caught feelings for them ajshdjdjdjdjk

[zephhhhh]

together, none can resist you. after all, you were made for each other.

[sovereign-spaw]

Pre-relationship Tav x Emperor is so funny and cute to me

Fact is, they've got a crush on the mindflayer, they think it's handsome.

Unfortunately, they think about that a lot, forgetting he can probably hear them, so much of their days are spent like this;

Tav, thinking: The Emperor is so cute I wonder if I have a chance-

Tav: ...

Tav, thinking: I forgot he can hear my thoughts- he can't possibly be listening to all of them, right? Right. He has better things to do. I'm sorry if you heard that, please ignore it

He heard all of it

It will not ignore any of that

[imperial-daffodil]

The Inks are finally done! Still have to get used to the new scanner and manage the levels and contrasts, but I tested it today! I cannot wait to paint this piece. 'a quick one' I said. In my sketchbook. Except, it is never a quick one when I am in love, and am I in Love TTnTT

The Emperor, Shield and Protector, and my first and canon Tav, Daff. A Gith Wizard who always has had a strange fascination for Illithids, and used to wonder whether or not they'd be so dangerous, or plain evil, if they were not enslaved to an Elder Brain themselves.

And they got a beginning of an answer here. The Emperor is more 'human' than many they've come across during their life. A mirror, and a completely different person, to recognise oneself and learn from - an individual to feel safe around, and to care for.

. . .

"I do not know what the future holds, Ras'til. But I do know that whatever happens, whether we fail or not, I will be by your side. I never want to let you out of my mind."

-- Daff, the The Emperor, one night in the Astral Plane.

Some time, just as they're quietly in the Plane, resting after that fateful night, Daff just watches the Emperor and whispers to it "zhak vo'n'fynh duj" - the Illithid does not know how to answer, so it only asks the Gith to sleep, for they have work to do.

[xdraonarts]

fellas is it gay to tuck your homie in at night?

[wind-deity]

Big Emperor song for me.

Big EmpTav song, too.

Waho. Got a hit at 'oh poor Atlas, the world's a beast of a burden, you've been holding up a long time. And all this longing, and the ships are left to rust - that's what the water gave us.'

- but also all the water symbolism and imagery.

'pockets full of stones' resonates as a metaphor for 'pockets full of tadpoles' in my head.

'Lay me down, let the only sound be the overflow'

'Cause they took all your loved ones, and returned them in exchange for you, but would you have it any other way? You wouldn't have it any other way.'

'But my love, don't forget me, when I let the water take me.'

I just cannot GET over this song now.

[heldvisionsarch]

❛  i care about you and i will always care about you.  ❜

[ for adelinde ! ]

adelinde tuts at him, raising an eyebrow. “ don’t speak so ominously, master crepus. it’ll rub off on the boys. ” her serious mask craks, and she sighs, fondly. “ well. i hope you care about me. otherwise the fact we’re still friends would worry me. ” she grins. “ and i care about you as well. so- don’t speak in such a way that makes it sound like you’re going to kick the bucket tomorrow- ‘kay ? you’ll have a nice, long life in front of you. and we’ll have plenty of time to get on each other’s nerves. ” she sets a bundle of letters down on crepus’ desk. “ speaking on getting on people’s nerves, here are the first batch of responses for master diluc’s coming of age party. ” adelinde can feel her wrist per-emptavely hurting from all the pastery work she’s going to have to do.“ i’m expecting a packed house, considering how many RSVPs we already received so quickly. ”

found family. @ccrepus

[magmethius]

for today's @theemperorweek prompt: freedom

It becomes difficult for the Emperor to string his thoughts together coherently, the intensity of his feelings growing hard to hold at bay. His gratefulness, his joy, his - excitement - He isn't the kind of being to howl from a cliff-top, but he might perhaps conjure such an image now, and then hurl that image deep into a dusty corner of his psyche, as far away from his decorum as possible. It's unbecoming, he thinks, how full his heart is just to be here, to be alive, to be given something as brilliant and intangible as freedom, with nothing expected in return. If only he had an empty resonance stone to sink all of this exhilaration into, at least then he could use the energy for something productive instead of letting it boil over on the edges of his mind, burning so bright and hot it's almost agonizing.

Freedom is when you can be your truest self - without guile, without pretense.

[magmethius]

a wedding squids commission from @mooreaux they're both so beautiful and elegant! i'm so happy <3

[magmethius]

for today's @theemperorweek prompt: power/trust

"Look at you. You're glorious. The greatest ally I could have wished for. You know, this partnership doesn't have to end here... you and I could do wonderful things... We could rebuild the Knights of the Shield and run it together. What do you say?"

Well? Do you trust him, or will you give in to the power? ;3

inspired by / based on @bg3shitpostandfanart's wonderful wonderful art of Gortash and Durge at the docks, here! done with permission <3

[magmethius]

good morning good morning... have some squintimacy

[magmethius]

for today's @theemperorweek prompt: vulnerability

just a glorified sketch for today, but - there's not a lot of places where you're more vulnerable than in the bath. give that squid a good scrub!

[magmethius]

monthly squouses sketch pile u __u)b

[fiddlehead-soup]

My personal headcanon as to why Emps won't stay with you no matter how strong your bond if you don't become illithid is that they are determined not to let what happened with Stelmane to happen with you.

Illithids aren't as fragile as other races, and their brains have the capacity to withstand much more. That's why they allow themselves to be with you when they're sure you can protect yourself. Because as you are, regular interaction and I'm guessing more particularly intimacy with a mind flayer will deteriorate one's self over time just by the sheer strength and intensity of it all.

Emperor is seeking an equal in connection. They do not want a power imbalance relationship anymore. Heroism and willpower alone are not enough to shield oneself from such inevitable physical side effects of engaging in such activity. They are saving you from that, no matter their own feelings.