#The Squid and the Dagger

[meamiiikiii]

(You gently drop the flower in their open palm, and act like nothing out of the ordinary happened.)

(Loop does, too.)

[jeeaark]

Dumb Choice V. 1

Greygold could totally take on their team 1-9. Totally. With 8+ summons and carrying a 10-year-supply of inventory items, Greygold IS the BBG babe's love fight don't count because Greyg didn't wanna fight shh

As much as I don't like where this fork-in-the-road went, boy did I have a lot of time to mull over why squid buddy called it quits. And I couldn't pick just one reason ✨

So let's kick it up a notch with the survival theory.

After hearing how certain mindflayers get the instinctual hankering to be a lil shit that sometimes they gotta roll a dice so as to NOT be a lil shit....

What if. Maybe squid buddy's mindset wasn't just being dead stubborn about surviving, but the exhausted-flayer's survival instincts kicked in. Maybe there was poor communication because Emps was in panic mode, wits at an end, fear on overddrive, every doubt collapsing in on itself, stuck-in-a-corner mode, eye-for-an-eye contemplation, fight-or-flight response overriding any other sensible dialogue options that were available for them.

Maybe Emps failed their don't-be-a-lil-shit roll

And since squid buddy didn't uh....want to repeat the fight response like with Ansur, for various reasons, reacted with flight instead

Funny story, I drew this a while back as a 'fun' theoretical possibility, but been realizing more recently ehhhhh-Emps really coulda just killed us all right then and there (not withstanding Halsin and Jaheira). If Emps had the ability to turn off the mind-protection after you stray too far from the mission, then they coulda done the same thing to everyone now. So if Emps really had a "no more use for us" mindset like a certain mindflayer book says they do, fleeing wasn't necessarily the only way for Emps to survive.

Maybe. Emps was about to react in a way they knew they were gonna regret again and eeehh- counter-reacted by noping the fuck out. For Greygold, I like that theory. Squid Buddy: jumping the gun like a dramatic tired mindless-flayer

[squidiottt]

You should totally draw cross ahahahha DO IT!!!

AWA!?

alright, heres your Cross

[mashmaiden]

NCIS: Los Angeles - The Squid & Dagger

[densi-mber]

The Squid and Dagger Returns

“To the second grand opening of The Squid and Dagger. May it be her last,” Deeks toasted, raising his glass above his head. Kensi stood next to him, and surrounding him in a semi-circle were their former team. Eric and Nell had even made the flight in to celebrate the occasion.

“Amen!” Nell called out, whistling loudly. Deeks grinned at her enthusiasm. They all drank, Sam pausing to sniff his first.

“Hey, that’s actually really good,” Eric commented in surprise. He took another drink, as if to double check.

Still looking mistrustful, Sam took a tiny sip, and nodded in reluctant approval. “It’s not bad.”

“Why on earth would the beer taste bad?” Kilbride wondered, looking bemused and slightly out of place in his three-piece suit.

“You’ve never heard the saga of Deeks and Callen’s microbrew ventures?” Rountree asked in surprise.

“No. And I’m beginning to think that’s a good thing.”

“It involved a series of increasingly terrible beer,” Nell explained. “Squid being a memorable one.”

“No, no the seaweed and salmon was definitely the worst,” Sam said firmly. “The flavor is ingrained in my brain.”

“Three years with this team, and I still fail to understand any of you,” Kilbride commented, downing the rest of his beer. “Which means I need something stronger.” He wandered off to the bar, muttering to himself.

“Nice to know some things don’t change,” Kensi said dryly.

The rest of them gravitated towards each other, forming a small group as they sipped at their drinks. Nell had somehow acquired a large red drink with a cocktail umbrella.

“You know, contrary to popular belief, Callen and I are capable of crafting normal beer—remembered the orange and nectarine?” Deeks said, nodding to Kensi. “We just choose not to.”

“I still maintain that none of our stuff was that bad,” Callen insisted. He frowned, holding up his glass, tilting his head to examine the light amber liquid inside. “Though this is kind of bland.”

“You’re ridiculous, you know that, right?” Sam said in exasperation. He gave Callen a slight shove towards the bar. “C’mon G, let’s go get you some more skunky beer.”

“Mmm, it almost feels like we never left,” Nell said, watching the two fondly bicker.

“It does. Especially with having the bar back,” Deeks agreed. “Speaking of which, I can’t thank you guys enough for helping buy it back.”

“It means a lot to us,” Kensi added, sliding her free arm through Deeks’.

“You’re welcome, but guys, I told you before, I literally would not be where I am without the money that you loaned me for years. Especially Deeks,” Eric replied. “I probably owe you about 10 bars at this point.”

“I think we’ll call it even with one.” She glances at Deeks and he nodded in agreement.

“We’ve got everything we need.”

“Ooh, speaking of needs,” Nell paused to take a healthy gulp of her drink, her Christmas themed had shifting precariously. “When do I get to see my nieces and nephews?”

“Well, I’m guessing the sitter already put the twins down for the night, but we’re free tomorrow. And I’m sure Rosa would love to see you when she’s done with classes,” Kensi replied.

“Awesome! That’ll give us time to get all their gifts together.” Eric nodded enthusiastically. “It’s amazing what they’re doing with kids toys these days.”

“I’m not sure I want to know.”

“He’s teasing, Deeks.” Nell rolled her eyes at Eric, lightly tapping his shoulder with the back of her hand. She giggled, adding in a couple pats lower down on his chest.

Beside him, Kensi hastily stifled a snort, and when Deeks glanced at her, she had her lips tightly pressed together.

“Oh, I love this song,” Nell announced, as the playlist running in the background switched to the next selection. “Mr. Beale, may I have this dance?” Bending at the waist, Nell waved her hand in an elaborate flourish.

“My lady awaits,” Eric said with a shrug as he let Nell tug him away.

“I missed this,” Kensi said wistfully.

“What, Callen and Sam arguing over beer and the Wonder Twins drunkenly dancing on our non-existent dance floor?”

“Yeah.”

“Me too.”

Kensi swayed into his side, wrapping both arms around his waist. “I’m glad we have this back.”

He watched Nell and Eric put on a two-person act to “Santa Baby”, giggling the entire time, and couldn’t help but agree.

***

A/N: Once again bringing back the Squid and Dagger as well as Callen and Deeks making beer of dubious quality.

[ratcandy]

oh if we’re talking about hot headed members I stg Webber and kallamar are nemeses. I look away for one second and it’s almost guaranteed that they start fighting. On Multiple Separate Occasions, I broke up their fight, only for them to LITERALLY INSTANTANEOUSLY START FIGHTING AGAIN. I think this happened three times in a row once. like. GUYS WHAT IS YOUR BEEF ??????????

I can't draw this rn but this. This image

Kallamar beefing with a child is honestly completely in character as far as I'm concerned dhgKSJDGH

[chicgeekgirl89]

GEE WOULDN’T IT HAVE BEEN NICE IF THEY’D ALL HAD SOMEWHERE TO GATHER AND RAISE A TOAST TO A SUCCESSFUL MISSION. MAYBE SOMEWHERE LIKE A BAR?!?!

[felassan]

Rook's Coffer.

The rest of this post is under a cut due to length.

[link]

There is a lot of interesting stuff in here. 👁️

A coffer is a strongbox or small chest for holding valuables. The contents of the box is described as being Rook's "personal effects", the "tools of [their] resistance" (against the Evil Gods).

The Light-Up Lyrium Dagger

This is the dagger replica that BioWare had on display at their SDCC booth in a case. at the time we wondered if it glows (yes!) and whether it would be a merch item in the Gear Store or part of a collector's edition or something, and here we are. :D the name of the item confirms the idea that it's blue because blue lyrium (I wondered this here). the description on the Gear Store of the item reads:

"Its blade has torn the very fabric of the Veil."

and ~8 months ago I wrote,

"since we saw this image from the 2022 in-game cinematic and speculated that 1. this image shows Solas doing something to the Veil, and 2. the item he’s holding is the red lyrium idol in its ritual-blade form, what it’s reminded me of is the Subtle Knife from HDM (Pullman). Æsahættr cuts windows in the fabric between worlds; I wonder if the idol’s power as a magical ritual-blade is the ability to ‘cut’ through the 'fabric’ of the Veil (of reality), thereby tearing open the barrier that has been separating the two realms."

Cloth Map and Quiver

"Look to this illustrated map to learn about the world you defend."

First let's do the quiver. :>

A quiver to keep a map in is such a cute idea. going by the triangles, it's a replica of the quiver rogue Rooks store their arrows in in the game. ^^

Now the map.

Starting at the bottom right, where it all began~. Ferelden is depicted as a mabari (a symbol of Fereldan royalty), complete with kaddis. You can see the Brecilian Forest and the Imperial Highway snaking round Lake Calenhad. In the Frostback Mountains is the Inquisition’s hairy eyeball symbol, fittingly as that’s where Skyhold is located. North of the Arbor Wilds are the Dales, containing Dalish aravels. Orlais is portrayed as a reclining lion (the symbol of House Valmont is a lion). West and south of the lion are the Nahashin Marshes, the Abyssal Reach and the Tirashan. Across the sea from Ferelden is the landmark of Kirkwall, the Twins of Kirkwall (statues).

The north of the map is the most 👁️ tho, as DA:TV seems to be predominantly set in locales across northern Thedas. That part of the map has a lot of elements from the misted-out northern Thedas map from the Thedas Calls teaser trailer, only.. unmisted. :D we can see the Antivan city of Treviso with its spires and the Antivan Crows flying around Antiva. We can see the giant squid curling over Rivain, this time on a bed of treasure like gold and silver. West of the White Spire mountain is Arlathan Forest, with another aravel, ruins of the city of Arlathan, and floating rocks and floating ruins. in the sea south of Par Vollen is a Qunari dreadnought.

Tevinter is separated from Antiva by the Hundred Pillars. the way they look in this map, they remind me of Drumheller Alberta, where Mark Darrah once mentioned that DA:TV devs went to capture reference material for the game. in this post I wrote of the Tevinter coast that "much of the center is entangled in tentacle-like or snake-like tendrils". in this new map we can clearly see that they are snakes. makes sense, Tevinter is a nest of vipers metaphorically and snakes are part of Tevinter iconography. We can see the city of Minrathous and my all-time favorite guy, Floating Building. Weisshaupt is represented by a griffon and for the Anderfels we have  Our Lady of the Anderfels (the statue of Andraste). to the north, Tallo's Eye and the Donarks.

This part of the map is potentially super exciting:

This is a dwarven statue underground in the Deep. the location suggests this is representing Kal-Sharok south of the Anderfels (this is not anywhere near Orzammar, and Orzammar isn't represented on the map by a drawing either). omggg. I really hope we visit Kal-Sharok in this game oh shttt

In the center of the map is Nevarra and the Silent Plains. this map depicts the Silent Plains and surrounds as being full of the ancient bones of giant creatures and giant skeletons. that's 👀 since we saw giant skeletons in Nevarra in the new trailer. we can also see the Grand Necropolis with its eerie green glow as its reaches go down into the ground. it's attended by two [giant?] necromanced skeletons. the gold doodads on their heads remind me of the skeletons we've seen Emmrich necromancing.

There don't appear to be any depictions or landmarks shown in Seheron or Par Vollen. :< and in this last bit of the map it's a bit hard to tell due to poorer image quality that this section of the map is shown in, but east of Rivain is the map compass and south of Rivain, south of Llomerynn, in the whirlpool.. is that an island with an eluvian on it? maybe this represents the Lighthouse and the pocket dimension it exists in? watery Fade imagery and all that.

(Thedas Calls trailer map images below for reference. you can see that 'landmarks' from in that trailer are on this new map)

(^ ignore the yellow lines in the Rivain squid cap ^^;)

Rook's Card Deck

"A set of cards depicting people and places from Rook's adventures."

Like the map, there's a lot in these too. first of all the art looks so beautiful and I'm psyched that cards/card-style art is returning in DA:TV, the tarot card art in DA:I was so cool and gave so much inspiration to the DA art community! some of the art is familiar to us, some is totally new.

in this last image we can see that among the cards is the art for the Solas print that came with the BioWare Gear Store exclusive variant of the artbook. the design for the back of the cards is similar to the box for Rook's coffer. for the others I think I'm going to identify them with letters so it makes talking about them easier. ^^ (image without key is above). 26 x 2 = looks like there are 52 cards total, if this image contains the whole set. (if I've mixed up any of my numbers or letters in the below, pls lmk so I can correct it!)

please keep in mind that these are just guesses for fun. [thanku to mime who helped me guess what each card could be :D]

A - Venatori? red like red lyrium and they're always messing with it, diamond shape like their new symbol (two), cult-like vibe, mage robe-vibe. the pointy hoods remind me of the figure in the background of Neve's card. (given the shape in the background, is Elgar'nan messing with them or are they working for him? they could be without knowing he's an elf) B - dragons, dragon fights? (looks like a giant toothy dragon maw bearing down on a party) C - F qunari Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. F qunari Inky for comparison) D - Harding companion card art from the Dragon Age website E - Veil Jumpers? gold, triangles, antler/halla-horn type pattern, looks like the person has a glowing gadget F - Grey Wardens? silver plate armor, Joining Chalice, shield with griffon wings on it G - Rogue Rook/rogue class (like there was a class card for each class for Inky in DA:I. Rogue inky) H - one gender of elf Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. elf Inky cards for comparison) I - Arlathan Forest? it looks like it has ruins and floating rocks J - 'Fen'Harel' Solas from the in-game cinematic that we saw in this trailer K - Neve companion card art from the Dragon Age website L - Weisshaupt in the Anderfels (see this concept) M - Warrior Rook/warrior class (like there was a class card for each class for Inky in DA:I. Warrior inky) N - M qunari Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. M qunari Inky for comparison) O - undead, giant green glow skeletons? P - ? Q - Minrathous R - Lords of Fortune? they have Taash vibes. blue sea in the background, gold trinkets at their waist, swashbuckling vibe S - ? T - Emmrich companion card art from the Dragon Age website U - another gender of elf Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. elf Inky cards for comparison) V - red lyrium darkspawn W - M dwarf Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. M dwarf Inky for comparison) X - Bellara companion card art from the Dragon Age website Y - Elgar'nan from back in the day before being Blighted? bald like ancient elves sometimes are shown, maybe the orb is his foci. Z - ? not sure, but something bad and maybe red lyrium-related. also blood and maybe an eluvian in the background

[block character limit text break!]

1 - Ghilan'nain from back in the day before being Blighted? creepy tentacle-vibe hair. 2 - Mortalitasi / Mournwatch 3 - ? not sure, but something bad and maybe red lyrium-related 4 - 'Humble apostate Solas' from the in-game cinematic that we saw in this trailer 5 - Blue lyrium dagger 6 - Red lyrium dagger 7 - Davrin companion card art from the Dragon Age website 8 - Taash companion card art from the Dragon Age website 9 - Grand Necropolis. undead city vibes, the eerie green glow 10 - part of this concept art posted on Halloween in 2021. (I think this may be somewhere in the Anderfels/Weisshaupt surrounds after something bad has happened. those creatures are red lyrium-afflicted darkspawn. the location has the same dark/night-time corrupted/Blighted vibe as here, complete with Blightsacs and red lyrium darkspawn. the bad dark Blighted ruined vibe is also like here from the Thedas Calls teaser, where if you zoom in there's some red in the image. when this image was shown in Thedas Calls, it was the segment about Weisshaupt and the Wardens. in the release date reveal teaser, we see a shot of the Anderfels in the day-time without Blight/before anything bad has happened. it looks nice and is a beautiful view. you can tell that is the same place as here because of the presence of the posts with the basketball hoops on top of them. lastly, in the companions reveal trailer, Davrin is shown fighting red lyrium darkspawn in the dark/night-time corrupted looking area, and in the background is a statue of a griffon. 11 - ? not sure, but something bad and maybe red lyrium-related 12 - this Solas art from the Gear Store artbook exclusive variant pack 13 - Treviso in Antiva (see images here) 14 - Elgar'nan? curving horn shape, eclipse 15 - demons? or Elgar'nan and Ghil in their prison together? 16 - Qunari, as in from the group that have been invading/occupying? 17 - mage Rook/mage class (like there was a class card for each class for Inky in DA:I. mage inky) 18 - The Dread Wolf? or the Dread.. wolves. there are 2 wolves in this. Two Wolf Moon 19 - Lucanis companion card art from the Dragon Age website 20 - F dwarf Rook? (like how there was a card for M and F of each lineage Inquisitor in DA:I. F dwarf Inky for comparison) 21 - the Deep Roads (concept art for comparison) 22 - ? but they are this figure from the full cover art of the regular edition of the artbook 23 - Ghilan'nain? horrible centipede creature, suggestion of Ghil's head-shape, suggestion of hands and faces 24 - feather. griffon feather? to represent Assan? 25 - Rivain. boats, sea 26 - Antivan Crows

I feel like I've made mistakes or missed something though because if there's a card for each faction, where is the Shadow Dragons? and if there's an M and an F card for each lineage Rook, where are the human Rooks? I'll revisit the cards and my list again sometime with fresh eyes. :D

One thing I wanted to highlight at the end of the section on the cards is the blue lyrium and red lyrium dagger[s].

Above we talked about how the item name Lyrium Dagger confirms the idea that the dagger is blue because blue lyrium (I wondered that here). in the same post I wondered about the other dagger that we first saw on the deluxe artbook cover:

"This artbook cover one is more gnarled in appearance and the 'ring’ of the handle isn’t complete. It has extra spiky bits protruding off it too and it looks like something is growing on it. Maybe this is what happens if/when the blue [lyrium?] dagger becomes red (Blighted)? because this gnarled kinda vibe reminds me a bit of Meredith’s sword Certainty in DA2, and of that body horror way in which red lyrium growth looks on people. It also reminds me of the tendrils of Blight corruption on walls and the ground and stuff in DA:TV screenshots, and the gnarled red lyrium darkspawn we’ve seen (look at this darkspawn’s back for example). Or maybe there’s simply more than one dagger?"

and here we are. 👀 the blue lyrium dagger Blighted to red lyrium, or else there's a red lyrium dagger out there too somewhere.

Enchanted Die

"This beautiful die will help guide you through the perils of conversation."

The Gear Store description for this item makes perfect sense as the symbols on the dice are the dialogue wheel icons. :D here we can see Romance, Anxious, Sad, Warrior, Investigate, Mad, Stoic and others. also I love the iconic purple-theme color of the dice. :)

Glass Potion Flask

"A decorative vessel that would be essential for storing healing potions."

I have no comments on this really other than it's pretty and that I think it resembles the design of healing potion bottles in the game. :)

Dragon Age™: The Veilguard Companion Lithograph

"This art depicts the faces of your closest allies, the ones who'll stand beside you against impossible odds."

This features the companion art pieces from here.

Thank-You Letter

"A note of gratitude from the creatives at the helm of Dragon Age™: The Veilguard. (From game director Corinne Busche and creative director John Epler)"

and this is a lovely and thoughtful idea 🥺 .. maybe it's the inscription inside the box with the Veilguard symbol?

Lastly there's the box!

It's pretty and is in the same style as the UI on e.g. the skill trees. it looks like there's a square with each companion round the outside, plus a square for Manfred, Assan, and Varric. the gang's all here. :D for the 7 companions, their image is from their 'tarot style' art, but for Manfred, Assan and Varric it's art we haven't seen before. around the outside is also each of their weapons, like an arrow for archer Harding and Lucanis' fancy rapier-sword. I guess in the middle the helmet represents Rook. (it gives me Warden vibes. maybe it's a version of the helmet Rook wears here?).

As a last thought, with the items being Rook's "personal effects", the "tools of [their] resistance", I really love the idea that they have a deck of playing cards and a dice/enchanted dice. I know these are common fantasy world items but idk it's giving a lil, Remy LeBeau. I dunno, Rook somehow has a rogueish kinda vibe to me (as in the trait, not the class). Varric describes them as clever and adaptable, words you might apply to a trickster. "You don't know when to quit" implies a certain incorrigibility. rooks are corvids which have trickster lore irl, and characters that play games with cards and roll dice often have that smart, rogueish, trickster kind of edge in tropes and stuff. it works in my brain in different scenarios too, like if Rook is a foil to Solas, or someone advised by Solas (trickster-mini trickster mentee), or someone opposed to Solas (takes a trickster to outwit a trickster), and/or someone who is in some kind of a way a sorta successor[?] to Solas in terms of story role or repeating history or foils again etc (if you remember the line "They call me the Dread Wolf. What will they call you when this is over?"). you know, like think about what is said about Fen'Harel today and was said about him immediately after the fall (elven voices in Vir Dirthara in Trespasser). what will they say about Rook when this is over? hope that paragraph made sense :D

[wolsalwastaken]

My headcanons for the species of the bishops (+ bonus headcannons):

Leshy is an American dagger moth caterpillar, his little black spiky things and fluffy green appearance all match up with it. Since he’s clearly an adult, but is also stuck as a caterpillar, my headcanon is that his godhood prevented him from fully aging, as he was a caterpillar when being granted his power. He also can read in braille, however he is dyslexic, so he’s not very good at it.

Heket is a Cane Toad. Since Cane Toads are prevalent in Australia and are known for having an incredibly large appetite (and incredibly large size), I’d bet actual money that that’s what she was based off. Also yes, she canonically is a toad she isn’t a frog guys. It’s also incredibly painful for her to speak, even after her being healed, so she chooses to communicate through sign language most of the time.

Narinder is an Egyptian Mau, the first ever species of domestic cat (they also are often black in color). I also dreamt that he’s ambidextrous so that’s now a headcanon I have, idk my subconscious projected it onto him. Maybe it’s bc I myself am ambidextrous, or maybe I’m just weird.

Kallamar is a vampire squid, since vampires are blamed for the spread of disease, plus vampire squids have lil ears + a big ass forehead, it just makes sense to me. Since Kallamar is either partially or entirely deaf, he can communicate through speech but can only receive information through sign language. Him and Heket have the easiest time communing.

Shamura is a regal jumping spider, as seen with their bright coloration and big eyes. They use post-it notes to remind themself of things, however 90% of the time the notes are entirely unhelpful 1-word clues. Sometimes Leshy will intentionally mess with them by leaving fake notes.

Anyways just wanted to share my headcanons for them bc I want to, idk. Hope you’ve enjoyed them- if anyone’s wondering why I got oddly specific with species it’s bc I’m a biology major and animal nerd.

(Pictured below are the animals I hc them as, in order of mention)

[merchant-wizard-and-jerry]

“Shop is open”

1 - Tinted glass - 10 currency

2 - Heart - 25 currency

3 - Elf Shoe - 25 currency

4 - Tile magic ball - 21 currency

5 - Drougnor-Dagger - 25 currency

6 - Squid tool - 35 currency

7 - Bio-Arm - 28 currency

————————

"Wizard Essentials"

————————

Staff - blade staff - 10 currency

Orb - Turkey - 10 currency

Robes - Infra-Oculum leather robe - 4 currency per robe

————

"Consumables"

————

1 - Health potion - 5 currency

2 - Health Potion - 5 currency

3 - Mana Potion - 5 currency

4 - Light Potion - 15 currency

——-

"Salt"

@ignisuada @biggest-gaudiest-patronuses - @damnable-druid @crickled-thorn-thug @serious-tabaxi @song-de-lune @the-mighty-dalob @cleric-posting @sorcererest-sorcerer @yeast-wizard

(Ooc: Sorry college ordination… oh and I’m going to college so this may take a back seat for a bit)

[ultrainfinitepit]

Shop Update July 2024

Hey there angel enthusiasts, it's time for the July update. Here's everything new on Shopify and Etsy:

Angel Curiosities pins

Patches: Angel of the Rainbow Infinite, Slain Lamb, and Eye Rectangle

Lanyards: Purple Tentacles, Blue Wings, Green Serpents, and Red Seraphim

Keychains: Heart Dagger and Angel of the Rainbow Infinite

Stickers: Starry Squid, Angel Columbo, Cowboy Zipporah, Israfel Seraph, Biblically Accurate Kumon, Heart Dagger, and Cowboy Angel

A new product: washi tape! Featuring the Red Seraphim artwork with gold foil.

To help clear out some older items, I'm running a sale on Etsy and Shopify. Almost everything is on sale on Etsy for 10% off; and a 15% discount will be applied at checkout on Shopify. 

The Pride Angels campaign is in-progress and going strong. Be sure to pledge before it ends. I'm planning to host preorders for pin designs from the past few months in the post-campaign survey/preorder store, so follow the campaign and keep an eye out for that if you're interested.

And don't forget to check out Pride Potions by Key and Crow Studios to get the pair of cross-collaboration freebie pins.

That's all for this update, have a joyous July ✨

[athina-blaine]

Bloodweave Fic Recs (12/8/2023)

I've been devouring fic lately and I figured I may as well do something productive with it.

Format from @inevitably-ineffable-husbands fic rec lists, check out some of their Good Omens fic recs if you're a fan ♥️

||

Four Eyes by trashmaven (G, 1.2k w || Light Angst, Pre-Relationship, Fluff) Gale has a secret.

Of Jackpots and Sticky Fingers by Asidian (G, 2k+ w || Humor, Banter, Gambling) "The nerve," huffs Gale. "Imagine setting a jackpot and then punishing anyone who won it fair and square!" Astarion's eyes flicker from the stalking lizard to Gale, and then back again. It's entirely too innocent of a look.

Hoarding Tendencies by Asidian (G, 4k+ w || Hoarding, Trust Issues Past Deprivation, Past Abuse, Misunderstandings, Starvation, Gift Giving) "My word," says Gale, caught between taken aback and genuinely impressed. "Where does this all fit in your pack?"

Letters From Gale by Modmother (G, 5k+ w WIP || Epistolary) A series of letters from Gale Dekarios to Astarion spanning the year after the defeat of the absolute.

Out of Breath, Out of Time by SadinaSaphrite (T, 1k+ w || Asphyxiation, Strangulation, Hurt/Comfort) Gale is caught in a meazel's garrote and needs some rescuing.

Might Just Make It by lavvyan (T, 2k+ w || Alternate Universe, Canon Divergence, POV Outsider) The group (sans Tav) meet Astarion by the beach. They don't meet Gale. If you ask Astarion, that just means they have to look harder.

in your arms I lie till dawn by shroomonabroom (T, 3k+ w || Hurt/ Comfort, Fluff, Sleep Deprivation) Gale hasn’t slept in several days; Astarion makes things better via food and almost cuddles.

A Practical Guide To Camping by Lunarwench (T 4k+ w || Pre-Relationship, Friendship) How the hell do these idiots have so much stuff when they were all abducted by a flying squid; A Character Study

Come To Mind by ZiGraves (T, 7k+ w || Memory Loss) Something has happened to Gale. Who was Gale, anyway? Well, Gale was himself, obviously, but what did that entail?

In the Dark by LeaXIII (T, 7k+ w || Whump, Light Angst, Tight Spaces, Blood and Injury, Impalement, Blood Drinking, Sexual Tension) Gale and Astarion are caught in a cave-in and no one has a good time. Takes place somewhere in Act 1.

Weakness Coming On by bloodweaving (shipwreckblue) (M, 5k+ w || Enemies to Lovers, Humor, Autistic Gale, Banter, Getting Together) Astarion’s expression settled into an alarming rictus of forced nonchalance. “Oh, please, darling, did you think I was serious?"

The things lost along the way (The things gained at the end) by ThatKorka (M, 14k+ w || Body Horror, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Hopeful Ending, UST) I can smell what’s under those bandages, Wizard, You’re all rot and ruin!

Deliverance by porcelain (E, 2k+ w WIP || Incubus Astarion, Angst/Hurt, Religious Guilt, Minor Character Death, Alternate Universe, Trauma/PTSD, Priest Gale) Third row, on the right, between a now awake grandfather and a nodding teary-eyed mother and bored children and still untouched scriptures. The red of the man’s irises narrow, and he flashes a smile at him, wicked in a flash of dagger-like teeth. He doesn’t look away, even when Gale does.

Rest, Indulge by ZiGraves (E, 6k+ w || Consensual Somnophilia, Blood Drinking) The slow, drowsy way that Gale’s eyelids flutter before they open fully is its own particular pleasure, and he leans into Astarion’s hand while still half-dozing enough to luxuriate without thinking. Consciousness comes back in a slow rolling wave, free of the stresses of their old camp life that might necessitate instant wakefulness. Astarion watches each moment as it builds, crests, breaks, until his wizard is awake and meeting his eyes with warm curiosity.

Friday Nights by SadinaSaphrite (E, 23k+ w || Alternate Universe, College/University, Modern with Magic, Getting Together, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Blood and Injury, Violence, Fluff, Medium Burn) Professor Gale Dakarios loses his research, his magic, and his lover Mystra all at once and only has himself to blame. When he goes to drown his sorrows, he meets a pale stranger with mysteries of his own.

The stars began to burn by peregrinefeathers (E, 33k+ w WIP || Alternate Universe, Canon Divergence, Slow Burn, Past Sexual Abuse, Psychic Bond, Emotional Manipulation, Blood Drinking) After two centuries of torment, Astarion has given up hope of escaping Cazador's clutches, until a chance encounter with a stolen book introduces him to the disembodied voice of a wizard named Gale of Waterdeep. With the fate of Baldur's Gate in the balance, they must confront their demons and win their freedom - together.

||

Let me know if you'd like a specific rec or want to share some recs of your own!

[flamingskull28]

3 paced back in forth in front of her usual seat in Alterna, the extra chilly air nor the aches caused by lack of sleep did little to deter this.

"4... she..she hasn't called or texted in weeks.. She's never missed a call not even at night." The squid sisters listed to the rambling of their captain, she was rarely so chatty or scared so they weren't going to brush this aside.

"Come on, remember she went with Off the Hook and 8 right? She's fine Cap.." Callie couldn't help but grimace seeing 3's worry for their girlfriend.

"Yeah weeks ago! We haven't heard from them either! Plus don't you remember you and have of Splatsville being unresponsive for a few days?!" 3 kicked the box they usually sat on then cluched their foot from the pain. She looked at Callie and Marie's blank states and sighed "Sorry... I'm just worried... I miss 4." Her voice whined almost patheticly as she spoke.

"We understand, don't worry okay? How about this, we go out looking for-" Marie was cut off by the high pitch yell of a nearby kettle, the one to enter Alterna specifically.

3 shot up to look over, the longing feeling in hee chest being pushed away by joy as she saw 4 standing there. The girl took a second to get her barring then spied 3 and dashed forth without hesitating. "3!"

3 was almost knocked over by the hug, which she returned tightly. "4... I missed you..." 3 spoke muffled into 4's shoulder.

"I.. missed you too 3." 4 pulled away from the hug and 3 let out a gasp seeing their face up close.

Marks of an electric burn were etched into her face. Her eyes seemed to be the leading point for this.

"What happened to you!?" 3 grabbed 4's head. Behind them Callie and Maire gasped as well.

4 was silent and fixed her gaze to the floor. 3 bit her lip, this seemed all to familiar...

"I.. think I can explain." Marina had appeared to, but hadn't been noticed. 3 glared up at Marina, stareing daggers into their soul at the idea she was responsible. Marina cleared her throat nervously.

"Well.. as you know I wanted 4's help with my Memverse project, it was meant to help the sanitized gain their memory's back.. but a Rouge AI was born from the wish for an unchanging world of the engineers that helped me... the AI know as order trapped me, Pearl 8 and 4 in the simulation. Since 4 was meant to be security for the spiral, order controled 4 used them as a sort of boss to keep 8 from stopping them... 8 manged to beat them a few times. I think that might've caused her real life headset to overload slightly and... burn 4 slightly."

4 stayed quiet as Marina explained, pulling herself closer to 3 who held them tighter in response.

"4 is..is. this true?"

She nodded. 3 felt a flurry of emotions hit her, rage, grief and slight relief that 4 was okay. Part of her wanted to stomp Marinas head in but.. she knew it wasn't their fault. It had always been one of 3's nightmares that 4 would be controlled as she was, being by an AI made it worse. She'd make sure that thing paid but for now...

"4 I was you to listen to me, I'm here for you. You are your own person and no one is going to take that from you okay? I promise." 3 spoke the words she wished were told to her. She also gave her signature glare at the others signaling them to leave which they did quickly.

"I..." 4 paused, the liquid from her tears soaking into 3's sleeve "I love you... please... stay with me for a while..." 3 squeezed her tighter.

"I love you too, and I won't be going anywhere... just like you did for me..." the two sat their unmoving. That was okay with 3, she wouldn't let 4 go through this hell alone.

[halsinsbiceps]

So apparently I don't have an account on AO3, which I thought I did.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in my F!Tav/Halsin slow-burner, please give this a read. Once I have an account up and running, I'll post to AO3.

Please be kind, as this is my first fanfiction since I was like 14 and my first piece of writing I've ever introduced to the Internet.

Fic below the cut.

A Great and Sudden Change

A Baldur's Gate 3 Fanfiction

Chapter 1

Enelya woke face-down in the sand.

Granules clung to her hands and cheek in wet clumps; water soaked her leather druid armor and chilled her skin. A dull ache throbbed behind her left eye. Thick, fishy air gusted her hair into her face, along with the acrid scent of smoke and charred flesh.

The moment she cracked her eyes open to the light, the throbbing exploded into a blinding headache. If she had not already been on the ground she would have been leveled by the pain.

So instead she lay with her cheek pressed into the muck, and willed herself to remember what had happened.

She had just left Baldur's Gate, well-rested and with a restocked pack, headed east along the River Chionthar on her way to the Emerald Grove to meet with the druids there. The birds had been singing happily and the sun was hot on her face when everything fell silent, and a shadow overtook her.

Then she was trapped in a box…or some sort of pod? Flashes of tentacles and flesh, wet and pliant, flooded her mind. A small worm, teeth bared as it neared her face, panic rising in her chest. Pain seared through her face before everything fell into darkness.

Next she saw a humanoid creature with yellow skin in shining armor, then a woman with black hair and large green eyes. In the next flash she saw demons, imps...and a mind flayer, its squid-like face vivid in her mind's eye, and its voice pushing into her mind as it commanded her to the helm of the Illithid ship. Finally, she remembered the ground rushing up to meet her as she plummeted from the sky.

Enelya promptly retched into the sand.

When her stomach finally stopped heaving, she pushed herself onto her knees and wiped gritty vomit from her chin and cheek. Keeping her eyes closed, she blindly reached into the satchel hanging at her side, feeling her way through the bag until her fingers wrapped around the cool neck of a glass bottle.

The healing potion worked quickly to wash away the bitter bile coating her tongue. The throbbing behind her eye all but disappeared, while her nausea and aches lifted almost immediately. She stoppered the bottle with a relieved sigh, then tentatively opened her eyes.

The first thing she noticed, aside from the quickly setting sun, was the smoking wreckage of the nautiloid. Black smoke plumed in ominous pillars into the orange and pink sky. Tentacles the size of trees lay limp all around her. Following their line of destruction through crushed rocks and snapped trees, she saw the collapsed body of the ship through the smoke.

Gods, it was huge.

Enelya stood shakily. The warmth of the sun was fading as it sunk behind the hills and cliffs that surrounded her. She needed to find shelter, and quickly.

She came upon the first body as she rounded a rocky outcropping. She felt bile rise in her throat as she took in the mangled flesh of the fisherman. One of the brain creatures from the ship lay still in a pool of blood next to it. As Enelya continued down the beach, more and more bodies cropped up, each flanked by still more brain creatures.

After the seventh body her stomach heaved again. She caught herself on a rock as she gagged, her palms snagging the rough surface.

"Are you alright?"

Enelya instinctively pulled her dagger from her belt and spun as her training overtook her sickness for the moment. Green eyes met hers. The woman from the ship stood before her, her hands raised in a sign of peace. "I'm sorry," she said. Her voice was soft, almost child-like. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Enelya shook her head. The fear waned into relief, though her heart still banged against her ribs. She sheathed her dagger. "It's alright," she replied with a sigh. "I'm rather jumpy, it seems."

The woman nodded. "As am I. Makes sense, I suppose." She hesitated, then asked, "Do you know where we are?"

"I don't."

The two regarded each other warily for a moment. The woman was well-armored, although Enelya did not recognize the markings adorning her breastplate. Her dark hair hung over one shoulder in a banded braid, exposing ears that were not quite as pointed as Enelya's own.

"I'm Shadowheart," the woman said suddenly. "And I wanted to thank you, for rescuing me up there. You had precious time to waste, but still stopped to help me. It says quite a lot about your character, especially with that gith pushing you along."

A shiver ran across Enelya's mind as her emotions were assaulted. Disgust and suspicion flowed through her, but not at the woman before her. The githyanki's face flashed before her eyes, a sneer twisting her scarred face. As quickly as the emotions came, they went, leaving Enelya feeling almost empty.

Shadowheart pressed a hand to her temple. "Damn," she said. "I forgot about that. Haven't seen anyone else around here. Have you?"

Enelya shook her head again, still reeling herself from the sudden onslaught of emotions that were not her own. "It's only you, me, and these poor souls, I fear."

Shadowheart eyed the darkening sky. "Well, either way, we should find shelter. Tomorrow we can look for a healer."

"'We'?"

Shadowheart gave her a small smile. "Our odds are better together, don't you think? Besides, I think I can trust you. Why save me just to slit my throat?"

Enelya relaxed slightly and returned the smile. "I appreciate that."

"Come on then. I saw a fortress or something this way. It's not much, but it'll keep the wind at bay."

Shadowheart led her down the beach, away from the bodies. The silence that fell over them wasn't quite comfortable, but they quickly fell into sync and began collecting bits of driftwood at Enelya's suggestion. Once they reached the ruins, they had enough between them to keep a small fire going through the night.

Once the fire was lit and roaring quietly between them, Enelya pressed her back against the cold stone wall of the ruins. A heavy door was set into the wall, but it was locked up right. Shadowheart lamented the loss of real shelter as she jiggled the knob.

"Just not in the cards for us," she sighed. She sank down on the other side of the door from Enelya, keeping a fair distance between them. They watched the fire in silence.

"Enelya."

Shadowheart turned her head. "Sorry?"

"I'm Enelya." She waved her hand. "I forgot to tell you earlier, when you introduced yourself."

"Ah." Shadowheart's gaze returned to the flames. Embers flew into the air with a crackle, and she followed them with her eyes. "I suppose I can forgive your lack of manners this time."

Enelya laughed quietly, a sound that surprised her. "Careful, you don't know me yet."

"True." Shadowheart shot her an amused look. "But I have a feeling we'll get along just fine."

Enelya sighed and rested her head against the wall. After another moment she looked over at Shadowheart. "Where are you from?"

She sensed the other woman's uneasiness in her hesitation. "Baldur's Gate," she said after a pause. "I was headed there when that thing took me."

Enelya waited for her to continue. When she didn't, Enelya said, "I'd just left Baldur's Gate myself. It was my first visit. Quite a town, isn't it?"

Shadowheart snickered and closed her eyes. "You could say that. Where were you going?"

"East, towards Elturel." Enelya shifted into a more comfortable position.

"You're a druid?"

"That's right. From the High Forest."

Shadowheart sighed. "I've heard stories about the druids. It always sounds so peaceful, living out amongst nature. Romantic, even."

Enelya didn't reply, and they sat in comfortable silence again for a time. Shadowheart's head lolled to the side, and she jerked awake with a mumbled apology.

"Get some rest," Enelya told her the third time she startled. "I'll take first watch."

While Shadowheart quietly dozed against the wall of the ruin, Enelya tried to quiet the worrying thoughts flitting through her mind. In the morning, they would find out where they were, and with any luck, a healer.

And this would all be over.

[densi-mber]

The Squid and Dagger Special

A/N: It’s been too long since I’ve featured Callen and Deeks’ shenanigans at the bar.

***

“Alright, here’s the last one,” Deeks announced, hefting a small keg off the floor while Callen dispensed small glasses of an umber colored beer, and passed them across the bar.

Seated along the bar, Kensi, Sam, Eric, and Nell accepted the glasses with varying levels of caution. Sam looked downright apprehensive.

“Are you sure a beer flight, of your own microbrew, is a good idea?” Kensi asked carefully, turning on of the five choices in front of her. That particular variety had an unnaturally bright amber color.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Callen asked.

“Yeah, you’ll be the first to taste the fruits of our collective labor and brilliant imaginations,” Deeks added. They’d spent the last several months crafting 6 different beers, with the intent to debut them on tap the following week.

“Because you’re crazy,” Sam responded to Callen’s question. He gestured towards Deeks, and then Callen. “And your tastebuds should be condemned.”

“That’s kind of harsh.” Callen looked anything but offended. In fact, he seemed pretty delighted.

“Eric, Nell, back me up.” Sam turned his attention to the younger pair.

“Hey, I am always open to new experiences,” Nell said with a shrug. She’d changed into a bright purple dress paired with shocking green jewelry after work. If she added a pair of white boots, she wouldn’t have looked out of place in a 1960s beach movie. “It sounds like fun.”

“Yeah, it sounds like fun,” Eric agreed with a little less enthusiasm. “These two don’t look that bad,” he added, sniffing a pale yellow and then coffee colored beer. “They smell decent too.”

“I am proud of how hard you worked on this,” Kensi said, eyeing Deeks fondly. She’d often teased him about his hobby, but overall supported the endeavor. Kensi had also acted as one his first taste testers, vetoing some of their initial attempts.

“Traitors,” Sam muttered under his breath.

“Ok guys, this is the moment of truth,” Deeks said, exhaling heavily. “You ready, partner?”

“Yep. I say we start with the ale on the right. It’s a combination of peach and nectarine.”

They all grabbed the pale yellow beer, and Deeks raised his glass in the air.

“To the Squid and Dagger’s inaugural beer tasting.”

“Hear, hear!” Nell joined in loudly before taking a sip. Deeks surveyed hers and everyone else’s reactions. Truthfully, he was just the tiniest bit nervous.

“Hm, that’s not bad,” Eric commented with some surprise.

“Uh, not bad, this is fantastic!” Nell corrected, draining her glass.

“I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s ok,” Sam agreed begrudgingly.

“It’s really good,” Kensi offered, leaning over to kiss Deeks’ cheek. “Congratulations, guys.”

Beside him, Callen took another small sip, frowning as he mulled over the flavor.

“Yeah, I’m not really a fan,” he decided.

“Of course no. You want more of the skunky beer.” Sam made a disgusted sound. “What’s next?”

Deeks and Callen shared a smile, and Callen held up the darkest of the beers.

“We call this one the Squid and Dagger Special,” he informed them happily. “I came up with this one myself. It’s squid with hints of seaweed and salmon.”

“Oh hell no,” Sam swore loudly.

“Oh, yeah, that doesn’t sound fun anymore,” Nell said. Kensi and Eric were making sounds of dismay.

“Hey, you did promise you’d try them all,” Deeks reminded them, almost gleefully.

“We did.” Kensi grimaced, holding the glass up to her eye.

“Then drink up,” Callen encouraged, downing his in one gulp.

***

A/N: This is a continuation of one of my more ridiculous premises that Callen and Deeks start making beer together. Callen has a penchant for particularly vile combinations, which Deeks usually goes along with.

[blessyourhondahurley]

Suptober day 15 - Take Good Care of Yourself

A near-miss on a hunt pushes Dean's patience to its limit.

Suptober prompt: Abstract Flufftober prompt: Emergency, Confession, Adventure Fictober prompt: "Fine, explain it to me." Inktober prompt: Dagger

(Read on AO3)

“Because it's not a fucking abstract concept, Castiel!!” Dean was red-faced, shouting, his emotions a welter of anger and frustration and fear. He was holding his friend by the lapels of his trench coat in a white-knuckled grip, rattling him back and forth like a rag doll. “It shouldn't be that hard for you to understand what my problem is here!!!”

Cas allowed Dean's grip to move him, his mouth set into a grim line. He could have been carved from stone for all the reaction he was showing to the hunter's outburst. “Fine, explain it to me,” he growled.

It had started as an adventure but it had turned into an emergency.

The dagger, dipped in squid ink, should have felled the monster with a touch. But Dean had stabbed it three, four, half a dozen times without slowing it down. He'd dropped the useless weapon then and turned to run. He'd assumed Cas was following, that they would fall back together and regroup, make a new plan. But no sooner had he reached a safe hiding place than he'd realized he was alone in it. He'd peeked his head around the corner and felt his heart stop in his chest at the sight of Cas, human Cas, mortal Cas, breakable Cas, grappling hand-to-hand with the monster like he was still a bulletproof angel.

Adrenaline had flooded him then, his heart jackhammering behind his ribs. He'd circled around the struggling pair, grabbed the monster from behind, and twisted its head clear off its shoulders in a burst of terrified strength. No sooner had the monster's twitching body hit the floor than he was stepping over it and grabbing Cas, screaming in his face, trying to shake him into understanding.

“You can't pull that hero shit any more, man! You can die now!!!”

“And if I do?” Cas asked with a shrug. “My life is mine to use as I wish.”

“Wrong, asshole!” Dean roared. “Your life is mine. And mine is yours. Haven't you figured that out yet??”

As love confessions go, it was more Bukowski than Shakespeare. If the sudden perfect feeling of Cas's mouth on his, hungry, desperate, was any indication, Dean had gotten his point across at last.