#and of COURSE I'm also curious about all the companion origin runs

[grassbreads]

Bg3 really has such a hold on me. I'm still only in act 1 of my first playthrough after 10s of hours because there's so much exploring you can do, and I'm already thinking about other characters I want to play

[foxtatodreams]

I'm dreadfully late with this Ask List, sorry @worfs-glorious-hair and thank you for tagging me! 💕 I also have a sort of Multiverse for Shoko, although it's not so well intertwined as your Tav-verse (I simply wanted to try new choices but couldn't stand to use another OC to romance Gale XD)

And so, here my first OC - Shoko, Shoko (resist) Durge and Evil Shoko - my current run or "only bad choices run".  🌸💕

I dont' tag anyone, but feel free to do this Ask List and tag me in your post! I'll enjoy reading about your Tav. 💕

Origin & Class

1. What is their backstory and why did you choose it?

Shoko was my first DnD OC, so I was eager to see her in the BG3 universe. Our DnD campaign is not set in the Forgotten Realms, so there may be some things not canon for her backstory. Anyway, she grew up in a Druid Grove after losing her parents due to an evil Cult that threatened all the land. Years later, Shoko was part of the group of adventurers that defeated that Cult. She was travelling back home with her best friend (a long journey with a lot of stops, though), when she was abducted by the Nautiloid.

I chose "Sage" for her background, because, since she was a child, Shoko learned from her parents to be curious and to love books and research. As an adult, she found in books and reading a way to feel close to them.

Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko have no different backstory from the canon Durge (except maybe some sort of time loop connection).

2. What is their class (+ subclass) and why did you choose it?

Shoko is a Druid of the Circle of the Moon, the very same of my DnD OC.

Shoko Durge is a Druid of the Circle of the Blighted - I wanted to be as similar as possible from the original Shoko, but with a touch more corrupted.

I wanted something different from Evil Shoko, so I had chosen the canon Sorcerer, but I ended up choosing a Sorcerer-Druid homebrew class. XD

3. Do they multiclass? Why (not)?

Only Evil Shoko multiclass as Warlock, when she accepted her slayer nature.

4. Is there a reason why your Tav starts out as Level 1?

Shoko was at the height of her power when she was abducted by the Nautiloid, I assume it is tadpole’s fault. 

5. Does your Tav have family members? Are they close?

The Druids of her Grove were Shoko's only family, before her adventures.

6. Does your Tav have any friends from their past? Are they still friends?

Yes, Shoko has created a strong bond with the companions of her first party. Especially, after completing their first adventure, she was traveling with her bbf Ophelia, a Drow Ranger (@starvingforabutterfly, the tag is a must).

7. Does your Tav have connections to other characters (l.e.: NPCs)?

Only Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko, for main plot reasons. XD

8. Where did your character live before the events of the game?

Shoko is originally from the Eternal Sakura Grove, located in a foreign country. Right before the event of the game she was travelling all over the world.

Before all the Absolute conspiracy, Shoko Durge has spent a lot of time with the Shadow Druids.

9. Does your Tav have a different class/race/origin than in the game? (I.e.: Your Tav is Aasimar, fisherman backstory ...)

Yes, I mean, actually I used two mods for the classes of Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko.

10. What was your Tav like as a child?

Shoko was an extremely curious child, in all that concerned nature and people. She was also very kind and with an inclination to defend others. She was a diligent novice, even if she was sometimes bored in class and she liked to run away alone in the middle of the woods.

Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko were lonely children. They quickly learned to survive on their own and to fight to get what they wanted.

Prologue

11. What goes through your Tav's head when they wake up on the Nautiloid? Are they scared or do they push those feelings aside to focus on escaping?

None of the three was scared. They were confused, of course, but they pushed aside that feeling to survive. Shoko to escape and focus on helping others to do the same. Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko with the intention of surviving and taking revenge.

12. How does your Tav feel about Us? Did they free them, maim them or leave them behind?

Shoko loves all the living creatures and she was immediately super curious about Us, she freed them and she was a bit sad when she didn't find them on the beach (she really would have wanted to take Us with her).

Shoko Durge was quite similar to the first Shoko, because she likes all the weird or creepy creatures. (Spoiler, unfortunately, Us died in one of the later fights).

Evil Shoko, instead, found out of her dark urge for the first time right when her mind told her to maim Us. (I still feel sorry for them)

13. What was your Tav's first reaction to Lae'Zel?

Shoko was glad to find another survivor and she has accepted his help with much gratitude.

For Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko, Lae'zel at first was only a helpful means to escape from the Nautiloid.

14. What was your Tav's first reaction to Shadowheart?

The same as Lae'zel. XD Evil Shoko at first didn't want to help her, but then she thought that Shadowheart would have been helpful in case there were problems with the Gith.

15. Does your Tav use their Arcana knowledge (Sorcerer) to free Shadowheart or do they use the rune found in the next room?

Shoko and Shoko Durge used the rune. Instead, as a Sorcerer, Evil Shoko used her Arcana knowledge.

16. Does your Tav help the mindflayer against Commander Zhalk or do they run straight to the helm?

Shoko ran straight to the helm, eager to save her new companions.

Shoko Durge tried to fight the Cambion, but she soon got tired and she ran to the helm.

Evil Shoko fought Zhalk only because she wanted that amazing flaming sword he wielded (She didn’t even need it, but she likes to "collect" things).

17. Does your Tav's starting armor reflect them? If not, what would they wear instead?

Shoko started with the simple druid armor she was travelling with. Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko tried to wear something more suited to their tastes as soon as possible.

18. If you could, would your Tav see any of the other companions? If so, how would they react?

Probably, Shoko would have "wasted" time trying to save everyone.

Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko wouldn’t have cared for others, if that meant slowing down the escape.

19. What's your Tav's personality like at the start of the game? Does it change as the game goes on?

Shoko changes a lot during the game. She was a very kind and good girl, sometimes even naive, who cared more about others than herself. Going on, she learns to take care of herself and not to always bear everything alone.

Shoko Durge learns to resist her dark urge and to live as an independent person, free from her father’s legacy.

20. Finally, what does your Tav feel as the Nautiloid crashes? Are they scared? Are they thinking of a way to survive?

Shoko feels the same as when she woke up in the Nautiloid, but she was relieved to have escaped from the Nautiloid. She was now eager to help everyone get rid of the tadpoles. 

Act 1

21. Which companion do you get first? If you get Shadowheart first no matter what, who's the second one?

Shoko gets Shadowheart, Astarion, Lae’zel and Gale. She risked not to save the (future) love of her life due to a traumatic event occurred in her previous adventure: her party nearly lost their leader because he irresponsibly touched a enchanted stone that suddenly teleported him in a dragon’s lair - from that moment on they were all afraid to randomly touch magical things (and what can be more suspicious than a whirling magical portal? XD).

Evil Shoko, instead, was very much intrigued by the magic flow of that portal and, at first, she didn’t care at all of cries for help from a certain pale elf. She wouldn’t want to help also Shadowheart, but she woke her up trying to steal the Artifact.

22. What is your Tav's first impression of the other companions (Astarion, Gale, Karlach, Wyll ...)

Astarion

Shoko: she is very suspicious of him at first, but she wants to help him anyway. Shoko Durge: she thinks he is all a facade, but he would be the right one to support her in a possible wicked plan. Evil Shoko: she thinks he is just a nuisance, but she finds his theatrical manners funny.

Gale

Shoko: she finds him too presumptuous at first, but she soon discovers that he is a kind soul and that they have so much in common (first of all the love for books). Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko: they just think he is hot (if only he spoke less). XD 

Wyll

Shoko: she didn’t know about the Blade of Frontiers, but she is more than happy to meet a sort of folk hero. And she is glad that Wyll was helping to defend the Grove.   Shoko Durge: she has no opinion about him, but any help can be valid to get rid of the tadpole. Evil Shoko: she accepts his help, but she knows that he is too good to stay with her for a long time.  

Karlach

Shoko: she immediately understands that she cannot be a devil. And that she would probably be the sweetest person in the whole group. Shoko Durge: she meets Karlach before recruiting Wyll and Shoko Durge doesn’t care if she’s a devil or not since she seems very strong.  Evil Shoko: (I don’t want to admit what happened - shame on me) 

23. What's their opinion of Emerald Grove? Do they help the tieflings or side with the druids?

Shoko was more than happy to meet another Grove, but she was disappointed to see how they treated the tiefling. 

24. How does your Tav feel about Mol and her friends?

Shoko: she helps the kids without reservation. She thinks they are a lovely group of little troublemakers, but they will grow up well. Shoko Durge: she didn’t want to help any of them at first, but then Gale said something about that and Shoko Durge had to do it (rolling her eyes, though). She even returned the lucky ring to Mattis. Evil Shoko: she doesn’t care at all about them, but she helps Arabella because the young tiefling reminds her of what she was like as a child.

25. What does your Tav think of Aradin?

In my first run he died in front of the Grove’s gate. XD

Shoko Durge and Shoko Evil couldn't care less about him, they think he’s a weakling.

26. What does your Tav think of the Raphael?

Shoko: she immediately bewares him. She is not afraid of him, not exactly, because she met a lot of devil-like creatures in her last adventure, but she definitely understands how vicious he is and she is not okay with trusting him. Shoko Durge: she doesn’t like him, especially because she despises powerful people who tell her what to do. Evil Shoko: she understands that he might be a threat, but if he could be the easy way to save her life, why decline? 

27. Does your Tav adopt Scratch and the Owlbear cub? Did you name him?

Shoko and Shoko Durge adopt both of them. Shoko Durge is very happy to have more company in the camp, besides people with whom she must talk. Evil Shoko adopts only Scratch, having not destroyed the goblin camp, the Owlbear cub never reached her.  

28. What does your Tav think of Auntie Ethel? What do they tell Mayrina?

Shoko: she tends to trust people, so she is a little disappointed that the old woman from the Grove is a hag. But as a druid she has to fight her, plus she wants to free Mayrina. In the end Shoko lets Mayrina leave with her husband, because she feels sorry for her.  Shoko Durge: at first she tries to trust the hag to get rid of the tadpole, but at the end she fights the hag and forces her to give them the boost and let Mayrina go. Shoko Durge destroyed the wand. 

29. What does your Tav do about the Goblin camp? Do they free Halsin or side with Minthara? What's their opinion of them?

Shoko, of course, frees Halsin and fights the goblin. Shoko Durge does the same, but she is intrigued by Minthara. Evil Shoko sides with Minthara and leads her to the Grove.   

30. Who does your Tav think of when they go to sleep at the goblin/tiefling party? Or are they lucky and do they get to spend the night with the person they want?

Shoko, having already had the magic lesson with the wizard, speaks with Gale at the party and she really really would have liked to spend more time with him (possibly the entire night), but Gale is very stubborn at times. Shoko Durge has the magic lesson, even though she definitely wanted something more. Evil Shoko, at the goblin party, spends the night with Minthara (she had the magic lesson earlier), but she surely thinks about Gale and how infuriating he is for having blamed her for everything. 

31. What does your Tav think of the Underdark and the Myconids?

None of the three have ever been before, they are fascinated by it, with all that colorful (and sometimes dangerous) fungi. 

32. Does your Tav help Glut or do they fight him?

Shoko and Shoko Durge fight Glut. Evil Shoko helps him.

33. Do you bring the potion ingredients to Omeluum and, if so, did you drink it? Did you barter for his ring?

Shoko and Shoko Durge drink the potion. Only Shoko barter for his ring. 

34. Does your Tav react to the Sussur flower or how would they react if it affected them?

Only Evil Shoko, as a Sorcerer, reacts to the Sussur flower. She hates the feeling of being deprived of her power, of being weak and defenseless.  

35. Do they deliver Nere's head to the Myconids and save the slaves?

Shoko and Shoko Durge deliver Nere’s head to the Myconids, but Shoko Durge doesn’t save the slaves.  

36. Did your Tav fight the Forge Protector? How did the fight go for them?

All three fought it. Evil Shoko destroyed it with the hammer. 

37. Did your Tav go to Creche Y'llek? Did they know something was up with the healer?

Shoko went to the Creche after the Shadowlands. She tried the device herself (always due to his innate trust and the desire to protect her companions), but in the end she failed to persuade the healer who became hostile. 

Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko let Lae’zel try the device (in no case they would get on that thing) and they succeed in persuading the healer to trust them. 

38. Did your Tav deface the portrait of Vlaakith?

Shoko Durge defaced the portrait, instead Evil Shoko tried without success. 

39. Did your Tav get the Blood of Lathandar?

Yes, all three. 

40. Did your Tav agree to kill the Guardian or did they go talk to them instead?

All three went to talk to them. 

Act 2

41. Which way did they take into the shadow cursed lands?

Shoko went through the elevator in the Grymforge. Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko via the mountains. 

41A (?). Did they run into Elminster? What was their opinion of his news for Gale?

Shoko was very glad to meet Gale’s mentor, even if he ate all their cheese. But when the old wizard delivered the news, she was so upset that, probably for the first time in her life, she would have wanted to decide for herself what another person should have done with their life. She didn’t expect Gale to contradict her. That was the only time Shoko and Gale argued about something.

Shoko Durge thought that she would never let Gale sacrifice himself, whatever the cost. Having someone to care about is a new and nice feeling for her, and she would never let anyone take that away from her. 

Evil Shoko found Elminster unbearable (why does he have to talk in that stilted way?) and, of course, she didn’t like the news for Gale. The wizard is hers (not yet, not exactly, but never mind) and nobody can touch him. And she doesn’t intend to look after him “motherly” ‘, stupid old wizard. 

42. How does your Tav react to the shadow curse? Are they scared of the dark?

Shoko was immediately oppressed by the curse. She wasn’t scared of it, but she felt that her druid powers were drained buy the shadow curse. The first days into the Shadowlands, she had trouble sleeping, dreaming every night of the Spirit of her Grove swallowed up by the darkness (as in the past). 

Shoko Durge was in her element, because her powers come from the Shadow Magic. However, she would not have been so reckless to go in the dark alone.  It was not the curse that made her uneasy, but Gale’s reaction to the Shadow Magic: how could he love her, if he despises such an important part of her being? 

43. What does your Tav think of Jaheira and the Harpers?

Shoko was so happy to meet another Druid in that cursed land. And when she found out Jaheira was a kind of legend, she was on hype. 

44. What does your Tav think of Isobel?

Shoko was grateful to meet her. She thinks Isobel is a very sweet person.

45. Does your Tav help Mol win against Raphael?

Shoko and Shoko Durge help her, after listened to Gale’s advice. 

46. Does your Tav help Astarion make a deal with Raphael?

Shoko helps Astarion. She wasn’t on very good terms with him and she wanted to do something to make up. Shoko Durge agreed to help him, but then she thought it would be fun to try to solve the dilemma of the orthon. Obviously, Raphael gets angry.. and so Astarion. Evil Shoko helps Astarion. 

47. Does your Tav help Markus or do they warn Isobel?

Only Evil Shoko helps Markus. 

48. Does your Tav steal the moonlantern from Kar'Niss or do they fight him?

Shoko and Shoko Durge fight him and then take the lantern. Evil Shoko let Kar’Niss guide them to the Moonrise Towers. 

49. How does your Tav react to Ketheric Thorm? What about his family (Gerringothe Thorm, Malus Thorm ...)?

Shoko struggled so hard to pretend to be a True Soul and not to attack him as soon as she saw him. She hated to feel so powerless in front of him. She would gladly have done without meeting the Thorm family: they were all creepy. 

50. Does your Tav save the tieflings & gnomes?

Unfortunately Shoko wasn’t able to save all of them.

51. What does your Tav think of the Gauntlet of Shar?

Shoko had been to many different places before, but no one was so impressive and overwhelming like the Gauntlet. 

52. What does your Tav think of Dame Aylin?

Shoko: she never met a fiercer and stronger woman before. Shoko was really touched by Dame Aylin’s fondness when she was reunited with Isobel. Yet, Shoko felt a twinge of envy of their endless love, although Gale had already expressed his love for her.

Shoko Durge: she was almost intent on letting Shadowheart kill Dame Aylin, but then she felt the incredible power that comes from her. Shoko Durge was glad to have such a powerful ally by her side. 

Evil Shoko: she had no opinion of her. The Night Song was just a tool to weaken Katheric and to let Shadowheart follow her desire to be a Dark Justiciar.

53. Did your Tav help Art Cullagh?

Shoko Durge help him. 

54. What did your Tav tell Arabella about her parents?

Only the truth. Shoko because it would be the only way for Arabella to get over the loss. Shoko Durge didn’t think too much about that, but at the end she became attached to the child. 

55. Did your Tav reunite with Us?

Only Shoko reunites with Us. 

56. What did your Tav think of the Mindflayer colony?

That is a dangerous and unpleasant place. Shoko hoped to have saved as many people as possible, but she couldn’t wait to get out. Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko were intrigued by the colony, but they also felt uncomfortable. 

57. Did your Tav free Zevlor? Did they free Mizora?

Shoko and Shoko Durge freed both of them. Evil Shoko neither, since Wyll left before the goblin party, she has no further interaction with Mizora.  

58. Did your Tav complete the Brain Node puzzle?

Only Shoko was curious enough to complete it. She likes to solve any kind of puzzle, after all. 

59. Did you use the Minds you find on the head near the brain node puzzle?

Shoko used the Minds. She was shocked at first, but then she felt a sense of duty to listen to the various minds she found around. 

60. Did you clear Moonrise Towers of the shadow curse?

Shoko unfortunately couldn’t do it and Halsin stayed here. She felt an immense regret for this, and she promised herself to return after defeating the Absolute to help the druid to break the curse. 

Act 3

61. How does your Tav feel about Baldur's Gate? Is it their home? Is it their first time in the city?

Shoko had never been to Baldur’s Gate before. She likes the colors and the vibrancy of the city. Even though she prefers the countryside and the wild, having travelled a lot in all kinds of places, she is not uncomfortable in the cities. 

Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko start to remember something about their home, but they don't like the amount of people around them very much. 

62. What's their first impression when they enter Rivington?

Shoko is happy to see a more lively atmosphere after the Shadowlands. But she feels sorry for the refugees and she doesn’t understand why so many people don’t want to help them. 

63. If Shadowheart got a new haircut, how does your Tav react?

Shoko loves her new haircut, she thinks it really suits Shadowheart. 

64. What does your Tav do with the trapped kids' toys?

Shoko solves the case. She is very annoyed with the people who did that.  

65. Does your Tav go to the circus? Do they like the activities?

Yes, all three. Shoko liked the activities so much, until she found the caged animal near the stage: she wanted to free them, but the Displacer didn’t seem very friendly. She was also very happy to meet the dryad, and she enjoyed the moment shared with Gale… until the last words of the dryad: Shoko’s discomfort was appeased only because the dryad suddenly changed in Orin. Shoko Durge didn’t think a circus would be funny, but in the end she enjoyed it. She even discovered the trick of the Djinn and she did an amazing useless dimensional trip. She also enjoyed the romantic moment with Gale, surprised that she got to know another person so well. 

66. Does your Tav help with the murder investigations?

Yes. Shoko Durge with the only purpose to find Bhaal Temple, though. 

67. Does your Tav meet Tara? What's their opinion?

Yes, Shoko met Tara and she was very delighted by the encounter (although she couldn’t believe that the culprit of the disappearance of the pigeons was the tressym Gale always talked about). Shoko has wanted to make friends immediately (and pet Tara, whenever possible), but she understands that it was not the right time. Evil Shoko met Tara without Gale. It was an interesting encounter (who would ever think the tressym prefers beholder’s meat?).

68. What does your Tav do with the Mindflayer in the windmill?

All three kill it.  

69. Does your Tav run into Orin? If so, what's their first opinion?

Shoko: “Why do I have to deal with this shapeshifter, too? She is so creepy.” Shoko Durge: “I cannot believe that she is my relative. Could not be someone less disturbing?” Evil Shoko: “Okay, so you are my relative. Sorry sis, I have already gained our father’s approval. I can’t wait to slay you.”

70. Does your Tav make a deal with Raphael?

Only Evil Shoko. 

71. Does your Tav 'spend time' at Sharess' Caress?

Shoko wasn’t interested at all about the activities at Sharess’ Caress. She suggests the orgy to Gale only to tease him, though. XD  

Always interested in new experiences, Shoko Durge tried to convince Gale to accept the Drows’ offer.  

72. How does your Tav enter the city?

Shoko and Shoko Durge use the pass. Evil Shoko is jailed with the party and enters the city after escaping.

73. Do they free Florrick?

In my first run, Florrick died in the inn. Shoko Durge frees her. Evil Shoko doesn’t care at all. Actually, Evil Shoko hated her for trying to stop the party from escaping the jail. 

74. What do they do at Gortash' coronation?

They stood there in silence, despising every moment and every single word Gortash spoke. 

75. What does your Tav do with the serial killer running rampant?

Shoko, investigating and warning the victims, solved the case, with the purpose to save all the victims not only to enter the Tribunal. Shoko Durge solved the case only to find the way to gain the bag of hands and enter the Tribunal. 

76. Does your Tav tell Dame Aylin about Lorroaken? Do they help her fight him?

Yes and yes. Dame Aylin’s rage against Lorroaken left Shoko stunned, actually (even if he deserved it). Shoko Durge was really impressed with Dame Aylin’s revenge and she began to admire her companion even more than before. 

77. Does your Tav go to the House of Hopes? If so, do they sleep with Haarlep?

Shoko went to the House of Hopes and no, obviously she didn’t sleep with Haarlep (she even had a hard time figuring out what he wanted). Shoko Durge was very intrigued by Haarlep’s offer, always being curious about new experiences. She regretted it a little bit, though. 

78. Does your Tav help the Wavemother?

Shoko had wanted to help her, but she didn’t want to hand Redhammer over and she ended up fighting the Umberlee followers. Shoko Durge warned him. 

79. Does your Tav rescue the prisoners in the Iron Throne?

Shoko managed to save almost everyone in the Iron Throne (except for Duke Ravengard, sorry Wyll T.T). Shoko Durge went to the Iron Throne, but she saved only a few people (with not so much effort). 

80. Does your Tav free the slaves from Steel Watch Foundry? Do they side with the Gondians or with Wulbren?

Shoko freed the slaves from the Foundry. She didn’t have to choose a side, since Wulbren died at the Moonrise. Shoko Durge sided with Wulbren. 

81. If you saved Oskar in Act 1, did you meet him again? If so, did you help him? Did you side with the Mystic Carrion or with Thrumbo?

Shoko didn’t meet Oskar. She sided with Thrumbo. Shoko Durge saved Oskar and helped him with the ghost issue. She sided with the Mystic Carrion. 

82. What does your Tav do with the Counting House robbery?

Shoko solved the case and returned all the money. Shoko Durge kept the money.  

83. Does your Tav reunite with Mayrina? Do they fight Auntie Ethel? Do they save Vanra?

Shoko and Shoko Durge reunite with Mayrina and save the little girl.  

84. Does your Tav find all of Dribbles' body parts?

Yes.

85. Who did Orin abduct from your party?

Lae’zel (for Shoko and Shoko Durge) and Minthara (Evil Shoko)

86. Did your Tav complete the trial of Bhaal?

Shoko didn’t complete the trial. Her party fought Sarevok immediately after talking with him.

At first Shoko Durge agreed to finish the trial. But when she faced Valeria in chains, she realized that she was no longer the slayer she used to be. 

87. Did your Tav side with Gortash or did they agree to kill him for Orin?

Both Shoko and Shoko Durge left Gortash’s issue open and they first went to deal with Orin. 

88. Does your Tav successfully resist the Nether Brain?

Yes.

89. Does your Tav side with the Emperor or do they free Orpheus? Do they become Illithid to use the Nether Stones or does one of their companions do it? Do they give the Nether Stones to the Emperor/Orpheus?

Shoko freed Orpheus and gave him the stones. At the end of the fight, she agreed to kill him. 

Shoko Durge sided with the Emperor. 

90. Do they betray the Emperor/Orpheus/their companions for the Absolute?

No.

Epilogue

91. Does your Tav get a happily ever after?

Yes, in very different ways, both Shoko and Shoko Durge get their happily ever after. 

92. Where does your Tav end up after defeating/ siding with the Nether Brain?

Shoko stays in Baldur’s Gate a while to help before going to Waterdeep and marrying her beloved wizard. Shoko Durge spends the months before Withers’ party as an adventurer. 

93. What do you think happens to the party, afterwards? Do they go for drinks? Do they go their separate ways?

Everyone has their own business to take care of and, after celebrating the victory in the right way, they split up. But Shoko manages to organize a reunion every once in a while.

94. Years after the game, what do you think your Tav is up to?

Shoko lives in Waterdeep with her beloved husband. It took some time, but she has been able to adapt to the city and she spends a lot of time helping the citizens with everyday tasks. Before having their firstborn (a pretty little girl named Sayuri), Shoko also works part time in a library full of ancient books and she manages to reconnect with her home country. Regularly, she compels Gale to take a few days break from lessons and they gather with the old companions. 

Shoko Durge is probably doing something godly important with God!Gale. She became the patron god of those who seek their true essence and independence.

95. What do you think of your Tav's development throughout the game? If you compared them to who they were at the start, what would be different?

Shoko didn’t change too much throughout the game: she is a good hearted girl, who tries to help her friends and the people around her as much as possible. Perhaps, she learned to think about herself sometimes.

Shoko Durge changed a lot. At the beginning, she was lonely and she didn’t trust anyone, only her power. But she met companions that trusted her and supported her when she discovered her dark urge. She found love.  

Companions

96. Does Lae Zel remain loyal to Vlaakith, or does she follow Orpheus? Or neither?

In my first run she followed Orpheus. In the Durge she died, being loyal to Vlaakith. 

97. Does Astarion kill Cazador? Does he remain a vampire spawn or does he complete the ritual?

In the first run, Astarion killed Cazador and he almost abandoned the party when Shoko persuaded him not to ascend (they don’t have a very good relationship).

With Shoko Durge, he completed the ritual (Shoko Durge was so happy to have a powerful friend with her.)

98. What does Gale want? The crown for himself? For Mystra? Or has he given up on chasing power?

Shoko’s Gale has given up on chasing power even before the meeting with Mystra. In the boat scene, Shoko made him understand that he is worthy as he is. Gale recovered the crown from the river to give it to Mystra and get rid of the orb. Shoko Durge fully supported Gale’s ambition and at the end she joined him as a goddess in Elysium.

99. Did Wyll get freed from Mizora? Did he save his father?

Wyll got freed from Mizora, but unfortunately he didn’t manage to save his father. In the first run he went to Avernus with Karlach, in the Durge he became Grand Duke. 

100. Did Karlach get upgraded? Did she turn Illithid? Did she return to Avernus? If so, did Tav join her, or Wyll, or both?

In my first run, Karlach got upgraded and at the end she returned to Avernus with Wyll. In the Durge run, she got upgraded, but at the end she let herself die at the docks. 

101. Did your Tav recruit Minsc? What's their opinion of him?

Shoko and Shoko Durge recruit Minsc. They found him a little bit strange, but it’s fun to have him around. They didn't have much time to get to know him well, though. 

102. Did Shadowheart turn to Selûne or did she remain loyal to Shar? Did she free her parents or let them go?

In Shoko run: Shadowheart turned to Selune, but she let her parents go, knowing they would only want her good. In Shoko Durge run: she turned to Selune and free her parent. In Evil Shoko run: she remained loyal to Shar. 

103. Did Tav help Jaheira with the Harpers?

Shoko and Shoko Durge helped Jaheira. Shoko even stayed in the city for a while to help. Evil Shoko didn’t meet the Harpers in Baldur’s Gate, since Jeheira died in the Shadowlands.  

104. Who did your Tav romance? How did this romance develop throughout the game? What happened at the end?

All my three Shoko romanced Gale. At first I chose him because he seems suitable for Shoko, but I didn’t like him so much (no love at first sight when I pulled him out of the portal XD), but then I fell for his confession in Act 2 and now I can’t live without him. Anyway… Shoko started to like him almost immediately. Gale has a kindness and an inquisitive mind very similar to hers, so they got along well. Maybe that's why Shoko managed to change his mind about the crown very soon. In short, their love story was quite smooth. XD At the end, they stay in Baldur’s Gate for a while, to help with the reconstruction, before moving to Waterdeep. They married and lived happily ever after: Gale as a professor and Shoko as an all-around-druid in the city (she built a shelter with a little backyard in the nearby wood).

Shoko Durge: she romanced Gale after a little affair with Astarion. She liked Gale soon enough, but she was intolerant of his constant rejection at her advances. But when Gale asked her to choose between him and the vampire, Shoko Durge chose the wizard without any doubt. He helped her to resist her dark urge and she was incredibly happy, as she had never been, when they shared their first night together. At the end, Shoko Durge, after refusing Bhaal’s legacy, wanted to help Gale with his ambition and she stood by his side as a goddess. 

Evil Shoko: at first she gravitated around Gale because he was substantially different from her (and because he is her type). Their relationship it’s not the best: Gale likes her, but he doesn’t always accept her behavior and probably he hopes to change her; Evil Shoko is attracted by the good man he is, but she doesn’t stand his constant reminder of her bad actions and yet she would want to be worthy of him, but she doesn’t know (or want) to change herself. I still don’t know how their relationship will end.  

105. Anything you want to say about your Tav! Give a random headcanon, answer a random question, say whatever you want!

While Shoko will always be my fav OC, the one in which I relate to, I didn’t give her much personality at first. So she has come to be a too good character, always doing the right thing, and without a great backstory. I love her with all my heart, though. 💕

On the contrary, Shoko Durge gave me a lot of satisfaction: she has a strong personality and I play the game actually considering the choices according to her character. 

Now in my head they almost combine. XD Since I played my first run totally vanilla, later I restyled Shoko with some features of Shoko Durge’s appearance. I played Shoko - Shoko Durge and Evil Shoko as different versions of the same OC, but I haven’t a convincing explanation for their existence… however, I like time loop stories a lot, then I like to think that someone doesn’t like to see Shoko and Gale’s happy ending and tries to change the past, and their future, by modifying Shoko’s past and personality.

I am still playing Evil Shoko’s run, but I already plan to do an ultimate run with my first Shoko, that will be the one to fix her destiny for good. ✨

[julymarte]

Uri is a cheater (but let's talk about it)

last night i brainstormed a bit on the theme of Uri's cheating episode and got two different feebacks from two different sources so i'm curious.... but before we talk about it we need a lil context for who might be new

more under the cut, but stay for the poll! i need your opinion!👌

you can skip this if you know already:

Pravaal (the pink guy) had a crush on Uri(the sandwich guy) when he was like 16 and used illusion magic to make him think he was a girl so that they could date, everything was perfect, literal soulmates until the spell side effects caught on pravaal and the cover was blown, the two had a bad breakup and both seemed to have moved on just fine (lie) and Uri soon got together with Kenah (the lady) absolutely "NOT" projecting his past dream relationship, they've been together for years and even got engaged, they are ALWAYS together, singing eachother praises and their family businesses fatefully match he makes some of the best pots in town and she sells flowers, a rarity in a mostly desert land, both are popular and have a good reputation everything seems perfect maybe a bit too perfect.... also in all those years he still struggled to face Pravaal, he would always find ways to leave, hide or argue

getting to the point Uri got kidnapped to be part of a ritual, got in a very traumatic situation and the one who comes to rescue him it's Pravaal, he tried to avoid confrontation at the cost of being rude which his saviour didn't like and called him childish for still running away after all those years as he thought he moved on but it's there he realizes Uri didn't really move on and the latter being unable to run away admits it to him and opens up about his feelings(and the waterworks), how he loves his gf but no matter how much he tried to repress it he never stopped loving him too and it's a feeling he hates, he can't stand it, Pravaal tho is very accepting and offers him help sort things out, they just hug nothing else happen, Kenah is in a different place rn like an entirely different planet NOTE: Uri is now in a sort of mental symbiosis with one of the spirits who performed the ritual thousands of years ago they fight the sect that kidnapped Uri and other people and interrupt the ritual (that had partly opened a dimentional rift) he was forcefully part of and win now thay have to look for the relics the original ritual members left around as a failsafe to close the rift and here comes the new detail originally Uri's cheating was only part of an emotive breakdown and the sense of release after opening up but now it's not just that the spirit he's in temporary symbiosis with communicates him that to use his relic he has to die, he MIGHT be reborn as a bird but ONLY IF the sword(his relic) deems him worthy as on the contrary of the other relics that was not made by humans for humans but by a bird sapiens species for either one fo them or a human they could trust (they loved and sheltered humans but didn't trust them much as they tended to worship them as gods and they didn't like that) now.... Uri would have gotten to know this information in the previous form of the story too but only hours before finding the relic basically now giving him days to process his imminent death and giving him yet another paranoia of "OH SHIT I'M GONNA KICK THE BUCKET" so his cheating episode was not only born from the emotional breakdown but also from the fomo of not wanting to pass away without having any regrets, he of course didn't reveal this to his companions who probably thought he was acting weird af but he knew it was something he had to do for the greater good(dying not cheating ofc) and didn't want them to stop him now............... this doesn't have to be a justification of him cheating, cause like he still did cheat, both Pravaal and Kenah were manipulative in some way with him as in Pravaal lied about his gender and true identity when they were together and Kena tried to puppet and mold him into her perfect life plan as she loves more the idea of him than himself as a person so they also were not angels with him but i wanted to add a bit more flavor to not make it seem too out of the blue but it was a part of the story that had to happen also like imagine you're thirsting hard for a person (who happens to be your ex) for 8 years and now you know you have only a few days before le'ts say a surgery with a very low survival rate, your partner is away in another country and that person is there, close to you emotionally and physically available would you reist or yolo it out? it's quit of a grey area so what do you think

[erijuice]

My Revision Of Wish (pt 4): Orion

Welcome back to more of my personal revision of Wish. Today, I will be talking about our starboy, the legendary wishing star himself, Orion.

One of the many things I didn't like about the canon version of Wish is how Asha didn't have a partner to bounce off of or develop her character with, she was just talking to a ball of light that squeaks and squeals, and I heard how everyone in the world agrees that Star should've been a humanoid figure and Asha's romantic interest. We miss having a real romance couple in Disney films, but of course, Disney doesn't want to do that, because.. well.. "girl power!" And furthermore, this is supposed to be the origin story of the Wishing Star, doesn't he deserve to be in the spotlight ?

Orion is the adorkable Disney Prince to Asha's timid Disney Princess. He is born from the power of positivity, joy and hope. Energetic, ever-so-curious about the new world he's in. His purpose is simple. He was meant to be Asha's companion, or at least, that's what he believes. As one of the many Wishing Stars of the sky, his purpose is to help the mortals who send their wishes to him. But since Magnifico and Amaya are the key wish-granters of Rosas, people stopped wishing on stars and relied on the royal couple for their dreams to come true. No one has ever wished upon a star since then... until Asha.

Asha's wish was pretty vague, all she wanted was help from above to save her kingdom. Orion doesn't know what to do either. He has the appearance of a teenage boy, and the mentality of a newborn child, and is blissfully unaware that he has omnipotent power to help everyone, but right off the bat, he knows that he is there to help Asha in her time of need.

Orion: Wait, what even is my purpose anyway?

Asha: Oh, well, I wished on a.. star?

*Orion points to himself with a puzzled expression*

Asha: Yeah, and.. I'm not sure what I wished for, maybe it was for help, or guidance, or just someone to help.. me?

Orion: Oh, it all makes sense now! I'm here for you!

Asha: Me?

*Orion nods*

Asha: It's weird. I just had a feeling that someone would hear me, you were the reason why I wished, and I don't even know you yet.

Orion: I've been watching you from the skies but I was too afraid to interfere, but it's your love that brought me here.

Orion, however, has no sense of right or wrong, he is very similar to Pinocchio in the sense that he needs to learn about morality, and Asha serves as his conscience figure.

Orion's power correlates to Asha's sense of hope and optimism. The happier and more hopeful she is, the more powerful Orion becomes. He learns that he can shapeshift into many forms, and disguise himself as various animals for when he needs to hide himself from the evil royal couple.

Orion (as a horse): I don't get why humans only have two legs, having four legs is much more fun, and I can run even faster!

Asha: You're glowing.

Orion: Aww, thank you!

Asha: Eehhhh no, you're glowing too bright! Can you..?

Orion: How should I know, I don't know how!

He can stretch and change the shape of his body, and sometimes he is able to disconnect his head or his limbs from his body, and it doesn't hurt. He can bring plants to life, make animals talk, and even when he doesn't, he can always understand animals in their language. He is also able to make things (both living and nonliving) grow or shrink to extreme sizes.

Orion is accompanied by his tiny starbeing companion, Little Dipper. (Star in the canon version). Little Dipper has already evolved centuries - if not eons - beyond human language, so he communicates through pantomime. Little Dipper also serves as a fast friend companion to Asha's pet goat Valentino (And thankfully, he does not talk in my version). Despite its youthful appearance, it appears to have more maturity than Orion himself. Orion has only granted one wish, and Little Dipper already granted two wishes, but the two are a mischievous wish-granting duo that end up causing a lot of chaos. After Orion and Asha get in trouble for granting too many wishes for the people of Rosas, the King and Queen mistaking Little Dipper for the star, and they capture it for its energy. Orion would take a much dangerous risk to rescue his friend and exposure himself to the royal couple in the process.

Orion didn't start out as the North Star (The biggest, brightest star in the sky), he was just a tiny little star that needed experience in wish-granting. Asha's eyes were fixated on the North Star, but she believes that she might've missed her mark, and should've been more specific. But he eventually will be the biggest, brightest star at the end, and it will feel very rewarding! Orion mentions at one point that the bigger star is his mother, the Blue Fairy. There are multiple Blue Fairies in his realm who become stars after they die in the mortal realm, but they need to be pure of heart in order to become Blue Fairies. (I'd say that Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of the Blue Fairy would be his mother. They really do look like mother and son!)

Orion is constantly bursting with curiosity and energy. He's as quirky as Rapunzel, and as mischievous as Peter Pan. Once Orion is summoned, he is instantly enamored with Asha. He gives her big hugs, asks her tons of questions, and is extremely eager to help the Princess. He is very enthusiastic about learning about humans and Earth animals, and he enjoys taking all kinds of forms to study what they're really like. Orion fully understands that most wishing stars of his kind are only supposed to intervene from a distance, instead of floating down to Earth to help, but the power and desperation of Asha's wish was enough to bring him down to Rosas. He can't help but to interfere and to help the mortals in person. He deeply cares about Asha and her desires, but he feels a huge sense of responsibility granting everyone's wishes.

Oftentimes, he regrets coming down to Earth and causing chaos just by being there, he contemplates or whether or not he should go back to the night sky, but he remembers that he is there to help Asha and the people of Rosas, but it's Asha who needed him more than anything. (I'm giving him a solo Prince song, think Evermore or Wild Uncharted Waters) He develops a wish of his own, to become human and stay on Earth, but he learns that he wants to grant wishes for everyone in the world, he is heartbroken to leave Asha, but he grants her the honorary title of a Blue Fairy so that she can grant wishes on her own for the people of her kingdom.

Essentially, he is a mixture of Peter Pan, Prince Philip, Genie, Pinocchio and Tramp, with a few shades of Moana and Rapunzel. All-in-all, Orion is a living embodiment of joy and hope, the living answer to Asha's wish. He may have his moments of self-doubt in being the savior that Rosas needs, but he remains hopeful and determined to heed, to love, and to protect Asha at all costs.

[quietwingsinthesky]

Friend, could you explain to me the newest adventure time stuff? Like the simon/ice king thing, what's the plot/backstory that got revealed? At first I assumed these designs I kept seeing were new characters but then I started seeing art of the simon guy turning into the ice king. It's not a big deal but I'm curious what the context is

Sure! So the Simon thing is actually a plot point from the original show! If you’re like me and your adventure time knowledge was mainly the bumpers on Cartoon Network and covers of Marceline songs, then obviously, that’s not something you’d know because it absolutely hit me out of left field. And uh, goes without saying this whole thing is a massive spoiler for the original show. I’ve tried to keep any Fionna & Cake spoilers out, in case you want to watch that. (You should. You should also watch the original. And the Distant Lands shorts. Join us. You won’t regret it. Just maybe pace yourself and don’t watch it all in four nights like I did lol)

Anyway, to the best of my knowledge, it goes like this! Ice King was once a man named Simon Petrikov. When the world ended because of necromancy atomic bombs (btw the world ended), he survived because he discovered a magical crown. It continues to be the source of his ice magic in the main show, but at the time, when he was still Simon, he tried to keep himself from using it as each time he did, he lost a little more of himself. It’s so fucking tragic and way too goddamn relatable for me and my memory issues to see this man struggling to hold onto what makes him him, to the names of the people he loved or to what happened to them. Ice King in the main show has lost all of that. He doesn’t even know he was Simon. He doesn’t recognize Marceline, the girl he raised in the post-apocalypse and who he wore the crown to protect countless times.

It turns out a big theme of Adventure Time is destroying yourself to save the people you love. Who knew. But you watch the show and it just. keeps. happening. And you’re screaming at the characters to stop, to not make this sacrifice, that it isn’t worth it, that there is some other way. But of course, they do it anyway. Simon becomes the Ice King to protect Marceline, and in the end, loses everything that he was.

AND NOW FOR LORE. For you see, the crown does this for a reason! It is cursed! Throughout the show, Ice King calls his penguin companion and sometimes other characters “Gunther”, which seems like a funny gag for the first few seasons, and then! It turns out that Gunther was the name of the apprentice of the Ice Elemental (Original Ice King) who created the crown in the first place to stop a comet from destroying the Earth. When he couldn’t wear the crown himself, he told his apprentice, who he had consistently belittled and kept in the dark about most magic, to do it instead and make a wish to send the comet away.

Gunther wishes to become the Ice King instead. And now, anyone, including a Finn the Human of an alternate timeline where he got the crown, will be corrupted into Gunther’s idea of the Ice King, with a little of the original person’s identity left to shape the new person they become with the crown. (Also interesting and probably just a shortcut for time in the episode, is that alternate Finn corrupts very quickly whereas Simon fights the crown for years. I just think it’s fascinating that Simon could do that! He’s just some guy!!! But he resisted turning into the Ice King for so long!!! He faltered eventually, sure, but it’s still impressive!!!)

So, main show, we’ve got the Ice King, once Simon Petrikov, and he runs around kidnapping princess and making a nuisance of himself (until the rest of the cast befriends him once they learn about what happened to him. There’s a moment in the Elementals series of the original show where Finn calls the Ice King “Simon” for i think the first time? And the Ice King doesn’t know who that is, but Finn still calls him by his real name, something s1 Finn would never have done even if he knew it, and it’s!!! that scene makes my heart melt, it’s so small but it’s!!! yes! character growth for my boy and recognition of his tragedy for my old man!!!)

But why does he kidnap princesses? Where did this fixation come from? Well, when he first found the crown, he was dating a woman named Betty. His princess. Fionna & Cake goes deeper into their relationship, so I won’t spoil beyond where the original show goes. When he puts the crown on for the first time, he loses it, scaring her away when the crown takes over his mind and he shoots ice everywhere. Far in the future, a currently depowered Simon creates a time portal in order to just apologize to her, because he never saw her again after this incident. And why didn’t he see her again? Because, crazy insane fantastic woman that she is, she jumps THROUGH HIS TIME PORTAL. Betty then joins the main show’s timeline, spending the rest of the series trying to find a cure for the crown’s curse.

And. I reiterate, spoilers now for the AT finale, which is. so good. god i cried multiple times during it. that may have been the sleep deprivation though.

Betty’s last hope to save Simon is an ancient god of chaos they used to study together called GOLB. At this point, magic has begun to corrupt her too, due to shenanigans with the Magic man turned Normal man from Mars. (it’s a whole thing) and she’s desperate! In the victory of the Candy Kingdom over Bubblegum’s evil uncle (unrelated to the Ice King plotline, don’t worry about it, Bubblegum did some war crimes) Betty summons GOLB. It’s going to destroy the whole world. Eventually, it ends up eating Betty, the Ice King, and Finn. In the process of “digesting” them, it reverts them back to who they were before the magic got to them. Betty becomes normal Betty, Simon becomes Simon, Finn is perfect so he’s fine. The crown also reverts back to it’s precursed state, able to be used for wishing again. Through the power of love and song, Jake the Dog and all their friends create a passage out of GOLB for them to escape through.

Betty stays behind. Because this show is about destroying yourself if it means saving the people you love. And as the walls close in, she wishes for a way to save Simon. She becomes GOLB. GOLBetty. Simon doesn’t turn back into the Ice King. But she can never be changed back. She leaves, and Simon loses her again. But he’s free. After a thousand years, he’s himself.

(The crown is then put on by Gunther the Penguin, who turns into the Ice Thing. Another version of the Ice King, who the gang are still friends with but who the framing device of two friends far in the future learning about the tale of the Candy Kingdom’s war informs us that his happiness couldn’t last forever. Eventually, all the characters die or part ways with him, and the Ice Thing goes back to being a wizard in the mountains causing problems, without even a piece of Simon buried deep within him to help. Because, you know, Adventure Time needs to break your heart even about this little penguin dude.)

[ghoulpepperv]

I decided to do this for Lamia from @weregoingtokillthequeen!

She's actually a changeling in her original story, but I'll probably have to make her a drow as a Tav.

I still have to wait until I can get my own copy of the game to actually create her and get screenshots.

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion!Tav Ask List

What if your Tav was a recruitable companion, instead of the main character?  (contains major spoilers for the game, and for some dark urge runs as well)

General

Where can your Tav be recruited?  Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region?  Or are they not recruitable until a later act? She'd be at the Emerald Grove and she'd be disguised as a wood elf. There's a personal reason she often chooses to disguise herself as a wood elf. She would have also read the room and realized a wood elf would be the best fit for the space.

Do the other companions have special comments or reactions upon recruiting your Tav? At first, they would be fine with her presence. She's just some wood elf, right? When/if they discover she's a changeling, there'd be differing opinions on if she should stay. Hesitant but lets her stay: Karlach, Wyll, Astarion (he's curious where this goes), Gale (kinda wants to study her because hanging out with a changeling is rare), and Halsin Wants her gone: Lae'zel, Shadowheart, Jaheira, and Minthara

Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions? Astarion: "Careful with this one. He's got moxie, but that might also mean he'll kill you in your sleep." Gale: "He's got the air of a former gifted kid about him. He'll be desperate for approval. We can use that." Karlach: "She's a like a golden retriever. I already love her." Lae'zel: "A little standoffish and she could snap my neck in an instant. I don't see any reason not to want her around." Shadowheart: "She's definitely hiding something, but aren't we all? As long as her secrets don't get us killed, she can keep them." Wyll: "The Blade of Frontiers, huh? I figured he'd be taller. If you want him to come along, I won't complain. He seems like a good egg." Minthara: "You might want to really think this over. Unless you want to constantly test your food for poison." Halsin: "I have heard nothing but good things about him. We'd be stupid to leave him behind." Minsc: "He's not the sharpest, but he's useful. We could probably talk him into anything, too...." Jaheira: "I'm afraid I've never heard of her before, but if Karlach is sold on her, so am I."

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval? She likes it when the PC takes charge and is more forceful. She enjoys doing things because it'll be funny or entertaining. She always wants a reward for doing a good deed. She also likes it if the PC lets her steal or gives her gifts. She just doesn't like it when the PC hurts children or is mean to them, especially orphans.

Are there any instances where your Tav can permanently leave the party, depending on player character actions? She'll stick around for most things. You have to really target her to get her to leave, like constantly undermining her or insulting her. She's pretty sensitive to insults. You can kick her out when you find out her secret.

Do they have any secrets that can be revealed?  What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light? She's a changeling. When she first appears, she's pretending to be a wood elf. When you find out, it can go badly. You can see through her if the PC has True Sight or Volo’s Ersatz Eye. Even if she's in disguise, if the PC has Volo's eye, they will always see her as she really is. If the PC's relationship is high enough, she'll eventually come clean, especially if the PC romances her. The PC can talk her into telling everyone the truth. If she's knocked unconscious or killed, she will lose her disguise. If brought back from the dead, the jig will be up.

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game?  Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes? She recently escaped from prison before being taken aboard the Nautiloid. She's still a fugitive. If her disguise falters for any reason at Baldur's Gate, she's at risk of being arrested. If the PC wants to, they can turn her in and have her arrested. This will turn her from ally to enemy. The rest of the party might judge you, too.

What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp?  How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again? Stay in camp: You really wanna go out there without me? I'm just saying, you're safer with me watching your back. And if you have Scratch or owlbear, she'll add: At least I have the dog/owlbear here to entertain me while I wait. Adventuring Again: Yes! I was about to go crazy from the boredom.

Does your Tav have any escalating conflicts with one of the other companions, like Lae’zel and Shadowheart’s knife-fight? Her status as a changeling ruffles feathers. Depending on how things play out, tensions can get worse.

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game? Allie the Dragonborn who is also in @weregoingtokillthequeen! Allie escaped prison with her. Paloma Blancheflower, her childhood friend and an actual wood elf. They grew up together. She can reveal more about Lamia's past, including why she often picks a wood elf form so often. Gwenna (half-giant/half-fairy) and Shirley (half-orc) are two guards from the prison who are hunting her down. The PC can run into them at Baldur's Gate and they'll tell them that they're looking for an escaped changeling. The PC can turn her in to them if they know Lamia's a changeling. The PC can also help hide Lamia from them.

Are there any moments in the game that trigger unique dialogue for your character? (Like Gale’s anecdote about the barfight after you save the goblin prisoner)  There would be a few unique stories the PC can get out of her. It'd be throughout the game where things can remind her of something from her past, especially since she knows so many weirdos. She's lived a colorful life.

Story Specific

How does your Tav advise the player character when it comes to the Dream Visitor? "They seem to be the only one who knows what's going on. It doesn't hurt to listen to what they have to say."

How do they advise the player character on Raphael? "It's tempting, but be on your guard. You always have to keep an eye out for the fine print with devils."

How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character? "So, is his bite actually worse than his bark? What? I'm just asking. He always did seem like the kind of guy who likes to sink his teeth into a full bodied drink." And when the PC doesn't laugh. "...Nothing? Really? Hm." She would then go on to ruin Astarion's life with vampire puns and jokes.

How do they react to the Player Character letting Abdirak whip them? "I didn't know you were into that sort of thing. Duly noted." Devnote: She's into it.

How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power? "So... how does it feel? Painful? Powerful? You know, if you ever have any extra, you could toss them my way."

Will they stay with the Player Character regardless of siding with the goblins or the tieflings, or is it possible for them to leave the party permanently? She'll stay despite what you pick. She won't be excited about the goblins, but it won't chase her off.

What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party? She'll be at her tent with a drink in hand, looking for someone to chat up.

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with?  Any comment she'd make is telling the PC she approves. All of their companions are hotties, she gets it.

Do they have unique dialogue if the Player Character lets them die when they steal the Blood of Lathander? "You're lucky I don't kill you where you stand. Why would you do that?! Gods! My feelings are a little hurt right now. You absolute jerk."

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar? "Huh. You know, I used to know a guy who was also into licking spiders. Never thought I'd meet another person whose into it. ...Want me to hook you guys up?" If you do it a second time: "Is this a thing I just don't get? Like some kind of psychedelic?"

What do they say if the PC tries to force them to go up on stage with Dribbles the Clown? When she first sees him: "I can't hate him when I see how much misery he brings to so many. It's a little endearing." Suggest she volunteer: "Wait, you want me to go up there? Oh, no, I'm here to watch someone else have a bad time." When you send her up: "You best sleep with one eye open from now on."

Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin?  How is Orin's deception revealed?  How do they react to the PC rescuing them in the Temple of Bhaal? Orin actually leaves her alone since she's a fellow changeling. It's too much of a mindfuck.

How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn? She understands a desire for power. Power = protection. But she'd miss old Astarion. She'd much prefer that he remains Spawn Astarion. She'd be hesitant to let the 7000 spawn go. If the PC talks to her, they could persuade her that it'll be okay.

How does Tav react to the PC becoming a mind flayer?  Can they offer to become one themselves?  Does their reaction change if they’re romanced?  It'd depend on the play through. You can teach her to be more selfless and, in that case, she would offer to do it. If you don't encourage her to be more empathetic, she'd be far too selfish to sacrifice herself. She'd do everything to talk the PC out of it though. There has to be "a better way." However, if they go through with it, she won't abandoned them: "We made it this far under weirder circumstances. I'll get use to... whatever this is."

How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them? She'd try to help. "Who hasn't had a murderous thought or two, huh? Look, I don't know what's going on with you, but we'll figure this out. Unless you murder me before we do, of course."

How do they react to the Dark Urge killing Alfira? "I didn't realize you hated bards so much. You could have just told her to leave, y'know?" When she finally gets serious: "You must be scared. I would be, at least. If it helps, I'll try to keep a closer eye on you, keep you from murdering again."

If romanced, how do they react to the Dark Urge trying to kill them in Act 2? "Well, this isn't the first time someone I've dated tried to kill me." Once she's taking it seriously: "I don't know what any of this is, but I'm going to help you. I'm not that easy to kill so you're not gonna scare me off. We're going to get through this."

Romance

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them? Indeed, she is.

Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough? If approval is high enough, she'd approach the PC. The PC could also higher the approval rating through flirting.

Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option? Polyamorous.

Do they have a special romance scene at the tiefling/goblin party? She definitely would. The PC can choose to sleep with her or enjoy cuddling under the stars. If approval is high enough, she'd confess that she's a changeling at the party. If the PC knows she's a changeling, they can decide to have her in her real changeling form when they're together. The PC could also ask her to keep her wood elf form. It kind of hurts her feelings though. (She'll get over it.)

Does the romance have different branching paths, or just one route to take? The PC can get her to start going down a more righteous path, moving away from her criminal behavior. They can also leave room for some criminal shenanigans, but teach her to be a better person overall. Or they can encourage her to go full criminal queen-pin and commit even darker deeds. The PC/Lamia end game can be Lamia rebuilding a life in Baldur's Gate as an upstanding citizen or as a petty criminal, or you can run a criminal empire together.

How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them? She would be petty as hell. She's very sensitive and she'd probably hate whoever the PC chose. She'd insult them and try to do the "Fine, you can just be jealous of me living my best life without you" to the PC. But she would not be living her best life. She'd be hiding the fact she wants to go cry and eat a bunch of comfort food. If the PC doesn't leave her for Gale: Gale will talk about having made her some kind of cake or apple-based sweet because she "seemed depressed." If the PC asks her about it, she'll pretend everything is fine.

What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test?  "The heart is fraught, so let us begin with the joyous. When is Lamia happiest?" 1. While swimming in the ocean. 2. When she has a lot of money. ★ 3. Camping in nature. 4. When she's with loved ones. ★ "Many things delight the heart, but only one makes it sing. Tell me, what does she desire more than anything?" 1. Wealth. ★ 2. A harem. 3. Love. ★ "Life is a difficult and tumultuous thing. with every smile, a tear often follows. What is Lamia's greatest regret?" 1. Getting caught and thrown in jail. ★ 2. Becoming a criminal. 3. Letting Paloma down. ★ (Only appears if you've met Paloma.) 4. Stealing from a wealthy Baldurian couple.

If they’re poly, do they have a reaction to the PC engaging in a relationship with Halsin? She's all for it. She'd be down to get with him, too. But she'd give the PC space to explore their relationship with Halsin without her.

How do they react if the PC has sex with Mizora? The Emperor?  Haarlep? She wouldn't be angry, just a little disappointed. Because, really? REALLY?

Will they join in with the PC and the Drow Twins, or no? Yes, she would. She'd also be down for Halsin to join.

What are Tav’s plans for the future?  Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in? She's happy to go where the PC goes. If they want marriage, she's in. If they don't, she's happy as long as they're together. As for what they do, it'll depend on the path the PC chooses for them.

Free space! Share anything from your companion!Tav au! I first created her for my very first DnD game I was in. Nobody ever figured out she was a changeling to the point where I just had her drop her disguise. I wanted to see what would happen. Absolutely no one took notice or said anything about it, including the DM.

[foibles-fables]

I have a question, and I’d love your insight as a fellow wlw who loves Horizon as much as I do!

Why do you think the writers made Avad fall for Aloy in the first place? Ignoring the arguably cringe convo at the start of HFW, did him dirty there after the end of HZD lol, but think about it, we know he’s a bit of a romantic yes, but why make him fall for Aloy at all if the intention wasn’t romance? In HFW there’s even the heart option where you give him hope almost. Do you think it was originally to give him conflict because of the whole Ersa thing, or something else?

I just can’t figure it out. Like, they could have had him be really grateful to Aloy for her assistance in HZD and left it at that so that Aloy has a powerful ally, but they purposefully put the romantic aspect in there and the subsequent rejection of it in HZD. I just hope it isn’t a running joke or something because his character is really interesting outside of the puppy love they keep focusing on. He does some awesome stuff and it’s a shame they’ve reduced him to a one dimensional character.

(And of course I’m removing all “ship” aspects from this discussion, I’m genuinely curious to what you think the writers approach is and I wish we could ask them cause I’m dying to know!)

Thanks for listening, hope you have a fab day <3

Oh, this is a fantastic question. I'm very much an Avad apologist--he's genuinely one of the most compelling and tragic side characters in the series--so I've definitely thought about this a lot myself. You're right that he could/should have more interesting contributions and I do hope that's the case in HZ3.

For their exchanges in HZD, I think the answer is manifold. For one, I think his proposition was intended as a character moment for Aloy--it leads to a moment in which the player can examine her in the context of romance/romantic gestures, perhaps for the first time. Just as Aloy might not have been thinking about it until that point in the game, the player might not have, either. So another facet that considers her contrasting context with her companions, and an opportunity for the player to choose how to express her emotionality surrounding it.

But I also do want to point out that so many of the ally side quests in HZD (Varl/the Nora, Erend, Talanah, Namman, Elida, Nakoa, I can go on) center around the idea of grief and all of the forms it can take. Avad is no different! I think it's compelling to examine his proposition to Aloy through this lens. Especially considering the way he apologizes sincerely for his blunder before the final battle, no matter which option you chose at the flashpoint. So I do think it was deliberate, and not to be treated as a joke!

As far as Proposition 2: Sunshine Boogaloo in HFW...sad to say, but Avad suffered from the same writing issues as the other returning companions. This is especially magnified by the fact that his appearance in the story was so small. I'll forever be salty that his character was reduced to "hey, remember when this guy hit on Aloy?" and also "let's reintroduce the flashpoint mechanic" and "hey players: there's not gonna be romance yet" in early-game. He deserved better.

In the scope of new material, it's definitely interesting that choosing heart is always a "not yet" re: Aloy's character. Certainly something to consider as we move forward to the next game 🤡🤡🤡

[strange-destinations]

You mentioned transcripts of your Doctor Who RPG games. Any chance you might be willing to share them? (only if you want)

Of course! Here's The Big Masterpost of all our transcripts and audio files, updated as often as we play. Feel free to read and/or listen to as many as you want - I like to think I keep it pretty organized. Some things to note:

We pass around the GM crown from person to person, so we can all have a swing at running the game and also all get to play. So that's why our characters sometimes keep getting knocked out at the start of the arc and dragged offscreen, and why the GMing isn't consistent.

The sound editing can be a little hit-and-miss since I'm often speedrunning the editing/transcribing thing, so I apologize in advance if it ever gets funky or unlistenable. That's what the transcripts are for, I guess.

As of posting this, we've just wrapped up our fourth 'serial' and are probably going to kick off a new one next week! So now's a pretty good time to catch up with the story if you're curious.

Other links and content under the cut:

@trailmixtime's Thieves and TARDISes tag has most of our memery, art, and writing-related bonus content saved. (I have a tag for it too, but sometimes I'm a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to saving it all, so!)

I compose music for the campaign and edit it into the audio (along with sound effects and such) when the fancy strikes me. A playlist of all that original music can be found here!

The song used for the 'previously on' recap (and also the Doctor's theme) is this one. It's a banger, lads.

If you ever hear us reference a companion or some events that you are 100% sure are not canonical or even semi-canonical in the DWEU (for example, Millie or Roman) - that may be because we accidentally sort of ended up setting our game post-the Game of Rassilon, that one RPG podcast that I never stop talking about. It's very good, but you really don't need to listen to it to understand what's going on. We're just massive nerds who couldn't help ourselves.

Also, I'm extremely aware that we don't introduce our characters in very much detail in that first adventure, so I have prepared a handy little guide to the party down below (with bonus pictures!):

The Doctor (played by me!) - well, it's the Doctor. She's at a amorphous point in the future, far past anywhere we've seen in the TV series, and is very newly regenerated. In my head played by a Puerto Rican actress (a lot of planets have a Puerto Rico!). Fond of cats cradle, colors, plants. Not fond of eating.

Leela (played by @trailmixtime) - yes, that Leela. Plucked from the start of Gallifrey season one, Leela still has no idea what's happened to her husband. Working for President Romanadvoratrelundar (of course), rarely without a knife or janis thorn or two. K9's with her, also. (Good boy, K9!) Big ol' sweet tooth.

Unit-17, otherwise known as Dissent (played by @liria10) - a hospitality robot from the future gone rogue, Dissent is on a quest to reach the top of the most-wanted list. That's right, it's crime time. Eternally cheerful, just here for fun and chaos and thievery.

Caryophyllene, although we just call them Caryo for short (played by @bird-of-paradox), is a member of a a race of arachnoid psychic warrior spiders who use a scent-based language (the TARDIS is working overtime to translate, but we're managing). They're a semi-professional thief and very good at being sneaky and disruptive. We all love Caryo.

Verity Brown (played by @raindropsonwhiskers) hails from 1840s New York, where the Doctor and the rest of Team TARDIS picked her up. She was a weaver at the Ballston Mill Company until she got swept up in a bit of an adventure, and now she is having a very weird day. Down to fight, especially if said fighting involves asshole Time Lords.

Also, she might be a bit traumatized at this point. But that's all right! We're all traumatized here on the TARDIS! Ha ha haaa. We need therapy.

[crossdressingdeath]

Dragon age ask: who are your favorite characters to romance and why (feel free to answer for all 3 games or whichever character is your favorite overall)? Also, have you played Dragon Age Origins: Darkspawn Chronicles DLC and what did you think of it?

Honestly I'm eternally shocked at myself for not having romanced Anders yet because Excuse Me That Is My Boy (And Either He Or Justice Glitches Into Being In Love With Tahel Every Time I Play Awakening Which Has Led To Lovely Headcanons). I just keep romancing Fenris. Did Isabela once and that was also wonderful. The trouble is I'm too attached to my Surana and he romances Zevran because Zevran is Simply The Best (the only other romance I've successfully completed is Alistair's and I also adore him) and I want to do Different Romances in each run so I just. keep romancing Fenris. Do not ask me why my brain works the way it does. I might do Amell next time and romance Leliana and then do Anders then? I don't know. And then of course Inquisition has the eternal war between Dorian and Bull, because they're both too damn good. This is the only reason why I'm not wildly pissed about Solas not being bisexual (one! One potential Quiz can romance him! What is this bullshit Bioware!), because that would lead to a three-way competition for who Taelan romances and that would be a nightmare for me. I know there are mods that allow for multiple romances but the game obviously would not acknowledge that and just the concept of fitting that into my suspension of disbelief annoys me so. no. (If you're curious I'm currently working towards romancing Dorian again.) Also if we're counting The Last Court (Put It Back Bioware) the Wayward Bard delights me.

As for Darkspawn Chronicles, I've played it once and enjoyed it, although there's always something slightly sad in killing the companions. The way you change your party is an interesting mechanic. Actually, I should play it again... it's interesting and not too long, I like it.

[thethirdamell]

Have you written anywhere how you'd change inquisition?

Cause I'm really curious

It is entirely possible I have written something like this before because I have the memory of a goldfish but here are some rambling thoughts for you. 

We open with an origin story that follows your character and how their particular origin would fare in the Mage/Templar war. The Mage/Templar spans across Thedas and impacts everyone, and remnants of it are felt throughout the rest of the game. (Not just in a handful of throwaway fetch quests to STEAL BLANKETS FROM HOMELESS MAGES). Each origin has ties to a larger part of the story encouraging replayability and pushing some origins to favor some roles over others. 

An underlying current throughout each origin (told in rumors, ambient dialogue, and throw-away codexes) is the belief that there is currently a Blight. While no one has seen darkspawn, they have seen an Archdemon and the mobilizations of Grey Wardens. Either this the Sixth Blight or the Fifth Blight never really ended. (It only lasted a year - the shortest in history. Tensions run high between Ferelden and other countries who believe reports of the Archdemon’s defeat were fabricated.)

Dwarf (Any Class): A member of the Carta, you have close ties to the templars as a result of generations of lyrium smuggling. Since the war, things have never been better. Business is booming and you don't have to work in the shadows anymore, but greed is an insatiable mistress. Your operations take you to Valammar, where you've heard tales of a different kind of lyrium.

*This origin encourages you to side with the templars from a narrative perspective. You’re introduced to Barris.

Elf (Any Class): A member of the Dalish, your clan is visited by Mihris, First of your sister clan, Virnehn. Her clan was massacred by a demon unleashed by Michael Chevin, a Chevalier in service to Empress Celene. She comes to ask your clan to help aid the elves of Halamshiral, seeking refuge in the aftermath of Celene’s massacre. In exchange, she promises ancient knowledge of the Eluvians. 

*This origin provides the background of the Masked Empire that was hidden in the books. It encourages you to side with Briala. 

Human (Non-Mage): You are a templar. Your family gave you to the Chantry at a young age, and it's all you've ever known. You've never had much of a choice about anything in your life. Even your break from the Chantry is forced, your Knight-Captain having killed your Knight-Commander in a bid for power. Your first real choice comes when they hand you the red vial: drink or die.

*This origin encourages you to side with the templars from a narrative perspective. You’re introduced to Samson.  

Human (Mage): You are a mage. When your Circle called for the right of Annulment, you ran, and you've been running ever since. The First Enchanter is dead. Most of the Senior Enchanters are too. The Venatori come down from Tevinter are the first friendly faces you’ve seen in months. Then they start killing the Tranquil. 

*This origin encourages you to side with the mages from a narrative perspective. You’re introduced to Calpernia. 

Tal-Vashoth (Non-Mage): You're Tal-Vashoth. You and your brothers were separated from the antaam during the siege of Kirkwall, and have been branded as deserters. You've made a living for yourselves working for Gaspard de Chalons as mercenaries, though some of you still hope to find your way back to the Qun. He gives you a new contract to protect a Revered Mother on her way to the Conclave. 

*This origin encourages you to side with Gaspard and possibly the Qun from a narrative perspective. 

Tal-Vashoth (Mage): You were saarebas. You’re not sure what you are now. You were separated or escaped from your avaard during the siege of Kirkwall, and you’ve been on your own ever since. A retinue of templars finds you, but you’re saved at the last minute by a group of Grey Wardens. They tell you they’re on their way to their Calling, but offer to take you to the Conclave before they go, where you might find a place for yourself among the mages. 

*This origin encourages you to side with the Grey Wardens and possibly the mages or the Qun from a narrative perspective. 

The Conclave is called and serves as the ‘Ostagar’ of Inquisition. You spend time in Haven and meet the larger than life characters. You also have the option of encouraging or discouraging some of your companions from your origin to accompany you up to the Template of Sacred Ashes. (Anyone who accompanies you will die.) Demons swarm the Conclave. You fight towards the heart of the conflict. Then you get the Anchor and everyone with you dies. 

Back in Haven, you wake as a prisoner. Varric is in the cell beside you, and provides you with a quick overview of what you missed while you were unconscious. You can attempt to convince Varric to help you escape, but he will decline. You are given the option of attempting to escape on your own or attempting to plead your case

1. Escape - You can theoretically make it out of Haven but it is almost impossible to do so without being caught. If you successfully escape, you can continue as normal to help close the breach, or leave. If you leave the game ends with a bad ending circa early 90’s games. 

2. Plead Your Case - You fail miserably. You are kept a prisoner and used to close the breach and then taken to trial before the Chantry. If you’re successful in pleading your case then you’re released into the Inquisition’s service. If you’re not successful Leliana will save you and recruit you into the Inquisition’s service. 

Unsuccessful Plea - You are given less choices on the order of your next few quests. (Impacts what you have available when Corpheus attacks Haven)

Successful Plea - You are given complete choice on the order of your next few quests.  (Impacts what you have available when Corpheus attacks Haven)

Escaped and Closed the Breach - You are still made to plead your case before the Chantry but it is extremely unlikely you will be unsuccessful. All companions except Casandra are extremely impressed and receive a boost to approval. 

From here the game focuses on the formation of the Inquisition. You can make a case for Varric to be granted freedom or be left a prisoner. If left a prisoner you can come visit him and he will not begrudge you any. He can be freed at a time by speaking with Casandra with at least a modicum of approval, or by speaking with Leliana with high approval. 

You are more or less an indentured agent of the Inquisition. Your incentive as a player for completing your quests is the promise of freedom if you help close the Breach. The type of Inquisition you form is up to you in terms of who you recruit, the message you put out, and the army you create. You are not necessarily labeled the Herald of Andraste, just the Herald. What you are the Herald of depends upon your backstory and choices and can change over the course of the game. 

I.E. : Herald of the Qun, Herald of Mythal, Herald of Andraste, Herald of the Stone, Herald of Death, Herald of Freedom, etc. 

When the Inquisition is relatively stable, you are given a choice of who is the Inquisitor among your companions / advisors. You do not have to be the Inquisitor. You can also reject the idea of an Inquisitor altogether. 

After completing your choice of a few main quests, Haven will be attacked by Corphyeus. ANYONE can die on the attack on Haven (companions, advisors, etc.), and your army will also take losses that can be mitigated by mounting a solid defense. The individuals you save exist as recurring minor characters and don’t just evaporate when you get to Skyhold. 

*If Varric is still a prisoner at this time he will die. 

When dealing with Skyhold, you actually have to repair it and build up defenses by recruiting troops and companions for a final ‘lead them or fall’ suicide fight with Corphyeus akin to ME2 which many other folk have written much better than I ever could so I’ll skip that. 

For the main quests, the Templar/Mage War is the main priority as you attempt to restore stability to Thedas. Unfortunately no one believes you about Corypheus. They also find their own matters to be more pressing, and will not help you until you help them. The consensus is it is just another Blight, and that you should consult the Grey Wardens about it. 

You’re presented with four options for the mage/templar war: Mages, Templars, Broker Peace, or Ignore the Conflict.

1. Recruiting the mages can result in having Fiona, Calpernia, or both as allies. 

2. Recruiting the templars can result in both Samson, Barris, or both as allies

3. It is not possible to broker peace if all four leaders live. Some leaders will refuse to work with others. Some leaders will refuse certain conditions. This is where you get a choice of conscription versus recruitment and what the new framework of the Circle looks like, if you’re not pursuing pure independence for one side or the other.

4. Ignoring the conflict will give you more time to focus on the rest of the world. The war will continue to ravage the countryside without you, and depending upon other choices one side will win and offer to assist you later. 

Beyond the war, the game focuses on convincing the countries surrounding the Breach to focus on it as the real threat. World leaders are more concerned with the Mage/Templar War and with the possibility of a new Blight than they are concerned with the Breach. The general consensus is that it is a side-effect of the Mage/Templar War brought about by the mages. There are (possible) civil wars taking place in the Free Marches, Ferelden, and Orlais. The game primarily spans these three locations. 

Orlais - The civil war is as seen in the game between Celene, Briala, and Gaspard. How quickly you stop the civil war determines how many forces are alive in the final fight against Corphyeus. How you choose to fight in the civil war swings the outcome in favor of one leader or another. Winter Palace will not trigger until one side is ready to capitulate. The choices you’ve made during the war will strongly influence your score in the Winter Palace and your ability to sway the nobility to your side. (Similar to Landsmeet)

Ferelden - The civil war in Ferelden is conditional to your world state. If Anora is made Queen without Alistair, a civil war is started in his name whether or not he is alive, though it is much weaker if Alistair is dead or if Cousland is King. How quickly you stop the civil war determines how many forces are alive in the final fight against Corphyeus. (Arl Eamon leads the civil war and can be persuaded to end it immediately if Alistair is recruited as a Grey Warden). If Anora is removed from the throne and NOT replaced with Alistair, Ferelden is significantly weakened and not able to provide aid in the final battle. 

If the Warden was a mage and requested freedom for the Circles, this has been granted in Ferelden. Any leader will automatically provide shelter to the mages, and in the event you ignore the mage/templar conflict, this strongly pushes victory in favor of the mages. This also makes it easier to recruit both Calpernia and Fiona if Fiona knows the mages have somewhere safe to turn that isn’t Tevinter. 

If the Ferelden Circle was destroyed and you ignore the mage/templar conflict, this strongly pushes victory in favor of the templars. This also makes it easier to recruit both Samson and Barris if they know the templars will have the support of the Ferelden Crown after the war is over. 

Free Marches - If Anders was spared, a civil war takes place between Starkhaven and Kirkwall. How quickly you stop the civil war determines how many forces are alive in the final fight against Corphyeus. 

If Hawke sided with the mages, and in the event you ignore the mage/templar conflict, this strongly pushes victory in favor of the mages. If Hawke sided with the templars, and you ignore the mage/templar conflict, this strongly pushes victory in favor of the templars.

If Hawke sided with the templars, and spared Anders, this greatly increases Kirkwall’s chance of victory in the civil war with Hawke as Viscount. 

If Sebastian was rivalled and encouraged to reclaim his throne, this greatly increases Starkhaven’s chance of victory in the civil war. If Sebastian is not rivalled, this decreases Starkhaven’s chance of victory in the civil war, but increases Templar/Chantry support of Sebastian. In the event you ignore the mage/templar conflict, this slightly pushes victory in favor of the templars.

*Some templars will not side with an Inquisitor who supports a Hawke who spared Anders. 

*If Anders was killed, he is seen as a martyr by southern mages. Some mages will not side with an Inquisitor who supports a Hawke who killed Anders. 

At any point in time you can seek out the Grey Wardens for help who actually know what they are doing and have an excellent plan to use demons to defeat the Archdemons before they all go to their Calling that has nothing to do with Venatori influence and is just a solid plan. They have done nothing wrong ever in their lives and everyone loves them. Upon being informed that the Calling is fake, they agree to help you against Corphyeus, because YOU ARE NOT A MONARCH AND HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO EXILE THEM.

That’s all I got for right now but I could add to it / clean it up if you thought it was a fun read.

[incomingalbatross]

If I can still offer suggestions for the "things I'd like to see you write" ask meme: Starfleet chaplain Father Brown. What Holmes was really up to during retirement. And I'm still curious about the "RTD doesn't understand hobbits" meta you mentioned ages ago.

Thank you!

I will say that I do not feel remotely qualified to write Starfleet chaplain Father Brown, but I love that concept so much... I do definitely want to read it.

---

I do want to develop a theory I can stand by on Holmes’ retirement!! Currently I am trying to restrict myself to things that could fit into canon without too obviously catering to my tastes specifically. :P (I have an answer that fits my Modern Holmes AU, but that incorporates fantasy/supernatural elements, and I don’t want to make those essential to any of the original Canon as it lives in my head. It’s hard to articulate the distinction, but it’s there.)

---

...So. I started to write some bullet points for that essay, and...here it is. Or at least here’s a decent first draft. I have’t watched any 10 in a while, so it’s not as well-sourced as I’d like, but it’s here!

(WARNING: Anti-RTD content ahead. If you’re a fan of his era, maybe just scroll past this post.)

So, the essence of hobbit-ness is that 

they love the mundane, prosaic and ordinary with a deep love, 

this love is not incompatible with a love for the extraordinary, the wondrous, or adventures, 

the best and strongest heroes are motivated by their love for the ordinary, 

you don’t have to be cool or special or Set Apart to be a hero, you just have to do the job in front of you and keep doing it.

RTD’s era occasionally pays lip service to these ideas, but on a deeper level consistently goes against them.

His companions often dislike their normal lives (Rose in particular), and certainly think them inferior to TARDIS life.

Ordinary people who are content with ordinary lives are often portrayed as comical, small-minded, less worth taking seriously: see Jackie, and post-memory-wipe Donna, who we’re supposed to feel is jarringly diminished by having lost memories of the TARDIS even though she is still herself. 

Our heroes are often separated from what they’re fighting for, sometimes in a tragic Frodo-ish way but also, often, because they seem to care more for the fight than the cause: see Rose and 10 treating Queen Victoria like a fun tourist attraction instead of a real actual person (I can absolutely see why she got fed up with them). The narrative is more likely to dismiss the great mass of people the Doctor just saved than to show us that, “Wow, they were so absolutely worth it.”

The human characters become Cool and Real Heroes in direct proportion to how much they are distanced from their roots and made like the Doctor. This is particularly evident in S4, with Rose appearing in a leather jacket spouting technobabble (I’ve seen multiple Rose fans highlight those echoes of the Doctor, and I think they’re right to consider it a conscious decision on RTD’s part), and with Donna. DONNA. She gets her Summit of Coolness, when “for one moment, one shining moment, she was the most important woman in the whole wide universe”... and how does she get there? What’s the best Donna’s ever been, according to the show? The DoctorDonna. The absolute best version of Donna RTD could come up with is the one where her self is half-overwritten by the Doctor’s.

A couple moments that I think illustrate these themes especially well:

ROSE: Get up, catch the bus, go to work, come back home, eat chips and go to bed? Is that it? MICKEY: It's what the rest of us do. ROSE: But I can't! MICKEY: Why, because you're better than us? ROSE: No, I didn't mean that. But it was. It was a better life. And I don't mean all the travelling and seeing aliens and spaceships and things. That don't matter. The Doctor showed me a better way of living your life. You know he showed you too. That you don't just give up. You don't just let things happen. You make a stand. You say no. You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away, and I just can't (Rose runs out of the cafe.)

The idea that “going to work, coming back home” is somehow a downgrade instead of the fundamental beauty and worth of human life is...characteristic, I think. And while Rose does follow that by saying that she “can’t” be normal not because it was “a better life” on account of the adventures, but because it involved making a stand and doing what’s right... that just pushes the fallacy a little deeper, because now she’s saying that you can only make a stand and do what’s right in any meaningful way away from home, as an adventure. That there are no battles to be fought, nothing to fight for, in the course of “going to work, coming back home.”

Then there’s “End of Time”:

WILF: No really, just leave me. I'm an old man, Doctor. I've had my time. DOCTOR: Well, exactly. Look at you. Not remotely important. But me? I could do so much more. So much more! But this is what I get. My reward. And it's not fair! Oh. Oh. I've lived too long.

I know the Doctor follows this by making the sacrifice. But...what kind of hero says things like that out loud? What kind of hero thinks “I ought to live instead of you”? And the thing is...I feel like we’re supposed to feel it’s tragically unjust. We’re supposed to feel the Doctor is worth more, because...what? The man he’s saving won’t live as long as the Doctor would have? The man he’s saving is human?

Those lines should never have been said, because they never should have been presented as a perspective with any validity. The Doctor should have enough love and reverence for life that he jumps to save this life for its own sake, sacrificing himself because he feels Wilf is worth it, and not because he feels the unjust universe is somehow making him do it. That’s not necessary to being a good person, but it is necessary to being the type of hero that the Doctor usually is.

And “School Reunion”:

SARAH: I waited for you. I missed you. DOCTOR: Oh, you didn't need me. You were getting on with your life. SARAH: You were my life. You know what the most difficult thing was? Coping with what happens next, or with what doesn't happen next. You took me to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, you showed me supernovas, intergalactic battles, and then you just dropped me back on Earth. How could anything compare to that? DOCTOR: All those things you saw, do you want me to apologise for that? SARAH: No, but we get a taste of that splendour and then we have to go back.

...I have SUCH conflicted feelings about this episode. On the one hand, I adore Sarah, and K-9, and seeing those reunions, and I really love how much this episode meant to David Tennant, and this basically got us the Sarah Jane Adventures which are way up there on my favorite DW content ever. On the other hand...this is such an injustice to Sarah. They took one of the strongest, most independently adventurous characters in all of Classic Who and reduced her to this...droopy, pining figure, who it’s implied spent the last thirty years moping around because Nothing On Earth Can Compare To The Doctor’s Life! :( :( :(

(And then of course SJA itself proved that wasn’t the case, by presenting her as having a life full of adventures and contacts and importance entirely without the Doctor. Which is part of why I love it--although the other part is that everyday life is presented as precious and important, because she has a kid and the problems of Kids and Family and Parenthood are given full weight. <3 )

In short: I think that, on the whole, RTD’s era expresses his own biases towards believing that Cool Adventures and Special Powers and Being Important are inherently worth more than Normal Life and Normal People and Home--which is the antithesis of everything Tolkien embodied in hobbits and the Shire. It’s also not Chestertonian, incidentally, or Narnian (see Rose’s speech above--there’s a reason the Pevensies had to go home eventually, and learn to see Aslan and His work in their own world).

(It’s not entirely like that, of course, but I feel like even the episodes that revolve around the Doctor being Tragically Unable to have a Normal Life do so by...exoticizing the idea? I dunno. We always know it’s not going to happen, and it’s not supposed to happen, so I feel like it’s always a little hollow. And it’s definitely outweighed, in terms of quantity, by the sheer number of instances where being a normie is completely dismissed.)

So there’s my essay! :P

[fireopal-tash]

First of all, an explanation about certain words that I will use: - things like 'daughters', 'mother' and 'sisters' is not in the sense of family, but of creation, superiority in a more friendly way, and closeness.

After all, gems have no family. Not until Steven. It is a simple connection that has no words, that's why I use those. If it bothers you, my apologies. You can change the words for others, if that is what you prefer.

Also, as always, sorry if there are mistakes ^w^'

Chapter 5: Era 0

It was a warm and bright morning when Steven Universe was woken up by a commotion below. Still a bit sleepy, but worried about what might have happened, Steven ran down the stairs, almost hitting the wall. He didn't notice anything out of the ordinary at first, until he saw smoke coming from the kitchen. He headed there, somewhat amused by what he saw. Amethyst, Pearl, and Spinel were covered in bread dough, flour, and... something he guessed was cream. The smoke was coming from the oven, apparently.

"What are you doing?" He asked, holding back his laughter. The gems looked at him somewhat embarrassed. Well, Amethyst seemed to be having fun more than anything, and Pearl seemed worried, trying to get rid of the smoke. Spinel, however, looked at the ground with a really red face.

"I... I just wanted to make you the brakefat" she mumbled, trying to explain.

"Don't you mean 'breakfast'?" the purple gem snickered, one hand over her mouth. She couldn't resist, really. That pink gem was very... cartoonish. And funny.

"Ha ha ha" Spinel mocked her, annoyed by the other's attitude "It was your fault it ended up like this. You told me to..." Their discussion stopped short when they heard Steven's free laugh. When was the last time he laughed like that? None of them remembered. And the heart-shaped gem was very captivated. Amethyst snickered again at the sight of Spinel's face, which brought her out of that state.

"S-shut up!" she complained, he cheeks flushed. Ame laughed again.

"Ok, ok. I'll stop now." she got off the counter, brushed off the food scraps and headed in front of Spinel "To make it up to you, how about I take you to the funniest place in all Beach City?"

That invitation was... very tempting, she had to admit. And Spinel smiled enthusiastically, forgetting the disaster that surrounded them.

"Now, Amethyst? Really?" Pearl pointed at the mess, almost hoping they would understand her. She knew better than that tho.

"I don't see what's the problem. Spinel still needs a tour of the city" the purple shrugged, completely unconcerned.

"Amethyst!" Pearl yelled annoyed.

Spinel, once clean, approached Steven, arm in arm, watching the scene in front of them. It was funnier than her misfortune on her first attempt at cooking.

"We better get going, before Pearl makes us clean everything up too" Steven whispered, walking in the direction of the door.

"Wait! Steven...!" Amethyst yelled running after them, ignoring Pearl, who kept talking about how irresponsible she was. Ah, the old days...

It didn't take long for the three of them to get to the Big Donut. After running part of the way, of course. Breathing somewhat ragged, Steven looked at Amethyst.

"Amethyst, why, ah, this sudden interest in being a guide?" He asked somewhat curious, still catching his breath.

"Eh, no reason. Someone has to do it" she replied absently.

Noticing how the smaller gem got all of Spinel's attention, Steven snorted, somewhat irritated. He could be a guide too. He had done it many other times, after all, hadn't he?

"Hey Ame-" He was interrupted again by the purple who made a loud exclamation as she pointed to another place, managing to capture Spinel's attention even more.

Steven grunted. The purple gem kept walking, showing and pointing at everything in their path, Spinel behind her as she looked at Steven with concern. It hadn't escaped her attention how very dejected the boy looked. The brunet's good humor seemed to have vanished the moment Amethyst had offered to accompany them.

"Spinel, look over there!" Amy exclaimed again, pointing to one of the buildings there. They were in Little Homeworld now "There are the gems I mentioned earlier. Come on"

Steven hadn't realized, until now, that she had been talking about other gems, or that they had arrived at Little Homeworld. They both approached the center, Amethyst calling out to said gems, while Steven lagged behind. Today nothing was going well. It was too early for this. He sighed, his hands fisted in his pockets. He did not want anyone to see him in that state. And it was ridiculous, to be honest. There was no reason to be upset. He should be happy for Spinel.

"Lapis! Peri! Bis!" she called again. The three mentioned gems appeared shortly after, Bismuth carrying a heavy weight on one of her shoulders.

"Hey Amethyst!" The smallest gem greeted, being caught by one of the arms of the purple gem "Stop it!" she complained, managing to get rid of it "You know how much I hate when you mess with my hair"

"Heh. Whatever you say dwarf" she stuck out her tongue. Peridot hid behind Bismuth, her cheeks puffed out.

"And who is this gem?" Lapis Lazuli asked, noticing the pink one.

Spinel looked away, seeming to be looking for something, or someone, before approaching Steven and wrapping her arm with his. She was feeling nervous again.

"It's okay" Steven reassured her, and turned his attention to the blue gem, at whom he smiled "Lapis, this is Spinel. She is new, and today she is here to learn a little about our planet, right?" He looked back at Spinel. Spinel nodded, implying that it was true.

"Nice to meet you, Spinel. I am Lapis, Lapis Lazuli. The dwarf gem is Peridot. And the gigantic gem over there is Bismuth.

"Diamonds are bigger" Spinel commented on impulse.

Well it was true. Bismuth was small compared to the matriarchs. Lapis snorted, especially when she saw the shocked faces of her companions.

"I like this gem~"

Spinel beamed at her accomplishment. Even if that was not her intention. She wasn't as rusted as she had originally believed. Steven was an exception.

The rest of the day they took a detour. The gems were telling stories, taking again all Spinel's attention. Amethyst was the one in front of the entire group, leading animatedly. Steven stayed behind once more, noticing how Spinel was acclimatizing. Soon she wasn't going to need him... It was Bismuth who noticed this, heading back, until she was next to Steven.

"Hey, buddy? What's wrong?"

"Bismuth?" he was surprised to see her there. He shook his head and with a forced smiled said "it's nothing"

The multicolored gem frowned, not believing him at all. It was clear that the hybrid was upset about something.

"Come on, tell Aunt Bis what's wrong?" she insisted.

The boy sighed again, knowing that the other was not going to give up. His gaze fell on Spinel, who was talking to Lapis, as she showed her one of the trees. Spinel seemed amazed.

"It's just that I thought I could help her" referring to the gem with two pigtails.

"I don't see the problem, it seems to me that you're already helping her"

"That's what it looks like, isn't it? But I didn't do anything. The others are the ones helping her. Showing her everything. Telling her everything she needs to know. And I don't know how..." he complained hands in his hair.

"Steven. You, better than anyone, know that you cannot pressure others to do what you want, even if your intentions are good" she admonished him.

The hybrid was embarrassed to notice that this was what he had been doing.

"Besides, isn't it your presence that makes her feel so relax around us? If you look closely, you will notice that you do more than you think. Give yourself more credit, Steven. You deserve it. "

She patted him on the shoulder, before returning to Lapis's side, changing the subject, noticing Peridot and Amethyst were about to start an argument.

"I guess you're right..." Steven whispered, relieved.

(In Beach City)

It didn't take Pearl long to clean up the mess in the kitchen, plus Garnet was waiting for her on top of the portal, so she didn't have time to lose.

Today they were going to visit the diamonds. Cleaning helped her with her nervousness.

"Pearl, we don't have all day," Fusion reminded her patiently. She didn't want to go either, but it was for Steven's good.

"Yes. Of course. You're right, Garnet" the pale gem sighed, before putting away her cleaning supplies. Better to get this over with as soon as possible.

They both immediately traveled to Homeworld, appearing in front of the gigantic thrones. The diamonds were nowhere to be seen.

"Well, here we are. How do we do this, Garnet?" Pearl asked, her hands entwining between them. She still didn't like the place, tho this was her first home.

"We have to find the Diamonds. Or the pearls. They will know where to find the Diamonds" replied the fusion calmly, noticing the room full of other gems.

"Right, come on then!" exclaimed the other nervously. The fusion followed her, preferring to keep quiet. Some things never really change, do they?

They had been walking from hall to hall for at least half an hour trying to find someone who could help them before finding that someone.

"Blue Pearl..." Pearl whispered. The last time they saw each other, not counting what happened two years ago, was shortly after the war began.

The blue pearl seemed to have a good hearing, because she turned in their direction, her hands clasped as they usually are. She tilted her head slightly, before speaking.

"Blue Diamond is busy with a meeting with Yellow Diamond" she said, intuiting in part the reason why two of the members of the Crystal Gems were present.

"Ah...! Yeah? T-then we'll go talk to White Diamond" replied Pearl nervously but almost challenging.

"Wait" Garnet looked closely at Blue Pearl "Maybe you can help us" she finally decided.

"Me?" she said softly.

"Garnet?" Pearl questioned her friend.

"I'm curious. I've heard of a very interesting story about the first Era" she lied easily "and I would like to know more about it"

A few seconds passed, before Blue Pearl decided to give them an answer. By way of following them, because all she did was walk in another direction. The palest gem had her doubts, but trusted her friend's judgment. They spent some time going through the corridors, before reaching their objective. Pearl gasped, immediately recognizing the place. The Great Library about Gems and their History. She believed her entry had been forbidden before she was created. She must have said that outloud, because Blue Pearl replied with a:

"It was reopened recently. It has been several millennia since I was last here..." her dreamy gaze under her bangs was positioned over the other Pearl "Something you never could" Pearl felt irritation bloom inside her. She knew she was teasing her, even if neither her tone of voice, nor her words, showed it.

"Right. That's why I'm here" she admitted with difficulty. The hand on her back made her feel better. At least she had someone's support "Come on, Garnet"

In Homeworld, things like night and day didn't exist. There was always light, albeit artificial. The library that Pearl and Garnet were in was no different from the rest of the planet. It was huge, cold, and empty, apart from the few gems, and many, many files. All in the form of a somewhat old and difficult to read writings - more by the method of recording such information than by the language itself. Time didn't seem to pass.

"We've been here for many hours, I think, Garnet. And we haven't found anything! Are you sure this is the right place? It would be quicker to ask the diamonds." Pearl kept complaining. If she was on Earth, she would have been excited about this research. But she was too uncomfortable.

"No. This is the place. Here we will find our answers. If at some point the Diamonds give us information, we can contrast it with what we find here."

"But the Diamonds were the ones who created this place. They are the ones who have lived the history of the gems since the beginning. Or at least White did." the last thing was mumbled, a little unsure.

"Mmm"

The two kept silent, still searching through the sea of information, their patience wearing thin.

"Aha! Here! I found it!" Pearl exclaimed with a shout of joy. At last! "Let me see..."

The pale gem began to read aloud:

"Entry XXXXX - 6

This writing is a testimony of the times. ERA 0.

Thousands of years ago, the Guardians were created, formed by the great authority, White Diamond. The Great Creator, that's what they called her in those days.

This was an opportunity, a new community, created from the power of The Great Creator. Our Queen, in her benevolence, gave each gem created from her light her own gems, and thus create great cities and discovered more worlds. A whole colony. The First of many others.

Tourmaline. Tanzanite. Moissanite. These were the three great Guardians. The first gems created by The Great Star. Powerful as they were, they weren't perfect. They made mistakes, being punished by The Great Creator, turned into permanent statues to maintain their eternal vigilance over the entrances of each new world. What did their 'daughters' do to receive such a destiny, you ask? Breaking the only law that existed during the Era 0: The separation of two Gem Mates.

Shortly after another law was created: Vindicta.

[ Gem Mates are gems that are made to be together forever. Made to be understood. Made to never feel alone. Their bodies of light, their music, everything in them is in sync. Much more than a fusion could ever be. They call it: The Final Union. If for some reason a GemMate is destroyed or is too far from its half, its lights will fade, agonisingly slowly. Some take longer, others turn off suddenly. There are records of these events in entry XXXXVI - 19 ]

Tourmaline was jealous of the closeness between Tanzanite and Moissanite, her sisters. They were both Gemmates, so it wasn't a surprise. But, as the story goes, Tourmaline was madly 'in love' - that's what she called it, that feeling - Painful but the most wonderful thing she had ever felt.

One day, she saw them together sharing their light. Fusion. That moment of intimacy was what made her act impulsively, pulling out her sledgehammer - a weapon that was created to protect, not to destroy - and take down one of her sisters. Tanzanite. When the Guardian came back to herself, The Great Creator was present. Moissanite, hurt by the loss, asked for one last wish to her Queen, before she herself ceased to exist. Their wish was granted with the idea that they would give up, or lose the will to commit such a crime. Such was her mistake...

The fighting was fierce and devastating. All the gems present were watching from a distance, shouting, asking for the tragedy to stop. They had never seen anything so devastating as the fight and separation of their Guardians. They asked for mercy. White Diamond granted their wish. She had had enough.

"For having broken the universal law, for separating what should never have been separated, and for the use of the Vindicta, I condemn you to an eternity as statues" said this, the Great Authority threw a powerful light, turning their companions in what today are known as statues, objects of admiration; and soon after, historic art walls were created to never forget what happened.

Some time later, perhaps due to the loss of her daughters, The Queen created two more gems. Blue and Yellow Diamond. The New Authority. Welcome to Era 1.

End of Entry

White Sapphire, the Queen's Clairvoyant "

That was all. It was not the only entry on this same topic, but the first of many others. Apparently they were going to spend a lot more time in the Great Library about Gems and their History than they thought.

They both looked at each other with a triumphant smile. At least now they had knew where to start.

What did you think of my entry? I have my own version of the Gems history, something that will be part of my Fic.

It will not be 100% well done, sure, but I hope you find it interesting, and you like it~ xP

[minhyunluvr]

look | empiricism

"Plus ultra!" Present Mic yelled from the presentation stage. You mumbled the catchphrase under your breath, promptly standing up and stretching. Before the two people in between you and the aisle could stand and block your way out, you crammed yourself in between their legs and the seat in front of them to leave.

A breath slipped through your lips as you stared up at the mock city in front of you in awe. It was fascinating how someone could re-build such a life-like structure year after another, its only purpose being destruction. Chatter rose from the examinees, triggering thoughts of disapproval from you. 'Why can't they just stretch in silence instead of catching up with friends?' A bitter taste settled in your mouth as you felt a pang inside of your chest. Were you jealous? Amiability and opportunity were always things you had been deprived of as a child, leaving many doors unopened. The only companion you had known as a youth was your adoptive brother, Woojin. There was a three year age gap, and he had entered U.A. when he was fifteen, just as you were about to.

The large gates creaked open, symbolizing one last burst of opportunity. This was a huge part of the test, and you would probably need to pass to enter the school. Your throat bobbed as you swallowed the lump beginning to form in your throat before taking off into the structure, but god did you hate running. Flustered sounds came from the other potential students as they attempted to catch up to you. It was to no avail. Your speed didn't seem as impressive when you were alone, running in a large back yard. By the time anyone else had stepped foot in the city-scape, you had demolished the first five robots at the door, successfully racking up nine points.

Roughly nine minutes later, a loud creaking noise came from your left. Once you released the three-pointer suspended in the air, you turn over to see the infamous robot worth zero points, therefor none of your time was to be wasted on it. You had not kept track of the points acquired, but it was surely enough to pass based on your observations of the other students. Glancing back at the newly created rubble from the fragmented machine in front of you, you caught a glimpse of a girl entangled in debris. Directing your quirk at her, you envisioned another robot lifting up the zero-pointer. A bead of sweat rolled down your cheek as the artificial robot took physical form, pushing the other in your direction. Surprised noises came from the students on the other side, loud enough for you to hear in the back half of the exam area. The one created for the exam was lifted further into the air, lugged along by yours.

A figure shot up into the sky, rapidly gaining speed toward the zero pointer. Sighing, you continued pulling it in your direction in a more urgent manner. "People really do try to steal credit for others' work, just like in the books..."

Before the person could make contact with the machine, he began to fall. A fist had previously been poised in the position to punch the exam robot, but now his arms flapped helplessly in the wind as he nosed-dived toward the ground. A broken piece of a robot began to float beneath the large one that was now behind you, a girl with her hand outstretched sitting on top of it. His body looked weak. Utterly helpless, even. You almost felt pity, for a second. But you continued doing your job as a future hero and had your machine raise the robot higher in the air before dropping it, effectively crushing the piece of trash.

"And, stop!" The same booming voice from ten minutes before yelled through the microphone, drawing out the first word longer than necessary. The girl and boy were no where to be seen when you turned back to them. Letting out a loud, clipped sigh, you stood and dusted the dirt off of your knees. An old lady pushed her way through the crowd about one hundred feet in front of you, where the zero pointer originally was. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to what looked like the ground at your angle, but the boy who had attempted to punch the robot stood up from the space a few seconds later. Another whine left your lips as you began to walk in their direction. Your knees felt as though they were about to break, but walking was the only option, as you couldn't lift yourself off of the ground.

"Oh, it was you who made the second robot appear out of nowhere!" A boy with blue hair pointed in your direction, eagerly walking over to meet you by the old lady who identified as Recovery Girl. "I am Iida Tenya, I hope to make your acquaintance. I saw you run in when Present Mic told us that the time had started! Your speed is remarkable..." He let out a pant in jest.

"Thank you. That's a lot coming from someone with engines in his calves. I never thought it was that impressive until I saw how slow all of the other potential students were.... I suppose I overestimated the future generation of heroes." Your face was impassive at his open expression of shock. "I suggest you keep your face devoid of emotion when you encounter villains. You wouldn't want to give off too many of your feelings, correct?"

His eyes hardened at your words, seemingly taking in your advice. "It almost sounds as if you're a villain yourself... I will keep that in mind. Would you mind telling me your name?"

"Choi Yunseo, but I prefer being called '(Y/n)'. Japanese honorifics are unnecessary. I hope to see you in U.A."

"You as well, (Y/n)." Iida looked at you skeptically as you walked towards the exit of the city-scape. His thoughts drifted back and forth between you and his score, becoming more and more curious about you as the day continued.

"Hello, Young Choi! This is a projection!" All Might yelled on the wall, light shining out of a circular container. You winced at the surname he addressed you with, noting the fact that you would have to correct your instructors in person when you inevitably make it in. "You actually placed first in the entrance exam, both in the written and practical sections... And it seems that you've been home schooled? Well, you must have a very nice curriculum." The projection flashed to a board of scores, you in first with 70 villain points and 57 rescue points. Someone named "Bakugou Katsuki" was in second place. "You beat Young Bakugou by 50 whole points, Choi! Be ready for him to go off on the first day, though. I don't think you should tell him your name, for your own safety. Anyway, check the packet that carried the projectional device for more details. Good luck, Young Ch-"

You cut off the video before he could say your legal name once again. "Why was he admitted to a hero school if I'm going to be in danger for surpassing him in skill...?"

"Please take your feet off of the desk, Bakugou! It is disrespectful to our elders and the fine craftsman who built the desks solely for our usage." The first thing you witnessed in your high school career was Iida reprimanding another student, presumably named "Bakugou" for resting his feet on a desk. 'As in... that Bakugou?'

"Shut it, fuckface. What middle school are you even from?" The blonde boy replied, albeit harshly.

"I am from Somei Priva- oh, hello, (Y/n)! I see you made it in!" Iida turned his attention to your annoyed figure in the doorway.

"Hi, Iida. But... Bakugou, is it? Are you not the kid who placed second... behind me?" A smirk fell onto your cheeks as you let the tease slip out. By the once sentence you had heard him utter, it was made apparent that he would be interesting to pick at.

"Wait, so you're Yunseo? God, I thought I would have to wait until attendance to bash your fucking face in..." With the last few words, he made a few flashes of orange energy appear next to his head, standing up.

"Oh, so you have an explosive quirk? Good to know... By the way, you shouldn't threaten people when you're in the hero course. Nor should you reveal your abilities when around a potential opponent, not that I fall into that category." The smirk slid off of your face as you restored your usual, cool demeanor. Turning away from Bakugou, you turned to walk to a seat. "Also, I prefer being called '(Y/n)'."

"Huh? Should I really be taking advice from a whore?" A few whispers started up in the quiet classroom.

"Is that because you find my body appealing? If so, the feeling isn't mutual, babe." With that, you continued walking to an open seat in the back of the classroom, which happened to be near a student with heterochromatic eyes. Your eyes narrowed as a vague feeling of recognition washed over you, but no further thoughts were spared on the matter.

Iida's face resembled a peach, at that point. A burst of laughter snorted out of his nose, effectively gaining Bakugou's attention. The latter boy's eyes had been following you as you moved to the back of the room, plotting revenge.

"Bro, you just obliterated him. No pun intended." Another male student chuckled from behind your seat. "I'm Kaminari Denki, by the way. And you are?"

"(Y/n)." Turning around to Kaminari, you took note of his features. His blond hair was slightly long, a black zig-zag which seemed to resemble a lightning bolt in his bangs. A small, button nose rested in the middle of his face, golden eyes above it. He was attractive, but not too eye-catching. Good combination.

"That's cool. May I have your number? You're kinda cute." He shot a wink down at you, hands resting on the back of your seat.

You pulled out a piece of paper from your backpack and quickly jotted down your cell phone number, handing it back to the boy. "I don't use my phone that much, so you might be ignored."

His face fell slightly at the last comment, but it quickly restored it's earlier vibrancy. "'Aight, but what's your quirk? If you don't mind me asking..."

"Did you not hear me talking to Bakugou about how he shouldn't unnecessarily reveal his quirk? I tend to follow my own advice." Your head fell to the side in annoyance.

"Did I just hear my name?!" The explosive blonde screeched from his seat up in the front of the classroom.

"Yes, you did." You spoke passively, not moving your attention from Kaminari. "Anyway, you will probably have to wait and see what my quirk is from when we do some sort of... training? I'm not entirely sure how this school works, yet."

"Deal, as long as you explain afterwards." He stuck his hand out for you to shake. Your nose scrunched slightly at the gesture, but you reached over nonetheless.

"Haha, that would ruin its abilities." With that, he walked away. Then, the room went quiet.

"It took eight seconds for you to quiet down." A shaggy-haired man groaned at the doorway as he crawled out of a sleeping bag. "I'm Aizawa Shouta, your homeroom teacher. I'm not going to waste time on learning your names, get dressed into your gym clothes and get outside to the grounds."

[m.list]

[tagfer]

you should analyze it! i'm curious

urff okay so. I’ll do it. Here’s some overanalysis on how Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s story caused almost all of its major characters to become nothing but jokes compared to their original Sun and Moon characterizations.

With full disclaimers, I actually enjoyed playing Ultra Sun. As far as enjoyment goes, it was probably more fun than Sun and Moon. Story? So much worse.

[Massive USUM spoilers! Of all sorts!]

Also a secondary note: I may have missed a thing or two, so if I have incorrect info, please let me know.

Looker & Anabel (and in a way, Nanu) get their postgame removed. Altogether. None of it happens. Looker shows up early to foreshadow Episode RR, but that’s it. Then postgame, there’s a like, ten line cutscene where Anabel introduces herself as a member of interpol and says she’s going to the Battle Tree, and Looker remarks that she’s not that strong. Yeah, let’s put the dude without any pokemon on guard duty for his boss who also used to run a huge battle facility in another universe.

Compare and contrast to SuMo, where the three of them got an entire story. A very horrifying story, but well written, where it’s explained the consequences of falling through a wormhole turns you into a magnet for extraterrestrial beings who will likely kill you, but not out of malice, and that despite her higher rank than Nanu or Looker, that she’s only being used as bait for those creatures. And it explains Looker and Nanu’s past, showing that Looker was a member of interpol years before the quirky guy we meet in Platinum. And that they had a friend/colleague actually die in front of them, and how they both hold immense guilt for that. Oh and that Anabel is likely from a different universe.

But these characters didn’t have destroyed characterization as much as they don’t get any whatsoever because Looker and Anabel get a mass of maybe 20 lines total, only one of which has anything to do with Episode RR.

I included these first because I’ve previously written plenty about Anabel and Looker, and I absolutely loved their plot, so seeing it absolutely absent is the biggest disappointment of USUM for me.

Lillie loses so much that it’s sad. Let’s be honest, Sun and Moon’s plot is really the story of Lillie. How she can grow from a timid girl afraid of the world to realizing that she has her own strength and can determine her own future.

When you first meet her, she’s afraid of birds. By time the climax happens, she’s traveled to another universe to deliver a Why You Suck speech to her abusive mother (and gets one of the best intense musical numbers in the game!). Early in the game, she idolizes your strength, but over the course of it learns she has her own strength and that just because she isn’t the strongest out there doesn’t mean she can’t overcome her own trials and obstacles. She even has some of the best symbolism in the Pokemon games, ever; discarding her old clothes that signify her mother’s control over her and using ones she picked, saying that she’s now going to take control of her life. And she does.

By the end, it’s emotionally impacting when she takes charge to leave Alola on her own journey.

In USUM, the story has shifted. She’s no longer the main character, you are. Which is classic for a Pokemon game, but compared to the games released a year ago it makes everything hollow. It goes from a story where you’re helping your friend who has family issues that spiral deeply out of control to you being the Chosen One who has to defeat Evil Teams and Lillie is just kind of a companion much like previous “friends”.

Her character arc and foreshadowing plays out perfectly in SuMo where as in USUM it falls flat. In Sun and Moon, the entire reason you visit the Ultra Deep Sea is to finish Lillie’s character arc. During their first confrontation, Lillie (symbolically wearing her first outfit) was not strong enough / did not believe in herself enough to confront Lusamine for everything, but she decides that that’s what she needs to do, and that’s what forces her development and drives the plot. In USUM, she never gets to confront her mother at all. And the plot is driven forward partly by Lillie/Gladion’s want to save Lusamine, but mostly because the Ultra Recon Squad needs more help defeating Necrozma.

This makes all her personal growth so much more shallow. Her motivation is to help you instead of you helping her.

Her becoming a Pokemon trainer in Episode RR isn’t foreshadowed at all either (as far as I know) and rather just comes a surprise when you’re forced into a double battle.

Gladion and Type: Null lose a bunch too. In Sun and Moon, he’s a soft kid who tries to hide his gentleness under a facade of badass edgelord. His escape from Aether Paradise, while obviously inspired by his mistreatment, included saving a Type: Null, because he knew it was in pain. He slowly grows and learns the power of friendship. He even names his Type: Full friend.

After the game, he takes over Aether Paradise in order to make sure everything goes right. Which could be seen as unsatisfying but it’s clear he has grown to the point to accept responsibility.

It looks like it was going to be this way in USUM, but it turns out he just gets a Silver complex. He just wants to be the strongest there is. He implies he kidnapped Type: Null not because he wanted to save it, but because he wanted to train it as the Beast Killer it was meant to be, to the point he even points out its concept as a Beast Killer and attempts to follow Lusamine into Ultra Megalopolis.

Even his leaving Alola is just merely a lust for power instead of Lillie’s search for independence. Wicke even comments that Gladion wants to beat trainers like you and Hau. And he does come back for championship title defense matches (a month after you complete the story). That’s it. He didn’t go on a journey, he went on a training mission. His personal growth has really been traded for a Silver complex, of hollow growth but unending lust of power.

Lusamine is a disaster and arguably gets a worse redemption than she did in Sun and Moon despite having a full redemption in USUM.

SuMo Lusamine is by far one of my favorite villains - both in Pokemon and in general. This is cause despite the fact it clearly isn’t, she totally believed what she did was completely justified. She didn’t see herself as a villain at all. And that’s what makes a good villain. She wasn’t just “oh I’m evil, I want to control the world/etc.” Which Pokemon has a lot of.

Her obsession with beauty (and mistreatment of Lillie and Gladion) was the culmination of years of sanity slippage caused by Nihilego and the loss of Mohn. She even more or less forgets the reason she was looking into Nihilego and instead focuses on Nihilego’s beauty. So while it doesn’t justify what she did, we’re at very least given an explanation as to why she is the person she is.

…

In USUM, so much of this changed it’s… unbelievable. Other than the appearance of Nihilego at Aether Paradise, Nihilego plays no role as far as we know. She suffers little sanity slippage other than delusions of grandeur of helping/defeating Necrozma on her own. She also hopes on seeing Mohn.

She’s still obsessed with beauty. She still treats her kids as ornaments. She still uses Guzma. She still experiments on living creatures, freezes living creatures, and creates chimeras. (And Type: Null gets a special note here because her focus was now Necrozma and not Ultra Beasts - but she was still okay with creating a Beast Killer.)

She also gets no real redemption. Despite all that she did, she suffers no consequence. Lillie never gets to really call her out. Nor does Gladion. She seems to repair her relationship with her children near immediately. Nobody comments that she’s got a giant office full of cryogenicly frozen pokemon, and how she openly announces that her goal was to save Alola from Necrozma to keep that collection. She doesn’t get anything. In fact, you, her, Lillie, and Guzma share a laugh at Faba’s expense right in front of one of her pods, with others also plainly visible.

Post Episode RR, talking to her reveals that you made her rethink her views on beauty. Or something. Honestly, it sounds like the kind of lie you’d feed a kid, but it’s more likely bad and forced character development.

In Sun and Moon, she even remarks to Lillie, who had just stood up to her and then saved her despite Lusamine lunging to kill her, “When did you start becoming beautiful?” Which is a perfect line for her character and Lillie, acknowledging Lillie has grown (and completing Lillie’s arc and foreshadowing). Afterwards, Lillie’s speech to you implies she’s got a chance of redemption - while she doesn’t understand what she did wrong, Lillie is attempting to explain to her, and even though you were a constant disruption to her problems she attempted to visit your championship party. With her trip to Bill to hopefully help her problem of (most likely long-term) neurotoxin poisoning and Lillie’s patience, she could eventually come around and realize what she did was wrong and try to make amends for what she’s done.

Instead, in USUM, she seems to be instantly forgiven for everything. Lusamine deserved better than that.

I will always understand why people hate her. I get it. And trust me, I have strong feelings about what she did too. But she’s still my favorite villain and I will be personally suing Game Freak for what they did to her.

Hau gets a BW Cheren complex where one or two lines of dialog from a character make him rethink everything an in the process lose the major part of his personality that made him noteworthy. Cheren lost his goals, and Hau lost his carefreeness. He’s still a sweet kid and everything, and I’m proud that he actually achieved some more goals in USUM than in SuMo, but his (and Hala’s) changes seem so forced, like they were shoehorned in.

At least for Cheren, he got a game two years later showing how he had developed. We’re probably not gonna get that for Hau.

Guzma is one of the only ones that get a bump. But that’s only because his involvement in the story was hardly affected - he was still Lusamine’s faithful servant, even though she had massively changed.

But because change in the story was minimized for him, his inclusion in Episode RR actually helped his character. And afterwards, he says he’s still looking after his crew. So while the growth was minimal, it was there.

Colress is the only other one I can think of who got better, too, but that’s only because he only had like seven lines in Sun and Moon. This time, it’s shown that… well, he hasn’t changed at all, still being but a selfish, hedonistic scientist who will double cross anyone who asks for his help.

And this is more than proven true when he confronts Ghetsis. Although he didn’t try to hide it in B2W2, he full on says he hates Ghetsis. He was only using him for funding and science.

This is not a real shock.

Like I love Colress’ passion but y’know. Everyone who’s asked for his help got it but also got double-crossed. Oh, and now his technology is reaching scary advanced levels.

[MASSIVE SPOILERS BELOW.]

-

-

-

-

-

Mohn. If you were hoping for a happy ending for the Aether family, I’m here to tell you you’ll be sorely, viscerally unsatisfied. While in SuMo he got nothing, somehow, they made it worse for USUM.

Because they finally meet him.

And they choose to let him live his life not knowing he has a wife, children, and friends who have all been looking for him for like, a decade.

Despite the plots of both SuMo and USUM being set into action by his disappearance, he gets no resolution. 

He fucking comments on how nice Aether Paradise is! And they decide to not be like “oh hey yeah you kinda were a major part of it.”