#ao bg3

[baldurs-gape]

Noise Complaint

By their very nature, gods expected things to happen as they wanted. Clashes between them were inevitable but thankfully rare. Generally, Ao had a good grasp on how to handle disputes before they spilled into other realms. Alas, it wasn't always possible to intervene or to reach a sufficiently acceptable solution which was how so many wars and the like started. Then there were times when the argument stayed within Elysium and Ao desperately wished it wouldn't. This was one such instance.

"You've got to do something!" Tyr hissed, teeth gritted.

If it had been just Mystra coming to Ao, it would have been so much easier. Jilted lovers were common among gods and Ao could write a handbook on dealing with them at this point. Unfortunately, Mystra hadn't been the first to approach about the issue. She wasn't even the second.

Even Shar was there, arms crossed over her chest.

"My domain carries the echoes, this has to cease."

Helm nodded along, "He should be kicked out. We don't need this kind of disturbance here."

Murmurs of agreement went up from the gathered gods. When even Loviatar appeared to lodge a complaint, Ao knew it was serious. Head in hand, it was difficult to think. Ao had to admit that it wasn't the gathered gods that were the main source of the issue. No, it was the moans that carried through to all corners of Elysium since the new god arrived. It was all well and good to force one's way into their ranks, but surely some decorum and manners were to be expected. But no. The God of Ambition seemed to have taken his role rather seriously, assuming his personal ambition was to piss every other god off.

"Very well. I will pay him a visit." Cries of relief and mutters of 'about time' melded into a choir of pacified gods. It seemed Ao had a trip to make.

Travel through Elysium wasn't as most imagined. Especially not for a being like Ao, who just had to think and the realms warped around the wish.

Stepping into the freshly created realm of ambition, Ao peered around. It seemed very...confused. A cross between human creature comforts and grandiose excess. Obviously the new god had issues letting go of his past. An obnoxious, breathy moan reminded Ao about the purpose of the visit. At least the realm had rooms and doors still so Ao knocked on the door where the noise came from and counted out a decade on the Material Plane before entering. Regret was imminent.

There was the newest god, kneeling on the floor, deep purple ropes criss-crossing his body in a restraint and a harness. On the bed in front of him was the abomination of the Vampire Ascendent, booted foot pressed against the god's naked crotch.

"Look, puppy. We have an audience." As he spoke, the abomination turned the god's head. Ao didn't know whether to be glad or mortified to not have learnt the new god's name yet. In a way it didn't matter because the god whimpered, hips twitching against the boot.

All words were gone in every living, dead and not yet invented language. Ao had seen it all, thought nothing could be a surprise anymore. Being wrong was both a thrill and a disappointment.

A century passed in the Material Plane. Then another. The Vampire Ascendent shrugged and turned away from Ao.

"Darling." One single word and the new god's focus was back on him. "My little treasure, you've been so good for me, haven't you? I think you deserve a reward."

No god, old or new, should whine in submission like that. Ao regretted perceiving what happened next. It seemed ambition did away with shame.

"Good boy, Gale," the Vampire Ascendent purred, eyes fixed on Ao and a dangerous smile on his lips. "You're my good pup, aren't you?"

Very slowly, the door closed as Ao backed out of the room and turned away. Not before hearing a raspy, needy "Astarion" from Gale's lips. An eternity passed as the moans turned to cries then quieted into murmurs of affection and adoration that was close to worship.

The other gods needed to be soothed, reassured. Ao hadn't done anything other than walk in, get an eyeful then leave. Kicking the new God of Ambition out with no explanation didn't bode well. As a human, he had already achieved godhood once, and given that his realm was ambition, Ao had no doubt that he'd manage to rise again a second time. There was nothing for it. Elysium was to be abandoned to ambition. Ao set about creating a new, quiet and harmonius realm. One that had no place for ambition or vampires or noise complaints.

[verawhisk]

happy wizard wife, happy wizard life!

[brewstersbru]

Got inspired so enjoy some bloodweave!!! <333

“What are you reading?”

Astarion jumps a little at the suddenness of the question, he’d been reading, alone, for hours now and had assumed all of his companions to be asleep. It seems he had erred in his assumption, as Gale peers at him, squinting in the dark. Astarion sighs, burdened.

“What could you possibly need from me, wizard? Shouldn’t you be cuddled up, all snug in your bedroll?” Gale laughs a little, strained and careful, but continues his approach. Astarion rolls his eyes, snaps his book shut with a decisive whack, and sets it aside. 

“Couldn’t sleep. And I see you reading every night, it’s only natural that I’ve wondered what genre of tome could possibly enrapture you so, a man normally much too aloof for anything to grasp onto.”

His voice carries a kind of smug tilt to it, like he’s trying to tease but is too sincere of a man for it to come out as anything other than a collection of awkward observations. Astarion returns a more practiced smirk. 

“Mmm. I see.” The words rumble and slur together into something almost animalistic, Astarion’s not quite sure what overtakes him, in this moment, but there’s a kind of vulnerability to Gale. A soft belly upturned to the world, a rabbit twitching its nose but refusing to run. 

As a predator- a hunter, at times- Astarion is well practiced in spotting and pouncing on these vulnerabilities. He smiles toothily. 

“So you’ve been watching me?”

And Gale? Well, Gale laughs. Quiet, but boisterous and chortling. He shakes his head. 

“Did that really work on people?” He continues to laugh. Astarion draws his brows, puzzled. He hadn’t intentionally been trying to draw him in, but in hindsight that’s probably what it looked like. After years of honeypotting, his purr and growl are often one and the same. Astarion allows himself a small smile, but stows it as soon as Gale draws close enough to bathe in the candlelight.

Silence hangs for a moment.

“It’s a romance novel. Drivel, really, but I’m not one to be picky.”

Gale hums and inclines his head towards the book. “May I take a look?” Astarion nods and shuffles to the side, “Please, be my guest. Fair warning, though, it will rot your brains.” 

A laugh then, as Gale settles next to- but notably far enough to not touch- Astarion on the rug he’d pilfered from some poor sap’s home. It’s quiet, again, as the wizard flips his way through the pages of the book. It’s clear from the quick dart of his gaze that he’s not really reading it, just scanning the most interesting parts. Astarion waits quietly, a state quite unnatural to him but that feels right in the muted intimacy of the moment. He watches the way Gale’s eyes change as he reads, bright, always, but with intermittent flashes of surprise, and mirth. It’s not a bad look on him. Astarion refrains from mentioning that. 

“Well,” Gale sighs heartily and gently places the book back where it had been sitting, “that was quite possibly the worst thing I’ve ever read. I mean really, her ‘evil’ orc boyfriend who ‘changes’ for her and shuns his entire family for the sake of their union? And don’t get me started on the more intimate scenes, if I ever read the word “member” again I think I’ll-“

Astarion can’t help himself, he bursts into a tight, brief set of giggles before hunching over himself. By refusing to look up, he misses the pure glee and adoration in Gale’s expression. Astarion shakes his head.

“Gods, you’re right. It’s horrid, isn’t it?”

Gale nods, somber, “Detestable. Truly, you have found no other books to occupy yourself with? I would argue this,” he points at the book with an accusing finger, “does more harm than good. You’d be better off simply not reading.” 

Astarion shakes his head; something about the low candlelight, the relative isolation of his tent and the illusion of privacy it offers- it makes him want to be open, honest. To show his soft belly to someone who’s just trusted him with theirs. 

“I- well- I would normally throw this wretched thing in the river.” He waves a dismissive hand in the book’s general direction. “It’s just, well, before I never had much time to read frivolous things like this. What with all of the screaming and agonizing and seducing I needed to do.” Astarion laughs a small, humorless giggle at himself, “It’s nice just to be able to sit in the warmth of the sun- when it’s actually daylight of course- and read. Even if it is mindless drivel like this.”

Gale hums, more to himself than anything, but eventually his eyes catch on Astarion’s, something warm and mischievous glinting within. “Do you trust me?”

Now it’s Astarion’s turn to laugh. “About as far as I can throw you, wizard. Which is to say I would pass out before I did.” He gestures to the thin wiry ropes of muscle that wrap around his bicep. Gale gives him another soft laugh.

“That’s fair, I suppose. Will you do me a favor then, and come with me for a moment? Leave the book.” As he speaks, Gale rises from the rug, knees giving twin creaks as he straightens. He winces at himself and smiles something small and self-deprecating. 

Astarion, equal parts dubious and curious stands with him. “Well now I have to know. Lead on, wizard.”

“It’s Gale, you know.” Gale comments, as they begin walking back towards the circling of tents a bit closer to the campfire. Astarion huffs. “I know.”

He lets the silence settle, and sit for a bit. 

Gale chuckles and shakes his head, “Yeah I suppose I should have guessed that’s what you’d say.” 

It’s not long before they come upon Gale’s own tent and the wizard opens the flap, disappearing inside. Astarion waits near the entrance for a couple of minutes before Gale’s head- hair adorably unkempt and still squinting into the darkness- pops out to usher him in. “Thought you didn’t need an invitation to enter anymore? Or is the tadpole’s magic so limited?” 

Astarion rolls his eyes and smacks lightheartedly at his head as he ducks inside. “You’re such a little shit!” Said shit only grins and returns to… whatever the hell he’d been doing. 

The inside of his tent is almost impossibly spacious but Astarion guesses that has something to do with being a wizard. There are scrolls and ink pots just kind of lying around but the chaos is rather cozy. The largest thing in the tent, however, is the absolute leviathan of a bookcase off to the right, which Gale is now rummaging through, muttering to himself.

“Romance… Romance… Wait, does he even- ASTARION- oh you’re right here, perfect, do you even like romances? What’s your preferred genre?” There’s an urgency to his words and movements but it’s not frantic. Rather quite the opposite actually, he looks more at home here and now than Astarion thinks he’s ever seen him. 

“Oh- uh- well, darling, I’m not quite sure. It’s been a while. I do think I’ve always enjoyed romance when it’s- well- good.” Gale nods decisively and returns to his task, a man on a mission. Astarion tries not to notice how sweet he is, how sweet the whole situation is, really. He’s just appreciative of the arts, can’t go around letting people besmirch its name with nonsense like this stupid book or anything. 

“Aha! Here-“ Gale lifts a rather thick tome from the shelf, it’s got quite an ornate cover- a mix of dark blue with gold embossing- and he shakes it like he’s just found a particularly useful scroll, “it’s an enemies to lovers epic surrounding two clerics- one of shar and the other of selune- and their struggles with their respective faiths and the adventure they embark upon.” His smile is almost blinding in its intensity and Astarion finds he has to look away. Has to squash this warmth fluttering in his gut.

“Did you just read that from the summary?” He’d tried for a snarky sneer, but all that came out was genuine curiosity. How many times would one have to read something to be able to recite its summary from memory like that? Although, Gale’s always been quite bright. 

“Not at all. I’ve read this enough times I could probably recite the first chapter from memory!” Gale’s still smiling but there’s something strained and uncomfortable to it that makes Astarion unreasonably unhappy. He thinks for a moment.

“Would you? Darling, my eyes were just starting to hurt from the prattling prose of that hack of an author, they could use a bit of rest… Would you mind terribly getting me started?” His face had just seemed so puppy-like, so eager to share his interest in this piece of fiction that even the thought of implying that that was bad or annoying or at all anything but hopelessly charming was… well… unthinkable. As a reward for his kindness, Gale absolutely beams at him. 

“I would be honored, my friend! But first-“ With a snap of his fingers all of the candles snuff out, leaving the two of them in complete and utter darkness.

“Uh, Gale, dear, as much as I do enjoy good mood lighting I don’t think you’ll be able to actually read in-“ Before Astarion can finish speaking, a bright, almost blinding orb of light materializes in the palm of Gale’s hand. He gestures to his right and the orb moves itself into the corner of the tent. 

Blinking, Astarion notices the comfortable warmth seeping into his skin from the rays of light the orb is emitting. He grins over at Gale, who had already been looking at him, furrow of trepidation between his brows. 

“You mentioned you liked to read in sunlight, and, well, it’s not like either of us is going to sleep tonight, right?” His smile is more sheepish, this time.

Part of Astarion wants to cry, part of him wants to kiss Gale on his pretty mouth, part of him wants to destroy this tent and all of the books in it.

He decides to sit. Gale joins him after a moment. He reclines himself on the pillows that line the other man’s bedroll and then rolls himself into his lap. Gale simply huffs, mutters something about “Tara” and situates the book in his hand in such a way that allows for his other hand to card through Astarion’s hair. 

Astarion really does cry, now, but the tears are silent and Gale graciously pretends not to see them. 

“The moon cannot shine on it’s own. Each night the sun caresses its cheek, granting its light and we are able to watch this act of love from a distance…” 

They fall asleep, or rather, Gale does. In the midst of a sentence his daylight spell blinks out of existence and he kind of slumps in on himself, hands going lax. Astarion is only able to catch him and the book because of his almost impossible dexterity. 

Astarion huffs a ghost of a giggle at him, but carefully bookmarks the page, sets the book aside, and tucks the wizard in. He sleeps like a rock, it seems, because even with all of the jostling he remains steadfastly unconscious. 

After a moment of gazing and contemplating at Gale’s relaxed face, Astarion uses one of the many available inkwells and quills and scribbles out a short note.

Had a great time tonight, darling. Let’s do it again sometime, I’m aching to know if Shenra and Kaye actually kill each other.

<3

He doesn’t kiss Gale’s forehead as he leaves but the thought crosses his mind, and he regrets not doing it when he reaches his own tent.

Damned wizard. Damned Gale. 

[baldurs-your-gate]

Boy has flavor now!! Still a work in porgor but this is the latest.

Also I couldn’t help myself

No talk, me reading

Some healing for a wizard in need?

Then some of him without the book

He’s so shaped (affectionate) silly little wizard man.

He lost some of his silliness in the process tho. Tryna figure out how to return it. Something with the eyes and eyebrows? Hm. To be figured out by future me.

[miradelletarot]

I really wish this headache would go away.

I also wish I had money for another Tim Downie Cameo bc I have a mighty need for Gale to comfort me when I wake up in the middle of the night with a panic attack.

[tomurakii]

Gale x Cleric of Helm is such an underrated dynamic.

"Yes my god killed your ex-girlfriend. She shouldn't have tried to disobey Ao. Plus he felt reeeaally bad for it."

-Two acts later-

"Do you think Helm would be proud or upset if I killed Mystra again?"

[nocanonhere]

I just know Ao is sick of this shit. Isn’t even keeping count anymore. God of Ambition? Dont we already have one of those? Oh that was the God of Aspiration? Well what the fuck is the difference? Who is vetting these people? Oh me?

[y-rhywbeth2]

Little bits of trivia that amused me: Sunite priests apparently tend to write their own leitmotifs and hum them while doing things (a comparison to the James Bond theme song was made).

[friedrnilk]

tav moodboard - yannick human | bard/fighter | soldier | lawful good

Reverence the gods and help men. Short is life. —Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations

[writingforaliens]

Husband, trying to give me a romantic compliment: "You put the stars to shame" sounds like a Gale line.

Me: Because it literally is.

Husband: Dammit, now I can't use it.

[ex-textura]

Jinx, in a turn of events surprising only to himself, suddenly realizing that being the centre of attention is less fun if it doesn't include the person whose attention you're seeking.

He's playing for you, Gale. Look up would you?

[fylterrred]

"We were totally cornered, so we decided to use a secret weapon we'd had with us for a long time..."

Clip of The Iron Flask cuts to Klip throwing it at Tal

Klip, excited: That way it goes!

Xiv, hurriedly: CLOSE THE FUCKING DOOR!

Klip, overlapping: Oh my god!

Video cuts to Tal killing 3 githyanki in a row

"Tal"

[olgipolgi]

thinking about how one of the first things I did when I got a laptop was ask if any friends wanted their Tav/Durge to hug Lilith and uhhh 🥺🥺🥺

im glad so many of my bg3 friends we're excited about it cuz this really makes me smile aaaa so many hugs for my girl 😭💙

[loverwithalittledagger]

basic info: Alex, they/he/ze, over 25

who knows what’s going here tbh - whenever I get too fixated too fast for my main, I’ve got this one.

Username is a FOB reference so probably lots of that and right now I am so down bad for #macdoc I am chewing my enclosure

I’m always full send for Witcher, TAD, FOB, LesMis, Spirk/AOS, and media w lesbians/trans mascs/and butches, and dnd:hat gay ships, and also anything that’s got a good corruption arc love that shit

I will genuinely happily review and hype up anyone’s fic if you tag me and they’re in any fandom im into (unless it’s specific squick, in which case I probably won’t read it but I’ll still share it)

I currently follow back from @godforsakenprospero

Also when in doubt I probably headcannon that character as trans, particularly if they’re masculine in ways I enjoy or envy! (the funny corollary is if I HC a character as transmasc, then I tend to avoid gender swap fics, because my brain keeps processing it as misgendering even tho it’s absolutely not at all and a very fun and valid way to fandom)

[dragonagitator]

me: oh ho, what's this?

the first chapter description:

me:

me:

me:

me: every day we stray further from Ao

[undead-merman]

So I beat bg3 and explored the other ending I could get in my save.

Astarion regardless of his ending is fucking glorious. My favorite little bastard, yet him in his

Ascended story line was fucking stupendous. Just wish there was a conversation after the last boss fight, like in his good ending.

Yes, I am writing bg3 Astorian now. Yes, I have a wip right now. Yes, I plan on posting it, and yes, I have many more ideas for writing.

Now, I plan on making a himbo fighter for gale because he deserves it.