#but if durge can get a redemption

[lwiann]

Ik gorts attractiveness is like controversial but i never found him ugly like most people do and i was just neutral to him for the longest time bc i felt like act 3 was lacking over all anyway, but thats a different topic. Although now that I think about it, Im kinda glad he looks like that and I love his facial features. He's very fun to draw. I think he's very unconventionally attractive. I just wish it translated better to my art style because sometimes I look at it and im like... I could make him rougher. I'm learning though. Its difficult coming from 2 years of genshin art to suddenly realistic faces with wrinkles and all 😂

[fabledteeth]

anybody else play a cleric durge and felt like they had to come up with some ridiculous reason as to why their pc would wake up believing they worship a god that’s not bhaal? ophelia’s is “i can tell i used to worship a god and can’t remember who, but i have some sick fucking lightning powers and i love carnage destruction and chaos, so that probably means talos is my god. yeah that checks out”

and it’s just. not even fucking true. she was absolutely Not a cleric before the nautiloid, and she definitely didn’t worship talos. he just happened to fit the description

i like to think talos sees her going through this process and just decides to feed into her delusions and grant her cleric powers because he thinks it’s funny

[mermaids-ate-my-dinner]

Now I'm sitting at work and can't stop thinking about the angst of romancing Karlach as the Dark Urge who has connections to Gortash.

[spellshite]

Me, every time I have to do something Bad™️ in my evil run:

[zevrans-remade]

.

[doctorweebmd]

coming out of my baldurs gate 3 delirium (aka i am working a night shift and can't physically play it. at work.) to say that horikoshi. horikoshi when i GET YOU. you are NOT leaving izuku with no quirk and no arms. i am in your walls

[aphroditesacolyte]

Absolutely in love with this art oh my god. Every panel is GORGEOUS and I love the way you've done Dark Urge X Astarion. I wish I had better words than I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love it omg. I'm so beyond dark urge spoilers so at this point I'm just gonna keep geeking out about it until I play it myself. my god its so good aaaaaaa

Dark Urge&A.Astarion BG3, Part 2 Comic[TW]

Part 1 here, Part 3 here

Another Dark Urge and Astarion fancomic, because I'm still highly addicted. Hope you like it. 🍷

To be honest, I'm always a bit insecure with uploading my art but I was very happily suprised that you guys are enjoying my strange little bg3 storys, so thank you very much for giving me the courage to keep drawing my weird fancomics lul

Read Part 1 here, Part 3 here

[unreadpoppy]

I want to go back to like...the raphael elizabethan play style au i had but my main "problem" with it is that I don't know who the like MC be. It's probably not going to be like a ship fic, so I'm tempted to put Siren (my dark urge) in it cause she's a bard but then i'm like do i add the...y'know....dark urge stuff or do i just pretend it doesn't exist

[astrxealis]

will share abt my ocs more soon >:)) particularly ffxiv & bg3 nyehehehehe

[pupmkincake2000]

So, I played Baldur's Gate 3 four times (as Gale rpmancing Astarion, as Astarion romancing Gale, as Durge romancing Halsin, as Durge romancing Gale) and here are the conclusions I came to:

Gale is soooo main character/leader coded. I enjoyed playing as Durge, but playing as Gale and watching him through all 4 playthroughs I realized he is better for this role than anyone else. He's smart, intelligent, kind, he has seen some shit in his life, and won't die on the first day after the nautiloid's crash. Yes, physically he may be weaker than many other characters, but with the amount of knowledge and magic power he is capable of a lot things, and he is also sweet and helps those in need (I consider canon the route when the hero does a lot of good things, including saving the Grove, saving prisoners in Moonrise Towers, etc. ) and is ready to give up god powers for the one he loves. He would be a great leader. You may disagree, but I think hes perfect as a main character.

Despite my dislike of Astarion as a character (and my sudden love for Durge x Gale ship), I think Gale's romance with him is the best and most... uncliched? And I just love it so much! It is precisely because they are two halves of the same coin, they have a lot in common and are able to make each other better. Considering that Astarion's best ending is the one in which he, remaining a vampire spawn, becomes either a traveler or happily married to Gale. Just imagine: Astarion will finally have a loving family, a home, a loving husband (and I’m not even surprised that Gale is the only one who proposes marriage to his lover), he will have a happy, well-fed life, he can choose a profession he enjoys or he can travel with Gale when Gale, as a professor, gets his vacation. After all, every Academy has summer holidays, and Gale himself says that sometimes he misses adventure. And I wouldn't mind reading a story about them travelling the world together again.

Ascended Astarion is the worst version of Astarion, no matter what anyone says (I decided to ascend him in my last playthough and oh gods he's so disgusting!). He doesn't love his consort, I will never believe he does, not to mention his consort is nothing but a pet to him. He is also even more narcissistic and manipulative and is just another Cazador, just a bit worse. This is exactly the impression I got. Plus, he is an evil that needs to be eradicated.

I really enjoyed playing as Durge. Moreover, I really like his redemption. This is that very case when redemption actually works and the character can actually start their life anew. But to be honest, I missed Gale's reaction to Durge's revival after Bhaal drained him of all his blood and after Jergal brought him back to life. But probably any romantic character has no reaction to this.

Wild Magic. The best magic ever.

Karlach and Wyll are made for each other. In my first two playthroughs, Karlach either died or became an illithid, but then I managed to send her with Wyll to Averno. The way he asks her to go with him so that she won’t be lonely, the way he later talks at a party about their joint adventures, the way Karlach says that if it weren’t for Wyll, she would never have returned there... all these moments are the best. It's even more than enemies to lovers, it's a full-fledged healthy relationship built on friendship, trust, support… it's amazing. Just think about it: Wyll did this for her sake, he literally agreed to go with her to hell, where the conditions of survival for a human being are very difficult, just so that she would not be lonely and so that she would not die. I want to believe that they will still be able to repair Karlach’s heart and return to Faerun together.

[galesdevoteewife]

Some thoughts on Act 3 cutscene, endings and the line “To know you love me for the man I am"

[ Gale romance spoiler all the way to the epilogue ]

In my vanilla playthrough, the particular act 3 cutscene dialogue which Gale wanted the crown caught me off guard. It was one of the rare bg3 moments that stirred complicated feelings within me. (to a point I was considering maybe I should romance Emperor lmao) The structure of his proposal felt thoroughly planned and scripted. Every question I raised was met with a well prepared answer.

Too ambitious? It's not for myself; it's for us, for the greater good. Too dangerous? What have we done that wasn't risky? We're up to the task! Power corrupts? Just a means to an end. I’ll still be me, just an improved version. Now I only need a kiss.

I viewed it from the perspective of him hard-selling the player a difficult decision, and the entire conversation felt strategic. Topping it off with the famous line, “With you, I forget my goddess. I love you.” Such a powerful, attention-grabbing statement delivered with utmost sincerity. It's likely that the player would remember only this line, also making it more difficult to reject him. While I don't doubt his love for them, his motives were a question to me.

One of the things that makes Gale's darker path unique is that everything looks beautiful—voyage through the galaxy, kissing lovers, his voice, so tender and sincere. There's no eerie light, no violence, no bloodshed.

Some thoughts on his true intention and how insecurity is the must-solve in Gale's romance arc

In my opinion Gale’s main emotional knot in relationship is the insecurities he harbors. He holds a logic that he is loved (or tolerated) because of his power. Gale Dekarios wanted to be seen and loved but he "holds a poor figure next to Gale of Waterdeep". While there are exceptions like Tara, his mother, and perhaps Elminster, who love him for who he is; it's not his default to believe that people would appreciate him without his power/achievement/service.

With that in mind and let's circle back to why he wants godhood.

If the player reject him in the boat scene, his instant reaction is: “But I could be so much more to you.” If they reject godGale: “I achieved everything we hoped I would, and still I'm not good enough for you?” –Not a word about the better world. I wasn’t convinced he wanted the godhood “for the betterment of all”.

Instead, what he truly wants is the player’s heart... and I think he believes that obtaining the crown and godhood can win them over. Awkwardly, he would need their help to get rid of the elder brain and he is trying hard to convince them.

Some argue that godGale quickly transforms into the type of passive deity he despised, but I hold my opinion on how deeply he cares about the world in the first place. True, he could sacrifice himself to save the day, but he always says "it's the right way/fate" with nothing empathetic for the general folks. I am suspicious that he says it to dismiss the player's concern.

A bit of addition to this theory. Seeking godhood is not a new ambition for him, according to Elminster's epilogue letter. In my canon, he desired it for Mystra if not for the player, attempting to draw closer to her as an equal.

Gale, the god of ambition

Ascending without resolving inner conflicts is like thrusting a dagger into redemption Durge's hands, potentially exacerbating the situation. The ascension path strengthens this twisted logic. Looking at the godGale romance ending cutscene, he gets to dress the player in matching outfits, hold them in his arms, in his realm, in his symbol. They are finally his, and he would believe it’s the power that made it happen.

However, this would lead down to a never ending thorny path with an insatiable hunger. As a god of ambition, it's in his nature to desire more, continually pursuing additional power because it's a viable all-purpose solution in his mind. He will work his way up to the god rank, might even consume a few, "bringing chaos that even trembles the heavens" —according to Raphael. And guess what? In the dnd universe, there are even superior beings above AO.

Nonetheless I hold hopes and optimism towards the godGale romance. I don’t see anything stopping the player from starting to make things better and nudging him into better use of his godhood. Ambition is not necessarily a bad thing. However, at the point where the game ends, this path is a dimmer one.

Some thoughts on the line: “To know you love me for the man I am, and not the magic I command... None have loved me so purely before.”

When I first saw this line and my tav reacted with a sad face I thought she was thinking “Huh? But i love you for your magic too??” xD

It just doesn’t make sense if he is drawing a conclusion that the player would love him for a 0 magic muggle Gale. He is a wizard. His alliance with the player was built on him contributing to their journey with his magical ability, and their romance was sparked by a shared moment through the weave.

My interpretation is that what he meant by “the magic I command” was referring to the mighty power he used to possess, and “the man I am” was everything he showed you—his love for magic, nerdy side, witty jokes, cooking… things that he thinks define who he truly is. In my canon, he probably went through a long period where his title/talent was all that mattered to people, for his portfolio was way too strong (if I read my dnd materials right, lorewise he could be a legendary character even. I will make a post once I put my findings together). The Chosen of Mystra (among the 22 known chosen in more than a thousand years, some of them are even Mystra’s daughters), the prodigy archmage with the gift to conduct the weave. He could have experienced hurt multiple times as people showed little interest in his personality, then he fell back to conceal Gale Dekarios behind the Gale of Waterdeep fortress. However, this consequently blocked him from building real friendships/relationships.

His circle is small, yet I suspect it's partly because he wouldn't let people come close enough to see Gale Dekarios. Even in Act 3, he still wants to keep it between the player and himself. At the beginning of the journey, he denied the player's attempts to know anything other than his profession. If the player is a wizard, he would even play authority and "apprentice" them. By the by, here's an interesting reading about how he might be masking.

Professor Dekarios of Illusory school

Lastly, my favorite path for Gale! Ugh, it just melts me to see him smile that wayyy (How can Tim and the team be so genius and make the expression distinctive???? I mean, he has been smiling all the time, but especially sweet in the epilogue???) He is content. He knows he doesn't need the mask, nor power, or godhood for the player and him to be each other's. From my point of view, it's an arc of self-acceptance and unknotting. He is convinced power isn't everything, and he chooses to teach illusory magic (gotta admit, destruction-force wise it’s almost a harmless school) for he is the one who wants magic for realizing imagination and the one who shed tears over burned roses.

The path in which Gale Dekarios believes that he is seen, understood, loved, and finds peace. Nothing I would like him to have more. I hold true love for this fictional 3D man *wipe away joyful tears*

Sidenote [1]: Some hate Gale for thinking he's only “pretending”. I personally think he is a well-layered character, for there are so many ways to explain him and plenty of room for ambiguity, making it fun to think about his thinking.

Sidenote [2]: I inevitably project some of myself onto him. The concept of “you don’t need to try so hard, pretending to be someone else to be accepted by the world. you only need to find the right band.” is a kind thought that’s so cozy to me.

[therobishow]

Baldur's Gate 3 has me in its unrelenting grip. I am obsessed.

Especially with the problematic king himself, Enver Gortash.

I love him. I want him as a romance option for both Durge and Tav. I want my Durge to reunite with the lover she can't remember. I want Tav to drag that man kicking and screaming through his redemption arc.

Tavtash is definitely my preference out of the two. Because god forbid I just have a normal ship with an abundance of fic. No, of course not. My dumbass has to go running for a rare pair.

And on that note, I really need fic writers to remember that Durge is not Tav!! They are not the same. Durge can be evil or good. Tav can also be evil or good. But they are fundamentally different characters regardless of how you play or write them.

So, please, please please please stop using Tavtash tags for Durgetash. I keep getting so excited that there's finally another piece of Tavtash content, only to find that it's actually Durge.

I like Durge, and I like Durgetash, and I will still enjoy Durgetash content. But y'all are getting my hopes up and then crushing them. So please stop using Tavtash tags for Durgetash content.

[backonrepeat]

I know most everyone headcannons that the Dark Urge and Gortash fucked nasty pre-game, and while I'm 100% there for their toxic couple shanenigans and kinky dynamics, please consider this alternative: They were not fucking pre-game. Gortash was still completely infatuated with Durge and Durge still admired Gortash greatly (as per the infamous letter). So, no sex but tons of UST during their villainous get togethers (and poor Ketheric wishing for the sweet release of death after having to deal with the two idiots making cow eyes at each other).

Then cannon happens, Orin lobotomises Durge, and Gortash is left alone to mourn. When the time for the coronation comes, he's obviously delighted to be reunited with his crush, amnesia and all, and that's why he's like *that*

After that display (and the whole "favourite assassin" and "nearest and dearest"), Durge reaches the same conclusion we all did: they and Gortash were definitely fucking before Orin happened. And they are confused because he's a bad guy, and he betrayed Karlach, but at the same time he looks and sounds familiar, and maybe in their scrambled up brain Durge still has a faint memory of affection for him, and can't help but find the man attractive. Cue, plan to seduce Gortash to get information and/or ensure his cooperation.

Like, imagine Durge meeting with Gortash privately and just, going full on seduction mode, all "oh, Enver~, let's be allies" and smooching him within like 5minutes of entering the room.

Gortash obviously knows something is up, but at the same time he is getting what he has wanted for so so long and just goes along with it. Maybe the amnesia was not such a bad thing? Like Ketheric is dead, Durge seems keen to dispose of Orin as well, and he now gets the alliance AND sex on top of it?

(Bonus: this is redemption Durge, and they are more affectionate and sweet, and although Gortash really doesn't want to like it he's a poor touch-starved bastard and starts enjoying the softer touches despite himself)

This can then go either the silly route (two emotionally stunted morons playing the seduction game until they both catch feelings real bad) or the tragic route (where Durge betrays and kills Gortash, and it hurts so much more because of it)

[avocado-writing]

hi!! ive.. gone and read so much of ur work in one sitting. its all so much to take in, IN A GOOD WAY, and i absolutely adore every single word

would u be so kind.. to bless my angst durge needs..

Durge Resist tav, was strong for all until the brain was finally defeated but now, with what she believed her only purpose/chance at redemption (brain), they can't help but feel utterly empty and,, unredeemed. They mourn all those they have robbed from this world, nameless, and countless numbers of people they robbed of the life that they were now being given the chance at living. Surely they don't deserve it(Is what they think..)

They are pathetically in love, and if they deserve anything, its to tell their special one just how much they are adored before casting themselves out of society (or taking their own life, if ur comfortable writing such things-)

Rolan, Dammon, Zevlor, maybe even Rugan if u write for that loser LMAO. just.. whoever u write for, its the tieflings i adore most ahegege

if this didnt make sense IM SORRY i havent slept in so long and sleep is not choosing me. i just crave angst, perhaps with a happy ending if u would indulge me so..!! thank u if u read this, so much!!

hi, I don't write fics about suicide, but here's the tiefling bachelors with a durge who's planning to disappear after the absolute is gone and giving them one final confession:

Dammon

senses something is wrong when you take him aside for a heart-to-heart.

it isn't that you avoid these sorts of moments per se, he just knows you only affirm your affections when something big is going to happen (you did it before you went off to fight the elder brain)

he holds your hand tightly, gets you to look him in the eye.

"I love you, no matter what, and I never want to be without you. tell me you'll be there when I wake up tomorrow. in our bed. swear it to me."

you can see the utter adoration he looks at you with, and you think: maybe you aren't so bad if a man like this can truly love you.

the next morning Dammon wakes up. you're not in bed next to him. he panics, getting to his feet - only to find you in the kitchen making breakfast.

he's never been so relieved. walks up behind you and wraps you in his arms. he loves you so dearly, and will keep on loving you until you believe yourself worthy of it.

Rolan

Rolan doesn't quite understand why you're having this great outburst, but chalks it down to emotions running high after the final battle.

says goodnight, kisses you, and heads off to his tower - he has a lot of admin to do after all.

the next morning he comes to meet you at the elfsong, only to be met with the realisation that you aren't there. he curses himself for not understanding why you were so melancholic last night.

he tracks you down. uses all of his resources to scry on you, grease palms with the money the tower has. he's up all night for weeks. Cal and Lia worry about him but he is determined.

and find you he does. manages to locate where you're hiding out, a little hamlet in the middle of nowhere. you burst into tears when you see him, and he just pulls you into his arms.

"come home with me."

you do, moving into his tower. and you never leave him again.

Zevlor

immediately knows something is wrong. takes you to a quiet place where the two of you can be alone and talk things out.

discusses how he feels like being a failure for breaking his oath -- but you always saw past that. saw the goodness in his soul. he wishes you would treat yourself with that kindness.

you begin to cry, softly at first, and then with sobs which wrack your whole body. he holds you ever so tightly.

"I love you. you are not who you were. you have strived to be better every day, fought against your own family, and always chosen a righteous path. you deserve to be happy. I'd want to make you happy, if you'd let me."

eventually your tears run dry and you look up into his face. his eyes are so sincere. he means every word.

when you kiss him, it's a promise: that you're with him for good. that whatever comes next, it will be faced together.

[petrasdisapproves]

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐄𝐒, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧.

I'm going to write the obvious things now, but I need to remind myself (and those who need it): It's 𝙊𝙆𝘼𝙔 to look at the same character from different angles. Analyze and interpret his actions and words in different ways. Have your own vision of a romantic relationship with this character.

What I'm trying to say is, it's 𝙊𝙆𝘼𝙔 if you see Astarion as a lost and vulnerable character or just a damn charming manipulator. If he actually has a complex personality or just an arrogant and sassy vampire for you. If you like the more vulnerable or strong sides of him. If you see him as a victim or as a villain. As a bad guy who has a chance on redemption, who can become a better version of himself, even a hero perhaps, - or as a magnificent bastard who doesn't need and doesn't wish to change anything about himself. Or you can see 𝘢𝘭𝘭 that in him at once! (and still love him for it.) :D

This also applies to the relationship with Astarion. If you see a character as bisexual/pansexual, or perhaps in your opinion he is more into women/man/other, that's fine. Ascended or spawn can love your tav or durge, regardless of their race and gender, because the game still allows to romance him. In your headcanons, Astarion can also have a unique interaction with your character. For example, they can be cheeky and insolent, have more 'hot' type of dynamic, or on the contrary - they can be more tender and soft with each other, because Astarion can behave unusual with his partner when he opens his heart. Astarion can have wild passionate sex with your tav/durge 24/7 if you wish, so they won't get out of their tent/cozy chambers any time soon. Or maybe in your story he still needs time to adjust and has yet to learn how to make physical contact without unpleasant feelings and memories of the past hunting him. Perhaps in your headcanon Astarion doesn't need sex at all (for a while or permanently). Or maybe he's not against polyamory and intimate experiments. Your Astarion can be the top. Or he can be the bottom. ( just like he can be big or a small spoon in your relationships :) ).

AND YES. If you prefer Astarion's ending as Ascended vampire or as a spawn... 𝙄𝙏'𝙎 𝙎𝙏𝙄𝙇𝙇 𝙊𝙆𝘼𝙔! If you want a luxurious life with your Ascended Vampire Daddy (sorry couldn't help it ;D), you can have it. If you see AscendedA as a man who hides his vulnerability and insecure behind a display of power and dominant behaviour, who still in love with your tav/durge and perhaps scared they might leave him one day or that they fond of him only for his charms and power, then this is 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣. But if you see AscendedA as a manipulator and a liar, a cruel tyrant who has become the worst version of himself, who does not know love and would just use/abuse you, this is also 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣.

Same for the spawnA ending. You can see different type of progress in this path, how Astarion breaks a vicious cycle of violence and abuse, his personal growth and how he is overcoming his fears and weaknesses by trusting you in the moment of choice during the ritual. You can see this as a way of story where Astarion had sacrificed the sun and power, but where you saved him from himself and opened another door - the one where he will learn another meaning of freedom. Where he will discover other possibilities in his future, where his personality/behaviour remained unchanged or even improved in the way he couldn't even think of. And he will certainly find other values in his life, as well as he will learn more of himself, like 'what he is' now, when Cazador gone. He can enjoy adventures and dangers just as AscendedA enjoys ruling from the Crimson palace. SpawnA can love your durge/tav because he 𝘊𝘏𝘖𝘖𝘚𝘌𝘚 to, because you are equal and have a deep bond built on trust. Not because he clings to you as you were his lifeline or a safe blanket. Or on the contrary, you can see like spawn completely dependent on you, sacrificing everything just for you. Perhaps without your tav/durge, he will never feel happy and free again, perhaps his world is currently limited to you. Perhaps in your opinion, this ending actually is not best for him and his future seems rather pathetic and poor.

So my point is. These are 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣𝙨 and 𝙮𝙤𝙪 have the right to fantasize as much as you like, 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚. Just remember: 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮. Baldur's Gate is a roleplay game, damn it. No one has the right to judge how you play it, either your choices or opinions in the different matters. Or your headcanons. We all looking for comfort in something specific for ourselves, we all need different things to escape from reality, and that's why we here. We have our own experiences and traumas, own worldviews and own understanding of what's right and wrong. During the interaction with other people, we can feel them on different levels, as well as perceive and analyze same characters from certain angles. And simply as that, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩. And it's fine.

For me, Astarion is a complex character who you can discuss and talk about endlessly, because - honestly? - there is NOT ENOUGH content in the game to make an unambiguous verdict on all issues related to his personality and story. A lot of ideas and scenario stuff for Astarion has been cut from the game even before the release, a lot has been changed in process and a lot of content leaved unfinished. But we have what we have, and I'm still happy with that, because I still get to enjoy character, and it also thanks to modders and people who makes headcanons, screenshots and all kind of friendly content with that charming brat.

I sincerely believe that everyone has the right to interpret Astarion in their own way, as well as to have their own imaginary future with a fictional vampire, damn it. Every tav/durge can have their own happiness with him, whatever it may be, no matter how they see it. Everyone chooses and goes their own path with Astarion. And it is precisely these different headcanons that makes your couple and this vampire unique. <3 𝙋𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙡. *drops the microphone*

[animentality]

Something I love about Durgetash I don’t see getting talked about a lot is like. The pain Gortash must feel, seeing Durge be a wreck physically and in terms of their memory but also healthier than they’ve ever been, mental and emotionally wise?

Like I feel like he and Durge probably came to the conclusion they were both deeply fucked up, irredeemable pieces of shit. But that’s ok, because they can be fucked up pieces of shit together. Then Durge disappears on him, and comes back with morals and a conscience and a found family holding them accountable and making them be better than they were and like?? Gortash thought that wasn’t possible. He thought they were both unsaveable, unredeemable, unloveable. But here Durge is loved and saved and seeking redemption.

If he took even a moment to confront what that meant he would realize that means he too is redeemable and saveable and lovable, but he can’t be. Not after all he’s done. Not after all this work he’s put in. So instead he tries to pretend things can go back to the way they were. That his Durge hasn’t changed, just come home to him.

I think it would break him to think the Durge he knew was never real, and that the person in front of him that abhors everything that his old friend stood for is the real them.

Anon hi.

do you like the taste of my heart on your blade?

what a gentle way to be massacred.

there's always been something so heartbreaking about Enver Gortash looking upon his former lover and refusing to see that they've changed.

he wants so badly to believe you're the same old you, he denies it every time you tell him you've changed.

he needs you to be the same because otherwise he truly is alone, just as he always feared.

if he accepts that you're different, he's accepted that you've died twice. he knows the pain of losing you twofold.

and it's unbearable, because he couldn't even accept that you died the first time. never allowed himself to feel that grief.

and he thought he got off scot free when he found out you were alive again.

but refusing to accept the truth... ooh that got him, didn't it?

it got him.

it's even worse knowing that the person you were wasn't your true self too.

and it would've been harder to accept that maybe he's not being his true self either, that the child he abandoned long ago in the hells, that scared little boy, is the true Enver Gortash. so he goes to his grave stubbornly denying his own humanity.

and the lynchpin was refusing to accept that the dark urge was more like him than he ever suspected.

that they were as broken as him, but had the capacity to fix themselves.

and in the end, they were stronger than him in every way they could be.

ah. anon.

take your hand out of my chest, please.