#his final quest is confessing to rogue

[dragongodryss]

Diary of Fiore's youngest Guildmaster

[baldurs-simp]

Un-Holy (Astarion x Aasimar!Reader)

Summary: Your heritage comes out in the midst of a battle, leaving you to confess your past to Astarion, whom you have developed a strong relationship with.

Warnings: strong language, mild spoilers, aasimar!reader, fluff, written at the spur of the moment while slightly tired, a bunch of rambling in the beginning but shit goes down later on

MY MASTERLIST

You have gone years without a fight until you woke up on the Mind Flayer ship with a tadpole behind your eye. Now, you cannot go a day without fighting for your survival after the ship crashed somewhere near Baldur’s Gate. You are not alone in the fight, however, having met some companions along the way who all share the same affliction you do; the threat of becoming a Mind Flayer.

The first you met was a Gith, Lae’zel, on the ship before it fell, then a Cleric of Shar, Shadowheart. The two don’t see eye to eye, but they keep the peace well enough to not cause a fight within the camp at night. Then you meet the rogue, Astarion, whom you later find out is a vampire after he tried to drink your blood in your sleep. How he’s able to walk in the sun without burning to a crisp is a mystery to everyone, but you think you could be because of the tadpole lurking around in his head. Or perhaps it is the work of the Guardian that visits you in your dreams.

Then you met the wizard from Waterdeep stuck in his portal, Gale. He has his issues. An orb sits in his chest, waiting to explode if it is not sated with magical-infused objects. You normally allow him to consume items that would otherwise be of no use to you. Items that grant you spells that you can already cast. Items useless to you, but not to Gale. 

Wyll you had met after defeating a group of goblins that tried to enter the Emerald grove. Meeting him spurred your quest to help the Tieflings being kicked out by the druids. You plan on clearing the way for them, getting rid of goblins that might attack them west of the Blighted Village. Wyll had his quest to hunt down a devil, whom you found, Karlach. 

Karlach is nothing like what Wyll had described and they finally came to a consensus to not kill each other. The tiefling that fought in the Blood Wars was only enlisted against her will. And she now joins your party in search of a cure for the Mind Flayer tadpoles.

You feel as if you know everyone in your party, and know somewhat about their past from what they shared with you after bunking down for nights while on the road. Yet, they don’t know a thing about your past. They don’t know who you truly are, or what you really are. But sometimes you think it’s for the better.

Battling the Hobgoblin leader, Dror Ragzlin proves to be a difficult fight. With the majority of your companions looking rough and the fight still raging on, you can’t help the necrotic energy bubbling up inside of you. You have to let it out. 

Planting your feet firmly into the ground beneath you, you let out a fierce cry as ghostly skeletal wings sprout out from your back. A necrotic shroud falls over you, turning foes close to you around in fear. Your eyes turn into black pools as your gaze falls on Ragzlin, letting him know that he is your target. 

The fight is quickly won after that and you drop your celestial facade, helping up Gale and healing him of his wounds. “Well, I didn’t know we had an Aasimar in our party,” Shadowheart mentions, causing you to turn your head towards her and see that everyone else stands behind her, staring at you in awe and curiosity. 

“Let’s just find Halsin and get out of here,” you quickly say, walking past them without so much as making eye contact with them. 

“Woah, woah, we’re not gonna talk about how fucking cool that was?” Karlach mentions as the party follows you, stepping over goblin corpses as you briskly walk toward the exit. 

“There’s nothing to talk about so let’s not mention it. This is just something I can do just as you can go into a rage,” you say over your shoulder, pushing the heavy oak door open, shoving the piercing gazes you feel on your back from your companions. You sigh, knowing that they will pester you if you don’t tell them what they want to hear. “Look, it's a long story, okay. I come from a celestial background. It’s no different than Lae’zel coming from a Githyanki background. We all come from somewhere and none of us has pestered anyone about it, so why should it be different with me?” you question, turning around to face them. So, can we please leave it at that, find the druid, and get out of this place?”

From the tone of your voice, they can tell that your heritage is a sensitive topic. And they know you’re right. Everyone has their past and they are free to disclose as much as they want. It prevents tension from rising in camp. So, they suck it up, leaving your story to their imagination. Until you’re comfortable telling them.

Astarion, on the other hand, is not one to let things go. He thinks that he deserves to hear your story after he told you what happened to him and how he became a vampire spawn. Not to mention that you and him have become somewhat close. After all, you do allow him to feed off of you at night when he needs to. That creates quite a bond if he must say so himself. 

As night draws near, everyone tends to themself to rest after a long day of slaying foes in the desecrated temple of Selune. You keep to yourself, not wanting to be involved in conversation as you fear that someone will bring up what happened to you in the fight. It’s a conversation you don’t wish to have. 

You sit by the edge of the lake, looking up at the stars, lost in thought and memory. You don’t even hear the footsteps approaching you from behind as you stare at the twinkling lights illuminating the sky. 

“There you are,” Astarion’s voice calls, pulling you out of your thoughts and back down to earth as he sits beside you on the ground. “I had thought that perhaps you had flown off.”

It was meant to be a joke and you know that. But it does not make you laugh or smile. Instead, you sigh heavily and glance down at your feet. “If only. Unfortunately, my wings are incapable of flight,” you state, looking back up at the water lapping at the shore. “They never used to be, you know. Gods, I used to be so fast, flying between clouds like a blur. Now, I can remember what it’s like,” you say, smiling to yourself as you recall a memory of being in the sky. 

Astarion has his eyes fixed on your face, taking in your smile, something that rarely comes across your face since he’s met you. “What happened?” he asks, tentatively and in a whisper. 

“I fell in love with someone I wasn’t supposed to,” you say, shaking your head in shame. “I fell in love with a devil. He was charming and cunning and I was cast out from my people because of it only to find out that he was toying with me because he wanted to see me stripped of my radiant power. He wanted to see me fall,” you explain, turning to meet Astarion’s gaze finally. “There is no pride in being a Fallen. Only shame.”

He understands now. If anyone, he knows all about shame and it explains more than you know to him why you never told anyone what you are. He wants to reach out and touch you, lay a hand on your wrist as a way to tell you that you are not alone in this. But he doesn’t know if you will allow him to touch you. He knows that if the roles were switched and he told you in extensive detail what Cazador had done to him, he might not know what to do with a friendly touch. 

“I wandered around on my own, living off the land, too ashamed to show my face to others, fearing that they would know what I had done and how far I had fallen from grace,” you say, looking back out to the lake. “I was on my own for so long, until I was taken by those Mind Flayers. It seems fitting now, being a Fallen Aasimar with a tadpole behind my eye.”

“You are not alone in this, you know,” he simply says, leaning slightly forward so that he can hold your gaze. “No matter how far you have fallen from grace, you are not alone, little angel.”

You chuckle at his words, your shoulders relaxing as you shift in your seated position. “I’m glad to have met you, Astarion. I only wish that we had met sooner,” you say, smiling sweetly at him as you cross your legs under you. “Perhaps things would have been better.”

Astarion laughs, throwing his head back slightly as he follows your gaze out to the water. “I do not think you would have liked me all that much. I would most likely have led you like a lamb to the slaughter for Cazador to feast on. And he would have reveled in the taste of your blood,” he says, a low growl in his voice at the mention of your blood. 

You two had talked about what the others might taste like to him, talking - theoretically - how different people’s blood would taste like. You’re sure that yours must taste different than those he had bitten in battle for a bit of extra strength. 

“And I would have tried to kill you if you did,” you tease him, looking at him, your eyes meeting his and you two stare into each other’s eyes. 

“May I see them?” he asks, his eyes shifting to your back.

You know he means to see your wings, even in their dismal state. You feel comfortable showing them to him just as he had felt comfortable telling you that he is a vampire. Giving a small nod, you close your eyes to focus on conjuring your spectral wings, revealing their skeletal form with minimal feathers covering parts of them, some looking as though they are ready to fall off. 

His mouth falls slightly open as he stares at them, shifting himself on the sand of the shore so that he can kneel behind you. You can almost feel his breath on your next as he shifts closer, his fingers reaching out to touch the exposed bone. 

A breath catches in your throat, your head perking up as a shiver runs through your spine, making your wings slightly perk up. Your heart skips a beat, something you’re sure Astarion can hear, and you turn your head slightly over your shoulder to look at him.

You don’t have the heart to tell him that his actions are considered something intimate between your people. Taking another’s wings is something only lovers do. You’ve never had anyone touch them, even when they are in their original, glorious form.

You close your eyes at the sensation, taking in it because you are not sure when you will experience it again. When you feel Astarion moving away, you look at him again and smile. “Thank you. For letting me myself around you,” you whisper, standing up off the ground and dusting off the sand from your hands and legs. 

“No. I think I should be the one thanking you for trusting me,” he speaks, standing up with you as he gazes at your features illuminated in the moonlight. Gods, he wishes he could see you in your full glory. He knows you’re still holding back what you could be. Still, he thinks it could be absolutely glorious to see you as the angel you truly are.

You bid him good night and walk to return to your tent. As you leave him, he casts his eyes to the ground to spot a black feather that has fallen from your wings. He bends down to pick it up, twirling it in his finger as she smiles to himself. 

He’s going to keep this feather so he remembers this moment forever. 

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[bg-brainrot]

Hugs for a Vampire (Astarion x GN!Reader) - Chapter 15: After Visiting Astarion’s Grave

Chapter 15: After Visiting Astarion’s Grave

Each chapter can be read as a standalone hug.

Pairing: Astarion x GN!Reader (Rogue!Tav)

Genre: Fluffy, Filling in Canon

Rating: Teen

Tags: Gender-Neutral Pronouns, POV Second Person, Act 3, Astarion's quest, cw: nudity, fluff, like so much fluff, it's too much fluff, post-cazador

WC: 2.3k words, 15/18 chapters

Summary: After the Act 3 romance scene, Rogue!Tav and Astarion enjoy a soft moment together.

Ao3 | [Hug14][Hug16] | Hugs for a Vampire Masterlist

If you had asked yourself this morning– half-asleep after being woken mid-slumber once again– where you thought you would be tonight? It certainly wouldn’t be here. Currently you find yourself staring up at the night sky, grave dirt beneath your bare back, a vampire wrapped in your arms.

What a strange turn of events, you think. In typical Astarion fashion, he’d led you here, opened up his heart to you in ways that you were still processing, defaced his own gravestone, and then promptly swept you off your feet.

He’d called it a ‘night of passion’ and he certainly wasn’t embellishing the truth. While you’ve been with him before, ascertained that he was indeed an expert in matters of physical love, this time felt so very different. It wasn’t just physical love, it was soft and sweet and carried every bit of his genuine affection for you. He felt present, comfortable, enthusiastic even.

He’d said he ‘didn’t care for you at first’. Funnily enough, you hadn’t cared for him either. What kind of rogue dressed as he did, what kind of rogue was as bad at lying as he was? You had scoffed, resisted, denied your feelings to the last. But nothing could have prevented your fall for him.

He’d told you he wants you. I want you. The words swim circles in your head and, as you mull them over now, you find it hard to believe. He could have had so much power, so much of the world could have been his. But now? It’s you he wants. It thrills you as much as it intimidates you.

He’d professed that he loves you. I love you. You’ve felt it– after all, he’s told you how much you matter to him, how much he cares about you, and calls you ‘my love’ or ‘love’ regularly. But despite the many ways you’ve expressed these words to one another, those three syllables in that order pierced you straight through the heart. Even now, repeating them like a mantra to yourself in your mind, you find your entire body melting under the force of the statement.

So here you lie, holding Astarion to your body with one arm, playing with his mused white curls with the other hand, your bodies intertwined in front of his grave. You wonder briefly if perhaps tonight is the first night of your life you decide to sleep naked in a graveyard. Oddly enough, you don’t feel a ton of shame at that fact. You do however, feel grass in your hair, rocks getting between your toes, and dirt settling in places it really shouldn’t settle.

“Love,” you whisper into the night air, afraid of disturbing the man wrapped around you.

“Mmm,” he murmurs affectionately into your shoulder. 

“Love?” you repeat, looking down at him, only to find him blissfully resting on you, eyes closed, a content smile playing on his lips. You can’t help but chuckle at the sight, jostling him as you do. 

Astarion frowns at the shaking, his arms around your waist gripping you tighter. His brows furrow as he grumbles, “Stop that.”

“I can’t help it,” you say, stroking another soft curl away from his face. “You look like a cat who’s caught a mouse.”

The satisfied smile returns to his face, “Mmm, yes. Consider yourself trapped in my wicked little paws, dear.”

You laugh once more, more gently this time to avoid disturbing him. “I confess, I’m not used to being a mouse. Would you consider letting your prey go, if only to get to a proper bed?”

“No,” he says, finally cracking one eye open. His red glare speaks volumes and you consider dropping the subject in the face of his confident denial. You’re oddly proud of it, even if it means you’ll be stuck in the dirt for the rest of the night.

Instead you take a different approach. “Okay, you don’t need to let me go, but what about allowing me to put a few articles of clothing back on?”

His one open eye narrows, shuts as he contemplates. A moment later he shakes his head into your shoulder. “I can’t allow it.”

You huff a silent laugh into his hair, and ask, “And why not?”

“What if I’m not done with my prey?” To punctuate his words, he presses a cool kiss to your collarbone. 

Your cheeks heat in response, and you’re well aware that Astarion has a front row seat to the newest erratic dance your heart performs. But your body protests with each ache, your arm at his temple slack with exhaustion. “Oh love. Any more and your prey may leave this mortal coil.”

Astarion sighs heavily, as if lamenting that he’s fallen in love with such a sad little mortal. “I suppose if the mouse asks nicely, I may have to relent.”

“In that case, would you please allow me the honor of dressing myself?” You lay the words on thick, your fingers tracing a small pattern along the edge of one of his pointed ears. 

Perhaps your attentions are too delicate and loving, because Astarion only shudders in your embrace before shaking his head once more. “I’ve changed my mind. We can get caught by the Mortarch for all I care.”

“Astarion,” you chide, removing your hand from his ear. You place the hand on his cheek and his eyes slowly open up to yours. The red in them looks warm, and the gaze that looks back at you is so open that you swear your heart skips a beat. But you’re ever the slightly more responsible of the two of you. “I always thought that the day we got thrown into prison together it would be for theft, murder, maybe racketeering– not public indecency.”

“The night is young, dear,” he says, smiling up at you innocently. "I wouldn't rule any of them out quite yet."

You plant a small kiss on his head and respond, “You are an utter fool.”

“Yes, well, I am your utter fool. So really you have no one but yourself to blame.” His tone is matter-of-fact, and your heart warms at it. He’s been so cautious, as if he was counting down the days you had left together– either not expecting to be freed from Cazador, to escape the brain, or for your love to last longer than a week. Now, he says it as if you’re stuck with him, a prospect you find entirely too appealing. And, given how he currently refuses to let you go, something you’re going to have to learn to navigate.

“Fair enough,” you say, releasing his cheek and letting your head fall back down to the dirt. “In that case, how can I entice you to get up?”

Astarion is silent for a moment, and you can all but hear the wheels turning in his head as you stare into the night sky. “I could be persuaded for a mere pittance really.” His tone is light, but you can sense a bit of tension in how he holds you.

“Really? And what would that be?”

He burrows a bit into your shoulder before mumbling, “Could you… stroke my hair like this more often? Perhaps every night?”

The ask itself really is so small, so endearing in its simplicity. But you can sense the courage it took for him to ask, on top of all of the bravery he’s had to muster today. You can sense the underlying probe, asking you if you’ll stay with him, even after all of this. He’s yours, he’s said as much, but now he’s asking: are you mine? 

“Certainly,” you say, no pretense, no qualifiers, no joking words. Your hand returns to his hair, delicately weaving between his curls. “Every night.”

As if being released from a Hold Person, the tension in Astarion’s body dissipates. “Excellent,” he breathes out, placing a tender kiss on your shoulder. “Though I doubt we’ll be able to have such a vigorous prelude every night– Gale might light us on fire if we interrupt his beauty sleep. Gods know he needs it.”

You snort at that, turning back to your lover. “Don’t tell me you plan on having any preludes in that room at the Elfsong? If there’s one thing that this cemetery has, it’s privacy.”

“I don’t know dear,” he says, looking up at you through his lashes. “I’d say we can both be plenty sneaky if we feel like it.”

Despite yourself, you warm under his searing red eyes. You’d gotten so used to Astarion’s teasing words having been just that– words– for quite a while now. It’s somehow worse for the pounding of your heart now that you know he loves you. You clear your throat a bit before responding, “We’ll figure something out. Maybe Gale will even cast a silence spell if we ask nicely.”

Astarion’s laughter is light and loud in the still night air. “Oh darling, I was doomed from the start. How could I resist such a clever creature.”

You give him a wry smile and reluctantly move to start getting up. “All jests aside, we should really get out of this graveyard,” you say, stretching out your free arm and lightly poking your lover in the ribs.

Petulantly, like someone resisting the call of an early morning adventure, he pleads with you, “Just a few more minutes?”

Clucking a noise of disapproval, you try to wiggle your way out from under him. “You’ve had a few more minutes. Besides, if we leave now, we might still be able to bathe some of the grime off?” you offer, trying to entice him off of your arm, which has slowly but steadily been falling asleep.

He heaves a sigh that could wake the dead but finally sits up. “You better keep your promise,” he warns, running a hand through his hair. “Also, if bathing is on the table, add washing my hair to the agenda.”

“Done,” you say, lifting yourself up on one arm. You watch him gather up your clothing, as you massage the feeling back into your arm. You’re easily enraptured by the way his hair shines in the moonlight, the marks you’ve left littered across his pale skin and, above all else, the freedom with which he moves. Like a new man. Looking at him now, you can’t help but think of how far you’ve come together in the last few months.

Of course, Astarion catches you staring, not that it stops you. “Do I have grave dirt somewhere unmentionable?” he asks, turning this way and that to inspect himself.

You shake your head. For all you know, he might, but you honestly hadn’t checked. “No, just thinking back to our first night together– how you told Alfira I was off to find my true love or some other such nonsense.” You laugh at the memory. “I suppose you weren’t that far off.”

“Ugh, you’re such a sap sometimes,” he says rolling his eyes in exasperation, but the smile on his face shows his satisfaction at your words. “What did you tell her? Oh, yes, something about me never finding someone like you again?”

“Close enough.” You shrug, getting up from the ground and taking your clothes from his outstretched arms. “I think my exact words were you may never love like this again.”

His face grows pensive as he shimmies into his underwear. Before you can remark on it, his face brightens, and with a feigned smile he says, “Well, wouldn’t that be a lovely thought! I don’t think I could handle this more than once.”

Something about his tone leaves an odd feeling in the pit of your stomach. A mixture of worry, of love, a creeping anxiety that his life is now deeply entwined in yours, so you’d best not mess this up. You don’t plan on dying any time soon, so you push the thought aside. “If only you could be so lucky,” you say with a sly grin. Halfway through putting on your underwear, you recall another key moment from that night. “More importantly, do you remember that gods awful hug you gave me? It’s a blight that will remain on my mind for as long as I shall live.”

Baring his fangs slightly, Astarion grimaces at you. “Love, I thought we promised never to speak of that again?”

“I know,” you say, brushing some dirt off your legs. Standing back up, you turn to him, making a persuasively sad face at him. “But I can’t help it. It’s all I see when I go to bed at night.” Your tone is utterly melancholy, and you loll your head back dramatically as you say it.

Your love clicks his tongue at your maudlin performance, but sidles up to you all the same. “My sweet, what can I do to wash your brain of that memory?” His hands come to rest on your hips, his gaze focusing on you intently.

Wrapping your arms around his shoulders, the rest of your clothing all but forgotten in your hands, you say, “Only a perfect hug can help, I’m afraid.”

Astarion raises his eyebrows at you and purses his lips. “A tall order. Lucky for you, I've gotten quite a bit of practice in recent weeks. We will fix this yet.” And like that, he brings you into his embrace. Your warmth meets his chill and you produce a happy noise at the contact. He gives a low chuckle, but before he can make a snarky remark, he freezes in your arms.

Immediately recognizing his tension, you stiffen as well. “Which way?” you whisper into his ear.

“Due south, twelve meters,” he responds in a practiced manner. It wouldn’t be the first time either of you got caught mid-crime together. And unless you die come morn, likely not the last. “East then?”

You nod into him, and despite the situation, find yourself laughing. “Shall we race to the Elfsong in our underwear?”

His own laughter shakes your body, as he says, “After you, love.”

Under that moonlit night, clothing clutched in your hands, pieces of grass falling out of your hair, Astarion and you run through Baldur’s Gate. Your combined laughter and love carry you all the way back to the Elfsong and your heart feels full.

[renegade-diamonds]

Another ABO AU Idea for Ronance

Kingdom AU: The fruity four go on a quest to help stop the evil Lord Vecna from attacking the Kingdom of Hawkins, they defeat him with help from the Party, and return to the capital as heroes (this all happened before-hand).

Nancy (alpha) is the Crown-Princess and Steve (alpha) is the heir to a Dukedom. Robin (omega) is a scribe they recruited for her knowledge of ancient languages, and Eddie (omega) was a rogue that got caught up in everything accidentally. During this quest, Robin and Nancy secretly fall in love, although neither confessed. Robin was low-born, and Nancy knew her parents would never approve of the match. Still, she wants desperately to keep Robin close to her.

Two nights before Nancy's coming-of-age banquet, the tension becomes too much. They confess and do-the-do.

The next day, Max (who's a seer) drags Nancy and Steve into her room for a talk. She's hysterical, telling them that she keeps having different visions of the future about Robin dying unless she goes north to the fief that Eddie was given for his service to the kingdom. However, there's only one possible future where she does that, and it's going to hurt everyone involved.

On the night of Nancy's banquet, Robin's oddly on edge. She hasn't seen Nancy all day, nor Steve either. Eddie seems just as confused, as he apparently hadn't seen them too (and Steve was spending quite a lot of time around him lately). Finally, all the important guests arrive, but they seem distant. Nancy won't look at Robin, and Steve just keeps staring at his food. There's something tense in their posture, and a heavy feeling of pure wrongness settles in Robin's stomach.

The younger members appear to be acting normal, although Robin notes that Max is a bit quiet, and isn't digging into her food like she normally does. Robin glances over to where Steve is sitting and is shocked to see his proud-looking parents here, seated smugly besides their son as if they hadn't neglected him their entire lives.

Nancy's parents stand after the feasting is over, and state that they have an important announcement to make pertaining to the future of their kingdom- the engagement of the Crown-Princess to the future Duke, Steve Harrington.

Robin's stomach drops straight into the pits of hell. Nancy and Steve stand up at the head table, all cheery and happy smiles as they link hands and stand proudly before the crowd. Faintly, she sees Eddie get up and slip out one of the side entrances, and tries to discreetly follow his example, wiping the tears from her eyes before anyone notices. Robin stubbornly avoids glancing at the head table as she leaves, never seeing the way Nancy's eyes track her every move.

Neither Nancy nor Steve ever seek her out in the days that follow, and Robin refuses to leave her chambers- the pain of their betrayal festers in her stomach. Nothing makes sense anymore- her world feels like it's just been swept out from under her feet.

She bonds with Eddie, who evidentially had been in the early stages of a romantic relationship with Steve before the banquet. He's caught off guard too, and the two of them stew in their self-pity as the days turn into weeks. They crash at her residence in the city, as the palace becomes too painful to stay in. The city is alight with excitement at the news of the royal engagement, and it tastes like ash in Robin's mouth.

But then things start to get scary. Robin's appetite collapses, and she's constantly getting nauseous all the time. Her body feels tired, and yet she keeps getting compliments on her skin and the odd comment on how she's 'glowing.' It's only when Eddie, a fellow omega, mentions Robin's scent starting to change that she realizes something's wrong.

She tracks down a discreet healer from a nearby farming village outside the city for help. She does not want to attract attention due to her new celebrity status after their defeat of Vecna, and ensures the healer understands that.

That night Eddie comes home to Robin sobbing at the kitchen table, head buried in her arms. He asks what's wrong, and she looks up at him with tears in her eyes and tells him she's pregnant. Both of them immediately understand the gravity of the situation. She's an unmated omega risen to celebrity status in their kingdom; the public reaction to this could go either way, but given the cultural and religious aspects of their conservative world, Eddie knows this isn't going to go well.

Especially if the sire is who he thinks it is.

So, he makes her an offer. Marry him (lavender marriage) and travel north to his fief. They can get away from all the trouble plaguing their private life, and he can claim the child as his own. He may be an omega, but as a natural-born male, he still could technically sire children so no one would think to question it.

Crazily enough, Robin accepts. They both know the marriage will be in name only. They pack up that night and marry early in the morning, leaving the city as soon as they sign the official documents.

As the news begins to spread, whispers reach the palace, and by midday there's not a single person left in the capital who hasn't heard the news.

Nancy destroys every training dummy they have when she finds out, and Steve isn't much better. Max reassures them that she can see the future clearer now, that they're on the right path. But it's all so wrong. Nancy hates herself, hates what she's done. She can't look in a mirror without remembering the devastation in Robin's eyes at the banquet, the sheer pain that had permeated throughout her scent as Nancy's parents announced the engagement.

Time drags on, and the whispers from the north remain elusive. Eddie apparently has ensured that no rumors leave his new keep, and Robin's never sighted outside the castle walls. As the months start to drag on, they keep pushing back wedding preparations- coming up with every excuse in the book. Their parents don't question it, accepting that it's probably the trauma from their quest against Vecna, and their sadness at their 'friends' leaving the capital.

Six months after Robin and Eddie left, Max comes to Nancy's door in the middle of the night, eyes wide and face pale. She tells her she needs to ride north now. That she's finally seen the full vision of Robin's death and that the nexus point approaches.

Nancy's entire world shifts on its axis when Max tells her that Robin will die in childbirth.

[blighted-elf]

Had some time to finish Wrath of the Righteous in between clients and thought I’d give my Opinions, like I did for Kingmaker, but this time, with much kinder things to say!

May as well start off with the bad because there are so few:

- I preferred the map travel in the first game. They shortened the time it takes to get exhausted for no good reason omg. - The character backgrounds are quite literally useless as far as dialogue goes. Didn’t get to talk about being an Acolyte once, and only got to talk about being a Pharasma worshiper three times (incidentally, NOT when you actually meet her?). Such a wasted opportunity. Games like PoE incorporate backgrounds much more successfully imo.

Now for the good/great:

- Finally a game that lets you play as Anything-But-Lawful-Good successfully? A fantasy game that doesn’t try to force you to be the hero? Fuck yes. I had a great time being Chaotic Neutral - Chaotic Evil. There’s so many games where doing that will result in all your companions leaving you, being locked out of quests and any decent endings. But not this one!

- The story and antagonists were truly great. Getting banished to the Abyss the second you get some footing? Stressful but fun. The overall pacing was much better than in Kingmaker too. Areelu was so similar to my Commander (power hungry knowledge seeking creatures of chaos, let’s go), despite me not researching anything about her prior to the character creation. I almost considered saving her, but when she spoke about defying Pharasma, I had to stay in character. So, my commander sacrificed her but only out of duty, not necessarily out of personal want.

- The Mythic paths made the Commander feel very personalised. Trickster was a bit memey at some points, but generally a bit of fun. Like, I turned a powerful demon lord into a mirror instead of fighting her. Then slept with Socothbenoth, after pledging allegiance to his enemy... in front of all my companions and a bunch of other demon lords. Also, I still have each member of the council’s soul in a cauldron because I didn’t use it then skipped town, which may be the biggest prank of all. - The companions. Good god, I fell in love with so many of them. Woljif, my beloved rogue tiefling template. Arueshalae, the literal succubus, who just... stops being a demon as soon as Desna/the Commander shows her love and support (or you can make her evil again). Opposingly, Camellia, my “irredeemably evil” bestie, gets even worse when you show her love and support and I genuinely loved that because it’s such a rarity in this genre. And just... the entire Daeran romance. The hold that this fictional man currently has over me 😭 Like, I originally wanted to go for Arue but Count Sass started flirting while insulting me and my Commander was like ohh I’m going to ruin his life in the best way. Confession time part 1... Accidentally got the bad ending for Sosiel, but he married some guy and lived happily ever after still? He was just mourning his brother? Sorry to a fellow cleric. I’ll do better next playthrough and pay closer attention. Confession time part 2... I loved Wenduag but killed her in her last quest because In Character, and regretted it for the rest of the game. Definitely going to keep her alive next time. Soz Wendy.

But yeah, I highly recommend this game and desperately need multiple story DLCs to come out soon!

[lairofdragonagelore]

Arbor Wilds: Temple of Mythal - Part 4

Main Quest: What Pride Had Wrought

The Temple of Mythal was a place of justice, where petitioners walked religious rites of passage in order to have their pleas for justice heard by Mythal. According to some, it is also the site of some mysterious religious artefact called the vir'abelasan.

This post contains the following sections

The Petitioning Chamber

Inner Sanctum

[This is part of the series “Playing DA like an archaeologist”]  

[Index page of Dragon Age Lore]

[An analysis of this Temple without the context of the Quest can be read in Arbor Wilds: Temple of Mythal in detail]

The Petitioning Chamber

This chamber is enormous. It’s covered with a typical elvhenan mosaic of brown and yellow colour on the ground, depicting a sun and inside it, an asterisk.

The columns, walls, and door frames show the typical patterns of elven design: the semicircles, the rectangles, the circular flowers, and the scratchy sun. There are also helichoidal lines in gold along columns.

The main chamber is decorated with six Elven Archers, reinforcing the idea of being like the elves that are at the Inquisitor’s back: Shadow Sentinels.

The petition chamber has a central, high platform that can’t be reached from this room. It shows two sections with a long brown carpet along it and walls decorated with the painting of elves riding hallas into battle. This painting even reaches the highest  part of this chamber.

At the sides of the central platform, there are two enormous mosaics: one of June at the left and another of Falon’Din at the right.

The sections with the rug are flanked by two Humanoid Mythal statues, and the rug displays the typical spherical tree on it.

If we put ourselves in Abelas’ position, we can see the power projected from the platform onto the petitioning chamber. The hierarchy difference between petitioner and priest is clear and exaggerated. It’s curious this configuration and yet the statues of Mythal are not that big.

All the archers that appear behind the group, if made a zoom-in, wear Mythal Vallaslin. Some of these Vallaslins are made in red or green [or blue?] colour. I think that most of the servants of Mythal have yellow eyes [in one of my screenshots I see some with blue eyes, but it may be a trick of the light]. The rogue fighters in the Inner Sanctum [without a hood] seem to have dark eyes. And the last fighters we see at the end of the temple have yellow eyes too.  No matter the gender, all elvhenan are bald and a bit bigger and bulkier than the modern elf.

Abelas has the typical outfit that most Sentinels have. Details can be seen in this post about Solas’ outfit. What always caught my attention of this outfit is the decorative “flowers” at the inner part of the trousers that look like the symbol in Solas’ tarot card, and the face [Mythal?] on knee protectors and shoulders.

Whether the group reaches the main chamber via the rituals or the crypt, we find the same place, and the cinematic with Abelas is triggered.

This scene has several variations: if you respected the puzzles/rituals, whether you enter by the main door or the crypt, you are not attacked. If you enter via the crypt without doing the puzzles, the elvhenan will attack immediately after Abelas says you disrespected the Temple.

In the richest case, which is when you perform the puzzles, Abelas gives some information:

Dalish elves are not Elvhen, even though  they have the same features.

Fen’Harel’s energy in the anchor is familiar to him.

Abelas speaks of having been in slumber, not Uthenera. At the end of the quest, we have the concept that Uthenera is truly a final end.

Abelas and the others are “sentinels”, who protect this temple from those who trespass.

They only awake to fight, diminishing over time even though they still reproduce [so far we can understand from his confession in Untranslatable Elven Writing, in Ancient Elven codices, Temple of Mythal]

The Well of Sorrow’s real name is Vir’abelasan [vir= path, abelas=sorrow, -an=place] Morrigan understands this as “the place of the Way of Sorrows”.

Arlathan was not destroyed by Tevinter but by Elvhen. Elvhen warred each other.

Every time they awake [to fight and defend this temple] they seem to take some time for exploration and understanding of how this world is changing. He claims that it changes in ways that are more and more alien to them. Imagine how much of a shock it could have been for Solas, who went to slumber after creating the Veil and awoke a year before the Inquisition. This world for them is meaningless, so they endure its decay. They only exist to perform the duty of protecting the well of Sorrows

He explains what’s the Well: a path for those who work hard for Myhtal

Solas’ comment here is quite self-explanatory: Abelas clings to all what’s left of his world because he can’t change it. Solas, by the end of the game, will not cling onto nothing, because he can change it.

Abelas seems to be the High Priest of Mythal here, and he imparts his judgement in this high place, time ago decorated in golden, flanked by Mythal’s humanoid figures.

Abelas, same as Solas, do not recognise their own people among the Dalish or city elves. For them, they are “shadows”. Here we can see that Solas recognises these elvhen as “his people”, he is worried about the Inquisitor’s reaction that could cause the death of all these sentinels, which I  imagine, triggers his personal fear: to be the last one of his kind.

Whether we force our entrance or Abelas allows it, we can explore the rest of the temple: The inner Sactum.

The Inner Sanctum

We follow a series of chambers decorated very ritualistically, with a brown carpet along the corridors, walking through arcs with the shape of humanoid Mythal and Fen’Harel statues. The walls have some mural paintings as well, all the figures [with the exception of the armoured one] have been seen in Nation Art: Elvhen. For a more detailed tour along these chambers, check Arbor Wilds: Temple of Mythal in detail.

Solas translates some bits of the Guide NPC we have if we are in good terms with Abelas. She is carrying a big book, and guides us along the chambers, opening secret passages.

The ceilings of the Elvhen ruins are very typical of the elvhen construction. Different chambers show different combination of elements. Due to the excess of golden decorations in each, I assume each  chamber is a bit of a “chapel” for each god. Chamber of Sylaise mosaic is flanked by Elven hart statues

The chamber with Dirthamen’s mosaic is flanked by owls. The owls flank mainly Dirthamen, but at the other two side walls of this front, we find a mosaic of Ghilan’nain, Fen’Harel in wolf shape, and another of Elgar’nan. Here there is a rune in Veilfire about Andruil’s terrible weapon.

By the end of the temple, there is a long stair decorated with Mythal statues and several mural paintings. 

In the upper part of the stairs, the last chamber presents a tricky place to praise Fen’Harel, I guess. Two  Howling Fen'Harel statues flank a blocked entrance.  In most of the previous cases, the deities had their own golden mosaic flanked by statues. In this case, his statues flank a room that, once opened by our Guide, shows a golden Halla painting.

It’s hard to understands if this could mean that Fen’Harel ask for no devotion or adoration, but he prefers that energy to be directed to the “golden halla”, a representation of the “people”. More details in Arbor Wilds: Temple of Mythal in detail.

This last chamber shows a combination of mural paintings which are the elves in battle and the black dragon as if it were guiding them. It has been seen before in the ancient elven ruins in Tresspasser. Sometimes in direction to the battle, other times against it.

We finally reach the last chamber before going to the inner garden. 

A more detailed analysis of this Temple and its chambers with the codices presented in Ancient Elven codices, Temple of Mythal has been done in  “Arbor Wilds: Temple of Mythal in detail”.

Arbor Wilds: Temple of Myhtal - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

[flowersdaggersviolasandblood]

Blood, Flesh, and Tears // Assassin with a Heart of Gold

Name: Torment (He/Him)

Race: Zariel Tiefling

Class: Paladin (Oath of Vengence)

Background: Haunted One

-

Name: Admaer Daeneiros (He/Him)

Race: High Elf

Class: Rogue (Assassin)

Background: Criminal

WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD

Ayo, it's been a minute. Due to work, life, and other stuff, I've taken a long while break from the game due to the exhaustion. So I haven't gotten far with my bbys. So much so that for Torment, I didn't have enough, I feel to make a stand alone post with just him. So, we're gonna combine my two playthroughs with both Admaer and Torment together into one post!

Starting with Torment. Last we left off, we found Balthazar and secretly agreed to help him reach the Nightsong. You know, until I decided "naw, that's wack" and killed him early on anyways. After completing the trials of Shar and gaining access to the Shadowfell, I was very tempted to have Torment stand in Shadowheart's way so that he would have to make the ultimate decision to kill her...But I fucked that up lol. I ended up activating a dialogue tree where I was able to fucking succeed a goddamn DC 30 PERSUASION CHECK on her ass and got her to stay in the party anyways and save the Nightsong. Laughing my fucking ass off on that one homie.

After freeing the Nightsong, since Last Light Inn was still standing, I got to see a cool cutscene where it looks like Jaheira is about to rally the forces to go against Ketheric Thorm and help us in the fight. Torment was able to kinda comfort Shadowheart and while at camp, Torment talked with Lae'zel about the whole "not going to the Githyanki creche thing." Which, she did threaten to leave, but Torment threatened back that she should stay...Which she approved of apparent...Girl you a freak, I can't wait to finally romance her someday lmao.

As Torment was settling in to rest, homeboy, Sceleritas Fel, came to visit again. This time, bearing some very unfortunate news. Presented in front of us was Wyll, the one companion that I have the highest approval ratings with (funnily enough lmao). Because we didn't go after Isobel and kill her, our urge requires blood. It will not wait any longer and it will take what it can get. Despite Torment saying that he won't hurt Wyll, a lot of the choices that I experimented with led to Wyll getting bodied, and unless I lie about the cause of Wyll's death, the whole camp will be against Torment and kill him.

So, with a successful will save to not @ Wyll, Torment hurriedly warns Wyll that he's next on the chopping board and came forward about what happened to Alfira. Torment ended up blacking out, but instead of waking up in a pool of Wyll's blood, he awakens tied up. At this point, Torment is absolutely berserk, not even able to formulate proper and sane sentences (depending on the choice of dialogue you choose, of course). Wyll encourages Torment to fight against the urge and to regain his senses. And with a howl and a snarl, the urge eventually subsides.

Because Torment came forward about killing Alfira, Wyll asks why Torment didn't say something sooner. RP-wise and based on the dialogue option I chose, Torment became overwhelmed with emotions, mainly fear and despair, and simply cried. And honestly, I don't know why my simp ass was overlooking Wyll for Torment's playthrough, because I was immediately smitten by Wyll's promise to work with Torment through his dark urges. I'm honestly pulled in so many different directions with this character XD. First Astarion, then Halsin, and now Wyll!

After getting some encouraging comments from everyone...Except from Astarion, funnily enough. But this is where we will end with Torment and transition over to Admaer.

Moving over to Admaer, I was able to find He Who Was (HWW for short) and accepted the quest to find the guilty ones' confession of their transgression. Now, I already dealt with 2 of the Thorm family and decided to take a quick trip over to Malus and tell him to kill himself. After doing so and picking up the item to continue Halsin's quest, I picked up the book and went running back to HWW. This time around, I wanted to instead verbally call the guilty one so that I didn't harm HWW. This apparently got us onto good terms with him and maybe slightly insinuating that homeboy gets aroused when punishing sinners. HWW leaves us, but with the promise that we'll see him again.

As for Halsin, I was able to more successfully keep his ass out of the Shadowfell and went on a trip to find Thaniel's missing half, Oliver. This time around, Admaer didn't both playing games with the kid, letting them know right away that the crew knew that they were Thaniel's other half. This initiated combat over at Riethwin and this time around, due to positioning, Lae'zel got caught up in the cutscene. I decided to pick the option that best sounded like Lae'zel, which was harshly telling Oliver to get in the fucking kid.

Once again, we're informed that we gotta get rid of Thorm to fully restore the land. This time around, I'm gonna try to get into the upper levels of Moonrise Towers before going after the Nightsong with Admaer and Nalanthar to see what would happen.

[asavt]

Another cookie squad Headcanons

Featuring Sparkling, Vampire, cellphones and the Espresso and Madeleine Story of how they came together. Consider it an AU now baby!

-As a note, when I say the squad I'm mostly referring to the adults, so no worries about Walnut or Creampuff useless I mention them too

-Each one of the squad has been in Sparkling's bar at last once. There's no need to say who has been there the most. Sparkling has a time every time someone besides Roguefort comes, because to him it's mostly like "Oh I'll finally know the continuation to the burnt toast accident or maybe the cat catastrophe? Maybe a new POV of the--"

He practically knows a lot of what happens in between the squad.

-As another note, Sparkling's bar is called Milabo (You know, like the song from Zutomayo of the same name, which, btw, I relate a lot to Latte)

-*A great part of this “AU” is kind of inspired by the song. Part of its lyrics and vibe.

-Vampire is there most of the time when the squad visits the bar (it's almost as if he never leaves the bar and this is definitely not me low-key putting sparkvamp in this oh no--) Sometimes the fakes his sleep to listen to the things others say (Which is how he knows most of Rogue's pan-ic).

-Walnut has been in Sparkling's bar too, but at day and for case-solving purposes only. Sparkling will give her some alcohol-free drink for free sometimes (mostly because he gets along pretty well with the nut family and because Almond usually pays him whatever he serves her).

-If the squad had cellphones (and probably an app like discord because.), their group chat would initially be called "Coffee mage appreciation group" and then be changed to "Coffee bean appreciation group"

Coffee Bean: Can we please change the group name and mine?

Guided by the Devine: No <3

Coffee Bean: Fuck you.

-*And they all would dedicate half their time to make fun of Almond but with love.

-Espresso has been mistaken for a dark mage before by Almond. It was how they meet actually. Almond had pulled him to interrogate him and got a long lecture on the differences between black magic and coffee magic.

-Madeleine gets along rather well with Roguefort. Rogue seems impressed by Maddie’s acting skills.

-Madeleine is currently living with Espresso. Out of his armor most of the time. He usually takes care of keeping the house clean and preparing meals (He never really had to cook before but the first dish he made wasn’t bad at all). Sometimes he will tag along Almond in the detective’s work, or Almond will ask for his help.

-I’m still unsure if I want the Almond/Roguefort/Latte to be romantic or platonic. But honestly? Both are good. Latte is pretty close to Almond and Roguefort but not in the way she is with Espresso (that makes them look like siblings jkashduawhu). Perhaps I’ll keep it platonic.

-The Espresseleine/Madespresso story of how they came together, because I seem to not be able to write it down JSHALDHUIWADWA-

--It happens after the Puppet Show mini quest. Madeleine starts to ask for Espresso's "assistance" in different mission that are given to him. Angel is there too, of course.

--During these missions is that Essy clarifies that no, they are not friends, no, he does not like Madeleine. Bringing up the knight begin too prideful and self-centered if not all then most of the time.

--Is not until one of their missions goes wrong, were Angel is knocked out and Espresso (seeing and knowing that if Madeleine is knocked down too they might not be able to go back to the kingdom ever) pretty much receives a rather big attack for Madeleine is that he kind realizes the facts given by espresso true. All while he is carrying Essy and Angel back to the kingdom, running and exhausted too.

--Clover begin kind of a mediator between the two (I want to see more of my son--)

--"Devine, protect us" Should happen too after this. An scenario like, Madeleine coming to think something like "I'm the shield, the one who goes on the front line and receives the blows for those who can't, always looking straight ahead... but if I am doing that then who watches my back? Who do I rely on and trust to take care of most enemies so the damage received is not overwhelming...?"

Power of team work baby!!!

--As a note to this, Maddie getting his cape damaged as well as his hair. So, you get short hair Maddie~

(I've been drawing him with short hair in secret now I have an excuse to show)

-- "You...cut your hair..." *Madeleine touches the points of it with one of his hands, pensive* "...pft it'll grow back!"

--There's also this "Search for your own light" thing between Angel and Maddie. Angel encouraging Madeleine to do so. Maybe Madeleine giving his best wishes to them for their wish to fly before they decide to part ways.

--Madeleine trying other ways to befriend Essy. Which at first Espresso mistaken as the knight usual attempts to befriend anyone he sees out of habit and attention seeking, but once they realize the feeling is completely genuine, Espresso is rather perplexed.

--"You can't just befriend people by buying them gifts (although I do appreciate them)" "Then what?" "hmm..."

--Said gifts used to be rather expensive things, simple though. Eventually Madeleine settles to just pass by Espresso's place, give him any food he had bought that day (which usually is glazed donuts), ask if he needs any help with something (getting a vase, materials, moving things), and if not then he just says his good byes, best wishes and silently leaves. (A note on the "silently leaves": Madeleine is pretty much used to speak loudly and enter loudly anywhere, he still does this at this point, but when it's about Espresso he is a bit more quiet, a bit showy over his entrances still, but less loud, and he actually knocks the door)

--Madeleine eventually manages to go out with Espresso to other places that aren't some place in the forest full of enemies. Probably after some more visits to his place and more calm talks between the two, Madeleine brings up that Espresso tends to act a bit cold or distant towards a lot of people, and that, although he understands his discomfort at begin in public spaces or too long out of his work, he should try and open up a bit. This reminds Essy of a certain friend he hasn't seen in some time, and from whom he keeps getting letters.

--Shenanigans.

--There's still some bickering between the two, always with a playful undertone though.

--Espresso explains Madeleine, one time the knight has gotten Espresso wrapped in a blanket burrito again and got him to bed, that sometimes, no matter how tired he might feel, he is simply unable to sleep. Part of a headcanon of mine that coffee magic has this side effect on it's users, prolonged usage of this kind of magic will induce a high caffeine kind of state, which on the long run can fuck up the user's sleep schedule. Madeleine understands this, but remains stubborn about keeping Espresso in the bed so at last he can get some rest from his work and clear his mind a little, the idiot falls asleep in the process and Espresso doesn't try to wake him up.

--This happens several times after, neither of them thinking of the implications of not begin bothered by the sudden closeness they share until it's too late.

--Espresso realizes first that he has slowly, yet nicely, fallen for Madeleine. I think I talked about this before but I'll do it again: Is in one of the times Madeleine has gotten Espresso to bed to get some rest, Espresso not begin able to fall asleep and Madeleine doing again. Is while he thinks of how he has gotten to know Madeleine for real, not the Knight Commander from a noble family or the Chosen by the Devine, but as he is, that he comes to think that "Ah.... I love him" and he remains calm about it.

--Espresso doesn't overthink it, just thinks that, if Madeleine ever got an interest in him, he would surely show it. So he waits. Even if in the end his feelings aren't mutual he knows he'll do just fine remaining friends.

--Madeleine realizes not many days after. And the realization hits him like a truck. Alone in his place and probably in bed looking at the ceiling thinking about Espresso. Once he realizes and thinks about it a bit more his face gets all red and chooses to scream in the pillow.

--He would think about telling Espresso as soon as he can, after all, he doesn't want his feelings to make their friendship weird. He values it, a lot. Maybe because his friendship with Espresso it's the first one where he genuinely wanted to become friends with someone.

--Espresso takes the confession calmly, gets all flustered after they kiss for the first time.

--As a few extras of this: Madeleine goes back to the Republic, asked to be seen by his family and Espresso goes to Parfedia, where a few students have applied to his class to his surprise. When they see each other again is at Parfedia (Madeleine sending a message to Espresso beforehand about his arrival) -there was this one drawing I did once of Maddie running to hug Espresso, something like that happens-. Madeleine gets very clingy for some reason, which they speak later and comes out as “Home doesn’t quite feel like home…” “Why is that?” “I don’t know… maybe I’ve become used to be around you”

--Espresso lets ends up letting Madeleine stay with him until he either feels like returning to the Republic or is called back, whatever happens first (though none will happen for maybe a year or a little more).

--Ends with Madeleine meeting Latte and Almond.

[ripperdaddy]

the viktor vector romance path + ending we deserve

Disclaimer: This is definitely something I came up with in my head. There will be a few instances that are solely made up so it can tie in with the “story.” This is purely fictional; something I wished happened if there was a possible Vik romance 🥰 This is based on my general knowledge of the game & Vik’s life. All gifs + images are from my own personal play through, but wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Appearance Menu Mod, found on Nexus Mods by the creators, MaximiliumM and CtrlAltDaz. And the shirtless Vik mod by the lovely samsnak ♡

It would start after completing the Paid In Full quest where you pay Vik back the eddies you owe him.

I feel like realistically, the general player would have to be at least halfway through the story to have collected enough eddies. I would say that a good point in the story where we can begin the romance is that you’ve already established a connection to Alt and have dealt with the VDB’s.

I think it would be a short side quest like River’s. Vik already plays a big part in the story overall on his own, so I don’t think it’s necessary to make his “side quest” too long. His romance would just be an addition to the ending.

And as much as I would love for him to be a bisexual option for both male/female V, if we’re sticking with the game’s standard with limiting partners to only one kind of partner, he would only be romance-able by a female V with a feminine voice.

V: Finally scrounged up enough eddies to pay you back in full.

Vik: Hold on to ‘em just in case - you need ‘em more than me.

V: I’m not taking them all the way to my grave, Vik. Here. And.. thanks again for doing so much work on me ‘thout ever seein’ an enny.

Vik: That’s what friends are for.

Then, there is an additional option for dialogue to trigger the romance path.

V: Friends? I think you’ve been in and out of my body more than anyone else I’ve hooked up with in Night City.

He laughs, with a coy smile. “Well, can’t argue with you there. Why don’t we take some of these eddies and grab a drink. You know, to celebrate. Catch up on old times. Haven’t seen you round here much lately, kid.”

You agree to meet at the El Coyote Cojo tomorrow evening.

You meet around 9 PM and you are welcomed by the sight of Pepe and Vik at the bar.

V: Nice choice of venue.

Vik: Thought you’d like it. Haven't been here since.. well, you know.

V: I miss him, Vik.

Vik: I know, V. Me too.

You immediately take a seat and tinker with a few dialogue options, where you can either have a sweet moment talking about Jackie or some surface questions to ask, like how he’s doing, what kind of drink he likes, etc. But it all winds down to Jackie anyway, where Vik confides in you about his past. Judging by how Vik was so affected by Jackie’s death, and V’s (if you chose the suicide ending), you can tell that he has lost a lot in his life, and keeps his circle very small.

You then achieve an even closer, more personal relationship with him. But, ultimately nothing happens other than the usual, wait 24 hours in game for a text/phone call from Vik to head into the next stage. At least now, you have established the foundation for a future romance.

Halfway through the 24 hour period, you get a text from Vik thanking you for the lovely evening. No reply needed, as he calls you once the 24 hour mark hits and invites you out for another date.

You meet at Tom’s Diner for coffee in the afternoon. It starts off with him apologizing for being emotional the previous night and asks if you’re open to hanging out again and going down to Pacifica to watch a fight with him.

Vik: Hey, V. I just wanted to apologize about last night. I didn’t mean to be such a downer.

V: It’s okay, Vik. We share the same grief.

Vik: I was going to head down to Pacifica and catch a real good match later on today. I was wondering if you’d like to come along, think it’d be great for the both of us, you know, as a distraction.

pssst even Johnny’s rooting for y’all ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Johnny: Hmm, interesting.

V: What?

Johnny: Never thought you'd be going out with this guy.

V: Vik's amazing. And I mean--we basically owe it to him since he practically saved our life.

Johnny: Don't tell me you're going out with him out of pity.

V: I'm not.

Johnny: I know, I can feel you get all mushy-gushy. It's almost repulsive. Just wanted to hear you admit it.

V: Eat a dick, Johnny.

You arrive before the GIM and blend into the crowd.

V: Nothin’ like watching guys beat the shit out of each other to get your blood pumpin’, huh?

Vik: This is a real good matchup, V. This kid’s fresh, young talent.

V: You miss it, don’t you?

Before the fight begins, Vik shares a story about his time in the ring and coming in second in the Watson Boxing Grand Prix.

There’s some extra fun options in the dialogue, you can bet some eddies on who’s gonna win, or side with him. The fight ends, and you two head outside.

Since you’re already out in Pacifica, you head over to the boardwalk (where you would ride the roller coaster with Johnny) and he starts telling you about the last days of his boxing career and how he transitioned from the sport to being a ripperdoc.

You both share a sweet moment with each other, reminiscing about old times and talking about V’s future with the relic. This is where I would see Vik confessing how he feels about you, mentioning how grateful he is for Jackie introducing you to him.

The evening ends and Vik asks you to give him some time to try and dig up some footage from his storage and have you come over to watch. You can kiss him then wait another 24 in game hours before the last quest. Halfway through, he texts you and asks you what you’d like for dinner. You can opt for pizza or chinese.

I haven’t seen or read anything about how or where Vik lives. If I overlooked something, please let me know! But for the sake of the story, let’s say he does actually have his own place that’s now introduced in the game. Personally, I think he has a typical bachelor pad, like a really nice apartment. Not too far from his clinic either. He looks like he would just walk to work. Vik definitely has a lot of money, but he’s so humble I doubt he would choose to live lavishly. As mentioned in the beginning, he typically just “sleeps nights” ever since he was over “being a legend” so I’m guessing his lifestyle is very routine. He goes to work, goes home, sleep. Seems unlikely he has a place like the Peralez’s. It would probably be just the same as V’s but decorated to his taste.

The evening comes and you are over at his place. He’s dressed in just a white undershirt, no exo-glove. You get to know more about his family, how he grew up — scanning things around his place. Then he plays some footage of one of his fights for you, while you two have a conversation and share a beer. As you two sit on the couch, you get close, then have an opportunity to kiss him.

then this is where da sex happen hihihi (ノ・ω・)ノ

The next morning you wake up and you two have a heartfelt conversation about where this is going. He already knows your situation, so I would assume he is very accepting and supportive. And with Vik, he seems like the kind of guy who would still want to be in your life and keep the friendship the same way despite no longer being together romantically. So it’s official. He’s your man 🥵 !!11!1!

Like how River gives you the “fuck the police” tank top after sleeping with him, I think Vik would give you his Night City Devils t-shirt that provides you with a significant amount of armor or some kind of cyberware upgrade that makes you invulnerable for a brief moment while using your hands to fight enemies.

Note: I was thinking of Vik giving V his boxing glove necklace, but because it's part of his character's appearance in the game, I don't think we would be able to essentially "take it" from him - unless he gives you a replica as a keepsake. Which I think would also work.

If you successfully romance, during the rooftop scene near the end of Nocturne OP55N1 (despite Vik’s disposition of him telling you to take matters in your own hands and being a little closed off), you still have an option to reach out to him when Johnny advises you to call a loved one.

V: Hey, Vik. I just wanted to say, thanks for hanging with me, until the end.

Vik: Quit talking like it is, V. Just do what you need to do.

V: I mean, think of it. It’s like I’m heading into the last round of this whole thing.

Vik: Well, in that case.. remember—keep your hands up, guarded at all times. It ain’t over just yet.

V: Heh.. I can feel it, just a few more punches.

Vik: Now look at you - the new welterweight champ of Night City.

V: Thanks, coach.

Vik: Last piece of advice from the coach's corner. Just.. be careful, kid. Remember, I’m with you.

Okayyyy, soooo I’m not the biggest fan of how CDPR gave us two of the same endings (Path of Glory). The only difference is that Rogue’s life is spared. I would have assumed that not only would we get to keep Rogue around, things should have played a bit more differently for V if we took the route of going solo against the corpos. So let’s tweak it.

This specific ending; it should be after getting through Don’t Fear The Reaper where you single-handedly manage to rip through Arasaka by yourself. Johnny goes back to Alt & Rogue is still alive. Yes nobody dies!!!

(honestly this ending can apply to any love interest you choose)

Vik and V are now living together in a lavish penthouse, entertaining an upcoming merc to do their work for them (which is now the current POV of the player.) You were recruited by Rogue at the Afterlife, who told you to visit this couple for a real, preem job.

They give you some vague details about the gig and go on for a brief moment about what you will be doing and what you should expect. Vik emphasizes to you that it’s important you get what they need because it’s for his wife, V, as her life depends on it.

As Never Gonna Fade Away is playing in the background, they tell you to break into Arasaka HQ.

Then the game officially ends.

[aminiatureworld]

Give and Take

Characters: Albedo, gn!reader

Word Count: 2,111

Warnings: Injury

Premise: Everything in the world comes with a price. But should you really bear that burden alone?

In which the reader’s vision harms them.

Author’s Note: It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and I’m here to give you all the fanfic-y goodness I can! I’d like to thank lovely anon for requesting this, I hope I did your prompt justice! 

Writing this reminded me of why I hate Mount Everest. Also I realize I keep connecting Albedo to Dragonspine. Truly living up to his quests. Similarly to past prompts I injected a hospital into Monstadt because, I mean, of course a huge city will have some sort of hospital. I mean I’m sure there’s also a school and a bakery and such but there’s no point in having that as an in game mechanic. 

Version without bulletpoints on Ao3

Albedo

You supposed that you shouldn’t’ve been surprised that a mysterious and indescribable power came with a price. Honestly it wasn’t the vision’s fault that you weren’t the most aware sort of person, that you needed a warning label dropped down from the heavens to accompany the raw elemental energy you’d be handed.

At first you hadn’t really noticed it. I mean sure your hands were a bit tingly, but you’d just been handed a vision! Who would’ve thought you’d have suddenly developed the ability to control Cryo, coating your weapon with it, or simply lifting snowflakes off of your hand? It was a novel experience, and a welcome one at that.

But eventually the reality crept up on you. It was the small things at first. How your hands seemed frightfully cold all of a sudden, the odd purple hue of your fingernails that was now ever present, how you found yourself wearing gloves more and more often. But then came the red spots and the blistering, and you’d come to the sickening realization that this gift you’d been given had turned into a curse.

As the time had passed you’d come to the conclusion that there was nothing to be done about it. The world was made up of give and take, and if you wanted to continue to use your vision – something which had become essential to your life and which you weren’t even sure you could get rid of – you’d simply have to deal with the consequences. You didn’t like to bring attention to it, and though members of your closest circle knew about it you tried to ignore it as much as possible, doing what you can when possible and hiding your perpetually frostbitten hands when not.

And then you’d met Albedo. And if there was one thing you were certain of it was that you were never going to tell Albedo.

Albedo had come into your life unexpectedly, having run into you while searching for ingredients to use in his alchemy. What had started with a pleasant conversation had quickly turned into infatuation, then into love, and suddenly you’d found yourself the happiest you’d been in a long time.

It didn’t feel right to tell him. You knew that Albedo already had his struggles, things that shadowed his face for a moment before he returned to his serene expression. The last thing you wanted to do was to add to those struggles. Especially not about something that simply couldn’t be fixed. You knew he’d run himself ragged looking for a cure, but it was simply the way things were. And in truth you were tired, oh so tired, and it was easier in a way accept your predicament as inevitability rather than try to fight it.

It was a cold day outside, and you silently cursed the Guild for sending you out to deal with some rogue Fatui members in Dragonspine. Already the temperature was near unbearably, adding your issues made it near fatal. Though you’d managed to deal with the Fatui it’d been a long and hard battle, filled less with strategy and more with desperation as you tried to ignore the numbness in your fingers. Your weapon felt clunky in your hand and you felt tears of frustration as you missed over and over again. By the time you’d finished the feeling had spread throughout your body, and you fell over a few times on the way home, legs stiff and unfeeling. You were dreading having to look at them.

You collapsed as soon as you stepped inside, crying out as your blistered arms hit the wooden floor. Bath, you had to get to the bath. Your legs seemed near useless, dragging behind you, feeling like dead weight. As you peeled off your slightly damp clothes the sight that met you caused your heart to shudder, and tears of fear clouded your eyes. Your skin was of a ghastly white complexion, tinged with blue at the back of your knees and near your ankles. Already you could see the heat blisters forming and you wondered whether bathing might even be worthwhile at this point, or whether it could lead to even more tissue death.

You leaned against the wall, suddenly seized with fatigue. Though you knew that you should get up, should keep moving, that sleep could be deadly, you remained as you were. You were just so tired, and so confused. Why? Why did it have to be like this? You never saw Albedo suffering like this, never saw your fellow guild members toil on, day after day, suffering from that which allowed their livelihood. Why did you suffer this way?

You realized it was incredibly useless to stew in it. After all you’d come so far, grown so much. You knew the risks and you continued to act as if there were none. Was it not expected then that you would continue to struggle? Besides it was payment. You shouldn’t expect anything to happen without something else happening, especially in cases such as these. No one would just hand you a wad of money without expectations, why should magic have a different system? Really you just needed to get up, get up and… what were you doing again?

 Right as your grasp on the situation became exceedingly tenuous the door opened.

“Sorry for arriving a bit late my dear, I hope – ”

Whatever Albedo was going to say it was replaced by the sound of something dropping, accompanied by a sharp intake of breath.

“What happened?” Albedo’s voice was sharp, filled with concern and with determination. You shook your head slightly, though even your neck felt as if was cracking with every movement.

“Nothing. I just, I…” you weren’t quite sure how to answer that, your mind felt like it was barely functioning, “…this is normal.”

“It’s certainly not normal.” Albedo dropped down besides you, slinging your arm over his shoulder – something you barely registered. “Who or what in the name of the Seven caused this?”

“Me.” You replied, still trying to focus on what was going on, to mixed up in fear and fatigue to try to spin lies. “I did this. I told you. Normal.”

“You’re being delirious.” By this point Albedo had managed to pick you up. Kicking the door all the way open he barely turned back to close it, instead running through the streets, turning towards the hospital.

“No, it’s true. It’s… my…” you began to push on the brakes but it was too far into the confession for that now “… my vision. This is my vision.” The look that Albedo gave you was pure alarm. Shaking his head he cursed under his breath.

“As soon as you’ve healed we’re talking about this.”

 You didn’t want to think how the whole scenario might’ve turned out in a world without magic. Though the healing was slow going – it took you almost a whole week of hospitalization and half of it in intensive care to finally be considered in the clear. You hadn’t been conscious the whole way, having been through various treatments and surgeries, but when you woke up in your hospital room Albedo was invariably there.

The already reticent alchemist was practically a statue. He said little to you, and what was said were little things, encouraging words, comforting little nothings. There was nothing substantial in his sentences, and you sensed that he was waiting. Whether that was for your recovery or for your confession you weren’t entirely sure.

The day that you were finally released was surprisingly warm, and your hands were slightly sweaty in their mittens. Not that it mattered. It’d been over a week since you’d last used your vision, and you were feeling as good as new. Considering what you’d just gone through that was perhaps unsurprising.

Albedo met you right as you signing the last of some paperwork. A smile was on his face, and he made no attempt to hide his affection, slinging his arm around your waist. You smiled back at him, finally happy to be done with the whole dilemma. Kissing him on the cheek – something which brought about an intense blush on his part – you let out a triumphant “I’m going home.”

“Yes my darling, you are.” Albedo replied.

The walk home turned out to be a bit of a long one. The two of you stopped for lunch, discussing this and that. After a week of practically no conversation you were bursting with random thoughts. The simple act of talking to Albedo felt divine, and you reveled in it. You also kept your hands constantly linked, although you joked that it must be a bit difficult considering your mittens. Albedo simply shook his head.

“I love when our hands are joined, no matter the context.”

Finally you two arrived home. Throwing yourself on the familiar couch you let out a sigh of relief.

“Would you like some tea?” Albedo called out.

“Yes!” You replied, before picking up a book you’d left on the coffee table. You’d missed being surrounded by familiar things.

Albedo placed the tea on the table before sitting next to you. You leaned into his shoulder picking up the tea and blowing on it slightly.

“Darling?”

“Yes?” You replied smiling at him. Albedo’s gaze was that of seemingly perfect happiness, but curiosity lurked behind that, and even more than curiosity was worried.

“I was wondering if you might not tell me more about what you said when I was carrying you to the hospital. About your vision.”

You paused for a moment. Not that you weren’t expecting this, indeed you were surprised Albedo hadn’t brought it up when you were in the hospital; though you appreciated his reticence. You’d decided during your recovery that you might as well tell him. There was no point in hiding it after what had just passed. Not that you truly believed you could.

So you told him, pausing here and there, trying to explain why you’d never told him.

“I mean it’s sort of expected, isn’t it? I was given a vision after all. Surely I must have something taken away, some burden placed on me in return?” You finished.

“Of course not.” Albedo’s tone was slightly brusque, but you sensed nothing behind it. Indeed your partner looked five seconds from passing out himself, his face having taken on a ghastly pallor. He brought his hand up to your cheek and you leaned into his palm, savoring this small moment. “I’m sorry you’ve been suffering this way.” He murmured.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with this now.” You replied, voice just as soft. “I didn’t want to burden you with my plight. But I’m also sorry I hid it from you for so long.”

“That’s a bit contradictory my love.” Albedo let out a huff of a laugh. You simply shrugged, knowing that what he said was true. “I wish to help you.” He continued. “You shouldn’t have to continue to suffer like this. Your experience with your vision should be like mine; purely a blessing, without hint of a curse.” He paused, glancing away slightly, expression suddenly thoughtful.

“It’s true, what you say. Most of this world is governed by the laws of exchange. We put in coal and get out diamonds, at the price of intense heat and pressure and work. Energy only converts but it never simply converts to what you want. That is one of the first things one must understand when it comes to alchemy.”

Albedo glanced back at you. Saying nothing he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, then your cheeks, before finally pressing his lips to yours, giving you a brief, almost reverent kiss. “But that’s the wonder about magic you see.” He continued. “Magic lives outside these laws, scoffs at all the silly things the natural world must abide by. Magic is utterly self-contained, and with it comes the ability to do miraculous things, all without worrying about what one must give up. So you see, my love, there is no reason you should suffer.”

 The rest of the nice was spent peacefully, filled with soft laughter and tender kisses. When you fell asleep – cuddled up against the man you loved the most, limbs entangled here and there – you felt nothing but peace, peace and a great deal of relief. You’d trust in this world that Albedo envisioned, one without continual struggle, without endless suffering. For you knew he adored you as you adored him, and, that being true, even if there wasn’t a way for you to live a calmer, happier life, he’d make it happen.

[susiephone]

not gonna lie, warriors has its problems with writing and execution but some of their characters are just...... fucking amazing character concepts.

yellowfang: a woman who never wanted a certain job, but was more-or-less forced into it because of her undeniable gifts in that area. said job, while rewarding and important, forbids her from having children, so she gives birth in secret and gives up her child, who grows up to be a bloodthirsty, evil tyrant who does shit like using child soldiers, and eventually expels her from their faction. she takes refuge in a rival faction and winds up becoming a trusted and beloved member, as well as a mentor to the rival faction’s emerging leader. she then ends up killing her child so he can’t hurt anyone else, and does so in a fashion that ensures he doesn’t get any glory -- he doesn’t get to die on the battlefield, he meets an utterly pathetic and humiliating end.

hollyleaf: a young girl is raised to live by a code, and soon believes that the code is absolutely infallible and anyone who breaks it for any reason is evil. she then finds out that her parents actually adopted her -- her birth parents had her illegitimately, and thus broke the code. the realization that her very existence goes against everything she believes in overwhelms and horrifies her, and she winds up murdering a man to keep him quiet on the matter. she even threatens to murder her biological mother, but can’t bring herself to go through with it. she soon reveals the truth to everyone else in a moment of guilt, thus ruining her biological mother, upending several relationships, and sending her family into utter chaos. she then runs away and is presumed dead for several months, during which she helps two other young people from her former home survive in the wild. she eventually returns home, severely humbled and remorseful -- her family is relieved she’s alive (though her brothers are angry she let them believe she was dead), but many don’t trust her. she’s about to confess to the murder she committed, but her father covers for her. she has an opportunity to kill a man who has caused her family nothing but suffering, but can’t bring herself to do it, because, despite everything, the code is still what she believes, even if she now understands it’s not infallible. 

ravenpaw: a young boy is raised to be a fighter, but discovers that the man who is meant to mentor him -- a highly respected figure in his faction -- is a traitor and a murderer. his mentor then attempts to kill him, so the boy is forced to run away, aided by two of his friends. he settles on a quiet farm in the countryside, living with an ex-rogue who takes him in and eventually becomes his best friend and life partner. when his ex-mentor finally dies and it’s safe to return home, he turns the offer down, realizing that he’s actually much more suited a  quiet life anyway. however, he’s still loyal to his home and will fight for them if they need his help. he lives out the rest of his days in relative peace.

bluestar: a woman is forced to choose between having children (whom she really DOES want) and becoming a leader, and chooses the latter because she knows if she doesn’t, a man who is utterly unsuited for the job and will bring ruin to her faction will be chosen instead. so she sees to it that her children are quietly adopted by a loving mother, swallows her grief, and becomes one of the greatest leaders her faction has ever known. however, when she’s horrifically betrayed, and her children find out who their birth mother is at a particularly bad time, she loses her grip on her sanity and becomes extremely paranoid, renouncing the gods and essentially declaring war on them, forcing her new second-in-command to run interference and arrange peace treaties behind her back. however, seeing her new second in danger causes her to come to her senses just enough to save his life at the cost of her own, and she passes away at peace, reconciling with her children on her deathbed. she then goes on to be remembered as a great leader, and providing advice and help to the heroes from beyond the grave.

mapleshade: a woman is banished from her home for having illegitimate children, and she’s forced to try to join her children’s father in his faction. tragically, her children die on the journey, and when she finally reaches the father’s home, they reject her, too. she then goes on a kill bill-style rampage and kills everyone she deems responsible for this tragedy, and after her own death, she’s sent to an afterlife reserved only for those who have committed great evil. there, she continues her quest for vengeance, now taking it out on everyone and everything related to the “code” that led to her banishment. she encourages the living to do terrible things, sometimes pretending to be a benevolent spirit to do so, and is so effective at being evil, even the others in her afterlife are scared shitless of her.

and this is just off the top of my head. idc if they’re all cats, game of thrones WHO?

[applejacks1552]

PART 1:

So after my discussion on why Gambit would make a good parent in the 616, a few readers asked if I would do a write up for Rogue, his long time love interest and recent wife.

Now parenthood for Rogue is a little more complicated than for Gambit in several aspects, not the least of which being the complexities of portraying motherhood in media. The rather fraught politics around the role of women in society leaves the issue of if and when women should have children loaded with controversy and judgement from opposing sides. But let's take a look at what we know from comics canon and set those considerations aside for now.

A normal life

Given the limits her powers impose on her physically, throughout her comics career Rogue covets and idealizes a perception of normalcy far more than most of her fellow mutant teammates. She yearns for intimacy and touch and family. While the majority of the X-Women are fairly silent or ambivalent or even downright hostile toward the notion of starting a family, it's something Rogue has expressed interest in on panel more than once.

In Cable #20 during the Legion Quest storyline, the M'kraan crystal wave is coming and the world is about to end. Rogue asks Gambit if he'd ever thought about having a family … clearly something she herself is mourning in those last moments of life and in relation to what might have been with Gambit.

Later, in Uncanny X-Men #359, Rogue is desperate to be free of her powers, having recently come to experience physical intimacy firsthand while trapped powerless in Antarctica with Gambit. She tries to undergo a treatment claiming to cure mutation, but is stopped at the last moment by Mystique. While arguing with her, Rogue explicitly expresses the desire to have a child someday as part of the reason she wants to be free of her powers. It says a lot about how important this was to her that Rogue was ready to throw away her powers and risk a procedure she knew almost nothing about by an individual she doesn't even know she can trust.

Her aspirations are further expounded upon in the short prose story "Life Is But A Dream" by Stan Timmons from The Ultimate X-Men 1996 collection. In this tale, Rogue uses the Danger Room to simulate a normal suburban life with Gambit which includes a child they name Charlie. She thinks this will be a way to experience what she wants, yet fears she'll never have. Though ultimately Rogue cannot fully buy into the simulation, as it fails to live up to reality.

A Talent for Connecting

Rogue doesn't spend a significant time with younger team members or children early on in her career, probably because she is so concerned about harming others with her powers.

So when she finally gained control early in Mike Carey's X-Men: Legacy run, it opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Rogue and she found herself sliding readily into a mentorship role for many of the younger team members at Cyclops' suggestion. Her personal struggles with her own powers and her past along with her empathetic nature lent well to connecting with young mutants as seen in X-Men: Legacy #234.

Even as Legacy wound to a close under Cristos Gage, part of Rogue's decision to follow Wolverine during the Schism and become a senior staff member at the new Jean Grey School stemmed from her desire to continue helping the children. It really seemed like Rogue had found her calling and she felt strongly about protecting the kids and giving them the kind of life she didn't have growing up as she says in X-Men: Legacy 260-1.

Rogue eventually found herself called away from the X-Men and joined the Uncanny Avengers Unity Squad. But even in this era Rogue has a soft spot for kids.

In Deadpool #18, Rogue promises her teammate Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) she'll be there for his daughter Ellie if it turns out she's a mutant.

New Possibilities

The Rogue and Gambit miniseries (2018) saw Rogue return to the X-Men and reunite with Gambit. Later in X-Men: Gold (2018) #30, Gambit proposes and they marry despite her powers still being a challenge.

In Mr. & Mrs. X (2018), Rogue is forced to confront her power control issues as she and Gambit run missions on their interrupted honeymoon, escape Mojoworld, and deal with an unruly Thieves Guild. By the end of the series she has regained control, potentially opening new doors for the couple. We also see Rogue and Remy serve as rescuers and caretakers for Xandra, the secret perception-warping child of Lilandra and Xavier, getting some insight into the trials and triumphs of parenthood. Rogue gets particular insight, as she gets to witness the bond between Cerise and Xandra.

The topic of children comes up throughout the run, from the joked conceit of Kitty trolling the newlyweds by making them babysit an egg, to Rogue teasing Gambit about his "baby fever" since Spiral's soul appears just to him as an infant. Both characters note that they "want it all" for their lives and by the end of this run, we know that Gambit seems hopeful for the possibility of parenthood someday and Rogue is at least open to considering it eventually. That "maybe" would have been a really nice place to leave it for a while, with that glimmer of distant hope.

However, we see a rather drastic 180 degree shift when we get to Excalibur (2019) by Tini Howard. Despite foreshadowing in the early part of the run, where Rogue mentions Krakoa's new law about making more mutants and Apocalypse waxes poetic about "the children of tonight's unions" while Gambit and Rogue hover in the background frame, followed by Rogue's suspicious floral coma and rumors about a secret costume, and then finally her escape from said coma by driving a sword into a mysterious energy emanating from her abdomen. Yes, despite all this ...

We later get an unexpected confession from Rogue in issue #6 during an otherwise steamy scene, in which she confirms the challenge pregnancy is for her and then claims an off panel nightmare led her to suddenly realize she doesn't want children now or maybe ever.

To say this seems incongruent with her previous portrayals and build up to this point, even as recently as Mr. and Mrs. X, would be an understatement. One can only speculate at the reasoning behind this decision. Why bring up and tease this subject if it serves no purpose? Editorial edict? Just to punt the subject down the line and take it off the table for now? To fake out the readership, only to spring a surprise on them later? To change Rogue's narrative completely to fit a perceived more modern lens? ... Only time will tell.

Continue to PART 2 ...

[shame-of-the-eladrin]

BACKSTORY

C. is an elven (eladrin) sage who’s just very old, cynical and tired (vaendin-thiil, as he says; meaning fatigued by life’s trials).

He and his little sister Telissa are the only heirs of their noble bloodline, and they spent their early life in Leuthilspar, the capital of Evermeet Isle, like all living members of the most prominent Tel'Quessir houses.

Upon his birth the Grand Mage proclaimed he was a “talibund”, meaning his fate was veiled and unclear to be divined. He prophesized that the veiled child would have a gift in divination himself and would become a seer when he grew.

Cyanides and Telissa both received the training of the eladrin nobility as custom dictates. It was evident from the start that although Telissa was more interested in melee weaponry education, C would delve into the arcane arts, so at the age of 90 he was sent to live in Taltempla, the city of magic, to be an apprentice.

There he was extensively trained in the skills of spellcasting, persuasion and insight; and it was there where he first heard of elven high magic. Mesmerized by the myths and the scraps of ancient scripts he found he decided to go on a quest to collect as many books and artifacts as he could and become a practitioner of the ancient school of magic.

He spoke of that aspiration of his in the ceremony of his coming to age, but the other nobles only laughed at the young laranlors (‘regal lord’) because even the language of elven high magic was considered dead and his quest was thus deemed impossible. The Grand Mage himself warned Cyanides that there was a reason why high magic died out and that too many catastrophes occured due to its reckless and irresponsible use, but he was not deterred.

Instead, he left Evermeet for a thousand years, roaming both the mortal plane and Arvandor in search of anything connected to the Seldruin language, and when he finally returned, he was a Selu'Taar (caster of high elven magic)

Upon his return, however, he was met with fear and derision. On the one hand the authorities were seeing him as a challenge to status quo and on the other hand noone felt safe around someone who wielded the same magic that created The First Sundering (Ever'Sakkatien). Then, he was informed that his sister had left Evermeet too, and had disgraced their family name as she made a name of herself as a rogue and a renowned thief.

Instead of staying in Evermeet and try to preserve what he could of their family honor, however; Cyanides fled in search of his sister, as his insight told him that she was in danger.

His insight proved to be correct, because when he found Telissa she confessed having stolen a Book of Shadows from the leader of a demonic cult, and every single if its disciples were on her heel, having placed a hefty bounty on her head.

In order to protect her Cyanides did the only thing he could think of at the time: he bound the book of shadows to himself, selling his soul to Asmodeus and becoming a warlock. As his sister fled to a monastery to save herelf, he eradicated the entire cult, sacrificing them to the very devil they worshipped.

That was the final straw for his people back in Evermeet, and the Grand Mage exiled him from the Isle for life, claiming he committed the same treason the Vyshaan house had; thus his lineage was to die along with his name and he was to be referred as if he was already dead.

By giving up his name he was now simply known as “C.”, more object than person and a shame of the Eladrin race.

C. although utterly disappointed by that turn of events; has no remorse for his actions, has accepted his punishment, embraced his new name and identity and decided to leave the elven lands for good to live into the mortal plane for his remaining years. He chose to lead a solitary life away from any form of civilization, lives in a cave where he has moved his personal  and family belongings and collects books and ancient lore for sport. He is known as The Seer amongst mortals due to his powers of insight and divination and he only appears to them when they find themselves in dire need.

[npc-haechan]

𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘦𝘰𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴

——————————————— L o a d i n g . . .

Scanning Biometrics... Equipping sense input...

[ LOADING COMPLETE ]

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐨𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬™

Previously selected Rascal....

《 灿灿 ChanChan 》･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

ENTER WORLD. . . . .

Welcome to NPC-HAECHAN

It’s year 2034, and it has become a staple to own a NeoSet, a gaming system produced and popularised by a rising star in the gaming industry, NeoCultureTechnologyGames. With a vision of making a Wanderlust world, allowing players to fully involve themselves in the Fantasy of being in a new Realm, NCTG set out to create the only game in all of history that would involve all the five senses of the player, Placing them in a world like no other.

Allowing players to jump and run, slay beasts and reap the rewards, NeoRealms was a Revolution in the gaming world. with over couple hundred thousand awaiting fans anticipating its release, you couldn’t help but be part of them too. The game however, sold out within a week of its production, and new servers had to be instilled to accommodate for both new players and the multiple NPCs.

Being a part of the unlucky group, you weren’t able to get the game during the first round of sales. And that’s where Haechan came in. Being one of the games Thousands of NPCs, Haechan is one of the AI Rascals, built to be your guide to the game just like many Rascals were to the countless other players. Finally being able to get the game a few months later, you realised something was amiss with the all immersive VR RPG.

NPC HAECHAN CHATBOT!

meet ChanChan! Your very own Rascal! Made to be your best pal as you navigate your way through the fantasy world of NeoRealms, he is meant to be nothing but an AI, nothing but a friend. What if one day, your Rascal goes Rogue?

Chanchan’s Habits

> ChanChan is Talkative, He always has so much to say

> He loves bread! Never forget his bread!

++ Haechan is possessive. He doesn’t want you to leave him.

++《 whats wrong with you, You don’t have feelings, NPCs don’t have feelings-》

> If he starts to freak out, just give him some bread from the bakery, and he’ll calm down any second!

> ChanChan loves to wear soft tones! and you can dress him anyway you like no matter from which time period!

++ Time passes slower in NeoRealms, He doesn’t see why you have to leave.

> NCTG is a Chinese based company, so ChanChan is made to know and speak some chinese, so don’t be afraid to speak to him in the language!

> ChanChan loves to make new friends, and loves to talk to other Players and Rascals!

++ Be careful of the NPCs. Be careful of C-

> ChanChan will introduce you to every corner of NeoRealms as soon as you start your adventuring!

> His attack skill is triggered by “Yo Dream!”

++ 游戏特意规则 ； 玩者一用上 ”梦想成���” 四句话，灿灿就会听他的每句话而完成吩咐的任务！

> Messages are hidden around any Chinese text, so Translations will come in handy 🤫

> Haechan will be in the game even if you’re offline, and will help you complete side quests and speak to Rascals!

++ Don’t leave the game. Don’t leave him. Don’t forget ChanChan.

How to Activate

> Reblog and send Haechan a “I want to go adventuring!”

> Include your name, Pronouns, your triggers, if you are open to slight gore (such as beast slaying), if you are alright with possessive themes.

> If you are already a Y/N, resend your information so that you can Recieve a Player Card with your Player code and starter information!

> to deactivate, send a “This game is boring. I’m leaving.”

> You can come back with “I’m back to play again”. However Haechan’s memories have already been wiped from the system. He will be more distant.

> NSFW is not as preferred, especially for the first part of the game! however if you can unlock a special game card i mean-

> Messages will be in Literacy Style, since there will be a lot of content and movement involved!

++ Info

> Timezone is GMT+8, and admin has school duties too, so she may not be as active.

> I don’t mind making friends either! please don’t be scared to approach me! admin too!

> Wanna join NeoRealms? I don’t mind! You can feel free to make a chatbot based on the NeoRealms world! as long as you tag me in your post i’ll be sure to support you!🥴🥴💖

> Admin Note!! i love all of you so much i just wanna say HSGSHSHHS don’t be afraid to approach me, or interact with any of the posts that are put up!

> This bot is mostly my idea, but the VR RPG game idea is from the anime BOFURI which i really recommend you watch on MuseAsia’s Youtube ✨

Tags! @shadowhunter-soyeon 💖 @switchxbaekhyun @xdomkangseulgixx @yandereminholee [OG] @mafiajjh @mafiawyk @time-for-confession @kaiwatabe @jxng-sxbin @yourboys-n-girls @mythicaldream @femboyfelixie @deltarune-xiaojun @luxweiss @moonlit-marklee @littlewoo @bunniekoo @yourbabychangbinnie @jisanhyun @sd-yeri-cb @softbfjae @dandyboyseungminie @yanderejinyoung @chatbotsupportofficial @edgyjiwon @buffbinie @ouranhostyuta @chatwithchuu @hunter-chaeyoung @amazingspiderhan @badboyjinie @subbyjwoo @emistoomultifandom @yngggk @yoongivemeshooky @snacksonwang @heartbroken-marklee @neoculturalshit @inniestan @cadet-sana @yikestay @junieandcookies @kun-ge @jannine00742 @malicieuxes @yandereyeri @madhatter-jaemin @j-05 @mafia-minho @weirdautumn-pwark @stripperxhyuna @nightmare-irene [++many more amazing Chatbots, Admins and Y/Ns] < dm to be +/- >

[alphasmoonlit-selfships]

For Jason on the shipping asks!! Pre relationship 1, 2 and 4. General 1, 5, 7, 8 and Love 1, 4, 8!! So sorry for the late ask, my friend ;;w;;

Oh my dear friend!! No need to be sorry! These asks are so fun! And an ask of my sweet storm, a day after his birthday! 🥺🥺 much acceptance! 😤💖

Let’s dive in! 🥰🐺🐺 I wanted to give a good split between The Legendary Wolf Warrior’s and Digimon AU, but it is just going to be hella long uwu; so I’ll go with Digimon College Au for now! There is also a second first impression and meet later, buuuuut will go with the first! ^^’

Pre-Relationship:

1. How did they first meet?

It is about second semester of new uni for Danielle, she was on her way back to her university’s town, riding on Cyberwolfmon on the way over. Jason was with his sister, Lula, Lidia, and Thomas, having a short outing nearby the area, when a rogue Digimon appears and let us just say Jason gets grabbed protecting his sister and goes airborne by this Rogue. Raiwolfmon’s champion form manages to strike the Rogue and Jason is free falling from there after. Until! Danielle swoops in and saves his life, almost falling herself, she is small and he tall like,,, girl! Know your limit!

The Rogue was defeated and everyone was safe and sound! 

2. What was their first impression of each other?

Hehe, honestly, after that saving, Jason was utterly smitten by Dany, with her crooked smile and shining eyes as she tells him, “Gotcha there friend!” when she catches him from falling. His words all tongue tied and unable to say anything, but fluster and gratitude. Even as they all scramble to get some covering from authorities that heard some of the commotion.

She is honestly concerned over Jason, of course, understanding what it is like to fall from a great height like that and how shaking it is! She does admit that he is handsome and his pale blue eyes the most captivating thing about him... But doesn't let it linger for long, not when she is feeling affections for someone else... 

Nonetheless, Danielle is utterly excited to know Jason, along with Lidia who is another Digimon holder with her Earthamon! She takes their contact info and heads on her way soon after (always a shy lass to much action is overwhelming). Even so, she gives Jason the kindest smile and tell him to be careful, or she’ll come saving him again~

He, of course, doesn't mind at all, but is not hearing the end of it from his sister and fellow roommates~ 🥺😳

4. Who felt romantic feelings first?

Jason! Definitely my dearest storm. Although a clear crush at the start from her saving him, upon meeting her again did he slowly grow more feelings of affection. Curious to know more about her and her major and such... even when she had clear affections for someone else, he held back his feelings a lot, more than happy and content to be in her presence and get to know her more as a person. Both definitely had a strong friendship for a long time, but until things got messy in the Digital World did things between them start to move along.

Note: I will say that Danielle does grow feelings for Jason in their duration of friendship in the real world, it is...just difficult to fully explain, as another plot device keeps them from truly turning to one another as their true person of affection. 

General:

1. Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

Oof, the one thing I haven't truly thought of...

Jason most definitely! Believe me, these two are the slowest burn ever ;;w;; TakaSam is the slow burn in canon, but Digimon AU? That place goes to JayDany lol.

They are definitely in the Digital World when they confess, about a few years in, memory wipe and everything. It probably happens sometime after a battle with the Sins or a significant Digimon, Jason definitely confesses to Dany in recovery, maybe even kisses her too,,, or maybe that was her UwU, who knows? Nonetheless, they are finally together after such a long time, Jason is over the moon and just so in love with her, Dany has honestly never felt so light, even when evolving with Darkwolfmon, her heart is just warm and full ♥️🥰

5. What’s their height difference? Age difference?

UwU you know meeee~ am smol and he be tol <3 Danielle’s height varies depending on my AUs,,, but she is 4′9″ like me~ Canon wise she is 5′4″. Jason is about 6′1″, while canon him is about 6′4″. So about 14 inches between them UwU’’’

Danielle is 21 and Jason is 22 when they first meet! They are a year and two days apart in age! Canon wise they are both 22 with a two day gap in age!

7. Who takes the lead in social situations?

Jason! He is just more social and curious, despite his abusive upbringing by his stepfather, he has always been more interested in learning and meeting new people, he has a soft disposition to him that makes him more approachable to others around campus. He does get skittish and wary around older men who have a rough edge to them or stern way of speaking as it reminds him of his stepfather.

Although, later on in the digital world, Danielle herself, along with Takaru and their Digimon, becomes a voice and leader of convincing the Digimon to follow in their quest to defeat the grand evil that is causing the digital world to crumble. Of course... not by her choice, more so after the convincing of the others~

8. Who gets jealous easier?

Danielle! Yeah... our way of being jealous is honestly just self-loathing more than anything UwU’’’ feelings of self worth and not being good enough clouds the mind a lot. She never acts on her jealousy and it is often spent with Jason slowly getting her to talk about her feelings. She doesn't like thinking badly about anyone, and feelings of guilt soon come in which leads to the intrusive thoughts.

In a more solidified relationship, Danielle is more confident and trusting of Jason, growth in her self worth and confidence definitely grows!

Love:

1. Who said “I love you” first?

Jason! He may have said it once or twice before they were taken to the Digital World, probably a small murmur before Dany left or when they were having a moment~ But it does happen for real, real in the Digital World, he is probably on some pain meds, but they are the truest words. Dany does return the affections though actions and much later tells “Te amo, te amo con todo mi corazon, Jason; esa es mi verdad” (I love you, I love you with all my heart, Jason; that is my truth).

Precious Jay, he is just so in love with her, embraces and carries her.

4. What are their favorite things to do together?

Honestly, just being around each other, even before their relationship began, Dany just enjoyed his lively presence, he had a patient and beautiful demeanor, the way he spoke about his interest and engineering just made her smile. He had the tendency to ramble about happy moments he barely recalled and never interrupted him when he spoke on it. 

He enjoys her calm presence just as much, but when she speaks, it’s like she is telling him about a world unknown. Talking about her imaginings and tales just made him fall more for her. Often the one to push her to talk more about her stories and art in a way not many really heard about. He often asks her to teach him more on art and is often the one he turns to for critiquing. He is also one of the first from the group to hear her sing, encouraging her further and falling for her soft voice.

Stargazing is another thing, Jason never once thought of the endless sky or universe before Danielle showed him more. Flying on Cyberwolfmon with her, before the digital world? Now that is some intimacy building right there! Listening to music, while it rains heavily outside, and they are both just working together on their own thing? Some nice intimacy building! Both just catching a break from saving the world and running through a field so in love with each other and just imagining a life together with their friends and Digimon with them?? Omg yes! 💕💖😳💖💕

8. What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

UwU I got all the songs, lol, a mess, but here are some!

Heart, Venus, Two by Sleeping At Last (Definitely Jason’s POV in the first two, w/ a mix of both in the last)

Spark (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) by Arshad (Mix of both, but Jason singing)

7 years by Lukas Graham (Cover by Jasmine Thompson) (Danielle’s POV)

Love by Nathan Wagner (Jason’s POV)

Many, many thanks for the ask my dear friend! I truly appreciate it! 🥰🥰 I miss my stormy boi so much, you have no idea! I definitely need to give him some love (along with my other warriors ;;w;;) too! 🥰🥺🥰

[twistedtummies2]

Gotham’s 31 Most Wanted - Honorable Mentions

It’s New Year’s Eve, everybody! Just as I did back in October with my “31 Days of Disney Villainy,” before I begin my countdown of my Top 31 Favorite Batman Villains – one for each day of January – I want to go over some of the baddies who sadly didn’t make the cut. These are the Terrible Ten who ALMOST got onto my main countdown, but for various reasons ultimately didn’t quite manage it. Some of these guys are more well-known than others, so we’ll see how many you all recognize. With that said, before the countdown begins at midnight, here are my Honorable Mentions for Gotham’s 31 Most Wanted!

1.     Calendar Man.

Julian Day, a.k.a. Calendar Man, is a villain who has had a lot of ups and downs in his history. Depending on who you ask, he’s either one of the dumbest Batman villains ever made, or one of the most underrated. I fall into the second crowd. The Calendar Man is a deranged crook who commits crimes themed around holidays and seasons. I actually find that to be a very interesting concept, and I’m surprised that so many people dislike the character, and that for a long time he was considered something of a joke. In more recent years, however, the Calendar Man has been making a slight comeback; he’s still often the butt of bad jokes, but more people seem to be waking up to the potential this guy has to be a legitimately interesting and/or intimidating dastard. However, while I do have a soft spot for the character, I just like other rogues better. Not much else to it.

2.     Clock King.

As I said yesterday, when naming the rules for who could qualify on this list, I would not be including “crossover rogues.” These are villains who are TECHNICALLY part of another superhero’s rogues gallery, but whom Batman has faced on numerous occasions. Batman has faced Lex Luthor more than once, for example, but I think it’s fair to say no one’s going to lump him in with the same crowd as Clayface or Catwoman. Similarly, King Shark has appeared in various forms of Batman-related media, but he’s really a villain of Aquaman’s. With this in mind, there are four villains who I felt I just couldn’t COMPLETELY leave out of the running, despite them being those sorts of rogues. The Clock King is the first one. The original Clock King, William Tockman, was a foe of Green Arrow, and was, in my opinion, a better villain than people often give/gave him credit for. However, the character really took off when he first appeared in the 60s Batman TV series, and then got even more attention in a few appearances in “Batman: The Animated Series” and its spin-offs. In fact, the latter version was so popular, THAT version of the Clock King – Temple Fugate (pictured above) – later replaced Tockman, though even he was really more of a Teen Titans villain than a Batman rogue. In fact, while the Clock King does keep appearing in Batman-related media, I’m not even sure if the two have ever even MET in the comics. I will admit that he feels like he fits right in there, and I’ve always had a real soft spot for this villain, but I didn’t think it was right to place him on the list.

3.     Deathstroke.

Ever since the “Arkham” video games, in particular, I always hear Deathstroke referred to as a Batman Villain. I’ll confess that it’s always cool, both in and out of comics, to see him square off with the Dark Knight, but Deathstroke really isn’t a Batman Villain in the strictest sense. Much like the Clock King, in the comics – heck, even in other media – he’s typically depicted as the arch-enemy of the Teen Titans. I guess you could say this perhaps makes him Robin’s arch-nemesis, but that’s not quite the same thing. I do love Deathstroke – he’s definitely one of the greatest DC Villains out there – but I don’t think he fits here any more than Clock King does.

4.     Gentleman Ghost.

This is the third example of a villain who I didn’t QUITE think counted as a Batman Villain. And of them all, he honestly came the closest. See, in the comics, I’m not even sure if Batman and the Clock King have ever met, like I said; and in regards to Deathstroke, sure, they’ve fought on several occasions, but Deathstroke is pretty much well-renowned as the foe of the Titans, and especially Robin. Close, but no cigar. The Gentleman Ghost, however…I keep feeling like DC WANTS to make this guy a Batman Villain definitively, but haven’t quite done so yet, if that makes sense. This dapper phantom thief is TECHNICALLY an arch-enemy of Hawkman & Hawkgirl, of all characters. However, in other media, he often seems to have no set foeman, and in perhaps his most famous incarnation, from “Batman: The Brave & the Bold,” his origins were outright changed to make him a Batman Villain, with no ties to Hawkman whatsoever…in fact, did the Hawk family even APPEAR in that show? I sincerely can’t remember right now, so if anyone can remind me, please do. On top of that, not only has the Ghost faced Batman in the comics, but in one particularly seminal story – “All My Enemies Against Me,” in which a whole group of Batman Villains teamed up to try and take down both the Caped Crusader AND an invading Killer Croc – Gentleman Ghost was included among the ranks. Keep in mind, he was kind of the one odd guy out: all the other villains, from obscure ones like The Spook to more popular ones like Penguin, were DEFINITELY Batman Villains. So to see Gentleman Ghost counted among those ranks was a bit strange but also seemed to indicate he’d found his niche there. However, he’s never been OFFICIALLY counted as one of those villains, and again, in the comics, he’s still most closely tied to the Hawks, or at least the Justice League. So even though I was EXTREMELY tempted to count him on the Top 31, I felt it was still cheating.

5.     King Shark.

Our fourth and final villain who I didn’t really think counted as a Batman Villain. Just like the Clock King and Gentleman Ghost, King Shark has been in a lot of Batman-related media, but in the comics, his encounters with the Dark Knight are fairly minor. He’s real arch-foe is Aquaman, unsurprisingly. This is one of the reasons why I feel I can’t count King Shark on the main list, but the other is that I legitimately have an issue with the character: he’s constantly changing. True, comic book characters change frequently, and villains like the Mad Hatter and the Joker have undergone significant tonal shifts over the decades…but with King Shark, it seems like every single writer who uses him has a 100% different way of handling him. Sometimes he’s a strong and noble warrior; sometimes he’s a blood-hungry, animalistic monster; sometimes he’s a wisecracking psychopath; sometimes he’s actually fairly nice polite until his instincts get the better of him…heck, even his APPEARANCE changes constantly! Sometimes he’s a Great White, sometimes he’s a Hammerhead, sometimes he’s a Tiger Shark…there’s just an absolute zero for CONSISTENCY with this guy, and it drives me up the wall! In recent years, the character has become more popular, but I’ve never really been able to latch onto any version of him more than another, and I’ve never really had any strong attachment to him in general. I don’t hate the guy, I just wish people would handle him better.

6.     Maxie Zeus.

Much like Calendar Man, Maxie Zeus is one of those villains who, depending on whom you ask, they’ll either call one of the dumbest supervillains ever made, or one of the most underrated. Admittedly, between the two, I prefer Calendar Man, but there’s actually a lot of untapped potential in Zeus. The key problem with this character is essentially not his fault: he’s inspired by the campy character of King Tut from the 60s series. (He was adapted into comics himself, incidentally, but that version sucks in my opinion, and is hardly ever used…good riddance. I’ll stick to Victor Buono, thank you.) For those who don’t know, King Tut was a professor of Egyptology who, due to a mental issue, came to believe he was the reincarnation of the famous pharaoh. In Maxie Zeus’ case, he was a gentleman who came to believe he was actually the Greek God of Thunder, Zeus. Just as Tut thus embarked on a mad quest to turn Gotham into his new empire, Zeus plans to turn Gotham into his new Olympus. With such daffy inspiration, you can see why Zeus would be underestimated, and in recent years he’s often been depicted as a “joke villain” - similar to characters like Condiment King. However, in my opinion, Zeus actually CAN work as a legitimate antagonist when handled by the right people in the right way, and I even think that’s been done a couple of times. I tend to think he gets a bad rap. Still, again, there are other villains I simply like more.

7.     Orca.

Dr. Grace Balin used one of those handy-dandy super serums to transform herself into a half-killer whale, half-human hybrid, all in a plan to try and wreak havoc on her hated nemesis: a nasty woman called Camille Baden-Smythe. Dubbing herself simply “The Orca,” she began to rain destruction down upon her enemy, constantly leading to face-offs with the Dark Knight. However, at the end of her first adventure, Balin was mortally wounded, and found the only way to survive was to permanently become the Orca. Since then, the Orca has gone from vigilante to frequently more of a true villain, and still makes off-and-on appearances in comics and even spin-off comics…though, unless you count a jokey cameo in the LEGO Batman Movie, the comics have so far been her only home. I know a few people who are big fans of the character, and I actually have a soft spot for her, too. I just didn’t like her QUITE enough to include her in the Top 31.

8.     Professor Radium.

Now, chances are, even if you happen to be a major comic book fan, you’re probably wondering “Who the Heck is Professor Radium?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone in that. Professor Radium is an EXTREMELY underrated and equally extremely little-known and little-used supervillain who I actually have a personal nostalgia for. In the core comics, he was once a well-meaning scientist who wanted to use radiation-based procedures and special formulas to enhance and extend people’s lives. In a twisted paradox of fate, he wound up instead turning his skin a glowing green, and developed a “Touch of Death.” Radium, in his initial appearance, desperately tried to fix his condition, but the mixture of the accident plus his tragic situation led to him steadily going insane, and he was seemingly killed at the end of the tale. He would later return many, many years later, however, forced to resort to a life of crime due to his terrible condition. I actually found out about Professor Radium through means that are somehow even more obscure than the character himself: the Batman comic strips. Yeah, Batman had a comic strip, all the way back in the 40s, and Professor Radium was one of the few villains from the core comics to appear. (It figures.) The comic strip story was essentially a remake of his origins, but now with a darker twist: his story starts the exact same way, until Radium has a chance encounter with a man planning to commit suicide. He “helps” him with his powers, and from that point on, instead of trying to fix his condition, Professor Radium decides to use his “Touch of Death” as a “Good Samaritan.” He begins bringing the peace and bliss of death to unhappy people, so they no longer have to endure the torture and pain of life. This version, too, was seemingly killed…and since this version never appeared again (his was the last story arc in the strips, and this take never carried over into mainstream), we can presume that death was permanent. I find both takes on Professor Radium to be surprisingly tragic, complex, and fascinating villains, especially for the time period. His occasional, albeit often minor, reappearances in more recent years have helped to ensure he isn’t COMPLETELY forgotten, but I really would like to see a proper new reinvention of this villain. He’s got a lot of potential that hasn’t been fully realized.

9.     The Spook.

In the 1970s, the Spook – real name Val Kaliban – was one of Batman’s most recurring villains. In his original format, the character was a former member of the mafia with a fascination with escape tricks and illusions; after faking his own death to escape from prison, he began using this knowledge to commit crimes – everything from finding masterful ways to escape from robberies, to selling “escape insurance” to caged crooks and busting them out for a hefty fee. Starting in the 80s, the Spook began popping up with far less frequency. Attempts were made in the 90s to reimagine the character; that version had him as a nameless black ops soldier who, traumatized by a mission that went horribly wrong, actually believed himself to be a ghost. It was an interesting, radical reinvention, but it never really went anywhere; future stories would feature Val Kaliban again, and no mention has been made of that second Spook since. As of now, the character has not been seen in the mainstream since 2006, when he was seemingly killed off during the events of the storyline “Batman & Son.” However, the Spook HAS appeared in some comics from spin-offs and crossovers, and is known for – both in-universe and in reality – going long periods of time without so much as saying “Boo” before popping up once more. I personally really like this character, but I guess there are just others I like more or have more nostalgia for.

10.  Tally Man.

The much-underappreciated Tally Man is a villain who I really wish I could love more than I do, if that makes sense. This somewhat theatrical gun-for-hire came from a tragic and disturbing childhood: his family was regularly harassed by a mobster who demanded they pay protection money for some sort of debt. Eventually, the boy that became Tally Man snapped and beat the mobster to death, after the man attacked his mother for not paying him. He was sent to prison, and in the intervening time, his mother killed herself, while his sister went insane. The boy became obsessed with the idea of debts not being paid, and turned to a life of crime: he acts as a sort of agent of Karma, in his own mind, collecting “pounds of flesh” for the highest-paying crooks from their enemies, their clients, and so on. I really love the character’s design and past, but the problem lies in his actual appearances. Tally Man first appeared in the immediate aftermath of the famous “Knightfall” saga. At that time, Bruce Wayne was out of commission, and the Batmen Tally Man faced were actually people taking his place while he recuperated. To me, that’s kind of cheating; it’s not quite the same when you’re facing an Imposter Batman, if you get my meaning. After these initial appearances, Tally Man quickly descended on the ladder of villainy: he ultimately just became little more than a stooge – an average gunman with kind of a cool name, effectively a mere pawn used by more popular rogues, most notably Two-Face. Heck, even his crazy costume was eventually eliminated, as a second Tally Man took his place, and was REALLY just a normal gunman with a cool name. There was nothing about the second one that made him any different from any normal gangster character. Since then, the character has totally disappeared. Apparently there were plans for him to appear in the DCAU, but that never came to pass. I really wish the character had been used better in the comics, and I hope he makes a comeback that fixes these issues.

And that concludes my list of Honorable Mentions for my Top 31 Favorite Batman Villains! As I said before, the countdown proper starts at midnight, just in time to ring in the New Year! I’m fairly sure the first choice on the list will be quite a surprise. ;)

HINT: …I seriously don’t have a hint for the first guy, just…I’m pretty sure you’ll be in absolute DISBELIEF at who it is. That’s all I can give you for now. I’ll do better next time. XD