#i feared that Big Tiefling was also mean

[paragonrobits]

"Gaining Karlach's approval centers around being forthcoming and somewhat heroic - showing compassion toward the wronged and almost uncompromising good." WELL I KNOW WHO I'M BEFRIENDING WHEN I PLAY THIS GAME

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Can I request headcanons for Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor react to his gn s/o admitting that they have suicidal thoughts?

A/N: Oh, nonnie! *Hugs* This ask was perfect timing because I was struggling with suicidal ideation last week- big time. Me and the kitchen floor were very well acquainted last week. So trust me, I know it’s not easy, but please try and hang in there. These feelings and thoughts, as awful and all-consuming as they are, are still temporary. They will pass. Everything passes eventually. It can’t stay the same forever. So if it’s bad now, just know it won’t always be this way. And in the meantime, I hope these headcanons bring you some comfort. 

TW: Suicidal Thoughts, Mentions of Suicide, Suicidal Ideation 

The BG3 Tiefling Boys Reacting to Their S/O Admiting They Have Suicidal Thoughts 

Dammon: 

Dammon’s taken aback when you tell him. The two of you being a couple has made him so happy, and he’s told you as much. In his enthusiasm, Dammon simply assumed you always felt the same level of elation he did. The fact that you have these sorts of thoughts is all news to him. 

He’s immediately concerned for your safety, worried that any second the thoughts may become too much to bear, and you’ll feel no other choice than to act on them. He contemplates speaking to someone older, someone wiser for advice on what he should do to be a supportive partner. He just wants to get this right. He doesn’t want to add any stress or difficulty to what you’re already going through with any of his reactions or fears. 

Dammon starts checking up on you more often, at random times throughout the day. He’ll take a break from his forging and pop his head inside to find you, wherever you are. Some days he sits with you and talks about the current projects he’s making. Other days the two of you sit in silence, sipping cool glasses of water. Dammon wants to ensure you don’t ever feel as if you’re going through this alone. He wants to show you that he’ll always be nearby, should you need him. 

Dammon will also make you random presents whenever he has a little extra time. It’s not much- a pendant here, or a broach there, a bunch of little things to remind you of him when he can’t be there. 

Dammon suggests you try writing your feelings out in a diary of sorts. And he promises not to peek- it's for your benefit only. His sketchbook helps him so much in trying to overcome a design flaw or difficulty. He thinks, perhaps, if you had more space to expand your feelings and thoughts onto paper, they wouldn't feel as oppressive in your mind.

You find his tail always wrapping around your ankle, or even your waist, when you're at his side. It’s like his tail is telling you what echoes in the subconscious of his mind: Dammon can’t lose you. He’s been through so much already. You have brought so much light and joy into his life. He couldn’t bear to let you go. 

He begs you, to please come to him if you should ever get to a point where you don’t know what else to do. He doesn’t want to lose you. You mean so much to him. Please, let him in. The two of you can weather this together. 

Essentially, Dammon becomes all the more attentive and upfront/vocal about his affection for you. He hopes to shower you in so much love, that the little voice in your head has no chance to bring you down. 

Rolan: 

Rolan is sickened, and just a teensy bit angry. Not at you, but at himself. Hearing you confess to having such thoughts makes him all the more concerned about you. But of course, being the stubborn tiefling he is, Rolan doesn’t know how to say it without sounding like a dick. 

Rolan first considers looking into a spell or enchantment that can do away with such feelings, before you explain to him that, even if that were possible, in the long run, that’s not how these things work. These kinds of things can’t be fixed by magic. And even if there was a spell that might work, it’s not the kind of thing magic should be used to interfere with. This makes Rolan more irritable about the whole thing because he’s spent so long studying, building up his skills to be a wizard. But he hasn’t spent the time working on his emotional intelligence or intimacy prowess. And now, he fears that lack of proficiency may cost him you. 

But he tries! Oh boy, does he try! He’s constantly sending either Lia or Cal to check up on you when he’s too busy to come see you himself. It becomes a bit of an inside joke between the three of you, how large that one vein in Rolan’s forehead becomes whenever Cal or Lia report back to him about you. 

Once Rolan comes to understand you didn’t tell him so he’d be responsible for keeping you under watch, but because you just wanted him to ‘get it’, he becomes much less overbearing in his instructions. Instead of ordering you to go outside for some sun, he’ll offer to take a stroll with you around Sorcerous Sundries. Rather than forcing you to eat every couple of hours, Rolan will show up in your room some night with a select baked goods he picked up from a street vendor for you to share over tea before falling asleep. 

He has difficulty talking about it most days, but he does hold your hands and tell you once, very passionately, that he cares for you, deeply, and he hates to think you were hurting all this time in silence. He asks you to please, please keep sharing your feelings with him. He knows his reactions aren’t always the most encouraging, but he swears that no matter his initial reaction, he will always be on your side. 

Deep down he does want to take care of you, he feels responsible for your well-being. It’s rather similar to how he feels responsible for providing for Lia and Cal. But with you, it’s all the more profound. There’s no point in him studying to become the greatest wizard in Baldur’s Gate if you’re not at his side. Without you, very little would seem worth it.  

Zevlor:

Zevlor is alarmed, and immediately all the more worried about your well-being. Zevlor was already anxious before about the two of you being together, thinking of himself as undeserving. He felt he was too old, too damaged, and too changed to be a man worthy of your affections. Becoming an official couple quieted most of those doubts but hearing you confess that you harbor such thoughts brings all his insecurities back to the forefront. 

Is it something he’s done? Is it something he didn’t do? Is it his fault? He’s already apologizing profusely before you can even get a word in edgewise. You are so incredible, he thinks you’re so brilliant. The fault must lie with him. 

Once you explain how it’s not anybody’s fault, neither his nor yours, Zevlor seems to settle a little. He still worries a great deal about you, probably the most out of all the tieflings, because he knows the exact desperation you’re feeling. He’s felt it before. He’s felt it a few times throughout his life actually. 

As a Hellrider, Zevlor saw a great deal of conflict. And when Elturel fell into Avernus, he was forced to endure even more. There’s so much pain and suffering in the world that when you’re stuck in the middle of it, it often seems like there’s no way out. 

Because Zevlor has felt such lows before, he also knows there isn’t always much you can do to stop it right away. Yes, you can meditate or talk your feelings out or perhaps write them down in a journal or log, but there’s no quick fix. It’s a heavy burden you must carry, even as you look out into the coming horizon. 

The one thing Zevlor knows he can do is help you carry the load. Zelvor reminds you that you are not alone in this fight. Granted, he may no longer be the paladin he once was, but that will not stop him from aiding you the best he can. He’ll pay you extra attention, and spend more quality time with you. He’ll sit with you and rub your back as you cry. And on the days it's all just too much to take, Zevlor will stay in bed with you, his tail curled around your leg, his claws scratching gently through your hair as you lay there hiding away from the world. 

If your feelings ever get worse, Zevlor might consider recommending you speak to someone who perhaps can help, more than he can help you alone. A cleric or a monk, a druid… Anyone. Zevlor knows from his fellow veterans- there are more people out there living with the exact same feelings as you. Perhaps being able to attend a group setting to talk, as he does on occasion with his former Hellriders from Elturel, would help strengthen you on your continued journey.  

Zevlor approaches the situation with much more wisdom and understanding. He works to comfort you the best he can, but he also possesses enough humility to let you grieve as needed. 

[pennyblossom-meta]

Gale/Wyll banter

Here's a collection of Gale/Wyll banter that I found in the dialogue files. I hope this is useful as both fanfiction resources and general curiosity :)

Help: I'm fairly sure there's a line from Wyll (?) mentioning how Gale doesn't ever eat vegetables, but for the life of me I can't find it. UPDATE 30/12/2023: Found it and added it to the post, the banter happens with the MC during the tiefling party. Also added a couple more interesting tidbits of dialogue.

Warning: long post.

Act 01

Loss of powers

Wyll points out that he used to kill big monsters, and now a few goblins are a challenge. What gives? Gale remarks it must be the tadpole. Wyll: Was a time I tussled with hill giants without breaking a sweat. Wyll: Now, a mere werebear could swat me halfway to Amn. devnote: Amn = city on the Sword Coast. Pronounced "AAHM" like UK Eng "arm". Gale: Strange things are happening to us. What festers in our minds may well impel our bodies.

—

Netherese magic

Wyll recalls the hag said 'Netherese' and asks Gale what he knows. Astarion adds a thought if he is present. Wyll: Ethel mentioned Netherese magic. What in blazes does that mean? Gale: Magic from the fallen empire of Netheril. Ancient, exceedingly dangerous, and quite unrivalled. Astarion: Wonderful! I'd hate to be destroyed by any common old magic. devnote: A little sarcastic. You've been told the dangerous magic inside you is ancient and unrivalled

—

Goblin raids

Wyll: I've known goblin raiders to slaughter entire villages and strip them for loot - but I've never seen one ravaged like this. Gale: It's hard to imagine anyone who'd willingly inflict such devastation, be they zealots, marauders, invading armies... A sign of far worse to come, I fear.

—

Act 02

Mountain Pass

Gale: These cragged hillls make for weary soles. I see why most headed inland prefer the smooth sailing of the Chionthar. Wyll: More importantly, the land west of here suffers under a terrible curse. Gale: You've seen it for yourself? Wyll: I've glimpsed that doom during my travels, but never dared get close. Wyll: If we continue this way, we may get too close for comfort.

—

Scary woods

Wyll: What a dismal forest. Monsters could be lurking behind any and every tree. Gale: We'd be wise to fear the trees themselves. It feels like the forest itself longs for our destruction. devnote: serious Wyll: Frustrating, that. Wyll: Monsters, I can fight. But I can no more sever these shadows than I could the wind or the sun.

—

Approaching Moonrise

Gale: Moonrise Towers lies ahead. We're nearing the Heart of the Absolute, I'm certain of it. Wyll: Then let us push forward, heads high, weapons in hand, and turn this tower to rubble. Gale: Your confidence is encouraging but a little premature. Let's keep our eyes on the task ahead. Or eye, as the case may be.

—

Tollhouse

Gale: A tollhouse like this would only be merited in the most prosperous of settlements. This was once a thriving trade route. Wyll: Should it be any wonder? The Chionthar's waters carry merchant vessels from as far east as Berdusk. devnote: bur-DUSK Wyll: And they wouldn't have brought just trade goods, but song, dance, and custom. Riches of the mind and the spirit. Wyll: So much was lost when the darkness fell.

—

At the Mason's Guild

Gale: The masons here thought they were building something to last. How wrong they were. Wyll: Perhaps it's a blessing that none of them survived to see it fall to the shadows. Gale: No need for such a grim assumption. Halsin helped many to escape these shadows before the town was consumed. Wyll: Then some masons were more blessed still, if they could put their talents to use elsewhere. Wyll: Perhaps some of their work even graces Baldur's Gate.

—

Guildhall

Wyll: It might seem a bit ramshackle, but this place has a boastworthy bar. Gale: A bar is only as good as its cellars. Which vintages can we expect to find on their racks? devnote: Anticipating a nice drink Wyll: Here, a bottle is judged more by its ability to crack heads than the quality of its contents. Gale: Ah. If that's the main criteria then I shall reset my expectations accordingly. Water it is. devnote: Good humoured

—

House of Healing

Wyll: This was a hospital? Feels more like a prison. Gale: A common enough interpretation. Sickness has a nasty habit of making you feel trapped, if only within the confines of your own body. Gale: I once spent weeks convalescing in the Hospice of St Laupsenn (*) after a nasty bout of ruddy pox. For all their kindness, leaving that place behind felt like freedom to me. Wyll: I've always relied on the kindness of the healers and menders of the Coast. Better a cleric's healing touch than a chirurgeon's scalpel.

(Lore note*): The Hospice of St. Laupsenn is a temple of Ilmater in the North Ward of Waterdeep.

—

Moonrise General_AssaultState

Wyll: This is it, Gale - today, we annihilate the heart of the Absolute's power. The bards will sing of our victory here. Gale: Entirely unnecessary. Though if they are so inclined, I might be convinced to share a stanza or two of my own for inspiration. devnote: Feigned modesty

—

Moonrise General

Wyll: This is no aimless horde - the Absolute's forces are organised. What do you make of it, Gale? Gale: All enemies have some chink in their armour, no matter how much they like to believe themselves invulnerable. That's what we must find. devnote: Cheery/determined Wyll: And if we don't find any clear weakness? Gale: Then we hope our mutual strengths are enough to dominate them. Or, we die nobly in the attempt. devnote: Cheery/determined

—

Moonrise Prison

Gale: Not a devil in sight. How disappointing. COL_MizorasRescue_State_SavedMizora = False, TWN_Wyll_State_MizorasCaptureHappened, MOO_MizorasRescue_Event_WalkedAway = False Wyll: I doubt a few iron bars are sufficient to hold one of Zariel's. Gale: True enough. But an illithid pod? That would probably do the trick. devnote: Cogs whirring Wyll: I wager you're right. Ah, Gale - what a pleasure to see a genius' mind at work.

Wyll: Of course Mizora was Zariel's captured asset. How did I not see it coming? TWN_Wyll_State_MizorasCaptureHappened Gale: It's in a devil's nature to conceal the truth - you can't fault yourself for that. Wyll: I've been pacted for seven years on, Gale. I should be able to read between Mizora's lines by now, no matter how narrow the gap.

Gale: How long have you been pacted to Mizora, Wyll? Wyll: Seven years. Seven years of hunting the monsters of the Sword Coast - and seven years of Mizora's tight leash. Wyll: And seven years of wondering if I'd ever rid myself of her - or if I even should.

—

Act 03

At the Basilisk Gate

Gale: The history of the city itself is captured in the archives here - a fascinating resource. Wyll: I wonder what those archives will reveal about us a hundred years hence. Gale: Only the most excellent and complimentary things. With some encouragement from us, of course.

—

Morphic Pool

Gale: Whatever the outcome of what's just ahead, it will be the stuff of legends. Wyll: In that case, someone needs to survive to tell the story. Gale: My money's on you, Wyll. Wyll: I'm betting on all of us.

—

Misc banter

Gale's ticking time bombs

Wyll points out that Gale has two ticking time-bombs inside him - but he's holding together pretty well. Wyll: I admire your courage, Gale. Gale: Thank you. Any particular reason? Wyll: Between the orb and the bug, you've got more than your fair share of unwelcome passengers. Gale: What can I say? Mother always taught me to be a gracious host.

—

Wyll thinks Gale has potential

Wyll tells Gale he's got potential, and suggests he rename himself something more... heroic. Gale finds Wyll quite the tryhard. Wyll: You're an impressive fighter, Gale. You should consider a new name. Gale: I take it you have some suggestions? Wyll: 'The Wizard Wonder!' Or how about, 'The Master of the Weave'? Gale: Tempting. But I think we might already have the maximum number of theatrical titles.

—

With Laz'el and Wyll

Lae'zel notes that Gale knows a lot about mind flayers. He responds with information about his training. If there, Wyll chimes in as well. Lae'zel: You strike me cleverer than most istiki, Gale. Multiple tutors, I should guess. devnote: istiki - non-gith. IH-stick-ee Gale: Many a wise man and woman indeed. Waterdeep is the home of myriad scholars. Wyll: Ah, the City of Splendours. Spent a whole Fleetswake there with my father. What a delight.

—

Romance

The following dialogues are marked as ROM, which I assume is a flag for triggering when there's an active Romance with the MC.

Romance banter, Act 1

Gale: If your natural charm isn't quite up to scratch, Wyll, there are magical means of adding a little flourish of charisma. Wyll: A kind offer, but I think I'd rather pursue things the old fashioned way.

Gale: Have you noticed any attachments of the more, erm, romantic variety flourishing in our camp, Wyll? devnote: Fishing for info, a bit awkward. Wyll: I think I'm not the right person to be asking. Wyll: I can recognise a troll's silhouette on a far horizon, but I wouldn't know a flirtation if you whacked me alongside the head with it.

—

Romance banter, Act 2

Gale: I knew you were a graceful man, Wyll, but I hear you're quite the dancer too. Gale: I've been known to trip the light fantastic myself. Mine was a popular hand at the annual Blackstaff's Ball. Wyll: I'd have love to have witnessed it, Gale. I wager you are as elegant on the dance floor as you are on the battlefield.

Gale: I've heard that in Baldur's Gate, 'wizard' is also a term used for one who eschews their more, ahem, carnal desires. Is that true, Wyll? devnote: Fishing for info, a bit annoyed about what he's heard Wyll: Where are we going with this, Gale? Gale: Oh, nowhere. I just think it a rather cruel misnomer. Not at all reflective of the glamour wizarding life affords. devnote: A bit sulky/sensitive about it

—

Romance banter, Act 3

Wyll: I'm probably going to regret this, but Gale - if I'm to be wed, would you like to make a speech? Gale: You've asked the right wizard. My oratory skills have left many a wedding guest weeping in their seat. devnote: Honoured/very excited at the prospect of speaking at length. Oblivious as to why his previous listeners might have been left weeping… Wyll: Promise it will last less than half an hour? Gale: I can promise it will feel like less than half an hour... devnote: Trying to avoid committing to a short speech

Wyll: I used to believe the beauty of first love was unable to be surpassed. Wyll: But Gale - you are so much more tolerable now you've found your second. Gale: I'll take that comment with the sincerity and good will I assume it was intended. devnote: Not rising to it, cheerful

—

Misc quotes

Tiefling party

Gale: Wyll's a good man. He may actually be a tried-and-true storybook hero. Gale: Then again he's so full of himself it's a small miracle he hasn't resorted to self-cannibalism yet.

Wyll: You're running away from Gale's cooking. Wyll: It's delicious, don't get me wrong, but that man wouldn't eat a vegetable unless Mystra herself commanded it.

Other

Gale: So, you didn't fancy sharpening up the old moniker? I'd have thought the 'Blade of Frontiers' might be feeling a bit dull after all you've been through.

Player: Sounds heavenly. Mind if I join you? Wyll: Not at all. You hunt the deer, I'll scrounge up the ale. Prepare your belly for roast a la Ravengard! Wyll: Let's hope Gale doesn't take offence if I assume cooking duties, just the once.

[bluerose5]

Just some of my Iron Bull in BG3/Faerûn AU musings from discord, so that I can keep them organized if I ever want to reference this and write something:

Out of all of the dragon age characters to be dumped in Faerûn, he would probably be the one to adapt the quickest to the change. He is a spy after all. He was trained to infiltrate foreign lands and learn more about their people, culture, etc. in order to blend in better and live there, if need be. He'd personally like the challenge. Still approaches everything with a healthy balance of fear, respect, and distance because this is new territory to him.

Although he likes the challenge, that doesn't mean he isn't freaking about the whole situation too. He still has some weird worm in his head. Some of the Forgotten Realms races (tieflings, gith, mind flayers), he knows nothing about, so he has no idea what to expect from them. He doesn't know how magic works in Faerûn and if it's as big of risk as it can be back home. I simply see him as being the more cautious, observant type when he's just starting out in a new land, so he's not as reactive at first. A lot of the freaking out is done internally. Eventually, once he gets comfortable with the companions, he'll open up and be his loud, boisterous self again and show more emotion overall, good or bad. He's trying to get a better understanding of his surroundings before he starts acting on anything, though.

He enjoys spending time with and getting to know the companions, but boy do they all need some serious help.

He picks up every book, letter, and journal that he can find. If it has information, he's taking it and utilizing it. Plus he likes collecting knowledge. He's smarter than people give him credit for.

People first assume he's a tiefling of some sort. He doesn't bother correcting them. If they believe him to be from the area, then that could possibly be used to his advantage. It also would be hard for everyday people to comprehend the whole "I'm from another universe" aspect of his story. He tells the companions eventually but on his own time.

He likes playing chess with Gale while they're traveling as he did with Solas. Tells him that he reminds him of this old friend he used to fight alongside.

He reads Astarion like a book. Not only does he know something isn't right there, but he also does not fall for the seduction routine at all.

On that note, when he recruits Astarion, I can see him picking Astarion up by the back of his shirt like he's a misbehaving cat or something because The Iron Bull can smell an (especially bad) attempt at an ambush from a mile away.

Oh yeah, he's definitely having the time of his life getting to watch the red dragons tear the nautiloid apart at the beginning, but that's a given.

There were other good ideas thrown around, but these were my headcanons specifically and I wanted to post them to my blog. Probably more to come in the future.

[baldursghaik]

Tagged by @wisp-of-chaos!

Thank you so much for the tag! (and it’s also a miracle I even saw it, tumblr is so bad about giving me @ notifs, but this one didn’t even link, I was so lucky that I happened to see it on my dash!)

Without further ado, Thyneron:

Phobias and other fears: The list of things he’s NOT afraid of might be shorter, because he is the world’s biggest scaredy-cat. His main fear is death, though: the hurting, being scared, and the pure finality of it all. He’s almost equally afraid of other people dying as well, because it’s a reminder of how terribly fragile people (himself) are, and how quickly it can all be over.

Pet Peeves: People who are mean spirited and unnecessarily unkind or cruel.

3 things you can always find in their bedroom: Books, nice soaps/perfumes, photos of his family and pets.

First thing they notice in a person: Their eyes, and whether they seem friendly or not. He is an absolutely garbage judge of character.

On a scale of 1-10, how high is their pain tolerance? 2, he is the coughing baby vs the hydrogen bomb of general existence.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure? 100% flight, he is as conflict avoidant as possible.

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person? He is deeply, DEEPLY, family oriented. He comes from an enormous family, and has even continued to live with this parents well into his forties in spite of being well off on his own accord. His parents enjoy that their eldest son gets along with them so well, but they do wish he’d go and actually start living his own life.

What animal represents them best? Rabbits. They’re perhaps the best known prey animal (which is Thyneron to a T), but they also symbolize reproduction, death, and rebirth, which fits his entire arc in bg3 (and the life he lives beyond) quite nicely.

What is a smell they dislike? Florals, anything grassy. He much prefers woody, earthy, and metallic scents.

Have they broken any bones? Prior to turning illithid, no. There’s certainly something funny about avoiding even a single broken bone your entire life and then having them all snap simultaneously though.

How would a stranger likely describe them? Anyone’s first impression would be that this guy is loaded. Further impressions would be what any tiefling could expect: commentary on the horns, tail, etc. Most people would probably be somewhat puzzled to see a tiefling so well off. Beyond that though, most people can probably peg that there’s something a little… off about him. Not necessarily in a bad way, but he certainly doesn’t fit in anywhere. He’s too well dressed, too formal, too bright/loudly colored, too everything. In short, he looks like a bit of a tryhard who’s both out of touch with average people, but also the patriars and nobles he was raised alongside.

Are they a night owl or morning bird? A night owl. Usually spent staying up late reading, but occasionally drinking/partying with his family.

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love? He loves anything fermented, tangy and sour. He dislikes anything bland and delicate, as he prefers rich foods with intense flavors. He’s especially fond of cured meats.

Do they have any hobbies? Reading is his primary hobby. Most of his “work” day involves sitting in the library and losing himself in anything he can get his hands on, whether it’s ancient historical documents or cheap bodice ripper romances. This man would read the phone book if there wasn’t anything better to do. History is by far his preferred subject, though.

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises? He would love this. Happy surprises are always welcome! He’s sociable (… as much as he can be for a homebody shut-in) and likes to be around people, and this would pretty much make his day that people cared enough to plan something for him.

Do they like to wear jewelry? He’s got several piercings: three in each ear, a loop in each eyebrow, and a nose ring. He probably would have added to the collection if it weren’t for that whole “turning into a squid” thing. He doesn’t particularly enjoy jewelry post illithid transformation, though (at least… on himself).

Do they have messy handwriting? He has impeccably neat and precise handwriting. Like all good historians, though, he can read even the most illegible chicken scratch.

What are the two emotions they feel the most? Guilt and fear. Primarily guilt. He is intensely privileged, and he knows it, and spends a not insignificant amount of time agonizing over it.

Do they have a fabric? Shot silk! I never bother to actually paint it in because I’m lazy, but I absolutely envision that his fancy day clothes are shotted blue with green, to provide a subtle iridescent sheen.

An example, if you’re not familiar with it:

What kind of accent do they have? He’s from the Upper City and sounds like it: he’s well spoken, formal, and polite. On a purely vocal level, he’s a little bit nasally, but sounds like he’d have a pleasant singing voice if he actually tried.

I like that this meme has painted him to be an extraordinarily better person than he actually is, which is a pretty excellent illustration of the fact that he’s an awful person, but believes that feeling bad about it is enough to absolve him of his actions.

Tagging: @themumblingmouse, @arcandoria, @ronqueesha,

@voidspearzhovae, @des-no9, @poly-hebdo, @adultfiendfinder, and anyone else who wants to do this!

[azuremosquito]

Gratitude.

It was not a concept with which Astarion had much experience. Two hundred years of seducing people and luring them to their deaths for his master lent itself more to resentment and hatred. But this gratitude thing was rather nice.

Sure, he had saved Halsin for selfish reasons, of course - he had a mindflayer worm in his head and he did not fancy losing his good looks to tentacles, thank you so very much - but in doing so, Astarion and the other survivors of the crashed nautiloid had also cleared the road to Baldur’s Gate for the tiefling refugees and restored peace to the druid’s grove. The refugees had been so elated, they’d insisted on joining the camp for the night and celebrating properly.

Properly, it seemed, included a great deal of wine. The vampire had already had several bottles and mugs thrust into his hands from people who gazed at him like… like… some sort of hero.

At first it had alarmed him, his finely honed self-preservation senses tense and wary. Surely this was some sort of trap or ploy. He mustn’t lower his guard for a moment because that was how people ended up as vampire food. He should know because he’d been very good at it.

But these happy faces around the campfire seemed… genuine. He didn’t know what to make of it. All these innocents smiling at him, unafraid. Old habits urged him to lure them off in secret one by one but… Cazador wasn’t here. Astarion, for the first time in two centuries, was free.

And he had to admit, it felt good to have these people looking up to him. Very good. In fact, he could quite get used to this sort of adoration. He deserved nothing less, if he were being honest with himself. Although, it did admittedly have some downsides. He thought back to Lae’zel’s ‘proposition’ and a shudder squirmed its way down his spine.

While he had been forced to seduce women and men alike to feed Cazador’s insatiable hunger, he had a preference for male companionship, and certainly none that sounded quite so violent as Lae’zel had hinted at.

“You should be out there mingling. Everyone wants to celebrate with you,” a quiet voice spoke somewhere behind and above him.

Astarion felt another tremor through his body. How had a man as big as Halsin managed to sneak up on him in utter silence? Rearranging his face into a flirtatious smirk, the pale elf turned in place and gazed up at the taller man through his eyelashes. “I was looking for you, actually.”

Halsin was a giant of an elf, towering over him (and everyone else, for that matter), with arms like muscled tree trunks; Astarion was fairly certain those arms were bigger around than his waist, and the thought sent a tingling heat to his loins. Halsin was a powerful man who commanded respect, a renowned healer who led with fairness and kindness, not through fear and domination. And yet, Astarion had seen firsthand how ferocious the druid could be in a fight, when something he cared about was threatened.

Here was a valuable ally, if only he could properly ingratiate himself with the gentle giant. Astarion had been flattering Gale previously; what better source of protection than an eminently powerful and skilled wizard, one who had caught the eye of a very goddess? And then the blasted man had gone and revealed that he was a walking bomb, disgraced by said goddess. Astarion had enough problems without adding that to his list.

He purred at Halsin, taking a step closer into the big man’s personal space. “I thought we could find ourselves a little privacy. Get to know each other better.” He waited a beat before dangling the carrot. “Or, perhaps there’s something else you’d rather do besides talking?” The flirting came easily to him, as natural as breathing had once been. A means to make himself useful. A way to protect himself.

He saw interest kindle in the tall druid’s eyes, felt the man take a deep, steadying breath, his snug leather robes creaking around his barrel of a chest. A gentle smile played around the man’s lips as he gazed down at Astarion.

His words, however, were a gentle rebuff.

“Hmm… I’m sure there are. You strike me as extremely… resourceful. But there are many grateful people here who want to spend time with you. I must not keep you all to myself.” Astarion felt a sinking sensation in his gut, until Halsin added, “as enjoyable as that may be.”

Playing hard to get, was he? Astarion generally chose easier marks but something about this massive bear of a man called to him. Certainly, ingratiating himself with Halsin would have many advantages, not the least of which was having his very own resident healer with a great deal of knowledge about these damned illithid tadpoles squirming around in their heads.

No, he could be patient.

In the meantime, he rather thought he could go enjoy being adored.

“Some other time, then.” With a last, lingering glance at the druid, Astarion left the shadows and rejoined those gathered around the campfire in celebration.

[judasiskariot]

OC Deep Dive

Tav Edition ~ Saulus

My lovelies @pinkberrytea and @aristenfromwarsaw tagged me 💋❤️ thank you!💗

I tag @alpydk and @goromimii

Pinkberry did theirs so amazing. Always so detailed with love that you really get to the character, almost like a small fanfic about them 😍🌸💗✨️

So I will do it for my Tav/Durge Saulus

What common/uncommon fear do they have?

Saulus is afraid of getting judged because of her Tiefling looks. So when she is nervous she holds her tail like a security blanket. And she is afraid of sticky children hands, grabbing her unasked by her tail and horns. (May have happened, since than she is scared of it)

Do they have any pets?

Saulus LOVES animals, so I would say totally: YES! But I don't know how it was in the temple of bhaal, were pets allowed? If not, she would have a secret one at Baldur's Gate where she can visit it. Sceleritas was kind of her pet. xD Nooo! This is mean. He is her butler and friend! (maybe little bit pet😉) In camp we have Scratch. Now she collects what she can get of course, and the owlbear is NOT her pet, it is her (adopted) son! They will stay with her forever. Therefore she dislikes, despises people who are cruel towards animals.

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom?

Owlbear cub, Astarion's security blanket, her instruments

What do they notice first in a person?

Be aware! She is a bard who uses vicious mockery very often, so when there is something bad to notice, oh she will and you will hear about in a way you probably will not like. And if you are a little nice to her, she will totally pick it up as flirting, be also aware!

On a scale from 1-10, how high is their pain tolerance?

As Dark Urge I would say high. 8 But I also like the imagination, that she can be both: Very tolerating and than scream and whine about a little scratch when in the wrong place. Like: I not dare looking: Say it, my tail is gone, isn't it?🫣😭 And it is nothing. So 1-8 xD

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure?

FIGHT ! (Not called Bhaal BATTLE Beer Bard for nothing!)

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person?

You know the Durge stuff. And YES. She would have no problem calling Bhaal her daddy, Sceleritas is her friend and all the bhaal assassins a family. Seeing it as bard more romantic than it was. Therefore the companions are her family. The owlbear cub her son and later post game she marrys Astarion and they have 4 children. And Saulus wants all the companions never to leave, would like that they all stay together, because they are uncles and aunts of their children. Ketheric Thorm survives and because Isobel do not want him, Saulus declares him as Opa Ketheric for her babies. So she is very very much a family person. (only her lyrics are absolutely not family friendly xD)

What animal represents them best?

Aries or Owlbear because of the cub. Does the slayer count as animal? Than also the Slayer!

What is a smell they dislike?

Rat tea (do not ask...or ask Astarion why)

Have they broken any bones?

I don't know. Maybe yes as Durge. In any case the owlbear cub bit her tail by accident while playing and it was the hell for her.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Easy to get along with, inspiring, contagious funny and cheerful, sarcastic, sassy, naughty, loudmouth, little bit crazy

Are they a night owl, or morning bird?

As a bard the nighttime is her inspiring witching hours. But she can do both. Drink all night and get wasted, but stand up with the sun above her and with a smile on her lips.

What’s a flavor they hate and a flavor they love?

Hate: rats (again, ask Astarion but he will claim that she loves it) Love: The skin of her loved ones (she likes kisses and love bites), Thisobald's blue beer! (even everyone tells her to stop drinking it)

Do they have any hobbies?

Bard duties are her life! Singing, writing is the thing she does all the time! She loves to party: Drinking and dancing til the morning!

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprise?

She screams because of happiness and than drink, dance and playing songs like there is no tomorrow.

Do they like to wear jewellery?

Yes yes yes, she likes to be fancy! She would wear horn bling bling if she could. But sees the necessities of protection of armour in battle first. DAGGER EARRINGS with helix piercings are her life!!!

Do they have neat or messy handwriting?

As a bard she likes doing calligraphy but when the urge is working in her, her for blood thirsting hands can write very messy.

What are the two emotions they feel the most?

Joy & Love

Do they have a favourite fabric?

Astarion would say his cuddle blanket but it is NOT! (It is scratchy and mean and he...no he does not know it, that is the problem) Let's say...owlbear feathers :D (because the cub wanted Astarion to make a blanket out of his fallen out feathers)

What kind of accent do they have?

I will also look up which voice I used like @pinkberrytea :D Now I am at my second Saulus run and accidently picked my tav Devorah's voice and it freaked me out hearing Saulus speaking in the wrong voice.

[allymcfee]

OC Deep Dive

Thank you for tagging me @andromedaancunin ! So sorry it took me so long. This evil run has been hard to get my head around. I have had 14 OCs with 13 being Durge. I am once again attempting an evil Embrace Durge run. I’ve tried twice before only to abandon them due to the evil run making me sad. I almost picked Sol for this. She was my resist Durge honor mode non-modded run OC that got me my golden dice, but I think I need to commit to my current Durge otherwise I won’t finish again. So here she is.

💜💜 Jynx 💜💜

What common/uncommon fear do they have?

Common fear: Falling in love

Uncommon fear: Cats. She knows they can sense what kind of person she really is and she doesn’t want them to give it away.

Do they have any pet peeves?

People knowing who she is but not telling her. I’m looking at you Raphael with your killing moon comment, Kethric, and Sceleritas Fel. Literally Gortash’s only redeeming quality is he is honest with her about who she is.

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom?

In her bedroom in Papa’s palace, you’ll find blood, body parts, and her journal detailing her romance with Gortash. And by romance, I mean her getting railed on his desk since he doesn’t have time for anything outside of world domination (right, Larian?). I swear men cannot multitask 💅💅

What do they notice first in a person?

Their weaknesses and the best way to kill them.

On a scale from 1-10, how high is their pain tolerance?

11 considering Kressa’s whole bullshit.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure?

Fight and it is feral as fuck. She will not fight fair so you better use every advantage you have.

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person?

She doesn’t know at the moment. Later she will find out she is Bhaal’s scion made from his body (like Zeus/Athena). She had adoptive parents but she murdered them. She dreams about it, but doesn’t know who they are - just that she is sad when she wakes up and doesn’t know why.

What animal represents them best?

Honey badger or Wolverine.

What is a smell they like / dislike? 

She loves the smell (and taste) of blood which bonds her closer to Astarion. It’s something they can enjoy together. She hates the smell of cinnamon.

Have they broken any bones?

Oh yes many times. Oh do you mean had her bones broken? Then also oh yes many times.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

If they are racist, foulblood or hellspawn. If they are not, a pretty tiefling with one broken horn and eyes like the sun.

Are they a night owl, or morning bird?

Night owl for sure. She’s the last one in camp to get up for the day and the last one to go to sleep. They normally have to wake her up which has resulted in a few near misses when she pulls her dagger when jolting awake. Gale has taken to using mage hand to wake her up to keep everyone safe.

What’s a flavor they hate and a flavor they love?

She loves blood and dwarf flesh. She hates treacle tarts, which is why she decides that they have to fight Ethel - not because she’s holding Mayrina captive but because she’s force feeding her treacle tarts. That’s an indignity that cannot stand.

Do they have any hobbies?

Besides trying to impregnate Gortash and then Astarion? She enjoys leatherwork. She collects dragonskin and enjoys creating new leather clothes and weapons.

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprise?

Lots of stabbing. So probably don’t do that.

Do they have neat or messy handwriting?

Messy as hell. She can barely read it.

What are the two emotions they feel the most?

Rage and sadness

Do they have a favorite fabric?

Not a favorite fabric but her favorite material is leather. She’s an expert on leather and can tell the difference in calfskin, sheepskin, and dragonskin by smell alone.

What kind of accent do they have?

Lol can I make it southern like Blanche Devereaux from Golden Girls? It’s all English accents in game but there is something terrifying about a southern accent saying Durge lines. “They’re dyin’ for me. All of ‘em.”

No pressure tags @pinkberrytea @scrapsovereign @emmy-dekarios-bg3 @oonalovesastarionssimpleplan

[zukkacore]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ANYTHING ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT THE LOVERS UNIVERSE OR ANYTHING AT ALL

Hiiiii truly sorry friend this literally took so long!!!!!!!!!!!! b/c i sat here wracking my brain abt what tf i wanted to talk abt and i got all distracted by wanting to finish Biggest Lie and. i decided to just do what i did last time and. Just go over everything that was a reference or not to something else within Almost b/c I do think that is the easiest way to comb over this gd fic from head to toe. If i don't finish in one go I'll just reblog w/ additions and tag you in

"You're in love, aren't you?" / "You've been sighing all day" I've talked about this before, it's actually a pull from Howl's moving castle. Easily one of the most shameless things i've pilfered and it doesnt even really have a meaning, I just think the exchange is funny.

When J2 approaches, Porter Cliffbreaker lights up with the most insufferable, self-satisfied grin J2’s ever seen in his short life. “You’re early,” he practically purrs. - (In ch 3 for context. This is Porter seeing J2 for the first time.) Obviously we're continuing the Hadestown motif of "you're early" "I missed you". This is again part of the Porter n Jace whole Thing of like. Jace breaking up with him (not in the Big Break but you know). Obviously part of the reason Porter is being so smug is that he thinks Jace is coming crawling back to him. Lol. He thought, didn't he?

"I’m in the correct place, right?” / J2 turns to a tiefling girl in a plaid skirt and a ripped band shirt who is strapping bass guitar to her chest. “Hey, kid. Am I in the right class?” This is a weird pull but this is actually Twelfth Night to me, the scene where Viola first meets Olivia. I just think it's so funny when Viola comes in and doesn't know whether Maria or Olivia is the lady of the house. "The honorable lady of the house, which is she?" / "Most radiant, exquisite, and unmatchable beauty—I pray you, tell me if this be the lady of the house, for I never saw her. I would be loath to cast away my speech—" etc etc. There's a lot of Twelfth Night influence just b/c there's a lot of like mistaken identity stuff and being in love with someone while they're in love with someone else etc etc all that good stuff. I also think the scene where Viola has to woo olivia is just like. Hot. To be fair tho, J2 is kinda doing the opposite here, he's letting Porter down easy abt the breakup. It's a loose pull but i like the idea of J2 being so out of his element he doesn't even know he's in the right place.

“ What are you?” “I… can’t say. An olive branch? A… A best kept secret, maybe. Between you and the guy up top.” “A secret?” “A parting gift.” But also “What am I?” “That. But also why are you here? A beat. “I’m…” Finally, J2 settles on, “A messenger?” and “It’s—he wants to insist he’s not at war, here.” “Well, that’s a damn shame" is so this Twelfth Night exchange to me:

^^^ to elaborate (sorry i didn't wanna type it out): Idk the viola n olivia vibes in this whole scene not just this part are so flirtaeous and i liked the mentions of war and divinity. Like Porter is the god of war and yet the clones existing as this kind of olive branch. And there's this question of What J2 Is. And there isn't really an answer to that. I liked this idea of him being a secret. A gift. The line "to your ears divinity, to any others profanation" was just. ough.

I'll do this like. It's a big block of text so:

The fluorescence flickers. Mindless, as if purely out of routine, he makes his way over to the sink, to the cabinets full of mugs and glasses. J2 spots Jace’s immediately—it’s purple, with a slogan from his favorite podcast. He snatches it by the handle and throws it against the floor, where it shatters into a million pieces. He thinks about Jaceprime, and about being Dispelled. Despite the fear he can feel rising in his chest, making it hard to breathe, he thinks for another long moment. What a satisfying crash. He wonders if his fear of oblivion is unique to simulacra, or if it's something Jaceprime also has to grapple with every day. He wonders about the weird glowing gem in his chest, and how Jaceprime always refers to a time Before, with him and The Big Guy, but refuses to say outright what happened. He thinks about Porter—and of rage. He stares at the shattered pieces of the cup on the ground. And after a moment of serious contemplation, he grabs another mug off the shelf, and he does it again.

Anyway^^^: That's a reference to The Haunting of Hill House! Both the show and the movie. Theodora says it in both versions. Here's the anecdote I love so much:

“When I was a child,” Theodora said lazily, “—'many years ago,‟ Doctor, as you put it so tactfully—I was whipped for throwing a brick through a greenhouse roof. I remember I thought about it for a long time, remembering the whipping but remembering also the lovely crash, and after thinking about it very seriously I went out and did it again

The variation from the show also includes something along the lines about "I learned a lot about my own mother that day. Taught her, too." which I completely forgot is such a movie special but. I think was also so vital to why I loved that line and wanted to include a nod to it. Like. I've already talked about this but i wanna reiterate that I do not feel bad making motherhood comparisons w/ Jace and the clones b/c he is their creator! He is their frankenstein! Anyway, the imagery of like, getting satisfaction out of doing something destructive, and then doubling down out. Even if you get repercussions from your parent. Or maybe because of that. Maybe spite is the motivator. It was so striking. I think we tend to get this perception of J2 as this soft baby boy but this is one of my fav moments of his because it's so impotent and petulant. It's so him trashing a bathroom to have some semblance of power. J2 has so little power, but he can destroy Jace's favorite mug! (also, yes it was a complicated woman podcast mug. Also in IYWD Jace mentions the fact that he started bringing crappy mugs to work bc his kept disappearing and this was kinda a nod to that.)

"I—Fuck, Porter! Why don’t you just tell me what to do!" Ok, this is also pretty broad. Pulling from a few things here. I mean. This is very Pearl-coded to me. I still think about that scene to garnet where she says "I'm useless on my own. I need someone to tell me what to do". Also Please don't laugh, I have an old Hugh grant comedy that's my favorite and there's a scene where the son is having an argument w/ his mom and when he says "Because we never have any discussions, we have an argument, and you always win! Why don't you just tell me what to do" and she goes "Because I want you to think for yourself!" and then he's like fine then mom its not up to you if hugh grant is my friend even if he did pretend to have a two year old son so he could sleep with the single moms at the single parent support group. I love this movie btw. which i've already said like the paternal connotations to godhood mean i don't feel TOO bad when Porter's vibe gets weird and paternal. There's also a definite "I want someone to tell me what to wear in the morning. I want someone to tell me what to wear every morning fleabag vibe. I mean. Who said that.

“I—I’m not a consolation prize, Porter,” I think this is technically broad enough to not be a when harry met sally reference, but Sally does say this to Harry when he's trying to apologize to her and he's basically like "lol if neither of us have a date to the new york party we can go together" which. If that's not the vibe for whats going on. Filling in a spot because the other person is lonely.

“I want you. I’m only here for so long, and all I know is. I like you, ok?” and “I think you’re right.” J2 is working to keep his voice steady. “We both know that I was made for you. Literally. But more importantly… I like you. I know that much.” This is such a weird pull but this is such a Parks and Rec "I love you and I like you" (evil version) for me. I think there's such an interesting distinction between like and love. There's something so sad about J2 trying to insist, to me anyway, that he would also choose this even if he wasn't destined to love Porter due to being Of Jace. Love is destiny, but "like"? Like has the connotation of. Friendship. New feelings, innocence, juvenile. Just enjoying each other's company. J2 has so little, and he enjoys being around Porter. He loves Porter, but he likes him. It's... almost... adolescent. But it's also very. Forget the sweeping romance. I would do laundry and taxes with you.

“I like you, too, Bluejay.” I mean. Barely a reference but we all know Bluejay is so Hey, little Songbird coded from hadestown. I've joked about this but legit i was so so so so so terrified to give J2 a nickname to individualize him b/c i was so scared of completely blowing it. And I was just like. This is BARELY an individualization. He likes blue. Is that the dumbest thing ever. Obviously the concept of ownership is so prevalent in almost, and J2 is so comforts of a gilded cage coded. He's the precious gift, the one who learns to love the cage that Jace rejects. He's ESPECIALLY hey little songbird coded to me, b/c it's about Jace running away (Persephone) and Porter finding someone else to replace him (Eurydice).

“Hey. What’s with the silent treatment?” says Porter. “Cat gotch’er tongue?” Um. Hey. Little songbird. Cat got your tongue? Always a pity for one so pretty and young... No excuse.

I'll pair it with Porter rises from his desk, and J2 is in the embrace of his arms. and It feels so good being in Porter’s arms. and “I can make it go away,” says Porter, so softly—tenderly—even as he tightens his grasp on J2, secure. etc etc. Because that's not like. As on the nose but that's ALL Hadestown comforts of a gilded cage imagery. Someone who could love these walls that hold her close, and keep her safe, and think of them as my embrace. etc etc. Just. This idea of J2 running away from somthing and straight into the trap that was so heartbreaking to me. "Strange is the call of this strange man. I wanna fly down and feed at this hand. I want a nice soft place to land. I wanna lie down forever." etc. Even as he's getting this like. Horrible revelation about the truth of what Porter did to jace, and he's feeling this new fear that this could be him, he was built to find comfort here. He was raised to find comfort here. Porter wants everything. And J2 owns nothing, not even himself. "Seeing as you've got nothing to lose, and I could use a canary"

To go to something... maybe funnier? Maybe not. Again. Silly pull. J2 sniffs. Finally, he braves a look up, blinking back tears as he says, “Can… you just hold me a little longer?” Porter’s smile makes him forget all else. “Of course.” Like. This doesn't take place in chapter 7, but to me, this is the smoking gun that J2 and Porter were always going to sleep together (i mean, they already have, but in a Mega Turbo Detect Thoughts Sex Trick Orgasm Way). This is actually something from When Harry Met Sally! Sally says this to harry when she's crying about her ex getting married. And he holds her and gives her a kiss and this is the first time they sleep together. Like this is so Hurt/Comfort (evil version) of that scene to me, and the nature of like, comfort that turns into sexual tension is fascinating to me. And like. There's something so comedic and pathetic and cloying about the way she asks it too. Like. The desperation but also the slight comedy of it.

I'll also say, if you wanna read this into it too. I do this this is All I've Ever Known (evil version). "all i've ever known is how to hold my own, but now I wanna hold you, hold you close, I don't wanna ever have to let you go. Now I wanna hold you hold you tight, I don't wanna go back to the lonely life" etc etc

 “He still loves you, you know.” / Jace is... “ —A good guy,” he insists hard, / “I—I know we are… of the same. But—I don’t understand it. If—” / “Porter, gods, Porter, if I loved you the way my master loves you…” / "How does he love me?”  OK. So this entire scene is a little bit Handmaiden coded in that it's like. Ohhhh what if we were fucking and I was pretending to do this in service of teaching you what the person you're supposed to be with and what they would do this is just instructional i prommyyyyy.

But Also this whole Thing to me I was taking on a kind of. Like. Reverse Twelfth Night thing? Like, the concept is very much closer to Orsino and Viola's deal, in that Viola loves Orsino while Orsino loves olivia (Say that some lady, as perhaps there is, hath for your love as great a pant of heart as you have for Olivia! You cannot love her, you tell her so. Must she not then be answered?". "I am all the daughters of my father's house. And all the brothers too") But I do really like the idea of Viola having to convey the depth of Orsino's longing for Olivia by using her own pining for Orsino. That's littered throughout this scene. There are a ton of nods to the exchange. "How does he love me" is a direct quote. There's also this:

If I did love you in my master’s flame, With such a suff’ring, such a deadly life, In your denial I would find no sense. I would not understand it.

But yeah it's this idea of like. J2 is channelling jace and getting extremely horny about it. He's imainging the depth of Jace's longing and he finds it genuinely moving. He things Porter deserves that. but also. J2 is using his own longing here, and essentially giving Porter a gift because he knows the depth of that longing would mean more to Porter if it was from Jace. Which of these is the truth? Maybe both

"With adorations. With fertile tears. With groans that thunder love. With sighs of fire" This is the only thing that is like. A direct quotation of something Viola says in Twelfth Night, and I just think its so horny and honestly? Effective. Why ruin a good thing?

OK! Last one!

J2 is getting what he wants. He gets to be by Porter's side, despite the risk. (And in his memories, Jace looks so happy. Doesn't Porter deserve that, too?) So why does this feel like… death? Like he’s dissolving into snow—dissipating in the warmth of the sun? That’s how it works, right? He doesn’t know that much, but it feels true, doesn’t it? When your heart breaks, you should die.

Like.... Am i gonna get stoned for this? Do I have the right in invoke Tony Kushner? Do i deserve this? I'm being so real here, this is one of those "janelle is using paradise lost to talk abt jaceporter" things that just feels deeply WRONG.

Anyway. This is 100% and Angels in America reference. And I... It feels a little wrong to put Jaceporter fanfiction and such a beautiful piece of art in the same breath but here we are. The line is:  "I don’t understand why I’m not dead. When your heart breaks, you should die. But there’s still the rest of you." Like... I just think that line is so sad and beautiful. Am... Am I allowed to do this??? Like. It doesn't feel right. It felt right to put it there. It was so clear in my mind. It just felt so emotionally true... J2 is so green... And it's this like. Invocation that he's a person but he's a simulacra. he's animated snow. How does being a person even work. How does it work when you've been robbed of your purpose?

It's just. That's how it should work, right? When your heart breaks, you should die.

Anyway. Thank you for my long winded nonsense. Genuinely sorry this took so long.

[momonica05]

Jack Jack - my tav for the "jack of all trades" achievement!

My urge to info dump about an oc won so now please, meet my son: Jack Jack (I don't know how to make a good blog post on tumblr, so I apologize if the images are a little too big)

JJ wasn't born a tiefling. He actually came from a family of humans, but he has no recollection of it outside of his father and grandparents, whom he hates with all his heart

At the age of 6, his father disobeyed his patron (for a good reason, but he doesn't know that, hehe). But instead of punishing his father directly, JJ was the target. He was turned into a Mephistopheles tiefling that day, and his family was horrified. He remembers the look of pure hatred and fear from his grandparents, shouting at him, saying he was now a devil. He doesn't remember his father's face, but he remembers his fingers, pointing at the door, and his husky voice "get out"

Since then, he had to live at the city of Baldur's Gate all by himself. He had some friends, partners, and even a mentor (which the dream visitor had taken form of)... but he never got back what he lost that day: love and identity

He spent a good portion of his life, mainly his adolescence, trying to "fit in". He even cut his horns off, which he regretted later down the road as he's now more confident in who he is. Beeing cursed by a devil at the age of 6, as one might imagine, was no easy feat. And aside from gaining an appearance that everyone deemed as "hellspawn", he also gained powers. Powers in which he can not control very well, but powers nonetheless (sorcerer wild magic)

After a whole life of stealing, performing, trying out magic and needing to run because uh oh you accidentally sumoned a troll in a bar! He... well, his life continued shit, but he never gave up. He had some not so trustworthy friends, but hey, as long as they're not a devil or a warlock, he's a very social guy!

Before he was captured by the mindflayers, he was actually planning on traveling around! He wanted to get all his skills worked on. Maybe study a bit more of his magic, as a wizard.... maybe becoming a bard with his musical talent... hell, maybe he'd finally accept his calling for the rogue life! The opportunities were endless!

That is until, of course, he got a tadpole in his mind... but eh, he was planning on traveling one day anyways, so why not use this as an excuse? (definitely not frightened at all haha what do you mean?)

So far, he's really enjoying his adventure! Here's what he thinks about each companion:

Lae'zel: heh, she wants to kill me! (nervously sweating and trying to do what she says because he's terrified, but also really likes her interrogation methods!)

Shadowheart: she's hiding something. She ain't fooling me...

Astarion: he's also hiding something, never EVER trust the snobs from the upper city.... unless, of course, you want their money/sleep with them. (thinks Astarion is a less hot version of him, with how similar they act. Except JJ actually has a soft spot for children and little rascals, so he'll always help them. He's more chaotic good)

Gale: i really liked him and wanted him to teach me how to do magic safely, but never mind! He just ate my magic spear, which doesn't seem very safe...

Wyll: he makes me angry with how he challenges my morals, okay? you shouldn't be nice! You're a warlock! (has a mental breakdown watching Wyll get transformed like he did and wonders if his father was a good man like Wyll all along)

Karlach: I was deadset on killing her... turns out she's not a devil! just a person like me! i really like her (wants to kill Zariel and enter rage like Karlach one day)

BONUS:

He knew damn well what he was getting into but opened the door anyways and said he was gonna write a smut about it (he's batshit insane)

Anyways... I guess that's it. That's all I have for now, I haven't progressed much into the game... sorry if his information is a little scattered around, I don't have it organized and probably didn't mention somethings (he chose his name, for example)

[lycemagee]

So what happened yesterday with Alyce? Or her group? Too much...

Last time they went to the castle from Stradh (big evil guy (vampire)) and yeah confrontation was not nice. But he invited Alyce and the group to eat, Alyce became almost a snack for another vampire girl who was with two other girls and another man, consorts of Stradh. So then she has an alliance with a guy in the group she didn't like that much, they just randomly killed a woman who wanted to kill Stradh, because our Nephilim was... Impulsive, went back to our room, cute group shenanigans happened and then Nephilim was like: let's visit Strahd's bedroom because he invited me there and maybe I can get some intel, and omg everything went to hell after that. Our druid in her cat form joined her, Strahd was there, and had some trauma flashbacks (I GUESS???) and bit Nyx (Nephilim) and Elaine (Druid Cat) were not amused, but she bit him in her tiger form, with the intention, the blood in her muzzle can Nyx drink to prevent turning to a Spawn (AND THIS SHIT WORKED LIKE WTF WAS THIS STRATEGY?????!!!!!) but Strahd not amused almost kills Elaine and Nyx but they send help through mushrooms (side quest gimmick) but HAHA our Cleric Tiefling got some deal with a Demon going on got a worm inside of her while dreaming and Alyce got manipulated in her dreams, changing her memories, so that Alyce thought that Stradh is the most important person in her life (I cried when this happened and I didn't even roll bad but I needed a 18 AND I HAD 16 BUHUHUHU) SO DRUID CALLED JEN WOKE UP HEARED THE SOS SIGNAL WOKE CHARMED ALYCE UP WHO WAS WOBBLY AF AND JEN JUST THREW HER SCYTHE ON BOB (mister chaotic sunshine (who gets bullied (bc he almost killed Alyce)) so they run to the room ane when Bob wanted to intervene, Alyce interfered (BC CHARMED I HATED ROLEPLAYING IT) BUT OUR MASTER BOB WAS GENIUS AND SWITCHED SPELLS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WERE DUMB ENOUGH TO GET CURSED AND HE HAD LIFTING CURSE AND ROLLED D FUCKING 20. I LITERALLY CRIED I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE LIFTED SO QUICKLY AND THEY TRIED GOING AGAINST STRAHD BUT HE IS IMMORTAL!!! Ok then some weird Time spell was happening with Bob and I was just Hella confused, but Bob was unconscious BC of a demon worm (he also took like Jen) and he was transforming so we all tried to get away from Strahd (he almost bit Alyce (Spell shield I love you)), so we were planning to just run, but it was hard and Alyce tried again to use her Darkness to give them a advantage, but he still is used to it and has the same power as her, so he just casted fireball, causing Bob and Alyce to go unconscious. Our Tiger and Nephilim just took them and ran down the hall, met some NPC friends (overpowered but Hella annoying Time Mage and Nero (yes from DMC)) and just used teleportation, but before Strahd came and cast another spell (I think it was Arms of Hadar?) so more went unconscious and then landed in a big lake. They got to land, but... Death throwing rolls... I threw a 1. Meaning Alyce died in the process and the group realised Alyce state ABSOLUTELY PANICKING (I was mentally already so done, that I prepared a new character HAHA) BUT YEN MISTY STEPPED OR SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND SHE REVIVY HER OMG SHE NOT DEAD AND EVERYONE WAS FINE (Oke Alyce is handicapped on one of her feet, Our fighter got weak to Physical attacks and Bob handicapped on his hand (he is a sorcererrrer). So in the end everything went downhill (Our Nephilim got a dream where a higher angel declared that she could become new god, but just when she killed the sister of Jen (Cleric) and OH BOI)

Yeah I didn't expect like... So many trauma for Alyce Holy shit? That will be fun (not) playing her paranoid self, prob having a touch of Insomnia.

She just wants to see her light of life again...

And is really conflicted because she got a memory where Strahd had met with him. So her trauma gave her so much paranoia and fear that she doesn't want to deal with him anymore, rather running away, but also she needs to get new informations so yeah... 👍

[essayofthoughts]

For the commentary ask game, because the first bits of this passage with the implied color-changing made me feral:

(His scars ache. Sootstains creep up his arms when he sleeps, when the nightmares come out. He wakes to find himself sootstained to his shoulders, charcoaled up his arms, shadows stretching for his neck and heart. It fades in waking hours, as his heart slows to steady, as the memories ebb back, but he knows what calls them up. 

Colourpoint, that’s what it’s called, a particular expression of albinism to do with temperature, and he wonders what it means that it’s when his heart races in fear, keeping him warm with terror and adrenaline, that the cold-triggered shadows choose to spread.

Well. He’s a tiefling now. Why would it ever operate by the rules of science? Magic obeys no such strictures.

Nor do nightmares.

The scars on his chest are pale flesh, human tones. He knows - not remembers, knows - the colour he’d been before this change had come upon him: his old scars carry the colour forward, whatever was left inside ripped out to the surface.

He remembers scalpels. He remembers blood, and burning, and brands pressed to his skin, the smell of sizzling skin and fat and pain starker than anything he’d known before or since. He remembers stitches, neat marks dot-dot-dot aside some lines left by scalpels. Wonders: was I always this? Did I only dream being different? But the hands that hold and hurt him in the dream - a doctor’s hands, nails clipped short, brusque and purposeful with every touch - do not reach for the horns that stretch from his brow, do not strap down the tail that whips at his ankles as his wrists and ankles were.

It had to be Ripley. Who else would have been able?)

So. If the Tiefling change is due to Orthax (which it is) and soot and smoke are markers of Orthax's influence, I love-love-love the idea of that soot and shadow showing the sway of that influence? Orthax has the most influence when Percy is upset, grieving, angry, when it's easiest to pull Percy towards vengeance ("did I even want vengeance before you?") and we know that Orthax first got it's claws into Percy in a dream!

So I feel like nightmares are when Orthax's influence on Percy is most obvious and easy, and of course when he wakes from nightmares - he's still reeling from them. Nightmares, really clear, bad nightmares, don't just go away on waking, the memories and ideas and thoughts and questions they drag up linger with you once you wake and can leave you uncomfortable and unhappy and even unwell for a while after. I myself have had nightmares where I've needed to talk with someone after because of how off-kilter a nightmare left me.

And then we come to Percy's scars because his scars don't change with the sootstain, at least not the ones from Ripley. This is multi-purpose. I did originally noodle out some ideas for how scars influenced by Orthax might look (and that may yet still come up) but Ripley's scars are 1. ones which formed prior to Orthax's influence on Percy and scar tissue doesn't change as easily as regular skin does and 2. A significant source of emotional pain and upset for Percy and so something it suits Orthax to leave alone anyway. They're also meant as a hint that despite what Percy thinks here, it wasn't Ripley's doing that made him a tiefling - his scars match his old skintone not his new one meaning they healed fully before he changed - but also provide an explanation for why he wouldn't want to dwell on them and think about that.

Also the specific note of "He remembers blood, and burning, and brands pressed to his skin, the smell of sizzling skin and fat and pain starker than anything he’d known before or since." is because sure, most people have no personal experience with torture, but a lot of us know the smell of fat cooking, especially pork which is noted to be similar in taste to human and I love really bringing home that kind of visceral horror. Little things are what can sell the big things.

Send me ~500 words from a fanfic I've written and I'll give DVD Commentary-esque explanation of why I wrote it like that

[5mcsinatrenchcoat]

1 - 5 of the BG3 Act 1 asks for Vice?

BG3 Act 1 Asks (accepting!)

Oh-ho-ho that's a whole ass introduction, let's goooo (and thank you!)

Tell us about your Tav! Name, class and subclass, race, pronouns. Do you have a headcanon for where they're from? Their family? Are they a Dark Urge? Or did you choose an Origin Character? Was it an easy decision?

Name: Vice Class: Barbarian Subclass: Berserk Race: Asmodeus Tiefling Backstory: Urchin Pronouns: she/her

Putting this under read more 'cause trust me I couldn't make this brief even if I wanted to (yay headcanons)

Vice is Baldurian born and raised, in a somewhat more literal sense that one might think. As in, the city did indeed raise her. Her birth name is Volga Redbrook, but she doesn't really remember it. The name, that is. The surname is easier. It's on her parents' gravestones.

Her dad got murdered when she was an infant, and no one bothered to investigate a dead tiefling from a poor family (we've seen first hand how justice in this city works). Her mom hanged around longer, but got sick and also died when Vice was around 8 years old, leaving her an orphan.

If Baldur's Gate has any children protection services to speak of, then Vice never met them. For some time she skulked around the now-empty place they used to live in, but no living space stays empty for long, so she very quickly found herself on the streets. And with streets came trouble.

Stubborn by nature, constantly hungry and angry about it (the fuck do you MEAN you can't spare one damn apple you stupid asshole vendor--), she got tossed around more than once.

That's until one day, when she got in big trouble with the Fists for getting caught stealing, another urchin showed up and snatched her away. A teenage orc girl built like a fighter, with a burn scar on her face and a short boyish cut. She brought Vice to her hideout where she's been collecting similarly lost kids kind of like an older version of Mol. Their own little gang of survivors with no one to look after them but each other.

Now, Uretir, or Ur as they all called her, was about 14-15 years old herself, but to 10 years old Vice she seemed an impossibly cool adult older sister who can do everything and anything. She was strong, she dared to get into guards' faces if needed, she was larger than life. She also taught all of them to steal, to sneak, to lie, to parkour across the city's architecture if needed, and to fight.

Guess who Vice's guardian looked like.

It's in that group that Vice actually took her virtue name, Vice, 'cause it was indeed her own vices that repeatedly got her into trouble. Her stubbornness, her anger, her independence.

She used to be both impossibly angry at the world, especially those richer and more well-off than them, and ashamed of her anger, 'cause, well, it's not a good thing to have, is it? Never does her any good, certainly.

Ur used to say that they didn't need what the rich folks had. That those were stupid and complacent, not seeing shit under their own noses. Someone to be conned and robbed and tricked and laughed at, not anyone to envy. Not anyone to fear either. Ur used to say that everything they needed they already had in them. Their hands, their wits, their strength. Their crew. Ur also used to say that Vice's anger is nothing to be ashamed of. If she has it in her, then it's her tool to wield, to make herself stronger and more resilient. All she had to do was to learn how to harness it to her advantage instead of an obstacle.

Vice took the first part of advice to heart, which makes her incredibly frustrating to every character in the current plot who tries to bait her with power. She has her hands, her sword, her wits and her lies, her lockpicks and her strength. And also her friends. That's enough.

Uretir got killed in a scuffle when Vice was about sixteen. No one showed up to help, not a guard, not a citizen, no one. By the time the rest of them got there, there was no saving their sister.

So that's when Vice saw crystal clear the second part of that advice and made her rage her fuel. Let's just say that Ur's murderers didn't leave that alley alive either.

And Vice? Well, she's a 'barbarian' since. A sneaky, stealthy, lockpicky, smiley and deceiving berserk that will not hesitate to go off if you give her a reason to. The fact that she grew into her considerable height and build only helps her with that.

In the course of the next ten years their gang grew apart without Ur to hold them together. A lot of them decided to join the guild. Vice, however, was too sick of losing people, so she went the loner route, living it up while stealing and squatting, Disney Aladdin style (but without an animal sidekick).

The nautiloid actually snatched her up right in the middle of being chased after a robbery gone wrong, so? Successful getaway, I guess?

Now she has a whole squad of weirdos she'd really rather keep from dying and a girlfriend who's MUCH too close to death for comfort, which totally doesn't keep Vice painfully awake at night. Can she keep ANYONE in this godsdamn life.

(As for the question of whether it was easy to choose - I'm a sucker for custom characters, so hell yeah. Vice is a simple Tav, as you can see by the detailed backstory. I honestly never considered Dark Urge for my first playthrough, although it does look interesting if I ever manage a new character!)

Was there something about the character creator that just couldn't capture your Character? Please tell us about their hair, facial hair, tattoos, piercings, disabilities, their trans or intersex body, or anything else you're comfortable sharing.

Well, the thing is, I didn't go into the game with a pre-made character in mind. My only frame of reference was my Early Access character - and I last played EA in, like, summer of 2021, so I don't even remember what I named her. So after playing around in the character creator to see what's what I returned to my EA concept and went from there. 'Cause let me tell you, the new body type alone completely changed the whole vibe. I also decided not to go the non-canon way with the skin color.

But you can still see the roots. The eyes, the horns, the red hair, the general face preset I'm pretty sure. (Why aren't we allowed to color our eyebrows anymore though...)

All in all I'm majorly happy with how Vice turned out. Mayhaps the only thing I'd personally do is make her boobs smaller, 'cause that my general preference for my characters whenever I can control it, but let's be honest not every game lets you do that, so I'm content with letting her breast boobily and whatever. Anything for that height and those guns.

I'll admit I chose her scars all willy-nilly in character creation and now every time I notice them I'm like.

Someone tried really hard to either slit this girl's throat or behead her. I'm yet to decide which and how the hell she survived that.

And I'm pretty sure she just got that tattoo to be edgy and finds it very ironic now that there's an actual bullshit sitting in her eye.

(The only things I find annoying are the glitches like the light colored horns - which has thankfully been fixed - and the glitchy nail color that's been going on with tieflings. Not sure if the second one is still around)

Has your Character been using their illithid powers?

Ha, no. The aforementioned part about not wanting or trusting offers of power and authority and yada yada plus her general stubborn yuck about everything connected to mind flayers made sure of it. She's girlbossing her way through encounters based on sheer ability to lie and/or intimidate. And also a bit of me savescumming. Sue me.

Although to be completely honest I did fuck up on that a bit. I completely missed the fact that the Survival Instinct ability is linked to a tadpole (kinda got used to new abilities just popping up on the panel 'cause I equipped something new and forgot or leveled up or whatever). So I used it a few times and only stopped when the goddamn Embrace Your Potential quest updated and I went "SHIT".

I usually roll with the punches like that, and so was born the headcanon of Vice using the ilithid power unconsciously a few times because she got too scared about a friend - or lover - getting hit too hard in a fight.

She did very much stomp on the very-special tadpole the Emperor gave her. He wasn't pleased, she didn't care.

Do you remember in which order you recruited your companions? Which companion introduction would have felt the most familiar / like home to your Tav / Character?

Okay, let's see. Vice rescued Shadowheart from the pod (failed the strength check miserably and had to use the actual smarts but she got it done), so they landed close by. After which she immediately attempted to steal the shiny artefact thingy from the unconscious girl and had to very convincingly pretend that she was just checking on her upon being caught. So, uh, an interesting start to the relationship. (SH did seem to believe her though)

Astarion was second and he got successfully headbutted for being a little shit (ouch the horns). I also accidentally missed the first scene in camp - or multiple??? - because the very first night we made camp he was already trying to bite Vice. Which she didn't let him do. Their relationship is the rockiest of the whole party, but we're hopefully getting there.

Then came Gale whom Vice dragged from the portal by the muscle alone. She didn't really knew what to think of him for the longest time. Wizards and their hubris are so very much beyond her expertise.

Then of course she saved Lae'zel. Or does she technically count as the first companion, considering the nautiloid? Anyway, Vice's attitude frustrated her considerably for the first half of the Act, but Vice was actually chill about her from the get go. She understands angry. She understands surviving. Doesn't understand the superiority complex, but she got very good at shutting it down, so. (They became good friends later).

Karlach actually was recruited before Wyll 'cause I got nervous I was making too many long rests (got burned in EA once) and speedran directly to her location, past the fake paladins and everything. So Wyll basically recruited himself by showing up at camp. And Vice is glad that he did, 'cause he's an awesome guy and she likes him the best out of her male friends in the group.

As far as familiar/like home part goes… Look, I'm going to be very predictable and say Karlach. Because of many things really. Apart from the fact that Vice's gay ass immediately went "Hot 😳" at the first sight. First and foremost, while all the other companions thus far had been all gloomy and/or secretive (can't call Gale gloomy by any means but he sure as heck was sketchy with his humor shield), Karlach was open and loud and generally optimistic right from the get go, which Vice, who generally survives in the same manner, was tremendously relieved to see. She was also a fellow strong and angry barbarian at that and immediately in that first fight they matched each other step for step, which was also very refreshing. She was ALSO a fellow Baldurian street kid, as it soon appeared. It just clicked. If they hadn't fallen for each other eventually, they'd be the best of friends otherwise, there's no other option.

Do you remember the first humanoid enemy your Character killed? Was it the first person they've ever killed, in your opinion? Would they have been bothered by it?

Now this is a hard one. Do imps count? Does a dying mind flayer, who's skull she stomped on upon finding him? Or are we skipping till goblins at the grove?

Either way, as mentioned, Vice first killed a person, or rather multiple, when she was sixteen. So no, by that point - and she's around 26 in the main story - any of those were hardly her first. She was more bothered by the nature of everything happening (you don't get that kind of action on the city streets okay?) than the general killing she had to do. It's just a part of survival.

Tips of her horns are permanently stained red for a reason.

[thenugking]

Percy, 13, 17, 21, 24, 26, 29

13. What is your Tav’s main color palette? Why do they choose those colors?

Percy likes blues. It’s mostly just That’s The Colour She Likes but I think it fits that she likes to go for a cooler colour palette than anything more flashy. Until ofc she ascends Astarion and they “jointly” agree she needs to update her wardrobe to match his. At which point her colour palette is red, black and silver and she chose those colours entirely of her own free will so she and her boyfriend can look good together.

She switches back to blue quickly after leaving Astarion for Mizora--although the blues are maybe a bit bolder than they were before. This one is genuinely Percy’s choice, but she’s still very much trying to look good next to Mizora. (It’s a healthier relationship, not a healthy one.)

17. Do they have any enemies outside of the main plot? Any friends?

Y’know despite being a conflict averse people pleaser who wants to get along with everyone, Percy is very bad at making friends. She’s on Good Terms with a whole lot of people, but as for actual friends, I can’t think of any. 

She doesn’t make many enemies either, outside the main plot and taking on all of Astarion’s enemies. The only real one is Sister Rose the Penitent at the temple, which in fairness, is mostly due to Rose’s massive tiefling racism. But I think they both have a very fake-friendly passive-aggressive, “I’m the best servant of Ilmater” competitive thing going on, covering up seething hatred.

21. Describe a defining moment from their past, which makes them who they are today!

See I don’t think Percy ever had a big Defining Moment as much as just… a long slow build up of little moments. I guess joining the temple of Ilmater is the big thing. I think she visited to make use of the soup kitchen one time as a teenager when her family weren’t doing well, feeling guilty about it because they technically had food, just not enough for a full decent meal a day. She ended up talking to a priest about the guilt, and the very well meaning priest suggested that if she felt she had to pay the temple back, they were always looking for volunteers to help out. And things slowly went downhill from there.

24. What does your Tav consider to be their own biggest character flaw?

Obviously that she doesn’t help enough, that some nights she gets an entire six hours of sleep like a selfish, lazy monster, and she’s never jumped into a lake to save a drowning orphan.

Also, though I think it would take a lot for her to admit it even to herself, that she’s sometimes kind of resentful of her kids.

26. Give us one of your Tav’s secrets!

I mean I think the big secrets are all the Resentments and, at least pre-game, feeling sexual desire and being kind of Intrigued by Loviator.

Post-game, she doesn’t tell anyone when Mizora turns up again, and starts suggesting that Percy can be so much worse better than stuck living as Astarion’s pet. Or that, despite using the Mirror of Loss to forget most of the shitty things she’s done, she never actually followed Astarion’s suggestion to forget about the affair she had with Mizora. 

29. What fears keep them up at night?

Most of the things Percy worries about, she just looks into the Mirror of Loss so she doesn’t have to stay up worrying!

But she’s at least not a terrible enough mother to erase her kids. She worries that she’s never going to see them again, and that Astarion isn’t going to keep his promise to totally definitely turn them, or let Percy become a full vampire so she can turn them, and then they can all live as a happy vampire family together, and her kids will be so grateful for eternal life they won’t be upset at her for anything again. Sometimes she worries that they maybe even aren’t ever going to forgive her for leaving them and that she might not be able to make up for some of her Dubious Choices as a mother by giving them eternal life and inviting them to live in a big fancy mansion with her. Or even that they might not appreciate her offer to turn them into vampires for some reason.

[astarionancuninswife]

For the Tav Ask questions: 8 from the general list, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13, 15 for the story list, 1, 2, 6, 7, 11 for the romance list. let me know alllllll about miss luci <3

Ooo, big list of questions!! Let's get to it then!!

Companion!Tav Ask List | askbox

General

8. What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp? How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again?

When being asked to stay in camp: "Aw, really? But we're adventure buddies!" (Please, just stay.) "Okay, fiiiine, but if you find any neat books, I call dibs before Gale!" When being asked to come adventuring again: "YES! I mean, lead on! Ever at your service, friend!"

Story Specific

3. How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character?

"Oh, he's a vampire... Huh, I would've never thought, I didn't realize they really existed. Wait, you let him what?! ... Interesting." (Luci approves.)

5. How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power?

"Okay, now, I'm usually always for trying new things and eating anything but... nah, that's just gross. There's no sugary way to say that."

6. Will they stay with the Player Character regardless of siding with the goblins or the tieflings, or is it possible for them to leave the party permanently?

Luci will leave if the player sides with the goblins, considering she's a tiefling herself. She may not have been raised around other tieflings, but those are still her people. She gets a significant boost of approval if they side with the teiflings, though!

10. How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

"... I would've done the same, I can't even judge you for that. Huzzah for curiosity, I think?"

13. How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn?

If Astarion ascends: "Well, let's hope this doesn't bite us in the butt... or the neck." If he's convinced to spare the 7000 spawn: "I'm proud of him, he's come far from the Astarion we first met. Maybe I'm, err I mean we're rubbing off on him."

15. How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them?

"... Okay, so what we're going to do is sit here and talk this out. What are we thinking right this second? And do you think you can just... I don't know... just not act on them? Or maybe give me all your weapons..."

Romance

1.Is your Tav a romanceable character? Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

I think Luci would definitely be a romanceable character!! I think you just have to go with the kinder options, but also be adventurous to get her approval up.

2. Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough?

She would have to be flirted with, I think, but her options would be very obvious because she's a bit oblivious. She would approach the player if her approval is high enough though!

6. How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them?

"Oh... I, hm... Give me a moment, please... I appreciate your honesty and value the fact you hold enough respect for me to tell me how you feel. You deserve the world, and if I'm not the one to give it to you, I'm glad at least [other character] is able to have a chance to. But once he/she steps out of line, come to me. I'll straighten them out, these claws aren't just a fashion trend, ya'know?"

7. What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test?

"A jack of all trades, what is her favorite hobby she has picked up?" (Reading or traveling.) "Such a bright light in the world, but behind the glow, there's fear. What is she most scared of?" (Being alone.) "Luci had a tough beginning to life, but she was saved by a wise teacher. What's the most important piece of advice she hass internalized?" (Just as kindness and respect can be given, it can be taken away as well.)

11. What are Tav’s plans for the future? Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in?

Luci would suggest marriage, but also be sure to make it known she'd be happy with them either way, and she'd prefer a few more adventures before a wedding or anything. She does want to keep traveling for as long as she can, so either way, she'd going to keep planning journeys around Faerûn with or without the player!

[rottenbrainstuff]

BG3 playthrough - completely finished under Moonrise

Wow, oh wow.

From the top: first we had fight #1 with Ketheric. I made sure not to kill Kar’niss earlier because I thought I’d have an opportunity to talk to him on the roof, but nope! We just jumped straight into fight #1, and then he was just a large extra hassle to deal with. I felt SO bad killing him, because I had to incapacitate him somehow, and my bard has really good fear spells so that’s normally what I use. It felt really crummy making this poor guy cower while I slowly chop him down. Sigh. (hey what comes out of those incubating death rock egg things? I was too scared to see and killed them all immediately)

Man. I couldn’t stop staring at Ketheric’s eyes though. Even on lower rendering settings, you can see they clearly spent a TON of effort on his eyes specifically. Man, guys. You must have had a special task team that worked for months just specifically on rendering his wrinkles, and the glassy rheumy effect of his eyes. Holy shit. It’s such a cool direction to take, set up your baddie as this awful, ruthless general with all the battle remains and the chilling letters, make him creepy as fuck with the goblin and the axe demonstration, then also put a shitton of effort into making him also just a really really sad really really old man. I love it.

Then after that: wading through the mindflayer colony. Online says that the companions who have extra dialogue or cutscenes in here are Wyll, Gale, and Karlach, but :( :( :( that leaves no room for Astarion? I decided to not have Karlach. Sorry babe. And anyways, without Astarion, who else is going to take out poor old Chop in one single merciful blow?

I rescued Zevlor from the pods, thank god, thank GOD finally. (hilarious to see his tail poking out the back there) My tav has been upset about him for weeks here. Goddamn, poor guy, he’s been thralled by the Absolute but doesn’t care what you tell him, he puts the blame on himself. Even when you tell him it’s not his fault he was enthralled, he still says that that might be true, but whatever the Absolute does, it starts with something that’s already inside you. Buddy, my buddy. And they programmed so many different ways to get angry with him and blame him. Why? Why do you even want to blame this poor guy who is already blaming himself more than you ever could? I mean at best he was enthralled and couldn’t help it, but at worst he just made a bad decision that he honestly and immediately regretted entirely and was disgusted by. Leave this poor old man alone. He won’t even get angry if you pick the most aggressive and mean dialogue options, he just agrees. Sigh. Back with the other tieflings, you can mention to Cerys that you found Zevlor, and she will just be angry at him for letting them down when they needed him. And I mean. Yes that’s valid but damn it makes me sad. Poor sad old man. Anyways he leveled up in the time we were away, and he is a mean fighter now! Nice! I wish he could have stuck around longer. That was an awfully short conversation, for as much as it was all built up, with all the other tielfings mentioning how angry at him they were! Is this REALLY the only interaction we have with him now until act 3???

DAYUM this area is shitty for a resisting dark urge. So many lovely horrible things down here. Wow. My poor tav, he needs a big long rest to process all of this, but after you’re done everyone wants to talk and there’s a big old cutscene coming up. Poor guy, no rest for you.

THE MIND JARS: wow ok. So at the very beginning of the game, you found those two green brain jars on the nautiloid. Hopefully you stuck them in your storage, or maybe you thought they were useless and you just sold them. EIther way, I’m pretty sure it didn’t occur to you to bring them with you when you went into the Moonrise pit? Why WOULD you think to bring them? It’s too bad if you didn’t, because in this area is the only machine in the game that lets you use these jars, and once you find the machine and realize what it’s for, you can’t travel back to your trunk to get them, and you ALSO won’t be able to return later on. So. Tough luck. Me, I was travelling with my team of 8 str weenies, and every mind jar I found, I sent straight to my camp! Why wouldn’t I? These guys can’t weigh themselves down with extra shit! By the time I found the machine and realized what it did, there was only one jar left in my inventory that I didn’t send back to camp.

I suppose the jars maybe are supposed to be a fun little easter egg for players who go back and play again. Too bad I’m very willing to reload and redo things for hours and hours lmao. I reloaded just a couple hours and this time brought all the jars with me. Thanks, I hate it! What a horrible and disturbing little touch. Yay. Was my least favourite the child mind, or was it the spooky singing one? Hard to say!

I was shitting my pants when Ketheric turned into the Myrkul apostle form, cause it looked scary, but damn? We just all slammed it a few times and it was totally fine? Very very cool boss though. I loved the little skeletons sitting on his shoulder with the flails. Goddamn Ketheric stayed sad right until the end huh? Driven to do horrible things in a misguided attempt to help his daughter, forsaken by three different gods, and his last dying thought and words were of Isobel. I fucking lost it when I found the little note that he keeps on him. Excellent writing Larian, excellent job of making your good guys flawed and your bad guys sad. Man I love it.

Now I have a shitton of talking and cutscenes to wade through to get to act 3. I absolutely ADORE how when the guardian talks about the elder brain, it is just ever so slightly the wrong reaction, lmao. I love how instead of being just generally horrified that there’s an elder brain there at all, it seems to be really, really indignant that mortals are controlling it. “I mean yes hey let’s go save the people of Baldur’s Gate from being turned into mindflayers, but the audacity! The audacity of putting an elder brain in thrall!” and my tav is like hmmm I feel like that’s an… unusual reaction to this situation….

Astarion is absolutely preening after the fight, saying that he never thought he’d be the one defeating the shadows. Yeah see buddy, it feels good sometimes to play the hero, doesn’t it?

Man, my party is enormous now because of all the summons I have walking around with me. I currently have Scratch, three quasits, a shadow wraith thingamajig, an earth elemental (which oh man I absolutely love) and now, the latest addition, a cambion. The cambion is hilarious. It’s a totally sentient and intelligent thing, but I can’t talk to it at all. I imagine it’s pissed off at being summoned here away from its dinner to do boring bullshit errands for this group of wankers, so it just totally and completely ignores me.

Off to act 3 now! Can’t believe I’m in the final act of the game! Can anyone tell me where I can get my own tall, hot, and intensely devoted aasimar girlfriend?