#ilithid dreams

[maemil]

So I just hit act 3...

[omoghouls]

Also, did have a dream last night about fucking an ilithid

This was after my friends and I were in a helicopter that was in a camo that would hide us as we flew out of the atmosphere but then one of my friends stuck their head out and that made us un-camo and the ilithid's found us and kidnapped us to their lair- and I guess we were all marked for something so they carved bits of our flesh out and then later on they all gave us video games for being brave

And then one of the ilithid wrapped it's tentacles around me and we fucked

[bangbangfire]

the emperor: you may call me the emperor delight: i would sooner die, thanks

[pinkfey]

lore recap under the cut!!

so dazzle spent much of her childhood performing in a circus with a bunch of other children. singing, juggling, tightrope walking, aerial acrobatics, you name it!! she was the star 🌟 she had a captivating smile and a sharp, intelligent demeanor and the crowd loved her—that's where she got the name!! and she hated them for it.

one year during the troupe's tour, they stopped at a small little village that dazzle thought was weird and creepy because there seemed to be no children?? not even babies??

lo and behold !! weird fey shit had been happening !!

it was a hag 🙄

with the promises of love and acceptance—a family—the hag lured her and stole her away to the feywild. but, shockingly, she didn't eat her. dazzle was part of a deal.

after some time, a man arrived. he said he was her father and that she was to come with him (he was not her father, but dazzle was so scared that she went anyway).

he did not harm her. he offered her everything there was to offer. she called him papa, but she didn't know if she meant it. if this is what love and family feels like. then he introduced her to his circle.

an eclectic and ravenous bunch whose numbers grew every day. the cult of hyrsam they called themselves, claiming their trickery, celebration, and revelry were in reverence of him. hyrsam himself would have seen through their guise in an instant, but had he known the truth, he'd have cursed them for smearing his name with their bullshit.

in actuality, the cult sought to ascend the First Disciple™️ to archfey. he leeched on the minds of their young over centuries, using them to lure and indoctrinate more through their charm and song. they had to love him, they had to be devoted to him, they had to believe in his message wholeheartedly, and to claim the proselytizing of hyrsam's wiles was the perfect fit. it was the only way.

very few know this.

YIKES !!

so 😶 over the course of six hundred years—years that, in the feywild, dazzle experienced as a mere decade—dazzle went mad. much of her own history is lost to her now, as is her mind. she doesn't like clowns. she's afraid of old women. the scent of mulch drives her to tears. she doesn't remember why.

she's trusting now; her fortitude has worn down. she will follow anyone. open wound, bleeding heart, lamb to the slaughter. she'll drive a knife into her own chest and thank you for it.

with the tadpole, however, much of her energy has returned to her. she doesn't feel so........... hazy. it's as if a fog has been lifted, but she's not sure what it concealed in the first place. she'll never recover what was taken from her, and centuries of coerced agreeability have taken their toll, but she has the mental clarity to make her own decisions now—poor as most some may be.

the horrors are never ending, but she stays silly :3

razzle dazzle *:・ﾟ✧

[sewermageboy]

So what's a thing that y'all miss from Early Access?

The ones that come to mind for me are

1. how often the characters would comment on stuff you actually did in the world (like, killing Gandrel, rip Astarions "Who needs morals when you have good hair?") Also specifically miss being able to talk to everyone in camp the night you think you'll transform, instead of just getting the cutscene with Lae'zel trying to kill you.

2. the way that the tadpole powers worked. I liked the whole "who do you dream of" bit, how the tadpole was so clearly trying to seduce you to use its powers, how using ur Ilithid powers had actual consequences, especially in dialogues.

3. might be controversial, but I also liked it better when Gale's Arcane Hunger needed actually powerful magical items (like the Necromancy of Thay, the Idol of Silvanus or the Iron Flask). With how ppl have been complaining about him eating ur magical items, you'd think that's still the case, but the items he does absorb in my playthrough are all basically useless, which makes the whole "I'm so sorry, I know this is a lot to ask" thing feel very........... flat

[lakemojave]

Tonight at 6pm Pacific: The Direct Actors, A Baldur's Gate 3 "Adventure" pt. 19!!!

WE'RE BACK!!! Today we begin the 3rd season of our RP series and the 3rd act of the game! We've all had a hard time trekking through the Shadow-Cursed Lands and received some harrowing revelations, but we'll soon find out if the gang can pull themselves together! Come see @radiofreederry as The Green Knight, Elf paladin, @mayflowers429 and Nana as Leviathan, Dark Urge monk, @caputvulpinum as Micah Harper, Tiefling wizard, and myself as Delilah "Mama D" Harper, Halfling bard!

Character art by @bijillion, recap under the cut!

THE STORY SO FAR: On the way to a union rally, Delilah "Mama D" Harper and her grandson Micah were abducted and taken aboard an ilithid nautiloid, which they escaped with mysterious dancer Leviathan and the self-proclaimed "Champion of Ilmater and Paladin of Good" known only as the Green Knight. Each infected by a mind flayer tadpole, but so far immune from transforming into mind flayers themselves, The Direct Actors, as the party have come to be known, have arrived in Rivington, the gate to Baldur's Gate, and find themselves in the middle of a town with some big problems of its own...

LAST TIME: After defeating Ketheric Thorm and claiming his Netherstone, the Direct Actors prepared to depart the Shadow-Cursed Lands. As the rest of the party discussed their circumstances and the aftermath of the battle, the Green Knight scouted ahead for the road to Baldur's Gate, spending a lot of time alone in the shadows, dwelling in his grief. After dispatching an ambush of Githyanki sent by Vlaakith, the Direct Actors at last left the Shadow-Cursed Lands, just as the curse broke and the sun once again began to shine.

The party made camp just outside the town of Rivington as night fell along the Chionthar. As the Direct Actors settled in for the night, Micah was met by none other than the god Ilmater, who apologized to Micah for not being there for him in the suffering he had faced in his youth, and promised to be with him forevermore as penance, proclaiming that the position of his Chosen would be Micah's so long as he desired. Afterwards, Micah and the Green Knight talked, with the two reconciling after their previous fight and the Green Knight gifting Micah a new set of clothes he has acquired in town even as he waxed miserable about the nature of his immortality. Levi and Mama D, meanwhile, had a chat about both Lord Gortash, another Netherstone holder, and Mama D's emotional state.

As the party settled in to sleep, they were attacked by a horde of Gith, and followed them through a portal into the astral realm contained in the Astral Prism, where it was revealed that their Dream Visitor was in fact a mind flayer known as the Emperor, who held the Githyanki Prince Orpheus hostage, using his abilities to shield the Direct Actors from ceremorphosis. Everyone but Mama D had already figured this out. The party saved the Emperor, though the Green Knight vowed to return to free Orpheus and slay the mind flayer. Afterwards, as sleep took hold of the party, the Green Knight did... something that wiped his true name from their memories. Only Micah realized something had happened, and made it clear to the Green Knight that he was furious.

What did the Green Knight do? Will he and Micah ever be able to reconcile again? Will any more of Leviathan's memories return? Who is the sadistic shapeshifter known as Orin? What dangers lurk in the gateway town of Rivington? Find out in another exciting instalment of Baldur's Gate 3, starring the Direct Actors!

[kaermorhenatnight]

Friendly reminder of some facts about the Emperor because I am tired of people defending him saying he did nothing wrong:

- In the first conversation you have (when he presents himself as the "dream visitor") he claims he wanted to be "free of this evil" for a long time, suggesting he means becoming a mindflayer, but later he says plainly that he never wanted to stop the process of becoming the mindflayer, because he WANTED to be ilithid. He believes it's a superior form.

- His friend (/lover) Ansur wanted to help him not become ilithid but he DIDN'T WANT THAT HELP. He wanted the power that being a mindflayer gives.

- If you confront him and don't fall for his manipulations (and only then): admits to pretending to have feelings and human emotions to manipulate you and basically tells you this is him being nice (but actually not, because he only does that cause he thinks you'd be more useful like that) because he could have treated you like his last "ally": Duke Stelmane, who he dominated and used as a puppet, destroying her brain and body in the process. But if you don't confront him he will claim that Stelmane was his friend, maybe something more, will make comments about how beautiful she was and recall how she hugged him when he needed it.

- We can learn something about his values even before he was a mindflayer from the Chamber of Insight, where he claims that prosperity of the city includes not really caring that citizens' rights erode and calling it "lesser issues" if you get more power thanks to that. Even the name of the chamber seems wrong: it should be called "Balduran's morality" if anything.

- He claims all he wants is survival when in fact he wants power: why would he create (edit: not create, but run) the Knights of the Shield and control a duke if he just wanted to live and be in peace?

- He claims manipulation and illusions are just his kind's language and you shouldn't hold it against him because it was the only way for you to trust him (i.e. do exactly as he says). If only there was another mindflayer with a mind of its own in the game that was honest and selfless and didn't try to manipulate you at all... (If Omeluum has 100 fans, I'm one of them. If Omeluum has 10 fans, I'm one of them. If Omeluum has 1 fan, I'm dead, it's Blurg.)

- He supports the alliance with Gortash, even though he is a slaver and a tyrant - doesn't really make him seem like someone who cares about the citizens of his own city wellbeing.

- The moment you do something he doesn't like, he rejoins the Netherbrain.

- It's not that big of a thing but when Vlaakith sends you to the Astral Prism to kill its occupant (Orpheus) he tells you not to and acts like it's him who you're supposed to kill. Vlaakith would literally kill you if you refused. And he still lies that she meant him, when he could've admitted that the power he uses to protect you comes from Vlaakith's enemy that's in the prism (but he claims HE has a unique power to do that)

- With all those lies and manipulations he still has the audacity to say "I never lied to you."

[lunabo17]

If the World Was Ending

Title from song "Die With a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

 https://archiveofourown.org/works/63805048

Astarion wakes from a nightmare of Gale dying, and has an anxiety attack. Thankfully, sometimes nightmares really are simply bad dreams and not reality.

This week has been rough with anxiety, so have an angsty one shot. It ends happy

P.s. Also been playing BG3 Stardew Valley mods,Baldur's Valley.

P.P.s. Yes, the farmer is Gale, and yes, there is a backstory as to why there are 2 Gales. Shhhhh.

Warnings for anxiety, followed by sweetness.

---

Baldur's Gate was on fire, Ilithid and other creatures attempting to stop them, but their party kept moving, kept fighting. This close to the end, they would not stop, unless they drew their last breath.

It felt like it was just the two them, the others a simple blur in the background. Gale raised his hand, cupping his face gently, tears in his eyes, like tiny diamonds falling to the ground. Astarion felt his stomach tighten, and he took a breath.

"Don't," he said, breathless, wavering to a near sob. "Don't do this. You can't do this!"

"I love you," the wizard said, and suddenly, he was far away, on nearby cliffs, watching as the sky lit up, like the sun had just risen, but in shades of purple and blue, and spreading. He screamed, knowing that Gale was dead, that he had detonated the Orb. Gone...he was gone! He left him, after he said he wouldn't. And Astarion...

His eyes snapped open, body tense. If his heart still beat, he knew the tempo would be quick, pounding. His throat felt tight, his stomach knotted, and he felt as if he had been crying, but his cheeks felt dry. Astarion sat up, and the spot beside him was empty.

"Gale?" He whispered, his hands touching the cold bed. "Gale?" He said louder, his voice breaking as the panic swept in, his body beginning to shake.

"Astarion?"

Wide-eyed, Astarion looked in the direction of the voice, the sound of a book slamming shut loud in the quiet of the night. Gale scrambled to his feet, his eyes nearly as wide as the vampire's as he moved to the bed, sitting close.

 

"You're...you're alive..." The elf whispered, gently touching Gale's cheek. "You're alive..." He realized he must have fallen asleep for once.

"You must have had quite a nightmare to become so rattled. What happened, my love, other than my untimely death?"

"You sacrificed yourself," Astarion said, while one hand bunched up Gale's shirt. He closed his eyes, seeing again the darkened night become day, but the image was beginning to fade. "Gods..."

Gale scouted closer, ever so gently pulling the vampire close, their cheeks touching. "Thankfully, I changed my mind on that particular idea, and decided it was far better to remain by your side. I'm here, my love. I'm alive. You're alive. We're in Waterdeep, and our wedding is in three days."

"I feel like an utter fool," Astarion murmured, his shoulders finally lowering as he relaxed, fingers gently combing through his hair.

"I don't think you said that when I had my own nightmares, Astarion."

He pulled back a little to look at Gale. "It felt so real. I could feel...despair, eating inside me. I could feel the tears, my sobs, making my breathing short and quick, which really should have been an indication it was a horrible dream and not reality..."

"I've had nightmares like that, too. When you're in it, it is as if it truly is reality."

"And then when I woke up, you were gone."

Gale winced. "I apologize. I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep, so I decided to read a little to see if it would help. I suppose the stress of the wedding must be getting to us."

Astarion didn't reply with words, simply stroking Gale's cheek. The wizard leaned his head into the touch, a smile on his face.

"I couldn't continue to live without you," Astarion confessed.

"Don't say that," Gale whispered, tears filling his eyes. "I'm sure you'd find a strapping, young lad..."

"Don't," he snapped. "I know you're trying to joke, but there won't be a 'strapping, young lad,' or a beautiful lass, or whatever you decide to come up with. I don't want anyone else, just you. Now and forever, and if you die..."

"When."

"If you die, because I will find a way to tie our lives together, then I'll end my miserable existence. We'll meet in the afterlife, and we'll remain together. Please don't cry."

Gale took a shuddering breath, the tears spilling down. "And you accuse me of being an impossible romantic! You can't just say these things, and not expect me to react."

With a sigh, Astarion leaned his head against Gale's neck, the scent of books and ink calming. They shifted even closer, wrapping their arms tighter.

"Do you think it's all the wedding's fault?" Astarion asked.

"After all the work we've done, in addition to our jobs, I imagine it's quite normal to feel some nerves for such a large event. Are you reconsidering?"

"After all your talk of the lovely robes you purchased, and the flowers, and food, including the ones for vampires? Absolutely not! Also, your mother would probably stake me."

"She most certainly will not! I wouldn't allow her to kill you. Do you feel a little better?"

"I'm a little cross that nightmare rattled me as it did. I sleep for the first time in quite a while, and of course it had to be plagued by horrid dreams."

"It would have been better if they were milder like mine as of late, though I admit I've had my fair share of nightmares concerning your death."

Astarion gave a hum of acknowledgement; he remembered holding Gale close after those particular nightmares, ones that had become quite frequent before Cazador's demise.

Carefully, they shifted back to the center of the bed, their limbs tangled. Astarion laid his head on Gale's chest to listen to the steady beat of his heart. "What exactly have you been dreaming of, darling?"

Gale chuckled, a deep, sleepy sound. "Silly things, like showing up naked in front of my students, mayhem at the wedding, the guests not showing up..."

"Might not be a bad thing," said Astarion softly.

"Mother wouldn't kill you, but I fear Karlach most certainly will if she doesn't get to see us wed. It's all she talks about. Not even Shadowheart's chickens are distracting her.

"We'll just run, and never look back."

"Well, all right, I suppose, as long as I'm with you."

This time, Astarion chuckled. "It wouldn't be so bad, traveling the planes as Karlach and, most likely Wyll, chased after us...as long as we're together. I love you."

"And I love you. Now and forever."

They settled then, and Gale finally drifted back to sleep. And Astarion was sure that it didn't matter what the future held, as long as his wizard remained in his arms.

Now, and forever.

[swervinonalatenight]

So many have interpreted The Emperor Balduran as a meta commentary on the how the player interacts with game characters and acts as a mirror of how you’re character acts to others. Which is super interesting and props to the writers for it.

But I always see The Emperor, “The Character”, which is its own can of juicy worms.

I should start off by saying this. The Emperor is NOT Balduran.

Ceremorphosis in its final stages destroys the soul of the host and replaces them with a mind flayer that has some of the memories and experiences of the host. They are not a transformed version of the original. (So sorry to pull out the rug on those who want to save Karlach with ceremorphosis, but that’s not Karlach anymore, it’s an ilithid based on Karlach.) They cannot be resurrected, they cannot be recovered. Their fundamental nature has changed from whatever they were, into a new mind flayer.

With this in mind, we can examine The Emperor from the start of your first meeting. The Emperor lies to you. He comes to you in a form of a dream guardian, someone who appeals to whatever you or your characters ideal is. He is everything you would want from the start and promises to protect you if you help them.

When The Emperor does reveal himself as a Mind Flayer, he doesn’t do it willingly, when you have grown to trust him and he you, it’s when he was forced to, when all options of hiding are gone. IIRC he never says anything about revealing it to you, if he could he would have kept lying to you for as long as he needed. He plays off his deceit by saying that he needed you to trust him, that you weren’t ready for the truth, shrouding you in wool of “forces beyond your understanding”.

He catfished you.

Then next you talk he tries to relate, tell you of his exploits as a human. A noble act yes, but again, shrouded in mystery as to who he was. He says he only killed criminals to feed off of, but never what kind of criminals. Were they murderers? Petty thieves? Gang members? Someone who stole bread to feed a starving sister and their son? He never says, just “criminals”. He worked with someone to make the place better, only to have it turn out he mentally controlled her to the point of making her brain dead.

His best friend, most likely lover, saw he was sick and went from heaven to hell to try and get him better, while he said he was fine with how he was, until the point where his lover was unable to accept him being gone and he killed him in self defense. Only, as it turns out, his lover may have actually been trying to stop him from doing something evil.

He says he has a troubled, but understandable past that you should sympathize with.

He then comes to you shirtless, ‘vulnerable’. He says there is a connection between you two that has driven you closer, that you understand him and he you. He gets you, and thinks you should “get to know him”. He seduces you, and he’s happy if you go along, but if you refuse he sounds miffed, like he was banking on it happening. And he says he knows everything about you and what you want.

He uses sex and a perceived attraction as a means of gaining trust, started with a false sense of vulnerability.

When you do as he says, follow his lead and “trust” him, he acts happy, overjoyed that you trust him and that you are following your best chance at salvation. That you see Balduran, not a mind flayer.

When you don’t do as he says, not necessarily distrust and go against him, even just thinking “maybe there’s a better option” he calls you a fool, and idiot, an incompetent who will damn themselves and everyone else because they don’t follow his vision. Even in the end, when you say you trust him but killing s bound and helpless man who he’s enslaved and exploited to get this far is wrong and that freeing him is best. He immediately cuts all ties and goes to a higher form of authority to get back at you. He exploits your desires about you, using the dream guardians as fodder. All your desires are nothing but tools to break you down. He knows you, but since you defied him, he will break you for daring tho think against him at all.

Really, The Emperor is an abusive/manipulative partner. He breaks down natural barriers of trust with his words and charisma of “trying to help you” and that you are the only hope (“I love you so much, you are so much better than me”). But only in so much as you follow his word. (Why are you doing this? Aren’t we partners? Don’t you love me? I’m the only one who can help/love you!) He isolates you from the others by talking to you alone, wraps you in six different kinds of lies to protect your sweet precious mind. (DW, it’s fine you don’t need to think that hard about it baby. I will take care of everything you just listen to me) And the moment you decide any other way than his way may be better, he goes against everything he has ever said to you and joins with the thing that enslaved him before just to get back at you, using everything you gave him against you. (Why don’t you love me!? We shared so much together?! Fine! Hope you love getting harassed and swatted bitch!)

The Emperor never cared about like he said. He’s a mind flayer, you are just, a really important thrall to him. That’s all you ever will be. A mind flayer mind is so alien to the thought of “other races are ok” that the closest they can get is “my favorite slave”.

He cares about you only in so much as you ensure his freedom. Becoming a mind flayer, is his way of gaining total control, as you are now HIS ideal, alone from anyone else that may care about you.

[thistlearts]

Some thoughts on the Emperor again

I've been thinking about the game progression KNOWING about the Emperor's past, and now I see that what feels absolutely suspicious in the first place - the dream visitor trying to convince you to use the ilithid powers, is perfectly logical from the Emperor's point of view.

1. He was in your pace. He knows all means to find the cure are futile. It's just a painful struggle for nothing unless...

2. You live long enough to destroy the Absolute, but for that, you need all the power you can get. And if it's the power of a tadpole then it's better to use the enemy's weapon against the enemy as well. He knows from actual experience and knowledge you're NOT going to find ANY cure. No one is able to help you. Unless you destroy the Elder Brain. You don't know it at the beginning of your journey, but he does. And to him, it is probably a bit painful and even annoying to watch you struggle to find the cure and waste your time and energy on that while he knows for sure nothing is going to work. Of course, there's also a point that he actually wants you to become an ilithid and join him because he doesn't want to be alone any more. I will die on this hill that he's an anomaly among ilithids (as well as Omellum) and that he is sort of half-Ilithid half-human in terms of his motives, needs and desires. He clearly needs companionship that goes beyond just having thralls. That's why he doesn't mind control you, keeps you from transforming and leaves that choice up to you. But of course, he has an agenda to at least try to persuade to you take that route. But the greatest part of his motivation here is still the fact that he knows for sure, all your struggles are initially futile. And he's SO PAINFULLY honest with you about everything. I mean, it's so funny when people say that he lies. No, he fucking doesn't, Everything he tells you eventually happens to be true.

[maithefluffychicken]

Astarion/Gale bloodweave.

Gale has a gift for Astarion. SFW. Part 1 of ??.

Astarion had told Gale that he misses to admire his own face in a mirror. Petty vanity, Astarion has said back then, it feels like years ago.

It's been just a few weeks, maybe a whole month? Gale has lost track of time since the... ilithid abduction. And back then Gale had thought Astarion was just being dramatic, fishing for compliments, asking Gale directly what did he see whenever he looks at the vampire. Gale was taken aback then, both because Astarion is breathtaking in his ethereal beauty, his fangs a constant reminder of his dangerous nature... and because Gale had to face then the awkward truth that he was, indeed, developing intense feelings for the pale elf.

Gale praised Astarion that night, called him beautiful, and winced when Astarion seemed unimpressed by his words, no matter how much Gale tried to wax poetics about Astarion.

Now, Gale can read through Astarion cold, nonchalant facade. Now, Gale takes in every microexpression the vampire does, how his eyes flick quickly, taking in his surroundings, ready to flee or fight whenever he feels some kind of threat upon him.

Now, reaching Baldur's Gate, the tadpole still firmly and cozy nestled in their brains, with Gale's fate over his head like Damocles' sword... now, the wizard decides that he can spend his last nights on Faerun spoiling his favorite brat, the man that has raptured his heart.

"Gale, darling," Astarion calls, dragging every syllabe lazily, sighing dramatically. "What are you doing all by yourself in this ruined cabin?"

Gale shakes his head, amused. Astarion's voice send shiver down his spine, reminiscence of the dream-like nights they spent together, when Astarion still believed he had to use his body to keep Gale entertained.

"Ugh, this is so disgusting, oh look, a dead rat... What a waste... Gale? Are you playing hide and seek? Where are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm on the second floor, Astarion," Gale answers, unable to contain his smile.

"Gods, why? Come here, darling, I miss your face."

Gale does not giggle, he's an ass grown up man and he does not giggle, but he can't stop his cheeks from burning red. Of course, Gale obliges.

"What are you doing up there, dear?"

"I was just... meditating," Gale says, because he's scared to admit that he needed some alone time to psych himself to do what he's going to do now.

"Sure, alright," Astarion says, eyeing Gale with his head tilted up defiantly. "You missed dinner, I saved you some cheese and dry saussages, and bread, and that wine you fancy."

Astarion says, shrugging, as if does this for everyone everyday. As if this doesn't matter. Gale's heart does a mortal jump at this freely given love demonstration, and he's sure the vampire can hear how fast his blood rush thorugh his veins right now.

"Dinner, sure, thank you, beloved," Gale says, unaware of how the endearment falls from his lips until Astarion's face does that small wince, how his pupils blown, swallowing the red of his irises.

"Gale..."

"I have something for you," Gale blurts out. "I... could we find somewhere more intimate?"

Astarion seizes him up with his red wine eyes. Nods minutely. Astarion trusts Gale, knows Gale won't betray him, nor force him to do something Astarion is not ready yet. Gale would rather die to betray Astarion, and leaving the tray of food behind, Gale takes Astarion's cold hand and together they walk until Gale deems the landscape good enough for his gift to Astarion.

NEXT

Let me know if you want to be tagged in the next parts or in my Astarion/Wyll ficlet (coming soon) 💛

[unreadpoppy]

down by the river - Chapter 9

Raphael x Warlock!Tav

Read on AO3

Chapter 8

A/N: Okay we jumping cause we gotta move this story along. Also shout out to @sky-kiss for screen shotting the Mol scene for me, it was of great help! Also, many parts of the dialogues are taken from the game but modified to fit the story better.

After Halsin told the group that they needed to go to Moonrise Towers, Tav gathered everyone to decide on which way they should go: through the Underdark or the Mountain Pass. 

Lae’zel argued in favor of the latter, saying that there was a githyankyi crechè in the area and they would have to offer her cleansing. Shadowheart, however, favored the Underdark, considering that it would be a more discreet route. 

“I believe we could go through both.” Tav finally spoke. All eyes turned towards her. “We have means of exploring both regions, and then we determine which way is better.” 

‘And it would stop the two of them from bickering.’ Tav thought to herself. She turned towards the gith warrior. “We’ll go to the Mountain Pass first, see that the crechè gives us a solution.”

Lae’zel nodded and walked away, probably to polish her sword some more. The others left as well, while Tav kept looking at the map. 

“The shadow cursed lands.” Tav whispered to herself. As she passed her finger on where the name was written on the map, she felt the scar on her collarbone sting, causing her to hiss. 

“Have you ever been there?” Shadowheart asked, appearing next to Tav. 

“Why you ask?”

She pointed with her chin towards the paper.  “Just the way you look at the map. Seems like you’ve got some history there.” 

Tav shook her head. “I’ve never been there, no, but Raphael has a few contracts there.” She turned towards the cleric. “I can’t help but wonder what has happened to them - the debtors.” 

She made a motion to move away, saying “Now, if you’ve got nothing more to ask, I’ll get ready for bed.” 

“Actually, there is something else I’d like to know.” Shadowheart said. “We know Mizora sent Wyll to hunt after devils and demons alike, but what type of jobs did Raphael ever sent you on?”

Tav shrugged. “All sorts of things. Sometimes it was to kill someone who wronged him, or gather information. Other times, accompany him to an event, entertain a guest.” 

Playing music when he was bored, helping him with his compositions were also part of the list, although Tav wouldn’t say that out loud. “If there was something that needed to be done, I’d do it, although, since he acquired another warlock, things got a bit easier on my side.” She looked away, for a moment. “One thing is true, however. Raphael would never ask me to do something he knew I couldn’t do.”

Shadowheart nodded.  “When you put it like that, he doesn’t seem that bad.”

“Well, he’s definitely better than other masters that I have served.” Tav chuckled to herself. “It is getting late. We should go sleep, tomorrow will be a long day.” She said and moved towards her bedroll. 

That night, the dream visitor met her again, giving her warnings for the future, while telling her to embrace her potential. Tav had no inclinations of becoming ilithid, but she still needed his protection, and so, she told him she’d think about it. 

As their journey continued, Tav would keep listening to the dream visitor’s interference, but she tried to ignore it. She already had one devil telling her what to do - she didn’t need another otherworldly being bothering her as well. 

…

“Your move, Mol.” She heard him before she saw him. Of course Raphael would be at Last Light Inn, but playing lanceboard with a child was not the sight Tav expected to see. 

“You trapped me.” Mol said. “I didn’t even want to take this one.” 

“Calishmen rules, dear. The first piece touched is the first piece moved.” He explained. For a moment, Tav was transported to a memory that played much like this one. When he taught  her how to play the game, and how frustrated she had been. 

‘This doesn’t make any sense.’ She groaned. ‘I’m gonna end up losing this knight.’

‘Then make a useful sacrifice.’ He guided her. ‘Guard your Mystra or come for my Cyriq.’

Tav was snapped out of the memory when Mol asked her “Say, do you play Lanceboard by any chance? It’s my first time playing.” 

She raised her brow at the girl, easily detecting the lie. “Put pressure on him. Attack the pieces in front of his king.”  

Mol did as you say, moving the pieces around. 

“My, the Theskan Double Counter - Gambit. Vicious. Exactly what I would have done.” 

The girl soon beat Raphael. “How’s that for Calimshen rules?”

“Brava! Lovely work.” Raphael praised the girl. “I see I was right to make you the offer I did. You will consider it, won’t you?” He asked Mol, who didn’t say anything as she walked away. 

Raphael turned towards the group.“The Thasken move was inspired. I see I have taught you well.” He then looked at Mol speaking with the other tiefling children. “What a lovely specimen she is. A blushing apple, ready to be plucked.”

“I know he’s your boss, but please, let me smack this creep.” Karlach whispered. 

Tav ignored her, crossing her arms and raising a brow. “You’re offering deals to kids now? I thought you loathed chattering children.”

“I can make exceptions, from time to time. But don’t you worry about Mol - it goes without saying she still has the unconditional freedom to choose the only option she has left.” He chuckled. “Besides, I do enjoy being in this neighborhood again. It has such a history of abject tragedy.” He focused his gaze on Tav. “And as you well know, tragedy is my bread and bloody butter.”

Raphael waved his hand, dismissing the subject. “But enough about my lesser pursuits. Why bother with trifles when I’m in the illustrious presence of my very favorite client.” He bowed as he said that, making Tav suck in a breath. “It is good to see you again, O apple of my eye. I’d ask you if you’ve made any progress with your little problem, but the tell-tale twitching of your eye is answer enough.” 

“Raphael.” She greeted him. “Should I consider it a coincidence to find you here?”

He smiled. “My dear, nothing is a coincidence. Mortals trifle themselves with free will, as if their betters have not moulded every potential path ahead.” Tav cleared her throat at that. Raphael chuckled. “No offense meant, of course. I’m sure everyone in Last Light thinks they could have changed things.” 

“They’re not the only ones ripe for temptation. As you well know, Tav, my last contract here fed me for decades.”

“You were here before?” Wyll asked. “Why?”

“Family troubles. Not my family, of course.” He shot Tav a knowing look, and she gave a small nod, imperceptible to the others. “I never surrender knowledge for free, but one good turn deserves another, does it not? To repay you, for all the souls you sent my way, I offer you a glimpse of the truth.” 

The devil then spoke of Ketheric Thorm, how his army had been massacred, and even proposing more knowledge in a future contract. Tav squinted her eyes at that - although Raphael shared most of his plans with her, she knew there was something that he was hiding. 

When he was done talking, she made a move to leave but he continued. “Before you leave, I sense there’s something your friend wants to ask me.” He looked at Astarion. 

“I do. I have a proposal for you.” The elf spoke up. “My old- well, a long time ago, someone carved some runes into my back. I’d rather like to know what they say.” 

As Raphael considered his words, Tav turned towards the rogue. “Scars? What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t told them? And you’ve kept your clothes on this whole time? How unlike you.” Raphael smirked. “Why not let them see? Don’t be shy.” 

“Raphael, don’t-” Tav tried to intervene but it was too late. Her patron waved his hand and soon, Astarion found himself only in his underwear. She looked angrily at Raphael.

“Don’t worry. I’m motivated to help you. Scars often tell such wonderful stories. I think yours might be truly exquisite. I’ll see you soon.” He eyed the two of them and vanished. 

At the same time, Tav removed her clock and threw it around the elf, as he said “Well. Now you know.” 

She sucked in a breath. “Go back to camp and get dressed.” Astarion nodded, doing so as told, alongside the others. 

Meanwhile, Tav turned her attention towards Mol. Although she knew Raphael, she did not enjoy the idea of such a young child making deals with him. 

“Nice strategy back there. If we put our heads together, I bet you and me could make a tidy stack of coin in Baldur’s Gate.” The girl as Tav approached her. “But Raphael’s offered me a partnership already, and it seems like a sweeter deal than throwing my lot in with you.” 

Tav gave her a serious expression, crossing her arms. . “Be careful, Mol. You are too young to be making deals with devils. They can be quite the poison.” 

The girl squinted her eye at the woman. “Poison. Sure.” She scoffed. “You seem to love the taste of it. He seems to know you pretty well.” 

Tav clenched her jaw, and tilted her head. “Touché.” She loosened her arms. “You’ve got quite the keen eye, I see.” She sighed. “But I’m being serious, Mol.” 

“Look, you saved us. Not knockin’ that.” Mol began. “But after you left, Zevlor lost his nerve - gave up the fight. I won’t. Now there’s no grove, no coin, no one taking us to the city. I’m not letting my crew get eaten by shadows.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’ll make a deal, maybe I won’t. But it’ll be my choice - not the devil’s and not yours.” Mol huffed and walked away, leaving Tav to shake her head. 

… 

After that meeting, Astarion wondered when he would meet the devil again, saying that they would need to keep their ears ready for the sound of cheap poetry and the smell of sulphur. 

“I wonder, how do you handle it, that smell all the time.” The elf complained, as the group made their way towards what could be the entrance to the mausoleum they sought. “It’s absolutely dreadful.” 

“Well, it does help that Raphael is always perfuming himself.”

“Oh, really? And what scent does he use?” 

“Cherries and musk.” Tav replied. “It’s the one he always makes me buy.” She raised a brow at Astarion’s curiosity. “Wanting to buy one for yourself?” 

“No, I-” Before he could finish, Tav raised a hand, hearing a voice. In an instant, she recognized who it belonged to. 

It was, of course, Raphael and his little theatrics. 

“How long have you been practicing those?” Tav asked, once he was done rhyming. 

“Until it was perfect.” He smiled. “As your dear patron, Tav, I thought it only fair to warn you of the dangers ahead.” 

She raised a brow. “I can handle myself, Raphael.”

He scoffed. “Intrepid as ever. It would be pointless of me to try and bar you from entering but I can still…set the scene, as it were. Prepare you for your role.”

Tav frowned. “How are you so sure that there are dangers ahead?” 

“My dear, you should know better by now. You’ll find that I play my part in many a plot.” 

The leader of the group sighed, getting agitated. “Cut the chase, Raphael.” 

“‘Patience was always a virtue that you lacked.” He commented. “But very well. There is a creature that lurks in silence and shadow - a creature, who like me, is very much of the infernal persuasion.” 

“Should it make its way out through these very doors you are about to so brazenly open, you’ll have unleashed a pestilence unto this realm.” He took a step forward. “In truth, it is carnage incarnate. Should you find it, consider no other course of action - kill it.”

Tav eyed him, feeling that something was off. “I believe there’s more that you’re not telling me.” 

‘Let me guess.’ Tav thought. ‘It’s probably one of those fiends that hates Raphael’s guts.’ 

Raphael sighed. “This creature and I go back a long way. I admit it would be in my best interest that as well should it remain in the dark - or misplace its head, perhaps. I should not relish its reacquaintance. Let’s leave it at that.” 

“Very well.” Tav said. 

He turned towards the elf. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, Astarion. When the beast is dead, I’ll consider that enough payment to translate those scars of yours.”

“A fairer deal than I expected.”

The devil smirked. “Ask Tav. I always deal fairly.” With a snap of his fingers, he was gone. 

…

Finding the orthon had been less than ideal, considering that in an instant, the devil recognized their leader. 

“You. I recognized you. You’re Raphael’s little dog, following him around, obeying all the orders he barks at you.” Pointing his hand bow at her, he shouted. “Tell me where that perfumed bastard is, before I end you.”

The others tensed up behind her, but Tav remained calm, if not mildly annoyed. Placing a hand on her hip, she looked at her nails as she addressed him. “I’d be more careful with that tongue of yours, Yurgir.” She looked at the orthon. “Considering I hold the key to setting you free.”

“What are you doing?” Tav heard Astarion whisper shout behind her. “Just kill the damned thing.” She ignored him. 

“What do you mean?” Yurgir asked. 

“Oh, Yurgir, you think I don’t know about your little contract with Raphael? About the song?” She put a finger on her chin. “How was it again? Oh - I remember: Spill all blood sworn to the night / Silence all prayers; Smother all rites -”

Before she could continue, the orthon shouted. “Stop it! Stop singing. I’ve had enough of this bloody song.” He lowered his weapon. “Tell me. I did as instructed, but the song still rattles around in my head - the contract still stands, somehow. If I break it, I’ll become Raphael’s slave forever.” 

“It’s quite simple, actually.” She explained. “Pay attention to the last rhyme. Leave none to hear it, then be set free / This song is your oath, swear it, swear it to me.” Tav looked at Yurgir with a condescending glare. “Don’t you see, Yurgir. You always hear the song.” Then, Tav smirked devilishly. “Kill yourself, be reborn in the Hells. Be free of your contract.” 

The orthon huffed. “If you’re wrong about this, I’ll claw my way out of Avernus and eat you alive - contract be damned.” He grabbed his sword, pointing it towards his chest. “Nicely played, Raphael. Bastard.” Were his final words, as he impaled himself, body turning to ash. 

Tav smiled, proud of herself. 

“Does that count as killing him? It better count.” Astarion said and Tav nodded. 

“That was…impressive.” Shadowheart said. 

“Well, when you live with a devil for a long time, you learn a thing or two.” 

“So the song was the contract? And how did you know about the loophole?” Wyll asked. 

Tav turned towards him. “To answer your first question, indeed it was. Parchment can burn, oral agreements aren’t worth the tongues they’re waggled upon. A song lingers.” She remembered that those were Raphael’s words, when she asked him as to why a song. “And about the loophole, well, it’s simple. I was the one who helped my master come up with the rhymes.” She shrugged. “I guess that’s the luck of having an ex-bard as a warlock.” 

Wyll said nothing, only nodding along as Tav moved and began looting the place. He felt as if everyday, there was a new side to Tav that he’d never seen before. 

…

Raphael was quick to show up back at camp, praising Tav for how cleverly she avoided a direct confrontation with the orthon and telling Astarion of Cazador’s plans. As the vampire left the two of them alone, the devil took the moment to speak with his warlock privately, bringing her close to a river nearby the camp. 

“Tell me, how have you been?”

She eyed him up and down, suspiciously. Raphael was not the type to ask this sort of thing - at least, not out of the goodness of his heart. “Never been better.” She lied. 

“Truly?” He raised a brow. “Because I have this picture on my head - of you tossing and turning in the middle of the night, thinking strange things, dreaming strange dreams.” Raphael gestured. “And there’s this little voice inside your head asking: Is this my will or is it the worm’s? But you have no answer and no way of knowing.” 

“Get to the point, Raphael.” 

He took a step forwards, nose almost brushing with hers. “The point, dear Tav, is that you’ll do good to remember that there’s only one voice you should listen to: Mine.” 

Raphael moved back. “I’ll be seeing you very soon.” He snapped his fingers and he was gone. 

[bara-izu]

BALDUR'S GATE RAMBLES/ Tav Lore / ACT 2 SPOILERS

Spoilers below, you have been warned

I'm so happy with this loadout for Halion, not only does it look pretty but he also has 3 conditions which are related to Lathander, the Morninglord, perfect for my sunshine boy!

Granted the third is a little silly, but with him wearing it around the monastery was a nice little extra detail.

A bit of backstory lore for my boy, his two main deities are Tyr and Lathander. While he's not devoutly religious, he does want to manifest being a metaphorical ray of light/hope for those around him, similarly to the Morninglord.

Before the whole ilithid thing, Halion dreamed of joining the ranks of the Order of the Aster (Paladin's sponsored by Lathander). However more recently he feels being a solo protector, trusting his own judgement and experiences, fits him better then thwarting those deemed 'unfit' by a higher power.

So you can best believe i was vibrating when i saw the next area-

I'm going to miss his everburn sword but, now he can walk around with a giant glowy mace and exact divine justice on evil lmao

[faded-mage]

3, 6, and 15 for Eric and Gortash too feom the dragon age oc shipping asks!

I'm such a dum dum and added in non-DA to the tags but I'm honestly not sad about it. Because Eris x Gortash is another coupling I just fucking adore. I don't get to talk about them much because their fic is done (though... I am planning on reworking it now that I found my "voice" a bit better). It was also the first fic I ever wrote!

For context, Eris is my Dark Urge oc. (Note there are Dark Urge story spoilers, BG3 spoilers, and some fic spoilers).

3. What is something that always reminds me them of their partner(s)?

Eris has, of course, the unique situation where she does not remember him (or anything) at the beginning of the game. However, as time goes on bits and pieces remind her of him, calling her memories back in flashes. The primary item is a ring he gave her that sits on her right pointer finger. Before she remembered him, the ring itself brought her comfort as she traveled through Faerun. When she was worried, or unsure, confused, angry, she would rub the ring with her thumb. It looks like a very simplified version of a ring he also wears. The smell of machinery can also bring her to a halt.

Enver struggles more due to remembering every moment together, including finding out Orin 'killed' her. Orin's presence and his task is a constant reminder of Eris. He gave Eris a dagger that matches his crossbow just before they left to steal the crown of Karsus - which incidentally was also the same night they first got together. That itself is a powerful memory trigger.

6. Have they ever ended their relationship and come back together after some time?

It was 'ended' when Orin destroyed Eris' memory, and told Enver that she was dead. They did not really have a breakup in a normal sense. It was months that Enver believed she was dead, and Eris went just about catatonic the first time she saw him again standing in the Ilithid Colony. But she did not understand why. It was his voice, it had echoed in her dreams for months so she recognized it instantly as someone important to her.

They did not see each other until his coronation, where he stopped the proceedings to greet her, the two speaking in hushed whispers about their past. It would be after that they reunited fully. The rest would be spoilers. ;)

15. Would they let the world burn for their relationship or would they make sacrifices for the greater good?

Absolutely. They have, and would, let the world burn for one another. Spoilers after this for my fic: Eris stands against Bhaal, freeing herself from his influence for Enver. She murders the entirety of the Temple of Bhaal, the Murder Tribunal for him. Soaked in blood she proposes they rule Baldur's Gate together. They do not need to be gods, but they can be rulers - together. Enver agrees, and they obtain a chokehold over the city after the Absolute's defeat.

Fountain of Decay on AO3 - Dark Urge Eris x Enver Gortash

[lakemojave]

The Direct Actors: A Baldur's Gate 3 "Adventure" pt. 10 live tonight at 6pm Pacific!

WE! ARE! SO! BACK! After a several months hiatus @caputvulpinum is back from wandering the earth as penance for its numerous crimes against me, the channel, and the sovereign nation of Venezuela. We can get the team together again! Join us for the return of our co op campaign of BG3, with @radiofreederry as Dhudlei Durite, @caputvulpinum as Micah Harper, my friends Nana and April as Leviathan, and me as Delilah "Mama D" Harper! See y'all then!

Art by @terrafey, recap under the cut

THE STORY SO FAR: On the way to a union rally, Delilah "Mama D" Harper and her grandson Micah were abducted and taken aboard an ilithid nautiloid, which they escaped with mysterious dancer Leviathan and self-proclaimed "Champion of Ilmater and Paladin of Good" Dhudlei Durite. Each infected by a mind flayer tadpole, but so far immune from transforming into mind flayers themselves, The Direct Actors, as the party have come to be known, now turn their attention to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, where Moonrise Towers, the lair of the Cult of the Absolute, awaits them...

LAST TIME: With Leviathan missing after falling off a cliff, the Direct Actors allowed Lae'zel to venture forth with them, and at her insistence headed into the mountains in search of a Githyanki creche. Along the way, the party killed a racist who was trying to steal a Githyanki egg, and met a blue jay who asked them to kill some eagles. At the creche, the Direct Actors were introduced to the finer points of Githyanki culture, including a brutal training regimen. Dhudlei was allowed to take an egg to raise with his girlfriend, and said girlfriend was subsequently nearly killed by the Zaith'isk, a supposed device for purifying those infected by mind flayers. As it turned out, the device was really meant to kill the infected as sacrifices to the lich queen Vlaakith. Initially in denial about her queen's sinister nature, Lae'zel insisted that the party seek the Githyanki inquisitor, and an audience with Vlaakith herself led the party to enter the Astral Prism, the Githyanki artifact they'd been carrying which had protected them from ceremorphosis. Vlaakith demanded they kill the Prism's occupant, but Dhudlei was more interested in getting some answers from this being which bore his mother's face. The Dream Visitor explained how Vlaakith had deceived her people and, her secret exposed, Vlaakith declared Lae'zel a traitor and ordered her death. Fighting their way out of the creche, the Direct Actors stopped to catch their breath at camp. They were visited by Kith'rak Voss, who declared his allegiance to the Githyanki Prince Orpheus, and called for Lae'zel to meet him in Baldur's Gate, as Micah chastised Dhudlei for his recklessness in the creche. The argument was interrupted by the sudden return of not only Leviathan, who had spent days wandering the Shadow-Cursed Lands, but New Gale, who had taken a new form as a gnome. Leviathan remembered little of his time in the shadowlands, but seemed shaken by it. The Direct Actors returned to the monetary which housed the creche, and Dhudlei guided Micah to claim the Blood of Lathander, a holy weapon, for his own. Afterwards, after a conversation with Mama D about choice and destiny, Micah received a surprising visit from Ilmater himself, who promised that they would meet again, and answers would be revealed...

Will Lae'zel leave her cult programming behind her, and will she and Micah be able to bond? What has Dhudlei figured out about the Dream Visitor? What - and who - did Leviathan see in his time in the Shadow-Cursed Lands? Will Ilmater reveal himself again? Find out in another exciting instalment of Baldur's Gate 3, starring the Direct Actors!

[podcastenthusiast]

Short and sweet. And very self-indulgent.

--

"I appreciate your hospitality," Dalyria says for perhaps the hundredth time that evening. It reminds you of Astarion in the early days, equal parts grateful and suspicious of your kindness.

"Of course," you reply. "It's no trouble at all."

And it isn't. You would help them defeat Cazador all over again tomorrow if you had to.

"I hope the others can manage in the Underdark without us. Someone will need to step up and guide them."

"Leon seems clever," you remark.

"He is. Better him than Violet. Or Petras, gods forbid. I suppose I just feel a bit selfish for staying behind. I don't even know if I can ever get back to my old life."

"After centuries of hell, I think you've more than earned the right to choose your own path forward, selfish or not."

"You sound like Astarion," she says.

"We spend a lot of time together."

"I'm glad. He's much happier, I can tell. So fearless. Love suits him." Dalyria smiles, but then it's clouded with more worry. "How is he holding up?"

"He...he's resting. It's a lot to process. He just needs some time."

"It all still feels like a dream to me," Dalyria says. "I think part of me had stopped believing Cazador really was flesh and blood, that he could die like any other. But--"

"--he's dead."

Astarion's voice, raspy and impassive, like he's not certain he quite believes what he's saying could be real. And there he is. He looks fragile and exhausted still, but strangely at peace in a way you've never seen him before.

Dalyria beams and goes to him. The two pale-haired elves embrace one another. You see it then, mirrored, all of that wretched pain, relief, and newfound hope they share. A centuries-old promise fulfilled.

"He's gone, brother. We're free."

"We are. It's over, Dal."

"We're actually going to be okay!"

They both laugh until they're weeping, and they don't let go for a long while.

You don't point out, of course, that the giant Ilithid brain beneath Baldur's Gate means no one is safely out of the woods yet. Now isn't the time for that.

This is what Astarion needed, you think, smiling as you watch them. The presence of those who suffered all the years of torment alongside him. His family. One thing you can't provide, which is okay.

Astarion had said no one else except for you ever cared about him.

How wrong he was.