#like Raphael in bg3 with harleep

[dirtymortalkombatconfessions]

[trappedinafantasy37]

We did it guys! Minthara is in the top 100 most mentioned video game characters on Tumblr, sitting comfortably at rank 55!

With Astarion at rank 1 (cause of course), Gale at 5, Shadowheart at 6, Karlach at 8, Lae'zel at 9, Wyll at 12, Halsin at 16, Tav at 19, Gortash at 47, and The Dark Urge at 67. Baldur's Gate 3 is also the most talked about video game on this platform, as well as the 6th most talked about thing on all of Tumblr!

I wish Minthara was higher, but you know what, I'm happy she's on there at all! It is also interesting that she ranks higher than Durge and that Durge is that low on the list. It's also pretty interesting that there is such a discrepancy between Durge and Gortash as Durgetash is also the 67th most talked about ship on the platform. It is quite an achievement that our favorite drow is even on that list at all.

It is all just making me think back to some of the more dejecting AO3 statistics with Minthara almost being a blip, practically a statistical outlier in some ways. Even some insignificant side characters got more attention and adoration than her, or had numbers that would compare to her. But Tumblr is a much bigger platform than AO3, containing a much wider array of topics (including fanfics). So for Baldur's Gate 3 and Minthara to stand out that much is really saying something! Reading these statistics on Tumblr does go to show that one platform does not represent the entire fandom and that AO3 is only a piece of the picture.

[inkyquince]

Like I know Raphael is snarfed down after you beat his ass BUT

I like to think Harleep uses his Tav skin to top Raphael from then on

[sketchyandsketches]

Haarlep was RIDING

[luna-the-cretar]

So I’m about to get to the Raphael boss fight, and oh boy I am SO scared. I’ve heard that this is one of, if not THE, hardest boss fights in the game (or at least the most infamous), so that’s gonna be…fun.

I would do it today, but I have to get ready for work in an hour and a half, and I have to do things like eat, so unfortunately this fight is either going to have to wait until tonight when I get off work, or some time in the next few days (maybe on one of my off days)

[collarofguns]

guys it’s haarlep. two a’s. H A A R L E P. like raphael but wiggled around. it’s not harleep.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I have to be honest, this does sound like an interesting theory.

One thing I also noticed, when looking at the two rendering of Cambion!Raphael and Harleep, is that Harleep looks considerably younger than Raphael.

While the general features make him immediately recognizable as Raphael's "double", Harleep's face has a certain youthful quality to it that lacks on Raphael's (slimmer face, cheeks fuller and not as "saggy", his eyes not as sunken in, etc. etc).

Keeping all this in consideration, and keeping in mind the fact that it was Mephisto himself to send Harleep to distract Raphael, I personally do not find it above Mephisto to have done so as a way to also taunt his son.

Like, if we follow your theory and we take into consideration the whole insecurity that would stem from a visage that has been damaged by a fight - i.e. a fallout with Mephistopheles- , I can *definitely* imagine that Mephisto would send a younger, still "intact" version of Raphael just to further pour salt in the wounds.

Raphael's Nose

I came across this post and it got me thinking. https://www.tumblr.com/deardarlingdevil/732586051569352704?source=share

In the post, deardarlingdevil, compared Raphael to Haarlep in both the male and female form and suggested that Raphael is insecure about some features including the bump on his nose, the small notch at the tip and his cleft chin. Not needing any excuse, I began to gaze, uh, examine Raphael's face in detail and I had an immediate thought.

Raphael's nose looks like it was broken, like Luke Wilson's nose. It would explain why Haarlep would have a totally different nose, so I looked it up. It is often hereditary but can also be caused by injury. https://www.healthline.com/health/dorsal-hump#causes "Trauma or injury to your nose can also cause a dorsal hump to develop. A bruise on your nose or a broken nose can result in a dorsal hump if the cartilage and bone heal unevenly."

That made me curious so I began to look at other parts of his face and I think, I may be completely wrong of course, but I think Raphael has faint, silvery scars to his forehead and the left side of his face. The right side is clear but the lines go from top of his head to his nose and from the top of his head down to almost his jaw in some places. Also, is his jaw uneven? On the left side of his face as well. Could Haarlep just be an undamaged Raphael?

I zoomed in on my phone which is how I noticed all of this. Am I nuts? I fully believe Raphael has experienced some gnarly shit including whatever made him leave his Dad's Circle of Hell. Cambions also don't have a great experience of life since their mothers often die at birth and their infernal parent usually doesn't give a shit. And then their his Father who can only be described as temperamental. In DnD, Raphael is described as being favoured by his father but by the time of BG3, that's clearly not the case. What kinds of fights has he been in?

What do you think? Am I seeing things that aren't there?

Haarlep for comparison:

[strawberrypinky]

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with negativity on the internet recently and thus I've decided to take matters into my own hands and spread some ✨love and positivity✨

And what better way to do that, than to recommend wonderfully written fanfiction I've come across this year? Admittedly, I haven't read as much as I would have liked, but I still want to share the few I did read. So without further ado, here are my fic recs of 2024 (thus far! Might add to this along the line):

Baldur's Gate 3 Fic recs:

O Fortuna [by @gufu-vire] on AO3 - Raphael x Dark Urge ❦ Plot: Post the events of BG3, a redeemed Dark Urge and Raphael renegotiate terms to fulfil a contract sworn upon during the crisis of the Absolute. An adventure fraught with tension, frustration, conflict, and more as the reader partners up with the devil you love to hate…

This is possibly a very biased mention on this list, because I consider Goof a very dear friend and moot, but it is a deserved spot nonetheless! I have yet to catch up with a majority of the chapters, but I'm enjoying a lot of sneak peeks and Gufu's creative process in private in the meantime. Between the conflict this story is utterly hilarious and witty and is a perfect balance between action and idle affairs. There are also so many intriguing takes on Raphael as a character & Harleep deserves a trophy on his own. I could talk a lot about this story, but truly, I cannot recommend it enough!

❦

Sleep Deprivation - [by @nyda-the-tav & Aisln] on AO3 - Gortash x Tav ❦ Plot: As Orin continues to harass the group of misfits trying to stop the Absolute, Ophelia (Tav) looks for safety in the arms of Gortash in an effort to combat sleep deprivation.

I've only recently started reading this story & both authors best believe that once I've caught up with all 50(!) chapters, I'll leave a more detailed review for Sleep Deprivation. But what I've read thus far has been nothing short of a joy, and I'm always down for a good Tav being absolutely ruined by Gortash himself. The dynamic between the supposed enemy and the hero is gripping, hilarious and not to mention really well written! Kudos to the authors! I'm really excited to read more of what you two come up with!

❦

His Star - His Queen [by @random-introverted-blog] on AO3 - Astarion x Tav/Astarion x Dark Urge ❦ Plot: An ascended Astarion kidnaps the Dark Urge/Tav from a different timeline, after loosing her in his. Desperate to save Tav/Durge from himself, Astarion follows her to rescue his love from certain suffering at his own hands.

I was recommended this story on TikTok (of all places, lol) and I wasn't sure what to expect - but holy shit. The first chapter alone had me on the edge of my seat, as you're really thrown into the action from the start, but the entire premise had me hooked as soon as Ascendant Astarion made his appearance. I often have issues with the ascended version of Astarion's character (I just looooove fixing him & I've got issues with the 'make him worse' story arc), but the exploration of what could have been in tandem with trying to save the heroine from inevitable suffering is beautiful & I can't recommend it enough. I've yet to catch up with every chapter (can you tell I've got trouble keeping up with fics, lmfao?) but either way, "His Star - His Queen" is deservedly on this list!

Note: This fic includes non-consensual sexual content

❦

Judgement by the Hounds [by @septembersummer] on AO3 - Gortash x The Dark Urge ❦ Plot: A look into the relationship of The Dark Urge (Seren) and Gortash, from their first meeting up to their shared end. "The rise and fall of the worst situationship of all time" indeed.

This one I actually finished (very slay), though I'm not sure I actually processed it. I went through all five stages of grief reading this and I'm not even sure I can say anything without spoiling the entire premise. Dear author, you have written possibly the most captivating and enchanting portrayal of Durge and Gortash & though I knew how it would end, I was wishing for a happy end through it all. There's nothing to say about this, other than it was utter perfection.

❦

Miscellaneous One Shot recommendations:

legacy with no memory by @discordsmuse on AO3 - Gortash x The Dark Urge The Weight of A Promise by @sserpente on tumblr [Part 2 is equally good!] - Gortash x Tav/OC kiddo. by @avocado-writing on tumblr. - Gortash & OC

to have and to hold by @littlejuicebox on tumblr. - Astarion x Tav

choices. by @deadtired-highkeyenergetic on tumblr - Astarion x Tav

how to win a custody battle in one easy step. by alltears on AO3 - Astarion x Tav

Dangerous by NaeveTheWizard on AO3 - Astarion x The Dark Urge

❦

Honourable Mentions:

I'm also giving a shout-out to @avani-telvanni & @infernaldaydreams, because while neither have written fanfiction I could recommend, I am obsessed with their respective artworks for Tav x Gortash/Durge x Gortash. You guys are absolutely amazing and I'm conistently in awe of what you create. You deserve all the recognition you receive and more 💕

Hogwarts Legacy Fic rec's: a very short list, but two are dear to me nonetheless!

Victory [by @jonquil] on AO3 - Victor Rookwood x Original Female Character ❦ Plot: Victor Rookwood is enraptured by the new, ancient-magic-wielding student attending Hogwarts - and Victor Rookwood always comes out on top.

Technically I started reading "Victory" in 2023, when it first came out, alas, it was finished earlier this year and I couldn't help but include it, because it remains one of my favourite fanfiction ever. To me, it's the best fictionalisation of "Enemies to Lovers" in a long time, as I was rooting for the villain to win from start to finish. From the wonderful characterisation of Rookwood to the alternative canon timeline and ultimately the victory of the villain - there's nothing like it and I was hooked from start to finish. I am still sad it's over, but I'm excited to read the prequel (as soon as I get to it, lmfao), because I know it'll be equally spectacular!

Note: This fic contains non-consensual sexual content.

❦

Invisible String [by @legacygirlingreen] on tumblr (though it can be found on both AO3 and wattpad too!) - Sebastian Sallow x Reader ❦ Plot: In an alternative, victorian-attitude-compliant timeline, Sebastian Sallow falls for the new fifth-year. This story explores the sweet beginnings of a tender love amidst hardships and battles ahead.

Admittedly, this is possibly the most biased fic rec ever, but I stand behind it nonetheless. While this fic started in March of last year & brought me and my platonic soulmate May, aka legacygirlingreen, together, it remains my favourite Sebastian Sallow fic to this day. The amount of love, time and creativity May put into this has me in awe time and time again. The sweet and tender love the two protagonists experience is perfectly fluffy and slice-of-life, yet the alternative version of the canon events of Hogwarts Legacy add the perfect amount of drama and action. I will always come back to this fic, because yes - It is that good.

[backonrepeat]

BG3 Villains modern corporate au

Gortash: tech bro/genius entrepreneur. His "rags to riches" story has been covered in dozens of think pieces and business profiles. Probably was on one of those 30 under 30 lists, or something, at some point. He plays the "outsider" card to great effect (terrible haircut, fancy sneakers, no tie,...) and is quite popular, despite the numerous reports on the terrible working conditions in his company and his ideas not being near as profitable as he makes them out to be (or not being entirely his at all). Despite all his wealth, he's still ultimately beholden to his VC investors, Bane Inc. (I don't want to say he's like el*n musk, because i despise that man but... He's exactly like el*n musk except more charismatic and with jason isaacs' voice)

Orin (and Durge): nepobabies. Super rich family, Succession-style, where maybe dad Bhaal was the one to make a fortune and all his kids ride on the coattails of his success, fighting amongst themselves to be the one who gets to succeed him. Durge is the heir apparent, smart, charismatic, and with a true killer instinct, until Orin leaks some scandalous info that gets them cancelled and fired from the company. (Gorion's Ward is the kid that left the family to go and be a social worker or activist)

Ketheric: old school CEO, inherited a small family company, he used to be a good boss and look out for his employees. After a bitter divorce, and a fallout with his daughter after she came out, he buried himself in his work, became obsessed with success to try and win his family back. He sold the company to a large multinational in order to run Aylin's rival company out of business, screwed over his employees (and himself), and has been unsuccessfully trying to reconcile with Isobel ever since.

Auntie Ethel: runs a very successful MLM essential oils scheme

Raphael: bastard son of star lawyer Mephistopheles, tries his best to follow in his father's footsteps, to become a cutthroat lawyer. He even starts screwing his secretary, Harleep (Mephisto's spy, of course), to emulate his father's toxic behaviour. Deep down, he dreams of Broadway (and is part of an amateur musical theatre company)

The Emperor: former activist, now part of a political large lobby, still convinced he's on the right side of things. Tries to get all his activist friends and colleagues to join the lobby, after all the pay is so much better, and is puzzled when they refuse and call him a sell-out.

Vlaakith: career politician. Has been in office for what feels like forever, there's no removing her. There are better, younger politicians in her party who have great potential, but she sabotages them in order to remain in power.

[technovamp-cc]

🫧✧ Baldur's Gate 3 Raphael skin + sim ✧🫧

I have a BG3 brainrot since the game came out. Decided to create BG3 characters in Sims 4, so first made my favorite Cambion, Raphael. Working on his Devil form and of course my beloved Harleep. Hope u like it. Enjoy ♥︎

Please read before downloading the skin.

Along with the skin, I included Raphael’s sim. I used that sim in the creation process and thus the skin looks much better on that sim. You can use my sim or make your own. If you want to use mine, please make sure you have at least the mouth , nose slider and EA eyelash remover to get an accurate sim. CC list is down below.

Must have CC

Default mouth slider by Magic Bot 

Download

Default Nose slider by Magic Bot

Download 

EA eyelash remover by Kijiko

Download 

Optional CC

Eyelash by Kijiko - ( version I  used [Kijiko]eyelash_YF_version2_SkinDetail_TX-ring)

Download 

Raphael outfit by Satterlly

Download

Eye Color (face paint) by Valuka

Download

Hairline by RheallSim

Download

🫧✧ Description: ✧🫧

⭐️ Baldur's Gate 3 Raphael Skin + Overlay

⭐️ Baldur's Gate 3 Raphael's Sim 

⭐️ 2 skin swatches ( one without eyebrows) 

⭐️ 4 overlay swatches ( full opacity & low opacity ) 

⭐️ Base Game compatible

⭐️ Custom thumbnails

Download (Free)

✧ Check out the images to see how it appears in the game.✧

[dirtymortalkombatconfessions]

[fermentedrice]

Do you have a favorite NPC from bg3?

Oooh, I don’t think I can choose! My fav would probably be Raphael, but Aylin reduced me to my knees in her 10 seconds of cutscene screentime (sorry i love women…) I haven’t played to the point where the party meets Harleep yet, but from all the fanart I feel like they’d become my favourite real quick too!

Edit: I didn’t know Harleep used they/them!!! thank u random person they’ve become 120% more fuckable now

the homosexual blorbos…

[the-devils-you-know]

"A baby? That's quite the commitment. However I suppose if you're willing to make a deal then we can work something out."

Raphael chuckled. Though he waved his hand dismissively.

"If you want child support and a co parent, then go to Harleep. I do not have time for taking care of a child."

“Gale unfortunately I will in fact be making deals with the devil and by the end of it I might also be having a baby debacle.”

-althaea

Gale sighs deeply.

"I knew I couldn't stop you... But wait, do you mean you'll have a baby with Raphael? Or just that you'll make a deal with him to get a baby in general?"

[bunglecryptid]

Bg3 act 3 Gale romance question so act 3 SPOILERS below

So one of my new quests is to go to the House of Hope and get the Orphic Hammer. While I still have a shit load of other stuff still to do before that, I'd like to know ahead of time what the consequences are. I've watched the Harleep scene, seen people's playthroughs of it etc but I can't seem to find ANY information about how Gale reacts (if at all) to his love interest having sex in front of him, even if it IS potentially unavoidable/avoids an epic battle/is a sacrifice that needs to be made. I know that most companions will disapprove of it but the ONLY thing I've seen about it after the fact is when Astarion notices tav's reaction (because they will KNOW every time Harleep uses their form) afterward if you're romancing him. But does that happen with any other companions? Does it happen with Gale? Does he say anything at all? Or does he just pretend it never happened? 😂 (tbh a very Gale thing to do lmao)

Look I definitely have the hots for Raphael/Harleep so I'm totally fine with making it happen but if Gale is going to immediately break up with me, I ain't doing it. Help, anyone?

[blue-velvet-valentina]

Good morning everyone, another thought experiment:

What if Lucifer Morningstar from the show Lucifer found himself in BG3?

How would Bhall, Mizorah, Raphael, or Harleep react when they at first doubted it was him still he gave a glimpse of his true form? Would it be with fear like Husk was afraid of an angry Alistar.

Would Karlach would have known it was him since she has been in the burning hells?

Would anyone trying to read his mind go mental when they hear the screaming of the damned?

Would he try to help redeem mortals in Faerun knowing most of them have been manipulated by undead vampires, mindflayers or stuck in contracts with demons or gods?

I just know Astarion will be his BFF

[barbwillbrb]

Hi. About Rackal and Clairice...

1. Is there some companions they don't like?

2. Who killed Raphael?

3. Which one is the bg3 faction they despise more.

1.

Rackal

Rackal and Minthara cannot stand each other. Rackal very much wanted to kill her both at the Grove/Moonrise, and the feeling is extremely mutual. The only buffer between them is Clairice, who stands up for Minthara/sees she’s a pawn of the absolute, regardless of where Minthara’s moralities might lie, and calls Rackal out on his hypocrisy/unwillingness to give her a second chance.

They eventually end up in a begrudging, sort of respect for each other halfway through Act 3, primarily because 1) they are extremely effective in combat together (turns out, a pair of berserker paladins with 0 regard for their life/nothing but rage are really good at taking shit out when backed by some spellcasters) and 2) Clairice is the one captured by Orin and her safety is the one thing they can agree on.

Rackal and Astarion also butt heads regularly.

Clairice:

Gale. She drives him more nuts than anything; especially her treatment of the Weave. In general, she finds wizards too stuffy about their magic and he finds her faaaaaar too lax about hers. Overall, though, it’s more of an annoyance akin to that between an older/younger sibling.

Genuinely, she gets along with pretty much everyone, although Lae’zel is extremely thankful she did not pursue things further with her.

Arch nemesis is Volo.

2. Honestly have not thought this one out fully and am not sure!

The main thing I know is that while Rackal, Minthara, and Karlach are off trying to find Mol’s contract/definitely setting off an alarm, Clairice is banging Harleep. Both versions.

She isn’t even doing it for the hammer (the team already got it snagged); she just knows what she wants.

Truthfully I gotta research the full implications of what doinking Harleep means, but if I have my way I like to imagine it’s just no strings attached hells yeah sex. Like, she actually has a charisma check to fuck the devil for funsies, because she just wants to do it. Genuinely pointless with almost no repercussions (except maybe the minor body possession stuff).

… the more I think of it, Clairice is definitely landing the killing blow, even if it’s just an assist as she walks in all “yo your incubus said I was a better lay than you” *fingerbangs* and that allows someone to land the last hit.

3.

Rackal: the Druids (wants to off Kahga asap per Zevlor); Absolutists; Flaming Fists (honorably discharged; starting to really butt heads with leadership before he left)

Clairice: Absolutists, Zhentarim, the Guild (kinda sorta; having a rough patch), the Flaming Fists

Both: Sharess Caress. No one, NO ONE, warned them of the drow twin jokes. They are very much considering burning it to the ground.