#my current durge is closest to Halsin

[yennefer-of-vengerbergs]

What are your Headcanons after the events in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Thank you for tagging me @andromedaancunin ❤️

1. Who is your romance?

Astarion ❤️

(in-game, I have started also romancing Halsin, but because of the odd timing of it - especially when playing as a durge - I'm still coming up with headcanons for how I'd imagine/like it to actually happen😅but for the actual 'canon' events so far for Syanna, it's Astarion only currently)

2. Where do you live?

They don't really have a place of their own actually, they spend their time traveling and adventuring😅But maybe somewhere down the line, they do get themselves a little house somewhere.

I do imagine them spending quite a bit of time in Halsin's settlement post-game though, so let's go with that😅Otherwise, they just rent a room at an inn in whatever town or city they're in (or they use a nice big and comfortable tent when they're not near one). Then, when winter is close, they'll either rent a place for the season in whatever place they're in, or they'll head back to Reithwin and spend it in Halsin's settlement.

3. Who always cleans up and decides on the furnishings?

Syanna is the tidier one out of the two, so at first it's her cleaning up, but I'd imagine they eventually end up making it a team effort.

When it comes to furniture and decorations, if and when they eventually get their own place, I think they'd both choose things they like (with Astarion commenting on everything🤭). They don't all necessarily match or go together, but they're experimenting with what they like and if it ends up being a bit eccentric, well it's their little eccentricity and they enjoy it😁

4. Which companions do you have the most contact with?

Syanna will especially keep in touch with those she was closest to, so Karlach, Jaheira and Halsin.

Halsin, the reason being that the owlbear will sometimes stay with him, when Astarion and Syanna are traveling somewhere where he can't join. Realistically, I'd imagine it would be complicated for them to take him with them everywhere, so when that's not possible, they head over there to drop him off (and listen, LISTEN, there is absolutely no way that Syanna would abandon the owlbear or Scratch and leave them on their own, so this is me mixing in a bit of game canon - Halsin taking in the owlbear - with my self-indulgent headcanons)

Karlach and Jaheira are her best friends, and Jaheira does end up being a bit of a mother figure for Syanna too (I just love it when I get to good enough approval and she calls Syanna 'cub'😭)

I also have a very self-indulgent idea (and The Witcher 3 reference), where Gale gifts everyone their own xenovox at the epilogue party so it's easier for all of them to keep in touch 😁

5. Has a companion died or are you at odds?

Nobody's dead, they're all alive and well, and their tadpole adventure ended with them all on good terms.

6. Where is Scratch?

Traveling with Syanna and Astarion (and the owlbear, when he can join in)😁

And of course, both Scratch and the owlbear will also live with them further down the line❤️

7. What is your next adventure?

Post-game, their main goal is to find a way for Astarion to walk to during the day again, but they're both aware that may take a long time, so they're always on the lookout for information on that wherever they're traveling to (they start by going back to Moonrise, to go through Balthazar's books and belongings, thinking that if he was a necromancer, maybe he also had some research on vampires as well - it's a long shot, but it's a start, and it's also how I end up having them travel with Halsin and keeping in touch with him)

Otherwise, they're also enjoying their travels, seeing the world, having fun, adventuring and taking on contracts for money😁

No pressure tags: @iizven @obsessedwhyyes @judasiskariot @mercymaker @casualya @zyana-wyvern

[murdasblog]

Feeling the urge (heh) to talk about my Durge playthrough in BG3. It's my current playthrough and I'm feeling very attached to her.

This is Amelia. She's a high elf wild magic sorcerer. She is resisting the Urge and is becoming very attached to her people.

Shadowheart is the person she considers her closest friend of the group. She feels a kinship with relation to the whole missing memories thing and Shadowheart was the first to stick with her after the Nautiloid.

She's romancing Gale. It's still early, they just met Elminster, but she's been head over heels for the wizard since pretty early. She likes his intelligence, drive, and humor. He was the first person she trusted enough to tell about her urges. She looked to him in the beginning to help nudge her moral compass in the right direction.

She is very fond of all the others as well. Astarion was very cold with her to start but now she enjoys teasing him and they get along well. She respects Lae'zel and admires her resolve and strength. She admires Wyll's ability to know what is right and his drive to fight to help whomever he can. Karlach was the last to join the group but Amelia really enjoys her positivity and is also coming to rely on her moral compass. Karlach eventually starts calling her Meli and eventually the whole group does as well.

Halsin hasn't been with them too long, but she respects him and really appreciates his perspective with regards to her urges.

She is enjoying having Scratch and the Owlbear Cub around camp.

So far her favorite place was the mountain pass, I mean, look at that view! She was less enthralled by the locals. But the view was worth it!

Favorite wild magic surge was when the whole party were turned into dogs, except for Gale who was a cat😂

We're finishing up things in the Underdark, so that's about where she is for now. Thanks if you made it this far!

[crossdressingdeath]

*cracks knuckles* alright, character development asks for your boy: 6, 8, 11, 19, 29, 30. -@veilkeeper

(The character development asks)

6: What companion are you platonically close with? In my first run Kyvir was closest to Gale (I don't know what I did with him, but his approval skyrocketed so fast) but I'm currently going back and forth between him and Wyll in terms of story. The dynamic of the monster and the monster hunter is sososososo good, and the idea of Kyvir's closest friend learning he's Bhaalspawn and responding with "Well, that explains a lot" and everything after refusing Bhaal where Wyll's just incredibly proud of you... good shit. Also, daddy issues gang. But also the angst of Kyvir's best friend learning what he did in the past and barely being able to look at him, Gale's dialogue at the inauguration is so much... I genuinely haven't decided, I'm gonna go through their dialogue more carefully this run. Maybe it starts as Gale and then switches to Wyll in act 3 just from Gale taking the whole Absolutist thing so incredibly badly and then getting kidnapped before they can hash that out...? I don't know, much to think about. (I also considered Karlach but the whole Gortash thing was just. too much angst. tone it down like 5%.)

8: Who are they suspicious of? I don't know if suspicious is the right word, but he's the most distrustful of Wyll at first. Both because he can't believe anyone is as perfect as Wyll appears to be and because for some reason monster hunters get his hackles up. It would've been Astarion or Lae'zel if it wasn't for Astarion failing so hard at pretending he's not a vampire that Kyvir didn't even notice he was trying to hide it (he fully just thought Astarion was sensitive about it and so didn't bring it up) and both him and Lae'zel being really quite up-front about how they're not the greatest people. Shadowheart a little bit because she's so obviously lying her ass off before admitting she worships Shar, but also she's really obvious so he's not that worried. He's also suspicious of Jaheira when she first joins up because the Urge doesn't like her and this is a little before he realizes what's actually going on with that; he would have been distrustful of Minsc too, but Jaheira vouched for him and by that point Kyvir trusted her to at least not stab him in the back for no reason, so that was fine.

11: Weapon of choice? In this run mostly warhammers (specifically Faithbreaker and Ketheric's warhammer), and Nyrulna in act 3 (glowing trident go brrrrrrrrr), but since I intend to reclass him as a bard he won't be able to do that anymore. So that kind of remains to be seen. (Definitely giving him Orin's sword in act 3, though.)

19: How do you think they'll meet they're end? I remain convinced that redeemed Durge is fully immortal because Jergal won't let them die, so... what end? More seriously, if he does die it'll be in a dramatic battle against a grand force, the sort of fight that the bards will sing of for a thousand years! ...Or possibly he'll get stabbed in a back alley because he can't not be a little shit even when he really, really shouldn't. But probably Astarion and Halsin won't let that happen.

29: Does your Tav want to utilize the tadpole powers or not? Kyvir's head is quite messed up enough as it is, thank you very much. He is not touching the tadpole powers. Also, even aside from the "Hey, I don't need more brain damage" situation the Emperor's non-illithid disguise is juuuuuuuuust off-model enough (thanks to all the brain damage keeping the Emperor from getting a good look in his head) that it sets off some alarm bells for him so he was never going to trust the guy enough to start messing with the tadpoles anyway.

30: What's your favorite thing about your Tav? ...Hm. My favourite thing? Well, it's a bit basic, but I love the "pretending to care while not caring at all can get you far in life, but watch out" thing he's got going on. Enough of his life pre-amnesia stuck with him that he doesn't want to get near anyone, but his companions are all such messes that he can't not. In general I'm having a lot of fun playing with Kyvir's memories and how much he remembers the lessons they taught him even with the memories themselves gone, but mostly my favourite thing right now is the "defrosting ice king but no one realizes because he's really good at pretending to be super friendly" bit he's pulling off throughout most of the story by virtue of being one of the only members of this party with decent charisma, at least in act one. ...Also all the Durgetash posting he's inspiring but that's only partially related to him.

[bg3-brainwormed]

more details on "Tav" please

Anon, I don't know who you are, but you have MADE MY DAY.

First off, you may already know this, but for those who don't - My Tav is from my fic "How to Save the World (one companion at a time)" on ao3.

This does, unfortunately, mean that some things shouldn't be revealed just yet. Which has me gnawing on the bars of my enclosure but alas, such is life. But! There is plenty of non-plot relevant information that I can share, only some of which has been revealed in the fic thus far. (As of chapter 8.)

The Basics

Pre-Nautiloid, "Tav" was also known as The Dark Urge, chosen of Bhaal. Yes, my Tav is just a Durge in disguise.

Tav, short for Tavern, short for Tavernus. ...It's a long story. (See white text/first paragraph in "History" and white text/last paragraph in "Present Day" for details.)

Lawful Evil pre-Nautiloid, Chaotic Neutral after

Chosen of Bhaal -> Chosen of Jergal -> Currently ???

Wild Magic Sorcerer

...has always had an interest in music (eventual Bard dual-class)

He/They, transmasc build 3

Not a dragonborn, not a drow, but a secret third thing. They are more drow than anything else, though. (see: Appearance)

Demi-aroace, eventual QPR with the companions. Loves all their companions equally.

However, did have a situationship with Halsin in another life and used to be closest to Gale (see: fic context/present day).

Past Durgetash (future ??? due to ~spoilers~)

Uncanny valley but cute about it. More creature than "human" in actions and somewhat in appearance. Has vocal mimicry skills. Can change sex and minor physical characteristics at will.

Still a cannibal

Hates the majority of the gods and general divinity. Jergal is one of the few who gets a pass.

Honorable mentions include Eilistraee and Loviatar.

Trust, Self-worth, and Abandonment issues. Tries to do the right thing, but their version of the right thing can be... interesting. Also quick to give up on doing the "right thing," especially when someone they care about is in danger.

And most importantly: Ride or die personified

I haven’t been able to find the right mods to make their appearance accurate in-game, but scroll to the end for a wip sketch of what they actually look like.

Now, a read-more. Because oh, is there more.

History/Pre-Nautiloid

They only ever went by "The Dark Urge" before meeting Gortash. Their Unholy Father forbid them from using any other name. It was Gortash who suggested their other names:

Durge (pet name/teasing)

Dark (The Dark Urge, just... without The Urge. Only Gortash was allowed to call them this, though Orin, Ketheric, and Sceleritas all learned it in time. Their 'truest' name.)

Tav (an alias for the outside world)

Keeping in mind that they age like a drow -

Their very early childhood is a blur, spent wandering the planes, fae wild, and Underdak as more creature than thinking being. Eventually, they were found and captured by a group of drow at age 13. They were brought back to Menzoberranzan to serve the group's House.

They were treated less like a person and more like a pet/weapon due to their... abnormalities (see Appearance) and the way they grew up. Was taught language, the lyre, and various fighting styles as part of their role as entertainment. Learned magic on their own. Their only saving grace was having a "female" body and thus some measure of worth. They also hated every moment of it. Hated being the Matron's "tamed beast," hated having to stick to one form/being seen as female, hated the whole society.

When they turned 24, Sceleritas appeared to them the first time and began telling them of Bhaal, promising them freedom and bloody vengeance, etc. The ability to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted forever.

They resisted only because they had several friends among the fellow servants, but they eventually disappeared one by one. Some were sacrificed, some killed or sold, others bought into the society and religion that Tav hated.

Eventually, the person they were closest to betrayed their trust and revealed to the Matron that they were learning magic in secret. The Matron planned to have their magic sealed and threatened with further punishments, etc.

At the betrayal of one of the few they had left, they snapped and slaughtered the whole House. They have no memory of that night and don't know what happened to their former friend, but don't regret it.

Sceleritas then guided them to Baldur's Gate, where they took up their role as Chosen of Bhaal and began leading the cult age 30. They also learned how to shift sexes and minor characteristics (hair color, etc.) at will, though that was the extent of their ability. Have since spent ??? years loyally following Bhaal and growing the cult.

They tended to give into the Urge very easily but was also very loyal to their people. This led them to gain better control over The Urge, as they had to learn how to direct it away from "their people," much to Bhaal's ire. However, it also put them at odds with Orin after Sarevok began influencing her, as she would just as easily sacrifice a cultist as a stranger.

They also had a soft spot for animals and was often punished for sparing them, feeding the stray cats, etc. Was always a bit sad when The Urge took over and killed them, but followed their Father unquestioningly nonetheless.

Joined forces with Gortash and eventually Ketheric to enact the Absolute Plan. Their own motivations? Their relationship with Gortash? Etc.? To be revealed later, I'm afraid.

They did, however, have fun breaking into Mephistopheles' palace. Absolutely vandalized the fuck out of it on the way out, unknowingly gaining Raphael's regard. They also have plans to kick a certain gnome into either Cania or Menzoberranzan.

And then Orin happened.

Fic Context/Present Day

The first time around after waking up on the nautiloid, everything went to shit. All of their companions (except Halsin, Jaheira, and Minthara) got 'bad endings.' They had been closest to Gale due to their shared curiosity and distrust of the gods, but had not romanced anyone. Had, however, shared a night or two with Halsin, and were in a situationship with him.

The loss that hurts them the most are Gale and Karlach, partially because he thought he could save both of them.

With Karlach, he had thought they had more time, had tried to convince her they could go to Avernus together. In the end, she died too soon for either option.

With Gale, they had grown concerned about the Crown after watching everyone else become corrupted or die and begged Gale to leave it be. He agreed... only to go around behind their back and fix the Crown for himself, disappearing one day without a word. Tara was the one who broke the news to them and thereby pushed them off the edge into a downward spiral.

Before Everything Went to Shit, they also got rather close to "Withers," becoming his Chosen after rejecting Bhaal and taking on a role similar to Arabella's with him. At the 6-month reunion, Withers finds them near the river, mourning the version of their friends they once knew. He gives them the chance for a second try, but only at a "cost."

Tav doesn't know what the cost is, partially because Withers - of course - didn't explain shit, and partially because they're an amnesiac twice over now.

They woke up on the nautiloid with no memories of either past. Additionally, Withers made some... modifications... when he sent them back. On the bright side, they still have access to some of their powers and subconscious manipulation of the tadpole. On the downside, ???

All they have are half-forgotten instincts and faded memories to guide them. They don't know their own name, who they are, or what happened to them, but they do know that these strangers they keep meeting, these broken companions they've gathered? They're worth everything, and they'll do anything - become anything - to protect them. They have also adopted Us and will beat the ass of anyone who even thinks about hurting their creepy little Friend.

I'm sure none of this will have any consequences whatsoever.

Meanwhile, regarding names -

Of the memories Withers yoinked, he also took Tav's names - besides The Dark Urge, that is. However, they have an instinctive hatred of that name - especially after it tried to convince them to kill Gale and Astarion - so they decided to drive me mad by going nameless for the first 8 chapters. Astarion has been internally calling them "Horns" (see: Appearance).

Eventually, the companions came together to try and help them pick a name. One of the ones Gale offered was "Tav." Shadowheart jokingly asked if it was short for "Tavern," and Astarion, who is half-convinced Tav is a demon and just doesn't remember it, replied that "Tavernus" was more likely. Lae'zel approved of a powerful name inspired by the hells, and the group devolved into teasing and debating about it.

Tav found the situation so funny that they decided to keep all three names as a reminder of their companions and new purpose.

Appearance

Unlike the Default Durge we all know and love, Tav is not Dragonborn. ...Not entirely, at least.

I am of the firm belief that nothing created from the flesh of the murdergod will be a plain or straightforward anything. Bhaal has too many doppelgangers and Slayer-shifters and just straight up shapeshifters in his bloodline for me to believe Durge would JUST be a dragonborn, etc.

For this Urge, that manifested a couple ways. First, as mentioned previously, they can change genders and minor things like hair color at will. However, unlike Orin who can shapeshift into anything, they were "born" puzzle-pieced together and permanently stuck that way.

Tav is a dragon/tiefling/drow chimaera, created by Bhaal getting a little too over-eager in unmodded character creation. Their base is a drow, but they also have dragon horns and scale patches from default durge. Their tail is scaled and overall shaped like a dragonborns, but also tipped like a tiefling's. Their eyes are tiefling's and they have natural fire resistance.

Along with these come claws and fangs/sharpened teeth, though both can be changed to "regular" form at will. Tav doesn't actually know this one yet and has only subconsciously activated them once.

Since I haven't been able to find mods that can give them horns, fangs, and/or a tail in drow form, their screenshots only have their base form + transmasc mod. I do have a WIP character sheet for them, but have only had time for a quick sketch so far.

[abyssalaerlocke]

Frogs

So not on the current aquatic poll are Jaheira, Minsc & Boo.

I'm thinking gold Grung for Jaheira. Grung are small frog humanoids that secrete poison. The gold ones are leaders, and their poison specifically can charm — which is closest to Jaheira's truth wine.

Minsc, I kinda like Sahuagin, cause they're cool, and I don't have any planned. They're normally evil, but maybe Minsc has too much head trauma for that kind of malevolence? There's also a four-armed variant 🤔

Boo, I want to make a miniature version of a giant animal (since miniature giant space hamsters were made with magic, and it's theorised that shrinking them is what causes their increased intelligence). Something naturally small, cute, innocuous. I'm waffling between seahorse and frog.

If I do frog, they have a relationship with bullywugs, who can communicate with frog species. So then I'm considering making Minsc a Bullywug and just having the 3 in a froggy family portrait (funny, but lame). Although typically evil, those that stray from the group, and explore and live among other races are known to become neutral or good.

My biggest issue is in terms of relevance. I abandoned the writing and just plan on drawing the character designs. And these wouldn't meaningfully be recognisable as their characters anymore. You could just look at existing art of the races and ta-da, that's them! 🙃

The other less human ones are Tav as a squidling — but Tav doesn't have a defined look to recognise in the first place. It's just a fun — hey, here's this silly little cute monster, Astarion's unexpected buddy, both fish out of water, getting up to mischief together.

Durge as a lizardfolk, but he'll be albino, and recognisable as the default dragonborn.

And shark Halsin — but it's mostly about Shadowheart being scared of sharks. Also, considering making him a wereshark, which have hybrid forms 🤔 I dunno, feels weird to draw

I also like him having a dolphin form, but still in addition to the shark form (which is relevant especially in that pic). Weredolphin would suit him better, but just wild shaping into a shark as a druid.

[caffinedragon]

Thank you for the clarification on the poison thing. There has been a lot of blatant twisting and malicious misinformatuon regarding the game in the last few months so having someone that willing and respectfully clarified that for me is very much appreciated.

But far as i can tell the intial tadpole mind reads when everyone first meets arn't under the control of the player or anyone in the party. The tadpole does it on it's own. After that the player has to choose whether or not to push further.

As for Astarion, due to the fact that most people in Faerun would kill him first and ask questions later just because he is a vampire spawn, I can understand why he does things the way he does.

Logically it is more likely that he would get staked if people found out than have people help him, and the only thing savinf him from being found out right away is because he is walking around in the sun.

He is also trying to stay alive while he is hiding himself, and since his food source is blood exclusivly he doesnt have many options available.

It's still not cool what he does but what other choice did he realisticly have.

And with Minthara, her overall character just isnt all that interesting or meshes well with me personally. I am the type of person to judge you more on how you treat my friends than how you treat me and the clips of the way she treats the others rubs me the wrong way.

There is only so much leeway I can give her in terms of her background because at the end of the day, she is still an adult woman who is in control of her own choices when not under the control of the tadpole. Regardless of her reasoning.

And on a personal note, I also roleplay a lot with the characters i make over using a self insert and out of my main three i plan on running through the game with, only one, would realisticly keep her alive from a psychological standpoint.

My drow ranger Razzikel(current tav i am trying to beat the game with) wouldnt and didnt give her a chance. To him, she is the woman who caged and tortured the man he has been secretly in love with and is his best and closest friend for 200 years and who is gleefully going to raid the grove he once called home to slaughter innocent men, woman, and children who are taking shelter there on top of it. Choosing her life over thiers is a choice he makes without a seconds hesitation.

My Tiefling Eldritch Knight Cass is a soldier through and through. And when the man who eagerly gave shelter to her fellow tieflings in a world that would rather see them dead, she does it on principle. Halsin says these three were the leaders and they needed to be slain so the refugees could continue to travel safely to Baulder's Gate? Alright bet.

R'yleh my Great Old One Warlock Durge however, would most likely keep her alive if only for the information she could have on the master plan he built but cant remember the details of. However, other than ask her questions about her culture to sate his rampid curiosity, he would leave her alone because his eldritch horror heart gets firmly and very willingly stolen by Astarion. And if she did anything that put Astarion or the others in needless danger, she would end up being roasted on a spit for dinner and the leftovers fed to his displacer beasts.

So, as i said before, if the mood strikes i may look up a vid or two to see her romance that way, but as for playing it in my personal game I am happy to skip it.

I have little enough spare time as it is with work, running a house and taking care of a disabled parent. So i am going to play my game the way I most enjoy it. As i am sure you will do the same.

I respect that you enjoy her character as is your right, and i hope that you can respect the fact that I do not, as is mine.

Fans of the same game can love it for different reasons and still enjoy it together. A fact that I have noticed is unfortunately falling to the wayside as of late.

Larian should have had more faith in what they created.

I have two boiling hot takes related to the above, that may get me some hate but oh well.

1. They should have kept thier original design for Wyll.

From the posts i read, he was originally a bitter and angry sort of Anti hero who was resentful of what he had been through and how messed up the world turned out to be.

A sentiment i myself felt after a pretty traumatising year.

This could have led to a journy of Wyll finding out that, despite what he had been through, he could use his talents, experience and story to become a better hero and wiser hero if doing a good run or make him a vicious and ruthless Archduke if running an evil playthrough.

However, a lot of people seemed to not like this original personality for...various reasons...so they scrapped it and we got, what feels like to me anyway, the "damsel in distress" instead.

Considering what he got was put together last minute, it's not bad but...it could have been a whole lot better.

2. Minthara should have stayed as an evil run only character.

Far as i understand it, Minthara was meant to be a character you only got if you were doing an evil run.

It is why the "tent glitch" existed. You weren't meant to have both Halsin and Minthara so the tents would occupy that spot depending on which one was recruited.

But for a variety of reasons, people began to demand a way to get her as a companion without running evil and so Larian changed it.

I personally believe they shouldnt have changed it.

BG3 is supposed to be a dynamic game where depending on dice roles, class choice, and even what race you play will give you a different gaming experience.

It incentivises multiple playthrough's and longer time with the game so the player gets their money's worth out of it unlike a lot of AAA titles that have been coming out.

Keeping Mintharas as evil only gives more of an incentive to play as an evil character, just like the deeper lore you get playing the durge does and it goes along with the more dynamic nature of the game.

And if they wanted her to be available on a good run, there no doubt would have been a mod created at some point to do it.

Not every request by the players has to be accepted.

TLDR: Larian should have had a bit more faith in thier original design and kept Wyll as he originally was and left Minthara for evil players instesd of slap dashing "fixes" at the last second or post release.