#or if it’s an ‘always was a shadow Druid’ version

[transkingcobra]

Jealous Halsin? Who? Did you mean Joyous Halsin?

[thewritetofreespeech]

I made a mistake in my request so please delete it! Can I request headcanons for Astarion, Gale, Wyll, and Halsin reacting to his gn crush telling him that they're not worthy to be with him please?

Astarion

“Worthy? Pft. When is anyone worthy of anything darling? Who decides who is worthy? We simply have to reach out and take it! And I’ve already grown quite fond of you.”

In truth, bile rises in Astarion’s throat when you say those words. He knows what it means to feel unworthy. To feel unworthy to live. To breathe. To exist. For you, the only person he’s ever cared for & truly cared for him in return, to feel this way makes him sick. Unfortunately he’s the worst person to fix this problem. He’s never felt ‘worthy’ of anything in his whole life.

Wyll

“There is no possible version of a story where you are not worthy. To or for me. You have seen me at my lowest. My most humbled. A time when it would have been easy to turn your back on me, yet you stayed. If that does not make you worthy, then there is no one worthy.”

In truth, Wyll’s dejected that you feel this way. To fail someone else so important to him. To lose your trust and respect. He has always tried to be the most upstanding version of himself & to do right, but if he can make even the person he loves feel unworthy, he is not fit to call himself the Blade; or a man.

Gale

“How could you think such a thing? If anyone is ‘unworthy’ in our relationship, it’s me. I ask so much of you, yet give so little by compare. Your courage. Your compassion. Your love for me has made you more worthy than anyone else I have ever known. I aspire to be half the man you damine me to be.”

In truth, Gale feels heart broken that you feel this way. How was it that he was failing another lover again? Clearly by his own selfishness once more. He resolves to make you feel as worthy as possible for the remainder of your time together; however long or short that may be. This wrong must obviously be rectified.

Halsin

“Don't sell yourself short. I have tried all my life to be worthy. Worthy of the title of Arch Druid. Worthy of Oak Father's blessing enough to end the Shadow Curse. But I always found myself wanting. When I am with you though, I find myself finally worthy of some of the praise in my life. You bring more worth to my life than words can imagine. It is no small thing."

In truth, Halsin knows what it is like to feel this way, as mentioned above, and he cannot stand the thought that he made you, even for a moment, feel this way. He has always gone with the way nature intended, but perhaps he could try to be a little more nurturing to his relationship with you. He won’t have you feel this way ever again.

[mumms-the-word]

Shadow Curse Events Pt. 1

Ketheric, Selûne, Shar, and Aylin

I’ve played through the game a few times at this point and I always find myself struggling to understand the timeline or at least order of events that occurred with the Shadow Curse. I know some things conflict because there was one version of the story in Early Access (the version where Halsin accidentally killed Isobel) and it was heavily altered for the final version of the game, and some things just got *gestures vaguely* waved away, but I keep wanting to make sense of it anyway.

So that’s what this post (edit: I mean series) is going to do. After the cut, obviously. Long deep dive post ahead! Picture of a tired Ketheric for attention and because same bro c':

TLDR: These events happen either in the 1370s or the 1390s. Ketheric loses Melodia (his wife) and Isobel (his daughter) and turns to Shar. He captures Aylin, then builds a Big Dark Justiciar Army, training them and forcing them to kill Aylin over and over. Meanwhile, a Selûnite resistance is brewing in the town, and it's kind of making everything worse. One Selûnite rebel even goes so far as to make a deal with a devil. And all of that is BEFORE the Harpers and druids arrive as an army.

We don’t have dates, unfortunately, aside from knowing that the shadow curse itself was unleashed about a century ago, so “timeline” would be a loose term to use if/when I use it. But I have two theories about when it happened.

One theory is that because the Spellplague was happening between 1385-1395 DR (during which there was neither a true Weave nor a Shadow Weave, which is what the shadow curse is made of), the shadow curse likely started around 1396-1399, just shy of a full 100 years before the game’s events in 1492. But that’s just me conjecturing based on the idea that if the Shadow Weave is gone…how does the shadow curse stick around? 

The other theory is that the shadow curse was unleashed sometime between 1371 and 1374. This is because a) Dark Justiciars were still being sent by Ketheric Thorm to destroy Moonhaven (the Blighted Village) in 1371 (Ketheric writes a letter about attacking Moonhave and a journal dated 1371 boasts that Ilyn Toth, the basement apothecary-necromancer dude, got killed by Dark Justiciars) and b) because Khelben Arunsun himself, the literal Blackstaff (super powerful and very old wizard), wrote a letter negotiating surrender on behalf of the Harpers.

We cannot be party to the suffering of the people of Reithwin, and indeed, of the great loss of life that this war will visit upon the Sword Coast - and, perhaps, beyond it. So it is written, and so let it be done, Khelben Arunsun, on behalf of the High Harper Council and its allies.

Wiki says Khelben broke his alliance with the Harpers in 1370 due to some disagreements, but it’s possible his splinter faction was at the battlefield with the other Harpers. I doubt he was there personally, but who knows. I wouldn’t go any earlier than 1371, though, because Baldur’s Gate II happens in 1369, and Jaheira would have been too busy dealing with those events to deal with Ketheric too. But it can’t be later than 1374,  because Khelben Arunsun dies in 1374.

(I have questions about how the shadow curse survived the Spellplague and the loss of the Shadow Weave, but the answer to that could simply be All Magic Was Weird and Unstable at the time…plus Thaniel was already in the Shadowfell by this time, so the land couldn't heal.)

So it’s either 1371-1374 (because of the Khelben timeline, and I guess the Spellplague didn’t affect it) or it’s 1396-1399 (because of the Spellplague, but the writers just forgot Khelben was dead by that point, or maybe his ghost wrote the surrender notice idk). Both are good enough for Halsin and Jaheira to talk about things happening “a century ago,” but you can see why I’m avoiding dates.

But let’s push it back a few more decades. Back when Ketheric was a Selûnite and Isobel a very small child.

As we’re probably all well aware, during this time, Ketheric worships Selûne along with his wife, Melodia. At some point, he even commissions the local Mason’s Guild to build Moonrise as a testament to Selûne herself, according to Morfred the mason (who you can talk to in House of Hope, it’s pretty cool). Ketheric and Melodia have Isobel, but then Melodia dies while Isobel is still pretty young. Ketheric remains a Selûnite, mostly for Isobel’s sake, until she dies too.

Ketheric: I’ll tell you a story, True Soul. About a man who sold himself piece by piece. He had…everything. A wonderful wife. A brilliant daughter. They lived not far from here. His wife died too young. Grief tore through their home like a thief, snatching away the scent of her hair, the rustle of her skirts. But the man did not break. He could not break. His daughter needed him whole, after all. She grew up—grew strong. Challenged him. Filled his heart with such joy it supplanted all sorrow. When she was killed, the man…he tried to remain whole, but it wasn’t possible. Do you understand? Player: So the man fell to pieces. Ketheric: The pain was unbearable. All-consuming. He decided he’d do anything for reprieve. First, he sold himself to the goddess of loss. But the pain did not subside, no matter his obscene feats of devotion. Then a new god came—a god who promised the man something wonderful: his daughter. Her life returned. Imagine it. He would have to give everything: his body and soul entire. He did not hesitate. Not for a moment.

We know this story. Ketheric turns to Shar and everything goes Very, Very Badly. But the exact details/order of Ketheric's Sharran days are a little hazy. So here's what I've been able to piece together to sate my own curiosity.

While Ketheric is still a faithful (but waning) Selûnite, Dame Aylin visits as an emissary of Selûne. Moonrise/Reithwin is a Selûnite refuge and the Thorms are allegedly devout favorites of the moon goddess, so it's a big deal. While she's there, she and Isobel fall in love. Ketheric disapproves, in part because Aylin is immortal and Isobel is not (Isobel and Aylin both say this in dialogue).

Plus, and this is a personal opinion, I think Ketheric might have seen Aylin's interest in Isobel as another thing Selûne was trying to take from him. It isn't enough that Selûne let Melodia die, now her daughter is trying to woo his daughter and take her too.

But then Isobel dies. Somehow. The launch version of the game isn’t clear how. Aylin mourns but Ketheric spirals. He turns to Shar, hoping she will force him to forget about Isobel, but he doesn't. Nevertheless, he becomes a zealous Sharran.

[A journal spanning years, beginning with the birth of a child and ending with what appears to be a series of dateless tragedies.] How can she be gone? Where did she go? The Moonmaiden cannot be so unfeeling - so cruel. Not toward her most devoted servant. Not after Melodia. It makes no sense. It makes no sense. I won't survive it. That much I know. Forgetting is the only possibility. The embrace of oblivion. The reprieve of nothingness. It would not be possible for a man to survive knowing what he knows. Knowing what can be lost. Shar understands that. Hers is the only mercy I can comprehend. My mind is full of holes - yet not enough. The emptiness. The time. The nothingness. And still I remember. Still I remember it all. There is no mercy in this beating heart. There is no mercy in life at all.

He builds the Gauntlet of Shar (or maybe renovates and Shar-ifies it, maybe it was already there) beneath the Thorm mausoleum, connecting it to the much more ancient Grymforge area. Grymforge becomes a kind of base or stronghold for the Justiciar army while the Gauntlet is designed to test their mettle and prepare them for the task that will make them official Dark Justiciars—killing Aylin, though it's not clear when Ketheric and Balthazar lure her into the Shadowfell.

I'll get back to that later.

We know that Grymforge was used as a Dark Justiciar stronghold and possible training ground because of all the Sharran stuff we find there. It's like super obvious. The feasthall room, the dormitories, the weapons that lay everywhere. There's basically a whole Sharran city in the Underdark beneath and near Reithwin, some of which we can see from various points in Grymforge. In fact, if you go through the poisoned room where Nere is, you can see the Gauntlet down below.

(It's a little hard to see here 'cause I play on console but there's a glimpse of the giant Shar statue that takes up a ton of space in the Gauntlet. Somehow, the two places used to connect.)

Ketheric's new Sharran teachings are ruthless and vicious. He encourages his Dark Justiciars to kill a Selûnite once a tenday or more as part of their training and service to the Lady of Loss.

The Law of Nightfall: From the moon falls the foulest of lights. iIt peeks through cracks and fissures, illuminating the most remote recesses of the Underdark. Light bestows hope, a pernicious notion which must be extinguished. At the darkest hour, pray to your Lady and feast in Her honour. The second day after, slay a disciple of Selûne. If none may be found, a Lathanderian or Mystran are an acceptable offering. Do this once a tenday, and the Lady of Loss shall know you.

Reithwin and the surrounding village soon become a hunting ground. Most people convert. Those who don't get hung in the square as examples (according to a shadow memory). All faithful Selûnites are forced to practice their devotion to the Moonmaiden in secret, led by Morfred the mason and his brother Halfred the innkeeper of Last Light Inn. Halfred hides Selûnite relics beneath Last Light (you can still find them) while Morfred plots a true resistance.

[Hidden amidst columns detailing the income and expenditure of a tavern is an aside, written in tiny, urgent handwriting.] I have concealed the sacred relics of our revered goddess in the darkest corner of this place. Morfred, my loyal brother, seeks to forge a network of allies to stand against the oppressive reign of Ketheric Thorm. Sadly, fear has gripped the hearts of many, turning them away from our cause. I cannot truly blame them, for trepidation fills my soul as well - but I must put aside my own fears and reunite with Morfred in the bowels of the Mason's Guild. Together, we shall preserve what we can of the Moonmaiden's light, and hope that the banners of the faithful soon rise against that treacherous dog, Thorm.

But as time goes on, Morfred grows increasingly distressed with the events happening in Reithwin and the ease with which people are eager to switch faiths.

- How quickly things change. The Thorms are Selûnite through and through - or so I believed. Perhaps Ketheric only converted for Melodia, and with her death - and then his daughter's - his faith died too. But to turn to Shar? It beggars belief. - Ketheric's Justiciars are growing greater in number, and more determined to rout out any traces of Selûne in Reithwin. Why do they think this town was built? One cannot rip out the foundations of a building and expect it to remain standing. - Brother and I remain the last two bastions of Our Lady of Silver in the town. A few - the trusting few - come to worship in secret by moonlit nights. Others - converts, all. Whether they truly believe, I cannot say. Impossible, isn't it?

(Don't worry, the second page is further down lol spoilers!)

Life is not going well in Reithwin, even if you're not a Selûnite. Ketheric is determined to destroy all traces of Selûne and treason of any kind. His Dark Justiciars begin tormenting citizens to reveal pockets of Selûnite resistance. He also suffers no treasonous word against him, even if the citizens in question aren't Selûnite. We see a glimpse of this and of the Justiciars' cruel influence during the questline with He Who Was and Madeline, who ratted out her friends' innocent(?) complaints about Ketheric to some Justiciars, resulting in their brutal deaths.

Eventually Morfred realizes that the Dark Justiciars are too powerful to resist and turns to Raphael, offering his soul in exchange for something to destroy the Dark Justiciar army.

- Sick of standing idle while Justiciars gain power in our humble town. What will become of us if we allow it? I met a man who was no man. Touched by a devil. Or maybe worse. But he offered me something I couldn't refuse - help. - The time is now. Ketheric's Justiciars, their stronghold in the temple below - they will be wiped out. All of them. I didn't ask how. I just want them gone. Let the Harpers have at Ketheric now. They'll make short work of him.

You can ask Morfred about this in the House of Hope, actually, where he confirms the details. I mean, he's in Raphael's house, so it's pretty obvious the he did, in fact, make a deal with him.

Infernal Mason: When tragedy came, my master fell into darkness and despair. He marshalled a great army to ruin the world and bring all into shadow. I could not let it happen. I sought out the devil Raphael and signed an infernal pact with him. He promised to destroy my master’s army, and I promised him my soul in return. The devil was true to his word. Fiends slaughtered my master’s forces, but he endured somehow, and blighted the land.

The Fiend in question here is Yurgir, who ends up crashing through Grymforge and the Gauntlet to kill all Dark Justiciars in his path. (He misses one, because Raphael is a sneaky bastard who let one get away by turning him into a swarm of rats, but I digress.) We know Yurgir caused the destruction in Grymforge, too, because of the Merregon masks and hellbeasts we find around the area, and the fact that if you pass all the checks with the Duergar mason examining the stone, he helps you piece together this narrative:

Stonemason Kith: An ancient city, hewn from the stone by the disciples of Shar, later abandoned. Untold centuries later, a new tribe revives it. Fresh walls, fresh sculptures...until a great hellbeast charges through, toppling the walls and crushing the people! Heh - that explains the infernal plate I found. Perhaps you might have use of it.

Further proof that Grymforge and the Gauntlet were once connected...somehow.

Anyway, by the time Yurgir is called in, Morfred's already been found out. Thisobald overhears him drunkenly complaining about Ketheric in the Waning Moon and informs Ketheric of his treachery. Ketheric orders a raid on the mason's guild, leaving Halfred the lone source of Selûnite resistance. It's unknown what becomes of Halfred, but considering the fact that the inn was still taking guests (like Art Cullagh) and housing the Harpers right before the shadow curse descended (there's a shadow memory of a Harper toasting his comrades in Last Light right before the battle with Ketheric long ago), it's likely he's a victim of the curse and not Justiciar brutality.

I’m not sure which is worse, honestly.

It's unclear when Morfred dies, though he admits to witnessing the first part of the shadow curse (i.e., "...but he endured somehow, and blighted the land"). But Morfred's deal coincides in some ways with the arrival of the Harpers and druids. I think he probably makes the deal with Raphael before the Harpers officially march against Ketheric and then gets caught after he hears rumors of the Harpers.

Raphael makes good on his deal around the same the Harpers arrive, perhaps a little afterward. This means Yurgir's slaughter of Justiciars in the Underdark must happen concurrently with the battle happening topside between Ketheric's army and the Harpers/druids, meaning Ketheric is losing his army on two fronts at the same time. Victory seems assured for the Harpers and druids, but of course we know now that Ketheric had a way of cheating death already in place.

He had already imprisoned the Nightsong in a Shadowfell soul cage.

Again, we’re not sure exactly when this happens, but it’s after Isobel dies and before the shadow curse, which unleashes with Ketheric’s supposed death in the battle against the Harpers and druids. However, Aylin herself says that Ketheric and Balthazar lured her into the Shadowfell under the pretense of saving an innocent.

Dame Aylin: He and his loathsome advisor Balthazar lured me into the Shadowfell, claimed they'd found someone in need of my aid. There they trapped me in their infernal cage. I was killed, murdered, made dead, over and over and over by Justiciars of every make and kind. I was reborn, for it is my nature. And Ketheric fed upon my immortality all the while.

This makes me think that Aylin wasn’t aware of Ketheric’s conversion yet, so it must have been very soon after, because otherwise, why would she trust a known Sharran telling her to enter the Shadowfell, the realm that is entirely under Shar’s control? I also suspect Ketheric built (or renovated) the Gauntlet around Aylin after her capture, perhaps at the behest of Shar due to their collaboration in making up new Justiciar teachings, or perhaps out of a sick, vengeful desire to see Aylin tormented for daring to love his daughter.

If this is true, then there’s a very real chance that Ketheric was unkillable before he truly started to torment Reithwin town, and well before the Harpers stepped in to take him down.

Anyway we at least know that Ketheric trapped Aylin in the Shadowfell before the big battle against the Harpers because a) both Isobel and Aylin talk about her being there for a century and b) because Ketheric is already using her invulnerability to survive assassination attempts on his life prior to or during the actual battle against him and his army:

23 Elient The Harpers came too close - they poisoned Father Ketheric himself, yet he professes no ill effects. Malus insists it a fluke. Doctor he may be, but he is no less a fool for it: Father has achieved that of which I can only dream: immortality. I have long suspected. I can guess Father's purpose, but I cannot fathom the means.

This brings us to the eve of the battle itself. But this post is already hella long, so keep an eye out for part 2, all about the Harper and druid battle against Ketheric!

[autistichalsin]

Hey can we talk about that idea of yours that had karlach breeding halsin. Cause I’m SO here for it

We can ALWAYS talk about Karlach breeding Halsin

I have two versions of it that are my favorites, t4t and alpha/omega.

Alpha/omega version: Halsin NEVER gets treated like an omega. Ever. His size makes everyone assume he's an alpha, and in my headcanon he also has a hormonal disorder preventing him from going into heat. But after the Shadow Curse is lifted, his heats start to come back, and Karlach is just such a gentle and warm alpha presence. And she hasn't been with an omega in a VERY long time, not since before Avernus. And just the thought of Halsin trusting her enough to let her build him a nest makes her honestly squeal and cry a bit at the same time, and she honestly isn't thinking about breeding per se, just taking care of her omega (HER OMEGA!!!) until Halsin starts whimpering and begging her to give him cubs. And then she SHORT CIRCUITS and is like cubs!!! fuck!!! BREEDING!!! OMEGA!!! and then she cums in seconds

t4t version: Halsin is VERY open about his desires. Sexual and otherwise. He knows he wants cubs and he knows he wants to carry them, and he VERY much likes the idea of getting to take on roles he rarely gets to. But Karlach is a bit... shy about herself sometimes. About her anatomy and how others react. But Halsin just always makes her feel perfect, no matter what parts she has, and it makes her feel so comfortable that she has absolutely zero problem with the idea of putting a baby in her Druid. Seeing the big strong main laid out under her, begging for her cock, lights a fire in her that makes her swear for a moment her infernal engine must be malfunctioning.

[moghedien]

the dynamic of romacing Shadowheart with my Selunite drow is actually so fucking funny because Shadowheart probably would see a drow and be like "oh yeah perfect. someone who would understand the darkness!" Like you get that shit from other people in the game. Kagha under the influence of the the Shadow Druids get excited if you're a drow because she thinks you'll understand her. The racist mirror says you're "shaped by darkness not light." and like Shadowheart personally doesn't even need to base that assumption on racist stereotypes because the person that literally led her into darkness (Shar) was a drow. in her case, she's speaking from experience at least.

then only to find out pretty immediately that the drow is actually a Cleric of Selune and you're enemy and you have to hate her. Like the game doesn't always give you the option to bring up your religious dynamic in-game but it does it enough to remind you that there's tension, and if you start a romance with her, its largely the same as a non-Selunite romance (so far I'm still not done with Act 1) but you get the option to bring up your religions again and Shadowheart says that she thinks that Shar would approve of your relationship if she corrupted you

and the thing is, I 100% believe that Shadowheart thinks she's going to convert you to Shar at the end. She wouldn't follow Shar if she wasn't convinced that it was correct. She just doesn't realize that she's been made to feel that way and has undergone like, extreme amounts of mind control via having her memories repeatedly wiped to an extent she doesn't even realize until the end of her questline. Act 1 Shadowheart says that she's going to convert me to Shar and I believe completely that she believes that because she thinks that Shar is so obviously the right goddess to follow and I just need to see that

but not even taking into account that Shadowheart is only Sharran because she was kidnapped and brainwashed, I'm playing a fucking drow light domain cleric of Selune. Do you understand how intentional that has to be on like a personal standpoint?

A drow who was raised in the underdark somehow started worshipping the moon goddess despite having grown up in an environment where the moon is never even present. And then not only becomes a cleric, but chooses light domain, which is NOT one of the domains that correspond to Selune. So I'm not only worshipping a goddess I have no business worshipping in the first place, but I'm doing it in a way that is already unorthodox to other people that worship that goddess. this was not "I stumbled into this and just went along with things" situation, this only comes from very intentional active choices from a personal standpoint.

but Shadowhear knows that Shar is right and she just has to show me, you know?

so like, I'm just imagining this girl fighting for her life trying to do anything she can to subtly-not-actually-subtly show you that you'd be much better off as a Sharran. to the point where I got this dialogue and it literally made me laugh out loud in an unintentional way.

like I'm a light domain cleric, Shart.

If I had an affinity for the darkness by being a drow from the Underdark, I literally left that behind for some reason. would you like to hear about me leaving the darkness behind, Shadowheart?

its just so funny because literally the character I'm playing has to have processed these feelings and reasons for leaving one realm ruled by a dark goddess in order to serve a good goddess instead. that goddess was just Lolth instead of Shar.

like a drow light domain cleric of Selune has to have already gone through some version of Act 2-3 Shadowheart's conversion, just probably to much less extreme and dramatic degree. Meanwhile, Act 1 Shadowheart can't remember she had for lunch much less why she chose to serve Shar but she knows her worldview is correct and if she shows me and doesn't ever ever ever think about Selune or anything not Sharran, I'll realize that. I have an affinity to darkness, see? See?

[littlejuicebox]

Dancing on my own

Guys I don’t know what this is, it’s just some random angsty drabble that came out inspired by the song “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn (the version by Calum Scott is also nice).

I’m trying to get out of a writing slump so there might be a few more random bits of writing here and there. I’m not sure I even like this tbh lol.

Summary: You and Astarion decided to be just friends after his Moonrise Towers confession. He couldn’t make himself admit to you that he wanted more than that. He knew you deserved better than what he could offer. Now that his quest with Cazador is done, he’s totally lost. He wants you, but you have someone else now; he thinks it’s someone better than him. He’s heartbroken.

Tags/Warnings: PG13, lots of angst, depression, PTSD, low self esteem, depersonalization/derealization, sad Astarion, tbh it’s kinda just a sad bit of drabble

Astarion killed Cazador. You’d think he would’ve been happy… ecstatic, even. But instead he felt exceedingly numb and so, so tired.

It had been nearly a week since then. Astarion had spent most of that time in his room, trancing or simply just lying in the dark. He was exhausted; his limbs felt like lead.

Shadowheart was concerned he had fallen ill and kept checking on him. He would simply grunt to her in response or ignore her line of questioning until she sighed and left.

You came by a few times a day to offer him your wrist; he would drink with a misty-eyed, faraway expression… or sometimes not at all. His hand would linger for a moment on yours, and then he would roll himself the other direction, turning away from you.

It was hard to look at you, to be that close to you, to touch you, to taste you. Blood and sex had been so intertwined in the beginning, it always brought back the memories from before. It made him sick to his stomach.

But his hunger often won, in the end.

How ironic, that the only blood which satisfies his near-insatiable thirst is also the only blood that makes his stomach churn with guilt and disgust at himself.

A double edged sword. Stabbed through his heart.

He should be happy… ecstatic, even. But, by the gods, is he so, so tired. Can a vampire rot into the earth if they stay in one place for too long?

Perhaps. Perhaps he should get up and move, if only to avoid rotting away.

Astarion manages to take a short bath and pull himself together… somewhat. It’s hard to move when your limbs feel like lead. His shirt is wrinkled, and his hair feels like it’s not quite in place, but it will have to do.

The pale elf slinks down to the tavern, where the evening crowd is teetering the hazy line between buzzed and drunk. He’s not in much of a mood for talking to others, so he sits in a corner booth, hoping the natural shadows and his brooding demeanor will deter any visitors. For a few moments he feels normal… or at least acts it. But then he sees you. And Halsin.

Halsin has his arms coiled around you as he absolutely ravages your lips. His thick hands are gripping your body; one hand on your waist, one on your neck. It’s an exceptional amount of PDA; he would vomit, if he had anything left in his stomach from the only small sip he’d taken from you this morning. The hand the druid tenderly placed on your neck is covering the scars Astarion had marked on you from the times before, back when you’d been his. Had you been his? Back before—

“I had a plan. A nice, simple plan…”

“Maybe what you need is a friend, not a lover.”

Astarion had hurt you. He’d hurt you. The look that crossed your face as he confessed is etched into his mind for all eternity; it’s the first thing he sees when he wakes from a trance and the last thing he sees before he slips into one. He’ll never forget the tears that welled in your eyes, which you’d rapidly blinked away. And then you thanked him… thanked him for telling you, for being truthful. Thanked him for hurting you.

He should have lied. He shouldn’t have said anything. He should have chose differently from the start.

He knew what he did was terrible; you deserved something more, something real. He just couldn’t be that. He didn’t know how to be… real.

Hells, was he even real now? Was any of this real?

He felt like a shell. Hollow. Empty. It all felt like a sick, strange dream that he couldn’t wake from. All that time he spent running, and now he no longer had to… but who was he, if not a runner?

He’d run from Cazador. Run from you. Run from the concept of true intimacy, which you had so willingly offered.

But now? Now he wanted nothing more than to run to you. He wanted to run into your arms and be held by you, comforted by you. But there you were in the arms of someone who was able to give you what you deserved.

Who was he to get in the way of that? He was nothing. He was no one.

“Good to see you out of bed.”

The vampire rips his eyes away from you and Halsin, where the two of you seem oblivious to the world and stuck in a heated embrace.

Shadowheart is standing next to the booth; her eyes had followed his, and she’d been watching the same passionate makeout scene with mild interest.

She flicks her gaze back to Astarion with a knowing look, and a soft, sad smile crosses her face. The cleric extends her hand out to him, “Come on, Astarion. One dance and then I will let you slink back into this corner to sulk for the rest of the night, if you wish.”

He sighs and considers the offer. He doesn’t want to move, but he can’t keep picking different places to stay and rot. And he can’t keep watching you two. His limbs still feel like lead.

“Very well.” He murmurs, and he takes Shadowheart’s hand.

They dance. It’s a platonic sort of jig, mostly spinning around at arms length with one another. For a moment, Astarion feels a brief glimmer of happiness. He chuckles and smiles; his limbs don’t feel like lead. And then the tune ends, and he’s wandering back to the booth with Shadowheart, and that sinking feeling begins to grow in his chest once more.

“You should talk to them, you know, Astarion. Let them know how you feel. They may choose differently… if you make your true desires known. You did tell them you wanted to be friends, after all.” The cleric murmurs, with another sad little smile. Her eyes contain pity; he hates that.

He’s watching you and Halsin again, where you two are staring contentedly at one another, chatting away. You’re lost in your own little impenetrable bubble. You don’t even see him or notice him at all.

He’s nothing. He’s no one.

Astarion looks so dejected; normally he would be better at putting on his mask. But he’s so tired. He should be happy. But he’s exhausted.

“Maybe I should. But Tav looks happy… I can’t bring myself to ruin that. Selfish as I am, I do care about them, you know.”

Shadowheart nods and sighs. She knows something, he can tell by the look on her face. She wants to say more but decides against it. A small pat on the vampire’s hand and she murmurs, “Good night, Astarion. I hope to see you down here in the morning.”

Then she’s gone, heading upstairs to her room. And he’s alone again.

Astarion watches you two for a bit longer, even though every second he witnesses causes another crack in his fragile heart. Then his eyes return to the dance floor and he sighs before forcing himself out of the booth again. His limbs feel like lead, but he has to start somewhere.

For now, he’ll have to keep dancing on his own.

[velvet-cupcake-games]

Just a quick one this month!

My goal is to finish writing Will Chapter 3 by the end of the month. I'm just getting into an exciting scene that has been one of the central parts of Will's plot since very early in development. One version of Marion will execute the mission far more smoothly than the other version, but there's a special achievement in it for the less-smooth version, so it's worthwhile to try both!

We have a sketch of the Temple of Shadow. As I've tried to underline, the concept of shadow isn't evil, it's more chaos-aligned, and traditionally Avalons value a balance between order and chaos. Thus the Temple of Shadow isn't sinister, but a cool, woodsy, forested place that welcomes a variety of woodland creatures (thanks to the Beast Druids).

There is also a library in the temple. Shadow Temple libraries collect forbidden, secret, and politically "inconvenient" knowledge and allow access to locals who they have determined walk sufficiently in shadow. Marion has always wanted to peruse a Shadow Temple library but has never been given permission before. Hmm, does she know any shadow-walkers in this route? ;)

Excited to see the final version; I love Sandra's background work so much!

See y'all in July!

[utilitycaster]

Stuck my I Voted sticker on my stress ball due to the joys of living in a swing state.

Valinari Ziegler (or Nari for short) was a character I played in an Exandria campaign that unfortunately died a few years ago due to scheduling issues. He was a half-elf Shadow Sorcerer who eventually multiclassed into Rogue (when the campaign died he was 6 Sorc/2 Rogue, I probably would have gone either Swashbuckler or Mastermind if I'd gotten to level him up).

When I created him, I had two thoughts in mind: I wanted to do something fun with the Shadow Sorcerer ability that allows them to possibly stabilize at 1 HP when they would otherwise drop to 0, and I wanted to create a character with a vested interest in being in an adventuring party (because I've noticed that a lot of the time people struggle to come up with a reason their characters all want to be in a group). I ended up landing on the idea that he was a former member of the Deastok Myriad who was betrayed and almost killed by another member on the orders of someone higher up (only surviving due to his sorcerous abilities kicking in), but he had no idea who or why. His goal, then, was to make powerful friends and come back to find out why he was killed and get revenge.

Once I started playing him, however, a few things I didn't anticipate happened. First, I made him in Heroforge and inadvertently made him look like the MCU version of Loki (I had already named him after the mythological Loki's children), which prompted a whole bunch of jokes from my group and ended up informing his character a good bit--I'd always planned him to be a smooth talker, but the Loki lean in characterization made me more inclined to embark on stupid plans that bit me in the ass as often as they worked out (this also meant I was the character that pushed the shiny red button more often than not, and it caused me to utter the line "Fuck it, I have poor impulse control and proficiency in CON saves", which is one of my favorite things I've ever said in D&D). Among other things, he managed to con a treasure map from a merchant by exchanging it for a piece of bent metal that he claimed to have come from the Whispered One's stronghold but actually was pilfered from a dead kobold, but he also almost got killed by a fiend that he had threatened thinking that she was imprisoned in a way that she couldn't harm him. The other thing that happened was the classic character development of him initially seeing the other party members as instruments of his revenge but coming to care about them (in particular our party's Druid was very nice to him and, in her player's words, immediately engaged Mom Friend mode upon hearing him refer to her, the person she'd traveled with for two weeks, as his oldest and dearest friend and our Monk was both interested in the way he operated and willing to call him out on his bullshit--they had a really fun dynamic).

Mechanically, Nari is one of the characters I've put the most thought into build-wise, and I had a lot of fun playing him in combat. His build was centered on the spell Shadow Blade combined with the Shadow Sorcerer ability to cast a version of the Darkness spell that only the caster can see through. Throw in sneak attack I was doing a lot of damage. The DM also gave me a magic item that allowed me to teleport in dim light and darkness 3 times a day--it was, however, identical in appearance to MCU Loki's stupid helmet.

Hey! I saw your other message, and no, i just got off Tumblr and went to bed last night for my own well-being before seeing this, no worries about word count.

I know it feels, well, kind of silly to finish up now, but I do want to thank you for voting. It's by no means the only tool we as people in the US have to express our opinion nor to enact change, but it's certainly one of the lowest effort for the highest impact and it has become bizarrely fraught on online spaces. And so silly ask memes are by far from the only thing I do around elections or in my advocacy; but they are one of them, and I hope to continue doing them for a long time.

Getting to the actual character, I think Nari sounds all around great. "Why is my character here" is perhaps the most important thing you can ask yourself in any story, whether it's D&D or original fiction, and a lot of people don't, so having a character with clear motivations available is not faint praise: it's a sign that you put care and thought in and I think the relationships your character was able to build with others in the party reflect that. I also think the Darkness + sneak attack combo is a really creative and fun multiclass - a lot of my frustration with rogues is that I love a cool assassin in fiction but D&D mechanics explicitly make being a rogue in that archetype almost impossible, and I think you reclaimed that. And I love a big red button pusher. There's hooks! Find them!

Anyway this game and Nari sounds great, and man, I kind of hope for your sake there's a way to revive it.

[bananasfosterparent]

Playthrough Updates #4

(is it actually #4? I honestly don't know lmao let's say it is)

🌊Silkina the Waveservant Bard

Silkina has gotten to the Underdark safely and is currently on her way to visit the mushies! Nothing super exciting has happend that's worth mentioning, but I did finally do a photoshoot with her and Wyll which was very fun. I also downladed a pirate outfits mod and so she has a few new outfits and accessories that are ocean themed! I also changed her outfit to the wavemother dress but an alt version of it. I wish it didn't clip weirdly at the arm pits, but what can ya do?

✨Solenia the Drow Cleric of Elistraee

Solenia and Silkina are in the exact same spot lol Well, Solenia is a little further along and at Grymforge!

The biggest change is that I decided to have fun with Solenia's hair lmao I have a cool anime-ish, Final Fantasy-esque hair mod that had this spiky pontail situation and I really wanted to use it for someone. Solenia felt like a good choice lmao She's still not exactly romancing anyone atm but she'll probably go for Halsin depending on how that all goes!

She's very adamant about saving the slaves in the Underdark and helping the gnomes and it's my first time really doing that, so woo! Oh she also saved Bolen which was a first for me lmao Usually Efenity just blows up the whole area and steals the stuff that was in his bag 🥲

🌩️Efenity the Storm Sorcerer

Changed her hair and outfit YET. AGAIN. I just have to accept that I will never not change it every couple of days lmaooo

Anyway, she's the furthest along out of everyone because she's my comfort Tav and I get lost in her playthroughs 🥲yes the playthroughs with my Evil Tav being the worst person alive are somehow my comfort playthroughs... I don't get it either. Plus, I kinda follow a "routine" with her since I have a storyline she goes through, so it's familiar after doing it 6 times and still never getting past the final fight.

She has gone through the gauntlet of Shar, the whole shadow cursed lands, fought and defeated Yurgir and his minions, and I left off with her and Astarion getting the news about his scars from Raphael.

I love this conversation because it's one of the first moments Efenity's perspective on Astarion's situation can be directly acted out/spoken. She's always like "SO... there's a way to become a living vampire. Jot that down cause we are coming back to that. Cazedor is a POS and we gon' take him down."

🍃Enyana the Dryad (wood elf Druid)

Enyana's a little behind the others, but she JUST got to the Underdark! And I mean JUST got there.

She saved Halsin and I've been enjoying her and Gale a lot.

There's a sort of timid but curious vibe between them (at least, in my head lmao) that makes me happy. Can't wait to get to more romance scenes with him!

[memoiandy]

Sparkles and memories

Astarion x fTav fanfic

(Note: I posted this as a part of another thread and the fic was bigger than I anticipated. I am posting here as my own separate post. Mostly for myself but whoever else reads it, please enjoy!

This oneshot is my HC version of the poly convo with Astarion. I wish Tav could politelly decline Halsin and then talk with Astarion about it. The scene starts after Astarion says he'd be fine with Tav sexing Halsin up. Which my Tav is defo not gonna do...)

She frowns, taking a small step back. It stings a bit, the thought Astarion would be fine if she shared her body with the druid. But then she noticed that curve of his pretty mouth, that signature fake smile she recognizes now.

"Why would I do that?" She keeps her voice low but the slight irritation comes through anyway.

He hears it, of course he does. He's great at reading people. His next words are more genuine. "Well... it's not like I have much to offer at the moment. And with my past... my generous amount of so called lovers... It's not like I can stop you from having a good time."

The more he talks, the more vulnerable look creeps into his face. Her chest tightens, the familiar ache when she sees him like this - strugling with the shadows of his past, the pain seeping through.

She moves closer to Astarion, watching his reaction. There is tension in the air, something she didn't want at all. She meant to tell him about the conversation with Halsin as a joke. She thought it was funny! How could she even think about being with someone other than her vampire?! Ridiculous!

"This... us, we want this to be real, no?" She touches her heart and then his heart in an elven fashion. She leaves her hand on his chest as if seeking for his heartbeat.

He nods, eyes uncertain where this is going. He's so endearing like this, her sweet, lovable rogue. To confirm his gesture, Astarion closes his bigger hand on top of hers and caresses it carefuly.

"I do, you know I do. I just wish I could offer you more. I wish... I could erase all the memories of those countless meaningless bodies and hands and mouths... "

She stops him by putting a gentle hand on his cheek. "Then lets create new memories." She tries to make him feel all the care and adoration she feels for this silly, frustrating, amazing man. And love, something she is still too afraid to tell him. It feels too big to share. She keeps it close to her hearth as something sweet and precious.

She stands on her toes and puts a light kiss on one of his cheeks, the one with that small beauty mark. "I have such a good time with you, whatever we're doing," she whispers and it sounds like a secret shared just between the two of them.

She kisses the top of his nose playfully. "You reading one of your adventure books with Drizzt aloud or teaching me how to lockpick." She kisses the corner of his mouth and feels his arm sneaking around her waist and pulling her closer. She gasps a little, she always does and it makes him hum hapilly.

"There is nowhere I'd rather be. I have no desire to explore what Halsin has to offer as a lover. Or any of the others. I am yours as long as you'll have me," she finishes and hates how her face and neck flush with pink. She is 137 years old and being with this damned vampire makes her blush...

But it makes him smile and relax. He crooks his eyebrows in that charming way of his. "And I thought I am the one with a silver toungue."

She chuckes and puts her arms around his neck. This feels good and right and the tension is gone and forgotten. "Well... I had a good teacher."

He feigns shock. "Another suitor! Do I know him?"

"You might. He's very charming. Roguish and witty. Very funny. Very brave. Handsome as hell," she sighs dreamily.

Astarion tuts and tightens his arms around her. "Do I have to kill him as well, Sparkles? I planned on getting rid of the big druid already. You know I killed a bear before..."

This time she kisses his lips because you can't be this close to Astarion and not kiss him. He kisses her back more fiercely, cupping the back of her head in his hand and making her bow back a bit. Greedy man.

It's been a while since they kissed like this. It's thrilling and sweet and feels like a promise when his tongue slips between her lips and tastes her. It makes her curl her toes and forget anything other than the sharpness of his fangs. The way his velvet toungue leads hers in this dance. How he pushes her so close to his body so there no place for anything else. Just like in those silly novels she always thought are just a fantasy. But this... it makes her want, want, want...

She makes quiet needy noises and feels her magic spike up. Fine sparkles fly in the air, like their own personal bonfire. They kiss his skin and it feels as if he's touched by sunlight. He grunts as he realizes he's the cause of this, he makes her lose control and sparkle for him.

She pulls away before the magic can hurt him.

"How is that for a new memory?" She bumps her nose into his gently. She loves his nose. She started to love everything about this man.

"Perfect." His eyes are still closed and he breathes her in. His anchor, his friend, his confidant. She smells like home. "You're perfect, Sparkles."

She laughs quietly, a small happy sound. Then she straightens up and pulls back. "Now where were we? You won't believe the conversation I just had with Halsin!"

[inkdemonapologist]

Sammy is a bard ,prophet is a cleric , joey is a druid, what does this makes henry and jack?

I feel like you COULD play a version of Sammy Lawrence as a bard, but you'd really have to have to go into it with party dynamics in mind. Because Sammy is PROFESSIONALLY good at being a support role; as much as he complains about Joey, it seems clear to me that he wants someone else to have the big ideas while he uses his genius musical brain to make those ideas work. The specific skill Joey loved in him in TIOL was how good he was at making other people look good. So if you set up Joey or Henry as some sort of dashing hero and Sammy as the bard in the background making him succeed, it'd work. But left to his own devices, Sammy doesn't tend towards the bard's subtlety. He's not the sort to cast charm person, he's the sort to scream at everyone until they leave him alone. He runs in with an axe and zero plan because he's feeling big emotions. He's the least subtle and most gullible man on the planet. I've always seen Sammy as a barbarian whose passion happens to be music.

Joey's the bard. He says a thing that's visibly, provably untrue and contradicts other things that he himself has said and against all odds people believe him. Last time I pondered D&D classes for BatIMs, I think I gave Jack bard or rogue, and Henry either fighter or monk.

But then I realised you mention Prophet, who is only really a separate entity in the Cthulhu AU, so hm! The Cthulhu boys are tough to give D&D classes to, because the whole nature of Call of Cthulhu means that they often don't have "powers" so much as "horrifying things they've learned", so it makes more sense to look at the vibes of what they do than their literal abilities. In terms of how they come across to me, I'd lean more bard and/or some kind of mind powers for Joey, some kind of supporty/healy for Jack, and either late-bloomer magic or some kinda tank class for Henry -- maybe paladin, so then Pointy Henry can be a fallen paladin. But they aren't my characters, so the others would have to weigh in to be sure!

Sammy in Cthulhu AU is absolutely still a barbarian though; his only social skill is Being Very Intimidating, he's the least magical of the four boys, and next to Henry he's the most likely to channel his terror into rage and Just Punch It. Prophet is a little harder to place, because while he does canonically have to beseech his lord for his prophecies like a cleric does for spells, neither of the Sammys are really built for Magic outside of that, and Prophet's actual style of fighting is just a slightly stealthier version of Shepherd Sammy -- so, more Rogue, tbh. If you lean into Vibes instead of what they literally do, then Prophet's vibes more closely match a very loyal warlock -- he is not praying for spells and marching armoured into battle with an array of supportive blessings, he is seeking his patron's will and then sneaking through the shadows to do as he's asked, ignoring the party's needs unless he believes his lord requires him to help them.

[astarryvamp]

Chapter 2

Previous chapter ||next chapter

The boy, well- he’d better get used to referring to him as Halsin- shouldn’t he? Halsin was staring at Astarion curiously from his perch on a large moss covered rock. The vampire sat cross-legged on the grass in front of the rock sizing up the boy, just as Halsin was doing to him.  He figured he had a better chance of getting some answers if he didn’t loom over this younger version of his friend. People had a tendency to find his height a little intimidating, not to mention his red eyes.

He couldn't be more than ten years old. So very young and already there were shadows in the boy's eyes. It would seem their steadfast druid hadn't always been that way. A shame. Halsin deserved so much better than what life had offered him. What could have possibly happened to cast such a light in the young boys eyes?

“You must have some questions.” Astarion said, cocking his head at the other, aiming a friendly smile at the other. Astarion was very careful not to flash his fangs. “Some stranger magically appears in the forest where you play and declares you’re going to be friends. I know I would have a thing or two to say.”

“Mostly trying to figure out of you’re real or if you’re going another ‘friend’ no one else can see.” There was a definite touch of melancholy to the young boy’s words. So they were in Thaniel’s realm. He had a rough idea of the ‘when’ and now a definite answer to the ‘where’.

“Ah, understandable. I do look like a dream, don’t I?” Astarion teased though he didn’t expect someone this young to quite understand the joke. “I promise you, I am as real as they come. Although, if it’s any comfort, so is Thaniel.”

Halsin visibly perked up at that, gifting the silver haired elf a beaming smile. “You’ve met Thaniel too?”

“In fact, I have.” Astarion clucked his tongue, trying to determine how much to reveal. How much would a child understand? He had almost zero idea on how to interact with children. Still, how many adults would be able to give the ‘I’m your friend from the future’ talk? No, his own plight was a rare one indeed.

“I know that Thaniel is very, shall we say, choosy about who he reveals himself to. I wouldn’t worry too much about other people not being able to see him. Being able to see him just means you are special. It’s not everyone who is able to see a nature spirit, much less able to call one a friend.” And a powerful nature spirit too. From what Gale and Halsin had told him, some nature spirits held domain over a small meadow or even a single tree. Thaniel was the embodiment of an entire forest. It was no wonder that Shar had needed to lock him away to spread her endless shadow over the land.

Halsin flicked a few pebbles off his perch as he considered the other’s words. His brows were furrowed in contemplation, an adorable little scowl on his face. “My mama says I have a good imagination. Other people just say that I’m crazy.”

Astarion couldn’t help the scoff that escaped his lips. “No, darling. You are not crazy. He’s very much real. Nature spirits have a tendency to make question reality a bit, but perish the thought entirely. You’re simply…” he waved grandly to the trees surrounding them. “- a friend of nature. Should anyone try and tell you otherwise, well, they are simply not worth your time.”

Hazel eyes peered at Astarion, seemingly searching for something. Perhaps reassurance? Whatever he was hoping for, Halsin must have found it because he nodded and gifted the vampire a relieved smile.

“He is very fun to play with. I’m glad it’s not made up. H-how did you get here? I didn’t see a portal open. You just-” Halsin broke off to wave his arms as one would when miming an explosion. “Boom! Appeared!”

“May I tell you a secret?” Astarion said, giving the other a conspiratorial whisper. The vampire grinned as the child leaned closer, hazel eyes wide. “I’m from the future.”

The child snorted and leaned away from the other as though the notion was too silly to be near. “The future?”

“Yes, the future. Or how else would I have known that no one can see Thaniel save for you? You and I happen to be very good friends when you’re older.”

Halsin aimed another scowl at the vampire. It was very amusing to see that the young elf was much more quick to let his displeasure be known than his elder self. He would have to see if he could get his own Halsin to make such precious faces. “Prove it! Name something about me.”

“I know you’ve a fondness for honey.”

“Lots of people like honey. That doesn’t mean anything.”

Hm. Was the elder Halsin so stubborn?

“Fair enough,” Astarion acquiesced with a rueful smile. “You were born in 1142. You live alone with your mother and your father. No siblings or cousins to speak of. I know you like ducks. Your favorite game to play with Thaniel is hide and seek. Though Thaniel is much better at the hiding than you are. Being a nature spirit doesn’t really make that a fair game, if you ask me. That concrete enough for you?”

The young wood elf worried his bottom lip as his hazel eyes bore into Astarion’s crimson gaze. “That is… all right…” he said reluctantly. “Still don’t know if that means you’re from the future, but… that would be a whole lot more interesting than you being a mind reader or something. So, what am I like in the future? Are we adventurers?”

“In a sense. We are currently on an adventure, your older self and I, along with some more of our friends.”

“I have more friends?” Halsin gasped. The way the child perked up at that was just a tiny bit heartbreaking to the vampire. How lonely was the druid having only Thaniel to play with?

“You do. Quite a few of them. Although, I am the very best of them,” Astarion teased much to Halsin’s delight. “What’s that look for?” he asked as the child began staring at him with wide eyes. Had Astarion accidentally flashed his fangs?

“Are you meant to be glowing?”

“What?!” Astarion’s hands flew in front of him as he stared at the familiar tendrils of green light once more crawling up his arms. “Oh hells. I’m about to be whisked away in time again. Um, well, nice meeting you. Again.”

The last thing Astarion heard as light engulfed him was Halsin’s delighted giggle.

Blinking away the spots from his vision, Astarion found he was once more on the roof top of the Elfsong Tavern. “Thank the gods!” He cheered throwing himself back on the pillows he had been laying on before this whole ordeal started. Relief flooded through him as the sounds of his beloved city once more filled his senses. He had no idea what he would have done if he would have been forever journeying through time.

“I take it you had your first adventure in the past?” said a deep familiar voice with a small chuckle.

“Halsin! You’ll never belie- Hold on a moment, the first?” Astarion sat up with a start and flung a nearby pillow at the druid. “You knew this would happen when I found this damned thing.”

The druid allowed the pillow to hit him and gave another throaty chuckle as he took a seat next to Astarion. “It’s true. I did know from the moment you brought the amulet back to our room. I also confess that I knew who you were the moment you freed me from my cell in the goblin camp. You’ve visited me a number of times throughout my life.”

“Ugh, just how many times am I going to be dragged into the past? Am I to visit all our friends in this fashion?” This stupid trinket was turning out to be more trouble than it was worth.

“No, Astarion. From what you’ve told me, this amulet has made it so that my fate alone is intertwined with yours. Although, now that I am the one telling you this, I do have to wonder where this information originated.” The smile on Halsin’s face was serene enough, but there was an unmistakable light of amusement in those hazel eyes.

“And not once did you think of warning me?” Astarion cried in annoyance. “How did you even manage to keep such a secret all this time?”

“To the first, you yourself asked me not to. I am still unsure as to the intricacies of the enchantment that has bonded us. But I’ve always deferred to your judgment on these travels of yours. As for your second question; I longed to reconnect with you, but I also had my own fears that you would think me mad. Can you tell me truly that you would have believed me?”

It was Astarion’s own turn to scowl. “I hate secrets,” he muttered running a tired hand through his curls. Well, he hated not being apart of the secrets. And this was a massive one. “No, I suppose you are correct. I would have laughed at you. Tell me, just how often do I make these little jaunts back to your childhood. You were a cute little thing, I’ll grant you, but I don’t care to spend all my time with a child. No offense intended.”

“Ha!” Halsin laughed clapping his own knee. “No, I’ve known you all my life. All manner of ages. You shall not have to worry about entertaining a child the entire time.”

“What a relief,” Astarion remarked dryly, picking a piece of lint off his breeches and flicking it away. There was that little blessing then. The vampire aimed a thoughtful look at the druid as he contemplated the melancholy child he had just left behind.

“Tell me what’s on your mind, Little Elf.”

“Just thinking is all. You were playing in Thaniel’s realm. Your very first time meeting me.”

Halsin gifted the other with a warm smile. “Hm, as I recall, you had some kind words for me. Some reassurances for me about my time spent playing with Thaniel. I do owe you some thanks for that. It was- difficult knowing I had a friend no one else could see. It was a comfort to know that someone else in my life knew of him.”

“I’m- glad I could provide some consolation then. I was surprised to see how dour you looked,” he said honestly. Loneliness was a curse he knew well. It was a shame someone as good as Halsin was so familiar with the feeling.

“Mm, true. Childhood wasn’t always an easy time for me, but take heart. You and Thaniel were good friends to me. I cherish those memories. Always.”

There was a certain warmth in Halsin’s voice that gave Astarion pause. “Tell me, Druid,” he drawled, giving the other a sultry smile. “Was I just a friend to you? Or did I provide- other comforts in cold nights?” The vampire would have thought it would be a cold day in hell, before he saw the elder elf blush, and yet here it was. A spreading red that darkened Halsin’s freckles quite prettily.

Halsin cleared his throat, looking equal parts abashed and entertained. “There- was a time or two when blood ran hot between us. Things you’ll have to experience for yourself if you want the details. You were very clear on me not giving you ‘spoilers’ when you finally got a hold of your amulet.”

“Ugh, you’re no fun. Or is it that I’m not fun? The nuances of chronomancy are lost on me. Still-” Astarion trailed off, eyes tracing over the other’s form appreciatively. “I suppose that is something to look forward to.”

The look Halsin gave him was absolutely predatory and hungry. Astarion was accustomed to being chased, but the druid’s gaze was one of the few that sent a sinful shiver down his spine. “Past, present or future,” Halsin’s low timbre grew just a bit gruffer, eyes locked on the vampire’s lips. “You may have me whenever you wish.”

“Sweet bear, if I could, I’d be blushing. I’ll have to hold you to that” Maybe time travel wasn’t as bad as he thought…

[caffinedragon]

Razzikel(My Tav) and Halsin's first meeting pre game.

This takes place about 50 ish or so years before the shadow curse. If my math is correct.

Before he is an Archdruid but after the events in the Underdark Halsin runs across a large pitch black dire wolf caught in a bear trap.

However, when he tries to approach and speak to it in wolf form, it doesnt seem to understand him, even with beast speech active.

Upon closer inspection he noticed the 1000 yard stare in its amber gold eyes, almost like it was lost inside of its own mind or severly ill.

After Changing out of wild shape to further inspect the beast, he begins to talk to himself in druidic and notices the wolf turning its attention to him like it understands or at least recognizes his speech.

Curious he begins to cycle through all the languages he knows until he gets to Undercommon where the wolfs eyes snap to him and begin to focus.

As they focus, he sees the eyes change color from the amber gold they were, to a deep twilight amethyst.

Worried that he came across one of the apprentices stuck in wild shape, he frees the wolf and takes it back to the grove for healing.

Only, all the spells that should have changed him back dont work and not only that, but his wounded leg seemed to not be healing right.

Over the next fortnight he works tirelessly to help his new friend, bringing all of his healing knowledge to bear but to no avail.

Then one day, nearly a month from when he first found the wolf, while he is preparing the salve to help keep the wound from infection, he turns around to check on them and is startled to find a very handsome but very naked and confused drow man where the wolf had been only a moment ago.

He yells out in surprise, gaining the attention of some of the younger druids nearby who imedietly grab their weapons upon seeing the intruder to their home.

Upon seeing them grab weapons, the drow man snatches a knife off a nearby table and jumps in front of halsin on all fours, growling and snarling at the druids like the wolf did before.

Halsin took no time to realize that the man and the wolf were the same being but was having a heck of a time trying to get the others to believe him.

The commotion eventually attracted the attention of the Archdruid whom was able to calm the situation enough for Halsin to explain what had happened.

Once the Archdruid confirms it by noticing the injury on the mans leg is identical to the injury on the wolf he shoos the others away so Halsin could calm the man down.

Once Halsin is able to calm him and take the knife away he is able to learn four things.

The mans name was Razzikel, he was an escaped slave Ranger from the Underdark, that he was Lythari...

And he had been stuck in that form for close to 15 years.

With this knowledge he knew that his new friend would have no where to go so he asks the Archdruid if he could stay. "The grove could always use a good ranger, don't you agree?"

Once given the okay Halsin rolled up his metaphorical sleeves and got to work helping the man begin the long road to becoming a person again.

A journy that would ultimately change a lot of things for the both of them.

This is the cliff notes version of events i am sharing as a reference for myself should i get around to writing again.

For those of you who dont know what a Lythari is, they are elves that went through a ritual to be able to turn into a wolf, similar in nature to a druids wildshape but limited only to the one form.

Razzikel had it done to save his life from a disease that would have killed him by age 50. He is about 150-160 at the time of these events making Halsin about...185-195. So about...early to mid 20's in comparison for both.

[autistichalsin]

I wonder if you have thoughts on like.... the other members of his grove? and halsin relating to them? bc apart from rath and maybe two more, they all seem very dicky to me 🤔 and ya, halsin said it's been a burden, and being a kind-hearted dude like him leading a bunch of bastards that think so highly of themselves could definitely contribute to the stress. I guess i don't get it? the one at the steps by the bear is like 'hold on give them a chance' @ the bear when we come in but then in the same breath is like 'no step further or i show you my claws' and seems like has to be talked down from being hostile by third druid; then later when we stop the ritual she's like 'we stopped the chanting but that doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful to this place' and some rando other druid went something along the lines of 'you're overstaying your welcome' - im just thinking how horrible halsin's life must have been surrounded by pricks like that 😔

Short version: yeah, everyone but Rath, Nettie, and Apikusis suck lol

Long version: everyone but Rath, Nettie, and Apikusis suck, BUT you can see several who are having doubts about what they're doing, and many of them come back to themselves once Halsin returns.

There were, I think, multiple things going on here:

By his own admission, Halsin wasn't a very strong leader. He never had leadership skills taught or modeled for him before becoming Archdruid, and further, his promotion was under incredibly traumatic circumstances. The survivor guilt, the admiration he had towards the previous Archdruid, likely left him not wanting to fully engage with the role out of fear of replacing him or at least seeming to do so.

The refugee situation was noted to be causing stress at the Grove as supplies were dwindling (I guess we're supposed to forget Goodberry is a spell ANY Druid can do, lol). This would have not only sown resentment against Halsin and the refugees for putting them in this situation, but crucially, it would have given an outsider enemy for the Grove. Cults (like the Shadow Druids) operate at their strongest when they have a threat, or appearance of one, to unite members and potential members under. "We are the only ones who can keep you safe from these outsiders who may be from hell itself, who are using all your supplies and contributing nothing, who are the reason you're being attacked by goblins every other day." And Halsin, as much as I love him, showed poor judgment in going with the goblins at that precise moment, and with little explanation to the others. It shows where his heart and priorities are- always with the Shadow-Cursed Lands first- but that would not be an endearing things for his stressed Druids.

Kagha not only fell in with this cult, but unfortunately, she had a lot of what Halsin was lacking as a leader- she just chose to use this skills for evil. She was persuasive (something Halsin admits he wasn't so good at), she presented herself as being concerned with the group's welfare in a way Halsin wasn't quite able to do (since his heart was elsewhere), and her zealotry seemed preferable to the other Druids in contrast to Halsin's mixed attention.

This cannot be understated: the Grove was deliberately targeted by Ketheric Thorm. He knew from experience that the Grove posed a significant threat, and he ordered his underlings to make contact with the Shadow Druids and send them to the Emerald Grove, to either persuade them to carry out the Rite of Thorns or at least cause so much division that the social bonds collapsed entirely and the Grove was left too divided to be able to accomplish anything. Ketheric and the Shadow Druids were able to find all of the above weaknesses and exploit them effortlessly.

So then it became a game of scapegoating, which is a favored recruitment technique of cults. "We're here because of the Other, and because our leader was too weak to fix the problem before it got this bad. We need a new leader; a leader who cares only for us and isn't afraid to tell the truth about these immigrants refugees who want to destroy America our Grove by leading gangsters and drug lords goblins right to us! Build the Wall Perform the Rite of Thorns!"

No one is immune to propaganda and everyone is a potential target for cults. It very well could be that all of the Druids, even Kagha, were once genuinely kind people who were manipulated by the cult into believing their kindnesses would get the Grove destroyed; they took on the "it's us or them" mentality.

For the timeframe to work, it either would have had to be happening in secret before Halsin left, or Halsin would have had to be gone for a while; since we know it wasn't TOO terribly long but hadn't JUST happened either, my guess is that Kagha had been spreading Shadow Druid doctrine in secret for some time, and had been planning to usurp Halsin's position even if he hadn't been kidnapped. That just made it easier once it happened. (There is a formal process within the Druids to challenge an Archdruid for their position; I don't know if Halsin even would have fought Kagha that hard if she kept her true intentions a secret. He had faith in her at this point after all, and didn't want the leadership position. That's a terrifying thought.)

So, then, Halsin comes back, and sees evil ideas spreading in all his Druids, starting with Kagha. Depending on the player's actions, he may or may not know it goes deeper than her. He can also see that his reputation has been severely damaged, if not ruined, in his absence; almost none of the Druids have any respect for him anymore. So he makes the wise decision to bring in Francesca, who they have no choice but to respect, and backs away himself. At this point, he intends to return someday when the Druids have been deprogrammed, but of course, later he decides it's not worth it anyway.

So back to: how bad must his life have been surrounded by that? Well, as mentioned, my headcanon is he wasn't surrounded by it very long, if at all. He thought everything was just normal, until he got back from being kidnapped and quickly found it very much wasn't. Whether that's better or worse, though, is up to interpretation. What's worse- seeing those you love fall victim to a cult, or thinking everything is completely fine, and then one day discovering they've been sucked in deep and there's nothing you can do to persuade them anymore since they've come to see you as The Enemy?

In any case, Halsin deserved much better, and I like to think he keeps in touch with Nettie, Rath, and Apikusis after the epilogue, even if he keeps his distance from the Grove itself.

[cccgsr-blog]

Some thoughts on Halsin (Part1/2)

I haven't tried EA so my understanding of Halsin is based on the content released in the official version of the game. I Love this guy but obviously his character has lots of room for improvement. I've read some discussions, some I agree with, some I don't. Here are my thoughts.

1. Lacks of character content

1) Act 1 & 2

Lacks of action

Halsin joins our camp after we solve the crisis in the Grove, and stands there idly until near the end of Act 2, which is ridiculous. I understand that as a character added for fan-service blablabla, if he were to join the combat and plot development, it would mean adding lots of character interaction and performance which of course increase costs, but there can still be smoother ways to handle this:

After the player rescues Halsin, he returns to the Grove to deal with follow-up matters, becoming a non-joining NPC, until the player enters the Cursed Land. Here the player can choose to notify Halsin actively; or not notify him, but Halsin will show up anyway.

As the leading Druid of the Grove, it is normal for Halsin to arrange scouts on the risen road, tracking the player's movements thus receive massages on when the player enters the cursed lands, and eventually join up. As a Druid who had previously traveled in the Undergrounds, to have a connection with the local Myconid circle is also make sense. It could explained as, although Halsin knows there was passthroughs lead to the shadow-cursed lands, he has no knowledge of the Grymforge and could not cross the dark waters on his own, until he Gray Dwarves invasion that open the path and brought boats. After the player cleared the map, Halsin receive massages from the Myconid Sovereign and catch up with the MC via spore traces or other signs (just make up some reason)

At this point, Halsin can officially join the main team and participate in combat. In case of players going to different maps mid-game, Halsin can still leave the squad when the player leaves the shadow-cursed land, either staying in the camp or the Last Light Inn, or returning to the Grove. Not much change but much smoother. Of course, I personally would very much like to see the interaction between Halsin and the Myconid Sovereign (a reunion of old friends!) or Halsin's thoughts on the fall of the Losanda Monastery (since the Archdruid and certain monks could have previously studied the shadow issues together.)

EA content

I've read some discussion on EA content. It's said that EA hinted Halsin had something to do with Isobel's death. Both a good and bad idea I'd say. Letting Halsin be connected to Isobel's death, and turning him into one of the responsible parties for the shadow curse, which of course would greatly help to flesh out his character, but also makes the plot overly complicated. This change of plot kind of turns the entire Act 2 into Halsin's personal story that all the MC doing was to deal with the consequence of Halsin's past decisions and actions, which would be a disaster for the game narrative. So it is completely reasonable that Act 2 makes no more dig into the relationship between Halsin and the shadow curse as EA hinted.

2) Act 3

Lacks of content

It's quite disappointing that Halsin has no personal content in the third act, and I almost lost my motivation to finish the game for that reason. It makes no sense that Orin would not kidnap an LI, especially when she set the Love Test int the circus. Halsin even teased about your many questions, joked about you being a doppleganger and taking his place. But when it comes time for the real shapeshifter plot, all this foreshadowing makes no use for Orin doesn't kidnap the LI. This really make no sense to me. Just kidnap him (or Minthara), at least we could have more content for him, more emotional pack for the players who romance him too. He can free himself in the middle of the quest or get some new clues about something if it's too embarrassing for him to be always abducted, just make up some, I don't care.

The possibilities with Shadow Druids

In the same time, many people, including myself, find it absurd when Halsin suddenly approves the reasons of the Shadow Druids in the third chapter. But it could be the chance for some deepening to take place, suggesting that Halsin indeed has deeper connections with the Shadow Druids.

I've read some discussions suggesting Halsin keeps his anger until he's two hundred years old. As a young Druid roaming the land, angry and wild, it's easy to imagine he would have had contact with the Shadow Druids and somehow was attracted to their doctrines - In our rebellious teenage years, who never dreamt of crushing the toxic human society/civilization? Although Halsin later had chosen a more peaceful way, his early involvement with the Shadow Druids could still leave him with a profound impression. He understands the dangers posed by the Shadow Druids and the temptation of their doctrine to other Druids, which is why he reprimanded Kagha but still allowing her to restart as a novice rather than giving her more severe punishment, since he himself almost went down that road when he was young. That could also explain his absurd statements on Shadow Druids in Act 3, as he has to personally experience the human city and its chaos/careless, the temptation of the Shadow Druids doctrine comes back with force.

So, enhancing the content about Shadow Druids into Act 3 would be most suitable, which also avoids changing the main story. It could be that, As Shadow Druids learned of the Mind Flayers' large-scale activities in Baldur's Gate and view this as another piece of evidence that human cities are a threat to the balance of nature and decide to destroy the city. Halsin, aware of the danger, could propose that the MC deal with the Shadow Druids, also triggering dialogue about his experience as a hot-headed and untamed young Druid roaming the land, desperately trying to understand and learn about the world while seeking his own path. This way, Halsin's character can be deepened.

Depending on how the Shadow Druid mission is completed, Halsin in the ending can be angrier and more distant from civilization, or more peaceful and striving to reconcile the relationship between society and nature. Thus, his character's arc becomes much clearer.

Part2:

[disney2dnd]

Disney DND Builds--Villain #1: Maleficent

Hello, welcome to a series where I create Dungeons and Dragons builds out of classic Disney characters. I'll be starting with the villains as I think they are more fun and interesting to design.

MALEFICENT

Maleficent is the most iconic Disney villain. She's an evil witch with a raven, an army of goblins and the power to turn into a dragon, what's not to love? So what better villain to start this series, and this blog with than her? This build can be used as the basis for a villain for a campaign, or as a playable character.

I will be limiting myself to the 1959 Maleficent, so no Kingdom Hearts or Angelina Jolie Maleficent--Those could very well be their own builds someday, but not today.

Race:

Maleficent's race is a hard one but I decided to go with the Elf race, specifically the Drow/Dark Elf subrace. This is because of the Drow's association with evil and it's Fey Ancestry. Maleficent is often identified as an evil fairy (or a witch but that isn't a race). I don't think she is referred to as one directly in the 1959 film though so technically this is breaking my rule about limiting the features to that of the 50s Maleficent, but it's necessary for the build I think. She won't be serving Lolth the Spider Queen though, we'll discover her master later. I know that some might pick Tiefling due to Maleficent's horns but I personally think it's just a helmet.

Class:

I personally feel the best choice for Maleficent is a multiclass of Druid and Warlock class. I'll explain the biggest reason for Warlock in the next section, although it's also worth mentioning that Warlock is one of the most typically evil DND classes. Fair warning though, Warlocks are lacking in spell slots, but when cast their spells are always the highest slot level available. For example, as a level 17 Warlock our Maleficent's highest spell level is 5th Level. If she is a 17th level Warlock and chooses to cast Witch Bolt or Fireball they be cast at 5th level no matter what. I think this fits Maleficent's power level and ego, I cannot imagine her deliberately casting a 1st level spell if she was level 20. As for Druid it provides Maleficent with useful elemental spells. She'll be taking 17 levels in Warlock and 3 levels in Druid.

Subclasses:

Warlock has several subclasses (or "pacts" as the subclass shows what patron the Warlock serves) but I believe the best choice thematically is the Pact of the Fiend. One of Maleficent's most memorable lines is "now shall you deal with me O' Prince. And all the powers of HELL!" so there's definitely a connection to demons and devils. This also gives her access to several fire-themed spells, and fire was a major element of Maleficent's magic in the original film.

As for Druid, I'll be picking Circle of the Land, specifically the Mountain version for one spell in particular. I found another build that combines these two subclasses as well, which definitely served as inspiration.

Background and Alignment:

In the original movie, Maleficent's backstory is left unknown and we are not using information from the Angelina Jolie film. I'm going with the Outlander background since Maleficent seems to live off in the mountains far away from the King's palace.

For Alignment I think Chaotic Evil makes the most sense since Maleficent has no morals and enjoys being evil for the hell of it.

Pact Boon:

Of the Warlock Pact Boons, I think Pact of the Chain is the easiest choice (again thematically). Maleficent's pet raven Diablo is one of the most iconic aspects of her character, and Pact of the Chain adds the spell Find Familiar to her spell list, and the raven is one of the possible choices for a Familiar. We'll talk more about Diablo and how he works as a Familiar later.

Invocations:

Warlocks can gain extra powers by choosing Invocations. As Maleficent is a Level 17 Warlock, we can have up to 8 Invocations.

Armour of Shadows: Lets you cast Mage Armour at will. No real basis in the movie, just picked as filler but you can use it to protect Diablo if he gets caught in the crossfire during a fight.

Beguiling Influence: This gives Maleficent Proficiency in Deception and Persuasion, which is useful for tricking princesses into touching deadly spindles and also for tricking a prince into believing his dear bride-to-be is still at home (causing him to walk right into an ambush).

Agonising Blast (Prerequisite: Eldritch Blast cantrip): Adds your Charisma modifier to the damage of your Eldritch Blasts. Included just to make the cantrip Eldritch Blast more powerful, again Maleficent is incredibly powerful, famously one of the most powerful Disney Villains and I don't see her accepting Eldritch Blast in its standard form when improvements are available.

Eldritch Mind: This gives you advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration on a spell. Given that several of Maleficent's spells need concentration, I feel this will be useful.

Sign of Ill Omen (Prerequisite: 5th level): Lets you cast Bestow Curse with a Warlock spell slot once per day. And curses are pretty much Maleficent's thing.

Bewitching Whispers (Prerequisite: 7th level): This lets you cast Compulsion using a Warlock spell slot once per day. Perfect for luring unsuspecting princesses to a deadly spinning wheel!

Visions of Distant Realms (Prerequisite: 15th level): This lets you cast Arcane Eye at will without expending a spell slot. Maleficent is apparently an excellent spy, as one of the fairies says "even walls have ears" when shushing the other two.

Spells:

(this will not be counting spells Maleficent gets from Feats, Invocations and Mystic Arcanum, we'll discuss those later)

Cantrips:

Eldritch Blast (Warlock): Not only is this easily the best and most iconic Warlock cantrip, A damaging "beam of crackling energy" fits well with the appearance of some of the magic we see Maleficent use in the movie.

Minor Illusion (Warlock): I originally picked this because I could've sworn Maleficent mimics Aurora's voice to lure Prince Phillip in before she captures him, but looking back at the scene she doesn't. I'm still including this cantrip though, because early on the movie, she creates an image of bats and devils and the famous spinning wheel with her staff. Major Image can do this too and you could consider just having it and ignoring Minor Illusion but there is actually a reason I think she should have both the cantrip and that spell.

Frostbite (Warlock): Maleficent apparently uses frost spells to ruin the flower gardens of the good fairies, according to a brief exchange between them.

Prestidigitation (Warlock): Minor magical effects. Mainly included for filler, feel free to replace it with another Cantrip (in fact, feel free to replace anything with anything, this isn't the way you HAVE to play this build).

Produce Flame (Druid): We're going to be putting a heavy emphasis on fire for this build.

Gust (Druid): Early in the movie, a gust of wind heralds Maleficent's introduction.

Thunderclap (Druid Bonus Cantrip): Does Thunder damage, which ties into the theme of deadly elements being used for Maleficent's spells.

Dancing Lights (Drow Magic): Manipulating light might not fit Maleficent's persona but you get this magic naturally if you play a Drow.

1st Level Spells:

Witch Bolt (Warlock): A lot of Maleficent's spells appear in the form of lightning bolts. Since Warlocks don't get many Lightning spells, we'll be using Witch Bolt to represent this.

Command (Warlock): Taken for the same reason as Bewitching Whispers, for compelling people to do stuff for you...like approaching the spindle you want them to touch! Feel free to swap this out for Charm Person if you think that spell works better.

Burning Hands (Warlock): Fire is a key element of Maleficent's magic, and we'll definitely be prioritising spells that do fire damage.

Entangle (Druid): "A forest of thorns shall be his tomb" These thorny spells are the main appeal for picking Druid.

Thunderwave (Druid): Does thunder damage, and again, lightning spells are prominent for Maleficent.

Faerie Fire (Drow Magic): You just get this naturally by being a Drow.

2nd Level Spells:

Misty Step (Warlock): Maleficent uses teleportation powers about three times in the film, though she is surrounded by fire instead of "silvery mist" so make of that what you will.

Invisibility (Warlock): Turned invisible to hypnotise Aurora.

Scorching Ray (Warlock): Because fire.

Flaming Sphere (Druid): Again, fire.

Spider Climb (Druid): No basis in the movie, but this spell is always prepared if you go Circle of the Mountain.

Spike Growth (Druid): More thorn magic, and this time more dangerous than Entangle.

3rd level Spells:

Major Image (Warlock): Same reason for inclusion as Minor Illusion. As this is a Concentration spell while Minor Illusion is not, you can technically combine these spells to create more effective illusions.

Fireball (Warlock): Gimme an F! Gimme an I! Gimme an R! Gimme an E! Also this is just a great spell period.

4th level spells:

Fire Shield (Warlock): Now this fire spell is actually similar to one used in the movie, which Maleficent uses to dissuade the King's guards from attacking her.

Dimension Door (Warlock): Same reason for inclusion as Misty Step, only better, although that spell remains useful since it is a bonus action unlike this spell which takes a full action.

Elemental Bane (Warlock): Pretty much all the damage types mentioned aside from acid have been used by Maleficent.

Wall of Fire (Warlock): C'mon you know the drill by now.

5th level spells:

Flame Strike (Warlock): The "divine" aspect of the fire is a bit unthematic with Maleficent's evil-loving persona but it's the best I could find and is still quite powerful.

Scrying (Warlock): Again, Maleficent is apparently an excellent spy. This also has problems, namely that Maleficent is not able to detect Aurora whereas she could easily with this power but what the hell maybe Aurora makes really consistently good Wisdom saves.

Mystic Arcanum:

These give you access to spells higher level than what Warlocks usually get. Two of these spells were perfect for Maleficent while the other two were mainly filler and can be swapped out for other spells.

Investiture of Flame: Basically a superior version of Flame Shield, ideal for Maleficent.

Finger of Death: Filler, but fit Maleficent best out of the remaining spells.

Power Word Stun: Filler but powerful and deadly enough to gel with Maleficent.

True Polymorph: With this you can become the mighty dragon Maleficent turns into in the movie, making it by far the easiest choice of the 9th-level spell options. Adult Red Dragon breathes fire and is generally stronger but the appearance of the Adult Black Dragon is closer to the one in the film, despite it breathing acid instead of fire. Just pick whichever dragon you feel suits best.

Proficiencies and Ability Scores:

I believe Arcana and Intimidation are the two best choices thematically and with an Invocation you'll end up with proficiency in Persuasion and Deception anyway. As for the Ability Scores, we'll be going with the same general concept as this build again, with Charisma>Wisdom>Intelligence>Strength>Dexterity.

Feats and Score Increases:

I'll be taking two feats and using the ability score increases on Charisma and Wisdom, the abilities most important for Warlocks and Druids respectively.

Magic Initiate (Wizard): This gives Maleficent two Cantrips and a 1st level spell from the Wizard spell book. I'll be picking the Control Flames and Ray of Frost Cantrips due to their elemental themes and the spell will be Sleep for reasons that are obvious.

Elemental Adept (Fire): This Feat ensures resistance to fire damage will not affect your many many fire spells.

Minions:

Diablo the Raven:

As mentioned, Diablo will be a Familiar for this build, and the spell and the Raven stat block are already linked in the Pact Boon section. Keep in mind that a Familiar cannot attack without a Feat from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything but since Diablo is more of a scout than a combatant in the movie and the Raven isn't a terribly strong Beast anyway it is not a huge problem.

Goons:

Identifying Maleficent's "Goons" is quite difficult, and I've seen them identified as both goblins and orcs, but to be honest they could be neither. The bug-eyed bat-like one does like somewhat goblin-like though and a few of the pig-faced ones resemble old depictions of orcs so I'll be making them mostly Orcs with a couple of Goblins. You could even include at least one Lizardfolk and a couple of Kenku to represent the crocodile and bird-looking ones. To my knowledge there is no spell that lets you summon orcs, goblins or any of the other monsters mentioned so I'd just make them recruitable NPCs. If you are using this build for a Maleficent player character, I doubt the DM will let you just bring the Goons with you willy nilly, as having a small army might make things unfair, but they might let you bring them for attacks on strong enemy armies or the BBEG. However, the Goons are better for a Maleficent-inspired BBEG than they are for a Player character.

And with that our Maleficent build is essentially complete, as a Fiend Warlock/Mountain Druid. You can use lightning, fire and thorny walls against your opponents, command a small army of monsters and one crafty raven and of course, turn into a ferocious dragon. Please let me know how you would design the build or any improvements I could make, and you are welcome to suggest Disney characters for future builds. With that said, thank you for reading, and I hope you were satisfied by this build in its current form.