#playtrough: lucien

[zoneofsmites]

Narrator: Gods. These are the names of gods, once lost, but now restored after the Second Sundering. Narrator: Intelligence (investigation): The last three names in this book sit close together, but are so devastated by the scrawl as the be unreadable.

So. those three names are 100% the dead three right?

[zoneofsmites]

Gale: Belive it or not, but I witnessed a similar standoff back at the Yawning Portal. Of course, an establishment like that invites all sorts of outlandish entertainments. Lucien: What was the standoff about? Gale: Oh a drow, a dragonborn, and a cleric of Cyric walk into a bar. Your standard fare. Maybe someone was cheating at cards, maybe it was some weird lovers' quarrel. In any case, out came the crossbow, and a hush fell over the entire room. Lucien: What happened next? Gale: I stood up and yelled: 'Shadowdark ale for everyone!'. The crowd cheered, the tension drained into five dozen tankars, and soon all was well again. In a place like the Yawning portal, the most powerful magic is calling for a round of drinks. Gale: Mind you, all I did was call for ale, but you went and stood in front of that crossbow.

I have not protected Sazza much of ever aside from the very first time, so I had quite forgotten about Gale saying this.

Gale has such fun stories and great explantions of things. What I especially love about this one is to know that Gale very much was someone that went out and sought the company of others before the orb. But also just Gale's morals shining trough.

[zoneofsmites]

Withers: Now I have a question for thee: what is the worth of a single mortal's life? Lucien: A peaceful undead. Interesting. Why aren't you attacking me? Withers: Because that would be senseless. Wilt thou answer my question? Lucien: Yes. Ask away.

An peaceful undead that can speak? And it's asking him philosophical questions about souls? This is the height of Lucien's academic career. His thesis is going to be so good.

Withers: So I ask again: what is the worth of a single mortal life? Lucien: Each life is of infinite value and merits sacrificing everything for. Withers: And thus balance is achieved. If all are at war, none can win. Very well. I am satisfied.

Lucien is a necromancer who values life very highly but has a casual relationship with death and the concept of it. Life means everything but death is inevitable.

He treats the bodies he raises with utmost respect as well - and lays them to proper rest afterwards.

[zoneofsmites]

Barcus Wroot: You saved me. Now you'll extort me. That's how this works, yes?

BARCUS MY BEST FRIEND BARCUS HELLO <3

Anyway no extortion here sweetheart, Lucien is a nice polite boy who likes helping people.

[zoneofsmites]

Blonde goth necromancer drip has me acting unwise.

[zoneofsmites]

Sazza: {Ain't sure why ya protected me. Don't care, neither.} It's too late to make friends, worgmeat. My tribe's comin'. They're gonna burn this pretty place for the glory of the Absolute and 'ang ya by yer guts. Lucien: [wizard] In all my studies, I've seen no reference to a god called the Absolute. Sazza: (Goddess.) We're burnin' Her name across the face o' the world, we are. The Absolute is gold from the sky, She is. The blessin' in the storm an' the storm itself. Lucien: You've caught my interest. Have any holy literature on you? Sazza: My tribe can tell you everythin' there is to know. Absolute blessed one of our own - Priestess Gut.

Oh Lucien your curiosity and wizard hubris is going to get us in trouble at some point I swear.

Sazza gave us another option to get the tadpoles out of our head - and we've already learned from Nettie and that True Soul guy we met on the way to Karlach that these cultists have tadpoles in their heads too. In theory, they're the experts.

Lucien: Well, I'd certainly like to meet her. Sazza: Get me out of 'ere and I'll tell you where find 'er. Deal? Lucien: You already told me what I need to know, I'll find the priestess myself. Sazza: Ha! Even if you did find my tribe, they'd set the worgs on ya. You need me - get me outta here, and I'll tell 'em what a good friend you are. Lucien: Deal. I'll get you out of there. Sazza: Then hurry up an' do it. My tribe ain't as friendly as I am.

And you are so friendly Sazza, truly. In practice, Lucien is aware that goblin magic is not as intricate as druidic healing - but that means that either way they'd need to get into the goblin camp, because Halsin' last known location is in that camp. Sneaking out a goblin that is willing to extend some level of diplomacy is honestly not the worst way to try and get an in no?

The less hordes of goblins there are to fight the better. Lucien might be one hell of a man - but he is still only a wizard.

[zoneofsmites]

Sazza: Shoot before you lose your nerve, tiefling. If you ever had any to begin with. Lucien: *step between the crossbow and the goblin* Sazza: Looks like the absolute send me a protector. Ya gonna kill 'im too? Arka: You! Move! Lucien: [Persuasion] No, shoot me. Should be easy right? Arka: What in every hell is wrong with you? Damn you, damn it! Why do you care if a goblin lives or dies? Lucien: Because she's not a practice target. She's a person. Lae'zel: Tsk. Your soft heart will be the death of us. Arka: Can't say I understand that. Not sure I want to.

Remember when I said that Lucien is the kind of Necromancer that thinks life is precious and every soul merits sacrificing everything for? This obviously includes goblins.

Arka saying "Can't say I understand that. Not sure I want to." is kind of fucked up isn't it? She does not see this goblin as a person - she does not want to see this goblin as a person. The question is, is that grief speaking or the general disdain for goblins? Perhaps both.

[zoneofsmites]

Lucien is so pretty and like. how am i supposed to focus on this run if i just stare at him in cutscenes the whole time. did this to myself really.

Have some of my favorites from playing today.

[zoneofsmites]

Astarion: Of course, first sign of change and I'll have to stop that pretty little heart of yours. Astarion: I am open to suggestions. Knives, poison, strangulation - whatever you'd prefer. Lucien: Poison? That sounds painless. Astarion: A fine choice! I can think of some nightshades that are deliciously fatal. If they're mixed well, you'll just close your eyes and drift away. And if they're not...

Like I said before, casual relationship with death. Astarion asks him how he wants to die and Lucien doesn't even need to think before answering - he has thought about this before, of course.

He does not pick poison because it would be quick or painless nessecarily. Poison will leave the body functional if it needs to be reanimated!

Lucien: And you? How should I kill you? Astarion: Ha! Oh, my boy, I'd like to see you try.

Astarion, buddy, who between us has 15 STR and the ability to blast magic in your face?

Lucien was asking an honest question - how would you prefer to die? It's nothing personal, promise. (and maybe... wait on revealing your vampiric nature to the necromancer - he would want to pick you apart to see how your organs work despite being undead)

[zoneofsmites]

Some Wyll introduction highlights - because I love him so much.

Wyll: Hell's great fires - you were on the ship Lucien: Who was that woman, the one in your thoughts? Wyll: You saw her, then Advocatus diaboli. Narrator: Intelligence (history): Advocatus diaboli. A devil's advocate - a champion of the Blood War between diabolic forces and demon.

The lighting in Wyll's introduction scene is always so fucking good. Anyway I kind of wish there was more options for your background to have special dialogue. Lucien is a baldurian noble - shouldn't there be an option for either Wyll to recognize him or him to recognize Wyll?

Oh well, that is what the imagination is for.

Lucien and Wyll are in the same age-range, though Luce is a tad older. They wouldn't have been friends - but he definitely could've been that attractive older teen that a young Wyll would have a crush on and try to impress or dance with at those balls the nobles hold.

Lucien: Let's join forces. I'll help you cast this devil back into the Hells. Lae'zel: Chk. A tadpole feasts on our skulls, and you are signing on to chase devils? Wyll: Trust me, gith - I know the stories. Doomed to shed our skin and become illithid. And they say there's no coming back. But I've seen your people in battle. I reckon you are no mere warrior, but a godsdamned army. If anyone cane overcome this tadpole, it's you. Wyll: I'd be a fool to let you turn your back. Pledge me your talents, and I'll pledge you mine. Lae'zel: Chk

It's dialogue like this that really makes it clear this man has a starting 17 Charisma stat. Wyll knows what to say to get people to listen to him, to placate them and be on his side. He is charming and lovely and persuasive.

[Shadowheart: The fame Blade of Frontiers in the flesh. ] Wyll: 'Hero', 'Blade' - names strangers gave me. My friends call me 'Wyll'. Shadowheart: Excellent. If we ever become friends, I'll know what to call you.

I love Shadowheart's sass here - but also did strangers actually give him that name? The way he prances it around it sounds like his own little made up name sometimes, though it definitely could be a title others gave him that he is simply proud of.

[zoneofsmites]

Lucien: *Urge your hand to turn another page.* Narrator: The glyphs scream, banding your mind with strange runes. You see time rewritten - fate undone - your future thrumming with power. You struggle to cling to scraps of what you know - powerful necromancy, you're sure - but it darts away, leaving only Hell's screams. Narrator: The book snaps closed. You've seen too much. What profane knowledge is now seared inside of you, you should never have known.

First of all, that nat 20 on the final saving throw? even the game wants Lucien's necromancer ass to succeed here. FATE SPINS ALONG AS IT SHOULD!

And now Lucien has forbidden knowledge seared into him. I'm sure mother dearest would be proud for him 'doing what is necessary in the pursuit of power' - but despite this being the best possible outcome Lucien already regrets ever opening that stupid book.

[zoneofsmites]

Narrator: you try to examine the book, but the longer you stare the more those piercing, amethyst eyes draw you in. You've seen similar books in wizard's libraries - a tome on Thayan magic. A rare and expensive find, but people have gone mad reading less dangerous texts. Astarion: That looks terribly heavy. Why don't you let me carry it for you? Wyll: We surely shouldn't just leave such a threat out, where anyone could stumble across it.

Wyll is right, of course. Although we had to like, go trough a secret door and chat up a magic mirror and get past traps to even get here. But yes, too dangerous to leave out.

However.

We're also not destroying it.

This is forbidden necromancy knowledge. Lucien might be less grandstanding than some wizards in this party - not gonna name names 🙄 - but he is still a wizard. (ofc you have wizard hubris it came free with your xbox etc etc).

Is this a good idea? Oh absolutely not, Lucien is terrified of this book ruining him. Such a classic necromancer - destroying your soul for power. But it's not about power it's about knowledge, and hey with that tadpole in your head you have no cure for as of yet you're already a dead man walking.

(Also, I love you for trying Astarion, but this time im a necromancer, if anyone is reading the cursed necromancy book it's going to be the wizard who has a phd in it thanks.)

Narrator: The book's pull is irresistible; you feel changes, bettered, for having opened it. Suddenly, you are capable of anything - felling mountains, darkening suns, conversing with the dead.

astarion and gale disapproving the NECROMANCY PHD WIZARD READING THE CURSED TOME. like again - Lucien is infinitely more qualified than you two idiots. But go off kings.

[zoneofsmites]

i can… literally not load my save files since patch 5. Which is. Interesting.

New saves work just fine and can load anything made after patch 5… but i cannot get into my old playtroughs rn 😔

[zoneofsmites]

(physically restraining myself) Lucien: Eros 3, Philia 2. And then Sylas: Ludus 5, Philautia 4. -@veilkeeper

Questions from here

Eros 3 - How do they feel about public displays of romantic affection? Does it make them uncomfortable? How do they feel if a romantic partner kisses them in public?

Lucien isn't unfamiliar with relationships. But he is not used to genuine romantic affection - most of his relationships were short-lived and not very serious. Being kissed in public he can handle, but it is soft touches and more romantic gestures (like wyll's new kissing animation - i've seen that floating around already) that would get him stammering and red in the face. Yes it would make him uncomfortable but he wouldn't mind it, he in fact quite likes it despite being a blundering mess about it.

Philia 2 - Does your OC find it easy to make friends? Or are there barriers to them doing so? If so then are these due to issues of inclination, communication, or something else entirely?

Let's just say his lack of charisma stat isn't just because I needed a dump stat.

Lucien is weird. Not in the ways my durge Sylas is weird. No Lucien is weird in the ways a relatively sheltered noble wizard is weird. Lucien is weird the ways necromancers are weird.

Making friends isn't impossible or anything but it can be hard for him. He is pretty and decently charming but then he opens his mouth and starts talking corpses and fighting techniques, which is not everyone's cup of tea...

Ludus 5 - What seduction techniques are most likely to be effective when it comes to your OC? Are there some things guaranteed to get them going? Or are they immune to such things?

Sylas is an easy man when it comes to being convinced into having sex with someone - especially post-tadpole, when he also has the lack of reservations about being with anyone... alive, for fear of attachement.

Honestly all you need is for him to find you conventionally attractive and for you to be direct about your intentions. (which is why Lae'zel and Astarion both managed to get something going there).

The problem is mostly in the long term. Getting off and a relationship are different things. Especially when you... aren't sure what a relationship is actually supposed to look like.

Philautia 4 - Which of your OC's qualities makes them the most proud? Do they think more people should be like them in this regard? Or do they quite like being rare in possessing it?

Sylas is most proud of his fighting prowess, his ability to handle himself. his ability to spill crimson, to tear and slice and kill. Among his fellow traveling companions fighting ability isn't a rare skill, but his skillset is unique.

Other than that he is quite proud with how quickly he is picking up whittling and drawing. He wasn't made for the arts but he's pretty good at having that eye for detail and he has the ability for precision work.

tysm for the ask kellan <3

[zoneofsmites]

Local gamer starts up his 3rd playtrough of the same character a little to the left.

Sylas 'the Dark Urge' Maeve gets another go around because I love him so fucking much it's unreal. (Hey Idle, weren't you still in act 1 with Lucien? ......... Perhaps... ignore that.)

With a make-over and a bit of a different starting stat distribution we are ready to traverse into faerun once more.

(also yes i am starting out with a different haircut than planned. Because my boy woke up from the nautiloid with wild grown out hair he doesn't know how the handle. And he isn't getting that together until he meets Wyll, who can actually fix that mess)

[zoneofsmites]

1, 18, 19, 68 for Lucien

thank you for the ask Alex!

(questions from here).

1 - Why did you pick the race you did for your Tav?

Lucien is actually my very first tav, back then I picked his race solely on aesthetics because of the faces being race specific.

I never did finish that playtrough with him... but hey extremely revamped besides basic backstory and appearance similarities is try number 2!

18 - Who is your Tav’s biggest rival?

In general Lucien holds a deep and petty dislike for his former dorm-mate Xander Eltan - a divination wizard who was just generally really really really annoying. (seriously, if you don't stop telling me 'see if you were a divination wizard-' every time I stub my toe i'm going to raise your great grandpa's corpse and have him strangle you motherfucker).

Amongst the group it is Gale. Not for any actual dislike mind you. Lucien just sees himself as inferior to Gale's talents (he was an archmage for the gods sake). Lucien has so so so many issues with needing to be needed and in this aspect he's the inferior wizard.

19 -  Who is your Tav romancing, if anyone?

We aren't there yet but Lucien is going to be romancing Wyll 🧡

68 - How does your Tav get along with each party member?

Lucien is decently pleasant because he's very kind but also... uh - just don't talk to him too long. He does have that off putting necromancer energy and will begin talking corpses and anatomy unprompted.

Relationships with specific party members below the cut:

Lae'zel can easily boss him around - Lucien is frankly just scared of her at this point early in their journey. I think this'll change after the creche and he will see another side of her, realise they're more alike than they think.

Astarion thinks he is easy to manipulate and thinks he has him wrapped around his finger. Lucien is definitely easy to push around but he is not wrapped around his finger. He just keeps staring and hovering around Astarion because he's an undead and Lucien has invasive questions that he wants to ask - but isn't asking them after being reprimanded one too many times earlier in the journey.

Gale actually enjoys talking with Lucien - unaware of Luciens feelings of incompetence compared to the other wizard. He is just glad to have another wizard to talk to and compare notes with. Gale is filling a bit of a professor/mentor role for the young wizard, even though he just sees it as scholarly banter at the moment.

Shadowheart finds him odd but nice, and Lucien feels awkward after being well, reprimanded for asking too many invasive questions. He likes her though, just wishes she could stop being so secretive! (Shart has not spilled the Shar beans yet in this run).

Karlach thinks he's a hoot and actually laughs at his necromancy jokes. She isn't 100% comfortable with the raising the death thing but she does find it cool in a morbid sort of way. Lucien adores Karlach's energy and really admires her outlook on life - trying to live it to the fullest despite her engine problems.

Wyll relates to and admires Lucien's strong sense of justice, and is glad to have another in the party that actively goes out of their way to want to help people. And the fact that he's sticking close has nothing to do with the fact that Lucien was his crush as a teenager. Meanwhile, Lucien does not remember Wyll from their shared past of noble parties in the upper city (a fact Wyll is not keen on reminding him off - what a fumbling young boy he was) and is just happy to have found someone to bond to early on that doesn't mind the necromancy thing. And that can be charming enough for the both of them.