#rare input on my tavs

[sailorgundam308]

Brainstorming through doodles: Tav 2, Sasha.

She’s an older, late 30s human barbarian (though she avoids raging for reasons). That’s her “growing up chart”. She’s not from Faerun, and when she’s abducted by the illithids she’s already like her depiction on the right. She has a strangely pale arm on her right. Her right eye is also uncharacteristically blue. She’s got a whole ass backstory she doesn’t like to talk about, presenting herself instead as a mercenary for hire. She’s unreasonably attached to a green ribbon she ties around her neck. Sasha isn’t her actual name.

[thenarrowstreet]

Mirror's Reflection

Summary: Pre-relationship comfort between Gale and a reluctant leader Tav, and some reflections after learning the truth about the orb.

“Are you alright?” Familiar, by now. You attempt a smile as he finds his spot beside you. “I could ask you the same thing.”

Basically, Gale is my emotional-support companion lol

Word count: 1,610

AO3 Link

You were decidedly not the leader type. 

Timid, too quiet, overly sensitive. Such are the common themes in how others have always described you. You didn’t think that there should be anything shameful in sensitivity or preferring to listen than speak, and yet those descriptors were spoken with such disappointment and judgment that you felt yourself shrink. Rather than encouraging you to be bold and outgoing, you fell further into yourself until you believed it might be easier to just be invisible. 

So as you somehow find yourself at the head of a rapidly increasing group of strangers plagued with the same ill-fate as you, it should go without saying that you are out of your depth. It had started so gradually you hardly noticed until it was too late. What first began as simply trying to settle differences between Shadowheart and Lae’zel turned into authority unspokenly designated to you as Astarion joined the group. 

As the four of you made camp on the first night, you reasoned with yourself that it was a manageable group size. Compromise and fair discussions should be possible so that the group can make decisions together rather than just leaving them up to you. And yet, there was no denying that your new acquaintances were not going to easily find themselves on the same page. 

The next morning brought a new face to the group which elicited both instant comfort and yet an increasing sense of pressure. Gale was the first friendly face you had encountered, and you were drawn to him instantly by the warmth of his greeting and sincere brown eyes. You couldn’t help but marvel at his good-nature and optimism despite the life-threatening conditions you both shared. 

He was an eager and helpful addition to the party, and you found yourself valuing his input whenever he had insight to offer. Some decisions seemed so clear with him by your side, aided by the fact that you seemed to hold similar values. With Gale’s genuine expressions of approval, you felt assured of a reliable companion. Naturally, you readily helped Gale once he voiced a need for magical artifacts and the two of you only grew closer in mutual trust and reliance. However, you knew that there would be harder choices to make beyond the Grove. And with the more recent additions of Wyll and Karlach to the group the weight of responsibility placed on your shoulders became suffocating. 

Often, dinner around the campfire would result in heated discussions regarding the best courses of action and decisions to be made. Very rarely did you raise anything at these times, preferring to listen to all offered viewpoints. They quickly learned not to prompt you for your opinion, your mind grinding to a halt as all eyes turned towards you. With a mind buzzing with differing perspectives and arguments, you would afterwards retreat to your tent or the riverbank to consider all the options, even long after everyone else had begun to rest. 

On some nights your attention was drawn by a faint glowing light illuminating Gale’s tent, suggesting perhaps that the wizard found himself lost in some new book picked up along the journey. You secretly longed to join him and discover what volume had him so enthralled. For sleep to find you as you listened to his hushed voice reading the words aloud for you, rather than while endlessly turning around possible choices to be made the next day. But you would inevitably talk yourself out of it, any courage brought on from deep-seated longing thoroughly stamped out by reasoning of your own fabrication. 

— 

In the evening after Gale revealed the true nature of his affliction, some members of the party were less than pleased at your decision to allow him to stay and vocalized as much. It had been an instant choice on your part, needing not a moment of reflection. Though you have known him for only a short while, the trust and care you held for him left no room for doubt. Beyond such personal explanations, each member of the party knew that you all only stood a chance if you remained united. 

Even now you could recall with clarity his pained expression as he allowed you to see his self-declared folly, the depth of sorrow in his eyes as he held your hand near his heart and revealed the anguish hidden there. Always so desperate to be useful. And it seemed so obvious now as to why he wanted to help in any way possible. His fear of rejection, of being cast out, was as plain as the guilt pooled in his eyes. 

You had fought back the tears then, for his sake. Though in truth you could have knelt down with him and wrapped him in your arms as best as you were able. You were never very good at comforting, never certain if a hug was welcome or not. So instead your arms wrapped around yourself, trying to find stability after the shock of his revelation to you. But now, hearing the others murmuring that perhaps allowing him to stay was an irresponsible choice, tears prick your eyes once more and your throat tightens. You quietly excused yourself with what you hoped to be a measured expression, the group more than accustomed to your habit of withdrawing to be alone. 

Your hasty retreat to the riverside took you past Gale’s tent. Undoubtedly he would have been aware of the hushed dissent passing around the campfire, and yet seemed determined to appear untroubled as he read outside his tent. 

Not too long after finding a moment’s peace in your favourite spot, you are unsurprised by a gentle hand on your shoulder accompanied by a warm inquiry. He had found you here before, after all. 

“Are you alright?” Familiar, by now. 

You attempt a smile as he finds his spot beside you. “I could ask you the same thing.” 

A small exhaled hum is all the response that comes, leaving room for a thoughtful silence to settle between you. 

Your mind wanders to the first time he found you here alone with your thoughts. He had been searching for somewhere quiet to read, but didn’t want to impede upon your solitude. Where normally you would be grateful for such an offer, truly desiring to find a moment to yourself, you found yourself offering for him to join you. As much as you love to listen to him talk, you were equally delighted to find that you could share in a comfortable quietude. 

You are the one to ultimately dispel the hushed moment, your hesitant admission competing only with the river’s babbling and soft chirping of the crickets. 

“Some of them think I’m wrong, to want you to stay. And given that I’m not the most confident among us, I’m not surprised if they don’t trust me to make decisions. But…” 

You risk meeting his eyes, almost regretting it as you’re met with an overwhelming array of emotions filling his gaze. The intensity with which he considers your admission, seemingly holding his breath as he awaits its completion, is almost enough to derail your thought-process entirely. You avert your eyes though keeping your gaze near, urging yourself to press on. 

“But this is one of the few choices so far that I’ve been entirely sure of.” 

The relief he expressed earlier that day returned, though perhaps somewhat more subdued and paired with something more personal and harder to decipher. Gratitude? Affection? And yet the faintest sign of disbelief lingered. For all his earlier enthusiastic thanks to you, the look in his eyes now was so sincere and vulnerable that you really are in danger of crying all over again. 

But then his warm hand finds your own, so assuring and grounding that the tension between your knitted eyebrows softens almost instantly. 

“I meant what I said before, Tav. In witnessing your conduct thus far I have grown to trust you whole-heartedly. And how fortunate I am that your wisdom and generosity has extended to me. Even if Lae’zel and Astarion may think otherwise.” 

He turns to face you more fully then, both hands clinging to yours almost in a desperate plea. His eyes seek yours as his voice lowers, hushed as though revealing a precious secret. A matter of great magnitude. 

“I promise I will not betray your faith in me. Even if I can scarcely believe I have it, how unearned I fear it must be.” 

Such different lives you both had led, perhaps a result of what might appear on the surface to be almost opposite personalities. Yet as you sit here face-to-face, each finding your own insecurity mirrored in the other, the trust you place in him reflects right back to yourself. 

You huff an incredulous laugh and the tears fall at last, freely and with immense relief. One hand releases yours to hover over your cheek, stopped abruptly by hesitation on its path to wiping them. Stuttering concern that he might have offended you spills from his lips, so endearing and clumsy that you almost laugh properly this time. 

“Sorry Gale, really I’m fine.” You say it with a sheepish smile, opting to wipe the tears yourself. 

You intertwine your fingers with his hand that remained in yours, almost entirely forgotten in his brief panic, and focus your gaze out to the soft moonlight reflected on the river. 

“Thank you, by the way. And you’ve more than earned it, Gale. Truly.” 

Peace settles over you once again as his hand tightens in yours, each of you silently glowing in the comfort of having someone who believes in you.

[fregget-frou]

Wolfe (my tav) and his relationship with his companions!!

In general as stated before he is not someone who likes spotlight attention or authority, so generally leans towards people who prefer that leadership.

**Minthara** is one of the people he most respects, despite his general dislike of her hating on the lower gender. She is strong willed, she has clear goals, understands the need for hiding and proper communication between party members and most of all she loves to strategize with him!

She reminds him of mother/boss Beidh—another Tav of mine I’ll go into detail later— and he gets a similar feeling of admiration for her as a result. It can and most definitely does annoy minthara because at times he follows her every word like a puppy, but her ego is being fed so she doesn’t berate him *too* much

I also hc they both have the love the sleep knife (from one of my favorite mutual @/karz_2 on TikTok if you haven’t followed her already do it she’s hilarious) because it's convenient! What if you get ambushed while sleeping it is fully possible!! Why are you looking at him like that.

Since Wolfe is male she does see him as less than because ofc she’s a dick, but their relationship is not really about friendship it’s about respect. He’s used to being looked down on because of his general lack of experience and his status as a refugee back home so her animosity in the beginning wasn’t any new.

What was new was Minthara being a drow! Drow of course exist back in Birmet but he’s rarely ever seen one on the surface, and since the underdark is not often looking for landwalking hunters he doesn’t get a chance to ever meet one face to face. Wolfe vaguely remembers a meeting at the hunters guild when he was still in training seeing a small party of them but that’s about it.

Sometimes she reminds him too much of his mother/boss so it screws with his head, he has to stop himself from calling her boss on many occasions

Overall their relationship is cordial, both understand what eachother want from it and respect each other's skills and input when it comes to strategy and other aspects. They do not really speak outside of that, and both are fine with it. Very much coworker behavior.

**Lae’zel** is in a similar situation with him as Minthara, strong and dependable fighter who understands the need for strategic planning in most cases

She however is a bit too aggressive for him, not in the sense of being aggressive to him but just in general how she approaches things

Lae’zel does not care for creating relationships and diplomatic dialogue and with his already lackluster skills being around her makes it almost impossible for him to try to get on people’s good sides

In the beginning they grated against each other a lot when not discussing strategy, her being very competitive and confrontational and Wolfe almost screeching when she Did. Not. Listen. To his plans because he ticked her off.

Eventually around the end of act 1 and beginning of act 2 they settle down and start talking about non battle things, specifically both of their lives

He’s fascinated by her, her biology and the Githyanki culture. They are similar to most beast hunter myths and definitely is jealous of her people riding dragons

Despite the general grating nature they both have he has a fat crush on her, it’s very funny because he’s not used to it. At all.

He’s never had romantic dynamics between party members so he is out of his depth when this angry but pretty lady is yelling at him and he can’t decide between screaming back or just saying whatever because girl pretty…,,

It lessens over time but her very blunt nature does make him jump

I think her devotion to Vlaakith confused him, and he’d not really care too much until he figured out she didn’t really care or respect Lae’zel or any of the other gith.

She reminds him of a beast, and this must be defeated and watching the failure of the purification despite Lae’zel’s faith it really dawns on him she is not someone he should dislike.

Wolfe doesn’t have much connection to religion as gods don’t intervene too much in Birmet, but he does understand the lack of care gods have for the mortals.

Friends at the end of everything, definitely is cheering her on her bloodbath to Vlaakith

**Shadowheart** oh he does not like her at the start at all. She reeked of godly magic and he always gets peeved around clerics/paladins because of his general dislike of gods

But he understands she’s a good fighter and they need a healer, and despite her abrasive natives and general lack of information he will keep her around

Does not understand her devotion to Shar, isn’t really aware of who she is anyways and since he doesn’t like the gods anyway doesn’t care

Does though in act 2 and when Wolfe learns how much of bitch Shar was, and he is easily irritated by Shadowheart because of her uncaring nature of all the destruction she and her church has caused

Isn’t good with people but does listen to her and Astarion gossip, still it take a while for him to be actually nice with her

He does not like the gods, they never helped his people or anyone really and their inherently selfish nature makes him look down at most paladins or clerics to at least some extent

He won’t outright say it of course, he has manners. That’s thrown out the window for Shar though he fucking *hates* her seeing Act 2 and all the corruption around.

He’s aware and has dealt with beasts and corruption before and seeing a god/it’s worshippers do this reminds him of all the towns he’s had to clean though.

Very flighty in the gauntlet of Shar, would most definitely have a breaking point with her during the trials because of everything piling up

If he didn’t have outside influence he would simply remove her at that point because her blind devotion to something evil makes him mad

When Shadowheart does eventually turn away from Shar he’s significantly more cordial, at least she now is trying someone who isn’t asking the loss of everything

Alongside Lae’zel he will help her with her entire process with embracing Selune and finding her parents

Will also learn about the good sides of worship, he’s unused to churches and temples but with her along he’s learning!

**Karlach** is one of his friends, reminds him of his sister

Metal buddies! Definitely tries his best to help ease her pain with her heart as much as he can with his limited knowledge but he can only do so much

Wolfe also has a friend crush on her, a strong and nice lady with big arms…

Definitely understands and engages with her anger with Zariel, would honestly join her in hell if he didn’t have plans to go back home to his family/party

They both have valves! For different reasons he needs to have a consistent exhaust of corruption so his arm doesn’t deteriorate more and she needs to release steam!

Is a bit obsessed with the technology he’s seeing, it’s rare to see similar work to his Boss/mother and even though there’s clear differences he does appreciate the way she’s been handling it

She’s his favorite tank. She’s perfect for his plans for distractions or anything needing a big ol “fight me!!” Sign

Definitely is the one he’s chucking the most healing potions at

Is also the one who can’t ever hide so he gets to get creative with sneaking her in places!

She! Likes! Hugs! Once she gets her second fix up will probably sleep near her more since most people in the party don’t want to.

He’s so used to doing things with a group of people and now he can FINALLY sleep well

Sleeps on top of her. It looks very silly.

Understands her perception on her death, as it’s common for people to have a timer on life like himself

Wolfe is angry he isn’t smart enough to figure out a way to help her, curses himself 1000 times over when she asks him to be there when she goes

Very attached, does not like it. He doesn’t like dealing with death, and not someone who he could possibly save

Does his best to entertain and enjoy her company, he understands the importance of her being so close to death and wants her to have a good life

Will try all the stupid silly things she asks to do

Pretty much one of the only things keeping him sane in this place, he needs her positive energy

Both say they can’t read to annoy Gale, he doesn’t tell either he actually can’t read. Somehow convinced other he can read and he spirals slightly when he’s told to go into a library

**Astarion** the man that you are.

Wolfe’s expertise with monsters didn’t really translate over to the more humanoid but he definitely got the vibes just REEKING off this guy from the get go.

He likes him, he’s reliable in battle and is more importantly quiet when doing deals!

He’s still annoyed when he can’t muster up enough fucks to help people, very much at odds with that part

He almost killed Astarion when he tried to feed but was able to calm down, and he does let him feed sometimes but it’s rare. Mostly it’s during the shadow cursed lands part of the game as not much food is available for him to eat and he doesn’t want him to starve

A bit awkward around him as his status as a monster hunter and the typical monster being his companion but after learning the general things Astarion has set out he understands

Absolutely fascinated in his ability to day walk. It’s almost hilarious because that’s pretty much the only reason stopping him from immediately clocking this man as a vampire spawn

Internally he was screaming “I knew it I knew it you mother fuck—“ but doesn’t say anything

Loves the sass, incredibly entertaining for him! Too dense to realize a lot of it is flirting but who cares, not Wolfe

Did I mention Wolfe is a bit dumb when it comes to anything romantic? Hes basically friend zoned every single person who tried approaching him it’s honestly hilarious

With this I feel like Astarion would be more comfortable with him since he does care for him and doesn’t see him for his body which is definitely a breath of fresh air

Is the second most common sleeping pile person. Astarion is vaguely reminded of a cat and Wolfe just likes his hair for the most part, and also understands that friendship=protection and he’s trying his best

Wolfe would definitely work with Astarion with most fight situations along with trap disarmament. He learns a few tricks from him and Astarion learns a few tricks from Wolfe.

Will help Astarion with his killing of Cazador, added bonus that he hasn’t really fought vampires and finds this sweet. If allowed he’d take a fang from Cazadors body

Struggling with not ascending him, one because having that many spawn released just sounds like a problem waiting to happen but thinking of ascended Astarion he doesn’t think he’d be respectable as a person soo…

Wouldn’t ascend him, but still nervous about the spawn, if he could he’d like to keep an eye on them all but he still wants to go home

In general their friendship is oddly wholesome despite both demeanors, oh and he most definitely makes Astarion deal with the clown :)

**Wyll** understands. He gets his standing as a monster hunter and most things that come with the occupation.

Would’ve likely met many similar folk but what’s most interesting to Wolfe is just his sheer goodness

He’s not entirely convinced Wyll isn’t a hero straight from one of the myths he’s heard of. Perfect chivalry, charm and a sense of duty to protection and the defeat of evil

Not unused to pacts within certain circles but was surprised since this guy didn’t seem the slimy sort, but quickly recovered from learning of his story

Wyll and Wolfe’s relationship is very sweet, Wolfe looks up to him for a lot of his similarities to his childhood heroes and Wyll appreciates someone who wants to do good and enjoys his funny quips!

Visual differences aren’t something he cares about so finds it funny that Wyll thinks his new form is ugly at first.

He’d get annoyed at his consistent goodness at some point, not because he is doing good but because his optimism reminds him of himself

Was the main influence of helping the Tieflings with the grove and when half of them died he got shot right back home

He got fighty to him about his attitude around people more often than not after this

In general though he still likes Wyll, which is a shame because they kind of push at each others lack of self-preservation which if too far gets each other in situations that could end poorly

Respects and understands his want to save people it’s a bit endearing for Wyll as it’s like looking at a younger version of himself in many cases, still having lessons and things to learn

Wyll is one of the main people teaching him to read common, and Wolfe in turn teaches him his own mother tongue!

They egg each other on and he will join Wyll in dances, annoys the shit out of the party (mostly Shadowheart and Astarion, bitchy)

Very funny because Beidh romances Wyll so every time they interact I think of that one movie quote of “did you fuck my mom?!”

They are like step dad and step son to me ok.

**Gale** is the guy he goes to annoy. Mosley on purpose he just gets a kick out of harassing wizards

Is the main person teaching him words in common, adopts his stupid vocab it’s awful I love it

Curse buddies! He has a tiny collection of trinkets for him to eat at all times

Really enjoys this man’s rambling even though he can’t understand half of it, just likes the noise

Is fascinated by the weave, magic is much more rare in his own land and more fickle so he definitely fan-boys seeing all the cool things he can do from just reading!

Might actually learn to read to learn spells

He’s slightly magically inclined mostly because his arm is meant to channel it through the valves as that’s one of the ways he needs to clean it

Gale loves the handiwork on it, an almost perfect mix of machine and magic

Also fascinated by his curse, understanding the need for upkeep to prevent problems (though in Wolfe’s case he doesn’t blow up)

He was going to punch elminster. He really was.

Again his hatred for gods shines through and he rolls his eyes at mystras command

He understands Gales affliction is a struggle, but he also thinks giving in to the commands of such careless gods is stupid

He’s impressed he even tried to romance Mystra in the first place, look he doesn’t respect the divine but he does respect the audacity!

Is blown away with his skill, can’t believe he’s limited right now! Fan boying next him as he casts fireball for the billionth time

When he meets Tara he freaks out

“Miss Tara Ma’am” he’s so used to being polite and she reminds him a sphinx

He’d try his best to sway Gale away from trying to become a god, pushing him to live despite his current conditions

Besties

Bonus:

**Rolan** is the most likely person he’d ever have a romantic relationship with

I think he goes insane because he’s so fun to harass and also he finds him so skilled and talented and everything

His hair is so nice and his horns, it’s almost hilarious how this guy would be an absolute puppy in love if the game allowed it

Punches Lorroakan.

[profanesnare]

and i dont use a wheelchair so i could be wrong and input is appreciated! but the fact that about 75% of tav fanart features him either with metal legs (that are very rarely interpreted as semi-realistic prosthetics in fanart? like i feel like a lot of fanart treats them as more of a fantasy thing than as like... a disability thing? i could be off in my phrasing or just wrong, though) or with use of his legs (like in dreambubbles or postcanon or godtiered or in a dream) 

ANYWAYS the point is that i see very little fan content of tavros actually using a wheelchair and i get that he views it as a shameful thing and in canon he hates being disabled but uhh the treatment of his disability in canon is utterly fucked too!

anyways i will fistfight andrew hussie