#seldazr

[rielzero]

Behind The Scenes

So, I've been dealing with a lot of fatigue. I will often feel too exhausted to sketch digitally. Especially very detailed things like faces so I've taken to drawing / sketching out faces and expressions in my sketchbook instead. I scan them in, and then work them into the comic. I LOVE doodling faces and expressions! This way I'm kind of making re-usable assets, I suppose?

I used to just sketch over an older headshot when making new comic pages, because it speeds up the process if you have to redraw the same angle anyways, but re-using a sketch is just as useful.

For funsies, here's some of these faces in the latest comic.

Silly chaotic beans, they are.

[ohnoestherestadpoles]

Previous Comic | First | About / Chronological order | Main Blog Friendly Reminder Reblogs help out an artist <3 Read on webtoons

Checked the content warnings on page 2? Press ''Read more'' To view the entire comic. <3

Sneaky Githyanki doing sneaky stuff. Seldazr is starting to learn how to be petty..

Also while I have your attention; friendly reminder my comic does not intend to replace the game, its why sometimes context might be missed or scenes are summarized, this is to preserve the experience of playing bg3 yourself. Those who have played will probably know what is happening :)

[rielzero]

👀

Ask me about Locke, Durge Loki, or Zane.

You could ask about Seldazr, but I'd have to ask my friend before I can answer because it's his oc.

ANYWAY

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion!Tav Ask List

What if your Tav was a recruitable companion, instead of the main character? (contains major spoilers for the game, and for some dark urge runs as well)

General

Where can your Tav be recruited?  Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region?  Or are they not recruitable until a later act?

Do the other companions have special comments or reactions upon recruiting your Tav?

Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions?

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval?

Are there any instances where your Tav can permanently leave the party, depending on player character actions?

Do they have any secrets that can be revealed?  What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light?

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game?  Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?

What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp?  How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again?

Does your Tav have any escalating conflicts with one of the other companions, like Lae’zel and Shadowheart’s knife-fight?

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

Are there any moments in the game that trigger unique dialogue for your character? (Like Gale’s anecdote about the barfight after you save the goblin prisoner) 

Story Specific

How does your Tav advise the player character when it comes to the Dream Visitor?

How do they advise the player character on Raphael?

How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character?

How do they react to the Player Character letting Abdirak whip them?

How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power?

Will they stay with the Player Character regardless of siding with the goblins or the tieflings, or is it possible for them to leave the party permanently?

What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party?

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with? 

Do they have unique dialogue if the Player Character lets them die when they steal the Blood of Lathander?

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

What do they say if the PC tries to force them to go up on stage with Dribbles the Clown?

Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin?  How is Orin's deception revealed?  How do they react to the PC rescuing them in the Temple of Bhaal?

How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn?

How does Tav react to the PC becoming a mind flayer?  Can they offer to become one themselves?  Does their reaction change if they’re romanced? 

How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them?

How do they react to the Dark Urge killing Alfira?

If romanced, how do they react to the Dark Urge trying to kill them in Act 2?

Romance

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough?

Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option?

Do they have a special romance scene at the tiefling/goblin party?

Does the romance have different branching paths, or just one route to take?

How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them?

What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test? 

If they’re poly, do they have a reaction to the PC engaging in a relationship with Halsin?

How do they react if the PC has sex with Mizora? The Emperor?  Haarlep?

Will they join in with the PC and the Drow Twins, or no?

What are Tav’s plans for the future?  Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in?

Free space! Share anything from your companion!Tav au!

[rielzero]

Lately I've taken to practicing faces in my sketchbook, since chronic fatigue acts up a lot since last year this helps me prep for bigger pieces... Sketching this kind of stuff is somehow easier traditionally. Life gets.. Tense, sometimes.

You might recognize some of these if you've read my comics or seen my other art.

[rielzero]

The Party's thoughts When they Realize The Situation they're in

Wyll: Ha! Not the strangest adventure I've gotten myself into.. Lae'zel: I was simply trying to fullfill my duty to Vlaakith- This is an absolute nightmare.. Locke: WORM IN MY HEAD??!!! WHAT THE FUCK- NO THANKS- NOPE NOPE NOPE. Wait- How the fuck did I get here? The heck. Urgh.. Astarion: I can walk in the sun!!! GOODBYE CAZADOR! HAHAHAA *starts doing victory dance* Karlach: I'M OUT OF AVERNUS HELL YEAH! How the fuck did the worm not burn up inside me though..? Hm. Maybe it has. *starts doing victory dance* Yeaaaaah!!! Gale: Oh no. This is very inconvenient.. I haven't left my tower in months so I didn't pack my purse for travel- Oh. I'll figure something out.. I always do.. Haha.. Shadowheart: ..Shar will protect me. I am her favorite princess. *praying intensely* Seldazr: ..When did that get in there? Oh well. I just wanted to write a book and make friends.. *scribbles*

[ohnoestherestadpoles]

Seldazr joined the party!

[rielzero]

Seldazr A'darrin Appreciation

Just a much needed face spam post, because fuck I drew this guy a LOT for the most recent comic.

Enjoy this silly man (he's like 22, like.. The party baby, pfff.) Seldarine Drow Bard with autism rizz.

He's my friend's tav, btw, so he isn't actually my oc lol.. Ichi, if you read this you better be grateful for all the free art lmao. I DREW HIM SO MUCH THE COLOR COMBO OF HIS CLOTHES HAS BEGUN TO ANNOY ME.

(cough, still love him tho.)

[rielzero]

OC Profile

🐀Locke Artorius Gaude 🐀

Tagged by @bananasfosterparent I tag @ascendedastarionapologist @romantic-bloodless-nights @cambion-companion @iizuumi @alienrat-art You don't have to do it but could be fun to see more about ya'lls tavs c:

Basics

Full Name: Locke Artorius Gaude / Loki Wren

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Chaotic Homosexual, polyamorous

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Other

Family: The Ratmother (Raised him) The Undertaker (Adoptive parent) The Ratboys group

Father: ??? GeneticFather (Spoiler territory)

Mother: ??? BirthMother (Spoiler territory)

Birthplace: Baldur’s Gate (unknown location)

Job: In youth he was a ''Cook'', Thief, Lockpicker, Worked for the guild for a brief period before becoming a Necromancer's Apprentice and morgue assistant. He was a Warlock at 16. Eventually in the afterstory he becomes Astarion's Dark Consort.

Phobias: Autophobia, Ophidiophobia

Guilty Pleasures: Eldritch blasting people off high places. Putting people in their place.

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral / Later on Lawful Evil

Sins: ..Those would be spoilers. Hehe.

Virtues: Pragmatic, loyal.

This or that

The one the > points to is what reflects him better. He is more organized than he is disorganized.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / > / Organized

Close Minded / > / Open Minded

Calm / Both / Anxious

Disagreeable / Depends / Agreeable

Cautious / < / Reckless

Patient / < / Impatient

Outspoken / > / Reserved

Leader / < / Follower

Empathetic / Depends / Apathetic

Optimistic / Both / Pessimistic

Traditional / Not Applicable / Modern

Hard-working / < / Lazy

Cultured / > / Uncultured

Faithful / Not Religious / Unfaithful

Loyal / < / Disloyal

Relationships

OTP: Astarion, additionally Gale. (No ship names, Have no creativity for that personally? idk I never could come up with anything.)

BroTP: Seldazr, Zane, Shadowheart

NoTP: Wyll (They're friendly rivals but Locke envies him)

[rielzero]

POV: The adventuring party meets up yearly after the epilogue to talk about their lives.

Loki Wren: So, I realized I really liked rats, and decided to raise them by hand because I thought they were cute- Even if they live short lives, I had to think: What else could befriending those critters bring? Loki Wren: Eventually, after selectively breeding the critters, I've gotten all sorts of quirky results, healthy of course. Its important to improve the lives of the offspring. They are my friends!

Loki Wren: To improve my communication skills and to tame them better, I asked Halsin to teach me a few things- I basicially don't go a day without casting speak with animals.

Loki Wren: Then, one of my nests developed a few prodigy rats, very obedient little pets. They're kind of my children. Started teaching them how to gather information. They're cute tiny spies. Very smart, very adorable.

Loki Wren: Had to neuter a lot of my babies though- You know- Things can get out of hand, one of my favorite sons tried to breed with sewer rats, and I didn't want to upset Astarion again with my obsession over these critters.. Early on he was not very happy with my research.

Loki Wren: My precious boy was angry with me first- but then understood it as if I had given him a new great holy mission: To befriend the sewer Colonies and establish an alliance with them through education.

Loki Wren: [starts laughing, there's a giggle at the end] And now I... [wheezes] Have an army of rats at my full disposal, with emissaries of rats training and teaching each other.. Convinced I am god. They developed an entire culture surrounding me.

Astarion: From ratboy, to ratfather, to Locke- then Loki Wren. And then Ratgod. Who would've thought. [chuckles] And now all in Baldur's Gate adore the critters.

Loki Wren: Anyway, the city is now psyched about pet rats and less eager to kill the sewer rats. My ''divine'' protection. [manical laughter] Of course, they do have territorial disputes. Helps keeping the population at bay.

Loki Wren: I love my rats..

Astarion: Sometimes I wonder if you are a genius or just really enthusiastic about your little hobbies.. Then I realize you are both. Always both.

Loki Wren: So what's everyone else been up to?

Shadowheart: Uh, I learned how to swim. Properly this time.

Karlach: The usual, fighting off fiends. [yawns] I would love to pet some rats though!! Wyll: I hunted a few bounties in Avernus... Nothing out of the ordinary. Seldazr: Published another book, I think Volo's jealous of my success. He's been trying to claim my glass eye is the cause. Not much else?

Gale: I've been trying and failing at modifying a scrying spell... Elminster has been dodging my letters. Lae'zel: Could you overthrow another city with the rats? They're pretty much soldiers already. I'm disappointed you haven't tried yet. Minthara: ..I would like to know as well. I think they'd do well in the underdark. Enough space. They could potentially and easily adapt to the ecosystem in a few generations, reigning terror on the denizens and cultivating with their religion into a functioning society. We've seen it happen many times before..

Loki Wren: ..How do you think the Bhaalists were driven out? They work better as spies.

Halsin: Okay- Thank Silvanus. I was worried you were conscripting them.. From what I've seen in the city itself, life thrives better with less conflict and more equity.

Loki Wren: I AM NOT SENDING MY BABIES TO WAR!!!

Astarion: [sips his drink] Of course not, Darling. Of course not.

Loki Wren: This is why we did not invite Jaheira for our repeated reunions, next thing you know she's ruining everything with her paranoia....

Meanwhile back in Baldur's gate

Jaheira: [holds up a pet rat that has no fur] Who's my little Minsc baby- who's my little baby boy??? Yes you are. You are. [scritches the rat]

Rion: Ugh.. Jord: :(

[rielzero]

Character Height Headcanons (BG3)

Don't mind me putting this here.

Seldazr is my friend's bard, and Locke is my character.

[rielzero]

Common Example of how I draft Character Designs/sheets

For my friend's character, Seldazr, for act 1 we wanted this.. ''New to adventuring'' feel, like, baby adventurer. He looks underprepared and at the same time over-prepared. Not properly dressed for the season, and not focused on defense as a bard. No Sleeves! No jacket! He probably expect things to get sweaty from all that walking.

Or it's all about placing weight over one's body more conveniently. The backpack is supported by his waist and belt straps, the scarf keeps the chill from his neck. Enough space for weapon and instrument. The only thing Seldazr was worried about were his boots, since those are going to be used a lot. They need to be durable.

Why such a huge bag though? Well. He has to keep his journal somewhere that's easy to reach.. For convenient timing. (aka, all the time.)

Don't be fooled by his easygoing looks though, he's pretty useful in combat. (Primarily a debuffer who will fuck you up.)

Can't wait to introduce this fella at some point. I and my buddy are pretty excited about him!! (He's a seldarine drow btw)

Watch the timelapse here!

[rielzero]

Back to regular scheduled shenanigans of Locke and Seldazr in faerün.

[rielzero]

Since I have to replay the game fully in order to get access to better companion interactions in the epilogue camp, please consider this me just speculating / headcanoning interactions. (Includes the bard oc of my friend.) Writing isn't polished, just rough idea.

Of course, might be spoilers for those who did not finish the game ever. You were warned.

It's been six months since the adventure ended. Astarion and Loki had settled into their new life as lord and consort. The vampire aristocracy was a messy ordeal, but given Astarion's prowess, it was easier to keep them under his thumb. Of course, the paranoia of having enemies close never left either of them... Gale and Seldazr both frequently visited the manor to drop by for a while. Gale went on his usual wizardry adventures, in attempts to procure artefacts for unclear reasons.. He remained in a relationship with Loki and Astarion, but had taken time away to think about his own goals and desires for the future knowing he'd always be welcomed back. As for Seldazr, he mandatorily took breaks of his adventuring and book writing to make sure Scratch got to see Kiwi often enough. The owlbear had become too big and too used to living in the manor's garden. Kiwi did enjoy the attention he attracted. For Loki, things did not go as expected. He was attacked by a stray party of monster hunters not too long after moving into the palace, and had secluded himself to his and Astarion's room for several months. The nightmares never left, but they had lessened. Grymforge, the shadowlands, the githyanki creche, Cazador... Many more. Some of the toughest battles haunted his mind with different recollection, muddling his memories. While Loki was keen on keeping himself inside to focus on healing his mind, he was met with a letter from Withers himself.. Astarion would've probably ignored it (busy as he is) if he didn't think the occasion would be a good experience for Loki.. And thus he dragged his consort out with the promise they'd see Gale, Seldazr, and everyone else again. Even Karlach and Wyll?

Loki: [shuffling around nervously] Astarion: Dear, stop fidgeting. You'll be fine. [holds his arm around Loki's waist] Loki: I just did not expect to this place again.. Seems like withers was busy. Astarion: Hmm, I would've preferred to host a party myself... Loki: That's just more work isn't it? You can't do everything, besides we were invited.. It would look bad not to show. Astarion: I thought you wanted to stay inside? Tk tk tk. Loki: Right. Right. I need to stop moping. I'll mingle.. They stop to see Seldazr annoying the bard in the midst of camp with a barrage of questions.. Not too unfamiliar, but best left be until he can redirect his attention to his friends.

Loki: Wyll? Is that you? You look so.. Buff. How did you get here? Wyll: I've been Monster hunting in avernus! Withers provided a portal.. I've got lots of stories to tell. Loki: ..A portal? Maybe don't say that one out loud. [looks over to see Astarion show off his bat form to halsin, he chuckles] Wyll: Enough about me- There's something different about you.. Karlach: [walks up, surprising Loki] Soldier! It's his hair. It got so long! Loki: I keep forgetting about that... [brushes his hair out of his face] No clue what I look like nowadays... Karlach- How are you here? Isn't your engine.. Karlach: Ah, calm down.. It's fine- For now! It's just for tonight. It won't bust, no worries. Loki: Does that mean I can get a hug? Karlach: Of course!! [hugs him tightly] Momma K got so many hugs to give, I've been saving them up. Loki: Oof- Are Lae'zel and Shadowheart here too..? Wyll: I think they're late..? I haven't seen Gale yet either. [puts his arm around Karlach] Loki: Are you two..? Karlach: Verily! [leans into Wyll, smiling brightly] Wyll: Speaking of couples, you're looking rather princely Loki. Are you sure you're not a spoiled husband by now? Loki: Gods.. Don't tease me. I'm still not used to it. [looks flustered] Loki looks over to see Jaheira and Minsc interrogate Astarion, but he's casually deflecting them.. They briefly make eye contact, only for Astarion to gesture to Loki to have fun and not worry about anything.

It didn't take long for a Griffon to show up in the camp, mounted by Lae'zel and Shadowheart. The two proudly announced themselves to have eloped only recently. Lae'zel then continued to brag about their mount, even though she casually compared it to a dragon.. Then Shadowheart would go on and on about this Imp they've adopted, Lae'zel's expression went from prideful to mildly flustered and annoyed, remarking she would have tossed it if Shadowheart didn't like the imp so much.

Gale essentially arrived, with Tara on his shoulder, placing himself in between Astarion, Minsc and Jaheira in hopes to cool off their conversation. Then he would brag about some trinket he uncovered recently, showing off an assemblage of things he's collected during his adventures.. Needless to say, Astarion looked thankful for the arrival of his boyfriend even if he didn't express it openly.

The night went on, many exchanging stories, sharing laughs. Reminiscing about the adventure amongst other things. Scratch was playing with a seemingly familiar object, refusing to let it go even though he wanted it to be thrown. Some remarks were made about Loki's massive change in appearance, and how no one expected Lae'zel to ever get married.. It was a good party. It should be a yearly event, Loki thought. Cheers.