#sorry to everyone following me for githyanki

[gothyanki]

All the fever dreams I remember from yesterday had bizarrely complex and cohesive plots/characterisation (this while I was too brain-fogged to function in the real world). Thanks for the inspiration, virus? I suppose?

[littlelovelyra]

That's Not the Plan - Astarion x F!Tav

Inspiration: The moment Astarion’s plan fell apart was when you resurrected him after you triggered that damn weapon at the Githyanki Creche.

“…you think to yourself that you would follow this woman through the nine hells and back again”

Written from Astarion’s perspective, this is with the same Tav from my series "The Change" but this is a little one-shot looking into their relationship before the confession in Moonrise. I may do a few more one-shots like this as I have many little stories in my head about these two. I use “Tav” as her name and not her given name (by me) in the hopes it helps the reader to add their name etc.

Warnings: Language, fluff, sex, hand stuff, mouth stuff, PiV, smutty. Let me know if I have missed anything.

MINORS DNI

1,722 words

Probably got a little carried away, I apologise now. Writing smutty stuff is still relatively new to me.

Setting: After Tav blows up the creche by being a greedy little loot goblin, she talks to Withers and resurrects Astarion. This is also before you go to the shadow-cursed lands.

You can also read another one shot here as it happens after the story below (but again before the Moonrise confession scene).

______________________

“Rise," you hear Withers' voice reverberating around you, and suddenly, in a flash of teal light, you appear back in the land of the living. You steady yourself on your feet and take in your surroundings. It seems you are back at camp, and everyone is going about their business as usual. Everyone, except her. She stands in front of you, attempting to hide her obvious nervousness as she shifts her weight from foot to foot.

She should be nervous, everyone warned her not to touch the ominous floating weapon, but noooo the little loot goblin couldn’t keep her greedy hands to herself, “It’ll be fine” she said. Well it certainly wasn’t fine seeing as it set off a very powerful weapon totaling the whole Githyanki Creche and taking you along with it. Your frustration bubbles over.

“What in the sweet hells were you thinking activating that lance? I was RIGHT THERE! Gods, do you have any idea how much that hurt?” You stand with your arms folded, gazing at her, curious about what she will say.

“I thought the mind flayer parasite protects you from light?” Her lips twitch at the corners trying to stop herself from smiling. Smiling?? Is she smiling??

“Well, apparently there’s a limit. Somewhere between a nice summer’s day and the full concentrated power OF THE SUN!.” You pause and take a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful next time.” She winks at you and you can’t believe the audacity of this woman. A moment ago she seemed nervous, but now look at her, as cocky as ever!

“Next time? No no no, if there is a ‘Next time’ I’ll be the one aiming the all-powerful weapon, thank you!” Your voice sounds as if you’re a mother scolding her toddler for touching the fire and her face looks like said toddler. “Although… I do appreciate you trying to fix your mistake. Just don’t do it again. Now, shall we go or do you have any other chaos you need to unleash here?” You dust off your pants dramatically. All activity in the camp came to a halt as every eye was fixed on the intense drama playing out between the two of you.

You continue; “Oh and another thing I- .” She interrupts you, grabs your shirt, and plants a passionate kiss on your lips.

As she releases you her expression is calm and confident. “Astarion, as much as I enjoy listening to you talk, there are other things I'd rather watch you do with your mouth.” She turns on her heel and heads to her tent, stopping half way she calls over her shoulder; “Well are you coming or not?” And proceeds to enter her sleeping quarters.

The camp is silent as all eyes are on you, Gale’s jaw is practically on the floor at the public display. You and Tav have been very good at hiding your late-night trysts so this may have come as a surprise to a few of them.

Clearing your throat you look around to your travel companions repeating her words in disbelief “Hah… ‘are you coming or not?’ Haha… hah…"

As if your legs have grown a mind of their own you find yourself walking to her tent, your hand scratching the back of your head as you think to yourself that you would follow this woman through the nine hells and back again.

Shit. That’s not the plan. Focus.

Pulling back the opening of the tent you slip in quietly and see her laying down on her stomach flipping through the pages of a book. She pauses and rolls over leaning on her arms and takes one look at you that sends her into a fit of laughter.

“You look bewildered Astarion!” She says as she rises and saunters over to you placing her hands on your chest. Petrichor and cinnamon… she smells of petrichor and cinnamon… cool and fresh but warm and homey at the same time. You swallow as you look into her eyes and you swear you feel your hands tremble. What is wrong with me? You think to yourself. Her hands glide up from your chest and lace themselves between the curls of your hair. Her fingers begin to slowly massage your scalp and a small groan escapes your mouth.

“Let me make it up to you?” She stands on her tiptoes and whispers in your ear, you feel your body turn to liquid at the feel of her breath in your ear.

You watch her slowly drop down to her knees and you instantly harden at the sight of her. Never has anyone had this effect on you. All you can do is give her a slight nod in consent as she waits patiently for your reply.

Slowly she brings your trousers down and your length springs free. A small almost timid smile appears on her lips as her hand grips your member. The touch of her skin sends electricity surging through you as she slowly drags her palm up and down its length. You groan again in appreciation and your breath catches as you feel her wet, hot mouth envelop your already seeping tip.

Never… has anyone put your pleasure first above theirs. Never has anyone wanted to make you feel good, it was always what others could take from you and there were moments where you thought this arrangement between the two of you was the same. However, you see now that this is different. You realise that it was always different with her, you just didn't want to admit that to yourself.

You glance down and watch as her head moves slowly up and down your throbbing length and groan loudly as you rest your hand on the top of her head, moving your fingers into her hair. You begin to rock your hips in time with her movement and hear a soft moan rumble from her. The sound sets you on fire, tipping you over the edge spilling into her mouth, your hips twitching as she licks the last of your spend and looks up sweetly.

She stands up and puts her arms around you, scattering soft kisses along your jawline. Your hands slither their way down her body and wrap themselves around her ass pulling her up into you as you passionately kiss her, parting her mouth for your tongue to meet hers.

“Astarion… you don’t need to… I wanted to make you feel good” she says breathlessly which fuels your desire even more, you need to hear your name screamed from her lips. You want everyone to know she’s yours because she is… at least to you.

“Oh I know. But I want to. I want to taste you, I want to hear you scream my name, I want them to hear my name cried out from your lips.” You lower her down to the bedroll.

You waste no time stripping her clothes, kneeling above her your gaze swims over her naked body, no artist could ever capture its beauty. Dipping down you grip her legs and throw them over your shoulders and you see her dripping with anticipation. “Gods…” you breathe out before taking the plunge, your tongue pushing through her slick folds, she tastes of honey and a fine wine, aged to perfection. Her breaths are loud, her moans increasing in volume as she comes closer to the edge. Your tongue increases its speed as you circle it on her bundle of nerves and her hands shoot down gripping your hair as she comes undone, her hips bucking as she cries out your name.

You crawl up her body and crash your lips into hers, hungrily moving them together. “I do rather like that, you know? Hearing you scream out my name… Tell me what you want.” Your breath is cool in her ear as you whisper and you can feel the shivers forming on her skin.

“You.. I.. want you” she breathes into your neck.

“As you wish.” Once more your lips mould against hers, your tongues tangling together in a passionate dance as you slide your hardened length into her. She is intoxicating. You slowly rock your hips back and forth savouring the feel of her around you as your mouth closes around the sensitive peak of her breast.

You feel her hand slowly cupping your cheek as she pulls your face to her neck tilting her head to the side. “Drink.” She commands and you gladly obey.

Your teeth fit into the same spot they always do and you hear her groan in pleasure as you take your first pull of her blood. Your thrusts pick up in pace and you place your hand between her legs again circling her clit. Her body trembles as her moans grow louder once more and then she shatters around you, crying out your name and you come undone at the sound, returning her name in a cry of your own.

You lay there breathless staring at the ceiling of the tent while she curled herself over you, running lazy circles on your chest with her fingers. You had a plan, a nice simple plan… and now… it is so much more than that. You would follow her anywhere… you would do anything to make her happy and that terrifies you.

Shit.

[dumbbitch-academy]

A Night of Blood and Wine

Astarion x f!reader

WC: 3.4k

Like always: 18+ MDNI

Summary: Its a party tonight at the Elfsong with the entire party! Reader and Astarion head upstairs where Astarion gets drunk, but in his own vampire way *wink wink*

Contains: Blood drinking, alcohol use, sex mentioned, but nothing happens, FLUFF like so much fluff omg, also Shadow'zel is alive and well

A/N: I wrote this story and it took me while but here it is. There is party banter so sorry if there is some OOC moments, I am not used to writing the rest of the companions. Enjoy! This is proof-read as much as my tired brain can handle right now, also I might change the title later.

AO3

Masterlist

The excitement grew all day inside of you. It had been so long since there was time to just be with each other. All of your companions having a party to celebrate nothing in particular, to still being alive, which was all reason enough and more. Your party had rented out the entire upper floor of the Elfsong, which currently buzzed with the excitement of everyone getting ready in their best clothes. You and all the other girls had gotten together in one room, giddily getting dressed. Lae’zel had been choosing which of her camp clothes fit the evening’s festivities the best, which Shadowheart helped her with, excited to see her in something more fun and less formal than her usual Githyanki armor. 

You giggled at the two, once their blatant disgust and animosity was channeled into something more productive, a beautiful friendship had begun to blossom between the two of them. From that point, an even more beautiful relationship was found out one day as a few others in the party, including yourself, caught them sneaking a kiss when they thought no one was around to see them “Too cute” you thought to yourself as you currently were sitting in front of the mirror, reapplying your eyeliner. The dress you had chosen was fitting for a party, it was a beautiful shade of pink, it paired beautifully with your tanned skin and black raven hair. The corset laced up accented your curves, the skirt a comfortable length. Karlach had opted for her usual leathers, as she knew she was going to ruin anything else besides her usual clothes with the amount of fun and liquid courage she planned on partaking in this evening. 

“You almost ready, soldier? We should have been there about 10 minutes ago!”Karlach came up behind you, staring at you in the mirror, a large grin had cracked her face into a wonderful smile. “Yes, Karlach. I’m done just now. Just want to look perfect tonight. I can’t remember how long it has been since we let loose a little,” you look at her through the mirror, “and how about you two? Are you finally ready?” You eyed Shadowheart and Lae’zel who finally came out of their corner, smiles in their eyes. “Yes, lead the way, let us head down and conquer this night,” Lae’zel said as she smoothed out her outfit one last time. 

The descent down the stairs gave way to nerves forming in your belly, excited for what the night might bring. Once you pushed your way through the doors, you immediately were greeted by a cheer from Wyll and Gale, Astarion still yet to be seen. “Finally, the ladies decide to grace us with their ever alluring presence,” Wyll spoke through a small happy laugh, you could tell he had already had a pint. “Good evening, ladies, follow us to your table this evening,” Gale motioned, obviously having begun drinking already as well. You all gathered around the table the men had picked out, large enough for everyone, and more towards the back. You still looked around, trying not to be overt about trying to find Astarion, but still curious where your boyfriend was, though you knew hanging out with a drunk Wyll and especially Gale was not a highlight on his list of fun things to partake in, sober at least. It was at this point you felt a cold hand land on your bare shoulder, where your dress straps did not cover. A shiver from both excitement and unexpected cold ran through you, and turned around to find Astarion. “There you are, my love. I was wondering when you all would show up. I was starting to think you were all having fun up there without us,” his usual smirk across his face. You shook your head, giggling and smiling, “What can I say, fashionably late and all that.” Astarion laughed, and handed you a glass of your favorite wine. He moved to kiss you, which you moved your face up to allow him better access to your lips. You could taste the wine on his lips as well, so he had started drinking as well. Not that it would get him drunk, but that would come soon enough. “You truly are stunning, my dear. What a beautiful dress,” Astarion warmly complimented you, looking at you up and down. “I could say the same to you, too, Star.” He was so very handsome tonight, not that he wasn’t every night, but tonight, there was just something about him. A lovely flowy shirt accompanied with leather pants that hugged his figure, smokey eyeliner to match yours adorned his crimson eyes. 

“I would like to propose a toast, to…” Gale had started, interrupting your flirtation but he quickly lost track of where ever that train was headed. “A toast to great libations, and even greater friends to share them with!” Wyll graciously swooped in and saved Gale, much to his inebriated thanks. Everyone toasted their goblets into the air, and took a swig. 

You looked around, just in awe that everyone who meant so much to you was with you at this moment, your very own family. Something that you had back home, but they never really truly understood you. You loved them, yes, still sequestered in that small little village, but this was something entirely different. This was a family of your own creation, of everyone who meant the world to you in their own special way, but especially Astarion. He was something that you never really planned on happening, not that you were complaining about the surprise. You looked upon the man next to you, laughing with Karlach, sipping his wine, and you felt just the most adoration for him in your heart. You could tell he could tell your heart beat was drumming hard as he looked over to you, a genuine smile in his eye, ears turning downward ever so slightly, something you noticed would happen when you became even closer. He bent down and kissed your blushed cheek. 

As the night went on, the drinks flowed. You were becoming pretty silly in your drunken state, and it was to everyone’s entertainment. “You know, I always kinda wanted something to happen between you two!” You looked over and giggled over at Shadowheart and Lae’zel, who were sitting oh-so-comfortably with each other, Lae’zel’s arm over Shadowheart’s shoulder. The pair both rolled their eyes at you, “Well, once she started to stop being such an ass, there really was a strangely endearing charm to her,” Shadowheart spoke turning her heart to the woman in question, brows knitted starting down at her goblet as she took a deep drink, not used to her love life being so proudly on display. “I was never an ass, just persistent in my objectives for the party being correct,” Lae’zel corrected her precious rosy partner, and Shadowheart raised an eyebrow in return. “Sure, whatever lets you sleep at night ‘Zel,” Shadowheart scoffed before she leaned in to kiss Lae’zel’s cheek. 

You turned your attention to Wyll and Gale, who were both deep in conversation about… something that probably would not make any sense to anyone outside of their little conversation. You tried to listen in on their discussion, but could not follow one piece of it, and you weren’t sure the two did either, much to your confused enjoyment. “I have no idea what they are fucking talking about either,” you heard Astarion say as he noticed your puzzled face once he turned from his conversation with Karlach. “Okay good, because I know I have had a lot tonight but I thought I was far more gone than I originally thought for a second there,” you nodded your head, grateful for the second opinion to confirm you weren't just going crazy. You turned your attention to Astarion who had been looking down at you, one eyebrow cocked up as he studied you, gauging how drunk you were, and when he saw that look of mischief and relaxation in your eyes, he snorted out a laugh. Before you could stop yourself, you immediately became needy for him. Not in a sexual way, but just to be close to him as you rested your head on his shoulder, “Starrrr…. Star, you should bite me and then we can be drunk together! It’s the perfect plan!” Astarion stopped mid drink from his goblet and his eyes widened. He laughed and scooped you closer to him, “Darling, are you sure?”  You looked over to Karlach who had her hand over her mouth, trying so hard not to burst into laughter and flames. “Yes! I wanted this to happen all day, I know you can’t really get drunk, and so I thought, what better way to get him drunk, than with my very own drunk blood?" You moved to sit up straighter and moved your hair out of the way of your neck. Somehow, for the first time, you managed to make Astarion slightly embarrassed. Who knew that it just took a lot of liquid courage and offering up your neck in front of the entire party to get him to become bashful. “Darling, let's go somewhere more private, I might decide to take my time with you,” Astarion quickly regained his composure, much to Gale and Wyll’s annoyance made evident by their groans. You nodded, a large, wet eye smile shown across your face. Astarion’s heart swelled, you were always so cute when you were relaxed like this. “Take your time guys, don’t let us keep you away from each other,” Karlach called out with a hardy laugh as the two of you made your exit. 

Astarion took you by the hand, and you followed suit feeling as if you were floating. As you walked through the crowd of people, you felt Astarion’s thumb rub your hand where it sat, causing you to smile and hum up at him. His eyes caught you out of the corner of his eyes and he smiled down at you again, his ear on the side of his head swiveling down slightly again. 

As you made your way to the shared bedroom that the two of you had been using, you decided all of a sudden you were way too hot after walking through the sea of people and climbing up the stairs. “Help me out of this dress?” You turned your back to Astarion, hair flipped to one shoulder. “My dear, cannot wait for me any longer? Are you that needy for me?,” Astarion feigned in pretend disbelief. His deft fingers worked to get the laces of the corset loosened. “Well I got too hot and now I want to be in my lounge wear. I mean we can if you wanted to, but right now I think I just want to have nothing on me and let you drink from me, clothes feel wrong right now,” you said, trying to explain the drunk logic swimming in your brain. “Sure darling, I can help you with that, my sweet, silly girl,” Astarion said behind you, your dress finally falling to the ground. You stepped out of the dress and took off your shoes, and looked up at him and giggled until you remembered you left your goblet downstairs at the table. Astarion noticed the look on your face and asked, “you forgot your drink didn’t you?” You nodded, but quickly forgot that issue when your eyes spotted the bed, and took his hand and you walked over to lay down. You climbed into bed, relishing the cold fabric from being empty for so long cradling your skin. With a sigh of comfort, you looked up at Astarion, who was softly smiling down at you with adoration. “You know, the eyeliner makes you look sooo good, Starri,” you giggled as you reached up for him. “I had a feeling you would appreciate it,” Astarion took your hand and moved into the bed with you, your naked body pressing against his still clothed form. You hummed in comfort as he bent down his neck to nuzzle yours asking, “Are you still okay with me biting you, love?” You nodded lazily, the alcohol swimming in your blood and brain making you lethargic, “Yeah.” 

Astarion hummed and whispered a thank you as he kissed your earlobe, making his way down to the junction between shoulder and neck with open mouthed kisses. He trailed back up to his favorite spot, gave it a peck, and slid his fangs into your delicate flesh there. The alcohol swimming in your brain made you confident as you moved your hands to caress him behind his head with one hand and the other on his butt. You giggled as you heard his breath hitch when he felt your hand fall to his ass, you rubbed the back of his head in soothing slow movements. “You are so sweet to me, my little Star, so beautiful, so loving, how did I get so lucky?,” you gushed in soothing whispers, eyes fluttering closed as you fully relaxed into the elf. Ears tickled your cheek as his ears twitched in elation from your words, and you giggled, “Gods, your ears are so cute.” Astarion’s ears twitched even more from your ongoing barrage of affection towards him and you felt him giggle into your neck, “I love you.” You hummed and smiled even though you knew he couldn’t see it, but you knew he could hear it when you responded back, “I love you too, Astarion.” 

He slowly swallowed his last mouthful and came up from your neck, his pupils dilating as the alcohol from your blood hit him. His face wore a dopey smile as he rose, but his eyes caught a bead of blood falling from the bite, and bent down to lick it up and finally lick the wound. His movements became less dexterous as the alcohol swam in his body and he nearly fell over trying to get back up from licking the wound. “Easy there, Star,” You move to sit up and help him to move to his back, face blissed out as he giggled to himself. You still felt deliciously drunk and now with your boyfriend reaching that same point of inebriation you were ready to head back to the party. You gave him a kiss on his now pink cheek and caressed his head soothingly, “I am going to get dressed and we can head back down.” His eyes locked onto yours and he nodded, “Whatever you say darling, you gorgeous beautiful woman.” You deeply blushed, he always would get super flirty once he was drunk. 

You slipped on some comfortable lounge pants and his white shirt that you could borrow more often than not, not that he was complaining. Seeing you in his shirt always made his heart soar. You went to see in the mirror what your makeup was looking like, slightly smudged and a bit runny, so you opted to clean your face so that you wouldn’t look like a racoon more as the night went on. You walked over to the bed and found Astarion humming a song to himself as he watched you move about the room. You offered your hand and he grabbed it, using the leverage to bring his body up, stumbling just a touch as he got back onto his feet. “Oh darling love, that shirt on you, it's so…” he thought for a moment the words he had swirling in his brain, “so nice.” His flirtation fell short and you snorted a laugh, “Okay, come on lover boy, let's not let them keep waiting all night. Plus, I want more wine.” 

You took your boyfriend back down the stairs, this time leading him. His feeding had sobered you up just a touch, but there was more wine to remedy that. As you waded through the crowd once again, you finally saw the rest of your table, who once they saw the both of you, raised up their goblets and cheered as the two of you came to sit back down with them. You found your wine goblet and began to sip on it again as Astarion sat beside you and clung to your shoulders, head dipped down to rest it on you. Always the cuddler when he was like this. Karlach was far more gone now at this point as well, and congratulated the two of you on returning back safely, “I was wondering when the two of you were going to be done”-she eyed your changed of clothes and lack of make-up- “have a little fun up there ,eh?” Your cheeks flushed, but before you could answer, you felt Astarion move to speak first, “Darling, everything we do is fun, you’d have to be a bit more specific if you were to ever want to hear about our thrilling and mind-blowing sex life.” You immediately choked on the wine in your throat you had been swallowing, “Astarion” you finally managed to gasp, and you immediately began to laugh with Karlach who was both surprised and delighted by Astarion’s comeback. He laughed his high pitched giggle, “She’s so adorable when she gets shy, my darling love,” he slurred out his words as he moved to kiss you cheek.

The rest of the night was spent enjoying everyone’s company, retelling stories of your most recent adventures together, and loving being with this new found family of yours. You did not know how you ever got so lucky to call these people your little family. As the night died down, you all retreated back to your rented rooms upstairs, saying goodnight to each other. You waved good night to Shadowheart and Lae’zel returning to their shared room as you and Astarion entered yours. Both of you were much more sober now, as the night had ended with you drinking water and eating a good plate of food to put something on your belly. 

You both helped each other get out of the clothes that had been somewhat plastered on your bodies from the heat of the busy tavern. You moved to help Astarion cleanse the eyeliner, his eyes closed as you ran the soft cloth along his eyes, removing the makeup. “Look up?” You asked as you went to get the liner from his lower lash line, “Did you have fun tonight?” He subtly nodded, not wanting to risk a poke to the eye, “I actually had a really great time tonight, thank you for asking. What about yours?” His crimson eyes pointed towards the ceiling still. You finished cleaning his face and gave him a kiss between his brows to his delighted surprise, “I had a wonderful night, thank you Star.” 

You both decided to climb into bed still naked, and held each other. You rested your head on his arm, he stared up at the ceiling which was dimly lit by a single candle on the bedside table. His cold body was a great relief from the heat your body had been enduring the past couple hours after his feeding. “Do you need to feed again? I don’t think you got very much earlier,” you asked looking up at Astarion, who moved his head to make eye contact with you. He thought about it for a minute and then answered with a tender voice, “No thank you darling, I’m okay, perhaps tomorrow night, but I’m enjoying just this.” You nodded and kissed his arm where your head lay, “Of course, Star,” you held back for a moment until you spoke again, “Astarion?” He looked down at you again, “Darling?” The look on his face held love and utter peace just to be with you. You had so much to say, to thank him for choosing you, for being there for you when you needed him, to let him know he could always depend on you, that you were irrevocably his, but the only thing that was able to slip from your lips was something that you hoped would convey all of those thoughts and feelings into them, but you knew you would spend everyday showing as well. You looked up at him, nuzzled your head into his arm again, and with a yawn, “I love you, so much.” He sleepily smiled and moved his head to kiss the crown of yours, “I know, I love you too, my little sweetheart.”

[reaperluvr]

casual?

a self indulgent angsty fanfiction about my tiefling tav with lae’zel and astarion. her name is Adhara and she means so much to me

cw: mentions of sex but nothing explicit, wlw situationship, angst, Lae’zel feeling feelings

why him?

Lae’zel thinks of herself as strong, independent, and even a little scary. She came to terms with that, she doesn’t normally think about what others feel about her. Not until that tiefling wizard came into her life.

It’s unlike her to feel so deeply for someone, especially a person whom gith consider weak and a waste of space. Lae’zel never thought much of tieflings until Adhara asked her to join in on the adventure to find a cure for their shared predicament.

Over time, she found herself becoming close to the purple, horned creature. So close, she found herself confessing a feeling one day on a whim. It wasn’t so much a declaration of love; but more so a burning, lustful desire to feel her skin against the other woman’s.

It would be an understatement to say that’s all they did together that night, and many nights after. After long days of fighting and exploring the shadowlands, the two would often find each other in the tent, sharing sweet kisses and soft touches. Lae’zel is not who you would call gentle, she wouldn’t believe you if you told her she was becoming soft for a tiefling of all things.

But that was the exact problem with their relationship.

As much as Adhara would try to learn and understand gith customs and culture, Lae’zel couldn’t seem to do the same. When speaking lowly of tieflings, Lae’zel would forget Adhara even is one. She would often speak those insults in front of her, not realizing until after the venomous words have already spilt from her mouth how harmful it could be. From the silence from Adhara, Lae’zel would always just assume she understood her forgetfulness and that’s why she didn’t try to correct her.

It took her a while, but the githyanki did start to notice the distance between her and the purple tiefling. At first it started off with shorter visits to her tent, less motivation for sex and more so just sitting in almost silence. This continued to happen until Adhara stopped coming to Lae’zel’s tent altogether.

After a few lonely nights, the warrior decided to confront Adhara when everyone would rest for the day. Lae’zel waited when the camp seemed completely quiet to come out from her tent and attempt to find Adhara. The strange part is how she wasn’t found in her own tent. The githyanki continued to search around the area until she started to hear voices.

two voices.

she followed the noise quietly, hoping to vlaakith Adhara wasn’t speaking to who she thought she was. When she drew closer, she came to a stop to hide herself behind a nearby tree. Not too close so they could sense her, but close enough so Lae’zel would be able to hear their conversation.

She regretted it instantly.

The most she heard was flirting from the both of them at the start. Lae’zel started to dissociate from pure rage until she heard her name spoken from those soft lips of Adhara’s. But it was something the warrior wished she could relinquish from her mind.

“Lae’zel? Why are you asking about her?”

“I’m sorry for prodding, my dear. But it seemed to me you two had something going on. You two spent a lot of alone time together during the nights.”

“No, well- yes. However, we were never in a relationship. It was just something casual.”

Casual?

That’s what you would call that?

Casual.

Part of Lae’zel wanted to interrupt and release her anger onto the both of them, she wanted to kill the vampire for pursuing her woman. she wanted to kill the tiefling for such a betrayal.

But the other part of her could do nothing but stand still behind the tree. This was the first time Lae’zel found herself at loss for words, for actions.

No, her and Adhara never made anything set in stone. Most of the time spent with her was because of either exploration or sex during the late nights.

But was the way Adhara held her supposed to be casual? Were the sweet, reassuring words spoken casual? The urgency to help her in a near death experience because of the Zaith’isk, the desperation shown to Shadowheart when she had a knife to her throat?

All of that was casual.

Lae’zel couldn’t understand why Adhara drifted away to choose Astarion over her. Why him? What’s so special about him?

Has it always been this way? Was the tiefling always desiring for this man, if you could even call him that? She had so many questions that would forever go unanswered. She couldn’t seem to understand the similarities the two had, she didn’t want to.

Did Lae’zel have to have similarities to be loved by Adhara? No..

Did Lae’zel have to be a man instead?

[larsisfrommars]

The Light Won't Die (Part 2)

Halsin x Tav

Rating: E for Everyone

Chapter: 2/??? (<- Prev Chapter • Next Chapter ->)

Word Count: 905

Genre: Adventure, Hurt/Comfort

Content: Halsin x Male!Tav, Fighter!Tav, how do Elves experience dream flashbacks if they don't sleep, heart to heart, one last night before entering Reithwin, fanon lore, canon typical horror.

"“Oak Father forgive me!” Halsin looked absolutely mortified, casting hand shaking, beads of sweat clinging to his scarred forehead, nearly pale as Astarion."

———————✨🌿✨———————

Elves needn’t sleep unless they are gravely wounded or if it is imposed upon them by external forces. They trance instead of “undisciplined” dreaming, they walk through their memories freely, observing rather than participating.

However this does not mean that true, bone deep exhaustion cannot blur the lines between sleep and trance. Or that one’s subconscious cannot lock the door behind them, once a memory has been entered.

This much was true for Halsin that night.

A wave of death emanating from tomb and tower, following his dwindling Circle no matter how fast they ran. Unfeeling toward the innocents they strived to take with them. A small, antlered boy vanishing into the gloom cries out for rescue. At every turn he is met by a suffocating silence bore from a darkness that held nothing and killed everything.

A familiar corpse contorts into a gnarled mass of thorny brambles, its eyes burning an unnatural blue. He is surrounded by dying Harpers and Druids, Wraiths and Blights arising in their steads. A hand reaches through the darkness, grabbing at his arm. He must defend himself, he turns.

“Halsin!”

Tav tumbled backwards, clutching at the numerous thorns protruding from his arms and chest. Tiny welts of blood bespeckling his now ruined shirt.

“Oak Father forgive me!” Halsin looked absolutely mortified, casting hand shaking, beads of sweat clinging to his scarred forehead, nearly pale as Astarion.

Though shame and fear still marred the Archdruid’s face, muscle memory bid his body give way to his instincts as a practiced healer. Tav, who was still more surprised than in pain, found himself being urged to lay back down when he tried to sit up on his elbows.

“Vis medicatrix!”

They stung falling out into the grass more than they had entering. Tav clambered into a sitting position as Halsin fretted over him. Despite knowing full well that all the damage he’d done had been just as quickly erased by his own ministering hands.

Apologies erupted and clashed together once the initial chaos had passed. They stood up together breathlessly as their words tangled.

“My deepest apologies Tav, truly, I did not- I lost control. I…”

“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I didn’t know that Elves could have nightmares. Dreamed at all really. I thought something was attacking you!”

Tav recalls the muffled cries that had disturbed his rest and no other’s. The primal fear that had gripped him when he recognized who they belonged to. Had more Githyanki been sent after them by Lae’zel’s vengeful matriarch? Had they camped too close to the edge of the shadow cursed lands? It didn’t matter, he’d grabbed his mace and made toward Halsin’s tent like a man possessed.

“We… we do not. I was… remembering, looking for answers. Anything I may have overlooked. I wish for us to prepared, no matter how disquieting recalling it may be.”

Tav narrowed his eyes at the Druid, for all his virtues, perhaps this among them, that giant of an elf was a bad liar. Only half of the truth was revealed by his words. While the haunted look and the tension in his bearing gave away everything else.

“I see. Does remembering usually result in you making distressing sounds in the dead of night, and hurl nature’s wrath at those who come to investigate?” Tav’s question was blunt, but his tone was gentle. Partly to avoid waking the rest of the camp, partly to avoid shattering the delicate energy that bound them.

“…No. In truth, I am embarrassed to say that I may have ensnared myself in a trap of my own making. I do not relish in returning to this place, despite it being my greater purpose. It is… a vivid wound upon my memory, sometimes difficult to control.” He offered with as much plainness as was given.

“Still, an Archdruid should have more discipline.” Halsin’s tone grew distraught, “I should have known better. Now I have injured my allies, striking out at ghosts when our real opponent lies ahead of us. I had not meant to- I should never have harmed you…” Halsin trails off, turning away, pinching the bridge of his of nose, struggling to clear his thoughts.

He could not allow himself to be distracted from lifting the curse, pleasantly or unpleasantly. Halsin found himself unsuccessful, on both accounts. Extending his already long list of failures.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright.” Tav soothed, placing a hand on Halsin’s shoulder briefly. “There isn’t a soul in this camp whose past hasn’t made a habit of catching up to them. Wyll’s got Mizora, Astarion has Cazador, Lae’zel and her ex-Queen, we’ve all got our monsters. I don’t expect you to be an exception, no one should.”

Halsin looked back at Tav again, he couldn’t help but chuckle, if a bit bitterly. The man had such a comparatively short lifespan compared to his own and yet, there was a wisdom there that reflected a great many times his years. He might’ve said the same thing, had their positions been reversed. So why then, did he deem himself the exception?

“Your words have merit. Still, I cannot help but feel…”

Tav nods, “I know, still, you are always welcome to come and talk Halsin. This burden isn’t just yours, not anymore anyway.”

The Druid’s cheeks flushed, he shifted uncomfortably. For reasons perhaps he himself couldn’t fully discern.

“Of course, the offer is mutual, my friend.”

[podcastenthusiast]

Astarion/Karlach. Act 1 conversation after some questionable choices.

--

Someone approaches you at camp. You're a little on edge about this, tense despite the growing bond with your companions. The memory of the gith's sword against your neck is still fresh.

"Hey, soldier. Got a minute?"

It's Karlach. You relax.

"For you, my dear, of course."

She sits down beside you. You can feel the apprehension and ambient heat radiating from her skin. She picks at a loose thread on her shirt; you wonder if she's going to ask you to repair it for her. She always gets distracted mid-stitch or sets the fabric alight.

"You seem different," she says. "Since we've been here. Since you, uh, consumed that tadpole. Not sure I like who you're turning into lately."

"Worried I might be at risk of sprouting tentacles? Darling, I didn't know you cared."

She reaches out as if to playfully punch your arm, but catches herself, sparing you a nasty burn.

"Shut up. No, it's not that. It's just... You enjoy it, huh? The power it gives you. Power over other people. Toying with them."

You do, honestly. It feels good to be the one giving the orders, for once. And you need every advantage you can get with the odds stacked against you. You need to understand and control your new Illithid abilities before they control you, or Cazador does. An army of crazed cultists could be a useful asset if it comes to that.

But Karlach doesn't sound so happy about these developments.

She shouldn't have let you into her (figurative) heart. All you know how to do is break them.

"Well, how could I not? It's so easy to manipulate those brainless goblins. And we both know I detest hard work."

She frowns. "Nah. See, I think there's more to it. Getting your way and having a little fun at their expense--that's one thing. But I watched you torture someone, no tadpole required. So c'mon. Real talk, Astarion."

Ugh. You're starting to hate when she uses your name instead of a silly moniker. It means she's serious. Or cross about something. Or both.

"Fine. It makes me feel strong, all right?"

"Well yeah, I figured as much. Dig a little deeper."

Karlach will be the death of you, you think. Maybe that one will stick and she'll cry at your funeral. Good. It would serve her right for prodding so much. Trying to see you, and not just what you want everyone to see, either.

"I haven't felt anything even close to this strong in 200 years. You don't know what that's like. Suddenly I have authority. I can impose my will over others, force them to obey. With Cazador, I was so...powerless. Now I'm not."

She shifts uncomfortably. "I mean, that's great and all. But is that what you really want? To be like your old master?"

You bare your fangs. "I am nothing like Cazador!"

She raises her hands placatingly. "Whoa, hey! At ease, soldier. Didn't mean to hit a nerve. I'm sorry."

She looks at you a bit like you're a wounded animal. It makes you want to lash out even more. Instead you take a few deep breaths, the way Lae'zel once showed you during a sparring session. Harness your body, and the mind will follow.

"Finding that druid Halsin. Seeking the hag's help. Githyanki purification. The search for a cure is what brought our merry little band of freaks together, isn't it."

"...Yeah, I suppose," she says slowly, not quite sure where you're going with this.

"What do you suppose happens to me if we do find a cure?"

"I don't know. Who can say where any of us will be?"

"Take a guess. Lae'zel returns to her queen, Shadowheart completes her mission, Gale goes home to his beloved Waterdeep, Wyll carries on saving kittens from trees or something. And yours truly?"

"You could always come with me," Karlach says, a sentiment as absurd as it is sweet.

"No parasite means no freedom," you tell her. "Nothing to stop Cazador taking me back."

"That's where you're wrong." There's an intensity in her eyes. Not the familiar fiery explosive battle rage, but a calm controlled burn. "You helped me at least thrice over. Even if we never find a way to cool down my engine... Said I wouldn't let anyone hurt you, and I meant it. Your demons are my demons."

You look away, your throat suddenly tight, a confusing mix of fear and gratitude swirling in your gut.

"You don't know what he's capable of. You'd be a fool to do that for me."

"Psh. Who says it's all about you anyway? Maybe I just personally want to set the old bastard on fire. Sounds like he has it coming."

You laugh, and your chest feels lighter than it has in days.

"Right you are, Karlach."

"And for what it's worth, you know...I think you're pretty damn strong no matter what."

You don't agree. But it's a nice thought all the same.

[owlseeyoulaterpal]

Like Real People Do, Chapter Nine

Gale Dekarios x Named! Tav x Astarion Ancunín

Chapter Synopsis: Unexpected foes lurk in the Underdark.

Chapter One. Chapter Two. Chapter Three. Chapter Four. Chapter Four and a Half. Chapter Five. Chapter Six. Chapter Seven. Chapter Eight.

Read on ao3.

Word Count: 4.5k

Notes: I just didn't wanna shut up in this chapter apparently!

Learn more about my Tav, Seraphina.

Chapter Nine: Misfortune

Fire.

It was everywhere. All around.

The screams were blood-curdling and piercing.

There was as much blood as there was fire.

She remembered how quickly she had to make it across the field to get her downed companions, uttering healing spells as quickly as she sent a sphere of thunder at their enemies. As the only healer they had, the panic and anxiety of trying to keep everyone alive in this Hell ate her alive.

The fire kept raging, only growing larger and larger.

Destroying.

Consuming.

The heat ceased being an aura and she could feel it in her bones. She could smell her skin, hair, and armor melting. All she could hear was her own screams.

“Seraphina!”

Her eyes flew open, and she gasped for air, clutching at her own throat. In the darkness of her tent, she could make out Astarion kneeling over her. She sat up and looked all around. 

“Are you…alright?” Astarion asked. His hands awkwardly hovered around her shoulders.

“I…y-yes,” she stammered.

“Darling, I could hear your heartbeat from my tent,” he said.

“I’m fine,” Seraphina said, wrapping her arms around herself. “Thank you for coming to check on me.”

“This isn’t the first time, you know,” Astarion commented. “That I’ve heard you across camp.”

She didn’t respond. She didn’t know what to say. 

“I quite prefer it when I’m the cause of your heart racing like that,” Astarion joked. She could see the slightest wilt of his ears when she failed to smile.

“I’m sorry,” Seraphina whispered, wiping at her face that she now realized was wet with tears. “I need to go back to sleep. That’s all.”

Astarion didn’t budge, still staring at her. Her skin was already crawling from her dream, but she could feel it even more so under his scrutiny.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Of course, my sweet. I’ll be in my tent if you want a distraction,” Astarion said.

He left with a nod. She didn’t want him to leave, but she also didn’t know how or if she could ask him to just lay with her and hold her. Asking Astarion to do that would mean making it clear that she had started to have deeper feelings about Astarion than their current unspoken arrangement allowed for.

He’s not interested in that, she thought.  

She didn’t go back to sleep either. Her exhaustion made her fumble through the necessary discussion the party had to have the following morning.

Seraphina knew that telling Lae’zel of her decision that the group would be traveling through the Underdark to get to Moonrise Towers wouldn’t go over well. She didn’t feel great about it either. She wasn’t one to break promises, but the incident with the patrol made it clear that going to the githyanki for a cure was far too risky.

They took another day to rest. When the morning came to pack up camp and search what remained of the goblin camp for the entrance to the Underdark, Lae’zel and her tent were gone. Seraphina and the warrior weren’t close on account of Lae’zel’s disgust at Seraphina’s ‘bleeding heart’ and Seraphina’s shock at Lae’zel’s brutal view of the world, but it still saddened the cleric to see that the warrior had actually chosen to leave their party. She had to resist the urge to snap at Shadowheart, who seemed all too pleased about the development.

After spending their morning killing the remaining goblins at the goblin camp, it was a relief to encounter the friendly myconid colony once the party arrived in the Underdark.

While Gale and Wyll traded with the hobgoblin, Karlach and Shadowheart bartered with a halfling woman. Seraphina skipped over to Astarion’s side.

“Hi there,” she grinned.

“Hello, my sweet,” he replied coolly. Seraphina frowned. His greeting lacked any levity and his lips had barely lifted at the corners.

“You seem like you’re in a bad mood. What can I do to help you have a fangtastic day?” she said, elbowing him lightly.

He rolled his eyes.

“You could try never making such a bad joke again,” he said.

“I hope this conversation isn’t draining you too much,” she smirked.

“Thank the gods you’re not a bard.”

Seraphina grunted as she lightly stomped her foot.

“You’re not being very fun today,” she pouted. “What’s going on?”

Astarion looked at her as if she had grown a second head.

“Darling, look around us,” Astarion gestured his hands around them. Seraphina did a spin, taking in the glowing mushrooms, the multicolored and intriguing myconids, and the ginormous space that was the Underdark.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said dreamily.

“I’d prefer to be basking in the sun rather than scrambling in the shadows again,” he sniffed. “And we’ve barely been here but for a few moments and you’ve already signed us up to risk our necks in the name of helping a few mushrooms.” Seraphina gnawed at her lip as she tried think of something that could cheer up the sullen vampire when Gale started walking in their direction.

He smiled and waved bashfully at Seraphina, one hand behind his back. Their friendship had been strained since their argument two days ago. Truthfully, they had barely said a word to each other.

“Enjoy whatever lecture the wizard is about to give you. I think my fingers have pockets to empty,” Astarion said, his gaze focusing in on the halfling trader.

“I would prefer it if you didn’t do that,” Seraphina replied.

“Maybe I’ll find something pretty for you,” Astarion winked and stalked away. Seraphina took a deep breath to prepare herself for talking to Gale.

“Seraphina, could I show you something?” Gale asked, stepping closer. She gave him a tight-lipped smile.

“Go for it.” 

“Close your eyes.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“Humor me,” he said, the hand of his that she could see slightly trembling.

She sighed and closed her eyes. She felt the familiar warmth of Gale’s hand taking hers and he slightly lifted it. A cold metallic object entered her hand.

“Open.”

Seraphina opened her eyes and looked down to see a gorgeous, pale blue circlet in her hands. A beautiful deep purple gem sat in the middle, surrounded by smaller, pointed pieces of metal in a sunburst pattern. 

“Gale, this is beautiful,” she said breathlessly. As she turned it in her hands, she could feel the hum of lightning coursing through the headwear.

Gale exhaled with a chuckle, his face flushing red.

“It’s for you,” he grinned. “If you would like it that is. I know that you’re quite fond of lightning, even though the storm isn’t quite the crux of your magic anymore, and I believe this will pair greatly with your armor. The trader told me this was another invention of Yrre the Sparkstruck, so I immediately thought of you. Of course, I hope you don’t feel obligated to use it if it doesn’t suit your purposes or – ”

“Gale,” Seraphina laughed as she put on the circlet, letting it sit just under her horns. “I love it. Thank you.”

Gale reached up and carefully tucked away a few pieces of her hair. His fingers grazed across her brow and, as his eyes fell to hers, she felt her heart skip a beat. She could see the yearning and adoration in his eyes. She looked down at his slightly parted lips and imagined what it would be like if she could kiss him to get him to stop rambling when he was overthinking.

Gale suddenly snatched his hand away, clearing his throat as he took a half-step back. 

“I think your gear will be quite ready to overflow with lightning soon enough,” he said.

“It’s working already. I think I feel a spark between us right now,” she whispered.

Gale’s entire body seemed to relax, though his smile seemed sad.

“Yes. You’re quite right. I feel that too,” he murmured.

“I’m sorry. About what I said the other night,” she blurted. “I shouldn’t have said that to you. It was thoughtless and cruel.”

Gale paused.

“It is nice to hear your apology. Though, you weren’t exactly wrong. I, more than anyone, should be wiser about telling someone to go against the will of their god,” he said. “I simply hope you understand what all comes with being a Chosen. I…I hope that it is your own ambition and not something you seek at the behest of others.”

Seraphina felt her mouth go dry. Of course, this what she wanted. She had already lived a life dedicated to Tymora. Being her Chosen would be the greatest honor she could ever receive. It would mean the world to her family, as a Hellwhisper no less, to serve her goddess in such a way. She had to do it.

“Immortality, power beyond my wildest dreams, and it’s all in service of the Smiling Lady. Why wouldn’t it be what I want?” she asked with a nervous laugh.

Gale gave her a pitiful look.

“The gods demand more than vows when calling followers to the altar, Seraphina. I speak from experience and not from a place of doubt in you or your abilities.”

His words sounded so familiar. He deserved to know why she snapped at him the other day.

“Gale, you should know that you’re not the first person to – ”  

“Let’s scram,” Karlach suddenly appeared next to them. “I think Astarion just took that lady’s entire gold pouch.”

“Oh Gods,” Seraphina groaned. 

She would tell Gale. Soon.

x x x

Seraphina stood off at the edge of camp as everyone finished eating dinner. She stood shoulder width apart, her arms lifted. With a deep exhale, she sliced through the air. 

Nothing.

She took a step forward with her left leg, shifting her weight onto it. She lowered one arm, lifted the other, and took a deep breath. She exhaled as she quickly dragged her right foot to her left, stood up straight, and moved her arms in an upward diagonal arc.  

Nothing.

She continued practicing different motions, occasionally getting a result, but not exactly the one she wanted. Spike growth, a stray fire bolt, an acid splash. Nothing new and not what she wanted to see.

She let out a frustrated huff as she stared at the smoldering, acid-covered patch of spikes in the area she was focusing on.

“So, are you actually trying to accomplish something or are you anticipating becoming a dancer if we survive all of this?”

“Yes, Astarion. I’m practicing magic.” She glanced over her shoulder to see that Astarion had seated himself on top of a sturdy mushroom behind her.

“I thought you sorcerers had no need for that.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Seraphina started. “To learn a new spell, Gale has to read a tome. If I want to learn a new spell, I have to practice until I find the exact movement and focus that casts the spell I want. Gale asks the Weave to do things for him, while I tell it what to do. It’s like when Lae’zel…” Seraphina’s voice faded, and she quickly shook her head. She wasn’t going to let Lae’zel’s absence weigh on her. “It’s like when Lae’zel used to practice a new fighting technique.”

“Hmm,” Astarion said thoughtfully. “So, all that innate magic transfers into…this?” he asked, gesturing at Seraphina as she continued making different, erratic movements with her arms and hands.

“If this is so stupid to you, you’re more than welcome to leave. I would focus better.”

“You look ridiculous and its quite entertaining, so this seems like fine way to spend my evening,” Astarion said with a sip from his goblet.

“Are you still upset because we’re helping the myconids?”

“Why shouldn’t I be? It’s a waste of our time, which, as I should remind you, is extremely precious on account of the cult that has put alien tadpoles in our heads.”

She turned to face him, putting her hands on her hips. 

“We help people because we can, and we should. It’s horrifying how selfish you can be.”

“Looking after yourself keeps you alive.”

“Connecting with the beings and world around you keeps you alive.”

“I haven’t had much time for that the last two hundred years in case you’ve forgotten.”

“Astarion – ” 

“No one helped me any time when Cazador decided that a fun way to spend the night was torturing me. The oh-so-brave Hellwhisper family has been going on their adventures, being heroes, spreading the good word of Lady Luck, for how many centuries now? Three?”

Seraphina stepped forward, reaching out for him, but Astarion stood and took a step back. He continued speaking.

“I probably saw quite a few of your ancestors when I had to find victims for Cazador. None of them ever took the time to investigate the gothic estate in the Lower City that people disappear into,” 

“If I’d known what I know now years ago, I would’ve killed Cazador the first chance I had.”

“You naïve, silly thing. You actually think you stand a chance against Cazador.”

Seraphina nodded her head without pause.

“Of course,” she started. 

At the same time as she said her next words, Astarion mockingly mouthed the same ones.

“Luck is on my side.”

“Of course. Hells, you’re almost as bad as Wyll,” he said with a scoff, rolling his eyes.

“Astarion, I can’t change the past. What I can do is help you kill Cazador and figure out your future.”

He paused. He stared at her with the same apprehension of a starving animal being offered food.

“Help me kill Cazador?”

“I mean, that’s why you’re reading that book, right? You want to kill him. And I’ll help you. I’ll go with you to the city to kill him. I swear that before my goddess, on my life,” Seraphina continued. She could feel her heartbeat pulsing in her ears. She meant every word and she was desperate for him to believe her. 

Astarion stared at her for a moment longer.

“You don’t have to believe me, but I’ve, uh, I’ve handled quite worse,” Seraphina said. She hadn’t told him yet but, in truth, the prospect of a vampire lord was much less daunting after her experience a few months ago.

“You’re…sweet,” he replied. “Have fun with your magic. I’ll be searching for a meal.”

“Thanks. Be careful,” Seraphina replied. Astarion walked away from camp, disappearing into the darkness beyond the illuminated mushrooms. This wasn’t the last time they would have this conversation, so she was fine with him leaving.

Someone cleared their throat.

“I hope this seat isn’t taken,” Gale said shyly, gesturing at the now empty mushroom. She wasn’t sure whether it was Gale’s blush, his endearing smile, or his eyes that looked at her as if she was the best thing he’d ever seen, but Gale’s very presence gave her butterflies. 

“It’s open if you can be less of a nuisance than my last audience,” she teased.

“I swear to be the most respectful spectator,” Gale smiled as he sat on the mushroom.

Seraphina turned back to her work area. Anxiety made her hands shake. Gods, she didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of him. She took another deep breath and closed her eyes, holding her hands together in front of her. She repeated her process, creating plant growth on top of the spike growth, healed herself and Gale, summoned a magma mephit that Gale swiftly eliminated, but still not a result she wanted. 

“Seraphina, I hope it’s not rude for me to ask you a question,” Gale spoke up. “I haven’t witnessed a sorcerer practice magic before, so my curiosity is quite peaked.”

“Ask away,” she said as gently as possible, trying to mask her growing frustration.

“Is there a certain result you are hoping for?” he asked.

“Yes. I used to be able to call lightning to any place I desired. Before my trial, I mean. I think I can do it again if I keep trying.”

“Would you be amenable to assistance?”

“You are a good teacher. I would be,” she said as she brought her hands back together.

She heard Gale stand, followed by the crunch of the ground, before she felt the warmth of his body as he stopped next to her. Her breath caught in her lungs.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed. His tone, authoritative and direct, sent a hot shiver down her spine that settled in her core.

Seraphina closed her eyes, choosing to lean into Gale’s voice rather than make a snarky comment about how she already does that.

“Listen to the world around you.”

Wyll was calling to Scratch, praising the dog as they played fetch. Karlach and Shadowheart were asking Halsin dozens of questions, all three seated round the campfire. There were creaks and bangs and other sounds that echoed around the chasm they had set up camp, but other than that, nothing. 

“Do you remember what it felt like to connect with a tempest?” Gale asked.

Seraphina opened her mouth to answer.

“Don’t speak,” Gale said.

She closed her mouth immediately and tried to ignore how heated her body was becoming listening to him. She could remember. How could she forget? Harnessing the power of a howling gale at her fingers was what she knew best. She used to command lightning and control the weather around her. She was born to manipulate the storm. She could never forget it. 

“Connect to it. Call to it.”

The sharp shock of lightning connecting with her as she forced it to strike. The pleasant relationship as it traveled through her fingertips. She could almost feel it even though it was far away from where she was in the Underdark. She could feel that hum just beneath her skin.

With a grunt, she opened her eyes, her arms flew open in a straight line, and she felt the power surge through her as a long, wide bolt of lightning left her hands in a straight line. Seraphina huffed out a laugh before beginning to fully chuckle as Gale beamed at her.

He clapped. “I take it that’s what you were hoping for?”

“Yes! Exactly!” Seraphina gushed. “Gods, that was – ” 

“Ah!”

Gale and Seraphina quickly tuned on their heels at the sound of Shadowheart’s yelp and gasps escaped from both as instinct kicked in. Three figures in black cloaks were at the campfire. Shadowheart was stumbling away, blood trailing from a gash in her arm. Another had his dagger raised above Wyll, whose hands were already sparking red with the beginning of an eldritch blast. 

“Flagra!” Shadowheart shouted, launching a guiding bolt at the cloaked person standing closer to her. Halsin wild shaped into a bear, launching himself at the person attacking Shadowheart. Karlach dodged the stab of the figure who pointed his dagger at her.

As quickly as time seemed to go faster, it suddenly slowed as Seraphina felt a hand wrap around one of her horns and yank.

“In Beshaba’s name,” hissed a voice into her ear.

As the dagger began to slice into the side of her neck, she felt an overwhelming tide of energy flow through her right along with the hot pain. She could feel it – her body calling to the storm.

The person behind her screeched, their hands falling away from her as lightning struck them.

“Detono!”

Seraphina felt the blast of thunderous force all around her, but she was unmoved. Gale’s hands clutched her arms and yanked her body forward as she struggled to move her trembling legs.

Think. She commanded herself. Seraphina straightened and looked at the figure that had been thrown by Gale’s thunderwave, whose cloak had fallen, revealing a bald elven man. She watched her blood drip off his dagger.

He stood, snarling, and began to run towards Seraphina and Gale. As soon as his sprint began, Seraphina prepared a sacred flame, only for an arrow to emerge from his chest, a small grunt pushed out from his lips as his body fell forward. Astarion stood a few feet away, his eyes blazing as he headed towards another man running at Shadowheart. 

A sharp pain exploded in Seraphina’s shoulder, and she screamed. She looked and saw the tip of a dagger sticking through her body. Gale launched a ray of frost as she turned, only to see the thrower of the dagger swiftly dodge the spell. 

“Tormentum!” Seraphina shouted. As the first missile shot from her fingertip, the vibration of a wild magic surge filled her bones. While her target fell over, dead, thunder rolled, blue light exploded in her vision, and she heard Gale scream. Dread came over her as she realized lightning had struck all around her.

No. No.

Not again. 

Her heart dropped as she looked for her companion.

“Gale!” Seraphina screeched. He had fallen to the ground, burns marking his skin, his hair singed, and his clothes scorched. He was still breathing, but unconscious. She quickly looked around to see if there were any more assailants. 

There was a sickening crunch as Karlach’s axe pierced the face of the man beneath her. Shadowheart stood over a body that had been mutilated with necrotic magic. Astarion was going through the pockets of a body. Wyll emerged from the shadows, covered in blood.

“Halsin?” Seraphina shouted. 

“Right here.”

Halsin appeared from the other side of his tent, dragging a body.

“This one still breathes. For now,” the druid said as he tossed the unconscious man near the campfire.

“Maybe he’ll tell us what the hells this was about,” Karlach huffed.

Seraphina had stopped paying attention after hearing Halsin calmly reply. The threat was gone, but Gale was in danger. She lowered her hands to him and then immediately snatched them back. She stared at her palms.

“Shadowheart! Help!” Seraphina screamed. 

Shadowheart staggered over.

“Gods! What happened?” Shadowheart asked, blue magic emanating from her hands as she began to heal Gale’s wounds. “Are you out of spells?”

Seraphina shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter. Please, just take care of him. I’ll…I’ll go get some scrolls,” she hauled herself up and she tried to run, but the world spun around her, and she collapsed to the ground. She did this. Her magic did this to him.

Tymora allowed this to happen.

No, she thought. This was Beshaba’s doing.

Her body shook as she tried to stand. Her blood had been running cold, her fingers and feet numb, her mind reeling, ever since the man whispered in her ear. But none of that mattered right now. If Gale died…

Gods, she didn’t want to think of it. The first time he died, days after they met, it had been scary, but that was before Gale dared to enthrall her and make her hang on every word he said. It felt nothing like this. This was a terror that threatened to make her heart stop.

Seraphina yanked her bag of scrolls out of her tent, emptying all the contents onto the ground. She frantically searched for the scroll of restoration. She didn’t cease when she felt cold hands grasp her shoulders.

“Seraphina, you’re bleeding horribly,” Astarion said.

“I’ll live,” she replied, blinking to try and clear her quickly blurring vision. 

“Here, you fool,” Astarion pushed a healing potion into Seraphina’s hands and snatched up a scroll, sprinting over to Shadowheart and Gale. As the tiefling looked down, she could see that the entire left side of her shirt was soaked with her own blood. She reached up and felt the gaping wound that nearly sliced her throat open.

Oh. That’s why she was lightheaded.

Seraphina uncorked the bottle and drained it. As she got to her feet again, ready to return to Gale’s side, she saw Halsin standing over the unconscious man, rope in his hand. Seraphina’s stomach turned as she recognized the black antlers tattooed on his head.

I truly am a risk to all of them.

“My lady, guide my hand,” she uttered to herself.

x x x

As Shadowheart expended all her healing spells on Gale, Seraphina kneeled next to him, clutching his hand between hers. She muttered prayers over and over. With each one, instead of her spirits becoming bolstered and hopeful, she felt herself sinking further and further into an abyss. 

“Seraphina,” Shadowheart said, placing a hand on the tiefling’s shoulder. “All we can do is let him rest now. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” Seraphina asked quickly. Shadowheart pursed her lips.

“He’s stabilized.”

Seraphina looked back at Gale, and she choked back a sob at the slowly disappearing burn on his face.

“Seraphina, you need to talk to the others. We have to discuss this. I know you care for him, but sitting here won’t help us prepare if another attack is imminent,” Shadowheart urged.

“I know,” Seraphina murmured. She pressed a long kiss to the back of Gale’s hand, slowly lowering it to his side. She squeezed his hand, and she considered telling Shadowheart to just leave, but she couldn’t. She would be back. 

Both the clerics slipped out of Gale’s tent. Halsin and Wyll sat around the fire. Astarion was kneeled in front of the man that Halsin tied up, staring at the tattoos on his head.

“Wyll, with all your infernal knowledge, do you have any idea who would get this monstrosity as a tattoo?” Astarion asked.

“I’ve never seen it before,” Wyll admitted. “But perhaps someone else has.” Astarion turned and his face softened as his eyes met Seraphina’s. But he wasn’t the only one staring at her. The pressure of everyone’s gaze made her want to disappear.

Seraphina swallowed.

“He…they’re assassins of the Black Fingers,” she said.

“Black Fingers?” Wyll asked. “What in the hells is that?”

“The Black Fingers are assassins that serve Beshaba, the goddess of misfortune. Lady Luck’s divine enemy,” Seraphina replied.

She sighed and clenched her fists.

“They came to kill me – ” 

“More will come.”

Everyone’s head spun to look at the awake assassin. He tilted his head back to glare at Seraphina.

“All Tymora’s Chosen will fall. Everyone who is trying to become her Chosen will fall. Every worshipper will fall,” he spat. “Every single one a sacrifice in the Maid of Misfortune’s name.”

Astarion suddenly slipped out his dagger, held back the man’s head by his scalp, and slit his throat. Seraphina watched as blood gurgled from his lips and spilled from the deep cut. She could hear everyone arguing over whether it would’ve been more advantageous to leave the man alive. But none of their voices mattered.

The ‘gift’ from Seraphina’s goddess had once again nearly claimed the life of someone dear to her. Assassins threatened her life and the life of her companions. The trial was always going to be a test of luck, a gamble. Seraphina knew that and she still went all in. She took her losses and kept betting anyway, determined to prove her trust in her own luck in this game of chance.

But now, and not for the first time, Seraphina wasn’t so sure if she wanted to keep playing.

[your-talos-is-problematic]

WIP Middas

Thank you @skyrim-forever for the tag! I spent most of my creative juices this week on the first chapter of my 3rd era au (shameless plug sorry it just hasn’t gotten any reads yet) but I did get randomly compelled to write some of a post-game Tilia and Lae’zel AU for I’m not sure what reasons. So here’s that! Big BG3 spoilers relating to Lae’zel’s personal quest.

Tagging @thequeenofthewinter @umbracirrus and @throughtrialbyfire

“Who’s the devil child?” he asked in Githyanki. Tilia would pout about that description, but there were no other words for tieflings in our language.

“Her name is Tilia.” I gave my response in Gith’s tongue, too. Upon hearing her own name, Tilia looked up. “She doesn’t speak Githyanki. You will address her in the common tongue or in Draconic.”

He scoffed, but I held his gaze. “Fine.” He scanned Tilia again. “You speak Draconic, istik?”

She broke into her usual sincere smile. Chk. Should have coached her against that. “I do! My name is Tilia of Tragedy.” She shot me a joking side-eye, probably for not having given her full name.

He rolled his eyes and turned around. “Follow.” He repeated it in Githyanki for the other soldiers around us, who complied. I held a hand in front of Tilia’s chest, waiting until everyone was a few steps ahead to whisper to her in Common. She opened her mouth before I did.

“Does he not speak Common?”

“No. All githyanki do.” She looked confused at that. “He intends to test whether or not you truly know the language.”

“Does he know I speak it instinctively?” she asked.

“Likely.” I checked to make sure we were out of sight of the other gith, then grabbed Tilia’s chin to kiss her. She giggled and gently ran a scaled wrist across my forehead, placing her other hand on my chest as if to try to find a heartbeat through the armor.

“Are you nervous at all, Lae’zel?” It was a question she clearly knew the answer to.

“No. I have earned my place in this council,” I responded. Both of her arms were now around my neck, placing her chest close to mine.

“And me?”

I let my hand glide over the scales on her cheeks. “Are half of why the Prince of the Comet is free. Now come. We are falling behind.” I broke out of the embrace. The gap between us and the others was sizable, so my pace had to be quick to try to close it.

Tilia seemed to run out of breath after a few

minutes and eventually resorted to flying to keep up. I noticed a few of the other githyanki shooting her looks, but I wasn’t sure of the emotion behind them. There was likely to be some distrust of her devilish appearance here, but none that she couldn’t counter. Tilia was nothing if not persistent.

When we eventually caught up, I scanned the unit and our surroundings. There were six soldiers, plus the kith’rak, all of whom appeared to be carrying both crossbows and various melee weapons. The meeting hall we were heading towards was visible, but still distant, and the terrain seemed otherwise empty. Tilia tapped me on the shoulder.

“This is a lot of people for an escort, isn’t it?” She sounded nervous.

“The creatures of the Astral Plane often prove to be fearsome foes. We typically travel in large groups.” 

She was still anxiously tapping her staff against her hand. “We’re just sure they’re not here for… us?”

“Are you expressing distrust in my people?”

She seemed to consider. “No. I think I’m just nervous.”I tried to think of a way to reassure her that wouldn’t outwardly portray any romantic intent; eventually I settled on gently patting her between the wings. She smiled. “I’ll be good to see Orpheus again,” she said.

“Prince Orpheus,” I corrected.

“Prince Orpheus. Hopefully he’s not still mad at me. He seemed to cool off after we actually took down the brain, though.” I snorted. I was sure Tilia would get the prince to enjoy her company- it was her strongest skill. And any battle alongside her would quickly make him respect her capabilities. I realized it was strange for me to consider those two different things.

[its-jaytothemee]

Until I Met You - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Path Forward

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 3,627

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: The party makes their way back into the Underdark, discouraged and down on their luck after their time at the Creche. Now, they have to decide how they can move forward and find a new lead to cure their tadpoles. Part 8 of the slow burn fic. Halsin and Tav POVs

Tags: Slow burn, hurt/comfort, emotional hurt/comfort, fluff, eventual love confessions, eventual smut, light angst, implied past rape/non-con and abuse, graphic description of injuries.

A/N: Sorry for the wait between updates here! Life got a bit hectic for a couple of weeks. I ended up needing to split the Underdark chapters up so they wouldn't get too long. The next one should be a much shorter wait :) Thanks for continuing to read!!

Tav led her dejected group of adventurers back through the wilderness, making their way down to the Underdark again. While she was still unconscious, the others had found another entrance to the Underdark in the Zhentarim hideout. Given that it was a little closer, they opted to go this way rather than march all the way back to the goblin camp.

Last night, just as everyone was beginning to turn in for the evening, an unexpected visitor had shown up at their camp. Kith’rak Voss, knight supreme, and a fellow traitor in Vlaakith’s eyes. He came to recruit Lae’zel to his cause, to overthrow Vlaakith’s unrightful rule. Apparently, the prism they carried held the key to her demise. He explained that the purification process githyanki boasted about was nothing but a bold-faced lie. The zaith’isk does not extract, it only kills. They had promised to meet him in Baldur’s Gate, should they survive that long. Lae’zel had been strangely quiet about the ordeal, likely still coming to terms with the fact she wasn’t welcome with the majority of her kin. So now, not only were they still hosting mind flayer parasites, but they had been branded enemies of Vlaakith herself, doomed to be hunted across the Sword Coast by her faithful. Fighting their way out of the Creche was difficult enough, she wasn’t looking forward to the lich queen sending her best warriors to pursue them.

Tav’s disappointment was plain to see in her slumped shoulders and shuffling footsteps. The past two days were a detour they could scarcely afford, and she was the one who pushed them in that direction. Even Karlach seemed subdued, merely chuckling at any half-assed quips Astarion let out rather than her normal cackle. He was the only one who was relatively content with keeping his tadpole, allowing him to walk in the sun a little while longer.

Halsin jogged his way up to her at the front of the group. He slowed his pace to walk alongside her.

“I can’t help but notice you’re looking a tad displeased.” He said.

“I think I’ve earned the right to feel a little upset right now, Halsin.” Tav knew he meant well, she just didn’t have the energy to joke right now.

“Of course, I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise.” His voice lowered a bit, sending a stab of guilt into Tav’s gut. She let out a heavy sigh.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to do next. They followed me to the Creche, which was a dead end. Almost literally.” She remembered their bruised and battered bodies stumbling into camp last night. Her shoulder still ached slightly from falling off of a ladder during one of the fights.

“I know. I can see the uncertainty in your eyes. You think you’ve wasted precious time following false hopes. I can’t imagine my sulking helped with that guilt.” He looked away from her for a moment.

“First and foremost, your priority has been to remove the tadpoles lodged in your heads. You had no way of knowing where Lae’zel’s hunch would lead, at the time it seemed like the most rational path. And you are not the only one here who chose that path.”

“That’s kind of you to say.” Tav responded, her eyes still stuck on the dirt road in front of her.

“I know something of doubting your choices as a leader, my friend. As I told you, I’m here to lend my counsel whenever needed. I’ve met many people who have claimed to be leaders in my life, few have had the heart and compassion that you do. It’s obvious how you care for those in your company, you make decisions with great respect and consideration.” He kept his voice low so only they could hear.

She stayed silent for a while longer, thinking on his words. When their group had decided to band together, she hadn’t exactly meant to be their leader. At some point everyone just started to defer to her for all major decisions.

“I know that this is quite the setback, but please do not doubt yourself so heavily, Tav. Everyone trusts you a great deal – myself included. I doubt that anyone here is a stranger to disappointment and defeat. Except perhaps Shadowheart, but that is only because she is missing so many of her memories.” His last quip did make her chuckle a little.

“I am confident that you will all recover swiftly.”

“What makes you so sure?” She asked, finally looking up at him.

“Because you have no other choice, I’m afraid.” He had a sad smile on his face. They continued walking together, Halsin had grabbed one of her packs from her injured shoulder to carry. Lunari trotted around them, every now and then bumping her head into their legs to get them to pet her.

“I truly am sorry that you weren’t able to be cured of the tadpole yet.” Halsin broke their silence. “But if it is any consolation, I am grateful to have a few more days in your company.” He briefly rested a hand on her shoulder as they walked.

“As am I.” She replied. “Except…you know…about you.” A familiar warmth covered her cheeks at her awkward rambling.

Come on, Tav. I thought we were past this now.

As they approached Waukeen’s Rest, she let some of the others take the lead. They took her and Halsin down through the hideout, the smell of ash and decaying bodies filled her nose. As she looked over the ledge just inside the secret entrance, she saw that almost everything, and everyone, had been burnt to a crisp

“What in the hells did you guys do here?” Tav asked, covering her nose with the back of her hand.

“What? Like it’s our fault that they had the entire area laced with explosives? Karlach is literally a walking flame, darling. Accidents happen.” Astarion waved his hand dismissively.

“Hey now, Karlach didn’t touch the explosives at all. Gale was the one with speedy spell fingers.” Karlach had run up to join them.

“To be fair,” Gale started, pointing one index finger up in the air, “the fire bolt wasn’t aimed at the explosives, it was aimed at one of the Zhentarim. Who caught on fire. And then wandered too close to an oil barrel.” The little bout of banter brought a smile to Tav’s face. She was relieved to see they hadn’t completely lost their sense of humor.

Towards the back of the hideout, there was a concealed elevator of sorts. It looked old, Tav was skeptical about all of them piling onto this at the same time.

“I think we should probably go in groups. This seems a little…dated.”  She gulped as she inspected the ropes and pulleys attached to the platform. Everything at least seemed in good working order.

“Who wants to go first?” She asked.

“After you, darling.” Astarion teased.

“I uh, I can wait for the second group.” Tav said quickly as she took a step away from the platform.

Everyone looked at her curiously. Astarion and Karlach started to giggle a little bit.

“Are you…are you afraid of heights?” Astarion pointed an accusing finger at her.

“I’m not afraid! I have a healthy skepticism of old wooden machinery that happens to dangle a mile above the ground.” She could feel her cheeks getting warm at the teasing.

“I’m sorry, you can slaughter a camp of goblins, a hag, an entire Creche filled with githyanki warriors, and a fully grown owlbear. But you draw the line at a little elevator ride?” Astarion was laughing harder now.

“Well, if you’re so confident why don’t you hop on?” Tav shot back.

“Fine if it’ll help you get over your fears.” He waved his hand in the air again and strode over to the platform, jumping on it lightly to show how sturdy it was.

“See? Nothing to be worried about.” He crossed his arms and stared her down.

She flared her nostrils at him and pressed her lips into a hard line. With everyone staring at her, she took a few tentative steps toward the wooden platform. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. The first step she took onto the elevator caused it to wobble slightly and she recoiled away from it, slamming into Halsin behind her. He smiled down at her and stepped to the side to walk onto the platform next to Astarion. He turned around and held his arm out to her. Tav quickly dug a scroll of Feather Fall out of her pack and held it against her chest...just in case. She nervously reached out with her other hand to grab Halsin’s arm and pulled herself tight against him. Wyll walked on behind her as well and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Lunari trotted over to lay down at her feet, giving a soft whine. Tav continued clinging to Halsin as the winch began to turn and slowly lower them back into the Underdark.

***

Halsin was grateful for the lower light to hide his blush and grin. Tav was breathing heavily and grasping the Feather Fall scroll in one hand, turning her knuckles white. She had her face buried in his shoulder and both of her arms wrapped around his arm tightly. Her free hand had his in an iron grip, digging her nails into his knuckles. She must have been terrified based on the fact she didn’t seem to be blushing or embarrassed as she held onto him like her life depended on it.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t call you our ‘fearless’ leader anymore.” Astarion giggled.

“Fuck off.” Tav’s voice was muffled by Halsin’s shoulder.

Tav let out another shaky breath as the platform swayed in an unnerving manner. He watched as they slowly descended through the ground, the environment around them gradually shifting to the strange flora of the Underdark. After a long ride, he could finally start to make out the ground beneath them. The glowing crystals and mushrooms lit the area below, giving them just a little more light to see by.

“We’re almost there, Tav. I can see the ground now.” He whispered as he briefly placed his other hand on one of her arms. She nodded against him in response, still maintaining her death grip.

“You know, Tav, you really are missing a splendid view.” Astarion mocked from the other side of him. “Just open your eyes, face your fe–”

Halsin cut Astarion off with a small nudge, just enough to make him think that he could go tumbling over the edge of the elevator. Of course he wouldn’t let that happen, he had a hold of the back of his shirt. The small squeal that escaped Astarion’s throat was worth it though. Wyll was stifling a laugh on the other side of Tav.

“How clumsy of me.” Halsin said with a smirk. Astarion glared at him over his shoulder.

“Oh gods…why are we shaking?” Tav somehow managed to squeeze him even tighter, causing him to grunt in pain.

Worth it.

After a few more minutes, the elevator hit the ground below. Tav remained stuck to his side even after they stopped moving.

“Tav? We made it.” Halsin urged her gently. She slowly rotated her head to peek at their new surroundings, releasing a relieved sigh when she saw they were once again on solid ground. Right on cue, she realized she was still clinging to Halsin’s arm and jumped to the side like he had shocked her; her cheeks turned that endearing shade of pink.

“Oh! Ha, thanks.” She laughed awkwardly and looked down at his hand spotting the small nail marks she left there. “Oh shit…I’m sorry about that.”

“Nothing to worry about, you didn’t even draw blood. I’m sure the marks will fade within the hour.” He smiled at her reassuringly, trying and failing to keep his mind from wandering. He found himself imagining the marks lined up and down his body.

No, stop it. Get ahold of yourself, Halsin.

He shook his head to force himself back to his current conversation. Astarion had a smug grin stretched across his face.

“Yes, no worries, Tav. I’m sure he’s used to the feel of your nails digging into him, what with your recent late-night excursions and all.” He teased, batting his eyelashes as his eyes shifted between her and Halsin.

His breath caught in his throat and Tav’s eyes went wide, her skin now turning a shade that matched Karlach’s. Wyll looked between all three of them, obviously confused and scared to ask for clarification. The elevator behind them started the ascent back up to the Zhentarim hideout.

“No that’s…it’s not what…we haven’t even…I don’t…” Tav was sputtering nonsensically. “Argh! You are so annoying, you know that?” She yelled at him as she stormed off in a huff.

Halsin thought she’d scour the entire Underdark easily at the pace she was setting. But a strange voice called out to them, stopping her in her tracks.

***

“They are coming.” The voice calling out to Tav in her mind was gruff, yet somehow melodic and charming as well.

“Please tell me I’m not the only one hearing that voice.” She said quietly.

“No, no I heard it too.” Halsin sounded concerned.

Wait…Halsin?

“You can hear it?” Tav asked, shocked. She assumed it was something to do with the tadpole. Wyll and Astarion must have shared her theory because they whipped around to stare at him as well.

“More are coming. You are coming.” The strange voice glided out of her thoughts.

“What the fuck.” She mumbled under her breath.

“Please tell me we aren’t going to look for the source of that voice.” Astarion pleaded.

“Something tells me we won’t have much of a choice.” She sighed. “We’ll wait for the others before moving on just in case.”

Astarion dramatically threw himself onto a pile of crates.

“For fucks’ sake…” Tav muttered. “Here, you big baby.” She reached into her pack and fished out a couple of lockpicks and some tools for disarming traps.

“Why don’t you keep busy and start looking through some of these chests, huh? That one looks expensive.” She held the small tools out in her palm, trying to entice him out of his tantrum. He looked up and gave her a brooding look. “You can keep the gold you find.” She pumped her eyebrows up and down a couple of times.

“You have to ask nicely.” He pouted. She flared her nostrils at him and fought off an eye roll.

“Oh, Astarion…your hands are so slight and nimble. Your fingers dance around locks like silvery rays of the purest moonlight. None of us could compare with that level of finesse.” She said the words in the most monotone way possible, gesturing her hands lazily at the chests and boxes around them.

“And…?”

“You are such…an…” She gritted her teeth, not wanting to finish.

“Say it.” Astarion coaxed.

“Inspiration.” She growled.

“Oh, stop it, darling. You’re embarrassing yourself.” He slid over to her and snatched the tools out of her hand before running off with a giggle.

Whatever, it’s better than him sulking until the others arrive.

Tav and Wyll went through some of the unlocked crates to look for any supplies. Halsin seemed distracted as he took in the Underdark surroundings, he had a distant look on his face that worried her.

“Halsin? You okay?” She asked quietly as he blankly stared over the Underdark landscape ahead of them.

“Hm? Oh, of course. My eyes are still just adjusting to the darkness here.” He smiled lightly, but there was a nervous undertone to his voice. Before she could press the matter further, Karlach’s voice called out to her.

“Hey, soldier! You made it down in one piece. No big deal, right?” Her giant smile shone easily through the darkness.

“Outside of clawing Halsin’s arm to shreds? Yeah, no big deal.” She rolled her eyes slightly. “Listen, we have a situation.” Tav explained the voice they heard.

“More voices? My mind is full enough of those as is.” Gale complained.

“I have a feeling we need to go towards it. When it entered my mind, it felt…scared. Like it was a cry for help.”

“The last time you had a feeling, we ended up fighting dozens of githyanki warriors for our life. Besides, we can hardly afford another detour.” Astarion had come back over to join the group and draped an arm over Gale’s shoulder. He was wearing noticeably more jewelry than before, a golden chain adorned with tiny sapphires dangled from his hand.

His words caused Tav to withdraw slightly, her earlier guilt returning tenfold. She looked around the group of tired faces, suddenly feeling paralyzed. What if she made the wrong decision again, delaying them further? Her eyes fell on Halsin who gave her a reassuring nod.

“And what if the help they need is related to the Absolute?” She finally said. “What if they can help us find our way to Moonrise? We have no idea where this secret stronghold is.”

“Which is why we should have just taken the route from the Mountain Pass. We have to deal with the shadow cursed lands eventually, we might as well just get it over with.” Wyll countered. He had suggested the route before – he was anxious to find his father.

“Perhaps, but the area just past the Mountain Pass is heavy with the curse. I fear if we went that way we would not long survive before the shadows would overtake us.” Halsin spoke up.

“Halsin’s right, the shadows there are a wicked, terrible presence. Some types of light will protect us for a short time, but it won’t be enough. We’ll be lucky if we can make it to Moonrise Towers before it consumes us.” Tav shuddered at the thought.

“No…we need to find out how the cultists are able to traverse the land safely. If we can find this secret passage, we’ll likely find out how they’ve made it that far.” She insisted.

“How bad could it be? We’ve got Shadowheart to cast some handy light spells, we can scrounge up some torches, not to mention that nifty glowing mace we found. So long as we stick together, I’m sure we’ll be fine!” Karlach’s peppy tone did little to calm the anxiety gripping Tav.

“Well spoken, Karlach. I agree, we haven’t gone too far yet…” Wyll continued talking, but Tav couldn’t listen anymore.

The darkness around her swirled like smoke, choking her, trying to bring back memories of those cursed shadows. She forced them down, refusing to let them overtake her now. They didn’t understand, how could they? There was no way to explain to them the horrific magic that awaited them at Moonrise. Her vision swam, her chest burned with anxiety and dread. She felt the phantom claws of shadows and wraiths reaching for her arms, struggling to pull her into the wicked darkness around her, beckoning her to follow.

“No!” She bellowed, startling everyone as they whipped around to face her again. “I’m not spending any longer in that cursed land than I have to. None of you understand, you weren’t there!”

Involuntary tears started streaming down her face, dripping off of her chin and soaking the collar of her shirt. She wrapped her arms tightly around her body and squeezed her eyes shut to try and force her tears to stop. It didn’t help, she continued to sniffle as dark memories tried to drag her down into their abyss. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, still tightly clutching her own chest.

“You weren’t there…” She whispered between sobs.

The others simply stared at her in stunned silence. She hung her head and tried to gain some semblance of composure.

“If you won’t follow me on this path, feel free to go back on your own. I’ll continue through the Underdark alone if I must. Perhaps we’ll be able to meet again at Moonrise.” She barely choked the words out. “Just don’t ask me to go back there yet. I can’t. Not until I know that I can protect us.” It hurt her to offer the ultimatum, she was really starting to consider them friends. She couldn't stand the thought of them facing the curse without her guiding them, but she couldn't go yet. She knew exactly what was waiting for them and she was terrified of going back. No, she needed more time to prepare.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances with one another but said nothing. Tav slowly stood up and turned away from them, ready to continue on by herself. A large hand gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She glanced over her shoulder to see Halsin standing behind her.

“You won’t be alone, Tav.” He assured her. She turned around to face him as the others walked up to stand with them as well.

“Of course you won’t be. We’re with you, soldier.” Karlach added. “If you say this is the way, I’ll follow you.”

The rest of the party walked up behind her, all nodding and murmuring their agreement. They would stay and follow her, hopefully to find a way through the shadows.

“Lead on, friend.” Wyll patted her shoulder.

Tav nodded and took a shaky breath. She knew that their path was leading back to Moonrise Towers, it was unavoidable now. But she at least had a few more days to prepare for it. As she moved to start leading them further into the Underdark, Halsin’s hand briefly passed over hers, his fingers lingering against hers for just a moment longer than expected.

[arianna-irwynarn]

Part seven.

Sorry for the wait guys, I've been dealing with work and pain from my fractured knee. But here it is and I hope you like it.

Rei

Sfw

“Might need to get shadow heart to fix that though.” Karlach poked lily's cheek. A pain shot through her face. An arrow had brushed her face but managed to split her cheek open, she hadn't noticed due to the adrenaline.

“Oh!” Now she was aware of it, the pain started up. Raising a hand to her cheek she could feel blood running slowly down the side of her face from karlach’s poke.

Thankfully everyone else was unscathed. She quickly pulled out a potion, chugging the contents of the small bottle she felt her skin knitting back together.

“I thought we’d killed all those bastards already?” Karlach mused.

“It's just like goblins to hide when they see they are at a disadvantage.They couldn't run back to the goblin camp.” Wyll commented as he placed a pair of daggers into his haversack.

Lily made her way over to Astarion.

“Oh, hello and what can I do for you?”

“Uh, thank you, for rugby tackling me out of danger back there.”

A charming smile graced his face.

“Well I couldn't let our shy little leader get an arrow through the chest now, could I?”

Lily tried to keep her composure as she looked up into his ruby coloured eyes.

“Also for bringing me back to camp last night.”

“Well someone has to keep an eye on you and the others said I had to. As punishment for not revealing my true nature.”

He said it so flippantly, waving his arms around in a dramatic fashion.

Lily felt anger surging inside.

“Well I'm so sorry for being such a punishment for you. I guess you didn't like that ‘gift’ after all.”

With that lily turned on her heels and stormed off in the direction they were going, tears stung her eyes, another thing that had followed her from her human life. Did they all see her like that? Someone to make a mockery of? If that was the case then why even follow her? She would prove them all wrong.

The shadows were beginning to stretch like tendrils of darkness across the forest path. It was then that she saw something truly beautiful and horrifying. A shadow shaped like a nightmare passed through her, her silver eyes tracked the shadow upwards and her mouth fell open. A dragon, a real life dragon! It was a majestic beast the colour of blood, the wingspan was like that of an aeroplane. Sat atop was a Githyanki, his armour glinting in the late afternoon sun.

It told her that a big fight was on the cards if they continued that way.

The camp was set up quickly and as discreetly as they could make it. Everyone was inside their tents, except for lily who sat next to the camp fire reading a large book.

Monsterous creatures of Fae’run

An A-Z of most documented species.

V is for vampire.

“Darling, if you wanted to know about vampires you could have come to me.”

Lily snapped the book shut and placed it on the bedroll. Astarion looked down at her, a look of mock offence on his face. A laugh escaped lily's lips.

“My, have I offended you? My most humble apologies.”

She stood placing her hands on her hips. Wondering what he wanted.

“Well, actually, I wanted to… apologse for what I said. You aren't a punishment.”

His pale cheeks showed the slightest hint of colour. He was blushing! Apologising clearly wasn't an easy thing for him.

She couldn't help the soft smile that graced her face.

“Thank you.”

She wanted to hug him but something held her back. The memories of Cazador. That monster who turned him then sent him out to seduce people. She needed to respect his personal space.

“Why are you still up? The others went to bed ages ago.”

Astarion pretended to flick something off of his billowy cream shirt.

“Oh, well we were all so busy today and time positively flew by. Next thing I know everyone has gone to bed and I never got the chance to feed.”

His crimson eyes lingered on lily's pale throat as he spoke.

“Astarion, you can’t go hunting. Not here, there’s a red dragon and gods knows how many Githyanki roaming around.”

“Darling I didn't know you cared,”

‘of course I do.”

She lightly grabbed the sleeve of his shirt, careful not to touch him as she gently pulled him down to sit beside her.

Astarion had never really paid any attention to lily's tent before. It was cramped with two candles creating small circles of light. An old bedroll was laid out and the books they had found in the blighted village were in a pile. It bothered him, their leader sleeping in such conditions. She could have taken over any of the group's tents for herself. But she didn't. In fact she never complained once.

Lily weighed up her options silently. Astarion broke the silence

“You never complain do you, you're in this crappy tent with the rattiest bedroll I've ever seen and yet you could make it much better. I couldn't dream of living in such…” His voice trailed off, memories of that palace of pain and suffering, of Cazador beating him mercilessly. The feel of his blade as he carved into his flesh. The taste of bile reached the back of his throat, he swallowed it back down. He almost jumped when he felt the warmth of lily's touch on his hand.

“I'm going to go with you. If you have to go hunt, I'll be your uh, hunting wingman.”

Lily quickly released Astarions hand not really even meaning to touch him at all.

“You want to do what? Darling you are hardly the stealthiest warlock. I'll stand no chance of hunting anything with you following me.”

Her cheeks flushed but her face held a look of determination and stubbornness that was almost cute.

“This is not up for discussion. I am coming with you and that's final.”

A sly grin appeared as he looked down at her.

“All right but if I should come up empty” he leans down to whisper in her ear “you'll have to pay the price.”

[atsadi-shenanigans]

Feeding Alligators 11: Murder Buddies

You and Astarion have a chat.

On AO3.

You fumble with your stolen tent for a good thirty minutes until Gale takes pity on you. Though he assembled his with a wave of his hand, and since you’re incapable of the ~mystic cosmic powers~ he possesses, he tries to show you how to rig the thing up by hand. Which means it’s Shadowheart, ultimately, who takes pity on you both and shows y’all how to drive in the stake into the ground to secure the canvas.

“As, yes,” Gale says, totally not wiping sweat from his brow. “I’d forgotten how refreshing manual labor can be. Quite invigorating to get the blood pumping again.”

He’s quick to take a seat next to the fire Lae’zel got going. From being invigorated and all.

You’re not far behind.

Your feet are about to fall off. Your legs shake so bad you don’t sit so much as keel over to land on your ass. The pounding in your skull goes atrocious for a hot second, spiking into nausea, before clearing enough for you to make out Gale telling some story about a “magical misadventure” during his youth.

Shadowheart doesn’t join you. Too busy glaring at Lizard Lady—named Lae’zel. They’ve been making snipes at each other. From what you gather, Shadowheart is real indisposed to Lae’zel, and Lae’zel is generally indisposed to everyone.

Y’all didn’t talk much as y’all got her out of that cage. Everyone boot-scooted out of the area before the demons—called tieflings—came back with friends.

Lae’zel has an accent none of the others share. And Gale said something about “astral raiders” under his breath as she marched to the front of your group (before Shadowheart stopped, declared she wasn’t “following a githyanki”, and the two almost got into a fistfight right then and there).

“Astral” sounds a lot like “inter-dimensional” to you. So you extricate yourself from Gale’s story—sorry, gotta check on the new guy!—and trudge over. Lae’zel has probably the nicest tent here, with a hide rug inside and a comfy looking bedroll set up. It’s also scattered with stuffed heads.

“Hi,” you say.

She regards you with her narrow eyes as she pulls an entire training dummy out of her bag. It’s got tentacles sewn onto its face.

“We, uh, we met on the ship?”

“The useless istik, I am aware,” she says. “So you survived the crash. Perhaps you are not as pathetic as you first appeared.”

Wow, okay. Accurate, but damn.

She keeps on hammering that one. “It would have been more efficient to kill those horned teethlings. Though I suppose one as weak as you would not be capable of such a task. In githyanki culture, you would have been culled from the creche. Your people must be soft. Or perhaps you are not as you seem.”

“Well,” you say. “I’m trying, thank you?”

Her eyes narrow. This close and actually talking to her, and she’s not so much a lizard as a crocodile. There’s the same coldness in her, the same predator shine to her eyes. Best to divert the conversation.

“The way the others are talking, you ain’t from here, right? This world?” you say.

Her spine straightens. Her face is pretty, in a sharp, harsh kind of way. “We githyanki are not bound to the physical realms. We sail the astral seas in pursuit of our ghaik quarry.”

There’s a lot to unpack there, and you legitimately would like the time to sort it out and pick through the details. Buuut…

“Your people have been to other, uh, realms, then? Worlds? Not this one?”

“My people guard and conquer all the realms connected to the astral plane, yes. The noisy ones said you were taken from one such plane. I assume that’s why you came to me with your meaningless chatter.”

“Yeah, sorry. I don’t wanna take up your time, setting up the heads and all. Very aesthetic.” She pulls out a stuffed Squidward face. “Is there a way to get back? Like, at all?”

She pauses. Her expression is still sharp enough to slice, but you think you might, maybe, just a little bit detect the faintest baby softening around her eyes.

“You wish to return to your people,” she says.

“Yes. Very much.”

“I do not know,” she says and curb-stomps your burgeoning hope. “You would have to know the path the nautiloid took, and perhaps find your world alongside it.”

Fuck. Fuck shit fuck no.

Does a nautiloid have some kind of flight data recorder? Can you even access the damned thing if you find it (if you even recognize it)?

You think of the tadpole. Amongst Gale’s ramblings had been something about a hive mind. If you give that nasty thing a nudge, learn how to use it, maybe…

Assuming it doesn’t rip your face a new asshole.

And maybe it’s the wormy bastards and their bullshit psychic powers, or maybe Lae’zel is just really good at reading people. She stops her set up. Gives you what you can only call a scathing glare.

“The only way to save ourselves is to find a githyanki creche. All this prattle will be futile should the ghaik parasite twist our bones and melt our organs and turn us into ghaik ourselves. We have been lucky, far too lucky, that the process has not yet started. But we cannot trust to luck.”

That’s that. You’re maybe three days out from being stolen and brainwormed. According to the others, you should basically be shitting blood right now. But aside from the occasional, crippling headache—and looming mental breakdown; you know that bitch has penciled herself an appointment in your mental calendar—everyone seems to be good?

You turn to watch Gale rake coals out onto cleared dirt to nestle beneath what looks like a cast iron skillet. More sausages. Jesus.

You would literally commit murder (again) for a bottle of ibuprofen and a pepperoni pizza.

***

Speaking of murder.

Almost everyone has tucked in for the night. Or made a show of doing that—you’re pretty sure Shadowheart is going to literally sleep with one eye on Lae’zel, while Lae’zel dismisses sleep entirely as a weakness and seems determined to spend her night sitting crisscross-applesauce and glaring into the night.

Maybe she’s on watch. No one asked you. No one even brought it up to you. That’s probably a bad sign.

You’re sitting next to the fire, poking at the coals with a stick and trying to rub the burning from your eyes. Then Astarion is kneeling right next to you out of fucking nowhere and you startle so bad your stick goes flying.

He watches it arc away into the night with a raised eyebrow. “You throw things a lot, I’m noticing.”

“Jesus fuck,” you whisper shout. “You scared the piss outta me!”

“Apologies,” he says in such a smooth, blatant lie like he wants you to know it. “I forgot human senses aren’t as perceptive. I wasn’t trying to be stealthy.”

Bullshit. This guy is such a fucking weirdo.

“Uh huh,” you say, aiming at amiable and probably failing.

The two of you sit there a moment. A piece of wood collapses into the fire and sends up a cascade of sparks into the sky. They look like a swarm of orange fireflies. The homesickness crashes into you so hard you have to fight the urge to curl in on yourself. Nights with Uncle Randy on his porch, his lanky frame sprawled out over a lawn chair, cigarette flaring red as he took a draw. He’d offer you a beer, which you’d decline (“It takes like piss.” “Well suit yourself and more for me, sug’.”)

He wasn’t close to your dad once they’d gotten older. Had some sort of nasty fight Uncle Randy never talked about (you’ve developed a strong suspicion it had something to do with your mother). But he told you stories he knew about your dad—hunting squirrels, illicit fishing trips, that one time they got chased and bit by a raccoon and the rabies shots they’d needed (“Your gramma was so pissed off. We came back all cryin’ from them first shots and she made us go collect us a switch for our own ass-whoopin’”).

Your family wasn’t traditional. But Uncle Randy still had the stereotypical eagle feather tattoo on his bicep. He didn’t talk about it, much.

“Wa’n’t sump’n t’be proud of,” he’d said one time. “Things’re changin’ now, I guess.”

But you’d caught him mouthing Cherokee words on the porch in the dark, scrolling along a language lesson from the Nation on his ipad.

“So,” Astarion drawls.

Fuck. You’re in another dimension. You blink a couple of times, make sure no water spills down your cheeks.

“I couldn’t help but notice how easily those tieflings left earlier,” he says. He gives you a slow, deliberate once over. “Yet you’re not drenched in blood, so I assume there was no stabbing this time?”

“I don’t know about all that,” you say. “Like I told y’all. I said y’all were monsters coming up after them and they hightailed it outta there.”

“How lucky.”

“I generally am.”

“And the gnome the other day? That was luck?”

You blink. Turn to look at him. “Gnome?”

You hear that word and you think of that old cartoon of those pixie people with beards and pointy, red hats. The guy rode a fox, you think?

“Yes. The gnome you butchered,” he says.

“I thought he was a hobbit?!”

“A what?”

This fucking place. This absolute clusterfuck of a place. The fuck else is there over here? Fucking werewolves?? Do you need to watch for fucking werewolves now???

“I’ll be honest with you,” you say. “I ain’t never hurt somebody like that before and I am in way over my head here. I don’t even know what all happened that day.”

Aside from the murder. Self-defense, absolutely. But you freaked the fuck out and a man—gnome—is dead.

He nods in what a casual glance would label as sympathetic. “I see. Your first time?”

You stare. He’s still wearing that face. But the edges—maybe it’s your hyped-up paranoia here, but it shifts into something…smarmy.

“Yeah, actually,” you say because damned if you’re gonna let some bastard man make fun of you over that. He wants some kind of easy target? Come get some.

You choose: stoic Indian face!

“It happened so quick,” you say. “All the adrenaline, you know.”

You scrutinize him. Try to catch a hint of maliciousness.

But his grin widens and the corner of his eyes crinkle. “It got the best of you, eh? Happens to us all, from time to time. The first one, especially. All that rushing and one tends to fumble. You’ll want to practice your technique for your next round.”

Stoic Indian face is super ineffective!

He pats your arm in a half-hearted “you’re too gross to actually touch” gesture.

Is he…joking with you? Not mean-teasing, but like, murder-buddies-teasing?

“Since we’re talking about that, I got a question for you,” you say. “What’s up with chucking that body at me?”

The shithead actually places a hand on his chest like some kind of southern belle-of-the-ball. “Oh darling, I had to make sure he was dead. You were in such a state.”

You’ve been told you’ve got an intimidating stare. You don’t try to look mean, you just keep everything still and blank and stare at people, and it tends to make them squirm. But that just slides right off this bastard.

“It looked kinda calculated to me,” you say. Because it was.

“I do apologize for that,” smarmy bastard says in smarmy bastard tone. “It happened so quickly. You know how the adrenaline is.”

This bitch!

You almost call him a liar to his face. But sense wrestles back control. You don’t know these people and you have no backup, no safety net. This smarmy-ass, fancy pants fucking albino elf is absolutely messing with you, but he hasn’t pulled a knife (this time). And while he’s hinting at stuff, he’s not actually accusing you of anything (yet).

A test? An introduction? Both?

Maybe you’re as weird to them as they are to you. You’re an unknown entity; unable to communicate until yesterday, unable to use their most basic magic, and no training with weapons. But you did stab a gnome to death, and you freed Lae’zel.

He chose to interrogate you—none of the others have asked, was this an agreed upon plan?—by, what, teasing it out of you?

“Well,” he says. Stands and brushes the dirt off his pants. “It’s been a delight properly making your acquaintance, my dear. Do sleep well.”

You watch him saunter back to his tent. Duck inside. His shadow moves against the candlelight as he settles down.

He doesn’t blow the candle out.

Between him, Lae’zel, the girl named Shadowheart, and Mr. Chatterbox wizard, you’ve collected quite a company of oddballs.

Your headache remembers itself and sinks in to kick at the back of your eyeballs.

Fuckin’ A.

Previous - Index - Next Chapter

[ferinehuntress]

◈　 ⇢  @shimmerbeasts　 ⋯　 RANDOM ASK ♡ ⸻　"Tell me that was your stomach."

Lae'zel stared at her travelling companion as a strange, rumbling sound made her pointy bat ears twitch. The group was travelling through a narrow gorge, searching for a new place to make camp. The strange rumble caused everybody to halt and cautiously peer around.

Astarion crossed his arms and turned up his nose. Offended, he said: "Believe it or not, I already ate, Lae'zel! Maybe you should look who's talking."

Lae'zel's cat eyes flashed a threatening gold as they narrowed. However, before she could lecture Astarion on the fact that a Gith warrior certainly would not be foolish enough to travel on an empty stomach, Shadowheart made out the source of the noise and screamed from the top of her lungs: "AVALANCHE!"

Ava-what?

Lae'zel followed her gaze. Her heart skipped a beat and her blood froze as the Githyanki made out the torrent of mud, stones and broken-off branches working its way down into the gorge at frightful speeds. The brown tidal wave practically swallowed the ground under their feet.

"Vlaakith, preserve us", whispered Lae'zel.

"To the sides, now!", shouted Wyll. The warlock had cast Enhanced Leap on himself and taken refuge on a rocky sill by the gorge's side. He was reaching for Astarion with a hand, helping him climb on the sill. Lae'zel swiftly followed his suggestion, using her inherent ability to leap up the gorge as a Gith. Turning around, she watched Shadowheart try her best to follow her up the path.

"Hurry up, Ishtik!", Lae'zel growled under her teeth, "I forbid you to die here. Karlach, help me get her up the gorge! Where the bloody Hells is Gale?!"

It was hard to hear one's own voice over the roaring of the avalanche, which was getting closer and closer by the second. By now, the rumble of the stones and the bristling of the branches was so loud, Lae'zel felt like she was going half-deaf. Her hearing was already sensitive, but this here was so much worse. The tadpole squirmed in her skull as if the wretched Ghaik parasite could feel her mounting headache.

Karlach’s hands rested behind her head, humming softly as her hoof kicked away a rock. It had been a decent trip, nothing too difficult and the rothe next to her handling all their camping gear. “Hey girl, you still hanging in there?” Karlach questioned, and the Rothe let out a bellow of a soft thought to Karlach she heard the words as clear as day. “You can say that again,” Karlach chuckled, before coming to a stop. The Rothe reacted first, her hooves stomping and suddenly twisting to the side of the fissure, trying to make her way up. Karlach’s ears flicked as she lowered her hands and her tail twitched with the trouble. “Astarion, hush!” Karlach spoke, trying to listen to the sound but Shadowheart and found it first.

Shit!

The Landslide rumbled against the ground and was closing in fast. “GET UP! TO THE SIDES, NOW!” Karlach said in unison with Wyll as she twisted around to start accounting for everyone. Wyll moved quickly and lae’zel was already climbing up the side of the gorge. “Shadowheart, go, you...” But the ground was starting to shake and Karlach looked over to see the mud, water, and logs tumbling toward. No time! NO TIME! Karlach reached out. “Sorry shady, better a burn than death!” Karlach said, as she grabbed Shadowheart and tossed her upward where she reached out and grabbed one rock, clinging to it as she got to safety.

She heard Lae’zel question about Gale. “Stay up there, I’ll get him!” Karlach demanded, and dropped down to the ground. In his ascent, the wizard made a mistake and fell, causing him to lose his breath while lying on his back. No doubt dazed, and Karlach pushed her lips together. “This is gunna hurt!” Karlach said, as she grabbed Gale and already the smell of burning cloth was biting through his clothing. “WYLL, CATCH!” Karlach shouted, having no time to climb up, as the water and mud was just in range in second. Karlach threw the wizard toward Wyll and then felt the crash of muddy water hit her body. The pummel of water weight knocked Karlach’s body over as she found herself pulled under.

Karlach struggled, trying to claw herself upward, her hand reaching out of the water only to be dragged back under. “KARLACH!” Shadowheart shouted, her hand reaching out, but she was taken down far away. There was no spell she had, no power, nothing she could do to save her companion.

The breath of air shot through her lungs as she tried to claw upward again, briefly catching sight of the group of five. Alongside the Rothe, they were safe on the side of the gorge, but that was the last sight she caught before being pulled back down.

[lokiina]

I FINISHED THE GAME (BG3)

I'M GONNA- THERE'S BIG SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT. So if you don't wanna hear about end game stuff don't click it cuz I'll be 100% explaining my ending and adding some screenshots in there too. You have been warned.

Proceed with caution. Like Gale hiding behind Cas.

Kay omg. SO, I'm really curious now how other choices end up playing out cuz for the most part this was a fairly happy end. Not 100% happy, as some people didn't get important things but all things considered things went well.

BUT.

I chose to side with the Emperor for this play. I know it was kinda sus on whether or not he was lying and using you as a means to an end for his own selfish needs, but I decided to take the chance and just follow through with the things he wanted. (Except taking the fancy worm to evolve, I was too scared to do that.) I only used a small handful of the worms through my play, and it ended up not being a problem at the end. My boy was completely fine and cured of his brain worm problem.

also this happened while trying to confront the brain the first time. LMAO

Siding with the Emperor and putting complete trust in him involved giving him the nether stones and it did end with the Githyanki prince guy dying. Cuz in order to leave the prisim properly to help me with the fight he had to absorb his abilities.... which meant eating his brain....

RIP Prince guy. Sorry for that....

But after that unfortunate event he was able to adventure with me outside the prism and I could control him in all the fighting as an allied companion. So I had a crew of 5 running around instead of just 4.

BUT I ALSO LEARNED MY BABY OWLBEAR WAS OKAY. He had previously like.... vanished from my camp and I was pretty sure it was a bug. But the lil babu was all grown up! AND IN ARMOUR!

The allies became quite useful, you could call on a handful of people to come as allied game controlled characters in some of the fights cuz damn them end game fights didn't fuck around. They just swarmed you with enemies.

In the end moments I genuinely thought there was gonna be a moment when the Emperor was gonna pull some shit to like take control of everything himself but he never did. He genuinely just wanted the brain gone. So we were 100% on the same side and so giving him the stones and everything was not an error it worked out.

Now in the cut scenes following the destruction of the brain my game kinda shit itself and stopped loading textures so things started to look absolutely bonkers for me and was a lil hard to follow. I think it's cuz I had been playing for so long my poor lil baby system was struggling to keep up with all the stuff it was throwing at me so I had to save, close the game and relaunch in the middle of the end stuff. Lae'zel peaced out, she was obviously not vibing with the fate of the prince guy. Understandably so. She did thank me for everything else that was done tho. Astarion was really upsetting cuz he was all ready to party, and then the poor guy started to burn in the sun and had to book it. kfdjghdkfjgh and then Karlach. Oh GOD. My poor heart.

I almost fuckin cried fam. She was about to die, and Wyll bust in going NOT ON MY WATCH and the pair of them peaced out to Avernus to save her and kick ass together. I would have offered to go with them but I had a funky lil wizard to worry about too. But I knew with the two of them they'd be okay.

The Emperor was just content everyone was free he said he'd miss my boy and thanked me for trusting him when most people wouldn't have. dkjfghdkfg He's a pretty cool dude.

And then there's this guy. This loveable lil nerd.

SO LIKE CAS IS GOING TO WATERDEEP TO MARRY HIS WIZARD.

It's actually fucking cute as hell and very fitting. I hadn't given Casvius a surname at all cuz they;re hit and miss with Tieflings. Some have some some don't, it's often a reflection of whether or not they keep family ties or if they've grown up outside of human culture influence and the like. I had it head canoned that he basically grew up in the Baldur Gates streets without a family but like managed and turned out okay. But he didn't have a surname at all cuz he didn't know what family he came from and didn't really care to find out. He figures his parents fucked up and he was the first tiefling in their bloodline and they panicked abandoning him. It wasn't an uncommon thing to have happen so it's what he kinda adopted as his own scenario too.

BUT NOW, HE CAN HAVE ONE. He can go marry Gale and be Casvius Dekarios. A name he's happy with and more than glad to adopt as his own.

ANYWAY This fuckin game is brilliant, and I hope it wins game of the year. Fuck. It deserves it. The scope of this game is unreal and you can tell a lot of love was poured into making it.

I'm probs gonna remake this boy and play again later so I can go back through parts that had been previously bugged and patched after I had passed them.

[sproutbell]

ok after hearing the raphael fight is super difficult and frustrating for most people im suddenly filled with pride for my party bc my githyanki paladin beat the shit out of raphael in like 3 turns… it wasnt like extremely easy for me but having hope in the party and using her divine intervention definitely made it so it wasnt very challenging. but now im really afraid of doing that fight again in my next play through bc i feel like i just had stupid luck fighting him based on everyone elses experience?? bg3 posting again im sorry to my followers who dgaf about video games but i’ll probably keep talking about baldurs gate an annoying amount as i start my next 100 hour campaign

[transgenderastarion]

I was trying soooooo hard to like lae'zel but then. As a follower of lathander she brought me to where her people had taken over a morning lord temple, killed everyone inside, stole a holy weapon, and not one githyanki is sorry for it. I know it's kind of limitations by "1 in 1 million players actually play a cleric of lathander"

But im native 🤷‍♂️ taking land doesn't ever sit right with me

[flowersdaggersviolasandblood]

Flower Girl

Name: Pero Ophiin (She/Her)

Race: Wood Half-Elf

Class: Druid (Circle of the Land)

Background: Outlander

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!

At this point and time, nearly all my characters are reaching that "going to ACT 2" phase, so I'm gonna push to get everyone (mainly the main 4 right now because they're a lot of fun) past the "Save Halsin" quest. Picking up where we left off with Pero, she accidentally agreed to help criminal mercenaries to secure a package and their possibly dead "mailmen." While searching for them, Pero and the gang ran into a whole pack of Gnolls harassing 2 men trapped in a cave. A fight was inevitable and they were able to rescue the trapped men; discovering they were the exact people they were looking for.

Rugan is still fucking hot tho, like goddamn lmao. I also went back to Auntie Ethel and got rid of her too. Now, one thing that kinda annoys me with this game is the knockout system. During the fight against the Hag, Ethel decided to shapeshift herself to look like Mayrina . Not wanting to accidentally kill the real one, I toggled the non-lethal attack option and knocked her out. However, I don't like that the game just automatically assumes you killed her (they do acknowledge that she's knocked out however) and not let you interact with the knocked out NPC aside from looting them. I wanted to help Mayrina up and trigger her conversation, but I was locked out of doing so. Still completed the quest tho.

After finally finishing up the whole Risen Road thing, I decided to go after Halsin. I accidentally triggered the Githyanki cutscene. I didn't immediately go after them, especially since I didn't have Lae'zel in the party, so I opt to continue my path towards the Goblin Camp. Funnily enough, I continued to skill the Blighted Village and the Goblin party by coming from the Risen Road. I still got the Disembodied Voice cutscene with the BBEGs showing up and Shadowheart explaining her whole deal.

While going through the Goblin camp, I tried to quickly get rid of the Goblin leaders, utilizing the sneak sneak as much as possible to gain the advantage. After taking care of them, we get Halsin, bring him up to speed about the Grove, learn about Moonrise Towers, and saved the day. I accidentally gave Shadowheart and Gale the wrong idea during the Party because I just wanted Pero to make nice conversation, but accidentally gave myself the option to fuck either of them that night. But sorry, once I got Halsin it was over for literally everyone.

Right now, I got enough goody points with everyone that I accidentally (and intentionally) created a harem lmao. Even Lae'zel wanted a small piece of that pink-hair ass. Roleplay-wise, I like to think that Pero is just so sickeningly caring that these hardasses can't be mad at her. Pero has been nothing but respectful to everyone's wishes about their own personal baggage; letting them come forward about their shit in their own time and terms. Unlike my other TAVs where the second something sussy baka happens they want to know about that shit immediately.

Hell, I don't know how you guys didn't even get laid by Astarion, mf literally is easy. Such a babygirl. Also, I accidentally fucked up Karlach's quest because I forgor to talk with Dammon after finding a piece of that infernal metal and immediately went to party with the Tieflings. So now he's not at the Grove anymore. Hopefully we'll find him at Baldur's Gate or find someone who can serve as a temp replacement. As per usual, Pero met her dream Guardian, a striking Human male.

The story behind this one is that while Pero was trying to save citizens in Baldur's Gate during the Mindflayer invasion, a Flaming Fist member was also attempting to get people to safety. The pair tried to go into hiding after saving all they could, but he got snatched up and Pero would follow suit. For the longest time, Pero thought the poor man dead as she didn't see him on the ship nor after the crash. So seeing his face in her dreams got her asking multiple questions. Regardless, Pero still doesn't feel comfortable trying to utilize the tadpoles, so she gives them up to Karlach and Astarion.

Pero would also learn a bit more about Gales condition and how his situation merely repeats history of the last time someone thought they could fuck around with the Goddess of Magic. Gale, being a wizardly bitch, decided to go to the last site where a powerful Wizard named Karsus tried to usurp the previous Goddess of Magic, Mystral, which caused a massive catastrophe where magic was completely null. Gale hoped to procure a small thing of Netherese magic in hopes to impress Mystra, the current Goddess of Magic, so that he may learn more of the Weave untapped, but it cost him being a ticking time bomb that could level a city and then some. Despite being frightened of this unstable power that Gale now holds within himself, Pero wouldn't feel right to just leave Gale to his own devices. As if he can't find another magical item to eat, he will explode. Not only that, but Pero's altruistic personality refuses to leave him behind to a saddening end, so she allows Gale to continue traveling with the group.

Now that we have Halsin in the group, he explains that the possible solution to the parasite problem lies at Moonrise Towers. Long ago, a Shar worshipper named Ketheric Thorn made a secret stronghold that could connect Moonrise towers to the currently ruined temple of Selune. He rallied a near army of Dark Justiciars dedicated to Shar to raid the place, but he failed before he could even launch the attack. Halsin was one of the many individuals who fought against this man and witnessed the shadowing blight of the Shadow Curse that plagues the lands to Moonrise Towers. Filled with guilt that he couldn't do more, he wishes to kill two birds with one stone by getting rid of the curse AND finding a curse to the parasite. Pero happily allows Halsin to travel with her camp to reach Moonrise Towers. For this, Pero will continue towards the mountain pass as she hasn't forgotten the Githyanki Crech and keeping that as a back pocket curiosity as they move to discover what they can offer in terms of a cure. In the mean time, before we continue to ACT 2, I'm gonna finish up all that is left in ACT 1!