#the game might not have my companions comment on it but I have to imagine they do

[the-eldritch-it-gay]

Being a druid, the Shadow Cursed Lands have been rough spiritually and emotionally for Majexatli. So since they were already so low, they figured they might as well take chances with Volo's offer to remove the parasite. They're surprisingly okay with the result, though not thrilled with their new look. Plus it probably wasn't the best impression on newly recruited Halsin, and I have to imagine it gave Karlach and Wyll a fright.

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

VEILGUARD SPOILERS FOR LUCANIS ROMANCE SCENE

I haven't seen anyone post this option version for the first dialogue wheel choice in Lucanis' romance scene yet, but it's by far my favorite because it's one of the few (perhaps even only) opportunities the game gives you to add a little depth to your character and the Lucanis relationship (even if it's never mentioned again). My comment below is just about that one choice and followup but ummmmm i recorded the whole scene anyway just for you know. Me. Anyway...

This is the only "anxiety/alarm" dialogue option I think I picked the whole game, but I think the timing of it is really perfect. Especially with the knowledge that Rook was trapped in the Regret Prison for WEEKS. Even if time moved faster for them, we can still imagine it probably wasn't as fast as it took us the player to go through it. But Rook has just gone through a series of awful things--losing one of their companions (and being the one to consign them to that role), learning Varric has been dead all along, Solas (who they were perhaps just coming to trust) betraying them, being trapped with no idea if they'll be able to leave. And they just got confirmation that Solas was using blood magic to make them hallucinate their dead friend speaking to them, so that they'd fall in line with his plans more easily. So when they're trapped and struggling to escape and suddenly hear their new companions calling to them, and come out to find everyone they hoped was still alive safe and waiting for them... wouldn't they doubt it? At least a little? I mean if Solas REALLY wanted to trap them in the Fade forever, wouldn't this be the absolute best way to do it--by convincing them they ARE out and everything might still be okay? And this is especially great with the Lucanis romance because he (and Spite) are the only one on the team who have first hand experience with that same thing. He escaped the Ossuary but he didn't, truly, at first. He knows what it's like to be trapped somewhere and then not really believe in his own freedom afterward. And THIS time, he gets to be the one comforting Rook, who's been his rock through the whole experience, and Rook gets to be the vulnerable one for a change as he finally steps into the more active/supportive role. I just think it's really nice symmetry, to have an option where the hookup scene is coming from a place of loss/desperation on BOTH of their sides, to convince themselves that everything is real AND there's a chance that everything might actually turn out okay in the end.

[andy-wm]

I’ve just been listening to a podcast about the fabric of reality, and came on here for a bit of downtime. And lo and behold, you’re talking about reality and time passing, and that’s exactly it.

No matter what we think, no matter what we say, or theorise or claim, we don’t alter the truth, and that stands for everything that doesn’t pertain to us.l and our own lives.

I can think the earth is flat till the cows come home (I don’t, obviously) but that doesn’t alter reality. 

Same goes for Jimin and JKs relationship. I’ve seen people claim wild theories, bending and stretching to reach conclusions far outweighing a k drama or blockbuster movie, whereas I personally, think mundanely and simply, that they are together. 

Whose right? We don’t know. 

That’s the truth. We don’t know. 

We may never know, we may find out one day?. 

I’m saying this with a smile on my face because that’s the beauty of life right, as long as we are not harming others, or coming into others spaces and shouting. As long as we aren’t being disrespectful to others, and to Jikooks bond. 

I will say this though, an actual truth people seem to forget or quickly dismiss across the fandom as a whole, is that those men chose to enlist together and whatever we may think of their relationship that is what happened and we should do well to remember that. 

Hey Anon, that's what i call serendipity.

And I love this ask, thank you!

I absolutely agree, what we know - or think we know - has no impact on what truly is.

Even when we believe we know all there is to know, new discoveries and new understanding mean - hopefully - we're constantly learning and reassessing.

When it comes to Jikook, Occam's razor is my go-to: the simplest explanation is, in fact, usually the best. We don't need convoluted plots and schemes and conspiracy theories. There's enough information staring us in the face.

Sometimes we need to untangle that information - I'm not saying we should accept everything on face value - and we do have to look out for new information so we can adjust our understanding.

But that is the case with everything on earth. There is no static knowledge.

These things add layers of richness and complexity but they don't change the basic premise of our underatanding.

That understanding, for me, is that these two humans love each other.

As you say, there ARE things we definitely know, like their companion enlistment.

Like the fact that Jimin chose to have JK with him - next to him - when he talked about his depression on Beyond The Star.

We know Jimin flew 28 hours so he could spend 3 days with JK in NY and Connecticut.

We know that JK was ready to crack Yoongi on the head with a frypan when he though Jimin might have been hurt (by a 5g shuttlecock).

We know that JK never harms Jimin - in all the games and jokes they play, he never targets Jimin (spraying his butt with a watergun is not targeting him, before anyone gets huffy. That did Jimin no harm at all.)

We know that Jimin worried over how hard JK was working.

We know JK begged Jimin shamelessly in front of millions of people, to do a weverse live together.

We know JK watched and hyped all Jimin's footage when he was promoting FACE.

We know they jumped into the comments of one another's livestreams several times last year.

We know all these things, but imagine what we don't know.

There's so much we have no idea about.

Hours and hours of footage that never reaches our screens. Months of time they spend together or alone or with family or friends. That's as it should be - their their private lives are just that - private.

Yes, I have a lot of fun picking apart the little glimpses we get into their lives because i enjoy their dynamic so much and because I'm naturally curious (okay, yes, I'm nosy 🤣).

I look deeper not because I'm hunting for lies or flaws, but because these two delight me. Sure I speculate, but i don't purport to know what they are to each other or where their boundaries lie. And I'm happy not to know. Some things are none of my business.

Like you, Anon, I accept that i may never know the true nature of their relationship, and I'm quite okay with that.

In the end what does it matter?

Whatever they are to each other, they're happy, and honestly what more is there to life than love and happiness?

💜💛

[ligiawrites]

Your life as an alchemist has been safe and comfortable so far... but when your sister makes you one last wish before passing away, you'll embark on a dangerous journey that might change your life—and the lives of your two companions—forever.

game link || all about the dev

YOUR SISTER HAS CARRIED the mantle of "Peregrine" for more than two decades. Twelve years older than you, she saw and wrote about the lives of common people, the birth and fall of foreign noble houses, the discovery of plants and animals, and the complex politics of your home kingdom. She lived a life of dangers and excitement, of travels, passions, and experiences you can't even begin to imagine.

And now that she's dead, this mantle (and her newborn child) is yours. 

Ghosts, zombies, fantastic animals, arcanes, and criminals. Fool the monster hunting you, the bandits trying to kidnap you, and your own fears while you travel from South Safira to the very heart of Dead Water.

Thank Goddess, you won't be alone. But with a conniving liar at your left and a deluded "Knight" at your right, will you be able to fulfill your sister's last wish? Will you go back to your niece? And will you allow yourself to love for the first time?

Develop your personality, see how your choices build, and change your bond with Yulie and Tobias (and yourself).

Hopefully, you'll also learn to see the world in a new light after this Trek to Dead Water.

🍂 Full game release: Autumn 2025 🍂

If you want to support the development of this game and access exclusive rewards, please consider supporting me on ko-fi!

About the game:

This story is set 53 years before the beginning of Love the Guard, Be the King.

Experience the world of Five Kingdoms in a completely different way, learning the hidden lore of Opala and Safira as one of the most influential (and non-highborn) figures in their society.

This is a game about the power of story, the powers that *change* history, and the impact that fleeting relationships may have in our lives. Enjoy this mix of Visual Novel and text-based Interactive Fiction!

This short game will have three chapters, and I have almost half of it already. :) Right now, you can play one out of three chapters (~9k words), and they are only available for my supporters on ko-fi. 

So, if you're seeing this, thank you for being amazing and for believing in my career! :)

If you have any comments, suggestions, problems, or worries, please let me know on ko-fi or in this forum.

AGE SUGGESTED: 16+ for erotic nudity, non-explicit sexual scenes, and mild violence and gore.

Main Characters:

Yulie of No House - The deluded "Knight" - 27 - She / Her

Born in Safira to a Topazian ambassador and a Safiran barman, Yulie saw her world crumble when she was six and a half, and her mother dared to question the Safiran nobility's interference in Topazian politics. Queen Juliana of House Inara did her best to protect Yulie's life, but there was little the Queen could do for her parents.

Stripped of her family and her surname, she lived under the Queen's care in a secretive palacete in the South, but as soon as she turned fourteen, Yulie knew she needed to leave the care of the people who ruined her life.

Now, at twenty-seven, Yulie's dream and main objective is to become a Knight of the Opalean Dragon Order—but focusing on this might be way harder than she thought, mainly when she manages to hold certain Safiran Peregrine in her arms.

Tobias Cidreira Dasherner - The Conniving Liar- 29 - He / Him

Tobias is a trans man born and raised in the biggest capital of Safira. With an immense talent for the Arcane, Tobias was taken under the wing of Great Arcane Master Domingos of Safira when he was only five. 

The Arcane College of the Balanced Arts is an expensive place, though, and despite the Arcane's great fortune, Tobias changed over the years. Once studious and quiet, Tobias grew tired of the absurd rules in the Safiran College and the kingdom's abusive laws. He tried to do good. He tried to change things for the better. Still, thanks to a grave mistake on Tobias's part, the Great Domingos lost everything.

Now, the only thing Tobias wants is to make enough money for the greatest con of all: a nice tavern of his own, so he can recover at least part of the money his old master lost.

… And YOU! - The newest Peregrine in Safira

Child of a long line of alchemists who lived their whole lives in The Village, you never felt the need to travel. Your sister did, so it felt just and good (for you and for her) when she was chosen as the new Safiran Peregrine. But this happened twenty-three years ago, and now she's dead after giving birth to your first niece.

Your task (for more than one reason) is to travel to the dangerous Dead Water, so your sister's soul will finally rest and stop coming back to haunt you.

Build your Peregrine and your relationship with your companions, and discover the hidden history that brought you to this point.

[most-datable-datable-bracket]

ROUND 4 MATCH 1

Qiu propaganda:

“i love them sooooo much i was completely head over heels for cove but then i found out about qiu lin and ol2 and they took that spot in my brain IMMEDIATELY. that should say enough. also i just really want them to win this time </3”

“They're my beloved :] and also the only OL character not disqualified so I had to hdjdbdj I just wanna see how far they can go now :]”

“Genderfluid ADHD monarch. They enjoy mountain biking and ballet. As a kid, if they're set to Crush, they'll desperately try to find a way to link the MC's favorite color to themselves in an attempt to impress. They're the most popular kid in town and for good reason. Can be sharp as a tack, especially in social situations, but also can be so endearingly stupid.”

“Listen. Listen to me. Here's why Qiu Lin deserves the win (ha)

- They're a trans POC love interest (specifically genderfluid and chinese-american)

- They spend a lot of time in Step 1 (the first part of the game where everyone is a kid) being super nice and trying to accommodate for you

- They specifically try super hard to bring you (and Tamarack) into their already established friendship group

- (It doesn't work out super well initially but they're trying, be nice)

- Qiu's also just. Super sweet when you're set to have a crush on them in Step 1

- Like, their word count almost doubles when they have a crush on your MC

- There's one part of the game where you can bring up your favourite colour

- On a friendship route (or if you're set to neighbours), Qiu will maybe make a short comment about something related to your favourite colour

- On crush? Qiu stretches so far to tie your favourite colour back themself. Your favourite colour is green? That's the colour of their jacket!!! It's black? Like their bike, did they mention their cool bike!!! It's white, [imagine this is in italics] the inside of their house (no, really)!!! [end of imagining this is italics]

- They're also set to have an arc about much they accommodate for others and how they go from over accommodation in Step 1 to no accommodation in Step 2 to finding a balance in Step 3

- Also, like, they do in fact go through gender identity issues. In fact, they spend Step 2 not quite knowing their gender identity fully

Now, vote for Qiu!!!!”

"Genderfluid and uses they/he pronouns.

Their hobbies are mountain biking and ballet.

Most popular kid in town by, like, a mile. And for very good reason.

Immediately devotes themself to making sure their new neighbors (the MC and Tamarack) feel welcome in their new town.

Loooooves teasing their friends.

Is genuinely confused if the MC doesn't immediately consider them friends because. He considered you friends.

Not canonically ADHD (yet. things can change.) but like. The ADHD vibes are strong.

Forgetful and writes stuff down in a notepad to remember it, then proceeds to lose the notes. This happens constantly.

They have a whole arc about going from being overly accommodating and giving too much of themself to others, to closing off and not giving anything, to finding balance and figuring out how to be kind and caring without overexerting themselves.

Also, one of their closest friends is a trans woman. This is relevant simply because I love Renee and had to mention her."

Halsin propaganda:

“I haven't played the game but he's hot, and that's enough for me”

“Big sweet dude who’s a bit of a daddy and a bit horny. He’s also really chill and the potential poly route for this game, which datable games hardly ever do. Also, apparently he might not originally been meant to be a full companion and romance, but then people were so horny for him in Early Access they memed him into the full game like Sans Undertale in Smash? I think that should just say it all for why he should get in.”

[yamnjamslam]

hello friends, i'm posting this here because i don't have an ao3 acc yet and i'm spiraling over the fact that emmrich was 7th in the most romanced poll!! so, here's a purely self-indulgent drabble with my antivan crow rook cairo de riva (pictured in my pfp) tyvm (:

this takes place after the events from the game so beware spoilers!

_____________________________________

classes at the grand necropolis were in full session. mourn watch apprentices hailing from all corners of thedas gathered into the capacious lecture hall for a talk by the famous professor emmrich volkarin. the senior necromancer was more than eager to jump right back into teaching after being a member of the team that defeated the elven gods and ended the blight. as much as he had loved the adventure and the friends he made during that time, he always felt most comfortable in the walls of the necropolis doing what he truly loved, educating the up-and-coming generation of young scholars. the rows of seats were completely full by the time the talk was about to begin. the voices that were chattering about silenced as soon as a tall slim man approached the lectern.

“good evening everyone! i am professor emmrich volkarin, some of you may know me and others might not. no matter, i am more than excited to get to know you all this year and teach you everything you need to know about the wonders of the fade, spirits, and how to hone your skills in necromancy!” the professor’s voice protruded through the lecture hall, echoing off the walls so that even those in the far back could hear him. emmrich proceeded to approach the wide chalkboard that was in the center of the room and scribble down some important terms and diagrams.

cairo couldn’t understand a single thing that was being taught but was enjoying it all the same. being that he was the only one there that wasn’t part of the mourn watch, he was obviously not the target demographic for what he deems “this nerd shit”, but he was there nonetheless. he had probably heard the same lectures from the professor back at the lighthouse when cairo would barge into the man’s tower, take a seat at his desk, and demand to be educated. he loved seeing emmrich’s passion for his craft, the way his eyes lit up when one of his student’s raised their hand to ask a question, or the “wow”’s from the crowd when he performed an astonishing demonstration.

but, what the crow was really there for was the whispers from the crowd. he had developed a particularly keen sense of hearing throughout his time as an assassin so he was able to tune into the gossip that was circulating through the lecture hall while the professor spoke. most of the idle chatter was students discussing the topic amongst themselves or proposing thoughtful questions to one another in the hopes of asking for more clarification. however, some comments that floated to his ears intrigued him. “i heard the professor rejected the offer to become a lich!”, “yeah, apparently he did it to save that skeleton companion of his that’s always roaming around the necropolis…”, “ohh, well that’s understandable”. cairo had to agree with that one.

“the professor was part of the veilguard right?”, “yes! he fought beside lucanis dellamorte, first talon of the crows… ugh he’s so hot…” cairo had to hold in his laughter when thinking about how the first talon was probably sitting in the dellamorte villa right now, sipping a steaming hot coffee, completely unbothered, while being swooned over by a poor delusional mourn watch apprentice. priceless. “what? have you seen taash the dragon hunter? they can swing an axe to my head and i’d thank them!” cairo thought about the fact that taash was probably out in rivain right now, rummaging around a dragon lair, sweat dripping down their forehead from the harsh sunlight, probably daydreaming about throwing harding on their bed and… oh no, he couldn’t even imagine it, it was way too graphic.

“do you think the professor would ever have a relationship with one of his students?” now it was really getting good… “i dunno, don’t you think he might have a wife at home or something? he just seems like husband material for sure,” oh they were damn right about that. cairo was a malewife emmrich supremacist if he did say so himself. “you think he might be into guys instead?” one of the apprentices joked. cairo almost laughed aloud that time.

when the crow idly glanced at the clock, he realized two hours had gone by and the professor was already making his final statements. finally, it was his time to shine. suddenly, as emmrich was walking back to the chalkboard, an object flew across the lecture hall at the speed of light, landing just a hair away from the man’s head. the entire room gasped in surprise and began frantically looking around for the culprit who had disappeared like a shadow through all the commotion. the professor, eyes widened in shock, turned his head to gaze upon the cause of his near-death. when he observed it further, he noticed it was a dagger with a familiar design on the handle and a sticky note taped to the sharp end. emmrich released a breath he didn’t know he was holding as soon as he saw what was written: the words “i love you” scribbled inside a poorly drawn heart. he couldn’t tell if his own heart was beating out his chest from affection or the thought of his almost murder.

with a bejeweled hand, the professor pulled the dagger out of the chalkboard and placed it onto the lectern, “i apologize for the brief… intermission. however, that is the end of the lecture for the day, i hope to see some of you around the necropolis and feel free to come to me with any inquiries you might have! thank you”. he announced with a kind smile. the lecture hall erupted into voices as the apprentices packed up their things to leave and resume their studies elsewhere. they filtered out one by one until the capacious room grew quiet and only one occupant was left…

emmrich took a deep breath to compose himself before… “rook!” he called out loudly. promptly, cairo jumped down from the rafters and landed steadily on his feet, a wide grin gracing his features, “how’d you know it was me?” he teased as he leaned against the lectern, arms crossed over his chest. the professor rolled his eyes, “i don’t know many other crows who would write such a thing on their knives,” he replied. cairo couldn’t help but laugh, “awe come on, lucanis loves you too,” he joked, slipping the knife into his fingers and twirling it around with ease. “he’s also busy being the first talon… speaking of which, hasn’t he given you any orders yet?” emmrich questioned curiously. cairo tapped the dagger against his temple as if he was lost in thought, “hmm, now that you mention it… there might be one or two…” he admitted with a playful wink. emmrich’s jaw dropped and his eyes thinned at his lover, “darling… you can’t keep doing this!” he protested. cairo scoffed loudly, “look, i was lucanis’s boss before this, there’s no way i’m gonna take orders from that freak. and i say that with the most love in my heart” he chuckled as he spun the blade on his finger. 

“oh my… well then, he was right when he called you a menace,” emmrich teased. cairo threw his head back with a laugh, “and you love it,” he replied, pointing his dagger at the man. emmrich nodded his head with a chuckle before changing the subject, “so, what did you think of the lecture, dearest?” he questioned, turning around to start erasing the chalkboard as another professor would be needing it later. cairo leaned across the lectern, “well i learned that lucanis and taash have some avid fans and that your students have been questioning your love life,” he responded. emmrich’s eyes widened, “what did they say?!” he gasped. cairo bit his lip and acted as if he was struggling to remember, “i believe one asked if professor volkarin would be interested in dating a student… then the other shot back by arguing that he might have a wife at home since he’s so “husband material”, and the last one wondered if he might be interested in guys. all very good questions which i’m also curious about… so what’s your answer professor?” he revealed with a shameless grin. emmrich’s cheeks grew pink out of embarrassment, “instead of asking such silly questions they should have been focused on the lecture!” he denounced, his erasing becoming more aggressive. cairo merely watched in amusement at his lover’s flustered expression and admired how cute he looked, “what’s the matter? scared to talk about your relationship?” he joked.

upon hearing that, emmrich froze up, his hand completely coming to a stop and his breath hitched.  the crow’s eyebrow rose in confusion at the sudden change of attitude, wondering if he might have said something wrong. soon enough, the senior necromancer had placed the eraser down and turned to look at cairo with sorrow in his eyes, “i’m aware that was only a joke but… dearest, you know i wouldn’t want to hide our relationship unless it was absolutely necessary, right?” he confessed, stepping closer to take the male’s hand into his own. the coldness of the the jewerly that adorned emmrich’s hand felt familiar and comforting as cairo intertwined their fingers, “i know… i get it, not everyone is understanding of the age gap.. i told you, i’ll be here no matter what so… you know, whenever you’re ready, there’s no rush” he asserted, his normally playful demeanor vanishing for the moment as his expression grew serious. emmrich’s heart fluttered at the sentiment, he was overjoyed to have found someone he can forge a serious, healthy, and hopefully long-lasting relationship with, something he had never thought he could achieve in all his years.

“darling…” he uttered as he stepped even closer so their bodies were almost touching. cairo’s eyes thinned as a teasing smile returned to his features, “you sure you wanna do this in a lecture hall, professor?” he questioned. emmrich looked around at the rows of empty chairs, then to the clock to make sure it wasn’t time for the next class to start. once he had confirmed they would be safe for the moment, he leaned in and softly pressed their lips together. cairo was quick to reciprocate, wrapping his arms around the taller man’s neck and rising on his tippy toes to deepen the kiss. after a few moments, the two leaned back for air and the shorter male rested back on his heels. as they stared into each other’s eyes, they couldn’t keep smiles off their faces, happy to be able to spend precious moments like this together after all they had been through. “i love you,” emmrich whispered, wanting only the male in front of him to hear despite there being no one else in the room. cairo chuckled, “and neve called me the sappy one,” he teased, sticking his tongue out playfully. the professor rolled his eyes before joining his lover in laughter. 

“ROOK!” a familiar voice shouted from not too far away as the couple was busy lost in each other’s gazes. at the sudden interruption, cairo quickly unwrapped his arms from the man’s neck and shuffled away while emmrich did the same, both pretending to look unbothered after being caught red-handed. however, when they looked towards the source of the voice, they both released breaths they didn’t know they were holding, “manfred?! you scared the shit out of us…” cairo choked back a laugh as he watched the skeletal apprentice skitter over to the front of the room to stand beside the professor. emmrich placed a hand to his rapidly beating heart and wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, “thank goodness it was just you manfred… what have you been up to?” he questioned, noticing that the skeleton’s robes were slightly more singed than they had been before. “FIRE!” manfred shrieked as he summoned two small flames from the palms of his hands and waved them around vigorously. cairo and emmrich exchanged worried parental glances at each other before emmrich took the skeleton’s wrist bones into his hands and placed them at his sides, “manfred, what did i say about using your fire so recklessly? come, i must go speak to myrna and vorgoth about this…” he sighed before motioning manfred towards the exit of the lecture hall.

cairo watched the two figures approach the door before emmrich turned and met his eyes with a smile, “darling, will you be coming over for dinner?” he called out inquisitively. the crow twirled his dagger with a smirk, “if the first talon doesn’t chew me out for too long, then yes,” he chuckled, “but if not, you know i always have room for dessert,” he winked teasingly, fully aware of what he was doing. the professor with cheeks as red as ventaori robes promptly rushed out the door with manfred in tow and cairo was left by his lonesome, giggling to himself over how cute his lover is.

end.

[geezmarty]

...devlog #1??? - mini BG3 VN

So I recently downloaded Renpy because I wanna learn how to code in my spare time and I figured I'd write about it here for both posterity & to record my process with it all!

The project I'm starting with will be quick and easy because 1) I really don't want to start with something huge 2) I have work & commissions to take care of and those will come first.

About the project:

If you've been following me you know I've gotten hugely into bg3 so I thought why not code a little scene where you get to meet my durge, Brigha! I'll put my goals and expectations under the cut. Here's my first renpy test ft. Wyll.

First of all, what the hell is Renpy? Very simply put, Renpy is a software that allows you to create visual novels. You can check it out (and even download it for free!) here.

The "mini VN" I'm working on will feature a scene in Act1 of how I imagine you'd meet and recruit (or not!) my durge if she were a companion in the game, featuring some neat little things and details that I will hopefully be able to implement.

This is what I want to put in:

Ability to input your character's name;

(royalty free) music playing in the bg;

Multiple dialogue choices with (very small) dialogue trees;

Perhaps some pop ups like perception checks or companion approval/disapproval;

Companion pop up comments, randomized in one instance towards the end;

Two endings.

It might seem like a lot and it probably is - I might cut a couple these to make sure I don't spend too much time getting the vn out there.

So far I have the first draft of the script ready and I'll probably leave it as is unless testers will point out inaccuracies or weird phrasing. Here is a little concept of how I imagine Brigha will be dressed when you meet her:

Sprite wise she'll probably be the only one to have a full body/expressions (to preserve my wrists) but I might also draw little simple headshots of the other companions for when they'll pop up to comment.

As for backgrounds I will spare myself and just grab screencaps from the game that I will blurry/apply effects to, just to make them look a bit more coeshive with the sprites.

This is all I have so far! The VN will be available to play for free on your browser once I'm done with it :) ETA undetermined since this is a free time project done for fun.

Wish me luck!

[merbear25]

Really like the visored being called captain imagines! I am addicted to Bleach and Izuru Kira is my absolute favorite. He's pretty tricky to keep in character for romancy stuff, so it could be a challenge, but there is a severe lack of Izuru content and I'm starving lol. So, I'm thinking about a couple of things. 1) Some headcanons on places/ activities Izuru might choose for dates (can be world of the living or SS and can be either before or after TYBW) OR 2) shinigami!reader gets invited to a drinking party with Kira, Hisagi, and Matsumoto. What happens? I prefer f!reader because I'm female, but I'm ok if you want to write them gn, too. I enjoy both SFW and NSFW content, so what ever combination of that you choose would be lovely! I don't expect you to do both things if you accept this request, unless of course, you want to! I appreciate the consideration. I love lots of other characters, too, so if you really aren't into either of these, I'll just look forward to whatever Bleach content you come up with next!

Awww I love Kira. I see him as having a bit of a romantic side to him, but one that cultivates love and isn't flashy by any means. I hope I did your request justice! 💜💜

CW: SFW, gn!reader, headcanons, fluff

A date to remember (Kira)

He went through the options, going back and forth between them in an attempt to choose the perfect one. However, settling on just one proved to be an unexpected challenge. What he chose would ultimately depend on which one he believed you would enjoy the most. The options wracking his brain were:

Murder mystery: It could appeal to his creative side but would require him to step out of his comfort zone a little. He wasn’t the most social person, so getting into the swing of things was a tall order. That being said, having clues, character details, and most of all a captivating story to carry the heavy lifting, he was able to ease himself into the setting. You being his date meant that you were given characters that were a couple in the game. This made the experience feel a little more like a date, since you were able to spend more time with one another and hopefully work together to solve whatever plague had been unleashed or who knows; maybe one of you was working for the enemy.

Poetry reading by candle light: He had a hint of a romantic in him, and being a poet made those budding feelings of love flow eloquently. There was a preference for this to take place at his home because it provided him the chance to create a romantic atmosphere: setting candles around the room, choosing a good selection of poetry for the occasion, and setting your favorite drink out for you. It wasn’t anything crazy, but he put thought into the layout to ensure you’d be comfortable in his home. While you delved into the writing, you took turns reading out your favorite excerpts. Listening to the amour hanging from each other’s lips gave you both a flutter in the pits of your stomachs. The early stages of love were exciting, so he wanted to take a small risk. Unfolding a paper from his pocket, he began reading the haiku he’d prepared. The delivery alone was captivating, and the content had you wondering if perhaps he wrote it with someone in mind. He didn’t come right out and say it, instead it was all in the look he gave you.

A late night stroll: In summer the weather was perfect for taking a walk late at night. With the moon and stars hanging high in the dark sky and the hustle and bustle of both people and animals quieting down to rest, the rustling of the leaves and tall grass were your only companions. Conversations were light and easy, although natural beauty gave a lot to comment on if topics ran dry. The dirt path you were walking on was less traveled, leading you to a field of wildflowers. The opening to pinks, reds, purples, and oranges illuminating under the moon’s rays took your breath away. Then you noticed the flickering greenish yellow in the distance. Fluttering delicately around you, the fireflies added to the already stunning scenery. Catching a few in the palms of your hands, you stood closely to each other to watch their soft glow together. The crickets sounded off around as you stared down at the little lanterns in your hands before eventually releasing them.

Ending the date felt a tad awkward. Not knowing if you preferred a hug or kiss by the end of it, he was too caught up in doing or saying the wrong thing to make a move, which meant you had to decide. Kissing him would go over more smoothly if done on the cheek. That wasn’t to say he’d reject a kiss on the lips, but one on the cheek held a certain charm that would melt his heart. Needless to say, he wanted to see you again and was already brainstorming what the date would entail.

[canmom]

baldur gate

belatedly joining the bg3 train. I played BG1 when I was a kid but never got around to BG2. here are my observations:

the hair and skin rendering. good god. the rest of the game looks decent enough but they really went all out on the characters. I have to know what technique they're using for that hair there, it responds to light so well, and it can handle a variety of hair textures and stuff. ...look I know what a nerdy start this is this is literally my job ok >&lt;

the character designer gives you four different types of penis to choose from, but there's no face customisation sliders, just a choice of about ten presets. i know this game is basically an eroge but still, lmao.

no body sliders in general actually. might need to look into mods because the bodies in this game are kinda weird. everyone's sorta uniformly ripped, I can't make my boobs smaller, etc. etc. (and of course the whole 'nobody can be fat' thing that has been commented on often). I think I need to get some mods.

mind flayer body horror stuff is tasty. that opening cutscene goes so hard. og Baldur's Gate games would have some fun in their cutscenes - I still remember the one with the blood flowing around the cobblestones - but a plane-hopping battle with multiple dragons and a big squid spaceship is setting the bar pretty high. look forward to seeing if the rest of the game can live up to it.

there's something wonderfully tabletop about the first two companions being... well. the first player I can imagine being like 'yeah so here is my lore-accurate gith, I learned the gith language and everything, I've written a thirty page backstory for her' and the second player is just 'yeah here's my elf, she's called... Shadowheart'. they shoulda made her a warlock (but it's lucky they didn't because then we'd have two warlocks)

the starting armour for those two companions looks absolutely shit. it looks like it's spraypainted plastic, especially since it's skinned in a way where rigid metal parts bend at the joints. just way too busy as designs. I need to find some better drip for these girls asap.

of course I played a warlock. I almost always play warlocks in D&D. it's such a chuuni class and there's a lot of conflict potential in the patron thing. also I hear this is a game where it pays to have good cha on the MC, which pretty much limits you to bard, sorc and lock. I hope they make patron interactions a thing in this game.

the implementation of 5e combat as a CRPG is pretty thorough! also, D&D combat works way better on the PC where you can resolve everything in five minutes than it does at the table. I put it on Tactician mode but so far it's been pretty trivial, I look forward to more interesting encounters down the line.

the d20 rolling UI is kinda ostentatious huh

overall, seems promising. that said this isn't a liveblog, probably. unless I run into something particularly interesting.

[tadpolebrains]

Hi!!! Hope you're doing well. I really like your headcanons. You make the character voices really shine through in your writing, it's very satisfying to read 😌 also they're very sweet

So in the spirit of being fun, cute and silly, are the main 6 ticklish? How do they deal with a Tav that initiates tickle fights? (Or just. Attacks. Depending on their disposition i guess). Type your words writing one

Hello to you too! Tysm dhdhdh- I’m glad my silly little ramblings reach people’s brains <3

I shall type my writing words now u.u

Bg3 Companions: Ticklish?

Lae’zel would immediately clock what you’re doing as either an attempt to catch her off guard in an attack, or a spar, depending on how close you are. So much as attempt to start a tickle fight with her, and you’re going to be wrestling on the ground within moments. She does not understand the concept at first, which makes it a bit awkward the first time you do it, as you find your legs swept from under you and your back against the ground almost immediately. After taking a moment to try and explain no, you weren’t attacking her, she… still doesn’t entirely get it. Forcing laughter out of someone? Perhaps an efficient torture method for her to store in her mind for later. Phrase it as a ‘tickle fight,’ though, and well, she must master this new form of combat, of course. She is a bit ticklish, but you really have to target the right places, and… you don’t have many chances before she just demolishes you. It’s the lighter traces along her scars, or in the softer skin of her elbows and behind her knees. She also has to be comfortable enough with you to actually let herself laugh- otherwise she’ll just stifle it as to not show weakness. Or restrain you before you can even get the chance. Regardless, you will get utterly wrecked in any attack you try to make.

Astarion hates the idea of it, at least initially. He doesn’t like being forced to do anything, and especially lacking control over his own body/reactions. Any surprise attacks, especially from behind, immediately get him on the defensive- he’ll act all snarky and give disapproving clicks of his tongue, trying to cover up the fact that he just flinched pretty noticeably away from your hands. It isn’t until much later down the line, once he’s started healing a bit from his trauma, that he’d possibly enjoy it. Even then, it’s light, and expected. Little scribbles against his sides as you two are walking, or teasingly behind his ear is you’re cupping his cheek. His neck, especially where his bite mark from Cazador is, is off-limits. Brings up bad memories. But laying in bed, snugly against each other, tracing light lines along his sides and chest, tickling enough to have him all smiley without forcing full-on laughter out of him? That’s great. Helping him adjust to non-sexual forms of intimacy.

Gale. This man is definitely ticklish. I think there’s literally a line about it in-game if my memory serves correct. Now, is trying to sneak up on him and tickle him while he has the Netherese Orb in his chest a good idea? Debatable. He’d definitely make several comments through his laughter about it being a horrid idea to target the man who could level a town with such an assault, though he’d be laughing so hard it might not be all that comprehensible. Tara has definitely taken advantage of his ticklishness to get him out of fixating on things from time to time, nuzzling pointedly against his neck until he agrees to put a book down. I can imagine him being in the middle of some long-winded explanation, having gotten way off track from the initial conversation, and to get him to stop you just reach over and scribble a few fingers against his neck, making him squawk in protest and scrunch up his shoulders. He’d likely retaliate using a mage hand, poking at you during unassuming moments during the day and pretending to be intently focused on something else when you turn to him with knowing eyes. Hm? Oh, no, it definitely wasn’t him. He’s been looking at this rock the whole time! Now, fun fact about rocks- hey, get that hand away!

Karlach is an absolute tickling monster. At least, once she has her touch back. She’ll take any excuse to get close to people, so spontaneous tickle fights? Absolutely. Not only will she go along with it, but she’ll spring at you when you least expect it as well. She has the strength to push you away or take control easily, but oftentimes doesn’t use her full strength for the sake of fun. Her tail will be wagging as she laughs openly, not even trying to hide her enjoyment as you both tousle around on the ground. If she laughs too hard with the engine, it might still flare, but hey, just adds to the fun, right, soldier? …either way, maybe keep it under control. Will want to cuddle afterwards, especially if you both end up on the ground. She’ll definitely sneak some little tickles in there as well as you lay there afterwards. When you look at her with playful accusation, she’ll swear that was the last time with a too-wide grin on her face that tells you she’s lying.

Shadowheart would be caught off-guard the first time it happens, snorting with laughter and shoving the offending hands away. She’d act annoyed, but be secretly impressed that you even had the nerve. At times that she’d sassing you, little pokes at her sides have her lips twitching up into a smile. Especially at camp, since her camp clothes expose her sides. Will cackle almost wickedly if you really manage to get her good. She gets a little more snarky when she’s in a more playful mood just to egg you on. Snide little comments followed by small snickers when you have the expected retaliation. When she’s had a few glasses of wine, her laughter gets more open, and she may even loosen up enough to get you back, blending in with the shadows to bide her time before springing at you, catching you off-guard and getting her revenge, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. Hmph, not so cocky now, are you?

Wyll will absolutely take the excuse for some light-hearted fun. He’s definitely ticklish, and a bit embarrassed about it. After all, a princely-like heroic man devolving into childish giggles isn’t exactly charming in his books. However, joint laughter shared between you two is a blessing he won’t pass up. You may notice a slight huff of laughter that first night you dance together, your hands against his sides making his lips twitch in a smile. If you don’t use it against him then, the opportunity arises later. Little slow-dances at night as you graze your fingers over his sides or his lower back, getting soft huffs of laughter out of him as he shakes his head in amusement at your antics. He doesn’t usually retaliate in those softer moments, but if you come at him with a playful attack, he’s quick to shoot back with a mischievous grin on his face. Provoke the blade at your own risk.

[illusivesoul]

I'm going to be on a temporary hiatus starting later today to avoid any potential spoilers for Veilguard. The queue is full and it will keep functioning as normal (most of the posts on my blog are queued lol) but I won't be around, so don't think that I am ignoring your tags or comments lol.

I am going into Veilguard with what I'd describe is mixed excitement. The main draw for Dragon Age to me has always been the lore and seeing how our choices, regardless of how small an impact they made, affected the world of Thedas throughout the games. So as you can imagine and as you might have seen in some of my Bioware critical posts, the news that only 3 choices were going to carry over into DATV "took the wind out of my sails" and really dampened a lot of the excitement I had been carrying for the game since the first trailer dropped back in june.

Regardless of other concerns that I have, like the more light hearted tone of the game and so, its still Dragon Age, my favourite franchise ever, im going in with an open mind and hoping to be pleasantly surprised. I'm excited to meet the new companions (Davrin and Neve in particular) and im excited to finally see northern Thedas (fingers crossed for Kal'Sharok and more dwarf and Titan lore)

Can't wait to see what everyone else thinks of the game too :)

[fancytrinkets]

veilguard thoughts, second playthrough

I'm playing as a human mage Grey Warden, she/her, this time around and planning to play the Harding romance.

In terms of decisions, I'm doing all the opposite things this time. Which means I've just defended Treviso and Blighted Minrathous. It means I will also:

Have Harding let go of her anger

Push Bellara to destroy her people's history

Send the griffons to the Grey Wardens

Have Emmrich become a lich

Push Taash to embrace Qunari culture

Get a choice about Lucanis instead of Neve

Sacrifice Davrin

Have Neve get taken away instead of Bellara

Deceive or fight Solas instead of reconciling with him

I really liked being a Shadow Dragon elven rogue in my first playthrough, so I'm struggling a little this time. I did not like Blighting Minrathous and then seeing the gallows put up all around the city. (They killed Lorelai, and I felt attached to her given her storyline connection to Loghain's humanitarian crimes in the Denerim alienage)

Despite how much I liked the Shadow Dragons, I also feel good about playing as a Warden. Narratively it makes a lot of sense as the Blight starts showing up everywhere and Rook can handle it. (I sent the horrible mayor of De Meta's Crossing off to become a Warden, so I'm fully expecting to see him betray us all at Weisshaupt soon, but that's just my guess, so no one spoil it please!)

There have not been too many mage-specific dialogue options so far. When the lets-recruit-the-magekiller conversation comes up with Neve, she acknowledges that Rook is also a mage with a comment like "oh, don't worry, he won't target either of us..." But there hasn't been any "what was your magical upbringing/training like" kind of option for a mage Rook to compare notes with the other mage companions. I didn't expect it, but would've liked it.

I'm sort of guessing my human Warden mage was from Tevinter and went to a Circle there before joining the Wardens, because the mage background object she places in her quarters and talks about is, like, a fancy-ass magical device that she BUILT as part of her schooling. Not exactly the non-Tevinter Circle experience, I've got to say... so I guess it works for her as a human Warden with no national origin specified, but I'm thinking that same mage background object might not work as well with other faction-race combinations a player could go with

Beyond the Shadow Dragons and the Wardens, the other factions hold less appeal for me. Honestly I think it's because of the things I agree with about many of the critiques that are making the rounds: The lack of continuity from previous games, the jarringly widespread acceptance of magic and spirits beyond Tevinter, Rivain, and the Grey Wardens; and the politics feeling overly sanitized in ways I'm not finding plausible given the established lore to date.

These are BioWare's choices and I don't know why they were made, but I do think they remove some of the familiarity and depth from the world. And I do miss what's not there, but could have been provided.

That said, I don't feel disappointed in this game. I do experience a number of moments where I think, "oh, this part isn't my favorite and I would have liked to see it done differently," but I don't tend to dwell on those thoughts or have much emotion attached to them.

Overall, I think my general positive experience is very much tied to the fact that:

I like Solas as a character and I'm very interested in his backstory

I have now read all the novels, so can get more out of seeing side characters like Felassan, Valya, Isseya, etc

the Dorian romance has a lot of importance for me and I like how that continues into Veilguard and how Dorian's role in the story plays out

I was secretly hoping Varric would get to have an emotionally satisfying death in this game and I do enjoy how that played out

I'm letting my imagination run wild thinking about a Southern Thedas questline involving the Inquisitor, Hawke, and the Hero of Ferelden. It's occupying the writing side of my brain in ways that might give me a new fanfic project, and I feel like I need one of those right now, given the state of the real world where I live...

I am not sure how I'll feel after playing all the choices I didn't make the first time. It's going to be interesting, I bet.

[dice-n-antlers]

I have another angsty Tav x Astarion fic idea, because that’s all this game does to my damn brainpan these days. I might try writing it out eventually.

So. Anyway. Hold on to your hoodles, because this one involves Haarlep, so… trigger warnings abound.

I’m thinking about a storyline where Tav/Durge killed Raphael and Haarlep is alive and has the use of Tav’s body.

Imagine if, some time after the events of the game, Mephistopheles knows that it was Tav who killed Raphael. I don’t think he cares for his son in the way that normal mortals care, but just the idea of a mortal strolling into a hellish abode and soundly murdering the master of the house is disturbing. Insulting. And for it to be Mephisto’s own son? And so soon after mortals stole the crown of Karsus from the archdevil’s own vault? It’s downright obscene.

We know that Mephistopheles had sent Haarlep to keep an eye on his son. And Haarlep obviously survived Tav’s raid on the House of Hope in this scenario. What if it eventually comes to light that Haarlep has the form of the mortal who murdered Raphael? Hell, if your Tav is a Durge, they’d be the same mortal who stole the crown. Mephistopheles is intelligent and calculating, but in other Forgotten Realms media, he has an underlying bestial rage that contrasts with his sophisticated facade. So he figures out the Haarlep connection and he wants this mortal to feel his wrath.

Now, I’m a serial spawn!Astarion-mancer and I’m obsessed with his sobering comments to Tav after the whole Haarlep debacle. So I specifically have him in mind here, but you can swap him out for your Tav’s romanced companion(s) of choice.

Again, some time after the final battle of the game, Tav and Astarion are adventuring together, perhaps trying to find a way for him to enjoy the sun. By this point maybe they’ve started learning to deal with the occasional Haarlep episode together. At the time this happens, they’re camped together, perhaps in the wilderness, or the underdark, or a modest inn with the curtains drawn. Perhaps they have a nice, north-facing room with thick curtains at The Hearth in Candlekeep where they’ve been perusing old tomes for leads to help Astarion.

Wherever they are, Tav starts to feel an episode coming on. They feel the familiar ghostly hands undressing them and pawing at their body… but this time they quickly realize it’s different. These aren’t the roaming hands of a lover. They’re not even the desperate hands of a person looking for a good, rough fuck. This is deliberate. Slow. Angry. There is the ghost of claws and teeth on their skin, a warning of what is to come. This ghostly lover is violent and the touching slowly, but surely ramps up into brutal fucking and torment. Throughout it all there is an edge of pleasure, because that’s what drives the magical connection with the incubus, but this is all so horrifically wrong.

And Astarion can do little more than watch as Tav writhes and gasps and chokes and trembles and cries. He can’t stop it. What is he thinking and feeling while watching the person he loves endure this torture?

Haarlep has stamina far beyond any mortal and Mephistopheles isn’t trying to kill them, he just wants to get a cruel message across to Tav. So it goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. For hours. There are teeth, and claws, and fire, and the lashes of a whip. There is the sensation and being bound and twisted near to breaking. All the while, there is a stimulation of Tav’s sex, turning pleasure to horror. It is, quite literally, punishing.

And eventually, it stops.

Tav stopped thrashing hours ago. The near bone-breaking tension in their body finally relents and they go limp. Still alive, but exhausted and utterly broken. How does Astarion react in the sudden stillness after the horror? How does Tav deal with the mental and physical aftermath? In the next hours and days after this, how do Tav and Astarion come to terms with what happened? And the fear that it can happen again? Will they put aside their quest for Astarion and resolve to bring an end to Haarlep at whatever cost?

What can I say? I just enjoy putting Tav and Astarion in horrible situations… as long as there’s a happy ending or the hope of one.

(Addendum: if anyone is inspired to flesh this into a full fic, have at it. I likely won’t be able to badger my unmedicated brain into doing it)

[rafumeika]

Since AO3 is down and you said that you need your does of angst bloodweave, please elaborate on that one post you made some time ago about modern day au with magic but astarion is still a vampire spawn (it doesn't have to be bloodweave but the general angst possibility is there, so)

I did talk about that AU! Honestly it's more of a vague idea than anything more, but when I posted that I was mostly thinking about that one Durgestarion conversation you get if you loose against Orin, with Astarion talking about how he will surely remember his "mad love" centuries down the line and I just thought- what if we apply that to every companion! Because the pain is never enough 🙂👍🏼

Anyway. Realistically speaking, if we only look at it from a lifespan point of view (and not of possibly falling in battle), Jaheira would probably be the first one to die. Iirc she's around 150 years old during bg3 and the DnD wiki says half-elves live around 180-200 years. Maybe she dies in combat or maybe she dies at home surrounded by her kids, but I do believe she'd be the first one to go.

Gale would probably be next. While there are wizards who can live a long time (look at Elminster for example) I've always had the impression that that was something only a Chosen could do, extending their life so much. And maybe if Gale had not lost his Chosen privileges with the whole orb thing he could have lived for centuries, but I feel like post-game human professor Gale Dekarios would just live as long as a normal human, maybe even a little less, I like to imagine (for angst purpose) that the orb actually took years off of him and aged him up a bit faster/wore down his body heavily enough to shorten his life a bit

Third could be Minsc? I don't really know his full lore (I must admit I haven't played neither bg1 nor bg2) but I did look him up and apparently he was petrified for a long while? But other than that race-wise he's just a normal human. I do believe he'd die in combat (I can't really imagine him as an old man ngl) and I'm unsure how long he'd be around without Jaheira and not because he's not capable on his own, it's just that Jaheira and Minsc are so closely tied in my head that I cannot imagine one without the other, so he could even die after Jaheira before Gale, the idea is not that much clear in my head yet

Then there would be Karlach. DnD Wiki says Tieflings live around 120-150 years so she would live longer than Gale but not as long as other companions. Although I can't really imagine her dying of old age (something I can actually see happening to Gale and Jaheira both) so for the sake of this AU both her and Wyll (who technically becomes a fiend after Mizora transforms him, and DnD wiki says fiends are basically immortal unless killed?) die in battle against some powerful Devil (maybe even Zariel herself, who knows)

Shadowheart I think would die some decades after Karlach (and Wyll). I feel like Astarion might go live with her for a while after her parents die and he'd be there when she dies. Iirc she's only around 50 in the game (being taken in young + her comment in Act 3 about the House of Grief having a detailed record of her past 40 years with them) and since half-elves live around 180-200 years old she'd still have some time to live (but would still be so little in the face of Astarion's eternity as a vampire spawn)

After her would come Halsin, who iirc is around 300 years old during bg3 and DnD wiki says elves live even up to 750-800 years old so Astarion would have some friendly company for a long while but, eventually, Halsin would die, too, happy and at peace at an old age, probably surrounded by as many kids he has raised in the once Shadow-Cursed lands as possible (Astarion wouldn't be there tho, he couldn't take another one of his friends dying and leaving him behind)

Lae'zel I think would be the last one to die. While DnD wiki says Githyanki only live for about a century, I feel like she'd pass so much time around in the Astral Sea (Astral Plane? Astral Realm? I see all three names used and Idk what the different is) that she'd live a very long time sort of like Voss (+ also Orpheus himself and his guards who haven't died of old age despite the fact they've been imprisoned for a very fucking long time) but I do believe she'd eventually fall in battle (I can't imagine her dying any other way tbh, she probably wants to die in battle like a true warrior and not of old age wasting away on a bed or whatever) but I still feel like she'd live longer than anyone else and sometimes her and Astarion meet up just to see a familiar face, the last ones left of their group of misfits. They're both not particularly sentimental people, but they're both glad there's still someone left. Once Lae'zel dies and Astarion hears of it (imagine the news being given to him by Lae'zel's son Xan, the one who hatches from the egg you can get at the Crèche in Act 1) I can't help but imagine him weep quietly to himself, because now he's truly alone. Sure, he can make new friends and there are still the other spawn in the Underdark (I imagine some of them would die to the perils of the Underdark but most of them would learn how to survive and since vampires don't age, well. There's an entire small village of immortal vampire spawn somewhere in the Underdark) but his first true friends are all gone now, he's the only one left now who has lived through the memories he keeps close to his unbeating heart and he has no one to talk about them with

If we do go the BloodWeave route, I imagine Gale would probably leave him his (their) tower in Waterdeep but Astarion would find it way too empty after Gale's death so he'd pick up wandering (maybe Gale even gifted him a Ring of Sunwalking at some point, something Astarion keeps on his ring finger and never, ever takes off, not so much for the enchantment on it but simply because it was a gift from Gale), never staying too long in one place but still keeping the tower at his name so that he can go back to it when he feels extremely nostalgic/depressed

I don't have much more in the way of ideas for how he'd end up meeting the reincarnations of his dead friends, but it would probably happen while he's back in Baldur's Gate for some reason or another, just deciding to stick around for a little while (it's not like there's anyone left remembering him who might give him trouble, after all) before his next mindless travel and Idk, he bumps into Wyll or something and probably has a panic attack and runs away. I could see it happen. I have nothing else after that for now, but I hope you like what I have thought about so far! I do so love angst AUs

[cassiaorsellio]

Considering Arthur being older than how most Inquisitors are imagined (love that btw) - how did the Inner circle members react finding out his age? How would Bull have reacted if he didn't know that beforehand (like if the file he got on Arther had ink spilled on it before seeing that)?

Yeah, Arthur being older is a direct result of wanting to give him a position of seniority in the Circle. He was originally my OG Inquisitor's oldest brother, not the Inquisitor, hence why he was out of that 20-40 age range the Inquisitor is meant to have by nearly 10 years.

Bull, in classic Bull fashion, makes a comment about it being hot that he's with an older man on Arthur's 50th birthday (which happens during the events of the base game) and that he's aging like the finest wine in Thedas on subsequent birthdays. Arthur couldn't tell if he's serious or not that first time. There's 12 years between them — nothing so serious that it raises any brows but just enough that Krem might rib the Chief about it. But yeah, Bull isn't surprised about it. It probably came up in Ben-Hassrath intelligence with his rough age range, and given he was a First Enchanter (that's public knowledge), that isn't unsurprising. He's still on the younger side for one, but not as young as Vivienne probably was.

Similarly, I don't think his age is a surprise to anyone because again, him being an ex-First Enchanter is now public knowledge. It puts him right at the upper end of the Inner Circle's age (Arlathan Georg not counted) but he's still contemporaries with a chunk of the companions, Vivienne included who has known him for decades as she was at the Ostwick Circle until she was 19. Sera definitely makes some comments calling him Dad (sarcastically) when he gets a certain way (I'll never forget her saying to him "are you their leader or their daddy? Some of them would like that, I suppose" either.)

There was overall more drama about him being resistant towards the inner circle celebrating his 50th birthday. He really didn't want to do anything for it but Josephine insisted.

[pixel7777]

Chapter 5: I Would Do Anything for Blood (But I Won't Do That)

What’s better than a room packed with six people, awkward silences, and unspoken tensions? Add a vampire spawn with a flair for manipulation, a bard trying to assert control, and the promise of a very awkward meal schedule. Oh, and there’s still a little bloodletting to sort out. 🩸🎻

Read here below the break or on AO3!

If you enjoy, please reblog or reply here, or comment and leave kudos on AO3! It really makes my day.

I've been trying for two days and cannot get the AO3 hyperlink to be clickable like previous posts. Apologies! https://archiveofourown.org/works/61628680/chapters/158445382

From the private journal of Astarion, hastily written in a secluded corner of Candlekeep's guest quarters:

I find I cannot trance, and I do not understand why.

That insufferable bard's blood still lingers on my tongue. Sweet, with notes of fear and—more interestingly—desire. How predictable. How useful.

I felt positively triumphant earlier. The plan worked perfectly—corner her alone, play on her guilt, seal it with blood. She'll help us now, if only to assuage her conscience over that wretched song.

But now, something feels... off. Wrong? No, not wrong. Different. When I manipulated marks for Cazador, the guilt belonged to him. The choice wasn't mine. Now...

[Several lines are scratched out viciously]

What nonsense. She's hardly innocent in this. That performance proved as much. Using me—my trauma—for her own glory. Why shouldn't I use her in return?

And yet.

The way she yielded when I bit her... I've done this dance countless times, but it's different now. No master's commands driving me. Just necessity. Just survival. (Is that better or worse?)

I don't want to seduce her. I don't want to play these games anymore. But what choice do I have? We need allies. Resources. Protection. If batting my eyes and letting her think she's special will get us that, then—

[The ink blots here, as if the quill pressed too hard]

At least the blood was good. Fresh. Willing. Better than rats. Better than whatever else we might have to resort to if this fails.

She enjoyed it too, the hypocrite. Perhaps that's what truly bothers me—that even now, even free, I'm still trading on the skills Cazador taught me. Still using my body as currency.

But what else is there? The world isn't kind to creatures like me. If manipulation is what it takes to survive, then I'll manipulate. If seduction is required, I'll seduce. Better than starving. Better than dying.

Besides, she owes me for that song. Fair's fair.

[The entry ends abruptly, the last few words growing increasingly jagged]

***

Darla perched on the edge of her bed, hyperaware of how cramped her guest room felt with six people crammed inside. Astarion lounged against the far wall, looking perfectly at ease despite the tension, while Dal stood rigidly beside him. The rest of Darla's companions had scattered around the room—Zee sprawled in the room's only chair, Thal leaned by the door, and Syl sat cross-legged on the floor.

No one seemed eager to break the silence first.

"So..." Zee cleared his throat. "You're the one who bit our Darla?"

Astarion's lips curved into a sharp smile. "And she's the one who made me into a delightful tavern song. I suppose we're even."

More uncomfortable silence followed.

"I hear you're a physician," Syl said to Dal, their tone carefully neutral. "That must be... interesting."

"Was," Dal corrected. "Though I maintain my interest in medical research."

Another painful pause.

"Nice sword," Thal nodded toward Rhapsody at Astarion's hip. "Cazador's?"

"Yes." Astarion's fingers brushed the hilt. "I thought it fitting, given the circumstances."

The candlelight flickered, casting strange shadows on the walls. Darla had imagined this meeting going differently — more dramatic declarations of alliance, fewer awkward pauses. She opened her mouth to try salvaging the situation, but Syl caught her eye and shook their head slightly. Right. Let it breathe. Even if the silence felt like it might suffocate them all.

A knock at the door made everyone jump.

"Evening meal service!" called a cheery voice.

Six pairs of eyes met in panic.

Darla's heart hammered as everyone froze at the knock. This was ridiculous. They weren't actually doing anything wrong. Yet.

As if reading her thoughts, Thal drawled, "Relax. Having guests in our quarters isn't against any rules I've heard of. Even if they are..." They waved a hand vaguely at the two vampire spawn. "No one knows. Let's try to keep it that way."

"Right. Yes. I'll just..." Darla squeezed past Zee's chair, nearly knocking over his tankard in her haste to reach the door. She opened it just wide enough to accept the covered tray from the smiling monk.

"Will you be performing again tonight, Miss Daring? The scholars so enjoyed—"

"Thank you, but not tonight. Bit of a sore throat." Darla managed what she hoped was an apologetic smile before shutting the door firmly.

She stood there awkwardly, tray in hand, surveying the crowded room for anywhere to set it down. The desk was covered in papers, the chair occupied by Zee, and the floor space claimed by Syl.

"Oh, for—" Thal crossed the room and took the tray from her, setting it atop a stack of books.

Darla squared her shoulders. They'd let this moment breathe long enough.

"Right then. About finding you a sympathetic scholar." She looked between Astarion and Dal. "I might know someone. Sage Evendur specializes in transmutation magic, particularly its effects on living beings. He's... unconventional in his research interests."

"Unconventional enough to help vampire spawn?" Astarion's tone dripped skepticism.

Darla shifted her weight, keenly aware of how Astarion's eyes followed her every movement. "Well... I don't exactly know. He's at the top of a list I made of scholars who might be sympathetic, but we'll need to feel them out carefully."

"And how do you propose we do that without revealing ourselves?" Dal asked, her fingers twisting together.

"Actually, I thought it might be better if we—the non-vampires—make the initial inquiries." Darla gestured to her companions. "If anyone hostile gets suspicious and starts testing for vampires, we can easily prove we're not. And given our latest adventure, our inquiries make a certain sort of sense."

Astarion's lips curved into that same knowing smile from the night before. The one that had so effectively flustered her when he'd—no. Focus. She wasn't going to let him manipulate her again.

"Quite practical," he purred.

Thal pushed off from the door. "Sound strategy, but are we sure we want to get involved in this? Candlekeep takes a dim view of those who abuse their hospitality."

"It's not abuse," Darla said, perhaps too quickly. She caught Syl rolling their eyes and pressed on. "Think about it—if we help find a cure for vampirism, that's... that's huge! Heroic, even! We could help so many people."

"Or get executed for harboring vampires," Zee muttered into his tankard.

"We wouldn't be harboring them, exactly..." Darla trailed off as Syl fixed her with their signature raised eyebrow.

"No?" Syl asked. "Then what would you call feeding an incognito vampire spawn on your own blood while we go fishing for corruptible scholars?"

Dal stepped forward, her physician's composure a stark contrast to Astarion's calculated lounging. "We understand the risk you'd be taking. But consider the potential benefits to magical and medical research—"

"Oh, spare them the academic speech," Astarion cut in. "They'll help because now because they helped before and leaving us to swing at this point would ruin the ending of the heroic story." His red eyes locked with Darla's. "Isn't that right?"

Darla's fingers curled into fists at her sides. A familiar heat crept up her neck, but this time it wasn't embarrassment from Astarion's manipulation—it was anger. At herself, for letting him play her so easily. At him, for trying the same tactics on her friends.

"No," she said, cutting through the tension. "That's not why we're helping."

Astarion's calculated smile didn't waver. "No?"

"No." Darla straightened her spine, meeting his gaze directly. "We're helping because it's the right thing to do. Not because you've manipulated us, not because of some story I want to tell, and not because anyone owes anyone anything."

She saw Syl's approving nod from the corner of her eye, but kept her focus on Astarion.

"As of right now, all debts and obligations are settled. You tried to kill me, I helped kill your master. I wrote a cruel song, you took my blood. We're even." She gestured between them. "Moving forward, we help each other because we choose to, not because anyone's forcing our hand."

The smirk finally slipped from Astarion's face.

"And that means no more manipulation," she added firmly. "Not of me, not of my friends. If you want our help, ask for it plainly. We'll either say yes or no, and you'll respect that answer."

"And if you say no?" Dal asked quietly.

"Then you find another way." Darla shrugged. "But we're not saying no. We're saying yes—freely and clearly, because helping people matters more than who owes what to whom."

Astarion's lips parted, likely to deliver some cutting remark, but Dal stepped forward smoothly.

"We accept your terms, and we're grateful." Her physician's composure never wavered. "Though I fear we won't have much to offer in return beyond our cooperation and discretion."

Darla fought to keep her expression neutral as Astarion's jaw clenched. Oh, he didn't like being spoken for, did he? A little petty thrill ran through her at his obvious frustration. After his games last night, he deserved to squirm a bit.

"Also," she said brightly, "I've got enough healing magic that I think I can spare a little blood each day." She made a show of considering it, as if the idea had just occurred to her. "We could alternate, if that works for you both? So it would be Daly's turn tonight."

She watched Astarion from the corner of her eye, savoring the way his careful mask slipped for just a moment. There it was—that slight widening of his eyes, the twitch of his fingers. He'd clearly planned to make their blood-sharing arrangement into some sort of intimate power play, and she'd just turned it into a practical meal schedule.

Syl caught her eye and raised that knowing eyebrow, but Darla kept her focus on appearing perfectly innocent and reasonable. She'd learned a thing or two about manipulation herself, after all. Sometimes the best way to deal with someone trying to make everything into a dramatic scene was to treat it like it was perfectly ordinary.

"That's... very practical and very generous," Dal said carefully, glancing at her brother. "Isn't it, Astarion?"

Darla watched Astarion's jaw work as he searched for a retort that wouldn't sound petulant. His composure cracked just enough to make her want to grin.

"Fine," he said finally, each syllable precise and controlled. "How... kind."

"Excellent!" She clapped her hands together, enjoying how he flinched at her enthusiasm. "Now, I've got a few scholars in mind we should approach carefully." She turned to Syl. "Master Delwind in the Hall of Resonating Rhythms—he's always been interested in unusual magical transformations."

"I'll handle him," Syl nodded.

"Thal, you take Sage Voss. She studies healing magic, might be receptive to medical arguments." She saw Dal perk up at that. "And Zee, you've got the charm for Keeper Adelie."

"What about me?" Astarion's voice carried a dangerous edge.

"You and Dal rest. Stay out of sight." She gave him her brightest smile. "We'll meet back here at sunset tomorrow to compare notes."

His eyes narrowed. "And tonight?"

"Tonight, I'm helping Dal with dinner, and you're leaving." She made little shooing motions with her hands. "Go on, all of you. Out you go!"

She herded them toward the door, noting with satisfaction how Astarion's perfect posture had gone slightly rigid. He paused in the doorway, giving her a look that mixed irritation with something else—curiosity, maybe? Or appreciation? Either way, she was counting it as a win.

When the door closed behind them, Dal turned to her with a slight frown. "You don't have to do this. I know how Astarion can be—"

"Exactly why I'm doing it," Darla said. "He needs to learn he can't manipulate everyone."

"I can find another way to feed—"

"Nonsense! I offered, and I meant it." Darla swept her hair to the side, hoping her trepidation didn't show. "Besides, I heal quickly."

Dal hesitated, then said, "Perhaps you would find the wrist more… comfortable?"

Darla smiled. The wrist. What a wonderful idea. Astarion was going to love it.

"How thoughtful." She rolled up her sleeve with a smile. This was going to make the most interesting song.

***

Astarion slipped into his quarters, closing the door with barely a whisper. The scent of old parchment and leather bindings filled the small space—a scholar's sanctuary. Three ancient tomes he had requested sat waiting on the desk, their spines cracked with age.

"That cheeky little pup," he muttered, dropping into the chair.

The way she'd dismantled his careful manipulations with such ease—it was both infuriating and oddly refreshing. No simpering acceptance of his practiced charm, no falling for the guilt angle, not once she'd had a chance to think it through. She'd seen right through him and called his bluff.

He traced a finger along the spine of the nearest book, not really seeing the title. The arrangement was almost elegant in its simplicity: help freely given, no strings attached. No debts to collect, no favors to hold over anyone's head. Just... assistance.

His lip curled. How terribly straightforward.

The worst part was how cleanly she'd stripped away his control of the situation. Even the feeding had been reduced to a clinical schedule, like some sort of medical treatment. All his careful groundwork, his plans to keep everyone dancing to his tune—gone in an instant.

He pulled the first tome closer, though the words swam before his eyes. The crushing weight of depending on mere goodwill pressed against his chest. Everyone wanted something. Everyone had an angle.

Except, apparently, this insufferably direct bard who'd decided to help him simply because she could.

A laugh escaped him, sharp and brittle in the quiet room. She probably thought she was being noble. Heroic, even. But she'd left him more vulnerable than any amount of seduction or manipulation ever had.

Because now, for the first time in over a century, he had to trust.

Astarion arranged his quill and inkwell with precise movements, positioning the first tome at the perfect angle for note-taking. The familiar motions should have been soothing—they'd always been before, when books were his only refuge. But tonight his mind kept circling back to that infuriating feeding arrangement.

The scratch of his quill against parchment faltered. Darla's blood had been exquisite. And now Dal would share that pleasure, would know exactly how sweet their benefactor's blood tasted on her tongue.

His grip tightened on the quill. Ridiculous. They had more than enough to sustain them both. More than he'd ever been allowed under Cazador's rule. The thought of going hungry was laughable when compared to years of subsisting on rats and insects.

And yet.

He pushed the book aside, unable to focus on the cramped script. Was this some remnant of his predatory nature? This possessive urge to keep his prize to himself? Perhaps Dal felt the same twist of territorial anger at having to share.

A bitter laugh escaped him. Here he was, reduced to puzzling over base instincts like some common beast when he should be planning. Darla had effortlessly stripped away his usual advantages—but she hadn't taken everything. He still had his wit, his charm, his beauty.

His fingers drummed against the desk. He didn't need fangs to capture a woman's interest. Sometimes the most effective approach was the simplest—she found him attractive. It was a lever he didn't want to pull—he'd had more than enough of whoring himself out—but it was there, if he needed it. And it wouldn't hurt to lay the groundwork. It could even be fun.

Astarion leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. Perhaps he'd been looking at this all wrong. He had time to kill, waiting while the party chased down leads. Why not pass the time with a little entertainment?

He traced the edge of the book's cover, remembering the way she'd cut through his practiced tactics. Most people were depressingly predictable, falling for the same tired routines. But Darla... she had teeth. She'd seen his moves coming and countered them with devastating precision.

How delicious.

If she wanted to play the noble hero, let her. He could work with that. Perhaps there would be no need to actually take her to bed, but should it prove necessary, the groundwork would be laid. The trick would be making it feel a natural progression if and when he actually pulled the trigger.

And if the party remained loyal and Dal's absurd quest for a cure actually succeeded? Well, he'd have lost nothing but time spent pleasantly in a duel of wits. The scholars might even prove to be useful contacts, regardless of their success with the "cure." Knowledge was power, after all, and Candlekeep was nothing if not a repository of knowledge.

He pulled the first tome closer again, finally able to focus on the text. The game would require patience, careful observation. Learn her weaknesses, her desires. Let her think she'd tamed him while he studied exactly what made her pulse quicken.

His fingers drummed against the desk. Yes, this could be amusing. A welcome distraction from the tedium of research and the uncertainty of their situation. When they met, he had been a hunter hunting another predator. Now he would be a player playing another player. An interesting game indeed.

May the best player win.