#the third wheel of avernus

[ithinkdogshouldvote]

Fym this isn’t what happened during the epilogue in Avernus?

[forgeofthenine]

How do you think things would play out if insecure human Tav had feelings for Dammon, but she mistakenly thought he was hitting on Karlach all those times he helped her with her heart? With Tav being oblivious and mistakes that it’s because she is human and that Karlach is a tiefling that he has no interest in her, but in reality he does. How do you think Dammon would respond if there’s a little comment like: “I know it’s Karlach you were hoping to see.”

I'm not sure if I leaned too into the insecure descriptor in the prompt, especially after not doing any writing for so long, but I hope everyone's able to enjoy. I missed my main man so much <3

She isn't you

"I know it's Karlach you were hoping to see."

You can see the whites of Dammons eyes grow as soon as the sentence leaves your mouth, shock washing over him. It's something you'd tiptoed around for months. The way Dammon looks at Karlach, how he gravitates towards her, how that kills you inside. No one could blame you for falling for the sweet blacksmith with his easy smile and firm confidence.

He'd spent these past months giving your companion the gift of touch back, laughing at her raunchy remarks and looking at her like she'd hung the moon and stars. Hours were spent in his forge fixing her heart, idle chatter between the three of you the only real entertainment. Hours of inadvertently third wheeling them all because of your own unrequited crush. Karlach was your friend though, and if they were happy then you weren't going to interfere.

His lips part slowly. Beautiful, chapped lips you so desperately want to kiss but know you never will. Soon, Dammon finds his voice again. He seems so genuinely confused, as if he can't understand where you got that idea.

"Why would I want Karlach when you're here?"

A long tail flicks behind him, nearly taking out a table leg. A concerned look covers the blacksmiths face as he leans in, hands spreading over his workbench. "Not that Karlach isn't lovely, she is, but I'd prefer to have you here." Dammon clarifies carefully.

It's your own turn to gawk now, looking at the teifling standing there in the firelight. You'd never expected this, to have him so quickly disagree with something you were so certain of. "But... Aren't you and Karlach..." You trail off, unsure of how to word things, picking at your nails.

"Aren't we... what? Seeing each other?" Dammon asks, rounding his work bench with a small chuckle, the wooden floor creaking under steady steps. "Is that assumption what's held you back?" His calloused hand takes yours, smoothing a thumb over your skin as the tiefling draws in your gaze. Blue eyes crinkle at the corners with a small grin, a teasing smile appearing on the blacksmiths face.

"Well, isn't it true?" You gape, gripping his hand. The new brazenness draws a full laugh from the tiefling, topped off with a shake of his head. It's a dumbfounding revelation, after months of near torture watching the two of them only to find out none of your assumptions were true. "Stop laughing, I'm being serious-" You insist, a small frown growing on your face.

Dammon calms himself, still grinning down at your pout. "I know, and I'm sorry." His voice is lower now, missing that teasing lilt you love so much. "There's nothing happening between Karlach and I, promise. I did ask her for some advice, though." He adds, gently squeezing the hand enveloped in his.

You cock your head, wondering whatever advice he could've gotten from Karlach. Something to do with Avernus or leaving the hells? Something tiefling related? The visible confusion almost makes Dammon laugh again, but he contains himself. Instead, a firm tail snakes it's way around your leg, winding around you with a firm pressure.

"I wanted to know how best to ask one of her friends out."

[cth297]

I NEVER POSTED VIDEOS OF MY TAV GOING TO AVERNUS WITH KARLACH D:

I know the epilogue cutscene has probably been posted to death by now but I like seeing my Tav there :D

Spoilers for the avernus cutscene under the cut ofc

Ughhhh love her (and Wyll too ofc, easily my two favorites :D sucks that he’s the third wheel for these two but I’m sure he can handle it :P)

[shellem15]

The Nine Hells of Baator

As a devil fangirl, I finally decided to write a basic overview of the Nine Hells, which has consumed my brain since forever. While most of this is taken straight from forgotten realms lore (shoutout to the wiki!), I've put my own spin on things and emphasized certain details I found interesting. The list of sins associated with each layer (Wrath, Fear, Greed, Lust, Deceit, Gluttony, Sloth, Envy, and Pride) is taken from the Enneagram sins, because I needed 9 of them instead of just 7.

I might decide to go more into depth for each layer/archdevil, but no promises!

Overview:

The Nine Hells of Baator is a plane of pure law and evil, a place where tyranny reigns supreme. Devils, or Baatezu, make their home here, crafted from the souls of the damned and eternally bound to serve their betters. The Hells consist of nine descending layers of sin and punishment, connected by the flowing waters of the river Styx. Each layer is ruled by an Archdevil, a devil of immense power and influence who exerts total control over their domain. While the layers are distinct, they are still interconnected, each serving a purpose to further the Hells' agenda.

Devilish society is centered around power, hierarchy, and order, with those without power seeking to claim it and those with power seeking to keep it. The Blood War, the endless conflict between Devils and Demons, keeps the Hells running; an eternal enmity that keeps the populace from turning against their masters. Everything in the Hells ultimately serves to further the goals of Asmodeus, the Lord and Master of this dark domain.

Avernus:

The first layer of Hell is Avernus, a blasted plane of endless trenches and rivers of blood. It is a war-torn battlefield, the Hells' first line of defense against the ceaseless hordes of demon-kind. This is the layer of Wrath, of eternal bloodshed and unending hatred. The armies of the Hells are stationed here, ready to be thrown to the crushing wheel of the Blood War.

Avernus is ruled over by their fell general, the Archduchess Zariel. A fearsome warrior—a fallen angel—who lives for the kill, for the next great conquest.

Dis:

The second layer of Hell is Dis, a plane of those who watch, and those who are watched. An iron city, one of smoke and steel and hidden eyes. This is the layer of Fear, whose denizens live in terror of those beyond the walls—and of those within, as well. Dis acts as a multi-tool for the Hells: it is a hub of interplanar trade, a great titan of industry that produces the arms and means needed to fuel the Blood War, and, most critically, it contains the greatest surveillance network in the outer planes. Knowledge is as valuable as souls in the streets of Dis.

The overseer of this foul city is the Archduke Dispater, an old devil, paranoid about usurpation despite the tight grip he keeps over his domain. He locks himself away in his iron tower, a panopticon from which he monitors all dealings in his realm.

Minarous:

The third layer of Hell is Minarous, a plane of those who have, and those who have not. It is a thick swampland, home to monstrosities that slither and crawl through the muck and mud. This is the layer of Greed, of crushing poverty, sinking debt, and grabbing hands. The heart of this fetid realm is the Bank of Minarous, the center of all commerce in the Nine Hells. This is only bank allowed to mint soul coins, the official currency of the Hells. The Blood War runs on the souls of the damned, and all souls pass through Minarous' coffers.

The master of the bank is the Archduke Mammon, a miserly, serpentine devil who sits upon a hoard larger than any dragon's. He is a devil loved by none, but money speaks louder than words, and power is oft bought rather than earned.

Phlethegos:

The fourth layer of Hell is Phlethegos, a plane of flame and rock, pleasure and penance, judges and those who whisper in their ears. The great courts of the Hells reside in this volcanic realm, and so too do the pleasure houses and casinos. This is the layer of Lust, of tipped scales and weighted dice, of burning passion underneath cool indifference, of great rewards and dire consequences. Law and order is the backbone of Hellish society, and it is here where "justice" is served.

Reflecting the dual nature of Phlethegos, the rulers of this place are the Archduke Belial and Archduchess Fierna. Belial is the original ruler of the fourth Hell, the great Justiciar who presides over the court system. Fierna is the newcomer, Belial's daughter and rising challenger, the Lady of Lusts and Pleasures. On the surface, it seems that father and daughter are at odds, each vying for power over the other; Much like their realm, however, their interests are more entwined then one might think.

Stygia:

The fifth layer of Hell is Stygia, a plane of lies and exaggerations, of truths distorted in icy reflections. A frozen ocean of dark waters and bright glaciers blinding those who gaze into the ice. This is the layer of Deceit, of endless news cycles and lies sold as truths. A war cannot be fought without support, and the broadcasts of the fifth ensure the thirst for blood among Hell's populace is never sated.

The chief of this artic bureau is the Archduke Levistus, a handsome, silver-tongued devil frozen in a vast glacier. The conniving charlatan was trapped as punishment for his own treachery, and now can only speak though the forked tongues of his servantry.

Malbolge:

The sixth layer of Hell is Malbolge, a twisted plane of cushioned cellblocks, of iron bars and shackles disguised as sweet salvation. It is an endless labyrinth, a prison of luxury and extravagance which traps its inmates like flies in honey. This is the layer of Gluttony, where excess and indulgence bind souls tighter than any chain. Even the Hells have its lawbreakers, its criminals and traitors, and here is where those souls are sentenced, forced to pay penance for their crimes and misdeeds.

The warden of this dreadful prison is the Archduchess Glasya, Princess of the Hells and daughter of Asmodeus. While she oversees the Hells' penal system, she is also the Hells' greatest criminal, bending Baator's laws and rules as far as she can while skirting her way out of consequences.

Maladomini:

The seventh layer of Hell is Maladomini, a once-bustling plane now fallen to rot and ruin. It is a place of the lost and forgotten, of decaying cities, crumbling infrastructure, and long-abandoned ghost towns. This is the layer of Sloth, of malicious negligence and crushing complacency, of rusted factories and strip-mines long since dried up. Bureaucracy is the bane of progress, and here, where all the records in the Hells are kept and stored, bureaucracy reigns supreme.

The chief executive of this putrid domain is the Archduke Baalzebul, the Lord of the Flies. Once a beautiful angel of the Heavens themselves, he is now as grotesque and wretched as the realm he rules.

Cania:

The eighth layer of Hell is Cania, a plane of melting ice and rapid development, of forbidden knowledge and those who wield it. It is a frozen mountain range, one where vast glaciers and snow-capped peaks hide secret laboratories and great libraries, where "progress" is made at the expense of morality and reason. This is the layer of Envy, of the relentless strive to be greater than your peers, of the pain one feels at others' success. The Blood War demands bigger weapons and greater firepower, and Cania is at the forefront of these advancements.

The mastermind behind this frigid realm is the Archduke Mephistopheles, the Hells' greatest wizard and second-most powerful Archdevil. In his resentment of his fellows, the Lord of Hellfire has thrown himself to invention and experimentation, creating new and terrible magics that melt the very foundations of his icy domain.

Nessus:

The ninth and lowest layer of Hell is Nessus, a plane of those who rule and hold themselves above all else—a plane of power itself. It is a wind-swept wasteland scarred by endless chasms and ravines, where grand citadels and fortresses light up the darkest trenches in the Outer Planes; where the greatest deals are struck behind closed doors. This is the layer of Pride, of great hubris and unwavering conviction—the mother of all vices. It is here where laws are made and authority is unchallenged, where power is held as most sacred and holy. All the Hells are beholden to the will of Nessus.

The Lord of this realm, and of all the Hells, is the Archduke Asmodeus. The greatest of all devils, the Lord of Lies and Prince of Evil, the mastermind behind the Hellish Project. He is ancient and powerful, unchallenged in his dominion, and a being of pure, unfettered arrogance. A tyrant who seeks absolute domination over all of reality, and one willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.

[sejics]

I don’t apologise to Wyll for being stuck as the third wheel with the two hottest bisexuals in both Faerun and Avernus

[blackjackkent]

@thedarkstrategist replied to your post “Purple Hyacinth for Rakha~?”:

This was great, i love the way you go into rahka mental struggles so much...tho I have to say it reads like wyll, rahka, and Lae��zel are a throuple which I say positively lol. It makes me think of that one parks and rec meme with wyll being like "This is my girlfriend rahka and her girlfriend lae'zel" lol

​<3 Thank you!

Heee. Yeah, I think Rakha and Lae'zel's relationship remains somewhat complicated even though the worst of the tension has passed. Rakha doesn't have romantic interest in Lae'zel like she does in Wyll, but they do have that history and Lae'zel definitely still has feelings for her.

I suspect the vibe is more like Lae'zel glaring at Wyll and being like, "You may love her but I will still be close to her and YOU WON'T STOP ME." And Wyll bemused just like, "...I wasn't going to try to?" And they've both kind of settled into a cautious partnership in keeping an eye on Rakha and supporting her. (And Minthara is there too but kind of more distant and pragmatic about the whole thing.)

It's funny to me because given the Avernus adventures, Hector also wound up in this tight three-person unit of "Me, my lover, and her ride-or-die best friend." XD Wyll's just on the romance side of the group this time. (I'm gonna come up with someone for him to get together with in Hec's Avernus too, lol, cos I feel bad about him third-wheeling in literal Hell. XD )

I know you probably just meant this as an idle comment but I am taking the opportunity to ramble. XD

[thornfield13713]

I need it to be properly understood that this has always been a big part of the relationship between Evka, Antoine and Mairead. I think they ended up friends, in part, because they were some of the only Wardens from the South assigned to Weisshaupt, and because Mairead is pretty good at following along with Antoine's research due to her time with the research division at Soldier's Peak under Warden Avernus.

However, he and Evka were already a thing by then, so a foundational part of the dynamic, from the start, has been Mairead playing awkward third wheel to their relationship. She tries not to resent it too much. Some days it's harder than others.

[goatsghost]

so tav has to ask the other companions if they’d be okay with polyamory and adding someone to their relationship, but when i romanced wyll, by the end, he and karlach are all but confessing their love to each other and i feel like i’m third-wheeling them in their journey through avernus, how is that fair

[rizardofether]

Finished my first playthrough of BG3 finally. Act 3 felt so long, a bit too long, almost had me lose all interest in playing but it brought me back around.

Got a very nice ending. I get to hang out with Karlach, and Wyll too. Thank god Karlach got to live I was soo scared they made it so she just dies. Wyll gets to third wheel Karlach and Ennui in hell for forever now.

Too bad about Astarion. I wish we could have brought him along as well. Does Avernus have a sun? Would he burn in there too? I feel bad about leaving him behind..

[crossdressingdeath]

A thing that gets me about Ketheric is that he was a grown man with a lot of life experience when he became Myrkul's Chosen. On the other hand I get the sense that Gortash was fairly young, early twenties at most and fresh out of Avernus, when he started worshipping Bane? And obviously Durge and later Orin were forced into Bhaal's service from birth; they never actually had a choice. There's a lot of interesting dynamics that can come from this setup even before we get into the daddy issues! And I love the "Ketheric spent the whole alliance third wheeling Durgetash" thing, but it feels like a waste to only play around with that dynamic, y'know?

Okay, I know we all love General Ketheric 'Third Wheel' Thorm, but there are so many other good ways to play this group dynamic. For example: Gortash and Durge are at a minimum like 80% daddy issues between them. Ketheric is a dad. There are so many fun options here!

[blackjackkent]

Epilogue time! The narrator sets the stage:

Narrator: When the invitation came, you were hip-deep in lemure slime, swarmed by hellwasps, and about to drive the killing blow on a magma claw. Cutting through the dreadful buzz of the wasps and the screamed of the damned, a familiar comforting voice echoed in your mind - Withers.

Narrator: He requested your attendance in Faerun, to gather with your friends and allies, those who stood against the Absolute at your side.

A couple things:

a) Six months has definitely given them time to settle into their new life as Avernus's mutineers, and it seems like they're doing pretty well! No one's lost any limbs or anything so that's nice.

b) That sure is an outfit you're wearing, Hector, lololol. I guess the monk robes didn't work so well in Avernus after a while. Karlach however looks fantastic.

c) Hector and Wyll have definitely become much closer friends during this whole thing and I think Hector probably considers him more like a brother by now. I do also really hope Wyll hasn't just been third-wheeling it this whole time; I think if I do write a fic about their post-game adventures I will set him up with some nice rebellious devil they end up allying with or something. (Potential for interesting angst there with his history with Mizora perhaps? :D )

d) I am standing by the fact that Hector is quite content with their new life. He already knew he was never going to be able to go back to the monastery and live quietly again, so being able to keep fighting at Karlach's side against the forces of evil is basically the best possible outcome for him. I like to think, too, that it's not ALL combat forever; they find some hideout that they're able to make at least reasonably homey and have some happy times too. That being said - he's very excited to see his friends again.

e) We'll have to see how the epilogue dialogues here play out but I kind of want to say this isn't the first time he's seen them (or at least communicated with them) since the brain battle. Perhaps Hector keeps leveling cleric during the fights in the Hells and tosses another four levels in at which point he gets access to Sending.

Anyway, HI EVERYONE! HI WITHERS!

"Thou wert called here. Some from above, some below. For with thine bond, together thou hast kept the Wheel of Fate spinning, when it threatened to halt. Though thou wert drawn far apart in the months after the collapse of the Absolute, tonight Fate renews thy bond once more. Thou shouldst take care to preserve it; it is a great weapon wielded in the hand of good. Go, know one another once more."

Ahhhhh, it's our old camp from the first map way back at the beginning! <3

Let's get to chatting!