#thewingedbaron

[thewingedbaron]

This might catch some flak here, but I just want to throw out there… I don’t hate Karlach’s ending in BG3.

HEAR ME OUT. Sometimes a situation is just shitty. Sometimes there simply nothing we can do. Bad things happen to very good people, and no matter how much love and attention and work you pour in, sometimes things just don’t work.

Do I love that we can’t fix Karlach’s heart in the scope of the game? Absolutely not. I love Karlach, I want her to keep kicking ass forever. But at the same time, the message that sometimes things just don’t work out like that? It’s heartbreaking but it’s so real. Sometimes we simply don’t have the time or the resources and it isn’t fair. It strikes a chord man.

The reason it hits so hard is we care so much about this character. We care SO MUCH, but there is nothing we can do except encourage her to hold on a little longer in hell while we work for a solution. I love that they added an out during the party afterward. I love that Karlach has a chance.

But the tragic, sad ending? I don’t hate it. Some times things just don’t work, and it really, really hurts.

i hate when ppl act like the only reason to not like a "sad" ending is because you can't take it or whatever. personally as a tragedy enjoyer, i hate a poorly written ending. i hate an ending that is just kind of a bummer. i hate an ending that feels mean-spirited to the audience. i hate an ending that's redundant. i love a sad ending that is thematically consistent, poignant, and bespoke to the rest of its narrative.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Help me pick a book cover!

Hey guys :) With ardence almost done, I wanted to post some book covers I made!

Here's the blurb:

Humanity is ready for the approaching alien invasion. They're armed, organised, angry. But the attack never comes, and the International Council of Intergalactic and Interspecies relations is at a loss as to what to do when they find the Enemy mothership destroyed by a single human prisoner. Amelie Quentin, hero of humanity, three-year-long captive of the Enemy, doesn't care about all that. She just wants to go home. Unfortunately, the Council— as well as the mysterious interviewer they've sicced on her— are not going to let her. And not just because they want to give her a medal.

Ardence is a near-future sci-fi thriller told through interview/cctv transcripts, reports, and diary entires. Mind the TWs, they're mentions of child rape (nothing graphic), psych wards, graphic self-harm, forced sedation and cannibalism (because of course it does)

Tagging the gang to help me pick below!

Taglist: @coffeeangelinabox, @dorky-pals, @calliecwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @shukei-jiwa

@thewingedbaron, @pluppsauthor, @cowboybrunch, @wylloblr,

@possiblyeldritch @tragedycoded, @finickyfelix, @urnumber1star, @ratedn,

@ramwritblr @vampirelover890, @possiblylisle, @illarian-rambling, @the-ellia-west,

@differentnighttale @evilgabe29, @watermeezer, @rivenantiqnerd, @writeblrweekly,

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog, @riveriafalll

@the-golden-comet, @starstruck-sunshine, @trippingpossum, @real-fragments, @unrepentantcheeseaddict

@the-inkwell-variable, @paeliae-occasionally, @an-indecisive-nerd, @thecomfywriter, @seastarblue

@wyked-ao3, @bookwormclover, @oliolioxenfreewrites, @aalinaaaaaa, @the-letterbox-archives

@gioiaalbanoart, @watermeezer, @theink-stainedfolk (ask to be added or removed :))

[mxxnlightwriting]

Okay everyone, please interact with this post if you're okay being tagged in tag games and stuff like that. I'll add your name to this post so that I can refer to it when looking for people to tag (because I never know who is okay with what, and I don't want to bother people who don't want to participate)

@thekingofthenameless @the-arson-author-gamer @major-arcana-series @nrivanwrites @gullwrites

@savvyminnow @vivianwrite @tragicheirs @world-of-iridensia @keen2meecha

@foyle-writes-things @pcm-vandermeer @vsnotresponding @innocentlymacabre @theprissythumbelina

@notwritinganyflufftoday @rachaellawrites @trixierosewrites @k--havok @dyrewrites

@indigowriting @kayedium-writes @maddstermind @leebrontide @abiteofhoney

@astorichan @physalian @bluberimufim @seastarblue @aurumni-writes

@daughter-of-inklings @theroseempress @bellascarousel @moltenwrites @quirkykayleetam

@pandoras-comment-box @frantheram @orphanheirs @waltzshouldbewriting @thewingedbaron

@written-among-the-stars

[blighted-elf]

OC vibe game!

Rules: Post Your OC and then 4 Random Pictures (or more) with no explanation to convey your characters vibe.

Thank you for tagging me @nazali! This was very fun and I might do a round two for some of my other OCs :)

All images are from royalty free websites or public media (TV shows, video games etc). Nothing has been stolen or generated. The painting on Imrae's is Spring by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1563) and Revan's portrait is by me

Tagging: (Opt in or out)

@dymme @lilactiefling @thefrostyshepard @hexblooddruid @reyesent

@terminallydeclining @imjustasadsong @vspin @aesfocus @dragonologist-phd

@thewingedbaron @miseryscrowned @angry-eevee @ketchuplaser @zellkabellk

@azatas @nevertrustanoracle @haltiar @zandalorscat @slothssassin

@jadeempire @nourangul @kirkwallsquad @vigilskept @canadiankazz

@ronqueesha @vampyspawn

[thewingedbaron]

Yeah

writing is so fun

[thewingedbaron]

I Know You Chapter 3!!!

My pre-game Baldur's Gate Tav x Shadowheart fic has a new chapter! Back of book below.

Check it out on Ao3!

There is a traitor in Shar's ranks. A masked bandit parades around the countryside, robbing with impunity with a sacred relic of the Lady of Secrets. Shadowheart, a young cleric of the Lady of Shadows, is desperate to prove herself to her Mother Superior. Yet, as she sets out on the hunt, she is surprised to find the traitor seems to know too much about the cult and Shadowheart, herself. But, with a mind full of holes, is it so surprising that she's forgotten so much?

Alyss (Tav) is desperate for coin. With debts to pay to the Thieves' Guild and time running short, she'll take anything to free her of her obligations and escape the city. When the Flaming Fist posts a bounty on a strange, mask wearing bandit whose victims never seem to remember being robbed, it seems like the perfect opportunity to finally make the coin she needs to be truly free.

Before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, two hunters converge on the same target. With a strange new cult growing in the forests north of Candlekeep, the unlikely pair will have to band together to survive. Can they find common ground? Or will the masked cultists claim two more victims on their rise to power in the Sword Coast?

[pluppsauthor]

Tag Game: OC/WIP Q&A

Thanks for the tags from: @tildeathiwillwrite, @diabolical-blue, @honeybewrites, @somethingclevermahogony, @willtheweaver

and @leahnardo-da-veggie. ❤ Much love to all of you.

Rules: open the floor for questions about your WIPs/OCs/creative process/inspiration/etc

I wanted to post this yesterday, but I had a medical problem that has thankfully cleared now. Anyway, my ask box has always been open (no anon tho). BUT, I want to hear anyone and everyone's questions.

I'm going to tag all of my writing mutuals that I didn't already above, both to pass the game along, but also to get some questions. No pressure to either :)

I'll lay out a list of my WIP's and stuff in them. I'll answer any question, but I will preface if it's a spoiler in case you want to avoid it at all (i'll also tag it as such)

Frequency:

Wounded Reflection:

Characters: Lukas Tiro (MC), Axel Reath, Oak, Vesa, Bene Grey, Cary Loaras, Kai & Skyla Starill, Karve Treath. (I only included the main trio and the other Hunters). Things in it of note: Fortissimo Organisation (special division), Hunters, ghasts/ghouls, Frequencies.

Kindred Spirits:

Characters: Rain (MC), Kasi, Yun Tiro. Things in it of note: Fortissimo Organisation (regular division), Frequencies, Romance :).

Hellfire:

Characters: Akita Day (MC), David Pol, Kai Everden, Vis, Hazzin. Things in it of note: Demons, Arch Demons, Ghasts, Un'thil'ar (Home of Demons), Frequencies.

Shattered Gods:

Characters: Luna (MC), the other characters are REDACTED, but, feel free to ask about them :) Thing in it of note: Gods, Daemons, LORE, Yismor (Home of Gods), Frequencies.

Forsaken:

Characters: Dusk/Ralillith Trio (MC), Zenith Freydra, Kyr, Dawn, Ino, Reven. Things in it of note: Frequencies, Runes, Everden Family, Families, New Season, Old world/New world, Daemon Tears, Trials, Daemons, Romance :).

Other Stories:

Wild & Grief:

Characters: Tinder (MC), Hope (MC), Mr. Fox. Things in it of note: Tree magic, fantasy world (no name yet), spirits.

534 ft.:

Characters: Jesse Graves (MC), Nolan Hunt, Shapeshifter Girl (Name pending). Things in it of note: magic, fantasy world (no name yet, not affiliated with Wild & Grief), fantasy creatures such as witches, fae, demons/devils, undead, etc.

Ad Infinitum (Placeholder name):

Characters: Captain Zanlith (MC), Officer Ani, Officer Clayde, more to come I'm sure. Things in it of note: sci-fi technology such as starships and the like, dreamlink technology, alien species, exploration of math and science theories.

That's it for WIP's (for now :)).

Anyway, down here in the depths of this post I will put the list of my writing mutuals I am tagging :3

@the-golden-comet, @ms-macintosh, @sm-writes-chaos, @illarian-rambling, @paeliae-occasionally

@aalinaaaaaa, @thewingedbaron, @sunset-a-story, @sunglasses-in-the-bentley, @ryns-ramblings

@nixwithapen, @whatwewrotepodcast, @minamaybe, @rivenantiqnerd, @phoenixradiant

@finickyfelix, @theeccentricraven, @bloodmoonloveletter, @oliolioxenfreewrites, @mk-writes-stuff

@kaylinalexanderbooks, @leave-a-message19, @themboty, @agirlandherquill, @xenascribbles

@emilynotfound, @shepardsherd, @kbwritesstuff, @decadentpandawasteland

and, open tag/anyone I missed. I didn't think there was that many lol. Much love to all of you again ❤

[thewingedbaron]

Oh god I don’t need another work in progress.

What game/fic am I doing this for?

There should be a fanfic writing game called the showrunners challenge where someone writes a story and partway through someone else can play things like "actor leaves after 4000 more words" or "topic now too politically sensitive due to unforeseen world events" or "lost rights to that reference"

[animalx]

🔥Limited Time Offer! Get a $500 Kohl’s Gift Card today! 🎉 Don’t miss this chance! Claim yours now @dirtroadtothedark @squeakybit @horticulture-dreamland @sonnett @pokerfran @lunozver @sturm98 @therealdeees @gamerthepro @trenchycoat @feraltuft @touslin @chokyolate @izzmizzstuff @three3goblins @noneofurconcernuwhoreson @traggalicious @thewingedbaron @butterbuggles @houruponthestage

[multi-baker]

@drascua tagged me for the Spotify on repeat game!

rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist & post the first ten tracks, then tag people

My Song - Labi Siffre

D&D Is Gay (But So Am I So This Tracks) - Newgrounds Death Rugby

About 10 Hours of Making Breakcore - Emray

Sedation - yuronono

attachment - yuronono

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Bad Habit - Steve Lacy

Good News Is Bad News - Helsinki Lambda Club

Crime - Chek

oyasumination - Ippotsk

@thewingedbaron @scaredigloo

[thewingedbaron]

No cause this was the same thing I thought for the first two arcs of Arcane S2. The war between cities and the gang wars in Zaun, anything outside of the main characters directly was pretty much abandoned in those first few episodes or relegated to a slideshow.

I think the biggest offender is the time skip between episodes 3 and 4. We spent a whole season and two episodes talking about how bad a war between cities would be. How terrible things would happen and people would die. And then episode 4 comes and it’s just kinda… fine?

Zaun is under occupation and is resisting it (kind of we only get like one or two scenes of some people being angry outside of the mass arrest scene), but overall none of the terrible things that season 1 and the first two episodes were warning about ever happened? Then it’s just never addressed again?

That was nice, but it was not the conclusion to season 1 of arcane

[thewingedbaron]

Owlcatober Day Eleven: Medals

So glad to be back to writing. Its been a WEEK folks! Hope you can forgive me for missing a few days, things have been real weird the last couple days. This fully self-indulgent scene between Allix and Arueshalae should help :)

Seriously, thanks for reading these. Interacting with everyone has been so so fun this month ;-;

Medals and Recognitions (1,446 words)

Fandom: Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous

Ship: Arueshalae/KC (Allix)

Warnings: Very Cute.

Read here under the cut, or over on Ao3

The doublet itched. Allix turned himself this way and that, studying every inch of his costume in the full length mirror. That’s what it felt like, a costume. He was dressed to the nines in a custom tailored suit, dark satin green with forest brown accents. It fit him like a glove, everything in its proper place except for the gods damned doublet. 

With a sigh, he removed it, buttoning up his shirt to fill some of the gap. He was left with a neckline just short of plunging that exposed the tops of his collarbones. Not a bad look, by any means, but a touch less formal than the tailor had originally intended. He could deal with that. 

As he studied the suit, his eyes could not help but travel to the man behind it, tail swishing anxiously as he looked himself over. Just short of three years ago, he’d been a bounty hunter, down on his luck, drifting through the world wound in search of more dangerous targets for heavier sacks of gold. Almost three years ago, he’d awoken in a square in Kenebres, bleeding from the chest with a dragon leaned over him. In those three years, he’d lead armies against the forces of the abyss, tread through the worst horrors a mortal could imagine. He had almost been an angel, though Heaven would have likely rejected his… contrary nature had he followed through. Instead, he’d given up his power, become a mere mortal again, and then lead one of the most daring military campaigns in Golarion’s history that had ended in the death of two demon lords and the closing of the World Wound, which had plagued the mortal realms for more than a century. And yet… 

When Allix looked in the mirror, he saw the same roughshod mercenary desperate to scrape up some coin before he starved. His eyes had crows feet at their edges. His thick beard was beginning to show a little more gray than he was comfortable with. Scars, new and old littered his body like the words of a fairytale, each telling the story of a different battle, a different danger. His horns were chipped in places from uncountable close calls, but they were still his horns. Without the adrenaline of combat, he found that his hands shook slightly, but they were still his hands. His eyes looked older, wiser, more tired from the great trials he had undertaken in the last three years, but they were still the same blood red color, flecked with bronze. Despite it all, he was still… him. 

Soft arms wrapped around his shoulders, as softer lips pressed a kiss into his hair, gently drawing him from his musings. 

“You’re thinking too hard.” Arueshalae murmured with a soft smile. “I can see it in your eyes.” 

She was dressed in a deep blue dress that complimented her eyes and hair. Gold highlights and jewelry adorned her wrists and neck. Her hair had grown longer over the intervening months. With no reason to fear her own beauty any longer, Arueshalae delighted in trying different styles and fashions recommended to her by their friends. This was one of her, and Allix’s favorites. 

“Only good things.” Allix replied, leaning into her embrace. “We’ve all changed so much from when this all began.” 

“We have.” She said. None had changed more than the once succubus, now redeemed follower of Desna. Allix felt a swell of pride in his chest as he met his soon to be wife’s eyes in the mirror. She, amongst all others, had climbed the steepest cliffs and faced the greatest dangers. To give up his powers was one thing, but the throw off the yolk of the Abyss, itself. To  find compassion, forgiveness, and love in a place that taught only blood and hate? He could think of no greater challenge. 

“Ready to go?” She asked, drawing him from his thoughts once more. The former Knight Commander suppressed a cringe. 

“Not at all.” Even after leading the crusades, fighting gods and monsters alike, he still did not feel comfortable in crowds. Especially ones gathered in his honor. “Are you?” 

“Absolutely not.” Arueshalae laughed. “All those eyes focused on us? Do mortal ceremonies always have to be this large?” 

“Only ones orchestrated by a Queen that wants the world to know exactly who saved their collective ass, I suppose.” Allix returned her smirk. “Think of it, Kings and Queens, nobles from across the world, all gathered to pay us respects.” 

“I think I’d rather just go back to the cabin.” 

“Me too, love.” 

Arueshalae stuck out her tongue at him in the mirror, scrunching her nose in distaste. “At least we won’t be alone up there.” 

“Very true. Did they finally talk Lann into a suit?” 

“I believe they tried, right up until he threatened to turn the next person to come into his room with a coat into a pin cushion. I believe they have settled on a nice robe for him in the Crusade’s colors.” 

“I don’t suppose he took the title either?” 

“Of course not, but the Queen agreed to sponsor his first three ships in his trading fleet. I think he values those more than any empty title.” 

“Good.” Allix smiled. 

“Darling.” 

“Love?” 

“You’re delaying as much as you can. But we do need to leave this room.” Arueshalae smiled, pressing another kiss between his horns. “Come now, the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can go home.” 

“You have such a way with words.” Allix grinned, turning to kiss his love proper. “Hand me Finnean and we’ll get on our way.” 

She passed him a beautiful sword, the vessel that once contained the lost soul of a Pathfinder named Finnean. Allix’s preferred weapon was the heaviest crossbow he could find, but he had carried the blade through the remainder of the crusade in the memory of their friend, now released to explore the afterlife. It was a beautiful blade, and a comforting weight on his hip as he took Arueshalae’s arm and the pair stepped out into the hall to await the Queen’s escorts. Her guard arrived a short time later, the majority of their party in tow. 

Greybor had remained in the Abyss. The dwarven assassin had little interest in the Queen’s recognition, and had his hands full running his new business. He had, however, sent them a lovely letter. Also missing from the gathering was Regill, who, despite his exile from the Hellknights in the later days of the campaign, believed he needed no recognition for his efforts, and had politely declined the ceremony. The rest, however, eagerly accepted. 

Embraces and words were exchanged as they joined company, walking together down the wide steps toward the Queen’s own courtroom. From there, the party would proceed to the front steps of the palace where they would receive their honors and recognition, alongside many other officers, warriors, and heroes of the crusades. Allix had spent weeks pouring over the long list of martyrs, heroes, and soldiers that had served, hand picking dozens to receive their medals alongside him, and hundreds more that would be awarded honorifics in their own time. Every soldier who had served in the final taking of Iz and the closing of the World Wound would receive their recognition, as well as a large enough pension to keep them fat and happy for the rest of their lives. 

In the courtroom, they were joined by two more familiar faces, Irabeth and Anevia. The Knight Commander’s most trusted advisors easily fell into step with the rest, chatting and hugging their way to the great doors of the palace. There, they stopped for one final time, listening to the distant remarks of Queen Galfrey as she addressed a mixed crowd of hundreds of crusaders, emissaries from a hundred nations, and a dozen Kings and Queens from the various kingdoms and empires that had contributed to the fight. 

When it was finally time for the Knight Commander’s party to be recognized, the little group was quickly organized by the guard and set to wait just by the doors. Two by two they would be called up to the dais to stand with the Queen, until all had joined. At the front of the line, Allix exchanged a glance with Arueshalae. 

“Nervous?” He asked. 

Arueshalae looked him up and down, then back at the line of their friends, closer than family, behind them, and shrugged. 

“How could I be?” She asked. 

Allix grinned and planted a kiss on her lips as the grand doors were thrown open. Together they faced the world, fingers and tails intertwined.

[thewingedbaron]

The Plucky Squire is exactly the game I needed tonight :)

If you need a game that feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket, with some really really clever mechanics and an adorable art style to boot, I cannot recommend it enough.

[thewingedbaron]

New Fic!

I was inspired to jump into some Pre-Game Baldur’s Gate fic and this is what came out.

I’m planning for about 14 chapters right now, updating on the weekends (I’ll have a set day hopefully once I find a rhythm).

Check it out on Ao3! Summary below!

I Know You

There is a traitor in Shar's ranks. A masked bandit parades around the countryside, robbing with impunity with a sacred relic of the Lady of Secrets. Shadowheart, a young cleric of the Lady of Shadows, is desperate to prove herself to her Mother Superior. Yet, as she sets out on the hunt, she is surprised to find the traitor seems to know too much about the cult and Shadowheart, herself. But, with a mind full of holes, is it so surprising that she's forgotten so much?

Alyss (Tav) is desperate for coin. With debts to pay to the Thieves' Guild and time running short, she'll take anything to free her of her obligations and escape the city. When the Flaming Fist posts a bounty on a strange, mask wearing bandit whose victims never seem to remember being robbed, it seems like the perfect opportunity to finally make the coin she needs to be truly free.

Before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, two hunters converge on the same target. With a strange new cult growing in the forests north of Candlekeep, the unlikely pair will have to band together to survive. Can they find common ground? Or will the masked cultists claim two more victims on their rise to power in the Sword Coast?

[thewingedbaron]

ASK ME THINGS! I know I have old ones I promise im getting to them. Things have been busy <3

Unusual Questions for Writers

I thought it'd be fun to make my own writer ask game, but exclusively with questions I've never seen in any others! Feel free to ask me these, and/or reblog it and people can ask them of you! :D

What is an area of expertise you find yourself inserting into your work? It can be job-related, but it can also just be a random interest or hobby.

What is the most experimental or bizarre thing you've written? Share it here (or a quote from it).

When did you first start writing, whether that was fanfiction or original work? What was your first work about, to the best you remember? (For bonus points, quote it!)

Describe your writing, but exclusively in terms of how it would taste and feel to eat it.

What is the most unusual, uncomfortable, or funny place you've written in?

Name three writing inspirations: one dead published author, one living published author, and one fanficcer/fellow amateur writer.

Quote a bad joke/groan-worthy pun/intentionally silly line from your writing.

What do you imagine people might guess about you, the author, from your writing? Are they right about this, or wrong?

Who are you writing for, other than yourself?

Is your writing creepy or wet?

What is a personal quality, interest, or preference that you find yourself projecting on your characters?

Do you ever put "easter eggs" or minor references in your work that you anticipate few people will notice? (If so, quote one of them here!)

Where are you from? Do you think the culture and language of that place comes through in your work?

If you were helping another writer imitate your work, what would you be telling them to do? (Silliness encouraged.)

Has anyone ever complimented your work or commented on it in a way that really made your day or you found exceptionally flattering? What was it they said?

[thewingedbaron]

BG3 Fic Feb Day Four!

Day Four: Camp Chores

By the fourth day together, camp was beginning to run smoothly. Wyll set a watch every day, ensuring that none of the goblin’s scouting parties accidentally found their way into camp. Karlach was all too happy to assist with keeping watch, though privately she spent more time caring for her teddy bear, Clyde, than keeping an eye out for trouble. As she put it, when trouble found them, she would be ready. 

Gale had settled in quickly as the camp’s cook. After the disaster of Shadowheart’s half hearted attempt on the first night, the wizard of waterdeep produced an apron from his tent, the rest of the party was still unsure as to where exactly it had come from, and set about preparing whatever Alyss managed to catch out in the surroundings woods. Thankfully, Alyss was almost as good at hunting animals as she was bounties, so more often than not there was plenty to go around. 

For her part, Shadowheart busied herself about the camp setting up new barriers of thistle and heavy bush. Alyss had shown her how to rearrange the surrounding shrubs to help disguise the camp from outside view, and the cleric of shadows had taken to the skill almost immediately. She seemed to delight in finding new methods to hide them all from view. That, or she just enjoyed being close to the camp’s ranger leader, as Astarion claimed. It was hard to ignore the snuck glances, and occasional straight on staring that neither side seemed to notice. Astarion had started a betting pool on the second night. Currently, Wyll was winning. 

Lae’zel provided the background music to their little camp. She could often be found practicing strikes on a mock Illithid that she had created out of roots and branches. The dull thud, thud, thud, could be heard at all hours about the camp. Wyll had joined her a number of times, as well as Karlach. Both were apt students as Lae’zel explained the best ways to kill a ghaik quickly to avoid their psychic attacks. When she wasn’t practicing, Lae’zel was preparing. Mending armor, sharpening blades, Lae’zel was sure that she would be ready for whatever they met on the road. With a few sweet words, and the promise of a new dagger, she agreed to help with the camp’s weapons as well. Soon the grinding wheel could be heard near constantly, much to the chagrin of some of its other residents. 

Astartion, of course, prided himself on helping drink through the camp’s meager wine supply. He also carefully gathered gossip like a court spymaster sitting on a mountain of secrets. Alyss had given up asking him to help with camp chores, but perhaps that was for the better. He was a little too interested in her secrets, and she preferred to keep those under wraps. Even if it meant that Astarion was taken off dish rotation.