#~fellow soldier~

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

Karlach took one last look around the small crowd that were eagerly there to either support, assist or outright work on her cure. They had bent over backwards for her - just as she would do for them. Karlach beamed at them all, though her eyes were still dull with an obvious fear. But the reassurance overrode her uneasiness.

"Thank you... All of you." She said as she looked each one in the eye, leaving Amalica for last. Reaching over, she gave a squeeze to the drow's shoulders. "You're right. I've walked through worse webs than this overall."

With one final, grateful nod, Karlach made her way to the table and adjusted herself accordingly. Looking up at the ceiling, she felt herself shaking slightly. Her instinct was to roll off and walk away. She could feel an oppressive heat...could smell brimstone and hear the screams of tortured souls-

NO. No. Not this time. She was in the Elfs Song. Surrounded by friends- no. Family... With one last deep breath, she nodded she was ready, letting Gale put her under a sleep spell as the rest of the team did their work.

-------

Karlach felt like she was being stirred from a pleasant, deep dream. She was stubborn to rise for a moment. As if it was her mother trying to wake her abruptly because she was late for school again. But as consciousness began to clear, her memories reformed. Groggy, her hand reached out through the blur of light and sounds as her spell-addled mind tried to see her environs with precision.

"-mal...?" She murmured.

"It's not stupid, Karlach," Amalica reassured her, "No one can blame you for being nervous after what you've been through. But... it's us. You trust us - I know you do. You wouldn't have stuck around this long if you didn't." She snickered briefly, before her expression turned more serious once again.

"Everything's going to turn out fine. Easy to say, I know, but," The Drow paused, trying to think of how she wanted to express the thought she just had.

Ah. There were the words. She continued on, "Uss z'klaen sultha l'cress ulu phlyle ib'ahalii - tangis'ka nind treemma l'orbben wund."

"You need to enter the web to claim... honor. Glory. Something like that. Even if you're afraid of the spiders inside of it. Lolthians and their spiders, you know. Not the point. The core meaning stands, however."

She smiled at Karlach, "This might be terrifying - but do it anyways. There's glory on the other end."

"I'll be here. I promise," The Drow reassured her, "We all will be. I don't think any of us will be able to make ourselves leave until we know you're okay."

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

@shishitoren-vc liked this post

"Hey- HEY!" Karlach dropped her weapon to the floor, hurrying over to her companion. She heaved her arms under his and quite literally picked him up and dragged him away. "Togame, that's enough!" She called out as she did so, trying to keep a grip on him should he resist but also not containing him too tightly - not wanting to hurt him.

"You keep going like that, you're gonna kill them!" She warned. "I like a fight like the best of them, but not everyone needs to die."

[hyacinthsdiamonds]

I'm sorry but the irony of Nico calling Max unprofessional is sending me so bad like sir there's an entire garage full of people, who were literally in the trenches trying to survive the Brocedes fallout while just doing their jobs, who might have a few things to say about your (& Lewis') level of professionalism at that time 😭✋️

[krowbby]

i was scrolling thru my procreate and realized i never posted this! i think i was embarrassed bc i traced the line art from screenshots of the movie, but ah well. i think it was a fun idea so i’m posting it with that disclaimer!

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

It felt like the night had only improved since this little 'interview'. She was smiling, feeling warm in many ways. Despite the curse prevailing, she felt comforted. Content.

At the mention of her being the hottest girl in Baldurs Gate, her cheeks had flushed into a shade of purple - though it was near impossible for her to tell she was warm in the face. Though possibly he meant it quite literally, rather than about her appearance. Still, she took the compliment for what it was.

"Either way, it's a date." She winks once more before.

Damn...it really was a nice night.

- END -

Tav appreciated the gesture– enjoyed the contact, even if she were still too hot to linger nearby. He'd felt like an outsider among the group, and that touch, brief as it was, felt... comforting.

"That's a relief," he said with a laugh. "Maybe if th' others get tired 'f me you can change their minds." He watched as her gaze turned from him; her eyes were— well, embers on a dark night was a little on the nose, but it was the best thing he could think of.

He matched her grin at her question, and he leaned in a bit, a glint in his eye. (His cheeks burned a bit, but he hoped Karlach didn't notice it.) "Fancy a date with th' hottest girl in Baldur's Gate? You bet I would. Maybe I'll find some fire-proof flowers. Or a new axe... or maybe both!"

[cheeseydogwoop]

caption

[ollyrewind]

soldier, poet, king

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

@silvertiefling liked this post for a starter

Karlach propped herself up where she laid by the campfire. Not that she needed the warmth, moreso she needed the company. She watched Katya for a moment taking deep swigs from the bottle in her hand.

"I like my liquor as much as the next person - believe me! - but shouldn't you slow down at least a little? Can't have you hungover when we're trying to fight our way through those little shits." Karlach questioned, referring to the upcoming battle against the Goblins.

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

Karlach was no mage - far from it. But living on the outskirts of Baldurs Gate, and certainly visiting it near-daily, one learns a thing or two. Especially around such places as Sorcerous Sundries. Naturally, she had never been in such a shop - it served no interest to her. But it didn't mean she didn't hear the chatter of those who did. The drunken gossip spilling from magic-users lips when drunk.

Perhaps it was utter nonsense. But perhaps it wasn't. She wasn't ever in a position before to care enough to look into it.

"Yeah. I mean, Gale would be the better one to ask about it obviously. But then again, you'd better make sure you have your evening free." Karlach rolled her eyes slightly. She liked talking to Gale, of course, but he often did get away from himself. She could understand if he was far too much for someone like Kytes.

"From what I heard about it, Wish is this seriously powerful spell that can do anything. My Mum used to read me stories about great wizards who used that spell to save the world or even just one person. Could be a fairy tale...or it could be your chance to live."

Karlach shrugged again. She could have kept this to herself. After all, she was closer to Gale than Kytes. She could have kept the friendship going purely to get in his good graces, to get that Wish... But, with Dammons diagnosis, she knew she wasn't going to make it that far to the point Gale was well enough to try. Even if she was able to be patient, she would have a difficult time being that selfish.

He could almost laugh, if he had enough nerve to do so, instead of subdue most of his signals in this foreign territory of finding something to connect to someone else for once. Not everything was absent though, with the subtle, doubtful way that his eyes slid off to the side for a moment.

Him? Good people? He doubted most people would agree. He was a thief. He'd killed people. He'd certainly done a lot more killing now than before, even if it was mostly nasty little goblins and weird toady Gith. To say nothing for the fact of how easy it had been for him to slip through the ranks of Moonrise and avoid suspicion by even the most critical among them. He very much doubted 'good people' could walk around the heart of the Absolute's forces so unnoticed, but he supposed he'd rather be alive than 'good', for however much that mattered.

His eyes drew back almost as quickly as they'd left, listening to her speak, his brows furrowing in question.

He wasn't so sure about befriending wizards, or anyone really. A day ago, he didn't even care to consider her someone who could be a friend (despite the insistence of someone in his head that he really should make more allies)... really, even now he was uncertain, but she was someone that might understand instead of just pretend to. It was a start.

Either way, he had heard all his life there wasn't anything to be done for his illness, so he had his doubts... but people were also liars, he knew that all too well and often, so maybe they had been wrong, or simply didn't care to put that sort of effort towards someone like him.

"Wish?"

[lotus-pear]

i think you guys are onto smth..

i unironically got invested in this HELP

[aufi-creative-mind]

Hyrule Warriors - 10th Anniversay!

Here is my wallpaper piece for @hyrulewarriorszine

This is by far, my largest and most ambitious illustration that I was able to fully rendered and completed. And super happy with how it turned!

Please go check out the Hyrule Warriors 10th Anniversary zine: Denouement of War. It's a free digital zine filled with incredible fanworks by super awesome group of artists and writers.

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

Karlach stood there still, unmoved by this conversation at hand. But more was happening than it may appear. She may have looked around disinterestedly, yet she was marking where her party was. Some were gathering information. Others trying to sabotage where they could. Karlach almost missed it, but a faint glimmer by the alcohol keg of a liquid being poured in made her lip twitch slightly into a smile. But it was quickly altered.

The would-be smirk turned into more of a wince. She could feel something pressuring on her mind. Like someone leaning against a locked door. A sideways glance, and a narrowing of eyes in the hobgoblins direction - before the let that door open.

Handy little shits, these tadpoles...

'This shithole isn't exactly massive. We'd be fine finding them on our own. No one gives anything away for free, so whats the game plan here? What do you want from us?' She spoke back telepathically.

Rakatak looks at her out of the corner of her eye again, but this time? There's a smile on her face. Faint, slightly grim, but very present and no small amount of anticipatory. Rather than keep talking in a way that could easily be overheard by just anyone wandering around, the paladin lifts a hand, rubbing at the side of her neck. Her eyes narrow, and suddenly her voice is in Karlach's brain.

Not quite as simple as emptying out this fetid hovel, no. There are three leaders - a goblin, a drow and... regrettably, another hobgoblin. I will show you the layout of the building to enable you to make your preparations.

A pause. Something tugs at her lip, but she's able to tamp it down - even mentally - and keep going. Should such a thing actually be necessary. I would advise some discretion, if you don't wish to fight your way in and out, but whatever course of action you take, I will lend my assistance. These heretics must be burnt out.

[paninicupcakke]

Spy shitpost dump 🔪

Emesis blu but if it was toxic yaoi <3

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

Plotted starter with @chaoticbard

Karlach was not afraid to talk about her condition. Really, she should be. She didn't know these people - they could have poor intentions for all she knew. Perhaps it was the loneliness that made her lips so loose, or maybe it was the feeling that maybe if she remained truthful with them, they will grant the same in return. Form a closer knit between their collective, in time.

So, when Alaara approached her with questions, she wasn't timid about answering them. The dragonborn had found her trying to pick up a flower, admiring it before it quickly turned to cinders. Karlach sighed. Dammons work had certainly done something, the engine ran smoother for sure, but she was still unable to touch...

She brushed herself down as she stood up when Alaara approached, asking about the engine. "It's a source of hellfire," Karlach smiled, but her eyes seemed slightly glazed. "It was a prototype... I was the only one to survive the procedure. That I know of, anyway. It's made from internal iron, which isn't exactly easy to come back. We're insanely lucky Dammon knew where to find some!" She paused a moment, to see if Alaara had any other enquiries.

[seagiri]

unusual crush

[iron-hearts-ablaze]

Karlach couldn't help a little chuckle. She would have thought an undead person like Astarion would have been used to the likes of spiders. But never had she heard such a high pitched squeal from a man before. Yes, it was rather...large. But they still looked the same to Karlach. She scoffed a little as Felicitas continued. "What, you don't? He's incredibly hot. But don't tell him I said that, it'll go straight to his ego. We don't need any more of that."

Karlach nodded, smiling as the drow admitted to feeling better. Again, a grin grew on the tiefling's lips. This was incredibly enjoyable... Despite their situation, it was nice knowing they could still seek humour in the dim prospects. "I'll throw my crossbow your way or something, that'll remind ya."

Karlach paused, currently rifling through a burlap sack, glancing up with a combination of shock and regret on her face. "Ah shit... L-Look, I'm sorry. I-... I didn't know. I didn't mean to bring up any bad shit." Karlach stood up straight, facing her properly, the atmosphere grew serious around her to show she taking this revelation to heart. Or what was left of it.

"Well... I'm sorry, all the same, that that happened to you. But I get what you mean. I saw some awful shit in Avernus, yet what we're finding here is even more messed up already. Well... hopefully it won't get any bloody worse, once we get these brain worms out of our skulls things can go back to normal. I'm just excited to finally be able to go home! What part of the city did you play in? I was from the outer city but I spent so much time in the thick of it all growing up."

"Come now. Astarion is not that bad of a shot." Felicitas could not help but chuckle a touch at Karlach's words. "Though yeah, you are right. He does complain a lot. If he is not busy yelling about spiders." A bemused smirk crossed her lips as she teased: "Don't tell me you are getting a crush on our flour elf."

The drow caught the flask with her hand. Even though Karlach had only touched it briefly, the leather had warmed up. Popping the cork, Felicitas remarked: "I know how geysers work, Karlach." She then thrust her head back and downed the warm water without a shred of hesitation. Sure, it tasted a bit weird, but who would not have found warm water without any flavour weird?

Lowering the bottle, Felicitas sighed in approval. As she spoke, her voice sounded clearer and stronger: "Much better. Karlach, please remind me next time that yelling insults is not the only thing I have at my disposal. It might prevent me from killing my voice."

Following Karlach's example, Felicitas gathered usable rations and piled them alongside the Tiefling's findings in the empty crate. Some of the apples and potatoes were close to spoilage, but at least none of them had stepped into mouldy and broken eggs. Hearing the Tiefling's question, red eyes flitted over to her, pondering. Felicitas chewed on her lip before she straightened out after dumping a plucked bird, she had found, into the crate.

"Things have not really changed, Karlach", Felicitas spoke, "We still shy the sunlight like it is cancerous. I am not on the surface out of choice. I am an exile, Karlach. It was either 'You leave Menzobarranzan and never return or we have your head'. At least that is the official claim. The Baenras are still regularly sending assassins after me to end my existence."

She laughed the bitter accepting laugh of someone, who had accepted a life where you danced with death every single day. "I moved to Baldur's Gate and started a new life there. I used to work as an entertainer on the street. Was in the middle of a performance when that Nautiloid decided to snatch me up. Which is hilarious in a really bad way. You'd think after sharing territories with minotaurs, hook horrors and myconids you have seen everything."