BALDUR'S GATE 3 🐾 Kira the Cat

Tagged by @sentinelapologist to answer some video game questions and rest assured I am about to give some very embarassing answers! (I wish I was kidding)

GAMES:

First game you ever played: This is gonna date me! Right so. I can’t remember it well but Fifa 98 definitely had an indoor stadium so I must have played that, because it wasn’t on Fifa 99 which I have much clearer memories of playing. But that would have come out when I was like, 3/4 years old so I’m not sure if I actually played it so much as went OOH! at whatever my brother/cousin (because we would have been at my aunt’s to actually have computer games) were doing. Or if we were behind the curve with getting it (also very likely). Definitely played Fifa 99 on my cousin’s computer for many years, also Lego Racers (which heh, I redownloaded earlier in the year as well for the nostalgia kick - no lies it holds up!). I have a lot of nostalgia for late 90s/early 00s video game graphics because of this, and tbh Fifa games probably peaked with 99. 

Favourite game: Honestly I’m so invested in SWTOR so it’s hard not to say that, it’s had the biggest impact on my life like. Open world + Star Wars? the dream. I’m more of a SW fan than a gamer so it was definitely the universe that drew me into it in the first place. Also BOTW because oh my god. And I only got into that once lockdown hit this year but honestly, I cannot say how much I adore it.

Game you’ve played through multiple times: Super super into the Lego games, so Lego Star Wars - to the point we had it on the Xbox, and then I’ve downloaded it on Steam and played through it multiple times on the pc. And I’m a completionist, so that’s like, collecting everything not just going through the story once. Fun story, the prequel games were released before RotS came out so I got the basic outline of the film from that game first oops. Also I’ve played through the Crash Bandicoot GBA games quite a bit too.

Game you hated at first but now you love: Don’t think I have one? Because yeah if I’m hating it right off I’m not gonna stick with it. Which is probs why I’m really fussy about buying games and replay so much stuff instead. I have my comfort zone okay

Game you used to love but now you hate: I spent a lot of hours playing Runescape in my life, and every now and then nostalgia tells me ‘hey log in!’ and within two minutes I realise it is the grindiest game ever. I still have my account from when I was like, 11, though, which is a substantial chunk of my life. Also League of Legends - I joined it because a few friends roped me in and it was great when we could play together but going it alone was pretty brutal because fuck up a tiny bit and boom, toxicity. So then I just played ARAM mode and not SR with others, then just stopped altogether. May be partly why group-finder scares me so much, though also y’know social anxiety in general. But let’s not get into that.

Your favourite game atmosphere/setting(s): BOTW for sure, I can just lose myself in that world forever. The music is fab as well and I’ve been trying to learn a bit of it on guitar, music adds a lot to a game/film/anything for me so yeah. But it’s also visually just so beautiful. There’s a lot of planets in SWTOR as well, Tython, Voss, etc.

Game with the best group/companion(s): I don’t really play a great deal of games where I have companions really so gotta say SWTOR! Smuggler gang is my favourite. Just all out nonsense.

A game with your favourite ending: literally drawing a blank here. I think a lot of things I’ve played have been the type to go on and on. 

A game with the worst ending: as above. maybe I just don’t finish things? That said the final boss fight in I think the second of the Crash trilogy games was super disappointing and didn’t match how insanely hard I found that game. (And I’m talking as an adult hahaha, I got the Switch ones this year). also kinda with you on the end of the agent storyline too, I left that one til last because the internet raved about how good it was but in the end I was...underwhelmed. 

Best character customisation: struggling to actually think of games I’ve played with character customisation as opposed to ones where I’m just given a character/choose from a selection. and it’ll be a real sad indicator if I say SWTOR because I am constantly complaining about the creator. though I do like outfit designer. hmm, pass.

HERO AND COMPANIONS:

Your favourite playable character: does it count if they’re my own? haha. in SWTOR I’d generally say a smuggler because I seem to come up with 5000 different ideas for OCs and playing as a gunslinger is super fun (and I’ve learnt to love scoundrel too!). And then in the Lego games I’d play as Shaak Ti a lot, but that was first because she looked cool though I do think she’s neat generally! But she probably doesn’t count as a video game character. Ooooh Link as well, because I’m getting more and more into Zelda games.

Your favourite companion(s): *cough* Theron. Kira. T7. Risha. Guss. Blizz. Gault. Torian. Felix. Nadia. Vette. Talos. Ugh, loads tbh, I’ll forget them all. *gesticulates generally at SWTOR*

RELATIONSHIPS:

Favourite game friendships: I live for the smuggler crew dynamic, and the BH crew as well. And the Jedi Knight/Kira friendship warms my soul. 

Favourite game relationships: obv I’m super biased but Theron/Knight. Smuggler/Risha. Consular/Felix. BH/Torian. I’ll just list my otps here shall I? SWTOR is the only game I’ve done where there’s been relationships I think. still haven’t finished KOTOR.

Favourite companion banter: smuggler crew probably again. Smuggler just never stops. not sure about between companions though there’s a bit of it with the smug as well.

A relationship you weren’t sure of but loved: I knew going into the Docmance how many people hated it but I really enjoyed it! Suited how my Knight was at that point. 

A character you wish you could romance: Elara with f!Trooper, hoping that becomes more of a thing going forward. Also I wanna kiss Tau. And Anri. Basically I see a cool woman come along and I’m just like...is this a love interest?

FUN:

Shoutout to a random NPC: hey Numen Brock! And Lemda Avesta as the first wlw I got to kiss in game!

A game you love watching playthroughs for and want to play: I don’t really watch playthroughs a great deal so I got nothing here! and when I watch playthroughs they’re normally of games I already know well because I wanna experience them first for myself? So I like watching BOTW challenge/speedrun/trickshot videos and stuff sometimes, and ACNH island tours but that’s because I know the games.

Love watching playthroughs but won’t ever play: as above really, but if I don’t have the intention to play them then I’m almost certainly not watching vids of.

Why do you play video games?: uhhhh. because I enjoy them, but also escapism I guess? like it’s easier to throw myself into another world and focus and fixate on that rather than dealing with the general...stuff. it’s a type of relief sometimes innit. 

anyway if you’ve made it this far down in reading this then consider yourself tagged, because this was a long’un!

Video Game Questionnaire

Tagged by: @a-muirehen​, thank you for the tag!

Rules: Fill in your answers below and tag some buddies!

Games

First game you ever played: Oh goodness... maybe it was Duck Hunt? Or something on the Atari like Donkey Kong? I know the first game I ever beat on my own was Secret of Monkey Island. So we’ll go with that, although it’s probably not right. Favorite game: Star Wars: The Old Republic  (I mean... really) Game you’ve played through multiple times: SWTOR, Skyrim, all of the Monkey Island games, Final Fantasy 6, Xenogears, The Sims (1, 2, & 4), Sam & Max, Day of the Tentacle, and a bunch of other old school LucasArts adventure games Game you hated at first but now love: I’m trying to think of one. When I tend to ragequit games, I rarely pick them back up. Game you used to love but now hate: Any game that I bought for myself, my brother began to hog, and then blasted through my progress point in it and ruined the story for me. Legend of Legaia comes to mind as a fairly egregious example. Thanks bro! Your favorite game atmosphere/setting(s): SciFi or Piratical Shenanigans. Although I do love me some classic RPG fare as well Game with the best group/companion(s): SWTOR. I don’t make the rules (except when I do and I’m horribly biased) A game with your favorite ending: I really love Final Fantasy 6′s ending. It’s really stuck with me even to this day A game with the WORST ending: Battletoads. No ending can make up for the brutality of that game. Best character customization?: All entries in the Sims series

Hero and Companions

Your favorite playable character: The Jedi Knight, if it’s a customizable protagonist. I clearly play favorites and I love them so much. Non customizable... hmm... probably Terra from Final Fantasy 6 The funniest playable character: Guybrush Threepwood, hands down. Your favorite companion(s): Theron Shan (she said to the surprise of no one) Companions you could live without: I still need to finish the Sith Warrior storyline, so my opinion on this might change as I push through it, and I’m totally going to get a lot of flak for saying this but... I’m not that fond of Quinn so far? He’s just so smarmy and his whole demeanor is just... a bit like nails on the chalkboard for me. But I know he’s a lot of folks’ fave, so maybe I just need to give him more time? (for context, I just got off Balmorra there so... take that as you will.)

Relationships

Favorite game friendship(s): Kira Carsen and the Knight, Bart and Fei from Xenogears Favorite game relationship(s): Knight/Theron from SWTOR (by a lot), Cousland/Alistair from Dragon Age (I still need to finish that game). Terra/Locke from FF6 is not technically canon but I still lurve it Favorite companion banter: Look. I love me my SWTOR cast. All of them. But HK-55 and ZO-0M’s banter is pretty epic. A relationship you weren’t sure of but loved: Akaavi/Smuggler. It just works so well A character you wish you COULD romance: Jonas Balkar from SWTOR. I still need to play the Trooper storyline but... the more spies the merrier. Also my heart for a Sumalee romance. Plz. I love her. A minor character you wish could be a companion: Probably also Jonas. But I just want to stick him and Theron in a room together and see the chaos that results.

Fun

Shoutout to a random NPC: That one Sith outside the cantina on Odessen, who is having the grandest time provoking the NPCs around him into fist fights. A game you love watching playthroughs for and want to play: The original King’s Quest series. And probably Quest for Glory too. Love watching playthroughs but won’t ever play: Batman Arkham series. I am not very stealthy. Online gaming or solo?: Solo. I love SWTOR is because it’s a MMO that can easily be solo’d. You never really have to interact with anyone to just play through the main storyline. I think part of my issue with pushing through FFXIV is the constant forced group content. I love the ability to play with friends, but I don’t like being forced to group up with strangers. Some are awesome -- but some can be  pretty vile and I just don’t have time for that Why do you play video games?: I love the characters, and the ability to explore the world they live in.

Tagging uhhhh whoever hasn’t done this yet and wants to tag in?

1, 3, and 12 for the swtor asks :)

swtor-based character questions

since there wasn’t a specific character, I’ll stick with the first two OCs that come to mind: Azukni and Wanwo!

1. what’s your character’s dream team? could be companions or npcs, could be from another class or from their own.

For Azukni (jedi consular), she is undoubtedly the mother hen of nearly all my OCs. For a crew of 6 including her, she’d pick Ashara, Nadia, Kira, Jaesa, and Iresso. (She wouldn’t get along with Raina or Guss tbh...) She would be the entire team’s adopted mom. She would’ve found their macaroni art from 2nd grade and hung it up on the ship’s walls, and she would have praised it for being so creative, in complete seriousness with no sarcasm, because look at what shapes you made out of just dry pasta and white glue! You created something that no one else could have thought of, and I’m proud of you for it.

She’d also be there for her kids to help them understand the Force, help train them as best as she can, and in Iresso’s case, she’d try to do whatever she could to help guide him through whatever is trapped inside his head, in whatever way makes him feel most like himself. 

For Wanwo (Sith Warrior) he’d stick with having Vette and Jaesa around. He loves them both dearly - Vette in a romantic way, Jaesa in a very brotherly, protective, parental way. Along with those two, I feel like he’d enjoy Blizz’s company, as well as Qyzen and Kira’s. He’d be very protective over Blizz and Kira, just like he is for Jaesa, and Qyzen is just... He would find Qyzen such an interesting person to talk to, from his beliefs to his stories of however long the Trandoshan’s been alive.

3. if your character could romance anyone, regardless of class or npc status, who would they have romanced?

I don’t think Azukni would’ve romanced anyone from the in-game characters. She’s already very in love with her canon wife, Leika’le :P

And Wanwo is still very heads over heels in love with Vette and Theron. He’s also very aware of the power imbalance, and he really does his best to respect boundaries and space. 

12. if they were the opposite class, what would change about them? (a sith warrior becoming a jedi knight, smuggler to bounty hunter, etc.)

Azukni as a Sith Inquisitor...? Lord knows she would’ve died on Korriban lmao. She’s far too kind hearted to not have been taken advantage of, were she sith. Still, she’s incredibly powerful in the Force. Maybe that would get her further.

Wanwo as a Jedi Knight is essentially what Ying Zii, his brother, is. They’re both equally powerful in the Force, with the same rashness, the same disgust for the Empire. Still, I feel like Wanwo would be more successful in taking the Empire down (or would make more headway, at least) than Ying Zii would.

SWTOR asks! 1, 2, 8, 10, 26! :D

AAHH THANKS MHARA

1. How many characters do you have?In game, I’ve got 8! But I’ve got 13 total planned out lmao

2. What is your favorite class and why? And/or list the player classes in order of most -> least favorite.Oh geez giving me the hard ones… thanks hahahaWell Consular will always have a special place in my heart because it’s the first line I played through and I adore how the Consular embodies the Jedi Code and how they’re a warrior and a diplomat and just sigh I love the Consular.On Imp side, I think Agent is my favorite? Because I like pain? There are so many twists and it’s just so damn interesting!! To list all of them in order I think I’ve got:ConsularAgentBounty HunterTrooperInquisitorWarriorSmugglerKnight

8. Name your top favorite companions (feel free to include reasons why)Most of them??? Geez I love companionsI’m gonna not include the LIs because that’s the next question, so not including my fave boys (and girl). Not in any particular order:Qyzen - my first friend and also really weirdly sweet? Also you help him through menopause and if that’s not a great friendship I don’t know what is. Also I love his relationship with the Trandoshan Goddess and I love him. I love him.Vette/Jaesa - look they go together, they just do. I don’t make the rules. I love them. Perfect daughters. They’re so cute and want to do so much good and they’re just so gay bioware can’t even admit it.Talos Drellik - listen I AM Talos Drellik. He’s so cute and funny and loves his job and history and he’s so excited. Would work with him again 11/10.T7-O1 - T3-M4’s son. A pure child. Loves me and I love him. Affectionate and adorable.Kira Carsen - sarcasm game on point but also really sweet. Basically these two make up for the rest of the Knight companions.Elara Dorne - aaahhhhhh don’t even get me started on Elara and how much I adore her!!!!! She DEFECTED FROM THE EMPIRE even though her family is one of the most upstanding and holds really high posts in the military. Also got published in a medical journal and I wanted to cry??? I’m so proud of her. Risha Drayen - swtor won’t let me romance her as a lady but she’s very clearly gay, okay. Beautiful lady. Sarcasm is great, v clever, also a fucking QUEEN. Queen of my heart because I love her.Bowdaar - cutest fucking Wookiee ever. Would hug 10/10.

10. Favorite love interest?Listen I struggle with this question every damn day.So you’re gonna get 5 favorites.Lana Beniko - my Sith wife and the entire reason I started playing this game.Torian Cadera - HES SO FUCKING CUTE AND SQUISHY. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH I CRY SOMETIMES WHEN I THINK ABOUT HIM. GOOD AT HUGS. ALSO A MANDALORIAN AND DAMN PROUD OF IT EVEN THOUGH HIS DAD WAS SHIT.Felix Iresso - he’s so sweet and gentle and loving I cannot believe he exists. Also he does The Thing on Voss and I cry.Aric Jorgan - cranky cat man becomes puddle of mush when he’s in love. You kiss him like 7 times and I loooove how well done the slow burn romance is. He’s so flustered with feelings and I love him.Vector Hyllus - the bugsband. Soft and squishy and doing his best. Is super supportive and stuff even when the Agent goes through the hell that is Chapter 2???? Ugh god he makes me cry too.

26. Who is/are your favorite non-companion NPC(s)?Hmmmmmmm this one is hard, man!!!! I LOVE Cole Cantarus. He’s a real bro. I also love Darth Vowrawn because he’s just so sassy. And, surprise, I love Lieutenant Rutau? Who is one of the Imp NPCs on Balmorra. He’s the leader of the platoon that got demolished in the Okara factory. Don’t ask me why I love him but boy do I.

1, 3, 8, 13 and 27! :D

Thanks for asking! :D

1. How many characters do you have?

   Currently, I have 14 characters on Mantle of the Force, including 4 agents xD (I have 2 others on Nihilus but those don’t count, I’m not playing them ; and in a near future, I’m going to move my second sniper on Ebon Hawke!)

3. Do you prefer to tank, DPS, or heal?

   I’ve always played DPS spec in MMOs (not very good at tanking and healing yup) and on SWTOR my main is a DPS too… BUT I really enjoy playing my medic too and I’m not that bad apparently?? So I’d say 50/50 :)

8. Name your top favorite companions (feel free to include reasons why).

   Daaaamn, that’s actually a tough one! Hmm if I have to choose one for each class:

SW - Vette: she’s the little one who made me fall for the game at first! I was already a big fan of the Star Wars universe and I decided to create a pure DS warrior… until I met her! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

SI -  Talos: one of the most original of all companions! He’s a cute little nerd with a huge intellectual curiosity. And… did I tell you I love archeology? ( ﾟヮﾟ)

BH - Gault: it was difficult to choose between him and Mako, but Gault is a charming bastard! Sorry Mako ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

IA - Kaliyo: she’s basically Ran’s best friend and there’s a good reason for it! She is… her exact opposite. And that’s why I think it can be a great friendship, they have so much to learn from each other. Plus! ‘Has been known to bite when disarmed.’ that’s my girl! ♥

JK - Kira: too cute, smart and funny to stay faithful to the Jedi code… if you know what I mean (¬‿¬)

SG - Guss: how can I say that… he’s just too hilarious! All his stories sound like a joke! And god in the Star Wars universe, we need a Guss Comedy Show to forget a little about the war (─‿‿─)

TP - Aric: Lieutenant Grumpy Cat is by far my favorite! For me, he’s one of the best (if not the best) written characters in the game and probably the most realistic. Not to mention his romance is (づ￣ ³￣)づ (And did I tell you I love snipers?) 

JC - I’m gonna throw Qyzen because I have only two of the five companions unlocked atm xD In short: I’ll choose him over Tharan because it’s nice to see more of the Trandoshan’s culture!

   Ok I didn’t want to make a top 10 and it’s a top 7? Sorry, I’ll send you a potato by email for the long post.

13. Which planet’s aesthetic/atmosphere do you enjoy the most?

   Nar Shaddaa is the one who inspires me the most, but I like to imagine how Corellia looked before the war and I think it would get a close second place!

27. If you could make any current NPC a player companion, who would you pick?

   I’d choose the former Minister of Intelligence (aka Terminis) or maybe Hunter if… you know. ( ب_ب ) Or maybe the Shroud (spoilers and by that I mean the REAL Shroud not this stupid Dory in a female robot body like BW wants us to swallow end of spoilers) （╯°□°）╯︵( .o.) Yes, you guessed it, I love spies FIGHT ME (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง

I hope you’re satisfied with the answers! Thank you again for asking! ♥