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flowersdaggersviolasandblood · 8 months

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Flower Girl

Name: Pero Ophiin (She/Her)

Race: Wood Half-Elf

Class: Druid (Circle of the Land)

Background: Outlander

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!

So to officially start our Out-of-ACT-1 phase, we'll go into Pero first. Technically, I did Admaer first, but that was mostly me just exploring mindlessly and seeing what it looked like. Once again, Pero decided to go above to reach Moonrise Towers. Because I unequipped Lae'zel from my party, I didn't get the prompt where she discovers the trail the Githyanki left behind to the monastery. Now, whether or not Lae'zel will stay in the party, who knows. But for now, she's still here.

After fighting some undead, we found a note referencing Wyll's father and his kidnapping to Moonrise Tower. On our way there, we met fucking Eliminster Aumar, a world famous Wizard who is apparently 3 centuries old!

Now, I'm no Forgotten Realm lore whore, but I have seen his name before when I was still playing D&D with friends. So seeing him in the game still got me giddy. The way he talks too is exceptionally great. I love that Larian really committed to him have an even older way of speaking compared to other characters in game. It made it so fun to watch him as he expressed his large appetite. Despite this, Eliminster is not here to serve as a cute cameo for the lore-knowers. Eliminster came to this neck of the woods to tell Gale that Mystra has a mission for him. In exchange for silencing the netherese void within him, she asks that he blows himself up when he reached the heart of the Absolutes' cult. Pero, and pretty much the majority of the camp, are appalled by this sudden suggestion by the literal goddess of magic.

Pero I would say recognizes the gods and their role in the world, only really paying much reverence to Silvanus and Chauntea, goddess of agriculture and plant cultivation. And knowing Mystra's involvement in Gale's situation, although she didn't at all ask him to do the actions he did in the past, is shocks Pero to her core that Mystra's only solution to not only Gale's condition but to the whole Absolute issue is to have him blow up. It left a sour taste in her mouth and it breaks her heart that Gale has solemnly accepted his fate.

Upon entering the Cursed Lands (that's what we'll call this area going forward. No I will not take a second of my time to find the proper name), we were greeted with a Goblin who asked if we were True Souls. Having learned her lesson the first time she was asked this, Pero goes along with the act of being a True Soul. Picking up a torch in one hand and following the little bugger, she was able to meet a small group of Absolute cultist who were looking for Minthara who would come with a particular lyre that would summon the guide. Fortunately, I was able to catch the Lyre because I didn't let her fall in the chasm lol.

Before we continue with this, I wanted to mention the companions for a moment. While lurking around in this shadowed land, Wyll and Karlach get another visit from Mizora. She returned back demanding that Wyll goes and rescue a captive fiend for her, something that wasn't part of the deal. However, Pero was able to sus out that Mizora is currently in a tight spot as she can't afford for Wyll to fail this mission. Because of this, Pero made a proposition in exchange of going forward with this plan. IF they were to get this Devil release, she too would release her hold of Wyll. Though Mizora agreed, with the fact that she's asking Wyll to perform something that was SUPPOSED to not be part of his contract, there might still be hope for an alternative way to get him out of the deal while also maybe not releasing the captive fiend. Especially if this ends up being another Karlach moment.

Shadowheart also expresses wonderment as she's not greatly affected by the shadow curse that plagues the Cursed Lands. This makes her believe that she's been blessed by Shar and that there must be more to the Dark Justiciars trip to Moonrise Towers.

Finally, Pero asked Halsin further about the shadow curse.

Halsin explains that the lands of the Cursed Lands was under the protection of a fey creature by the name of Thaniel and that Halsin hasn't felt their presence since the curse began. He begged that if Pero learned anything about the boy in the forest or even anything about the Shadowfell that she come find him immediately. Pero also asked Halsin if he was comfortable in her camp, and while he did have his opinions, he felt homey with the party. Even "HINTING" that there's a chance for him to relax and wind down once he has dealt with this shadow curse guilt, he's start to feel like himself again.

Pero also got another visit from her Dream Guardian, a visit that has gotten her worried. This time around, they're dressed down, looking a lot more like their appearance in the EA release, but they're starting to show weakness in their current state and starting to express some mild doubt. This causes Pero to even doubt her decision to not consume any parasite they found along the way, mostly giving them to Astarion since he's currently the only eager one in the party. We'll get back to this later.

Back to the Curse Lands, after playing the lyre, we meet the spiderman!

The party was able to travel a short distance with the guide, especially since he currently holds a magical source of light that keeps the darkness at a greater bay. However, the are ambushed by the Harpers who came to take that magical light from them. Pero opted to betray the Absolute cultist and help the Harper, gaining her respect and learning of the inn that they currently reside in.

While getting to the Last Light Inn, we encountered a horrible sight. Like, deadass it nearly made me cry. We found the corpses of the Tieflings we saved back at Emerald Grove. It wasn't every single Tiefling, but it was enough of them where, if you paid attention to who was who at the grove, you'd recognize at least one of them. Reaching the Last Light Inn, we finally meet Jaheira, a legendary Druid/Fighter character whom, if you played the previous Baldur's Gate games, she once looked like this :D

Now she's, reasonably, a much older Half-Elf now. As shown a long time ago in one of the Panels from Hell showings, Jaheira entangles Pero and was close to starting a fight since, regardless if Pero herself ate a tadpole, the parasite still recognize one of its own. Thanks to Pero's honesty and her knowing that Jaheira would be a great ally to have by her side, she truthfully came forward about her condition along with the artifact that's been protecting her and her friends. This along with one of the Tiefling kids, Mol, coming to her aid and the other Harpers expressing how she assisted them, Pero was able to gain the Harpers trust.

Jaheira explains her and the Harpers reason for coming out to the Cursed Lands, even explaining that they currently have a powerful spellcaster that has protected the area. She too is familiar with the figure, Ketheric, though this time around, it sounds like he's an undead as no matter what damage they dealt him, he would just get back up. Because we're not fully influenced by the parasite and have the artifact that protects them from the Absolute, Jaheira asks that Pero and the gang sneak into the Absolute's ranks, posing at a True Soul and deal a killing blow from the inside.

Before ending this, let's do some mild side stuff! So that strange cow you meet back at the Emerald Grove is here as well. Initially, I discovered that this cow was actually a slime-like creature who posed as a animal, wanting to live a life as a farm beast. While I was able to kill it...Dammon got killed after the fact because the MOTHERFUCKER DECIDED TO RUN INTO THE SHADOW CURSED LANDS AND CAME BACK AS AN UNDEAD THE STUPID FU-

Speaking of Dammon! Because we found him again, I immediately had him provide an upgrade to Karlach's infernal machine. Not only that, but he also provided a flaw Infernal Armor (heavy armor so I can't wear it) and said that they could provide more like it in the future. Pero was also able to speak with a few Tieflings who survived the attack and learned that not every Tiefling refugee was slaughtered, as some of them were kidnapped and sent to Moonrise Towers. Although Pero promises to go find these missing individuals, Pero is filled with mild guilt, Especially when Rolan starts placing blame of Pero for the reason why his friends/family got killed or kidnapped.

Pero also met Raphael again! Before going forward, Astarion asked Pero that if they happen to run into Raphael that he be there to speak with him. Pero was at first worried that Astarion has made his decision to take up Raphael on his deal, but this is actually the part that Pero learns about his scar since she didn't start a romance with him. Little side rant, but goddamn Larian really utilizing the fact that Astarion is one of the favored companion in BG3, because they didn't need to strip him down like that lmao. Now in all honesty, this half nudity isn't necessarily for fan service reasons since it relates to the scars on his back, and HOW ELSE are they gonna show it without taking his shirt off...BUT GODDAM-

Pero also finally got her dance with Wyll as she initially watched him perform alone before joining him. Pero rolled a Nat 1 on her performance, which sounds very on par for Pero lmao. This is also the part where Pero could establish a relationship with Wyll, but I decided for Pero to face away from him. Gotta keep the harem strong bby!

Before we end this chapter in Pero's story. We gotta get on Astarions ass again. Pero and Astarion have a brief conversation together about the parasite. Astarion believes that Pero has potential and that embracing the powers of the tadpole could further this. Astarion continues to bring back in the possibility that they could control the tadpole, which is something Pero discouraged...But then this man had to say this!

Now, from what Pero has seen and experienced: The dream Guardians' powers are seemingly wanning, probably due to the fact that she herself hasn't consumed a single parasite. The Tieflings were killed and some of them were kidnapped, and while that was out of her control, the guilt is getting to her. Then there's Pero's desire to just save her friends, not so much from the parasite itself, but from their own personal fuck ups. Wyll and his pact with Mizora, Gale and this netherese shard within him, Astarion and his relationship with Cazador, Karlach and this infernal machine that might even burn her to a crisp. All of this that has happened practically all at once for Pero is starting to weigh on her and her desire to simply help people is making things worse.

Then Astarion decided to, intentionally or not, play with this fact and use it against her by suggesting that these Mindflayer powers could potentially help her not only destroy the evil it's causing, but also help her friends and those around her. Now, she has no one else to look to for why this is a possible bad idea than Wyll. Wyll got himself into a pact all because HE wanted to help people so badly and didn't know where to start and how to be powerful enough to do it. And he never regretted ever getting into the pact. And while Pero should be able to ascertain that based on the experiences of her peers, she is a emotional person and has a bleeding heart.

The next time we find a parasite...She might be tempted to eat one.

#baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 spoilers #bg3 spoilers #tav: pero ophiin

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panigamermauser · 9 months

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So, my clown make-up time. Aka my few theories about plot and companions.

Seems fitting to post it right before I can see if they are right or wrong. Mostly those are just the vibes I got from EA and some Larian vids, no datamine involved. I did not read that.

Long post under the cut.

Also, some things might be obvious for dnd lore nerds (affectionate). But I play only Eberron(the best setting ever, imo) and my DMs homebrew, so idgaf about wider dnd canon.

If I miss something obvious(deities, big name characters etc), that's the reason. I am going to treat BG3 as another homebrew and won't bother looking anything up. Just a PSA.

But back to vibes.

Halsin and Karlach haven't been with us for any meaningful amount of time, so I'll reserve my judgment. From what I saw in EA and panel from Hell - I love them without reservations. I am pretty sure they are meant to be 'good' companions. They will leave evil Tav, maybe even confront/try to kill them, but no backstabbing or bad surprises. Time will tell how wrong I am. So far they seem perfect to me. Just let me hold them!😭😭😭

Shadowheart does not worship Shar by choice. Maybe she's a brainwashed Selune paladin. Maybe she was just raised in a cult. But I have a feeling she only worships Shar because it is all she currently knows.

For simplicity let's assume she was just raised in a cult. This is probably the first time she is completely outside of her cult group and is free to learn about the world without superiors telling her what she should think about it.

And our actions can help her break out of programming and decide for herself if she even wants to keep following Shar or just be a secular person/swap deities instead. Or she can decide that outside world is just as bad as she was told by cult superiors and double-down on sharran cult.

(Brainwashed selunite prisoner or even selunite agent under the deep cover would be much cooler/angstier, tbh. I'd prefer it. I just do not want to get my hopes up)

Gale gives me major Anders vibes (he even looks similar). So I instantly distrust him. But I am fully aware it might be just Dragon Age brain talking.

I'm giving him a chance and will treat him well and I will feed him magic items I do not want to use, but otherwise he's sus to me, even if he is sweet and fun and likeable. I just keep expecting him to blow something important without telling me (and letting me pick better target🤣).

Really hope it's just Dragon Age trauma, and I will love Gale without reservations on subsequent playthroughs tho.

Wyll gets rewritten, so my EA vibes are irrelevant. Skip. I do hope he's still just as loveable tho. I love EA Wyll.

Lae'zel seems pretty straightforward. Ride or die if you look to get rid of tadpole. Will try to kill you if you embrace its powers.

We already know she can learn emotional intimacy from us. So I guess we can make her see that there are more ways to live a life than just gith ways, and that those other ways are just as valid. And that she has a choice in what she wants to do with her life. To me she is another case of 'raised in a cult' tbh.

Overall I get a feeling that outside of tadpole decision she's your bestie no matter what you do or who you side with.

Astarion will be the most malleable/multioptional companion.

If you exile/mistreat/ignore him, he'll be recaptured and used for whatever ritual Cazador planed for him. Results might be used against you somehow. Maybe you get a chance to rescue him, but outcome might depend on how much he trusts you.

If you indulge him in assholish behaviour, give him necronomicon, let him eat tadpoles(I'm 100% sure he is the companion who will want to use all the tadpoles, as devs mentioned) and let him drink Cazador's blood to become true vampire - he will become a monster, far worse than Cazador. And he will want Tav for a thrall. And depending on powerful evil items you give him - he might just have enough power to do it, whether you want it or not.

I do not think letting him bite in Act1 it is a bad choice tho(I donate blood twice a year irl, so I cannot see that scene as anything else. What is a vampire if not a person in need of blood transfusion?). But I can totally see that evil!Astarion will use it against you. He had a taste of your blood and he wants more. And on this route he would not stop to think twice about it.

If you treat him well but push against using tadpole powers, do not give him evil book and convince him that being free of Cazador is enough and he does not need to be a true vampire - he'll still be snarky little bitch (affectionate), but no worse that embezzling magistrate/shitty judge he used to be. He will learn to be sincere with Tav, romance or not, in this route.

I hope there's middle ground where you can teach him enough morals where he can become true vampire and not be a monster. And then he can make you his equal true vampire (if you choose so). I guess that's where evil!Astarion gets a chance to deceive you and make you his thrall and slave instead.

Not sure if there's true 'I can fix him' route. Maybe? But I do not really need it, so I did not give it much thought. As long as he stays the perfect little shit he is without becoming a monster - I am happy.

Cannot say anything about Minthara, as tieflings are among my fave races and I - as a player - cannot bring myself to slaughter the whole group. So she is always dead for me. Looking forward to other players capturing her interactions though. I will enjoy her content through all of you💖

Tadpole/Daisy/Guardian. At first I thought it is straight-up tadpole manipulation. But then Larian called them The Guardian, and it got me thinking. So, is it Shadowheart's magic d20 then? Some deity looking to use us as a pawn? I am so intrigued to find out!

I never played previous BG games, so I have no opinion on Jaheira and Minsc. But I think it is not a problem because we have a new protag. So not knowing them from previous games feels very fitting, as my protag won't have to fight against player knowledge. I know of them, and it would make sense if Tav heard stories, but has no personal connection.

And it is not a slight against previous games. I just do not like crpgs as gameplay. I am so deadly bored during turn-based combat.

I get that it seeks to imitate tabletop, but it's like comparing wax fruit to real fruit, imo. I play with friends at the table. I could not care less what ttrpg we are even playing. I'm there for the people, not the system or setting.

I know how lucky I am to have my perfect DM and a great group, and I know that most people do not have this privilege, so I do not begrudge crpg popularity. It's just not what I am looking for in my videogames.

And when it comes to videogames, they are my alone time, and I have very low tolerance for turn-based videogames as a result. I'm 'real time 3rd person view' type of player.

If story reactivity was not this good, I'd be skipping BG3 too. But they got me at 'we have so many choices and consequences!' Just your basic evil/good playthrough is not enough for me. I want every little thing matter, and Larian seems committed to this in BG3. I can tolerate gameplay I don't like for this! Story variations my beloved💖

Probably will godmode my subsequent playthroughs. I do not want to be distracted from good parts by trash mobs. I will experience it as intended on the first go, but after it's auto-crit cheat all the way from second playthrough onward (but I do hope that default easymode will not feel like it wastes my time, so I don't have to).

And seeing how many different routes you can take in EA makes me very excited. It will be worth it💖

#baldur's gate 3 #mausertalks #tav around and find out

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unexpected-nightview · 3 years

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I would like to know, if it is not much to ask, what facts make you think Gale is sus? I'm curious. Thank you very much.

*Rolls out a list* GLAD THAT YOU ASKED NONNIE! 😏 Okay no, that’s a joke, I have things to say but little time and brainpower to spare today but long story short, it’s a combination of 2-3 elements :

1) Larian already confirmed that the current companions are the “evil” ones. I would say they range from evil-ish to neutral-ish but still, same result : they are not “morally good” characters and if Wyll has taught us anything, it doesn’t really matter how hard they approve of your “morally good” decisions. They are not the good ones and that’s that. (In Act 1, we will see how it goes in later Acts 👀). Tied with this goes the fact that they only one that seems to have been honest from the get go has been Lae’zel. The others clearly have their own agenda and some things are still unclear (but then again, it’s only Act 1 so nothing unusual) I’m also going to point out at the artwork and say that, so far, it’s really spot on when it comes to represent how the characters are in Act 1...and Gale’s is a bit...different from his game counterpart ksksks (Larian could make changes later, so it’s just a fun thing to point out). 2) Gale is very eloquent, has lots of things to say and more importantly, has a way with words. And that shows a lot in 3 (probably 4?) conversations that you have with him : - when you first ask him to tell you about himself (says a lot to say nothing at all) - if you place yourself between the bow and the caged goblin (he praises you and indirectly himself, this combo is *really* interesting and shows a lot about him) - the whole “I’ve been observing you and I’ve come to the conclusion that I can trust you so I’m going to ask you to trust me but I’m not going to explain why you should”. And the last one is. To put it mildly...unfair at best, manipulating at worst. (Again, it’s only Act 1 so we can’t really know whether he says that purposely or if it was an unfortunate way of phrasing the whole thing out of desesperation). And the thing is, it can be argued that something similar happens with the other companions. But with the others, something happens, you witness it and then you get part of the information and an ask for help (Wyll and Astarion’s cases). So basically you have a more solid ground to base your decision while Gale, bless his heart, doesn’t give you that courtesy and asks you to trust him blindly. Like. My man. You are a walking bomb. I think you don’t have that much of a moral highground to demand things right now ksksks

3) The first encounter and the tadpole Okay. This one is just for fun (and to quench my own paranoia....damn it Solas...). But. I think Gale is the only one that you can’t know for sure if he was on the nautiloid or not? Like, when you first met the other companions the tadpoles do the “thing” and you share info with the other person (happens even with Karlach). But the first time you meet Gale....that doesn’t happen? He just tell you that he was there and you only have his word as confirmation? Also, when you try to use the tadpole later, there is usually an interference happening (most likely due to the orb so it’s not *that* weird). With this tho, I think it’s not that far fetched to believe that this is something that might be modified at launch (perhaps we will see the companions on the ship too?). But yeah. For the time being it has planted the seed of doubt in my mind 😂

#in conclusion #they all are SUS af #and Gale is the sus-est of them all #Lae'zel is safe tho ksksks #but yeah #it's just fun theories bc it's only EA so...#bg3

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