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david-talks-sw · 1 year

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For a lot of fans, the "Jedi lost their way" take really comes down to:

"I never saw the Jedi Council genuinely be kind to Anakin in any meaningful way, so I just filled in the gaps and assumed they were dicks to him".

From there you get the myths that the Jedi manipulated him, only cared for him because of his power, forbid him from seeing his Mom, Mace in particular hated him, etc etc.

Well, quick reminder: in George Lucas' script, Anakin refers to the Jedi as his family.

But hey, if "not enough evidence" is a factor, how would we fix that?

PITCH: A five-issue comic book miniseries, featuring self-contained tales of young Anakin's interactions with various Jedi - seen from their POVs - about how they all come around to liking him, only to epilogue each issue with events from Episode III.

Not all of these are fully developed, but just to give you an idea...

Issue #1: Yoda.

Lesson: "letting to of what you fear to lose"

Set only months after Episode I, Obi-Wan is off on a mission, and Anakin is shadowing Yoda, for the day. Both are reluctant...

Yoda is still grappling with Anakin's uncertain future, maybe reeling from Qui-Gon's death and Yaddle's disappearance.

Anakin misses his Mom, and the last conversation he had with Yoda was the elf telling him he shouldn't be scared for his mother (or so Anakin thinks).

Throughout the day, shenanigans ensue.

Yoda takes Ani to a Council meeting and he keeps interrupting by asking Yarael Poof why his neck is so long, or asking Oppo Rancisis if he ever trims his hair. Giggles from all but Yoda.

Yoda mediates a negotiation between Senators and the subject of Malastare podracing comes up, so Anakin hijacks the meeting.

Yoda goes to Thustra to fight off mercenaries for the King and Anakin tags along, seemingly becoming a burden for Yoda.

However, despite their bumpy start (Anakin being a brat and Yoda being a grump) Anakin and Yoda bond and Anakin's input seemingly becomes the key to the mission's success.

Yoda discovers he admires Anakin's outside-the-box thinking and finds kindness deep in his heart. The issue's narrative voice is Yoda talking to Qui-Gon, noting how similar Anakin and Qui-Gon are.

Anakin realizes that Yoda trained the master who trained the master who trained his master... so that makes him his sort of grandpa! That's so wizard!

Once the task at hand is over, Yoda and Anakin have a moment and talk about the idea that Anakin misses his mother.

Yoda comforts Anakin, explaining that his mother let him leave the nest, and in life things come and go, things which they may grow to care for. But as Jedi, they must be able to let go of these attachments, when the time comes.

Anakin asks if Yoda ever lost someone he cared about. Yoda answers that he's almost 900, by now. A lot of loved ones of his came and went. Qui-Gon was one of them. Yaddle, too. Another one (thinking of Dooku)... still hurts to this day.

One day, it'll be up to him to be as strong as his mother, who Yoda adds might've made a wonderful Jedi. And who knows, maybe he'll see her again, once Anakin becomes a Jedi himself.

Anakin smiles.

Epilogue:

Anakin scowls.

We're seeing Yoda's scene with Anakin in Episode III through Yoda's POV. As he did years ago, Anakin still has problems with attachment... but in this case, he doesn't even tell Yoda anything. So Yoda can only give a general answer.

As Anakin refuses to elaborate on his premonitions and leaves, Yoda feels powerless, and can only hope he was able to help this troubled young man who, day after day, reminds him less of Qui-Gon and more of Dooku. Dooku who died yesterday.

Issue #2: Kit Fisto

Lesson: "don't try to be some 'Chosen One', just be yourself"

Anakin undergoes a trial that involves swimming. And he grew up on a desert planet. So of course, he fails. At night, he steals Obi-Wan's breather and sneaks out of their quarters to go to the pool and train.

He puts the breather on wrong and is about to drown but fear not! Jedi Knight Kit Fisto and his dashing smile are here to help!

He shows Anakin how to put his breather on right and shows him how to swim and fight underwater.

Now, this isn't just a pool. It's a pool in the Jedi Temple! So it's filled with a whole lot of marvelous fluorescent flora and fauna, I'm taking Avatar-style stuff.

So the swimming lesson becomes a lesson about the Living Force (who said it should just be Qui-Gon's thing? Lucas certainly didn't), using water as a metaphor.

The overall idea of the issue is that Anakin is concerned... he left his Mom behind, hoping to make her proud, make Qui-Gon proud, make Obi-Wan proud and live up to this expectation of being the Chosen One... but he's struggling at basic stuff like swimming! How's he gonna be this big time Jedi, one day?

Kit reassures Anakin: he shouldn't aspire to be a "Chosen One". All any Jedi should aspire to be is the best version of themselves.

Next day: Anakin passes the trial, Obi-Wan congratulates him, and Anakin completely misinterprets what Kit was telling him in a hilarious way by saying something silly and cocky like: "I just had to remind the water that I'm the best me there is so it better let me float or else."

Which gets an eye roll from Obi and a giggle from Kit.

(BTW, maybe we can have Nadar Vebb help Anakin swim too! Maybe even set him up as passing that trial the first time round with flying colors to contrast with Anakin, maybe he's an antagonist that comes around by the end, I dunno)

Epilogue:

As Mace battles Sidious in the other room, Kit Fisto, still breathing, rises to his feet and takes a few steps, intent on helping his friend despite his wound, but collapses... he's not gonna make it.

He turns around, stares at the ceiling. Is this how it ends?

Anakin appears in his line of sight, looking around at the dead Jedi, shocked. Kit smiles (ROTS novelization reference) as Anakin rushes into the adjacent corridor.

His last thought is the knowledge that everything's going to turn out alright, now that the Chosen One is here.

Issue #3: Mace Windu

Lesson: Control your feelings, don't let them control you.

Simple story. Obi-Wan was captured by a bunch of IG-11 assassins, allowing Anakin to escape and rescue a Senator's daughter. Now, Anakin and Mace are on a mission to get him back.

They make their way through a jungle filled with traps. Anakin is rushing, he's angry at the droids and afraid for Obi-Wan and it's making him do dumb stuff. After it happens a second time, Mace scolds him.

Around a campfire, Anakin apologizes for his impulsive behavior.

Mace comments that it's understandable. He only started being a Jedi, like, 5 years ago. Mastering your emotions isn't an easy thing to do, and in Anakin's case it's twice as hard. Anakin pries: is that why Mace didn't want him to become a Jedi?

Mace hesitates. Then says it, point blank: "yes".

And while he's sorry for being blunt, the fact remains that last week he threatened two of his fellow initiates with a lightsaber to the face.

Anakin points out that they were bullying him because they were jealous of his skill.

Against all expectation Mace smiles and reveals that he can relate to that. His own classmates would bully him for the same reason. You know who'd step in, in that situation? Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon was like a big brother to Mace, always had his back.

After sighing, with a calmer tone, Mace says he'll have a chat with those students. But Anakin needs to double his efforts to keep his feelings under control, lest he become enslaved by them.

The way he went about it was by developing Vaapad. He demonstrates it to Anakin, whose eyes are filled with stars.

Mace concludes that while he did have misgivings, he has faith that Anakin can find the way to do it.

In the morning, Anakin and Mace storm the castle filled with assassin droids. One of the droids sees they're losing and electrocutes Obi-Wan, hoping to unbalance them. Mace orders Anakin to stay focused, Kenobi can take it! And Anakin does!

Once the courtyard is cleared, Mace lifts the remaining droid torturing Obi-Wan with the Force and crushes it into a ball of metal.

As they walk away, Mace lets out a "good work, Skywalker."

Anakin asks Mace if he can teach him Vaapad-- Mace cuts him off with a "Nope".

"C'mooon!"

"Don't push it, Skywalker."

Epilogue:

In the Chancellor's office, Mace reflects the lightning back onto Palpatine's face.

The Sith seems out of commission.

And Mace is scared shitless. He almost died, a few seconds ago. His instinct is to run. He uses shatterpoint, tries to sense the future because Force knows he's got no idea what the hell he should do next. And that's when he sees it:

The various ways Sidious can kill him and Anakin.

Stop Mace's blade mid-air and Force Push them out of a window,

snap their necks with the Force,

crush the crystal in his lightsaber and let it blow up in his face.

Palpatine is faking and there are barely any scenarios in which Mace and Anakin are walking out of this room alive. And even if they do capture him, then

Sidious can bribe judges and Senate officials and supposing that doesn't work either, he can

escape any prison, kill thousands of clones in one night and

set up a new power base, starting from scratch.

This either ends now or the galaxy is doomed.

For a full second, the gravity of it all terrorizes Mace... then he chases his fear and musters his courage.

Anakin argues but Mace knows what he must do. He prepares to end the conflict once and for all, like a true Jedi would.

Anakin argues again, and Mace detects something else. Wait, why is Skywalker scared?

As he falls, Mace realizes the very thing that he feared would happen, a long time ago, has finally come true:

Anakin let his emotions rule him... and it doomed them all.

Issue #4: Shaak Ti

I was thinking for this one, we can have Obi-Wan bring her in as a sparring partner so she can demonstrate Jar'Kai to Anakin.

I haven't thought of a deeper lesson for this one, I just like Shaak Ti, folks, she's awesome :D

If anyone has suggestions, put 'em in the replies.

Epilogue:

(This one will definitely age poorly when The Mandalorian Season 3 comes out tomorrow!)

Order 66 rages as Shaak Ti protects a group of elderly Jedi in charge of the babies. She takes clone after clone down as she escorts them to an escape room the notices one baby left in the infirmary: Grogu.

Suddenly, she senses an overwhelming darkness approaching this wing of the temple. She thinks fast, she takes Grogu, crosses a corridor where 2-3 Jedi are killed (which is what Grogu remembers in the flashbacks)...

... and goes to a meditation room nearby. The shadow closes in and Shaak Ti realizes who it is: Skywalker.

We catch her moments later as she finished recording a message in her Holocron (the one from Star Wars #9)...

"It's up to you now. Don't let our deaths have been in vain. Don't let this be the end of the Jedi."

... then places it in Grogu's pod and hides him in an air vent. She sits on the chair, pretending to meditate.

The door slides open. Anakin enters the room, senses something in the air vent. Shaak Ti realizes he's about to find Grogu and distracts him: "what is it Skywalker?"

He stabs her. She falls.

He picks up her saber as he prepares to engage Cin Drallig and his apprentice with two lightsabers, just as she showed him.

A tear rolls down Shaak Ti's eye.

She looks at the air vent, sees Grogu's wet eyes peer through the grate. At least he's safe.

Issue #5: Obi-Wan

Lesson: Be less cocky, beware of Palpatine, ffs

Obi-Wan and Anakin are on a mission, maybe they're being chased by monsters, maybe it's in the middle of a firefight, maybe Anakin is trying to stop a train.

Bottom line: Anakin gets cocky and tries to do something incredibly stupid, thinking he can pull it off... and almost dies.

Obi-Wan manages to save him, but that hits him like a ton of bricks.

"I almost lost him."

Anakin's justification? Something along the lines of: he told the Chancellor he'd manage to do a triple flip next time he's on a mission, and that he'd try to catch it on a holovid.

So Obi-Wan loses his shit on Anakin, takes his saber and grounds him for a friggin' month.

Privately, he feels guilty. He almost lost Anakin and it would've been on him. His promise to Qui-Gon would be broken, Shmi's sacrifice, wherever she is, would be rendered pointless... and Anakin would be dead.

He talks to Mace and Yoda, who tell him not to blame himself. Obi-Wan takes this to heart and realizes who's to blame.

He goes to see the Chancellor.

And it's awkward af.

Put yourself in Obi-Wan's shoes. How do you tell your boss, the leader of the free world, to back off because he's a bad influence on your kid, in the most diplomatic way possible?

But he somehow manages. He puts his foot down and asks Palps if he wouldn't mind being a bit more hands-off.

Note: for one page, we're on Palpatine as he remembered every time he undermined everybody else's lessons. "Don't listen to Windu, your emotions are what make you human." "Still, a bit heartless of Yoda to not even send someone to free your mother. I'm sure they had their reasons." "Trust me, you're definitely a Chosen One, even if Jedi like Master Fisto don't see it."

Then Palpatine smiles. "Of course!" He even apologizes and agrees to step back for a bit, he understands that he may have inadvertently undermined Obi-Wan's authority. My bad, Master Kenobi. My bad.

Back in Anakin's quarters, Obi-Wan enters and sits next to Anakin on his bed. Silence.

What follows is a scene like this one in The Lion King:

Obi-Wan admits that Anakin really scared him today.

Anakin is sorry, but at the same time, he knew Obi-Wan would be there to save him in case he failed.

Obi-Wan explains that he won't always be able to be there to have Anakin's back. Anakin dismisses that, saying he trusts him.

"As long as we're together, it'll always turn out alright."

Epilogue:

As their dialog from the previous scene continues, Obi-Wan watches as his Padawan, his ward, his brother, his everything for the past 13 years, kneels in front of the Chancellor on a hologram recording.

So yeah, that was my attempt at writing Star Wars ^^' Thank you for making it this far!

Why only 5 issues? Well, it could be 6 issues. Could be 12, released monthly. I focused on 5 because I didn't wanna spend too much time photoshopping collages. Other scenarios could feature:

Saesee Tiin teaches Anakin flying maneuvers and finds he also has much to learn.

Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura partner up with Obi-Wan and Anakin. Anakin initially finds a kindred spirit in Quin, even wonders if it would be possible for two knights to do a "Padawan swap", but eventually he sees that - as cool and laid back as Master Vos is - maybe he needs a Master who'll give him a bit more structure than the guy who'll let him stay up late.

Anakin and A'Sharad Hett going through a trial together. #Tatooineboys #arooo #kraytdragonsounds

Here's why I wrote these story ideas down:

There'll always be fans who see the Prequel Jedi as corrupt and arrogant, regardless of how much evidence from Canon or Lucas you provide to dispel the notion.

But sometimes, Star Wars transmedia content is used to fix inconsistencies or bolster ideas that were only alluded to in the films, or show a different point of view.

We got this recently with Shadows of the Sith, for example, which helped smooth some plot-holes from the Sequel Trilogy.

Sometimes, the material around the movies manages to re-contextualize and make the characters or the film itself more endearing, to fans. I mean, that's what The Clone Wars did for a lot of Prequel haters.

And I'm just disappointed this approach wasn't used to help the Prequel Jedi's perception among the fandom.

'Cause these are characters that have slowly been reframed as "the corrupt/complacent establishment" by authors who didn't find them likeable when they watched the films, when they were originally supposed to be "the underdogs who're doing their best".

An approach that was being taken during TCW was "let's question whether the Jedi are really all that good and moral and pure".

Nobody ever said they were, it's just that they tried to be their best selves, but whatever, let's play "devil's advocate", sure. Let's get some new points of view.

But skip to almost two decades later, and Star Wars has played "devil's advocate" with the Prequel Jedi so much that seeing them in a negative light is now mainstream.

So, now... how about we explore:

The trauma Mace Windu felt when he was actively seeing people he grew up with get shot to shreds by battle droids on the daily.

The ex-Jedi Knights who come back to the Order to help their former family, instead of focusing on the ones who left.

Rael or Sifo-Dyas calling Dooku out on his ideological bullshit and forcing him to face the fact that he's just a crook who talked himself into betraying his brethren.

The young Padawans whose masters went to Geonosis and never came back.

Plo Koon being attacked by a mob because he "looks evil" and both the Republic and the Separatist's war propaganda reflects badly on the Jedi, framed as “baby-snatching warmongers in their ivory tower”.

How about - instead of focusing on a series set 200 years prior, y'know, Back When The Jedi Were Great™ - we roll up our sleeves and question whether or not the Prequel Jedi were all that bad?

Just a thought.

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syyskirjat · 3 months

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Sueños de piedra (ch1)

Okay, I promised (to myself) to check out whatever media won the ultimate obscure blorbo tournament ( @who-do-i-know-this-man (I wasn't sure whether to tag you or not but in the end I figured I might as well, hope you don't mind I guess))

Turns out that it's a guy from a 2015 Spanish YA fantasy book

And turns out there's a free sample available! Which is lucky for me because I'm currently very broke

Sueños de piedra by Iria G. Parente and Selene M. Pascual

I don't speak Spanish so I'm gonna rely on the translator quite a lot lmao (well I understand some Spanish actually, but definitely not enough to read a whole book)

The title translates to something like "Dreams of Stone" I think?

Once upon a time in a kingdom far, far away, a prince rewarded a wizard for helping rescue a young girl in trouble. Charming. Too bad none of this is true. In reality, the prince dreams of glory and revenge; the magician, with her spells not always being a disaster and the young woman in trouble, with fleeing from a past that torments her... and from the memory of the man she has killed. Once upon a time...

(Yes this is just Google Translate, sorry)

Okay so, prince, magician and a damsel in distress? Prince wants revenge for something, who knows what, magician is having trouble doing the magic, and the damsel is in fact a killer? Ok ok

The dedication goes as follows:

To all those who embark on a direct journey towards their dreams every day. May you always reach your destination.

Okay so Marabilia is a place? That's apparently also the name of this book series. Is this like the kingdom then? So it consists of three islands, two small ones and one big? Or is it supposed to be a continent? It definitely seems too small to be a continent

I know the blorbo is called Arthmael de Silfos so I'm guessing he's from the Silfos area in the north of the big island then. I can see what's probably a city called Duan and a forest called "Merlon Forest". We also have different towers around the big island, one of which seems to be called the Tower of Black Magic. (I didn't even need to use the translator for those yay xD)

Okay the first chapter is called Arthmael so I guess we're meeting our blorbo already, which is nice

— Let me make it clear: are you going to give my crown to a bastard?

Okay..... the very first line and I already think Arthmael might be a bit of a spoiled brat (I assume he's in fact the prince)

Apparently Arthmael just found out that he has an illegitimate older brother but I guess this brother's mother is noble anyway so it's legit? I dunno yet. Arthmael thinks this guy is blackmailing his father somehow and is already considering poison as a solution

And anyway, what kind of a name is Jacques for a king?

lmao, so much shade to all the kings called Jacques

Okay so Jacques's family is very powerful and loved by the people of Silfos and the king fears a civil war if he disrespects his claim to the throne. Alright. Kinda weird since based on Arthmael's thoughts, this society has a similar attitude to bastards as in European history, but okay then. I wonder if Jacques is even actually the king's son or is this some kind of a ruse?

Arthmael is very cheeky and even references his dad's love life directly to his face, his dad is not very happy

The king tells him to just be a good boy and hopefully they'll find him some crown princess to marry so he'll get a kingdom that way

I guess these different areas on the map are kingdoms then, that makes sense. They look like very small kingdoms but this is a small place in general.

Arthmael doesn't seem to mind this idea except that there's only one possible princess like that in Marabilia and that's Ivy de Dione. Not sure what's wrong with her.

Well, who knows? Maybe, if I wait a few moons, some other bastard, in Verves or Idyll, will come out from under a rock and come offer me her hand.

Somebody's very snarky, that's cute

Arthmael is very haughty about how the people have always known him as the crown prince and accepted him as such, Jacques laughs and asks what has he even done for the people. He's like well he hasn't really done much yet because he was planning to do things once he became king, but he's been supporting the local business (taverns) and employing servants (lmao). Also apparently there are some girls he's seeing...

Apparently Jacques's family are big traders and business people (despite being noblemen) and create lots of jobs, and also big on charity, so everybody loves them

Arthmael is jealous of how proud his dad looks when Jacques says this, and how he's never looked at him like that

Well, I guess you're kind of a little shit so it makes sense, Arthmael

— If the smartest thing is to become the idol of a few starving people in order to be king, I can do it too.

Oh my god, this little brat

He declares that he's going to be a hero, to overshadow the charity of Jacques' family, because heroes are remembered by history while philanthropist aren't

So he plans to become a storybook Prince Charming, saving damsels in distress etc.

Jacques finds this understandably hilarious, the king is not amused

Once Jacques leaves, the king again offers to arrange a marriage to Arthmael, specifically with the princess of Dione

I'm almost tempted. I have never been to Dione, but they say that their ships are the lightest and fastest, and that sailors come to their shores from the other side of the sea, speaking strange languages that only they understand. Who come from lands where women wear short dresses, if they wear anything at all. Places where war is so normal that, as soon as a child is strong enough to pick up a sword, they push him to the front lines.

Alright then, I see what he fixates on

Was there anything wrong with the princess then or?

Barbarians. I remove the thought from my mind.

Oh okay. What a charming young man /s

Dione is like right next to Silfos according to the map btw, is this like one of those neighbourly feuds?

Okay he says it's because he doesn't want a foreign kingdom, he wants to keep his home, which is fair I guess

The king is like what do you want me to do, kill Jacques and his pregnant wife? And Arthmael is just like yeah great idea, because he's a dumbass. The king is like wtf

Apparently Jacques' family is from that Duan city that I noted earlier, and his mother died a few days ago and apparently "her loss is greatly felt"

The king regrets spoiling Arthmael too much, and talks about how Arthmael doesn't understand anything about suffering or anything and only cares about girls

Arthmael is already considering faking his death to make them all feel sorry, because of course he is, he's exactly that kind of guy

He says he doesn't want to go try to charm the princess, he'd rather just go off on his own (also there's a whole bit about how only a man can rule Dione or something and the king of Dione won't accept his daughter to become a ruler)

His dad tells him no, just stay here and be a good boy, don't make everybody gossip about drama in the royal family

Arthmael is like hey you managed to hide your bastard son for years, you can hide my disappearance

They fight a bit more but then Arthmael just storms out, grabs a few things from his room and leaves

a change of clothes, a bag of coins, my sword, and my favourite cloak. I do not need anything else.

Okay then, good luck I guess

To be a hero you only need a brave heart. Or so they say.

I feel like you also need to not be a selfish prick but maybe that's optional

Okay end of first chapter!

Our blorbo seems like a real brat!

But I guess the point is probably that he needs to learn some lessons along the way, or something like that, idk. I'm sure there's a reason for why whoever entered him into the tournament likes him so much

I'm guessing the damsel in distress is not the princess? Probably? She wasn't called a princess anyway. TBH she's the character I'm currently the most curious about. The next chapter is from the point of view of someone called Lynne and I hope that's her. Could be the magician too though I guess? No wait, I think the magician is a guy. Altho idk maybe Lynne could be a guy's name, I don't fucking know.

I'm guessing that Arthmael will try to rescue the damsel so he can be a hero, because that's what heroes are supposed to do, but then it'll go wrong somehow? And then the magician will get involved somehow, I have no clue.

That's all my predictions I suppose. Altho I'm guessing that Jacques might turn out to be a villain somehow, I didn't get the vibe that he was particularly great either, just not as much of a brat as Arthmael, and it would then be something for Arthmael to do when he gets back home. Then again maybe the book will surprise me, who knows. To be honest, it would feel a bit like a cop out if it turns out that the guy he hates actually is evil, but it could be handled well, and it's not like I like Jacques either so far. He seems extremely sus too

No guesses as to what the title refers to yet, it could be anything

Idk, like I said, the damsel's storyline is the one that interests me the most rn, it might actually get me to read further (good job, blurb, you got me)

I still have a surprisingly good amount of the free sample left, there's actually nine chapters here, so idk, maybe I'll keep going? We'll see

I'm pretty happy with how much I was able to follow the text even on my own, altho I definitely had to rely on the translator. I would not have had the patience to try to translate all of this myself. But I definitely understood multiple full sentences! Yaaay xD

Apologies to fans of this book series, I hope I didn't seem too rude

#sueños de piedra

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folfar · 1 year

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all i do rn is think about the locked tomb! thinking about john and the scope of his powers:

pre-apocalypse, john marries nigella and cassiopeia, and he makes roses grow for them. and yes! some of the roses have teeth, but it does seem in the narrative that this is the first time he'd tried it. but only some. some of the roses therefore are normal roses.

john can use his powers to grow things, and he didn't even try before literally his last day on earth! or everyone else's last day on earth, more correctly.

at the beginning of the dream narration in ntn, he raises the mountain from the waters and says the only hard thing about it is remembering he can do it in the first place. so there's all this evidence in ntn that his powers aren't limited to necromancy - that's just seems to be what he stumbled across first. he was working with dead people, so dead people are what he noticed.

when alecto gave john his power, i think she never intended* for them to be 'death' powers. i think they presented that way because the source of the power was dying - think about the seventh and their theory that they can harness the thanergy being shed by a dying person. the power looked like death-power because it came from a dying source. but it's just power, in the end, it's just soul.

but john assumed. he was so caught up in his own grief, so overwhelmed, that he doesn't even consider being 'a good wizard,' as pyrrha puts it (pre-apocalypse). his friends ask him to try to stabilise the north american glacier, reference other ecological disasters - and he doesn't try! he's assumed he's there for vengeance and stuck with it. and then we see in the book that he could have. like, it's entirely possible that john could have let the trillionaires go - and then saved the planet. practiced until the roses grew normally. raised the soil above the waters, calmed the seas.

but he can't let go of his wants, his desires! and yes, he's not as powerful before he consumes part of a's soul, but his necromancy got stronger and stronger anyway - maybe his power over the roses could have too.

anyway just imagine alecto, giving someone that loves her this unimaginable power, and hoping for a nurse, a gardener - and getting a taxidermist instead. a puppeteer.

*intended is a weird word to use for alecto pre-barbification, but i couldn't think of another way to put it

#jod #alecto #ntn spoilers #tlt #the locked tomb #john gaius #meta #obligatory i am rotating him in my mind 24/7

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smokesandsonatas · 10 months

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Theory and Analysis

The Legacy of the Shroud and Draconia Families: The Prodigy and the Miracle

I haven't posted anything in ages, but in the span of a day, I have caught up to everything happening in TWST. All I could say is -

Wow.

Should I miss or incorrectly put the lore, feel free to correct me.

Warning: Spoilers, long post, language, and crude humour.

Without further ado, let's get into the post. All credits belong to their owners.

+++

The Shroud clan

The Shrouds have been in existence for a really long time. Their ancestor was "appointed a Gatekeeper back in the age of gods and goddesses." Let's assume that was thousands of years ago. Due to this task of essentially keeping the balance in TWST World, Tartarus was built, and henceforth S.T.Y.X was 'formed' about 100 years ago.

Due to their long history, the Shrouds are rich, rivaling the Al-Asims in terms of wealth. According to Vil, they are a branch of Jupiter Enterprises. An influential conglomerate that essentially built Google Chrome, or maybe Facebook, and Amazon of TWST.

The Shrouds reside on the Island of Woe. It is not on any map, therefore it is completely hidden from the public due to the fact it is literally built under the sea.

For the secret organization, Lillia said that a legend goes like this, "When a wizard forgets themselves and succumbs to their own power, punishment from the Island of Woe shall befall them."

The Shrouds are tasked with such a heavy job that about a hundred years ago, they were cursed, preventing them from escaping their duties. This curse manifested in their flaming blue hair, burning off accumulated blot. But if there's no blot to burn, the curse instead eats their magical energy. That's why the Shrouds, especially Idia having inherited the curse from his father, must now be in constant close state of OB to survive.

Idia's grandmother, Aidne/Idone Shroud, is known to have this curse. Both her and her son, Mr. Shroud are using magical devices to combat it.

The Shroud Prodigy and Tragedy

Idia is a prodigy. Born a genius in the Island of Woe. As a child his intellect far surpasses the adult researchers at S.T.Y.X. With this impressive show of his potential, his fate is sealed: Idia will become the next head of the Shroud family.

Ortho's life is a tragedy. He was born, and then he died. Then he was reborn again as a humanoid robot that Idia created while in complete isolation for 2 years. Complete with the 'real' Ortho's memories, personality, and appearance.

This is Idia's way of coping with the guilt that consumes him. Blaming himself for his only brother's death.

Why wouldn't Mama and Papa Shroud do something about this?

I like to think that they did try to console Idia. From the looks of it, they do love their children equally. But they also have to grieve too. They also suffer the same guilt Idia feels because suddenly the portal that they're supposed to monitor as the Director and Chief Engineer of S.T.Y.X breaks open, resulting in the death of their younger son. [But I think Idia's unique magic has something to do with the incident.]

It is important to note that Mama and Papa Shroud treat 'Ortho' as their real child, not a replacement of their dead son. With the events ending in Ignihyde chapter, Ortho is on his way to becoming his own person.

Combining his brother's 'death', the responsibility of running S.T.Y.X in the future, the constant state of near OB just to stay alive, and the isolation made Idia the genius, foul-mouthed, introvert prodigy dorm leader of Ignihyde.

As of Diasomnia chapter, Papa and Mama Shroud, the Director and Chief Engineer of S.T.Y.X respectively, are trying to get in touch, or are now in touch, with Queen Maleficia, Malleus' grandmother.

The Draconia family

The Draconias are nocturnal fae, tracing back their long lineage to dragons. They all possibly have horns protruding from their heads. Their lifespans can go on for centuries. A Draconia will reach adulthood at the age of 1,000 years old. That lifespan is longer than the kind of fae like Lilia.

Simplified:

If Malleus reach 1,000 years old, he'll be only known as an adult Draconia, but for Lilia, 1,000 years is his whole lifespan.

In the current events of TWST, we only know 3 Draconias so far.

Queen Maleficia, Princess Mallenoire/Malenoa, and the only known male heir, Malleus.

Not much is known about them, except the current queen (has been for a long time) is Queen Malefecia, the grandmother. She adopted Lilia and Levan, the father of Malleus and Princess Malenoa's husband. The royalty in Briary Valley is complete with senators, dukes, royal guards, and is just basically a monarchy of faes.

The Draconias, and most fae creatures, reside in Briar Valley. There are forests that are pitch black, giving an advantage to nocturnal faes, like Lilia. It is also rich in magical minerals.

In Diasomnia chapter, Malleus put up a barrier of thorns that is going around or extending throughout Sage Island, essentially marking it as his domain, and everyone in this domain will remain asleep, dreaming. It is worth noting that Malleus is said to be one of the top strongest mages, as evidenced by this:

"S.T.Y.X. together with the Magical Force, and the Briar Valley’s royal family attempted to break into Malleus Draconia’s domain, but… "

"Neither physical nor magical attacks could make a dent."

"The thorns do not discriminate between humans and fae, and anyone attempting to enter just get sucked into the field."

Because he's a fae, he gets energy from his surroundings. Therefore if Malleus' keeps extending his barrier, he will get stronger. Heed that not even Queen Maleficia can get through the barrier her grandson had created. With this scenario, it effectively puts Malleus, a little bit stronger than her.

The Draconia Miracle

I contemplated saying the Draconian Miracle but either way is fine.

If we are to consider Malleus as a miracle manifest in itself, let's first look at the way he was born.

The prelude of Malleus' birth is chaos.

During or even before he emerged from his shell, Briar Valley is going through a fae-human war. Starting when the humans started populating and abusing the place. Note that their population started with only a small sailing ship, and throughout the years they multiplied.

Princess Mallenoire/Malenoa/Mallenoa is the mother of Malleus, and she, by far is the strongest defense of the land, as said by Lillia.

But before Malleus can even crack the shell, his mother is already gone. Going by the angst route, let's assume she died protecting her egg that houses her son.

Makes you wonder how brutal the fight must be to 'kill' a mother dragon protecting her only child.

Levan/Revern, a raven fae or a dragon duke in some sources, is his father. He is a diplomat of Briar Valley, therefore his task falls into making allies, not enemies.

Yet, he did not return.

It is presumed that he died in an ambush, or possibly has a new identity. If he is alive it is cruel for him to not come back to his unhatched son. I am not saying Crowley is Malleus' father but there's a chance that Crowley is related to the Draconias, in one way or another.

Now, why is Malleus considered a miracle?

Because he was born against all odds. His birth is a highly impossible event, yet it did happen.

Due to his parents' absence, this effectively made the hatching of Malleus uncertain. Dragon eggs can hatch within 2-3 years of laying if showered with love and cared for.

[ This part is taken from the accounts of Lilia's dream in the Diasomnia chapter, where Silver is also surprised by the huge gap of the war and the dragon heir's birth.]

Malleus' birth is delayed by 200 years, because he has no one to care for him. It is truly pitiful that even before his birth, Malleus is abandoned.

Why wouldn't Queen Maleficia love her unhatched grandson? Is her love and power not enough to hatch Malleus?

I bet she did, but she also has grieve the death of her only child. On top of that, she has to be strong because she's a queen of a country. Any sign of weakness can mean the humans threatening her or even one of the faes betraying them, putting her family and the nation in danger.

The thought of the Draconia bloodline ending with her likely filled her with depression. Also, Queen Maleficia is not Malleus birth mother, only his grandmother. So that is not enough for a dragon egg to hatch, since it needed the love from his birth parents. I like to think that this part is where Lilia, as his caretaker will come in. Lilia's loyalty to Draconias extended to Malleus, softening the heart of the war-torn general, enough that he had the sympathy to adopt a human child.

It took 200 long years for Malleus to emerge from his egg shell and when he did, Briar Valley celebrated his birth. Matter of fact, his birthday is a public holiday.

Defying the odds is another powerful instance why Malleus is born to be a king faes, the valley and the abyss.

The parallels between Idia (the prodigy) and Malleus (the miracle)

[Is it me or they both look good?!]

Both Malleus and Idia grew up in isolation.

Literally.

[Island of Woe and Briary Valley are two places in the middle of seven-knows-what. Anyway...!]

With Malleus as the only heir, and Idia as the first born, they both have huge responsibilities on their shoulders. We're talking about responsibilities scaling nations and the safety of huge populations.

Idia's childhood is tragic with the death of his brother. But we can argue that Malleus' childhood is tragic too, with the disappearance of his parents.

Malleus grew up isolated and protected in the castle. His only confidant for decades is Lilia, his caretaker. And even then, Malleus said that Lilia is prone to going away for long periods of time.

For Idia, his only companion for the 2 years he locked himself in his room is the prototype of Ortho that he's building.

Idia represents the uncanny future, and Malleus represents the eerie past.

Think of it this way, if you put Malleus in Island of Woe where everything is about technology, I bet he will say something about the importanc of the past and teleport back to his place.

If you put Idia in Briar Valley... man's not even going to survive the night. He will lament his poor WiFi connection.

They compliment each other well: One doesn't want to be approached and the other is unapproachable.

Both Idia and Malleus are some of the loneliest students in NRC. Idia doesn't have social cues, and Malleus... doesn't have good social cues either.

They're both so awkward when interacting with others it becomes endearing.

As awkward as they are, both are arrogant too. Every time Idia regards himself as the acting leader of S.T.Y.X and Malleus as the future king, sends a thrill or.pride to whoever can hear them. [Go forth children! Be the leaders of the TWST world.]

And they will be leaders. As heavy as the mantle of Shroud and Draconia is, Idia and Malleus will have no choose but to shoulder on. That's why I think the battle between (yuu), Idia along with NRC against Malleus will be tragically beautiful.

+++

Fun fact: Hades tried to ask Maleficent out in a date once, lol.

+++

There's a reason why all of a sudden the story of TWST started to become more serious in the Ignihyde chapter and just hit the fan in Diasomnia. Soon, were about to find out why.

Idia and Malleus are the complete opposite yet their existence compliments each other so well.

One is a keeper of the underworld, and the other the blessing of maleficence.

And then there's Yuu, trying to uncover the secrets of Twisted Wonderland.

#twisted wonderland #malleus draconia #idia shroud #twst malleus #twst idia #ortho shroud #twst ortho #twisted wonderland analysis #twisted wonderland theory #diasomnia #ignihyde #mentions of #lilia vanrouge #twst lilia #s h u #twst #disney twst

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kitsune024 · 4 months

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More Harry Potter Recs

Drarry Fic Recs

All Magic Flows by hypata I Chapters 42/45 I Case Fic, Slow Burn, Redeemed Draco, Master of Death Harry, Auror Harry Potter, Unspeakable Draco, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Spoilers, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Spoilers

Harry Potter, rising Auror extraordinaire, in charge of Unsolved Crimes at the Auror Office, finds himself in the middle of another mystery involving the dead Lord Voldemort and a quagmire of secrets from the House of the Black.When he is called to Malfoy Manor to consult about a strange bit of magic found on the grounds of the Malfoy Estate, he later wonders if the journey his magic takes him on was well worth the destination. Harry must learn to walk a line between protecting the magical world and protecting magic itself.or: A British soap-opera paced crime-drama with Western undertones.

Draco Malfoy and the Order of Ecdysis by Dayenu (Coffee_Scribbles) I Chapters: 17/? I AU-Voldemort Wins, Time Travel Fix-It, slow burn, Assumed Veela!Draco, survivor guilt, soft Draco, Magically Powerful Draco, bamf Draco

“When did you get so wise?” Pansy jokes weakly. Sniffling and wiping her eyes on her sleeve. Draco just shrugs. His school robes still feel off. Too tight in the shoulders. Too loose in the heart. “I didn’t." Then he smiles, like he’s referencing a private joke she’s not in on. “I just got old.” And that may very well be the most honest thing he's ever said. Maybe the world just feels simpler when you're his age; smaller when you’ve seen it die. Maybe, when you’ve seen how it ends, the fear of just ending at all is less scary. And the how becomes a lot more. (in other words: Draco Malfoy, Eight years post the 'war' at Hogwarts that far more resembled genocide, is sprung from Azkaban by a group of rebels, quietly fighting against a Voldemort controlled Ministry, in hopes they could send him back in time to before Voldemort wins. And it works... just not quite as well as they'd hoped.) In OTHER other words: Draco Malfoy had never, in fact, been a brave man. It was something he'd come to terms with. Something he'd learned to work around. He had, however, always been a rather... stubborn one

Missing Hearts by @ancientgreekwasreallygay I Chapters: 48/? I Slow Burn- I mean really Slow burn, Bamf Draco, Draco speaks French, Healer Draco, Draco redemption, Politics, Corruption, Blood and Violence

These violent delights have violent ends -William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Yes, brother, I have killed him. It's weary work. -Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes Harry Potter disappears – quiet, like a ghost done haunting – and with him the last hope for Britain's Wizarding World. In an unexpected turn, Draco gets assigned with finding him. It's an impossible task he expects to fail from the moment he accepts, and yet he can't resist the temptation to use Potter for his own schemes. That Magical Britain is a toddler unable to stand on its own only solidifies his decision. But despite all his careful calculations, even Draco isn't prepared for what's to come. Thrust into the middle of politics in the name of survival, he has to take a path entirely foreign to him – one he never thought himself choosing. Enemies become allies. Chaos takes over the country. An ancient struggle for power and control flips the world upside down. And suddenly, Potter is in front of him.

UltraViolet by Spinsomnia I Chapters 35/40 I Dragon Draco, Slow Burn, Fluff, Angst and Hurt/Comfort , Blood and Torture

He was in control He wasn’t going to transform. Not now. Not yet. “Whatever happens,” Potter said, his words slurred by his own tiredness, “I hope you won’t ever forget me.” If Draco knew one thing for certain, it was that forgetting Harry Potter was never going to be an option. It's sixth year and Draco Malfoy has a secret. No one believes Harry when he insists that he is up to something and a Dragon is stalking Hogwarts. When Malfoy goes missing, Harry makes a startling discovery that changes everything he thought he knew about his rival. Draco must fix the Vanishing Cabinet, but he must also protect his darkest secret at all costs - he just never thought that Potter would be the one to help him do it.

red and green are complimentary colours by Scarlet_Moons I Chapters: 22/22 I Completed Fluff and Angst, harry has a cat- draco likes cats, Draco likes to read, Redeemed Draco , Insomnia, Nightmares, Mutual Pining

After the war Hermione manages to convince Harry to go back to Hogwarts for his eighth year. Expecting an uneventful year of classes and rooming with the other Gryffindor boys, he’s surprised when McGonagall tells him he’ll be sharing a room with Draco Malfoy. Now Harry has to get through a year of arguments and awkward silences. Or he would, if Malfoy would stop ignoring him and moping around the castle alone. Or: Draco and Harry fall in love through sleepless nights and late night quidditch games

White Venom by Bunkle_Ian I Chapters 10/? I Military, Guns, Draco in the Muggle World, Auror Harry, Harry is Obsessed with Draco, Slow Burn, Minor Draco/oc, Canon Divergence - Post-Hogwarts

Harry leads a team of Aurors disguised as Royal Marines into Syria. Their mission: to extract a former Death Eater who used to buy muggles in bulk for Voldemort and his cohorts. Now she is hiding among ISIS and using the muggle terrorist group to continue her sordid human trafficking business - this time of magical folk. While there, Harry suspects an "American" muggle mercenary may be Draco Malfoy, who had disappeared in a kidnapping fourteen years before. The only thing that makes him doubt, is that the Malfoy he knew would never be this badass - or sexy.

Bookmark Series

Et Malum Draco Percurrit Tempus by what_am_I (you_stole_my_crush), you_stole_my_crush I Part 1-2 I Parallel Universes, Time Travel Fix-It, Morally Grey Draco, Draco is Not Okay, Draco Malfoy is So Done, Magically Powerful Draco, Slow Burn

Drarry with Fanart

A Pocket Full of Stones by @waterwings | Chapters: 13/13 | Completed Private Investigator Harry Potter, Dark Wizard Draco Malfoy, case fic Desolation by @SimpleNefelibata, Translated by JhonnyBotello01 | Chapters: 30/? I AU- Voldemort wins, War, Dark, Spy Draco, Slow Burn, Bamf Harry, Blood and Gore, It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better Running on Air by @eleventy7 I Chapters: 17/17 I Completed Mystery, Romance, Drama, Friendship, Slow Burn, Past Astoria/Draco, Harry/Ginny Way Down We Go by @xiaq I Chapters 29/29 I Completed Veela draco, werewolf Harry, Chronic illness-sort of, slow burn

Bookmark Series

The Ordeal of Being Known by @louisfake I Part 1-2 I Completed Healer Draco, Auror Harry, Slow Burn, Smut in Sequel, Magically Powerful Harry, Dumbledore bashing

#drarry #ao3 fanfic #drarry fanart #drarry recs #harry potter recs #draco malfoy #draco malfoy fanart #fic rec #fanfic rec #harry potter #hp

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bloodyshadow1 · 1 month

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So I think the Rat grinder's either believe the Bad Kids murdered Lucy, or were compelled to. I think that it started out with them happy that their teacher's were taking an interest in them, because they believe the school shows favoritism and it's their turn now. They talked about keeping up with the bad kids in their messages, not beating them or killing them, but keeping up with them since the Bad Kids are an anomaly even as adventuring students.

Now the shift is from keeping up to beating them, getting revenge. Porter is probably juicing the rat grinders with something to make them strong in addition to getting the final strike on powerful monsters. It would be easy to put some of what Gertie said you could turn devil's nectar into when the kids would almost literally be eating out of Porter's hand.

Modify Memory is a 5th level spell. For the sake of convenience because he's a teacher and I assume a higher level then the bad kids but not 20th level yet, let's say Jace is an 18th level sorcerer. He can cast modify memory 7 times with the spells he has available, that's easily enough to get all the rat grinders without metamagic or flexible casting to get more spells. As low as 16th level he could do it 5 times which would be all he needed since Lucy would already be dead leaving 5 rat grinders. The only issue is that Modify memory is a wizard spell not a sorcerer spell, but there are ways around it, homebrewing it, certain feats maybe, or maybe just Brennan just saying yeah, my bad guy npc can have a spell on another classes spell list just because I need him too.

We know the Rat Grinders have taken devil's nectar, or whatever the end product with it, because Ruben vomited up red in his dream. If Jace wammied them, something he could easily do as a high level sorcerer, only Ivy and Oisin seem to be friends that hang out, he could get them all to believe the Bad Kids murdered Lucy to turn their rivalry into a quest for vengeance.

There are definite holes in this theory, but I spent 10 min at most thinking about this and typing it out so sue me.

#fantasy high #fantasy high spoilers #the rat grinders #lucy frostblade #jace stardiamond #porter cliffbreaker #fantasy high junior year #fhjy

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astarionfreak · 6 months

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The lick of poison

// Astarion x Named Fem!Tav

The spores burst into Naenia’s face, clouded her vision, and without thinking — she breathed them in. The first thing she felt was fear. The next thing she felt was warmth. Desire.

She grabbed Astarion, covered his nose and mouth with her hand, and warned him not to breathe. It was too late for her, but maybe he could be spared.

She hadn’t recognized the mushroom by sight. But now she recognized it by sensation. A powerful, and often deadly aphrodisiac. She had a long night ahead of her. If she were to survive . . .

18+ • NSFW • 4.9K words (1/1) • Read on AO3 (or below)

Tags: Sex Pollen, Fuck Or Die, Dubious Consent, Vaginal Fingering, Penis In Vagina Sex, Overstimulation, Forced Orgasm, Multiple Orgasms, Consent Issues

“Remind me why we had to return to this vile place?” Astarion gestured to the halls of the Arcane Tower with a flourish.

“Timmask Spores and Tongue of Madness. For Omeluum,” Naenia said. “I’m certain I saw some here. We won’t be long.”

“Mm. Right.” Astarion followed close behind her. “And why did you decide to drag me along and not the wizard?”

She glanced over her shoulder and flashed him a smile. “What? Maybe I just enjoy your company?”

Astarion scoffed. “There’s always an ulterior motive with you. Which, in all honesty, I respect.”

“No ulterior motive this time, Astarion. I just thought it would be more efficient with just the two of us.”

“A shame. And here I was hoping you were looking for an excuse to get me all to yourself,” he teased.

Naenia laughed softly and spun around to face him. “There are easier ways for me to get you alone, Astarion. Besides, if I wanted something from you I’d just ask.”

Astarion locked his eyes with hers and stepped forward, closing the gap between them.

Naenia caught a glimpse of his fangs when he smiled. A perfectly composed smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Too perfect.

“Oh, but, darling, you do want something from me, don’t you?” Astarion stepped past her and Naenia’s body instinctively turned to continue facing him.

“What makes you think —”

He grabbed her hips and pushed her back, trapping her between his body and the cold wall.

“You can’t hide anything from me,” he purred. “Your heart gives you away. It’s always racing. In fact, it’s racing right now.”

Naenia stared up at him and licked her lips. “What could I possibly want from you?”

His grip on her hips tightened, fingers digging into her flesh. “Have you already forgotten, dear? I’ve been privy to your fantasies. I know exactly what you want.”

“And what exactly is that?”

Astarion trailed gentle kisses along her jawline and down to her neck. Naenia tilted her head to offer him more space.

He laughed, lips ghosting against her skin. “You want to be well, and truly taken.”

Naenia choked back a moan, grabbed the front of his shirt, and pulled his body closer to hers. “We really shouldn’t linger here. The others will worry.”

“Ah, I doubt it.” Astarion nipped at her neck and dragged his fangs across her skin. “If we’re too long they’ll just assume you’re on your knees for me.”

“Other way around, darling,” Naenia teased. “Surely they’d know that it’s you on your knees for me.” Naenia tried to roll her hips, but his grip kept her tight against the wall.

Astarion leaned back to meet her eyes. “I can be versatile. If that’s what you want?” He released his grip on her hips and in one quick, fluid motion he undid her pants.

Naenia smirked. “Oh, can you now?”

He nodded and gracefully dropped to his knees. He tugged her pants down ever so slightly, exposing her hips and some of her stomach.

This view of him was positively exquisite. Naenia bit down on her lower lip and watched as he pressed a soft kiss to her hip.

Her heart thrummed quickly against her chest. She knew he could hear it and wondered how it made him feel. He was right, her heart seemed to do that every time she looked at him lately.

She sighed and let her head fall back against the wall. She didn’t have time to bother with feelings. Not hers. Especially not his.

She could let him bring her to ecstasy time and time again, but it would only make things worse. She was falling for him, and that was completely unacceptable. Naenia had no room in her heart for love.

“Astarion,” she whispered his name and stared up at the ceiling.

He kissed his way across her body and to her other hip. He was starting to tug her pants down even further when she made the decision to stop him.

She grabbed his chin and tilted his head up to look at her. “As much as we’d both enjoy this, I do think we should focus on the task at hand.”

Weak. Bringing him here, alone, of all things was a mistake. He made her weak. What had she been thinking?

“Are you sure?” Astarion asked.

Naenia nodded. “Yes.”

He didn’t mask the hurt in his eyes — but it almost didn’t look real. Before the hurt, she’d seen a flash of something else in his expression — frustration and then fear? Naenia wasn’t sure what that meant.

Astarion stood, tugging her pants back up as he did. “Very well. Another time, eh?” He buttoned her pants and then took a step back. “So, where are these mushrooms we need to find?”

Naenia took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart. “They should be somewhere over —”

Her eyes scanned the room until she found what she was looking for. “Yes. Right there.”

Naenia steadied herself before she leaned away from the wall and walked toward the mushrooms. She reached for the Tongue of Madness when something caught her eye.

It was a mushroom the likes of which she’d never seen before. Naenia was familiar with many species, but this one — this one she didn’t recognize.

“What’s wrong?” Astarion asked.

“Nothing. It’s just —”

It was the most beautiful mushroom she’d ever seen. Completely captivating.

Purple and violet danced across the skin. The edges of the cap were stamped with gold. The colors twisted and shimmered — almost like it was calling out to her.”

“It’s just what?” Astarion asked. He stood right behind her, but his voice was so distant.

Naenia knew she shouldn’t touch the mushroom, but she couldn’t help herself. She leaned in closer to get a better look. The colors continued to swirl.

She reached out towards the mushroom and as soon as her fingers graced the skin she knew she’d made a mistake.

It exploded.

Spores from the unfamiliar mushroom burst up into her face, clouded her vision, and without thinking — she breathed them in.

The first thing she felt was fear.

The next thing she felt was a rush of warmth as the spores infiltrated her lungs. Heat branched out through her body, followed by a pleasant buzzing.

She hadn’t recognized the mushroom by sight. But now she recognized it by sensation. She’d heard others call it Saranae’s Kiss. A powerful, and often deadly aphrodisiac.

Naenia spun on her heels, grabbed Astarion, and covered his mouth and nose with her hand. Maybe she was fast enough. Maybe he would be spared.

He curled his fingers around her wrist in protest and tried to pull her away, but she held steady.

“Don’t breathe,” Naenia hissed.

Astarion’s eyes narrowed.

Then she felt that familiar squirm in her head as their tadpoles formed a connection.

What about you?

“It’s too late for me,” Naenia said.

His concern was touching, if, a bit out of place. Her feelings for him ran deep, but she’d never admit that. And if he felt the same, he kept that to himself as well.

What was it?

She heard his question in her head but ignored it. Just another minute and the spores should settle and then —

Gods. Her skin burned. No, not just her skin, but everything just beneath it. That pleasant buzzing sensation had been replaced with more heat and the temperature was rapidly rising.

A fever was settling in. That shouldn’t happen this fast. She should have had more time.

But Astarion. He felt nice. Cold even. She leaned against him and got as close as she could with her hand still covering his mouth.

It wasn’t enough. Naenia stood on her tiptoes and pressed her forehead against his. She sighed and closed her eyes. His cold skin brought much-needed relief. She would kiss him if she didn’t have her hand firmly clasped against his mouth.

Ahem. Do you mind?

“Hm? What?” Naenia slowly opened her eyes.

I know I don’t need to breathe, but this is still unpleasant.

Too close. She was too close.

Naenia pulled away from him and looked around one final time to make sure the spores had dissipated. Once satisfied, she removed her hand from his face and took two steps back.

“Well? What was that?” Astarion asked.

Gods. He was just so beautiful, wasn’t he? She could admire him for hours. His angular features took her breath away, especially in the dim light of this tower.

Why had she told him to stop earlier? That was stupid. She imagined pushing him onto the floor and straddling him. She could use his body to chase her pleasure. Rutting against his thigh like a bitch in heat.

Was he still in her head? Could he hear all that? She tried to check, but her control over herself was weak. She couldn’t tell.

“Naenia. I asked you a question.”

Had he? Naenia couldn’t remember. She was too busy drifting into the memory of the night they’d shared. One night of life-changing sex. Now she wanted to beg him for more. He’d like that, wouldn’t he? He liked it when she begged.

“Naenia.” Her name was a warning. Astarion’s voice was sharp, pointed, angry.

Angry? Why was he angry? What had she done? She didn’t know. But she could make him happy. She knew how to do that. She was good at that.

Naenia brushed her hair to the side and tilted her head, exposing her neck to him. Surely he wouldn’t be angry if he was well-fed.

His eyes flitted to her neck, only momentarily before locking onto hers. She’d hoped for a bigger reaction.

“What’s happening to you?” he asked.

Oh. The mushroom. The spores. Poison. Oh, right. This was bad.

Her stomach lurched. For a second she was back in her body. Then she slipped back into her fantasies.

Naenia stepped closer to him. In a daze, she stroked his jawline with the back of her hand.

He snatched her wrist and pinned it to her side. That’s fine. She had two hands.

Her other hand tugged at the bottom of his shirt, loosening it so she could feel the cool skin hidden beneath the fabric.

That didn’t last long. Astarion grabbed that hand and pinned it to her side as well.

“Something is very, very wrong with you, darling,” Astarion said. “I need you to tell me what to do.” His voice remained even, low. She was used to flirting, a playful lilt. This was serious. The danger was real.

The fear in his eyes was enough to snap her out of the fog, at least for a moment. But escaping the fog came with a cost.

A sharp pain drove through her stomach. Ice cut through the fire that was burning her from the inside. Her body’s way of demanding she succumb to her desires.

“It’s the spores,” she said. “Do you feel any different?”

“Obviously it’s the spores. I’m not an idiot,” Astarion said. “I’m fine. Tell me what’s happening to you.”

Another wave of pain, this round nearly doubled her over. Astarion released her wrists and placed a hand on her hip and another on her shoulder to help her remain steady.

“I’ll get you to camp. Shadowheart, or Gale, they’ll be able to help.” There was a hint of disgust in his voice when he said Gale’s name.

Naenia shook her head. “No. There’s nothing they can do. What happens next — I don’t want them to see.”

“And what is it that happens next?” Astarion asked.

“The spores were toxic. An aphrodisiac. Incredibly rare. Fun at large parties in very small doses. Exploding in your face — well, I will spend the next few hours feverish, delusional, and insatiable. Orgasms will keep me alive.”

“I’m taking you to camp,” Astarion growled.

Desperation. Fear. Panic. “No. Please, Astarion. Please. I don’t want the others to see me like this. They’ll lose all respect for me.”

“That must be the delusions speaking, darling. We both know they lost all respect for you the night you came crawling to my bedroll.” Astarion started walking her toward the exit.

“Hilarious,” Naenia said. She didn’t have the energy for their usual banter. “Just tie me up here and leave me. I’ll get through this.”

“I’m not leaving you, Naenia. We’re going back to camp. Both of us,” Astarion said.

“Fine,” Naenia whimpered. Maybe it was the right decision.

She thought of her companions waiting at camp. Heat pooled between her legs. Yes, yes, camp was the right choice. Surely one of them would help bring her temperature down.

“Do you think Gale would fuck me?” Naenia asked, almost absentmindedly.

She was starting to drift again. Losing her mind to the desire burning under her skin.

“What?” Astarion growled.

“I know Lae’zel won’t. She would have, but she sees me as tainted after I let you have me. I’m certain Shadowheart is a good kisser, but I don’t think she’d fuck me. Not while I’m in this state. But, Gale. I might be able to convince him to fuck me. A pity fuck.”

“Is that what you want, Naenia? Do you want Gale to fuck you?” He sounded so angry again. Naenia liked that. Maybe he’d punish her.

“Would it make you jealous?” she asked.

“No.”

Naenia placed her hand on his chest and curled her fingers around the fabric of his shirt. “Then why did we stop walking?”

“I didn’t . . . We . . . Fine. We’ll stay here.”

“Thank you. Thank you,” she mumbled. Her vision started to swim. Her legs threatened to give out.

Astarion held her upright and shifted to look her directly in the eyes. She struggled to hold eye contact.

“Naenia. Stay with me. I need to know how bad this is going to get. You said orgasms will keep you alive. Will you need my help?”

Naenia tried to kiss him, but he leaned away from her. “Need. Want. Need. Want. Maybe, maybe not,” she mumbled incoherently.

Astarion sighed. “There was a bed. We’ll get you there.”

Then, her legs did give out. Astarion scooped her up with an amount of ease that surprised her. She threw her arms around his neck. “You would fuck me, right?”

“If that’s what you want.” Even through the fog, she could tell he didn’t sound like himself. It made her stomach hurt.

“Don’t want to die,” she whispered.

“You won’t die. I won’t let you,” Astarion said.

Then she blacked out.

***

Naenia came to her senses in a dusty bed, with one hand tied to the bedpost. She’d been stripped down to her underwear, which had been pushed halfway down her thighs. The hand that wasn’t tied to the bed was lying limp between her legs.

She had clearly been masturbating. Sweat clung to her body, her thighs were slick and sticky with desire.

Her limbs were heavy, her skin still burned. She had only vague memories of being dropped onto the bed, begging Astarion to tie her up — and then violent orgasms crashing over her. Pleasure and pain so tightly intertwined.

How long had it been since her last climax? Heat coiled up in her core like a snake prepared to strike. An unbearable tension.

Her fever was rising once again. She inhaled sharply and braced herself to continue. She found her clit with two fingers, but the moment she made contact she wretched and her body shuddered.

Oversensitive. Swollen. Wet. So fucking wet.

She managed a few slow, light circles around her clit, but it was too much. It hurt. Her hand was too hot. Her entire body was too hot.

Her underwear should come off. Yes. Yes, that would help. She began to squirm, trying to push her underwear off the rest of the way. She turned her head and caught a glimpse of Astarion.

How had she forgotten he was there? Just sitting in a chair just a few feet from the bed. Staring down at the floor. He should be so much closer. She needed him to be closer.

His fingers. Fuck. His fingers would feel so good against her clit, inside her. He was the solution.

“Astarion.” His name fell from her lips like a prayer. “I need your help.”

“What do you need?” Astarion asked. His voice low. On edge.

“I’m too hot. My underwear. I need them off. Please,” Naenia said with a whimper.

He lifted his gaze to meet hers. Something was wrong.

He shouldn’t be here. What had she been thinking? Asking him to watch over her like this? Selfish.

She pushed back against her desires and the shard of ice in her stomach lashed out, twisting, causing the most intense pain she’d ever felt in her life.

“Astarion. If this is —”

She whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. Her heart beat out of control. She inhaled sharply and then tried to speak again. “If this is too much. You can go.”

It felt like an eternity before he spoke.

Naenia’s body moved, part of her trying to adjust to the pain — the other part trying to lure her back into the haze.

“It gets worse when you fight it, doesn’t it?” Astarion asked.

Naenia nodded. She struggled to remain lucid.

“Sex would help, yes?” Astarion asked.

Yes. Her body was furious. She didn’t just need sex, her body demanded it.

The pain was too much. She couldn’t get the words out. She could only nod.

Astarion could ease the stress, soothe her fever, and save her life. But knowing his past, how could she ask that of him?

For the first time in a long time, she felt true fear. She needed to orgasm to keep the fever down, but she couldn’t do it herself. It was all too much. She would certainly die if he didn’t help her.

“Do you need me?” Astarion asked.

Yes, please, Gods, yes. I need you, Astarion. Please. I want you to. But only if you want to. Only if it won’t hurt you. But those words wouldn’t come. Instead, all she managed was a small whimper and a final nod.

Astarion stood and walked to the edge of the bed. A thrill ran up her spine at the image of him towering over her.

“Touch yourself for me, Naenia.”

She swallowed thickly and stared up at him with wide, pleading eyes. “I’m so hot. My underwear. Take them off me, please.”

“You know that’s not why you’re hot, darling. Do this for me, and then I’ll help you. Understand?” He crouched down beside the bed and positioned his face just inches from hers. She squirmed, unable to move closer to him with her wrist tied to the bed.

Naenia sucked in a breath through clenched teeth and began running small circles around her clit.

“That’s it. That’s a good girl,” Astarion purred.

It didn’t take much to bring her to the cusp of another orgasm. Her toes curled, her muscles tensed as she leaned over the edge — and then her fingers stopped moving. “I can’t,” she whimpered. “I can’t do it.”

“Yes. Yes, you can. Let go. Come for me,” Astarion demanded.

She ground her teeth, threw her head back, and circled her swollen clit again — harder this time.

Her ministrations pulled a soft sob from her throat. She whimpered and squirmed. “I can’t.”

Then Astarion captured her mouth in a kiss so sweet and soft it made her head spin. The feel of him sent electric sparks across her body. Enough to help her over the edge.

She moaned up into his mouth. Her back arched and her body shook as she found her release. “F-fuck. Gods. Fuck. It hurts,” she whimpered.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Astarion whispered against her mouth. “You’re doing so good.”

When the orgasm passed she noted how much cooler she felt. How much easier it was to think.

She sank into the bed, exhausted. “H-how long before I have to go again?”

“Not long. I do believe you’re through the worst of it though,” Astarion said.

She took a deep breath and turned to meet his eyes. “I can’t do it myself anymore, Astarion. Please help me.”

“I will. I just need to know you’re okay with this. That it isn’t the poison talking.”

“I’m okay. I trust you. Just take care of me, please.” Naenia felt her mind start to slip again. Whether or not that was the truth was irrelevant. She just hoped it was enough to convince him.

“Okay,” Astarion said.

He wouldn’t meet her eyes anymore. He pulled her underwear off her body and dropped it to the floor. Then he crawled onto the bed, the old mattress groaned under his weight.

“Untie me?” Naenia asked.

He nodded and leaned across her to undo the fabric holding her wrist to the bed.

Naenia shifted on the bed, positioning herself directly underneath him. “Kiss me again, please? Like before?”

His lips found hers with saccharine reverence. Naenia wasn’t used to kisses that were so kind, gentle.

All the times she’d given into her most base desires had been rough, unforgiving — detached. She thought she preferred it that way. But this, this was nice.

Her body remained mostly limp, exhausted as they kissed. While the contact brought some relief, she could feel the heat twisting in her core again — demanding more.

“Astarion,” she whispered his name between kisses.

“I know. The fever’s returning,” he said.

She felt complete panic when he pulled away from her. He must have seen the panic in her eyes because he pressed his hands to her skin as he moved toward the foot of the bed.

“I’m not going anywhere. Just breathe,” he reassured her.

Naenia melted back into the mattress and closed her eyes. He dragged his hands along her sides, squeezed her hips, and then settled himself between her legs.

She watched with rapt attention as he placed one hand on her stomach to pin her to the bed.

“Ready, darling?” Astarion murmured. His other hand settled at the apex of her thighs.

Naenia nodded. Every time he lay his hands on her brought relief. She needed this.

He slid two fingers through her slick and entered her weeping cunt.

“Gods. Oh —”

Naenia panted, her chest heaving as the intrusion pulled a strangled moan from her throat. He was pure relief, but it wasn’t enough.

“That’s a good girl,” Astarion cooed.

As if sensing her need he slid a third finger in and curled them. He worked his fingers in and out of her in slow, thoughtful motions.

Her breaths came in ragged, hot bursts as she drew closer to another orgasm. Her clit throbbed and begged for attention. She used what little strength she had left, groaning as she found her clit with two fingers.

Astarion pulled out of her. Fear. She began to reach for his hand. He couldn’t stop. It would hurt if he stopped. “Please —”

“Hush, dear. Let me take care of you,” he murmured. He kissed her stomach before he settled further down on the mattress and nestled his face between her thighs.

“Oh —”

Naenia moaned and rolled her hips up against his face. He licked up through her slit, tongue teasing her entrance before moving up and settling on her clit. He found the perfect pace -- sucking and licking — pulling her right up to the edge.

Then his fingers entered her again. No warning this time. She cried out, back arching as bliss and agony danced over every inch of her worn-out body.

She carded her fingers through Astarion’s hair and felt him moan against her cunt. “I’m close,” she whimpered. “Don’t stop.”

She ran her fingers through his hair again. This was normally when she would grab, pull, demand — but not this time. Now she just wanted to feel him. Her heart ached in an unfamiliar way.

Her orgasm claimed her. Unforgiving. Her expression twisted into one of agony, her body shook and trembled with desperate ecstasy. Wave after wave of pleasure and pain crashed over her.

Astarion continued his work with absolute devotion. He carried her through not one, not two, not three —

Naenia lost count after three orgasms. Tears welled in her eyes and burned as they rolled down her face. “Please —”

Please stop. Is what she wanted to say. But somewhere, the logical side of her knew he couldn’t. Her fever hadn’t broken. The more times he brought her to the edge and sent her crashing over the safer she would be.

Finally, when Naenia knew she could take no more — he stopped to look up at her. She met his eyes, dizzy and disoriented. His chin and lips were wet with her slick.

“One more, Naenia. I need you to come again for me.” He curled his fingers again.

“No,” she whimpered. “Please. No. I can’t. Please.”

He pushed his fingers deeper inside of her and continued his slow, agonizing rhythm.

“Yes. You can and you will,” he murmured.

Naenia shook her head, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes. “It’s too much. It’s all too much.”

She tried to squirm away from him, but he kept her pressed against the mattress. She was too weak to fight him.

“Please. Please, no more. I can’t. I don’t want to —”

Pain flashed across his face. True pain. “I’m sorry,” Astarion murmured before his mouth found her clit again.

Naenia thought she’d experienced the most violent orgasm of her life earlier in the night. She was wrong.

This one shook her to her core. Blinded her. She came screaming his name, clenched around his fingers. Her body twitched and spasmed. Ecstasy and agony battled for superiority.

Then, for the second time that night, she blacked out.

***

This time, when Naenia came to she was still naked, sweaty — but she was being held tight in Astarion’s arms. His fingers traced lazy circles on her shoulder.

“Astarion.” She stumbled over his name. Her throat raw from screaming, body still so fucking weak. Her mind though, at least that was clear.

She turned her head and met his eyes. He was watching her with so much concern. It felt — strange. “I need water,” she rasped.

He pressed a kiss to her temple and slipped her out of his arms. If she wasn’t so tired, she might have found it odd that he was still fully clothed after everything.

He found his bag and dug out water for her. She had just enough energy to take it from him. She downed a few slow, careful sips and then handed it back. That’s when she noticed his erection straining against his pants.

“Ah, that. Don’t worry your pretty little head about that,” he said. Astarion put the water down on the floor. “It should resolve itself soon.”

“Fuck me,” she whispered. Naenia didn’t want to come again. But she wanted to feel him. Needed him inside her.

Astarion furrowed his brow. “Your fever is gone. Do you still —”

“I’m fine,” Naenia whispered. “I’m me. I just want to feel you.”

She watched with quiet approval as he removed his pants and underwear, freeing his cock. His shirt stayed on as he crawled over her.

He pressed a kiss to her stomach, her chest, and the top of her breast before nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck.

“Are you sure?” Astarion whispered into her ear.

Naenia nodded. “I want to. Do you want to?”

“Yes.” Astarion ghosted kisses across her neck as his hips settled over hers.

“Astarion?” she whispered his name shyly. So unlike her.

“Yes?” He kissed her jaw and then pressed himself up to meet her eyes.

“Will you kiss me? Like you did before.” She trembled with anticipation, heart racing. Only calming when his lips met hers. He captivated her with practiced kisses so calm, and sweet.

“Fuck me, Astarion,” she pleaded.

He obliged. His cock entered her slowly, stretching her out in the most delicious way.

Astarion moaned into her mouth as he set a slow, languid pace. “Is this okay?” he whispered.

“Yes. Yes. It’s perfect,” she hummed.

She placed her hands on either side of his face, cradling him as gently as he had held her before.

Naenia didn’t do gentle sex. So, that on its own was a strange sensation. But even stranger than that was getting fucked and not chasing her own release.

She couldn’t come again, even if she wanted to. All she could do was feel him, inside her, on top of her — and breathe him in.

It almost made the agony worth it. She wondered if she’d ever experience anything like this again.

Astarion nipped at her lower lip and pressed a final kiss to her lips. “Naenia. I’m close. Where do you want me?”

“Inside,” she whispered, letting her hands fall away from his face.

The pace quickened, and then his hips stuttered. Astarion pressed his face into the crook of her neck. Almost instinctively she wrapped her arms around him, holding him so close as he found his release inside her.

He groaned against her hot skin. She loosely ran her fingers through his hair, cradling the back of his head. There was that unfamiliar ache again in her chest. She didn’t like that feeling, but she liked this.

Slow movements. He pulled out and collapsed on his side next to her. Naenia turned her head to study him.

Naenia often found people easy to read, but not him. Astarion kept so much hidden behind that mask of his. It rarely broke, and when it did, she could only catch glimpses of truths she couldn’t quite understand.

What Naenia said next. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “Is this what people in love feel like all the time?”

Astarion studied her face. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Yeah,” she sighed. “Me neither.”

#astarion #astarion bg3 #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #ao3 #astarion fanfic #astarion fanfiction #astarion smut #sex pollen #astarionfreak fic #af.op #bg3 fanfiction #af.op.fic

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thisisnotthenerd · 5 months

Text

my thoughts on the ep:

ok in medias res first ep reminding me of starstruck

also this explains what they're doing during the start of the seven and maybe why sam doesn't like gorgug all that much? he would've be on the road instead of with zelda

everyone looks great and i updated all of their classes to the spreadsheet

lowkey glad the night yorb isn't the big bad?? we know fhjy will be more school-focused; classes, getting jobs, keeping the group together and dealing with consequences of previous big swings

where is everyone going class-wise:

fig leveled in warlock--maybe going further into the archdevil thing? leaning into the infernal?

gorgug leveled in artificer--learning from the thistlesprings and building the solar lasso! not too sure of his subclass atm--we know he made a homunculus and the solar lasso, so maybe battlesmith?

adaine's stayed a wizard, assuming divination because elven oracle, but lots of little creatures--boggy, moggy, and the mephits, which are probably summoned elementals?

fabian leveled further in swords bard, has become a dancer, and has a narcissus moment with a mirror named ecaf.

kristen is now a buff twilight cleric who is excellent at support casting. circle of power combined with bless concentration? she is ignoring her deity though, which seems like it's going to tie into 'the letting your god die' mention from the trailer.

and riz is an arcane trickster with bold fashion choices! following in penny's footsteps! murph is maybe breaking the dice curse allegations?

predictions as a whole (fully my own thoughts, not concrete):

who's having the personal growth arc? fig and kristen, though kristen's had an ongoing crisis of faith.

adaine and gorgug def seem like they're going to have more chill arcs this year, though i hope gorgug gets a little more tie-in to the bbeg this time around. zac is very good at inhabiting his characters even when they aren't as tied to the main conflict, but he did so well with skip and i lowkey want gorgug to get a little more spotlight wrt plot. he has the range.

fabian and riz fall somewhere in the middle. both have had a transformation--maybe seeing the results of that? we know riz is trying to keep the party together--what's fabian doing?

#dimension 20 #dimension 20 spoilers #fantasy high junior year #fig faeth #gorgug thistlespring #adaine abernant #fabian seacaster #kristen applebees #riz gukgak #d20 #d20 spoilers #fantasy high

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albentelisa · 7 months

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Hi. So you remember the Lady of the Lake, right? Well, what if she had managed to disguise herself as a mortal woman?

That human form she took on is non other Barabra Lake, thus already making Jim half human.

When he gets the amulet in this AU, he knows his mom hates Merlin, so he doesn't tell her at first.

Oh, in this AU Bular is definitely not the only one sent flying. Merlin will get that honor for sure as well. James Lake Sr. too, I guess. And maybe even Strickler (if he ever tries something dumb, LOL).

Jokes aside, I'll say that James Lake Sr is the one responsible for Barbara's disguise. My headcanon is that Nimue can grant wishes, but she chooses to grant those only if someone voices their deepest desires (as she hates hypocrites). So, one day James amid his travel to Britain, somehow wandered into the Nimue's current abode and voiced his wish to meet his perfect woman (he was just fooling around and had no idea that it would be granted). Nimue assumed a mortal woman's form of Barbara appearing right before him. Just to say, their relationship didn't work because there never was any true love between the two of them.

Nimue would prefer to return to her old life after the breakup, but she stays with humans because it's something Jim genuinely desires. And honestly, his wish is the one she is actually happy to grant.

As for Jim in this AU, he knows a bit about his mom, but definitely not everything. Like, he's aware that Barbara is inhuman and even caught a glimpse of her monstrous form once (it's an experience he'd rather forget) and that she dislikes Merlin for some reason (Barbara never told her son about her imprisonment, so Jim is entirely unaware how serious that hatred is).

Jim inherited his mom's abilities but cannot use those as he was traumatized after seeing Barbara's inhuman form and is scared to turn into something similar so he subconsciously seals those.

Why Barbara never learns about Jim finding the amulet despite being able to read souls? Well, she refuses to read Jim's soul, respecting his privacy, and because she knows that Jim doesn't lie or hide things from her (well, he DID before the amulet).

However, Barbara read Strickler's soul. She knows he's inhuman, but well, he has no ill intent towards Jim. And Jim's plan to keep things secret from his mom flies out of the window because she also learns about Strickler's desire to get the amulet from her son.

Barbara is pissed (to put it mildly) that Merlin's amulet chose her son. For her, it's like the hateful wizard's trying to control Jim (like he did with her). However, soon she realizes that Jim wants to be a hero himself and vows to support him. She tinkers with the amulet though as she believes that her son should fight for his own ideals, not her former tormentor's glory.

Barbara becomes a team member, but her abilities are limited (because it's either keeping her human form or regaining her full powers). She isn't ready to drop her human disguise though because of Jim (as she is scared he won't be able to see her as his mother anymore).

Strickler changes the sides pretty fast because Barbara sees that his true desire is the liberating changelings and encounters him about it. The same goes for Nomura. Strickler tries to recruit Otto too, but he is too scared to betray Gunmar. Otto is also the one who frees Angor Rot here, hoping to use him as a bodyguard from both Jim's team and Bular (who is pretty much enraged after the two changelings desert).

NotEnrique gets planted into Claire's family (as well as some other changelings are transferred as the Janus Order has a shortage of manpower now).

Jim still encounters a stalking, and to defeat it he unwittingly goes full monster form which terrifies him to his core. He starts questioning whether he has any right to be with his friends. Toby tells him that it doesn't matter.

Much like in the canon, Claire snoops around and learns Jim's secret about the trollhunting. She joins the team before they learn about NotEnrique, so the eventual reveal hits her the most. Claire tries to find the Killahead alone to travel to the Darklands, and she locates it but gets kidnapped by Angor Rot. Otto uses her as a hostage to get the amulet from Jim.

During the Battle of Two Bridges, Claire manages to wrestle the shadow staff from Angor, Otto and Angor escape, and Bular is sucked into the Darklands (getting his wish to reunite with his father).

Now the only thing remaining is to save Enrique, but it meets more opposition at the Trollmarket as there is a risk to unseal both Gunmar and Bular. Even Strickler thinks it's unreasonable.

Meanwhile, Otto tries to get the bridge back. He still hopes to get Gunmar's trust back. He exploits Angor for that and sends assassins from the Order after different members of Jim's team.

Angor makes a deal with Jim and gets free eventually.

However, Jim goes to the Darklands alone in this AU as he feels guilty because many of his teammates have some injuries after the Janus Order's non-stop attacks.

In the Darklands, Jim notices that something is wrong with him. Apparently, the constant sense of danger makes his inhuman half resurface. So far those are partial transformations that he can reverse but those might get worse. At some point, he stumbles upon Bular who is exiled after his failure. They fight initially but make a truce as Bular is lost and has no idea what to do now.

Together they locate the nursery and save Enrique. Jim plans to bring Bular along with him to the surface and give him a second chance, but they only manage to get Enrique as the bridge is destroyed (and it's only partially Usurna's fault as the guards see Bular walking along with Jim and misunderstand everything).

Barbara is enraged, especially after reading Usurna's true intentions in her soul. Alas, most of the Tribunal doesn't believe her accusations (Vendel and Blinky are the only ones aware of her true identity), and both Vendel and Blinky are accused of treachery and conspiring with Gunmar. The rest of the team escapes and then they are divided into two teams to jailbreak Blinky and Vendel and to recover the Bridge.

Barbara manages to force open the passway to the Darklands (as she had altered the amulet before so she has some control over its abilities now) and the team goes to the Darklands searching for Jim. The fight against Gunmar happens there and Jim defeats him with the help of his team. Bular decides to stay in the Darklands and rebuild the Gumm-Gumm kingdom, but this time make it a better place for other trolls.

However, the victory is soured by the fact that the entire team is considered criminals at the Trollmarket now as Usurna has seized control. She also makes a pact with Otto, who wants to liberate Morgana. Otto steals the amulet from Jim and destroys it to get a map to Merlin's tomb. Initially, Trollhunters have no idea why Otto did it, deciding it was just a revenge plan.

Otto wakes up Merlin by accident but still gets his staff and escapes. Merlin gets out and after some misfortunes finds Douxie and they go to contact Trollhunters. Obviously, Barbara isn't happy. She isn't going to help Merlin but begrudgingly agrees when Douxie and Jim ask her.

Meanwhile, Usurna and Otto free Morgana and get some powers from her. Morgana feels that those two are better for her plans than Gunmar as neither of them would risk opposing her. She also unites forces with Morando.

Jim's team learns about Aja and Krel's secret and all of them realize that their enemies work as the united forces now. The decisive clash happens and the good guys come victorious. The Trollmarket finally is free and Jim's team can go there without any complications.

Merlin isn't happy though as it seems that he anticipates something bad to happen. Not that anyone is interested in listening to his thoughts, especially Barbara who would rather send him flying somewhere.

Some time passes, and Barbara has a visit from Bellroc who proposes a truce to eradicate humanity (as the Arcane Order is sure that Nimue is as pissed about magical creatures' oppression as they are). They are surprised when she refuses.

The Arcane Order still needs Nimue's power so the Green Knight kidnaps Jim, and the Order tries to force his latent abilities out. They also attack the flying castle in the hope of capturing Nari too. Douxie, Claire, Steve, and Toby end in the past. Claire is the one who gets in prison, though as she carelessly uses her magic before Arthur and his knights. Morgana breaks her out together with all the trolls.

While visiting Nimue in the past, the team finally gets why Barbara hates Merlin that much in the present. Nimue also sees that Claire's hidden desire is to liberate Jim from the Arcane Order's control (even though she has no idea who Jim is) and during the parting she gives her a hint that Jim should snap out of it himself.

When the team is back to the present, they are forced to face the Arcane Order, Green Knight, and Jim who lost his human form entirely and pretty much berserk at the moment as he isn't familiar with his new form and all new sensations attached.

Merlin (being Merlin) suggests capturing and sealing Jim somewhere. Luckily for him, Barbara hasn't heard that. Claire is pissed though. She tries to get to Jim and reach his mind, and nearly succeeds but is forced to retreat as the Arcane Order interrupts her.

Meanwhile, Green Knight finds and kills Merlin while seizing his staff (as Jim has learned where the seals are hidden and told the Order about those). Now Bellroc and Skrael only need to capture Nari.

Claire makes an attempt to reach Jim through the Shadow realm. She meets Morgana there (Morgana was sealed there after her defeat and still isn't liberated) and tries to reason with her (Claire wasn't possessed by Morgana in this AU, so she is more open-minded about it). They both try to find Jim's soul and see that he is scared, confused, and lost. This time Claire manages to reach him and ensure that no one is scared of his monstrous form. It helps Jim to regain control and turn human once again.

#tales of arcadia #toa #toa au #what if scenario #barbara is nimue here #jim lake jr #barbara lake #text post #ask box #anon ask

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dcmainlybillythoughts · 1 year

Note

Ready for another game of Story Tennis? Cause that post about the Shazamily being revealed to the Leauge as kids reminded me of an idea for just that which I had a while back.

I'm not quite sure how it happens, but on a mission, Captian Marvel gets hurt very badly. Bad enough that he needs medical help in the watch tower and is to unconscious to de power. Normally this wouldn't be to much of a problem, any other hero this would have been perfectly fine. But there's no kryptonite to let them cut through his invulnerable skin and Billy is running out of time for them to find one.

It's Darla who comes up with the idea. She stands up and says, "he needs to change back. If Captian Marvel goes back to his mortal form then they can help him!" Freddy shakes his head and says softly, "but he's asleep Darla. He can't say the magic word and summon the magic lightning to change him back."

Mary shakes her head as she says, "but we use that same lightning to transform. Maybe if we hold onto him and transform all at the same time we can make enough magic lightning to change him back too!" This causes all of them to pause in thought. It might work. But it would also mean letting the Justice Leauge know *exactly* who they are. They debate it for a bit, but it isn't a hard choice. Even if it means the leauge would kick them all out, their brother would be safe.

The rest of the Shazamily circle around Captian Marvel and each put a hand on him. Mary counts them down out loud. 3. 2. 1. And with a resulting sound that nearly deafens the entire Watchtower, they all call the Wizard's name at once.

Their plan works and Billy is reverted back to his human form, as they all are. The only problem now is that Billy's vitals immediately start to crash without his magic to sustain him and none of the poor kids want to be separated from their brother.

Billy suddenly flatlines due to the magical tie being closed off between him and the rock. His siblings all start screaming and crying trying to be sure if their brother is okay while everyone else in the building is wondering what the fuck is happening. I would assume Mary would take the liberty to explain to the others in the room what they were about to do that way it made sense, because if not then explaining is gonna be really hard to do over the cries of children and the heart monitor.

Man this idea has so much potential but I wouldn't know where to lead it to after that. Also how badly injured does this make Billy? Personally I think he has some lightning scars so those being irritated by the strike and all his other injuries would make him very fragile to work with. Also that strike also affected the entire Watchtower so there are probably so many alarms going off that are unrelated to the medical wing as well.

I know you said you didn't know how but I also wanna brainstorm on how Billy got injured. Because if I understand this correctly (feel free to say I'm wrong) Captain Marvel got affected by something and was knocked unconscious and now Billy is injured even though his body wasn't anywhere on the premise. Oh wait are you going by the thing where Billy holds all of Captain's injuries because that could work. I mean nothing hurts Marvel easily so it wouldn't be a big deal till it is and he does get majorly hurt, like this right here.

Also to be clear this is Beck right? It probably is but I don't wanna assume wrong

#billy batson #shazam #captain marvel #dc #dc captain marvel

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moonstone27ls · 1 year

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Unicorn Warriors Eternal ep5

Welll that was a lot more like it. Finally started to get interesting.

All I can say is things make a LOT more sense with Melinda and Merlin. And as much as Edred stated Emma was in the way. I think this episode proves it wrong. Emma and Melinda need to work together to finish the job(if I’m assuming it can be finished). And this was a good change from these two constantly butting heads.

Emma got to see why Melinda is the way she is and gain empathy. I think that understanding will help Melinda heal from what she’s avoiding (trauma wise) and Emma understand her spirit?/incarnation whatever. I did enjoy the child Melinda getting along with Emma. Besides the factor that we saw Melinda as a child, who did make mistakes, Emma herself got to see a side of her she probably hides, her vulnerability.

That being said... I do have questions. I got glimpses and but I think we only got part of the picture... so Melinda is Merlin’s daughter... so I assume Edred is his son-in-law. Merlin knew his daughter had magical abilities and choose to hide them from his wife. And his wife is... Morgan (maybe Morgan Le Fay? maybe that could had just been picked at random)

My question is... what was Merlin referring to when he said he hid the truth from her intentions. Is he referring to that she’s too over protective? Now yes I know she stated it... but unless Melinda was hurting people(which didn’t seem the case so far). Why was she so hellbent on removing the powers from her? The “evil” wasn’t there yet. The magic itself is questionable... considering it fought back even without Melinda really using her full strength.

Was Morgan honestly just trying to stop Melinda from being like them or her father? (To which I’d have to ask why marry a wizard in general that increases your chances) Still confused on the situation. Is their magic alive or something? Cause Morgan did argue with it oO? But again... she herself has something similar.

So the evil itself is... technically Merlin’s wife... fused? Or cursed by Melinda’s magic.... well kinda makes more sense now why Melinda seems triggered by that “what did you do response”. I honestly thought it was Emma’s doubt, but its Melinda’s own subconscious from the trauma of what happened with her mother. To which it makes me wonder... is this thing even evil to begin with. Merlin was willing to put his own daughter on a never ending life loop to stop his wife. But to my knowledge (again so far we’re only getting a glimpse so don’t jump me on fanguessing)... but not to kill her.

And I’m just gonna say it. If Merlin blamed his child for whatever happened(and no I’m not blaming a child for that scenario Melinda was literally a baby).. could explain even more why she’s so... gonna say it coldhearted a bit. If thats the case, Merlin(even if there’s a chance he took it back) blamed his child and made her constantly train to fix this mistake. Even when Melinda was hurt in the pilot, Merlin never showed a hint of worry unlike her teammates.

Whether its meant to or not, it makes you feel like Merlin used his daughter and instead of taking some responsibility/ or comforting his child he just made her do all the hard work for something that technically was caused by his lack of communication with his wife. And this magic? I dunno we need more time on that one.

Plussss would explain that voice Melinda heard in the pilot. That being said.. does that mean the fox (or kitsune) is just an agent? Why would the kitsune be helping “Morgan”/the evil? Hmmmm

Then Winston, some ACTUAL use for this guy. It was nice to see him for once not going worrying about Emma every 5 seconds. Buttt now we have a more interesting development...

Did the “Evil” lure him there on purpose? Or was that a victim genuinely warning him to stay away? As for the obvious werewolf development. That really depends on what version Tartakovsky has picked. Werewolves aren’t just “mindless monsters” now thanks to a lot of media. I do think he is picking a somewhat typical cliche that he won’t have control over it. But who knows?

Maybe he will? Maybe he’ll ACTUALLY be of some help for the team or he’ll be “Oh shoot my fiance has to save the world... but I can help” (So long as there’s no silver bullets involved)

Buttt if it does go the typical monster cliche. Then yeah that goes two ways... one Emma/Melinda has to cure him. Or two... Winston can’t be controlled/or helped and she’ll be forced to kill him. Hmm either way he finally got interesting

#unicorn warriors eternal

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mcl-mia · 4 months

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//i don't have time right now to do more in-depth digital sketches/concept art, but here u go. kureha and mama tachibana :)

ideas/ headcanons under the cut!

so. if you thought hiro doesn't come from a family with kickass women i'm sorry but i do not agree!!!!

kureha tachibana:

i imagine she's roughly four years older than hiro, give or take. also taller than him (i put hiro at 5'11" and kureha at 6'2")

lulu and belle's retainer, but used to shadow both parents when they were performing their *~Retainerly Duties~*

used a kendo sword instead of a real one. it has a steel core, so the bamboo is replaceable, but still hits like a truck. she uses hinomotan magic, too, but probably not to the same extent that hiro does. she likes it this way though :)

looks way more like their dad, while hiro takes after their mom. i'm pretty sure this is canon? i think it was mentioned in the nobility spin off, but it's been a hot minute since i've seen the screenshot.

scary and mad confident. she is hot shit and she knows it. very good at keeping secrets, though, and unlike her brother and zeus, knows when to keep her mouth shut. she has a keen eye for trouble, too. almost like she has a spidey sense or some other premonition-equivalent power. hiro has no idea how she does it.

i think her style would be similar to hiro's, though - easy to move in and comfortable. a liiiiittle more fashionable, though. the kind of gal that always wears boots and sneakers, and flats for formal events.

also bisexual. very bisexual. there are no straight people under the brundle estate's roof because i say so. sorry solmare this is what you get when you abandon ur games :/

makoto tachibana:

a former assassin from hinomoto. she was part of the assassination attempt on the brundle household when thor lost his leg, but was on the hinomoto side of it. her job was to kill seiji, who had just lost his parents at the time.

she obviously didn't kill seiji, but instead fell in love at first sight. she betrayed her employer and fellow assassins, ending their lives and trading her daggers for the life of a normal woman. seiji has no idea about any of this. would he care? maybe, but she's an excellent mother and an equally talented wizard, so he'd probably get over it quickly and be all mushy and say something like "the scars of your past do not matter. you are here with me now, and the fire in my heart that burns for you has not diminished." you know, like a shakespearean loser.

she's had other assassins come after her and seiji, but seiji just assumes it's because they're the tachibana family, and not because his wife has history with them. (only the lookout managed to get away after the assassination attempt, so he was the only one from the queensblade group that learned of makoto's betrayal)

super strong. even better at magic than her husband, but stays as a last line of defense for the estate. if you somehow make it past seiji, you won't make it past her.

she's iris' retainer, and they get along very well! they gossip about their husbands' relationship often and they find it very funny.

biggest reason why the tachibana family uses ravens as their familiars. murders used to surround makoto all the time, and now it's no different *slaps knee*

also very scary when mad. like, extra scary. nobody fucks with mama. but very nice otherwise :) sometimes she'll slip into her more rough and tumble side - think former biker, almost.

uhh i can't think of much else right now but i'm sure i'll think of more when i actually... .. you know... .. do a proper illustration with them and hiro.... ;_;

#i'm so fucking sorry hiro . i missed our birthday.#not mcl #wizardess heart #mia draws #i just think they're neat. we should have gotten to meet them!!!!!!!!!#makoto's outfit was a struggle ngl. it took me more than a few tries to get an outfit that i liked #that wasn't just a kimono or knock off yor forger. u know.#i'll have to do a late b-day pic with the fam. . . . .. ... . . i'm so sorry my boy #iris and makoto are so funny together they are SO supportive of their husbands #they'll just be watching thor and seiji bicker and they'll be like “wow you're more married than we are”

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desultory-novice · 1 year

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I've been reading your various theories/analysis on the Nightmare Wizard and I was impressed what you came up with, given how HAL has given us virtually nothing on Mr. chin man.

It's a somewhat popular headcanon that Meta Knight was created by or at the very least connected to Nightmare, but this came from evidence in the anime canon. I was wondering what are your thoughts on this theory based on game lore?

Hrgh! I LOVE Nightmare! I have so much fun writing him and speculating on him! I mean, whether he's an actual physical, incarnation of the concept of bad dreams or just a once-upon-a-time power hungry Wizard who decided to name himself after the concept... that's so cool?!? It doesn't even bother me that he gets jobbed all the time. It's the POTENTIAL!!

I love his VA, Banjo Ginga, too. This wizard might have a chin the length of a galaxy but he's got a VOICE to back it up!

Now, you said game lore, but I'm going to go ahead and talk HC because, like you said, we know almost nothing canonical about Mr Chin Man, but the chance of a Halcandra connection seems GOOD at least. (Actually, even better now with a parallel version of him showing up in the same game with the Gem Apple Tree?)

So, I strongly HC him as being responsible for Marx (in several ways) but anime-originating or no, I think making him Meta's creator/corruptor is a fun little theory.

It's common to assume Kirby's species just gains wings as a matter of fact (I'm undecided, despite the fact that we have three winged... err, four if you count Zero Two - then again, those are apparently veins?? // why did this never click for me despite the fact that they show it in the END CREDITS?! // so maybe three - members of the "species") but if you start the whole line at Galacta, as a progenitor being or even god, with their unsullied angel wings, there is something "monstrous" about Meta Knight's devil/bat wings. He LOOKS like the "evil clone" despite being more the hero on every level.

(...Once we forget the military coup. Silly tangent, but I saw someone on Twitter make a joke about Elfilis and the Beast Pack forcing the captured Waddle Dees to work the generators and how cruel that's portrayed, when Meta Knight's own ship uses Wheelies for the same purpose! ...Of course, maybe that's just exercise for Wheelies? We don't know if it was mean... necessarily...)

Speaking of Meta Knight and a questionable past, I was thinking the other day about DMK and Marx and since they're the last two of the "You jerks don't deserve to be Dream Friends!" trio - Magolor having proven himself a true friend and worthy ally after an extended trip through hell - and trying to think just what Dark Meta Knight and Marx could possibly have in common. (Outside of Salty French Bread canon (?) where they get along surprisingly well. Then again, everyone in that group is a secret maniac, except Adeleine) This is especially when I step back and remember that DMK is still BASED ON Meta Knight. Meta Knight's thoughts and feelings exist somewhere within Dark Meta Knight, they're just twisted. (And under what grounds would META KNIGHT ever have to get along with/sympathize with/feel camaraderie with Marx??)

.That's a long way to get around to saying I'm actually REALLY fond of Nightmare Knight (...is that a badass name or what?! Also love that his independent play modes are called "Meta Knightmare" Too bad that's a localization only thing, as it would be GREAT fort this theory...) as a splinter HC! I actually have a lot of room for this to fit in my personal/main HC too!

(:cough: since I liked to imagine Nightmare as a former Halcandran Geneticist, this would not even be hard for him, especially if he managed to get ahold of Galacta Knight's DNA. And my Nightmare, who absolutely has a twisted sense of "humor"...

"You COULD have given the Noddies arms, you know." "Ha! They're literally engineered to sleep all day! What possible use would they have for arms? Grabbing a pillow??" :later, Marx, trying and failing to grab a pillow: "...Grrrr...!!!"

...would absolutely see Meta Knight as a consummate warrior and thus, as the "cherry on top" program him with an insatiable lust for battle, "...just like his stabbity-happy genetic predecessor!" Something Meta Knight is constantly trying to combat w/ copious amounts of book reading and fancy sweets... :cough:)

You know, it would be kind of fun, too, if that played into the reason Meta acted so unusual in Adventure. He's on-board with Dedede's plan to stop Nightmare, but he also knows well enough that the stall won't STOP Nightmare and thus, he supports Kirby throughout the puff's adventure.

Or maybe Meta Knight was even fighting his genetic programming/monster nature during that campaign? (Does that happen in the anime, too? Generally decent critters who are monster-fied try to fight the evil inside??) The potential story ideas are endless!

I was told at one point that Marx pulling his MWW stunt out of hunger from the "Spring Breeze" famine was the only way to explain how his game fit in the "plot" of Super Star. But when I think about Nightmare reaching out his long claws to manipulate both Marx and Meta Knight (one last tangent: but Noddies are pink just like Kirby. Both Marx and Meta Night look like them but with a distinct blue(ish, in Marx's case) palette. And who else is those colors??) the fact that you unlock Milky Way Wishes after Revenge of Meta Knight (I lied/another tangent: What IS Meta Knight "revenging" anyway? His defeat? The one he basically engineered in Kirby's Adventure? Weird thing to get upset about...) could also give you a slightly different take on that "storyline." Maybe?

The only thing I DON'T like about this theory is it would potentially make Meta Knight realllllllly old. Centuries, even. And that doesn't matter so much if you throw out the concept of realistic human-esque aging in Kirby altogether (which I sometimes do, because I'd easily take "Kirby is hundreds of years old but STILL maintains a young, optimistic, innocent point of view" over "Kirby is an almighty battle toddler" - We don't know Kirby's actual age, but I've seen some numbers thrown out by fans, and the idea of non-chalantly sending a literal 6-10 year old to do the stuff Kirby puts up with in game makes me uneasy) but in a lot of cases, I think i prefer Meta Knight to be closer to a contemporary with the main gang?

Chalk me up as one of those people that thinks Meta Knight tries his hardest to act mature, to always be seen as the "smartest and the eldest" but is actually a big, huge dork on the inside. Like he decided he would have the role of "group adult" only because he wanted it, not because he did anything to earn it.

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3xm-draconic · 5 months

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Debts to Pay. (werebat Cyris and Astarion story)

Summary: Cyris and the gang fight whimbly in her alchemy emporium…

“Ok we are here…now how do we get in and kill her? (hic)” Astarion hiccuped as he rubbed his painfully full stomach, “There is an open window up there, do you think you can fly or climb up to it and get inside so you can unlock the door?” Wyll turned to Astarion, “I (hic) think so…” he grumbled.

Astarion assumed the form of a little bat and attempted to fly but was…too…heavy.

Astarion came crashing back down where Cyris caught him in his arms “darlin let me do the climbing” he kissed the plump little snowy bat.

Cyris tried to climb up…but only managed to scratch up his fingers “damn it” he hissed, “let me try” Wyll said as he used the spell “Levitation” to get himself up to the window “no luck guys, the door’s locked from the outside in here” he called back to the others, “let me try” Gale smirked.

Gale cracked his knuckles…and cast “FIREBALL” at the door.

“Welp the door’s open now” Cyris mumbled as he, Gale and Batstarion hid from the guards who were coming to investigate, “Really Gale?!” Bastarion chittered angrily, his tiny voice squeaking venomously at the wizard, “ah I’ve always wanted to do that…” he laughed.

In the ensuing chaos they managed to sneak past the guards and into the store, it was a large open-market style shop full of alchemical and apothecary supplies, no one would ever suspect it to be a front of a large industrialized outpost drug lab.

Wyll would be up stairs waiting to regroup with them after he lockpicked the door, while they explored the warehouse level of the building they watched the workers create some of Toril’s worst drugs, seeing all the intoxicants being created brought back painful memories to Cyris, even worse it bright back a craving for them.

But he was better now, he didn’t need Traveler’s Dust or Dreammist to escape, he finally had freedom and he wasn’t going back. Halfling-leaf on the other hand is something he enjoyed since his teen years back in the shire, smoking it with his dad and with his brothers after a hard day’s work in the garden, that he didn’t mind indulging in every once and a while.

Seeing the large bushes of the leafy plant artificially growing in magical planters sparked his intrigue “hmmm…maybe I should get some of those for the house…NO, no focus!” he reprimanded himself “kill the bitch now, smoke a bowl later” he had to admit it though…it smelled good.

A sudden loud shriek and a succession of bangs caught their attention…

“Is that what I think it is…?” Gale hushly said in aw, “Holy…” Astarion and Cyris gawked, a little unicorn foal was stuffed in a cage much too small for it. Whimbly was smacking the cage viciously “SHUT UP!” she venomously hissed at the poor creature, “look!” Cyris pointed to another cage. Inside was another unicorn…

Its horn looked like it had…been amputated… along with two of its legs and its eyes…one of its ears…

“Gods…” Astarion gasped “is…is this bitch selling unicorn parts as alchemical ingredients?” he snarled, “no” Cyris sadly turned to him “she’s turning them into Vornduir, it’s a drug made of “animal essence” and herbs. The more powerful the animal…”, Astarion and Gale frownd “the more potent the drug…”

“We need to act, I’am not letting her hurt those poor creatures” Astarion growled, “got a soft spot for ponies?” Cyris teased, Astarion rolled his eyes and kissed Cyris “yes…now let’s kill this old crone”.

They descended into action…

Astarion snipped two guards off the catwalks where he saw Wyll sneaking by to rejoin them, Gale buffed the party with a spell that made their weapons magical, Wyll dropped from the second floor right behind a third guard and took him out on the drop and Cyris bum-rushed Whimbly.

“Didn’t I kill you?” Whimbly drawled, “you did…I got over it” Cyris shrugged.

“Well, looks like I’ll have to make sure I put you in the ground myself this time” Whimbly snapped.

She casted a spell… “mass suggestion”...

Cyris was unaffected, Astarion and Gale made their will saves against it…Wyll though…

“Hey bozo, Kill your friends” Whimbly commanded, great…now their fighting Wyll…

You see after Cyris made a deal with Mizora, Wyll’s patron, by promising to get her a really powerful magic item in exchange for Wyll to be free of his contract Wyll became a paladin…

A very, VERY powerful paladin…

“SHIT! Wyll, buddy snap out of it!” Cyris cried as Wyll started swinging at him, “Gale you have to break Whimbly’s concentration” Astarion shouted, Gale nodded…but unfortunately he was out of spell-slots…

However…there was one tactic he had learned from Roger…

Gale ran up to Whimbly…

And bitch-slapped her.

Stunned silence filled the room…

“Ah. yes. I do believe I may have…fucked up..” Gale whimpered, “oh pretty boy~” Whimbly cood “you THINK?!” she snapped as she swung at him.

Gale ,who had been learning a monastic tradition from Roger, dodged her swing and immediately began running around the room like a frightened chicken…

Wyll stumbled out of his daze “what’s…happening?”, “Gale slapped a bitch and now he’s in hot water, we gotta bail him out!” Cyris said as he charged at the hag, “Gale did WHAT?!” Wyll gawked, Astarion was laughing too hard to really answer him.

Cyris tackled Whimbly to the floor and started whaling on her with his claws, Astarion and Wyll handled the guards as Gale regained his breath…

Whimbly knocked Cyris aside but he recovered and took a large metal rod from a box nearby and used it to pin her against a support beam…

“Cyris…doll~” she murmured sweetly “you kill me you’ll kill your mother, I have her Soul contracted to mine~” she hummed, Cyris growled “YOU'RE LYING!” he bent the rod around her, holding her in place “My mother would never come to you!”

Whimbly smiled “oh sunyboy…my sweet baby…she came looking for you a LONG time ago…”

Cyris smiled in return…

“You know something whimbls…when you live with a gambler like you for so long you pick up on their tells…” Cyris picked up a bottle of alchemist’s grease “and I KNOW when you are bluffing…”

Whimbly frowned and her eyes widened “don’t. YOU. DARE!” she screamed…

Cyris dumped the bottle over her…

Then lit a match…

They freed the unicorns and all the others who were kept prisoner by Whimbly and they even got the stone…too bad now half the dock district is now on fire…

The gange walked back to the mansion bruised up but otherwise unscathed.

“I can’t wait to propose to Fireworks!” Wyll hummed happily “I want to do it in the garden if thats ok with you, she loves the fountain and all the birds that come by to drink from it”, “go for it” Astarion nodded as Cyris gave Wyll a thumbs up.

“Speaking of darling~” Astarion turned to Cyris, “after the brain is dead you have a very important job to do”, “right, planning our wedding” he ginned, “not just that sunshine” Astarion nuzzled him “you have to introduce me to your family”.

#baldur's gate 3 #fanfic #dnd #dnd character #astarion x oc #werebat #baldurs gate astarion #wyll x karlach #paladin wyll #gale of waterdeep #bg3 gale #baldurs gate gale #bg3 wyll #baldurs gate wyll #wyll ravengard #gale dekarios #astarion ancunin #cyris rayford

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