ascended astarion and vampire spouses

so I've been reading the dnd 2e manual "Van Richten's Guide to Vampires" for fic/game inspiration, and there's this really interesting chapter on vampire brides and grooms. after reading it, it's very clear to me that Astarion didn't turn Tav into a typical spawn, but into a vampire spouse, which are two very different rituals with very different outcomes.

the typical vampire spawn creation process is exactly what Astarion describes happening to him: a painful death, a painful rebirth into undeath, fighting his way out of his own coffin, and Cazador's complete control over him. this is described pretty clearly in the guide to vampires:

According to most related tales, a vampire can create another simply by killing a mortal either with its life-energy draining power (draining all the character's experience leveIs) or by exhausting the mortal of his or her blood supply. If the victim's body is not properly destroyed, it arises as a vampire, under the control of the creature who killed it, on the second night following the burial. [...] Most vampires remember the instant of their death and the nature of their killer, and understand immediately their new nature. Certainly their new hunger gives them a good idea of what they have become. They must immediately free themselves from their grave. either by breaking it open from within or by assuming gaseous form and diffusing out.

so that's definitely what happened to Astarion, but that's not what happens to Tav. after ascended Astarion turns Tav into a vampire, they can ask him what happened, and he describes the following:

Astarion: You are so beautiful... And you will be beautiful forever. Thank you for trusting me. Player: What exactly happened? Astarion: You were drained dry, and at the height of your delirium, I granted you one drop of my own blood. Things will be a touch different for you than they were for me when I was a spawn. I'm imbibed with unfathomable new talents. I am fairly certain I can extend Mephistopheles' blessings unto you. Player: Does that mean I need not fear the sun? Astarion: You need not fear anything. You will be stronger, swifter, sharper, but you won't be different. You were already perfect before. It's hard to improve.

for reference, this is how the guide to vampires describes the ritual for vampire spouses:

To actually create the bride, the vampire bestows what is known as the "Dark Kiss". lt samples the blood of its mortal paramour—once, twice, thrice—draining her almost to the point of death. This process causes the subject no pain; in fact, it has been described as the most euphoric, ecstatic experience, in comparison to which all ether pleasures fade into insignificance. Just as the subject is about to slip into the terminal coma from which there is no awakening, the vampire opens a gash in its own flesh—often in its throat—and holds the subject's mouth to the wound, As the burning draught that is the vampire’s blood gushes into the subject's mouth, the primitive feeding instinct is triggered, and she sucks hungrily at the wound, enraptured. With the first taste of the blood, the subject is possessed of great and frenzied strength (Str 18, if the character’s Str isn't already higher), and will use it to prevent the vampire from separating her from the fountain of wonder that is its bleeding wound. lt is at this point that the creator-vampire's strength is most sorely tested. He is weakened by his own blood loss, and also by his own rapture as the "victim" of a dark kiss. Overcoming the sudden loss of strength and the inclinations of lust, the vampire must pull her away from its own throat, hopefully without harming her, before she has overfed. Should the subject be allowed to feed for too long (more than 2 rounds), she is driven totally and incurably insane, and will die in agony within 24 hours. Once the subject has stopped feeding, she falls into a coma that lasts minutes or hours (2dl2 turns), at the end of which time she dies. Several (1 d3) hours later, she arises as a Fledgling vampire—and her creator's bride.

this to me sounds like what Astarion describes. he drains Tav almost dry, and at the very last moment, gives them a single drop of his blood. (also interesting reading this guide, the single drop avoids the problem of the vampire spouse being driven ravenous with hunger for the vampire creator's blood and attacking them. did Astarion know this and give them one drop on purpose to avoid that and Tav potentially being driven mad by it? or was he being selfish and this is just a nice but unanticipated outcome?)

i kept reading and there's a lot more interesting information about vampire spouses, but the most interesting thing I found related to the game was this:

Although there are some folk tales that describe the bride of a vampire as its slave, in much the same way that offspring are slaves, a bride is free-willed from the moment of her creation. The creator vampire does have great influence over the bride. however although this control is totally nonmagical. When a vampire is created in the traditional manner—that is, when a victim's life energy is completely drained away—the new fledgling instinctively understands much about the vampiric way of unlife, and about its own strengths, weaknesses* and needs. Not so the bride.

so basically, the vampire spouse is not tied to the vampire creator in the same way as a spawn (i.e., not able to be fully controlled) but is still extremely reliant on the vampire creator to teach them how to live as a vampire. the guide goes on to describe that some vampire creators may lie to their vampire spouse about the control or powers they have, in order to exert more control over them.

interestingly, if you ask Astarion if he can compel you the way Cazador compelled him, he doesn't give a straight answer, he just says this:

Player: Cazador could compel you - can you compel me? Astarion: Why would I need to? You're going to be wonderfully obedient.

to me, all of this says that Astarion was telling the truth when he told Tav that they would be different from him as a spawn, and also in emphasizing that they are not a spawn but a consort. he didn't create a spawn, he created a vampire spouse. he married Tav, and because of this Tav also retains their free will.

of course, Astarion doesn't say this. if he knows, he withholds this information in much the way that this guide describes, as a way for the creator to maintain more control over their spouse. but still, extremely interesting implications for the ascended Astarion romance, imo.

other interesting facts about vampire spouses from the guide to vampires:

the married couple has telepathic communication that can span miles -- so Tav and Astarion can potentially have a telepathic bond even after the tadpoles are gone. (another note, this communication has to be consensual both ways for it to work, so you can't just dig around someone's mind if they don't want it.)

the vampire creator is extremely jealous and possessive. (yeah lol)

their life forces are linked, so one suffering a great deal is felt by the other.

the bond can be broken, but the ritual to do so has to be initiated by the creator. to break it, they both spill their blood on the ground and allow it to mix. this dissolves all aspects of the bond (i.e., telepathy and linked life forces), but the spouse stays a vampire.

Found Family - Preview

summary: In which Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent engage in a custody battle over a clone created from both their DNA, or, in which you get saved from a lab and gain two new families who would move mountains for you.

pairing: Bat Family x f! Reader, Supers x f! Reader

full fic is posted here!

a/n: hihihi :) here is a preview of something I've been working on, hopefully it'll be posted in a few days, I hope you like it!

reblogs are appreciated!!

Clark sat in silence in the batcave, Conner standing to his left, his eyes wide as he stared at you, possessing some features belonging to both he and Bruce, and other features that seemed to be entirely your own.

You stared back, that same stoic nature radiating off of you that radiates off the Batman, however, he noted the defensive look in your eyes, one so similar to the one he saw in Conner when he first met him. He eyed your suit, noting the familiar “S” symbol, only it was a burgundy color, a combination of the Batman and Superman emblems, and he was utterly confused.

He looked over at Bruce, still in his bat suit, his cowl pulled off, “Bruce, what the hell is going on?” 

“I had to call you here because Luthor decided to create another clone. I did the DNA test, Clark, she’s a combination of both our DNA” Bruce looked at him, Dick and Damian standing to his right. It was silent for a moment, you felt like a guinea pig, the way they all stared at you. It made you angry. 

Conner was the first to speak to you, stepping forward before opening his mouth, choosing his words carefully, “What’s your name?” 

You responded immediately, it felt automatic. “Experiment attempt number one. Code G6B24. I was made to be the future killer of the Batman and the Kryptonian.” 

"we need more morally complex mentally ill characters" yall couldnt even handle basil

Urusei Yatsura artists! Draw this in your style (DTIYS)!!

The poll has ended and the results are clear, so here it is: The UY DTIYS challenge!!

Remember! Anyone can do the DTIYS no matter what your skill level is or whatever the quality of your supplies are; and there is no due date for the DTIYS, so even if you think of attempting it months or even years later, you're completely free to do so!

And with that aside, here it is, the art to be redrawn!

Illustration from the cover of Urusei Yatsura Tankobon Volume 33.

A very good luck to all the artists who will be doing the DTIYS, I honestly can't wait to see your work! (　^ω^)

And of course, reblogs for this post are appreciated since it may allow more people to know about this and if you have any queries, feel free to ask! :)

i like ghostflower (hell I draw fanarts for them) but I’ve decided I like the version of them in my head more and will just stay away from the fandom in general cuz I’ve seen some discussion and they just make me go “what on earth are y’all on” 💀💀💀💀

BABY, WE COULD REACH THE HEAVENS // OR DANCE IN HELLFIRE ↳ kaida uses xe/any pronouns

taglist (opt in/out): @shellibisshe, @florbelles, @ncytiri, @hibernationsuit, @stars-of-the-heart, @vvanessaives, @katsigian, @radioactiveshitstorm, @estevnys, @adelaidedrubman, @celticwoman, @rindemption, @carlosoliveiraa, @noirapocalypto, @dickytwister, @dameaylin, @killerspinal, @euryalex, @ri-a-rose, @velocitic

okay so none of us actually think that the losing team is like DEAD dead like permadead right. like we all agree its just for the event right. and we're not gonna panic right.

[Day 9]

god i am so sorry please forgive me i used a random word generator and it gave me "maid" and then i just. yeah.

am i allowed to say the adventure line™ does not end with an arrow or would i get killed for that

is it ok if people use your art for layouts with proper credit?

yes, you can use my arts for your profile pics, banners etc; personal use only, with credit! and that it's not for your own profit and benefit. we're all people who create things for fun and enjoyment ^^

though i'd like to emphasize that i also don't allow reposts and edits on my art anywhere, even with credit. what i've allowed so far is what you can do to enjoy em!

I absolutely adore Crowey and Hanna theyre the sweetest! Could you please tell us more about them? Like how did they end up together, was it accidental child acquisition or something else?

Thank you for the ask!! Tbh i just started going feral about my new little au these last few days so nothing is set in stone yet, but here's my current write-up for how it came about that I'm using for art inspo How post-s2 Crowley ended up with an unhinged Daughter

I'm thinking Hanna is a startlingly young but frequent Group Home (or whatever the UK version of a Group Home is) runaway, and during one of her bolts she stumbles across a spitefully morose Crowley sprawled in the grass at a park telling his tales of woe to some ducks or something. Hanna is pretty precocious and also likes Crowley's red hair and the odd way he sits and she has a favorite duck at that particular spot anyway. one which, as she informs crowley, is a better listener than the big brown one with the mean look about him who once chased her half way to the next bench over.

I imagine Crowley will aim for aloof and miss because he's always been helplessly charmed by weird kids, and will ask why the duck was chasing her in the first place. Hanna'll say it must not have liked her mushroom story, to which Crowley will give an "oh?" and Hanna will plop herself down next to our demon and launch into a passionate rant about her favorite fungi. At some point much later a social worker (or again, whatever the UK version of a social worker is sorry im from the States) will track her down (maybe the park is a frequent spot for her?) and drag her back to the group home. But as it happens the next few times she runs off she bumps into Crowley as well, be it by dumb luck or divine intervention who knows. They'll form a camaraderie and get up to some mischief before she's found again. I imagine she catches on to the demon thing pretty quick (she's as bright as she is nosy and Crowley isn't particularly subtle) and is ecstatic to see Crowley's eyes for the first time (before asking why he has eyelids and if he needs to blink). Eventually he'll ask once why she runs away, and she'll tell him the families that come to adopt kids think she's too odd, too underfoot, that she asks too many questions. so instead of waiting around to be left behind she just leaves. Its not so scary that way, she says. And suffice to say Crowley ends up a little attached and perhaps a little fond and perhaps doesn't want to have to watch the social worker drag this lonely kid away again. So he says if she wants she could maybe stick around. They can be something of a team, maybe. And he won't mind that she's odd, or underfoot, or that she asks so many questions. And that'd be that! Demon hand-wavey adoption goes through without a hitch, and soon Crowley's got a car seat in the Bentley and a tiny green step stool by his plants and a kid on his hip💕 So in short to answer your ask, it was not so much an accidental child acquisition as it was a rather intentional child acquisition

me and my animal,

getting my dick BENT

CHAINSAW MAN AU FOR LOOKISM; JOHAN AS AKI !!! PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OG IDEA/POST BY HYUSOLK HERE <3 !!!!

that tangled au was spinning around in my brain for hours before i finally gave up and started drawing.

Behold:

EZRAPUNZEL

Remembering the toxic hellscape that was 2015-2019ish SU fandom and just how much hate the show got is really insane when you rewatch the show after it's been a while. Like the show is good what the hell were any of these people talking about

blorbo brainrot levels officially terminal i'm actually drawing fanart