#we can't go back to the emerald grove
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As a follow-up on Ari's never-ending musical tour, it appears Steam just decided to stop counting my progress at 17/100, and refuses to update it past that, because the morning after the romance scene, I decided to go ahead and try to hit up the Underdark (and the Blighted Village) that I had forgotten to serenade while in Act 1, and got so many gold pieces from people who she had not played for previously.
Unlike those plebs in Moonrise Towers, mushroom people are really into the lute.
As is this doomed wannabe kidnapper from the Society of Brilliance:
(don't worry why Astarion was hiding. I was trying to save her and her asshole friends' future asses by stealing back the owlbear egg I'd swindled her into taking, but even when Astarion succeeded and started to sneak away she was like "BITCH GIMME THAT BACK" so have fun dying jerk! But... at least she tips better than the Harpers)
Then headed back to the Blighted Village, which I somehow had missed completely while dragging my feet in Act 1, and performed for all the goblins. They enjoyed our traveling show, and had some, erm. Interesting suggestions.
I, uh, am sure it makes an interesting xylaphone-like sound. But I think I'll pass.
Confirmed: Ari's lute playing is more entertaining than watching ogre porn
Thanks I guess? Also we might be forever banned from the Emerald Grove for reasons, but don't worry about that. It's not important.
#we can't go back to the emerald grove#apparently ari picking up a book NOT OUTLINED IN RED#made the two jerk druids really mad#it was not owned by anyone i swear!!#and they just started following her around#shouting THIEF THIEF#even after she put it back#if i ever do an evil run#(which is not likely but still)#the FIRST DRUID TO GO is that isolationist jerk#also ari got hit in the head this time with a piece of gold traveling at mach 5 (but her ac is high enough it was fine no hp lost)#the tadfools back at it again (in true form)#we also wound up doing the prison break (which is an entire post of its own)#(because that went hilariously and badly wrong)#apparently steam stopping the counting at some random number early on is happening to a lot of people#and SUPPOSEDLY they just suddenly get it whenever you actually get to 100 in-game#apparently act 3 it's pretty easy to hit the number so there's that#ari's musical adventures#grey's bg3 tag#bg3 posting#bg3 spoilers#ari's og campaign
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Self-Preservation
[Astarion x Named Tav]
After finding Emerald Grove and helping Aradin and the Tieflings survive the goblin ambush, Phayelynn and the party take refuge at the Emerald Grove, a home to a group of druids and Astarion attempts to begin to teach Phayelynn a lesson in self-preservation.
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Who else can't play Bg3 because Patch 3 won't let them save their game? *insert uncontrollable sobbing*
(word count: 2,931)
Read on AO3 or here :)
Self-Preservation
“Well, this seems like a lovely little spot. It’s very picturesque, don’t you think? You know, with the sense of impending doom aside.” Astarion barked a laugh as they walked further into the grove.
Phayelynn caught his attention as she walked side by side with him. She held her head high, an upbeat expression smeared across her face as if the fight against the pack of goblins at the gates didn’t just happen a few minutes ago. He fixed a scowl, giving her a harsh squint. He wasn’t surprised she was taking the time to smell the roses. She was too engaged with taking all the new sights in to pay attention to him, or their other companions.
Astarion rolled his eyes.
“I’m going to go find a merchant.” Shadowheart ignored the pair of them, eyes scanning down the path. She could see lights up ahead as the grove made its way into a cave like structure, covering its inhabitants from the dangers of the outside world. “Try to get as much coin as I can for what we found in the crypt. Possibly get some information about any healers they may have that could help.”
“I shall join you.” Lae’zel stepped forward. The tieflings from yesterday who’d captured had mentioned a man named Zorru, who had seen a cluster of her people not too far from their location. She had to speak to him.
“I didn’t ask for company.” Shadowheart took a step back.
“Chk.” Lae’zel curled her lip, lowering her chin to look down at the cleric. “You think you can survive alone without me, girl? Whatever constitutes a healer here will be insufficient. We must find who those who captured me yesterday spoke of, find my people, and-”
Laughter cut her off. She widened her stance, crossing her arms tight against her chest as she narrowed her sights on the black-haired hindrance in front of her.
Shadowheart popped her hip out, placing a hand on it, a chuckle escaping from her with a playful downward pinch of her eyebrows. “Oh, I believe it’s the other way around, actually. Remember, Gith, you’re the outsider here.” she jabbed, mimicking the same tone Lae’zel had used with her. She turned on her heel toward where she assumed the market area would be. She didn’t fully walk off yet, cocking her head back to look at Lae’zel one last time. “I suppose I can allow you to join me, seeing as you’re clearly the one out of their depth here.” She looked to the other three. “You three should find us proper lodging and find out whoever is in charge here. They could possibly know who here can help us with our problem. We meet back here in an hour.”
Gale and Astarion watched as the cleric and fighter stalked off. By now, Phayelynn had started paying attention, nodding after Shadowheart and Lae’zel, giving them a wave. “Have fun! Don’t kill each other!” She shouted after them, earning odd looks from a few tieflings nearby. She smiled sheepishly, turning her attention towards Gale and Astarion.
“Hmph.” Astarion pouted, wearing a flat look. He let out an exaggerated sigh, his body slumping for the sake of dramatics. “I wonder now, what made her think she was in charge?”
“Did you want to be?” Phayelynn snorted.
“Oh gods no.” He grimaced, straightening himself up. He looked down at her, being only a few inches taller. “I just don’t appreciate being ordered around, that’s all.”
“She has a point, though,” Gale added, cutting in before the two could get further sidetracked. If yesterday at the crypt taught the mage anything, it was that these two would be quick to get into trouble on their own, let alone together. “We should find whoever’s in charge around here so they could help our cause.”
“Do you really think we should tell people about, you know, the thing in our head? Won’t they just kill us?” Phayelynn spoke quietly, fidgeting with the hem of her top. The material was rough and beat from the last few days. She was itching to find something new to wear.
“I see your point,” Gale held his chin in his hand, rubbing his thumb against his skin in thought. “Our condition is-” he paused as a tiefling walked by. When it was just the three of them again, he continued, “Odd,”
“What a prodigious word for it.” Astarion clapped sarcastically. “Couldn’t have thought of a better one myself,”
Both Gale and Phayelynn gave him a look. Gale looked unamused, already debating on whether he liked Astarion or not, while Phayelynn held back a giggle.
“Regardless,” Gale started, “Maybe it would be best to use discretion when talking about-”
Phayelynn stopped paying attention, her head turning at the sound of arguing nearby. She turned to her left, seeing the tiefling and the human from before at the gate at each other’s throats. Without a word, she walked away from Astarion and Gale, heading towards the disagreement.
“-I wouldn’t trust anyone who claimed to be infected-Phayelynn? Where are you going?” Gale trailed off, instantly noticing her departure.
“Seems I wasn’t the only one getting bored listening to you talk,” Astarion smirked, side-stepping around Gale and following Phayelynn curiously.
It was Gale’s turn to let out the exaggerated sigh before following them both.
“There are children here, you fool!” the red tiefling exclaimed, clueing Phayelynn in instantly that they were arguing about the dispute at the gate with the goblins.
“We were running for our lives, Zevlor!” the human was quick to defend.
The tiefling, Zevlor, Phayelynn now knew to be called, made a clicking sound with his tongue as if that was a good enough defense for jeopardizing those protected by the grove. He stepped closer, a breath away from the human’s face. “You led them straight to us! Now nowhere is safe. And what’s worse, you let them take the druid too. Unbelievable!”
Phayelynn felt a pang of pity towards the human. She would’ve done the same if she’d been in the same circumstance. She and her party stumbled upon the grove, the human, and his two other companions. They were greatly outnumbered and on the verge of being slaughtered by the pack of goblins. If this Zevlor hadn’t opened the gate, or even if she and her party were a moment too late, the goblins surely would’ve overrun them.
She felt a twinge of pride, puffing her chest at the thought. Maybe she was cut out for this hero thing, after all, she thoughtwith asmile to herself.
“What’s unbelievable is how we beat those bastards!” She grinned, failing to read the room. Both men looked at her, thrown off by her interruption at first. “I mean, they had no chance against us,” she smirked loftily.
The human looked at her with cold eyes. He flared his nostrils at her boasting. He and his people almost died, and she would just walk over here and brag? Who did she think she was? He sneered, “And who the hell are you again?”
Phayelynn clearly didn’t expect to be met with such harshness and took a step back. She didn’t have to think about a response as Zevlor had already formed one for her, “Aradin show some respect. This woman and her companions saved your pathetic life, boy.”
“I didn’t ask for her goddamn help.” He glared daggers at her.
Phayelynn flinched.
This wasn’t how she thought this conversation would go. Weren’t heroes supposed to be thanked by the people they saved? She gnawed at her bottom lip. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t a hero, not yet. She did one good deed. Sort of. Hells, she hadn’t even killed one goblin. Like in the crypt, she stood behind and let her party do most of the work while she pepped them up on the sidelines. She hardly knew any spells, mostly just illusionary magic that she was used to using in her act, not combat. She did shoot a few arrows, though she missed most.
She frowned, feeling Astarion and Gale now behind her. Her cheeks flushed.
“Please, you were begging me to open the gate. Anything to save yourself. We lost good folk to let you in here, coward.” Zevlor took a step forward, and Phayelynn saw a flash of something shiny as he reached for his blade.
Something snapped in Phayelynn. She stepped forward, outstretching her arms to keep them both separated from each other. She stood firm, giving them each a stern look in the eye. “More violence won’t bring back those that you lost,” she remembered the phrase her uncle repeated to her all the time, a still unlearnt lesson. She’d kill to see his face at hearing her say, “Stop and think.”
Zevlor’s grip on his blade tightened, and for a moment, Phayelynn thought she had failed. It wasn’t until he released his hold, letting his fall back into its sheath, that she let herself breathe and lower her arms. She still sensed Aradin tensing up, though he made no inclination that he was going to attack.
“She’s right.” Zevlor looked down, almost ashamed of the hold his anger and grief had over him. “There’s too much at stake. Thank you for intervening.” Zevlor looked up, giving her a nod. He looked back at Aradin. “Enough squabbling. The goblins have found us now; we must think of a plan of defense-”
“Worry about your own precious hides.” Aradin huffed, storming off, but not before brushing his shoulders with Phayelynn on his way out.
“I don’t think he likes you,” Astarion tutted, watching the human walk away from them.
“Don’t think too much of Aradin. He’s a blowhard.” Zevlor said. He motioned between the three of them. “Thank you all for your help out there with the goblins. I’m Zevlor.”
“Phayelynn.” She outreached her hand for him to shake. She smiled as he took it. She pointed back to the rogue and the wizard, “This is Astarion, and this is Gale. Are you in charge here?”
Zevlor let out a hearty laugh, his head falling back.
“I’m no druid. No, no, my people are refugees from Elturel. We took shelter here after gnolls attacked us on the road to Baldur’s Gate.” He frowned, “You and your companions should see to your business here quickly. The druids are forcing everyone out.”
“Aren’t druids supposed to be, I don’t know-nice?” Phayelynn squinted questionably, looking towards Astarion and Gale for guidance they could not offer. They both shrugged, from lack of care on Astarion’s part or for the same assumption on Gale’s.
“Halsin is- was, a good man.”He sighed, “Gods knows what happened to him. He and Aradin were out scouting after more threats had been made on the grove. The boy returned without him with that pack of goblins on his tail, so one can only assume the worst.” He sounded unhopeful for a good outcome. “Kagha, the new First Druid working in his absence, wants us out. She blames us for the attacks. She’s started a ritual to cut the grove off from the outside world. We can’t stay, but we’ll be slaughtered if we leave. We’ve lost so many already.”
Phayelynn furrowed her brow. Who would do something like that? She shook away the naivety. She’s met enough people in her time to understand that there are many who would, many who had no regard for others and no urge to help those who clearly needed it.
“You haven’t tried talking to her? She can’t just kick you all out.” Phayelynn said, looking around. There appeared to be plenty of space from the looks of it.
“She won’t see me.”
Astarion saw Phayelynn bite her lip, pursing them. He saw the flicker of an idea, a bad one, gleam across her features. Before she could speak it to volition, he put a firm hand on her shoulder, raising the other to excuse them both from the conversation. “Parden us, just a moment.”
Zevlor and Gale shot them confused glances before nodding them off. Gale began asking Zevlor where to find this First Druid, this Kagha.
When Astarion was pleased enough that they were out of earshot, he let go of his grip. “Darling, you reek of a proposition that will lead to consequences I don’t quite feel like dealing with today, thank you very much. May I remind you that we are here for a purpose, and that purpose isn’t to help the first sob story that crosses through your ears?”
“I mean, we were tasked with finding whoever is in charge here.” She drawled out, unable to meet his eye. “We’re going that way anyway. It wouldn’t hurt to mention it, you know, to try to -”
“To try and do what exactly?” Astarion silenced her, his face stern, “Help them?” he laughed. “How do you propose we do that now, hmm? Think love, if the leader of the tieflings can’t even convince the First Druid to allow him an audience, what makes you, someone completely uninvolved in the matter, think you can obtain what he’s failed at accomplishing?”
“I have a way with words!” She scoffed, stomping her foot in offense. She glared up at him.
He looked unimpressed and didn’t shake his stern demeanor. Maybe he jumped too quick at picking her to attempt getting close too. He eyed Gale, quickly wondering if he’d make a better candidate. He shook his head, getting rid of the thought, and turned his attention back to the girl before him. She would be easier to mold.
“Sure you do, love.” He teased, “You sure had a way with that being in the crypt yesterday. And with that human, just now.”
“I dealt with those tieflings who had Lae’zel and those two raiders outside the crypt!”
“Wonderful, you’re only useful half of the time.” Astarion pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I just don’t think it’ll hurt to mention it,” she found herself unable to let the matter go.
“You don’t think it’ll hurt-” His voice raised an octave in disbelief. “Your naivety is glistening in the sun, my dear.” Astarion swatted at the air. “One wrong word, and you could end up like him,” he motioned back toward Zevlor. “And the druid won’t speak with you, and you’ll ruin any chance we have here dealing with these parasites in our brains.”
Phayelynn broke eye contact, dropping her head in defeat. He had a point. She brought her gaze back up to him when his hand returned to her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. Her pointed ears twitched as she felt it. She searched his eyes and noticed how tense his body language was.
“Your heart is in the right place, but messengers? Really? We have more pressing matters than that.” He shook his head at her.
He was afraid, she picked up as her eyes still searched his. The threat of sprouting tentacles at any moment did cross her mind, but it was clear now that it was taking over his.
“Alright, alright,” she admitted defeat, dropping the matter. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” He nodded, standing straight up again. “Word of advice, it’ll do you good to keep your nose out of places that don’t involve you, trust me.”
“You speak from experience?” She asked as Gale started heading their way, having gotten all the information he needed from Zevlor.
“Self-preservation.” Astarion corrected, crossing his arms against his chest.
Gale stood before them now, clasping his hands together before him. With a nod of his head, he tilted it off to the right, “The heart of the grove is where we’ll find the druids. This way,” Gale began leading them away, deeper into the grove.
#astarion romance#astarion#astarion bg3#astarion x mc#astarion x oc#astarion x tav#bg3 tav#bg3#bg3 spoilers#bard oc#tav bg3
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The quest item we just unlocked straight up says "Raid the Emerald Grove," which suggests to me that we could just go full on evil here and like. Join the Absolute if we wanted to? Obviously Hector is not interested in that - although based on how the last post went I wonder if he's going to be on a slippery slope with the possibility of corruption.
A big theme of his playthrough (and the game in general so far, I guess) is turning out to be the danger of acting against others based on fear. He's seeing this constantly among people out in the real world, and didn't really believe himself similar - but when pushed into the corner he's turning out to be just as capable of lashing out.
Also we keep getting inspiration events off of Astarion which is hilarious because Hector HATES lying and all of Astarion's inspiration events so far have been points where we did it successfully.
So a couple things need to happen in short order - a) find Halsin, b) get Astarion back to camp where he can't be disappointed by Hector trying not to do those things, and c) give Hector a goddamn nap.
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I can never think of titles, so most of my fics are titled with song lyrics. I was from the songfic generation so maybe it just stuck. If I know what I want to write, sometimes I find a song to match the overall vibe and listen to it on repeat for hours while writing. It helps me zone in and get into the feeling. Sometimes the exact lyric I find the most *THEM* doesn't work as a title and it's a travesty tbh.
I'm also on team All Lower Case for no reason except that I think it looks better.
Cursed? playlist below cut, with further notes
Not a song title: An Anthology of Trib...ulations, but it is a tribbing joke, so. Although I don't think I ever got around to that particular act before I lost steam.
when my blue moon turns to gold again (Shadowheart/Lae'zel, warning for major character death) is from an Elvis song with the same title. It fits within the sad-joyful tone because the song is about how happy the singer will be when their lover returns to them, and how they'll never let them go again, but Shadowheart finds peace and joy in the part of Lae'zel that does return to her, even though she comes to learn Lae'zel has perished in the githyanki liberation battles. ALSO, this song is on the soundtrack of Desert Hearts, which is the greatest lesbian movie to ever exist.
green on the vine (Shadowheart/Nocturne) is from "Strawberry Wine" by Deana Carter which has the line, "my first taste of love, oh bittersweet / green on the vine." The song is about a young love that fizzled out, but the singer looks back on it fondly because it was such a formative experience. So that's very Not the Experience Shadowheart and Nocturne had, and ironic because Shadowheart can't reminisce about her first young love. I chose 'green on the vine' as a title because it invokes the image of a fruit plucked too soon and made bitter, much like the way Shadowheart and Nocturne's relationship was cut short over and over by the demands of the cult.
mirage (Shadowheart/Nocturne, Shadowheart/Alfira) is the title of a song by Sylvia and this one is pretty on the nose. In this fic, Shadowheart sees Nocturne all around her as she engages with the Emerald Grove and meets the Dream Visitor. But this song is about being misled/manipulated by a lover, so it mostly refers to the Emperor using Nocturne's image to manipulate Shadowheart.
solitaire (Alfira/Lakrissa) is the title of a Carpenters song, about a lonely man who isolates himself and keeps himself from connecting with others and finding love. I imagined Lakrissa pushes others away with her flippant attitude and pessimism, and isolates herself (notice she sits alone talking to herself in the grove) and her experience in Moonrise is what motivates her to open up and accept the friendship and, in Alfira, the love that other people offer her.
like a candy to an apple (you're so sweet on me) (Alfira/Lakrissa) is from "It's Whatever" by Aaliyah. This is my Official Alfira/Lakrissa song imo, it captures the sweet, supportive, and romantic vibe I love for them perfectly. The whole line is, "like a candy to an apple, oh we go together / you're so sweet on me." This is a fun, romantic, sexy fic, so the song fic captures it perfectly. Definitely listen to this one if you don't know it, it's a favorite and everyone should know Aaliyah!
hold you like a python (Minthara/Florrick) is from "National Anthem" by Lana Del Rey, with the line being "I sing the national anthem while I am standing over your your body / hold you like a python." I always loved the imagery of this line, of squeezing the life out of someone to feed on them and feed one's own ambitions and that's kind of what's going on with florrithara in this fic. There's no romance yet, no feelings--just two powerful women engaged in this mutual chokehold, neither willing to back down, but sure to end with someone's guts on squeezed out on the floor.
lay you down on a bed of roses (Minthara/Florrick) is from "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi, in the line, "I'd like to lay you down on a bed of roses / but tonight I sleep on a bed of nails". I really don't have an excuse for this except I was like 'Minthara would love Bon Jovi' and I listened to this song on repeat for hours while writing that fic.
Minthara/Florrick also are part of a series, so they get a series title as well: "I could liken you to a werewolf (but I admit I provided a full moon)". This is from "Werewolf" by Fiona Apple which I think of as the florrithara theme song. It's about an unsalvageable relationship, and that's Minthara and Florrick. The line is truncated from the first two lyrics, but I'm gonna list about the first five lyrics because that's what I think of for this song and ship:
I could liken you to a werewolf the way you left me for dead
but I admit, I provided a full moon.
I could liken you to a shark, the way you bit off my head
but then again, I was waving around a bleeding open wound.
But you were such a super guy till the second you get a whiff of me.
We're like a wishing well and a bolt of electricity
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It Rhymes With House (Six Hours AU one-shot)
Author's Note: I haven't played Durge yet, but I intend to do a run next playthrough. This chapter's Durge is your bog standard one--white dragonborn. Dunno why he's here, he's just kinda chilling, because I've noticed the chillest people usually have the most shit going on.
I can't not torture Tav. Had an idea. In this I guess Raphael's 'Six Hours' offer was quite worse and Cald ended up at the Emerald Grove with Halsin. This is something I'd like to do but the buildup would be too similar to other fics. This one's a bit of a mess.
Yes I'm outright ripping Theon's shtick.
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"Who in the hells is that?"
When the party turned back up in camp with an additional follower, nearly everyone was wary.
"One of Raphael's pets, I think," Karlach said, gesturing vaguely at the shaking figure nearby, "Poor sod begged to come with us. Said without Raphael there she was a sitting duck."
"We knows she's not a devil," Wyll started, "Doesn't look like a tiefling, she looks...a bit like me, actually. Given the horns, I mean--you know, they're just like his."
Durge crossed his arms. There was a pause, and a thousand-yard stare. He took in a sharp breath. "Where's Shadowheart? She could use some healing."
The woman backed away when Shadowheart approached.
"What is your name?" Shadowheart asked gently, noting the fear written all over the woman's face. There were scars here and there, but none on her face or hands.
"Mouse," the woman said shakily, as she looked up and around the campsite. "I...I don't remember much else. Something terrible happened to me, so the master took--took most of my memory. So I would not...be burdened by the past."
Durge stood close by, trying to ignore the scent of blood.
As Shadowheart healed her wounds Mouse muttered.
"Mouse, Mouse, it rhymes with house, the house of hope, and death of the same."
She looked to be a drow, but vitiligo had stolen the color of large chunks of her face and hands, and when the healing was done Mouse looked up anxiously.
"What do you want in return? Which of you do I serve now?"
"Nothing, and none of us. I'm sure you'll feel better after you've eaten," Shadowheart said, "You say you remember very little...where's Halsin? I know he's still got some noblestalk."
"Please, I've got nothing to give you in return," Mouse said anxiously. "I already owe you for the healing, and noblestalk is expensive. The master--"
"Your master is dead," Karlach finally spoke up, "Dead, do you hear me? He's not coming back, I beat the shit out of him with the hammer he didn't want us to steal."
Mouse lowered her head. "I know, but...I've nothing to offer you for all this, I already owe you an enormous debt for letting me go back with you, and..."
She trailed off at that.
Remember, Mouse. You are only worth what someone is willing to pay for you.
"Halsin should be back soon," Durge finally called out. "He went on a supply run with the boy."
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My name is Mouse.
It was the first thing the master had taught her, and she remembered it when she'd forgotten everything else. Too painful, he'd said, really, he was doing her a FAVOR, cleaning it all out of her mind. Family, friends, all of them gone because of the mindflayers, and yet she was lucky--for there he was to save her!
There to keep the tadpole from turning her into an illithid.
Yes, yes, very lucky she was. Even if sometimes--sometimes, it would act up. The tadpole would make her remember things, and she would be disobedient...she would remember disobeying, but not what she'd remembered to cause it.
She only got pain she deserved, but the master preferred it to be non-physical. Locking her up alone, or having everyone in the House simply ignore her. Making her earn the right to be noticed again.
Mouse, Mouse, Mouse
He was always there to make things better, too, and to remind her of those that lurked outside the House of Hope. Those other devils, who would be far less kind masters than he was. That without him there to protect her, she would be ripped to shreds.
Then these strangers had come...killed Haarlep, stolen the hammer. She'd begged them to take her along, and for some reason they'd done it, with no guarantee of payment or return.
Then they'd brought her here, kept her warm by the fire, given her food even.
It was...they were...nice. Moonlight above, grass below. She'd forgotten the green of it, the soft light of the moon, everything she was feeling and seeing right now.
The tadpole squirmed in her head.
No, please, don't make me remember--
The master was dead. He was DEAD. She kept telling herself that but still the fear rose. A fire, like this one, four bedrolls, and three of the others she was seeing around camp.
Every time the tadpole stirs, it causes trouble. It makes you remember things, and those things make you forget who you are. And who are you? Tell me.
M-Mouse. My name is Mouse. It rhymes with house, the house of hope, and death of the same
The master was the only truly clear thing in her mind. Lurking behind every stray thought. Waiting to punish bad behavior, or praise the good.
The memories were shady, though, only half-real. Half-remembered, on the very edge of sight she had to squint to see at all. But the tadpole stirred again...
"MAMA!"
A jolt.
Has anyone told my husband?
Nothing is more precious to me.
Mouse flinched when a body suddenly collided with her own, wrapped her neck in a tight hug.
"Mama, you're--you're back! Mister Durge said they killed the devil that took you!"
She looked up shakily when the boy drew back. Dark eyes--
His eyes.
--fluffy white hair.
"She says she doesn't remember anything," the white dragonborn said, "So go easy on her."
The boy's expression dropped, and his eyes misted instantly. "He made you forget me?"
"He-he made me forget everything that wasn't him," Mouse said. "I'm sorry, I..."
"Here," said a stronger voice behind the boy. "Give her this, it might help."
Mouse looked up, then back down immediately. The elf before her looked even more concerned than the others, and sat down beside her once he'd handed off something to the boy.
"You truly don't remember, do you? To live so long with the memories you carried, and then to forget them...before you could even know that someone else shared them, too. Such pain I would never wish on another, no matter how foul."
The boy sat down in front of her, and held out--a mushroom. "It helped Shadowheart and Mister Durge remember things, so maybe it'll help you too."
"Noblestalk," she said, taking it, "That's expensive, I don't have--"
"We can spare it," Durge called from somewhere, "We just robbed a devil, we've got PLENTY."
"Eat it, mama, please."
The boy begged her so earnestly, she could do nothing but listen. She ate, and after a pause the illithid began to twitch in her mind again. A flash of memory of the boy before her, showing him the contents of a box she'd kept hidden. Rings and whiskey and...boots? Then it shifted, and--the master--appeared. Words from her own lips, she heard in her own voice in her mind--
I will do anything if it means protecting my son.
The boy before her...the same as had been beside her in that memory.
"You...you are my son," Mouse said, "Cald...is that right?"
The boy smiled and nodded eagerly.
The large elf spoke again. "You sold yourself to that devil to protect him from the same foul vampire to torment our star."
"How did--where have you been all this time, then?" Mouse asked. "Please tell me you've been alright."
"You sent me to mister Halsin here when...when the devil visited. He's nice...some of the other druids weren't, but he was."
"And we were lucky," Halsin said, "That I recalled the time before, else...else things may have gone ill, considering the views of the druids of my grove. I was not aware before. But I was this time."
There was a pause.
"My heart, I am...so sorry that you have had to go through all of this. When they freed me from the goblin camp, I feared the worst..."
"I told mister Halsin who that devil was and he was pretty sure we were going to meet him later. I already knew we would...I wanted to come when they went to go kill him but they wouldn't let me."
"He's as dead as a devil can get," Durge called from his tent.
"It would not do to lose you when we had only just found your mother," Halsin said, "I imagine you must have many questions you want to ask of him, Tav, so I will leave you to--"
"No, no, my name is Mouse." It was hard not to include the rest of it, she almost felt she'd break her jaw trying.
"No, mama, it's Tav," the boy said, "My name is Cald, this is Halsin, and you're Tav."
Please, someone, anyone, talk to me.
The large elf--Halsin--seemed to decide on a look from Cald to stay exactly where he was.
"Perhaps time in nature will help. As a druid, you must be relieved to see the greenery again."
"I don't...I don't remember...being a druid. I don't remember any of this. We didn't have many plants in the House of Hope, and...I was told not to pray to any gods there, so even if Silvanus COULD hear me..."
A pause.
"My contract," she said, "Did you see my contract while you were there?"
"They brought back some I helped them burn," Cald said, "We're still looking through a big stack."
"Perhaps we can burn mine together."
Raphael was not dead, not truly, but if she could get the contract burned at least she would not be compelled to obey afterwards.
At least, not by the contract.
#fanfiction#bg3#tav#bg3 raphael#bg3 durge#karlach#halsin bg3#shadowheart#drow oc#drow tav#wyll#baldur's gate 3
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Going slow and enjoying it
After dealing with the bard incident, Astarion and I headed back to the Emerald Grove and nearby areas to pick up SH, Wyll, Gale and Lae'zel.
Side note, it's so frustrating that I can literally see Karlach from that ledge, but can't reach her. Looks like I'll have to go though the Risen Road way instead.
In my previous run-throughs here I had Tav/Durge, Astarion, SH, and Lae'zell. This time I'm running it with Wyll instead of SH. So picking up Karlach should prove interesting. I've never tried it this way before.
But while we were there we decided to tackle the Owlbear issue. And of course I just had to threaten Raphael for Astarion's approval. Next up: the hyenas & gnolls.
Last update before battle - I really didn't like Joi's face. So I took a few minutes at the mirror to update her looks. Better face, same scars, but instead of black/brown hair with light highlights she's sporting ginger and pink tones. Here's the screenshot I took right as she was looking at the hyena.
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Astrid vs the Shadow Druids
But first, some travel
Astrid: Oooooooh this isn't good.
Shadowheart: *reading a signpost* Moonhaven. Doesn't look like a haven for much of anything to me.
Goblins: Oi! Piss off!
Astrid: ...So we're not even going to get a chance to--
Goblin: *shoots at Astrid*
Astrid: *uses Gloves of Missle Snaring and snatches the arrow out of the air an inch from her face* Okay never mind then. Also, just to say? *Vicious Mockery resonance* MY GREAT-UNCLE CAN SHOOT BETTER, AND HE'S DEAD! MAYBE WHAT WE'LL DO TO YOU WILL IMPROVE YOUR AIM!
Gale: I do love it when she marks targets for me. IGNIS!
Shadowheart: Are those two what they mean when they say 'power couple'?
Astarion: Magically, yes. Socially ... I suppose that too. She'd carry him through the social whirl, and he'd guide her through academia.
Gale: If you're quite through speculating about our potential coupledom...
Astarion: Oh. Right. *grabs a goblin; FEEDS*
Further into Moonhaven
Astrid: Well, at least we talked those goblins out of picking on that poor deep gnome...
Gale: Why are you grinning? You usually hate it when she does something altruistic?
Astarion: What can I say? I appreciate a solid con job.
Gale: You would.
Astrid: Come on, guys, we don't need to be squabbling when-- *opens door on bugbear dude in a VERY compromising position with ogre lady* --oh.
Bugbear: PRIVACY!
Astrid: No, sorry, just ... I mean, carry on; I'm trying to get the description down. In my head, you know? There's this one tavern in some of the grubbier bits of Baldur's Gate where this one would bring the house down.
Bugbear: Always wanted to be porn star...
Ogre: MOOD, KILLED. LEAVING.
Astrid: Oh, but...! Sorry. Didn't mean to cockblock you! I guess this is going to have to be more of a limerick now...
Gale; Shadowheart; Astarion: *exchange looks*
Astarion: When you ... finally get her into your bedroll... I know you'll probably leave out the details, you selfish thing, but at least let us know if the ... wealth of knowledge she apparently has about this sort of thing translates into anything ... exciting, won't you?
Gale: Ugh.
And, a little further into Moonhaven
Lumpy: Oooh. Meat. Bodies and bling. These are the best things.
Astrid: Meat apparently chosen by this 'Absolute', so ... maybe you'd like to work for me instead of goblins?
Lumpy: What's in it for me?
Astrid: You obviously like eating the fallen. We usually end up with a lot of fallen and it would get a lot more variety into your diet...
Lumpy: SOLD! *hands her a horn she can barely lift* Call us when you're throwing whatever dinner party; can't wait.
Gale; Shadowheart: *staaaaaare at Astrid*
Astrid: What? They're going to be dead anyway, Astarion gets to do that so I can't really deny anyone else who's helping me dibs on eating our enemies, I need to be able to keep what we loot from the bodies for magical artefacts for Gale, and anyway, the whole biodegrading process works a lot faster when meat passes through a digestive system before returning to the earth.
Gale; Shadowheart; Astarion: *staaaaaare at Astrid some more*
Astrid: I'm getting into Circle of Life thinking because we're going to have to be talking to -- or maybe yelling at -- druids, okay?
Shadowheart: I'd reiterate the fact that you are unbelievably weird, but that goes for all of us at this point, so I suppose either you fit right in, or we do.
And, on the way back to the Emerald Grove
Astrid: So ... do we want to read this prayer to that box to see if we can get it open?
Shadowheart: ...I'd rather feed myself to the owlbear.
Astrid: Oooookay well at least there was some incense and a couple of nice potions. Also ... *peeeeks up over cliff a bit* ...baby owlbears are adorable!!!
Shadowheart: You already have a pet. And a ... probable lich, for some reason.
Astrid: There's always room for more cute.
Gale; Shadowheart; Astarion: .............................
Astrid: Oh, fine.
Finally back at the Emerald Grove
Astrid: Okay, so Gale, the magical artefact I basically fed you didn't feel right when you drained it and that's a worry and I still need to know where Haslin is and that's a worry and I have a feeling that what I'm about to do isn't going to prevent me having to massacre goblins and I don't like that much either but I am going to shove all of that aside because ... excuse me, Kagha? I think the tieflings make much better neighbours than Shadow Druids do.
Other Druids: ...wut.
Astrid: *hands over evidence* Please do something positive with this. We had to kill mud mephits for that. And I know you're doubting even though half your brain is screaming that Haslin was weak and you can do better with this bunch but ... no.
Kagha: It's ... it's fine! It's the right thing to do!
Astrid: By the tenets of your own faith, it really isn't. Silvanus is a god of nature and most plants die in shadow.
Kagha: ...Oh, fuck, what have I done?
Surrounding rats: *turn into Shadow Druids*
Astrid: Bought yourself some very impressive allies that will help you boot the Shadow Druids out of your grain stores?
Astarion: Oh, good; they turned themselves into something tasty.
Astrid: How would that even work? They go back to humanoid once you kill the beast form so one minute you're sucking a rat like a--
Astarion: ...Not sure I want to hear where that one's going after the ... incident we walked in on before.
Gale: Not to interrupt this team bonding, but one of the Shadow Druids became a bit more ... combat ready.
Bear: *ROAR*
Astrid: Oh. Well. *ahem* *Vicious Mockery resonance* I HAD SCARIER TEDDY BEARS AS A CHILD!
Bear: *roars in pain*
Gale: Ah, there we go. It's not a fight unless she kicks it off with shouting insults at people.
Stabnation: *ensues*
Delivering reports later
Zevron: How by the gods did you make her change her mind?
Astrid: Essentially by appealing to her better nature. The details get a lot more complicated. Anyway, are you still going to be heading for Baldur's Gate, or stay here, or...?
Zevron: Well, at least it's not a rush job, but I think there'll be too much tension for us to stay long-term. We really need rid of those goblins.
Astrid: *sigh* Okay, but I should see if I can find some new boots. If I'm going to be wading knee deep in blood ... again ... some more ... I need sturdier footwear.
Gale: You know we only have to kill three generals, right?
Astrid: Yeah, but we have to get in first. So either I somehow don't manage to talk them in circles and we have to fight our way in, or I talk my way all the way in and then the entire place falls in on top of us when we attack the first general and they call for help.
Astarion: Well, I'd wager on the second, so ... I'm an assassin. You have a Silence spell. We can do quiet.
Shadowheart: And even if the first is the case ... did you just forget a bunch of ogres have literally pledged allegiance to you?
Astrid: Well, I didn't really want to force them to fight for me, but ... maybe I can just look at it as inviting them to dinner?
Shadowheart: ...I continue to fear you.
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Adventure Post!
Adventure Polls will be returning once work and life calm the FUCK down. Currently just at full capacity and can't handle keeping this up right now. Keep an eye out though! When it starts back up I will likely move it to a side blog for easier management!
A pinned post for me to keep track of my choose your own adventure poll!
Adventure Polls will be posted on weekdays, and take breaks on the weekend (and sometimes Thursday when I need to travel for work) to give me a rest and to let me noodle on what's going to happen next!
If a poll ever ends in a tie, I will incorporate both winners in the next chunk of the adventure!
If you leave tags or replies on the polls, you fuel me, bless you.
~Poll Links Beneath The Cut~
Poll #1: Setting the Stage
Poll #2: Into the Forest
Poll #3: Through the Fae Threshold
Poll #4: The Slumped Figure
Poll #5: How Do I Help?
Poll #6: A Trip Home
Poll #7: Puns Aside... The Actual Trip Home
Poll #8: Reflecting on the Day
Poll #9: Strangers in on My Mind
Poll #10: Your Feelings on the Matter
Poll #11: Sweet Dreams
Poll #12: Good Morning
Poll #13: HOLY SHIT!
Poll #14: The Furniture is Talking...
Poll #15: Find a Happy Place
Poll #16: Core Memory Pt 1
Poll #17: Core Memory Pt 2
Poll #18: Core Memory Pt 3
Poll #19: Core Memory Unlocked!
Poll #20: Arm Yourself!
Poll #21: A Stranger's Cloak
Poll #22: Questions Asked
Poll #23: Last of the Emerald Grove
Poll #24: The WHAT?
Poll #25: Let's Put a Pin in That
Poll #26: Chart the Course
Poll #27: A Friend Pt 1
Poll# 28: A Friend Pt 2
Poll #29: How Trusting Are You?
Poll #30: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
Poll #31: All Things Considered...
Poll #32: I Went to the Far Weald and All I Got Was...
Poll #33: One More Thing
Poll #34: Safe and/or Sorry?
Poll #35: A Humble Request
Poll #36: Before Bed
Poll #37: Ominous Portents
Poll #38: Press Your Luck?
Poll #40: Not So Helpless
Poll #41: A Little Help From My Friends
Poll #42: We Should Be Running!
Poll #43: Shit, Running Got Harder
Poll #44: Split the Party?
Poll #45: Barbie Horse Adventure Theft
Poll #46: The Archer
Poll #47: Until Midnight...
Poll #48: To the Rescue!
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Blood, Flesh, and Tears
Name: Torment (He/Him)
Race: Zariel Tiefling
Class: Paladin (Oath of Vengence)
Background: Haunted One
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!
So after getting his ass bit, Torment and the scooby gang (so far it looks like he'll be primarily traveling with Lae'zel, Wyll, and Astarion) met with what seemed to be apprentices of the Absolute cult. Their True Soul friend, Edowin, got got by a Owlbear and perished because of it. Torment has a brief conversation with the two individuals, Andrick & Bryanna, learning that the Absolute chooses individuals to be True Souls to serve as a mouthpiece of her will. She grants these individuals powers to enact her will and that soon they will rule everything.
Now at this point, especially since the Emerald Grove is a bit of a safe spot with very little combat, Torment has been deprived for too long of blood. The desire has grown to extreme lengths and wishes for it to be spilled. But he is not senseless. Since an Owlbear killed their dear friend Edowin, and these apprentices are followers of the Absolute, thus associated with the Goblins, he informs them to "avenge their brother" and go kill the Owlbear. Now, they say they won't do it without his help, but I followed them to the cave and watched them enter, hoping that they're just dead on the other end lol. Besides, there were other important matters at hand.
As stated before, Torment wishes to kill both Kagha and the Goblins. So we started with Kagha. After a brief fight to protect Auntie Ethel (who may or may not be a Hag), the gang was able to find a secret note in the swamps that points to Kagha being in kahoots with Shadow Druids. With this evidence, Torment felt justified in his blood-filled sense of justice to get rid of Kagha.
He brought this evidence back to the inner grove, exposing her in front of Rath. This caused few Shadow Druids to emerge from...Well, the shadows, and attack those that oppose them. With Kagha dead, the Tieflings are now free to live in peace until Torment finishes his bloody path into the Goblin camp and to kill their leaders.
So remember in my last post how he met a musical Tiefling? Well, her name is Alfira!
Despite being discouraged to continue her song and to take up arms, she suddenly came to his camp in the middle of the night asking to join him on his journey.
Although Torment would've pushed that Alfira stay at the grove, he thought it wouldn't hurt to have her tag along. Besides, he has spilled a fair amount of blood to sate him, what with Kagha dead. And he'll have Goblin blood to spill as he paves a path for the Tieflings, so no problem, right?
Oh boy was he wrong lmao. To be honest, I was honestly surprised by this, and not in a disgusted way (since there are some people who who forgot that this is a rated MATURE game and the Panels from Hell clearly stated that the Dark Urge would be a darker story). At first, I was excited to have Alfira join the party, believing that she was one of the few NPCs we could recruit in the same way how Halsin and Minsc can be later recruited. Especially since of all the character classes, we didn't have an official Bard companion aside from the Hirelings.
But then this happened! Torment would wake up from his slumber with Alfira ripped to shreds with a large bloody symbol that surrounds her corpse.
This is only poetically encouraged because my man has a -1 in his Intel lol. Now, Torment has essentially told everyone (save for Gale, rip in piss) that he has this innate desire to harm others. Something everyone kinda brushed off a little, with the expectation that he would be able to control his urges and direct them to more "killable" assets and not themselves and innocents (can't cause too much trouble, you know). And so far, Torment has been doing well, save for killing a few poor animals here and there. He though he was doing well, that he was able to control his hunger for blood and flesh. Only to wake up in the middle of the night with a innocents woman dead and he can't place how or why this happened.
Torment was scared. He has killed, and been bloody brutal about it. But he's only killed those who were "deserving" (bandits, Goblins, animals, and those who were openly hostile to him and his crew), but never an innocent life. He feared what his companions would say, what they would do. He felt embarrassed, shameful, disappointed in himself that he couldn't control himself. So when confronted about his involvement with the corpse of Alfira, Torment lied, pinning her death on a wild boar. And they took the bait!
He shouldn't giggle, he really shouldn't! He should be guilty like a sinner in church! He should be on his knees and openly praying for the gods to strike him down for what he's done. He should come forth and honestly confess that this was his doing. But instead, he felt relief, adrenaline coursing through his body as he got away with this untimely murder. He couldn't help but giggle at his foolish companions and their compliance to believe his awful lie. The thrill of being almost caught, how enticing.
Despite this, Torment would still catch himself and go through a depressive spiral. He needs to figure out what is his deal before he harms more innocents, or worse, his own companions that he has now considered his friends (except for Shadowheart, fuck her).
Not even a few nights after this incident, Torment would meet his...Butler?
Apparently this Goblin, Imp-ass wannabe is Torment's butler, who desires blood as much as Torment does. Despite knowing Torment on a seemingly personal level, he refused to exhume any information about his past. But he gave me a pretty bitchin cape so :D (by the by, those who know Sir Lora from Divinity: Original Sin 2 would know that the same VA did this lil gobbys voice!)
Also, looks like we got ourselves a romance going on!
Originally, I thought it would be Lae'zel for Torment since I do believe that this character would have some sort of affinity for her...But fucking Astarion XD!
Of course, Torment's chances to get that vampy booty was increased after allowing him to suck his blood and even going as far as to protect him from the Gur that came after him.
And after killing Kagha, Astarion stated his interest for Torment, which the poor Tiefling was confused as the concept of love and/or sex has taken a heavy backburner due to recent events. Personally, Torment isn't fully sure if he loves Astarion, and after the incident with Afira getting murked while he was out of it, Torment is scared that the same will happen to Astarion.
But the more his eyes linger, the more the idea of courting and fucking the Elf became more...Desirable. Eventually, Astarion came forth about his Vampire situation and his relationship with Cazador
When Astarion first met Cazador, it was when he was lying in his own blood after being assaulted by monster hunters (also known as Gur in a derogatory way). As he was nearly dying, Cazador showed up and turned him into his Spawn, and has tormented the pale Elf for 200 years since. Now that Astarion is no longer wrapped around his finger, there's a chance that the Vampire Lord is hoping to steal Astarion back.
EventuallyI get a near sex scene between Astarion and Torment. Astarion expresses his interest and Torment is at first unsure, his recent fears after the Afira incident still fresh on his mind. At first, Torment believes he's ready to take that step forward, but when he saw Astarion half naked, his mind immediately went to dark places, and not the sexy kinda. Immediately, Torment called it off, his fears overpowering his desires.
#Baldur's Gate 3#Baldur's Gate 3 Spoilers#BG3 Spoilers#BG3: The Dark Urge#The Dark Urge#The Dark Urge: Torment
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long daily life rambles and bg3 spoilers
august has felt soooo long. in a good way? but it's also ending in like a week. so it's also way too short. idk, i hate the way time feels as an adult. i never know what day it is.
a friend moved really, really close by. i'm not used to having a friend near me. i'm not really sure how to act lol. i'm happy, it's actually insane that she's here at all, i should be more surprised/in awe, but i'm more just worried about if i can act like a good, normal friend. i've actually done a lot to help her, but grand gestures aside, how to be just like. a normal chill friend.
tonight, i spent like 10 minutes thinking of what to text her. laughable, but it's true, i just haven't lived near a friend (furthermore, a friend who knew me in CHILDHOOD) for a long time and i basically never expected to ever again. i'm usually not spontaneous, i'm an introvert, for most of my adulthood so far i've been too stressed and broke to hang out much at all so yeah. hanging out or just randomly sparking a conversation. not something i can just do - i have to plan it, even just a hello text.
but it's been good, we're going out for ice cream, we're hanging out at cafes, we're seeing movies, it's good. can't just focus on the worries.
anyway. bg3! spoilers and thoughts.
i started the game last week. i'm at the Emerald Grove. just talked to Kagha, so we're very early on.
i'm having tons of fun, i'm so happy we've made it at last!! i haven't played the game since early 2021 ^^ it was like a huge sigh of relief to see all the characters, hear their voices and the (wonderfully wonderfully written) dialogue. it's such an intricate, beautiful game too. thank you bg3 for saving me from genshin or else i'd be miserably trying to drag myself through fontaine right now looking for a crumb of excitement from tartaglia ^^
i love seeing that the dialogue's been expanded on since early access, the characters seem to have more to say, i'm welcome karlach since she's happy and energetic but also big and tough, i didn't realize just how much i wanted a character like her!! i like allll the original companions + karlach, they all have interesting perspectives, pasts, and things to say, i cannot wait to get to know them better.
i got chills when we talked to everyone after meeting raphael - the dialogue in those scenes were insanely good.
sooooooo something i'm not sure i like... i did see wyll's new...transformation??
i was super attached to early access wyll, so i'm hesistant. i haven't gotten far, but from what i've seen, his direction seems a bit angstier right out the gate, his voice and tone are feel heavier, less whimsical. i'm reallyyyyy hoping to see hearty, whimsical wyll again, maybe after his luck picks back up, because he charmed me so much. i feel like karlach absorbed some of his happy energy lol.
i was BEFUDDLED when mizora showed up and straight up turned him into a devil (??? idk??) on my 2nd long rest LOL oh like we're doing this now??? heeeehee sorry he looks rather funny to me now, i can't take it seriously!!! i can't get into the angst of "alas do you think i'm a monster now?" like lolll wylll, have you seen everyone else we've been hanging out with. maybe that's a me problem but i can't say i loved that particular development, i can't get into it.
but yeah, up and onwards!! i have the upper hand in act 1 since i'm starting to remember things here and there, but act 2 is going to kick my ass lol I CAN'T WAIT
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So, some thoughts and screenshots on the first few hours of BG3 --
Indyara is my Half-Elf Bard. She's a character I have played in several D&D games, wanting to find a game where her backstory mattered and we actually finished the game. I'm actually in that game right now, playing every other Saturday morning, though there was one other game it... almost worked out for her.
Bard is my favorite D&D class, going back to when I played one in a 3/3.5e game for several years in the early 2000's, and I played BG1 & 2 with one.
Decently high CHA (16) but not sacrificing INT, DEX, and CON (14) while having a bad WIS (9) and STR (8). Let's see how that works out for her.
High Half-elf for that sweet CHA bonus and getting Firebolt, so I have an actual useful damaging cantrip. (Do not ask me for my diatribe about why everyone is wrong about Vicious Mockery being a good spell unless you want an earful.)
Absolutely fuming that they still are leaving the version number up and it's visible in screenshots. Cannot believe that oversight. Also that they leave menu buttons visible in cutscenes, what the fuck Larian? Found out last night that apparently hitting f10 should stop that, but that removes the entire UI and obviously you need to turn it back on. But for now my entire first day's of screenshots and videos look like ass and I'm mad about it.
Lots of screenshots and commentary below the cut. I didn't make it too far in-game and honestly I don't talk about the plot much.
Hey, look lady, we're both stuck here. Indy is very patient and diplomatic, whatever it takes to make it through every day as unscathed as possible, but this one might try that patience. At least she's useful. Let's see if we can make a friend.
Indy did save Shadowheart from her pod, but the way she and Lae'zel bicker is already giving her a headache.
Well this certainly is a development, and I'm sure whoever these two are will be completely unimportant in the hours to come.
I told myself I wasn't going to savescum when I failed a roll, but look, I'm not about to let Indyara Nat 1 on a CHARISMA check about magic when she very first meets the future love of her life. I reloaded this one.
Indy's initial impression on meeting Gale: a few seconds of "Wait, THIS is the one I'm going to fall in love with?" met with "Oh. I get it." a few seconds later. Very smart, polite, charming and funny? Sign me up, please.
Plus, we look great in screenshots together.
(Indy's hair is definitely lighter in sunlight than I intended, her hair was supposed to be brown with pink streaks (for bardic flair) but it comes out looking dark honey in direct sun. Ah well.)
A few minutes later though "Wait, this one is as charming and me, and extremely heroic? Are you SURE we made the right choice? They're both great. Can't we have them both?"
(Sorry Indy, we don't need two high-CHA characters in the main party. He's saved for another playthrough.)
Oh come ON. This isn't fair. Another one?
Poly mod... when? Or at least a list of who is officially OK with poly in-game? Shadowheart is growing on me, too, after a bit of a rough introduction.
I'm sorry, Astarion. I already took a level dip in rogue to be the party trap/lock skill monkey since we're bringing along the Wizard, Cleric and, for now at least, the fighter. (We'll see how long that lasts. This game needs more tank companions. Though I don't mind companions that are challenging, generally.)
I love having a camp again. Need better camp clothes, though, for all of us. I did do the Twitch Stream unlock thing, but haven't found those rewards in-game yet. Anyone?
Literally already started unlocking the Gale romance by the time I was just wandering around the Emerald Grove area. He loves almost every decision I make and I'm glad of it.
...of course there's a catch.
Hahahaha holy shit, Volo! I love being a bard in this game and loved bullshitting Volo, and he loved knowing he was getting bullshitted.
See, wasn't this a nice time, ladies, listening to this other bard sing? Let's have less bickering, more listening to Bards. <3
Astarion... I'm just not into Vampires. At least not with this character. Still, I like you. I wish I could have offered to help him find food here instead of just sending him away, but I let him down easy.
Indy found a cute hat at camp and is wearing the FUCK out of it. I mean look at her! And it helps with song of rest! (though it does considerably shorten her hair, but hey, it's a MAGIC hat so that's just part of the magic.)
I've played a Larian game or two before so I picked up Speak with Animals as one of my first level spells and do not regret it. However, I feel like I didn't help this Owlbear enough, though I let her and her cub be. Probably missed out on something cool here. Again, I'll pick it up in another playthrough. I'm trying to not google for answers to every puzzle this time and just play through blind.
OH HOLY SHIT WHAT DID I WALK IN ON. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOU AND FOR ME.
Oh no, Gale is into some other woman... oh wait that's Mystra. I get it, you're a wizard. And I'm a smart Lore bard who's also very into magic so uh, let's make some magic happen? Also, sorry we got this cutscene when Gale was at like 2hp so he's all bruised up. I love that it shows on the character models though.
Ohhh wait you DO want to make magic together? I'm down with that, and got to put bardic flourishes on all my responses to Gale's instructions. I LOVE this game, I LOVED this scene. Though I hate what the magic VFX did to Indy's face here.
Oh my God, is this the first flirt scene!?! Tell me it's the first flirt scene!!
I imagined slipping my hand into his hand on a romantic walk and... he liked it. This was very, very sweet. And getting to flirt over a shared love of magic was... *chef's kiss*
I'm also making great progress with Shadowheart. Okay, we can be BFFs. <3
Things to come indeed, Gale.
----
In Early Access I didn't get very far and honestly I think last night I made it about as far as I ever made then, or close to it. I basically went "Whelp I love this game, I don't want to spend my time playing through this now when I can go through it fresh later in like a year." (and then it was THREE, but that's fine.)
I'm fighting Phase Spiders but fuck that, I might come back when we all hit level 4. That fight sucked. I am trying to make "good" choices but have probably really screwed some stuff up. i feel bad that Astarion and Wyll get left at camp but they don't fit into my party makeup (I think I'll do a Paladin next and bring both of them along instead of Gale and Lae.)
Absolutely love all of the chances to shortcut quests and fights by Barding / persuading / lying my way out of it. So few things I don't love so far, though I definitely feel like I'm stumbling my way through the dark, not knowing if I'm doing the right things.
Can't wait to do almost nothing this weekend but play BG3. A full day of work, first, though. :(
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Twisted wings ch. 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
The rest of the day's classes went by quickly. Celeste excelled in Music and astronomy, impressing the teachers.
Then it came time to meet Ace and Deuce after class. Not far from the botanical gardens they found a grove of trees, the ground around them was littered with strange spiky green balls.
"Whoa! There really are a ton of chestnuts just layin' around. I'm gonna be livin' large on chestnut tarts!" Grim said excitedly walking up to the spiky balls.
"Are these... Truly edible?" Celeste said eyeing the chestnuts on the ground.
"Sure they are. You gotta take off the spiky part first." Ace said as Grim grabbed one of the chestnuts and let out a yowl.
"The spines pricked my paws!" He whined rubbing his paws together.
"I don't think we can do this with our bare hands. We need something to put them in, too." Deuce said with a slight frown as Celeste checked Grim's paws for injury.
"Maybe we can find some supplies in the botanical garden?" Ace said looking back at the large greenhouse nearby.
"Let's take a look." Deuce said and they all followed him inside.
"Whoa, I didn't know this place was so huge." Ace said looking around at the vast variety of plants and flowers. Some of the plants were familiar to Celeste while others were completely foreign.
"Mother would have loved it here." Celeste said, feeling a sense of nostalgia as she spotted some white lilies - her mother's favorite.
"Whaddya mean would have?" Grim turned his gaze up at her curious having caught her use of past tense.
"Mother passed away quite some time ago." Celeste said causing Ace and Deuce to give her surprised looks.
"Celeste... I'm sorry. It must be painful for you to remember. I can't even imagine..." Deuce trailed off with a pained look.
"Don't be sorry. It was a long time ago." Celeste reassured him. It had been 50 years since her mother's passing, and while it wasn't very long for an angel, 50 years for a human was half a lifetime.
"... A place this big has got to have a groundskeeper. Let's split up and look." Deuce said after a brief pause.
"Sure. I got dibs on the right side." Ace said after giving her a worried glance.
"Then I'll go left. Celeste, you and Grim go straight ahead." Deuce said and they split up heading off down their chosen paths.
Grim darted ahead of her. "Hey check out all the ripe fruit!" He waved his paws at some oddly colored fruits hanging from some trees.
"Don't eat things if you don't know what they are." She warned him, though she wondered if anything could actually hurt him after the strange rock he ate the night before.
Just then, she felt something move under her foot, along with hearing a grunt of pain. She jumped back startled as a young man jumped to his feet, pulling back his tufted tail from where she'd stepped on it.
He had long brown hair and tan skin. He was a beastman, with lion ears and a tail. A large scar over his left eye gave him an edgy appearance. His emerald eyes glared at her as she stepped back.
"You've got some nerve steppin' on my tail!" He growled as he dusted himself off.
"Oh! I'm terribly sorry! Are you ok?! I can get you a bandage if you need it?" Celeste said eyeing his tail.
The man's ears twitched as he narrowed his eyes. "No, I don't need a bandage. Just nothing worse than being in the middle of a good nap and then someone stomps on your tail." He huffed before giving her a curious look.
"You're the girl from orientation that had her magic sealed." He stepped closer and sniffed her. "What a strange scent... Never smelled one like it before..."
"Hey, are you the groundskeeper? I don't think you should go around sniffing students pal." Grim said puffing out his chest as he looked up at the beastman.
The man gave him an annoyed look and opened his mouth for a retort but was interrupted by a voice from behind her.
"Leona! There you are!" Another beastman was walking towards them. He was a hyena beastman with fluffy blonde hair and grey eyes. He gave her a curious glance but focused on Leona who swished his tail in annoyance.
"I knew I'd find you here! We got after-school classes today remember?" He said walking up to them.
Leona groaned. "... Now I've got this guy on my tail..." He grumbled pushing some of his braided hair aside.
The other boy ignored Leona's sour mood. "Leona, you've already had to repeat one year. If you get held back again we'll be in the same grade!"
"Oh put a sock in it already. I'm tired of all yer yappin' Ruggie." Leona snapped at him.
Ruggie flattened his ears in irritation. "Look, you think I like always being on your case? C'mon man, you act like it's so hard for you. You could skate through life if you just try. C'mon, let's go already!" Ruggie gestured for him to follow him and Leona looked back at her.
"See you later herbivores." He said with a flick of his tail as he left with Ruggie.
"What was his deal?!" Grim huffed when he'd left.
"I don't know but they were wearing Savanaclaw colors." She said remembering Trey describing the uniforms earlier.
"Yo, guys we found the baskets and tongs." Ace called out to them, appearing up ahead on the path with Deuce.
On the way back to the chestnut grove she and Grim told them about Leona.
"Celeste I can't believe you stepped on a Savanaclaw student's tail and didn't end up in a fight." Ace said looking at her incredulously.
"Well, he certainly wasn't happy about it." Celeste said with a nervous laugh as she tossed some chestnuts in her basket.
"Alright, that should be enough. Let's get these baskets over to Trey!" Ace said once they filled all their baskets.
They went to the school kitchen where Trey was waiting for them.
"Welcome back. Looks like you got plenty!" Trey said as they set the baskets on the counter.
"I can't believe we still have to peel all of these..." Deuce said with a groan.
"Good preparation is the key to good baking." Trey said with a teasing smile. "Celeste, you and Ace will have to peel by hand but Deuce and I can use magic so that'll come in handy."
They started to peel the chestnuts, Trey did so with skill while Deuce seemed to struggle.
Deuce cursed under his breath as he accidentally smashed another chestnut.
"You are trying too hard again. Ease up, remember what I told you this morning." Celeste said, trying to hide the fact that she was struggling to peel the chestnuts herself. It was definitely not something she was used to. She noticed Trey smile as he peered over his glasses at her.
"You seem to really know your stuff, Celeste. I'm guessing they teach magic where you're from?" He asked her with an inquisitive look.
"Yes, everyone uses it where I'm from. So we are taught to control it at a young age." Celeste explained and Ace frowned.
"Wait so EVERYONE can use magic where you're from? Like there are no magic-less people?" He gave her an incredulous look as he paused while peeling the nuts.
"Yes that is why we don't use technology much- we use magic instead." She said and gasped when she pricked her finger on some of the spines.
"Sounds kinda like Briar Valley- oh do you need a bandage?" Trey stopped when he saw her looking at the bead of blood on her finger.
"Oh no. Such a small wound would have healed already." She said cleaning off the single drop of blood on her finger.
"Um, what? That's not how it works Celeste. There's no way-" Ace stopped when he saw the wound was completely gone.
"How'd you do that without magic?!" Deuce said also looking at her finger. She'd forgotten that humans healed much slower than angels.
"I-I'm just a fast healer." She stammered nervously as she got back to peeling the chestnuts while the boys gave her skeptical looks.
After they peeled and strained all the chestnuts they pureed them into a fine paste. Ace let out a sigh of relief when they finally finished pureeing while Deuce rubbed his sore arm.
"Nice work. I just need to add butter and sugar to the chestnut paste and a sensible splash of oyster sauce - that's my secret ingredient!" Trey said while pulling out a variety of ingredients.
"Oyster sauce?!" They all exclaimed at once, exchanging shocked looks.
Trey grinned at them. "Yep. The umami gives the cream a deep savory flavor. All the best bakers use it in their tarts." He held up a bottle of oyster sauce as he explained to them.
"Really? But isn't it like super salty?" Ace raised an eyebrow at him.
"I've certainly never heard of such a thing." Celeste said with a frown. Perhaps humans had stranger tastes than she thought.
"Some folks put chocolate into curry so I guess it's like the same thing?" Ace glanced at her with a shrug.
Trey burst out laughing. "I'm totally lying! No one in their right mind would put oyster sauce in a pastry." He chuckled putting the bottle away.
Ace glared at him. "What? So you were yankin' our chain?" He put his hands on his hips as Trey continued to laugh.
"I mean if you'd used your brain you'd have realized how ridiculous it was! I guess Celeste has an excuse since she's not from here but you... Let that be a lesson to you. Don't believe everything you hear." Trey finally stopped laughing and reached for the cream and froze making a worried face.
"Is something wrong Trey?" Celeste asked as he turned back to them.
"You guys gathered so many chestnuts that we may have overdone it with the chestnut paste. I don't think we have enough cream to mix in." Trey shook his head.
"Then I'll go buy some. Do they sell it at the school store?" Deuce asked stepping forward.
Trey nodded. "They sell pretty much everything so... Probably. Can I have you pick me up a few other things? I need two cartons of milk, two packs of eggs, some muffin cups, five cans of fruit..." He started listing off a rather long list and Deuce glanced over at her.
"I don't think I'll be able to carry all that back. Celeste, could you come with me?" He eyed her hopefully.
"Of course Deuce." She responded with a smile and Deuce smiled back at her. Grim padded up to her and tugged her pants leg.
"Then I'm comin' too! I'm getting dizzy from all this stirrin'. I need a break."
"Alright Grim, you can tag along as long as you behave." She said and Grim glared at her.
"Quit talkin' to me like I'm some sort of kid! I'm a great mage!" He huffed lashing his tail.
"Then start acting like one." She responded crossing her arms. Trey and Ace chuckled at her response.
After Trey handed them a list Celeste, Deuce and Grim made their way to the school store. They approached what looked like a small cottage and stepped inside. The store was stocked full of an assortment of bizarre items- from strange masks to glowing potions.
"Hello, can I get some hel- whoa this place is wild. They have crystal skulls, grimoires, taxidermy..." Deuce looked around with an awed expression.
"Yes, it seems like Trey wasn't joking when he said they sell everything." Celeste said looking curiously at a taxidermy weasel.
"Do they really sell cream here?" Grim asked looking skeptical as he pawed at a silver bell hanging on a shelf.
"Greetings, my stray imps, how fare you today? Welcome to Mr. Sam's mystery shop. What among my humble selection interests you? A charm from a secluded land? The mummified remains of an ancient king? A cursed tarot card?" A young man appeared before them wearing a broad grin. He had dark skin and short black and purple dreadlocks flipped over the right side of his head. He was wearing a patchwork top hat and a maroon blazer with a purple vest.
"Do you sell groceries by chance?" Celeste asked and Sam's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Yes, we sell everything here!" He said with a wave of his hand, gesturing to all the shelves.
"We wanted to buy all the items on this list." Deuce handed him the shopping list Trey had given them.
Sam took the list and raised an eyebrow. "This is quite a sacchariferous list! I'll get everything for you." He ducked behind the counter and began gathering the items in bags.
After he finished he handed Celeste and Deuce several bags each. "Here you go. It's pretty heavy... Are you sure you can-" Sam stopped mid-sentence his red eyes falling on her wrists.
"That design... Where did you get that?" His eyes glittered as he took in the seven-winged eye design on Celeste's shackles.
"Oh um they are from my homeland. It's a rather common design there..." She trailed off nervously seeing how interested he was.
His eyes snapped up to hers with a slightly awed look. "Your homeland you say? You're an awful long way from home Cher." A shiver went down her spine as he drew back again but didn't take his eyes off her.
"Hey, there's no tuna in here!" Grim complained peeking into her bag.
"Because we aren't here to get tuna, Grim. Come on let's go!" Deuce seemed to pick up on her unease and quickly ushered him out the door.
"Until next time, my little imps! Do come again! Ciao!" Sam called out to them as they left.
When they returned to the main street Deuce turned to look at her. "What was that about? He seemed to recognize the symbol on your bracelets."
"He must have been mistaken. How could he have recognized them if I'm from another dimension?" She said slightly nervous. Sam had looked so young she certainly hadn't expected him to recognize such an ancient symbol.
Deuce looked at her hands and frowned. "Celeste it looks like you got the bags with all the heavy cans, let me take some." He reached over and grabbed a few of her bags.
"There's no need! I could manage on my own!" Celeste protested but he ignored her taking them anyway. She certainly hadn't been struggling, the weight of the bag was nothing compared to what she could actually lift.
"It ok I've got a trick for carrying heavy bags. My mom used to stock up at sales and the bags would get ridiculously heavy. Being the only man of the house I did all the heavy lifting - oh sorry! I didn't mean to bring up..." He trailed off looking guilty.
"It's alright! It was good of you to help your mother. And I do not wish to forget mine. I looked up to her so much, I wanted to be just like her even though I was destined for a higher rank." She smiled remembering her mother training with the other Archangels on the training grounds. She had often slipped past Zaphiel, her and Uriel's attendant, to watch her mother train.
Deuce seemed to grow quiet a slightly guilty expression on his face. "Truth is I -" He was abruptly cut off as a couple of students jostled roughly past him, causing him to drop the bag with the eggs.
One of the boys spun around to glare at him. "Why don't you watch where you're going- hey! It's the chick from lunch!" It was the two boys who had tried to start a fight earlier.
The other boy grinned at her. "What's a pretty thing like you toting groceries with this loser?"
She gritted her teeth and was about to make a comeback when Deuce stepped forward. "Leave her alone. You tried picking a fight with us at lunch over an egg you were totally able to eat. Celeste was nice to you then even though you didn't deserve it and now you've destroyed six of ours. Now please reimburse us for the eggs and apologize to the chickens."
"Ooh look who's acting all tough? Trying to impress her huh? Still making a big deal out of a couple of stupid eggs." The second boy sneered at him.
"Yeah, you should thank us for saving ya the trouble of crackin' 'em!" The first boy burst out laughing and the second joined in.
Deuce finally snapped. "THAT AIN'T FUNNY! You don't get to call my eggs stupid. Those eggs may not have gotten to be chicks, but they were gonna make some amazing tarts! Do you get it?! DO YOU?!" Deuce shouted stepping towards the two boys started to back up.
"What's with this guy all of the sudden?!" One of them said nervously.
"You owe me six eggs and if you're not gonna pay me for em then you're getting a bruise for each one!" Deuce spat squaring his shoulders.
The two boys looked at each other fearfully. "This guy's outta his mind! L-lets get out of here!"
The boys took off as Deuce shouted after them. Celeste stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him.
"It's alright Deuce. They have retreated." She said gently as he took several deep breaths to calm himself.
He grimaced and made a guilty face. "I did it again didn't I...? Argh! I was dead set on becoming an honor student this time too!"
"What? I don't understand?" Celeste gave him a confused look.
Deuce let out a heavy sigh. "When I was in high school, I was pretty wild. I cut school all the time and got in fights... I was a total punk. But one night, I saw my mom talking on the phone with my grandmother. She was in tears. She was saying that she must've been a horrible mom, and she should have never tried to raise me by herself. That had nothing to do with it! She hadn't done anything wrong it was all me. When the carriage came to take me to Night Raven College she was so happy for me. I decided then and there that I wouldn't do anything to make her cry. I would become an honor student- someone she could be proud of. And I already messed it all up!" He shook his head and looked away.
"But Deuce you haven't messed up anything. Those boys are bullies and there is absolutely no shame in standing up for yourself and your friends. You have already seen the error of your ways and I'm sure your mother is proud of you already." Celeste said smiling at him.
His blue eyes went wide and a faint blush went across his cheeks. "Celeste... Thank you. I just hope those chicks can rest in peace."
Celeste frowned. "Um, Deuce... About that... You do realize that those eggs could have never hatched right? I mean they were not fertile."
"Wh- WHAAAAT?! Are you kidding me?!" He cried out looking mortified.
They returned to the kitchen, Deuce seemed rather put out about the whole egg ordeal. However, with the ingredients they had just bought, they quickly finished putting together the tarts.
"Makin' those tarts sure takes a lot outta you." Ace sighed once they finished. The sweet aroma that drifted through the kitchen was mouth-watering. She was starting to actually get hungry.
"Hey, fam! You look wrecked. Are the tarts done? Ooh, those look Soo cute! Lemme snap a quick pic for Magicam!" Cater walked into the kitchen with his usual carefree attitude and took a picture with his phone.
"What, NOW you decide to show up?" Ace complained and glared at Cater.
"Hello Cater, how was your evening?" Celeste greeted Cater politely, ignoring Ace's snarky comment.
"It was good! Just as polite and beautiful as ever Celeste. These newbs could learn a thing or two from you." Cater said winking at her.
Ace rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You just met her this morning." He grumbled.
"He's got a point Ace. A change of attitude might help you lose that collar. But you guys worked hard on this tart so why don't you go ahead and have a slice?" Trey said cutting into one of the tarts they had just made.
Everyone cheered and rushed to claim their slice, Celeste being the last to grab hers. Grim wasted no time in gobbling down his slice.
"This is like something from a fancy bakery." Deuce said looking impressed after taking a few bites.
"I've never had anything quite like this before." Celeste said as she took a few tentative bites.
"Is that... A good thing?" Trey asked looking slightly nervous.
"Yes! It is delicious!" Celeste smiled and Trey let out the breath he was holding.
"Oh, Trey! You gotta do the thing." Cater looked at Trey expectantly.
"The thing? Oh... That. What's everyone's favorite food?" Trey asked looking over at everyone.
Ace looked surprised but answered anyway. "Me? Probably cherry pie. Or hamburgers."
"Canned tuna's at the top of my list. Then maybe cheese omelets, roast meat, pudding-" Grim excitedly started listing off a variety of foods but Celeste cut him off.
"Grim! Honestly, that's a list." She shook her head with a sigh.
"If I had to pick, I guess I'd say... Omelet rice?" Deuce said looking at Trey curiously.
"I like a nice lamb chop with diablo sauce." Cater said smiling.
"I'd say it's a tie between roasted golden hind and angel cream cake." Celeste said after thinking for a moment.
Trey grinned and snapped his fingers. "Alright, you got it... Let's paint the roses!"
"What does that mean?" Deuce asked looking confused.
"Take another bite of your tart and see." Trey nodded to the tart and they all took a bite.
"Huh? How- it tastes just like cherry pie!" Ace gasped in amazement.
"It tastes like tuna! - Now it tastes like a cheese omelet! And grilled meat! And pudding!" Grim said in between mouthfuls.
"I don't believe it! It tastes just like golden hind! And angel cream cake! I never thought I'd get to taste these again!" Celeste gasped at the familiar flavors that reminded her of home.
"It's very impressive. Is changing flavors your signature spell, Trey?" Deuce asked.
"Technically, it's overwriting characteristics. I can change taste, color, smell, whatever. It only lasts a little while. But is kinda like covering up the real thing, hence painting." Trey explained.
"It seems rather useful. You must find all kinds of uses for it." Celeste commented as she finished her tart.
"Yeah, it's way better than Riddle's stupid collar magic!" Grim huffed his tail lashing at the thought of Riddle's signature spell.
Trey grimaced and shook his head. "Oh, that's in a whole other league. His signature spell is a weapon. Mine's just childish prestidigitation. Speaking of Riddle- it's too late to give him these now. Let's call it a day and give him these tomorrow. Don't forget that tomorrow's the unbirthday party. You don't want to be late."
"Celeste, can I crash with you again tonight?" Ace said glancing at her sheepishly.
"It isn't right to keep mooching off Celeste Ace." Deuce growled glaring daggers at Ace.
"It's alright really. I cleaned up a spare room last night anyway." Celeste said ignoring Grim's protests.
"Why don't you go to Deuce, so you can keep an eye on him? As vice Housewarden, I can issue you a sleepover pass." Trey suggested and Cater did a double take.
"What fun for you getting to have a sleepover with the only girl in school. Ooh, maybe I'll come too! What do you say, Celeste?" Cater smiled at her suggestively and she gave him a cold look.
"I was not aware you were in need of housing Cater, perhaps you should take that matter up with your Housewarden. As for Deuce and Ace, they will be in different rooms from me." Celeste said with a more stern tone to set the record straight.
Cater drew back looking surprised. "Wow Celeste, you sure are cold when you want to be."
"No pass for you." Trey chuckled at seeing Cater getting shot down. "Sorry to dump them on you, Celeste. At least it's just for tonight." Trey gave her an apologetic look.
"It's not a problem, Trey. Thank you for helping them with the tart. It was very kind of you." Celeste smiled reverting to her usual demeanor.
"I'm just looking out for my underclassmen." Trey said rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. They bid Trey and Cater farewell and returned to Ramshackle.
Sam finished closing up his shop for the night, locking the door behind him he made his way to the headmaster's office.
He met Crowley right as he was about to leave. "Ah, Sam! This is quite a surprise. You don't often stop by here." Crowley was rather shocked to see Sam outside his door.
"There's something I think ya ought to know about. It's about the new girl." Sam said with an impatient tone.
Crowley let out a heavy sigh. "What has she done now? Curse my generous nature." He shook his head as Sam stepped inside his office.
"She hasn't done anything. It's about where she's from, what she is." Sam said with a serious tone and Crowley frowned.
"Where she's from? She said she's from someplace called Eden but it's not on any map. I'm trying to find a way to send her back, but it's proving to be a bit tricky..." Crowley said looking away evasively.
"It wouldn't be on any map, you've been looking in the wrong place if you've been lookin' at all." Sam pulled out a book entitled the Age of Legend and opened it up to a certain section. On the page was the seven-winged eye symbol from Celeste's shackles.
"That does like familiar..." Crowley squinted at the symbol on the page.
"It's the symbol on her shackles. It's the Celestial seal used by all Angels. Celeste is a fallen angel from the Celestial Realm." Sam said and Crowley let out a snort.
"That's preposterous! Angels haven't been seen in Twisted Wonderland for centuries. They've been presumed extinct, most regions consider them myths now." Crowley looked at Sam incredulously.
Sam shook his head. "I know from my friends on the other side that the Angels cut off most of their ties with the mortal realm. They never went extinct. Crowley do you know what this means? If she were to corrupt here the entire campus would be in danger. She's already fallen, who knows how long she'll stay pure?"
Crowley looked down at the book in front of him with a frown. "Well her threat seems nullified for now since she is unable to use magic but... I'll do some more research."
Sam narrowed his eyes at him. "You do that. Remember it's our responsibility to protect the students." With that, Sam took his leave leaving Crowley alone in his office.
"Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into..." He sighed as he turned the page.
Celeste quietly finished dusting the living room of Ramshackle. She had never gone to sleep the night before after their card game. The room now looked much more presentable though perhaps she wasn't the best at cleaning, there were tears and stains in the upholstery that she had no idea how to get out. The cleaning had always been done for her at home. She was now realizing that even after fighting in the army she had been very privileged.
"Celeste wake-" Deuce rounded the corner and stopped. "Have you been cleaning all night?!"
"Hmmm, yes but I'm afraid I'm not very good..." She frowned looking at the drab room disapprovingly. Frankly, no amount of cleaning could bring it to Celestial Realm standards but it would have to do.
"You must be exhausted! The unbirthday party is today remember? What are you going to do?" Deuce seemed panicked that she had gone another night without sleep.
"I assure you that I'm quite fine. I can go quite a long time without sleep." She assured him though he seemed unconvinced. There was a knock at the door before he could protest any further.
She went to the door and found Cater outside. "Good moooorning! Did you all enjoy your sleepover? Did you bond over pillow fights and card games?" He said walking inside. "Oh! Looks like you've cleaned the place up a bit!"
Ace and Grim came walking out of her room yawning. "Good morning Cater. We did play some cards yeah." Ace yawned, stretching his arms.
"Well, you should get one of those tarts you made yesterday and apologize to Riddle. And you should probably hurry because of the trouble yesterday we're a little short-handed." Cater said with a hint of exhaustion in his tone.
"There was trouble? Is everyone alright?" Celeste frowned in concern about what he had said.
"Everything's fine! Don't worry Celeste, I've totes got it under control! Anyway off we go!" Cater said hurriedly as he ushered them out the door.
When they arrived at Heartslabyul they were shocked to be greeted by another Cater.
"Hey, it's about time I got back! Good to see me!" The other Cater jogged over to them and they all gasped in surprise.
"Looking good as always me!" Cater cheerfully greeted his double.
"Th- there's two Cater's?!" Deuce said baffled.
"Are you guys twins?" Ace said looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Nope! It's my signature spell, split Card. It lets me make magic duplicates of myself." Cater explained.
"That's amazing! That must require a lot of magical energy to do that!" Celeste said impressed.
Cater grinned and three more Cater's came running up to greet them. The first one that had greeted them spoke up. "JSYK I'm the real Cater. Making these duplicates is suuuper exhausting so I can't maintain them for long. We're several people short and we need help. Once this is over I promise to take you straight to Riddle." He gestured to a bucket of red paint near some half-painted roses.
Ace groaned as he picked up a paintbrush. "I can't believe you're making us do this again. I'm so sick of doing this the hard way." He grumbled dipping his brush in the red paint.
However this time with the help of Cater's doubles, Deuce and Grim didn't have a difficult time turning the roses red with magic. It seemed her advice had helped them a great deal and they quickly finished turning all the roses red.
"Looking good!" Cater gave them a satisfied nod and checked his phone. "Ooh, it's almost time. Okay, all you sexy body doubles that's a wrap!" Cater called out and his clones vanished.
Cater then led them to the center of the rose maze where many tables were set up. On top of the tables were all kinds of teapots and mismatched cups. Heartslabyul students were scurrying around making sure everything was in order.
A boy with white hair and red eyes framed with circular gold glasses stepped out into the center of the clearing. He had a pair of white rabbit ears and held a trumpet which he blew into getting everyone's attention.
"All hail our leader, the red sovereign himself... Housewarden Riddle!" The boy stepped aside as Riddle took his seat.
"We salute you, Housewarden Riddle!" The Heartslabyul students called out. Riddle examined the tables with a satisfied nod and then started talking with Trey who was sitting next to him.
"Those are some fancy duds!" Grim said eyeing the uniforms that the Heartslabyul students were wearing. They were different from the regular school uniforms, red, black, and white suits with a rose corsage that was half painted red.
"These are the Heartslabyul dorm clothes. Aren't they fierce?" Cater smiled and waved his magic pen and changed into the dorm uniform. "One of the Queen's rules mandates formal dress on party days. As a show of kindness from a beloved mentor, I'll help coordinate your outfits." He waved his pen again and changed all of their outfits to match the dorm's uniform.
Celeste's outfit was a black, red, and white dress with a pattern similar to the boy's suits. She also had a red and white rose corsage and a headband with a mini top hat. Even her shoes and stockings matched her dress.
She gasped in surprise as she looked over her dress. Even Grim's bow had changed to match the dorm. Ace and Deuce took in their new attire with excited grins.
"Wow, you all look fantastic!" She smiled at them as they turned to her.
"Wow Celeste, that looks good on you. You should dress like that more often." Ace gave her a sly grin while Deuce blushed.
"She looks tots adorbs in that outfit! Come here Celeste I have to get a selfie with you!" Cater slipped over next to her and snapped a quick picture with his phone. "Now let's tear this party up! And don't forget to give Riddle the tart!" Cater said as they took their seats and Riddle began speaking.
"On this most significantly unauspicious of days, I bid all in attendance... A very merry unbirthday!" Riddle raised his teacup in a toast and everyone followed suit.
"To a very merry unbirthday!" Everyone cried out raising their cups.
After the toast Ace cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, Housewarden, sir..."
Riddle set his steely cold gaze on Ace. "Ah, it's you. The tart thief." He said while sipping his tea.
Ace rubbed the back of his neck nervously as everyone's eyes fell on him and continued. "Yeah, so, I wanted to apologize for eating that tart. We made you a new tart to replace it."
Riddle raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm? And what kind of tart is it?"
Ace smiled proudly. "I'm so glad you asked! It's a chestnut tart, and I swear, we weren't stingy with the chestnuts!"
Riddle's eyes went wide in horror. "A CHESTNUT tart?!" He shouted and everyone seemed taken aback by his reaction.
Riddle stood up and crossed his arms as he glared at Ace. "The Queen of Hearts rule 562: One must never bring a chestnut tart to an unbirthday party. This is an utterly flagrant rule violation! Do you understand what you've done?! You've ruined an otherwise perfect unbirthday!"
Celeste stood up from her seat next to Ace. "Now see here! He meant no harm! He was trying to apologize!" She frowned as she looked Riddle straight in the eye.
Riddle glared at her. "It doesn't matter what he meant to do, he still ruined a perfectly good unbirthday party! At Heartslabyul we take rule-breaking seriously." He cast a judgmental glance down at her wrists as he said so and Celeste grimaced.
Trey and Cater were whispering back and forth with tense expressions, it seemed that they were both unaware of this rule as well.
"As Housewarden of a dorm established to honor the Queen of Hearts rigor, I cannot ignore this. Destroy the offending tart immediately! Then throw these rulebreakers out of the dorm!" Riddle ordered.
Ace jumped to his feet outraged. "Whoa! Hold on!"
"If you want the tart gone let me eat it!" Grim cried out reaching for the tart before it could be whisked away.
Trey stood up frowning. "Housewarden, allow me to apologize. I was the one who suggested making a chestnut tart." He confessed.
"I was a part of that too. We had no idea there was a rule about it!" Cater admitted standing up as well.
"The making of the tart is not the issue. The issue is bringing it HERE. Today. THAT is the transgression!" Riddle shouted not swayed.
"Your ruling on this matter is unfair and unjust! I think there is a much more diplomatic way to handle this." Celeste said crossing her arms.
Riddle narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't matter if my ruling is unfair. The rules are the rules and that's that."
"Riddle please try to remember that these are new students who've only been here a few days!" Cater said nervously.
"Celeste is right this is ridiculous! Throwing away a tart to obey some insane rule is as foolish as it gets!" Ace spat adding fuel to the fire.
"I also agree with Celeste. Of course, I understand that rules need to be followed but... This is going much too far." Deuce stood up on her other side.
Riddle snorted unimpressed. "Are you attempting to debate me? Bold move, but I'll bite. By breaking even the smallest rule, you are throwing wide the gate to anarchy."
"Rules can create anarchy just as well as they destroy it. While rules do keep things in order they can also control and oppress! That is why fair judgment is so important!" Celeste shot back and there was a stir among the students, even Riddle looked taken aback momentarily before shaking his head.
"Are you trying to say I have poor judgment? So far you only have a couple of rulebreakers on your side so what does that say about your judgment?" Riddle huffed crossing his arms.
Ace looked over at all the students nervously watching the exchange. "Everyone, I know you're scared of getting your magic sealed away but you know this is insane right?" He raised his voice so everyone could hear.
One boy with brown rabbit ears started to speak up but was silenced by the white rabbit who quickly placed a gloved hand over his mouth. "N-no, we uh..." He trailed off nervously.
The brown rabbit boy swatted his hand away. "Cut it out, Peter! I'm already collared so what's he gonna do?! Yeah, I think this is bogus! I've been collared three times since I got here and it's always over drinking the wrong tea or eating the wrong lunch! I'm sick of it!" He shouted glaring at Riddle. However, he was the only one to say anything. The rest of the students looked at each other nervously.
"So you've recruited another troublemaker. Hardly a triumph." Riddle snorted unimpressed. "In the year since I became Housewarden, not a single student from Heartslabyul House has dropped out or been held back a year. We are the only house that can boast such a feat. Furthermore, of everyone in this dorm, I have the best academic standing. Hence I am the most correct! If you would simply obey me without question we wouldn't need to contend so." He narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"It's not off with their heads because I want to do that. I do it because rules must never be broken." He muttered somewhat softly before glaring up at them.
"If you will not obey me, then I will have all of your heads!" He yelled and Cater glanced at them nervously.
"Okay let's all say yes Housewarden Riddle!" Cater tried to coax them.
"...I can't." Deuce shook his head.
"As if!" The brown-haired rabbit-eared boy crossed his arms.
Celeste turned her head disdainfully away. "I refuse to bow before someone who insists upon such petty rules." She huffed, resisting the urge to unfurl her wings to put him in his place. If only he truly knew who he was talking to... Fallen angel or not she was refusing to let go of her dignity. While she was fond of mortals this one was truly pushing her buttons. How dare he order her around in such a manner?
"I don't bow to self-important tyrants!" Ace spat at Riddle.
"What did you just call me?" Riddle fumed at Ace.
"He called you a tyrant for wantin' to destroy perfectly good food just cause you're throwin' a tantrum!" Grim piped up down by her feet.
"OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!" Riddle screamed, collaring Grim and Deuce who shouted in surprise. "Trey! Cater! Eject them from the premises!" Riddle yelled waving at them, including the boy with rabbit ears.
"Wha?! Me?!" The boy gasped in outrage.
"I tried to warn you." Peter sighed shaking his head.
"...Yes sir, Housewarden." Trey and Cater replied and reluctantly stepped towards them.
"Y-you're supposed to be our mentors!" Deuce protested as they advanced forward.
Cater gave them an apologetic look. "Sorry, but we can't disobey our Housewarden!"
"So that's how it's gonna be huh?! Well, bring it on!" Ace said bracing himself for a fight.
"Ace! Enough! This isn't a fight we are going to win. We should walk out with our heads held high. Don't let them get to you." Celeste warned him and he stopped.
He scuffed the grass with his foot and muttered something under his breath before allowing Trey and Cater to lead them away.
They were led out to the edge of the rose maze, where Trey gave them an apologetic look. "We'll try to calm Riddle down, so maybe he'll let you back in the dorm after you apologize."
"I will NEVER apologize! Not to that numbskull!" Ace shouted after Trey and Cater as they walked away.
"If anybody's gonna apologize it should be RIDDLE! He's got the whole dorm too scared to breathe! Peter said he was strict but this is ridiculous!" The boy with rabbit ears huffed angrily as he struggled to calm himself.
"I'm sorry but I didn't catch your name?" Celeste asked him after he took a few deep breaths.
His green eyes flickered over to her. "I'm Harold March, but you can call me Harry. I'm a freshman like you guys."
"That's right, you're in our class aren't you?" Deuce asked and Harry nodded.
"Well, Harry since you've been kicked out of the dorm- you can stay at Ramshackle with us. I've cleared out a couple of rooms." Celeste said and Grim glared at her.
"Celeste quit invitin' everyone to stay with us for free! I mean at least ask him for some tuna!" He huffed crossing his furry arms.
"I hope you're not allergic to dust." Ace smirked at Harry.
"Doesn't seem like I have much of a choice..." Harry snorted but then rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "...But thanks." He mumbled.
Ace let out another frustrated groan. "I hate that little ginger megalomaniac! Does he think HE'S the Queen of Hearts?!"
"Tell me about it. I've been collared for two days now. I don't think anybody in the dorm actually LIKES him." Harry scowled and tugged at his collar.
"Banished by the Housewarden from my own dorm... My dream of becoming an honor student is slipping away..." Deuce said his shoulders slumping.
"Cheer up everyone! I know banishment is scary at first but at least you're not alone! It'll work out somehow!" Celeste tried to reassure them.
"What do you know about banishment huh?" Ace snapped at her and she flinched.
"... Your banishment is not permanent." Her tone was much colder this time and they all gave her questioning looks. But before anyone could ask what she meant, another voice called out to them.
"You're really racking up those collars. Quite the impressive collection."
They all turned to see where the voice had come from, only to see a floating head. They all let out startled cries.
"A GHOST HEAD!" Grim screamed his fur standing on end.
The boy whose head had appeared let out a chuckle as the rest of his body materialized. He had shaggy purple hair and a pair of cat ears along with a long swishing tail. "Oh, dear. It seems I'm not all here." His yellow eyes narrowed playfully at them.
"So you have a body then? Who are you?" Deuce asked watching the boy nervously.
"The names Artemiy Artemiyevich Pinker. Am I a cat? Am I a purrrson? A mome raths with a knack for magic?" He said waving his tail in a teasing manner.
"Uh... Run that name by me again?" Ace said after trying to say his name and failing.
He let out a laugh. "Most people call me Chenya."
"Chenya, I don't remember seeing you at the unbirthday party. Are you in Heartslabyul? You're not wearing a uniform..." Celeste said noting his causal attire.
He let out a chuckle. "Nope! You're welcome to guess again though. You don't seem to belong to a dorm yourself. As a matter of fact, you don't seem to belong here at all. Never seen a girl at a boy's school before." He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I got in under special circumstances." Celeste said somewhat nervously.
Ace let out an impatient groan. "After the insanity that teapot tyrant put me through, I'm not in the mood for whatever this is. Just leave us alone."
Chenya put his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Riddle the teapot tyrant..." He let out another laugh. "Well, I can't dismiss that as wrong. He's always been quite strict."
"Do you know him or somethin'?" Harry raised an eyebrow at him.
Chenya crossed his arms behind his head in a leisurely stretch. "Perhaps there are things that I know, and perhaps there are things that I don't."
"Look do you know him or not?!" Harry snapped his ears flattening.
Chenya shook his finger at him. "Temper temper. That's why you're stuck in that collar you know? Is there something you wish to know about Riddle?"
"Yeah, what created such a control freak?" Ace huffed crossing his arms.
"I believe his four-eyed friend may have the answer." Chenya grinned at him.
"You mean Trey?" Deuce said surprised and Chenya nodded.
"He's known Riddle since we were all little boys. If you want to know more about Riddle I would start there." Chenya said with a small shrug.
"They're childhood friends? I didn't really get that impression." Deuce said with a frown.
"If you're so perceptive, then what are you asking me for? Buh bye!" With another chuckle Chenya started to fade away, his body slowly vanishing until he was completely gone.
Deuce let out a sigh. "Well, we're not going to get much schoolwork done with these collars on. So let's go see what Trey has to say and then..."
Ace cut him off with a frown. "If you're gonna say apologize to Riddle you can forget it!"
"Well seeing that apologizing has done nothing up until now... I say this is past the point for negotiations. Perhaps a little ambush?" Celeste smiled wickedly and the boys all grinned.
Later that evening they all gathered in Ramshackle after dinner. They had decided to play cards again, so they were all sitting around the coffee table playing old maid.
"Hey, Celeste it's your turn." Ace called out turning to look at her on the couch- only to see that she'd fallen asleep curled up on the end of the sofa.
"About time... She hasn't slept once since I've known her." Ace put down his cards and eyed her suspiciously.
"What? You mean she hasn't slept in three days?!" Harry whispered loudly trying to keep his voice down despite his surprise.
"She slept the first night when we got here." Grim glanced over at her still form.
"She certainly didn't act like she hadn't slept. She didn't even nod off in magic history class- unlike you Ace." Deuce narrowed his eyes at Ace who rolled his eyes.
"Look I'm tellin' ya something's up. Tonight was like the first time I've seen her eat a full meal." Ace glanced at Celeste to make sure she was really asleep. "... You know what I think? I don't think she's human." He lowered his voice even lower.
"What do you mean she's like a mermaid or fae?" Harry frowned not sure what he was so nervous about.
"My money's on vampire. I mean think about it! She's up all night, rarely eats, good looks, she's like weirdly fast sometimes -" Ace was cut off by Deuce scoffing.
"Don't be ridiculous Ace! Vampires don't exist! Besides Celeste wouldn't hurt anyone!" Deuce glared at Ace and got up and grabbed a blanket. He went over and gently draped it over Celeste as she slept.
#twisted wonderland#twisted wonderland fan fiction#fan fiction#fan fic#twisted wonderland female oc#twisted wonderland oc#ace trappola#deuce spade#trey clover#cater diamond#twst grim#riddle rosehearts#dire crowley#twst sam#leona kingscholar#ruggie bucchi
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Jilfaen is constantly intrigued by the world around her and learns new things every day. Her freedom to do as she pleases is so exhilarating. She is free to move about her tower now that her shackles have been removed. She is not like the other people in her group; in fact, she is willing to forfeit her soul forever if it means she can live those few days of freedom without going back to her cage. She has been nurturing this idea for decades, and now she wants to live it to the fullest.
The people of Emerald Grove are hostile to Jilfaen, yet she still loves the place. After all, she wants to be perceived as a refugee, much like the Tieflings. The bard is aware of how badly the druids would respond to the truth about her family. She doesn't want to make herself a target because, as her grandfather has repeatedly stated, most people despise devils for their horrible nature. She's not as strong and all-powerful as a true devil, and she questions if she could survive if all the druids decided to launch an attack on her.
As she delves further into her thoughts, her gaze is suddenly drawn to a magnificent, dappled palomino. She is overjoyed to see a horse for the first time in her life and can't contain her excitement. Before long, Jilfaen is bouncing all over the animal and carefully running her fingers through its mane. "What a majestic horse! Can we keep it? … Please?" The cambion repeatedly bats her long eyelashes in the hopes that it will cause the other members of her group to cave in. Jilfaen momentarily lost sight of the fact that the creatures in the grove are more than just animals… this horse included.
@refabled liked for a starter.*
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My back fucking hurts. Sleeping on bed rolls on a hard stone ground is not for the faint hearted. Ah what can you do. Another day I'm alive. I can handle the discomfort.
Astarion seems to share my thoughts on Gale. Why couldn't we find a competent wizard? I'm still making Gale stay in camp today. Can't risk him fucking up something important like my life. We're packed up and planning to explore the rest of the sanctuary. I still want to know where the hells we are.
We discovered a room with a sarcophagus and a shit ton of traps but no way to disarm them. I'm going to tell myself there wasn't anything good in there anyway. Fucking frustrating. Oh well, we kept moving.
We found The Guardian of Tombs. Whatever the hell... Oh HOLY SHIT. Maybe I shouldn't have opened that one.
Wait, he seems peaceful. He just wants to know my opinion regarding the worth of a single mortal life. But you can't judge based on a single life. Individuals are part of the whole, a path to enlightenment. It seems this is all he wants, the answer, an answer, to that question. I'm promised to see him again, but with his raggedy skeleton ass, not something I'm excited for.
I'm just happy to be out of there and back in the sun, looking for what's next. Maybe we can camp somewhere less stony next time.
Oh gods, apparently some druid is lost, goblins are trying to kill everyone, and a Tiefling is pissed. And of course this becomes my problem. We wiped out the goblins with no issues and the Tieflings invited us into Emerald Grove. Zevlor and Aradin are about to go out at. I'm not getting involved.
JK apparently I'm getting involved. The Druids want to close off the grove and Zevlor asked me to help. I don't want to see them slaughtered so I willingly agreed. However, Astarion and Lae'zel aren't happy about it. But hey, you asked to come with me, not the other way around so we do things my way.
Met The Blade of Frontiers. He's so good with the kids, it warms my heart. Apparently he was on the ship too. Glad he made it off. Glad to have a new friend. I noticed his eye, wonder how he's faring with the insertion in one, and a stone in the other. I'll have to ask him about that sometime. He seems like a good dude. Hunting devils and seeking vengeance. I'll be happy to help him on his mission. For now, he's going to hang out with Gale at camp. God I hope Gale doesn't talk his ear off.
Heh heh... Teeth-ling. I think my new hobby is annoying Lae'zel. She doesn't like it and it gives me great joy. I had to talk her down from practically murdering Zarru. The kid had information, he was willing to give it, just scared. But can her creche really fix our problem? She so blindly believes the creche can do no wrong. I'm more leery. Still don't trust her. I'm starting to like her, though.
I met the sweetest bard, Alfira. Poor girl is going through a hard time. It's so difficult losing someone you're close to, and then feeling like you're responsible. My heart breaks for her. She taught me to play the lite, which I appreciate. I'll have to practice back at camp where no one can hear me mess up.
Saved some kid from the harpies down by the water. Now I have to go check out the Dragon's Lair. I swear if this is some trick.... This Mol person better be legit.
Okay, Mol can wait. Kagha is threatening a child with death by snake? The fuck this bitch think she is? Oh I'm gonna do something about this. I read her thoughts - she's power hungry. Typical. Yeah time to knock her down a peg or three. I don't want to kill her in case the Tieflings gets caught up in the battle. So I guess I'm talking to Zevlor and will help him best I can.
Before I do that, I think it's time to head to camp. It's been another long day.
Holy hell everyone wants something. And all I want to do is relax and play my lute. Guess I should make the rounds. I think I'll go see Astarion first. There's something about him...
...And there seems to be something about me. Is he seducing me? Oh shit, he's seducing me. And I'm allowing it. Not tonight, but soon. This man. This tall, handsome, beautiful man.
Talking to the rest seems like a chore. I want to go to bed and dream of what may come. What will come. A night of passion.
But Shadowheart... She wants me too? That comes as a surprise. But alas, not tonight. Looks like I'm going to bed alone.
As I lay down to sleep, I notice Astarion slipping off into the night. What is he doing? I'd ask but I'm too tired. That conversation is for another day. Maybe one with less clothing on.
#baldurs gate rp#baldurs gate tav#baldurs gate 3#bg3 fanfiction#bg3 tav#bg3#astarion#shadowheart#shart#lae'zel#wyll ravengard#bg3 withers
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Astrid vs Rescues and Celebrations
Still in the Shattered Sanctum, looking for people
Astrid: *quietly* Look. Volo.
Astarion: Also guard. So perhaps you should let me--
Astrid: *notches a fire arrow; fires*
Goblin guard: *is extremely dead*
Astarion: Or ... perhaps you're better at this than I give you credit for.
Volo: Oh, thank you! Now, if you'd kindly let me out of this cage...
Astrid: This ... is barely a lock. I can pick this lock. Why couldn't you pick this lock?
Volo: They ... took my lockpicking equipment?
Astarion: If this idiot is going to be sneaking through the place with us--
Volo: Oh, no! No no no! I'll just turn myself invisible and meet you at your camp later, if that's alright!
Astrid: *having picked the lock* But ... why didn't you do that in the first place?
Shadowheart: And why are you travelling with us, again?
Volo: Well, because you are clearly adventurers of renown, needing immortalisation in story and song by a legendary bard!
Astrid: *looks slightly hurt*
Gale; Shadowheart: Excuse you?!?
Astarion: Oh, you've done it now. Hurt the feelings of the precious cinnamon roll. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about it either but I'm far less rash about it.
Volo: Oh! Well! I mean ... a bard can't tell their own tales!
Astrid: You tell yours all the time! Also you still haven't answered about 'if you could turn invisible and walk away, why didn't you long before this?', so...
Volo: Well, I am clearly harshing your vibe, so I'll see you back at your camp! *turns invisible; wanders away probably*
Shadowheart: Are you sure you want him in our camp?
Astrid: I need an object lesson. Someone I can look at and go ... well, 'be better'.
Astarion: And you're sure I can't bite him just a little?
Gale: Remember what she said. Cheerful is clearly a blood-borne pathogen; perhaps stupidity is, as well.
Astrid: Eh, he's had enough goblins by now that it's probably not the case ... but best to be careful anyway.
Astarion: You never let me have any fun.
Shadowheart: She lets you drain goblins.
Astarion: We're generally killing them anyway, but fine.
And, down in the warg pens
Astarion: Please tell me we're not rescuing a bear.
Gale; Shadowheart: *look at Astarion as if he's deeply, deeply stupid*
Astrid: *attempting tact* We're rescuing a druid who's currently in a nicely combat-ready shape, I think. Or we're rescuing a bear that doesn't deserve. Either way, goblin splat.
Goblin warg trainer: *summons wolf companion*
Astrid: PUPPY!
Gale: Um ... 'puppy' wants to eat my face.
Bear: *slaps warg trainer into a wall andmakes him a smear*
Wolf Companion: *poofs out of existence*
Astrid: ...Ah. I guess I couldn't have talked that one around.
Bear: *becomes druid* Hello. I'm Halsin. And I'm also surprised you were willing to rescue a bear.
Astrid: Thought so. Hi, I'm Astrid. I was in the neighbourhood clearing out goblin commanders and thought I'd pick you up on the way. And I figured you were a druid because the Shadow Druids that nearly took over your grove because Kagha got scared turned into one and that was a whole thing and--
Halsin: Wait. Kagha did what with who? All right, I'm going over there and if you need me for ... healing reasons or whatever, meet me there. *becomes rat; scurries away*
Astrid: Again, why couldn't he just have done that and got out of his cage? I don't get it.
Gale: People are like that, apparently. Now, shall we take one of those waypoint portals back, so we don't have to get into too many more fights?
Astrid: Works for me. If they're anything like the ones we saw at Moonhaven, they won't be a threat without their leaders and I'm a little tired of hearing the squelch noises.
Back at the Emerald Grove
Zevlor: You rescued Halsin, you rescued the Grove, and you killed all the generals? We're heading to Baldur's Gate while the heading is good but you must let us feast you as best we can before we go.
Astrid: Okay, but I just wanted to talk to Halsin about--
Halsin: Oh. Right. You've got those parasites. I can't help just now but I have an idea but it can wait until morning; you really do deserve a good feasting.
Astrid: Not entirely sure on the "wait until morning" thing, but we've been okay so far, so... I guess? It's been awhile since I had a party.
Partying at camp
Volo: You're lying to me; you should be a mind flayer by now.
Astrid: *gets right up in his face* Take. A. Look.
Volo: *looks*
Volo: *is horrified*
Volo: All right ... all right ... this is ... new ... I need to have a think about this... If I rack my brain I'm sure I'll come up with some old legend that will help...
Gale: I thought he was going to run screaming.
Astrid: ...So did I.
Gale: Was ... was that the plan?
Astrid: Either he was going to run screaming, or he was going to show he was made of the sterner stuff he has to be made of to take this trip. We win either way.
Gale: I ... keep forgetting how devious you are.
That was about it with Gale, but...
Shadowheart: I don't suppose ... you'd want to share some wine and a bedroll?
Astrid: I thought about it. I thought about it a lot. I think ... you need a friend before you need a lover. It could be both, but the friend has to come first.
Shadowheart: That only actually makes me like you more and I suppose you're not just a bit of entertainment, so ... some parts of me are very insistently angry at me, though.
Astarion: I want sex!
Everyone in earshot: *raises eyebrows*
Astarion: Not with the cinnamon roll, though.
Wyll: So you don't ... *ahem* play with your food?
Astarion: Do you shag your food?
Shadowheart: Are you saying you don't go down on your sexual partners, that you're so discerning about the difference between eating and ... well, eating?
Astarion: ...You've all spoiled my appetite all the way around, you cruel people.
Dreamscape, later, with Controller Person wondering what happened to the illusory sex scenes from early access
Guardian: Oh. Hi. Look, you are changing but I won't let you. It's okay. Still, you need to start using the powers that parasite gives you because you're going to need those powers to save the worlds.
Astrid: Worlds ... plural?
Guardian: ...That's your first question?
Astrid: I like to know the full scope of a situation. It's nice to know exactly how hard epic narrative is going to fuck me, and how spiky the strap-on is going to be.
Guardian: .........
Astrid: Astarion got ... look, it doesn't matter. I don't want to be a mind flayer!
Guardian: And you won't be! Not while I'm around! Except I have to go for a bit because we're losing a big battle. But you'll be alright for awhile. Also you're going to have to find the source of the magic that's keeping those things in there if you want them out ever. Trying to pry them out without disabling the magic first would have killed you or worse.
Astrid: ...wut.
Guardian: Gotta go; bye!
Morning happens and:
Astrid: Okay, hands up who got the dream bulletin about the parasites.
Gale; Astarion; Wyll; Shadowheart: *raise hands*
Astrid: Who reckons I'm owed a massive "I Told You So" for rejecting every goblin, hag, and demon's offers to pry it out?
Wyll; Shadowheart; Gale: *put their hands down*
Astarion: ...All right, fine, consider me ... "told so". Now. How do we find the source of this magic?
Halsin: Moonrise Towers, I think. That's about as far as I got before I was taken hostage, anyway. And if you don't mind, I'll come with; I have some research to do, I've appointed a non-Kagha leader for the Grove, and I owe you for the rescue.
Astrid: Okay, how do we get there?
Halsin: Two options. One - we go up a mountain pass and through land that'll kill us at best just by our presence there. Two - we cut through the Underdark. Questionably safer, but there are Shar-worshipping Dark Justiciar down there and--
Shadowheart: *very tiny hero-worship squee*
Astrid: It makes Shadowheart happy and it avoids being driven crazy by the landscape itself? Sold; Underdark it is! Now, where's the nearest entrance!
Halsin: In the Shattered Sanctum somewhere.
Astrid: ...................So ... I ported out of that camp after killing as few goblins as possible ... and now I have to go back through there ... after having killed their generals? Well ... maybe they'll have vacated by now?
And, later:
The Goblins: *have not vacated*
Astrid: Well ... nuts.
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Kinky Hair & Bad Attitude
Name: Zanelri (Zane for short) (She/Her)
Race: Human
Class: Monk (Way of the Open Hand)
Background: Guild Artisan
Inspiration & Story: Yet another character I have personally played before BG3, Zanelri was a Way of the Drunken Fist Monk during a Waterdeep Heist game. Like Admaer, however, I wasn't able to complete the story because I couldn't attend the games anymore :(. But now with the new Monk class, I decided to give this girl a new fresh coat of paint! Originally, Zane's story was that she and her younger sister escaped a Asmodeus cult and landed in Waterdeep to hide out. She once had a Tiefling younger brother, who unfortunately perished as they were leaving the cult. Zane would do odd jobs here and there to make it by and protect her only family.
During the Waterdeep heist game, the rag-tag group of adventurers would eventually get their own tavern and build it up from the ground up and make a living while also getting caught up in a whole conspiracy about a heaping mountain of gold hidden somewhere in the city.
WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD!
The BG3 version of Zane goes as follows. Zane is still from a Asmodeus cult and she escaped it with her younger sister and lost her Tiefling brother in the process. Instead of running to Waterdeep, they went to Baldur's Gate and tried to live quietly there. Zane would man a tavern and work as a barkeep. But when the Mindflayers came to the city, her tavern home would be destroyed in the process and her sister perished with it. In that moment of distraught, that's when Zane was captured by the Mindflayers.
Zane would save Shadowheart in the process of escaping the ship and would link up with both Lae'zel and Shadowheart as they traveled together to look for a healer. If of course, the girls don't kill each other in front of Zane that is. For this character, I'm going for an all-girls party (so looking forward to finding Karlach). She also recruited Astarion & Gale into the mix as well.
Zane wants to help the Tieflings get out of Emerald Grove and get them to safety, so she's willing to either talk to the current First Druid and get her to see sense or at least pave the path clear of Goblins.
Companion Relationships:
Astarion: Doesn't like him lol. Mf tried to kill her for information, then want to act all cute as if he didn't just put a knife to her throat. Doesn't know he's a Vampire, and who knows what she'll do if she does.
Shadowheart: Not too keen on her secretive nature, but they both in it together and she heals her wounds, so what more can she ask.
Lae'zel: Appreciates her attitude, though doesn't like that she'll pick on the weak. Like to imagine that Zane takes time to spar with Lae'zel.
Gale: Wizards, can't trust them, but...Well, you can live without them. Zane doesn't have much of an opinion of Gale, though because he's a Wizard, she's hoping he has someone in Baldur's Gate that they can confide in about the tadpoles
Wyll: Has heard stories about him and pretty stoked to meet the Blade in the flesh. Honestly enjoys his laid back and heroic energy more than the other companions who are kinda in their own little bubble for Zane's taste.
Karlach: Haven't met her, but she will be replacing Wyll once we get her :D
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