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hypnoneghoul · 2 months

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Sundown: Chapter 1

WC: 2,6k

Relationship: Pre-relationship SwissAlps

Tags: Transfeminine Mountain, AU; Cowboy!Swiss x Barmaid!Mountain, First Meeting, Fluff, Protectiveness, Discussion About Being Transgender, Transphobia (warning for that if someone's sensitive to it), not from swiss tho he's supportive!!!

Swiss has been travelling for a while. He finally gets to a place he can rest in and meets an unique individual. He's immediately enamored.

Notes: comm for @jazz-bazz, first part of our au! ty bex <3

Read chapter 1 under the cut or on AO3.

He’s been sweating his ass off for three days before something resembling civilization has finally come along. He’s half dead, his chick is half dead, and all he wants is to get a pint of cold beer and a damn bed.

The town—barely big enough to be called such—is obviously sparsely populated. Swiss doubts it’s even inhabited at first, but the closer he gets the more signs of life he’s noticing and the hope in him grows. He leans down to pat his chick’s neck and sighs at the puff of dust coming off of her.

“Soon, girlie. I’m gonna give ya a good brush, you deserve it.” The mare nickers and the pair continue their slow walk toward the town. It doesn’t take that long for them to make their way into the shadow casted by the town’s buildings. It smells like cow’s shit, but the people obviously have more water and food than they really need, which means there is a chance Swiss and his horse will get some. If not given freely, he’ll take it, but he is tired and he hopes their visit in that place will go smoothly.

Swiss doesn’t see any heads peeking out of doors or windows to look at him, neither threateningly nor curiously, as he looks around searching for any sign that would indicate where he can find a bar. He really needs a beer.

His knees crack when he jumps down from his mare. The ground is dry and a cloud of dust arises as his boots touch it. He finds something that could be a spot for travelers’ horses and as he leaves his chick there he hopes nobody will shoot her off if he was mistaken. It’s a solid roof over a spot covered in a thick layer of straw, with buckets full of fresh looking water hanging off of wooden beams and cubes of hay under them. Inviting enough.

Swiss pulled the reins over the mare’s neck and pulled the bit out of her mouth before tying her to one of the beams by the water. He hopes she won't be too picky. “Drink, girlie, I’ll be back soon.”

He pats her on the ass on his way and walks away, heading into the adjoining building. The batwing doors’ hinges squeal loudly as Swiss walks into what indeed is a saloon. It’s nearly empty, only two men are sitting in a corner and talking quietly over drinks. Swiss scans the space and even though it’s empty, it seems nice. The men from the corner don’t acknowledge his presence, but he doesn’t crave attention this time, so it is fine by him. It’s a bit colder there than outside and he already feels some relief.

Swiss goes straight to the bar and just as he’s sitting down on one of the squeaky stools the barmaid walks out from behind a dark brown curtain hanging between the shelves. A gorgeous, tall wo…man? They are a very pretty man, if that's the case. He shrugs, though, it’s none of his business.

They are wearing a long, light green dress—a little old fashioned in style, but it’s a good piece. Little dirty-white apron covers the dress from their waist down to where their knees are under the skirt. The dress doesn’t have sleeves, only straps digging into their shoulders and going down to create a laced neckline that makes their tits look very compelling. Their hair is long and wavy, a beautiful shade of dark amber flowing down their back and over their shoulders.

Their eyes, though…oh, their eyes are what makes Swiss’ belly swoop and his mouth go even drier than it already was. Big—adorned by thick and long lashes—and in the color of the healthiest, most fresh, summer grass ever. Swiss haven’t seen grass as green in years.

“Anything to drink for you?” They ask, picking up a rag to wipe the bar. More to busy themself than because it’s dirty. If anything it’s dusted over from unuse.

“Well, ain’t ya a pretty thing?” Swiss winks, his head tilted to the side. He knows he most definitely looks like a creep, but he can’t stop staring.

“Oh, me? Uhm–thank you?” they stutter as blush creeps up their cheeks, coloring them a light rosy pink. Gorgeous. “What…what about that drink?”

“Get me a pint of some good ole beer, sweetheart. Pretty please.”

“Mhm,” they nod, obviously flustered, and turn to disappear behind the curtain again. Swiss sighs—he really is exhausted—as he rests his chin on his fist, his other hand scratching at his stubble. Well, more like a beard, he didn’t have much time or opportunities to take care of it, so it’s a bit unkept now.

Soon enough the bar…person returns with Swiss’ beer and hands it to him with a light smile. “There you go.”

“Thank you kindly,” he mutters, nodding, before pressing his lips against the chilly mug and tipping it back. He moans at the refreshing feeling washing over him the moment beer pours into his mouth.

“Is it that good?” the person chuckles, leaning against the wall with their hands crossed over their chest. Their beautiful, full chest and it’s–Swiss shakes his head. He ain’t seen no tits in ages but he isn’t an animal, damnit.

“Nah,” he snorts before taking another gulp. “It’s piss, but I’ve been dry as a desert, sweetheart.”

The person curls their lips into a little amused smile and turns, grabbing the rag and starting to wipe the bar again. Swiss tries to not be obvious in his staring—looking from under the rim of his hat. The stranger is so captivating, he can’t tear his eyes away.

“Listen, I don’t mean any disrespect, sweetheart, but I’ve gotta ask–” Swiss starts after clearing his throat, but gets cut off. The other probably expected it to go that way.

“You’re the nicest person I’ve encountered in a long time,” they say with a smirk and Swiss bows his head, grinning. “Phrase your question as nicely and there’s a chance I won’t take out the revolver from under the bar and shoot your hat off.”

“Damn, sweetheart.” He recoils dramatically, raising his arms defensively. “You’re too pretty for me to offend, don’t ya worry.”

“So?”

“Are you a boy or a girl?” The question lands, but no offense shows on the person’s face. Swiss continues. “Cause if you’re a boy, then you’re the prettiest one I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen a lot—and if you’re a girl, then…well, then you’re the prettiest one of those.”

“I’m a woman, kind sir,” she laughs, fully this time, and the melodic sound of it goest through Swiss’ ears right to his heart, “you haven’t proven yourself worthy of permission to call me a girl. Yet.”

“Understood. I'd love to try and prove my worth.” He winks and lifts the mug nodding, as if in a toast. “You’re a gorgeous woman, ma’am.”

“Thank you. I do understand the confusion, though, even my own body didn’t get the memo.” She sighs, fidgeting with her hands and worrying her lip between her teeth. Swiss gets a sudden urge to gently pull it free, lest she breaks the skin and paints her mouth with blood, but he doesn’t. Of course he doesn’t, they’ve just met. Swiss doesn’t know what possessed him.

“Huh, that’s so…” He mumbles, staring holes into the already rugged wood of the countertop. With the corner of his eye he sees the barmaid pull up a chair on the other side of the bar and sit on it, right before him.

“Unnatural?” she finishes for him, but her guess of his thoughts couldn’t be falser.

“No, I wanted to say it makes you unique. It’s amazing,” Swiss says—confident—looking up at her again. She is so much closer now and so many more details of her beauty are visible to the man, and if she’d let him he’d count all the golden freckles adorning her face a hundred times over.

“Oh…” she whispers. Swiss doesn’t count her freckles, but he does follow the path of a blush crawling up her cheeks. “Well, uhm, I don’t know. It doesn’t feel amazing most of the time.”

“That must be tough,” he replies, wondering. “Is it like…like you don’t feel right in your body? Like it’s not yours?”

“Yeah, sometimes,” she has no idea why she’s suddenly spilling her innermost thoughts to a stranger she has met not even half an hour prior. There is something about him, though, that makes her feel safe and maybe carries a chance of finally being understood. Even if just a bit. “And sometimes I just feel…wrong all around.”

Swiss hums in acknowledgement and leans down to his mug, swallowing down a few gulps. Once his mouth is unoccupied again, he asks, “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“It’s Mountain,” the barmaid says, “but I prefer just Mounty.”

Swiss snorts at that, but immediately regrets it upon seeing Mounty’s brows furrow in confusion and her eyes fill with a tiny bit of hurt. “Sorry, sweetheart, I ain’t laughing at you! My horse’s name is Monty, that’s why!”

“Oh. Oh, okay,” she relaxes and chuckles, too, a bit embarrassed by her immediate defensiveness. “Yeah, that is funny.”

“Nice to meet you, Mounty.”

“Won’t you give me your name?” the barmaid’s eyelashes flutter and Swiss wouldn’t be able to refuse or lie to her even if he wanted to.

“Swiss, sweetheart,” he says, lifting up the mug again. “My name’s Swiss.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Swiss,” Mounty replies, her face lighting up with a soft smile, and if Swiss was standing it would make his knees buckle. Still, his insides warm up and twist and he’s never felt like that; so stupid and…vulnerable.

Swiss feels himself blush and he quickly hides behind his mug.

“Would you–” Mounty is about to ask him something, but a squeak of the doors and heavy steps interrupt her.

“Afternoon!” a stranger calls out, walking into the saloon as if it was his own ground. Swiss looks up at the barmaid and sees her tense up—her lips turn into a thin line and her brows furrow. She knows the man and she isn't fond of him in the slightest.

Swiss doesn’t like that look on her.

“Afternoon, sir,” Mounty mutters, standing up. The man doesn’t reply, just walks over and sits down by the bar next to Swiss. He is alert after Mounty’s reaction, one of his hands close to his gun.

“Get me some whiskey, girl,” the stranger grumbles, spitting the last word out like it burns his tongue, like an insult. Swiss realizes it is supposed to be one and the knot inside him tightens, this time with something resembling anger. How can someone treat such a gorgeous, brilliant and kind creature without utmost respect?

“Hey, she ain’t your girl,” Swiss hisses as Mounty disappears to get the man’s drink. He won’t sit there and pretend he is okay with what is happening right next to him. “Bark orders at your wife like that. If you even have one, it don’t seem like you’ve got a lot to offer.”

“Why do you care?” the stranger scoffs, “he’s a freak.”

One second Swiss is sitting relaxed, sipping on his beer, and then in the next he’s up with his back straight, looming over the other man and staring down at him with fire in his eyes.

“I suggest you either apologize to her when she gets back,” he growls, reaching behind himself, to his revolver, “or get out now so neither of us have to see your ugly face any more. Or else…”

“Or else what!? Ya one of them, too, hm?” the man—clearly an idiot—snarls, craning his neck to look up at Swiss, pretending to be brave. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you had no balls on you.”

“Oh, I’ve got enough balls, asshole,” Swiss laughs and that seems to hit. He pulls his revolver out from behind his belt, twists it on his finger and watches the other man hesitate about his next words. “You wanna lose yours?”

The man scoffs as if there wasn’t fear in his eyes. He’s a coward and he storms out accordingly, because it’s unlikely he knows better than to actually challenge Swiss. He doubts he knows who he was.

Just as the man disappears outside, Mounty returns with a glass of whiskey intended for him. There’s no smile on her face and her rather neutral expression turns to confusion as she sees only Swiss by the bar. “Where did he go?”

“Oh, he realized he left something at home.” Swiss shrugs, returning to his stool.

“And what would that be?”

“Respect for women,” he says with a smirk and Mounty returns it, knowing and thankful. She sits again and looks at the glass in her hand before pressing it against her lips and cringing as she tips it back to drink. “Not a fan?”

“Not at all,” she coughs and Swiss chuckles. She is adorable. “All I drink is tea.”

“Tea is good,” he says and looks into his mug—there was still some beer left. He lifts it again and silence falls for a moment.

“You really are nice to talk to,” Mounty speaks after a while. “I get called a freak and other names all the time, usually the moment I come into someone’s view. It’s nice to be treated normally, have my feelings acknowledged…and be protected. You know?”

“I can only imagine.” Swiss smiles at her fondly. It must be hard living like that. Trying to live right by yourself and offending others by simply existing, just because they are too thick-skulled. If he could, he'd sit on that creaky chair every damn day and chase off every single man who'd as much as look at Mounty wrong.

It’s quiet again, Swiss finishing up his beer and Mounty drinking her whiskey—frowning at every single sip. They have just met, but the silence is comfortable. It feels like not only did they know each other for ages, but that they have a…special connection, of a kind.

Swiss snorts at his own thoughts. He’s stupid for them, for thinking this is anything more than…than what, exactly?

“A’ight, sweetheart,” he sighs after a moment, breaking the dead silence. “I should get going, find somewhere to sleep.”

“We’ve got beds,” Mounty perks up, immediately shying away as she realizes she might’ve been a bit too enthusiastic, “if you want…”

“I’d love a bed, but I don’t have much money,” the man shrugs. He’d rip anyone off without any remorse, but not her. He’s never gotten a soft spot for someone as fast as he did for her. “And I’d rather get a place for my horse than myself.”

“And if it’d all be on the house?”

“What, like me so much already you don’t want me to leave?” Swiss laughs, winking.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Mounty scoffs, but her own wink says something else. “You’re clearly exhausted, who would I be if I let you go back on the road without a proper rest?”

“Will you at least accept my help in here and in the stables as a payment?”

“I can consider it,” she mumbles, smiling softly as she stares at Swiss through her lashes.

“Alright, then. I’ll stay, sweetheart.”

#hypnone writes #the band ghost #nameless ghouls #swiss ghoul #mountain ghoul #swissalps #hypnone's commissions #swissalps' sundown

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queenaeducan-writes · 25 days

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Chip Butty

Pairing: Gale x f!Tav, Karlach & f!Tav Characters: Gale Dekarios, Female/Tiefling/Druid Tav Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3 Rating: General Other Tags: Named Tav, Unresolved Sexual/Romantic Tension, Developing Relationship, Not Beta Read Summary: The morning after the party with her Tiefling kin, Ophelia wakes up with two headaches. One, from wine. Two, everyone expects she bedded Gale the night before.

Ophelia greets the day with bleary eyes and a head thick as soup. Last night’s indulgence has risen from her stomach to her head, a dull pain throbbing between her ears as reminder of the evening’s festivities. Before she dares unlace her lashes, she shields her face with her hand. The morning sun on the river’s current acts as a hundred blinking mirrors, each slanted to pour the light directly into her eyes.

Gods, that last glass of wine had been a mistake.

She sits up, squinting through the slats of her fingers, to find the camp emptier than the night before. The bulk of the Tiefling refugees had apparently left to prepare for the road, though a few still mill about camp. Some collect their belongings, lost in twilight and revealed by dawn, while others remain to help clean the mess they helped create. Her own travelling companions are thrown into the mix, their usual morning routines displaced by the visitors.

“Hey, soldier, you’re up!” Her waking doesn’t go unnoticed long. Karlach’s voice chimes out from nearby, ringing like a bell in Ophelia’s ear. It’s a struggle not to wince— though when her eyes and ears adjust to the light, it becomes difficult not to smile.

Zariel’s rogue soldier appears at home in the company of their kin. Together with Bex, it seems they had devised a unique method for washing the dishes. Her arms steep in a tub of water, steam rising from her biceps and billowing up like a second fire. When the water is warm, she passes a basin of it to Bex, who works over the dishes with a soapy rag. The fruits of their labours lie out in the sun, the same rays that torment Ophelia’s vision gently drying their supplies.

(Read the rest on AO3!)

#gale dekarios #gale x tav #gale of waterdeep #bg3 fanfic #gale bg3 #character: gale #character: ophelia #pairing: gale x ophelia #pairing: romantic #fandom: baldur's gate

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bhaalbaaby · 4 months

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Penelope as a Companion 💫

Filled out the questionnaire because I was thinking about this myself lol

General

Where can your Tav be recruited? Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region? Or are they not recruitable until a later act?

She would be near Bex and Dannis pretending to be a psychic. You can either help her with her "vision" for them and predict something bad for the couple.

Do the other companions have special comments or reactions upon recruiting your Tav?

Lae'zel is reluctant about her since she's a bard and doesn't think she will be worthy. If Karlach and Gale are there, they can vouch for her and think she'll be a great addition to their party.

Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions?

When Astarion threatens Tav, she gently tells him to put his blade away and they can handle it like adults or she'll be forced to splatter his brains on the ground. When they recruit Karlach, Penelope muses how much she can lift lol

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval?

She likes good actions and helping people. She also likes extorting people and funny answers

Are there any instances where your Tav can permanently leave the party, depending on player character actions?

She does not approve of siding with the Goblins and can permaleave. You can talk to her and pass a high persuasion check, but her approval will tank.

Do they have any secrets that can be revealed? What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light?

She changes what her previous job is twice. She was a psychic, a traveling bard, and a poet, but her actual job was her courtesan. You can pass a small persuasion check or a passive insight check on her if Gortash is brought up with Karlach or Wyll since she acts more standoffish. If they pass them, she can tell them a very basic story about knowing him, and being around him, but not knowing anything more until act 3.

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game? Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?

Yes. When they're in the Underdark, her long-lost druid brother finds the party searching for Halsin since Thaniel sent him. If Halsin is not there, he may start to leave, but Penelope recognizes him as someone familiar and asks Tav if they can stay. If Halsin isn't there, he entrusts her with some knowledge to either clear the shadowlands or how to defeat Ketheric. If Halsin is there, there would be a scene in Act 2 when they realize they are siblings and try to build on their strained relationship. When Act 2 ends, her brother stays in the FKA Shadowlands, but Penelope grows as a person and is ready to face her true enemy, Gortash. When they reach Sharess' Caress, she confesses her past to the PC and tells them about her relationship with Gortash. She can be used as truce fodder with Gortash and be given to him during their truce and not be able to be played, or PC can keep her and still do the truce, or vow not to help Gortash and kill him later.

What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp? How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again?

"Aww, but you'll be so bored." "Fine, when you realize what you're missing, I'll be here."

"Wise choice, sweeting."

Does your Tav have any escalating conflicts with one of the other companions, like Lae’zel and Shadowheart’s knife-fight?

Karlach and Penelope can have an argument in camp in Act 3 in Rivington when she reveals her relationship with Gortash. Penelope can explain that it wasn't because she wanted him and that she was paid to be around him. Karlach can listen but PC will have to interfere. Neither will die, but Penelope can permaleave if PC shames her for her past.

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

Her brother can appear in Act 1.5 in the Underdark and will stay with the team if Halsin is there until the end of Act 2.

Are there any moments in the game that trigger unique dialogue for your character? (Like Gale’s anecdote about the barfight after you save the goblin prisoner)

Being in the Underdark and talking to the Petrified Drow will prompt her to talk about her father and reveal that he was a Lolth-Sworn Drow and that the cockiness of him reminded her of him and she reveals she thinks he's dead since he disappeared when she was 13.

Story Specific

How does your Tav advise the player character when it comes to the Dream Visitor?

She thinks they're too good to be true. No one in her dreams ever promised her safety without wanting something in return.

How do they advise the player character on Raphael?

"Devils are masters of persuasion. Trickers of the tongue. We should hear him out, but we should keep our cards to our chest."

How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character?

"I've always wondered about vampires, but a vampire in the daylight? I haven't heard a song about that. He can stay as long as he asks first."

How do they react to the Player Character letting Abdirak whip them?

"Wow, me next! I mean, you are so brave in front of the Goddess Lovitar."

How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power?

"I thought we were getting rid of the tadpoles, not adding more. I don't think we should be using them to control people. It could be dangerous."

What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party?

She would be hanging out near Lakrissa and Alfira and playing her flute. The goblin party she would be swatting goblins away, or away from the party in general, hiding near the waterfall.

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with?

"I see the appeal. You should share all the sorid details once you've done the deed. A story for a story."

Do they have unique dialogue if the Player Character lets them die when they steal the Blood of Lathander?

"This shit never happens to me. The moment I step out of Baldur's Gate, a BUILDING! gets dropped on me! We got to get out of here."

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

"Please excuse me as I go get sick over there." "Did you think you gained an affinity for it? My, my…"

What do they say if the PC tries to force them to go up on stage with Dribbles the Clown?

"Oh, I served my time on stage. I don't think I'm ready to be downgraded for clowns, beloved."

Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin? How is Orin's deception revealed? How do they react to the PC rescuing them in the Temple of Bhaal?

She cannot since she's tied with Gortash.

How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn?

She would be upset and think that the spawn deserved a chance. She also would be wary of Astarion and his newfound powers and lust for control. She would express hope that he doesn't turn into other tyrants she knew. If he spares them, she would be happy but still wary, worried about the havoc they could cause.

How does Tav react to the PC becoming a mind flayer? Can they offer to become one themselves? Does their reaction change if they’re romanced?

She thinks it's honorable of Tav to become a mind flayer. She does not offer. If she was romanced, she would still think they are beautiful, and kiss their fleshy forehead.

How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them?

She tell them to stay strong and to not give into their thoughts. she would also tell them she would start hiding their blades should she need to.

How do they react to the Dark Urge killing Alfira?

She would be hysterical since Alfira and her had a bond being both bards. She would want to know who did it and why? She wouldn't permaleave, but she would definitely be upset.

If romanced, how do they react to the Dark Urge trying to kill them in Act 2?

She would be very sympathetic and tell them that she believes in them. She would also hum a lullaby to try to ease their urges.

Romance

Is your Tav a romanceable character? Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

She is a romanceable character with not a lot of requirements. As long as you're nice to her, you can start the romance at like approval 40.

Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough?

She will approach if high enough.

Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option?

Polyamorous

Do they have a special romance scene at the tiefling/goblin party?

Yes at the Tiefling party, she will ask if she can play them a song that ends up being a seductive dance that she used to do at Sharess' Caress that ends up with them getting caught up in the passion and making love in the forest. The Goblin party is different where she is more submissive and lets Tav lead the way, telling them she loves when they're more dominant.

Does the romance have different branching paths, or just one route to take?

If they get the Goblin party scene, it's more physical than emotional. If her brother is not there in Act 1.5/gets turned away, she will end the relationship by Act 3 since there was not development and they're just a fling. If they let her brother stay, there is a scene once she realizes that he is her brother that she shares her past in Elturel with Tav and they have a special moment. In Act 3, Tav can break up with her when she reveals her past saying they don't like that she wasn't truthful, or be extremely rude and judgemental. They can also break up with her by giving her to Gortash. If Tav is accepting and doesn't give her to Gortash, then their scene in Act 3 is Penelope realizing that she does not need to be her past and that she can be who ever she wants to be and that she wants to be with them and they would get another intimate scene.

How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them?

High approval is probably similar to Pearl from Pearl lol "What did I do wrong? Why are you choosing them over me if I didn't do anything wrong? I don't understand, I thought you liked me!" "I suppose if your heart now belongs to them… I wish to be alone."

Low approval: "There are plenty of fish in the sea and plenty more who want me~"

What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test?

"There is one who strikes fear in Penelope's heart. Who is it?" (Gortash)

"What makes her happy, her heart swell and quell with joy?" (Playing her instrument/being with her lover)

"If she could go anywhere in the world, where would she go?" (A rich spa or Menzoberranzan)

If they’re poly, do they have a reaction to the PC engaging in a relationship with Halsin?

She would want to join in, curious about if he's more elf than bear.

How do they react if the PC has sex with Mizora? The Emperor? Haarlep?

She would be furious if they slept with Mizora because she hates her stench and how she uses Wyll. She wouldn't break up, but she would chastize them. She would think the Emperor is slimey for the way he acts, not necessarily that he's a mind flayer. Would have questions about the tentacles. Haarlep is similar to Mizora especially if they give Haarlep their body. She would be sad that they've given up that freedom she recently gained.

Will they join in with the PC and the Drow Twins, or no?

No, because they're like her siblings. She would wish Tav a good time though. She could not be convinced either since she just isn't interested.

What are Tav’s plans for the future? Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in?

She would like to settle down and chill out in the future, probably write an erotic book or two about their adventures, and share drafts with Volo who is writing the same thing except with less sex. She mostly would get married if she needed to for money purposes, but they do not have to get married right away. Tav would have to propose to her.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 tav #bg3 spoilers #tav: penelope #writing #oc musings #long post #baldurs gate 3 #added read more to shorten it hdfjskhfjdlas

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tangledbea · 4 months

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Hey Bex! What gimmick do you think Gothel would have had if she had been a spirit? Like Tromus and Sugracha, what do you picture her “Boss Battle” being?

This is such an interesting question, Roy! I read this ask last night and decided to go to bed and think on it because I wanted to give you a really good answer.

So first, I want to go over a few facts that we know. The first is that we don't know what Tromus and Sugracha were like when they were alive. We do know that the "Mrs. Sugarby" guise that Sugracha took on was not her natural one, but "the vessel [she] chose to suit [her] purpose." It's safe to assume that Tromus is the same. Yes, the silhouettes they used in "Lost and Found" were of them, but that was so the audience would recognize them.

Second, let's break down their known powers that seem special:

Sugracha: Can travel unseen through crowds in her spirit form. Can control multiple people's minds at a time (perhaps only if she's giving them all the same task?), using a trigger sound to "activate" them. It's possible that she has a connection to art (I've RP'd a story with her where she could bring paintings to life for combat purposes) but we have no solid evidence of this. The manipulation/mind control seems to be her biggest "trick," though it's a pretty powerful one.

Tromus: Seems to like to collect magical artifacts (we don't know that he created any of the things in his house, only that he had them). Can put/keep people asleep and invade and control their dreams. Built the House of Yesterday's Tomorrow out of sand?

Like Sugarcha, his biggest "trick" seems to be tied into manipulation, something we know Gothel was skilled at as a human.

So I think Gothel's manipulation would continue to be mundane and not magical in nature. I wrote an au RP once where Rapunzel's power didn't come directly from the sun, but was tied to light itself. In that RP, Gothel had power over darkness and shadows. She could manipulate them, travel through them, remove the light from a room by increasing the shadow. In the movie, she used darkness to manipulate Rapunzel a lot, snuffing out her candles, using shadows to create monstrous forms to frighten her, and making sure that she was the only thing Rapunzel could see in a gauntlet of shadowed horrors. She even used the dark of night in the forest by the campsite to make herself more threatening and intimidating, and to seem to vanish. So, I think Gothel's spirit power would be darkness/shadows. It would feed into her drama, as well as her manipulation.

Can you imagine Rapunzel and Eugene and Lance having to fight spirit Gothel in the dark? Rapunzel's C-PTSD triggered not only by her presence, but by all the tricks she was playing that had been used against Rapunzel her whole life? Can you imagine how worried Eugene would be, paranoid that at any moment, there'd be a knife in his side, and trying to keep it together for Rapunzel's sake? Can you imagine Lance just having none of it, and succumbing to a panic attack, because he's skittish at the best of times, but this time he knows there's a threat out there in the dark? It would be horrifying and wonderful to watch.

#Tangled #Tangled the Series #Mother Gothel #Sugracha the Eternal #Mattews #TTS #Speculation #Analysis #Screencaps #Answered #roygbivv

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herrmannhalsteadproduction · 3 months

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The Rules of Bex Ball

As previously mentioned, I had an ask on ao3 about that actual rules (using that term loosely) of Bex Ball (as seen in this fic: Game Night 3: It’s Bex Ball, Bébés) so I've written them up in a handy post for anyone else who might be interested.

One request - if you ever attempt to play this game - PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES IN REAL LIFE AND SEND PICTURES!

Bex Ball Rules:

Equipment

1 giant bouncy ball (scale to size of players, but it should be truly large)

A field to play on

Number of Players:

Minimum of five per team (1 goalie and four people on the field, the number of people on the field needs to be an even number since they will be pairing up at different points.) Depending on the size of the field, you might want a bigger team of eleven or more. If it’s an exceptionally big field, you may have two goalies (especially if the group is made up of younger players.)

Rules (if we can call them that):

Essentially, the basic structure of the game is soccer. You’re trying to get the ball into the other team’s goal and you’re usually accomplishing that by kicking it. However, there are also specific modes of play that can be activated at any time at the whims of the referee. As referee, when you want to activate a certain mode, you call it out and then announce when it’s no longer in effect as well. Everyone playing on the field needs to have a buddy on their team that they can pair up with when the mode calls for it.

Play for twenty-ish minute periods with breaks in between. The amount of periods can be decided upon before starting the game and judged by the age/willingness of the players.

MODES OF PLAY

These work best if you rotate through them at random and don’t keep any one mode activated for too long. Keep the players on their toes! (I added a few that weren't in the fic just to round things out.) Bunny Mode – only hopping allowed.

Butt Bumps Mode – you can only move the ball by bumping it with your butt or hips.

Donkey Mode – you are only allowed to move the ball around the field using backward kicks.

Flamingo Mode – you have to tuck one leg up and can only move around by hopping on the other one. You can use your hands to move the ball around during this mode. And if you can kick it during this mode, more power to you.

Hot Potato Mode – you have to continuously throw the ball to the other members of your team and you cannot hold onto it for longer than a second.

Koala Mode – team members find their partner and one member carries the other member on their back. Any free limbs can be used to move the ball. If you’re dealing with younger players, this mode can be adjusted. Instead of one player carrying the other, you can do a repeat of Squad Mode or have one player wrap their arms around the other player’s waist from behind or have them link both arms. Judge this based on the comfort levels of your players.

Marco Polo Mode – half of the team closes their eyes (no cheating!) and the other half has to shout out instructions to try and get the ball toward the proper goal. No running allowed during this mode for obvious reasons. (Possibly not a mode to be played with younger players.)

Pony Mode – only galloping allowed.

Sloth Mode – team members may only move in slow motion.

Squad Mode – you find your partner and link arms with them. You must travel the field joined together like that and move in sync until this mode has ended.

PENALTIES

Hitting the other players with the ball – you get a point if it’s funny and lose a point if it was a low blow (ex – a forceful hit to the head or directly to the face)

Bad sportsmanship – ref can dock points for bad behaviour such as being an obnoxious winner, complaining about the play modes, strutting around with your shirt off, pouting about losing, not showing gratitude to the ref for spending their precious free time running herd on this bonkers game. Stuff like that.

Breaking a mode – you can be lax on this rule until people get the hang of the game. Once you’re dealing with seasoned players though, if a team breaks a mode, the rule is that you give a point to the other team.

BONUS POINTS may be awarded at the discretion of the ref. Reasons for a team being given bonus points could be things such as great teamwork, a particularly neat move being executed, good humour in the face of being knocked on your butt by a gigantic ball – that kind of thing.

IN THE EVENT OF A TIE – each team will choose one representative. These two players will go head-to-head in a game of rock, paper, scissors. One round. Winner takes all.

That’s it. That’s Bex Ball. Play safe (ish) and have fun.

#a herrmann/halstead production #Bex Ball #games to play with friends #and enemies #games #most likely to result in absolute chaos

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commander-krios · 2 months

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writing patterns tag gaaaaame :3c

tagged by @aevallare, thank you Alex, my love <3

Rules: list the first line(s) of your last 10 posted fics and see if there's a pattern!

Tagging: @starknstarwars, @greyias, @lemonsrosesandlavender and @dustdeepsea

With Devotion And A Little Luck (f!tav/Rolan)

The gathering was separated from the bustle of Baldur’s Gate, sequestered away in Ramazith’s Tower as they were.

2. Everything (Dammon/Rolan)

Rolan had begun taking his midafternoon meal breaks at the Elfsong Tavern, away from the bustle of Sorcerous Sundries.

3. Sweet Like Sugar (Bex/Danis)

The streets of Baldur’s Gate were packed with festival goers, dressed in thick robes or cloaks, trying to keep warm against the cold winter’s night.

4. Better Judgement Ch 2 (f!tav/Rolan)

The sun hadn’t even risen when Rolan opened his eyes, nestled beneath blankets in a bed that wasn’t his.

5. An Honor (f!Revan/Canderous Ordo)

“We need to talk.”

6. A Safe Place (f!Shepard/Joker Moreau)

As Aurora Shepard pulled the shirt over her head, her eyes were drawn to the scars trailing down her back.

7. A Divine Dream (Dammon/Rolan)

Your presence is requested at a Grand Ball in honour of the rebuilding of Baldur’s Gate by his eminence, Duke Ulder Ravengard.

8. The Realities of War (Carth Onasi/Canderous Ordo)

The durasteel plates felt wrong as he hefted them into his hands, the weight of them too uncomfortably heavy, the steel too weak to keep him safe from a lightsaber hit.

9. The Worst Party in Seleota (f!Traveler & Arlo Peg'asi)

Uncle Auberon’s birthday celebration was one of the most well attended parties in Goldis, only paling in comparison to those in celebration of Queen Lucrezia and King Fenris.

10. Nights Like This (f!tav/Rolan)

Rolan still wasn’t sure why he’d shown up at the camp.

#my writing #tag game #writing patterns

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mightymizora · 7 months

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WIP Wednesday

tagged by the ever delightful @rowanisawriter!

I'm slogging through this bloody tief party.

Three of the torches have burned themselves out to cinders by the time Gale returns, and Glim has convinced the Druid Halsin to join in the revelries. She is sat atop his shoulders directing him forward and back with a squeeze of her thighs as if she is riding a horse.

“Three steps in!”

Her mouth is still at the flute, and though her playing is still exceptional she misses the odd note though peels of laughter as he tries to keep up with the fleet foot of Bex, who is dancing a rather enthusiastic jig.

Glim is so free with touch, he realises. His mind is a veritable log-book of every moment that she has placed her hand on his, or gently squeezed his shoulder, or held her hand to him in healing. Every single moment is burned into him after years of solitude, but she gives of herself so freely, without much thought at all. As is her right to, of course. There is no formal understanding, and no reason for her not to act as is in her heart. In her nature. She is a traveller, an adventurer, and a lover of the world, after all.

With a shriek she slips sideways from his shoulders and he feels his heart in his throat until he realises that she still has her legs wrapped around the elf’s thick neck. She hangs from him like a garland and does not stop playing even as her breath is ragged with laughter. She does not stop until the last note is played and Halsin’s hands find her hips, pulling her back up to applause from the dwindling revellers. Glim’s hand runs through his hair playfully in a moment that could be a second, but to Gale feels like an eternity as he watches.

He could swear he sees the druid’s lips linger on her stomach as he lowers her to the ground.

He needs more to drink.

I tag @smoreofbabylon @thievinghippo @senseandaccountability (if you are back in the realms from real life at all!) and @todderwodders if you are all up for it.

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4typercent · 3 months

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Tagged by @zzoomacroom my musical muse & my country cousin @sans--seraph

I used to work at TNSE, if you know what and where that is, it helps. I did Venue Security there, I have met wrestlers, monster tuck drivers, Disney On Ice skaters, Disney singers (Moana), basketball players, current and retired NHL players and coaches, and of course: bands.

• Frint Row: I usually buy the "nose bleeds", but since I know so many people that still work for TNSE, I can usually squeeze onto the floor.

• Own a band tee: I have almost four dozen band tees.

• Made a mix tape: remember recording songs off the radio? I do. I did this.

• Have a crush on an artist: Have you seen Serg Tankian from SOAD or Vessel from Sleep Token? Oh myyy

• Like Rock & Roll: I lean more towards metal, but rock is a good basis of where it started for me

• Hate a band everyone loves: I hate top 40 stuff.

• Own a vinyl: I have a few, but yes.

• Guitar pick: I have picks from Anthrax, Shinedown and a few more

• Play a musical instrument: ocarina, guitar and percussion

• Met an artist or band: too many to list honestly.

• Like disco: man! Disco rocks!

• Been to a festival: I'm attending (as in not working) Sick New World in late April, but I have worked two Summer Of Sounds

• Own an iPod: Dood, I still have my 30gb iPod. It works... kinda.

• Own concert memorabilia: I have a towel from Slipkot, the members used it and tossed it into the crowd. I caught it and was offered $100 for it.

• Have a tattoo in honour of an artist: 👉👈 Yes. I have a Metallica 'ninja star' and the cover of The Wraith by ICP

• Dedicated a song to someone: I dedicated "I Hope You Dance" by to everyone.

• Backstage at a show: unfortunately. It is NOT exciting. I was also working... My favourite show was (oddly) Backstreet Boys. I had to escort them to the Green Room.

• Like Blues Music: You know what? It's not bad!

• Own a CD: 😂 You're kidding, right?! But seriously, I have all of Metallica's stuff, and all of System Of A Down's stuff, I absolutely love my Burn The Priest CD, and I have most of Godsmack's stuff (one signed!) & some Shinedown (signed!)

• Travelled to another country for a show: Absolutely. I saw The Romantics and Trace Adkins in the US and probably a few more, but drinks will make me forget..., and as I've mentioned, I'm going to Sick New World this April in Vegas. It counts cuz I'm not from the ol USA. 😉

Tagging... damn... uhhh @aceflorins @aquilathefighter @thwippersnapple @shadow-schemer @threefill @invadericee @tryan-a-bex @carnelianmeluha @marlowe-zara @missmacfire @brightlyandwithbeautyy & whoever else would love to jump in, I'm far too drunk to tag y'all 🥂

#THANKS FOR THE TAG #no I'm not yelling #OR AM I?#music tag!#I won't remember this will I?

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dramioneasks · 1 year

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Hello! Maybe this is a hard ask to answer, but could you guys rec dramione fics with the best villains/antagonists in your opinion.

These are fics that I found had unique mysteries and were very AU (in a good way):

Femme Fatale By: cleotheo - M, 26 chapters - Draco Malfoy’s new position as an Auror for the British Ministry throws him head first into a hunt for a serial killer. Working with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, he sets out to catch the killer as well as entering into a romantic relationship with their other colleague, Hermione Granger. Murder mystery with a side helping of Dramione romance.

The Assignment - Nightbloom7 - E, 17 chapters - Cursed objects are causing death and destruction. When the objects themselves are found to hold no trace of Dark Magic, the Department of Magical Artefacts is stumped. Draco Malfoy leant back in his chair and crossed his arms in bafflement. “And your professional assessment is that the best way of gathering evidence is sending Granger and I together to a sex club?” “Worried about your reputation, Malfoy?” Hermione asked flatly. He scoffed. “Hardly. If I were outed for going to an expensive parisian sex den it would be considered very much on brand.” "That’s why it’s so important we’re believable as a couple. We should talk about touching,” Hermione insisted. "Touching,” Draco repeated, alarm bells going off in his mind. "As in how much of it you’re okay with, where…" "Casual touching,“ he nodded. "But also, passionate touching,” Granger pressed. Merlin’s beard. Draco was quickly coming to the realisation that he was likely to regret this.

The Order of Serpents by bl_crtz - E, 43 chapters, Words: 190,103 - During the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter walked into the forbidden forest, died, and walked out with crimson eyes as the new vessel of the Dark Lord. Since then, Hermione Granger served as an elite member of the True Order, isolating herself from other Order members and going on missions alone, not only haunted by the loss of her best friend, Harry, but Ron who had run away after the battle. Three and a half years later, Draco Malfoy shows up with his two year old son on the Order’s doorstep seeking to switch sides. Together, Draco and Hermione are forced to deal with not only each other, but their own past and confront who they’ve become because of the war.

Tremble & Depart - DarkoftheMoon - E, 30 chapters, Words: 139,609 - Draco Lucius Malfoy. Death Eater. Disposable. Life on probation at the Ministry meant keeping his head down and his mouth shut. On his first field assignment he’s tasked with investigating an abandoned Death Eater manor hiding more than a few secrets in its walls. Stuck with the only witch who agreed to work with him.

The Best of Me - MrsRen - M, 21 chapters - Officially, Hermione Granger was killed in action during the Battle of Hogwarts. Unofficially, Draco Malfoy has never stopped searching for her. Years after the war during a mission in France, his salvation comes in the form of a little blond boy and a familiar half-Kneazle.

High on Magic - LightofEvolution - M, 18 chapters - After years of living a life as a successful doctor, Hermione is needed in the world of magic again. A dangerous drug causes dramatic problems for the magical society, and it’s up to Hermione to solve them. And then there’s this certain blond Auror she can’t get out of her head… AU, EWE

The Fool, the Emperor, and the Hanged Man by ianthewaiting - M, 28 Chapters - Ten years after the fall of the Dark Lord, Hermione Granger leads of life of self-imposed obscurity, that is, until the day Headmistress Minerva McGonagall is murdered and a certain ‘hero’ is responsible. DM/HG, written originally in 2007-2008, and finally making its debut here! AU, DH-EWE, non-canon elements, time travel, character death, etc.

Hunted - bex-chan - M, 36 chapters - Forced to work together when their old schoolmates start dying, Hermione & Draco must overcome their differences to solve the mysterious deaths. The tension in the office is getting rather…heated. Mature themes. 4years PostHogwarts/War. EWE.

Inheritance By: bifmonzo - M, 31 chapters, Words: 190,240 - Draco is an Auror. Hermione is just trying to do her job. Neither of them are prepared for what happens after she wakes up hungover in his bed. And someone, but there’s really no telling who, has a secret that threatens the reality upon which their entire world is built. Dramione, nine years post-war.

WANDS OUT! - persephone_stone - M, 10 chapters - Albus Dumbledore appeared to have the perfect life: a successful career as a novelist, a loving family, and a dedicated staff. But when he is found dead of an apparent suicide on the morning of his 90th birthday, the life that seemed so perfect from the outside begins to unravel at the seams. With a team of investigators on the case, a greater mystery than any Albus could have written begins to unfold, full of lies, secrets, and murder. There’s only one thing to be sure of: everyone is a suspect. Join your favorite HP characters on a manic murder mystery romp, adapted from the Rian Johnson movie Knives Out! Note: Reading this will not spoil the movie, and having seen the movie will not spoil the story. I invite you to enjoy both!

Sins of the Past By: cleotheo - M, 36 chapters, Words: 100,880 - When Scorpius Malfoy and his best friend, Alex Zabini, go travelling the last thing anyone expects is for the two boys to run into trouble in Wizarding Britain. But when Alex is found unconscious outside of a nightclub and Scorpius is on the missing list, the Malfoys past comes back to haunt them as it becomes clear that someone is after revenge.

-Lisa

#anonymous #mystery #au #favourite fics

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rottenbrainstuff · 4 months

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BG3 playthrough - ending act 2

Ugh. I’m at the end of Act 2 now…. This game has kept me so wonderfully occupied for months, I’m kind of sad to be nearing the end, but also excited to see what else will happen. Of all the things I have already spoiled for myself, I’m mostly totally unfamiliar with the dark urge content for act 3, so I’m excited to see what new horrors I get to wring my tav through!

I thought I’d quickly wrap up after defeating Ketheric and move on, but dang there’s a lot of things to clean up here… everyone suddenly needs to talk to me all at once, even fricking Withers showed up. There’s books to grab now that no one is watching, corpses to loot. Aylin and Isobel are fucking hilarious, I love them, they’re adorable.

I’m really sad there’s so many ways to shit-talk Zevlor with Cerys. (oddly there’s also dialogue options to talk about him as if he’s dead when he definitely is not. The dialogue in act 2 definitely needs some polish, I’ve found a lot of little errors like this) Man I dunno. I mean he definitely failed. His own personal responsibility in regards to that failure is debatable. The tieflings are certainly in their right to be angry. But like. He fully accepts his culpability without excuse. He seems like he’s completely thrown himself away because of one moment of weakness against a foe whose entire MO is to manipulate people into obedience. In the end he wasn’t even suitable to be a true soul anyways, he says he was rejected, possibly because he was fighting, he can’t remember. I totally get the anger but I also feel bummed I don’t have more dialogue options to try to argue harder on his behalf, even if Cerys will never forgive him. Sigh. Does Alfira have anything to say? In a normal playthrough is she with the group at the tower? I’m just too protective of my sad old man hellrider I guess.

Before I left the shadow curse map, I stopped back at Last Light just to see if there was anything left. …there was. There were a handful of tieflings still there, and still giving me the “I saw a light in the sky!” dialogue. I hope nothing is permanently bugged for them and they’ll travel over to act 3 properly? Lakrissa was still there, Cal and Lia were still there, and Danis was there by himself in the yard (amusingly, after I brought him back from the Moonrise prison, sometimes he was walking around with Bex, and other times they somehow got separated and would just stay stuck in their separate spots, waiting for the other one to join them).

I’ve heard some people say that the scene with Raphael and Mol playing lanceboard has been removed, and replaced with a bit of an odd dialogue instead. I reloaded one of my own saves of me walking up to Last Light for the first time, and it was still the lanceboard scene for me, but maybe I just wasn’t loading back far enough? Some people speculate that the scene has been changed to get rid of an uncomfortable comment Raphael makes about Mol being “a blushing apple waiting to be plucked.” Other people are saying this is actually a glitch, and I am hoping that is the case. I accidentally got a strange dialogue path once when I was talking to Jaheira, and it seems this dialogue is from an alternate plot if you didn’t end up saving the grove. I’m hoping this alternate Raphael scene has to do with that.

Raphael’s line is definitely extremely uncomfortable but like. In my opinion… that’s… the point. Y’all really, really, desperately really need to learn that it’s ok to feel uncomfortable, there are going to be lots of things in life that make you feel uncomfortable, and you are actually going to have to find a way to process that feeling rather than demand that everything that makes you feel uncomfortable be removed. It’s an uncomfortable line. I don’t think Raphael has specific sexual intent in mind when he makes the statement, but I think it is very unfortunately worded, and it’s like that on purpose, and it’s supposed to make you go oh wow that is not cool. Raphael is a devil, he is literally evil, and I’m sorry if this comes as a surprise, but it makes sense that he would say things that are Not Good.

Anyways, I do really think it’s a glitch rather than a change, because if you wanted to get rid of that line, it would be much much easier to just edit that single line out of the conversation and salvage the rest of the scene, rather than completely rewriting a totally new conversation, a new conversation which now also doesn’t start the discussion about Mol’s contract with Raphael. That’s what I’m putting my money on, anyways, and I hope it’s true, because the lanceboard scene is nice and that would be a stupid reason to just cut the entire thing out.

In all the gifs I’ve seen of Gortash, I never understood his appeal, he always just gave me the overwhelming impression that he smells like a pile of damp towels that sat in a corner instead of being properly dried. Now that I’ve seen him, I am doubling down on that. I’m glad for the girlies who are crazy for him, and I definitely like him as an amusing antagonist, but I still imagine him as a stinky mildewed goblin man.

I am STILL crying about the little note from baby Isobel that Ketheric kept with him. I think my tav is going to start carrying that around as well. Fuck, man.

My tav has really been through the shit with all the creepy dark urge flavour in the colony, and all he wants is a fucking rest to process some of this, but he can’t because now we’ve got the Big Giant Emperor reveal coming up.

#bg3 raphael #zevlor #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 playthrough #bg3 spoilers

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