#now Karlach is gone Wyll is dead. Lae'zel is also dead

[crossdressingdeath]

I'm thinking about Karlach and in particular her relationship with Gortash, and the more I think about it the more I really wish that she'd known he was a Banite from the start, or at least for a good chunk of her time working for him. I mean, the canon story of "I didn't know what he was, he lied to me and I didn't realize the truth until he stabbed me in the back" doesn't not work? It just feels like a very... safe option. Now, I love Karlach, I really do, she's a joy to be around. But I don't know, the whole "I didn't know what they were doing" method of letting a wonderful person work for the bad guys has been done. It's been done a lot. And it also makes Karlach feel less morally complex than the other origin companions to me! I mean, it's entirely possible she didn't even know Gortash was a criminal; his public persona would require bodyguards too. So if we assume that she didn't even know he was a criminal then her moral complexity is limited to having some friends who are devils and wanting Gortash dead, which... even just by general fantasy standards and especially when compared to characters like Astarion, Shadowheart and Lae'zel (as the most obvious examples, but personally I also find Wyll's pact with Mizora and Gale getting the orb at least as complex if not more and they didn't work for the villain, so that feels like a bit of a problem) is very straightforward. She's good. Maybe she used to be a bit naive and then learned not to be so blindly trusting through betrayal. Sure. Fine. Personally I do not find that particularly compelling, if I just saw her backstory written out without the super hard work of her writer and VA in the rest of the game my reaction to her would basically just be "Eh". And if we assume she did know he was a criminal then it feels kind of weak that the only time that even vaguely comes up is Gortash potentially making one comment about how Karlach knew what he was and shouldn't really have been surprised.

Also, an additional point, the fact that supposedly Gortash was putting enough work into keeping her ignorant that there was a noticeable drop in his ethics after he sold her is... kind of weird, because the only reason we're given for it is "He liked her"? To be clear the fact that he liked her isn't the problem, we know Gortash is perfectly capable of liking people. But... he went out of his way to deceive this one employee? To the point that people noticed a change when he was gone? Or alternately selling her specifically actively made him significantly worse, which... would also be kind of weird. There isn't even any particular reason for him to see himself in her, other than the Lower City upbringing they had very little in common before Gortash sold her (unless baby Enver was way better of a person than his current self would suggest). I feel like if Larian was going to justify Karlach apparently not realizing she was working for an arms dealer and slave trader as his personal bodyguard (so someone who'd logically be around for a lot of shady shit or frankly what is the point of her being on the payroll) with "he lied to her" more needed to be done with it.

But if she knew he was a Banite and knew what he was doing for a good chunk of the time she spent working with him that adds a tasty "I didn't think the leopards would eat my face!" energy to the whole situation! I love the idea of Karlach liking and trusting Gortash despite knowing what he was because he treated her with respect and that was all that mattered! Obviously this is subjective, I will freely admit I like my characters with a bit more moral greyness than Karlach shows, but to me at least her reassessing and improving her morals from a standpoint of "Him liking me and respecting me wasn't enough to save me because other people's lives do not matter to him" would be much more interesting than her being a perfectly lovely person from the start and not knowing what her boss was doing and getting betrayed and then continuing to be a perfectly lovely person. (I'm not going to claim that a person's morals improving when the thing they did to others is done to them is particularly ground-breaking, but I would argue it's no less ground-breaking than "they didn't know and were good all along and their boss was lying to them" and to me at least it's significantly more engaging.) And it would also neatly remove the question of why Gortash cared enough to lie about what he was doing to this one specific employee from day one (so before he could bond with her at all), which. y'know, would be nice.

#bg3 #not gonna put this in her character tag i think #i don't have a problem with karlach working for one of the biggest antagonists in the game! that's fun! i love it! #but it feels like a mistake to give her that in her backstory and ALSO have her be The Good One y'know?

[mindstriker]

This idea has been cracking me up all morning and I'm way too lazy to try and make it into a shitty comic or fanfiction post so I'm just getting it out here: The BG3 crew all having a miserable time in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, but make it a sitcom episode.

Lae'zel and Wyll are sitting on a log, staring into the camera. It's their combined interview hour, as the only two people not going fucking insane. Between the two of them, they're trying to transcribe the odd behaviour of everyone else around.

And what exactly are they up to? Well,

Gale: Hasn't been the same since the encounter with Elminster, and it's starting to freak everyone out a little bit, to be honest. Somehow, he's gone from being one of the least intimidating people at camp to vaguely... ominous, at times. It's unsettling when he's quiet. Even moreso when the days start passing, and despite everyone's agreement that it's a horrible idea, he's shown no signs of refusing to detonate himself. And even more so again when he of all people starts stringing dead pixies together to make use of Sharran magic. Even Shadowheart is a wee bit concerned, and Shar is her bread and butter right now.

Shadowheart: Speaking of her: yeah, I'm gonna be real with you. The only person putting up with her fascination with the Sharran magic clouded over Moonrise right now is Gale. Everyone else is sick of hearing about it, and even more sick of experiencing its ill effects. Even Gale is tired of it, to be frank- resents the fact that he's spending what he thinks are his last days in Shar-induced misery fog- but listening to her passes the time. She's basically gone full-on worshipper mode at this point, like an overzealous kid attending a religious day camp.

Astarion: Starts acting like an ill Victorian child a few days in, miserable because he's being forced to waste precious days free to walk in the sun stuck under Shar's cloud of cold, dank fog. And also because there's absolutely jackshit to eat but other crew members- 2/6 of whom are inedible. And also because everyone is at least 70% less pleasant to be around at the moment due to shadow-related misery. It's not even fun bothering anyone anymore when all you're going to get in return is a tired look or a sigh. And also he's stuck fighting an orthon to get important info about whether he's going to die or not. And also- look, everything just really sucks right now, honestly. All of it.

Karlach: Does her damndest to stay positive, but it'll never not be unnerving that she of all people now feels chilled to the bone. Despite her usual willingness to see the best in people, listening to Shadowheart's constant glee about the curse making everyone else miserable has gotta spark up some tension at times. In general, I think she'd be fighting hard to cling to her usual "enjoy everything while you can, Karlach, your time is limited" mentality in the face of so much outright misery and gloom. It's hard to enjoy the days you have left with your friends when your friends have mostly gone fucking bonkers over yonkers, and that makes everything so much harder.

#baldurs gate 3 #this is me yelling #bg3 #gale dekarios #astarion bg3 #karlach cliffgate #karlach bg3 #gale bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #yippee

[ficklepenguin]

so i am finally committing to my evil playthrough of bg3 and it's hard but I'm powering through and trying to do things as least evil as possible while still siding with evil in the end. it's easier with astarion approving of everything i do

but i just got to act 2 and i'm at last light and it's just getting depressing how empty the game is now. wyll and karlach are gone, i never managed to figure out how to rescue the owlbear, all the druids and tieflings are dead, all the deep gnomes are dead, so my camp is empty and last light doesn't have as many people and yes, a few people who I usually kill survived and will probably be at last light but it's like three compared to soooo many others, and also, i don't like them as much as all the people who died.

i just wish larian had fleshed out the evil route a little more. added some more memorable evil npcs to hang out with. i know the goblins are around but it's not the same. i miss the tiefling siblings and tiefling kids and dammon and alfira and karlach

there are some fun things though that are the reason i'm still playing. and that is mainly that I'm playing a drow who gets to be very high and mighty about soooo many things and astarion and lae'zel are in the background cheering me on.

#baldur's gate 3 #penguin rambles #bg3 spoilers #tbf i am playing durge so alfira was screwed either way #(yes i know that's preventable)

[masterangst]

Yay I did it. Since people were in the majority (and I never meant to make the poll so long) here is chapter 1 of my post game long fic for Tumblr

Chapter summary: Astarion needs to make it in time to meet his friends. So he travels to Waterdeep to pick up a friend along the way. Traveling isn't very fun for a vampire, though.

Warnings: none

Words: 2650

Chapter 1: Welcome to Waterdeep

Sometimes Astarion wonders what sleeping would be like. To waste away hours of the night, or day, cradled by sweet dreams. Time spent not worrying or plagued by existence. 

If he was able to sleep like normal mortals, other than elves, he would have spent less time being bored. Not that hunting down a notorious robber of merchants wasn't fun. That was quite so. Their blood was even more fun to indulge in. Then the small celebration he hosted for himself to gain the shallow praise of strangers he helped...was also very fun. 

But it's when the chase stops and the party ends that his mind wanders right back to his main source of worry.

Axel. 

His beloved hunter. 

Astarion kicks off his boots by the inn door and throws his belongings on the bed; one he won't even use. He flings himself into the chair by the fire and groans. 

It's been a month since the reunion with their fellow travel mates. The merry band of misfit weirdos who stopped an army of mind flayers and helped kill Cazador. Got to see that camp with brand new eyes.

If someone had told Astarion, nearly a year prior, that Cazador would be dead. He'd be an unlikely hero. Find someone who he'd love and cherish more than anything, and find friends he would never admit to caring for. He doesn't know. He'd probably laugh and lure them to Cazador for dangling a bone in front of a starving dog. It’s hard to imagine how he’d react. He barely knew what to do the moment he opened his eyes and the sun blinded him the day he landed. 

At the reunion, everyone besides Lae'zel, Karlach, and Wyll, agreed to meet up again for the Moon and Spirit Festival on the northern end of the Sword Coast in Neverwinter. It was perfect. Shadowheart discovers her loyalty to her new goddess, and it takes place at night so Astarion won't have to worry about the sun. And it gives them all a chance to reunite once again just a little over two months later. 

That's the problem. It's been over a month. This Moon and Spirit Festival was just a little under a month away and Astarion would have to leave this cozy inn he found for himself just to make it in time on foot. 

Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but Axel is still gone. The man had left nearly two weeks prior. 

“I swear. I will only be a fortnight. If I'm any longer, I promise you,” Axel cups Astarion’s hands and feather kisses them, “I will reunite with you at the festival.” 

A sinking feeling tugged inside Astarion. He trusted Axel, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel like the man was hiding something from him. His tongue itched to pester Axel for more information on where he was going, but he knew it was hopeless. Axel would never reveal it to him. That made the sinking feeling turn to poison ready to be spit out. 

Axel seemed to sense Astarion's frustrations and leaned to cradle Astarion’s head against his own. “I love you. I promise you I will return.” 

It's been a fortnight…yet no Axel. 

Vile thoughts rip Astarion's chest open. What if he abandoned you? That sinister voice asked himself. 

Astarion shot to his feet, so quickly that the chair he sat on knocked over. He shook his head and began to pace. 

Axel wouldn't abandon him. Why wouldn't he? Have you seen yourself? Very funny. Everyone would leave you if they truly knew every detail of your past. They would leave you in a heartbeat if they saw the real you. 

No! Axel hasn't. Astarion has cut himself open more than once to let the darkness ooze out in front of him, yet the man stayed. 

Till now. 

Astarion scowls and lodges his claws in the bedpost. What is he going to do? He made a promise to the others, yet should he leave here before Axel shows up? What if he comes back tomorrow or the next and Astarion is gone? 

He did say he would meet him at the festival.

Astarion sighs. He guesses he'll just have to trust his lover on this. 

He falls back on the bed and pouts up at the ceiling. It's not like you need him. 

True. But it doesn't mean he doesn't still long for him.  

~~~

Astarion gave it one more day. He forced some bandits outside of town to hand over their money before ripping into them for an added bonus. It got him through the night, but the day was approaching fast. It isn't the easiest thing, traveling during the day as a vampire. It means he can only get so far during travel than others. 

His solution was stuffing himself in a box on the back of a wagon. Not the most elegant, and quite frankly something he loathes, but it's better than walking the whole way. The man he offered money to doesn’t have a covered wagon, so a makeshift coffin is the closest he’ll get. 

He couldn't wait for Axel any longer. If he had, he'd be way too late for the second reunion. The man promised him he'd be there, so it was Astarion’s turn to put his faith in him. 

The box, or rather, the crate was far too small. Astarion felt like a contortionist being locked away. Utterly humiliating. Only comfort Astarion finds, is that the others aren’t here to witness this. The wagon coach didn't seem to be bothered by it, which Astarion took as a good sign. Or maybe a concerning one? Just not on his behalf. If Astarion was the man, he would question why someone preferred to “sleep” this way, but each their own. 

Each step of the horse carried through to the crate, bumping it and rattling it like a doll. Unfortunately, it was growing closer to the new year, so winter had dominated Faerûn. Meaning the sun provided no warmth to seep into the crate. For a vampire, the cold is not much of a problem, but Astarion’s skin still longs for the heat. A tragedy he must endure.  

Thankfully, a trance helped pass some of the time and allowed him to feel refreshed enough to waste the rest of the sun away. The moment the cool air of night drifted into his homemade coffin he burst forth with a dramatic flair. Much like a true vampire would from their healing sleep. He moved up to the front of the wagon for the rest of the night, taking over the reins when the man was tired and needed his sleep. 

It was quite busy along the roads. Refugees from all over are now returning to their homelands, or heading to other major cities if their homes were destroyed. Their blood pounded in their veins like sweet nectar, the scent filling the air like a bouquet of metallic flowers. The Hunger inside him grew from a whisper to a banshee's scream in seconds. 

The beast is not a stranger to Astarion. No, he's as intimate with the Hunger as he has been with a thousand other victims, only this intimacy is rooted deep within like a root of a tree. 

A group of refugees crowded the road, slowing down Astarion’s cart. The nice pace he created was now a slow trot through the maze of heat, noise, and pounding. 

A little girl, sweet and innocent, the very mocking of Astarion's nature, skipped alongside the wagon. She smiled, oblivious to the growing thirst inside him. The scent of her warm blood dominated the aroma of the air, tempting and tormenting him in equal measure. 

Astarion clenched the reins till it bore holes in his skin as the struggle within him intensified. The child's laugh echoed a fragile melody that grounded him away from the predatory whispers from the Hunger. How easy it would be to snap her neck. He would not. He's better than some depraved beast. He’s spent almost a year sustaining on the foul and the wicked, only using Axel when Axel offered himself over. It has kept him sustained. 

But never satisfied. The Hunger would never be satisfied. 

Astarion snapped the reins and pushed forward, caring not if the refugees or travelers moved out of the way (thankfully they did). He’d feed on his host, but unfortunately, he needs the man to be his guide during the day, and being away from any type of settlement lowers his access to criminals, so animals it is tonight. No bother. There is plenty of fauna frolicking amongst the trees. The blood of a fawn and its mother already called for him within the woods. 

The hunt and his return to the cart went completely unnoticed by his sleeping guide. The Hunger thankfully remained silent the rest of the way.

This cycle repeated for five nights and four days till he arrived in Waterdeep. Even though this is his first time in this city, he’s heard more than plenty from Gale to make up for his lack of experience. 

Waterdeep from beyond the gates of the city is just as impressive as Baldur’s Gate. Towering walls and watchtowers line the city just as Baldur's Gate has. Looming spires and intricate architecture adorn the skyline, casting impressive shadows onto the road outside the walls. Astarion and his host enter through the check gate together and distant sounds of the city become more distinct – the hum of bustling markets, the distant clatter of hooves on cobblestone, and the increasing sounds of chatter. 

“Guards are a bit more scary looking for the River Gate.” Astarion’s wagon friend grumbles. 

Astarion figures this is a good chance to get more information. “Is that what this entrance is called?” He gestures towards the approaching gate. 

The man gives a quick huff that Astarion takes as a yes. How simple-minded his friend seems to be. Partly how I got this far. 

“Care to elaborate, or must I spell it out for you?” Astarion rests his chin in the palm of his hand, crossing his legs with the slightest of pouts. 

“Oh, right,” the man shifts his fisher hat, “you said you were new to these parts. I reckon this might be a tad overwhelming, eh?” 

Astarion shakes his head. “Not in the slightest.” 

“Ah well, the River Gate’s the entrance for the Trades Ward. That's where my family and me’s got a shop. You're welcome to stop by anytime by the way. My wife makes a killer veggie stew.” 

Astarion hides his eye roll by turning his head. “Yes. I most certainly will think about it. Would you perhaps know the name: Gale Dekarios?” 

The man scratches under his hat once more. “I don't reckon I have. It’s such a big city, it's easy to lose count of people. A friend of yours?” 

Astarion leans back. “Something of the like.” Then a piece of information comes back to him. “He’s a wizard, a professor actually. For Blackstaff Academy. Don’t imagine you’ve heard of it?”

A puzzled look plagues the simple man’s features, then the look of sudden surprise. “Oh yes! That’s the Blackstaff tower over on Swords Street. A bit eerie if you ask me, but I suppose it's a fitting place for wizards.” That was enough for Astarion. He’d try there first. That’s if the bumbling idiot hasn’t already taken off for the festival. 

One more question. “Where is this Sword’s Street?” 

“Home of The Lady Dreaming. North in the Castle Ward. Look for the sleeping lady.” 

Astarion grimaces slightly then smirks. “Am I to ask every sleeping beauty I come across or is there a special one I should be watching out for?” 

Astarion’s sarcasm goes unnoticed as the man laughs. “Oh, why she’s the lady in the garden. She’s a massive statue that looks over the city from her slumber. Least that’s what legend tells. I believe the tower might be before the lady though.”

Astarion supposes that's enough for now. He fears that if he asks any more questions the man’s brain might erupt from the amount of thoughts flowing in. 

Astarion's crimson eyes flicker with a tinge of curiosity, his gaze momentarily tracing the details etched into the ancient stone of the gate as they finally enter the city. The city's lights paint a kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting off the polished armor of passing guards and the gem-laden stalls of merchants preparing to close shop. Astarion's eyes gleam as he observes the diverse array of inhabitants, from noble figures in regal attire to the more discreet denizens of the night. All of it is so familiar to him, even the subtle taste of salt from the sea breeze. 

The Trades Ward is far more buzzing with life than The Lower City of Baldur’s Gate. The street that flows through the heart of it all is more compact and a better reflection of the Upper City than the Lower City. A part of it feels like home to him. The noise is like a war drum, the senses being overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of things to look at and smell. It's a far cry from the almost torpid nature of life on the outside. City life never sleeps. Not in a city known for its splendor and wealth. Every person looking for their next meal, or next sale, or the next person to warm their bed. Every need can be fulfilled in the city. 

Asatrion smiles up at castles and towers and turns over to point it out to… His smile warps into a scowl. Disappointment didn’t begin to describe what he felt. He hated his travel companion at that moment. Hated him for who he was not. Hated himself for letting reality slip from him. He had grown so accustomed to having Axel there by his side that the sudden loss felt jarring. No quip or witty banter. No indulgence in Astarion’s antics. Just silence and a stranger. It made that longing in him grow stronger.

Astarion hops off the first moment he can, tossing his friend the coin pouch he promised, and slips away through the crowd. He moves with fluid grace, capable of navigating the city streets with ease. Might be new streets, but if you can navigate one big city, you can navigate any of them.

The sun would be upon the city in a few hours. Just enough time for Astarion to find a place to shelter himself for the day. In a city this populated, it won’t be hard to find an inn or two. 

Astarion passes by one he recognizes as a pleasure house by the smell of it. It doesn't interest him, instead, he makes his way farther north and finds a tavern that catches his interest. This one must be on the edge of the Trades Ward, as the markets grow more sparse and the patrons grow more lavish. 

The sign above reads “Ghost Sword”. 

It's not the most popular tavern, which for him might be a good idea. Back in the day, he would have only gone to the most upheld and most occupied estate. Easier to find a target. Nowadays, without any pressure to lure anyone back, he has the luxury of choosing a place for more than its guests. Once a novel concept. 

Instead, he chooses this one for its silk-covered cushions. Meaning they must have silk sheets. He would kill to lay in a silk bed instead of a wooden box. 

A throat clears from behind him. Astarion shrugs it off, thinking it is another random noise, and takes the key to his room. Then it happens again. 

Astarion scans the room till his eyes land on a familiar sight. A projection of the very man he was looking for. 

Gale.

#astarion #gale dekarios #baldur’s gate 3 #astarion bg3 #bg3 gale #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 tav #shadowheart #fanfic #post game #astarion x male tav

[whathebeep]

The New Durge Epilogue (Spoilers OBVI cause I need to write a different ending for that) (this is super self indulgent but also if it's well received maybe I'll make a fic of it??) Astarion Romance centered!

Explanation of the dark urge route I have in mind under the cut- I'll probably do a true evil one another time but this is more chaotic good so all the companions are there!

More or less this will be based on a good Durge who took Bhaal's blessing and became an undead assassin in order to stop the netherbrain. Did this from the perspective of " We're not strong enough to stop the brain but if I submit myself to the urge and take the power we have a better chance." Sacrifice for the greater good type idea, with the goal of fixing it somehow after the brain is gone.

Six months ago, they disappeared. 6 months ago they had transformed into the slayer as Bhaal's chosen and destroyed the nether brain, goring it with its claws and teeth to ensure the grand design would never come to pass. When everyone regrouped on the docks, those who remained were off to celebrate. But at some point the group realized their bhaalspawn friend was gone, nowhere to be found.

It was easy to tell that the murders in the city were of someone's doing- murders that stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the dead who fell from the ilithid attacks and toppled buildings- but despite those who remained in Baldur's Gate trying to find you, it was to no avail.

And then came a letter in the mail.

All gathered at the original campsite to celebrate- Wyll and Karlach returned from the hells, Astarion from the Underdark. Gale from his prestigious teaching position, Halsin from the now former shadowlands, Shadowheart from her wandering adventures. Lae'zel's projection was there too, as were Minsc and Jaheira, two grand heroes who were more than proud to see the next generation of heroes gathered.

Yet there was still a missing presence at the camp. Friends reminisced about you, others kept silent and masked their sorrows about your missing presence in a bottle of wine. Withers gave his toast and praised everyone for their parts in saving the world and everyone drank to that. Mirth and good tidings were in the air as everyone drank to their victories...it was Astarion who spotted them. He dropped the bottle he had and it shattered on the ground as he stared, and the others turned to look too. The music stopped and all was silent.

Lumbering over the log was you. It was you! Shadowheart called out for you but was stopped short by Halsin, a firm hand on her shoulder.

In your hand you held a blade- one just like Orin's. Dried blood and dirty stained your old camp clothes, and your otherwise cheery bright eyes glowed red. You lumbered forward, white knuckling your dagger.

It wasn't one of your companions who broke the silence, no- it was Withers.

" You're foolish to have brought them here, Bhaal."

The way Durge twitched, it was clear more than ever as they came into the light what had happened. You had been consumed by your urge, a far greater mad dog than Orin had ever been. Orin at least had her wits about her, but you, here and now? All that you were now was a puppet for Bhaal.

Tears seared from Karlach as they singed away the second they fell. " Soldier..."

Withers approached first, if not slowly.

" Here they are amongst friends. Among memories of goodness and mirth. While here they were free from you, free from their birth right as bhaalspawn. Bhaal, you are but a fool for bringing them here. They may have made their choice and sacrificed everything to be your chosen, to be gifted the power to end the netherbrain...but by bringing them here, there is but a chance to save them. Their destiny is not yours to stitch, god of murder...but their own. That much they are owed. I, however, cannot intervene. These comrades, friends, fellow heroes...they can."

It took the strength of the whole group to bring you down - to stop the slayer form you had changed into and force you into bindings strong enough to keep you still.

While recovering and healing from their injuries, the mood throughout the camp was somber. Seeing you like this, a shell of your former self, it hurt. It hurt so many that cared and loved you.

Withers helped keep you restrained and brought you to his workshop while the others discussed options- discussed how to save you from this unforgiving fate. Jaheira, Halsin and even Gale spoke of magical means- how to potentially ask Silvanus to aid you or even find a magical means to remove Bhaal's hold over you. Shadowheart suggested potentially reaching out to Dame Alin and Isobel to see about intervention from Selune.

Wyll comforted Karlach, who was still rather injured and still overwhelmed by what had happened.

Astarion was the one who spoke up that until an answer was found, that you would need to be kept under watch and key, perhaps even by one of them. No jail held by mere guards in any city would be well fortified enough. That's when Withers returned, Scratch by his side.

" I believe our furry friend has found a solution for that." In his hand he raised the astral prism. The very device that imprisoned Orpheus, that housed the Emperor and kept the party safe from the tadpoles in their brains.

" Are you...are you really suggesting we cage them in there until we find an answer?" Astarion asked in disbelief, and he nodded.

"It is the strongest prison we all know of...and we would have the time we need to find an answer." Gale frowned as he spoke up. This situation wasn't to anyone's likings, but it was better than leaving you out and at risk of killing more.

" And what are we to do if there is no saving them?" Jaheira spoke up, arms crossed. " What if we are delaying the inevitable for them? Would it not be best to end their suffering?" She motioned to you on the ground, and Minsc spoke immediately.

" Are they not worth the attempt? Did they not save each and every one of us?" He motioned amongst the group. " Astarion, Minsc is sure they helped you be free of Cazador. And Minsc is sure they saved bear Halsin from a cage! And did they not do everything they could to save our fire hearted friend from burning to crisp?"

Words of agreement rose from the others in the group. " They sacrificed everything...even succumbing to their birthright as Bhaalspawn to save Baldur's Gate- to save the world from the Absolute and the Brain. We will do everything we can to save them, as they had done for us." Halsin spoke to the group, and all were in agreement. Even Karlach spoke up.

" I might not be of much help in the hells, but we'll help as soon as we can. That much I can promise."

"I will come assist as soon as possible. The war against the Lich Queen will be concluded as fast as possible- but if my direct aid is ever needed, do not hesitate to call on me." Lae'zel spoke- even she had showed up as soon as the fighting started.

Wyll agreed with a nod. " They helped save me from my contract and my father...many of us wouldn't have our freedom without them. It's only right we help fight for theirs." With the overall agreement, Withers stepped forward and his hands glowed once more. A light green hue filled the astral prism and then enveloped you, your bound body turning to mist and being sent inside. After a few moments his hands stopped glowing, but the glow of the prism remained- this time a deep red.

" They are healed and bound inside now. They will not be able to leave, but if needed to any of you may travel inside if not to check on their condition. However...one of you must carry the prism with you. I cannot be the keeper of it." Those in the group looked uncertain. Discussions rose amongst the group of what to do, how to proceed- some outright couldn't. Halsin couldn't due to the children- Lae'zel, Wyll and Karlach couldn't - bringing you and potentially losing the prism in another plane would be disastrous.

It was then that Astarion finally spoke again. He had been the closest to you, your nearest and dearest friend and lover. He had been keeping his feelings all under wraps but there was no denying the remorse painted on the vampire's face. He had missed you- he still misses you.

" I will. I'll keep them with me in the Underdark. There's more than enough vampire spawn down there who I trust are strong enough to help guard it- not that I would let it leave my person." Withers nods, handing over the prism to Astarion. The pale vampire stares down at it, running his thumb over the runes on it. He bites back his tears. " We...we should all get some rest and discuss this in the morning. Please."

Everyone turns to their cots that night, and Astarion retreats to his tent to sleep as well- he'll get up with the others, but will need to be mindful of the sun as it rises. The prism is kept close to his chest as he curls up to sleep, tears falling from his face.

They have to save you- they WILL save you, if it's the last thing he ever does.

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 #durge #the dark urge #bg3 drabble #durge x astarion #astarion #halsin #karlach #wyll ravengard #gale #jaheira #minsc and boo #Shadowheart

[baldursgatethoughts]

Theory: Why all the origin characters have the pasts they have

The Origin characters and potential party members in this game are generally amazing and so well crafted. One thing that make them stand out from characters of other games is how their narratives are so intrinsically linked to the main story, and that in itself is not only good world building but most likely part of the story itself.

Heavy spoilers for the entire game coming up >>

Do not read unless you have played through the entire game from start to finish and want to know even more than one playthrough would reveal:

All of the original tadpoled characters share a type of background; they've all been manipulated, indoctrinated, groomed and abused.

This is a very likely reason for them specifically being chosen my the Guardian aka the Emperor, since he can read all of their minds and knows their thoughts, feelings and weaknesses.

In the intro scene you can see the Emperor* putting the tadpoles in our eyes on the nautiloid. He is making all the origin characters into "beautiful weapons" (as he says to Shadowheart) to combat the elder brain as part of a plan to regain his freedom, something you can hear the story of in Balduran's song itself:

When three, though dead, assailed his port (the three start their plan) transformed (he is a mindflayer) he fell their thrall, succumbed (he was mind controlled) as threat from nether years arose to conquer all (the absolute came) Now hope is gone, or so it seems, but game's not over yet New cards are drawn, new hands are played, newcomers place a bet A knave, a wizard, devil, gith, the odds are cast anew (the tadpoled ones) And Baldur's fate now turns upon the whims of fortune's few

The Emperor thinks these characters would be especially easy to control and manipulate, as they never been independent and free, at least not for a long time.

Astarion - by Cazador

Gale - by Mystra

Shadowheart - by Shar (through de Vir)

Karlach - Gortash and Zariel

Wyll - Mizora and Zariel

Lae'zel - by Vlaakith

The Dark Urge - by daddy Bhaal

Except for this bringing an additional layer of epic proportions to a game where divine forces are battling for the destiny of souls and power (Bhaal, Myrkul, Bane, Jergal, Selune, Shar, Mystra, Raphael/Zariel, Vlaakith, Orpheus, the Elder Brain to mention the most involved ones, Lliovathar, Magblubiet, Cyric and Silvanus among others also being in the game) which adds so much lore lore, understanding and impact to the main story, this also makes for very interesting character arcs.

You can through the game bring all of the origin characters further into the manipulative machinations of their evil patrons or you can free them from their past abusive cycles.

Astarion - free from his master or make him the new evil master

Gale - have him succumb to the magic power hunger or make him see that there are other values in life than magic power

Shadowheart - make her into the weapon Shar has been forming wants or let her reclaim her lost Selunite past

Karlach - let her give up and die from the results of her abuse or embolden her to fight back to those who have wronged her

Wyll - let him be manipulated or free him to create his own fate

Lae'zel - let her keep being manipulated by a false god that will eat her or let her believe another fate of the githyanki race is possible

The Dark Urge - embrace murder in the name of your controlling dad or free yourself from your ungodly father

There are many more nuances to those quest lines of course and other options like killing everyone, betraying them and so on, but these are some of the main dichotomies when it comes to playing out the relationship between the tadpoled origin characters and their abusive gods and masters.

BALDUR'S GATE 3 - NO GODS NO MASTERS Or obedience, abuse, murder and power? ;)

You decide!

* aka Balduran, who navigates the prism heist nautiloid for Gortash, an idea the elder brain puts in his head in a dream as part of its grand design to become free again, after giving them the idea to steal the crown of Karsus and control it in the first place, and mr Balduran Guardian Emperor doesn't realize he is being used as a pawn in the elder brain's grand game. Boi this game is so full of twists and turns and lore!

#baldurs gate 3 #baldurs gate iii #larian #baldurs gate #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #spoilers #fan theory

[faereun]

because i think this will help a lot with canon interactions, i'm going to try and outline the more important choices that genesis has made in my playthrough up until where i am currently in the game (obtained all the netherstones, but haven't yet gone looking for the brain).

act one:

genesis frees shadowheart on the mindflayer ship, first and foremost. she also lets astarion drink her blood, and she stops wyll from killing karlach. however, she does let shadowheart kill lae'zel. obviously that doesn't mean i won't write things for gen & lae'zel, but as of now my knowledge of her companion quest is limited.

the first questline she begins exploring is seeking out the druid halsin. when they reach the goblin camp, the first thing genesis does is free volo. then she and the companions rescue halsin, and have him wait in the worg pens while they raze the goblin camp—she poisons the booze tub and frees the spiders. she lures priestess gut into her chambers and slits her throat, then kills minthara next. she tricks her by revealing the grove's location through the parasite, but as minthara turns her back to leave, genesis shoves her off the bridge into the chasm below. with dror ragzlin, the companions climb up the rafters to launch an above ground assault. genesis rips the final goblin leader's head clean off. on their way back to the grove, genesis finds and recruits scratch the dog.

after one of the long rests during the onslaught on the goblin camp, genesis wakes up to shadowheart with a knife pressed to lae'zel's neck. she doesn't step in, mostly because she thinks lae'zel is a strong enough warrior to shake shadowheart off—to no avail. lae'zel dies, and the party moves forward.

in terms of minthara, obviously the game won't allow you to save the grove and recruit halsin if you let minthara live. so, for any threads involving minthara and genesis, i'll say that genesis perhaps saw a bit of herself in minthara, thus showing her mercy. the party non-lethals her before clearing out the rest of the camp. that way, at moonrise, the party is still able to rescue her from the prison, but also, the druids and the tieflings are safe.

at the tiefling party, she spends the first half of the night with shadowheart and halsin. astarion approaches and propositions her, but her response is to be...confused, mostly, so she turns him down, but offers to find some better quality wine for him if he truly has such refined tastes. she takes no one to bed that evening, bouncing between rolan and his siblings, alfira, and zevlor, until she settles down for the night.

the party opts to travel through the old selunite temple to get to the underdark, as the githyanki creche is no longer an option with lae'zel dead. as they're traveling past the blighted village again, however, they spot auntie ethel for the first time in her confrontation with mayrina's brothers. genesis recognizes what she is almost immediately, feeling the putrid pull of the bog as they approach. they begin to explore the swamp, and run into the gur, gandrel. her anger in finding out that her friend is being hunted leads to gen egging astarion on, allowing him to kill gandrel.

they take a short rest, then make their way to the riverside teahouse. ethel reveals her true hag form and disappears further into her lair. gen opts to push forward and save mayrina. after killing ethel and discovering the bargain mayrina had made, she discovers the wand. out of a combination of sheer curiosity, and also slight annoyance at mayrina's foolishness, she gives the wand to mayrina, and watches as she tries to revive her husband. as an outlander who's lived for as long as gen has, she's dealt with hags before—so she does know that mayrina won't be getting her husband back, at least not how she wants. she hands over the wand not as an act of kindness, but as a means of teaching mayrina a lesson and hoping it'll stick.

after their escapades in the swamp, the party finally travels back to the goblin camp to find the entrance to the underdark.

#this got long ill add the underdark stuff in a separate post later #GENESIS. headcanons #MEDIA. text #bg3 spoilers /