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janearts · 3 months

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Are Roisia’s ghouls the ones from Necromancy of Thay? If so how does that work? Does Astarion have his own set or did she not share it with him?

Answered your questions in detail below the cut!

TL;DR: Some! Does exactly what it says on the tin. No and yes.

Are Roisia’s ghouls the ones from Necromancy of Thay?

They could be, but they aren't necessarily! Roisia is a Necromancer so the ghouls from the Necromancy of Thay stack with the number of summons Necromancers accrue as they rise in power. IIRC, Roisia had a pack of 10 ghouls following her by the end of her adventure. Unless I draw winged ghouls, the ghouls from NoT are indistinguishable from her regular ghoul summons.

If so how does that work?

I wasn't sure what you meant by this question, so I'm gently adding a spoiler tag for anyone who hasn't undertaken or finished the Necromancy of Thay questline. I saw no reason why Roisia's canon should be different from in-game: she unlocks the spellbook, she persists despite the onslaught of the spirits that protect the book, and she continues to hone her mastery of Necromancy with The Tharchiate Codex. (I drew what a protective spirit might look like to Roisia in this post if you're curious!)

Does Astarion have his own set or did she not share it with him?

I was confused by this question, and it (in combination with the previous question) made me wonder whether or not you've played through the quest or the game itself. No judgement at all if you haven't! If you haven't played one or the other, then I should let you know that, to my knowledge, the Necromancy of Thay can only be read by one character of the player's choosing. I, obviously, chose to give a Necromantic tome to my Necromancer. So Astarion does not have his own set in my game (or canon) because Roisia needed the book for her own purposes.

But, that being said, even if Roisia could share the spellbook, she wouldn't. I know I frequently portray Roisia as someone who is kind-hearted, generous, and compassionate—(and she is all of those things!)—but I don't wish those qualities to overshadow the fact that she is also—(simultaneously!)—ambitious, ruthless, and power-hungry. Everything in Ilyn Toth's lab was hers for the taking as far as she was concerned.

#Baldur's Gate 3 #BG3 #BG3 Roisia #Necromancy of Thay #Act III Spoilers #whiteraven13

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lusciouswhiteflame · 5 months

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Downloading "The tharchiate codex" 39%...

(They'll cure the curse with strawberry frappuccino obviously)

We're going to be late Ancunín

Hello. I'm stuck in Modern AU.

#astarion x dark urge #astarion

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veilkeeper · 5 months

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[When asking about the rare book "The Tharchiate Codex") Tolna Tome-Monger: (Interesting choice. If I didn't know better, I'd think you might have 'The Necromancy of Thay' in your possession. I'd advise tremendous care with the 'Tharchiate Codex'. The cost of unlocking its mysteries is onerous.)

*laughs nervous* hahahaha what um. what makes you think i would have a book like that? i dont know anything about a necromancy of thay.

......... so where might one find this codex?

#tolna #roz pt #bg3 #bg3 spoilers #bg3 dialogue #lower city #sorcerous sundries

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blackjackkent · 3 months

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Tolna Tome-Monger of Sorcerous Sundries, I hope you are prepared for the absolute juggernaut of combined nerdery that is Hector and Gale coming to talk to you about magical history.

"Literature department. Can I help you?"

She's whispering, which Hector immediately finds charming. Reminds him of the head librarian in the monastery, a wizened little old woman who happily listened to Hector chatter away about his latest discoveries in the ancient tomes he read through every day. He lowers his own voice accordingly.

"I'd be interested in any especially rare tomes you might have," he whispers back.

"Bold!" she says softly with a bright grin. "You might've heard that our library has a collection other shops would lack the skill to curate. Between us - even Master Lorroakan was reluctant to house them in his tower. The pen is mightier than the magic wand, apparently." She gestures around her dramatically. "They're locked away here for their and our customers' safety. Our finest reserve includes the 'Tharchiate Codex,' 'The Annals of Karsus: A Netherese Folly', 'Sights of the Seelie', and 'The Curriculum of Strategy.' Do any of those interest you?"

Ultimately the one they're interested in is The Annals of Karsus, but Hector's curiosity about the others is immediately roused as well. He is definitely bouncing excitedly on the balls of his feet as he asks about each - rather in the way Karlach did when she found out they could go to the circus. (She is standing watching this unfold with affectionate bemusement - but loving seeing him so excited about something.)

"The Tharchiate Codex," he says politely.

Her eyes widen and she leans forward slightly. "Interesting choice..." she whispers. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you might have 'The Necromancy of Thay' in your possession... I'd advise tremendous care with the 'Tharchiate Codex.' The cost of unlocking its mysteries is... onerous."

(A/N: Oho! Hector does NOT have The Necromancy of Thay, as he smashed that book into tiny pieces back when we found it in the Blighted Village. (Gale was NOT happy, and even less so when a bunch of shadows emerged from the smashed book and one-shot him.) But I will have to keep this in mind for my other playthroughs where I kept it.)

Hector decides to let that pass for now, and asks next about 'Sights of the Seelie.'

"Its author was a spectacularly talented halfling," the bookseller says soberly. "She was, allegedly, able to establish contact with members of the Seelie Court. Can you even imagine what wonders the fey pantheon might've revealed? Incredible!"

What about 'The Curriculum of Strategy'?

"You've heard about the Red Knight, I trust?" she mutters intensely. "Devout strategist, made exarch of Tempus. This treaty is a compilation of her own design, kept here on the Material Plane for the benefit of us mortals. Quite rare."

Hector is listening to all of this with rapt attention, his eyes very wide. Finally he comes to the main point of their visit. 'The Annals of Karsus: A Netherese Folly.'

"It is said," the woman intones softly, "to be written by Lord Karsus himself, the Netherese arcanist who attempted to replace the goddess Mystra, failed, and was banished for the attempt. Great magical knowledge lies within those pages - but not many can withstand it."

"That's it," Gale hisses excitedly. "That's what I need."

Narrator: The Annals of Karsus would no doubt have much to say about the crown's true nature - if only you could read them.

Well, Hector probably can't, but Gale certainly can.

"Sounds perfect," he whispers. "How much for me to buy it from you?"

She lifts her eyebrows, visibly startled. "Buy?" she says warily. "Books as temperamental as these are not on sale. They are secured in our vault, where none can harm them, nor can they do any harm. Consider yourself lucky to have learned of such a book's existence. And then forget about it - the Annals of Karsus are best left unread."

She's probably right, in the grand scheme of things - but they do need that book, which Hector is mildly glad of, because it means the correct thing to do here is to indulge his suddenly desperate curiosity to see that vault, which would be a thoroughly ill-advised choice in any other circumstance.

[PERSUASION] "Isn't it your job to share knowledge, not keep it locked away?" he asks earnestly. "At least tell me where the vault is..."

She tips her head to one side, studying him. Perhaps she sees a kindred spirit in him, the side of him that has been so buried under violence and pain of late, the boy from Silverlight Monastery who eagerly devoured every historical tome in the place and always hungered for more. But if she does - it is not enough to sway her from her implacable certainty that the books are not to be troubled. "Customers like you are why I prefer the company of books," she says wearily. "The only way to gain access to the vault is through my office. And before you ask - no, you are not allowed in there either."

Well, Hector and company have long since learned that locks are only a temporary annoyance if they really need to be somewhere. But as Hector prefers an honest solution if one can be found, he asks, "Surely there's some amount of gold that could convince you to part with the book?"

She narrows her eyes at him. "Psht. I already told you," she whispers fiercely. "It is locked in our vault. And with good reason. Imagine if a tome so dangerous were sold to someone with such poor comprehension."

Behind him, he hears Karlach swallow a snickering laugh, and resists the urge to grin himself.

"Thank you. I've learned more than enough," he says politely and turns away.

"You certainly has," the bookseller hisses at his back. "Even simple knowledge of these tomes is enough to stimulate most."

------

"That was cute, Hec," Karlach says with a wide grin as they walk away from the counter. "I don't think I've ever seen you that excited before."

"The collection of wisdom and knowledge that woman clearly has in her possession," Hector says. He's still visibly energized, his fingers twitching excitedly. "You were right, Gale. This place is incredible."

"I told you," Gale says with a soft chuckle. "A collection of magical lore with no equal on this plane of existence, I dare say - and certainly well worth our time to explore even in less dire circumstances. But... we will still be pursuing the Netherese book, yes? In spite of her objections."

"We will." Hector nods. "One way or another, I'll see to it that we find what you need."

"I might have to pick up a few books too," Karlach puts in.

Hector raises an eyebrow at her. "Sudden interest in magical lore?" he asks mildly.

She smiles playfully. "No, but I've got a very vested interest in anything that gets you excited. Or stimulated, as that woman put it."

Jaheira snorts. "Yes - it is well known that such books are tremendously romantic, is it not?" she says dryly. "Then again..." She shoots Hector a sideways look and then laughs. "I forgot who I was speaking of."

#bjk plays baldur's gate 3 #hector carlisle #in which hector is a huge dork and i love that for him

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spellshite · 2 months

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Gotta go to sleep but I noticed that I still have the Necromancy of Thay in Kylech's inventory but I remember putting off reading it until Shart got "remove curse"...and then forgot about it.

I read the book as Xarann bc he's a Necromancer so of course he reads the Necromancy book.

Hrodak is all brawn and no brain, and he's content with the Amulet of Lost Voices to talk with corpses, so he gave it to Astarion (also bc he's his bf)

Now I'm undecided if to give the book to Astarion or not with Kylech. RP wise, I feel like Kylech would try to read it because he's too curious for his own good (got dragged down in the illithid oubliette just bc of curiosity, for example) but also I wonder if giving the book to Astarion would let me be able to read it with him? I won't say no at the +1 Wis of Forbidden Knowledge. And I read in Act 3 you get a bonus with the Tharchiate Codex but I didn't pay attention when Astarion nabbed it in Hrodak's run (and I have to wait until the mods are again compatible to continue Xarann) so idk.

#bg3 #bg3 shitpost #baldur's gate 3

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faeriefirelightshow · 3 months

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7, 8, 9!

Thank you, Ervona! <333

7. Do they collect anything?

Yes! <3 Stella loves anything that sparkles, so she collects gems and jewelry. She used to collect silver dishware before her companions complained that they didn't have the space for it all, and she knew they were right, so she sold it. She also has a collection of song books and sheet music.

8. What types of books do they like?

Stella, like a typical bard, really enjoys myths, legends, folktales, and fairytales, as well as poetry. She also likes non-fiction books, especially about history and magic.

Finding the Necromancy of Thay made her a little power-hungry, so when she entered the vault at Sorcerous Sundries she had to take a peek at every powerful, potentially-cursed book, and stole the Tharchiate Codex.

Surprisingly to many, she doesn't particularly care for romance novels; she tends to find them banal. She likes romance in stories, but generally not as the main focus.

9. If they had to be put in a "get-along shirt" with a companion, who would it be?

Stella and Shadowheart got off to a rocky start because Stella's nosy and Shadowheart's secretive. Stella also wanted to make friends with all of her companions immediately, but Shadowheart wasn't interested in making friends with any of them at first. By the end of Act II though they've come to understand each other and become true friends.

Thank you again, Ervona!!! <3 You can find the ask meme here.

#stella #ask meme

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handsomeamoeba · 2 months

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It's time for the post no one asked for:

Finella's Keepsake Box: Final Version

I mentioned previously I've started making a Keepsake Box at camp for each of my characters, which is just a collection of random stuff that I think the character would want to hang onto, as a character building exercise!

Finella is my first Durge. My pet name for her is First Degree Murder Barbie. Pictured here with her two boyfriends and her bestie.

Her whole deal is that she's a bubbly girly-girl, and also a necromancer and homicidal maniac. But she tries to be good, y'know? In spite of everything. Because she woke up one day with a brain full of tadpole and a heart full of love.

Below the cut is a description of everything in her keepsake box.

Cazador Szarr's corpse. So she can fondly remember that her boyfriend is safe now and his abuser is dead. And if he is having bad memories, she can remind him of that too by pulling the corpse out.

A bag of hands, lifted off a pretender to her father's cult.

A summoning bell lifted off of rival necromancer Balthazar. Chump.

An assortment of surgical tools collected from the House of Healing, in case she wants to use them for murders: an Artificial Leech, a Bonesaw, a Syringe, and a Trepan.

In the middle of those tools is a Murderous Cut dagger carried by a Bhaalist cultist. Kept for remembering where she came from.

Her bloodkin Orin's Carapace Armor, to fondly remember her defeat. She'd have kept her bones themselves if she could.

The "Magic" Ring she got from Mattis, because she's fond of that kid.

An amethyst ring and an onyx ring. Two of her favorite crystals. She loves pretty things, like a magpie.

Orin's Ring of Murderous Opportunity. Another lovely keepsake from her death.

Ffion's wedding ring, kept to remember a murder Finella solved, rather than committed.

An Amulet of Bhaal, to remember where she came from.

An assortment of collars from other people's dead pets! She finds the associated feeling of grief cathartic.

A necklace of silver and sapphire, traditional mourning wear in Baldur's Gate.

The treasured lute of Alfira, who she did not mean to or want to kill. She keeps it to carry her memory.

An assortment of some of Finella's favorite books. As a wizard she is of course a big reader. Titles are as follows: The Book of Final Breath; Death & Divinity: A Godly Guide; Diseases of the Blood; Disorders of the Nerves & Mind: A Treatise; Harvest of Memory; Her Love For It Was Like A Plum; Necromantic Codexes, Their Enigmas; On Death & Resurrection; Queen of Ravens (note: Finella finds the Raven Queen fascinating as a potential alternative to her father); Schools of Magic: Necromancy; The Amiable Art of Necromancy; The Curse of the Vampyr; The Ecstasy of Murder; The Enigmatic Art of Hemomancy; The House on Drench Lane and Other Stories; The Tharchiate Codex (note: she carries The Necromancy of Thay on her person at all times); Vampiric Duality

A portrait entitled "The Ghost Whisperer."

A lovely piece of amethyst, one of her favorite crystals.

A bizarre coral structure she swiped from the Illithid colony because she finds the fractals fascinating.

A bear claw, to remind her of Halsin.

A black oleander, one of her favorite flowers.

A bowl that contains a dissected frog. She loves anatomy, she thought it was cool.

A bloodstone, another crystal she loves.

A blushcap mushroom. She finds that particularly colorful mushrooms are just as lovely as flowers.

From her collection of anatomical & scientific curiosities: a tibia, bottled blooms, bottled eye, bottled solvent, bottled tentacles, a human brain.

A bundle of her favorite incense (clove!)

One of her favorite paintings, "Butterfly on Skull." I think it describes her well.

A few shells from a cult of Kuo-toa who worship her. She rather likes that.

Her absolute favorite flower, a corpse rose.

A couple unidentified crystals she found that she thought were pretty.

A crystal ball! No wizard is complete without one.

The crushed body of a pixie. She finds it fascinating.

A divine bone shard. As well as being an anatomical curiosity, it reminds her that even gods can fall. And so too, someday, may her father.

Mol's Eyepatch. She likes that kid. Also she was worried she was dead for a bit there.

A jingle bell gifted by a pixie she freed. Not the dead one she keeps in the box, mind.

This skull isn't technically hers. It belongs to her familiar, Shovel. Shovel calls it "Friend."

A deceased child's teddy, collected from the House of Healing. This one is called Fuzzy. It radiates grief.

A glowcap mushroom. She finds its bioluminescence quite beautiful.

The Hand of Enver Gortash. Once, when she was someone else, someone worse, Gortash said that he would give her his hand in marriage so that they could rule the world together. She decided to take him up on that for old time's sake. In a way. It's funny to her.

A harpy feather. She thinks it makes a particularly lovely quill.

Another painting she loves. This one is just called "Harrowing Painting." Stolen from the Szarr estate.

A human heart for the anatomy collection.

Another shell from the Kuo-toa.

A bundle of intestines for the anatomy collection.

Rival necromancer Mystic Cambion's preserved brain & liver, kept as trophies.

A lolth's candle, Finella's favorite gemstone.

Another teddy found at the House of Healing and absolutely saturated with woe. This one is called Lukasz.

Mayrina's Locket. It carries with it Mayrina's grief for her lost love, but more than that... it reminds Finella of her friendship.

A mephit heart, another curiosity.

The ashes of Balthazar's Mother, which Finella has kept out of spite.

A music box that plays a beautiful tune that Finella finds soothing.

An onyx and a sapphire for the crystal collection.

A brooch that once belonged to Isobel, to remind her of her friend, and the strength it took to spare her.

A severed head she found in a giant birds' nest. She just thinks it's neat.

A shadowroot sac for the mushroom collection.

A skull for the anatomy collection. She thinks this one might be halfling in origin.

Another painting she loves, called "Sororal Dance," which has a beautiful and grim message about the relationship between the living and the dead.

A spider's leg for her curiosity collection.

A starfish from the Kuo-toa.

This teddy isn't grim or anything she's just fond of it, she thinks it's cute.

Same for the owlbear plush, although she did find this one abandoned in the Shadowlands.

A surgery kit. For murders!

Another painting stolen from Szarr manor, "Tableau of Ibex and Rose."

A cute little toad teapot from Auntie Ethel's Cottage.

A toy chest. It was a decoy for a treasure chest but she thinks it's cute so she kept it.

Weavemoss isn't technically a flower but she loves its purple color.

#bg3

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