Panel 2 my beloved

a tryst in the woods, wizard style :3 prints | patreon

I think I remember someone talking about a theory that Cazador knew Durge somehow or maybe even met them once and just shit himself everytime he glanced at them, so here I am laughing my ass off imagining Cazador staring at Astarion all smug but then he looks at the companions and sees the very familiar face and is like "Wait... Why are they there? Why are they looking at me like that!?"

in my dreaming you'll be drowning Hells below God above all drunk on my love

Tav's Side - A.K.A. Part 1

Gortash paces his office, his gaze repeatedly settling on the device on his desk before pulling away in thought. He was doing what he did when he first got word of Tav's demise, waiting on a reply that may never come. Orin's words resonate in his head since Ketheric's death had been reported earlier that day.

"My prodigal blood-kin is among them."

His heart had skipped a beat upon hearing that. He knows he wasn't able to hide the smile from Orin.

That means they survived the horrible things Orin had done to them. They were still alive. They took down Ketheric, of course, they were. Despite the hole that event created in his plans, he wanted to cry the moment he retired to his study. He practically flew to his desk to retrieve the matching device from the fake bottom of a locked drawer, nearly breaking the wood, but once in his hands, he hesitated and left the device where it lays now.

If they were alive the entire time, why didn't the device go off? They are close to Moonrise, so theirs should have worked. He made sure a charging source covered that entire area for Ketheric before the old man shattered his by attacking it with an ax out of frustration as he did not understand his gauntlets didn't work when it came to unlocking the device. It was a small oversight on Gortash's part, but it meant he and Tav have the only working ones.

Minutes turn to hours and Gortash sits, reclined back in his chair, his tired eyes on the ceiling as a plethora of thoughts enter his mind. Maybe he should be the first to initiate a conversation? No, he had already sent a message not long ago when Ketheric fell and it was heartfelt enough that it should enact a response. Did Tav lose the device? Did someone steal it? Orin definitely didn't have it or he would have been getting messages from her posing as Tav to create false hope for him and uncover more than just a soft spot of his. She would have twisted that knife and ripped it out if she had the device.

Regardless, it didn't stop Gortash from wiping any and all previous messages from it remotely to keep the nature of the plan a secret, even if that did mean deleting some of the more tender and spicer messages that were sent. That hurt, but he wouldn't admit it to anyone other than Tav.

Just as he is about to call it a night, the device chimes. This startles him enough to cause him to fall backward out of his chair, crashing into the floor. Ignoring the ache it caused, Gortash dives for the device, an action that nearly throws him over the desk and threatens to deliver him back to the floor. His heart slams in his chest as he fumbles over the device and enters the password, a very tender nickname he had for Tav before Orin's temper tantrum, and a message reveals itself.

"Who is this?"

The question takes him aback as he stands and then sinks back into his chair.

"Who is this?" he repeats in a whisper. This fills him with dread and he lowers the device, unsure whether to answer. Was this Tav? If not, who is it?

The more he thinks about it, the more he calms down. He knows the device is password-protected, which most likely had to be connected to him, knowing the Dark Urge. Someone who knew about the devices and Tav's connection to him would have reached out sooner. He knows they were in range of Moonrise Towers where the charging aura was stronger. He knows they are also on their way to the city so there is a better chance they have a constant link to him.

If it wasn't Tav and he could lure the person to Baldur's Gate, he could always have them raked across the coals and hang them in sight of everyone in the city for theft and impersonating his loved one. With that in mind, Gortash smiles and begins to type.

"Your greatest ally, given that you are who this device belongs to."

The immediate response makes his eyebrows flash and then furrow.

"And that would be?"

Gortash calms the rage that swelled in his chest at the thought of this being an imposter. He didn't know that yet. Orin did tell him that she made a fool out of Tav so it could still be them. Right? Musing over what he should do, he responds as if playing Twenty Questions. Best to try to get as much information out of this person as he could. Maybe, if he is lucky, he could potentially help jog Tav's memory.

"Ah, ah. You've already asked a question. It's my turn. Who are you?"

The hesitation is palpable. He can feel it through the device as if it had been tethered to his own nerves.

"Hmm... Too on the nose," he murmurs then starts again. "Can't scare them off..."

"Was that too much? I can understand if you're weary to give out information since you don't seem to know who you're talking to. That's fine. We can start with the basics if needed. How about this? Are you a friend or enemy of Baldur's Gate?"

The response comes sooner which makes him smile. And his heart skipped a beat.

"Friend, I think."

"You think?" he chuckles aloud while typing the exact same thing.

"I have a hard time remembering things..."

Gortash pauses, his smile vanishing and his hands tightening on the device. Orin stated she did mess Tav's mind up physically. Of course, that means Tav's memories would not be fully intact. This weighs heavily on his heart as he responds.

"I see. That would explain things, if true. Your question, then."

It isn't long before his smile returns. Tav, or whoever was on the other end, sounds a lot more innocent than the Tav he knew. They really didn't know who was and it is somewhat endearing. This causes a strange sensation for Gortash. He feels young and, unlike earlier, energized. It was as if he had a second chance to make Tav fall for him all over again, thanks to Orin.

This new sensation makes him reevaluate his thoughts. If it really wasn't Tav, he could have a use for them for... other things that would make the person WISH they were Tav. Why publically hang them for all to see for impersonating his loved one when there were a couple of demons who had something he could use and this sort of betrayal would make him hand this person over in a heartbeat. It would be a more fitting punishment for toying with his emotions. Until he finds out who this really is, he'll go with the thought that this is his Tav.

He adores the responses that gave the impression that he made them laugh. As he types, he goes through the motions of heading to bed, his eyes glued to the screen as he wanders toward his sleeping area, a light chuckle on his lips while he changes into his nightwear. He moves to sit on his bed and lays back while crossing his legs without glancing away from the screen, responding as quickly as he can with witty responses and dry humor that he knows Tav adored when they were with him.

"Lord Gortash, your coronation rehearsal will take place in an hour," a Steelwatch automaton's voice calls out from the study. The sudden voice breaking the silence startles Gortash, causing him to drop the device on his face and he scrambles off the bed.

"What?! O-Oh!" he gasps, holding the bridge of his nose where the object hit him. Glancing at the window nearby, he notices sunlight peeking through. His heart sinks. He had stayed up all night talking to the person on the end of his device. He hadn't done that since... "Ah..."

"Sire, are you okay?"

Shaking his head, he clears his throat and fixes himself before calling back in annoyance.

"Yes. Fine. I shall be down momentarily. You may leave."

"Yes, milord."

Once he is sure the automaton is gone, he turns back to the device with a huff and a heavy heart.

"Duty calls, my dear. I am sure we will meet soon once you get to Baldur's Gate. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I am at your beck and call."

Despite being tired and wanting to fall flat on his face during the rehearsal in the middle of the throne room, for the first time in a while, he feels genuinely happy. His love and desire has returned. Or he'll be gaining some of his more coveted items if the person isn't who he thinks they are. Win-win, he thinks, though one will hurt a hell of a lot more than the other.

----------------

Tav stares down at the final response.

"Once you get to-" they read out loud which false halfway. A chill runs up their spine. They quickly look through their previous messages to confirm what they are sure didn't happen. At no point did they say they were headed toward Baldur's Gate. How did this person know that was where they were heading? Who was this...?

Dark Urge&A.Astarion BG3, Part 2 Comic[TW]

Another Dark Urge and Astarion fancomic, because I'm still highly addicted. Hope you like it. 🍷

To be honest, I'm always a bit insecure with uploading my art but I was very happily suprised that you guys are enjoying my strange little bg3 storys, so thank you very much for giving me the courage to keep drawing my weird fancomics lul

History repeats itself.

You lay there on the ground in some dark, dank alley, bleeding profusely from having been run through a handful of times with the familiar red-bladed dagger by your predecessor, who now lay in pieces nearby. They had gotten the drop on you as you headed back toward the tavern. Your Father sent them, no doubt. He is still furious you refused him and lived to tell about it. His blood no longer flows through your veins, so he has no control over you, unlike your sibling. However, Bhaal could have never predicted that your biggest regret would return to protect you.

The vampire ascendant kneels over you, his pale skin stained with your attacker's blood and his red eyes hungry.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, my dear?" he murmurs, looking somewhat pleased with himself though his expression holds a tinge of sorrow. "I wish we could have come together under better circumstances, but here we are..."

"Astarion..." you choked out through the pain. Your body starts to feel cold, and your vision pulses in and out. His eyes searched you, and the edges of his mouth turned upward slightly, smugly.

"Hm. Too bad I couldn't get here sooner. You're going to die here, bleeding out on the street. Is that how you envisioned yourself going out? Snuffed out by Bhaal's orders..." he sighs, glancing over at the viscera that was once a humanoid form. "Pity... If only you had listened to me all those years ago. I saw this coming, you know. I knew you were marked the moment you came back to life. Masters don't let their little slaves off the hook so easily, but I didn't have the heart to ruin your elation, not even when you denied me..."

You can't bring yourself to speak. The pain was too much. A cruel smirk spreads across Astarion's face as he watches you.

"It won't be long now. Seems like they knew exactly where to put the blade to cause maximum suffering," his eyes glazed over your body. You let out a whimper as the coldness starts to spread further into your limbs. His gaze returns to your face and softens. "Now, now, you know I wouldn't have come just to watch you die. Despite the fact you spurned me all that time ago, I do feel somewhat indebted to you. I wouldn't be the most powerful being in the world if it weren't for you, and I would still like to return the favor, regardless if we continue what we had before. I'm willing to let that go if you accept. You are more valuable to me alive, and I... have missed that face, you know."

You furrowed your brow. This... felt familiar. Trying to speak only makes you grunt heavily as pain spidered from the wounds in your abdomen.

"Shhhh, shhh, shh, not a word then... You don't have to say anything if it hurts. Nod."

With that one little word, the memory of first meeting Astarion flooded your mind, lying on the ground with his dagger to your throat as he fished for information, insisting that you had something to do with his abduction before realizing the two of you were one and the same. Your heart fluttered. It was the beginning of your adventure before you made the mistake. It was like he was back to who he was. As your mind started to fade, you couldn't help but smile. A tear streaks your cheek, the memories continuing to dominate the forefront of your mind, recounting everything that followed in vivid detail, everything you and Astarion had been through together. As your vision darkened, you nodded.

"Splendid... I knew you'd come around with time..."

Kill The Masters Inspiration: Judith and the Head of Holofernes by Gustav Klimt

Supernatural is trending as we are getting closer to memorial day like we all fought in the battle of November 5th 2020 and we have to do our annual reunion.

Well I was bored so I did what everyone does and wrote a 3.5k word fanfiction and made a brand new blog to post it on. So.

Anyway that thing that Gortash did to his parents was pretty fucked up right? Oh hey Ascended Astarion what are you doing here?

gn Tav, cw for some allusions to some non-con-ish stuff, haven't even done an ascended run yet but it's fine also spawn Tav

I still prefer 'Spawnstarion' personally, but it made sense for my Drow Yvonne to Ascend him. She's a power-hungry little Charlatan just like he is, so I figured "Let them be Horrible Together".

I hated drawing Cazador's carpets, drapes, and chairs, they were as much of a pain in the ass as the old prick himself.

I'm a 'clawed nails Astarion' enjoyer as well... let him be batty.

He has 10 hp Gale

I was making chitchat with the woman who works at the plant nursery and I mentioned that two baby trees I bought the other day aren't doing too well, their leaves are yellowing, maybe I'm watering them too much? what could be behind this phenomenon? and she looked like she was trying to find a gentle way to phrase it but then gave up and just said plainly, "Autumn."

another social interaction that will come back to haunt me at 3am five years from now

bg3 and unreal unearth coming out in the same month changed my dna btw

Cannot unsee

This is it. That's the post.

When a student copies an essay online instead of writing it and then painstakingly changes every word to a synonym until the text no longer makes any sense...

call that the Ship of Thesaurus

Any educator who doesn't feel this on a visceral level has never had to experience the psychic pain of reading the phrase "Unused York City."

A lecturer at Middlesex University in 2014, Chris Sadler, coined the term "Rogetism" for these. Perhaps the best:

Source.

I'm trying to hide my plagiarism but the clapping of my sinister buttocks keeps alerting the lecturer

ABCDEFGHI KLMNOP RSTUVWXY

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