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There's been a little break in posting due to personal circumstances.

Recommendations will be be back soon! Please keep sending in any you would like to share.

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @davenswitcher

Title: The Season Author: Linnetagain Rating:  Mature Length: 20 chapters, 229,339 words Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Astarion x Gale Warnings: real world politics, implied domestic abuse, past drug abuse, past self harm, implied ED

Excerpt: 

Why you love it:

 It's a beautifully crafted AU set in the real world where Astarion is a figure skater and Gale a (pop) musician with classical training in opera. The pining and tension between the two makes you grip your chair in frustration and delight. I can't wait for them to realise their feelings. And Astarion being a figure skater is SO on point. Love it.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @busy-baker

Title: Less Interesting Times Author: gardenAlchemist Rating: Explicit Length: 59k words, 13 chapters Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Astarion/OFC, Gale/OFC, Laezel/Shadowheart Warnings: Drug Use, Sexual Abuse, Eating Disorders, Non-Consensual Elements, Self Harm

Excerpt: 

Tav always says "shouldn't have wished to live in more interesting times" in the game, what would happen if her wish came true and they were just normal people playing D&D?

***

This is a modern setting AU of the characters of Baldur's Gate 3 where they're friends and get together to play D&D.

It's mostly my ideas about how I think their lives could be in a modern setting and their relationships and hardships and how this is related to their D&D characters (Or their BG3 original characters). There will be a lot of drinking, a lot of drug use, some minor references to sexual abuse and/or abuse of a minor, racism, religion/cult as abuse and others. I will approach these topics the best I can and I will keep updating the tags if needed, I will also put warnings in each chapter at the beginning.

There will be a lot of chapters with different lengths, it's mostly a collection of stories of their daily lives, so please keep that into consideration.

Why you love it: 

The idea of the characters being people in the regular world trying to escape their very real lives by playing this fantasy game is something I think many readers can relate to. The author has really given depth to the already tragic backgrounds and the story has captured me from the very beginning.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @shewhowas39

Title: Judgment Author: @avalost Rating: M Length: 35k Complete or WIP: Complete Pairing: Astarion x f!Durge Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Excerpt:

The doorknob began to turn.

Their eyes met. “I locked it,” Nyssa said, voice barely above a whisper. “I know I locked it…”

The door eased open, and the darkness outside seemed to melt and coalesce to become scuffed, old black armor worn by the elf who stepped into the shop silently, bare feet wrapped in rags. His all-black eyes met Nyssa’s gaze expectantly from behind the tentacle tattoos that decorated his face. A white raven sat on his shoulder.

Nyssa drew in an incredulous breath. A specter of her and Astarion’s past, crossing the threshold into their new life, standing there in the door as though this were his domain. “He Who Was,” she breathed.

“You remember my name,” the visitor said. “That is well. But this is not where I expected to find you.” Languid, catlike steps carried him towards a small table, and he ran a hand across the bottles there, lingering to read a label. His raven alighted from his shoulder and found a perch on a high shelf, looking down with beady black eyes. “A life of commerce does not suit you. I have seen your soul, and the fire that burns within.” He turned, eyes sweeping over the shop. Was that disdain on his face? “I see it has nearly died out. But perhaps I can reignite it.”

Nyssa crossed her arms. “Only I get to choose what sort of life does and does not suit me,” she said acidly.

He Who Was held Nyssa’s gaze for a long moment, but did not reply. His raven cawed once from her perch above, and he looked to her and gave her a barely perceptible nod. Abruptly, he turned to Astarion. “Your… former sibling, Petras,” he said. “He has been unjust. And so justice must be brought to him.”

“Petras?” Suspicion edged Astarion’s voice.

“You saw to it that none have your former master’s powers. But Petras learned your former master’s lessons well. He’s set himself up to be king among vampire spawn in the Underdark, and rules with tyranny and spite.”

“Why are you telling us this?” Nyssa cut in. “We have a home here. A life. What happens in the world is no longer any of our business.”

He Who Was ignored her entirely, and took a step towards Astarion. “Since you delivered me such… exquisite justice when we worked together before, I was hoping to have your help once more.”

Why I Love It:

there's so much to love about this fic. Astarion and Nyssa are a lovely couple with some great dialogue. Nyssa's relationship to hr magic (she's a wild magic sorcerer) is complicated and unique. And the set up for the plot is really fun! It's just a really lovely fic that deserves all the love it can get.

Link to Fic

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @mosaiclobster

Title: Fatal Interview Author: cravengaffer on ao3 Rating:  E Length: 83,959 words Complete or WIP?: Complete Pairings: Raphael/Tav, minor Enver/Tav and Astarion/Tav Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Main Character Death

Excerpt: 

"If Tav had not seen the photographs- though there were few, admittedly, and they took a long time and a magnifying glass to decipher- she would never have guessed that this Raphael was anything more than another rich degenerate. But she knew, with a thrill in her bones and an itch in her teeth, that Raphael was a monster like herself. What an opportunity to end her career- what better excuse to make her escape? She'd accepted the challenge immediately. It was the summer of 1961. Margarita Ivanova, called Tav, was thirty-one, and she was going to kill the Devil.

Why you love it: 

A gorgeously written, exhaustively researched, sexy, horrifying, thrilling, cold war era spy AU. What's not to love?

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation

Recommended by - @davenswitcher

Title: Magistrates Advocate Author: @cinnamontails-ff Rating:  Explicit Length: 19/(approx)25 chapters 112,871 words Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Astarion x OC Warnings: Emotionally distressed cat, Mentions of tense political climate, racial tensions, unprovoked acts of violence based on race, Ambush and graphic fight scene, including blood and injuries, Cazador, hints to past sexual non con

Excerpt: 

From chapter 18

Objection was angry.

To be fair, Objection was angry a lot of the time. Several years of living on the streets of Baldur’s Gate, forced to bear witness to the deepest pits of the human psyche, had instilled a sort of general, overarching anger in him. The type that wasn’t directed at anyone or anything so much as at the world at large and his boundless disappointment at being forced to live in it. Now, however, Objection’s anger had shifted. Focused and sharpened, like the little rays of light Zoraya would occasionally send through the house with her hand mirror for him to hunt down. The sheer might of his anger concentrated on a single individual so utterly despicable, Objection had no choice but to devote the entirety of his disdain to him and him alone.

The idiot.

The intruder.

The foppish, ugly little man who had had the gall to saunter into Objection’s home without an invitation, without the customary rodent offerings or so much as a formal bow! Never even realizing that this was in fact Objection’s house. A space he shared with Zoraya on account of an arrangement they’d made years ago: fish treats in exchange for a roof over her head. It had seemed a fair trade at the time, all things considered.

Objection was beginning to revise this assessment. No amount of fish treats could compensate him for the agony of having to watch the idiot get down on all fours and hold out his stupid hand and coo, “Come here, kitty cat! Look what I’ve got for you!”

Why you love it: 

It's intruiging, the character development from both characters, Astarion and Zoraya is compelling and so very lovely. Astarion goes through a massive emotional and character growth along with facing his past problems and (most likely) facing his mom who neglected her duties as a mother. He learns to be a better magistrate and human and set aside the problems that accumulated through his childhood. He is not alone in his journey as his childhood friend and now girlfriend helps him. The writing is so engaging to read and makes you crave for more. This fic and her past work helped me though a tough time too anytime I saw a new update I immediately went to read it.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @notakittykat

Title: of sacrifice and suffering Author: littleplease Rating: Mature Length: ~100k Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Halsin/Named Tav Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Past Rape/Non-Con

Excerpt: 

Martyrdom was always in the cards for her, but she never considered the complications that might arise from giving herself so fully, so deeply, so truly to the cause. Foxglove always knew she would die for Him, but to live? Living is harder....or, a War cleric of Ilmater struggles through a new quest when she awakens, infected, on an illithid nautiloid. At first, she only sought to heal her allies - and herself, secondarily - but the plot thickens, the gods watch, and the way forward gets murkier every day in the shadow of an Archdruid and the light of love burning bright enough to rival Ilmater's halo.

Why you love it: 

All of y’all are sleeping on this one. One of my favorite fics in the entire fandom, covering an Ilmatari war cleric’s path through the game’s plot and her own internal turmoil as she struggles to best serve her god. The gods are ACTIVE in this one, too- expect to see a handful of mentioned gods and maybe a bit more than mentions. May not be suitable for those with religious trauma as Foxglove (and what a fucking great name) is dealing with a crisis of faith that may be achingly familiar to some people. Everything about this is good. I cannot pinpoint a single thing to yell about over everything else. I give this story 100/10. I drop everything to read every time I see an update.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @savriea

Title: A Gift, A Curse Author: el_emit Rating:  Explicit Length: 175k+ words currently Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Tav/Astarion or Durge/Astarion Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con

Excerpt:  (AO3 Summary, too many great tidbits to choose from)

If the desperation in his eyes and the heartbreak on his face hadn’t already been enough to break you, the tremble in his voice would have done it. And even without all that, how could you ever say no to this man? He who stood beside you as you discovered your lost self. He who remained beside you when you learned your cursed history. He who bound the knots of your restraints and stroked your hair through the night, even as you writhed and fought to end his life. He helped you gain your freedom from the damnation of your birth. How could you possibly deny helping him with his own freedom?

But, says a voice in your head, seven thousand souls.

Why you love it: This fic is painful, emotional, and intense. It is written phenomenally well with so much thought put into each twist of the story. The smut is delicious, the pining is painful, and the twists are dark.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @alpydk

Title: Dear Diary Author: improbable_archivy (Ao3) Rating: M Length: 8300 Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: N/A Warnings: None Excerpt:  Tav is kept very busy avoiding ceremorphosis, dealing with their contrary companions, and generally surviving life as an adventurer with a Wisdom and Intelligence score more appropriate for a hellsboar than a hero. Why you love it:  100 words a day diary from an idiot Tav. Can't remember NPC names, only that they're all hot. Really funny to read a good daily pickmeup. Also, all are 100 words exactly.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @sorceresssundries

Title: Midwinter in Waterdeep Author: @weaveandwood Rating: M Length: 4,229 Complete or WIP?: Complete Pairings: Gale x f!tav Warnings: None

Excerpt: 

I’m sorry. I can’t do this. That was over a year ago. Now, she found herself back in the city after signing a contract for what turned out to be a relatively easy job for some quick gold. Desperate times, desperate measures. Turns out being the “Hero of Baldur’s Gate” didn’t go far outside of Baldur’s Gate. Her contract paid for one more night of lodging, so she went on a stroll from her inn down the main street toward the docks.  Dangerous. Tempting. Stupid. She found herself searching faces she passed on the street. None of them were him, of course, but did she want them to be? Had his schedule changed in these many months? She purchased a sweet roll at a food cart, her favorite one he had taken her to almost every tenday. Some things don’t change. She thought once that she could, that she could learn to love living in the city for him, for love, thinking adaptability was her strong point. She was mistaken.

Why you love it: 

It explores the really interesting concept of not everything being perfect after the end of the game. These are two people who fell in love very quickly, in extreme circumstances. There would be an adjustment, especially for two people with different backgrounds.

It's concise, well-written, pulls at the heartstrings and is one I go back to.

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @freesidexjunkie

Title: Your Ruination Author: @wolfywolfy Rating: E Length: 58K Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Astarion x f!tav Warnings: smutty things, violence/gore, mentions of abuse/trauma

Excerpt: 

“Maybe,” she said eventually, holding her smile tight. “If you say ‘please’.”

“What?” Astarion said, taken aback. Not unpleasantly, of course, this was a wonderful development in his book – but he had never seen this coming from the druid. She was all sunshine and daisies, kittens and rainbows! But the way she looked at him now… It reminded him of his own bloodlust.

“Say ‘please’,” she repeated.

Well, well, well… this was a welcome surprise. He was impressed. Astarion immediately relaxed, finding the flow of their conversation suddenly riveting. He really had judged her too hastily.

“Please,” he said, smooth as velvet. The word came so easily that he almost wondered if it was natural. Almost.

Prim grinned fully now, shockingly wolfish. How had he never noticed that look before?

“Good boy,” she praised while miming a pat on the top of his head (the irony was not lost to him). “I’ll meet you later tonight in the forest, after everyone goes to sleep.”

Why you love it: 

This one is a really good take on seducing and accidentally falling for Tav from Astarion's POV!! The pacing feels just right, she has a great understanding of Astarion's complicated characterization, and the MC is super interesting!!

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @kalmiaphlox

Title: The Vampire Ascendant's Wife Author: @ofsilentthings Rating: Mature Length: 138,915 words, 20 chapters Complete or WIP?: Complete Pairings: Astarion/OMC; Tav/OMC; Astarion/Tav Warnings: Domestic Violence, Rape/Non-con Elements, Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Excerpt:

Rickard was shaking Astarion’s hand before he realized what he was doing. A deep regret settled in the bottom of his stomach, but he did not take his word back, nor did he let go. A handshake was sacred in business, and with his, Rickard had essentially signed his name to the agreement, whatever specific terms those might be. It was a matter of pride, instilled deeply by his father at a young age.

As he held the vampire lord’s hand, it felt warm to the touch: too warm, like fiery molten brimstone flowed in Astarion’s veins. Rickard wanted to let go but Astarion held on firmly, even raising a second hand to cover the top of Rickard’s hand. Keeping him in the handshake. Trapping him there.

Why you love it:

The first Astarion fic I ever read, so I have a soft spot for it, but the prose is beautifully haunting. Rickard is a very compelling protagonist, sweet, a little naive, and extremely professional, but he's pulled into a world of manipulative vampires. How could such a man keep his morals intact?

Also, it's a choose your own ending!

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @elspethdekarios

Title: A Macabre Masquerade Author: @mumms-the-word Rating:  General Audiences Length: 27k - currently 8 chapters Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Gale x female Tav (main pairing), also Shadowheart x Lae'zel, and implied Wyll/Karlach Warnings: none Excerpt: 

She saw, reflected in the mirror, a different man than the one that had volunteered, one who was covered head to toe in deep, lacerated wounds, his blood flowing freely onto the stage below. A white-scaled dragonborn clad in black, he collapsed to his knees with such force that his blood flecked onto the glass. 

She heard Gale swear and Astarion stiffen with shock, but she couldn’t look away, even as some part of her was relieved to know they saw what she was seeing too. They watched, horrified, as the dragonborn reared back his head with a silent roar and turned to swipe in his clawed hand at one of the performers. The audience in their room was clapping and whistling as the masked volunteer took a bow and accepted something from the performers, the sound out of touch with the horror playing out in the mirrors' reflection. How did no one else see?

In sharp contrast, the audience in the mirror became a tangle of jeering onlookers and frightened guests pushing and pulling at each other while the performers tried to dodge the frenetic attacks of the white-scaled dragonborn. All at once he pulled a dagger from somewhere inside his black coat, the movements spattering more blood on the glass.

One masked man pushed his way to the front of the crowd, leaping onto the stage and taking hold of the second performer. Dani gasped as the new masked figure pulled the performer’s head back by their hair, baring their neck, her mind at once too shocked to make sense of the sight and yet recognizing exactly who he was, right as he sank his fangs into the performer’s neck.

Astarion.

Her vampire best friend was visible in the mirror's image.

Why you love it: 

As fun as a masquerade ball is, this fic isn't your ordinary masquerade ball. It's much more complicated, weaving together alternate realities and leaving you on the edge of your seat as you wait for the next chapter. It's beautifully written and so much fun to read!

Link to Fic:

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“The best moments in reading are when you come across something—a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things—that you’d thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met. And it’s as if a hand has come out and taken yours.” - Alan Bennett, The History Boys

Everyone deserves to experience this feeling. 

Everyone deserves to read stories that make them feel seen, heard, connected, and proud. 

This is the magic of storytelling. For the month of June, we would love for you to share your favourite fics that focus on those LGBTQ+ stories which often get overlooked.

Let's celebrate the diversity and richness of our community!

Happy Pride Month, Club Members! 

We are proud to have you with us.

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Just a quick note to say -

If you've posted multiple recommendations (Gods bless you) and notice they're not in the order you sent in, don't worry!

We're just trying to mix things up in the queue. Every recommendation will be posted.

Thank you so much! Please continue to send in your recommendations!

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @savriea

Title: Lead Me Through the Dark (LMTTD) Author: @darkurgetrash Rating:  Mature Length: 135k+ words currently Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: RolanxTav, RolanxOFC Warnings: No Archive Warnings

Excerpt:  (AO3 Summary, I am terrible at choosing just one excerpt)

“It had been one year since the fall of The Netherbrain. Six months since Tav had seen her friends. And three days since she had last bothered to leave her bedroll…”

A year following the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, Tav, isolated and adrift, reflects on better times while burdened by worsening magical abilities. Her loneliness begins to shift when she reconnects with old friends, including the Archmage Rolan, who is also struggling to adjust to a new way of life. Their growing bond and a newfound chemistry lead forgotten memories to resurface in Tav’s mind…

Why you love it: 

Incredible slow burn, beautiful prose, painfully cute fluff. Excellent story

Link to Fic:

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Fanfic Recommendation!

Recommended by - @its-jaytothemee

Title: The Legends of the Nexus Vermis Author: Masterangst12 Rating: Not rated Length: 43,774 words, 12 chapters so far Complete or WIP?: WIP Pairings: Astarion/named Tav Warnings: Torture, implied/reference torture

Excerpt: 

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.

Why you love it:

The author has come up with an amazing and intriguing post-game story. The fic is filled with great bonding scenes between all of the characters as they meet back up for a festival. Also, the way they write Astarion is great, the excerpt above is one example where they're describing the hunger he feels and it's incredible.

Link to Fic: