#maybe warlock fiend...

[ember-firebender]

[hewwobrine]

part two of god knows how many of the maker’s game cast! this time, the pcs!

technically this session is just a one-on-one campaign between me and my partner ( @rockmerhys, who’ll be playing the lovely ilya ) but the first time i ran the campaign back in 2015-2016 or so there were three players. two of them im no longer in contact with so their pcs have been replaced by a new character to fill the role, but @galaxicnerd was kind enough to let me borrow sarahi for the campaign! :)

( designs for steve, alex & herobrine )

[thedeadthree]

i made lhysa in the bg3 character creator and now she has a b*g3 verse 🥀🗡️🌿✨ !!!!!!!!

[leidensygdom]

Okay, we all know about the usual warlock-patron dynamics. Creature with god-like powers tries to do their bidding or further their plans through a mortal, who is often going to be troubled by the pact. But, I'm here to propose some alternatives, specially for warlock deals that aren't inherently very harmful to the warlock themself:

This one is pretty typical, but the patron is a family member. If sorcerers can get cool powers from having a dragon grandpa, your fire genasi can have an auntie who is a big fire elemental who is trying VERY hard to connect with her family now, so she gives her nephew an allowance in the form of a Genie Pact

Your patron is undead (and your pact is Undying), but this person is not some power-hungry lich. This is someone you knew in life: A friend, or perhaps a partner. You had fought for a common cause, and they met their death trying to see the end of it, but they refused to leave you alone. Now, within you, their stubbornness has kept them from moving on, and they lend their newfound powers to help you in your common cause.

It's an eldritch entity, a creature beyond your comprehension. Your pact is that of a Great Old One. However, this creature doesn't quite have very concise plans to bring the end of the world- You're actually pretty sure it isn't even from your world. As time goes on, and as you realize their whims seem erratic, you realize that this thing you get powers from is... Probably the cosmic equivalent of a child. Maybe it's still cocooning in the depths of a distant dying planet. And it's incredibly bored. Someday, maybe, they'll terrorize the universe, but right now, they just really want you to be their eyes on another world. Call it enrichment.

Okay, this one is a fiend. Unequivocally so. But truthfully, they couldn't care less about your world, and you're not particularly concerned about what is going down in theirs. They kinda need few things done in your plane, few resources gathered, some people talked to, and between the lines, you realize that your newfound... ally is actually trying to oppose their boss or whatever. This one is a deeply legal-minded fiend, as far as you know: The hellish equivalent to a bureaucrat, after really digging around. Your party is convinced they will turn on you sometime, but eventually you realize you're just helping something that, for a lack of a better word, has to be an infernal-equivalent of an union effort.

That sword you picked was definitely cursed, and the voice within it has been calling to you. Eventually, you lend them your ear, and now you have an Hexblade pact. But this creature isn't bloodthirsty, nor talking to you about soaking their blade with your foes' guts. Truthfully, they hate being a sword. Trapped there as part of a vengeance, perhaps, this thing longs for freedom. And it has been used for evil in the past- Maybe the overabundance of skull motifs in their physical vessel didn't help. But this creature just wants to be able to experience a life that has been robbed from them. Your party may raise an eyebrow at you getting friendly with the possibly-malignant sword, but y'all are just making plans to get them to your favourite restaurant once they're freed.

This Archfey is the descendant of a powerful entity in Feywild side of things. The heir of some great lineage, or whatever is going on within their realm. You frankly don't know, because they're a bit of a... brat. One that kinda longs to escape their situation and get to live something more normal. You only find out this over time, when you realize you're kinda that friend their parents frown about. This entity, powerful beyond comprehension, just really wants to hang out with you and have a board game night with you. They'd love to meet your besties-- I mean, your world-saving allies. And you'd love to give them the opportunity someday, truth be told, but pissing off a fey court seems to be a high price.

You got stranded far into the ocean as a kid, and the rest of the people involved in the shipwreck did not make it out. But you attracted the attention of a group of merfolk, who had barely ever had the chance to meet someone like you. People had told you tales of how they'd drown and eat anyone coming into their territory, but these creatures were instead cooing about you. You're now grown up, and you can call them for power. Your party frowns at the idea of "I kinda got adopted by a sea polycule and I got a cantrip and few other boons about it", but you know they'll have to eat their words when you bring them for dinner- If you can find a way to table them in the middle of the ocean, that is.

the celestial patron is still a dick tho

Feel free to add onto these if you'd like, I'd love to hear concepts >:3

[yanderes-galore]

I have Baldur's Gate 3 brainrot and I will make it YOUR problem. Here's HCs of you having Raphael as your patron when being a fiendish warlock.

Yandere! Patron! Raphael with Warlock! Darling

Pairing: Romantic/Dubious

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Possessive behavior Occult themes, Violence, Murder, Blood, Mature themes (I elude to, well, sex but it's nothing graphic), Stalking, Kidnapping, Coercion, Haarlep is involved occasionally, Biting/Marking, Branding, Mind control via charm, Forced relationship.

Normally people avoid making deals with devils, cambions, fiends...

However, some are pushed into such an option, specifically if there's nothing else to turn to.

Perhaps you are such a case... Forced to deal with a devil in order or to keep your life.

Raphael isn't picky... He loves to charm mortals into deals.

So... It's expected he comes to you when you're at your worst, right?

Perhaps you were cast out of your home... ostracized for following dark paths... or perhaps you were on the brink of death from an attack?

Maybe you were originally a mage who was punished for being too ambitious.

Or maybe... Well, there's a whole list of reasons why warlocks make pacts, yeah?

Anything from curing a curse to wanting enough power to save yourself or those you love....

Raphael doesn't care for the reason.

When he encountered you, he saw you as another soul he can toy with.

Devils do love their toys.

You looked like a kicked puppy when he found you, such a weak frail thing.

Helpless souls like you are so delectable.

He had originally decided to interact with you in his human guise, to play the part of your savior.

"What a predicament you're in~" He coos, piercing eyes gleaming over your vulnerable form. "Would you like my help?"

Raphael is careful to pick the desperate ones.

Said souls have a harder time refusing his charms.

"I can help you be stronger... Think of me as a friend. I'm sure we can help each other out."

With no other place to go, what else could you do?

Imagine Raphael forcing you into a deal once you're at your worst.

With him, he promises you power, all in exchange for being his servant.

At first it's your typical devil deal.

The fiend allows you to use fiendish magic in exchange for your servitude.

It's mostly simple... a fair price for where you were at before.

Sometimes it's seeking items, other times you serve as a debt collector towards those who are indebted to your cambion master.

You grow used to being at your master's beck and call for years.

You've done horrible things to keep the power you were given.

Yet you've accepted the fact you're not a good person a long time ago.

You stopped being a good person when you met Raphael, practically begging for power to survive.

So, if it comes to killing a few folk and sending them to the Hells for your patron, you'll accept the task.

You're meant to be a plaything, a puppet to do your master's bidding.

Your agreement is simple for a few years.

You think it's what most warlocks deal with when it comes to their patrons.

However... Imagine Yandere! Raphael playing favorites, seeing you as his favorite debt collector.

His favors become more... personal.

You end up being summoned to the House of Hope more often than you'd think.

It's always an unnerving experience to you.

You'll be focused on learning a new spell or tracking down a target, only to feel a chill run down your spine.

It isn't long after an infernal transportation gate opens, making you come face to face with your patron.

He's always charming with his appearances, being theatrical as he tells you he has a new job for you.

You're used to this by now... He invites you to his House of Hope, he tells you of a new debtor, and you're sent off to hunt like a loyal hound.

Yet... Imagine if Raphael simply invites you over to chat?

There's no debtor to be hunted... Your job is just to entertain him with chat.

It's a new yet easier task... One where Raphael promises to teach you a new spell if you indulge.

As time goes along, you'll soon realize these moments you share with your patron are attempts at control.

Raphael, as a narcissistic cambion, enjoys control over you as his warlock.

He chats you up, trying to encourage you to do certain things for him.

Chatting is enough to show Raphael's interest, the devil often asking how your training and jobs are going.

That or asking if you miss him, your dramatic patron.

You can tolerate this for the most part... But devils always seem to surprise you.

Imagine if Raphael adds onto what he likes for favors.

Your patron has been watching you closely lately, call it 'admiring from afar'.

Raphael voices his needs in a way you aren't expecting, mostly because it's out of the blue.

"Little mouse, I desire something new. Perhaps I should give Haarlep a break and have you entertain me instead for a night or two. You'd do it if I ordered right, pet?"

Yes, Raphael seems like a devil who would use intimacy to control his warlock.

Of course, the devil has an incubus who normally keeps him company... but what better way to keep your pact than making you worship him?

At first it disturbs you.

Raphael has never said this was part of your contract.

You could do errands for the infernal beast, but now he's suggesting you bed him?

An unfortunate thing when it comes to devils... is their charm often gets to mortal minds.

He may be no incubus, but he has a certain seduction to him.

If he feels like it, he may allow Haarlep to make you comfortable, using 'Charm' to keep you a compliant little pet.

Raphael is an exploitative beast.

He'll use any means necessary to show you that you're his.

You should feel lucky... normally he isn't a patron for many warlocks.

Plus it's a small price compared to what his eternal debtors go through.

Let him have his fun... Let him leave his mark to keep you as his perfect little mouse.

Then you can go back to wrangling debts, being his enforcer by using his power.

Raphael is sure you reek of him.

His power rolls off you in waves, weaker creatures shuddering due to sensing his presence.

Other fiends can practically smell him on you, quickly making them realize your soul is tainted.

Raphael plans to trap you in his pact, giving you temptation and power, all while having you charmed.

Even the spell 'Protect From Good And Evil' won't help you evade his charm.

Raphael can sense it cast on you, causing the devil frustration.

Even Haarlep finds it amusing, you're clever...

But master has other ways of making his warlock comply.

Raphael covers you in bites, maybe he'll even brand you with a fire spell.

His entire obsession revolves around ways to control you.

He wants your eyes only on him, even when he allows Haarlep to share... You're only allowed to look at your patron.

Raphael plans to train you to crave him, all so can ensure you're loyal to him.

He wants you to need his touch, words, power... Everything.

He wants your worship.

In return, he'll let you channel his power, he'll let you be powerful... As long as you're his.

Raphael feeds you, your stomach and needs for temptation.

To him, it's like luring a mouse.

He'll put out some cheese... he'll make you come out of your mouse hole...

Then, as the cat, he'll pounce.

Even if you try to run, to find a way to remove the contract branded on your soul...

He won't let you.

You think Raphael will ever let you out of debt? Nonsense!

You belong to him.

Even if you tried to run or hide... He'll find you.

You'll be dragged back to the House of Hope like a misbehaving child.

You'll stay in his room until you can behave, Haarlep watching you like a hawk when your patron is gone.

There's no way Raphael is going to allow you to leave.

Ever since you pledged servitude to him... You became his to use as he wishes.

Soon you'll get used to it, soon you'll need him.

He just needs to break his mouse down with some more temptation and punishment...

Then you can be his perfect little plaything... His warlock who listens to his every word like it's law.

[serpenlupus]

About Wyll and his horns (and what they mean)

Let's say I was writing a part of my Tav's story with Wyll directly connected to the dialogue he has during the tiefling party, and while struggling with this bit, I've realized there's quite a few misconceptions floating around. I felt compelled to add information to the table that might clear them, so here we go.

First, what exactly happens to Wyll when he disobeys Mizora in act one? Well, he doesn't get turned into a devil, he certainly doesn't get turned into a tiefling, he's not a half fiend, not a demon, none of that. Wyll stays human, but he has horns and red eyes (and other features we can't see on his model as of now).

(Everyone has their race listed, Wyll's remains "Human")

This is because when a warlock fails to uphold some part of their contract they can suffer a certain number of consequences, Wylls is “The character grows horns, a tail, or some other devilish features that can't be removed by any means short of divine intervention. As long as these marks persist the character detects as a fiend when subjected to Detect Evil and Good spells or similar magic.” ( from Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, page 214)

And I’ve come across some people that think it wasn’t so bad of a punishment, that he was being racist towards the tieflings, or just not being justified in being upset after having his body forcibly changed against his will. I think they are missunderstanding just how insidious Mizora’s actions were, and here I just want to give some context to maybe bring a better understanding to the situation. Your conclusions are up to you.

Gonna start by using a not exact analogy, but I think it’s going to make the explanation easier. Stick with me for a minute.

Remember Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean? He had a branded “P” on his arm that marked him as a pirate. A murderer, robber, criminal, etc. in the eyes of the society he was a part of. What did Jack do to earn the branding? (if you don’t know this I suggest you look up the “people aren’t cargo mate” scene) He refused to transport slaves and later freed them, and Beckett had him marked as punishment.

Then, in the first movie, he saves Elizabeth, a woman he didn’t know, from drowning. Right after however, when Norrington sees he has a branded “P”, he’s like “alright, off to jail with you, and then hanging”, no other option crosses his mind. Again, Jack doesn’t know Elizabeth, isn’t indicated to think he is going to be rewarded for helping her, he just sees a drowning person, sees that no one else is going to help, and chooses to save them. That is a pretty selfless/good aligned thing to do, for no other reason that he was the one able to do it, yet the branding in his arm overrides any good action he could ever do, marking him as a criminal for execution and no further thought.

In a way, that’s what Mizora did to Wyll; she forever visibly branded him as someone that has made deals with devils, and that in the world of DnD is a VERY BAD THING. Personally I really like the mod that gives him more devilish features, but at the same time I think there was something clever about choosing to leave him looking more human. He can’t be confused with a tiefling, he doesn’t have the ears, the claws, the tail, all those features that characterize them. He looks kind of uncanny, and that would be like a red flag for anyone in that world. (Beyond the already existing hate for tieflings that I’m not gonna tackle on here because it’s a complicated thing that deserves its own post). And Wyll wants to do good, he wants to help people, to be a positive force in the world so, so badly. This dude got abducted by a nautiloid, got tadpole’d, and the first thing he did right after that was come across the Tiefling refugees and be like “Oh you need help? No worries let me teach you self defense. Oh you being attacked by goblins? Let me blast them real quick”. His way of saying fuck you to all the awful things that have happened to him is being aggressively good and kind. Mizora knows this very well, wants to see him suffer for her amusement, wants to remind him he can't escape her claws, so her choice of punishment was to forever taint his future interactions with mistrust and suspicion. Some people can go real fast from “oh thank God they saved me” to “oh no, are they gonna rob me, are they trying to trick me, are they in cahoots with the ones that attacked me first?” just because of outward appearances. Especially in DnD world. And that deserves its own conversation, but we're focusing on Wyll here.

(Mizora, when I catch you Mizora)

“Well, maybe he shouldn’t have made a deal in the first plac- - “ He was seventeen, alone, preyed upon by Mizora and put in an impossible situation. Please PAY ATTENTION to the story you’re witnesing.

Anyway.

About the tieflings. I know it’s easy to think his words can be derisive towards them, but it’s less about the horns and more about his body being changed against his will. Imagine instead that he got half his face burned, or something that disfigured him. I think his feelings at the moment were closer to that, and yeah they are pretty insensitive words to say to someone with a similar condition (horns or disfiguration), but when feelings are fresh and raw like that it’s easy to say insensitive things. Not saying it was ok for him to say them, but there was no malice in his words. I’ve also seen some people share that they think Mizora wanted to change him more to make him unrecognizable to his original self, the Wyll Ravenguard kid, and I think there is some truth to that too. She wants to make sure that Wyll remembers that he belongs to her, there's no question to that.

(MIZORA, WHEN I CATCH YOU MIZORA)

Whether the Tieflings refugees would feel unsettled by Wyll or not? Yes. In a way, they would. From reasons aside from the ones I explained above, remember that these specific tieflings come from Elturel. If you didn’t pass the History check or don’t remember, Elturel is a city that was literally ripped from the land and dragged to Avernus, First layer of hell (it left a hole on the ground and everything) because their mayor made a deal with the Archdevil Zariel some decades back in the timeline. He sold the souls of all its citizens and the city itself.

This was probably one of the worst times of their lives. Some even got captured and forced to participate in the blood War, like Dammon as a mechanic. And after Elturel got returned to the surface, the tieflings lost their homes because they reminded the other citizens of the literal Hell they’d just gone through, and they kicked them out. And remember, they met and saw Wyll as a human, and then saw him with horns. It’s not unreasonable to think that by looking at him they would be reminded of all the events that led them to the awful situation they’re in. Because of someone that was making deals with devils, just like Wyll. Even if his situation is completely different. And Wyll knows that, that’s why he tells you the tieflings are unsettled by him and chooses to stay away during the party.

It was never just about the horns.

And I know Wyll calls himself a devil but I think it’s because it’s the closest thing he looks as; devils are a whole different race with their own intricacies, although humans can be turned into devils ONCE their souls go to Avernus and they start climbing the power hierarchy there (Mizora and Raphael are cambions/ half-devils btw, which is a different thing,  there are plenty of videos exploring those details more in depth).

Do I think Larian should have made some of this information clearer/easier to access? Maybe? but to be fair, it's a game focused and dedicated to a crowd that was already somewhat familiar with the source material, that blew up waay out of what they originally expected to reach. Hopefully they’ll add some clarifications like they did to other quests. 

Anyway these are my two cents to the conversation, have a nice day, and don't hesitate to add your two cents if you feel like it!

[barbatusart]

bit of thinking outloud but for my current tactician run im doing a special wyll origins playthrough im calling the Evil Wyll Run & it’s given me a lot of food for thought about his character (or at least the freedom of psychological movement + exploration afforded to an origin run!)

wyll spoilers abound we’re entering the wyllenium here

wyll always felt a bit underwritten to me - i know that’s partially because there was that big kerfuffle in the 11th hour with changing his whole story and personality on top of having to recast his VA, and frankly hats off to both original VA lanre malaolu & new VA theo solomon for their hard work - both brought tremendous performances, & i sincerely hope mr malaolu was paid well for his work & time even if his voice wasn’t used in the final cut (i would also say warlock as a class itself felt a bit underdeveloped but im 100% OK with chalking that up to me the player not understanding how to play warlock effectively yet lol im more of a fighter barbarian Hit Stuff guy)

but honestly this feeling of being “underwritten” combined with a character with a long history of heroism in his pocket made wyll really interesting to me even in my tav playthrough. for all his accomplishments he still feels like a blank everyman, or like he’s someone who fully believes he’s the main character who doesn’t “need” to do any extra work on himself - and honestly he feels Very much like he could be The Main Character. once his backstory of the son of the duke was revealed too i immediately got the sense of like, rich boy trying to prove his worth beyond his wealth and status by striking out & becoming that hero, or that Prince Charming. basically that perfect happily ever after somebody. and im of the opinion that you don’t get mixed up with a cambion in the first place unless you’re either the kind of naïve “everything will just work out” immature that tends to comes with his status as the son of a noble, or you’re hungering for power. depending on playstyle he’s very easily both of these things

on the naïve front (ie a good wyll playthrough) if anything he feels very believably immature, & from that perspective the events of the game feel as though they’re the prequel to the actual start of wyll's story where he finally finds himself & learns what kind of man he really is. we just dont get to see it alas, but i really enjoyed the thought exercise of somebody still grappling with overcoming his own immaturity. he feels like someone who can still grow and that his tale is just beginning

Evil Wyll (meaning any time mizora shows up he drops everything to enact her instruction & hasnt once tried to find a loophole out of his contract) which ive come to be far more fascinated by is someone clearly vying for power, which is interesting because his noble status would’ve given him all the power he wants had he Played Nice. to me it speaks of someone who wants to be able to take what he wants from life without it being handed to him, which contrasts in a really fascinating way with entering into a warlock pact at all. maybe he thought it was better that it be a decision he made as opposed to nobility given to him by his family ties, maybe there’s still that pollyanna sentiment of “it’ll just work out & ill live happily ever after.” again maybe both. maybe in a sense the fiend, as he calls himself, is a good excuse to shuck off any poor decision he makes or any genuinely heinous thing he does under mizora’s instruction - an identity he uses as power fantasy (and very much in tandem/interchangeable with the blade of frontiers power fantasy) until it means taking ownership for any of his misdeeds, and then a scapegoat.

may be a bit incoherent but im only now hitting act 3 in my origin run & im Really enjoying this difficult characterization ive cooked up for myself lol

[scuttlingcrab]

So it's pretty obvious that Raphael would be a massive fan of luxury items. How would he react to Tav being able to make certain luxury items from scratch (such as lotions, massage oils, perfumes, soaps, etc.) and is really freaking good at it.

Maybe he learns this little fact about Tav when he receives a bundle of custom luxury items from one of his warlocks and it has a note which says, "To: Raphael. From: The mouse. A 'thank you' for the food." (assuming Tav filled a plate of food during the group's first encounter with the fiend)

Thank you for this awesome prompt. I took a liberty with this one, wanted to try something that maybe a writer hasn’t done before re: what luxury item Tav would make Raphael. I also referenced a few characters from my other stories. Marin, the composer from A Night at the Symphony and Dolofina, the warlock, from A Warlock is Born. I couldn’t resist! Hope you enjoy! And send on the next prompt if you haven’t already! :)

Summary: Raphael receives an unexpected gift from Tav.

Warnings: Mild violence/torture

––

A Perfect Fit 

(Image via violadesdragons)

The screams were like music to Raphael’s ears.

The torment that resonated from each shriek, every wail that echoed into his House of Hope, if directed well, could create a symphony that would feed Raphael for weeks. A melody almost as magnificent as Marin’s concertos. Raphael mastered what buttons to push, what minute threads to pull, to achieve perfection.

Every human was an instrument in their own right. They had a unique cord, an unsung talent, that Raphael knew how to excavate and mould. He had spent millennia fiddling with mortals, experimenting with different techniques to inflict pain or even less conspicuous means to really persecute his poor unfortunate pets. 

Nevertheless, Raphael despised it all. Torturing these creatures was so below his station, another idle role he had to play to keep up appearances in this never-ending farce to reach his objective, to reclaim the Crown of Karsus. He longed to see the players of his saga, his glorious ascension, leave the dark confines of the wings and enter the proscenium for all the planes to see.

Raphael listlessly looked up towards his current unfinished task, a withered mortal impaled on rusted spikes. No matter how hard Raphael stared at this rat, how tirelessly he worked his mind to calculate new methods to inflict agony, all Raphael could do was muster an apathetic groan in response. 

He was almost relieved to hear footsteps approaching the dungeon, identifying the bouncy gait of one of his warlocks almost immediately. Dolofina. 

Raphael smiled to himself, letting out a shallow breath as the doors slowly creaked open. He snapped his fingers, and another spike appeared, slowly lifting to meet the others.

“I do hope you have some interesting news for me. And think hard on your answer, or else I might swap you out with poor Boris.” 

Raphael turned to greet Dolofina, the whimpers of the tortured human slowly rising as he approached her. She stared back at him without any emotion, unmoved by the threat. He taught her well.

“Apologies for the intrusion, but a woman was insistent you receive this. She wouldn’t leave Korrilla alone until she confirmed we’d deliver it to you.”

Dolofina lifted the basket in her hands with a sigh, offering it to Raphael. 

“Pah! Which insolent creature is it this time? If it’s that damned–” 

“She only referred to herself as the, and I quote, ‘little mouse.’”

Dolofina seemed perplexed at the name, rolling her eyes as she waited for his response. Raphael’s mouth parted, his eyes instantly becoming more animated at the mention of her.

“Could she be crawling to me already?” So fast, and such a pity. He had been looking forward to a tussle.

Raphael gingerly picked up the basket, holding it in his hands and carefully inspecting every inch as if it was an ancient relic. What a simple little offering, merely a straw woven basket. Its contents were hidden under gold wrapping paper and held together delicately by a red bow.

“Don’t worry, we’ve already inspected it for traps.”

Raphael gave Dolofina a flat stare. 

“Do you think the creature would be so daft?”

Dolofina shrugged.

“I am merely a mortal, what would I know?” 

There was a hint of mischief in Dolofina’s eyes as she smiled back at Raphael, so pleased with herself. He growled, pointing towards the threshold of his dungeon. The skin on his human disguise hissed, verging on transformation. 

“You have overstayed your welcome. And might I remind you, I am your master. I can terminate our agreement whenever I see fit, be it from the smallest lapse in your performance. You know what that means for your future.”

“Yes, master.” Dolofina responded through tight lips. She promptly made her leave, but not without slamming the doors behind her. 

“Must every creature under my employment be so thickheaded?” Raphael whispered, taking a moment to massage the bridge of his nose. 

When Raphael was sure his boiling blood had cooled, he proceeded to focus his attention on the basket, now weighing heavy in his hands. It would’ve been a shame to have accidentally incinerated the gift with his temper, which was nearly uncontrollable in recent months, without even knowing what was inside.

Raphael started with the bow, carefully untying the knot. Once it was removed, he brought it to his nose, slowly taking in its scent. Cloves and roses. Oh how he relished it. Raphael placed the bow in his pocket and removed the wrapping paper. He discovered a small envelope sitting on top of a golden gift box. A sudden jolt of electricity shot through his veins as he opened the letter. 

To: Raphael  From: The Mouse  Thank you for the food. Please accept this gift in exchange for your hospitality. If the measurements are not sufficient, perhaps we can schedule a fitting. You know where to find me.

Raphael snapped his fingers, leaving the letter floating in the air beside him as he continued with the box. His fingers, usually so calm and still, twitched with excitement. 

Raphael gasped, removing a single doublet from the box, its red colour as dark as blood. The silk melted in his hands, the article of clothing sparkling against the roaring flames of the dungeon. Gold and silver markings were intricately embroidered throughout the jacket, infernal designs suiting Raphael’s tastes. The cuffs of the doublet were adorned with devil tails that swished and curled on a constant loop. 

“My, my, the little mouse has been busy indeed.”

And what artistry! It had been ages, no centuries, since his eyes fell on such an alluring piece. Is this what it would feel like once he held the Crown in his hands? 

Raphael snapped his fingers, the doublet now on his person. He sighed, oh it fit him perfectly, as if that creature knew Raphael’s body like the back of her hand. He raised his arms, bowed, did every possible movement that could come to his mind in that instant, and yet could find no imperfections. 

Raphael was a generous devil, perhaps often too generous. He wasn’t opposed to receiving such luxurious gifts on occasion, but it was dangerous to play with his food. He considered for a moment being harsher to his future clients. The little mouse had a long road ahead of her if she was to help Raphael get what he desired. She needed to focus. No more distractions. No more gifts. 

And yet… 

Raphael clapped his hands and a mirror appeared before him. He gave himself a little spin, grinning. It was a suitable doublet. Cursed creature! Perhaps he could make other uses of these tadpoled yet. What was that mortal saying he heard so often? Ah yes, all work, and no play… 

Raphael was pulled from his thoughts at the howls of the tortured mortal, still impaled above him. Raphael’s cheeks burned, he had been sloppy, overlooking that he was not alone.

He angrily snapped his fingers and the mortal combusted. Their screams died with the flames, leaving no signs of their previous existence as the ashes fluttered away. A waste of a soul, Zariel be damned. She’d never even notice it was missing. 

And with that, Raphael stormed out of the dungeon, proudly wearing his new doublet. 

[elguritch-art]

Just Like Then

Days. Days and nights both. Listening to it- her- scream. Scream like it was that same night, reverberating in his head, in his chest, just like it had done over a hundred years ago as she died. And he'd done nothing.

(Short Story of Session Events Under the Cut)

Virgil was still doing nothing. Curled up on the indistinguishable void floor in front of the locked door of- Of whatever Warlock hellscape he'd willingly walked into. Because he thought he saw her. Saw Crowbait. Saw the kindred who'd become a sister to him after his embrace, who'd been the bridge between him and the rest of the pack's languages, who'd seen how damaged and hurt he was and showed him tenderness and compassion-

And here she was. But wrong. It wasn't her. It was her. A mismatch of flesh, a face that wasn't her's. A harmony of voices that spoke as if she were in there, but too wrong all the same…

…

…

…

His pack had always talked about what if one of the Warlocks got them. Or a Fiend. The two most dangerous to be caught by. Because they wouldn't just give any of them the Final Death. They'd use them. Change them. Just like now.

…They'd always talked about what to do, if it happened. Virgil had felt it. Every one of them having a rippling sense of pain at the words spoken, "Put them down with mercy and kindness. We'll know. They'll know. All of us will understand." Just like a horse with a broken leg, or a dog caught in a hunting trap. Quickly. Cleanly. With mercy. With love.

Virgil slowly, shakily pushed himself up, the screaming still ringing in his ears, dried and fresh blood running down the side of his neck from his eardrums that had rebuilt and burst numerous times over.

Get up. Do it quick. Do it clean. She'd know. She'd know.

He slowly stood, clutching her sawed-off in his left hand, his right drifting to his own right thigh. He only took one step towards her when the screaming stopped.

Virgil slowly drug his eyes up from the void to meet the wretched, misshapen face, with too many eyes, too many jaws, flesh barely clinging to bone. He met the eyes of a creature knowing it was lame, and wanted to die, and it made his gut wrench in a way that made him want to throw up. Not because of the creature's face.

Because when he looked into the eyes, he finally saw her. He couldn't ignore it, tell himself it was just a Warlock trick, because that was her. That was the way she looked at him a hundred years back, whenever she wanted to pry him to do something for her but she didn't want to voice it until he himself voiced the question for her.

Virgil shakily pulled out his Walker, spurs softly jingling as he crossed the space back over to her. His hand was shaking so bad, he almost wondered if he'd drop the damn thing and it'd fire off on itself. Maybe hit himself in the head by accident and finish what he himself couldn't do. But he leveled it at her forehead, staring down the barrel, his trigger finger going numb.

"I always… Hoped it would be this gun… That did me in…" The jumbled voices quieted, making one voice distinct enough to pick out, speaking in Spanish this time instead of the American words she knew he never fully liked.

He wanted to throw up again. He wanted to cry. He wanted to scream. He wanted to let La Bestia go and take care of this for him so he didn't need to do this with his own hands.

Virgil let out a breathless, haunted half-laugh, not able to find much else he could do.

"Enjoy those three minutes, Snakebite." She said, a hint of a tease in her voice. Just like then.

"...Least I'm not in the middle of a goddamn firefight to do it." He quietly replied back, returning to his first language himself, barely keeping the tremble from his words. Words he'd said to her a hundred years back, sitting at camp after a raid.

"They… Were wrong." She softly croaked.

His hand had gone cold, the barrel wavering. Pull the trigger. Pull the trigger.

Words came out of Snakebite's mouth instead, "...What do you mean by that?"

"It wasn't your fault… None of that was." The tattered corners of the jaws and teeth turned up into a smile. Her smile.

Red tears welled up, finally coming forth, and he fought to keep them from fully pouring over. Not yet. "Last damn time I'm going to disagree with you, on this one." He said, a weak smile on his face. Just like a hundred years back. Disagreeing with her, but he never meant it with vitriol. Never. "I'm sorry." His voice faintly cracked.

"What does that make it then…?" She asked back, that hint of a taunt in her words. Just like then.

"I don't know… It…" His throat closed up, the warmth of the tears trickling down his sun-worn cheeks. "It makes it so you all aren't here with me." He bitterly, emotionally croaked out.

Crowbait mused for a second, claws twitching on the floor. "Your heart- Well… Your heart doesn't beat anymore, but it's still in there…"

Snakebite shook his head. His arm was cold. "Scarcely feels like it." His voice was breaking each time he spoke.

"But it is. 'Cause you'd be dead, chucklehead." Crowbait returned, shifting forward, onto her knees, closer to the gun barrel.

He couldn't keep looking at her, lowering his head, squeezing his eyes shut. "I'm sorry." He barely got the words out, the tears nearly burning at his skin.

He heard her shift again, then felt the tips of her claws graze his wrist, his fingers. She gently cupped his shaking hand, steadying it, and he felt her forehead press up against the barrel of his gun. "Don't be, I'm glad it was you."

Just like a hundred years back. His first kill. The first time she helped him feed. With a bullet instead of his teeth. Steading his hand, just like then, because she knew, he knew, that he'd pull the trigger. He wouldn't walk away. Couldn't walk away. The gun was already in his hand, the hammer cocked back.

Virgil drew in a shuddered breath, keeping his head down. He couldn't look at her. He couldn't see it again. Her fingers curled around his hand, squeezing it, reassuring him so he could follow through with the promise the entire pack had made to each other. "Wish it didn't have to be." He croaked, finger curling once.

The gunshot echoed longer in his head then it should have. The smell of the powder didn't bring him comfort this time. The weight of the Walker feeling a thousand times heavier then he knew it was.

He opened his eyes, staring down at his boots, slowly dragging it across the ground to her form. Still. Quiet. Unmoving. Slowly crumbling to ash.

The door at his side clicked.

Virgil turned, holstering his Walker, the tears streaming freely down his face. He hadn't pulled the trigger on them all a hundred years back. It were the Law that did that. But it'd been his fault they'd been able to take aim at all. And now this time, he'd had to take aim himself. Pull the trigger himself.

Virgil Lawrence. The Cursebringer. Everyone died around him. Be it his fault, or his own hand. It always happened. Just like then.

[taki-yaki]

I’ve got a prompt idea. Maybe this Tav is a natural mind reader, even before the tadpole, so she immediately knows Astarion is a vampire who’s terrified of being hunted down. Since I’m a sucker for protective Tav, maybe she keeps his secret for as long as possible, or secretly helping him find some wildlife when his hunger gets worse…

Oooh, I like the idea of this. I will take some notes from the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer subclass and the great old one Warlock subclass, which does have telepathy-themed spells and feats.

Astarion x Mind Reader Tav Headcanons

For as long as you can remember, you were gifted with telepathy, allowing you to read other people’s thoughts through a simple glance. You tried to keep this skill hidden from others, in the fear of what others would do to you if they ever discovered your gift, making yourself somewhat of a loner, preferring the company of silence to others.

However, fate thought otherwise, by being abducted by the nautiloid with a mind flayer parasite being unceremoniously inserted into you, amplifying your abilities tenfold, now being able to just read surface-level thoughts undetected, without having to focus on a singular person at a time.

This, unfortunately, leads to accidentally learning too much about your new traveling companions, with private thoughts now being picked up on, from Shadowheart and Laezel’s constant bickering being transmitted constantly to you, to Gale’s seemly never-ending thoughts leading you to have constant headaches whenever he goes off on a theory of his.

However, when you brush minds with Astarion, you quickly discover that he’s a vampire, a blood-sucking beast of the night. Seemly able to walk in the sun unharmed, thanks in part to the tadpole.

Every night at camp, you try to keep a close eye on his thoughts in an attempt to focus on what his intentions are with you.

Most of his surface-level thoughts range from either commenting on others' fashion choices, to practising his latest lines he wants to perform.

“Is Gale wearing new boots? They’d look better on me than him.”

“Hmm Laezel, sharp as a blade but sweet as a… no that won’t do.”

But something seemed to lie deeper, fear. Fear of what the others would do upon discovering your secret, knowing that you are more fiend than friend. It reminds you of your past self, wanting to hide from the world. Besides he doesn’t want to harm anyone, but just wants to survive like you. 

In an attempt to help him out, you try to discreetly hunt out and weaken boars to take back to camp and cook, in hopes that he can use the opportunity to drain the creature before the others get suspicious of his night treks into the woods.

Although this doesn’t last all too long before someone figures out he’s a vampire, you try to defend him, acting as if you are entirely clueless, much to Gale’s annoyance.

Eventually, others at camp notice how you stare at Astarion so often at camp, which makes them think you have fallen head over heels for him.

“Aww Tav are you eyeing up fangs again?” Karlach shouted at you from behind. 

This inflates his ego quite a bit, “Well, of course, I mean look at me”. This leads to him thinking you’ve fallen head over heels for him in his mind. Constantly thinking of ways to charm you in his head, causing you to turn your head away to stop reading his mind to avoid you from melting on the spot in embarrassment.

Despite your companion's comments, you’re always by his side, whenever you feel his saddest or fear you are there ready to comfort him.

One night, he jokes to you, “You know darling, you always seem to know when to be in the right place at the right time. It’s as if you can read minds, even without that worm in your pretty head.”

At that moment, it felt like time slowed down, did he know, were you being too obvious, what if he doesn’t want to talk to me ever again? What if-

A cold hand touched your chin, “Darling, are you alright? You looked leagues away then”

“Was it something I said? I only joked if that you could read minds, wait-”

Opening his mouth “Can you read minds?”

Turning to meet his ruby eyes, all you can do is silently nod. You wait with baited breath for him to yell out at you, or just get up and leave. But he doesn’t, instead giving you a tooth grin, excited by the prospect. 

Ever since then, every day he asks you non-stop, for either the latest gossip from others in camp or teasing you by thinking of all the inappropriate things he’ll do to you, when you are talking to others, to just simple things by stating how beautiful you look today. Eventually, the others catch on to your abilities since Astarion couldn’t keep his mouth shut for all too long and explained the constant silent staring.

Despite his relentless teasing, you still use your powers to check if anyone had any nefarious intentions with Astarion, ever since the meeting with the Gur you want to protect him from anyone who could be a spy for Cazador. For all the work you put in to ensure his safety, he tries to repay you, through other means.

Going around camp to make sure that Shadowheart and Lae’zel stop their squabbles, to Gale’s overthinking. At times if it gets to be too much for you, he’ll take you away from camp to try and give you peace of mind. He even offers you tadpole elixirs to try and reduce the constant stream of thoughts from making your head explode, especially when you reach Baldur’s Gate.

After the tadpole is gone, it takes time for you to adjust back to your usual abilities, having to relearn them. You and Astarion decide to settle down somewhere quiet in the countryside, away from busy buzzing minds. Both of you seem to have quite a bit to relearn, from his spider climb abilities and regenerative healing to your telepathy. But this time you’re not alone, you have someone who isn’t afraid of what you are and accepts you for being you.

[sarchasmmm]

Assigning penacony characters D&D classes because I can

Aventurine - Wild Magic Sorcerer

Luck plays a huge part of this subclass, literally every time a wild magic sorc uses a spell they gamble on whether or not they have a wild magic surge, which can either help or hinder them. Also they get an ability called "bend luck" which lets them either improve the luck of allies or make the luck of enemies worse

Robin - Bard. Self explanatory. Not sure on a subclass but I'd guess I'd go with lore??

Sunday - Knowledge domain Cleric. This is based pretty much entirely on vibes but also you cannot convince me he would be anything other than a cleric

Acheron - Paladin. Given her connection to what is basically a god (are aeons the same as gods? I'm not a big Lore Guy I just know the vibes) and the fact that she does Big Damage With A Sword I think Paladin fits best. Also unsure on subclass but I'd tentatively go oath of vengeance?

Black Swan - Abberant mind sorcerer. As far as I know this is the class with the most psychic/mind fuckery stuff so. I think it works.

Sparkle - arcane trickster rogue. Once again I am mostly basing this on vibes but it literally has trickster in the name how could I not give it to her.

Dr Ratio - Wizard. Only person in penacony with the intelligence for it. Has the required pretentiousness

Firefly/Sam - artificer??? Mostly basing this off of the use of a big metal suit, that's similar to armourer artificers I think

Gallagher - Warlock of some description, although I'm not sure what subclass. The fiend maybe?

Ok that is all, hope I didn't miss anybody

[toosoft4everything]

Critical Role C4 Party Predictions

Guessing on table placement and classes (C3 spoiler warning)

(edit: if you've seen this post earlier I accidentally posted the draft)

Top Row:

Laura- Barbarian [Path of the Juggernaut]

I know Laura had moments of wanting to be a warlock for a while but I want to see her create carnage with her bare hands. Having her a melee fighter that charges in battle where no enemy can knock her down sounds so cool! She can cause so much destruction if she wanted to and with such ease too.

Sam- Monk [Way of the Ascendant Dragon]

I know he can easily have a Donatello reference/joke with this class but it would be so much funnier if he didn't acknowledge it whatsoever. Dragons for the most part (that I remember mind you) have been a negative experience for the past parties. Having a PC whose class revolves around draconic spirits sounds interesting. Also I know he'll rift on the Cobalt Soul and Beau just to mess with Marisha lol.

Liam- Druid [Circle of the Stars]

This man has had his characters love nature as much as any druid, let this one go all out. Have him go beyond the stars and break our hearts. His attention to descriptions with whatever he does would have me mesmerized the moment he describes his starry forms.

Travis- Artificer [Armorer]

I know Travis is known for voicing Thor but I want to see how he'll play Ironman. His well known battle wit is incredible and I'm curious with the type of smarty-pants he'll play outside of combat. His character creation often starts out with an item (Fjord with a bracer, Cerrit with the tomahawks) so I wonder how he'll design this one too.

Bottom Row:

Ashley- Wizard [Blood Magic]

HEAR ME OUT! Ashley had moments of creepy with Fearne so I know she can play a bloody themed magic user. I also believe in her playing a smart character. She can be creative as she wants when it comes to summoning a familiar too. Let her have another buddy!

Marisha- Cleric [War Domain]

Given how BH's decision made the gods mortal, there will be war of some kind. Marisha's previous characters have been meh or hateful of the gods so I want to see her play someone who's so devoted. Maybe question or start out with weak faith (Possibly with a betrayer god 👀)

Talisin- Bard [College of Dreams?? Homebrew]

I know he'll play a homebrew subclass that Matt comes up with so this is really just a guess of what Matt would come up with. With Ruidus being a culture filled with dreams of Exandria, I would think there would be a unique artform or college. I want to see Talisin play someone with high charisma and bring up weird art.

Robbie- Warlock [Fiend Patron w/ Chain Pact]

Is this me saying I want to see Laura romance Robbie's character? Maybe... But this is also me hoping to see how Robbie can play out another type of high charisma character. Also giving him the chain pact for him to have a little guy sounds amazing. Maybe show how demigods/lesser beings are gaining power through Robbie' character would be a great arc.

As for races I only have one hope, that someone (not Sam) be a Tortle!!

[gx-gameon]

I already did the DM cast but here’s what I think the Gx cast would be in DnD or in a Fantasy au. There is going to be a lot more multi-classing in this one

Jaden

I have agonized over Jaden because whatever he is, Aster is to.

Part of me wants to just make them fighters. They have the super hero decks (Aster’s basically Batman). Just let them be the people swinging it out without magic.

But that doesn’t feel right either. Jaden is so connected to spirits and the magic or Yugioh that it feels wrong to just send him out there with no powers.

And part of me was like make them Monks. And that is an option. Very spiritual, still has the fighting aspect. Even has elemental abilities depending on which way they go.

But (and maybe this is my bias showing) what about Druid.

Druids can shape shift. If you think about it what is polymerization other than changing one’s form. Jaden also has the elemental hero’s, the druids have elemental powers, he also has the Neo-Spacians many of which are based on different animals.

Jaden is a circle of the moon Druid and he absolutely abuses it.

He’s casting lighting and then transforming into panther to just take full advantage and scare the bejabers out of any opponent. At a high enough level he can just become an elemental beast.

It’s so broken and over powered it’s not even funny. Yes he is still physically fighting. But I feel the Druid matches Jaden’s use of spell cards in the show while also making him over powered enough to handle most of the groups problems.

Yubel

Is also a Druid, not really but listen to me. Yes they are a fiend or spirit Jaden speaks to. Yes they are an antagonist at some point

But when Jaden fuses with them he gains access to circle of Dreams. This is a replacement for the general darkness ablities.

He’s can command shadows to hide himself and the party. He can pass between dimensions to get from one place to the next (it functions like teleport) He’s able to communicate with people in their dreams, or torture them with nightmares. He can move people around during fights and heal other party members.

Circle of Dreams is very support heavy. Keeping yourself and party safe and healed and feels like a protector like Yubel would be.

Should Jaden be allowed to be part of two circles, no. Is he going to be anyways since he has two souls in one body. Yes.

Hasselberry

Barbarian

He already goes into a blind rage when his Dino-DNA kicks in.

He’s a little too perfect for the role.

Alexis

Cleric.

She’s got the religious theme already with her Cyber angels.

She’s also in a support role. She’s making sure her brother and friends can keep fighting.

Zane

Artificer

Uses a mixture of tech and magic. Creates weapons to fight/support the ‘team’

He’s working on making a Cyber Dragon. It’s his ultimate goal.

He just can’t seem to make a powerful enough dragon. Everytime he tries to make Cyber End Dragon, he just can’t do it.

He comes to the conclusion that this is because he does not have enough magical power.

Instead of asking for help he looks for a new way of gaining power

Multi-classing into a Warlock. He makes a pack with a Dark entity. They give him more power but at the cost of his heart.

Syrus

Artificer

Just like his brother he loves to work with magic and Machines. He was inspired to become an Artificer because he looks up to Zane.

His creations are more childish, and he is often mocked for them. Zane tries to convince him to create more serious creations

Once he meets Jaden and the others and gets more comfortable with his own powers he gains confidence and his inventions start working.

In the end him and Zane (after breaking his deal with the Dark entity) work together to create Cyber End Dragon.

Chazz

Sorcer

He’s overly proud of his bloodline and thinks he’s superior because he was born with magic. Only to be shown up by a guy who likes to live in a hut (Jaden)

He can’t study to gain new powers he’s locked into his birth magic. So how does he improve?

Say it with me, Multi-classing.

I think it would be funny for him to become a bard to follow in Atticus’s footsteps but I also think he’d make a great rouge.

Starts as an overly proud magic user and then switch to someone who only wears black, and relies mainly on the skills he’s learned when traveling with his friends. His magic still comes in clutch but he’s grown past thinking he’s superior for just having it.

Bastion

Wizard!!!!

This boy loves to study. He loves to learn. A wizards whole thing is they have to study to learn how to do magic.

At first he feels very out of place because everyone else is so good at their branch of magic or their skills and he feels like he’s falling behind.

But over time he starts to amass a large collection of spell books (the gang defiantly looks for them anytime they are in a new environment)

Over time he’s able to master high level spell and stand next to his friends in his own power.

Atticus

There is an obvious answer to this one and I will get there but first

Paladin (stay with me)

Sworn to the Red Eyes Black Dragon

Something about him and Alexis being Cleric and Paladin siblings just feels right.

Maybe by becoming Nightshroud he broke his oath and that is why he is so much weaker.

Throughout the story he’s working on atoning for his crimes as Nightshroud to restore his oath.

During this time, to become more helpful to the crew and just because he wants to (he’s trying to do things he enjoys after his time as Nightshoud) he multi-classes as a bard.

Until he can restore his oath he’s mostly doing bard magic.

Aster

He’s also scoring in as a Druid.

I don’t know if he should also be Circle of the Moon and him and Jaden have a rivalry over who does it better. (Aster cares way more than Jaden does. Asters pulling off powerful spells and transforming into powerful creature and then turns to Jaden like “top that” Jaden transforms the enemy into a mouse, transforms himself into a hawk, scoops it up and throws the mouse off a cliff. The fight is over in seconds. Aster thinks he’s a genius Jaden thinks of himself as funny)

But I’m also thinking about making Aster a different form of Druid, Specifically a Star Druid.

Circle of Stars. Allows you to make yourself or opponents glow. Transform into constellation forms; the archer (combat) chalice (healing) dragon(fortitude/concentration/movement) at high levels you can easily switch between forms and be flying around as a comic thing.

They have a whole relationship with the stars which feels more like Jaden with the Neo-spacians until you realize it’s all related to divination and Aster and his relationships with Destiny fits it much better.

Jesse

Either a paladin or ranger

If he’s a paladin his patron is Rainbow Dragon. He has an oath to protect the Legendary Crystal Beast

He is more than their protector he has become part of their family and the Beasts are just as protective as him as he is of them.

Or

He’s a ranger. Instead of having 1 companion he has 7. The Crystal Beast are connected to Jesse by 7 Gem stone he keeps with him at all time.

Maybe he finds the Crystals throughout his life. The legendary creature choosing him as their companion and family member.

His goal is to find all the Crystal beast (maybe he starts the campaign with only Ruby and has to find the other crystals through the story) and the final goal is to find and free the Rainbow dragon

Both are great options. One has him coming in as a powerful paladin and the other has him growing as the story goes

Maybe make him multi-class. Start as a ranger and then once he find all 7 crystal beast he specks into paladin to better protect his family and search for rainbow dragon.

Or

Make him Druid 3 this time a circle of Shepard allowing him to command an army of animals. (Funny that he Jaden and Aster are all Druids) but I think I like the Ranger plan.

Jim

Again a ranger

His companion is Shirley the Crocodile.

He’s a tracker and hunter. He definitely has a fascination in legendary and ancient creatures

Axel

I have three thoughts; Artificer to bring in his guns or a pure fighter or monk.

I don’t think he’s an Artificer. He’s tech savvy but it’s not a passion.

I kinda like him as a pure fighter.

Coming in to this group of heavy spell caster and being like “That’s great. How many of you know how to throw a punch.” And just whips them all into shape.

[choccy-zefirka]

Starting my Tav remake with a new mod list with this old froggo! He also gets a new name, Mla'Gaath, because I realized I had two Githyanki OCs with similar-sounding names!

His backstory remains the same tho. He's a former varsh who went on the run after becoming a warlock: there was an asteroid heading for his creche, and after Vlaakith remained indifferent to his pleas for protection, he made a deal with a fiend to divert it from its course and save the eggs and hatchlings in his care. He is very jaded and tired, but cannot help finding a bit of charm in Faerun. During his first iteration, Karlach hit on him like on the first long rest after meeting him, and you know what. Let's roll with it. Maybe they can hijack a spaceship together and sail the Astral Plane, where her heart presumably won't go off, for as long as it takes for Dammon and friends back home to figure out how to disable her engine.

[margina1ia]

Idk where it was, but I think I saw a post about how Cassandra couldn't finish saying the word "fair" without being consumed by the rage shard. Going back and watching the moment when it starts to go wrong in the wizard synod, Cassandra says "it's not fair" immediately before the shard rips through her and she begins bleeding out.

Thinking about this with the Bad Kids' convo with Lydia Barkrock and how the pit fiend in her chest couldn't say the name of the dead fallen god he served or he could only say it in certain contexts... I wonder if Cassandra had another sibling aside from Galicaea and Sol (or maybe it is Sol?? Or Helio???) that she was a right hand to or had a contract with (now I'm thinking about rules and relationships re: figs warlock classes????), and maybe what Lydia's party invoked is what happened to Cassandra. I wonder if, when the Bad Kids find out more about the ritual, they will recognize elements of what happened at the wizard synod.

Anywayyyyys, maybe I'm just drowning in red strings lol

[demon64]

So... thinking of another SMT/Marvel/DMC crossover. It's mostly the same as previous posts in some ways, but I kinda want to add Hellion. I like Hellion, I think he's cool. And I got some ideas, as I have been watching Sobata92's SMT IV Apocalypse livestreams. Mostly from Toki, what with her learning to be more "human" kinda reminds of Laura/X-23 in some ways. I also got the idea of Dagda, or probably some other demon, offering a close to dead Hellion a chance at returning. I almost feel like if given the chance, Hellion would take the offer, if just to save everyone he could. Kinda like Nanashi trying to save Asahi.

Just going back through some ideas, going for a mix of ideas semi-related to Nocturne, Apocalypse, and Vengeance. I would still have Laura Kinney and Robbie Reyes would run with Nero and the rest of the DMC crew. I still kinda want to go with the idea of Kyrie potentially being a Panagia, a Goddess of Creation. Hulk and Demi-Fiend I still want to meet and/or have a connection. I might still have Lucifer and Loki have a wager, over who's chosen Nahobino becomes the next Creator. I'm thinking a being a great power sorta followed Dagda, or had the same idea, and is looking to make a deal with the people of this other world. Zarathos could be a strong Fiend, maybe potentially the strongest, and is bonded to humans because to keep him under control. Thor becomes a Nahobino, his Knowledge being Eric Masterson. Adam Warlock maybe being more a person that is meant to help enforce the Mandala System.

I also had this idea: adding Wither/Kevin Ford, who has learned how to control his powers a bit more, alongside learning how to use magic. I will admit I did not completely come up with this idea myself. Think I saw it on someone else's blog, kinda forget who's at the moment. Really, really sorry about that. I don't feel like make Wither into a Nahobino for this crossover idea, even though the idea has crossed my mind. Something about the idea does not fully appeal to me.