alliskit
alliskit
hello, darlings.
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All is Kit (me) | 30s | she/her | sag sometimes I do art | ao3 writer: alliskitbecause I've got no one to hyperfixate with me.mindless imaginings of faerรปn.
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alliskit ยท 56 minutes ago
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alliskit ยท 57 minutes ago
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Its been a minute cos crossposting is fockn hard and i forget how to be a digital native
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alliskit ยท 57 minutes ago
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astarion and eldari for @/ajsemprini on bsky
cw pregnancy - uncensored uncropped ๐Ÿ”ž version: bsky / neocities
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alliskit ยท 19 hours ago
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The Grand Design.
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No inspo song this chapter. It was mostly just Lord Huron LOL
On AO3.
CH. 22: The Descent.
- Tigers, Lions, Bulettes, oh my! (Abbi POV) - Trail Games (Halsin POV) - The Grotto (Abbi POV)
The Underdark was magic.
The surface had enough resemblance to Earth that sometimes it was easy to forget I was on a completely different planet. But, the Underdark was exactly what I would have imagined in a fantasy world: massive mushrooms that looked like glowing coral, glittering sprites flying around like floating stars, huge crystals lining walls and pathways โ€” it was incredible. All my companions, save Halsin and Lae'zel, seemed as enchanted as I was. Sylas was already asking if he could jump on the mushrooms which was followed by a swift and kind of harsh "no" from Halsin.ย 
In fact, Halsin reminded me of a dad on the morning of traveling for vacation. I never pictured him as neurotic, but there are always flip sides to every coin.ย 
Halsin stood in front of the group like some kind of tour guide as we loitered outside the final gate leading out of the underground portion of the Zhentarim hideout. "Now that we are officially underwayโ€”" he snapped to Karlach, "You did finish packing up the torches, correct? Everyone has one?"
Karlach pursed her lips. It wasn't the first time he'd verified she'd remembered. Granted, Karlach and forgetting items was becoming a trend. Luckily, most of us โ€” namely Shadowheart โ€” would grab anything she forgot before we left camp.ย 
"Yes, Hal." She looked around at the rest of us, "Since he's taken to acting like a teacher, by raise of hands, who has a torch?"
Everyone raised their hands.
She held out an arm to indicate she'd done her job.ย 
"Just making sure," Halsin answered. Then to the rest of us, "Once again, none of youโ€”"
"Achem!" Volo interrupted.
"Alright, all but Volo and I have never ventured into the Underdark."
"I'll have you know I've read extensively on the subject of the Underdark and its inhabitants and flora," Gale interrupted.
Iโ€™d never seen anything but patience in Halsin's eyes in all his interactions with our companions. But, I was pretty sure, if given permission at the moment, he would've gladly shut Gale up for a few hours.
After a few long blinks and an awkward silence, probably to keep himself from decking the wizard, he said, "I will say it again, as I did last night, the terrain is perilous. There is not a thing out there which is not trying to kill you."
"Drow, mind flayers, minators, beholders, and the like!" Volo sang.
"Also, there are several different kinds of mushrooms that will kill you just by bumping into them."
"And bulettes!" Volo threw a hand in the air in emphasis.
Halsin sighed, irritably, "Yes, and bulettes. They will burst from the ground and take you under before any of your companions even realize what happened."
"What's a bulette?" Sylas asked, eyes wide.
Of course he'd give that example in front of a little kid, but better Sylas know not to wander off and have a few bad dreams than to end up as bulette lunch.
Volo answered like he was telling a story over the fire, "Oh, they are fearsome predators. Ancient, magical beasts. They are a cross between a shark and a large lizard. They burrow deep beneath the dirt and come out when they feel the vibration of prey walking above."
Needless to say, the description made Sylas' reaction a hundred times worse. Sylas cried and began to beg me to take him back to the hideout. My friends around me began to rail on Volo for scaring him while attempting to comfort Sylas, but nothing was working. His crying became wails to go back.ย 
I glanced over at Halsin, who watched Sylas with shame. He had started this by talking about how easily we could get killed out here and his whole anxious demeanor was leaking onto the rest of us. Sylas was just a kid, a sponge to those kinds of emotions from adults.ย 
He made his way over to Sylas and I, now that Sylas had climbed his way into my arms. "Sylas," his deep voice called.ย 
Sylas looked at him, tears still streaming down his face. He shook his head before Halsin could even get a word in.
"Sylas, listen, please."
Sylas continued crying, hiding his face in the crook of my neck. All of a sudden, Sylas was being hefted out of my arms and into Halsin's large ones. It made Sylas go quiet as Halsin adjusted him into a more comfortable position. It was odd watching him being lifted, since Sylas was starting to get lanky, but in Halsin's arms, he was small again. Then, he walked them away from the rest of the group and out onto the small landing that looked over the Underdark. I followed behind quietly.ย 
Halsin stood facing toward the beautiful and vast unknown territory we were about to explore, "Open your eyes,ย onya.ย "
Sylas turned his head to look out over the 'horizon'.ย 
"Tell me all of the colors you see," Halsin said quietly.
Sylas looked at Halsin for a moment, sniffling, then back out at the sight, "Blue, pink, purple, green, black, yellow, orange."
"Good, now tell me what are a few things that you see?" Halsin asked.
Sylas wiped his nose, "Big mushrooms..." He looked at Halsin to see if he was saying the right thing.
Halsin smiled, "What else?"
"Lights."
"Is that all that's out there?" Halsin smiled.
Sylas smiled, "No. Grass and tube things and flowers and... are those crystals?"
Halsin nodded, "The Underdark is home to mountains of crystals."
"And massive mushrooms," Sylas added.
"Very many." Halsinโ€™s voice dropped low and soft again, "The Underdark has many scary things about it, but there are many wonderful things about it as well. There is magic down here that is found nowhere on the surface. As there are untold dangers under the sun, there are just as many beautiful things where it does not reach."
"What about bulettes?"
Halsin adjusted Sylas on his hip, "Bulettes are scary, but they are also rare. There are many other safe creatures we are more likely to meet."
"Like what?" Sylas perked up.
"Flumphs, for starters. They are small floating blobs with eye stalks and tentacle legs."
"Like an octopus?"
Halsin chuckled, "Much like a land octopus."
Sylas paused, "Are they dangerous?"
"Not in the least. When they get scared, they fart."
Sylas burst into aย  squeal of laughter.ย 
"Though, you do not want to be at the end of that fart, it will make you stink for days."
I stepped up to them, "Sounds just like a skunk: all but harmless except when spooked." I looked up at Halsin, "Do you guys have skunks in Faerun?"
Halsin grinned, "Oh, yes. In fact, I've met Rangers with skunk familiars. They are quite eloquent animals."
Sylas snapped to Halsin, "Skunks talk?"
"The same as Scratch and Muffin. One, usually, needs Speak With Animals to hear them, though." He watched Sylas as Sylas looked out over the Underdark again, "Do you still feel afraid,ย onyaย ?"
Sylas shook his head, finally drying his cheeks with his hands, then pointed at the floor below, "Can I go first?"
Halsin set the boy on the wooden floor, "Why don't your mother and I go down and scout to make sure there are no bulettes?"
Sylas nodded, "Okay." As he turned to walk back toward the rest of the group, he spun back around, "Thank you, Halsin."
Halsin grinned, but I noted a hint of sadness in it, "You are always welcome, Sy. If you ever feel afraid while we are making our way through the Underdark, don't hesitate to find me. I will always keep you safe."
Sylas beamed and nodded again, then spun back to find his pack.
Halsin went to step past me, but I put a hand on his armored chest, "Are you okay?"
I watched him pull a pleasant demeanor over whatever was trying to push its way out, "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
My eyes flashed between his. I had been so caught up with what was going on with Astarion and I for the last couple days, my body's reaction surprised me. His blue green eyes glittered in the ethereal light. He seemed like some fae king down here. I pushed my own feelings down, "I'm the chief, remember? It's my job to worry about you." He examined my face as I continued, "You worry about me, it's only fair."
The soft mask let something intense and vulnerable slip into his eyes, "You're right. It's only fair. Maybe, I will share it with you sometime, but now we need to get moving."
I nodded my agreement, "Do you really want us," I pointed between us, "to go first?"
His soft grin turned playful, "It's about time you became a real adventurer."
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Halsin POV -
I had my arms behind my head as I forced calming breaths through my nose. Despite my avid warnings about the timmasks, it seemed the warnings went unheeded. Abigail and Astarion watched on in amusement as several of the other members of the group ran around or rolled on the group laughing in hysterics as if theyโ€™d gone mad.
"This is amazing. I wish I had a camera. This would make the best prank," Abigail remarked.ย 
No it would not,ย I thought. Timmask spores could make one do incredibly dangerous things without a single consideration for safety, which was the mushroom's whole defense. It would pass in a few minutes, but the result would be several very thirsty companions. Thankfully, I made sure we had more than enough water bottles in case of a situation like this.
A corner of my mouth betrayed me as I listened to Sylas' laughter. He wasn't affected like the others, simply entertained by the chaos.ย 
Karlach was on the ground laughing and crying, curled into herself as if some phantom were tickling her senseless. Gale was swirling around threads of the Weave like ribbons, swaying to invisible music. Wyll was dancing a jig. Shadowheart was staring at a glowing mushroom cap, tapping it lightly while calling it 'pretty' repeatedly. Durge was somehow blowing lightning bubbles out of his nose while giggling as he popped them with a finger. I was watching Lae'zel carefully as she sliced through innocent mushroom stalks as if they were aย ghaikย enemy. The last and most precarious was Volo, who was jumping from mushroom to mushroom, barely missing the edge of a cliff we just passed on the trail. There was no way I would be able to save him if he slipped without falling under the influence of the spores. Then, I would be no help to anyone.
Those outside of the exposure field were the ones walking closest to me. Looking around at the three of them, I couldn't stop the sense of the familial. Abigail and Astarion were the two whom I was growing closest to, and I thoroughly enjoyed Sylas' joy and personality. Despite this journey not being one I'd have brought children along for, having one seemed to lighten the mood and make the rest of us more vigilant.
Astarion eyed me, then sauntered to my side. Abbi followed behind, coming up on my other.ย 
"You seem a little dour, Hal." He teased my new 'nickname'. When I was Archdruid, the same one was thrown around and I emphasized my preference for my full, even if my personal reasons had more to do with how it might cause disrespect to the position I held.ย 
Though, hearing it among this group bolstered the feelings of belonging, even when said in jest.ย 
Abigail smirked up at me, "There's probably going to be a lot of worse stuff down here, so just enjoy the shenanigans."
I opened my mouth to rebut her, but Astarion caught me, "Truly, druid, do lighten up. It's not as if anyone died."
I went to tell him how easily they could when Abigail smiled over at him, "Not to mention this isn't companion inflicted, so we can just get Withers to bring them back."
Astarion rolled his eyes, "Don't speak so soon. Lae'zel was swinging her sword a little wide there for a moment."
I nodded in agreement. Shenanigans could have short lifespans when they got bloody. Then, they weren't very funny anymore.ย 
Coughing and moans sounded before us. The others were finally coming down from the high. Karlach was the first to clear up, "Gods, I could drink the whole Chionthar."
As we made our way, I thought back on how the Zhents had confirmed some kind of base of operations in the Underdark, similar to the reports from Aradin's band. The Zhents called it the Grymforge. In all my days spent in the Underdark, I never once heard of it. It was supposed to be ancient.ย 
My train of thought was interrupted by raucous laughter from Karlach.ย 
"Can we play a game, Mommy?" Sylas asked.
I swung my head to see him slightly behind me, pulling on his mother who had been talking to Karlach. Once again, being engrossed by my own thoughts had pulled me away from enjoying the present. An ongoing and seemingly lifelong issue I needed to continue to work on.ย 
"What do you want to play? I Spy?" Abigail asked.
Sylas considered it, then shook his head.ย 
"Well, we can't really play the alphabet game out here. No cars."
"I know," Sylas snapped. Abigail scolded him with her eyes. Sylas tucked his lips in his mouth. I tried and failed to keep a grin from my face. I could feel the ghost of that same look from my own mother.
"We should play Truth and Lies!" Karlach exclaimed.
Abigail looked at her questioningly.ย 
"Are we playing it the normal way or Truth, Lies, and Their Consequences?" Wyll asked from near the back of the group.
"Oh, what a wonderful game!" Volo sang.
Shadowheart and Durge chimed in their agreements to the second option. Astarion snorted.ย 
"Consequences? What does that mean?" Sylas asked.
Wyll sidled up next to him and Karlach, "Usually it means either if you get the answer wrong, you have to pay the other person or do a dare."
"So, like Truth or Dare?"
Karlach tipped her head, "Kind of โ€” if we're referring to the same thing."
"Why don't you explain the game to us," Abigail added.
Wyll cleared his throat. "The person who is essentially 'it' states two lies and one truth. The listeners have to guess the truth. If the listeners get it wrong, they either pay up or have to do something silly, or a favor. If they get it right, the person who is 'it' has consequences instead."
"So," Abigail said looking at Sylas, "It's a mix of Two Truths and a Lie and Truth or Dare, except it's Two Lies and a Truth."
He nodded slowly.ย 
"How about we play a round and you watch. Then, you can decide if you want to play too."
"Okay," he said happily.
"I think I'll sit this one out," Gale added.
"Whiz, come on!" Karlach whined. "What if there's twenty gold on the table?"
Gale's jaw swiveled as he considered the bet, "Fine. I'll play one round."
Karlach mouthed 'one round' with air quotes. Gale rolled his eyes at her. She looked at me, "You in, Hal?" Her eyes snapped to the other elf beside me, "Astarion?"
Astarion sucked in a long breath through his nose, clearly wanting to say no, but not wanting to end up the butt of a tease, "Fine, but only for twenty gold." A roguish sparkle lit his eyes, "I'm likely to win, anyhow."ย 
Karlach followed with a challenging smirk, "Weโ€™ll see about that, Fangs."
"Challenge accepted.โ€
"Fine," I interjected, "I will play too. But, no need to pay when I win."
"I'd rather see what you're willing to do if you lose," Astarion said quietly, his playful eyes scanning my face.ย 
"I could say the same for you," I teased back. His smile turned smooth and too practiced. I wondered if he might be playing around, but something seemed forced, so I let the teasing drop.
"Alright, who wants to go first?" Abigail asked the group.ย 
Volo was near jumping out of his shoes, "Oh, me! Me!"
A few rolled eyes and feigned smiles were passed around. "Go on, mate," Karlach encouraged.
"I've bedded Laeral Silverhand..."
Gale muttered, "Now there's a lie if I've ever heard one."
"I rode a dragon in Cormyr..."
Lae'zel snorted, "Definitive lies."
"I have a son with a Waterdavian noble."
"What?!" Gale exclaimed.
Volo pointed at Gale while talking to Karlach, "Does that count as a guess?"
Karlach smiled at Volo, "You choose, mate."
Volo reached into a pouch of holding and pulled out a few gold pieces, "Here is ten," he handed them over while Gale was still gaping at the bard, "Let me get the rest." Ten more were paid.
"How old is your son?" Sylas asked.ย 
A sadness passed over Volo, "He would be likely around a hundred and twenty, but, alas, he passed some time ago."
A quiet fell over the group. Wyll pat Volo on the shoulder.ย 
"One hundred and twenty years old?" Sylas asked incredulously. "Wait..." His little gears started turning in his head, "How old are you?"
This snapped Volo from his melancholy. "A wizard never tells," he said, putting a finger to his lips.
"A WIZARD?!" Gale exclaimed with more incredulity than when Volo mentioned his son.ย 
"Hold on, I thought you were a Bard?" Wyll asked.
Volo smiled broadly, "Can not a well traveled man be both?" Shoulder shrugs and nods gave the group's reply. Gale still stared at him in shock.
"Looks like you're up next, Gale, since you won," Karlach instructed.
Gale sighed, "Fine. First, my father and mother are Waterdavian nobility. Second, I summoned a magma mephit into my kitchen when I was young, and third, I was engaged to a woman from Tethyr before I went to serve Mystra."
Everyone looked around at each other. All three were very likely with what we knew of him.
"Gods, I could see your parents as nobles and see you summoning a mephit, but I don't think I believe the story about the Tethyrian," Wyll mused.
"That, my friend, is not a guess. But, please do give it a try," Gale smirked.
Karlach shuffled her shoulders, "I think I got it." Everyone snapped to her. "The mephit. It's on brand Gale. That oneโ€™s the truth."
"Bollocks," he hissed. Chuckles sounded as he pulled the twenty gold out of his pocket, handing it to Karlach.ย 
"Good doing business with ya, Whiz," she winked.ย 
Gale huffed, "I made it too easy."
Karlach tapped her lips, thinking of her options. "Alright, I can touch cambions, and the like, in the hells, so I may have fucked one or two just to get the frustration out, even if it was disgusting."
I raised a brow. Despite her initial openness and tendency toward honesty, if this were a lie, I couldn't tell. I tried to sniff out any scent of nervousness, but only the slight scent of sulfur and spices met my senses, both of which were usual for the tiefling.
"I was born and raised in the Gate, but spent a year traveling around the coast before my service to Gortash."
Once again, no one spoke their opinions. Everyone was probably waiting for the last fact to drop to determine the answer.ย 
"Lastly, I was the only one who lived through the procedure to get an infernal engine, all the rest died on the table."
"Fuck, Karlach, I can't guess. I didn't know you could lie so well," Durge said, rubbing his horns.
Karlach crossed her arms as a proud look filled her face, "All you can do is try.โ€
I peeked over at Astarion whose brow was scrunched. I wondered if Karlach's infernal heart beat differently than the rest of us, so he couldn't tell which was a lie either.ย 
"Can I guess?" Sylas asked.ย 
"Sure thing, kid," Karlach replied. "Oh wait..." A slightly horrified expression crossed her face as she realized one of her responses was entirely inappropriate for a boy his age and likely went over his head. "Actually, why don't you guess the next one, alright?"
Sylas looked confused and a little dejected.
Shadowheart was watching Karlach with what looked like empathy or pity, "It's the last one. You tell the most terrible stories with a smile on your face."
Karlach locked eyes with their cleric, "Do I?"
No one replied, they didn't have to.ย 
She fished out the gold, "Anyways, you're right. Here's your prize." She held out the gold to Shadowheart, who held up her hand.
"Keep it," A mischievous gleam danced in her eyes. "I'd rather you do me a favor."
Karlach put the gold away then rubbed her hands together, "Oh, and what would that be?"
"When I get tired, I want you to carry me," she said smiling.
Karlach laughed, "Fine, as long as you down some Feather Fall, I'll take you up on it. Your turn, Shaddy."
"Gods, you know I hate that nickname."
"Too bad,โ€ Karlach winked.
Shadowheart rolled her eyes, "Well, let's see if you can catch the lie. I was trained by the best."
Lae'zel snorted, "For once, you are lying, Shadowheart. That I can tell it is a lie means it is not a very good one."
Shadowheart balked at Lae'zel's gratified smirk.ย 
"Well, good thing the game is to detect the truth, then." She glared at Lae'zel, then glanced away, thinking of her answers, "I'm a very good swimmer, I love night orchids, and I love all animals."
Abigail smiled knowingly, "Well, you don't love all animals. So, thatโ€™s a lie. I remember you mentioning you hate wolves more than giant spiders, but I can't guess between the other two."
"You're from the Gate, right?" Wyll asked Shadowheart. She nodded. He pursed his lips a moment, "I've never seen night orchids in the Gate, so that must be a lie. I'll take a stab that you're an excellent swimmer."
She smiled, but her cheeks grew pink, "Actually..." she started. She glanced around as if she were embarrassed or nervous.ย 
"This is going to be good..." Astarion said under his breath.
"I..." Her eyes flashed around her, then a mask slipped down. A smile filled her face, "Actually, I am a great swimmer."
"Lie," Astarion blurted out. Shadowheart's eyes went wide with surprise. "I can hear your racing heart, darling. You did well when you lied the first time, but this you can't talk your way out of."
"Shit," she said softly. She took a deep breath, "I can't swim. Is that what you wanted to hear?" She shook her head, "I shouldn't have made the correction."
Wyll smiled kindly at her, "Shadowheart, it would be my honor to teach you to swim." Her face softened as she watched him. "When we get back to the Gate, of course."
She grinned her thanks, "I'd appreciate that." Then, a playful look came back, "You did lose, though, so pay up." She held out a hand in wait.
Wyll shook his head, still smiling, "Here's your winnings." He passed over twenty gold.ย 
"Wait, if he lost is it still his turn?" Sylas asked.
Wyll turned to the boy, "Shadowheart gets to pick who goes next."
"I choose Halsin," she said quickly.
I felt my face pinch in surprise. "Alright, then. Give me a moment. I have over three hundred years of facts to choose from."
"Just make them easy like I did."
I grinned, "You don't have much to work with at the moment." A series of 'ohs' and cackles went through the group.
She went to snap at me, but then closed her mouth, "True. I'll give you that one."
I glanced down the trail, considering my truths and possible lies. Abigail was walking between Astarion and I, and, in truth, I wanted to share three truths with them to see what they thought. I wanted to hear three of theirs in return, but this was a game and neither was my only audience.ย 
"I grew up in Cloakwood. I spent a year in my bear form. I don't care much for ducks."
Astarion glanced up at me, something in his look carried curiosity. I raise my brows at him, "Need something?"
A corner of his mouth tipped, "I'm just impressed, druid. You are an excellent liar."
"I'm not sure I like the compliment, but I will take it nonetheless."
I heard his whisper to Abigail, "Which do you think it is?" He'd been asking her opinions on each of our companions despite not taking any guesses openly. So far he'd been right twice, but hadn't spoken up. I wondered if he was trying to avoid a turn. Abigail had been wrong every time but Karlach's.
"I think you're lying about the ducks," Durge added. "I'm pretty sure there isn't an animal on this planet you don't like."
I kept quiet. Astute as he was, I did have a few I would prefer to avoid.ย 
"Can I guess this time?" Sylas asked.
"Absolutely," I replied heartily. "Which do you think is the truth?"
"I think you like ducks and I think you like being a bear. So, I pick the second one."
I pat him on the back, "You are a winner, Sylas. I spent a full year as a bear once." Sylas' eyes were saucers. I wasn't sure if it was because of my personal fact or because he won. "What would you like? Gold, a dare, or a favor?"
He tapped his chin in dramatic fashion, "Can I ride the bear?"ย 
Laughter erupted. For a child from a world of benign bears, the dream of riding one was understandable. "As long as you're wearing gloves and pants. I believe you may have influenced my magic last time you hugged me in wild shape."
He nodded, giddy. Then he turned to his mother, "Can we stop so I can change?"
Abigail pulled him close to her side, "It's your turn to play, remember? Why don't we do that later, after we finish the game?"
He sighed, feigning disappointment, "Okay."
I bumped his shoulder, "Well, do go on."
He smiled brightly up at me, "Let me think,โ€ he pursed his lips, then, โ€œI like basketball... I love onions and I have a cat." His eye quickly shot to his mother. He pointed at her for emphasis, "You can't answer!โ€
She held up her own hands in surrender, "Understandable."
"Wait... What's basketball? Am I saying that right?" Karlach asked.
"It is a game in which one tosses a bouncing ball into a basket made of netting up high on a pole," Lae'zel answered.
Everyone gaped at her.ย 
"Wait, how do you know that?" Abigail asked.
"Tu'narath is host to many cultures. I had not heard of Earth, but one of ours must have learned the game from an Earth human and brought it to the Githyanki. A visitor from Tu'narath introduced it to my creche not so long ago."
"I thought Gith were too busy fighting mind flayers for trivialities?" Gale added.
"Eternity is long, Gale. Long enough to pursue endeavours beyond combat. Tu'narath's residents are known to partake in many 'frivolous' activities."
Gale's brows rose, impressed. "If you ever find time around your training schedule at camp to tell me more of your astral homeland, I would be much obliged to learn of it."
Lae'zel eyed him for a moment, "I will indulge your curiosity if you join me in training. You depend too much on your dwindling magic. One day you will be rid of the tadpole and will need to know how to fight."
Gale sighed, "It's a trade then. Academic prowess for physical prowess."
Sylas stopped, scrunching his face up at the adults around him, "Is anyone gonna guess or not?"ย 
We stopped around him.ย 
"You love onions," Astarion blurted out in response.
Syla' brightened, then his face corrected to frustration, realizing he'd lost. "Did she tell you?" he whined.
"Your heartbeat and eye movements, and how you rushed through saying it, gave it away."
"Oh."
The adults chuckled at his defeated response.ย 
Sylas squared up and put his hands on his hips, "What do I owe ya?"
Astarion watched Sylas with an arched brow, smirking, hands on his own hips in mirror. "Oh, let me think," he tapped his lips dramatically. "Got any gold to spare?"
Sylas looked up at him sheepishly, then turned to his mother, "Can you give me some money?" He held out his hand to her in expectation.
While the rest of us snickered, she crossed her arms, brows pinching, eyes narrowed down at her son, "What am I? A bank? You didn't even say please."
He smiled at her saccharinely as he flapped the fingers on his open hand, "Money, pleaseee!"
The rest of us laughed in full this time. Abigail rolled her eyes, shaking her head. She turned back to Astarion, "Twenty gold?"
He smiled impishly at her, his canines on display, as he held out a hand in want just like the boy, "Money, please... darling."
She rolled her eyes again, handing twenty pieces to Sylas, who trotted over to hand it to Astarion.ย 
"As Karlach said, it was good doing business with you." He held out his hand to shake. Sylas it seriously. Astarion stopped, still holding Sylas and bent in toward him, "Also, make sure to keep onion breath to yourself." Then, he stood back up, releasing him.ย 
As I announced the need to get moving, I heard Abigail lean in to whisper to Astarion.ย 
"Youโ€™d still like tasting me with onion breath, wouldnโ€™t you?" she teased.
A corner of Astarion's lip curled in response as he watched her face. Then, his look turned mischievous, "How dare you think I don't have standards."
She pulled back, a smile on her face at the jest, "Oh come on, if it was between that or never again..."ย 
His brow arched dramatically, "Oh, darling, I'd toss you away like the salad leaves at a vampire's banquet."
She pushed him lightly, then leaned in to whisper again, "Well, I'd still kiss you if you tasted like iron and old meat."
He grinned back at her, "Good, because I intend to make thinking blood my diet of choice forevermore. You'll have to get used to it."
She sucked at her teeth, trying not to smile.ย 
"Wait, Astarion, you won. It's your turn," Karlach reminded.
Since Astarion was out ahead of her, she didn't catch his small grimace. He spun around, a picture of congeniality as he walked backwards, facing the group.ย 
"I have an ex-husband named Jonathan. I hail from House Nightstar. I had a โ€˜polyamorous experienceโ€™ atop a wizard's tower. There."
He said it all so casually and since he was rarely forthcoming with personal information, there was no telling the truth from the lies.ย 
Gale scoffed, "As wizardsโ€™ towers are their personal sanctums, I very much doubt you've been inside one. Let alone to experience something 'polyamorous'. It's, obviously, one of the lies."
Astarion's face gave nothing away. "Any more opinions?"
"Who's House Nightstar?" Karlach asked.
"A high house of Evermeet elves, if I'm not mistaken," Wyll answered. "Which would make sense, though, from my lessons on geography and sociology, much of those elves never leave the Evermeet."
Astarion shrugged.
"I thought you couldn't remember much before being turned?" Durge added.
Something quickly flashed behind Astarion's eyes, then it disappeared deep beneath his casual mask. He didnโ€™t reply and let the question sit with the others.
"Mommy, whatโ€™s polyamorous?" Sylas asked.
Chuckles and snickers were covered by coughs or fists. Abigail kept her cool, "Uh..." she smiled at Sylas, "It's where there's more than one person in a romantic relationship. Like if I had two boyfriends, I would be in a polyamorous relationship. So," she turned and held a hand out toward Astarion, "Rion likely kissed two people in a wizard's tower one time."
Sylas mouthed 'oh'.
"Or more than kissed," Lae'zel added, grinning. "I do not understand why you must shelter him from the knowledge of basic procreation or its activities."
"Lae!" Karlach snapped. "He's six!"
"My elders did not hide those activities from the youth. We were simply excluded from such activities until we were of age."
Sylas opened his mouth, clearly ready for clarification. Abigail caught him before he could ask Laeโ€™zel about the nature of those activities, "No, weโ€™re not going to explain to you what Lae is talking about. Don't ask either. It's an adult topic that I will address with you when you are old enough."
"When will that be?" he whined.
"Over the age of ten."
I wasn't facing her, but I could almost feel Lae'zel roll her eyes. I noticed Astarion had finally turned around, but had fallen back a little, closer to the rest of our companions.
"Can none of you figure it out?" he pushed.
"It's the last one," Abigail stated confidently.
I turned over my shoulder to see them staring at one another in challenge.ย 
"Would you like your twenty gold back?" he finally said.
"Wait โ€” WHAT?!" Gale exclaimed. Astarion turned to the wizard and winked. "Are you not going to explain?"
"No." Astarion turned away from him with a smug look on his face. Gale's arms slapped his side in bewilderment.
"I think I'm going to ask for a favor instead," Abigail replied.
Astarion watched her carefully. "I want a foot rub โ€” a long one โ€” when we get to camp. All this hiking on thin soles makes my feet sore," she added.
A teasing look easily slipped into place over the previous concern, "Are you sure that'sย allย you want?"ย 
She hummed, "Yeah. That's exactly what I want."
His smarmy look softened as he bowed slightly at the waist, "Your wish is my command,ย meldanya.ย "
It was the first time I'd heard the term of endearment said higher than a whisper and in front of the others. I wondered how many of them actually knew the definition. I wondered if he actually meant it.
Abigail laughed awkwardly, "I should have been using this time to prepare, but I need a second.โ€
All went quiet except for foot falls on the trail and the sounds of the Underdark around us as we waited for her answers.
She spun around, "I could win this whole thing just by using Earth cultural experiences, but because I like you guys, I'll make it easier."
"We appreciate it," Gale replied.
She smiled back at him, then glanced at Sylas, "You don't get a guess."
Sylas stuck his bottom lip out, "Fine."
"First, I used to fly all the time. Next, I'm an orphan, and last, Iโ€™ve never left my hometown until now."
I glanced at Astarion who was smirking. She saw me eye him and turned, "You don't get to guess either because you can cheat."
He rolled his eyes, "Fine."
The others looked around at one another. "I feel like you've mentioned your parents," Karlach answered.
"Or are they my adopted parents?" she mused.
Karlach bit her lip, "You've got a good point there."
"Flying sounds a little far-fetched," Wyll replied. "But, you come from a whole different world. You've mentioned moving pictures that aren't enchanted and wagons without ox or horses to pull them."
"And electricity," Gale added. "What I would give to see that."
I decided to chime in, "I overheard you talking to Oskar about the different places you've lived, so the last is a lie."
Abigail sucked her cheek as she attempted to keep from giving anything away. I winked back at her. I noted the color in her cheeks as she turned to look around at our friends.
"As wild as it sounds, I think you know how to fly," Durge guessed.
Abigail tipped her head on her shoulders, "Kinda, but yes, that one is the truth."
Her confession was met with looks of wonder and shock.
"Was it in one of those airship inventions?" Volo tapped his lips. "Or was it air planes?"
Abigail and Sylas' eyes shot wide. "How do you know about airplanes?" She asked.
Volo shrugged, "I spoke with an Earth human once, a long time ago. Do you know an Ed of the Greenwood by chance?"
She watched him in astonishment, "Is Greenwood a place or surname?"
Volo considered something for a moment, "You know, I never thought to ask."
"Yeah, I don't know of a Greenwood or an Ed Greenwood. There are like nine billion people on Earth, let alone like several hundred million in my country."
Wide eyes glanced around. They were impossible numbers. Though, humans were capable of procreation at a much faster rate than many of the other races upon Toril.
Abigail shook her head, "Well, Durge, what would you like?"
He watched her for a moment in silence as his eyes bore into hers, "Your forgiveness."
We all stopped. Durge walked up to Abbi, pulling one of her hands into his large scaled one. "I asked for it the day after and I understood your need to take some time, but Iโ€™m asking again because the others weren't there for it. I want everyone to know that on this side of my madness, whatever the hells it is, Iโ€™m truly sorry. I want to keep you alive. I want to see you thrive here. You have been nothing but a friend to me." Durge's jaw clenched and he blinked a few times, fighting his own emotions. "Please, Abigail, please forgive me."
She swallowed, looking down at her hand for a moment, then back into the eyes of the dragonborn, "I forgive you." She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He hesitated a moment before wrapping his own around her shoulders, resting his large head on hers. Moments later, Sylas hugged both of them around their waists. Next, Karlach wrapped her arms around their shoulders and Wyll followed on the other side. Gale placed a hand on Durge's back and Shadowheart held Abigail and Karlach. Volo jumped in, hugging Durge and Wyll, causing Gale to have to pick another part of Durge's back.
I turned to see Astarion watching the group embrace with wariness. I leaned toward him and whispered at an elven hearing level, "You donโ€™t have to participate." I squeezed one of his shoulders before coming around Abigail, Wyll, and Sylas. Everyone was quiet for several long moments. Then, I looked up to see Lae'zel put a hand on Abigail's back, similar to Gale on the other side. The only one left standing alone was Astarion who had his arms crossed. I grinned and nodded to him, but it did nothing to assuage his reaction.ย 
After a few long breaths, Sylas started to fidget to get out, "Mom, can I put on pants now?"ย 
It broke up the tension, causing some laughs. I tried to ask him to wait for a bear ride when a blast glittering silver spores puffed out around all of us, enveloping the group in a cloud of dust.
โ€œWhat in theโ€”โ€ Karlach started.
"They're coming. They're coming..."ย The voice echoed through me and by the fearful looks of those around me, I wasn't the only one.ย "They are coming. YOU are coming..."ย 
"Please tell me everyone heard that?" Abigail asked as she whipped her head around.
Nods and agreements answered her.ย 
Karlach gripped her axe tightly, "Whatever it is, it lives down here in the dark, and it can't be anything good.โ€
"And if we can hear it, it can likely hear us," Shadowheart added.
"Actually," Gale piped, "It was likely a myconid, but it is warning us."
The spores were still swirling around, not yet dissipating, as if they too were waiting for something.
"We must speak. Ascend to the grotto."ย 
We all flashed around at one another.ย 
"Mommy, what's a grotto?" Sylas asked carefully.ย 
Gale answered, "Myconids live in small communities under the leadership of a 'sovereign'. Their settlements are much like druids' groves. These must refer to it as a grotto."
I was impressed. He wasn't far off, but I wasn't going to correct him on the details. "I have spent time among a few Myconid groups, so I will be able to locate the grotto. If they are communicating with us, we have to be close by."
And with that, our small group journeyed on.
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Abigail POV -
My mind desperately wanted me to believe the myconids were simply people in elaborate costumes, but after watching one twist its head on its neck to watch us from behind like an owl, I had to accept this was reality.ย 
"They give me the creeps," Shadowheart said quietly.
"Really?" I asked.
She nodded, her eyes scanning around us.
"I think they're amazing. That this is all real and not some theme park is amazing."
Shadowheart gave me a confused look, "You have themed parks?"
I huffed a laugh, "They are for entertainment and fun. They aren't parks in the 'greenways and gardens' way. They are usually set up as interactive experiences."
Her brows rose up her face, still confused, but moved on.
A larger purple glowing myconid stopped us at the bottom of a series of mushroom steps,ย "Halt. The Sovereign wishes to speak to you."ย His arm swept up toward the top of the 'staircase'.ย 
We pulled ourselves up the stairs that were made for beings with much longer strides and heights. Halsin propped Sylas up onto his back, putting his own pack across his front as they climbed up. I didn't realize I'd been staring until I felt someone poke my side, glancing up into Astarion's teasing face as he passed me.ย 
The 'sovereign' was standing over a pile of bodies that seemed to be budding small mushrooms like a pile of compost. It was disturbing and beautiful. A literal picture of death giving birth to new life. As it stood, the sovereign was two heads taller than Halsin and Durge, and wider in the shoulders with long lanky arms and legs accentuating the height. Its coloring was like that of a living prism. Its eyes held so much emotion as it took in my friends and I.ย 
It turned to Durge who stood at the front,ย "Flesh-talker. I show you a memory. Watch and listen."ย Spores burst out from other mushrooms along the edges of where we stood. As if by hallucination, a vision blurred before my eyes. I watched grey dwarves chopping at myconids, killing them, as the sovereign's voice echoed,ย "They broke our peace. They killed our young. We laid waste to many, but intruders remain lakeward."ย The visions and voice dissipated. The sovereign stood watching, waiting for a response.ย 
"Why did they attack?" Durge asked.
"Waitโ€”" Astarion interjected, glancing around at the group, "Why does any of this matter? What does this have to do with getting to Grymforge and Moonrise?"ย 
Gale glared at him, "Look around you, Astarion. This is a peaceful oasis in the middle of a dark wilderness with untold dangers. If we are to hope to be welcomed as guests, we may need to consider offering a service in trade."
Karlach tipped her head toward the wizard, "He's got a point, Fangs. It's simple diplomacy. Trading favors."
Astarion rolled his eyes, "I guess mushrooms have no need for gold."
A new image flooded my vision, this time of gnomes running from the same grey dwarves who were butchering the myconids.ย "The duergar seek a gnome. It is a guest,"ย the sovereign answered.ย 
"Well, isn't that admirable?" Gale complimented while making his point with his eyes at Astarion. Astarion rolled his in response.ย 
A deep feeling of gratitude echoed through me, coming from the sovereign.ย 
"So, to get this straight," Durge started, "You want us to avenge your people who were killed trying to save gnomes from duergar?"
A feeling of approval echoed like the gratitude through the shared spores.ย 
"And if we do this you will let us set up camp here for a few days?"
"The duergar are at the lake's edge. Cleanse the rot and you may stay and be rewarded with riches of magic and mind."ย An image of vines lifting before a glowing room dances in my eyes, then clears just as quickly.
Durge looked around at the rest of us. All but Astarion nod and give their approval. Durge turned back to the sovereign, holding out his hand, "You've got yourself a deal. I'm Durge, by the way. You are?"
"The Circle calls me Spaw."ย 
"Nice to meet you, these are my companions," he states us in order from closest to farthest. "We will do what we can to help and we thank you for letting us stay." Durge bowed at the waist before Spaw.
Another wave of gratitude flowed out of the sovereign.ย 
"Wait," a weak voice called.ย 
We all turned to see a gnome curled up on a bedroll, tucked away on the landing. She grimaced in pain as she tried to sit up. Shadowheart and Halsin rushed over, peppering her with questions on her health. Her name was Thulla and she was the guest in question.
Thulla told Shadowheart and Halsin, and the rest of us listening, that her family and friends had been ambushed by duergar slavers while on an expedition down here to mine. She had been slashed by a poisoned blade, but got out. The rest were captured or killed, taken across the lake to be slaves for the duergar who were, coincidentally, serving the Absolute. Shadowheart asked her how long ago she had been stabbed. Apparently, it was while we were all playing games along the trail.ย 
"What's the likelihood your friends are still just tied up and ready to be transferred?" I asked over Shadowheart's shoulder as she administered an antidote.ย 
"Gods, that'll do it," Thulla sighed as the antidote took root. She looked up at me, "I watched them be pulled aboard one of the duergar boats. They are likely long gone by now."
I nodded my understanding. "How long do you think the duergar will be down by the lake? We really aren't ready to just hop out of here to take care of them."
"Speak for yourself,ย istik,ย " Lae hissed.
I turned back to glance at her, then shook my head.ย 
Thulla answered, "As I was making my way out, I think they were trying to set up shop a bit at our old cabins. There's a dock and they seemed intent on being able to shuttle back and forth for some reason. I got out of there quick before I could find out. I wouldn't be surprised if they were still there."
"Okay, so we have a little time. We could ambush them in the morning or later tonight," I mused.
"Mommy, are you gonna kill the bad guys?" Sylas asked as he peaked around me to see Thulla.
I pinched my nose. He saw the same visions the rest of us did, there was no shielding him this time. I put my hand on his back, "Yeah, bud, we're gonna take care of the bad guys." He smiled up at me. I wanted to explain that there was no telling how it would go, but now wasn't the time.ย 
"Thanks, Thulla. We will let you know when we clear them."ย 
She smiled softly, "Thank you, by the way, for saving me." She sucked in a breath, then looked around at all of us, "Would it be too much to ask you to look into what happened to my kin and possibly help them too? If you can."
"Of course, Thulla," Halsin replied before anyone could object. I noted Astarion's head shake and mutters. "Have you ever heard of a place called the Grymforge?"
She lit up, "Yeah, that's where they took my kin. It's just across the lake. I've never been myself, but I hear it's haunted by some monster. It seems like the duergar have some kind of camp or base over there."
"Well, it seems our roads were meant to cross," Volo added.
Halsin turned back to her, "We're headed to Grymforge and will do our best to find a way to help, if we can."
Thulla's smile tipped downward, "Like I said, if you can."
He patted her shoulder. Shadowheart left the rest of the bottle of antidote and a healing potion as we made our way down the large stairs and into the rest of the grotto.ย 
Spaw had two other myconids show us the way through a series of short tunnels that led from the grotto out to an open space up high on a large cliff face. Mushrooms, faerie lights, crystals, and grasses filled the space, making it charming and homey. It was more than enough room to set up our tents.ย 
"Mom, when we get set up can we go check out the grotto?" Sylas begged. My test was a bit of a divider between those at the back end of the landing and those around the fire. Behind my tent, Halsin and Astarion's sat back to back.
When Halsin heard the cries for adventure, he stepped up next to us, "I'm all set, would you like to join me?" Then, Halsin looked up at me, "If you're almost done, we can wait for you to head in."
I waved my hand, "You guys go ahead." I noted just a hint of disappointment in Halsin's face, then he smiled down at Sylas who was now pulling on one of his large arms trying to get him to move.ย 
"On second thought, let me help you get set up and we can all go. More hands make for light work," Halsin added. Sylas gaped up at him. He raised his brows at my son, "You have two hands and arms. You can help as well." I waited for Sylas to start whining that I'd already said he could go, but instead he just shrugged and walked back over to his pack, pulling out his bedroll, starting to set it up.
I stood, mouth wide as Halsin went to work on adjusting some of my shoddy tent construction. In a matter of a few minutes, my tent was set up.ย 
"Your tent lacks imagination, you know."
I jumped, my heart slamming in my chest. I hadn't heard Astarion or seen him leave his tent area. I schooled my surprise as he grinned knowingly at me. I stabbed his side with my elbow as he cackled.ย 
"Yeah, I've been too busy hanging out in other people's tents or around the campfire to care all that much. Talk to me when I find an actual place to live."
"What?" a small voice replied.
I shot down to see Sylas watching me warily. "Place to live? We're not going home?"
"Now look what you've done," Astarion teased under his breath. I watched Halsin make a face of disapproval at him. Astarion mouthed something to him I couldn't catch and Halsin's face softened a little.
I put my hands on my knees, "It was a joke, Sy. Going home is my first priority." Sylas' reaction completely reversed and he turned to grab Halsin, telling him to 'come onnn'. Then he turned back to me to say the same thing before dashing off on his own.
I turned to look at Astarion. He gave me a sweet, but visibly forced grin. I didn't return it, hoping heโ€™d say something, but his face faded to placidity. I let it go. I thumbed toward Halsin and Sylas, "Want to join us?"
He looked over at his tent, then back at me, "I think I'll stay back this time. Read a little. Have some me time. But, you go on ahead." He didn't even wait for my response before heading back to his tent.ย 
A deep current of old anxiety started to churn. Did I say something wrong? Was he already starting to get bored of me? I thought back to his snappy comments about the onion breath. Was I being too forward? Did I assume too much? Was whatever was happening truly going to be just a firework, sparking to life and fading to nothing just as fast? Was I just playing with fire anyway? And why did I actually care when I knew it wasn't going to work out long-term anyway?ย 
I kept my eyes on Halsin and Sylas who had stopped to wait for me, but my mind was stuck back at a red tent with a vampire.
Gale, Karlach, Durge, Wyll, and Volo all joined us to look around the grotto. It was beautiful and enchanting. They had a reanimated dinosaur they called a Hook Horror. It was both incredible and terrifying. Incredible to be up close to a domesticated predator and terrifying to know that there were others out there in the dark somewhere. Sylas was over the moon. Halsin had put him on his shoulders so he could pet the Horror's head. It purred in response.
We eventually split up as we walked around. Halsin, who still sported Sylas on his shoulders, and Durge got to talking with another large myconid named Glut. The rest of us found ourselves in a conversation with a hobgoblin, who was exceptionally nice โ€” unlike Dror โ€” from the Society of Brilliance. Blurg had been down in the Underdark working alongside many different Myconid communities trying to find ways to create unity and cooperation among the differing races. Mostly, he studied the natural resources of the Underdark and how they can support the vast communities.
Then, he tried to show Gale how he had learned to connect minds like the Myconids from exposure to certain spores, but instead Gale's tadpole threw him out. He watched our wizard in confusion, "Your head is much more complicated than I was expecting."
Gale apologized.ย 
"Tell me again why you and your friends are here in the Underdark?" Blurg flashed questioning looks at my friends and I, stopping again on Gale.ย 
"Just tell him the truth," Karlach whispered. Gale shot her his concern, then went ahead sharing the tadpole journey so far.ย 
"Incredible and impossible. Would you mind if I pull a colleague to weigh in?" Blurg asked, still in academic wonder.ย 
"Sure," Gale responded. But, his initial concern transformed to wariness as a mind flayer floated in from behind a wall of larger mushrooms.ย 
Blurg indicated toward Gale as he cheerfully updated the mind flayer colleague of what Gale had shared.ย 
Impossible. No ceremorphosis? This is intriguing.ย The mind flayer turned to face us,ย I am Omellum. Are you looking to have them extracted?ย 
"A friendly mind flayer? Now that is something I never thought I would see," Wyll interjected.
Omellum turned to him,ย I am no longer a slave to an elder brain. I no longer serve the Grand Design.ย 
"What's the Grand Design?" I asked.
His orange eyes looked to me,ย A collective goal of eliminating the Gith and enslaving all other humanoids.ย 
"That's terrifying knowing you guys can travel through realmspaces."
He watched me in confusion.ย I wasn't aware my species was able to do such after the destruction of the nautiloids by the freed Gith army.ย 
"They rebuilt them, mate," Karlach added.ย 
Gale, Wyll, and I nodded while his eyes widened in bewilderment. "Also, whoever placed these tadpoles made sure to place a magic upon them that would deter their removal on the threat of death," Gale added.
Interesting. Even if I cannot remove them, I may be able to give you a more accurate picture and diagnosis of what is interfering, thus keeping you from transition.ย 
Wyll held up a hand, "Hold on, if you tamper with it, will it cause us to transition?" His voice rose slightly with worry.
It will not. My hypothesis is that the magic is keeping it in stasis. If you will allow, I can create a tincture that will allow me to influence it psionically to be able to bypass this stasis.ย ย 
"Wouldn't that start our transition?" Wyll asked again.
No. This would just create a line of communication between me and the larva.ย Wyll seemed placated.ย To brew the tincture, I will need a couple of rare mushrooms: a fresh tongue of madness and timmask spores, both of which can cause serious harm to those who come near them in their mature forms.ย ย 
"Where would you suggest we look?" Gale asked.
Blurg pulled up beside his friend, "I do believe Lenore has some in her possession. She is a cleric of Mystra and made her whole career studying the elements of Sussar bark and the cultivation of rare Underdark flora."
"Alright, how can we find her?"
Blurg pinched his chin, "Her tower was just north of here for some time. It has a tendency to move with her, though. But, the last time I journeyed that way, I saw it in the distance."
The mention of a tower sparked something in Gale's eyes.ย 
"So," Karlach started, "If you make this potion, you'll be able to tell us more about what makes these tadpoles special."
That is my hope.ย 
She nodded.ย 
Gale clapped his hands together, rubbing them in anticipation, "I guess we're off to find a magical tower."
Wyll stepped up next to him, "Wait, Blurg, did you say Sussar?"
Blurg nodded. "When you exit the grotto toward the east, you will come face to face with a large Sussar tree." A gleam grew in his eyes, "They are extraordinary and very rare. This one stands at least eight stories high."
I felt my brow rise up my face. This tree was something I would have to see.ย 
Wyll turned to me, "Sussar bark was one of the main ingredients in creating the master weapon." He eyed me for a moment, noting my confusion, "The weapon blueprints we found in the old forge in Moonhaven."
"Oh," I replied. "The one that can turn off magic?"
"The very one."
Now, I would really need to see this tree. "But who's got a forge down here?"
Wyll shrugged. I looked over at Blurg and Omellum.ย I am not sure where one can find a forge, though the location Grymforge does imply one. It is, from what I have heard, across the Ebonlake.ย 
Blurg nodded his agreement, "I would start there or wait until you've returned to the surface."
"Thank you," Gale said, holding out his hand to the colleagues. Both shook it in turn. "We will have to get started on the search for our mushrooms." With that, we turned up the trail toward camp.ย 
When we got near the entrance to the tunnels, I saw Halsin, Sylas, and Astarion speaking with a dwarven woman in blue. I turned to the others, "I'm going to find Sylas." The rest waved and headed on.
I pulled up behind them quietly, but not quietly enough. Astarion peaked over his shoulder at me, but turned back to listen to the ongoing conversation.ย 
"There's been no love lost, that's for sure," the woman droned. "But, I can't just leave the stall unattended to go searching for the noblestalk myself."ย 
"How long has he been missing?" Halsin asked.ย 
"For most of the day. Due to his half mind these days, he finds his way back every couple hours or so, only to realize he's come back empty handed again. He hasn't checked in once."
Halsin nodded. "Well, if we come across hints of his whereabouts, you will be the first to know."
She huffed, "If you can't find him, oh well. Though, if you come across noblestalk, then come to me first."
He nodded and shook her hand. "Thank you for the supplies, either way."
"If you make it to the Gate some time, stop by Bonecloaks for more of a selection." It was the first time in these few minutes she looked amiable.ย 
We waved politely and started to walk toward the entrance of our camp. "Bonecloaks..." Astarion hissed under his breath. "If it were up to me, I'd leave them both to rot down here. I'm surprised she didn't say hello when she saw me, though for her to say nothing only confirms she gave us no care at all. Likely, she saw us as servants, beneath her."
Halsin pulled up short in the dim cavern tunnel. Astarion and I followed suit. Astarion eyed Halsin curiously.ย 
"Sylas, I need to have an adult conversation and I wouldn't mind your mother staying to give her advice. Would you mind going on ahead? We will be in camp in a moment."
Sylas paused, watching Halsin, then nodded seriously, turning to head into camp without us.ย 
"I would really love to know your secret to my son's obedience because I've been working on him just doing what I say the first time since he could comprehend language."
Halsin smirked, "I've had many more years of learning how to earn respectโ€ฆ and I'm not his mother."
I rolled my eyes, "Touchรฉ."
He finally turned to Astarion, "Please allow us some background on your comments."
Astarion flashed between the two of us, his arms crossed, trying to wrap himself in invisible armor, but he had already said too much, "Fine." He deflated a little, leaning back against the cave wall, "Bonecloaks is one of Cazador's main suppliers for the Palace. They are a few of his cronies. Though, from the wife's story, I can assume her husband was really much more the true lackey. I wonder if he ever shared with her who some of their clients even were. Though, my siblings and I picked up the orders from them. She has definitely seen me before, but she acted like she didn't know me at all."
Halsin considered the information, "She seemed to have much of the business in hand and was far from friendly in any capacity. I donโ€™t see how she couldnโ€™t have known.โ€ He shook his head, muttering, โ€œI understand having bitterness over having to care for your abuser, but to be so open about it..."
I rubbed my arms. There had been more than enough times I felt exactly like her. Back then, if Brian had ended up with a brain injury, I would have likely placed him in some kind of home and sought divorce, praising whatever God was out there for my luck.ย 
"I hate to say it, but I doubt she was unaware. She seemedโ€ฆ unempathetic, even if I kind of get where sheโ€™s coming from.โ€ I watched him a moment as he stared out of the wall toward camp, โ€œWhat did they supply?"
Astarion paused, taking a breath, "Differing supplies. Potions to remove blood stains, herb treatments for different illnesses or preventions, tinctures for drugging nobles to get blackmail on them. Healing potions if we were tortured too badly to heal correctly. Bases for poisons. The works."
"Cazador sounds like a crime lord."
Astarion snorted, "Not far off. Though, he'd roll over for entities like the Guild or the Zhents. Though, they mostly dealt with the merchant and lower classes while Cazador nearly owned all of the nobility." He went quiet, turning to look out towards camp, the firelight making his eyes look a bit like balls of lava.
Halsin set a hand on his shoulder, bringing Astarion's attention back, "You're free. You're safe."
Astarion sneered a little, "I am neither. As soon as this tadpole is ejected, I will be right back in the service of that monster. Also, if heโ€™s sent anyone to look for me, they will follow us until they note an opportune time so he can appear right here in camp, if he so wishesโ€ฆโ€ His eyes went vacant, staring at a part of the dirt walls, โ€œHe would tear right through us."
Halsin watched him, "But, you have the tadpole at present and Cazador is not here. Right now, at this very moment, you are both safe and free." Astarion tilted his head ready to reply, but Halsin cut him off, "Even if it is a temporary reprieve, it is still true."
Light irritation painted Astarion's face. "Itโ€™s a beautiful sentiment, truly. But, it doesnโ€™t change anything."
I knew that feeling, nowhere near as strongly as Astarion. Listening to Brian talk about how sorry he was after a therapy session, wanting to pursue change and even showing it for weeks. I wanted to believe his changes were permanent, but any little slip had that tiny sliver of faith dwindling to dust.ย 
I crossed my arms, "We're not promised safety and freedom in this life. They are gifts we have to hold onto whenever we get the opportunity. Weโ€™re only promised hardships and death.โ€
"And undeath, apparently," Astarion sniped.
Halsin and I smirked. "Or undeath," I continued. "I'm definitely one who gets caught up in the bad and how patterns of behavior set up the future to be just as bad, and in that, I often forget to enjoy what is. Especially if what is, is actually good. I'm not saying to completely forget past hurts and live only in the moment, but we have to hope for what can be. And that hope can only be found if we choose to find joy right now, changing how we see today so we can change how to see tomorrow." I rubbed my elbows, "Even if tomorrow is terrible, knowing that there was a moment of good, means that there can, statistically, be another."
Astarion's eyes watched me blankly.ย 
"And to be honest, when I was in the middle of all the abuse with Brian, if someone said what I just did to you on a day that was surprisingly good, I would want to hit them with my car."
The expression broke and a corner of his lips tipped up for a second.
Halsin nodded, "I would have to agree with both points. If someone tried to tell me to find joy just after the battle for Moonrise and losing so many friends and mentors, I would have bitten their heads off โ€” literally. Though, it does not change the fact that everything else she said is true. I wish I took more time to enjoy the 'shenanigans' as Abigail mentioned earlier, rather than being worried something terrible is waiting for us around each corner. But,โ€ Halsin took a deep breath, โ€œI can also acknowledge that you can be angry and desire to fight back while enjoying the good in the present. It is what has kept me from giving up on the shadow curse, unlike many of those who experienced it with me."
Astarion, Halsin, and I stood together in the quiet for a few minutes. Finally, Astarion pushed himself off of the wall, kicking a small rock around with his boot as he watched the floor. He awkwardly looked at and around us, "Thank you, both of you, for..." he pursed his lips, "For being so... sweet." He pushed a heavy breath out of his nose, then forced a smile at the two of us, "Well, I think we should probably head in." He turned on his heel and walked off, not bothering to make sure we followed behind.
As I watched his form disappear past the tunnelโ€™s mouth, I wanted to dash after him, taking him in my arms, reminding him I wanted to be a part of the good in these rare moments.ย 
I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I looked back up into Halsin's face, our eyes watching one another for a long moment. Then, he turned me in toward him, pulling me into a hug. I softened into his chest as my arms wrapped up his back. One of his arms wrapped across my shoulders while his fingers drew lightly up and down my spine. I felt him rest his cheek on my hair as I sighed into his chest.
I pictured Astarionโ€™s empty stare as we spoke to him. I wondered if we were some of the first he had ever shared any of his pain with. I knew what it was to have my mind lock others out when they tried to help. It was never entirely on purpose, my body just couldnโ€™t handle the added emotional stress their words were having on me. So, Iโ€™d disassociate, especially when someone told me something I didnโ€™t have the heart to hear.ย 
โ€œHow do you help someone who doesnโ€™t want to feel like they are being โ€˜fixedโ€™?โ€ I asked.ย 
Halsin sighed, "We just need to help him see the sun, even if it's just the one inside of him."
IRL Author's Note: Onya: 'my child' in Tolkein's elvish This was long BUT sometimes you need some fluff and joy and to set up the rest of the chapters.
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alliskit ยท 19 hours ago
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Born to kiss the homies, forced to go kill a giant brain instead
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alliskit ยท 19 hours ago
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Halsin is the final companion for my heart-shaped buttons for now!! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿปโœจ๏ธ I might make more later! For now, I'm off to ink and color all of these buttons!! ๐Ÿซกโœจ๏ธ Wish me luck!!
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alliskit ยท 23 hours ago
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I missed my man
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alliskit ยท 23 hours ago
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Q: Will you visit the graves of Tav and other companions in the group when they die? Will you be saddened by their deaths, or are you not that close to them?
Another "Ask Baldurs Gate 3" answer as Astarion And textless one as usual :) I drew it alltogether so don't have cropped versions, you can crop yourself if you want.
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alliskit ยท 23 hours ago
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yes this character is based on me. yes they are infinitely cooler, funnier, more attractive, and emotionally complex than me. yes iโ€™m crying. and projecting.
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alliskit ยท 1 day ago
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Dark Urge: I have forgotten all that I am. My past comes only in flashes of red. As we tread over these corpses I find myself salivating. At night I dream of rending the flesh from the bones of every person in this camp.
The companions: That's rough buddy. Don't worry too much though everyone has thoughts like that sometimes ๐Ÿ˜ŠโœŒ๏ธโค๏ธ
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alliskit ยท 1 day ago
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Gale of Waterdeep
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alliskit ยท 1 day ago
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๐•ฑ๐–Ž๐–—๐–˜๐–™, ๐–™๐–๐–”๐–š ๐–˜๐–๐–†๐–‘๐–™ ๐–“๐–”๐–™ ๐–‰๐–—๐–Ž๐–“๐– ๐–”๐–‹ ๐–™๐–๐–Š ๐–‡๐–‘๐–”๐–”๐–‰ ๐–”๐–‹ ๐–™๐–๐–Ž๐–“๐–๐–Ž๐–“๐–Œ ๐–ˆ๐–—๐–Š๐–†๐–™๐–š๐–—๐–Š๐–˜.
๐•พ๐–Š๐–ˆ๐–”๐–“๐–‰, ๐–™๐–๐–”๐–š ๐–˜๐–๐–†๐–‘๐–™ ๐–”๐–‡๐–Š๐–ž ๐–’๐–Š ๐–Ž๐–“ ๐–†๐–‘๐–‘ ๐–™๐–๐–Ž๐–“๐–Œ๐–˜.
๐•ฟ๐–๐–Ž๐–—๐–‰, ๐–™๐–๐–”๐–š ๐–˜๐–๐–†๐–‘๐–™ ๐–“๐–”๐–™ ๐–‘๐–Š๐–†๐–›๐–Š ๐–’๐–ž ๐–˜๐–Ž๐–‰๐–Š ๐–š๐–“๐–‘๐–Š๐–˜๐–˜ ๐–‰๐–Ž๐–—๐–Š๐–ˆ๐–™๐–Š๐–‰.
๐•ฑ๐–”๐–š๐–—, ๐–™๐–๐–”๐–š ๐–˜๐–๐–†๐–‘๐–™ ๐–๐–“๐–”๐–œ ๐–™๐–๐–†๐–™ ๐–™๐–๐–”๐–š ๐–†๐–—๐–™ ๐–’๐–Ž๐–“๐–Š.
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alliskit ยท 1 day ago
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reasons why i relate to tav, the main character from baldurs gate 3:
shouldnโ€™t have wished to live in more interesting times.
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alliskit ยท 2 days ago
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This post reminded me of these two so I made something lmao
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alliskit ยท 2 days ago
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Halsin: "You are not alone if there are trees." Tav: "I don't know whether that's supposed to be encouragement or an ominous warning." Halsin: "That is entirely up to the trees."
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alliskit ยท 2 days ago
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โ€ฆI also really like buff, muscular guys like Halsin, but what can I do?? ๐Ÿฅบ๐Ÿ’• Astarion and Lili, I'd say, are of the same opinion, by the way!๐Ÿ˜Ž I've always found this meme hilarious: for those who've played, you know exactly why they both turned around. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ And I have to say, I shed a tear drawing Liliaurel and Astarion as a bride and groom ๐Ÿฅบ๐Ÿ’– would you like to see them more in their wedding attire/life? ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ’• But above all: would you have turned around too?๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
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alliskit ยท 3 days ago
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I love Abbi, truly, but I honestly hate drawing her. I want all the art of Abbi/Astarion, Abbi/Halsin, all three, but when I look at her in my own art, I'm like 'why did I make her so basic?'.
So many pretty Tavs and Durges out there being super unique beauties.
Abbi over here looking like she drives a Chevy Suburban. (I HC she drives a Subaru CrossTrek or a 4Runner though)
me rn:
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