croginski

[croginski]

“You called me a hinderance Gale, I simply wanted you to slow down. Think things through… I did not appreciate your tone…” Holly said

Gale reached out to her, she had never been so closed off from him. Holly didn’t pull away or stop him from embracing her. She was still be furious about how Gale reacted to that damned book he wanted from Sorcerous Sundries. Even Elminster tried to persuade Gale not to go after the crown of Karsus.

Gale’s face scrunched up in pain, he remembered how Holly had looked at him when he demanded the book from her. She gave him a look of hurt… and then anger. “Love, please… I am sorry. I’ve let my ambition get the best of me again. Please, forgive me” He whispered as he caressed the side of her face, and gently leaned his forehead against her own.

For a moment while she noticed Gale’s eyes were closed, her expression softened. She sighed, “fine, I accept your apology. But I am still angry with you.” Simultaneously, she thought to herself she needed to stay strong. Despite wanting nothing more than to melt into the silly wizard, she needed to stand her ground…

[croginski]

Day 7- Teacher AU

The professor and the rocker

Karlach encouraged her favorite history professor to come out to her band’s gig. Gale never suspected he would hit it off with the lead singer. Holly asked him to buy her a drink after the gig, she normally didn’t fall for the studious type but damn was this man hot! It was a bonus he laughed at all her lewd jokes….

{holy crap I made it! I’ve never finished a challenge like this before! ❤️}

[croginski]

Day 6- Royalty

WIP for today

{I have been working on this for awhile! And although, I would have loved to get it done for this challenge; I don’t want to rush it and it not turn out like I want. Also P.S. reference photos below the cut}

Some years in the future almost 500 years after the defeat of the netherbrain, a tour guide is walking with a group through a large dwarvish longhouse built into a mountain.

“This portrait is of Holly Mac-Dekarios and at the time her betrothed Gale Dekarios. Heroes of Balder’s Gate in the year 1492. At the time Holly Mac was the youngest of the Ravenswail-Mac clan, being a part of the fifth generation after the marriage of Gunhilde Ravenswail and Matthias Mac. The grand matron of Ravenswail Hollow had this painting commissioned of her great granddaughter during the tenday before Gale and Holly were married in a small familial ceremony on Moonshae Isles. Gunhilde Ravenswail was two hundred and fifty-two years old at this point, by the way. While the original is housed here, two additional smaller copies were made. One was given to the couple, during their larger wedding ceremony in Waterdeep and the other was given to Gale’s mother, Morena Dekarios.”

[croginski]

Day 5- soulmates/ reincarnation

The fight to defeat the netherbrain proved too difficult. Gale convinced Holly and his companions to use the orb… Holly agreed but with one exception… she would go out in a blaze of glory with Gale. While they argued, Gale realized that there was no convincing Holly to live without him. So he relented, and together they sacrificed their lives to save Faerun.

The gods were so moved by the lovers’ commitment to each other and decided that they would be rewarded to find each other in every lifetime. Their first reincarnation was to be easy, and full of relaxation… they would return as one of their favorite creatures, the common house cat. They were born into the same litter and since birth were a bonded pair.

Much later, as kittens, they were adopted by a familiar friend. A pale elf, with luxurious white hair and eyes the color of rubies. Astarion, he had been called. He loved those cats all their lives, spoiling them as if they were his children. Over their time together, the beautiful vampire swore he could see his friends from long ago in their personalities.

[croginski]

Day 4- Dark AU

{not going to lie I really struggled with this one, I knew I wanted to incorporated my inspiration for my Tav Holly Mac. Which is my original dnd character I’ve been playing for a few years now Halyveil Macmargot, who has a much darker origin story. The trick was trying to decide how Gale fit into that world…}

Also, I kept this one simple, with just the sketch version. Perhaps I’ll do a full color and detailed one later on.

This piece just has a simple title:

“I’ve caught you, thief…”

[croginski]

Day 3- god/ demigod AU

The goddess of inspiration and the god of ambition

Holly liked the idea that they would be different gods… more compassionate and capable of mortal thought. However, when imbued with divinity neither one of them expected to lose their humanity. In the end, there was no turning back. Gale had chosen his domain of Ambition. So Holly, sought out a suitable subject to match him. That is when she was approached by the patron of bards, Oghma, who had admired her mastery of the bardic craft. He offered her the responsibility of inspiration, to which she gladly accepted. For ambition could lead to inspiration and inspiration could influence ambition.

[croginski]

Day 2- Blackstaff Student AU

Fanfic only

Rating: teen

Gale/ named tav (Holly Mac)

Alternative universe where Holly meets Gale before the events of Balder’s gate 3

Warnings: mentions of Mystra

Gale felt the feeling of something small and soft patting at his face. “Mr. Dekarios! You are late once again! You are going to miss the student exchange!” His beloved tressym shouts at him as Tara tried her best to wake up the senior apprentice. Gale grumbles something incoherent before rolling over in a futile attempt to avoid Tara’s yowls.

A low rumbling growl comes from tressym as she released the claws of her paw, hesitantly she puts a few into the eighteen-year-old’s flesh. Gale jumps up with a jolt, “Tara! The hells! Fine, I’ll go to the student exchange! Now, please, allow me to dress!” He screams as Tara jumps off the bed. “Thank you Mr. Dekarios please make sure to hurry!” She comments as she makes for the small balcony to allow the young wizard some privacy.

Gale flings the covers off of him and hunches over at the edge of the bed. He runs his hands through his short brown hair before rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He had spent much of the night with “her” in the astral plane. His body may have remained here but his mind did not sleep much. With a loud sigh he pushed himself off the bed and over to the wardrobe. Carefully he opened it and started to put on his student robes. He moved with very little sense of urgency as he started to wash his face at the washbasin. He took far too much time adjusting his appearance.

Tara returned from the balcony and swatted at the young man’s legs. “Gale you are late! As one of the school’s top scholars it is important for you to greet the students of New Olamn!” She hisses. Gale stops his preening and lets out of string of ‘okay’s and ‘I’m going’s, as he rushed out of his dorm room. He briskly walked through the dark colored halls to the great hall. Several professors met the prodigy’s gaze and tsk’d disapprovingly. Eventually the young wizard finally reached the great hall and tried his best to slink in unnoticed into the nearest seat. He knew the boy he sat next to, he knew him more than he would as an acquaintance but not well enough to consider him a friend. Gale nodded to him in acknowledgment, the boy chuckled at his peer. Gale finally turned his attention to the front of the room as the professors explained what was happening today. “New Olamn students will be joining us for their lessons today. This exchange had a long standing history to network amongst scholars as well as, hopefully, harbor an appreciation for a different way of spellcasting.” Explained the professor up at the front as both the budding bards and young wizards looked extremely bored. The professor continued to lecture on the history of the partnerships amongst bards and wizards. Gale’s attention drifted from the professor to the bard students sitting on the opposite side of the hall. Most of them were attractive individuals, some of those who presented more masculine were dressed bright costumes, while others were more debonair. Those who presented more feminine leaned into femininity. While all the blackstaff students had a set uniform, these students of the bard college had no such conformity.

Gale’s eyes landed on a few of the students he found particularly attractive. He pondered if the rumors of bardic behaviors of promiscuity was true. Finally his eyes landed on a girl with long copper colored locks and tanned freckled skin. While nothing could compare to the beautiful projection of his “lady”, this girl perhaps held at least a close second.

Suddenly a voice interrupted his musings, “…Master Dekarios! Please tell me what you find so fascinating at the other side of the room.” Suddenly all eyes turn to him, including the girl he was just looking at. She knew in that instant that the young wizard’s attention had been on her. She smirked and let out a small giggle as she made this realization. Gale’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment as he quickly turned his attention to the voice that had called him out. “Apologies professor, my attention will be on you for now on, can you repeat the question?” He asks in a panic. The older wizard shook their head, “please enlighten us on who is Elminster and what connections he had to a particularly famous bard…” Gale nodded and started to explain what he knew about Elminster and his connections to Volothamp Geddarm as he tried to appear unabashed.

The rest of the day went about pretty uneventful. There were lectures and demonstrations by both the Blackstaff students and New Olanm students. Lectures were given by professors from both schools.

Soon it was time for lunch lead to networking, where the pretty girl with the copper colored hair introduced herself to her admirer. Gale looked up from his food and noticed her standing in front of him and the peers he had chosen to sit with. She was flanked by two of her own peers. “Mind if we sit? I’m Holly Mac by the way.” She said with a sweetness in her voice as she looked directly at Gale. The young man froze for a few moments, normally he was a bit suave when he was talking to people that caught his fancy. However, this girl matched his confidence and that made him pause.

The boy he had sat next to greeted the group of bards and invited them to sit. Holly sat opposite to Gale and nodded to him, “and your name?” She asked as she piled on some grapes and cheese onto her plate. Gale cleared his throat and bowed his head to her, “apologies, my name is Gale Dekarios” he replies as he extends his hand to her. Holly takes it gently and gives is a slight shake. “Pleasure, I must admit I was hesitant to come today, but I do find Blackstaff Tower to be quite welcoming despite its intimidating exterior” she replies with a bright smile. Gale smiles back and nods at her comment, “well I am glad you have felt welcome, I hope you found the demonstrations useful. I hope to be able to join the group attending the visit to New Olanm.”

Gale and Holly exchanged pleasantries for much of the lunch hour as their respective peers got to know each other. The boy who had sat down with Holly turned the groups attention to him, “spread the word, the bards of New Olanm will be going to the Yawning Portal tonight, hopefully you all can join!” He announced, before the bells chimed for the students to return to classes.

——————————————————————-

Later that day, Gale returned to his dorm. When he entered the room a familiar smell met his nose. Rosewater… and the air pulsed with arcanic energy. His goddess was calling, Gale smiled to himself as he reached out his hand to the wisps of energy and soon he was whisked away to the ethereal realm.

Mystra placed a hand on the young wizard’s shoulder. “Good evening Gale of Waterdeep… I presume you had a productive day…” she said in a low amused voice. Gale smirked as his eye-line met the goddess’s “Yes, my lady… though I must ask that we cut our lesson short tonight, I’ve actually been invited to a social event tonight. And I must be a good Blackstaff representative” he commented with a chuckle. Mystra joined him in his laughter, “ahh yes, the exchange of Blackstaff Academy and New Olanm. Yes, yes, of course. I shall drop you at the Yawning portal after our lesson…” the goddess said with a nod.

——————————————————————-

Gale walked into the tavern later than he had expected. However, the Blackstaff students and bard students were still engaged in their reveries. As he entered the Yawning portal, he noticed a few of his peers that he enjoyed the company of. He greeted them and engaged in hellos. The entire tavern was filled with noise, chatter and music. He finally noticed that there were two bards up on a table playing lewd shanties on their lutes. The flamboyant boy that had sat down with Holly and Holly herself both enjoying themselves. Both had dawned more colorful garb, Holly’s shirts were hiked up to reveal slivers of calves and thigh in between to colored frills. She wore a tight set of leather corset stays and a flowy peasant blouse underneath, artfully revealing and concealing her décolletage in an appealing way. Gale noticed this and smirked, she was beautiful… and only here for one night. Perhaps, he could indulge his more carnal instincts. He stole a few of his peers drinks and downed them, promising to buy them another before making his way through the crowd towards the bards’ makeshift stage.

Holly noticed the handsome young wizard approaching her through the crowd. She smiled as she continued to sing and dance for the crowd that she and her friend had accumulated. However, she had hoped Gale would show up tonight. She met his gaze and boldly decided to preform directly to him, a good opportunity to use her bardic charms. Over the next couple minutes the two flirted with each other without words. Looks and glances filled the space between them. Once the song was over Holly passed the lute to one of the other bard students and jumped down off the table. She approached Gale with a particularly seductive sway in her hips. She smiled at him before speaking, “I’m glad you made it!”

Gale tilted his head and smirked back “wouldn’t miss the opportunity to network with the next generation of bards” he replies before offering his hand to her. Holly looked down at his hand back to his face, deftly she takes his hand. Gale nodded and pulled her through the tavern to a more secluded corner. Several other couples were already there engaging in kisses and necking. Similar ‘networking’ was being conducted among the students of Blackstaff and New Olanm.

Gale pushed Holly up against the wall gently as his hands explored her waist. “May I kiss you” he asks almost in a hushed tone. Holly nodded before taking the lead and engaging in the kiss first. Gale let out a huff through his nose as if like a laugh before leaning in and joining her in their exchange. Moments seemed to stand still as they explored each other’s tastes. However, eventually, Holly broke away having run out of air. She clung to this handsome boy as Gale took the opportunity to kiss down her jaw and on to her neck, making sure to enjoy the taste of her sensitive skin on her neck. Holly let out a quiet moan before whispering “so… my room or yours?”

[croginski]

Day 1- Regency AU

Holly finished her dance with master Halsin and curtsied. He smiled at her and thanked her for the dance. Holly thanked him back before returning to her friend Shadowheart, who had kept hold of Holly’s dance card. Holly took the dance card from Shadowheart’s wrist, “isn’t that all of them Holly? Have you finally accomplished your goal of dancing with every eligible bachelor here?” She asked giving her friend a wink and a teasing chuckle. Holly laughed back, “let me see…” she says flourishing her dance card to dramatically look it over. “Count Astarion, Duke Wyll, and Master Halsin… that cannot be all, right?” Holly scrunched up her nose and began looking around the ballroom. Shadowheart joined her in her search, her green eyes landing on a silhouetted figure on a nearby balcony. “Ah there he is, Mr. Gale Dekarios, surely you can’t forget him!” She says grabbing holly’s shoulders and using them to spin her around quickly in the gentleman’s direction. Holly scoffed “Mr. Dekarios? Certainly doesn’t hold a candle to titles such as ‘count’ or ‘duke’” she adds looking over her shoulder at her friend. Shadowheart shrugs and simply smiles before pushing her friend further in the direction.

Holly relents, but not before giving Shadowheart a disgruntled face in jest. She makes her way over to the gentleman, canting her hip slightly, she smiles at the man sweetly. “My good sir, I do believe you forgot to sign my dance card. You are in luck, I have one space left!”

Gale glanced at her with a smirk, briefly looking her up and down. “Ah, ms. Holly Mac, you��ve caused quite the stir amongst society! Some are calling you the most beautiful girl on the marriage market… I can confirm the remarks are not unfounded.” He crooned as he held out her hand to her for her card. Holly handed to him, the skin on their index fingers met briefly, where she swore she felt a slight blaze of electricity. Perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing Mr. Dekarios did not go by a formal title.

[croginski]

Restaurant AU post

(I’ve been rewatching The Bear and I got inspired. I kinda want to write a fic now with my Tav- Holly and the bg3 crew.)

Front of house

Maître d’Hôtel/ Maître d’

This is the person responsible for the overall management of the restaurant. The ideal maître d’ is sometimes perceived to be a charismatic and imperious personality, whose personality comes to be associated with the restaurant itself.

Tav/Durge

While durge might not be the best example but Tav and durge need to be able to be the face of the group and make all the difficult decisions while keeping everyone else in line.

Hostess

The hostess greets the guests and shows them to their tables. At some restaurants, the hostess may also perform many of the managerial functions allotted to a maître d’hôtel.

Shadowheart

We know that she probably cannot cook but she enjoys good wine and food. While she doesn’t necessarily like people, she can put on a happy face when she needs to. When there are regular customers that she likes her snarky side comes out and the customers love her unconventional charm. Plus she looks excellent in black.

Sommelier

A sommelier is usually only found at quite formal restaurants and is the person responsible for choosing and maintaining the restaurant’s stock of wines, as well as serving them to customers.

Astarion

Man knows his wines and is a highly sought after sommelier. He spent way too many years under a shitty restaurant owner who didn’t appreciate his excellent palate and talent for wine pairings.

Back of house

Chef executif

Also called the executive chef, this role is often less involved in the daily kitchen operations in large establishments. They typically collaborate with other restaurant executives to manage the operations, and are usually tasked with designing menus and restaurant concepts.

Minthara

This is pretty obvious, she would run the kitchen and restaurant with an iron fist. While she can be brutal all the other chefs have an immense respect for her. She is known through the food community that if you work under her for a full year you can get a prestigious position in another kitchen easily.

Chef de cuisine

The chef de cuisine translates to chief or manager of the kitchen. This is a leadership role involved in the daily management of the kitchen. They typically perform administrative tasks, like inventory management, hiring and training. In small establishments, this position may be combined with the responsibilities of the executive chef.

Jaheira

Stern but calm, Jahira works well as a chef de cuisine. She is the mom of the kitchen making sure every thing is stocked and ready to go. If your mise en place is not perfect you’ll get a light smack on the head.

Sous chef de cuisine

The sous chef is an assistant leadership position that typically reports to the chef de cuisine. They’re directly involved in kitchen operations, often acting as a manager when the chef de cuisine is unavailable.

Wyll- see aboyeur

Chef de parties

Also sometimes called a station chef or line cook, this is a broad term often used to describe an individual responsible for leading a particular area in the kitchen. These roles are necessary in the kitchen brigade system, as its function depends on assigning cooks to specific areas.

Aboyeur

An aboyeur supports both the kitchen and dining room by acting as the link between the two areas. They relay orders with efficiency and organization. In modern structures, the leading chef de partie takes on this role for their station.

Wyll

Can both play the happy host while keeping his calm around the customers and relay affective orders that keep the kitchen working smoothly. He can be diplomatic and precise in his work, a necessary quality for working under jaheira and Minthara

Entremetier

The entremetier is a chef de partie who may broadly oversee stations relating to entrees. They may have line cooks working below them who help compose fish, meat, egg and vegetable dishes.

Gale

At one point in his life Gale wanted nothing more than to be executive chef. He worked in another kitchen for years as a chef de cuisine under a renowned executive chef only to be fired. He soon discovered that all he wanted to do was cook, any higher than a chef de partie and you weren’t necessarily cooking anymore.

Saucier

Also called a saute chef, the saucier is a type of chef de partie responsible for all sauteed items and sauces. In larger establishments, they’re assisted by a potager who’s responsible for stocks and soups. Smaller establishments usually combine these roles, making the saucier responsible for all these items.

Gale-see entremetier

Plongeur

A plongeur is responsible for dishwashing and porter tasks. In addition to cleaning and organizing cookware and serveware, they may also provide support with kitchen prep tasks.

Minsc

Man takes pride in his work, dishes are always completed quickly and with great care. Some may say that his job is unimportant but without clean dishes- chefs could not cook, customers could not eat, and if not done correctly they could make a lot of people sick. Him and Jaheira have been working at the restaurant the longest.

Boucher

Translated directly as butcher, this brigade member oversees all meat and fish butchery tasks. This role is often outsourced to vendors.

Laezel

The chef with the greatest knife skills (according to her) she treats every piece of meat with respect. She makes sure every cut is beautiful and perfect. If a piece of meat ever comes back cooked wrong she yells at Gale, Wyll, and Karlach. If a customer complains the cut isn’t good or it’s too fatty, they have to physically hold her back in the kitchen.

Boulanger

A boulanger is a baker. They’re responsible for preparing breads and other baked goods in-house. Some establishments may eliminate this position and order fresh or frozen baked goods from outside vendors.

Halsin

Dude knows how to work with yeast like it’s nobody’s business. He names his sourdough starter and he’s kept it alive since he started culinary school (late 80’s early 90’s). He talks to all his creations as if they were living, breathing things. Probably the most chill chef in the kitchen, that is until you fuck with his dough and it loses its rise.

Garde manger

Also called a pantry chef, the garde manger is an ambiguous role that generally relates to cold foods. This may include salads, appetizers, pates, charcuterie and desserts.

Astarion

While he is also the sommelier for the restaurant he also takes on the role of making sure all the cold dishes are beautiful and delicious. He is known for his charcuterie boards that have perfect wine pairings

Grillardin

Often combined with the fry cook role, a grillardin or grill chef is responsible for the restaurant’s grilled food, including vegetables, meats and more. This role is common in steak restaurants where a large volume of the orders are prepared on the grill.

Karlach

She is a self made chef, she worked her way up in many different kitchens in the city. She may not have the technical skills to be any higher up in the kitchen but she knows how to work a grill and fryer. She knows how to endure the heat, and everything she does is the perfect temp. She only loses her shit when a dish comes back claiming to be cooked wrong. She also is the funniest in the kitchen.

Patissier

Otherwise known as the pastry chef, this role is responsible for producing items on the dessert menu. In large establishments, a variety of positions may be involved in the dessert station. They may include a glacier for ice cream, confiseur for confections and decorateur for the decorative work on fancy cakes or other desserts. Some kitchens combine the pastry chef and baker responsibilities.

Halsin- see Boulanger (man also has a sweet tooth)

[croginski]

Holly Mac

Age: 35

Race: half-elf (high elf)

Class: bard

Subclass: college of swords

Preferred weapon: long sword

Preferred instrument: lute

Alignment: chaotic good

Daughter of Declan (human) and Delphina Mac (high elf) -status deceased

Raised by paternal grandmother, Ivy Mac (half-elf)

Best Friends: Astarion, Shadowheart, Karlach

Romance: Gale

Favorite Quote:

Inspiring folks is what I do.

I am new to this! Hopefully more to come, I’ve written a lot and have started drawing again to satiate my hyper fixation! Let me know if you want to know more about Holly Mac