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your hrothgar is fucking CUTE

"Gosh, ya really think so? Well shucks, I dunno what to say! T-thank you friendly stranger!"

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Got this WoL QotD template from twitter, figure I'd share it over here too!

Source: https://x.com/ofdragoonsdeep/status/1757563644345196602?s=20

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The Shield of Dawn

It was a title given to the paladin Gaius after the fact, in the stories shared among the common folk that he'd helped during his travels. Not named for any devotion to Lathander, but for the iconic mace he carried, his unswerving devotion to help the downtrodden, and the radiance of his soul that warmed the lives of those around him.

(When the party caught wind of these folk tails, there was no end of ribbing for the poor guy. "'The Brick Wall of Dawn' would have been more fitting - both for your ox-like build and that thick skull." "Of course it's fitting - you have the Shield in one hand and the Blade in the other." "That could also work in more intimate scenarios, you know..." "Look! They're both blushing! HA!")

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Had a fun night combining FFXIV and BG3 for some costume art parties! I went as Wyll Ravengard and roped a bunch of friends into dressing as the other origin companions + 1 very smol Halsin

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Incoming braindump, because I have a lot of thoughts about Tav!Gaius and Wyll and I need to get them out SOMEWHERE.

One of the things I love about pairing these boys is how similar they are in so many ways, and then the other half they are stark contrasts. Like they are both mirror and opposite side of a coin at the same time.

Folk heroes. Do-gooders. Intensely strong moral compass and compassion for others, especially the outcasts and common folk without the means to defend themselves. They're both so corny and make half the party roll their eyes with their bleeding heart antics. They're the "Two Men: Our bodies are strong but our friendship is stronger!" meme except they're also dating each other. And it's sweet and sappy and Astarion is making gagging motions in the background.

But the struggle in their relationship is the hero worship they each have for the other. Placing the other man on a pedestal while comparing their own shortcomings to this mental ideal they hold.

In Wyll, Tav!Gaius sees the storied hero sung of in every tavern. The Blade of Frontiers! Dozens of adventures already under his belt and beloved by all the good people of the Sword Coast. He's smart and charming, and his poetic way with words leaves Gaius with butterflies in his stomach. And then add on top of that the 'Tragic Cursed Prince' air that he has - Wyll has been faced with numerous impossible choices throughout his life and never hesitated to sacrifice himself for the greater good. It's lent him a mantle of duty that sits heavier than any horns upon his head. Gaius wonders how Wyll can continue to smile so warmly, how he's lived for so many years banished and despised by the very loved ones he sold his soul to save. Would he have been able to make that same sacrifice? Would he have been able to keep on living and fighting when the world kept kicking him into the dirt, to pick himself back up and keep going because there were people that needed him?

How can Gaius, a simple green-behind-the-ears farmboy playing at paladin hope to compare? When he's just a big ox-in-armor stumbling blindly into traps, falling again and again for the tricks of their enemies because he can't see past the innocent faces they hide behind. He's better suited for the hay fields than the lordly courts Wyll was raised in.

And in Tav!Gaius, Wyll sees the shining knight that epics sing of. Bright, brilliant, good and humble and just, the shield against evil. He's the textbook definition of a paladin, but with the humble beginnings that keep him rooted with the common folk. He's quick to smile and makes friends everywhere they go, having a natural likable aura that draws people to him. He's always willing to offer a helping hand, no matter how small and unglamorous the deed. And the man is far more insightful than his 'simple country boy' demeanor lets on. He can peel back the defensive layers of a person to gently address the trauma driving those wicked deeds. And always offers a second chance to those willing to change their ways. Even to the most reprehensible, seemingly too far gone to be reached. He offered a sympathetic hand out to THE Kendrick Thorn, the necromancer lord of the Shadowlands! And even more miraculously, the man responded with contrition, realizing the wickedness of his actions! Could he, Wyll, every be able to achieve that level of heroic gallantry? He who is so quick to slay the 'wicked,' to exact his vigilante 'justice' - a quick, easy, bloody fix that takes lives that might have otherwise been saved if he'd been willing to take the risk and offer a hand instead of a blade.

How could he, who dances on the strings of a she-devil for his hell-born powers, ever dare to stand equal beside this living embodiment of goodness?

So they each pull themselves down while uplifting the other. But that also leads them to support each other when they realize those bitter feelings are weighing them down. It just takes time for each of them to open up and be honest with themselves for once.

Paladin and Warlock. Farmboy and Courtly Lord. Two boys raised on tales of heroes and good vs evil, chasing those ideals.

Bonus screenshot as thanks for making it this far through my character rambles!

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Baldur's Gate 3

After sharing a few drinks, Shadowheart hits my tav Gaius with the hard-hitting questions. AKA when you're a holy paladin and your hell-touched boyfriend awakens things in you.

Don't judge the boy too hard, Shadowheart.

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Just thinking about the many iterations of Gaius, and what stays the same between different worlds.

One detail I do find funny is how the "anime nose scar" keeps popping up. Gaius has been in enough brawls to have suffered some nose trauma, for sure.

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*smooshes together*

Two hopeless idealistic guys both trying to do the right thing and live up to the Ideal Hero they see in the other one.

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"Got a lot on my mind. And, well. In it."

BG3 inspired glam and gpose set for Gaius!

Can't beat bosses if you're not proficient in fashion.

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I got a new camp outfit for him and aaaaaaaaaaa ❤️❤️

Also more screens under cut for Wyll spoilers, but they're so cute 🥺

I love them your honor 😭💖

They're both so good and so much terribad shit is happening but when Gaius starts to doubt himself, Wyll's unflagging spirit rallies him and they both hold each other accountable while holding fast to their principles through the dark.

Aaaaaaaa

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Been lost in the Baldur's Gate 3 sauce, and Gaius has grown into a smite-y powerhouse of a paladin. He also drank a fire resist potion to rescue all the camping supplies from a burning building and got a new camp outfit that shows off his arms and FWOOF.

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It's been a helluva week, time to post some Gaius shots.

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I love FF14 because some days I am playing dollhouse, some days I am crying over a beautiful story and some days I am getting my ass saved on the battlefield by a guy in a frog suit named Tomato Man

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CHOCOBO LOVE

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"Flirting."

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Fanfest badges I created for myself and my husband featuring our FFXIV characters!

Really appreciate all the furry con badges I've seen for the inspiration!

Turned out pretty good for a DIY project. Thank goodness for friends with laminators.

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he snuck in a lotta cactuars