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Inktober 7

“Curumo was obliged to take Aiwendil to please Yavanna…”

aka “Curumo, you be good and take little Aiwendil with you. No- don’t look at Aule- I’m not going to ask you again. Take him with you, or you’re not going.”

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Last Line Game

Thank you for the tag @deadly-diminuendo :) I'm slowly working through my next longfic chapter-- hoping to have it done sometime soon. Here's the last line I wrote:

Silence fell like black night: and at once, Halinae knew she had made a mistake. 

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These are all great, but the Loot and Luxury club has a special place in my heart as a goblin-enjoyer. :)

(Also one of my fics lives here!)

The Baldur’s Writers 3 Rare Pair Collection!

We're back! With recs!

We present thirty-six rarepairs, pulled from the above collection, for you to enjoy, including gen fics and romance alike–featuring multiple works that were the very first posted for the pairing's tag! Below are some of the stories you’ll find.

Or! Check out the full collection! :>

Sunburn in the Cold by Tavylia_Sin (1862, Mature) Content Notes: None Pairings: Wulbren Bongle/Barcus Wroot

Neither the heat of the forge nor the natural sunny disposition of Barcus Wroot can melt the icy exterior of Wulbren Bongle...but is that how he really feels? Even the coldest heart can long for a little warmth, however Fate often has plans of its own and little care for the lives caught within its ever turning wheel.

Protection is not luxury by librarypirate (1086, General) Content Notes: None Pairings: Minthara Baenre/Kagha

In another universe where Minthara was freed of the Absolute much too early and begins her quest to destroy it, she comes across a certain Grove, with a certain Druid of as ruthless protection as she.

The Sparkstruck by ACrowsRockCollection (1088, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Lenore De Hurst / Yrre the Sparkstruck

Yrre comes home to find the Arcane Tower empty.

Daylight by LittleMissCactus (2333, Explicit) Content Notes: Pairings: Stonemason Kith/Barcus Wroot

Kith doesn't fully understand why Barcus took a liking to him, but he'll be damned if he doesn't savour it as much as he can.

Chapter 15 by FartasticDurge (1914, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Gale/Wyll

Join Wyll and Gale as they regale us with the details of one of their favorite stories, The Amorous Adventurer and His Radiant Rival, and the infamous Chapter 15.

The Power of Guilt by Tavylia_Sin (2980, Mature) Content Notes: None Pairings: Astarion/He Who Was

Astarion finds curiosity leads him to return to the camp of the solitary Shadar-Kai, a lone elf who waits in the darkness of the Shadow Cursed lands, collecting the guilt of the souls of the dead. Yet as far as Astarion Ancunin is concerned he is neither dead nor guilty, so what business does he have seeking out He Who Was in the middle of the night?...

A slippery slope by librarypirate (1562, General) Content Notes: None Pairings: The Archivist/Gale

A little mouse wanders into Raphael's archives, so confident that he can wander back out. Of course he can, not only is he a powerful wizard, but he's a dinner guest, and has been given free reign to explore the house before he leaves. And the Archivist has been given instructions to be nothing but hostly.

Take the Moment by ACrowsRockCollection (1389, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Jaheira & Karlach

Karlach loves Wyll, but when time is not on your side would accepting a proposal be cruel? Few are lucky enough to have their childhood heroes alongside them for an adventure, fewer still have the opportunity to ask such an important question of them.

The Loot and Luxury Club by aqeldroma (1303, General) Content Notes: None Pairings: Piddle & Klagga & Gribbo

Three goblins who love art and poetry create a club to celebrate the finer things in life.

To Life by vatisvera (2178, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Gale & Jaheira

Wherein Jaheira tries to knock some sense into one of her newer “cubs”.

After I am Gone by Gally (1711, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Lae'zel & Nocturne, Nocturne/Shadowheart

Nocturne is preparing to depart, Lae’zel returns to tell her to remain in the city. Two women who both love Shadowheart, will either of them stay for her?

My Lonely Wake by Professor_Rye (2019, General) Content Notes: CNTW Pairings: Lenore De Hurst/Yrre

Yrre knew that Lenore could get lonely, but they didn't really understand just how bad it was. Now they do.

Strands of Silver and Black by TopoftheLighthouse (1664, Teen) Content Notes: None Pairings: Mystra/Shar

"The Shadow Weave, also referred to as The Dark Lady's Weave, was a corrupting force of magic similar to, based on, and dependent on the Weave. Like Shar herself, the Shadow Weave was a force based upon nothingness, a kind of "negative" magic derived from the places where mystic energies had been before being drawn in by the Weave. While the Weave could be considered a loose latticework running throughout reality, the Shadow Weave was the pattern formed by the negative space in between." Or After Shadowheart rejects her, Shar visits Mystra in her domain.

bring down the marriage tree by fetch_me_penguins (12032, Explicit) Content Notes: None Pairings: Halsin/Kagha

Their grove bleeds, their sky darkens, predators close in on them from every direction. And still Halsin looks to the horizon. Still, he welcomes freeloaders and criminals to their home. Still, he leaves without looking back. Thus nature dictates, the mother keeps the young. She feeds, shelters and protects the brood. Alone. or: three times Halsin left Kagha behind

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I love writing. I LOVE WRITING. THE ART OF ALL ARTS.

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Last Line Game

I've been tagged a couple times for this! Unfortunately my day job has been taking a lot of my mental energy lately but I've been plucking away at the latest chapter when I can find the time. Small snip:

It was Shadowheart who spoke first, relaxed but for the subtle rigidity in her arms as they crossed firmly over her chest. “A pity we can’t spend time getting to know one another better. Do you know a way to the Surface? We’ve just come from a Selunite camp–” One of the drow at their side barked a laugh. Shadowheart turned her head, but he was already at her side, the curl of his lip clearly visible even through his cowl. “Selunites!” he sneered, accent thick. “We care little for Selune, or Shar, or any goddesses from above. And we do not give direction to any of their servants."

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Last Line Game

Still struggling with this chapter (and writing a good deal of it out of order) but here's my last line.

He was beautiful in trance– perhaps more so than when he was awake, when the lines of his worry were finally smoothed away.

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Aragorn at the dawn, above the broken gate of the Helm's Deep ♥ (I am trying to learn drawing with a brush only...but I just don't have patience for it :D )

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WIP Whenever!

Still editing this, and I've a long ways to go yet... but here's a snippet from next longfic chapter! Under the Sussur Tree on Ao3.

It was a rare thing for the city of Menzoberranzan to host visitors. Trade envoys, yes; and the slaves and chattel was a never-ending tide to fill the lower streets of the city as well. But seldom were these merely visitors. Even rarer then there were those who had the honor of visiting Lolth’s temple in the heart of the city. The temple was not open to men– nor any other race outside of the drow. To even set foot on the threshold was to feel the weight of a thousand eyes upon one’s head. Eyes of red, and of purple, and of palest pink and white; the eyes of all of Lolth's daughters, following one another distrustfully in the dark. But there were other eyes, also. Eyes of green and glittering black– not of the drow, but of spiders, the Lady Lolth’s most faithful servants. They gleamed in the light of faerie fire, roving in the rafters seeking the faltering and the faithless alike. For though their Queen might be cruel, they knew one thing to be true: she rewarded those who brought sacrifices to her altar. Slinking past a pillar of black stone rising into the shadows of Araurilcaurak, a small figure risked their wrath to dart through the dark.

Thank you @amoremagnificentbastard for the tag :3

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jaheira x khalid head kiss

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I cannot begin to explain to you the disappointment I felt on finding out that “match my freak” was a sexual thing and not a level of how insane you are with your friends

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Under the Sussur Tree, Ch 30: Udos ph’jal Lolth vlees

New chapter! :D (Finally!)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/51855973/chapters/163314862

The gang arrives in the Underdark.

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Get 2 Know U Gammmeee

Taking a break from writing. :D Tagged by @amischiefofmice.

Last song: Disease by Lady Gaga (not feeling the rest of the album as much as I'd hoped, but the first couple songs are great)

Favorite color: Yellow!

Last book/fic: I recently re-read my favorite fic of all time, The Crossing of Celon by Himring. (If I ever write something as good as this I will consider myself to have Made It as a fanfic author)

Last movie: Been a couple months but I watched The Banshees of Inshirin back in January. Really enjoyed it.

Last tv show: Succession; though I rewatch 30 Rock clips like my life depends on it.

Sweet/spicy/savory: Sweet and spicy!

Last thing I searched for online: Black Willow vs. Weeping Willow vs. Corkscrew Willow (doing some garden planning)

Current obsession: This particular visualizer for the Challengers score.

Looking forward to: Launch date for a major work project so I can have more time to write. :DDD

Other tags: @tynithia @ballofbitter @deadly-diminuendo

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Snippet Sunday

Literally hot off the presses, I managed to get some free time this weekend to actually write! Hoping to finish this chapter of my fic this week, assuming none of my work projects blow up (a dangerous assumption, if past performances are any indicator lol)

The Underdark awaits!

A few minutes more and they had made it to the bottom. The landing was painfully small, a narrow corridor hewn into the rock. Halinae squeezed in next to Astarion and looked around– luckily there were no obvious signs of life nearby, but they hadn’t gone far, yet. And while her vision was quite good, it had been years since she’d needed to use it for much beyond the occasional night hike or tavern traversal: the Underdark was a beast beyond the wildest imagination of most Surfacers. She tilted her head and listened for any sound in the distance. When she heard nothing, she moved to take a step forward. Astarion’s hand caught her arm. “Let me go first,” he whispered into her ear. Halinae shook her head; only to realize he couldn’t see her. She tried to gently tug her arm away. “You shouldn’t have come down here at all,” she whispered back, emphasizing the last two words. “You can’t even see.” “Darling. I wasn’t going to let you go alone; you’re clearly terrified.” She felt his hand grope down her elbow and forearm, suddenly grabbing her hand in his. “We’ll go together.”

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🎉 Time for some Self-Positivity! 🎉 

🌟 What's a scene or line you wrote that still makes you smile when you reread it? ✍️ What's something you've improved on in your writing journey? 👀 Share a link to a fic of yours that you think deserves more love!

Answer these questions, and send this to 5 writers who inspire you ❤️

There are a lot of scenes in Under the Sussur Tree that still make me smile or laugh, thankfully! Even my earliest chapters (which are a bit rough and silly in tone*) have moments where I'm like "ah, yes, that's good" even if the rest of it makes me cringe a little hehe.

That being said, I feel like I started to really develop my writing voice around the hag encounter (Chapter 12: The Hag and The Hunter). It was the first time I'd ever written a proper "action sequence" and it took me FOREVER to write. I would go to the library on weekends to sit and think about it and figure out exactly how I wanted it to work. A passage from that below:

A kindly voice spoke out of the darkness. It was soft like linen, tender as a lamb, and Halinae felt the ice at her neck melt at its touch. It warmed her, slowly pooling into the recesses of her mind. “You come to my home… refuse my gifts… interfere with my business,” it said, resigned and feeble; as if its owner had long suffered injuries undeserved. “And if this is not enough, now you have the gall to chase me into the very heart of this hill?” Halinae swayed where she stood, her grip loosening on her lute. Her thoughts moved slowly, caked in sludge. Had they done this, in truth? And why? In vain, she plunged her hands into the pool and came up wanting. The voice continued without recrimination, gentle. “Tell me, sons and daughters, what has an old woman done to deserve your ire? Can we not discuss this, as old friends might?” The voice seemed eminently reasonable; its suggestions wise and agreeable. Halinae suddenly longed to make peace and set aside this whole misadventure. But something niggled at the back of her mind yet. She looked at Gale, squinting, and tried to remember. He was smiling in the direction of the voice now: his own expression blissful but for the brief flicker of pain when he put a hand to his right arm. “Come then,” whispered the voice again. It was a little closer now, a pleasant lullaby buzzing in her ears. “Stop this foolishness and let Auntie soothe your hurts. Drop your burdens. Rest your bones.” Halinae tilted forward, eyes heavy. She did need a rest, did she not? She was so tired… A shout went up on the other side of the pit. “Is'tark! She weaves an enchantment over you with her speech. Wake up!”

Interestingly, I now find that action comes a lot quicker to me than emotional sequences haha. I really enjoy poetic language, but action sequences force me to figure out a way to express my ideas more concisely. Writing them has probably made me a stronger writer overall since I'm now more likely to examine all my words to make sure I'm using the strongest language possible (or at least, I hope so anyway). ___

*I've considered going back to rewrite early chapters, but I kind of like how silly they are in retrospect- it's very true to how I experienced Baldur's Gate for the first time, where I was laughing at the concept of being abducted by fantasy aliens before I got immersed into the story and setting. ___

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I love this snip of Astarion reading, I think of it often. <3

🎉 Time for some Self-Positivity! 🎉 

🌟 What's a scene or line you wrote that still makes you smile when you reread it? ✍️ What's something you've improved on in your writing journey? 👀 Share a link to a fic of yours that you think deserves more love!

Answer these questions, and send this to 5 writers who inspire you ❤️

Thanks for the question @tynithia ☺️ I think it might have to be the beginning of my never ending novel that I will finish one day: 😏

They were already giggly. A bottle of Blue Nun and some stolen parental brandy. And why not? It was a gorgeous day. The sun was splitting the trees, as her mom would say. Slivers of sunlight filtered through the tall firs that lined the path to the waterworks. Their leafy branches bowed and rustled in the salty breeze, like dancers at a Tudor wedding.

It's nothing special, but I really enjoy writing dialogue, and I often forget to add scenery for setting and atmosphere, so I was pleased with this, and that's also something I've improved on. Of my BG stuff though, my favourite scene is from one of the Campfire Chronicles - it's one of the first pieces of fan fic I wrote, and it makes me smile, even if a lot of the dialgogue is from the game:

There were a few stragglers left when Maeva made her way over to Astarion's tent later that evening.  Karlach was one. She stood outside her tent staring wistfully around, her engine heart bathing her face in a gentle glow of orange light.  

'Astarion, eh?'  she winked. 'Lucky you. I’d ride him to Avernus and back.' Maeva blushed. 'Just be careful.' The barbarian nudged Maeva's arm. 'He's hot. Not as hot as me, mind, but I still wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him.' Maeva laughed. 'You're stronger than all of us put together, soldier. I think you could throw him a long way.' Karlach's infectious laughter trailed after her as she walked towards his tent. She took a deep breath, pulled back the tent flap and slipped inside. Astarion lay on his bedroll, propped up on some cushions, a book in hand which he put down when he saw her. His shirt was pulling loose from the waist of his trousers and his curly silver hair was just tousled enough. A throb of… something… rippled through her. 'Well, hello.' He patted the space beside him. 'I was wondering when you'd show up.' 'Confident that I would then?' She sat down, then lay on her side, propping herself up on one elbow. Rosemary and bergamot. A hint of good brandy. How did he manage it? 'How could you resist,' he drawled, but there was laughter in his voice. 'What’s the book?'  'It’s one of the books we found at the old ruins.' He picked it up to show her. 'The Curse of the Vampyr.' He exhaled a laugh. 'it’s quite an eye opener.' 'Read me some?' 'Really?' he cocked an eyebrow at her. 'I'm sure you didn't come here to be read to.' 'I came here to spend time with you.  I don't really care what we do. Go on.' He gave her a look she couldn’t decipher. 'Alright. Your wish is my command.' He cleared his throat. She lay back on the cushions and listened. "Harken close and beware the Vampyr. Beware its cold beauty. Beware its charm. Beware its curse. Above all, beware the pale noble, for the Vampyr cannot bear to be of the common folk."   'Hmm. Pale beauty and charm. Nothing you don't already know about me, Darling.' He flicked the pages forward. 'Ah, here we go…' "But remember, your home is your fortress, if protected well. If you hear a knock in the night, be wary. Let no stranger into your home."  He looked at her. 'Maybe it's me who should be wary of you. After all, you came and knocked on my door. In fact, you didn't even knock. Tut tut.' 'You have a lovely reading voice. Did you know that?' Maeva mumbled from her prone position on the cushions. 'It's smooth and buttery.' And it was sending pleasant tingles down her spine and further afield. 'I'm not a bread roll, Darling. Please. Now listen to this. "If it be a friend, look upon them. Do you find them pallid and wan?" He peered down at her. 'You do look a bit pale, my sweet.' He narrowed his eyes, then bent down to kiss her. She giggled again as he pulled away. She really had to get a grip on this new giggling thing. Fighters didn't giggle. "See you any mark upon their neck? See you any dirt upon their clothes?" She wriggled. Gods, his voice was sinful. He swept his eyes over her. 'Hmm, your clothes are filthy. I suppose it’s not really surprising given the past few days. Has it only been a few days? It feels like forever.  He dropped the book and leaned over her, their bodies touching. There was a soft breath on her neck then cool lips brushing over where he'd last fed from her. 'And that is definitely a mark on your neck.' He kissed his way up her neck until he reached her mouth, then pulled her closer to him, pushing one of his legs between hers. 'Bad news, my sweet. I think you might be a vampire,' he said softly as his hands pulled at her clothing. 'Now take these filthy things off so I can continue my examination.'

As for more love - I really appreciate everyone who reads any of my stuff - especially the ones who keep coing back - you know who you are 🥰 (but new readers of my longfic: What You Made Me always welcome xox)

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omg I just remembered that to love another person is to see the face of god

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writing fanfiction is the most fun awesome thing on earth. also terrible horrible awful one thousand agonies