#I’m just obsessed with happier what ifs for villains

[cats-obsessions]

I do wonder how much freedom Gortash had to pick his god. I’m sure Bane appealed to him for a number of reasons, particularly power, and I think he deeply admired Bane at some point. But I also do have questions about the logistics of his soul. If Raphael has a contract for Gortash, how many gods can overrule that? Maybe all of them, but how many dare? All those souls in the House of Hope surely had gods once, but did their gods forsake them? Do those who are good aligned meddle in Avernus? Or is it ranking that matters most? A chosen could have their souls kept by their god but a simple follower would not?

I will always say Gortash and Durge fully intended to rise to godhood themselves, but in the meantime, he would have to have a backup plan. And from what I can tell, Bane’s realm sounds like hell even for those he rewards, ravaged with endless wars where his best followers get to *checks notes* be generals in combat forever? Idk man, it’s very high risk and very low reward in my opinion, but I guess he really was that desperate to stay away from Raphael. I wonder if he sought out Bane or if he called out to all the gods like Astarion, and Bane was the only to respond? I wonder if he loved Bane or saw him as a coconspirator? I wonder if, in the end, he even considered Bane an equal, an ally, or if he had it in his heart to over throw him?