#Modern Character in Faerun

[dragonagitator]

I started out just wanting to write a "Modern Girl in Faerun" author self-insert fanfic of BG3 in the tradition of all the "Modern Girl in Thedas" fanfics I've enjoyed over the years in the Dragon Age fandom. You know, someone who has played the game gets transported to the world of the game and uses her foreknowledge of events to steer for the best ending and pursue her favorite romance, yadda yadda yadda.

And then I thought, oh, I should also write a sequel from Gale's perspective that runs parallel to the first story that's about him trying to figure out if she's just crazy or what.

I decided that while my MGIF character will be successful in using her foreknowledge of events to achieve the best or even better outcomes for the main events of the game, it would be hilarious if that same foreknowledge of events also led to her inadvertently flubbing every single scripted romance progression scene with Gale so that it ends up being an even slower burn than canon.

Meanwhile, most of the companions (including Gale) don't believe her story about how they're fictional characters in an interactive story she's played as a game because there are so many other plausible in-world explanations for why someone would have her foreknowledge of events. So Gale thinks she's mentally unwell, and he struggles with the ethics of pursuing a romantic relationship with someone whose interest in him is at least partially predicated on (what he believes to be) delusions.

It works out in the end, but Gale's perspective of what the fuck is going on is so divergent from hers that it would be a fundamentally different narrative.

And then as I was researching Forgotten Realms lore for the first set of stories, I realized it would be hilarious if I wrote a post-canon sequel about Gale and the MCIF trying to plan their wedding in Waterdeep while the events of the D&D modules Dragon Heist and Dungeon of the Mad Mage are unfolding in the background.

And then while I was researching stuff for that, I learned that it's Forgotten Realms canon that Elminster knows about Earth, has a portal to Ed Greenwood's house, and regularly visits Ed and few other D&D authors to give them more lore to write about.

So then I realize that while the Elminster we meet during BG3 is actually a Simulacrum and thus wouldn't be privy to anything Elminster didn't think it needed to know for its mission, presumably the real Elminster would show up for Gale's wedding. So if Gale happened to mention his new wife's unfortunate "delusions" to Elminster, Elminster could rock Gale's world by confirming no she's been right all along. Thank you, Elminster, for the best gift a bride could ever receive: the opportunity to say "I TOLD YOU SO!" to her husband. Lol.

And then I thought if Elminster has a portal to Ed's house in Toronto, what if Gale and the MCIF eventually used that portal to flee to Earth for some reason? Either to escape the reach of Mystra, or maybe because their child has a condition that's treatable on Earth but not with Faerun magic/medicine ala Outlander?

Then we could have another story in the series that's a reversal of the first story's trope -- a "Faerun Character in Modern Earth" story of Gale going through culture shock while also losing his connection to the Weave and thus losing all his wizard powers AGAIN. Mmmm angsty.

This is my first time writing fanfic, I've only written a fraction of the first story so far, and I've already come up with at least three sequels I need to write too.

What.

The.

Fuck.

I now fully understand what fanfic authors mean when they cry about "the plot bunnies are multiplying."

[jarebear20]

Dark Urges Prefer Gentlemen

Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3

Featured Pairings: OC/Astarion, OC/Wyll/Halsin

Tumblr Link: tba

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55492618/chapters/140823982

Summary: Longtime friends Kalli and Jare find themselves in Faerûn under strange circumstances. Aside from the usual perils of being dropped in the middle of a fantasy setting, Jare must now contend with the dark urges threatening to take control of her new body. The mindflayer tadpole is just added insult to injury.

A companion to @thebearmuse's Gentlemen Prefer Tavs

---

Blood.

She can smell it. Hell, she can practically taste it. It hangs heavy in the air, like a balloon ready to pop. Before she can make sense of it, the metallic tang wraps around her throat and yanks. Her body screams, one long nerve lighting up as if it’s been struck, but all that greets her is a wet gurgling sound.

She is making that sound.

“Shhh.” She sags with relief as fingertips brushed against her temples. The pain recedes, just enough that she can actually focus on the voice somewhere above her. “It’s going to be alright. I won’t let you die.”

Oh. Well that’s good. She didn’t exactly plan on dying today. Trying to open her eyes, she lets out a sharp intake of breath as the pain flares up once more.

“You need to rest,” the voice continues. “The transition was not an easy one, and we’ll need you at your full strength for what is to come.”

Well that’s ominous. But before she can even try to talk, she feels herself slipping back into unconsciousness. Lips press against her forehead and she hears before the blessed darkness takes her, “Remember: we’re betting on you.”

——

The smell of blood is still there when she wakes, but she’s too distracted by the sensation washing over her to pay it much mind. It feels warm, almost like pure sunlight being poured directly into her. When the feeling fades, she thinks she might be able to move properly.

She pushes herself up, wanting to take proper stock of her surroundings. But when she opens her eyes, she hisses. A hand presses against her back for support.

“Jare? Is that you?”

She knows that voice. “Kalli?” Ignoring her discomfort,she looks at the person in front of her.

They’re not the Kalli she is familiar with. For one, the Kalli she knows doesn’t have pointed ears like an elf. The hair doesn’t quite match what she remembers of her friend, nor do the eyes quite hold up. But somehow, she knows that it’s really Kalli. How does she know that?

“Are you alright?”

Jare assesses herself. She can feel the various parts of her, which is nice. But there’s an ache to them that tells her she could really do with more rest. That’s less nice.

“Everything hurts,” she admits. “What… happened, Kalli? One minute we were starting the game, then--”

“We appear to be in Faerûn somehow,” Kalli answers. She sounds more calm than Jare feels at the moment. How long has she been here? “Not a clue where we are, other than not on the nautiloid. I woke up just before you did.”

“Uh huh.” Jare doesn’t mention what happened before. Did it really happen? Or had she dreamed the whole thing up? “That explains the ears and lack of glasses then.”

“Oh!” Reaching up, Kalli feels her new ears. “That goes for you as well.”

Humming, Jare feels for her own ears. The tips taper off into soft points. Interesting, but something still feels off. Like she is wearing a costume.

She blinks, surprised as a thought occurs to her. “My eyes—did one of them change?”

Jare had never been diagnosed with color blindness, but it’s the only way she can think to explain what she sees when she looks at her friend. Like someone has put a partial filter over her vision.

“That was you in character creation?”

“I thought I’d try branching out with a character’s design.” It’s never been her forte. “Seemed fitting for a Dark Urge character, no?”

“Well, it certainly is dark.” Kalli smiles. “I’m just glad it’s not connected to your wounds.”

“You never know.” Taking a moment to adjust to the change in vision, she glances around the room. “Durge does start off covered in blood.” And a headache, like the one starting to creep over her.

“Well shit. You weren't kidding about this not being the nautiloid.” There’s plenty of gore even if she ignores the stuff surrounding her, but the room looks more cave-like than the sort of stuff to be found on an Illithid ship.

"Nope, I wasn't. But hey, at least the designer studied color theory." Kalli gestures to the pools of blood. "Look, they're a happy red, not a Scorsese red."

The laugh feels like a knife slipping between her ribs. “Ow. Please don’t make me laugh.”

"Sorry, I've already had some time to process, so here we are with weird humor as a coping device." Kalli looks around. "Think you're okay to stand yet? Because wherever we are, it feels profoundly unsafe."

“Not sure,” she admits, though she’s already moving to make the attempt. “But we can’t stay here.” Kalli helps her get to her feet. Dark spots dot her vision, but Jare pushes through it. They don’t have much time, she thinks. Whoever fucked her up could come back at any moment and finish the job.

She feels something deep inside of her tug at the thought. Huh. There’s something there. If she just…no. Later. When they’re safe.

It takes some time before that happens. Despite lucking out and finding two lesser scrolls of invisibility in a chest, the pair still have to sneak past dozens of people in robes. It’s slow work, as her body keeps trying to give out beneath her. Just a little further…

They reach a dead end in the form of a stone slab blocking what is clearly an exit point. There has to be some way to open it—

The stone shifts, moving upward as someone on the other side activates whatever mechanism controls it. She steps forward, ready to book it as soon as she sees an opening, when

KillkiLLsTaBslicethatprettyfaceMAKEHERPAY

“JARE!”

She reels, barely stopping herself from lashing out from the rage boiling inside of her. At her feet is Kalli, braced for a blow that never comes. “What…?”

"Oh good, you're back." Kalli scrambles to her feet like it’s nothing. As if she wasn’t about to be attacked by her friend. "I don't know what just happened, but we need to get out of here before it happens again."

"Did I hurt you?" Anxiety eats at her, images of what might have happened if she hadn’t stopped in time flashing in front of her. Her head throbs.

"No, I'm fine. I just fell trying to stop you from going back in there. You didn't seem to like the woman in red." Kalli pats her. "We can sort that out later. We've got to move before someone finds us."

“Right.” But the guilt still gnaws at her, even as she spots the traps. "Keep to the sides. You see those long rectangles running across in rows? They look like pressure plates. I can't see where the attached traps are, but they're probably in the middle."

She’s not sure how she knows they’re there, but right now she isn’t going to question it. "All right. Let's go."

[moderncharactersinfaerun]

Anyone else spend time in camp figuring out where you’d set up your tent if you were transported to Faerun and one of Tav’s companions?

Personally I always pick the position furtherst from the water/edge. Which usually means I’m near Withers or Halsin. Though sometimes it’s by Gale.

What about you guys?

[warlordfelwinter]

motion, night, alternate

[character design asks]

i was just going to talk about Fiver more but i already answered 'motion' for him, so! i'll do this one about Celeste cause he's the first other oc to pop into my head

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

he's very flexible and graceful, very coordinated and controlled. apparently i have an oc type and it's people who are in perfect control of their bodies but, i mean, he's a professional dancer and part angel. he's gonna be graceful. his typical attire is a mix of fitted and flowy, but always light moveable fabrics, stuff that's easy to dance in, nothing that hinders movement.

night: What does your OC wear to sleep? Do they have a favorite pair of PJs, or are they more the birthday suit type?

like a crop top and either shorts or capris of soft, loose fabrics. probably a little too modern looking for a dnd setting, but whatever lmao it's a fantasy world, he can have my pjs

alternate: What would your OC's alternate universe look be? If they're a fantasy character, what's their modern look? If they're sci-fi, what's their fantasy look? What AU would you want to see your OC in, and how would they dress themself? Bonus: Prompt an AU!

i'm not really an AU person generally speaking, i just can't really get into them bc usually my characters are so. ingrained in their setting so it feels weird to me to remove them, but i do sometimes think about a 'modern' faerun and have come to the terrible realization that Celeste would be an influencer. he would accidentally get famous on faerunian tiktok by posting like unhinged ddr content. i drew him an instagram once.

[cambion-companion]

BG3 Companions on a Halloween Date

YES I was itching to do something for the BG3 gang for the season. You could say it's been bugging me. Hah. Ok sorry it's the influence of my pfp.

Let's start with

You want a cozy night in under the covers, watching scary movies (or puppet shows or whatever the heck is the equivalent in Faerun) but he's not sold on the idea. "I've seen enough horror to last me several lifetimes, darling."

Instead Astarion would take you out in the crisp Autumn air, under the distant sun, for a walk crunching through the dried leaves of brown and red.

He'd want to go to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect gourd for a Jack-o-Lantern.

When the sun set so very early in the afternoon, you'd retire back to your cozy abode and set to carving faces into your pumpkins.

Astarion of course would make short work of his, dexterous as ever with those knives, and he would do his best to shape the face into what he hopes he looks like.

Either that or, depending on where you're at in his character arc, he'd remake Cazador BEFORE gutting it and making a whole show of utterly eviscerating the poor Halloween decoration. "Astarion, this is supposed to be relaxing." "This IS my ideal downtime."

You want someone who will snuggle under the covers and watch Hocus Pocus with you? Wyll is your man. But sorry I'm trying to keep to a less modern AU.

Wyll seems like the kind of guy who would put on some fitting music as you two cooked together, dancing in the kitchen intermittently and almost forgetting to check on the cookies before they burned.

He's such a sweetheart, checking to make sure you're happy with just spending an evening indoors with him. "We can go out on the town if you desire, sweetheart." "No, Wyll, I've told you this is absolutely perfect."

Depending on the choices you've made with him thus far, Mizora might pop in to dip her finger in the batter and bamf out again, giving ya'll a cheeky wink. "Ta ta, love imps. You make me physically ill."

Sigh, you're back for more bones hm?

Alright I'll entertain you.

You ask Withers to dance to Spooky Scary Skeletons. He looks at you, unimpressed. "Get thee hence." "Wilt thou harass someone else?"

Ideally I would propose and she'd say "yes". Oh what? Sorry, I was miles away.

For a Halloween date. Hm. A corn maze. Definitely.

She'd be all about her tutelage under Shar's freaks followers and want to show off her sneaking skills.

It would turn into a game of hide-and-go-seek and then it'd get a little creepy before she'd inevitably pounce on you and you'd end of in a fit of laughter together.

"I wasn't going to hurt you!" "Well, Shaddy, sometimes I wonder." "Good to keep you on your toes, then." "Careful, I saw a pond on the way in."

Then you two would go and get some candied apples and chat about memories and flowers that bloom in the gloaming.

Oh Gale.

He'd love to read to you out of a classic gothic novel (cough cough Dracula cough cough) while you two cozy up under some blankets.

He'd probably get fresh with you and run a hand up your leg or something, OH SORRY this is post the patch that fixed that? OK. He'd wait an extra hour.

Tara would curl up next to you and listen as he read from the book, the firelight crackling and warming your bodies as the night grows dark outside.

Afterward he would ask if you'd like to be guided into the Astral plane where you can look down on the All Hallow's Eve festivities below.

yeah, gotta give Tiefling daddy some love. Especially since I still feel bad for massacring them all my last playthru.

Zevlor is another who has seen his fair share of horror, and he would opt to do something more lighthearted with you for a Halloween date.

He seems like a family kind of man, so I expect he would invite the whole gang over for a delicious dinner. Mol and her friends, Arabella and her parents. Rolan and Zorru and maybe even Auntie Ethel will sneak in there. Then it really WOULD be a Halloween experience.

After the dinner and the guests are snoozing or already left he'd wrap an arm around you and pull you close. "Would you accompany me outside? I would like to show you the stars and tell their tales. It's been so long since I've gotten to properly admire them. Or you."

Of course I have to include the daddy devil, who do you think I am?

Raphael would take you to a haunted house, of course. OF COURSE.

Hell, what better house that is haunted than the House of Hope?

It would be horrifying for you, since the no touching rules don't apply there, and most amusing for him.

You'd practically climb the cambion in your efforts to avoid the ghosties, especially that one who constantly says "huuuurt meeee, pleeeaaase."

Raphael would enjoy watching you squirm, and remind you such a fate would not be yours only IF you followed his rules.

Oh yeah, and maybe if you're lucky, or perhaps very unlucky, he'll invite you to his Boudoir.

Oak Father frowns on dissecting pumpkins for the sake of creating superfluous lanterns (or something...I heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend, ok)

Instead, Halsin would druid craft you vines and harvest fruits in whatever shapes, sizes, and colors you desired.

He'd also want to go trick or treating so BADLY. "But Halsin, you're eight feet tall and built like a linebacker. No one is going to mistake you for a kid." Then he'd cast Disguise Self and you'd be forced to take him out on the town in hunt of candy.

Poor guy didn't have much of a childhood and wants to experience the finer things in life. Get those king sized candy bars...just once.

You are a bit huffy, having expected a more...romantic evening than this. But he'll make it up to you later winkwonk , till you can bearly stand it.

Aw

You guys would get all CUTE and gussied up together.

Go out on the town.

Pick the best looking victim to be a sacrifice to Lolth.

Wait...what?

[parvulous-writings]

Oooh, I have a request idea!! How about Gale, Halsin, Astarion and Wyll or Karlach (if that's not too many ;-;) with a modern S/O from our world that makes them try a bunch of food from this dimension. I'd love to see their reaction to trying Soda or other Carbonated Beverages, and naturally seeing everyone's reaction to canned food - especially the kind that stays in the exact shape of the can even after you dump it into a bowl 🤣

Just imagine giving them this bad boy and being like "Bon appetit!" :D

I like to think they'd be horrified 🥰 Thank you so much !!

Summary: I do love me a little whimsical AU, I can't lie - so this MAY go into the realms of silly, but you know what? It's going to be fun! It also may be a bit all over the place... but you know what I think it fits XD The scenario is kinda the same for all of them - I hope that's okay!

Warnings: Some are a bit shorter/longer than others! Other than that... I don't think there's anything!

Notes:  My requests are currently open! My pinned post (found here) contains both a list of characters I write for, and a masterlist!  Original character list - please request for these too!

Gale

Out of everyone, Gale would probably be the most at-ease with you coming from another realm - he finds it absolutely fascinating.

He's asking questions all the time - is there magic in your universe? No?? What do you do, then??

You tell him about technology, and he is hooked. You start talking about electricity and immediately he's taking notes (mental or physical).

"I think I might actually have something you can try, Gale" you pull out of your pack a can of Coke (that somehow had survived the trip), and a tin of cranberry sauce that you had hoped to take home, before being whisked away to the land of Faerun. You offer him the can, and he just stares at it for a moment, observing it.

"And... what is this, exactly?" "It's a drink." "I fail to see how-" click "... Ah"

Isn't sure how the bubbles feel on his tongue - he almost spits out the drink the first mouthful he has. Doesn't mind the taste itself though - he would probably drink it flat, if he had the choice to.

"It's... Nice..." He seems mildly uncertain of this statement. "Though, I think I will stick to wine, and water..."

You telling him you can preserve food in metal near indefinitely? Pure 'teach me' moment. He will want to know EVERY secret on that front.

The tin of sauce confuses him. You tell him that it's sauce and he's eager to taste it - he's always on the look out for new flavours, as the self-declared cook in camp. Fish and potatoes can only keep you going for so long, until your tongue starts craving a new flavour.

When you present the unchanging... thing to him, he has no idea what to make of it. "That's... Not sauce. In fact, I don't even think that's edible - that looks like a health hazard."

He straight up refuses to use it that night, like he will not go near it, nor will he let it near the food.

Halsin

Halsin doesn't really talk about you being from another realm all that much - it doesn't overly concern him, now that you've got his trust.

He likes hearing stories of your life -even though you have to explain 90% of what you talk about to him, he's always eagerly listening to whatever you have to say.

Will not touch anything in a can - drink or otherwise.

"I... Do not feel right in trying this... my apologies."

You will not be able to convince him, whatever you try and do, he just... Doesn't want to listen to anything about that. If you keep trying to push him on the subject, he'll probably end up just walking away.

Though he's aware that preserving foods is probably a good idea for the long run, but after having heard the fizz from the can of coke? That's... A no go, for the time being.

Astarion

Astarion couldn't care less where you came from - so long as you're not going to stab him in the back, he's fine with you. You could be a crawling claw for all he cares - so long as you don't hurt him he really does not care.

Astarion doesn't typically eat anything other than his usual sanguine meals now that his affliction is out in the camp. This doesn't stop him from making snide comments on the food, though. And he makes especially snide comments when it comes to drinks - which he still partakes in quite happily.

"What do you mean... Fizzy?" His lips draw up slightly in a half-sneer, not being particularly drawn to the idea of... Whatever it was you were offering him. Though, he supposed, because it was you... He'd give it a go.

He manages to keep the beverage in his mouth after a sip, but the face he makes is beyond a grimace - clearly, he was not expecting that many bubbles.

Now when it came to the tinned sauce - or any tinned food for that matter... He'll simply laugh. "Now, I know we're short on supplies, darling, but... I don't think you'll get anyone to eat that." "Let me put it this way... If something like that was for my meal, I'd be running for the hills! ... And probably washing my mouth out with soap..."

"I am so glad I do not have to pretend I'm eating with you... Because that-" He points emphatically to the can-shaped food. "Would not, and will not, be going anywhere near my lips!"

Wyll

Wyll is curious about the realm you come from, but doesn't normally pry. He figures that, if you're going to reveal anything about your home land, you'll do it in your own time, when you're comfortable. If you start talking about your home and your life, Wyll will do the same, to show that he's not taking the conversation for granted.

Wyll actually LIKES carbonated beverages. He savours the feel on his tongue - it's like nothing else he's ever had before, and he's instantly wanting more. If you ever do figure out the realm-hopping thing, you'll have to bring him some more - possibly some different brands or flavours for him to try.

"So... These beverages... They can... Taste of flowers, and other delightful things?" Wyll hums pleasantly at this thought. "Well, I know we have... Similar things, here in Faerun, but I am most intrigued on your realms' flavours... As pleasant as it all can be, you can only handle so much of the same..."

Though canned food doesn't.... Really seem appealing to him, he'll still give it a good try! He's down to try any food at least once.

He's not keen on the appearance of the cranberry sauce, but he has some with some turkey you've roasted, and he's in love with the taste. Sure, the appearance could use some work, but beggars can't always be choosers - at least it tasted delicious!

Absolutely LOVES tinned vegetables. He's not sure why - he knows they've got a very different taste and texture to their fresher counterpart, but... There's just something about them that he can't get enough of. Tinned carrots especially.

If you give him the chance - and Gale for once isn't trying to make dinner - Wyll will try and find a way to include tinned foods. He will get everyone to like them, he's certain of it.

Karlach

Karlach LOVES hearing anything and everything about your home realm - from the mundane to the even mundane-r. You have a special tub to bathe in, not made from wood? And it has running water, like a river, that you can control?? That's one of the coolest things Karlach has heard of - and she longs for a way to try and bring that kind of plumbing to Faerun.

Karlach isn't fussed on the Coke can you offer her - she'll drink it, for sure, but if there's the option of another drink, then she'll probably opt for that first. Purely for the reason that it's a relatively new sensation compared to the other kinds of fizzy found in drinks across Faerun.

Like, fermentation has a kick, but in comparison, carbonation is a roar, that Karlach needs a little adjusting to - she has the best reaction out of the lot of them, I think.

"Whoo- that's... Hah, that's something, soldier... And how often do you drink this? Once a day? ... Several? Several cans of this a day?" She laughs quietly, shaking her head. "You're braver than me at some things, soldier."

However, when it comes to tinned food... She loves it. She's not even sure why - perhaps it's just the fact that she loves food. You show her the sauce first, and she doesn't even bat an eye at the fact that the sauce had retained the shape of the can. She sniffs at it, before just picking it up and taking a bite.

"A little sharp... But not bad!" Another bite. "You're meant to eat that with meat, Karlach," "Huh? .... Ah, well - still tastes good like this!"

She's not as fond of tinned veggies, but she'll still eat them. Normally dinner will now start with. "Aw, what? Don't we have anymore of that red stuff?"

[tavshortfortavern]

Companions with a Tav from Modern Earth

Modern!Tav who still has their things from earth

Characters: Astarion, Gale, Karlach

Astarion

Learns that you have never met another race other than your own and he was the first elf you've met outside of stories, he's all smug that he was the first one you've met and horrified of a world without elves.

"Well darling, how is your first meeting with an elf?" He asks, posing proudly. "Must be a momentous day."

You stare at him up and down. "I thought you'd be taller." He gasps and glares indignantly but you kept making fun of his height

When he mentions not being able to see his reflection, you take a picture of him with your phone. He's alarmed with whatever your doing with that strange device until you show him his picture

"Is that me?" he's stunned, reaching out towards where his image is shown. The curse doesn't take into account digital reflection.

You do your best to explain the cellular device but most importantly the camera feature. You've been using it to snap pictures of places, fantastical scenes in this fantasyland and documenting memories

He listens enraptured. You come to almost regret it bc now said phone frequently goes missing. Astarion having pickpocket it to take selfies or simply admire himself in the screen

Soon your memory is almost full thanks to the selfies he's taking. He remarks you should be thankful to have such gorgeous sights immortalized in your device. He's doing you a favor

You will admit he's gotten real good at taking photos of himself. He'd quickly become a popular social media influencer/model back home.

Found out your little hand mirror could also show his reflection. The way your world made mirrors was without silver and could reflect him. You give it to him freely, as long as it means your phone is stolen less

Genuinely thankful for the gift. Keeps it close to him at all times. You know this when you observe him gazing at himself thru the mirror, touching his face with a look that says he can't quite believe what he's seeing. Quickly earns you a lot of approval.

Asks for your handmade soaps and shampoo made from natural resources you scavenged and bought. It eases the experience of roughing it out in the wild

When he feeds on you the first time, its great but immediately notices something wrong. Your blood tastes different somehow.

You explain microplastics and he's horrified. (but if he canonically gets a taste for Gale's blood, he will for yours)

Gale

Can't wrap his head around a world without magic.

Listens to you explain you and the majority of the population believing magic was a fairy tale and never heard of this 'Weave'

Wants to hear about your world, its history and how its progressing having no magic and only containing humans.

He understands this must be a lot for you and is willing to teach you everything you need to know about Faerun

Always interested in whatever device you pull out. Asking plenty of questions. From your phone to a ballpoint pen. Once spent a day studying the taser you had.

Loves the look of childlike wonder on your face whenever a spell is cast. Even a simple cantrip. Gladly shows off and soaks in the rapt attention you give him whenever he talks about spellcraft.

Helps you out with your own casting, if you obtained the ability to use magic, he could provide a little insight in guiding a new power

Soon you'll be sharing your stationary items. Started with the pen, next the multi-colored ones and so on.

Usually protective over kitchen duties but welcomes you to make dishes from your home world. Some even become a staple in camp.

If you have any soda, don't let him drink without warning him. He'll startle when the fizz hits his tongue and maybe choke.

Understands your homesickness. Being torn from everything you've ever known to a dangerous environment must be a lot. Is very patient when answering your questions even if they seem inane.

Show him pictures and videos of your home and he'd be intrigued, the glass towers, structures that pierce the sky, streets lit with colorful lights, and flying machines. Some parts remind him of Waterdeep.

Karlach

Loves soda and whatever fast food you have. Could go months just eating that if Gale hadn't put his foot down.

Introduce her to rock music and heavy metal. Hypes her up for a fight. Even music that's nice to dance to. Will be dancing a lot in camp. And jamming out.

Also learns you're still new to meeting other races. Thinks its great how your willing to help people you might have been alarmed to see at first and being so open minded to befriend anyone

Sympathetic when your homesick. She has her own experience being sent off into a different plane for years with nothing to connect her to home

You talk about modern medicine back home and heart surgery. Both of you wonder if they could just get her engine out and replace it with a normal heart in a hospital. It's a frequent topic of conversation as you work out the logistics

Is also happy to listen to any stories from your world. From classic fairy tales to history. Asks for them whenever it gets too quiet

Wants to see your world some day. If her engines gets fixed wants to visit and see everything you've told her and places shown in the pcitures in your phone

Photobombs your pictures. Its especially funny when she does it to Astarion trying to take another pic of himself, he complains but never deletes the picture

Will go through your photo album and ask about them. Who are the people your with, what are you doing in this, where is this and whats it like there

[inkymoonbunny]

Astarion x Tav Fic Recs

These are just some of my favorites! <3 Mix of during game and AUs

Epistles of Saints & Sinners @elegantduelliste - Soulmate Marks AU during game. Astarion recognizes Tav’s soulmate mark, it matches his own, but he's not going to tell her that; he can't have a soulmate, it's just one more thing Cazador has stolen from him. Tav is just as drawn to Astarion, but her own history has left her guarded and wary of being vulnerable. Elle’s writing of the push and pull of their relationship is breathtaking and heart-wrenching. Matching a bard Tav, Elle's prose takes on a lyrical quality and her use of imagery is unparalleled. 

The House of Astarion by Throckmorton420 - Labyrinth AU post-Elderbrain. Ascended Astarion lost interest in conquering Faerun once he came across the Labyrinth, it's much more his style anyway. Stealing Tav’s violin, he offers her a deal: solve his Labyrinth and he'll return her violin and grant her a wish. Realizing this is her opportunity to reconnect to the Weave, Tav agrees. Did I mention goostarion? Because there's goostarion! This fic is filled with mischief, whimsy, and so much heart. 

Fools' Work @semper-draca - Pre-Tadpole AU. Cazador has sent his spawn after a mysterious box and luckily for Astarion, his latest target happens to have a lead. It should be easy to seduce her and steal the prize! Too bad she’s not as naive as Astarion believes. This mercenary Tav is perceptive and delightfully unhinged that makes her a great matchup for a scheming Astarion. 

When the Dawn Breaks… @harcourtholmesii - set during game. Before Astarion was turned, he ignored his family’s disapproval of a Drow lover. Two hundred years later, Lavender has found the lover she grieved and believed dead. Astarion brushes away her questions but still sweeps her off her feet. He can’t believe his luck in finding a target that presumably knows him, one easy to lure back when he so desperately needs to keep in good graces with his master. 

Until You @bloodinwine - Post-Elderbrain with modern world AU flavor. Effy thought Astarion needed a friend more than a lover, so now here they are as roommates and definitely not hopelessly in love pining after one another. Effy struggles to fight her way free of self-destructive tendencies and be the person Astarion needs her to be. This Tav is a loveable hot mess! I have never wanted to take a character by the shoulders and shake them so badly, thank you June for spinning Effy into the world. 

Lacunae @karinamay - Series set during game. Tav was once Astarion’s target, but she slipped away. Upon meeting after the Nautiloid crash, she remembers but Astarion does not. This is the one that inspired me to start writing again. It’s sweet and heartbreaking and deliciously spicy!

Pour One Out @aevallare - Modern AU/1000 years post-Elderbrain. A spinoff from the much loved and fandom favorite Kindred featuring an anxious Auri that doesn't remember her past life and a tailor Astarion that's in awe of finding his love again. This is an Astarion that's had centuries to heal from his ordeal with Cazador, one that's been able to flourish in freedom. Astarion gets his chance to be a hero for Auri this time around. Aevallare's characterization of Astarion is absolutely unmatched.

All these fics are ongoing so you must be patient, but DO give them a read and the authors some love/kudos/comments!

[lovelybrooke]

how would the bg3 companions react if reader becomes worried about going home? they’ve obviously grown and changed as a person and their family and friends wouldn’t believe their explanations on why. i imagine the thought of going home and having to face that while acclimatising back to modern life after everything they’ve been through would feel pretty daunting & they won’t have anyone to talk about their traumatic experiences without being judged. so would the companions use that doubt in order to convince them that they are better off forgetting about going home and staying in faerun?

Honestly I think it makes sense for the reader to have a lot of fear around going home. I forget canonically how long their journey is, I think some characters mention it in the epilogue, but no matter how long, spending months in another world leaves a mark on you. Imagine going from slaying monsters and watching people perform magic to having to go back to your 9 to 5. Reader would probably worry about people asking where they've been, what happened to them, all that.

The companions would definitely use this fear against reader, especially as time goes on. Like in the beginning, the characters are more weary of reader, but as time goes on they grow closer to them and fear loosing them. So when they realize that you are also scared of leaving, they feed into that fear. I think there is also a lot of guilt tripping going on as well, reminding you that even though the Netherbrain is dead, the people of Baldur's Gate still need someone to protect them. You are there hero, it would look bad to abandon them now.

They keep pressuring you to stay just a little while longer, Gale keeps telling you that he hasn't discovered a way to get you home, but if you just give him a few more weeks, he'll definitely find something. Eventually, months past and you haven't thought about going home in a while, not because you don't want to leave, but whenever you so much as mention it, you're reminded thoroughly that there is nothing they can do, so you should just forget about it.

[cathyfowl]

I’ve crawled out of the woodwork finally and I have questions about the AU, I am very curious!!

You said Modern AU, but is it going to still be a fantasy setting? Are they still gunna be a wizard and vampire? Or just two normal traumatized men?

And do they have like real people jobs? If so what do they do?

Gale considered Elminster his best friend if I remember right, is our favorite weird old dude gunna pop in too?

Welcome to the madness and thank you for the questions! I planned a fully normal Modern AU. No magic, no fantasy races. I'm still going to use Faerun's cities because I wanna play fast and loose with police procedures and special government agencies. (But everyone can imagine them as whatever they are most familiar with.)

Gale is going to be an academic/professor of (probably) physics. Astarion has not had the chance to have a 'normal' job.

I'm not sure about Elminster appearing yet, though it's very likely. There will probably be a lot of cameos of minor characters.

Thank you again for your interest!

[dragonagitator]

As someone who came to Dragon Age fandom late and thus was spoiled by immediately having access to years' worth of fanfics from every imaginable trope to enjoy, the current complete lack of Gale Dekarios / Modern Girl in Faerun author self-insert fanfics is killing me.

We've already got the perfect entry point for the MGIF character: The opening cinematic of the nautiloid jumping between realms snatching people up. What if one of the random jumps was to our reality and someone who had played the game was kidnapped instead of Tav? After all, in an infinite multiverse, it's entirely possible that something that is fiction in one universe is reality in another universe. [Edit: Earth and Faerun existing in the same multiverse confirmed to be canon in Forgotten Realms lore.]

But so far there's barely any Modern Character in Faerun fanfics at all, and none of them are Gale/OFC. Come on, fanfic authors, I've already thoroughly exhausted all my own cringey self-insert fantasies in my daydreaming, please let me read yours. How much do you use your foreknowledge of events to steer for a specific ending or perhaps create a brand new one? How long are you able to bite your tongue about Mystra before going off on a rant that Gale's not ready to hear about how she was an abusive groomer? How many terrible jokes will your self-insert character make about pondering his orb? I NEED TO KNOW.

[spicyraeman]

For your band au do you prefer fantasy races for the characters or to turn them human? Cause I imagine Lae'zel's claws would make holding drum sticks hard... But of course she could cut them lol

Fantasy races 100%, the world I imagine the band au taking place in is more of a modern Faerun than our modern world

As for Lae'zel's claws, from what i've seen if she's holding her drum sticks with the correct grip her claws really shouldn't be too much of a problem, at most I can see her maybe blunting them just to make sure they don't cause an issue

[moderncharactersinfaerun]

The Forgotten Realms has a lot of ways for Modern Characters (or otherwise known as Self Inserts or OC Inserts) and this is because Earth is one of the "realms" (i.e.: dimension). So this means your MCIF can have any way or reason into the Realm you can think of.

Most people will likely write within Faerun as its the one most people are familiar with, even in dnd campaigns. There are other locations of course but again most stick to what they know.

Also remember, when constructing your fics, keep in mind that the Realm's magic and fantastical is actually where people on Earth get their myths, religions, and folklore. So there could be a hefty amount of overlap in divine and spiritual figures you could add to your fics.

[kozh-lucium]

Warning, a rant of BG3 fandom (and of astarion)

BG3 and Astarion stans TM (not normal fans, mind you) made me realize I'm too old for fandom like...this.

Idk if I'm just unlucky or something like that, but the amount of people who equates "nuance" with "let's go full genocide bcs it's fun and to troll wyll/karlach" is too damn high.

Aaaand not surprising, almost all of them are astarion stans tm. Look, I'm not saying all of astarion fans are like this, but forgive me for getting more and more uncomfortable with how some people are acting. So apparently I am not allowed to complain about how astarion keeps being a dick in act 1, but they're allowed to hate karlach and wyll so much because they're "goody two shoes"?

Sorry, it sounds like hypocrisy.

Just the other day i had a fight with several people, over discussion of Gandrel (the gur we met in the swamp). It's crazy for me how they feel the need to invent ridiculous just to justify killing him. I can respect if the reson if "It's more pragmatic" (I mean, i still disagree since we can just lie to him), I even respect more when someone said "lol i did it because I'm an astarion simp, I'll do whatever he ask me to". But to say that gandrel is an amoral character who needs to die because he will make a deal with the hag just to find astarion? Or that he doesn't have proof that astarion is hurting people?

Are these people serious??

It's extra ironic how one of them just before this claim that I imposed modern morality for finding their action to be not neutral, and that faerun being medieval dark fantasy setting is suppsed to be more lenient to evil actions, elyet in the same breath accusing an NPC as amoral for trying to strike a deal with the hag, enought that it's okay to kill him.

For some reason, to them, not liking evil run meams you're media illiterate and can't handle nuance.

Look, i can't handle it, i wouldn't enjoy witcher 2 writing and def. will stake astarion the first chance i got.

Sorry for the long rant. I'm super cranky right now. I hate edgelords like them.

[brain-rot-central]

This is gonna sound stupid at first, or the whole thing is, but bear with me for a second, because this brainrot requires a setup: So it's canon that in BG3 there's different worlds and cosmos. Now imagine the our Tav was plucked by the Nautiloid from our modern Earth or its equivalent. So she essentially got isekai'd (escapist fantasy genre where the character is transported or reincarnated into a DnD type world, usually after getting hit by a truck).

Thus this Tav is very much fish out of water. Maybe she has cheats like they do in this genre and can see the dialogue options (and Astarion always hears her mumbling about how rude some of the options are). Perhaps she was carrying her violin, gets mistaken for a bard, and is great at distracting her enemies, like regaling the goblin camp with the tale of the crime family from the land of Sicily while playing the theme music (Godfather).

Now for the actual important bit: Imagine Tav using her knowledge of modern media to try and woo Astarion with varying and hilarious results. Maybe she goes full Basic Instinct and uncrosses her legs for Astarion without her underwear, awakening something in him. Or she fails to find an appropriate pencil skirt, accidentally reveals her plan to Astarion via tadpole, and he plays the Uno reverse card and invites her into his tent and poses like Sharon Stone.

...look, I've been giggling at this stupid idea that I had to share. To end this ridiculous AU, let's say this Tav can't age since the gods from her cosmos can't reach her, so she can live with vampire spawn Astarion forever in Faerun because dammit I need a cliche happily ever after. The End.

....that is a very thought out AU.

So essentially, Tav is one of us, dies from her life here on Earth only to be reincarnated in Faerun, but still has knowledge of her earthly life?

So she's literally wooing everyone with concepts she's picked up from movies and they all think she's a genius?

Astarion's none the wiser to it until the tadpole betrays her???

Very interesting idea for a reincarnation AU!

[tavshortfortavern]

Npcs scrolling through your phone

You felt homesick and spent some time looking through pictures on your phone. You got distracted and left said phone out in the open where the tieflings could find it. How they react to looking through your photo album (and see some spicey pics of you)

Characters: Dammon, Rolan, Zevlor

Warnings: none, mention of nudes ig

Notes: Back on my isekai shenanigans. I want to do more with this. Might make a part 2 with companions

Dammon

Absorbs everything he can about Earth. He loves hearing you talk about your home and is fascinated with your phone

When he notices it just laying there he couldn't help but pick it up

Runs his hands around the sleek surface. Admiring the craftsmanship. Many questions running through his head on how it was made, was this glass? The metal feels so smooth

He's tempted to take it apart by peice to understand it

His thumb presses something and the screen lights up. He looks on wide eye as he sees rows and rows of images

You told him enough how you capture images on your device and he recognizes one of him. He figures out how to scroll through the rows of images

There's a lot of pictures of cute animals, he notices with a smile. He doesn't understand the memes tho. He recognizes some of the places you took photos of. He marvels at the detail. Paintings couldn't come close to this

Then he scrolls even longer and he gets to pictures you've taken before arriving in Faerun

It was like looking through memories. He sees you doing various things in different places

He can't help staring at some for longer. You look wonderful in every one. Theres a twinge of affection seeing the random, candid ones of you just doing mundane or silly things

A little more flustered at the ones you pose with a nice outfit and makeup. Looking like some noble at a gathering

If he sees pictures of a city in your world he wonders what those glass 'towers' are and how they're made. They look taller than any structure he's ever seen

An image of the city at night is his favorite. Is this where you live? The lights are mesmerizing. He couldn't imagine seeing it in person. He does believe someone like you lives in a fantastical place like that

Just gets more enthralled with you as a person with all the places you've been and things you've done.

Then he gets to 'those' pictures with you scantily clad or completely nude and he nearly drops the phone

He couldn't help but stare for a few seconds admiring the view before setting it down. Looking around wondering if you've seen him

Feels terrible knowing you hadn't intended to show him that but questions what they're for

Safe to say the image is burned into his mind. He will fess up about it. Apologizing profusely. If you accept his apology he'll quickly turn to ask about your home

Rolan

Was going to scold you for just leaving your things out. What if they were stolen?

Picked up your phone hoping to give it to you but ends up wondering about the odd device.

Startles when it lights up on one end

From the images he thinks it some type of memory viewer. With how detailed the pictures, it's like he was actually there

Then he sees pictures of you and he's drawn in like a moth to a flame. Next thing he knows he's swiping through photo after photo

He rolls his eyes at some of the silly images you took. Hooligan. Skips the memes and focuses on pictures that had you in them

Sees you going about you daily life. The modern world looking alien to his eyes and he doesn't understand what your doing in some of them

But he likes seeing these genuine moments.

He knows what its like leaving your home behind suddenly. Next time perhaps you two could talk more about your life back on your world

Makes an emberassing noise when he sees a nude photo of you and drops it like his hand was burned

Tries to get it out of his mind and continue on his normal day but whenever he sees you the images returns and he fails to act normal

He will eventually tell you what happened and is genuinely sorry about invading your privacy. If you just laugh at his reaction to your nudes he'll just be grumpy

Might call you a degenerate but that won't save him from your teasing

Zevlor

Definitely worried about touching your things. Scared he might damage something

But like Rolan he'll see pictures of you and he's overun by curiosity. He's also fascinated by technology from your world

Is amused at the animals pictures but really drawn to those of you. He wants to know what your life before was like, what you thought, what you like doing

Loves the ones where you look peaceful, laying down somewhere nice and sunny. He's always worried of the danger you get in to or attract. Its lovely to see moments like this

While he's happy looking through these pictures. A part of him is worried you miss your home so much you would rather be there (and away from him)

You had a nice life according to these pictures. You must want to go back.

He understands having to leave the place you grew to care for and being thrust into unfavorable circumstances. He admires how well you've done for yourself in this foreign world, away from everything you've ever known

You have his respect. He's lucky to have ever known you. But he wonders if he's enough to make you stay. Or if he should even want you to instead of supporting your wishes

When he comes across the spicey✨ pictures of you his face turns a deeper shade of red. He's frozen still as a part of him admires the sight before him but another orders him to look away! That's not gentlemanly!

Puts the phone down and feels more guilty than ever. Doesn't know how to bring this up with you but his morals tell him to

Thankfully you find it more funny but now he's really curious of what those pictures were for and how he can stop daydreaming about them so much like some youth