#Thread: Gwenifar van Hol

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent:( GRAZE ) grazing mine’s shoulders with their fingers. ( Gale @ Gwen) Seduction Starters

To find such a fascinating tower in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere in the Underdark was stimulating. To go through the books on the shelves, even though they were dusty and forgotten, Gwenifar couldn't help herself. She stood at a table near the wall, looking over a book discussing the studies of the person who had occupied it, especially about the sussur flowers.

She could feel him as he neared, the grime and sweat there, but also something distinctly him-pages of a book, the spices used for cooking, with a hint of rose water. The touch of his fingers grazing along her shoulder sent a reaction through her—

One she wasn't quite acquainted with, but she did not mind.

She turned to look at him, realizing how close he was as his hand rested on her shoulder, looking at the tomes she had in front of her. When his gaze came to hers, she was thankful it was dark and he couldn't see how profusely she was blushing, judging by how warm her cheeks were.

"These...These studies are fascinating," she said after a moment, turning back to look at the books. She was rather aware the others were searching other floors for something useful, leaving her and Gale quite alone.

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The smile turning into a grin changed the heat on her cheeks to a warm dusting to a raging heat. He had noticed. Of course he had noticed. Everyone noticed whenever her cheeks changed hue due to how ghastly pale she was, paired with the red hair to only amplify it and—

Of course another wizard. They all had a tendency to flock together. Not that it really mattered, it shouldn't matter. Gwenifar had no idea why there felt like a pang of disappointment growing in her as he continued to speak of this Tara. She meant a great deal to him, just by how he described her.

His question, though, brought her back to her work. She had to focus on her job, not any other...Whatever it may be.

"No visitors." Her tone was stern, but then she paused to consider, brow furrowing. "The pox is highly contagious by touch to just about anyone, as you can see. We even have some cases among high elves. Why do you think Tara wouldn't catch it?"

Oh, was she blushing? Gale couldn't quite help the way his smile morphed into a grin. He'd dare say she was! Perhaps there would be a chance for him to win her over yet. As soon as he could get out of this blasted bed, at any rate.

At her next words, a chuckle escaped him. Oh yes, he had a feeling Tara would like Sister Gwenifar. Someone else to help keep him in his place, no doubt.

"Oh yes, Tara's quite intelligent," he said with a nod. "Quite the accomplished Wizard, in her own right." Of course, a lack of opposable thumbs did hinder that somewhat. But she more than made up for it with her shrewd nature and cleverness.

He hesitated a moment, wondering if he dared voice his next thought. Well, the sister still seemed in a good mood, might as well risk it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all. "Do you think she could visit? She wouldn't take up much space and I doubt she could catch the pox, besides."

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Open Conversation: The Illuskan Violin

Setting: Set during an evening early on in the adventure, after entering the grove and doing one or two good acts, as well as purchasing an old Illuskan violin that is marked from the merchant there and equipping it to Gwenifar. (don't worry it's not expensive). Goal of conversation: get her to discuss her meeting with Ilmater as a child and the deal she struck with him.

The sound of a violin carried on the breeze, tied with a full voice singing in Illuskan. Standing on the shore of the river, a bit away from the camp, the cleric played and sang as if no one could hear or see her. It was something she would do to clear her mind. And she was glad to have an instrument to do so now. Gods knew she needed to clear her mind.

She heard their approach, but continued to play until the end of the stanza. She gave a nod in greeting and a smile.

"I told you my grandfather was Illuskan when you gave this to me," she explained. "This was an old song he taught me before he passed. I played it often when I needed...A way to keep myself busy and needed to clear my mind. I find music helps to ease a troubled mind."

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: ❛  i think i've been in love with you since the day we met - scratch that, i know i've been in love with you since the day we met.  ❜ (Gale @ Gwen :3c) from 🐝  *  ―  𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 / 𝒀𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

To sit with him on his beloved balcony, overlooking the harbor was a wonderful feeling. Just sitting together, fingers laced within each other's and her head resting on his shoulder as they watched the sunset.

His comment, though, brought back memories from years ago. When he'd been brought in with other victims of the pox, fevered and ill. The goal to lower his temperature first and foremost before other treatment. And how he had said things written off due to his illness.

"Hmm," Gwen started thoughtfully, her hand turning his in hers to lightly trace the lines on it, "that would explain what you said in your fevered state when you were brought to the hospice." There was a slight playfulness in her tone, almost egging him on.

She was quite sure in the state he was in, he wouldn't remember what he'd said. He didn't remember before, after all.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: “You’re always tasking care of everyone else, but do you let anyone look after you?” (Vax @ Gwen) from that soft, comforting vibe  … sentence starters 

The question, while well intended, brought back memories and thoughts Gwenifar wasn't fond of dwelling on. She liked to keep herself busy, keep herself going, and not think on the matter of herself. She'd spent plenty of time doing that years ago, after all.

"I've been looked after plenty in my life to fill my need for it," she told him plainly. She had no desire to burden someone with her needs ever again. "Now, hold still, otherwise this bandage will either be too tight or too loose."

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To think their first meeting had been something of...A bit chaotic, and very much a pair of passing ships in the night. Both far too occupied with their own personal struggles and ambitions to see the possibility which had been before them. Although, Gwenifar had accepted, perhaps, it had been for the best to allow time to past. For both of them to grow and learn, because perhaps in their younger years, they may not have been as amicable to the other.

No matter the suggestions and teases from the others working in the quarantine. They had apparently seen something she and Gale had entirely missed. Both far too wrapped up within their own worlds, ignoring how others saw how their worlds wanted to collide.

Gwenifar tilted her head at his request and the sheepish smile. Something for her? She was quite sure he had been spoiling her well enough since they came to Waterdeep, with her needing to take a step or two back at times to not be overwhelmed. It was an entirely different life than she was to used to, to say the least.

"I'm quite sure I am in want of nothing except you but..." She conceded, moving to sit on the arm of the chair and allow him to rise to get whatever it was he seemed to have suddenly remembered.

She wouldn't deny she was incredibly curious as to what it was.

Gale gazed up at her, smiling softly as the blush grew on her cheeks. He enjoyed, perhaps more than he should, that he could pull those sorts of reactions from her. That they were reserved for him and him alone.

He leaned into her touch, and into the press of her lips against his eagerly. How did he ever get so lucky, as to gain the attentions of this amazing woman?

"I'm glad to hear it," Gale said, leaning forward to bump his nose against hers. "And I endeavor to bring you that same happiness every day for the rest of our hopefully long lives."

Gale could scarcely believe that the bossy cleric he'd met so many years ago would have ended up here, in his tower, with him. There first meeting had been the right place at the wrong time, but now the universe had managed to right itself, bringing them together again against all odds.

Which reminded him...

"If you'll permit me a moment, my love, I have something for you." He grinned sheepishly up at her. "If you don't mind."

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate plotted Starter for Gale & Gwen

The Favor of Ilmater

They had found themselves in a skirmish with some of Orin's people in the tunnels beneath Baldur's Gate. It had seemed they would have the upper hand, but trickery had come into play, as to be expected from followers of the Dead Three. They were separated from the others now, which would have been something they could have handled—

If in the trickery, Gale hadn't been grievously injured. Out of potions with not much energy left, Gwen sat on the cold stone floor, staring at the caved in wall. Gale's head rested in her lap and she soothingly ran her hands through his hair. She wasn't sure if he could feel it, though. His injuries were grave and even if she did resort to the typical healing spells, they wouldn't do much good in his state.

And given their location, beneath Baldur's Gate, if he were to die, he wouldn't be the only one. But even then, if there weren't others at risk, Gwenifar knew she couldn't allow that. She couldn't let him die.

She remembered, in her studies, the last resort spell, used only in the most dire of circumstances, but viewed as one of the most holy spells for Ilmatari to use. Now seemed like the time to use it, even if it meant a great cost to herself.

She gently set his head on the cold stone, moving to sit beside him, muttering a spell to prepare herself for what was to come. Perhaps a little cheat card, as it were...

"Beneficentia de Ilmater!" She spoke the words and did the somatic components to cast the spell. It would trade her life force with his, leaving her hanging on by a thread but him well enough to last for the others. She could feel the drain on her energies and his pains coming to her. It was overwhelming, she felt dizzy. Her vision began to fade, she couldn't tell up from down, left from right.

Then it all went black.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: 💐   to   give   my   muse   a   bouquet   of   flowers. (Gale @ Gwen) from — LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

She had briefly admired the flowers on the cart when they had passed by them. But she hadn't dwelled on it, even has Karlach and Astarion had shared a discussion on them. Her eyes had lingered on the bright yellow tulips, perhaps longer than she had considered for Gale to have taken note.

So the gift when they returned to the Elfsong Tavern was very welcomed. It caused her heart to flutter, thinking about how this was the first time she received flowers amorously.

"Gale, they're lovely," she told him, gently taking them and leaning forward to give him a soft peck on his cheek. "But when did you get them?"

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: 🫣 (Gale @ Gwen) from send  a   ‘ 🫣 ’  for  sender  to  walk  in  on  receiver  in  a  state  of  undress  /  state  of  semi-undress  unintentionally

Gwenifar had gone to wash her garments. It was a rare moment when they could and she knew it was important to make sure to have things clean. She'd undone her bodice, removing the linen garment for the first layer of her clothing. The air was cool on her exposed skin on her torso. Perhaps she ought to submerge herself as well.

The sound of someone behind her drew her attention. She quickly looked over her shoulder and felt relief at seeing not an enemy, but a companion. A warm hue came to her cheeks as she realized which companion.

Normally, she wasn't concerned if someone saw her body; it was just a body, after all. But Gale caused a less apathetic reaction in her; not shy, but something else.

She kept the garment she had just removed close to her chest.

"Gale, is there something you need?"

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She had done so much wrong. She hadn't done it right, she had messed it up. Why was she surprised she had messed it up? This was...Not something foreign to her to do. She was just too much at times, she was too direct, too to the point, too firm. And now she'd gone and hurt Vigor with it.

"Vigor, please—" she started but only for him to tell her to enjoy her night. How could she enjoy her night? Not after that, not after all of that and the concern bubbling in her at that.

Feeling defeated, she turned to consider what next. Yet she found herself preferring the idea of sinking to the floor and thus, doing so. She leaned her back against the door, hearing the jovial attitude in the tavern below, but feeling no similar feeling.

Instead, she sat there with her thoughts replaying in her head, trying to analyze where she had gone wrong and what she could've done better and what she should've done.

Clasping his cheek did little to soothe his racing heart. Vigor tenses at her touch, freezing up before taking a step back when Gwen steps in. The weak, false smile had quickly faded as he turns his head away from her, refusing to meet her gaze. Suddenly, he's neither the dangerous assassin nor new-found friend, but the frightened stray; hiding from the world, cowering at the thought of being touched or seen. He knows she didn't mean to upset him, but he's embarrassed himself plenty for one night. ❝I'm sorry. Just— just forget that I asked,❞ what little composure he'd held moments ago was lost, his voice wavering as he grips his shirt to hide shaking hands. ❝I'll see you in the morning.❞

      Vigor tries to ignore the touch upon his cheek as he carefully brushes past Gwen, head low and buried into his hands as he enters his room. As he slowly starts to close the door, mindful not to slam it shut, Vigor tucks himself behind the ajar door as he speaks. ❝Go enjoy the night. Please. It's just— I need to sleep. I'm sorry. Again. I'll see you in the morning.❞

      With that, he closes and locks the door, lingering, hoping to hear her leave.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate gets a starter because I'm weak and was rewatching clips

This situation was quite new to her. Yes, there was the whole matter of what they were contending with, and that...That she felt comfortable with. She felt she could figure a way to solve, in time, the malady of their group. That was a situation, while new, was not something too far fetched. Gwenifar had contended with many life or death situations before.

But attraction, let alone the possibility of mutual attraction...

Well, that was down right foreign for her.

And she might have, perhaps, been reading into it too much. Perhaps he had only been being polite. His mix of emotions from the image of them having a romantic stroll, hands held, was akin to her own. She hadn't even realized the thought was there until it happened.

She ought to apologize, just in case. She wouldn't want any awkwardness in the camp, after all.

"Gale?" She said, approaching his tent.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: [ 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦 ] : sender has killed someone who threatened the receiver. (//Gale fireballed Klaudius maybe lol) from 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝:

While Gwenifar's personal preference was to spare people, the situation with the Truescar was...Something that needed to be dealt with. And even if she was meant to have hoped to of convinced him of a different mindset and forgive and that...She was glad he was gone. He had caused pain to so many people and his attitude towards had been unbecoming. His desire to twist her away from Ilmater to the Maiden of Pain was concerning.

But it was dealt with, with Gale having landed a final blow when they had came to help her. And now she was back at camp with her friends and Gale. Even if the situation before had unsettled her, she was safe for now at least. Who knew what tomorrow would bring.

She was tired, though, and all she wanted as to rest and be held. Without a word, after she had changed into more comfortable clothes, she made her way to Gale, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her head in his chest.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate sent: ❗❗❗ (Gale @ Gwen uwu) from Send " ❗❗❗ " for your muse to suddenly and unexpectedly kiss mine.

The feeling of his hand on the small of her back, turning her and guiding her to him took her by surprise. The kiss was also a surprise. A very, very welcomed surprise.

Gwenifar smiled into the kiss, tilting her head slightly to deepen it. Her arms moved to rest on his shoulders, enjoying how close he was to her.

She beamed at him as he pulled back and leaned in to press another, short kiss to his lips.

"Good morning to you too," she said with a small laugh. "It seems you've woken up in a good mood." She had been finishing up breakfast for them, as he had been working late the night before. She had thought to surprise him with breakfast in bed, but he had surprised her instead.

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"Currently, we're all a bit 'wet behind the ears,'" Gwenifar told him and gave a reassuring smile. "I believe it's a side effect of our shared abduction. So don't be too hard on yourself." Some people coped with jokes. Gwenifar coped with looking at the facts and finding a solution—temporary or permanent.

His concern caught her attention and she glanced up at him for a moment. Then she returned to focusing on her work. It would have to do for now; It did frustrate her she was not capable of doing what she used to be able to do.

"I am a cleric of Ilmater, my duty is to sacrifice my own comforts to ease other people's burdens," she told him. "Your concern is touching but not required."

"Well lucky me for their terrible aim!" He had to admit that making light of a situation like this was his way of coping with it, being all too serious about it would make it all grim even if that is what it could have been. "You're making me feel wet behind the ears! I can't say I have had a lot of battle experience in my years away from Baldur's Gate" While Gwen was busy tending to the wound, he observed her. "Please don't overexert yourself, with everything that has been going on and this battle just now you must be exhausted too." He was hinting at the little critters, he didn't want to admit to it but was feeling it too. He felt rusty during the battle like his muscles had forgotten all he had learned during his travels.

[tadbitfooled]

@championsofthegate

Gale had noticed the way Gwen had stumbled earlier. Almost ground to a halt before immediately pressing forward, not leaving any time for discussion. He had let it go at the time, but decided he would bring it up later. At camp, once they settled in, he approached, reaching out to take her hand in his gently. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly, searching her face while he spoke. "You seemed... pained, earlier."

She had hoped no one would notice. It was just...Something she had to deal with. Ever since she had gotten better. It was something which came and went. Just a sharp pain, sometimes in her chest, sometimes in her gut, or perhaps a limb. Today it had been her side. And it took her a moment to regain her composure and keep going.

Gwenifar still noticed the twinge, but willed herself to ignore it. There were more pressing matters to worry than her own—

The warmth of a hand on hers took her by surprise. She had been so wrapped up in working on ignoring it she hadn't even noticed Gale come near. She attempted a reassuring smile, not wanting him to worry. He had enough on his mind, after all.

"I...Yes, I'm fine," she told him. "I probably just moved wrong, that's all."

Oh, that hurt. She tried to hide the wince but it didn't work.

"It'll pass in time. It always does."

[tadbitfooled]

Act 1 Personal Quest Camp Conversation: The Pain Priest

Setting: This is a long rest after meeting Abdi.rak at the goblin camp and chose not to hand Gwenifar over to him. During the meeting, you learn some information about the relationship about Lovia.tans and Ilma.tari. Which is Lovia.tans will hunt down, torture, and maybe even kill Ilma.tari due to their interference in Lovia.tar's goals.

Gwenifar had settled herself by her tent, considering the events of the day at the goblin camp. Specifically the meeting with the priest of pain. Her companions hadn't agreed to his trade; a better boon for her and Gwenifar was glad of that. She knew of how the Lovia.tans would seek out the Ilma.tari, but there was a peculiarity in the request for her.

If only she had her notes back at the Open Hand Temple, this would be easier to—

"Oh! You startled me," she greeted at the approach. "I've had...Quite a bit to reflect on from today. But mostly I would like to say thank you. He gave an offering which could have been helpful but you decided not to." She paused, furrowing her brow in thought. "Although, I am curious as to what a Lovia.tan priest was doing out here, tied in with Absolute worshipping goblins."