#answer the call

[vqmpire-boy]

Answer his phone call.

[powdermelonkeg]

Out of curiosity, why Gale/Taliesin? I'd have thought you'd match Astarion with Taliesin and maybe Lucien or Remiel with Gale. Not to say I dislike the ship, I can see the potential, but I'm curious where it came from.

Funny answer:

"I have a cat, a library, and a weakness for a good glass of wine. And if the mood takes me, I'm known to try my hand at poetry."

Divines, ask him to dinner before you make a proposal, Gale! Have some decorum!

Serious answer:

So, I do get the impulse to match like with like. Astarion and Taliesin have a LOT in common; roguelike qualities and smooth, self-assured charm, an affinity for knife tricks, sass and drama, some good vanity. Same with Gale and Lucien (can't say anything for Remiel, haven't had a chance to do a proper playthrough with her yet).

But camaraderie and shared personality traits don't necessarily mean they'd compliment each other in a romantic sense.

Let's start with Lucien. He's the youngest of the group, younger even than Wyll (iirc, Joseph said he was 21? He might be a couple years older, but regardless, Wyll is 24). Bubbly, bright, full of enthusiasm and scholarly wit, with a penchant for jokes and a drive for exploration.

Can Lucien talk Gale out of blowing himself up for Mystra?

Would he, Mr. I'm-going-to-ride-a-daedric-horse, my-new-best-friend-is-a-murderous-automaton, discourage Professor Hubris from claiming the Crown of Karsus?

I think Lucien would be concerned for Gale. I think he would know the right option. But I don't think he has the finesse to navigate the tangled weave (heh) that makes up Gale. Lucien is naive, he's sweet, he's willing to accommodate, to the point that I don't think he could tell Gale "no" when it mattered most.

Would they get along? Absolutely! Lucien could teach Gale how to handle magicka, Gale could teach Lucien how to conduct the Weave. Both of them could have lengthy philosophical debates that go over everyone else's heads. Gale would have enough caution to temper Lucien's dwemerology enthusiasm, Lucien would encourage all kinds of discovery into Tamriel's wonders. But I see that manifesting as a mentor-apprentice sort of relationship. Still very close, but having them depend on each other in the way Gale approaches romance would be...self-destructive, I think.

Taliesin and Astarion are a similar, if slightly more dark-tinted, deal. Tally's just gotten out of an organization of horrible, horrible people, whose actions in which he was complicit. He's trying to be better. Astarion has just left a situation of literal slavery to one of the most awful people on the Sword Coast. He's enjoying the chance to be worse. We know how Astarion feels and his opinions on things; he likes hurting people, he's very self-centered, he has a lot to work on himself across his entire character arc as he comes into his freedom.

Personally, I think they'd make each other worse.

That's not to say that I can't see it happening. I could, definitely. It would take a good chunk of meeting in the middle, tiptoeing around each other's baskets that they're struggling to unpack, Tally's aversion to vampires, Astarion's casual cruelty as he lashes out. My personal opinion is that any getting involved would be via Astarion's seduce-and-fling strategy so he gets that foot in the door for Tally's sympathy, and Tally not ever taking it further because Astarion reminds him too much of his fellow justiciars and never assumed it to be more than transactional.

If they DID somehow make it to the endgame, assuming they did everything right, I can see it all falling apart at Cazador.

Tally would probably object to Astarion becoming the Ascendant. Everything in Astarion's life points to ascension being a dangerous thing--if not for continuing Cazador's reign of terror, in subjecting mortals to his will and viewing them all as beneath him, because Astarion's cruel streak would get all the power to fuel every whim it draws up. That kind of dynamic, on a romantic plane especially, is SCARY. If he fails to persuade him but still refuses to help, Astarion leaves him: "I hope you die screaming."

But say Tally DID let him become Ascendant. Whoever the man he fell in love with before ascending is dead. Astarion is a wholly different person with that much power. And he wants to make you his spawn. I can't see Tally willingly becoming a vampire, and I DEFINITELY can't see him becoming a vampire without free will. His whole deal with leaving the Thalmor is getting his autonomy back and being able to make his own decisions. So they leave each other.

I see Tally/Astarion ending in abject tragedy either way. An entertaining story, definitely, but one that brings out the worst in both parties until its inevitable spiral, if it even takes off the ground.

Hence, why Wyll is with Astarion in my plans. He'd bring out the good in Astarion, Astarion would crack the self-sacrificing shell Wyll has. They'd compensate for each other's flaws and compliment each other's strengths. I could write an entire essay about their potential dynamic, not to mention all the flirty lines between them in-game.

Would Tally and Astarion be friends? Absolutely. They share gossip and snark around the campfire. Would Tally help Astarion absolutely gut Cazador? Would Astarion offer to carve out Tally's dad's throat? Definitely. The two are inseparable, and would kill anyone who dared raise a finger against the other. They'd mull over their shared plights of terrible overlords and being used and abused. They'd push each other's buttons and be petty together until it was time to buckle down and win a fight, then celebrate after. But a romance would require so much compromise on one side or the other that I think they both risk falling to pieces over it. There's much more room for differences in lifestyle if you're not planning to spend your life with someone and pour the whole of your heart out to them.

Now, the crux of the question: Gale/Taliesin.

The way Gale shows love is in unwavering devotion. However, he never expects it in return; he's prepared to make his case many times over when he first asks you for an artifact, and half-expects you to throw him away when he reveals the bomb in his chest.

Taliesin is willing to follow his rescuer to the ends of Nirn if you save him. Even into dwemer ruins that terrify him, even if you (to his knowledge) go as mad as Septimus when you read the Elder Scroll, he's prepared to look out for you. Even when it's your destiny to fight the end of the world and be surrounded by death as you do it, with a high probability that he'd be a casualty.

Gale's fatal flaw is his hubris. Tally would have no problems telling him "no" when the Crown came into play, or any other similar power for that matter.

If you talk to Taliesin about his past, he mentions that at one point, his father made him resent many aspects of himself, "even [his] own body."

Gale is willing to marry a MIND FLAYER if they're the person he's come to love. Completely seriously! He loves them! He doesn't even flinch, he even pays them mind flayer-specific compliments in the epilogue and means it with his whole heart!

Would Tally be willing to hang out with the walking apocalypse? Would he be able to talk down detonating the orb, and beg Gale to choose him over the Absolute's demise? Would he be able to tell Gale that going for the Crown of Karsus is a bad idea? Would he be willing to put his enchanting skills to use to buy Gale a few more days of life? Would he like Gale for the man he is over the magic he commands?

Would Gale be able to commit himself to Tally, regardless of how different Altmer are from Eladrin? Would he appreciate every part of Tally, no matter how he differs from conventional Altmer standards? Would he be willing to stand between Tally and his dad, and do it without shattering the rest of Tally's family (as murder threats would)? Would he appreciate Tally for the mer he is, the mer he's TRYING to be, as Tally leaves the Thalmor behind?

They both share a taste in books, both educational and spicy. They both like cooking, and Gale would be willing to cook up vegetarian meals in a snap. They both have a curiosity for culture and knowledge they have yet to encounter. They both love cats and a good bottle of wine.

The clone spell would let Gale match Tally's lifespan.

Tally would love and pay perfect respects to Tara (as everyone SHOULD).

Misty Step could be a solution to crossing bodies of water, and Ice Spike could be an upgrade to Ray of Frost.

Imagine, after several tendays of roughing it, a perfect illusion of a fancy date on a warm shoreline under the stars.

Imagine the two of them reading together by a warm hearth while it pours outside, wearing silk robes and sipping Alto Wine.

I think they'd bring out the best in each other, they'd enjoy each other's company and each other's idea of relaxation, and they'd share enough interests that they'd be happy to trade back and forth.

Also I think Gale's mother would absolutely love him. She HAS to meet him. And spoil him. He'd join her and Tara for tea and gossip, I guarantee it.

[myremnantarmy]

"𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭..."

[mrsoulstice]

You better answer it

[paulgadzikowski]

[Image description: Preview panel for the comic strip at the link below. Erin, Abby, Patty, and Holtz of Ghostbusters stand on a skyscraper roof at night in uniform and with their proton packs. Something loud and offpanel is saying, "The choice is made." Abby is saying, "What? No! I didn't make any choice! Erin?" Erin says, "No!" Abby says, "Patty?" Patty says, "Hello no." Abby says, "Holtz?" Holtz doesn't say anything. Unfortunately there are not image descriptions at the main Hero Of Three Faces site. End description.] 

The Hero of Three Faces is fanfiction crossovers, but it’s comic strips with stick figures, but they’re triangles. Preview panel only. Click here for full cartoon. Or see the on-site navigation tutorial. Or see this blog’s FAQ, or my archive tumblog’s FAQ. Cartoons may contain unmarked spoilers. Cartoons linked from Tumblr 10:00 (Central US time) daily are the previous day’s new update and the posts are pinned to the top of this blog. Cartoons linked from Tumblr 22:00 daily are from the archive and the posts are pinned only during annual summer hiatus of new updates.

Thanks for reading.

[somanyskills]

We put a ghost in a box!

[beehindblueeyes]

Absolutely warms my heart watching the behind the scenes how much fun all the kids were having, everytime the camera comes over they’re absolutely beaming and just. Ah

Learning about Epic Dabs with Brady (it is times like this i’m reminded he’s a child lmao)

Also the image going around saying it’s griffin(or at least banks in the costume) is in fact griffin and? Absolute icon with the tube socks

Also hearing all the adults gush about the kids is everything

[barbiejewelle]

How is the fact Ghostbusters: Answer The Call is 73% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (the second highest rating for the franchise) is universally loathed by whiny manchildren who cry, whine and stamp their feet that the 2016 film is the BEST Ghostbusters film released since the origina!? How did Holtzmann, Patty and the other not get a sequel they richly deserved.

Afterlife only got 63% Fresh, don't get me wrong I do love it. Ghostbuster 2 only got a most unimpressive 55% Rotten.

I love all the films but to not give a wonderful film (2016) a sequel that it richly deserved because of a few male chauvinist, sexist, misogynistic, bullying idiots who cried that their "childhood was ruined" because 4 strong, intelligent brave women dared to strap on a proton pack is just plaid stupid!

Yes, rant over. I get like this sometimes when I need to release some pent up steam about one of my favorite movies and how it got sorely mistreated.

[spilladabalia]

Kilslug - Easter Time

[powdermelonkeg]

I am researching an ungodly amount of fish cuisine facts for fictional fish dishes.

A Torilian quipper fish is based on a piranha.

Are piranhas edible? Yes.

Are quippers edible? Well, Waterdhavians eat them.

Cool. What about Tamrielic slaughterfish?

Based on...uh...well, in Skyrim, sockeye salmon in spawning season? Visually?

Is it salmon-like? Doesn't look like it. Seared slaughterfish is a white meat.

Alligator gar? It's got the teeth, size, white fillets, and poisonous (damage health) eggs.

Alright, let's go with alligator gar.

Alligator gar has a similar taste to lobster. Cool, got a baseline.

Hundur sauce is, as described by the creator of Forgotten Realms, a "tamarind and clam sauce, is medium-hot sour-sweet."

Do people cook piranha with tamarind? Internet says yes.

How about lobster? Several recipes for tamarind lobster sauce came up, so that's also a yes.

Clam? Can't find anything on clam sauce being used on lobster, BUT, clam is often cooked WITH lobster for pasta dishes. So I can assume they taste fine together.

All of this to find out if Gale Baldursgate could put homemade hundur sauce on the one fish Taliesin Skyrim will eat. To say nothing of if Tally would LIKE it, just if it would be remotely PALATABLE to anyone at camp.

(Conclusion: yes, it would be palatable. I would eat it)

Can Gale even MAKE hundur sauce in Skyrim, though? *checks replacements for tamarind* If he gets saltrice vinegar and some kind of brown sugar? Yes.

Where does sugar in Tamriel come from? Lavender dumplings are the only baked good in Skyrim that use moon sugar as an ingredient, so I can ASSUME the absence of it from things like apple pie and sweet rolls is intentional.

What else is there, though? All the other recipes have a distinct lack of sweetener to them. Am I supposed to believe the Nords like their snowberries wrapped in buttermilk biscuits? Or that sweet rolls are topped with bland milk paste?

Okay, well, Rare Curios adds in marshmerrow to the khajiit caravans. Let's see what UESP says.

"The sweet pulp of marshmerrow reeds is a delectable foodstuff, and when eaten fresh or prepared, it has modest healing properties."

THERE we go. THAT'S our sugarcane.

So, in conclusion, Gale can put hundur sauce on a slaughterfish, IF he has access to:

Clams

Slaughterfish

Saltrice vinegar (from a khajiit caravan)

Marshmerrow (from a khajiit caravan; both sugar and molasses)

I'm saying the "hot" part of the sauce comes from garlic and/or a smidge of fire salt.

The group is GOING TO CELEBRATE MIRMULNIR'S DEATH with FRESH WATERDHAVIAN CUISINE if it's the LAST THING I DO.

[radical-zam]

do you accept the call?

[myremnantarmy]

"𝘉𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭..."

[donovan-writes]

I know I post writing stuff on here mostly but I also do cosplay and I wanted to share my grabber cosplay

Just something silly goofy

[paulgadzikowski]

[Image description: Preview panel for the comic strip at the link below. Ruby and the Doctor, mustache incarnation, of Doctor Who stand talking with Holst, Erin, Abby, and Patty of Ghostbuster. Ruby is saying, “So … I don't suppose anyone here is interested.” Unfortunately there are not image descriptions at the main Hero Of Three Faces site. End description.] 

The Hero of Three Faces is fanfiction crossovers, but it’s comic strips with stick figures, but they’re triangles. Preview panel only. Click here for full cartoon. Or see the on-site navigation tutorial. Or see this blog’s FAQ, or my archive tumblog’s FAQ. Cartoons may contain unmarked spoilers. Cartoons linked from Tumblr 10:00 (Central US time) daily are the previous day’s new update and the posts are pinned to the top of this blog. Cartoons linked from Tumblr 22:00 daily are from the archive and the posts are pinned only during annual summer hiatus of new updates.

Thanks for reading.

[nikki439]

3 million+ raised supporting widows and children of New York’s finest!! @answerthecallnyc

I’m so proud to be a part of such an amazing organization. I’m blown away each year at the amount of love and support every donor has shown.

[heroofthreefaces]

Preview panel only. Click here for full cartoon. Or see the on-site navigation tutorial. Or see this tumblog’s FAQ. Cartoons may contain unmarked spoilers. Cartoons linked at 10:00 Central US are new and are pinned to the top of the blog. Cartoons at 22:00 are from the archive and are only pinned during annual summer hiatus of new cartoons. Thanks for reading.

[Image description: Preview panel for the comic strip at the link. Kevin of Ghostbusters is sitting on a stepladder in front of his office desk under a burnt-out lightbulb, contemplating a fresh lightbulb in his hand in a position reminiscent of Rodin’s The Thinker. Unfortunately there are not image descriptions at the main Hero of Three Faces site.]