#int. -> gwyn.

[nahim]

closed starter for @gwyndolence

with raphael’s generous offer some months back to have nahim added to euphoria’s vip list, malta’s councilman saw no reason not to take advantage of such a privilege now that he was returning to the castle for the foreseeable future. he was confident enough in marcellino’s others to oversee all matters concerning the island to leave the heavy lifting to them whilst he took a deserved step back. involving himself in the petty dealings of the meat had been enriching but the perpetually charming and chipper front had grown exhausting after the first week.

it seemed a waste to spend the night on his own and whilst he hadn’t been physically present in any recent castle-related matters, he’d tapped into his usual sources for all the gossip and updates on arrivals and beings of interest. one such being was gwyn caolán, the youngest fledgling of the target of nahim’s complicated ire. though marcellino had committed many an atrocity, he’d ensured basic manners were possessed by each fledgling under his claim and who was nahim to undo such progress when it so often proved useful? locating the sith wasn’t a challenge of any sort given the whirlwind of chaos that clung to the atmosphere in his wake and, with a little careful timing, managed to time their passing into an apparently serendipitous affair, the vampire halting in his tracks as he brushed past the sith on his way to the car awaiting him at the castle’s entrance. “oh–” turning on his heel, nahim appraised the sight of the younger being and made a quiet noise of approval. “sorry. that was my fault– we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, have we? i would have remembered a face like that if we had.”

[failbhe]

“An’ you didn’t think to check a single one of ‘em for that phone of yours before leavin' earlier? You pretty types are always the same. There’s never a single thought goin’ on in that head of yours, is there?” Affectionately knocking his forehead against Gwyn’s for emphasis, Cían reluctantly released his grip to commit to the real task at hand, carelessly and shamelessly groping every inch of the sith and his clothing in search of something that could potentially be an ID somewhere. When the search proved inconclusive, Cían took a step back to give Gwyn a quizzical look, tilting his head to the side with a huff. “You even got somethin’ like that on you or… are you wantin' to waste my time? The latter works too, don’t get me wrong. I get paid either way. At least gimme a hint or somethin’ if you’re really plannin' on headin' inside.”

"You have to take the thing out of your pocket to use it, genius." Gwyn sighed, eyes rolling skyward as if searching for a convenient deity to beseech for patience, "It's a wonder you make it safely out your front door every morni--" The end of the sith's barb was cut off by Cían taking him up on the offer very enthusiastically, Gwyn letting out a surprised little yelp as those ready hands groped at him before his mind caught up to the state of things again. "Good observational skills?" A swell of dizzy laughter tumbled out of him, Gwyn biting his lower lip against a grin as he braced his arms against Cían's shoulders, elbows locked to keep them separated -- at least above the waist. Below, the hellhound was still perfectly snug between the sith's legs and so, so warm. Gwyn wanted to drape himself over him like a cat on a radiator. He let his head fall back against the brick instead, that rougher squeeze only making his fingers dig harder to Cían's shoulders in return. "By all means then, observe away," Gwyn said, cheerful and breathless, rocking his hips up into the other's goadingly, "Not there though, darling, keep looking. I've got an awful lot of pockets."

[nikethestatue]

I don't get how these other shippers pick up every lil "clue" and count them as "moments" or "proof" that their ship will be endgame yet ignore the fact that Elriel was about to make out in the bonus chapter and all their other moments which was much more than a "pause from an audiobook" 🤦‍♀️

This fandom is a joke sometimes even tho I know that a majorite didn't even read the book...

Anon,

even their most cherished, most important moment int he bonus, which is the last line of the POV happened without Gwyn even being in the vicinity.

It's SO romantic, so foreshadowing, with so many clues... that she gal nowhere near there. He is having all this chemistry and all these deep thoughts in front of...Clotho.

He is regifting necklaces, he is comparing Gwyn to an 'opponent', he notices how all the charming irreverence is gone the moment he turns his back, he wants to run away, but 'it's too late', he 'wouldn't call Gwyn a friend'--all of this equates to apparently massive, deep and profound feelings of love and desire.

Meanwhile, in the same chapter his eyes are rolling back at the scent of Elain and that's them being 'brother and sister'.

Got it.

[autistic-gale-dekarios]

BG3 OC Lore: Ernest

This is my little baby guy Ernest, from my second BG3 run. Finally finished writing up his lore today. So here it is :)

Basics

Full name: Ernest Summerglade

Race: Wood half-elf

Gender: M (cis) (he/him)

Birth date: 10 Alturiak 1444 DR (age ~48 during game events)

Class: Nature Cleric of Mielikki

Background: Outlander

Stats: 10 STR | 14 DEX | 16 CON | 8 INT | 16 WIS | 10 CHA

Moral alignment: LG (early game) / NG (endgame)

Personality (MBTI, Enneagram): ISFJ, 9w1

Neuro stuff: Autism, generalised anxiety, history of PTSD, selective mutism

Sexuality: Bi (demi/acespec, sex-positive)

Romanced character: Halsin (ship name: Oakglade)

Media

Tags: #oc: ernest (my posts about him); #ernest core (posts that are him-coded)

Pinterest board

Character playlist

Oakglade playlist

Full backstory under the cut!

Pre-game

Early life

Ernest was the eldest child of a human father and a wood elf mother, raised alongside his two younger sisters, Petra and Gwyn, in the forests between Baldur’s Gate and Cloakwood. Ernest’s mother was a druid from the Cloakwood Circle, and his father was a ranger from Baldur’s Gate who’d left the city to live wild when the two fell in love. Ernest’s parents both worshipped Mielikki, following her teachings to protect their patch of wilderness from harm while avoiding conflict with outsiders. This wasn't always easy, and as the Baldurian lumber and hunting trades boomed, the forest faced increasing threats.

One night when Ernest was 14, Petra 10 and Gwyn 7, their parents were both killed while trying to defend a giant oak tree from loggers. Ernest was woken by the commotion and ran over to help, but it was too late, and he didn’t stand a chance against a dozen men with axes. But before they could turn on him, something changed suddenly. An inexplicable feeling of calm came over Ernest, and the loggers -- as if compelled by some ineffable vision -- all dropped their axes and fled back to the city, leaving both tree and children unharmed. Somehow Ernest knew this was an intervention by Mielikki herself: it was her who had enlightened those men and saved him and his sisters. For this, he felt a renewed sense of devotion to the goddess. There must have been a reason his parents died but he was spared: he must have some greater purpose, and he was going to fulfil it.

Ernest was the only one of the children who’d actually witnessed what happened to their parents, and he did his best to shield the other two from the trauma, even if it meant carrying that burden all by himself. Forced into a caregiver role for little sisters, Ernest had to put aside his own feelings -- the survivor’s guilt, the growing fear of conflict and loss, the eternal debt he felt he owed his parents and the wilderness they died defending. He truly believed he and his sisters were only alive because of a miracle, and he couldn’t count on another one next time.

Ernest had always been quiet, but after his parents’ death, he would go weeks at a time without talking at all. This wasn’t a choice so much as a defense mechanism, as if using his voice would unmask how terrified he was inside. Speaking was self-exposure, self-exposure was weakness, and weakness was danger. Petra and Gwyn learned to understand Ernest without words, and this deep connection between them saved their lives many times.

Ernest's mother had intended to teach her children the ways of the druids when they came of age. With that now off the table, Ernest was reliant on the practical survival skills he'd learnt from his father to protect what remained of his family. But, increasingly, this didn't feel like enough.

Life as a cleric of Mielikki

When Ernest was 16, he heard of a sect of Mielikki clerics in Baldur’s Gate, and one day ventured there to find them and hopefully learn from them. Ernest had barely left the wilds beforehand, so his first trip to the Lower City was a huge culture shock. Pollution, oppression and hardship everywhere he looked. When confronted with the brutality of urban life, he understood that the sense of loss he carried was not unique to him: tragedy was unfolding all around him, every day. It wasn’t just his sisters and their patch of woods that needed protecting.

Ernest recalled his mother’s stories of the Forestarms of Waterdeep, a group of Mielikki followers who worked to bridge the gap between wilderness and civilisation by teaching city dwellers how to live in harmony with nature. Ernest decided that Baldur’s Gate needed a Forestarm and that he would take on that duty.

Followed by his sisters and using what he’d learnt in the city, Ernest founded a new division of Forestarms which welcomed anyone with a devotion to Mielikki and protecting nature in her name. As the community grew, Ernest and his sisters became custodians to the forest, deeply respected by the wildfolk living there. By Ernest’s 20th birthday he was a powerful nature cleric, and he visited the city regularly over the next three decades to carry out his work.

During game

The three siblings were holding an open sermon in Baldur’s Gate when the mindflayers attacked. Ernest didn’t see what happened to his sisters, but when he woke on the nautiloid he feared the worst. Despite them both now being grown women with powers of their own, Ernest blamed himself for not protecting them better, convinced that if anything had happened to them, it was his fault.

Despite (or maybe because of) his reserved nature, Ernest got along well with the rest of the party. Ernest had always been very loyal and trusting, assuming the best of everyone, which -- while beneficial traits for a Forestarm -- did make him somewhat of an easy target (e.g. he let Abdirak beat him up, Volo take his eye out and Astarion drain him all on the same day).

Ernest only truly came out of his shell when he met Halsin. Ernest was no stranger to physical intimacy, but he’d always been so focused on his family that he’d never really been in a devoted relationship before. There was no pinpointable moment where he ‘fell in love’ with Halsin; in a way, it felt like he’d always loved him. They had very similar backgrounds and values, but Halsin had a calming presence to him that Ernest desperately needed. He spoke more to Halsin in the few months they spent adventuring together than he had to anyone in years prior. Prayer had once been a very private activity for Ernest, but he felt comfortable enough around Halsin to share this with him. Halsin even made him a small wooden idol of Mielikki, which became like a comfort object for him (until Karlach accidentally set it on fire one night) ((she apologised profusely and let Ernest use Clive as a makeshift idol while Halsin worked on a replacement)).

Ernest’s experiences throughout game events changed him for the better. The amount of conflict and death he was forced to engage with were distressing at first, but through it all he learned how to confront that distress rather than bury it. He'd lost several allies along the way, including Shadowheart, Astarion and Orpheus, but his grief was now overshadowed by hope. Ernest’s bravery and optimism weren’t just a mask anymore, they were real and they were stronger than his fear.

Post-game

After game events, Ernest went back to the woods in search of his sisters. To his joy, he found Gwyn safe and well. She told him how she’d escaped the city during the attack, and later returned to aid displaced citizens and refugees. Sadly Petra hadn't been so lucky. She was also abducted by the mindflayers, presumably either turned or killed. Gwyn had been mourning both of her siblings until she heard that Ernest was not only alive, but the one who had saved the city.

Ernest planted a tree for Petra in her favourite spot, and spent much of the next few weeks just sitting with it and thinking. Once, he would have tortured himself with remorse for his sister's death, but now, he felt mostly acceptance. Loss was difficult, yes, but life could not meaningfully exist without it.

During this time, Halsin had been travelling throughout the region doing humanitarian work. When the pair reunited, Ernest decided to join him, entrusting Forestarm duty to Gwyn in his absence (though he came back to visit regularly).

Ernest and Halsin took in a growing number of lost and orphaned children in the course of their travels, and essentially adopted and raised them as their own. They were both excellent dads.

Trivia

Ernest’s favourite colour is corn yellow, his favourite season is summer, his favourite food is blackberries, and his favourite animals are deer.

Ernest is not the brightest apple in the bunch. He makes up for his lack of brain cells with his abundance of heart cells.

Thanks to his mixed parentage, Ernest is bilingual. He can speak Common and Elvish fluently, though for most of his life he could read and write only in Common (Halsin eventually taught him Espruar).

Ernest is big into basket weaving. Put pretty much any assortment of plant matter in front of him, he can (and probably will) make a basket out of it. He’s good at daisy chains too.

Ernest’s sisters call him Nesty. When Halsin first heard Gwyn calling him that, he thought it was the cutest thing ever and immediately started using it too (Ernest retaliated by calling him Daddy Halsin).

Ernest may be quiet in the streets but he's embarrasingly loud in the sheets. Halsin has had to physically cover his mouth to stop him waking the entire camp

Character inspirations for Ernest include: Samwise Gamgee (LOTR), Beth March (Little Women), Fluttershy (MLP: Friendship is Magic), Baymax (Big Hero 6), and Piglet (Winnie the Pooh)

I welcome all asks about Ernest and/or my other OCs, I will never turn down an opportunity to yap about them :3

Other OC lore posts: Hugo | Casper

Fenton’s lore is next on my list to write up so uh. Buckle up for that mess

[candidcover]

Amazon Giveaway: Ambition to Savor by B.B.E. Gwyn

Amazon Giveaway: Ambition to Savor by B.B.E. Gwyn

Welcome to the book blitz for Ambition to Savor by B.B.E. Gwyn! If you enjoy adult fantasy novels, this is one book to check out. Keep reading to learn more about the book and enter the giveaway to win a $25 Amazon gift card. (INT) Continue reading Amazon Giveaway: Ambition to Savor by B.B.E. Gwyn

[soulsuckrrs]

This was usually how his love life went in recent years. Off on another business trip Kaiden found a stranger at a bar, it started as light, playful flirting and small talk but their interaction turned into something a little more genuine. Kaiden was used to people viewing his finer items, nice clothes and accessories he wore to appear the savvy businessman who successfully owned a vineyard and resort. He was that but the style was far from what he'd prefer to be wearing, jeans and a t-shirt playing with his daughters in the dirt outside was his personal style but that didn't mean he hated looking the part he had to play. Kaiden drew in all sorts of people and more often than not he was more noticed when he showed his wealth. At least, while on business trips. So attracting a lovely stranger at the bar wasn't an unusual thing and had become a sort of practice, one night stands were all he could really afford at this time in his life. Between running a dual business and taking care of two little girls, Kaiden didn't see himself getting into any sort of relationship off the first few dates and he had tried a couple times.

Finding this sort of easy conversation, though, was rarer than his one night escapades. He enjoyed it more. Sitting there listening to the woman that had caught his attention. After many hours spent listening to investors haggle and manipulate to get a better price, it was nice having this moment with Gwyn. He was seconds away from letting his fingers brush against hers to interlace them, a daring chance at testing their chemistry and connection when Gwyn spoke and Kaiden's heart lurched into his throat and he withdrew his hand, shifting to look at the woman, brow furrowed slightly as she admitted the crimes she apparently had been planning on carrying out only... she didn't seem like the type and Kaiden couldn't help feeling there was more to this admission than what she was letting on.

"Alright," he said after a moment or two of silent contemplation only a patient father could exude. Kaiden rubbed his hands on his pants before slipping them into his pockets, shifting back onto his heels then forward again. "-- let's go back to my hotel room," he licked his lips before chewing at the bottom one, a small smirk pressing at them as he continued. "There's a safe, I'll lock the temptation away." He offered because truly, Kaiden didn't feel that Gwyn was the type and he had known the sleazy type to swipe a wallet and max out cards. "It'd just be you, me and a couple bottles of wine..." he added, hoping she'd accept his invitation because he didn't want this interaction to end, nor did he want her going back to whoever put her up to this little stunt because as Kaiden watched Gwyn he decided that had to be the answer. Someone was making her do these things, call it a gut feeling and the fact she told him what her plan had been.

plot: gwyn has a manipulative boyfriend that doesn't work, so on the weekends when she isn't working he has her go out and sleep with rich men, to steal their wallets and valuables and disappear the next morning, to sustain the fact he doesn't work but your muse was too nice and there's something about them, so gwyn for once, cracks and warns your muse. it could go many ways! open to m, 21+, i'd be very down for age gaps too.

"don't invite me back to your hotel room." gwyn spoke the moment she'd stepping out of the bar that she'd spent the whole night sat happily flirting, only.. it stopped being silly flirting after an hour. it ended up where she spoke because she wanted to, talked because this person made her feel listened to for the first time in months. it was nice to feel heard, to feel wanted in some way at all but... for once, she'd rather face her boyfriends rage than steal from someone that actually made her feel valued and not some easy fling, even though that's what it'd end up, always did. they weren't cruel or pushy like most. "don't invite me back. i'd steal your wallet, i'd take your watch, i'd max the cards within an hour or two and not because i want to, because i don't... have a lot of choice anymore so, don't ask me to come with you." she swallowed thickly, hell they could call her every name under the sun and scream at her but she stood there, timid as ever, the cold breeze making her hold her arms around herself. "i'm sorry if.. if you feel like i wasted your time."

[dinrelsanddragons]

Muse D&D Builds: 5.5e

All stats are done in point buy or standard array. All species and subclasses are chosen solely from the new edition. This is for Zelda verses. I will do some different shit for the upcoming D&D verses, including allowing legacy stuff.

Armok Ailbhe Class: Oath of Devotion Paladin 5 (Would be Oath of the Crown if it had been reprinted) Species: Dragonborn (Copper) Background: Soldier Stats: Str 16, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Great Weapon Master (general), Defense (fighting style)

Brynhildr Llwyd Class: Champion Fighter 3, Barbarian 2 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Tough (origin), Great Weapon Fighting (fighting style)

Erdan Tiltathana Class: Oath of Vengeance Paladin 5 Species: Elf (Drow) Background: Soldier Stats: Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Defensive Duelist (general), Defense (fighting style)

Gateni Yaeldrin Class: Evoker Wizard 5 Species: Human Background: Custom: Soldier Stats: Str 8, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 10, Cha 10 Feats: Magic Initiate (Wizard) (origin), Alert (origin), Resilient (Con) (General)

Gwyn Allaway Class: Assassin Rogue 4 (Would be Inquisitive if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Wayfarer Stats: Str 10, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 10 Feats: Alert (origin), Lucky (origin), Skill Expert (General)

Halcyon Nivard Class: Thief Rogue 4 (WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SWASHBUCKLER ISN'T IN THIS BOOK?!) Species: Human Background: Sailor Stats: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16 Feats: Tavern Brawler (origin), Alert (origin), Inspiring Leader (general)

Hubert Langlois Class: Eldritch Knight Fighter 5 Species: Human Background: Noble Stats: Str 10, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10 Feats: Magic Initiate (Wizard) (origin), Skilled (origin), Observant (general), Defense (fighting style)

Isaac Michaels Class: Battle Master Fighter 5 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 16, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Alert (origin), Polearm Master (general), Great Weapon Fighting (fighting style)

Lambda Blackscale Class: Draconic Sorcerer 3 (I am MAD about Divine Soul not having representation here) Species: Human Background: Custom: Criminal Stats: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 16 Feats: Magic Initiate (Cleric) (origin), Magic Initiate (Wizard) (origin)

Leonard Edwards Class: Battle Master Fighter 5 (would be Banneret if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Tough (origin), Shield Master (general), Defense (fighting style)

Lita Arcuna Class: Champion Fighter 4 (Fuck Around and Find Out verse) OR Oath of Glory Paladin 5 (older verse; would be Oath of Redemption if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Noble Stats: Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 14 Feats: Tough (origin), Lucky (origin), Duel Wielder (general), Two-Weapon Fighting (fighting style)

Philip "Thorn" Stanton Class: Hunter Ranger 5 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 18, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Skilled (origin), Piercer (general), Defense (fighting style)

Raithyon Blackscale Class: Thief Rogue 5 (Would be Swashbuckler if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Criminal Stats: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 14 Feats: Skilled (origin), Alert (origin), Shadow-Touched (general)

Raven Allaway Class: Battle Master Fighter 5 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 17, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Tough (origin), Fey-Touched (general), Interception (fighting style)

Reownha Blackscale Class: Thief Rogue 3 Species: Human Background: Criminal Stats: Str 9, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10 Feats: Alert (origin), Skilled (origin)

Rhoam Hyrule Class: Oath of Glory Paladin 5 (would be Oath of the Crown if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Noble Stats: Str 17, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 16 Feats: Skilled (origin), Savage Attacker (origin), Inspiring Leader (general), Great Weapon Fighting (fighting style)

Sandalio Ferro Class: Battle Master Fighter 5 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 17, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Alert (origin), Polearm Master (general), Archery (fighting style)

Shanz Dinrel Class: College of Lore Bard 3 Species: Human Background: Isekai Entertainer (custom) Stats: Str 8, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 16 Feats: Crafter (origin), Magic Initiate (Cleric) (origin)

Taunch Kimbatuul Class: Battle Master Fighter 5 (Would be Banneret if it had been reprinted) Species: Dragonborn (Silver) Background: Soldier Stats: Str 17, Dex 12, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Shield Master (general), Protection (fighting style)

Vair Bhelthir Class: Champion Fighter 5 Species: Human Background: Soldier Stats: Str 18, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 12 Feats: Savage Attacker (origin), Tough (origin), Great Weapon Master (general), Great Weapon Fighting (fighting style)

Valanthe Faenorin Class: Soulknife Rogue 4 Species: Human Background: Criminal Stats: Str 9, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10 Feats: Alert (origin), Magic Initiate: Wizard (origin), Skulker (general)

Wulf Arcuna Class: Trickery Cleric 3 (Trickery got reprinted thank god) Species: Human Background: Custom (Feylost, but with Noble facets) Stats: Str 10, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 12 Feats: Magic Initiate (Cleric) (origin), Healer (origin)

Wynne Mulrennan Class: Life Cleric 5 (Would be Knowledge if it had been reprinted) Species: Human Background: Noble (custom) Stats: Str 14, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 10 Feats: Magic Initiate (Cleric) (origin), Healer (origin), Ritual Caster (general)

[starprint]

    ℙ𝕆ℝ𝕋ℝ𝔸𝕐𝔸𝕃  𝕄𝔼𝕄𝔼  •  still accepting          |    @hopingforjustice​  ⤸

okay i don't even know where to start because you write so many muses and you are amazing with all of them!!! what's your secret??? it's great to have someone who gives us so many opportunities to write, and it's even better because the mun is a caring, sweet person and so fun to see on dash, besides the obvious talent!!! keep shining

JU D E I’M SO SHOOK you are such a sweet person and i absolutely adore you !!!!!!   your writing is fantastic i get heart eyes every time i see you on my dash so thank you so much i’m !!!!!!!  I HAVE NO SECRET the sparkles on my gif act as a hypnosis don’t tell anyone it’s my greatest disguise.   no but honestly im so blessed by this i have nothing but love and appreciation for you  ♡♡

[clancarruthers]

THE BATTLE OF ARFDERYDD - CLAN CARRUTHERS CCIS

THE BATTLE OF ARFDERYDD – CLAN CARRUTHERS CCIS

  THE BATTLE OF ARFDERYDD AND   GWYN AP NUDD   In my waking dream spears pierce the night sky opening onto another night filled with rainbows and blinding stars. Battle cries ascend from black fog. In a stained glass window I glimpse a man with a hunched back in a green and mossy gown departing from a picture into darkness. From these images I derive my research on Gwyn ap Nudd and the Old North…

[ofdarkestdesires]

OC Muse List: The Bloody Cross

NAME: Gwyndolyn Veritas ALIAS(ES): Sister Gwyndolyn, Saint Gwyn, the Bloody Cross AGE: Appears 21, Actually 2100 RACE: Human Vampire CLASS: Blood Cleric

STR 13 (+1) INT 15 (+2) DEX 16 (+3) WIS 20 (+5) CON 14 (+2) CHA 16 (+3)

She is known to the members of her church simply as Sister Gwyndolyn--a loving and caring nun and priestess who has been in service of their congregation and a servant to their god for as long as even the oldest among them can remember. She is kind, caring, and tends to their ills in times of need, gifting her the tender title of Saint Gwyn.

By night, however, the holy lady is someone else entirely.

Turned by the blood curse over two millennia ago, Gwyndolyn Veritas is a powerful vampiress, known and feared by many of her own kind. Despite her transformed state, her faith in her god never wavered, though her devotion to her congregation shifted from saving their souls to protecting her cattle. With so many so devoted to her, it is beyond easy to collect the blood she needs to keep herself strong.

Still, rumors linger, and occasionally a heroic band of adventurers will stop by to free the city of this supposed vampire menace. She's more than welcome to lend a hand in guiding these hapless heroes to their quarry, but if they persist--or worse yet, learn of her true nature--then drastic measures indeed must be taken. It's a terrible burden, but she never flinches away--in fact, she greets it with a fanged smile.

By the next morning, her flock will be welcoming new converts.

[echotzzz]

The conclusion for next book couple if they have not read the extra POV ( casual readers / international readers)

we know that Azriel and Feysand POV are only available in special edition and for curious fan can find it online. There are reason why SJM decided to made it as bonus chapter in special edition and not like a sneak peak like how Nessian had in acofas. The info will not be available to everyone and casual and int readers will not know anything abt the almost kiss, the damn necklace, sexual tension and the shadow dancing. The Pov only serve to fill in some holes and give extra information ( confirm things) of what already happened in which it will not disturb the overall plot. If it really important and leaves a lot of hints and clues for the next book then it will be included in the book where everyone could access.

Noted that this were the conclusion i have after i done reading acosf and at the time do not know the existence of the extra chapter

1) Following the Archeron sister i believe Elain’s book is next. Also because it make more sense to the plot, finding 4th object, development of her Seer gift to find Koschei)

2) Since Elain is the MC, i also wondering who her LI would be? in acosf, there is still no hint on Elucien development. Not only from Elain but from Lucien as well ( He bought her present, she barely say thank u, he’s hurt, thats all ( back to square 1).. not making at least a conversation that could indicate that there are development in their relationship). If anything were to happen between them then acosf would be the chance but instead we got even negative reaction from Elain.

For Azriel, we know that his feeling towards Mor had lessened. Less longing glances. There is changes in both Mor and Az. During Solstice, something charged went through between Elain and Azriel( Biggest development for their relationship imo) Before acosf, we know that they often talking and have certain reaction when looking at each other eg, stilled n blush) But charged??

Charged : fill with excitement, tension or emotion

3) WHAT IS AZRIEL’ S SECRET?? this were the biggest question i had after done reading acosf in which i think is so important and must be explain in the next book

4) Elain, taking lessons in stealth ( this is like the important character development for Elain in acosf). Why does Elain learning stealth? not her seer gift instead she learn something that could connect with Azriel. It was mentioned a few times that she appears quietly that people didn’t hear she’s coming.

5) Other important question from other book that havent been answer:

Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

The fact that Elain stepped out of the shadow and never been mentioned ever again was really sus imo. WHY AND HOW ELAIN STEPPED OUT FROM THE SHADOW? was it because of truth teller or Az helping her?? we haven’t know yet what truth teller magic is and the fact that knife was mention as

Light and dark, the space between their bodies a blend of the two. The only bridge of connection … that knife.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION?? Sjm wouldn’t throw words and leave it for reader to find out by themselves. She needs to explain n give us reasons.

IF GWYNRIEL AND ELUCIEN DO GET THEIR OWN BOOK.. then Elain and Azriel will play a big part in it. Elain and Azriel involve in each other lives so much and if they are not endgame, Sjm needs to dismiss the truth teller scene, the stealth lesson and any involvement between elriel to make other couple endgame superior and make sense. ALL IN ONE BOOK.

Gwynriel been talking about the POV so much and doesn’t take acomaf, acowar, acofas and acosf in consideration. You can ship Gwyn and Azriel but don’t dismiss Elriel relationship based on one POV. Ship Gwynriel by providing hints and evidence from the other books too.

[soulsborne-pilled]

MK-S: Dark Souls Update.

Thank you for the Sif summon advice. I’ll think about it after a few more solo attempts. I tend to just let myself stay hollow, with no liquid humanity unless farming, so I tend to miss that such things are even there.

First timed Four Kings. This one was the closed. Almost died a few times, but +3 estus flask helped. Glad I upped my vitality stat. (Or was that for a minion outside who almost combo-ed me to death?) Didn’t grab a photo of the soul, so please accept a picture of me sitting by a lovely fire in the middle of an empty void:

Only got one level, and bought the last spell from Big hat. Let his decent begin: alright, first he doesn’t recognize me. Not good since I saved him twice and he’s otherwise recognized me on the spot…and now he’s gone. Up to where I first met Seath I guess. (Maybe looking into the research that drove an ancient dragon insane was a bad idea in hindsight.)

Beat Logan first try but he was fast and nerve wracking. Crystal spear is quick and does a lot of damage to me. I can’t use it for about 8 more int levels. Wow, Logan’s hat may not have any direct buffs, but that magic resistance is the highest I’ve seen.

Uh, there’s two griffins in the sanctuary garden…

Back to fighting Manus. Realized my chaos pyromancy spells are redundant, as their main advantage to my knowledge is just the extra lava that gets left behind; not worth the two slots for this fight. And flame surge works wonders, if I remember to stop casting it and use the necklace first.

Alright, I’ll give that Sif thing a try, but for that to be good, I’m going to farm some humanity. Turns out that the slime farm I found also is adjacent to a good humanity farming spot: if you take the Depths bonfire stairs down instead of doing the slime grind, don’t go down the ladder but into the hall and take a right, there’s five rats there, and another five on the other side of the corridor. And of course, the only things rats drop is humanity. I think I read a YouTube comment or something somewhere that suggested that this is because the rats would, ugh, let’s say “remove” the dead from an area…or the undead who rotted beyond the ability to move…which would mean they’re still conscious. I think the giant rat with its humanity drop was said to imply that the humanity is why the rats all got so big.

Read that I can farm black knights without getting locked into fighting Gwyn…what’s with the ghosts on the staircase? Are they Gwyn’s old followers…or my predecessors?

How long was that snake ride?!? What is this place?! Are we underground? Were we ever truly above ground? Got a shield off of the first knight, all I wanted from him. Alright, let’s keep trying with Manus. Sif really didn’t do anything or distract him for me. And I also just read on the wiki that I may have wasted all my dragon scales by upgrading the drake sword to +5 (Well, I don’t even have the strength to use the other dragon weapons even with two hands, so not too much of a loss.)

Starting to get bored, so going to kill the princ-wait, no, first I’m going to grind out one more level for vitality in anor Lando with that princess bonfire, Then I’ll do the thing. Also Manus brought me down to maybe one hp, and I thought I died. It was awkward when I realized I wasn’t dead as the hammer came down. Alright, got enough souls for level 95, putting my health at level 22, or 849 hp. Hopefully enough for me to not get one shot. Let me check a map to be sure there’s no secrets I’m missing in anor Lando…Heh, looks like I may actually just need the dark moon ring. I have that; don’t know from where. And I’ve got that bonfire activated. Let’s just jump to that part. Oh, just needed to wear the ring in the presence of the Gwyn statue.

Now fighting Gwendolyn (phone autocorrected to that, if that’s the wrong spelling)

Got him. Finally. Took quite a while, but I found out what to do to kill him in three engaged teleports: crystal catalyst + crystal homing soul mass. The soul mass means I just need to get close enough and they start hitting him. Was wearing magic resist and all magic resist rings, so no bonus souls. Oh well. I’ll grind one more level then claim the soul of the Anor Lando Firekeeper. She’s set to betray me when I show myself.

Oh neat, as she’s dying you can see the Anor Lando bonfire going out too. Add a firekeeper soul and time to reinforce the flask.

Back with Manus:

Well this is surprising, turns out one of my best advantages is a greatshield of mine. If I just press and hold block, I can withstand most of his melee phase. Sif isn’t much help as he can’t do damage and in my game only distracted him every once in a while, so Plan B it is: learn attack patterns and melee him.

Got him down just below half Healh before I hit the wrong button (attack instead of pendent). I think I just need more stamina…tempted to go and get that ring, but only for this fight…I’ll keep trying this, I’m close. (Just low on stamina…not regen. Just need to get my timing right.)

Remember what I said about Sif? Turns out I was using him wrong; he distracts manus by hitting him, with Manus targeting the last one to do so. Also:

WOOHOO! No spells equipped, wearing masking of child, and a stamina regen ring, plus ring of physical resistance. Armor was black sorcerer at +9 gear. Had to do this the long was: +15 Eagle shield, 104 stamina, and a +5 cursed Greatsword of Artorias. Oh this is a terrible feeling to have before bed, because it feels SO SATISFYING! Had to take this fight nice and slow, meleeing him once per opening of his, blocking with greatshield during his attacks, dodging away when he did his rage combo and not blocking when able to up the stamina regen. Then timing the pendent to block the abyss spells. (Kept out the pendent and would swap to estus as that stage, may have been wiki advice or my own idea, I don’t recall). Took quite a while but now the deed is done!

Next time I fight him, I hope to be wearing full Artorius gear.

(Sidenote: overslept today. Wanted to get up at 7, woke up at 11. Some may like that, but I view that as a whole 4 hours lost. I’ll have to catch up on this blog tomorrow with things I only briefly saw like Platty’s new story or the weird thing where people were calling Kechi a “good boy”. Thanks for the Sif tip. It definitely helped in this last fight.)

Now I’m off to bed. I’ve got work in the morning. Have a good day everyone! (Next up, the dragon, the griffins, and Gwyn, Oh my.)

Congrats on finally beating him!

And good luck with Kalameet, that one is one very tedious process of learning the patters and lots, like LOTS of dodging

[gambithq]

the hunter

name: gwynera faen gender, pronouns: cis woman, she/her race: elf ( avariel & shadar kai ) alignment: chaotic neutral age: 87 faceclaim: im jinah

STR (11)    DEX (15)    CON (10)   INT (12)   WIS (13)   CHA (10)

once known by another name, gwynera is born of an illicit, ill-advised affair some many years ago. one of bloodied fists and warring words, the depths of passion bubbling and brewing amid threats to skin, to shatter bone, to batter veiled hearth and home. when the dam broke, as it were, her mother was mere moments from death, her wings tattered, her body worn. and yet, she was more alive than she ever might feel again, even at the shame of near defeat. she’ll claim it again on any occasion gwyn may ask of her, rarely repentant of her torrid embrace, even considering its costs. it’s the only occasion gwyn gleans any details at all, minor as they seem, regarding her would-be kin — of the man who left them both behind to appease his own. and so she’s desperate enough for it, grasps at it angrily, greedily. her mother calls gwyn her pride despite this. her greatest joy. and the woman treats her as a general would their prized soldier. a true heir of the skies. gwyn’s inability to rip her mother from the jaws of imminent despair, then, haunts her in a visceral way — she can still remember the smell of burning. her nightmares repeat the sight of flesh mauled by sharp claw and bones snapped by jagged teeth. and the very sign of near divinity, feathers once pale and pristine, were torn from wounded skin that day, their intricate threading charred and severed. gwyn’s back bears its scarring like a canvas now, stained and now inked. it is a reminder of weakness. it shall never be repeated.

she is alone, after. miserably so. lost in useless, despairing moments and dragging, desperate years. she is abandoned by remnants of her own kind, without a proper home and making use of surrounding wood, bearing little to her name. she’s soon stolen away despite this, barely giving the fight she should in the midst of her capture. snatched up by slavers who couldn’t care or know less of what she is, their only wish is to use what little she’s worth for their immediate gain. before they can sell gwyn off to someone as equally tragic, however, she’s saved by a man rather strange. and seemingly just as miserable. he is her liberator, though he’d state he was merely passing through. her second teacher, though he never claims it. through him she is renewed. through him, capable again. she can atone. she returns to her enemy of scale and flame and renders them no more. she does the same of other beasts .. even of men who prey on the broken and hopeless — a life she’s known as well. she does this for a price. for gold, for personal safety. for the thrill of the hunt. this is what keeps her useful, keeps her less dead, less meaningless. and she is driven in this, mostly solitary in her work. a shadow. a scavenger. the makings of near greatness again. yet, these things still aren’t enough to keep what’s loved protected.

she stumbles on a scene of broken things. shreds of clothing, various tells. her teacher’s home is ravaged and made to sell something in particular, it seems. a sign of a panicked exit, the implication of a dead man’s last breath — and she realizes this is to bury secrets. the scene is too clean. too easy to read, as if staged. she’s certain of his life still, despite the picture painted. despite the trail nearly running cold. on a gamble of a chance, her travels lead her to wandering men. men with supposed connections she might need. and so, gwyn’s hunt continues, though she’s no longer quite so alone.

played by Eva

[nikethestatue]

Perfect example of how things spiral out of control in this fandom. I read a post. The post says ‘well, the shadows did not warn Azriel that Gwyn was in the training ring. That is because the shadows already know something he doesn’t and that’s that they are mates’.

Okay, nonsense, fine.

But here is the thing--it’s like the sin of omission. Yes, they did not warn him about Gwyn. Conveniently though, no one mentions that they did not warn him about Elain, for example, when they met in the dead of night in the hall. And no one mentions how the shadows brought her gift to him, and took the box away. Additionally, no one mentions that these same shadows did not warn him about Rhys standing on the stairs and watching the whole thing unfold. Is Az and Rhys also mates? 

Perhaps Az and Jurian are mates too, because the shadows didn’t warn Az that Jurian is going to shoot him int eh chest. 

We know that the shadows raised a ruckus when Elain was kidnapped. Yet, they stayed calm and silent when Gwyn was kidnapped. (Not to mention that their master also had two drastically different reactions to virtually the same type of event)

I do love selective reading. 

[bookbornexiv]

My feeble attempt at sorting out some sort of healing thing for Sui to pursue now that he has pissed off the elementals and they no longer respond to him:

1. Blood healing; this was frustratingly vaguely explained even in the game it is from (Bloodborne) but some (?) blood has healing properties; your hunter carries around blood vials to heal with, and a mysterious blood transfusion seems to have cured you of some terrible illness and given you your hunterly powers in the first place. Not all blood is equal; the blood of the Great Ones, or those touched by them, may grant great powers. And madness. But people like to focus on the great powers bit. Blood will eventually turn you into a beast, though, and the longer you fight it the more hideous the transformation...

I like this because it kind of explains some stuff about Sui’s mom, and also ties in neatly to the Master, whom I still need to figure out - is he a Great One? a Hunter escaped from his Dream? or, like Willem, a mortal pursuing cosmic transcendence? - and it would make sense if the Master set Sui on this path for his own selfish ends, which I think Sui would only reluctantly tread himself. But then there is the question of why the Master never brought it up in the past five or so years since they met. Also where is Sui supposed to get all this blood from... what would his beast form even look like since the warg healer coat has no tail...

2. Healing miracles. Souls lore is really incredibly vague on how this works - read a scroll, learn a story of the saints, recite a prayer and perform a restorative miracle? - and it is definitely faith not int based, but I feel it is still something based off your own abilities and resources, not actually granted by the gods every time you pray for it (I mean... you can still learn and cast Great Sunlight Spear even though Gwyn is long dead... or undead...). I guess Sui could learn to beg aether from the elementals again by invoking Nophica’s name through prayer instead of using conjury, although this is a lot less exciting...

I will probably chicken out and go with the latter (wow Sui will never shut up about Nophica now) but the blood route promises so much more chaos I am definitely tempted

[umbral-fantome]

The best thing about rolling a high faith build in Dank Souls III with Yorshka’s chime is the fact I can deal upwards of 500-900 something damage with one sunlight spear. Step aside Gwyn, it’s my turn to smite bitches 8) Papa Leeroy is a powerhouse hooOoooOOoOOOoh

60 VIG/STR/FTH, big S W O L E.

Then there’s poor Arc who traded most of his physical combat prowess for his brains ksldaffdjl 20/20/48/48 str/dex/int/fth.