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tethys-the-aquatic-sea-godness · 19 days ago

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Sarevok, his mother, and revenge

There are very few known information about lady Anchev, not even a canon name, but there's enough to know she mattered to Sarevok. The memory of her murder followed him through adulthood, and it's a huge part of his character. It's also one of the motivators behind his betrayal of Rieltar Anchev.

As usual, my rant is down there.

All that's really known about Sarevok and his mother is found within his diary.

"He [Rieltar] mentioned mother in our conversation: how I wasn't to be unfaithful to him as she had."

"I had a dream this night. My mother was talking to me, but as she did her face became bloated and discolored. Her voice became weaker as she spoke to me, telling me to save her from Rieltar. I could see the garrote cutting into her neck, but I did nothing. It was only a dream."

"Terribly sorry, 'father,' but my true parentage calls and you are in my way. I shall be sure to instruct the doppelgangers in the exact manner Rieltar should die. I think a garrote would be perfect for the task."

-> I will never not be obsessed with this. The way Sarevok writes about both of his foster parents tells much about his feelings toward each of them. He refers to Rieltar by his first name or as "'father'" with quotation marks. However, he always refers to lady Anchev as "mother", even "My mother". It's a rare touch of sentimentality from him. His mother has no name, but she's the only character who gets an entry in Sarevok's diary that's not related to his plans.

It's interesting to see where the introduction of lady Anchev is.

-> The first entry about Sarevok's foster mother is right after the first entry about Gorion, Charname's foster father. It's a structural choice to have both parents who mattered to Charname and Sarevok follow each other on the page. It shows how they mirror each other as a parental figure, but also how they diverge, as Gorion is still alive at that point, but lady Anchev is dead. They also both unsettle Sarevok, albeit for different reasons. In true parent mode, Gorion was the one to spot Sarevok was up to something.

Now, let's look closer at the entry introducing lady Anchev.

It's the retelling of a dream (*cough* what you call a nightmare when you're not repressed *cough*), and from the way it's structured, there's reason to believe it wasn't intended to be there. It starts with "I had a dream this night", followed by lady Anchev's murder with graphic details, but Sarevok minimizes the previous lines with "It was only a dream". It reads like Sarevok woke up disturbed by his dream, went to write it down right away then minimized what happened when he saw what he wrote. He couldn't erase the ink, and crossing it out would've been even more telling than the words themselves. Note that this is Sarevok's diary, it's not supposed to be read by anyone but him, but there's still this reflex of minimizing anything that could be perceived as a weakness.

There are a few things to take into consideration when looking at lady Anchev's death. First, memories can get distorted, second, it's a dream, so not everything should be taken literally. Typically, when lady Anchev talks to Sarevok in his dream.

"Her voice became weaker as she spoke to me, telling me to save her from Rieltar. I could see the garrote cutting into her neck, but I did nothing."

-> Lady Anchev was strangled by Rieltar with a garrote, she would've had no air to shout, much less form a coherent sentence while her brain was running out of oxygen and her trachea was being crushed.

It's more likely Sarevok's own guilt speaking through her. His "but I did nothing" reads like an accusation at himself, and more importantly, an admission of failure and powerlessness. Hence the immediate minimization. The language he uses is also worth a closer look: "telling me to save her from Rieltar". She's not asking him to do it, she's telling him to save her. It's phrased like an order and reinforces the impression it's Sarevok's inner dialogue rather than anything lady Anchev ever said. The kind you'd get when you'd try to get yourself to move, but your body doesn't follow.

Sarevok has this dream as an adult, at the height of his power and on his way to godhood. Yet, he still cannot save his mother, not even in a dream. That's the powerlessness this dream/memory throws him back to. The child he was when that happened was unable to save his mother, nor should he be expected to, but Sarevok views that as his own inaction, not his inability: "I did nothing." Rieltar is the murderer, yet he's only mentioned in the dream. Technically, he's not even there, it's only Sarevok, his mother and the garrote. Sarevok's dream frames him as the cause of her death because he "did nothing".

It adds internalized self-recrimination to Sarevok's character, which fits his past as an abused child. The structure of the dream rests the responsibility of action on Sarevok rather than Rieltar, making the one who was 'weak' take the blame. Sarevok's quest for power remains even after his resurection because it's something rooted in his past, not his taint. The weak are to blame for what happens to them because they aren't strong enough to defend themselves. That's the twisted mindset he learned from Rieltar, because he's been the weak one at his mercy. The murder of Sarevok's mother is important, because it's the starting point, it's when that idea starts to sink in. Discovering he's a Bhaalspawn only cements that mindset by giving it a 'predestined' element. His very nature is to cause pain. It doesn't matter that it's not true, it becomes part of his misbelief and further taints how he interacts with the world around him. A part of that behavior is minimizing or outright dismissing anything that could make him 'weak', such as being upset by a nightmare of his mother's murder.

Even though Sarevok claims "It was only a dream", his plotting of Rieltar's murder contradicts that.

"I shall be sure to instruct the doppelgangers in the exact manner Rieltar should die. I think a garrote would be perfect for the task."

-> Sarevok has many reason to kill Rieltar, some purely practical, but this, this is personal. Yes, he tries to lure Charname and their party into killing Rieltar, but how hard does he really try? He charms the whole city of Baldur's Gate, but lets his front crumble after a couple of valid questions from Charname? Charname's cooperation isn't necessary because he has set everything to frame them for the murder anyway. Sarevok isn't present when Rieltar dies, because he's busy having an alibi, he can't do the deed himself, or say anything he'd want to say, but he makes sure Rieltar dies in a manner where he'll still get the message. One that tells him exactly how long Sarevok has waited for this, how long Rieltar was fooled. Ever since her.

You don't get to know more about Sarevok's mother, not even in ToB, but there's a dialogue you can get when talking with Sarevok. It's a dialogue you get if you take his offer to swear a binding oath post resurection.

Sarevok: "[...] You have no remaining grudges from our earlier matches?" Charname: "No, not really. You paid for what you did." Sarevok: "I… paid for it. You do not still feel anger over what I did to your stepfather?"

-> There's a lot Sarevok did to Charname in BG 1 they could be mad about. Framing them for murder and sending multiple assassins after them among the most prominent. But the one Sarevok's mind goes to, the one he considers the most impossible to forgive is killing Gorion. Sarevok thinks of the emotional reason not to forgive him, not the attempts on Charname's life, which are numerous, but the murder of a caring parent. Because it's something he relates to. He held on to his grudge for years before he could do something about it.

When Sarevok is finally in a position to get revenge, he goes all out. He writes a letter to justify his absence at Candlekeep to Rieltar. The last sentence is interesting, because it's probably the only true statement in the letter.

Father, [...] I am also writing to tell you that I cannot attend the meeting at Candlekeep. [...] I am sorry that I will not be at your side. Sarevok

-> Sarevok is sorry he won't be there when Rieltar is killed. He'll have to be satisfied with knowing he was the one to make it happen.

The thing about Sarevok's revenge against Rieltar, is that it doesn't stop with killing him. No, that's too easy, too little. Sarevok also destroys everything Rieltar worked for. The iron conspiracy, the development of the Iron Throne on the Sword Coast, all of that was Rieltar's project at the start.

"While this is a great blow to the Iron Throne, it is the perfect opportunity for Rieltar to approach the Throne high council with his proposal."

"The Iron Throne council has agreed to support Rieltar's plan. He has been given all the resources he needs, as well as leadership of the project."

-> Sarevok took over Rieltar's own plan and once his control was total and his own personal goal (being named grand duke) was within reach, he ran this entire, brand new, branch of the Iron Throne into the ground.

"I have been sent from Sembia to determine why this branch of the Iron Throne has foundered [...]."

"I will not debate that he [Sarevok] is in control, but whatever his plans, they certainly do not have the good of the Iron Throne in mind. He has abandoned us in favor of his new position [...]. We are simply to be cast off, and I would not be surprised if the marches the Flaming Fist through here tomorrow as a show of his stance on mercantile crime!"

"I only know business, and what he is doing makes very little economic sense. [...] As it is, he is seemingly intent on abandoning us and launching a bloodbath of a war."

Valdis (Charname): Then you won't mind if I help myself to your coffers, will you? Pang Wallen: Bah, they are nearly empty regardless! Sarevok has been making decisions on the sidelines for some time now, and it has cost us all plenty. He does not seem concerned with profits or much of anything! The iron shortage became his pet project, but he has used it to inflame tensions instead of build business! He's brought us down as sure as if he was some 'hero'. [...]

"He throws away gold like it was copper, and uses our best laid plans to inflame governments instead of bargaining for wealth!"

Tralithan: Oh, wonderful. I recognize you from the descriptions given. You are the one accused of murdering our leaders, are you not? I suppose you are here to exact revenge or some such? Well, we are already defeated by one of our own and do not need you. You would do better to focus your efforts on Sarevok, rather than beating up those already beaten. Valdis (Charname): Why would he turn his back on the Iron Throne? Tralithan: Because he was never interested in us in the first place. [...]

"He secures himself as leader of the Iron Throne and then all but destroys its mercantile credibility by practically sacking it!"

-> At this point of the story, Sarevok has more or less won (he's not aware Charname has escaped yet), the Iron Throne has served its purpose and he no longer has a use for it, however, there's no need to destroy it. The scapegoat of the iron crisis was always Amn and most people ate that up. Sarevok could let his plan runs its course, without making another move on the Throne. Instead, he ruins the Iron Throne and targets them with Baldur's Gate's guards. It's a bit of a disservice to his plan, because he already had their leaders assassinated, now he's ruining their business. He knows how the Throne works, he knows they'll send people after him, he just doesn't care. He knows he can defeat anything they throw at him at this point. Sarevok doesn't run Rieltar's operation into the ground because it serves a purpose for him, he does it because he wants to. He doesn't only kill Rieltar, he destroys everything he built on the Sword Coast.

It's not the only time Sarevok makes a 'scorched earth' plan against someone he has a personal grudge against, the other being Gorion's ward and the Candlekeep chapter, but that should've its own post.

Conclusion: Sarevok's affection for his mother is showed in a subdued and repressed way. There's never any vocal expression of it, but it's in his thoughts even when he doesn't want it to be, like his dream. It's built in his plans when he wants Rieltar killed the same way he killed her. She's not the only reason Sarevok tears down all of Rieltar's work, but she's a fundamental one.

"I think a garrote would be perfect for the task."

It's the last sentence of Sarevok's diary. This is what the one insight you get into Sarevok's mindset in BG 1 closes on. He doesn't talk about himself or his future godhood here, indirectly he talks about her. Sarevok denies it matters on paper, but unconsciously contradicts his claim. It hints at where Sarevok's weak points are. He's not fully self-aware, he doesn't overcome pain or weakness, he denies that he experiences either.

It never is 'only a dream'. Lady Anchev is haunting Sarevok. Killing Rieltar and ruining his work isn't just about her, but the closing statement of his diary is.

#baldur's gate 1 #bg 1 #baldur's gate 2 #bg 2 #sarevok anchev #rieltar anchev #observations on sarevok series #yeah it's a series now #why do i overthink these so much it's not rocket science #i know i'm just procrastinating actually posting them #obviously lady anchev's murder isn't the only thing but it's part of his foundation #really think sarevok can't get Better (tm) until he deconstructs that baggage #situations between sarevok killing gorion vs rieltar killing his wife are vastly different #but i don't think that hits home with sarevok at this point all he sees is the act #yes off screen fridged woman for a male character storyline #those were the days #still are the days actually #since b'g'3 decided it was better to erase two female characters from sarevok's storyline to replace them with two awful oc #because it's sooo progressive to write female characters entirely built around being the victim of a man #much woke there #option 1: give more lore to tamoko and lady anchev so they exist outside of sarevok #option 2: erase them and replace them with characters that only exist by butchering sarevok's character #also erasing a female poc character from a work of fantasy?#because the genre is OVERFLOWING with them right?#yeah i get off tracked in the tags it's my stream of consciousness without any filters

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goldyluna · 7 months ago

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Revenge ask (like revenge boop) I know you have already talked about yttd AUs, so maybe you could tell something about your OC(s) too? (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

Yasss, hell yeah I will. The problem is I don't know which one to pick... So I will probably write about them all (with some fragments that I wrote years ago).

But I will tell you first about the world my ocs live in. My universe is named The Beginning of The End (cliche but it stuck). This world is full of magic, superstitions and prejudice. But it is also beautiful in some ways. Woods filled with life, people with good intentions, spirits showing the way. Unfortunately, the story starts with death. Five of them exactly.

✮

Let's now meet our main characters:

Golden Rose – she is a beautiful medium with crazy mind. She can see the ghosts and do favors for them. She tragically lost her parents and had to live in an orphanage. Her only friend was a kid ghost, Boo, that never takes off his ghost sheet. Rose can let the ghost possess her, but if she lets them stay too long, the connection to the ghost world starts getting bigger and bigger, letting in the evil spirits and making it harder to close the connection. A lot of people died the day she first lost control. Desperation and guilt push her to drastic measures filled with water and flowers.

Tear – a Dark Empath. He was cursed even before he was born, because his grandparents angered the wrong people. He feels the emotions of other people, but without them he is an empty shell. People from his village shunned him and all he can feel from them is hate and distrust. Empaths are common, but the evil ones are called Dark. They like to take emotions from other people to leave them empty like dolls. People think Tear is one of them so the only positive emotions directed at him are from his mother and sister that likes giving him cute accessories. If Tear ever was close to feeling any of his emotions, it was love for his family. But curiosity killed the cat. He read that people choose suicide as a way to feel. So what's a better way to check it out than trying to fly?

The Seer - not a lot is known about her. Her age, name and story is a mystery. People say she is untouchable, no man ever got to kiss or to touch her, that usually angered them. The Seer got her name because she draws and paints the future. The hands and magic guide her so she isn't really aware during the process. The Seer lives in a dark, magical forest, full of creatures. She also specializes in dark magic. It is a shame the magic she loves so much can also hurt her so fatally.

Elijah – demon spawn, a creature of hate. Contrary to the title, he was born from love. It was the people fearing everything that looked different that wanted him gone. His life was mostly peaceful, living in the forest with his "aunt" so he doesn't bring danger to his parents. Unfortunately, hunters don't know when to stop looking.

Raven – he can heal anyone with just a touch. He is a talented medic too, even if he isn't using his powers. His parents are ritch and wants him to be a doctor, but don't accept him. They still call him his daughter, even after transitioning, as they think it is just a phase. He still loves his family and would do everything for them. So he heals and heals and works hard. But everything has the price. Wound for wound, life for life. The recompensation must be the similar weight as nothing happens without a reason. Raven has a chance to see it himself one day.

★

Like I said, it all begins with death. But that is the real beginning of this story. Let's see one together!

✮

How funny is it that ghosts judge less than living people? Thought the Golden Rose on her deathbed. This bed was hot water in a bathtub covered with rose petals. There were tall candles burning brightly around them and next to them were smoking incense sticks with the scent of summer flowers. It could have been a romantic sight if the girl didn't know that the water was about to turn red. Her naked body ached and shivered from the cold, even submerged in burning water. The ghost hands were holding onto her hours after tragedy. Ghosts are nicer than living people, ghosts teach me new things, Róża continued in mind. It wouldn't be that bad to become one of them. She ignored the voice in her head telling her that ghosts can be as vicious as living people. "Are you sure you want to do this?" the voice asked, waking her up from her thoughts. Next to the bathtub was a young boy standing. His face and most of his body were covered with a white sheet. He looked like a ghost from cartoons Rose watched on TV when she was little. His voice was full of sadness but also understanding. After all, he was a big part of her life with her, so he knew what she went through. If he were alive, he would shiver only thinking about it. "Yes." A blade shined beautifully in orange and red flames. A hint to what will happen next. "Okay then. It's time to say hello to the Grim Reaper."

✮

But wow, that's how the story starts and Golden Rose is the main character! It doesn't mean she didn't die. But if they die now, it will be forever.

So maybe let's go to one of the first interactions of our main casts!

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A girl with strange eyes and goat-like horns looked at them in disbelief. "Why are you so calm!? So... relaxed? Shouldn't you be at least a little scared? After all, you have lost your chance for a normal life! And you... You sit and drink tea as if nothing happened?!" The nameless girl shouted, losing control of herself. Tear felt her confusion and anger. He decided that she was one of those people who didn't like not knowing what was going on. As if her hands and eyes were tied, sitting in the dark. Poor girl. "What normal life?" asked Rose. Her voice soft and lacking the usual edge, as Lucifer had fallen asleep in her lap fifteen minutes ago and she didn't have the heart to move him. "In my normal life, I killed myself. Just like everyone else here." The medium stopped petting the cat to messily gesture at everyone present in the room before going back to petting. Lucifer purred loudly, making her smile for a second. "This whole school is a fucking graveyard of the walking dead. Aren't you one of them, dolly?" "I- of course, but-" "Plus, I've seen stranger things," The Seer interjected. She had already drank her own tea and was staring at the grounds at the bottom. She had to say the future looked interesting. "You try living in the swamps. I'll finally sleep in a regular bed and talk to someone other than my old books. After so many years of knowing each other, they have little to say."

"...And everything tells me that life with you all will not be boring."

✮

That... went well? Our group of misfits is weird but normal is booooring!

And even misfits deserve some love and family. People that will do everything for each other, even the craziest things...

✮

Golden Rose suddenly stopped and turned her head towards the nymph. There was a strange gleam in her eyes and her lips curved into a smile. However, it was a bit too wide and too sharp to be friendly. The make-up completed the image of a cruel jester. "Why shouldn't I kill you, hmm?" she asked in a sweet voice. Too sweet to be genuine. Suddenly her smile dropped and her face became completely blank. "You know... I've always been a fan of Shakespeare's works. Hamlet was my idol, he made pretending to be mad so easy. So I tried it myself and I have to tell you... I was great at it. But now I'm not sure if I'm still pretending." A dark laugh echoed and bounced off the stone walls. Nymph shivered with cold and fear. In the semi-darkness of the corridor, Rose's eyes glowed dangerously. The medium turned completely towards her prey and a knife in her hands looked unnaturally sharp. He hadn't been there before, but the sea girl wasn't going to ask where it came from. Despite her earlier words, she had no intention of dying today. Permanently this time. "Remember, don't play with me and what is mine. Then you won't have to worry about the Fool and his madness... Got it?" "Y-yes," tears welled up in her eyes, her shoulders were shaking. "Good girl," Rose almost purred, looking the nymph straight in the eyes. She brought the knife to her cheek gently, but still blue blood escaped down the blade. "Hmmm, if you weren't such a bitch, you'd be quite pretty. With tears on your face, blood and a look of complete devastation. I would like to destroy you. More." And suddenly the feeling of cold metal disappeared from her cheek and she took a breath, not knowing she had been holding it. The medium was nowhere in sight, but she still felt as if she was surrounded by the undead. Shaking herself, she started running towards her dorms, promising herself that she would avoid the newest group. It's full of freaks.

✮

So that's that! I gave myself a hard job talking about all characters, but well. I love them all. I hope it was interesting to read at least!

#My universe and characters are still work in progress but this idea is with me for so many years #i think 10 years now #wow its wild #Their backstories have more to them and I really simplified them so I can talk about all of them lol #that's how desperate I was yap about my ocs #so thanks for the opportunity!#There of course is more to every character and story but this post would be even longer #And I decided to talk about almost all important characters in this universe at least a little #I have more fragments that are funny or interesting in my opinion #(one is an exercise of sorts where characters are fighting and have only a thing that is on your left as their weapon... Mine was a plushie #i can share them if anyone is interested #or i will do it anyway #i am happy i could share some little fanfics about my characters!!!!#thank you sm for the ask <3 #ask goldyluna #lore #oc lore #oc #ocs #original characters #original character #fanfic #fanfiction #kinda #goldyluna talks shit

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