#thewingedbaron

[thewingedbaron]

BG3 Fic Feb Day Four!

Day Four: Camp Chores

By the fourth day together, camp was beginning to run smoothly. Wyll set a watch every day, ensuring that none of the goblin’s scouting parties accidentally found their way into camp. Karlach was all too happy to assist with keeping watch, though privately she spent more time caring for her teddy bear, Clyde, than keeping an eye out for trouble. As she put it, when trouble found them, she would be ready. 

Gale had settled in quickly as the camp’s cook. After the disaster of Shadowheart’s half hearted attempt on the first night, the wizard of waterdeep produced an apron from his tent, the rest of the party was still unsure as to where exactly it had come from, and set about preparing whatever Alyss managed to catch out in the surroundings woods. Thankfully, Alyss was almost as good at hunting animals as she was bounties, so more often than not there was plenty to go around. 

For her part, Shadowheart busied herself about the camp setting up new barriers of thistle and heavy bush. Alyss had shown her how to rearrange the surrounding shrubs to help disguise the camp from outside view, and the cleric of shadows had taken to the skill almost immediately. She seemed to delight in finding new methods to hide them all from view. That, or she just enjoyed being close to the camp’s ranger leader, as Astarion claimed. It was hard to ignore the snuck glances, and occasional straight on staring that neither side seemed to notice. Astarion had started a betting pool on the second night. Currently, Wyll was winning. 

Lae’zel provided the background music to their little camp. She could often be found practicing strikes on a mock Illithid that she had created out of roots and branches. The dull thud, thud, thud, could be heard at all hours about the camp. Wyll had joined her a number of times, as well as Karlach. Both were apt students as Lae’zel explained the best ways to kill a ghaik quickly to avoid their psychic attacks. When she wasn’t practicing, Lae’zel was preparing. Mending armor, sharpening blades, Lae’zel was sure that she would be ready for whatever they met on the road. With a few sweet words, and the promise of a new dagger, she agreed to help with the camp’s weapons as well. Soon the grinding wheel could be heard near constantly, much to the chagrin of some of its other residents. 

Astartion, of course, prided himself on helping drink through the camp’s meager wine supply. He also carefully gathered gossip like a court spymaster sitting on a mountain of secrets. Alyss had given up asking him to help with camp chores, but perhaps that was for the better. He was a little too interested in her secrets, and she preferred to keep those under wraps. Even if it meant that Astarion was taken off dish rotation.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

Introductions (2.0)

Hello and welcome, all! I've been around these parts for a while, but I felt the need to revamp my intro :)

About me:

↪ Leah, she/her/any pronouns

↪ In my early 20s

↪ Reader, writer, sometime animator

↪ Been doing martial arts for over a decade

↪Huge fan of CJ Cherryh

↪I reblog stuff from @leahpardo-pa-potato

My writing:

↪ Generally fantasy, with sides of horror

↪Posted in regular chunks of 500-1k words

↪I love tag games, esp OC ones :)

↪I do mini-series, one-shots, and novels

↪I will love you forever if you send me an ask

↪See my full list of writing here

↪I have a taglist, interact here to join!

WIPs / Longer stories

The Unwanted Visitor: (Completed)

Aida's house has been haunted by a spirit for as long as she can remember. Thing is, she's grown used to her Unwanted Visitor (or Vis, as she likes to call him). So when exorcists come after him, she does what any sane person would: protect her brother friend.

↪ Urban fantasy-comedy, very light-hearted

↪A lot of found family and sibling squabbling

↪If you like teens causing chaos, this is for you!

↪Final bit here

A Perfectly Normal Schoolgirl:

All Katherine wants is to eat mortal food, bask in the warmth, and be a normal schoolgirl. But when a boy begs her to help him save her parents, she finds herself fighting for her (and his) life once more.

↪Urban fantasy with a side of horror

↪ Basically an inversion of a bunch of tropes

↪My attempt at writing fantasy without mentioning magic by name

↪Latest bit here

Fast Food:

An embarrassment to his entire tribe, Hash is lazy and uninterested in anything. So, when he reaches majority, he gets unceremoniously booted out of home. Follow his adventures through Triworld, as he somehow ends up in every single single conflict across the continent.

↪High fantasy with a side of humour

↪Very heavy Lore™ and Worldbuilding™

↪ My excuse to ramble about fictional history

↪Latest bit here :)

Lich-Queen (Completed):

Iraela has all but won: the King of Ceredell and his bride are gone, the cities fallen to her army of undead, and the way to the throne cleared for her. But her coronation, and her sanity threaten to fall apart under the weight of duty. Can she hold it together until she truly becomes Lich-Queen?

↪High, dark fantasy with some horror and gore

↪Watch Ira slowly lose her mind in real-time

↪If you like cannibalism, you'll love this

↪Full thing here

The Novel™ (Mind of a Mercenary):

Luna, Terror of Garvenoi, mind-mage extraordinaire, has been caught at last. Whilst everyone celebrates, she is given an ultimatum: Be an indentured hunter for the government, or die. But when she signs on with them, she finds that perhaps death might have been a better choice...

↪ Urban Fantasy set in a Non-Earth world

↪Starring a sassy, mean-girl villain protagonist

↪Enjoy several hundred pages of Luna trying and failing to run from her duties

↪Latest snippet here (find the others on my masterlist of writing)

Finally, my taglist! If you interacted with this post/already asked me to add you, and you don't see yourself here, please remind me! I may have accidentally missed you :')

@coffeeangelinabox, @dorky-pals, @calliecwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @shukei-jiwa

@thewingedbaron, @pluppsauthor, @cowboybrunch, @wylloblr, @possiblyeldritch @ramwritblr, @urnumber1star, @fortunatetragedy, @bigwipscholar, @ratedn

@vampirelover890, @possiblylisle, @illarian-rambling, @the-ellia-west

@finicky-felix, @evilgabe29, @glitched-dawn, @rivenantiqnerd, @dragonhoardesfandoms

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @owldwagitoutofyou, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog

Oh pls kill me I felt so silly doing this- Anyways bye guys hope to see y'all around don't judge me for this

[pluppsauthor]

Tag Game: OC/WIP Q&A

Thanks for the tags from: @tildeathiwillwrite, @diabolical-blue, @honeybewrites, @somethingclevermahogony, @willtheweaver

and @leahnardo-da-veggie. ❤ Much love to all of you.

Rules: open the floor for questions about your WIPs/OCs/creative process/inspiration/etc

I wanted to post this yesterday, but I had a medical problem that has thankfully cleared now. Anyway, my ask box has always been open (no anon tho). BUT, I want to hear anyone and everyone's questions.

I'm going to tag all of my writing mutuals that I didn't already above, both to pass the game along, but also to get some questions. No pressure to either :)

I'll lay out a list of my WIP's and stuff in them. I'll answer any question, but I will preface if it's a spoiler in case you want to avoid it at all (i'll also tag it as such)

Frequency:

Wounded Reflection:

Characters: Lukas Tiro (MC), Axel Reath, Oak, Vesa, Bene Grey, Cary Loaras, Kai & Skyla Starill, Karve Treath. (I only included the main trio and the other Hunters). Things in it of note: Fortissimo Organisation (special division), Hunters, ghasts/ghouls, Frequencies.

Kindred Spirits:

Characters: Rain (MC), Kasi, Yun Tiro. Things in it of note: Fortissimo Organisation (regular division), Frequencies, Romance :).

Hellfire:

Characters: Akita Day (MC), David Pol, Kai Everden, Vis, Hazzin. Things in it of note: Demons, Arch Demons, Ghasts, Un'thil'ar (Home of Demons), Frequencies.

Shattered Gods:

Characters: Luna (MC), the other characters are REDACTED, but, feel free to ask about them :) Thing in it of note: Gods, Daemons, LORE, Yismor (Home of Gods), Frequencies.

Forsaken:

Characters: Dusk/Ralillith Trio (MC), Zenith Freydra, Kyr, Dawn, Ino, Reven. Things in it of note: Frequencies, Runes, Everden Family, Families, New Season, Old world/New world, Daemon Tears, Trials, Daemons, Romance :).

Other Stories:

Wild & Grief:

Characters: Tinder (MC), Hope (MC), Mr. Fox. Things in it of note: Tree magic, fantasy world (no name yet), spirits.

534 ft.:

Characters: Jesse Graves (MC), Nolan Hunt, Shapeshifter Girl (Name pending). Things in it of note: magic, fantasy world (no name yet, not affiliated with Wild & Grief), fantasy creatures such as witches, fae, demons/devils, undead, etc.

Ad Infinitum (Placeholder name):

Characters: Captain Zanlith (MC), Officer Ani, Officer Clayde, more to come I'm sure. Things in it of note: sci-fi technology such as starships and the like, dreamlink technology, alien species, exploration of math and science theories.

That's it for WIP's (for now :)).

Anyway, down here in the depths of this post I will put the list of my writing mutuals I am tagging :3

@the-golden-comet, @ms-macintosh, @sm-writes-chaos, @illarian-rambling, @paeliae-occasionally

@aalinaaaaaa, @thewingedbaron, @sunset-a-story, @sunglasses-in-the-bentley, @ryns-ramblings

@nixwithapen, @whatwewrotepodcast, @minamaybe, @rivenantiqnerd, @phoenixradiant

@finickyfelix, @theeccentricraven, @bloodmoonloveletter, @oliolioxenfreewrites, @mk-writes-stuff

@kaylinalexanderbooks, @leave-a-message19, @themboty, @agirlandherquill, @xenascribbles

@emilynotfound, @shepardsherd, @kbwritesstuff, @decadentpandawasteland

and, open tag/anyone I missed. I didn't think there was that many lol. Much love to all of you again ❤

[multi-baker]

@drascua tagged me for the Spotify on repeat game!

rules: shuffle your ‘on repeat’ playlist & post the first ten tracks, then tag people

My Song - Labi Siffre

D&D Is Gay (But So Am I So This Tracks) - Newgrounds Death Rugby

About 10 Hours of Making Breakcore - Emray

Sedation - yuronono

attachment - yuronono

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Bad Habit - Steve Lacy

Good News Is Bad News - Helsinki Lambda Club

Crime - Chek

oyasumination - Ippotsk

@thewingedbaron @scaredigloo

[thewingedbaron]

BG3 Fic Feburary Day Five!

(Still a little behind right now, but working on catching up)

WARNING: Depicitons of Violence and gore. If that's not your thing, maybe skip this one.

Read on Ao3

Day Five: First time seeing companions in battle

The crossbow bucked in Alyss’ hands as the bolt sped away and tore out the throat of the goblin sounding the war horn. The raiding group had already reached the Grove’s gates and were pounding mercilessly at three humans that had been locked outside when it shut. Alyss could see the defenders on top of the wooden wall, armed with crossbows and bows to  rain down fire on the attackers. Lot of good it was doing them. With the goblins attacking their mercenary allies in front of the gate, none of the defenders could get a clean shot. Not the mention the goblin’s own archers and casters working their hardest to keep the defender’s behind cover. That, Alyss decided, was where they would start.

“Lae’zel, get that bastard with the stick and work your way in toward the bugbear.” Alyss called, loading another bolt. “Gale, rocks for cover, do your best to cover the Blade of Frontiers.” 

“The what?” 

“The idiot who just jumped down into the fray waving a sword around.” Alyss snapped back. “Shadowheart, help me get the archers, then pinch the main group with Lae’zel.” 

There was a round of affirmative nods as the group set about their tasks. Lae’zel sprinted right, slamming into a knot of goblins like she had been launched from a catapult. Bodies and blood flew with each swing of her blade. 

Gale worked his way left, alternating between firebolts and ice crystals as he chipped away at the goblin’s own casters. Confused by the crossfire, one their warlocks stepped out of cover to find their new attackers, only the eat a firebolt to the face. One caster down, Alyss thought. 

For her part, Alyss started to wear down their archers. Ordinarily, she would aim to injure, firing for arms and legs. An injured target often took two out of the fight, but goblins cared little for their wounded. Instead, her bolts slammed into chests and shoulders, slowly dropping the opposing archers one by one. Next to her, Shadowheart whispered the words of a spell, capturing a flame in her hand. 

“Ignis!” She shouted, sending the flame off like a bolt of her own. A moment later, she cursed as it slammed into the stone cliff-face, a few feet above her intended target. Shadowheart snapped her fingers in frustration, and a holy flame slammed onto the goblin from above, removing them from the fight. Alyss cocked an eyebrow at her companion. 

“Watch out!” Shadowheart cried, throwing her shield arm over the ranger. Three impacts slammed into the hardwood face, intercepting shots meant for Alyss. The ranger snapped off another shot, dropping one of the offending goblins in response. 

“Sorry!” Alyss reloaded. “Didn’t see that one.” 

“You’re lucky.” Shadowheart replied, regaining her composure. “Eyes off me and on the enemy next time.” 

The pair paused, both faces turned a slightly deeper shade of red as Shadowheart’s words registered. 

“Lae’zel needs help. I’m, uh.” Shadowheart nodded several times to herself. Below them, the gith warrior was tearing through a pack of goblins on her way to the bugbear as if they were wet parchment. 

“Right, got your back.” Alyss replied stiffly. By the time either of them looked up, it was already over. The mercenaries were battered, but alive, and steaming mad. Lae’zel was surveying the scene like  a general overlooking a battlefield, waiting for the next target to reveal itself. Gale approached them slowly, too busy trying to scrape the blood off his robe to notice the awkward silence between the other two members of the party. 

“Well, that was quite fun, wasn’t it? That Lae’zel is quite the warrior.” Gale smiled. “Are you two injured? You both look like you’ve been walloped over the head with a goblin’s club.” Gale’s smile faded as his two companions nodded stiffly at him and began to make their way toward the Grove, not acknowledging each other, or him. Was it something he said? He pondered for a moment before realizing that he was alone on the battlefield. 

“Now wait just a moment, I’ll not be left behind!” He called, jogging after the party as the gate began to lift.

[thewingedbaron]

Hey ya'll! I've been desperately trying to get back into writing lately (its been a minute), but between work and some health concerns I've been a little off my game. BUT I have done a little writing practice with some of my characters from BG and Pathfinder, so I figured I would share.

Please enjoy a little descriptive/characterization piece I wrote for Alyss (pictured below) arriving in the Shadow Cursed Lands.

Aylss’ heart sank to her boots as she took her first steps into the shadowlands. After a week of crawling through the underdark, she had the smallest glimmer of hope that she would see the sun again. That she could sleep once more under the open sky. Those hopes died as her party squeezed out of the small pass, stepping onto a path alit with torches.

The world around her was unlike any that she had ever seen before. Encroaching shadows, inky and dark, seemed barely constrained by the torchlight around them. The very air was thick with them. Dense clouds of grayish fog curled from the ground like smoke, leaving Alyss with only the vaguest of impressions of thick, creeping vines and rocky cliffs that loomed out at her like horrid abominations. 

She drifted closer to the flickering light, battling down the sudden rise of bile in her throat and her pounding heart. Her feet felt frozen to the ground, unwilling to carry her further into the drowning darkness. Breaths came in short and labored bursts, never quite seeming to fill her lungs before the next ragged pull of damp air must be taken. It was as if the very sky had dropped onto her shoulders, as if every patch of sullen grass and twisted vine hid hostile eyes. 

It was beautiful. Horridly beautiful. Like a shattered inkwell spilled upon the contents of a page. With trembling hands, she reached into her pack and selected a torch, holding it to the weakened flame of those that lit the path. It was almost embarrassing, the sigh that escaped her when she held that little bit of light. But as she glanced back at her companions, she saw the same relief reflected in their eyes as they beheld the torch like a beacon. Even Lae’zel, who had hardly balked at an army of goblins and ogres, who fought a bullette without complaint, seemed unnerved by this wretched place. The only one the shadows could not seem to reach was Shadowheart. 

“A blessing of Lady Shar, I think.” She explained, voice steady. Despite her words, Alyss noted the way she gripped her holy symbol just a little bit tighter as she stepped toward the shadows. 

“No… no sense in waiting.” Alyss stated, doing her best to ignore the tremor in her own voice.

“Should someone scout ahead?” Astarion asked. Silence stretched between the party. It had become common practice among them for Astarion or Alyss to lead from a distance, spotting enemies and traps in the path before the rest of the group could stumble into an ambush. No one, however, seemed willing to step beyond the torch’s feeble light. 

“Together then.” Alyss said. “Stay close.” 

Cautiously, she took her first step beyond the path, her party clustered closely behind. Together, they stepped into the dark.

[thewingedbaron]

can you tell me more about vulpin, please? i’m very intrigued by that snip!

Absolutely! Thanks for the ask!

(I'll try to keep this short or we'll be here for hours)

Vulpin is my sad boy from a novel I'm working on. He's an infernal (Got a little devil in his blood, basically a dnd tiefling with a little extra spice). He has lavender skin, curling horns like a ram, and red eyes.

Vulpin was raised with his twin brother Illik, red infernal with pillar like horns and red eyes, in a place called the Somniorum Academy. Think of the Academy as a city wide college that teaches everything from magic to engineering and soldiering. Lacking his twin's talent for magic, Vulpin was raised as an artificer, one skilled in creating arcane trinkets, weapons, and armor. Illik was raised as a wizard, giving him much more status than his brother at the Academy.

The two have a falling out, putting Vulpin on the run for some time, which is what you see in the snip!

tdlr: Vulpin is a sad boy artificer missing a home that he can't go back to.

[thewingedbaron]

Sunset

Arueshalae shifted, spreading her wings a little further to fully encompass herself and her companion. The sunset was just beginning, an explosion of warm oranges and yellows painted the sky in a way only the hands of gods could. She could feel her love’s questioning gaze upon her as she held on a little harder when the sun dipped.

“Mortals have a saying…” She began slowly, choosing her words as carefully as she could. “That all good things must come to an end…” The rest of the question died on her lips.

Her love’s brow furrowed in thought. “Perhaps,” they replied. The former Knight-Commander lifted a hand toward the sunset, as if to capture its beauty upon their fingers. There, in the center of their palm, they summoned a small mass of blue sparks. The mass shifted, and before Arueshalae’s eyes became a familiar pearlescent butterfly.

“Your powers!” She gasped. “I thought you gave them up!”

Her companion chuckled, a beautiful sound that blossomed warmth in her chest. “I did.” They replied. “But it seems even the gods, themselves, could not pry me from your side.”

“What does it mean.” Arueshalae asked, taking their hand in her own as she could tease the answers from the creases and scars on their palm.

“I don’t know.” They replied, pressing a kiss into her hair. “I suppose we’ll find out together. No matter what it means, I have the sense that I won’t be going anywhere for a long, long time.”

Arueshalae smiled and kissed her love softly. the sun dipped lower, immersing itself in beautiful strokes of purple and blue. The once demon didn’t see the sun as it disappeared behind the horizon. There was something more beautiful than the sunset, and she beheld it in her arms.

[thewingedbaron]

Together, Always- BG3 Fic Feb Day Eight

Skipping ahead to the end of act 2 on this one. Today's prompt got a little out of hand and ended up being much longer than origianlly planned. I hope you enjoy :)

Minor warning for menitons of torture. I used a bit of Shadowheart's dialogue after the Gauntlet of Shar, since it seemed fitting.

Pairing: Shadowheart x Tav (Alyss)

Ao3 Link Here

Day Eight: “It will be okay, as long as we’re together.” 

“This is all some sort of terrible dream.” 

Alyss’ head buzzed with residual magic as the planeshift spell dumped them on Shar’s doorstep. The world came rushing back, slowly focusing like a kaleidoscope of shadow and rock. Shadowheart’s words rung in her ears as her feet touched solid ground. Her vision returned just in time to watch the former cleric of Shar collapse. 

“But… it’s real isn’t it?” Shadowheart’s eyes lifted, tears appearing at their corners as she took her in her friends. “I stood before the Nightsong. I heard Lady Shar’s words… and I failed her.” 

Tears streamed down Shadowheart’s face. “Worse than failed, I defiled her! All because of what that aasimar said!” 

Alyss took a shaky step toward her companion, her heart tearing. Her legs, however, were not quite ready to bear her, and the ranger collapsed to the ground. Gods damn it all, she thought. With tremendous effort, she forced her knees to bend, and her arms to work. She would crawl to Shadowheart if she had to. 

The former cleric’s stare was a thousand miles away as she murmured to herself. Alyss wasn’t sure that she was even aware that there was anyone there to listen. 

“I tried to leave…” She said. “But Shar blocked me. Punished me for failing her. I thought I knew the limit of pain that the incurable wound could inflict, but I had no idea.” 

Alyss’ heart strained, tearing itself to tiny pieces. She threw herself across the gap between them, forcing her tired body to obey as she reached out and placed a gentle hand on Shadowheart’s arm. The half-elf didn’t acknowledge the touch. 

“It felt like I was suffering the agony of a thousand people, all at once.” She murmured. “My blood was boiling, my hair on fire. I thought I’d claw my own face off with the pain…” Shadowheart’s voice broke. A half sob escaped her before she continued. 

“She released me. Banished me. She said I was an outcast, that all of her children would know me and revile me… I… I’m alone.” 

“No, love. You are never alone.” Alyss whispered. 

Shadowheart’s eyes widened, darting to her face as if seeing her for the first time. “Love?” She asked. 

Alyss froze. It had been some time since the two of them had spoken properly. Shadowheart had been so deep in the woes of the Shadow-Cursed Lands that she had time for nothing else. Alyss feared she had overstepped for a moment before a slight smile broke across the half-elf’s face. 

“I… I suppose that is true. I am not alone. Not anymore.” she lifted a shaky hand, her fingers ghosting over Alyss’ cheek. “You’ve done more for me than my faith in recent days. In a long while. Thank you.” 

Alyss smiled, tears pricking her own eyes. “I’m glad you finally see it.” 

Despite herself, a small crack of a smile touched Shadowheart’s lips. Then, she folded, collapsing across Alyss before sobs racked her body. The ranger folded her into an embrace while her own tears fell silently. They stayed there for a long time, embracing on the steps of a tomb as the shadow lands twisted and curved around them. As they sat in each other’s embrace, holding on for dear life, the shadows did something strange. They began to curl back, parting in places as silvery moonlight descended into the gaps. There, in the patchwork sky above, Dame Alyin flew for Moonrise, a brilliant speck of silver against a darkened sky. 

As Shadowheart’s sobs slowed, Alyss gently released her hold. Both women sat back on their heels, their eyes stained red as they found each other’s faces once more. A thousand words swirled in Alyss’ head like a maelstrom, but something bit back. Shadowheart had lost everything, her goddess, her family, her world had been upheaved. Now was not the time for grandiose love confessions. 

“Wait.” Shadowheart said. Gentle hands seized Alyss’ shoulders as she leaned away. “Wait. Please.” the half-elf held them both in their kneeling position on the ground. 

“There’s been something between us for some time. A connection more than friends…” 

“Shadowheart, you don’t have to do this now.” 

“No. I do. Alyss, please let me speak.” She said, placing a finger on the ranger’s lips. “I recognized it, but I didn’t act on it after that first night above the waterfall.” Shadowheart shifted, her eyes locked on Alyss’ 

“I thought my faith was the most important thing in my life. I couldn’t have been more wrong.” She paused for a breath. Alyss’ heart hammered in her ribs hard enough to crack a bone. “I’ve squandered too much time already. I want to be with you. Now and always. Do you want the same?” 

Alyss could feel the silence that stretched between them, like a muffling cloak in her mind. She fumbled for the words to say, but could not find them. Shadowheart’s eyes searched hers, desperation gnawing at her irises. Alyss stopped, sucked in a breath to steady herself, and let it out slowly. 

“I want nothing more, love. Now and always.” She whispered. Warmth flooded Shadowheart’s smile as new tears washed down her face. 

“It wasn’t too long ago that I could never imagine smiling again,” she murmured. “Shows what I know.” 

Alyss grinned, warmth flooding her body. Her mind buzzed, the trials and pains of the last twenty four hours forgotten. “I have been trying to tell you-” 

Her words jumbled and stopped as the former cleric of shar seized her by the chin and kissed her. Something in Alyss’ heart burst, flooding her body with warmth. Whatever she had been thinking, it was gone now. The kiss shocked her mind blank. Her skin was on fire. Her blood boiled. Her heart melted as it beat. She could taste the tears in their kiss, but it somehow made it all the sweeter. 

When Shadowheart broke away, it was too soon. Her face felt strangely cool without the cleric’s lips on hers. Alyss immediately began to scheme how to get her to do it again. Every nerve ending in her body felt as if it had been shocked, leaving her buzzing and dizzy. 

“Keep your sarcasm for later.” Shadowheart smiled. 

“I couldn’t possibly-” Shadowheart’s lips landed on hers, and Alyss’ mind was wiped blank a second time. 

“Not to interrupt,” Wyll called for a long way away. “But we do still have a battle to fight.” 

Alyss relaxed as their lips parted again. The world had righted itself in her mind. Now there was only one thing left to do. Slowly, she pushed herself to her feet, hauling Shadowheart up beside her.

The former cleric of Shar seized her hand, interlacing their fingers. “Are you sure about this?” She asked, her former confidence eluding her. “I’ll have a target on my back for the rest of my days. Shar does not forgive or forget.”

Alyss smiled.  

“I know we have a lot to talk about, especially after all that.” she nodded toward the lonely gate leading back into the tomb. “But we will deal with it, right after we kick Ketheric’s ass. Sharrian assassins, old necromancers, even the gods damned Absolute isn’t going to stop us, alright?”

Shadowheart nodded, a small smile on her lips. “Together?” 

Alyss grinned. “Always.”

[thewingedbaron]

Alyss (tiefling ranger) leading the party, tracking the gith back to their crèche.

Astarion (in elvish): Do you think she really knows where she’s going, or is just making it up as she goes?

Shadowheart (also in elvish): totally lost, though her ass looks good when she’s searching for tracks…

Alyss (in elvish): The gith were here an hour ago. You’d know that if you were watching the trail and not my backside.

[thewingedbaron]

Feb Fics Day Three!

Sorry this is late! Got a little distracted last night and didn't end up finishing yesterday's entry on time, so here it is! Day 4 will be out a little later today :)

Day Three: First Encounter With Their Love Interest

(Modifying this prompt just a little bit to the first time Alyss realized it was her love interest) 

Summery: Alyss (Tav) realizes that her feelings about the Cleric of Shar have become a little... confused.

She was praying again. Her lips moved silently, working smoothly through the well worn words as if they were made for her lips. She would have hated the way the moonlight danced off her skin, giving her a silvery glow. After a long moment, her eyes opened, brilliant green orbs with- 

“Fuck!” Alyss hissed as a glob of bubbling wax landed directly on her finger. She quickly scraped the burning wax from her skin with a spare bolt, cursing as she stuck the singed digit in her mouth. By the time she glanced back up, the cleric had disappeared back into her tent. 

A sock of disappointment wormed its way through her mind. Why was she disappointed? It didn’t bother her what the cleric of Shar did with her time. Alyss winced as she accidentally stuck her finger into the boiling wax a second time while trying to set the feathered plume straight. 

“Pining sadly all by yourself are we?” A voice as smooth as spider silk slipped into Alyss’ ear. She suppressed a groan as the pale elf dainty sat himself on the log beside her. 

“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” Alyss replied evenly. The half finished bolt in her hand had suddenly become very interesting. 

Astarion laughed. “I can’t say that I blame you. We all love a bit of shadow in our lives from time to time.” He teased. “I’ve been more for sunshine these past days.” 

She could feel his eyes on her, burning away the thin veneer of busy work that she was trying to maintain. She could imagine he was teasing her secrets from the small changes in her expression as she failed to maintain a neutral face. A century passed by the time Astarion sighed and dropped his gaze. 

“Be careful with that one, Ranger.” He said softly. “I hear Shar is the Lady of Secrets. Our cleric’s might run deeper than most.” 

With that, he disappeared, slipping off into the night like a shadow, and Alyss was a lone again. 

Be careful? She thought. Love a bit of shadow? He couldn’t mean? No, absolutely not. There was no attachments to be had. Soon enough they would rescue the druid leader, Halsin, and he would tear the tadpoles from their heads. Then their strange little party could part ways, and none of this would be her problem anymore. Besides, Shadowheart was a lady of Shar. A daughter of darkness. She would have no interest in a half-devil who preferred the company of the open sky and wild animals to most people. 

Alyss glanced up as the cleric emerged from her tent again. She’d changed into more comfortable clothes, tightfitting sleepwear that nicely complimented her form. Her hair was loose, hanging in a sheet over her shoulders, practically glowing in the moonlight. 

Alyss stuck a singed digit in her mouth to cool the hot wax she’d spilled a third time. Across the camp, Shadowheart met her eyes. Alyss hated the way her shoulders relaxed upon meeting the cleric’s gaze. They’d best find Halsin soon, she thought. Or, perhaps, the druid was more comfortable wherever he was. Shadowheart turned away right as Alyss realized she’d been staring. 

Gods damn it.

[thewingedbaron]

BG3 Fic Feb Bulk Upload

Hi friends! I just uploaded all the previously unposted chapter of Fic Feb to my Ao3!! I will not be posting them all here, just to keep from flooding your timeline. Please check them out on Ao3!! I am very proud of them.

I will, however, leave you with a bit of angst and sad times, just for fun. Enjoy a little trauma with Alyss and Shadowheart <3

Ao3 (Just one more time)

Day Twenty Four: Tav faces their greatest fear. 

Alyss dropped into the armchair before the crackling hearth. Her breathing and heartbeat had long since calmed, but her stomach was still trying to tie itself into knots. Images from her nightmare dance across the back of her eyelids. Bodies, a decimated city, the elder brain hanging above it all, watching the destruction gleefully.

In her nightmares, she never won. Baldur’s Gate was destroyed. Her bones twisted and snapped as her face sprouted tentacles and her mind was wretched from her control. Alyss shivered, gathering the folds of her blanket around her shoulders like an armored cloak as tears began to fall from her cheeks. Her stomach flipped, twisted and threatened to spill as she struggled to banish the images from her mind. Her mouth tasted of blood. 

A warm hand slipped into her own. Alyss clung to it like a lifeline as a mug of something warm was pressed into her other hand. The sweet smell of spiced cider chased away the copper tinge in her nose. A thumb softly cleared away the tear trails from her face. As she eyes slowly tracked back into focus, Alyss found Shadowheart’s concerned eyes a few inches from her own. Without a word, the half-elf wrapped her in a hug. Alyss buried her face into her lover’s shoulder and sobbed. Slowly the knots in her chest began to ease. 

“I’ve got you.” Shadowheart whispered. “I’ve got you.” 

Alyss nodded into her shoulder and held on for dear life.

[thewingedbaron]

BG 3 Fic Feb Day Seven!

Finally caught up!! Day Seven's prompt was a really fun one, so I don't mind the double feature.

Minor warning for self-harm. Just be aware.

This prompt pulls from an in game arguement I had with Lae'zel about half-way through the Underdark on my first playthrough. Enjoy!

(Ao3 Link for the people that prefer it over there :) )

Day Seven: A Heated Argument With A Companion

“Ishtik, you’re leading us in the wrong direction.” 

Alyss glanced up from the shoulder pauldron in her hands. She wished she was surprised by the figure standing over her, sword clutched at one side.

“Lae’zel, now really isn’t a good time.” 

“Why? Does your injury affect your ability to reason?” She asked. “We are going the wrong way. The druid Halsin may think that salvation lies in the Absolute’s tower, but I have told you many times that we must make for the Creche. My people are the only ones who can save us from the worms that writhe inside of our heads.” 

At its mention, the tadpole behind her own eye squirmed, adding to the piercing pain already nestled inside of her head. Alyss sighed, fighting her own tired mind for reason while Lae’zel glared down at her.

“The tower is our best shot, Lae’zel. If we can learn more about these tadpoles, we have a better chance against them. You, yourself, admitted that it was strange that we had not turned yet. Halsin believes that there is other magic involved. We have no idea if the Githyanki can help us at all.” 

“Our opinions do not matter, ishtik! We are to follow protocol, which dictates that we go directly to my people to be cleansed.” 

“Kithrack Voss tried to kill us!” Alyss shot back. “How are we supposed to know that we don’t have a target on our backs now? Your Creche might try to slaughter us the moment we show our faces there.” 

“They will not!” Lae’zel shouted. “They are honor bound to help me. They would not betray my trust.” 

“They already have!” Alyss shouted back. “They tried to kill us simply because they thought you had stepped out of line. How can you trust them after that?” 

“Vlaakith was testing me, and I survived.” The gith warrior hissed. “This is another test, and not one that I intend to fail.” 

“No.” Alyss shook her head. “I will not put everyone here at risk under the implied promise that we will not be attacked. You included.” 

“You are putting them at risk by refusing to take them to safety!” By now their argument could be heard all over camp. Alyss was increasingly aware of the number of eyes on their fight. Her skin itched as she focused her gaze on her friend before her.

“It’s too big a risk for now. Let us put some distance between ourselves and Voss, and we’ll approach your people from the Shadow-Cursed Lands. There will be fewer patrols looking for us if we come from behind.” 

Lae’zel huffed. “First you take the side of the dark haired one and let her keep an artifact of great importance. Now you deny me the safety of the creche?” In one swish, the gith drew the blade from her side, placing its point at Alyss’ throat. “I will not be denied a second time, ishtik. You will point this group toward the creche, or I will challenge you for your leadership, and kill you now.” 

Alyss looked down at the blade, heart hammering in her chest. Then, slowly, she stood, the point following her throat as she stood eye to eye with her companion. 

“You put me in charge because I know my way around the wild places of the world.” She said quietly. “You’ve trusted me up until this point, even when you disagreed with my leadership. Trust me now Lae’zel. We will see your people. But only after we know more about the thing inside of our heads. I promise.” 

“That is not satisfactory.” 

“Then do it.” Alyss replied evenly. She pressed forward just enough to feel a drop of warmth on her skin. “Use the blade and see how far it gets you.” 

Lae’zel’s eyes tracked the dark colored blood as it painted the tip of her blade. Her eyes widened, and suddenly the sharp point withdrew. 

“Chk.” The gith warrior slammed the sword back into its sheath and stormed away, throwing the flap of her tent closed behind her. 

“That was either very brave, or very foolish.” Wyll said softly, stepping up beside her. 

“She’s afraid. Perhaps more so than the rest of us since she knows exactly what we’re risking.” Alyss replied, her gaze softening. “I wish I knew how to help her.” 

“She’ll tell us, in time.” The Blade of Frontiers eased his own sword back into its sheath. Alyss nodded. 

“I hope so.”

[thewingedbaron]

BG 3 Fic Feb: DAY ONE

It's day one of fic feb! I'll be doing the SFW list, so have no fear! I have no idea how long these are going to be, I'm just going to write scenes until they feel like they're finished. (thank you to @mishtress and @writ3rstears for setting this up!!)

I'll be using my lovely Gloomstalker Ranger Alyss for the this. You might know her from my other fics :) But without further ado, let's get into it!

(I'll be getting some more screenshots of my lovely ranger for each fic!)

Day One: What was Tav doing before they were captured? 

Alyss strode from the gates of the city with a deep furrow on her brow. She gently tossed a sack of jingling coins from hand to hand, marveling at how much lighter it was than it should have been. This, she decided, was bullshit. 

For nearly two weeks she’d tracked a known killer and burglar through the slums of Baldur’s Gate. For nearly two weeks she’d crawled through mud and gods knew what else to track down a man worth a paltry sum of gold. When she had finally found him, he ran, leading her on a wild chase through the city and out into the countryside where she had finally taken him down a few miles outside of Rivington. Then she’d slung the man across her saddle and dragged him all the way back to the city, only for the Iron Fist to pay her half of the man’s worth. Hells, she’d even brought the bastard back alive, and they still short changed her. Something about a change in management cutting down on smaller bounties to make more room for bigger targets. It all smelled like shit to her, though maybe that was just her. 

Alyss sighed, pocketing the small coin purse as she retrieved her horse. Dashneur huffed as she padded the reins over his head and led him back out into the street. At least she’d made enough to keep them both fed for a few more days. It was time to head back out into the wilds, she decided, swinging up into Dashnuer’s saddle. The outposts tended to have the more interesting bounties anyway. Despite herself, a small smile touched Alyss’ face. It would be good to get away from the city for a while. 

“Alright buddy, let’s get a move on.” She murmured, stroking Dashnuer’s chestnut hair. “We’ll grab something to eat on the way out of town okay?” 

The horse snorted in reply, fixing her with a sympathetic stare. 

“Yeah, I know. No sense in pouting over it. We’re more likely to get a copper from the Counting House clerics than we from the Iron Fist. We’ll survive.” 

Dashnuer shook his mane by way of reply. Alyss smiled, patting his flank. “Alright, you can complain. I’ll just keep doing all the work then.” 

Alyss flicked the reins gently, setting the horse off at trot. The crowds parted as the broad shouldered beast made his way across the bridge away from the city. The wilds, Alyss thought, that’s just what I need for a bit. A chance to reset and-

The crowds began to part a little too quickly as Alyss became aware of a second sound. The alarm bells of the city were ringing. She spun in the saddle to look back at the city just as a dark shadow passed overhead. It was like a ship, but unlike any boat she had ever seen. The prow resembled a sailing ship well enough, but the stern, the stern, hosted a great fixture like a snail shell. It was dragging eight, massive ribbons that seemed to move of their own accord. No, not ribbons. Alyss’ heart jumped into her throat as she realized the ship sprouted eight tentacles that were dragging along the streets of Baldur’s Gate. As the shadow passed overhead, she tried to coax Dashnuer into a gallop, but the crowds fleeing from the strange flying ship blocked his path. With a nervous whinny, he reared, forcing some of the nearby bodies back to buy them a little space. 

It was not enough. Alyss watched in horror as one of the massive tentacles descended upon them. 

“Come on boy. Come on! We can-” 

Something heavy slammed into Alyss’ back. Suddenly, she was falling. Flying. Then falling again. Darkness rushed to meet her, and Alyss saw no more. 

[thewingedbaron]

DARK URGE RUN BEGINS

Dropped off the map there for a bit to play Space Marine, but I've finally hit the first milestone of the Dark Urge run. I think we both know what that is.

I wanted to start the journal from a moment that makes sense for Cyllia (Tiefling Swords Bard/Durge). So from this point forward, I'll be doing a little live, character journaling when the moment feels appropriate. I'm also adding these under a little tag so they'll be easier for me to organise. #TWB: Cyllia

First entry is under the cut!

Day 4 since the crash of the Nautiloid. 

Alfira is dead. I think I killed her. 

This sickening urge finally overwhelmed me. The one that makes my blood boil at the sight of a corpse, that makes my hand itch for a blade. I pleaded with my companions the second night. I tried to warn them, told them of the terrible song my blood sings. Now, Alfira is dead, and I don’t even remember how it happened.

None of them are speaking with me, save for threats and warnings. Gale would not even approach me. When I asked him for one of his precious notebooks to help me get my mind right, he placed it on the ground before him without question, and retreated to his tent before he would allow me to move to pick it up. I have tried to tell them I do not remember, I’ve tried to plead my case. I don’t know if anyone listened. So I sit, here by the water on the edge of camp, scratching my thoughts to paper in a vain attempt to prove to myself that I am not insane.  

How did this happen to me? Am I truly capable of such horrible deeds? I have killed often these past few days. So called Paladin’s of Tyr, goblins, and bandits. I cannot deny the way my heart sings when blood is spilt by my hand. Yet, that is a love of battle not murder. I wish that I could remember anything about myself. Perhaps the answers lay in the gaping void of my memory. 

The earliest that I can remember with awakening in that pod. My horns had been hacked off. My hair shorn short, shaved on one side. I was wearing a ridiculous bard’s get up. Someone had to have put me there. I think my hair and lack of horns would have been done by my own hand, if not for the deep loss I feel when I glimpse them in the water, or a passing mirror. Someone did this to me. I know it. Perhaps it was they who put these infernal urges in my mind. 

I cannot dwell on it now. There is still work to be done if we are to rescue this “Halsin” from the goblin’s camp. I intend to head straight there today, after gathering as many allies as I could find. They have not left me yet, but I can tell that their faith in me is shaken. I will make this up to them. I will prove that I am more than whatever blood stained hand grips my heart. 

I vow this. I only pray that it is not too late. 

Cyllia. 

[thewingedbaron]

BG 3 Fic Feb Day 6!

A bit of a longer one today as the gang makes their way into the Underdark and Tav (Alyss) teaches the party about tracking.

You can also read this over on Ao3!

Day Six: Teaching each other how to do something. 

Alyss fanned her fingers over the mess of heavy boot prints embedded in the spongy earth. The Duergar that left them were apparently unconcerned that the myconoids would follow them, as they made no effort at all to disguise which way they had come from, and which way they had retreated after their raiding party had done their work. Alyss followed the footprints away from the main battle site, keeping a careful eye on their number and organization. There were eight to twelve of them including prisoners, she figured, though getting an exact number would have to wait until they found the camp. She smiled and whispered thanks to whatever devil had spawned her line had graced her with keen darkvision. Then, she frowned, and whispered a prayer that it wasn't Raphael. 

“How do you do that?” A voice asked, nearly causing Alyss to jump out of her skin. Out of the corner of her eye, she found Shadowheart leaning over her shoulder to look at the mess of tracks by their feet. 

“Do what?” She replied, trying her best to focus on marks on the ground and not how close the cleric’s face was to her own. The scent of lavender perfume and armor polish was a strangely distracting combination. 

“Tell how many there are, pick their direction, the lot of it.” Shadowheart replied, leaning a bit closer. Alyss shoved down the images of the night they shared above the waterfall as she tried to focus on the question. 

“Count the footprints and divide by two, most of the time.” She said. 

Shadowheart rolled her eyes. “Yes, thank you. I think I could have figured that one out on my own. But how do you know? This all looks like a scrambled mess to me.” 

Alyss thought for a moment, raking her eyes back across the jumbled markings on the ground like a scholar studying a particularly tricky tome. 

“There’s small differences,” She said hesitantly. “Like there, those two sets of tracks are smaller than the rest. Those would be the gnomes the duergar took. That set there is bigger than the gnomes but slightly smaller than the rest of the raiding party. More than likely a woman’s tracks.” Alyss took a breath, pointedly ignoring the scent of lavender. “And this set here, whomever they are, they favor their right leg. See how the heel imprint in the left track is a bit deeper? They were probably limping, that or they have some other injury that causes more weight on the left and less on the right.” 

Shadowheart nodded thoughtfully. “Alright, that makes sense.” She said after a long moment. “But how do you keep tracking them after the boot prints are gone? We’ve been following this group for ages, and this is the first time I’ve seen prints since the myconid colony.” 

“It’s easier with groups like this.” Alyss replied immediately. “Especially when about half of them are dragging their feet. They leave little scuff marks. Drag signs in the dirt, or bruised roots and broken plants. There have been dozens of little signs all along the path. You just have to know where to look.” 

The cleric of Shar’s brow furrowed. “Show me.” She said as they began to walk again. 

Alyss nodded. The party continued on the trail of the Duergar, pausing every so often so the ranger could slow off small scuffs on the stalks of mushrooms, and tiny drag marks in the dirt. Much to Alyss’ pleasure, Shadowheart was a quick learner, finding each mark a little faster along the trail. Eventually, Karlach and Wyll joined in. They made a game of it, counting who could find the next mark first. Alyss, of course, was disqualified by default.

“There, on those planks!” Shadowheart called, pointing out a series of muddy boot prints. 

‘That one hardly counts, it's so obvious!” Karlach groaned. 

“Still a track,” the cleric shot back. “I believe that makes it twenty eight to twenty to fifteen.” 

“How many points do I get for finding the duergar?” Astarion cut in for the first time since the game had started. The friendly bickering halted as the group considered the question. 

“I don’t believe finding the raiding party was actually part of the points system.” Wyll said. “It’s more about the journey than the destination.” 

“Ah well, if you would all get your noses out of the dirt, you would see that the destination is right bloody in front of us!” 

The group paused again, noticing for the first time that they were standing at the edge of a collapsed village on a tall cliff. Below them, a small, ramshackle harbor had been constructed on the edge of an underground lake. A handful of deep dwarves were tending to a boat there, looking as if they were preparing to launch. The gnomes, however, were nowhere in sight. 

“Well done, Astarion.” Wyll chuckled warmly. “I suppose that makes you the winner.” 

His comment was greeted with and uproar of complaints from the other two contestants. The vampire spawn, however, looked quite pleased with himself. 

“Alright, alright.” Alyss interrupted. “Quiet down before they hear us. We need to catch them before they decide to launch and leave us stranded on this side of the lake. Unless any of you fancy a swim?” 

Her question was met with embarrassed silence. 

“Right then, no more tracking. Let’s get to work.” The ranger said, leading the way down toward the makeshift harbor. One by one her companions followed until only Shadowheart remained on the cliff. 

“We’ll call it a draw.” She huffed to herself. Then, she followed her friends down into the dark.