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Astarion’s quotes that make my heart race!

Ok, maybe you’d expect something extremely romantic—but that’s not quite it. Or at least, not just that. There are moments when this vampire spawn truly drives me crazy—and not in a sexy way. Let’s just say that part is the cherry on top! But let’s not waste any more time…

"You deserve something real. I want us to become something real." Can we talk about this? This is the very first time Astarion truly opens up. Willingly. Officially. Even at the risk of being kicked out of the group, even at the risk of being told to fuck off—because yes, everything he did before was purely out of self-preservation. He used Tav/Durge and paid for the favor with his own body. And yet, he takes a risk. He puts everything on the line—even the very mechanisms that have protected him for centuries, allowing him to keep going without stopping, without thinking, without letting himself get emotionally involved. Because if he hadn’t dissociated, it would have hurt too much. But this time? He’s done pretending. This time, he really wants to try. He wants to take a chance—for the one person who managed to crack through his armor, who lowered his defenses. He wants to be real and experience something real, for the first time in over 200 years—with everything that comes with it. For someone who has always worn a mask, this is a massive, deeply important concept. Especially because, as I said, this confession goes against everything he’s ever believed—about love, about sex, about relationships. It goes beyond control. Beyond using emotions and feelings as weapons. Beyond self-preservation, which is what pushed him to act like a piece of shit so many times throughout Act 1. Here, Astarion takes a step away from selfishness and toward altruism—toward the other, beyond himself—and spits out the truth. He shows himself, stripped bare and flawed, and braces for the consequences. He takes responsibility for what he’s done. He makes himself vulnerable. And that’s an even more powerful, meaningful act when you remember just how hard that is for someone like him—someone who’s made fear his primary driving force for so long.

“This is a gift, you know. Thank you. I won’t forget it.” What can I say? It begins in Act One and ends at the conclusion of the Pale Elf’s quest in the “good” ending. The callback is incredibly powerful—revisiting the concept of the gift shows just how much he’s grown, how he’s come to genuinely appreciate what is offered to him. Even when it’s not what he expected, or what he claimed to desire. And in this case, we’re talking about trust. He is grateful for the trust he’s been given. Just like in the bite scene, where those words are first spoken. Trust in him as a person, not a monster. Trust in his qualities—the ones lying beneath the bitter, hardened, sarcastic façade. Trust in his potential. In the depth of his soul, where something much more profound is hidden. Something more delicate and vulnerable, too. And trust—or rather, certainty—that all of this has immense value and is worth nurturing. And for this, for the opportunity he’s given to finally explore that side of himself in his future, he is grateful. He considers it a gift. And that’s something that quite literally melts me.

“I did it. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” I’ve never experienced it in my playthroughs—I always freed the vampire spawn. Except for one time when I damned them, lol. But here, you can clearly see Astarion's growth and sensitivity. Not only that, but it also emerges in a context that doesn’t involve Tav/Durge, the safe harbor who has accompanied him on his journey so far. Instead, it involves the Gur tribe, with whom Astarion has a history that’s nothing short of turbulent: the law enacted against them, his own death, the kidnapping of the children. All violent and terrible events that left a mark on him—marked by hatred, anger, and shame. In this scene, there’s everything: forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, leaving the past behind, and facing the future with a stronger, more determined spirit. Here, Astarion opens his mind and heart to someone he once despised, hated, and hurt. He acknowledges and embraces their pain, grief, even their resentment, and does so with compassion and newfound maturity. What else can I say but that I’m so proud of this mischievous little bastard?

“Even I deserve something better.” This is a moment I absolutely adore. I never cheated on Astarion with Mizora—just to be clear—I’ve only watched the cutscenes on YouTube. The she-devil just doesn’t do it for me, unfortunately for her. Lol. If I have to throw myself at someone with horns, I’d much rather pick Wyll or Karlach! <3 But back to why this scene makes my heart race… This is where you can see all of Astarion’s growth. All of it. This isn’t about jealousy—he makes that clear right away. We know very well that the spawn isn’t against open relationships; he’s even open to including Halsin in the mix. This is about betraying the trust of your partner—something he’s only just begun to claim for himself. To trust someone, and in turn, to be worthy of their trust. It’s a deep and incredibly important concept. If Tav/Durge attacks him with the idea that he would’ve been the first to jump into such situations and betray others, Astarion quickly replies that maybe, once, yes, he would have. But things change. People change. Another powerful concept. And the most beautiful part of all this is when spawn Astarion chooses to leave Tav/Durge, because he finally has enough self-respect and strength not only to keep going on his own, but to fight for himself. To say “No, thank you.” He’s no longer willing to settle, to bend, to swallow the bitter pill—even if that means parting from the person he loves more than anyone else in the world. Because yes, damn it, he deserves something better than that! And because, in that moment—just as he himself says—Tav represents everything he’s trying to escape from in order to become better: someone who only thinks about themselves, without caring about the consequences or who gets hurt along the way. Simply beautiful. Especially when compared to the tragic words of Ascended Astarion, who—when Tav/Durge suggests they had a bad night and regret it—responds by telling them not to dwell on it and to just focus on the next conquest. He doesn’t face anything. He runs. And deludes himself that next time, it’ll be better.

“You. I want you.” Okay, this is where my heart just can’t take it. Awwww. I mean—finally, after everything we’ve been through in the game, after all those times we’ve asked him “What do you want?” and all the times he wasn’t able to answer… At last, Astarion gives voice to his own desires and replies: “You.” Not power. Not control. The relationship. That deep connection with another person, without any more doubts, masks, roles (master, slave, vampire, human), or ulterior motives. Pure and simple, from one soul to another. It’s a conscious and free choice. From someone who, not that long ago, couldn’t even put a name to what he had with Tav/Durge—“What are we, to you?” “I don’t know. But isn’t it nice not knowing?”—I think he’s now fully realized how warm, comforting, and fulfilling it is to know. To be able to give a name to what binds him to another. And the “I love you” that follows not only warms our hearts—it shows us just how far this small, desperate vampire spawn has come. He’s achieved the unthinkable: reclaiming his shattered identity, freeing himself from the curse of vampirism—not physically, but spiritually—and rediscovering his right to be, to choose, to express himself, and to feel something real. But most of all, he’s found the ability to recognize it and name it, without fearing the consequences anymore.

I think there are more, but I’ll stop here for now. Every single line from Astarion deserves to be analyzed, if you ask me! I have a feeling my next list will be about the Astarion quotes that piss me off. Lol

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Tara’s collar

So, when we meet Tara in Act 3 and Gale is in our party, it’s mentioned in-game that she has a collar that identifies her (Tav: “That symbol on the collar…Gale, is this one yours?” Gale: “It is! It’s Tara!”)

You can clearly see it in her animations:

What I did not know (until I saw it in the Bg3 wiki) is that it’s not just decorative—it’s actually a stealable/usable magic item. (Side note: Who would dare steal from Tara?!?! Who would dare??) The details are below:

I wanted to talk about the collar because as I was looking at it, I realized that there are three subtle details that show just how much Gale loves Tara:

If you look closely at the screenshot of Tara, you’ll see that the leather/fabric portion of her collar is a deep purple—a shade that matches Gale’s camp clothing. Of course he would give his closest friend his favorite color 💜

Even though Gale knows Tara is a “fine wizard in her own right,” and that she can cast a fireball, he still imbued the collar with a very powerful Level 5 Telekinesis spell.

There is in-game dialogue where Gale talks about how, in order to survive during his yearlong exile, he had to absorb all of his personal magic items that were stored in his tower. So the fact that Tara’s collar still holds this enchantment means he did not want to ‘absorb’ it—not even to extend his own life—because it is to be used for Tara’s protection 🥹

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elf tav lighting a cigarette at the tiefling party: when i turned 100 you were still a student at blackstaff isn’t that weird

gale, so horny he can’t see straight : can yuo put that out on me

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Ugh remember modern setting Gale? I'm afraid it had to be done again

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What You Won't Ever Find - Chapter 6

Posted on AO3 now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248/chapters/167025301

She looks past him to the assembled group, she has guessed enough to know that what is happening in this room matters and what’s going on outside of this room is bad. Bad enough to make even Astarion afraid. Dekarios catches her eye and for once he doesn’t glare or grimace, there’s a clarity in his expression that seems to say this is a river you only cross once Elstar. 

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✨All we have is each other - Part 11 ✨

The Weave Night

virtual library | playlist | ao3 | vp by @alstrodurge

summary: It's Weave night.

author's note: To be honest, I have been really hesitant to write this one and hope I did it justice. Additionally, AO3 has been scraped for Gen AI purposes and I do not wish my work to be included in such datasets, thus my AO3 is currently restricted to registered users only. If you don't have an account (and don't want to create one), let me know. Thank you, @coquetteshrew, for the song recommandation!

Song and lyrics used: Regina Spector - Samson

content warning: Gentle, magical, ethereael, worldbending, mindshattering sex in various forms. MDNI.

taglist: @astarioffsimpmain @sweetgemberry @jeneralmischief @enbyofwaterdeep @whiskeyskin (Let me know, if you want to be on/off this list)

word count: 4,2k

Start at the beginning

AO3 Link

While you try to stay within the protective barrier of Last Light Inn as much as possible, the matters at hand are too pressing. Your tasks drag you outside more often than you’d like - into the thick of the Curse, where the air is silent, heavy and your soul a little more threadbare with each breath.

The Shadow Curse is maddening. At its best, it’s a dull, persistent irritation; at its worst, it feels like it’s unmaking you, seeping into your soul, stripping you of everything you are. You see it in the others, too. The unease crawling under their skin, the restlessness and unwillingness to pause. But you press on, doing what you can to keep spirits high, tending to everyone in your own quiet way – and singing to everyone at night, once the Last Light Inn has calmed down.

Shadowheart likes to take baths after battle, disappearing into the one room that offers privacy and warmth, perhaps the only place where she can truly let her guard down. You do not ask questions. You just make sure the water is hot, and the door stays closed.

Astarion is churning chaos barely contained. He wants answers. Wants to make a deal with Raphael about his scars. And you could tell him everything, what the markings mean, what they signify, but doing so would unravel too much. Reveal how much you know, how closely you have studied him, his history and story and perhaps even how far you have looked into futures that have not yet happened but you are trying to control. You decide to say nothing, although it hurts.

Halsin remains restless. You call it scouting, when you wander through these lands, trying to find the right building where Oliver is hiding. You have not told him what role the cursed child will play. And though you know these lands in theory (and the Harpers can provide something like a map) the Curse distorts everything. The terrain is twisted, the Shadows are everywhere, distorting your focus and what you think you know about this place. It feels like navigating through a memory you cannot trust.

You train with Wyll when time allows, the Harpers seem to love it and join. Astarion occasionally joins, too. No one questions your skills. No one knows how recently you picked up a blade, or that your understanding of combat was, until recently, mostly theoretical. You keep that to yourself and a silent understanding with the others is gained, not to mention it. You rely on the tadpole more and more, silently calling out to each other in your heads, connecting in battle and training. It feels good, to have them this close. It strengthens the bond you have with each other.

The training feels good. A different kind of control. A reason to stay within the safety of the Inn and adhere Jaheira’s drills, which Lae’zel attacks with far too much enthusiasm.

You linger in limbo, not moving forward but not quite falling apart. One foot in safety, one foot in shadow. Holding everything together with quiet care and pretending it’s enough.

Gale remains a presence felt more than touched. You speak, when you have to. Exchange words about books, the small collection salvaged and shelved with care at the Inn. But it is all surface-level, cautious. A dance around something fragile. You do not know who is keeping the delicate distance anymore. You or him.

It takes you by surprise, finding the simulacrum waiting quietly by your bed one evening. It stands beside the frame like a statue, patient and unmoving, and when it speaks, the voice is unmistakably his: Gale’s, only distant, strange around the edges.

It invites you to accompany it outside, and though your heart beats faster with every step, you follow it. Out of Last Light Inn but still within the safety of the barrier, past the lake, beyond where others might wander. High on a hill, the ward holds, quiet and untouched. Continue on AO3

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Astarion trying to wake his mortal lover

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What You Won't Ever Find - Chapter 6

Posted on AO3 now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248/chapters/167025301

She looks past him to the assembled group, she has guessed enough to know that what is happening in this room matters and what’s going on outside of this room is bad. Bad enough to make even Astarion afraid. Dekarios catches her eye and for once he doesn’t glare or grimace, there’s a clarity in his expression that seems to say this is a river you only cross once Elstar. 

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Chapters: 4/? Fandom: Baldur’s Gate (Video Games) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Gale (Baldur’s Gate)/Original Female Character(s)

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Weavepop, my beloved

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An Upcoming Scene from What You Won’t Ever Find

I know I’m posting about these two a lot. I can only apologise, I love them sm.

18+ MDNI!

Gale moves faster, less tentatively, more hungrily. He revels in the way she writhes under his tongue. The way her voice cracks around the words please and don’t stop and most achingly of all Gale.

Then her grip on his hair tightens. She swears, whimpers, then cries out and shakes and he can taste her and he thinks, no he is certain, in this moment at least, that when it comes to Roslyn Elstar there is no slight he won’t forgive.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248/chapters/167025301

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What You Won’t Ever Find - Chapter 5

Yes another chapter. Yes there’s another ready to go. Yes I’m halfway through the following chapter. And yes, you should talk to your kids about brainrot.

MDNI NSFW because there is just a sprinkling of smut. ✨

A few minutes pass and the tree vanishes, leaving behind it the melancholy scent of autumn evenings. He sighs, defeated. “What spell did you use?” She is still looking out the window, her gaze trancelike. There is no animosity in her voice, no flicker of disdain in her face when she answers him. “No spell. Just me.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248

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What if?

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What You Won’t Ever Find - Chapter 4

More Smut! Mild gore! Intrigue! Lae’zel being literal!

Doctor Jenevelle Shadowheart had made plans. Get home, take her bra off, pour some wine and catch up on some quality trash TV. As she stepped out of the operating room in Selune General she could practically taste the Esmeltar red on her tongue, could almost hear the microwave pinging to let her know that dinner was ready. But fate had other plans. It always seemed to have other plans for her.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248

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What You Won’t Ever Find - Chapter 3

(“Here comes the smut” the author sings to the tune of Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles)

NSFW MDNI

She pulls away suddenly, her fingers digging into his shoulders “This doesn’t change anything Dekarios” she snaps “Of course it doesn’t” he hisses “But it appears to be the only way to get you to stop trying to kill us.”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248

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What You Won’t Ever Find - Chapter 2

Elminster has expressly asked them to co-lead a joint research project for the semester. The board was insistent his email states: the two most brilliant minds in the department, paired off. It would be a success story. Roslyn feels the real success story would be if they actually managed to be in the same room without one or both of them incinerated by a fire bolt.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248

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What You Won’t Ever Find-Chapter 1

I posted a new silly little Galemance story. It’s an academic rivals/enemies to lovers Modern AU. Please read it, don’t make me brainrot alone.

“Only thirty wizards more suited to the role? You disappoint me Dekarios… But as the former chosen of Mystra that’s likely a sentiment that you’re intimately familiar with” she spits, then turns and stalks away the click of her heels against the stone floors echoing behind her.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64970248