seikasoter | Entries tagged with baldur's gate gift exchange

Dear Author,

Welcome to the exchange, be you old or new! It's great that this keeps running, and I'm especially personally grateful that there are still people who match with me on the very particular things that interest me about these games which have meant so much to me for so long. Bon chance!

Some general preferences

Yes, please:

extra/missing scenes which fit the gaps of canon;
unbreakable friendships;
teamwork;
standing battered but triumphant;
character introspection;
a touch of the bittersweet.

No, thank you - do not want:

Unless I prompt otherwise, a lot of the common plug-and-play AUs which significantly alter the background of the setting (e.g. ABO, D/s, vampires/werewolves, Hogwarts/school, daemons, total de-powering rather than just backgrounding supernatural elements) – I like this series not just for the characters but also for the specific journey everyone's going through, so it's difficult for me to get into something which would upend that. If you’re hit really hard by a generic modern AU, that’s something I can take though.
Character bashing: a villainous story role is fine; it’s when the author is clearly frustrated with a character and taking it out on them that I tune out.

Smut preferences

I don't tend to directly prompt for smut, given the risk of making an author uncomfortable, but I am pretty much always glad to accept it.

Yes, please:

Breastplay
Hypnosis and mind control
"Too good to say no"-style CNC or noncon.
Alternatively, very soft and encouraging domme.
Mommy kink

No, thank you - do not want:

Anal
Blood, vomit, scat/piss.
Choking.
Snuff generally.
Breeding kink.
What I understand specifically by 'futa' or 'G!P' - that is, sticking a penis on a cis woman for the sake of making sure there's dick involved in sex - is not my kink, though actual intersex/trans women are fine.
Beastiality.

I'm

Seika on AO3, and I have my works, my previous gifts, and some of my bookmarks public, often with notes on them, so you can glance through those if you're inclined to keep researching my bad taste.

Obviously, by the terms of the exchange, everything here is optional. I'm very happy for you to remember that, and to take advantage of it: please don't strain anything trying to fit your writing into my ideas. I'm trying to help spark off some thoughts if you aren't immediately seized by one, not to confine you. That's why my prompts often throw out a scattershot of questions and instances at you, even contradictory ones - you're free to pick up as many or as few threads as you'd like. If a single phrase inspires you, I'll be content.

Exchange specifics

'fic only, please.

DNWs: EE content, Heroes of Baldur's Gate/Minsc's Journal content, BG3 content.

Prompts

Viconia - this year, I'm interested in the BGI characterisation of Viconia: wary, afraid, proud, but also hoping almost desperately for friendship. (Frankly, her charmed dialogue is a tragedy in miniature: "It makes me so happy that I have found friends such as you to make my acclimation to the surface a little easier."). How she goes about it, how it strains her relationship with Shar, what setbacks she finds along the way. Bonus points if you can work Kivan into it, in-character, whether it ends up in the bloodshed of the game or not.
(If you don't fancy this particular prompt, I have a couple of sets of prompts for Viconia from previous years, which you're also welcome to fill).

Imoen - Thinking about her initial arrival at Candlekeep. Who was it with: Gorion, Winthrop, someone else? Were they a Harper? Was it all just a coincidence, so far as that can be true of children of gods and prophecy? Where had they come from, what were her previous circumstances like, why bring her to Candlekeep? What was her reaction to the library-fortress, to Gorion, to his ward - the only other child around? (Your journal in BGII mentions just in passing that you've always had a connection - what did that feel like?)
Imoen is probably my favourite character in the series, so I have a small library of past Imoen prompts built up over old letters for this exchange (and indeed a few for other exchanges, if you look through my DW for them), which you are also very welcome to mine for inspiration. (My Minsc prompt for this year has a potential Imoen element to it too, actually). If shippy, I would strongly prefer an F!Charname/Imoen ship.

Ellesime - Not entirely unfairly, Ellesime is disliked by a lot of people in this fandom. It doesn't mean her perspective doesn't have a lot of interesting elements to it. Maybe something from her point of view as the divinely-empowered Irenicus suddenly begins storming Suldanesselar. Maybe everything going through her head when she's trapped in that cage at the Tree of Life. Maybe a longer, broader perspective: if she was trying to keep track of him in his Exile, hoping he'd reform and repent, what snapshots did she get of his life? Maybe even broader: from a rising mage, to a lover, to a violator of the Tree, to an exile she maybe keeps an eye on, to a bloody conquerer, to a dead man. Consider including his clones of her - either from the original's perspective, or using them as their own characters.

Garrick - okay, so, Garrick is probably a genuinely cowardly, bumbling, naive oaf. Probably. But he also trained - as he likes to say quite a lot - at Berdusk. And that just so happens to be the home of Twilight Hall, the Harper HQ. Which sort of merits a second look at any bards that come out of there. Interested in either a comedic interpretation as still a bumbling naïf, who keeps spouting incredibly suspicious things about where he's been trained, or something more serious, with a pretty subtle and competent Garrick who just has to keep up the mask. Interactions with Khalid and Jaheira, with the broader Harpers as a whole and their concerns over the Bhaalspawn prophecy, or with Monty and Xzar as the Zhent representatives all a bonus.

Minsc - Looking at ideas for how Minsc interacts with his witches this year. In particular, thinking of him looking for and at witches after Dynaheir. Why does he choose to devote himself to a new witch, even a non-Wychlaren? What conflicts could it bring up in relation to his determination to still seek vengeance for Dynaheir? How does he compare his new witch to Dynaheir of old? What about witches beyond Nalia and Aerie: Imoen seems like a very strong potential candidate, especially given that they have previous history. For something particularly wild, consider Edwina (either as pure comedy, frustrating Edwin absolutely no end; or even as a more serious work, potentially with Edwina discovering a trans side of herself through the Nether Scroll, and being shocked into something of a change of attitude).

Faldorn & Jaheira - This feels like it has so much potential in BGI, left fallow by the limited interaction system. I'd love to see this expanded a whole lot more over the course of a journey: druid vs shadow druid differences and similarities. Potentially in agreement over the scarring of the recklessly pollutant Cloakwood Mine, but clashing so much elsewhere. Could lead to canon conflict as usual, or could see differences resolved (especially if, e.g., you look at Faldorn as young, overly-ideological, and misguided, and can see Jaheira - perhaps with Khalid - arguing her round over the course of the journey). Consider tying in to BGI themes of nature vs nurture.

Dear Author,

Continuing to bring my classic aura of grumpy grognard to the exchange this year, albeit with a mostly refreshed slate of prompts. I'm very glad for anyone who's matched with me on this increasingly eclectic series of requests, so I wish you all the best and look forward to whatever you produce!

Some general preferences

Rating – from General to Explicit, it's fine. Whatever feels right for your inspiration and story. Serious gore or fetishes (vore, scat, et al.) are a turn off, but I can handle most of what you’re throwing at me. My prompts generally don't stray too far toward the sexy side of things but, if you’re going unprompted or just feel like it fits your story, I can definitively say I have no objection to smut.

Yes, please:

extra/missing scenes which fit the gaps of canon;
unbreakable friendships;
teamwork;
standing battered but triumphant;
character introspection;
a touch of the bittersweet.

No, thank you:

In general, a lot of the common plug-and-play AUs which significantly alter the background of the setting (e.g. ABO, D/s, vampires/werewolves, Hogwarts/school, daemons, total de-powering rather than just backgrounding supernatural elements) – I like BG not just for their characters but also for the specific journey everyone's going through here, so it's difficult for me to get into something which would upend that. If you’re hit really hard by a generic modern AU, that’s something I can take though.
Character bashing: a villainous story role is fine; it’s when the author is clearly frustrated with a character and taking it out on them that I tune out.
What I understand specifically by 'futa' or 'G!P' - that is, sticking a penis on a cis woman for the sake of making sure there's dick involved in sex - is not my kink, though actual trans women are fine.

Specific no-thank-yous for this exchange
I haven't played the BGEEs beyond the first one's truly awful release state, so characters and situations from them (including SoD) will pass me by. Heroes of Baldur's Gate/Minsc & Boo's Journal of Villainy were not to my taste, and I'd rather their takes on the characters/history were not included. I'm also reserving judgement on BG3 until I might someday play it, while holding something of a grudge for it co-opting the Bhaalspawn Saga's name, so I won't twig to anything from that either. I haven't prompted for anything from them, but just in case. In short, nothing post-2001, please.

I'm

There will obviously be strong feelings on both sides when it comes to him and Sarevok. Can they understand each other, these two half-dead men brought back to life for a greater purpose? Does the memory of Tamoko bring them together or drive them apart?

The reactions of those who were directly betrayed by Yoshimo (Charname, the rescue party), those who saw him mostly as either helpful or else pitiful (Imoen, from Chateau Irenicus to basically throwing himself on the party's swords under a geas), and maybe even those who'd never known him but have to cope with his story and everyone else's emotional reactions (say, those who were recruited after Spellhold).

The last act. When he finally is released again by his god. Or ... is it his god? Does Charname intervene, one way or another? Is it as a mortal making a request of Ilmater, or is it as a god, perhaps more forcefully?

Edwina
I'm going to show my age here a bit, but ... just the Ranma 1/2 trans fanfic classic? Turn the genderbending a little more sincere and a little less comic. Get transformed by magical accident, get extremely touchy about it because society has ingrained into you a bit too much chauvinism and attachment to your rod, but gradually find yourself seeing things from another perspective, casting off assumptions, taking comfort in the new form that there wasn't in the old form, and refusing to turn back. (If you want to bring back some comedy, I personally think it would be very funny for Viconia to respond an awful lot better to the uncertain f!Edwin than to vanilla Edwin's terrible attempts at seduction via "erotic onslaught").

Relationship Prompts

Aerie/Haer'Dalis
If you take your time with this one in the game, it will always explode, one way or another. But the difference in the way it blows up is what I'd like to look at here.

If you take your time in SoA, Aerie will decide - after seeing everything Irenicus has wrought - that she needs to step up and be more proactive about fighting evil. Haer'Dalis rejoices over the fading of her innocence and her closer relationship with destruction, which causes her to snap at him that she's not an object lesson in his philosophy and he's clearly not a good match for her new course. Haer'Dalis is sanguine about the matter, seeing it as more or less just another ending, and another proof of the Doomguard's truth. (This conversation makes Aerie "hardened", and it gives her a new voiceset when you transition to ToB).

Conversely, if you don't trigger this argument, you have to wait for Aerie to harden until after the sack of Saradush and the destruction there. It does always happen, regardless of Haer'Dalis being in the party or not, and regardless of their romance status - but if she is romancing him, it again leads to their breakup. He considers the sack of Saradush a wonderful thing, and hearing that is what prompts Aerie to realise that they're fundamentally incompatible, that she wants to go out and stop this, where he adores it. This time, Haer'Dalis is more upset, trying to win her back and calling her his "love". He still is glad to see her hardened, but it's much more resigned than in the SoA version.

So ... I'd like to see something about the development between, towards, and around, and after these two points, whichever you decide to use.

Haer'Dalis as he observes Aerie's gradual progress in self-esteem and initiative and will to fight;
him slowly finding her more lovely and more entropic as this continues, and also knowing that this makes the eventual loss all the more inevitable, and beginning to actively mourn its loss in a way he wouldn't have before;
Aerie on her side as she makes these gains in confidence and conviction both thanks to Haer'Dalis and opposite him, and similarly perhaps starting to twig to their differences.
The way people see Aerie, differently, perhaps, and especially if she finds this determination in herself in SoA, rather than clinging on to a gentler character until the fall of Saradush.
The sharp point as the relationship finally disintegrates, from one or both sides, actually in their heads rather than just getting their dialogue.
The aftermath, with all the jagged edges and relief and regret and near-backtracking that break-ups can bring.

Request set 2: 'fic or art, unleash the crack

Safana/Skie
Horrifically self-referential, but ... when I wrote To Follow And To Lead last year, I ended up finding I shipped this, because they're so similar, but just different enough. Both rich daughters who wanted to run away from overprotective fathers for adventure - but Safana found someone to steal her away, and Skie was seduced into it by Eldoth. Happy to see anything like Safana replacing Eldoth as Skie's original seducer, Safana taking Skie under her wing before or after Eldoth is dealt with and giving her a lesson in proactivity, both meeting later in life and comparing their similar stories. Also, because I find this very amusing, anything to do with Safana as a marriage candidate for Skie - because if you charm Duke Entar (as with Safana's innate ability), then despite his alleged overprotectiveness, he makes a broad hint at Skie being beautiful and marriageable, with no gender check.

Winthrop/Gorion
Old man yaoi? Old man yaoi.

No, literally, I have no particular excuse for this, I just thought it would be cute if the PC and Imoen's foster parents also got together, and got to see their kids growing up and being friends. Besides copious fluff, maybe you can explore a little the how and why of the two children coming to Candlekeep, and how the PC ended up with Gorion and Imoen with Winthrop. Or maybe, finally, we get to resurrect Gorion at some point after the saga (wish ahoy) and get to see the whole family reunion.

Ulcaster
But actually, what would it feel like if some rumour spread around got you to collect these weird artifacts from weird places, half of which it was a complete matter of luck you stumbled upon or found in time, and you brought them to the ghost of the founder of a great school of magic, and he forged them into a powerful magic sword ... and it was cursed and terrible? What would the PC think, what would the party think, what are their reactions, what do they do to Ulcaster? Enjoy the silliness.

Elminster and/or Volo
These two are pretty much the only two people outside the party who can actually watch us develop over the course of the entire saga, from just after Gorion dies, through Nashkel, through the entry into Baldur's Gate, through the mess with the Harpers in Athkatla, through the Siege of Amkethran, and finally through to very near the end itself, as the last of the Five are falling and ascension draws near.

Either singly or in mutual discussion, I'd just like to see their reactions to the Saga as it plays out, the ups and downs, the comings and goings from the party, the development of Charname, the ever-rising stakes and power involved. It's a bit of an excuse to do some freeform selling on your Charname, and the way your party went through the games.

If you'd like, you might make this epistolary, patterned off their interactions in the BG manual (or various other tabletop media, like Volo's Guide to All Things Magical).

Dear Author,

The Exchange continues, and I'm glad to rejoin it once more. If you're new, welcome; if you're returning, I'm glad to see you again. I've been playing these games since pretty much release year, when I was five, so they're near and dear to my heart, and I'm delighted that our fandom continues to march its way ever onward.

Some general preferences

Yes, please:

extra/missing scenes which fit the gaps of canon;
unbreakable friendships;
teamwork;
standing battered but triumphant;
character introspection;
a touch of the bittersweet.

No, thank you:

In general, a lot of the common plug-and-play AUs which significantly alter the background of the setting (e.g. ABO, D/s, vampires/werewolves, Hogwarts/school, daemons, total de-powering rather than just backgrounding supernatural elements) – I like a lot of these series not just for their characters but also for their worlds and the effect those worlds then have on their characters. If you’re hit really hard by a generic modern AU, that’s something I can take though.
Character bashing: a villainous story role is fine; it’s when the author is clearly frustrated with a character and taking it out on them that I tune out.
What I understand specifically by 'futa' or 'G!P' - that is, sticking a penis on a cis woman for the sake of making sure there's dick involved in sex - is not my kink, though actual trans women are fine.

Rating – from General to Explicit, it's fine. Whatever feels right for your inspiration and story. Serious gore or fetishes (vore, scat, et al.) are a turn off, but I can handle most of what you’re throwing at me. My prompts generally don't stray too far toward the sexy side of things but, if you’re going unprompted or just feel like it fits your story, I can definitively say I have no objection to smut.

Specific no-thank-yous for this exchange
I haven't played the BGEEs beyond the first one's truly awful release state, so characters and situations from them (including SoD) will pass me by. Heroes of Baldur's Gate/Minsc & Boo's Journal of Villainy were not to my taste, and I'd rather their takes on the characters/history were not included. I'm also reserving judgement on BG3 (which vague word of mouth is telling me is still quite unfinished anyway) while holding something of a grudge for it co-opting the Bhaalspawn Saga's name, so I won't twig to anything from that either. I haven't prompted for anything from them, but just in case.

I'm

Generally, Dynaheir observing Charname as the target of her mission, and Charname's development. Her changing feelings, astonishment at Charname rising above their blood, or despair as they sink into it.

How, or when, does she realise Charname is actually a Bhaalspawn? Does it take until Gorion's letter? Does she see it straight away, somehow? (There are some certain ways, it seems, to identify a Bhaalspawn - Sarevok twigged to you in Candlekeep on his early visit there). Is it maybe the dreams that she sees as a clue? (Good time for some hurt/comfort).

How does Charname find out Dynaheir? Is there a confession of sorts once she's worked it out, and found she trusts Charname? Does it happen, as in vanilla, through a spell? What reaction does Dynaheir have to that?

So ... is this a dajemma, to which the Wychlaren have attached a secondary special mission? Or is that entirely a cover, and Dynaheir's already been out? Does the same go for Minsc? In either case, Dynaheir is presumably pretty young. It'd be interesting to factor that in, and her relatively close age to the similarly youthful Charname.

On the same note, the dajemma in modern Rashemen is ... not really a noble quest for adulthood, so much as a gap year: an excuse to go around outside Rashemen, see new places, get drunk, and hook up with strangers. (See Spellbound: Campaign Guide p71). Again, whether Dynaheir and Minsc are on dajemma or not, do they play up to this? Do they take their mission very seriously, but kind of long for a more usual and carefree journey?

I would be happy with either platonic or romantic relationship between Dynaheir and Charname.

Anomen
I believe this is kind of a minority opinion, but I really quite like "failed"/CN Anomen. The way he finally reacts to freedom from a strict life of duty that he's clearly struggled with and resented is fascinating and often joyous. "I long to laugh and do as I like...and, by Helm, I shall!" His changed lovetalks also seem so much more unrestrained and genuine. "My...my life is full of chaos, now, and I wish for there to be one thing that is permanent. So I offer my heart to you, along with my service and my companionship;" "You are a beautiful woman, <CHARNAME>...full of a life that I have always desired. I wish to experience new things, now that I am free...and I wish to be closer to you."

So:

Anomen just exploring his new freedom outside the order, indulging in luxuries (food, wine, fighting not for duty but because he wants to, women) that he hasn't been able to before. If you're feeling raunchy, a casually romanced - or not romanced at all - Charname accompanying him as he discovers some carnal pleasures (with a grateful rescuee before Charname joins in? bawdy tavern wench? courtesan?) might be fun.

Or, a more contemplative exploration of the way a chaotic Anomen sees Charname (romanced or otherwise) as his example and guide in a new life that he revels in but still doesn't quite yet understand. Meanwhile, Charname's chaotic dialogue options lightly suggest she leads by example where she bothers to lead him at all, just doing what she wants and hoping he'll see that he's now able to do the same. It fascinates me.

Or, well, Anomen says it himself. Helm never rejected him, not after failing his Test, not after bypassing the law to kill the wrong man. Why? What's the deeper secret here? What in Anomen is still worthy of his god? (This might be the one for those less directly enamoured of CN Anomen).

(A note, if you're like me and tend to use dialogue tools to look up scenes for writing the characters: there's a lot of inconsistency in the triggers that control LN/CN dialogue. Some use AnomenIsNotKnight, others !Alignment("Anomen",MASK_GOOD) or Alignment("Anomen",CHAOTIC_NEUTRAL) or the like. Alignment("Anomen" catches most of the purely alignment-based triggers, whatever they're trying to key off).

Viconia
Interested in looking at her faith for this go around.

Menzoberranzan is essentially monotheistic - how much of a shock was it to go from there to the very polytheistic surface Realms, where everyone except dedicated priests will call on a whole pantheon according to the needs of the moment? Did she have expectations of inquisitions and calls of heresy as soon as someone called on two gods? How did she come to grips with this entirely new paradigm?
How did she end up learning about and deciding to worship Shar in particular?
Likewise in respect of her chosen surface goddess: if she changes from NE to TN, what does that do to her relationship with Shar? It's notable that Shar offers relief from the pain of loss, not by restitution of any kind, but by numbness. It is forbidden to seek to better one's lot, even if one came to Shar through abject misery. If the relationship with CHARNAME gives her a measure of hope and healing ...
Or, if she becomes CHARNAME's first priestess upon their ascension as she once promises, what is that like for her? (And, indeed, what's it like for CHARNAME?)

Relationship Prompts

Aerie/Haer'Dalis
If you take your time with this one in the game, it will always explode, one way or another. But the difference in the way it blows up is what I'd like to look at here.

So ... I'd like to see something about the development between, towards, and around, and after these two points, whichever you decide to use.

Haer'Dalis as he observes Aerie's gradual progress in self-esteem and initiative and will to fight;
him slowly finding her more lovely and more entropic as this continues, and also knowing that this makes the eventual loss all the more inevitable, and beginning to actively mourn its loss in a way he wouldn't have before;
Aerie on her side as she makes these gains in confidence and conviction both thanks to Haer'Dalis and opposite him, and similarly perhaps starting to twig to their differences.
The way people see Aerie, differently, perhaps, and especially if she finds this determination in herself in SoA, rather than clinging on to a gentler character until the fall of Saradush.
The sharp point as the relationship finally disintegrates, from one or both sides, actually in their heads rather than just getting their dialogue.
The aftermath, with all the jagged edges and relief and regret and near-backtracking that break-ups can bring.

Dear Author,

The Exchange continues, and I'm glad to rejoin it for a second year. If you're new, welcome; if you're returning, I'm glad to see you again. I've been playing these games since pretty much release year, when I was five, so they're near and dear to my heart, and I'm delighted that our fandom continues to march its way ever onward.

Some general preferences

Yes, please:

extra/missing scenes which fit the gaps of canon;
unbreakable friendships;
teamwork;
standing battered but triumphant;
character introspection;
a touch of the bittersweet.

No, thank you:

In general, a lot of the common plug-and-play AUs which significantly alter the background of the setting (e.g. ABO, D/s, vampires/werewolves, Hogwarts/school, daemons, total de-powering rather than just backgrounding supernatural elements) – I like a lot of these series not just for their characters but also for their worlds and the effect those worlds then have on their characters. If you’re hit really hard by a generic modern AU, that’s something I can take though.
Character bashing: a villainous story role is fine; it’s when the author is clearly frustrated with a character and taking it out on them that I tune out.
What I understand specifically by 'futa' or 'G!P' - that is, sticking a penis on a cis woman for the sake of making sure there's dick involved in sex - is not my kink, though actual trans women are fine.

There will obviously be strong feelings on both sides when it comes to him and Sarevok. Can they understand each other, these two half-dead men brought back to life for a greater purpose? Does the memory of Tamoko bring them together or drive them apart?

The reactions of those who were directly betrayed by Yoshimo (Charname, the rescue party), those who saw him mostly as either helpful or else pitiful (Imoen, from Chateau Irenicus to basically throwing himself on the party's swords under a geas), and maybe even those who'd never known him but have to cope with his story and everyone else's emotional reactions (say, those who were recruited after Spellhold).

The last act. When he finally is released again by his god. Or ... is it his god? Does Charname intervene, one way or another? Is it as a mortal making a request of Ilmater, or is it as a god, perhaps more forcefully?

Dynaheir
"I am Dynaheir, a witch of Rasheman. I and my comrade Minsc have been sent by the Wychalarn to determine if the prophecies of Alaundo are true. We search for the spawn of Bhaal."

Dynaheir's charmed dialogue, well, says a lot about her character you wouldn't really get another way. (And can rather give the game away if you try it early). I'd be interested in some exploration of this.

Generally, Dynaheir observing Charname as the target of her mission, and Charname's development. Her changing feelings, astonishment at Charname rising above their blood, or despair as they sink into it.

How, or when, does she realise Charname is actually a Bhaalspawn? Does it take until Gorion's letter? Does she see it straight away, somehow? (There are some certain ways, it seems, to identify a Bhaalspawn - Sarevok twigged to you in Candlekeep on his early visit there). Is it maybe the dreams that she sees as a clue? (Good time for some hurt/comfort).

How does Charname find out Dynaheir? Is there a confession of sorts once she's worked it out, and found she trusts Charname? Does it happen, as in vanilla, through a spell? What reaction does Dynaheir have to that?

So ... is this a dajemma, to which the Wychlaren have attached a secondary special mission? Or is that entirely a cover, and Dynaheir's already been out? Does the same go for Minsc? In either case, Dynaheir is presumably pretty young. It'd be interesting to factor that in, and her relatively close age to the similarly youthful Charname.

On the same note, the dajemma in modern Rashemen is ... not really a noble quest for adulthood, so much as a gap year: an excuse to go around outside Rashemen, see new places, get drunk, and hook up with strangers. (See Spellbound: Campaign Guide p71). Again, whether Dynaheir and Minsc are on dajemma or not, do they play up to this? Do they take their mission very seriously, but kind of long for a more usual and carefree journey?

I would be happy with either platonic or romantic relationship between Dynaheir and Charname.

Sarevok

I generally favour the BGI account of Sarevok's childhood (primarily from his diary) rather than the ToB retcons. I think there's room to explore him growing up in a clearly terrible household, with a mother either raped by or willingly giving herself to Bhaal, and a suspicious, jealous, and cruel Rieltar who reacts awfully to what he thinks is "unfaithfulness". The way this then opens him up to the influence of Bhaal as it seeks him out in his dreams, his own determination to move forward and seek out priests of the dead god (and Winski Perorate) to unlock his power, the competing influences of Tamoko (a bright spot?) and Cythandria...

Or, a reaction to an account by Charname of Yoshimo and all that happened to Tamoko's brother as a result of his search for her killer. Is there regret? Is that one of the first steps for Sarevok toward turning away from the cruelties he'd immersed himself in before his death? Is it one of the last ones?

Or, some kind of diachronic look at Sarevok's relationship to Charname over time: first finding out about them; evaluating them while he's undercover at Candlekeep; catching them on the road as Gorion tries to flee, but seeing them escape behind a torrent of spells; increasing frustration as they foil his plans; eventual respect as seen by the final confrontation in BGI; resentment at their life and their power in ToB, while still holding his scraps of knowledge over them; and whatever end you think is appropriate, whether it's backstabbing or supporting godhood or supporting mortality.

Elminster and/or Volo

These two are pretty much the only two people outside the party who can actually watch us develop over the course of the entire saga, from just after Gorion dies, through Nashkel, through the entry into Baldur's Gate, through the mess with the Harpers in Athkatla, through the Siege of Amkethran, and finally through to very near the end itself, as the last of the Five are falling and ascension draws near.

Either singly or in mutual discussion, I'd just like to see their reactions to the Saga as it plays out, the ups and downs, the comings and goings from the party, the development of Charname, the ever-rising stakes and power involved. It's a bit of an excuse to do some freeform selling on your Charname, and the way your party went through the games.

Relationship Prompts

Imoen/Female Charname
I think this relationship can go all sorts of ways, and I basically love all of them. Among the possibilities:

childhood friends: the two of them as they grow up together in Candlekeep, the hints of a connexion between them, silly and sheltered teenage girlfriends in a fortress with basically no other kids;

hurt/comfort: Imoen looking after a distraught Charname for the first day and night in the wilderness after Gorion's death, or after a breakdown at the FAI; Charname trying so hard to get through to the dazed and confused Imoen in Spellhold; their more conscious reunion after Irenicus has left Charname soulless too, and they're dumped bleeding physically and spiritually into Bodhi's maze; Imoen trying to help Charname when she's taken her soul back from Bodhi, but Charname is still struggling with Irenicus' theft...

happily ever after: the pair of them released from the wars and the personal torments of their blood, and either finally beginning a relationship or being able to enjoy and explore it far more than they could before.

Dear Author,

Oh dear, a new exchange for me. Well, hopefully you and I both enjoy my dipping my toes in these fresh waters. I've been playing these games since pretty much release year, when I was five, so they're pretty near and dear to my heart, and I'm delighted that our fandom continues to march its way ever onward.

Some general preferences
Yes, please – extra/missing scenes which fit the gaps of canon; unbreakable friendships; teamwork; standing battered but triumphant; character introspection; a touch of the bittersweet; any other characters you want to add that I haven’t already discussed or nominated.

No, thank you – In general, a lot of the common plug-and-play AUs which significantly alter the background of the setting (e.g. ABO, D/s, vampires/werewolves, Hogwarts/school, daemons, total de-powering rather than just backgrounding supernatural elements) – I like a lot of these series not just for their characters but also for their worlds and the effect those worlds then have on their characters. If you’re hit really hard by a generic modern AU, that’s something I can take though. Character bashing: a villainous story role is fine; it’s when the author is clearly frustrated with a character and taking it out on them that I tune out. What I understand specifically by 'futa' or 'G!P' - that is, sticking a penis on a cis woman for the sake of making sure there's dick involved in sex - is not my kink, though actual trans women are fine.

Rating – from General to Explicit, it's fine. Whatever feels right for your inspiration and story. Serious gore or fetishes (vore, scat, et al.) are a turn off, but I can handle most of what you’re throwing at me. My prompts generally don't stray too far toward the sexy side of things but, if you’re going unprompted or just feel like it fits your story, I can definitively say I have no objection to smut.

Specific no-thank-yous for this exchange
I haven't played the BGEEs beyond the first one's truly awful release state, so characters and situations from them (including SoD) will pass me by. I'm also reserving judgement on BG3 (which vague word of mouth is telling me is still quite unfinished anyway) while holding something of a grudge for it co-opting the Bhaalspawn Saga's name, so I won't twig to anything from that either. I haven't prompted for anything from them, but just in case.

I'm

There will obviously be strong feelings on both sides when it comes to him and Sarevok. Can they understand each other, these two half-dead men brought back to life for a greater purpose? Does the memory of Tamoko bring them together or drive them apart?

The reactions of those who were directly betrayed by Yoshimo (Charname, the rescue party), those who saw him mostly as either helpful or else pitiful (Imoen, from Chateau Irenicus to basically throwing himself on the party's swords under a geas), and maybe even those who'd never known him but have to cope with his story and everyone else's emotional reactions (say, those who were recruited after Spellhold).

The last act. When he finally is released again by his god. Or ... is it his god? Does Charname intervene, one way or another? Does she do it as a mortal making a request of Ilmater, or does she do it as a god, perhaps more forcefully?

Anomen
I believe this is kind of a minority opinion, but I really quite like "failed"/CN Anomen. The way he finally reacts to freedom from a strict life of duty that he's clearly struggled with and resented is fascinating and often joyous. "I long to laugh and do as I like...and, by Helm, I shall!" His changed lovetalks also seem so much more unrestrained and genuine. "My...my life is full of chaos, now, and I wish for there to be one thing that is permanent. So I offer my heart to you, along with my service and my companionship;" "You are a beautiful woman, <CHARNAME>...full of a life that I have always desired. I wish to experience new things, now that I am free...and I wish to be closer to you."

So:

Anomen just exploring his new freedom outside the order, indulging in luxuries (food, wine, fighting not for duty but because he wants to, women) that he hasn't been able to before. If you're feeling raunchy, a casually romanced - or not romanced at all - Charname accompanying him as he discovers some carnal pleasures (with a grateful rescuee before Charname joins in? bawdy tavern wench? courtesan?) might be fun.

Or, a more contemplative exploration of the way a chaotic Anomen sees Charname (romanced or otherwise) as his example and guide in a new life that he revels in but still doesn't quite yet understand. Meanwhile, Charname's chaotic dialogue options lightly suggest she leads by example where she bothers to lead him at all, just doing what she wants and hoping he'll see that he's now able to do the same. It fascinates me.

Or, well, Anomen says it himself. Helm never rejected him, not after failing his Test, not after bypassing the law to kill the wrong man. Why? What's the deeper secret here? What in Anomen is still worthy of his god? (This might be the one for those less directly enamoured of CN Anomen).

I generally favour the BGI account of Sarevok's childhood (primarily from his diary) rather than the ToB retcons. I think there's room to explore him growing up in a clearly terrible household, with a mother either raped by or willingly giving herself to Bhaal, and a suspicious, jealous, and cruel Rieltar who reacts awfully to what he thinks is "unfaithfulness". The way this then opens him up to the influence of Bhaal as it seeks him out in his dreams, his own determination to move forward and seek out priests of the dead god (and Winski Perorate) to unlock his power, the competing influences of Tamoko (a bright spot?) and Cythandria...

Or, a reaction to an account by Charname of Yoshimo and all that happened to Tamoko's brother as a result of his search for her killer. Is there regret? Is that one of the first steps for Sarevok toward turning away from the cruelties he'd immersed himself in before his death? Is it one of the last ones?

Or, some kind of diachronic look at Sarevok's relationship to Charname over time: first finding out about them; evaluating them while he's undercover at Candlekeep; catching them on the road as Gorion tries to flee, but seeing them escape behind a torrent of spells; increasing frustration as they foil his plans; eventual respect as seen by the final confrontation in BGI; resentment at their life and their power in ToB, while still holding his scraps of knowledge over them; and whatever end you think is appropriate, whether it's backstabbing or supporting godhood or supporting mortality.

Relationship Prompts

Imoen/Female Charname
I think this relationship can go all sorts of ways, and I basically love all of them. Among the possibilities:

childhood friends: the two of them as they grow up together in Candlekeep, the hints of a connexion between them, silly and sheltered teenage girlfriends in a fortress with basically no other kids;

hurt/comfort: Imoen looking after a distraught Charname for the first day and night in the wilderness after Gorion's death, or after a breakdown at the FAI; Charname trying so hard to get through to the dazed and confused Imoen in Spellhold; their more conscious reunion after Irenicus has left Charname soulless too, and they're dumped bleeding physically and spiritually into Bodhi's maze; Imoen trying to help Charname when she's taken her soul back from Bodhi, but Charname is still struggling with Irenicus' theft...

happily ever after: the pair of them released from the wars and the personal torments of their blood, and either finally beginning a relationship or being able to enjoy and explore it far more than they could before.