A Tale of Many Tavs

Breoch Vy'sse

He/Him

Lolth-Sworn Drow

217 years old

Draconic Sorcerer (White)

Background: Noble

Breoch is the eldest son of his exiled noble family, and one of an identical twin. He lived in Menzoberranzan for more than a century, using his charm and body to ingratiate himself among the nobility. After a long and messy break-up with his necromancer wizard boyfriend, he found himself strapped to said boyfriend's operating table; his still-beating heart preserved in a jar. He had died: tortured to death by his ex, and then brought back by him countless years later. Just when he thought he'd finally escaped from his ex's grasp, he was captured by the Absolute and trapped on the nautiloid.

Tag: Tav! Breoch

Reference sheet

Philomena Heath

'Mina'

Human

31 years old

Arcane Trickster Rogue

Background: Artisan

Mina is a seamstress from Waterdeep that keeps the truth of her identity close to her chest. On the surface, she is an unremarkable artisan that diligently works behind the scenes in a renowned enchanted clothing shop; under that façade, however, Mina is a skilled spy with a talent for infiltrating places without being noticed. She is completely forgettable. How she seems to have insider knowledge about the Absolute is a mystery her companions will need to tread carefully to unravel...

Tag: Tav! Mina

Reference Sheet

Ezekiel (Zeke) Ignistinea

He/Him

Baalzebul Tiefling/Bhaalspawn

26 years old

Fiend Patron Warlock/Gloomstalker Ranger

Background: Soldier

Zeke was kidnapped by a devil named Caedes whilst he was still a child. Caedes raised him as his own son in Maladomini and eventually offered him a pact to grant him greater power. In return, Caedes would be able to treat him as "his own flesh and blood". Zeke found his return to the mortal plane incredibly lonely, so is quick to befriend anyone willing to take the time to get to know him. He's very loyal, trusting and kind, but he does have some...unusual habits.

Tag: Durge! Zeke

Shrike

They/Them

Asmodeus tiefling

35-ish years old

Oath of Vengeance paladin

Oathbreaker

Background: Dark Urge

Shrike was raised by their mother, who had run away from her cruel partner and Shrike's father. Shrike had an unusual affinity for violence, so joined the local barracks. Once they discovered that their mother was being blackmailed by their father, they swore an Oath of Vengeance against him and his criminal network. Although they were successful in destroying their father, their time in Baldur's Gate revealed the identity of their true father and their destiny. Lost without their oath, they relished their newfound role as the leader of the Bhaal temple. Their leadership had secured success after success, far more than any of Bhaal's chosen before them, until an entanglement with Bane's chosen resulted in their downfall.

Tag: Durge! Shrike

Reference Sheet

Art Tag: Perdita Art

1. What was the first element of your OC that you remember considering (name, appearance, backstory, etc.)?

I always start with appearance when making OCs, and usually their personalities and history grow from there.

Breoch was designed to be as pretty as possible. As I started adding more elements that deviated from the 'typical Lolth-Sworn drow appearance', a story of a fallen noble House that defied Lolth out of love for a dragon began to take shape. I tried to give him traits that I thought would be considered 'undesirable' in Menzoberranzan: his asymmetry, his scar, his scales, his dark hair, and paler skin. Traits that would make him unattractive in the Underdark, but would be viewed as beautiful on 'the Surface'. And then his name was intended to sound more draconic than drow to reflect that conflict.

Shrike was always going to be a non-binary tiefling paladin. I wanted to give them autumnal colours because they're my favourite, which is why they're so warm-toned. In terms of their story, I didn't really define it too much until I'd finished playing through a canon durge run. As such, their 'personality' was very muted to begin with which then became its own canon. I fell in love with this stoic paladin whose inner battle against their dark urges made them appear intimidating, when really they have a heart of gold underneath. They still choose to resolve most problems with violence, but they do it out of love. Naming them after 'the butcher bird' seemed fitting.

12. What have you found to be most difficult about creating art for your OC (any form of art: writing, drawing, edits, etc.)?

I find Shrike's horns can be a real challenge to draw at times, especially from different angles. I love the shape of them, but they do get in the way. Shrike's hair and horns are their defining features and, whilst they look deceptively simple, it's so easy to get them wrong.

14. If you had to narrow it down to 2 things that you MUST keep in mind while working with your OC, what would those things be? 

For Mina:

1) She rarely smiles. If she does smile, it's small and understated.

2) She will do anything to avoid confrontation. Even if somebody is teasing her as a joke, she would never tease them back.

19. What is your favorite fact about your OC?

Breoch: Being 1/8 ice dragon, he is capable of hibernation. The last time he hibernated, he freaked his lover out when he fell asleep for nearly two weeks without warning.

Mina: Her drink of choice is whiskey. She has trouble sleeping and will often pour herself a dram as a night cap.

Shrike: They're an exceptional horse rider. Even after the amnesia, their muscle memory would allow them to ride a horse with ease.