FridayPls

He's talking about how he got his scars from a she-bear when she tried to claim him in his bear form during the mating season for bears.

Halsin: "Rejecting unwanted advances is no failure. Even if it earned me some scars."

He spent three years as a sex slave and object to a drow couple, three years being treated as a toy and a novelty. When he talks about it to us in another scene, he uses the phrasing "I did what was necessary to survive... and perhaps a few things that were- less than necessary." A lot of us only get that part of the cutscene - he explains his escape, and it goes no further. But there's a bunch more to that conversation.

Here's the whole thing written out;

"One positive I will conceded about city life is that you never know what lies around the corner."

"Takes me back to some youthful misadventures in the Underdark. It was a long time ago - I was a foolhardy young druid, intent on seeing the beauty of nature’s otherworldly fauna and subterranean glow for myself.

"Certain events transpired and I found myself the guest of a noble draw house for some time. Well, something between guest, prisoner and consort, perhaps. It was touch and go for awhile."

Some quick notes before we keep going;

"Certain events transpired" - I think we can all agree we're curious what those events were. Was he kidnapped? Tricked? Invited in and then kept? Also holy downplaying, Halsin.

"something between guest, prisoner and consort, perhaps" - sort of lends itself to the implication that he was invited in and then unable to leave, rather than a kidnapping.

"touch and go for a while" - he's so blasé about it, but we know he's serious about how much danger he was in, even if he's telling us the story through a mix of humor and gravitas

"The house matron took interest in me and the patron also. They saw me as a novelty, perhaps. I was chained in their bedchamber for nigh on three years. It was not ideal, but not without its positives, either. I did what was necessary to survive and perhaps a few things that were less necessary." 

"The house matron took interest in me and the patron also" - that brief nod to drow matriarchal society. The drow patron may have taken an interest in him, but it was the matron who held his life in her hands.

"a novelty, perhaps" - not a person. Not something they cared about or respected or cherished. A toy.

"I was chained in their bedchamber for nigh on three years" - he was kept very close to the drow couple, in a very personal and intimate space, away from the rest of the house and from other prisoners. He would have been alone, most of the time.

"I did what was necessary to survive and perhaps a few things that were less necessary" - Alone, starving for companionship and completely cut off from nature - from natural light, from wildlife, from green growing things - Halsin had only the drow matron and patron for companionship.

"Don’t misunderstand me, I feared for my life and wanted my freedom back, but I was willing to wait for my moment. And, eventually, it came."

I read this as him realizing he's blurring some lines in his story and correcting the trajectory a bit. He'll come back to this in a little bit and it's beautiful.

"Lolth’s noble houses are constantly at each other’s throats and eventually some rivals of my hosts sought to unseat them. It was chaos. Drop against draw, the clash of blades echoing throughtout the cavern. The feeling of warm blood that I could not see. I took my chance and fled while all were distracted. I never looked back until I breathed fresh air again and never learned what came of my hosts."

"Lolth’s noble houses are constantly at each other’s throats" - Yes, yes, they are. What's more, we know a few things from dnd lore about what happens when drow houses attack one another; when one house attacks another, the goal is the violent, unseen, complete erasure of the other house. No witnesses left alive.

"The feeling of warm blood that I could not see" - this has me asking about a thousand questions. I gift it to the werebear!Halsin apologists.

"I took my chance and fled while all were distracted" - at some point in his three years, he worked out how to escape and had to simply wait for a safe moment to do so. Imagine what he must have been feeling in that moment. I'm gonna write this at some point.

"I never looked back until I breathed fresh air again and never learned what came of my hosts." SUCH an important line.

"I never looked back" - Despite continuing to call them hosts, I think the fact that he fled without a second thought is important to his story.

"until I breathed fresh air again" - he'd been thinking about that breath of fresh air for THREE YEARS.

"and never learned what came of my hosts"

We do know what happens when drow houses attack one another. One house always falls; if the attacking house doesn't succeed, they fall and are wiped out. Whatever happened that day, an entire drow house fell.

The only way to get him to call them captors instead of hosts is to be so mean to him. You have to have your Tav be a Lolth-aligned drow and threaten to sell him back to them. After hearing this whole conversation up to this point, you'd have to say "So the mighty bear is an escaped pet... I wonder if there is a reward for your capture and return." and EVEN THEN, he doesn't lose his temper. With a hard face, he advises you not to try and suggests that his captors are likely long dead, implying he's thought about it. After he finishes, he sort of pauses and looks thoughtful, then says "interesting- I've always referred to them as my hosts, but I suppose captors is a more accurate term to what they were," which is just such a clear picture of how the situation sits in his mind.

Okay, back at it. Here's the rest of that conversation, which doesn't always trigger;

Halsin: "The passage of time has a strange way of polishing even the most arduous of memories into precious keepsakes. Had it been slightly different, I may have been put to work in the mines or or killed outright. 

"Perhaps I carry more resentment than I realize. Time can prove to be a trickster of one’s recollections. What will be multiple lifetimes for others now separate me from my captivity; perhaps I have lost perspective on what happened to me. I survived... and in years to come, I must have allowed hardships to become dwarfed by the shadow curse in my mind.  I lost friends… confidants… and had the weight of responsibility bear down on me unrelentingly. There was scant opportunity for self-reflection. 

"…I have not had true confidants for some time. The shadow curse robbed me of almost all my peers and replaced them with the weight of responsibility. Perhaps that caused me to gild undeserving memories of my youth. I am lucky to have your counsel - it was sorely needed."  

That was a LOT, but take all of it and put it together with this;

"Rejecting unwanted advances is no failure. Even if it earned me some scars."

In that moment, I don't think he's entirely thinking of the she-bear.

Maybe I'm just reading too deeply into how his story is marked by years of having his autonomy stripped away, but I think it's significant he chose scars over submission when presented with another situation that threatened to take his choice away again.

--

Credit to @ride-a-dromedary for the gifs!

A deep dive into bravery and resilience in the face of humiliation and manipulation.

"Within the ball, you see Raphael, broken and bloody, dangling above the maw of the archdevil Mephistopheles, who is preparing to devour him."

In the Devil's Fee in Baldur's Gate, you can find a crystal ball near the entrance, on a desk. Interacting with it gives you an imagine of Raphael; he is able to see you, too, in turn through the ball.

Astarion keeps himself carefully shrouded in his words.

The first time we meet him, he's using all survival tactics at his disposal—his words are smooth, rehearsed, and edged with manipulation, a necessary armor forged from a life of servitude and deception.

Yet, as he gets to know you, finds himself trusting you, his guard lowers and genuine affection takes root. These same words are gifted to us again then with poignant earnestness and it's such a cool transformation from reflexive charm to heartfelt revelation. A deliberate shift from using language as a tool to wield control, to a means of expressing vulnerable truth—

Next, Karlach:

And now Gale:

And Shadowheart:

And Wyll:

And Lae'zel:

I didn't trust the gifs to stay synced, but they are below, should you prefer the individual version.

Halsin wrote my fortune cookie.

…and I think Gale wrote this one??

...Withers has been here, too.

AND ORIN?

Frankly, I don't know who this last one is from, but it seems on brand.

Pissing him off so you don't have to.

Gif Analyzing Araj and Astarion's First Encounter

Jumping in; she's a bitch? For a Lolth-aligned drow from a matriarchal-and-value-based society, he's a male outsider already, as well as a spawn. Factor in her vampire fetish and nasty BetterThanYou attitude, their interaction was doomed from first glare.

She clocks what he is right away, commenting to Tav, "Please, you think someone in my line of work wouldn't recognize a vampire spawn when they see one?"

A moment for his "what the fuck, bitch?" face before we go on...

Alright back to Araj.

She circles right back around to Astarion as soon as she's finished getting what she wants out of Tav. "Although, perhaps there's one more thing we could discuss... you friend? He's a vampire, no? Or one of their spawn, at least."

Sorry, just a quick cut to Best Boy looking at her with such thinly veiled disgust. The little way he just barely purses his lips irritably at her - just a lovely extra touch on a scene already so well done.

He tolerated her talking about him in front of him once already in silence, letting you handle it; now she's referred to him outright and she clearly wants something from him. And she's referenced what he is twice now - for a man who seems to genuinely believe he's got his entire camp fooled early on, it's likely less than a fun experience to have that particular hidden facet of himself readily identified by a stranger.

He send her a ''I'm right here, you know” message in the form of a whole lotta face and a very polite, "Don't worry, we're all friends under the Absolute. I won't bite." that holds a lot more depth than the fairly calm words indicate in surface level.

Let's get a bit closer - as close as it's safe to get to an angry vampire under these circumstances.

First, the lean. When he wants to make a point, he leans in - he gives her that lean here, paired with some delightfully contemptuous side-eye. Whether that's trying to keep his nose averted or refusing to look at her head on for the disrespect, he's sending a very nice fuck you.

"...all friends under the Absolute..." while actively shaking his head no on the word friends. I love the subtle ways he makes his point.

Pulling straight out of the very polite smile-and-head-shake-no, he throws subtlety to the wind for a moment and gives her a face we know well. Gone is the faux courtesy, replaced with a beautifully angry sneer.

"...I won't bite." His words said one thing, but everything else delivers a beautifully poised threat.

...and she is entirely unfazed, firing back smoothing with "Oh, I'd prefer it if you did," before turning to Tav to ask "I assume he belongs to you?"

He sent a message; she's rejecting it.

"...friends under the Absolute..." vs "I assume he belongs to you?" Up to this point, we've seen a fair amount of deference granted to True Souls by Absolute worshipers. In her eyes, they are not equals under the absolute. He has no autonomy in her eyes, only purpose.

"...I won't bite." vs "I'd prefer if you did." and she immediately looks to Tav to arrange it. Defanging his threat with invitation and, what's more, active solicitation. Treating him like little more than a pet - it almost reminds me of how I saw someone unkind try to treat a barking lapdog once.

Tav: "He's his own person."

Astarion, understandably, is a bit busy reacting with very valid disgust and shock. "I'm sorry... you want to be bitten?"

Closer and slower; just the beautiful progression from surprise to disgust to shocked disdain to what the fuck is wrong with you?? on the "want to be bitten?" with his little head shake of lol bitch no and also ew and what the fuck??

Araj ignores that as well, commenting to Tav instead on how adorable it is that you believe "...he's his own person." It's deliberately degrading and derogatory before she attempts to buy his cooperation. Before we get into the rude-ass way she asks his name, spare a moment for this mean girls glance at someone else in the party??

Seriously, who did she fire that glare at?? Why??

Okay, I'm focused again. Back to rude Araj and her shit-covered olive-branch. First, she attempts to 'make nice' - watch her shift her face after she completes the sentence. Like an afterthought.

"Do you have a name, spawn?" Not 'what is your name' - but do you have a name, spawn?

While she smiles like she's extended an olive branch, it's covered in caca. He is a thing to her; things do not generally have names, but 'you seem to think you're more than a thing, so I'll play along.'

So how does Astarion respond?

He answers, immediately, and then puts up his hands in defense before changing his dominant hand into a wait just a second gesture as he recoils away from her. Without moving his feet, he gets as far away from her as he can get in the space without literally bending over backwards.

Let's watch again, slower. His response to being asked his name is so reflexive. We've seen it elsewhere, the charming smile, the little bow and graceful spread hands with a flourish. Two hundred years of muscle memory taking over for a split second, despite how fucking rude she's been to him.

Because he's used to it.

He is visibly repulsed and yet, she tries to buy his cooperation, sensing that manipulate or orders are not going to play well here.

Whether self-centered narcissism or plot exposition, Araj gives us a very creepy bit of dialogue about what she wants from him and why. In essence, she’s dreamt of being turned into a vampire since she was a little girl; daydreaming aloud of Astarion’s literal waking nightmare. Some more of her dialogue;

"To feel your life’s blood slipping away? To dance on the edge between life and death? Yes, I want it. I’ll even compensate you - a potion of legendary power that forever increases the strength of the one who consumes."

"I'll even compensate you" - read: 'to you, a thing who does not deserve consideration in this matter, I will graciously offer a reward to entice you.'

She offers him a powerful potion that is "...not for sale, but yours if you bite me." The succession of expressions on her face are incredible. The way she tilts her head back and sneers almost meaningfully as she makes the offer. I don't know if she's returning his earlier sneer to sender or simply feels her trap has closed, but I don't like her face.

And we're so proud of our boy, he says no. "I will have to decline." He doesn't apologize, doesn't offer an excuse, he just says no.

Remember this later when you need to say no. Astarion says 'no' is a complete answer.

There will always be pricks like Araj, however, who disagree. "How disappointing." Scorn, distaste. A bit of have it your way, then. The way a mechanic looks at a stubborn bolt they're about to take a torch to because they don't technically need it to cooperate to get the job done.

It's the way one looks at a thing they're about to bend to their will.

Then, she turns to Tav with a demand. "Can't you talk some sense into your obstinate charge?"

Again, the denial of his autonomy, blatantly asking you to override his free will - let's remember, this is something that doesn't benefit her in any way, she's simply going to enjoy it. Because she's fetishized the experience from a young age.

Tav: "I’m surprised, Astarion, I thought you’d jump at a chance like this."

Astarion immediately perceives this as an order, simply a gentle way of phrasing one. He's used to his will being overridden - but he trusts you enough to push back.

"I'm sorry, but could you excuse us for a minute?"

That's a beautiful, "let me put you on hold" in perfect customer service voice. Flawless.

Further, he's not antagonizing her any further in case he's about to be ordered to bite her against his will.

HIS FACE AS HE TURNS. Singularly unimpressed.

Then he confronts you, both pleading and upset; "Are you serious? Are you actually asking me to do this? Trading me for some potion?"

He's been traded for plenty of things in the past and none of them by his own will or for his benefit. But that was Cazador and this is you - and you, he will push back against. It's a good thing.

Then, it shifts to anger that would absolutely be justified if you were actually asking him to do this - instead of Larian baiting you into a crucial character-arc-development misunderstanding with a vague prompt. We love them.

LOOK AT THE PLEADING SHIFT TO ANGER ^

I think it's important, the way he's willing to push back against you for his autonomy. That he knows that this is wrong to ask of him, even if he hasn’t realized Tav doesn’t know exactly what’s happening yet.

Next, Astarion offers us and Tav an insight into the situation. ”Because there’s something wrong with her blood! I can smell it from here and it’s - rank!”

That disgusted look back in her direction as he tells you "It's rank."

Tav: “What do you mean? What’s wrong with her blood?” 

”I can’t say, it just smells wrong. Unnatural. Drinking it wouldn’t kill me, but it would not be pleasant.” please don't make me do this.

“I don’t have all day, True Soul.” Araj has all day, she's being pushy to claw a yes out of you, like a predatory sales person.

Tav: “Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.”

And Astarion's response is... surprised. A little confused. “Alright. Thank you.”

And then he turns back to Araj to deliver his final fuck off for this encounter. “It’s still a no, I’m afraid.”

“How very disappointing.” And Araj finally lets it go... for now. I don't have room in the gif count to show her face here, I'm sorry. But we CAN go back for Astarion's second, much more heartful thank you.

“Thank you… I appreciated that.”

Here it is with a side by side of the first thank you (left) and the second one (right)

The first thank you is surprised and a bit insincere in it's uncertainty, tainted by his surprise at the blase "don't do anything you don't want, bud," support of his autonomy. The second is beautifully genuine.

The whole interaction transcends mere defiance; it's a powerful act of liberation.

For Astarion, this moment is not just about saying no to a demand but about reclaiming his identity and freedom, underscored by Tav's steadfast support. It's a testament to their growing bond and a beacon of hope in a world that often seeks to diminish individual will.

"Let every wicked magus, every vile murtherer, every slaver and every misery merchant see..."

"Dame Aylin is watching."

"...She is indomitable. And when her face lights the shadows of your wrongdoing, you are broken by it's beauty."

How the Enchanter of His Own Ego doesn't even look at him as he's giving the order to help enslave the Nightsong - until he's making sure his orders are understood?

And that true Larian blink and you'll miss it moment of anguish and loss of what he believed his destiny was on Rolan's face as he leaps to the side of right.

Until now, he's firmly believed his destiny was to become the greatest wizard in Faerûn, through Lorroakan's tutelage. That all just crashed to the ground around him.

A second ago, he was standing frozen, staring at Lorroakan almost blankly as the plan is unfolded in front of him, to his horror.

All the abuse he's endured that he had convinced himself was to some unseen greater purpose? Wanton cruelty. And he's staring at living proof of how far Lorroakan will go - sees him now for the grasping, power-hungry monster he is and immediately rises to the occasion.

Look at the anger... the disdain! He's looking at someone he once idolized, then feared and now despises. Someone with immense talent and capacity for great things - who has chosen to do this with them instead.

"You lied to get the Nightsong here. Made us all believe she was nothing but a relic. I've seen what true leadership can accomplish - but never under your tutelage."

That little look and nod to your Tav, who has saved him time and time again, and is here yet again, to set him back on the path of right. There is a whole novel in that look.

Turning his attention back to the Treacherous Thaumaturge, continuing to put himself firmly on the side of good.

And the Magician of Misdeeds tries to strike back at what he perceives as his greatest soft spot by threatening to take his dream from him entirely - ensuring no other wizards work with him or train him.

Rolan is unphased. "If they're all like you, I think that sounds like an excellent bargain." You can almost hear Gale deciding he likes this kid after all.

The Mystic Maligner doesn't like his authority questioned and doesn't like his plans disrupted.

We don't mind, we were itching to watch Dame Aylin break his back anyway.

Shall we? Dame Aylin agrees.

"Lorroakan... you who would see me caged - who would purchase my submission with profane gold..."

"Let every wicked magus, every vile murtherer, every slaver and every misery merchant see..."

"Dame Aylin is watching."

"...She is indomitable. And when her face lights the shadows of your wrongdoing, you are broken by it's beauty."

Anyway, sorry, I got sidetracked... but you know how he's just such a royal turd to Rolan every chance he gets?

Have Dame Aylin break his back in two and throw him on the floor like the garbage he is, then use Speak with the Dead on him.

Ask who is more powerful; him or Rolan.

The corpse pauses, perhaps resisting the truth.

Early Access Ketheric Thorm Dialogue

HAV_Isobel State_IsDead E | Ketheric Thorn Early Access Dialogue

Ketheric Thorm: I'll tell you a story, True Soul. About a man who sold himself piece by piece.

Ketheric Thorm: He had… everything. A wonderful wife. A brilliant daughter. They lived not far from here.

Ketheric Thorm: His wife died too young. Grief tore through their home like a thief, snatching away the scent of her hair, the rustle of her skirts. But the man did not break.

Ketheric Thorm: He could not break. His daughter needed him whole, after all.

Ketheric Thorm: She grew up - grew strong. Challenged him. Filled his heart with such joy it supplanted all sorrow.

Ketheric Thorm: When she was killed. the man… he tried to remain whole. but it wasn't possible. Do vou understand?

Tav/Player: So the man fell to pieces.

Ketheric Thorm: The pain was unbearable. All-consuming. He decided he'd do anything for reprieve.

Ketheric Thorm: First, he sold himself to the goddess of loss. But the pain did not subside, no matter his obscene feats of devotion.

Ketheric Thorm: Then a new god came - a god who promised the man something wonderful: his daughter. Her life returned. Imagine it. 66. Ketheric Thorm: He would have to give evervthing: his body and soul entire. He did not hesitate. Not for a moment.

Ketheric Thorm: And the new god did as promised. The man's brilliant, beautiful daughter came back. She was whole - she was alive. But she despised the pitiful wretch her father had become.

Ketheric Thorm: Her hatred he could bear, perhaps, as long as she had another chance to live.

Ketheric Thorm: Everything I've done, everything I have built, has been to give Isobel that chance. And you, True Soul - you have squandered it.