#exxvikyap

Okay. 😒

This is the third anonymous message I've received regarding my Gale romance, and I genuinely don't get it. This isn't even a Gale-oriented blog, plus I've already answered it. I like him better. That's all there is to it. I've seen other users get hit with this question, too; as if Astarion's the only "right" choice, and it's never even warranted. I haven't said a bad word about Astarion or anyone who romances him, but the irony of you calling Gale a red flag, then shaming me for not choosing Astarion is mind-blowing. If Gale's a red flag, Astarion's an entire bunting.

Since you've pushed me, I would rather romance any of these NPCs before canonically choosing the vampire:

Hope that answers your question, anon. 👌

I was trying not to let it happen, but this fandom has effectively ruined any appreciation I might've had for the character. At this point, I'm just sick of hearing about him, especially in comparison to Gale. Everything isn't about Astarion, anon. Believe it or not, there are other really great characters, but fans like you just can't get through the day without propping him up above all others.

A few hours ago, as I was considering how to respond to this message, I bumped into this drama on a post about Shadowheart. Long story short, the uploader made a positive video where their Tav hugs Shadowheart during her personal quest, then someone came in to talk about how Astarion is "so much better" and expressed their desire to hug him during his personal quest.

Enough is enough. Seriously. I could go on and on about why Gale is actually a green flag, but I feel like I've done that extensively on this blog. And people like you will probably just disregard it anyway, because you don't like him. At the end of that day, that's really your motivation behind this, isn't it? You don't like Gale and you feel invalidated by people who do. I'm sorry, but that's a you problem. Don't go after people just because they prefer a different character. It's ridiculous.

Round 1 — Match 23 / 77 — Exxvikyap vs. Thisobald Thorm

Exxvikyap is a Brass Dragonborn trader in Rivington during Act Three.

"she’s working for gyldro angleiron (legendary smith, apparently) and she’s SO excited about it you can practically hear the tail wagging. and she keeps talking about the forge like it’s her big dream. girl i will commit petty crimes to support your career."

vs.

Thisobald Thorm is a unique, intelligent Undead, and the master brewer of The Waning Moon. He is possibly the son of Ketheric Thorm.

"Thisobald hot but I’m too scared to say it"

"this guy… genuinely. you walk in expecting “spooky tavern loot” and instead you get challenged to a drinking contest by a bloated undead brewer who’s like “tell me about your adventures :)” while his dead patrons just… sit there. and you can either fight him OR you can keep drinking / pretending to drink and basically talk him into popping like an overfilled keg. it’s gross. it’s hilarious. it’s also weirdly sad bc he’s listening like it’s the best day of his life. (also yes i always do it bc i want the XP and i like watching my party suffer through the con checks.)"

"thisobald is one of those NPCs where the concept is already doing so much. like... ketheric’s family is scattered all over reithwin as these cursed little “jobs” (doctor, toll collector, bartender) and thisobald got stuck being the brewer forever, in a tavern full of pipes and vats and sludge, still playing host like the night never ended. and then he introduces himself as “son of thorm” and calls ketheric “father” and you’re just standing there like… oh. OH. so this is what’s left of that house. and what kills me is you don’t even have to kill him with a sword; you can just sit there and talk and let him drink himself to death while he begs for one more story. it’s such a nasty little fairy-tale ending. “tell me something interesting and i’ll let you leave.” and if you’re a bard? it’s basically performance art. you’re doing stand-up comedy in a haunted pub until the bartender explodes. bg3 is a normal game."

"You look like you know how to use a spear. Buy a spear, whaddya say? Huh?"

Exxvikyap x Dammon for @littlemisscactus

And extra lil guys