#20 - The Dead Three

Given that Heart is a Bhaal Spawn, she was rather woven to the Dead Three. She was given Bhaal's blood in hopes she would be corrupted, and the reincarnation cycle would end.

Duke is a pacifist, unless it comes to dealing with the Dead Three and their cult. Which is why he broke his rule and killed the man trying to use him as an offering to Bhaal.

LOREtober 2025

#20 - Something That Surprised Them

Yet what surprised them both, was that Heart was moved and inspired when witnessing Duke's courage and compassion when he said he'd stop this Bhaal cultist from murdering others, even if it meant taking the assailant with him.

Then in return, Heart surprised Duke by not only tending to his wounds, but then letting him go free with his life.

Continuing the circle of surprises, Duke then offered Heart compassion by believing she could break the chains that Bhaal had locked on her.

Then Heart surprised herself by defying Bhaal in his own temple, rejecting him and his blood. Even when it meant her certain death as he took that blood back from her.

Yet most surprising to her, was that she awoke anew, in the arms of her beloved, and by the intervening of Withers and his own power to grant this gift.

Hansel and Gretel is a pretty popular story but is WAY older than you would think it is before the brothers Grimm tale we all know and Love it was told via oral tradition as early as the 1200 and was first written down in the 1500s and has gone through a myriad of different versions.

#16 - Insight/Deception

Duke prides himself on his skill of reading people, and instinct of seeing an ally in those others don't even give a chance. Though he's had to learn the hard way that deception can be on par with this, for the most part Duke is able to navigate the intentions of others.

Heart is constantly on guard, and has to learn how to navigate social skills. Fortunately her party members often offer guidance.

LOREtober

#16 - Best Childhood Friend

Duke's best childhood friend is Mr. Bump, his brother and partner in crime.

Heart didn't have much of a childhood to have a best friend as the Dark Urge. The lifetime before, however, she and Duke met as children and she became a part of Duke's gang until Madame Lucille offered to take her in, in which Duke insisted that she accept. Perhaps some part of her remembers this bond?

#14 - Death Saving Throw

The moment one of the two goes down, the other is still their side with a scroll. They dont rely on Withers to bring them back if they can help it, for fear that he may not be able to do so. The one time Duke slipped away felt like an agonizing eternity to Heart, and she desperately scrambled to bring him back. For Duke, it was a sign that someone wouldn't leave him to die, and wouldn't let him slip away so easily. And likewise for her.

LOREtober 2025

#14 - Motivation

Love. That is their core motivation. Love for one another, Love for their allies and found family, Love for their home, Love for adventuring, Love for Life. Its what drives them to do the impossible, to connect, and push through the agonies of life. People like to mock such a motivation, and yet even one of their greatest foes, Kethric Thorm, understood it entirely. Love can affect even the most isolated of hearts, and bring about changes unthinkable prior to knowing such love.

#11 - Absolute

The absolute was such a mystery early on that was fun to uncover, and rewarding to dismantle as their adventures progressed.

Duke especially had some fun in confronting the absolutes leaders and putting an end to their tyranny.

LOREtober 2025

#11 - Biases of other races/classes

Both my two have faced discrimination from others. So they don't really form biases based on race, or even their class. Duke is a good hearted rogue, who will steal against corruption and to help those in need. Heart was made into a tiefling and bhaal Spawn, having to face people's judgements based off of that.

Now groups of people of upper class, society wise, is where they do air on the side of caution, or communities where God fearing is a main aspect. They've sadly learned that they are more often than not welcome in such groups and places, and tend to treat them carefully and avoid them if they can.