No Gods Worth Kneeling To | BG3

Rowena was bought, trained, and branded to serve a powerful man who preferred his weapons sharp and obedient. She killed him with a dagger. Freedom proved short-lived when a mind flayer parasite forced her into uneasy alliances with two men she should not trust: a silver-tongued vampire and an ambitious wizard. Both carry ghosts. And both offer her something she's never had. As Baldur's Gate looms in the distance, some ghosts refuse to stay dead.

[aluesaeri-writes]

Writing Gale has made me appreciate just how romantic ordinary kindness can be.

A hand reached out without expectation. Remembering someone's favorite tea. Reading to someone because they can't sleep.

Sometimes love is quiet.

I think Gale understands that.

🥀Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216 🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 50: Still Breathing◇

"Grief is a funny thing."

Chapter 50 is live 🖤🥀

🥀Chapter link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/233485966🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

I think one of my favorite things about writing Astarion and Rowena is that tenderness never arrives gently.

It always has to fight its way through sharp words and wit first.

Hoping to post the next chapter today or tomorrow 🖤

🖤Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216🥀

[karenandwriting]

the feminine urge to add trauma to a character the way you add sugar to your coffee (which is a hell of a lot for me btw)

[aluesaeri-writes]

Guilty as charged 🖤🥀

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 49: What Festers Beneath ◇

“If I was a better man, I’d already be telling Jaheira.”

Chapter 49 is live 🖤

🥀Chapter Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/233030166🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

“Astarion,” Gale’s voice carried in the quiet. “Don’t mistake this for kindness. I’m doing this for her.”

Astarion snorted. “How noble.”

Hoping to post Chapter 49 today or tomorrow 🖤🥀

🥀Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 48: The Wounds We Wear ◇

“Someone has to care when you’re hurting.”

This chapter hurt in the best way.

Chapter 48 is live 🖤🥀

Chapter Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216

[aluesaeri-writes]

“Darling, no one has ever cared before.”

Hoping to post Chapter 48 tomorrow 🖤🥀

🖤No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216🥀

[aluesaeri-writes]

Thinking about how one man loves her gently.

And another recognizes the ugliest parts of her without needing them explained.

Anyway I’m unwell.

🥀Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216 🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 47: The Ache of Mercy ◇

“And the worst part is, it comes easily. Like breathing.”

Chapter 47 is live 🖤🥀

Chapter link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/231666736

[aluesaeri-writes]

"Gods, all I want is for you to feel safe."

Finishing edits on Chapter 47. Hoping to post tomorrow 🖤🥀

🥀 Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216 🖤

[aluesaeri-writes]

Thinking about Astarion slowly realizing Rowena stopped being a game somewhere along the way, and had to make this.

I love these delightful messes 🖤🥀

Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 46: Fault Lines◇

“We all care about you,” she said. “Even if some of us don’t know how to show it properly.”

Chapter 46 is live 🖤🥀

Chapter link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/230983416

[aluesaeri-writes]

Me: I’ll write a quick transition chapter.

The chapter: trauma, guilt, healing, emotional honesty, and Karlach being Karlach 🖤

Hoping to update tomorrow 🥀🖤

Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216

[aluesaeri-writes]

Sometimes the hardest thing to write isn’t the trauma.

It’s the moment someone is seen clearly and still struggles to believe they’re worthy of love.

I think that’s the heart of this story.

Not the scars.

Not the blood.

Not the shame.

Not survival.

What happens when someone sees all of you—

and stays anyway.

🖤 Read No Gods Worth Kneeling To here:https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216 🥀

[aluesaeri-writes]

◇Chapter 45: Useful Things ◇

"How often did someone call something so ugly, beautiful?"

Chapter 45 is live 🖤🥀

Chapter link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/230276411

[aluesaeri-writes]

Rowena appreciation post:

Sometimes strength looks like a sword.

Sometimes it looks like getting up the next morning and trying again 🥀🖤

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/81215416/chapters/213465216