carnivaley

she/her i teach literature by day and obsess over lord gortash by night NOT a wizard kisser

[carnivaley]

Hi! ✨

I’m Carnivaley - I write about emotionally unstable people in Baldur’s Gate 3 falling in love and somehow keep making it everybody else’s problem.

Mostly here for complicated characters, doomed devotion, and the question: what if this toxic dynamic was actually soulmates?

I write, cry over fictional war criminals, and occasionally do VP because apparently sleep is optional.

CURRENT FICS

✧ VINESSIS' CORNER✧ DURGETASH

My main disaster is Vinessis - my Dark Urge. Redhead. Former monastery girl. Professional bad decision maker. Half praying to Bhaal, half making eye contact with Enver Gortash for too long.

“It’s a Sin” - complete In Moonrise Towers, just hours before Orin’s betrayal, the Dark Urge prays to Bhaal for forgiveness and looks back on the life that made her.

“Foundations of Decay” - WIP

After Orin’s betrayal, Gortash finds the Dark Urge slipping into amnesia. Convinced her memories are the only thing keeping her alive, he tries to anchor her to herself.

“Scars of Fate” - oneshot

A fortune teller tells Gortash and his favorite assassin far more than either of them wants to hear.

✧ CLEMENTINE'S CORNER ✧ GALEMANCE

Clementine is a drow bard, professional menace, future legend, and she is absolutely convinced she is the main character. The problem is that she might be right. She also has horrifying ability to make Gale Dekarios fall in love with her in basically every universe imaginable.

“Notes for Future Legends” - WIP A bard survives a nautiloid crash and immediately decides to turn collective trauma into career advancement. Unfortunately Gale Dekarios exists and keeps looking at her.

“Terms of Affection” - WIP One year after losing Tav, Gale drunkenly lies about being on a date. Clementine agrees to play along. Fake dating, grief, emotional incompetence, and two people realizing pretending to love each other may be the least fake thing happening.

“The Three Husbands of Clementine Alberral” - WIP Modern AU inspired by The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Scandal, toxic marriages, public cruelty, disastrous love affairs - and Gale lingering beneath every terrible decision like a haunting.

✧ OTHER BAD IDEAS ✧

“honey” Before he was archduke, Gortash was only a dangerous curiosity in the right salons. The Sharrans send Shadowheart to find out what hides beneath his ambition. Unfortunately, the answer may be worse than expected.

“Call off the circus, burn the disco down” Orin and Dribbles the Clown as doomed theatre kids. yes, it hurts exactly as much as it sounds.

also girls have their own tags:

#oc: vinessis

#oc: clementine the greatest bard

[drmace]

A short comic about Ro visiting Gortash's home in the Upper City during Act III.

I'm convinced the only reason we can't access the Upper City in-game is because it was never finished, not because of the Brain.

I also have a headcanon that finding Bhaal's Temple was a lot harder than simply falling into the nearest sewer grate, so Gortash and Ro ended up pooling their resources and efforts. From time to time, they would meet to discuss new leads and exchange information to make the search more effective.

Considering that doppelgangers were a 24/7 threat to Gortash, it was very much in his interest not to sit around and do nothing.

And one of those meetings ended up being moved from Wyrm's Rock to his home x)

[ele-millennial-weirdo]

First batch of Durgetash pics featuring Gort and my Durge oc Suna, a lovely gift from the awesome and incredibly talented @carnivaley (I have the best moots for real!!!🥹🫶😘).

I can't stop looking at them in awe!!! They're so pretty here!!!👁👄👁

More pics coming soon!!!✨️

[jaycafe]

i want to study at a Polish polibuda

i will spell vodka as wódka and use promile. i would watch Reksio on TVP all night while drinking a setka wiśniówki with my somsiad. i'll have kebab every day that's worth cztery dychy. i would go to melanże every night. i am also more likely to meet dresiarze, myslovitz, Iga Świątek and Kaczyński.

i wish i was polish :(

[dynamicducks]

I thought about resist! Durge's arc and then felt the urge to make this.

"When the plot causes you to evolve"- @cinder-rellish181

"Your past doesn't define who you are, it just gives you the starting point for who you're going to be" -Agent Carolina (Source)

[mintaikkcorpse]

If you don't have romantic tension with your enemy, are you even enemies?

[mlavier]

#GortashWeek Day 5: Redemption / Ruler

Tarot Card - "The Emperor"

meaning reversed: Domination, excessive control, inflexibility

[dr4gonwriter]

@carnivaley

[baldurs-writers-3]

Time for some Shadowheart Recs! The woman with no memory, who has gods fighting over her soul... the recommended fics below explore so many aspects of the Daughter of Darkness.

a name without a body to match by amorficzna (9988, Mature) Content Notes: None Pairings: Shadowheart/Gale, Shadowheart & Astarion

Shadowheart-focused soulmate AU

Reccer says: I love the unique twist the author put on the soulmate au, and I adore all the character work and interactions in this

nightlight by rowanisawriter (2481, General) Content Notes: None Pairings: Shadowheart/Gale

Shadowheart, in the shadows of Gale’s nightlights. Character study.

Reccer says: Fantastic Shadowheart character study all wrapped into a big extended metaphor of lights and shadows. Lovely prose and beautiful imagery

home by rowanisawriter (2855, General) Content Notes: Identity issues Pairings: Gale/Shadowheart

Shadowheart has no home or a memory of home. Trying to make space for herself in Waterdeep, a place already so filled with Gale's presence , is difficult and upsetting.

Reccer says: I think about this fic periodically when I am trying to find something in the kitchen cabinets. It haunts my narrative a bit now, the way absence haunts hers. Very precise and sweet fic.

Reaching For You by eldritchelf (11490, General) Content Notes: Pairings: Shadowheart/Tav

The Sharran church in Baldur's Gate is to be declared a terrorist organisation and a bounty placed on the head of Mother Superior Shadowheart. Florwyn cannot turn down one last, very final chance, to try and bring her old friend back to the light.

Reccer says: A delectable DJ Shart redemption that will rip your heart out and put it back to together again in ways you didn't know were still possible!

Leap of Faith by lemonwood (113387, Explicit) Content Notes: VERY Slow Burn Pairings: Halsin/Shadowheart

A story about forging new paths, breaking old patterns, and choosing love when the odds are stacked against you. A Shadowheart POV slowburn longfic about being mad at the stupidly kind and emotionally constipated druid.

Reccer says: A whole longfic from the Shadowheart POV and a slow burn! Where she goes from fighting herself to fighting what her past self left behind. And she gets mad at Halsin a lot, which is funny and real.

Cool Me Down, Grease Me Up by CallMeLyrus (35065, Explicit) Content Notes: None Pairings: Shadowheart/Tav

After the AC in Tav's car stops working for the umpteenth time, the head mechanic takes on the task personally in the privacy of an empty garage.

Reccer says: Mechanic shadowheart is everything I didn't know I needed and the whole thing is so fun, surprisingly sweet, and hot!!!

Last Glimpse of the Topsail by positivejam (8800, Explicit) Content Notes: Mind Play BDSM, Femdom Pairings: Gale/Shadowheart

Zone of Truth, cast by one lovesick cleric upon one terribly lovesick wizard. Gale and Shadowheart, good endings but rougher around the edges.

Reccer says: Shadowheart takes charge and is the POV character and she is so sweet and besotted and silly and I love her. Also it is hot. :3

The Fey-Cursed Sea by BardicWantings (81447, Teen) Content Notes: Canon-Typical Violence Pairings: Shadowheart/Lae'zel, Gale/Astarion

It's a post-canon adventure fic where the main companions (sans Karlach) go on a quest to solve the mystery of poisonous magic crabs. Each of them gets an act that continues their in-game storyline, including Shadowheart who's generally a sort of main character here

Reccer says: The author is so good at writing an adventure story and setting up a mystery. The pacing is perfect, the characterisation as well and the fight scenes are always a delight

From Darkness Into Light by Haint_Blue_Moon (13400, Explicit) Content Notes: Serious BDSM--Mind every tag Pairings: Halsin/Shadowheart

In the heart of Shar’s temple, Halsin’s simmering disdain for Shadowheart’s faith collides with a desire he can no longer suppress, leading to a brutal, carnal reckoning that leaves both characters unmoored from their beliefs.

Reccer says: It's hot, in short. Also a very fun look at a dom/sub dynamic that can be cooked between these two. The themes are powerful as well as the smut.

A pet by syrupwit (51900, Explicit) Content Notes: Past Abuse, Identity Crisis Pairings: Astarion/Shadowheart

Astarion turns briefly into a bat and Shadowheart takes care of him in his new ittybitty form. This event triggers her capacity for warmth and care and it changes the course of her relationship with faith, devotion, the shadows, and Shar.

Reccer says: This is a Shadowheart fic where Astarion is fluttering around in the corners like the tiny little bat he (briefly) is and such care is taken with her character it makes my heart swell. I LOVE THIS FIC. RAAGH.

Marks by syrupwit (1743, Teen) Content Notes: Drinking, Mutual Pining Pairings: Astarion/Shadowheart

Shadowheart and Astarion have a sincere and silly moment tipsy in the Gate where she insists she's not that mysterious if you're paying attention.

Reccer says: It's wickedly cute and sincere without giving up a single edge these two characters have in canon.

a little discourse by syrupwit (2000, Explicit) Content Notes: Cunnilingus, Masochism, Service Top Pairings: Gale/Shadowheart

A Galeheart cunnilingus special where Gale provides for god's favorite princess.

Reccer says: It's both hot and very funny and the character voices are so good.

Honey by Carnivaley (10247, Explicit) Content Notes: Mildly dubious consent Pairings: Shadowheart/Enver Gortash

Pre-events of the game, the Sharrans send Shadowheart to investigate the up and coming Enver Gortash.

Reccer says: I liked it!

Shar's Entropy by sometimes angelo (35258, Explicit) Content Notes: Slow Burn, Shar-typical terrors Pairings: Shadowheart/Tav

Csaloka will come to realize she wants to give Shadowheart everything. But the cleric has other ambitions, and she serves a jealous goddess. What might be lost along the way?

Reccer says: An extremely rich and textured look at Shadowheart's journey with loss, her goddess, and the nature of love.

[rachelkatwalsh]

“my favourite assassin”

a snapshot of dahlia and gortash in their pre-lobotomy violently toxic situationship

[dr4gonwriter]

Stranger in Paradise

@carnivaley is spoiling me i'm not sure i will survive. please enjoy some more of their ABSOLUTELY STUNNING VP of Tavv and Gale 💜🩵💜

[saylofwaterdeep]

Ｏｖｅｒｒｉｄｅ ＆ Ｕｎｄｅｒｇｒｏｕｎｄ

Rating: Explicit 18+ Pairings: Durgetash (active pairing) | Gale/Durge (exes & endgame) (banner image by @fireflyeyes <3)

Chapter 5: Decadence Word Count: 9,350

“Apologies if I kept you waiting.” His voice is impossibly genuine; she never thought she’d get used to it, but she’s starting to. “I apparently entered through the farthest door, and was consistently pulled into conversations about my ‘plans for Simril’ and the usual ‘what does it mean if I get forty pop-up windows on my computer when I turn it on’ upon arrival.” A gentle breath filters through his nose, relieved to have finally escaped the barrage. “Proper company is most welcome.” She laughs quietly, wishing she didn’t have to keep a professional distance. “Did you tell them to be more careful when they’re looking at porn?” He chokes a small laugh, caught off guard but no less amused. “I told her to ask her teenage son about that, then promptly slipped away before further inquiry.” Tav’s next laugh is loud enough to carry, and his pride in causing it flashes through his eyes. It is at that moment that he lets his eyes wander beyond her face, expertly retaining the aura of a gentleman as he looks her over. A rare quality she’s seen in few. “You look beautiful,” he tells her, careful not to carry the volume to any nearby coworkers. “I must admit, when I asked you if you’d be here tonight, I expected a ‘no’. Not exactly your preferred atmosphere, from what I gather.” “I hadn’t planned on it,” she admits with a wry smile. “Until you asked. You do love a good party.” “Ah,” Gale rocks on his heels, amusement coloring his smile. “A good party, yes. I hesitate to classify a corporate holiday party under that category. Though I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see you dressed up.” “After all the times you’ve seen me undressed, you’re excited to see me in an old dress?” she teases. “Quite frankly, I’m excited to see you in anything,” His smile quirks up with a hint of mischief. “—or nothing at all. So long as I get to see you.” Tav bites her lip, swallowing the sudden fluttering in her stomach. She glances at the rather eventless crowd behind him, idly talking as they await dinner while the too-loud, mediocre band plays in the corner with no danceable rhythm. To her right looms the open door that leads to the main hall beyond their booked venue. Her smirk mirrors his own. “So…what do you say we sneak out of here and crash a better party, hmm?” Gale looks to the exit in turn, an eager glint in his eyes when he looks back. “I say that’s a fantastic idea.”

Read the full chapter on AO3 Or start at chapter 1 HERE.

Tags: @aerin67 @asorceresswrites @fireflyeyes @gloura @carnivaley @disgruntled-wallflower @theendofanerror @toomanyfamiliars @starlightweave @baelthi @dr4gonwriter

To be added to my tag list for fic updates, click here! To be removed, just DM me or unlike the post <3 (I'll check it periodically to see)

[dynamicducks]

I don't know what's funnier

A: Orin being Durgetash's biggest hater and actively working to split the pair up by any means necessary. Up to and including just annoying the fuck out of both parties involved.

B: Orin wanting to avoid Gortash at literally all costs, leading to her first interaction with Gortash being when she usurps Durge.

[carnivaley]

A, and I can’t wait to write a chapter when Vee finally kills Orin for destroying the best ship

she would be such a perfect archduchess

[dynamicducks]

The Aunties

@carnivaley made some more lovely vp's of Riley+Karlach and I love it!

As for why Im calling them "The aunties" it comes from both @carnivaley 's "Three Husbands" (and @toomanyfamiliars called them that and it's too good of a name to pass up)

[fortheghostsinmycloset]

Durge: You'll never guess what I found in Lady Jannath's vault.

Gortash: Wh-why were. Are you robbing banks now-

Durge: *clears throat* "...and as he held me in his tender, yet burly arms..."

Gortash: >:[

Gortash: Ah, what a coincidence, look what I found in the mindflayer colony. ahem. "Forgive me, Father..."

slapfight ensues

[carnivaley]

good news for fans of terms of affection (so probably three people @saylofwaterdeep @dr4gonwriter @asorceresswrites) after dragon accidentally decided my daughter clementine is a tiefling, i did the only reasonable thing and made an entire new character for that universe

let me introduce you to my newest problem: taventine. yes that is her actual in-game name because clementine remains the main character of the universe, obviously. it's not her real name.

can you blame wizard for waiting for her for over a year?

can you blame her for ghosting a wizard?

technically she’s just a tav but unfortunately my friends already entered full simping mode over her so i fear we may have created another situation

[asorceresswrites]

Friday Sunday Fic Recs Part II

(For some reason this didn’t post on Friday evening 💀) As always, please check tags! Part I is here!!

Velvet Arcanum by @fireflyeyes - Gale x OC, 70s Rock AU. Gale is the frontman of Velvet Arcanum and Jessica Miller is the journalist tasked with capturing the ‘real’ Gale Dekarios whilst on the road with the band. She just has to try not to fall in love with him. Bloody brilliant — special shoutout to the way other BG3 characters are woven in - keep your eye out for Gort!!

Terms of Affection by @carnivaley - Gale x OC / Gale x Tav, Gale hasn’t heard from Tav for a year. Grief-addled for his missing love, and upon seeing an acquaintance, he drunkenly claims he’s on a date. Surprisingly, his made-up date appears at his side in the form of Clementine. I am enamoured with @carnivaley ‘s razor sharp wit and incredible characterisation. I am forever in awe.

The Sky Falls by @toomanyfamiliars - Rolan x Tav, Months have passed since Gale abandoned Litha in favour of divinity. She’s been in the hells ever since. Now, as she returns to Baldur’s Gate, she finds that another wizard has been pining for her in her absence. And now might be the time for him to shoot his shot! These two are so bloody adorable. Mutual pining is one of my fave tropes and this has it aplenty!!!

The Society Papers of Felitas Rex I, Esquire by @defira85 (Defira on AO3), multiple pairs! It is the summer of 1492DR, and a new social season begins in the great city of Baldur's Gate. Enter the most notorious of authors, the mysterious Felitas Rex I, Esquire, whose slashing turns of phrase and deathly brutal honesty has had the ton all a-quiver for the last several seasons. Read as part of the @baldurs-writers-3 exchange last month and one I’m so excited to continue. Had me giggling to myself from the get go and so cleverly done!!

Divider by @olenvasynyt