Corundum Corsair

Roleplaying blog for Balduran Daeseye from Baldur's Gate 3. See About page for link to main verse description. Major game spoilers! Ages 18+.

[corundumcorsair]

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About - Information regarding muse and mun.

Rules - Desired code of conduct and what you can expect from me.

Announcements - Further information regarding the blog/mun.

Verses - Pre-planned story settings/backgrounds for muses to interact within.

Headcanons - Further information about the muse.

Prompts - Lists of scenarios or quotes to send IC as an ask message for RP.

Dash Games - Less serious results from memes or personality quizzes about the muse.

Musings - Aesthetics, posts, or images that portray or personify the muse.

Playlist - Music fitting or personifying my muse in some way.

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[corundumcorsair]

Which Animal Is Your Familiar?

Rat

Curious, snuggly, and super-sensitive, they develop incredibly deep, lasting bonds with their people.  It’s a fact that rats and human beings are greatly related with each other. They often eat our food and have the ability to survive at anywhere without being picky about food. They are endowed with the power of acute observation, anticipation, and visionary power.  They desire for knowledge and love to learn diligently from childhood. They will never miss a chance to inquire about news. Although they are very meddlesome, their intention is always good. At the same time, they don't like to show their hearts to others; once you know their inner secrets, you may provoke them. Rats are mainly nocturnal and live underground. Rats' super-strong teeth never stop growing. They are idealists longing for freedom, and they hate any constraint. They always try to keep a complete and independent inner world, and will lose interest because of a little restraint. Getting this result means you're a unique, sociable when you want to be and are highly adaptable. You aren't loud nor quiet, you're a great person who people come to when they need advice.

[corundumcorsair]

Words from My Muse Prompt

Pay close attention, because this is trying something a little different! I've collected a bunch of potential lines for my muse to say to yours. Either send me one alone in an ask for me to write a whole post using the phrase, or send one with a reply to it in your ask, and we can make a thread out of it! (Let me know if this is hard to understand.) I reserve the right to reach out and let you know if I can't figure out or need to mutually brainstorm a way to work the phrase with our muses.

"Look me in the eyes; tell me what you see." “You make me feel… Like me.” “I'm only whatever you make me, and you make me more and more a villain every day.” "You've left me nothing kind to say." “The personal rancor reflected in that remark I don’t intend to dignify with comment.” "Where did you bottle up the gentleman?" “I had hoped for more from you. But I expected as much.” “Not everybody enjoys a fool.” “Why insult someone, when you can say something nice in a very sarcastic tone.” “I didn’t ask for any of this, so don’t you dare blame this on me.” “I have fallen from a height your mind cannot even imagine.” “Why should I be bound by rules when I can see so far beyond them?” “If that’s what a hero is I’m glad I’m not one anymore.” “Do you believe I have betrayed you?” “You have a choice to make; that is all.” “This is your decision? Final?” “So I’m here ‘til I die?” “There is a big difference between mostly dead and all dead.” “You never get used to it, the idea of someone being gone.” “That’s the curse of life, to think of what might have been.” “We carry our losses, but we journey onward.” “Life isn't fair–it's just fairer than death; that's all.” “Yet, there is hope, even in all this despair.” “Ever carried the weight of another? For how long?” “Gods can be appeased. Devils, however…” “It’s a fool who looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart.” “Courage is finding the will to overcome your fear, nothing more.” “Fear can be expelled with knowledge.” “Knowledge itself is neither good nor evil. Just as the wrong book in the wrong hands could doom all existence, the same book in the right hands could save it.” “Never take a gamble you’re not prepared to lose.” “When you’ve got nothing, you might as well trade it for something else.” “Where’s the fun in an escape if it’s not at least a little daring?” “It’s all a game of this or that, now versus then, better off against worse for wear.” “Sacrifices were made so you would live.” “Even after all you have done, I will always want you fighting on my side.” “If you’re going to fight, then do it for me.” “I know it makes you nervous, but I promise you it’s worth it.” “I see the turning tides are parting for you.” “Your situation is pretty nigh hopeless.” “That’s your face when you have no plan.” “You mean you wish to surrender to me? Very well, I accept.” “I wasn’t worried. Maybe I was a little bit concerned, but that’s not the same thing.”

[corundumcorsair]

Headcanon: Holidays

Mindflayers have little interest in celebration beyond feeling satisfaction for successful work. Holidays and festivals are entirely foreign to them, seen as frivolous and inefficient. They tend to dissect other beings' behavior and purpose for these traditions but are unable to feel what they would consider the emotional contagion.

Balduran turned newly human would profess the logical reasons for disinterest in holidays like Deadwinter Day (Christmas-adjacent) and Wintershield (New-Year's-Day-adjacent), but he may find it difficult to resist some form of comfort or enjoyment should he be convinced to participate.

(Feel free to ask for a thread to occur on or center around a holiday, regardless of what time of the IRL year it is!)

[gerudospiriit]

Nabooru listened to his explanation as they skirted the more congested portions of the crowd toward their destination. Survival was deeply rooted into her life, her entire race's life, and was something she understood on a deep, personal level. She also understood the desire to see one's people and homeland thrive, to help drive them toward that. For the Gerudo, these two tenants merged into one: her ultimate goal was to help her people better use their resources and tame the desert so they could finally move beyond just survival and actually live.

Or...at least it had been. She had faith the Gerudo would continue to progress without her but she could not deny a tang of bitterness over relinquishing her leadership in that goal...

" Some might argue it flourished a bit too much, " she teased, forcing herself back to the conversation and task at hand. A light tone, a light smile. In truth, she was glad for the distraction from the letters weighing heavy in her bag. " I've only really seen the Lower City and it easily overwhelmed me. Hyrule has cities; even our fortress could be considered fairly large, but Baldur's Gate makes everything back home feel like a tiny village. "

Turning the corner, they headed up a familiar cobbled street to the entrance of Facemaker's Boutique, where he only memory of the place was a bloody battle with a would-be assassin of Bhaal keen on killing Figaro, the establishment's proprietor, and the Flaming Fist investigating the murders. She alighted the stairs two at a time with ease, then turned back to him, hands on her hips and wry smile on her lips.

" Balduran it is then," she decided with a nod, unbothered by the idea of it bringing attention to them. For starters, her return itself would likely result in recognition. Not to mention it might add some fun to the whole arrangement. " And I will play the part of your gorgeous, irresistible, but extremely capable honor guard. But only on the condition I don't have to call you 'sir' or 'master', bow or kneel, or anything stuffy like that. I wouldn't want you getting a big head after all. "

[corundumcorsair]

"I much prefer to see it overflowing with excess--if one could call it that. 'Too much' hasn't always been a flaw to be concerned about. 'Too little' had so often made regrettable bedfellows with tragedy and struggle. I am not so blind to miss that such things still exist in the city in pockets, in degrees, but with abundance so close by, surely hope must linger that much closer also." A philosophical topic Balduran has become well acquainted with, though he's never been keen on debating against the more critical complaints or trifling with their minutia.

Seeing Nabooru easily bound up the steps invites the observation of her stature. Perhaps only now considering this fully in regards to their errand, he hopes the selection won't be too terribly lacking in both suitable size and her admittedly unique personal taste. Pickiness with the latter shouldn't practically be a priority, but he admits even he has never quite been able rid himself of his inefficient taste for style. Therefore, he would have no place to criticize.

Fortunately for him, the boutique suits both his size and tastes quite well. He peruses the selection, wondering just how much he can afford to splurge on quality and number. It has been so long since he's had to worry about such things--non-psionic clothing and a solid budget, both. Predictably, he finds himself hesitating, resisting the assault on his will that is impractical(x) luxury(x).

'Master'... No, Balduran could only consider receiving that title from the lips of a thrall. But... "You don't think 'Sir' has a particular ring to it?" he quips, the crafty quirk of his lips remaining. "You had no problem calling me Emperor. This would only be a small step in that direction."

[corundumcorsair]

Muse's Potion Bottle

[corundumcorsair]

Your Muse's Soul Aquarium

[corundumcorsair]

Your Muse as a Drink

[corundumcorsair]

15 Questions to Get to Know Your Mutuals Better

Answer those applicable, and then tag a handful of mutuals to pass it on!

1 - A television series I recently enjoyed is...

Chainsaw Man season 1 and also The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

2 - A meal or food that brings me the most comfort is...

Miso salmon and also Nutella--but not together, lol. I can't eat Nutella, though, because I get addicted and start eating it waaaay too much.....

3 - 3 songs I've had on repeat lately are...

Recrush - Lonown, Akiaura Autobahn Nights - Akiaura, Lonown, Olya Holiday If You Care - Akiaura, Lonown, DJ Pointless

4 - My favorite go-to hobbies or pastimes are...

Various permutations of roleplaying and gaming are basically it, wow. Unless watching body cam videos and disaster documentaries on Youtube are hobbies...

5 - The pets I have at home are...

One flame point doll-eyed cuddly Himalayan cat named Asriel and (my mom's) cream-colored bernese mountain dog / golden retriever doodle dog named Luna.

6 - The app on my phone with the most screentime is...

Discord babeyyyyy.

7 - Something that always gives me heavy nostalgia is...

Going through my pictures folders of old fandoms and favorite characters.

8 - The earliest fandom I can remember joining was...

Trigun!

9 - My zodiac sign is (& in my opinion, it should be)...

My real sign is Capricorn sun, Aries moon, and Sagittarius rising, if I remember correctly, but I've researched extensively previously and wrote down what my signs should be: Aquarius sun - Independent, truth-seeking, analytical, idealistic. Into systems, ideas, and moral logic. Value autonomy and authenticity, feel like an outsider observing humanity. Need a purpose in life but am easily frustrated by inefficiency and hypocrisy. Scorpio moon - Experience emotions strongly, deep into psychology, fear betrayal and rejection. Oscillate between powerful attachment and withdrawal. Gemini rising - A persona of being curious, flexible, verbal, quick-witted. Communicative and masking depth in order to protect vulnerabilities. Aquarius (with Scorpio tint) Mercury - Mapping patterns, analytical, curious about human motives, challenging biases, seeking truth. Best at recognizing contradictions and pointing out flawed logic, prefer intellectual honesty over social approval. Aquarius (with Scorpio tint) Venus - Independent but attaches very closely with few people, fall in love via shared ideas, collaborating creatively, and aligning morally. With Scorpio tint, fear rejection and get possessive when deeply attached. Express love through honesty, appreciation, collaborative creation. Tension between need for freedom and desire for deep connection. Cancer Mars - Anger is defensive, reactive, emotionally volatile when feeling unsafe, unheard, or trapped. Lash out protectively or against injustice but feel afraid of the consequences after. Fantasize about control, self-preservation, and triumph over threats. Need emotional security to feel powerful. Fantasizing and withdrawal to try to escape and regulate being overwhelmed.

10 - The last book I finished reading was...

One does not simply ask me to finish any book I start--oh wait, I actually did read all of Britney Spears autobiography (The Woman in Me)!

11 - My Chinese zodiac animal is a...

In Western calendar, I'm hornse; in Chinese calendar, I'm snek. I identify more with horse though.

12 - My opinions on ghosts & hauntings are...

Not real and also incompatible with my personal religious beliefs (Christian).

13 - A few of my all-time favorite films are...

Back when I actually watched movies, I have always loved the aesthetic of Tron Legacy. I also highly recommend Europa Report and The Signal!

14 - If I could cast an actor to play myself, it would be...

Kombucha Girl (Brittany Broski) is the first thing that came to mind, LMAOOO.

15 - I'm currently obsessed with...

I'm currently experiencing various levels of a long bout of anhedonia, and it sucks, because I can't get obsessed with anything. Cure me, and I will forever be in your debt. I guess the last thing I was interested in was playing exploration/looting-focused Minecraft modpacks.

Tagged by: @barding-through-baldurs-gate

Tagging: You, if you haven't done it and want to!

[corundumcorsair]

//PSA to my mutuals, you are the best, and thank you so much for being so patient whenever my brain decides "Hey I'm gonna go be obsessed playing Minecraft modpacks as a custom Balduran skin for like two weeks!" It will likely happen again in some fashion, hahahahh, ilu. Here's the skin btw (I really want to make a custom outfit, but I sufficed with these pre-made ones, because what I want to make is hard).

[gerudospiriit]

Nabooru traipsed alongside Balduran, happy to be out and moving as intrigued by his knowledge of the city and its history, experienced literally first hand. Considering the stakes, time to learn about the Gate, its formation and history, the politics and how things worked, she found little time to read or ask about the city, only gleaning information here and there through comments or explanations from Wyll or experiencing the culture firsthand once in a while. Though she still felt claustrophobic amongst the building- and people-crowded streets, she enjoyed getting out and about, moving her muscles, and learning not only about the city but in Balduran's role in its founding.

" How does it feel to see how the city's evolved? " she asked, slowing as they passed by a blacksmith, gold eyes passing over the weapons on display. It reminded her that, somehow, she needed to find space and time for training. She needed to keep her skills sharp, and, without physical exercise, she knew she would lose her mind. A mental note to run by Balduran eventually. " Do you like the direction the city went? "

She continued on with him, their surroundings, especially the park, familiar to her. " Wasn't that one clothes shop near here? I forget the name, but he was one of that Bhaal's assassin's targets? Maybe we could go there. "

She stopped, then, tapping her chin as she assessed their surroundings. Humming to herself, she headed in the direction she believed was correct. Returning to the prior topic of conversation, a thought occurred to her:

" Um...what should I call you? " she asked, glancing over her shoulder at him. Considering nearly everyone in the city would know his name, perhaps even his face, putting the two together might cause more of a stir than either of them might want. She guessed most would brush it off as someone naming their son after the great hero, but she wanted to understand his preference rather than assume.

" I mean, I know your name but...would it be weird to use in public, considering? In fact, would you prefer I used a different name entirely all the time? "

[corundumcorsair]

The feeling is surreal, walking amongst crowds in the daylight, not having to hide his true nature under clothing and the darkness of night, the coverage of sewers and back alleys. Being seen by strangers as an equal, without fear or even suspicion. The tumult of bustling streets reminds him more of a chaotic battle than his previous experiences of the city at peace. He's glad to have Nabooru as a distraction, their conversation and her company something less foreign to focus on.

"For the longest time after my transformation, I was so far removed from the city's influence, it didn't quite...feel the same as home used to. Rather than being a participant, I was an outcast in hiding, living only by feeding off of society's worst. Living just to survive is better than no life at all, but it missed the more satisfying qualities of fulfillment. My partnership with Stelmane was just what I needed. With her as the face of my operations, I could once again become a guiding force in my own home."

At least one skill living in the underground kept sharp was knowing how it worked. For example, the look in the eye of the cutpurse ahead, intentionally brushing by passing unsuspecting victims in a crowd choke point, pilfering possessions unseen with deft hands. They both maneuvered past the offender at a wide enough berth to avoid issue.

Balduran takes a breath before confronting the irony of his following words, "I am proud of the city. There is much I could critique or even change if I were, say, the Absolute, in control of all of its inhabitants. But to expect any society to be perfect would be asking every member within it to make the same choices I would--or even to be able to access the mental clarity and intellect of a mindflayer. My greatest concern has always been to see the city's resources multiply, its growth flourish, and none can argue that has been a resounding success."

At Nabooru's suggestion for a clothing shop, Balduran agrees, indicates they continue ahead in the direction she'd chosen but take one street to the east to end up at their destination.

His name... He'd had plenty of time to consider this in his captivity prior, devising different hypotheticals should he be set free or forced to escape. "Balduran should be sufficient. If others wonder about it, let them wonder. I could be my own progeny... Or perhaps I am just so much larger than life, that I simply never die." The fact that the statement is technically true, yet so prideful as to almost be comical, actually brings a smile to his face. "You are essentially my honor guard, are you not? Maybe we should be the new hottest topic in the Gazette. ...Of course, if you'd rather not have that attention, you are free to choose another name. I'm almost curious what you would come up with."

[barding-through-baldurs-gate]

Maelis' breath caught in his throat. This was so much more intimate than he'd anticipating this meeting to be despite their history with one another. At the time, the Emperor had just been a curiosity, not so much a possible partner. Seeing him now, though -- human, warm-blooded and real, not a figure in his dreams or a prisoner in some pocket dimension -- it struck him again just how close they had gotten for a short time.

His eyes fixed on their joined hands to avoid Balduran's gaze. He knew well enough that the feelings Balduran was exhibiting could mean nothing, but he didn't disagree with all of his points. He had no desire to keep him here forever. He also wanted so desperately for Balduran to give himself the chance to be human again before rushing back to the power and detachment he had grown accustomed to. With Balduran's current mindset, Maelis feared those two realities may be mutually exclusive.

He took a long, deep breath, then let it out through his nose. "I'll speak with Pomelia," he replied, albeit a little reluctantly. "I don't know how much leniency she'll be willing to grant, but I'm sure we can come to a compromise." He raised his eyes up to finally meet Balduran's. "But, if I do this -- if I trust you -- I need to know you'll at least try to adjust for just a while. If, after some time, you truly hate it, then... I'll see what can be done at that point."

[corundumcorsair]

Balduran's gaze fixes on their clasped hands--lowered from his face--as well, not in at attempt to avoid but to explore them, the ridges of Maelis' knuckles, the shape of his palm and color of his skin.

Compromise. Except in the direst of circumstances, he's always accepted such potential, a trend toward what he wants with the opportunity for negotiations and leverage down the line. He'll take whatever freedom he can get, for now. He refuses to let patience be a talent lost with his former self. But Maelis requests a bargain of his own. 'Adjust'... Balduran suspects he doesn't just mean adjustment to the Council's influence in his affairs.

His sight turns to study one other hand, his own, its pale tone, its five fingers... He looks away with a bitter exhale, before shaking his head and detaching from that grasp. His shrug then is almost aggressive in its helplessness, a portion of aimless anger in his concession, "Of course I will. I've always adapted. I came to accept my change as a mindflayer, knowing it was irreversible, and somehow here I am again, without any other choice. Unless you can convince Omeluum for another miracle--assurance that another tadpole would leave my identity intact--if it would even have effect a second time-- Please, feel free to thwart my pessimism; I would be in your great debt. As it is now, I can easily agree to live with the only mind and body I currently have access to."

Even in his ire, he can't help but notice his skin misses the contact of Maelis' touch. He doesn't want to think about being left to his own devices in this cell once more, and that only adds to his frustration. He wasn't like this before. Isolation wasn't an issue. The waiting wasn't so bad. Is he this desperate for his freedom on principle, or has he become this weak in the need for company? Every flare of emotion triggers another to rival it, like a nursery of inconsolable infants, and him with only two arms to pacify them all.

[corundumcorsair]

What kind of love do you keep locked away?

Tagged by: @barding-through-baldurs-gate

The Love That Keeps Burning After the End

You’re still holding on, aren’t you? Even when everyone says it’s over. Even when they stopped calling, when the door closed, when the last message was read and never answered—you kept the love alive. Not because you’re weak, but because your love doesn’t know how to die. It flickers under your ribs, steady and quiet, glowing in the places they once touched. You keep telling yourself you’re okay, but part of you is always scanning the crowd, hoping to see them again. Not for reconciliation, but just to prove they were real. You don’t need to put out the flame all at once—but maybe, slowly, you can learn to warm your own hands by it.

[corundumcorsair]

Your Tragic Love Story

Tagged by: @barding-through-baldurs-gate

Achilles & Patroclus

You’re loyal, brave, and fierce in your devotion. Friendship and love blur together for you, because at your core, you crave someone who is both your confidant and your other half. You’re the kind of person who would fight the world for someone you love, who sees partnership as sacred and unbreakable. But you also have a streak of pride, sometimes believing you can outwit fate or hold onto something forever when nothing truly lasts. Your relationships are marked by both tenderness and ferocity, a love that carries a mythic weight. When people think of you, they remember the loyalty, the sacrifice, and the way your heart kept beating for someone even after they were gone.

[barding-through-baldurs-gate]

Maelis tenses slightly at the touch, but it doesn't last. It's strange to feel the smooth fingertips of a human hand when hearing that familiar voice. Part of him still thinks it isn't possible to correlate the two, and that thought only emphasized how difficult it must be for Balduran to do the same. It frightens him, the idea that this connection they had might turn into something more when things are still so volatile. And, of course, he would have to speak with Astarion. Halsin is of less concern because of his own views towards relationships. But, no, he's getting ahead of himself.

He still doesn't know if he can trust the transformed Balduran not to take advantage of this to escape and leave him behind again. Much as it hurts him to continue doubting, that voice just refuses to quiet. He slowly raises his head to meet Balduran's gaze.

"I never hated you," he admits. "I never wanted you to disappear. You saw all the darkness in my mind, and you stayed anyway. I don't know why you chose to focus on me over all the others, if I was just a tool at first or what but..." He lets out a breath of a laugh. "It felt nice, being monsters together."

He hesitates again, then turns, taking Balduran's hand in both of his own. "After the duel in the Bhaal temple, when I... when Withers brought me back, that first night was so peaceful. I was free, and Astarion was free, and so many of our friends, but you weren't. I thought... I thought we could finally have everyone free from the things that wanted to control us."

[corundumcorsair]

Balduran doesn't like the term 'monster'. Not for himself, who he's aspired to stay and been satisfied as. He chooses not to take offense, knowing Maelis saw them as comrades in that way, as equals, despite their different states of being. He forgives him the mis-perception, as he's had to for those of even worse opinions of him.

He allows the man to cradle his hand (smooth, uncalloused, unnaturally missing the signs of labor and discipline from his original body) in both of his own. "I saw your darkness, and you've come to know my secrets. Do you still accept me for who I am despite your newfound freedom from that torment? My captivity was never in being a mindflayer but from those who sought to enslave me in will and body. The netherbrain, the Chosen...the Council. And you haven't yet given up hope for me. You wouldn't have returned to me if you had relinquished that dream."

At that, his free hand comes to clasp the other's two, bringing their grasp on each other close to his mouth, before whispering, "And we are so close, Maelis, to finally seeing it done. My freedom, as your ally--your friend--lies just beyond the suspicion of the Council. I believe you could convince them to see what you've known, my true will for this city, my allies, and us. You could be my salvation, as I once endeavored to be yours."

[gerudospiriit]

Nabooru paused upon hearing his addendum with a snort. She poked her head back outside, the sweetest of smiles on her lips. " Ah, so I should see about getting some chains to shackle us together, then? I was hoping we wouldn't have to resort to such things... "

With a light laugh, she ducked inside once more, waiting for him to join her. " It is much easier than doing this with a complete stranger, even if you probably know me far better than I know you, considering. It will be nice to get to know you more, " she answered when he joined her, picking up the pouch of gold given to her by the council. A means to get them started for this year arrangement, but the only stipend she could get them to agree to. She did not mind, necessarily, as it meant two things: the council meant it when they said Balduran could leave as he pleased and that she had less of a chance to go completely stir-crazy if it meant they would need to earn gold to keep themselves fed since, in the city, unless they planned to dine on rats, hunting was not exactly an option.

She tucked it in her bag and disappeared to her room to place the letters with it. When she returned, she added, " I would say that's a comfort, yes. And it is funny how we ended up in a similar situation again. Though, in some ways, I'd say our roles a slightly reversed since I saved your life this time. "

With a grin, she trotted to the door and held it open for him. " Let's go, then. I'm curious to see what kind of clothes you would pick out for yourself. "

[corundumcorsair]

To his dismay, despite the rest of his nonchalant exterior, he cannot control the warmth that rises in the tips of his ears at the suggestion of manacles to bind them close together. His maladjustment to this body is truly dire if something this mild threatens to fluster him...

--

They head out, Balduran taking the lead as both a charge and a guide, as he knows the city much better. He describes their path, advising a walk through Bloomridge, generally known as the most beautiful neighborhood of the lower city. Otherwise, they would have to pass through a gate to the upper city, and, though Nabooru might eventually be able to secure a pass from the Council to enter (considering her status as a hero of the city), for now, the only access available to them as non-patriars is through Baldur's Gate itself, further east. It's of little concern, however, considering the courier most likely to deliver messages as far as the Gerudo Desert resides in the Steeps, adjacent to the aforementioned Gate.

On the way to this destination should be plenty of shops able to fulfill their needs for food and clothing, but should they prove insufficient, the Wide exists as the city's largest marketplace, just within that gate to the upper city, open until nightfall.

Visible even from their house as they start out is the Seatower of Balduran. True to his offer, the man explains this namesake, detailing its history as a defensive fortress that deterred and destroyed invading ships. The naval base is armed with catapults and possesses a chain that spans to the eastern side of the port to stop unwanted ships from entering. Along with the original wall, it was one of Balduran's primary funding projects, as greater protection against raiders was his initial focus. Now the seatower belongs to the Flaming Fist, standing as their headquarters and, in the lower floors, the city's largest prison.

[corundumcorsair]

Alternate verse idea, in which Gortash survives and Durge sides with him, and (after either betraying Orpheus after he weakens the netherbrain for them or forcing/threatening the Emperor to do so) they rule dominating the netherbrain together. Except instead of executing or totally enthralling the Emperor, they keep him as a sentient slave at least part time, allowing him his own will but forcing him to be obedient anyway by threat of increasing the netherbrain's control over him if he does not comply willingly. A deliberate punishment and taunt for his hubris in trying to thwart them.