It was a title given to the paladin Gaius after the fact, in the stories shared among the common folk that he'd helped during his travels. Not named for any devotion to Lathander, but for the iconic mace he carried, his unswerving devotion to help the downtrodden, and the radiance of his soul that warmed the lives of those around him.
(When the party caught wind of these folk tails, there was no end of ribbing for the poor guy. "'The Brick Wall of Dawn' would have been more fitting - both for your ox-like build and that thick skull." "Of course it's fitting - you have the Shield in one hand and the Blade in the other." "That could also work in more intimate scenarios, you know..." "Look! They're both blushing! HA!")
After sharing a few drinks, Shadowheart hits my tav Gaius with the hard-hitting questions. AKA when you're a holy paladin and your hell-touched boyfriend awakens things in you.
Post Act 2 moment where the unwavering boyscout paladin Gaius hit his breaking point.
Spoilery writing under the cut
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Wyll noticed Gaius was missing from his usual spot near the campfire. That was enough to worry him. Doubly so after the Astral Plane ambush they'd just survived.
Thankfully, he found Gaius just outside the ruined walls. Sitting in the dark, with his back to the camp.
"Out for a little stargazing?" Wyll asked with a measure of forced levity. "Can't say I blame you, sleep won't be easy after-"
He cut off as Gaius looked up at him. Wyll'd never seen the big guy so harrowed. Distraught. Fresh tears were trailing down dried lines.
Wyll sat quickly and placed a hand against Gaius's back. "What's wrong?"
Gaius's shoulders quaked, accompanied with a loud sniffle. "I thought I could trust him."
The warlock felt his heart drop. He knew what was happening all too well.
"After the Creche - when he offered his life willingly. He protected us. So- So when he said to use the tadpoles-" Gaius ground his palm into reddened eyes. "I didn't want to, but I felt like I owed that to 'im. So I did. Just a few. And - they helped."
Wyll listened, heart-aching. Risks and sacrifices and the grief that accompanied them were a well-trod road for him. But to see his paladin - the shining, naive, grinning beacon of goodness - breaking like this. He'd rather face Avernus again.
"That worm he offered - it wants to change me, Wyll. Even when I said no - my body kept goin' without me. I was barely able to keep it out."
"I don't wanna become an Ilithid, Wyll," Gaius sobbed. "I don't wanna lose my soul. But- part of me still wants that worm so badly. I- I let them in, an' now- a-and now..." Gaius clenched Wyll's hand painfully.
Forgot to post this to tumblr! Did a sketch of Gaius in the very early stages of wyvern-ification from the Dungeon AU. Despite how much I love to torment and traumatize the boy, what I also love is how hard he fights to still find joy and remain optimistic! He's a wonderful hunk of sunshine that keeps on shining <3
First off, we have Raris and Evi, Gaius's adventure companions! Raris fills the role of the party's 'thief,' able to disarm traps, open locks, and scout paths stealthily. He wields a pair of daggers in combat, preferring to wait in ambush for the opportunity to hit an enemy's weak point. He's also Evi's older brother, and is a much more serious, rational type.
Evi is a bit of a mixed-talents teammate. She uses a bow and arrows for combat, and has picked up some minor support magics to assist with healing in a pinch. Her major area of specialty is alchemy - using bits from the dungeon to craft poultices, remedies, and other tools to help their adventures. She's fascinated by the variety of beasts down there and often taking notes in a handbook during their rests.
Raris's affliction is thanks to a wooden splinter that lodes in his left hand and causes a wooden petrification to creep over his form. The struggle to sit or lie down when you can't move your arm, then your shoulder, then neck and more. But wait, there's more!
Meanwhile Evi's got got the essences of several animals insider her trying to exert their influence. Plus other run-ins with traps and enchantments.
And lastly, some sketch work working on Gaius's proportions and studying how he runs in his final form. I like working out his end form so I have a point to work from between human and wyvern. His run is largely based on big cats, with a flexible longer torso to allow his spine to 'spring' and lengthen his strides.
Working on refining Gaius's updated design. His form is probably what would be considered a demi-TF, not completely pure-wyvern, but something still with human elements to it. It does mean his flight capability is not as good as a true wyvern, but he can flap, glide, and travel short distances by air. He's also very good at climbing and jumping.
How'd he get to this form? Well, let's just say a mother wyvern took a fancy to the human defender and thought he was excellent offspring material.
(Also, for down-there, I do think it's enclosed in scales, but he likes to wear modified shorts for modesty.)
Was working on sketches for TFTuesday and let the Wyvern-Gaius brainworms go wild. 👀 I know I've been working on the SDV AU, but I also wanna share this fantasy dungeon-delving AU that's been bouncing around my head too. Thinking about old OCs I could repurpose, and a great opportunity to use Gaius's wyvern form again.
I'll try to toss some colors on this set too when I have time.
Please enjoy a short little writing blurb that is accompanied by illustration sketches. It's a transformation bit with Gaius dealing with a cursed magical item, loosely set as an prequel to his adventures in Stardew Valley.
Been on a Sun Haven kick and wanted to draw this version of farmer Gaius. He’s just a normal dog Amari, totally not actually a human. Just ignore that collar with his name engraved on it that he never removes. Don’t mind him suddenly leaving the city for mysterious reasons. And definitely don’t mind how disappears for like a day each month and the stray brown dog you might see around his farm. Just totally normal things with no implied TF going on. :)
Been playing with an AU based on my recent modded SDV experience and wanted to work on Gaius's design.
-The curse is tied to the family farmland - It's a 'Blessing of the Land' from the forest spirits that improves plant growth and health, and bestows the 'land's keeper' with great strength and endurance. Unfortunately how this manifests is not appreciated by humans.
-Gaius's grandfather also dealt with the Curse in his youth - His version gave him features like a bear - massive paws, furry ears and shaggy hair everywhere. Lewis was one of his close friends during that time, which is why the grandfather sends Gaius to him for help.
-Gaius had to leave his apartment with a large duffel bag full of whatever clothes he could salvage. Unfortunately most of his pants don't fit anymore due to his hind quarters having bulked up to accommodate a digitigrade type posture.
-He threw on the biggest, bulkiest clothes he could find, but the horns make even a hoodie incredibly awkward to wear. He managed to shove his hooves into some boots and stuffed the extra space around them with rolled up socks, but he has to shuffle to avoid them falling off while walking. Stairs are his ultimate nemesis in this outfit. Getting on and off the bus was an ordeal.
-Lewis briefed Robin on the situation prior to their meeting, but Robin can't help staring at the poor guy, though she tries to hide it. For one - he's so BIG. He easily towers over the other villagers. And two, those ears and that tail keep twitching and moving, seemingly unintentionally, and it's distracting.
Gaius definitely notices the weird looks he gets and is struggling with feeling self-conscious about it all. Despite any previous warnings about their 'strange new neighbor,' first meetings with many of the villagers are tense.
2021 - Having a human design of Gaius means it's really easy to draw his Azem! His true name would be Apollo, and the himbo apple didn't fall far from the lunkhead tree. Apollo seems to have a poor time remembering clothing measurements.
This was pre-Endwalker, so please pardon my horrible attempt at drawing Emet. 🤣
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