The redemptive power of art etc @senualothbrok - Tumblr Blog

Hello! I'm Senua! 🤗

Welcome to my world! 👋

Commission by @demiesop

I am obsessed with Gale Dekarios and Baldur's Gate 3. I also love animals (especially dogs, cats and horses), tattoos / neotrad art, haiku, existentialism and Zen Buddhism. This post pretty much sums up who I am, and this post goes into my writing journey!

I am currently prioritising writing my original novel, a literary fantasy story.

I have written a collection of BG3 fics, mainly about Gale. Most of them are angst, hurt/comfort, and smut (Gale x Tav/OC/reader). I have made some memes about Gale brainrot. I love visual art and supporting artists.

Below the cut, you can find a list of my work and an assortment of things I love. You can also find me on AO3. I have a Ko-fi account if you want to buy me a coffee for something you enjoyed reading.

I'd love to get to know you, so please feel free to pop me an ask or message with any comments, questions, or requests! Just don't be a hater. I'm not into those.

#baldurs gate 3 fanfiction #bg3 fanfiction #gale fic #astarion fic #bg3 gale fic #bg3 gale smut #gale smut #gale fanfiction

astarioffsimpmain

Late Night Thoughts wt. Lenore

(This is gonna be full-on stream of consciousness because I am having such killer period cramps that I can't think. So if this only makes partial sense, forgive me)

♡

He felt cold against your back - thank God - but his palm oozed warmth as it laid over the core of your pain: your lower abdomen. Your breaths were labored—forced into steadiness against the desire to pant in deranged agony. It would not help, you remind yourself. Despite the baser urge telling you that it might just release some tension.

Pain ripped through you in yet another wave, and you whimpered, trying to hold on against the maelstrom. "My love," Gale murmured into your hair. You knew he felt helpless, and it hurt your heart.

"Gale?" Your voice was weak, but your grip on his arm remained firm. His eyes met yours, and the concern in them had a lump forming in your throat. 'God, I love this man,' you thought as his gaze searched yours. "Will you read to me? It'll help me focus on something else for a while. I know the sounds I'm making are distressing, but believe it or not, they help," you explained sheepishly.

He nodded, his expression grave. "I... I can't promise to ignore the sounds of your pain completely, but I will do my utmost to help you place your attention elsewhere." He gently brushed his thumb across your low belly and leaned forward to press light kisses down the nape of your neck. Within moments, he had summoned a small legion of Mage Hands to procure and hold a book, steady a light, turn the pages, and stand by to complete any impromptu requests or tasks.

You giggled through an ebb in the pain at his absurd levels of attentiveness. "Yes, my love?" Gale inquired teasingly.

"I just love you," you tittered, snuggling closer to him.

"I love you more, darling."

"Impossible!"

Gale chuckled and turned your face to his. "I'm fairly certain I have breached all manners of "impossible" already, my sweet. In this debate, you will lose." You snickered as he pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of your nose and turned to the book.

"In the midst of greatest darkness, there was a small glimmer of light in the distance..."

~

fin

Late Night Thoughts Series 💤 | Buy Me a Coffee ☕️

astarioffsimpmain

Late Night Thoughts wt. Lenore

(You know what it is: it's period time. There's pain, weird emotional stuff, and - of course - insane, insatiable horniness. So please enjoy some dom-ish Gale in a gothic library)

🔞NSFW🔞

♡

The tour groups had long gone, and the halls had long since emptied; no students or staff to be seen. The groaning floorboards creaked beneath you both as Gale led you past the rows of ancient books, chained from hands never meant to read them, and towards the alcove in the back of the library. The only lights remaining were the dim yellow bulbs that swayed gently between the columns near the high-vaulted ceiling, and they cast their eerie glow down the shelves like spirits in stasis.

The library was quiet; absent in a way that was palpable. Each step you and Gale took reverberated off of the walls like cracks of a whip; each breath, the accompanying groans of impact. Adrenaline was racing a track up and down your spine as you moved, knowing it would be far worse than a talking-to if you were discovered. But with Gale? The risk was worth it all.

At last, he paused several steps ahead of you and turned, a dazzling smile on his lips. As you stepped up beside him and looked around, you felt your jaw hinge loosen. A small, cozy seating area with couches, chairs, and tables was laid out before you. "I didn't see this earlier," you murmured, nearly cringing at how loud your voice sounded against the silence of the library.

"I know." Gale smirked at you, his grin borderline delivish, and you felt your cheeks flush, knowing full well what that look meant.

"Here?" Your voice rose in pitch, nearly squeaking as your body heated beneath his pinning gaze.

"I recall you mentioning your love of gothic romance," he drawled, stepping close enough to cage you against one of the lush oak tables. "I took the liberty of researching the term." His lips were inches from yours, and you could feel the heat of his breath puffing against them. You stepped back. Your rear met the table. You were trapped, and you couldn't imagine being anywhere else. He moved closer, and your eyes fell closed, anticipating the press of his mouth against yours. You felt his lips brush, and you chased them, but he dipped his head suddenly and they met your pulse-point instead.

You gasped as he suckled your sensitive skin, and your body rolled towards his on instinct. "Do you know what I found in my research, Ms. Whitlock?"

You moaned, the sound bursting from you so suddenly it surprised you. He had never called you that before, and God, did it light something up inside of you. "W-What?" You managed to ask through your swiftly approaching haze.

His palm flattened against your pantyhose and tracked up your thigh, thumb taking a daring detour towards your already throbbing slit. "I found a very many forbidden things," he murmured in your ear. "Things I am not above doing to you."

Your breath caught in your throat. "And if we're caught?" You asked breathlessly.

He chuckled darkly, and a shiver ran down your spine. You felt yourself swell, and your core began to ache, jumping each time his thumb traced your folds through the thin fabric. "Then they'll get to watch while I finish with you."

Your spine arched, unbidden, and you whimpered his name—a pitiful cry for release. "Patience, little love," he murmured softly, the fingers of his other hand trailing up your spine. "I have ample research to implement before you get your way."

~

fin

Late Night Thoughts Series 💤 | Buy Me a Coffee ☕️

dekariosclan

Asking Gale what you thought was a simple yes/no question

dekariosclan

Hi! I want to first say I downloaded Tumblr solely for your content (found it on the Google) and I BINGED EVERYTHING yesterday 😂 this is my favorite thing, thank you for giving the world this magical Gale content 💜

On to my question: How do you think Gale would respond catching Tav off guard ready a wildly smutty book while sitting out on the balcony?

Ahhh you are so sweet! ❤️ I sometimes forget I have this blog open and searchable via Google—I’ve been jumpscared by one of my posts being a search result on more than one occasion 😂 At the very least, I hope all my posts are forcing Google’s sh*tty AI search assistant to turn into a Galemancer. If AI’s downfall happens because it became romantically obsessed with a pixel wizard, someone please tell Sam Altman, I want him to know it was me.

Anyway, I’m very glad you enjoy the Gale food provided by this blog! I may only offer one (1) menu item, but I try and ensure it’s cooked well and delicious when served 🫶

Speaking of delicious—let’s talk about your ask?!

You know, when it comes to Gale being married and living with Tav in his Tower, I’ve spoken before about how I think he behaves when he’s busy with research. (tldr; he still seeks Tav out and offers absent-minded gestures of affection as he works)

But when Tav becomes distracted and has their nose in a book? I like to think of Gale’s proclamation in Act 1: “My condition likes being ignored as little as I do >:[ ”

That isn’t to say Gale is annoying or controlling about Tav doing their own thing. I just think that, sometimes, he’ll look up from what he was preoccupied with and realize he hasn’t seen his beloved in a while. Then those little frown lines will appear on his forehead as he thinks about their absence, and he’ll be compelled to search them out.

He smiles brightly whenever he finds them, and he smiles extra brightly if he finds them reading in his favorite spot on the balcony. And of course Tav will welcome him wholeheartedly, snuggling themselves against his chest as he settles in.

But Gale will be quick to notice the flush on their cheeks, and the almost guilty way they angle their book away from him. A paperback with worn pages and a torn cover? Surely not one of his, to be so degraded!

Curiouser and curiouser, he’ll think to himself. Of course, far be it from him to pry, but—

“My love, may I ask what subject has so captivated your attention? And where you acquired that book, as it doesn’t appear to be from our collection?”

Tav might squirm a bit, and the flush on their cheeks might become more apparent as they prepare for the judgement they’re about to receive, but they’ll tell him the truth: It’s a raunchy romance they picked up from a dockside bookseller. A bodice-ripper. Something with little to no plot. In other words, pure indulgent smut.

But rather than judgement or criticism or even surprise, Gale will respond almost eagerly with, “Oh! Well! That sounds like a delightful choice!”

And now Tav will find they’re the one who is surprised, as Gale hums contentedly and pulls them closer, his fingers idly trailing up and down their arm.

“I had no idea you were interested in such literature. Have you always had a preference for such subjects?”

Tav will nod, any sense of embarrassment quickly melting away in the warmth of Gale’s delight.

“Excellent. Just one more question, my love, and then I will let you get back to your reading if you so wish,” Gale will murmur, his breath on Tav’s neck. “But my curiosity has been peaked, and so I find myself wondering—would you consider your enjoyment of these types of books to be recreational—”

His lips trailing along Tav’s shoulder.

“—educational—”

His hand sliding along Tav’s side, up to their chest.

“—or, perhaps…instructional?”

The corners of his mouth curling up into a smile, pulling Tav into a hungry kiss.

And Tav will find they are surprisingly short of breath when they are finally able to reply, shakily, “In…instructional. Yes.”

“Very good,” Gale will purr, as he takes the book from Tav’s limp hand, and sets it aside. “Then please do instruct me, my love.”

dekariosclan

Hello! I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on this:

So the Party is doing their adventure, as usual, to solve their tadpole problem. Gale has already explained everything to Tav, yet they do not share something for fear of betrayal, especially from Gale. Elminster arrives and gives Gale Mystra's order, however before he leaves he warns him to keep an eye on Tav and to eliminate them the moment they start to be "dangerous" or "suspicious".

The mission goes on, Gale doesn't detonate and the Party reaches Baldur's Gate. Elminster comes again to tell him that he's expected by Mystra in the temple and that she may have found a way to give him forgiveness without the use of the orb.

Long story short: Mystra demands Gale to kill Tav because they too have found something that they shouldn't (not as bad as Gale's one but still enough to piss her off, also in this case Tav is a sorcerer)

Obviously Gale would refuse, even if they were just friends, but do you think that moment would be the drop that breaks the dam to the point that he decides to no longer worship Mystra? Of course Gale loves magic. But to know that the goddess of all magic demands something so important to him after everything she has done? I don't know, if I were him I would probably go "you know what? Fuck you Mystra, I've had enough of your absurdly crazy demands, I won't kill the love of my life/the only person that has helped me get on my feet again. I don't care that you're scared of Tav becoming the next Karsus like you did to me. After I give you the Crown I'll make sure to stay as far away from you as I humanly can and warn everyone of who you really are!"

I don't know.... I think that would be pretty dope of him (especially if he discards his earing after the visit, even more hot in my opinion)

Anon, I feel the need to quote Gale himself:

😂 I have been put on the spot! Not because of your ask about Gale’s response—which I think you and I are of a similar mind on—but because I am rather unfamiliar with the mechanics of DND and the Weave. So I apologize if I mess up or state anything incorrectly regarding the ‘rules’ of magic use!

The thing about Gale is this: He values life and prefers to avoid conflict whenever possible. Yes, he has killed and can kill with magic quite effectively and will do so whenever needed—but he prefers not to. One of the quickest ways to earn his approval early in the game is to avoid unnecessary bloodshed during confrontations. And he gets very angry and upset if, in the Grove, Nettie tries to poison Tav—because if he had been in Tav’s place, it would have resulted in the orb exploding and the devastating loss of many innocent lives.

So let’s start with the friend scenario: I do agree completely that Gale would refuse to kill Tav, and that he would be angry and frankly shocked—moreso than when Mystra demanded his own sacrifice.

Gale’s guilt and shame over his ‘folly’ with the orb, his lack of self-worth, plus his sense of loyalty to Mystra and the Weave, made it so that when he received the order to self-sacrifice he initially responded with sad acceptance, rather than anger. Plus, he knew he would be saving countless lives by doing so.

…but if the order has been that he cause the death of his friend? That he essentially murder his friend? A friend that saved his life? He would 100% outright reject it, and be appalled as well.

I think his anger would be equivalent to how he reacts to Mystra in the Stormshore Tabernacle meeting where he is gunning for the crown: He admonishes her, he raises his voice at her, he is scornful. I don’t think he would have a shred of respect left for her, goddess or no. But I’m not sure if he would give up magic entirely as a result.

From what I’ve seen in the game, if I understand correctly, Gale (or any magic user…?) can be at odds with Mystra and can still achieve magic, as she’s just the ‘conduit’ for the Weave and cannot decide on who does or does not use it. So while he would not ‘worship’ her any longer, he would still allow magic in his life.

But if Tav was his beloved and he was asked to kill them?

I think Gale would be so completely repulsed he might actually give up magic entirely.

This is a man who, in Act 1, explains his relationship to magic as this:

But then, once he knows Tav loves him as much as he loves them, spends the rest of the game

telling them

how much more important

they are to him.

And so I do think, to your point Anon, this could actually be something that would break him and sever his relationship with magic entirely.

Where we differ slightly is that I can’t see Gale going on a verbal rampage and saying “fuck you.” Full disclosure: this definitely veers into my own person hc territory, but I imagine Gale says “fuck you” VERY RARELY, if at all. He does swear a few times in the game, and he absolutely can destroy someone verbally, but I feel that he tends to go the clever/sarcastic route or just straight honest anger without devolving into extremely harsh swearing. Instead, in this instance, I think he would be so repulsed and horrified by Mystra’s request and the thought of betraying Tav that he would actually be at a loss for words.

All I think he would be able to utter in that moment—he, the always talkative, overly-loquacious, extremely chatty wizard—is “Never.”

And I think the absolute revulsion in his eyes would say the rest.

Now, the timing of all this is significant, because it would be in Act 3 and Gale would know that he needs to use his magic abilities to help defeat the Netherbrain. So regarding the earring, if it has no effect on his magic use, I think it would be out of his ear and crushed under his foot immediately.

If, however, it is his ‘magic focus’ (as has been theorized) and he needs it to cast magic, then I think it would stay—even though he would hate it—until the end of the game. And then it would be tossed into the Chionthar along with that goddamn crown, which Gale would deliberately not be returning to Mystra, nor would he be collecting for himself. I believe in this chain of events, Gale would be removing himself completely from all things related to the divine. Because:

dekariosclan

Gale Kisses

I didn’t realize this until I started watching video clips of other companion romances in BG3—but I think Gale has the most kisses? As well as the most ‘unique’ (not re-used with the exact same animation) kisses too??

Have I been living under a rock

To clarify I’m talking about:

The Act 2 kisses instigated by Tav,

The Act 3 Morphic Pool/Last Kiss(es) instigated by Tav,

The romance partner end scene in the Elfsong Tavern after defeating the Netherbrain, and

The Epilogue party kiss instigated by Tav.

So Gale gets 4 kisses in Act 2, which is what most of the other companions get. But then we get to the Morphic Pool, where Gale gets another 4 amazing kisses…while apparently everyone else just gets ONE?!

Wha-

Ok, so then we have the Elfsong scene. Gale kisses Tav on the hand and on the lips if they accept his proposal. The other companions end scenes? Zero kisses.

Then, finally, we get the Epilogue. Not everyone gets a kiss here, and some of the ones that do don’t get a unique animation. Gale does.

This is not to criticize other companions romances! Just an observation that it’s apparently canon that the wizard man cannot get enough of smooching Tav.

And yes maybe Larian decided to do this to balance out the fact that Gale doesn’t have speaking lines when kissing, or maybe because Gale has the very real option of sacrificing himself in the final battle which the others don’t—

But I choose to believe that it’s because Gale remembered how, in the Act 1 weave scene, Tav visualized kissing him OR holding his hand… and Gale decided that well, in that case, he would make sure to kiss his beloved

or hold their hand

OR BOTH

as often as possible.

dekariosclan

When it comes to Gale’s two most popular hair styles—his canon hair style and the wonderful ‘wizardly up-do’ mod—I have to say I love them both, equally. however, anything where his grey streaks are enhanced is absolutely my favorite, by a lot, it’s not even close

BUT!

I have always loved the fact that his canon hairstyle has an impossible-to-achieve, not-quite-tucked-but-not-totally-loose, gravity-defying-swoop thing happening with his hair over his ears:

And sure, I get that it was almost certainly a design choice Larian made to easily show off Mystra’s earring…but I like to believe that it’s a combo of a little bit of vanity + a little bit of insecurity on Gale’s part, and he is deliberately using magic to get his hair to do that and to look that good.

And I love that, because it means Tav can be stinky, sweaty, covered in goo, surrounded by the rot of the Shadowlands, turned into a Mindflayer, etc—

—meanwhile, Gale is magicking up his hair and thinking: “My hair simply has to be perfect for Tav 🥰 Not a strand out of place 🥰 Tav is so RAVISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL/HANDSOME AT ALL TIMES I simply cannot present myself as anything less than a well-groomed gentleman 🥰”

dekariosclan

“Yes, my love?”

kareluna8

Galusa

A halo of evanescent violet energy emerged from Mystra's sculpture enveloping me. The very fabric of magic drew me into the presence of its sole creator and mistress: the goddess Mystra herself.

Thus I emerged into her presence once again. This time, her countenance was clearly troubled.

Mystra: How dare you disobey me, hiding behind your new love. My orders were clear and unquestionable.

Gale: I do NOT want to die, now I have reasons to fight, to want to live...

Mystra: Yeah, your new sweetheart, ¿right? And that gives you the right to make love to her on the boat, in the Ao, or worse, in front of my altar, right?

Gale (rejoicing internally): We love each other, our love is pure. I remind you that you disowned me.

Mystra: ¿After all this time you still don’t know me? You brought the attack of the orb on yourself. Your subsequent ostracism was your punishment for disobeying me, for pursuing Netherese magic in disregard of my warnings. You got what you deserved. You were lucky the orb did not kill you on the spot.

The contained hatred crept into her every word.

Mystra: And now you've crossed the line again. The desecration of my temple was the last straw. What did I think you could laugh at me in my own house?

Gale: ¿Do you care what two mere mortals do, or are you worried about what happens to me?

Mystra: That's it! I won't tolerate any more of your insolence, neither you nor your “sweetheart”.

Raise her hand, emanating a green smoke

Mystra: Gale of Waterdeep, you are cursed. You will become a monster. Your hair will turn into snakes and your gaze will petrify anyone who looks into your eyes. You are doomed to be disowned and persecuted by mortals. You will live alone and unloved for the rest of eternity.

Green smoke penetrated Gale's mouth and nose making him cough and writhe in pain. Like a new version of ceremorphosis, his silky brown hair caked and transformed into twisted snakes. His beard turned into worms and his eyes glowed with the icy cold of petrification.

Mystra: Now you can go and see your “sweetheart”, I'm sure you will leave her stone cold as she sees you...

#continually stunned by Kareluna's artistic talent #love this mosaic design and concept #amazing art

astarioffsimpmain

When It Rains, It Pours

Pairing: Gale Dekarios x Lyra Whitlock (Songweave)

Author's Note: This began as some late night thoughts, but just kept evolving! This scene will very likely be featured in my Songweave long-fic, "Ubi amor est, ibi es (Where Love Is, You Are There)" in the future. I hope you enjoy!

Summary: Gale and Lyra get caught in the rain. Lyra has some minor revelations, and Gale is already in so deep.

(Or read on Ao3)

julientel

Emotional support tressym

lostintheweave

everything i ever did was just another way to scream your name

dekariosclan

Thoughts on mystra leaving Gale in the fugue plane if he sacrifices himself in act 3 during his origin run? I only did it to see what the ending would be and, it broke my heart and made me so mad.

(I already hated her but oh man)

Anon, you are a much stronger person than I am, because I could never go through with sacrificing Gale, even to see an ending that I otherwise would miss! But if my research is correct, you are referring to Gale ending up in the fugue plane and speaking to Withers, who says:

Withers: “I feared I might not find thee here—that Mystra would have already plucked thy thread from the tapestry of fate. But she may wait awhile yet.”

Ah, yes. Once again, Gale is bluntly shown that he is of little importance to Mystra. Even after following her instructions and sacrificing himself for the good of humanity, AND directly benefitting her by destroying the Netherbrain, he’s still not high on her list of priorities.

This isn’t shocking to me, because Mystra stays impressively on-brand throughout the game in regards to how poorly she treats Gale.

I know that there are still occasional debates on timelines, ages, how Gale’s ‘folly’ played out, etc., as well as Mystra’s treatment/abuse of mortals in her past (and WOW some of that is…a doozy to read) but I’m just going to focus on what happens in the game. And in regards to that, when it comes to the phrase “All my homies hate Mystra,” I am one of the homies.

Because of course Mystra would leave Gale waiting in the fugue plane. Just like she leaves him waiting in his origin run if he returns the crown to her and says he’d like to be lovers again. She doesn’t even care enough to give him the courtesy of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’—she simply says “All in good time,” and then just…leaves.

(If Gale is an illlithid and returns the crown, Mystra does actually take him to Elysium in order to save his soul if he so chooses, but I don’t exactly get happily-ever-after vibes from that ending, either.)

All Gale has ever wanted was to be with someone who loves him. To ‘live in a wizard’s tower with a sweetheart’, as revealed in the Act I Ornate mirror scene. But his dealings with Mystra invariably end with him being left alone, waiting, and/or being told to be ‘patient.’

Even if he were to become her Chosen again—which is mentioned in Tav’s dialogue on the pier, if Gale agrees to return the crown—he’s essentially back to where he started in his relationship with her, minus the sex and the Archmage title. That’s a very sad ending for Gale, because it means, despite everything, he still hasn’t learned that he is worthy of a better life.

And so Anon, to your question about my thoughts: Even if she had been waiting to collect him in the fugue plane, I simply cannot imagine any scenario where Gale would be happy with Mystra. Gale is happiest when he’s PARTNERED with someone, when he has companionship with someone who is equal to him. Someone who will be there for him, the same way that he is there for them, always. He won’t ever get that with Mystra. That’s what happens when you have a gaping power differential in a relationship, and it’s why a ‘romance’ between them should never have happened in the first place. Say what you will about God Gale, but the very first thing he does when his beloved agrees to join him in the Heavens is to make them a god, too. He doesn’t want a lover who is a follower, or someone he can control or dismiss on a whim. He wants an equal partnership—because that’s what real love is.

So, here’s what I propose as the best ending, to help cleanse your palate from that awful fugue plane one: Gale doesn’t sacrifice himself, he leaves the crown in the river, and he marries his beloved Tav. And moving forward, if Mystra is desperate for a booty call, she’s in luck! There’s a wholeass pantheon of other Gods whom she is welcome to f*ck. If she’s so desperately in need, she can send a scroll to Helm that says “U up? WYD?” and go from there. Or, she can ask Selune if she’d be up to Astral plane & chill sometime. She can see what it feels like when one of them dismisses her.

Most importantly, she can stay the hell away from mortals, and away from Gale and Tav.

inglorionamy-ammy

☆Arcane Doodle 3☆

So, a while ago I made this piece with the Mage bringing the two kids to Rio. Then I was like - What if the Mage just decides he's going to screw this particular universe and raise them himself?😂😂 Hence born this pair of drawings: