Commander as Companion
Commander as companion prompt by @dragonologist-phd
amazing art commission by @arnaerr ❤️
Name: Siavash Mirani
Race: Half-elf
Class: Bard
Appearance:
Medium build, not tall for a half-elf, dressed in assorted pastels/earthtones: embroidered sky-blue tunic, burgundy jerkin, light blue sash, forest-green trousers, doe-brown cloak. Shoulder-length blond hair swept back at the temples in a man bun. In his class equipment he has a guitar slung over his shoulder.
Portrait – leaning on a lush willow tree by a riverbank, legs crossed at the ankles, playing guitar with a soft yet somehow compelling smile.
He has a nice tenor with a slight BBC English accent. His barks sound friendly and on the edge of laughter, but in romance scenes it becomes soft and a little husky.
Favored Weapon/Equipment:
Crossbow, longsword
Default stats are pretty even across the board except for high Cha and slightly less Wis.
Top Skills: Persuasion, Knowledge: World, Knowledge: Arcana, Knowledge: Nature
Alignment: Chaotic good
General Personality: Easygoing, optimistic, kind, confident, lazy, unreliable, prone to guilt
Siavash is rootless and fun-loving, but he can show remarkable determination when it comes to things that are important to him—while needing constant reminding or stimulation to get more mundane tasks done. One thing he is zealously committed to is freeing people from different sorts of chains, whether those are literal chains, poverty, or closed-mindedness. With a high charisma score and high persuasion, he frequently attempts to talk the KC and companions out of their prejudices and toward an egalitarian and compassionate vision. With mixed success.
Because he sees people as ends in themselves and never a means to an end, in wartime he can be accused of irresponsibility by lawful characters more concerned with the possible consequences of their actions.
That said, he secretly carries quite a burden of guilt when doing the right thing does not happen to lead to a good outcome.
In romance he’s fun, sappy, sincere and affectionate but hesitant to commit.
What traits/values do they admire? Kindness, open-mindedness, willingness to bend rules, fun. Chaotic commanders will always fare better.
What traits/values do they disapprove of? Cruelty, closed-mindedness, prejudice, grim dutifulness, dehumanization
Are they affiliated with any deities? Desna 🦋
What do they think of their role in the Crusades, and of sharing the Commander’s Mythic powers? What are their reasons for joining the commander’s party?
He’ll join the crusade saying it’s for the fun and adventure, but you will soon notice he shows determination when it comes to helping people. Everything else is shrugged off.
He’s more inclined to see the KC’s mythic powers as a giant stroke of luck and encourages the KC to embrace them as long as it’s in service to the crusade or other noble goals. An evil KC who uses those powers for personal gain will earn less favor, but he will stick with the party with a certain obstinate optimism that he can convince them to do better. A lawful KC who uses those powers to dominate will rapidly fall out of favor.
Who are their friends among the other party members?
Woljif, Arueshalae, Ember, Sosiel, Seelah (in that order of warmth); lots of snarky banter with Daeran but eventually they’ll be friends in a party with a good-aligned commander; with an evil-aligned commander where Daeran’s cruelty is more on display the banter becomes bitter by Act V.
He and Ulbrig would get along until Ulbrig begins to suspect he’s channeling magic through his music, at which point he will tease him unmercifully, like to psych him out: “When you passed me that mug of beer just now, was it free will or did I enchant you? Will you ever know?” Still they’re on the same moral wavelength and Siavash doesn’t actually look down on his superstitions. (I haven’t played with Ulbrig yet but I sense they’ll be bros.)
What about rivals?
Regill. Daeran but that can change, Wenduag, Lann to a smaller extent (if Siavash would please pull his weight with camp duties), Camellia because she resolutely resists his attempts at making friends.
Are they on any councils? If so, what sort of advice do they give?
Diplomatic council – pro-Andoran / anti-Cheliax; he is always militating for human rights and democracy; likes to bring aristocrats down a peg; has many connections he can call upon but most often in opposition to the Royal Council’s will; neutral about religious issues.
Logistics council – he will always support taxing the rich to improve conditions for the lower ranks, and will not shy away from creative corruption as long as the rich are targeted; will suggest throwing a massive Ritual of Stardust in Act V that will cost little but give a bonus to morale as well as recruitment of mythic units and mercenaries.
Where do they hang out in Drezen? In the Abyss?
Never in the same place. Most likely to be at the Half-Measure, but sometimes chatting on the top floor of the inn, busking or hanging with Woljif at the Market, chilling with Crinukh, playing for the soldiers at the barracks, posing for Sosiel, talking to prisoners, sitting on top of the walls. In the Abyss he won’t budge from a spot near the fire.
What are their idle animations?
The bard groove that’s already in the game (I need to make a gif of that one of these days, it’s hilarious.) Or he’ll whip his guitar around his shoulder and tune it.
If they’re taken to Areelu’s lab, what is their dream?
He’s in Elysium surrounded by adoring naked azata. (Deliberately a superficial fantasy.)
Do they advise the commander to abandon or keep their mythic powers?
“Hey man you do you.” He tells the KC that they should take control of their own destiny, whether that’s by giving up their powers, or keeping them and using them as they see fit. The important thing is not to be a tool of Areelu or any other greater power.
How/when do they join the Commander’s party?
As a game companion he’s not an Andoren Diplomat but a traveling bard. You’ll see him busking at the City Day festivities.
The KC comes across him in Kenabres after the attack, helping people escape a burning prison. The KC overhears his conversation with one of them:
“Malthor, Katia Malthor, is that your name? These people seem to think of you as a leader. Gather them and rally them to defend the city. Help keep people safe. You can do that, right? I’m counting on you.”
“Uh, yeah, sure…” And she runs off.
When questioned he will then explain to the KC that he let the prisoners out of the Inquisition prison when he heard screaming from inside the burning building. If you make a perception check you’ll see wood and straw piled up as if someone lit the prison on fire deliberately. You may be able to question Hulrun about it later. (It was on his orders.) Siavash will pull the KC aside and ask them not to report him. If they do, he’s arrested and out of the lineup.
If a lawful/evil commander objects to his actions, Siavash will say the prisoners didn’t deserve to be burned alive especially without a trial. KC: “Aren’t you worried cultists will wreak even more havoc?” Siavash: “I talked to them. It’ll be fine.” [Radiant smile.]
Relationship with the Knight-Commander:
He never calls the KC “Commander” but in text always by their first name or “my friend” in spoken lines.
The KC will have opportunities to make remarks about his not pulling his weight, being difficult to locate when needed, or generally annoying. These he will laugh and shrug off but they will decrease his approval counter.
A more aggressive KC can harangue him for being unreliable, careless and obnoxious.
His approval is high for Azata, Legend, Trickster, Angel and Gold Dragon in decreasing order.
Describe their companion quest:
Act I – Releasing the prisoners from the Inquisition prison is the start of it.
Act II – Rumors of a cultist cell called the “Avenging Pyre” circulate in the crusade. They have been preying on Kenabres refugees and sacrificing them to invoke demons which they then unleash on the surrounding areas.
Act III – With Siavash in the party, there will be a random encounter with cultists wearing special black robes bearing a flaming design (Avenging Pyre). They have burned a bunch of crusaders alive. A few escape the ensuing battle and say something about their leader “Malthor” as they flee. Siavash asks to talk to the commander when they get back to Drezen.
He looks really upset and says he thinks Malthor may have been one of the prisoners he freed in Kenabres, and admits that it may have been a mistake that he needs to make right. The KC can: 1) (lawful) give him a chewing out and regret not throwing him in prison himself; 2) (chaotic) tell him he did the right thing and he couldn’t know the consequences. Lots more approval for 2 obviously. In Crusade Mode more reports of the Avenging Pyre’s depredations continue to accumulate.
Act IV – Siavash is found at the Bad Luck tempting fate with busking and the KC has to intervene to prevent him being torn limb from limb. He then tells the KC that he overheard rumors Hepzamirah has been funneling Nahyndrian crystals not only to Xanthir Vang but also to a cultist cell in Golarion. In Colphyr, Mutasafen confirms that Malthor is getting crystals and she is preparing to unleash an augmented demon.
Act V – An army of demons led by an augmented balor shows up in Crusade Mode. Captain Odan reports after the battle and confirms that it’s Malthor’s work. The KC gets the quest to talk to Siavash about it but after a short search is approached by Anevia, saying he’s left Drezen.
Alternatively, if romanced, he will be found in the KC’s chamber sitting on the bed playing guitar. He’ll confess about the guilt he’s feeling and how important it is for him to fix things, and ask the KC to accompany him.
In the Worldwound the party will find him preparing to sneak disguised into Malthor’s camp and fix this or die trying. The KC alone will accompany him, and you’ll have to avoid alert guards and dogs/demons. When the two of them get to Malthor’s tent they find that Malthor is not Katia but her sister!
The sister has been leading the cultist cell believing Katia was burned alive in the Kenabres prison. This is her revenge on the Inquisitors and crusaders. The KC can then 1) (LE) execute her on the spot – Siavash will turn on the KC and be killed too, 2) (LN) take her prisoner – Siavash will disapprove strongly or 3) (LG) take her prisoner but promise a fair trial and to help find her sister; the KC will berate him for being careless – Siavash will disapprove less but all of these choices increase his bad ending counter.
4) Chaotic – let Siavash talk to her, in which case he tries to convince her that her sister is still alive by an act of Desna’s grace and that he’ll help find her. If the KC has been supportive up to this point he will succeed. If not, he will fail and she’ll attack. Best outcome is she comes back to Drezen and atones by joining the crusade (ending slides will say she found her sister eventually and they lived out their days making up for the damage she did). Talking to Siavash after the final quest you can forgive him and relieve a significant burden of guilt but he will be pensive about the consequences of his actions.
Obviously the party has to fight the augmented balor to escape!
Are they romanceable? Describe their romance quest/scenes if you want!
Restricted to male commanders. In Act II the KC will get a dialogue where he’s singing about admiring someone mysterious and exciting from afar, and you can ask him if it’s about you. He’ll give you a really cute grin and say “It is if you want it to be.” Hard to tell if he’s joking. He’ll also do this with a female KC and then if pursued in Act III will friendzone her. (Deliberately annoying. He’s a flirt.)
With a chaotic commander, there will be a camp cutscene where he says “This crusade is turning out even more fun than I expected. There’s never a dull moment with you, is there? Sometimes I thank Desna she put us in each other’s path.”
Act III – He will show up at the command room and ask the KC to take a day off and have some fun. He then disguises both of you with a cantrip and takes you to the Half Measure to drink and listen in on gossip, and from there you tail a cultist together, prank Hulrun if alive / Horgus if not, and finally climb up and walk along Drezen’s walls so you can stargaze. In the dialogue you can either resist his ideas or add your own, earning more approval, in which case at the end of it he tells you you’re a lot of fun and that he finds you fascinating.
If you press for more, he’ll sleep with you but be gone the next morning. The next time you talk to him he’ll be friendly but a little reserved.
Act IV – After the Battlebliss you get a dialogue where he’s off by himself and you realize he’s been crying. He tells you the Abyss is getting to him and that he was terrified when you were taken prisoner, and asks for a hug. You can press for more but he’ll say not here. He will then hold you close and sing a lullaby until you fall asleep in each other’s arms, and you will have no nightmares for once.
Act V start – Choosing Devil, Lich, or Aeon will trigger a cutscene where he breaks up with the KC politely but firmly, with barely disguised bitterness. With Swarm he’ll just get eaten I guess. With Demon he’ll hold out longer, and there will be a lot of pleading and tears before the end, but eventually a Demon romance locks him into his bad ending.
Act V – At some point when you exit the Citadel into the city he’ll run up and grab your hand and ask you to come with him. He takes you to a secluded spot outside the city walls where there’s a nice little brook and a picnic already laid out, and plays you a really sweet, sappy love song. If you respond positively he’ll confess:
“I messed up. I didn’t want to fall in love with you. At first it was because I didn’t want to be tied down to Drezen or to this crusade, but the longer I stayed the more I knew I wanted to stay, to be by your side wherever that took me, even if it meant going to the Abyss—and even if it meant staying here.
“The more I stayed the more I felt drawn to you, the more I began to care about you. Your happiness means everything to me. Just the thought of your smile lights up my whole world.
“The real problem is, I know myself. I’m afraid I’ll let you down. And that I couldn’t bear, because I… I love you. With all my heart.”
You can accept in one of two ways: you can ask him to stay with you in Drezen, in which case he will commit but with some trepidation (A little shaky: “Staying here with you will be a whole new adventure.”) The best outcome is if you tell him you dream of a day when you can leave this behind and travel the world together. He will say “Your smile is like Elysium—it fills me with joy and wonder. I want to walk in your garden forever.”
After that if you suggest spending some time together it will be in your picnic spot, not in the Citadel bedroom.
At Threshold he’ll gush and promise never to leave you, but he will not propose.
What would their ending slides be like?
Good non-romanced ending with Good!Woljif – they are inseparable and it’s strongly implied romantically involved. They gathered a cult following in Razmiran and were subsequently run out of the country; the KC had to pull some strings to get them out of jail in Druma; their infamy grows as their scams funnel money to Woljif’s charities.
Romanced endings: 1) staying in Drezen – he is forever in the KC’s orbit like a bright, wandering planet, always full of love songs and romantic escapades, but he sometimes gazes out over the walls with a longing expression—until his eyes meet yours. 2) travelling – inseparable, you travel Avistan, then across the Inner Sea to the Golden Road and beyond, finding love and adventure and always seeking to help the downtrodden; he says his soul has taken wing.
Bad ending – Siavash was last seen on the run busking in Kerse, having displeased the Thrunes with his attempts to interfere with the slave trade in Cheliax. The KC received a letter from him posted in Katapesh but that was years ago.
Any other fun facts?
Gargoyle attack – he is one of those who are carried off. You find him on the road to the Lost Chapel rallying scared crusaders. His HP are at 50%.
Taking Drezen – if the KC goes azata he will be overjoyed; he and Aivu tend to one-up each other in terms of mischief
Wintersun – at the waterfall, with or without Daeran’s suggestion of erotic bathing, he will try to turn the event into a skinny dipping party
Battlebliss – he will make a rescue attempt in disguise and get thrown into the ring with the KC
Fleshmarket – he’ll fully encourage an azata commander to raze the place, but even with a non-azata commander he will frequently comment, and when Daeran offers to buy the aasimar he’ll warm to him
Ivory Sanctum and Ivory Labyrinth – will insist on freeing every possible prisoner, getting the party into a couple of scraps
Provide some dialogue/bark examples!
Hm? Oh, sure. / Anything for you, hon. / It’ll be fine.
Too many clicks: Ugh, can’t someone else do the boring bits?
Perception check: Hey, check this out!
Skill check success: No problem. / Ha, luck and looks.
Skill check failure: Oh, well. I’ll… make it up to you.
Attack: Oh man, not again. / When will people learn?
Crit: You were asking for that. / Tremble before my mighty lute!
Rare: I don’t manipulate people; I just get them to reconsider what’s in their best interest.
Provide some examples of companion banters!
(Act II) Daeran: You do understand that if I frequently mock your clothes, it’s because I’m inviting you to remove them.
Siavash: I’m afraid my tastes run toward the more plebian, as you’ve wasted no opportunity to point out.
Siavash: (singing) …you are ensorcelled by my music…
Ulbrig: LA LA LA I CAN’T HEAR YOU.
Regill: Will you cease this inane singing? Not only are you a distraction, your noisemaking attracts enemies and provides them with a most tempting target.
Siavash: Distracting, attractive and tempting, eh Regill?
Woljif: I got a good one. I’ll put up handbills and talk up the show, but on ticket sales we hit ‘em with a service charge and then say it’s sold out and double the price. Tell ‘em the proceeds go to veterans of the crusade.
Siavash: Not bad! I’m up for it, as long as the proceeds really do go to veterans of the crusade.
Woljif: Hey, you talk a good game about tiefling rights, but I ain’t seen you give to the cause.
Siavash: Here, you can have my cherry roll.
Siavash: Woljif, you have such a funny expression when I play, like your eyes go all dreamy and your tail curls up. I guess you like music.
Woljif: Huh? I don’t know what you’re… I mean, everybody likes music. Hey, sing that one about the orphan pickpocket who strikes it rich again.
(Act V Good!Woljif / unromanced) Siavash: If you’d taken Ygefeles’ power you’d be living it up right now, but you wouldn’t have real friends. Like the chief. Like me.
Woljif: “Friends” huh? Yeah, I guess things could be worse. Could be better too though… uh, you know.
(Act V Good!Woljif / unromanced) Siavash: Are you all right, Woljif? You look cold.
Woljif: You look warm.
Ember: You sing carefree songs and make people feel hopeful, but you never talk about how scared you are.
Siavash: Everybody’s scared, Ember. I just want them to forget about it for a little while.
