#amadris

[dragonflytehanu]

Awww, thank you @dujour13 for tagging me ❤

Creations vs. creator: Lethoriel, Ris, Astano, and a tired me

I don't know who's been tagged already, so maybe I'll tag @wonda-ch @dmagedgoods @silversiren1101 if you want to

[dragonflytehanu]

Ooh I didn't realize you were doing these. 10, 18 and 27 for Amadris please!

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

Answered here, but I'm defnitely going to expand his skillset. Aside from the lyre, he didn't shy away from playing a lute, rising to the occasion (with Alfira and in the Last Light Inn). He even earned his fair share of gold busking for distraction on the streets of Baldur's Gate, so he might be underestimating his skills a bit.

18. How do you think they'll meet their end?

In some either tragic or stupid way, when his luck finally runs out. Ideally, I'd like him to live a long life and die of old age. (Or... maybe he won't meet an end, at all). He wouldn't seek death himself after the story, but I can't rule out some accident happening when he's travelling and adventuring. He has the tendency to give in to his curiosity (especially when indulged by Astarion), and, for example, opening a locked chest to find a spectator inside. On the other hand, it's also very likely he'd give his life to protect Astarion 😔

27: What was their life like before the events of BG3?

Before the events of BG3, he lived his life in the Underdark, a son of noble family. Rather demanding and not the most friendly envinronment. He was always drawn to art and music, but he needed to grow tougher if he wanted to survive there. He swapped the lyre for the sword, and became a paladin - not as much to be a shield for the others, but for himself. He was lucky enough to be able to make this choice for himself, true, and one that was deemed as acceptable "career" by his family, even if they didn't know his real reasoning. His long term goal always was leaving this place, even if it seemed unrealistic.

(There is a still-in-progress development that Ris in general, as a character, actually fits the role of Lethoriel's Unnamed Brother really well, and it started affecting his backstory - his own dreams in contrast with the expectations of his family, desire of freedom, etc.)

[dragonflytehanu]

4. and 8. and 10. and 13. and 15. and 17. For Ris! 👀💕

Thank you! 💖

4: If your Tav was a companion, where would they be found?

Here! He wouldn't seek to make the contact with MC first. And if you don't recruit him (and he survives the encounter), maybe he'd eventually make his way to the goblin camp.

8: Who are they suspicious of?

People are wary of him, and Ris gladly returns the favour. Even if his companions are more or less exempt from his suspicions, he's not so eager to trust other people they meet - especially Gandrel and Omeluum (and by extension the rest of the Society of Brilliance). He also showed enough some common sense to remain on guard with Raphael.

(There are more, and while I'm keeping this spoiler-free, I just have to mention Yenna, from Act 3. There hasn't been any other character Amadris was as supsicious of as this girl. It wasn't that unfounded given the circumstances - the impostor in the camp - I'll give him that, but at some point he should have let it go)

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

Yes. He has always been drawn to music, but wasn't able to dedicate his life to it. In BG3 he finds the spider lyre, and never parts with it, playing it when he can until he regains some fluency. (Outside of BG3, or after the events of the game - there's defnintely something more/else). He can also sing.

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

Also here, I think he develops more taste for blood with Astarion by his side. Maybe it's always been there, and Astarion just brought it to daylight.

15: What NPCs do they like? Which ones do they dislike?

He went from being amused by Withers to genuinely enjoying his presence at the camp; grew to appreciate Oathbreaker Knight and adopt his philosophy - following his own conscience to do what feels right, and not some rigid, imposed oath he'd always rebel agaist, on principle. Amadris was so delighted with Auntie Ethel, but also quite fond of Alfira, after she pulled him into that impromptu concert. He's intrigued by mysterious He Who Was, despite (or maybe thanks to) how brief their encounter was, similar as with Abdirak. (Do I even have to mention Raphael?😊)

He definitely disliked Minthara, tried to avoid Volo as much as he could, later became quite disappointed with Oskar Fevres. Ris did not like Jaheira, and it was mutual - she didn't need to trust him fully from the start, but at least some gratitude and a benefit of doubt would be welcomed.

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

To his own surprise, yes. If you asked him long ago what kind of life he had wanted for himself, he'd probably say - "an artist". But adventuring gives him a sense of freedom, some variety and thrill, satisfaction of being able to use his skills. It sates his curiosity of life and world (at least a bit). It's unlikely he'll fully commit to it though, to a life on the road, without having a place to return to.

[dragonflytehanu]

4, 6, 13! Dealer's choice!

For Amadris! Thank you! 💕

4: If your Tav was a companion, where would they be found?

He's cautious and well aware he might draw unwanted (and not so friendly) attention as a Drow. He moves away from the shore, west from the Nautiloid, and reaches the Blighted Village, where the goblins welcome him with reverence and open arms - and he takes advantage of that. He can be found in one of the houses, rummaging through the books, looking for a map, trying to figure out where he landed. If you missed him there, he'd be further down the road to Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog, curious and drawn to area, regardless of its state. (While the party might be suspicious of him, especially if met after the visit to the Grove and the news of dangerous drow sightings, the tadpole connection would prove he's not with the cultists and is just as lost as them)

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

Shadowheart, most of all. They hit it off immediately, Shadowheart felt very drawn to Ris from the start, found herself opening up to him, and he couldn't help but return her trust. They share sense of humour and more cynical outlook on life, and fondness for darkness. But most important, they feel safe and understood with each other, and after the end of their journey they remain very close friends.

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

Quite neutral, it's just something that... happens?

Well, okay. Not so neutral. He doesn't see killing as a necessary evil, just a valid solution to consider as one of the options to solve a problem. Sometimes it's simply a necessity, no point in dwelling on it.

He doesn't enjoy killing as a mindless slaughter, no, but he has enjoyed bringing death to some people, especially if it got personal. Killing Minthara with his own blade was as satisfying for him, as playing with the Toll Collector or Malus Thorm and leading them to their demise with his sweet words was thrilling.

[dragonflytehanu]

I was tagged by @likeyua to make my Tav with this picrew. Thank you! 💕

Here's Amadris, as a young palladin and some time post game.

Alternate elf version:

[dragonflytehanu]

For whichever characters you’d like to! (Sorry I’m late hope you are still doing these) 9, 15, 21, 26

No such thing as being late to these! Thank you! 💕

9. Do you have a favorite member of the Tiefling Refugees? Is it the same as your Character's?

Answered here for Amadris and me, I can't really answer yet for Elehall, I reloaded back a bit. She smiled at Bex and Danis' plans for their life in the city, wondering about her own life, enjoyed Alfira's playing, but she feels quite lost and tries to keep her distance most of the time.

15. How did the situation with the Grove, the Tieflings and the Goblins turn out for your Character?

It could have gone so much worse, to be honest! Amadris wasn't that interested in sticking his neck out for the tieflings. He helped out some kids - Mirkon, Arabella, played with Alfira, killed Nettie, and set out to search for a better healer. The goblins welcomed him with reverence, assuming a drow on the surface must be a True Soul; he could explore the ruins freely and a single glare opened any doors for him. But then he stumbled upon Ragzlin's ritual (and interfered with it), butted heads with Minthara, found the poor owlbear cub... It was a quick and easy calculation - throwing his lot with those cultists would endanger him more in the long run. So he took out all three leaders, one by one, and returned to the Grove as a hero. Oh, and with Astarion's help, he poisoned the majority of the goblins partying outside, clearing the way for the owlbear to escape.

(Later he told the Guardian he wasn't exactly trying to save the tieflings, the goblins simply stood in his way, but it's not really the whole truth)

Elehall will also side with the Grove and the tieflings, but intentionally.

21. What are your Character's thoughts on the strange artifact that was in Shadowheart's possession? Did it jump to your pack because you changed her out of your party?

He was intrigued the moment Shadowheart said it's nothing important (while carefully stashing the mysterious box). One evening he joined her in fiddling with the artifact, and then discovered he can't put it away, the object jumping back into his arms, much to the cleric's annoyance. Gale commented on admirable loyalty of inanimate objects. It's almost like another pet in the camp, after Scratch, Owlbear, Withers...

(And no, Shadowheart never left Amadris' party in Act 1, so the artifact would always have a front seat in their adventures anyway, and she's always in Elehall's party so far. But right now, so much is happening for her, the artifact has to wait for its turn)

26. What was your favorite enemy? Did your Character have any memorable fights or moments in combat that were ripe for headcanons and interpretation?

I wrote about Auntie Ethel here and Minthara here, but the bulettes in the Underdark deserve a mention. Amadris and Astarion took it down on their own, before the creature could react and before Gale and Shadowheart even ran up to them. That fight showed them as an extremely lethal, efficient, and self-sufficient two-person unit. It made them look at each other with some new-found admiration, too. (Perhaps the bullettes were made easier compared to EA and those two got lucky, but I was impressed)

Elehall hasn't had any significant battles yet, so I think I'll revisit those questions in some time.

[dragonflytehanu]

Oh, I missed that you posted the act 1 ask. 14, 22, 26, 40 for Amadris?

Thank you! ❤ Here's more about Amadris:

14. Do you have another NPC you loved from a faction not mentioned above? What about your Character?

Hmm... I feel like I'm forgetting about someone obvious, and characters not from the mentioned factions that come to my mind belong to Act 2. Does Owlbear count? Raphael?

As for Amadris, the encounter with Abdirak was an interesting experience. He's no stranger to pain, and the priest's offer and the... gentleness with which he presented it... let's just say Amadris is a very curious person, and it's enough to make him try various things and cause some chaos. (Totally not done for Astarion's enjoyment, "don't you dare say no", and that very useful blessing). And while Abdirak was busy, Astarion nabbed a nice dagger from his collection.

22. How did your Character resolve the situation with Sovereign Glut, if you met them?

By the time Amadris met Glut, he had already dealt with the duergars in the Decrepit Village. The duergars - slavers - disgusted him and he made sure to let them know so, and it quickly came to blows. The colourful, harmonic enclave of the Myconid Colony put Ris in high spirits, so he happily indulged Glut's request to show them the corpses of duergars. But then, Glut demanded more, the idea of dethroning Spawn didn't sit well with Ris. And so, the last member of Glut's Circle found his resting place on the shores of Ebonlake.

26. What was your favorite enemy? Did your Character have any memorable fights or moments in combat that were ripe for headcanons and interpretation?

Not necessarilly a favourite enemy, but the encounter with Minthara was memorable and important, and quite telling about Amadris. (before I was not sure about picking one side). Minthara's commanding and demanding attitude already made him bristle, it was a reminder of things he wanted to escape in the Underdark. Nightwarden forcing her way into his mind was the last straw. Amadris' focused anger made it a quick, efficient battle. In the aftermath, he realised for the first time, he might be not coming back home. He found the Spider Lyre on Minthara's desk, it stirred strange nostalgia, so he took the instrument with him and slowly got back to playing.

40. Is your Character used to strange dreams from before the events of the adventure?

I haven't actually thought about this! I know it'd be true for Elehall, but Amadris? Probably not. Night meditation meant comforting darkness, rest, sorting out his thoughts - but under his control. There was nothing that could compare to the dreams and visions brought in by tadpoles, for sure.

[dragonflytehanu]

Oooh, how about 9, 14, 20, 26, 27, 31, 38, and 39 for the Baldur's Gate 3 Act I asks? (sorry if that's a lot I just want to know)

No worries, I'll just put it under the cut. Thank you! 😊

9. Do you have a favorite member of the Tiefling Refugees? Is it the same as your Character's?

My favourite tiefling refugee is Zevlor (and even more so in the scale of the whole game, not only Act 1). I do not envy him his burden, but he carries it as best he can, and he got his little group so far.

Alfira caught Amadris' eye. She handed him a lute and got him to play with her. He managed to keep up with her, even though he hadn't played in so long - it won him over. He's looking forward to the ballad she promised him. Mirkon deserves a mention too, for the story he wrote about the hero saving him from Harpies.

14. Do you have another NPC you loved from a faction not mentioned above? What about your Character? and 26. What was your favorite enemy? Did your Character have any memorable fights or moments in combat that were ripe for headcanons and interpretation?

Auntie Ethel! She is so much fun, from the nice helpful lady to the dangerous old hag, in her little cottage with an interesting cellar, red caps pretending to be sheep, cute little gifts of poisoned apples... The bog might be my favourite location from the early Act 1, although I never managed to fully explore it under the effect of the illusion, someone always sees through it.

Amadris was amused with Ethel's antics in the grove, intrigued what truly hides beneath her wide smile, when he saw her lie to Mayrina's brothers without batting an eye. The discovery of the Putrid Bog made him only more eager to push forward. He's curious enough to venture into hag's liar, and skilled and resourceful enough to know he'll be able to leave it (mostly) unscathed.

Ethel was not pleased with Amadris' tour around her house, but ultimately had no chance against him in the fight. She desperately tried to bargain with him, and... he humiliated her further, taking both the boon and the girl. Simple enough, isn't it?

That was the moment Amadris became an Oathbreaker. But that's a story for another time.

And again - somewhat saved Mayrina (it's like the opposite of collateral damage, seriously)

20. How did you deal with The Artist - Oskar Fevras? Did you even encounter him?

The whole visit in the Zentharim hideout was a mess. Amadris didn't intend to get into trouble but the Zhents didn't take kindly to the missing mysterious shipment. He felt responsible and bad enough to save Rugan, it was too late for Ollie. In the midst of this, Oskar was saved a bit accidentally - and was actually indignant Ris didn't buy his freedom. In gold, not in blood, that is (which wouldn't have been a problem). Ris accepted his gratitude, convinced him it'd be safer to travel with less gold, and plans to seek out the artist in Baldur's Gate, for the promised reward.

27. Who ended up in your Character's most used party?

Astarion and Shadowheart have never left Amadris' side. The third friend who tags along most of the time is Wyll, the voice of reason and moral compass of the group. Amadris is quite fond of the Blade, but can't help the feeling Wyll is somewhat disappointed with him, in turn. Shadowheart feels very drawn to Ris, finds it easy and safe to confide in him. And Astarion is... Astarion.

31. Does your Character have new or old phobias or superstitions that affect their story?

Amadris hates people aiming for or other things going near or towards his eyes thanks to the tadpole injection. The offers from Volo or Ethel were out of question before they even got to finish the sentence. (It's different when he absorbs the additional tadpoles himself)

38. Did your Character meet Barcus Wroot? How's he doing?

Oh wow, what a perfect question to expose Ris. He saved Barcus from the windmill, part curiosity, part disdain for the goblins who scuttled away. Barcus was wary of his drow saviour and Amadris teased him about it, "I could extort you, if you insist?". He was quite impressed with Barcus' mission to find his friend, his loyalty and bravery and wished him luck in his search. They met again, for the last time, in Grymforge. Ris picked up the locket, hoping he might be able to return it to Wulbren, at the very least. Somehow. Stranger things have happened.

(Elehall will try her best to keep Barcus alive, because I like the solemn gnome)

39. What does your Character think of Raphael?

The perfect answer came later, in Act 2: "I like him, but would never admit it to his face". He doesn't trust Raphael even the tiniest bit, but it paradoxically doesn't make him significantly more uneasy around him, it's very clear he has to stay on guard. He kept the first meeting as short as possible, polite but firm in his refusal to cooperate. He's too wary to indulge in discussion with the Devil, but it wasn't... exactly... unpleasant?

(And I do like Raphael, he's so dramatic, but I find the mere thought of such an important figure keeping tabs on this group of weirdos quite funny)