Once OC is satisfied that everyone else is okay/has been treated, they lead the group on. Still riding the adrenaline high, they're not aware they've been injured themselves.
Other character notices they're following a small blood trail that's slowly been forming along the path only to realise it's been dripping from OC's clothes/trailing down their legs the entire time.
For whichever OC you prefer but it's me so obviously there's a Sol bias.
thenk for prompt <3 sol bias hmm???
The doppelganger’s pale visage twitches in agony, its spindly fingers reaching up for the neck impaled on a drow’s dagger. A sneer curls Solistre’s lip, and she seals the creature’s shame with a brutal twist of the blade, forcing its knees to buckle before kicking the corpse away.
It hits a wooden table with a final, almost comical thud, and sends wine bottles crashing to the floor. Taking a slow breath to ground herself, Solistre turns to look over the ruined remains of Cora Highberry’s wine festival. Doppelgangers slain by her group lay strewn across the patio, face-down in pools of wine and blood, surrounded by broken bottles.
How disappointing; she’d expected more from Bhaal’s assassins. Instead, one had fled the instant he was exposed, leaving the rest to mount an impotent assault. In Menzoberranzan, they would’ve been laughed out of the city for being nothing more than upstart toddlers flailing for recognition.
She waves away Shadowheart’s offer of healing, though the cleric frowns and walks in a circle around her anyway, intent on a visual examination. Leaving her to it, Solistre gestures for Karlach and Gale to move – the latter accepting Cora’s profuse thanks and pouch of coins with a gracious bow.
Solistre walks away, reaching into her pouch for the Bhaalist’s note, even as she runs through the list of targets in her mind. Before she steps one foot out of the patio, however, she finds that her fingers can’t secure a proper grip on the folded parchment in her pouch. The city slows around her, with her, and she is dimly aware of Shadowheart calling her name.
Turning her senses inward, she feels the strained, rapid beats of her heart, the leaden quality of her limbs, the slight nausea indicative of the war that her drow-cultivated immunity is waging against a foreign poison.
Poison. Nothing had passed her lips during the fight, not even blood. But she does remember being nicked somewhere on the back of her thigh, shrugging it off as a scratch.
With effort, she looks down, and finds a small pool of blood under her boot, dripping down her leg. She tries to move, and manages a sluggy shift of the heel. Huh. So it is not the world that has slowed, it is her–
Solistre falls forward, only half-stiff thanks to her body’s stubborn refusal to give in. Warm, bulky arms catch her neatly and lay her down. It’s Karlach, and Shadowheart is there in less than a heartbeat, kneeling beside her. The cleric touches her thigh, healing its wound.
“Paralysis,” Solistre forces out of her frozen mouth, and Shadowheart casts its cure without hesitation, hands arching in graceful passes to invoke the spell’s power.
Control over her body restored, Solistre sits up with Shadowheart’s hand on her back, grumbling under her breath, “Ugh. Embarrassing.”
Her scowl is made worse when Karlach ruffles her hair and stands, though Shadowheart’s chuckle and attempt to tame the mess keeps murderous thoughts away.
“Are you quite alright, dear?” Cora has come over, concern plain on her face. Gale steps in smoothly, holding her back with a smile before she can be scared away by the drow’s grumpy disposition.
“She is well, Lady Highberry. We will see her back to the inn and–”
“Oh, nonsense! My house is right here! Come in, and allow me to repay your heroism…”
Beaming, Karlach follows Cora into the house, while Gale shrugs at Solistre in good humour and does the same. Despite the drow’s low growl, Shadowheart helps Solistre to her feet, and keeps an arm around her waist – less to give support, more to relieve her own concern.
“I’m fine.”
“I know. I’m just making sure you won’t hurt anyone in your bad temper.”
“Shut up,” Solistre groans, trying to ignore Shadowheart’s lop-sided smile – and succeeds.
The glint of sunlight from an empty vial on the floor catches her eye. Solistre bends down when they reach it, picking it up for a careful whiff of its once-contents. Sharp, pungent, almost like molten metal. Her nose tingles from the odour, and she lowers the vial, reasonably confident that this was the cause of her paralysis.
“Why are you keeping that?” Shadowheart asks, when she slips the vial into a belt pouch.
“Research,” Solistre says simply.
“You are not ingesting that,” Shadowheart states, voice flat as the stare she levels at Solistre.
“There’s nothing left.”
“I have no doubt that you will recreate it…somehow. At least make sure I’m around when you try to build your immunity.”
Shadowheart’s dry look cracks a sly smile over Solistre’s placid mask. This half-elf knows her all too well, and it makes her drow heart crow in delight.
“We can build immunity together.”
“A sweet offer, but no. Thank you.” Shadowheart squeezes about her waist, half in warning, half in jest. “You can try to kill yourself, by yourself. I will be there to laugh when you do.”
So, when's the AU of the AU in which Shadowheart corrupts Serena into becoming a Sharran?
We've had one AU, yes. But what about second AU?
🤔 you are so absolutely right!!
Presenting: Corruption AU ™️: an AU of Redemption AU™️
In which Shadowheart corrupts Serena into becoming a Sharran (the only way she can achieve this with Serena is by wiping her memory every day. As a result, Serena falls in love with her every day all over again). They are too distracted to accomplish anything meaningful. Shar is so frustrated that she implodes.
6. how do they wear their hair? do they care a lot how their hair looks? (We know how she wears it during but does the style differ pre and post story?)
13. what languages do they speak? how fluently?
28. how do they show that they care about someone? how do they express that they don't like someone?
32. do they have any habits that aren't particularly self-destructive, just maybe odd?
33. if applicable, how would your other characters describe them? i mean specifically the people around them. (Moreso how d'you think the other party members would describe her including Minthara if she was around?)
34. how would your character describe themselves? it doesn't have to line up with how they really are.
ooookay i am a month late cos my brain did a wet fart and refused to talk to me so. anyway. thenk for waiting <3 (and for asking of cos!!)
6. how do they wear their hair? do they care a lot how their hair looks? (We know how she wears it during but does the style differ pre and post story?)
Sol keeps her hair long, like most in drow society. She likes her hair, but doesn’t care too much to have elaborate care rituals, wears it simply. Back in ol’ Menzobenzo, it’s always combed neatly and often tied back, with the occasional ornament.
She was a mess when she escaped to the surface, but after being emo for a couple of years, she was like ‘-big sigh- if I’m gonna be here I might as well try a little’. (we know how she looks in bg3 but i love her so we will look at her AGAIN.)
After they kill the big tentacled brain, I like to imagine Sol shaving either one or both sides of her head. It’s been kind of a hassle with all the blood and dirt and sweat you know? Might as well take off some of the weight. And also accompany Shadowheart on her first haircut in memory. She experiments with shorter lengths in the years after, but I think she’d gravitate back to having long hair in the end.
BONUS NO ONE ASKED FOR: AU Sol who crawls back to Lolth post-game loses her last fuck and wears her hair short to embrace her position as Lolth’s pet, part-revered and part-reviled. If she’s gonna be treated like an oddity apart from society, might as well look like one, and wear it as a ‘fuck you’ to everyone who treats her differently.
13. what languages do they speak? how fluently?
Drow (including sign) and Undercommon, with a native speaker’s fluency. She can understand Duergarn, but cannot speak it well (so prefers not to).
The Eilistraeean temple taught her Elvish and Common to live on the surface, and she’s fluent after speaking it for a decade. She’s adopted a common Elvish accent, but her sharper Drow accent will surface when she’s agitated.
Shadowheart knows to run towards her when she starts [speaking Elvish in Drow].
28. how do they show that they care about someone? how do they express that they don't like someone?
Attention and service. She doesn’t like getting attached to people, but when she does, she’ll watch over you. She won’t quite know how to offer her companionship, but if you ask for it, you will receive it. If you need help, she is ready and willing.
I think the silent killer would be her day-to-day attentiveness though. She has a habit of observing and memorising the habits and routines of those around her. Any little deviation would catch her attention quickly. If you’re in a bad way and she cares, she’ll do something to smooth over your shitty day. e.g. Shadowheart unable to do her daily prayers due to injury. A little jar of balm or an extra potion of healing/sleep will inexplicably appear beside her bedroll.
Oh, it’s easy to see when she doesn’t like someone. That good old drow callousness is unfettered by her surface sensibility. She barely acknowledges you. When she has to talk to you, it’s with disdain. You could be bleeding out in front of her and she’d just be ‘Don’t slow us down.’
32. do they have any habits that aren't particularly self-destructive, just maybe odd?
[Context: I hc that D&D elf ears are expressive. Twitches and some angling are common.]
Sol keeps her ears stiffly angled a bit lower than their natural positions out of habit (unconsciously, sort of like tense shoulders or clenched jaws). She was raised and lived under a great deal of scrutiny, and the constant stress and hyperawareness made her lock her ears in place (like standing at attention).
Fun tidbit: Shadowheart’s the first person to notice Sol’s ears twitching briefly when she’s surprised or Feeling Things. Cos it’s part of her Sharran training to watch people and notice their habits. She is only practising her techniques by watching Sol so closely. Yeah.
33. if applicable, how would your other characters describe them? i mean specifically the people around them. (Moreso how d'you think the other party members would describe her including Minthara if she was around?)
Shadowheart: Broody, grouchy, homicidal. A real charmer. In all seriousness - she is decisive, her blades vicious and quick. Though quiet and reticent, she is a steadfast ally, absent of guile. I’m glad to have her watching my back. And I couldn’t ask for a more patient, considerate lover.
Wyll: An elegant and delightful dance partner! Let everyone else sing praises for her skill with the blade. What matters most to me is the woman behind the fighter - and does this woman have a loyal heart, and a beautiful smile.
Gale: Her cold exterior guards a warm heart. She is slow to trust, but quick to the aid of those who have earned it. A worthwhile ally to have, and a cherished friend besides. Now, if she were more diligent in her study of magic… -Sol flashing a knife in the distance- No, nevermind.
Karlach: A softie is what she is. Yeah, she likes to grumble and growl and wave those daggers around, but when she likes you, she likes you. She saved my teddy bear once. That’s all you need to know.
Lae’zel: A worthy warrior, and a sharp strategist. She would make a good commander if she did not cling to the shadows, like a rat scurrying in the dark. But she serves well with blade and wits, and has proven fit to survive.
Astarion: Ugh, a grumpy little downer. She complains about the sun constantly as if it isn’t a privilege to walk under it. Still, she is useful to have in our motley group of weirdos. I wouldn’t want to turn my back on her though…just in case.
Jaheira: Ah, the cub who growls and hisses and scratches at you, then nuzzles her head into your hand when you don’t flinch. Pay no heed when she puffs her chest, but watch her defend those around her. That is a guardian to any who enters her brood.
Minsc: She is smart and slippery, and charges into battle with such boldness that almost rivals Minsc’s! Boo warns of carelessness, but Minsc is ready to catch her before she injures herself in the excitement of glorious battle!
Halsin: A subtle leader. She is discreet at first glance, but observe the group for a time, and you will see its members looking to her for direction. It speaks much of one to be quiet, yet possess a voice that others heed willingly.
Minthara: She is skilled and sharp of mind. But her gifts are wasted as an aimless blade for hire on the surface. She could accomplish much in her life if she applied herself - and heeded the words of those her wiser. She would do well to follow me back to Menzoberranzan and free our city from Lolth’s tyranny-
-cue Sol screeching and jumping on her and trying to rip her eyes out-
34. how would your character describe themselves? it doesn't have to line up with how they really are.
“I am drow and an excellent assassin. Now fuck off.”
She has never liked to talk about herself, and quite literally has nothing to talk about after coming to the surface, because she doesn’t want to dig up old pains. So that’s all you’re gonna get, buddy!!!
But to dig a little deeper, she only describes herself by her profession because that’s what her identity was built around in Menzo. She was taught that utility is the most important thing about her. What she can do, not who she is.
Hello again. Another song suggestion but something quite different from my previous ones which is Keep Slipping Away by A Place To Bury Strangers.
To me it fits with the Dark Justiciar path/AU and that idea of 'what if Serena and Shadowheart couldn't make it work'. Serena watching Shadowheart pull away and the futility of her attempts to stop it while Sharran zealotry takes her place in Shadowheart's heart and mind along with the regret that fosters following the end of their adventures.
Welcome back! 😃 also- THIS HURT!!!!! 🥲
Firstly- I love the song!! I didn’t expect it to be upbeat/fast paced as it was (the scenario you laid out had me anticipating a slow sorrowful ballad I think 😅- but this was a pleasant surprise!!)
Onto the lyrics!!! Because wow, in the context you gave, they hurt so good 🥹💕
“I’ll never say it but I always want you to know,
as each day goes by my love continues to grow.
You have my heart, you have my soul”
This is the most Serena sentiment in existence, but “I hold on tight and try to convince you to stay” kills me 😭
I can see the splintering of their relationship so perfectly. Serena seeing the changes in her, clinging to the last vestiges of the woman she loved, because she’s gone now.
“You don’t remember me.”
That’s the line that really stings. Imagine Shar decides Shadowheart’s lingering memories of Serena are a hindrance to her performance? So she wipes her away?
Imagine the fucking heartbreak Serena endures when she finally runs into her beloved Shadowheart again and she doesn’t even recognize her???? 🥺 yknow….i think the most romantic (or pathetic- your choice) thing about her is that she’d still fucking try if she knew Shadowheart wanted to change- even the tiniest part of her. Even if Shadowheart wants nothing to do with her, personally. She just….wants good things for her, always.
Thank you for sharing this, I really liked the song!!! 😁 added to the nls playlist!!! (Kinda also like it for consonance even tho it’s angsty lol)
Song/s recommendation time. Dear October and All Your Light by Phantom Youth. They match well with Tav/Shads, moreso with Consonance I think, being a modern setting.
Keep up the great writing.
Oooh exciting!!! 😁 let me have a listen, thoughts after the cut:
Dear October: awww 🥹💕
“No bad days with you around” if that doesn’t sum them up perfectly, idk what does!
Agreed, feeling the modern setting more for this one! But I really like this genre too, alt/indie (I think?) is so relaxed and I could see it as something they play around the apartment just hanging out 🥰 it’s mellow but upbeat, really fits them!
All Your Light:
Again, similar on the vibes but this one does feel maybe a little heavier lyrically?
Particularly this bit
“But I feel you turn away,
holding back what stings.
Have to face the crux of it
Before it’s too late”
That’s very Jen coded, to me. Maybe moreso Serena now she’s the one with a little more baggage in the next addition to the series, but yeah. Lots of dodging their feelings 😅
Cool additions to the Consonance playlist, I can’t wait to write to them!😄 thank you so much for sharing, I love love love hearing new music, especially music I can daydream about these two to 💕
