as ive been playing bg3 ive been keeping an eye out for good Injury Angst moments, because im a complete sucker for them. and while i think the dror ragzlin fight is a really good candidate for that considering the high drama of roz falling several storeys and being downed, i ran into another really good one yesterday.
in the basement of the reithwin mason's guild. astarion has the moonlantern and he and karlach are in melee with a wraith and some shadows. gale is in the middle of the light, safe. and roz is low health from a previous fight but in good condition, all things considered - they don't tend to take a lot of hits in combat, so i'm usually comfortable leaving them a little on the low end.
roz moved around a bit to get off some sneak attacks with their crossbow and ended up on the edge of the light, just in time for a shadow to burst out of the darkness and instakill them.
can you imagine? astarion noticing absently that he can't hear the familiar, distinct sound of roz's crossbow, but not being able to turn and look over his shoulder. calling expectantly for the backup that they always provide, and not hearing an answer. and then finally, after the last shadow falls, turning and seeing them lying there in the dark, cold and still, blood still seeping from the deep gashes that were clawed into them.
the last time they died it was quiet, almost beautiful. he had been holding them and they had been so warm in his arms and he hadn't cared about them at all, back then. but this time was different. if he needed air, he would surely be gasping for it; if his heart still beat, it would surely be seized in the panic surging through him. gods, there's so much he hasn't said, yet. and they are so painfully mortal, at the end of the day.
