Tav Étoile as a Companion Part 2 of 4
Questions from here.
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Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4.
7. Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game? Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?
I'm calling it:
A Cold-Hearted Pal
Quest Act 1:
Triggered when the player loots a piece of the Mourning Frost staff in the Underdark. Can obviously be missed if you only travel through the Mountain Pass, but Étoile will not leave the party if it's missed.
A. If the player character cures Dhourn Ba'Tol of petrification, Étoile will notice that he has the Icy Helve, and will take it off Dhourn's person.
Étoile: Where did you find this?
Dhourn: Excuse me, faerie—
Étoile, shoving against his collar: Where did you find this?
Narrator: Your companion has pulled a long shaft of metal from the Drow's belongings. Cold radiates from the Helve, crackling upon the air like too-cold-ice left to separate in tepid water. A ring of snowflakes coil around the hand guard.
[Lolth sworn drow women only] Quickly, whelp.
[Intimidation] I think you better tell them.
[Intimidation] I think you better tell them, I won't be so kind.
Étoile, stand down.
Just watch.
Dhourn: I bought it. Spoils from a long ruined House. House Baenre surely sold the pieces of the staff separately to incite — ahem, competition. Even shattered, it was the last piece I needed to confirm the duplicity of House Shobalar. By now, my matron mother shall have used this information to increase the standing of House Ba'Tol. Sadly, as a third-born son none of this glory extends to me, but I still have my research.
What research?
Étoile, are you satisfied?
Spoils from which long ruined House?
[Persuasion] Tell us of House Shobalar's duplicity.
House Shobalar's Duplicity
So House Shobalar was once all but eliminated. They had been responsible for the enchantments of weapons and armor made by House Baenre with the Adamantine Forge, a power thought lost when the forge was claimed in a mighty battle by heretics — worshippers of Shar, who knew of the Adamantine Forge's location because House Shobalar was, without the consent of House Baenre, nor the blessing of Lolth, selling enchantments, even to colnbluth — non-drow.
After losing the forge, House Baenre moved to destroy House Shobalar on Lolth's behalf, but upon arriving, discovered all had already been slain by the youngest daughter, Xullrae'Hael Shobalar, whose ignorance of her family's actions and loyalty to Lolth was rewarded with her life.
Publicly, House Shobalar was removed from the Council of Eight, and dishonored to fifty-second in rank, but Xullrae'Hael, house of one, played drow politics well for one so … disadvantaged. She would have spun in her grave to know it was all for naught, with her great grand-daughter allowing House Shobalar finally being destroyed in the War of the Spider Queen as punishment for women practicing arcane magic, rather than Lolth's divine magic.
Étoile's Perspective
But Étoile knows this staff, the Mourning Frost was depicted in a tome of Auril's treasures in their mother's temple. It was not gifted to her in a moment of divine inspiration as the Revelations of the Icedawn was given to Iyraclea, Chosen of Auril and the Ice Queen of the Great Glacier until 1373 DR. Étoile's mother, Aranea, would sit with her open book in the storms atop their mountain, praying as frost coated the pages over days and hours. Her thin, dry hands would crack so that when she could finally trace the images, messages, and blessings upon the book the pages were also anointed with blood.
Étoile was only permitted to look upon this book on the coldest days of the year, only with supervision, only to recognize the value in frozen waterfalls, weapons, and adventurers.
The Mourning Frost was gifted to a priestess who oversaw the shifting rivers of a frozen temple deep underground. Where molten earth and stale air should have thrived, Sozican, Elderteeth, The Ghost, a white dragon who favored the guise of an albino drow, channelled Auril's power in the heart of an unwelcoming land.
What Research
Dhourn wishes to bring the knowledge of the Forge back to Menzoberranzan. To either recreate the legendary weapons and armor of old with techniques that have the benefit of advances in magic and materials. Or better still, to recreate the forge. If he could build but one for House Baenre or one for each great House that would offer him more than his place as a third son. He would marvel to see such magic wielded in the greatest regimes and assassinations with his name on the lips of every Matron Mother as either a praise or a curse…
Spoils from which long ruined House?
Dhourn would ask, What does it matter?
B. If the player character loots or pick pockets the Icy Crystal from Filro the Forgotten then the next time the player character speaks to Étoile at camp, Étoile will say that it was a pretty thing they procured, and ask to see it. Agreeing will have Étoile confirm that it is a divine chill that eminates from the crystal, and then they will recognize it as a piece of the Mourning Frost.
C. If the player character loots the Icy Metal from Xargrim's body, then Étoile will comment that it has an angelic shape, doesn't it? That they appreciate that cold magic gives everything a frost or a sparkling shine, and then they'll stop, stunned, and will recognize it as a piece of the Mourning Frost
If the Mourning Frost is reforged and Given to Étoile. Reminder that they would default to using it one-handed with a shield, but that it is a versatile weapon, and can be taken away immediately after to be given to a caster if you like, lol.
Étoile: I— Are-are you sure? Heh, I am used to … temptations, like this, if you feel it would better suit another in the party, but … I am honored to hold it. I am not my mother, but I will pray on it, perhaps despite our distance from the frost and the mountains, my god might also hear me, and offer us some manner of aid in these … extenuating circumstances.
You're welcome.
Please keep me out of your prayers.
Isn't Auril the weakest she's ever been? I wouldn't keep my hopes up.
Maybe try to sound more humble if you're entreating your god.
It's just a weapon.
Étoile, to 1: I'm so sorry. Thank you. I appreciate that we took the time to restore the staff.
Étoile, to 2: [Disapproves] Of course, my apologies, I shouldn't have presumed you'd be comfortable with it.
Étoile, to 3: I think it's far more likely that she'll look us over than not have the power to assist. No harm in exhausting another means of dealing with the parasite.
Étoile, to 4: Oh, that's … You're very correct. I will be most supplicant.
Étoile, to 5: [Disapproves] A fine weapon. One I will strive to use ably.
Étoile unlocks a new camp idle animation of sitting cross-legged in meditation. If Mourning Frost is in their inventory, it will be draped across their lap.
Quest Act 2:
In Act 2, there'd be some scratches in the earth in the shadow-cursed lands that you could talk to Étoile about, where they point out that they're not made by twig blights or the other moving trees the party has seen. They were made by a werewolf, keep an eye out.
After discovering Locke's fate in the House of Healing, Komira is still missing. We discover her curled up against a wall from a number of Harpers. She shrieks at the heroes for failing to save them, for failing to save everyone, about all the horrible things those nurses did to Locke. She couldn't even take his body when she had to sneak out the window. And now everyone's gone.
There are other survivors, we can take you to them.
Arabella needs you, she's in our camp.
I don't need to listen to this.
Harper: It doesn't matter. She's been transforming back and forth the past four hours. The shadow-cursed lands are calling to the curse in her blood. She's a danger to everyone, even if she leaves.
Komira: These accursed lands have taken everything. They've already taken my sanity, I just feel so … weak. The grip I have on myself is slipping, there's only the pain, and the rage, and the sorrow, and this horrible, aching …
Queue werewolf transformation. Étoile cursing Malar's mercy, and calling on the party to hold back.
Defend Komira. (Harpers hostile)
Defend the Harpers. (Komira hostile)
Refuse to take a side. (Komira hostile)
If the player character initiates combat against Komira, Étoile greatly disapproves, but if they let her feed on the corpses of the fallen Harpers (Wyll, Gale, Karlach and Lae'zel disapprove), then Étoile's Paladin Oath breaks, and the Oathbreaker Knight arrives. Komira doesn't transform back at this time, runs off.
The next time the party long rests Étoile swings wildly between being confident that defending Komira was the right thing to do and that they've lost everything that made them a paladin, that made them useful to the party, that made their late werewolf mother proud of them, that connected them to their drow mother and their shared god.
After that long rest Étoile can confide more about their mothers. Including that House Ienith was once the thirteenth House in Menzoberranzan until it was crushed under the young heel of Malice Do'Urden; she had only been a Matron Mother for thirty years. While it had simply been a power play, Malice probably would have had an even easier time of it, if she'd known that the second daughter of the House, Aranea, had not been keeping Lolth in her heart, and was instead entertaining whispers from the Mourning Frost. The information Étoile revealed previously about Sozican was true, but not the whole of it, and they didn't want to seem personally motivated in obtaining the staff, but to think that their mother had once been protected by Auril, and now Étoile has let them both down …
But they're still conflicted, Komira deserved to be treated kindly in her affliction, to be allowed to learn or taught to live, not executed.
Conversely, if Komira is killed Étoile is extremely short with the player character. They feel they've betrayed themself.
Killing Komira:
Shadowheart: This place is one tragedy after another, isn't it? But I think it will be for the best, wouldn't want Komira to injure her daughter in a fit of— Well. It's done now.
Astarion: Werewolves are … undisciplined, unmanageable, extraordinary horrors. How Étoile could keep hope that the tiefling could be saved— It was a sign that they needed to be faced with the reality of things. You did right.
Gale: You know … historically speaking, Lord Urtos Phylund II was a very able patriarch of Waterdeep. Notably, a lycanthrope, and so it was decreed none of his children could inherit his lands or titles, but … It's unfortunate that not more cursed souls aren't given the opportunity to learn to manage such a volatile condition.
Lae'zel: While I do not envy her fate, I imagine Komira would rather die as she was than live as a monster. The soldiers will make far more able allies against the growing threat from the towers. Do not allow the others to lose focus.
Wyll: Étoile might mourn Komira, but those Harpers deserved their lives too. How many more would she have hurt if she'd made her way to Last Light? To Baldur's Gate? Hard decisions need not make hard hearts, but there was a right choice.
Karlach: I dunno, soldier. That was hard. That was— Gods only know how hard her life was before the Descent, and then Elturel — can you imagine being a young mother with a family to worry about in Avernus? And then this … This was all there was for her.
Saving Komira:
Shadowheart: Despite their association with the night, and the dark, werewolves have never been creatures of Shar. It is strange to find Komira corrupted in this way. We should be vigilant for whatever turned her.
Astarion: Do you think our little thief's magic will help or complicate the transition of living with a monstrous mother? They'll make quite the pair.
Gale: Those were just people we killed. They were not opposed to our recovery from the parasites. They were not threatening a member of the group. They were people. Frightened of monsters in the dark. What does that make us.
Lae'zel: The wolf has as much control over her power as a t'phret. They are … like wyrmlings filled with poison. When the beasts lick even themselves they cause serious injuries and blinding scars. She is a danger to herself and all around her. The Harpers were right not to turn their backs.
Wyll: Keep Étoile away from me. They know where I stand on this. I … I cannot believe what you've made me party to. Has the shadow-curse affected your senses?
Karlach: That was … supremely unheroic of us. I mean, how often do you hear of heroes who had to put down an old friend for the greater good? That's— That's why Étoile's Paladin Oath broke. This wasn't a good thing we did … But what's worse is … I don't know that I wouldn't do it again.
The next long rest Komira will join camp, will hug her daughter and tell her that she doesn't know that she can stay. Withers weighs in that her transformations will be restricted to the full moon (and, one day, her own will) once she leaves the shadow-cursed lands, which Arabella needs to do anyway to pursue her destiny. Arabella is afraid of and for her mother, full of grief for her friends and father, and uncertainty. Withers still uses his magic, and assures all that they will be safe on their own.
Quest Act 3:
Étoile is very embarrassed to show you where they were living in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. I'm adding an alley to the south of the Basilisk Gate or to the east of the Guildhall Entrance. I'm adding an Adventurer's Guild building. Étoile lives near this building but not in it. Some kind of large building that is mixed use, most people rent a room and both operate out of it and live there, selling clothing or tool or shoe repairs, but not clothing or tools or shoes (etc.) themselves, herbs they've home-grown, healing, prestidigitation, and so on. Étoile's been living there a while and so has the benefit of three rooms on an upper floor, away from flooding and theft.
When Étoile goes to investigate if they've been replaced (yes), they find that most of their things have been sold or given to the new family that has moved in, but they have some things they can retrieve. A neighbour or four, perhaps a member of the Adventurer's Guild, is relieved to see that Étoile isn't dead, having been missing for so long, they suggest having a party sometime over the next few days. It isn't the high society party that everyone wishes was in Wyll's or Astarion's quest, it's lower class, in the residential street, but find some nice 'camp' clothes because there'll be drinking and dance, music and gambling — maybe an optional party game, like Charades or Yes And No (that the tadpole squad can cheat at if you like, Étoile disapproves).
Neighbour: I thought you were dead. We should celebrate.
Étoile: We don't have to do that, there's so much terror with the Absolute and —
Neighbour: Precisely. Let's have a few hours to be merry, the 'we may all die tomorrow' kind of merry.
Étoile is right, it's inappropriate.
That sounds wonderful.
Let us get back to you.
In the meantime, because you'll probably want to prepare, the next time at camp, Étoile can be comforted, with the player character having the option to be upset on their behalf over the loss of their home and their things; that was their whole life in there. And Étoile can be gracious about it, tapping their chest, indicating that they have their life; a romantic tilt on this for romanced Étoile (but they still wouldn't call their romantic partner their whole life).
When it comes time to dancing, the player character can choose to dance with Étoile or allow Étoile to choose their partner. If the player character is Étoile's only partner, they will dance with them, and if they are in a polyamorous relationship then Étoile will choose a companion over the player character for this dance. Otherwise Étoile will dance with a random party member.
Afterwards, Étoile will be approached by a pale drow for a dance. They accept.
Étoile: Do I know you?
Sozican: Not in this life. Not for ages. Ienith. I thought you'd be a drow, I— You have no memory of me?
Étoile: (amused) Not in this life. (thoughtful) But …
Sozican: There's much in your soul that's gone unchanged. Your heart. Your faith. The way people love you. ... What drew you to my staff?
Étoile: Your staff?
Sozican: How I mourned you once … this is not the reunion I envisioned. You were not easy to find. Obscured by time, by blood, by Lolth, by Shar. You, a high elf babe with no connection to the chilling dark ... but you found your way to Auril regardless, and to me.
Sozican stops moving, the ground frosts from beneath her outward in all directions slowly, and then all at once in a burst of white-blue light. The music stops and the celebration is frozen. The party finds themselves able to move.
Sozican: The others will thaw, but the hour grows late. (She offers her hand) I would have no other. Come, slay me that i might reincarnate, and someday, in another life, we need no longer be strangers.
Étoile: We need not be strangers in this one.
Sozican: No … Do not ask this of me. Simply take Auril's favor, through force and victory as a champion should, and help me move on, please.
They do not require Auril's favor.
They no longer want Auril's favor. [Étoile disapproves]
They will not fight alone. [Étoile approves]
Auril would have an Oathbreaker? (conditional)
[Persuasion] You don't have to do this.
Sozican, if 1: Then I will fight you all the same.
Étoile, if 2: Do not speak for me.
Étoile, if 3: I would. I would spare you this hardship.
Sozican, if 3: (laughter) Gentle Soul, you will need your allies.
Sozican, if 4: The Orders of mortals are not the tenets of the gods. They have broken no vows to Auril. The frost still welcomes them. Come, and you will see just how much.
If you selected 3 or 4, Étoile begins the fight with the buff Auril's Faithful and is immune to being Frightened or knocked Prone for 4 turns.
Étoile, if 5, Persuasion failed: No, but I'm going to. With or without you.
As if you'd stand a chance without me.
With me, obviously.
Good luck.
It's your funeral.
1 or 2 lead to the fight. 3 or 4 sees Étoile teleported away with Sozican, and they permanently leave the party; whether deceased or otherwise is left up to speculation.
Étoile, if 5, Persuasion succeeded: (gets down on their knees) Sozican, Elderteeth, I cannot risk my life for you while my allies need me.
Sozican, if 5: So much respect for these new lives ... and none for me. (kneels, holds Étoile's shoulder) Perhaps in the next life, Gentle Soul.
Étoile slowly frosts over and turns to ice. Étoile is permanently removed from the party. The party takes 3d6 cold damage as Sozican teleports away.
Sozican teleports the party to a scene of white. A quick look around might make it look like there is a black sky high above, but a longer look around reveals that it is a bowl of onyx, her frost white temple deep in the Underdark, three moving rivers of ice acting as a boundary to the combat map / her lair.
Sozican fights the party with the stats of an Adult White Dragon.
After the fight the player character can still convince Étoile to spare Sozican. Doing so changes Étoile's personality to be more distant and distracted, their smiles are strained and their approval is forever skewed to favor merciful outcomes, even at the cost of their faith. Additionally, Sozican can be summoned in the final battle. If the player character allows Étoile to sacrifice Sozican, Étoile is briefly conflicted but quickly back to themself and expresses their relief that whatever of the past, that they, in this life, feel like releasing Sozican from her grief was the correct choice. They wouldn't wish to suffer that sort of loneliness.
Completing the fight upgrades the Mourning Frost to instead be the Dead of Winter. In addition to the Mourning Frost's previous abilities it is now a +2 weapon and allows wielder to cast Auril's Flowers once per Long Rest.
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