#and also why i don't particularly like the 'send him to avernus with karlach' ending

[mintharan]

one thing i love so so much about wyll is that he's an atheist, not in the sense that he doesn't believe in them, they are materially real in the DnD setting, but that he doesn't think they're worthy of worship "the only thing the gods have ever given me is a cold shoulder" it's so evocative, so poignant, it says so much about him as a character. and really, to me, encapsulates the essence of his character: there is no divine intervention, there are no miracles, there are only people, and for them he's willing to sacrifice more than any god ever would

#wyll #wyll ravengard #this is also why he's so attached to heroes like balduran and ansur regular people who achieved extraordinary things #and this is why i think his quest misses the mark of making him see the flaws in his heroes but not letting him come #to the obvious realization: no one can do it alone #there's no single hero who saves the day #you need a crowd you need the masses #the game itself reinforces this by having groups of allies to support the last stand #so to me wyll's character journey should be all about him realizing that real change can only be enacted by the people #but now we're probably getting too marxist for larian #but anyway to me that's the logical conclusion of wyll's character arc #and also why i don't particularly like the 'send him to avernus with karlach' ending #it robs him of agency and relegates him to a vigilante role that i'm a little uncomfortable with #i much prefer the duke and ranger endings

[blackjackkent]

Ohhh... maybe I trusted you (for the ask game) with karlach and gortash? Im feeling particularly evil 😁 but anyone is fine ofc <3

also rampage if you're wanting two?

(Send me a number and I’ll write a micro story using the word or phrase)

(Ooooh, I do like the evil. >:) This actually fit well as a proof of concept for a longer fic I'm planning about young Karlach's first days in hell, so this got a little longer than intended. XD )

-----

Karlach wakes slowly, conscious of the taste of iron in her mouth and a throbbing pain in the back of her head. Then heat - the air is thick with humidity, almost boiling against her skin. 

She sits up and looks around unsteadily. She's been stretched on a stone bench in a small stone room, maybe six feet on a side. There are no windows, but one wall is lined with iron bars looking out on a nondescript hallway. 

Where am I? What happened? 

The last thing she remembers is following Gortash down a dark alley. He had a business associate he wanted to introduce her to, he said. Someone important to his plans to rise in the city… 

“Boss?” she calls. Her voice is a hoase croak. “Boss, are you there? The fuck is going on?” 

There's a heavy clang as a door at the far end of the hallway slams open. Gortash enters. 

“Oh, thank fuck. Boss, I don't know what's going on, but you've gotta get me out of here. Where are we? I don't--”

“Here she is, my lady,” Gortash says to someone behind him, as if Karlach hasn't spoken at all. “In pristine condition, as promised - minus the blow to the head. And I look forward to the commencement of a long and fruitful partnership in return.”

Karlach's blood runs cold as Gortash's companion draws into view. It's a terrifying figure - at least a foot taller than Karlach herself, a pale woman with glowing eyes, leathery wings, and a scorching halo circling her head. This woman surveys Karlach with the vague interest of a farmer pondering a stock animal. 

“A promising candidate, certainly. But you will receive your payment when the operation is completed, Gortash,” she says. Her voice is high and cold. It feels like a knife. “Not before.”

Operation? Karlach's eyes widen with fear. “Boss, what is going on? Why am I here?” 

Finally, Gortash deigns to look at her, and his icy smirk is almost more terrifying than his strange companion. She has never seen him look so cold. “Meet your new master, Karlach. Zariel - archdevil of Avernus. I trust you will behave yourself; I wouldn't have you reflecting poorly on me after all we've been through together.”

“New-- what the fuck?” Karlach bristles. “I didn't sign up for this.”

“Of course not,” Gortash says, clipped and brusque. “I'm acting quite unilaterally. Your plans no longer matter at all.”

Karlach's heart starts to pound with real fear now as the true nature of the situation begins to sink in. “You son of a bitch!” she snaps, a roar of anger she would never have imagined directing at him before. “You're selling me out? I trusted you!” 

His eyes narrow, and then he laughs, a short, sharp, mocking bark. “Oh, young Karlach. I know you did. And that was your first mistake…”

#ask meme #BG3 drabble #BG3 #BG3 Fic #Karlach #BG3 Karlach #Karlach BG3 #enver Gortash #zariel #Karlach cliffgate #hex-rex #ty for the prompt! :D I def got a little over enthusiastic on this one XD