Thoughts on Gale from Baldurs' Gate 3
Mar. 17th, 2024 10:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
senmut asked for general thoughts on Gale: motivations, character quirks, interesting bits, flaws? Any of that.Spoilers for the whole game.
( Read more... )
senmut asked for general thoughts on Gale: motivations, character quirks, interesting bits, flaws? Any of that.Spoilers for the whole game.
( Read more... )
Baldur's Gate 3: Return of the Tav
Dec. 6th, 2023 11:55 pmMasterpost
Since there's a new epilogue, I decided to fire up a near-end-game save for my first PC, Tav, finish up a few quests that turned out to be more important than I realised (and also took longer than I expected), and then see the new ending!
Which was great!! Just a nice epilogue giving the chance to find out how everyone's doing and give a bunch of them hugs. There were LOTS of visual bugs but it only just came out and the bugs didn't undercut my enjoyment too much.
( Read more... )
Since there's a new epilogue, I decided to fire up a near-end-game save for my first PC, Tav, finish up a few quests that turned out to be more important than I realised (and also took longer than I expected), and then see the new ending!
Which was great!! Just a nice epilogue giving the chance to find out how everyone's doing and give a bunch of them hugs. There were LOTS of visual bugs but it only just came out and the bugs didn't undercut my enjoyment too much.
( Read more... )
Baldur's Gate 3 Art and Icon
Dec. 3rd, 2023 10:39 pmI drew a spoilery Tav/Shadowheart/Halsin picture and took a little unspoilery bit of it to make an icon of the friendly little brain creature Us using its tentacles to play with the cat Grub.
I really liked the idea of having a bg3 icon with a non-binary character in it, but didn't want to use any of my PCs since that felt too specific. But Us is universal :D
I really liked the idea of having a bg3 icon with a non-binary character in it, but didn't want to use any of my PCs since that felt too specific. But Us is universal :D
BG3: Stav starts Act 3
Dec. 3rd, 2023 02:43 pmBG3: Stav starts Act 3
Masterpost
I was a bit ambivalent going into Act 3 since the promised epilogue wasn't out yet, so I initially just focussed on Astarion's romance. But then the epilogue did come out, yay, even if there's a lot of gameplay between me and there left to go.
Spoilers for Act 3.
( Read more... )
Masterpost
I was a bit ambivalent going into Act 3 since the promised epilogue wasn't out yet, so I initially just focussed on Astarion's romance. But then the epilogue did come out, yay, even if there's a lot of gameplay between me and there left to go.
Spoilers for Act 3.
( Read more... )
I wrote a fic!!
Dec. 2nd, 2023 09:03 amA Different Roll Of The Dice (19177 words) by sqbr
Chapters: 3/3
Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Astarion/Tav
Characters: Astarion, Tav
Additional Tags: Gnome Tav, Gender Non-Conforming Tav, Fantasy Racism, Slavery, canon typical references to slavery, canon typical references to sexual trauma, the slavery isn't a core plot point this is just for people who want to filter it out, Getting Together, Fluff and Angst
Summary:
I haven't written anything complete in ages. Turns out the trick was to completely ignore what anyone else might want and just follow my heart. Which has predictably resulted in only a moderate smattering of feedback, non-binary gnome romance being a niche genre even when it involves Fandom Fave Astarion, but I'm still very happy.
Chapters: 3/3
Fandom: Baldur's Gate 3
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Astarion/Tav
Characters: Astarion, Tav
Additional Tags: Gnome Tav, Gender Non-Conforming Tav, Fantasy Racism, Slavery, canon typical references to slavery, canon typical references to sexual trauma, the slavery isn't a core plot point this is just for people who want to filter it out, Getting Together, Fluff and Angst
Summary:
Whatever Astarion might think of gnomes, he wasn't going to insult one to their face when it might get him into trouble.
Not on purpose, anyway.
I haven't written anything complete in ages. Turns out the trick was to completely ignore what anyone else might want and just follow my heart. Which has predictably resulted in only a moderate smattering of feedback, non-binary gnome romance being a niche genre even when it involves Fandom Fave Astarion, but I'm still very happy.
BG3: The Dark Urge Makes Decisions
Oct. 29th, 2023 11:02 pmMasterpost
I'd heard a lot of people making dark jokes about Dark Urge playthroughs, but I hadn't realised how deliberately funny it is.
A lot of the game's basic dialogue choices divide into "be nice" vs "be rude", plus maybe "Attack". Meanwhile the specific Dark Urge lines are just... wildly inappropriate and weird, either talking about bizarre violence or actively trying not to.
So my choices when a nice old lady offered me soup are now, like:
And the usual "do something heroic, everyone praises you" moments are often undercut by a part of Xem writhing in disgust or bloodlust. It really adds a little something!
Content note: Suicide
( Spoilers for Act 1 )
I'd heard a lot of people making dark jokes about Dark Urge playthroughs, but I hadn't realised how deliberately funny it is.
A lot of the game's basic dialogue choices divide into "be nice" vs "be rude", plus maybe "Attack". Meanwhile the specific Dark Urge lines are just... wildly inappropriate and weird, either talking about bizarre violence or actively trying not to.
So my choices when a nice old lady offered me soup are now, like:
- [GITHYANKI] This slop is beneath me.
- [GITHYANKI] This is a delicacy of your land? I'll try anything once.
- Stop thinking about delicious dwarf and take the bowl.
And the usual "do something heroic, everyone praises you" moments are often undercut by a part of Xem writhing in disgust or bloodlust. It really adds a little something!
Content note: Suicide
( Spoilers for Act 1 )
BG3: Stav in the Shadowlands
Oct. 16th, 2023 09:37 pmMasterpost
On to Act 2!
First, the second most important change since the game's release: Stav is now LEGALLY and OFFICIALLY called Stav, hooray. It's not like anyone actually says their name out loud, but it's nice seeing it in the action sidebar etc.
(The first most important change was fixing the bug where the hairless cat His Majesty temporarily got fur. The indignity!!)
( spoilers for Act 2 )
On to Act 2!
First, the second most important change since the game's release: Stav is now LEGALLY and OFFICIALLY called Stav, hooray. It's not like anyone actually says their name out loud, but it's nice seeing it in the action sidebar etc.
(The first most important change was fixing the bug where the hairless cat His Majesty temporarily got fur. The indignity!!)
( spoilers for Act 2 )
Masterpost
Kinda stalled near the end of act 2 with Stav, since I was hoping (somewhat optimistically) that a beefed up ending for the Astarion romance would come out before I got there. Pia described the ending he got and it sounds unpleasantly abrupt.
So naturally I made a new character!
And then they weren't working for me so I made a NEW new character.
No significant spoilers past the first ten minutes or so, just some rambling and pics.
( Read more... )
Kinda stalled near the end of act 2 with Stav, since I was hoping (somewhat optimistically) that a beefed up ending for the Astarion romance would come out before I got there. Pia described the ending he got and it sounds unpleasantly abrupt.
So naturally I made a new character!
And then they weren't working for me so I made a NEW new character.
No significant spoilers past the first ten minutes or so, just some rambling and pics.
( Read more... )
Masterpost
So I finally did the Githyanki Creche! And, well. Stav still hasn't murdered as many children as Tav, or the average githyanki creche member for that matter, and I think that counts for something.
Some of my thoughts are about how everything ties into the larger plot, but are under an extra inner cut.
As I write this post I'm actually nearing the end of Act 2, but I'll put all that in another post. I'm still having fun playing the game, but being a lot more slow and thorough without that drive to get to the end. Which is overall working really well, there's enough weird little things I missed or different choices I can make to make it not feel too samey.
( spoilers for Act 1, further spoilers under an inner cut )
So I finally did the Githyanki Creche! And, well. Stav still hasn't murdered as many children as Tav, or the average githyanki creche member for that matter, and I think that counts for something.
Some of my thoughts are about how everything ties into the larger plot, but are under an extra inner cut.
As I write this post I'm actually nearing the end of Act 2, but I'll put all that in another post. I'm still having fun playing the game, but being a lot more slow and thorough without that drive to get to the end. Which is overall working really well, there's enough weird little things I missed or different choices I can make to make it not feel too samey.
( spoilers for Act 1, further spoilers under an inner cut )
BG3: A fun trip to the homeland
Sep. 21st, 2023 06:49 pmMasterpost
I guess I should have expected the people who have enslaved a bunch of Dark Gnomes to constantly be fantasy racist to my Dark Gnome character, but it was a Lot!
( spoilers for everything in Act 1 except the Mountain Pass )
I guess I should have expected the people who have enslaved a bunch of Dark Gnomes to constantly be fantasy racist to my Dark Gnome character, but it was a Lot!
( spoilers for everything in Act 1 except the Mountain Pass )
Baldur's Gate 3 2: The Rebalduring
Sep. 10th, 2023 09:54 pmYep, I'm playing it again. Going slower this time, and probably won't have as much to say about it, but having fun! I'm playing a gnome barbarian, which is great, their axe is bigger than their head :D
I'm only in Act 1. I'll try to avoid overtly spoiling later parts of the game in this post, but having finished the game does influence my choices and experience.
Masterpost
( spoilers for Act 1 )
I'm only in Act 1. I'll try to avoid overtly spoiling later parts of the game in this post, but having finished the game does influence my choices and experience.
Masterpost
( spoilers for Act 1 )
Baldur's Gate 3: THE (provisional) FINALE
Sep. 1st, 2023 11:13 pmI finished it!! I'm not sure exactly how long it took me but my save in the middle of the last battle was at 66 hours and there was more fighting and then some cutscenes etc after that. My total playtime is at 90 hours which includes a second character as well as replaying some sections.
I overall liked it well enough, but can see why people have problems with the ending. It is pretty abrupt, and I am looking forward to seeing the fully expanded epilogues once that's done. The ending I got was bittersweet but I didn't finish all the sidequests and just followed my gut instead of Optimising My Outcomes.
Ok I just looked it up and there is a much less bittersweet ending possible, phew!
So! My plan now is to play my new character more slowly, and then when I get the impression the developers are done tweaking the endings, replay the end of the game with Tav making Better Choices and then see the Full Happy Ending. But the story as I experienced it was still pretty good, and this is overall a great game.
I encountered two significant bugs where the plot didn't move forward correctly after a major boss battle. In one case I had to "escape" back to camp then return to the battle area for the game to realise the fight was over. In the second case I had to replay the battle and this time not unlock a plot-relevant lock mid-battle, since that seemed to be what confused the game, and then again return to camp then back to the battleground. Other than that I had a few dialogues fire incorrectly but they didn't undermine my experience too badly. Anyway: Let this be your reminder to save often!
Masterpost
Content note: Child harm, abuse, suicide
( spoilers )
I overall liked it well enough, but can see why people have problems with the ending. It is pretty abrupt, and I am looking forward to seeing the fully expanded epilogues once that's done. The ending I got was bittersweet but I didn't finish all the sidequests and just followed my gut instead of Optimising My Outcomes.
Ok I just looked it up and there is a much less bittersweet ending possible, phew!
So! My plan now is to play my new character more slowly, and then when I get the impression the developers are done tweaking the endings, replay the end of the game with Tav making Better Choices and then see the Full Happy Ending. But the story as I experienced it was still pretty good, and this is overall a great game.
I encountered two significant bugs where the plot didn't move forward correctly after a major boss battle. In one case I had to "escape" back to camp then return to the battle area for the game to realise the fight was over. In the second case I had to replay the battle and this time not unlock a plot-relevant lock mid-battle, since that seemed to be what confused the game, and then again return to camp then back to the battleground. Other than that I had a few dialogues fire incorrectly but they didn't undermine my experience too badly. Anyway: Let this be your reminder to save often!
Masterpost
Content note: Child harm, abuse, suicide
( spoilers )
Baldur's Gate 3: Act 3: Part 3
Aug. 30th, 2023 05:21 pmIn which I ponder the relative narrative merits of bear sex and child murder.
Masterpost
CW: Mentions of abuse and child harm.
( spoilers )
Masterpost
CW: Mentions of abuse and child harm.
( spoilers )
Baldur's Gate 3: Baldur's Gate >:3
Aug. 25th, 2023 09:43 amInto Act 3.
This has been really fun so far! Also, I have a better grasp of what an 'evil' run of the game would look like, and while it's not right for this character, it makes more sense to me than when I was complaining in my last post.
Masterpost
CW: An image of a monster covered in blood.
( spoilers )
This has been really fun so far! Also, I have a better grasp of what an 'evil' run of the game would look like, and while it's not right for this character, it makes more sense to me than when I was complaining in my last post.
Masterpost
CW: An image of a monster covered in blood.
( spoilers )
BG3: To the end of Act 2!
Aug. 22nd, 2023 11:23 amFinally found out the backstory the game assumes you know, which happened in a prequel roleplaying campaign: Shortly before the time the game is set, a city full of tieflings fell into Avernus, in the hells, and then everyone had to escape.
Still enjoying the game, but am finding myself increasingly annoyed by Good vs Evil often being so clear-cut, especially with institutions, species, and gods. I've been spoiled by Dragon Age and even other Dungeons and Dragons stuff like Dimension 20, which have a lot more moral ambiguity around most 'evil' and 'good' creatures.
That said, the story isn't over! And everything else about the game is done pretty well.
Masterpost
Content note: Brief mention of consent issues in Astarion's backstory. I don't go into it but the game has a lot of Big Stupid characters who feel kinda ableist and fat-phobic. Also some of the quests got very gory and creepy, which I personally was bothered by less than all the cultural christianity but YMMV.
( spoilers )
Still enjoying the game, but am finding myself increasingly annoyed by Good vs Evil often being so clear-cut, especially with institutions, species, and gods. I've been spoiled by Dragon Age and even other Dungeons and Dragons stuff like Dimension 20, which have a lot more moral ambiguity around most 'evil' and 'good' creatures.
That said, the story isn't over! And everything else about the game is done pretty well.
Masterpost
Content note: Brief mention of consent issues in Astarion's backstory. I don't go into it but the game has a lot of Big Stupid characters who feel kinda ableist and fat-phobic. Also some of the quests got very gory and creepy, which I personally was bothered by less than all the cultural christianity but YMMV.
( spoilers )
EDIT: It's possible you can just skip this scene and everything continues on fine.
I couldn't find anyone else talking about this so I don't know exactly what triggers the problem. But a specific scene in the Act 1 part of the "Find the Githyanki creche" questline wouldn't work for me whenever I tried doing it in Act 2. It was definitely a bug: the scene would play, but then the game wouldn't update the questline, so the quest couldn't progress, and if I talked to those characters again the scene would happen again.
Afaict, while this quest isn't part of the main plot, it's reasonably important and will have consequences in Act 2. I wasn't super far into Act 2 so I replayed from an Act 1 save and it went fine. I haven't seen what happens next with this plotline in Act 2 so don't know if those parts are bugged.
I only noticed this bug after using a cheat, which could theoretically be the problem. But Act 2 saves from before I used any cheats were still bugged, and Act 1 saves weren't.
A minor Act 1 sidequest I hadn't finished worked fine when I did it in Act 2, but I don't know how many others might be bugged.
Below the cut: No major game spoilers, just enough details to identify the exact scene.
( Read more... )
I couldn't find anyone else talking about this so I don't know exactly what triggers the problem. But a specific scene in the Act 1 part of the "Find the Githyanki creche" questline wouldn't work for me whenever I tried doing it in Act 2. It was definitely a bug: the scene would play, but then the game wouldn't update the questline, so the quest couldn't progress, and if I talked to those characters again the scene would happen again.
Afaict, while this quest isn't part of the main plot, it's reasonably important and will have consequences in Act 2. I wasn't super far into Act 2 so I replayed from an Act 1 save and it went fine. I haven't seen what happens next with this plotline in Act 2 so don't know if those parts are bugged.
I only noticed this bug after using a cheat, which could theoretically be the problem. But Act 2 saves from before I used any cheats were still bugged, and Act 1 saves weren't.
A minor Act 1 sidequest I hadn't finished worked fine when I did it in Act 2, but I don't know how many others might be bugged.
Below the cut: No major game spoilers, just enough details to identify the exact scene.
( Read more... )
BG3: Starting Act 2
Aug. 19th, 2023 09:21 pmPartway through this post I thought to check, and my total playtime is 35.8 hours, while this specific save is at 28.75 hours. I haven't replayed any really large sections of the game, but I guess all the little replayed parts add up. (EDIT: Lol, and then I spent roughly a million years on one fight)
Act 2 is definitely harder than Act 1, in the end I gave up and installed cheats. Specifically, Wemod, which took me a little while to figure out: you start running the game, then press the windows button or whatever to change tasks, turn on Wemod, and then go back to the game. Then you press whatever hotkey activates the cheat you want.
I like "unlimited actions" since it just affects the specific fight I'm in. Though I quickly realised you should only toggle it on for YOUR turn, or the enemies get unlimited actions too, which was Less Helpful.
Masterpost
( spoilers )
Act 2 is definitely harder than Act 1, in the end I gave up and installed cheats. Specifically, Wemod, which took me a little while to figure out: you start running the game, then press the windows button or whatever to change tasks, turn on Wemod, and then go back to the game. Then you press whatever hotkey activates the cheat you want.
I like "unlimited actions" since it just affects the specific fight I'm in. Though I quickly realised you should only toggle it on for YOUR turn, or the enemies get unlimited actions too, which was Less Helpful.
Masterpost
( spoilers )
BG3: The Devil You Know
Aug. 16th, 2023 08:54 pmIn which Tav loses their way but finds some friends.
Spoils up to some level 5 quests.
Masterpost
Content note: Abusive relationship between two minor NPCs.
( Spoilers! )
Spoils up to some level 5 quests.
Masterpost
Content note: Abusive relationship between two minor NPCs.
( Spoilers! )
