AN: I've been playing Baldur's Gate 3 since its official launch, and damn, am I having a ton of fun even on my third playthrough. I especially love its characters, particularly my companions. But there is one companion whom I feel doesn't get much love, and that is Minthara. It's a shame that the path to recruiting her requires the player to take an evil path (unless you use mods), and this causes people to overlook her development. Minthara is an interesting character in that while she's evil (probably the evilest companion), the game gives her a lot of moments to humanise her.
This is why I decided to write this story, based on Rukongai's Daughter of Lolth mod, where Minthara can still be recruitable even if you side with the Tieflings. In my initial draft, I wanted to use my Tiefling Durge player due to the chemistry that Minthara has with the Durge in Act 3. But I decided that it would be more interesting if I used a Seldarine drow instead due to their differing backgrounds.
Tathryn in the Drow tongue means "midnight elder". While the "elder" meaning is ironic considering that my Tav is pretty young by drow standards, it does reflect a sort of pragmatism and wisdom that he possesses. "Midnight", meanwhile, reflects his ties to The Dark Dancer Eilistraee.
It was already dusk when Tathryn's party finally arrived at the outskirts of Baldur's Gate, so they set up camp at an old outpost on a nearby hill. Though it may have long since been left to the mercy of time and the elements, the structure nevertheless remained in somewhat good condition. Good enough to provide them shelter for the night, at least.
While everyone else rested in their tents, doing their own thing, Tathryn decided to scale one of the towers still standing and get a view of their final destination.
During his travels across Faerun, Tathryn had heard many things about Baldur's Gate, most of them positive. And he had to admit that the legendary port city looked pretty impressive, even from afar.
Set up along the northern bank of the River Chionthar in the shape of a crescent moon, Baldur's Gate was a grand city that stretched for miles. Lights dotted the landscape like fireflies in the night sky, showing that the city had quite the active nightlife. Dozens of ships, meanwhile, were lined up along the riverbank, with many more still travelling to and from the Gray Harbour.
Surrounding the city was a massive wall made of stone, though Tathryn also noticed that there was also a smaller wall connected to it. This smaller wall separated a section of the city situated on the hill from the rest. From what Tathryn had learned, that area must be the Upper City, the oldest and wealthiest section of Baldur's Gate.
Even as he admired the view, his ears picked up the sound of the floorboards creaking behind him. Glancing back, he saw Minthara approaching him. She had already changed into her usual nightwear – a plunging V-neck corset that left little to the imagination and a pair of form-fitting leather pants. Tathryn resisted the temptation to smile at the alluring sight before him.
His feelings towards Minthara have been rather…complicated as of late. There were times when he found himself staring at her while she wasn't looking; other times his thoughts would be end up drifting to her for no apparent reason. It both confused and irritated Tathryn to no end.
Though she had been part of their motley crew for nearly a month now, Tathryn felt like he was only scratching the surface of Minthara's character. She remained as guarded as she had been on the day they first met, often keeping to herself unless there was a matter that mandated her immediate attention. And yet, from each brief conversation they shared together at the campfire, Tathryn began seeing a different side to this aloof and dangerous woman. Minthara was a woman moulded by the harsh life of Menzoberranzan, yet her upbringing had bestowed her with a certain brand of wisdom.
While some of their companions, like Wyll and Shadowheart, were put off by Minthara's blunt opinion of them, Tathryn knew that she was simply being honest rather than malicious. For every criticism she levied against them, she would give them praise. She was a capable warrior like Lae'zel and Karlach, but had far more experience
But Tathryn's curiosity was far from sated. He had the feeling that there was another side to Minthara that she was deliberately hiding from him, something that he caught a glimpse of back when the goblins attacked the Emerald Grove.
It had been a grueling battle that day – he fought through hordes of goblins, bugbears, giant spiders, and even an ogre. Even with the traps Zevlor's forces had prepared beforehand, several managed to scale the battlements and fought as furiously as the defenders, fuelled by whatever divine promise the Absolute made.
Yet they all paled in comparison to their commander. Minthara proved herself a formidable opponent, her ferocity coming close to breaking his guard a few times. At one point she managed to land a blow to his shoulder plate, leaving behind a prominent dent. Had it been his head, he would have been killed right there and then.
But the fury that gave her strength was also her weakness, and she began to tire, her moves slowing down with each successive swing of her mace. And when she finally left herself wide open as she lunged forward, Tathryn seized his chance. With a twirl of his rapier, he twisted the mace out of her grip before knocking her off the battlements with a well-placed kick to her chest.
That had been the last he saw of Minthara for the remainder of the battle, and he thought her dead.
But once the battle was over, as the tieflings began mopping up the last of the goblins still on the wall, Tathryn went out in search for any stragglers. That was when he noticed, amidst the corpses and smoke, the prone form of Minthara. She was clutching her right side delicately, one foot twisted in an awkward angle.
Once she finally saw him approach her, she tried to push herself up with all her strength. It was all in vain, of course, and she ended up falling flat on her back. Tathryn had already drawn his blade. It would have been easy to finish her off; a blade through the heart ought to do it.
But as he approached her, their minds had suddenly melded together, as it always did with Tathryn's companions before. Minthara's thoughts now laid bare before Tathryn, and he discovered something unexpected – fear. Not of her would-be executioner standing before her, but at something else.
Channelling his own tadpole's powers, Tathryn probed deeper into Minthara's mind. The fallen goblin commander flinched as he peeled the layers of her psyche, revealing the scars of the life she led in Menzoberranzan. Images of countless dead flashed through his mind. It was not just enemies, but family members, friends, and lovers as well…all of them taken too soon.
Their minds then pulled apart, snapping Tathryn back to reality. He saw Minthara staring back at him in confusion, having managed to force herself into a sitting position.
"What is going on?" She asked hoarsely, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Why can't I hear Her voice?"
Tathryn could feel the artefact emitting a familiar hum from his sachet. It seems that the artefact was cutting off Minthara's connection to this so-called Absolute. Still, he couldn't afford to let his guard down in front of her. He knew how dangerous and treacherous his kind can be, even those who have forsaken the Queen of Spiders.
But looking at Minthara's eyes, Tathryn saw pain and confusion, the sense of realisation that the god she devoted her life was not there to comfort her in her final moments. In death, she was just as alone as she was in life. And for that, Tathryn could not help but pity her.
So against his better judgment, Tathryn knelt down and reached out for Minthara's injured foot, his palm radiating a serene, green glow.
"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Healing your wounds, of course. Otherwise, how are you able to escape?" He replied as if the answer was obvious.
"But why? It would be better to just kill me right here and now."
"Your raid has been thwarted and your army defeated, which no longer makes you a threat."
A snort escaped Minthara's lips. "How unbearably naïve. What makes you think I won't muster more of my goblins and attack the grove again?"
"Because your remaining forces back at camp are all dead. I already saw to it while you and your forces were marching for the grove."
Minthara's eyes widened in shock, but there was also a hint of wary admiration as well. "A strategy of divide and conquer? Heh... It seems you are not as soft as I thought you were."
A chuckle escaped Tathryn's lips. "I may have sworn my oaths to Eilistraee and her church, but that doesn't mean that I'm so benevolent. There," He said as he released Minthara's foot, "that ought to do it, though I would recommend that you check on it every now and then."
They both slowly got back on their feet, Minthara wincing slightly as she did. Just then, the sound of triumphant cheers could be heard in the distance. It seems that the others have just finished dealing with the last of the goblins. His absence will eventually be noted, which meant that he did not have much time.
"Before you leave, what can you tell me about this Cult of the Absolute?" He asked.
Minthara narrowed her eyes. "If you expect me to talk, you will be sorely disappointed. My allegiance is to the Absolute."
It seems that the artefact has not yet fully liberated her from this false god's control. Disappointing.
"But that does not mean that I am ungrateful," Minthara continued. "You will find your answers at Moonrise Towers, the heart of the Absolute's power, but the land surrounding it is cursed. Travelling there will sap your strength and your sanity, but I have the means to aid you. A wretched creature in my service can guide you through the curse."
From her satchel, she took out a beautiful lyre with silver and emerald engravings. Tathryn noticed that the engravings along the centre were of a spider, weaving between its fangs a blood-red thread. "This harp will summon him. Play it when you are in the shadows, and he will come to you knowing that you are a friend. His minions will wait for you at the mountain pass, on the threshold of the shadow curse. I warn you – he is quite mad, but he knows the path to Moonrise Towers better than anyone."
No sooner had Tathryn gingerly accepted the lyre that Minthara turned to leave, ready to make herself scarce. "Now I owe you nothing. Should we ever cross paths again, I will not be so merciful. And neither should you."
"Where will you go now?" He asked.
"Moonrise Towers, of course. I have other means of traversing the cursed lands. There, I shall appeal to my superiors for better troops. It's clear that the goblins were ill-suited to serve our cause."
Tathryn shook his head in disappointment. "So that's it? Even after your so-called god has forsaken you, you're still going back and hope for forgiveness?"
Minthara looked back at him, an unreadable expression on her face. "The Absolute must have abandoned me because I failed Her. But perhaps your act of mercy is Her divine intervention – a second chance for me to redeem myself."
And with that, she fled into the forest. Tathryn made no attempt to pursue her, hoping to himself that they could meet again under better circumstances.
But from that encounter, Tathryn had gotten a glimpse of a more vulnerable side to this ruthless yet fascinating woman, one that he hoped to eventually reach out to.
Though he had his tadpole powers, Tathryn opted not to use them to pry the information from Minthara's mind. This was something that Minthara has to reveal on her own volition. Tathryn was a patient man. He could afford to wait.
As Minthara came closer, Tathryn could feel her mind connect with his, tentative and curious. But then it retreated as quickly as it came, soft as a whisper.
A flash of guilt flickered in her eyes as she averted her gaze. "Sorry. Old habits."
"What are you apologising for?" He asked as he stood up, though he had already figured out what Minthara was talking about.
"I didn't ask for your permission," she explained. "When we first met, I intruded on your thoughts without hesitation, and took what I needed from your memories. I vowed to myself to never do that again unless I have reason to think you were hiding something from me, and right now, I do not."
"So why the change of heart?"
"I never thought we would ever share anything more than an uneasy alliance, born of our mutual enmity for the Absolute. But I was wrong. I felt a deeper bond grow between us during our short time together. I have come to trust you."
Trust, huh… Tathryn should be glad that Minthara was placing her faith in him. But he felt a pang of disappointment inside of him instead, as if he expected something more.
"Until my time in the cult of the Absolute," Minthara continued, "I had spent little time on the surface, except to raid and pillage. And when the Absolute cast me out, I thought I would be alone spending my days among surface-dwellers who knew nothing of my culture. But I did not expect to meet another outcast from the Underdark who understood me. I did not expect you."
Tathryn could not help but be surprised. He was from a family of low-ranking nobles who have long since been cast out from the Underdark for denouncing Lolth; she was a member of House Baenre – the pinnacle of Menzoberranzan high society. She was sworn to serve the Spider Queen, while he swore his oaths to Eilistraee and her church. By all means, they could not be any more different. And yet, here they are.
"Well, you're rather special yourself." The words had slipped out from his mouth before he could catch himself, and Tathryn felt heat pool around his cheeks.
Minthara's lips curled into a coy smirk upon hearing that. "I have been told that I am special since my mother first held me in her arms. Before the Absolute, I lived a life of certainties. I knew that I was destined for greatness because I was born into it."
"I wouldn't be surprised if your inheritance came with a great deal of expectations."
"Indeed. The bonds of fellowship and family can be broken by envy and ambition. I could not enjoy the taste of food without fear of poisoning, and I could not enjoy the company of lovers and friends because I feared they hid knives behind their smiles."
Tathryn shook his head. "Sounds more like a burden than a privilege, if you ask me."
"Heh, if you stayed in Menzoberranzan for half as long as I did, you will understand that that is life. I survived my first assassination attempt while I still suckled at my mother's breast. I tasted her blood that day; she covered my body with her own, and the blade bit deep into her chest, almost puncturing her heart. When I came of age, she tried to take my life herself, and I gave her fresh scars to match those she earned to protect me."
Tathryn grimaced. How typical of Lolth to nurture such a cutthroat mentality among her people, that a mother would be perfectly willing to take her own child's life. "I know that parents can practice tough love, but never to such an extreme…" he muttered.
Minthara gave a nonchalant shrug. "My House trained me to be a soldier in Lolth's service, and my mother showed me how to survive the perils of society. She told me to be resilient, and to guard my heart from those who cannot be trusted. Still, I was happy in spite of the danger. I knew myself, and I understood the world around me." Her expression soon turned wistful, her eyes misting up at their corners. "But without Lolth, without the Absolute, without my home… I'm not so sure now."
To be rejected by the gods she worshipped, to be labelled as a traitor by her people and even her own mother… it must be eating her up inside. Tathryn remembered when Lae'zel was betrayed by Vlaakith despite devoting her life to the Lich Queen. He remembered when Shadowheart discovered the life she spent worshipping Shar had been a lie. Both of them were nearly broken by their experiences, yet Minthara was able to keep it together for as long as she did; it was one of those traits that Tathryn admired her for.
Minthara rubbed at her eyes before continuing. "But during our time together, I felt like you were the only one who understands me, perhaps even more than I do about myself. Which is why I would like to touch your thoughts again. Show me myself through your eyes – let me see what I am to you – if that is okay with you."
For a moment, Tathryn was unsure of how to respond to Minthara's proposition. But he knew that this was a gesture of trust on her part. By melding their minds with the tadpoles, he would be able to access Minthara's memories as she would with him, and she knew that all too well.
So with a nod, he allowed her mind to touch his. It was feather-light and hesitant, a stark contrast to the confidence with which her thoughts intruded on his in the past.
As their minds melded together, Tathryn shared in her strength of mind and will, but also the doubts that eat at her conviction. Those doubts clustered in swarms, and the thickest is around her sense of self. But the cold shell of Minthara's mind melts away, and Tathryn found himself drawn into the heart of her psyche.
To his surprise, he saw a projection of him and Minthara locked in an embrace. Though they were not actually making physical contact with each other, Tathryn still felt the sensations course through his body. He felt Minthara's breath on his neck, her fingers running down his spine. Her free hand then reached for his neck, before firmly planting her lips on his.
The image suddenly faded, snapping the two of them back to reality. Tathryn saw Minthara staring right back at him, face flushed, breath heavy.
For Tathryn, he only realised now just how much he treasured Minthara's company. How much he admired this intelligent and driven woman. How much he wanted to never part with her. How much he cared for her.
And it became clear to him that she felt the same way.
Minthara took a deep breath as she wrapped her arms around herself, her gaze drifting to the dilapidated floor. "I have never lacked confidence, but this conflict seems so much bigger than the two of us…it frightens me. I do not know if we will survive it."
She looked back up at him, a determined gleam in her eyes. "But whatever life remains to us, I would gladly spend it fighting at your side. And lying with you at night."
Tathryn felt the heat return to his cheeks, taken aback by Minthara's brazenness. Still, he mustered a reply of his own. "There's nothing I want more."
Minthara's grin widened and she sauntered towards him, swaying her hips sensually with each step she took. She then wrapped her arms around Tathryn's neck, her body pressing against his chest. "Tonight," she purred, "there will be no voices, no orders, no gods…I belong only to you."
She quickly pulled him into a deep kiss, which Tathryn reciprocated all too eagerly. As they deepened the kiss, their tongues quickly became entangled in an erotic dance, allowing them to get a taste of each other. Tathryn took this opportunity to slide his hands down Minthara's back until they reached her shapely posterior. He proceeded to give it a firm squeeze, eliciting a throaty moan from his new lover.
The need for air caused them to finally break apart. Once they both recovered their bearings, Minthara licked her lips in satisfaction, her crimson eyes now burning with pure, unadulterated desire.
"Lie down…and take off your clothes." She said, no, commanded.
It didn't take much persuading for Tathryn to obey. As he tugged off his clothes, he saw Minthara's eyes take in his form with an appreciative smirk. Despite his wiry build, Tathryn's paladin training ensured that his mind and body remained in peak condition, and it saved his life time and time again.
Once bereft of all clothing, he spread his garments out on the floor like a makeshift bedsheet. He then laid down on his back, using his elbows to prop himself up. He watched Minthara's hands tug at the laces holding her top together. Once she undid them, she pulled the article of clothing over her head before tossing it to the side, her pants quickly following suit.
Minthara now stood before him, stark naked as he was. Tathryn found himself gazing admiringly at her toned body and perky breasts, which elicited an enthused reaction from his lower region. His lover had evidently taken notice of it as well, judging from where her gaze had drifted to.
"I see I've gotten your full attention…" she mused with a smirk. "Now, tell me…What is it that you want?"
"I want you, Minthara. I want you now." Tathryn answered hungrily.
"Then you shall have me." She said as she straddled his waist, the entrance of her womanhood pressing against his erection.
Her palms roamed all over his chest, eagerly feeling up every part of his muscular body. Tathryn gasped as Minthara's surprisingly gentle touch sent goosebumps all over his body. Cupping his cheeks, she leaned forward and kissed him again.
Minthara quickly broke away from his lips and planted several more along his jawline and neck. Her trail of open-mouth kisses travelled down his abdomen, until she was finally face-to-face with his cock. Then, without a moment's hesitation, she proceeded to take all of him into her mouth. A new wave of pleasure caused Tathryn to unconsciously buck his hips, pushing himself deeper into Minthara's mouth in the process. Soon, she began bobbing her head up and down his length, sucking and licking with vigour as she did so.
Gods… how is she so good at this? Tathryn thought to himself. Then again, he had seen Minthara bed numerous lovers – both male and female – when peering into her memories. He shouldn't be surprised that she would be well-versed in such techniques.
It didn't take long for Tathryn to feel himself on the verge of climaxing. Grabbing a fistful of Minthara's hair, he held her in place as he spilled into her mouth. His lover held firm as she swallowed every last drop. She slowly pulled her mouth free from his cock, but not without giving the tip one last lick, sending another tingling feeling up his spine.
"I hope for your sake that you're not finished yet." Minthara purred as she licked her lips clean in satisfaction.
Before Tathryn could respond, Minthara had already turned around, her back – not to mention that supple ass of hers – now facing him. She proceeded to slowly lower herself onto Tathryn, causing him to let out moan as her moist inner walls tightened around his cock. Once she'd adjusted her position, Minthara began rolling her hips at a rhythmic pace.
The pleasure was too much for Tathryn to bear, and he reached out his arms in hopes of exploring the rest of Minthara's lovely body, only for his lover to swat his hands away.
She turned back to him, a dark gleam in her eyes. "Not yet. Not until I've ridden you to Menzoberranzan and back."
That was when Tathryn realised what Minthara's intentions were. She wanted to be in control, to be the aggressor in their relationship. By denying Tathryn the initiative, Minthara held power over his body, and that left him vulnerable to her every whim.
Very well, Minthara… I'll play along for now.
Minthara continued to ride him for a few more minutes until she finally came. She threw her head back and let out a throaty cry, signalling for Tathryn to reach his climax as well. With a grunt, he spilled deep into her.
Minthara's body fell forward, her breath coming out in ragged gasps, as she recovered from her orgasmic high. In that moment of weakness, her control over Tathryn faltered, and the paladin of Eilistraee seized his chance.
In a sudden burst of speed, he sat up and grabbed Minthara from behind, right hand over her waist and the other just below her throat. Holding her close to his chest, he forced them both into a kneeling position.
"What are you doing?" Minthara weakly demanded as Tathryn pulled himself out of her.
"Returning the favour," he whispered huskily into her ear, causing Minthara to let out a sigh as his hot breath tickled the nape of her neck.
Tathryn slid his right hand from Minthara's hip and down towards the area between her thighs. His calloused fingers brushed past her thatched curls before coming in contact with the moist surface of her folds. He began stroking her clitoris at a slow and steady pace, prompting Minthara to writhe in his arms.
"Damn you…" Despite Minthara's cursing, she tilted her head so she could face Tathryn and kiss him, an invitation that he readily accepted.
As their tongues danced together a second time, Tathryn decided to become bolder in his actions and inserted two of his fingers into her clit. Minthara's eyes widened in surprise and she moaned into the kiss. Her right hand gripped Tathryn's thigh, her nails digging into his skin hard enough to draw a bit of blood, Her left hand, meanwhile, had travelled unconsciously to her breast and began circling her stiff nipple with her thumb.
Tathryn continued to thrust his fingers into Minthara, taking the time to torture/pleasure her at his own pace. He even decided to add a third finger into the mix, eliciting another strangled cry from her. That was when she arched her back as she reached her climax for the second time that night. Tathryn felt not only his fingers, but his whole hand, become drenched in her juices.
While Minthara was still coming to her senses, Tathryn quickly pulled his fingers out. He held his fingers to Minthara's mouth, and she began sucking on them like they were a delicious treat. Once she had finally licked him dry, she pulled him into another passionate kiss. Tathryn could taste her essence off her tongue.
As they finally broke apart, the two of them laid back down on the floor in order to catch their breath, their bodies locked together in a warm embrace. Minthara rested her head against Tathryn's firm chest with a content smile on her face.
"It has been a long time since I've enjoyed this." She purred, tracing a finger across his chest. Her touch was already causing his member to spring back to life. "And you, Tathryn, certainly do not disappoint."
"I hope not." Tathryn chuckled, his hand massaging her ass.
Minthara laughed. "Don't get your hopes up just yet. The night is still young, and I intend to continue all the way through." She swung her leg over him and straddled his waist again, facing him this time. "Unless, of course, you don't have what it takes to keep up."
"You should know by now that I can." Tathryn responded huskily.
"I am glad to hear that." Minthara said as she lifted herself up, positioning Tathryn's tip at her entrance. Letting out a sigh as she impaled herself, she leaned forward and captured Tathryn's lips again, and again, and again.