Decided to write a little something on my fave BG3 character I made. For some reason he stuck out as one of the better ones I made. Maybe I just like his outfit I tossed together for him, but I decided to rp in my head shortly after I made him that he wasn't like other Gith. But I needed something, a reason for him to be different, so I made up this little story in my head.
As for the parings in this, they will be BaxtonXShadowheart, WyllXKarlach, and I'm not sure if I will pair Lae'zel and Gale with anyone yet, they might just stay single. I'll use my character's pic for the portrait for this so you know what he looks like. I changed a few things here and there, notably from how the events in the game start and the order of Tav's capture and infection.
I tend to suffer from depression a lot so I've never been really fast at updating fics and tend to lose track of them after a time. If there are any of my other fics you'd like to see updated just let me know and I'll try my best.
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Chapter 1: My name is Baxton
Baxton looked in the tiny mirror of the shack he currently resided in, you'd think based on his clothing alone he'd have been living in Baldur's Gate, the main, and largest city. Due to his species however he never really felt welcome. Being a Githyanki earned him some odd looks when he entered even the smallest villages, let alone major cities.
He didn't recall anything of his parents beyond the elven couple who found his egg, and raised him, hell he thought he was an elf, a wood elf to be precise, until he was eight years old and finally started asking questions. It started when some other boys were bullying him, pushing him around and poking fun at his appearance. He'd come home, bruised, bleeding, and in tears.
He'd had questions, his father he knew held answers, so in childish tantrum he demanded the truth or he'd leave home and go live in a cave somewhere. They had known it was only a matter of time until the boy would want the truth, and it seemed like that time had finally come.
He was told by his parents, alchemists had been digging around an old cave for ingredients and found the egg in a dark corner of the cave, buried beneath some old junk and bones, possibly the result of some creature stealing his egg and planning to eat it, who knew. As for his Gith parent, there was no sign of her, not even a mangled body, some proof of her at least trying to defend her offspring.
He smoothed out his messy silver and black hair, mostly silver and slipped on his flat cap. It helped conceal his appearance, as well as a mustache and beard of silver as well. He wore a long blue and white cloak, and a similar long sleeved top, fashioned in more of a warlock or sorcerer fashion, and long blue felt pants. His light green skin tone was harder to hide, but since he went into the city only on occasion he'd learned to ignore the odd looks he received.
Slipping on a pair of small brown boots he grabbed his staff and bag to head into Baldur's Gate for supplies, it couldn't be helped. He was low on a few potion ingredients, and thought to get some more seeds for his garden. He had carrots, and cucumbers, and thought maybe some tomatoes would be nice. He had some fish left on a drying rack in the corner of the one room shack he resided in. His bed and a single bookshelf on the far back wall, a small stone fireplace served as his means of cooking and a small wood table with several vials and bottles was all there was to his home.
Little did he know tonight would be the night his life would change, for better or worse that was to be seen. It was a fairly long walk to Baldur's Gate from his home, a long but peaceful walk. He always missed his home upon leaving, the apple tree out front, the stream flowing gently by, his laundry strung out back, though now neatly folded on his bed, the warm crackle of the fire as he sat with his feet up delving into one of his many books on the magic of Faerun.
He planned on having a fish chowder upon his return and could almost taste his favored meal already. He was planning to sell some potions in Baldurs Gate for the supplies he needed, and maybe a skin of red wine as well.
The almost 30 year old trudged along the river, just skirting the forest and humming merrily to himself, a rabbit hopped a long for a pace and he briefly considered killing the animal for it's skin and meat, but decided against it since he'd have to take the time to skin the animal and dry the meat. He'd become much more somber in his age, and pulled an apple from his bag shortly after starting out to munch on.
A few hours along found Baxton strolling along the main road now with strangely enough, a young halfling at his side. She had strawberry blond hair and bright and inquisitive green eyes, which stared up at him curiously as she talked animatedly. It was her first time going to Baldur's Gate, and she was going to stay with a friend until she could land a job and get her own place.
"So, what are you exactly?" she chirped suddenly. It amazed him she had not thought to ask until now, and he'd assumed her silence on the matter stemmed from most of the racial stigma towards his kind. "Sorry, I wanted to ask earlier but I thought it'd be rude. It's ok now that we're friends right?"
Baxton raised a brow. "We're friends now?"
Ignoring his comment the young halfling seemed to ponder a moment. "Not an elf, or a half elf..."
"That's a Gith, young one. You'd do well to not get involved with his kind." an older woman leaned over her stall as the duo passed into the city, trailing behind a few humans leading a horse driven cart of supplies. They had reached the outer city, long before the main gates, and there was a sprawling mess of shops and tents selling various wares. Beyond that the huge wall and city spread out like a fortress, but one that felt safe and inviting. "He's well mannered, handsome, has some of the most reliable potions I've seen in ages, and the kindest smile this half of the coast." she was an older grandmotherly type.
Baxton set a few gold down, his lips curling into a smile. "You shouldn't spread rumors like this, people might actually start liking me if your not too careful. I'll have one of your buns please, well two."
The halfling seemed confused, more so when handed the fresh rounded loaf of bread, buttery and still warm from the stone oven out back. "Um thanks..." her round wide eyes glanced from the old human woman to the gith and back again. "So you two are friends?"
The old woman suddenly laughed. "Yes, but this old coot is too serious. Someone has to lighten things up." she laughed even more at Baxton's groan of annoyance. "Well he's not as old as myself mind, but I keep telling him to settle down with some nice girl from the city and stop trekking back and forth. Not everyone dislikes his kind."
Catching the look towards the halfling he cleared his throat. "You should probably be off to find your friend. I have many a thing to take care of before I head home myself." he shot the old lady a look of subtle warning when he noticed the curve of a smile grace her lips, and once the halfling was out of earshot. "She followed me when I was but halfway here. Children are annoying these days." he groaned and emphasized 'children' making his point on the matter clear.
She wisely dropped the subject. "Guessing you haven't decided to make the move here permanent then? Living out in the wilds in dangerous. More then monsters about." she grabbed a loaf of bread and a small container, warm still to the touch. "Stew, this time. Some potatoes, and carrots as well." when he went to pay she held up a hand refusing the offered gold. "Don't have my children anymore, give this old lady this one favor would you?"
Baxton smiled warmly, since he had moved closer to Baldur's Gate he hadn't seen his own parents in years, they were busy with their own undertakings, and he much preferred his independence, something his long lived elven parents had installed from a young age, teaching him all the skills he would need to function on his own as an adult. Reading and writing were one small skill, but they had also taught him magic and how to survive in an unforgiving wilderness. The Sword Coast was most unkind to those unable to look after themselves first and foremost.
There were Gnolls, Goblins, and other sinister creatures looking to prey on the weak, and as long as one appeared of any kind of decent strength they were generally left alone by the more intelligent creatures, the less intelligent ones were dealt with a more permanent outcome. Baxton possessed a verity of traps for both types and after a time found he was left alone, which he preferred anyway.
Thanking the old woman he packed the bread and stew into his pack and left to head further into the city, most of the alchemical ingredients would be found in shops deeper into the city's heart. This was the area there tended to be those with more humanoid looks about them, those appearing less tended to stick to the shops on the outer edge, but for the quality he needed he had to go further in. Gith had changed a lot over the years, being once created by the Mind Flayers themselves, had now began to evolve in a different direction. Where there were no gender differences once long ago now there had began to appear many among his kind. Facial hair was one of many differences, the other being of a more personal sort though his kind still produced eggs.
As usual once Baxton wondered further into the city the whispers and questions started. Some stared and pointed, others just whispered amongst themselves, but only very rarely did anyone approach him, and usually only when they thought to corner him alone, which rarely happened these days. There did appear to be an argument of some sort at a meat vendor between a fat balding butcher and a dragonborn, a most unusual one of white scales and red eyes. What was most unusual about him however was less his looks, and more the way he felt. There was a subtle menacing aura around him that made him feel dangerous somehow, deadly. He possessed a kind of fear, and dread that made you want to run yammering in the opposite direction.
Baxton wisely skirted the encounter by ducking into a nearby potion shop. If there was any trouble with the Dragonborn the authorities here would be more then equipped to handle it. The shop smelled of exotic scents, some pleasant and others less enticing. That was the issue with potions however, most worked wonders but smelled akin to a rotting corpse.
He looked over a few ingredients and thought over his funds. There were simple ingredients like ash and mugwort, and more complex ones like fairy wings, dragon eggs, and even a rare giant's toe. Most of the ingredients he used were for simple drafts and potions, nothing so complex he'd need a giant's toe or a dragon egg. Everything was arranged neatly upon shelves, the back room used for the shop owners own personal brews.
"Can I help you with anything?" a half elf stood behind the counter of the shop. "We have some myrtle in fresh and there is some Gnoll dung out back. We prefer to keep those ingredients where the air is a little more breathable." he then took note of of Baxton's looks, and could not help the small frown that appeared briefly upon his face, quickly replaced by a welcoming smile.
Baxton offered a smile of his own in response, no reason to be uncivil. He knew too well the fear his looks incited, the loathing. A lot of it was warranted by the way his kind treated others, but he wasn't a direct representative of them himself. "Just the basics I'm afraid. I don't dare try anything requiring more complexity then those. Afraid my calling lies in a more magical nature." he nodded in indication to his staff and at the mans look of worry quickly placed a few coins down. "I'm no threat to anyone here, I promise."
"Oh I wasn't...I didn't mean." the half elf shuffled uncomfortably. He wasted no time in grabbing a kit of basic potion ingredients. Most of the potions were used for healing, basic wounds and poisons one might encounter in the wilds and essential to living alone, necessary for survival. His face, though ducked down at the moment held a look of pure embarrassment. "I'm only tending the shop for my uncle today. He's out with a small fever see."
Baxton nodded and gestured towards the bag where the young man had paused filling. "It's quite alright, tell Findell I wish him well."
"Oh, you know Uncle?" the half elf seemed to relax at that. "Yes, he's been a bit under the weather. I'll tell him you say so." he finished the few bags and after taking the gold from him even waved as Baxton left, and it was with a more friendly look he was sent away with.
The book store was next on his agenda. Baxton could never put down a good book and as many a night was spent alone, his only company those cold dark nights had been not only the texts and scrolls he studied from, but books from varying authors as well. Adventure, mystery, romance, he dabbled in a little of everything. There were books on Goblins and their habits and habitats, mostly written by some author named Volo, and there were tons of fantasy books, usually about some Knight captured by the Fey or some dark order kidnapping people and it turns out they are part of some secret cult. There was even a book about some cat that was secretly human, and had to make some man love her to break the evil spell.
Satisfied with his few purchases and running a little low on funds, Baxton searched around for for a decent enough place for a meal. He'd considered staying the night in town, but after arriving and seeing how quickly his funds dwindled decided to save what little remained for his next trip, maybe sleeping out under the stars instead. With his magic and a fire at his back little would actually pose much of a serious threat and it only took him six to seven hours to walk home, at a good pace. This was the price to pay to live alone, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
While he was deciding between the place with the nice looking sausages, or the tea and sweets shop the sky suddenly darkened with shadow. For a moment Baxton was confused. The day had been bright and welcoming thus far, hardly a cloud in sight. It didn't seem like a storm was imminent moments ago, and now everything was bathed in darkness.
Shielding his eyes he glanced up to the sky, and it was that exact moment he glanced up the screaming began. It started from one woman who turned and began to run, then a few others shouted in a mixture of confusion and fear and at their next words Baxton knew, though he scarcely dared to believe what his own eyes saw.
A few hundred feet or so over the city a Mind Flayer ship had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. People were slow to react, and slower to respond. Partially this was probably due to a mixture of shock and surprise. Baxton himself was no different then anyone else, standing there mouth agape as tentacles reached from the ship touching people and causing them to vanish to some unknown place.
"Run." he whispered to himself urging his legs to move. "Run! Get out of here while you still can!" Baxton wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself at this point, or if he was simply urging the other's on. The result was the same either way, people began to stampede in all directions. Panic was in the air as those around him blindly ran in all directions. Buildings toppled as the ship pushed it's massive size through the city, the sound of horns bellowed out a warning received all too late.
It was then Baxton realized he too was running, dashing for the city's exit as his brain seemed to reinstall itself over his panicked response. He needed to find somewhere to hide, wait out this mess and then make his way from the city and get back home, maybe just pretend none of this had ever happened. He moved to duck into a nearby building, and that was when he saw the little girl.
She was sitting amongst the carnage and screaming for her mother, great big tears rolled down her dirt stained cheeks. Baxton only hesitated a moment before rushing to the human girl and grabbing her into his arms, glancing around wildly for her parents and only seeing blood and death before him. Spying a crate nearby he opened the wooden top and placed the girl inside. "I'll come back for you. Wait here and do not make a sound."
He turned to run and it was right then he realized helping the girl had lost him his only chance at escape. He felt his body seize up as the cold touch of one of the ship's tentacles reached deep inside his very being, then nothing. All was quiet in his mind for what felt like an eternity and when he next opened his eyes he realized he'd sacrificed himself for some strange human girl who'd never even remember him.
He was standing, but in a pod of sorts and could see other pods like his around a strange metal container of water, like a small washing basin but with sluggish dirty water he could see small shapes moving around in, an Illithid or Mind Flayer as they were referred to dipped a clawed hand into the pool, grasping a small wriggling worm like creature with a mouth filled with rows of razor like teeth from your worst nightmare before approaching the pod nearest his own.
Another Githyanki was revealed as he activated her device and held the wriggling creature before her. She twisted and turned her head, but seemed unable to offer much in the way of resistance as the nightmare creature was deposited on her face, where it crawled to one eye, wrenching it open with it's tentacled arms as she tried to squeeze her eyes shut in defiance. "Ahhh!" she managed to groan out as the creature forced it's way in.
Baxton could only watch in horror as all of this was going on, knowing he was next on the proverbial chopping block. No matter how much he told himself this wasn't real, it was just a nightmare nothing could prepare him for the pain he felt when he felt his head forcefully wrenched forward and his field of vision was nothing but the sight of a round mouth and dagger like teeth, at this close range he could see they were ragged and all led inward to a center hole. He felt it grab ahold and then pain so intense he mercifully blacked out again.
He didn't recall anything much else after, his mind dark and not even dreams plagued him, his nightmares were already reality. It was the sound of explosions that finally woke him, though he wished he'd stayed unconscious once the pounding headache hit. It felt like the worst hangover possible, coupled with being run over by several wagons filled with explosives. For a moment he didn't recall where he was, or what he'd been doing and was confused when he went to lean forward and his head bumped against a hard clear surface.
It was then he recalled the attack and his capture and subsequent infection by a Mind Flayer parasite. To Baxton's surprise the pod containing him seemed to open of it's own accord. Everything around him was fire and destruction. There were a few Mind Flayer's lying dead on the floor as he stumbled forward from the pod and onto his knees. He felt sick as everything swayed around him, but after a moment or two his head cleared and he felt better.
He looked toward the pod where the other Gith had been held to find it empty. Perhaps she had escaped and left a path of destruction in her wake. Looking around and trying to get his bearings he was further surprised to find his belongings laid out neatly nearby as if they had been left just for him to find this way, his staff was even placed alongside his bag. Nothing was adding up, but he knew he needed to find a way off the ship and see if there was some way to remove the parasite from his brain.
Looking around Baxton slipped on his pack and readied his staff, he didn't doubt there would still be enemies to face but he'd sooner take a vacation in the nine hells before staying here a moment longer.