Obvious spoilers if you haven't played the game, so read at your own risk, ya newbies.

Elizabeth Arcana, a woman close to her 30's. Sick of the cards she had been dealt, tired of the lies told by others. The betrayal and abandonment she experienced most of her life. All a little too close to home, by those trusted the most. It ends up bringing it into her daily life, affecting her job and relationships. When she felt at her lowest she stumbled upon the game that changed her forever. She always loved Dungeons and Dragon's when she was young, so she had to try the game. Now as an adult that can freely spend her money, had everything she needed to play. Only to become entrapped in this world and completely abandon her own. Nothing was more important than getting to know the grumpy Githyanki, mysterious half Elf, the goofy wizard, 'The Blade of Frontiers', and the fiery Tiefling. But, the one she longed to know most of all was a certain red-eyed Elf that has more to him than he says. A vampire with a past she couldn't help but be all too eager to help him with. The more she got to know him the more he became someone she loved more than anything. Her obsession to the point where others notice she's missing and rip her back into reality. Making her real life more apparent to her, it's not the life she wants. Not one without him in it. And it was that wish that made her life change forever.

This is all inspired by the love of our favorite fun-loving vampire. I'm sure you're reading this story because you love Asterion just as much as I do. His story has touched my heart. All of the wonderful characters in the game did. They are all beautiful in their own ways and have been very dear to me in the last months getting to know them. I will be sure to take extra care in making this. Astarion and his voice actor Neil are amazing. They have brought me joy and tears. Helped me to face my own demons and to heal from my own traumas. So, I'm dedicated to making this special for them and for me. Writing has helped me heal, maybe this will help dedicated fans feel the love I have for them. This will continue to help me heal as I give you all my heart and soul into words. I love you, Neil Newbon. Not only have you brought the character to life in the most beautiful way. You continue to give him life and love for his fans. Your pain has become art, and others see you for it. We all are thankful to you for embracing your trauma to make art for many more to appreciate. To help them in their times of healing, too. Rather than hiding it, you face your truth, and that takes true courage. Which is why I am inspired by you. My pain has made this my art. I know it might not make it far since it is only fanfiction. But it exists, so that's enough for me. I'm finally on my path for healing. The shadows of my past that have been screaming, haunting me for as long as I can remember. They are now small whispers of wisdom in my day to day life, then bring me comfort somehow. I'm learning and very eager to teach others what I've come to learn in my short life. I may have many more years to come, but I have definitely been through some things that have definitely aged me beyond my years. If this was to ever grace Neil's path someday, I hope this will make you proud. I treasure Astarion so much and all the characters. Their voice actors did incredible, and I can't wait for whatever comes next. I hope this will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear. Even if it doesn't, that's fine, I won't stop making it. I meant it when I said they were dear to me. They helped me to value my own self-worth and to make me get a grip on my own life. Maybe dedicate my own time to an adventure of a lifetime, I only live once. So does Tav if you play honor mode. Every decision comes with a price or chance, whether for evil or good. This game is so beautiful in every detail. It can show you what a hero's job really means. You as a person can make a difference, even save lives or just take them. Going through this game, I'm sure you notice that if the main characters don't have you, they are toast. They can't fight their demons alone. They need someone patient and kind. That see through their differences, cherish their dreams. Help them heal, face their monsters, and love them for who they are. To embrace their flaws and talents in order to become an unstoppable team that saves or destroys the fate of Baldur's Gate. Every hour I dedicated to this game was a worthy sacrifice. I got the adventure of a lifetime and grew to love more fictional characters that I'll never get to meet. So this story is for them. My love for them and this game. Thank you for reading if you have made it this far. And just so you know… I'm crying like a baby right now writing this. This is truly a passion I love, and I can't wait to share it with anyone willing to put the time in for it. Happy reading!

For you, Neil Newbon.

(I also left my disclaimer at the bottom. Feel free to skip to it or just to the next page)

This is my message for those who feel like they are lost. For all who are healing from their own traumas or maybe just need guidance. You can skip this if you are here just for the story. To anyone willing to continue, I hope this will help you on your path to moving forward.

To whoever this speaks to:

You are loved, and you deserve to be treated with care.

Never cursed with a life of pain, from those who take from you till there is nothing left to share.

They didn't feel empathy or acknowledge what they put us through.

Through joy brings ignorant bliss, to suffer is the only way to see what is true.

Not everyone cares or will keep your heart safe from harm.

It's not their fault, they were raised with pain behind the charm.

The cycle of pain will continue if we decide to let others' actions justify our own.

Instead of continuing the self torture and destruction, put down the stone.

Breathe… it's over… They will be gone.

Let their pain they inflicted die with you, with a new dawn.

It may hurt for days, months, or years from now, you may forget who you are for a little while.

Time heals all wounds, you'll come back, and you will see that the journey was worth every mile.

You are a new you, you'll be stronger tomorrow, more than you were today.

Just make sure you dont forget to smile when you tell all those Fuckers to stay away!

You should be respected and treated with kindness.

Never rejected or neglected for their decision in blindness.

You deserve the love you want so desperately to feel.

You should be treasured for who you are, YOU ARE REAL!

They don't define you, their voices and choices don't bind you.

Their presence is to guide you, not to force you into something you would never want to.

You write your own story, you are the master to your own tale.

Spreading joy, love, and laughter is the greatest treasure, not the wealth of a sale.

The choice of one, can spread pain to everyone.

Stop the flames, don't let them grow, let the suffering be done.

The value of one's company is worth more than any gold.

Money can't caress or give you a hand to hold.

Loving someone for who they are and who they can be, more than what they can bring.

People's differences are like an instrument, each one with the same song to sing.

Percussion, brass, woodwind, and strings.

All in harmony doing the simple things.

The melody of life is ever changing, always in and out of tune.

Alone are strong, vibrant, and unique; together they can bring joy or doom.

It can be beautiful if you only stop and listen.

The words not yet sung, notes aching to glisten.

Words of the broken.

Longing to be spoken.

Fear corrects them, telling them it's not safe by anyone's side.

That there's nothing left, and that it's better to just hide.

That their voice isn't special, better off unheard.

Convinced alone is better than the hurt.

I feel we can benefit from love instead of hate.

We can feel safe, we can trust, and we can be great.

Understanding, patience, loyalty, honesty, and cherishing every day.

Is much more important than power or wealth, that can never speak to you and say,

"I LOVE YOU!"

A phrase that can mean many things.

You can replace the word with the same message it brings:

Adore, enjoy, hope for,

need, care for, see,

will assure, desire, and treasure.

Love isn't there to measure.

It isn't a tool, never is it there to abuse.

Love isn't supposed to come with pain or make you say, "What's the use?"

"What did I do to deserve this?"

"Can someone tell me what this feeling is?"

"Why am I here?"

"It's over, why is there still fear?"

"Is this a curse?"

"Why does it hurt?"

"Will I ever forget?"

"Maybe being alive is my biggest regret…"

Love is NEVER like that, you should be grateful if you are free.

You won't know what that feels like, and you'll avoid it hopefully.

Love comes with a weight and a cost, most aren't willing to make the sacrifice for.

It's those that stay, listen, and fight by your side, THEY are worthy to be who you adore.

It should be in their actions, not just in their words.

Your love for them shouldn't be something that hurts.

Time is precious, it should be spent with people who care.

Not given to someone who has no compassion to spare.

So if it hurts, leave, it's not meant to be.

You should feel alive and free, never should love feel like agony.

If you don't feel safe, run.

Sometimes alone is better than with anyone.

Alone isn't forever either, there will be more that will come to love you for you.

They can't take your dreams if they're gone, what can they do?

Nothing unless you let them, you can't change l if they don't want to.

They are grown and make their own choices, you can't change the color of the sky, it's blue.

People are here to guide you, not to take from you.

It's so much more beautiful when it's given, the influence a simple hug can do.

You should be happy to embrace.

Not scared they will rip the smile from your face.

The truth can hurt but it can be a cure, for in the end.

The best partner will forever and always be your best friend.

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own any of these characters or the story of the game. Only my OC or other OCs if I add any. This is all based off of Baldur's Gate 3, but with my own twists. There will be modern music. I'm sorry if it upsets anyone that I will change lyrics to songs that were already beautiful before. But, I only adjust them where I feel it would be appropriate for the story. I don't think a Bard in that time would be singing about cars, cell phones, texts, and calls, without sounding like a loon. I will warn you this story is not delicate. I'm sure you don't play Baldur's Gate for delicately. So, don't expect it here. There is gore, violence, language, sex, victims of rape, and trauma. I will also change the original dialogue at times, but I will do my absolute best to make each character the same. We love them dearly as they are. It's as bad as murdering them if I make them act differently. I'm going completely based off of their reactions they have in the game. Basically, the characters they already are. I don't want to make it complicated, just call it one hell of a perspective. I still hope that it will be a story that can warm your heart while it also beats erratically in excitement. Just as the game has done for me and I'm sure everyone else.

THIS IS SIMPLY FOR FUN, I LOVE TO WRITE! SO, NO HATE!

I fully support my own writing, and I won't apologize for my attitude if you decide to harm me with your words. Unless it's justified criticism or support, you don't have to comment at all. Just find another story to read, thank you. I don't need fuel for my brain that is constantly overthinking bad stuff anyway. I do apologize if it does sound rude. I understand how hard it is to explain while you can't read my emotions. But, I'm asking you out of respect, all while being sincere and direct….

I don't always intend to rhyme; it's just my poet's heart…

I really hope you like it, I have high hopes for this fanfic.

Until next time my lovelies!