Improved Enver Gortash Character Model Close-Ups

sometimes Bhaal makes his kids so unsuitable for living that self-sacrifice feels like bliss

Hemlock (left) by @snekkinsnerpent and Omut (right) by me :3c

With the way Gortash talks about Durge's Urges (lol) It feels like to me that the characterisation of Durge pre-tadpole being this wholly rabid, acting on impulses constantly, creature rings a little...innacurate.

Gortash is a control freak. This is typical of a Baneite of course (and being raised by Raphael) Having complete control is really important in Gortash's eyes as it's not only his means of garnering power but keeping himself safe. It's also something he clearly respects in Durge. Their ability to control their urges.

Compared to Orin, pre-tadpoled Durge seems to have their shit together. Even the way Durge seems to talk, feels a lot more...straightforward than Orin's language. She speaks like a bloody Malkavian (and I love it) whereas Durge in their codexes and dialogue, speak less in metaphors, less like a child too, even if they still do bear that eccentric tone.

I think this can also be related to the way Durge and Orin were raised. Orin was sired by an abusive, incestuous relationship wherein she was then abused. A delayed...adulthood is quite common in those scenarios. Meanwhile, Durge HAD parents. Adoptive parents of course that they killed if my memory of canon is right. So they had a much more stable upbringing relatively. Accounting for Durge's maturity.

And Gortash has to bind Orin's blade when she takes over as Bhaal's Chosen. Gortash doesn't ever see Orin as an equal, and compares her to a literal dog, because she is so impulsive whereas with Durge. It seems he never saw a need to bind them. They were equals and the levl of control they had over their urges impressed him.

I actually think Durge's inability to properly control themselves after the tadpole is Bhaal punishing them for letting Orin get the drop on them. For falling from glory. Sceleritas comes along to guide Durge to prove themselves to Bhaal..it just feels like a punishment.

Anyway, maybe this is all obvious idk. And I'm not telling anyone how they should write their Dark Urges. Or even say that I think Durge NEVER had an impulse or two go unregulated (something Sceleritas also says) because Bhaalspawn ARE violent. Just that pre-tadpoled Durge probably was far more in control than we give credit for. It also makes their cruelty during their time as leader of the Bhaalists extra evil because...they chose to. It's wasn't compulsed by Bhaal all the time

You might need to take a propa ganda at this one

Handjob

Durges are the reason Enver can't have nice things

Omut (right) is shamelessly stolen from the darling @prawn-haunted! Hemlock (left) is mine♡

Closeups of the tieflings below because tumblr and I can't agree on resolution, apparently

Flustered Gort is me fr

Thinking once again about Durgetash and the concept of servitude.

About how Durge was made for servitude. Their whole purpose was to do Bhaal‘s will, to let Bhaal act through them, to worship in total obedience. And they *did* for a long time. For them, servitude was (un)holy, it was admirable because it meant serving a greater purpose (bringing upon the end of all things).

And how Gortash on the other hand spent his entire life fighting against authority so he won’t have to serve *anyone*. First his parents, then the house of Hope, then the city… climbing literally out of hell and up those climbing social ladders until the only one he serves is the one who helps him to the top. And only as long as it fits him- considering he was fully willing to share his throne with Durge, something that - as many have pointed out - is very much against Bane’s whole thing and could be considered disobedience once again.

And I’m thinking again about how Gortash calls Durge *his* assassin in the same conversation he calls him his *equal* and…

There’s something beautiful about the thought of Durge, who was born to serve One, straying from that to instead rule with another - a blade who chooses their own wielder - and Gortash, who refused to serve and instead fought his way to the top, who saw himself as above all others, at the height of his power stepping aside to lift someone to his same level.

I can’t help but look at them, look at all their narrative foils and dichotomies and similarities, and think that there was never any other choice but each other, in whatever capacity people headcanon.

There really is no one who does it like them.

So I'm writing my fanfic, and I've never written smut before -as in NEVER. Started by diving off the deep end and doing durgetash, because I'm a big boy and I can do whatever I want. Knew what I was getting into, I'd planned it out and everything, it wasn't even THAT BAD like, there was some blood and death threats so I figured it'd be fine, but WHOO BOY was I not prepared for the mental journey writing that scene was gonna take me on. Like damn. I just put that into the world.

It's fine tho, I had fun and I'm looking forward to writing the rest of it

➵ lord enver gortash - tumblr text posts - [3/?]

The dark urge (to draw Gortiddies)

and yes Hemlock has blood splattered on their undies, what of it?

I was working on a prospective timeline of Gortash’s life and I wanted to explore some ideas of what Gortash might look have looked like growing up, inspired by the notes in the biography by Vance Farnol and rock eras/sub-genres; design notes are on Patreon (including free members) detailing specific influences.

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