I found a save file in SoD right before the temple of bhaal so I decided to record all of Madele’s lines I could find to piece together a timeline for the temple I’ve tried my best to make things clear I’m so sorry if something doesn’t make sense. Madele’s lines will be colored blue, Gorions ward (GW) will be colored pink, Jaheira is green.
Anything with a 1. Is a dialogue choice, 1: is the result of that dialogue choice
I present:
Who's there? My eyes are gone, but I can hear you... smell you. My dark lord sends me company! Speak to me, you who smells of sunlight and blood. Tell me who it is that visits my dusty prison.
1. I am (character name). Who are you?
2. Which dark lord is yours? There are so many these days...
3. Be silent, woman. If I would hear your voice, I will let you know when I wish it.
1: Faithful! Though my name has withered to dust in this endless night, still I may be called FAITHFUL. Lone travelers walked too close, fell into our nets, and we cut out their hearts. Blood ran down my arms, and I felt the Lord of Murder's blessing!
2: The lord of Murder, he who was lord here before treachery and deceit ended him. Still, though I lost both my sight and freedom that fateful day, I remain faithful.
3: my fate was written long ago. now… I rest. (End convo)
1-2 to lead to:
Faithful! Though my name has withered to dust in this endless night, still I may be called FAITHFUL. Lone travelers walked too close, fell into our nets, and we cut out their hearts. Blood ran down my arms, and I felt the Lord of Murder's blessing!
1. The temple lies in ruin now, and you are caged, your eyes gouged from your skull. How did this come to pass?
2. I am one of Bhaal's children.
3. The days of Bhaal are long past.
4. I don't care who you are. Bother me no more.
1: The base god of treachery now rules here, his mocking laugh sears my brain. I will not say his name. She can never make me say his name! A new age of Bhaal will be upon us, and soon. The Harpers stole and slew our children, but still I remain faithful. The Lord of Murder will rise again.
2: *gasp* that a child of murder should stand before me! All is ordained. It is no chance that brings you here, divine one.
3: same as 1
4: my fate was written long ago. Now… I rest (end convo)
1-2-3 lead to:
The base god of treachery now rules here, his mocking laugh sears my brain. I will not say his name. She can never make me say his name! A new age of Bhaal will be upon us, and soon. The Harpers stole and slew our children, but still I remain faithful. The Lord of Murder will rise again.
1. The Harpers stole children? I do not believe you.
2. Tell me exactly what happened here.
3. Speak no more of Bhaal, or of anything else for that matter.
1: (if you have jaheira with you)
J: “Stole” is not the proper word. “Liberated” is more accurate. Harpers sometimes rescue innocents from cults prepared to sacrifice them.
A: What tale shall I spin for you? That of our stolen children, or of our collapse?
(If not skip straight to) “What tale shall I spin for you? That of our stolen children, or of our collapse?”
2: What tale shall I spin for you? That of our stolen children, or of our collapse?
3: my fate was written long ago. Now… I rest (end convo)
1-2 lead to:
What tale shall I spin for you? That of our stolen children, or of our collapse?
1. I would hear about the children.
2. Tell me of the temple’s fall.
3. There is nothing you can tell me, if you have truly been locked up for years.
1: A priestess and a Harper spy, meeting in darkness. Hiding their passion. Oh, but WE saw; WE knew. His passion let him to careless speech, and she brought his words back to the temple. He thought his love could be stronger than the will of murder! Ha!
When the Harpers raided the temple, he came upon his lover with a dagger raised over her living child. Her GIFT to raise our slain master. How he pleaded with her not to send her own flesh to the Lord of Murder. An arrow from one of his allies pierced her throat even as she laughed at his folly.
They took our children, the blood we would have used to return Bhaal to power. I, I didn't give up!
My faith holds strong! Before we could try again, though, the others came.
2: We plotted and planned, wailing in the darkness for our lost god. Then they came, the followers of… I will NOT say his name. They came for us, gloating and preening, their shiny knives raised
I got the best of HER, though. I said I would slay them all in Bhaal’s name, while my followers fled. Even the Lord of Murder keeps his promises! I broke their teeth with my dagger-blade, and gouged out their throats while their bloody gums gnawed at my hand! HeheheheeeeHAHAHAHA…
But she caught me in the end, yes. My faithful were safe, but I was trapped. Dusty bones in a rusty cage. Powerful wards to keep me alive long after I should have died. She took my eyes and tells me tales of her lord’s power. She says Bhaal is gone, and Cyr… no. I will not say his name. I will NEVER say his name!
3: The years do not matter, they did not break me, did not end my devotion! Ah heh. Heehee.HeeheeheehahaHAHAHAHAAAaaa...
(If you asked the Children question)
1. Tell me about the temple's collapse.
2. You've been locked up for almost a decade, then?
(If you asked Temple question)
1. Tell me about the stolen children
2. You've been locked up for almost a decade, then?
(You can repeatedly ask questions however many times you want to continue the conversation you must choose 2)
Both 2: The years do not matter, they did not break me, did not end my devotion! Ah heh. Heehee.HeeheeheehahaHAHAHAHAAAaaa...
The years do not matter, they did not break me, did not end my devotion! Ah heh. Heehee.HeeheeheehahaHAHAHAHAAAaaa...
1. I need to get you out of that cage.
2. I've come here seeking a wardstone stolen by a priest of Cyric. Do you know where I might find such a thing?
3. Well, then. I'll just be going as far away from you as possible now.
4. Be silent, woman, lest you attract the attention of your captors.
1: Out? To get out I… ugh. UGGGGGH. My head… MY HEAD!
2: You… you can… ugh. UGGGGGH. My head… MY HEAD…!
3: same as 2
4: same as 2
All lead to:
Tired… so tired. Ziatar knows, she has… what you need. I must rest now… almost over. Almost done.
1. What’s almost done? What do you mean?
2. I’ll find ziatar and then return to free you.
3. You and that cage deserve one another. I will find Ziatar and leave you to your fate.
1: The voice, it tells me… this is almost at an end. Soon, I shall rest.
2: Go. I shall rest.
3: my fate was written long ago. Now… I rest.
1 leads to:
The voice, it tells me… this is almost at an end. Soon, I shall rest.
1. I’ll find Ziatar and then return to free you.
2. Well, that was cryptic. Farewell.
3. I’ll find Ziatar and leave you to your fate. It’s no more than you deserve.
1: Go. I shall rest.
2: same as 1
3: my fate was written long ago. Now… I rest.
End
Alone in the dust. Alone in the rust. Hahahahaha! Forgotten servant of a forgotten god.
1. I will return once I have the means to free you.
2. Rot in your cell. You deserve no better.
Both: Go, then. GO.
Alone in the dust. Alone in the rust. Hahahahaha! Forgotten servant of a forgotten god.
1. What forgotten god do you serve?
2. I will return once I have the means to free you.
3. Rot in your cell. You deserve no better.
1: The lord of Murder, he who was lord here before treachery and deceit ended him. Still, though I lost both my sight and freedom that fateful day, I remain faithful. (Starts convo over)
2: Go, then. GO.
3: same as 2
No changes, if jaheira is dead he doesn’t comment on the Harpers taking the kids because I’m sure the developers did not expect you to do it this way lol
1. I am here to free you. I found the key to your cell.
1: Free? I will never be free, I am bound to the Lord of Murder. He guides me even when he is silent... so silent. I AM HERE, I DO AS YOU WILL.
1. I am a child of Bhaal. I command you to leave this place and find a way to amend for your misdeeds in life,
2. I am a child of Bhaal. I command you to leave this place and uphold my father's teachings. Murder any who offend you. Make all mortals fear the Lord of Murder even in death.
3. Stay or go, it makes no difference to me.
1: Your orders contradict everything my lord has taught me... but you are his child! How can I deny you? But how can I defy him? I.. I will try, child of murder.
2: Your words are like cold water on a parched throat. For you, child of murder! I will kill in your name!
3: Perhaps one day my lord will hear my prayers once more.
(She will leave and you will not be able to talk to her again)
1. I found the mindflayer who had taken over the temple. It was your mind that allowed him access.
1: She thought I was POWERLESS. She thought the Lord of Murder had abandoned me. But I told it everything, EVERYTHING. I know each voice here, each step, each slamming door. I told it that SHE was the one to control. And now she's gone... gone forever! And the temple of the betrayer falls.
(She says this even if Akanna is still alive)
And that’s all the dialogue I could find, if anyone has any extra dialogue that I missed please tell me how to get it and I’ll add it
I believe there might be a misconception here due to the line “so you’ve been locked up for almost a decade” after asking about the harpers taking the kids. The harpers did NOT imprison Madele, the followers of Cyric did.
Something you may have noticed is that Gorions Ward says “you’ve been locked up for almost a decade” when Madele literally said nothing about that. This is correct because we know she’s been locked up for about 8 years since the followers of Cyric took over the temple as stated in Akanna’s journal:
1360 DR
We have seized the temple of the Lord of Murder. We killed many of Bhaal's clergy. Others escaped, but I claimed a prize for myself: the high priestess Madele. I have caged her while I decide what glorious things to do with her. Praise Cyric. Fear the Dark Sun.
How did GW know? You get this dialogue before reading the diary entry so not from that. Perhaps they knew when the Harpers took the kids but I doubt it, Gorion obviously didn’t tell them, jaheira seemed to know the situation but since GW is surprised harpers took kids I doubt she told them either. I know it’s not explicitly stated that the Harper described was Gorion but… It was Gorion, I feel that’s clearly the intention. Plus, when the Harper’s were there doesn’t indicate anything about how long she’s been imprisoned since they didn’t imprison her. The two events could have both happened in 1360 DR which I guess could explain the “almost a decade” after asking about the kids but again there’s no way GW could have known that.
I’m chalking this up to a mistake in the code. You can ask Madele about the kids and the temple over and over again until you select “you’ve been locked up for almost a decade” to continue the conversation. You could have already asked about the temple before you ask about the kids so the option needs to come up after asking the kids question. I hope that made sense
As for GW somehow knowing it’s been almost a decade I’m chalking that up to a writing error. Again, if anyone has any ideas as to how they knew I’d love to hear it
The million dollar question: when did the harpers take the kids?
GW had to have been born so the earliest is 1348 DR, and it happened before the followers of Cyric so the latest is 1360 DR. Serevok visited the temple sometime after because in his note he mentions his plans for the iron throne starting to gain traction, the wiki says his iron throne scheme began in 1365 so I’ll hesitantly say it was around that time without knowing where that information is from.
The wiki also says apparently serevok was left behind by the harpers during this raid and I genuinely have no idea where this comes from and contradicts serevok’s backstory in bg1 so if anyone knows please tell me
The Harpers take the kids (1348 DR ~ 1360 DR) -> Followers of Cyric take over the temple (1360 DR) -> Serevok visits (~1365 DR) -> Seige of Dragonspear (1368 DR)
jaheira x khalid for kiss prompt #9 a kiss on the ear.
starting in on these. THANKS for sending in requests!
They’re so mean 😭 why are they so mean? 😭
Jaheira x Khalid
This is a fic excerpt (~600 words). Someday, I’ll publish the rest. Because there is more — believe me, there is more.
Between the two of them, Khalid is the first to cry in front of the other.
They're tears of sheer frustration. They’d barely had time to sleep the night before, the day has been hell, and all he wants is a moment's quiet but the patrons of the pub below their room clearly have other plans. On a good day it would set his teeth on edge, never mind now. Jaheira is trying to cheer him up with that flirtatious banter she's so good at, something he loves, and this is the fourth time he's gotten completely trapped in the middle of a sentence. For fuck's sake, he's trying to compliment her (it's a favourite trick of his, disarming her with sudden earnestness) and somehow he can't coordinate his own mouth to say it.
He can’t find a way to tell her how beautiful it is when he can make her really laugh, that he wants to do it again and again for the rest of their lives, that when she smiles at him her eyes glow golden and warm and he feels it from shoulders to hips. He can't meet her eyes and his face is screwed up with effort, fists suddenly clenching as his head jerks uncomfortably to the side, and for a moment he's frozen there — and then he's crying.
The whole thing is mortifying. Khalid desperately swipes away the tears, turns away from her in his effort to hide it all. What must she think of him? Unable to keep it together even now, in this quiet moment between them.
Jaheira doesn't allow it.
She approaches slowly, sits in front of him on the bed. This is bad enough on its own, but then — then she’s holding his hands, moving them away from his face and clutching them firmly in her own. Khalid feels suddenly wild with panic. He can’t, he can’t, he —
“I-I-I —”
"No need to be ashamed," she says firmly, thumbs brushing over the backs of his hands. "It's just the two of us."
After a moment, she brings his hands up to rest above her breasts, and then both of hers move up to his face. Jaheira holds his head in her hands and kisses away the tears under each of his eyes, before her forehead presses against his. As her chest rises and falls with her breathing, he manages to copy her.
"Good," she says, a softness in her tone that's uncommon, that he's always treasured when she opens it to him. "That's it."
Her thumbs trace rhythmic circles over his cheeks like she’s trying to soothe and memorize him all at once. Slowly, the sharp noises from downstairs that had grated on him fade into undifferentiated murmurs, and there is nothing but her; the way she smells of the forest even after days spent in the city, the steel of her spine, the unshakeable calm in the eye of her storm and the way she can somehow bring him into it with her. He has no idea how he got so lucky, that he has the privilege to spend so much time at the center of her focus.
Jaheira is looking at him with that rare, precious gentleness that tells him she’s dropped her guard. That he’s seeing her all the way through, the way she always seems to see him, and all he wants in the world is to learn every path to get here with her. All he wants is her.
"I love you," Khalid whispers, and Jaheira’s eyes are suddenly wide and bright in a way he’s never seen before. For a tiny moment, they flutter closed, and he could swear her breath trembles.
She coughs. "Well, I --." Swallows. "I love you, too."
He suspected she felt it, but he had expected a smart remark, for her to hide behind a quip again. His heart swells.
Before Khalid can say anything else, she kisses him, one hand fisting into his hair, and he knows they'll both sleep soundly tonight.
They hate to see me slaying 💔💔💔
sketchbook jaheira and khalid
You can be so sassy it’s so fun
random baldur's gate moments in bg3
baldur's gate 1: siege of dragonspear - gorion's ward is a comedian actually
A WIP of a drawing I’m working on but the clothes and colors are killing me lol but I vowed to finish this before I put myself in art boot camp
I’m happy with the sketch but not married to the colors and I don’t like how monochromatic it is around brown and beige so I’ll be experimenting in the lab
If you look closely you’ll see Khalid’s outfit looks quite similar to astarions but we don’t have to talk about that :)
It was a gift from my husband. Khalid. He was a Harper. A better one than me, truth be told - any idiot can swing a sword. But to believe in the cause, with the whole of your heart? A much trickier thing. He died. Alone, in pain, and far too young - murdered by a mage who craved immortality. I'll not grant it by naming him in the same breath as my husband.