There are some who do stop there, though it is often due to a vampire's lack of ability rather than a desire to preserve autonomy. Sharing one's power requires one to have a good deal of it to begin with, and there are— political implications. Taking a human servant can be seen as a threat to other vampires of rank. That is meant to matter less now that we're all legal citizens, but when you're as old as many of our kind get to be, old habits die especially hard.
[His expression remains serious, and he proceeds to outline the rest in a matter-of-fact manner, though there's a distinct feeling of gravity to it.]
The third stage requires the vampire to drink their servant's blood. The servant is granted full endurance, and the mental link between the two is no longer limited to being used within dreams. The last... it becomes a truly unbreakable bond. At earlier stages, were one party to become injured or worse, the other would suffer as well, but with the servant fully marked, their two lives become completely entwined. The servant drinks the master's blood in turn, and gains immortality as well as the ability to draw on their strength— without becoming undead themselves.
[He studies her, curious as to her reaction, watching her for any tells, any nuance.]
Even at the earliest stages, it costs one their freedom, their independence. The rest speaks to itself. It is not a terrible thing, if one chooses the right partner, but to do so casually would be alike to asking a stranger off the street to marry you.
[Assuming it was the right sort of vampire, anyway. A human servant is meant to be a partner, but there were still many older vampires who considered them tools.]
[The witch's expression has faded into pure neutrality as she regards his explanation of the final two stages of servitude. She remains quiet for a several seconds to let the answers settle between them and it's only when she speaks up that her feelings are apparent.]
I see. It is a marriage of a kind where it's blood, body, mind, and soul.
[Amelia closes her eyes and sighs.]
And death has a formidable challenge to make the pair part ways.
[It's hard to make out, but there's a somber edge to her voice. She opens her eyes and looks at Gale unblinkingly.]
With those factors in mind, I think I also understand why you've never had a servant.
[Her expression is neutral, but the care with which she chooses her words and the somber note in her voice speak volumes. Much is left unspoken between them, but for a moment, the air feels heavy with sorrow. He musters a faint smile, and he bows his head slightly as she offers her understanding.]
There are some, perhaps, who do not take it quite so seriously as they should, but I've found those sorts tend to be either those who aren't strong enough to form such a bond, or those who would never be in a position to be allowed to.
[Not every vampire would be able to manage such a feat.]
If I'm being entirely honest, I've never given it much consideration. I never thought myself in a position to... [He trails off, unsure of how to phrase himself. It's not often that he struggles with words, though he's far more subdued now than he once was.] There never seemed a need, I suppose.
[Her gaze turns to the side. There's a faraway look within (not dissimilar to what he may have witnessed when she was on the roof of her home).]
On the other hand, that explains why most witches have refused servitude to any vampires. We favor the mastery and passing down of our craft over others outside of our circles. There's probably exceptions...
[She twirls her pipe between her fingers.]
Well, if we haven't heard of them, then maybe it just means it worked well or not at all.
[His own gaze grows distant as it turns away, but not without catching the change in her own. It's familiar, the same sort of look that had caught his attention when he had first noticed her taking up residence.]
Not all vampires choose to form those sorts of connections, or we find companions among our own kind. I haven't always been alone.
[He says it as though it's mean to be comforting, though he's not sure who he means it for. Her, or perhaps himself?]
I'm certain you're right. There are always exceptions. Cazador, of course... it would not have been a partnership, though I know I hardly need to convince you. It would have been a perversion of what such a bond is meant to represent.
[Though the darker ages have passed, older vampire lords like Cazador persisted even though their ways were brutal and barbaric. Amelia doesn't need to make many guesses as to how his clan still remained as a player in Baldur's Gate.
Old bastards were the ones who are annoyingly good at keeping their power.
Amelia reaches up to rub her temple with her fingers.]
Alright.
[She turns her attention back to Gale again and stands up.]
I've gotten a better idea of how serious all of this is. And I also think that we should be able to put marking me on hold. Who knows?
[She makes a gesture with her pipe.]
Maybe it won't have to come to that. But if it does, there's a perfectly logical step before it happens.
I quite agree. I'd rather not subject you to such an arrangement unless it was absolutely necessary— and in the meantime, I think we can make a convincing enough show of things if we have to.
[Not to mention that given one of the reasons Amelia was in as much trouble as she was to begin with was that she had killed one of Cazador's men, she is clearly capable of working magic with more than plants.
Between the two of them, they should be able to manage, he thinks— but she'll need someone to help her navigate this world. He also has a bit more influence than he's let on before now, though Astarion had let some of that slip. He had tried to distance himself from who he once was in some ways, from who he was in life and who he was for over two centuries at Mystra's side, but connections from that time would serve them well, now.]
I'll admit, I had been hoping the friendship bit might be an option before all this, but I assure you, this is nowhere near what I imagined.
[He clears his throat softly, able to feel color creeping into his face, but he hopes the low lighting of the shop and the fact that he's so recently fed will do their part to hide it. He'd meant what he said, of course; given their common interests, he could not help but be curious, but there is something about her straightforward nature that makes him second guess himself at every turn, makes him feel like he's constantly caught off-guard.]
You were married, then.
[Were. She had come to the city alone, that much had been obvious.]
[Death was, for everyone else, a very natural part of life. Before he had become what he was now, he hadn't given much thought to what it would be like to outlive so many people who meant something to him.
Now, it was something he had thought about a great deal.]
It's hard, for people like us. To outlive those we care about. Even when we can take comfort in the fact that they had full and happy lives, it leaves one at a loss, having to go on without them.
[He gives a faint, melancholy smile of his own, and now he thinks he better understands the look he had seen her wear when he'd spied her on her roof.]
[It's been at five years since her husband's passing and it does hurt less to talk about him and to plainly state that he was gone. Before, it was the opposite. There were long periods of mourning, second-guessing, and even misdirected anger towards the man who left too early for her liking, trying to rationalize that he had at least another two decades.
But that's what marriage is, isn't it? Until death do us part.
The witch doesn't linger on Gale's response for long and glances at him.]
Maybe when I hit two-hundred like you, I'll have it figured out. Right now though, let's finish figuring out our little situation.
[Her hands move to her hips and she takes a deep breath.]
I guess that's just it though right? We gotta feel each other out.
I'll take it as a great compliment that you think I've figured these things out. With age comes wisdom, of course, but there are some things for which there is no definitive answer.
[There's a distinct note of warmth beneath his words, somewhere between reassuring and playful— the topic may be a heavy one, and best left for another day, he supposes, but even in this, they are finding a way to get to know one another better. Coming to understand one another's values and perspectives will serve them well.
The matter at hand will require a great deal of understanding.
He nods in agreement, his posture relaxing just slightly, dropping his folded arms to lean with his hands propped against the counter behind him instead.]
Some things cannot be rushed, I understand; it takes time to truly get to know someone, but I do intend to offer complete transparency. We both acted recklessly to find ourselves in this position, but I think we can agree that the alternative was far less desirable.
[She would not have been standing here, or perhaps at all, if he hadn't declared her to be under his protection.]
We are not sunk without marks— as you reminded Astarion, encouraging certain rumors will serve us well. There is a great deal that can be done even without such a bond, and my promise of protection still holds regardless. It is... of the utmost importance to me that you do not feel coerced or obligated in any way. I hope you will come to feel that you can trust me.
[Amelia nods and hums in agreement with all that he's said. There are many twists and turns in the world of vampire politics, but she's objectively in a much better position than before.]
I definitely trust you.
And soβ Gale. [Hands are clapped together and she reaches out to pat the vampire on the side of his arm.]
As my new friend, I'm going to trust you to show me any magical artifacts and tomes you have in your shop or collection. Either or.
[There's a glint in her eye; one other characteristic of witches is their inherent love and instinct to study other magic arts to add to their repetoire.]
[As serious as the situation at hand is, she manages to pull another small smile from him, and he lets out a startled, breathless bit of laughter as she pats his arm. It bodes well, he supposes, that she seems the sort to be able to make herself at ease most anywhere.]
Naturally. The only trouble would be deciding where to start— I've likely even more than you imagine.
[Anywhere she turns in the store, she'll find something related to magic or the occult, but more than the actual inventory, there's magic in the air itself— a sanctuary spell he had seen fit to place on the building years back, with some assistance. He finds himself more grateful for that bit of foresight than ever, at the moment.]
I was a warlock long before I was a vampire— well, we didn't call ourselves such back then. Wizard was the preferred verbiage.
[Amelia's moving to the shelves and inspecting the spines of some books in one row, and on the row below, bottles with low-glowing contents that are neatly lined up. She looks over her shoulder at Gale.]
Oh, a wizard? Well, I had you pegged as one. Like calls to like and all that.
[Although magic can be channeled differently, at the end of the day, they were all drawing from the same pool, at least in a sense. The arcane was imprecise, for better or for worse.]
Have you ever sold any products to witches? I know I'm not the only one who's passed through Baldur's Gate although I might be the one who's staying the longest.
[He finds himself genuinely pleased to have the opportunity to talk to someone new about the art of magic; there were other vampires who, like him, still managed to possess some arcane power even after their change, but he has always enjoyed having a chance to discuss his passions.]
As it so happens, I have, though you're quite right. I've met my share of witches, but most don't intend to stay in the city long. They often tend to their business and then go on their way, but I've had a number interested in various tomes that have come through my shop, or other magical items. I see a fair few oddities in my line of work— I'm always happy to meet someone who can appreciate them.
[He looks mildly startled before giving a shake of his head, gently pushing himself away from the counter so that he, too, can meander towards one of the many bookshelves, a few feet from her own.]
It's only coincidence, but it still strikes me as rather funny.
[He chuckles softly; the idea that it could be anything more than coincidence is, of course, laughable, but that bit of levity is more than welcome thanks to the severity of their situation.]
Perhaps— it very well could be.
[Truly, they both could have done far worse when it came to finding themselves bound to someone, even if it was only metaphorically at the moment.
He pulls a book from the shelf before turning to move towards her, holding it out in offering.]
This one may interest you. I'm certain you've learned plenty on this topic through oral tradition, but this tome is quite rare— History of the Spellplague.
[Her excitement and eagerness only cause his smile to hitch wider— it's rare, he's found, to meet someone who is as passionate about such things as he is. There were some vampires who became jaded regarding history simply because they had lived so much of it themselves, and while he knew plenty of fellow bookworms, it wasn't often he saw someone else carry that same spark of elation he'd always felt when coming across an exciting find.]
Ah, I see we agree on that point— it is always advisable to view as many different perspectives as possible, when one can. This edition isn't quite as old as I am, but still has a number of years on it. I keep the oldest and most delicate books downstairs, temperature-controlled.
While I'm certain your collection is in good hands with your coven, I can't imagine having to leave something so dear to your heart behind.
[He's brightened considerably, their dire circumstances momentarily forgotten as he feels his own passion for books and all they have to offer kindled.]
In its absence, I invite you to enjoy mine at your leisure— there's far more than what I have available for sale, of course, though the shop is a good place to start. There's the curated collection of antiques below, and my personal library can be found up on the third floor. I probably shouldn't encourage you to forgo sleep entirely, of course... these may be my most active hours by necessity, but you have responsibilities of your own when the sun comes up, yes?
[Though, to be perfectly fair, he supposes it would be more than reasonable to postpone such things. He had seriously considered not opening the shop tonight, himself, and there was still time for him to make such a decision, the door locked as it was.]
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sunfloras2024-05-18 10:26 pm
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[His expression remains serious, and he proceeds to outline the rest in a matter-of-fact manner, though there's a distinct feeling of gravity to it.]
The third stage requires the vampire to drink their servant's blood. The servant is granted full endurance, and the mental link between the two is no longer limited to being used within dreams. The last... it becomes a truly unbreakable bond. At earlier stages, were one party to become injured or worse, the other would suffer as well, but with the servant fully marked, their two lives become completely entwined. The servant drinks the master's blood in turn, and gains immortality as well as the ability to draw on their strength— without becoming undead themselves.
[He studies her, curious as to her reaction, watching her for any tells, any nuance.]
Even at the earliest stages, it costs one their freedom, their independence. The rest speaks to itself. It is not a terrible thing, if one chooses the right partner, but to do so casually would be alike to asking a stranger off the street to marry you.
[Assuming it was the right sort of vampire, anyway. A human servant is meant to be a partner, but there were still many older vampires who considered them tools.]
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I see. It is a marriage of a kind where it's blood, body, mind, and soul.
[Amelia closes her eyes and sighs.]
And death has a formidable challenge to make the pair part ways.
[It's hard to make out, but there's a somber edge to her voice. She opens her eyes and looks at Gale unblinkingly.]
With those factors in mind, I think I also understand why you've never had a servant.
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[Her expression is neutral, but the care with which she chooses her words and the somber note in her voice speak volumes. Much is left unspoken between them, but for a moment, the air feels heavy with sorrow. He musters a faint smile, and he bows his head slightly as she offers her understanding.]
There are some, perhaps, who do not take it quite so seriously as they should, but I've found those sorts tend to be either those who aren't strong enough to form such a bond, or those who would never be in a position to be allowed to.
[Not every vampire would be able to manage such a feat.]
If I'm being entirely honest, I've never given it much consideration. I never thought myself in a position to... [He trails off, unsure of how to phrase himself. It's not often that he struggles with words, though he's far more subdued now than he once was.] There never seemed a need, I suppose.
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[Her gaze turns to the side. There's a faraway look within (not dissimilar to what he may have witnessed when she was on the roof of her home).]
On the other hand, that explains why most witches have refused servitude to any vampires. We favor the mastery and passing down of our craft over others outside of our circles. There's probably exceptions...
[She twirls her pipe between her fingers.]
Well, if we haven't heard of them, then maybe it just means it worked well or not at all.
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[His own gaze grows distant as it turns away, but not without catching the change in her own. It's familiar, the same sort of look that had caught his attention when he had first noticed her taking up residence.]
Not all vampires choose to form those sorts of connections, or we find companions among our own kind. I haven't always been alone.
[He says it as though it's mean to be comforting, though he's not sure who he means it for. Her, or perhaps himself?]
I'm certain you're right. There are always exceptions. Cazador, of course... it would not have been a partnership, though I know I hardly need to convince you. It would have been a perversion of what such a bond is meant to represent.
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Old bastards were the ones who are annoyingly good at keeping their power.
Amelia reaches up to rub her temple with her fingers.]
Alright.
[She turns her attention back to Gale again and stands up.]
I've gotten a better idea of how serious all of this is. And I also think that we should be able to put marking me on hold. Who knows?
[She makes a gesture with her pipe.]
Maybe it won't have to come to that. But if it does, there's a perfectly logical step before it happens.
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[Not to mention that given one of the reasons Amelia was in as much trouble as she was to begin with was that she had killed one of Cazador's men, she is clearly capable of working magic with more than plants.
Between the two of them, they should be able to manage, he thinks— but she'll need someone to help her navigate this world. He also has a bit more influence than he's let on before now, though Astarion had let some of that slip. He had tried to distance himself from who he once was in some ways, from who he was in life and who he was for over two centuries at Mystra's side, but connections from that time would serve them well, now.]
What step is that?
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[That bright and weirdly optimistic smile returns as she approaches him.]
If being marked is akin to a serious union, what do people do before they take that big step?
[Amelia doesn't wait for him to answer and taps him on the side of his arm with her pipe.]
They get to know each other first. Learn to be friends. Good friends.
[And without batting an eye, she adds:]
That's what I learned in marriage counseling.
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[He clears his throat softly, able to feel color creeping into his face, but he hopes the low lighting of the shop and the fact that he's so recently fed will do their part to hide it. He'd meant what he said, of course; given their common interests, he could not help but be curious, but there is something about her straightforward nature that makes him second guess himself at every turn, makes him feel like he's constantly caught off-guard.]
You were married, then.
[Were. She had come to the city alone, that much had been obvious.]
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Yeah. "Were" is the right way to say it.
[Her arms fold in front of her withi her pipe tucked into her elbow.]
I'm a widow. My husband was a human so... To me he died young. But otherwise, I was able to give him a full uninterrupted marriage so...
[There's anothe casual shrug even though it lacks the lightness of prior ones.]
Hey. Like I implied, long-term committment won't be a problem.
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[Death was, for everyone else, a very natural part of life. Before he had become what he was now, he hadn't given much thought to what it would be like to outlive so many people who meant something to him.
Now, it was something he had thought about a great deal.]
It's hard, for people like us. To outlive those we care about. Even when we can take comfort in the fact that they had full and happy lives, it leaves one at a loss, having to go on without them.
[He gives a faint, melancholy smile of his own, and now he thinks he better understands the look he had seen her wear when he'd spied her on her roof.]
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[It's been at five years since her husband's passing and it does hurt less to talk about him and to plainly state that he was gone. Before, it was the opposite. There were long periods of mourning, second-guessing, and even misdirected anger towards the man who left too early for her liking, trying to rationalize that he had at least another two decades.
But that's what marriage is, isn't it? Until death do us part.
The witch doesn't linger on Gale's response for long and glances at him.]
Maybe when I hit two-hundred like you, I'll have it figured out. Right now though, let's finish figuring out our little situation.
[Her hands move to her hips and she takes a deep breath.]
I guess that's just it though right? We gotta feel each other out.
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[There's a distinct note of warmth beneath his words, somewhere between reassuring and playful— the topic may be a heavy one, and best left for another day, he supposes, but even in this, they are finding a way to get to know one another better. Coming to understand one another's values and perspectives will serve them well.
The matter at hand will require a great deal of understanding.
He nods in agreement, his posture relaxing just slightly, dropping his folded arms to lean with his hands propped against the counter behind him instead.]
Some things cannot be rushed, I understand; it takes time to truly get to know someone, but I do intend to offer complete transparency. We both acted recklessly to find ourselves in this position, but I think we can agree that the alternative was far less desirable.
[She would not have been standing here, or perhaps at all, if he hadn't declared her to be under his protection.]
We are not sunk without marks— as you reminded Astarion, encouraging certain rumors will serve us well. There is a great deal that can be done even without such a bond, and my promise of protection still holds regardless. It is... of the utmost importance to me that you do not feel coerced or obligated in any way. I hope you will come to feel that you can trust me.
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I definitely trust you.
And soβ Gale. [Hands are clapped together and she reaches out to pat the vampire on the side of his arm.]
As my new friend, I'm going to trust you to show me any magical artifacts and tomes you have in your shop or collection. Either or.
[There's a glint in her eye; one other characteristic of witches is their inherent love and instinct to study other magic arts to add to their repetoire.]
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Naturally. The only trouble would be deciding where to start— I've likely even more than you imagine.
[Anywhere she turns in the store, she'll find something related to magic or the occult, but more than the actual inventory, there's magic in the air itself— a sanctuary spell he had seen fit to place on the building years back, with some assistance. He finds himself more grateful for that bit of foresight than ever, at the moment.]
I was a warlock long before I was a vampire— well, we didn't call ourselves such back then. Wizard was the preferred verbiage.
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Oh, a wizard? Well, I had you pegged as one. Like calls to like and all that.
[Although magic can be channeled differently, at the end of the day, they were all drawing from the same pool, at least in a sense. The arcane was imprecise, for better or for worse.]
Have you ever sold any products to witches? I know I'm not the only one who's passed through Baldur's Gate although I might be the one who's staying the longest.
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[He finds himself genuinely pleased to have the opportunity to talk to someone new about the art of magic; there were other vampires who, like him, still managed to possess some arcane power even after their change, but he has always enjoyed having a chance to discuss his passions.]
As it so happens, I have, though you're quite right. I've met my share of witches, but most don't intend to stay in the city long. They often tend to their business and then go on their way, but I've had a number interested in various tomes that have come through my shop, or other magical items. I see a fair few oddities in my line of work— I'm always happy to meet someone who can appreciate them.
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[Her fingers hover over one of the books and then settles on one. She pulls out a textbook that covers botanical remedies and cultivation techniques.]
Previously, I never lived anywhere else aside from my hometown of Blackgale, which coincidentally, is a base for one of our covens.
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[He looks mildly startled before giving a shake of his head, gently pushing himself away from the counter so that he, too, can meander towards one of the many bookshelves, a few feet from her own.]
It's only coincidence, but it still strikes me as rather funny.
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[There's a blink before it occurs to her that her hometown and his name... Well, he's right. It's kind of funny.]
Coincidence? Or...?
[Closing her book, Amelia approaches Gale, her voice taking on that light, but not exactly subtle tone of teasing.]
Foreshadowing?
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Perhaps— it very well could be.
[Truly, they both could have done far worse when it came to finding themselves bound to someone, even if it was only metaphorically at the moment.
He pulls a book from the shelf before turning to move towards her, holding it out in offering.]
This one may interest you. I'm certain you've learned plenty on this topic through oral tradition, but this tome is quite rare— History of the Spellplague.
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Is this an older edition? Those are so rare!
[The witch flips through the pages to look through the table of contents.]
My sisters do talk about it and it's taught extensively, but it's valuable to add to the topic when it's written from a different perspective!
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Ah, I see we agree on that point— it is always advisable to view as many different perspectives as possible, when one can. This edition isn't quite as old as I am, but still has a number of years on it. I keep the oldest and most delicate books downstairs, temperature-controlled.
facepalms at my gremlin hour tagging
[She's a bibliophile at heart, even if her green magic takes priority.]
I left most of my books to my coven since I can't really lug around my whole library with me during my travels.
[Amelia beams up at the vampire, just positively giddy at the prospect of spending the evening with rare literary finds.]
And now I don't know if I'll be able to sleep at a normal hour, not when you're telling me about even older books. We're barely getting started here.
here I am doing the same
[He's brightened considerably, their dire circumstances momentarily forgotten as he feels his own passion for books and all they have to offer kindled.]
In its absence, I invite you to enjoy mine at your leisure— there's far more than what I have available for sale, of course, though the shop is a good place to start. There's the curated collection of antiques below, and my personal library can be found up on the third floor. I probably shouldn't encourage you to forgo sleep entirely, of course... these may be my most active hours by necessity, but you have responsibilities of your own when the sun comes up, yes?
[Though, to be perfectly fair, he supposes it would be more than reasonable to postpone such things. He had seriously considered not opening the shop tonight, himself, and there was still time for him to make such a decision, the door locked as it was.]
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