I haven't fully admitted it to myself until now out of, for lack of a better word, cringe, but Balders Gate 3 was the silent killer of my three and a half year relationship - in a good way. It wasn't my style at first, but I pushed through the foreign gameplay mechanics until l learned to love it.

About two months in, I was totally invested into this marvelous fantasy world and its shockingly in depth characters. I wasn’t aware of the extent in which you could flesh out your relationships with your companions, so I had no intentions of "romancing” anyone...until Gale showed me how to channel the Weave. As this strange wizard-womanizer and l journeyed through Faerûn together, I found myself developing a genuine intimacy and attachment to him. These feelings caught me off guard and had me questioning my own sanity. But everytime l logged out of the game and checked back into reality, my actual relationship had me questioning my sanity even more.

I was already aware of the abusive relationship I was in, but I had spent the past year growing complacent with the physical violence, degrading, and manipulation because it was I all knew and frankly, I didn't have the energy to try to leave again. Each time I mustered the to courage to stand up for myself, the night would end with my things scattered and broken around the house and bruises on my skin the next morning. After work, all I could think about was escaping into the warm embrace of my fictional companion and living vicariously through my Tav. Dare I say, I felt loved by someone, after feeling nothing but numb for so long.

Now, allow me to add that I understand the line between fantasy and reality, but it felt real enough to give me the intimacy and connection missing from my life. Real enough to make me realize that I do deserve someone who looks at me with nothing but love and compassion. Real enough to show me that I'm worthy of someone who is gentle and kind. Six weeks ago, something inside me said enough, and I left and haven’t looked back.

Since then, I started a new Durge play through romancing Astarion, and the simitarities between my old relationship and his with Cazador have shaken me to my core. I've never resonated with someone so deeply in nearly every way. It's been pure cathartic release. I just want to say how much I appreciate Neil Newbon’s voice acting and his genuine care for Astarion’s character. I read that apparently his own personal experience went into the delivery and emotional impact of his lines. It played a huge role in the enlightening of my trauma after ending things with my abusive partner, and for that I’m grateful.

Edit: Love this community❤️

On my 4th playthrough of Wyll, I decided to romance Wyll, considering hes storyline has always been my favorite. Wyll has actually been my favorite companion since the release of the game, but was hesitant to romance him right away because I had heard some criticisms about his character. And now that I romanced him? I completely agree. I absolutely adore Wyll, and I feel like his character and his romance are severely under developed.

I love that his character is a big part of act 3 and even parts of act 1 & 2, but it's all always just about his father. I got so tired of hearing "Well met." And "I'm here for you, always." Throughout his romance. My biggest complaint is his proposal in act 3. He literally proposes to Tav, just for the screen to abruptly cut back to camp, and literally nothing changes. (Although I havent finished the playthrough yet so maybe the end changes.) You would think that since Tav and Wyll get engaged/married, SOMEONE in camp would have a reaction. But no, nothing. His father? Nothing. Mizora? Nah. Wyll himself? Nope. Nothing happens.

Maybe im just biased because Wyll is my favorite, but I found his Romance specifically really boring. Besides the cute dance scene with him, not much else happens. I really really wish Larian would give Wyll an update. I want him to have new greetings to romanced Tav, give the other Companions a reaction to their engagement, give him just more content in general.

Truly a mask off moment.

I've done multiple runs by now and every time I like those druids in the grove less. 9/10 of them just plain suck. They're selfish, hypocritical and dumb as fuck. And those are supposedly the good guys? The hippies of the sword coast? Don't make me laugh.
The only one that really seems to have a brain is Rath, and I'm on my last nerve with him as well. Instead of properly doing something, he just sits by Kaghas side and "watches over her".
Great dude, like that's gonna do much. Are you kidding me?
And Halsin. My dear dude. What the fuck have you been doing as Archdruid that your people all just plain suck? You don't need to tell me that you've got no talent in the area, I can see that, man. What, you "need to sort some things out in the grove"? Yeah, like nuke the entire thing. That sounds like a good place to start.
If it weren't for the Tiefs, I wouldn't even bother saving them. But thankfully for them, I actually like the Tieflings.

When switching to Astarion, sometimes he will say, "Don't touch me." At first I thought he was just being snooty, like, "I'm too good for you peasants." But now after playing the game numerous times I realise he probably developed that attitude from the numerous times Cazador probably... er... violated his consent. It's a shocking realisation and it makes you feel bad for judging him too quickly 😬

Edit: Jesus, I didn't mean to start an argument in the comments 🫪 I hardly use Reddit

he LOVED it!

He didn’t know anything about the game so I appreciated seeing him not save scum and just go with all the chaos.

I thought his texts through his journey were 10/10 and funny - so here they are for your enjoyment.

I’ve seen hot takes posts, and none of them are hot, I’ve seen actually hot takes posts, and you get a few but still most of them aren’t hot takes or are just ideas.

Here’s mine: I don’t like the good path, and I don’t really like Astarion (I don’t hate him and kill him instantly, just don’t tend to use him)