Tav Nouvelle

Elven Vampire Spawn / Rogue

Submitted character story

She was inspired by a late night exploration of the mod manager on Bg3 where I found a mod that allows your character to be a vampire spawn like Astarion- which brought to mind an idea. What if Astarion and my favorite Tav went down each other paths? If he never became Cazador's spawn, but she did?  

Tav presents herself to the world with seemingly effortless charm and razor sharp wit, almost always composed, always with a disarming smile or a cutting remark to keep people at arm's length. She is like a stray cat in many ways, you have to let her come to you.

Underneath the performance is someone deeply, carefully guarded. Trust is not something she extends freely. It has not been safe to trust for so long. Kindness is met with suspicion, and generosity with wariness, because she has learned that nothing comes without a price, everyone wants something from her. And usually always the same thing. Though she may flirt freely, it is a survival mechanism, not real desire. If she's wanted, if she's useful, then she's safe. She knows that much to be true, even if the thought makes her feel sick

What she is only beginning to discover, raw and disorienting and almost unbearable in its implications, is that the world has always contained kindness. Compassion. People who do brave and selfless things for strangers with the guarantee or anything in return. Rivers of goodness that somehow, for two hundred years, always dried up before they reached her. She doesn't know what to do with that yet. It makes her angry sometimes. Where were all of these people when she needed help? No, it was the mind flayers that 'rescued' her from Cazador. Not the Gods, though for a while she would spend many a night praying to any divine being that she thought might listen. Selûne, Lathander, Ilmater, even Shar and Bhaal, she tried them all. But none ever listened. No, it was another monster that eventually got her out of there. But despite her jaded cynicism, there is a buried yearning in her- for connection that isn’t transactional, for a self that isn’t defined by what others want from her, for a life that isn’t stolen moment to moment in the dark And she's vowed that she's never going back unless it's to end her master once and for all. 

Beneath the masks, and there are many, layered so deep that even she has lost track of what lies underneath is someone genuinely witty, perceptive and capable of a warmth she barely recognizes in herself anymore. Someone who wants freedom so desperately she is almost afraid to hope for it. Now that she's out of Cazador's grasp, she's desperate to keep it that way.

Prior to the events of BG3: what was she like as a magistrate

She was thoughtful, principled, and quietly compassionate. Her sense of humor was dry, understated and often has a tendency to catch people off guard even back then, especially when she directs it at those attempting to sway her ruling, bluff, or exaggerate evidence in court. That sense of humor is not something
Cazador created, she's always had this, it just became more guarded later in life. She was never outwardly bubbly or cheerful, but she would have been more approachable than she would after all she'd go through later in life. When overseeing a case, she always makes a point to listen carefully so that she can weigh every perspective, and she believes that every person who stands before her deserves to be heard with dignity and respect, regardless of their station. However, as patient as she is on the bench, she has little patience for empty tradition or displays of authority for their own sake. She values competence over ceremony, honesty over
appearances, and substance over reputation. Rather than seeking to be intimidating, she earns respect through meticulous preparation, unwavering integrity, and an evident commitment to fairness. She views the law as a set of guidelines and a responsibility rather than a rigid set of rules. And if asked, she would say that sometimes, the spirit of the law is more important than the letter of the law, especially when the letter of the law would cause more harm than good in a particular instance. Learning to balance both is vital. Outside of her work, she is quiet, introspective, and happiest with a cup of tea, a good book, and the peaceful view from her balcony overlooking the Chionthar. She rarely seeks recognition for her kindness, it reveals itself in small, thoughtful gestures rather than grand displays. Basically, she is someone who genuinely wants to leave Baldur's Gate a fairer, kinder place than she found it.