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 have seen a lot of people chuckle over that "younger man" line in relation to Gortash (as if it is not said in direct comparison to Ketheric) and taken it to mean he might have an issue with aging/some midlife crisis going on.
I'm very much not in that boat. He looks his age. He is one of few characters who does. (Not a lot of straight humans ingame tho, so.)
If you look at the man's history, youth has literally never done him any favors. Being younger has meant being weaker, having less information, and having to rely more on other people -- and often people who shouldn't be in charge of anyone.
To me, that's gonna be someone who has no problem with aging. In fact, he probably likes the way he looks now more than at any other point he has been alive. He's at the point he thinks he has always wanted to be.
To quote a friend: "Enver Gortash has exactly one midlife crisis and its name is Orin."
➵ lord enver gortash - tumblr text posts - [3/?]
The other day, I saw a non-fandom text post along the lines of:
“What we had was so special you’ll look for me in every new person” (sorry I haven’t been able to find it again)
And I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
Because to me this perfectly describes Durgetash + romancing your companions.
I can’t help thinking about amnesiac Durge missing something, always searching, but can’t remember what.
They find echoes of it in Gale’s intelligence, his enthusiasm and knowledge when he speaks about magic. And yet, it doesn’t fit entirely.
They find it in Lae’zel’s easy superiority, her ruthlessness and determination. And yet, it’s not quite enough.
They find it in Astarion’s deception and easy charm, the way he manipulates a situation to his advantage, the way he doesn’t need magic to have people literally bare their necks to him.
They find it in Shadowheart’s snark, her secrecy, her dark goddess. They find it in Karlach’s rage (though she burns hot instead of cold which is odd..), in the smell of sulphur and hellfire that clings to her. They especially find it in her mechanical heart, that makes them want to reach out, bury their hands in it, just to see if it feels as familiar as it seems. If maybe owning her heart will fill the hole in their memories, their chest even.
And yet, surprisingly, they find it in Wyll’s pact, Wyll’s past, but also Wyll’s manners and they way he dances, his stories, that make them feel closer to a city they don’t much care about otherwise.
They find it in the deep possessiveness, maybe even hatred, when Raphael first comes to camp.
And yet none of it is enough, none of it fits quite right, and while maybe eventually they manage to look past that familiar feeling and find new things to admire about their chosen partner…deep in their heart they know.
In the end, they’ll always look for something none of them can give them.
Not until they first encounter that handsome young man with an easy smile, and all the jagged broken edges click together like horrible little puzzle pieces.
Did a study of good ol' Gort
Gonna be drawing wayy more of him for a while, since I'm planning to illustrate the durgetash fic I'm working on!
Gort studies! I find him really difficult to draw in a more semi-realistic style, so I guess I gotta practice
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
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
And even then, Father won't be proud.
"Blorbo from my shows" this, "blorbo from my videogames" that. What about "blorbo from my DnD game" that only three other people know. Do you ever think about that-