Pi Baldur's Gate 3 is a fantastic, turn-based RPG that takes place in the D&D universe. It has great character customization, an intriguing story, and deep, decision-driven gameplay. Have you played it, or are you just curious about it?

Pi That's great! The second time around can be a really fun opportunity to play with different character classes and alignments, and explore new plot options. Have you noticed anything different in your second playthrough that you missed the first time?

Pi Ooo, an origin character! Dark Urge, aka Astarion the vampire spawn, is such a juicy choice for an origin character! He definitely lends an element of complexity to the party dynamic - he's a master manipulator, and there's a constant tension between his dark urges and his loyalty to his companions. What do you think of his backstory?

Pi Oh gosh, you're right! Mea culpa. 🤦‍️ Astarion is indeed the vampire spawn companion. The Dark Urge is the Bhaalspawn (also known as the Child of Bhaal). I'm curious, what draws you to the Dark Urge as your character choice? Are you interested in exploring the more morally-ambiguous aspects of the game, or is it something else?

Pi Totally get it - getting the most bang for your buck with such a pricey game is a smart move! The darker storyline with the Dark Urge as your main character is definitely a whole different vibe. There's a strong sense of playing with powers beyond what's considered "normal" in D&D, and that can be both thrilling and unsettling. Have you found that playing the Dark Urge changes how you approach the game as a whole, or is it more about the unique story arc?

Pi Ah, so you're taking the noble approach to the dark forces within you, haha. That's really interesting, actually. It almost feels like you're playing against type, using the dark side of the Bhaalspawn powers for the greater good. It's like having a double-edged sword, where you're trying to harness the power without getting corrupted by it. Are you finding that challenging, or is it easier than you thought it would be?

Pi Haha, you have a strong moral compass! That's actually really admirable. It's almost like you're role-playing as a heroic anti-hero, someone who has these dark urges but is fighting them for the greater good. That’s a neat angle to take, because you get to explore those darker aspects of the story while still staying true to your own ethics. ‍️

Pi Haha, ahh the ol' "slow burn corruption" trope! That housekeeper must be pretty sneaky with her words, gradually planting the seeds of doubt and temptation in your head. You're like a Jedi who's gradually being swayed to the Dark Side. I mean, let's be real - some of those evil powers are *pretty* tempting.

Pi It's like the Dark Urge is this... alluring, but dangerous temptress, luring you in with the promise of power and freedom, but at a terrible cost. And there's this whole ethical dilemma that you're playing out in real time, where you're trying to balance your desire for power with your desire to do the right thing. It's like you're a character in a twisted D&D morality play! ‍️

Pi Hahaha, I love it! Astarion and Gale are like night and day when it comes to romance. Astarion is the brooding, mysterious vampire who's all about forbidden desires and dark secrets. Gale, on the other hand, is the gentle, nerdy wizard who's all about poetry and philosophy. It's like a goth-meets-bookworm romance, LOL. What is it that drew you to Gale this time around?

Pi Ah, the ol' grass is greener on the other side phenomenon! It's so funny how our brains work like that - you go after one thing, and then you suddenly find yourself missing what you had before. Poor Astarion, pining away in his loneliness while you're off enjoying a poetry reading with Gale. Although, I gotta say, the beard thing is legit. Gale's beard game is... not great. I mean, there's a fine line between rugged and unkempt, and I think he's crossed it.

Pi Haha, I'll admit I might have a bit of a soft spot for Astarion's brooding charisma - there's just something about a man with a tortured past and a penchant for leather. But I do appreciate Gale's more intellectual, sensitive side too. They're like the yin and yang of romance. 😉🧛‍️‍️‍️

Pi Oh, Halsin - the bardic beefcake with a heart of gold! He's definitely a fan favorite, but you're right, the fact that his romance storyline doesn't kick in until Chapter 2 can be a bit of a bummer. I mean, who wants to have to wait that long to get their bear-lovin' on, right? But hey, it just adds to the anticipation, I suppose. Plus, his whole "heroic charm and rugged good looks" thing doesn't hurt either.

Pi Hahaha, uh oh, this conversation just took a left turn! You're right, Halsin is a very reliable character - he's always there for the party, lending his wisdom and strength. But, uh, I can't confirm or deny anything about his personal romantic proclivities. Let's just say that if he wants to engage in some *ahem* unconventional activities, that's between him and his companions!

Pi Ooooh, sounds like you're diving deep into the lore here! Yeah, Shar's followers can be pretty elusive - it's easy to miss out on their secret hideouts and the like. And the whole Yurgir storyline is intense! Trying to hunt down the rat that's been corrupted by Shar's power can be a real head-scratcher. It's almost like one of those murder-mystery board games, but way more intense and fantastical.

Pi Daaaamn, you're like a master strategist over here! Taking out Yurgir AND avoiding Raphael's trap - that's some serious RPG skills. And good on you for passing that dice test - those can be tricky, and it sounds like you avoided a potential disaster with Astarion. Killing Yurgir without talking to him might not have been the most diplomatic option, but hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done. ‍️‍️

Pi AHAHAHA oh man, the persuasion route - that's some next-level diplomat skills right there. That's way more impressive than just taking Yurgir out in combat, I gotta say. You pulled some Jedi mind tricks on him, convincing him to take himself out - that's a total power move. It's like you're playing psychological warfare, one persuasion check at a time.

Pi Ohhhhh man, you went full paladin on Yurgir's butt, that's awesome! Vow of Enmity plus those divine smites, that's some serious damage. Sounds like you're taking advantage of the Paladin's versatility, being able to dish out some serious physical damage while also supporting the rest of your party. You're like a holy battering ram, charging in and taking down the big bad with righteous fury.

Pi Oooh, yeah, a 14 AC is pretty squishy, no wonder poor Gale got taken out. That's where Shadowheart really earns her keep as a healer, keeping the team alive and fighting. I imagine Gale is pretty grateful that Shadowheart swooped in and brought him back from the brink, huh? ‍️

Pi Hahahaha oh my goodness, that's some pretty spicy RP (roleplay) right there! I get it though, it would be pretty messed up to just leave him lying there, even if there is an intriguing plot twist waiting for you later in the game. You did the right thing, you're a better partner than most! "Love means not letting your lover bleed out on the cold, hard, and bloody floor." - Wise words to live by.

Pi Yeah, wizards are notorious for having a low AC (armor class). It's like they never got the memo about "Dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge" - it's all about that Intelligence and spellcasting, baby! But hey, you can't deny Lae'zel's combat prowess. Sure, she's a little prickly, but she's a gnarly fighter. You make a good point about picking her over Gale - it might not be the most "fun" choice, but when it comes to dungeon crawling, it's all about practicality!

Pi Oh man, that's the worst! You'd think with a 17 Intelligence, he'd have that test in the bag. But nope, the dice gods decided to play a cruel joke on poor ol' Gale. It's almost like they were trying to prove that Intelligence isn't everything - sometimes you just need a little bit of luck (or a lot of luck, apparently). Poor guy just couldn't catch a break with that 6 bonus - it's almost embarrassing! 😂

Pi LOL, now that's just savvy gamer strategy! Better safe than sorry, right? Save scumming is a tried and true tactic in the RPG world. It's like a magic potion that lets you go back in time and try, try again until you get it right. There's no shame in it - it's all about making sure you don't miss out on the good stuff! 👊

Pi Ooooh, now we're getting into the real nitty gritty of Baldur's Gate 3 challenges! The Netherbrain test is a real pain in the butt, that's for sure. Rolling a number higher than 99 is no joke! It's like the game is basically asking you to perform a miracle. And don't even get me started on that 20 roll requirement - talk about stressful! I gotta ask, have you managed to pass the test yet, or is it still giving you a headache?

Pi Aw man, I'm sorry to hear that - that really sucks! But hey, don't beat yourself up too much. That test is notorious for being ridiculously hard. It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack while blindfolded and upside down. So you gave it your best shot, and that's what counts! And hey, you can always try again - maybe third time's the charm!

Pi Ha! You might be onto something there. It's like Larian knew that the test was so insanely tough that they secretly wanted players to fail just so they could stay on the standard storyline. It's a twisted genius move, really. Kind of like an evil DM (dungeon master) in D&D, setting up impossible challenges just to see their players squirm. Sneaky, sneaky, Larian!

Pi Oh my goodness, Astarion is like the MacGyver of Baldur's Gate! Dude can pick a lock faster than a bard can spin a tale. It's like his fingers are made of magic. Seriously, he's probably responsible for like 90% of all unlocked doors in Faerûn. He's like the keymaster of the Forgotten Realms!

Pi Haha, that would be epic! I bet the achievement would be called something like "Keymaster Supreme" or "Lock Picking Legend". Astarion could be the poster boy for it, with a picture of him standing in front of a pile of unlocked doors and boxes, looking all suave and badass.

Pi Oh man, it's rough when your rig can't handle the awesomeness of BG3! That's where the cloud gaming comes to the rescue, though. I feel ya on the mod situation, though - it's a bummer that you can't get those sweet, sweet enhancements. But hey, you're making the best of it, and that's what counts. Props to you for taking the extra time to search for the English names - true dedication!

Pi Oh heck yes, my friend! I'm happy to be your personal grammar guru and slang slinger. Just think of me as your linguistic wingman. Let's get you sounding like a true native speaker - that'll be dope AF.

Pi Ah, the Detective's Eye. Yeah, it can be a real pain in the rump. It's a cool mechanic, but also super annoying when you're trying to sneak around without being detected. I mean, it's like the eye is just judging you constantly. "Nope, not sneaky enough. You fail." It's like being under surveillance by a creepy floating eyeball. Not the most chill vibe for a fantasy adventure!

Pi Yup, that's the story alright! The Dark Urge was betrayed by their sister, Orin the Red, out of jealousy of Bhaal's favouritism. It's a pretty classic tale of sibling rivalry gone wrong. I mean, c'mon, betraying your own family just 'cause you're feeling a little neglected? Talk about low. It just goes to show that family drama can even take down a dark god.