Continuing my series of BG2 companions, as before using Minsc as a counterpoint to let them demonstrate their personalities through their interactions with him.
Imoen
NG Human Thief->Mage
This one is a hard one to do – particularly after using the younger, mischievous Imoen as the counterpoint for all the BG1 companions. BG2 Imoen is older – in age but even more so in spirit. She is sadder, determined, and scarred in both body and mind. I like to imagine her slowly reclaiming some of her old self over the course of BG2/ToB. But she’ll never again be quite who she was.
“ukrainian woman,age 21,sad,determined expression,thief,vertical scar through right eye,dark eyes,short pale red bob cut hair,purple leather armor,purple hood;in an old tower;paint,drawing,dark fantasy,d&d,dark shading“
Viconia
NE Drow Cleric of Shar
Viconia as well has changed since BG1. Not quite as over-the-top. More suspicious and hunted than haughty and domineering. And, in certain circumstances, redeemable. She’s evil at the start, but more evil out of selfishness and habit than truly malevolent – despite her choice of deity. Her fondest wish is not domination or power, but simply being left alone.
“czech drow woman, age 40, charcoal gray skin, hunted look, suspicious, regal, sinewy, straight white hair, red eyes, leather armor, black hooded cloak with purple trim, leather headband; oil paint,drawing,dark fantasy,d&d,dark shading”
Keldorn Firecam
LG Human Paladin/Inquisitor
Keldorn is among my favorite of the new BG2 companions. A man who’s strong sense of duty and justice has led him to neglect his family. Who doesn’t quite know how to balance those priorities and find his way back to being a husband and father. But is totally dedicated to his cause despite the mess he’s made of his personal life..
“brawny spanish knight, age 50, friendly, strong, hefty, battle scarred, haggard, weathered, worn plate armor, short neat graying brown hair, small goatee;in the forest;oil paint,drawing,dark fantasy,rpg portrait,minimalist features,d&d,dark shading“
Jan Jansen
CN Gnome Illusionist/Thief
I have no idea why Jan is classed as “Chaotic Neutral” – because I’ve used him extensively and he always comes across as thoroughly “Chaotic Good” to me. He’s a bit absent-minded, a bit scatter-brained, but clever and with a good heart. And he’s both smarter and more understanding of the people around him than he lets on.
“friendly sicilian halfling with hair loss, male pattern baldness, thin black goatee streaked with gray, scatterbrained, short neck, stout, age 40, fluffy eyebrows, leather headband with antique loupe, big forehead, big nose, leather smock over white robes;in the forest; oil paint, drawing, dark fantasy, rpg portrait,d&d,dark shading”
Minsc & Imoen
Minsc and Imoen went together so joyously in my BG1 imagining, that picturing this one takes some work. I imagine Minsc trying very hard to tease out some of the old Imoen mischief and glee, and it almost… sorta… bringing a bit of her back. I like to think she eventually gets back some of her old mischief, so I added some to represent further down the road as well. Minsc certainly would never quit trying. So consider this something of a time series as Imoen slowly recovers.
Minsc & Viconia
One the one hand, Minsc accepts pretty much everybody as they present themselves. If Viconia is part of the team, she’s part of the team. One the other, she’s still pretty prickly, untrusting, and intentionally pushes people away. I see Minsc just barreling along treating her as a friend despite her efforts. He wouldn’t challenge her intellectually in the way some men would. He’s perfectly happy to be the big, boisterous, jump in without thinking type. I think eventually she would come to think of him as useful and non-threatening – which is as close to “friend” as she comes until she’s a ways down her possible alignment shift.
Minsc & Keldorn
To my mind Minsc and Keldorn have a lot to admire in each other. To Minsc, Keldorn is the indisputable hero that he aspires to be. I can see him easily looking up to Keldorn as an example of what the word “hero” means to him. To Keldorn, who is internally conflicted about his identity, he likely admires Minsc’s complete and unreserved dedication to being heroic. So I picture them congratulating each other and celebrating after a hard fought battle. Minsc in his over-the-top exuberant manner and Keldorn in his more subdued fashion.
Minsc & Jan
I imagine Jan being absolutely fascinated with Boo, taking for granted Minsc’s description of Boo as a “miniature giant space hamster”. I can see them bonding over that. I can also see Minsc being the companion most likely to actually enjoy both Jan’s stories and Jan’s turnip soup.
<Note – the AI *really* did *not* want to do Jan and Minsc together in this scene. Something about their descriptions terribly interfered with each other. >
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