Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate companion illustrations from James Ohlen's Heroes of Baldur's Gate tabletop adventure

[Goldschmidt]

You hadn't noticed for 20 consecutive years that she has a lazy eye? And now you won't be able to un-see it.

Lol, comrade stalin. Oldschool Jaheira is a lot hotter than those newfag ladies.

Spoiler

Luckily Larian made Shadowheart attractive. One redeeming quality of BG3. I love my pixel porn.

 

[Lacrymas]

I don't like how vampirism is basically being a human, but paler and needing to drink blood on occasion. It's supposed to be some curse, remaining hot as fuck and living forever while remaining hot as fuck along with some superpowers does not strike me as a curse. It strikes me as a direct upgrade.

It is like being a better human, that's the problem. I suppose it's interesting to question why we think they are better and how we can quantify that, but that's besides the point.

In an unrelated train of thought - some people still occasionally agree with my (allegedly false) perceptions of the ages of BG1's cast and that got me thinking (never a good sign). It's quite ironic how WotC are all about that diversity and representation in current year, yet managed to turn one of the most diverse casts in RPG history into the most bland samey individuals possible, and not only that they made almost all of them young and conventionally hot. Who thought that Khalid was a sexy Arabian hunk, or that Faldorn was some kind of druidic maiden, or Xzar an anime twink? That cheapens their characters and the relationships they have, especially Jaheira and Khalid. This is the same thing with Beamdog and their failed attempts, they made the bisexual a demon-worshipper and a black woman a lesbian vampire (sexualization of exotic women + predatory lesbians alla Carmilla).

 

[Generic-Giant-Spider]

Xzar's look in that mobile game physically hurts me to my core, he's one of my favorite party members in BG1.

His BG1 portrait makes him look unhinged which he is but the mobile design goes that super gay eccentric carnival clown route and he doesn't even look like a Wizard/Necromancer. I'd have guessed it was some Rogue.

Part of why I like BG1/IWD portraits is that they aren't obsessed with using some sterile visual style that makes the characters attractive but bland. Xzar should look like some lunatic in his 40s/50s, not a JRPG villain.

 

[Riddler]

I don't like how vampirism is basically being a human, but paler and needing to drink blood on occasion. It's supposed to be some curse, remaining hot as fuck and living forever while remaining hot as fuck along with some superpowers does not strike me as a curse. It strikes me as a direct upgrade.

It is like being a better human, that's the problem. I suppose it's interesting to question why we think they are better and how we can quantify that, but that's besides the point.

In an unrelated train of thought - some people still occasionally agree with my (allegedly false) perceptions of the ages of BG1's cast and that got me thinking (never a good sign). It's quite ironic how WotC are all about that diversity and representation in current year, yet managed to turn one of the most diverse casts in RPG history into the most bland samey individuals possible, and not only that they made almost all of them young and conventionally hot. Who thought that Khalid was a sexy Arabian hunk, or that Faldorn was some kind of druidic maiden, or Xzar an anime twink? That cheapens their characters and the relationships they have, especially Jaheira and Khalid. This is the same thing with Beamdog and their failed attempts, they made the bisexual a demon-worshipper and a black woman a lesbian vampire (sexualization of exotic women + predatory lesbians alla Carmilla).

I really don't understand where this idea that characters need to be young and attractive to be interesting comes from. I understand that players might want to present themselves as such (RPGs often are power fantasies after all) but NPCs or side characters? The world loses so much immersion that it's hard to not just check out mentally. Like in modern TV series that are supposed to be so diverse, you have a bunch of characters that might as well be the same person with different colour grading of their skin.

In baldurs gate 2 there was at least some variety in the ages of the party NPCs.

 

[Thac0]

I really don't understand where this idea that characters need to be young and attractive to be interesting comes from. I understand that players might want to present themselves as such (RPGs often are power fantasies after all) but NPCs or side characters? The world loses so much immersion that it's hard to not just check out mentally. Like in modern TV series that are supposed to be so diverse, you have a bunch of characters that might as well be the same person with different colour grading of their skin.

Japan or China. It is incredibly prelevant in east Asia in general.
To the point where when Ghost of Tsushima became a surprise success there people where confused on why the MC looked like a normal human, not an anime boy.

Specifically, he pointed out that Jin Sakai was not a particularly handsome protagonist or as young as some other Japanese heroes. Jokingly, the director said that developers would question putting funding and time into the game after seeing concept art of "a middle-aged dude."

https://gamerant.com/ghost-tsushima-praised-yakuza-director/

There is a reason people are calling these portraits anime. They are, and bland anime art at that.

 

[Lacrymas]

Well, I'd say Japan and/or China are late to the party, this was a thing in ancient Greece. Not anime looks, but beauty + youth = virtuous and worthy.

 

[Thac0]

Well, I'd say Japan and/or China are late to the party, this was a thing in ancient Greece. Not anime looks, but beauty + youth = virtuous and worthy.

Ancient Greece isn't much older than ancient China. And while the greek appeal to youth has become mostly lost in western culture in favor of more gruff protagonists it is still dominant in the east. The portraits in question have absolutely been made with cultural influence from that sphere.

There was a nice meme on how all western protagonists look like Nathan Drake from Uncharted and all Eastern protagonists look like Cloud from Final Fantasy, but I can't find it anymore. All that shows up is culture war shit on how the west does no longer make fappable characters and the east does.

 

[Lacrymas]

Nathan Drake not fappable to? This is news to me.

 

[Elex]

Xzar's look in that mobile game physically hurts me to my core, he's one of my favorite party members in BG1.

His BG1 portrait makes him look unhinged which he is but the mobile design goes that super gay eccentric carnival clown route and he doesn't even look like a Wizard/Necromancer. I'd have guessed it was some Rogue.

Part of why I like BG1/IWD portraits is that they aren't obsessed with using some sterile visual style that makes the characters attractive but bland. Xzar should look like some lunatic in his 40s/50s, not a JRPG villain.

Mobile game?

that artwork come from a table top adventure written by the lead designer of BG 1 and 2.

 

[Joseph Stalin]

I don't like how vampirism is basically being a human, but paler and needing to drink blood on occasion. It's supposed to be some curse, remaining hot as fuck and living forever while remaining hot as fuck along with some superpowers does not strike me as a curse. It strikes me as a direct upgrade.

It is like being a better human, that's the problem. I suppose it's interesting to question why we think they are better and how we can quantify that, but that's besides the point.

In an unrelated train of thought - some people still occasionally agree with my (allegedly false) perceptions of the ages of BG1's cast and that got me thinking (never a good sign). It's quite ironic how WotC are all about that diversity and representation in current year, yet managed to turn one of the most diverse casts in RPG history into the most bland samey individuals possible, and not only that they made almost all of them young and conventionally hot. Who thought that Khalid was a sexy Arabian hunk, or that Faldorn was some kind of druidic maiden, or Xzar an anime twink? That cheapens their characters and the relationships they have, especially Jaheira and Khalid. This is the same thing with Beamdog and their failed attempts, they made the bisexual a demon-worshipper and a black woman a lesbian vampire (sexualization of exotic women + predatory lesbians alla Carmilla).

1. Khalid - he was always Middle-Eastern. Born in Calimshan, which is basically "Arabiaaaan Niiiiiights, and Arabian Daaaaayysss" in the Forgotten Realms setting.
2. Faldorn - she's absolutely average in the looks department. Besides, she's a druid - within the PnP they posses abilities which keep them youthful (not immortal).
3. Xzar - as I've mentioned before, they had to make him look younger in order to fit the age of a Bhaalspawn. By the way, I've also realised that a lot of people didn't actually look closely as his original portrait, seeing as many didn't even notice the clown make-up.
4. Minsc - once again, he is SUPPOSED to be young. He is literally undergoing his ritual of attaining manhood. Not Ohlen's fault they made him look 35 in Baldur's Gate II.

That aside, seeing as how there are multiple threads where people bemoan inserting ugly characters, I'd thought doing the opposite would have a positive response.

Anyone else, Lacrymas?

 

[Lacrymas]

I doubt it. Running water - sure, sunlight - no chance. The penalties of staying in sunlight are 20 damage per turn and disadvantages on attack and ability rolls. Unless they have created the game in such a way as to accommodate a Bloodlines-Nosferatu-like playthrough specifically for the vampire spawn, sunlight weaknesses are obviously not going to be included.

1. Khalid - he was always Middle-Eastern. Born in Calimshan, which is basically "Arabiaaaan Niiiiiights, and Arabian Daaaaayysss" in the Forgotten Realms setting.
2. Faldorn - she's absolutely average in the looks department. Besides, she's a druid - within the PnP they posses abilities which keep them youthful (not immortal).
3. Xzar - as I've mentioned before, they had to make him look younger in order to fit the age of a Bhaalspawn. Besides, I've already realised that a lot of people didn't actually look closely as his original portrait, seeing as many didn't even notice the clown make-up.

The focus with Khalid is about being hot, not about being Arabian/Middle-Eastern. Do you mean Faldorn in the art or in the game? She's average-looking in the game and obviously older, not in the art. Having clown make-up is literally not an issue, and those are tattoos as far as I know.

 

[Joseph Stalin]

I doubt it. Running water - sure, sunlight - no chance. The penalties of staying in sunlight are 20 damage per turn and disadvantages on attack and ability rolls. Unless they have created the game in such a way as to accommodate a Bloodlines-Nosferatu-like playthrough specifically for the vampire spawn, sunlight weaknesses are obviously not going to be included.

1. Khalid - he was always Middle-Eastern. Born in Calimshan, which is basically "Arabiaaaan Niiiiiights, and Arabian Daaaaayysss" in the Forgotten Realms setting.
2. Faldorn - she's absolutely average in the looks department. Besides, she's a druid - within the PnP they posses abilities which keep them youthful (not immortal).
3. Xzar - as I've mentioned before, they had to make him look younger in order to fit the age of a Bhaalspawn. Besides, I've already realised that a lot of people didn't actually look closely as his original portrait, seeing as many didn't even notice the clown make-up.

The focus with Khalid is about being hot, not about being Arabian/Middle-Eastern. Do you mean Faldorn in the art or in the game? She's average-looking in the game and obviously older, not in the art. Having clown make-up is literally not an issue, and those are tattoos as far as I know.

So... you think Khalid is hot?

 

[Lacrymas]

In this picture, he is conventionally attractive, yes -

He definitely doesn't look like this in-game or have the CHA score to justify it.

 

[Joseph Stalin]

In this picture, he is conventionally attractive, yes -

He definitely doesn't look like this in-game or have the CHA score to justify it.

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

 

[MajorMace]

Khalid's CHA can be justified by his stuttering anyway.

 

[Lacrymas]

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

I'd definitely arabian his nights*

Really, though, is he not attractive in the conventional sense? Someone back me up on this.
And why are we talking only about Khalid? Do you really think this -

And this -

Are the same character? Really? And that their attractiveness in a conventional sense is the same?

Khalid's CHA can be justified by his stuttering anyway.

Some people would think that makes him hotter when he looks like what the art depicts him as, trust me.




*(this is a joke)

 

[MajorMace]

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

I'd definitely arabian his nights*

Really, though, is he not attractive in the conventional sense? Someone back me up on this.

Khalid's CHA can be justified by his stuttering anyway.

Some people would think that makes him hotter when he looks like what the art depicts him as, trust me.




*(this is a joke)

I'll trust you on that but since Charisma is not only about how bangable a character is, it doesn't matter. His stuttering remains a good justification as to why he would have a harder time bolstering someone's morale than a properly articulate person.
And yes, he's attractive, but since we're straight men we can't really admit that kind of things. I think it makes our testosterone tanks leak or something, and we turn gay within a week.

 

[Riddler]

In this picture, he is conventionally attractive, yes -

He definitely doesn't look like this in-game or have the CHA score to justify it.

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

Chiseled jaw, high prominent cheek bones, fair skin, immaculate beard, an otherwise symmetrical shape and is taking a volley of arrows on his shield like it's nothing. By any definition he is handsome.

He exudes masculinity that his character in the game doesn't in any way.

 

[Joseph Stalin]

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

I'd definitely arabian his nights*

Really, though, is he not attractive in the conventional sense? Someone back me up on this.
And why are we talking only about Khalid? Do you really think this -

And this -

Are the same character? Really? And that their attractiveness in a conventional sense is the same?

Khalid's CHA can be justified by his stuttering anyway.

Some people would think that makes him hotter when he looks like what the art depicts him as, trust me.




*(this is a joke)

If you haven't noticed, her original portrait is her mid-transformation phase. Look at her teeth and nails, and nose.

 

[MajorMace]

He exudes masculinity that his character in the game doesn't in any way.

In my own experience, Khalid would usually take volleys of arrows like it's nothing in my game as well. As to the rest, I'm afraid the generic IE models don't help.
Also, he stutters

 

[Joseph Stalin]

In this picture, he is conventionally attractive, yes -

He definitely doesn't look like this in-game or have the CHA score to justify it.

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

Chiseled jaw, high prominent cheek bones, fair skin, immaculate beard, an otherwise symmetrical shape and is taking a volley of arrows on his shield like it's nothing. By any definition he is handsome.

He exudes masculinity that his character in the game doesn't in any way.

Yeah, but when a guy like this s-s-s-s-s-tarts stuttering away, it makes for a better joke.

 

[Lacrymas]

I'll trust you on that but since Charisma is not only about how bangable a character is, it doesn't matter. His stuttering remains a good justification as to why he would have a harder time bolstering someone's morale than a properly articulate person.
And yes, he's attractive, but since we're straight men we can't really admit that kind of things. I think it makes our testosterone tanks leak or something, and we turn gay within a week.

Being turned gay is a temptation at every corner and can catch you by surprise. Hold the line and always be vigilant, brave straights!

 

[Thac0]

The difference between the old portraits and the new portraits is precisely the framing. The old portraits showed the characters almost exclusively in unflattering poses. They are talking, grimacing, transforming, doing whatever the hell Xzar is doing.
The new portraits are the characters getting dressed up, dolled up, put makeup on, get framed in perfect light, props are made ready, 1,2,3 action, smile for the camera. Its the difference between a 3 AM drunk pic snapped by your mate in the club parking lot and a photoshoot session for a new movie release. The old ones had more charm.

 

[Riddler]

He exudes masculinity that his character in the game doesn't in any way.

In my own experience, Khalid would usually take volleys of arrows like it's nothing in my game as well. As to the rest, I'm afraid the generic IE models don't help.
Also, he stutters

And then he'd be running like a bitch.

 

[fantadomat]

Tell me more about how much you think Khalid is attractive.

I'd definitely arabian his nights*

Really, though, is he not attractive in the conventional sense? Someone back me up on this.
And why are we talking only about Khalid? Do you really think this -

And this -

Are the same character? Really? And that their attractiveness in a conventional sense is the same?

Khalid's CHA can be justified by his stuttering anyway.

Some people would think that makes him hotter when he looks like what the art depicts him as, trust me.




*(this is a joke)

If you haven't noticed, her original portrait is her mid-transformation phase. Look at her teeth and nails, and nose.

Her original portrait is just like 80% of the BG1 portraits,all the samemy orange mess and ugly. BG1 has the worst portraits of all the InfinityEngine games. The king is IWD2 tho .