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In my previous post on playthrough 12, I described how Amaranth navigated the romantic triangle between her, Lae’zel, and Shadowheart. Finally, she chose Shadowheart.

But Amaranth’s amorous adventures were not yet over.

Minthara came to Amaranth and asked to share thoughts.

She liked what she saw.

Amaranth pointed out that she’s in a relationship with someone else. Minthara responded:

From a game standpoint, this was another crossroads point. I chose to have Amaranth stay with Shadowheart. Minthara accepted this with more grace than one might have expected.

Ah, Minthara. Those magical words that The Princess Bride taught us mean something else:

In my writeup of playthrough 11, I listed all the characters with whom I’d had a relationship. Here’s the list again, with playthrough 12 included:

• Playthrough 1 – Jank Halversen – Shadowheart
• Playthrough 2 – Karlach – Minthara
• Playthrough 3 – “Tav” – Karlach
• Playthrough 4 – Lae’zel – Minthara
• Playthrough 5 – Shadowheart – Minthara
• Playthrough 6 – Astarion – Minthara
• Playthrough 7 – Gale – Lae’zel
• Playthrough 8 – Wyll – Karlach
• Playthrough 9 – Laurelin – Astarion (on his Dark path)
• Playthrough 10 – Lae’zel – Wyll
• Playthrough 11 – Karlach – Gale
• Playthrough 12 – Amaranth – Shadowheart (on her Light path)

I said in that write-up:

Playthrough 11 completed my “romance rounds”; I’ve romanced all the romancable characters in the game.

It was during this playthrough that I realized that there was one more relationship I’d never fully explored.

I’d experienced the sex scene with Halsin in playthrough 6. But that had been a fling.

I’d never had a playthrough in which I was determined from the start to have a full relationship with Halsin. I began to think about a future playthrough in which that would be my goal.

I needn’t have bothered. Because it turned out that I achieved that goal in this 12th playthrough.

Halsin, impressed with all Amaranth tried to do for Baldur’s Gate, made the first move.

Halsin practices ethical non-monogamy.

In general, the characters Astarion and Karlach (reluctantly) will support an additional relationship with Halsin. Most of the others will not, and the player will have to make a choice.

But what of Shadowheart?

Now that everyone is in agreement, Amaranth can spend some time with Halsin.

If you ask Halsin if the wait was difficult…

I didn’t capture the next dialog option: To ask Halsin if he would transform into a bear.

Amaranth explains that’s exactly what she wants.

Not to be outdone, Mizora asks if she can also have some of Amaranth’s attention.

Shadowheart didn’t seem to mind.

Amaranth has another chance at a romantic encounter, and again neglects to check in with Shadowheart first.

Is it worth all this exotic coupling while putting her relationships at risk?

In the course of perfectly normal and standard adventuring, Amaranth came to a place where the employees offered custom entertainment services for the demanding customer. She saw a pair of Drow twins, Sorn and Nym Orlith.

Nym Orlith greeted the adventurers warmly,

Halsin was ever the one to appreciate Drow beauty; Amaranth is a Drow too, after all.

Nym explained her and her brother’s role in providing personalized service.

Nym explained that if Shadowheart wished to participate as well, both she and her brother would act as co-entertainers.

Halsin chimes in.

Amaranth, Shadowheart, Nym, Sorn, and Halsin would make five. Amaranth, having learned her lesson, checked in with Shadowheart.

After a suitable fee had been negotiated, Nym seemed enthusiastic.

The party of five made its way to the Orlith’s private room.

Then the lights went out. Drow prefer to work in the dark.

After a time in the darkness, the group relaxed.

Amaranth wanted to do it again, but Nym demurred.

And so the party of five came to an end.

I’ll add that this was not the first time I negotiated a group event with the Orliths. I did it in playthrough 6 as well. That time, Halsin turned into a bear during the excitement. This time he did not. I don’t know why there was a difference in this 5-way.

I’m not finished discussing Amaranth’s love life. But I see this post is longer than I intended, so I’ll stop here.

I’ll continue in my next BG3 post: Hugs, kisses, a lost opportunity, and happy endings.

No, not those kind of happy endings. You have a dirty mind, Jaheira.