The Lure of One’s Destiny is Irresistible is a {{Video Game / Baldur's Gate III}} x A Song of Ice and Fire FanWork by Mocking_Point.
It has been over two years since the bastard son of the Lord of Winterfell disappeared on that cold night of the full moon. There were many rumors of him turning into a wolf as disappearing into the night, something most people took stock in. That is until he shows up back in Westeros, shortly after the death of the old Hand of the King.
Jon Snow as Tav/Player Character of Baldur’s Gate 3
The fanfic has the following tropes:
- The Ace: This is a Jon that has faced the Absolute crisis. There aren’t many people in Westeros can stand against him. Robb and Loras are stated to be master swordsmen in Winterfell and he was able to match them, Jory, Alyn and Theon without missing a beat, with both Eddard and Ser Rodrik noting that he was holding back. He was able to handle three Kingsguard and win without breaking a sweat.
- Action Girl: Jon describes Karlach and Lae’zel this way. He downplays it with Jaheira and Shadowheart.
- Adaptational Early Appearance: Margaery Tyrell doesn’t appear outside of a portrait until A Clash of Kings; Alys Karstark and Wylla Manderly don’t appear until A Dance with Dragons. All three make appearances during events that took place during A Game of Thrones.
- The Apprentice: Robert has Jon take over Gendry’s training. It’s noted that Gendry’s skill improved afterwards, especially after he gets a hammer in his hand.
- The Bard: The Appendix notes that Jon multiclassed into bard. He sings at King Robert’s feast and he sings in Battle as well.
- Battle Trophy: It has specifically been stated that Jon has collected them during his travels, similar to how the player character collected them. In chapter two he specifically gives Robert the Hammer her took from Ketheric Thorm.
- Berserk Button: Sandor Clegane finally gets Jon to fight by him insulting his singing. On a more serious note, Jon openly snaps in anger when Jaime makes a joke about “Legendary Duels”.
- Blood Knight: Jon specifically describes himself as one. In both fights he’s been a part of in the fic he’s shown open excitement.
- Brutal Honesty: Jon got on Robert’s good side by telling him straight out that he wouldn’t hold back in their spar despite Robert being a king.
- Commonality Connection: Gendry and Jon bond over being bastards who are close to their Trueborn siblings, also their fathers are best friends.
- Cool Sword: Jon’s main sword, Phalar Aluve, is one of the only Mythril Swords in Westeros… oh and it sings.
- Covered in Scars: Jon is covered in scars, with numerous characters commenting on it. The author posted a photo on their tumblr showing the various scars Jon received here [1]
- Deadpan Snarker: Part of the reason that Jon is part Bard.
- Divine Intervention: Jon is worried that Selûne might have influenced his decisions that had him end up of the Sword Coast.
- Enemy Civil War: Jon expresses worries a war might happen between the Baratheons and Lannisters specifically citing the Guild and Zhentarim.
- The Face: Jon’s highest stat is charisma, maxing it out at 20. Except for Cersei and Joffrey, (and a downplayed Theon) Jon seems to get along with everyone swimmingly.
- Friend to All Children: Both Arya and Bran love Jon, and Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella quickly get attached to him.
- Forgotten First Meeting: Alys Karstark approaches Jon but he does not remember dancing as children.
- Heroes Love Dogs: The Starks
- Heroic Build: Judging how Wylla, Margaery and even his own sister Sansa have been appreciating him, Jon seems to have one.
- Lightning Bruiser: Jon has shown to be fast enough to keep up with five opponents and has a 17 strength, almost twice the strength of the average.
- Red Baron: Jon mentions a few of his including “Aemon the Direknight”, “Peacebringer”, and “The Savior of Baldur’s Gate”.
- Noodle Incident:
- Jon continuously makes veiled references to his confrontation with Orin.
- Additionally, Jon and Shadowheart seemed to have broken up between the end of the game and the beginning of the story.
- Jon also offhandedly mentions a spar he had with Drizzt Do'Urden.
- Ship Tease: Bran and Myrcella seem to be getting along very well, to the point he invited her to the practice ring.
- Skilled and Strong: Jon describes himself as this in comparison to Lae’zel and Karlach, stronger than Lae’zel, but weaker than Karlach. More technically skilled than Karlach, but less so than Lae’zel, allowing him to keep up with both.
- Shout-Out: Are we going to stand around all day, or are we going to fight? KingsmanTheSecretService
- Unskilled, but Strong: Downplayed, but Jon describes Karlach as this in comparison to himself and Lae’zel, which falls somewhat into Sliding Scale of Gameplay and Story Integration as Karlach is a base Barbarian who goes into an unstoppable rage, meaning their base ability is to value strength and raw power over skill.
- Weak, but Skilled: Jon describes Lae’zel as this in comparison to himself and Karlach, which falls somewhat into Sliding Scale of Gameplay and Story Integration as Lae’zel is a fighter, whose skill is supposed to be bar none. Downplayed as her strength is still a 14, significantly higher than average.
- The Oathbreaker: Jon brings it up in regards to Jaime. Additionally, a few comments about a “new oath” hint at a a few skeletons in Jon’s closet.
