I am loving how this Lae'zel hate thread turned into a Lae'zel appreciation thread. I haven’t completed her arc yet, but so far I absolutely adore Lae'zel’s writing.
I had heard that she was extremely unpleasant at first, but that eventually changed after her stuff at the creche, and that you could get approval if you politely showed interest in her culture. Imagine my surprise when waaaay before the creche, GALE started politely asking her about her culture, and she happily answered. Their banter was very respectful and they even started complimenting each other. I really like when the companions have relationships completely separate from the player. It makes the world seem bigger and more real.
When Mystra ordered Gale on the suicide mission, Lae'zel had an response showing her loyalty to and belief in him and the party.
“Near as I can tell, Mystra demands Gale's faith - but holds no faith in him. Why else would she demand Gale sacrifice himself and perhaps so many others? Does she not think he can destroy the Absolute with his own immense talents? Does she not know the mighty company that he keeps?”
As I got further along in her arc, I was so impressed with her.
Lae'zel is so quick to lie to her own people to protect the party. Once presented with evidence, she is so quick to realise her worldview may be based on lies. "If Voss speaks true - if ascension is a lie, if tadpole purification is a fairy tale, then I have not sinned against Vlaakith... She has sinned against me," is such a powerful line.
She is strong and tenacious, but can still show vulnerability. Her writing and acting are so good.
