HeartForge

HeartForge is the het ship between Karlach and Dammon from the Baldur's Gate fandom.

Canon
Dammon serves as a key NPC for Karlach’s personal quest regarding her infernal engine she has instead of a heart.

The Hellion's Heart
Karlach and Dammon can first meet during Act 1 in the Emerald Grove if the Tieflings are still present. When Karlach first joins, she explains that she needs an infernal mechanic to look at her infernal engine. That infernal mechanic is Dammon, and with Karlach in the party when he’s spoken to at the grove, the two will interact. Dammon first senses Karlach's infernal, but notes that she isn’t from Elturel. Kalach explains her story of being a soldier against her will in Avernus and says she’s happy Dammon was able to escape after Elturel’s descent. Dammon is then able to smell Karlach’s infernal engine and asks if he can take a listen. Karlach agrees, and he puts his ear to her chest. Not long after, he gets burned a little and pulls back. He says that the making of her engine is 'very risky’, but says he might be able to help if he had infernal iron to work with. Dammon explains that the engine isn’t meant to work outside Avernus, but he might be able to cool it down so that Karlach can touch people again. Once Tav is able to give Dammon the infernal iron, he works with it with his hammer and creates something that Karlach can insert into her engine. As she does, she says it feels *good*, and although she’s still burning up, she feels less ‘changeable’. Karlach gives thanks to Dammon, to which he explains that while he may not have the solution for the heat, he may do so by the time he’s made it to Baldur’s Gate. He tells Karlach to take care and to save any infernal iron for the next time they meet.

The two can meet again in Act 2 at the Last Light Inn. Dammon will show surprise that Karlach hasn’t made it to Baldur's Gate and says that he has both good news and bad news about her infernal engine. Karlach asks to hear the good news first, and Dammon says he only needs one more piece of infernal iron to create an ‘insulating chamber’ that will allow Karlach to touch people. Karlach gets excited over the idea of finally being able to touch people again, and if Tav already has the iron on hand, she will quickly ask them to hand it over. Dammon then insists that she should also hear the bad news, where he says that he seems to be unable to fully fix her engine and that it’s going to blow sooner rather than later as it’s too hot to exist outside of Avernus. Karlach then stops him, saying that all she needs to know right now is that he can make something that can allow her to touch people. Tav gives Dammon the iron, and once again he works with it to create the insulating chamber. As she inserts it into her chest. Karlach nervously asks if it worked, Dammon replies that there’s only one way to find out. Tav can then make contact with Karlach, such as a hug. Afterwards, Dammon will continue the ‘bad news’ from before, saying that the only ‘cure’ for Karlach is for her to return to Avernus. Karlach replies that she would rather die than be forced into Zariel’s services again, but Dammon responds, saying not to rule it out, as even in Avernus, the world might be a better place with her in it. Karlach then says that Dammon has given her more than she can ever replay, thanking him immensely. Dammon then wishes Karlach and the party good luck and for them to look after themselves.

Karlach and Dammon can also meet again in Act 3 at the Forge of the Nine in the Lower City. Dammon starts by saying Karlach looks well. She replies, saying she would be a lot better if he could figure out how to fix her engine. He says that he hasn’t stopped trying, but everything he tries leads to a dead end - to which he apologises for the wording. Karlach says never mind and says she’s glad Dammon is alright. She also complements his new workspace. Dammon says he’s happy with what he’s gotten, and Karlach says that’s good, as someone should be.

During the epilogue, if Karlach chooses to leave for Avernus, Dammon will write a short letter for her. He says that he’s happy she’s alive and that he thinks of her often. Dammon also asks Karlach to write to him.

Forging a Heart
Karlach as an origin character has some unique interactions with Dammon. In Act 1, their conversation in the Emerald Grove isn’t too different. If Karlach has yet to add any companions to the party, during a long rest, she thinks about how she’s finally free from Avernus. As she’s thinking to herself, she may end up fantasising about a threesome with a Halfling poet and a Goliath berserker. However, if she’s met Dammon at that point, she can instead fantasise about him.

"Dammon seems to’ve made a good start. I ought to keep him close. Really close. And then, next time he leans in to listen to my heart, I take his chin and I lift his face to meet mine and I - stop it brain! This isn’t the time! Is it? [...] So I take his chin in my hand and I lift his face to meet mine and his face softens, like he’s seeing me for the first time. ‘Karlach…’ he says, straightening. He puts his hand over mine, steps closer to me. Hand on my waist now as he leans in and kisses me so softly, like he’s savouring each sensation. His hand moves lower, and he pulls me even closer towards him. I’m all nerves now, all starry, as my head explodes, showering him with skull fragments to reveal a mass of tentacles - OH GODS!"

Karlach then gets annoyed at her mind for going there, and goes to sleep it off.

In Act 2, their conversation about her engine isn’t much different either. However, after Karlach inserts the insulating chamber into her chest, instead of Tav or someone else offering to touch her, Dammon will ask for her hand and raises his own. Karlach slowly moves her hand towards his, and smiles when she’s able to make skin contact with him. Dammon then intertwines their fingers, and calls Karlach ‘very touchable’. Karlach can wonder to herself if Dammon was flirting with her afterwards.

Quotes
"Damn. I'm good. And you - you're very touchable."

- Dammon to Karlach as they hold hands testing if she can touch people again.

"In another life, I would've liked to...well. It doesn't matter now. Good luck, Karlach. And thank you. Again."

- Dammon to Karlach in Act 3.

"I think of you often, wondering what's become of you. Write to me, won't you? Please."

- Dammon in a letter to Karlach.

Fanon
HeartForge is a mildly popular ship within the fandom that seems to gain more fans as people discover the pairs unique interactions as a Karlach origin. Many fans believe that Dammon should have been an available romance option for Karlach. Some even make Dammon as Karlach's Dream Guardian in an origin playthrough. The ship is also endorsed by both Karlach's and Dammon's voice actors.

As for the ship name, the 'Heart' comes from Karlach, who's heart was taken from her and replaced by an infernal engine. 'Forge' comes from Dammon as he's a blacksmith. Both aspects of their character heavily come into play when it comes to their relationship.

On AO3, Dammon/Karlach has 20+ works.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION