(1) Wouldn't it be true that the game world would likewise respond to origin characters based off where they are from, what race they are, what class they are, and what actions they take in the game?
My guess would be a yes..but whatever's true of origin characters are locked in for all time, whereas a custom character you create can choose to be and thus experience something completely different from them as well. Or in other words, the two experiences/playthroughs are separate/differential experiences anyway...unless you cross up one of the character elements with one of the origins. And as a custom you could claim to have experienced an outcome scenario that an 'Astarion' player didn't either.
(2) Wouldn't it also be true that origin characters would have special scenarios within the story, such as when Astarion wants to feast, that custom characters cannot access?
Not saying no, because none of us would really be able to answer that yet....but taking into account as many permutations as they're talking already this early in development, unless you had the ability to stop time and play through all combination possibilities that exist upon launch and document them scientifically, I suppose my counter would be, what are you really missing at the end of the day?
I get the point you're trying to make - particularly if you're playing off the 'tags' that Larian used in their own proprietary DOS IP, which were way more limiting (generic staple tags vs generic + origin tags) than what they've been discussing with BG3 development - but with the depth already being talked about, while I don't have any pointed issue with the minor issue you're bringing up here mind you - end of the day I don't see it as much more than a minor issue myself. Unless I'm misinterpreting how Larian/Swen has explained what they're doing, there's no way you couldn't have 'unique story elements' that you would experience in a playthrough with, oh let's say, a dwarven warlock, that you couldn't with Astarion, to use your same example.
My beef would be if it were more like DOS2 where custom characters were by very nature lesser experiences...but in this scenario (taking them at their word based on what they've said to date now), this would not be true as-is, as my playthrough as a dwarven warlock would already be giving me unique and different experiences that a playthrough using any of the (currently existing/known) companions/origins I could play through in the game as would never give me.
In terms of what's been stated by Larian, this is the answer given in the Reddit AMA by rep Adam (Smith I'm assuming):
Are there plans to make custom characters feel as unique as the origin ones? If so, what can you tell us about them?
Adam: Hello! I’m not Swen, I’m Adam, one of the Senior Writers on BG 3
. Custom characters are hugely important to us, and when you choose your class, race and background, you’ll already have made choices that have an impact throughout the game - both in terms of what you can do, how you’re perceived, and what you know. But just as in tabletop, it’s what you do after character creation and how you choose to roleplay that character that will make your adventure and character unique. In many ways, they’re more unique, because you made them.
The world and the characters that populate it - whether companions, NPCs, enemies or potential allies - will remember and react to your actions and attitude. Custom characters are central to the arc of BG3, and as your journey unfolds, you’ll walk your own path. And when your story ends, you’ll have determined your own fate… and the fate of many others.
