Originally Posted by Wormerine
I don't know how anyone could see Astarion as anything more the pure evil. He is sadistic, cruel and deceptive. He finds joy in others suffering. That is not a self defence mechanism. Whatever cruelty he experience doesn't remotely excuse his behaviour. I can't think of more dispicable and a less trustworthy companion. I doubt he wouldn't kill or sell out Tav if it benefited/amused him.
Yup. Go figure.

It's why if I ever play this game, any of the evil characters that I don't take with me in my party I will not just let them go but will make certain to kill off so that they cannot come back to mess with me later on in the game. Larian claims they want their players to be able to play the game their way. Let's see if *my* way of wanting to play the game will be honored by Larian's writers. I suspect not, but let's see how it goes.