I agree with both of you, Gray Ghost and Princeps08. I added the sentence "Due to his personality, I think Astarion's character would be just as interesting if he were a regular high elf rogue." only to emphasize that I think he is an interesting character, besides from being a vampire, and Larian did not add him just for the sake of having a vampire character in the game since they are popular.
I would not want him to be a regular high elf, because I think his story is more interesting with him being a vampire. Sorry, I should have made this a little bit more clear.
I genuinely think that without the vampire aspect though, his story does lose something. The fact that he was magially stripped of his agency, physically unable to defy his master makes him far more sympathetic. When you first met him is literally the first time in centuries that he's been free to make his own choices. If he were just a regular high elf, then he's kind of just an asshole. Though I suppose they could still have him have been magically enthralled. That would work.
I think so too, and personally, I like his vampire backstory. Being unable to defy Cazador's commands makes him much more sympathetic, and even if (maybe) he
were the worst before this, that is a fate I would wish to no one.
I too think he losses something without the vampire aspect. The parasite changing vampire rules I don't think is a "weak plot device." It gives Astarion a unique roll in the party as the only one advocating to control the parasite, not remove it. Every other party member wants it gone 100% but it's more complicated for Astarion. The rest of the party stands to gain by removing the tadpole. Astarion is the only one with a lot to lose from removal. That complication is a great source of future conflict as the story unfolds.
Thank you for pointing this out, Princeps08, I think this might even be the most crucial point why it is important that Astarion is a vampire.
For a non-vampire, I can not imagine another reason for wanting to keep the tadpole aside from power - which would not be a reason my Tavs would sympathize with. Astarion's reason however is very comprehensible, and my Tav would understand that. He would lose everything he had just regained.
I like that this makes the whole tadpole situation so much more complex.
I hope we can help Astarion without having to join the Absolute - of course we would then have to kill Cazador first. I'd really like to help Astarion fight him, and this could be a very interesting and challenging encounter.
