1. I don't think Tav is at this point with Astarion yet (what approval this convo appears on again? Medium?) where Tav would just let Astarion see him through Tav's eyes, but painting a picture or that entire mirror image suggestion of yours, yeah definitely(speaking of, if Astarion becomes an arcane trickster he should have access to mirror image so I guess it's an oversight by the devs lol). Also, I think there is that whole romantic aspect of the mirror convo!
Well, the companions communicate through the tadpole on multiple occasions, from time to time the merge even happens automatically. You enter Astarion's mind during his very introduction and see things from his perspective. You can also use the tadpole when he tries to bite you at night to see if you can trust him (again you see scenes as if you were in his body). It wouldn't be a stretch (if you previously rummaged through his brain twice, maybe you could return the favour?), especially if you want to roleplay your Tav as someone who enjoys having mind powers and feels a strong connection with Astarion. The scene also happens after Tav lets him drink their blood. If giving him blood is ok, then sharing the mind for a second shouldn't be a problem. I honestly don't care if he can see his beautiful face this way or another. I just want him to be able to have that experience and to hear his comments afterwards.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
2. That line has been changed ages ago already. In patch 2 or 3 iirc.
I checked for it before submitting my post and now again. It's still there.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
6. That is already in the game but is not triggering. Companions do comment (in banters) on our slowly blossoming relationship with Astarion, there are banters for all acts as well but currently they're not triggering at all. All Larian has to do is flip a switch and make it so they trigger finally.
Not only do I want these to trigger but I also want to have an actual conversation about it. Karlach, Shadowheart and Lae'zel can comment on you hanging out with Astarion during the grove party but when the relationship progresses suddenly they have nothing to say.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
7. No, Raphael played his role. At best maybe have him comment on present companions when we're exiting HoH, and maybe have him comment on Astarion's current state (ascendant or spawn, and if Tav is a vampire spawn, have him make a comment on that as well), but then have him make such comments on all companions' states (so like Sharran vs Selunite SH, etc etc).
All I'm asking for is a conversation with him acknowledging that's he aware that the ritual took place and what he thinks about it, vampire lord Astarion and Tav. If you kill
Raphael and talk to diabolist Helsik she mentions there is quite a stir in the hells afterwards. I reckon there would also be one if the ritual no one had ever dared to perform happened and 7007 souls suddenly ended up in hell.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
10. Wait, really? How? What hoops are those. But yeah, having some time to decide would be nice. But then again, it would be hard to implement with the way this game is structured.
Yes, you can stay mortal and continue to be together with ascended Astarion!
You have to skip the long rest after ascending him and immediately go to the point of no return to finish the game. Because it's in the game, it is canon then that he would keep trying to persuade Tav who's still hesitating. Hence my other suggestions.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
Also, I hear that there is a special cutscene for Tavs who rejected Astarion's immortality offer right after the docks, where he comes to you and kind of wants you back. I dunno how true it is, since I never went that route. Might test it one day.
I heard about it too but there is no video about it. I'll believe it when I see it.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
15. Sure, but the problem is that both Astarion (and Tav if spawn) change. Like entirely change, so what they feel towards each other is more akin to extreme possessiveness and not pure (innocent) love. Heck, when Astarion tries to convince Tav and says he loves them he does so in a very mocking manner. So not having the option to tell him you love him is actually pretty true to vampire lore in D&D. Altho, I guess vamp spawns, especially as fresh as Tav still retain some feelings in them (Astarion was 200 years a spawn and he could still feel love, so why not Tav?).
As mentioned before, as soon as you ascend him (and are still mortal) the game assumes you only want to stay with him because you want to become a vampire and to get physical with him. I guess it also believes you don't really love him and only continue the relationship because he's so powerful and hot. Besides, we don't know how much they change because Astarion is a new being (and by extension so is spawn Tav) and not a classic d&d vampire. Raphael says the Ascendant can enjoy all the good stuff humanity has to offer - love is part of that, isn't it? Astarion also mentions how his senses are sharper after the ritual - his feelings might also become more intense. He totally becomes more possessive but it doesn't have to be due to his transformation but instead to him simply being so confident and arrogant after the ritual. In the origin run there's never any comment from the narrator that he feels like his alignment/worldview/personality is changing, only his biology. He stops mincing words, gets super blunt, ropes Tav into bdsm - to me it seems that because he finally feels powerful he allows himself to speak and behave in the way he truly wants to, without self-censorship. Before ascension he sees himself as weak and pathetic. When you reject him and tell him 'there's nothing of the man I loved left in you' he even imitates and mocks his old behaviour strongly indicating that was just a persona he doesn't need anymore. He's indeed acting all cagey and manipulative when persuading Tav. Don't forget it's right after the ritual where he's still fully in the 'I'm an effing winner, suck it Cazador, I stole everything from you, buahahahaha' mode. I read it as him striking while the iron is still hot and wanting to turn Tav immediately to secure them for himself before they have the time to process what happened, feel remorse, and change their mind about him. He doesn't even expect Tav to help him with the ritual in the first place (he says so afterwards - 'I can't believe you let me do that, a pleasant surprise'). That's why he temporarily reverts to his seductive ways from act 1 to make sure Tav doesn't leave him - that's the only way he knows how to behave (to get what he wants) according to his own words post-breakup. He calms down and behaves all excited about the relationship like in act 2 and 3 as soon as you become his consort. At that point he truly feels no fear.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
In MF version he suddenly remembered he loved us. Hmmmm. I will use his own words from the party scene: "I hate it!".
Indeed it's odd that this is his most loving exchange.
Originally Posted by Nicottia
23. & 24. & 25. You really really love ascendant Astarion, don't you? But yeah, agree with all these points.
Guilty as charged. He's delightful. <3
Originally Posted by Nicottia
A nitpick, but it would be nice if we could actually find Astarion's grave in the damn graveyard, why does it have to be a cutscene specific thing? Heck, if you approached that thing with ascendant Astarion he could have a pretty strong reaction to it. Can you imagine the possibilities? Ho ho!
Agreed, I looked through all the graves hoping to find it and hear ascended Astarion make a comment. Tsk.
I heard new complaints that now when you reach the point of no return and share the end of the world kiss you can no longer kiss him again afterwards. I just checked my savegame and can confirm it to be true. WHY is he so broken after patch 4?
He's delightful. <3
