We can see from his reaction to seeing Sebastian and his story about how he was punished for refusing to bring someone back to Cazador that he still had at least some morals and a conscience at that point.
He does have a conscience but he will still choose himself over helping others. That lesson from Cazador was the last straw for him. When he sees Sebastian he tells him he'd save him but as soon as Tav pulls him to the side he talks about wanting to sacrifice him. He's just lying to the captives. He previously demonstrates what a great liar he can be when he smoothly promises his brethren salvation when they try to obduct him.
Fandom now thinks that only 200 years of slavery plays a role in this character's story. Do they? Why?
Did Stephen Rooney write about it? The trauma is just part of his personality.
Maybe that's why there's such hatred for those who choose to ascend.
Because it's not just a circle of abuse.
It's also big line - this line of Astarion's Desire and Ambition. Which started before slavery - it's canon, he wanted power before slavery.
Yes, power is and always was his main goal. He wants to be able to do whatever he desires, that's what being free means to him and power is the means to having it all. The ritual gives him exactly what he wants - independence, protection from the sun, loss of blood hunger, power much greater than what Cazador had. He takes everything from him like he did to him (his life's work, his palace, information on important citizens, etc.) and never has to feel like a slave to anyone and doesn't have to rely on anyone to be safe. During the ritual, if refused or stopped in the middle, he shows just how important this is to him. He immediately stops caring about Tav and wishes them a painful death or outright attacks them. Out of 4 possible outcomes when he's facing Cazador, there is only 1 where he remains a spawn and stays on good terms with Tav, and even then I don't believe he will be over it entirely. The whole game he talks about wanting power, loves the abilities the worm gives him, threatens you if you deny him the second worm, talks about controlling the cult, world domination, being a king and master, etc. Then suddenly when he can claim it all, 1 persuasion check from Tav comes up, and he's instantly "fixed" afterwards. I really don't buy his 'I'm a good guy now behaviour'. He claims he doesn't regret it after the Cazador encounter but the moment Tav dumps him, he rubs his sacrifice in their face, gives them a death threat and talks about commanding his army of spawn. I think he will stay power-hungry no matter what, it's his inherent trait, his personal drive. Spawn path with continued romance might just be delaying the inevitable.
Some people say he changes so much after the ritual - I see it as him actually feeling free enough to be who he always was deep down and wanted to be and he immediately starts acting it out. He doesn't have to pretend anymore, he shows Tav the extent of his darkness, he's comfortable with it and wants to share everything with Tav who he sees as his accomplice and right hand. Then it's up to Tav to decide if he's too much for them to handle or if they do like that side of him.
I would even dare to say that: it's worth taking into account even the cut out\rewritten content and the conflict of the writers (?) and the cut out upper city. To trace the idea and reasoning of the author. And how the story changed, why and what idea remained.
I agree, it's a good point of reference. He only has a couple of things cut from the game, it's not a complete rewrite like Wyll's character and story.
