if it isn't in the game or something officially released by Larian tied into the released game not EA, then it can't be canon
Agreed.
For personal reasons, I absolutely love Astarion's arc. To support a flawed character fight his demons and choose a path of healing was incredibly rewarding for me (and many others). Astarion's story made me feel seen. It shows, even traumatized and not properly functioning, people are worthy of compassion, care and even love.
To twist that into 'evil character deserved 200 years of torture' wouldn't make his story better. The opposite actually. In my opinion.
The ending for unascended Astarion needs some serious work though.
