The first page of this thread talks about how there should more romantic and cute scenes and dialogue options, about how the writers are imposing their morality on the player, about wanting to be able to stay in the relationship if you don't want to become a slave/spawn, etc. (...) Talking about the narrative they've constructed is on topic because it has to do with why the things you guys talked about aren't in the game. And when you talk about the writers trying to "impose morals" on the player people are explaining why they disagree with that.
All the suggested dialogue options for Tav should still lead to Astarion pressuring them into becoming his spawn, because that's his ultimate goal when he initiates the conversation. No one's asking for extra cute scenes. And if we did get them on top of that, what would be the harm?
'Now I just want to get rid of the tadpoles' - Astarion could say: 'That's the next step, of course. Thanks to the ritual our chances of survival have grown exponentially... And they still
can grow further. You could become something more as well, my dear. One little bite...'
"I want to be with you' - Astarion could say: 'Darling, that's exactly what I want as well. To be with you, always. And I have the means to make it a beautiful reality. We could be together for an eternity...'
'You don't have to do anything for me, I'm just glad he won't bother us anymore and we can relax now. We're finally free of him.' - Astarion could say: 'Oh my dear, you truly are the sweetest. We
are free, yes, and we'll
never have to worry about it anymore. Just like I never have to fear anyone again... so can you become stronger and see all your foes fall before you. You could be so much more..."
'I think we should toast to our victory. I've been saving a bottle just for the occasion.' - Astarion could say: 'You are just so adorable. You even thought of that... awww. We'll do it eventually of course. But don't you want this night to be truly memorable and one of a kind? You could become mine forever...'
'We could go for a midnight stroll in some dark alleys and look for trouble. Not like I'll have to worry about getting hurt with a mighty vampire lord by my side.' - Astarion could say: 'Haha, what a delightful idea, we should definitely do it one night. You could actually become untouchable yourself, you know. I can make it happen... You could join me in immortality and be mine forever...'
I'm not sure of all the details, but from what I've heard the author of that scene
is doing it. There was an outrage on the internet when she publicly said that she believes the player in that situation has failed to see Astarion as more than a sex object up to the point that they even want to become a toy themselves. You can clearly see the reflection of her words in the game. Having an idea of what an NPC character is and should act like and writing them a certain way is ok but actually deciding on players' motivation in a very narrow-minded, wild and cruel way and enforcing it is not.
Again, there is nothing wrong with an extra option to delay the transformation into a spawn due to the possible ending that already exists in the game. It's certain Astarion will give them an ultimatum soon, because he's impatient and possessive and there's simply no way a vampire lord would want to see his lover get sick, age and die, while he can prevent it from happening.
For example, there was expression of discontent that you can't skip the last scene of his quest if he doesn't ascend. There was speculation it was because the writers were trying to force their view of the endings on the player. My response was that it's more likely the option isn't there because almost no one would choose it, so they'd need to write, act, record and code both Astarion's initial response and the inevitable fallout from that the next day for something people wouldn't choose for roleplay reasons. They'd only choose it to see what happens. It's a waste of time and resources. Whereas ascended Astarion is asking for something a significant amount of players would choose not to do. So yes, I think asking for all of that is unreasonable and it's not really about wanting more roleplay options. It's about wanting to balance the score between the two endings because you guys feel personally slighted by the way the narrative frames them.
I believe it was during the last Panel from Hell before launch when Larian was asked how there are so many scenes and possibilities and that some of them are so niche that maybe only 0.2% of people will see them and if they're not sad about it. Their response indicated that they want even this 0.2% to experience the game the way they want and have the means to be thruthful to their personal story. So even if only 0.2% of people genuinely wanted to go for that option they should still have it. At least for consistency and freedom to roleplay reasons.
I was actually taken aback when I saw the option to kick him in the balls for the first time. I was thinking, "who on earth would do that?". But then I figured some would and I still appreciated it that Larian included it.
