Apologies, I haven't (yet) read the while thread but I still wanted to share my suggestion for the romance epilogue scene with unascended Astarion. I put the actual quotes from the game in italics. _____________________________________________
The Epilogue for Astarion and his romantic partner is severely lacking emotional depth and intimacy. Astarion and the PC are in love, yet it's not shown at all. It looks more like they barely want to be in the same room with him.
Astarion: 'Hello darling. I was just thinking about freedom. How I'm free of the parasite - free of Cazador. How I'll never be in someone's power again. And all it cost was my life in the sun. Now I belong to the shadows. So. What happens next?' I like that part aside from 'What happens next?'. I'd prefer 'What are we going to do next?'.
(I'm going to only talk about one of the possible answers here since that's the one I prefer and therefore I don't have an opinion on the others.)
PC: 'I'll help you find a way to walk in the sun again.' That line sounds incredibly condescending to me. They are in a relashionship as equals after all. Better were something along the lines of 'We could search for a way for you to walk in the sun again, love. Would you like that?'
Astarion: 'You - do you think it's possible? I suppose there is a chance. And if there's a chance, no matter how small, I'm going to take it. And it would mean setting off on another adventure together. Is that what you want? Is this what you want?' I actually really like that part as is.
Astarion: 'I would understand if you wanted to go your own way.' I think, it makes not much sense but don't really mind it being there.
PC: 'No, this is what I want.' This sentence shows no emotions whatsoever, it's completely hollow and disappointing. Please, let me tell him 'I love you, Astarion. To be with you is what I want.'
Astarion: 'Good, because selfless as I am, I really did not want to let you go.' Minor change with huge impact would be: 'Good, because I love you too and selfless as I am, I really did not want to let you go.' Astarion should take PC's hands during that sentence, drawing them closer together.
Astarion: 'We are rather excellent together, you know. And united, there is nothing we can't do. I can't say what the future holds for us, but I know we'll be facing it together.' Why don't they kiss?
Astarion: 'And we're going to have a lot of fun.' Here they should embrace each other in a tight hug, both happily smiling, before it fades to black.
