Astarion going through with the ritual is something that his entire character arc leads up to, he hasn't changed at all. Caring for you doesn't change his world view. I would hate for him to become a Wyll like, that to me is a horrible idea. Nor do I want a more humane and sweeter character. I'm not particularly evil in my playthroughs but neither am I 'sweet' . If I think of Astarion throughout the game, 'Sweet' is not anything that comes to mind either rofl, adorable sometimes yes but not Sweet (and when he is its usually him being manipulative). I very much prefer him as a competent self assured and independent character who loves me and want to be with me in a relationship that is playful and fun rather than someone who needs me and clearly isn't independent. The game itself treats Spawn Astarion as in need of protection (horrible dialogue) good grief why would I want that for him?
That's why I will not go for the non-ascended route in my game. Because he's not portrayed as competent, confident and independent as I would also like to see him but more like a naive, lovestruck guy who drank Tav's hero koolaid and goes along with whatever Tav suggests and has to rely on their holy protection.
It just seems like they developed his ascension path first and then created the spawn one for people who might find Ascendant's behaviour too triggering, but lacked the care to make it respectful and coherent. I would like both paths to be equally attractive but sadly they're not for me.
