Him being your protector for once is indeed a breath of fresh air. It feels good seeing him strong and happy. He finally feels like he can offer you something and does so eagerly. That dialogue is lovely and he looks so serious when he says it. <3
Yes, you used to feel his nervousness, pain, vulnerability, and now seeing him strong and confident is a real blessing. The feeling from the game is now extremely positive.
Originally Posted by Ametris
The stupidest thing you can do in his eyes is becoming a mind flayer after he turns you into his consort. Some people say it's proof he doesn't love you, but I find his dialogues hilarious when he's mercilessly laughing at Tav. His reaction was very predictable. He gives you everything he can and then you throw it in the bin to play dumb heroics and become a slimy freak for a moment of glory. Even before killing Cazador he's averse to addle-headed individuals and heroism, as Ascendant even more so.
I wonder if those who say that can imagine themselves in his shoes? Would they be able to continue loving someone who voluntarily turned into this? Exactly that voluntarily, even without any necessity - it's not necessary at all to "save Baldur". And a person who made such a choice betrays not only himself ("self-sacrificing hero" may not consider it a betrayal of himself) - he betrays first of all the one who loves him. I have nothing against illithids per se, have never chosen "illithidon-hating" remarks against the Emperor, and can perfectly well imagine a friendship with an illithid. But to imagine seeing an illithid's tentacles instead of your beloved face, hugging an illithid, or anything else (brrrrr, chills) with an illithid... I myself would probably hate such a "hero" if I were his lover. Astarion is absolutely correct in his behavior towards Tav in this case. I'll have to watch this on youtube, enjoy. I once really liked the video in which Astarion leaves Tav if she encourages him to bite Oblodra. The biting scene itself is hard, but the way he beautifully breaks off the relationship afterward is worth the discomfort of watching the biting scene. The way he rejects all her pathetic attempts to justify herself, like "Oh, I'm sorry, I won't do that again", the contempt on his face, the words like spit, he's calm and transfixed with cold disgust. I had imagined him more vulnerable before, since I've never seen Astarion like that in a game, I thought I'd have to see him hurt like that, but he handled it gorgeously, I just admired it. Astarion gives you his love, immortality, freedom from having to worship the gods (Kelemvor's wall is no longer a threat) and you after that... become an Illithid? That's funny.
Originally Posted by Ametris
I'm sure they have a telepathic connection even without the tadpole.
It's entirely possible. Especially since the Ascendant's abilities will develop over time.
I once really liked the video in which Astarion leaves Tav if she encourages him to bite Oblodra. The biting scene itself is hard, but the way he beautifully breaks off the relationship afterward is worth the discomfort of watching the biting scene. The way he rejects all her pathetic attempts to justify herself, like "Oh, I'm sorry, I won't do that again", the contempt on his face, the words like spit, he's calm and transfixed with cold disgust. I had imagined him more vulnerable before, since I've never seen Astarion like that in a game, I thought I'd have to see him hurt like that, but he handled it gorgeously, I just admired it. Astarion gives you his love, immortality, freedom from having to worship the gods (Kelemvor's wall is no longer a threat) and you after that... become an Illithid? That's funny.
