I think this dialogue is lacking. The dialogue 'No'. 'Yes'. 'No'. "Ok, bye then!" just sounds like it was put there for a questionable comedic value, because it's certainly not a conversation two adults would have. There should definitely be a follow-up and a way to ask him what his deal is, at least to stall it a bit.
Exactly! I really didn't understand what was going on. The mind-reading doesn't do anything but make you "baffled by what's going on" even more. How can Astarion think that Tav is humiliating herself by staying with him when he was (and still is) the best, most wonderful person to her? How can he think that she enjoys humiliating herself? For a drow, this is especially so, of course. My Tav, though she was an ordinary human (albeit of "nobleman" descent, which is not conducive to being able to humiliate herself either), has always shown courage and strength (most of Astarion's approvals have come from treating him directly, and approving of actions that show strength of character without committing particularly evil acts).
Originally Posted by Ametris
A drow female would certainly protest here, my Tav did at first and I expected to hear him get more manipulative and threatening (saying something like 'I thought you wanted to be mine. I need to see just how devoted to me you truly are. You are loyal to me, aren't you? Then you'll do it for me and accept my gift with due respect.') and gloat about making this kind of Tav submitting to him, calling her a "good girl" or something (since he calls you a "bad girl" if you try to read his thoughts and fail).
Now that's just more correct and in keeping with Astarion's character, and sounds much better than what's in the game.
Originally Posted by Ametris
It can be easy to miss the most obvious cues that he's fantasising about dominating Tav - his reaction to Tav getting beaten by the priest of Loviathar, and him hinting he enjoyed tying up Durge.
Oh, yeah, Astarion got my Tav up to it, too. "And no arguments!" You agree, and then you realize what you've just gotten yourself into It's true, you can get this scene through intimidation very nicely. Tav had a hard day in general - right after the first night, Astarion first calls Shadowheart a "flower" in a mini-dialogue on the map, then offers Tav to kiss the foot of a dirty goblin, then - admires with a stone face the work of the priest of Loviatar. And in the camp, when you really want to talk about it, touchingly says "I've missed you...". Probably the most memorable beginning of the romance.
Originally Posted by Ametris
I'll quote myself from his romance improvements thread: "I think there are multiple reasons [why he wants Tav to kneel]. He's still so high on the power from the ritual that he's doing it for his own pleasure to fulfill his domination kink. Also as a way to test the water to see if Tav would be obedient and to set the mood for the relationship going forward. Moreover, since he's making it clear that he wants to be the dominant one, it seems to be his way to bring Tav down to his level and a display of full acceptance of him. He still sees them as a better person than he is (the insight check about degradation, which actually talks about continuing the relationship with him). When he admits he wants what's best for Tav too he's clearly lying, because he believes that for them it is to be with another - someone nicer and not a monster like him, who'd manipulated them from the start and possibly even groomed them to join the dark side. If he's to be Tav's lord, they cannot be better than him, equal at best. Thus, it's a small act that actually has a lot of meaning to him, and if Tav doesn't humour him, then they reject the whole premise of their relationship as two vampires."
When he ascends he becomes an aristocrat once more, an actual Vampire King and you could also read Tav kneeling as a form of private coronation. [
Yes, that explains Astarion's behavior in this scene perfectly. I really wish Tav could convey her true feelings to Astarion in doing so. Ok, submit, but like, open her mind to him in doing so, so that he could see and feel how much he means to Tav, that she would never want to be with anyone else, that she doesn't see him as a "monster", that she doesn't love him "just for his appearance", and that she would never humiliate herself in front of anyone else, not for any power, not because of any threat, that she does it only for him and for him alone.
Originally Posted by Ametris
OBS is a free and easy tool to use for recording.
Thank you!
Originally Posted by Ametris
That line made me laugh so much, haha. Poor Princess Astarion getting dirty.
Yeah, I just want to take him in my arms so he doesn't wet his boots in this puddle
Originally Posted by Ametris
Then he also does that playful sway when he says 'yes, my treasure?'. He really looks like he's enjoying himself.
It's true, you can get this scene through intimidation very nicely. Tav had a hard day in general - right after the first night, Astarion first calls Shadowheart a "flower" in a mini-dialogue on the map, then offers Tav to kiss the foot of a dirty goblin, then - admires with a stone face the work of the priest of Loviatar. 
