It's noticeable that something is missing there. There's a saying "if you erase someone's past you control their future". It just looks like they're sneakily trying to turn him into a good guy, when he's not.
Good saying. It seems that Astarion was originally conceived and developed as an "evil character", but was later given an additional "good guy" twist. The unascended version of Astarion, in my opinion, seems somewhat secondary and less elaborate than the Ascended version. I suspect that players who had an affair with Astarion might have started "whining" and writing to the Larians asking them to "fix" him (this is just a "hypothesis", I haven't played the very early versions of the game, it would be interesting to find the opinion of those who have). Under this "hypothesis" fits why his "good ending" is so bad and the Larians aren't going to fix anything - it could be a "caustic spiel" to those who wanted a "good Astarion".
If Astarion won't talk about his past, we could find some written evidence or even meet some member of a long-lived race who knew Astarion - that would be really interesting. It's not even clear how old Astarion was when Kasador captured him - whether he was a serious member of the "corrupt elite", or a "young slacker" who was helped into a high position by "acquaintance". I imagine a hung-over Astarion trying to doze off during the prosecutor's speech, occasionally rubbing his temples when the prosecutor is too loudly demanding "capital punishment" for some Gurts, and wishing he could pass a "Guilty" verdict as soon as possible, just so that the prosecutor would finally shut up.....
Originally Posted by Ametris
His voice actor when playing BG3 reloads himself when he disapproves too, so no need to feel bad about it.
Ha-ha! I almost fell off my chair laughing when I read this! Outrageous - what an ingrate Astarion is, he was given such a beautiful voice, and how does he behave after that? A very, very bad boy...
Originally Posted by Ametris
Him being evil and aggressive in scenes is awesome, I love how he manhandled Petras and stayed silent just to see what he'd do. The way he screams at Cazador 'Wake up!' is so good. He reminds me of Fenris from DA2 with this stuff, and I also let him give into his bloodlust all he wanted.
Yes, it's impossible not to enjoy him in these scenes... With Fenris they have something in common - both were in slavery, both are embittered, Fenris had his marks on his body too. Both are elves, by the way.
Originally Posted by Ametris
I did the mind merge too, felt more appropriate and more intimate in that situation. The best scenario is connecting through the tadpole and then hugging, but alas...
Yes, that would be "for real"... How I wish they had added the ability to hug Astarion more often in the game, especially since the animations for that are already there! As an extra opportunity for romantic interaction, or at the end of some dialogs. Such a scene - and only once in the entire game, and that's where another option seems more compelling...
Originally Posted by Ametris
He doesn't like to talk about feelings but he sure does love to show off. He sounds so smug when he tells Tav that everyone in camp must know about their night together because of how loud Tav was. xD
Yeah, like "being quiet" would work with him I was somewhat surprised by the fact that there's no way you can tell your companions about your relationship with Astarion, even when they try to seduce you. Only the shrewd Shadowheart notices this, and tells Tav about it at the party. I liked her demeanor, she even offered Tav a drink for courage, just like a true friend.
Originally Posted by Ametris
At least Tav can actually say 'I love you' to him. With Ascendant we can only call him 'my love' in the new epilogue.
Yes, as usual... After the dialog with Ascended Astarion in the camp before the intimate scene, when Tav has to sound like a sex-crazed nymphomaniac who helped Astarion just to sleep with him (because all other lines are not good at all), I don't expect any opportunities for "verbal expression" from the game. With a unascended Astarion the lack of opportunities to show love is more painful, because you suffer because of him, with an ascended one it's calmer, and you've already proved everything, and it doesn't really matter.
Originally Posted by Ametris
To me it's both of these things. There is a hidden banter between him and Lae'zel when he says 'I need someone I can trust, and now I know they'll never betray me'.
Is it a mini-dialog on the map, or in full dialog? (Maybe I just haven't gotten to that scene yet).
