he wants to steal in the druid grove (will definitely do this for him in the next playthrough, I wonder where it will lead)
You will have different outcomes depending on whether you've dealt with Kagha or not before the theft.
Originally Posted by Marielle
His wonderful scene with Tav's manipulation and "seduction by power". By the way, what I like most about this scene is the middle line, "How do we do this?".
He gets so flustered! Trying to be all evil but then becomes adorable instead. The most hilarious manipulation attempt is this one:
The way he looks down, hoping to look innocent and sympathetic.
Originally Posted by Marielle
After replaying that scene, it seemed to me that Astarion was worried specifically about Sebastian, it was in the dialog with him, and near his cage Astarion has a truly anguished face, the Gurts children don't touch him like that.
He even laughs at them and gives a totally unapologetic explanation for bringing them to Cazador.
Originally Posted by Marielle
I can't believe these are "tears of purification", or that it's only related to his past. It has to do with his future too.
He's certainly mourning his future too. There's no way to get back what was lost.
Originally Posted by Marielle
Karlach - agonizing with how to save her for the players who love her, but where does she have two paths? Lae'zel- the only good option for her is the Orpheus path, I can't see how she can stay with Vlaakith.
For Karlach it's die or live - either as a MF or fighting in Avernus. Lae'zel certainly can and will stay with Vlaakith. Just in a very... grotesque way.
Originally Posted by Marielle
Jaheira's "unfading body" ritual.
You mean the ritual in her secret cave? That one only slows down aging, no?
Originally Posted by Marielle
I didn't think about it at first, and then there was really nothing to feed him in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, thanks Vlaakith, at least the githyanki were attacking, most of the enemies in the Shadow-Cursed Lands are inedible.
Haha, I thought about it when traversing the land and felt for him. Offered some extra compassionate evenings for snacking.
Originally Posted by Marielle
I had an romance before the party started, had another dialog with Astarion, which replaces his classic dialog at the party. He's very seductive in that dialog smile
That scene is so fun! Shame you can't have it if you skip the grove. I really wish they made an alternative scene with companions throwing a small party before going to the Shadowlands so you don't miss out on camp content.
Originally Posted by Marielle
For some reason, I had imagined that Astarion wanted to hide the relationship. Perhaps because of the line "You will belong to me, and I to you - but only for one night". It seemed to me that, having escaped slavery, he really valued his independence and personal boundaries. "Don't touch me" and "Keep your distance, darling." Doesn't want anyone, including me, to think I own him, so he keeps his distance.
Well, I mean his for the night. He's acting all cool and casual but the man fights for your attention, is jealous and slightly possessive from the beginning. Early interactions from the top of my head:
If you pick him as the third person to approach during the first camp night he'll brood and not want to talk, because he's so hurt you're more interested in the others. He also chastises you for not having high standards if you don't enjoy the night with Lae'zel. Could be a word play since he's a high elf. When he asks who you'd bite if you could, he's low-key fishing for information who you're into. He has very mocking lines if you romance someone else besides him. Like - he's the seducer incarnate and you're going for someone else? He can't stand it, lol.
And if you don't romance him he still complains about you making a mistake for not sleeping with him in act 3.
Him bragging about you being loud, talking to SH about hoping you like being dominated, saying you purr for him in front of others, enjoying the idea of Sharess' Caress writing horny fics about him and Durge show he likes the fact the others know. He only doesn't like to talk about feelings and vulnerabilities in front of others.
He says these cold lines, because he's a total cat. He LOVES the attention but if he's moody he'll show his claws and teeth. ^^ I remember seeing a video with his voice actor who admitted that when he was acting as Astarion he was inspired by a cat in his life who kept coming to him for food and I think it took 3 years until it allowed him to be petted.
The most hilarious manipulation attempt is this one:
