Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Story & Character Discussion The romance with Astarion pulls you over to the "dark side".

The lonely Astarion spawn is even harder... And, of course, when playing with the unascended is haunted by a sense of helplessness, not only in a practical sense, but also in an emotional sense. Astarion suspects that Tav might betray him and leave (there's no way to prove otherwise, because it's no longer a matter of "lack of lines"). He's adjusting to Tav. He's really trying to act "like Will", i.e. like a "classic romantic guy", he doesn't dare express himself in a way that is characteristic of himself. I felt guilt talking to him very often. "Helplessness-rage-guilt" are the basic underlying emotions that dominate during the "romantic walk" with Astarion Spawn. Even love becomes too painful and not at all "healthy". Although "officially" unhealthy love is considered to be a relationship with the Ascended.


Ha, and their life together with AA starts with a renovation at the castle, just like a classic couple should after a wedding.


Weakening yourself will make you... weaker. As Captain Hindsight would say. It can only work the other way around in DnD, with a kind DM who is sure to give you a bunch of rewards for altruism and lead you to a good, fairy-tale ending. It's good that the writers don't try to deliberately deceive the player and "promise a fairy tale", the game clearly makes it clear that nothing good is going to happen (compare the entry in the diary about Astarion after refusing the ritual, and the entry about Will's father when he breaks the contract with Mizora - in the second case it's clear that the Duke can still be saved, but in the case of Astarion, it's like a very fat hint about the need for a reload). If the player feels like everything is fine and they feel good about it, then a naively romanticized ending is likely to work.


My first thought is that Tav should rush in and kill the owners of the house with lightning speed (speed potion, action surge) in order to let Astarion in. I realize this is a rhetorical question, I just want to hint that being "good and kind" while constantly having to protect Astarion the Spawn probably won't work. Ascended, like Astarion with a larvae in his head, walks quietly during the day and does not arouse suspicion (only vampire "experts" can identify him, but most people just see him as a white-skinned elf). We'll have to deal not only with monster hunters, but also with random witnesses. We'll have to get our hands dirty anyway.


This would be a full-fledged version of the "second path" for Astarion. The Ascended would eventually become much more powerful, but he would have to pay the price, and Astarion-Elf would simply become free and be able to start a new life.


Indeed, even more so. Astarion has lost everything for Tav, he has nothing but Tav, he is attached to her in some ways even forced. Tav is forced to help him and cannot leave him because, "suddenly he will be lost without her". After the Ascension, Astarion no longer needs anyone, he can get along fine on his own, but he wants to be with Tav. Tav has nothing stopping her from going her own way either, but she wants to be with Astarion forever and voluntarily agrees to be his consort. Dependency vs mutual desire.


The comparison of the spawn's condition with disability has also occurred to me. Talking about self-acceptance in this way evokes associations, as if a person who lost his sight, for example, instead of an operation for 7000$ was offered to accept and love himself blind, arguing that it would be better for him.


Yes, this is so positive!
Found some cute images of the Ascendant on the throne (and just in the castle) in my collection of Astarion pics too.


And to add to the previous topic of the adorable manipulator:

Well, can't you do anything to get that facial expression to change to this:


It seemed to me that he might now want to show off at the camp in a more revealing outfit with an open back. Astarion has a huge wardrobe (when it was possible to buy nice clothes in Baldur), but in the past I always suggested only closed clothes, I was sure he wouldn't want to show off his scars to others, but now it seems he doesn't think so anymore


Yes, well said!


Oh, I apologize, I inadvertently used a common expression in my language, which is a play on words and does not translate well into English. "Fangs can't come up on him" is a derivative of "hand can't come up on him", which means literally "I can't do any damage to him". I meant I can't bite him, because sinking my fangs into his neck, hurting his delicate white skin.... There's some psychological barrier between "I'd bite you" and doing the actual act, in my case not overcome Astarion made some totally non-biting vampire for himself


But it's nice to listen, to fantasize


I love the Astarion and kitties-themed fan art!


We can think of Maslow's pyramid, which describes human needs and prioritizes them in order of importance:

Steps (from bottom to top):
1. Physiological needs
2. Need for security
3. Need for love/ belonging to something
4. Need for respect
5. Need for knowledge
6. Aesthetic needs
7. Need for self-actualization

The last three levels: "cognition", "aesthetic" and "self-actualization" are generally referred to as the Need for Self-Expression (Need for Personal Growth).

Without the fulfillment of the first two needs, the others lose importance. No one thinks about self-actualization when they are starving or in grave danger. It seems to me that caring for the one you love should include the ability to prioritize. You can't do everything at once, you have to do the main thing and then try to take care of the rest.


And it can be a special experience. Evolving and changing your character, getting away from the usual framework allows you to enjoy the game in a special way.