I've heard Spawn Astarion people say he isn't thinking clearly in the itual chamber and so he makes wrong decisions - but that works both ways, he is just as capable of making incorrect decisions to NOT ascend.
I'll just repeat what I said earlier:
"The narrator talks about his fear, which we know is his motivator from the start of the game - nothing new there. She also mentions the smell of blood and the promise of power being close as intoxicating to him. These are things he loves, and having them makes him feel good. While he may be a bit fixated on them in that moment, ultimately it doesn't change the fact that this is what he's been going for all along. Even if there was no blood around, he'd still want to ascend. He's plotted and waited for that moment to happen, so of course he's feeling elated when he can finally enact it. To me it just makes him more determined and aggressive in that instance. He can perfectly articulate counterarguments to Tav's objections and suggestions. If you fail a persuasion check he will also say how he doesn't want to live a crappy half-life. He knows exactly what is at stake. He sees the power of the ritual and the freedom it will grant him. He's coherent, rational and pragmatic, therefore he can think clearly."
If he didn't think clearly then he wouldn't know what to say, he'd stumble, be hysterical, say nonsensical things. He even manipulates Tav till the very last moment: "I'll be free. Truly, completely free. Isn't that what you want?" Him suddenly changing his mind looks more like he's confused because of Tav's words after all the buildup. Grasping at the faint promise of hope.
People who think he wasn't himself didn't catch his evil lines throughout the story and/or just want to look at him through rose-tinted glasses.
Originally Posted by Bethra
My personal take is that No : He isn't honest with you when you don't ascend him.
I don't think he's honest either. All the things I've mentioned earlier point that way.
Originally Posted by Bethra
When he has time to really think about it he isn't daft, he'll realise Tav pulled a fast one on him due to putting their own personal morality first. And now he's stuck, no possibility of the ritual any more, no freedom, no seeing the sun and very vulnerable and has to live eternity in that half way state unless someone kills him. Of course hes going to be all complimentary, loving. He's got no other choice unless he wanders off on his own but hes going to resent Tav for the rest of their life. I think anyone in those circumstances would.
Yes, he'll always remember it and feel regret deep down.
