So I just finished my first playthrough, had a good adventure. I was a Vengeance Paladin so I tried to make it a "good" playthrough, getting all the characters a happy or respectable ending, except Minthara who found her end under my hammer.
Anyway, I've just started my second playthrough, and I've decided I'm going to explore some evil story paths this time. Honestly, I had a hard time dealing with this at first; the idea of betraying and killing so many characters I became fond of on my first playthrough. But when nobody else approves, Astarion does! And I have to say, his approval has really helped ease me into villainy. There's just something about having a partner in crime that makes it so much better! Whenever I'm hesitant about my decision, seeing "Astarion approves." In the corner of my screen immediately washes away the guilt, replaced with a sense of camaraderie. Thank you Astarion.