Hmm, I personally wouldn't be so harsh on him, as in real life my Tavs would probably be sharing his cell! Faerun is a violent place and I've cut a bloody swathe through it on every play through. In the story-world, violence very often is the answer. It's hard to put people from a medieval world, even a fantasy one, into a modern context. We are talking about a much more violent society where for example, even a minor act of theft would lead to the loss of a hand if found guilty. .
Maybe there is a misunderstanding. I admit, sarcasm is not always readable. My comment was about the bad habit of blaming real life players, telling them, they would have a real life psychological issue ("modern context") for choosing a specific route in the game (the ascension), instead of seeing all stories equally as fantasy. Because in real life, such personality as UA or AA doesn't exist and would be closer to, what I have described, nor the story of a sudden guilt consciousness, not even in the medieval age. I am not harsh on Astarion, he is everything, but not be comparable to a real life personality. So that blaming, jugding or mocking people for choosing a route in a fantasy RPG is more than unnecessary.
Originally Posted by Sereda2
I'm not saying Astarion is a nice wholesome person, because he clearly isn't but it is very interesting to see the difference in his attitude towards the player character when he is being romanced as opposed to when they are friends. It is very clear that romanced Astarion cares deeply about the Player Character, regardless of whether he ascends. His demeanour changes on ascension but Tav is still very important to him.
Yes, indeed, that's a great fantasy story, desirable for real life, that's what makes this fairy tale so adorable.
@ starryophonic, below: Yes, that's what I meant!
"I would, thank God, watch the universe perish without shedding a tear."
