Originally Posted by Marielle
Originally Posted by Sini
Welcome back Marielle, I hope you are well. *consorthug*

Yeah, everything's fine, I was just on vacation. I was very happy to hear that they're definitely going to fix our kissing facial expressions. *consorthug* astarionhappy
Joining in with a *consort-hug.* smile Welcome back Marielle and I'm happy that you got to come back to such great news. <3 I was so elated about it.

Originally Posted by Sini
Sceleritas was extremely mean right away, as expected of him... but I learned from that. Doni can talk! We just went down to the Tiefling children and Doni was standing on the edge. Sceleritas then threw him into the abyss because he was in his way when he wanted to jump over to the box. He is immediately revived, but then shouts that he has to get help and runs off to the other children. evil I better send Sceleritas out the door before we have to fight children who can't die. ^^
Oh how convenient. The one time he talks is when he wants to get us in trouble. *eyeroll*
I guess Sceleritas didn't even do anything wrong, if they can't die anyway. smile Maybe they'll even learn a life lesson about standing too close to chasms.

Originally Posted by Sini
As soon as Sceleritas is out of sight, one of Astarion's scented candles comes flying from the background and lands in the middle of the puddle of blood. Sceleritas calls out to Astarion "Sorry Master, it slipped out of my hand".
Sadly, Sceleritas was found face-down floating in one of the bloodlakes the next morning (no worries, he will revive soon, feeling refreshed and full of fresh new ideas)

Originally Posted by Marielle
Oh, what a touching shot! Thank you, I've added it to my collection! Someone should show me that Astarion photo whenever I misbehave, hehe... I'm imagining my DU getting into a fight with some nobleman at a ball, and has already started a duel of honor, putting her opponent's face on the feasting table, but suddenly sees Lord Astarion's gaze like this, gets embarrassed, lets the victim go, quickly realizes she's a lady, adjusts her dress, and then throughout the dinner expresses herself in an extremely refined manner, observing all the rules of cutlery etiquette without fail. smile
I love this, he's so sweet to her. He can accomplish many things with only that one patiently disapproving look.
"Really, darling... Must you do this now?" *gives the look* "Well. Not to worry, he will pay for this... when the time is right. You just relax now and let me take care of it."

Originally Posted by Marielle
About the friendship type of connection with spawn Astarion, I agree. When I played this version for a bit, in addition to the sadness, it also felt like something... Gone irrevocably. Compared to what started in the second chapter between us. With the Ascended, it seems to me that this passion is more than carnal, it is an all-encompassing passion. Both spiritual and physical union. Like some higher level of relationship development, like a fusion. By the way, in ancient times there was no such concept as“trauma”, but there were concepts of “suffering”, “humiliation” and “revenge”. Revenge is also a step towards healing, revenge erases the past humiliation, elevates over the former tormentor. The avenger can regain his appetite for life, he no longer feels insignificant.The Ascended Astarion gains appetites on a concrete, physical level as well. Of course, abandoning all of this, Astarion will feel regret and sadness, and will suppress them. Tav, who didn't help him Ascend - yes, they are still the only close person in the world, but they are not the person to whom Astarion can fully open up, with whom Astarion can be himself, show himself as he is. This is not the person who understands him, and so Astarion suppresses his feelings and continues to play the role, he becomes “better”. For others. When the larva is gone, all his senses are dulled (except hunger), as a vampire spawn should be.
So many great points. About the passionate connection with AA, yes, I believe it's much more than just that. They become deeply bonded – sharing each other's blood, giving everything to one another, sharing an everlasting bond, literally until the end of the world (just like he says). This requires an immense amount of trust. I would also describe that as being a love/bond that goes way beyond the ordinary; fusion is a good word to use to describe this, especially after the vampire bride ritual. The vampire bride now has a part of his essence. How it feels to me is the two of them don't really need anyone else in their life, except for each other.
Very interesting about the different concepts under trauma in ancient times. Revenge often tends to be seen by people as something that has a negative connotation, but I can see it as a part of the healing / empowerment process for Astarion as well. There is not only one set path to achieve this for him.
That hits really hard, thinking about how his senses are dulled after the tadpole is removed. I personally don't want to play a character who influences him into not doing the ritual. The whole time he wants to do the ritual and he doesn't change his mind when the time comes to do it. I would feel guilty about playing a part in him losing out on so much that he could have gained. The ritual was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he will now never get again. I wouldn't be happy about this.
I see the Ascendant route as Astarion staying true to who he always was - and now he really gets to indulge and enjoy the full range of his emotions and pleasure and everything else in the world. "Tasting everything that Faerun has to offer."

Originally Posted by Marielle
The boy smiles sweetly whenever Sceleritas' story reaches the description of the final blow in that battle. He is proud of his mother, and then he sleeps sweetly, curled up in a ball under the blanket, and he dreams that he is the true incarnation of Bhaal, that he is Bhaal himself, and he walks through the world, and the world shudders at his footsteps.... When he wakes up, he thinks about wanting ice cream and fireworks from Felogyr's store, and needs to sneak into his sleeping parents' bedroom to wish them good morning, starting to jump on the bed and loudly shouting out his grand plans for the day.
Too cute^^ I can imagine his parents' sleepy and mildly annoyed faces. <3

Originally Posted by Marielle
Oh, that's great! Thanks for the tip, now I'll definitely let Sarevok live! I didn't think of that myself, and fought as usual. I'll have to experiment with non-lethal strikes with different opponents in general, maybe something else like that will work!
Hehe, it was a happy accident in my case. I think I forgot to turn off non-lethal damage.^^; And then got this as an interesting "reward."
I think it ties in really well with some of Jaheira's lines (during the game you can ask her if Bhaalspawn can have children; then during the epilogue, she mentions the subject again).

Originally Posted by Marielle
Yeah, during the mirror scene, I remember. But he gets so animated afterward when you start telling him how handsome he is! <3 I wish I could tell him something in the style of Shakespeare: “Thy eyes are nothing like the sun, in them beats like a moth a living fire...” I'd write him wreaths of sonnets if I were Tav/DU. smile After Ascension, I love his lines at the mirror so much, taking him to each mirror along the way so Astarion can admire the beauty in between bloody fights and reckless adventures. smile
I love how happy he is that he can finally admire himself again after ascension. He really looked upset during the mirror scene, thinking about how his reflection was another thing that he's lost. He does seem so satisfied after you cheer him up. smile And I like the way he says, "Veeerry good," if you say something that pleases him. Lol

Originally Posted by Marielle
How wonderful! They are so beautiful and cute! <3 Thank you, this will be one of the warmest art in my Astarion collection!
Thank you so much! hug That makes me happy.

Originally Posted by Marielle
My character doesn't worry much about control - it's something like: “Once upon a time there was a vampire, and he was angry and hungry. He was fed once, fed twice, fed three times... And then - bang! Ascension and he is already married. And most importantly, he wanted it, he's happy with it, and he thinks he's in charge of the family! Great plan!” Astarion, too, takes his “leap of faith” at this. He binds himself to his beloved forever, and if she ever wants to betray him, to leave him, he will be very unhappy, because this person is the only one in the whole world for him, the one he wants to be close to forever. I think they are both connected. Astarion is strongly attached emotionally. Also, I prefer a vampire bride over a spawn (although I really like Astarion's line, “My little spawn!”), and it's a mutual bond. The bride will also develop vampiric powers with her lover. The conversion ritual goes as a bride ritual by all rules, and the animation of the conversion scene matches.
Agree with your thoughts. It's easy to forget that Astarion also takes a leap of faith here. He doesn't just turn you into a spawn, you're basically getting married during the turning night. You're precious to him, his favorite person in the world (I personally think that's what he means by "You are my favorite"), his treasure. He means it when he says he wants to share it all with you (until the world falls down).
Yes I love how he says "Hello, my sweet little spawn." There's something special about how he says that hello.

Originally Posted by Marielle
Yes, it's because of the enemies! I had the same puncture the first time, there was no dialog option, I was biting myself with Astarion without dialog, just applying his bite on Tav. You need to be sure to tell him after the first bite that he can bite you (so there's a line).
Thank you! And that's a clever workaround! Why didn't I think to make him bite me instead? ><
But yeah, it feels like it's really easy to miss out on the "Feed on me" dialogue option.

Originally Posted by Mirmi
In the new game I discovered a bug or not a bug, but a feature:
- If you let Astarion finish you drink it all down, then, after resurrection when selecting a dialog, you can agree to the suggestion that he will feed on enemies and he happily approves. And then, approach him again (or the next day) and activate the "about the time you bit me" dialog and offer yourself. Then you'll have both approval and the ability to feed the vampire.
I need to reload an old save and try this!

Originally Posted by Mirmi
+ Found a new dialog about the ability to not enter other people's houses. It activates when you enter a kargi's house. (I never had it before).
+ If you do not pester Astarion with questions in the beginning, then later he will tell a little more than one phrase that he immediately gives out on the shore that he was a city judge, boredom and all. And, again, if you don't ask him much about his vampire life, and reach the hunter, then in the dialog to the question "how do you become a vampire", there will be a new phrase that "it turns out he's need to bite Kasador" and his new answer.
This is new to me, I've definitely never heard him talk about the ability to enter people's houses!

Originally Posted by Mirmi
The funny thing is, if you let him kill you, you can remind him of it twice later. Like a vindictive, grumpy wife. (he-he)
Going to try this too grin

Originally Posted by Sini
I love the part of telling Astarion over and over again that he ended up killing me. He apologizes every time, it's really cute.
I need this in my life.

Originally Posted by Sini
That's cute, Sceleritas will definitely jump out of his fruit crate bed and start running. But stays in front of the door, Astarion has forbidden him from ever entering the bedroom and since the time he taught the boy to say "Gortash" when asked about his father, Sceleritas has become a little cautious. Astarion killed him for hours for this, it was of course a great pleasure, but you don't have to anger him again straight away. Sceleritas throws the delicious blood candies on the ground and lures the little screamer to him. "My sweet little master, you shouldn't do that. We'll fulfill your wishes later and if you're a good little master, we'll play pranks on a few more townspeople."
I'm still dying at Sceleritas' fruit crate bed. hahaha

Originally Posted by Sini
She is so talented, I hope she will show us more of her drawings. I'm hoping for Nanny Sceleritas, which several little white bats have latched on to. His life doesn't get any easier...poor Sceleritas. smile
Thank you darling. hug Your ideas are so fun and inspiring.

Originally Posted by Marielle
- Yeah, Scel! Come on! It'll be fun... - Astarion Jr. grinned predatorily, rubbing his little hands together, wrinkled his nose, checked his fangs (they were in place) and, grabbing Sceleritas by the arm, dragged him outside. After exposing his face to the morning sun, he squinted contentedly, laughed, and turned into a small bat. Sceleritas in invisibility followed him. In the square, the herald was climbing the platform, preparing to read an announcement to the small number of gathered citizens.

- Aha... - the bat took out a scroll of illusion spell from his inventory (as we remember, Astarion and Dark Urge had magical pockets through which they could transfer items to each other and carried a great number of useful things in their inventories, so it's not surprising that their son inherited this ability as well). He applied the illusion to the scroll in the herald's hand and...

The herald unfolded a sheet of paper and began to read out:

- Citizens of Baldur! This week, the city council decreed that everyone, from small to large, must wear their pants backwards! Honorable citizens, nobles and merchants must wear gold pantaloons on their heads only! No pantaloons - no head! Taxes will now be paid with live mice! The mice are to be brought in sacks to Baldur's bank and released without waiting for their turn. W-what? - The herald turned pale, hiccupped, and looked around at the bewildered townspeople.

- Finally, these stupid lords have come up with something good! My pants are tattered anyway, they can be changed backwards either way...” came from the back rows, and then from there came the shouts of a lady who had become an unwilling spectator of the process of changing the pants backwards. - Hey, Joe, let's go get some mice, we've got a barn full of them, at least we won't have to pay those assholes any money!

The bat chuckled and flew onward. At the marketplace, he used his magic hand spell to reach into the thief's pocket, took out a lockpick, and in return he put a love note from a noble lady with a meeting place. The lord from whom he took it, the kid put a rotten tomato, which perfectly matched his fancy suit. He cracked the cellar of a tavern with a lockpick, letting in a group of sad, hung-over alcoholics and three cats. Then, Ast Jr. scared the pigeons, the pigeons scared the dozing guard by hitting him with their wings, the guard's cry scared the thief, the thief recoiled from his victim and stamped on the foot of the editor of Baldur's Mouth Gazette. The editor of the Baldur's Mouth Gazette, cursing, waddled back to the print shop to scare the townspeople with the bad news.

- Scel, carry me home, I forgot to eat breakfast! - The little boy landed in the palm of Scleritas' hand, -Because my mom says that it's forbidden to bite strangers, because they don't wash their necks, and children shouldn't take anything dirty in their mouths...
Consorts are so creative. <3 This is just too cute! We're creating a whole book about Scel and Jr.'s adventures.