The choice to go to Avernus with Karlach is a plot choice, plus Tav-friend can also go to Avernus with Karlach, it's not a matter of romantic fanservice.
I do view it as romantic fanservice that goes against AA's character. You said yourself AA is possessive. I also think that, and that's why I don't believe he would realistically want to let Tav/Durge disappear for 6 months. I think he would miss them too much and want them to remain by his side.
Could we avoid calling things that we simply don't like "fanservice"? Almost as if we wanted to belittle those additions? For me this scene does not go against AA's character. I think AA has no problem letting TAV make this choice because, as it turns out in the choices in the dialogues, TAV may not express the intention to end the relationship. The fact that AA is possessive does not mean that he does not let TAV make their choices, as long as these do not concern a break up. AA in any case is calm and secure because if TAV apologizes to him for having disappeared, it means that they will then return to him; if instead they do not, in any case they have an unbreakable bond, he has power and could call TAV back to him whenever he wants. The scene you're talking about had already been in the game files for many months, even before the release of patch 7. The dialogues and voices of that scene were already in the game files of patch 6, which means that, probably, it was conceived and written when the authors of Astarion were still working at Larian.
Originally Posted by Marielle
Originally Posted by Kurophina
Although he may show some possessive traits, he's also immortal (and so is your character) so I think a lot of him allowing your character to leave with Karlach is him being patient in the fact that you both have an eternity together. Based on the conversation, he doesn't see you as being "gone forever", but will eventually return back to his side to rule together.
Still, 6 months for an immortal is nothing and perhaps on Astarion's part, it's not worth fighting and arguing about it. It's better to let Tav do what they want, and after that, Tav will come back.
Exactly this!
Originally Posted by Marielle
Originally Posted by KiraMira
I would perhaps like it more if it was Astarion doing it to Tav, as a reference to the nibble during the night of the turning. But it would really depend on how Larian did it. A great idea non the less!
A mutual hand kiss would be perfect! For example, first Tav kisses Astarion's hand, then Astarion smiles, pulls Tav's hand up to him, turns it over and kisses it just as gently as the night of the conversion.
