Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

Astarion/Romance (edit)

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 :In this conversation, he remarks he has grown to like the player character, and they may respond in a flirtatious manner. However, no options within the dialogue bring approval changes. The dialogue lines sound as if Astarion and the player character have been travelling together for a while; one may want to wait to trigger this scene until later, but this is individual preference.
-* After the cutscene of Astarion sneaking away from campsite at night triggers, the player can find an exsanguinated boar near the [[Blighted Village]]. There are several possible locations to find its carcass: on the road leading from the Emerald Grove just before the bridge, to the far right path of the signpost saying 'Moonhaven' (north of the village), or at the entrance of the Sunlit Wetlands (south of the village), just after the point of the dialogue with Auntie Ethel. The following long rest, the player character is awoken by Astarion trying to drink their blood {{ref|If playing [[The Dark Urge]], this episode may be delayed as a result of triggering this origin's nighttime plot-crucial cutscenes}}.
+* After the cutscene of Astarion sneaking away from campsite at night triggers, the party can find an exsanguinated boar near the [[Blighted Village]]. There are several possible locations to find its carcass: on the road leading from the Emerald Grove just before the bridge, to the far right path of the signpost saying 'Moonhaven' (north of the village), or at the entrance of the Sunlit Wetlands (south of the village), just after the point of the dialogue with Auntie Ethel. The following long rest, the player character is awoken by Astarion trying to drink their blood {{ref|If playing [[The Dark Urge]], this episode may be delayed as a result of triggering this origin's nighttime plot-crucial cutscenes}}.
-: Astarion approves if the player says they trust him, and further approves of them letting him drink their blood. While allowing him to feed, the player character will have an option to stop him. If the player fails to do this '''twice''' consecutively, the player character dies. If not the only two recruited party members they may be revived with a [[revivify|scroll]] or speaking to {{CharLink|Withers}} in the morning. However, this scenario leads to loss of approval. Be aware player characters need not be aware Astarion is a vampire to sleep with him later; omission of this scene will not affect a possible romance.
+: Astarion approves if the player character says they trust him, and further approves of them letting him drink their blood. While allowing him to feed, the player character has an option to stop him. If the player fails to do this '''twice''' consecutively, they die. If the player character and Astarion are not the only two recruited party members in the game at this point, the player character may be revived with a [[revivify|scroll]] or speaking to {{CharLink|Withers}} in the morning. However, this scenario leads to loss of approval. Be aware player characters need not be aware Astarion is a vampire to sleep with him later; omission of this scene will not affect a possible romance.
 * If player character knows he is a vampire, these scenes can be triggered at camp:
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 Once the player character reaches 40+ approval with Astarion, the next conversation with him inevitably leads to him proposing to spend the next night together, explaining he wants to return a favor for all good that has been done for him recently.
-* If agreeing, a cutscene triggers on the next long rest, consisting of two parts. In the first, Astarion asks the player character to confirm their interest in the encounter. Doing so gains approval and continues the cutscene. Afterwards, if dialogue expressing refusal, doubt, or distrust towards Astarion's nature is chosen, he becomes upset and leaves (nevertheless, choosing these does not bring disapproval). The player character gains additional approval offering their neck for a bite, if aware of his vampire nature. The cutscene proceeds into the next morning, where the player character awakens finding Astarion standing shirtless nearby, basking in the sunshine, revealing his scarred back. If asking him about the scars, a passive {{Ability check|Arcana|10}} determines the scars are written in Infernal {{ref|[[Tiefling]] characters do not need a check to identify the script and obtain the corresponding dialogue line automatically}}. If successful, telling Astarion brings no approval changes, but changes the narration slightly in future dialogues with Astarion.
+* If agreeing, a cutscene triggers on the next long rest, consisting of two parts. In the first, Astarion asks the player character to confirm their interest in the encounter. Doing so gains approval and continues the cutscene. Afterwards, if dialogue expressing refusal, doubt, or distrust towards Astarion's nature is chosen, he becomes upset and leaves (nevertheless, choosing these does not bring disapproval). If aware of his vampire nature, the player character gains additional approval offering their neck for a bite. The cutscene proceeds into the next morning, where the player character awakens finding Astarion standing shirtless nearby, basking in the sunshine, revealing his scarred back. If asking him about the scars, a passive {{Ability check|Arcana|10}} determines the scars are written in Infernal {{ref|[[Tiefling]] characters do not need a check to identify the script and obtain the corresponding dialogue line automatically}}. If successful, telling Astarion brings no approval changes, but changes the narration slightly in future dialogues with Astarion.
-* Through the course of the [[Act One]], a scene can trigger where Astarion looks into a hand mirror, unable to see himself. The issue is important for Astarion, because for all his vanity he has not been able to see his own reflection since he was turned. The player may discuss his appearance with him.  If choosing to 'be his mirror' and describing his face, Astarion prompts the player character to call him beautiful, gaining approval. They may also gain approval by joking and complimenting other companions' instead.
+* Through the course of the [[Act One]], a scene can trigger where Astarion looks into a hand mirror, unable to see himself. The issue is important for Astarion, because for all his vanity he has not been able to see his own reflection since he was turned. If aware of his vampiric nature, The player character may discuss his appearance with him.  If choosing to 'be his mirror' and describing his face, Astarion prompts the player character to call him beautiful, gaining approval. They may also gain approval by joking and complimenting other companions' instead.
-* Another camp cutscene (which does not gain approval but still helps to understand Astarion's background) may trigger during [[Act One]] {{ref|If the player rejected Astarion's offer to sleep with him, this scene may occur anytime until as far as the middle of the [[Act Two]], but strictly before the party meets {{CharLink|Raphael}} at [[Last Light Inn]].}}. The player catches Astarion trying to feel his own back with his fingertips. Depending on the player character's previous choices, the narration of the scene will differ. Taken by surprise, Astarion resents the interruption at first, but unless approval is not high enough, he swallows his pride and takes help if offered. The player character then copies the inscription onto the ground, and seeing it perplexes Astarion, who thanks the player character for their help.
+* Another camp cutscene (which does not gain approval but still helps to understand Astarion's background) may trigger during [[Act One]] {{ref|If the player rejected Astarion's offer to sleep with him, this scene may occur anytime until as far as the middle of the [[Act Two]], but strictly before the party meets {{CharLink|Raphael}} at [[Last Light Inn]].}}. The player character catches Astarion trying to feel his own back with his fingertips. Depending on the player character's previous choices, the narration of the scene will differ. Taken by surprise, Astarion resents the interruption at first, but if approval is high enough, he swallows his pride and takes help if offered. The player character then copies the inscription onto the ground. Seeing it perplexes Astarion and he thanks the player character for their help.
-* At the camp celebration (either with the goblins or the tieflings), the player character can agree to sleep with Astarion afterwards. If this is the first time the player engages in close relations with him, it will first trigger a dialogue with him stating that the party was rewarded insufficiently for their heroics (and explaining what he would like to receive instead). If agreeing, the cutscene mentioned above plays.
+* At the camp celebration (either with the goblins or the tieflings), the player character can agree to sleep with Astarion afterwards. If this is the first time the player engages in close relations with him, it will first trigger a dialogue with him stating the party was insufficiently rewarded for their heroics (and explaining what he would like to receive instead). If agreeing, the cutscene mentioned above plays.
 : Otherwise, Astarion might try to entice the player character into another sexual encounter, paying compliments and finally even confessing his love (though admitting quickly and readily that it is an obvious lie). Whatever the decision, it neither gains further approval nor breaks the relationship. There is no additional romantic scene, it is simply implied.
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 Heading into Acts Two and Three, Astarion may disapprove of some choices the player character makes, yet they may be for the 'better'. Disapproval of actions does not lock player out of romance scenes and, as he grows, Astarion may change his outlook on the player character's decisions later on.
-* If {{Quest|Infiltrate Moonrise Towers|arriving}} at Moonrise Towers under the guise of a [[True Souls|True Soul]], the player may speak to one of {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm|General Ketheric Thorm's}} closest aides, {{CharLink|Z'rell|Disciple Z'rell}}. As she pries the depths of the player character's mind searching for proof of their faith, she may be distracted by the option '' "Show her your lusts for Astarion" ''. Choosing this will not progress the romance, but earns his approval.
+* If {{Quest|Infiltrate Moonrise Towers|arriving}} at Moonrise Towers under the guise of a [[True Souls|True Soul]], the player may speak to one of {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm|General Ketheric Thorm's}} closest aides, {{CharLink|Z'rell|Disciple Z'rell}}. As she pries the depths of the player character's mind searching for proof of their faith, she may be distracted by the option '' "Show her your lusts for Astarion" ''. Choosing this does not progress the romance, but earns his approval.
 * If the player character avoids all chances to sleep with Astarion in Act One AND misses the cutscene with him trying to decipher his scars on his own, meeting {{CharLink|Raphael}} for the first time in Act Two mends this gap. The scene may occur in the [[Last Light Inn]] or, if the player happens not to visit the haven at all, near the entrance to the [[Thorm Mausoleum]].
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 If the player character chooses to defeat the Netherbrain and is in a romantic relationship with Astarion, a scene at the Elfsong Tavern triggers after the Docks scene where Astarion discusses their future together.
 * '''If Astarion has ascended''', he relishes his power and asks the player character what they want to do. They can then express one of the following: that they want to travel the world, put their enemies to the sword, rule Baldur's Gate, become a vampire (only available to players who have not long rested since the ritual), express concern about other companions' power or break up. While the last option is available for every player character who was not transformed into a Mind Flayer, a player character who has been turned into a spawn is not allowed to break up with Astarion, presumably through compulsion after the tadpole's power has subsided{{Ref|If the break-up option is picked by a player character who has been turned into a spawn, they still are in a relationship with him by the Epilogue. Devnotes for his reply to the attempt at a break-up say ''"Genuine laugh - the player can't get away from him. Not even if they want to"''. The dialogue is flagged with ''ORI_Astarion_Event_DeniedPlayerBreakUp'', which is described as ''"Astarion denied the player the ability to break up with him"''.}}. If the player character has become a Mind Flayer, Astarion instead laments their new form, breaking things off but seeking a tactical alliance, which the player character can accept or refuse.
-* '''If Astarion has not ascended,''' he ponders his newfound freedom (or lack thereof if he has not killed Cazador) and asks the player character what is next. They can state that they should become heroes, settle down, help him find a way to walk in the sun, or visit the [[Underdark]] (if the other spawns survived the ritual). If Cazador has not been killed, the player character can choose to hunt him down. A player character who was not transformed into a Mind Flayer can also choose to break up, which enrages him but he ultimately accepts. If he is broken up with and the spawns survived the ritual, he states he will find them; but at the Epilogue party he has only done so if the player character had stated that they should go find them right before the break-up. If the player character has become a Mind Flayer, Astarion is doubtful about where their relationship is at, finding himself unable to stay in a romantic relationship, but wanting to stay by their side. The player character can then choose to state how much of their identity remains and whether or not to continue being close.
+* '''If Astarion has not ascended,''' he ponders his newfound freedom (or lack thereof if he has not killed Cazador) and asks the player character what is next. They can state that they should become heroes, settle down, help him find a way to walk in the sun, or visit the [[Underdark]] (if the other spawns survived the ritual). If Cazador has not been killed, the player character can choose to hunt him down. A player character who was not transformed into a Mind Flayer can also choose to break up, which enrages him but he ultimately accepts. If he is broken up with and the spawns survived the ritual, he states he will find them; but at the Epilogue party he has only done so if the player character had stated they should go find them right before the break-up. If the player character has become a Mind Flayer, Astarion is doubtful about where their relationship is at, finding himself unable to stay in a romantic relationship, but wanting to stay by their side. The player character can then choose to state how much of their identity remains and whether or not to continue being close.
 ===Epilogue party===
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 * '''Astarion the Vampire Ascendant''' has spent time passed assiduously spinning his web of power in the city of Baldur's Gate.
-:* Partnered: If the player character chose to become his spawn and remained by Astarion's side, he expresses arrogance and a sense of superiority over his former companions, his the player character included. Astarion also asks the player character to mingle with former companions - not for enjoyment and commiseration, but rather to glean any information that could possibly be useful in the future.
+:* Partnered: If the player character chose to become his spawn and remained by Astarion's side, he expresses arrogance and a sense of superiority over his former companions, the player character included. Astarion also asks the player character to mingle with former companions - not for enjoyment and commiseration, but rather to glean any information that could possibly be useful in the future.
 :* Broken-up: Depending on dialogue selection, Astarion discusses his current plans with the player character. They have the option for positive or negative responses to his comments; positive dialogue selections lead to Astarion opening up more to the player character.