Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

* Early in [[Act One]], after discussing the ceremorphosis process with either [[Gale]] or [[Lae'zel]] (if any of them has been recruited), the player may speak to Astarion (this possibility won't be marked by exclamation sign). He will declare his readiness to end the player character off should the latter show any signs of turning into a mind flayer, but offer a bit of choice between assasination weapons he'd possibly use. Agreeing to be killed by Astarion's hand will give approval from him.

* Getting a substantial lead on finding a cure: either the location of the Githyanki Crèche from [[Zorru]], finding out about [[Priestess Gut]] from [[Sazza]], or learning about [[Halsin|Halsin's]] possible whereabouts from [[Nettie]], will trigger another camp scene with Astarion. He remarks that he has grown to like the player, and the player can 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, so the player may want to wait to trigger this scene till later, but that's of 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 points to find the ill-fated animal: on the road leading from 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 Sunlit Wetlands (south of the village), just after the point of the dialogue with Auntie Ethel. The following long rest, the player character will be waken up by Astarion trying to drink their blood {{note|If playing as a [[Dark Urge]], this episode will possibly have been pushed off further by triggering the origin's own nighttime plot-crucial cutscenes}}.

: Astarion will approve of the player saying they trust him, and further approve of them letting him drink their blood. While allowing him to feed on the character, the player will have an option to stop him. If the player fails to do this '''twice''' subsequently, the character will die. They can simply be brought back to life using a revivify scroll or speaking to [[Withers]] in the morning. However, this scenario will lead to lose a fair amount of possible approval points. Note that players do not need to be aware Astarion is a vampire to sleep with him later on; not triggering this scene won't affect the possible romance.

* A scene can be triggered at camp where Astarion says he has fed on a wandering bear. The following conversation nets no approval changes but the dialogue lines add some touches to help the player better understand Astarion's image, fabule and inner motivation. The parameters for trigger this scene are unclear at the moment (possibly average-good relationship), but the player needs to know he is a vampire.

* During another camp scene that might show up if the player has already found out Astarion's true nature, the latter will confess that the player character is the first "thinking creature" he has ever drunk blood from, and admit that his thoughts now swirl around palatability traits of other companions. Further in the dialogue, the player might gain some approval by helping Astarion ''theoretically'' choose next meal among party members. Thus the spawn tries to draw the player's confirmation that his true nature does not repel or disgust them.

* When you come across [[Gandrel]], the Gur monster hunter found to the left of the [[Riverside Teahouse]], you can progress your relationship with Astarion by allowing him to kill the Gur. In order to trigger this dialogue option, you need to have found out that Astarion is a vampire beforehand. In conversation with Gandrel, ask him what he is hunting, then choose "Only a spawn? Pity. Not like he's a real vampire." If the player chooses first or second subsequent choices, Astarion will make hints about killing the Gur or just ask the player's permission straightaway. Should the player agree, they will gain a fair amount of approval from the spawn, but also engage the party in the fight.

As soon as the player reaches Good approval with Astarion (40+) and speaks with him, the spawn might propose to spend a night together, explaining that he wants to return a favor for all good that has been done to him recently.

* Should the player agree, the cutscene itself will trigger on the next long rest, consisting of two parts. In the first one Astarion will ask the player character to confirm their intention. Doing so gains approval and proceeds the cutscene further. Later, if the player chooses dialogue options that express refusal, doubt, or distrust towards Astarion's nature, the latter will become upset and leave (nevertheless, choosing these doesn't bring any disapproval). The player character can gain additional approval by offering him their neck for a bite. The cutscene proceeds into the next morning, when the player character wakes to find Astarion who stands shirtless nearby, basking in the sunshine and flaunting his scarred back. If the player decides to ask him about the scars, they will roll a passive {{Ability check|Arcana|10}} to determine the language the scars are written in: Infernal {{note|[[Tiefling]] characters does not need the check to identify the script and will obtain the corresponding dialogue line automatically}}. If successful, telling Astarion about it won't bring further approval changes, but change slightly the narration in future dialogues with the spawn.

* Through the course of the [[Act One]], a scene can trigger where Astarion is looking into a hand mirror. The player may discuss with him the problem of maintaining a fine appearance. The issue is important for Astarion, because for all his inclination toward self-admiration he hasn't been able to see his own reflection since being turned into a spawn. The player then will have an option to compliment him, describing his face. In response, Astarion will prompt the player to call him beautiful. Whatever option the player chooses next, they will gain some approval.

* Another camp cutscene (that doesn't gain any approval but still helps to understand the spawn's fabula) may trigger in the [[Act One]] {{note|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 [[Raphael]] in the [[Last Light Inn]].}}. The player will catch Astarion trying to feel his own back with fingertips. Taken by surprise, the spawn will resent at first, but then swallow the pride and take offered help. The player character then copies the inscription onto the ground, and seeing it perplexes Astarion. Still, realizing that he can indeed get help should he ask makes the spawn trust the player character more.