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Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

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removed subjective language and personal interpretations to be aligned with what happens in the game while taking a more neutral point of view.
(removed subjective language and personal interpretations to be aligned with what happens in the game while taking a more neutral point of view.)
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* Once the player confronts and defeats Cazador Szarr in his [[Cazador's Dungeon|dungeon]], they may choose whichever outcome they want. They can convince Astarion to simply kill Cazador and remain a spawn, or help him to perform the Rite and become a Vampire Ascendant. Note that the latter decision will cause not only the death of Cazador and other 'sibling' spawn, but every single captive spawn in the dungeon cells around.  
* Once the player confronts and defeats Cazador Szarr in his [[Cazador's Dungeon|dungeon]], they may choose whichever outcome they want. They can convince Astarion to simply kill Cazador and remain a spawn, or help him to perform the Rite and become a Vampire Ascendant. Note that the latter decision will cause not only the death of Cazador and other 'sibling' spawn, but every single captive spawn in the dungeon cells around.  
**  If Astarion becomes a Vampire Ascendant, his behaviour will change considerably immediately after the Rite.{{note|'' "The very composition of my blood has been altered…" <br>"I can hear <…> all the lowly creatures of this plane are begging to serve"<br>"You hold your breath while I speak. You await my command"<br>"The world will stir in fear" '' - Astarion's quotes from post Black Mass dialogue in the dungeon.}} Some players may be uncomfortable with his and their character's subsequent romantic dynamic. {{note| Astarion the Ascendant becomes arrogant, power-hungry and threatening. Dialogue node context lines when breaking up with him run like '' "Very arrogant Vampire Lord Astarion can't believe you're trying to break up with him" '' or '' "Slightly abusive/threatening" ''}} The player also has numerous occasions to comment on his changed behaviour: they might tell him that he is now controlling and manipulative, or that there's nothing of the man they loved left in him. However, Astarion himself feels these changes are right when (and if) he admits them.
**  If Astarion becomes a Vampire Ascendant, his behaviour will change considerably immediately after the Rite.{{note|'' "The very composition of my blood has been altered…" <br>"I can hear <…> all the lowly creatures of this plane are begging to serve"<br>"You hold your breath while I speak. You await my command"<br>"The world will stir in fear" '' - Astarion's quotes from post Black Mass dialogue in the dungeon.}} Some players may be uncomfortable with his and their character's subsequent romantic dynamic. {{note| Astarion the Ascendant becomes arrogant, power-hungry and threatening. Dialogue node context lines when breaking up with him run like '' "Very arrogant Vampire Lord Astarion can't believe you're trying to break up with him" '' or '' "Slightly abusive/threatening" ''}} The player also has numerous occasions to comment on his changed behaviour: they might tell him that he is now controlling and manipulative, or that there's nothing of the man they loved left in him. However, Astarion himself feels these changes are right when (and if) he admits them.
'''Romance conclusion'''


====Romance conclusion====
If the player long-rests after the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Rite_of_Profane_Ascension Rite of Profane Ascension] concludes, an additional scene with Astarion will be triggered. The scene will vary depending on the outcome of the rite – ascended or not. Both options have additional content along with the potential for a love confession and a second romance scene.
If the player long-rests after the Rite is concluded, an additional scene with Astarion will be triggered. There are two different cutscenes depending on the outcome of the [[The_Pale_Elf#Ending_1:_Astarion_completes_the_Rite_of_Profane_Ascension|Rite of Profane Ascension]]. Both include a dialogue and - possibly - a subsequent romance scene.  
 
* If the player chose to help Astarion become an Ascendant, they will have an option to become a vampire spawn. This might be a straightaway player character's request, but if the player does not use this line in the dialogue, Astarion himself will eventually try to seduce them into becoming a spawn. During the course of conversation, multiple dialogue options can lead to Astarion telling the player character he loves them (with allowance for his ''new'' understanding of the 'love' concept).
* If Astarion ascends - the player has the option to become a vampire spawn. Dialogue selection will determine if the suggestion to become a vampire comes from Astarion or the player. During this conversation, multiple dialogue options can lead to Astarion telling the player he loves them (4 variations). Note that as with other scenes, Astarion’s tone and response will generally match the tone of the dialogue option selected by the player. Astarion will not continue the relationship with a player who does not want to become a vampire, but he will remain in the party. If the player does not long-rest and instead goes straight to the end-game fight, the relationship continues with Astarion and a mortal player. If the player initially consents to becoming his vampire spawn, the player can then consent to sleeping with him again or not - neither option impacts Astarion's decision to turn the player into a vampire (this offer can come from Astarion or the player depending on dialogue selection). During the romance scene, Astarion bites the player. Immediately following the romance scene, another scene occurs where he turns the player into his spawn. He will ask the player to kneel, you can consent to kneeling, refuse to consent and say no, or kick him in the balls. Note: If the player assaults the companion by kicking him in the balls, he will permanently leave the party. If the player says no to kneeling a second time, the relationship will end. If the player continues to consent to becoming his vampire spawn, Astarion will bite the player a second time; the player can ask for a gentle (on the hand) or rough (hand around the neck) option. Either way, Astarion will thank the player for giving him everything and bite the player a third and final time. After awakening, the player will have received the [[Vampire Bite|Bite]] ability which provides the [[Happy (Condition)|Happy]] condition. The location of the romance scene depends on the location of the player’s camp (e.g., if the player’s camp is in [[Elfsong Tavern]], the romance and turning scene takes place in a private room there).
:* If the player eventually consents to becoming a spawn, they can then choose whether to sleep with Astarion again or not. However, neither choice there will impact the new-sprung Ascendant's decision to turn the player character, the only difference is whether another scene of sexual intercourse is shown. If Astarion's approval hasn't come up to 100 yet, agreeing to sleep with him will raise it a bit.
** If playing [[Karlach]] origin, Astarion is not able to turn her into a spawn. Some players may find the language used by Astarion towards Karlach to be upsetting. {{note|After failing to turn her, Ascended Astarion will call Karlach '' "pathetic" '', ''"broken"'', and, pointedly, ''"doomed"''. Dialogue node context when breaking up with Ascendant Astarion as Karlach runs as '' "Savouring "doomed"" ''.}}
:: Whatsoever, the cutscene proceeds to another background (depending on the location of the player’s camp) and into another dialogue with Astarion, where he will ask the player to kneel. At this point the player may roll a {{Ability check|Wisdom|18}} to unveil Astarion's true attitude towards the player character. Successful check will reveal that as Ascendant, he considers even his beloved one belonging to the lower order of creatures and shall ever treat them accordingly. Nevertheless, the player might either give in and kneel, or refuse to do it, or choose to kick Astarion in the balls {{note|Doing this will cause Astarion to permanently leave the party}}.
:: Agreeing to kneel will trigger the process proper of turning the player character. Before making the final bite, Astarion will thank them for giving him ''everything''. It remains unclear, though, whether he means everything ''he himself'' ever wanted to acquire, or everything the character ever had, including their own life. After awakening, the player character will have received the [[Vampire Bite]] ability which provides the [[Happy (Condition)|Happy]] condition {{note|Still, whenever player character obtains this condition, the infobox will have the formulation '' "Astarion's vampiric hunger has been sated…" '' in it}}.
:: If the player refuses to kneel twice, Astarion will leave them and, in addition, end the romance. In his new status, he obviously does not want to continue the relationship with a character he won't be able to exert total control on.
:* Players romancing Ascended Astarion as [[Karlach]] will also ultimately break up with Astarion, as he will be unable to turn Karlach into his spawn. If he attempted and failed to turn her, Astarion would blame Karlach for it and become derisive towards her. {{note|After failing to turn her, Ascended Astarion will call Karlach '' "pathetic" '', ''"broken"'', and, pointedly, ''"doomed"''. Dialogue node context when breaking up with Ascendant Astarion as Karlach runs as '' "Savouring "doomed"" ''.}}


* If Astarion was successfully convinced not to perform the Rite, he will tell the player he would like to show them something outside the camp. He will take them to the Lower City [[Graveyard]] and show his own grave {{note| In general walkthrough the player cannot find Astarion's tombstone at the cemetery, but judging by other cutscene landmarks it seems to be located under the huge willow, next to Karlach's parents' graves. The name on the stone is written in Thorass alphabet and might be read as <br>'' 'Astarion Ancunin' '' <br>However, the dates below do not match other dating found throughout the game and in FR lore <br>{{FRWiki|Thorass_alphabet|long}}}}. After the initial discussion, Astarion will chisel current year as a new 'birth' date on the tombstone and confess his love to player character. Through the dialogue, even ironical and sarcastic lines won't make the spawn to break up with the player character. After that, the player can consent to sleeping with Astarion or not; again, neither option impacts the further relationship. If the player agrees, the scene will proceed into romance intercourse right nearby Astarion's grave.
* If Astarion was successfully convinced not to perform the Rite, he will tell the player he would like to show them something outside the camp. He will take them to the Lower City [[Graveyard]] and show his own grave {{note| In general walkthrough the player cannot find Astarion's tombstone at the cemetery, but judging by other cutscene landmarks it seems to be located under the huge willow, next to Karlach's parents' graves. The name on the stone is written in Thorass alphabet and might be read as <br>'' 'Astarion Ancunin' '' <br>However, the dates below do not match other dating found throughout the game and in FR lore <br>{{FRWiki|Thorass_alphabet|long}}}}. After the initial discussion, Astarion will chisel current year as a new 'birth' date on the tombstone and confess his love to player character. Through the dialogue, even ironical and sarcastic lines won't make the spawn to break up with the player character. After that, the player can consent to sleeping with Astarion or not; again, neither option impacts the further relationship. If the player agrees, the scene will proceed into romance intercourse right nearby Astarion's grave.
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