Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

* 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 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 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 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"" ''.}}

 

* If Astarion was successfully convinced not to perform the Rite, remaining a vampire spawn, he will tell the player he would like to show them something outside the city, and 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}}}}. The romance scene always occurs outdoors on his grave. There is no option to break-up during this interaction. After the initial discussion, the player can consent to sleeping with Astarion or not - neither option impacts the relationship. The player must consent to sleeping with Astarion in order to have Astarion say that he loves the player.  

 

 

Regardless of the Rite conclusion, on the next morning the player character will have a unique dialogue with Astarion.

 

* Vampire Ascendant with a partnered player (became a vampire spawn):  he will discuss his future plans and how the player was turned, while thanking the player.

* Vampire Spawn with a partnered player: he will discuss his thoughts on what happened in the dungeon while thanking the player.

Astarion's behaviour and reactions at the Epilogue party, again, differ heavily depending on the outcome of his personal quest and slightly - on the player's decision to remain partnered with him or to break up, in each case.'''Astarion the     Vampire Ascendant''' - partnered:

* '''Astarion the Vampire Ascendant''' - partnered:

* '''Astarion the spawn''' has become a wandering adventurer and a ''bravo''. If the broke-up-with player character speaks to him, he will admit that he regrets losing 'help' from the tadpole. Still, without a constant threat of becoming totally controlled by someone else Astarion has developed acceptance of his fate to spend the rest of his life in the shadows and even finds a certain fun in it.