Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

Astarion is the only companion who will actually actively seek to start romantic relations with the player character, although he will masterly conceal his genuine reasons for it. This behaviour concept stems from the very depths of his [[Astarion#Personality|personality]].  Thus, the spawn will often prompt the player to speak with him during long rests, and it is recommended to do so at least to try to understand what is driving him closer to the player character. Nonetheless, even maintaining Very Good level of approval, the player actually hasn't got any chance to fish out Astarion's true motivation from the vampire himself until as far as middle of the [[Act Two]].

* 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 [[The Dark Urge]], this episode will possibly have been pushed off further by triggering this 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 the party comes across [[Gandrel]], the Gur monster hunter found up on the hill to the left of the [[Riverside Teahouse]], the player can progress their relationship with Astarion by allowing him to kill the Gur. In order to trigger this dialogue option, the player need to have already found out that Astarion is a vampire. In conversation with Gandrel, the player should ask him what he is hunting, then choose the line ''"Only a spawn? <…>"'' Subsequently, if the player chooses first or second of dialogue choices, Astarion will either 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 with the hunter.

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.

* 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. Depending on the player's previous choices on building relations with the spawn, the narration of the scene will differ. Taken by surprise, Astarion will resent at first, but then swallow the pride and take help if offered. The player character then copies the inscription onto the ground, and seeing it perplexes Astarion. Still, realizing that he can indeed get aided should he ask makes the spawn trust the player character more.

* At the camp celebration (either with the goblins or the tieflings), the player 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 the dialogue with him discussing insufficient reward for the party's heroics (and particularly his personal), which might proceed by the cutscene mentioned above, should the player confirm their choice.

* The most substantial scene with Astarion occurs after the player character visits [[Moonrise Towers]] under the guise of a True Soul, with Astarion in the party. On the main floor of [[Moonrise Towers]] resides a vendor by the name [[Araj Oblodra]]. The next long rest after talking to her triggers a cutscene where Astarion, obviously having mustered all his strength to be sincere and open with the player character, shows at last that he is able of any genuine feelings toward someone, other than hate. He finally lets the player peek under his thick shell of sarcasm and bitterness to see his true self-sentiment.

:Dialogue choices made by the player here might heave the romance ahead or make the spawn break the relations. Players can pick whichever option they feel suits how they want their relationship with Astarion to be. Picking options which make Astarion understand that he's been being used by the player character just like by [[Cazador Szarr]] before (for example, manipulating the spawn into having sex with player character simply for the latter's pleasure) will be followed by a cutscene where Astarion breaks the relationship rather decisively.

* Early in the [[Act Three]] the party may visit the [[Circus of the Last Days]] in [[Rivington]]. One of performers there is a dryad by the name of [[Zethino]], who will offer to conduct a love test for the player character for a fee. The player may ask Astarion to take part in it. Zethino will transport both the player character and Astarion to a woodsy area and ask questions about the spawn. The player may choose whatever answers they wish, but some of them are considered 'correct' ones, while others are not. Choosing two or more incorrect answers will result in Astarion being upset. Note that some answers bring a minor disapproval from Astarion, but for the purposes of the dryad's test are still considered correct. The list of correct answers (both that gains approval and disapproval) can be found at [[Astarion/Approval|Approval]] section in correspondent [[Act Three]] subdivisions.

* Later in [[Act Three]], the player will meet Astarion's 'siblings' (other [[Cazador|Cazador's]] spawn) twice. First, the party will encounter two of them in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]], a hostel in the [[Wyrm's Crossing]]. The player may choose to interact with them to find out some additional info about Cazador's plans {{note|As other spawn, unlike Astarion, are not protected from sunlight by a tadpole, approaching them with certain daylight-issuing weapons armed (for, example, the [[Blood of Lathander]]), will result in them gaining [[Sunlight Hypersensitivity]] condition and teleporting away, before the party can interrogate them. This doesn't have any impact on further quest walkthrough}}.

: Regardless of whether the player manages to speak with these spawn or not, after a couple of long rests in the area a scene will trigger where other four spawn assault the party at camp with clear intentions: either to convince Astarion to return to their master or to kidnap him should he refuse. If the player chooses to take Astarion's side, his siblings will attack the party, but teleport away as soon as they are reduced to 1 HP. In the dialogue with the spawn and another one that follows the fight, the player is free to choose any lines they want, but certain choices will result in Astarion disapprove of the player character and even break relations if they have been partnered.  

** Pass a [[Dice rolls|DC 18]] [[persuasion]] check to convince Astarion to not ascend, Astarion remains in the party.  

** Help him to complete the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Rite_of_Profane_Ascension Rite of Profane Ascension] and become the Vampire Ascendant.  

* After defeating Cazador, Astarion's behaviour changes depending on if he ascends or remains a vampire spawn. On either path, some players may be uncomfortable with his and their character's subsequent romantic dynamic and dialogue options.

:* 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 Astarion did not go through with the Rite and remains a vampire spawn, he will tell the player he would like to show them something outside the city, and take them to see his grave in the [[Lower City]] [[Graveyard]] {{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}} }}. 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 he loves the player. The romance scene always occurs outdoors on his grave.