Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

Astarion will actively seek to start romantic relations with the player character, although he will conceal his genuine reasons for it. This behaviour stems from the very depths of his [[Astarion#Personality|personality]].  Thus, it is recommended to speak with him during long rests to try to understand what is driving him closer to the player character. Nonetheless, even maintaining a Very Good level of approval, Astarion's true motivations will only become clear in [[Act Two]].

* 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 the 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 will be woken 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}}.

* 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 a dialogue with him stating that the party is insufficient reward for the party's heroics (and explaining what he would like instead). If the player agrees, the cutscene mentioned above will play.

* 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 explains that he would like to have a real relationship with the player, even though years of abuse have left him in doubt of what that might look like.

:Dialogue choices made by the player here will either progress the romance or end it. 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 [[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 (he is the only companion who does not like having his personal feelings paraded out in the open in front of a stranger), 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 any source of light equipped (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 quest progression}}.

: 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 four other spawn assault the party at camp, 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 disapproving of the player character and even breaking the relationship if they were partnered.  

* Once the player confronts and defeats [[Cazador Szarr]] in his [[Cazador's Dungeon|dungeon]], the player must make a decision before concluding Astarion's quest. Astarion will seek the player's help to ascend. As a companion, he is not able to ascend on his own. There are four potential outcomes:  

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

** Failing the persuasion check, resulting in Astarion leaving the party permanently.  

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

* If Astarion is allowed to ascend, his dynamic with a romanced player character will change significantly, to reflect the fact that he is following in Cazador's footsteps.

: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 whether 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 spawn, 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 spawn (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 crotch. Note: If the player assaults Astarion by kicking him, 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, there is no romance scene and 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|Astarion will yell at Karlach when he is not able to turn her. During their next conversation, depending on dialogue selections, Astarion may say to Karlach: "You're defective. Broken. Doomed."}}.

:* 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|You cannot find this gravestone by visiting the graveyard outside of this cutscene, but judging by other cutscene landmarks it seems to be located under the willow tree, 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.

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

** Astarion talks to the player about the other state of the companions and confirms he'll always be there for the player.

* '''Astarion the Vampire Spawn''' - ex-partners:

** Astarion will update the player on his activities which will vary depending on if he is leading the spawn in the underdark, seeking a way to find the sun, or adventuring. Depending on dialogue selections, he may confirm that he misses the player.