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edits→Act Three
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* 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 the spawn. The player may choose to whatever answers they wish, but some of them are considered 'correct', some 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 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. | * 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 the spawn. The player may choose to whatever answers they wish, but some of them are considered 'correct', some 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 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 | * 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}}. | ||
: Whether they do it 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 or to kidnap him should he refuse. In the subsequent dialogue with the spawn the player is free to choose any responses they want, but certain choices will result in Astarion disapprove of the player character and even break relations if partnered. If the player chooses to take Astarion's side, his siblings will attack the party, but teleport away as soon as they reach 1 HP. | : Whether they do it 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 or to kidnap him should he refuse. In the subsequent dialogue with the spawn the player is free to choose any responses they want, but certain choices will result in Astarion disapprove of the player character and even break relations if partnered. If the player chooses to take Astarion's side, his siblings will attack the party, but teleport away as soon as they reach 1 HP. | ||
* Once the player confronts and defeats Cazador in his [[Cazador's Dungeon|dungeon]], they may choose what 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 in his [[Cazador's Dungeon|dungeon]], they may choose what 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.{{ | ** 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…", "I hear how all the lowly creatures <…> are begging to serve", "The world will stir in fear" '' - post Black Mass dialogue with Astarion in the dungeon.}} Some players may be uncomfortable with his and their character's subsequent romantic dynamic. {{note| Astarion the Ascendant becomes arrogant, controlling, 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==== | ||
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:* If the player eventually consents to becoming a spawn, they can then choose to sleep with Astarion again or not. However, neither choice here 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 the player eventually consents to becoming a spawn, they can then choose to sleep with Astarion again or not. However, neither choice here 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. | ||
:: Regardless, the cutscene proceeds into another background (depending on the location of the player’s camp) and another dialogue with Astarion, where he will ask the player to kneel. At this point the player may roll a [[Wisdom]] check to unearth 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 will ever treat them accordingly. Nevertheless, the player might still 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}}. | :: Regardless, the cutscene proceeds into another background (depending on the location of the player’s camp) and another dialogue with Astarion, where he will ask the player to kneel. At this point the player may roll a [[Wisdom]] check to unearth 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 will ever treat them accordingly. Nevertheless, the player might still 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. Astarion will thank them for giving him ''everything'' (though it remains unclear whether he means everything ''he himself'' ever wanted to obtain, or everything the character ever had, including their own life). After awakening, the player will have received the [[Vampire Bite|Bite]] ability which provides the [[Happy (Condition)|Happy]] condition {{note|However, the character's condition infobox will still have the formulation "Astarion's vampiric hunger has been sated…" in it}}. | :: Agreeing to kneel will trigger the process proper of turning the player character. Astarion will thank them for giving him ''everything'' (though it remains unclear whether he means everything ''he himself'' ever wanted to obtain, or everything the character ever had, including their own life). After awakening, the player will have received the [[Vampire Bite|Bite]] ability which provides the [[Happy (Condition)|Happy]] condition {{note|However, the character's condition infobox will still have the formulation '' "Astarion's vampiric hunger has been sated…" '' in it}}. | ||
:: If the player refuses to kneel twice, Astarion will leave and, in addition, end the romance. In his new state, he obviously does not want to continue the relationship with a character he won't be able to control. | :: If the player refuses to kneel twice, Astarion will leave and, in addition, end the romance. In his new state, 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 will blame Karlach for it and become derisive towards her. {{note|After failing to turn her, Ascended Astarion will call Karlach "pathetic", "broken", and pointedly | :* 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 will 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 his tombstone at the cemetery, but by other landmarks it seems to be located under the huge willow, next to Karlach's parents' graves}}. After the initial discussion, Astarion will chisel 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 his tombstone at the cemetery, but by other landmarks it seems to be located under the huge willow, next to Karlach's parents' graves}}. After the initial discussion, Astarion will chisel 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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If the player does not long-rest and instead goes straight to the end-game fight, the relationship continues between Astarion and a mortal player. In that case, the final partnered cutscene with Astarion the Ascendant will include the option to ask him make the character his spawn {{verify}}. | If the player does not long-rest and instead goes straight to the end-game fight, the relationship continues between Astarion and a mortal player. In that case, the final partnered cutscene with Astarion the Ascendant will include the option to ask him make the character his spawn {{verify}}. | ||
Regardless of the Rite conclusion, on the next morning the player character might have a unique dialogue with Astarion (he will prompt it himself in case he turned them into a spawn). As an Ascendant, during it he reveals his truly napoleonic plans of conquering as much influence and power as he can (with the spawn character by his side or without them). Otherwise, he will discuss thoughtfully the retrospective of what has happened in the dungeons and thank the player again for leading him away from the edge of losing his true identity. At this point the player might again choose the option to break up with him deliberately. Interestingly, Astarion the Ascendant will be utterly outraged about the break-up if he has already turned the player character into a spawn, but still consent to it (probably being sure he might be able to order them to return should he have have such a whim). | Regardless of the Rite conclusion, on the next morning the player character might have a unique dialogue with Astarion (he will prompt it himself in case he turned them into a spawn). As an Ascendant, during it he reveals his truly napoleonic plans of conquering as much influence and power as he can (with the spawn character by his side or without them). He will also express his newfound feeling of impunity, especially if the player rejected his offer to become a spawn {{note|'' "I can take anything I want. I should have made you a spawn just to teach you that." '' - post break-up dialogue with Astarion the Ascendant at the camp.}}. | ||
:Otherwise, he will discuss thoughtfully the retrospective of what has happened in the dungeons and thank the player again for leading him away from the edge of losing his true identity. At this point the player might again choose the option to break up with him deliberately. Interestingly, Astarion the Ascendant will be utterly outraged about the break-up if he has already turned the player character into a spawn, but still consent to it (probably being sure he might be able to order them to return should he have have such a whim). | |||
If the player refused to become a vampire spawn and still kept high enough approval from Astarion, then after several long rests Astarion will prompt another dialogue. Obviously having cooled down a little, he will tell the player that he may even understand and take in their decision. Still, Astarion will confess that he wanted to turn the player character into a spawn only to acquire a plaything and have some fun but eventually discard them. Nonetheless, he will promise to stay by the player's side until the party will have dealed with the [[Netherbrain]]. | If the player refused to become a vampire spawn and still kept high enough approval from Astarion, then after several long rests Astarion will prompt another dialogue. Obviously having cooled down a little, he will tell the player that he may even understand and take in their decision. Still, Astarion will confess that he wanted to turn the player character into a spawn only to acquire a plaything and have some fun but eventually discard them. Nonetheless, he will promise to stay by the player's side until the party will have dealed with the [[Netherbrain]]. | ||