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Overview | Approval | Banter | Romance |
Astarion Ancunín is an Origin character and a companion in Baldur's Gate 3. He is a High Elf Rogue with the Charlatan background, specialising in Stealth and Sneak Attacks. He is portrayed by Neil Newbon and was created by Stephen Rooney.
“ | And to think I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologies. |
„ |
— Astarion, apologising after a misunderstanding |
Overview
Background
Astarion prowled the night as a vampire spawn for two centuries in Baldur's Gate, enslaved by a sadistic vampire lord named Cazador Szarr until he was snatched away by the mind flayers on the Nautiloid and tadpoled. Now he can walk in the sunlight, wade through water, enter homes uninvited, and resist his master's compulsions. Astarion now has a chance at a new life where he can make his own choices, and possibly gain the true freedom and safety he so desperately seeks.
Starting Class
Astarion starts as a Rogue. Upon reaching level three, he will default to the Arcane Trickster subclass.
Special Features
- Astarion will receive the after using the ability on a humanoid.
- Astarion is immune to conditions and effects that do not affect undead, such as Mummy Rot (Condition).
Companion Quest
Astarion's companion quest is called The Pale Elf. His story unravels as he explores his newfound freedom and how he can keep it, as well as coming to terms with the abuse inflicted on him, and the harm he has inflicted on others.
Recruitment
Astarion can be found standing on a road west of the crashed Nautiloid in the Wilderness. When found, a scene will play where he asks for help defeating an Intellect Devourer. Afterwards, he can be asked to join the party.
Approval
![Astarion Approves Astarion Approves](/w/images/thumb/a/a0/Astarion_Approval.png/44px-Astarion_Approval.png)
Astarion approves of displays of power and cruelty, and appreciates snarkiness and mocking. He is inspired when the player gains access to areas or information by deceiving others. The player does not have to be "evil" to gain his approval, however — he approves when the player makes choices that support independence and autonomy, are understanding toward his past, and when the player helps certain characters in need.
Astarion disapproves of displays of weakness and does not like acts of kindness or charity that offer no reward. He also disapproves when the player tries to restrict him or deny him his autonomy.
Romance
Astarion can be romanced by characters of any gender. His romance deals heavily with his personal character growth, his relationship with intimacy, his discovery of what he wants in life, and the reclaiming of his autonomy. Astarion's romance also has different outcomes depending on the choices made at the end of his companion quest.
Description
Appearance
Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn that appears to be in his late 30s despite being multiple centuries old. He is approximately 5'11" tall and has a medium build and sharp facial features. He has pallid skin with dark circles and bags under his crimson eyes, as well as smile lines around his mouth and a faint beauty mark on his right cheek. He also has jaw-length, curly silver hair styled with pomade and curls around his long pointed ears. He has a bite-mark scar on the right side of his neck from when his old master Cazador Szarr turned him into a vampire, and a myriad of scars carved by Cazador covering most of his back. When it comes to clothes, Astarion's choice in attire is usually on the fancier side, wearing an elaborate doublet, leather chaps and embroidered leather shoes when you recruit him. He takes meticulous care to embroider and repair the clothing that he owns, keeping it in good condition as best he can. Astarion is also very mindful of his hygiene and physical appearance overall, especially regarding his hair, nails, skin, and clothing.
Personality
Astarion's personality at the start is very much influenced by his background as a high elf magistrate and his time spent as a vampire spawn slave. Astarion is charming, eloquent, cunning, witty, sarcastic, and practical. But, having felt abandoned by the world and its heroes, Astarion is also very bitter, cynical, self-centered, manipulative, distrustful, prejudiced, and vengeful. His top priorities are his own autonomy, his own safety, and his revenge on Cazador. He is largely apathetic toward the feelings of others and has little interest in helping them for no reward, as he feels that if he didn't get help, nobody else should. He also holds prejudices against the Gur people and small races such as gnomes.
Astarion at the beginning of the game is very fear-motivated and has a low self-worth, despite his confident and arrogant persona. He will attempt to manipulate others with sex to get them on his side so that he has protection from Cazador, as he believes sex is all he is good for and it is one of few ways he knows how to form relationships with other people. He is also willing to do almost anything to gain power or advantage so that he can secure his own safety and avoid being under Cazador's control again, even if it means harming others or doing something he finds personally distasteful. Although, he has reservations about sacrificing his bodily autonomy even if it means he can gain an advantageous power.
However, as the story progresses, Astarion can develop and change his personality depending on how he is guided during his questline. If Astarion's fears, beliefs, and unhealthy behaviors are contested, he will begin to deconstruct his cynical worldview, learning to stand up for himself, show empathy toward others, reconcile with those he has hurt in the past, form genuine bonds with people he trusts, and start to heal from his trauma. But, if Astarion is led down a path where his behaviors, fears, and beliefs are validated and encouraged, he will instead become a fearful, power-hungry, and abusive man who continues to repress his trauma.
Gameplay
Astarion's default class is rogue. He can cast the Fire Bolt cantrip as a high elf, and as a vampire spawn he has access to a unique Vampire Bite, however this action does not appear until after the party finds out about his vampirism.
Proficiencies
Equipment proficiencies
Save proficiencies
Skill proficiencies
Unlockable bonuses
The following bonuses and actions are unlockable through certain decisions in Astarion's companion quest:
History
Pre-Vampirism
Astarion was a young magistrate in Baldur's Gate, until one day he was assaulted and almost killed by a gang of Gur because of a ruling he had handed down. The vampire lord, Cazador Szarr, who had taken interest in him, approached Astarion while he was dying and turned him into one of his slaves – a vampire spawn.
Life as Cazador's Spawn
After being turned, Astarion and his vampire spawn "siblings" lived at the Szarr Palace in the Upper City. And being vampire spawn, Astarion and his "siblings" were completely subservient to Cazador, bound to him through the bond of creator and creation. Cazador could use this power to completely control Astarion and the others, and he imposed three main commands onto his spawn. 1. "Thou must not drink from thinking creatures, 2. "Thou must never leave my side, unless commanded," and 3. "Thou must obey me in all things." Astarion and the other spawn could not physically refuse these commands. Cazador would then use this power and these "rules" to physically and emotionally abuse and torture Astarion for centuries, and any form of attempted resistance or escape was met with harsh punishment. For example, Astarion was once sealed away in a coffin, starving, for over a year because he had tried to disobey one of Cazador's commands. Also, the abuse inflicted onto Astarion and the other spawn was brutal and frequent. They were physically tortured and had "poetry" carved into their backs by Cazador, they were frequently emotionally abused as Cazador would play mind games on them, they would be fed dead rats and bugs, they would be commanded to physically torture themselves and the other spawn, they would be starved for long periods of time, and also be forced to venture out into the Lower City to seduce people and engage in sexual activity with them so that they could lure them back to Szarr Palace to later be fed on by Cazador.
However, while out in a city tavern seducing a young noble to bring back to Cazador, Astarion was abducted by the rogue Nautiloid and was tadpoled alongside other victims.
Story Involvement
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The Pale Elf
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Endings
Zombie Astarion
If the party fails to free him in time and/or Cazador successfully ascends instead, Astarion will be transformed into a zombie with red skin, exposed bones, and all of his defining physical traits gone. Carrying Zombie Astarion back to camp and casting camp follower with the same tent and idle animations as his living self; however, he cannot be talked to or re-recruited, and he will not appear at the Reunion Party.
on him turns him into aLife as a spawn vigilante
If the party stopped the ritual peacefully by persuading him to be better or euthanizing a different spawn during the battle with Cazador, Astarion's sunlight vulnerability spontaneously returns to him a few minutes after defeating the Netherbrain, ending the hope that his immunity from the tadpole might be permanent. After quickly saying goodbye he is forced to run away and find shade, but the narrator or another companion reassures the player character that he will be safe. Back to a normal vampire spawn, Astarion continues adventuring on his own as a nighttime assassin—but a heroic one who only kills "the right people" that deserve it. Instead of grieving over his inability to be in the sun, he develops a renewed sense of self, accepting the dark as a part of him and being driven by his newfound inspiration of hope rather than fear. If romanced, the player character can join him in these adventures, or if romanced as origin Karlach, he can instead join her in Avernus.
Life as a vampire overlord
If the party failed to stop the ritual or allowed him to complete it, Astarion takes over the Szarr Palace as his own and becomes an ascended vampire lord, rising in status and power in Baldur's Gate. When spoken to at the Reunion Party, Astarion brags about his rising status as the city's "puppet-master" and generally looks down upon the player character. He can be challenged on his new behavior and compared to Cazador, but Astarion brushes off these callouts.
If romanced and turned into a vampire spawn, Astarion asks the player character to talk with the other companions at the Reunion Party, gather information, and share it with him later while he stays behind and drinks wine. He is surprised to hear that the others are somehow succeeding in life without his supervision, but he is uninterested to engage in conversation with them himself. If romanced as a mind flayer, the player character is simply an ally to Astarion, as they can't be turned into a spawn, but his Reunion Party dialogue remains the same as if they were one. If romanced as origin Karlach, he breaks up with her (as she is unable to be bitten either) during her next Long Rest or demands to bring her to Avernus if she fights the Netherbrain immediately after his ascension without resting.
Quest Rewards
![]() | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers. Read at your own risk. |
If Cazador is defeated:
High Security Vault n°3 Key
Rhapsody as loot from Cazador
Szarr Family Ring
Woe as loot from Cazador
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion does not complete the Rite of Profane Ascension:
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension:
- Aid of Astarion's servants of the night for
- Astarion gains the passive feature Vampire Ascendant which grants the actions and and an additional 1d10
Necrotic damage to weapon and unarmed attacks
Interactions & Scenes
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In-Party Interactions & Scenes
As a companion while out traveling, Astarion has unique dialogue interactions available during and after certain events. Whenever one is available, he will have a floating [ ! ] icon above him.
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
- Gur Camp Conversation
- Astarion Act 3 Breakup Conversation
- Shapeshifter Conversation
- Worried about Cazador Conversation
- Love Test Scene (Romance only)
- Drow Twins Invite (Rejection, romanced) (Romance only)
- Drow Twins Invite (Accepted, romanced) (Romance only)
- Petras and Dalyria at the Flophouse Scene
- City in the Daylight Conversation
- Astarion Enters Cazador's Palace
- Astarion Confronts Godey
- Werewolf encounter
- Finding the elevator
- Finding Cazador's Dungeon
- Astarion Meets Sebastian
- Astarion Meets the Gur Children
- Post Sebastian Discussion
- Post Gur Children Discussion
- Astarion Confronts Cazador
- Astarion Kills Cazador (Stays spawn, other spawn freed)
- Astarion Ascends
- Astarion Ascension Interrupted
- Astarion Forced to Stay Spawn (other spawn stay trapped)
- Astarion Spawn decision (kept in cells or killed)
- Spawn Astarion "I feel numb" Conversation
- Spawn Astarion and Gur Post Cazador Scene
- Ascended Astarion and Gur Post Cazador Scene
- Second Araj Oblodra Encounter
- Spawn Astarion Act 3 Breakup #2 (Spawn route, romance only)
- Ascended Astarion Breakup Conversations (Ascended route, romance only)
- Before Final Battle Conversation (Spawn route, romance)
- Astral Prism Conversations (Spawn route, romance)
- High Hall Reaction
Camp Interactions & Scenes
As a companion, Astarion has unique dialogue interactions and cutscenes available at camp. Whenever one is available, he will have a floating [ ! ] icon above him.
Act One
- Astarion First Night at Camp Conversation
- Astarion "How do you want to die?" Conversation
- Astarion Stargazing Conversation
- First Bite Scene (Tav Survives)
- First Bite Scene Morning After (Tav Survives)
- First Bite Scene (Tav Dies)
- First Bite Scene Morning After (Tav Dies)
- Astarion "I Drunk a Bear" Conversation
- Astarion "You were my First" Conversation
- Astarion Mirror Conversation
- Astarion First Dream Visitor Conversation
- Astarion Tiefling Party Conversation
- Astarion First Romance Scene (Romance only)
- Astarion Second Dream Visitor Conversation
- Astarion Scars Scene
- Astarion "Favorite Lines" Conversation (Romance only)
Act Two
- Astarion "I Feel a Connection" Conversation
- Raphael Reveals the Truth Scene
- Post Reveal Conversation
- Post Araj Conversation/Confession (No bite) (Act 2 romance scene variant, romance only)
- Post Araj Conversation/Coerced sex scene (No bite) (Act 2 breakup scene, romance route only)
- Post Araj Conversation Breakup (With bite) (Act 2 breakup scene, romance route only)
- Astarion Post Yurgir Confession/Act 2 Romance Scene (Act 2 romance scene variant, romance only)
- Post Araj Conversation (No bite, non-romanced)
- Post Araj Conversation (With bite, non-romanced)
Act Three
- Astarion Discussing Cazador before the City Conversation
- Astarion on Nature of Dream Visitor
- Vampire Spawn Attack Camp Scene
- Graveyard Scene (Spawn route, Act 3 romance scene) (Romance only)
- Morning After Defeating Cazador Conversation (Spawn route, romance version) (Romance only)
- Ascended Astarion makes Tav his Spawn (Ascendant route, romance) (Romance only)
- Morning After Ascended Astarion makes Tav his Spawn (Ascendant route, romance) (Romance only)
NPC Interactions
Either as an origin, or in the party as a companion, Astarion has unique interactions and special dialogue with the following characters, listed by the act they are first encountered in:
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Loot
Astarion can be killed and looted upon meeting, and he will drop the same loot as starting equipment.
Achievements
Gallery
Notes
- Can be spoken to with
Speak with Dead.
- The inscription on Astarion's gravestone reads "Astarion Ancunín: 229 - 268 DR 468 DR -", as per the game's devnotes.
- Astarion was 39 years old when Cazador turned him.
- BG3 Senior writer Stephen Rooney is the creator & main writer of Astarion.
- Astarion's background changed throughout Early Access and the released physical character sheets: originally, his background was listed as "Noble", then it was listed as "Trickster Hedonist" in the Character Creation screen during the Release Showcase Panel, and then "Courtesan" on the physical character sheet, with "Charlatan" accompanying the game's official release.
External links