Astarion

Vampire Spawn
Astarion Ancunín
Stats
Level 1
STR 8 (-1) DEX 17 (+3) CON 14 (+2) INT 13 (+1) WIS 13 (+1) CHA 10
Race	High elf
Type	Humanoid
HP	10
AC	11
Movement Speed	9m / 30ft
Size	Medium
Weight	75kg / 150lbs
Proficiency Bonus	+2
Initiative	+2
Passive features
Darkvision  Fey Ancestry
Character information
Class	Rogue
Background	Charlatan
Location	Wilderness
Enemies	Cazador
Additional information
Voice actor	Neil Newbon
Models

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.

Equipped with the demeanour of a charming and confidant nobleman, as well as a biting wit, Astarion enjoys making sarcastic remarks and japes at other people's expense, all the while acting smug and haughty.

And to think I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologies.

— Astarion, apologising after a misunderstanding

Overview

For all of Astarion's starting features, see Rogue and Elf#High elf.

As a vampire spawn, Astarion has access to a unique  Vampire Bite, but otherwise plays the same as any other character.

Unique actions:

•  Fire Bolt (from high elf)
•  Vampire Bite (from vampire spawn)

Starting skill proficiencies:

• Acrobatics
• Deception
• Perception†
• Performance
• Persuasion
• Sleight of Hand (x2)
• Stealth (x2)

Unlockable features:

Spoiler warning! This section reveals story details relating to Astarion's personal quest

•  Ascendant Bite
•  Misty Escape

Background

Astarion prowled the night as a vampire spawn for centuries, serving a sadistic master until he was snatched away. Now he can walk in the light and has the chance at a new life, but how long can he keep his past buried?

Description

At the beginning of the game's story, Astarion has recently escaped his abuser and discovered that sunlight no longer hurts him. As such, he comes off as reckless and hedonistic at times, wishing to enjoy his newfound freedom as much as possible.

While Astarion's decades of being a vampire spawn have left him with a lack of moral scruples compared to the more upstanding members of the party,, he does have certain lines he'd prefer not to cross – specifically killing innocent people, especially when it's for their blood.

Personal quest

Main article: The Pale Elf.

Astarion's companion quest is called The Pale Elf. His story unravels as Astarion explores his newfound freedom, coming to terms with the abuse inflicted on him, and that he has inflicted on others.

The crux of his personal quest is whether Astarion will become as cruel and monstrous as his sire, or if he can be swayed to become a better person than his abuser.

Recruitment

Recruitable in Act One.

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

Main article: Astarion/Approval

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, 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 rein him in or restrict him in some way.

History

Astarion was a young magistrate in Baldur's Gate, until one day he was assaulted and almost killed by a gang of Gurs. The vampire lord, Cazador Szarr, who had taken interest in him, approached Astarion and turned him into one of his slaves – a vampire spawn.

After being turned, Astarion and his vampire spawn siblings lived at the Szarr Palace in the city. Cazador held complete control over his spawn, able to "puppet" their bodies and bend them to his will. He used this power to torment Astarion, torturing him physically and emotionally for centuries, as he performed horrifically depraved acts on the elf that left him with both physical and psychological scars, inscribing his back with poems.

Soon, at his master's command, Astarion was himself seducing the nobility of Baldur's Gate, luring young aristocrats back to be fed on by his master.

Unbeknownst to Astarion, Cazador had secretly made a deal with the archdevil Mephistopheles to invoke the Rite of Profane Ascension. Szarr was to siphon the life force of seven thousand souls, Astarion's included, to become a vampire ascendant.

Before the vampire lord's plans could come to fruition, Astarion was kidnapped and infected with a special illithid tadpole. And so, Astarion's journey to freedom from his master could begin ...

The Pale Elf

See also: The Pale Elf.

He starts the game simply drinking from animals, though he will gladly drink from the player when it is consensual.

Astarion is utterly ruthless in his pursuit of revenge on his former master, and is not afraid to commit acts of cruelty or deception in the pursuit of that quest.

Once it is discovered that his immunity to sunlight is due to the Tadpole, Astarion is less excited than the rest of the party at the prospect of destroying the tadpoles, instead wishing to find a way to wield their power instead.

Achievements

Just a Nibble
Let Astarion bite you - ouch.

Gallery

• 

  Astarion's appearance pre-release.

• 

  Astarion during Early Access.

• 

  Early Access Model

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 games devnotes.
  • The years on the gravestone are likely a writing error. In-game sources state that the game takes place in 1492 DR. This would mean Astarion has been a vampire for 1,024 years, not the "almost 200" that he often claims. Moreover, when Astarion carves the current year onto the gravestone, he writes in the "468 DR -". This is, again, inconsistent with the game's stated date of 1492 DR.
• Astarion was 39 years old when Cazador turned him.

External links

• Astarion on the Forgotten Realms Wiki
• Astarion's free D&D Character sheet pdf on D&D Beyond