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* Astarion receives the {{SAI|Happy (Condition)}} after using the {{SAI|Vampire Bite}} ability on a humanoid. | * Astarion receives the {{SAI|Happy (Condition)}} after using the {{SAI|Vampire Bite}} ability on a humanoid. | ||
* Astarion is immune to conditions and effects that do not affect undead, such as | * Astarion is immune to conditions and effects that do not affect undead, such as {{Cond|Mummy Rot}}. | ||
=== Companion Quest === | === Companion Quest === | ||
Astarion's companion quest is {{Quest|The Pale Elf}}. His story | Astarion's companion quest is {{Quest|The Pale Elf}}. His story unfolds as he explores his newfound freedom, how he can keep it, and the consequences of doing so. He also chooses how to come to terms with the abuse inflicted on him - and the harm he has inflicted on others. | ||
=== Recruitment === | === Recruitment === | ||
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{{Main|Astarion/approval}} | {{Main|Astarion/approval}} | ||
[[File:Astarion Approval.png|44px|left|alt=Astarion Approves|link=|Astarion Approves]] | [[File:Astarion Approval.png|44px|left|alt=Astarion Approves|link=|Astarion Approves]] | ||
Astarion approves of displays of power and cruelty, and appreciates sarcasm and wit. He approves of the player character gaining access to areas or information by deceiving others, or when they avoid combat through persuasion or deception. The player character does not have to be "evil" to gain his approval, however: he approves when the player character is understanding of his past, makes choices that help him, support his independence and autonomy, or help certain people or animals he is fond of. | Astarion approves of displays of power, degredation and cruelty, and appreciates sarcasm and wit. He approves of the player character gaining access to areas or information by deceiving others, or when they avoid combat through persuasion or deception. The player character does not have to be "evil" to gain his approval, however: he approves when the player character is understanding of his past, makes choices that help him, support his independence and autonomy, or help certain people or animals he is fond of. | ||
Astarion disapproves of displays that imply weakness, as well acts of kindness or charity which offer no reward. He also disapproves when the player character makes choices which may restrict or deny his personal [https://thisvsthat.io/agency-vs-autonomy agency] or autonomy. | Astarion disapproves of displays that imply weakness, as well acts of kindness or charity which offer no reward. He also disapproves when the player character makes choices which may restrict or deny his personal [https://thisvsthat.io/agency-vs-autonomy agency] or autonomy. | ||
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Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn who appears to be in his late 30s despite being centuries old.{{ref|The inscription on Astarion's gravestone reads "Astarion Ancunín: 229 - 268 DR 468 DR -", as per the game's devnotes. This would make him 39 at the time of his (un)death. However, there are some inconsistencies regarding these dates: the current year is 1492 DR, and Cazador became a Lord in 1276 DR.}} | Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn who appears to be in his late 30s despite being centuries old.{{ref|The inscription on Astarion's gravestone reads "Astarion Ancunín: 229 - 268 DR 468 DR -", as per the game's devnotes. This would make him 39 at the time of his (un)death. However, there are some inconsistencies regarding these dates: the current year is 1492 DR, and Cazador became a Lord in 1276 DR.}} | ||
He is approximately 5'11" tall<ref>https://youtu.be/4lCVw2KK2NU?si=OC-l9wLIIiJndFlk&t=72</ref> of medium build and sharp facial features. He has pale skin and red eyes, as well as smile lines and a faint beauty mark on his right cheek. Jaw-length silver hair curls around his long pointed ears. He has a bite-mark scar on the right side of his neck from when his old master {{CharLink|Cazador Szarr}} turned him into a vampire, | He is approximately 5'11" tall<ref>[https://youtu.be/4lCVw2KK2NU?si=OC-l9wLIIiJndFlk&t=72 Lae'zel's Unique Githyanki Dialogue in Astarion's Mirror Scene - Baldur's Gate 3]</ref> of medium build and sharp facial features. He has pale skin and red eyes, as well as smile lines and a faint beauty mark on his right cheek. Jaw-length silver hair curls around his long pointed ears. He has a bite-mark scar on the right side of his neck from when his old master {{CharLink|Cazador Szarr}} turned him into a vampire, as well as a myriad of scars carved by Cazador covering most of his back. Astarion is very interested in his overall appearance. Favoring extravagant attire, he wears an elaborate doublet, leather chaps and embroidered leather shoes when recruited. He takes meticulous care to maintain and repair the clothing that he owns. He is very mindful of his hygiene, especially his hair, nails, skin, and clothing. | ||
=== Personality === | === Personality === | ||
Astarion's personality is heavily influenced by his background and his time spent as a vampire spawn slave. He is charming, eloquent, cunning, witty, and practical. But, having felt abandoned by the world and its heroes for centuries, Astarion can also be bitter, self-centered, manipulative, distrustful, prejudiced, and vengeful. Driven by fear, Astarion believes the world is divided in a predator-or-prey binary, and as such follows a "dog-eat-dog" philosophy, where his goal is to be on top to avoid subjugation. His main priorities initially are his own autonomy, safety, and revenge on Cazador, though he also prioritizes the party’s safety as-a-whole as a means to these ends. He is largely apathetic toward the feelings of others and typically has little interest in helping for no reward, as he feels if he did not get help (literally for centuries), no one else should. He also holds a grudge against the Gur people and, pereiving them as weak, prejudice against small races such as gnomes. | Astarion's personality is heavily influenced by his background and his time spent as a vampire spawn slave. He is charming, eloquent, cunning, witty, and practical. But, having felt abandoned by the world and its heroes for centuries, Astarion can also be bitter, self-centered, manipulative, distrustful, prejudiced, and vengeful. Driven by fear, Astarion believes the world is divided in a predator-or-prey binary, and as such follows a "dog-eat-dog" philosophy, where his goal is to be on top to avoid subjugation. His main priorities initially are his own autonomy, safety, and revenge on Cazador, though he also prioritizes the party’s safety as-a-whole as a means to these ends. He is largely apathetic toward the feelings of others and typically has little interest in helping for no reward, as he feels if he did not get help (literally for centuries), no one else should. He also holds a grudge against the Gur people and, pereiving them as weak, prejudice against small races such as gnomes. | ||
Despite his confident bravado and arrogant persona, subsequent | Despite his confident bravado and arrogant persona, subsequent conversations with Astarion reveal actions and plans that are arguably fear-motivated and reflect low self-worth. Astarion revels in the physical and is among the first of companions to offer sexual relations with the player character of their own accord. Aside from the pleasure to be derived from such relations, he also seeks favor with the player character, if for no other reason than to have their protection from Cazador and other powerful enemies. He believes charm, seduction and sexual prowess are effective and proven paths to not only these goals, but also one the of few ways he knows to form relationships with others. | ||
Astarion is willing to go to great lengths to gain power or an advantage, espcially if he pereceives such as required to secure his safety and wrest himself from Cazador's control, even if this means harming others or doing things he otherwise finds distasteful. Yet, even with these goals, Astarions's past has fostered a great reluctance for sacrifices involving bodily autonomy, even if it means getting something greater in turn. | Astarion is willing to go to great lengths to gain power or an advantage, espcially if he pereceives such as required to secure his safety and wrest himself from Cazador's control, even if this means harming others or doing things he otherwise finds distasteful. Yet, even with these goals, Astarions's past has fostered a great reluctance for sacrifices involving bodily autonomy, even if it means getting something greater in turn. | ||
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=== Life as Cazador's Spawn === | === Life as Cazador's Spawn === | ||
After being turned, Astarion and his vampire spawn "siblings" lived at the [[Szarr Palace]] in the Upper City. Being vampire spawns, Astarion and his siblings were completely subservient to Cazador, shackled to him through the bond of creator and creation. Cazador used this power to completely control Astarion and the others, and he imposed three main commands onto his spawns: | After being turned, Astarion and his vampire spawn "siblings" lived at the [[Szarr Palace]] in the Upper City. Being vampire spawns, Astarion and his siblings were completely subservient to Cazador, shackled to him through the bond of creator and creation. Cazador used this power to completely control Astarion and the others, and he imposed three main commands onto his spawns: | ||
# "Thou must not drink from thinking creatures, | # "Thou must not drink from thinking creatures," | ||
# "Thou must never leave my side, unless commanded," | # "Thou must never leave my side, unless commanded," | ||
# "Thou must obey me in all things." | # "Thou must obey me in all things." | ||
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Astarion begins the story in Act One on the ravaged beach by the crashed nautiloid, where he beckons the player character over to assist him in fighting an Intellect Devourer nearby in the bushes. However it quickly becomes apparent it is just a [[Boar]]. Depending on the player character's perception, Astarion either pulls a knife on the player or tackles them to the ground with said knife at their throat while they are distracted, believing the player character was in league with the mind flayers on the ship, as he saw them walking freely and speaking with the mind flayers while he was tadpoled and trapped in a pod. Astarion demands answers about what happened on the ship from the player character, who can explain the reality of the situation to him. Regardless of the outcome, Astarion ultimately backs off, apologizes, and introduces himself. If the player character attacks Astarion and kills him before the introducing cutscene and then revivifies him, a slightly different greeting (without knife-threatening) takes place. <!--tested--> Afterwards, Astarion can be recruited as a party member and his companion quest, {{Quest|The Pale Elf}}, is added to the journal. | Astarion begins the story in Act One on the ravaged beach by the crashed nautiloid, where he beckons the player character over to assist him in fighting an Intellect Devourer nearby in the bushes. However it quickly becomes apparent it is just a [[Boar]]. Depending on the player character's perception, Astarion either pulls a knife on the player or tackles them to the ground with said knife at their throat while they are distracted, believing the player character was in league with the mind flayers on the ship, as he saw them walking freely and speaking with the mind flayers while he was tadpoled and trapped in a pod. Astarion demands answers about what happened on the ship from the player character, who can explain the reality of the situation to him. Regardless of the outcome, Astarion ultimately backs off, apologizes, and introduces himself. If the player character attacks Astarion and kills him before the introducing cutscene and then revivifies him, a slightly different greeting (without knife-threatening) takes place. <!--tested--> Afterwards, Astarion can be recruited as a party member and his companion quest, {{Quest|The Pale Elf}}, is added to the journal. | ||
A few nights into adventuring, the player character wakes from long resting to Astarion, hunched over them and preparing to bite their neck. Astarion stops and tries to explain himself, but the player character successfully deduces | A few nights into adventuring, the player character wakes from long resting to Astarion, hunched over them and preparing to bite their neck. Caught in the act, Astarion stops and tries to explain himself, but the player character successfully deduces he is a vampire. If allowing Astarion to live after this reveal, he asks the player character if they are willing to let him drink some blood to gain his strength. If refusing, he stalks off into the night to hunt for animals. If accepting, Astarion lays the player character down and begins to drink blood from their neck.{{ref|If {{CharLink|Gale}} is chosen as [[origin]], Astarion describes Gale’s blood as tasting like bile and the option for the Astarion to drink the player character’s blood does not appear. However, Astarion can still bite a Gale origin during his first romance scene.}} Immersed in his hunger, Astarion must then be persuaded or shoved off to end his feeding. If unsuccessful, the player character dies and must be [[revivify|revived]]. If successful, Astarion stops feeding and thanks the player profusely for helping him. | ||
The morning following either the attempted or successful feeding, the player character can talk to Astarion about a variety of topics. He divulges his past, revealing he is a [[Vampire spawn]] sired by the vampire lord {{CharLink|Cazador Szarr}} over 200 years prior in [[Baldur's Gate]]. It was then he had handed down a ruling as a magistrate that a group of local [[Gur]] people took issue with. They attacked | The morning following either the attempted or successful feeding, the player character can talk to Astarion about a variety of topics. He divulges his past, revealing he is a [[Vampire spawn]] sired by the vampire lord {{CharLink|Cazador Szarr}} over 200 years prior in [[Baldur's Gate]]. It was then he had handed down a ruling as a magistrate that a group of local [[Gur]] people took issue with. They attacked and beat him until he was near death in the street. Cazador Szarr then approached, offering him a second chance at life, which Astarion took in a moment of desperation. Cazador then turned Astarion into his vampire spawn and slave. Astarion also explains how vampire spawns are subservient to the vampires who created them, having all of the weaknesses of a full vampire but few of their powers. Amongst them is hypersensitivity to the sun, which Astarion has not experienced since the nautiloid crash. He speculates the tadpole has given him immunity to the sunlight and Cazador's compulsion. During this conversation the player character can also discuss how Astarion may feed in the future. They can either agree to let him feed on the player character, let him feed on humanoid enemies, or relegate him to feeding on animals. | ||
In the [[Sunlit Wetlands]] (or [[Putrid Bog]],) the party can encounter a Gur monster hunter, {{CharLink|Gandrel}}. If previously revealed as a vampire, Gandrel explains he is looking for a vampire spawn named Astarion on behalf of his tribe, and Astarion becomes visibly agitated. He argues with and insults Gandrel, ready to kill him in an act of self-preservation. The player character can let Astarion reveal himself and attack Gandrel or encourage Astarion to let it go, sparing his life. If Astarion's vampiric nature has not been discovered, Gandrel does not mention Astarion by name and instead says he is looking for a vampire spawn. Astarion may kill Gandrel unprompted in this scenario if he is not talked down while agitated. The player character can also turn Astarion in to Gandrel; thus leaving the party permanently. | In the [[Sunlit Wetlands]] (or [[Putrid Bog]],) the party can encounter a Gur monster hunter, {{CharLink|Gandrel}}. If previously revealed as a vampire, Gandrel explains he is looking for a vampire spawn named Astarion on behalf of his tribe, and Astarion becomes visibly agitated. He argues with and insults Gandrel, ready to kill him in an act of self-preservation. The player character can let Astarion reveal himself and attack Gandrel or encourage Astarion to let it go, sparing his life. If Astarion's vampiric nature has not been discovered, Gandrel does not mention Astarion by name and instead says he is looking for a vampire spawn. Astarion may kill Gandrel unprompted in this scenario if he is not talked down while agitated. The player character can also turn Astarion in to Gandrel; thus leaving the party permanently. | ||
=== Act Two === | === Act Two === | ||
In Act Two, Astarion explores the markings carved into his back by Cazador long ago and ponders their meaning. If his approval with the player character is high enough, or he is romanced, he reveals the scars to them. The player character may identify them as Infernal markings. If not identified, Astarion eventually comes to this conclusion on his own by slowly feeling them. Either way, he says he wants to discuss the subject with {{CharLink|Raphael}}, who may be able to explain the scars to him. | In Act Two, Astarion explores the markings carved into his back by Cazador long ago and ponders their meaning. If his approval with the player character is high enough, or he is romanced, he reveals the scars to them. The player character may identify them as Infernal markings. If not identified, Astarion eventually comes to this conclusion on his own by slowly feeling them out. Either way, he says he wants to discuss the subject with {{CharLink|Raphael}}, who may be able to explain the scars to him. | ||
When talking to Raphael at the [[Last Light Inn]], Raphael points out Astarion and say he senses he has something to talk to him about. Astarion then confirms this fact. If Astarion has not revealed his scars, Raphael uses infernal magic to bare Astarion from his waist up and forces him to show his scars before continuing the conversation about Astarion's request. If Astarion has already revealed his scars to the player character, Raphael instead proceeds to thinking about Astarion's request. Raphael says he believes he can help explain his scars, but needs to think of something that Astarion can do for him first. He then departs, leaving Astarion to wait until they meet again. | When talking to Raphael at the [[Last Light Inn]], Raphael points out Astarion and say he senses he has something to talk to him about. Astarion then confirms this fact. If Astarion has not revealed his scars, Raphael uses infernal magic to bare Astarion from his waist up and forces him to show his scars before continuing the conversation about Astarion's request. If Astarion has already revealed his scars to the player character, Raphael instead proceeds to thinking about Astarion's request. Raphael says he believes he can help explain his scars, but needs to think of something that Astarion can do for him first. He then departs, leaving Astarion to wait until they meet again. | ||
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If Yurgir is defeated per Raphael's request, Raphael comes to the [[Campsite]] and explains Astarion's scars. He reveals they are a part of a contract Cazador Szarr made with [[Mephistopheles]], binding Astarion to the Rite of Profane Ascension. It is through this ritual that Cazador must sacrifice the souls of all of his vampiric spawn, including Astarion, to ascend to a new type of being, the Vampire Ascendant. The Vampire Ascendant will gain a new set of powers and lose all vampiric weaknesses, including the sensitivity to sunlight. However, the rite cannot be performed if any of the carriers of the scars are missing, and so Cazador cannot complete it while Astarion is gone. Astarion then realizes Cazador will never stop hunting him, and asks the player character to join him in taking the fight to Cazador in Baldur's Gate. | If Yurgir is defeated per Raphael's request, Raphael comes to the [[Campsite]] and explains Astarion's scars. He reveals they are a part of a contract Cazador Szarr made with [[Mephistopheles]], binding Astarion to the Rite of Profane Ascension. It is through this ritual that Cazador must sacrifice the souls of all of his vampiric spawn, including Astarion, to ascend to a new type of being, the Vampire Ascendant. The Vampire Ascendant will gain a new set of powers and lose all vampiric weaknesses, including the sensitivity to sunlight. However, the rite cannot be performed if any of the carriers of the scars are missing, and so Cazador cannot complete it while Astarion is gone. Astarion then realizes Cazador will never stop hunting him, and asks the player character to join him in taking the fight to Cazador in Baldur's Gate. | ||
On the road to Baldur's Gate, Astarion ponders the options he believes he will have in the city. He tells the player character if they are to find Cazador, they should | On the road to Baldur's Gate, Astarion ponders the options he believes he will have in the city. He tells the player character if they are to find Cazador, they should first find his "siblings", Cazador's other vampiric spawns. He states they will likely be found in the taverns and flophouses of the city, looking for prey for Cazador as per his orders. Astarion also speculates about the possibility of ursurping the Rite of Profane Ascension for himself to gain its power, rather than Cazador. | ||
=== Act Three === | === Act Three === | ||
In [[Rivington]], Astarion and the party may encounter {{CharLink|Ulma}} and the other members of the local Gur tribe. Ulma recognizes Astarion and reveals him as one of the vampire spawns who stole their children away in the night under Cazador's orders. She offers Astarion a chance for redemption: save their children from Cazador's clutches and bring them home. Agreeing starts the quest {{Quest|Investigate Cazador's Palace}}. Refusing has Ulma and the other members of the Gur tribe become hostile. | In [[Rivington]], Astarion and the party may encounter {{CharLink|Ulma}} and the other members of the local Gur tribe. Ulma recognizes Astarion and reveals him as one of the vampire spawns who stole their children away in the night under Cazador's orders. She offers Astarion a chance for redemption: save their children from Cazador's clutches and bring them home. Agreeing starts the quest {{Quest|Investigate Cazador's Palace}}. Refusing has Ulma and the other members of the Gur tribe become hostile. | ||
Later, in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]], Astarion encounters two of his "siblings", {{CharLink|Dalyria}} and {{CharLink|Petras}}{{Ref|The encounter with spawn Dalyria and spawn Petras is interrupted if someone is wielding the Blood of Lathander, making them vanish.}}. They discuss Cazador's ritual, falsely believing it will set them free. Astarion interrupts, calls them foolish for believing Cazador's lies, and demands to know where the ritual will happen. Dalyria and Petras | Later, in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]], Astarion encounters two of his "siblings", {{CharLink|Dalyria}} and {{CharLink|Petras}}{{Ref|The encounter with spawn Dalyria and spawn Petras is interrupted if someone is wielding the Blood of Lathander, making them vanish.}}. They discuss Cazador's ritual, falsely believing it will set them free. Astarion interrupts, calls them foolish for believing Cazador's lies, and demands to know where the ritual will happen. Dalyria and Petras reveal it is happening in a secret defiled chapel underneath Cazador's Palace before returning to Cazador. Astarion then continues to ponder if he can usurp the ritual for himself. | ||
Upon reaching the [[Lower City]], some of Astarion's other "siblings," {{CharLink|Leon}}, {{CharLink|Aurelia}}, {{CharLink|Violet}}, and {{CharLink|Yousen}}, come to the party's camp in the night to capture Astarion. Astarion attempts to sway them to his side by lying and saying if he controls the ritual, they can all name him their new master and they will be set free. The player character can intervene and reveal the truth, but either way, Cazador's compulsion takes control of the spawns and they become hostile. If Astarion is downed in combat, he is taken to Cazador's Palace and | Upon reaching the [[Lower City]], some of Astarion's other "siblings," {{CharLink|Leon}}, {{CharLink|Aurelia}}, {{CharLink|Violet}}, and {{CharLink|Yousen}}, come to the party's camp in the night to capture Astarion. Astarion attempts to sway them to his side by lying and saying if he controls the ritual, they can all name him their new master and they will be set free. The player character can intervene and reveal the truth, but either way, Cazador's compulsion takes control of the spawns and they become hostile. If Astarion is downed in combat, he is taken to Cazador's Palace and must be rescued, while if the spawns are defeated, Astarion remains with the party and emphasizes the need to find Cazador. | ||
After finding and entering Cazador's Palace through a side entrance protected by charmed guards, Astarion finds out that the ritual is already underway, and presumes the way to the ritual is via the ballroom. However, the ballroom is sealed by an | After finding and entering Cazador's Palace through a side entrance protected by charmed guards, Astarion finds out that the ritual is already underway, and presumes the way to the ritual is via the ballroom. However, the ballroom is sealed by an {{Cond|Arcane Lock}} spell that will only open if a key is inserted and a set of words are spoken to it. Astarion then concludes {{CharLink|Godey}}, one of Cazador's servants, has the key, and suggests the party find him along with something that will help the party discover the passphrase. After obtaining the {{SmRarityItem|Szarr Family Ring}} from Godey and the {{SmRarityItem|Kozakuran Dictionary}} from one of Cazador's guest rooms, Astarion and the party may proceed into the ballroom where they encounter a multitude of [[Werewolf|lycanthropes]], [[Wolf|wolves]], [[Bat|bats]], and [[Rat|rats]]. The creatures are hostile, as they wish to turn in Astarion to Cazador to gain favor with him. After defeating them, Astarion and the party can proceed to Cazador's study, where they find a nearby lift. | ||
Upon taking the lift, it descends into [[Cazador's Dungeon]], which was kept secret from all in the palace, including Astarion. | Upon taking the lift, it descends into [[Cazador's Dungeon]], which was kept secret from all in the palace, including Astarion. Here, Astarion and the party encounter a large number of prisoners held in cells. One prisoner, {{CharLink|Sebastian}}, recognizes Astarion and speaks up. He says he remembers Astarion luring him back to the palace, where he was then turned into a vampire spawn by Cazador alongside many others there. In another cell, {{CharLink|Chessa}}, one of the Gur children, also recognizes him and speaks of how Astarion and other spawns kidnapped them from their camp and brought them to the palace where Cazador turned them to spawns. Astarion then identifies others in cells who bear his mark, previous victims he brought to Cazador (either through lure or capture) but thought of as long dead, as Cazador told them he was feeding on those they brought back. It is after meeting the prisoners and seeing how they are marked with the same Infernal runes that Astarion sees Cazador means to sacrifice not just him and his "siblings", but the 7,000 souls suborned to his command. He starts to fully understand the true scope of the Rite of Profane Ascension as well as struggle with the implications of his previous plans to usurp the ritual. | ||
After leaving the main part of the dungeon, Astarion and the party confront Cazador in his lair where the ritual is being prepared. Cazador gains control of Astarion through blood magic during the confrontation, | After leaving the main part of the dungeon, Astarion and the party confront Cazador in his lair where the ritual is being prepared. Cazador gains control of Astarion through blood magic during the confrontation, forcing him into the ritual, and combat begins. If not rescued, Cazador ascends and Astarion's essence, bound by an [[Mephistopheles|Archdevil's]] Infernal Contract (along with 7000 others), is consumed, killing him. If saved, Astarion joins combat. | ||
If defeated, Cazador attempts to retreat to his sarcophagus to regenerate. Astarion rips him away and confronts him once and for all. Here the player character can either talk Astarion down from usurping the Rite of Profane Ascension or assist him in completing it for himself. Either choice and its outcome completes {{Quest|The Pale Elf}}. | |||
=== Endings === | === Endings === | ||
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==== Life as a vampire spawn leader ==== | ==== Life as a vampire spawn leader ==== | ||
If Astarion is romanced and the vampire spawn in the dungeon were released to the [[Underdark]], he and the player character can instead choose to go find the spawn and help them adjust to their new lives. Both of them | If Astarion is romanced and the vampire spawn in the dungeon were released to the [[Underdark]], he and the player character can instead choose to go find the spawn and help them adjust to their new lives. Both of them act as leaders alongside Astarion's "siblings." | ||
Astarion can also become a vampire spawn leader alone and without the player character, though this requires the player character suggest they find the spawn in the Underdark | Astarion can also become a vampire spawn leader alone and without the player character, though this requires the player character suggest they find the spawn in the Underdark, then break up shortly after. Astarion then goes to the Underdark alone and acts as a leader for the vampire spawn. | ||
==== Life as a vampire lord ==== | ==== Life as a vampire lord ==== | ||
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If allowed to complete the ritual, Astarion takes over [[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 comments. | If allowed to complete the ritual, Astarion takes over [[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 comments. | ||
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 the others are somehow succeeding in life without his supervision, but is uninterested to engage in conversation with them himself. If romanced as a [[Mind flayers|mind flayer]], the player character is simply an ally to Astarion, as they cannot be turned into a spawn ( | 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 the others are somehow succeeding in life without his supervision, but is uninterested to engage in conversation with them himself. If romanced as a [[Mind flayers|mind flayer]], the player character is simply an ally to Astarion, as they cannot be turned into a spawn (though his Reunion Party dialogue remains the same as if they were one). If an origin Karlach romanced Astarion, she is unable to be turned into a vampire spawn because of her engine running hot, and he breaks up with her during their next Long Rest after the ritual. | ||
However, there are a few ways for Astarion to end up as a vampire lord without taking over the palace. Like all other player characters, an ascended origin Astarion has the option to go to Avernus with Karlach in any relationship status, abandoning the vampire lord's life completely to fight demons by her side instead. Additionally, if an origin Karlach romancing Astarion does not rest between fighting Cazador and the Netherbrain (thus skipping the breakup scene entirely), he instead demands to bring her to Avernus himself. | However, there are a few ways for Astarion to end up as a vampire lord without taking over the palace. Like all other player characters, an ascended origin Astarion has the option to go to Avernus with Karlach in any relationship status, abandoning the vampire lord's life completely to fight demons by her side instead. Additionally, if an origin Karlach romancing Astarion does not rest between fighting Cazador and the Netherbrain (thus skipping the breakup scene entirely), he instead demands to bring her to Avernus himself. |