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Astarion: Difference between revisions
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Petras and Dalyria vanishing is seemingly exclusive to the Blood of Lathander, due to its radiance damage rather than being a light source (a sunlight source, most importantly). If there is another example it hasn't been reported. Also clarified the wording during his personality section as act 2 reveals he doesn't really enjoy sex at the point he's at when he seduces the player character (there is some extra nuance here, but for brevity's sake.)
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AFrigidDoor (talk | contribs) (Petras and Dalyria vanishing is seemingly exclusive to the Blood of Lathander, due to its radiance damage rather than being a light source (a sunlight source, most importantly). If there is another example it hasn't been reported. Also clarified the wording during his personality section as act 2 reveals he doesn't really enjoy sex at the point he's at when he seduces the player character (there is some extra nuance here, but for brevity's sake.)) |
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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, | Astarion approves of displays of power, degradation 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'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 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 | 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 seemingly revels in the physical and is among the first of companions to offer sexual relations with the player character of their own accord, but this is due to seeking 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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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|If a party member is wielding {{SmRarityItem|The Blood of Lathander}} | Later, in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]], Astarion encounters two of his "siblings", {{CharLink|Dalyria}} and {{CharLink|Petras}}.{{ref|If a party member is wielding {{SmRarityItem|The Blood of Lathander}} when the encounter with spawn Dalyria and spawn Petras would begin, it causes them to vanish, cancelling the cut-scene.}} 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 must be rescued, while if the spawns are defeated, Astarion remains with the party and emphasizes the need to find Cazador. | 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. |