I love the fact that he's taking the conversation completely seriously, unironically, unsarcastically, + having genuine conversation regarding his trauma (probably the first time in literal centuries)... and Tav's just over here trying not to quake in their boots
@@rigandigy2329 Tav is the name of a created character before you erase it and name it something else. As a result people have started calling anybody's player character "Tav" instead of "player character". I just find it cringy is all.
@shadowlife15 ah, I'm gonna be honest, I spent like 5 minutes just racking my brain for names and came to the conclusion of "Tav", so that's mostly why I was curious haha. Tav because most dnd games start in a tavern lol
@@c_c7844 Yes, that can be said for most of the scenes in the game. They had the VAs record their lines multiple times with variations in tones. Doesn't change the lines other than inflection.
@@c_c7844 Nothing about what I said made claim on the Devs not caring about their game. I put 400 hours into it so far. 200 of which was in the EA for the two years that it was in development. I know Astarion's dialog inside and out lol. My point is that the dialog is the same aside from one sentence. Such is always subject to adjustment.
@@elswayr4525 I don't know... he still seems concerned to me, but then I'm pretty good at cutting through BS irl. a lot of AA's attitude smacks of 'this is how I'm supposed to be, because I'm a Lord and can't show weakness'. It would bother me to have someone that worried about their image that they can't be real about their feelings, so it's not ideal, but I see it more so as unfortunate for him that he went from having his softer side being suppressed by the expectations of others, to now suppressed by his expectations for himself.... but vampires can be around a long time, maybe he'll unclench once he gets more used to his new existence.
the fact that after ascending, where he basically starts viewing you as a pet tbh, he is Still more emotionally intelligent than other party member in this situation because this is pretty messed up, is Crazy. I know the voiceline is basically the same aside from one bit, but in this context i wonder how much of it he truly means
I have heard that, lore wise, take it with a grain of salt too. Vampire doesn’t have ability to love, only obsession. So I think the vampire spawn that he used to be, yes love. Ascended vampire that he has become, no love but obsession remains. I get the idea that some of he’s saying make us feel like we are object/pet that belongs to him, and I think he literally means it. He thinks whether he loves Tav or not (which he can’t), Tav is his. The thing that he has a dying obsession with is getting touched by others, he doesn’t like it, and he thinks Tav should also be hating it.
@@seliamila1005I don't know the apparent pet line, but from what I've seen on YT because I didn't ascend him, he keeps calling Tav "little thing", "little love", "precious treasure" etc. in a rather condescending tone, to me it feels dehumanizing, like he's treating Tav like an object. I'd reload or try and break up if I had ascended him, especially since I romance him in my playthrough 😢
@@Stargazer_247 Some people have mentioned that what he did was turn Tav/Durge into the equivalent of a vampire bride rather than a spawn. That would suggest a vampire could love (though it probably will never been in a pure innocent way), because... why bother not making a spawn and tying one's own lifeforce just because of an obsession? Seems like an unnecessary risk when a spawn can be completely dominated, and comes with an instinctive understanding of their place.
@@domocan6877 Being a sociopath isn't an all or nothing thing it's a spectrum ranging from a mostly normal person with sociopathic tendencies all the way up to having absolutely no empathy for anyone. It's actually a physical defect in their midbrain, the part of the brain that deals with empathy for others either has lower activity than normal or in the extreme cases just doesn't work at all.
@@domocan6877 By that logic everyone is a sociopath. A true psychopath can't "value" anyone except as their "property". A true sociopath would never offer words of support.
What makes it more interesting we wont have a long '' lovemaking'' scenes with other companions and lovers but an incibus can straight up poke us for hours if you let him :p
@@xSaraxMxNeffx theyre censoring little kisses by showing it from behind. I mean its just a kiss why censoring it? Sex and nudity is literally in the game already.
This is my take on things, and I realize it's not what a lot of people like, but I think Ascended Astarion romance isn't actually real love, but him manipulating you as was his previous goal. Now let me preface this by saying if you like Ascended route and find the idea of an evil partnership, more power to you! This dialogue happens before you turn into the spawn, but when he offers to change you, you can say something like "be a spawn? Like what Cazador did to you?" And he replies saying, "Oh that was completely different, I'd never hurt you, I love you. That's what you've been waiting to hear, isn't it? Thats what you want" You can even hear the tone shift in his voice. Like "I'm just telling you what you want to hear, and I think you know that too." Much like he did when he was flirting us up in the earlier acts and admitted he was just saying that. Him saying that he would make you into a true vampire, I fully believe is just a little lie to continue to string you along. He says in the very beginning that another Vampire wouldn't just create another vampire, it doesn't happen. Why? Because they know they'd get usurped. I think Astarion knows that you're in love with him, and as long as he can keep up this little act, he can keep you wrapped around his finger with sweet honeyed promises. This Astarion is like the Astarion you first meet, but taken up 5 notches. He's luring you into an alliance to be with him, this is evident in the illithid route, and it fits with what he tried doing earlier on with getting you to fall for him to make sure you'd never turn on him. When you try breaking up with him (refusing to be his spawn) and tell him he doesn't know anything about love, this is where he really let's you know his stance on it. "The greatest crimes in the world were committed for *love*, a hunger crueller than bloodlust." The way he says love here is almost said mockingly, in disgust. And then he says "I know how to play with it, and I can't resist playing the hand I know. I would have ruined your love, used your trust until you were nothing. So, for what its worth, in the end I respect the choice you made. I didn’t think you had it in you." This feels like the big caveat to ascended Astarion romance, something people tend to overlook. He isn't in love with you, he states that he knows how to play it and use it to make you obedient to him. And some people are totally into that, which I mean hey! That's totally fine. Now, as to the argument for him saying "you're mine," I know people say that's a toxic phrase and he's being possessive, and I get that he is being possessive, but let me just say I don't think the phrase alone is bad. I believe someone can say "you are mine and I am yours" without it meaning you are property. I know in this instance he means "you're my spawn, I own you," but in general, I don't think the phrase alone is the red flag. But perhaps the intention and infliction behind it. But that's just my take lol, moving on!! In his Unascended route, Astarion says "being with you is more than just lust or manipulating you into a tactical alliance, I love you." That feels real, that is real. He isn't saying it in hopes you will be at his side, he's being honest. He doesn't follow it up with "that's what you want right?" He even says "you believed in me, you believed I was enough, just the way I am," and of course the line where he says "you saved me from myself." Its like he knew and understood that ascending would have ruined him. Power at what cost? His soul, his humanity? He knew he was going down a dark path and thanks us for believing in him enough to save him from becoming like his master, another monster. The bitter irony from his first words when we met him. People say that not ascending dooms him for eternity, and makes him physically weak. It's still heavily implied he lives on with Tav, so he's not alone. And he says "when I think of my future, anything and everything feels possible." That doesn't sound like a man lamenting his lack of day walking. Granted I bet he still misses it, but to me it sounds like he's happier off with you, doing whatever this new life has to offer. Granted, I will say the love scene when you are turned is so hot!!! Like holy hell! I wish the Unascended route wasn't so vanilla and got a nice spicy scene, but eh, a trade off for character growth lmao. Now of course this is all just my feelings on things. I love anti heroes, and Astarion is totally that, as Larian stated, but I personally enjoy anti-hero/villain growth. I loved watching him go from his cynical outlook on life to understand that he has the power to be greater than those who chained him, to be free, truly and honestly free by being who he truly is. That isn't boring to me, and the love he shares with Tav, the trust and bond that only grows deeper, that to me is an amazing story! God sorry for the long rant! I just wanted to state my argument with lines from the game and I went a bit off. 😄
I mostly agree but want to add that the context of where he says "youre mine!!" Is that he's not allowing you to breakup with him lol I also agree he doesn't love love you. I think he loves you like one loves their brand new sports car or $1 mil wristwatch. He intends to keep you for himself but he has no respect for you as a person, hence calling you a pet or his treasure. Going by the lore, it seems his love was polluted into pure possessiveness by his turning. He also says he gave you a single drop of his blood after he bit you, so you are a true vampire, at least partially. But he emphasizes that you will depend on him for the ability to be out in the sunlight, and he warns you not to stay too far away from him.
@wynn9828 oh yeah. I know that in his case when he says "you're mine " he means it in a possessive way. I was just making the argument that the phrase alone isn't necessarily toxic, but the context behind when he says it, is. If that makes sense. ^^ Him giving you just enough blood is all part of his game. A mind game to use and manipulate you into thinking he cares.
absolutely agree with everything you've said :) let me add though that we're able to see the spawn romance moment fully with a free camera mod and let me tell you - it is absolutely beautiful and we were ROBBED cuz in the game half of it isn't properly shown. the love in his eyes, the way his hand cups Tav's cheek and he crawls on top not breaking the eye contact and then the leg hook!! and HE initiates all the touches and kissing!!! i don't even care it's fully clothed. it's amazing. much unlike in the ascendant where he looks detached and Tav's pretty much doing all the moving and moaning.
"I cant imagine getting bored of... all of THAT myself" (traces the curve of her body in the air with his hands) Omg SIR PLEASE! WHY IS IT SUDDENLY SO HOT IN HERE?! 🥵😂
he seemed to really love seducing men.@@Sacred_Korok69 they made every character in the game bi ffs. i couldnt throw a chair in this game without bashing a butt pirate.
I was so wrong. So, so wrong. I hated this character since the momment I saw him and heard his voice. But he's so fantasticly written, and the voice actor is a master.
the thing is... he doesn't really force it, except that Laurian stuck their noses in as to how Tav/Durge react to it. I can't see myself Ascending Astarion in a playthrough where Durge rejects his heritage (at least not the first time), and everything that AA does fits a dark Durge's tastes perfectly. He was, after all, not created to be the master of his own destiny, so if he is embracing his original purpose (at least half way because Laurian 100% failed on a couple of vital end game options that are definitely needed for evil Durge) it makes sense that he would be into letting AA take the reins in the relationship. As many people have pointed out, simply not showing the over dramatic facial reactions of hurt/upset allows the exchange to be playful, a dark game between an evil power couple... plus those expressions are just so out of place regardless. It's right up there with the awkwardness of having Durge throw a fist up during the final battle rally. Don't know what they are thinking, you can't have have a character stoically crossing his arms for 98% of the play through and then have them throwing fists in the air and making pouty faces because that's how the developers want to force the player to feel... it's just really weird. IF AA crossed a line with chosen Durge, it wouldn't be a look of horror or pouting he'd get, it'd be a warning squint, and a cocky lean to remind him, that he's bonded his lifeforce to someone that pulls intestines out of the living for kicks. Real talk, my PC repeatedly took a mace to the back by some pain pervert, and just insulted the guy for his weak delivery. I really don't think he's going to feel that pressed about a little neck grab, or a hand in his face.
Wait till you choose to become a squid, then all of his possesivness goes out of the window. Absolutely heartless ending. Non-ascended Astarion at least says he will try to accept you.
@@pieoflords5082i think they were just surprised its an incubus and not a succubus. Most of the times if there’s one of em, it’s just succubi. Which is a shame, sexy demon boys are just as nice as sexy demon girls.
@@anubis7457 he/she was actually a shapeshifter and they offered to have sex in either a male or female form based on your preference. He originally appeared in Raphael's form, because Raphael is apparently so vain that he enjoys sleeping with himself.
@@Valariel I know they're a shapeshifter, but all incubi/succubi in 5e are shapeshifters that can appear as either gender. The term incubus or succubus just refers to their default form.
It is actually nice that ONE of your companions cares enough about you getting coerced into bed with Incubus!Raphael and him using your body still afterwards. Like no worried dialogue from Wyell even?
I wonder if someone will make a mod that lets Astarion use his Ascended powers even if you don't go down that route? If someone can make an item that lets you use ALL the Illithid powers, probably. Just, tricky, probably.
He doesn't drop it, but it's in a vault in his House of Hope on the inside of the circle. It's the one locked by an arcane mechanism. I think it needs a diamond or something to start unlocking it and then you need to pass an arcane check. There's also a nice caster staff in there that gives the caster a free spell.
He cares but only because he's possessive over you. Some people are into that so I suppose that romance works for the. He doesn't love you anymore, all his good qualities are twisted as a full vampire.
You have to be willing to sleep with Haarlep and let him have either your mind/body or your body then he tells you where Raphael hides the key/password to the hammer and thus this scene.
I have heard that, lore wise, take it with a grain of salt too. Vampire doesn’t have ability to love, only obsession. So I think the vampire spawn that he used to be, yes love. Ascended vampire that he has become, no love but obsession remains. I get the idea that some of he’s saying make us feel like we are object that belongs to him, and I think he literally means it. Love or having a heart or not that is out of the equation, TAV IS HIS. The thing that he has a dying obsession with is getting touched by others. HE doesn’t like it, and Tav shouldn’t too. At least there is no sign of him actively influencing or forcing Tav’s thoughts to change, otherwise Tav wouldn’t be enjoying this whole thing. As he seems to be dodgy when confronted if he can actually control Tav or not, he only says something like: “Why would I control you? I love you.” More like he can but he won’t, as he likes it this way. IMO this relationship is by all means not GOOD, as it’s all him him him, but also not terrible for an obsessive relationship that one side seems to be the complete dominant.
I know it's late but I had it played today. I obviously sold my body to Harleep, returned from hell, long rested once or twice and then the trigger seems to be around Lower City Central Wall teleport. I teleported there for something else and started walking towards Sorcerous Sundries and it triggered before I got there.
Pardon my ignorance, but can this scene still occur if you've killed the Incubus and the rest of the House of Hope? My game still often references other party members who've died or left in acts 1 and 2 (playing into Dark Urge hard makes peeps not like you) So I'm hopeful I can still witness it even if they're dead 🤭
If you consider this as him having a heart, then yikes (reading some of the comments). His entire body language here doesn't present affection or acknowledgement of how his personal turmoils could affect you. This is a "me me me" conversation. The fact that he refers to you as his "treasure" isn't affectionate either, considering the fact that he's already clarified that Tav is his "property". I've met possessive people, and they all eventually turn cruel and abusive, physically and verbally, with their obsessive nature of wanting control. Still has a heart? This isn't a dating sim. After going through the ritual he sells his soul to a lunatic devil. He'd mourn the loss time he could've bent you to his will vs him actually missing you. I'd advise people not muddle up genuine love and affection with possessiveness. It'll save your mental well being in the future.
It’s a fantasy game, get a grip. Whatever is fun for the player is fine. You don’t need to pretend to be worried about them just because they don’t play a role like you do. Good god, the sanctimonious Astarion fans are the absolute worst part of the BG fandom, I swear…
as someone who is very good at reading people... his body language screams of 'I need to act strong and unbothered by life'. He is way too stiff and intentional with his body language to not be as much an act as when he is overly flirty with the PC while seducing them in Act 1. He is a man that wears masks on default, it is how he approaches new scenarios and it is only when he is worn down that it slowly starts to come down IF he starts to see it is safe to let it.
Guess you don't know vampire lore? His soul died, he is dead, unable to be reborn. This is just a 'thing' or 'creature' in possesion of his memories and body.
@Louves192 astarion has a soul in DnD vampirism does kill you butnit also traps the soul within the body this is why withers interacts with his soul directly. But if he ascends ye becomes a full vampire, locking him to the evil side of the alignment spectrum damming him. As a spawn he can get away from that.
i want to keep some of his humanity/vulnerability/goodness intact.. for a romance run he thinks of you as more of a pet than an equal as ascended astarion. as a spawn he has much more genuine feelings for pc
"Infernal creatures..." if Karlak is there does she get offended at being compared to an abyssal being? Seems like it would be quite the sore spot comparing devils and demons.
I love the fact that he's taking the conversation completely seriously, unironically, unsarcastically, + having genuine conversation regarding his trauma (probably the first time in literal centuries)... and Tav's just over here trying not to quake in their boots
... Tav...
Ugh.
@shadowlife15 what's wrong with tav? Also why does it seem everyone refer to their character as tav?
Because by default, unless you change it, your characters name is "Tav" ;D@@rigandigy2329
@@rigandigy2329 Tav is the name of a created character before you erase it and name it something else. As a result people have started calling anybody's player character "Tav" instead of "player character".
I just find it cringy is all.
@shadowlife15 ah, I'm gonna be honest, I spent like 5 minutes just racking my brain for names and came to the conclusion of "Tav", so that's mostly why I was curious haha. Tav because most dnd games start in a tavern lol
All those lines are still there without him being ascended aside from the "I've become untouchable" one.
yeah personally it seems a little out of character for ascended astarion
@@c_c7844 Yes, that can be said for most of the scenes in the game. They had the VAs record their lines multiple times with variations in tones. Doesn't change the lines other than inflection.
@@c_c7844 Nothing about what I said made claim on the Devs not caring about their game. I put 400 hours into it so far. 200 of which was in the EA for the two years that it was in development. I know Astarion's dialog inside and out lol. My point is that the dialog is the same aside from one sentence. Such is always subject to adjustment.
@@c_c7844 Yup
@c_c i love karlach and astarion’s relationship sm
im surprised, these are identical to un-ascended astarion aside from him calling you a "precious treasure" and being untouchable.
The lines in text are almost identical, but the tone is completely different. spawn!astarion comes off sympathetic and genuinely concerned
@@elswayr4525 I don't know... he still seems concerned to me, but then I'm pretty good at cutting through BS irl. a lot of AA's attitude smacks of 'this is how I'm supposed to be, because I'm a Lord and can't show weakness'. It would bother me to have someone that worried about their image that they can't be real about their feelings, so it's not ideal, but I see it more so as unfortunate for him that he went from having his softer side being suppressed by the expectations of others, to now suppressed by his expectations for himself.... but vampires can be around a long time, maybe he'll unclench once he gets more used to his new existence.
"My precious treasure" I can't 😭😭😭
precious*
@@Lance_Lionroar oops, fixed that, thank you!
the fact that after ascending, where he basically starts viewing you as a pet tbh, he is Still more emotionally intelligent than other party member in this situation because this is pretty messed up, is Crazy. I know the voiceline is basically the same aside from one bit, but in this context i wonder how much of it he truly means
The pet thing is a joke he said it himself
I have heard that, lore wise, take it with a grain of salt too. Vampire doesn’t have ability to love, only obsession. So I think the vampire spawn that he used to be, yes love. Ascended vampire that he has become, no love but obsession remains.
I get the idea that some of he’s saying make us feel like we are object/pet that belongs to him, and I think he literally means it. He thinks whether he loves Tav or not (which he can’t), Tav is his. The thing that he has a dying obsession with is getting touched by others, he doesn’t like it, and he thinks Tav should also be hating it.
@@seliamila1005I don't know the apparent pet line, but from what I've seen on YT because I didn't ascend him, he keeps calling Tav "little thing", "little love", "precious treasure" etc. in a rather condescending tone, to me it feels dehumanizing, like he's treating Tav like an object. I'd reload or try and break up if I had ascended him, especially since I romance him in my playthrough 😢
@@Stargazer_247 Some people have mentioned that what he did was turn Tav/Durge into the equivalent of a vampire bride rather than a spawn. That would suggest a vampire could love (though it probably will never been in a pure innocent way), because... why bother not making a spawn and tying one's own lifeforce just because of an obsession? Seems like an unnecessary risk when a spawn can be completely dominated, and comes with an instinctive understanding of their place.
Proof that he still has a heart when he’s ascended
Barely... If you have a lot of his approval.
It’s that sociopath thing of only being able to relate to a problem when it’s something he’s personally experienced and happening to those he values.
@@domocan6877 Being a sociopath isn't an all or nothing thing it's a spectrum ranging from a mostly normal person with sociopathic tendencies all the way up to having absolutely no empathy for anyone. It's actually a physical defect in their midbrain, the part of the brain that deals with empathy for others either has lower activity than normal or in the extreme cases just doesn't work at all.
@@domocan6877 By that logic everyone is a sociopath.
A true psychopath can't "value" anyone except as their "property". A true sociopath would never offer words of support.
@@TF2CrunchyFrog No, that’s a psychopath
Theres key differences between sociopathy and psychopathy, they’re not the same thing
The fringe benefits of romancing Astarion. He'll be a catty bitch FOR you instead of just AT you.
What makes it more interesting we wont have a long '' lovemaking'' scenes with other companions and lovers but an incibus can straight up poke us for hours if you let him :p
mintharas is pretty long and explicit. made me kinda sad the others are just...bioware-esque?
@@xSaraxMxNeffx theyre censoring little kisses by showing it from behind. I mean its just a kiss why censoring it? Sex and nudity is literally in the game already.
@@ladyselin35 It's not censorship it's just the devs know the models look goofy as fuck doing it and clipping into each other
@@jeyd8194 and modders wouldve fixed it.
@@ladyselin35they still can, and they either will after enough time or won't because they'll also realize the models look goofy doing that
Very similar besides the precious treasure part, my dialogue for non ascended for this was the same
still love both, all astarion is good
his EYES when he says "you shouldn't have to put up with it"
I’ve just got to say that the outfits in this video are ✨fabulous✨
This is my take on things, and I realize it's not what a lot of people like, but I think Ascended Astarion romance isn't actually real love, but him manipulating you as was his previous goal. Now let me preface this by saying if you like Ascended route and find the idea of an evil partnership, more power to you!
This dialogue happens before you turn into the spawn, but when he offers to change you, you can say something like "be a spawn? Like what Cazador did to you?" And he replies saying, "Oh that was completely different, I'd never hurt you, I love you. That's what you've been waiting to hear, isn't it? Thats what you want"
You can even hear the tone shift in his voice. Like "I'm just telling you what you want to hear, and I think you know that too." Much like he did when he was flirting us up in the earlier acts and admitted he was just saying that.
Him saying that he would make you into a true vampire, I fully believe is just a little lie to continue to string you along. He says in the very beginning that another Vampire wouldn't just create another vampire, it doesn't happen. Why? Because they know they'd get usurped. I think Astarion knows that you're in love with him, and as long as he can keep up this little act, he can keep you wrapped around his finger with sweet honeyed promises. This Astarion is like the Astarion you first meet, but taken up 5 notches. He's luring you into an alliance to be with him, this is evident in the illithid route, and it fits with what he tried doing earlier on with getting you to fall for him to make sure you'd never turn on him.
When you try breaking up with him (refusing to be his spawn) and tell him he doesn't know anything about love, this is where he really let's you know his stance on it. "The greatest crimes in the world were committed for *love*, a hunger crueller than bloodlust." The way he says love here is almost said mockingly, in disgust.
And then he says "I know how to play with it, and I can't resist playing the hand I know. I would have ruined your love, used your trust until you were nothing. So, for what its worth, in the end I respect the choice you made. I didn’t think you had it in you." This feels like the big caveat to ascended Astarion romance, something people tend to overlook. He isn't in love with you, he states that he knows how to play it and use it to make you obedient to him. And some people are totally into that, which I mean hey! That's totally fine.
Now, as to the argument for him saying "you're mine," I know people say that's a toxic phrase and he's being possessive, and I get that he is being possessive, but let me just say I don't think the phrase alone is bad. I believe someone can say "you are mine and I am yours" without it meaning you are property. I know in this instance he means "you're my spawn, I own you," but in general, I don't think the phrase alone is the red flag. But perhaps the intention and infliction behind it. But that's just my take lol, moving on!!
In his Unascended route, Astarion says "being with you is more than just lust or manipulating you into a tactical alliance, I love you." That feels real, that is real. He isn't saying it in hopes you will be at his side, he's being honest. He doesn't follow it up with "that's what you want right?" He even says "you believed in me, you believed I was enough, just the way I am," and of course the line where he says "you saved me from myself." Its like he knew and understood that ascending would have ruined him. Power at what cost? His soul, his humanity? He knew he was going down a dark path and thanks us for believing in him enough to save him from becoming like his master, another monster. The bitter irony from his first words when we met him.
People say that not ascending dooms him for eternity, and makes him physically weak. It's still heavily implied he lives on with Tav, so he's not alone. And he says "when I think of my future, anything and everything feels possible." That doesn't sound like a man lamenting his lack of day walking. Granted I bet he still misses it, but to me it sounds like he's happier off with you, doing whatever this new life has to offer.
Granted, I will say the love scene when you are turned is so hot!!! Like holy hell! I wish the Unascended route wasn't so vanilla and got a nice spicy scene, but eh, a trade off for character growth lmao.
Now of course this is all just my feelings on things. I love anti heroes, and Astarion is totally that, as Larian stated, but I personally enjoy anti-hero/villain growth. I loved watching him go from his cynical outlook on life to understand that he has the power to be greater than those who chained him, to be free, truly and honestly free by being who he truly is. That isn't boring to me, and the love he shares with Tav, the trust and bond that only grows deeper, that to me is an amazing story!
God sorry for the long rant! I just wanted to state my argument with lines from the game and I went a bit off. 😄
I mostly agree but want to add that the context of where he says "youre mine!!" Is that he's not allowing you to breakup with him lol
I also agree he doesn't love love you. I think he loves you like one loves their brand new sports car or $1 mil wristwatch. He intends to keep you for himself but he has no respect for you as a person, hence calling you a pet or his treasure. Going by the lore, it seems his love was polluted into pure possessiveness by his turning. He also says he gave you a single drop of his blood after he bit you, so you are a true vampire, at least partially. But he emphasizes that you will depend on him for the ability to be out in the sunlight, and he warns you not to stay too far away from him.
@wynn9828 oh yeah. I know that in his case when he says "you're mine " he means it in a possessive way. I was just making the argument that the phrase alone isn't necessarily toxic, but the context behind when he says it, is. If that makes sense. ^^
Him giving you just enough blood is all part of his game. A mind game to use and manipulate you into thinking he cares.
absolutely agree with everything you've said :) let me add though that we're able to see the spawn romance moment fully with a free camera mod and let me tell you - it is absolutely beautiful and we were ROBBED cuz in the game half of it isn't properly shown. the love in his eyes, the way his hand cups Tav's cheek and he crawls on top not breaking the eye contact and then the leg hook!! and HE initiates all the touches and kissing!!! i don't even care it's fully clothed. it's amazing. much unlike in the ascendant where he looks detached and Tav's pretty much doing all the moving and moaning.
@@asmalltalk ahhhh is there a video of this?? Which sex scene does he grab Tav's face? The first one?
@@UnseenOct the spawn ending, it's loving and affectionate, people made gifs of it on tumblr already.. :')
The DELIVERY differences here! The difference between a to an equal lover vs to a pet… 😮 Neil is spectacularly talented.
"I cant imagine getting bored of... all of THAT myself"
(traces the curve of her body in the air with his hands)
Omg SIR PLEASE! WHY IS IT SUDDENLY SO HOT IN HERE?! 🥵😂
he’s a homosexual
@@Anna-md4dv I think Astarion is bi
@@Anna-md4dveveryone in the game is everything don’t you realize.
@@RJTheCerealGuy exactly
he seemed to really love seducing men.@@Sacred_Korok69 they made every character in the game bi ffs. i couldnt throw a chair in this game without bashing a butt pirate.
What a weird parallel universe. In my one Haarlep is stuffed into a chest as a trophy.
My Astarion isn't ascended but his reaction to this made me reload my game from like 6 hours ago 😢💔💀
200923 i love how he stilll cares for you
I was so wrong. So, so wrong. I hated this character since the momment I saw him and heard his voice. But he's so fantasticly written, and the voice actor is a master.
His little angry face at 1:33
Is it just more is the vampire looking more radiant when compared to act 1 and 2
The one issue I have is that he believes this still even after ascending and yet he still forces it on you by making you become his consort
the thing is... he doesn't really force it, except that Laurian stuck their noses in as to how Tav/Durge react to it. I can't see myself Ascending Astarion in a playthrough where Durge rejects his heritage (at least not the first time), and everything that AA does fits a dark Durge's tastes perfectly. He was, after all, not created to be the master of his own destiny, so if he is embracing his original purpose (at least half way because Laurian 100% failed on a couple of vital end game options that are definitely needed for evil Durge) it makes sense that he would be into letting AA take the reins in the relationship. As many people have pointed out, simply not showing the over dramatic facial reactions of hurt/upset allows the exchange to be playful, a dark game between an evil power couple... plus those expressions are just so out of place regardless. It's right up there with the awkwardness of having Durge throw a fist up during the final battle rally. Don't know what they are thinking, you can't have have a character stoically crossing his arms for 98% of the play through and then have them throwing fists in the air and making pouty faces because that's how the developers want to force the player to feel... it's just really weird. IF AA crossed a line with chosen Durge, it wouldn't be a look of horror or pouting he'd get, it'd be a warning squint, and a cocky lean to remind him, that he's bonded his lifeforce to someone that pulls intestines out of the living for kicks.
Real talk, my PC repeatedly took a mace to the back by some pain pervert, and just insulted the guy for his weak delivery. I really don't think he's going to feel that pressed about a little neck grab, or a hand in his face.
I think I just prefer him evil I love how he’s so possessive
Wait till you choose to become a squid, then all of his possesivness goes out of the window. Absolutely heartless ending. Non-ascended Astarion at least says he will try to accept you.
@@gemris9516 Well then I guess you just have to become Absolute and make him love you. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@gemris9516 LMAIO
@@gemris9516I doubt I myself could accept that. So I understand his reaction.
get👏a👏therapy👏
but also understandable
I didn't expect an incubus to be in the game lol
to be fair, you can have sex with a druid who turns into just a straight up bear in the game. An incubus is pretty tame compared to that
@@pieoflords5082i think they were just surprised its an incubus and not a succubus. Most of the times if there’s one of em, it’s just succubi. Which is a shame, sexy demon boys are just as nice as sexy demon girls.
@@anubis7457 he/she was actually a shapeshifter and they offered to have sex in either a male or female form based on your preference. He originally appeared in Raphael's form, because Raphael is apparently so vain that he enjoys sleeping with himself.
@@Valariel I know they're a shapeshifter, but all incubi/succubi in 5e are shapeshifters that can appear as either gender. The term incubus or succubus just refers to their default form.
That bone armour is awesome
God damn he is so sassy
Me: Did that dragonborn glitch out behind Astarion?
Larian: Uh... oh no, he totally teleported! You just didn’t see the spell effect!😂
Astarion kind of looks like a fantasy fuckboy in that
Like the only scene where ascended astarion is still nice
Not the only one
I love the thumbnail
Don’t go with him to the drow twins. Biggest mistake I’ve could’ve made, I am glad that I have two saves, the other one with spawn Astarion
It is actually nice that ONE of your companions cares enough about you getting coerced into bed with Incubus!Raphael and him using your body still afterwards.
Like no worried dialogue from Wyell even?
oh my god i thought that dude talking about this was just writing fanfiction. wtf i cant believe this is real.
I wonder if someone will make a mod that lets Astarion use his Ascended powers even if you don't go down that route? If someone can make an item that lets you use ALL the Illithid powers, probably. Just, tricky, probably.
I never got this scene. Must have no long rested enough afterward...
Damn, that's a sick helmet. Does Raphael drop that? Must have missed it somehow.
He doesn't drop it, but it's in a vault in his House of Hope on the inside of the circle. It's the one locked by an arcane mechanism. I think it needs a diamond or something to start unlocking it and then you need to pass an arcane check. There's also a nice caster staff in there that gives the caster a free spell.
Even when hes evil he still cares.
he sees you more as a pet when evil tho
@@trimex7234 i do not see that as a problem
@@trimex7234 Lets be honest, we all want to be chained up by him and put in his dungeon😏😂
He cares but only because he's possessive over you. Some people are into that so I suppose that romance works for the. He doesn't love you anymore, all his good qualities are twisted as a full vampire.
@@Sacred_Korok69 got to therapy
What armor are you wearing? That helmet is cool as fuck
Helldusk set, you get it from the house of hope if you chose to go there
How did you get this cutscene to play? Haarlep encounter always endedi n combat for me and then never came back.
You have to be willing to sleep with Haarlep and let him have either your mind/body or your body then he tells you where Raphael hides the key/password to the hammer and thus this scene.
I killed Haarlep, purely as additional insult to Raphael.
I have heard that, lore wise, take it with a grain of salt too. Vampire doesn’t have ability to love, only obsession. So I think the vampire spawn that he used to be, yes love. Ascended vampire that he has become, no love but obsession remains.
I get the idea that some of he’s saying make us feel like we are object that belongs to him, and I think he literally means it. Love or having a heart or not that is out of the equation, TAV IS HIS. The thing that he has a dying obsession with is getting touched by others. HE doesn’t like it, and Tav shouldn’t too.
At least there is no sign of him actively influencing or forcing Tav’s thoughts to change, otherwise Tav wouldn’t be enjoying this whole thing. As he seems to be dodgy when confronted if he can actually control Tav or not, he only says something like: “Why would I control you? I love you.” More like he can but he won’t, as he likes it this way.
IMO this relationship is by all means not GOOD, as it’s all him him him, but also not terrible for an obsessive relationship that one side seems to be the complete dominant.
How did you get this cut scene?
I know it's late but I had it played today. I obviously sold my body to Harleep, returned from hell, long rested once or twice and then the trigger seems to be around Lower City Central Wall teleport. I teleported there for something else and started walking towards Sorcerous Sundries and it triggered before I got there.
@@kasyee4499 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! i managed to finally trigger this scene by doing this
@@rysrao Bro is excited to sell their body
The Circus
Will this happen only if you take Hammer? I went to House just to have fun and gave my body to Haarlep. No hammer
Pardon my ignorance, but can this scene still occur if you've killed the Incubus and the rest of the House of Hope?
My game still often references other party members who've died or left in acts 1 and 2 (playing into Dark Urge hard makes peeps not like you)
So I'm hopeful I can still witness it even if they're dead 🤭
No - the dialogue is only triggered if you have sex with Haarlep and let him use your likeness when he has sex.
@@blistertooth thank you so much for the clarification!
is there more than one event of this? I only had one and I walked all of the city
Excuse me, but can you tell me wich Armor Mod you are using for Astarion? I like his Dress alot
I think it's Gortash's armor
@@TunaTeluna so you can get it in the playthrough?
Yes, just get it from Gortash's mangled corpse after you've done mutilating the bastard@@ssinsolen1445
@@ssinsolen1445yes. Kill Gortash. Steal his cloths. Ps it dyes very nicely if you want to change it to silver metal or something else.
@@ssinsolen1445 Yeeee
what helmet do you have on your character?
helldusk helmet, helldusk armor, hill giant gloves, all from house of hope
thank you! :)@@Stuwi
Is it possible to break the vow later on in the game?
No, once it's done it's done.
The vow is made what us pretty much the end game
Nope this is the last stretch.
I LOVE HIM I WANNA KISS HIM
What is that armour, I've seen it a few times now.
Helldusk Armor and its matching helm. both are obtained in The House of Hope along with the matching gauntlets.
why is he untouchable? I am not that far into the game but I want to know
He took the place of his master in a ritual designed to make a more powerful vampire
@@donglegs so he doesn't mean it literal? Like "you can't touch me anymore physically" just "noone can't hurt me"
@@isabellaw.6330 Yeah he just believes himself too powerful to be harmed like that
eeem i never have this mission? +:(
Can you make those glowing eyes in normal character creation or are they something's effect?
yes you can
You get a specific set of eyes to choose from depending on which race you pick, but there’s a toggle to show all available options
If you consider this as him having a heart, then yikes (reading some of the comments). His entire body language here doesn't present affection or acknowledgement of how his personal turmoils could affect you. This is a "me me me" conversation. The fact that he refers to you as his "treasure" isn't affectionate either, considering the fact that he's already clarified that Tav is his "property". I've met possessive people, and they all eventually turn cruel and abusive, physically and verbally, with their obsessive nature of wanting control. Still has a heart? This isn't a dating sim. After going through the ritual he sells his soul to a lunatic devil. He'd mourn the loss time he could've bent you to his will vs him actually missing you.
I'd advise people not muddle up genuine love and affection with possessiveness. It'll save your mental well being in the future.
It’s a fantasy game, get a grip. Whatever is fun for the player is fine. You don’t need to pretend to be worried about them just because they don’t play a role like you do. Good god, the sanctimonious Astarion fans are the absolute worst part of the BG fandom, I swear…
as someone who is very good at reading people... his body language screams of 'I need to act strong and unbothered by life'. He is way too stiff and intentional with his body language to not be as much an act as when he is overly flirty with the PC while seducing them in Act 1. He is a man that wears masks on default, it is how he approaches new scenarios and it is only when he is worn down that it slowly starts to come down IF he starts to see it is safe to let it.
I'm winning irl insight checks that he's lying 💀
What armor set is that and where do i get it i must havie it
Helldusk armor set, all but the boots are found in the House of Hope. (the boots are in a locked chest behind Gortash in Wrymsrock)
oh god i love ascended astarion
I dont understand how you can deprive his freedom? to be a slave forever
he's not a slave if his master is dead tho
He kills his sire, meaning that he's not a slave anymore. However, he does become a slave to power if he ascends.
Guess you don't know vampire lore? His soul died, he is dead, unable to be reborn. This is just a 'thing' or 'creature' in possesion of his memories and body.
@Louves192 astarion has a soul in DnD vampirism does kill you butnit also traps the soul within the body this is why withers interacts with his soul directly. But if he ascends ye becomes a full vampire, locking him to the evil side of the alignment spectrum damming him. As a spawn he can get away from that.
i want to keep some of his humanity/vulnerability/goodness intact.. for a romance run he thinks of you as more of a pet than an equal as ascended astarion. as a spawn he has much more genuine feelings for pc
"Infernal creatures..." if Karlak is there does she get offended at being compared to an abyssal being? Seems like it would be quite the sore spot comparing devils and demons.