Astarion/Romance: Difference between revisions

* After the cutscene of Astarion sneaking away from campsite at night triggers, the player can find an exsanguinated boar near the [[Blighted Village]]. There are several possible points to find this ill-fated animal: on the road leading from the Emerald Grove just before the bridge, to the far right path of the signpost saying 'Moonhaven' (north of the village), or at the entrance of the Sunlit Wetlands (south of the village), just after the point of the dialogue with Auntie Ethel. The following long rest, the player character is awoken by Astarion trying to drink their blood {{ref|If playing [[The Dark Urge]], this episode may be delayed as a result of triggering this origin's nighttime plot-crucial cutscenes}}.

: Astarion approves if the player says they trust him, and further approves of them letting him drink their blood. While allowing him to feed, the player character will have an option to stop him. If the player fails to do this '''twice''' consecutively, the player character dies. If not the only two recruited party members they may be revived with a [[revivify|scroll]] or speaking to {{CharLink|Withers}} in the morning. However, this scenario leads to loss of approval. Be aware player characters need not be aware Astarion is a vampire to sleep with him later; omission of this scene will not affect a possible romance.

* If agreeing, a cutscene triggers on the next long rest, consisting of two parts. In the first, Astarion asks the player character to confirm their intent. Doing so gains approval and proceeds the cutscene further. Later, if choosing dialogue expressing refusal, doubt, or distrust towards Astarion's nature, he becomes upset and leaves (nevertheless, choosing these does not bring disapproval). The player character gains additional approval offering their neck for a bite. The cutscene proceeds into the next morning, where the player character awakens finding Astarion standing shirtless nearby, basking in the sunshine, finally revealing his scarred back. If asking him about the scars, a passive {{Ability check|Arcana|10}} determines the scars are written in Infernal {{ref|[[Tiefling]] characters do not need a check to identify the script and obtain the corresponding dialogue line automatically}}. If successful, telling Astarion brings no approval changes, but changes slightly the narration in future dialogues with Astarion.

* Through the course of the [[Act One]], a scene can trigger where Astarion looks into a hand mirror. The player may discuss with him the problem of maintaining a fine appearance. The issue is important for Astarion, because for all his inclination toward self-admiration he has not been able to see his own reflection since being turned into a spawn. If choosing to 'be his mirror' and describing his face, Astarion prompts the player character to call him beautiful, gaining approval.

* Another camp cutscene (which does not gain approval but still helps to understand the spawn's background) may trigger during [[Act One]] {{ref|If the player rejected Astarion's offer to sleep with him, this scene may occur anytime until as far as the middle of the [[Act Two]], but strictly before the party meets {{CharLink|Raphael}} at [[Last Light Inn]].}}. The player catches Astarion trying to feel his own back with his fingertips. Depending on the player character's previous choices, the narration of the scene will differ. Taken by surprise, Astarion resents the interruption at first, but then swallow his pride and takes help if offered. The player character then copies the inscription onto the ground, and seeing it perplexes Astarion. Still, realizing he can indeed get aid should he ask makes him trust the player character more.

* At the camp celebration (either with the goblins or the tieflings), the player character can agree to sleep with Astarion afterwards. If this is the first time the player engages in close relations with him, it will first trigger a dialogue with him stating that the party was rewarded insufficiently for their heroics (and explaining what he would like to receive instead). If agreeing, the cutscene mentioned above plays.

* If {{Quest|Infiltrate Moonrise Towers|arriving}} at Moonrise Towers under the guise of a [[True Souls|True Soul]], the player may speak to one of {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm|General Ketheric Thorm's}} closest aides, {{CharLink|Z'rell|Disciple Z'rell}}. As she pries the depths of the player character's mind searching for proof of their faith, she may be distracted by the option '' "Show her your lusts for Astarion" ''. Choosing this will not progress the romance, but earns his approval.

:If Astarion is currently in the party, Raphael mocks him about his scars and eventually uses infernal magic to bare Astarion from his waist up, forcing Astarion to finally show his "poem" to others. Mentioning the utter cruelty of this process after the cambion disappears gains approval from Astarion.

:Dialogue options here differ depending on the outcome of the scene with Araj Oblodra. Choices made within the cutscene will either progress the romance or end it. Picking options which make Astarion understand that he has been used by the player character just like {{CharLink|Cazador Szarr}} before him (for example, manipulating Astarion into having sex with player character simply for the latter's pleasure) results in the next cutscene where Astarion breaks the relationship decisively.

: A similar scene with the same outcomes (but totally different dialogue) triggers if the player character has high approval (70+) with Astarion upon reaching this point in Act Two and successfully completes {{Quest|Kill Raphael's Old Enemy}}. This variation is also available if the party has been to Moonrise Towers, but did not speak with Araj Oblodra there.  

* Upon completing this quest, Raphael manifests at camp and tells Astarion the true purpose of his scars. After the devil disappears, the player character continues talking with Astarion about the information revealed. Careful consideration is advised, as the choices drastically and conclusively change both Astarion's fate and the crux of his relationship with the player character.

* Later in [[Act Three]], the player character twice meets Astarion's 'siblings' (other Cazador spawn). First, the party encounters two of them in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]], a hostel in the [[Wyrm's Crossing]]. The player character may speak with them to find additional information about Cazador's plans {{ref|Unlike Astarion, other spawn are not protected from sunlight by a tadpole, and approaching them with certain daylight-issuing weapons equipped (for, example, the [[Blood of Lathander]]), results in them gaining [[Sunlight_Hypersensitivity_(Condition)|Sunlight Hypersensitivity]] and teleporting away, before the party can interrogate them. This doesn't have any impact on quest progression}}.

: Regardless of whether the player manages to speak with these spawn or not, after a couple of long rests in the area, a scene will trigger where four other spawn assault the party at camp. They attempt to convince Astarion to return to their master and try to kidnap him if he refuses. If choosing Astarion's side, his siblings attack the party, but teleport away as soon as they are reduced to 1 HP. In dialogue with spawn during the fight and another that follows after, the player character is again free to choose any lines they want, but certain choices result in Astarion's disapproval and even breaking the relationship, if partnered.  

There are four potential outcomes:  

If Astarion is allowed to ascend, his dynamic with a romanced player character changes significantly, reflecting on the fact that he is following in Cazador's footsteps.

:* Partnered: If the player character chose to become his spawn and remained by Astarion's side, he expresses arrogance and a sense of superiority over his former companions, his spawn included. Astarion also asks his (player character) spawn to mingle with former companions - not for enjoyment and commiseration, but rather to glean any information that could possibly be useful in the future.

:* Broken-up: Depending on dialogue selection, Astarion discusses his current plans with the player and tells the player character he misses them. They have the option for positive or negative responses to his comments; positive dialogue selections lead to Astarion opening up more to the player.

:* Broken-up: Astarion updates the player on his activities which will vary depending on whether he is leading the spawn in the Underdark, seeking a new way to stay in the sun, or simply adventuring. He also may confirm he misses the player character.

Astarion considers the player character to be in a relationship (partnered) with him after his relationship progression event in Act Two (as described earlier) occurs, if the correct options are selected during the following long-rest cutscene. If the player character has entered the partnered stage with another companion prior to triggering this scene and wishes to pursue a romance with the spawn, they will need to interact with Astarion in camp (before resolving the episode that lead to romance progression) to trigger the dialogue where they must choose between the pretendents. Otherwise, any of the partnered companions may prompt the dialogue with the player character to make the ultimate choice. While Astarion, unlike most other companions, is not a monogamous type, the player can only be in the partnered stage with one origin companion.

* '''Romancing [[Mizora]]''': Astarion does not end the relationship after sleeping with Mizora. Depending on chosen lines, Astarion may express mild jealousy about the player character not inviting him to participate, slight envy towards their newfound experience (confessing that he has not ever had a chance to gain one such as this himself), or give advice on outliving an awry tryst.

== Footnotes ==