Astarion admits not sleeping with you would be a challenge

#astarion #astarionromance #baldursgate3 #bg3
the slight voice crack when Astarion says it's a challenge and the awkward breathless laugh bc he's so caught off guard and genuinely surprised by Tav's response. it's too sweet pls halp 😭
Tav: "We can be together without sleeping together, for as long as you need"
Astarion: "Ha! Why that almost sounds like a challenge"
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Timestamps
0:25 astarion's nice simple plan falls apart
2:23 astarion voice crAck
2:53 holding hands
3:03 astarion looking at Tav with big puppy eyes
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Intro & Outro Music
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/p...
License code: MD36Z3GW0RHJAHSD

[@Kouu17]

“I’m fine….i just feel awful.” Oh Astarion…

[@treblebat]

Not me openly cheering when tav takes his hand. Let's go hand holding WOOOOOOOO

[@cinnamonsparrowdesigns]

As big of a perv that I can be, hand holding makes me weak. I love it so much.

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

++

[@miss.dannitiger]

Awwww 😂

[@AnastasiaAisling]

"I want us to be something real" is the biggest difference between this confession scene and post-Araj confession scene. All issues aside, it's still his choice.

[@Clarestovold]

I got the post-Araj scene in my game but was envious of people who got this confession scene. I’m hoping to get this one on my current (second) playthrough!

[@AnastasiaAisling]

@@Clarestovold get his approval to 100 and avoid talking to Araj at all👌

[@mako3197]

I much prefer it to the post-Araj confession. Here he's softer and more vulnerable (plus he calls you incredible and a vision, and says you deserve something real - in the alt scene he essentially calls you an easy target in his typical manner). I'm not certain of the requirements for this but I got it when I did the entirety of the Shadow Cursed Lands (but EXCLUDING Shadowfell) before heading to Moonrise - basically I got his approval to "very good," gave it a little time and he confessed BEFORE we met Araj.

[@ikmkr]

didn't even see araj. got this scene. much prefer this, it made me very soft

[@RobotScarlet]

Doesn't need to be 100%, just needs to be high enough @@AnastasiaAisling

[@averytireddad]

this voice actor is absolutely breathtakingly amazing I love this character so much. i need to protecc

[@angelstarlight6030]

Neil Newbon, yeah he's great, his heisenburg was brilliant aswell

[@Akcerrahs]

That would be neil newbon 🤌🏾🌻

[@Livin-86]

This nervous, stammering, wide eyed guy is my favorite.. Astarion is so cute.

[@kewpified]

I almost feel like Origin Astarions perfect love match is Karlach because he's forced to build a relationship without being physical.

[@EnolaElorie]

I see where you're coming from, but I watched a video of someone playing exactly this romance and it just felt wierd to me. :'D

[@sionan7937]

​@@EnolaElorieI ship Wyll and Karlach forever, so same.

[@EnolaElorie]

@@sionan7937 THAT I can get behind. :3

[@radical9799]

Yeah it's like he knows your not interested in smex with him your just interested in him.

[@gaycryptidhours]

I think Origin Astarion is in a better staring place for all romances regardless, because he's taking the role of the group leader. Whereas Astarion as a romanced companion is looking for security in his place in the group and picks you to endear with sex.

[@aerithvelvet]

i wish you had the option to tell him you care about him AND then hug him😢 ugh

[@wynters0lace_]

if only 😭😭

[@catief1031]

Just finished Cazador and I wished there was an option to hug him while he was crying 😢

[@shibernyan2009]

Not the slo-mo genuine smiles, he's so soft I caaannn't!!!🥺

[@wynters0lace_]

if that melts your heart look at how soft he looks at Tav after their kiss!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaGVgp-bfcubrJosi=6O--hcByNPI8RzbC&t=43

[@shibernyan2009]

@@wynters0lace_ Why would you give us more slo-mo soft looks. Do you not want us to live?!😭

[@wynters0lace_]

@@shibernyan2009 I can't be alone with my feels 😭😭 everyone needs to see how soft & precious he is when he looks at Tav 🥺🥺😭💖

[@hannahcain7421]

neil absolutely ate this voice acting up

[@thecheck968]

The only time during this confession he's at all cracking jokes is in response to Tav saying they can take a break from sex. He's so taken aback by having a partner who respects his boundaries that he literally doesn't know how to respond.

[@thearcanamodernau8130]

To the people wanting this version of the confession, I figured the steps to trigger it: 1. You have to get his approval high enough (I'd say above 80%) 2. Kill the Orthon to advance his quest. 3. Make sure that you talk to Araj when he's not in your party. Talk to her, just send Astarion to camp beforehand if he's in the party. He has to be absent from the interaction. When you go to long rest, this version of the confession should happen.

[@JeykaPL]

For 3. just entering the Moonrise Towers is enough. Long rest right after and it's there. You don't need to talk to Araj.

[@fatmoogle4560]

I'm assuming if I talk to Araj it will alter my scene? So basically I should avoid talking to her, if astarion is in my party, until I've gotten the confession? I have him at "very good" I'm not sure if I'm at 80% or not. I'm hoping I can get it.

[@kuro4843]

​@@fatmoogle4560 It's just a different scene after you talk to Araj but he'll still confess, personally I got the post-Araj one so this was my first time seeing this one

[@thearcanamodernau8130]

@@JeykaPL for me it didn't trigger until after I talked to Araj

[@thearcanamodernau8130]

@@fatmoogle4560 In the character sheet there's a tab with more details (I don't know what to call it, it has a list icon - three dots with three lines right next to them) there you can see the exact approval percentage of companions, proficiency with weapons, exact bonus granted by stats, etc. In any case, "Exceptional approval" usually means above 80% Just send Astarion to camp right before speaking to Araj and then long rest to be 100% sure

[@Managable_Mayhem]

Goddamn this man really knows how to voiceact. Easily one of the most emotional confessions I have ever heard.

[@cassiebarber4669]

This is one of my favorite parts of the game it's so sweet ❤

[@lavendersblue2580]

The way this man is so overjoyed to the point of being giddy that he realizes he’s being given a choice and he’s being listened to 😭

[@shirosenpie6065]

the shakiness in his voice, the change of his expression 😭😭 AAUUUGGGHHH

[@Harmonyya1992]

The actor is doing amazing job

[@Un_prønøunceable]

The fact that I relate to him and that’s why I love him so much is just- hurtsss

[@5Demona5]

I went for the hug, I know it's what I'd do in person.

[@Sylvantess]

YES

[@murdercoww]

gaddamn everybody is so well dressed, that was so comforting to see. forever a member of the fashions group here

[@usernameunknown9940]

This confession is so sweet and I get where Astarion is coming from but if I were Tav I think I'd need a couple of days to digest the whole "I used you to protect myself" thing

[@ekaruna42]

Yeah when I first got to that I was like, um, do we not get to talk about this? Cause I'm having to reevaluate every single interaction we've had and I have no idea what was lies and what wasn't 😂

[@supremeoverlorde2109]

This scene is what made me fall hard for Astarion. I mean yeah, he admits here that he's been using you pretty much since you met, but he's so vulnerable here too and it's such a huge moment of growth and self-awareness from him. I think by this point he's genuinely liked you for quite a while but, as he said, he's been forced into false intimacy for so long that he doesn't know how to handle REAL intimacy. And I think it's not until he starts to realize you actually care and want what's best for him that he's willing to let down his barriers and start trusting you with his heart.

[@edielungreen]

I got the after-Araj scene instead (with high approval). I tried the hug, but in the end felt like that was imposing something physical on him, so I ended up going with the opening of the mind. This alternate scene is also really good 😸

[@Sylvantess]

I don't see it as imposing something physical on him, it's actually completely different than all the physical stuff he's used to. It's REAL affection transferred through a simple, yet wholesome touch. You can see that he fully comprehends that, when he's tentatively easing into the hug. I fully relate with that... On the other hand, for me at least, opening the mind feels a bit tainted because I don't want to relay the pureness of my feelings for him via the damnable parasite in my head.

[@xTwilightWolvesx]

@@SylvantessEh, it’s appropriate in a lot of ways. You get Astarion approval by mostly either using the parasite or doing bad things. I chose the parasite route.

[@legoshisluvr]

i love him sm i cant

[@IrisGlowingBlue]

The animation in this scene in particular is so NICE ;v;

[@cicithestoryteller7416]

I finally got this one by the Drow scene. But a little different. Everyone pick the soft kind. But I asked him questions and got "It was easy to seduce, frankly. I get my protection..... But you were a complication I didn't see coming. So imagine how stupid I feel when l start having feelings for you." It's that moment you want to hug him and be happy. But he deserves to have some space.

[@yahyahyor]

Omg thank u for posting this. I had no idea you could get this scene pre araj.........

[@Pixiegeist11]

THE MATCHING FITS LOL

[@ariaspistachios]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I otherwise never would've seen this, because I can't possibly not choose to hug him instead

[@ohteddyboyo]

T_T you made me cry. how dare you.

[@Peridapheniliac]

I appreciate this, it seemed weird to me how everyone wants to grab him right after he said he's not comfortable with physical intimacy right now.

[@TenderNoodle]

For most people hugging isn’t really considered sexual or physically “intimate” considering the fact that acquaintances, relatives etc. hug each other all the time. It’s just a non-verbal way to express genuine care, I think it makes a lot of sense especially since astarian reacts like he’s never been hugged in his life (or at least a very long time) implying it’s not triggering for him. Probably not the best move irl though lol

[@susankreber]

Right? I agree with you here so much. It seemed weird to grab & hug him after he says intimacy is a no-no. Physical intimacy is intimacy too, it need not be sexual to be considered intimacy. Hugs are super intimate to me, so I would've had to be meta-gaming to know that he would be OK with a hug. So I just went with a verbal option. But many people loved the hug option, and it makes sense if you meta-game a bit forward & check his reaction & see that he loves it. But it IS a bargain, because as Tav you cannot know...

[@Littlepup93]

I get what you mean, but on the same token, the game doesn't treat it like it's the wrong thing to do either. You still gain approval for hugging him and he's pleasantly surprised. IRL, I get not hugging somebody in a situation like this unless you *know* how it's gonna be received, but this is a narrative game and there's no right or wrong way to tell the story.

[@angie5765]

@@susankreberohh 😮 man. I thought that the hug 🫂 was cute but now that I read this, I am like damn sorry Astarion. But he doesn’t seem to mind. Good point thou.

[@custardpup6385]

I mean he literally grabs your hand a moment later so that's clearly not the case. He just doesn't want to sleep with you at the moment. If he was that bothered about the hug, there would be an obvious tell and maybe a disapproval. He would say he didn't want to or didn't like it, just like he says that when you ask to sleep with him in this cutscene. He also hugs you back after a moment of shock that someone is showing genuine care for him AND you get an approval for that choice. It couldn't be indicated any clearer that he is fine with it. I adore the characters and they all have a lot of depth and nuance to talk about, but some of you guys just make shit up / project your own ideas onto them and defend them as if they're canon, even when the writers have explicitly chosen not to portray them that way.

[@milamila1123]

Bro, I'm so ace I read the title and was like "but elves don't sleep..."

[@Sticker.Doodlez]

I never got this cutscene but I got thr heartfelt from when I defended him from the blood trader and a heartfelt on his grave - I played a nice druid half drow I helped but never let myself or party get pushed around- I mean I feel like I got everything EXCEPT this- what did I miss?

[@ArtificiallyIdiotic]

Asking the same question, I got the same tav but mine is a sorcerer. Maybe we just had to go more chaotic neutral in our route? Cuz I've been playing being a neutral good, getting just enough of approval to romance him...

[@JonRNG]

The two cutscenes are mutually exclusive. You either get the Blood Trader version or this one. To get this, you have to: 1. Be at high (at least 70-80) Approval. 2. NOT HAVE SPOKEN to Araj Oblodra. Otherwise, you'll get that version and can never get this. 3. Complete the "Raphael's Old Enemy" quest by killing Yurgir the Orthon for Astarion. Then you Long Rest a couple times, Raphael should show up to fulfill the bargain, and the next night should be this. (Though night scenes can preempt each other. It should come eventually, though.)

[@catika505]

You get either the scene after the blood trader or this (triggered by completing his act 2 quest in the gauntlet of Shar). If you want this scene you have to not speak to her at Moonrise or speak to her after.

[@dudefrompokemongold]

2:38 - "It's okay. We'll find out together."

[@WhalesArePeopleToo]

The main character looks EXACTLY like the character I designed down to the outfit. I bet the odds of that are pretty slim.

[@joeyjojojrshabadoo7462]

For once the fact the player character neither talks back out loud or really emotes fits perfect.

[@MiquellaTheUnannoyed]

BB boi deserves the world❤

[@TheLedyastroangela]

Still making me squeel 🫣 hes too cute

[@kyewikeley]

MY PRECIOUS BOYYYYYYYYY

[@Elfprincess_]

I had this confession in my first playthrough ❤ and it was better than Araj forcing it out on him. This feels more authentic and honest ❤😊

[@hydro_pyro]

That’s not what he said though He said it like ‘who can hold out the longest’ ((hahaha I’m an immortal good luck)) not in a ‘no nut November’ kind of way

[@wynters0lace_]

yeah i think my title is being a bit misinterpreted - i defs read the whole challenge thing as like him being all sweet and flustered. just copy pasting my notes in the description;- like the the slight voice crack when Astarion says it's a challenge and the awkward breathless laugh bc he's so caught off guard and genuinely surprised by Tav's response. i just think it's so cutee

[@elenalizabeth]

I think it’s a challenge because he is so used to being able to use sex to manipulate a person and their emotions, that without that he is kind of lost on how to act. Like if he wants something from Tav now he will actually have to be honest and talk about it, instead of just banging them and having them agree to whatever he wants.

[@ssww7826]

What an emotional scene omg! And yeah@@elenalizabeth I feel it's like you wrote, it's the new relationship dynamic and navigating his own feelings that's the challenge I think. His face when he just replied with "Really?" I felt that 😭

[@dinosaur8682]

Or you can take it how you will? He uses sass to mask when he's feeling insecure. So Tav telling him they can wait, makes him laugh nervously because he's not use to someone respecting his boundaries and giving him a choice. Him saying "It sounds like a challenge" is him 1: just being sassy be cause he's trying not to get emotional, you can hear the quiver in his voice. And 2: He literally just realized he fell in love...in real love. Obviously he DOES was to be intimate with Tav, but he's not sure how to do so without it being for the wrong reasons. He literally used intimacy as a way of "hunting" of course it's going to be hard for him not to do it all over again, he's just aware now that it's no longer for the reasons he use to do it in the past.

[@Cyberlucy]

I never get this complete scene with him admitting he wants things to be real. He does admit that he feels something for me.

[@HBGURL8301]

This scene 🥹🥺❤️

[@chlococatt]

I want the hug to be how the conversation ends. I want to tell him I care about him deeply and give him a hug!!!!!

[@Shelbzz]

I haven’t seen this dialogue since they added the epilogues. 😂

[@yepisuredolikecats]

IM DELUSIONALLLLLLL IM GOING CRAZYYYYYYYYY

[@Tamietwist]

I like him so so soooo much 😂

[@AnnikaOrne]

Astarion: *opening up about his feelings* Tav: *confused* 👹

[@bodysnatcher256]

i could not get this conversation, despite avoiding Araj Oblodra at all costs XD i don't know what i did wrong

[@Th4t1badgamer]

I never realized that his top lip has one slightly higher side near the philtrum or lip dip as I've heard it be called, it's interesting but not immediately noticable

[@hanokokun9246]

His problems with intimacy is so sad he just needs someone TVt my boy

[@beaut-ful-d-saster]

I almost always go in for the hug. I should really check out some of the other things,

[@snkxhxxd5449]

The evil part of me wants to know what happens if you choose 'it might be better if we dont see each other anymore' or 'i slepg with u because i wanted some fun not to deal with this' 😭😭

[@Lunakitty1234]

I’ve seen videos of it. If you sleep with anyway , he breaks up with you because he wasn’t ready , he felt used and only did it because he didn’t know how to say no yet but realises his worth after the fact. Not sure what happens if you do the first thing but there is an option “what you need is a friend, not a lover” and he’s ok with that.

[@angelstarlight6030]

i think you misread this, he feels you are challenging yourself to make him more comfortable, he doesn't think him not sleeping with you as challenging but you waiting for him to be the challenge

[@Spookalina]

This scene is so beautiful. I hate how they made it take longer to get. Used to be you could beeline to Moonrise Towers and long rest there without talking to Araj, and as long as you had 70+ approval (I think) you got this scene. Now you have to get fairly far into Act 2, do the Raphael quest, (which means going fairly deep into the Gauntlet), and then I assume do the steps from Moonrise Tower I listed above. I've only done it the old way, so I'm dreading doing it this way on my new characters. I don't want to go through the hassle of the quest, I want to start officially dating Astarion as soon as possible. Definitely an unasked for change that they'll hopefully revert one day or a mod will fix. Regardless, thanks for the video showing this lovely scene.

[@paperproductions85]

At this point i feel like i can't even romance Astarion anymore because he's literally me, and steals all my lines !

[@blinkslowlynow]

This is completely off topic but where did you find that shirt? I've been looking for it everywhere! (Well, almost everywhere apparently)

[@blinkslowlynow]

That shirt for Astarion I mean.

[@Tea_Noire]

He's wearing the camp homely clothes set your Tav comes with by default

[@gemmawatson7992]

Does anybody know how to specifically get this scene? I will cry when i see it in game but too bad for future me i need it 🙏

[@alexaustin8334]

Which act?

[@Reddie1989]

I probably will never see this now. At the end of Act 1 I choose Astarion for Romance. But just before Moonrise Tower, Gale confessed his love to my Avatar and I couldn't break his heart. So I broke up with Astarion. Why does the game ignore my first decision? I feel terrible but don't regret my decision.

[@nicholasmaiab.6668]

wait when is this dialog

[@JennyBennie]

How do I get to this with him? 😢❤

[@alisapizza4776]

What act does this take place in?

[@ShadowWitch666]

Act 2

[@frollino93]

Never had thissss how! I had him always at +80 and all nice choices. Tell me how 😢

[@melissaamato1139]

This was before patch 4 ohh, so beautiful. Larian shouldn't have messed with imperfect truth. N amazing Starry ❤️‍🩹moments 🗡️🗡️ 👩🏻‍🚀🐶✨🌜✨❤️‍🩹🗡️🗡️Those watery pleading puppy dog eyes.Are amazing. Ñ the honestly I don't know what we're doing... I felt that way when I saw what Larian imps did in patch 4 to our poor broken boi.❤️‍🩹🧝🏻‍♀️❤️‍🩹Turned Passionate Starry into Passively no emotion Starry. How is that a kiss, or love scene. After everything we go thru, ñ the growth Starry goes through, that pathetic peck on the lips, ñ a all too satisfied delicious, was disgusting. So not worthy, of Starry's revelation ñ his wanting for TAVs love too. Just not be able to understand it, fully. Or able to enjoy it, because he still hates himself ñ has no idea what to do with his new feelz for TAV. It's truly sad. PTSD suffers, can feel this way. Don't touch me!! Ñ Astarion's Trauma is real for him. Probably the first hug he's ever had since his elfin Mom probably gave him one. But he is trying, n I think he appreciates TAV. Being understanding , ñ having Compassion for a more sweet, ñ realistic, Astarion. Starry, is a Vampire, but he's inbetween worlds, always. So he doesn't know how to love, only because he hates himself. An what Casadore turned him into. But with TAVs help maybe he still could feel better, ñ be better¿? ✨👩🏻‍🚀🐶✨🧝🏻‍♀️✨🌜❤️‍🩹🛡️🗡️🗡️

[@kideki9569]

A sad lie as always, in truth he is always relieved and thankful when you allow him to avoid sex.

[@eiwhaz-tina6528]

Huh?

[@britt6184]

I wish we were allowed to give him a hug and tell him that we can wait until he's ready for that again.

[@Kingbobman69]

Wait are you wearing his clothes?

[@wynters0lace_]

yep lmao, he's got fire drip 😤i made astarion wear the homely clothes outfit dyed with brown alabaster

[@julesnolastnamegiven6830]

@@wynters0lace_ you stole his shirt that’s the most fuckin girlfriend THING-

[@raffy234]

:( Misleading title

[@eoatx]

omg which act is this and how do I trigger it

[@wynters0lace_]

this is in Act 2! in this playthrough it triggered for me prior to visiting Araj Oblodra and just after completing the request from Raphael by killing the Orthon ☺

[@dominika3762]

There are two mutually exclusive scenes. In this one, you have to NOT go to Araj before. I think it now triggers only after Yurgir, but in patch 2 I had it trigger with exceptional approval as soon as I entered the Shadowlands. The teo scenes have just different beginnings, but this one is my favourite.

[@miasbookblog96]

@@wynters0lace_ i did it this way on my previous playthrough and on my second I went with Araj, because I feel like i am a bit underleveled for Yurgir. Only those two scenes trigger the confession, it doesn't matter how high your approval is. Mine was (and still is) 100 when I met Araj.

[@eoatx]

ooh I have no idea who araj is but my approval is not exceptional with him yet so hm I did enter the shadowlands but I'm yet to snooze yet NEVERMIND yeah I saw Araj and I got a cutscene from that@@dominika3762

[@Misanthropic_hellhound]

I love princess