Truly, Honestly Free | Non Ascended Astarion Final Romance Scene Act 3 [ Release BG3 ]

[@Tandreada]

If you play the Dark Urge, you can say "Hot" when he brings to a graveyard. Astarion smiles warmly and jokes, "You couldn't hold back on being a freak for one moment?" which I think is adorable. Dark Urge and Astarion are basically mirrors to each other.

[@HBoothe]

That was my favourite in dark urge playthrough. Astarion is (usually) up for a laugh, I think. Unless at his expense, of course

[@rurukitty405]

If you have a free cam mod, you can see he hooks your leg with his after he pushes you on the ground and kisses you passionately. For Larian to hide THAT detail.... it's a crime. Edit// Astarion's story overall made me cry my eyes out. No other video game character has done that for me. Only tells how well he's written and how real he feels. How you just.... sympathize with his pain, and show him you actually do care about him.

[@zilazilazila]

Ugh, I LOVED him saying "this is a gift, you know" but in a totally different context. Such a wonderful scene.

[@ALEXA_beep]

he carves a new date of birth, people have translated the gravestone and discovered his last name as well. Larian used an actual script from DND lore.

[@supershepherd]

What's his last name?

[@SunnySummerSmile]

​@@supershepherdAncunin

[@MarieCurtis92]

I'll admit, when I first saw this scene I was crying like a baby. Big tears. Even now the scene still makes me tear up. Non ascended Astarion is definitely the superior Astarion.

[@sophiacousland3452]

I’m glad that the writers showed both paths that Astarion can take, which is realistic and victims of abuse can relate to. You can be better and choose to break the cycle, and allow yourself the opportunity to truly heal. Or you can be so entrenched in your pain that you can’t break free, so you continue the cycle and never heal. My mother was horrifically abused as a child, and she cannot remember years of her childhood because it was so bad. When she had me and my siblings she chose to be better, to break the cycle and get the help she needed to truly heal. Astarion had the same choices before him, and I’m so glad that the writers and his actor did this with the careful consideration that this truly deserved.

[@zsugynoktitkos7257]

that's so true my mother had too a pretty bad childhood too but she didn't break the cycle and once victim can be turn in to the abuser in that case . Astarion other ending like that tbh. Breaking the cycle is hard and you need lot of help in that. Completely agree Astarion romance show that really well.

[@sophiacousland3452]

@@zsugynoktitkos7257 Absolutely. It takes strength to seek the help you need and perseverance to keep going til you see the light at the end of the tunnel, so that you bask in the relief that you can break the cycle and not turn into your abuser. My mom would have been a completely different person if she chose a different path, and I couldn’t be more proud of her knowing her story and how far she came. I’m sorry that yours didn’t have a happier ending.

[@destinygalearies7382]

I did both endings to Astarion's story and have to say that not ascending is definitely the better option whether you're romanced or not. I kind of wanted to try Ascended Astarion just because "evil vampire lord wants me as his bride, hot", but honestly it just felt so hollow-- especially if you express reluctance/doubt/fear to the things Astarion offers. To see Astarion go from talking about how using intimacy as a way to manipulate others makes him feel disgusted and self-loathing, to A-Astarion immediately going "I love you-- that's what you want to hear, right?" and (if you pick a dialogue choice saying "I want your body") offering sex as a "reward" for helping him ascend...... I just felt like I helped Astarion turn into exactly the type of person he hated. If it were nothing but power, if it were still the same old Astarion, I could maybe have justified killing so many innocents to make Astarion happy. But to enable the worst parts of him, to destroy him in such a way that the values he once held (autonomy, meaningful intimacy, trust) were now nothing more than tools for him to use to manipulate you..... I can't do it man. No amount of sexy vampire lord putting me on my knees and biting me will ever bring as much dopamine as the lines "I feel safe with you, seen... and no matter what happens in the future, I don't want to lose that." It's not just about feeling safer around spawn Astarion compared to ascended Astarion. I just genuinely feel like helping Astarion ascend turns him into a hollow shade of his former self. You basically help him become that evil, selfish vampire so many Astarion haters say he is. This might sound silly to say about a fictional character, but Astarion felt so real as a person to me that I almost felt like he chose my character and not the other way around. Instead of other video game romances where getting in a relationship with someone is as simple as doing a checklist of errands for them, I felt like I had actually earned Astarion's love by the end of his personal quest. During that ending romance scene, instead of just being happy about the romance as something enjoyable for me to take part in as a player, I actually felt honored that Astarion had opened up so much to my character, and I got to be privy to the best parts of him

[@olcia440]

I have read the flower gesture as a sign of respect. In Poland on the graves we place flowers not only because of affection, but also because of the respect we have for the dead. So I thought that placing a flower on his grave symbolised respect for the past Astarion and gratefulness for the present Astarion. After all without past himself he wouldn't be there with tav❤😢 This is why I guessed why Astarion said "cute". It's like he is feeling tenderness towards tav and is grateful that no matter what she will love him anyways❤

[@asmalltalk]

I honestly hate the whole I can fix him thing. we didn’t fix him here, he’s still the same person but now more secure and free.

[@lavishlyvice]

tbh i think the "i can fix him" is generally ironic and not to be understood in a literal sense. at the end of the day you can never simply "fix" a person, but you can try and guide them onto a better path. whether or not they'll allow you to do that, solely depends on them

[@Mmogurl]

Agreed! I get how it can also be kind of self deprecating.. like to think you can fix someone, but I just hate how people all pile on and say the same thing over and over. I sure as heck never saw him like that.

[@asmalltalk]

@@lavishlyvice ​ eng is not my first language so I sometimes misunderstand 😅 to me it felt kinda negative and condescending when I've seen people commenting on the videos of the good ending..that's why I don't like that phrase. like sb is calling us out for being naive for seeing the good in him or that he was somehow less/broken that he needed fixing.

[@elishajones1286]

​​@@asmalltalkI agree with you. Loving someone is not looking for someone to fix imo. It is about respecting who he is. Astarion through the game in many different choices and circumstances often tends to mention having to refind himself, that he falls into just following what he is told to do, even if that is not what he wants. By this point, just respecting him who he is has been very powerful for him. It's not fixing him, it is letting him be him.

[@asmalltalk]

@@elishajones1286exactly, we can only be caring, supportive but it’s on the other person to find it within themselves to heal. and i’m sure many people who went through some kind of trauma in their life would not like to be seen as broken.

[@lyndsey1919]

👏👏👏 Bravo to Neil in general. Everything Neil brought to the table with Astarion was so perfect. If there's an acting award for video games, he deserves one for the Cazador scene alone ❤️. But this...The graveyard scene...My heart. Everything he says just pulls on the heart strings. And when he tells you (your character) that he loves you and wants everything with you, his sincerity with his words is so touching and heartfelt. ❤️❤️❤️

[@LyDragoness]

"I feel safe with you. Seen." it's one of the most beautiful things someone could say to you and one of the most beautiful things we people can offer each other - that feeling of being "seen" and safe in that sight, understood and valued. I love this ending for him, it's perfect. The final scene in the cemetery is really beautiful, Astarion is taking the lead, embracing his new life, and he's not putting on a show, he's not performing. He wants you. He wants to be intimate with you. The healing has really begun and he isn't doing something he doesn't want to do. I love the respect they put in handling his trauma and the healing process, and the fact that the scene fades to black too. It's not a performance even for the player. This is his moment to share only with Tav. He isn't putting on a show, even for the person behind the screen.

[@IllegalCake]

Good Dark Urge and Astarion also adds even MORE depth to his character imo (you get some extra scenes and extra dialogue/small differences here and there), so I highly recommend going back and doing an urge playthrough as well romancing him if you thought the base romance was sweet as heck if you loved his base romance. Other recommendations for the Durge romance, wait to do stuff in Act 3 for after you do the ritual because he has different dialogue based on whether he ascends or not. I recommend looking up the scenes if you don't wanna play through the romance or game again though. If you try to break up with non-ascended Astarion as well, his dialogue is sweet as heck. Durge gets an additional option but the normal break up dialogue makes me feel like a monster cause he's sweet and understanding even if he sounds like he's going to break down crying right there. Ascended Astarion is a prick though and will try to manipulate into staying and if it doesn't work will throw a hissy fit/tantrum. Basically ascending him is making every red flag come true without any redeeming qualities left. The ritual DOES consume him, just like Cazador said. Just not his body.

[@FlyingFalcon01]

The "This is a gift you know" line made me tear up!! I love how the writers brought it back to the beginning that way, but in such a complete and beautifully changed context. I didn't have any friends who'd played BG3 that far when I'd gotten to it, so I had to sit there with no one to talk to about it for weeks! Gaaaahhh so good!!

[@emotionalnpc]

When I did this scene in my playthru, when he said the "i love you" line, I instantly started tearing up. I've been waiting all these years for these scenes and it filled my soul, I love Larian Studios.

[@bethkrager6529]

His line about being exhausted and terrified is just.... some of the best acting ive EVER seen in gaming. Neil Newbon knocked this out of the park.

[@sharlayanarchon]

I'd just like to chime in here and say that - in case you wondered what the inscription says, here it is - as translated from Thorass, the writing of the Forgotten Realms: Astarion Ancunin 229 - 268 DR 498 DR - (additional date added by Astarion) And as always, stellar analysis, darling!

[@zilazilazila]

Have you done a dark urge run romancing Astarion? Something about him being so protective of Tav is incredibly wholesome.

[@scully4life]

Yeah, he makes a vow to save Durge. It's so sweet, because my Durge also vows to save him, so they are saving each other ❤

[@TOchick]

Astarion's story is just chef's kiss! Like form the moment I saw this man I was fixated and wanted to know more. I just hated that people were like "oh no he's a walking red flag, He's evil, etc etc." I am so glad the writers gave us this option to make him in my opinion a better version of himself to show that people can heal and work through pain, trauma and just the terrible hand they were dealt in life. He chose to be the best version of himself and heal. I cried way more than I would like to admit through helping Astarion be "good". I like this version of him better than Ascendant Astarion but to each his own and this version is my cannon. I am also so happy that in his story there is so much emphasis on consent and choice which I really respect being a person who was sexually assaulted by someone I considered a friend. Lastly, Neil Newbon is an amazing actor who brought it all together with his amazing performance. I love Astarion so much, he's my number 1 gaming husbando

[@Darkglade1]

The only thing I like about the ascended Astarion is one of the lines I heard on someone else's clip of the game. He says 'Isn't that what you want? To be mine? Forever?' And NEIL's VOICE! Oh my god!

[@Darkglade1]

Did you know that if you stand on the rock behind his tent in the first camp, a vocal version of I Want To Live starts to play.

[@thecheck968]

What I love at the end of the scene is how much unspoken trust is between the two of them. This is the first time Astarion has had sex for himself in 200 years. And Tav lets him take the lead. Astarion isn't feigning control to fulfill someone else's wishes, but is finally able to act on his own desires with someone who makes him feel safe. And Tav is willingly trusting Astarion with that power each step of the way, down to kneeling next to him. They are both completely in each other's power as equals.

[@stephanies2824]

In the graveyard when he says he has to decide what he wants, if you respond with the option: "And what do you want?" He says. "You. I want you." Just something I have seen and didn't know if you had. I thought you might like to hear it. 💕

[@Mmogurl]

Yes I did see it! It's definitely a good response

[@ChristopherAnders-dd4hd]

The voice actors were phenomenal

[@LittleChortle]

I chose "Let's just stay here together" thinking it would open up a dialogue about how he doesn't have to offer himself up to show his affection, and I was really sad with how that turned out. Immediately went back and chose the first options to get the spicy grave scene, lol.

[@Mmogurl]

I agree! I really would have liked to see a honks alternate option where it still felt as though you were connected emotionally. Both options felt abrupt and the one was extremely awkward. Like it was more uncomfortable to him than just doing it! I guess they figured people were thirsty and put all their effort into the first option lol.

[@katiatall]

@@Mmogurl He wants intimacy and is showing his real self for the first time, opening up, and maybe that's why rejecting him seems so strange

[@katiatall]

Gods, how much I adore this story, how coolly written it is, how Neil played Astarion

[@KittyScythe]

I just love seeing Scritchy-Scratch in the background just prancing about like the good boy he is.

[@LoreMaster007]

I loved everyone about that first scene . When he said "I love you" it brought a tear to my eye. The voice actor nailed this role. So perfectly done.

[@lmcgiglez]

I just so desperately want to hug and feed cookies to this fictional character, it's *ridiculous* Thank you for all your hard work, I hope you're feeling better!

[@Darkglade1]

I loved those scenes and chose the same responses. There's a very good interview with Neil Newbon about Astarion's damaged character and how he handled it.

[@findyourcenterbbc8483]

Link?

[@TheTigertalez]

And to add, I personally don’t feel the other love lines are come even close to the greatness of this story and love line. It goes so much deeper. It has so much depth.

[@katiatall]

That's the problem with this game, especially with Astarion, tons of good lines, but you can't hear them all in one playthrough, you have to pick one

[@drownedinnostalgia3433]

3:46 nervous Astarion clamps his hands against his thighs

[@Ashley1Black]

I agree with you. I hate the "I can fix him" argument. We were there to give Astarion the support he needed, but he made the change himself. You can only help a person if they want your help. Also, I hate the implication that he was "broken" like he's an object or a tool. He was just hurt and lashing out. We helped him heal.

[@WalkingDeadpool_]

I really feel like him initiating the intimacy here is him reclaiming the act for himself. For 200 years, he was forced to do it, and now it could be his choice, and he loves Tav, so he wanted to be close to her.

[@katiatall]

and this is the best way also because vampirism could be cured, but and the ascension can't be undone

[@cussundriakneal9904]

There's a flower that is called the Japanese Spider Lily, also known as Lotus Surta. It is a beautiful blood red flower with thin, delicate bundles of petals bloom as a cluster of flowers on a leafless stem. Each flower is trumpet-shaped, and the petals curl backward. The folklore of these lilies is that they bloom in hell, and lead wayward, lost souls into a new afterlife or to reincarnation. They symbolize both death... and new life. A new start. I've always thought this flower would have been perfect to bloom on Astarion's grave.

[@Mmogurl]

Wow, love the detail on this flower as I'm also a big appreciator of Japanese culture and myth. And, yes I agree, it sounds perfect for him!

[@MurasakiNoKami]

Ascended Astarion is going to be a ride.

[@tameelah3839]

oh yeah, cried my eyes out, it is very well written.

[@khaelith8192]

I absolutely loved the final romance scenes with Astarion. It is as you said, you help him see the person he could be and let him walk that path and come to see he had it in him all along, just needed someone to believe in him. 😢 So sweet and fulfilling to see that nurturing come to fruition. I saw a similar out come in a conversation with the Dark Urge (which I won't spoil) and Astarion and it was so satisfying.

[@Darkglade1]

I love your videos and commentaries. I have felt everything the same as you whilst playing through with Astarion as my romance partner. It's also made me fall in love with the work that Neil Newbon does. He's an amazing VA, mocap actor and director. AND I get to meet him at London Comicon in three weeks time! If he speaks to me in Astarion's voice I'll collapse!

[@satines6045]

Thank YOU for showing me that his story is not tragic like most people are saying. Its beautiful.

[@Xoxo.TheAuthor]

I love how they capture both endings so well. I definitely prefer Astarion when he doesn't ascend but the other ending is cool too. Thank you for another amazing video! ❤

[@Mmogurl]

To be fair I haven't seen the entire ending with Astarion when he ascends. I saw the first part of it, and my scene was broken and all I could see was black... but he was a total AHOLE! omg.. I was not wild about the differences xD But hopefully by the time I get back to it, the scene will be fixed.

[@lupinelp9226]

I feel like they missed out on the on the opportunity to ask if he is sure, rather than saying "sounds good to me".

[@childofbacchus]

The addition he made to his gravestone is the current in game year, as a mark of him being born again, so to speak. Also; in the translation of his gravestone, he was apparrently 39 when he died which is…*so young* for a dnd elf.

[@justanothermaid]

Seriously? That's barely old enough for drow culture to consider them a teenager. If it's the same for surface elves that makes everything in his past so much more horrific. Wtf.

[@michellenuur17]

he wasn't that young he was a magister...

[@Call-me-Creeds]

​@dayannayanez1933 Physically his an adult, and humans probably won't even know. Just general thing for elves as they consider themselves adults by 100 give or take and typically rename themselves as tradition to give themselves an adult name to reidentity as adults form their own personal identity and live their own life. Yada Yada. 😅

[@childofbacchus]

@@michellenuur17yeah, he’s still a grown adult, just that by elven cultural standards, other elves would probably view him as like, an older teenager/college student cause they don’t culturally consider themselves adults until 100

[@AncaXBre]

@@michellenuur17 Elves mature at the same rate as humans so he was old enough to be one. I don't know if you're familiar with mass effect but there Liara, an asari who can live for thousands of years, is a little over 100 years old which makes her a child in the eyes of her species but she is a mature woman and a very experienced and accomplished archeologist when we meet her.

[@CorruptedReality359]

I just did the first outcome recently. I gotta say, I felt something after watching it. It really made me appreciate Astarion as a character and I'm so glad he was my first romance partner. Not since Dylas from Rune Factory 4 have a felt so sentimental towards a fictional character. I also really love that you can place a flower on his grave. That's the part that really got me :')

[@findyourcenterbbc8483]

The pushing bit it almost a recurring joke in my playthrough first meeting star throws my betha to the ground dahger at her throat. Romance scene Betha pushes him to the ground amd offers her neck. This scene astarion pushes her on her back. 😂

[@lacuna6139]

Such a beautiful end to his romance! I love it so much. The call back to that first moment of trust when you let him feed from you was just perfection. I do also love how what he says directly contradicts that whole "I can fix him" meme. The whole point of his arc is showing that he's enough just the way he is. He wouldnt be the Astarion we all love otherwise. I'll be interested to see your take on his... "other" ending. And FYI... I believe the date on his grave reveals he was only 39 when he became a spawn.😢 Really, really young for an elf.

[@shivala]

I love your videos. I need that deepdive into the scenes with Astarion, and just all the characters really, because they are just so beautifully done and complex - Im thinking all the same thougts while playing (ALMOST 🙂) and everybody on the internet are mostly just either simping or hating him. Its great to hear someone elses thoughts on them - story development, the story arch and the meaning behind some of the dialouge choices. I don't think I could ever ascend Astarion though...but looking forward to your video on that whole mess.

[@TheTigertalez]

I’ve seen a scene with him after he’s ascended where you say something like you want to break it off and he scoffs and tells you that’s ridiculous because your his. He got very possessive.

[@katesmith4787]

I'm a romance writer. That look is intention and hunger. ;-)

[@shint8160]

you have such a calming voice and i appreciate your honesty

[@sarahhoward3374]

The writing on the tombstone is the Thorass alphabet of the Forgotten Realms, and LOL I am such a Dungeons & Dragons nerd that I CAN read it! The tombstone says "Starion Ancunin - 229 - 268 DR" and the line that Astarion adds is "268 DR -" The Forgotten Realms uses "DR" just like how we use "BC" and "AD" to tell dates in large timescales. People who are familiar with the Realms as much as me might have some pause seeing this translation, as Astarion's name is missing the first A, and the dates are wrong. The current date in the game is 1492-1493 DR, so Astarion saying that he was with Cazador for 200 years, means that the actual dates are more likely to be 1229-1268 DR. It's also really sad when you look at those dates and realize he was only 39 years old.

[@scully4life]

I am glad you are feeling better! I think this is the best scene in the game (that I've seen so far). It made me cry too. I am not normally a fan of the romance genre, so I was blown away by how this made me feel. This game is now a romance story for me because of this scene. And I'm saying this as a long-time D&D player who just bought the game for my D&D fixation. It's so crazy. I am interested to see your take on the Ascension route. It's not for me, but it's still a very interesting story with a LOT to unpack. Fair warning, be prepared for some really aggressive comments defending Ascended Astarion. I'd also love to get your take on the Durge-Astarion romance. There's quite a lot of additional stuff there, and some of the scenes, including this one, have different options.

[@jMichaels878]

Your videos are like the Spark Notes of Baldur's Gate 3 - Astarion Edition.... and I love it lol. Also I immediately chose the option to put a flower on the grave and love that option- I just thought it was simple and sweet and symbolic, and he seemed to like it too so I didn't think much of it.

[@noctoi]

Woohoo!! I finally managed to finish the game a couple weeks ago so I can actually watch this one now! It IS a new date on the grave! I can't remember the exact date, but I know those who translated it noticed a typo and corrected it (apparently it's written in the Neverwinter timeline nomenclature but has the BG numbers?). Between the Wiki page and a few articles discussing the grave date translation, the total timespan between being taken on the Nautiloid and this scene, around 6-7 years have passed (extrapolating quests after this scene, around 8 years passes total in BG3!). I'm so happy they added this date marker, because SO many things make more sense if you look at the timeline ingame for BG3 being absolute bear minimum 6.5 years. I guess the "long rests" literally ARE long rests... like a weekend or more, and the active party catches snoozes where and when they can offscreen while on missions! This fits my head canon much better, because I know from my old hiking/climbing/abseiling days that even just investigating the Risen road or the swamp would take DAYS if not longer - and that doesn't take into account moving gear, setting up large organised camps like we see on long rests, investigating, scouting, waiting for the 'right time to move' on a plan, dealing with local passage rights/hospitality/permission to cross areas that aren't common land/repairing gear etc. It always seemed a little bit illogical that the game only covered a few months. It also highlights just how long Tav and Astarion limit their relationship to minimal offscreen physicality - being mainly kisses. If anything, enthusiastic dishing out of Cazador's just deserts feels even MORE satisfying knowing how long it *actually* takes for Astarion to feel OK in himself again and how long Tav stayed by his side in patient support. Gods I adore this romance so much!!!! I bawled like a baby. Can't wait to do it all again in my DUrge run 🥰

[@destinygalearies7382]

Also, this is kind of an unpopular opinion, but I actually don't think that Astarion and Tav were necessarily celibate after the Act 2 romance scene. All of the language Astarion used (IMO) pointed less to the fact that he was traumatized into not wanting sex/intimacy, and more to the idea that he WANTS it, but because he's so used to using sex as a tool (and feeling dirty/horrible for doing so), he's having a hard time reconciling the fact that the same act (sex) all of a sudden has meaning to him now. But he's afraid of reverting back to his usual ways (or maybe that thing that anxious people often have that's like "what if I'm actually manipulating someone by telling them my feelings and I just don't realize"). Plus, I figured that the reason Astarion has such a negative reaction to having sex during that Act 2 scene is not bc he's sex repulsed necessarily, but that it's pretty fucking insensitive to listen to Astarion talk about his emotional trauma and seemingly bulldoze past it to go "oh no, that's sad, wanna have sex to feel better about it?" So it's YMMV imo Also, the line in which Astarion mentions that he and Tav haven't had sex in a while only happens if you talk to him about Halsin's proposition for sleeping together/an open relationship, which I rejected Halsin for on my first campaign and just didn't see that Astarion line. So with that in mind, I think that Astarion had sex with Tav during the graveyard scene basically as a way to show that he's reached closure (not full healing, that takes time, but closure) with his trauma. And that after everything he's been through with Tav by his side, he now fully embraces the idea of physical intimacy without shame or self-loathing, fully trusting in Tav and being confident in himself ("it's time to start living again"). Could be controversial since I know ppl can be (understandably) sensitive about discussions of sexual trauma, but I think an essential part of the BG3 experience is that everyone sees different things on their first playthrough. Since there were some parts of Astarion's character that I personally didn't see in that blind playthrough, I therefore don't take them into account whenever I make headcanons about Astarion or Astarion/my Tav.

[@TotallySquirrel]

Thank you for doing all these videos! Since I can't play the game yet, I'm living vicariously through all of these (yes I've spoiled most of the game for myself but idc! 😆) I am a bit surprised at his offer of "a night of passion" during the graveyard scene. I have mixed feelings about it, especially with Tav's wording: "Sounds good to me." seems so... ehhh weird, idk. Like are we just forgetting how difficult intimacy is for him? Maybe it would be better even with just a "Are you sure?" or "If that's what you truly want" or smt, but hey that's just me. I do agree though that it's the better option and flows better compared to the other 2. The other 2 dialogue options might have been nice if they were fleshed out more or less awkward maybe. I really like your interpretation of it as being like a rebirth, which could explain it, but his proposal still feels the tiniest bit off to me. Astarion says himself that despite Cazador being dead, he still can't stop thinking of everything that happened. 200 years of trauma aren't going to go away overnight. But hey that's just my (very biased) view and overall i still love these scenes and god Astarion is such a sweetheart in these ❤

[@darkrogue8102]

I was waiting for this analysis and you didn't disappoint! Beautifully and thoroughly written and explained, you summarised a lot of what I thought and was thinking as I played this path, but you also surprised me with the analogy of Spring and Winter for rebirth and consummation. I never thought about it like that before! Many tears were shed with this scene and the one after, especially with the lines you focused on. Good lord, hearing "You saved me from myself." destroys me no matter how many times I hear it. I feel so seen. Thank you for this! 💕

[@Pokephira]

Im telling you you're going to love/hate his Ascension ending.

[@shivala]

Ok I did some nerdy reaserch on the grave because I have the Common alphabet in a DND book and I was curious... and it says "Astarion Ancunin" (so now you know his last name) and then "229-268 db" (so he was 39 elf years when he died) - it looks like. And it's difficult to see what he adds but it is definately another date - possibly "58 dr"

[@RitaBaumann]

On the grave it says: Astarion Ancunin 229-268 DR He then writes the current year as a new birth date and a dash. He was 39 when he died, which for an elf, is like being 14-15 in human years. He probably didn't even get his elven adult name yet.

[@justanothermaid]

His name does seem to read like an elvish nickname. Anyone interested could also read up on the likely mental damage it would cause an elf of that age to be disconnected from the dreams that accompany elf sleep.

[@AncaXBre]

Kind of puts in perspective Cazador's insults towards him. He calls him a little boy, which I thought could come from the fact that he's thousands of years old vampire and everyone for him is like children and his creepy notion that he and his spawns were a family, but Astarion was little more than a boy by elven standards when he turned him. I wonder if Cazador ever taunted him about his youth before; if he ever twisted the knife in the fact that he never got to grow up. Maybe when what would have been his 100 birthday came by he refused to let him pick an adult name and that's why he's still Astarion(which means little star🥺). Also since elves live so long I wonder if any of Astarion's parents or any other family are still around.

[@kyleaj7414]

I hate the whole "I can fix him/her" angle. It's not about fixing someone, it's about making sure they feel seen and safe enough to grow and blossom into the best version of themselves. I love your content and your insight, thank you for your videos!

[@witchyspook]

I like non-asended Astarion because it doesn't feel like he has power over us It feels like we are equals

[@RitaBaumann]

You have to watch the graveyard scene with a free camera mod. The LEG HOOK!!!!

[@alex39786]

Please tell me this is on youtube somewhere already. I am dying of thirst

[@katarinakremberg1319]

Oh yes, the Ascension... I tried it on my second playthrough. I love the execution and performance, it's incredibly well done, but I hated it ardently at the same time. Will never do it again.

[@RPGMelodySage]

My friends keep telling me to do the dark urge and romance Astarion bc we are able to relate to him. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@findyourcenterbbc8483]

The grave says astarion ancuin and the dates cant remember you can find it easily on tumblr but star was 39 when he died. Then he writes the current year.

[@IIIGioGioStarIII]

The grave thing, that is part of process for turning

[@chloehickson8308]

Cried when I found the full grave translation. In elven it says " Astarion Ancunin 229 -268 DR." Then we watch Astarion add "468 DR"

[@chloehickson8308]

Sorry very faded he Dr is wrong it is actually 1229 - 1268 DR and 1468 dr

[@NotTheBreezeness]

I've heard people say things like "I think it's just widely accepted that Astarion is evil" and I'm like "Tell me you never spoke to him without telling me." - Astarion is actually such a sweety as shown in MANY moments, including non-romance ones, throughout the game. The problem is that for the last 200+ years, every time his niceness came out, it was met with pain and torture. When you meet him, he's living in a constant state of fight or flight where he believes niceness is a punishable offence and the only way to be able to interact with people is by manipulating them. It's only through the kindness and acceptance that Tav extends to him without any ulterior motive through friendship/romance that he's able to slowly heal and realize that he CAN maybe start to reclaim bits and pieces of himself that he had to throw away under Cazador - the only thing that is really holding him back is the fact that Cazador is still alive and could reclaim him at any moment, which fills him with the fear that keeps him from being able to truly embrace change. This is why we CAN'T see a change in Astarion until after Cazador is dead, because Astarion was never going to let himself change while the threat was still there. He's still chaotic as hell and we love him for it, but not /evil/ (unless you ascend him, but that's a whole other conversation).

[@Mmogurl]

Yes! I completely agree with this! I'm actually very happy that Larian allowed us to go both ways with him. I haven't fully explored the ascension path because I kept having issues with my screen going black during the scene. But, I saw a touch of it and I was shocked at how different he was.. But it's still kind of cool that we get both options.. If you want to play an evil character.. it makes more sense to have him be more evil. But I love that he doesn't just have one slate.. It's not he's just evil! It's he could be anything depending on how you approach the situation. It's very cool :)

[@NotTheBreezeness]

@@Mmogurl Me too! I love that you have both options - omg though, I really don't have the stomach to ascend Astarion. I did it in my first playthrough for a whole 5 seconds just to see what it would be like before I reloaded the save and immediately talked him out of it. He is SO DIFFERENT and in all the worst ways :( you can really tell that there's no part of that lovable rogue left in him anymore and it's soul-crushing. The completionist in me is trying to push myself through an evil playthough right now and I am not looking forward to the Astarion ascension lol.

[@elishajones1286]

I never found him to be chaotic evil, but chaotic neutral. People claiming that he is ok with some bad things in Act 1 as proof he is evil, but neutral will do both good or bad if it serves their own interests and Astarion reacts to good things positively as well. If it helps Astarion in his means, beliefs, or goals, he is good with it and that is neutral alignment imo.

[@gwendlynemarin7181]

His grave reads Astarion Ancunin 229 - 268 DR (what he writes on himself) 498 DR

[@kerisuri]

Astarion is really lucky that he broke the the dirt when the sun was down. Really a 50/50 chance he'd get fried the moment he escaped

[@OonalovesAstarionssimpleplan]

28:00 Isn't this dialogue reason enough that it's the better ending for him? The fact that people still question it and think the Ascended Version is the right one is incomprehensible to me.

[@youroverlordruler]

Well for obvious rpging reasons. Like playing an evil character. Otherwise I wouldn't get it either. 😂

[@lora_a]

I love this scene so much!

[@hahalleman246]

You've got to take a look at his response to Haslin and being poly. It is worth it for his Haslin impression alone!

[@Darkglade1]

That was so funny. Especially as Halsin's voice actor Dave Jones is from my home town and Astarion almost comes out with a Bolton accent.

[@Mmogurl]

I would have loved to, but in my game Orin took my Halsin and I swear it broke the possibility for any kind of romance. He had maxed approval and never once had the option for a romance scene in ACt 3. Gods know I talked to him constantly.. just nothing.

[@hahalleman246]

@@Mmogurl aww that's too bad. Is there a way to send people save files? I *just* got to that point

[@AlidaSaxon]

I had one recommendation online say to talk to Halsin more than once in an evening a few times if the option refuses to pop. You also have to be nosy about lovers when digging into his past. Worked for me.

[@Ennasalin]

I mean, truth be told, only Astarion has a gazillion scenes because Neil made Astarion his life mission. I have also truly enjoyed Ascended (Dark) side of Astarion equally. It's very well done and he is a matchmade in heaven with my Dark urge :)))

[@ChristopherAnders-dd4hd]

All the characters to fall in love was nice touch to game .Karlach was my girl i go into hell with her and fight to keep her at my side . and Lae'zel was able to have someone love her . She was so happy. Shadow hearts was very nice to

[@ChristopherAnders-dd4hd]

Karlach. Lae'zel and Astarion got to find love with your character

[@katiatall]

I was crying

[@emmasilver2332]

My half elf bard named Alythana is already married, so she wouldn't be interested in romancing him at all, but she would absolutely want to protect Astarion with her life after finding out what he's been through.

[@emmasilver2332]

So many people think that what's written in the Monster Manual is set in stone when it comes to alignment. But this is D&D. And in D&D, there are always exceptions to the rules. Even in this game, which the Forgotten Realms lore is canon to, there are exceptions to the rules. A neutral-aligned (or possibly even good-aligned?) mindflayer in the Miconid colony, a devil whose first contract is actually reasonable, and a chaotic neutral vampire spawn willingly disobeying his master.

[@catandrobbyflores]

I hate that robe clips into your butt😂

[@Mmogurl]

LOL me too!

[@VChong1991]

MMOGURL: *messy hair sniffling under a blanket with drained eyes and shaking hands pressing the last keys to edit and upload her astarian romance* And.....done.....*soul leaves her body* 😂

[@Mmogurl]

Ironically, I felt like crap while recording it.. and was also a little misty eyed while reading my own script.. so it worked out xD

[@VChong1991]

@@Mmogurl 🤣🤣🤣

[@3mb3r93]

Have you thought about doing a dark urge Astarion romance play through?

[@Mmogurl]

Yep, it's on the list of things to do for sure.

[@3mb3r93]

@@Mmogurl definitely looking forward to it!

[@robjohnson3095]

Those pointy bits on a tieflings back, they must get stuck on clothes, bed sheets, it must be awful! Also, the hardest part about maining Astarion, Astarion doesn't get to play these scenes!

[@Mmogurl]

Hahah! I was thinking the same thing watching the video.. that and how her butt keeps clipping through the dress.

[@Myde-ef5kx]

Hi, i have a question, my camp doesn’t look like the one in your background, is there ny way you are supposed to unlock it??

[@elisasinger5544]

Is there a way for Astarion to walk in the sun again and stay with the group, without the ascending ritual?

[@shokolade1037]

i still havent gotten the forth romance scene and i stopped him.

[@royalladybug30]

Astarion's romance makes me feel even more cheated with Halsin. His romance seems so shallow and underwhelming.

[@runningcookiess]

Astarion spawn is not the best ending, just a best ending for your expected. For astarion, hard to say which version is better. Using persuasion power to teach him giving up power to meet the fantasy(nice sweet beautiful boy). Like the dwarf in moonrise tower treating kobolds to forget their nature and to be nice. The natural of vampires is eager for power, tav/durge cannot change it. After you breaking up with astarion spawn, he blamed you. All giving up power was because of you, not he understood the evil things. Astarion spawn actually wanted the power in his deep mind. Dealing with vampires needs to be prepared to accept not only good side but dark side.

[@delyseonduty]

Been waiting for this one 🥹