Ikr?! I will always go for Spawn Astarion, but that "I don't know what the future holds for us, but its going to be fun" **evil laugh** Is so perfectly voiced, I love hearing him

Mostly just going to ascend him for my evil playthrough, probably gonna regret it but I feel like I haven't done enough evil stuff

@@Pissed_Off_Pathologist same. Dark Urge playthrough wouldn't feel right with Spawn Astarion. I need the murdery couple

​@@5Demona5or you can be a good Durge like I was. 🤠

A self inflected inevitability maybe. You have to actually indulge and or encourage his power hungriness for him to go through with ascension. The predatory nature of the relationship after ascension is to point out now how toxic vampire romance stories actually ARE when you sit and think about the power imbalances and stalking.

This! So, perhaps the opposite of Twilight? 😅 Where Edward would allow Bella to live out her own life as a human Astarion would give you no chance/choice.

Shows how Astarion becomes that which he hated

​@@MooncrafterUTAUyes, BUT if you let him make you spawn it's less like his case and more like a Death Kiss. In Neverwinter(or somewhere else) there's a ritual to create a Vampire wife/husband, she'll/he'll be like a sapwn for a time, but with your blood in a certain dose they grow to the same level as you. It would've been irrational and very irresponsible to make another ascended one, it can easily kill the OG and replace it continuing the whole drama. Astartion foresaw that so he decided to take a more delicate approach. Tho you can't argue about his lines literally scream "IM EVIL FEAR ME". He can be "fixed" only by Gale and Karlach imo, because Gale turns into a GOD making Astarion a Vampire God or just clean of his curse forever, and with Karlach bro's all in to jump into HELL and spend all the time with her there. He insists and he offers it. It doesn't even seems to be one of his lies from the beginning of the story. You know, the "I wanted to manipulate you, but eventually I fall in your trap". Best confession BTW.

This is exactly what I’m thinking.

I can agree with that. But also with him it's not that horrific since he doesn't push you around, nor he orders you whatever he wants. Yes you can't leave the relationship, but you brought that to yourself. Wanted a Dommy Daddy when have him. Imo only Gale and Karlach change him for good. Gale in both ways can easily help him by turning Astarion to God(if ascended its likely Vampire God if there's no such thing in DnD LORE already, and if not then just cleans him off that curse). And Karlach just makes him go to Hell with her wich is a massive point in my position. If he willingly goes to Hell with his love then it's pure hearted choice.

I honestly thought he randomly forgot it because he always call her his wife.

Later in the video though, It shows that if Tav doesn't talk about becoming a vampire the game does not make her one. But they are still together 6 months later.

⁠@@Stellina-takeheartWell, that still doesn't mean Tav will stay being mortal. 6 months are nothing to Astarion since he's immortal. He might as well think he'll indulge Tav for a while, because he can still get his way later. Ascended Astarion wouldn't let her do that if he didn't think he had full control over Tav and the situation. I think it's just a matter of time until Tav ends up a spawn or abandoned if they refuse to get turned.

@@empty_akuma6577 I don't know, seems like if he could just take her against her will he would have already done that. Without her being his spawn how does he have control? I mean really anything past the epilogue is just our speculation.

The only way Tav avoids Astarion turning them into a spawn immediately after ascending is by speed-running straight to the end boss and never resting, so it feels more like a fail-safe than something that has an _intentional_ and significant impact on their relationship. Thus Tav being a spawn in the epilogue potentially being an oversight is definitely not far fetched. Although I do like the idea of him turning Tav off screen, I sure as sh/t wouldn't put that past him either way lmao

@@Stellina-takeheartI would assume in his mind control is through “love” and manipulation. He admits to this in other dialogues. He is using Tav’s love for him as a leash imo 😢

I don't disagree that Tav would most likely choose to become his consort at some point. I believe the lore calls for the one being turned to consent to it though.

​@@Stellina-takeheartthat's not the case. A vampire can create a spawn without needing consent. A spawn has to have consent from the vampire in order to become a true vampire.

@@Stellina-takeheart A consort by definition is a spouse, so not necessarily a vampire. The line that's iffy is "eternity." But he's convinced you'll eventually change your mind OR if this is resisted dark urge, there's no life span.

@@selenaaguilar3716 Yes, I just remember Astarion specifically saying he didn't like the term spawn and preferred consort when referring to Tav.

I can actually see him fabricating something that leads to Tav at near death, and Astarion turning them to 'save their life'... eerily similar to how Cazador "saved" him. Astarion meantions wanting nothing more than to lock Tav up in a personal room to keep them all to himself, but he can't deny Tav's physical prowess and will need them to help him raise up his empire... And in that thought, I can see him sending Tav out to eradicate a group of a person that is a direct conflict to his plans, and only have a brutal ambush waiting for Tav. Tav getsmortally wounded, Astarion sweeps in as a Knight in Shining Armor, and tells Tav the only thing that can save them... is him Turning them into a Vampire Spawn.

I think it's also interesting that if Tav doesn't mention becoming a Vampire, the game doesn't automatically make them a spawn.

@@Stellina-takeheart ooh, interesting. I'll have to play ascended a bit more extensively then and see what that's like! I've never seen an epilogue where he's romanced and you've not been spawned one way or another.

@@bearhugzfam649 Unfortunately the dialogue choices in the Ascended Astarion epilogue are the same for unspawned and spawn Tav. Which I found to be a bit of a let down, since usually the devs pay attention to those details. Perhaps they will change it.

That is a powerful "yet". Here's what the director and head writer said in a recent interview about controversial endings: SV: "I was observing last night to some friends, 'I have heard people say that the evil playthrough, it's not that satisfying', and I'm like, 'I'm sorry, the amount of evil things you can do in this game, you can have an evil party. You can have an evil character who's homicidal. You can join the cult of Bhaal. You can sacrifice everybody to the Netherbrain if you want.' There's a lot of intriguing options actually from an evil perspective, and it's fun to see how different the game is when you decide that your party members are going to be evil. Making Astarion evil, for example." AS: "Or Gale. So the way that I look at it is the word evil, we use it all the time ourselves... I think that the nuance is that you actually push them toward the worst tendencies, and sometimes that's not directly evil. Gale's ambitious and he's quite vain, but it's his ambition that can doom him, and it's his ambition that can actually save you all. What we tried to do was to make sure that you were always able to nudge them toward the better tendencies of themselves or the worst version of themselves. So with Astarion, his evil ending is actually him...much of what he does is out of fear. And as a player, you can say to him, "You're right to be afraid." And that sends him to a really horrible place, and that I think is really powerful." The characters are still "them", just turned into the worst versions of who they were before the endings. As Neil said, both versions are pretty valid possibilities of how someone changes due to trauma. It's *how* you influence them and what they choose for themselves that can transform them to rise up or fall harder. I love the writing.

@@oceanicGrimalkin same, it’s really phenomenal how you can have an influence over them as a player but it’s akin to a friendship. You don’t live their lives for them. I think it’s very telling though that his worst self is the one dominated by fear, it really reinforces the fact that there’s no healing through power for ascended, it’s just the constant chase of power in the hopes it’ll make him invincible and it never will. You’re not nudging him towards sadism or selfishness or whatever, you’re nudging him towards anxiety and his fear does the rest.

Oof, purely speculation but damn, yes, that’s entirely possible.

I took that line as him being in denial/ not facing the inevitability of Tav dying. It could also mean they will be together after death and death death in oblivion/heaven/whatever. Tbh I see Astarion just kinda giving up after Tav dies.

@@nekokun354 Aww yes I like this idea too ❤️

Yes, I noticed that too. Maybe he knows about some DLC expansion we don't lol

It actually does make sense for a Dark Urge who rejected Bhaal.

Actually LArian confrimed that he do feel love and that he didnt lost hs soul

@@Vida7354 that's nice to hear thank you

@@Vida7354 Where did Larian confirm that?

@@Alithea_Ancunin on yt

@@Alithea_Ancunin kzfaq.info/get/bejne/i7OqodeQlc3Jg40.htmlsi=rzG9Opa4U-J7cMcD

Yes that cracked me up too

That's what I was thinking, but when Tav doesn't mention becoming a Vampire, the game doesn't make them a spawn in the 6 month interim. The dialogue is the same though. Could be an oversight, could be as intended? Thanks for your comments

@@Stellina-takeheart If you speak to God Gale, there is a spawn line, you have to scroll allllll the way to the last option. So yeah you've been converted.

@@Evil_gumby Thank you I will check that out.

Honestly, same thought. I never asc him because I know asc Astarion isn't someone I can commit a relationship with. It's a ver of him I can't bear (lol omg Halsin, he ruined the word for me). I always fail my durge plays if you haven't guessed it Asc Astarion definitely has his own rizzes don't get me wrong, there many who would stand by that ver of him. It's just me😂

The outfit in the tavern room ending scene can be purchased at facemakers boutique or found in wardrobes in act 3. Sometimes you can get lucky and find one in act 2, but it's rare. The epilogue party outfit is done by Larian automatically.

You don't basically. So far it just seems that asc Astarion will always ultimately have you turned (because he deems you his, and since your lifespan is a threat to him in losing you, so yes, turning you is a good solution) and this will be more of an unequal dynamic between you. His quote "-even if you don't appreciate it" was very telling. To him, it's ideal for you to see reason, but needs must in the end. Since he knows what's best for you and all that

I'm curious what happens in this scenario too.

OH MY GODS, A GODLY ASCENDED TRUE VAMPIRE??? That is HORRIFYING to think about!

@@cussundriakneal9904 it's AWESOME! Now, do I want to dedicate myself to such a crazy run? Yes, yes I do.

Pretty sure if you play as Gale, you can become a spawn to AA. But i know that if you play as Astarion, you can become a vampire ascendant and then become a God with Gale.

@@jadewilde3372 I think it's the same as with Karlach, A!Astarion doesn't like that Netherese orb poisons Gale's blood and makes it unconsumable.

If he ascends and you finish the game without long resting, you will get this scenario after the final battle.

OMG right? It's the baby voice that does it for me. He only does it once or twice in Act 1 when he's trying to be all coy and seductive and even the VAs comment on it in playthroughs. I'm not gonna yuck anyone's yum but if someone does that while they're trying to seduce me imma bounce xD

Yes lol xD some ppl like him for whatever reason, so good for them the option is there, though! I could never do that to him because he becomes such a sweetheart in the spawn ending 💕

If that's how you feel I'm surprised how you even tolerated him in the begging. Love it when people only love someone when he's "convenient" and "the way they want to see him".

@@Deadpan_Snarker this might shock you but you can like someone whilst recognizing they're doing something cringey. People don't need to be perfect at all times to be loveable, I'd have thought an ascension fan would know that better than most.

@@Deadpan_SnarkerSo sorry some people find abusive partners “Inconvenient”.

100% approval level

No not dark urge

Yep, which is why many deemed vampirism (is this how you spell it idk its 2AM) as a curse first and cool condition second. Especially, if you're a humane kind of character like dreading the inevitable death of your mortal partner in which typically be regarded as food to their kind Very angsty set up yes. Though lots of people love it, same as me lol

If he ascends and you finish the game without long resting you will get this scenario.

@@Stellina-takeheart ah, I see, cool! it's amazing that they recorded dialogue even for this scenario.

If he ascends and you finish the game without long resting, you will get this scenario.

@@Stellina-takeheart OH! i never knew. I'll have to try this by only ascending him at the end of the game. Do you still get the s** cutscene and the one where he turns you?

@@JustANerdyGal No steamy scene or bite scene, but you can tell him Tav isn't ready to become a spawn and he agrees to give them time and they stay in a relationship. It's interesting, if Tav doesn't bring up becomming a vampire he doesn't offer and the epilogue is the same. But if Tav doesn't bring up becomming a vampire they are not a vampire spawn in the epilogue. They are still in a relationship no matter what happens.

I hate him he makes me kneel every time we kiss

If you complete the game without long resting after he ascends you will get this scenario

🤣Gale's cat had a moment when Tav bit Astarion.

I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just pointing out something that I found in a game.

Hear hear, it was the same when 50 Shades was popular, I was working in a DV clinic at the time and it was horrible how many young women came to us in the year after that franchise blew up because they went looking for their own Christian Grey and found him. There's nothing wrong with enjoying a bad/evil/unhealthy character in media but you gotta know that's what they are and not try to make excuses for that behaviour IRL, you know? Which, yeah, does extend to saying "um, no, he's not 'fine' with you saying no to him, he's just playing the long game, he clearly thinks that's a boundary he'll be able to cross later" imo. That said, I don't think it's on every single person in the world to agree with me and I don't like to police the language of others (which is to say I don't make assumptions about Stellina and other content creators or their fans based on their vids/titles/thumbnails/whatever), and I don't assume they don't know better based on comments they make about the fiction (so like, if someone says Astarion's hot I don't assume they're gonna go out and look for him IRL). I put my 2cc out there into the world for people to read and learn from if they wish and need to and carry on working with people who come to me for help.

Fam ngl the only companion that didnt have red flags by IRL standards was probably halsin lmao😂

I'm sorry, are there a lot of people saying that becoming a spawn to a vampire lord in real life is a good example of a healthy relationship?

@@grymmoire makes ya wonder doesn't it

This only happens if he ascends and you finish the game without long resting in between.

Interesting... I don't see not long resting as cheesing the game.

He literally tells you that he made you his spawn, even in the video. In the epilogue you can even ask why you are still a spawn and not a true vampire, and he'll be annoyed that you are still asking. He himself uses the word "spawn" in relation to MC several times.

I believe the bite icon and ability is the same as his before he ascends. There is a lot of debate about Ascended Astarion's intentions with Tav. Many believe he is incapable of love and many believe everything he says is a lie. I personally don't agree with all of that.

@@sunnyhill7919 odd. He didn't tell that to my Tav. He told her he gave his blood and she'd never have to fear anything. Nothing about being a spawn. I've finished the game so many times that I honestly don't recall on that particular Tav what he said in that exact epilogue but I do remember never being called a spawn and not having any options to ask about being his spawn. 🤷 Maybe I didn't choose the correct dialogue and lost that avenue of conversation completely.

@@Stellina-takeheart depending on dialogue and choices I can see both sides and maybe that's the point. I can definitely say I would not call his love conventional, more like possession/obsession with a strong fear of being alone. That being said it would make sense for him to keep Tav a spawn but I swear he never once called my Tav a spawn and he gave her his blood. I could have missed a dialogue option in that playthrough and the writers just forgot the fact that a vampire giving a spawn their blood would turn them into true vampires.

@@badappleart7589 ah, yeah, those options usually arise when you are disagreeable with him, try to break up with him, or in his banter with other party members when they express concern over you becoming a spawn.

People have had endings where they are, not a spawn, but a full on vampire in their playthrough, so that's definitely not 100% of the time right lol. There are so many different ways to play this game that it's kinda stupid to make blanket statements tbh

@@toaster1279 please do share those instances. I’ve not seen that any where. The only thing I’ve seen noted is you gain some of his abilities like walking in the sun because he turns you with his ascension powers in place but never freedom if you will from his control. So yes, would be interested to see how people have become vampire lords free from his control on the ascension romance.