floehie
Hurry, I've got one of those brain things cornered
1K posts
She/Her | šŸ‡©šŸ‡Ŗ | 30s
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
floehie Ā· 7 hours ago
Text
I just finished my run as Astarion. Okay, I admit itā€”after the first adventure, I used a few mods to speed things up. Lol. I had to! Partly because some of them are really cute and partly because, well, my husband and daughter mightā€™ve left me otherwise.
In any case, I managed to pursue a romantic relationship with Shadowheart, just as I had planned in my first playthrough... at least before the vampiric rogue got in the way! But in this run, of course, there was no such risk.
Tumblr media
Astarion: Hold on, I need to finish the last chapter. I need to know if Stephanie ends up with George. The cursed lands can wait, Halsin will understand.
But enough chit-chatā€”here are my impressions in short! Playing as Astarion gave me the chance to notice additional details and delve deeper into aspects of his characterization. First of all, even from the earliest interactions, his fear of suddenly having to rely on and interact with others unaware of his vampiric nature is immediately apparent. The revelation doesnā€™t happen through the infamous bite scene but rather through a genuine act of trust, where Astarion himself chooses to confess. Even before this, though, the game allows you, through dialogue options, to weigh the matterā€”to consider whether to tell this or that companion, who, depending on approval (or personal inclinations), may seem more or less willing to accept cohabitation with a bloodsucker.
Gale is one of the most understanding about it, as well as one of the most curious! <3
Letā€™s just say, if it wasnā€™t already clear, playing as the vampire makes the issue even more obvious: vampires are seen as monsters, feared and despised by default, and they canā€™t easily build relationships with others. Being a vampire is, in itself, an almost insurmountable obstacle to reclaiming oneā€™s humanity and being recognized as a person with rights.
This becomes even more evident in the encounter with Gandrel. Astarion remembers what he didā€”he recalls being at the Gur camp and abducting their children. Among the various dialogue options, thereā€™s one that attempts to highlight the fact that vampire spawn cannot disobey their master's orders and are, in essence, acting against their will. And we know all too well that Astarion is a victim himself, caught in a cruel trap.
Gandrelā€™s response is chilling, to say the least: monsters are monsters. Period. Thereā€™s no salvation for Astarion, no hope, no understanding. Who cares if your master treats you like garbage? Who cares if you literally have no free will? Who cares if youā€™re sold, raped, tortured for days? Youā€™re a monster, and you deserve to die.
I've always found Gandrel to be a likable characterā€”I enjoyed his willingness to play along with the stereotypes about the Gur and his honest attempt to warn me about the dangers. Plus, letā€™s not forget heā€™s a father grieving for his kidnapped children. But I swear, in that moment, my blood boiled!
Another thing that becomes much clearerā€”and really underscores the absurdity of the situationā€”is the sheer magnitude of what Astarion is thrown into when you play as him. Imagine it: a vampire spawn who, out of nowhere in his miserable existence, finds himself suddenly free, with a tadpole stuck in his head, a group of companions relying on him to solve their problems, and the salvation of the world resting on his shoulders.
Tumblr media
Dream Guardian: You see, Astarion, as far as the eye can see, this mess is yours now. Do something, don't die horribly, try not to get caught by your master, and while you're at it, save the world.
Itā€™s a stark contrast and an overwhelming amount to process. For Astarion, it must be a downright Herculean task, especially considering he hasnā€™t even begun to resolve his old, massive issues and now has a mountain of new ones dumped on him. This is the same Astarion who, after 200 years under Cazador, probably doesnā€™t even remember where his own ass is anymore. If it were me, Iā€™d be cursing every god in existence! Who knows, maybe then theyā€™d finally bother to answer my prayers.
The absence of Tav is definitely felt. Astarion needs Tav, he needs a guiding figure. Heā€™s better suited as a follower than a leader, though I have to admit, playing as the vampire spawn protagonist makes the whole journey feel even more epic.
The lack of Tav is especially noticeable during Astarionā€™s personal quest. In my opinion, itā€™s incredibly sad to watch him try to face his trauma and problems alone. Heā€™s been isolated for 200 years, and itā€™s so much more impactful to see him open up to someone whoā€™s there for him, rather than struggle in silence, tracing the scars on his back all by himself.
The scene goes like this: during the night, pain overtakes him. He canā€™t sleep, tossing and turning on his bedroll. The scars ache, and if he focuses enough on his own terrible experience, Astarion can vividly recall the exact path Cazadorā€™s blade carved into his flesh. Naturally, you need to pass a skill check to gather the right insights, but the essence remains: he suffers alone, in silence. As always. And it broke my heart.
He seems so small, forgotten, and defenseless, licking his wounds and facing his most horrific memories on his own.
As the main character, Astarion has few opportunities to talk about the past and Cazador with others, and especially only in a general way. The details remain private, surfacing only during specific moments. One such instance is the encounter with the drow twins, where Astarion can tell the sex workers that he once found himself in their position. The drow asks how it was, and Astarion has several dialogue options that, no matter what you choose, convey just how harrowing and non-consensual that experience was for him.
Another scene in the brothel that pleasantly surprised me was the one with the nymph. When she uses her power on Astarion, after being saved from the mindflayer, she asks him what he wants to be. The dialogue options are rich, powerful, respected, etc. But the specific one for Astarion's character is: "safe." It brought tears to my eyes. It's in moments like these that his motivations become even more apparent, and for him, the power he craves is nothing but the only way to feel safe.
Instead I was deeply disappointed with the interaction with Araj, the blood merchant. As the main character, Astarion has nothing significant to say about her or her request to be bitten by a vampire. The dialogue options are pretty neutralā€”you can either bite her or refuseā€”with no real acknowledgment of how deeply personal and repugnant the situation should be for him. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore his trauma and agency further.
On the other hand, Astarion dreams of Cazador, and through the vivid voice of the vampire lord, we are made privy to the general rules that his spawn must follow: never drink the blood of sentient beings, never disobey, never stray, and never forget that they belong to him. During this nightmarish confrontation, several dialogue options are available, reflecting the full spectrum of Astarionā€™s possible reactions: he can cower, fight back, or plead for forgiveness. Regardless of the choice, Cazador will belittle him, scare him, and humiliate him. Their dynamic is crystal clear, and the scene always ends the same way: Astarion bows his head in submission.
As if that werenā€™t enough, he wakes up in a panic, terror gripping him, with one harrowing realization: heā€™s late, and if he doesnā€™t return to Cazador soon, heā€™ll be whipped.
This also provides additional context for the infamous bite scene. While a vampireā€™s hungerā€”especially that of an underfed oneā€”is a powerful motivator, thereā€™s more to it. Astarionā€™s decision to break the rule and take the risk is driven by a desire to test his limits, to prove to himself that heā€™s no longer a slave. Naturally, as Astarion, players are presented with a choice: bite one of their companions or resist and go hunting in the forest instead.
In this regard, the unique choices Astarion has in situations tied closely to his personal story always offer a wide range of possibilities. There are options that could be considered outright evil, but also others that reveal his desire for redemption. Another proof that his character cannot be considered solely evil. I think this perfectly reflects his real nature, constantly teetering between good and evil, right and wrong, humanity and vampirism.
I particularly enjoyed the confrontations with Petras and Dalyria, as well as with Aurelia and Leon. These interactions feel more nuanced compared to when Tav is present. The rivalry and love/hate dynamic among them becomes more evident, and Dalyriaā€™s trust in Astarion is surprisingly deeper than one might expect after a standard playthrough.
Beyond the dialogue options concerning the deception against the other spawn needed to secure Astarionā€™s ascension, there are other options that reveal his genuine desire for redemption. He seeks to kill Cazador not just for his own freedom but to save his siblings as well, to be a better brother, as himself says in one of the options. This intention is evident even before encountering the unfortunate victims in the Szarr palace dungeons.
These interactions add layers to Astarionā€™s character, highlighting the complexity of his struggle. They show a man caught between his dark instincts and a burgeoning sense of responsibility and morality, making his personal arc all the more compelling.
Naturally, the same applies when confronting his victims. Astarion can choose from a range of lines that span from the more villainous to the more heroic, effectively showcasing both sides of his character. The outcome always depends on how the player prefers to approach their playthrough.
One thing that absolutely delighted me was the confrontation with Cazador. When the vampire lord tries to assert control over Astarion, you can make a dice roll to resist him. Watching Cazador's frustration is priceless. Additionally, once defeated, you can force himā€”again through a dice rollā€”to beg for his life. In my case, I made him grovelā€¦ only to kill him anyway. I know, Iā€™m a terrible person, but he totally deserved it! xP
Tumblr media
Astarion: Well, now that I know Stephanie and George have broken up, I can go kill that damned Netherese brain.
Of course, mine was another heroic playthrough. Well, not exactly heroic, but good. We're still talking about Astarion, so whenever I saw his name pop up, I automatically selected his personal dialogue option. So let's say it was a "conservative" run, I did what I had to do but without overdoing it, maintaining a pretty neutral profile.
So, the ending was the classic one, with Astarion enjoying the darkness and his existence as a vampire, free from Cazador's influence. Then, he's like the dark avenger, Batman-style, feeding on criminals. For the right price, of course. xD
From a romantic perspective, I finally managed to win Shadowheart over, and I think her romance, along with Astarion's, is one of the sweetest. She also offers the right challenge in being won over and understood, considering her "dual identity" and the influence that Shar and Viconia had on her. I enjoyed seeing her transform from the sulking cleric full of secrets to the sweet, fragile girl beneath the armor. Of course, since this was my second playthrough, the element of surprise was a bit lacking, especially regarding the conclusion of her quest.
Then things took some strange turns... letā€™s say I decided to take a few more risks this time and experiment with different things compared to my first run. xD And I discovered that I also love Halsin and Astarion together! The druid's proposal surprised me, and honestly, I didnā€™t expect Shadowheart to so calmly accept sharing her beau. Good for me! Although the content with Halsin is really limited; I wonder if thatā€™s because he was my second boyfriend?
Then, this time, I also accepted the squid's proposal... yep. xD Letā€™s just say I had some fun.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Right now, I'm playing my first (and I think only) evil playthrough. I feel guilty every time I do something bad. And Ascendant Astarion was a cold shower for me! But maybe I'll vent about it once I have all the elements, for now I'd say I've rambled on enough. Anyone who's made it this far is a hero!
31 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 8 hours ago
Text
Tumblr media
Stephanie Foo,Ā What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma
15K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 1 day ago
Text
Letā€™s talk about the bite scene. Iā€™m sure itā€™s already been discussed to death, but through an unexpected detour (Iā€™ve discovered I enjoy making videos about my BG3 adventures), I found myself analyzing frame by frame of Astarion baring his fangs.
First of all, the scene is pure tragicomedy. Tav/Durge wakes up abruptly to find this guy hovering over them with a furrowed brow, eyes squeezed shut, and mouth wide open, ready to sink his teeth into their jugular. Or close enough. Because Astarion in that moment isnā€™t scary, he isnā€™t even infuriatingā€”heā€™s just plain ridiculous. And honestly? Kinda ugly to look at! xD
And itā€™s tragic because this incredibly agile guy, with such a delicate touch and extreme dexterity, has no idea what the hell heā€™s actually doing. Heā€™s a vampire, for godsā€™ sakeā€”this should be the easiest thing in the world for him.
Instead, heā€™s there, hesitating, gauging how and where to bite, with his EYES CLOSED, for crying out loud. Heā€™s not even looking at what heā€™s doing, as if heā€™s the one whoā€™s afraid.
And thatā€™s exactly itā€”Astarion is disobeying Cazadorā€™s direct orders, and the consequences could be terrible. If, after granting him a taste, you choose the dialogue option to use force to push him away, Astarionā€™s expression once again speaks volumes.
Just for a moment, as heā€™s pushed aside, itā€™s a sea of emotions. Thereā€™s deep fearā€”fear of having disobeyed, fear of being struck by Tav/Durge for itā€”and overwhelming astonishment at having tasted, for the first time in his unlife, the blood of a sentient creature. And in that, he discovers a fleeting moment of peace, of happiness.
Tumblr media
And all of this is overwhelming for himā€”more than he can process. For many, this scene is infuriating, and rightly soā€”the game even gives you the option to drive a stake through his heart right then and there. But for me, in that moment, Astarion just evokes so much, so much tenderness.
123 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 1 day ago
Text
Tumblr media
Polar night
2K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 1 day ago
Text
Tumblr media
Hungry for the slaughter
Tumblr media
152 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 3 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
27 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 3 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
"I had nothing at all for so long. Not even my body - that was owned by Cazador, to be sent out to tempt fools into his palace. It should have been so easy to let the drow use me for her fantasy, but perhaps - you showed me that I have enough strength. I don't need to."
245 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 3 days ago
Text
Durge: *Pets the Owlbear Cub *
Owlbear Cub: You smell very delicious, but I won't bite you.
Gale: What a charming and polite creature.
Lae'zel: Its respect of personal boundaries is to be commended.
Shadowheart: How nice it is to have at least one feral little critter in camp with some restraint.
Astarion: *From across camp.* IT WAS ONE TIME!
-----
I have a headcannon that this is an ongoing joke in camp every time the Owlbear Cub gets pets.
BG3 Incorrect Quotes Masterlist
232 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 3 days ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
šŸ‚ from october
ā€” featuring sketches from studying his face
582 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 3 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
The Morning After
Finally finished my master study! It was the most fun i had painting in a while :D
3K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 4 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
SEBIAN LEX
@junoisded
15K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 4 days ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
ARCANE LEAGUE OF LESBIANS: 2x08 - ā€œKilling is a Cycleā€
38K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 4 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
506 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 4 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
timebomb
10K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 4 days ago
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Gale and Astarion visit the Goblin Camp
551 notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 6 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
šŸ‘¹ā¤ļøšŸ¦‡
8K notes Ā· View notes
floehie Ā· 6 days ago
Text
Tumblr media
Shadowheart - [ BG3 ]
Whether you'd like to get a print of this piece when I put it up on my Patreon rewards shop or pay your respects to my dangling wrist after painting all those flowers, please consider supporting my art on:
[ patreon.com/onyrica ]
2K notes Ā· View notes