michanvalentine

[michanvalentine]

Since I joined the fandom, I’ve been told, repeatedly, that Astarion was evil in the past, evil when you meet him, and will be evil at the end of the game—whether he remains a vampire spawn or not. No good ending, no redemption for him; because it’s not like he suddenly becomes a saint!

Essentially, he’s talked about as if he were a monolith. Static. Unmoving. Frozen in place.

Well, at this point, I feel the need to say how I see it.

First of all, the concept of the corrupt magistrate is outdated—it doesn’t exist in the game. Maybe it was an early draft of his background that was later scrapped. But in the actual game, there’s no mention of it—no character, no note, no book, not a single thing that references this.

And given how important that detail would be for his characterization, I don’t see why Larian wouldn’t have included it, even as an offhand remark.

What we do know about Astarion before becoming Cazador’s vampire spawn is that he was a magistrate, and that the Gur beat him to death over a law he had passed against them. That’s it.

Personally, I think this ties into his previous position of privilege, prejudice, and the fact that he was likely a tedious, meticulous, and inflexible magistrate—but ultimately, that’s just my own inference based on scattered dialogues.

The truth is, the Gur could have been wrong.

We’ll never know!

Just like we’ll never know what color his gorgeous eyes were before they turned red.

Now, I’m going to shift to a slightly more technical perspective—but I promise I won’t go overboard!

The Astarion from Act 1 cannot be the same Astarion at the end of the game, regardless of whether he ascends or not.

And here’s why.

In basic screenwriting, we talk about a character’s transformation arc. If there is no change, there is simply no story—because the character would be nothing more than a rubber figure on whom events, decisions, and other characters bounce off without leaving a trace. It wouldn’t be engaging, nor would the character have any real drive to act.

This is a vast topic that I won’t go into in detail, but if you’re interested, just type character arc into a search engine, and you’ll find a whole world of information.

Do you think stories and characters are written purely by feeling? There are countless manuals that explain the rules of good storytelling. (Dara Marks, considered the best American story editor, formulated the rules outlined in her renowned manual, Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc.)

And characters follow writing principles—Astarion included. And creating a believable character while following these rules is really complicated—so every time someone says that Astarion is a monolith, somewhere, a screenwriter dies.

It’s just not possible, folks—there’s no chance that Astarion stays exactly the same throughout the entire story. He has to grow. Or regress.

Either way, he cannot remain unchanged; otherwise, The Pale Elf narrative arc wouldn’t exist.

It’s the fundamental rule of storytelling—straight from the rulebook.

Now, let’s clarify the concept of redemption a bit.

In religion, redemption is the forgiveness or absolution of sins and protection from damnation and misfortune, whether eternal or temporary. The Catholic Act of Contrition is a profound and meaningful prayer, considered the first step toward redemption. It allows believers to express their repentance and willingness to change after committing a sin.

From here, the term has come to be used in a more general sense to refer to the attainment of physical or moral freedom through liberation from guilt and sources of unhappiness.

In a literal sense, however, redemption means salvation, remedy, or escape.

So, yes, the vampire spawn ending is a redemption arc—not because Astarion suddenly becomes a saint, for god’s sake, but because he faces his past, everything he has done up until that moment and the people he has harmed, and does so as a hero, sacrificing himself for the greater good.

(Yes, one could debate whether releasing 7,000 starving vampire spawn into the world is truly the greater good, but within the context of the game, its setting, and Astarion’s narrative arc, it is.

Wyll—the group's hero and a monster hunter—explicitly says, "They are victims just like you, Astarion. They deserve freedom too."

Many of the good-aligned companions also disapprove of their extermination, and depending on their oath, even a Paladin Tav/Durge can break their vow and become an oathbreaker if they choose to kill them all.

So, the game itself strongly suggests that freeing them is the most humane and morally right choice—especially for Astarion.)

So, to summarize, it is a redemption arc because Astarion takes responsibility and atones for his actions, for his sins. He acknowledges the harm he has caused and repents, embraces the pain of others beyond his own, and gives them the freedom that he himself had once taken from them.

That’s what redemption means, not that he becomes a saint by the end of the game.

Not only that, but Astarion also makes peace with the Gur, who will stop hunting him—not out of laziness, but because he has proven that he has changed, that he has grown, and that he is no longer a threat to innocent people. (And they also accept the release of the spawn, despite being monster hunters—take note!)

It’s no coincidence that Astarion tells his brothers and sisters that they can choose between being parasites hiding in the shadows or something more than what Cazador created them to be.

But either way, the consequences will be on their heads—because actions and choices have weight.

And you reap what you sow.

And here, I’ll take a small detour, because the first person to bring up the concept of redemption is actually Ulma, with her words: "But it would be a start—you could still be redeemed."

She later reinforces this idea in one of the most powerful scenes in the game, when—after the ritual and Astarion’s absolutely heart-wrenching explanation of why he took the decision away from them regarding their own children—she tells him: "I never thought a vampire spawn could find redemption… but yes, you will no longer be hunted."

Of course, Astarion is still a vampire. He still has instincts and needs. He likes hunting, killing, and yes, instilling fear. A little, as he puts it.

The difference is that instead of doing it indiscriminately, he directs his attention toward criminals, toward those who harm others. Just like the Emperor.

Even Karlach Mind Flayer redirects her hunger toward a specific category of people—ones who might even appreciate her intervention.

It’s called killing two birds with one stone.

And here I return to the technical side of storytelling—Astarion’s transformational arc is complete, and at this point, he falls into the archetype of the anti-hero: a protagonist in a story who may lack some of the traditional hero’s qualities, such as idealism, courage, and morality.

Typically, an antihero is a rebellious or tormented character with clearly negative traits who often employs questionable methods. However, they should not be mistaken for a villain, as they do not fully descend into evil or possess enough heroic qualities to earn the audience’s sympathy.

However, considering the general setting—where even heroes kill as if there’s no tomorrow and punish villains with brutality—just look at Selûne’s demigoddess daughter, Lady Aylin—I don’t see anything strange or horrific about feeding on criminals.

Quite the opposite.

To conclude, the concepts I’ve mentioned are not something I made up from scratch—they’ve existed for ages.

Astarion’s evil ending is clearly ascension, which, following the rules of good storytelling, still adheres to a transformational arc compared to Act 1 Astarion.

By extension, Act 1 Astarion is different from both the Ascendant Vampire and the Vampire Spawn in the final outcome. The monolithic character does not exist in any story worthy of being called one. And Baldur's Gate 3 is a masterpiece of writing.

[michanvalentine]

A few screenshots from my origin run as Astarion and his lovely Shadowheart. <3

They’re adorable together, too!

Of course, good ending for both—I love bringing out their softer sides.

I adore sweetness.

[michanvalentine]

VIOLENT//VIOLATED

"You don't know what it was like. There was no way out."

[michanvalentine]

So even though I just finished a playthrough, I wasn't finished playing. I picked back up an Honour Mode playthrough that was in the beginning of Act 2. I LOVE Astarion in light blue/silverish clothes.

[michanvalentine]

I'll be your mirror. What do you want to know?

[michanvalentine]

If playing bg3 has taught me anything, it's that a lot of people don't know the difference between Magiatrates and Lawyers.

Astarion says he used to be a magistrate in the city. Not a lawyer. He wasn't the one speaking to a judge on behalf of someone, HE WAS THE JUDGE.

The definition of magistrate is a civil officer or lay judge who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.(literally copy and pasted that definition from the dictionary)

He's not a "Your honor, respectfully, you weren't even there"

He's a "ew, this is so cringe, guilty"

[michanvalentine]

Astarion’s Story: A Closure

Going through the finale of Astarion’s personal quest wasn’t exactly easy for me. I got overwhelmed by a vast array of difficult emotions – the oppressive atmosphere of the lavish halls of Cazador’s palace was obvious to me from the very moment my party stepped in. Talking with Godey, Astarion’s various commentary, seeing Victoria’s body, confronting the victims – it’s one thing to know what the pale elf’s past was like, it’s another to stand face to face with the reality of it.

But that’s not what this post is going to be about. After I sorted through all of this, I decided to write down the most important thing: what brought me a sense of closure after finishing the quest. 

(For the record, this was my first playthrough and I went the spawn route.)

In the end, Astarion’s story arc proved deeply rewarding to me. Almost every sentence he says afterwards is perfectly quotable – as evidenced by how many people repost their favourite words as screenshots, gifs or captions to artwork. The dialogues, the cemetery cutscene – all are immensely powerful. And still, it was something else that drew my attention.

What brought me real closure was watching Astarion himself. The way he changed. It’s subtle, and yet immediately evident: his features are somehow smoother, his tone of voice lighter. He smiles a lot in a much more genuine way and talks so animatedly (even though he’s always been very expressive). There’s something… softer about him. I don’t want to sound cheesy, but I’ll risk it: he’s radiant. Like he had become a tiny ray of sunshine himself.

I stared at the screen and was tempted to tease: who are you and what have you done to Astarion?

The change in his demeanor made me acutely aware of just how heavy was the burden he carried through Acts I and II, and the start of Act III. Again, I knew it in theory. And again, it’s one thing to know, and another to see it with your own eyes: the contrast between Astarion at the beginning of the journey and near the end of it. The burden is no more. He’s free. And very much alive.

All of this made me briefly forget I haven’t actually finished the game yet. There’s still more to do: more quests to complete, a Netherbrain to tackle. And yet, for a moment it felt like I have finished it. But that's the power of well-written stories – sometimes saving the world comes second to making a cherished companion happy.

[michanvalentine]

Ok, while watching the animated gifs of Neil Newbon and Samantha Beart, an idea popped into my head—one that I think will officially become part of my headcanon for my hellspawn.

No one, and I mean no one, can lay so much as a finger on Astarion—not even a criticism or a scolding, lol—not as long as Mama K is around.

It doesn’t matter how much of an idiot, asshole, or reckless fool the vampire spawn has been.

But in private… oh, I can totally imagine her grabbing him by those long donkey ears, dragging him off to the side, and roaring all her disappointment straight into his head for his less-than-orthodox or less-than-kind behavior.

Only she has the right to scold him. Everyone else? Out!

Mama K and her super protective instinct! xD

And of course, I can totally picture Astarion taking full advantage of it, smirking all the way—only to get twice the scolding from her later.

[michanvalentine]

No, okay, I’m dying. I aaabsolutely love it. <3

karlach... those are some strong feelings you're expressing and i've learned to accept your feelings. we listen and we do not judge.

[michanvalentine]

[michanvalentine]

[michanvalentine]

it’s valenwind day i mean vincent valentine’s day i mean– yeah 👀

[michanvalentine]

Random Vincent Valentine pt. 827btd61b

[michanvalentine]

July 17th is here!! Welcome to Ever Crisis, Vincent!

You are here by never allowed to leave my party.

Ever.

[michanvalentine]

All generated by artificial intelligence? Wow. But how reliable is it?

Let's ask GPT :D

💥Is Astarion still undead after Ascension?💥

Yes, Astarion is still undead after Ascension in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Why is Ascended Astarion Still Undead?

When Astarion undergoes Ascension, he becomes a Vampire Lord by completing the ritual with the help of the player. However, this transformation does not make him mortal—it instead enhances his vampiric nature, making him more powerful but still undead.

Changes After Ascension

Gains true immortality, no longer fearing the sun.

Becomes significantly stronger and more dominant.

Retains undead characteristics—he doesn’t regain a heartbeat or become "alive" again.

Does He Stop Being a Vampire?

No. Ascension enhances his vampirism rather than curing it. While he overcomes some traditional weaknesses (like sunlight), he is still an undead being.

Would you like a more in-depth lore breakdown of what this means for his character? 😈

💥What Changes for Astarion After Ascension?💥

If Astarion undergoes Ascension, he transforms from a Vampire Spawn into a full-fledged Vampire Lord, gaining immense power—but at a significant cost. Here’s what changes:

1. Powers & Abilities

✔ No Longer a Spawn – He becomes fully independent, no longer bound to Kazador’s control. ✔ No Sunlight Weakness – Unlike regular vampires, he can now walk in daylight without harm. ✔ Enhanced Strength & Immortality – His physical and magical powers grow exponentially. ✔ Dominion Over Other Vampires – He can now create and command spawns of his own, just like Cazador.

2. Personality & Behavior

❌ Becomes More Ruthless & Power-Hungry – His ambitions grow, and he now seeks to rule as a vampire king. ❌ Views Mortals Differently – He sees people as food or followers, rather than equals or companions. ❌ More Dominant in Relationships – His affection becomes possessive and controlling, even with Tav. ❌ Rejects His Past Weakness – He fully embraces his monstrous nature, leaving behind any lingering morality.

3. How It Affects His Relationship with Tav

If You Romance Him – He still loves Tav but sees them as a partner in power, rather than an equal.

If You Reject Him – He will try to dominate or even kill Tav, seeing rejection as betrayal.

If You Oppose Him – He becomes a dangerous enemy, obsessed with spreading his rule.

4. Is He Truly Free?

🚨 Not really. While he is no longer a slave to Cazador, he is now a slave to his own hunger and ambition. His freedom comes at the cost of his humanity—he may have broken his chains, but he has forged new ones for himself.

Final Verdict: What’s the Cost of Ascension?

✔ Gains unmatched power, sunlight immunity, and dominance. ❌ Loses his softer side, his moral struggles, and the chance to reclaim his humanity.

Would you rather see Astarion as a powerful vampire lord or someone struggling with his past but retaining some humanity? 😈

💥Is Ascended Astarion Truly Free?💥

No, not entirely. While Ascension grants Astarion immense power and independence, it also shackles him to his own hunger and ambition, making him a different kind of prisoner.

1. How Is He Free?

✔ No Longer a Spawn – He is no longer bound to Kazador’s will or control. ✔ No Fear of the Sun – Unlike regular vampires, he can now walk freely in daylight. ✔ Unmatched Power – He is now a Vampire Lord, capable of creating and commanding vampire spawn. ✔ Absolute Control Over His Fate – No one can control or threaten him anymore.

2. How Is He Not Free?

❌ A Slave to His Own Hunger – His need for blood is no longer just survival—it’s an addiction. ❌ Ruled by Power & Ambition – He is obsessed with domination, craving more control, more influence, more blood. ❌ Sees Others as Lesser Beings – Instead of forming true emotional bonds, he treats people as food, tools, or followers. ❌ Locked Into His Own Path – He has embraced the monstrous side of vampirism, making it nearly impossible to turn back.

3. Is He Just Another Cazador?

🔹 While he doesn’t immediately torture or enslave thousands like Cazador, his path mirrors that of his former master:

He enjoys control over others.

He rejects weakness and mortality.

He believes power is the only freedom—even if it means being controlled by it.

🚨 He may have killed Cazador, but in doing so, he risks becoming just like him.

Final Verdict: A Different Kind of Cage

✔ Physically free – No master controls him. ❌ Mentally & emotionally trapped – He is now a prisoner of his own hunger, power, and ambition.

He traded one set of chains for another—but this time, he’s the one who locked them on.

Do you think Ascension was worth it for Astarion, or is he better off as a spawn with some humanity left? 😈

[michanvalentine]

I think I really need to watch this D&D session. xD

[michanvalentine]

Fic coming soon

“Simple plans and half baked apologies”

It’s like a like hallmark movie. I hope it’s a fun read. I’m working very hard on it.