#like i was SURE they were the tadpole but if they're in the prism then aren't they the only thing that's stopping us from being Absoluted??

[voerman]

I love playing this game and having absolutely no clue who is lying to me

[itsalwaysalmostchristmas]

Astarion: The Pale Elf?

BG3 SPOILERS AHEAD

I'm sure other people were confused when we met Dalyria and Petras in the Flophouse and saw how different the other spawn look to Astarion.

And it's not just his siblings, the other spawn that Cazador had locked up beneath the palace look the same.

black sclera, glowing red iris's with no pupil and shark like teeth seems to be the common traits of Cazador's spawn, all but Astarion. The only vampire that looks similar to Astarion is Cazador himself.

Of course, I'm not going to sit here and suggest something ridiculous like they're secretly related or Astarion has been a true vampire all along.

I feel there's a common theory that Astarion lost the disadvantages of being a vampire thanks to either the tadpole or the Astral Prism but I feel like the appearance traits of being a spawn also vanished when he was no longer under his master's control.

That still doesn't explain his white hair. Now, I know it's weird to focus in on such a tiny detail in a world where there a Dragonborns and Teiflings to worry about someone's hair colour but that's how roll bby.

Originally, I thought maybe his hair had turned white from either becoming a vampire spawn or through canities subita (better known as Marie Antoinette syndrome), but then obviously you see Cazador and the other spawn who all have different hair colours and shades.

It is still possible Astarion's hair could've changed due to stress but I believe Astarion's hair colour is it's natural colour. Do you know what elven race has white hair?

DROW

'But Astarion doesn't have blue/purple skin!' I hear you cry! And that is where DnD lore comes in! May I introduce:

SZARKAI AKA ALBINO DROW

Before going any further I need to address the fucked up thing about Szarkai. So, Szarkai are a super rate mutation and are more common in the Noble Houses, because of that they are seen as blessings from Lolth (Szarkai means 'ghost spider') upon the noble family that births one. Pretty much the Szarkai are held on a pedestal and believe to be Lolth's favourites which is really fucked up in a society of Dark Elves -.-

Real life racism aside, because of their pale skin; the Szarkai could very easily integrate with surface elves and just be seen as albino surface elves. Because of this the Szarkai are usually trained as spies and sent to the surface on deep-cover long-term assignments that furthered their house and/or for the benefit of Lolth.

Now my only evidence to Astarion possibly being a Szarkai isn't just the far he's pale and has white hair.

[Many drow thought of szarkai as a separate race, but they were genetically identical, possessing only the traits of albinism. Nevertheless, some had minor deformities, such as a lack of hair, small fangs, or gnarled and claw-like hands, suggesting the popular view had a slight basis in fact.]

SMALL FANGS

SMALL FANGS

SMALL FANGS

Okay, okay, I know the fangs and the red eyes are to show he's a vampire, very traditional vampire traits. However, we've seen that spawn don't look like that. So, my theory(nonsense) is that the tadpole/Astral Prism remove all features and traits of being a vampire spawn! He can walk in the sun, enter buildings without permission, and he reverts back to how he looked before turning into a spawn.

Obviously, stuff like the bite mark and the carvings remain because that actually part of him now and not part of the transformation of become a vampire spawn. The Astarion we see is the Astarion he was before Cazador found him.

I think it also makes sense with his character build. Being a charlatan sounds exactly like the Szarkai.

[Charlatan - You’re an expert in manipulation, prone to exaggeration and more than happy to profit from it. Bending the truth and turning allies against each other will lead to greater success down the road.]

[Szarkai agents might be engaged in simple gathering of information and passing what they learned back to the masters, or in learning the lay of the land and the makeup of local politics. Some might form sleeper cells with the goal of future sabotage or attack. Otherwise, they would be agents provocateur, discreetly manipulating surface-dwellers, turning would-be allies against the drow against one another instead, inflicting sabotage, and keeping communities small and vulnerable.]

They appear to get involved with local politics. And what did Astarion say he did when we ask him to tell us more about him in the beginning?

[Astarion: Oh, what's to tell? I'm a magistrate back in the city - it's all rather tedious.]

Plus at the Wither's Party we see that without the Astral Prism/tadpole Astarion looks the same, why? Because Cazador is dead. Sure he's still a spawn but he's not a Cazador's spawn. He's free. And there's nothing to suggest the his siblings and the other spawn didn't revert after losing exposure to being Cazador's spawn.

I think it would've been interesting to see Astarion interact with Minthara and other drow in the game with this premise. I'd also could've seen it as a reason as to where Cazador favoured Astarion so much. He already had the skills to manipulate and seduce trained into him from being a Szarkai. It would've also been interesting if Cazador had known the whole time, like imagine there's a scene where Astarion reveals to you he is Szarkai and it's a big moment for him because it's secret and it was beaten into him never to tell, then when we confront Cazador either through him himself or maybe through a journal in his office or from Goodey we could've found out that was why Cazador had targeted him that he had in fact set the Gur on him and he wanted the rarest gem to be part of his collection. To add an extra angst to it, it could be that Astarion's family ratted him out because remember in Drow society its a matriarchy where the men are treated like shit. Maybe Astarion didn't have as bad as a time because of his albinism but at the end of the day he's still male.

Anyways, that's my rambling over.

[ryttu3k]

Planning out my BG3 Sascha run and whoops looks like we're doing another 'bad' run. I'm sure it'll be fine!

Using the aasimar mod for that tasty Angel of Caine dynamic 8D

Old(tm). Highest stats are INT and CHA, classed as a draconic bloodline sorcerer/wizard (bloodline is gold/fire, mostly putting levels in wizard). Can't be selected in-game but they're the grandchild of Kereska, dragon god of magic.

So yes a half-deity dragon angel with fire powers I know they're OP I know but also have you seen Sascha canonically.

Trauma in their backstory, because ofc. When they were young, they fell under the control of another aasimar, Symeon, child of Tyr, who in turn served Michael, who claimed to be the avatar of Sune. Symeon was charming and manipulative, and Sascha, then calling themself Myca, fell pretty quickly under his influence. It wasn't a great time.

Had a sweet romance with Ilias, child of Silvanus. Ilias died during the Spellplague. Myca changed their name to Sascha and. Hardened themself off somewhat.

Present day, a powerful sorcerer/wizard who regularly looks in on places like Blackstaff Academy, using illusion magic to hide their wings and stuff.

Secret! Netherese! Cultist!

Has a fascination with illithid technology. It's so visceral. Why is the damn ship crashing why can't they examine the meat crimes more :-\

Immediately takes charge with their OP charisma. General play vibes are like, pragmatic and not very sentimental, but does try to take care of their coterie.

Mostly fascinated with Gale, another powerful and ambitious mage with a connection to Netherese magic. Definitely encourages him to seek out his sorcerer side (he'll end up multiclassing Storm Sorcery) and, uh, the Crown but also with an eye to maybe? using it themself?

Wary about the Dream Visitor. Does not like having their mind fucked with. On the other hand, very open to using illithid powers, although by the time they get the astral-touched tadpole they're already too negative about the Emperor to agree.

Major decisions, act 1: We are straight-out skipping the druids/tiefling/goblin conflict! (Or, well, AFAIK you can't avoid the fight at the gate, but otherwise they're going to do that, trade with Arron, talk to whatshisname who had the run-in with the githyanki, then go "yeah this isn't my business" and leave.) Won't be recruiting Wyll, Karlach, or Halsin, and the tieflings are fucked, I'm sorry everyone ;_; Might end up entering the Goblin Camp just for more info on this True Soul/Absolute business, but staying steadfastedly Not Involved, then heading on to the Mountain Pass and the creche. Obviously that'll go poorly, although Sascha is still going to be like, yeah, the one in the Prism is shifty, sure, I'll kill them. So that'll put a dampener on any potential relationship!

Act 2: I am… actually not sure how to navigate the Shadow-Cursed Lands here, without getting the lyre from either Minthara or Nere, or attacking the convoy. Hm. Might just have to do a straight shot for Moonrise. AFAIK Minthara can be rescued here and Sascha is just "yeah fine why not". Largely skipping the Last Light, so no Jaheira, and, later, no Minsc, so final team will be Sascha, Gale, Astarion, Shadowheart, Lae'zel, and Minthara. Does the Gauntlet for Shadowheart's sake, but will encourage her not to kill their fellow aasimar, so at least someone is getting a good end XD;; Okay they don't seem to like many other aasimar so, uh, sorry Aylin. Otherwise, makes themself at home at Moonrise and wreaks havoc while they're not looking while in the process of Learning Everything. And, uh, the Shadow Curse is not getting lifted, although tbh I think that was a given since I'm pretty sure Halsin dies if you don't get involved with the Grove-Goblin conflict ;_;

Act 3: Learning about the Emperor - they fuckin' knew it -_- When they meet Raphael later, doesn't agree to the deal, but does plan to steal the hammer instead. They want that crown for their bae, okay.

Character arcs: Gale - go for the crown, babe, I'll hold your flower. Shadowheart - she's already turned from Shar, let's just complete the process. Encourages her to let her parents go. Okay maybe she will go Dark Justiciar :| Astarion - …tragically I think they'd encourage Ascension I'm so sorry Astarion bby. Sascha is just, "Get revenge! Fuckin' eat him!" Lae'zel - reject Vlaakith, free Orpheus - although that's in part to spite the Emperor tbh. Don't know what's happening with Minthara, I guess we'll find out!

Endgame: Once they have the stones, have Orpheus turn illithid. Ultimately, destroy the Netherbrain, then encourage Gale to get the crown and become a god. For the epilogue, become a god alongside him. This won't go badly at all!

On the plus side, if I'm doing God!Gale romance here, I might be able to skip one of the several Astarion runs I have planned, and just do the "they actually do make each other better this time" run?

[crossdressingdeath]

Lord Enver Gortash: You've built an army for our masters, true enough. But what of the Astral Prism? Lord Enver Gortash: A rogue True Soul, flaunting it under your nose all this time. And you ran from him. Ketheric Thorm: Sure that they would follow, and deliver it into my hands here. If you would cease these distractions- Lord Enver Gortash: The distractions have been yours, Ketheric. Perhaps we never should have dug your daughter up. Lord Enver Gortash: So you haven't lost your edge. But you're still not as sharp as Orin is, I wager. Lord Enver Gortash: The slayer against the undying one. That would be fun to see. Orin: His cryptbreath sings to my sinews, again again againagainagain! Orin: But he must lead the murdermarch to Baldur's Grave.

I already love the Chosen's dynamic, I feel like you could write a solid workplace sitcom crack AU about these three even before Durge gets involved. They are bastards, all of them, but they're delightful bastards! I hope that if/when Durge gets their memory back we get to see at least a little bit of what it was like when they were also there. I especially love Gortash deliberately provoking Ketheric by saying they shouldn't have brought Isobel back (which, very interesting that Ketheric is part of this because Myrkul gave him back his daughter and then on the other end of the scale Orin's like "Yes murder good fun", loving the varied morals in our villains). Also, since I'm playing Durge it's interesting that at this point Gortash and maybe also Orin don't seem to know who the rogue True Soul with the Prism is (if they do it would be a little odd that they just refer to them as "a rogue True Soul"). I guess Ketheric's a little busy (and also plotting to betray them), but I feel like "Hey, the rogue True Soul with the Prism is our ex-colleague who we tadpoled and shipped out on the nautiloid that crashed" is pertinent information!

[itsclydebitches]

Seconding everything above. Some things from my own personal wish list:

An extensive ball/gala/masquerade quest where you can dress up and make use of your potentially non-existent dancing skills. Lots of opportunities to gather intel that will forward/open up new quests, maybe gain a new camp visitor, and of course steal shit.

Fixing/expanding whatever is going on with Yenna and Grub. Option to find her mom, the ability to give her specific supplies to make meals with (that maybe give buffs?), or just clarifying if she was working with Orin.

Clarification on when leaving an area will make it inaccessible and/or fail certain quest-lines. I didn't go into the mountains for forever because I thought I'd get locked out, but meanwhile other times I'm pretty sure I missed stuff because I was suddenly on a non-wavering trajectory. Similarly, there are some moments where the mechanics seem unfair within the narrative. For example, I just finished the Iron Throne and we left the second my party was on board, even though prisoners were right behind us, still had a turn coming, and would have made it up the ladder. It's annoying that they died because of the randomness of 'This party member is having their last turn and then the scenario ends.'

Better inventories. Specifically the ability to sell from bags and label them.

This is so stupidly specific but I want a magical library in camp. Like, Gale summons up a portable library where you can store all the books you've found. (Is that DnD compliant? Probably not. I don't care.) I like collecting books but they weigh a lot and he's a magical nerd do you see what I'm putting down?

Fishing! We've already got the rods.

Sorta going off the Tav tent idea, but a customizable space to hang out in. I stole cool paintings, clocks, etc. thinking I'd get to decorate at some point.

The ability to talk to the Emperor at will like you do other companions. It could work like the Monk in the amulet where you just get a spell to connect with your tadpole/the prism.

The ability to hatch the githyanki egg. Yeah, Gale (correctly) points out that they're in no position to raise a kid, but we're already inviting kids to camp and if you choose to keep the egg safe, hatching is a possibility...

More freedom of choice in certain situations. I wish I could remember when it was (some 50+ hours back...) but I recall coming up with what I thought was a brilliant solution to a problem and then being bummed that it didn't work. Basically trying to add in more opportunities when appropriate to suit the 'complete RPG freedom' promoted in the trailer.

I know I've got a million more but I should stop lol

I went through the tags and replies on my post about wanting Larian to focus on finishing the game and adding content before making DLC

(paraphrasing) and here are the Top Requests from those who engaged with it:

What fans want:

Tara in camp outside of just Gales Origin playthrough

More Wyll content (he has the least out of all companions)

More Karlach content/more satisfying ending (perhaps being more companions with you to Avernus, or find a way to fix the engine so it works in Faerun, there is unfinished hints that this is possible in game?? Unconfirmed)

Re-vamp (haha) Astarions' Spawn Ending- let the player chase after him/help him

Conclude things (certain stuff consistent through act 1 and 2 that ends nowhere, be it quests? or hints from letters found, NPC interactions that seemed to be leading somewhere,etc)

Fix bugs especially act 3

Option to hug companions, hug romanced companion

Other suggestions that are popular on tumblr/tiktok and COULD be DLC

Companion camp outfits that change when the Act changes (have also heard of simple hair changes, their tents gaining times from the adventure so far

A tent for Tav (perhaps being able to pick from a few styles)

Opening up the upper city or adding in a new area to explore that is not main plot related (there are various ideas around this, but I'm keeping it generic for the list)

Please add more in the replies and I will re-make this list when it's more expanded!