What I truly like about Astarion's story is that there is no happy ending. I am all for our boi getting some much needed love but it wouldn't make sense for him to have a "happily ever after" fairytale ending. I like how every route you take ends in some bittersweet way. Spawn - can't walk in the sun, still bound by hunger, cursed with eternal life but still on the road to recovery and healing. Ascended - can walk in the sun, guilt of consuming thousands, free from his old master but slave to his new power. All of this mimics real life so well. Real life has no happy endings either. There is always something bad and something not so bad. You can never have everything you wanted. Astarion's story is tragic and any kind of cheesy happy ending would have ruined his character arc which is why I am thankful for the closures we get in the game.
I love it. <3 Those who believe that Astarion is only a flamboyant, cocky, sassy, and sarcastic character obviously either never played the game or they never watched any of the videos online. If they did, they would see that those things were a facade to hide what he really was: a sad, lonely, pained, angry man due to his centuries long abuse by Cazador.
this is hands down... just the best video of astarion I have ever seen and I've gone on a complete bender of astarion content.. downloading this video ❤
I like how Astarion's story has a philosophical dilemma in some ways. A person who has lost his past, who did not have a present, suddenly finds freedom for himself and tries to preserve it. The most interesting thing is that Astarion himself is his main rival, pursuing the power that holds him as a slave and which he himself despised so much. It's ironic. No, I’m not a psychologist, but I noticed similar aspirations in people who, from childhood, were offended by their parents, and therefore, in adulthood, tried to “surpass” them, show them how to live correctly, achieve heights that their parents could not achieve. Astarion also tries to surpass his master, but, like many people, becomes his copy if he is not stopped in time. P. S. Absolutely love this video!
I'm also no psychologist, but dissecting people's minds and behaviours is something of a hobby for me. And Astarion is such a wonderfully written character it's a delight to analyze his every line, every nonverbal sign, every bit of action... he's such a rich and complex character and the way Larian managed to convert it into the game is nothing less of a mastercraft. I've been playing story/character driven games since Dragon Age: Origins (2009) and I honestly think Astarion is objectively the best fully voiced/animated character companion ever written.
@@22RiaKon22 I’m no psychologist either (though I do act like one when it comes to my friends) and you’re so right. I loved games that have romancealble companions since DA:O, Alistair being my first ever game crush 😅 I was sooo ready to get into this game because of it. what Astarion’s writers pulled is literal masterclass in storytelling that is incredibly unique and devoid of cliche. what’s also interesting is that it starts off as cliche - the player thinks they’re getting themselves into a relationship with this bad boy mysterious vamp. whilst knowing he’s clearly manipulating us and doesn’t really mean it as other companions do when they want to get close to us. the fact that this relationship starts as s*x being a transaction for him to then find out he doesn’t know what to do because he starts having feelings and basically needs to pump the breaks in terms of s*x which the can evolve into pure romantic connection. I love that spawn ending not only fulfills breaking the cycle of power but also allows him to start the healing process in terms of intimacy. there’s a free cam mod that shows how spawn Asty is focusing on Tav’s face, completely present in the moment, the physical contact as a whole( even though the scene looks more chaste cuz they are fully clothed) is more loving and passionate. in ascendant he is elsewhere, barely making any eye contact.. ascension not only doesn’t break the cycle but GOES full circle because he reverts back into his act 1 ways- seeing s*x as a transation, form of control. even his seductive tone is back (just more sinister) - act 1 = that’s what you want, isn’t it? to lose yourself in me. act 3, ascendant = that’s what you want, isn’t it? to be mine, forever.
@@asmalltalk Fellow Czech, or am I mistaken? My first game crush was Zevran 😁 And honestly, Astarion reminds me a mix of Zevran (romance), Fenris (slavery) and young Regis (young rebelish vampire)... and I adore all of these characters, meaning Astarion was bound to be a fit for me 😅 I love the subtle context of the narator describing Astarion as "million realms away" and not looking exactly satisfied if you have a foursome/fifthsome with the drow twins. Also the fact that he will agree only if he didn't start his healing process, because he simply doesn't know how to say no. Spawn Astarion is just so soft, vulnerable and, for the first time in centuries, even empathetic. He is surprised and touched if Tav wants to give up some of his own freedoms to stay with him even now that he can't walk on sunlight and nothing is bounding them together... other then love. With ascended Astarion, he is expecting Tav to bound himself to him for his command and doesn't see them as equals. I was repulsed when I saw how Astarion presented the option of turning Tav into the spawn as a gift and talked about the process to be a bit painful but was more pleasurable. Spawn Atarion would never said that, he wouldn't wish such a curse on anyone, especially not on Tav. After ascension, he truly becomes Cazador 2.0 😔
@@22RiaKon22 "fellow" Slovak 😁...I LOVED FENRIS in DA2, and yes he does resemble Zevran as well. AND Tom Ellis's Lucifer which absolutely perfect. and you're right - he asks Tav "is this what you want" and basically gestures at himself. I hate people saying that by not ascending him Tav's just being selfish, his new master, dooming him to a miserable life he didn't want. it's just complete disregard of larger consequences of ascension - you're not only enslaved to him, you doom him to the existence of a constant power struggle...you created this powerful being, removed any chance for him to really heal from his problems, and who's going to be hunted and eventually killed by whoever who deems him dangerous. because he will be dangerous in his thinking he can do whatever the hell he wants. that's no freedom, nor safety. the ritual is an illusion of freedom and safety, a trap.
@@asmalltalk The disarming brithish accent and devilish chaotic mayhem? How could I missed that 😃 Ah, yeah, the parallel of "This is what you want, isn't it?" vs "Is this trully what you want?". I can hear the fanfictions writing themselves 😁 Btw, someone has to write a fix-it fic where Tav finds a cure for Astarion (the epilogue option) and it needs to be titled "They Were Blue" (the colour of his eyes) 🥺
I'm crying, it's so touching. 😢The whole history of Astarion, how after all this you can choose someone else from your companions ... It became impossible for me. Thank you for the video)
As much as I want to experience the other romances, I just can't bring myself to choose anyone but Astarion. Someday.... maybe... perhaps... but certainly not today. ♥
@@LadyRhi_the struggle is real he’s ruined me for all my future play throughs lol the arc is just too rewarding and I just want my Tav or Durge to help him live his best life can’t bear to have him go through the journey without her lol
@@LadyRhi_ I think the trick is, play Astarion origin and then romance others. Him and Karlach and him and Gale are both really sweet, they both absolutely treasure their SOs and it's something I love for him. Also Gale being like "okay cool we saved the world let's go get married" is just gorgeous lol you can just picture Astarion being like waitwut
I saw this on tiktok!! Sent it to a friend and this clip actually convinced her to add him to her main party when she buys the game. She was like "whoever made this really sold him!" Love this video
What a beautiful tribute to my favourite character. Thank you so very much ❤
Great video. Can you do one of Daenerys?
I really want to! But it will take a while because Daenerys has so many scenes and a big story 😂
@@nyyedits Thats no problem. May take a while but will be worth it
She will be remembered as one of the few with reason, passion, sanity and compassion in a world of fire and blood.
She was barely ever referenced, if ever, in Game of Thrones. She was mostly known for what we saw.
What armor is that in the thumbnail?
What is this song 😭 also this video is so good. I’ve watched it too many times.
Gosh, that was so good! The cut, the scenes and the lines chosen, great! What's the name of the music you've used for the video?
What I truly like about Astarion's story is that there is no happy ending. I am all for our boi getting some much needed love but it wouldn't make sense for him to have a "happily ever after" fairytale ending. I like how every route you take ends in some bittersweet way. Spawn - can't walk in the sun, still bound by hunger, cursed with eternal life but still on the road to recovery and healing. Ascended - can walk in the sun, guilt of consuming thousands, free from his old master but slave to his new power. All of this mimics real life so well. Real life has no happy endings either. There is always something bad and something not so bad. You can never have everything you wanted. Astarion's story is tragic and any kind of cheesy happy ending would have ruined his character arc which is why I am thankful for the closures we get in the game.
I love it. <3 Those who believe that Astarion is only a flamboyant, cocky, sassy, and sarcastic character obviously either never played the game or they never watched any of the videos online. If they did, they would see that those things were a facade to hide what he really was: a sad, lonely, pained, angry man due to his centuries long abuse by Cazador.
Lemme just make some dying whale noises here
Perfect compilation... beautiful.
The music is a little bit too loud if i can say
So beautifully done! ❤❤
this is hands down... just the best video of astarion I have ever seen and I've gone on a complete bender of astarion content.. downloading this video ❤
Omg this is such à great tribute to his character and évolution ! Congrats it's awesome !❤❤❤❤
Oh my god that was so good what the fuck! :D By far one of my favourites. Please tell me you plan to make more content!
Ugh…… YAH, He is a monster and I am his pet!
I... I'm crying. Thank you. 😢❤
His good route is so beautiful. His ending is bittersweet, but at least he is in the road to healing.
I can see myself in Astarion a bit.. the Trauma.. gosh he's so fascinating, deep yet hunting. Such a marvelous edit
And there goes my heart, being ripped out all over again. I swear my ccurrent Origin Astarion run is going to be cathartic for me 🥲
Masterpiece, thank you for uploading it !
sobbing rn😢 this is so beautiful
So beautiful love this! What is the name of the melody?
beautifully put together ❤❤❤
The way the lines are edited is absolutely perfect! Especially the parts about his relationship with sex. Amazing, thank you!
I like how Astarion's story has a philosophical dilemma in some ways. A person who has lost his past, who did not have a present, suddenly finds freedom for himself and tries to preserve it. The most interesting thing is that Astarion himself is his main rival, pursuing the power that holds him as a slave and which he himself despised so much. It's ironic. No, I’m not a psychologist, but I noticed similar aspirations in people who, from childhood, were offended by their parents, and therefore, in adulthood, tried to “surpass” them, show them how to live correctly, achieve heights that their parents could not achieve. Astarion also tries to surpass his master, but, like many people, becomes his copy if he is not stopped in time. P. S. Absolutely love this video!
I'm also no psychologist, but dissecting people's minds and behaviours is something of a hobby for me. And Astarion is such a wonderfully written character it's a delight to analyze his every line, every nonverbal sign, every bit of action... he's such a rich and complex character and the way Larian managed to convert it into the game is nothing less of a mastercraft. I've been playing story/character driven games since Dragon Age: Origins (2009) and I honestly think Astarion is objectively the best fully voiced/animated character companion ever written.
@@22RiaKon22 I’m no psychologist either (though I do act like one when it comes to my friends) and you’re so right. I loved games that have romancealble companions since DA:O, Alistair being my first ever game crush 😅 I was sooo ready to get into this game because of it. what Astarion’s writers pulled is literal masterclass in storytelling that is incredibly unique and devoid of cliche. what’s also interesting is that it starts off as cliche - the player thinks they’re getting themselves into a relationship with this bad boy mysterious vamp. whilst knowing he’s clearly manipulating us and doesn’t really mean it as other companions do when they want to get close to us. the fact that this relationship starts as s*x being a transaction for him to then find out he doesn’t know what to do because he starts having feelings and basically needs to pump the breaks in terms of s*x which the can evolve into pure romantic connection. I love that spawn ending not only fulfills breaking the cycle of power but also allows him to start the healing process in terms of intimacy. there’s a free cam mod that shows how spawn Asty is focusing on Tav’s face, completely present in the moment, the physical contact as a whole( even though the scene looks more chaste cuz they are fully clothed) is more loving and passionate. in ascendant he is elsewhere, barely making any eye contact.. ascension not only doesn’t break the cycle but GOES full circle because he reverts back into his act 1 ways- seeing s*x as a transation, form of control. even his seductive tone is back (just more sinister) - act 1 = that’s what you want, isn’t it? to lose yourself in me. act 3, ascendant = that’s what you want, isn’t it? to be mine, forever.
@@asmalltalk Fellow Czech, or am I mistaken? My first game crush was Zevran 😁 And honestly, Astarion reminds me a mix of Zevran (romance), Fenris (slavery) and young Regis (young rebelish vampire)... and I adore all of these characters, meaning Astarion was bound to be a fit for me 😅 I love the subtle context of the narator describing Astarion as "million realms away" and not looking exactly satisfied if you have a foursome/fifthsome with the drow twins. Also the fact that he will agree only if he didn't start his healing process, because he simply doesn't know how to say no. Spawn Astarion is just so soft, vulnerable and, for the first time in centuries, even empathetic. He is surprised and touched if Tav wants to give up some of his own freedoms to stay with him even now that he can't walk on sunlight and nothing is bounding them together... other then love. With ascended Astarion, he is expecting Tav to bound himself to him for his command and doesn't see them as equals. I was repulsed when I saw how Astarion presented the option of turning Tav into the spawn as a gift and talked about the process to be a bit painful but was more pleasurable. Spawn Atarion would never said that, he wouldn't wish such a curse on anyone, especially not on Tav. After ascension, he truly becomes Cazador 2.0 😔
@@22RiaKon22 "fellow" Slovak 😁...I LOVED FENRIS in DA2, and yes he does resemble Zevran as well. AND Tom Ellis's Lucifer which absolutely perfect. and you're right - he asks Tav "is this what you want" and basically gestures at himself. I hate people saying that by not ascending him Tav's just being selfish, his new master, dooming him to a miserable life he didn't want. it's just complete disregard of larger consequences of ascension - you're not only enslaved to him, you doom him to the existence of a constant power struggle...you created this powerful being, removed any chance for him to really heal from his problems, and who's going to be hunted and eventually killed by whoever who deems him dangerous. because he will be dangerous in his thinking he can do whatever the hell he wants. that's no freedom, nor safety. the ritual is an illusion of freedom and safety, a trap.
@@asmalltalk The disarming brithish accent and devilish chaotic mayhem? How could I missed that 😃 Ah, yeah, the parallel of "This is what you want, isn't it?" vs "Is this trully what you want?". I can hear the fanfictions writing themselves 😁 Btw, someone has to write a fix-it fic where Tav finds a cure for Astarion (the epilogue option) and it needs to be titled "They Were Blue" (the colour of his eyes) 🥺
Beautiful tribute QwQ
Omg that was so good I don't know what to say.... 🥺
I dont know either O_O
I'm crying, it's so touching. 😢The whole history of Astarion, how after all this you can choose someone else from your companions ... It became impossible for me. Thank you for the video)
*gives tissue*
As much as I want to experience the other romances, I just can't bring myself to choose anyone but Astarion. Someday.... maybe... perhaps... but certainly not today. ♥
@@LadyRhi_the struggle is real he’s ruined me for all my future play throughs lol the arc is just too rewarding and I just want my Tav or Durge to help him live his best life can’t bear to have him go through the journey without her lol
@@LadyRhi_ I think the trick is, play Astarion origin and then romance others. Him and Karlach and him and Gale are both really sweet, they both absolutely treasure their SOs and it's something I love for him. Also Gale being like "okay cool we saved the world let's go get married" is just gorgeous lol you can just picture Astarion being like waitwut
I saw this on tiktok!! Sent it to a friend and this clip actually convinced her to add him to her main party when she buys the game. She was like "whoever made this really sold him!" Love this video
Ah, the fastest way to recommend a game
Oh my goodness, thank you for this!
🙏🫶 can never have enough Astarion appreciation
Beautiful tribute to my favorite BG3 character! You've done him so much justice with this ~ bravo! ♥
Time to cry
QAQ