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maaan, he so cute

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IMO Astarion is actually extremely emotionally intelligent, despite everything he's been through that should have broken that down and has to some extent.

But like... Even after 200 years of "pure shit" he's able to recognize what he's doing to the player and why, and once he cares for them he feels guilty enough to explain it to them. If you give your body to Haarlep he's the only character who recognizes how violating it is to have your body used without your consent, even if the player thinks they'll enjoy it at first. If you don't ascend him, and then set all the spawn free, he says they don't deserve to suffer just because he lured them into Cazador's clutches and recognizes that they deserve the chance he got as well.

He always respects others taking their freedom for themselves, which is a great display of empathy really. When Lae'zel or Shadowheart fight against their own oppressive masters he recognizes how difficult that is and he's proud of them.

I don't think it's just what he's learned from seducing victims for Cazador either, personally. Whatever he learned from doing that is more the kind of stuff we see from him in Act 1, the flattery and physical intimacy used to get the player on his side.

I don't think deep introspection would have been particularly helpful in his situation. Realizing how broken down he's becoming would only make it worse, it's better to delude himself that he's fine or that he deserves what's happening to him- but he doesn't. He never believes he deserves Cazador's treatment, he stays angry, angrier than any of the other companions about how they were abused. Even angrier than his siblings, which is probably why Cazador treats him especially poorly.

I think that's because he is aware the whole time that he doesn't deserve it, and it's happening anyway. That's why he's so bitter about power and heroes.

"Heroes didn't save me, Mindflayers did."

Because like... Yeah. He's right to some extent. A typical dnd hero probably would have "saved him" by killing him.

I don't think he ever truly lacks empathy or a moral compass, even in the beginning. I think it's more like he sees right and wrong perfectly clearly, and has decided from his observation of the world around him that it doesn't matter.

Power supercedes morality and justice in the end and I think that must have been hard for him. Which is why he's angry when the player tries to make him see it doesn't have to be that way.

Basically ...I've been writing a lot in Astarion's POV lately and the more I try to get in his head the less I think he was a corrupt magistrate when he was alive. I'm beginning to think he actually cared a lot about justice, and that's why he became one in the first place. My headcanon now is that instead of some unfair ruling leading to his death, it was a ruling against the powerful, and that's what got him killed.

Power over justice.

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The strength economy is in shambles.

100% Karlach just thinks a deathmatch is a fun friendly time

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The myth that knights could barely move in their armor has finally been dispelled by Thrillist

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daddy daughter family bonding coming in a season 3 near you, TRUST!!!

commissions are open!

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When your BG3 crew doesn't know a damn thing

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..✨🌺✨

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luci someone get this radio demon out of the club his broken tower

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i ❤️ my phone so i made it a bedroom to go to sleep in when i want to reduce my screen time

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Astarion Ear studies

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Ever accidentally clicked on the "We need to break up..." when talking to your romanced Hex member? So damn glad they ask to confirm.

Heh... and despite messing up the sentence, Fiona still managed to make Vel and Min stop their fight...

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And last spoiler for fan-zine, this time is page for it Convince me that this staff isn't actually alive, it's just silent (but being a cheering evil support anyway) Me dead tired

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more dumb capturas ! the voice in the walls of my mind demanded, for it has been lacking in amir from terrible angles

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yoooooooo my babies got a feature 😭♥

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Doing some thumbnail practice in work breaks for a Flare/Lizzie Pride themed piece!

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I made big filament Amir

I feel betrayed that we couldn't see this but

HE HAS PAWS ON HIS PEETS

I REPEAT

He has

PAWS

on

His

PEETS!??!?!!!

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*whispers* behold. a goddess w/ deadly accuracy.