Astarion, a character in the renowned Baldur’s Gate 3, has emerged as the key figure for players. One might argue that Shadowheart and Karlach enjoy popularity as well, but Astarion tends to steal the show. The charismatic vampire character, with Neil Newbon as the voice behind, won hearts instantly.
What’s intriguing is that Astarion came into prominence even among those who haven't tried their hands at Baldur's Gate. His romantic aspects in the game are sought after the most, and developers Larian Studios made sure to give a well-defined backstory and depth to his character.
However, recently, a comment about romancing Astarion stirred the community. The person likened the players' actions towards Astarion to the way how he is treated by his own character, Cazador, in the game's storyline.
Is it Wrong to Romance Astarion? The Debate.
A player put forth his understanding, saying, “Indeed, I appreciate Astarion as a wonderful character and I'm keen on helping him find closure. But given what he’s going through, it feels wrong, if not outright opportunistic, to imagine romancing him at this point in time.”
The player further continued, “Looking at how people in the virtual world are fawning over him feels unpleasant. Yes, he’s handsome and charismatic, the very traits that his abuser, Cazador, exploited. Isn't it ironic than fans seem to be doing the same?”
The commenter further pointed out that despite Astarion struggling to battle his demons and coming to terms with years of abuse, a significant part of the community seemed to be reducing him down to just an object of desire. They added, “It feels wrong on many levels, and Astarion, as a character, undoubtedly deserves a lot more than this.”
Other Perspectives in the Discussion
Meanwhile, others begged to differ. One player argued, “It’s more about how you play the game and interpret the characters and their interactions. Can having a romantic relationship with Astarion be seen as exploitative considering his predicaments?
“Maybe yes. But at the same time, you can also interpret it to mean him taking control of his life, his decisions, expressing his sexuality, things he hasn’t had the liberty to do for the past 200 years.”
Thus, the debate continues in the Baldur’s Gate 3 circle, with players sharing mixed opinions about whether it's ethical to romance the Astarion character. While some feel it's exploitative, others believe it signifies Astarion taking control of his life.
The diverse views circulating in the discussion within the gaming community are a clear indication of how invested players are in the characters and storylines, with Astarion taking up most of the spotlight. The narrative of Baldur's Gate 3 and the well-rounded character of Astarion has undoubtedly sparked a thought-provoking discussion.