Astarion Romance

Astarion Romance is the non-binary ship between Astarion and Tav from the Baldur’s Gate fandom.

Act 1
The player character can first meet Astarion after the prologue, near some Nautiloid ship wreckage. Here he’ll be calling for help, calling the player over. When conversation is initiated, Astarion will say he spotted an Intellect Devourer in the bushes and ask Tav to kill it. 'Easily. Stand Back' = Tav moves forward towards the bushes. Astarion guides them saying, “There, can you see it?”. Tav keeps searching, and out from the bushes comes a boar running away. If Tav passes a perception check, they quickly notice the flash of a dagger. Turning around, they see Astarion branding a knife. He demands information, as he saw Tav roaming free on the ship, and assumes that they must be working with the mind flayers. When he’s about to question further, his tadpole reacts to Tav’s tadpole.

As Tav begins to walk away, Astarion sneaks up behind them, putting a knife to their neck, then dragging them to the ground with him. He then threatens them with, “''Shh. Not a sound. Not if you want to keep that darling neck of yours.''” Astarion mentions how he saw Tav roaming free on the ship, and believes them to be with the mind flayers. Even if Tav tries to explain they themself were a prisoner on the ship, Astarion will assume they’re lying. When he’s about to question further, his tadpole reacts to Tav’s tadpole.
 * -| ‘Kill it yourself’ or Leave =

With this connection, Astarion will realise that Tav wasn’t part of the mind flayers, and lower his weapon/let the player go (if they didn’t break free) saying, “''And I was about to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologies.''” He then introduces himself, and mentions he was taken from Baldur’s Gate. If Tav brings up they’re also baldurian, Astarion will say how they clearly move in different circles. Astarion will then ask Tav if they know anything about the tadpole, to which they can reveal the ceremorphosis process - the tadpole will turn everyone affected into mind flayers. “''Turn us into - ha. Hahaha! Of course it will turn me into a monster. What else did I expect?''” After this, Tav can get the chance to suggest that they should travel together in hopes of fixing the tadpole problem. He’ll say how he was ready to go alone, but going with a group may work better. With this, Astarion can join as a companion.

If the player character is The Dark Urge, when he joins the narrator will bring up their dark urges about Astarion, “As he joins your side, your mind dances with thoughts of a perfect pretty corpse.” Also immediately talking to Astarion after he joins will have him comment on them, “''You have a manner of irresistible desperation about you. I like it.''”

On a long rest not long after he joins, speaking to him at camp will have him talk about how camping out like this is new and ‘a little novel’ to him. He’ll say how he’s in ‘no place to rest’ with how much has happened to him that day, and that he’ll stay awake and keep watch. If Tav expresses trust, “''Thank you. I’ll sleep better for that''”, Astarion will approve and wish Tav ‘sweet dreams’. Expressing distrust, “''We’ll both stay up. I’m not ready to turn my back on a stranger”, will have Astarion disapprove and he will joke, “If you want to spend time with me you only have to say so.''”

If the player character is The Dark Urge, while they’re in bed, Tav may think about who they are, why they have these urges, and if they should give in or not to the dark urge. The morning after, Tav can speak to Astarion, where he will notice how they look unwell. 'I have almost no memory' or 'Something awful is brewing within...' =


 * -| 'Overwhelming violent desires fester in my skull' =

If Tav expands on their urges, Astarion believes that they've been 'dealt a vile hand', but thinks that Tav should give into their violent desires as "Nobody should deny themselves of their true nature." If Tav chooses not to expand on their urges as Astarion isn't taking it seriously, Astarion will say "What did you *think* I was going to say? 'Oh come here, I'll kiss you better?"

Quotes
"This is a gift, you know. I won't forget it."

- Astarion to the player after being allowed to drink their blood.

"This is a gift, you know. Thank you - I won't forget it."

- Astarion to the player after his personal questline (Spawn Ending).

"Look, I had a plan. A nice, simple plan - seduce you, sleep with you, manipulate your feelings so you'd never turn on me. All you had to do was fall for it. And all I had to do was not fall for you...which is where my nice, simple plan fell apart"

- Astarion admitting he's been manipulating the player, as well as admitting he's fallen for them.

Fanon
Astarion is one of the most popular romance options in Baldur's Gate 3, and like the other romance options within the game, can be romanced by a character of any gender or race.

On AO3, Astarion/Tav is the most written ship in the Baldur's Gate (Video Games) tag.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION