I was taking screenshots for something completely different when this particular moment caught my eye.
In his Origin run, Radiant Hopeful Astarion chooses to save Baldur’s Gate and its people, even after having “lost the opportunity” to Ascend. He could still “make up for it” by dominating the Netherbrain and the world, becoming the Absolute and therefore truly untouchable, while keeping all the benefits of the tadpole. Yet his personal choice — and the choice supported by the game’s script — is to destroy it.
I’m not saying this to argue that Ascended Astarion isn’t convinced of his choice (this remains true regardless of my personal preferences and my own interpretation of Ascension). Rather, I’m saying that if he chooses to give up Ascension, he’s equally convinced of that choice and remains committed to it, regardless of whether he’s in a romance or not.
From the very beginning, Astarion frequently encouraged Tav/Durge to take control of the cult. Yet after confronting Cazador and coming to terms with himself, power is no longer his sole focus. He has reevaluated his priorities. For someone who once believed power was the only thing standing between him and safety, that choice says a great deal.
