With love to Astarion.

[flomens]

"We did"

One of the brilliant moments in BG3 is how close Astarion and Tav feel right after the Ascension ritual. He’s at the peak of his triumph, finally living out a dream that once felt hopeless and he simply says "We did."

Tav just smiles and nods, looking quietly happy🥰

[ashesofdeadempires]

I finally got lucky enough to see this adorable bug in the epilogue.

[iamkittybg3]

Okay I have to share this bc it genuinely made my week 🖤

Sooooo in one of his recent interviews Stephen Rooney got asked about The Dark Kiss - The Bride reading of Ascended Astarion, the whole idea that Tav isn't just a spawn, the way it works in Ravenloft.

And here's what he said (trimmed a bit for length, nothing changed):

"The Dark Kiss thing, it was something that was there in conversations we were having… there was another writer that did some writing on those scenes… I can't say 100% if that was on their mind or not, but it's not a direct one-to-one thing."

Soooo yeah. It was in the room! 🎉 It was part of the conversations while they were building the game, and those scenes had more than one writer on them. we did not make this up!

And honestly that last bit: "not a direct one-to-one thing" - is literally what a lot of us have been saying this whole time?? It's an easter egg, not a carbon copy. That's just how easter eggs work. Of course it doesn't line up exactly with the Ravenloft ritual, the number of bites, the amount of blood, all that. It was never meant to be a checklist.

And then one more thing from the same interview that I really want people to actually hear:

He got asked about people who read the ascended relationship as a loving, healthy one. and he said:

"If people feel they are able to have a healthy relationship with Astarion… if he ascends, I am fine with that. That is okay. Everyone can have their own ideas and their own takes on the game, their own interpretation."

Like. Straight from him. Soo if you read Tav as his consort, as his bride and not just some spawn - you're not reaching. It's in the text, it was there in development, and the guy who wrote him literally said our reading is valid.

And thank you to that other writer, you gave us something so special.🥂🖤

[flomens]

This post gave me the perfect excuse to share 'Dark Kiss' art by Nictorien 💜🦇(commission for me)

[iamkittybg3]

Hello, darlings! 🦇 I came across an interesting article on D&D Beyond about how one actually becomes a vampire according to the rules, and the longer I read, the louder one thought echoed in my head "so this is literally Ascended Astarion and Tav!"💕:

"Regaining Control of Yourself All vampires begin their journey under the control of the vampire who sired them. However, if a vampire lets their progeny drink blood from their own body, their spawn will be given free will. Very few vampires choose to give up control of their spawn like this, and for good reason. Most vampires are control freaks, and see their spawn as mere extensions of their will. But other, more ethical vampires may exert this control to reign in their fledgling spawn’s blood lust, choosing to free their spawn once they understand the subtle and dangerous line they must walk between the living and the dead. Note the wording here is very specific; the true vampire must allow their spawn to draw and drink their blood in order to relinquish their control over them in that manner. The only other way a vampire spawn can achieve free will is if their master dies. So if you’re playing a vampire spawn, and you want out from under the thumb of your master, you need to either find a way to kill them (good luck, considering they have total control over you) or somehow convince them to give up their control over you. This is no easy feat. If you are playing a vampire that has agency, you and/or your DM should have a clear reason as to why you were granted such a gift by your creator. Maybe you reminded them of a loved one from their mortal life, or perhaps you carried out a deed for them and were granted this as a reward."

- From the article by Kyle Shire on D&D Beyond

Playing As a Vampire in D&D

Ever want to be a vampire? Here's what it takes to become one, the obstacles you'll face, and more!

Let's start with the main thing: according to D&D lore, an ordinary spawn does NOT drink the blood of its creator. At all. The blood of a master is a special gift that a true vampire gives voluntarily and extremely rarely. Now let's recall the well-known fact that Ascended Astarion gives Tav his blood and mentions it several times. Furthermore, he allows Tav to bite him whenever she wants.

Player: Will you still drink my blood? Astarion: Of course I will, and you'll drink mine. I can't wait to taste your lips after you've tasted me.

(Also we have the bite skill after turning and can bite Astarion) The article explicitly lists the reasons why a creator might take such a step: the spawn reminded the vampire of someone they loved in life, or performed a great deed for them and received blood as a reward. Doesn't that remind you of anything? Tav is his beloved, and it was Tav who helped him complete the ritual and ascend ❤️ According to the rules, a spawn that drinks the blood of its creator becomes a true vampire. What happens to Tav during the transformation isn't turning into a spawn, as in the D&D rules. So what is it? And that leaves exactly one lore option, in which a creature drinks the blood of a vampire but remains metaphysically linked to it, possessing complete free will: the vampire bride. The Dark Kiss ritual 👰🏻‍♀️ And yes, I know he himself calls Tav a spawn.But "spawn," first and foremost, just means "progeny". Astarion isn't quoting a bestiary entry, he's saying Tav is his creation, his handiwork. Plus, vampire brides are technically considered spawn, but they have free will, are created in euphoria, and receive the blood of their creator. They aren't considered servants, like regular vampire spawn. It's a formal category. The mechanics of bride creation are exactly the same as what happens to Tav in the game during the romance with Ascended Astarion, and are completely different from how Cazador created Astarion.

You can learn more about the lore of the vampire bride in my video:

[every-lovely]

[flomens]

In the velvet dark, a glance and a kiss were all it took..they bound their forever in that single, silent instant

[patriciaancunin]

Enjoying a brand-new life in a Home Sweet Home is like…

Some pics from a great party hosted by the Grand Duke and Duchess of Baldur's Gate!

Virtual photography commission completed by Otaku Draws – I recommend her🏰

Thank you for the renovated Crimson Palace mod for @littlehouseofimagination👸🏻

Also enjoy some spicy time in part 2❤️‍🔥

[flomens]

bare fangs❤️

[eden-demon]

I felt so very little for so long ... ❤️🦇❤️

[eden-demon]

One more bite is all it would take. ❤️🦇❤️

[eden-demon]

❤️🦇❤️

[eden-demon]

Remembering the past ...

Post by @eden-demon · 1 video

💬 0  🔁 2  ❤️ 28 · Astarion & my Durge in a nutshell. 💕😌

❤️🦇❤️

[coyoteralyn]

Magistrate Astarion

“For a small amount of money, I will help you solve all your problems, darling …”

[eden-demon]

Still though, a living vampire … ❤️🦇❤️

[hiddenfrogmachine]

Rooney actually confirmed that the Dark Kiss was something the Larian team discussed internally, so it turns out this fan theory wasn't just wishful thinking after all. We didn't come up with it out of nowhere, there really is evidence for it in the game itself.

At the same time, the way Tav/DU is turned doesn't match either D&D lore or even the information the game itself gives us about how vampire spawn are created. According to the lore, a spawn is bitten, buried, and most importantly - is absolutely never allowed to drink their creator's blood. So Tav simply can't be a regular spawn. Which raises the question: then what are they?

Now it's even more obvious that all the similarities to the Dark Kiss that fans have been pointing out for years really do have a solid foundation.

It's just a shame that Rooney now seems to have to choose his words so carefully to avoid yet another wave of accusations about "romanticizing abuse" and all the other nonsense that antis and people who are obsessed with talking about "healthy relationships with vampires" love to throw around.

Healthy relationships... with vampires. We've really come to this 🫩

[iamkittybg3]

Forever together 💕🦇

[eden-demon]

❤️🦇❤️

(If kissing is the theme for the # today, then I’ve got an alternative render right here. 😄)