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Reaction to this BG3 voice actor round robin trend that’s happening on twitter…

Many spit-takes happened that day, both outside and inside the game 😂

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"I need some time, I think. Just to let it all sink in."

The last stretch of Astarion's personal quest, as seen in this compilation video where he confronted past victims and found himself at the crossroads choosing between freedom & power, was a lot and a half. I'd like to think that between leaving Cazador's palace and his personal quest's end, Astarion deserves a bit of time out for comfort and contemplation...to let it all sink in.

Seeing that there *is* a tub at the room we rent at the Elfsong Tavern...hurt/comfort hours it is ;w;

Thanks to my patrons for their support, making this pair of artworks possible ;w;

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(Comic, descriptions and video links contains spoilers for Act 1 and 2 of the Astarion Romance)

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During Early Access, the Astarion Romance locked in during the Tiefling Celebration Party, so I was very surprised when it happened much earlier during my full release playthrough. Because of that, this scene played during the party...and while it was quite the spicy one (courtesy of actor Neil Newbon's voice-work and mocapped gestures for this sequence), there was a part of me that felt uneasy...like when you can feel something is off because he's trying way too hard to be convincing, but can't put your finger on it as to why?

Turns out there's a perfectly good explanation for that in Act 2! Stephen Rooney, his writer, really thought a hundred steps ahead.

Seeing as my Ranger girl has 16 Wisdom at this point, Insight checks are very much her thing. So I've decided to channel my discomfort as the viewer (voyeur, let's be real haha) into her inner monologue in discovering things are not as they seem with her new lover ;_;

(It all ends well for them though, so let's not feel too bad ;3)

And much thanks to my patrons for their support, making this comic possible <3 <3 <3

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Aww, you look so cute when you’re angry!

Capped off my birthday yesterday by completing the House of Hope questline. It’s been fun, Raph dear, but dragging your corpse all the way back to camp despite being Heavily Encumbered was worth it huehuehue

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(Comic under cut)

40+ hours into Dagmar's playthrough, and romance is already blooming on the battlefield...some expected and others out of the left field.

Astarion's romance scene appeared a lot earlier than expected in Act 1, when I was still ways away from the celebration party. Which is surprising, but I guess his approval was pretty decent at that point. Also, YAY THE HORNY BONK MINDFLAYER IS GONE!

Gale damned well ninjamanced Dagmar at the start of Act 2 after the first battle; It was so weird because I purposefully chose friendly responses in conversations running up to this...or so I thought. It is so easy to get approval with him, currently standing at an Exceptional 98 (higher than Astarion, lolsob)...nerd had to go shoot his shot with the cool girl, I guess :P So far he hasn't propositioned Dagmar further, so it might just be a case of flags misfiring?

Once I completed the Thaniel questline in Act 2 on a positive note, Daddy Halsin became a permanent party member and open season for flirty banter. And his adorableness does. not. disappoint. We eatin' good TwT

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SO! Out of curiousity I decided to reload the Act 2 Astarion confession scene to see if there are changes post-Patch 1...and there's quite a bit OwO

A lot more Astarion emoting and close-ups, but with some of the Dagmar reactions that I liked edited out T_T Oh well, you win some you lose some!

Compare it to the original release scene in this post

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Got the Act 2 Astarionmance scene...and it was perfect.

ISTG if Neil Newbon doesn't get all the awards for his Astarion performance, imma gonna have to throw hands. And all the chocolates and flowers for Stephen Rooney for writing Neil this fantastic sequence of cinematic feels.

The way Astarion's performative mask slips even as he tried to bring it up again at 1:11...and giving up altogether when he realizes he can't keep up the act anymore because he fell in love for real...auuughhhh ;w;

I mean, compare it with the scene I got earlier in Act 1 during the Tiefling party (Link to Youtube vid). It was a little unnerving for me to watch, if I'm honest, because even without the full context I could feel from his expressions and enunciation that he was saying all those sweet nothings through gritted teeth.

So when he finally comes clean on his own terms? The calm resignation and hopeful surprise in his voice?

*screams into the night sky*

I also love how the animators gave Dagmar very clear expressions/body language in response to his words, from bracing in anticipation at 1:08 to hurt at 1:25 to the surprise at 1:35 when he pretty much admitted his affection for her.

As for the hug scene itself, Larian are champions for making it work with shortstack races with adjusted camera angles and wider shots; I delight at the fact that we get to see his face while he was unsure of how to respond back. It feels like the scene was not a consolation prize for not playing a regular height humanoid, but one that was crafted with care for the player's experience.

Also, dorf hands are so big! The better to cuddle this little meow meow with, I say :)

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So!

They shortened the Nautiloid section, which I personally feel has its plus and minuses, but overall it gets into the race to escape the ship faster compared to early access. The Cambion vs Mindflayer fight is tougher (or it might just be due to bad RNG on my part), but I had to do the fight 4 times…

…because no way in hell am I not gonna yoink that sweet flaming greatsword for my barbigirl XD