Astarion's battle with Cazador was devastating | Baldur's Gate 3 

My favourite thing here is that final line, "This is a gift, you know." An echo back to the first time you freely allow him to feed from you. Really, truly great writing.

Funfact! Astarion's actor (both voice and mocap), Neil Newbon, did that final scene where he stabs Cazador and cries in frustration all in one take. He's also doing a BG3 playthrough himself on twitch and romancing his own character. 😊

I am no sure if you know but Neil won the best Supporting role in the recent Golden Joystick Awards and his last line in his speech was as Astarion saying "Thank you. This is a gift. I won't forget it."

This scene always breaks my heart. Astarion suffered so much by the hand of that monster and it's both freeing and hurtful to be free of that fear and abuse. His VA did such an amazing job, absolutely in love with the whole game

Neil did SO well with the scene after killing Cazador. I remember when I finally escaped the situation I was in, nowhere near as bad as his, I cried the entire first night. There is SO much going through your mind. Your happy, but also scared because everything you knew has changed. You’re lonely and sad, but also can’t contain the relief of being free. His story of surviving his abuse is so sad and yet beautiful. I love his character so much.

Astarion's entire quest line is so well done. Also, the companions all give such encouraging words after this event and how proud they are of Astarion. Love the little found family Larian gave us 😭

Always like to see another person who has such a hard time being evil in a videogame as opposed to all the 'going dark urge' play-through clips RU-vid sets up for me as recommended.

34:00 When the player character is not around he will make the decision himself and free the spawn. But I agree that you should be able to ask him what he wants to do.

I romanced Astarion my 1st playthrough and the night I decided to complete his quest, I was legit ugly crying all throughout. You put it perfectly, it's truly unreal how believable these characters are. His story impacted me in such a way I'll never forget. Thanks for sharing your reactions to this masterpiece of a game. ❤

Gods, this quest shattered me. Some of the dialogue lines hit like a freaking train. Neil's performance is truly phenomenal. I have no idea how to convince my brain that Astarion is just a bunch of well-organized pixels and not an actual person. Probably, I should just give up at this point 😅

As a victim of abuse, helping Astarion felt immensely gratifying. It def left a scar and makes keeping a relationship, even now as a mature woman in her early 30s, so much harder because... Well. Skinship is a process, it requires steps and a bucketload of trust. It's painful to even open that can of worms to explain "why" to people, and it feels terrible to be touchstarved and yet feeling like you need to brace yourself for simple intimacy that most people take for granted. So I relate to his character arc a whole lot. Every time Astarion touched on the subject of his "Master" I was picturing myself saying "And I would still do it for FREE without ever knowing you".

I can never let Astarion ascend. I’m aware it’s all just a game and none of it matters but no matter how evil of a character I’m playing I can never let him ascend. His entire questline is so relatable and just makes me feel so seen, powerfully written enough to actively make me judge people’s choices in a video game because seeing this fictional vampire be enabled to perpetuate the cycle of abuse and not to heal is a straight sucker punch to my soul. The writers knocked it out of the park with him. I suppose being a raging, boy-kissing homosexual also contributed to that though.

This is why Astarion is my favorite character. His story mirrors my own. From the well-meaning but incredibly restrictive parenting I grew up under, to my first boyfriend who only saw me for my body, my ability to set healthy boundaries has been severely stunted. I'm still trying to undo all of that damage. My second boyfriend has helped me a lot in the healing process; the only reason why we broke up is because we both realized our goals were taking us in different directions, and our love for each other was so strong that neither of us were willing to expect the other to give up on those goals just to preserve the relationship. He helped me learn to trust again, after so long of only relying on myself. He helped me realize that it's okay to ask for help. He's the first person to truly believe in me. To believe that I'm enough. To see me as an equal. Even though our relationship had to end, at least in the romantic sense, and it hurts being apart from him, I don't regret any of what we shared together. Because of him, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. My path to healing is not yet complete, but now I have hope that one day, I will be free of the trauma of my past. One day, I will be healed. And to see Astarion go through that same journey (though to be fair his trauma is far more extreme), it just hits so hard. It makes me wish I could reach through the screen and give him a big hug.

31:31 TWENTY EIGHT STAB WOUNDS! You didn't want to leave him a chance, huh?

I love Neil's performance here. The anguish coupled with the catharsis of killing Cazador is heartwrenching.

So this is a clipped version of the original stream, obv, so I can't tell how much of the Mansion you actually explored. But if you ever do a re-load of this or a second run through and if you did just run through the main points this run as it seems like, then take some time to wander around and read everything you can find. Explore the attic and basement. Read the tooltip on the knife you get from this, named "Rhapsody". Doing all this exposes more of both Astarion's story and Cazador's. And if you're romancing him, the next night cutscene you'll get will reveal something even more (if you can read the script - there are translations online if you need them). Astarion was quite young when he was turned, Cazador calling him "boy" is more than just an affect. By elven standards his equivalent in Human age and development would have been very late teens to very early 20's. Cazador had a thing for children and young adults. There's also a hidden story in the attic that shows the players that in Larian's version of DnD at least, one can be a Vampire and be good, or at least lawful neutral, despite their undead status. Just like being alive doesn't immediately mean you're good. So many of the stories in this game show that what really matters are actions and choice. Neil just won the first of what I hope are many awards for his portrayal of Astarion. And Larian too. It's so hard to write characters like this and get it right and be sensitive. They did such an amazing job.

Yeah, just wanted to confirm I finished this quest with only Astarion left in my party. My Tav, Shadowheart and Karlach all wiped. And he just automatically kills Cazador and frees the spawn. Which is good, considering my relationship with him is neutral. I assume because you’re not there to help him read the scars on his back, and complete the ritual, he’ll be unable to ascend alone.

oh the speed at which i clicked on this when it popped up in my recommendations! such a satisfying, heart-wrenching conclusion that immediately had me excited to replay it in future playthroughs aaaaa 😭 also not you saying "imma let him ascend just to see" and then getting smacked with the 'oh no' factor of it all, that was exactly my experience dfghgfd. i was like "idk it could be fun" but going through the dungeon and the dialogue with cazador just immediately had me backing out of the thought again i just couldn't do it it hurt too bad

I feel you, man. The palace is just a master class in storytelling; you actually SEE everything you’ve heard bits about and the picture coming into full focus is horrifying. I started crying at the cells and didn’t stop until well after the ritual. Brutal.

Can't wait for Karlach to make you cry next.

I had to talk about this quest in therapy afterwards and my therapist now wholeheartedly believes in dnd/videogame therapy. also fuck godey

Honestly the fact that Larian makes it clear how it's all about the cycle of abuse. Cazador was the spawn of his master, Vellioth. He killed Vellioth and then took his place continuing the abuse his predecessor carried out on him onto his own spawn (Vellioth was arguably so much more worse. With the way he calls Astarion ungrateful it feels like Cazador viewed his treatment of his spawn as kinder than Vellioth's). Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Vellioth had a master that he killed, if this particular cycle of abuse has been going on for centuries. But then Astarion gets to make the choice of continuing the trend of killing his creator and becoming just like them or moving on with his life and healing. I don't know the depth behind this subplot was absolutely stunning. The sinking feeling of horror and dread was immaculate and I bawled my eyes out. 10/10 lol

This scene just crushed me. Astarion was hit by the catharsis of revenge against his former master, the sorrow of 200 years he cannot reclaim, and the fear of "what happens now?". All of that and more, washing over him in an instant. What a spectacular performance by Neil Newbon.

I knew that freeing the spawns was the right choice when Halsin said "The nature will take care of them and be part of it again" or something like that I don't recall the lines but yeah, if Halsin says it's okay, then it's okay!

That was such a beautiful reaction! I cried like a baby in my playthrough. I think I watched that scene dozens of times and the fear, shame and rage plus relief, sadness and grief gets me everytime. So frigging relatable.

Terra: Today we're gonna check out Cazador's palace :D Local cardiologists: 🤑🤑🤑👉👈

Neil's choice to break up his scream of crying just made it SO much worse! Astarion hurt so much he couldn't breathe but he couldn't NOT scream. ( @Terrabellum did you come across the Gur girl with one of the adult Gur? In the sewers after you let them out. *wuff!!* )

Yesss I was soo looking forward to seeing you play this scene! I agree, Neil's acting really added so much to it, that moment when he cries after, the emotions are so palpable.

I love the whole Astarion story.. so tragic :(

Seeing this live was seriously emotional. Seeing again a second time made me weep

omg this ending with flow on the end card actually almost pushed me to cry. excellent choice.

Was saving this video for when I completed that part on my own playthrough and I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one who was a mess! Ugh especially that last line, "This is a gift, I won't forget it"... exactly what he says to you at the beggining of the game when you let him drink your blood. Damn, I love bookends to a story 😭

Dude I just finished this quest, you are doing this as the same time as me and i did the same thing XD I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to do the romance with Astarion on my first game but he is clearly my favorite, I love him so much !

I loved your reaction. Neil and the writers did an amazing job bringing the character to life, it's phenomenal to see people so deeply moved by a such masterful work. To see you agonising over conversation choices because so many feel real is a testament to all the hard work from the teams. Thank you for sharing!

Yay!!! I love watching your commentary!!! I'm tearing up with you

I've been in love with this game and looking at every playthrough I can find. I just have to let you know that yours is my absolute favourite! I love your reactions and all, I just hope that there are recordings of your streams for us to watch the whole gameplay. Totally subscribing to your channel and looking forward to seeing more content

There is a moment at the tail end of the game, where you get a letter from the Gur that is imo, the best letter in the game. They say at the end, "We saw that redemption was possible. Difficult, yes. Painful. But possible. You saved our children first from Cazador, and then from us. For that, we thank you. We will watch you still, but with more admiration than fear. Walk in peace, Astarion." It made me bawl when I saw it because of how much impact it has, that the very people who caused his pain, who attacked him, forced him to rely on Cazador to even stay alive are willing to sit there and say, seeing you happy, seeing you free yourself, has made us realise that redemption is possible which is a sentiment I feel Astarion emobies. Echoed beautifully by a line spoken by his VA on his trauma, "Survivors find a way to survive" and through Tav, Astarion found his way.

I got so attached to Karlach during my palythrough and her quest ending fukin destroyed me man. I mean the anger in the voice acting was too real.

That whole scene when he started crying made me cry his acting is amazing and hope hes in more games to come ngl hes right up there with roger clark as arthur in rdr 2

this was amazing

This game blowed my mind. It killed it at the Golden Joystick Awards.

the writing. the acting. masterful.

This is the same exact thing I did. I cried again just by watching this, I think I had to turn off my PC after all of that. You're so empathetic and soft towards him. Thank you for also choosing not to ascend Astarion.

I got the bad ending when trying to convince him not to do it and even though i save scummed the hell out, I'm still devastated by it.

This whole cutscene brought me to very real tears when I first played through myself. Yes Neil Newbon really did an amazing job here and I think he won awards recently for his amazing talent in this game. He and the amazing animators of BG3 really brought Astarion to life throughout the whole game.

I wish there was an option to let Astarion drink Cazador's blood so he can stop being a spawn and be a vampire. He doesn't need the power Cazador was after, but would it be so bad to get the power of a full vampire. To break free of being His spawn. And yes, Neil is beyond fantastic and deserves that "best performance" award more than anyone I've seen in anything.

I had to take a significant break from the game after this quest. So impactful. Astarion breaks my heart

So here's a fun fact: Cazador's spell of ascension is Latin. It reads: "Ecce dominus, Has animas offero in sacrificio, Nunc volo potestatem quam pollicitus es mihi." Translated it means: "Behold, my lord, These souls I offer in sacrifice - Now I want the power that was promised to me." It's the equivalent of Cazador ringing the devil and going" Here souls, now gibe power"

I couldn't play the game for couple days after this scenes. It was so painful.

Sad that this is not on the VOD channel.

Is the voting for game awards still going on? Neil and Ameilia was nominated for best Voice, I had to give it to Ameilia but if it had been for overall best Actor it would have been Neil hands down for voice and mocap

I've actually lost a good bit of interest in the game after completing his questline. His story was so deep, especially being a survivor. His weeping after it was all over broke me.

Off topic but, the amount of illithid power you haveee!! I was slurping them left and right tho! HAHAHAHAHAH! Guess I'm power hungry, then.

The underdark is the best place for them

Interesting. I never saw the spawn ambush scene at camp but I did let Astarion ascend and honestly the way he talks about wanting to do the ritual and take the power kind of sounds the exact same as ascended astarion.. I don't think ascended astarion is as different from spawn astarion is people really think...

if astarion ascends he becomes an even worse person than cazador. let's keep the sarcastic, flirty black-cat vampire. let's keep the sweet, uncertain boy who wanted to make a new life for himself.

I think I've seen in other playthroughs that if Astarion is only one in the party during the fight or something he chooses to free the other spawns on his own and also chooses not to ascend. Not sure if your relationship with him and how you played the game (morality wise) affects this tho.

Bahaha I will never get tired of watching the reaction when players realise: oh yes, he needed Astarion... and he KNEW where he was every moment from the second you enter the city. He locked the doors because he KNEW you'd break in even more urgently and hand deliver Astarion to him. Ugh Neil deserves every award nomination. SUCH a heartbreakingly good performance with this character. 💜

i beat cazador by sending shadowheart to kamikaze, i set up a daylight spell, and when i failed a stealth check i put on sanctuary, cazador died, then shadowheart died i snuck in with astarion invisible, finished the quest and then ran away to resurrect shadowheart with withers.

You can. Someone did a playthrough where they left Astarion alone, he frees everyone

If Sebastian was one of Astarion's first victims, 170 years ago, that means Ast endure Cazador tortures for 30 years or so before give in to lure people for his master

There's an even worse version in the romance questline. " This could have been me. They're people who wanted to love you like I do."(sic) Devastating.

the 7000 souls are just vampire spawn tho.

Something everyone overlooks when doing the moral math regarding killing the spawn... if killed in the ritual it's worse than death, their souls are damned, they become property of Mephistopheles. Their slavery just transcends death. So Ascending Astarion is the truly evil choice.

Imho Astarion shouldve drank Cazadors blood to become and full fledged vampire instead of a spawn if you didnt want him to ascend 😅😅😅

31.40 Astarrtion HUZUUAAAAA

Having not done this fight with Astarion there before, could someone give me some tips? I'm assuming you lose Astarion as he's now part of the ritual, do you have to beat Cazador in a certain amount of turns or Astarion dies? I've always done the fight before by killing the ritual vamps around the edge then killing Cazador, is there another way with Astarion there?

I wasn't romancing the guy in my first run and I thought it was worth it to let him ascend because I didn't know the consequences to him but I also thought about him being able to not lose the ability to enjoy the sun as well as get more powerful and be able to eat normal meals again. Also the thought of setting free 7000 undead vampires did not sit well with me and I saw it as more of a mercy to end their lives anyway. I did it for my friend *cries* Also Astarion was making the choice you were controlling him during that scene so there is that

I've always avoided ascending him and am guilty of save scumming just to make sure he doesn't when the game keeps throwing bad dice rolls at me because I think he deserves better than to end up a cold emotionless monster just like Cazador.

Astarion should have turned into a vampire and not stayed a spawn. Cazador was a spawn and killed his master as did all those before him. Why didn't he get that at least?

Astarion falls back on the "I was just following orders" excuse more than a Nazi on trial

@11:15 close your mouth terra, you look like a blowup doll 😂

I could understand getting emotional over FFXIV's Endwalker stuff... that stuff stabbed us all through the heart... But Astarion's story (the clickbait picture of you crying?) makes me feel sorry for him, but I don't get the overly emotional reactions... I know you were on Twitch and that's kind of ... what's 'needed' on Twitch usually to get the reaction you have to get for your 'audience' ... I don't know, I think I'm disappointed... Your channel picture being you crying? You're more than a gaymer who cries. Know this is not me saying this out of hate or anything like that ... just don't understand the emotional reaction I guess? .... I let him Ascend ... and what happened after made me tear up ... because if you play through with that choice ... (especially having seen these 'heart-warming' scenes) ... I'd understand at least a teary eyed reaction to that.

The best part of Astarion story is killing him when you first meet him.