Also A Scene Where A Character Draws/paints Him, Because That Also Expresses How They See Him, Personally.

BG3 has rotten my brain so much that this color palate makes me emotional help

iykyk

E is for Equal

And I get to share it with you, as a partner. An equal.

Here's another ramble about a single spawn Astarion line that hits so close home for me. 

When I first heard Astarion say it, I was puzzled. What, he didn't previously consider my Tav an equal? Why?

And then it clicked. 

He's talking about himself, right? He used to think he's worthless. A slave. A weakling. A body to please others. And now he's finally relishing the fact that he's so much more; he finally believes he can be someone's equal; and not just someone's, but the person's he values the most.

Hence the happy, almost dreamy expression on his face, hence the little pause before he actually says the word. Because it is like a dream come true, and because the word is worth savouring for a moment longer.

I think there are two reasons why my brain needed that extra second to process what Astarion said. The first is because I have a complicated relationship with hierarchies in general. I struggle with them a lot, and often get into trouble because of that. I view them as artificial social constructs that make no sense to me, unless the person telling me what to do is actually knowledgeable in their field and listens to arguments presented by others. I need rationales, not just a “do it, because I'm telling you to”. (That's one of the “perks” of being autistic, I guess. Happy April!)

The second (might be connected to the first) is that it has never, not even for a brief while, occurred to me to view Astarion as inferior. From the first meeting, when he put that darn knife against my Tav’s throat, to whatever happened afterwards – in my head, he was an equally important character, regardless if I liked what he was up to at any given moment. I knew he struggled with his sense of self-worth (and that's another thing I understand all too well), but not even once did I consider he might not be my Tav’s equal.

It warms my heart to watch him realise that and revel in the knowledge. I wish all relationships I form – personal and professional – would be that: equals who try to understand and accommodate each other. Which brings to mind another very important quote, from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”:

I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.

Gods I just love that Astarion is pansexual. I love seeing images of him kissing both men and women. I love that he is flamboyant and that so many women find him sexy. I love that his queerness wasn’t sidelined to make homophobic gamers comfortable.

And I will fight any of those dumbasses who insists that he’s actually gay, because miss me with that stereotyping bullshit. He makes my little bi heart so happy.

my favourite part of baldurs gate so far is the stardew valley grandpa showing up to eat cheese in your camp and tell gale that his ex gf wants him to kill himself

Etriel Analelle Ancunin and the young Astarion Ancunin

my ko-fi

As an autistic person in the US, it makes me sick that people who are supposed to be leading this country feel comfortable saying and doing the things they do. It's scary and revolting and grossly anti-science and anti-humanity. There should be absolutely no place in this country (or world) for that. People should never have to defend their existence and validity. I'm so tired of this garbage but we need to show up for one another.

I don't live in the US, but I wanted to express solidarity and support to all autistic people who do.

Paying taxes or playing baseball have never been the measure of humanity. All autistic people, regardless of what they can or cannot do, regardless of the level of their need for support, deserve respect.

Also if you're protesting today, please please stay safe.

Finally made my version of Batstarion! Because I love both bats and Astarion.

He is a scary and powerful vampire, as you can see. (I think I made him way too innocent-looking. Imagine him with little angry eyebrows, maybe)

Made mostly of felt/wool. I modeled him after a northern ghost bat rather than a vampire bat, sorry. Someday I'll make a more realistic, fully articulated version (perhaps a vampire bat), but bats are harder to make than I thought. Hope you like him!

larian writers, with hands placed on astarions shoulders like a proud parent: this is a thoughtful and touching narrative about male victims of abuse

fans: hey, thats fuckin sweet! do you have any more of these stories in your game?

larian writers, grimacing as they turn their heads towards wyll and gale: okay so, in our defense, it gets kinda murky when its a hot white woman doing it

gale stans: wasnt he groomed?

larian writers: but he liked it? his ultimate goal is to get back with her :)

wyll stans: isnt it kinda gross that the devil who owns his soul keeps blatantly sexually harassing him in front of everyone as a form of humiliation-based punishment?

larian writers and also whoever the fuck wrote that christmas animation (you motherfucker, when i fucking get you i stg): i know canon says otherwise, but he secretly wants her. dont you want her? you can fuck her if youd like

halsin stans: hey, so, uh-

larian writers, sprinting out of the room:

The Graceful Cloth makes it incredibly tempting to gently poke the wearer in the ribs.

imagine ur emotional support morally ambiguous misunderstood full of trauma touch starved yearning for love drenched in blood responsible for numerous atrocities comfort character in a cozy knitted sweater. do u feel better?