Despite Astarion looking and behaving like a vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3, all of the characters are seemingly oblivious of the unmistakably undead high elf rogue in their midst. Vampires in Baldur’s Gate 3 seem to follow their species’ classical Bram Stoker lore, from bursting into flames in sunlight to the need to drink blood as nourishment, even having to be permitted to enter a home is referenced. Moreover, the game is based on D&D and is populated with characters who fall under the Clerics or Druids class and specialize in detecting evil; they would immediately discover something like a vampire.
However, Astarion not only avoids the scrutiny of Clerics and Druids, but he seems to be exempt from almost all of the rules when it comes to a vampire, save for the need to drink blood. While Baldur’s Gate 3 is a more authentic D&D experience, this textbook trait defines vampires and would be empty without it. Despite the glaring indication of being a vampire, how do the characters overlook Astarion?
Astarion’s capacity to avoid being inspected as a vampire is in two ways: his ability to walk in sunlight and his status as a vampire spawn. The former is evident for vampires; they absolutely cannot be in sunlight or risk a fiery death. The latter is tied to both the beginning of the game and his rank on the hierarchy of vampires. On the whole, both qualities allow Astarion to pass as a human without causing an ounce of suspicion.
At the start of Baldur’s Gate 3, the main cast of characters is implanted by mind flayers with tadpoles, parasites that enthrall their hosts and eventually transform them into mind flayers. The sequence is one of the ways Baldur’s Gate 3 changes and improves D&D character moments. Throughout the game, it’s alluded that his ability to walk in the daytime is attributed to the tadpole. While it’s evident to the player based on his mannerisms, the fact Astarion walks around in the sun quickly debunks any suspicion by other characters.
Moreover, being a vampire spawn makes Astarion a creature in service to a vampire and not a full-fledged undead. As a result, his evil would hardly register to be detected by those trained to find evil like Clerics or Druids. Furthermore, the effects of the tadpole on a vampire spawn like Astarion, beyond the immunities to daytime and sunlight, is too early to tell and could be a boon or curse further into Baldur’s Gate 3.
While it’s evident to players that Astarion is a vampire, there is a reason behind it that could bring changes from Baldur’s Gate 3 to D&D. As an experiment of a mind flayer Astarion gained the ability to daywalk, discrediting any suspicions others may have on him. Moreover, Astarion’s place on the vampiric hierarchy places him on a level of evil that barely registers to Clerics and Druids, who detect evil daily. On the whole, and despite being in early access, Baldur’s Gate 3‘s attention to detail with Astarion alludes to a deep and rich game come launch.
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Author: Joseph Mason
