Coreene

🔥Other

🔥Family: Asmodea is the daughter of an elven woman and an itinerant rashemi human man. Once Asmodea was born, the elven side of the family paid her father a hefty amount of gold to take Asmodea and leave, and to never disclose the details of her heritage. This is what she knows. (as at the latest chapter of Bloodbang Chronicles, that is)

Here is what she doesn't yet know:

The elven side of her family is bound to fey. It is somewhat of a familial curse, carried by the female line. The elves thought producing a half-elf might break the cycle. It did not. Likewise, when Asmodea's patron (whose name she does not know and whom she ended up nicknaming 'Fuckface') appeared in her mind at a time of dire need to offer a deal, she thought this happened by chance. It did not.

Anyway. As at the last chapter of Bloodbang Chronicles, she does not know her elven family. Her father is dead. She and Fuckface are besties.

🔥Birthplace: Myth Drannor. However her father brought her to Elversult as a baby, and that is where she grew up. She had a normal, happy childhood. When she hit her teenage years she was sent to a bard college in Berdusk. Shortly after that her father was killed. (unrelated to elves and fey)

🔥Job: After being kicked out of bard college at age 15 she took on a few odd jobs but couldn't hold on to any of them. She ended up becoming enamoured with a young half-elven man, who turned out to be a dickhead and a bandit. Asmodea ended up running with his band for the next 5 years.

After she cut ties with the bandits, she became a travelling bard for the next 15. She was never particularly good at that, but could get by. Then, cue the nautiloid and Fuckface's appearance.

After the events of the game she runs a series of taverns (most notably The Spotted Dick, featured in Legacy of Ash) and eventually opens a theatre (The Dancing Siren, featured in Bloodbang Chronicles) in Baldur's Gate.

She and Astarion dabble in various other 'import - export' ventures on the side, but we don't talk about that.

🔥Phobias/Fears: Wasps. Being at the mercy of shitty men. Accidentally getting a mouthful of curdled milk. Using Animal Speaking in the vicinity of an animal being slaughtered. Biting into a cookie only to realise that what she thought was chocolate is actually raisins.

🔥Hobbies: The theatre was at one point a hobby and a passion, though over time it turned into more of an administrative nightmare (which she happily wrangles).

She journals and reads. She still writes music sometimes. She collects wine, spirits, illicit feywild substances, useful acquaintances and experiences. Sometimes she'll host an orgy as a little treat.

🔥Morals

🔥Alignment: Chaotic neutral - before embarking on any good or questionable deed, the foremost question is what's in it for her

🔥Flaws: She's impulsive and reckless. She largely disregards laws and consequences. She's selfish and hedonistic. She's a drunkard and a doper. She's a liar, a cheat and a thief. She's a terrible influence. Hell, she used to be a bandit. Her fey contract hinges on her providing entertainment to her patron, and she can be expected to act accordingly, prioritising that to her own and anyone else's detriment. She is ridiculously good at mind control magic and is not afraid to use it.

Honestly, she's an asshole and I'm not sure why anyone likes her.

🔥Virtues: Despite all of the above, she does get the occasional pang of guilt or compassion, and may try to right a past wrong. She is endlessly loyal, generous and forgiving with the people she identifies as her own. Her recklessness can be mistaken for bravery. Her stubbornness - for perseverance. She will refuse to give up even if common sense would dictate otherwise. She is charming. Funny. Contagiously sanguine. Understanding (though not necessarily caring). An absolute fucking pleasure to be around. She's creative, resourceful and innovative. Not afraid to take on responsibility. And she has a surprisingly good head on her shoulders for business and numbers, though her competitors would argue that's another flaw.

🔥This Or That

Introvert/Ambivert/Extrovert, Organized/Disorganized - neither, has systems which are unfathomable to anyone but her, Closed-minded/Open-minded, Calm/Anxious/Restless, Disagreeable/In-Between/Agreeable, Patient/In-Between/Impatient, Outspoken/In-Between/Reserved, Leader/Follower/Flexible, Empathetic/In-Between/Apathetic, Optimist/Realist/Pessimist, Traditional/In-between/Modern, Hard-working/In-Between/Lazy

Cazador Szarr: The runes I carved into your flesh bind you and all seven thousand souls to the ritual. Complete it and those bearing the scars will be sacrificed - you included. Narrator: *You can see from the glee in his face that he's telling the truth and he thinks you have no way forward. But then again, he didn't say whom the scars had to be carved into...* Astarion: Then you can bear my runes and be sacrificed in my place. Cazador Szarr: No. You do not have the skill. Your knife will slip. You will misremember a rune. A single mistake and you will be consumed. Lae'zel: I can see your scars. The torment you felt... your mind and body at the mercy of another master... Shadowheart: I can see your scars... all of them. I know what it's like to suffer like that, only I bear fewer reminders on my skin. devnote: quiet shock/empathy Wyll: Hells. I see your scars - in full view. Gale: Those scars... great pain's been visited upon you. I'm sorry. devnote: empathetic Karlach: I can see the scars. No one should have to suffer like you suffered. No one. Halsin: Your scars... I see them all. They tell a painful story. Jaheira: My eyes are sharp enough to see you squirm, vampire lord. They can guide Astarion, too. Minsc: Boo's eyes are sharper than your teeth, grave-lord. He will guide Astarion's blade. devnote: looking down on Cazador in contempt - and triumph at being able to help Astarion end him Nightwarden Minthara: Your scars are exquisite, Astarion. A dangerous weapon, and a work of art. devnote: no sarcasm or any derogatory - she genuinely finds the scars aesthetically pleasing Astarion: Enter your companion's mind and see the scars through their eyes. Narrator: *Your minds join and your two selves become one. You can feel the knife in your hand, but also see the scars on your back. If you complete this ritual, there will be no atonement. Seven thousand of your own kind, dead by your hand. All but Cazador yourself.*

Companions seem a lot more sympathetic to Astarion when he's the avatar. Also interesting they are not against the ascension in this part of reactions.

They raise their concerns if Astarion (in this case the player avatar) decides to go with the ritual, though. Minthara and Shar path Shadowheart are the only ones who support his evil endeavours.

Astarion: Carve the symbols into his back. Cazador Szarr: What are you doing? Don't - hrgh! devnote: Astarion steps behind Cazador, hunkers down, and starts to carve Argh... ARGH! devnote: Cazador tries to resist screaming, but quickly gives in as Astarion carves symbols into his back Narrator: *The link between your minds fades and you're left looking at the fresh runes. Let's hope you copied them accurately... Cazador Szarr: Ungrateful child. Wretched child... devnote: weakly - you just had your back cut to ribbons Lae'zel: Tsk'va. You would sacrifice thousands of souls for your own power? Your hunger veers towards madness, Astarion. Shar Path Shadowheart: Do it. Claim what's yours - and give him what he deserves. devnote: Resolved, encouraging. The 'him' refers to Cazador, Astarion's former master Shadowheart: Don't do it, Astarion. Thousands will die unless you stay your hand. devnote: urging peace Wyll: Astarion - please. No power is worth these prisoners' torment. Gale: Leave it, Astarion. The butcher's bill is too steep, no matter what power it grants you. Karlach: Astarion, no. This isn't you. It can't be. You can't sacrifice thousands for yourself. It just doesn't add up. Halsin: Stay your hand, Astarion. To sacrifice so many is a tyrant's ambition. Jaheira: Enough now, Astarion. There is only one life that needs taking here, and you have it in your grasp. devnote: note of caution = punishing Cazador is all well and good, but completing his ritual is not. Minsc: Now you have had your fun. End the vampire, says Boo - and this foul magicking with him. devnote: Trying to rein Astarion in - torturing Cazador, a-okay. Using him in a dark ritual, no. 'foul magicking' = 'dark ritual' Nightwarden Minthara: Claim your due, Astarion, no matter the cost. Kill them all.

What I find interesting here is that if Astarion carves the rune wrong, he could indeed end up being sacrificed instead so he is taking a big risk even if he can see the scars through the companions.

Another thing is after the inclusion of the companions, he has a choice again to not go through with the ritual. He can just simply kill him after torturing him by carving the runes on his back.