The Pale Elf

The Pale Elf is the Companion quest for Astarion. It is automatically added to the journal if Astarion joins the party.
==Objectives==
Objectives and journal entries may vary pending story decisions.
== Walkthrough ==
Note that Astarion’s story spans the entire game, and has spoilers for all Acts of the game.
=== Recruiting Astarion ===
Astarion can be recruited immediately after the Prologue by moving northwest of the Nautiloid wreckage to the Ravaged Beach. Astarion is by the cliffs and shouts to the party for help as they approach. He states that one of the "brain things" is nearby and he needs help killing it. The party can either agree to help him (they will realize it was just a boar) or turn away and tell him he seems strong enough to handle himself. Either way - Astarion pulls a knife on the player character. If a Perception check is failed, Astarion sneaks behind the player character and pulls them to the ground, holding the knife to them. If the Perception check is passed, he simply holds the knife out in a defensive stance. 
He asks the player character what they did to him and what they know, saying he saw them walking around freely on the Nautiloid. The player character can attempt to deny they are a servant of the Mind Flayers, but ultimately the tadpole power connects the group and clears up the misunderstanding. Astarion puts his knife away and apologises for nearly gutting the player character. The player character can either leave Astarion on the beach or offer for him to join them, as they have a better chance of finding a cure for their tadpoles as a group. If offered, Astarion happily joins the party.
=== Astarion's Secret ===
During a Long Rest at camp, the player character can notice Astarion can slinking off somewhere in the night, though is unable to question him. After this event, a boar drained of blood appears before the bridge to the Blighted Village. With , the party can learn it has two puncture wounds in its neck. If Astarion is in the party, passing a causes him to reveal that it appears drained of blood by a vampire. Astarion apparently did not want to say anything as he did not want to frighten the party.
There are two ways the party can learn about Astarion's condition. The first is a scene during Long Rest where the player character awakens to Astarion crouching over them. He admits he is a vampire spawn who is weak from hunger, and asks to drink some of the player character’s blood. The player character can either hear him out or drive a stake through his chest. If the player character hears him out, they can agree to let him drink their blood or tell him to go elsewhere. If they agree and Astarion begins drinking, a must be passed or he must be shoved with to stop. Letting him drink a little more instead requires a . If this check fails, the player character dies and must be resurrected. Astarion pretends not to know what happened, but can be confronted by the player character in the morning.
The second way the party can learn about Astarion is by visiting the Underdark or the Rosymorn Monastery Trail without having triggered the blood drinking scene. When the player character talks to Astarion in the party, he reveals he has something to share that hasn't come up naturally. He is a vampire. The player character can either act shocked, say they knew all along, or kick him from the party.
Once Astarion's secret is revealed, he gains the ability. The player character can tell Astarion he can drink on their enemies or stick to only non-intelligent creatures. Through dialogue at camp or in the party, Astarion can reveal more about his past, such as information about his master, , who tormented him for two hundred years. Astarion was one of seven spawns created by Cazador, and Cazador insisted on calling them a 'family.' Thanks to the mind flayers, he has been lost, granting him his freedom. Even better, the tadpole prevents his vampire weaknesses, such as being unable to walk in the sun or enter homes uninvited.
 
=== The Monster Hunter ===
A Gur monster hunter named is in the Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog. Note that meeting him does not depend on whether the party has already found out Astarion's true nature. The party can just speak to Gandrel without learning more about his current prey and part ways with him. Thus, how the conversation with Gandrel might pan out depends on two major factors:
# whether the party already know that Astarion is a vampire spawn and
# whether they currently have Astarion in their party or not.
* If Astarion is not in the party AND the party knows already about his true nature:
Speaking to Gandrel, the party may find out that he came to this area to get some help from a local hag. Further in the dialogue, the party may inquire about his prey, but will need to pass a or to make the hunter reveal his target. If successful, it is possible to choose whether to stand by Astarion or to turn him in. Either way, the Gur will ask the way to their camp to finish his task (see below). 
* If Astarion is not in the party BUT his vampirism hasn't been unearthed yet:
The dialogue with Gandrel evolves mostly the same way, but finding out that Astarion could indeed possibly be a vampire might later trigger the nighttime cutscene with him trying to bite the player character.
* If Astarion is in the party, BUT still considered an ordinary elf:
Speaking to Gandrel, the party may find out that he is hunting a vampire spawn (not stating his name) and came to this area to get some help from a local hag. Through the dialogue, there will be a passive to notice Astarion being overly tense, 'like a coiled spring'. Should the player character reveal they have noticed it or continue to ask questions, the elf will relax a little, and the scene ends peacefully. However, if nothing is done about it, Astarion will make his own move and kill Gandrel in one swift strike, giving only vague explanations about his antipathy towards all Gur afterwards. Talking to Gandrel's corpse via will reveal that he was sent by someone named and his target's name was "Astarion", but inquiring the Astarion won't progress the quest (the following long rest, however, might do it, as mentioned above).
* If Astarion is in the party, AND it is known that he is a vampire:
Astarion will butt into the conversation, expressing his distrust and even loath towards monster hunters and particularly the Gur nomads. Through the dialogue, there will be an option to turn the spawn in. If done so, Gandrel will then knock Astarion out and leave, taking him away. Taking this course, the quest will be concluded, although the consequences of this decision will come out in Act Three. Astarion will hint on killing the Gur or ask the permission to do it straight away. If agreeing, the party will engage in a fight with Gandrel. If they do not consent, Astarion will disapprove of it strongly, but still end the encounter peacefully.
If Astarion is not in the party, it is possible to return to the camp and bring him around. In that case, the scene will be developed in the way corresponding to whether Astarion's true nature has been revealed prior. Anyway, when discussing the encounter, Astarion will express his concern about a Gur hunter stalking him, and blame his former master . Also, there will be an option to find out where the roots of his hatred for the Gur stem from.
If Gandrel has been told about the camp's location, he will take his belongings and swiftly leave. Afterwards, it is possible talk to Astarion upon returning to the camp and warn him. If this has not been done, the hunter unsurprisingly will snatch Astarion away during the long rest. After this the Astarion will be permanently lost as a party member. Should Astarion be warned, he suggests that he will take the watch at night, and if asked in the morning, tell the party he has successfully dispatched the hunter.
If not allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel throughout the dialogue, the party might have an option to discuss it with Astarion, and he will say that if the hunter reappears, the party will have to solve this 'problem' just as he himself intended to do it before - i.e. with the most ill-fated outcome for the Gur hunter.
=== Astarion's Scars ===
Player characters who romance Astarion can learn more about Astarion's scars by having a tryst with him in the forest. Astarion can propose this through speaking with him in the party/at camp after gaining high approval, or he can propose it during the Goblin/Tiefling party if was completed. After the encounter, the player character wakes up to see Astarion bathing in the sun with his back to them, displaying strange scars. If asked about them, Astarion explains they supposedly are a poem carved into his flesh by Cazador in a single night, with heavy revisions. He refuses to elaborate further.
If the player character has high approval with Astarion, a scene occurs at camp during a Long Rest. Both romanced and unromanced player characters can witness this scene, although romanced player characters can see this as early as Act One, while it triggers in Act Two for unromanced player characters. Astarion is shirtless and tracing his fingers against his back. The player character can ask him what he's doing; he can be coaxed to explain that he's trying to determine what the words on his back mean. With a , the player character can attempt to decipher the runes and ascertain that they are Infernal. Characters who can understand Infernal, such as tieflings, can read the sigils as a bunch of jumbled Infernal legalese that's part of a contract.
Player characters who do not have a high enough approval with Astarion cannot ask about his scars, but he can still have a scene in camp where he is eager to speak to again. He will not elaborate on why but asks the party to look out for him.
=== A Deal with Raphael ===
There are two places where Astarion can negotiate a deal with Raphael. The first is the Last Light Inn, where Raphael is playing lanceboard with near the staircase. Raphael only remains until is triggered by speaking to on the upper floor. After this, he leaves. If Raphael is spoken to with Astarion in the party, Astarion asks him about his scars and Raphael says he will think up an agreement in time before disappearing. However, speaking with the Dark Urge origin, Raphael won't give the spawn a chance to ask his question and disappears before Astarion can butt into the conversation.
The second place Astarion can trigger a deal is the entrance to the Grand Mausoleum . Raphael appears to warn the party of a threat within the depths of the Mausoleum, an old enemy of his, as part of . Whether or not Astarion has told the party about his scars, he asks Raphael to decipher them. Raphael agrees, but only if the party slays the beast he was speaking about. If the party calls him out about keeping secrets, Raphael reveals his own surprise at Astarion "keeping his clothes on" for so long and magically takes them off so the party can see the scars.
The enemy in question is an orthon named , who is trapped deep within the Gauntlet of Shar located under the Mausoleum. If Astarion is in the party, he disapproves of anything other than immediately killing Yurgir, even if the party plans to trick Yurgir into killing himself. Additionally, if the party attempts to help Yurgir as part of , Astarion becomes upset that they have not killed him and questions the party. If the party breaks Yurgir's contract instead of killing him, Astarion is furious and asks why he should remain in the party at all. He requires either a to remain in the party.
If Yurgir is killed, Raphael is true to his word and comes to camp to explain the runes on Astarion's back. It is one part of seven of a contract with the demon Mephistopheles, stating that if Cazador completes the Black Mass Ritual, he can become a Vampire Ascendant who is free from the typical vampire weaknesses, like walking in the sun. 
The deal with Raphael can technically be avoided if Astarion is not in the party and is avoided at camp. This means that the party does not lose approval for helping Yurgir, but Astarion also does not learn about his scars. An alternative way to find out in Act 3 is through Necromancy of Thay. If Astarion, controlled by the player, successfully decodes it and reads The Tharchiate Codex, he can be asked about what he has found. 
=== Araj Oblodra ===
An optional scene that is important to Astarion's story arc can be found in Moonrise Towers. is a blood alchemist and trader, who has a particular interest in vampires. If Astarion is in the party, she asks the player character if Astarion is their spawn. She explains that she has always dreamed of having her blood drunk by a vampire since she was a little girl. She is willing to give a legendary to the party if Astarion drinks her blood. Astarion is visibly disgusted and, if asked why, explains that her blood smells foul and that he does not want to do it. The player character can insist he get over it or insist to Araj that Astarion does not have to do it if he does not want to.
Later at camp, if the player character stood up for Astarion, he thanks them and explains that he did not know how to say no. If Astarion was pushed to drink Araj's blood, then he tells the player character how disgusted he feels and that he cannot use his body as a tool anymore. The player character can remain in good standing by apologizing to Astarion for pushing him to drink Araj's blood and saying he does not have to do that again. If the player character is romancing Astarion, pushing him to drink Araj's blood leads him to say he will sleep alone from now on, unless the player character chooses the right dialogue options (which means avoiding the subject and saying the player character does actually care about him and wants to continue dating him).
=== Investigating Cazador Szarr ===
==== Finding the spawn ====
Two of Cazador's spawns, and , can be found chatting about the Black Mass in Fraygo's Flophouse on the upper floor . It's clear they believe they too will become ascended if the ritual is successful. Astarion immediately threatens them for information, but can be persuaded to hold back. If he is allowed to proceed, they will reveal the location of the ritual, Cazador's Palace.
It is not possible to kill the spawns at this time. They will simply disappear if one tries.
==== The Gur camp ====
There is a Gur Camp in Rivington , lead by . Ulma tells the party that Cazador has done immense damage to her tribe and even stolen their children. She wishes to have them back, or at least revenge taken if the children are already dead. If Astarion is in the party, he can be told that it is the least he can do to get vengeance for the Gur, which he will agree to. Ulma states that the Gur have tried and failed to infiltrate Cazador's Palace, but that a spawn could do it.
=== Potential Abduction ===
Several of Astarion's fellow vampire spawn attempt to kidnap him after the party has entered the Lower City and long rested. Failing to stop them before they drop Astarion to 1hp results in Astarion being kidnapped and sent to Cazador's palace. Once there, he is tortured by , who uses magic in an attempt to force Astarion to obey Cazador. This starts a saving throw, but even if it's failed, the tadpole within Astarion sends out a psionic wave that disrupts the spell. Godey becomes hostile after failing to collar Astarion and must be defeated. The party can regroup with Astarion in the kennels.
=== Cazador's Palace ===
The Szarr Palace can be accessed via the Central Watch Tower , near the Lower City Central Wall Waypoint, by climbing up the stairs. There are a number of charmed guards who try to stop the party, but who can be persuaded or intimidated into standing down. Follow the way north to get to the door to Cazador's Palace. Once inside, the palace will be surprisingly empty of vampires, but holds a conspicuously large ballroom door that is locked. 
The way forward is through the ballroom. Two things are needed to enter and proceed: a and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language.
==== The Signet Ring ====
Speaking to , he can be persuaded or deceived into revealing that Godey has the signet ring that can unlock the door. Godey is in the kennels in the lower floor. Godey is waiting in ambush , but a perception check reveals him and he can be called out. If Astarion is in the party, Godey asks what he has brought him:
* 
* 
Astarion insists that they need to get into the ballroom. Godey states that he was told not to open the ballroom no matter what.
* 
* 
* 
Succeeding the checks makes Godey relinquish the ring. Otherwise, he becomes hostile and the key has to be looted from his body.
==== The Passphrase ====
A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk suggests that one of the spawns has misplaced the dictionary used to decipher the passphrases. 
The can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic . Here, the the cursed corpse of afflicts with ( per turn) upon anyone entering, Casting on Victoria's body will end her and make the room safe. Alternate solutions include use of or / to cross the hazard. The dictionary is in a mahogany wardrobe to the east of the bed . Reading the book gives the phrase to enter the ballroom.
==== In the ballroom ====
Once in the ballroom, a number of werewolves notice the party. They state that no one is meant to enter while the ritual is occurring, and become hostile to the party. Move to the door to the southwest after defeating them to find an elevator down to Cazador's dungeon.
=== Cazador's Dungeon ===
After descending the elevator, a hallway to the west that connects to Cazador's chambers. It contains the skull of Cazador's former master, Vellioth, and more information about him and the .
To the north are several people in cages who call out to the party. If Astarion is in the party, one of the men recognizes him. It turns out that this is Sebastian, a victim Astarion brought to Cazador 170 years ago. Sebastian can be persuaded or deceived into revealing how to unlock the cages - Cazador's staff. The cell across the way can also be interacted with - it contains several Gur children who were captured and turned into vampire spawn. If they are told that Ulma sent the party, they also share that the staff is the key to opening the cells.
==== A special weapon ====
Within Cazador's dungeon, a lower level can be reached using or to jump down the hallway to the northwest of the elevator. Here, the can be found by in a room to the east, in a buried and trapped rosewood casket . This weapon deals radiant damage, which is highly effective against Cazador. Additionally, there is a locked (DC 30) door here connecting to the Lower City Sewers - Gloomy Ascent.
=== Confronting Cazador ===
 is in the ritual chamber north of the prisoners' cells.
==== Fighting Cazador ====
If is in the active party, he will conclude the dialogue by attacking Cazador in a rage, only to be trapped in a ritual circle . Cazador will then attack, along with several bats, werewolves, and fallen Gur hunters. Astarion can be rescued from imprisonment via , allowing him to rejoin the fight. If Astarion is not released in three turns, the ritual succeeds, and Cazador becomes a Vampire Ascendant.
If Astarion is not in the party, Cazador can be persuaded to allow the party leave so they can bring Astarion back, or they can simply fight him without Astarion. If Astarion was never recruited, or if he was killed (such as staking him in camp), he will be at the ritual as a zombie.
This fight can be very challenging. Cazador is a high-level spellcaster and gains power from the ritual victims, inflicting high necrotic damage to nearby party members. However, his profound weakness is , which can easily be caused by casting by before the battle. After being defeated, he will return to his coffin, where he can be looted.
== Outcomes ==
Once Cazador is defeated, he returns to his coffin to attempt to enter a healing sleep. Interacting with the coffin has Astarion pry Cazador out of it. Astarion will attempt to use the ritual for himself, and requests the party for assistance. The party can agree, attempt to persuade Astarion against using the ritual, or simply refuse to help. If Astarion was not recruited or died, then the only option is whether to kill or release the prisoners.
=== Ending 1: Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension ===
If agreeing to assist Astarion, he completes the Rite of Profane Ascension by carving the runes into Cazador's back and sacrificing the six spawn and seven thousand souls. He becomes the Vampire Ascendant, warping his personality. When Ulma and the Gur arrive, they find him responsible for the deaths of their children and only one can come out alive - Astarion or the Gur.
=== Ending 2: Astarion is persuaded not to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension ===
If Astarion is successfully persuaded not to use the ritual, he simply kills Cazador without performing the Rite of Profane Ascension, remaining a vampire spawn.
Astarion has the choice to kill the seven thousand victims, release them, or simply leave them. Astarion is conflicted: he sees killing the victims as mercy, as they never learned how to control their hunger, but also comes to regret doing so as he thinks they should have the same chance he had. If the prisoners are freed, the other spawn lead them to live in the Underdark. If he decides to leave them, Astarion breaks Cazador's staff and says that he is done with this place and done with all of them. Breaking the staff will result in it not being available as a quest reward. Regardless of the choice, the Gur do not attack Astarion and see him as having redeemed himself.
If any of the other vampire spawn were killed during the Cazador fight and/or only Astarion is present during this specific cutscene, the ritual is unable to be completed and Astarion kills Cazador without attempting to perform the ritual, and moves onto the choice regarding the other spawns in prison. If Astarion is alone, he will choose to free the spawns. The dialogue with the Gur and the other companions will proceed as if Astarion had chosen to give up on the ritual himself.
=== Ending 3: Refuse to help Astarion perform the ritual. ===
If refusing to help Astarion perform the ritual, or if Astarion cannot be convinced to stop it, then he will kill Cazador in the same manner as if he was persuaded to not perform the ritual. However, he then destroys Cazador’s staff and leaves the spawn to rot in their cells. Astarion then permanently leaves the party, saying that he hopes they “die screaming.”
=== Ending 4: Interrupt the ritual. ===
It's still possible to prevent Astarion from completing the blood ritual if he already commenced it. If the player character decides to interrupt the ritual, they will pick up Cazador’s dagger and throw it into Cazador, killing him and making the ritual impossible for Astarion to complete. He will then destroy Cazador’s staff in the same way as the above, and then attack the party, forcing them to kill him permanently.
== Quest rewards ==
If Cazador is defeated:
* 
* as loot from Cazador
* 
* as loot from Cazador
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion does not complete the Rite of Profane Ascension:
*Aid of Ulma and the Gur for 
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension:
*Aid of Astarion's servants of the night for Gather Your Allies
*Astarion gains the passive feature which grants the actions and , and an additional damage to weapon and unarmed attacks
== Achievements ==
== Notes and references ==
Category:Quests
Category:Companion Quests