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"I suppose you’ve been good..." as soon as the bindings are gone, the riding gets more intense, creaking the bedframes, two big hands cup his face, caressing him and his eyes burn not with hate and malice, like they do with their enemies, but with overwhelming love and adoration. |
"Enver, Enver... I will always be good for you," those hands slide beneath his head and lower back, holding him close. Zal’krum bends forward to whisper right above his ear, warm breath sending shivers down his spine, "my Enver... mine, I love you so much..." he goes on and on, but his mantra is cut short with a yelp,... |
"Come for me, my good boy," he thrusts upwards erratically, gripping onto his lover’s hips, adding even more handprints over the ones already there. |
"Ah- Enver, add a few more..." And he does, biting and sucking wherever he can reach, ending on the bob of his throat, burying himself deep and coming with a long groan. Zal’krum followed quickly after, reaching down to bring himself to climax, spilling between both of their bodies. They stay there and catch their brea... |
Afterwards, he’s left to relax on the bed, and he can feel the lights get smoldered beyond his eyelids. There’s some shuffling about, then a side of the mattress dips significantly and he’s pulled into an embrace right after. There’s the scent of blood, of course, and then... cedar? Well then, he remembered, he thinks... |
"I’ll be holding you tonight," there’s a nose burying itself in his hair, and an arm wrapping around him tightly, the other one runs all over him: cheeks, shoulders, pecs... and then rests on his abdomen. |
"Stop what? This?" His lover squeezes his stomach, kneading the tender flesh there. "Don’t think I will, you’re so nice and soft, Enver." Gods, what a fool, he’s very aware that if they were enemies, he won’t stand a chance against a broken paladin who spent his whole life perfecting the art of killing, especially ph... |
"Keep that up and you will be going back to your precious temple," he says when playful fangs graze on his earlobe, nibbling and humming on it, so much so that he can visualize the wagging tail in his mind’s eye. Not that he dislikes the affection, but he wanted to hear something along the lines of but why I want to k... |
"No can do, you sliced my breeches, remember?" Hells , he’s got him this time. "Yours won’t fit me either. How horrible of you, Enver, I’m stuck here now..." The arms around him only get tighter, as he drags his words with feigned distress. |
Bhaal’s purest son, the Gate’s most awful serial killer, the man who came up with their grand plan, is currently figuratively melting into a puddle around him, showering him in adoration, and acting like an overgrown child. This is a luxury, something nobody else gets to see or have, something exclusively his. Gortash... |
He does manage to whisper out three words before he does, and then he’s gone, leaving the other man to drown himself in love even further, repeating the same back to him over and over. |
Somehow, Enver gets even busier during the next few days, leaving Zal’krum to do his usual business: killing, killing while thinking about Enver, or just thinking about Enver. He would read, it being his third favorite pastime, but the words merely danced around, and he found himself zoning out again, staring up at the... |
And then there’s Orin’s threat slithering into his mind once more, creasing his eyebrows. Enver and I need something only both of us know, like... a codeword? He ponders, and decides that the Baneite would probably come up with a better idea, and slips away from the temple, being more than happy to be somewhere else r... |
Honestly, he half expected for his office to be empty, especially at this hour, earlier in the afternoon, but he isn’t going to complain when he pushes open the doors to find his favorite person at his desk, flipping through documents after documents. |
"Enver! Is it paperwork day?" He leans over the desk — schematics, mail, reports... he’s right. |
"Zal’krum, your part is to..." He says without even looking up, already knowing who his "guest’ is. |
"You hurt me, I’ve slaughtered plenty," something on the desk catches his eyes, and it’s... newspaper? |
The resurgence of the cult of Bhaal?! Grotesque scenes of murder found at Rivington! |
Zal’krum nods as he reads along, he remembers his "work’ from a few days ago, where he was over at the little town, then he slipped into a house and murdered— Oh. He sheepishly steals a glance from the corner of his eyes from the printed paper in front of him to see Enver grinning at him knowingly. |
"You sure have," of course Enver knows, he always does, Gods he’s going to tease me again, he folds his proof of shame in half and places it back onto the desk, trying to pretend it doesn’t exist. |
"I... can neither confirm nor—" A gauntleted finger hooks onto his collar and pulls him down into a kiss, silencing him and his lower lip and tongue are suckled on before he’s let go. The finger then traces upwards, over the hickeys and bite marks that are already healing and fading away. He can’t help but make a noise... |
His Enver doesn’t respond, but only reaches into the drawer and pulls out something, and places it on his palm. It’s an unlabeled, transparent vial, and he picks it up and gives it a quick inspection. There are flecks of blood within the liquid... he knows what this is, now he can barely contain his desires, staring in... |
"Dear," Enver sounds so low and husky, he can’t wait to be satisfying him... |
"Enver, I should... go lie down..." He has to forcibly will his limbs into action, them softening up like cotton, scarcely able to hold his weight up, "tell me... how you used me when... I wake up next, alright?" |
He collapses the instant he gets into Enver’s quarters and onto his bed, it feeling like his actual home at this point. Meanwhile, his Enver’s staring at his pile of paperwork, calculating how quickly he can get them done before he's allowed to join him. |
This work is the product of procrastination (I really don’t want to finish my master's thesis) coupled with my current hyperfixation (Baldur's Gate 3) and my special interest (psychology). |
It is important to emphasize that this work reflects an individual analysis and has not undergone supervision by a team, which is typically standard for proper conceptualization (typically for real life people and not fictional characters). I am also (not yet) a professional. Therefore, any input or perspective from re... |
I would also like to acknowledge that English is not my first language, so I kindly request understanding for any potential errors. |
This work does not constitute a diagnosis, as a proper diagnosis cannot be established without a standardized interview and psychological tests involving the individual under assessment (well, duh, he is a bunch of pixels on the screen). |
Conceptualization serves the purpose of elucidating not only the etiology of problems and challenges but also the comprehensive functioning of the individual, in addition to encapsulating a subject within specific terms, including psychological ones (Słysz, 2017). |
I also believe that diagnosing third parties and placing them into specific categories of psychopathology without meeting the aforementioned ethical criteria would be highly unethical and potentially stigmatizing for individuals dealing with mental disorders. We can only formulate hypotheses, which could (and should) b... |
Astarion Ancunín |
Gender identity: |
High Elf, Vampire Spawn, Fey Ancestry |
Astarion is estimated to be approximately 240 years old. He is a vampire spawn, and prior to his transformation, he was a high elf with fey ancestry. Based on available information, Astarion does not appear to have a romantic partner (although it is worth noting that he may develop a relationship with the player charac... |
TL;DR: Astarion's basically in a "floundering" mental state, which is a fancy way of saying he's really not doing well. I mean, can you blame the guy? |
Drawing from Keyes and Lopez's Theory of Mental Health, when examining Astarion's condition, we can classify it as "floundering," which raises concerns and necessitates the need for appropriate psychological intervention. An individual in a "floundering" state is at risk of developing mental health issues or experienci... |
Theoretical bacground |
Keyes and Lopez's Dual Continuum Model of Health provides a comprehensive framework for understanding mental well-being, delineating four crucial dimensions that are shaped by the interplay of two key variables: emotional well-being and psychological well-being (Keyes, 2005). Emotional well-being, in this context, enco... |
The authors utilize this model for the purpose of classifying individuals along a continuum of mental well-being, which encompasses four distinct dimensions: "flourishing," "struggling," "languishing," and "floundering" (Keyes, 2005). Notably, Keyes and Lopez's model places a significant emphasis on social well-being a... |
Back to Astarion |
The categorization of Astarion within the "floundering" category is supported by the fact that Astarion himself is deeply unsatisfied with his life. He describes his life as one filled with suffering (I mean, it is unsurprising, considering he was enslaved...). He is dissatisfied with various aspects of his life and ha... |
When it comes to the aspect of potential psychopathological factors within the "psychological well-being" continuum, Astarion exhibits concerning symptoms, albeit entirely understandable given his social circumstances and traumatic experiences. |
When playing the character of Astarion as an Origin Character, following the action of biting one of the companions, Astarion experiences a nightmare/flashback related to his former master and abuser, Cazador. Within the narrative, we learn that this experience triggers profoundly intense negative emotions and fear in ... |
If the player chooses to play the "Dark Urge" during one of Sceleritas Fel's visitations, it is brought to our attention that "he is so afraid. So, so afraid. Of everyone (...)". This may suggest a perpetual state of the fight-or-flight response and chronic stress. While stress and fear are necessary survival responses... |
Within the context of the Dual Continuum Model of Health, Astarion exhibits concerning symptoms and manifests low levels of emotional well-being and psychological well-being. Nightmares and flashbacks related to past abuse and a pervasive sense of fear indicate significant distress. Additionally, his belief that he can... |
TL;DR: Astarion deals with stress like a pro according to Folkman and Lazarus. He's all about analyzing his problems, finding solutions, and not giving up, even when he has a tadpole thing. But he's a bit of a loner, doesn't ask for help, and tends to make jokes instead of sharing his feelings. It's like he's playing l... |
Folkman and Lazarus (1984) defined stress (in brief) as the outcome of the interaction between an individual and their environment, and coping with stress is a pivotal aspect in maintaining psychological and physical equilibrium. In my assessment, Astarion demonstrates a "problem-focused" and "problem-solving" strategy... |
Individuals employing this strategy meticulously analyze stressful situations, striving to comprehend their origins, significance, and demands. This assessment aids in identifying what can be done to alleviate stress (Folkman, 1984). |
Upon regaining his freedom, Astarion promptly formulates a plan to permanently escape Cazador's grasp. He actively seeks information and individuals who can assist him in obtaining information and methods to regain his freedom. Even after confronting the fact of having the "tad-pole" in his head, he immediately focuses... |
However, it is important to note the absence of an active pursuit of social support in his coping strategies. Initially, he struggles to seek assistance, as evidenced by his hesitation to reveal the scars on his back or asking for someone to read them to him. Moreover, he encounters difficulty in openly expressing adve... |
Despite these shortcomings, Astarion's stress-coping mechanism may be considered a significant asset. In numerous studies (Bigs et al., 2017; Cong et al., 2021; Felton et al., 1984) the problem-focused strategy has been found to exhibit a negative correlation with depression and other mental health disorders. Despite f... |
Astarion's problem-focused coping strategy, rooted in Folkman and Lazarus" model, shapes his character in the story. This approach emphasizes his analytical and self-reliant nature, enabling him to formulate effective plans and actively pursue solutions to the challenges he faces. However, his limited engagement with s... |
A. Theoretical model of psycho-social development by E. Erikson |
TL;DR: So, diving into the psychology of Astarion's development as an elf in the context of D&D, it's a bit tricky because D&D lore doesn't provide a lot of specifics about elf development stages. But hey, let's give it a shot. In his journey, Astarion has to break free from the role he was forced into and learn to tru... |
Applying norms and theories imposed by human psychology in the context of developmental stages can be somewhat challenging in this context, but hey, I won't die from attempting. |
Regrettably, specific developmental stages concerning Elves in the D&D lore are lacking. The scant information available about their development in the official game manuscript does not provide us with sufficient data to make a conclusive assessment of Astarion's development. |
The subject of an elf's aging, adulthood, and development is a topic of considerable debate within the D&D community (WhiskeyPixie, n.d.), to which I regrettably do not belong and have limited expertise. Nevertheless, I undertook a thorough examination by reviewing the game's manuscripts. |
According to the DnD 5e Player's Handbook (2014), Elves are considered children until they declare themselves as adults, typically after their one-hundredth birthday, during which they are referred to by child names. It is believed (The Elf Race for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Fifth Edition (5E) – D&D Beyond, n.d.) that t... |
Some players (WhiskeyPixie, n.d.) liken the concept of "the adult at 100" to the "legal drinking age." This concept is to them a creation of Elven society, highlighting the significance it assigns to experience, and positing that a 70-year-old elf is akin to a 70-year-old human, albeit without the accompanying burdens ... |
Regardless of players" and D&D fans" speculations, the categorization of specific years and stages of development in psychology is an exceptionally significant matter. As previously mentioned, it may seem imprudent to compare any human-made norms to the fantastical world, which only outlines the most fundamental princi... |
After thorough analysis, including discussions with my fellow nerdy friends, I have come to the conclusion that at the age of 18, elves experience the pinnacle of their physical maturation, while it is not until the age of 100 that they reach full development of the frontal lobe, akin to humans at the age of 25 (Arain ... |
For the purpose of simplifying the analysis, let us assume, in accordance with prevailing internet claims, that the statistical lifespan of an elf reaches 750 years (I am uncertain about the credibility of the information provided by the user Baronnolanvonstraya on Reddit.com, which has garnered five upvotes, regarding... |
I would, therefore, articulate my proposition for the application of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development (Scheck, 2014) to elves in the following manner. |
Back to Astarion |
In the case of Astarion, points 7-8 are not relevant. According to Astarion's tombstone, he "died" at the age of 39, placing him in the Early Adulthood phase. |
We lack information about the years leading up to his transformation into a vampire spawn, so it is challenging to determine whether he resolved conflicts from earlier stages of development. And if Astarion stopped at one of them, we cannot be certain whether he indeed not resolved them earlier, or if he regressed to t... |
We also lack knowledge regarding whether vampires, post-transformation, halt at a developmental stage at the moment of transformation, and whether this is solely a matter of biological development or also of psychological one. Using Cazadora as an example, we can speculate that vampire spawns remain at the same develop... |
Trust vs. Mistrust |
When analyzing the first initial stage of development, Infancy (0-1 year): Trust vs. Mistrust, it becomes evident that Astarion has an underdeveloped conflict in this domain. According to Erikson's perspective (Scheck, 2014), unresolved conflicts in any stage of development, irrespective of an individual's physical age... |
When considering a child's healthy development, during their initial years, they begin to grasp the nature of the world primarily through their interactions with parents and caregivers. The caregivers" responses and the extent of care provided serve as a blueprint for the child's understanding of the world and their pe... |
Basic trust represents a child's expectation that their needs will be met by caregivers, and they perceive the world as a secure and nurturing place. The positive outcome of this phase is that the child cultivates a positive belief that the world is safe, stable, and marvelous. |
However, this perspective does not align with Astarion's experiences, correct? Therefore, let us explore the potential negative outcomes, which encompass feelings of fear, anxiety, depression, diminished self-esteem, and a pessimistic outlook. As I’ve mentioned previously, Astarion views the world and people in it as d... |
Distrust arises from unmet needs, leading to a perception that the world is challenging and untrustworthy. For instance, when a child cries and their caregiver fails to adequately address their needs, a sense of mistrust can develop. In the first few months of life, a child can form the belief that the world may not fu... |
As previously mentioned, due to the absence of information regarding Astarion's childhood (and his own reported lack of recollection of events prior to his transformation) it is difficult to ascertain whether he had resolved any pre-transformation conflicts and regressed as a result of trauma, or entered the life of a ... |
Therefore, let's examine the role that Cazador played as a caregiver. I understand that it may sound unsettling and repulsive, but these were the circumstances under which the pale elf found himself. Cazador appointed himself as Astarion's master and wielded power over him through blood ties. Astarion was compelled to ... |
In one of his confessions, the pale elf discloses that any act of insubordination on his part was met with severe physical and psychological punishment at the hands of Cazadora. Additionally, the elf's sustenance was solely contingent upon the whims of Cazadora. The captor typically fed him on deceased rodents, raising... |
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt |
At this stage, an individual is confronted with a profoundly significant question: "Can I rely on my own capabilities, or am I dependent on the assistance of others?'. Taking into consideration that at the former stage of development, Astarion had already formed maladaptive beliefs about the world (excluding the specif... |
As children progress into the Early Childhood stage, it becomes crucial for them to initiate the development of a sense of personal independence and self-control. By learning to undertake tasks on their own, they not only establish mastery over their actions but also cultivate basic self-assurance in their abilities. ... |
However, it has been established in the previous developmental stage, albeit not explicitly named, that during his captivity, Astarion was completely deprived of any autonomy. The negative consequences of this deprivation are evident in his beliefs and behaviors. Upon his liberation from Cazador's clutches, we observe ... |
Astarion, despite his conviction of physical attractiveness (as it was one of the few assets that allowed him to survive while being a favorite of his tormentor), struggles with self-acceptance regarding his body. He is repelled by his scars and additionally wrestles with an incomplete sense of self-image due to the in... |
Likewise, he openly admits to engaging in sexual relationships and is unable to establish clear boundaries in these encounters due to his fear of rejection. This is compounded by his implied history of experiencing sexual trafficking and being forced into prostitution by his abuser. In Act 3 he says "I never imagined m... |
He is equally moved when the player actively defends the autonomy of the pale elf in the face of the blood merchant. Astarion says, "I want to thank you. For what you said while I was in front of that vile drow. I spent two hundred years using my body to lure pretty things back for my Master. What I wanted, how I felt ... |
Interestingly, this moment appears to be a pivotal one in Astarion's journey towards establishing autonomy and gaining confidence in defining what he desires and how he should be treated. If, after the situation with Araj, the player proposes a sexual encounter instead of emotional support, Astarion hesitantly expresse... |
Regardless of whether the player chooses the cruel option, the affirmation of the significance of this moment for the autonomy of the vampire can be found in other instances throughout Act 3. When the player respects his boundaries and declines the threesome with the twins, he is visibly surprised that his assertivenes... |
What is worth emphasizing is how everyone in the Cazador Manor, including Cazador, addresses Astarion. They employ an extremely infantilizing language, referring to him as a child and a young boy. They underscore his dependency on the place he finds himself in, much like a child dependent on a parent. It is essential t... |
Initiative vs. Guilt |
"Am I good or bad?" is a question to which children of this age seek answers. Affording them the autonomy and fostering an environment for play not only elicits their enthusiasm for exerting some degree of control over their activities but also plays a pivotal role in their development. |
Guilt, often regarded as the sentiment of shame resulting from an inability to accomplish a task successfully, may trigger frustration in adults, or lead to feelings of embarrassment when attempting something new. In the case of children, those who grapple with guilt tend to interpret their mistakes as indicators of pe... |
Industry vs. Inferiority |
This stage essentially determines whether a child will develop a healthy self-esteem. At first glance, Astarion appears to be radiating with immense ego and overwhelming self-confidence. However, could this be merely a facade? In a psychological conceptualization, we would typically remain at this inquiry. Yet, given o... |
Astarion's excessive need for external validation, his willingness to please others, and his doubts about his own worth can be seen as a manifestation of inferiority. His constant need to hear that he is needed and sufficient may reflect an unresolved conflict from this developmental stage. |
Many interactions with Astarion often revolve around his need to hear that he is needed and sufficient. Individuals with a healthy self-esteem do not experience the need for excessive external validation of their worth. Of course, external reinforcements can be detrimental to a person's healthy development, but not whe... |
It is important to acknowledge the intensity of his self-hatred. He perceives any acts of kindness or assistance as undeserved. He will perpetually grapple with feelings of inadequacy, which is evident in his willingness to fulfill player’s desires. |
Some players (Kamie, n.d.) postulate the possibility that he might be willing to enter into an open relationship or even tolerate infidelity with Mizora and Harleep, because he does not feel enough for the player. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that this could be an instance of overinterpretation, as it is equall... |
Identity vs. Role Confusion |
I believe we need not dwell too extensively on this matter. Astarion is unacquainted with any role other than that to which he was compelled to submit during his captivity. Given his very young age at the time of his transformation and simultaneous "death," he had no opportunity to establish his life's purpose. He was ... |
When Astarion joins the player's group, he exhibits behavioral patterns rooted in his past captivity experiences. He is deeply entrenched in the role imposed upon him by Cazador. Continuously, he voices his perception of still being enslaved despite the severance of those bonds. He openly expresses surprise when his pr... |
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