BG3 | Ascended Astarion is NOTHING like Cazador - Part 1 of 3 [Reason for Spawn Creation]

Happy New Year y Feliz Año Nuevo!!

Someone asked me to do this comparison and I'm finally getting around to it [sorry it took ~5 months!] I've tried to compile scenes showing how different they are based on various categories starting with this one: Comparing their reasons for spawn creation.

Cazador's reason for turning Astarion into a spawn is explicitly stated in the game. With Astarion, I assume it's left open-ended to allow people to RP. I based my interpretation on why Astarion offers to turn the player into a vampire based on his in-game dialogue selected during a playthrough with a resist Dark Urge. I've included as many dialogue trees as possible so that some of the context is available.

Even if you picked every single negative dialogue option for Ascended Astarion, I don't think AA is anything at all like Cazador, based on the in-game content.

Cazador's Reasons:
0:01 – Act 2: Raphael explains why Cazador needs spawn
0:12 – Act 3: Cazador states why he turned Astarion

Astarion's Reasons:
1). He offers to turn the player out of love,
0:31 – Act 2: Relationship lock-in: Uncertain about what he wants.
0:45 – Act 3 & Epilogue: Examples where he states what he wants.
2). And to have a partner in crime,
1:37 – Act 2: Relationship lock-in: He doesn't know what comes next in the relationship.
1:43 – Act 3 & Epilogue: Examples where AA is planning for the future with his LI.
3). for eternity.
3:22 – Act 3 & Epilogue: Asking the player multiple times if they want to be together forever, for eternity, for all time...
3:44 – Epilogue: "I may have power, but it would be nothing without you..."