I'm imagining an option in your first night with Astarion where it's possible to reject sex w/o dropping his romance path altogether. You can as Origin Karlach, but that's due to her infernal heart. Some players aren't into sex so fast either.

Players have their own reasons as well, not only because of Astarion, to say the least. Romancing as Karlach has her and Astarion just talking through the night and, while he was initially frustrated that his routine isn't working, seems relieved after and apologized.

"Just do it, it's just a game." I'm aware. I'm also aware that it's intended that the writers didn't want to treat sex as the "ultimate reward" in companion romance arcs here. It's okay for people to imagine alternate scenarios. Besides, it won't be thematically out-of-place.

Again, this is just in the realm of my imagination since there's no option to do so as Tav/Durge. I'm not banging on Larian's doors to make it happen (plus, there are still bugs to iron out and official mod support will be coming as of the day of this post), but I do admit that I would find that very nice. I think it'd be swell talking about embroidery, taste in clothes, hobbies- just stuff to get to know each other a little more, kinda like what you do with Stella in Scarlet Hollow, not only as a start to show the importance of non-sexual intimacy, but just general stuff to get to know your character and Astarion too.

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