Astarion Ancunín

Astarion Ancunín was a high elf rogue and vampire spawn who dwelt in Baldur's Gate during the late 15 century DR.

Description
The noble high elf had grey curly hair and appeared to be in his late 30s.

Abilities
He was a talented rogue who was skilled at using the bow.

Due to his unique infestation by a modified mind flayer tadpole, Astarion could move freely during the daylight hours, move through running water unharmed, and enter homes uninvited; none of which a vampire or their spawn should be able to do.

While others with the same infection sought to rid themselves of the parasite, Astarion sought to control it and gain mastery over his new powers.

Personality
Astarion was eloquent and charming, typically valuing showmanship and finesse over strict rigor. His wry, cheeky wit made banter appear effortless. Still, he was well accustomed to violence and cruelty, often using his alluring charisma to manipulate and deceive. During the centuries of slavery he endured as a vampire spawn under the yoke of Cazador Szarr, Astarion lured hundreds of unfortunate victims back to his master's palace. Cazador's sadistic treatment also made Astarion slow to trust, as he often expected others to want to use and abuse him as Cazador did. Astarion developed a cynical outlook, seeking pleasure and power wherever he could find it, with little regard for the well-being of others. Once freed, however, he was shown to be capable of breaking these routines by showing compassion and forming genuine bonds.

Relationships
Astarion's vampire lord patron was Cazador Szarr of the noble Baldurian Szarr family. While serving as Cazador's slave, he was expected to lure back victims for his master to feed on, most often using his charm or his body.

He also underwent many forms of torture while under Cazador's control, such as being starved, trapped in solitary confinement, mutilated, and being forced to sustain himself on mere rats.

History
Astarion was born in the.

He became a magistrate, but in the, he was attacked by a group of Gurs. He was rescued by Cazador Szarr, who turned him into his vampire spawn.

As part of the torture Astarion endured while a slave in Szarr's domain, Cazador cut writing onto his back, which he described as "poems". Little did he know at the time that the inscriptions were in fact part of an infernal contract with the archdevil Mephistopheles, which would allow Astarion's patron to perform a Rite of Profane Ascension. Should Cazador succeed, he would be more powerful than ever, with his strengths amplified and him no longer being bound by the vampiric curses such as hypersensitivity to sunlight or inability to cross running water.

The aforementioned rite would require a sacrifice of seven thousand souls, and unbeknownst to Astarion, he and all the victims he seduced for his lord were planned to be a part of it.

In the, Astarion began seducing a young fellow noble, trying to lure him towards his master. However, he was kidnapped by a mind flayer, placed into a holding pod in a nautiloid, and infected with an illithid tadpole. As the spelljammer passed over Yartar, it was assaulted by githyanki who rode atop red dragons. After the nautiloid teleported through the planes, it crashed, and Astarion ended up somewhere along the River Chionthar.

Upon awaking, Astarion found himself altered, and somehow more powerful; rather than undergoing the process of ceremorphosis, Astarion was able to resist sunlight and could communicate telepathically. He no longer was under Cazador's vampiric influence either, and regained his free will for the time being.