Astarion/Halsin

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Pairing
Pairing: Astarion/Halsin
Alternative name(s): Halstarion
Gender category: Slash
Fandom: Baldur's Gate III
Canonical?: yes, player determinant
Prevalence: popular
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Astarion/Halsin is the canonical pairing of Astarion and Halsin in Baldur's Gate III fandom. The pairing can be canonical if the player starts their game as Astarion, or as part of a poly relationship between Astarion/Tav/Halsin or Astarion/The Dark Urge/Halsin.

Canon

Fandom

Pairing name and representation

The fandom has a few different ways to tag the pairing, some of which some fans are not privy to and result in some difficulty finding fanworks. Apart from the Slash pairing name, Halstarion (a portmanteau) is frequently used. Some fans use AstarionXHalsin to tag instead, while others don't tag the pairing (unsure if it's because of lack of knowledge regarding the pairing name) and write the characters' names separately.

On the platform Twitter (X) the bear and bat emojis are used to represent the pairing as well, with small variations that may include a heart, like so: 🐻🦇 or 🐻❤️🦇. The order doesn't seem to matter or represent who is top/bottom.

Some fans have offered other ideas on what to call the pairing based on themes (similarly to Bloodweave), but they haven't been picked up by the majority of fandom. Examples are BloodBear, BloodOak, Ursa Minor[1], Honeysuckle[2] and BearStar.

Common Tropes and Themes

  • Dropping the Mask: Many of the themes around the pairing focus on Astarion finally enjoying sex and also not feeling/having the need to perform during encounters.
  • SA recovery/Shared pains: Both Halsin and Astarion were victims of SA. Many of the stories are about helping one or each other with their recovery.
  • Blood Drinking/Bear Blood: Astarion is a vampire spawn and needs to drink blood. Halsin is a very large elf who can probably spare more than most. It's also implied that Astarion can get tipsy or drunk off drinking from a bear/a large amount of blood, both which Halsin can provide. Many fics focus on Halsin giving blood to Astarion freely, for nothing in return, which typically leads to Astarion's trust or mistrust in Halsin growing.
  • Safe, Sane, Consensual: Stories where Astarion learns how to express consent in various ways during sexual or intimate situations with Halsin's help.
  • Control/Loss of control: Many stories focus on Astarion feeling safe enough with Halsin to give up control or take control during sexual intercourse or intimate situations. Both characters also have a feral side which makes them lose control (Astarion is a vampire who can lose control through bloodlust and Halsin is a shapeshifting druid who turns into a Bear when he cannot control himself). In stories they both may fall into primal, feral sex or some semblance of it during their encounters.
  • Sickfic/Caretaking: Halsin is a healer and finds many ways to ease Astarion's pain, physical or not. Has some overlap with SA recovery and blood drinking stories.
  • Size Kink: Halsin's large size is mentioned in almost any fic, but his atributes are also the focus during intimate moments.
  • Plums: Based on a poem embroidered by Astarion on his eccentric shirt in the EA game: “Lamentable is the Autumn Picker Content with Plums"[3][4]. Plums can be found in art depicting Astarion and Halsin[5][6], and the poem is also used as a fanfic title[7].
  • Elf Longevity/Past Meetings: Halsin is a wood elf, with an average lifespan of around 700 years, and is 350 years old in the game. According to DnD lore, there is a chance of a level 18 elf druid gaining Timeless Body and living up to 7,000 years. Astarion is a high elf, who naturally would also live to be around 700 years old, but is now functionally immortal as a vampire and around 240 years old in the game. Because of this, many stories focus on a possible pre/post-game relationship, as both Astarion and Halsin might have met previously, during the 39 years of Astarion's life, and because they both will outlive all of their companions (excluding a customizable Tav), even without Halsin expanding his in-game natural lifespan.
  • Terms of Endearment: In fanfic, the use of "little elf" is common by Halsin while Astarion tends to use "druid". Canon terms are also used, such as "heart".

Panel from Hell

On July 7th 2023, Halstarion was the pairing showcased during the sex scene during Larian’s Panel from Hell. It’s where the “bear sex scene” meme comes from and it caused the pairing to be one of the first FR pairings to be shipped, making it an extremely popular ship during the inception of the fandom.

The scene also won the OTK Video Game Awards for Gaming Moment of the Year[8].

Neil Newbon’s Baldur’s Gate III Twitch Streams and Dave Jones’ Twitter

On 19th October 2023, Neil Newbon, Astarion’s Voice Actor, and his stream guest Dave Jones, Halsin’s Voice Actor, discussed a particular fanart illustration by Malacandrax on Twitter (X), which featured Astarion being kissed and held between Halsin and Gale, which became a ship known as Oakbloodweave. Fans were pleased with how the VAs accepted fannish and shippy content, especially since it was a poly and slash ship. Malacandrax and other Baldur's Gate III artists were praised by both actors.

Dave Jones also reposted a re-draw of an EGX panel where he was present with Newbon and Samantha Béart (Karlach’s VA), where Astarion is resting his feet on Halsin’s side of the couch and Halsin is resting his arm on Astarion’s legs, with the caption “oh my god, this has made me ridiculously happy.”[9]

Both these events and Dave Jones’ thirsty BG3 reposts have brought attention to the pairing and incentivised the creation of more fanart. The twitter interaction between Jones and Béart has fuelled more shipping[10], also of the Halsin/Karlach pairing, which is a rare pair.

One of the more important posts pairing-wise was when Jones voiced some lines for a Halstarion fanart by baiyameng[11].

Halstarion pairing hate

On January 4th 2024, a blue emoji in despair meme with the text "When a ship you dislike is loved by the fandom and you can't say anything abt it or else you will get attacked"[12], created by user luvhlyh, made its rounds on Twitter (X). Some fans used this meme to express their dislike and even hatred towards Halstarion so frequently that it ended up on top of the Halstarion tag and thus very visible to fans of this pairing.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] This led to many becoming annoyed at the spamming of the tag.[20] Fans' main complaints about this pairing as a NOTP tend to focus on a particular analysis of a different pairing, the poly Astarion/Halsin/Tav or Tavalstarion pairing, as unhealthy (although this analysis as also been debunked several times by other analysis and even in-game approval). In this particular analysis of Tavalstarion, Astarion is seen as devoid of the character development, self-control and independence he cultivated over the first Acts of the game and these fans view his choice to participate in a fivesome with the sex workers of Sharess' Caress as an act of Sexual Self-Coercion, thus devoid of consent, like the one he performed with the Player Character during Act 1, in order to get protection, or the sexual slavery he suffered under Cazador. Some NOTP fans also paint Halsin as a sexual predator in this theory.[21]

In the early days, just after the Full Access version of the game came out, when not a lot of Act 3 lore or gameplay was easily available online, some fans took to the Baldur's Gate III Reddit page, to ask information about the fivesome interaction, out of curiosity, or to know what the approval gain would be. In many of these posts, some NOTP fans gave their analysis of the scene, but some also lied or twisted the scene of the poly pairing, in order to demotivate players from trying it, stating that Astarion disapproved of it or hated Halsin, that Astarion did not consent, making this a forceful act and also that a "lack of disapproval from the act with Halsin" and being unable to "see a disgust scene by Astarion after it" were simply bugs suffered by other players, and that Halsin was forcing himself onto Astarion and messing up the Astarion/Tav relationship.[22][23] These are not true statements, as these scenes or reactions were never in the game, independently of the patch. While as the time passed and more information, including the scene, became readily available online, many NOTP fans clung to these analysis or statements and kept the same opinion about the poly pairing at least until patch 5. Patch 5 introduced a new post-sex scene for this fivesome, where all participants can be seen calmly sleeping on the ground, but still no disapproval or disgust.

It has been noted by fans of the Halstarion pairing, but also by others, that Astarion will disassociate no matter who the Player Character is and even if Halsin is not present (the outcome of a Astarion/Tav pairing and a Tavalstarion pairing is the exact same). It has been noted as well that Astarion and Halsin disapprove if Halsin does not join them for the act with Tav.[24] Many fans also note that while Astarion disassociates, Halsin seems to have been triggered by the experience as well, as he's quick to tell the Player Character that he suffered from sexual slavery under a drow couple (and the sex workers are also a drow couple) as soon as the act is over. Neither character shows disapproval post-sex. Fans also state that Astarion is canonically able to make his own decisions and even come to regret them, choosing to participate in a fivesome as a SA survivor, but that does not mean that he cannot make them and that if he truly disliked any relationship he'd be able to stand his ground and break it off, since he's done it before while he was much more unsure of himself. [25][26][27]

Halstarion fans and Halsin fans alike tend to be surprised by the casual hate that the pairing and character frequently receive, as by most fans' standards, Halstarion and Halsin are non-problematic, with Halsin being a responsible and patient character who, like Astarion, has suffered sexual slavery and assault in the past, which in many fans' opinion is a great motivation for a relationship. There is also the fact that Halsin canonically will not sleep with the PC until Act 3 of the game, which is exactly when Astarion finally comes to terms with some of his trauma and feels comfortable in having a sexual relationship with anyone, thus making this the only one of Astarion's canon in-game romances where he will not force himself to use his body sexually and sleep with the other character for protection.

A possible reason why the Tavalstarion based dislike for Halstarion was/is so visible could be due to the fact that Tavalstarion is considered by many to be a Astarion/Tav pairing, the juggernaut of Baldur's Gate III. Thus the number of people that can possibly dislike such a dynamic can largely overshadow the number of any other fans.

Halstarion Jumpscare

On February 9 2024, the official Baldur's Gate 3 Twitter (X) account posted an announcement for patch 6 of the game coming out during Valentine's Day week. New camp idle animations, new Legendary Actions in Honour Mode, and bug fixes were announced, but it was the new kissing animations that were showcased in an example video featuring the Halstarion pairing. The new kissing animation showed a new forehead kiss by Halsin.[28] This was extremely well received by fans[29], especially those of the character and the pairing[30][31][32] even leading to artwork[33][34][35][36][37][38], and new fans learning of the pairing[39], but received backlash as well, with a particular group of fans, who dislike the pairing, complaining about the official accounts choice of pairing for a Valentine's Day patch.[40][41][42] Some fans had previously blacklisted the pairing name and, due to the official account's use of it for the video, considered they were forced into having to look at it. [43][44].

Fanworks

Fanfiction

  • Perceived Impressions by Acinonyx1, ongoing forced proximity and whump fic, When Astarion awakens in the aftermath of the Nautiloid crash, it is not to a friendly face but the press of goblin steel against his cheek. Now a captive of the Absolute, he is left starving and huddled in the corner, waiting for the beast that shares his cell to finally strike. Bears, after all, are not known to be the most gracious killers. (2023)
  • this bridge won't burn by tippytulip, caretaking oneshot, “Your scars are quite old,” Halsin remarks, and Astarion flinches so hard he nearly stabs himself with his own needle. Gods above, how does a man that large move that quietly? He blinks up at the druid, now looming above him. He smiles pleasantly, like he always does, and Astarion does not stare at the way the motion makes his tattoo ripple. “Well spotted,” he manages. - Astarion does not understand what Halsin wants. Until he does. (2023)
  • Control by madam_mess, oneshot focused on control during sex, first part of a series, A drunken night, one bad decision after another, and Astarion finds himself blissfully at Halsin's mercy. He hates it. Later, he regains control. (2023)
  • Never Say No by MojojojoBadMonkey, also featuring the pairing Astarion/Tav, originally the longest fic of the pairing, spanning 60 chapters, featuring themes of whump, rape/rape recovery and consent/lack of, Tav, Astarion and the gang have been travelling together a while now. The grove is safe and the two take a moment out to enjoy themselves and not for the first time. However it is the first time Tav realises something is ‘off’ when the pair fuck. Looks like this might be a fight Tav can never win. (2023)
  • he may contain the urge to run away (but hold him down with soggy clothes and breezeblocks) by DILFdoney (Semoka), rape recovery oneshot focusing on a trigger situation, “Halsin,” Astarion keeps his voice low, calm, even with his own building panic. He’s not prepared for this, he isn’t built for this. “It’s Astarion, Halsin. I need you to let go. Do you hear me, darling? Breathe.” (2023)
  • False Dominance by Acinonyx1, oneshot hatesex with petplay and feral characteristics featuring Ascendant Astarion, Newly ascended Astarion finds Halsin will not be the submissive pet he desires him to be. (2023)
  • A Soft Caress; As Cold As Death by ZiGraves, a six-chapter Grief/Mourning reunion fic, As a full blooded elf and an undying vampire, Halsin and Astarion outlive the other saviours of Baldur's Gate - including the tiefling cleric who brought them together all those decades ago. Half retrospective, half reunion, all bittersweet. (2023)
  • Caution: Sharp Edges by tigerontheprowl, friends to lovers slow burn story, Freedom on the horizon, Astarion attempts to reclaim his sexuality. Halsin has a terrible, all-consuming crush. Communication fails. (2023)
  • Lamentable is the Autumn Picker Content with Plums by Tatterings, ongoing slow burn with bloodrinking and struggles with masking and control, A slow burn romance as these two beautiful, traumatized bastards find healing and hope for the future in each others' arms. (2023)

Fanart

Cosplay

Resources

References

  1. ^ Proposal for name https://www.tumblr.com/dominaharper/730536824830853120/all-these-creative-ship-names-and-yet-i-have-seen?source=share&ref=daisyannie
  2. ^ Proposal for name https://twitter.com/siggykuu/status/1714478582699839859
  3. ^ Screenshot from ThedasWolves on Twitter (X) from the EA version of the game https://twitter.com/ThedasWolves/status/1698176959610606012/photo/1
  4. ^ Succinct analysis of the possible meaning of the poem https://www.tumblr.com/saeterdaeg/732188545415102464/lamentable-is-the-autumn-picker-content-with
  5. ^ Something about plums by solmesia https://www.tumblr.com/solmesia/730425468723019776/something-about-plums
  6. ^ 真好玩 by yixishangyong https://twitter.com/yixishangyong/status/1706728014384423208
  7. ^ Lamentable is the Autumn Picker Content with Plums by Tatterings https://archiveofourown.org/works/50400424/chapters/127692301#workskin
  8. ^ Twitter (X) post announcing the OTK's Winner of Gaming Moment of the Year https://twitter.com/OTKGameAwards/status/1733217197361639746
  9. ^ https://twitter.com/DaveJonesActor/status/1713282886814580793
  10. ^ https://twitter.com/DaveJonesActor/status/1711734524122399230
  11. ^ Dave Jones' "fanservice" for a Halstarion fanart https://twitter.com/DaveJonesActor/status/1720588966380917120
  12. ^ https://x.com/luvhlyh/status/1742808442916761824?s=20
  13. ^ https://x.com/faemass/status/1743371966856196424?s=20
  14. ^ https://x.com/under_the_dark0/status/1743322493484487132?s=20
  15. ^ https://x.com/theirclementine/status/1743279415252095140?s=20
  16. ^ https://x.com/S0ULS0W/status/1743139284104675808?s=20
  17. ^ https://x.com/morvraniara/status/1743415566600175791?s=20
  18. ^ https://x.com/hachiohgersbf/status/1743391529027141878?s=20
  19. ^ https://x.com/laezbian/status/1743133880268268011?s=20
  20. ^ https://x.com/feverfury/status/1743716558227075414?s=20
  21. ^ Fan mentioning their belief in Halsin being a potential abuser https://x.com/LehyScraps/status/1758876839521497253?s=20
  22. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/15zmc8j/is_astarion_actually_cool_with_halsins_romance/
  23. ^ https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/1632xka/the_poly_romance_between_astariontavhalsin_is/
  24. ^ https://www.tumblr.com/saeterdaeg/742247599990620160/if-in-the-sharess-caress-you-choose-no?source=share
  25. ^ https://www.tumblr.com/zapshazam/731544248619515904/idk-something-really-rubs-me-wrong-about-the-way?source=share
  26. ^ https://www.tumblr.com/gloryinthunder/737925548385419264/i-get-frustrated-a-bit-when-i-hear-people-say-that?source=share
  27. ^ https://youtu.be/mSdEqypnLo4?si=cZzBChBw6_TAzfM6
  28. ^ https://twitter.com/baldursgate3/status/1755980870664466761
  29. ^ https://x.com/justjordansart/status/1755987578501910907?s=20
  30. ^ https://x.com/minnathesinna/status/1755983155964641343?s=20
  31. ^ https://x.com/weatheredlaw/status/1755983176961347674?s=20
  32. ^ https://x.com/ToothDroid/status/1755998196558712969?s=20
  33. ^ https://x.com/onehandedbndt/status/1756099921659261416?s=20
  34. ^ https://x.com/Mo_ekakigasuki/status/1757394409895997591?s=20
  35. ^ https://x.com/DeyaMuniz/status/1757149247948902853?s=20
  36. ^ https://x.com/themaybug/status/1756301332648972591?s=20
  37. ^ https://x.com/MrDiscophoria/status/1756167164174930052?s=20
  38. ^ https://x.com/Felix_Bobeelix/status/1756441213513683400?s=20
  39. ^ https://x.com/myoshiarts/status/1756063514861720052?s=20
  40. ^ https://twitter.com/tomenthalpy/status/1755981354838446347
  41. ^ https://twitter.com/seldarinedrow/status/1756007026218684825
  42. ^ https://twitter.com/hocanimal/status/1756001977421406384
  43. ^ https://twitter.com/chiieur/status/1755995998931821052
  44. ^ https://x.com/fangedfiend/status/1756379612802674968?s=20


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