Somewhere along the line, Astarion Ancunín made a mistake. Digging around in the papers will reveal a law school track, an early appointment to the position of judge, but then his name disappears from any reputable sources, surfacing instead on the site known as The Szarr Palace, catering to those looking for high-end escorts — discreet, talented, the best of the best.

His current appointment, however, is at Saltburnt, charming and servicing its guests so long as they can pay him for his time. Just don't ask him if he likes his job. As they say, it's a living.

🍷 Some whisper that he comes from wealth. Why this job, then? Maybe he had some debts to pay.

🍷 It's a shame about those ugly scars on his back. And take care you don't mention them, if you see them — to say he's touchy on the subject is an understatement.

🍷 Prior to coming to Saltburnt, the only complaint his clients ever had was that he'd get jumpy toward the ends of their dates. When asked why, he'd apologize, then bat his eyelashes and say, "You don't know my boss like I do."

🍷 There's a picture of his younger self somewhere in circulation. On the back is written in permanent marker: the most beautiful boy in the world.

🍷 More than one client has begged and pleaded for his hand. One, when refused, paid for one of Astarion's scarves, then used it to hang himself.

🍷 Those who've seen his room in the manor know it to be almost unsettlingly sparsely decorated. He says it's an aesthetic choice. Others think it's because he doesn't believe he'll ever stay in one place for very long.

🍷 One client, a romance novelist, modeled her next hero after him, including on the book's cover illustration. He burned his copy, but not before reading it.

🍷 Though he has a standard rate — dictated by the amount of time and kind of activity desired — he's more flexible in the manor. If you have a juicy secret to share, that's it's own form of currency.

🍷 The only client he ever cut a date short with committed the crime of asking if he believes in God.

🍷 Observant guests might notice he goes to the chapel at strange hours — and that he's never turned away. Sometimes he stays for minutes, sometimes for hours. He leaves looking a little sad every time.

🍷 He slid into Louis' DMs a few years before taking up residence at Saltburnt. Strangely enough, their messages have never turned explicit, to the point that they'll occasionally post screenshots — of inside jokes, of skincare tips and restaurant recommendations — to their respective Instagram stories.

🍷 He's always wearing a necklace with a pendant made of opals arranged in a half-moon. He can't remember where he got it from, but he can't seem to let go of it.

FATHER GALE DEKARIOS: The one who keeps getting away.
SHADOWHEART VOLKARIN: A former client in her girlboss days, now old friend.
LOUIS DE POINTE DU LAC: A friend — not a client, not a friend with benefits. A friend.
ARMAND KAMALI: A (generous) patron.

🍷 Can complete his (extensive) hair routine without ever looking into a mirror.