So I've got the co-op evil playthrough where I'm playing a Gale origin and doing some tragic bloodweave fic fodder, but I've got a solo bloodweave run as an Astarion origin and there have been so many times where I can only imagine him grinding his teeth as he is forced to do the nice thing for people because enough of the party agreed to it. A waste of time and entirely, bitterly ironic.
It's just that I simply cannot see Astarion or Gale in a leadership position with this group of people. With regards to how they are in act 1, I think Gale is too self-interested to make a good leader, and I don't think Astarion wants that burden of responsibility. If anything, I think the origins would probably have Wyll as their spokesperson, but decision-making would be a lot more collaborative outside of game logic.
That's the logic I'm using for this playthrough anyway. Need to justify Astarion making selfless and heroic choices in act 1 because I can't have two concurrent playthroughs where I miss out on a ton of stuff LOL
Bonus pic of Gale's risque outfit I've got him in this playthrough โฌ