“Who am I? Your only chance of survival. And you mine, though it pains me to say it.”
— Lae’zel introduces herself.

Act 1

Lae’zel is an Origin character and Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. She is a Githyanki !Fighter with the Soldier background. Origin characters can be played as the main character, otherwise, they can be recruited as a companion early on.

Lae’zel hails from Crèche K’liir, a Githyanki enclave situated on an asteroid near Selûne, the moon of Faerûn. Prior to the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, she fell victim to Mind Flayer capture. After her abduction, players encounter her aboard the Nautiloid. Collaborating, they seek to commandeer the Nautiloid’s transponder and escape.

Lae’zel exhibits traits of xenophobia, arrogance, and a quick temper. She takes pride in her Githyanki heritage, often elucidating Githyanki customs to the party. Her resolute mission to eliminate her Mind Flayer parasite leads her to intimidate or harm those who obstruct her path. She approves of morally dubious player choices, like betraying Astarion to a vampire hunter, and holds deep loyalty to Vlaakith, the Githyanki queen.

Approval: Lae’zel favors direct approaches and prioritizes swift resolution to the Tadpole infection. Certain story and dialogue choices lead to her gaining approval from the player.
Disapproval: Specific story and dialogue choices can lead to Lae’zel losing approval from the player.
Romance: Lae’zel is open to romancing characters of any sex and race. Further details about her romance can be found in the relevant section.

Lae’zel’s preferences lean toward direct and efficient solutions, particularly when confronting the Tadpole infection issue. The subsequent story and dialogue choices can lead to her approval or disapproval.

Act 1 - Approval:

1. Choose the ‘Attack’ dialogue option when conversing with Taman and Gimblebock.
2. Inquire about the tadpole and commit to finding a cure.
3. Use the ‘Fighter’ option to incapacitate Aradin.
4. Inform Zevlor of other priorities.
5. Allow Lae’zel to make Zorru bow.
6. Acknowledge her proficiency in interrogations.
7. Teach the Tiefling Guex combat techniques by passing an Athletics Check.
8. Express doubts about the Creche being the sole cure, then underscore the value of their information.
9. Pledge to ingest Wyvern Poison.
10. Decline the devil’s offer to remove the tadpole.
11. Urge Edowin’s siblings to avenge their brother.
12. Eliminate the tadpole-infested True Soul Edowin.
13. Deliver the final blow to goblin Fezzerk.
14. Consume water from the well near Auntie Ethel’s house.
15. Mislead the goblins, retort ‘you can’t be serious,’ and fling feces at them.
16. Playfully startle Volo during his performance.
17. Demand Crusher to kiss your foot.
18. Accompany Shadowheart to the Chicken Chase at the Goblin Camp, advising patience.
19. Coerce information from Liam on behalf of the goblins.
20. Engage the artist and label him a slave.
21. Allow Lae’zel to converse with the Githyanki Patrol.
22. Successfully deceive the Githyanki Patrol with a Deception Check.
23. After meeting the Githyanki Patrol, convince Lae’zel to calm down.
24. Accept !Paladin Anders’ request to eliminate the one-horned Tiefling.
25. Inform merchant Cyrel of your intention to acquire the supplies.
26. Confront BOOOAL, denouncing him as a false god and proclaiming your intention to seize his power.

Act 1 - Disapproval:

1. Following your initial interaction with her in camp, agree with Shadowheart’s viewpoint.
2. Persuade Kagha to release Arabella.
3. Purchase the artist at the Zhentarim Hideout.
4. When Shadowheart experiences a magical flare-up, opt to divert the conversation and ignore it.
5. Inform Andrick and Brynna that you emerged from the wreckage.
6. Choose the [Half-Drow] option when encountering the githyanki search party to represent her, interrupting her.
7. Allow Astarion to kill the Gur monster hunter Gandrel while Lae’zel is part of the party.

Romance:

Lae’zel is open to romantic relationships with characters of any sex and race. A detailed explanation of Lae’zel’s romance is provided in the subsequent section.

Act 1 - Romance:

During a party event, regardless of alignment or approval status, an essential romantic scene with Lae’zel can unfold. She commends the player’s combat skills and proposes an intimate encounter without strings attached. If the player agrees, a subsequent scene transpires in an altar room, wherein Lae’zel appears naked. She then asserts her dominance over the player, who can either comply or attempt an Intimidation roll to reverse roles. The scene is explicitly intimate.

Following the encounter, regardless of the outcome, the player wakes up the next morning, potentially experiencing discomfort. Lae’zel clarifies that the encounter was purely for pleasure and might or might not engage in further intimate interactions.

Recruitment Opportunities

1. Main Recruitment (Chapter One): Lae’zel can be recruited during Chapter One.
2. Initial Encounter on the Nautiloid: Lae’zel is first encountered on the Nautiloid during the Prologue. As the player escapes from the Nautiloid, she temporarily joins the party as a companion. After the successful escape, she departs.
3. Second Encounter in the Wilderness: Lae’zel appears again in the Wilderness, captured in a wooden cage by two Tieflings named Damays and Nymessa. Players who free her have the option to invite her to join the party.

Alternative Recruitment Opportunities:

1. Revivify Resurrection: If Lae’zel dies during the Tutorial level, her body will be located at the starting beach area. Using a scroll of Revivify on her brings her back to life, allowing players to recruit her.
2. Grove Encounter: Progressing further to the Grove and triggering a specific scene at the gates results in Lae’zel breaking out of her cage and vanishing. If Damays and Nymessa are still alive, they are killed by her. She becomes recruitable again at a later point.
3. Githyanki Encounter near Mountain Pass: After breaking out of the cage or if players refused her joining earlier, she appears when players encounter the Githyanki near the Mountain Pass. If she doesn’t turn hostile during the encounter, players have the opportunity to recruit her. If she turns hostile but is later resurrected, she can still be recruited.
4. Final Recruitment Opportunity: If players miss the earlier recruitment opportunities or refuse her, she can be found one final time near the first waypoint in the region where the Crèche is located for a last chance at recruitment.

Lae’zel, a Fighter, excels at the forefront of combat situations. Her proficiency with heavy weapons and her innate resilience make her a formidable force on the battlefield. Her combat capabilities include:

• Two-Handed Fighting Style - Great Weapon Fighting: At level 1, Lae’zel is skilled in the use of two-handed weapons, benefitting from the Great Weapon Fighting Style.

• Durability: Lae’zel can endure substantial damage and retaliate with heavy blows, making her a durable and offensive asset.

• Mobility Spells: As a Githyanki, Lae’zel has access to mobility spells like Mage Hand, Enhance Leap, and Misty Step, enhancing her battlefield positioning and strategic options.

• Fighter Subclass: At level 3, Lae’zel gains a Fighter subclass, allowing her to further develop her martial abilities. This can involve refining her combat prowess or exploring spellcasting to diversify her approach to engagements.

• Equipment: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armour Proficiency, Medium Armour Proficiency, Heavy Armour Proficiency, Shield Proficiency.
• Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
• Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Survival, Intimidation
• Spells Known - Cantrips: Mage Hand (from Githyanki)

Companion (Origin)

Soldier

And to think I was ready to decorate the ground with your innards. Apologies.
— Astarion, apologizing after a misunderstanding

Astarion, a Vampire Spawn, stands as an Origin character and a companion within Baldur’s Gate 3. This Elf Rogue hails from the Charlatan background.

Astarion’s existence was defined by centuries of prowling as a vampire spawn under a sadistic master. Snatched away from this life, he now navigates the light, presented with a chance at a new life. However, the shadows of his past linger, casting doubt on the longevity of his transformation.

Astarion projects a sadistic personality, often approving of malicious, cruel, or self-centered actions. He possesses an affinity for hedonism and is generally disdainful yet not openly hostile toward those he perceives as weak.

Approval:

Astarion gravitates toward displays of power and cruelty, finding enjoyment in player-initiated mockery. The following choices prompt Astarion’s approval:

Act 1 (Partial list):

Involving Lae’zel in a request
Choosing the ‘Attack’ dialogue option with Taman and Gimblebock
Discussing his death preferences
Agreeing with Zevlor
Interacting with True Soul Edowin’s tadpole
Permitting him to bite you
Expressing trust in him
Giving him Necromancy of Thay

Disapproval:

Acts of kindness without a tangible reward, as well as attempts to restrain him, lead to Astarion’s disapproval. The following choices diminish his approval:

Act 1 (Partial list):

Aiding the Tieflings for Wyll
Siding with Arabella’s mother regarding the druids
Pledging to ingest Wyvern Poison
Choosing kindness towards him
Disclosing his identity to the Gur
Prohibiting him from drinking blood from others
Rejecting his advances during the Party

Romance:

Astarion’s romance is available to players of any sex and race. After the Party and with at least medium approval, players may engage in a romantic encounter with Astarion, experiencing an intimate scene. This event unfolds amidst the woods, and the aftermath reveals scars on Astarion’s back.

Astarion can be recruited in Act One. To find him, venture west of the crashed Nautiloid in the Wilderness. An encounter awaits, wherein Astarion seeks aid against an Intellect Devourer. Upon resolving this, he can be invited to join the party.

Astarion, embodying the role of a Rogue, excels in Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and delivering deadly Sneak Attacks. At Level 3, he can advance as a Thief or an Arcane Trickster. Opting for the Thief path enhances his martial prowess, offering an additional Bonus Action for increased versatility in combat. As an Arcane Trickster, Astarion unlocks the potential to cast a limited number of Wizard Spells.

Equipment:

• Hand Crossbows
• Longswords
• Rapiers
• Shortswords
• Light Armour

Saving Throws:

• Dexterity
• Intelligence

Skills:

• Acrobatics
• Deception
• History
• Perception
• Performance
• Persuasion
• Sleight of Hand (x2)
• Stealth (x2)

Astarion’s voice is brought to life by Neil Newbon.

Companion (Origin)

Charlatan

There’s a gust of Weave about you, but it’s a mere breeze. I need a tempest.
— Gale, in search of powerful magic

Gale’s Companion Quest is titled “The Wizard of Waterdeep.”

Gale is an origin character and companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. He is a Human Wizard with the Sage background. Gale offers players the opportunity to experience the game’s narrative, battles, and interactions from his unique perspective.

• Gale can come across as proud or arrogant, but he also displays kindness and willingness to help those in need.
• He values intellectual exploration and takes an analytical approach to situations.
• Gale tends to avoid discussing his own past and is evasive when questioned about it.
• His approval is influenced by acts of goodness, diplomacy, and thoughtful solutions.

• Gale is available for romance regardless of the player’s character sex and race.
• The romance scene involves a private moment during the Party.
• Gale’s personality traits and past experiences shape his approach to romance.

• Players can recruit Gale in Chapter One.
• Gale is first encountered near the Roadside Cliffs Ancient Rune Circle, close to the Ravaged Beach and the Nautiloid crash site. He offers an alliance to face the challenges of their Tadpole infection.
• Gale’s background story involves being a prodigy in magic and having a personal connection with the Goddess of Magic, Mystra.

• Arcane Spells: As a Wizard, Gale specializes in casting arcane spells. His Arcane Recovery ability allows him to regain spell slots, allowing for extended spellcasting compared to other spellcasters.
• Spell Learning: Wizards can learn spells from spell scrolls they find during their journey, expanding their spell repertoire beyond their initial selection.
• Specialization: At Level 2, Gale can specialize in a school of magic, granting him bonuses to spells from that school and reducing the cost of learning those spells.

• Equipment: Daggers, Quarterstaves, Light Crossbows, Spears, Pikes, Halberds, Glaives, Light Armor, Shields
• Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
• Skills: Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Persuasion

• Gale is voiced by Tim Downie.
• Until Patch 3 of Early Access, Gale was the most romanced and most killed companion.
• Gale’s appearance was updated in Patch 8 with new features like earrings and a chest tattoo.

Companion (Origin)

Sage

Karlach is an Asmodeus Tiefling who was kidnapped and forced to fight on behalf of the red devils in Avernus. While fighting the Blood War, Karelcah learned how to easily kill demons, all the while plotting her escape to get back to the Dagger Coast, and return to her home of Baldur’s Gate. While espacing the lower hells, she was pursued by a demon hunter, called Wyll, and during the chase, the Nightflayer vessel picked both of them up, and placed a tadpole inside their heads . With the ship crashing down due to the events of the Githyanki dragon riders, Karlach got lost in the wilderness near Baldur’s Gate, hunted by fake Paladins of Tyr, who sold their contracts to the devil. Karlach merely wants to return home and take vengeance on the one who sent her to hell. But, will. she make it with Wyll, Paladins and others who are not so kind to her race?

Act 1

Labrador

You can find Karlach near the Tollhouse in Act 1, located along the river on the northwest corner of the map.

You can choose to fight her or save her. Saving her allows you to recruit her to your party and take vengeance against the Paladins, and there’s more storyline o come if you encounter Wyll too.

Companion (Origin)

We’re in this together, but I’ll happily go it alone. My faith will keep me company.
— Shadowheart’s strong devotion.

Shadowheart is an Origin character and a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. As a Half-Elf Cleric with the Trickery Domain subclass and the Acolyte background, she brings unique skills and abilities to the party.

• Shadowheart can be romanced by players of any sex and race. Her romance scene involves a private drink during the Party, which progresses based on her approval level.
• She is voiced by Jennifer English.
• Until Patch 3, Shadowheart was the most romanced female companion and the second most romanced companion overall in the game.

• Players can recruit Shadowheart in Chapter One.
• She is first encountered in the Prologue aboard the Nautiloid, trapped in a Mind Flayer pod. Players can free her by interacting with a console or using specific class-restricted dialogue options.
• Shadowheart’s background revolves around her being a loyal cleric of Shar, tasked with delivering a relic to her coven in Baldur’s Gate.

• Trickery Domain: This subclass grants Shadowheart access to stealth and illusion magic that is not usually available to clerics.
• Spells: Shadowheart is capable of casting a variety of spells, both healing and offensive, thanks to her cleric class. She knows all non-cantrip cleric spells.
• First Blood: Shadowheart’s personality traits include valuing pragmatism and efficiency. She generally responds well to non-violent solutions and compassionate actions.
• Approval and Disapproval: Shadowheart’s approval is influenced by decisions that align with her values, such as pragmatic problem-solving and being discreet. She dislikes cruelty and violence.

• Darkvision
• Fey Ancestry
• Fear of Wolves

Companion (Origin)

Acolyte