Companions play an incredibly important part inBaldur’s Gate 3, aiding Tav in their mission against the Absolute and mimicking the party experience of playingDungeons & Dragons. Just like aDnDparty, each companion has their own backstory which can be explored in their personal quests as they tackle issues and circumstances that cause complications for the team. And with such an interesting array of companions to recruit inBG3, each questline offers something a little different.
[Warning: The following article containsspoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]
Companions have always played a key role in CRPGs and the10 recruitable companions inBaldur’s Gate 3carry on this tradition fantastically. While not all of them get their own personal quests, with Minthara and Minsc missing out,most link to the main plot in interesting ways or have something unique that helps them stand out. However, not all the companion’s quests have been crafted equally, with some offering far more than others.
8Jaheira - The High Harper
A Late Game Mission To Find Minsc
Jaheira is areturning character fromBG1andBG2, as well as a fan favorite, making her a welcome sight for long-time fans as they arrive at the Last Light Inn in Act 2. Jaheira only becomes available as a companion at the end of Act 2, and this means that the entirety of her personal quest takes place in the final act of the game. This does lead toparts of the quest feeling rushed despite its deep connections to the main plotand excellent reward.
Minsc cannot be recruited if Jaheira dies in Act 2.
Jaheira’s quest reveals that the Harpers are compromised by Orin’s doppelgangers and Minsc is now under the control of the Absolute. Through Jaheira, the party is introduced to the Underduke of Baldur’s Gate, Nine-Fingers Keene and her Guild, as the race to find Minsc picks up.The rest of the quest involves chasing after Minsc, which feels a little predictableas the party goes from point A to point B. In the end, Minsc can be recruited. However, if he dies, then Jaheira will leave the party permanently.
7Karlach - Our Fiery Friend
Heartbreaking & Far Too Sparse
Karlach is a wonderfully written character with an unfortunately thin companion quest.“Our Fiery Friend”starts out strong and does a great job of explaining Karlach’s situation, her relationship to Zariel, and acts as a great link toDescent Into Avernus. However,the quest goes downhill after the fake paladins are dealt with in Act 1, leaving the focus on findingInfernal Ironso that Dammon can attempt to repair Karlach’s heart. This part of Karlach’s quest can hit a major stumbling block if Dammon is killed before reaching Act 2.
While gathering plenty of Infernal Iron will allow for two upgrades, Karlach’s heart cannot be fully repaired, leaving her on borrowed time. By the time the party arrives in Baldur’s Gate, Karlach is itching to make Gortash pay for selling her to Zariel. However, given the inevitable tragedy of her situation, it only serves to emphasize how unsatisfying any conclusions for Karlach are. In the end,Karlach has a terrible no-win choicethat essentially dooms her no matter what is chosen.
6Gale - The Wizard Of Waterdeep
Fascinating Look At Magic Gone Wrong
As the party wizard, Gale of Waterdeep has a tremendous amount of confidence in his magical abilities, which is why it can come as something of a shock to learn about his magically induced condition.The first part of Gale’s personal quest sees him asking for help to stabilize the dangerous orb in his chest, which the party required to offer up three magical items to ‘feed’ the orb. Thankfully, by the time Gale realizes that this isn’t working like it used to, Elminster arrives with a message from Mystra.
There is a subquest for Gale involving Balthazar’s secret laboratory in Moonrise Towers and cleansing the shadow magic in a ritual circle.
However, it isn’t until Act 3 thatGale’s quest truly gets interesting and links in wonderfully with the main plot. Ever the student of magic, Gale seeks to learn more about the Crown of Karsus that is being used to control the Absolute, leading the party on a brilliant heist to break into Sorcerous Sundries to find The Annals of Karsus. From here it will take a conversation with the goddess of magic herself to prevent Gale from claiming the crown for himself, leading to perhaps theworst ending for thisBG3companion.
5Wyll - The Blade Of Frontiers
The Prodigal Son Comes Home To Baldur’s Gate
Wyll’s personal quest follows the main plot side by side butsuffers from a lack of content in some areas. Sent to hunt a devil by his patron, Mizora, Wyll quickly discovers that his target is Karlach and if he refuses to kill her then he is punished. However, if Karlach is killed, Wyll will receive theInfernal Robe. Mizora will once again call on Wyll in Act 2, needing his help when she is captured by the Absolutists, where she can be persuaded to give theInfernal Rapierif Wyll is present at her rescue.
However, it isn’t until Act 3 that Wyll’s quest picks up, with his father in direct danger and a personal link to the city. After learning about the great wyrm that lives under Baldur’s Gate, Wyll will attempt to recruit the dragon only to learn shocking truths about Balduran himself. The only downside toWyll’sBG3companionquest is thathe is often sidelined in favor of other characters, removing his agency within his own narrative.
4Halsin - Lift The Shadow Curse
Brief But Crucial Story Of Regret & Redemption
Halsin’s personal quest is surprisingly easy to missdespite it involving the main aspect of Act 2’s Shadow Cursed Lands. After a century, Halsin has figured outhow to lift the Shadow Curseand the discovery of Art Cullagh at the Last Light Inn puts the final pieces into place for him. Halsin requests the party’s help in guarding a portal to the Shadowfell while he goes to rescue Thaniel, the spirit of the land trapped there.
Halsin will explain that Thaniel has been his friend since he was a child, hinting that the druid may be local to the area.
However, it soon becomes clear Thaniel’s spirit has been split into two pieces, and they must be brought together to heal him completely.Halsin’s quest is one of healing, not just the land of the Shadow Curse, but himself as well. Speaking to him during this quest, it is obvious that Halsin has blamed himself for the loss of life and even for the curse itself to some degree. Freeing the land of the curse also frees Halsin, allowing him his life once more and for him to join the party fully as a companion.
3Astarion - The Pale Elf
A Battle Between Fear & Freedom
Astarion’s quest does not link directly to the main plot. However, its emotional complexity demands a high rank on any list.“The Pale Elf”is a masterclass in what personal quest truly means, as the layers are stripped away from Astarion’s perfectly crafted persona. The quest begins once Astarion’s secret ‘condition’ is revealed, and he will confide a little about his former master, Cazador. After meeting a monster hunter in Act 1, Astarion is convinced that Cazador will send more people looking for him.
As he begins to trust the party more, Astarion will ask for their help learning about some scars Cazador carved on his back, and strike a deal with Raphael to find out more about a fiendish ritual. Once in Baldur’s Gate, the party can find and take down Cazador,freeing Astarion from his abuser once and for all. Although Astarion will attempt to complete Cazador’s ritual and become an ascendant vampire, he can be persuaded not to and break the cycle of fear and abuse.
2Shadowheart - Daughter Of Darkness
A Story Of Memory & Loss
Shadowheart’s personal quest ties her closely with the main plot ofBG3, with her being the original holder of theMysterious Artefact/Astral Prism. A devoted follower of Shar, Shadowheart willingly gave up her memories for the mission and dreams of one day becoming a Dark Justiciar for her goddess. She will hold true to this for almost all of Act 1, with onlysmall hints of her past such as her fear of wolves or the strange wound on her hand. However, once the party reaches Act 2, then Shadowheart’s quest will become much more relevant.
If Shadowheart is not taken to the Gauntlet of Shar, she will leave the party permanently.
Journeying through the Gauntlet of Shar, Shadowheart will face a test of her faith when confronted with the Nightsong. From this point, her personal quest will then shift depending on whether the Nightsong was killed. A Sharran Shadowheart seeks to take over the Baldur’s Gate cloister, while a Selûnite Shadowheart will seek freedom from Shar. The quest concludes with an emotional choice betweensaving or killing Shadowheart’s parentsin a heart-wrenching final cut scene.
1Lae’zel - The Githyanki Warrior
Questioning Faith & Loyalties
Lae’zel is the first companion met inBG3and seems to already have a plan for how to get rid of the illithid tadpoles. Immediately after finding her again after the Nautiloid’s crash and freeing her from the tiefling’s trap, Lae’zel insists that the party should find a githyanki crèche as her people will know what to do. Heading to the crèche is an eye-opening experience for all involved and, after being betrayed by her queen, Vlaakith,Lae’zel will start to question her blind faith.
If Lae’zel is not taken to the crèche, she continues to worship Vlaakith. This can also occur if Inquisitor Ch’r’ai is not spoken to at the crèche.
Lae’zel will learn that Mother Gith’s true heir, Orpheus, is imprisoned in the Astral Prism and vows to free him. This links fantastically with the main plot, Raphael’s offer of theOrphic Hammer, and the choice between the Emperor and Orpheus. Overall, Lae’zel’s quest is one of the most in sync with the central focus ofBaldur’s Gate 3, as Lae’zel’s race and culture play such a pivotal role not just in her own but also in the game’s story. Although some of the other companion quests are more emotionally impactful, Lae’zel’s is a wonderful journey of personal growth.
