Origins are player avatars in Baldur's Gate 3.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Chosen during character creation, each of the seven origins comes with a predefined backstory, as well as its own unique quest and interactions. As an alternative, a custom avatar is also available which does not come with its own quest. All origins except the Dark Urge are available in-game as potential companions, who can join the chosen avatar's party.
Most origins also have a set name, background, race, gender and appearance that cannot be changed, while the name, gender and appearance of Custom and Dark Urge characters can be changed during character creation and in-game with the Magic Mirror. However, once character creation is completed and the game begins, the body type of Custom and Dark Urge characters is set and can no longer be changed.
The background of Dark Urge characters is always Haunted One, while the background of the custom avatar can be changed during character creation. The default appearance of the other six Origins, with provided histories and backgrounds, cannot be altered in character creation or with the Magic Mirror, although certain items and spells may do so - usually on a temporary basis. The pre-selected classes of the origins can be changed be through Withers once he arrives at the camp.
Karlach
Fury of Avernus
Zariel Tiefling Barbarian
Shadowheart
Devoted Cleric
High Half-Elf Cleric
The Dark Urge
Any race and class
Astarion[edit | edit source]
“Astarion prowled the night as a vampire spawn for centuries, forced to follow the orders of his sadistic master, Cazador: seduce every fool with a pulse, and lure them back to Cazador's lair. Free for now, Astarion will do anything to keep his life in the light. He can see but one way to ensure his liberty for good: become many times more powerful than his old abuser could ever dream of being. His body is forever tainted by the intricate, patterned scarring Cazador carved upon his back, and the elder vampire seems set on sending out waves of hunters seeking to capture his lost spawn.„
Gale[edit | edit source]
“What’s a god to a world-class wizard? Gale was once a formidable archmage in Waterdeep, but pushed his relationship with the goddess Mystra too far. Not satisfied with being her lover, Gale tried to impress her further and meddled with powers beyond even his abilities, his attempt leaving him cursed with an orb of Netherese magic trapped inside his body. The cataclysmic power of the orb has turned Gale into a weapon capable of annihilating an entire city, should he fail to control himself. Wracked with shame for his hubris, Gale retreated to his tower – first out of self-pity, and then out of necessity. His research led him to a means of keeping the orb's power contained, but only temporarily. Now, with the threat of ceremorphosis looming large – can Gale see off both of the grim fates lurking within him, or is he doomed at every turn?„
Karlach[edit | edit source]
“Fresh-escaped from Hell, Karlach is finally free of the archdevil Zariel - but not from the infernal engine Zariel planted in her chest. With her first taste of freedom in ten years, Karlach is eager to find a fix for the engine that's burning hotter and hotter before it burns her out completely. But even more premier in her mind? Exploring, finding like-minded travellers, falling in love (or lust)... and taking revenge on the man who sold her to Zariel all those years ago.„
Lae'zel[edit | edit source]
“Crashed down to the Sword Coast from the stars, Lae'zel is a fierce warrior, even by the standards of militant githyanki society. When faced with the possibility of becoming a mind flayer, the monster she has dedicated her life to defeating, she must prove her worth and earn the right to rejoin her people -- if they don't execute her first. Will Lae'zel's strength and determination be enough to prove herself to Queen Vlaakith, or must she walk another path in exile?„
Shadowheart[edit | edit source]
“A devoted cleric of Shar, goddess of darkness and loss, Shadowheart agreed to have her memories wiped as part of a holy mission. Now its sole survivor, she must deliver a powerful relic back to her kin in order to win Shar's love and have her memories restored – but all the while, she is tormented by a strange, painful magic that she struggles to understand.„
Wyll[edit | edit source]
“From a scion of a famed Baldurian house to a life of adventure on the road, Wyll’s life as the monster hunter called the Blade of Frontiers has made him one of the beating hearts of the Sword Coast. While he has done great deeds for the Coast’s people, the source of his power remains secret. The cambion Mizora drew Wyll into a warlock’s pact in a moment with many lives at stake, and cursed him with the duty of hunting her enemies. Mizora only asks Wyll to sacrifice devilish creatures to her, but a cambion’s ambitions are ever fickle, and Wyll wishes to escape the pact before its price grows too cruel.„
The Dark Urge[edit | edit source]
“You remember nothing but a path paved with blood. Unimaginable cruelty whispers to you from within. Can you escape it? Would you even want to?„
Custom[edit | edit source]
“Gather your party, and return to the Forgotten Realms in a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Mysterious abilities are awakening inside you, drawn from a Mind Flayer parasite planted in your brain. Resist, and turn darkness against itself. Or embrace corruption, and become ultimate evil.„
Custom characters are a blank slate with a race, class and background chosen by the player. The default name of a custom character is Tav.[1]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Tav is short for Gustav, the name of one of Swen Vincke's dogs. In early development Baldur's Gate 3 was named Project Gustav.