In true isometric-RPG tradition, the story of Baldur's Gate 3 is very character-driven, letting players explore the wilderness of Faerûn and interact with traveling companions and a wide variety of supporting characters. Some of these characters are good and others evil, but nearly all of them can become a Baldur's Gate 3 player's ally or enemy if they're lucky with dice rolls and perceptive enough to understand the characters' personalities.
The main, player-controlled companions in Baldur's Gate 3 aren't the usual band of fantasy heroes, each possessing roguish, villainous qualities and personal agendas that would normally put them at odds with each other. Their common search for a cure to the parasites in their brains holds them together for the time being, and a solid understanding of their passions and goals is vital for players looking to bring them together as a true adventuring party.
Non-player characters, be they friend or foe, can be found all over the place in Baldur's Gate 3's Early Access, some in the wilderness outside of the famed city of Baldur's Gate, others within the caverns, caves, and buried temples of the Underdark beneath. Like the companions, their status as ally or enemy depends on the choices players make and the charisma of the character who confronts them.
Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access Companions
- Astarion is a dashingly-dressed High Elf Rogue and a "vampire spawn," a minor vampire enslaved to a master vampire. Of all the companions, he's the least upset about having a parasitic tadpole in his head, thanks to the infestation giving him the ability to walk in sunlight and freeing him from his master's will. He's unapologetically amoral, but he refuses to drink the blood of innocent sentients. Core to his motivations is a yearning for freedom and a desire to not return to being a thrall of his former master.
- Shadowheart, the Half-Elf Trickster Cleric, is a worshipper of Shar, a goddess of darkness, loss, and secrets. Her superiors sent her on a secret mission to steal a powerful relic (excising certain memories of hers in the process), a quest disrupted abruptly by her abduction by Mind Flayers. Her value system is warped by conventional standards, thanks to being raised in a cult that disdained notions like family, morality, society, and honor. Indeed, her character arc is built on the conflict between her personal empathy and kindness and her religious indoctrination.
- Lae'Zel is a Githyanki Fighter, which means she comes from a culture of psychic beings enslaved by the Mind Flayers before overthrowing them and forging an empire nearly as oppressive. As a patriotic warrior of her people, Lae'Zel is bloodthirsty, ruthless, and highly xenophobic, while also being very rationally concerned about the parasites that threaten to transform the party into the very Mind Flayers she hates. The tragedy of Lae'Zel's character stems from her painfully earnest desire to prove herself to her empire - a cruel, oppressive regime more than willing to feed her to the meat grinder.
- Gale is a Human Wizard who tried to make himself the greatest mage in all of Faerûn with the help of his patron goddess Mystra. Pride goeth before a fall, however, and now he's been de-powered and stuck with two ticking time bombs in his body: the parasitic tadpole in his head, and an Orb of Destruction with the power to level a city in his chest. Friendly, clever, and well-intentioned, Gale's biggest personal flaw is his hubris and belief that he can solve every problem on his own.
- Of all the starting companions in the Baldur's Gate 3 early access, Wyll the Warlock comes across as the most heroic - no small feat, given that he's made a pact with a literal devil. Throughout the early access, Wyll's main goal is to use his Warlock magic to hunt monsters and protect the innocent, which raises the question: Why did he feel bargaining with the Nine Hells was his best chance to become a hero?
Baldur's Gate 3 Major NPCs (Heroic & Villainous)
- Kagha, a civilization-hating Druid who wishes to expel a band of Tiefling refugees from her people's sacred grove, and Halsin, a more sympathetic Druid leader captured by goblins.
- Zevlor, leader of the Tiefling refugees, who wishes to protect his people from the roving Goblin bands outside the grove.
- True Soul Gut and Dror Ragzlin, leaders of the raiding Goblins and worshippers of a mysterious deity called the Absolute.
- Minthara, a devout cleric of the Absolute who tries to enlist the player's help in destroying the Druid's grove and its inhabitants.
- Volo, a famous minstrel and storyteller of the Forgotten Realms, kidnapped and forced to perform for his goblin captors.
- Omeluum, a fairly genial Mind Flayer who lives in the Underdark, expelled from his people's hive mind for developing arcane magic abilities.
- Pooldripp The Zealous, a fanatical Cleric of the Kuo-Toa population in the Festering Cove. Essential a crazy fish-person.
- Kith'rak Voss, Dragon Rider of the Githyanki and leader of the local Mind Flayer hunt. Contemptuous of Lae'Zel even before learning about her infection.
Baldur's Gate 3's Wild-Card Characters
The following NPCs in the Baldur's Gate 3 early access are especially notable for their great power and mysterious intentions.
- The Hooded Skeleton, an undead creature located within the Dank Crypt. Philosophical and willing to resurrect fallen companions for the right price.
- Auntie Ethel, a powerful and magically potent Hag masquerading as a kind old woman. Grants wishes in return for the infliction of suffering. Very dangerous to provoke.
- Raphael, a winged Archdevil who appears to the main characters in their dreams. Offers to remove the player's parasites in return for their soul. Most likely playing a long game.
- The Figure of Your Dreams, a seductive humanoid that players themselves craft during Baldur's Gate 3's character creation to establish their character's romantic leanings. Also appears in the player character's dreams, tempting them to use the psychic powers of their parasite. Might be the Absolute, a malevolent god like Bhaal, or even the parasite itself.