Baldurs Gate 3: Gods, Factions and Heroes | Universe Guide Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 26 October 2020

On this page of our guide to Baldur's Gate 3, you can read about the most important deities, factions, famous characters and NPCs who have appeared in the previous installments of Baldur's Gate series that is set in the Dungeons & Dragons system and Forgotten Realms universe. We have prepared an overview of the most important gods of the Pantheon that played a significant role in Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 Shadows of Amn. Also, you can find out more about key characters, guilds, factions and heroes of the in-game world, which could be encountered in the previous parts of the game. Some of these groups and characters may appear in Baldur's Gate 3.

The Swords Coast and Baldur's Gate are governed by their unique laws, which were established by the gods and noble characters of the in-game world. To better understand in what type of world we may end up in Baldur's Gate 3 (and in the Murder in Baldur's Gate, if you want to try out a classic paper and pencil RPG) we have to take a closer look at the most important figures on the chessboard. We will also reveal some information about the creatures which the child of Bhaal has encountered in its way - long before the events depicted in the upcoming third part of the series.

• Pantheon of Gods
• Factions
• Notable characters and heroes of BG/BG2
• Companions of the main character

Pantheon of Gods

There is a plethora of gods in Faerun. It's hard to decide to whom you should pray to and for what. What makes it even worse is that they can answer. A full description of pantheon would take up lots of pages. For a good start, we have decided to recall some of the most important deities that have played an important role in the previous installments – either personally or through their representatives - or are important to the city and may appear in the Baldur's Gate 3.

Major Deities and Gods

1. Helm - patron of guards, guardians, protection and defenders. Often called The Vigilant One or The Watcher. A deity of a rather positive character, quite humble and focused on maintaining order and defending the weak. He has worshippers and temples throughout Faerun. We came across his followers in both parts of Baldur's Gate. Also, in The Shadows of Amn the worshippers of Helm gave us an assignment to conduct an important major investigation.
2. Lolth - the Spider Queen, a chaotic evil goddess who lives in the Underdark of the dark elves. As we walked across that dark land in Baldur's Gate 2, we had to pretend that we are one of her followers.
3. Ilmater - a lawful good intermediate deity of endurance, suffering, martyrdom and perseverance. The most forgiving and compassionate of the deities that brings relief to those who can no longer bear their torment. We come across the priests and followers of Ilmater in previous installments of the series, and in Baldur's Gate 2 we were given a specific mission associated with this church.
4. Bhaal - also known as the Lord of Murder, is a lawful evil dead deity of murder. He foresaw his death and begat a legion of deadly descendants. The latter were supposed to help his father in returning to the world after some time (for example, by being sacrificed during the ritual). Abdel Adrian, one of the later heroes of Baldur's Gate, turned out to be one of Bhaal's children. Bhaal returned to life one hundred years after the events presented by the video games, during the Murder in Baldur's Gate RPG campaign. Most probably he will have some impact on the story of Baldur's Gate 3.
5. Ciric - P.O. also known as the Prince of Lies, is the chaotic evil deity of murder, death and tyranny. He took over the domain after he killed Bhaal who was still roaming the world as a mortal. He made a guest appearance in Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal.
6. Talos - also known as the Lord of Storms, is a chaotic evil greater deity of storms, forest fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and destruction. His temple can be found in Athkatla in Baldur's Gate 2. It was a perfect place to carry out a robbery or to work for Talos priests if we were playing an evil character.
7. Lathander - also known as the Morning Lord, is a neutral good greater deity of spring, dawn, birth, renewal, beginnings, hidden potential, conception, vitality, youth and self-perfection. He prefers to stand for good-willed beings and his followers can also be considered as friendly. In the game we could find several of his temples, including the largest one in Athkatla.
8. Umberlee - Queen of the Depths also known as The Bitch Queen. A chaotic evil goddess, patroness of the seas, to whom sailors pray for a safe voyage. And since she is a capricious lady, you cannot count on her grace every time. The Temple of Umberlee was located in the Harbour District of Baldur's Gate and there were several tasks associated with this site.
9. Oghma - Binder of What is Known or the Patron of Bards, is a true neutral greater deity of knowledge and invention. His temple can be visited at the very beginning of Baldur's Gate, still in Candlekeep – a fortress which, after all, exists to store numerous scrolls of various teachings (and several prophecies).

Factions

When you enter a city like Baldur's Gate or Athkatla, you have to choose your friends sensibly. Here are factions, guilds and groups that have played a role in the life of the city, The Children of Bhaal and the great political games of the time and also in the time of the Murder in Baldur's Gate:

1. The Flaming Fist - a powerful mercenary company associated with Baldur's Gate, where it was founded. It also helped to maintain order on a par with the City Guard. In the first Baldur's Gate, we had an opportunity to work with its leader, Prince Eltan, and tried to unravel the mystery of the troubles plaguing the city and the entire Sword Coast.
2. Harpers – a semi-secret organization dedicated to maintaining peace, prosperity, and balance between civilization and nature. They also try to take care of culture and art, store various masterpieces and protect the cultural heritage. They actively participate in many of Faerun's events. We were able to come across their allies in both parts of Baldur's Gate.
3. Shadow Thieves – a mafia in a fantasy style. A powerful and influential organization that consists of bandits, thieves, fences, smugglers (and less honest people like politicians or corrupt nobles). They played a very big role in Baldur's Gate 2, where we had to join them to find our kidnapped friend.
4. The Guild - the counterpart of the Shadow Thieves, which has a headquarters in Baldur's Gate. The Guild is also a sort of mafia that employs thugs, thieves, smugglers, assassins and any other kind of scum who can roam the streets to carry out some dirty work.
5. Iron Throne – a powerful merchant guild which focuses on trading iron and weapons. It delivers supplies to the City Guard and The Flame Fist factions. A student of Gorion, the main character of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 revealed the Iron Throne intrigue that contributed to the Sword Coast crisis. The organization fell into crisis and infamy. However, it managed to survive and most probably it will still be present in Baldur's Gate 3.
6. Council of Four – the supreme ruling institution of Baldur's Gate, a council that includes the four most powerful princes of the Baldur's Gate. Years after the events of the first two parts of the series, according to canon, the main character of the video game series became a member of the Council.

Notable characters and heroes of BG/BG2

1. Abdel Adrian - one of Bhaal's children. Gorion's ward, the canonical main character of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, including the add-ons and expansion sets (human by default). After his foster father (Gorion the wise) was killed, young Abdel, unaware of his nature, sets off to discover the truth about himself and the man who killed his stepfather. It turns out that his real father is the God of Murder himself. Also, our hero's half-brother named Sarevok was constantly hunting the main protagonist. Abdel defeated Sarevok and then fought against various people and beings that wanted to take over his power. He mainly took part in private crusades, but also saved many innocent lives during his adventures. He eventually joined The Flaming Fist, where he advanced through the guild ranks to eventually become one of the Great Dukes of Baldur's Gate. Due to his origin, he managed to live 136 years. He gets killed in the introduction to Murder in Baldur's Gate during an attack conducted by his half-brother - Viekong. Maybe we will be able to pay respects and visit his grave in Baldur's Gate 3?
2. Elminster – a.k.a. Sage of Shadowdale, is the Faerun's equivalent of Gandalf from Middle-Earth. An ubiquitous pilgrim, long-living wanderer (born more than 1200 years before the events of Baldur's Gate 3) and a mighty mage in red robes, who always appears in places where some great events may occur. He occasionally served as a guide for the Bhaal's Child. It's quite possible that we will see him in Baldur's Gate 3. After all, every fantasy needs a wizard.
3. Gorion – Abdel Adrian's foster father, a powerful magician and one of the most influential inhabitants of Candlekeep - the fortress-library where the first part of Baldur's Gate begins. A friend of the Harpists with whom he rescued the young Bhaal's Child from the hands of the cultists of the Lord of Murder. Years later, when he embarks on a journey with Abdel, he is killed by a mysterious foe in a heavy ghoulish armor.
4. Sarevok - also Bhaal's Child, Abdel's half-brother, the main antagonist in Baldur's Gate. An influential member of the Iron Throne and later the leader of the organization. He wanted to raise a war and drown the Sword Coast in blood to awaken his father's full power and become the new Lord of Murder. He was stopped by Abdel. In the Throne of Bhaal we were able to bring him back to life and make him a slightly better man. It is unknown what have happened to him after he has left the party and buried his beloved one.
5. Jon Irenicus - antagonist of Abdel in Baldur's Gate 2. An elf mage who desired divine power. Together with his sister Bodhi, he nearly destroyed the city of Suldanessellar and the Tree of Life. He was banished for his actions and his relationship with the elves were broken. He built a base near Athkatla, the capital of Amn, where he began searching for another way to achieve his goal. He decides to take Abdel's soul, that is, a Bhaal's Child, and then take revenge on the elves from the old homeland. Abdel (or simply the player's character) has managed to stop Irenicus and sent him to the bottom of hell.
6. Amelissana- antagonist from Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal. Priestess of The Lord of Murder. Bhaal ordered her to prepare rituals so that he can return to the world, but she had a plan of her own. It consisted in confronting the most powerful of Bhaal's Children and then absorbing their essence. Like Irenicus, she wanted to be a goddess, and like Irenicus, she ended up miserable because she came across our hero.
7. Drizzt Do'Urden – a dark elf and famous hero of The Forgotten Realms, the protagonist of numerous R. A. Salvatore novels. . Generally a good, nice guy. We meet him in both parts of the saga. In the first installment he can give us a simple task and in the second one he can help us in a very difficult battle at the end of the game. Many players succumbed to the temptation and attacked the powerful dark elf to get his extremely powerful equipment.
8. Duke Eltan – one of the key NPCs in the first part of Baldur's Gate. He is a member of the Council of Four that governs the city and a leader of The Flaming Fist. He assists the main character in solving the mystery of the Iron Throne, the organization that caused all the problems in Sword Coast.
9. Aran Linvail - head of the Shadow Thieves, one of the key NPCs in Badur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. The actual leader of Shadow Thieves guild and our quest giver, without whom we eould never reach Irenicus. He was at war with a rival guild, which also included the undead. If we were playing an evil character, we could have killed Aran at some point, but sticking to an alternative career path didn't offer any good results or benefits.
10. Bodhi - a vampire, sister of Irenicus, one of the main antagonists in Baldur's Gate 2. Interestingly, in the first chapters, we can join her and help her in winning the war against the Shadow Thieves Guild to reign over Athkatla. Either way - the vampire ends up with a stake in her heart - with greetings from Abdel.

Companions of the main character

The parties gathered in Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 could consist of various companions or characters. There were literally dozens of them in the game. Different characters had lesser value or greater importance. Anyway, a few heroes could join us in both parts of the game or were at least mentioned as our companions from earlier adventures (in BG2). Thus, many consider these heroes to be canonical friends of Abdel (however, this is not confirmed in most cases).

1. Imoen - a thief, also raised by Gorion, later becomes a magician. Abdel's friend and later it is revealed that she is also his half–sister - in Baldur's Gate 2 it is revealed that the girl is also a Bhaal's Child.
2. Minsc (and Boo) – a mad hunter and a berserker. We get to know him when he asks us for help in freeing a witch he swore to defend, who might also have joined us – Dynaheir. Strong, determined to do good at all costs, and has a Miniature Giant Space Hamster as his best friend and advisor.

1. Jaheira - a half-elf druid, she collaborated with harpists. In Baldur's Gate 1, she was married to Khalid, a fighter who was also a member of our party. Together they led us to the mine in Nashkel, which was probably one of the sources of the crisis plaguing the Sword Coast at the time. In Baldur's Gate 2, she re-joined the team and as a male protagonist we could flirt with her. According to the Wizards of the Coast canon, she was the beloved one of Abdel.
2. Viconia - a dark elf, a priestess who escaped from the Underdark and tried to live among humans. She could have joined us in the first Baldur's Gate. In the second part we had to save her from the hands of witch-hunting fanatics. Players were also able to have an affair with her.
3. Yoshimo - a thief who joins us at the beginning of Baldur's Gate 2 in the dungeon of Irenicus (the location where we wake up after Jon tortured us with spells). He helps us to manage in a new, huge city, Athkatla. Also, he must pay off his debt to the Shadow Thieves Guild. Despite the fact he befriends all party members, he ultimately turns out to be a traitor and servant of Irenicus.
4. Edwin - an overambitious, arrogant, self-talking, but powerful magician that can join us in Baldur's Gate 1 (though the task he gives us is somewhat unethical). In the second part, he joins us when we start doing business with the Shadow Thieves. We can search a powerful scroll for him. After finding it and casting the spell, Edwin transforms into a woman. Well, it happens.