Baldur's Gate 3 Halsin Wasn't Always Kind-hearted. His Dark Side Was Dropped
Early-access Baldur's Gate 3 hid a few secrets related to the druid Halsin. He supposedly committed an act that we know little about from the full version of the game.
Halsin is generally considered a positive figure in Baldur's Gate 3 and he's the character that players cooperate with during their "positive" playthrough. However, it turns out that his past was initially not as righteous.
Halsin was supposed to be guilty of slaying Isobel
Data found in the BG3's early access files indicate that it was originally assumed that Halsin was responsible for Isobel's death. Just a reminder, the loss of his daughter led one of the leaders of the Absolute cult, Ketheric Thorm, to worship the goddess Shar and cast a shadow curse around the Moonrise Towers.
This development of events is indicated by a fragment of Halsin's diary, which could be found in the early-access version of the game. The fragment shows that Isobel attacked the druid first, but during the fight Halsin fatally stabbed her. The druid writes that it wasn't his intention and he still regrets his action.
How do you describe events like these? An accident? A tragedy? The cruelty of fate? It does not matter. Isobel is just as dead.
I can't remember what happened with any clarity. We were negotiating. She with [...] I led the druids. [...] words grew heated [...] threw the first punch. It was mayhem.
[...] stared at me, my glaive's blade buried in her stomach and shock in her eyes. I can't believe she wanted to hurt me. It was pure instinct – the heat of combat.
The druid also realized that the further fate of Ketheric Thorm was a consequence of these events.
In Ketheric, I see my errors made manifest. He did not fall – he was pushed. His grief was twisted by shadow, but none could deny my hand gave that grief shape.
How did Isobel die?
However, none of these fragments made it into the final version of the game. There are also no other clues that would implicate Halsin in Isobel's death. Isobel herself doesn't explain exactly how she died, there are also no other clues about the whole incident.
Currently, Baldur leaves the interpretation of reasons for Isobel's death up to the players themselves. It's known that she was killed, but fans' surmises vary. They suspect the very goddess of darkness – Shar – or they are looking for the cause in the plan of the Elder brain. However, some folks actually believe the story written in Halsin's diary, which was ultimately removed from the game.
