All Origin Characters In Baldur’s Gate 3

Learn about the Origin characters in Baldurs Gate 3 as your choices shape their journeys and the overall narrative.

The Origin Characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 add an extra layer to the gameplay. They come with unique backgrounds, stories, and quests that are linked to the main plot. Playing as an Origin Character lets you make choices that can change the story. However, you can’t change their class, race, or other set attributes. Whether you choose to play as one or create your own character, the Origin Characters make the game more interesting and engaging.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 BEST Builds

Key Takeaways
  • Baldur’s Gate 3 offers Origin Characters with set backgrounds and stories linked to the main game plot.
  • Playing as an Origin Character allows unique decisions during gameplay.
  • These OG characters in BG3 follow a default path if not chosen by the player.
  • Origin Characters come with a fixed class, race, playstyle, and attribute scores set by the developers.
  • The game does not allow players to change these set attributes of Origin Characters.
  • Origin Characters can also be chosen as protagonist companions in the gameplay.
  • There are seven Origin Characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, each with a unique storyline.
  • The Dark Urge” is a unique Origin Character that lets players explore the game from a darker perspective.

All Origin Characters In Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 has seven confirmed Origin Characters yet. All these characters are listed and discussed briefly ahead. 

  1. Lae’zel (Fighter)
  2. Wyll (Warlock)
  3. Shadowheart (Cleric)
  4. Gale (Wizard)
  5. Astarion (Rouge)
  6. Karlach (Barbarian)
  7. The Dark Urge

Baldur’s Gate 3 does not allow the player to change the Origin Character Class.

This is because in BG3 all of these Origin Characters have a set background. This means they have some attributes such as class, race, playstyle, and attribute scores, that have been set by the developers, and players cannot alter them while playing the game. For instance, Shadowheart’s story revolves around her being a Cleric of Shar, and her story would not make sense otherwise. 

However, players can create new characters that are entirely customizable and can choose the pre-built origin characters to be the protagonist companions in the gameplay.

Lae’zel

Lae’zel
Lae’zel [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race Githyanki
Gender Female
Class Fighter
Subclass N/A
Background Soldier
Deity Vlaakith
Strength (STR) 17
Intelligence (INT) 11
Dexterity (DEX) 13
Wisdom (WIS) 12
Constitution (CON) 14
Charisma (CHA) 8

Laezel is a Githyanki fighter. Githyanki were ruled by Mind Flayers for a long time. They started a rebellion against Mind Flayers and overthrew them However, they ended up in an ideological split and got divided into Githyanki and Githzrai. Well, Laezel belongs to the Githyanki which have a militant mindset set to uproot the Mind Flayers.

Lae’zel is encountered first in the Prologue on the Nautiloid. She leaves your party post-Prologue and is found captive near the Cathedral Ruins in the starting area. Free her to get her back in your party. If she dies on the Nautiloid and isn’t resurrected, she’ll be found dead near the shore.

If you camp before meeting her, she may end up dead near the Githyanki raiders. Her storyline continues with the quest “The Githyanki Warrior,” delving into her backstory and race’s lore.

Wyll

Wyll
Wyll [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race Human
Gender Male
Class Warlock
Subclass The Fiend
Background N/A
Deity N/A
Strength (STR) 9
Intelligence (INT) 14
Dexterity (DEX) 13
Wisdom (WIS) 11
Constitution (CON) 15
Charisma (CHA) 16

Wyll belongs to the Warlock class in BG3. Wyll was drawn into a Warlock Pact with a devil known as Mizora. Well, this pact has transformed Wyll into a monster hunter called Blade of Frontiers.

Wyll is located in a camp at Druid’s Grove, north of the Roadside Cliffs, valuing kindness and justice. Gain his approval by avoiding harm to innocents. He appears in Chapter One’s “Removing the Parasite” quest, during a Goblin fight at a camp gate, where you can recruit him.

Be careful, siding with the Goblins will prompt Wyll’s departure. His character depth is explored in the quest “The Blade of Frontiers,” introducing an intriguing dynamic to his role in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart
Shadowheart [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race High Half-Elf
Class Cleric
Gender Female
Subclass Trickery Domain
Background Urchin
Deity Shar
Strength (STR) 12
Intelligence (INT) 10
Dexterity (DEX) 14
Wisdom (WIS) 16
Constitution (CON) 14
Charisma (CHA) 10

Shadowheart is the next origin character on the list. She is a Half-Elf Cleric of Shar. This is a goddess of darkness. She is on a mission in service of her goddess. Upon successful completion of her mission, Shadowheart will also get her memory back as well.

Shadowheart, a relentless companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, is initially found at a beach in Chapter 1, near the Abandoned Ruins. You can free her from a Nautiloid pod during the prologue using a specific rune or class method.

If unsuccessful, she can be found at the Dank Crypt entrance on the Ravaged Beach’s north end or later at the Druid’s Grove. However, if Lae’zel is present, a successful Persuasion check is required to convince Shadowheart to join your team.

Gale

Gale
Gale [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race Human
Gender Male
Class Wizard
Subclass N/A
Background Sage
Strength (STR) 9
Intelligence (INT) 16
Dexterity (DEX) 14
Wisdom (WIS) 11
Constitution (CON) 15
Charisma (CHA) 13

Gale belongs to the Wizard class in BG3. Like other characters, Gale also has many side problems along with the Mind Flayer tadpole kicking around. His personal story revolves around dealing with the Magic Orb he was cursed with. This Magic item consumes magical energy. Failing to keep this thing happy will result in complete destruction including Gale’s death as well. 

In Act 1, you meet Gale, a compelling companion, at the Roadside Cliffs waypoint near the Nautilus wreck. He’s found near the post-prologue landing beach, emerging from a portal in the Roadside Cliffs. Engage in conversation and persuade him to join your party composition in Baldur’s Gate 3. Gale’s goal is to eliminate the Tadpoles from your brains; if initial recruitment fails, focus on this objective to gain his approval.

Astarion Origin Character

Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3
Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race High Elf
Gender Male
Class Rogue
Background Noble
Strength (STR) 8
Intelligence (INT) 13
Dexterity (DEX) 17
Wisdom (WIS) 13
Constitution (CON) 14
Charisma (CHA) 10

Astarion is a High-Elf vampire spawn that belongs to Rogue. Astarion used to be a magistrate in the city of Baldur’s Gate before being turned into a vampire spawn. He has spent a lot of time under his evil master and recently got freedom. However, the master is still desperate to get him back.

After meeting Shadowheart, you’ll soon find Astarion, calling for help while battling a monster west of the beach. Rescuing him and allowing him to consume your enemies’ blood will aid in persuading him to join your party.

He is first encountered in Chapter One on a beach near Nautiloid wreckage, initiating his mysterious storyline as you navigate the debris and climb a small hill.

Karlach

Karlach
Karlach [Image Credit: eXputer]
Race Asmodeus Tiefling
Gender Female
Class Barbarian
Strength (STR) 17
Intelligence (INT) 11
Dexterity (DEX) 13
Wisdom (WIS) 12
Constitution (CON) 14
Charisma (CHA) 8

The final origin character is the Karlach. She belongs to the Barbarian class in BG3. Karlach is an escapee from a literal plane of Hell known as Avernus. She is finding a fix to the engine implanted in her chest by the devil Zariel. This engine is getting hotter and hotter and she has a fear that it will eventually burn her out as well.

You meet Karlach at The Risen Road in Baldur’s Gate 3, with her role influenced by your choices, highlighting the game’s narrative dynamism. Her associated quest, “Hunt the Devil,” hints at a perilous, potentially ethically complex task, despite its specifics remaining a mystery, adding depth to her character and intrigue to your adventure.

The Dark Urge

The Dark Urge
The Dark Urge [Image Credit: eXputer]
The Dark Urge is a unique character in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can only choose them during character creation, and they can’t be a companion later on. Playing as The Dark Urge leads to special cutscenes and interactions, with different outcomes based on your choices. The gameplay focuses on dark morality, challenging traditional RPG values.

A haunting narrator guides The Dark Urge’s journey, and an abominable servant, Sceleritas Fel, encourages violence. This character doesn’t connect with other companions but has a significant impact on the game’s story, providing a unique, darker perspective for players who want to explore a different side of the game.

Players must wrestle with the challenge of either resisting the dark thoughts that plague their character or succumbing to the thrill of causing chaos and upheaval in the game world.

My Thoughts And Preference With Different Origin Characters

There is a very high chance that you came to know about BG3 through its Origin Characters. Some of them (Astarion, Karlach) have gathered quite the attention on almost every social media platform. A certain mechanic that you all know about (Romance) is the primary reason these characters are this famous in the gaming world.

ibrahim bg3 save slot
My Baldur’s Gate 3 save slot (Image by eXputer)

I have played through this game several times with a collective 200+ hours, and almost every time, I go for Shadowheart as my preferred companion.

However, these Origin Characters offer more than just their utility with their unique classes. A lot of them (like Shadowheart and Gale) have an extremely interactive lore that grows considerably complex as you progress through the Acts.

To wrap it up, Baldur’s Gate 3 provides players with a variety of characters to play through the storyline. The game allows the player either to create his own character or to choose from a list of some pre-made characters. These pre-made characters can serve both as a companion or as the main character as well. That’s the main reason these built-in characters are known as Origin Characters in BG3. Further, have a look at Baldur’s Gate 3 Bear Scene, Wildheart Barbarian, and Strange Ox guides.

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Irfan Ansari is a Senior Editor and Guides Writer on eXputer. He has seven years of Video Game Journalism experience and has been gaming for more than 22 years. Over his editorial career, he has gained experience at multiple sites, including TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming. Irfan has also earned a degree in Writing and Editing from the University of Michigan. Learn some more about Irfan's gaming journey on his Steam, PSN, and Xbox profiles.

Experience: 7+ Years || Worked for TheGamer and VeryAli Gaming

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