Withers: Difference between revisions

{{CharacterInfo

|name = Withers

|image=[[File:Withers-face.png|350px]]

|STR=10

|DEX=10

|CON=10

|INT=10

|race=[[Skeleton]]

|type=Undead

|HP=1 (invincible)

|AC=10

|speed=9m / 30ft

|size=Medium

|weight=50kg / 100lbs

|proficiency=2

|initiative=-

|faction = [[Jergal|Church of Jergal]]

|location = [[Dank Crypt]], [[Campsite]]

|alt-name = 3D Model

|alt-image=[[File:Withers Model.png|250px]]

|wis save=Proficient|passive={{PAS|Immune To Control Undead}}{{PAS|Opportunity Attack}}}}'''Withers''' is a mysterious undead entity that joins the player on their adventures. He calls himself "a scribe, a seneschal - a keeper of records". He offers resurrection services to the party and can allow characters to respec their character builds. He can also become a [[Camp Follower]].  

== Act One ==

Withers is first encountered in the [[Dank Crypt]] - an ancient temple of Jergal. He is resting inside a sarcophagus within the hidden room. Open the '''Richly Adorned Sarcophagus''' to free him. He will ask a question and then leave.

Later, Withers will appear at the [[Campsite]] and join as a [[Camp Follower]]. If the player reaches the courtyard of the goblin camp, or progresses far enough without completing [[Explore the Ruins]] and meeting him in the Crypt, this will still happen. If the player then visits the Crypt, they'll still be able to complete the aforementioned quest, but the sarcophagus will be empty.

When talking to Withers in [[Moonrise Towers]], the Party can note that he seems to know a lot about the [[Dead Three]].

A journal found in the [[Grand Mausoleum]] in Baldur's Gate records a meeting between a priest and who they identify as Jergal, the God of Death that preceded the [[Dead Three]]. The journal relates that the priest ''"came face to face with him: Masked in gold, his skin fine and worn as parchment. Jergal, the death-keeper, the End of Everything. I asked what he needed of me. He asked a simple question: 'What is the worth of a single mortal's life?'"''.  This is the same question asked of the player by Withers when roused from his sarcophagus in Act One.

{{SpoilerDurge|If the player is playing as [[The Dark Urge]] and refuses to become the Chosen of [[Bhaal]] after killing [[Orin]], Bhaal will seemingly kill the player character. However, in the final moment, Withers will appear and tell the player that while Bhaal could destroy his own spawn, he could not destroy the new self that the character had become by resisting the Dark Urge. He pronounces the player character redeemed and free of Bhaal's influence.|nograd=1}}

== Services ==

* Withers will resurrect dead [[Companions]] for a 200 [[Gold]] fee.

* Withers is able to resurrect [[Hirelings]] to your service for a 100 Gold. Speaking through them, Hirelings are recruitable characters that can be added to aid your party - unlike Companions, Hirelings do not have related quests or interactions.

* Withers can respec a character for a 100 Gold. This allows that character to make all of their character build choices over again, including class or classes, subclasses, spells, ability scores, etc. However, he doesn't allow a character to change their race, appearance, origin, or background.

** The [[Magic Mirror]] can be used to change the appearance of a non-origin character.

** Withers will not respec a character if they are a [[Paladin]] with a broken oath.

*** In this case the character ''must'' pay the [[Oathbreaker Knight]] before a respec.

* Withers puts the gold he receives for his services into a pickpocketable inventory, so players may steal back any money paid. Withers will not react to failed pickpocketing, allowing unlimited attempts.

* Withers cannot be damaged.

* In Early Access he was initially called The Hooded Skeleton even though he had no visible hood. He was later renamed to Talkative Skeleton and then, finally, Withers.  

* If you speak with a hireling, it is revealed Withers is in fact remotely controlling them. In a sense, that makes Withers indirectly a companion as well.

* It is heavily implied that Withers is either an avatar of [[Jergal]] or Jergal himself.

** The question Withers asks the player when released from his sarcophagus, "What is the worth of a single mortal's life?", is the same question recorded as asked of a priest by Jergal in a journal in the Ancient Mousoleum in the Baldur's Gate graveyard.

** As a Paladin or Cleric you can feel divine energy from Withers. ''"He has a divine aspect, yes. A reflection of death itself. Eternal and inescapable."'' If you ask him if he's a god's Chosen he will refuse to answer questions in that regard.

** When a character dies and is resurrected by Withers, he states that the character's name has been "stricken from the record", and when a new companion first speaks to Withers, he states "Ah, another. Thy name has been recorded."  Jergal is also known as "Nakasr, The Final Scribe" who is responsible for keeping record of the ultimate fate of all mortals.

** As a Cleric of Kelemvor, you will receive unique dialogue when talking to Withers. You will sense something familiar about him when you first meet him. He will say unique lines such as ''"Thou walk with death, child of Kelemvor. That is enough for an understanding between us"'' and ''"No, although Kelemvor chose wise to bless one such as yourself"'' when replying to your questions.

According to datamined notes, Withers ''is'' [[Jergal]]. The datamined notes say that he is compelled by Helm to assist the players as penance.

{{Q|After the party has slain a group of undead scholars, the judge of death--Jergal--climbs out of his sarcophagus to greet them. He has been locked inside for years by the god Helm to atone for his part in raising the Dead Three, wicked gods who are now plotting to conquer the realms. Jergal is emotionless and excessively formal, both resigned to his fate and that of others. He is here to assist the party because that is his divine oath, not out of any true desire to act. Players can attempt to goad or attack him, but to minimal effect, as he is functionally immortal. His only goal was to see their faces, so he can find them at camp later to offer further assistance.}}

==Gallery==

<gallery heights="250px" mode="packed">

Withers.webp|In Early Access

Jane-katsubo-jergal-char.jpg|Official concept art by Jane Katsubo

Withers Jergal Concept.png|Concept art from the Artbook

Party withers.png|Withers as featured in [https://baldursgate3.game/news/community-update-24-looking-to-the-future_88 Community update #24]

== External Links ==