Origins

Origins are player avatars in Baldur's Gate 3.

Overview

Chosen during character creation, each of the seven origins comes with a predefined backstory, as well as its own unique quest and interactions. As an alternative, a custom avatar is also available which does not come with its own quest. All origins except the Dark Urge are available in-game as as potential companions, who can join the chosen avatar's party.

Most origins also have a set name, background, race, gender and appearance that cannot be changed, while the name, gender and appearance of Custom and Dark Urge characters can be changed during character creation and in-game with the Magic Mirror. However, once character creation is completed and the game begins, the body type of Custom and Dark Urge characters is set and can no longer be changed.

The background of Dark Urge characters is always Haunted One, while the background of the custom avatar can be changed during character creation. The default appearance of the other six Origins, with provided histories and backgrounds, cannot be altered in character creation or with the Magic Mirror, although certain items and spells may do so - usually on a temporary basis. The pre-selected classes of the origins can be changed be through Withers once he arrives at the camp.

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  Astarion
  Vampire Spawn
  High Elf Rogue

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  Gale
  Wizard Prodigy
  Human Wizard

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  Lae'zel
  Ferocious Warrior
  Githyanki Fighter

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  Karlach
  Fury of Avernus
  Zariel Tiefling Barbarian

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  Shadowheart
  Devoted Cleric
  High Half-Elf Cleric

• 

  Wyll
  Living Legend
  Human Warlock of The Fiend (Mizora)

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  The Dark Urge
  Any race and class

Astarion

Main article: Astarion

“

Astarion prowled the night as a vampire spawn for centuries, forced to follow the orders of his sadistic master, Cazador: seduce every fool with a pulse, and lure them back to Cazador's lair. Free for now, Astarion will do anything to keep his life in the light. He can see but one way to ensure his liberty for good: become many times more powerful than his old abuser could ever dream of being. His body is forever tainted by the intricate, patterned scarring Cazador carved upon his back, and the elder vampire seems set on sending out waves of hunters seeking to capture his lost spawn.

„

Gale

Main article: Gale

“

Gale of Waterdeep was a prodigious archmage, his talents earning him the attention of Mystra, the goddess of magic. At her side, he learned all that mortals might accomplish with the Weave, in time earning his place as her lover, and her Chosen. And yet, he was not satisfied. In an attempt to prove he was ready for even greater power, he accidentally unleashed 'the orb' - a highly volatile fragment of pure Weave, corrupted by Netherese magic, which buried itself in his chest. Cast out by Mystra, humbled by his downfall, he does all he can to prevent the orb's cataclysmic detonation, watching for his chance to get back everything he lost, and more.

„

Karlach

Main article: Karlach

“

Fresh-escaped from Hell, Karlach is finally free of the archdevil Zariel - but not from the infernal engine Zariel planted in her chest. With her first taste of freedom in ten years, Karlach is eager to find a fix for the engine that's burning hotter and hotter before it burns her out completely. But even more premier in her mind? Exploring, finding like-minded travellers, falling in love (or lust)... and taking revenge on the man who sold her to Zariel all those years ago.

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Lae'zel

Main article: Lae'zel

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Crashed down to the Sword Coast from the stars, Lae'zel is a fierce warrior, even by the standards of militant githyanki society. When faced with the possibility of becoming a mind flayer, the monster she has dedicated her life to defeating, she must prove her worth and earn the right to rejoin her people -- if they don't execute her first. Will Lae'zel's strength and determination be enough to prove herself to Queen Vlaakith, or must she walk another path in exile?

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Shadowheart

Main article: Shadowheart

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A devoted cleric of Shar, goddess of darkness and loss, Shadowheart agreed to have her memories wiped as part of a holy mission. Now its sole survivor, she must deliver a powerful relic back to her kin in order to win Shar's love and have her memories restored – but all the while, she is tormented by strange, painful magic that she struggles to understand.

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Wyll

Main article: Wyll

“

From a scion of a famed Baldurian house to a life of adventure on the road, Wyll’s life as the monster hunter called the Blade of Frontiers has made him one of the beating hearts of the Sword Coast. While he has done great deeds for the Coast’s people, the source of his power remains secret. The cambion Mizora drew Wyll into a warlock’s pact in a moment with many lives at stake, and cursed him with the duty of hunting her enemies. Mizora only asks Wyll to sacrifice devilish creatures to her, but a cambion’s ambitions are ever fickle, and Wyll wishes to escape the pact before its price grows cruel.

„

The Dark Urge

Main article: The Dark Urge (origin)

“

You remember nothing of your past besides that you walked a path paved with blood. As you venture on, you find yourself inescapably drawn towards unimaginable cruelties. Where do these thoughts come from?

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Custom

“

You’ve always felt you had a greater calling, but it has never borne fruit. Everything changes when you awaken imprisoned on an alien ship. Perhaps your time has finally come. Gather your party and return to the Forgotten Realms in a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Mysterious abilities are awakening inside you, drawn from a mind flayer parasite planted in your brain. Resist, and turn darkness against itself. Or embrace corruption, and become ultimate evil.

„

Custom characters are a blank slate with a race, class and background chosen by the player. The default name of a custom character is Tav.