Ad placeholder
Withers: Difference between revisions
(→Quotes) |
(Removed poorly sentence that was already covered in the Bugs section) |
||
(36 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown) | |||
Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| image = Withers-face.png | | image = Withers-face.png | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Infobox | {{Infobox creature | ||
| name = Withers | | name = Withers | ||
| image = Withers-face.png | | image = <gallery> | ||
| | Withers-face.png|In-game | ||
Portrait Withers.png|Portrait | |||
</gallery> | |||
| va = Stephen Boxer | |||
| faction = [[Jergal|Church of Jergal]] | | faction = [[Jergal|Church of Jergal]] | ||
| role = [[Camp follower]] | | role = [[Camp follower]] | ||
| race = Skeleton | | race = [[Skeleton]] | ||
| size = [[Medium]] | |||
| type = [[Undead]] | |||
| ac = 10 | |||
| hp = 1 | |||
| size = Medium | | movement m = 9 | ||
| type = Undead | | weight kg = 50 | ||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| str = 10 | | str = 10 | ||
| dex = 10 | | dex = 10 | ||
Line 30: | Line 25: | ||
| wis = 18 | | wis = 18 | ||
| cha = 10 | | cha = 10 | ||
| | | wis save prof = yes | ||
| | | wis save extra = +4 | ||
| passives = Immune To Control Undead, Opportunity Attack | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Withers''' is a mysterious [[Undead]] entity that joins the party on their adventures as a [[Camp Follower]]. He calls himself ''"a scribe, a seneschal - a keeper of records"'', and offers resurrection services to the party, allows characters to change or reset their class and provides the services of [[Hireling]]s. | |||
'''Withers''' is a mysterious [[ | {{DiQ|What is the worth of a single mortal's life?|Withers}} | ||
{{TOC|limit=3}} | {{TOC|limit=3}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
Withers is a camp companion who offers his various services to the party. Secretive, but wise and ever helpful, he can be found in the [[Dank Crypt]] in [[Act 1]] and remains with the party throughout the game. | Withers is a camp companion who offers his various services to the party. Secretive, but wise and ever helpful, he can be found in the [[Dank Crypt]] in [[Act 1]] and remains with the party throughout the game. If asked to leave or asked who he is Withers rejects. | ||
===Gameplay=== | ===Gameplay=== | ||
Line 49: | Line 42: | ||
*He is the only means of changing class in the game. | *He is the only means of changing class in the game. | ||
===Appearance=== | ===Appearance=== | ||
Withers has pale-brown, desiccated skin splotched with red spots. Strikingly, he lacks a nose but retains his other facial features. His outfit is tattered by the passage of time, and he wears bandages around his arms and chest. Despite his looks, his face, arms and parts of his collarbone are adorned with elaborate gilded strips of metal, giving him a regal look. | Withers has pale-brown, desiccated skin splotched with red spots. Strikingly, he lacks a nose but retains his other facial features. His outfit is tattered by the passage of time, and he wears bandages around his arms and chest. Despite his looks, his face, arms and parts of his collarbone are adorned with elaborate gilded strips of metal, giving him a regal look. | ||
===Personality=== | ===Personality=== | ||
Though he may seem cryptic at times, Withers seems genuinely invested in the party's success against the [[Absolute]] and not only offers his services to aid them, but also provides information and guidance, in his own mysterious way. He is very matter-of-fact when spoken to, especially when it comes to gods and divinity, but he | Though he may seem cryptic at times, Withers seems genuinely invested in the party's success against the [[Absolute]] and not only offers his services to aid them, but also provides information and guidance, in his own mysterious way. He is very matter-of-fact when spoken to, especially when it comes to gods and divinity, but he is never rude. He respects those with the courage to stand up to fate and take destiny into their hands, such as [[The Dark Urge]] when rejecting {{CharLink|Bhaal}} for good. | ||
At times, he also shows a kindness rarely seen as is the case with | At times, he also shows a kindness rarely seen as is the case with {{CharLink|Arabella}} should she join the party as a camp follower. Withers soothes her after she finds her parents are dead, and will gently guide her in her journey of understanding of the Weave. He also organised the gathering after the events of the game simply for the enjoyment of the companions, and rescued [[Milil]] from the Fugue Plane he was trapped in, even if it only was to provide music and entertainment. Furthermore, he seems to enjoy more mundane activities as evidenced by his multiple luncheons with {{CharLink|Tara}} and {{CharLink|Gale|Gale's}} mother. | ||
In the epilogue, Withers can be seen speaking to the mural of the [[Dead Three]] not only with a familiar tone, but also with great disdain, dismissing them as fools and vermin. Whatever his relation to them, he has no apparent respect for them, and chides them. | In the epilogue, Withers can be seen speaking to the mural of the [[Dead Three]] not only with a familiar tone, but also with great disdain, dismissing them as fools and vermin. Whatever his relation to them, he has no apparent respect for them, and chides them. | ||
Line 67: | Line 56: | ||
* He offers the service of [[Hireling|hirelings]], recruitable characters that can be added to aid your party who, unlike regular companions, do not have related quests or interactions. | * He offers the service of [[Hireling|hirelings]], recruitable characters that can be added to aid your party who, unlike regular companions, do not have related quests or interactions. | ||
* He is able to resurrect hirelings for 100 gold per resurrection. | * He is able to resurrect hirelings for 100 gold per resurrection. | ||
* Withers can also change the class of a character for 100 gold, setting them back to level 1 and allowing them to change their class, subclass, spells, ability scores, etc. | * Withers can also change the class of a character for 100 gold, setting them back to level 1 and allowing them to change their class, subclass, spells, ability scores, skill proficiencies, feats, etc. | ||
**Characters cannot change their race, appearance, origin, or background. | **Characters cannot change their race, appearance, origin, or background. This includes selectable aspects of race, such as the high elf's choice of cantrip. | ||
**[[Paladin|Paladins]] who have broken their oaths cannot access this class change; they must retake their vows first through the [[Oathbreaker Knight]]. | **[[Paladin|Paladins]] who have broken their oaths cannot access this class change; they must retake their vows first through the [[Oathbreaker Knight]]. | ||
*Though not directly through him, his [[Magic Mirror]] can be used to change the appearance of non-origin characters. | *Though not directly through him, his [[Magic Mirror]] can be used to change the appearance of non-origin characters and [[The Dark Urge (origin)|The Dark Urge]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Line 76: | Line 65: | ||
Whoever he was, he was important enough to be laid to rest in a richly adorned sarcophagus, alongside attendants to take care of the temple that serves as his resting place. Paladins and clerics feel a divine energy coming from him, and whoever he was in life, he seems to have a deep understanding of gods and their nature. | Whoever he was, he was important enough to be laid to rest in a richly adorned sarcophagus, alongside attendants to take care of the temple that serves as his resting place. Paladins and clerics feel a divine energy coming from him, and whoever he was in life, he seems to have a deep understanding of gods and their nature. | ||
Though the game never explicitly states it, it heavily implies Withers is actually {{CharLink|Jergal}}, the erstwhile ''"Lord of the End of Everything"'', a powerful god who willingly gave up part of his divine portfolio to three evil adventurers who would then become the [[Dead Three]]. Jergal would henceforth carry out his duty as a bookkeeper of the dead. For more information see {{CharLink|Jergal}}. | |||
== Involvement == | == Involvement == | ||
===Act One=== | ===Act One=== | ||
Withers is first encountered in the [[Dank Crypt]] - an ancient temple of Jergal. He can be found resting inside a sarcophagus within the hidden room. Once freed, he | Withers is first encountered in the [[Dank Crypt]] - an ancient temple of Jergal. He can be found resting inside a sarcophagus within the hidden room. Once freed, he asks the party a cryptic question and then leaves. | ||
Later, Withers | Later, Withers appears at the [[Campsite|campsite]] and joins as a [[Camp Follower|camp follower]]. If reaching the courtyard of the [[Goblin Camp]], or progressing far enough without completing {{Quest|Explore the Ruins}} and meeting him in the crypt, this still happens. If then visiting the crypt, the aforementioned quest can be still completed, but the sarcophagus is empty then. | ||
===Act Two=== | ===Act Two=== | ||
Withers can be | Withers can be encountered in [[Moonrise Towers]] after defeating {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, where he asks the party whether they think [[Illithid|illithids]] possess souls or not. Regardless of the answer, Withers affirms, that they do not, and he ponders why the [[Dead Three]] would amass an army of soulless beings, when souls are what gods need to imbue them with power. | ||
===Act Three=== | ===Act Three=== | ||
If the | If the [[The Dark Urge]] is chosen as [[origin]] and refuses to become the Chosen of {{CharLink|Bhaal}} after killing {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, Bhaal seemingly kills the player character. However, in the final moment, Withers appears and tells the player character that while Bhaal could destroy his own spawn, he could not destroy the new self that the player character had become by resisting the Dark Urge. He pronounces the player character redeemed and being free of Bhaal's influence and brings them back to life. | ||
Withers can be found among the allies and companions gathered in [[High Hall]] for the final battle against the [[Netherbrain]]. He | Withers can be found among the allies and companions gathered in [[High Hall]] for the final battle against the [[Netherbrain]]. He offers his services as always, and has some words of encouragement for the fight ahead. | ||
===Epilogue=== | ===Epilogue=== | ||
Six months after the events of the game, Withers extends an invitation to all companions, gathering them all at the campsite that served as home for many days for a celebratory party. For this, he has prepared food and beverage, a fact many companions remark upon with surprise, as well as summon [[Milil]], a | Six months after the events of the game, Withers extends an invitation to all companions, gathering them all at the campsite that served as home for many days for a celebratory party. For this, he has prepared food and beverage, a fact many companions remark upon with surprise, as well as summon [[Milil]], a god trapped in the Fugue Plane, to provide music and entertainment. After mingling with the guests, he can be spoken to and he offers a toast to the heroes of Baldur's Gate, telling them that there may yet be a time where they are called to action once more. | ||
{{CharLink|Tara}}, Gale's tressym, that reveals that Withers has regularly joined her and Mrs. Dekarios for luncheons on numerous occasions in the past six months. | |||
If the player character attacks anyone, Withers banishes them to an unknown realm through a portal, and the game ends immediately. | |||
===After Credits Scene=== | |||
In the after credits scene, Withers is seen talking to a mural of the Dead Three disappointed in their actions and telling them that he overestimated them. | In the after credits scene, Withers is seen talking to a mural of the Dead Three disappointed in their actions and telling them that he overestimated them. | ||
==Combat== | ==Combat== | ||
Line 106: | Line 97: | ||
If Withers is attacked, he will respond in banter with one of the following: | If Withers is attacked, he will respond in banter with one of the following: | ||
* Ah, yes. Well struck. | * ''Ah, yes. Well struck.'' | ||
* Thy accuracy would be lauded, had it a purpose. | * ''Thy accuracy would be lauded, had it a purpose.'' | ||
* Hast thou considered this is a waste of mortal energy? | * ''Hast thou considered this is a waste of mortal energy?'' | ||
* When one tries and fails so many times, it is often named madness. | * ''When one tries and fails so many times, it is often named madness.'' | ||
===Loot=== | |||
Withers cannot be killed or looted.{{bug}} | |||
== Related Literature == | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|The Book of Willing Souls}} | |||
== | ==Related Quests== | ||
* {{Quest|Explore the Ruins}} | |||
* {{Quest|The Urge}} | |||
== Achievements == | == Achievements == | ||
{{Achievement|Outsourcing}} | {{Achievement|Outsourcing}} | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery heights="200px" mode="packed"> | <gallery heights="200px" mode="packed"> | ||
Withers Model.png|Withers' in-game model. | |||
Withers.webp|Appearance during Early Access. | Withers.webp|Appearance during Early Access. | ||
Jane-katsubo-jergal-char.jpg|Official concept art by Jane Katsubo. | Jane-katsubo-jergal-char.jpg|Official concept art by Jane Katsubo. | ||
Withers Jergal Concept.png|Concept art from the Digital Artbook. | Withers Jergal Concept.png|Concept art from the Digital Artbook. | ||
Party withers.png|Withers as featured in [https://baldursgate3.game/news/community-update-24-looking-to-the-future_88 Community update #24]. | Party withers.png|Withers as featured in [https://baldursgate3.game/news/community-update-24-looking-to-the-future_88 Community update #24]. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{notebegin}} | |||
* Withers puts the gold he receives for his services into a pickpocketable inventory, so it's possible to steal back any money paid. Withers will not react to failed pickpocketing, allowing unlimited attempts. | * Withers puts the gold he receives for his services into a pickpocketable inventory, so it's possible to steal back any money paid. Withers will not react to failed pickpocketing, allowing unlimited attempts. | ||
* 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 finally Withers. | * 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 finally Withers. | ||
* If | * If speaking with a hireling, it is revealed Withers is in fact controlling them remotely. In a sense, this makes Withers indirectly a companion as well. | ||
* There is never a point where Withers actually | * There is never a point where Withers actually reveals that his name is Withers, this information is revealed purely via the subtitles. It is unclear how the party members themselves learn this. | ||
{{noteend}} | |||
{{ | |||
==Bugs== | ==Bugs== | ||
* As of Hotfix 21, there is a bug where Withers can be killed in camp during Act 3 by a [[partial-illithid]] character, via repeatedly using an [[Intelligence]] [[Cantrip]] (or other [[Spells]]) to trigger [[Ability Drain]] to bring Withers' INT to 1, and then using [[Devour Intellect]]. Withers only drops a regular | * As of Hotfix 21, there is a bug where Withers can be killed in camp during Act 3 by a [[partial-illithid]] character, via repeatedly using an [[Intelligence]] [[Cantrip]] (or other [[Spells]]) to trigger [[Ability Drain]] to bring Withers' INT to 1, and then using [[Devour Intellect]]. Withers only drops a regular {{SmRarityItem|Quarterstaff}}. | ||
[[Category:Bugs]] | [[Category:Bugs]] | ||
Line 146: | Line 141: | ||
{{NavCompanions}} | {{NavCompanions}} | ||
[[Category: Camp Followers]] | |||
[[Category: Skeletons]] | [[Category: Skeletons]] | ||
[[Category: Undead]] | [[Category: Undead]] | ||
[[Category: Authors]] |
Latest revision as of 22:00, 10 December 2024
“What is the worth of a single mortal's life?„
Overview[edit | edit source]
Background[edit | edit source]
Withers is a camp companion who offers his various services to the party. Secretive, but wise and ever helpful, he can be found in the Dank Crypt in Act 1 and remains with the party throughout the game. If asked to leave or asked who he is Withers rejects.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
- Withers is an Undead creature whose level scales with that of the party.
- He can be encountered in Act 1 and remains with the party throughout the game.
- He cannot be damaged nor killed.
- He is the only means of changing class in the game.
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Withers has pale-brown, desiccated skin splotched with red spots. Strikingly, he lacks a nose but retains his other facial features. His outfit is tattered by the passage of time, and he wears bandages around his arms and chest. Despite his looks, his face, arms and parts of his collarbone are adorned with elaborate gilded strips of metal, giving him a regal look.
Personality[edit | edit source]
Though he may seem cryptic at times, Withers seems genuinely invested in the party's success against the Absolute and not only offers his services to aid them, but also provides information and guidance, in his own mysterious way. He is very matter-of-fact when spoken to, especially when it comes to gods and divinity, but he is never rude. He respects those with the courage to stand up to fate and take destiny into their hands, such as The Dark Urge when rejecting Bhaal for good.
At times, he also shows a kindness rarely seen as is the case with Arabella should she join the party as a camp follower. Withers soothes her after she finds her parents are dead, and will gently guide her in her journey of understanding of the Weave. He also organised the gathering after the events of the game simply for the enjoyment of the companions, and rescued Milil from the Fugue Plane he was trapped in, even if it only was to provide music and entertainment. Furthermore, he seems to enjoy more mundane activities as evidenced by his multiple luncheons with Tara and Gale's mother.
In the epilogue, Withers can be seen speaking to the mural of the Dead Three not only with a familiar tone, but also with great disdain, dismissing them as fools and vermin. Whatever his relation to them, he has no apparent respect for them, and chides them.
Services[edit | edit source]
- Withers will resurrect dead companions for a 200 gold fee per resurrection.
- He offers the service of hirelings, recruitable characters that can be added to aid your party who, unlike regular companions, do not have related quests or interactions.
- He is able to resurrect hirelings for 100 gold per resurrection.
- Withers can also change the class of a character for 100 gold, setting them back to level 1 and allowing them to change their class, subclass, spells, ability scores, skill proficiencies, feats, etc.
- Characters cannot change their race, appearance, origin, or background. This includes selectable aspects of race, such as the high elf's choice of cantrip.
- Paladins who have broken their oaths cannot access this class change; they must retake their vows first through the Oathbreaker Knight.
- Though not directly through him, his Magic Mirror can be used to change the appearance of non-origin characters and The Dark Urge.
History[edit | edit source]
Little is known about Withers' history prior to the game.
Whoever he was, he was important enough to be laid to rest in a richly adorned sarcophagus, alongside attendants to take care of the temple that serves as his resting place. Paladins and clerics feel a divine energy coming from him, and whoever he was in life, he seems to have a deep understanding of gods and their nature.
Though the game never explicitly states it, it heavily implies Withers is actually Jergal, the erstwhile "Lord of the End of Everything", a powerful god who willingly gave up part of his divine portfolio to three evil adventurers who would then become the Dead Three. Jergal would henceforth carry out his duty as a bookkeeper of the dead. For more information see Jergal.
Involvement[edit | edit source]
Act One[edit | edit source]
Withers is first encountered in the Dank Crypt - an ancient temple of Jergal. He can be found resting inside a sarcophagus within the hidden room. Once freed, he asks the party a cryptic question and then leaves.
Later, Withers appears at the campsite and joins as a camp follower. If reaching the courtyard of the Goblin Camp, or progressing far enough without completing and meeting him in the crypt, this still happens. If then visiting the crypt, the aforementioned quest can be still completed, but the sarcophagus is empty then.
Act Two[edit | edit source]
Withers can be encountered in Moonrise Towers after defeating Ketheric Thorm, where he asks the party whether they think illithids possess souls or not. Regardless of the answer, Withers affirms, that they do not, and he ponders why the Dead Three would amass an army of soulless beings, when souls are what gods need to imbue them with power.
Act Three[edit | edit source]
If the The Dark Urge is chosen as origin and refuses to become the Chosen of Bhaal after killing Orin the Red, Bhaal seemingly kills the player character. However, in the final moment, Withers appears and tells the player character that while Bhaal could destroy his own spawn, he could not destroy the new self that the player character had become by resisting the Dark Urge. He pronounces the player character redeemed and being free of Bhaal's influence and brings them back to life.
Withers can be found among the allies and companions gathered in High Hall for the final battle against the Netherbrain. He offers his services as always, and has some words of encouragement for the fight ahead.
Epilogue[edit | edit source]
Six months after the events of the game, Withers extends an invitation to all companions, gathering them all at the campsite that served as home for many days for a celebratory party. For this, he has prepared food and beverage, a fact many companions remark upon with surprise, as well as summon Milil, a god trapped in the Fugue Plane, to provide music and entertainment. After mingling with the guests, he can be spoken to and he offers a toast to the heroes of Baldur's Gate, telling them that there may yet be a time where they are called to action once more.
Tara, Gale's tressym, that reveals that Withers has regularly joined her and Mrs. Dekarios for luncheons on numerous occasions in the past six months.
If the player character attacks anyone, Withers banishes them to an unknown realm through a portal, and the game ends immediately.
After Credits Scene[edit | edit source]
In the after credits scene, Withers is seen talking to a mural of the Dead Three disappointed in their actions and telling them that he overestimated them.
Combat[edit | edit source]
Withers cannot be damaged and is functionally invincible[See: Bugs], and he will never engage in battle if provoked.
If Withers is attacked, he will respond in banter with one of the following:
- Ah, yes. Well struck.
- Thy accuracy would be lauded, had it a purpose.
- Hast thou considered this is a waste of mortal energy?
- When one tries and fails so many times, it is often named madness.
Loot[edit | edit source]
Withers cannot be killed or looted.[See: Bugs]
Related Literature[edit | edit source]
Related Quests[edit | edit source]
Achievements[edit | edit source]
Outsourcing
Recruit a hireling. You can befriend them or use them as cannon-fodder - we won't judge.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Withers as featured in Community update #24.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- Withers puts the gold he receives for his services into a pickpocketable inventory, so it's possible to steal back any money paid. Withers will not react to failed pickpocketing, allowing unlimited attempts.
- 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 finally Withers.
- If speaking with a hireling, it is revealed Withers is in fact controlling them remotely. In a sense, this makes Withers indirectly a companion as well.
- There is never a point where Withers actually reveals that his name is Withers, this information is revealed purely via the subtitles. It is unclear how the party members themselves learn this.
Bugs[edit | edit source]
- As of Hotfix 21, there is a bug where Withers can be killed in camp during Act 3 by a partial-illithid character, via repeatedly using an Intelligence Cantrip (or other Spells) to trigger Ability Drain to bring Withers' INT to 1, and then using Devour Intellect. Withers only drops a regular Quarterstaff.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Withers on the Forgotten Realms Wiki