Malta

Malta is a is a medium haired red and white Cat with green eyes in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate.

	“	It was just another day in the city of lies. Baldur's Gate - where the people begged for justice until they starved. Two heroes were fated to cross paths that day. Their eyes met. Destiny was calling...	„
		— Malta

Involvement

Malta can be found near the Lower City Central Wall waypoint, in the alley behind the Central Watch Tower. Despite his bravado, he does not join the party. The party can speak with Malta using  Speak with Animals. Along with Myshka and Barsik, he is one of three different cats located near Bonecloak's Apothecary that can be asked to keep Derryth Bonecloak company if Baelen Bonecloak died in Act One, and the party has spoken to her about how she feels lonely without him.

Dialogue

Without Speak with Animals

Malta: *Meow...?*

• Player character: Hello, sour puss. Do you want scritches?"
  • Malta: *...Meow.*
• Chase the cat away
  • Malta: *HISS!*
  • (Malta will then run away and disappear permanently from the game.)
• DC 15 Animal Handling check - Attempt to pet the cat.
• (Successful.)
  • Malta: *...Purr.*
  • Narrator: *The cat seems to be trying very hard to remain aloof—and not wholly succeeding.*
  • Do you want to come with me?
    • Malta: *...Mrrrr. Meow.*
  • If you're brave enough, I'm sure Derryth Bonecloak at the apothecary will pet you all you want.
    • Malta: *Rrrriow!*
• (Failure.)
  • Malta: *Hiss!*

(When spoken to again at Bonecloak's Apothecary:)

• Malta: *Meow!*

With Speak with Animals

Malta: It was just another day in the city of lies. Baldur's Gate - where the people begged for justice until they starved. Two heroes were fated to cross paths that day. Their eyes met. Destiny was calling...

• Player character: And they both answered
  • Malta: Strangers? Only in a fool's definition of the word.
  • It was the start of something incredible—two heroes on the hunt for justice, no matter the cost.
  • All the tall one had to do was say yes.
  • (Continues below)
• Player character: Excuse me?
  • Malta: Destiny is a fickle mistress. She showers you in riches one day and kicks you into the gutter the next. But today, she smiles.
  • This could be the beginning of something. Two heroes against the world, enacting justice for those unable to seek their own.
  • All the tall one had to do was say yes.
  • (Continues below)
• Player character: Are you all right...?
  • Malta: It was in the tall one's voice: they knew they cared about this creature but they didn't know why. But the cat did.
  • This could be the beginning of something. Two heroes against the world, enacting justice for those unable to seek their own.
  • All the tall one had to do was say yes.
  • (Continues below)
    • Player character: I don't think I'm the partner for you—but Derryth Bonecloak be^[sic] just who you're looking for.
      • Malta: The tall one volunteered another—the apothecary. A principled dwarf—a scritcher of heads, and a giver of scraps.
      • Perhaps this was where the journey was meant to start after all...
    • Player character: Yes! Join me!
      • Malta: The tall one had failed the first test: they lacked caution. The cat could have just as easily been a foe as a potential friend.
      • Perhaps it was simply not meant to be...
    • Player character: Sorry - our destines aren't meant to intertwine.
      • Malta: The tall one had passed the first test. The second would come when they were ready - and not before.
      • When would they be ready? Only the tall one - and fate - truly knew.
      • (End of dialogue)

(When spoken to again)

• Malta: Upon their return, the cat couldn't help but wonder whether the tall one had finally decided how their die would be cast.

(When spoken to again at Bonecloak's Apothecary)

• Malta: The cat beheld the one who'd delivered him from the streets while taking on the heavy burden of justice alone. He purred.

Trivia

• His name is likely a reference to old detective-noir movies (e.g. The Maltese Falcon) due to his manner of speech.