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{{ up to date | 2023-08-15 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->
{{PageSeo
{{PageSeo
| title = The Dark Urge
| title = The Dark Urge
| keywords = origin
| keywords = character, durge
| description = The Dark Urge is a custom origin in Baldur's Gate 3 and can be any race, class, and gender. They remember nothing of their past except walking a path paved with blood.
| description = The Dark Urge is an established character as well as a custom origin in Baldur's Gate 3. They remember nothing of their past except walking a path paved with blood.
| image = The_Dark_Urge.png
| image = The_Dark_Urge.png
}}
}}
{{CharacterInfo
{{About
|title = Special [[Origin]]
| subject = the established character, and contains many spoilers.
|name = The Dark Urge
| use1 = the more spoiler-free origin page
|image=[[File:The_Dark_Urge.png|350px]]
| article1 = The Dark Urge (origin)
|STR=8
}}
|DEX=13
{{Cw|article|described|violence|animal|sv}}
|CON=15
{{Infobox creature
|INT=12
| role = Special [[Origin]]
|WIS=10
| name = The Dark Urge
|CHA=17
| image = BIBG The Dark Urge Cropped.png
|level=1
| image_alt_text = The Dark Urge's appearance in Blood in Baldur's Gate.
|race=Any, {{Race|White Dragonborn}} (default)
| race = Any, [[White dragonborn]] (default)
|type=Humanoid
| class = Any, [[Sorcerer]], [[Storm Sorcery]] (default)
|HP=8
| background = [[Haunted One]]
|AC=11
| hometown = [[Baldur's Gate]]
|speed=9 m / 30 ft
| family = [[Bhaal]] ("father"/creator)<br>[[Orin the Red]] (Bhaalspawn relative)<br>[[Sarevok Anchev]] (Bhaalspawn relative)<br>Unnamed foster parents<br>[[Minsc]] ("uncle", determinant)
|size=Medium
}}
|weight=
{{Tab
|proficiency=2
|one=The Dark Urge
|initiative=+1
|one-name=Character
|class = Any, {{Class|Sorcerer}} (default)
|two=The Dark Urge (Origin)
|alignment = Any
|two-name=Origin
|background= Haunted One
}}
|location =
'''The Dark Urge''' is an established character as well as a [[The Dark Urge (origin)|special origin]] in ''Baldur's Gate 3''. Suffering from amnesia, the Dark Urge remembers little but glimpses of their own past.
|allies = [[Sceleritas Fel]] (dependant), {{Blur|[[Bhaal]] (dependant)}}
 
|enemies ={{Blur|[[Orin the Red]]}}
{{Q|My rancid blood whispers to me: kill, kill, and kill again. My ruined body yearns to reap death in this world, and when this foul Urge calls, it possesses my whole being. Injured beyond repair, I know nothing besides this: I must resist the Dark Urge, lest it consume my mind. I must discover who I was, and what happened to me. Before my twitching knife-hand writes a tragedy in blood.|The Dark Urge, fearing their dark desires in their Introduction cinematic.}}
|alt-name = Promotional Art
{{TOC|limit=3}}
|alt-image = [[File:TheDarkUrge.jpg|350px]]
== Description ==
|con save=yes|cha save=yes}}{{SpoilerWarning}}'''The Dark Urge''' is a special [[Origin]] in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. The Dark Urge gives a custom character a special origin background and adds many new interactions, obstacles, and story elements for that character.
Prior to their amnesia, the Dark Urge was a much more cold and calculated individual than their bloodkin, {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}.{{ref|name=gortashcontrol|The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"Unlike you, [Orin] cannot control herself. [...] Look at you - cold-blooded as ever."''}} They believed in killing for killing's sake, preferring practical and simple methods over flair and grace, and took issue with extravagant or needlessly creative killings.{{ref|name=kidnapdialogue|Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member and the Dark Urge tells her she is being melodramatic. <br>''"Better to be dull and brittle? A mind-mangled beast, no talent, no beauty in your atrocities."''}}{{ref|name=orinletter|[[Concerning Orin the Red]].}} They were deeply loyal to Bhaal and never disobeyed him.{{ref|name=colonyletter|[[Prayer for Forgiveness]].}}{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after being told to kill [[Isobel Thorm|Isobel]]. <br>''"You were never disobedient before your little accident."''}}
 
==History==
===Early life===
The Dark Urge is a Bhaalspawn, but unlike other Bhaalspawn, they were not born – {{CharLink|Bhaal}} created them from a piece of his dead flesh.{{ref|name=Naaber|Dialogue option with [[Naaber]], after he wishes the Dark Urge a happy birthday. <br>''"I was sculpted from a slice of Bhaal's own dead flesh. I have no birthday."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen. <br>''"You were not conceived. Bhaal sculpted you from a drop of his own gore."''}}{{ref|name=Devella|Dialogue option with [[Devella Fountainhead]] after she asks the Dark Urge if they know who their mother is, once they tell her that Sarevok is Orin's father. <br>''"I have a gut feeling Bhaal made me. I don't have a mother."''}} They are the only Bhaalspawn who had the guarantee of murder, the Urge, woven into their blood.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen. <br>''"No Bhaalspawn has ever borne the Urge, the holy guarantee of murder. It was woven into your blood alone."''}}


Unlike the other [[Origin]] Characters, '''The Dark Urge''' can be played using any [[race]], [[class]], and gender, and will not be part of the player's party if they are playing any other [[Origin]] Character.
The Dark Urge grew up outside the [[Cult of Bhaal]], and was at some point taken in by a poor couple in [[Baldur's Gate]]. They had a relatively peaceful childhood for a time, before succumbing to the Urge and murdering their loved ones and foster parents.{{ref|Memories regained after casting Heal on the Dark Urge after rejecting Bhaal. <br>''"Children darting their way through the city streets of the Gate, chasing one another. [...] Foster parents who cared for a lost Bhaalspawn?"''}}{{ref|Memories regained from casting Heal on the Dark Urge without rejecting Bhaal. <br>''"A little Urge - not even an adolescent - stands with a tiny dagger atop a bloody heap. Two-bedroom cottage. Relative squalor. Poor part of the city. Indiscriminate whole-family kill. Baby's first murder spree."''}}


{{Q|My rancid blood whispers to me: kill, kill, and kill again. My ruined body yearns to reap death in this world, and when this foul Urge calls, it possesses my whole being. Injured beyond repair, I know nothing besides this; I must resist this Dark Urge, lest it consume my mind. I must discover what happened to me, and who I was. Before my twitching knife-hand writes a tragedy in blood.|The Dark Urge, fearing their dark desires in their Introduction cinematic.}}
===The plan===
Eventually, the Dark Urge became the leader of the Cult of Bhaal, and pledged to end all life in existence for their father Bhaal.{{ref|name=colonyletter}} At some point, Orin the Red joined and became their second-in-command.{{ref|name=memoirs|[[Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda]].}}


== Background==
{{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} contacted the Dark Urge after reestablishing worship of {{CharLink|Bane (God)|Bane}}, and the two formed an alliance upon discovering common goals. They were visited in their dreams by Bhaal and Bane, who named them their Chosen and commanded them to ally with {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, the Chosen of {{CharLink|Myrkul|Myrkul}}. Gortash and the Dark Urge hatched a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus in a heist at Mephistopheles' Vault by having {{CharLink|Helsik}} open a gate to Mephistar for them.{{ref|name=memoirs}}{{ref|name=parentnotes|[[Scrapbook of Letters]].}}
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?


==Gameplay==
After the heist was successful, Gortash suggested that they use the Crown on the elder brain located in the illithid colony below [[Moonrise Towers]]. The Dark Urge agreed to the plan so that they could fulfil their pledge to their Lord: They would create an army of soulless mind flayers, and with the help of this army they would exterminate all life — including, as the last being alive, their own. Fully intent on eventually betraying the other Chosen, the Dark Urge joined Enver Gortash and Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise Towers.{{ref|name=colonyletter}}{{ref|name=memoirs}}{{ref|The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"We understood that if we were to unite, no one could stand in the way of the Dead Three. So unite we did. First we obtained the crown; then we enslaved the brain. From there, it was but a small step to the most successful religious hoax ever perpetrated."''}}
A character with '''The Dark Urge''' [[Origin]] remembers nothing of their past and are plagued with dark urges of violence and cruelty. Like the other Origin Characters, The Dark Urge adds a unique storyline that surfaces over time as the true nature of The Dark Urge is revealed.


Guiding the Dark Urge in their time of need is [[Sceleritas Fel]]. A vile and loyal servant, Fel lives only to see the Dark Urge return to their rightful, bloodstained path and urges them to commit some of the most lurid acts of violence.  
===Betrayal===
At Moonrise Towers, the Dark Urge was treated like a god,{{ref|The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge enters the throne room in Moonrise Towers. <br>''"In another lifetime, you were greeted in this throne room like a God, not the living wreck you are now."''}} and although nobody knew their name or rank, they were shown the utmost respect.{{ref|Dialogue with [[The Warden]]. <br>''"Your name, your place was kept from all of us last time, but you were to be shown the utmost of respect."''}} The three Chosen initiated a raid on the mind flayer colony, and successfully used the Crown on the colony's elder brain, enslaving it to their will.{{ref|name=memoirs}} At some point during this, the elder brain came to respect the Dark Urge and intended to go along with their plan, impressed by their unmatched cruelty.{{ref|name=elderbraindialogue|Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool. <br>''"I respected Bhaal's child once, but not you, Gortash. [...] Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister."''}}


Over the course of the game, the player can choose to resist or indulge in their character's urges, as they slowly learn more about their past and their nature.
After the Dark Urge put the Crown on the elder brain, they were soon betrayed by their "sister" Orin the Red, who was jealous of Bhaal's favouritism.{{ref|name=orinnotes|[[Blood-Envy for the Unworthy]]}}{{ref|name=orinduel|Dialogue with Orin, when she is confronted by the Dark Urge in the Temple of Bhaal. <br>''"Husk. Maggot. A Bhaalspawn, slip-sliding in filth with these pigs. You don't deserve the Murder Lord's blessing."''}} The Dark Urge had their skull pierced and opened with a dagger, and was infected with a tadpole that began to eat their liquidating brain, resulting in their amnesia, as well as them becoming the first True Soul.{{ref|name=orinpast|Dialogue with Orin, when she is confronted by the Dark Urge in the Temple of Bhaal. <br>''"How you screamed as my knife slit your skull, your brain juices sticky and sweet. A little hole, big enough for the worm, your body a blood sack to feed it."''}}{{ref|The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge confronts Orin in the Temple of Bhaal. <br>''"The day your tyranny should have engulfed this world, it was you who were the first to be enslaved. Orin's smile was the last thing you saw, her bright blade glinting as she chiselled into your skull. Her reckless digging left your mind shattered."''}}{{ref|name=kressadialogue|Dialogue with Kressa Bonedaughter. <br>''"You were my very first, after all. I learnt everything about the parasites from you."''}}{{ref|name=kressanotes|[[Mistress of Souls' Research Log]].}}


{{SpoilerBlur|
The Dark Urge was found by {{CharLink|Kressa Bonedaughter}} who, impressed with their willpower and resistance to the elder brain's influence, began to study them. She would cut them open and put them back together repeatedly over the course of several days in the mind flayer colony, during which the Dark Urge was unable to speak or do anything but attempt to inflict violence on themself or others.{{ref|name=kressapast|Dialogue with Kressa Bonedaughter. <br>''"I remember finding you close to death, beaten black and blue on the floor of this sanctum. It must have been a few hours after the tadpole was placed in your skull. How you got here was a total mystery, but I stitched you up just enough to keep you alive, then placed you within your crib. [...] We had such a close bond. I opened you up endlessly with my scalpels, and got lost in your insides. [...] It has never been the same with another... All the other victims who come here just meekly obey. You thrashed, you fought, you were indomitable."''}}{{ref|name=kressanotes}}
==The Urge==
The Dark Urge's primary personal quest is called [[The Urge]], and guides the player as they interact with their butler and uncover more of their past.


====Act One====
Noticing his wife's obsession and hoping to snap her out of it, Kressa's husband, {{CharLink|Maghtew Budj}}, arranged for the broken and amnesiac Dark Urge to be sent off on the [[Nautiloid|Nautiloid Ship]], where they would soon wake up with no memories of themself, or of their past.{{ref|[[Journal of Magthew Budj]].}}{{ref|[[Clasped Book (Moonrise Towers)]].}}
During Act One, the Dark Urge will eventually have a long rest event where they murder a camp follower. If she is available, this will always be [[Alfira]]. Otherwise, it will be [[Quil]]. Soon after, in a separate long rest event, their [[Sceleritas Fel|butler]] will introduce himself, and gift the player [[the Deathstalker Mantle]].


====Act Two====
== The Urge ==
During a long rest event, The Dark Urge will be given the task of killing [[Isobel]] at the [[Last Light Inn]]. Should the player forego killing [[Isobel]], at a later long rest they will be informed that they will kill their closest companion, usually their lover. The player can choose to wake their companion up, if they pass a Wisdom check. If they fail the check, choose to go back to sleep, or choose to kill their companion, they must pass a separate check, or the camp will turn hostile.
{{hatnote|See Also: [[The Dark Urge (Origin)]] and [[The Urge]].}}
The Dark Urge's unique quest, [[The Urge]], has two distinct paths: The character can either resist their urges or embrace them.


If the player kills either Isobel or their companion, they are they are granted the [[Slayer]] form, a gift from their father.
If they resist the Urge and reject their legacy, Bhaal drains them of their unholy blood, resulting in their death, but {{CharLink|Withers}} intervenes and brings them back to life, explaining that the loss of unholy blood through their heroism has not destroyed them but made them reborn as a new person. The rest of Act Three and its endings then play out the same as in other playthroughs beyond pre-existing dialogue differences from characters like the Netherbrain.


The Dark Urge has unique content and dialogue in the [[Moonrise Towers]], including a reunion with several of their former allies.
If they embrace the Urge and accept their legacy, they become Bhaal's Chosen once again and are tasked with resuming their plan to control the Absolute and kill all other beings. If they follow through and take control of the Netherbrain, the Dark Urge is confronted afterward by either their romantic partner or the companion with the highest approval, who scolds or praises them (depending on who it is and how their companion quest ended) for bringing about the end of the world; they can either mercy-kill that companion, kiss them goodbye while stabbing them (if romanced), or release all the surviving companions, telling them to run away. The Urge then uses the Netherbrain's power to kill everyone in the city with conjured daggers, and as they do so they are given a premonition of their success, worshipping Bhaal under a blood-red moon as the last living thing in Faerûn.


====Act Three====
If they embrace the Urge but ''do not'' obey Bhaal's orders, Bhaal begins to shred their mind mere minutes after destroying the Netherbrain as the party is leaving to celebrate. The Dark Urge can either accept their fate, turn themself into prison, attempt to fight back, or simply kill themself before Bhaal gets the chance, reuniting with a proud Withers in the Fugue Plane. If the latter is not chosen, however, they show up in a shortened version of the [[Epilogue]], bloodsoaked and insane due to the madness Bhaal has left them with, and they plot to kill all their former companions in their sleep while licking {{SmRarityItem|Bloodthirst}}.
If the player refused to kill either Isobel or their companion, after arriving at [[Wyrm's Crossing]], it is revealed that the Dark Urge is a [[Bhaalspawn]], and was once the leader of the Cult of [[Bhaal]], before being betrayed and murdered by their [[Orin|sister]]. Further conversation with [[Gortash]] reveals they were one of the original members of the Chosen of the Dead Three, and alongside Gortash, had originally schemed to use the [[Crown of Karsus]] on the Elder Brain to falsify the religion of the [[Absolute]]. In this sense, the Dark Urge is very well the catalyst for the main story's events.


The only reason the Dark Urge is not within this position is because [[Orin the Red]], envious of the Dark Urge's power and control over the cult, betrayed them, inflicted amnesia upon them, and took control of the cult herself.  
== Past relationships ==
=== The Absolute ===
The Absolute, an [[Mind Flayer|Illithid]] [[Elder Brain]] evolved into a {{CharLink|The Netherbrain|Netherbrain}} from the power of the Crown of Karsus, actually had a positive relationship with the Dark Urge before they were betrayed. The Dark Urge was the one who placed the Crown on the brain's head, and as such it revered them for giving it so much power.{{ref|Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool. <br>''"You placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with the Absolute through the wall-tentacle in Moonrise Towers. <br>''"-Gave- ---us- -EVERYTHING--- ---disappeared-- [...] ---KINGMAKER-- ---returns-"''}} The brain especially respected the Dark Urge for the calculated cruelty of their plan to kill all living beings. It intended to follow the plan and let the Dark Urge control the army it would amass.{{ref|Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool, when Gortash is not there. <br>''"You brought the Crown to me, Bhaalspawn, thinking the army I amassed with it would become yours. Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister."''}} When the Dark Urge disappeared, the brain felt like it was abandoned as a slave to the other Chosen.{{ref|Dialogue with the Absolute through the wall-tentacle in Moonrise Towers.<br>''"You abandoned me... You left me the slave of the puny Chosen, used to bind this world..."''}} The Chosen fought like children without the Dark Urge's presence, so the brain changed its plan which would eventually lead to its freedom.{{ref|Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool. <br>''"But with you gone, the three pitiful Chosen fought like children in your wake. I gave them power to harm one another with, while I crafted my design."''}}


After confronting Orin, the Dark Urge may restore themselves as [[Bhaal]]'s Chosen, or refuse the title.
=== Bhaal and his Temple ===
The Dark Urge commanded great respect, admiration, and devotion from the devotees at the Temple of Bhaal in Baldur's Gate. They inspired them with their sheer ruthlessness, staggering amount of victims, and the intelligence of their schemes and planning.{{ref|name=sarevokintro}}{{ref|The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge remembers they are a Bhaalspawn. <br>''"Memories flood back - snatches of your story, written in the blood of a thousand victims. Years spent in worship of Bhaal, leading his savage congregation in prayer, sacrifice, and slaughter. You were their Master, and he was yours. A cruel Master, a Dread Lord... a devoted Father."''}}


Should they refuse to become [[Bhaal]]'s chosen, the Dark Urge will be drained of their father's blood and killed, but will be reborn by [[Withers]], free from the Urge.
{{CharLink|Bhaal}} himself loved the Dark Urge the most of all his children as he had personally handcrafted the Dark Urge's body from his own flesh, and filled them with blood directly from his body, thus making them the perfect child in his eyes.{{ref|Dialogue with Bhaal's Avatar after killing Orin. <br>''"You are my spawn. Your veins course with my unholy blood."''}} This also stands in contrast to the other Bhaalspawn who were born from myriad dalliances with mortal women of various races during the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Time_of_Troubles Time of Troubles], as such the Dark Urge is considered a pureblood Bhaalspawn.{{ref|name=orinletter}} Bhaal's uncharacteristic level of love and concern for the Dark Urge is shown in the amount of attention that the Dark Urge receives from Bhaal, even after losing their memories. Most chaotic evil gods (including Bhaal) would discard a Chosen if it was no longer useful such as Myrkul did with Ketheric after his defeat, but Bhaal went to great lengths to restore the Dark Urge to their former place, and made sure to guide and reward them until they returned to the Temple.{{ref|Dialogue that plays when the Dark Urge remembers they are a Bhaalspawn. <br>''"Your Father loves you best. You have already made us so proud."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel and becoming the Slayer. <br>''"Try on your new jimjams! They're a present from Father, it would be rude not to."''}}


====Indulging the Urge====
This seems to indicate that Bhaal felt an amount of paternal pride and love for his child, at least as much as the malevolent deity was capable of displaying.{{ref|Dialogue with Bhaal's Avatar after killing Orin and accepting Bhaal.<br>''"My Chosen. My Slayer. Violence incarnate."''}}
There are many instances of cruelty and violence the Dark Urge can commit;
===== Act One =====
* Tearing off [[Gale]]'s arm when first meeting him. This prevents you from recruiting him.
* On meeting [[Timber the Squirrel]] at the [[Druid Grove]], the Dark Urge will punt the squirrel with no input. The player can only control this choice if they have [[Speak with Animals]] active.
* Encourage [[Arabella]] to leave by flicking your eyes towards the exit, leading to her death.
* Killing [[Alfira]] while she is visiting the camp (Or a [[Dragonborn]] [[bard]] named [[Quil]] if [[Alfira]] is unavailable for any reason), leading to the first meeting of [[Sceleritas Fel]]. The player can not control this choice.
* Killing [[Minthara]] after sleeping with her if the Dark Urge sided with the Goblin Camp against the Grove.


===== Act Two =====
=== Enver Gortash ===
* Killing [[Isobel]]. The player can choose whether or not to do this, but will lead to a different event. Killing Isobel rewards the Dark Urge with the [[Slayer]] form.
{{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and the Dark Urge had a close relationship, and Gortash considered the two of them to be friends.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if the Dark Urge has already killed Orin. <br>''"Ah! My dear friend, what a brilliant child you've been to your Father."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash when he speaks through a Steel Watcher. <br>''"Greetings, old friend."''}} Gortash thought of the Dark Urge as his favourite Bhaalspawn and assassin,{{ref|name=assassin|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is not there. <br>''"Crawling back from their bloody disgrace - it's my favourite assassin! Gods, you're a sight for sore eyes."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there. <br>''"And with her! My, my... it's my favourite Bhaalspawn."''}} regarding them as one of his "nearest and dearest".{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there. <br>''" To think you and Karlach travelled together all this time, and she hadn't the faintest you were one of my nearest and dearest."''}} He respected the Dark Urge's cold-bloodedness and the slaughter they brought,{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if the Dark Urge has already killed Orin. <br>''"My master admires you, as I always have. For the slaughter you bring, and for the Netherstones you bear."''}}{{ref|name=gortashcontrol}} as well as the mastery and control they had over their urges.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash in his office after killing Orin. <br>''"I always preferred your methods to hers. You have mastery over your Urges, Orin was consumed by her gruesome obsessions."''}} Gortash actually liked the Dark Urge while he only tolerated Orin.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"I tolerated Orin, but I liked you."''}} The Dark Urge for their part always liked Gortash as well,{{ref|Dialogue option with Gortash in his office after the Iron Throne is destroyed. <br>''"For what it's worth, I think I always liked you, too. But this is how it must be."''}} admiring his genius and the brilliance of his plans. Nonetheless, they did intend to betray him in the end when they would kill the world for Bhaal.{{ref|name=colonyletter}}
* Killing your lover or closest companion. The player can choose to warn their companion of this, or choose to simply kill them. Doing this rewards the Dark Urge with the [[Slayer]] form.
 
* Aft freeing the trapped fairy from the [[Moonlantern]], the player can choose to crush it.
The two met when Gortash contacted the Dark Urge following his establishment of the cult of Bane. Gortash informed the Dark Urge that some of their ancestral torture racks and the bones of one of their relatives were displayed in the Hall of Wonders. The Dark Urge and Gortash teamed up to recover these artefacts, which eventually led to them forming an alliance when they discovered they had common goals.{{ref|name=memoirs}}{{ref|[[Test Mission with Gortash]].}} They shared coded correspondence with each other as they discussed the failures of previous Banites and Bhaalists and how they might avoid them.{{ref|name=parentnotes}}{{ref|The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.<br>''"We discussed in depth the failures of our predeccessors and how to avoid them."''}} Gortash and the Dark Urge came up with the Absolute plot and worked together to steal the Crown of Karsus from Mephistopheles.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"You and I initiated this plot."''}}{{ref|name=memoirs}}
* The player can torture a group of goblins in a variety of ways at the [[Moonrise Towers]].
 
}}
When Orin betrayed the Dark Urge, Gortash was unaware of what had happened, only knowing what Orin had told him of the situation and that she had made a fool of the Dark Urge.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"Orin told me she made a fool of you, but I should've known you wouldn't go down that easy. [...] It was all going so well - until you vanished. Orin informed us that henceforth she would speak for the temple of Bhaal, and act on their behalf."''}} Gortash was unable to interfere as they had agreed not to meddle in each other's affairs.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, when the Dark Urge asks why Gortash did nothing to help them.<br>''"We would not meddle in each other's affairs - this was our agreement. She came to us as Bhaal's Chosen. We are but servants to our lords."''}} When he reunites with the Dark Urge right before his coronation, Gortash is relieved to see them again and happily reminds them of their shared history.{{ref|name=assassin}}{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there. <br>''"No offence to my old friend, but it's you I have been dying to see."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"Then she didn't lie - the past is lost to you. Let me clear up some mysteries, then. We share so much history."''}} He is eager to renew their old partnership and would be honoured to help the Dark Urge reclaim their birthright and kill Orin.{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation. <br>''"I want to lead this city to glory - not scorch its earth. So I turn to the scion of Bhaal. You are his dear Sovereign - he created you to rule. Let's make our pact anew."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, when the Dark Urge says they want to strike at Orin. <br>''"Ousting Orin and helping you reclaim your birthright would be my greatest honour."''}}
 
=== Orin ===
{{CharLink|Orin}} was the Dark Urge's second-in-command and their sister, but the two of them always had a turbulent relationship.{{ref|name=memoirs}} Orin believed that the Dark Urge's murders were too mindless to be worthy of Bhaal and that the Bhaal Temple decayed because of them. She was jealous that the Dark Urge was the favourite of Bhaal even though their killing lacked beauty and talent.{{ref|name=orinnotes}} The Dark Urge thought that Orin did not understand that Bhaal only wanted death in numbers, and that she was wasting Bhaal's time by killing in an extravagant way.{{ref|name=orinletter}}


==History==
When the Dark Urge started the Absolute plot with the other Chosen, Orin grew even more resentful.{{ref|name=orinnotes}} She particularly despised Gortash's alliance with the Dark Urge, thinking that he was manipulating them.{{ref|Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member. <br>''"The little lordling has been whispering in your ears? He always knew how to tumble and twist your mind matter, leave you knotted in his cords."''}} In response, Orin decided to infect the Dark Urge with a tadpole so she could replace them and rebuild the Temple in her own image.{{ref|name=orinnotes}} The Dark Urge was not aware of Orin's plan, as they believed that she worshipped them as much as all the other cultists.{{ref|name=sarevokintro|Dialogue with Sarevok when meeting him for the first time. <br>''"You were once Bhaal's favourite. You worshipped Him the way that he would wish - your blood-lust innate, your thirst for butchery unslakable. But you were foolish enough to think yourself untouchable. You didn't see Orin rising through the ranks. You were blinded by her artistry, her devotion - you believed she worshipped you as much as all the others."''}}
{{SpoilerBlur|
====Childhood====
Unlike other Bhaalspawn, The Dark Urge wasn't born, but instead created from the dead flesh of Bhaal himself<ref>The Dark Urge can tell [[Naaber]] that they have no birthdate due to the nature of their creation.</ref><ref>Dialogue with [[Sceleritas Fel]], after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.</ref>.


They were at some point taken in by a couple, and had a relatively peaceful childhood for a time<ref>Memories regained after casting Heal on the Dark Urge after killing Orin.</ref>, before succumbing to the urge and murdering their loved ones and foster parents<ref>Memories regained from casting Heal on the Dark Urge prior to killing Orin.</ref>.
After the Dark Urge placed the Crown of Karsus on the elder brain in Moonrise Towers, Orin attacked them, piercing their skull with a dagger and putting a tadpole inside it.{{ref|name=orinpast}} She left them gravely injured on the floor of the mind flayer colony, where the Dark Urge was found by Kressa Bonedaughter. She healed some of the Dark Urge's injuries to keep them from dying and began experimenting on them, unaware of who they were.{{ref|name=kressapast}}


====The Cult of Bhaal====
Orin eventually learns that the Dark Urge is still alive after they obtain the Astral Prism.{{ref|Orin talking to Gortash in the cutscene between Act 2 and 3. <br>''"My prodigal blood-kin is among them. [...] I made mince of their ugly mind matter, and if they dare return, I will strip out their offal."''}} She abducts one of their party members and challenges the Dark Urge to a duel to the death in the Temple of Bhaal – the winner will be Bhaal's true Chosen and can claim her Netherstone.{{ref|Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member. <br>''"Then we duel, sweet slaughter-kin. The winner claims the stones - Bhaal's true Chosen. The loser rots on his altar."''}}
Eventually, the Dark Urge became the leader of the Cult of Bhaal, and pledged to end all life in existence for their [[Bhaal|father]]. They recruited [[Gortash]] and later [[Ketheric Thorm]], to enact their plan to use the [[Crown of Karsus]] on the Elder Brain to falsify the religion of the [[Absolute]], so that they may build an army of soulless Mind Flayers to exterminate all life — Including, as the last being alive, their own.<ref>Dialogue with Gortash.</ref><ref>Note written by the Dark Urge found in the Colony below Moonrise Towers.</ref>


====Betrayal====
=== Sarevok Anchev ===
For a time, the Dark Urge was worshipped as a god at [[Moonrise Towers]], but was eventually betrayed by their sister [[Orin the Red]], who was jealous of Bhaal's favouritism. The Dark Urge was gutted and had much of their brain destroyed, and was infected with a Tadpole that began to eat their liquidating brain, resulting in their amnesia, as well as them becoming the first True Soul.<ref>According to journals found in the Mind Flayer Colony.</ref>
When the Dark Urge was the leader of the cult of Bhaal, {{CharLink|Sarevok Anchev}} was Bhaal's Deathbringer and a Bhaalspawn relative of the Dark Urge.{{ref|Dialogue with Sarevok before the Murder Tribunal. <br>''"In times past I was Bhaal's Deathbringer - his acolyte. And you, his favourite child."''}} He considered the Dark Urge to be the true master of murder, as they killed with no excesses or pretentions.{{ref|name=sarevokslayorin|Dialogue with Sarevok before the Murder Tribunal. <br>''"She dreams that your corpse will be her masterpiece, but she forgets - before your incident, you were the true master. You were murder. Pure murder. No excesses. No pretentions. I believe you will be the one to slay Orin."''}} However, Sarevok was displeased that the Dark Urge did not have any children and hoped that they might one day have a child with Orin.{{ref|Dialogue with Sarevok after killing Orin. <br>''"You failed to bring forth issue while you helmed our cult. It is a mortal sin for a Chosen. [...] I even hoped you and my daughter might one day create a new blood-lamb for us, but it is not to be..."''}}


They were then sent to [[Moonrise Towers]], where they were put back together, unable to speak or do anything but inflict violence on themselves or others, and was eventually sent off on the [[Nautiloid|Nautiloid Ship]].
After the Dark Urge meets him again following their fall, Sarevok encourages them to fight Orin and believes they will be the one to kill her.{{ref|name=sarevokslayorin}}
}}


==Uncovering the Dark Urge's Past==
=== Sceleritas Fel ===
{{SpoilerBlur|
The fiend-like creature {{CharLink|Sceleritas Fel}} served the Dark Urge and joined them during a series of grisly murders in Baldur's Gate.{{ref|[https://bloodinbaldursgate.larian.com/ Blood in Baldur's gate].}} He was sent by Bhaal on the day the Dark Urge reached their age of majority to guide them to their birthright as Bhaal's Chosen.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen. <br>''"I was sent to guide you to your birthright, on the day my vile Liege reached their age of majority."''}} Sceleritas loved the Dark Urge dearly and revelled in their depravity.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel or a party member. <br>''"I love you so dearly, Master."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil. <br>''"I cannot wait until your next act of shameless barbarity."''}} He particularly enjoyed being killed by the Dark Urge.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel or a party member. <br>''"Please, wondrous manslaughterer. Kill me."''}} His regular duties included managing the Temple of Bhaal, as well as helping the Dark Urge with torture and murder.{{ref|[[Bhaal Butler's Checklist – Morning]].}}{{ref|Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom after meeting Sceleritas Fel. <br>''"You see a grand collection: shelves of jarred floating pickled organs neatly labelled. Taxidermied beasts and men, elegantly displayed from your killings. A study no doubt arranged neatly by your gentleman's gentlegoblin. As you and your Butler perform a vivisection, Sceleritas' claw slips, calipers cutting the aorta of the living, screaming victim..."''}} The Dark Urge frequently needed Sceleritas' assistance, and Sceleritas believed the Dark Urge struggled to conduct themself properly without him.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen. <br>''"The only way for a Butler to die is if we are not of use to our Master. But you have always needed abundant assistance."''}}{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil. <br>''"You have always struggled to conduct yourself properly without me."''}}
Numerous details from the Dark Urge's past can be uncovered in the game.
* Eating the [[Noblestalk]] mushroom as Dark Urge will unlock one of two memories:
** If eaten before meeting [[Sceleritas Fel]]. they remember acts of cannibalism.
** If eaten after meeting Sceleritas Fel, they remember the torture and murder of one of their victims.
* If [[Heal]] is cast on the Dark Urge, they unlock one of two memories:
** If cast prior to killing [[Orin]], they remember that they killed their foster parents.
** If cast after killing Orin, they remember playing with friends in childhood, after being taken in by their foster parents.
* According to [[Sceleritas Fel]], the Dark Urge is a necrophiliac.
* Dialogue with [[Orin]] disguised as [[Zethino]] implies that she and Dark Urge may have had an incestuous relationship, but it is left ambiguous.
* The journal entry for [[The Urge|Uncover your Scars]] suggests the that the Dark Urge may have had a sexual relationship with the Elder Brain.
* Walking by the graves of the [[Last Light Inn]] will reveal that it was once the Dark Urge's hunting grounds.
}}


==Notes==
When the Dark Urge disappeared, Sceleritas missed them greatly and was deeply worried for their health.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil. <br>''"My lordly reprobate! I missed you ever-so. [...] I was so worried for your health during our long separation."''}} Once he finds them again, he helps guide the Dark Urge and rewards them for murdering specific targets.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, when he tells the Dark Urge to kill Isobel. <br>''"You will receive a royal prize for killing this pretty girl."''}} Sceleritas despises Orin and wants nothing more than for the Dark Urge to kill her and reclaim their position as Bhaal's Chosen.{{ref|Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, outside of the door to the Bhaal Temple. <br>''"Lady Orin told me not to let you in, but I'd never listen to the pretender to your fetid throne. [...] We are unfortunate bunkmates, as she refuses to leave your estate!"''}}
*The final origin character was revealed through [[Blood in Baldur's Gate ARG]]. The players controlled a detective investigating a chain of murders. On the final day of the ARG The Dark Urge along with Sceleritas Fel were revealed in the where the white-scaled dragonborn kills the detective.
*Due to similarities the Dark Urge shares with previous Baldur's Gate protagonists, it is theorised that they are the canon protagonist of [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. This has not been confirmed or denied as of the time of writing.
{{SpoilerBlur|
* In a campaign where the Dark Urge isn't chosen as an Origin Character, the player can find the corpse of an NPC with the defaults appearance of the Dark Urge Origin, simply called 'Fallen Bhaalspawn', tortured and murdered by [[Orin]].
** Assuming this is the Dark Urge, it is likely that this version of the character was abandoned by Bhaal, as their death would not make much sense otherwise. Additionally, they were probably never sent on the Nautiloid Ship. It is unknown if this version of the Dark Urge was still the original True Soul or not.
}}


==Related Literature==
{{div col}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Bhaal Butler's Checklist – Morning}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Blood-Envy for the Unworthy}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Clasped Book (Moonrise Towers)}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Concerning Orin the Red}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Devil's Fee Observer's Report}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Journal of Magthew Budj}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Alfira (Dark Urge)}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter from Sarevok}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Mistress of Souls' Research Log}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Prayer for Forgiveness}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Report on Activities of Enver Gortash}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Scrapbook of Letters}}
* {{MdRarityItem|Test Mission with Gortash}}
{{div col end}}
==See also==
* ''[[The Dark Urge (Origin)]]'' a spoiler-free page that lists player interactions as the Dark Urge.
== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="200" mode="packed">
<gallery heights="250" mode="packed">
File:Dark Urge Headshot.webp|The origin's default appearance
File:Dark Urge Headshot.webp|The origin's default appearance
File:Sceleritas Fel.jpg|Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide
File:Sceleritas Fel.jpg|Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide
File: Preview The Dark Urge.png|The origin's default appearance in Larian's Release Showcase.
File:BIBG The Dark Urge.png|The origin's appearance in Blood in Baldur's Gate.
TheDarkUrge.jpg|Promotional art
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Notes==
{{notebegin}}
* The Dark Urge is a cannibal.{{ref|Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom prior to meeting Sceleritas Fel. <br>''"A babe. Brained by your hand. The fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day. Especially in winter."''}} They can also eat the cooked dwarf meat from the [[Goblin Camp]].
* According to [[Sceleritas Fel]], the Dark Urge is a necrophiliac.{{ref|name=necro|Possible dialogue in first encounter with Fel. <br>''"My, my. We will be reintroducing necrophilia to your schedule in no time."''}}
* The Dark Urge has much in common with the protagonists of many other party-based RPGs, such as being an amnesiac and having a hidden connection to the villains of the game that is revealed over time.
** Notably, the protagonist of the previous Baldur's Gate games was also a Bhaalspawn.
* Even after being freed of the Urge, the Dark Urge still has access to unique, violent dialogue – with the Urge references removed – suggesting that at least part of the Dark Urge's available actions could be the result of their own character, rather than simply Bhaal's influence.{{ref|As discovered in numerous possible dialogues in Act Three.}}
** Immediately after the Dark Urge is brought back by Withers, the character can revel in their freedom to be evil without the Urge, and take joy in having fooled everyone that they are innocent.
** The character can also embrace their goodness, which illustrates the virtue of a good-aligned Dark Urge, as they (and the player) truly ''choose'' to be good.
* Even if the Dark Urge gets rid of their father's blood, the [[Netherbrain]] still refers to the Dark Urge as "murder incarnate".{{ref|Potential dialogue after siding with the Emperor and then climbing up to the Netherbrain.}} This may be in reference to Ed Greenwood's - the creator of the setting - revelation, prior to the game's release, that a Bhaalspawn can never fully remove Bhaal's essence. (https://twitter.com/TheEdVerse/status/1396624159363448832)
* In a campaign where the Dark Urge isn't chosen as an Origin Character, the player can find the corpse of an NPC with the default appearance of the Dark Urge Origin, simply called "Fallen Bhaalspawn", tortured and murdered by [[Orin]]. The [[Journal of Magthew Budj]] still references Kressa's obsession with the "pet" she used for her experiments, and the plot to have it sent to the Nautiloid Ship. Likewise, notes penned by the Dark Urge themself that refer to their collaboration with Gortash and a letter that berates Orin for her incompetence can be found regardless of whether the Dark Urge Origin has been chosen.
* If he is recruited, [[Minsc]] considers himself to be the Dark Urge's uncle.{{ref|Dialogue with Minsc at camp. <br>''"You are of the same blood as our old friend: a Bhaalspawn, and as close to Minsc as if they were his own kin. That makes Minsc your uncle."''}}
{{noteend}}


==References==
==References==
{{SpoilerBlur|
{{notebegin}}
<references />
{{reflist}}
}}
{{noteend}}
[[Category: Origins]]
[[Category: Origins]]
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{{NavCompanions}}

Latest revision as of 23:35, 13 November 2024

This article is about the established character, and contains many spoilers.. For the more spoiler-free origin page, see The Dark Urge (origin).

Character Origin

The Dark Urge is an established character as well as a special origin in Baldur's Gate 3. Suffering from amnesia, the Dark Urge remembers little but glimpses of their own past.

“
My rancid blood whispers to me: kill, kill, and kill again. My ruined body yearns to reap death in this world, and when this foul Urge calls, it possesses my whole being. Injured beyond repair, I know nothing besides this: I must resist the Dark Urge, lest it consume my mind. I must discover who I was, and what happened to me. Before my twitching knife-hand writes a tragedy in blood.
 „
— The Dark Urge, fearing their dark desires in their Introduction cinematic.

Description[edit | edit source]

Prior to their amnesia, the Dark Urge was a much more cold and calculated individual than their bloodkin, Orin Orin the Red.[1] They believed in killing for killing's sake, preferring practical and simple methods over flair and grace, and took issue with extravagant or needlessly creative killings.[2][3] They were deeply loyal to Bhaal and never disobeyed him.[4][5]

History[edit | edit source]

Early life[edit | edit source]

The Dark Urge is a Bhaalspawn, but unlike other Bhaalspawn, they were not born – Bhaal Bhaal created them from a piece of his dead flesh.[6][7][8] They are the only Bhaalspawn who had the guarantee of murder, the Urge, woven into their blood.[9]

The Dark Urge grew up outside the Cult of Bhaal, and was at some point taken in by a poor couple in Baldur's Gate. They had a relatively peaceful childhood for a time, before succumbing to the Urge and murdering their loved ones and foster parents.[10][11]

The plan[edit | edit source]

Eventually, the Dark Urge became the leader of the Cult of Bhaal, and pledged to end all life in existence for their father Bhaal.[4] At some point, Orin the Red joined and became their second-in-command.[12]

Enver Gortash Enver Gortash contacted the Dark Urge after reestablishing worship of Bane (God) Bane, and the two formed an alliance upon discovering common goals. They were visited in their dreams by Bhaal and Bane, who named them their Chosen and commanded them to ally with Ketheric Thorm Ketheric Thorm, the Chosen of Myrkul Myrkul. Gortash and the Dark Urge hatched a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus in a heist at Mephistopheles' Vault by having Helsik Helsik open a gate to Mephistar for them.[12][13]

After the heist was successful, Gortash suggested that they use the Crown on the elder brain located in the illithid colony below Moonrise Towers. The Dark Urge agreed to the plan so that they could fulfil their pledge to their Lord: They would create an army of soulless mind flayers, and with the help of this army they would exterminate all life — including, as the last being alive, their own. Fully intent on eventually betraying the other Chosen, the Dark Urge joined Enver Gortash and Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise Towers.[4][12][14]

Betrayal[edit | edit source]

At Moonrise Towers, the Dark Urge was treated like a god,[15] and although nobody knew their name or rank, they were shown the utmost respect.[16] The three Chosen initiated a raid on the mind flayer colony, and successfully used the Crown on the colony's elder brain, enslaving it to their will.[12] At some point during this, the elder brain came to respect the Dark Urge and intended to go along with their plan, impressed by their unmatched cruelty.[17]

After the Dark Urge put the Crown on the elder brain, they were soon betrayed by their "sister" Orin the Red, who was jealous of Bhaal's favouritism.[18][19] The Dark Urge had their skull pierced and opened with a dagger, and was infected with a tadpole that began to eat their liquidating brain, resulting in their amnesia, as well as them becoming the first True Soul.[20][21][22][23]

The Dark Urge was found by Kressa Bonedaughter Kressa Bonedaughter who, impressed with their willpower and resistance to the elder brain's influence, began to study them. She would cut them open and put them back together repeatedly over the course of several days in the mind flayer colony, during which the Dark Urge was unable to speak or do anything but attempt to inflict violence on themself or others.[24][23]

Noticing his wife's obsession and hoping to snap her out of it, Kressa's husband, Maghtew Budj Maghtew Budj, arranged for the broken and amnesiac Dark Urge to be sent off on the Nautiloid Ship, where they would soon wake up with no memories of themself, or of their past.[25][26]

The Urge[edit | edit source]

See Also: The Dark Urge (Origin) and The Urge.

The Dark Urge's unique quest, The Urge, has two distinct paths: The character can either resist their urges or embrace them.

If they resist the Urge and reject their legacy, Bhaal drains them of their unholy blood, resulting in their death, but Withers Withers intervenes and brings them back to life, explaining that the loss of unholy blood through their heroism has not destroyed them but made them reborn as a new person. The rest of Act Three and its endings then play out the same as in other playthroughs beyond pre-existing dialogue differences from characters like the Netherbrain.

If they embrace the Urge and accept their legacy, they become Bhaal's Chosen once again and are tasked with resuming their plan to control the Absolute and kill all other beings. If they follow through and take control of the Netherbrain, the Dark Urge is confronted afterward by either their romantic partner or the companion with the highest approval, who scolds or praises them (depending on who it is and how their companion quest ended) for bringing about the end of the world; they can either mercy-kill that companion, kiss them goodbye while stabbing them (if romanced), or release all the surviving companions, telling them to run away. The Urge then uses the Netherbrain's power to kill everyone in the city with conjured daggers, and as they do so they are given a premonition of their success, worshipping Bhaal under a blood-red moon as the last living thing in Faerûn.

If they embrace the Urge but do not obey Bhaal's orders, Bhaal begins to shred their mind mere minutes after destroying the Netherbrain as the party is leaving to celebrate. The Dark Urge can either accept their fate, turn themself into prison, attempt to fight back, or simply kill themself before Bhaal gets the chance, reuniting with a proud Withers in the Fugue Plane. If the latter is not chosen, however, they show up in a shortened version of the Epilogue, bloodsoaked and insane due to the madness Bhaal has left them with, and they plot to kill all their former companions in their sleep while licking Bloodthirst.

Past relationships[edit | edit source]

The Absolute[edit | edit source]

The Absolute, an Illithid Elder Brain evolved into a The Netherbrain Netherbrain from the power of the Crown of Karsus, actually had a positive relationship with the Dark Urge before they were betrayed. The Dark Urge was the one who placed the Crown on the brain's head, and as such it revered them for giving it so much power.[27][28] The brain especially respected the Dark Urge for the calculated cruelty of their plan to kill all living beings. It intended to follow the plan and let the Dark Urge control the army it would amass.[29] When the Dark Urge disappeared, the brain felt like it was abandoned as a slave to the other Chosen.[30] The Chosen fought like children without the Dark Urge's presence, so the brain changed its plan which would eventually lead to its freedom.[31]

Bhaal and his Temple[edit | edit source]

The Dark Urge commanded great respect, admiration, and devotion from the devotees at the Temple of Bhaal in Baldur's Gate. They inspired them with their sheer ruthlessness, staggering amount of victims, and the intelligence of their schemes and planning.[32][33]

Bhaal Bhaal himself loved the Dark Urge the most of all his children as he had personally handcrafted the Dark Urge's body from his own flesh, and filled them with blood directly from his body, thus making them the perfect child in his eyes.[34] This also stands in contrast to the other Bhaalspawn who were born from myriad dalliances with mortal women of various races during the Time of Troubles, as such the Dark Urge is considered a pureblood Bhaalspawn.[3] Bhaal's uncharacteristic level of love and concern for the Dark Urge is shown in the amount of attention that the Dark Urge receives from Bhaal, even after losing their memories. Most chaotic evil gods (including Bhaal) would discard a Chosen if it was no longer useful such as Myrkul did with Ketheric after his defeat, but Bhaal went to great lengths to restore the Dark Urge to their former place, and made sure to guide and reward them until they returned to the Temple.[35][36]

This seems to indicate that Bhaal felt an amount of paternal pride and love for his child, at least as much as the malevolent deity was capable of displaying.[37]

Enver Gortash[edit | edit source]

Enver Gortash Enver Gortash and the Dark Urge had a close relationship, and Gortash considered the two of them to be friends.[38][39] Gortash thought of the Dark Urge as his favourite Bhaalspawn and assassin,[40][41] regarding them as one of his "nearest and dearest".[42] He respected the Dark Urge's cold-bloodedness and the slaughter they brought,[43][1] as well as the mastery and control they had over their urges.[44] Gortash actually liked the Dark Urge while he only tolerated Orin.[45] The Dark Urge for their part always liked Gortash as well,[46] admiring his genius and the brilliance of his plans. Nonetheless, they did intend to betray him in the end when they would kill the world for Bhaal.[4]

The two met when Gortash contacted the Dark Urge following his establishment of the cult of Bane. Gortash informed the Dark Urge that some of their ancestral torture racks and the bones of one of their relatives were displayed in the Hall of Wonders. The Dark Urge and Gortash teamed up to recover these artefacts, which eventually led to them forming an alliance when they discovered they had common goals.[12][47] They shared coded correspondence with each other as they discussed the failures of previous Banites and Bhaalists and how they might avoid them.[13][48] Gortash and the Dark Urge came up with the Absolute plot and worked together to steal the Crown of Karsus from Mephistopheles.[49][12]

When Orin betrayed the Dark Urge, Gortash was unaware of what had happened, only knowing what Orin had told him of the situation and that she had made a fool of the Dark Urge.[50] Gortash was unable to interfere as they had agreed not to meddle in each other's affairs.[51] When he reunites with the Dark Urge right before his coronation, Gortash is relieved to see them again and happily reminds them of their shared history.[40][52][53] He is eager to renew their old partnership and would be honoured to help the Dark Urge reclaim their birthright and kill Orin.[54][55]

Orin[edit | edit source]

Orin Orin was the Dark Urge's second-in-command and their sister, but the two of them always had a turbulent relationship.[12] Orin believed that the Dark Urge's murders were too mindless to be worthy of Bhaal and that the Bhaal Temple decayed because of them. She was jealous that the Dark Urge was the favourite of Bhaal even though their killing lacked beauty and talent.[18] The Dark Urge thought that Orin did not understand that Bhaal only wanted death in numbers, and that she was wasting Bhaal's time by killing in an extravagant way.[3]

When the Dark Urge started the Absolute plot with the other Chosen, Orin grew even more resentful.[18] She particularly despised Gortash's alliance with the Dark Urge, thinking that he was manipulating them.[56] In response, Orin decided to infect the Dark Urge with a tadpole so she could replace them and rebuild the Temple in her own image.[18] The Dark Urge was not aware of Orin's plan, as they believed that she worshipped them as much as all the other cultists.[32]

After the Dark Urge placed the Crown of Karsus on the elder brain in Moonrise Towers, Orin attacked them, piercing their skull with a dagger and putting a tadpole inside it.[20] She left them gravely injured on the floor of the mind flayer colony, where the Dark Urge was found by Kressa Bonedaughter. She healed some of the Dark Urge's injuries to keep them from dying and began experimenting on them, unaware of who they were.[24]

Orin eventually learns that the Dark Urge is still alive after they obtain the Astral Prism.[57] She abducts one of their party members and challenges the Dark Urge to a duel to the death in the Temple of Bhaal – the winner will be Bhaal's true Chosen and can claim her Netherstone.[58]

Sarevok Anchev[edit | edit source]

When the Dark Urge was the leader of the cult of Bhaal, Sarevok Anchev Sarevok Anchev was Bhaal's Deathbringer and a Bhaalspawn relative of the Dark Urge.[59] He considered the Dark Urge to be the true master of murder, as they killed with no excesses or pretentions.[60] However, Sarevok was displeased that the Dark Urge did not have any children and hoped that they might one day have a child with Orin.[61]

After the Dark Urge meets him again following their fall, Sarevok encourages them to fight Orin and believes they will be the one to kill her.[60]

Sceleritas Fel[edit | edit source]

The fiend-like creature Sceleritas Fel Sceleritas Fel served the Dark Urge and joined them during a series of grisly murders in Baldur's Gate.[62] He was sent by Bhaal on the day the Dark Urge reached their age of majority to guide them to their birthright as Bhaal's Chosen.[63] Sceleritas loved the Dark Urge dearly and revelled in their depravity.[64][65] He particularly enjoyed being killed by the Dark Urge.[66] His regular duties included managing the Temple of Bhaal, as well as helping the Dark Urge with torture and murder.[67][68] The Dark Urge frequently needed Sceleritas' assistance, and Sceleritas believed the Dark Urge struggled to conduct themself properly without him.[69][70]

When the Dark Urge disappeared, Sceleritas missed them greatly and was deeply worried for their health.[71] Once he finds them again, he helps guide the Dark Urge and rewards them for murdering specific targets.[72] Sceleritas despises Orin and wants nothing more than for the Dark Urge to kill her and reclaim their position as Bhaal's Chosen.[73]

Related Literature[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • The origin's default appearance

    The origin's default appearance

  • Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide

    Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide

  • The origin's default appearance in Larian's Release Showcase.

    The origin's default appearance in Larian's Release Showcase.

  • The origin's appearance in Blood in Baldur's Gate.

    The origin's appearance in Blood in Baldur's Gate.

  • Promotional art

    Promotional art

Notes[edit | edit source]

  • The Dark Urge is a cannibal.[74] They can also eat the cooked dwarf meat from the Goblin Camp.
  • According to Sceleritas Fel, the Dark Urge is a necrophiliac.[75]
  • The Dark Urge has much in common with the protagonists of many other party-based RPGs, such as being an amnesiac and having a hidden connection to the villains of the game that is revealed over time.
    • Notably, the protagonist of the previous Baldur's Gate games was also a Bhaalspawn.
  • Even after being freed of the Urge, the Dark Urge still has access to unique, violent dialogue – with the Urge references removed – suggesting that at least part of the Dark Urge's available actions could be the result of their own character, rather than simply Bhaal's influence.[76]
    • Immediately after the Dark Urge is brought back by Withers, the character can revel in their freedom to be evil without the Urge, and take joy in having fooled everyone that they are innocent.
    • The character can also embrace their goodness, which illustrates the virtue of a good-aligned Dark Urge, as they (and the player) truly choose to be good.
  • Even if the Dark Urge gets rid of their father's blood, the Netherbrain still refers to the Dark Urge as "murder incarnate".[77] This may be in reference to Ed Greenwood's - the creator of the setting - revelation, prior to the game's release, that a Bhaalspawn can never fully remove Bhaal's essence. (https://twitter.com/TheEdVerse/status/1396624159363448832)
  • In a campaign where the Dark Urge isn't chosen as an Origin Character, the player can find the corpse of an NPC with the default appearance of the Dark Urge Origin, simply called "Fallen Bhaalspawn", tortured and murdered by Orin. The Journal of Magthew Budj still references Kressa's obsession with the "pet" she used for her experiments, and the plot to have it sent to the Nautiloid Ship. Likewise, notes penned by the Dark Urge themself that refer to their collaboration with Gortash and a letter that berates Orin for her incompetence can be found regardless of whether the Dark Urge Origin has been chosen.
  • If he is recruited, Minsc considers himself to be the Dark Urge's uncle.[78]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "Unlike you, [Orin] cannot control herself. [...] Look at you - cold-blooded as ever."
  2. ↑ Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member and the Dark Urge tells her she is being melodramatic.
    "Better to be dull and brittle? A mind-mangled beast, no talent, no beauty in your atrocities."
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Concerning Orin the Red.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Prayer for Forgiveness.
  5. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after being told to kill Isobel.
    "You were never disobedient before your little accident."
  6. ↑ Dialogue option with Naaber, after he wishes the Dark Urge a happy birthday.
    "I was sculpted from a slice of Bhaal's own dead flesh. I have no birthday."
  7. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.
    "You were not conceived. Bhaal sculpted you from a drop of his own gore."
  8. ↑ Dialogue option with Devella Fountainhead after she asks the Dark Urge if they know who their mother is, once they tell her that Sarevok is Orin's father.
    "I have a gut feeling Bhaal made me. I don't have a mother."
  9. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.
    "No Bhaalspawn has ever borne the Urge, the holy guarantee of murder. It was woven into your blood alone."
  10. ↑ Memories regained after casting Heal on the Dark Urge after rejecting Bhaal.
    "Children darting their way through the city streets of the Gate, chasing one another. [...] Foster parents who cared for a lost Bhaalspawn?"
  11. ↑ Memories regained from casting Heal on the Dark Urge without rejecting Bhaal.
    "A little Urge - not even an adolescent - stands with a tiny dagger atop a bloody heap. Two-bedroom cottage. Relative squalor. Poor part of the city. Indiscriminate whole-family kill. Baby's first murder spree."
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Scrapbook of Letters.
  14. ↑ The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "We understood that if we were to unite, no one could stand in the way of the Dead Three. So unite we did. First we obtained the crown; then we enslaved the brain. From there, it was but a small step to the most successful religious hoax ever perpetrated."
  15. ↑ The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge enters the throne room in Moonrise Towers.
    "In another lifetime, you were greeted in this throne room like a God, not the living wreck you are now."
  16. ↑ Dialogue with The Warden.
    "Your name, your place was kept from all of us last time, but you were to be shown the utmost of respect."
  17. ↑ Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool.
    "I respected Bhaal's child once, but not you, Gortash. [...] Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister."
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Blood-Envy for the Unworthy
  19. ↑ Dialogue with Orin, when she is confronted by the Dark Urge in the Temple of Bhaal.
    "Husk. Maggot. A Bhaalspawn, slip-sliding in filth with these pigs. You don't deserve the Murder Lord's blessing."
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Dialogue with Orin, when she is confronted by the Dark Urge in the Temple of Bhaal.
    "How you screamed as my knife slit your skull, your brain juices sticky and sweet. A little hole, big enough for the worm, your body a blood sack to feed it."
  21. ↑ The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge confronts Orin in the Temple of Bhaal.
    "The day your tyranny should have engulfed this world, it was you who were the first to be enslaved. Orin's smile was the last thing you saw, her bright blade glinting as she chiselled into your skull. Her reckless digging left your mind shattered."
  22. ↑ Dialogue with Kressa Bonedaughter.
    "You were my very first, after all. I learnt everything about the parasites from you."
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Mistress of Souls' Research Log.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Dialogue with Kressa Bonedaughter.
    "I remember finding you close to death, beaten black and blue on the floor of this sanctum. It must have been a few hours after the tadpole was placed in your skull. How you got here was a total mystery, but I stitched you up just enough to keep you alive, then placed you within your crib. [...] We had such a close bond. I opened you up endlessly with my scalpels, and got lost in your insides. [...] It has never been the same with another... All the other victims who come here just meekly obey. You thrashed, you fought, you were indomitable."
  25. ↑ Journal of Magthew Budj.
  26. ↑ Clasped Book (Moonrise Towers).
  27. ↑ Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool.
    "You placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born."
  28. ↑ Dialogue with the Absolute through the wall-tentacle in Moonrise Towers.
    "-Gave- ---us- -EVERYTHING--- ---disappeared-- [...] ---KINGMAKER-- ---returns-"
  29. ↑ Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool, when Gortash is not there.
    "You brought the Crown to me, Bhaalspawn, thinking the army I amassed with it would become yours. Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister."
  30. ↑ Dialogue with the Absolute through the wall-tentacle in Moonrise Towers.
    "You abandoned me... You left me the slave of the puny Chosen, used to bind this world..."
  31. ↑ Dialogue with the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool.
    "But with you gone, the three pitiful Chosen fought like children in your wake. I gave them power to harm one another with, while I crafted my design."
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Dialogue with Sarevok when meeting him for the first time.
    "You were once Bhaal's favourite. You worshipped Him the way that he would wish - your blood-lust innate, your thirst for butchery unslakable. But you were foolish enough to think yourself untouchable. You didn't see Orin rising through the ranks. You were blinded by her artistry, her devotion - you believed she worshipped you as much as all the others."
  33. ↑ The narrator's statements when the Dark Urge remembers they are a Bhaalspawn.
    "Memories flood back - snatches of your story, written in the blood of a thousand victims. Years spent in worship of Bhaal, leading his savage congregation in prayer, sacrifice, and slaughter. You were their Master, and he was yours. A cruel Master, a Dread Lord... a devoted Father."
  34. ↑ Dialogue with Bhaal's Avatar after killing Orin.
    "You are my spawn. Your veins course with my unholy blood."
  35. ↑ Dialogue that plays when the Dark Urge remembers they are a Bhaalspawn.
    "Your Father loves you best. You have already made us so proud."
  36. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel and becoming the Slayer.
    "Try on your new jimjams! They're a present from Father, it would be rude not to."
  37. ↑ Dialogue with Bhaal's Avatar after killing Orin and accepting Bhaal.
    "My Chosen. My Slayer. Violence incarnate."
  38. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if the Dark Urge has already killed Orin.
    "Ah! My dear friend, what a brilliant child you've been to your Father."
  39. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash when he speaks through a Steel Watcher.
    "Greetings, old friend."
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is not there.
    "Crawling back from their bloody disgrace - it's my favourite assassin! Gods, you're a sight for sore eyes."
  41. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there.
    "And with her! My, my... it's my favourite Bhaalspawn."
  42. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there.
    " To think you and Karlach travelled together all this time, and she hadn't the faintest you were one of my nearest and dearest."
  43. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if the Dark Urge has already killed Orin.
    "My master admires you, as I always have. For the slaughter you bring, and for the Netherstones you bear."
  44. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash in his office after killing Orin.
    "I always preferred your methods to hers. You have mastery over your Urges, Orin was consumed by her gruesome obsessions."
  45. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "I tolerated Orin, but I liked you."
  46. ↑ Dialogue option with Gortash in his office after the Iron Throne is destroyed.
    "For what it's worth, I think I always liked you, too. But this is how it must be."
  47. ↑ Test Mission with Gortash.
  48. ↑ The Dark Urge's dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "We discussed in depth the failures of our predeccessors and how to avoid them."
  49. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "You and I initiated this plot."
  50. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "Orin told me she made a fool of you, but I should've known you wouldn't go down that easy. [...] It was all going so well - until you vanished. Orin informed us that henceforth she would speak for the temple of Bhaal, and act on their behalf."
  51. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, when the Dark Urge asks why Gortash did nothing to help them.
    "We would not meddle in each other's affairs - this was our agreement. She came to us as Bhaal's Chosen. We are but servants to our lords."
  52. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, if Karlach is there.
    "No offence to my old friend, but it's you I have been dying to see."
  53. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "Then she didn't lie - the past is lost to you. Let me clear up some mysteries, then. We share so much history."
  54. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation.
    "I want to lead this city to glory - not scorch its earth. So I turn to the scion of Bhaal. You are his dear Sovereign - he created you to rule. Let's make our pact anew."
  55. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash during his coronation, when the Dark Urge says they want to strike at Orin.
    "Ousting Orin and helping you reclaim your birthright would be my greatest honour."
  56. ↑ Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member.
    "The little lordling has been whispering in your ears? He always knew how to tumble and twist your mind matter, leave you knotted in his cords."
  57. ↑ Orin talking to Gortash in the cutscene between Act 2 and 3.
    "My prodigal blood-kin is among them. [...] I made mince of their ugly mind matter, and if they dare return, I will strip out their offal."
  58. ↑ Dialogue with Orin, when she reveals she has kidnapped a party member.
    "Then we duel, sweet slaughter-kin. The winner claims the stones - Bhaal's true Chosen. The loser rots on his altar."
  59. ↑ Dialogue with Sarevok before the Murder Tribunal.
    "In times past I was Bhaal's Deathbringer - his acolyte. And you, his favourite child."
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Dialogue with Sarevok before the Murder Tribunal.
    "She dreams that your corpse will be her masterpiece, but she forgets - before your incident, you were the true master. You were murder. Pure murder. No excesses. No pretentions. I believe you will be the one to slay Orin."
  61. ↑ Dialogue with Sarevok after killing Orin.
    "You failed to bring forth issue while you helmed our cult. It is a mortal sin for a Chosen. [...] I even hoped you and my daughter might one day create a new blood-lamb for us, but it is not to be..."
  62. ↑ Blood in Baldur's gate.
  63. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.
    "I was sent to guide you to your birthright, on the day my vile Liege reached their age of majority."
  64. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel or a party member.
    "I love you so dearly, Master."
  65. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil.
    "I cannot wait until your next act of shameless barbarity."
  66. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Isobel or a party member.
    "Please, wondrous manslaughterer. Kill me."
  67. ↑ Bhaal Butler's Checklist – Morning.
  68. ↑ Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom after meeting Sceleritas Fel.
    "You see a grand collection: shelves of jarred floating pickled organs neatly labelled. Taxidermied beasts and men, elegantly displayed from your killings. A study no doubt arranged neatly by your gentleman's gentlegoblin. As you and your Butler perform a vivisection, Sceleritas' claw slips, calipers cutting the aorta of the living, screaming victim..."
  69. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.
    "The only way for a Butler to die is if we are not of use to our Master. But you have always needed abundant assistance."
  70. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil.
    "You have always struggled to conduct yourself properly without me."
  71. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after killing Alfira or Quil.
    "My lordly reprobate! I missed you ever-so. [...] I was so worried for your health during our long separation."
  72. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, when he tells the Dark Urge to kill Isobel.
    "You will receive a royal prize for killing this pretty girl."
  73. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, outside of the door to the Bhaal Temple.
    "Lady Orin told me not to let you in, but I'd never listen to the pretender to your fetid throne. [...] We are unfortunate bunkmates, as she refuses to leave your estate!"
  74. ↑ Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom prior to meeting Sceleritas Fel.
    "A babe. Brained by your hand. The fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day. Especially in winter."
  75. ↑ Possible dialogue in first encounter with Fel.
    "My, my. We will be reintroducing necrophilia to your schedule in no time."
  76. ↑ As discovered in numerous possible dialogues in Act Three.
  77. ↑ Potential dialogue after siding with the Emperor and then climbing up to the Netherbrain.
  78. ↑ Dialogue with Minsc at camp.
    "You are of the same blood as our old friend: a Bhaalspawn, and as close to Minsc as if they were his own kin. That makes Minsc your uncle."
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