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{{PageSeo
{{PageSeo
| title = The Dark Urge
| title = The Dark Urge
| keywords = origin
| keywords = character
| 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 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.
| image = The_Dark_Urge.png
| image = The_Dark_Urge.png
}}
}}
<div class="noexcerpt navigation-not-searchable" style="align-items:center; padding: 5px; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;">[[File:Prerequisite Icon.png|24px|link=]] {{color|#ffbc03|'''Notice:'''}} <span style="padding-left: 3px;">''This article has a spoiler-free version available as well as a version with spoilers. Use the tabs below to navigate between them.''</span></div>
<div class="noexcerpt navigation-not-searchable" style="align-items:center; padding: 5px; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;">[[File:Prerequisite Icon.png|24px|link=]] {{color|#ffbc03|'''Notice:'''}} <span style="padding-left: 3px;">''This article is about the Origin character. For a gameplay overview of the Dark Urge origin, see [[The Dark Urge/Gameplay]].''</span></div>
<tabber>
|-|Spoiler-Free=
{{CharacterInfo
{{CharacterInfo
|title = Special [[Origin]]
|title = Special [[Origin]]
Line 34: Line 32:
|alt-name = Promotional Art
|alt-name = Promotional Art
|alt-image = [[File:TheDarkUrge.jpg|350px]]
|alt-image = [[File:TheDarkUrge.jpg|350px]]
|con save=yes|cha save=yes|
|con save=yes|cha save=yes
}}
|family={{Blur|[[Bhaal]] ("Father"/Creator), [[Orin the Red]] (Bhaalspawn Relative), [[Sarevok Anchev]] (Bhaalspawn Relative), Unnamed Foster Parents, Minsc ("Uncle", determinant)}}}}
'''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.
'''The Dark Urge''' is an established character as well as a special [[Origin]] in [[Baldur's Gate 3]], that 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.
 
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.


{{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.}}
{{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.}}


== Background ==
{{SpoilerWarning}}
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 ==
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.
 
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.
 
==Notes==
*The final origin character was revealed through [https://bloodinbaldursgate.larian.com/ 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 was revealed, along with [[Sceleritas Fel]]. The ARG ends with the white-scaled dragonborn killing the detective.
 
== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="200" mode="packed">
File:Dark Urge Headshot.webp|The origin's default appearance
File:Sceleritas Fel.jpg|Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide
</gallery>
==See also==
:''You are reading the spoiler-free version of this page. To read the full page go to the top of the page and choose the "[https://bg3.wiki/wiki/The_Dark_Urge#Article_with_Spoilers-0 Article with Spoilers]" tab.'' <!-- Don't change the link! If it works it works -->
|-|Article with Spoilers=
{{CharacterInfo
|title = Special [[Origin]]
|name = The Dark Urge
|image=[[File:The_Dark_Urge.png|350px]]
|STR=8
|DEX=13
|CON=15
|INT=12
|WIS=10
|CHA=17
|level=1
|race=Any, {{Race|White Dragonborn}} (default)
|type=Humanoid
|HP=8
|AC=11
|speed=9 m / 30 ft
|size=Medium
|weight=
|proficiency=2
|initiative=+1
|class = Any, {{Class|Sorcerer}} (default)
|alignment = Any
|background= Haunted One
|location =
|allies = [[Sceleritas Fel]] (dependant), [[Bhaal]] (dependant), [[Gortash]] (former / dependant)
|enemies =[[Orin the Red]]
|alt-name = Promotional Art
|alt-image = [[File:TheDarkUrge.jpg|350px]]
|con save=yes|cha save=yes|family=[[Bhaal]] ("Father"/Creator), [[Orin the Red]] (Bhaalspawn Relative), [[Sarevok Anchev]] (Bhaalspawn Relative) Unnamed Foster Parents}}
'''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.
 
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.
 
{{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.}}
 
== Background ==
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 ==
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.
 
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.
 
=== 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 ====
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 ====
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.
 
If the player kills either Isobel or their companion, they are they are granted the [[Slayer]] form, a gift from their father.
 
The Dark Urge has unique content and dialogue in the [[Moonrise Towers]], including a reunion with several of their former allies.
 
==== Act Three ====
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.
 
After confronting Orin, the Dark Urge may restore themselves as [[Bhaal]]'s Chosen, or refuse the title.
 
Should they refuse to become [[Bhaal]]'s chosen, the Dark Urge will be drained of their father's blood, immediately dying, dooming them the to be lost in the Fugue Plane for eternity. However, soon after [[Withers]] invests a portion of his power into the Dark Urge, entwining their fates. The Dark Urge is reborn as Wither's champion, free from the Urge.
 
The player may still select Dark Urge options in dialogue, with the implications that it is now their character's choice to engage with those desires.
 
==== Indulging the Urge ====
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.
* Tear off the Wings from the Wounded Bird that is being treated by [[Nettie]] ((Has to be done before prodding it))
* 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 =====
* 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.
* 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.
* After freeing the trapped fairy from the [[Moonlantern]], the player can choose to crush it.
* The player can torture a group of goblins in a variety of ways at the [[Moonrise Towers]].


==History==
==History==
====Early life====
===Early life===
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>.
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>.
The Dark Urge grew up outside the Cult of Bhaal, and were at some point taken in by a couple. They 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>.


====The plan====
===The plan===
Eventually, the Dark Urge became the leader of the Cult of Bhaal, and pledged to end all life in existence for their [[Bhaal|father]]. At some point fellow Bhaalspawn [[Orin the Red]] joined and served under them.
Eventually, the Dark Urge became the leader of the Cult of Bhaal, and pledged to end all life in existence for their [[Bhaal|father]]. At some point fellow Bhaalspawn [[Orin the Red]] joined and served under them.


After receiving dreams of Bhaal, the Dark Urge – in correspondence with [[Gortash|Enver Gortash]] – hatched a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus in a heist at Mephistopheles' Vault <ref>Dialogue with Gortash as well as notes found at his parents' shop.</ref>, so that they could fulfil their pledge to their Lord: They would take 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.<ref>Note written by the Dark Urge found in the Colony below Moonrise Towers.</ref> Soon after raid, Gortash suggested that they use the Crown on the elder brain located in the illithid colony below [[Moonrise Towers]]<ref>Gortash's Memoirs</ref>. The Dark Urge agreed to the plan, and joined [[Enver Gortash]] and [[Ketheric Thorm]] at Moonrise Towers, fully intent on eventually betraying them.
After receiving dreams of Bhaal, the Dark Urge – in correspondence with [[Gortash|Enver Gortash]] – hatched a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus in a heist at Mephistopheles' Vault <ref>Dialogue with Gortash as well as notes found at his parents' shop.</ref>, so that they could fulfil their pledge to their Lord: They would take 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.<ref>Note written by the Dark Urge found in the Colony below Moonrise Towers.</ref> Soon after raid, Gortash suggested that they use the Crown on the elder brain located in the illithid colony below [[Moonrise Towers]]<ref>Gortash's Memoirs</ref>. The Dark Urge agreed to the plan, and joined [[Enver Gortash]] and [[Ketheric Thorm]] at Moonrise Towers, fully intent on eventually betraying them.


====Betrayal====
===Betrayal===
At Moonrise Towers, 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. At some point during this, Dark Urge formed a special relationship with the elder brain, who was on board with the Dark Urge's plan.
At Moonrise Towers, 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. At some point during this, Dark Urge formed a special relationship with the elder brain, who was on board with the Dark Urge's plan.


Line 170: Line 62:
Noticing his wife's obsession and hoping to snap her out of it, Kressa's husband 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 themselves or their past.
Noticing his wife's obsession and hoping to snap her out of it, Kressa's husband 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 themselves or their past.


==Uncovering the Dark Urge's past==
 
Numerous details from the Dark Urge's past can be uncovered in the game.
 
* Long resting early in Act One can give hints at the character's true nature. The hints given are dependent on the character's race and class, providing a lore-friendly explanation of each.
== The Dark Urge's past sins  ==
* In Act 3, Oathbreaker Paladins can confront the Oathbreaker Knight, and learn that it isn't the first time they've broken their oath.
* The Dark Urge is a cannibal.<ref>Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom prior to meeting Sceleritas Fel.</ref>
* 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.
* According to [[Sceleritas Fel]], the Dark Urge is a necrophiliac.
* Dialogue with [[Kressa Bonedaughter]] will reveal that The Dark Urge was attacked at the [[Mind Flayer Colony]] by Orin, leading to their imprisonment and becoming the very first tadpole victim.
* Dialogue with [[Orin]] disguised as [[Zethino]] implies that she and Dark Urge may have had an incestuous relationship, but it is left ambiguous.
* 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|Open your Scars]] suggests the that the Dark Urge may have had a sexual relationship with the Elder Brain.
* The journal entry for [[The Urge|Open 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==
==Notes==
*The final origin character was revealed through [https://bloodinbaldursgate.larian.com/ 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 was revealed, along with [[Sceleritas Fel]]. The ARG ends with the white-scaled dragonborn killing the detective.
* The final origin character was revealed through [https://bloodinbaldursgate.larian.com/ 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 was revealed, along with [[Sceleritas Fel]]. The ARG ends with the white-scaled dragonborn killing 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.
* 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.
* 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]].
** 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.
** This version of the Dark Urge has slight differences in appearance. The standard Dark Urge uses White 7 scale colour, and Flame Red 1 eye colour. The version found here appears to use White 1, and Flame Grey 4, as it lacks its distinctive red colours that is recognized on the default Dark Urge.
* Even after being freed of the 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 Bhaal's influence.
* Even after being freed of the 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 Bhaal's influence.
** Immediately after the Dark Urge is brought back by Withers, free of the Urge, the character can revel in their freedom to be evil without the Urge, and take joy in having fooled everyone that they are innocent.
** Immediately after the Dark Urge is brought back by Withers, free of the Urge, 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.
** 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".
** Even if the Dark Urge gets rid of their father's blood, the [[Netherbrain]] still refers to the Dark Urge as "murder incarnate".
 
* 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]].
==Achievements==
** 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.
{{Achievement|Embrace Your Urge}}
** This version of the Dark Urge has slight differences in appearance. The standard Dark Urge uses White 7 scale colour, and Flame Red 1 eye colour. The version found here appears to use White 1, and Flame Grey 4, as it lacks its distinctive red colours that is recognized on the default Dark Urge.
{{Achievement|Sins of the Father}}
* Assuming he is recruited, [[Minsc]] considers himself to be the Dark Urge's uncle.


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
Line 209: Line 90:
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
</tabber>
[[Category: Origins]]
[[Category: Origins]]
{{NavCompanions}}
{{NavCompanions}}

Revision as of 12:44, 29 September 2023

Prerequisite Icon.png Notice: This article is about the Origin character. For a gameplay overview of the Dark Urge origin, see The Dark Urge/Gameplay.
Special Origin
The Dark Urge
The Dark Urge.png
Stats
Level 1

STR

8
(-1)

DEX

13
(+1)

CON

15
(+2)

INT

12
(+1)

WIS

10

CHA

17
(+3)
Bg3 content hr.png
Creature Race Icon.png  Race [[Any, White Dragonborn White Dragonborn (default)|Any, White Dragonborn White Dragonborn (default)]]
Creature Type Icon.png  Type Humanoid
HP Icon.png  HP 8
Creature AC Icon.png  AC 11
Creature Speed Icon.png  Movement Speed 9 m / 30 ft
Creature Size Icon.png  Size Medium
Proficiency Icon.png  Proficiency Bonus +2
Initiative Icon.png  Initiative +1
Character information
Class [[ Any, Sorcerer Sorcerer (default) | Any, Sorcerer Sorcerer (default) ]] [[Category:Any, Sorcerer Sorcerer (default)s]]
Background Haunted One
Family Bhaal ("Father"/Creator), Orin the Red (Bhaalspawn Relative), Sarevok Anchev (Bhaalspawn Relative), Unnamed Foster Parents, Minsc ("Uncle", determinant)
Promotional Art
TheDarkUrge.jpg

The Dark Urge is an established character as well as a special Origin in Baldur's Gate 3, that 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.

“
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.


History

Early life

Unlike other Bhaalspawn, The Dark Urge wasn't born, but instead created from the dead flesh of Bhaal himself[1][2].

The Dark Urge grew up outside the Cult of Bhaal, and were at some point taken in by a couple. They had a relatively peaceful childhood for a time[3], before succumbing to the urge and murdering their loved ones and foster parents[4].

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. At some point fellow Bhaalspawn Orin the Red joined and served under them.

After receiving dreams of Bhaal, the Dark Urge – in correspondence with Enver Gortash – hatched a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus in a heist at Mephistopheles' Vault [5], so that they could fulfil their pledge to their Lord: They would take 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.[6] Soon after raid, Gortash suggested that they use the Crown on the elder brain located in the illithid colony below Moonrise Towers[7]. The Dark Urge agreed to the plan, and joined Enver Gortash and Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise Towers, fully intent on eventually betraying them.

Betrayal

At Moonrise Towers, 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. At some point during this, Dark Urge formed a special relationship with the elder brain, who was on board with the Dark Urge's plan.

For a time, the Dark Urge was worshipped as a god at Moonrise Towers, but during a visit to the mind flayer colony beneath the towers, the raid still ongoing, they were betrayed by their sister Orin the Red, who was jealous of Bhaal's favouritism. 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.[8]

The Dark Urge was found by 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 themselves or others.

The Elder Brain came to refer to the Dark Urge's condition as a "True Soul", inspiring Gortash with the idea of creating more True Souls, perfecting his plan to create the false religion of 'the Absolute', with the purpose of realising his so-called master plan of Unity.

Noticing his wife's obsession and hoping to snap her out of it, Kressa's husband 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 themselves or their past.


The Dark Urge's past sins

  • The Dark Urge is a cannibal.[9]
  • 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 Open your Scars suggests the that the Dark Urge may have had a sexual relationship with the Elder Brain.

Notes

  • 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 was revealed, along with Sceleritas Fel. The ARG ends with the white-scaled dragonborn killing 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.
  • Even after being freed of the 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 Bhaal's influence.
    • Immediately after the Dark Urge is brought back by Withers, free of the Urge, 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".
  • 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.
    • 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.
    • This version of the Dark Urge has slight differences in appearance. The standard Dark Urge uses White 7 scale colour, and Flame Red 1 eye colour. The version found here appears to use White 1, and Flame Grey 4, as it lacks its distinctive red colours that is recognized on the default Dark Urge.
  • Assuming he is recruited, Minsc considers himself to be the Dark Urge's uncle.

Gallery

  • The origin's default appearance

    The origin's default appearance

  • Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide

    Sceleritas Fel, The Dark Urge's guide

References

  1. ↑ The Dark Urge can tell Naaber that they have no birthdate due to the nature of their creation.
  2. ↑ Dialogue with Sceleritas Fel, after becoming Bhaal's Chosen.
  3. ↑ Memories regained after casting Heal on the Dark Urge after killing Orin.
  4. ↑ Memories regained from casting Heal on the Dark Urge prior to killing Orin.
  5. ↑ Dialogue with Gortash as well as notes found at his parents' shop.
  6. ↑ Note written by the Dark Urge found in the Colony below Moonrise Towers.
  7. ↑ Gortash's Memoirs
  8. ↑ According to journals found in the Mind Flayer Colony and dialogue with Kressa Bonedaughter
  9. ↑ Eating a Noblestalk Mushroom prior to meeting Sceleritas Fel.
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