| Duke Stelmane | |
| Belynne Stelmane | |
|---|---|
| |
| Stats | |
 Race
|
Human |
 Type
|
Humanoid |
| Character information | |
| Location | Elfsong Tavern, Lower City (formerly) |
| Allies | The Emperor (Charmed) |
 | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers for Act 3. |  |
Overview
Background
Stelmane served as a member of The Council of Four[1], until at least 1471 DR[2], and was affiliated with an organisation known as the Knights of the Shield.[3][4]
Later in her life, she struggle with health issues, and was commonly believed to have suffered a stroke.[5][6] These health issues continued for over a decade, until she was murdered in her suite at the Elfsong Tavern by Bhaalists.
Quests
Character recounts
Several characters in Baldur's Gate 3 describe their past experiences with Belynne Stelmane.
Wyll
During Act 3, it is possible to ask Wyll about his own experiences meeting Belynne Stelmane.
Selecting the option "Did you know Stelmane very well, back in the day?" will yield the following information initially:
The first time, I was a boy of seven or eight, at a banquet in the Flaming Fists's honor. One look and I was smitten.Chestnut hair that flowed behind her like willow fronds. She floated from one room to the next as if carried by clouds. The second time, Stelmane was - different. Even with the aid of a cane, each step she took was a struggle. Every word she spoke took great physical effort.
'A stroke victim?' I asked father later. 'No', he said. 'A stroke survivor.'
If the player passes an automatic Wisdom (Perception) check after Wyll finishes speaking, another dialogue option appears that is locked behind a Charisma (Persuasion) check. If this check is passed, he offers the following:
Something's always gnawed at me. At the banquet, Stelmane didn't seem to look at us, but through us. But that second time, her gaze never left me. It was steel, sharp and unyielding. It could just be my imagination. But I always felt that it was more than a stroke that had changed her. What, though... I couldn't say.
The Emperor
Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.
The Emperor describes Belynne as its former partner, but if pressed will claim that it used its illithid powers on her to make her its thrall.[7] This eventually caused her to suffer her stroke, and left her partially paralysed.[8][9]
Related literature
Gallery
Stelmane listening
Stelmane and her Advisor
Notes
- In
Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus, the segment describing Bellyne Stelmane describes her as having a secret, mental battle against a Mind Flayer. This Mind Flayer is very likely to be The Emperor himself, and as a result, puts his entire "alliance" with Belynne Stelmane into question.
- If the Emperor truly is the Mind Flayer described in the 5e module, it's very possible they did not have a proper alliance at all, and rather, The Emperor enthralled her for his needs. Whether this was always the case, or if they had a genuine alliance beforehand, isn't fully clear as The Emperor is an unreliable narrator.
References
- ↑ The Dukes of Baldur's Gate refers to The Council of Four as being a governing body of Baldur's Gate, consisting of four Dukes who oversee a Parliament of Peers consisting of the city's patriars.
- ↑ The Dukes of Baldur's Gate refers to Belynne's role on the council occurring as recently as "Last Year." Baldur's Mouth Gazette articles strongly suggest that the "current" year is 1472 DR.
- ↑ Specific dialogue with a former partner of Belynne's reports her affiliation with the Knights of the Shield.
- ↑ It is not clear if Belynne's affiliation with The Knights of the Shield is widely known to the Baldurian public.[Needs Verification]
- ↑ Patient Log: Duke Belynne Stelmane describes the observations of her doctor after suffering the alleged stroke.
- ↑ Specific dialogue with Wyll during Act Three describes the public perception of Belynne's health issues as being a "stroke."
- ↑ Dialogue with the Emperor in the Astral Realm, after it is rejected and distrusted
- ↑ Investigations from The Knights of Shield.
- ↑ Descent into Avernus pg. 162.