Withers: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox character

| voice = Stephen Boxer

| race = Skeleton

 

| type = Undead

| armour_class = 10

| hit_points = 1

 

| movement_speed_meters = 9

| movement_speed_feet = 30

| weight_kg = 50

| wis_save_proficiency = Proficient

| feature1_name = Immune To Control Undead

| feature2_name = Opportunity Attack

'''Withers''' is a mysterious [[undead]] entity that joins the player on their adventures as a [[camp follower]]. He calls himself ''"a scribe, a seneschal - a keeper of records"'', and offers resurrection services to the party, allows characters to change or reset their class and provides the services of [[hireling]]s.

 

Later, Withers will appear at the [[Campsite|campsite]] and join as a [[Camp Follower|camp follower]]. If the player reaches the courtyard of the goblin camp, or progresses far enough without completing [[Explore the Ruins]] and meeting him in the crypt, this will still happen. If the player then visits the crypt, they'll still be able to complete the aforementioned quest, but the sarcophagus will be empty.

If the player is playing as [[The Dark Urge]] and refuses to become the Chosen of [[Bhaal]] after killing [[Orin]], Bhaal will seemingly kill the player character. However, in the final moment, Withers will appear and tell the player that while Bhaal could destroy his own spawn, he could not destroy the new self that the character had become by resisting the Dark Urge. He pronounces the player character redeemed and free of Bhaal's influence and brings them back to life.

Though the game never explicitly states it, it heavily implies Withers is actually [[Jergal]], the erstwhile ''"Lord of the End of Everything"'', a powerful god who willingly gave up part of his divine portfolio to three evil adventurers who would then become the [[Dead Three]]. Jergal would henceforth carry out his duty as a bookkeeper of the dead.

===In-game information===

* He is initially found in a crypt that, through exploration and a successful [[Religion]] check, is confirmed to be a shrine of Jergal

** Jergal's physical appearance is described as ''masked in gold, his skin fine and worn as parchment''

** Jergal asks the mortal ''"What is the worth of a single mortal's life?"'' much like Withers when freed from his sarcophagus

* Paladins and clerics can feel divine energy from Withers: ''"He has a divine aspect, yes. A reflection of death itself. Eternal and inescapable."''

**If asked whether he's a god's Chosen he will refuse to answer questions in that regard

** This is further shown if the player attacks another character at the party.  Withers approaches and reprimands them for it, opens a portal to the Fugue Plane and easily hurls the player character into it, ending the playthrough.  This happens with all player avatars, even ones such as a Mind Flayer or Gale who successfully became the God of Ambition.

* Datamined content confirms that Withers is Jergal, compelled by Helm to assist the players as penance{{ref|Chubblot (2020). ''[https://old.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/jj3zto/spoilersdatamining_chubblots_datamining_thread/ Chubblot's Datamining Thread]''. Reddit.<br>''"After the party has slain a group of undead scholars, the judge of death--Jergal--climbs out of his sarcophagus to greet them. He has been locked inside for years by the god Helm to atone for his part in raising the Dead Three, wicked gods who are now plotting to conquer the realms. Jergal is emotionless and excessively formal, both resigned to his fate and that of others. He is here to assist the party because that is his divine oath, not out of any true desire to act. Players can attempt to goad or attack him, but to minimal effect, as he is functionally immortal. His only goal was to see their faces, so he can find them at camp later to offer further assistance."''}}{{ref|Chubblot (2020). ''[https://old.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/jj3zto/spoilersdatamining_chubblots_datamining_thread/ Chubblot's Datamining Thread]''. Reddit.<br>''"Jergal, a god of the dead, awaits the player in camp. He is bound by the judgment of another god - Helm - to assist the players as penance for past crimes. He provides resurrection services to the players."''}}

Withers cannot be damaged and is functionally invincible{{Bug}}, and will never engage in battle if provoked.

===Loot===

Withers cannot be killed and looted.  

* Withers puts the gold he receives for his services into a pickpocketable inventory, so players may steal back any money paid. Withers will not react to failed pickpocketing, allowing unlimited attempts.

* If you speak with a hireling, it is revealed Withers is in fact controlling them remotely. In a sense, this makes Withers indirectly a companion as well.

* There is never a point where Withers actually tells you his name is Withers, this information is conveyed to the player purely via the subtitles. It is unclear how the characters themselves learn this.