Baldur's Gate 3 players can create their own custom characters or choose from one of seven Origin characters – six pre-determined NPCs and the slightly more flexible Dark Urge. Playing an Origin character leads to a very different Baldur's Gate 3 experience, as they have unique dialogue and may have special quests linked to their story. While this sprawling CRPG is ultimately a game that allows players to make many different choices, there are some "unwritten rules" that players often follow when stepping into the shoes of an Origin character.
BG3 Origin Characters Cannot Be Customized
The six pre-determined Origin characters cannot be customized. Their race and background is set, and their appearance cannot be changed via the Magic Mirror. Instead of the character creation screen at the beginning of the game, players can instead view a short cutscene in which the chosen Origin narrates their backstory and how they came to be infected by a mind flayer tadpole. While their appearance can't be changed, an Origin character can change classes by visiting Withers in camp.
The Dark Urge is slightly different than the other Origin characters in that their race, starting class, and appearance can be customized by the player. They do, however, come with a pre-set background, "Haunted One," which is exclusive to them, and have a pre-written backstory that will gradually be discovered over the course of the game.
Complete The Chosen Origin Character's Quest
There are many quests to choose from in Baldur's Gate 3. This allows each playthrough to feel truly unique, as players can avoid or prioritize certain quests each time. When playing as an Origin character, however, it is definitely encouraged to play through that BG3 Origin's companion quest to fully complete their journey during their time as the protagonist. The six Origin characters' quests are as follows:
- Astarion: The Pale Elf
- Gale: The Wizard of Waterdeep and In Case of Death… (the latter only triggers if Gale dies)
- Karlach: Our Fiery Friend and The Hellion's Heart
- Lae'zel: The Githyanki Warrior
- Shadowheart: Daughter of Darkness, The Chosen of Shar, and A Familiar Face (triggers only if Shadowheart is given Noblestalk mushroom in the Underdark)
- Wyll: The Blade of Frontiers and The Grand Duke
Other Quests And Interactions Connect To Each Origin
In addition to their personal quest, each Origin character has several moments, BG3 quests and interactions around Faerun that relate to them and their story. Seeking out these interactions, visiting these locations, and meeting these characters can help an Origin character run feel more fleshed out and complete. Here are just a few of the many interactions available for each companion:
Astarion
- Gandrel, Gur Monster Hunter – Auntie Ethel's house, Act 1
- Araj Oblodra – Blood merchant found both in Moonrise Towers and Baldur's Gate Lower City, Acts 2+3
- Gur Camp – Rivington, Act 3
Gale
- Moonlantern Crafting – Balthazar's Chambers, Moonrise Towers, Act 2
- Visiting Sorcerous Sundries – Baldur's Gate Lower City, Act 3
- Tara the Tressym – On roof of Open Hand Temple, Rivington, Act 3
Karlach
- Helping the Tiefling Refugees – Emerald Grove Act 1, Last Light Inn Act 2, Elfsong Tavern Act 3
- Visiting her parents' graves – Graveyard, Baldur's Gate Lower City, Act 3
- Reuniting with Fytz – Fytz's Armor, Baldur's Gate Lower City, Act 3
Lae'zel
- Finding Githyanki Texts – Arcane Tower, Underdark, Act 1
- Githyanki Egg Merchant – Mountain Pass, Act 1
- Githyanki Egg Experiment – Society of Brilliance Headquarters, Baldur's Gate Lower City, Act 3
Shadowheart
- Former Sharran Temple – Grymforge, Underdark, Act 1
- Selunite Outpost – Underdark, Act 1
- Sharran Mausoleum – Ketheric Thorm's Graveyard, Act 2
Wyll
- Rescuing Counselor Florrick – Waukeen's Rest, Act 1, and Wyrm's Rock Prison, Act 3
- Rescuing the Prisoners – Iron Throne Prison, Act 3
- Robbing the Ravengard Family Vault – Counting House, Baldur's Gate Lower City, Act 3
Origin Character Romances Add A Unique Element
Romance is an optional element in Baldur's Gate 3, but it can add a unique element to an Origin playthrough by pairing the chosen Origin with a character they already have a connection with. Any combination of Origin characters can tell a heartwarming and deeply romantic story, but a few pairings are particularly popular. Wyll and Karlach have a connection, as Wyll is tasked with hunting her down by his patron Mizora. Shadowheart and Lae'zel immediately dislike each other, which results in an ever-popular "enemies to lovers" relationship. Gale and Astarion have similar stories, as both are dealing with a powerful hunger that threatens to consume them.
Many other Origin combinations have grown in popularity due to character banter where the party members flirt with one another. Wyll attempts to try his luck (without much success) with both Shadowheart and Lae'zel. Shadowheart, meanwhile, admires Karlach's muscular physique and fantasizes about being carried by her. Astarion describes Wyll as "the kind of hero he once wished would rescue him," and Lae'zel can approach Astarion, Gale, or Wyll for a night of companionship during an Act 1 party. Although he is not an Origin character, many of the six also express admiration towards the handsome and muscular druid Halsin, another romance option.
Some Origins May Require Multiple Playthroughs
Baldur's Gate 3 is a game that has received praise for its replayability, with many different paths to take and characters to create. Playing an Origin character is no exception to this rule. Many of the six have major decisions that players must make which can drastically affect the outcome of their journey. These Origin characters may benefit from multiple playthroughs as the chosen protagonist. These are:
- Astarion can remain a vampire spawn or complete the Rite of Profane Ascension to become the Vampire Ascendant
- Lae'zel can remain faithful to Queen Vlaakith or turn against her to support freeing Prince Orpheus from the Astral Prism
- Shadowheart can embrace Shar as a Dark Justiciar or abandon Shar in favor of Selune
- Wyll can kill Karlach as Mizora demands or spare her, earning his patron's disapproval
While going through these Origins' story multiple times is definitely not required, it is certainly encouraged as it can lead to uncovering new elements of their personality and backstory and bringing their journey to an entirely different ending.
