Origin characters are pre-made playable characters, each with a unique background story to tell in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). See the full list of all Origin characters that you can play or recruit as a companion in our guide!

List of Origin Characters

Character	Overview
Shadowheart	Class: Cleric Race: High Half-Elf Background: Urchin How to Recruit: Wake her up on Ravaged Beach. If you didn't wake her up, you can find her in Druid Grove instead.
Astarion	Class: Rogue Race: High-Elf Background: Noble How to Recruit: Approach him near the Nautiloid wreckage, west of Ravaged Beach.
Gale	Class: Wizard Race: Human Background: Sage How to Recruit: Offer to let him join your party after he steps out of a portal along Roadside Cliffs.
Wyll	Class: Warlock Race: Human Background: Folk Hero How to Recruit: Speak to Him at the Training Camp in Druid Grove.
Lae'zel	Class: Fighter Race: Githyanki Background: Soldier How to Recruit: Free her from the Tieflings north of Roadside Cliffs.
Karlach	Class: Barbarian Race: Tiefling Background: TBD How to Recruit: Defeat the Paladins hunting her down north of The Risen Road.
Dark Urge	Class: Custom Race: Custom Background: Custom

All Non-Origin Characters

Character	Overview
Halsin	Class: Druid Race: Elf Background: N/A How to Recruit: Side with the Tieflings and Druids during the Emerald Grove raid.
Minthara	Class: Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) Race: Lolth-Sworn Drow Background: Noble How to Recruit: Side with Minthara in destroying the Emerald Grove and free her from the Moonrise Towers.
Jaheira	Class: Druid Race: High Half-Elf Background: Soldier How to Recruit: Ask her to join you in attacking the Moonrise Towers. Recruited after defeating Ketheric Thorm.

All Origin Character Lore

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Shadowheart			Astarion			Gale			Wyll
Lae'zel				Karlach				Dark Urge

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is a devoted Cleric of Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. She agreed to have her past memories erased as part of a holy mission.

Poised by her quest for winning Shar's love, she will do whatever it takes to deliver a powerful relic back to her kin and have her memories restored to her.

Shadowheart Companion Guide

Astarion

For centuries, Astarion prowled through the countless nights as a malevolent vampire in service of his sadistic master, Cazador.

After setting himself free from his master's chains, he verged on a quest to become more powerful than his former overlord ever dreamed of — eventually leading to his captivity aboard the Nautiloid.

Astarion Companion Guide

Gale

Once one of Waterdeep's most intimidating archmages, Gale's magical proficiency was taken away when he tried to seize the goddess Mystra's divine position and failed. Now cursed with the Netherese Orb, a powerful magic sealed inside him, Gale must prevent himself from ceremorphosis as this could endanger himself and many more lives.

Gale Companion Guide

Wyll

Hailing from a famed Baldurian family, Wyll now lives an adventurous life on the road as the monster hunter famously nicknamed as the ”Blade of Frontiers” by those living on Sword Coast due to his brave acts of justice.

Despite his heroic tale, Wyll only wishes to escape from a pact made with the evil Mizora before its price grows cruel.

Wyll Companion Guide

Lae'zel

A fierce warrior by the standards of her race, Lae'zel is faced with the likelihood of turning into the monster she devoted her whole life of defeating, a mind flayer. She now faces a path that will test her strength and determination to not just prove herself to Queen Vlaakith but to rejoin her people.

Lae'zel Companion Guide

Karlach

Born and raised in Baldur's Gate, Karlach was sold to slavery in the Nine Hells. It was during this time that the archdevil Zariel planted an infernal engine in her chest, an engine that burns hotter as the days go by.

After escaping Hell, Zariel is determined not only to rid herself of this machine but to take revenge on the man that sold her to Zariel and take back the life that was stolen from her.

Karlach Companion Guide

Dark Urge

Upon waking up from the events on the Nautiloid, The Dark Urge is met with thoughts of blood and violence. Unlike other origin characters in the game, The Dark Urge is unique in that the player has the choice of ignoring these malicious thoughts or they can give in and go on a darker and more sinister path.

The Dark Urge Origin Character Guide

What are Origin Characters?

Playable Characters With Unique Backstories

Origin characters are pre-made playable characters, each with unique personal backstories, quests, and exclusive interactions in the world. You can select an Origin character before starting a new game.

Recruitable Companions

Origin characters can also be recruited to your party and will assist you in combat, as well as accompany you throughout your journey in the game.

Each of them is set with a specific class along with their own personality, preferences, approvals, and dislikes. They will also provide insights based on the situation at hand through dialogue choices and social interactions.

Companions Guide

Possible Romance Options

If you manage to get a high approval rating with another Origin character, you will have the opportunity to romantically interact with them which leads to a deeper relationship and engage in intimate activities.

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Baldur's Gate 3 Top Page

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