Highlights

  • Baldur's Gate 3 takes place in the Forgotten Realms, a popular Dungeons & Dragons setting, with a new generation of heroes saving the world.
  • The game could include popular characters from the Forgotten Realms, such as Gorion's Ward, Drizzt Do'Urden, Artemis Entreri, and Jarlaxle Baenre, as companions.
  • Other potential companions in the game could be Krehlan Arunsun, Cattie-brie, Bruenor Battlehammer, Grimgnaw, Edwin Odesseiron, and Tomi Undergallows, each with their own unique story and abilities.

With Baldur’s Gate 3 releasing to critical acclaim among both newcomers and savants to the Dungeons & Dragons TTRPG, the game has become yet another addition to the growing slate of D&D games set in the Forgotten Realms. Created by Ed Greenwood and officially used beginning in AD&D 2nd Edition, the Realms grew to become perhaps the most popular D&D setting in Dungeons & Dragons media.

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Set in the continent of Faerun in the world of Toril, the Forgotten Realms is home to various races and nations in potential conflict. While games such as Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale, and even the previous Baldur’s Gate entries showed groups of heroes saving the world from imminent danger, it’s time for a new generation of heroes to save Faerun in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, with the scope of BG3’s story, certain popular characters in the Forgotten Realms could have a place among the game’s Companions.

10 Gorion’s Ward

Gorion's Ward

Unlike other RPGs with customizable protagonists, Gorion’s Ward is a rare example of a custom character whose story happens throughout different games. As the protagonist of the first two Baldur’s Gate games, the Harper above raised Gorion’s Ward alongside Imoen, their childhood friend and potential companion. Having stopped the Bhaalist plot that happens across the two games, one may assume Gorion’s Ward has accomplished their mission.

This time, Gorion’s Ward could be a customizable Companion or another Custom Origin, reflecting the character’s status as the player’s protagonist in the previous games. Story-wise, Gorion’s Ward in BG3 could be amnesiac like the Dark Urge, or perhaps hiding their true nature for reasons unknown.

9 Drizzt Do'Urden

Drizzt Do'Urden

The name Drizzt Do’Urden is almost synonymous with the Forgotten Realms, with stories in the Icewind Dale and The Dark Elf trilogies highlighting the Ranger’s exile from Drow society and his eventual transformation as the hero of the North. Such was the popularity of the R.A. Salvatore character that he and his Companions even made a cameo in previous Baldur’s Gate games, although they aren’t available as player characters.

However, with both games occurring within the same era, having the likes of Minsc become Companions means it’s not an impossibility for Drizzt to lend his aid to players. Despite his heroic stature, Drizzt’s original build in AD&D as a low-level Ranger can make it plausible for players to help him grow from the ground up, even if he’s already recognized as a hero.

8 Artemis Entreri

Artemis Entreri

Drizzt Do’Urden and Artemis Entreri were once seen as two sides of the same coin, with the Drow’s skill meeting the latter's interest to the point of obsession. Although a former archnemesis of Drizzt, Artemis remains feared as one of Faerun’s most effective assassins.

It’s unsurprising if both Baldur’s Gate 3 enemies and allies would hire Artemis's 3E and 2E builds predominantly had him as a Fighter first, then a Rogue (or, in the case of 2E, a Thief) second. As a potential Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, it makes sense then for Artemis to be presented as a Battle Master Fighter/Thief Rogue Multiclass, giving both Lae’zel and Astarion a run for their money with his cunning and combat prowess.

7 Jarlaxle Baenre

Jarlaxle Baenre 

Lacking a Companion to represent the Bard in Baldur’s Gate 3 can disappoint fans due to the Class becoming quite the gateway to hilarious interactions. Thankfully, being a humorous actor is something Jarlaxle Baenre loves to fulfill, especially when Drow society expects nothing less but double-crosses and double-dealings. Jarlaxle of the Bregan D’aerthe would see Faerun’s Mindflayer invasion as a chance to amass power and influence.

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Given Jarlaxle’s flair for theatrics, the game could introduce an annoying Drow Bard who only reveals himself as Jarlaxle in the endgame. Should the game introduce Jarlaxle as himself, his story could involve an accident separating him from his mercenaries, with his quest revolving around his attempts to return to them.

6 Krehlan Arunsun

A Blackstaff of Waterdeep

Elminster’s presence as a Baldur’s Gate 3 character implies that his student and fellow Chosen of Mystra, Laeral Silverhand, is maintaining peace in the northern Sword Coast as the Open Lord of Waterdeep. Unlike Laeral, who has had an exciting history, her son Krehlan Arunsun has been quite the foreword due to a lack of any “substantial” activities. Although not Chosen of Mystra, Krehlan inherited their magic and became the Blackstaff, a title held by the Archmage of Waterdeep.

In the lore, Krehlan had died in 1424 DR, decades before the game's events. However, BG3 could reveal a hidden history wherein Krehlan may have survived through some machination and has gone into hiding, only to reveal himself as one of the saviors of Faerun. Although Krehlan would likely still be attached to the Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Class, his story tied directly to Mystra’s “child” can make an interesting alternate take on Gale’s love story with the goddess.

5 Cattie-brie

Cattie-brie in Dark Alliance 2

Best known as the most pragmatic but empathic of Drizzt’s allies, his friend and eventual wife Cattie-brie is the resident marksman of the Companions of the Hall. When a shard of the Spellplague struck and inadvertently took Cattie-brie’s life, nature goddess Mielikki gave her and the other deceased Companions a chance to reincarnate to aid Drizzt anew.

With the events of Baldur’s Gate 3 occurring just decades after Ruqiah’s birth, accompanying players in their mission to save Faerun could be a little side quest in Cattie-brie’s mission to aid Drizzt. As a Companion, Cattie-brie could appear as herself and become a Fighter/Ranger hybrid, or perhaps take on the form of her reincarnation Ruqiah as a Wizard/Druid.

4 Bruenor Battlehammer

Bruenor Battlehammer

Among the most honorable of Drizzt’s friends is Bruenor Battlehammer, the adoptive father of Cattie-brie. Although growing up to be King Bruenor of the Battlehammer Clan, his dream was to reclaim his family’s previous settlement of Mithral Hall. After seeking the help of Cattie-brie, Drizzt, Wulfgar, and Regis, the Shield Dwarf managed to reclaim the territory before soon being dragged to other adventures.

Despite his status as a clan leader, Bruenor can become a worthwhile Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. Being that of royalty could result in entertaining dialogue, this time with the wisdom of aged pride instead of the air of arrogance of the similarly-royal Red Prince in another Larian Studios work, Divinity: Original Sin 2. Built as a Fighter in his early-edition appearances, Bruenor can be a Fighter/Cleric hybrid, particularly a Battle Master.

3 Grimgnaw

Grimgnaw

Originally hailing from the Battlehammer Clan, Grimgnaw left his life with his brethren to join the Long Death, a Monastic Tradition that relishes ending the natural life cycle. Grimgnaw’s fascination with death can be off-putting for players who spend time with him, eventually becoming the leader of the Cania, one of the Nine Hells, in the Hordes of the Underdark.

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Although Grimgnaw becomes a villain players must face, an alternative route would have him explore Faerun as a Long Death Monk seeking disciples. Grimgnaw’s rather dark view of the world is an interesting contrast compared to the rest of the player’s allies, with a hypothetical status as a Monk in Baldur’s Gate 3 finally attaching a Companion to the Class.

2 Edwin Odesseiron

Edwin Odesseiron

The capability of Wizards to achieve otherworldly feats with enough study can make them extremely dangerous enemies, with the cunning of Edwin Odesseiron proving it unwise to get on their wrong side. Appearing as an available henchman in both previous Baldur’s Gate entries, Minsc may be in for quite a surprise upon encountering this Red Wizard of Thay.

Compared to the gentler Gale, Edwin possesses an introverted snark that can make him an immediate source of annoyance for much of the party, paving the way for exciting character development reminiscent of what he received in other Baldur’s Gate titles. However, his potential Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay is also fascinating, as his original designation as a Conjurer means his BG3 kit could focus heavily on summons.

1 Tomi Undergallows

Tomi Undergallows

While Astarion makes no hesitation in making himself known through his charm, Tomi Undergallows is oddly reserved. Although his “secretively cheery” nature makes sense with his Class as a Rogue in the gameplay of Neverwinter Nights, his backstory makes him a worthwhile potential Companion in the recent Baldur’s Gate title. As it stands, Tomi went to Neverwinter as a fugitive, working odd jobs while staying out of unnecessary legal trouble.

However, while Tomi is present during the Drow attacks in Hordes of the Underdark, his fate remains relatively unknown to players. Although NWN took place more than a century before BG3, a Halfling like Tomi could live for up to 150 years, paving the way for an aged Tomi to remain an active adventurer in the game’s events. The presence of a veteran Rogue opposite Astarion could pave the way for exciting interactions.

Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)
PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
Released
August 3, 2023
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Genre(s)
RPG