WARNING: BG3 SPOILERS AHEAD
The earliest hours of Baldur's Gate 3 would convince many a player that Lae'Zel and Shadowheart were nothing alike, sworn enemies who are destined to kill each other. Sure, there are some initial similarities and things they'll both like, but each of them wear a specific kind of metaphorical mask—one not of their making. Shadowheart tries to feel nothing, to be calm and collected, and to be wise to the more deceptive ways of the world; she pretends, for example, to not care about those living destitute, yet her approval, her heart, and her dialogue at the BG3 party post-Goblin Camp/Emerald Grove (whatever players decide) prove otherwise. Meanwhile, Lae'Zel is sworn to the structure of her society and finds it just and unwavering, until its justice for her wavers and her whole world comes crashing down.
Indeed, whereas the earliest hours would suggest these are two Baldur's Gate 3 characters very much set in their ways, players will find that the "good" decisions involving Lae'Zel and Shadowheart put them on similar paths. In fact, the "bad" decisions for their character arcs follow the same road too. They both have similar story beats but feel so distinct that many players may never even realize, but they still get the witness their growth together, should they choose.
BG3: Both Lae'Zel and Shadowheart Are Indoctrinated
What becomes clear, early on, is how Lae'Zel and Shadowheart are both effectively indoctrinated. Githyanki society being strict is one thing, but it being based on lies is another. The Lae'Zel players meet is someone unwavering in their dedication to that society, and should players push Lae'Zel down that path (either with strong rolls, by avoiding the Githyanki Creche, or a few other avenues), they'll eventually find her blind to all things but killing Orpheus. Anyone who wants to romance Lae'Zel in Baldur's Gate 3 should not choose this path, because she becomes blind to all things but her goal, her upholding of the society and/or the queen that has indoctrinated her. Queen Vlaakith's misdeeds and all, if completely missed, prevents Lae'Zel from becoming her true self.
At the same time, players may or may not learn about Shadowheart's Shar worship in BG3 until they reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands, depending on how they play. It explains her Trickery Domain, it explains her past, her need for privacy, and her other peculiarities. The good underneath her mystique pours out more naturally than Lae'Zel's, perhaps, but there's no denying that Shadowheart is indoctrinated. Players will learn a lot about her past and her relationship with Selune and Shar, though they don't have to. Players can ensure Shadowheart continues following Shar, becoming her Dark Justiciar whose sole purpose and focus is her service, not unlike Lae'Zel murderous taste for Orpheus. And just like Laezel, anyone wanting to romance Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3 should ensure she doesn't follow this path of indoctrination; she'll forget all else except her love and worship for Shar.
BG3: Love and Freedom for Lae'Zel and Shadowheart
They both have routes that see them remain loyal to their indoctrinators, and the thing is, a lot of it depends on what players learn and know about their indoctrination. It can feel perfectly natural to keep Shadowheart on the Dark Justiciar role, never learning about her past, while Lae'Zel's loyalty can be a bit more complex. But on the other end is a way out of that indoctrination, for both characters. Lae'Zel can learn the truth about Queen Vlaakith and her betrayals, she can ally with Voss and the player, and she can rally behind Orpheus' banner for a better Githyanki society. Meanwhile, Shadowheart can turn on Shar, learn the truth of her childhood and of her faith's origins, and pursue actions against her. Either seems the character break from this indoctrination and become free through their actions and relationship with BG3's Tav.
In short, both are characters who are indoctrinated to some degree, who go on this journey as extremely reluctant allies, who can undergo similar changes to their beliefs (or be so different in this based on how each story develops), and who can obtain freedom, sometimes at a cost. Whether just as party members, friends, or romance options, Lae'Zel and Shadowheart show how two similar storylines can feel so different yet be based on similar beats. And when one considers the story directions of the various other party members in BG3, it becomes clear why the overarching game is so compelling. The detail paid here is evident everywhere, and it's not over as BG3 developer Larian continues to support the game with new epilogues, additions, and more.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available on PC now, releases for PS5 on September 6, and for Xbox Series X by the end of the year.
