Baldur’s Gate 3 is, as you probably all guessed from the name, a follow-up to the first two games. Except, it isn’t really, because it’s an entirely new story with a new player character, and a big 100+ year time jump from Baldur’s Gate 2.
Still, some familiar faces return for this brand-new story. Minsc and Jaheira were fan favourite companions in both of the classic games, so seeing them return was no great surprise. However, if you’ve never played the older entries, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that Viconia was also a favourite companion – and a potential love interest. And the reason you’re probably surprised is because Larian made a very unpopular move with her character, making her evil again.
In Defence Of Baldur’s Gate’s Worst Boyfriend: Anomen
While you’re hooking up with Gale and Astarion, pour one out for those of us who only had Anomen to snuggle up to in Baldur’s Gate 2.
It isn’t just her. Even after all this time, many older Baldur’s Gate fans are struggling to justify the decisions made with Sarevok’s character. Like Viconia, Sarevok can start to redeem himself with the player’s intervention. In fact, they have to raise him from the dead to do it, so the fact that he doesn’t stick to it sorta suggests it’s our fault he did all that in Baldur’s Gate 3…
I digress – it’s frustrated players since BG3’s launch. But now, we’re seeing some of these frustrated fans try to come up with reasons why Viconia and Sarevok could have ended up like this, even if the player helped them change their alignments in BG2.
Maybe Shar And Bhaal Are Just Too Much For Viconia And Sarevok To Resist?
In the replies to a post complaining about Viconia’s characterisation in BG3, some fans put forward the theory that she only ended up like that because of the Mirror of Loss. Basically, Shar wanted her back to her evil-doing former self, and got her followers to wipe her memories to start over again.
But there is another theory – perhaps the gods are just too strong?
“Having Viconia with that original knowledge of how [Gorion’s Ward] helped her makes her fate all the more bitter, same with Sarevok,” says pilsburybane. “They couldn’t move past their own aspirations of greatness.”
Or, as NotoriousPVC simply puts it: “What decades of worshipping Shar can do to a mfer.”
While I have never been big on Viconia’s return in BG3, I find that this argument works quite well for Sarevok. BG3 really likes to hone in on how hard it is to resist Bhaal’s influence if you are Bhaalspawn, something that was also explored in the first two games. So, I find it entirely plausible that even someone as strong-willed as Sarevok eventually found himself in Bhaal’s grasp once he was back from the dead, kept in his temple like a trophy.
Still, even if there are lore-friendly ways to make it make sense, it still sucks for those who were attached to these characters for more than two decades. Incidentally, BG3 fans are now worried that their faves won’t be treated well in the TV show, so I guess history repeats itself.
- Released
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August 3, 2023
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Engine
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Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
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Full cross-platform play.
