Baldur's Gate 3's 'Tav' Has a Huge Coincidence That's Too…

When a Dragon Age fan learns that its setting, Thedas, began as shorthand for The D ragon A ge S etting, it blows their mind. It's a common refrain in the community, something many have experienced. Interestingly, Baldur's Gate 3 has something very similar with the default custom character name of Tav. It's not as strong of a connection, but just as many BG3 players shorten The Dark Urge to Durge, it's more than enough to justify some headcanons.

As some may know, Tav is actually a shortened version of Gustav—the project codename for Baldur's Gate 3 when it was in development. Several references to it could be found in the game's early access files, and as it turns out, Gustav is the name of Larian Studios CEO and founder Swen Vincke's dog. Naming a project after a dog is adorable, but it's hard not to see any connection between Tav and the credited names of the playable characters: Tadpoled Adventurers.

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By Joe Grantham

While they do not speak in direct dialogue for Baldur's Gate 3, every player can assign Tav a voice for passive dialogue and such. Every actor in this case, from Emerald O'Hanrahan to Ken Nwosu, is credited as a Tadpoled Adventurer. Just like it's hard not to see the shorthand for Thedas at practically every passing mention, it's hard not to connect Tav to Ta dpoled Ad v enturer. Sure, if the dots were meant to be connected, it would be something more like Taav or the much worse Taadv, but it's still a huge coincidence that's hard to ignore. In fact, anyone unaware of its origins in Gustav could still see this as acceptable shorthand, and they would be forgiven for connecting these dots themselves.

The proper shorthand for Gustav is undeniably adorable, and it's unlikely Larian would take any steps to say that Tav as shorthand for Tadpoled Adventurer is as acceptable. But the beauty of a game like Baldur's Gate 3 is how much ownership players have in their characters. No two playthroughs are the same, and no two characters have the same exact experience. Seeing Tav and thinking of Tadpoled Adventurer, while thinking that's some key element of their character, fits right into the player-driven mold of Baldur's Gate 3.

Right now, it stands to reason that several players have beaten the game, have started multiple characters, and have experienced many versions of Tav (if not renamed), Durge, and origin characters in BG3. The adventurer is one worth going back to time and again, and while 2023 was big for the new Larian title, 2024 is shaping up to be the same. Finger's crossed that there's some form of Baldur's Gate 3 DLC announcement this year.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%

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Released: August 3, 2023
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s): Larian Studios
Publisher(s): Larian Studios
Engine: Divinity 4.0
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play: Full cross-platform play.

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Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.

THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.

A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.