SPOILERS AHEAD When players first boot up Baldur's Gate 3, they essentially have a choice between three differently-styled playthroughs: an Origin Character, a completely custom character (often referred to as Tav with the default name), and The Dark Urge, a hybrid custom Origin character with dark, murderous tendencies. It seems like a safe assumption that The Dark Urge doesn't appear in a standard playthrough as they are not a BG3 companion, and they drastically influence the events of the game.
An Origin character sees players step into the shoes of Shadowheart, Gale, Astarion, Wyll, Lae'Zel, or Karlach. A custom character allows players to choice their appearance, race, and class. The Dark Urge, also referred to as Durge, is an Origin character with a unique story, but one that is completely customizable. The default Dark Urge is a White Dragonborn Storm Sorcerer.
However, that's not the case—it's entirely possible to find Durge in BG3 Act 3 in an Origin character or Tav character playthrough. What's more, it means that the Dark Urge's influence on the events of Baldur's Gate 3 remains in standard playthroughs; they're just not alive to see it through. Of course, it's entirely possible for someone to not realize what they're looking at if they haven't seen The Dark Urge through to the end.
Baldur's Gate 3: The Dark Urge's Storyline Explained
Baldur's Gate 3's Dark Urge Origin Character is unique compared to other customization choices, and its story is incredibly compelling.
Finding BG3's Dark Urge Character in a Tav or Origin Character Playthrough
Eventually, players will learn that the Absolute plot is another ploy by the Dead Three, and they are doing so via three chosens: Ketheric, Gortash, and Orin the Red. What Durge players will learn is that, technically, Orin the Red and The Dark Urge are siblings and both chosens by their father, Bhaal. Baldur's Gate certainly has a history with Bhaalspawn, and BG3 is no different. Eventually, players will come face to face with Orin the Red in the Temple of Bhaal, and after defeating her, they can check out her room. It's far from unassuming, but many players will likely loot and move on, not realizing for example they can cast Speak with Dead to speak with Orin's mother.
Another notable element of Orin the Red's room is the corpse. If players investigate it, they will see that it's named the "Fallen Bhaalspawn" and is a white Dragonborn Sorcerer; in other words, it's the corpse of the default Dark Urge character. This means everything that the Dark Urge is responsible for in the game, such as hatching the plan with Gortash, remains true in a standard playthrough. Where it diverges is The Dark Urge surviving in a Durge playthrough, but Orin the Red keeping his corpse in other playthroughs. While that may seem odd, the corpse is heavily mutilated, and it's likely that Orin the Red has taken out her rage on it or tortured it for pure joy.
Ultimately, it's a little nod toward the wider Baldur's Gate 3 experience, and it stands to reason that fans will be discovering things like this for years to come. This may be doubly so if Larian Studios decides to create any DLC for Baldur's Gate 3.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- 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.
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Metascore
- 96
