Summary
- Withers is an important character in the Dark Urge's story in Baldur's Gate 3, supporting them more than any other Origin and sharing some heartfelt scenes together.
- Withers is likely the god Jergal, found inside a temple dedicated to him and possessing the ability to bring the dead back to life.
- Withers opposes the Dead Three and empowers the party to ensure the plot of the Absolute fails without directly interfering in mortal matters.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a rich world filled with history and lore. With that lore comes mysteries that have yet to be solved. One of the most enigmatic characters is Withers, the helpful skeleton that hangs out at camp to revive companions and provides followers. Players who pick the Dark Urge Origin will note that the Dark Urge shares a connection with Withers thanks to their shared acquaintance with Bhaal, and the two characters have some notable scenes together that other characters don't get.
Withers plays an extremely important role in The Dark Urge's story and Baldur's Gate 3. His respect for a Dark Urge who resists Bhaal leads him to support them moreso than any other Origin, and the two have some heartfelt scenes together not seen in any other Origin.
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The Story Behind Withers in Baldur's Gate 3
Who is Withers?
Withers is found inside an ancient, dank temple filled with writing so old that the language is forgotten. The temple is dedicated to Jergal, the Scribe of the Dead and a god that few worship anymore. According to the lore of the Forgotten Realms, Jergal was originally the primary god of the dead before the Dead Three -- Bhaal, Bane, and Myrkul -- and is functionally their predecessor. He stepped down from his role when the Dead Three ascended from mortality to godhood, and became forgotten.
It's highly likely that Withers is Jergal:
- He's found inside a temple of Jergal inside a secret crypt.
- He can bring the dead back to life.
- He refuses to talk about his origins.
- He hints that he knows more about the Dead Three after the events at Moonrise Towers.
- The post-credits scene shows Withers talking to an effigy of the Dead Three with authority.
Who is The Dark Urge?
The Story Behind Baldur's Gate's Most Infamous Serial Killer
One of the Origins available to players is the Dark Urge; an Origin that isn't available as a companion, but whose story plays a key part in the events of Baldur's Gate 3, even if they're not present in the game. The Dark Urge is a pure Bhaalspawn created from the essence of Bhaal, the god of murder. In an effort to please their father, the Dark Urge came up with the plot of the Absolute, approached Enver Gortash, stole the Crown of Karsus from the vault of Mephistopheles, and orchestrated the events of Baldur's Gate 3.
The Dark Urge was the leader of the Dead Three's Chosen, but was betrayed by another Bhaalspawn, Orin, who attacked them and either killed or infected them with an illithid tadpole. If infected, the Dark Urge is left to complete their original plans another way, or to find an entirely different path.
Withers' Connection to Bhaal
As the predecessor to Bhaal, Withers has a connection to Bhaal as a god of death. Rather than supporting Bhaal or any of the Dead Three, Withers appears to be in direct opposition to them and empowers the party as much as possible to ensure the plot of the Absolute fails without overstepping the mandate given by Ao that gods do not directly interfere in mortal matters.
Withers' Relationship to The Dark Urge
The Dark Urge has the option to embrace Bhaal and become his Chosen once more, or to reject their father. Rejecting Bhaal results in Bhaal taking back his blood and life force from the Dark Urge. As the Dark Urge was created from Bhaal's life essence, this results in the Dark Urge's death.
However, Withers is impressed by the Dark Urge's defiance of Bhaal, and restores them to life. Because a Dark Urge who resisted Bhaal set out to become a new person and craft a new life, it's possible for them to survive completely independent of Bhaal. A Dark Urge who embraces Bhaal but rejects him in the end will receive a visit and similar respect from Withers, but less of a happy ending as they either die or succumb to madness.
Baldur's Gate 3
-
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
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Metascore
- 96
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
