Dark Urge in Baldur's Gate 3 Explained BG3, What is the Dark Urge in Baldur's Gate 3?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Aug 14, 2023
Dark Urge in Baldur's Gate 3 Explained BG3
The option known as the Dark Urge stands as one of the intriguing character origins you can opt for when fashioning your in-game persona. By selecting this origin, your outward appearance aligns with that of a Dragonborn, yet you retain the power to customize your look and species according to your preference. Remember, appearances can be deceiving, for it's the inner motives that truly matter.
And what lies within the heart of the Dark Urge origin? A compulsion to inflict harm and take lives. Your protagonist, grappling with amnesia, remains clueless about the driving force behind their sinister desires, often losing control. Initially, the Dark Urge subtly shapes your dialogue choices. For instance, encountering Astarion prompts your character to comment on his potential as a "pretty corpse."
As you journey through the game, the Dark Urge asserts itself with increasing intensity. On certain occasions, you might opt to unleash this malevolent force, while other times, it wrests control away from you.
A pivotal moment arises when you encounter Timber the Squirrel. Typical players can decide whether to kick it through a Dexterity Roll, possibly proving fatal. However, for a character marked by the Dark Urge, mere interaction results in an automatic kick, requiring no further input from the player.
Avoiding spoilers, I'll allude to a particularly enticing character whose life the Dark Urge compels you to end in your slumber. While this origin presents potential power and character benefits, you must weigh them against the price of spilled blood and perhaps, unsuspecting furry creatures.
In the early stages of my Dark Urge character's journey, a blend of The Chuckle Brothers and Dean Learner from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, I'm discovering the intricacies of this choice. Those further along the path suggest it's possible to eventually shed the Dark Urge's influence. Yet, is that truly where the allure lies?
So, if you're contemplating infusing your Baldur’s Gate 3 experience with a distinctively dark twist, the enigma of the Dark Urge has been unveiled. For more insights into the game, peruse our guides on party member respecs and troubleshooting save bugs. And if you're a newcomer, delve into Destructoid’s informative beginner’s guide to Baldur’s Gate 3.
What is the Dark Urge in Baldur's Gate 3?
Within the realm of Baldur's Gate 3, where myriad variables and permutations thrive, the enigma of the Dark Urge unfurls along two significant paths: Surrender or Resist. Opting for the former entails embarking on a murderous spree throughout the game, while resisting its allure proves equally riveting, as the allure of murder intertwines with the thrill of resistance.
Laden with Dark Urge choices strewn across the gameplay, players grapple with relentless temptation, a struggle not easily quelled. Irrespective of staunch resistance, the urge may eventually compel even the most resolute to take lives. A crucial instance involves a Tiefling Bard, initially appearing as a potential party member, only to meet an untimely end by the player's hands during slumber. Further revelations follow, shrouded in secrecy, as players encounter the enigmatic Scleritas Fel.
From Scleritas, the truth emerges in fragments, illuminating the dark compulsions and the ever-watchful "father." Players are tasked with yet another target, their choices shaping the unfolding narrative. Scleritis, in a bid to manipulate, may even coerce the player into eliminating their own beloved.
This interaction becomes a pivotal point that charts the course of their relationship, with a poignant Karlach romance offering a heartwarming twist. As the journey leads to Moonrise Towers, it becomes evident that the inhabitants harbor past connections with the player character. Among them, the formidable Ketheric Thorm, a significant antagonist, oddly revels in the player's amnesia. The fragments of truth found here merely serve as a prelude to the answers that await in Baldur's Gate.
A revelation of paramount significance dawns upon players: they are Bhaalspawn, the progeny of Bhaal, the Lord of Murder. While seemingly logical, the role of the Dead Three within Baldur's Gate 3 emerges as an astonishing twist, especially within the context of the Illithid plot. Amidst the intricate tapestry of events, players discover themselves to be a sibling to the antagonist Orin the Red, the very leader of the Bhaalist Cult that preceded Orin's murderous attempt.
This ill-fated encounter led to the loss of the player's memories and their subsequent capture by the Illithid. Yet, deeper layers await exploration: it is unveiled that the entire plot was masterminded by the Dark Urge player. At Moonrise Towers, it was this very player who crowned the Elder Brain, a harbinger of intent to control or obliterate the world through the Absolute.
Armed with these revelations, players confront the choice of either thwarting Orin's designs and reclaiming their role or vanquishing Orin the Red for her stone, thus renouncing their connection to their father.
Yet, the ire of a deity seldom bears auspicious outcomes in Baldur's Gate 3, and this case is no different. Those striving to resist the Dark Urge and seek redemption face the wrath of Bhaal, resulting in their demise as a consequence of defiance. While initially resembling a game-ending scenario, Withers intervenes, adding yet another layer of astonishment.
Withers, harboring cryptic ties to the Dead Three, is revealed as a savior. He resurrects the player, shedding light on the truth that Bhaal has merely eradicated their former self, liberating them from the shackles of the Dark Urge. The rekindled existence, borne anew, beckons players to navigate the path ahead. The declaration "the heart of a savior has overcome the mind of a murderer" resonates with a poignancy that defies expectation.
With these intricate revelations and choices awaiting, the captivating narrative of Baldur's Gate 3's Dark Urge beckons to those willing to embark on a journey where the shades of gray define the very essence of their existence.
How Does Dark Urge Change Baldur's Gate 3?
Contrary to my initial assumptions, the Dark Urge brings a seismic shift to Baldur's Gate 3's main campaign. It dares you to tread a path where even your dearest companion's life is not sacrosanct, and its relentless demands beckon you to heed its bloodthirsty call. Yet, as is the hallmark of this sprawling RPG, the power of choice remains ever-present. Succumbing to its sinister allure, you're propelled into a realm of monumental decisions – a realm where cataclysmic consequences can unfurl if you acquiesce.
Remarkably, the Dark Urge doesn't consign you to a rigid appearance while sculpting your character. Opting for the Dark Urge bestows the background of the Haunted One, a figure haunted by glimpses of a malevolent visage within their dreams.
Yet, within these bounds, you retain the autonomy to shape your visage, choose your class, and define your race. As you traverse the labyrinthine narrative, familiar companions from the realm of Baldur's Gate 3 still weave their presence into your journey, rendering the misconception of severed ties null and void.
Engaging in additional voice-over narration lines, the Dark Urge's voice resonates through dialogue choices. Conversations with NPCs or solitary introspections introduce options tinged with a hint of violence. These divergent paths of discourse offer glimpses into a world where bloodlust and macabre perspectives taint the canvas of interaction.
Whether it's envisioning Astarion's demise as a "perfect pretty corpse" or embracing the death of a tiefling child for morbid amusement, the Dark Urge shapes your perception of reality. The question of whether you succumb to its whispers or rise against its sinister pull rests solely on your volition. The narrative trajectory hinges upon your response – a narrative that is yet to fully unfurl.
Among the tapestry of unique gameplay moments, certain instances remain exclusive to those who heed the Dark Urge. An illustrative case unveils itself when your character brutally ends the life of Alfira, a tiefling bard aspiring to join your ranks. In the realm of Emerald Grove, during rest in Baldur's Gate 3, your Dark Urge character awakens to a grisly tableau – Alfira's lifeless form sprawled before their bedroll, hands drenched in her blood.
At this juncture, you're presented with choices: a discreet burial, inaction, or confessing to your companions. This is a mere glimpse into the plethora of Dark Urge-specific moments that dot Baldur's Gate 3's landscape. Its enigmatic allure promises an unfolding tapestry of surprises, a journey that beckons even Sceleritus Fel into its fold.
Dark Urge in Baldur's Gate 3 Explained BG3 - FAQs
The Dark Urge is a character origin in Baldur's Gate 3 that introduces a compelling narrative twist involving violent tendencies and moral dilemmas.
The Dark Urge influences dialogue options and choices, offering players more violent and macabre alternatives during interactions with NPCs and private thoughts.
Yes, players have the choice to resist the Dark Urge or embrace it, adding an intriguing layer of role-playing and impacting the story accordingly.
Embracing the Dark Urge can lead to catastrophic effects, such as killing beloved companions or committing violent acts that have far-reaching implications on the narrative.
While the Dark Urge assigns your character a fixed background as the Haunted One, it allows you to customize your appearance, class, and race according to your preferences.