Jaheira is one of the most iconic companions in theBaldur’s Gateseries, and her return inBaldur’s Gate 3has sent ripples of excitement across its fandom. As the lifelong friend of Gorion, she and her husband Khalid are often the first to join the good-aligned player’s party in the opening hours ofBaldur’s Gate. As Gorion’s ward, the player already has an established bond with Khalid and Jaheira, and their choice of class makes them a guaranteed boon to mostparty compositions inBaldur’s Gate.
However, Jaheira is also a tragic character who has endured a lot of trauma across the events of the first twoBaldur’s Gategames. Though she has often been a voice of reason - if impulsive and vengeful at times, it would seem that the intervening years betweenThrone of BhaalandBaldur’s Gate 3have only made her grow wiser.
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What Happened to Jaheira in Baldur’s Gate?
Jaheira features heavily inThe Game Awards 2022’sBaldur’s Gate 3trailer, serving as its narrator and arguably most prominent character. Minsc ferociously crawling out of a mimic stole the show, but Larian Studios definitely intend to make players understand that Jaheira will be playing a central role, transitioning from a righteous fighter and capable druid into that of a leader and mentor. She will seemingly guide players on their quest to rid themselves of the Mindflayer tadpole.
There are plenty of reasons why Jaheira is the perfect character to connect BioWare’sBaldur’s Gatesaga with the new Larian sequel. Beyond obvious ones, such as her popularity in the fandom, Jaheira’s complicated relationship with the Harpers and her headstrong nature make her a balanced mentor for theplayer character inBaldur’s Gate 3.
At the start ofBaldur’s Gate 2, Jaheira lost Khalid to the rigorous torture of Irenicus, leaving Jaheira distraught and traumatized for much of her time in Amn. Though she eventually overcomes her struggle with grief, and potentially starts a romance with Gorion’s ward, becoming a widow irrevocably changes Jaheira’s character.
The Jaheira that players meet inBaldur’s Gate 3has seemingly embraced her duties with the Harpers and risen through the ranks to become an omnipresent authority figure on the Sword Coast. Though she isn’t present in theEarly Access build ofBaldur’s Gate 3, her influence reaches the player well before they cross paths. In Act 1, it is heavily implied that Jaheira sends Harper agents to investigate the Cult of the Absolute, an organization that seems to have a vested interest in the player and their tadpole.
Many fans believe that the Dead Three (Bhaal, Myrkul, and Bane) are using the Cult of the Absolute as their latest bid for supremacy, and given Bhaal’s importance to the overarching plot of theBaldur’s Gategames, it makes sense that Jaheira would stand to oppose his schemes in honor of Gorion’s ward. These factors make her the ideal Gandalf figure in thestory ofBaldur’s Gate 3, but she is not alone in her quest.
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Minsc Joins Jaheira and the Player in Baldur’s Gate 3
As Jaheira puts it, Minsc is a man who sees the world in far simpler ways than most. He is a ranger who aspires to be no less than the traditional image of a hero, and many cynical companions from thefirst twoBaldur’s Gategamesfind Minsc infuriating to the point of conflict. While Minsc may not be the brightest, this unwavering resolve endears him to the audience - and having an adorable hamster sidekick helps.
GivenBaldur’s Gate 2came out at a time when save importing wasn’t a thing, BioWare established a default set of companions: Imoen, Jaheira, Khalid, Dynaheir, and Minsc. This lovable brute has been a staple of theBaldur’s Gateseries since 1998, and though some fans argue his inclusion as acompanion inBaldur’s Gate 3is just fan service, Jaheira showing up more than justifies having Minsc along for the journey given their mutual respect and admiration.
Minsc and Jaheira are the only characters to feature as companions in all threeBaldur’s Gategames, and this unique position is what makes their role inBaldur’s Gate 3so important. They connect games that are over two decades apart, and given the Bhaalspawn Saga concluded inThrone of Bhaal, their absence inBaldur’s Gate 3- set a century after - would have made Larian’s sequel too disconnected from what came before.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 is Better For Including Jaheira and Minsc
The legacy ofBaldur’s Gateis so vast that it has spawned or directly inspired several modernfranchises such as BioWare’sDragon Age,Pillars of Eternity, thePathfindergames, as well as Larian’s ownDivinity: Original Sin. The burden of continuing that legacy is a heavy one.Baldur’s Gate 3uses the Fifth Edition ofDungeons and Dragons, and whereas the Second Edition was ideal for adapting to into the pausable real-time combat seen in the first two games, Fifth Edition lends itself much better to a turn-based style.
This departure forBaldur’s Gate 3has split the fanbase, with more cynical folks believingBaldur’s Gate 3would be better as aDivinityspin-off. Though the differences between the combat styles may be irreconcilable, bringing Jaheira and Minsc back is the perfect way to tether the sequel to its predecessors in spirit. There may still be a chance that other companions such as Viconia or Jan Jansen make an appearance, but if Jaheira and Minsc are the only ones to return, it will be enough.Baldur’s Gate 3has its own story to tell, and if Larian sticks the landing, it will have a legacy of its own as well.
Baldur’s Gate 3releases in August 2023 on PC.
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