Summary
Karlach is one of the most popular Origin companions inBaldur’s Gate 3thanks to her story as a former slave forced to participate in the Blood War of the Hells. Her past as a former bodyguard of one of the main antagonists, Lord Enver Gortash, gives her a connection to the main storyline ofBaldur’s Gate 3, and her commentary during Act 2 of the game gives insight into both her past and Gortash’s nature and motivations.
Karlach reveals she was once a normal tiefling and grew up in Baldur’s Gate, and it was only years later that she was sold to the archdevil Zariel by Gortash. AsGortash is the Chosen of Bane, the Lord of Tyranny and Slavery, selling one of his most loyal guards into slavery wouldn’t be out of character. Unfortunately for Karlach, he was masquerading as a benevolent lord, and Karlach was unaware of his loyalties to Bane and his true nature.
Gortash and Bane’s History of Slavery
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Dealing of the Hells
Gortash’s relationship with the Hells isn’t new, and it’s revealed in the Dark Urge’s storyline that he and the Urge raided the archdevil Mephistopheles' vault tosteal the Crown of Karsus in the Hells. His connection to Zariel for power is an extension of his ambitions in Faerun, and Karlach was the victim in his dealings with her. It’s clear that Zariel received a powerful ally when Karlach was sold to her thanks to Karlach’s skills in combat and her success in adapting to the infernal engine, but it’s less clear why Gortash benefitted from selling his most loyal ally.
What Did Gortash Get Out of Selling Karlach?
Gortash’s pet project, the Steel Watch, are the new overseers of Baldur’s Gate and act as enforcers. They are powered with advanced versions of Karlach’s infernal engine, something which is discussed if a Steel Watch member is approached with Karlach is in the party. The Steel Watch calls Karlach’s infernal engine outdated and redundant, and instead of recognizing her as a person, it instead logs her as another member of the Steel Watch.
Gortash clearly basedthe technology of the Steel Watch on Karlach’s infernal engine, which she only received after being sold and arriving in Avernus. Upon being destroyed, the Steel Watch also drop pieces of infernal iron, giving hints to their origins. Drawing from this evidence, Gortash probably received the original design for the infernal engine along with materials and resources to build the Steel Watch in exchange for selling Karlach to Zariel.
Karlach’s History with Zariel
Why Zariel Chose Karlach
Zariel’s interest in Karlach may have run twofold: first, her physical prowess and skills as a fighter made her a good candidate for the infernal engine and for the role she was to play, and secondly,Karlach’s background as a Zariel tiefling. While they’re not directly related in any meaningful way, being a Zariel tiefling, and thus descended from Zariel, would probably make Karlach a more attractive option to Zariel as a personal pet project and champion for reasons of vanity and ego.
Karlach Excelled as Champion
The player never gets to see Karlach participate in the Blood War, but NPCs like thetiefling refugees and Wyllcomment on her ferocity and skill on the frontlines. Despite the fact that the infernal engine is a death sentence for Karlach in Faerun, overall she seems to take to it well in the Hells, something that is unlikely many others could do. Zariel was likely aware of this and so was particular about who she would choose as her champion. Zariel’s contact with Gortash all but guaranteed Karlach’s fate, as she had all the right characteristics the archdevil was looking for.
Baldur’s Gate 3
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 EXPERIENCEChoose 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 EPICForged 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.
