Year of the RPG: Baldur’s Gate

So… even though Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn is often considered the better game between the two, I decided to play the original game, in the same way that I came across an advertisement for Dragon Age: Inquisition before I played Dragon Age: Origins, and decided to start the series at the beginning.

We all know how that story ends.

And boy, does Baldur’s Gate feel like a 2D Dragon Age. This isn’t surprising, as it was made by the talented folks from BioWare. Needless to say, I’m so excited, you guys.

But I digress.

We’re already into our fourth game for Year of the RPG, and it’s been a wild ride! But we’re safely back in third-person viewership (or at least not-first person), and operating under fairly familiar rules. And by that, I mean the rules of Dungeon and Dragons as presented by BioWare. I’m not much of a PC gamer anymore, but the promise of good old-fashioned point-and-click controls is pretty enticing.

The Adventurer

Name: Daesala

Species: Half-elf

Class: Ranger

Alignment: Lawful Good

Backstory: Daesala doesn’t remember anything of her parents. Her entire existence has been in the citadel at Candlekeep, where she was raised by the sage named Gorion. She was always very studious and quiet, and was Gorion’s favorite by far.

From her education, she learned to put the good of the many over the good of the few, and decided that the best way to do that was by being a champion of the just laws of the land. Her friend, Imoen, was always a foil to her: lighthearted and with a sense of humor, easy to get along with, and never taking herself too seriously.

While respected within Candlekeep, Daesala sometimes comes across as knowing best. Her conclusions of what constitutes “good,” and her somewhat blunt presentation of her ideas, has occasionally ruffled feathers that Gorion or Imoen was forced to smooth out again. She is often teased for saying, “Everyone listen to me now,” when she feels that things have gone too far off-topic.

Generally affable, Daesala fiercely defends friends and allies, and is unwaveringly loyal to her friends, especially Imoen. When she gives her word, she keeps it at any cost, and her reliability and overall friendly nature gives people many reasons to overlook her flaws, which they do. Even when presented with an individual who is believed to be guilty of wrongdoing, Daesala will wait for concrete evidence before exacting or defending any sort of punishment. Her strong personal code for what is right and what is wrong has guided her for most of her life, and has yet to truly guide her wrong.

She is also very loyal to Gorion, and when he teaches, she listens to him and takes his words to heart. She respects him like he was her father, and enjoys sneaking him gingerbread cookies when she finds out they are being baked in the kitchens. He shakes his head, but can never contain his smile. Even the most lawfully good can have one moment of weakness, can’t they?

Oh, and she hates giant spiders.

Off She Goes to Watch Something Horrible Happen To Someone She Cares About Within the First 45 Minutes of the Game

Yeah. I know how BioWare games work.

But in all seriousness, I’m interested to see how playing as Lawful Good works out. One thing that I’ve learned along my RPG journey is that I tend to rock the Neutral Good, as that tends to be (as far as I can tell) my modus operandi in the physical world, as well. Playing as a character that upholds the law, to the detriment of the individual if necessary, will be an interesting way to play. I don’t believe that people should serve the law – even if it’s only when the law is seen as “good” – but rather that the laws (and government) should serve the people, so this level of goody-two-shoes will be, again, a new alignment for me to explore.

Off we go on another whirlwind adventure! Mailboxes are standing by, and my trained little dragonling is ready to carry the oodles of letters I might receive. If you’re on an adventure in Baldur’s Gate, drop me a line! Or, if your on an adventure somewhere else, let me know about that, too!

Oh, and if there’s anything I should absoutely know before venturing out, advice is welcome, too.

Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you soon!
~Athena

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