The Dark Urge’s Connection to Withers Explained

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.

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

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a Dungeons and Dragons inspired RPG developed and published by Larian Studios. Featuring both a single player and cooperative element, players create their character by selecting a starting class, take on quests, level up, and engage in turn-based combat using the D&D 5th edition rule set.

Franchise

Baldur’s Gate

Platform(s)

PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Metascore

96

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-4

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players