Baldur’s Gate 3 players explain why major villain is ‘the real hero’
Larian StudiosThe Baldur’s Gate 3 community is examining Orin the Red’s role in the game, particularly how she inadvertently foils her own plans.
Of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s various villains, arguably the most memorable is Orin the Red.
Since her reveal pre-launch, the brutal favored of Bhaal has grabbed players’ attention almost as well as she grabs their companions, inspiring stunning cosplays and even some copycats.
Now, though, Baldur’s Gate 3 players are discussing Orin’s role in the game and the ironic way she unintentionally sets in motion the plot that ultimately takes her and her allies down.
Note, spoilers for the Dark Urge storyline to follow.
Baldur’s Gate 3Baldur’s Gate 3 players say Orin “saved the world” from the Dark Urge
As the Dark Urge’s storyline reveals, the character is actually a Bhaalspawn created from the God of Murder’s own dead flesh. Prior to the start of Baldur’s Gate 3, they were the God of Murder’s favorite and working with Enver Gortash and Ketheric Thorm on the plan to enslave the Elder Brain and turn everyone into mindflayers.
However, a jealous Orin attacked the Dark Urge, infecting them with an illithid tadpole and causing their amnesia.
As Reddit user kalik-boy points out, though, Orin’s betrayal ultimately backfired – and she may have accidentally “saved the world.”
“Out of jealousy she put out comission arguably the most dangerous person in the realm,” they explain.
Since the Dark Urge still exists whether you play as them or not, this applies to any Baldur’s Gate 3 run. As the poster further explains, “If you don’t play as Durge, he’s dead, thank goodness, but if you play as them, they are so busted and whacked in the head that they don’t remember shit! Giving them an opportunity to change their personality and alignment.”
By replacing the Dark Urge, Orin inadvertently upended the plot. Not only does the Dark Urge have the chance to fight their instinct and choose to be a better person, but Orin’s own chaotic actions show she’s not a great leader.
As one commenter puts it “Orin, in her stupid bhaalist dumbassery, thwarted her father’s plans and saved the world.”
Some went even further, joking that this makes Orin the true hero of Baldur’s Gate 3. Of course, this is still Orin, a bloodthirsty descendant of Bhaal who relishes in the beauty and cruelty of her kills, so she definitely doesn’t deserve that much credit.