Summary
Thecritically acclaimed RPGand 2023’s Game of the Year,Baldur’s Gate 3takes its mechanics, lore, and atmosphere from the tabletop roleplaying game,Dungeons and Dragons. One aspect that they don’t seem to use, at least not mechanically, is the concept of alignment.
WithinDnD,alignment is usually used to determine a character’s overall personality regarding the axes of order versus chaos and good versus evil, and it works neatly enough that it is often applied to other media. Neutral good is typically applied to a character who strives to follow their own moral code, doing what they feel is right. While not as rebellious as chaotic good characters, they are more likely to act against the norm than lawful good characters and don’t see the world in absolutes.
1Tara
Independent But Compassionate Companion
Kicking things off with a magical animal companion, Tara is the beloved tressym ally of the wizard companion, Gale. Like her friend, Tara is a good character who wants to better the world. Gale often states that Tara would be proud of him when he helps those in need.
But she is a winged cat, and cats are notoriously independent. Tara is no exception. She doesn’t mindchowing down on carrier pigeonsuntil explicitly told not to, and she is prone to throwing fireballs at players who disturb her.
2Alfira
Overall Good Person Following Her Moral Code
Alfira is a nice representation of the huge number of characters who could have made this list. It seems as though neutral good is one of the more common alignments, perhaps in real life, as well asBaldur’s Gate 3.
For most, like with thesweet-natured tiefling bard, Alfira,she presents herself as a character who just wants to help and uplift those around them. Little thought is given to the forces of order or chaos, simply following a personal moral code and, above all, doing what they can to be a genuinely good person.
3Dammon
Tough Past Hasn’t Dampened His Kind Nature
As with Alfira, Dammon is a tiefling refugee who stands out for his good deeds and lack of judgment in a world that he knows to rarely be black and white. Dammon’s main role is in the personal quest for the companion character, Karlach.
As an infernal mechanic, he assists her with the infernal engine she has for a heart. Like Karlach, Dammon spent his fair share of time in indentured service in the hells, knowing all too well that good people can end up being forced to do bad things. Yet his tough experiences haven’t dampened his kind nature.
4Yenna
Mature And Sweet Kid Who Joins The Camp
While kids can often lean moretowards chaotic good,with an idealistic outlook that pushes the boundaries of conventions, Yenna seems to fall more on the neutral side. Yenna is a sweet little girl with a pet cat called Grub, whom players encounter in Act Three.
Yenna is missing her mother and, as a recent orphan, can come to stay at the camp. While staying with a group of adventurers is undoubtedly unconventional, she seems to have a maturity about her, acting politely and earning her keep at the camp by cooking.
5Mayrina
Pushes Conventions But Challenges Evil
It is hard to claim that Mayrina is lawful. This poor grieving girl makes a deal with a hag, intending to trade her unborn baby for the life of her dead husband, Connor. She is more than happy to take his rotting, zombified corpse back to Baldur’s Gate with her and continue to treat him as her husband.
But, despite her pushing social boundaries and making some grief-stricken mistakes, she is still a good person who goes on to challenge evil wherever she sees it and is, generally speaking, an upstanding citizen.
6Gandrel
Hunts Monsters But Understands The Gray Lines
The monster hunter, Gandrel, and his fellow Gur seem to display a tendency towards neutral good. They aim to root out and destroy evil,specifically the vampire blightthat has cast its shadow over Baldur’s Gate.
However, their black-and-white view of the monstrous is challenged when they find their children turned into vampire spawns. Thankfully, the Gur show that they value compassion over mindlessly upholding their monster-slaughtering ways, as they continue to raise and support their vampiric children beneath the surface of Baldur’s Gate.
7Nettie
Upholds Order But Takes Decisive Action
Good aligned druids are often neutral good. After all, if there is any force that understands the inherent balance between order and chaos, it is nature. Nettie, the healer in the Druid Grove, is no exception.
While she is primarily a good character who keeps the status quo, she can take drastic and unconventional action when she feels it is necessary. Players who are evasive or otherwise clueless when being questioned about their illithid tadpole will soon find out just how decisive she can be!
8Zevlor
Would Kill To Protect Good People
As theleader of the tiefling refugeesand a Hellrider paladin, it would be fair to consider Zevlor as lawful good. After all, he follows a distinct code and acts for the good of those around him.
However, Zevlor is not against breaking the law or causing trouble if he feels it is the right thing to do. After all, if players plant the idea in his head, he is perfectly happy for the players to kill the vicious stand-in Archdruid, Kagha, if it means protecting the refugees under his care from eviction and almost certain death.
9Gale
Hero Who Pushes Mortal Boundaries
Tara’s previously mentioned friend, the wizard companion character, Gale, is pretty much as good as they come. Any player who explores the early game with Gale will quickly find that being a decent person around him leaves him desperate to be their friend if not lover. He values heroic actions and being an overall good person.
But it would be a stretch to consider Gale lawful. He also establishes that he can be a menace who breaks the rules if he feels the rules are unfair. This goes on to encompass his arrogant folly and desire to push the boundaries of magic beyond the laws that govern mortal mages.
10Halsin
Good Political Leader Who Values Freedom
Anotherneutral good playable character, Halsin is the leader of the Druid Grove. He values harmony, peace, and doing the right thing, also approving of a player’s more honorable decisions. But, as expected for a druid, he understands the balance between order and chaos.
His more lawful nature is seen in his role as a political leader, but he often expresses disdain for the politics and conventions of civilization. Overall, Halsin is an undeniably good character who, despite an appreciation for the necessity of order, will always hold a deep love for the freedom and importance of chaos.
