Unknowingly Caused the Death of a Harper in Baldur’s Gate 3

Exploring the Complexity of Allies in Baldur’s Gate 3

The third act of Baldur’s Gate 3 emphasizes the importance of gathering allies to combat the malevolent forces of the Absolute. Among potential allies, the Harpers emerge as a significant faction. Players can readily recruit Jaheira, a prominent Harper, early in this act. Additionally, characters like Geraldus can be discovered throughout Rivington and the lower city, enhancing the narrative depth.

Archer Velicia: The Unreachable Harper

However, one notable Harper remains out of reach for players, often leading them to a tragic fate. Archer Velicia is an undercover agent in Rivington, and her true nature is shrouded in secrecy. Players can only uncover her true allegiances through a specific spell, but by the time this revelation occurs, any potential alliance is lost.

Not Everything In The Guild Is What It Appears

A Sheep in the Lion’s Den

Archer Velicia operates within the Guild, a notorious organized crime faction that links various rogues, thugs, and killers in Baldur’s Gate. During Act 3 of the game, the Guild finds itself in conflict with a new crime lord known as the Stone Lord, who serves the Absolute. Velicia takes part in a confrontation against the Stone Lord’s henchmen along Rivington’s coast, navigating tension near a boat laden with parasites from Moonrise Towers.

When players encounter this clash, they are presented with the choice to ally with the Guild or engage both factions in combat. This encounter features enemies like Blunt Skuncher and Old Flake-Eyes. The outcome of this skirmish will determine whether the Guild prevails and claims the Stone Lord’s goods or leaves only the player’s party standing.

This Harper Shares Her Secret Only In Death

Archer Velicia Takes Her Identity to the Grave

If Archer Velicia is spared, she behaves like a typical Guild member, spewing generic conversations while unloading cargo. There are no hints of her Harper affiliations, a curious oversight in a game rich with lore. The only means for players to discover her identity as a Harper is through her death and a subsequent use of the spell Speak with Dead on her remains.

Interestingly, the spell Speak with Dead typically fails when cast on a creature slain by the caster, as their spirit resists communication. Velicia, however, is an exception, likely due to her dedication to her mission overriding any personal concerns.

Upon using the spell, players learn that Velicia infiltrated the Guild as part of her covert surveillance to monitor their conflict with the Stone Lord. Her intentions were noble, aiming to protect Baldur’s Gate from an emerging threat while embedded among foes. Tragically, Velicia’s exceptional skills as a spy ultimately lead to her demise or render her invisible to potential allies in Baldur’s Gate 3.

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