All of the Companion characters inBaldur’s Gate 3have their own interesting backstories and personalities, even if they always have to be second to the protagonist. Even though Jaheira doesn’t make an appearance until Act 2, she has a longer and more detailed story that goes far back into history.
Once upon a time, when Baldur’s Gate was a different city and a whole other game, Jaheira was also one of Tav’s loyal friends and party members. She’s had a long, exciting life and intends to keep fighting for justice, but there’s more to her than a loyal and fierce Harper soldier.
6Originally From Tethyr
An Orphan From A Noble Bloodline
Perhaps some of her stubborn and occasionally sanctimonious tone comes from her family background. Jaheira is the child of Tethyrian nobles who were loyal to their king, but he was not so well-liked by his subjects, and Jaheira’s immediate familywere some of the first victimsof a bloody peasant uprising.
Jaheira was only a year old at the time, small enough that a servant girl was able to grab her and run into the forest, where they had the good fortune to stumble upon an enclave of Druids. This not only explains Jaheira’s righteous attitude but also her class, which is consistent throughout the games.
5A Military Background
It Might Explain Her Crisp Demeanor
In the first couple ofBaldur’s Gategames, characters didn’t have as many customizable details, so Backgrounds weren’t a thing. In the first game, however, her class was slightly different. She was multi-classed as a Fighterin addition to being a Druid, and she retained the melee fighting style in the modern games.
InBaldur’s Gate 3, it’s natural to give Jaheira the Background of a Soldier, and it’s a nice change from the usual Hermit or Outlander. Harpers are a militant organization in the first place, so a Soldier in their ranks would be a good fit.
4Has Fought Bhaal Before
Possibly Why She Has No Fear Of The Dark Urge
Both of the previous gamestook place during the Time of Troubles, when gods walked the earth as mortals, and the Lord of Murder was among them. Bhaal fathered many children in his mortal form, including the protagonist, and Jaheira is one of the few people who knows this information. It’s something Gorion told her about even before the first game started.
Being a friend of Gorion, the venerated scholar who raised the main character in the first two games, Jaheira knew the main character was Bhaalspawn before they even did. This is one of the reasons behind the unique dialogue and interactions she has with the players should they choose to play as the Dark Urge, at one point even tying them up to prevent a slaughter.
3Save Her To Save Minsc
If She Dies, Her Companion Quest Ends
Jaheira meets the protagonist in Act 2, but she’s not available as a companion until the fight with Ketheric Thorm at the very end. That means she has to survive the Shadow-cursed Lands and events like Marcus' attack on Last Light Inn andthe fight at Moonrise Towers.
If she dies, her Companion quest ends and another legacy character, the Ranger Minsc, can’t be recruited as a party member. The quest to pursue the Stone Lord is still available, but Minsc will likely die in the encounter if Jaheira isn’t there to talk him out of it.
2Available As A Companion
But Not A Romantic One
Jaheira is married to Khalid inBG1, and the two are close. She can only be in the party if Khalid is with her, so it’s lucky that the earlier games allowed up to six companions instead of the modern four inBG3. He’s a Fighter, so together they have more than decent melee damage.
In the second game, however, she’s still a loyal companion in the partybut her relationship status haschanged and male protagonists are able to romance her. This is why she has some dialogue inBG3that references the legends of her romantic tryst with the Bhaalspawn who saved Baldur’s Gate a hundred years ago.
1She’s A Widow
Some References To Husband Khalid Appear In BG3
Baldur’s Gate 2opens with the usual “kidnapped and waking up in a strange place” plot twist, which starts most of the games, but the trope turns to tragedy when Khalid is found dead. It’s assumed he was tortured to death,but any other specificsare left out and no further clarification is offered later in the game or inBG3.
However, during the visit to Jaheira’s house in the city, when the player finds out she has a family and an actual house, there are many references to his character. She keeps a secret vault with several keepsakes in the form of letters, jewelry, and Jaheira’s own memories. It’s possible to access this via a quest that leads to a secret passage beneath the house.
