Summary
The druid Jaheira, an iconic character from the originalBaldur’s Gategames, returns as a playable character inBaldur’s Gate 3.In the approximately one hundred years between games, she took on a leadership role in the Harper organization, adopted several children, and led an investigation into the growing Cult of the Absolute. But the formidable Jaheira is still holding on to a great tragedy from her past: the loss of her husband, Khalid, long before the events ofBaldur’s Gate 3.
Jaheira Was Married To Fellow Harper Khalid
In theoriginalBaldur’s Gate, Jaheira and her husband Khalid were introduced as members of the Harper organization and allies of Gorion, the player character’s foster father. They came as a pair, meaning they had to be kept in the party together, and were incompatible with a pair of evil-aligned companions: the necromancer Xzar and his friend Montaron.
Khalid was a half-elf fighter from the nation of Calimshan, who chose to study weaponry instead of following the path of his merchant parents. He and Jaheira were happily married and extremely devoted to one another, with the nervous and stuttering Khalid often deferring to the more outspoken Jaheira in conversation. According to the official website for the firstBaldur’s Gategame, the pair met when Jaheira saved Khalid from being executed by an organization called the Shadow Thieves. In the expansionSiege of Dragonspear,one side quest sees Khalid crafting a handmade necklace for Jaheira as an anniversary present. It provides unique benefits when worn, but is usable only by Jaheira.
Khalid’s Death Paved The Way For Jaheira’s Romance
Unfortunately, the pair’s happy marriage was not to last. Along with the player character, Imoen, Minsc, and Dynaheir, the Harpers were kidnapped by Jon Irenicus, a power-hungry mage, at the beginning ofBaldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn.While escaping from Irenicus' dungeon, Jaheira finds her husband’s lifeless body and theorizes that Irenicus had used him in one of his twisted experiments. Khalid’s body was too badly damaged to be magically resurrected.
Despite her husband’s recent death,Jaheirawas a romance option for male human, elf, half-elf, and halfling player characters inBaldur’s Gate 2.Players could rescue her from a curse and help her renounce her status as a Harper after discovering corruption within the organization. If romanced, Jaheira would not marry the player, but they would have a stable relationship that persisted despite often spending years apart.
Baldur’s Gate 3’sJaheira Still Holds On To Khalid’s Memory
Most Harpers swagger and flash their feathers to catch your attention. Khalid was of a quieter sort. I have never known a warrior who would go so far out of his way to avoid a fight. Which meant the few he chose were usually the right ones. -Jaheira
WhenJaheira returns inBaldur’s Gate 3, she is not a romantic option for the player - although developer Larian Studios reportedly considered this option. She does not reference Khalid often, but her late husband clearly holds a special place in her memory. Should players visit Jaheira’s house in the city of Baldur’s Gate, they can accompany her to a hidden basement where she keeps memories of Khalid, including the necklace he made for her inSiege of Dragonspear.
Jaheira cannot be Fatigued
Heals/increases max HP by 10 once per long rest
WIS+1
Jaheira cannot be Cursed
Khalid’s death is a tragic one, and sets the immediate darker tone ofBaldur’s Gate 2.Had he lived, he could potentially have appeared as a companion inBaldur’s Gate 3,as he is a half-elf like Jaheira andShadowheart. However, although he is gone, Jaheira clearly remembers him fondly and will continue to do so for the rest of her life.
