Summary
As the latest entry in the Forgotten Realms setting ofDungeons and Dragons,Baldur’s Gate 3is naturally filled to the brim with references to previous characters and stories. Characters from the first two games appear, the arch-wizard Elminster stops by to visit, and Volothamp Geddarm is a consistent humorous presence. Rather, one keyForgotten Realmsfigure is missing: Drizzt Do’Urden, the infamous drow created by R.A. Salvatore. Drizzt’s absence inBaldur’s Gate 3may have been due to rights issues, but developer Larian Studios managed to hide some humorous references that Drizzt fans can enjoy.
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Astarion Apparently Isn’t A Fan
One consistent source of humor inBaldur’s Gate 3is the offbeat but funny lines characters speak when players select them on the party screen. Gale quotes Shakespeare, Minsc referencesCritical Role,and Halsin makes a rather groan-worthy “poking a bear” pun. A hidden Drizzt reference can sometimes be encountered when clicking onvampire rogue Astarion—he will refer to the famous drow as “Drizzt Don’t’urden” before immediately admonishing himself that it wasn’t funny. This is especially humorous, as voice actor Neil Newbon is an avid Drizzt fan and portrayed Astarion as such during the cast’sHigh Rollers Dungeons and Dragonsstream.
“More like Drizzt Don’t’Urden. No…no, that’s not funny.” - Astarion
Minthara Also Isn’t Impressed
As a drow herself, NightwardenMinthara Baenreis understandably familiar with Drizzt. This battle-happy paladin, who can only be recruited if players turn against the druids of the Emerald Grove, is not a fan of male drow in general, and Drizzt is no exception. Players can learn Minthara’s true thoughts on him if they romance her and choose her as their partner for a “love test” at the Circus of the Last Days. Choosing Drizzt as “the person Minthara admires the most” will earn disapproval and the following blunt assessment:
“Please. I’d rather spend my nights with a drider than with that do-gooder and his pussycat.” - Minthara
Sorn Orlith “Gets Asked That A Lot”
In Act 3 ofBaldur’s Gate 3,players may purchase the services of drow twins Sorn and Nym Orlith at Sharess’s Caress. Sorn, who serves the establishment’s more “adventurous” clients, is apparently frequently asked to roleplay asDrizzt. Should players ask this of him, he reluctantly complies, giving a rather mocking performance that, rather than anything actually seductive, focuses on the humorous names of Drizzt’s twin scimitars—Twinkle and Icingdeath. Amusingly, Sorn is more willing to engage in subpar, boring intimacy with the player than he is to bring out his Drizzt impression.
There Are Other Small Drizzt References Hidden Around
While none are as humorous as the three previously mentioned, there are a handful of other references to Salvatore’s iconic drow ranger hidden aroundBaldur’s Gate 3.These include:
It is slightly disappointing that Drizzt did not make an in-person appearance inBaldur’s Gate 3,especially as he had cameo appearances in the two previousBaldur’s Gategames. However, Larian Studios does its best to let keen-eyed players know that Drizzt is still around and active in the world of Faerun and that not everyone is necessarily impressed by the legendary hero of Menzoberranzan. There is still a possibility that Drizzt could appear inDLC forBaldur’s Gate 3, especially as the characters encountered him during the High Rollers stream, and both Shadowheart and Astarion seemed eager to meet with him again in the future.
