Summary
Fans of the originalBaldur’s Gategames might not be surprised to discover that iconic series antagonist Sarevok Anchev makes an appearance inBaldur’s Gate 3.However, the direction Larian Studios takes with this character is interesting. Previously, the once-evil Sarevok had an opportunity for redemption and could put his Bhaalspawn nature aside. However, inBaldur’s Gate 3,Sarevok has returned to being a fully evil character who loyally serves Bhaal and even heads up his Murder Tribunal.
Sarevok Was Once Bhaal’s Most Vicious Spawn
In theoriginalBaldur’s Gate,Sarevok Anchevis a cruel figure who kicks off the game’s conflict by murdering Gorion, the protagonist’s father figure. He then goes on to seize power and sow chaos throughout the Sword Coast, masterminding a plot that includes poisoning the iron supply, controlling both merchant guilds and bandit crews and ultimately naming himself a Duke of Baldur’s Gate. During the game’s conclusion, Sarevok attempts to claim Bhaal’s power for himself and rise as a new Lord of Murder but is stopped by the player character defeating him in battle.
Throne of Bhaal Offered Sarevok A Path To Redemption
Sarevok refuses to pass on, and, inThrone of Bhaal,an expansion toBaldur’s Gate 2,he can be reincarnated and recruited as a party member. This version of Sarevok is mortal and no longer considered a Bhaalspawn. He is initially recruited with the Chaotic Evil alignment, but, depending on dialogue choices made by the player character, he could abandon his murdering, power-hungry ways and shift to Chaotic Good. A Chaotic Good Sarevok grows to believe that there is a life for him outside his role as Bhaal’s son, and no longer wishes to become a tyrant or the new Lord of Murder.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Sees Sarevok Turn From Redemption
Unfortunately, any change Sarevok may have made at the end ofThrone of Bhaaldoes not stick. InBaldur’s Gate 3,he is firmly devoted to Bhaal, serving as the head of the Murder Tribunal alongside theechoes of other Bhaalspawnand Bhaal’s former high priestess Amelyssan. His return to Bhaal apparently happened a long time before the events ofBaldur’s Gate 3,as he has both a daughter, Helena, and a daughter-granddaughter (sired by him and his daughter), the new Chosen of Bhaal Orin the Red.
Sarevok’s portrayal inBaldur’s Gate 3shows him as fully evil, with no sign of the kinder man who gradually emerged throughoutThrone of Bhaal.His sole interest is murder, and he praises theDark Urge origin charactershould they accept their Bhaalspawn heritage. Despite supposedly caring for Orin, he is immediately willing to turn on her in favor of supporting the Dark Urge as Bhaal’s new Chosen.Baldur’s Gate 3’sSarevok also holds great resentment towards Jaheira and Minsc, despite having been their temporary ally inThrone of Bhaal,and can attempt to order the player character to kill them as a sacrifice.
Sarevok reclaimed his soul, once - and he still traded it back to his father for a pat on the head. - Jaheira
Jaheira andMinsc’s dialogue inBaldur’s Gate 3when brought before Bhaal’s Murder Tribunal indicates that Sarevok’s redemption inThrone of Bhaaldid occur, but did not stick. Jaheira in particular says that Sarevok “traded his soul” back to Bhaal, meaning that he deliberately turned away from the opportunity of living a better life and willingly chose to return to Bhaal’s service, rather than being coerced.
This Retcon May Not Have Been Larian Studios' Choice
In a game that offers many characters—including origin characters such as Shadowheart, Lae’zel, and Astarion—the opportunity to choose good over evil and follow a nobler path, it is disappointing to see Sarevok irredeemably returned to the darkness of Bhaal. However, this decision may have been made byDungeons and DragonsIP owner Wizards of the Coast, rather thanBaldur’s Gate 3developer Larian Studios.
Sarevok’s post-Throne of Bhaalfate is discussed inMinsc and Boo’s Journal of Villainy,a 5th EditionDungeons and Dragonsbook which includes many of the characters from the originalBaldur’s Gategames. Sarevok appears in this book as a Henchman-class villain, and his return to Bhaal’s service is explained. According to the book, he became an adventurer but found that none of his accomplishments brought him joy. He was eventually reduced to a beggar and was found by Bhaal, who recruited him as the high priest of his new clergy. Presumably, the Lord of Murder restored Sarevok’s lost Bhaalspawn essence, as he was able to sire Bhaalspawn of his own in the form ofBaldur’s Gate’s Helena and Orin.
The appearance of a non-redeemed Sarevok as the head of Bhaal’s Murder Tribunal is consistent withMinsc and Boo’s Journal of Villainy,and that book may be the reason a good-aligned Sarevok could not appear inBaldur’s Gate 3.Notably, one otherBaldur’s Gateparty member who was portrayed as returning to their dark roots in theJournal of Villainy, the drow Viconia deVir, also appears as an antagonist inBaldur’s Gate 3.
She is shown as having returned to her worship of Shar and is confronted during Shadowheart’s character quest. However, it should be noted thatBaldur’s Gate 3seems to contradict theJournal of Villainyin other areas, such as portraying the wizard Lorroakan as still being alive rather than slain by Edwin Odesseiron, unless the fan theory thatLorroakan is Edwin in disguiseis true.
While many fans are disappointed that a more heroic Sarevok did not appear inBaldur’s Gate 3,others are happy that arguably the series' most iconic villain did get to show up in some small way. Seeing Sarevok so broken down and thoroughly owned by Bhaal is tragic, though, especially for those who playedThrone of Bhaaland witnessed his triumphant redemption. The Dark Urge can resist Bhaal’s influence and become their own being in the end, and many feel that Sarevok should have been granted the same chance. He did, however, have to wait until the final game in the originalBaldur’s Gatesaga to earn his redemption, so perhaps a better ending for Sarevok is upcoming in a futureBaldur’s Gate 3DLCor sequel.
