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Karlach tends to be one of the last companions you will recruit during Act One ofBaldur’s Gate 3. As such, she doesn’t end up in most party set-ups, even though she’s a very capable Barbarian with a unique rage mechanic exclusive to her.
She has a dark past that is only matched by her bright outlook on life, wanting to make the most of every moment. While she’s the only Tiefling companion, she has little to do with the ones seeking refuge within the Druid’s Grove. Like all other companions (and yourself), She arrived at the Sword Coast inside the crashed Nautiloid.
Spoiler Warning!
Who Is Karlach?
Karlach Cliffgate was the personal bodyguard of Lord Enver Gortash, whom she looked up to greatly. She’d do anything to protect him until, one day, he sold her to a devil in Avernus to achieve his world-dominating goals.She would spend ten years serving the Archdevil Zariel as her champion.
Under Zariel’s command,Karlach’s heart was replaced with an Infernal Enginecapable of burning hotter than any fire. This gave her incredible strength, letting her take down any demon she faced during the Blood War, a never-ending war between the various fiends of the lower planes.
Karlach always tried to escape the hells to no avail. Until one day, a Nautiloid ship appeared out of nowhere. Seizing the opportunity, she climbed inside the vessel. While she was quickly discovered and infected with an illithid tadpole, she still managed to escape Avernus.
Can You Romance Karlach?
Yes, as long as you choose good actions whenever possible. Karlach is a character who yearns for physical contact, but that’s not possible when you first meet her. Her Infernal Engine is unstable, andher body burns so hot that it would burn anyone she touchedto a crisp.
You’ll need to follow her quest to fix her Engine before you canadvance with her romantically. Even then,her Infernal Engine will never be completely stable, giving your relationship a time limit. If Karlach doesn’t return to Avernus, she will die.
Will Karlach Die?
No, but only if she returns to Avernus. Her Engine can’t be removed without killing her since it would be like removing her heart. At first, Karlach prefers to die rather than return to that place since she spent the last ten years trying to escape.
She won’t return to Avernus alone, so to convince her, someone needs to travel with her. If Wyll is in your party, he’ll offer to accompany her and not let anything happen to her.If you have enough of a relationship with her, you may go instead.
