Baldur’s Gate 3 Lets You Enter A Conversation As Shovel The Quasit

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that continues to surprise. Despite numerous complete playthroughs of Larian’s masterwork, I never knew you could enter a conversation as a summon or familiar. The thought of facing down Gortash as a flaming sphere or spectral hand is one that merits further exploration.

I learned of this feature from a recent Reddit thread by redhoborum, who found themselves engaged in a contentious conversation. However, when the camera panned over to their character, they weren’t a sweet-talking Tav but the “cheeky quasit” Shovel who was caught trying to sneak past an encounter.

Deicide

The encounter occurred in the Underdark, during the game’s first act. The Festering Cove is a somewhat hidden location in the are where a group of Kuo-toa worship an aggressive redcap named BOOOAL, their “god of murder.” To resolve the encounter non-violently, you’ll need to convince the assembled amphibians that BOOOAL is not a god, after all.

Unfortunately, Shovel isn’t the most charismatic demon to ever leave the Abyss, holding a charisma score of just 10. That isn’t the worst charisma score in Faerun, but you need to pass two DC 15 checks to convince the head fish Pooldripp the Zealous. Unfortunately, Shovel was unable to convince the assembled Kuo-toa of BOOOAL’s fraud.

“I sent Shovel ahead of the party to get into position (in case I failed my rolls),” redhoborum explains. “Unfortunately, Shovel stepped in a puddle and lost her invisibility, which triggered this amusing and unexpected scene. Shovel (predictably) failed her persuasion rolls, resulting in the annihilation of the Kuo-Toa and their bargain bin “lord of murder.””

Although Shovel was unsuccessful in her first foray into the world of negotiations, the quasit may still have untapped potential in the field. Perhaps in the future, Shovel could convince Shadowheart to turn from the dark embrace of Lady Shar, or LaeZel to turn from her equally fraudulent deity Vlaakith. There is untapped potential in this young quasit.

Unfortunately for Shovel, there are plenty of summons more suited to the art of persuasion. Deva and Djinni have a score of 20, while Dryads have a score of 18. So, if you’re ever in a battle of wits, and your party is full of dunces, consider sending forth an angel in your stead.

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence