MeinMMO author Dariusz Müller is currently playing Baldur’s Gate 3, but his character has taken a completely different path than originally planned.
Everyone knows the stereotypes and prejudices that exist towards politicians – they are dishonest and hungry for power, always out for their own gain. They deceive, manipulate and try to convince people of their goals. At the same time, promises are made that are never kept. And yes, somehow I managed to unintentionally become that person in Baldur’s Gate 3.
My path to becoming a politician began with simple dialogues. First, I chose the options my followers wanted to hear. Then I promised the Tieflings of the Emerald Grove that I would help them. I told the druids I was with them and made the goblins think I was helping them attack the Emerald Grove.
But then I put off individual parties and let them wait, instead pursuing things that served my own benefit. Every people trusted me, thought I would stand up for them – but I let them all down.
I accumulated chunky wealth, sucked up to the various factions, formed partnerships, and took a long rest. Before I knew it, situations escalated and my inaction sparked fights, cost lives – while I happily drank wine with Shadowheart and Astarion in the camp.
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Lying but not evil, hungry for power but not powerful
I should also mention that I didn’t play Dark Urge, nor did I kill for no reason. Rather, I was inactive until all parties destroyed each other. I then only had to get rid of the remaining fighters and collect the treasures.
My drow was not inherently evil, just an extreme egotist, intent on self and self-interest. Always trying to cover up that I couldn’t be trusted. Everyone should continue to believe that I’m helping. I lied, enriched myself at the expense of the deceased, was selfish and hungry for power.
At some point I only use the options in dialogues with which I could deceive the other person or convince them of my actions – and that worked really well. I was soon going into places I wasn’t allowed to go because I was stringing a fairy tale to the guard. I also stole anything of value. I took from everyone and gave it to… me.
Occasionally someone had to look at the lilies from below when I could no longer wriggle out of the affair with cunning words. It just couldn’t be avoided. But when the time came, of course, no witnesses were left behind.
I started a war because I didn’t want to fight myself
But how did it come about that I only deceived, lied and cheated and sometimes even ruined quests by doing nothing for too long? Well, accidentally.
I wanted to avoid as much combat as possible in Baldur’s Gate 3 as I don’t like the turn-based system. I don’t enjoy it and I get bored at times. So when in doubt, I talked my way out with “deceive” or “convince”.
Still, I wanted loot – better weapons, gold and fancy armor – but was too stingy to pay, was occasionally caught stealing and had to talk myself out again.
I also wanted to explore everything and talk to everyone first, but even while exploring, I sometimes had to lie to get into certain areas. In addition, I had to rest regularly after exploring to regenerate life points. I couldn’t avoid every fight and took way too much damage as I don’t know anything about DnD.
However, resting always took a lot of time and quests progressed while I was doing nothing. My inaction ultimately led to conflict and deaths. Nevertheless, of course I didn’t miss the opportunity to enrich myself from the fate of the deceased and to loot every corpse.
I promised people what they wanted to hear and then didn’t do anything until it was too late.
If I’m not angry enough with you, MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus describes what it’s like to play Dark Urge:
Baldur’s Gate 3: I wanted to be really angry, but the game rubs it all in me