Companion Quests

Companion Quests

Beyond the epic main narrative of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, your journey is enriched by the personal sagas of your companions. Each potential party member carries their own burdens, seeks their own truths, and harbors unique ambitions. Engaging with these companion quests not only deepens your understanding of these characters and the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms but also yields powerful rewards, strengthens party cohesion, and can significantly impact the game's various endings.

To successfully navigate these intricate personal stories, pay close attention to several key indicators:

• Dialogue Cues: Companions will often initiate conversations, express concerns, or react to specific locations or NPCs. These interjections are your primary trigger for quest progression.
• Location Triggers: Simply entering certain areas of Amn or its surrounding regions can sometimes spark a companion's questline or advance an existing one.
• Time Sensitivity: Some companion quests have soft or hard time limits. Ignoring a companion's pleas for too long can lead to them leaving your party permanently or even becoming hostile.
• Reputation: Your party's reputation can influence how certain NPCs react to your companions, potentially opening or closing quest avenues.
• Relationship Points: While not explicitly tracked, your choices during dialogue and quests affect your companions' disposition towards you, influencing their willingness to reveal personal details or remain in your service.

This section provides a comprehensive guide to each companion's personal quest, detailing triggers, key steps, potential pitfalls, and the invaluable rewards awaiting you.

Aerie's Quest: Aerie's Freedom

Aerie, the winged Aasimar cleric/mage, carries the trauma of her captivity and the loss of her wings. Her quest is one of healing and self-acceptance.

• Trigger: Aerie will periodically express her feelings of inadequacy and her desire to regain her wings or find peace. This quest is less about specific triggers and more about consistent dialogue over time.
• Key Steps:
  1. Initial Conversations: Aerie will frequently lament her past. Engage with her sympathetically.
  2. The Circus Tent (Waukeen's Promenade): While not a direct quest step, visiting the Circus Tent where she was held captive can trigger poignant dialogue.
  3. Meeting Quayle: After some time, Aerie will express a desire to speak with her former mentor, Quayle. He can be found in the Copper Coronet in the Slums District. Speak to him with Aerie in your party. Quayle offers words of encouragement and perspective.
  4. Further Dialogue: Continue to speak with Aerie. She will eventually come to terms with her new reality, accepting her strength lies beyond her lost wings.
• Rewards:
  • Improved Morale: Aerie's disposition towards you and her overall happiness will increase.
  • Unique Dialogue: Unlocks deeper, more confident dialogue from Aerie, reflecting her growth.
  • Romance Path: Successfully guiding Aerie through her emotional turmoil is crucial for pursuing her romance path.
• Common Pitfalls: Ignoring Aerie's dialogue or being dismissive of her feelings can lead to her becoming disheartened and potentially leaving the party.

Anomen's Quest: The Test of the Radiant Heart

Anomen, the arrogant but ultimately honorable Fighter/Cleric, seeks to prove himself worthy of knighthood in the Most Holy Order of the Radiant Heart.

• Trigger: Anomen will eventually receive a message from the Order of the Radiant Heart, summoning him for his knighting test. This typically occurs after a few in-game days or weeks.
• Key Steps:
  1. The Summons: A messenger will approach your party, delivering the summons for Anomen.
  2. Travel to the Order's Headquarters: Head to the Order of the Radiant Heart in the Temple District.
  3. The Test: Anomen will undergo a series of trials. Your role is primarily supportive, though your reputation and actions can influence the outcome. The trials involve demonstrating courage, piety, and wisdom.
  4. The Verdict: After the trials, the Grand Master will deliver his judgment.
     • Success (Knight Anomen): If Anomen passes, he gains the title of Sir Anomen and a permanent +2 Wisdom bonus. This is the ideal outcome.
     • Failure (Anomen's Fall): If he fails, he becomes disillusioned, his alignment shifts to Chaotic Neutral, and he loses 2 points of Wisdom and 2 points of Charisma. He will be much harder to manage.
  5. Anomen's Family Tragedy: Regardless of the test's outcome, Anomen will soon receive news of his sister Moira's murder.
     • Investigate Moira's Murder: Anomen will demand to investigate. Travel to his family estate in the Government District.
     • Gather Clues: Speak to the family butler and examine the crime scene. You'll learn the primary suspect is Saerk Farrahd.
     • Confront Saerk Farrahd: Saerk can be found in the Copper Coronet. Confront him. He will deny involvement.
     • The Choice: You have a critical choice:
       • Seek Justice (Lawful Good): Gather evidence and present it to the authorities (e.g., Captain Dennis in the Government District). This is the path to truly redeeming Anomen if he failed his test.
       • Seek Vengeance (Chaotic): Allow Anomen to kill Saerk Farrahd. This will satisfy Anomen's immediate rage but will not help him regain his honor if he failed his test.
• Rewards:
  • Sir Anomen: +2 Wisdom (permanent) if he passes his test.
  • Resolved Anomen: A more stable and honorable companion, especially if you guide him towards justice.
  • Romance Path: Successfully guiding Anomen through his trials and helping him achieve justice is essential for his romance.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Failing the knighthood test makes Anomen much more volatile.
  • Allowing him to take vengeance on Saerk Farrahd without proper investigation can further cement his negative traits if he failed his test.
  • Ignoring his quest can lead to him leaving the party.

Jaheira's Quest: Harpers' Call

Jaheira, the strong-willed Half-Elf Fighter/Druid, is deeply entangled with the Harpers, a secretive organization dedicated to maintaining balance in the Realms. Her quest is a complex web of intrigue, loyalty, and danger.

• Trigger: After some time in your party, Jaheira will be approached by various Harper agents, starting with a messenger in the Copper Coronet or a random encounter.
• Key Steps:
  1. Initial Harper Contact: You'll be approached by a Harper named Terminsel or another agent, asking Jaheira to meet with them.
  2. The Harper Hold: Jaheira will be summoned to the Harper Hold, located in the Docks District (behind the Sea's Bounty Tavern).
  3. Barada's Plot: You'll uncover a plot by a rogue Harper, Baron Ployer, who seeks to control Jaheira using a magical geas.
     • Confront Ployer: Ployer can be found in the Slums District, often near the Copper Coronet. Confronting him will lead to a fight.
     • The Geas: Ployer will attempt to place a geas on Jaheira. You must defeat him quickly to prevent this.
  4. The Harper Trial: Jaheira's loyalty will be questioned by the Harpers due to her association with you (a Bhaalspawn) and her independent actions.
     • Meet with the Harpers: Return to the Harper Hold.
     • Defend Jaheira: You'll need to speak on Jaheira's behalf, defending her actions and loyalty.
     • The Assassins: Regardless of your defense, the Harpers will send assassins after you and Jaheira to test her resolve and your strength. These encounters will occur randomly in the city.
  5. Terminsel's Intervention: Eventually, Terminsel will reappear, offering Jaheira a chance to clear her name completely. This involves confronting a powerful Harper leader, Xzar, who has gone rogue.
     • Locate Xzar: Xzar can be found in the Graveyard District, often in the crypts.
     • Defeat Xzar: Xzar is a powerful mage and will have allies. Be prepared for a tough fight.
  6. Final Resolution: After Xzar's defeat, Jaheira's standing with the Harpers will be fully restored.
• Rewards:
  • Harper Pin: A small but significant item representing her restored status.
  • Resolved Jaheira: A more stable and content companion.
  • Romance Path: Successfully navigating the Harper questline is crucial for continuing Jaheira's romance.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Ignoring Harper contacts can lead to Jaheira becoming frustrated and potentially leaving.
  • Failing to defeat Ployer quickly can result in Jaheira being geased, making her difficult to control and potentially leading to her permanent departure.
  • Being overly aggressive or disrespectful to Harper agents can complicate the quest.

Keldorn's Quest: The Paladin's Wife

Keldorn, the venerable Human Paladin, faces a crisis of faith and family, torn between his duty and his love for his wife, Maria.

• Trigger: Keldorn will eventually express concern for his family and ask to visit them. This usually happens after a few in-game days.
• Key Steps:
  1. Visit Keldorn's Home: Travel to Keldorn's house in the Bridge District.
  2. Maria's Affair: Upon arrival, you'll discover Maria is having an affair with a younger man, William Reirrac.
  3. The Confrontation: Keldorn is devastated. You have a critical choice to make:
     • Encourage Forgiveness (Good/Lawful): Advise Keldorn to forgive Maria and try to mend their marriage. This is the path of a true paladin.
     • Encourage Divorce (Neutral/Chaotic): Advise Keldorn to divorce Maria and move on.
  4. The Outcome:
     • Forgiveness: If you encourage forgiveness, Keldorn will speak with Maria. She will express remorse, and they will reconcile. Keldorn gains +1 Wisdom (permanent).
     • Divorce: If you encourage divorce, Keldorn will divorce Maria. He will be saddened but resolute. No stat bonus.
  5. The Imposter: Later, Keldorn will receive news that an imposter is claiming to be him and committing crimes.
     • Investigate: Head to the Temple District and speak to the guards.
     • Confront the Imposter: The imposter, a doppelganger, can be found in the sewers beneath the Temple District.
     • Defeat the Doppelganger: The doppelganger is a challenging foe. Be prepared.
• Rewards:
  • +1 Wisdom (Permanent): If you guide Keldorn to forgive Maria.
  • Improved Morale: Keldorn will be more content and steadfast.
  • Holy Avenger (Carsomyr): While not directly tied to this quest, Keldorn is the only character who can wield this legendary sword without penalty, making his personal quest vital for his overall effectiveness.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Ignoring Keldorn's pleas to visit his family can lead to him leaving the party.
  • Choosing the divorce path means missing out on the Wisdom bonus.

Minsc's Quest: Boo's Revenge / The Witch's Curse

Minsc, the lovable but deranged Human Ranger, is driven by his miniature giant space hamster, Boo, and his quest for justice against evil. His quest is often intertwined with Edwin's.

• Trigger: Minsc will frequently express his desire to find a witch to lift the curse on Boo (which doesn't exist, but he believes it does) or to simply smite evil.
• Key Steps:
  1. The Witch Hunt: Minsc will insist on finding a witch. If Edwin is in your party, he will mock Minsc, leading to humorous dialogue.
  2. The Cult of the Eyeless: This quest is often fulfilled by completing the main questline involving the Cult of the Eyeless in the Temple Sewers. Minsc will be particularly eager to smite the "evil eye" and its followers.
  3. The Planar Sphere: If you recruit Valygar and enter the Planar Sphere, Minsc will be thrilled by the magical oddities and the opportunity to fight powerful creatures.
  4. Edwin's Rivalry: If Edwin is in your party, their constant bickering can sometimes escalate into a demand for one to leave. You will have to choose.
• Rewards:
  • Minsc's Loyalty: Keeping Minsc happy ensures his continued service and his powerful berserker rage.
  • Humorous Dialogue: Minsc provides some of the most memorable and entertaining dialogue in the game.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Ignoring Minsc's desire to smite evil or dismissing Boo can lead to him becoming disheartened.
  • If Edwin is in the party, their rivalry can force you to choose between them.

Valygar Corthala's Quest: The Planar Sphere

Valygar, the stoic Human Stalker, is haunted by his family's magical legacy and his ancestor, Lavok, who resides within the Planar Sphere.

• Trigger: You must first recruit Valygar. He can be found in his home in the City Gates District after you accept the quest to find him from the Cowled Wizards (who want him dead).
• Key Steps:
  1. Recruit Valygar: Find Valygar in his home. You must convince him to join you, or capture him for the Cowled Wizards (which is not recommended if you want his quest).
  2. Enter the Planar Sphere: With Valygar in your party, travel to the Planar Sphere, located in the Slums District. Valygar will be able to open the sphere.
  3. Explore the Sphere: The Planar Sphere is a dungeon filled with golems, elementals, and other magical constructs. Navigate its many levels.
  4. Confront Lavok: You will eventually find Lavok, Valygar's ancestor, who is trapped and slowly dying within the sphere.
     • Help Lavok: Lavok needs a specific magical item to stabilize the sphere and free himself. You'll need to retrieve the Demon Heart from the lowest level of the sphere.
     • Defeat the Demon: The Demon Heart is guarded by a powerful demon. Be prepared for a tough fight.
     • Return to Lavok: Give Lavok the Demon Heart. He will be temporarily freed but will eventually die, passing on his knowledge and power.
  5. The Sphere as a Stronghold: After Lavok's death, the Planar Sphere can become your Mage Stronghold, offering unique benefits.
• Rewards:
  • Planar Sphere Stronghold: A powerful base of operations for mages, offering spell research, item creation, and unique quests.
  • Valygar's Loyalty: Completing this quest solidifies Valygar's trust and respect for you.
  • Experience Points: Significant XP from clearing the sphere and completing the quest.
  • Magic Items: Numerous powerful magic items can be found within the sphere.
• Common Pitfalls:
  • Failing to recruit Valygar means you cannot access the Planar Sphere.
  • The Planar Sphere is a challenging dungeon; ensure your party is well-equipped and rested.
  • If you hand Valygar over to the Cowled Wizards, you lose him and the opportunity for this quest.