In Baldur's Gate 3, a Guardian is a unique, non-playable character (NPC) that players are required to create during the final stages of the character generation process. This mysterious figure plays a crucial role in the main character's journey, primarily appearing in their dreams.
Role and Appearance of the Guardian
The Guardian serves as a pivotal, albeit enigmatic, presence throughout the game's narrative. While not a party member or a character players can directly control, their influence is significant.
Key aspects of the Guardian include:
- Mandatory Creation: At the very end of the character creation screens, players are prompted to design and customize their Guardian. This step is a mandatory part of setting up the player's unique experience in Faerûn.
- Non-Playable Character (NPC): The Guardian is not a companion character that joins your party or participates in combat. Instead, they exist purely within the narrative and cinematic sequences.
- Dream Visitor: The Guardian primarily manifests in cutscenes during the player's dreams. In these dream sequences, the character is often referred to as the Dream Visitor, offering advice, warnings, or furthering the central plot related to the player's illithid transformation.
- Narrative Importance: The Guardian's true identity, motivations, and connection to the player character's predicament are central mysteries that unfold as the story progresses. Their appearances often provide critical plot exposition or present moral choices that can influence the storyline.
The creation of the Guardian adds a personal touch to the player's connection with the unfolding events, making the narrative feel deeply intertwined with their customized ideal or fear.
