The critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3 has certainly made a monumental impact in the gaming world, capturing attention for its fantastic implementation of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition system, its captivating character development, and engrossing plot. Yet, amid all the hype, there is a gem that tends to go unnoticed by some players—Wyll Ravengard.
While each companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 has their admirers, Wyll often doesn’t get the spotlight he deserves in fan discussions. Despite efforts by devoted fans to draw more attention to his character online, Wyll remains underappreciated. Let’s take a moment to discuss why the Blade of Frontiers deserves a bit more recognition.
Wyll perfectly embodies the classic hero archetype, but with an intriguing tragic twist.
When players first meet Wyll during the goblin ambush at the Grove, they are treated to a well-crafted introductory cutscene that perfectly encapsulates his character: bold, heroic, and genuinely good-hearted. Even with his prestigious title as the ‘Blade of Frontiers,’ Wyll is remarkably humble, winning the admiration of the tieflings he helps. He is seen training tiefling children, showcasing his willingness to help others despite his own struggles, much like anyone else in your party who has also been afflicted with a Mind Flayer parasite.
It becomes evident early on that there is more to Wyll than meets the eye. He confesses to having been infected while on a quest to hunt down a devil in Avernus—a task not quite fitting the mold of your typical storybook hero. There’s also the matter of his stone eye, eerily resembling a Sending Stone, which allows for mystical communication across distances in the D&D universe. Nevertheless, Wyll readily agrees to join your journey, his only condition being that you assist the tieflings in reaching Baldur’s Gate safely and help him defeat the devil he’s tracked for so long. This sets the stage for his personal quest, aptly named The Blade of Frontiers.
Digging deeper into Wyll’s story, players discover that he is the sole heir to the renowned Duke Ulder Ravengard of Baldur’s Gate. Raised among the city’s elite circles, Wyll always had a tendency to rebel. From a young age, he mingled with children outside his social class and trained under his father. He was groomed to inherit Ulder’s responsibilities: to become a leader of the Flaming Fist, succeed as Duke Ravengard, and uphold the family legacy as defenders of the city.
However, Wyll’s life took a dark turn at just seventeen. With his father named Grand Duke and dispatched to Elturel to resolve a political conflict, Wyll began hearing unsettling whispers directing him to Dusthawk Hall. It was there he claims to have witnessed Dragon Cultists on the verge of summoning the mighty Tiamat to wreak havoc. Helpless to counter the threat alone, Wyll was tempted by a cambion, Mizora, who offered him the power he needed to save his beloved city. A city that was his heritage to shield.
In a desperate bid to protect Baldur’s Gate, Wyll forged a pact, exchanging his soul for the strength needed to thwart destruction. To his devastation, upon returning, his father viewed Wyll’s actions not as heroic, but as a grave mistake. Heartbroken and enraged, Ulder exiled Wyll from the city and the home he had sacrificed so much to safeguard.
Wyll Doesn’t Need You to Fix Him—Just Stand by Him
Like many of Baldur’s Gate 3’s diverse cast, Wyll finds himself a pawn of circumstances beyond his control. He was deceived—an earnest youth manipulated under the guise of heroism, driven by a desire to protect his hometown. Unlike some other companions, Wyll harbors no hidden agendas upon joining you. Unknowingly sent to hunt the “devil” who turns out to be a tiefling named Karlach, Wyll is well aware of Mizora’s malevolence.
Despite the constant tension with his patron and fears for his estranged father’s safety, Wyll doesn’t offload his burdens onto you. When the party learns of Mizora’s true nature as a cambion enthralled to Zariel, Wyll vows to shield them, claiming sole responsibility for Mizora’s looming menace. He’s even willing to relinquish a possible second chance in Baldur’s Gate to accompany Karlach back to Avernus in pursuit of a cure for her predicament. Misjudged as Warlocks often are, Wyll actually has a heart of gold. Faults and all, you can’t help but cheer for him, hoping his journey leads to a happy resolution.
Wyll Ravengard epitomizes the ideal that no matter what adversities you face, with perseverance and noble intent, you can rise as a hero.
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