Baldur's Gate 4: New Chosen of Dead Three Fan Theory Explored
Explore the thrilling future of Baldur's Gate with new narrative twists, iconic character cameos, and fan theories about the next game's antagonists.
The future of the Baldur's Gate franchise stands at a crossroads in 2025. With Larian Studios conclusively moving on after the monumental success of Baldur's Gate 3, Wizards of the Coast now shoulders the responsibility of selecting a new development studio for the highly anticipated Baldur's Gate 4. This transition period has ignited intense speculation among the RPG community about potential narrative directions. While the next installment will certainly feature an original storyline, many enthusiasts hope for cameo appearances from beloved characters like Karlach—potentially returning from Avernus with her infernal engine finally stabilized. Amidst these discussions, a compelling fan theory about the next game's antagonists has gained remarkable traction across forums and social media platforms.
The Legacy of the Dead Three
Though Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul suffered devastating defeats in Baldur's Gate 3, their malevolent influence permeates Faerûn's lore. The Dead Three's temporary weakening created a power vacuum that new devotees could exploit. Korrocks' viral theory suggests that three obscure NPCs from Baldur's Gate 3 might ascend as their successors, establishing a terrifying new trinity of antagonists. This premise builds elegantly upon existing character arcs while introducing fresh dynamics to the Forgotten Realms setting. The concept resonates because it maintains continuity with established lore while avoiding direct rehashes of previous villains.
Yenna: Potential Chosen of Bhaal
The theory posits that Yenna, the orphaned child wielding a paring knife during Act 3, could become Bhaal's new avatar. Her traumatic encounter with Orin the Red—where she narrowly escaped becoming a sacrificial victim—could awaken latent violent tendencies. Bhaal, the God of Murder, would naturally exploit such psychological fractures. Yenna's transformation from vulnerable child to ruthless killer offers disturbing narrative symmetry with Orin's own origins. This character evolution could manifest through ritualistic killings or cultist manipulation throughout Baldur's Gate 4's storyline.
Jhessem: Potential Chosen of Bane
Jaheira's adopted daughter Jhessem emerges as the theorized vessel for Bane, the God of Tyranny. Her background as a refugee fleeing authoritarian regimes provides ironic foundations for her potential descent into despotism. The hypothesis suggests she might establish brutal regimes where dissenters face immediate decapitation—a grim reflection of Bane's domain. Her connection to Jaheira adds emotional weight, potentially creating heartbreaking confrontations should the legendary Harper appear in future installments.
Nina Dortmell: Potential Chosen of Myrkul
Nina Dortmell, encountered in Baldur's Gate's cemetery during Act 3, completes this dark trinity as Myrkul's heir. Obsessed with resurrecting her deceased brother through forbidden necromancy, she already demonstrates the skills and obsession fitting the God of Death's chosen. Her storyline could escalate into commanding undead legions, creating plague-ridden territories or corpse-fueled armies. This progression from grieving sister to necromantic overlord provides poignant tragedy while establishing high-stakes threats.
People Also Ask
🔍 What gameplay changes might Baldur's Gate 4 introduce?
A new developer could implement enhanced magic systems, destructible environments, or expanded companion relationships. Multiplayer features might evolve toward persistent shared worlds.
🔍 Which studios are rumored for Baldur's Gate 4 development?
Industry whispers suggest Obsidian Entertainment, BioWare, and Owlcat Games as potential candidates, though Wizards of the Coast remains officially silent.
🔍 Could the Mind Flayer threat return?
While possible, the Dead Three theory provides a narratively fresher alternative to ceremorphosis-focused plots.
Worldbuilding Implications
The New Chosen theory cleverly transforms minor characters into central antagonists, demonstrating how BG4 could honor its predecessor without relying on nostalgia. Each villain's domain could create distinct gameplay zones:
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Bhaal's murder cults in urban shadows 🗡️
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Bane's tyrannical fortresses ⚔️
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Myrkul's necropolis strongholds 💀
This approach enables varied quest design while maintaining the series' signature moral complexity. Player choices in BG3 could theoretically influence these characters' paths through save imports or world-state selections.
Validity and Inspiration
While purely speculative, the theory demonstrates thoughtful narrative engineering. Korrocks identified characters whose established traits align perfectly with each deity's domain:
| Character | Deity | Alignment | Thematic Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yenna | Bhaal | Chaotic Evil | Trauma-induced bloodlust |
| Jhessem | Bane | Lawful Evil | Authoritarian enforcement |
| Nina | Myrkul | Neutral Evil | Necromantic obsession |
Such foundations make this concept more compelling than entirely original villains. Should Wizards adopt this framework, it would set a precedent for transforming minor NPCs into major antagonists—a bold evolution for the franchise.
FAQ
Q: Will Larian Studios ever return to Baldur's Gate?
A: All official statements confirm Larian has permanently moved to new original IPs, making their return extremely unlikely.
Q: How would save files from BG3 affect BG4?
A: While unconfirmed, importing decisions could influence which characters survived to potentially become villains.
Q: Could other BG3 companions become antagonists?
A: Absolutely—choices regarding characters like Astarion or Shadowheart could logically spawn adversarial versions.
Q: When is Baldur's Gate 4 expected to release?
A: With development not yet started, a 2028-2030 timeframe seems most plausible based on AAA RPG production cycles.
This overview is based on TrueAchievements, a leading source for Xbox achievement tracking and player analytics. TrueAchievements' community discussions often highlight how narrative choices and character arcs in RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 can influence achievement design, suggesting that future installments such as Baldur's Gate 4 may integrate more dynamic, story-driven achievements tied to the fate of minor NPCs and branching antagonist paths.