Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that has captured the hearts of many players, myself included. As a fan of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, there is something truly magical about seeing the world and characters of this beloved game come to life on the screen. And within this world of fantastical creatures, there is also room for romance to flourish in all its varied forms.
In all my countless playthroughs of Baldur’s Gate 3, there is one companion who has always charmed me: Astarion. This vampire character embodies my deepest desires, harkening back to my childhood fascination with movies like Fright Night, Interview with the Vampire, and The Lost Boys. Whenever there is a vampire in a book, film, or game, I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
Unfortunately, my unrelenting love for Astarion means that I have never had the chance to explore other romantic options in the game. I always choose him, and I always go through the same dialogue options. While the cutscenes with Astarion are striking, I can’t help but long for a fresh romantic spark with someone else. Specifically, I find myself drawn to two characters that are not available as romance options: the Drow twins, Nym and Sorn Orlith.
When I encountered the Drow twins in the city brothel, I felt an undeniable connection to them. They spoke of escaping the mistreatment of the matriarchy and finding fulfillment in their new lives as sex workers in Baldur’s Gate. There was a sense of hidden depth to their characters, particularly in Sorn’s wild and kinky nature. In a way, he reminded me of Astarion – someone seeking freedom and excitement in life.
I was instantly captivated by the Orlith twins and devastated to learn that building a romance with either of them is impossible. In my mind, I imagine scenarios where our characters could hear rumors about the twins while exploring the Underdark, bump into them while visiting various establishments in the city, or maybe even have a chance encounter during a quest. The possibilities are endless, and it speaks to the well-written nature of the game that even brief interactions can evoke such strong feelings.
In my personal headcanon, my Lolth-Sworn Drow character is whisked away by Sorn’s untamed spirit or embraced by Nym’s serene demeanor. We all long for the kind of deep connection that characters like Dame Aylin and Isobel Thorm have, and it is disappointing that we cannot experience a similar level of intimacy with characters like Nym or Sorn Orlith.
It is clear that Baldur’s Gate 3 players are thirsty for romance, and some may argue too thirsty. However, the thirst can easily be quenched if the game were to introduce romantic paths with the Drow twins. As Nym describes Sharess’ Caress as an “oasis of calm,” I yearn to be their new oasis of calm within the chaos of the Forgotten Realms.
So, Larian Studios, please consider adding the opportunity to develop a genuine and meaningful romance with characters like Nym and Sorn Orlith. As players, we crave deeper connections and the chance to explore more diverse relationships within the rich tapestry of Baldur’s Gate 3.