Dark Urge

The Dark Urge is a character from the 2023 role-playing video game Baldur's Gate 3 by Larian Studios, a title set in the Forgotten Realms universe of Dungeons & Dragons. First introduced at the conclusion of tie-in community-based browser game Blood in Baldur's Gate, the character was designated as an "Origin" character that the player can select to play through the game from their perspective. Unlike other "Origin" characters, the Dark Urge's appearance, voice, gender, and class can be customized if the player chooses. By default, the Dark Urge is a male White Dragonborn Sorcerer, voiced by Neil Roberts. The Dark Urge is an amnesiac compelled by violent urges to harm and kill others due to being a Bhaalspawn, a being born from the blood of the setting's God of Murder, Bhaal. Through the course of the game, it is revealed that they were in fact the mastermind behind the game's plot before being betrayed by another Bhaalspawn, Orin. Upon confronting Orin, the player is given a choice to reject Bhaal or accept the god's blessing, and can choose to either save the world or kill everyone in it. Praised for how playing as them changed the core concept of the game and added depth to the game's story, the Dark Urge was considered by some to be the game's "true" protagonist due to how much additional content they added to the game. Others praised how the character's mental state juxtaposed against the companions in the title made for an interesting roleplaying experience, while others felt the horror of a character struggling with their inner demons made for a playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 suitable for the Halloween season.