One of the more interesting developments in Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Act 3 is the mini-arc surrounding Orin, a shapeshifting Bhaalspawn who loves nothing more than killing. By the time players reach the title city, she’s had a falling out with fellow conspirator Gortash.
Both offer the party a deal. Gortash offers an honest alliance with them to take the Absolute for themselves in exchange for Orin’s head. Orin meanwhile kidnaps one of the playable companions and threatens to kill them unless the party eliminates Gortash.
Since this is Baldur’s Gate 3, players have multiple ways of rescuing their kidnapped companion. Here are some methods to ensure your party doesn’t go down a number.
Method 1: do as Orin says and kill Gortash
Despite the simple instructions, this can be the more complicated way to save your companion. Brute forcing your way to Gortash is straightforward, but it also means contending with his steel watchers. One of these is a pain to deal with, so being surrounded by them on top of the Gortash boss fight can easily spell trouble.
Something nice however is that it’s possible for the steel watchers to not be a factor. What you have to do is complete the aptly named “Disable the Steel Watch” quest to do that. It still involves a series of difficult fights but makes the Gortash encounter easier. Whatever manner you use to accomplish this doesn’t matter. Wulbren Bongle’s fate does not tie into saving your companion in any way.
Kill Gortash whenever you are ready and report to Orin in the Temple of Bhaal below Baldur’s Gate of Baldur’s Gate 3 fame. Gaining access means progressing in “Investigate the Murders” to locate the Murder Tribunal. In there is the Amulet of Bhaal needed to open the temple’s entrance.
You still have to fight Orin before rescuing your companion, but you need to talk her out of killing them if you killed Sarevok before arriving. The DC 25 check means you need a silver tongue, but it is possible. After killing her, you finally rescue your companion. Loot the Alter Key off her corpse and use that to unlock their restraints.
Method 2: go straight to Orin
It’s possible to save your companion if you ignore Orin’s warning and beeline to the Temple of Bhaal. This option works best if you want to side with Gortash or if you just want Orin dead first.
I say theoretically because the main difference here is to either convince her that you killed Gortash or to start the fight anyway. Like the Sarevok check, these options have a DC 25 check, so buff at least one Charisma skill to make it easier.
The battle will proceed like normal once passing the check. Repeat the last steps from the previous method and your companion is alive and healthy!
If you are confident in your Charisma checks and want to save time getting your companion back, ignoring Orin’s instructions doesn’t hurt. The bigger concern would be having a level and gear fitting for the fight. She and her cultists make for a grueling encounter, but the rescue option is thankfully breezy.
