Baldur's Gate 3: What Is Withers' Real Identity?

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features a variety of NPCs who offer their services throughout the game, but Withers is particularly unique. It's easy to pass him off as a way to implement mechanics like hirelings and reviving companions, but both his direct conversations and those that can be overheard with characters like Arabella start raising questions about him. Overall, builds a lot of mystery around a character that, at a glance, is only there to fulfill mechanics unrelated to the story itself, but this is far from the truth for Withers.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3.]

Withers joins the campsite in Act 1 either after freeing him from his sarcophagus in the Ancient Ruins or he simply shows up if he's not found in the crypt. The first conversation with him includes an explanation of how he can resurrect dead party members and give access to hirelings, a set of NPCs from each class who can be added to the party. While it's possible to keep talking to Withers throughout, he remains cryptic regarding his identity and why he's able to revive the dead or supply NPCs willing to join the fight against the Absolute.

If Arabella is saved from Kagha's snake in Act 1, she'll end up spending time at the campsite in Act 2 while she's separated from her parents, during which she talks to Withers almost exclusively. The dialogue appears above their heads, but it's also voiced, so it's possible to listen in on what Arabella asks Withers and, more importantly, to hear Withers' answers. His responses sound cryptic, which is normal for him, but they reveal crucial bits of information connected to his identity upon further inspection.

At one point, Arabella asks Withers if he has always been a bone man, wondering about him being