Daniel (Baldur's Gate 3)

Character Overview

Race

Human

Class

Level 12 Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer (Lightning)

Background

Sage

Overview

Daniel is a human sorcerer whose draconic bloodline manifests through lightning magic. Once a scholar fascinated by the Weave, he now stands among the few capable of challenging an Elder Brain itself.

He has gone by many names. Danyel Stormborne, D. Vox Lgnis, Daniel the Unbound, Daniel the Tempest. He just uses Daniel.

Appearance

He has long brown hair with silver dreadlocks that glow when casting spells. His draconic ancestry is from a rare silver lightning dragon, inheriting marks on his face, chest, back, arms, and hands. He has green eyes, one of them was... replaced with an Erzats eye. His attire changed often throughout his journey before he eventually settled on a grey, black, and silver colour palette. Unlike most sorcerers, Daniel willingly carries both a shield and a crossbow, favouring versatility over convention. His staff changes frequently, often trading them with Gale mid-battle whenever one better suits the situation.

Personality

Calm and analytical, though prone to improvising when plans inevitably fall apart. Often serves as the voice of reason... unless Minsc is involved. Really likes exploding stuff. Sometimes makes morally grey choices. Said yes to questionable surgeries multiple times. He rarely refuses magical experiments, regardless of how questionable they seem. Despite his intelligence, Daniel's curiosity has repeatedly landed him in trouble. If an ancient artifact is labelled "Do Not Touch," he will almost certainly touch it. He has developed something of an addiction to Potions of Animal Speaking. Whether it’s for the spell, the taste, or some unknown side effect remains a mystery. Won't say no to alcohol after a big battle, which makes his lightning spells purple.

Abilities

He is known as a master of lightning magic, but he also knows powerful spells like Fireball, Disintegrate, and Telekinesis. His spellbook is extensive, ranging from destructive evocation to powerful utility magic. His favourite spell is Chain Lightning. Just like with his clothing style, he didn't know what he should focus on with the spells until Gale and the Dream Visitor guided him to the ways of lightning. He fully embraces the tadpole to the point of accepting becoming a half-Illithid with the help of the Astral tadpole, despite it drastically changing his appearance. He is perhaps a little too fond of reading other people's thoughts, and he often floats around with his illithid abilities. He also learnt lockpicking from Astarion.

Relationships

Karlach

Partner. His greatest source of courage, and the person most capable of making him laugh after the hardest battles. Karlach has a habit of dragging him into ridiculous situations. Daniel usually begins with “I have concerns,” before helping anyway. She also loves that his lightning magic means he isn’t intimidated by explosions.

Gale

Closest friend and magical mentor. Their discussions about the Weave and magic itself often continue long into the night. Gale gets ridiculously excited, with childlike enthusiasm, whenever Daniel learns a new spell.

“Remarkable! You managed to stabilise the weave after increasing the arcane throughput… I wasn’t entirely convinced it was possible.”

Meanwhile Daniel’s just standing there like

“I pointed at him and hoped.”

Gale:

“…Yes, well… somehow that worked.”

Astarion

Close friend. Begrudgingly taught Daniel the finer points of lockpicking, though he’ll never admit it. Astarion insisted he’ll never, ever teach anything to Daniel. Then after three weeks…

“No, no. Rotate it a little further.”

“…Too far.”

”...Too little."

“…You’re absolutely hopeless.”

20 minutes later

“...Look at you, you actually made it! And it only took you five thieves’ tools! That's a new record! Now try this one.”

And six months later, Daniel is casually opening locked chests.

Astarion:

“…I have created a monster. A beautiful monster."

Shadowheart

Former partner. They parted on good terms and remain trusted companions.

Minsc

Despite Daniel's usually analytical nature, something changes whenever Minsc is around. Somehow every terrible idea sounds brilliant when the two are together. Boo seems to approve. Gale has learned to become suspicious whenever either of them says, “I have an idea.” He and Minsc would somehow lower each other’s IQ by standing near each other.

During one particularly long rest, Gale attempted to explain a complicated magical phenomenon.

Daniel:

“I have an idea.”

Minsc:

“I also have an idea.”

Gale:

“…That sentence has never ended well.”

Gallery (Click to view in fullscreen)

Finding Scratch