Deep in the heart of the Shadow-cursed lands in Baldur's Gate 3's second act, I see a curious ball on the ground. Assuming it to be loot, my curiosity heightens when I highlight it. What I'm seeing is in fact a Shadow Vestige left behind by an enemy I'd just defeated in battle. I may have expected to pick up some kind of item, but what this curio actually gives me is a far greater prize than any treasure.
You sense a fading echo of the person who once was, says the narrator. A dockhand. He did not ask for this. I sit with the line for some time, staring at the ghostly ball that suddenly becomes so meaningful. It may just be one little interaction, but this simple line of dialogue holds so much weight. It's shining a light on the dark world I'm in and my perspective immediately changes as a result. The shadows I've been fighting aren't just shadows, they're a reminder of the great tragedy that unfolded in these lands. They're victims who lost their lives thanks to the curse and Ketheric Thorm.
