The Wasted Potential of Komira’s Amulet

Baldur’s Gate 3 has hundreds of items with hidden uses and backstory implications, and it makes complete sense that not all of these need to have a significant purpose or use.

However, there’s one particular item that I believe had the potential to mean far more than it currently does. Even as it stands, most players pass it by or discard it without noticing the tragic story it subtly carries.

The Player Should’ve Been Able To Give Komira’s Amulet To Arabella

It’s Sad That Such A Sentimental Item Goes To Waste

Upon saving Arabella (or by looting it off her mother’s body), players will be rewarded with Komira’s locket. Like many other early-game items, this piece of equipment will often end up getting sold or used to satisfy Gale’s Arcane Hunger, though some sentimental players like Reddit User emmastory may decide to hang onto it.

Unfortunately, the player can’t do anything to stop Komira and her husband from being killed by Malus Thorm’s minions in Act Two, which is a major part of Arabella’s story if she survives that long. Having the option to give her mother’s locket back to Arabella could’ve been a very touching moment, and endeared her to players even further.

This interaction also had the potential to be completely gut-wrenching if you consider something that’s implied by the locket’s properties. The item allows the wearer to cast Dancing Lights, and has an inscription that reads “Never dark again.”

Light spells grant temporary protection from the Shadow Curse – this suggests that the locket would’ve helped Locke and Komira reach Last Light Inn, had they not been murdered by the sisters.

The revelation that her parents were dead from the start because they showed gratitude to the person who saved her would be devastating for poor Arabella. Keeping Komira’s locket as a keepsake in response feels only natural.

You can technically give the locket to Arabella by reverse-pick-pocketing her or opening up the bartering menu, but she sadly has no programmed reaction to it.

Arabella Had The Potential To Play A Bigger Role In Baldur’s Gate 3

Most Players Also Don’t Appreciate Komira As Much As They Should

Arabella is one of the most interesting camp followers – I’d love to see where she ends up in her magical pursuits and whether she’ll be considered a druid, sorcerer, or even a wizard, if her training with Elminster goes to plan. If we ever get a Baldur’s Gate 4 that’s a direct sequel to BG3, I think she would be the most fitting character to return as a companion.

We see very little of Arabella after she leaves to be guided by the weave, though she does briefly appear in the Act Three sewers and can aid you in the final battle. Having that little extra detail to honor her parents’ sacrifice could have gone a long way in showing Arabella’s development.

I also believe that Arabella keeping her mother’s locket would help Komira be a more memorable figure for fans, too, as her story in Act One is criminally underrated.

If the player fails to save Arabella from Kagha, Komira has an extremely gratifying cutscene at the tiefling party. She’ll take revenge on Kagha by spiking her wine with paralytic poison, so that she’ll feel as small and helpless as her daughter did when she set Teela on her.

Since the majority players don’t experience this, and Locke is the only one out of the couple who can be spoken to with Speak with Dead, it’s easy to dismiss Komira and not acknowledge her fierce dedication to protecting her daughter.

If Arabella carried her mother’s locket, it would be a clear symbol of her mother’s memory living on through her. Wearing it might give her a sense of protection, perhaps explaining why she continues to face danger head-on despite her past near-death experiences.

Although I’m completely in love with the writing of Baldur’s Gate 3, I feel like Komira didn’t get enough credit for being the courageous mother that she is, and Arabella could’ve greatly benefited from some extra dialogue.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Systems

Released

August 3, 2023

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Engine

Divinity 4.0

Multiplayer

Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op

Cross-Platform Play

Full cross-platform play.