Baldur’s Gate 3is set in The Forgotten Realms, the canonical setting of the tabletop role-playing gameDungeons & Dragons.One of the friendly faces that shows up inBaldur’s Gate 3is Volo, an enigmatic traveling storyteller who causes some chaos at camp, disappears, then reappears again in Act 3. Volo might seem like a silly character, but he’s got a rich background in bothDungeons & Dragonsand theBaldur’s Gateseries, achieving renown far and wide thanks to his travels and books.
Volo’s history inDungeons & Dragonsstretches back over 30 years, and it was only natural that such a prominent figure in the setting’s lore would make an appearance in the video games set in the same universe. Though Volo gets himself into trouble, there are reasons why he has an uncanny ability to get himself out of it unharmed.
Who is Volo?
The Chaotic Good Wizard
Volothamp Geddarm is a wizard who traveled along the Sword Coast from the mid to late 14th century DR. Volo also appears inBaldur’s Gate 3which takes place in 1492 DR, over 100 years later. Volo is renowned as a prolific writer, known for his booksVolo’s Guide to MonstersandVolo’s Guide to Waterdeep. His first book,Volo’s Guide to All Things Magical, was a disastrous venture as it made magic accessible, a fact that many wizards objected to, but also included dangerous exaggerations and errors. In the years since,the archwizard Elminsterhas fact-checked and edited Volo’s books, and the two wizards share a cordial relationship.
The Unknowing Servant of Mystra
Volo is unaware that he and Elminster share more than a profession: they are both Weave anchors, beings invested with the divine essence ofMystra, the goddess of magic. Weave anchors stabilize the Weave and prevent it from collapsing should something happen to Mystra. Both Elminster and Volo are Weave anchors, but Volo is unaware of his condition as Elminster and Mystra feared he would boast about it to everyone he meets. As Weave anchors tend to live prolonged lives, this could explain why Volo has lived far longer than the average human.
Volo’s Contributions to the Community
As a loremaster, Volo’s books arekey readings in theDungeons & Dragonscommunity.Volo’s Guide to Monstersin particular is used by DMs and players alike when playingDungeons & Dragons, and the book is considered fundamental lore. Volo’s books have been a part of the community for years, withVolo’s Guide to Waterdeepbeing published in 1993.
Volo in Baldur’s Gate
Volo’s Appearances in Games Set in The Sword Coast
Volo’s role hasn’t been limited toDungeons & Dragons, and he’s appeared inNeverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir,Baldur’s Gate, andBaldur’s Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal. He’s met every protagonist of theBaldur’s Gategames and is knowledgeable aboutBhaalspawn and what their condition does to them. InBaldur’s Gate, he can be found in the Belching Dragon Tavern in Nashkel. InBaldur’s Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal, he’s found in the Tankard Tree in Saradush. The instruction manual and maps for both games are written from Volo’s perspective, and in both games, he is unkillable.
Volo in Baldur’s Gate 3
Volo is more helpful to the protagonist ofBaldur’s Gate 3than he is toBaldur’s Gate’sprevious protagonist, where he stays in camp for a portion of Acts 1 and 3, researches a way to remove the illithid tadpole (and fails), and gives the player a book research notes onthe Slayer, a transformation of the Chosen of Bhaal, which is particularly helpful for a Dark Urge player.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
