Baldur's Gate 3's Secret Reference That Most Players Will Miss
Baldur's Gate 3 is loaded with Easter Eggs and references to pop culture and classic Dungeons & Dragons lore. But one secret reference is so deep, most players will never discover it, and even fewer will understand its significance.
If Lae'zel takes the githyanki egg from the crèche in Act One and keeps it safe through all three acts, she'll eventually name the hatchling Xan. This is a reference to a companion from the original Baldur's Gate, Xan. The original Xan was an elf enchanter, but the gith fighter Lae'zel's hatchling is more similar to the original Xan in personality.
Getting the githyanki egg to hatch is difficult. Players must choose the Mountain Pass route in Act One, survive poison pools, convince the crèche guards, and refuse to give the egg to Lady Esther. Players must also ensure that Lae'zel stays alive and on their side throughout the entire game.
But the reference goes even deeper. Xan didn't originate in Baldur's Gate. He was first created by Ben Smedstad, Assistant Producer of Baldur's Gate, as a character in his tabletop D&D game. The original Xan was a gith fighter, just like Lae'zel's hatchling.
In the Baldur's Gate video game, Xan was made into an elf wizard for balance reasons. Smedstad was reportedly unhappy with this change. Baldur's Gate 3 finally depicts Xan as the gith fighter he was meant to be, paying a debt of respect to one of the game's original creators.
Even if you haven't played the original Baldur's Gate games, this Hidden Reference is worth seeking out. It's a touching tribute to a beloved character and a reminder of the game's rich history.
