During my exploration of Baldur’s Gate 3’s sick assassin armor which you can now access without the need to harm a baby elephant, I uncovered some startling information that left me astonished: Doug Cockle, who is renowned for his work in The Witcher, plays a hidden yet crucial character in Baldur’s Gate 3. Given that I have amassed a total of 400 gameplay hours, I thought it’s likely this is news to others as well. Warning: spoilers for the third act and the Dark Urge origin ahead.

Doug Cockle portrays none other than Bhaal, the Lord of Murder, a significant entity in the original Baldur’s Gate saga. He plays an integral role in BG3’s narrative as the patron and father to both Orin the Red and the Dark Urge player characters.

Though this encounter unfolds strictly as a Dark Urge, it includes a scene showcasing Cockle’s performance as Bhaal. Bhaal commandeers Sceleritas Fel, a goblin butler, acting as his spokesperson to offer Dark Urge players an ultimatum: either forsake Bhaal or return to his service. Remarkably, even after two Dark Urge playthroughs, I failed to recognize Cockle’s voice until rewatching this particular scene.

Cockle delivers a brilliantly sinister performance, showcasing his talent in this unexpected role. Moreover, it’s quite ingenious of Larian to conceal a cameo by such a cherished voice actor at the conclusion of a route that many players may never experience.

If you crave more of Doug Cockle’s talent, he’s anticipated to reprise his role as Geralt in The Witcher 4. Let’s hope his return doesn’t mimic Vesemir’s tragic fate, as fans like myself will be inclined to retreat to safe havens with a force of loyal followers if he does! In the meantime, he’s also reprised his iconic role in Netflix’s animated series The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, which received a favorable reception, and has shared insights with PCG regarding his connection to Geralt in an interview.