One ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s highlights is its memorable cast of characters, especially when it comes to the companions. Its villains are also huge points of interest, and it’s obvious that a lot of attention was put into developing them when we have figures like Raphael, who even has his own musical number. Despite this, there’s one villain who has more subtle depth and often goes underappreciated.
It’s safe to say thatCazador is one of the most hated villains in theBG3fandom,and he’s equally loathed by the party members. There are many good reasons for this, but he shouldn’t be written off as a one-dimensional villain. By exploring his palace, you can piece together Cazador Szarr’s tragic backstory, which provides a lot of insight into how the vampire ended up becoming so evil.
Who Is Vellioth In Baldur’s Gate 3?
The Previous Vampire Lord Who Was Possibly More Evil Than Cazador
In the Western Wing of thedungeon underneath the Szarr Palace, players can stumble across the skull of “Vellioth.” It may not phase them to see a skull in a palace full of undead creatures, so it’s surprisingly easy to miss if you’re not especially invested in Astarion’s quest.Interacting with the skull will reveal that it is the remains of the former Vampire Lord, Vellioth,who trained Cazador as his apprentice. Continuing dialogue with the skull and passing some wisdom saving throws will detail some of Vellioth’s memories, alongside three “rules” that he taught Cazador.
Vellioth’s Rule
Memory
“Vellioth’s first lesson is always to dominate. Allow none to be your equal.”
Cazador attempted to reach out to a former friend, and Vellioth drained them to punish him.
“Vellioth’s second lesson is that power comes from solitude. To share with others is to be weak, and to be weak is to fail … and die.”
Cazador attempted to rebel against Vellioth, and was punished by being impaled for eleven years. He was specifically punished for failing, not trying to overthrow him in the first place.
“Vellioth’s third lesson is to act not in haste. A near immortal has time to plan, time to act, only when others will pay the price of action.”
Cazador killed Vellioth in the Rite of Profane Slaughter, and they both laughed during it. Cazador placed Vellioth’s schooling scroll in the mouth of his skull to mock him.
This is interesting to note, since if you choose toplay Astarion as an origin character, you’ll get an early cutscene of Cazador reciting his own set of rules to him.Astarion is a tragic victim of his circumstances, but it’s easy to neglect the idea that Cazador may be similar to himat all. A YouTube video byOonashows the eerie way in which Ascended Astarion enforces Cazador’s rules on the player, though Cazador was once also a victim.
Cazador Was Once In A Similar Position To Astarion
Cazador Inflicts The Same Abuse Upon Astarion That He Received From Vellioth
You wouldn’t be blamed for writing off the current vampire lord as a stereotypical, almost cartoonishly evil villain with little depth. His treatment of his spawn and Astarion in particular is absolutely horrific, and leaves little hope for everseeing Cazador as redeemable. However, there are many parallels between Cazador and Vellioth, which suggest thatCazador didn’t start out this wayand was once in the same position as Astarion. Even though Cazador can’t be saved now, if the player had met him a few hundred years earlier, he could have followed the same story arc.
Astarion is a fan favorite, and many fans adore him, even in his ascendant form. Cazador, on the other hand, is a universally despised figure in theBaldur’s Gate 3fanbase, even though their stories are practically the same.It’s certainly strange to think that such a monster could’ve ever been similar to a character that is so beloved.Cazador obsesses over Astarion in particular in a way that is very reminiscent of how the various texts describe Vellioth’s treatment of him, and we also see Ascended Astarion carry on this possessiveness if the player romances him.
“These deathless dreams hold memories of a mortal life once-forgotten. Of the boy I was, the man I became, the monster that will not end. I sleep, but cannot rest. I live, but cannot die. I am eternal, and I grieve.”
It’s possible that Vellioth’s abuse of Cazador was even worse than what Cazador inflicted upon Astarion.We only learn about the time Vellioth impaled Cazador for eleven years, but considering that Astarion is mostly sane while Cazador has completely lost his mind, it’s safe to assume that wasn’t the full extent of his torture. If you useSpeak with Deadon Cazador, he will lament over the life that he lost over a hundred years ago. He seems less crazed in this state, so it might be an example of what he was like before losing himself to his vampirism.
Cazador And Vellioth’s Story Serves As A Warning Against Ascending Astarion
Cazador Is A Very Well-Written Character & Shows What Astarion Will Become If You Choose To Ascend Him
Players can find a few pieces written by a figure called Lady Incognita in the attic of Cazador’s palace. Formerly known as Amanita Szarr, she was imprisoned as punishment for defying Cazador and refusing to participate in the “family rites,” which are presumably tasks along the lines of hunting down captives for Cazador. You can find one piece of her work behind the stairs, which details a long list of previous vampire lords and their usurpers.
Even though you’re free to view your story however you want, this proves that Larian intended for Astarion’s ascension to be representative of continuing an ancient cycle of abuse, far from the victory some may interpret it to be. It’s fair to say that Cazador doesn’t deserve sympathy, but it is strange to see so many people be fans of ascended Astarion but not appreciate Cazador’s writing. Astarion has some incredible depth inBaldur’s Gate 3,and Cazador’s story is mirrored in him, making him a richer character than he first appears to be.
