Minsc is one of the mascot characters of Dungeons and Dragons so it’s no surprise that the ranger and his giant miniature space hamster, Boo, got in Baldur’s Gate 3. He serves as a companion in the third act and also as an old friend of the somewhat grumpy druid, Jaheira. As Jaheira and Minsc are teammates, Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, It’s no surprise that the two know each other, but BG3 takes place more than 100 years after its predecessor, which causes confusion considering that Minsc is human.
Jaheira and Minsc aren’t the only companion characters returning from Baldur’s Gate 2with Viconia DeVir also returning, but this time as a potential antagonist rather than a companion. Interestingly, the years began to appear with Jaheria and Viconia despite both having incredibly long life expectancies even Minsc, who is a human being with a relatively short lifespan per D&D patterns, looks almost exactly like it back in the days of BG1 and 2. The reason for this is bizarre and something that seems typical of Minsc’s adventures.
Minsc has a long history in Baldur’s Gate 3
He’s not coming out of nowhere in Act 3
Minsc has done a lot in his life and seen his fair share of crazy adventures. Almost all Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 are examples of this, as well as Minsc and Boo’s Villainy Diarya reference book for D&D 5e which was released in 2021. When players first met Minsc, he is being controlled and manipulated by the Absolute and a false Jaheirawith the criminal underworld of Baldur’s Gate knowing the ranger by the name Stone Lord. All Tav knows is that Minsc is a good friend and old ally of Jaheira.
Minsc has a very obvious history with the followers of Bhaal and the Absoulte, being left behind by Jaheira in BG3 after a battle with the cult. Both Minsc and Jaheira have unique dialogue with Sarevok both should be in the party when the Bhaalspawn is encountered, and the BG3 the narrator further states that, although the history that the two parties share is old, neither intends to leave the other alive. Strangely for Minsc, this story is not as old as it is for everyone else involved.
Petrification is the secret to prolonging Minsc’s life
He was a statue for over 100 years
Jaheira mentions for the first time that Minsc was turned into a statue for over a centurykeeping him young while others grew old around him. Minsc itself confirms, as seen in PerfectParadoxvideo on YouTube. When questioned at camp after joining the group, he states that he and Boo returned to Baldur’s Gate after their adventures against the Bhaalspawn, when he was ambushed. He doesn’t know who turned him to stone, stating that it could have been a villain that he really irritated, but either way, he ended up petrified and turned into a stone statue in the city’s slums.
Although it is not stated in the game, Minsc was released from his prison after a Wild Magic user named Deliana accidentally hit him with a wave. before the events of Baldur’s Gate 3. After this, Minsc ends up forming his own party, once again becoming a hero of Baldur’s Gate. Truth be told, Minsc continued as if nothing had happened, venturing as a mercenary from the Sword Coast to Avernus, before reuniting with Jaheira to battle the Absolute and having a tadpole inserted into his skull.
Minsc is luckier than other classic Baldur’s Gate characters
Most have already died by the time of Baldur’s Gate 3
Due to the time between games, it is assumed that most of the characters have died, as they do not appear or are mentioned in the game. Baldur’s Gate 3. Some who don’t seem to have had much fun, like Viconia founding a Sharran Cult in Waterdeep before killing everyone there on Shar’s orders. Minsc has had a relatively kind time considering he continued to do what he loves before and after his petrification, and even though he lost 100 years of his life, he doesn’t seem too worried about it.
Minsc is one of the most iconic characters in the D&Dworld, and it is it’s no big surprise that Larian included it Baldur’s Gate 3. He’s had a plethora of adventures and had a ready excuse to survive the 100 year jump between the second and third games, due to his petrification. Molding one of the faces of D&DMatt Mercer as the voice of Minsc was also a smart choice, helping to expose the ranger and his hamster to a more mainstream audience.
Source: PerfeitoParadoxo/YouTube