Edwin Odesseiron, Baldur's Gate 1 BG1 Companion

Edwin Baldur's Gate 1

Edwin Location

Edwin Odesseiron is the most powerful Baldur's Gate companion in BioWare's cRPG of 1998, Baldur's Gate 1. Edwin is found standing on the bridge in Nashkel. He wants to slay Dynaheir in the Gnoll Stronghold to the west of Nashkel.

On top of the Specialist Mage Baldur's Gate bonus for being a Conjurer, Edwin receives a bonus spell slot per circle thanks to his Birthright Amulet. As a result, Edwin is the best Mage in Baldur's Gate.

Note that spell slot bonuses of Edwin's Amulet + Ring of Wizardry stack.

As a Conjurer, Edwin can't cast the following Divination Baldur's Gate spells: Identify, Infravision, Know Alignment, Detect Evil, Detect Invisibility, Clairvoyance.

But the only spell we really need from that list is Identify, and merchants and bards can do that.

Best Spells for Edwin

Mages are nothing without spells. These are the spells that Edwin should scribe to his spellbook:

• Armor (Conjuration) [SCRL67]
• Blindness (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL71]
• Chromatic Orb (Evocation) [SCRL83]
• Magic Missile (Evocation) [SCRL77]
• Sleep (Enchantment/Charm) [SCRL81]
• Invisibility (Illusion) [SCRL90]
• Mirror Image (Illusion) [SCRL96]
• Web (Evocation) [SCRL99]
• Fireball (Evocation) [SCRL5Z, SCRL1G]
• Flame Arrow (Conjuration) [SCRL1F]
• Haste (Alteration) [SCRL1H]
• Lightning Bolt (Evocation) [SCRL1K]
• Skull Trap (Necromancy) [SCRL1P]
• Slow (Alteration) [SCRL1O]
• Improved Invisibility (Illusion) [SCRL1Y]
• Minor Globe of Invulnerability aka MGoI (Abjuration) [SCRL1Z]
• Chaos (Enchantment) [SCRL5P]
• Cloudkill (Evocation) [SCRL2E]
• Monster Summoning III (Conjuration) [SCRL2G]

Edwin Stats

Don't be too concerned about Edwin's low scores in Strength and Dexterity -- he is a dedicated Mage. Edwin's Constitution score is perfect for Mages: at one point above the prerequisite for Conjurer Specialist Mage Baldur's Gate, 16 Con grants the max Con bonus for non-warriors.

Elminster this, Elminster that.  Give ME 2000 years and a pointy hat and I'll kick his arse!

Edwin doesn't strictly need Baldur's Gate items in order to be effective.

• Robe of the Evil Archmagi

Edwin Biography

When asked about his past, EDWIN sneers that he has no intention of revealing such information and that it is none of your business. He further states that you are lucky enough to simply share his company, and then mutters something about leaving whenever he wishes. He obviously cares little for the camaraderie of others, and seems to take more pleasure in speaking to himself than in interacting with the party. His attire brazenly displays the colors of the Red Wizards of Thay, though why a member of that organization would come so far west is puzzling. Edwin does not seem forthcoming with any information.

Edwin's Quest

(Hmmm, not the best specimens, but perhaps a more "bestial touch" is what my plan requires.)  I would hire you to kill a treacherous enemy. Understand? She Dynaheir. She bad. You Kill. Stomp your foot once for yes, twice for no.

The quest to find the Witch. Minsc enlists our aid in storming the Gnoll Fortress to rescue his Wychlaran charge, Dynaheir, whereas Edwin wishes her head on a pike. Oddly, Minsc won't protest Edwin's recruitment or vice versa. Having hacked through packs of gnolls en route to the Gnoll Fortress summit to find Dynaheir imprisoned in a pit, we can choose who to ultimately side with or simply watch them duke it out on their own. 

Right: Minsc & Dynaheir engage in bare knuckle boxing with Edwin.

Dynaheir vs. Edwin

Wychlaran versus the Red Wizard of Thay. This pits Dynaheir and Minsc against Edwin, and is foreshadowed by the clashing quests of Minsc and Edwin.

As per the Harpers and Zhentarim, there may be shorter dialogues culminating in the following final exchange:

The three leave the party, duke it out, and don't stop until the other side is dead. Charname looks on in bemusement but can intervene in order to affect the outcome. Once it's over, the victorious auto-return to the party, and we loot the corpse of the loser/s. Which is usually the outnumbered Edwin.

If we don't have Edwin in the party, then the Red Wizards of Thay in Larswood cannot be bargained with or reasoned with.

But with a Red Wizard in tow they'll have words for Edwin and then leave peacefully.

Quite the contrast.

***

Edwin quotes

• Go no further! I require the services of your group. (Yes, they will do nicely.)
• Enough of this! Let these fools lose their own lives!
• Your worthless lives end here!
• A rare display of intelligence, undoubtedly fleeting .
• I thought I could think no less of this group, but with THIS behavior...
• I can stand no more. This idiocy must stop, or I will be forced to take my leave.
• Our deal is void. I cannot stand your continued waste of resources. We are at odds forevermore!
• They finally realize my true place!
• I'll not keep this pace without a rest soon.
• Inactive outward, inactive inward. Why do I suffer these fools.
• Strange, I ... I do not feel so well.
• Again you disturb me!
• You are so irritating.
• WHAT is it NOW?!
• My actions are yours.
• As directed, for now.
• If I must.
• I do not understand this "mouse magic" that makes me do your bidding!
• Elminster this, Elminster that. Give ME 2000 years and a pointy hat and I'll kick his arse!
• Please don't disturb me while I plot to overthrow you!
• They continue under the delusion that I care at all.
• This witch deceives you with her lies! I tell you she is evil!
• There is no protection if you goad me further, witch!
• Her power is nothing without the will to use it! Step from behind your excuses and let us end this here!
• 'Tis welcome you find no fault with one such as I.
• Her company is refreshing but I am surprised I find it so.
• No harm shall come to her while I yet live!
• Watch your words when addressing me, lest they be fed to you on the end of my boot!
• Your words please, though I know not their motive.
• This group be a damn sight better off without you!
• Must you crowd so close? 'Tis bad enough I must walk with you chimps.
• Typical response; I wonder if they will prove useful at all.
• Pawn discarded. I'll have to find another group if this keeps up.
• Checkmate! At last the witch dies!

cf. BG2 Edwin.

Baldur's Gate Original	Ajantis BG1	Alora BG1	Branwen BG1	Coran BG1	Dynaheir BG1
BG1 Walkthrough	Edwin BG1	Eldoth BG1	Faldorn BG1	Garrick BG1	Imoen BG1
BG1 Companions	Jaheira BG1	Kagain BG1	Khalid BG1	Kivan BG1	Minsc BG1
Baldur's Gate NPCs	Montaron BG1	Quayle BG1	Safana BG1	Shar-Teel BG1	Skie BG1
cRPG Blog (Index to All)	Tiax BG1	Viconia BG1	Xan BG1	Xzar BG1	Yeslick BG1