Xan

Xan is a lawful neutral elf Enchanter and a potential companion in , , and . He is also the owner of a powerful Moonblade, which can only be used by him.
==Background ==
Xan is an enchanter and a Greycloak of Evereska sent to investigate the political turmoil of the Sword Coast. Unfortunately, he was captured and held prisoner by Mulahey.
==Baldur's Gate & Tales of the Sword Coast==
===Recruitment===
Xan is encountered near the end of Chapter Two, or the beginning of Chapter Three if the party deals with Mulahey first. He is found held captive in a cave room next to Mulahey's makeshift throne room in the Nashkel Mines, and will ask to help the party defeat him if they haven't already done so. Note that he will leave permanently if you turn him down at this point, but if his offer to join the party (whether Mulahey has already been killed or not) is accepted he can subsequently be released from the party and he will remain wherever he is until recruited again.
He also appears in the tutorial of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and the Enhanced Editions, where he explains how the wizard spells work.
=== Quest ===
* Xan (quest)
===Relationships===
* Alora constantly pesters Xan for being a huge "grumpypuss" who doesn't smile enough. Xan, in turn, finds her comments annoying and will often lash out at her verbally. Because of this Alora thinks Xan is a big meanie, though this doesn't seem to discourage her efforts to cheer him up.
*Xan and Ajantis don't like each other as Xan sees Ajantis as a narrow minded man who only sees people as either good or evil. There does seem to be some respect between them, however - Xan is able to talk Ajantis down when he clashes with evil party members, effectively postponing a fight between said evil party members and Ajantis.
*Xan seems to have some measure of respect for Dynaheir, and implies that he feels more secure with her around, but if the respect is mutual she doesn't show it.
*Xan dislikes and distrusts Edwin.
*Xan also hates Eldoth, as the bard is egotistic and rude. Xan will suggest that Eldoth could do the whole party a favor by getting himself killed and even has a special quote should Eldoth fall in battle.
*Xan and Jaheira get along surprisingly well, even though they really don't talk much. They will periodically compliment each other, though neither ever responds to the other's compliments.
*Khalid seems to think Xan is a bit rude, but appreciates his honesty.
*Xan gets along well with Kivan.
*Xan cannot stand Quayle and the two often argue, though most characters respond to Quayle the same way.
*Safana finds Xan attractive, and will flirt with him if the two are in the same party. Xan, however, ignores her completely.
*Viconia thinks Xan is a weak man.
*Xan has a poor opinion of Tiax.
===Gameplay===
Xan's specialization is Enchanter, so he can't scribe and cast Evocation spells from his spellbook, either powerful offensive ones like Magic Missile, Fireball, Lightning Bolt and Cloudkill, or good defensive ones like Shield. But alternatively he can use all the powerful arcane wands, like the Wand of Fire and the Wand of Lightning, and also items like the Shield Amulet instead of some of the spells. Combined with the casting of non-evocation "nukes" (like Melf's Acid Arrow, Flame Arrow and Skull Trap), Xan can deal significant spell damage when required.
However, his specialization means that his Enchantment spells are more powerful against enemies, who receive a -2 penalty to their saving throws. Being able to hinder or even shut down enemy groups — and a good way to do this is with Enchantment spells like for example Sleep, Hold Person, and Chaos — might be even more crucial in Baldur's Gate (being a low level setting) than dealing a lot of damage.
When first encountered he is injured and has no spells memorized, though there is a Moonblade in a nearby chest which can only be wielded by Xan. It is very powerful, but due to Xan's low constitution he should really only use the weapon either defensively (with high enough fire resistance, fire damage will actually heal Xan) or to finish off disabled enemy units.
His low hit points mean that spells like Mirror Image and Stoneskin might be crucial for him. Also, using potions like the Potion of Fortitude when needed can raise his survival chances by a lot.
*In, companions who have fewer XP than protagonist at the time of their first joining will be given a certain amount of experience points for you to manually level them up to gain more control of their status.
Starting levels in classic Baldur's Gate
Average party level	Level	XP 	Gold	Hit Points 	Weapon Proficiencies	spells abilities
1.00 - 2.99 	2 	2561 	0 	7 (Max possible:8) 	
*Dagger + 	
*Charm Person
*Color Spray
3.00 - 4.99 	4 	10042	0 	12 (Max possible:16)	
*Dagger + 	
Level 1
*Charm Person
*Color Spray
Level 2
*Luck
*Melf's Acid Arrow
*Mirror Image
5.00+ 	6 	41549	0 	17 (Max possible:24)	
*Dagger +
*Sling + 	
Level 1
*Charm Person
*Color Spray
*Protection From Evil
Level 2
*Luck
*Melf's Acid Arrow
*Mirror Image
Level 3
*Dire Charm
=== Biography ===
===Quotes===
	I thank you for my freedom, friends, for I have languished in these dismal vaults too long.	Initial meeting
	We're all doomed! Run while we're still able. 	Morale failure
	Ooh, perhaps we'll survive longer than I had originally thought! 	Happy
	This group is especially hopeless today! 	Unhappy-annoyed
	Keep up this evil, and we're deservedly doomed. 	Unhappy-serious
	I cannot abide by these actions! I must take my leave from this barbaric fellowship. 	Unhappy-break
	While leader, I will endeavor not to get ALL of us killed. 	Leader
	*yawn* Certainly I shall collapse from exhaustion before I fall on the battlefield. 	Tired
	If we are doomed to fail, could we at least do it faster?! 	Bored
	Eh. Onward, to futility! 	Battlecry1
	 	Damage
	My wounds are too grave. I am a dead man. 	Hurt
	 	Dying
	The majesty of the forest makes me feel insignificant. 	Forest
	The bustle of the city makes me feel insignificant. 	City
	The sun shines, and I am amazed we live to see another day. 	Day
	We're all doomed. 	Select1
	Life is so hollow. 	Select2
	Our quest is vain. 	Select3
	Whatever. 	Action1
	Oh, what is the point? 	Action2
	If you want. 	Action3
	It is hardly worth the effort of trying. 	Action4
	We delude ourselves to think our pitiable band will stand up to our enemies. 	Action5
	Let us save our effort and just lie down and die. 	Action6
	I'll do what I can, but expect very little. 	Action7
	Eldoth, could you stand away from me? The stench is somewhat unnerving. 	Interaction1
	Perhaps, Eldoth, you could be a little more polite to our companions? 	
Interaction2
	You could do us all a favor, Eldoth, by getting killed in the next battle. 	
Interaction3
	Have you ever wondered how hollow your convictions sound, Ajantis? 	
Interaction4
	It seems our resident suicide monger, Ajantis, lives in a black and white world. 	
Interaction5
	Your stupidity makes you a doomed man. 	Insult1
	Well, with you as my companion, who needs enemies? 	Insult2
	Around you, I almost feel that we have a chance. 	Compliment1
	Another victim in our hopeless crusade. 	To death-general
	I would grieve for Eldoth if it were not for the sense of joy I now feel. 	To death-specific
	If I'd wanted your opinion I would have asked for it. 	To insult1
	Do not think I will endure your insults indefinitely. 	
To insult2
	I hope what you say was well intentioned. 	
To insult3
thumb|right|400px|Xan's quotes.
==Personality==
Xan is a wellspring of pessimistic dialogue, often making defeatist comments and expressing surprise at the party's positive achievements. His excessive gloom, despondency and moroseness is received differently by players; some find the character humorous, others are annoyed by him.
A closer inspection of Xan's voiced remarks against other NPCs, however, reveals a sarcastic – even snide – nature to his comments (especially against Ajantis and Eldoth), which adds a new dimension to his personality by keeping the player guessing about how serious he actually is with his pessimism. This conflicting persona is reflected by how the character wields a Moonblade – an extremely powerful, semi-sentient, good-aligned magical weapon that will actually kill a user it deems unworthy of wielding it.
== Trivia ==
* In the Icewind Dale game, the party meets Xan's cousin Erevain Blacksheaf during the prologue.
* In Baldur's Gate 3, one of the hirelings you can recruit, Zenith Feur'sel, is hinted to be his son. His description reads: "Zenith, once an optimistic Evereskan Graycloak, journeyed to Faerûn in search of a new sunrise. An Absolute warband proved his dour father right: Zenith was doomed!" This would suggest that Xan's surname is Feur'sel.
* In Baldur’s Gate 3, in the room “Elminster’s Library” at Sharress’ Caress brothel, there is a book in the bookshelf near the bed called “One Night in Nashkel” which reads “After months of imprisonment in the Nashkel mines, Enchanter Xan cannot bear his solitude any longer, and decides to pleasure himself with the only companion he has: his sentient sword the Moonblade.”
==Mod content==
With installation of the Xan BG2 NPC mod, Xan can be met again in Athkatla's Government district and once more become a companion.Xan for BG2 – Pocket Plane Group
==Gallery==
Xan XAN Portrait BG2.png|Baldur's Gate I portrait, slightly brightened for character generation in Baldur's Gate II
==External links==
* 
* 
==References==
pl:Xan
Category:Lawful neutral companions
Category:Companions of lawful ethos
Category:Companions of neutral morality