Lae'zel

Lae'zel of Crèche K'liir is an Origin Character and a recruitable Companion, and can be romanced by characters of any gender. She is a Githyanki Fighter with the Soldier background. Lae'zel can be first found on the Nautiloid during the prologue, where she serves as a temporary companion, and can be properly recruited on the Roadside Cliffs in Act One.
A ferocious warrior zealously devoted to the Lich Queen , Lae'zel will do whatever is necessary to end the terror of the Illithid and prove herself to her queen. 
== Overview ==
=== Background ===
A fierce warrior from crèche K'liir, Lae'zel is a follower of Vlaakith, the Lich Queen of the githyanki. Sworn to obey her queen and serve as a blade against the Illithid, she was captured on her quest to present a Mind Flayer head to her queen. Now, tadpoled and with few options at hand, she must find a way to rid herself of the parasite and finally prove herself as a worthy warrior to the Undying Queen. How she does it, and whether she remains loyal to Vlaakith, is something she can decide throughout the game.
=== Starting class ===
Before she is recruited, Lae'zel is a level 1 Fighter with the following Ability Scores: STR = 17, DEX = 13, CON = 14, INT = 11, WIS = 12, CH = 8.
If she is recruited, Lae'zel reverts to a level 1 Fighter with standard ability scores for that Class.
Lae'zel starts with a focus on two-handed weapons as is githyanki tradition. Upon reaching level 3, she will default to the Battle Master subclass, allowing her greater control of the battlefield and the ability to subdue foes with her martial prowess.
=== Special features ===
Unlike , Lae'zel does not have any special features unique to her. However, being the only githyanki companion, she can make the most out of all the githyanki exclusive passives and abilities from their racial equipment found throughout the game.
=== Personal quest ===
Lae'zel's personal quest is , spanning all acts of the game. In it, she explores her strong feelings of duty for her people, her zealous devotion to her queen, and where her loyalties should truly lie.
Lae'zel's companion quest ties into two further, separate quests. In , the party finds her trapped in a cage by a pair of tieflings, and must decide how to proceed. During , Lae'zel must consider a proposition that promises to change the fate of her people forever.
===Recruitment===
Lae'zel can be recruited as a temporary companion during the Prologue on the Nautiloid by agreeing to fight with her when encountered; she can become a permanent companion during Act One.
==== Prologue ====
* Lae'zel is first encountered on the nautiloid during the prologue. While escaping from the ship, she joins the party as a temporary companion. She leaves the party after successfully escaping. If Lae'zel is chosen as an Origin, she will be accompanied by in this encounter instead.
==== Act One ====
* If alive at the end of the Nautiloid prologue, Lae'zel is encountered again in the Wilderness near the Roadside Cliffs at . She has been captured and is being held in a wooden cage by two tieflings, and . If the party is able to free her, she can be invited to join the party.
* If Lae'zel dies aboard the Nautiloid, her body will be found at the beach starting area. She can be brought back to life and recruited.
* Lae'zel can still be found in the cage if the party progresses to the Emerald Grove and triggers the initial attack scene at the gates.
* If the party progresses further into the game, Lae'zel breaks out of her cage and disappears, killing Damays and Nymessa if they are still alive. She can then be found later on and may still be recruited. 
* After breaking out of the cage, if refused from joining with the party until this point, she shows up when the party encounters the githyanki near the Mountain Pass. If not turned hostile during the encounter she may be recruited at the end of the battle. If she dies during the battle as an ally or neutral, she may be revived and still join.
* If the player character misses all the recruitment opportunities above or refuses her, she can be found again one final time near the first waypoint on the Rosymorn Monastery Trail where Crèche Y'llek is located for a final recruitment opportunity.
Should the party proceed inside the crèche without having recruited Lae'zel, she will disappear from the mountain pass. When the party proceeds to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, they will find her as an Undead there, having gone the wrong way when trying to find the crèche.
=== Approval ===
Lae'zel prefers direct approaches and is focused on quickly finding a solution to the tadpole infection, without wasting any time. She approves of direct solutions to problems, as well as not getting involved in petty issues unnecessarily. Displaying feats of martial skill and being resolute also sit well with her.
Lae'zel dislikes acts of mercy and compassion as well as showing submission, respect, or diplomacy when force is also a viable option. She does not agree with helping others for the sake of benevolence, despises showing weakness, and will vehemently disapprove of any form of neutral or positive interaction with Illithid of any sort.
=== Romance ===
Lae'zel can be romanced by characters of any gender. At first only about sex, the relationship will turn more serious as Lae'zel gradually learns to see the player character as an equal and then as a partner.
== Description ==
===Appearance===
Lae'zel has yellowish-green skin, with black accents below her ochre eyes, cheeks and neck. She has several scars, most prominent of all one that runs from her nose to her chin. These, along with her stern countenance, give her the look of a seasoned warrior that demands respect. Patterned black bumpy mottles adorn her face above her eyebrows and on her cheeks, and like all githyanki, she has a thin nose and long and pointed ears, with ridges protruding on the back edges. Her hair, kept shoulder-length, is auburn and straight, with a several adorned silver braids running along the side of her head and a small bun on the back. Though shorter than the rest of the companions, she stands proud and intimidating with a wiry, athletic frame.
===Personality===
Lae'zel is depicted as xenophobic, arrogant, and quick to anger. Proud of her species, she frequently volunteers comments to the party detailing the nature of her people, often as a means to illustrate githyanki superiority. She can be rough in her expressions and often cares little for the feelings of others. In her mission to remove her mind flayer parasite, she does not hesitate to intimidate or harm those who would step in her way. Lae'zel is fiercely loyal to her queen , and is almost desperate in her determination to prove her worth. Over time, she becomes more accepting of her companions, though never losing her biting edge. Despite her often vicious behaviour, she is keenly observant and frequently understands the feelings of party members. Lae'zel is not above pragmatism either, willing to go along with a plan she finds distasteful or work together with someone she dislikes - as long as the party stands to benefit. She is still a juvenile to her people, which is shown in her youthful stubbornness at times.
When romanced, Lae'zel will slowly begin to soften up to her partner and start enjoying the small things together with them, even seeing worth in Faerûn as a place to live in with her new lover.
== History ==
===Crèche K'liir===
While readily willing to boast of her people, Lae'zel is decidedly reserved when it comes to herself, and shares only fragments of her past before the conflict against the Absolute. 
She hails from crèche K'liir, also known as Stardock, a githyanki enclave on an asteroid in the Tears of Selûne, an asteroid cluster near the namesake moon. There, Lae'zel received the customary githyanki martial education, with lessons on how to battle, raid and plunder in the name of Vlaakith. This brutal training instilled a hatred for illithid in her, as well as turning her into a ruthless warrior, willing to do whatever is necessary to accomplish her missions. This indoctrination also reinforced her view of githyanki superiority and disdain (if not outright comtempt) for other races.
During her time in the crèche, she and her clutch battled beholders in a nearby asteroid and infiltrated a neogi spelljammer, slaying its entire crew. Tested by battle, but still considered a youngling by her people, she sought to prove herself to Vlaakith as a worthy warrior, and be welcomed to the Astral Plane among her kin. Thus, she set out in search of mind flayers, until then only heard of by her in stories, to battle and present her queen a severed illithid head as proof of worth. Lae'zel is captured by the nautiloid during this mission, tadpoled in a cruel mockery of their ancestral feud. Kept in a pod, she awaited ceremorphosis, doomed to her fate.
== Involvement ==
The Githyanki Warrior is Lae'zel's personal quest. It is added to the journal upon recruiting her and spans all three acts of the game.
=== Prologue ===
Lae'zel can be encountered during the battle aboard the nautiloid. Having escaped her pod, she will ambush the party as they attempt to find an exit. Recognizing they are also free from illithid influence, she proposes a temporary alliance until they find a way out. After the ship crashes at the Ravaged Beach, she disappears leaving the party to fend for themselves.
=== Act One ===
Once properly recruited into the party, Lae'zel discloses that her people know a way of getting rid of tadpoles and that they must find a creche. While exploring the Hollow, a tiefling named can be encountered, who confesses to having run into a group of githyanki near the Mountain Pass. Upon reaching this location for the first time, a group of githyanki led by skirmishes against a squad of Flaming Fists. The Fists are no match for , Voss' mighty red dragon, who quickly dispatches them. Voss then turns to the party and interrogates them on the whereabouts of a . and Lae'zel's presence can influence the result of this encounter, but regardless of the outcome, Lae'zel becomes angry that they are no closer to a cure for their parasites.
Back at camp, Lae'zel confronts Shadowheart over the artefact she carries. Shadowheart refuses to part ways with the object, and mockingly suggests a duel at dawn - a duel she has no intention of participating in - to defuse the conflict. Instead, later that night, Shadowheart's true intentions for resolving their dispute become clear as the party is woken by a struggle between Shadowheart and Lae'zel, the latter pinned to the ground and Shadowheart with a knife at her neck. If passing a skill check, their argument can be defused, with both agreeing to set their differences aside, at least for a time, and Lae'zel adopting begrudging respect for Shadowheart's resolute approach to conflict.
Upon reaching the Rosymorn Monastery, some githyanki can be seen dealing with looters. Once inside, exploring the crèche can lead to an encounter with at the infirmary. Stornugoss quickly diagnoses the party as being infected with tadpoles, and prompts them to use the nearby Zaith'isk, a device used not for healing, but rather purification through death. The machine ultimately fails and, if a skill check fails to convince her otherwise, Stornugoss flees to inform the inquisitor. An audience is ultimately granted with , an inquisitor dispatched to the crèche to help them find the mysterious object Voss was after. The inquisitor quickly reveals he knows about the party and that they hold the artefact the githyanki are after. 
Whatever the outcome of this encounter, Vlaakith herself appears through a projector and reveals that the object is an Astral Prism, designed to contain someone. She demands killing the prism's inhabitant to earn her gratitude, and opens the way inside. If not volunteering, Lae'zel becomes angry, demands the party comply, and threatens violence if they leave the room without first doing as her queen commands. Within the prism, the party can chose to spare or kill the Dream Visitor. If alive upon exiting, W'wargaz turns on the party at the behest of Vlaakith, along with the rest of the crèche. 
At camp, Lae'zel mulls over the events at the crèche. Betrayed by her people, she believes it must be a test of faith from Vlaakith, yet seeds of doubt have been planted in her mind. Voss appears shortly after, asking to be heard. If given the chance, he reveals Vlaakith is a pretender and the true son and heir of Gith, , still lives. Voss leaves not long after, but not before asking the party to meet him at Sharess' Caress in Baldur's Gate. Lae'zel may then be guided down one of two paths: remain loyal to Vlaakith, or reject the Lich Queen and find Orpheus. Whatever her choice, the next stop in her quest is Baldur's Gate.
=== Act Two ===
At the end of Act 2, the party will be ambushed at their camp by githyanki monks. The Dream Visitor explains they are under attack and opens a portal to the prism, urging the party to aid them. Inside, they find a Mind Flayer under attack by the same githyanki monks, the illithid quickly reaches out to the party, revealing that it is the Dream Visitor. Forced to aid it, the party dispatches the githyanki and the mind flayer shares that it used the guise of the Dream Visitor to support them in their travels. Calling itself the , he explains the githyanki assaulted the prism in order to liberate its prisoner: Orpheus, and that the combined power of Orpheus and the Emperor is all that is keeping the party from becoming mindless thralls to the Netherbrain. As such, they have no other option but to side with him for the moment. Lae'zel shares her disbelief, explaining all githyanki have been told the Gith's son died to battle thousands of years ago - another one of Vlaakith's lies.
=== Act Three ===
Arriving at Baldur's Gate, the party can proceed to meet with Voss at Sharess' Caress as pacted. There, they find Voss pleading with , who simply dismisses him. Raphael then explains he has the means to free Orpheus and is willing to assist Lae'zel and the party, for a price. Raphael's deal can be agreed to, in which case he gives the party the . Alternatively, he can be refused and his home, the House of Hope, can be raided in order to find it. Whatever path chosen, Voss will await the party in the Lower City Sewers for news of the hammer.
At some point in camp, Vlaakith appears once more before Lae'zel, commanding Lae'zel to bow before her and comply with her decree to kill Orpheus. If Lae'zel previously rejected Vlaakith, she can be convinced to kneel to her queen and accept her once more. Lae'zel can also be inspired to remain true to herself and reject the Lich Queen for good, siding with the true heir of the Gith.
With the hammer at hand, the party must bide their time until they can access the Astral Prism and Orpheus once more, as the Emperor refuses entry. This opportunity presents itself when confronting the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool. Attempts to control it fail, and the Emperor pulls the party inside the prism in order to save them. Here, they can decide the Prince of the Comet's fate: staying loyal to Vlaakith and allying with the Emperor results in the mind flayer consuming Orpheus' brain in order to absorb his essence. The party members then must confront the Netherbrain with the Emperor as an ally. Alternatively, the party may reject the Emperor's offer, causing him to join the Netherbrain, and free Orpheus. Orpheus is initially hostile but, sensing the dire situation the world is in, changes his mind and quickly joins the party. He can furthermore decide to sacrifice himself to become illithid, or remain githyanki due to the sacrifice of a party member. Whatever the case, Orpheus joins the party against the Netherbrain in the final battle for Baldur's Gate.
=== Endings ===
====War against Vlaakith====
If Lae'zel betrays Vlaakith, allies with Voss and frees Orpheus, she joins the revolutionaries, bringing the fight to Vlaakith. Should Orpheus have become illithid, Lae'zel will call Quulos, one of Orpheus' dragons, and join Voss as they prepare to battle the Lich Queen. In the Epilogue, when spoken through her astral projection, she mentions she and Voss will soon be meeting Zaerith Menyar-Ag-Gith, leader of the Githzerai, and is hopeful they can form an alliance and unify the Gith once more.
====Ascension====
If Lae'zel remains loyal to Vlaakith, and fulfills her decree to slay Orpheus, she is welcomed back to Tu'narath, the Lich Queen's seat of power. There, she is ascended by the queen herself, a ritual reserved for only the mightiest heroes of the githyanki. A scene shows Vlaakith on her throne, welcoming Lae'zel nonchalant. From the shadows, githyanki zombies stare lifelessly as Lae'zel approaches, the queen using her psionic powers, forcing Lae'zel to kneel using her silver sword, grinning as she does. The camera slowly leaves the chamber as the doors close, Lae'zel's fate sealed. can be asked her whereabouts in the Epilogue, to which he will reply she has ascended as she wished, but he can sense her presence no longer. He implies that she may have been consumed by the queen, as the rumours go, yet he cannot be certain.
====Life in Faerûn====
If Lae'zel sides with Orpheus but decides to stay in Faerûn, she launches a crusade to eradicate every Vlaakith-aligned Githyanki outpost on the Sword Coast, inviting the player character to join her in rooting out one of the last major strongholds in Chult.
== Quest rewards ==
* — granted by Voss for showing him the as part of the quest .
== Interactions ==
===Companion interactions===
Lae'zel can be spoken to with and has unique dialogue interactions as a companion available after certain events. Whenever one is available, she will have a floating [ ! ] icon above her.
==== Act One====
* When first encountering Voss, if Lae'zel reveals she is infected with a tadpole, Voss sentences her to death. After dealing with the githyanki, Lae'zel expresses her anger at Voss, doubling down on finding the nearby crèche.
* After Vlaakith names Lae'zel a traitor upon returning from the first visit to the , she is distraught at her queen's betrayal. Lae'zel can be comforted or told it might be a test from Vlaakith.
==== Act Two ====
* Once Orpheus is revealed as the being trapped in the Astral Prism, Lae'zel can be spoken to. She'll share her disbelief, and tell the party more about the long-thought-dead Prince of the Comets.
==== Act Three ====
===Unique interactions===
Either as an origin, or in the party as a companion, Lae'zel has unique interactions and special dialogue with the following characters, listed by the act they are first encountered in.
====Act One====
* 
* 
* 
====Act Two====
====Act Three====
* 
* 
* 
=== Speak with Dead ===
Party member: Who are you?
* (if on Orpheus path) Lae'zel: Lae'zel... Mother Gith's champion
* Lae'zel: Lae'zel... Queen Vlaakith's faithful...
Party member: Where are you from?
* Lae'zel: Crèche K'liir... among the Tears of Selûne...
Party member: What was your mission?
* (if has visited Act Three) Lae'zel: Cleanse the parasite... end the Grand Design...
* (if met Voss and refused him) Lae'zel: Return Prism to Vlaakith... be cured, ascend...
* (if met Voss and accepted proposal) Lae'zel: Kithrak' Voss... Baldur's Gate...
* (if betrayed by Vlaakith) Lae'zel: Seek purification... seek the truth...
* (if used the zaith'isk) Lae'zel: See Inquisitor... be purified...
* (if found the crèche) Lae'zel: Use the zaith'isk... remove the parasite...
* Lae'zel: Find a crèche... cleanse the parasite...
Party member: What was your profession?
* Lae'zel: Fighter... Blade of the Undying Queen...
Party member: What was your life's dream?
* Lae'zel: Ascension... knight hood... silver sword, ride dragon...
Party member: What were you most afraid of?
* Lae'zel: To be illithid... to be forgotten...
== Loot ==
Lae'zel can be killed and looted. She will have the same items as her starting equipment except for her underwear.
=== Starting equipment ===
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* x2
*
*
== Achievements ==
== Gallery ==
File:Lae'zel Unarmed Model.webp|Base model.
File:Lae'zel Camp Model.webp|Camp clothing model.
File:Lae'zel Underwear Model.webp|Underwear model.
File:Laezel EA Model.png|Early Access model.
File:Lae'zel-artbook-concept.png|Digital Artbook concept.
File:Lae'zel-character-creator.png|Appearance in the character creator.
File:Edward-vanderghote-laezel.jpg|Portrait by Edward Vanderghote.
File:Lae'zel-intro-cinematic.png|During the intro cinematic.
File:Laezel.png|Cover artwork.
File:Laezel-beta.png|Appearence pre-release.
File:Laezel-ea.jpg|During Early Access.
File:Laezel-promotional.png|Promotional art.
File:Lae'zel-artbook-concept1.png|Digital Artbook armor concepts.
File:Lae-zel-vlaakith-s-champion.jpg|Commander Legends' Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion
File:Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion Alternate.png|Alternate version of Commander Legends' Vlaakith's Champion
File:Lae'zel, Illithid Thrall.webp|Commander Legends' Lae'zel, Illithid Thrall
==Notes and References==
== External links ==
* 
* Lae'zel's official 5E D&D Character Sheet on D&D Beyond (PDF)
Category:Characters
Category:Characters in the Nautiloid
Category:Characters in the Ravaged Beach
Category:Characters in Act One
Category:Humanoids
Category:Githyanki
Category:Origins
Category:Companions
Category:Fighters
Category:Available to Speak with Dead