Xan is an lawful neutral elf enchanter. He appears in Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, where he is a potential companion. He does appear in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, but only in the tutorial, just like Branwen.
Xan is voiced by Jeff Benett
He is the only character able to use the Moonblade, located in Mulahey's chest, a short distance from where Xan is held.
Baldur's Gate
He is found in the makeshift throne room in the Nashkel Mines. Xan joins the party to help defeating Mulahey. He does not have anything when he joins the party, he is injured and he has no spells memorized when first encountered. In the chest there is blade stored by the name Moonblade which can only be wielded by Xan and is very powerful, but due to his low constitution and being a mage, some players don't think Xan is very useful for melee combat. Some might say his lack of combat skills are a downside to recruiting him. However, his charm spells are useful, if used tactically.
The only bad thing this Elven mage has is that he can't use Evocation Spells, that means, no Cloudkill, no Magic Missile, no Fire Arrow (Fire Arrow isn't Evocation, it's Conjuration), etc.
Possibly due to his Neutral alignment, Xan will leave the game permanently if released from the party whilst the player's Reputation is high on the scale (Heroic).
Personality
Xan is an enchanter of the Greycloak clan-elves from Evereska. He was sent to investigate the political turmoil of the Sword Coast. Unfortunately, he was captured and held prisoner by Mulahey. He is very pessimistic, and often makes negative comments while expressing surprise at success. Every now and then, a slight optimistic comment escapes him. His excessive gloom, despondency and moroseness is received differently by players, some find to be humorous, others might be annoyed by it.
Xan will leave if you turn him down. Either accept him or insult him. When released from the party he will leave without protest and remain where he is left to be recruited again if desired. So there is absolutely no downside to accepting him.
Relations
Xan and Ajantis don't like each other, as Xan sees Ajantis as a fellow who sees people as either good or evil and Xan thinks he is also a narrow minded man.
Xan also hates Eldoth, as the bard is rude and also focused on benefitting himself. Xan suggests that Eldoth could do the whole party a favor by getting himself killed and he even has a special quote if Eldoth should fall in battle, in which Xan expresses his joy about his demise.
Xan is also the victim of Viconia, who thinks that he is a weak man.
In-game biography
| “ | When asked about his past, Xan wistfully speaks of his home in the elven stronghold of Evereska, and his role as a Greycloak. It was apparently decreed that he was to investigate the events of the iron shortage, determine who or what were the causes, and ascertain whether there was a greater threat to the region as a whole. This was definitely not a small task, and he accepted the responsibility with a great deal of dread. You get the feeling, however, that he approaches everything with a great deal of dread. He has devoted his life to improvising his mastery of magic and has become a skilled wizard, though his dedication has left him little time to make friends or acquire any other pastimes. He strikes you as very capable, though probably not the best influence on morale. | ” |
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Xan only makes an appearance in the tutorial of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, in which he explains how the wizard spells work.
Quotes
Baldur's Gate - Xan dialogue
Xan's quotes.
- "We're all doomed."
- "Our quest is vain."
- "Oh, what is the point?!"
- "I feel around you I might have a chance"
- "We're all doomed! Run while we're still able." (When morale fails.)
- "I thank you for my freedom, friends, for I have languished in these dismal vaults too long." (when first met in the Nashkel Mines
- "Onward, to futility."
- "Oh, perhaps we'll survive longer than I had originally thought!"
- "It seems our resident suicide monger, Ajantis, lives in a black and white world."
- "This group is especially hopeless today."
- "Keep up this evil and we're deservedly doomed." (when party reputation is low)
- "We delude ourselves to think our pitiable band will stand up to our enemies."
- "I cannot abide by these actions. I must take my leave from this barbaric fellowship!" (when leaving the party)
- "Eldoth, could you stand away from me - the stench is somewhat unnerving!"
- "While leader, I will endeavour not to get all of us killed!" (when he is made a leader of the group.)
- "The bustle of the city makes me feel insignificant." (when he is in urban areas)
- "Certainly, I shall collapse from exhaustion before I fall on the battlefield." (when Xan is tired)
- "The sun shines, and I am amazed we live to see another day."
- "If we are doomed to fail, could we at least do it faster!?" (when standing idle?)
- "The majesty of the forest makes me feel... insignificant."(when he is in a forest)
- "Do not think I will endure your insults indefinitely."
- "I would grieve for Eldoth, if it were not for the sense of joy I now feel!"
- "Have you ever wondered how hollow your convictions sound, Ajantis?"
- "Perhaps, Eldoth, you could be a little more polite to our companions?"
- "My wounds are too grave. I am a dead man." (when his hitpoints are low).
- "You could do us all a favour, Eldoth, by getting killed in the next battle."
- "Let us save our effort and just lie down and die!"
- "I'll do what I can, but expect very little."
- "It is hardly worth the effort of trying."
- "Another victim in our hopeless crusade." (when a party member dies)
- "Your stupidity makes you a doomed man."
- "Well, with you as my companion, who needs enemies?"
- "I hope what you say was well-intentioned."
- "If I'd wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it."