Baldur’s Gate 3 boasts an abundance of dialogue lines, the majority dedicated to regular NPC interactions. Yet, a less apparent gem lies in conversing with animals, a facet often missed.
In my initial playthrough, I ignored the potential of Speak with Animals spells. But the realm teems with uproarious and consequential exchanges with creatures that are an absolute must-experience. This piece highlights the top 10 animal dialogues in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Tara the Tressym
Perched on the Open Hand Temple’s rooftop, Tara the Tressym indulges in pigeon treats. Use Speak with Animals and interact with the creature standing atop the pile of missing letters. The encounter takes a delightful turn if Gale is at the party because it turns out they share an unexpected friendship, highlighting the city’s compactness.
Gale extends a request for the ring with a carefree sentiment. Still, the option to implore Tara to spare the courier pigeons remains open. In a gallant response, Tara wholeheartedly consents.
Rosymorn Monastery Giant Eagle
This one earns a spot just because it’s a Giant Eagle we’re talking to. This magnificent bird, complete with a comical accent, will amusingly express surprise and instruct her offspring, Xavier, to take cover. Using Speak with Animals on the Giant Eagle in the Rosymorn Monastery allows you to ask it to step away while you snag the puzzle’s weapon from its nest. She agrees to let you approach without attacking, but not before warning its kiddo to stay away because you “might have germs.”
Crimson the Dino
Crimson, the dino-being of Baldur’s Gate’s Circus of The Last Days, beckons with a ferocious hunger. He beseeches for your flesh in a ravenous plea, teetering on the edge of starvation.
Offer a morsel, prompting a transformation in his tone upon your return. With a newfound intellect, he remorsefully apologizes for his prior demand. When questioned about the circus mistreating him, he defends them as saviors, pointing the claw at the real issue: “Dribbles.”
Skittle the Rat
In the Heapside Prison, use Speak with Animals to talk to Skittle the rat. As chance would have it, you’ve stumbled upon an extraordinary encounter—Skittle, as it turns out, is a merchant peddling goods. This secret merchant sells some rare stuff, like the Elixir of Universal Resistance and Thieves’ Tools. Still, its most exclusive item for sale is a key to a Safe in the Counting House.
Cats. Just, all of the cats.
Larian Studios’ writers truly grasp feline essence, evident through the various cat encounters spread across the game.
At Moonrise Towers, a resident-named “Fluffers” cat dismisses its moniker and shuts out the conversation due to your “furless” nature.
Then there’s Kira, the cat at Sharess Caress, who’ll open the conversation by welcoming your compliments. This conversation can go by for quite some time, and she’ll just gracefully receive your compliments.
One cat is even named His Majesty at the Last Light Inn, and will limit himself to hissing at you, even if you’re using Speak with Animals in BG3. I guess I’m not worthy.
I simply can’t talk about Barsik, a cat who invites you to swear fealty to Sharess “by his paw”…okay, let’s talk about Barsik. You’ll find Barsik right outside Sorcerous Sundries, and you’ll definitely want to use Speak with Animals on him to learn more about Sharess, his “Feline of Felicity.” Whether or not you agree to pledge yourself to Sharess, Barsik has nothing but encouraging words for you.
Sparky, the Running Dog
Close to Baldur’s Gate’s Bloomridge Park, a hyperactive dog dashes around with unbridled glee. Meanwhile, the owner watches, anxiety etched on their face, fearing retribution for missing tea. In BG3, the “Speak with Animals” ability unveils Sparky’s singular train of thought: “runrunrunrun.” Now, it’s the players’ task to persuade this boundlessly energetic pup to halt the sprint and return home with its owner.
Commander Lightfeather Pidgeon
In Act 3, you’ll cross paths with Commander Lightfeather, a pigeon with attitude at Rivington’s Post House. This comical rendezvous practically screams, “Someone had fun scripting this!” To even get a word from the commander, you’ll need to declare your name and rank. In this whimsical escapade, players can dive into a mission: recovering lost letters and persuading a lethal Tressym to spare the pigeons. It’s crazy to think a side quest is hidden under all this optional pigeon dialogue.
The Strange Ox
The most intricate episodes involve the enigmatic Strange Ox, progressively unfolding with each Act. Encountered first in the Druid Grove during Act 1, this cryptic creature tantalizingly conceals secrets. Mysteriously, it announces its journey to Baldur’s Gate.
In Act 3, the pursuit of the Strange Ox leads players to Baldur’s Gate, sparking a renewed dialogue. Unexpectedly, its ruminations, as our protagonist highlights, defy bovine expectations. A climactic face-off exposes the Ox’s genuine identity: an entity resembling a turquoise slime or flan.
How to Learn Speak With Animals
If you want to engage in conversation with any of the above animals in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll naturally need to learn the Speak With Animals spell first. There are several Classes that can naturally learn Speak With Animals as a spell through leveling up:
- Bard
- Druid
- Nature Domain Cleric
- Ranger
- Oath of the Ancients Paladin
- Wildheart Barbarian
- Forest Gnome
In addition to the above classes, Warlocks that choose the Eldritch Invocation Beast Speech can cast Speak With Animals on themselves without expending a Spell Slot. You can also teach a Wizard the spell if you find a Speak With Animals Scroll and transcribe the scroll to their Spellbook.
Beyond learning the spell, you can also use Speak With Animals by consuming a Potion of Animal Speaking, which will last until your next Long Rest. These potions can be found all over as you travel through Baldur’s Gate 3, but you can also craft one via Alchemy by combining Essence of Acorn Truffle and any Salt.
