Imoen is a human thief of Neutral Good alignment, and the first NPC available to become a party member in Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn videogames. She is the player character's (Gorion's Ward) childhood friend. They both grew up together in the library fortress of Candlekeep from the time she was brought there, when they were both about the age of 10.
Baldur's Gate[]
n the Prologue she will greet you when you approach the front of the Candlekeep Library proper. She surprises you by knowing more about your impending journey with Gorion than you do.
At the start of Chapter 1, after the tutorial prologue, she will track you down in Candlekeep Coastway, and join you as your first party member, even if you try to send her away.
| Well...that's just fine! But even though you might not think so, you need me. SO despite anything you say, I'm coming with you. So there! |
In-game biography (Baldur's Gate)[]
When asked about her past, Imoen slaps your shoulder playfully. She says that you of all people should know, seeing as how you grew up together. Indeed, some of your fondest memories are of meeting this sprightly young lass. She apparently came to Candlekeep much as you did, though 10 years later in life, and she spent much more time with the gruff Winthrop than Gorion, "Puffguts" she would call him, much to the old innkeep's dismay. She seems the eternal child, and is quite content to play the part of little sister, though you are both of comparative ages. You can tell by her hearty smile that she will always be willing to travel with you, no matter what path you take.
Baldur's Gate 2[]
| At the start of Shadows of Amn, Imoen, who by now is a dual-classed Thief/Mage, has freed herself from capture, and very soon comes to the player character's rescue. When the player awakes, she tells him/her that they have been captured and tortured, but she doesn't know why. She relates something she overheard her captor saying: he want's to release the player character's 'potential', though it is not known what that means.
The player must escape the dungeon and may take Imoen with them or not. Whatever the decision, once outside, Imoen is back with the player in a cut scene in which Imoen attacks Jon Irenicus, their captor, with magic—she has been tortured, and is frightened, but not knowing where they are, she does not know that the use of magic is forbidden without a licence in Athkatla. Because of this, Cowled Wizards appear and spirit Imoen and Irenicus away to an unknown location. The first part of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn consists of the player gathering information and funds (with or without companions), and performing quests for the purpose of finding out where Imoen has been taken, and to gather the necessary resources to rescue her, which is eventually realised in chapter 4. |
In-game biography(Baldur's Gate 2)[]
Imoen chuckles when you ask her about her past, assuming you are just trying to keep her mind on happier times and places. She indulges you, and certainly does cheer up when speaking of how you spent your youths together in Candlekeep. She arrived there the same as you, in the company of your foster father Gorion, but despite this similiarity she grew up much more carefree than you did. Indeed, her lightheaded outlook has long kept her immune to the hardships of the world, though the dark confines and horrors of your current location have definitely taken their toll.
Trivia[]
- Imoen was originally not going to be a companion in the original game. But due too positive reception from testers, and the fact that without her, your only other choices for companions if you head to the Friendly Arm Inn right away are Xzar and Montaron. Her voice lines from the original game where originally from an NPC.
- It is revealed in Baldur's Gate 2 that Imoen is a Bhallspawn like Gorion's Ward themselves, making her their half-sister.