The emotional weight of Karlach’s story in Baldur’s Gate 3 makes it one of the most memorable arcs in the game. As a fierce yet compassionate tiefling barbarian, Karlach quickly becomes a fan-favorite companion. Her infernal engine and cursed background lead her down a tragic path one that forces players to make difficult choices. Among the possible resolutions, going to Avernus with Karlach stands out as one of the most powerful and heartfelt endings in the entire game. It’s more than just a gameplay decision; it’s an emotional commitment, a farewell to the material world, and a final journey into the hellish landscape of Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells.
Karlach’s Background and Her Infernal Heart
Karlach’s story begins with her escape from the hells after serving under the archdevil Zariel. Her body is infused with infernal technology specifically, an engine that burns too hot for the mortal plane. While she retains her free will and fiery spirit, her time is limited. Every moment spent in Faerûn puts her life in danger. The engine cannot be cooled indefinitely, and unless something is done, she will eventually burn out.
The Dilemma of Her Fate
The central tragedy of Karlach’s arc lies in her limited options. Throughout the game, players search for a solution to fix her infernal engine. However, even with the combined intelligence of allies like Gale and Wyll, no permanent cure presents itself. As the story progresses, three major paths emerge:
- Let Karlach burn out after the final battle, embracing her fate.
- Allow her to return to Avernus alone to survive, likely to serve Zariel once again.
- Join her in Avernus, standing by her side even in the depths of hell.
The third option going to Avernus with Karlach is considered the most romantic and selfless ending. It’s a powerful testament to the strength of your bond and willingness to sacrifice everything to be with her.
How to Trigger the Avernus Ending with Karlach
To unlock the Go to Avernus with Karlach ending, players need to build a strong relationship with her over the course of the game. This includes:
- Bringing Karlach into your party early and keeping her active in dialogue and decisions.
- Supporting her choices and expressing empathy during her personal quests.
- Romancing her, if desired, and engaging in the intimate camp scenes that deepen her trust.
After defeating the final boss, a dialogue sequence will occur where Karlach discusses her fate. If you’ve established a close bond, she will express her desire to return to Avernus to survive, but she won’t want to do it alone. You are given the choice to accompany her. Selecting this path locks you into one of the game’s most bittersweet yet satisfying conclusions.
What It Means to Go to Avernus
Choosing to follow Karlach into Avernus is not just a narrative decision it’s a symbolic one. Avernus is a place of torment, endless war, and corruption. It’s not a vacation. But the fact that your character chooses to abandon the safety of the mortal plane and walk into the Nine Hells with Karlach is a statement of devotion and defiance. You reject the comforts of victory to stand by someone who has endured unimaginable pain.
The Tone and Visuals of the Ending
The final scene captures a mix of melancholy and hope. As the portal to Avernus opens, Karlach turns to you, eyes filled with emotion. There is fear in her voice, but also gratitude. You both step forward together, disappearing into the red and orange glow of the infernal gate. It’s quiet, heartfelt, and cinematic leaving a lasting impact on players who chose love and loyalty over peace and glory.
Gameplay Implications and Post-Game
Once you choose to go to Avernus with Karlach, the game ends. There’s no post-game content or follow-up. The ending is final, serving as a dramatic conclusion to your journey. However, its power lies not in what comes after, but in what it represents. It shows the strength of character, the depth of bonds formed through adversity, and the willingness to sacrifice for love.
While there are no mechanical rewards for choosing this path, the emotional payoff is significant. Many fans regard it as one of the most satisfying and meaningful endings in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially for those invested in Karlach’s arc.
Community Reactions and Legacy
Players across forums and fan communities have celebrated the Avernus ending as a standout moment in the game. Fan art, fanfiction, and discussions often praise the emotional complexity of Karlach’s choice and the bravery of the player character who follows her. It’s a conclusion that elevates the storytelling in Baldur’s Gate 3, showing that not every heroic ending involves parades or thrones sometimes, it’s about who you choose to stand with when everything else falls away.
Emotional Themes Explored
- Sacrifice: Giving up your future in Faerûn to stay with someone you love.
- Loyalty: Standing by a friend or partner even when the path leads to hell.
- Redemption: Helping Karlach reclaim a sense of peace by choosing her fate on her terms.
These themes resonate strongly with players and contribute to the game’s legacy as a narrative-rich RPG with real emotional depth.
Why This Ending Matters
The Avernus ending with Karlach offers a rare kind of resolution one that isn’t clean or easy, but feels true to the characters involved. It’s a love story wrapped in flames, defiant in the face of cosmic cruelty. It reflects the core of what Baldur’s Gate 3 does best: letting players write their own stories, where consequences are real and choices carry weight.
By choosing to accompany Karlach to the hells, you reject traditional heroism and embrace something more personal. You let go of power and accolades in favor of companionship and meaning. For many players, that’s a far more rewarding conclusion than any seat of honor could offer.
Final Reflections
Going to Avernus with Karlach is not just an ending it’s a culmination of a deeply personal journey. It reinforces the idea that not all stories end in triumph, but that even in loss or sacrifice, there is beauty and dignity. Karlach’s infernal heart may have doomed her body, but it never broke her spirit. And by choosing to stand beside her until the end, your character becomes part of that spirit choosing love over legacy, fire over fame.
For those who make that choice, the memory of walking into the flames hand in hand will remain one of the most unforgettable moments in gaming.