Spoiler alert for a section of the storyline: While this has as few spoilers as possible, there are a few.While creating your character in Baldur's Gate 3, you will notice that after creating your character, you will be asked to design another character in the character creation menu. The game will call this character your "Guardian," but will not tell you anything else bout the being. You will be able to pick their Race and what they look like; however, you cannot pick their Background or Class. You may also hear this character referred to as your "Dream Visitor."
This can leave you wondering what the Guardian is and how its design will affect your gameplay. While not a ton is known about the Guardian at this point, there is some information regarding the character and its importance. Many players have been able to encounter their Guardian once or twice throughout their playthrough so far. Here's a guide to understanding the Guardian.
Updated by Erin Rice on August 23, 2023: The longer Baldur's Gate 3 is out, the more information players obtain about certain characters in the game. This update includes new information on the Guardian and why they are important.
What Is The Guardian?
All the introduction tells you is that you need to design a Guardian. The game gives you no other clues to go off of in regard to what it is. Thankfully, those who had Early Access to the game have some information regarding who or what the Guardian is. During Early Access, the game asked you to create someone that you dream about, making many players believe that this Guardian is someone that will show up within your dreams. This was all players knew going into the full version that just released.
When Do You Meet The Guardian?
During one of your times having a Long Rest at your Camp, you will encounter the Guardian in your dream. In order to trigger this event, you must use your Illithid Powers for the first time. This means using the tadpole to read peoples minds or anytime it says Illithid Powers. Once you meet them, you will learn that they are protecting you. When you wake up, you learn that your whole party had the same dream. The next time you sleep, they will tell you that they are wanted for stealing magic and are in a different plane of existence than you are. From here, you will need to decide whether to trust them or not.
Major spoiler warning for a huge plot point of the game in the next part.
Who Is The Guardian?
The Guardian is a mysterious being that will be found throughout your time in Baldur's Gate 3. The Guardian's role isn't necessarily known at this time other than they are someone who has been protecting the main character and their companions throughout the game. You will have to play the game and decide for yourself if you trust this being or if you think they are evil.
After some time, you will learn that The Guardian is actually a Mind Flayer known as "The Emperor." This powerful being is trying to work with you to end the corruption of the Mind Flayers and their evil Elder Brains. Interestingly, while it is unbelievable, it seems that The Emperor truly wants to help. There are points in the game where you can decide to trust him or kill him. Sometimes, your attempts to kill him will work, other times they won't. However, it is your choice to make.
Later in the game, you will even have the chase to romance The Guardian/The Emperor. Depending on your choices, the character can appear as The Guardian you created or as the Mind Flayer that he truly is.