I remember the first time I met Derryth Bonecloak in her dusty, dimly lit apothecary in the Lower City. The air smelled of dried herbs and quiet desperation. Even after I helped her in the earlier days by retrieving the precious Noblestalk mushroom, a shadow of loneliness clung to her. It was 2026, and revisiting Baldur's Gate 3 with its enduring world felt like returning to a living city. I learned that if her husband, Baelen, didn't survive the Underdark's perils, a unique opportunity arose: I could send one of Baldur's Gate's many stray cats to keep her company. Three particular felines presented themselves as candidates, and choosing the right companion for this lonely dwarf became a small, personal quest that highlighted the game's beautiful, intricate soul.

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My first encounter was with Barsik, a devout black-and-white cat preaching near Sorcerous Sundries. He spoke fervently of the goddess Sharess—not to be confused with Shar—whose domain is hedonism and pleasure. Barsik was friendly, earnest, and wanted to fight the Absolute in his goddess's name. But as I listened to him, I looked at Derryth's weary, cynical eyes behind her shop counter. Her life had been one of struggle and loss, far removed from religious zealotry or tales of divine pleasure. Sending Barsik to her felt like introducing a roaring fire to a room that needed a gentle, warm glow. His fanaticism, while pure, seemed a poor match for her jaded realism. He'd likely be happier out in the Wide, converting passersby, rather than confined to the quiet shelves of an apothecary.

  • Cat: Barsik

  • Location: Near Sorcerous Sundries

  • Personality: Zealous, friendly, devout worshipper of Sharess

  • Why he might not be the best fit: Derryth's cynicism clashes with his religious fervor; he seems suited for a more active, social life.

Prowling near the central wall, I found Malta, an orange cat with the aura of a noir detective. He spoke in cryptic phrases about Baldur's Gate being a "city of lies" and the call of "destiny." He tested my intentions, wary of immediate friendship. Malta was intriguing, a creature of mystery with his own inscrutable goals. Sending him to the apothecary did make him content, as he later expressed. Yet, Malta was fiercely independent, a cat who chose his allies rather than accepting assigned ones. While he wouldn't be unhappy, his soul seemed destined to wander the shadowy alleys, pursuing his own form of justice. Derryth didn't need a mysterious partner; she needed a companion.

And then, right next to her very shop, I heard the soft mewls of Myshka. This little cat was visibly lost, confused, and speaking in a language I had to focus to understand—Mriaer. He was searching for his mother, his small form the very picture of longing. My heart ached. Here was a creature not preaching a gospel or pursuing a destiny, but simply, desperately, seeking a family. When I spoke to him, the option was clear: I could claim to be his parent or guide him to Derryth. The choice felt instinctive. I pointed him toward the apothecary's door.

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This was no grand quest marker, no world-altering decision. But in that moment, it felt profoundly important. Myshka was the obvious best choice for three simple reasons:

  1. Proximity & Need: He was already there, literally on her doorstep, and his need for a home was palpable and immediate.

  2. Complementary Personalities: Derryth's loneliness and Myshka's search for family created a perfect, healing symmetry. She could provide the stability he craved, and he could offer the unconditional companionship she lacked.

  3. Pure Companionship: Unlike Barsik's zeal or Malta's independence, Myshka's desire was simple: belonging. That's what Derryth's shop needed.

Returning later, the atmosphere in Bonecloak's Apothecary had shifted. It wasn't dramatically different, but the weight of silence was lighter. Derryth, while still bearing her burdens, seemed less alone. The game didn't need to announce it with fanfare; the change was in the details, in the feeling of the space. It reminded me why, years after its release, Baldur's Gate 3's world remains so vibrant. It crafts these tiny, heartfelt intersections of lives—both human and feline—that make the city of Baldur's Gate feel truly alive. In the end, any cat would have cheered her up, but giving Myshka a family and Derryth a devoted friend felt like mending two small, broken pieces of the world. 🐈‍⬛❤️