Karan is a long-time tutor of Gorion's Ward in Candlekeep. He appears twice during the events of Baldur's Gate, first during the Prologue and again during Chapter Six.

Prologue

He approaches you when you exit from the Barracks after the assassination attempt by Carbos:

"I heard shouting, <Gorion's Ward>! Are you alright?"

1: He's... He's dead, whoever he was. He lunged at me with a knife. Oh Karan, what is happening to this place?

It's not this place, child... It's you they're after. Gorion is waiting on the steps to the central library and wants you to go to him as soon as you have bought what you need at the Inn. Oh, <Gorion's Ward>, I have been your tutor for so many years and only in this moment have I come to doubt that my teachings have not been enough. Go to Gorion, child. It is safe for you here no longer...

2: It is better you don't ask questions, Karan. You have instructed and inspired me throughout my childhood and your heart would break to see what has just transpired here.

Oh child! You are too young for the life that is being thrust upon you... If you be fully equipped for your journey, I pray you run now to Gorion on the library steps for he is anxious to depart.

Chapter Six

Library

He'll approach you as soon as you enter the main area on the ground floor of the Library:

<Gorion's Ward>, my child, look at you! Your face has gained some new lines since the days when I tutored you...

1: Please, stay back. You were my tutor once, but who you are now, I cannot know. I'm sorry Karan... but I can trust no one.

What has this world done to you, child? It is me... Karan... your tutor— I knew you as a babe.

1: Flee, beast! I give you this chance only because I once loved the form you've taken. Begone, for such chances do not come twice!

You are mistaken! Oh, this is just too much for my old heart. So much is happening; so much has turned strange.

2: Ah, Karan, you speak true, but it's not your fault. You prepared me as well as you could for what lay beyond these walls... I just pray that I am prepared for what I shall find within them, now that I've returned.

Why? What is wrong here? Shall I tell the Watchers?

2: The Watchers are no more use than a bundle of sticks. Please, just tell me if you have seen anything strange in the library this past while.

Strange? Why yes, that is just the word I would have used for that Koveras fellow. He was right here beside me, taking Alaundo's prophecies from their place on the shelf and reading them. I could hear his voice, recognize the Seer's words upon his quiet breath, but when I turned to steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye, it was the strangest thing... his eyes were closed and he was reciting page after page, as if from memory! He heard your footsteps, it seems, and wandered off... I was just returning the prophecies to their rightful place here. It might be wise to take a look. If this Koveras is dangerous, though, I'm afraid I'm too old and bookish to be more than a hindrance. Forgive me, but I must leave you now.

Catacombs (as a doppelganger)

Dullard! Insolent waif! I tried to instruct you, tried to make you wise, but it was like drawing compassion from a Zhent! You are a nothing, child, and you will soon become much less! Thssss!

Gallery

Karan "heard shouting"^[1]

References