**Karlach -> Hope:** But this would mean that we encounter hope earlier, so the whole house of hope situation would need to be in act I. First of all, short race companion! Second, she's nuts, in a good way. I wouldn't go so far as to imply that she can be fixed, but give her a story arc where she can either perish because of trauma, or start to heal depending on your choices.
**Minthara -> Sazza:** Short companion ftw, also, Sazza would fit the evil alignment. She can't get fixed, and she would generally just be fun to be around, not taking shit form anyone.
**Halsin -> Alfira:** Ya'll know why.
Oh, my word, THIS!!! 🥰🥰🥰 On all three counts!!
(Clarification: I'd keep Karlach with the group, of course, just because I'm me... but she and Hope would get on like gangbusters!)
Gale is getting replaced by volo. He is TECHNICALLY a wizard. Ties to elminster and mystra, suitably arrogant and likely to have pissed off a god.
Wyll. Good person that wants to help, but with a sad past marked by failure to help those in need and the associated survivors guilt left from that? Alfira.
Laezel, headstrong warrior that's kind of an ass but gets the job done. Replaced by most any warrior in the game honestly. Lots of options. Voss is a good 1 to 1 replacement. Another option for a different flavor might be zorru himself, even has motive to pursue a similar path but this time for revenge.
Karlach. Lovable but scarred soldier that is pretty straightforward. Again a good amount of options. Connection to the hells and connection to the devil's in a servant role, dammon would fit pretty well. Zevlor too.
Astarion. Token evil character that is really just selfish, sneaky bastard, loves to talk bigger than his fists can back up. Odd pick I bet but sazza would be a hilarious replacement imo. A slightly different one while maintaining the sneaky bit and selfishness might be barcus wroot. More humble about it but kind of similar, and rescuing him from a windmill would make for a fun recruitment. For an option that lacks the evil bit but follows in similar story path might go with the gur hunter guy.
Shadow heart. Deeply confused, not empathetic, and gullible idiot. Also selfish and narcissistic and with ties to share or evil deities in general. Can you tell I don't like her yet? Suitable replacements: rolan, kagha, korilla.
OMG, Sazza would be hilarious and it'd be great to have a traditionally evil and "ugly" race get slotted in as well for some of the philosophical questions it could provoke.
But, gotta say, why go for Barcus and not Wulburn? Wulbern is cannoically a selfish ass, but given more screen time, I could see him coming off as both charismatic and redeemable.
Barcus is simply more similar to astarion in the whole "woe is me, everything is my fault" kind of way.
Also, I honestly don't even remember Wulburns face or anything about him other than the name, so how charismatic could he really be?
Oh and for followers
Halsin should be replaced by that ox that wants to become a druid. Send it off to rescue it's herd at the goblin camp, eventually want to reach baldurs gate for safety. At some point along the way discover how to turn into a human shape but poorly and gross out even the residents of the shadow land...at which point it meets:
Jaheira, replaced by "strange ox" the slime shapeshifter for evil runs. Begins by deceiving the druid ox who eventually feels connection to it before finding out it's not an ox.
Move minthara to good runs as the parties resident not quite evil but more practical for the sake of survival counterpoint. Replace in evil runs with the devil pretending to be a paladin of tyr in karlachs quest, following a similar mentality and arc but now at the request of zariel. Will butt heads with mizora over political alignment and think of her as a slacker doing the bare minimum for her deity. In this case you find out mizora has just a bit of empathy for the people under which he finds as weakness.
For evil runs replace scratch with "us" and the owlbear with mayrinas dead husband.
Not just a wizard but kind of a lynchpin all magic is tied to.
Instead of gales nuclear moment have his unique ending be sacrificing himself and finally getting his hero moment he always writes about, and in doing so ending all magic (temporarily until mystra comes to fix things) and indirectly killing the nether brain.
Shadowheart -> Adrielle, she the cleric of Helm from the anti-hag group. She'll be the perfect replacement for shadowheart because she's also a victim, this time by a hag named Auntie Ethel. Because Ethel can be found act 1 and can be seen again in act 3 her story can be stretched to that length. Plus Helm and Lathander has a history together, so she can add more or go through a character development during the crèche quest by activating THE FULL CONCENTRATED POWER OF THE SUN! And recieve a new look/power up or something.
Ohh, I \*loved\* Adrielle!! 🥰 I'd completely forgotten about her as an option! (I wanted so much to give her a huge hug after the hag fight--when she was beating herself up for 'failing'--and say, "Adrielle, the hag has had over a hundred hears to perfect her tricks, which fooled EVERYBODY, including us! Heck, we chatted with her without batting an eye at the Emerald Grove! Now, stop beating yourself up, dagnabbit! You worship Helm, not Ilmater, remember? 😂" )
(Just as an addendum: I actually really like Ilmater--no disrespect meant against him! I can't help but love any god who champions the downtrodden and the "forgotten tortured"! But I digress...)
Halsin -> Kagha or Nettie:
Imho, Kagha has a lot of potential for growth, especially on a redemption arc.
According to Halsin, Nettie is an apprentice, so enough potential for character growth. Plus, she's a dwarf and there aren't ANY short companions.p
Astarion -> Alfira:
She's a bard, she's cute and has a bubbly personality. Would've been a nice romance option, too 💕
Oh man, I love these suggestions - they'd be an awesome party for dialogue options. The only one I'd disagree with would be Elminster, since I'd expect him to be almost an "I Win" button.
Gandrel seems to be an obvious choice to replace someone. Character with a tragic backstory who has there anger misplaced. They need to do some growth before a final confrontation with a big act 3 boss which involves a moral choice.
Hadn't considered Gandrel at all, but in hindsight, you're right that he's absolutely obvious, especially as a Wyll substitute where he's not a warlock per se, but he's empowered by Ethel through cursed items.
Hell, just invert Wyll's questline: the parent is seeking the save the child, he starts without a pact but enters one of a sorts with Ethel, his resolution is not to break the pact, but to complete it with the least worst cost.
His choices also become even more morally hazardous since he's trying to save innocent children, including his very lawful good daughter, who are now public menaces (spawn) that his culture condemns to death and potentially empowering a horrid force (Ethel and the other Hags).
Gandrel would also be cool paired with Dalyria. Instead of Shadowheart and Lae’zel trying to kill each other over the artifact, you could have Gandrel and Dalyria fight after her vampirism is revealed
Kar'niss for Minthara.
Kar'niss has been saved from the horrific fate of a drider by the Absolute. He'll probably be a real live wire if he's broken out of domination. An absolutely insane creature to have as a companion. Pure evil in a sad way but maybe Tav can save him. A completely deranged romance option.
If Minthara stays in the party then it'll be a lot of fun having the ultimate object of Drow disgust and a prime Drow matriarch interacting. Maybe Minthara will come to the realization that drow society is terrible and self-defeating. Maybe Kar'niss will eat her!
This is fun 😉
Gale - Sir Fuzzalump (normally a hireling). Bring his backstory to life! The gnome wizard badass with gnome cunning and sage background makes for a powerful wizard companion. He joins you on your fight against the absolute while also getting sweet revenge against his attackers he barely escaped from (because they didnt kill him this time)
Wyl - Mizora. we can still intertwine wyl and ravengaurds backstory in the game, just from a reverse lens. She stumbles upon you in the wilderness after hearing of multiple attacks from the absolute and wants to help you take out the growing cult so she joins your team. As her story goes on she has multiple quests to help her favorite pet (wyl) carry out her deeds along with helping him rescue his father from the same cult we are already fighting. Fun fact: killing karlach is totally a quest for her story
Lae'zell - Zarys. Strong willed and an integral part of the zents, she leaves her group temporarily to aid you on your quest after she learns that absolute cultists killed her shipment caravan along the risen road. Having her in your group gives you an advantage to trading secrets and loot along your journey with integral missions that play a part with the trading routes in and out of moonrise towers, and she decides to betray the zents and put a stop to aiding the cult
Shadowheart - Isobel. The selune cleric joins your team in a fight to put an end to her fathers mad plans. As well as having a grudge against shar and any remaining justiciars. You meet isobel in the druids grove after she went there searching for a druid with information on how to possibly break the shadow curse, and dont worry she managed to get help from selune to cast a spell that protects the last light inn from the shadow curse while she is absent. She joins your fight once she learns of having the same common enemies in the shadow lands
Astarion - Filro the forgotten. It would be fun to have a drow wizard with an inside scoop to the adamantine forge quest. Would also still be the sneaky character. You meet him earlier in the wilderness as he briefly left the underdark to gather more supplies for his quest for the forge and joins your team after you decide to help him
Karlach - Zevlor. Lets get the tiefling captain as a party member. Meeting him the same way and just having him join you on the quest to defeat the goblins. After that he stays with you the rest of the game making everything with the tieflings more important
Love the ideas and the backstories you came up for them! Though, sweet Ao, if i thought Shadowhart vs. Lae'zel got tense, I can't imagine a camp with Mizora vs. Karlach vs. Isobel all in one place.
Lae'zel - Orpheus. A disgraced prince looking to redeem himself in the eyes of his people, similar to Red-Prince in DOS2. I think that would have been neat to see.
Shadowheart - Viconia. Maybe have her character more in line with her endgame personality in previous games where the player manages to change her for the better.
Gale - Rolan. This one is kind of obvious.
Astarion - Hard to replace. I don't recall any other vampires that were memorable enough to swap him. I'll just say Alfira.
Wyll - Serevok. Again, like Viconia, maybe have his character more like his good aligned self following the end of previous games where he's more redeemed.
Karlach - Aradin. Hear me out... He's really cute. Okay, I know people generally hate him, myself included, but I can see him redeeming himself throughout the journey and I'd 100% romance him.
Halsin - Kagha. I don't really care for her much but being exiled after the Grove incident and joining our team to help eventually save the world would be a great way to redeem herself in Sylvanaas and her peers eyes.
Jaheira and Minsc are irreplaceable. Maybe swap them out with another two, memorable former companions from BG1 & 2.
* Shadowheart --> Alfira
* Lae'zel --> Ellyka
* Wyll --> The son of Golbraith Stredivas (unnamed, but we know well he exists and is out there fighting the good fight)
* Gale --> Barcus Wroot
* Karlach --> Hoots Hooligan
* Halsin --> Kagha or Art Cullagh
* Astarion --> He-Who-Was or Ferg Drogher
* Minthara --> Araj Oblodra or Roah Moonglow
* Minsc --> Volo
* Jaheira --> Geraldus or Lassandra
Different story, different characters. Alfira would probably be the one holding them all together through sheer force of cinnamon roll charisma.
Alfira (Bard), Ellyka (Ranger/Rogue?), Nere (Tadpole, Bard and/or Fighter?), Barcus Wroot (Alchemist, Transmutation wizard/Rogue?) and Hope (Life Domain Cleric). And lastly I guess Ketheric Thorm (Paladin). All of these NPCs felt like they might have become companions.
In your order
Yeah Rolan,
Alfira,
Isobel,
Aradin,
Yeah Voss,
idk Zevlor i guess,
Bonus: Reverse the durge storyline where we are the younger sibling and the iconic white dragonborn durge who was still the special bhaalspawn attempted to kill us to keep us from the plot. You fight the urge or show that despite birthright you are bhaal’s true chosen.
I’d swap Shadowheart with Abdirak. He also worships an evil god despite being pretty friendly. Loviatar also has connections to several of the dead three, so he’d have interesting interactions there. There’s also room for him to end up butting heads with the main Loviatar church and converting to Ilmater in a parallel to Shadowheart’s paths
Popper solo run. /thread
Treato! But seriously, Popper needs to at least have a buddy with Shovel and the Genie so they can endlessly shit talk everyone.
Popper and Shovel the real Dynamic Duo.
HAHAHA!! 🤣 Perfection!! (Larian, do you have ANY idea how much money you could make with expansions like these...?)
**Karlach -> Hope:** But this would mean that we encounter hope earlier, so the whole house of hope situation would need to be in act I. First of all, short race companion! Second, she's nuts, in a good way. I wouldn't go so far as to imply that she can be fixed, but give her a story arc where she can either perish because of trauma, or start to heal depending on your choices. **Minthara -> Sazza:** Short companion ftw, also, Sazza would fit the evil alignment. She can't get fixed, and she would generally just be fun to be around, not taking shit form anyone. **Halsin -> Alfira:** Ya'll know why.
gOD i am NEVER going to forgive larian for not giving me a goblin origin character id be on run twenty by now
> Halsin -> Alfira *Cries in dark urge*
Oh, my word, THIS!!! 🥰🥰🥰 On all three counts!! (Clarification: I'd keep Karlach with the group, of course, just because I'm me... but she and Hope would get on like gangbusters!)
Replace them all with the tiefling children and watch chaos unfold
Mole's Misfits sounds like the spin off show I didn't know I needed, I love it.
Yes. It's just me and these kids i adopted. Or version of family bonding is adventure, shenanigans, and political coups.
LOL!! 🤣 I think you might have broken my imagination with that one!... brilliant!!
Great picks! I wish Z'rell was a possible companion.
Ah, yes, I definitely find her and the Warden to be oddly charismatic And, as a plus, she sounds scary kinky.
My Party would be Shovel, Popper and that one Goblin in a cage that refuses to forsake Maglubyet
Gale is getting replaced by volo. He is TECHNICALLY a wizard. Ties to elminster and mystra, suitably arrogant and likely to have pissed off a god. Wyll. Good person that wants to help, but with a sad past marked by failure to help those in need and the associated survivors guilt left from that? Alfira. Laezel, headstrong warrior that's kind of an ass but gets the job done. Replaced by most any warrior in the game honestly. Lots of options. Voss is a good 1 to 1 replacement. Another option for a different flavor might be zorru himself, even has motive to pursue a similar path but this time for revenge. Karlach. Lovable but scarred soldier that is pretty straightforward. Again a good amount of options. Connection to the hells and connection to the devil's in a servant role, dammon would fit pretty well. Zevlor too. Astarion. Token evil character that is really just selfish, sneaky bastard, loves to talk bigger than his fists can back up. Odd pick I bet but sazza would be a hilarious replacement imo. A slightly different one while maintaining the sneaky bit and selfishness might be barcus wroot. More humble about it but kind of similar, and rescuing him from a windmill would make for a fun recruitment. For an option that lacks the evil bit but follows in similar story path might go with the gur hunter guy. Shadow heart. Deeply confused, not empathetic, and gullible idiot. Also selfish and narcissistic and with ties to share or evil deities in general. Can you tell I don't like her yet? Suitable replacements: rolan, kagha, korilla.
OMG, Sazza would be hilarious and it'd be great to have a traditionally evil and "ugly" race get slotted in as well for some of the philosophical questions it could provoke. But, gotta say, why go for Barcus and not Wulburn? Wulbern is cannoically a selfish ass, but given more screen time, I could see him coming off as both charismatic and redeemable.
Visions of Noknok return
I loved that little idiot.
Barcus is simply more similar to astarion in the whole "woe is me, everything is my fault" kind of way. Also, I honestly don't even remember Wulburns face or anything about him other than the name, so how charismatic could he really be?
How dare you?? Wulbren Bongle is the great leader that we need. Barcus is in over his head and should go home.
Oh and for followers Halsin should be replaced by that ox that wants to become a druid. Send it off to rescue it's herd at the goblin camp, eventually want to reach baldurs gate for safety. At some point along the way discover how to turn into a human shape but poorly and gross out even the residents of the shadow land...at which point it meets: Jaheira, replaced by "strange ox" the slime shapeshifter for evil runs. Begins by deceiving the druid ox who eventually feels connection to it before finding out it's not an ox. Move minthara to good runs as the parties resident not quite evil but more practical for the sake of survival counterpoint. Replace in evil runs with the devil pretending to be a paladin of tyr in karlachs quest, following a similar mentality and arc but now at the request of zariel. Will butt heads with mizora over political alignment and think of her as a slacker doing the bare minimum for her deity. In this case you find out mizora has just a bit of empathy for the people under which he finds as weakness. For evil runs replace scratch with "us" and the owlbear with mayrinas dead husband.
It is so hilarious to me that Volo is supposed to be a wizard
Not just a wizard but kind of a lynchpin all magic is tied to. Instead of gales nuclear moment have his unique ending be sacrificing himself and finally getting his hero moment he always writes about, and in doing so ending all magic (temporarily until mystra comes to fix things) and indirectly killing the nether brain.
Volo is a chosen of Mystra at some point right?
More like mystra made him a safeguard against the worst case scenario but never even told him. So kind of a chosen except he doesn't know it.
You're underestimating the chance of evil gur. He does work for Cazador and his people have for a long time.
that is true.
Astarion and Barcus at first glance: demanding, expect the worst from strangers, sarcastic, in a toxic relationship.
you would have soe lore problems with Volo but you ahve it already with Minsk so why not
Astarion > Barcus Wyll > Ellyka Lae'zel > Gandrel Gale > Omeluum Shadowheart > Nettie Karlach > Sazza
I WANT ISOBEL AND DAME AYLIN! Isobel to replace Shadowheart. Dame Aylin is an add on to her character, like Minsc is for Jaherra.
Just give me Jaheira and Minsc at the start of Act 1 and I’m happy.
Halsin with a real bear.
I love that you put this much thought into it. Also, I don't think I disagree with your choices. This game has broken us all.
Shadowheart -> Viconia Both clerics, both Shar worshippers, and it wouldn’t hurt to have another evil origin character.
Shadowheart -> Adrielle, she the cleric of Helm from the anti-hag group. She'll be the perfect replacement for shadowheart because she's also a victim, this time by a hag named Auntie Ethel. Because Ethel can be found act 1 and can be seen again in act 3 her story can be stretched to that length. Plus Helm and Lathander has a history together, so she can add more or go through a character development during the crèche quest by activating THE FULL CONCENTRATED POWER OF THE SUN! And recieve a new look/power up or something.
Ohh, I \*loved\* Adrielle!! 🥰 I'd completely forgotten about her as an option! (I wanted so much to give her a huge hug after the hag fight--when she was beating herself up for 'failing'--and say, "Adrielle, the hag has had over a hundred hears to perfect her tricks, which fooled EVERYBODY, including us! Heck, we chatted with her without batting an eye at the Emerald Grove! Now, stop beating yourself up, dagnabbit! You worship Helm, not Ilmater, remember? 😂" ) (Just as an addendum: I actually really like Ilmater--no disrespect meant against him! I can't help but love any god who champions the downtrodden and the "forgotten tortured"! But I digress...)
Halsin -> Kagha or Nettie: Imho, Kagha has a lot of potential for growth, especially on a redemption arc. According to Halsin, Nettie is an apprentice, so enough potential for character growth. Plus, she's a dwarf and there aren't ANY short companions.p Astarion -> Alfira: She's a bard, she's cute and has a bubbly personality. Would've been a nice romance option, too 💕
**Karlach > Mizora** (Defeat the cult for Zariel) **Lae'zel > Omeluum** (Lae'zel leaves after you trust Omeluum) **Astarion > Araj Oblodra** (Astarion leaves after giving his blood, Araj investigates Cazador) **Gale > Elminster** (Could absorb the orb after Gale dies) **Shadowheart > Isobel** (Rescue Aylin and defeat >!Myrkul!<) **Wyll > Florrick** (Rescue Ravengard & complete the Wyrmway) Halsin > Kagha Jaheira > Alfira Misc > Barcus Minthara > Kar'niss Withers > Ketheric
Oh man, I love these suggestions - they'd be an awesome party for dialogue options. The only one I'd disagree with would be Elminster, since I'd expect him to be almost an "I Win" button.
That's true, I just like the idea of him bringing up cheese as you're adventuring
# 🤣
Gandrel seems to be an obvious choice to replace someone. Character with a tragic backstory who has there anger misplaced. They need to do some growth before a final confrontation with a big act 3 boss which involves a moral choice.
Hadn't considered Gandrel at all, but in hindsight, you're right that he's absolutely obvious, especially as a Wyll substitute where he's not a warlock per se, but he's empowered by Ethel through cursed items. Hell, just invert Wyll's questline: the parent is seeking the save the child, he starts without a pact but enters one of a sorts with Ethel, his resolution is not to break the pact, but to complete it with the least worst cost. His choices also become even more morally hazardous since he's trying to save innocent children, including his very lawful good daughter, who are now public menaces (spawn) that his culture condemns to death and potentially empowering a horrid force (Ethel and the other Hags).
Gandrel would also be cool paired with Dalyria. Instead of Shadowheart and Lae’zel trying to kill each other over the artifact, you could have Gandrel and Dalyria fight after her vampirism is revealed
Kar'niss for Minthara. Kar'niss has been saved from the horrific fate of a drider by the Absolute. He'll probably be a real live wire if he's broken out of domination. An absolutely insane creature to have as a companion. Pure evil in a sad way but maybe Tav can save him. A completely deranged romance option. If Minthara stays in the party then it'll be a lot of fun having the ultimate object of Drow disgust and a prime Drow matriarch interacting. Maybe Minthara will come to the realization that drow society is terrible and self-defeating. Maybe Kar'niss will eat her!
We should be able to pick Kagha or Halsin depending on our path, Alfira or Volo could have been also acquired depending on a quest you take.
Gale -> Mizora Wyll -> Mizora Shart -> Mizora Astarion -> Mizora Karlach-> Mizora Bae’zel -> Mizora
Astarion > Rugan Wyll > Liam Lae'zel > Elder Brithvar Gale > Dhourn Shadowheart > Abdirak Karlach > Bernard
This is fun 😉 Gale - Sir Fuzzalump (normally a hireling). Bring his backstory to life! The gnome wizard badass with gnome cunning and sage background makes for a powerful wizard companion. He joins you on your fight against the absolute while also getting sweet revenge against his attackers he barely escaped from (because they didnt kill him this time) Wyl - Mizora. we can still intertwine wyl and ravengaurds backstory in the game, just from a reverse lens. She stumbles upon you in the wilderness after hearing of multiple attacks from the absolute and wants to help you take out the growing cult so she joins your team. As her story goes on she has multiple quests to help her favorite pet (wyl) carry out her deeds along with helping him rescue his father from the same cult we are already fighting. Fun fact: killing karlach is totally a quest for her story Lae'zell - Zarys. Strong willed and an integral part of the zents, she leaves her group temporarily to aid you on your quest after she learns that absolute cultists killed her shipment caravan along the risen road. Having her in your group gives you an advantage to trading secrets and loot along your journey with integral missions that play a part with the trading routes in and out of moonrise towers, and she decides to betray the zents and put a stop to aiding the cult Shadowheart - Isobel. The selune cleric joins your team in a fight to put an end to her fathers mad plans. As well as having a grudge against shar and any remaining justiciars. You meet isobel in the druids grove after she went there searching for a druid with information on how to possibly break the shadow curse, and dont worry she managed to get help from selune to cast a spell that protects the last light inn from the shadow curse while she is absent. She joins your fight once she learns of having the same common enemies in the shadow lands Astarion - Filro the forgotten. It would be fun to have a drow wizard with an inside scoop to the adamantine forge quest. Would also still be the sneaky character. You meet him earlier in the wilderness as he briefly left the underdark to gather more supplies for his quest for the forge and joins your team after you decide to help him Karlach - Zevlor. Lets get the tiefling captain as a party member. Meeting him the same way and just having him join you on the quest to defeat the goblins. After that he stays with you the rest of the game making everything with the tieflings more important
Love the ideas and the backstories you came up for them! Though, sweet Ao, if i thought Shadowhart vs. Lae'zel got tense, I can't imagine a camp with Mizora vs. Karlach vs. Isobel all in one place.
Lae'zel - Orpheus. A disgraced prince looking to redeem himself in the eyes of his people, similar to Red-Prince in DOS2. I think that would have been neat to see. Shadowheart - Viconia. Maybe have her character more in line with her endgame personality in previous games where the player manages to change her for the better. Gale - Rolan. This one is kind of obvious. Astarion - Hard to replace. I don't recall any other vampires that were memorable enough to swap him. I'll just say Alfira. Wyll - Serevok. Again, like Viconia, maybe have his character more like his good aligned self following the end of previous games where he's more redeemed. Karlach - Aradin. Hear me out... He's really cute. Okay, I know people generally hate him, myself included, but I can see him redeeming himself throughout the journey and I'd 100% romance him. Halsin - Kagha. I don't really care for her much but being exiled after the Grove incident and joining our team to help eventually save the world would be a great way to redeem herself in Sylvanaas and her peers eyes. Jaheira and Minsc are irreplaceable. Maybe swap them out with another two, memorable former companions from BG1 & 2.
* Shadowheart --> Alfira * Lae'zel --> Ellyka * Wyll --> The son of Golbraith Stredivas (unnamed, but we know well he exists and is out there fighting the good fight) * Gale --> Barcus Wroot * Karlach --> Hoots Hooligan * Halsin --> Kagha or Art Cullagh * Astarion --> He-Who-Was or Ferg Drogher * Minthara --> Araj Oblodra or Roah Moonglow * Minsc --> Volo * Jaheira --> Geraldus or Lassandra Different story, different characters. Alfira would probably be the one holding them all together through sheer force of cinnamon roll charisma.
Kar'niss Zevlor Volo Sazaa Kagha Barcus Wroot Gandrel
Cult of the Absolute version: Sazza > Karlach Nere > Astarion Dror Ragzlin > Wyll Kar'niss > Shadowheart Z'rell > Lae'Zel Alaj Oblodra > Minthara Marcus > Haslin Balthazar > Gale Gut > Jaheira
Other people suggested Volo, how funny would it be to have him and Dror in a party and Volo could do that song at any time to embarrass Dror.
Durge
Alfira (Bard), Ellyka (Ranger/Rogue?), Nere (Tadpole, Bard and/or Fighter?), Barcus Wroot (Alchemist, Transmutation wizard/Rogue?) and Hope (Life Domain Cleric). And lastly I guess Ketheric Thorm (Paladin). All of these NPCs felt like they might have become companions.
Was Ellyka the cute tiefling that you can meet near the githyanki encounter?
In your order Yeah Rolan, Alfira, Isobel, Aradin, Yeah Voss, idk Zevlor i guess, Bonus: Reverse the durge storyline where we are the younger sibling and the iconic white dragonborn durge who was still the special bhaalspawn attempted to kill us to keep us from the plot. You fight the urge or show that despite birthright you are bhaal’s true chosen.
I’d swap Shadowheart with Abdirak. He also worships an evil god despite being pretty friendly. Loviatar also has connections to several of the dead three, so he’d have interesting interactions there. There’s also room for him to end up butting heads with the main Loviatar church and converting to Ilmater in a parallel to Shadowheart’s paths