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Arkanis Gath is a human male Fighter / Thief and beholden to the Shadow Thieves organization who appears under four different creature codes, depending on the storyline circumstances in which his character is needed/implemented.

ARKINSG.cre[]

If you have sided with Bodhi, he will appear as this character down at the Shipyard Docks during your attempt to retrieve the Smuggled Shipment from Mook.

Mook will call for him and he will step out of the shadows and backstab the nearest party member (he' invisible to start). He'll inflict some serious damage with his quintuple backstab damage multiplier and it may be enough to outright kill the target. After this he can be fought and killed as a regular enemy combatant. Even if killed, he may reappear at a later time in the saga, depending on plot factors.

C6ARKAN.cre / C6ARKAN3.cre[]

In chapter 3 if Gorion's Ward has sided with Bodhi then Arkanis Gath makes an appearance and is called forth by Mook to assist the Shadow Thieves defend their cargo at the Athkatla Docks. Note that Arkanis carries the prized Rifthome Axe, a top-notch dual use weapon that can be thrown and returns to the wielder's hand.

In Chapter 6 this version of Arkanis will fight on behalf of the party during the final battle with Bodhi in the Lower Tombs, if the party has asked for this help from Aran Linvail. If you sided with Bodhi earlier, and killed Aran, then this option isn't available for obvious reasons. He'll initially either appear with two other Shadow Thieves (Gofus and Yeanasha) in the central room with the gigantic table, nearby Tanova amd Hareishan. He'll say:

"The assassins are here to support your battle, <CHARNAME>, as the Shadowmaster has commanded. We will do what we can."
Note: Aran Linvail mentions that Arkanis and a "Yachiko" will meet the party in the catacombs. This didn't come into fruition by the developers. They in fact created a creature called Kachiko instead - which ended up not being implemented. See the link article if interested.

If Arkanis survives the first battle, he will be present on the floor below for the battle with Bodhi. If the party sought additional help from the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart and from Drizzt Do'Urden - then Eric Vanstraaten and Drizzt will also join Arkanis in the final battle with Bodhi.

It is possible for the party to attack and cross the Shadow Thieves during the battle or if the thieves become hostile if they experience collateral damage from waywardly used offensive potions, spells, or weapons. When this occurs, Arkanis will shout:

"You dare to turn on us, <CHARNAME>! You will suffer the wrath of the Shadow Thieves for this, if you even survive this place!"

STDEATH.cre[]

The first appearance may be as an "assassin" who will potentially one-shot your characters if you attack any of the Shadow Thieves prior to having been to the Underdark (if siding with the thieves) or prior to attacking them on Bodhi's orders (pre-Underdark) if you sided with her vampire guild. In this capacity, he only serves the purpose of protecting the main plot and only appears if you attack the thieves.

The STDEATH.cre character will also appear if you have failed to adequately perform the tasks Mae'Var requires of Gorion's Ward during the Find Proof of Mae'Var's Treachery side quest (and thereby breaking the storyline which is a no-no). Arkanis will be summoned by Mae'Var to kill Gorion's Ward which will force you to reload the game.

This creature is immune to death, imprisonment and most status effects. It can be damaged, but never die. This version of Arkanis weapon is similar to a +3 Short Sword, but if it connects, will apply a Slay effect, no saving throw, no resistance. Only a Death Ward will temporarily halt the effect. Arkanis will follow the party from area to area and keep reappearing and relentlessly attacking until the PC is dead. Time for a re-load from a saved game. The player fooled around, and now found out.

This version of Arkanis Gath won't appear again when the party returns to the surface world in Baldur's Gate II Chapter 6 and beyond.

VVARKAN.cre[]

One additional appearance of Arkanis is this version, which is when the shadow thieves are seen in an Athkatla district at night, attacking some vampires (usually in chapter 2 but could be in chapter 3). Arkanis will shout an oath:

"At them, lads! We'll not let these worthless scags take away our night!"

it is possible to attack the Shadow Thieves leading to other comments from Arkanis. Depending on if you have already helped Renal Bloodscalp against Mae'Var or have sided with the Shadow thieves or Bodhi already there may be some other dialogue. Arkanis is nearly identical to the ARKINSG InfoBox, except he's equipped with the MINHP1.ITM, so can't be killed and he'll escape if attacked. One of several shouts from Arkanis if the party fouls up, interferes or assists the vampires might be:

"You damnable fool! I would rid these creatures from our streets for the safety of us all! You've tipped the balance, so deal with the monsters yourselves! Retreat!"

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Mod content[]

This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.

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