| “ | Know that I am Adras Ashatiel, right hand to the Shining Lady. I know you, Bhaalspawn. | ” |
Adras Ashatiel is a female avariel Fighter / Mage / Cleric appearing in Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear.
She serves as the right hand to Caelar Argent.
Background[]
| “ | The Ashatiel family is a small but established noble house in Waterdeep. Adras is the oldest heir to the line and joined the military when she came of age. Her younger brother, Arran, studied the family trade business. Arran was killed last year while conducting business at the Iron Throne. Though initially reported as an accident, it now seems he was removed so Sarevok could make use of Arran’s assets. By all reports, Adras was devastated by the loss of her brother. She joined the crusade in part because she admired and respected Caelar, but also because she believes the crusade can help her avenge Arran. How she expects to get revenge when Sarevok is dead, I don’t know. |
” |
— Field Report, by Bence Duncan | ||
Adras first appears in a cutscene at the beginning of Chapter 10, seemingly as confused as her mistress.
While Caelar wonders why Gorion’s Ward—whom she has avoided for several days after their first meeting—"still" rejects her overtures, Adras clings to a fantasy of revenge against the one who brought her brother’s murderer to justice.
The quoted report is dated 3 Uktar 1368 DR, several weeks before Caelar and Hephernaan conceive their plan requiring Bhaalspawn blood.
If Adras already sought vengeance through the Crusade’s work at that time, Gorion’s Ward cannot have been her first irrational target. It remains unclear when she redirected her hatred toward them, though it may have begun after the Boareskyr Bridge incident:
| “ | I told you, my lady. Boareskyr Bridge was an omen. This—this person cannot be trusted. You cannot rely on them to do the right thing. | ” |
Hephernaan’s influence over the Crusaders’ minds is never made explicit, and its effectiveness is uncertain.
Some Crusaders (such as Deneld) recognize the logical impossibility of their mission but do not pursue the thought, asserting only that Caelar’s presence guarantees victory.
Adras, by contrast, seems unconcerned with such contradictions. Her every word is directed toward opposing the object of her vengeance.
At first glance she appears sane; in context, that appearance collapses.
Gameplay[]
In Chapter 11, Adras Ashatiel, serving as the Crusade’s field commander, is the key figure in the defense of Dragonspear Castle.
Until she is confronted, Crusader forces spawn indefinitely.
To trigger her appearance, the party must enter the left-hand camp. If they remain in the main square fighting the endless waves, Marshal Nederlok provides a hint—albeit an oddly phrased one:
| “ | The crusade is like the tide—we're trying to stop it, but there are too many of them. If we're to get Caelar within the keep, someone needs to staunch the flow of troops from the camp so we can break down the inner courtyard doors. |
” |
In effect: there are too many to fight together, so Gorion’s Ward must fight them alone.
The journal clarifies the true objective:
Nederlok suggests I find the crusader Ashatiel and put an end to her.
The crusaders keep coming, and our troops are struggling to make progress. I need to find a way to stem the tide. An old proverb comes to mind: "Cut the head off the snake, and the body dies." Perhaps if I kill their commander, the crusaders will retreat.
There are two paths through the camp:
- Lower path – heavily trapped.
- Upper path – clear of traps.
Either way, the party soon meets a halt.
| “ | ENOUGH! CRUSADERS, STAND DOWN! | ” |
Adras intervenes, proposing a duel to spare further bloodshed. She vows that her troops will surrender if she loses—but takes no such promise from the other side. Whether she relies on morale damage if the Bhaalspawn falls, or simply hungers for their blood, is left uncertain.
Combat[]
The duel can abruptly end in a cheating accusation if the party previously used delayed magic such as Call Lightning or Cloudkill.
Only Gorion’s Ward may fight, and only Adras Ashatiel may be attacked.
She employs Invisibility Purge and Detect Invisibility, yet using stealth still aborts the duel after a few seconds for violating the rules.
During the duel, she claims:
| “ | Know that I bear you no ill will. | ” |
If single combat is refused, or cheating detected, Adras retreats. The party must then battle through the camp to the wooden palisade, where she fights alongside her companions:
- Small Kimble
- Sarginson
- Wormgums
- Balvin Steadyhand
- Zoe Kryn
- Marius of Tethyr
When Ashatiel falls, most Crusaders lose heart and surrender.
Trivia[]
- Adras is the only known avariel beside Aerie.
- In Ashatiel’s creature file, she’s assigned a +3 Movement Rate Bonus (opcode 126)—but you’ll never see it in play. She wears a Ring of Free Action, which both blocks opcode 126 and forces movement to 100%, effectively nullifying her built-in speed boost.