Dennaton is a neutral evil human mage and the master of the unnamed Thayan arena in The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay. He also appears as a minor side character in Neera's Companion quest Destroying the Order of the Eight Staves in Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal.
Although his statistics differ between games, they are unused in gameplay, as he is not a combat encounter.
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal[]
When Vicross’s wild surge teleports Gorion’s Ward and the party into the Thayan arena, Dennaton attempts to smooth matters over. Thanking Vicross for “introduc[ing] fresh combatants,” he presents the intrusion as part of the show. After the battle, he receives instructions from Szass Tam to summon the party for a meeting.
During the arena fight itself, Dennaton performs as announcer, delivering various comments that differ depending on party composition.
For example:
- Anomen Delryn:
A HANDSOME man of MARTIAL MIGHT and GODLY MAGIC! Combatants, guard YOURSELVES; husbands, guard your WIVES!
- Cernd:
Rarely has Thay seen a mightier DRUID OF THE WILDS! Is he MAN, or is he BEAST?! He SMELLS like BOTH!
- Wilson:
A VICIOUS and potentially FLEA-RIDDEN BEAR stalks the arena, ladies and gentlemen! Shall we fill the air with the SCENT of SALMON and UNLEASH THE BEAST?
- Hexxat:
I hope you brought your WOODEN STAKES! It will take a bloodbath to satisfy the VAMPIRE VIXEN that fights before us!
The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay[]
Dennaton introduces himself in an early cutscene:
| “ | I am Dennaton. I own the arena you are now a part of—a very special arena. This is no pit filled with poorly trained slaves stabbing each other for the amusement of the lowborn. | ” |
Speaking with the tone of a seasoned slaver, he offers the newly captured gladiators luxury and comfort in exchange for service in the arena—or death if they refuse. Because the captives are considered valuable, he promises not to risk them against each other, at least not often.
Dennaton presents the new slaves to one another, including familiar faces such as Voghiln (from Siege of Dragonspear) and Mercy Whitedove (from Dorn Il-Khan’s epilogue). Compared to Baeloth Barrityl, Dennaton is less flamboyant and more businesslike, though similarly reliant on a powerful subordinate: the Dark Planetar known as the Winged. Their relationship is fractious, with Dennaton occasionally quarreling over payments, underscoring the Winged’s greater independence compared to Baeloth’s djinn Najim.
Before each match, Dennaton invites the gladiators to address the crowd. This can be used to request gifts, attempt to win favor, or insult Dennaton and his arena. Insults, however, have no gameplay effect.
At the game’s conclusion, as a slave revolt consumes the arena and the Winged lies dead, Dennaton himself cannot be confronted directly. Instead, a cutscene shows him executed by a “Mysterious Figure” strongly implied to be Szass Tam.