Early on inBaldur’s Gate 3, you run intoa couple of Zhentarim agents besieged by gnolls, in the midst of transporting a caravan strongbox. If you save them from their attackers, they’ll reward you with the password totheir hideout beneath Waukeen’s Rest. Soon after, Rugan—one of the agents—will even offer you a drink. But then the quest just ends, with Rugan nowhere to be found.
While the Zhentarim still appear in Act 3, battling with the Guild, a lot of vital context was cut from the game alongside Rugan. Originally, he could be found at the Guildhall where he would reveal that the Zhents had been framed for the kidnapping of Duke Ravengard, leading many of their ranks to be hanged by the Steel Watch. Regardless, Rugan remained loyal to the Zhentarim—even under its “new management”—but with a good enough persuasion roll, you could convince him to resign his post, ultimately saving him from the bloodshed to follow.
As reported byPC Guide, modder Nikjima has worked torestore “some lost Rugan content”, adding him back to Act 3. you’re able to find him at the Guildhall along with the other Zhents, where you can convince him to leave the mercenary company as in the cut content. If you do, you can even share a drink with him upstairs in the Guildhall at the bar. “No more disappearing after Act 1 after promising us a drink,” Nikjima jokes.
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Get Rugan To Appear In Act 3
Thankfully, the mod works with existing save files, so you don’t need to start from scratch if you want Rugan to appear. However, you will need to have done the following:
Nikjima also warns that you can’t kill Rugan if you want Rugan to appear, which makes sense.
While it’s a small moment between two travellers who stumbled across each other in the midst of very different journeys, it’s nice to finally tie the knot on this oft forgotten little subplot.
Granted, it’s understandable why Larian cut it, given that Act 3 was already criticised for overwhelming players with too much to do, but it was also critiqued for leaving plot threads dangling, so it’s a shame that this one was left on the cutting room floor.
