Karlach’s story in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of survival, freedom and fighting to reclaim a life that was stolen from her. But beneath the devils, the Blood War and the infernal engine burning inside her chest lies another story — one about exploitation.

In this companion piece to my previous Karlach analysis, we look at what happens when people stop being treated as people and instead become resources. From Gortash selling Karlach to Zariel, to her body being modified to make her a more effective soldier, Karlach’s story raises uncomfortable questions about productivity, autonomy, power and the value we place on human beings.

Is Karlach an intentional critique of capitalism? Maybe. Maybe not. But her journey offers a fascinating lens through which to explore exploitation, workplace culture, trauma and what happens when a system values what someone can produce more than the person themselves.

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