Khalid

"Khalid nervously reveals that he was born and raised in the nation of Calimshan. He does not say much of his parents, but you get the feeling that his merchant father thought little of him, devoting much more attention to Khalid's halfbrothers. Khalid thus threw himself into the martial pursuits, studying under members of the city militia. He doesn't go into detail on how he met Jaheira, but his adoration of her is obvious. When asked about how he knew Gorion, he will only say that they had long been friends, and that many shared acquaintances will mourn his loss with harpsong. "

- Character description from the Baldur's Gate computer game

Khalid was a half-elf from Calimshan and a Harper. He was married to Jaheira, another half-elf and Harper. He was a friend of Gorion, and was investigating the iron crisis with his wife at the time of Gorion's death (in 1368 DR). Some of Gorion's last instructions to his adopted child had been to look for Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn, where they found them soon after. The three became travelling companions until the time of Khalid's untimely death.

The novel
In the novelization of Baldur's Gate, Khalid's personality is not explored much. As well as having cheated on his wife himself, he was jealous about her obvious attraction to Gorion's ward, Abdel Adrian. In addition, he knew Adrian was a Bhaalspawn and was ready to cynically manipulate Adrian on behalf of the Harpers, although how that was is never shown or told. Khalid and Jaheira accompanied Adrian, as well as, at various points, Montaron, Xzar and Xan, from the Friendly "Arms" Inn to Nashkel and its mines and then to Beregost in search for answers about the iron crisis. In the mines, Adrian nearly killed Khalid by accidentally stabbing him in the stomach, momentarily angering Jaheira, but he survived for the time being. Not too long after, Khalid was turned into a zombie-like being and Adrian was forced to destroy what was left of him. Jaheira felt obliged to hold a period of mourning for him even though their marriage had been unhappy and breaking up anyway and it was obvious that she and Adrian belonged together.

The games
Khalid was the son of a wealthy noble in Calimshan, who cared little about him, causing him to throw himself into the martial pursuits in spite of his otherwise mellow character. Later he became a Harper and met and fell in love with Jaheira. In spite of their very different personalities, they cared deeply for each other. Khalid was nervous and kind, with a noticeable stutter, and perhaps not the bravest warrior in the world, though quite capable of holding his own in most battles. He was also a close friend of Gorion along with his wife.

When Gorion was killed and his foster child (the player character) sought out Khalid and Jaheira at the Friendly Arm Inn, they became their travelling companions, taking them along with them in the investigations of the Iron Throne and ultimately aiding them in their conflict with Sarevok. Though the player character was now an adult, they still felt obliged to look after them after having previously been appointed by Gorion as their guardians if something should happen to himself.

Khalid is one of the party NPCs in Baldur's Gate, always paired with Jaheira; either of the two cannot normally be kept in the party without the other. He has rather average fighter's abilities, with perhaps a relatively low morale rating. Including the two in the party is of course optional, but in the second game they are assumed to have been part of it (along with Imoen, Minsc and Dynaheir).

In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, the player character starts out in Irenicus's dungeon, with Jaheira nearby but no sign of Khalid. Khalid's body is discovered some time after on the next level of the dungeon. Imoen tells that Irenicus forced her to watch as he dissected him. The body is too badly mutilated to resurrect. Later in the game, a shade of Khalid appears briefly in a dream (along with others such as Gorion), representing the guidance the player character had in their earlier life.

In Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, the Master Wraith and its minions try to upset the player character as well as any love interest character they have by taking the form of dead loved ones and accusing them of betrayal. If the player character has become romantically involved with Jaheira, a wraith will take the form of Khalid.

Appearances

 * Baldur's Gate (novel)
 * Baldur's Gate (game)
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (game) (mentioned only)
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (game) (mentioned only)