Jaheira

Jaheira was a half-elf druid of Tethyrian noble descent who served as an agent of the Harpers, along with her husband Khalid, during the mid 14 century DR. The couple were attempting to uncover the secrets of the iron crisis that plagued the Sword Coast, when they got caught up in the Bhaalspawn saga surrounding the young ward of their wise friend Gorion.

Description
Quite headstrong in her beliefs, Jaheira believed the only way to protect the natural world of Faerûn was to take action in life. While she was often strong-willed, with a seemingly flippant attitude towards death, certain events in her life gave Jaheira a sense of doubt.

""This city is a blight on the landscape! 'Tis better to have let the land grow wild!""

- Jaheira, regarding cityscapes of Faerûn

Relationships
Through the Harpers, Jaheira and Khalid became good friends with the sage Gorion and were acquainted with such people as Elminster. Throughout their extensive travels together Jaheira became quite close with Imoen, though at times she saw the young mage as childish and naive.

Khalid and Jaheira had very different personalities. Jaheira was bold and willful, almost to the point of stubbornness while Khalid was rather nervous and often lost his nerve in battle.

Early Life
Jaheira was born to a noble family in Tethyr, who supported King Alemander IV during the Ten Black Days of Eleint prior to the Tethyrian Interregnum, and was orphaned after her parents were killed my a mob of angry peasants. Jaheira was saved by one of the serving girls within their castle and the two fled into the Forest of Tethir, where they met an enclave of druids. She joined their community and became a druid herself, taking on the worship of the Oak Father, Silvanus.

Eventually she joined the Harpers, where she studied under a man named Dermin. At some point Jaheira met and fell in love with the fighter Khalid, a fellow half-elf from the Lands of Intrigue. The two married and, in spite of their differences, always cared deeply for each other. During her time with the secret society, Jaheira and her associates exposed Baron Ployer of Calimshan as a slave breeder, destroying his reputation within the realm.

Iron Crisis
In 1368 DR, Jaheira and Khalid were sent on behalf of the Harpers to investigate the iron crisis and the Nashkel mines. They stayed at the Friendly Arm Inn and awaited the arrival of their friend and fellow Harper Gorion, sleeping in turns so as not to miss him. Gorion had heard news that his adopted child was in fact one of the Bhaalspawn and lost his life to the malevolent warrior Sarevok while smuggling his ward out of Candlekeep in the dead of night. Gorion's ward escaped and, with the help of their foster sibling Imoen, met up with Jaheira and Khalid. The couple took it as their responsibility to watch after the two, having been appointed as their guardian in event of Gorion's death.

They group of four traveled traveled together for a time and uncovered the secrets of the Iron Throne, as they attempted to manipulate the iron trade of the Sword Coast and plunge the region into a war between Baldur's Gate and Amn. Their adventures culminated in a battle in the Temple of Bhaal within the Undercity of Baldur's Gate, and saw the defeat of Sarevok and his associates.

After the defeat of Sarevok, Jaheira and Khalid traveled to the Boareskyr Bridge, where they were separated by at Bridgefort by the crusading forces of Caelar Argent. It was believed she reunited with the young Bhaalspawn, whom she had previously sworn to protect and after traveling through the Forest of Wyrms, was joined by her beloved husband. They continued on battle the fervent aasimar's army at Dragonspear Castle and ventured into Avernus within the Nine Hells.

Bhaalspawn Saga
A year after their dual victories in the Sword Coast, in 1369 DR, Jaheira, Khalid, Imoen, Gorion's Ward were imprisoned beneath the city of Athkatla, along with the Hathran Dynaheir, the Rashemi berserker Minsc and the miniature giant space hamster Boo. One of their captors, the fallen-from-grace elven mage Jon Irenicus, killed Khalid and forced the young Imoen to watch as he died. Eventually Imoen's foster sibling was freed and the remaining members, save for Dynaheir, joined forces with one another. While they escaped Irenicus' dungeon, they discovered Khalid's mutilated corpse and Jaheira wailed in horror.

""Sil...Silvanus guide the light...to the source. Take this man to what he justly deserves.By...nature's will, what was given is returned, what was turned is now...is now peace. Khalid of my heart, let my love...my love guide the way...""

The group emerged from the subterranean prison and arrived in the middle of Waukeen's Promenade, to find Irenicus battling a handful of Shadow Thieves. After a few brief words Imoen cast magic missile at the powerful spellcaster, just before he Cowled Wizards of Athkatla arrived. They apprehended Irenicus and Imoen for the crime of unlicensed magic use within the city and took the pair to Spellhold on the island of Brynnlaw. Jaheira, her Bhaalspawn friend and their fellow companions traveled through Athkatla and the surrounding country to raise the 20,000 gp, required by the Shadow Thief Gaelan Bayle, to secure Imoen's release. It was believed the group met and recruited other allies in their quest, and explored dangerous locations such as the Temple of Amaunator in the Umar Hills, the troll-infested Arnise Hold and even the lair of the red dragon Firkraag. Early in their travels Jaheira left her party when she was abruptly summoned by the Amnian branch of the Harpers for a consultation. She returned to her companions shortly thereafter and asked them to accompany her to the Galvarey estate, the Harper Hold of Athkatla. This summons was a ruse by the ambitious Harper Galvarey, who planned to prevent the chaos that might be caused by Jaheira's Bhaalspawn friend, by means of an imprisonment spell. She defended her ally, and together they defeated Galvarey and his fellow misguided Harpers.

When Jaheira and her companions passed through the Sea Bounty's Tavern, Jaheira was reunited with the destitute noble, Baron Ployer, where he verbally accosted her within the bar before cursing her and teleporting away. While Jaheira's health rapidly deteriorated, she and her companions searched the city for clues to cure her affliction. After finding some dead ends, included a similarly-cursed and deceased Harper named Belgrade, they eventually tracked down the derelict home where the former baron was staying. After killing the former slaver, and retrieving the lock of hair he had taken from Jaheira, the effects of her curse began to subside.

Appearances

 * Novels:
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal


 * Games:
 * Baldur's Gate
 * Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal

Behind the Scenes
Jaheira is voiced by Heidi Shannon, sometimes referenced as Hidi Shannon.