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Khalid was a half-elf from Calimshan[note 1] as well as a member of the Harpers during the 14th century DR. Together with his wife Jaheira, he investigated the iron crisis which threatened the region with a war between Baldur's Gate and Amn, became involved in the defense of Bridgefort during the War of the Shining Crusade, and was briefly caught up in the early events of the Bhaalspawn conflict.[1][2][3]

"Better part of valor! Better part of valor!"
— Khalid, upon fleeing in battle[1]

Description[]

The songs make much of Khalid's meekness. The quiet little Harper who had to keep a tight hold on his courage. But he had it when it counted. And, more than that: He had compassion. When you live a Harper's life, see all that a Harper sees, that is by far the harder thing to hold on to.
— High Harper Jaheira[4]


Khalid was a kind, if a bit nervous man, and spoke with a noticeable stutter. While he was not the bravest warrior in the world, he was quite capable of holding his own in most battles.[1]

Relationships[]

He was a Harper. A better one than me, truth be told – any idiot can swing a sword. But to believe in the cause, with the whole of your heart? A much trickier thing. I have never known a warrior who would go so far out of his way to avoid a fight. Which meant the few he chose were usually the right ones.
— High Harper Jaheira[4]


Khalid did not have a great relationships with his parents. He was particularly disliked by his merchant father, who preferred the half-elf's half-brothers.[1]

He was married to Jaheira, a fellow Harper whose strong personality was complementary to his own. Despite their very different personalities, they cared deeply for each other.[1] Jaheira used to think of their personalities to be a thing of balance, but truth be told, she was quite attracted to his fine rump and appreciated the half-elf's habit of speaking only when had something to say.[4] Both Khalid and Jaheira were good friends to the sage Gorion, so much so that the senior Harper instructed his adopted child to seek the couples companionship.[1][note 2]

History[]

Khalid was born to a well-to-do Calishite couple who cared little for him. This caused Khalid to throw himself into the martial pursuits in spite of his otherwise placid nature. Some time later, he joined the Harpers and met and fell in love with the druid Jaheira.[1][2] The two married in the Dalelands on a gloomy rainy day, standing atop an upturned cart. Later in life, Jaheira sentimentally remembered this simple ceremony for the groom stammering so much that she wondered if the vows actually counted.[4]

In the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR Khalid and Jaheira were traveling the Sword Coast tasked by the Harpers with investigating the iron crisis that plagued the region. They stayed the Friendly Arm Inn and were asked by their friend Gorion to watch after their foster child, should any harm come to him.[1]

A short time after the end of the iron crisis, Khalid and Jaheira traveled a short ways away from the city to the region around Boareskyr Bridge. While they stated this was a "getaway" for them as a couple, they were actually investigating the Shining Lady and the Shining Crusade that rose up from throughout the Sword Coast. The pair became separated by the crusaders; Khalid was stuck within the minor settlement of Bridgefort while Jaheira was forced to keep her distance, well beyond the crusade's siege. During this adventure, Khalid gathered the finest spidersilk from the Forest of Wyrms and a perfect unblemished aquamarine to fashion an anniversary gift for his beloved wife,[2] the necklace she would cherish for over a century after.[4]

He died alone, in pain, and far too young—murdered by a mage who craved immortality. I'll not grant it by naming him in the same breath as my husband.
— High Harper Jaheira[4]

After the hero of Baldur's Gate was released from imprisonment within High Hall, Khalid, Jaheira, the young mage Imoen, the Rashemi witch Dynaheir and the berserker Minsc were all captured by the fallen elven mage Irenicus and his vampire companion Bodhi. Before Irenicus tortured and experimented on Imoen and her foster sibling, he slowly killed Khalid with a knife and forced the young mage to watch. Khalid's lifeless body was desecrated within the dungeon beneath the streets of Athkatla.[3][note 3]

Even over a century after his death, Khalid was remembered as a historic figure, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jaheira and Abdel Adrian and helping to end the Iron crisis and the Bhaalspawn crisis. His name was mentioned in books, accords, and songs by bards and minstrels, even though sometimes he was depicted in not the most flattering light.[4]

Appearances[]

Novels
Baldur's Gate
Video Games
Baldur's Gate series (Baldur's GateShadows of AmnSiege of Dragonspear)
Referenced only
Baldur's Gate II: Throne of BhaalIdle Champions of the Forgotten RealmsBaldur's Gate III

External Links[]

Notes[]

  1. In the Baldur's Gate novel Khalid is described as being Amnian.
  2. In the same novel, Khalid and Jaheira have a strained relationship due to Khalid's infidelity.
  3. In the novel Khalid is killed by some manner of slime or ooze.

References[]

Connections[]

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