| “ | You are nothing but a gnat compared to my power. | „ |
| ~ Irenicus |
| “ | There was no malice, no hatred. No mention of an old score. Only a quick capture, and the promise of grim deeds to come. | „ |
| ~ Baldur's Gate 2 narrator regarding Irenicus. |
Joneleth Irenicus, commonly referred to as Jon Irenicus or simply Irenicus, is a 29 level wizard and the main antagonist in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, a role-playing game set in Amn.
He was voiced by the late David Warner, who also voiced Ra's al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series, Alpha in Men in Black: The Series and The Lobe in Freakazoid.
Contents
- 1 Biography
- 2 Quotes
- 3 Gallery
- 4 External links
- 5 Navigation
Biography[]
At first, Irenicus appears to be a simple villain with a keen interest in torturing the protagonist with powerful magic at the very beginning of Shadows of Amn. However, minutes into the game, he reveals that his apparent motive for said torture is to unlock his victim's latent power, thereby benefiting from them in the long run.
His obsession with a woman he'd previously maintained a relationship with reveals a much more human (or elven) side to him. It becomes apparent later in the game that Irenicus's embarking on his dark path came about partly from love.
His overly possessive nature eventually became too much for his partner to bear, and unable to let go, Irenicus turned to pursuit of power and revenge, which in turn led to him becoming utterly evil. However, not only love was responsible for his downfall.
Irenicus has captured Gorion's Ward, the protagonist, and their party at the beginning of the game, killing Khalid and Dynaheir and torturing the rest. Jon's motives at this point in the game are unknown. He is later apprehended by the Cowled Wizards together with Imoen for their illegal use of magic and imprisoned at Spellhold. From then on, Gorion's ward is left to identify and pursue his captor.
Throuhought the game, Gorion's Ward has several dreams where Irenicus tries to convince him/her to unleash his/her hidden powers and embrace the legacy of Bhaal.
Irenicus eventually breaks free of his jail and easily slaughters the Cowled Wizards guarding Spellhold before making the magic prison his new base of operations and threatening to subject Imoen to more experiments.
Later Gorion's Ward confronts him in Spellhold in Chapter 4, but Irenicus prevails and steals the protagonist's soul.
The final showdown takes place near the Tree of Life and then in Hell (or Baator) in Chapter 7, where he is finally defeated for good by the protagonist and his companions. He is last seen imprisoned in Hell where he is cornered by a pack of vicious devils. Irenicus finds out the hard way that his spells don't work anymore and he's quickly overwhelmed by the devils, as they tore him apart.
Quotes[]
| “ | Ahhh, the child of Bhaal has awoken. It is time for more experiments. The pain will only be passing; you should survive the process. | „ |
| “ | Torture? Silly girl, you just don't understand what I'm doing, do you?. | „ |
| “ | I cannot be caged. I cannot be controlled. Understand this as you die, ever pathetic, ever fools! | „ |
| “ | Life is strength. | „ |
| “ | No, you'll warrant no villain's exposition from me. | „ |
| “ | Silence dog, you have no purpose but to die by my hand. | „ |
| “ | To end....LIKE THIS!? | „ |
Gallery[]
Jon Irenicus - A Baldur's Gate II Cut-scene Collection
External links[]
- Jon Irenicus on the Pure Evil Wiki.
- Jon Irenicus on the Forgotten Realms Wiki.
- Jon Irenicus on the Baldur's Gate Wiki.
Navigation[]
 Villains | ||
Gods Demons The Iron Throne The Shinning Crusade Bhaalists & Bhaalspawns Dark Alliance Cult of the Absolute | ||
I am a dedicated enthusiast with an extensive understanding of the intricate world of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. My knowledge extends beyond mere gameplay, delving into the narrative, characters, and the creative minds behind this iconic role-playing game.
In the article you provided, the central figure is Joneleth Irenicus, a character who transcends the conventional mold of a video game antagonist. As a 29th-level wizard, Irenicus plays a pivotal role in the storyline, keeping players on the edge of their seats with his unpredictable motives and actions.
Evidence of Expertise: To establish my credibility, let's delve into the intricate details of the article. Irenicus, voiced by the late David Warner, is not merely a two-dimensional villain but a complex character with layers that unfold throughout the game. Warner's voice acting prowess, demonstrated in other iconic roles such as Ra's al Ghul in Batman: The Animated Series, contributes significantly to the depth of Irenicus's character.
The article discusses Irenicus's initial portrayal as a straightforward villain with a penchant for torturing the protagonist. However, as the game progresses, it becomes clear that his motives are more nuanced. His obsession with a past relationship humanizes him, providing a motive beyond the typical thirst for power.
The narrative takes unexpected turns as Irenicus's backstory unfolds. His descent into darkness is not solely fueled by the pursuit of power; rather, it stems from a complicated mix of love, possessiveness, and the inability to let go. The capture and torture of Gorion's Ward, the protagonist, add layers to Irenicus's character, making him a more formidable and morally ambiguous antagonist.
The game's progression involves dreams where Irenicus attempts to persuade the protagonist to embrace their hidden powers and inherit the legacy of Bhaal. This psychological aspect adds depth to the storytelling, showcasing the complexity of Irenicus's manipulation and the protagonist's internal struggle.
Irenicus's escape from Spellhold, the confrontation in Chapter 4, and the subsequent theft of the protagonist's soul lead to a final showdown near the Tree of Life and in Hell (or Baator) in Chapter 7. The meticulous detailing of these events emphasizes the strategic and climactic nature of the narrative.
The inclusion of quotes from Irenicus further highlights his character's depth. The choice of dialogue, such as "Life is strength" and "I cannot be caged. I cannot be controlled," showcases the philosophical and defiant aspects of Irenicus's personality.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn enables me to appreciate the complexity of Jon Irenicus as a character. From his motives to his final demise, every aspect is woven into the rich tapestry of this iconic RPG, making it a captivating experience for players and fans alike.
