| “ | I would rather die in this cursed house than to perish to the plague and famine out there. | ” |
General Balathu is one of the two false protagonists, a playable character, and potential central antagonist in The Dark Pictures Anthology's third installment, House of Ashes. He is an Akkadian General and leads Naram-Sin's forces. He was voiced and motion captured by Zaydun Khalaf and was modelled on Winston Thomas.
Appearance[]
Balathu wears the standard garb of an Akkadian soldier, minus the half-faceplate. He wears studded leather armor and a helmet, and carries a khopesh. He has a postiche beard.
Personality[]
While Balathu's traits are not known, he is shown to be antagonistic toward the Gutians, calling them dogs and is willing to sacrifice them for Naram-Sin but he can also be hesitant in killing a Gutian woman who reminds him of his late daughter.
In any case, he is willing to work together on the opposing side and show leadership in most situations with him being the captain of his army. He is also a believer in gods and demons as he believes they are cursed by the gods because of Naram-Sin's mistake.
Biography[]
Balathu was an Akkadian General who served for Naram-Sin during the 23rd century BC. He used to have a daughter, but she died to a plague. He was also known to show hatred to the Gutians.
On May 17, 2231 BC, Balathu headed to the Akkadian-Gutian war in front of the temple. When the eclipse came and more menacing threats had awoken, Balathu was forced to work with a Gutian soldier named Kurum. However, their cooperation did not end well. Balathu would then stay as a monster or a preserved corpse for more than 4000 years.
House of Ashes[]
For his involvement as The Ancient One, see The Ancient One.
| Chapter Appearances | |||
| Cursed | Debut (Possible Death) | ||
| The Briefing | Absent | The Assault | Absent |
| The Raid | Absent | The Horror | Determinant Vampire |
| Underworld | Absent | Enemy of My Enemy | Absent |
| Pazuzu | Absent | The Well | Absent |
| The Temple | Absent | The Ancient One | Determinant Vampire |
| Breaking Up | Absent | Brothers | Absent |
| After the Fall | Absent | The City | Determinant (Death) |
| Slayer | Absent | Strange Aeons | Absent |
| The Truce | Absent | The Vault | Determinant Vampire |
| Bloodbath | Determinant Vampire | Semper Fi | Determinant Vampire |
| The Signal | Absent | Daylight | Determinant Vampire |
| The End | Absent | ||
Prologue[]
Balathu is seen pushing Kurum onto a sacrificial altar, trying to kill him. Before he is able to, an Akkadian guard asks him to meet the king as he demands. Balathu then heads to the main hall of the temple. Naram-Sin then asks Balathu about the forces and the prisoners, before asking him to kill the Gutian woman. Naram-Sin will then remind him that the woman looks like his daughter if the daughter lived until now, only to comment that it's a tragedy how the plague kills her. Balathu can either kill the Gutian woman or fail and let another guard do the job. Balathu then heads outside for battle, standing in his position defending against the Gutians.
As the creatures awaken, Balathu escapes to the temple before being attacked by Kurum. They both then team up and head to the catacombs. Throughout their journey, they talk with each other. Balathu and Kurum then encounter a creature in the catacombs. After failing to open the door, they decide to fight the creature instead. Here, Balathu can either be betrayed by Kurum, killed by the creature, or survived the attack, only to then be attacked again. He will then reappear as The Ancient One if he survives the attack.
Main Story[]
If he was killed by the creature, Jason and Salim can find his body being preserved by fluid, only to have half of the body intact. Despite this, he's still alive. Salim will then end his life mercifully before moving on.
Salim can then mention him when he's suggesting to his allies that they can use the fluid to save Rachel from turning into one of the creatures.
Possible Deaths[]
| Chapter | Mechanism of Kill | Caused by | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursed | Infection | Vampires | Balathu is the last protagonist to die in Cursed. |
| The City | Stabbed in the face by stake | Salim | Balathu is the first protagonist to die in Cursed. |
Killed Victims[]
| Chapter | Character | Mechanism of Kill | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursed | Several Gutian prisoners | Off-screen | Certain. |
| A Gutian woman | Impaled by spear | Balathu completes the QTE to throw the spear at the running woman. |
Relationships[]
Kurum[]
At first, Balathu and Kurum are enemies. Balathu despises the Gutians, including Kurum, and sees them only as dogs. Realizing that there are bigger threats, they decide to work together and either be bitter to each other or friendly along the way. Balathu can then continue to work with Kurum together or kill him if their relationship is low.
- Kurum tells Balathu to mind his own business when Balathu asks the meaning of his seal.
- Kurum betrays Balathu.
- Balathu tells Kurum that they should look out for themselves. (Curator's Cut)
- Balathu betrays Kurum. (Curator's Cut)
- Kurum tells Balathu the meaning of his seal when asked about it.
- Kurum cooperates with Balathu.
- Balathu tells Kurum that they should work together. (Curator's Cut)
- Balathu cooperates with Kurum. (Curator's Cut)
- Balathu was reluctant about killing the woman, which makes him relieved about Naram-Sin's death.
- Balathu tells Kurum that they should work together.
- Kurum tells Balathu the meaning of his seal when asked about it. (Curator's Cut)
- Balathu was compliant about killing the woman, which makes him sad about Naram-Sin's death.
- Balathu fails to open the door, which makes Kurum taunt him.
- Balathu tells Kurum that they should look out for themselves.
- Kurum tells Balathu to mind his own business when Balathu asks the meaning of his seal. (Curator's Cut)
- Kurum fails to kill the Akkadian guard in the prison, which makes him insult the guard's corpse later. (Curator's Cut)
Naram-Sin[]
Balathu has respect for his King Naram-Sin. But depending on the player's action, he can be an obedient general and answer to all of his wishes or act restrained and question the meaning of his orders. As such when learning about his death, he can be relieved or appalled.
Trivia[]
Playability[]
- Balathu is playable in the Theatrical Cut of Cursed.
Pictures[]
- Balathu can find 1 picture: Arisen.
- This makes him, along with Kurum, the first false protagonists who can find collectibles.
Other[]
- Balathu shares the same face model as:
- André Tanguy from Shattered State.
- Olson from Man of Medan.
- Older Vincent Barnes from Little Hope.
Trophies[]
- Balathu has 2 trophies associated with him:
- He shares with Kurum the trophy "The Sword and the Shield".
- His personal trophy is "Old Dog".
Quotes[]
| “ | Balathu: The enemy of my enemy... Kurum: ...is a friend. Balathu: We help each other. Kurum: There is always hope. |
” |
– Balathu and Kurum. | ||
| “ | An Akkadian, scared of a rodent? I've seen it all.
|
” |
– Kurum to Balathu if he fails to keep calm. | ||
Gallery
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| Supporting Characters |
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