Honestly, I don't think it's likely, but let's take the improv method and just say yes, and try to find a way it could work. So, other NPCs interact with Imoen. What if CHARNAME is just nuts and imagining those interactions too? Or, what if she's like, a shared group hallucination and projecting her into the minds of people in the vicinity is secretly one of CHARNAME's Bhaalspawn powers?
Did I misunderstand? I thought the OP was suggesting that the character of Imoen was a metaphor but not that she was a figment of CHARNAME'S imagination. Many character's in classic literature are metaphors for various concepts but they still exist as a real character in their respective books.
I have to say, that despite the fact that I feel that there are numerous occassions where the OP's thoughts do not necessarily coincide with content, I thought this was simply an amazing read and I really appreciate you posting this. It was fun to take a bit of time and consider my playthroughs with your way of thinking. It made my adventures through the game shine a bit differently and it was a pleasant distraction which I was thankful for. In your post, I noted that you said that had other theories about other characters and I would enjoy it if you shared them. Thanks again.
Nice story. The theory only works for BG I though. This is because she's a last minute character made up of recycled lines, which is why there's minimal or no NPC interaction with her eg Gorion, Saverok.
Agreed.
In BG2, her presence can be described as a metaphor but NOT an imaginary figment (too many NPCs and other characters acknowledge her presence).
Ah yes "The Imoen doesn't exist theory". We have dismissed those claims :P
On a serious note, I can see that you gave a lot of thought to this but in truth we all know that at the time developers (in BG1) didn't know or planned to have her as a Bhallspawn and in BG2 they just overlooked the death-divine essence problem.
Overall, your story could work that there are not two major issues with it. First, you meet Imoen back in Candlekeep when Gorion is still alive, and so theory that she only comes into story at great emotional turmoil is wrong. So she IS your childhood companion and even Gorion aknowladges her existance when you are about to go out of Candlekeep. Second and bigger issue is her interraction with other characters. I guess we can overlook that as another figment of imagination of the protagonist... but let's be honest, if that is the case then entire BG series could be just a figment of imagination of the protagonist who is just having a bad/incredible adventure dream in Candlekeep...
Or can you consider... it is possible that he is a computer character in a computer game... and controled by some outside force in a world where technology rules and there is no such thing as magic! By Mystra... what sacrilige I just dared to say! Must hide now... laterz!
I usually just use a little suspension of disbelief and go with it (Imoen's story problems). I've found that if I overthink stuff and wind up "seeing the man behind the curtain", it kind of spoils my immersion and fun. But like @Shandyr said, to each their own.
I thought it was a thought provoking story. The whole plot of the Trilogy mingles conscience, unconscious, natural, supernatural, real and surreal. In ToB we find charname can create a pocket plane by sheer (unconscious) will. It exists only as an extension of his/her own mind. We find that waking from vivid dreams bring new special abilities. In many ways the actions of the dream sequences are more "real" and relevant than the "waking" world. Given what we know of the rules at play, Imoen could be an extension of charname's will. In fact all of Faerun as we experience could be an extension of the same will that brought pocket plane into existence and snuffed it out when no longer needed. If Imoen was the manifestation of charname's mind (in either what we call real Faerun or "pocket Faerun") then she would have been able to pick locks, shoot arrows and drop fireballs. It's also entirely possible that charname is really a fabrication inside a fabricated world running on a machine each of which were fabricated in the minds of teams of people charname would consider deity.
The point of a story isn't just to explain facts, it's to shine light on things we don't like to look at. The story left me wondering "how many Imoen's am I journeying with?" What things do I depend on or draw comfort from that seem so concrete but in reality are "lies" I'm feeding myself?
Related to the discussion in the Imoen plothole thread, let me try to answer this once and for all. Imoen is actually a figment of charnames psyche, and is not real at all.
First off, she only appears after periods of great trauma or stress for charname:
First after being badly attacked and watching his foster father die after leaving candlekeep. Next after being captured and brutally tortured by Irenicus Finally, after having his very soul removed.
In bg1 charname imagines her as a constant companion because thought of a return home to candlekeep are a constant companion, and she reminds him of this. Note that sarevok or gorion never mention anything about another bhaalspawn
Ch1 of bg2: "Imoen" releases charname from his cell, although she has been badly tortured and traumatised. Irenicus wanted charname to give in to bhaal, and become consumed so he could gain a better understanding of his powers. The frayed state of Imoen represents the frayed state of his humanity. Be she still remains, which means the process is not complete. However, it has already begun, and as the dream sequences later on indicate, charname already feels the temptation of the darker path.
Her role in ch2-4 in bg2 is that of a metaphor for the discovery of charnames bhaal essence, and the loss of his humanity (imoen) as he journeys to find it. The revelation about his heritage is what makes him feel as if his humanity is lost.
Bodhi is supposedly the recipient of her divine soul, but conspicuously never exibits any bhaal-style powers, unlike Irenicus with your soul. She even runs away from you the first time you turn into the slayer.
When Imoen reappears, she is no longer her invulnerable self as before - she now represents charnames dawning realisation of his own mortality. Imoen rejoins the party - representing that he has now found his humanity - however charname is stripped of his soul (the belt keeping her alive)
She appears to him in visions and dreams as a very aspect of bhaal - now this is charname coming to terms that his humanity is no longer what definies him - is was his bhaal essence all along.
------------------------ I have a few theories about some of the other NPC's as well but they can wait for another day.
Comments
What happens if you say *slaps self hard for being pointless*
Uhmmm... Very good!
Or as many say "Ignorance is bliss"
So, other NPCs interact with Imoen.
What if CHARNAME is just nuts and imagining those interactions too?
Or, what if she's like, a shared group hallucination and projecting her into the minds of people in the vicinity is secretly one of CHARNAME's Bhaalspawn powers?
In BG2, her presence can be described as a metaphor but NOT an imaginary figment (too many NPCs and other characters acknowledge her presence).
In a word: Brynnlaw. ;-)
Ah yes "The Imoen doesn't exist theory". We have dismissed those claims :P
On a serious note, I can see that you gave a lot of thought to this but in truth we all know that at the time developers (in BG1) didn't know or planned to have her as a Bhallspawn and in BG2 they just overlooked the death-divine essence problem.
Overall, your story could work that there are not two major issues with it. First, you meet Imoen back in Candlekeep when Gorion is still alive, and so theory that she only comes into story at great emotional turmoil is wrong. So she IS your childhood companion and even Gorion aknowladges her existance when you are about to go out of Candlekeep.
Second and bigger issue is her interraction with other characters. I guess we can overlook that as another figment of imagination of the protagonist... but let's be honest, if that is the case then entire BG series could be just a figment of imagination of the protagonist who is just having a bad/incredible adventure dream in Candlekeep...
Or can you consider... it is possible that he is a computer character in a computer game... and controled by some outside force in a world where technology rules and there is no such thing as magic! By Mystra... what sacrilige I just dared to say! Must hide now... laterz!
The point of a story isn't just to explain facts, it's to shine light on things we don't like to look at. The story left me wondering "how many Imoen's am I journeying with?" What things do I depend on or draw comfort from that seem so concrete but in reality are "lies" I'm feeding myself?