What are the consequences of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most significant and morally complex decisions you can make in the game. This choice occurs near the end of the story and has profound consequences for the world, your companions, and the overall narrative. To understand the mechanics and implications of this decision, itÔÇÖs important to first grasp the context and the steps required to reach this point.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. Your character, along with your companions, is caught in the middle of this conflict, and your choices will determine whether the Absolute succeeds or fails in its goal.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the three main factions of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces, and your interactions with them will shape your path. To achieve this outcome, you need to make choices that support their goals and avoid actions that undermine their authority.
One of the key steps in this process is to avoid destroying the Netherstones, which are powerful artifacts that control the Elder Brain. These stones are held by the Chosen, and if you destroy them, you prevent the Absolute from gaining full control. Instead, you must ensure that the Netherstones remain intact and that the Chosen retain their power. This often involves making morally questionable decisions, such as betraying allies or allowing innocent people to suffer.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several pivotal moments where you must choose between opposing the Absolute or supporting it. For example, in Act 2, you will face Ketheric Thorm in the Moonrise Towers. If you want the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you should avoid killing Ketheric and instead work with him to further the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans. Similarly, in Act 3, you will encounter Orin and Gortash, and you must decide whether to eliminate them or join forces with them.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel, may have personal stakes in the conflict and could oppose your decision to side with the Absolute. To avoid conflicts, you should try to influence their opinions through dialogue and quests. For example, you can encourage Shadowheart to embrace her Sharran heritage, which aligns her more closely with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. Similarly, you can guide LaeÔÇÖzel to question her loyalty to Vlaakith, making her more open to alternative paths.
A common mistake to avoid is making impulsive decisions without considering the long-term consequences. For example, if you kill one of the Chosen early in the game, you may inadvertently prevent the Absolute from gaining control of the Elder Brain. ItÔÇÖs important to think strategically and consider how each choice will impact the overall narrative.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging your characterÔÇÖs abilities and class mechanics to manipulate the situation in your favor. For example, if you are playing as a Bard or a Sorcerer, you can use your high Charisma to persuade key characters to support your decisions. Similarly, if you are playing as a Rogue or a Ranger, you can use stealth and subterfuge to avoid direct confrontations and achieve your goals without drawing too much attention.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of the Absolute controlling the Elder Brain is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their hive mind. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Mind Flayers are known for their psionic abilities and their ability to dominate other creatures. The Elder Brain is the central hub of a Mind Flayer colony, and controlling it would give the Absolute immense power over the entire colony. This aligns with the gameÔÇÖs narrative, where the Absolute seeks to use the Elder Brain to extend its influence over the world.
In specific scenarios, such as the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, your choices will determine the outcome. If you have sided with the Absolute, you will have the option to let it take control, leading to a dark ending where the world is dominated by the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will. This ending is marked by a sense of despair and loss, as your character and companions are either consumed by the Absolute or forced to serve its purposes.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and strategic choices. By aligning with the Chosen, managing your companions, and avoiding actions that undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, you can achieve this outcome. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the consequences and be prepared for the darker aspects of this path.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. Your character, along with your companions, is caught in the middle of this conflict, and your choices will determine whether the Absolute succeeds or fails in its goal.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the three main factions of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces, and your interactions with them will shape your path. To achieve this outcome, you need to make choices that support their goals and avoid actions that undermine their authority.
One of the key steps in this process is to avoid destroying the Netherstones, which are powerful artifacts that control the Elder Brain. These stones are held by the Chosen, and if you destroy them, you prevent the Absolute from gaining full control. Instead, you must ensure that the Netherstones remain intact and that the Chosen retain their power. This often involves making morally questionable decisions, such as betraying allies or allowing innocent people to suffer.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several pivotal moments where you must choose between opposing the Absolute or supporting it. For example, in Act 2, you will face Ketheric Thorm in the Moonrise Towers. If you want the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you should avoid killing Ketheric and instead work with him to further the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans. Similarly, in Act 3, you will encounter Orin and Gortash, and you must decide whether to eliminate them or join forces with them.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel, may have personal stakes in the conflict and could oppose your decision to side with the Absolute. To avoid conflicts, you should try to influence their opinions through dialogue and quests. For example, you can encourage Shadowheart to embrace her Sharran heritage, which aligns her more closely with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. Similarly, you can guide LaeÔÇÖzel to question her loyalty to Vlaakith, making her more open to alternative paths.
A common mistake to avoid is making impulsive decisions without considering the long-term consequences. For example, if you kill one of the Chosen early in the game, you may inadvertently prevent the Absolute from gaining control of the Elder Brain. ItÔÇÖs important to think strategically and consider how each choice will impact the overall narrative.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging your characterÔÇÖs abilities and class mechanics to manipulate the situation in your favor. For example, if you are playing as a Bard or a Sorcerer, you can use your high Charisma to persuade key characters to support your decisions. Similarly, if you are playing as a Rogue or a Ranger, you can use stealth and subterfuge to avoid direct confrontations and achieve your goals without drawing too much attention.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of the Absolute controlling the Elder Brain is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their hive mind. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Mind Flayers are known for their psionic abilities and their ability to dominate other creatures. The Elder Brain is the central hub of a Mind Flayer colony, and controlling it would give the Absolute immense power over the entire colony. This aligns with the gameÔÇÖs narrative, where the Absolute seeks to use the Elder Brain to extend its influence over the world.
In specific scenarios, such as the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, your choices will determine the outcome. If you have sided with the Absolute, you will have the option to let it take control, leading to a dark ending where the world is dominated by the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will. This ending is marked by a sense of despair and loss, as your character and companions are either consumed by the Absolute or forced to serve its purposes.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and strategic choices. By aligning with the Chosen, managing your companions, and avoiding actions that undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, you can achieve this outcome. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the consequences and be prepared for the darker aspects of this path.