What happens if I let the Emperor kill Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the Emperor kill Orpheus is a pivotal moment in the game's story, with significant consequences for the narrative and the fate of key characters. This choice occurs during the late stages of the game, specifically in Act 3, when the player is faced with the dilemma of whether to side with the Emperor, a mind flayer who has been guiding the party, or to free Orpheus, a Githyanki prince who has the potential to unite his people against the mind flayer threat. Letting the Emperor kill Orpheus is one of the possible outcomes, and it has far-reaching implications for the story and the player's relationships with their companions.
To achieve this outcome, the player must first progress through the main story until they reach the point where the Emperor reveals his true intentions. This typically happens after the party has gathered enough information about the Absolute and the mind flayer threat. The Emperor will present the player with a choice: either allow him to consume Orpheus's power to strengthen their position against the Absolute, or free Orpheus and risk losing the Emperor's support. If the player chooses to let the Emperor kill Orpheus, the following steps will occur.
First, the player must engage in a dialogue with the Emperor where they express their willingness to let him proceed with his plan. This dialogue option will be presented as a clear choice, and the player must select it to move forward. Once the choice is made, the Emperor will proceed to kill Orpheus, absorbing his power and becoming even more formidable. This action will have immediate consequences, as the Githyanki, who revere Orpheus as a hero, will view the player as an enemy. This can lead to hostile encounters with Githyanki forces later in the game.
One important tip to consider is that this choice will significantly impact the player's relationship with Lae'zel, a Githyanki companion who is deeply invested in the fate of her people. If the player allows the Emperor to kill Orpheus, Lae'zel will likely turn against them, leading to her leaving the party or even becoming an enemy. This can be a major loss, as Lae'zel is a powerful fighter and a valuable ally in combat. Players who wish to maintain a positive relationship with Lae'zel should carefully consider the consequences of this choice.
Another consideration is the impact on the overall story. By allowing the Emperor to kill Orpheus, the player is effectively siding with the mind flayers, which can lead to a darker ending where the mind flayers gain more control over the world. This choice aligns the player with the forces of chaos and destruction, and it may result in a less favorable outcome for the world at large. On the other hand, freeing Orpheus can lead to a more hopeful ending, where the Githyanki unite against the mind flayers and the player helps to restore balance to the world.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the consequences. The game does not always spell out the long-term effects of major decisions, so players should take the time to explore all available dialogue options and consider the potential outcomes before committing to a path. Additionally, players should be aware that this choice is irreversible, so once the Emperor kills Orpheus, there is no going back.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include preparing for the potential fallout from the decision. If the player knows that Lae'zel will likely leave the party, they may want to recruit another companion or adjust their party composition to compensate for her absence. Additionally, players should be prepared for increased hostility from Githyanki forces, so it may be wise to stock up on healing items and ensure that the party is well-equipped for combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system, where the player's decisions can shift their character's alignment towards chaos or evil. Allowing the Emperor to kill Orpheus is a morally ambiguous choice that can have significant repercussions for the player's character and their relationships with other characters in the game.
In summary, letting the Emperor kill Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision with far-reaching consequences. Players should carefully consider the impact on their relationships with companions, the overall narrative, and the potential for a darker ending. By understanding the mechanics involved, preparing for the fallout, and making informed choices, players can navigate this pivotal moment in the game and shape the story according to their preferences.
To achieve this outcome, the player must first progress through the main story until they reach the point where the Emperor reveals his true intentions. This typically happens after the party has gathered enough information about the Absolute and the mind flayer threat. The Emperor will present the player with a choice: either allow him to consume Orpheus's power to strengthen their position against the Absolute, or free Orpheus and risk losing the Emperor's support. If the player chooses to let the Emperor kill Orpheus, the following steps will occur.
First, the player must engage in a dialogue with the Emperor where they express their willingness to let him proceed with his plan. This dialogue option will be presented as a clear choice, and the player must select it to move forward. Once the choice is made, the Emperor will proceed to kill Orpheus, absorbing his power and becoming even more formidable. This action will have immediate consequences, as the Githyanki, who revere Orpheus as a hero, will view the player as an enemy. This can lead to hostile encounters with Githyanki forces later in the game.
One important tip to consider is that this choice will significantly impact the player's relationship with Lae'zel, a Githyanki companion who is deeply invested in the fate of her people. If the player allows the Emperor to kill Orpheus, Lae'zel will likely turn against them, leading to her leaving the party or even becoming an enemy. This can be a major loss, as Lae'zel is a powerful fighter and a valuable ally in combat. Players who wish to maintain a positive relationship with Lae'zel should carefully consider the consequences of this choice.
Another consideration is the impact on the overall story. By allowing the Emperor to kill Orpheus, the player is effectively siding with the mind flayers, which can lead to a darker ending where the mind flayers gain more control over the world. This choice aligns the player with the forces of chaos and destruction, and it may result in a less favorable outcome for the world at large. On the other hand, freeing Orpheus can lead to a more hopeful ending, where the Githyanki unite against the mind flayers and the player helps to restore balance to the world.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the consequences. The game does not always spell out the long-term effects of major decisions, so players should take the time to explore all available dialogue options and consider the potential outcomes before committing to a path. Additionally, players should be aware that this choice is irreversible, so once the Emperor kills Orpheus, there is no going back.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include preparing for the potential fallout from the decision. If the player knows that Lae'zel will likely leave the party, they may want to recruit another companion or adjust their party composition to compensate for her absence. Additionally, players should be prepared for increased hostility from Githyanki forces, so it may be wise to stock up on healing items and ensure that the party is well-equipped for combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system, where the player's decisions can shift their character's alignment towards chaos or evil. Allowing the Emperor to kill Orpheus is a morally ambiguous choice that can have significant repercussions for the player's character and their relationships with other characters in the game.
In summary, letting the Emperor kill Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision with far-reaching consequences. Players should carefully consider the impact on their relationships with companions, the overall narrative, and the potential for a darker ending. By understanding the mechanics involved, preparing for the fallout, and making informed choices, players can navigate this pivotal moment in the game and shape the story according to their preferences.