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. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals have been manipulating events to consolidate power and spread the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Your journey involves uncovering their plans and deciding whether to stop them or align with them.
To reach the point where you can let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must progress through the main story quests, including infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and confronting Orin and Gortash in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, a Mind Flayer who claims to be your ally and offers to help you resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. However, the EmperorÔÇÖs true intentions are ambiguous, and your choices regarding him will shape the final outcome.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain in the gameÔÇÖs climax, you are presented with a critical choice. You can either destroy the Elder Brain, freeing the world from the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, or you can allow the Absolute to dominate it, effectively becoming a servant of the Absolute. If you choose the latter, the Elder Brain will be subjugated, and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule will extend across the land. This decision leads to a dark ending where the world falls under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominion, and your character becomes a pawn in its grand design.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to your interactions with key characters and your ability to resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Throughout the game, you will face moments where you must make decisions that either strengthen your resistance to the Absolute or align you more closely with its goals. For example, consuming Tadpoles to gain Illithid powers can make it easier to succumb to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, while rejecting these powers can help you maintain your independence. Additionally, your relationship with the Emperor plays a crucial role. If you trust and follow his guidance, you may be more inclined to resist the Absolute. However, if you distrust him or side with Orpheus, the Githyanki prince, your path may diverge.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions throughout the game. Every decision, from how you handle the Tadpoles to how you interact with the Chosen of the Dead Three, can influence your final choice. For instance, if you align with Gortash and form an alliance with him, you may find it easier to justify letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain, as you have already embraced his vision of order through domination. On the other hand, if you oppose Gortash and seek to dismantle his power, you are more likely to reject the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control.
A common mistake to avoid is making hasty decisions without fully understanding the implications. The game often presents morally ambiguous choices, and itÔÇÖs easy to be swayed by immediate benefits without considering the long-term consequences. For example, consuming Tadpoles may grant you powerful abilities, but it also increases your susceptibility to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Similarly, trusting the Emperor may seem like the safest option, but his true motives are not always clear, and his guidance may lead you down a darker path.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges of the final act. Characters with high Wisdom and Charisma are better equipped to resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, while those with Illithid powers may find it easier to embrace it. Additionally, having a balanced party with strong combat abilities and utility spells can help you navigate the difficult encounters leading up to the final decision. For example, a Paladin with high Charisma and Aura of Protection can bolster your partyÔÇÖs defenses, while a Wizard with Counterspell can disrupt enemy magic.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of the Elder Brain and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over it aligns with the lore of Mind Flayers and their hierarchical society. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Elder Brains are powerful psionic entities that command entire colonies of Mind Flayers. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs attempt to dominate the Elder Brain reflects the gameÔÇÖs themes of power, control, and the corrupting influence of evil. The mechanics of resisting or succumbing to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence are represented through Wisdom saving throws and role-playing choices, which are core elements of the D&D system.
In specific scenarios, your choices can lead to different outcomes. For example, if you side with the Emperor and allow him to control the Elder Brain, you may achieve a form of stability, but at the cost of freedom. Alternatively, if you side with Orpheus and reject the Emperor, you may free the Githyanki from VlaakithÔÇÖs tyranny, but risk unleashing the Elder BrainÔÇÖs full power. Each path has its own set of challenges and rewards, and the game encourages you to weigh the consequences carefully.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a pivotal decision that shapes the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of your actions throughout the game, as well as an understanding of the mechanics and lore involved. By making informed choices and optimizing your character build, you can navigate this complex narrative and determine the fate of the world. Whether you choose to resist the Absolute or embrace its control, the consequences of your decision will leave a lasting impact on the story and your companions.
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. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals have been manipulating events to consolidate power and spread the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Your journey involves uncovering their plans and deciding whether to stop them or align with them.
To reach the point where you can let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must progress through the main story quests, including infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and confronting Orin and Gortash in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, a Mind Flayer who claims to be your ally and offers to help you resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. However, the EmperorÔÇÖs true intentions are ambiguous, and your choices regarding him will shape the final outcome.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain in the gameÔÇÖs climax, you are presented with a critical choice. You can either destroy the Elder Brain, freeing the world from the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, or you can allow the Absolute to dominate it, effectively becoming a servant of the Absolute. If you choose the latter, the Elder Brain will be subjugated, and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule will extend across the land. This decision leads to a dark ending where the world falls under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominion, and your character becomes a pawn in its grand design.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to your interactions with key characters and your ability to resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Throughout the game, you will face moments where you must make decisions that either strengthen your resistance to the Absolute or align you more closely with its goals. For example, consuming Tadpoles to gain Illithid powers can make it easier to succumb to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, while rejecting these powers can help you maintain your independence. Additionally, your relationship with the Emperor plays a crucial role. If you trust and follow his guidance, you may be more inclined to resist the Absolute. However, if you distrust him or side with Orpheus, the Githyanki prince, your path may diverge.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions throughout the game. Every decision, from how you handle the Tadpoles to how you interact with the Chosen of the Dead Three, can influence your final choice. For instance, if you align with Gortash and form an alliance with him, you may find it easier to justify letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain, as you have already embraced his vision of order through domination. On the other hand, if you oppose Gortash and seek to dismantle his power, you are more likely to reject the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control.
A common mistake to avoid is making hasty decisions without fully understanding the implications. The game often presents morally ambiguous choices, and itÔÇÖs easy to be swayed by immediate benefits without considering the long-term consequences. For example, consuming Tadpoles may grant you powerful abilities, but it also increases your susceptibility to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Similarly, trusting the Emperor may seem like the safest option, but his true motives are not always clear, and his guidance may lead you down a darker path.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges of the final act. Characters with high Wisdom and Charisma are better equipped to resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, while those with Illithid powers may find it easier to embrace it. Additionally, having a balanced party with strong combat abilities and utility spells can help you navigate the difficult encounters leading up to the final decision. For example, a Paladin with high Charisma and Aura of Protection can bolster your partyÔÇÖs defenses, while a Wizard with Counterspell can disrupt enemy magic.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of the Elder Brain and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over it aligns with the lore of Mind Flayers and their hierarchical society. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Elder Brains are powerful psionic entities that command entire colonies of Mind Flayers. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs attempt to dominate the Elder Brain reflects the gameÔÇÖs themes of power, control, and the corrupting influence of evil. The mechanics of resisting or succumbing to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence are represented through Wisdom saving throws and role-playing choices, which are core elements of the D&D system.
In specific scenarios, your choices can lead to different outcomes. For example, if you side with the Emperor and allow him to control the Elder Brain, you may achieve a form of stability, but at the cost of freedom. Alternatively, if you side with Orpheus and reject the Emperor, you may free the Githyanki from VlaakithÔÇÖs tyranny, but risk unleashing the Elder BrainÔÇÖs full power. Each path has its own set of challenges and rewards, and the game encourages you to weigh the consequences carefully.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a pivotal decision that shapes the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of your actions throughout the game, as well as an understanding of the mechanics and lore involved. By making informed choices and optimizing your character build, you can navigate this complex narrative and determine the fate of the world. Whether you choose to resist the Absolute or embrace its control, the consequences of your decision will leave a lasting impact on the story and your companions.