What happens if I let the Absolute take over the grove in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the Absolute take over the grove in Act 1 is a significant story choice that has far-reaching consequences for the narrative, your companions, and the world around you. This choice is tied to the conflict between the Tiefling refugees and the goblins, who are aligned with the Absolute, a mysterious and malevolent force. Letting the Absolute take over the grove means siding with the goblins and their leaders, Minthara, Dror Ragzlin, and Priestess Gut, which will lead to the destruction of the grove and the death of many Tieflings and Druids. Here is a detailed explanation of how to achieve this outcome, the mechanics involved, and the implications of this choice.
To let the Absolute take over the grove, you must align yourself with the goblins and their leaders. This begins with your interactions in the goblin camp, located in the Shattered Sanctum. To gain their trust, you will need to complete certain tasks for them, such as killing the Druid leader Kagha or sabotaging the grove from within. One of the key steps is to speak with Minthara, the drow paladin who leads the goblin forces. She will ask you to help her locate the grove and plan an attack. You can agree to her plan, which involves infiltrating the grove and opening the gates for the goblin army.
Once you have agreed to help Minthara, you will need to return to the grove and either convince the Tieflings and Druids to stand down or fight your way through them. If you choose to fight, be prepared for a challenging battle, as the grove is heavily defended. You can use stealth and deception to avoid some of the combat, but ultimately, you will need to open the gates for the goblins. This can be done by interacting with the gate mechanism or by killing the guards who are protecting it.
After the gates are opened, the goblin army will storm the grove, leading to a chaotic and violent scene. Many Tieflings and Druids will be killed, and the grove will be overrun. This will have a significant impact on your companions, particularly Wyll and Karlach, who have strong ties to the Tieflings. Wyll may leave your party if you side with the goblins, as he is deeply committed to protecting the innocent. Karlach, on the other hand, may become hostile if she sees you betraying the Tieflings.
One important tip to consider is that siding with the goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines that are tied to the Tieflings and Druids. For example, you will not be able to complete the quest to rescue Halsin, the Druid leader, or help the Tieflings reach Baldur's Gate. Additionally, this choice will affect your reputation with certain factions and characters, making it harder to gain their trust or assistance later in the game.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the battles involved in this path. The goblin camp and the grove are both heavily guarded, and you will need to be well-prepared for combat. Make sure your party is well-equipped with weapons, armor, and healing items. It is also a good idea to have a balanced party composition, with a mix of melee fighters, ranged attackers, and spellcasters.
Advanced techniques for this path include using stealth and deception to avoid unnecessary combat. For example, you can use the Disguise Self spell to blend in with the goblins and avoid suspicion. You can also use persuasion or intimidation to convince certain characters to stand down or betray their allies. Additionally, you can use environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels or traps, to gain an advantage in combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral consequences. Siding with the goblins and the Absolute is an evil act, and it will shift your character's alignment towards evil. This can affect your interactions with other characters and the overall tone of the story. It is important to consider the role-playing implications of this choice and how it fits with your character's backstory and motivations.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over the grove in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story choice that involves aligning with the goblins and betraying the Tieflings and Druids. This path requires careful planning, combat readiness, and an understanding of the moral and narrative consequences. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and strategies provided, you can successfully achieve this outcome and explore the darker side of the game's story.
To let the Absolute take over the grove, you must align yourself with the goblins and their leaders. This begins with your interactions in the goblin camp, located in the Shattered Sanctum. To gain their trust, you will need to complete certain tasks for them, such as killing the Druid leader Kagha or sabotaging the grove from within. One of the key steps is to speak with Minthara, the drow paladin who leads the goblin forces. She will ask you to help her locate the grove and plan an attack. You can agree to her plan, which involves infiltrating the grove and opening the gates for the goblin army.
Once you have agreed to help Minthara, you will need to return to the grove and either convince the Tieflings and Druids to stand down or fight your way through them. If you choose to fight, be prepared for a challenging battle, as the grove is heavily defended. You can use stealth and deception to avoid some of the combat, but ultimately, you will need to open the gates for the goblins. This can be done by interacting with the gate mechanism or by killing the guards who are protecting it.
After the gates are opened, the goblin army will storm the grove, leading to a chaotic and violent scene. Many Tieflings and Druids will be killed, and the grove will be overrun. This will have a significant impact on your companions, particularly Wyll and Karlach, who have strong ties to the Tieflings. Wyll may leave your party if you side with the goblins, as he is deeply committed to protecting the innocent. Karlach, on the other hand, may become hostile if she sees you betraying the Tieflings.
One important tip to consider is that siding with the goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines that are tied to the Tieflings and Druids. For example, you will not be able to complete the quest to rescue Halsin, the Druid leader, or help the Tieflings reach Baldur's Gate. Additionally, this choice will affect your reputation with certain factions and characters, making it harder to gain their trust or assistance later in the game.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the battles involved in this path. The goblin camp and the grove are both heavily guarded, and you will need to be well-prepared for combat. Make sure your party is well-equipped with weapons, armor, and healing items. It is also a good idea to have a balanced party composition, with a mix of melee fighters, ranged attackers, and spellcasters.
Advanced techniques for this path include using stealth and deception to avoid unnecessary combat. For example, you can use the Disguise Self spell to blend in with the goblins and avoid suspicion. You can also use persuasion or intimidation to convince certain characters to stand down or betray their allies. Additionally, you can use environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels or traps, to gain an advantage in combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral consequences. Siding with the goblins and the Absolute is an evil act, and it will shift your character's alignment towards evil. This can affect your interactions with other characters and the overall tone of the story. It is important to consider the role-playing implications of this choice and how it fits with your character's backstory and motivations.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over the grove in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story choice that involves aligning with the goblins and betraying the Tieflings and Druids. This path requires careful planning, combat readiness, and an understanding of the moral and narrative consequences. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and strategies provided, you can successfully achieve this outcome and explore the darker side of the game's story.