What are the consequences of siding with the Absolute in all acts of Baldur's Gate 3 for companion relationships?
Siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has significant consequences for your relationships with your companions, as it directly conflicts with their personal goals, morals, and storylines. The Absolute represents a force of control and domination, and aligning with it often means making choices that prioritize power over freedom, which many companions find abhorrent. Below, I will explain the mechanics, strategies, and consequences of siding with the Absolute across all acts, focusing on how it impacts companion relationships.
In Act 1, siding with the Absolute begins with your interactions with the goblins and their leaders, such as Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. If you choose to help the goblins raid the Emerald Grove, this decision will immediately alienate companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Halsin, who are deeply opposed to the goblins and the Absolute. Wyll, for example, is a heroic figure who values protecting the innocent, and he will leave your party if you side with the goblins. Similarly, Karlach, who has a personal vendetta against the Absolute, will also abandon you. Halsin, the druid leader of the grove, will refuse to join your party if you destroy his home. On the other hand, companions like Astarion and Lae'zel may approve of your ruthless decisions, as they value power and self-interest over morality. Shadowheart's reaction is more nuanced, as she is initially secretive about her allegiance to Shar, but she may tolerate your choices if they align with her own goals.
In Act 2, siding with the Absolute becomes more pronounced as you encounter the cult's influence in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. If you choose to serve Ketheric Thorm and the Absolute, you will further alienate companions who oppose the cult. Gale, for instance, is a morally upright character who values knowledge and freedom, and he will disapprove of your actions. Lae'zel, who initially supports strength and dominance, may begin to question your loyalty if it conflicts with her own goals of freeing her people from Vlaakith's tyranny. Shadowheart's personal quest in Act 2 revolves around her connection to Shar and the Nightsong, and siding with the Absolute may complicate her storyline, especially if it leads to her embracing or rejecting her dark path. Astarion, however, may continue to support your decisions if they benefit him personally, though even he may grow wary if the Absolute's control threatens his own freedom.
In Act 3, the consequences of siding with the Absolute reach their peak. By this point, your companions' personal quests and moral alignments are fully developed, and your choices will have a profound impact on their loyalty. For example, if you side with the Absolute and attempt to dominate the Netherbrain, companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Gale will likely abandon you, as they cannot reconcile their values with your actions. Shadowheart may stay with you if she has fully embraced Shar's teachings, but if she has rejected Shar, she will likely leave as well. Lae'zel's loyalty depends on whether she has turned against Vlaakith; if she has, she will oppose the Absolute's control, but if she remains loyal to Vlaakith, she may support your decisions. Astarion's reaction will depend on whether he has ascended to become a vampire lord; if he has, he may see your alliance with the Absolute as a threat to his newfound power, but if he remains a spawn, he may continue to follow you out of self-interest.
To maximize your chances of maintaining companion relationships while siding with the Absolute, you must carefully manage their approval throughout the game. This involves making choices that align with their values in other areas, such as supporting Astarion's quest for power or encouraging Shadowheart's devotion to Shar. However, even with careful management, some companions will inevitably leave if you fully commit to the Absolute's cause.
Common mistakes to avoid include assuming that all companions will tolerate your alignment with the Absolute. Many companions have deeply ingrained moral codes that cannot be easily swayed, and failing to account for this can result in losing valuable allies. Additionally, neglecting their personal quests or making choices that directly contradict their goals will further strain your relationships.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the game's approval system to balance your actions. For example, you can offset the disapproval from siding with the Absolute by making choices that align with a companion's personal quest or values in other areas. This requires a deep understanding of each companion's motivations and storylines, as well as careful planning of your decisions.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the alignment system plays a significant role in companion relationships. Characters like Wyll and Karlach are typically good-aligned, while Astarion and Lae'zel lean toward neutral or evil alignments. Siding with the Absolute often involves evil-aligned actions, which will naturally conflict with good-aligned companions. Understanding these alignments can help you predict how companions will react to your choices.
Specific examples include the decision to raid the Emerald Grove in Act 1. If you side with Minthara and the goblins, Wyll and Karlach will leave your party, while Astarion and Lae'zel may approve. In Act 2, choosing to serve Ketheric Thorm will alienate Gale and potentially Shadowheart, depending on her personal quest. In Act 3, attempting to dominate the Netherbrain will likely result in losing most of your companions, except for those who have fully embraced darker paths.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has profound consequences for companion relationships. While some companions may tolerate or even support your decisions, many will leave if your actions conflict with their values. Careful management of approval, understanding of companion motivations, and strategic decision-making are essential to maintaining these relationships, but even then, some losses may be unavoidable.
In Act 1, siding with the Absolute begins with your interactions with the goblins and their leaders, such as Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. If you choose to help the goblins raid the Emerald Grove, this decision will immediately alienate companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Halsin, who are deeply opposed to the goblins and the Absolute. Wyll, for example, is a heroic figure who values protecting the innocent, and he will leave your party if you side with the goblins. Similarly, Karlach, who has a personal vendetta against the Absolute, will also abandon you. Halsin, the druid leader of the grove, will refuse to join your party if you destroy his home. On the other hand, companions like Astarion and Lae'zel may approve of your ruthless decisions, as they value power and self-interest over morality. Shadowheart's reaction is more nuanced, as she is initially secretive about her allegiance to Shar, but she may tolerate your choices if they align with her own goals.
In Act 2, siding with the Absolute becomes more pronounced as you encounter the cult's influence in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. If you choose to serve Ketheric Thorm and the Absolute, you will further alienate companions who oppose the cult. Gale, for instance, is a morally upright character who values knowledge and freedom, and he will disapprove of your actions. Lae'zel, who initially supports strength and dominance, may begin to question your loyalty if it conflicts with her own goals of freeing her people from Vlaakith's tyranny. Shadowheart's personal quest in Act 2 revolves around her connection to Shar and the Nightsong, and siding with the Absolute may complicate her storyline, especially if it leads to her embracing or rejecting her dark path. Astarion, however, may continue to support your decisions if they benefit him personally, though even he may grow wary if the Absolute's control threatens his own freedom.
In Act 3, the consequences of siding with the Absolute reach their peak. By this point, your companions' personal quests and moral alignments are fully developed, and your choices will have a profound impact on their loyalty. For example, if you side with the Absolute and attempt to dominate the Netherbrain, companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Gale will likely abandon you, as they cannot reconcile their values with your actions. Shadowheart may stay with you if she has fully embraced Shar's teachings, but if she has rejected Shar, she will likely leave as well. Lae'zel's loyalty depends on whether she has turned against Vlaakith; if she has, she will oppose the Absolute's control, but if she remains loyal to Vlaakith, she may support your decisions. Astarion's reaction will depend on whether he has ascended to become a vampire lord; if he has, he may see your alliance with the Absolute as a threat to his newfound power, but if he remains a spawn, he may continue to follow you out of self-interest.
To maximize your chances of maintaining companion relationships while siding with the Absolute, you must carefully manage their approval throughout the game. This involves making choices that align with their values in other areas, such as supporting Astarion's quest for power or encouraging Shadowheart's devotion to Shar. However, even with careful management, some companions will inevitably leave if you fully commit to the Absolute's cause.
Common mistakes to avoid include assuming that all companions will tolerate your alignment with the Absolute. Many companions have deeply ingrained moral codes that cannot be easily swayed, and failing to account for this can result in losing valuable allies. Additionally, neglecting their personal quests or making choices that directly contradict their goals will further strain your relationships.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the game's approval system to balance your actions. For example, you can offset the disapproval from siding with the Absolute by making choices that align with a companion's personal quest or values in other areas. This requires a deep understanding of each companion's motivations and storylines, as well as careful planning of your decisions.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the alignment system plays a significant role in companion relationships. Characters like Wyll and Karlach are typically good-aligned, while Astarion and Lae'zel lean toward neutral or evil alignments. Siding with the Absolute often involves evil-aligned actions, which will naturally conflict with good-aligned companions. Understanding these alignments can help you predict how companions will react to your choices.
Specific examples include the decision to raid the Emerald Grove in Act 1. If you side with Minthara and the goblins, Wyll and Karlach will leave your party, while Astarion and Lae'zel may approve. In Act 2, choosing to serve Ketheric Thorm will alienate Gale and potentially Shadowheart, depending on her personal quest. In Act 3, attempting to dominate the Netherbrain will likely result in losing most of your companions, except for those who have fully embraced darker paths.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has profound consequences for companion relationships. While some companions may tolerate or even support your decisions, many will leave if your actions conflict with their values. Careful management of approval, understanding of companion motivations, and strategic decision-making are essential to maintaining these relationships, but even then, some losses may be unavoidable.