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[[File:Confront the Elder Brain Quest.jpg|thumb|The Elder Brain is the ultimate opponent, and the one | {{SpoilerWarning}}[[File:Confront the Elder Brain Quest.jpg|thumb|The Elder Brain is the ultimate opponent, and the one way to escape the tadpoles.]] | ||
'''Confront the Elder Brain''' is a [[quest]] in [[Act Three]] of Baldur's Gate 3. | '''Confront the Elder Brain''' is a [[quest]] in [[Act Three]] of Baldur's Gate 3. | ||
==Objectives== | ==Objectives== | ||
{{clear}} | |||
<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | <div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"> | ||
<div style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.6;">Follow the Chosen to Baldur's Gate.</div> | <div style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.6;">Follow the Chosen to Baldur's Gate.</div> | ||
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If the party made a deal with Raphael and forgot to bring the Orphic Hammer, the cambion will appear to deliver to them the hammer they negligently misplaced. If Raphael is dead and the hammer forgotten, the party transforms into mind flayers. | If the party made a deal with Raphael and forgot to bring the Orphic Hammer, the cambion will appear to deliver to them the hammer they negligently misplaced. If Raphael is dead and the hammer forgotten, the party transforms into mind flayers. | ||
Once Orpheus is freed, he confronts the party on their choices, saying the party should have let his honor guard kill them | Once Orpheus is freed, he confronts the party on their choices, saying the party should have let his honor guard kill them so they could have avoided this whole situation. He also confronts the party if they stole the Githyanki egg in Steal a Githyanki Egg. However, he agrees to stand down and works with the party. He states that the Emperor was correct and an illithid is necessary to take down the Netherbrain. Either a party member can make the sacrifice, or Orpheus will if everyone refuses. | ||
Otherwise, the party can choose to work with the Emperor. The Emperor can be given the Netherstones | Otherwise, the party can choose to work with the Emperor. The Emperor can be given the Netherstones and he assimilates Orpheus by devouring his brain. Another possibility is for Karlach to volunteer to become an illithid, as she is dying from her infernal engine anyway. The player character can also volunteer to become illithid. Whoever becomes illithid can wield the stones. | ||
Regardless of who is allied with, Orpheus/the Emperor joins the party as a temporary companion and opens up a portal to the [[High Hall]]. The final battle to defeat the brain has begun. | Regardless of who is allied with, Orpheus/the Emperor joins the party as a temporary companion and opens up a portal to the [[High Hall]]. The final battle to defeat the brain has begun. | ||
=== | === The High Hall === | ||
[[File:Upper City Invasion.webp|thumb|left|The Invasion|200px]] | [[File:Upper City Invasion.webp|thumb|left|The Invasion|200px]] | ||
[[File:Upper City Invasion2.webp|thumb|left|The ruins|200px]] | [[File:Upper City Invasion2.webp|thumb|left|The ruins|200px]] | ||
[[File:High Hall Quest.jpg|thumb|Map of the High Hall]] | [[File:High Hall Quest.jpg|thumb|Map of the High Hall]] | ||
[[File:Upper City Sewers.jpg|thumb|Map of the Upper City Sewers]] | [[File:Upper City Sewers.jpg|thumb|Map of the Upper City Sewers]] | ||
The party returns to Baldur's Gate to find it in shambles. The entire city is a battle between the Nautiloids and an army of Red Dragons. Moving forward, the party finds a building where all of their allies are gathered, along with a Flaming Fist named [[Beorn Wunterbrood]]. If The Emperor was given the Netherstones, an enraged Kith'rak Voss will confront the party, who may roll either a Persuasion or Deception (both DC30) check to prevent his attack. | |||
Otherwise, the individuals that appear are based on who was successfully recruited as part of [[Gather Your Allies]]. These allies grant a new action - Call Forth Allies - that can summon various allies to the field or utilize powerful AoE attacks. | |||
Before entering the courtyard, the party can potentially encounter a few mindflayers if they move eastward. There is also a restoration pod right near the gate to the courtyard. (not if played on tactician) Entering the courtyard leads to an all-out assault of Absolutist cultists, goblins, an Ogre, a Spectator, and several Mind Flayers. Note, it is possible to bypass this battle by avoiding entering through the main entrance, and approaching the High Hall from the northern or southern routes with stealth and invisibility. | |||
Additionally there is a hidden route through Upper City Sewers which also lead to High Hall proper. This route features few goblins, a mindflayer, Absolute cultist, [[Necromite|necromites]] and a Death Knight named Stalker Svignee. | |||
Once the courtyard battle is completed, the party enters the High Hall proper. A [[Nautiloid_(Creature)|Nautiloid]] attacks, and there is a turn limit to get deeper into the Hall. The party faces several Banite cultists and Intellect Devourers. The stairs are partially broken; a statue can be destroyed or pushed (with a Strength check) to provide a foothold. Past the enemies is a door to the stem of the Netherbrain. Approaching the stem ''with any character'' causes an automatic cutscene that ends the turn limit ''and'' the fight, and teleports the entire party to this location. From there, the party can use a restoration pod (not on tactician difficulty) and then climb the stem, to get to the top of the Netherbrain. | |||
===Possible Gale Decision=== | |||
[[File:CTNB Quest Ending Gale Alone vs Brain Stem.jpg|350px|thumb|''"Though our time together will be exceptionally brief. Farewell, and happy landing."'']] If [[Gale]] is in the party, interacting with the Brain Stem ''may'' trigger a short conversation between him and his controlling player-character. Multiple potential outcomes are allowed from this conversation, depending on the players' actions prior to crossing the "point of no return." | |||
If the player ''allows Gale to ascend the Brain Stem, alone'' then all of the fights described in the rest of this article '''are completely avoided.''' | |||
Other outcomes from this conversation are possible, but multiple of these naturally result in Gale continuing with the other party members into the remaining fights of the game. | |||
=== Atop the Netherbrain === | === Atop the Netherbrain === | ||
The Netherbrain is guarded by four [[Illithid Arcanist|Illithid Arcanists]] and a [[Dominated Red Dragon]]. There are also sixteen [[Tentacle]] enemies hidden under the brain's surface that will appear if an allied character travels within 3m/10ft of them. | The Netherbrain is guarded by four [[Illithid Arcanist|Illithid Arcanists]] and a [[Dominated Red Dragon]]. There are also sixteen [[Tentacle]] enemies hidden under the brain's surface that will appear if an allied character travels within 3m/10ft of them. | ||
The party will also face additional enemies that vary depending on whether the | The party will also face additional enemies that vary depending on whether the player chose to side with Orpheus or the Emperor: | ||
* If Orpheus was sided with, the Emperor appears on top of the Netherbrain to stop the party. The Emperor conjures four [[Dream Guardian|Dream Guardians]] to fight alongside him, stating that he knows the party's every weakness. | *If Orpheus was sided with, the Emperor appears on top of the Netherbrain to stop the party. The Emperor conjures four [[Dream Guardian|Dream Guardians]] to fight alongside him, stating that he knows the party's every weakness. | ||
* If the Emperor was sided with, the Netherbrain itself spawns four [[Countermeasure|Countermeasures]], powerful Aberrations that are designed to counter specific classes. The Countermeasures summoned depend on the classes of the current party members. | *If the Emperor was sided with, the Netherbrain itself spawns four [[Countermeasure|Countermeasures]], powerful Aberrations that are designed to counter specific classes. The Countermeasures summoned depend on the classes of the current party members. | ||
The physical structures of the "Atop the Netherbrain" map area allow for multiple "safe" paths across the brain matter, including two visible paths along the "ridges" of the Crown to the east and west. Staying on these paths will prevent [[Tentacle]] enemies from appearing and attacking the party. | The physical structures of the "Atop the Netherbrain" map area allow for multiple "safe" paths across the brain matter, including two visible paths along the "ridges" of the Crown to the east and west. Staying on these paths will prevent [[Tentacle]] enemies from appearing and attacking the party. | ||
At the start of this fight, a counter is issued for 4 turns, after which a [[Nautiloid_(Creature)|Nautiloid]] ship will arrive and begin using the same "targeting" bombardment seen during the | At the start of this fight, a counter is issued for 4 turns, after which a [[Nautiloid_(Creature)|Nautiloid]] ship will arrive and begin using the same "targeting" bombardment seen during the players' ascent in the High Hall.<ref>At time of writing, the turn counter UI element may display as having five "sections" around its circle, with one section depleted, but still otherwise functions as only allowing up to 4 turns. It's basically impossible for a regular player to confirm if this UI element behavior is a "bug", or if it had to be implemented this way for another reason.</ref> | ||
An illithid party member that is "holding" the Netherstones needs to travel close enough to the Crown of Karsus, and then perform [[Karsus' Compulsion]] for several turns. The party member ''can'' be attacked, possibly interrupted, and even killed while attempting to cast this spell. If a character casting [[Karsus' Compulsion]] is killed, no other party members will be allowed to cast the spell in their place, but once the character is resurrected they will be allowed to try casting [[Karsus' Compulsion]] again, at their next available opportunity.<ref>Players should be aware that, when a character is resurrected, even if they are "the" illithid party member for this fight, they will still have the usual effects of being resurrected while in-combat, and it may be multiple turns before they are capable of taking actions again.</ref> | |||
Successfully casting [[Karsus' Compulsion]] opens up a portal to the "Mind of the Netherbrain" area, where a physical manifestation of the | Successfully casting [[Karsus' Compulsion]] opens up a portal to the "Mind of the Netherbrain" area, where a physical manifestation of the brain can be attacked. Killing the brain before the turn limit allows the brain to be defeated, once and for all. | ||
===Mind of the Netherbrain=== | ===Mind of the Netherbrain=== | ||
This area contains a number of loosely connected floating platforms that are ''breakable''. Periodically, a small group of platforms will be marked for destruction, and their outlines will turn pink. Once a platform is destroyed, any entities that were on the surface are instantly killed and cannot be resurrected during the fight. | This area contains a number of loosely connected floating platforms that are ''breakable''. Periodically, a small group of platforms will be marked for destruction, and their outlines will turn pink. Once a platform is destroyed, any entities that were on the surface are instantly killed and cannot be resurrected during the fight. (Death in this manner does not, however, cause the character to have a different "ending" upon winning the fight, if applicable.) | ||
When at least one character successfully passes through the portal, the initiative order will introduce an entity representing the Netherbrain into the turn order.<ref>If Examined, the full name of the Netherbrain's entity is revealed to be "The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain", but in the Combat Log and Initiative Order this entity is still labelled as "The Netherbrain."</ref> | When at least one character successfully passes through the portal, the initiative order will introduce an entity representing the Netherbrain into the turn order.<ref>If Examined, the full name of the Netherbrain's entity is revealed to be "The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain", but in the Combat Log and Initiative Order this entity is still labelled as "The Netherbrain."</ref> | ||
To reach "The Mind of The Netherbrain" | To reach "The Mind of The Netherbrain" after this trigger occurs, ''each individual character and summoned creature'' under the players' control must directly interact with the portal to be brought through, or else they will remain in the "Atop the Netherbrain" area. | ||
Upon successfully interacting with the portal, the | Upon successfully interacting with the portal, the character will appear somewhere inside "The Mind of the Netherbrain", on one of the aforementioned breakable platforms (out of the rough "half-ring" grouping of platforms that is farthest away from the Netherbrain). Once all party members are ''either'' inside the "Mind of the Netherbrain" area, or have ''died'' while still in the "Atop the Netherbrain" area, the turn order will truncate down to include just the entities present inside the "Mind of the Netherbrain." | ||
===The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain=== | ===The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain=== | ||
When the Netherbrain is added into the turn order, a new counter will appear, overwriting the state of the prior timer. If the Netherbrain entity | When the Netherbrain is added into the turn order, a new counter will appear, overwriting the state of the prior timer. If the players do not successfully kill the Netherbrain entity within the allotted turns, a Game Over screen will occur. | ||
If the final DC 99 check | If the final DC 99 check to "DOMINATE THE BRAIN" was passed with a critical success, the Netherbrain will start with the [[Against All Odds (Condition)|Against All Odds]] debuff, lowering it's HP by 20%. | ||
At the start of each of the Netherbrains' turns, it may attempt to cast a spell called [[Orb of Negation]] which summons an entity of that name with an aura condition attached to it, and adds the orb entity into the turn order. When the turn of an orb entity arrives, any platforms afflicted with the orbs' condition be destroyed | At the start of each of the Netherbrains' turns, it may attempt to cast a spell called [[Orb of Negation]] which summons an entity of that name with an aura condition attached to it, and adds the orb entity into the turn order. When the turn of an orb entity arrives, any platforms or characters afflicted with the orbs' condition '''will die''' (or in the case of the Platforms, be destroyed). | ||
The first time within each round that the Netherbrain takes damage from another character, it may attempt to cast an ability called [[Retributive Brainquake]], which deals 10-60 damage (minimum of 5 damage if an unspecified save is passed) to all characters who are within 30m of the Netherbrain. | The first time within each round that the Netherbrain takes damage from another character, it may attempt to cast an ability called [[Retributive Brainquake]], which deals 10-60 damage (minimum of 5 damage if an unspecified save is passed) to all characters who are within 30m of the Netherbrain. | ||
When the Netherbrain reaches 0 hit points | When the Netherbrain reaches 0 hit points -- '''Congratulations''' - the Netherbrain has now been defeated, and a Conversation will trigger allowing the player to make their final choices and play through the closing interactions of the game. | ||
===Final Choice=== | ===Final Choice=== | ||
After the Netherbrain has been defeated, the choice must be made to either [[Control the Elder Brain]] or [[Destroy the Elder Brain]]. Regardless of the choice, this | After the Netherbrain has been defeated, the choice must be made to either [[Control the Elder Brain]] or [[Destroy the Elder Brain]]. Regardless of the choice, this is the end of the game. | ||
== Allies in the Final Fight== | == Allies in the Final Fight== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|[[Zhentarim]] | |[[Zhentarim]] | ||
| | |Zhentarim | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Jaheira]] | | [[Jaheira]] | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
*As of Patch 1, there is a bug where Karlach's ending causes an epilogue scene with a love interest not to occur. If Karlach goes to Avernus instead of dying, it's possible that this scene overwrites the romantic scene. | |||
* Despite being a possible ally in [[Gather Your Allies]], the Gondians do not appear to have a summon/ability. | * Despite being a possible ally in [[Gather Your Allies]], the Gondians do not appear to have a summon/ability. | ||
<references /> | <references /> |