The Emperor: Difference between revisions

Ansur will reveal that the Emperor in fact was formerly [[Balduran]], the founder of [[Baldur's Gate]]. Furthermore, he explains that while the Emperor initially did not want to become a mind flayer, it eventually fully embraced its new form, and its comfort with this caused a rift between the Emperor and Ansur. After "exhausting all possibility of reversing (the Emperor's) condition", Ansur was agonizing and the Emperor (as seen in the letter on Ansur's body) attempted to convince him to leave. Ansur then attempted to murder the Emperor during its sleep as a mercy killing, and the Emperor killed Ansur in self-defense.

This development is somewhat foreshadowed when the player first meets The Emperor in their true form, as the song that plays during the encounter is a variation of [[The Elf Song]], which prominently features Balduran in its lyrics.}}

:The Emperor unless convinced otherwise is mostly concerned with its survival and prosperity. Should the player allow it to wield the Netherstones, it will follow through on destroying the Elder Brain, at the cost of letting it "assimilate" with [[Orpheus]].  

:If the player suggests to the Emperor to take control of the Netherbrain, it will mention that the thought of becoming the [[Absolute]] did cross its mind. But unless otherwise persuaded, it will refuse, claiming that whoever becomes the leader of the [[Cult of the Absolute]] will be in an open war with the [[Githyanki]], which is a war it is not certain it will survive. The Emperor will destroy [[the Netherbrain]], and the parasites within its control in this ending.

:It is also possible, after suggesting it to take control of the Netherbrain, to persuade it. In this scenario, it does not free the player or their party, instead making them mindless thralls and assuming absolute control of them, continuing the Grand Design.  

:If the player frees Orpheus, the Emperor will abandon the party, and side with [[the Netherbrain]] for the sake of its own survival, as it believes that Orpheus will kill it.