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=== Act Two === | === Act Two === | ||
[[File:Absolute trinity.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The Chosen of the Absolute, Orin the Red, Ketheric Thorm and Gortash, raise their Netherstones.|The Chosen of the Absolute]] | [[File:Absolute trinity.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The Chosen of the Absolute, Orin the Red, Ketheric Thorm and Gortash, raise their Netherstones.|The Chosen of the Absolute]] | ||
After arriving in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], the party | After arriving in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], the party finds that the armies of the Absolute are converging on [[Moonrise Towers]]. Upon arriving at the tower, the party finds several more True Souls among the tower's ranks. Proceeding inside, the party encounters their leader, General {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, one of the Absolute's Chosen, holding a trial for survivors from the Goblin Camp (including {{CharLink|Minthara}}, should she still be alive). | ||
During the finale of [[Act Two]], once the party reaches the end of the [[Mind Flayer Colony]], the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not a god of any sort, but an enslaved [[Elder Brain]], under the control of its supposed Chosen: {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, {{CharLink|Enver Gortash|Lord Enver Gortash}}, and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, who actually serve the [[Dead Three]]. Through the use of the {{SmRarityItem|Crown of Karsus}}, the Chosen are able to command the Elder Brain, which can in turn command True Souls by controlling their [[Mind Flayer Tadpole|Tadpoles]] (save the party, due to the protection of the Mysterious Artefact). | During the finale of [[Act Two]], once the party reaches the end of the [[Mind Flayer Colony]], the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not a god of any sort, but an enslaved [[Elder Brain]], under the control of its supposed Chosen: {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, {{CharLink|Enver Gortash|Lord Enver Gortash}}, and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, who actually serve the [[Dead Three]]. Through the use of the {{SmRarityItem|Crown of Karsus}}, the Chosen are able to command the Elder Brain, which can in turn command True Souls by controlling their [[Mind Flayer Tadpole|Tadpoles]] (save the party, due to the protection of the Mysterious Artefact). | ||
Following this revelation, the Chosen command the brain to order the armies of the Absolute to march on [[Baldur's Gate]], | Following this revelation, the Chosen command the brain to order the armies of the Absolute to march on [[Baldur's Gate]], while Ketheric remains behind to battle the party. Once defeated, the party obtains his {{SmRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone|Netherstone}}, and the [[Dream Guardian]] emerges from the Prism to discuss the situation with the player character. They reveal that the Crown's magic is what gives the mind flayer parasites their special abilities, and that the Netherstones are what control the Crown (and, in turn, the brain). | ||
=== Act Three === | === Act Three === | ||
[[File:Netherbrain.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The player character communes with the Absolute, a gigantic Elder Brain.|The Absolute]] | [[File:Netherbrain.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The player character communes with the Absolute, a gigantic Elder Brain.|The Absolute]] | ||
Shortly after beginning [[Act Three]], the Absolute attempts to dominate the party and | Shortly after beginning [[Act Three]], the Absolute attempts to dominate the party and compel their transformation into mind flayers, forcing them to retreat into the safety of the Astral Prism and assist their Dream Guardian. | ||
If {{CharLink|Enver Gortash|Gortash}} is spoken to following his coronation, he | If {{CharLink|Enver Gortash|Gortash}} is spoken to following his coronation, he reveals the Chosen's plans for the Absolute in full: Ketheric Thorm was to use the façade of the Absolute to create an army to march on Baldur's Gate. Meanwhile, Orin would use the [[Cult of Bhaal]] to commit prolific murders all over Baldur's Gate and frame them as acts of the Cult of the Absolute. Both of these acts were intended to frighten the populace, whereupon Gortash would offer his solution by defeating the Absolute's army with the [[Steel Watcher|Steel Watch]]. The fear of the Absolute would allow him to take total control, enforcing his tyranny under the guise of keeping the population safe from the Absolute, without anyone ever knowing that he was one of its leaders. | ||
Regardless of whether an {{Quest|Consider Gortash's Bargain|alliance}} is made with Gortash or not, the party must {{Quest|Confront the Elder Brain|confront}} the [[The Netherbrain|Netherbrain]] during the finale of Act Three, using the reunited Netherstones to dominate it. However, this attempt fails, and the Netherbrain gains full independence once more. Still posing as the "Absolute" to its armies, it commands them to launch a full-on assault on the city, forcing many tadpoled citizens' transformations into [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]] and summoning several [[Nautiloid (Creature)|Nautiloids]]. | Regardless of whether an {{Quest|Consider Gortash's Bargain|alliance}} is made with Gortash or not, the party must {{Quest|Confront the Elder Brain|confront}} the [[The Netherbrain|Netherbrain]] during the finale of Act Three, using the reunited Netherstones to dominate it. However, this attempt fails, and the Netherbrain gains full independence once more. Still posing as the "Absolute" to its armies, it commands them to launch a full-on assault on the city, forcing many tadpoled citizens' transformations into [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]] and summoning several [[Nautiloid (Creature)|Nautiloids]]. | ||
With the help of an illithid, the party is able to dominate the brain using the Netherstones. In a last-ditch effort to save itself, the brain surrenders to the player character, proposing | With the help of an illithid, the party is able to dominate the brain using the Netherstones. In a last-ditch effort to save itself, the brain surrenders to the player character, proposing they take control and rule together. If agreeing, they can betray the party and {{Quest|Control the Elder Brain}}, kill their illithid ally (unless the player character themselves is an illithid) and enslave their companions. The player character will take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.{{Q|"In MY name."|author=The player character, now the Absolute}} | ||
Otherwise, the brain | Otherwise, the brain can be ordered to destroy itself and all remaining tadpoles, freeing any True Souls who did not transform from the Absolute's influence and bringing an end to the Cult of the Absolute. | ||
== Followers of the Absolute== | == Followers of the Absolute== | ||
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=== True Souls === | === True Souls === | ||
True Souls are Followers of the Absolute who have been infected with an illithid tadpole | True Souls are Followers of the Absolute who have been infected with an illithid tadpole which grants them psionic powers similar to the player character. They serve as commanding members of the Absolute's army. True Souls almost always have a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}} that can be looted from their bodies if killed. | ||
==== Act One ==== | ==== Act One ==== | ||
{{div_col}} | {{div_col}} | ||
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* {{MdCharLink|Darbonna|Fist Healer Darbonna}} | * {{MdCharLink|Darbonna|Fist Healer Darbonna}} | ||
{{div_col_end}} | {{div_col_end}} | ||
True Souls infected with an illithid tadpole believe | True Souls infected with an illithid tadpole believe they have been personally chosen by the Absolute to impose her will, and have been granted special powers to do so.{{ref|Dialogue with {{SmCharLink|Brynna}}.}} In truth, True Souls have been forcefully tadpoled without their consent, with the Netherbrain manipulating and ordering them through the parasites in their brains.{{ref|Dialogue with {{SmCharLink|Nere}}.}}{{ref|[[Game Over screens]] upon losing the protection of the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}} or losing the {{SmRarityItem|Triune Netherstone|Netherstones}}, and being found by the Netherbrain.}} | ||
=== Soldiers === | === Soldiers === | ||
Rank and file members of the Absolute's army that have yet to be granted an "audience" with the Absolute or receive a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}}. The living forces of the Absolute are | Rank and file members of the Absolute's army that have yet to be granted an "audience" with the Absolute or receive a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}}. The living forces of the Absolute are composed of a wide variety of entities with varying motives: some are devoted cultists, others simple soldiers or opportunists, and even some who have been enthralled by the Netherbrain to an extent.{{ref|Dialogue with {{SmCharLink|Thrinn}}, {{SmCharLink|Iogar}}, and {{SmCharLink|Marls}}, respectively.}} | ||
* [[Absolute Questioner|Absolute Questioners]] | * [[Absolute Questioner|Absolute Questioners]] | ||
* [[Acolyte of the Absolute|Acolytes of the Absolute]] | * [[Acolyte of the Absolute|Acolytes of the Absolute]] |