Zealot of the Absolute

Zealots of the Absolute serve as paladin footsoldiers of the Absolute, forming the core of its conventional army.

Overview

Zealots are soldiers and followers of the Absolute, forming the backbone of its army. Like the adepts, and most other members of the broader Cult of the Absolute, zealots are oblivious to the reality of the tadpoles and deceptive nature of the pretend-god, believing or being manipulated into believing that the Absolute is a new goddess.

Involvement

Act One

Two zealots of the Absolute can be found dead in the Mountain Pass, perishing after being attacked by githyanki youth as they were escorting Duke Ravengard to Moonrise Towers.

Act Two

Zealots of the Absolute are found acting as enforcers and soldiers of the Absolute army, and can be found in large numbers in Moonrise Towers as well as in the war camp west of Reithwin. They form the backbone of Absolutist forces in the area, and can be fought against during the  Assault on Moonrise Towers.

As the Elder Brain orders to start the march towards Baldur's Gate, zealots of the Absolute can be seen marching alongside undead and goblins.

Act Three

A large number of zealots, such as Lewis Morell, were present during the initial assault on High Hall, pushing the City Watch out of the area at the cost of severe casualties. When the party arrives, only three living zealots remain and can be encountered in the Upper City; two of which are situated in the courtyard, with the third one hidden in the Upper City Sewers.

Combat

Zealots of the Absolute are deadly melee opponents based off of a Strength-oriented Oath of Vengeance Paladin class. In Act Two, they are some of the most dangerous enemy archetypes that the party can face, boasting high HP pools and capable of dishing large amount of damage through their smites, while being statistically more powerful than any of the potential allies that the party can have.

Attacks and abilities

 Branding Smite ()   –  Halberd

Normal weapon damage +

2d6 (2~12) Radiant

Your weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly mark your targets with light, preventing it from turning  Invisible.

• This spell, unlike other Smite Spells, will work with Ranged weaponry.

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Divine Smite ()   –  Halberd

Normal weapon damage +

2d8 (2~16) Radiant

Your weapon deals an additional 2d8RadiantDRS damage, increased by 1d8Radiant damage when attacking Fiends or Undead.

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Lay on Hands: Greater Healing ()

Paladin Level x 4 hit points

Imbue your hands with divine power to heal an ally.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

 Lay on Hands: Lesser Healing ()

Paladin Level x 2 hit points

Imbue your hands with divine power to heal an ally.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

 Thunderous Smite ()   –  Halberd

Normal weapon damage +

2d6 (2~12) Thunder

Your melee weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3 m / 10 ft away and possibly knocking them  Prone.

STR Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

Tactician/Honour only

 Abjure Enemy ()

 Frighten an enemy. They'll be easier to hit and cannot move.

Fiends and undead have Disadvantage on this Saving Throw

WIS Save

 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

Loot

• Halberd
• Plate Armour
• Shortbow

Known zealots of the Absolute

Drow

• Zealot Niram
• Zealot Rylveth
• Zealot Soreni
• Zealot Zira

Dwarf

• Zealot Arden

Halfling

• Zealot Brinn

Half-Elf

• Zealot Iogar

Half-Orc

• Zealot Munish
• Zealot Nadi

Human

• Zealot Bennel
• Zealot Falla
• Zealot Klen
• Zealot Krizt
• Lewis Morell (deceased)
• Zealot Malik
• Zealot Renan
• Samwell Staxford (deceased}}

Notes

• Some members of this archetype may have slightly different passives, movement speed, weight, and size due to being members of different races.
• The two zealots encountered in the High Hall courtyard are level 7 as opposed to level 8.
  • These two zealots are also visually equipped with more basic and rudimentary armour rather than the ornate Plate Armour that most zealots are commonly seen wearing.
  • This might be an implication that most zealots are not as well-equipped as their counterparts in Moonrise Towers, especially as thz zealots seen during the Elder Brain's march cutscene and Lewis Morell are devoid of visual body armour.