Karsus' Compulsion

Karsus' Compulsion is a level 9 enchantment spell. It is granted by the  Triune Netherstone and is usable only by Full-Illithids to control the Crown of Karsus.

Description

Channel the stones' magic to control the Crown of Karsus and dominate the Netherbrain. The caster must  channel this spell until their next turn for it to take effect.

Ends if caster is  Incapacitated,  Stunned,  Polymorphed, or  Knocked Out.

Properties

Cost

 Action

Details

 Range: 6 m / 20 ft

At higher levels

Casting this spell at a higher level grants no additional benefit.

Condition: Channelling Karsus' Compulsion

 Channelling Karsus' Compulsion

Duration: Until Long rest

• Affected entity is focussing all their magic and effort on casting  Karsus' Compulsion until their next turn.
• Becoming  Incapacitated,  Stunned,  Polymorphed, or  Knocked Out ends the spell.

Condition: Chains of Karsus

 Chains of Karsus

• The Netherbrain is too powerful for even the Momentary God's magic - Karsus' Compulsion could not dominate it completely.

• The spell has instead bound the brain's will in place temporarily. To complete the domination, you must strike it down.

How to learn

Granted by items:

•  Triune Netherstone

Notes

• Granted by holding the  Triune Netherstone. This spell may only be cast by a Mind Flayer.
• This is one of only four 9th Level spells featured in Baldur's Gate 3. The other three are:
  • Wish, cast by ⁠Vlaakith at the end of Creche Y'llek if the party doubts her power.
  •  Power Word Kill, learned by the Dark Urge after slaying Orin and accepting ⁠Bhaal's gift. A special variant is cast by  Farslayer of Bhaal Ghislev in the Undercity Ruins.
  • True Resurrection cast by  Withers when requesting the return of a fallen companion or via the  Scroll of True Resurrection.
• Unlike Wish, Power Word Kill, and True Resurrection, Karsus' Compulsion was created specifically for Baldur's Gate 3.