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During a Githyanki attack on the party's [[Campsite]] at the beginning of [[Chapter Three]], the [[Dream Visitor]] will be revealed as The Emperor, a [[Mind Flayer]] with a unique outfit, eyes, and freedom from the [[Absolute]]. It speaks in a different way than most Mind Flayers do, and as a result, it appears more like a person. It is implied this is because of it's freedom afforded to it before the events of the game, but could also be a deception tactic. | During a Githyanki attack on the party's [[Campsite]] at the beginning of [[Chapter Three]], the [[Dream Visitor]] will be revealed as The Emperor, a [[Mind Flayer]] with a unique outfit, eyes, and freedom from the [[Absolute]]. It speaks in a different way than most Mind Flayers do, and as a result, it appears more like a person. It is implied this is because of it's freedom afforded to it before the events of the game, but could also be a deception tactic. | ||
During this time, it also offers the party the Astral Touched Tadpole, which causes the user to transform into a [[Illithid Powers|Half-Illithid]]. It insists the path of the Mind Flayer is preferable, regardless of the player's view on them, contradicting it's previous promise as the [[Dream Visitor]] to ensure they do not become [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]]. | During this time, it also offers the party the Astral Touched Tadpole, which causes the user to transform into a [[Illithid Powers|Half-Illithid]]. It insists the path of the Mind Flayer is preferable, regardless of the player's view on them, This may seen contradicting with it's previous promise as the [[Dream Visitor]] to ensure they do not become [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]], but this promise refers to the player becoming a Mind Flayer unwillingly because of the Elder Brain, The Emperor is in favor of the player becoming a Mind Flayer of their own volition and without the influence of the Elder Brain. | ||
Over time, it reveals itself as formerly an adventurer, who sought out the [[Moonrise Towers]], only to find a coven of [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]], becoming infected with the tadpole as a result. After it had broken free for the first time, it established a partnership with [[Duke Stelmane]]. It was discovered by [[Enver Gortash]], and was once more put under the enslavement of the [[Absolute]]. It was only freed when he was ordered to retrieve the [[Mysterious Artefact]], which led to his freedom once more, as well as it's discovery of [[Orpheus]], the Prince of the Comet, as named by the [[Githyanki]]. | Over time, it reveals itself as formerly an adventurer, who sought out the [[Moonrise Towers]], only to find a coven of [[Mind Flayer|Mind Flayers]], becoming infected with the tadpole as a result. After it had broken free for the first time, it established a partnership with [[Duke Stelmane]]. It was discovered by [[Enver Gortash]], and was once more put under the enslavement of the [[Absolute]]. It was only freed when he was ordered to retrieve the [[Mysterious Artefact]], which led to his freedom once more, as well as it's discovery of [[Orpheus]], the Prince of the Comet, as named by the [[Githyanki]]. | ||
The Emperor, however, | The Emperor, however, does not disclose this information initially. He very carefully divulges the information he deems necessary, sometimes arguing that the player is not ready for the answer yet or that he will reveal specific information in the future. Should the party pursue, and find [[Ansur the Dragon]], it will be revealed that the fact that it is [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Balduran Balduran], the founder of [[Baldur's Gate]]. Furthermore, [[Ansur the Dragon]] further reveals more information - as while The Emperor initially did not want to become a Mind Flayer, He now fully embraced his new form, and his comfort with this caused a rift between him and Ansur. | ||
Ansur attempted to kill his former friend | Ansur attempted to kill his former friend as the latter slept, (Ansur chose so because this would be a merciful death) - This attempt was felt by Balduran. In his struggle to protect himself from being murdered, Balduran killed Ansur in self-defence. After the confrontation with Ansur's reanimated body and subsequent fight, the Emperor reveals that, after securing enough money to fund the building of the Wall that led to Baldur's Gate founding, he felt the call of the sea once more. On the voyage, and following a shipwreck, Balduran made his way to Moonrise Towers, in search of fortune. There, the events unfolded in very much the way he had previously explained to the player: he discovered and was captured by a colony of mindflayers who infected him. As a record of his interrogation by Enver Gortash during the planning phases of the Absolute Hoax states, he spent ten years under the thrall of the Moonrise Elder Brain. His friend (and more) Ansur did bring him back to independent thought and free will. | ||
After Ansur's death, Balduran came to be called the Emperor as he used his newfound psychic influence to rule Baldur's Gate from the shadows. For the next four centuries, he made his haven under the tavern of Elfsong, keeping various sentimental knick knacks such as his old dog Rascal's collar, his favourite recipe (fiddlehead soup), his first adventuring sword, or his mother's gifted cutlery set (the butter knife having been lost during his last shipwreck on the eponymous Isle of Balduran, inside the wreck of the Wandering Eye ship), but also more illithid-adequate items such as chains for his prefered prey - criminals, as he assures the player - or jars for brains. | After Ansur's death, Balduran came to be called the Emperor as he used his newfound psychic influence (not sure if he used the psychic powers for this purpose) to rule Baldur's Gate from the shadows. For the next four centuries, he made his haven under the tavern of Elfsong, keeping various sentimental knick knacks such as his old dog Rascal's collar, his favourite recipe (fiddlehead soup), his first adventuring sword, or his mother's gifted cutlery set (the butter knife having been lost during his last shipwreck on the eponymous Isle of Balduran, inside the wreck of the Wandering Eye ship), but also more illithid-adequate items such as chains for his prefered prey - criminals, as he assures the player - or jars for brains. | ||
During those four centuries, he also came to be associated with the Knights of the Shield, a lawful and neutral evil conglomerate of politicians and merchants manipulating events behind the scenes. Duke Stelmane was a major figure of this secret society. | During those four centuries, he also came to be associated with the Knights of the Shield, a lawful and neutral evil conglomerate of politicians and merchants manipulating events behind the scenes. Duke Stelmane was a major figure of this secret society. | ||
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* The Emperor's existence confirms the [[Dream Visitor]] as being an [[Mind Flayer|Illithid]] influence, albeit in a different way. | * The Emperor's existence confirms the [[Dream Visitor]] as being an [[Mind Flayer|Illithid]] influence, albeit in a different way. | ||
** In the [[Early Access]], the [[Dream Visitor]] was implied to be a mental manifestation of the player's tadpole, as it eased them towards using their powers more, as well as showing them a future of domination and control. | ** In the [[Early Access]], the [[Dream Visitor]] was implied to be a mental manifestation of the player's tadpole, as it eased them towards using their powers more, as well as showing them a future of domination and control. | ||
** In the Full Release, The Emperor plays a similar role, | ** In the Full Release, The Emperor plays a similar role, in the sense that he also encourages the player to expand their potential using the tadpole's power, but he is much more passive, in addition, his interests seem to be aligned against the [[Absolute]] | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||