Editing Absolute

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[[File:Absolute symbol.png|200px|right|alt=The symbol of the Absolute|The symbol of the Absolute]]
'''The Absolute''' is the enigmatic power behind the [[Cult of the Absolute]].

{{Q|The Absolute is gold from the sky, She is. The blessin' in the storm an' the storm itself. We're burnin' Her name across the face o' the world, we are.|[[Sazza]]}}

== Act One ==
{{SpoilerWarning|act=1}}

The Absolute is first mentioned in [[Act One]]. Most of the goblins in the area have converted to worshiping the Absolute, and are gathering as an army under their banner. Followers of the Absolute can be found searching the [[Wilderness]] for survivors of the wreck. 

The Absolute seems to be tied to the mass abductions and [[Illithid]] activity. Those infected with a Mind Flayer Parasite are known in the cult as [[True Souls]]. Other followers of the Absolute are branded with the [[Brand of the Absolute]]. Those who are infected with a Mind Flayer Parasite can exert some degree of control over people who are branded. 

Upon approaching the [[Goblin Camp]] the player may experience a vision from the Absolute. It is revealed that the [[Mysterious Artefact]] has been protecting the player and their companions from the influence of the Absolute. 

[[File:Chosen_Shadows.webp|300px|thumb|Alt=The Silhouettes of the Chosen of the Absolute|The Silhouettes of the Chosen of the Absolute]]

{{Q|These are my Chosen. They speak for me.

Aid their search for the Prism, and you will be worthy to stand beside them. In my presence.

 My power grows. My forces gather. The reckoning draws near...
|A vision from the Absolute}}

If [[Speak with Dead]] is cast on the [[mind flayer]] corpse near [[Dror Ragzlin]] and asked about the Absolute, the player receives this vision:

{{Q|Curved drow blades, crude goblin torches, gnoll teeth dripping blood. You see other mind flayers arranged in a serene circle. Absolute unity. Absolute ''power''.|Dead mind flayer}}

== Act Two ==
{{SpoilerWarning|act=2}}After arriving in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], the party will find that the armies of the Absolute are converging on [[Moonrise Towers]]. Upon arriving at the tower, the player will find several more True Souls among the tower's ranks. Proceeding inside, the player will encounter their leader, General [[Ketheric Thorm]], one of the Absolute's Chosen, holding a trial for survivors from the Goblin Camp (including [[Minthara]], should she still be alive).

[[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]]

During the finale of [[Act Two]], once the player reaches the end of the [[Mind Flayer Colony]], the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not, in reality, a god of any sort, but an enslaved [[Elder Brain]], under the control of its supposed Chosen: Ketheric Thorm, [[Enver Gortash|Lord Enver Gortash]], and [[Orin|Orin the Red]], who actually serve the [[Dead Three]]. Through the use of the [[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]], leaving Ketheric behind to battle the party. Once defeated, the party obtains his [[Ketheric's Netherstone|Netherstone]], and the [[Dream Guardian]] will emerge from the Prism to discuss the situation with the player. 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).{{Stub|Section}}
{{clear}}

== Act Three == 
{{SpoilerWarning|act=3}}Shortly after beginning [[Act Three]], the Absolute attempts to dominate the party and force their transformation into mind flayers, forcing them to retreat into the safety of the Astral Prism and assist their Dream Guardian.

If [[Enver Gortash|Gortash]] is spoken to following his coronation, he will reveal the Chosen's plans for the Absolute in full: Ketheric Thorm was to use the facade 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.

[[File:Netherbrain.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The player communes with the Absolute, a gigantic Elder Brain.|The Absolute]]

Regardless of whether an [[Consider Gortash's Bargain|alliance]] is made with Gortash or not, the party must [[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 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, proposing that they take control and rule together. Should the player choose to do so, they can betray the party and [[control the Elder Brain]], killing their illithid ally (unless the player themselves is an illithid) and enslaving their companions. They take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.{{Q|"In MY name."|author=The player, now the Absolute}}

Otherwise, should the brain be destroyed, it orders the destruction of all remaining tadpoles, freeing any True Souls did not transform from the Absolute's influence and bringing an end to the Cult of the Absolute.{{Stub|Section}}
{{clear}}

== Related Items ==
* {{RarityItem|Absolute's Protector}}
* {{RarityItem|Absolute's Talisman}}
* {{RarityItem|Absolute's Warboard}}
* {{RarityItem|Faithbreaker}}
* {{RarityItem|Gloves of Power}}
* {{RarityItem|Ring of Absolute Force}}
* {{RarityItem|Vision of the Absolute}}
* {{RarityItem|Pilgrim's Curse}}
* {{RarityItem|Letter to the Absolute}}

== Related Quests ==
* [[Blind the Absolute]]

== Notes ==
* The Symbol of the Absolute appears to be a combination of the symbols of the [[Dead Three]]: The hand of [[Bane (God)|Bane]], the triangle of [[Myrkul]] and the skull of [[Bhaal]]. 

== See Also ==
* [[Cult of the Absolute]]
* List of [[:Category:Followers of the Absolute|Followers of the Absolute]]
* List of [[:Category:Absolute Equipment|Equipment associated with the Absolute]]

[[Category:Followers of the Absolute]]
[[Category:Cult of the Absolute]]