Orpheus: Difference between revisions

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| image = Orpheus_Freed.webp
| image = Orpheus_Freed.webp
}}
}}
<div class="infobox"; style="width: 360px; float:right">{{#tag:tabber|
{{Infobox character
{{!}}-{{!}}Original=
| name = Orpheus
{{CharacterInfo
| image = Orpheus_Freed.webp
|name=Orpheus
| race = [[Githyanki]]
|file=Orpheus_Freed.webp
| titles = The Prince of the Comet
|file2=Orpheus.png
| family =  
|file3=Chained.webp
| class = [[Way of the Four Elements]] [[Monk]]
|filename=Freed
| level = 12
|filename2=Talking
 
|filename3=Trapped
| modules =
|alt-filename=Normal
{{Infobox statistics
|alt-file=Orpheus Model.png
| child = yes
|alt-file-px=170px
| size = Medium
|alt-filename2=Transformed
| type = Humanoid
|alt-file2=Player Mind Flayer Model.png
| armour_class = 19
|alt-file2-px=150px
| hit_points = 130
|STR=12
| weight_kg = 75
|level=12
| weight_lb = 165
|race=Githyanki
| hiddenlevel = 12
|type=Humanoid
| str = 12
|AC=19
| dex = 18
|HP=130
| con = 16
|size=Medium
| int = 14
|weight=75 kg / 165 lbs
| wis = 21
|initiative=4
| cha = 20
|DEX=18
| str_save_proficiency = yes
|CON=16
| dex_save_proficiency = yes
|INT=14
| resistant1 = Psychic
|WIS=21
| immune1 = Poison
|CHA=20
 
|str save=yes
| feature1_name = Advanced Unarmoured Movement
|dex save=yes
| feature1_description = Difficult Terrain doesn't slow you down, increased jump while unarmoured.
|location=[[Astral Plane|Astral Prism]]
| feature2_name = Deflect Missiles
|alt-name=Model
| feature2_description = Reduce ranged damage with your reaction.
|poison=immune
| feature3_name = Evasion
|psychic=double
| feature3_description = Receive less damage from spells or effects that require a DEX Saving Throw.
|passive={{PAS|Advanced Unarmoured Movement}}
| feature4_name = Extra Attack
{{PAS|Deflect Missiles}}
| feature4_description = Make an additional free attack after making an unarmed or weapon attack.
{{PAS|Evasion}}
| feature5_name = Flurry of Blows
{{PAS|Extra Attack}}
| feature5_description = Punch twice in quick succession.
{{PAS|Flurry of Blows|Ki}}
| feature6_name = Ki-Empowered Strikes
{{PAS|Ki-Empowered Strikes}}
| feature6_description = Your unarmed attacks ignore resistances to non-magical damage.
{{PAS|Martial Arts: Bonus Unarmed Strike}}
| feature7_name = Martial Arts: Bonus Unarmed Strike
{{PAS|Martial Arts: Deft Strikes}}
| feature7_description = After an unarmed or monk weapon attack, you can make another unarmed attack as a bonus action.
{{PAS|Martial Arts: Dextrous Attacks}}
| feature8_name = Martial Arts: Deft Strikes
{{PAS|Opportunity Attack}}
| feature8_description = Monk weapon attacks have a floor of 1d4 Bludgeoning.
{{PAS|Psionic Empowerment}}
| feature9_name = Martial Arts: Dextrous Attacks
{{PAS|Purity of Body}}
| feature9_description = Monk weapon and unarmed attacks scale with your DEX, if it is higher than STR.
{{PAS|Slow Fall}}
| feature10_name = Opportunity Attack
{{PAS|Stillness of Mind}}
| feature10_description = Automatically attack an enemy moving out of your reach.
{{PAS|Unarmoured_Defence_(Monk)|Unarmoured Defence}}
| feature11_name = Psionic Empowerment
{{PAS|Unarmoured Movement}}
| feature11_description = Your attacks deal 1d6 Psychic damage.
|class = Way of the Four Elements
| feature12_name = Purity of Body
|enemies=[[Absolute]], [[The Emperor]], [[Vlaakith]]
| feature12_description = You are Immune to Poison damage and can't be Poisoned or diseased.
|title=The Prince of the Comet}}
| feature13_name = Slow Fall
{{!}}-{{!}}Transformed=
| feature13_description = When falling, you can use your reaction to gain Resistance to Falling damage.
{{CharacterInfo
| feature14_name = Stillness of Mind
|name=Orpheus
| feature14_description = Automatically removes Charmed or Frightened.
|file=Player Mind Flayer Model.png
| feature15_name = Unarmoured Defence (Monk)
|file-px=150px
| feature15_description = Add your WIS modifier to your AC.
|STR=13
| feature16_name = Unarmoured Movement
|DEX=12
| feature16_description = Your movement speed increases by 6m (20ft).
|CON=14
}} }}
|INT=14
{{SpoilerWarning|act=3}}
|WIS=21
|CHA=20
|str save=yes
|dex save=yes
|level=12
|race=[[Mind Flayer]]
|type=Aberration
|AC=16
|HP=150
|size=Medium
|weight=60kg
|initiative=+1
|location=[[Astral Plane|Astral Prism]]
|alt-name=Model
|poison=immune
|psychic=double
|passive=
{{PAS|Ability Drain}} {{PAS|Advanced Unarmoured Movement}} {{PAS|Charm}} {{PAS|Cull the Weak}}
{{PAS|Deflect Missiles}} {{PAS|Evasion}} {{PAS|Extra Attack}} {{PAS|Favourable Beginnings}}
{{PAS|Flurry of Blows|Ki}} {{PAS|Ki-Empowered Strikes}} {{PAS|Luck of the Far Realms}}
{{PAS|Martial Arts: Bonus Unarmed Strike}} {{PAS|Martial Arts: Deft Strikes}} {{PAS|Martial Arts: Dextrous Attacks}}
{{PAS|Opportunity Attack}} {{PAS|Mind Sanctuary|Permanent Mind Sanctuary}}{{PAS|Psionic Backlash}}
{{PAS|Psionic Dominance}} {{PAS|Psionic Empowerment}} {{PAS|Purity of Body}} {{PAS|Slow Fall}}
{{PAS|Stillness of Mind}} {{PAS|Unarmoured_Defence_(Monk)|Unarmoured Defence}} {{PAS|Unarmoured Movement}}
|enemies=[[Absolute]], [[The Emperor]], [[Vlaakith]]
}}
}}</div>{{SpoilerWarning|act=3}}
{{Q|"Quickly now - even here, we do not have infinite time.|Orpheus after being freed from his prison.}}
{{Q|"Quickly now - even here, we do not have infinite time.|Orpheus after being freed from his prison.}}


'''Orpheus''', is a [[Githyanki]] that appears in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. He acts as the supposed true ruler of the Githyanki. However, he has been captured and is imprisoned in the [[Astral Plane]]. Being a Githyanki, he seeks to destroy the [[Mind Flayer]]s and remove [[Vlaakith]] from power.
'''Orpheus''', is a [[Githyanki]] that appears in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. He acts as the supposed true ruler of the Githyanki. However, he has been captured and is imprisoned in the [[Astral Plane]]. Being a Githyanki, he seeks to destroy the [[Mind Flayer]]s and remove [[Vlaakith]] from power.


== Background ==
== Overview ==
=== Background ===
According to to the inscribed discs, banned by followers of Vlaakith and labelled as heretical, Orpheus is the first, and only, son of Gith, the leader of the rebellion that freed the race that would then bear her name, from the Mind Flayer Empire. Sometime after the beginning of their freedom, the collective Gith race split into two cultures; the Githyanki and the Githzerai, the former, Orpheus was a part of.
According to to the inscribed discs, banned by followers of Vlaakith and labelled as heretical, Orpheus is the first, and only, son of Gith, the leader of the rebellion that freed the race that would then bear her name, from the Mind Flayer Empire. Sometime after the beginning of their freedom, the collective Gith race split into two cultures; the Githyanki and the Githzerai, the former, Orpheus was a part of.


Line 108: Line 82:
At some time before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, [[The Emperor]] had discovered the Astral Prism, who proceeded to use it to rebel against the [[The Netherbrain|Elder Brain]].
At some time before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, [[The Emperor]] had discovered the Astral Prism, who proceeded to use it to rebel against the [[The Netherbrain|Elder Brain]].


== Act Three ==
=== Quests ===
* [[Discover the history of Prince Orpheus]]
* [[Free Orpheus]]
 
== Involvement ==
=== Act Three ===
Orpheus is only ever mentioned in previous acts, either as the true ruler of the Githyanki people, or as a corruptive force. He is finally found, imprisoned within the Astral Prism when the party enters it to help The Emperor. The Party can either help The Emperor keep him imprisoned, or fight to free him, but only the former yields positive results, as the party, without The Emperor's assistance, falls to the [[Absolute]], and are likely killed by Orpheus and his honor guard.
Orpheus is only ever mentioned in previous acts, either as the true ruler of the Githyanki people, or as a corruptive force. He is finally found, imprisoned within the Astral Prism when the party enters it to help The Emperor. The Party can either help The Emperor keep him imprisoned, or fight to free him, but only the former yields positive results, as the party, without The Emperor's assistance, falls to the [[Absolute]], and are likely killed by Orpheus and his honor guard.


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==== Illithid ====
==== Illithid ====
In his mind flayer form, Orpheus gains [[illithid powers#Full ceremorphosis|Full-Illithid]] powers, as well as some regular illithid powers. His [[Mind Sanctuary|Permanent Mind Sanctuary]] ability also means he may always use Actions and Bonus Actions interchangeably. Orpheus the following illithid powers:
{{see also|Full-illithid}}
{{Infobox statistics
| name = Transformed differences
| hit_points = 150
| weight_lb =
| hiddenlevel = 12
| str = 13
| dex = 12
| con = 14
| int = 14
| wis = 21
| cha = 20
| str_save_proficiency = yes
| dex_save_proficiency = yes
}}
If he undergoes ceremorphosis, Orpheus will have all the statistics (save his INT, WIS and CHA scores, which remain the same) and powers of a [[full-illithid]]. As well as gaining illithid passives, he will retain his original monk passives (but not abilities). The full-illithid ability [[Permanent Mind Sanctuary]], allows Orpheus to use actions and bonus actions interchangeably.  
 
Orpheus the following illithid powers:
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* {{SAI|Levitate}}
* {{SAI|Levitate}}
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{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==Related quests==
==Gallery==
* [[Discover the history of Prince Orpheus]]
<gallery heights="200px" widths="200" mode=packed>
* [[Free Orpheus]]
Orpheus Concept Art.png|Concept art.
Orpheus_Concept_Art_Varenev_A.webp|Concept art.
Orpheus Chained.png|Orpheus chained in the Astral Prism.
Chained.webp|Orpheus chained in the Astral Prism.
Orpheus_Reason.webp|"''It seems we must be allies''".
Orpheus.png|Orpheus talking.
Oprheus_Tattoo.png|Orpheus' Tattoo in tir'su.
Orpheus Tattoo.webp|Tattoo in-game, datamined by [https://twitter.com/chubblot/status/1677410267024564224 Chubblot].
Orpheus Model.png|Orpheus' model.
Player Mind Flayer Model.png|Orpheus' illithid model.
</gallery>


==See also==
== Related literature ==
* Orpheus' history is mentioned in three githyanki discs:
* Orpheus' history is mentioned in three githyanki discs:
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part One: Betrayal}}
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part One: Betrayal}}
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part Two: Sacrifice}}
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part Two: Sacrifice}}
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part Three: Resurrection}}
** {{RarityItem|Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part Three: Resurrection}}
==Gallery==
<gallery heights="200px" widths="200">
Orpheus Concept Art.png|Concept art
Orpheus_Concept_Art_Varenev_A.webp|Concept art
Orpheus Chained.png|Trapped
Free_Orpheus_Quest.jpg|Ditto
Orpheus_Reason.webp|''It seems we must be allies''
Oprheus_Tattoo.png|Orpheus' Tattoo in tir'su
Orpheus Tattoo.webp|Tattoo in-game, datamined by [https://twitter.com/chubblot/status/1677410267024564224 Chubblot]
</gallery>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notebegin}}
* His tattoos have writing in [[Githyanki vocabulary|tir'su]] - the [[gith]] [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gith_language writing system], see Gallery above.
* His tattoos have writing in [[Githyanki vocabulary|tir'su]] - the [[gith]] [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gith_language writing system], see Gallery above.
** Mostly nonsense and a mirrored word for Vlaakith - misspelled as "Alaakith". It was probably written as a defiance to her ways.
** Mostly nonsense and a mirrored word for Vlaakith - misspelled as "Alaakith". It was probably written as a defiance to her ways.
** [[Githyanki]] and [[Githzerai]] use the same writing system but githyanki write clockwise while githzerai - counter-clockwise, though unlike Orpheus, the githzerai do not mirror the symbols.
** [[Githyanki]] and [[Githzerai]] use the same writing system but githyanki write clockwise while githzerai - counter-clockwise, though unlike Orpheus, the githzerai do not mirror the symbols.
* Orpheus is also the name of a [[wikipedia:Orpheus|demigod]] in Greek mythology who traveled with Jason and the Argonauts in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, but was primarily famous for his journey to the Underworld.
* Orpheus is also the name of a [[wikipedia:Orpheus|demigod]] in Greek mythology who traveled with Jason and the Argonauts in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, but was primarily famous for his journey to the Underworld.
{{noteend}}


== External Links ==
== External links ==
{{FRWiki|Orpheus|long}}
{{FRWiki|Orpheus|long}}



Revision as of 07:23, 21 January 2024

"Quickly now - even here, we do not have infinite time.
— Orpheus after being freed from his prison.

Orpheus, is a Githyanki that appears in Baldur's Gate 3. He acts as the supposed true ruler of the Githyanki. However, he has been captured and is imprisoned in the Astral Plane. Being a Githyanki, he seeks to destroy the Mind Flayers and remove Vlaakith from power.

Overview

Background

According to to the inscribed discs, banned by followers of Vlaakith and labelled as heretical, Orpheus is the first, and only, son of Gith, the leader of the rebellion that freed the race that would then bear her name, from the Mind Flayer Empire. Sometime after the beginning of their freedom, the collective Gith race split into two cultures; the Githyanki and the Githzerai, the former, Orpheus was a part of.

Upon discovering that Vlaakith I (Not to be confused with Vlaakith CLVII) had betrayed his mother, sacrificing her to create a pact with Tiamat, Orpheus led Gith's Honor Guard in a revolt and named himself the rightful king of the Githyanki, triggering the War of the Comet. At the head of the Honor Guard mounted on red dragons, Orpheus bravely fought Vlaakith's knights in a battle in the Astral Plane, where he praised Gith and accused Vlaakith. Yet he was overcome and defeated, lost in the fiery dragon breath of the red ridden by Kith'rak Voss, and was thought dead.

Unknown to all but Vlaakith and Voss; however, Orpheus was instead imprisoned within the Astral Prism, so that Vlaakith may exploit the powers he inherited from his mother.

At some time before the events of Baldur's Gate 3, The Emperor had discovered the Astral Prism, who proceeded to use it to rebel against the Elder Brain.

Quests

Involvement

Act Three

Orpheus is only ever mentioned in previous acts, either as the true ruler of the Githyanki people, or as a corruptive force. He is finally found, imprisoned within the Astral Prism when the party enters it to help The Emperor. The Party can either help The Emperor keep him imprisoned, or fight to free him, but only the former yields positive results, as the party, without The Emperor's assistance, falls to the Absolute, and are likely killed by Orpheus and his honor guard.

Orpheus' fate is entirely dependant on the player, and their choices. Several events can occur based on the following criteria;

  1. If the party collects the Orphic Hammer through any means, and uses it to free him at the end of the game, he will accompany the players through the final hurdle, and help them destroy The Netherbrain.
    • If the player refuses to have anyone in their current party turn into a Mind Flayer in order to control the Netherstones, he will turn into a Mind Flayer himself. In this instance, he will desire to die, rather than to live as an abomination, but can be convinced to spare himself, only if Lae'zel takes his place as the Githyanki people's savior if she is in the party.
    • If the player or a party member becomes a Mind Flayer, he will thank them for their sacrifice, promising they will be remembered as a hero. Once The Netherbrain is defeated, he will move to freeing his people from Vlaakith's rule, notably inviting Lae'zel to join him.
  2. If the party does not collect the Orphic Hammer, or refuses to use it, The Emperor will consume Orpheus' brain, assimilating his abilities.

Combat

Attacks and abilities

Githyanki

In his githyanki form, Orpheus is a Way of the Four Elements Monk and has the following abilities:

Illithid

See also: Full-illithid

If he undergoes ceremorphosis, Orpheus will have all the statistics (save his INT, WIS and CHA scores, which remain the same) and powers of a full-illithid. As well as gaining illithid passives, he will retain his original monk passives (but not abilities). The full-illithid ability Permanent Mind Sanctuary, allows Orpheus to use actions and bonus actions interchangeably.

Orpheus the following illithid powers:

Gallery

Related literature

Notes

  • His tattoos have writing in tir'su - the gith writing system, see Gallery above.
    • Mostly nonsense and a mirrored word for Vlaakith - misspelled as "Alaakith". It was probably written as a defiance to her ways.
    • Githyanki and Githzerai use the same writing system but githyanki write clockwise while githzerai - counter-clockwise, though unlike Orpheus, the githzerai do not mirror the symbols.
  • Orpheus is also the name of a demigod in Greek mythology who traveled with Jason and the Argonauts in pursuit of the Golden Fleece, but was primarily famous for his journey to the Underworld.

External links

Orpheus on the Forgotten Realms Wiki