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, kill their illithid ally (unless the player character themselves is an illithid) and enslave their companions. The player character will take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.
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== Involvement== | == Involvement== | ||
=== Act One === | === Act One === | ||
[[File:Chosen_Shadows.webp|300px|thumb|Alt=The Silhouettes of the Chosen of the Absolute|The Silhouettes of the Chosen 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]] | ||
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 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. | 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 Soul|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 party may experience a vision from the Absolute. It is revealed that the | Upon approaching the [[Goblin Camp]] the party may experience a vision from the Absolute. It is revealed that the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}} has been protecting the party and their companions from the influence of the Absolute. | ||
{{Q|These are my Chosen. They speak for me. | {{Q|These are my Chosen. They speak for me. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 23: | ||
|A vision from the Absolute}} | |A vision from the Absolute}} | ||
If | If {{SAI|Speak with Dead}} is cast on the [[Mind Flayer]] corpse near {{CharLink|Dror Ragzlin}} and asked about the Absolute, the party 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}} | {{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 === | === Act Two === | ||
[[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]] | [[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]] | ||
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 party will find several more True Souls among the tower's ranks. Proceeding inside, the party will encounter their leader, General | 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 party will find several more True Souls among the tower's ranks. Proceeding inside, the party will encounter their leader, General {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, one of the Absolute's Chosen, holding a trial for survivors from the Goblin Camp (including {{CharLink|Minthara}}, should she still be alive). | ||
During the finale of [[Act Two]], once the party reaches the end of the [[Mind Flayer Colony]], the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not a god of any sort, but an enslaved [[Elder Brain]], under the control of its supposed Chosen: Ketheric Thorm, | During the finale of [[Act Two]], once the party reaches the end of the [[Mind Flayer Colony]], the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not a god of any sort, but an enslaved [[Elder Brain]], under the control of its supposed Chosen: {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}, {{CharLink|Enver Gortash|Lord Enver Gortash}}, and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, who actually serve the [[Dead Three]]. Through the use of the {{SmRarityItem|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 | 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 {{SmRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone|Netherstone}}, and the [[Dream Guardian]] will emerge from the Prism to discuss the situation with the player character. 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). | ||
=== Act Three === | === Act Three === | ||
[[File:Netherbrain.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The player character communes with the Absolute, a gigantic Elder Brain.|The Absolute]] | [[File:Netherbrain.webm|300px|gif|thumb|alt=The player character communes with the Absolute, a gigantic Elder Brain.|The Absolute]] | ||
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. | 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 | If {{CharLink|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. | ||
Regardless of whether an | Regardless of whether an {{Quest|Consider Gortash's Bargain|alliance}} is made with Gortash or not, the party must {{Quest|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 Flayer|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 character, proposing that they take control and rule together. If choosing to do so, they can betray the party and | 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 character, proposing that they take control and rule together. If choosing to do so, they can betray the party and {{Quest|Control the Elder Brain}}, kill their illithid ally (unless the player character themselves is an illithid) and enslave their companions. The player character will take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.{{Q|"In MY name."|author=The player character, now the Absolute}} | ||
Otherwise, the brain could be ordered to destroy itself and 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. | Otherwise, the brain could be ordered to destroy itself and 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. | ||
== Followers of the Absolute== | == Followers of the Absolute== | ||
''For all followers see the Category: [[:Category:Followers of the Absolute|Followers of the Absolute]]'' | ''For all followers see the Category: [[:Category:Followers of the Absolute|Followers of the Absolute]]'' | ||
=== Chosen of the Absolute | The members of the '''Cult of the Absolute''' are the primary antagonists of [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. | ||
* | === The Chosen === | ||
* | Leaders of the Cult of the Absolute, the Chosen of the Dead Three lead the movement from the shadows. | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Enver Gortash}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Dark Urge}} (former) | ||
* {{MdCharLink|Ketheric Thorm}} | |||
* {{MdCharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}} | |||
=== Cultists === | |||
Cultists of the Dead Three that are aware of the true plot behind the Absolute. | |||
* {{MdCharLink|Bane (God)|Cultists of Bane}} | |||
* {{MdCharLink|Bhaal|Cultists of Bhaal}} | |||
* {{MdCharLink|Myrkul|Cultists of Myrkul}} | |||
=== True Souls === | === True Souls === | ||
True Souls are Followers of the Absolute who have been infected with an Illithid tadpole that grants them psionic powers similar to the player. They serve as commanding members of the Absolute's army. True Souls almost always have a | True Souls are Followers of the Absolute who have been infected with an Illithid tadpole that grants them psionic powers similar to the player. They serve as commanding members of the Absolute's army. True Souls almost always have a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}} that can be looted from their bodies if killed. | ||
==== Act One ==== | ==== Act One ==== | ||
{{div_col}} | {{div_col}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Dror Ragzlin}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Edowin}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Flind}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Gut}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Minthara}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Nere}} | ||
{{div_col_end}} | {{div_col_end}} | ||
==== Act Two ==== | ==== Act Two ==== | ||
{{div_col}} | {{div_col}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Korliss}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Krizt}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Linsella}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Malik (zealot)|Malik}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Marcus Falgor|Marcus}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Merim}} | ||
* {{MdCharLink|Z'rell}} | |||
{{div_col_end}} | {{div_col_end}} | ||
==== Act Three ==== | ==== Act Three ==== | ||
{{div_col}} | {{div_col}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Avery Sonshal}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Churg Elvek}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Edenosa|Manip Edenosa}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Mibbs|Fist 'Deadeye' Mibbs}} | ||
* | * {{MdCharLink|Griff|Fist Griff}} | ||
* {{MdCharLink|Darbonna|Fist Healer Darbonna}} | |||
{{div_col_end}} | {{div_col_end}} | ||
===Soldiers=== | |||
Rank and file members of the Absolute's army that have yet to be granted an "audience" with the Absolute or receive a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}}. | |||
* [[Absolute Questioner]]s | |||
* [[Acolyte of the Absolute|Acolytes of the Absolute]] | |||
* [[Adept of the Absolute|Adepts of the Absolute]] | |||
* [[Inquisitor of the Absolute|Inquisitors of the Absolute]] | |||
* [[Zealot of the Absolute|Zealots of the Absolute]] | |||
* Many [[Goblin]]s | |||
== Related Items == | == Related Items == | ||
| Line 99: | Line 115: | ||
== Related Literature== | == Related Literature== | ||
{{div col}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|A Little Gift}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Attention Acolytes}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Attracting Drow Exiles}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Beheading the Bitterroots}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Clasped Book (Moonrise Towers)}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Glory of the Absolute}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Glory of the Absolute}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Goblins: The Maglubiyet Gambit}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Journal Log of True Soul Korliss}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter to the Absolute}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Letter to the Absolute}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Orcs of the Trielta Hills}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Pilgrim's Curse}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Pilgrim's Curse}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Recruiting Gnolls}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Taking the Groves Off the Table}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|The Absolute End}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|The Easy Life}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|The Scroll of Her Glory}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Z'rell's personal reminder}} | |||
{{div col end}} | |||
== Related Quests == | == Related Quests == | ||
{{div col}} | |||
* | * {{Quest|Blind the Absolute}} | ||
* | * {{Quest|Consider Gortash's Bargain}} | ||
* | * {{Quest|Control the Elder Brain}} | ||
* | * {{Quest|Defeat the Duergar Intruders}} | ||
* {{Quest|Defeat the Goblins}} | |||
* {{Quest|Defeat Ketheric Thorm}} | |||
* | * {{Quest|Destroy the Elder Brain}} | ||
* | * {{Quest|Free True Soul Nere}} | ||
* {{Quest|Follow the Convoy}} | |||
* {{Quest|Get Gortash's Netherstone}} | |||
* {{Quest|Get Orin's Netherstone}} | |||
* {{Quest|Infiltrate Moonrise Towers}} | |||
* | * {{Quest|Raid the Emerald Grove}} | ||
* | * {{Quest|Resolve the Abduction}} | ||
* | {{div col end}} | ||
* | |||
== Notes == | == 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]]. | {{notebegin}} | ||
* 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]]. | |||
{{noteend}} | |||
== Quotes == | |||
{{Q|Glory the first is our PURPOSE, filling us with determination to bring to all mortals the joy of reverence of the ABSOLUTE. | |||
Glory the second is our OBEDIENCE, the bliss of knowing that we exalt ourselves when we surrender our wills to the ABSOLUTE's commands. | |||
Glory the third is our DOMINION, for obedience to the ABSOLUTE places us above other mortals, and it is righteous to command them.|[[Glory of the Absolute]]}} | |||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* List of [[:Category:Followers of the Absolute|Followers of the Absolute]] | * List of [[:Category:Followers of the Absolute|Followers of the Absolute]] | ||
* List of [[:Category:Absolute Equipment|Equipment associated with the Absolute]] | * List of [[:Category:Absolute Equipment|Equipment associated with the Absolute]] | ||
| Line 131: | Line 171: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{FRWiki|True Soul|long}} | * {{FRWiki|True Soul|long}} | ||
{{Factions}} | |||
[[Category:Followers of the Absolute]] | [[Category:Followers of the Absolute]] | ||
[[Category:Cult of the Absolute]] | [[Category:Cult of the Absolute]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:19, 17 October 2024
The Absolute is the enigmatic power behind the Cult of the Absolute.
“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.„
Involvement[edit | edit source]
Act One[edit | edit source]
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 party may experience a vision from the Absolute. It is revealed that the 
Mysterious Artefact has been protecting the party and their companions from the influence of the Absolute.
| “ | These are my Chosen. They speak for me. |
„ |
| — A vision from the Absolute |
If 
is cast on the Mind Flayer corpse near Dror Ragzlin and asked about the Absolute, the party receives this vision:
| “ | 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[edit | edit source]
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 party will find several more True Souls among the tower's ranks. Proceeding inside, the party 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).
During the finale of Act Two, once the party reaches the end of the Mind Flayer Colony, the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not a god of any sort, but an enslaved Elder Brain, under the control of its supposed Chosen: Ketheric Thorm, Lord Enver Gortash, and 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 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 
Netherstone, and the Dream Guardian will emerge from the Prism to discuss the situation with the player character. 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).
Act Three[edit | edit source]
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 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 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.
Regardless of whether an is made with Gortash or not, the party must the 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 Nautiloids.
, kill their illithid ally (unless the player character themselves is an illithid) and enslave their companions. The player character will take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.| “ | "In MY name." |
„ |
| — The player character, now the Absolute |
Otherwise, the brain could be ordered to destroy itself and 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.
Followers of the Absolute[edit | edit source]
For all followers see the Category: Followers of the Absolute
The members of the Cult of the Absolute are the primary antagonists of Baldur's Gate 3.
The Chosen[edit | edit source]
Leaders of the Cult of the Absolute, the Chosen of the Dead Three lead the movement from the shadows.
- Enver Gortash
- Dark Urge (former)
- Ketheric Thorm
- Orin the Red
Cultists[edit | edit source]
Cultists of the Dead Three that are aware of the true plot behind the Absolute.
True Souls[edit | edit source]
True Souls are Followers of the Absolute who have been infected with an Illithid tadpole that grants them psionic powers similar to the player. They serve as commanding members of the Absolute's army. True Souls almost always have a 
Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen that can be looted from their bodies if killed.
Act One[edit | edit source]
Act Two[edit | edit source]
Act Three[edit | edit source]
Soldiers[edit | edit source]
Rank and file members of the Absolute's army that have yet to be granted an "audience" with the Absolute or receive a Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen.
- Absolute Questioners
- Acolytes of the Absolute
- Adepts of the Absolute
- Inquisitors of the Absolute
- Zealots of the Absolute
- Many Goblins
Related Items[edit | edit source]
Related Literature[edit | edit source]
A Little Gift
Attention Acolytes
Attracting Drow Exiles
Beheading the Bitterroots- Clasped Book (Moonrise Towers)
- Glory of the Absolute
Goblins: The Maglubiyet Gambit- Journal Log of True Soul Korliss
Letter to the Absolute- Orcs of the Trielta Hills
Pilgrim's Curse
Recruiting Gnolls- Taking the Groves Off the Table
- The Absolute End
- The Easy Life
The Scroll of Her Glory
Z'rell's personal reminder
Related Quests[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- The Symbol of the Absolute appears to be a combination of the symbols of the Dead Three: The hand of Bane, the triangle of Myrkul and the skull of Bhaal.
Quotes[edit | edit source]
| “ | Glory the first is our PURPOSE, filling us with determination to bring to all mortals the joy of reverence of the ABSOLUTE. |
„ |
| — Glory of the Absolute |
See Also[edit | edit source]
- List of Followers of the Absolute
- List of Equipment associated with the Absolute
External links[edit | edit source]
True Soul on the Forgotten Realms Wiki