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{{PageSeo
{{PageSeo
| description = Mind Flayers are a non-playable race in Baldur's Gate 3. They are a type of Aberration. Mind Flayers are also known as Illithids.  
| title = The Netherbrain
| description = The Netherbrain is the final boss of Baldur's Gate 3 and the overarching antagonist of the game.
| image = Netherbrain_Illusion.webp
| image = Netherbrain_Illusion.webp
}}{{Infobox character|name=The Netherbrain|level=20|image=Netherbrain Illusion.webp|role=Overarching Antagonist|voice=Cissy Jones, Various|titles=The Absolute|race=[[Elder Brain]]|age=1000's of years}}{{Priority}}{{SpoilerWarning|act=3}}
}}
'''The Netherbrain''' is the final boss of [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. It is an [[Aberration]].
{{CombatTab}}
{{q|Bhaal's Chosen placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born.|The Netherbrain}}
{{Infobox creature
| name = The Netherbrain
| image =  
<gallery>
Netherbrain Illusion.webp|Image
Netherbrain Model.png|Model
Portrait Netherbrain.png|Portrait
</gallery>
| full name =
| va = Cissy Jones
| class =
| title = The Absolute
| size = [[Huge]]
| race = [[Elder Brain]]
| type = [[Aberration]]
| hometown =  
| family =  
}}
 
'''The Netherbrain''' is an [[Aberration]] of massive proportions that serves as the final boss of the game. An [[Elder Brain]] empowered by the ancient {{IconLink|size=20|Crown of Karsus Faded.png|Crown of Karsus}}, the Netherbrain is the overarching antagonist of the game, its insidious plans having set in motion the events of the story.
 
{{DiQ|Bhaal's Chosen placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born.|The Netherbrain}}


== Overview ==
== Overview ==
=== Background ===
=== Background ===
The Netherbrain is an empowered [[elder brain]] who was "enslaved" by the Dead Three, brought under their command by the [[Crown of Karsus]]. However, in truth, the brain was guiding events, amassing an army for itself and pitting the Chosen against each other, all the while empowered by the Crown.
An [[Elder Brain]] enslaved by the {{IconLink|size=20|Crown of Karsus Faded.png|Crown of Karsus}}, the Netherbrain is the true identity behind the [[Absolute]] and its enigmatic [[Cult of the Absolute|cult]] that quickly spread all over the {{FRWiki|Sword Coast}}. Chained and under control of the {{FRWiki|Chosen}} of the [[Dead Three]], in truth, the brain is the mastermind behind their plans, using the proud Chosen merely as pawns to serve it the Crown, amass an army and plant the seeds to control over [[Baldur's Gate]] and beyond.
 
=== Gameplay ===
* The Netherbrain is a level 20 Aberration type Elder Brain
* It serves as the main antagonist throughout the game, as well as the final boss
* Mentioned first in [[Act 1]], it briefly appears at the end of [[Act 2]] before becoming a proper enemy during [[Act 3]]
* Depending on story choices, its fate can vary and affect the endings of the game
* Dialogue choices can have an effect on its HP when entering the final battle
 
==Description==
===Appearance===
The Netherbrain is a gargantuan elder brain easily towering above most buildings in the [[Lower City]]. The brain is flesh colored, with crimson blood vessels and purple-blue chitinous growths emerging from the sides and the top, shaped in menacing spikes running along its dome, the flesh noticeably darker where the growths surface. It has an extremely long spinal cord and tentacles adorn the front of the brain. The Crown of Karsus sits on top of its head, simple yet well-made, adorned with rose jewels and intricate details.


===Related quests===
When interacted with, it uses an illusion that grants it the visage of a familiar mind flayer. A huge face appears at the front of the brain, skin pale blue with eyes dark orange and pitch black pupils. The tentacles are larger, resembling that of a nautiloid, allowing it to emote similarly to other illithid.
* [[Confront the Elder Brain]]
 
** [[Destroy the Elder Brain]]
===Personality===
** [[Control the Elder Brain]]
Highly intelligent and extremely devious, the Netherbrain is a cruel creature, willing to do anything to achieve the ''Grand Design''. It views any creature other than illithid is lesser, and is perfectly willing to use its followers as pawns. The Netherbrain also shows some curiosity when discussing its plans with the Urge, impressed by the latter's cruelty, but lost interest the moment they were removed from the plan. Though chained, its immense appetite for domination and destruction made even Ketheric and Gortash wary, taking careful steps to keep it subdued.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Elder Brain Domination}} by {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}}} Much like other illithid, self-preservation guides its actions and, if defeated and facing destruction, it submits to the victors in order to survive.


== History ==
== History ==
The Netherbrain was created, unintentionally, by [[the Dark Urge]], as part of a larger plan to create an army of illithids with the Crown of Karsus, controlled by proxy of a dominated elder brain wearing the Crown.
Before the events of the game, a [[Mind Flayer Colony]] was established under [[Reithwin Town]] and what would later be [[Moonrise Towers]]. With the colony steadily growing unbeknownst to the inhabitants of the town, in time, an [[Elder Brain]] would emerge to lead it into furthering the {{FRWiki|Grand Design}}, a sacred mission to restore the once vanquished illithid empire.
 
At some point during his efforts to take over [[Baldur's Gate]], {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} stumbled into the colony when visiting {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}} at Moonrise and, sensing an opportunity, hastily formulated a plan: using the {{IconLink|size=20|Crown of Karsus Faded.png|Crown of Karsus}}, an ancient artifact of immense power belonging once to the archwizard [[Karsus]] of [[Netheril]], he would enslave the brain in order to harness its power and take over the {{FRWiki|Sword Coast}} in {{CharLink|Bane (God)|Bane's}} name.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}} Together with his partner, the [[The Dark Urge|Bhaalspawn]], they hired the services of a diabolist named {{CharLink|Helsik}} to provide passage to {{FRWiki|Mephistar}}, lair of [[Mephistopheles]] and location of the crown. With the crown obtained, the pair returned to Moonrise to join Ketheric and chain the elder brain, yet after the Bhaalspawn placed the crown on the brain,{{ref|[[Morphic Pool]], lines spoken by the Netherbrain when confronted by the Dark Urge and their companions.<br>"''You placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born. (...) Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister. But with you gone, the three pitiful Chosen fought like children in your wake. I gave them power to harm one another with, while I crafted my design."''}}{{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, second in command of the Bhaalspawn, betrayed her superior, slaying them and pronouncing herself the new Chosen of {{CharLink|Bhaal}}.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}}
 
With the brain under control, the Chosen of the [[Dead Three]] begin their plan of taking over the Sword Coast, coming up with the [[Cult of the Absolute]], a sect dedicated to the figure of the [[Absolute]], the name given to the newly enslaved brain. Using it, they would hatch tadpoles to infect the population of important cities and amass as army to take over the entire coast, luring them with the promise of a powerful, new goddess that welcomed the meek, the outcasts. The netherese magic of the crown allowed them to create special tadpoles that would remain in their victims in a suspended state of ceremorphosis, able to be controlled psychically while not becoming properly illithid yet.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Accelerated Grand Design}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}} This way, the group would be able to target important targets while maintaining the ruse of religious fervor instead of the more sinister truth.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}}{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Next Steps}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}}


The Urge and [[Enver Gortash]] devised a plan to steal the Crown of Karsus from [[Mephistopheles]]' vault and use it to create a mind flayer army to exterminate all life as tribute to Bhaal. After successfully obtaining the Crown, it was brought to the elder brain located beneath [[Moonrise Towers]], beginning the brain's time as the [[Absolute]]. {{ref|''You brought the Crown to me, Bhaalspawn, thinking the army I amassed with it would become yours.'' - The Netherbrain to the Dark Urge}} However, while at Moonrise Towers, the Urge was betrayed by Orin, who attacked them and took their place as Bhaal's chosen of the Dead Three.
Unbeknownst to the Chosen three, the brain was willing to go along with the Bhaalspawn's plan until they began infighting. The brain then began plotting, and one of its plans included the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact|Astral Prism}}, an ancient arcane item that was the key to breaking the control of its masters.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|The Astral Prism Heist}} by {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}}}} While the brain could be controlled so long as all three netherstones were separate from the crown, it was still able to guide events to its favour. The Netherbrain, the elder brain's new form after being infused with the crown's netherese magic, granted the {{CharLink|The Emperor|Emperor}} its freedom so it could retrieve the Prism, and planted the knowledge of {{CharLink|Orpheus|Orpheus'}} power, setting in motion its grand plan for liberation.{{ref|Morphic Pool, lines spoken by the Netherbrain when confronted by the party.<br>''"Who do you think told the Chosen about the Astral Prism? Who do you think planted the knowledge of Orpheus' power, and the fear of what it could do? When the Chosen sent my thralls to retrieve the Prism - who do you think let the 'Emperor' slip its leash, knowing it would be the one to bring you to me?"''}}


Though the brain was inspired by the Urge's plan, happy to follow along and grant them their army, {{ref|''Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister.'' - Netherbrain to the Urge}} without them, the Dead Three's plans quickly fell apart. With the Dark Urge out of the picture, the Dead Three squabbled and fought among themselves, with [[Ketheric]]{{ref|[[Elder Brain Domination]] - [[Ketheric Thorm]]}} and [[Orin]] planning to betray their fellow Chosen. Unimpressed, the Netherbrain began planning its takeover, giving power to each of the Chosen enough to harm the others.{{ref|''But with you gone, the three pitiful Chosen fought like children in your wake. I gave them power to harm one another with, while I crafted my design.'' - The Netherbrain to the Urge}}
== Involvement ==


While the brain could be controlled, so long as all three Netherstones were separate from the Crown, it was still able to guide events to its favour. The Netherbrain granted [[the Emperor]] its freedom so it could retrieve the Prism, and planted the knowledge of Orpheus' power. Unwittingly following a larger plan, the Emperor and his protected allowed it so that at least one Netherstone would be brought back to the brain, and it would be liberated.
===Act One===
Though the Netherbrain never makes a physical appearance throughout Act One, its voice, under the guise of the voice of the Absolute, is first heard by the party in one of three locations: outside the [[Goblin Camp]], the area exits of the [[Wilderness]] leading to the [[Mountain Pass]], or at the elevator which connects [[Grymforge]] to the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], whichever is visited first by the party. It attempts to command the party to obey its Chosen by controlling their tadpoles, but its efforts are prevented by the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}}, which disrupts its communication. The [[Dream Guardian]] later states that it has attempted to command the player character's tadpole to transform them into a [[Mind flayer]]s several times, but that they continue to block its efforts.


== Combat ==
===Act Two===
{{Infobox statistics
The Netherbrain makes its first physical appearance toward the end of Act Two, where one of its tentacles emerges from beneath Moonrise Towers. The brain itself is encountered later on, at the end of the Mind Flayer Colony, where it is revealed to be the true identity of the Absolute. It is also revealed that the brain is under the control of the Chosen of the Dead Three, Ketheric Thorm, Enver Gortash, and Orin the Red, through the use of the {{IconLink|size=20|Crown of Karsus Faded.png|Crown of Karsus}} and its [[Netherstone|Netherstones]].
| image = Netherbrain Model.png
 
| str = 14
At the end of Act Two, the brain emerges from the colony and commands the Absolute's armies to march on [[Baldur's Gate]]. The brain itself is also moved to Baldur's Gate by the remaining Chosen, who hide it [[Undercity Ruins|beneath the city]].
| dex = 10
 
| con = 22
Should the player character attempt to proceed back to Act One, against the Dream Guardian's warnings, the Netherbrain will overwhelm their defenses and appear before them, forcing their transformation and resulting in an instantaneous game over.
| int = 28
 
| wis = 21
===Act Three===
| cha = 24
With the defeat of Ketheric Thorm by the party and the resulting loss of his Netherstone, the remaining Chosens' control over the brain is severely weakened. As a result, the brain makes frequent attempts to break free from its enslavement, resulting in regular psionic outbursts that are believed by the rest of the populace to be earthquakes. Knowing the threat that this poses to their plan, both Gortash and Orin attempt to [[Consider Gortash's Bargain|convince]] (or [[Rescue Orin's Victim|coerce]]) the party to kill the other Chosen and bring their respective Netherstones to them, in order to reestablish control over the brain.
| con_save_proficiency = y
 
| int_save_proficiency = y
Once the party confronts the brain in the [[Morphic Pool]], the brain reveals that it orchestrated the entire series of events leading up to their confrontation. The player character will attempt to dominate the brain with the rejoined Netherstones, but it overwhelms them, prompting the Emperor to force the party into the Astral Prism for safety. The Emperor explains that the brain in its current state is too powerful for any mortal to bring under control again, and that only an illithid has the mental capacity to dominate the brain.
| wis_save_proficiency = y
 
| cha_save_proficiency = y
With its free will fully restored once again, the Netherbrain proclaims that it will achieve the Grand Design, rising from beneath the city to reveal itself. It commences a full-scale assault on Baldur's Gate, forcing many tadpoled civilians to transform and commanding the hordes of the Absolute's armies to attack, while simultaneously summoning a fleet of [[Nautiloid|Nautiloids]] to provide additional support. With the help of an illithid, the party manages to battle their way to the brain itself, where the illithid can use the Netherstones to enter the brain's mind and defeat it once and for all.
| level = 20
 
| name = The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain
Once beaten, the Netherbrain yields to the party, proposing that they take control of it and rule in a last-ditch effort to spare its own life. From here, the party can choose to have their illithid ally destroy the brain, or betray it and take control of the brain, and the Absolute, for themselves. If the latter option is selected, the player character will stab the illithid and seize the Netherstones, taking a seat atop the brain and proclaiming themselves as the Absolute.
| size = Huge
| type = Aberration
| race = Aberration
| amour_class = 15
| hit_points_tactician = 450
| hit_points = 300
| movement_speed_meters = 0
| movement_speed_feet = 0
| weight_kg = 10000
| weight_lb = 20000
| initiative = -15
| condition1_name = Chains of Karsus
| condition1_description = Will break free of its domination within 5 turns
| condition2_name = Against All Odds
| condition2_description = Begins with ~20% less HP, depending on an earlier ability check
| condition3_mode = Honour
| condition3_name = Aegis of the Absolute
| condition3_description = Gains immunity to recent forms of damage
| feature1_name = Psionic Retribution
| feature1_description = Use a reaction to release a brainquake
| action1_name = Retributive Brainquake
| action1 = {{DamageText|10d6|Psychic}} and {{cond|Mindbroken}} in response to damage.
| action2_name = Orb of Negation
| action2 = Mark platforms for negation, destroying them the next turn.
}}


=== Conditions ===
If choosing to kill the brain, the illithid ally will order the brain to destroy all of the tadpoles, including the party's, before killing itself. Overwhelmed by the Netherstones, the brain is forced to comply, and it falls into the sea, sinking along with the Crown of Karsus into the harbor, thwarting the Grand Design once more.
* {{cond|Chains of Karsus}} - After using [[Karsus' Compulsion]] on the Netherbrain
* {{cond|Against All Odds}} - If a natural 20 was rolled on the final check to dominate the Netherbrain at the [[Morphic Pool]] it will have this condition, which will greatly reduce its HP.
* {{Cond|Aegis of the Absolute}} - On [[Honour mode]] only, the Netherbrain becomes immune to all types of damage that was dealt to it the previous round.


=== Attacks and abilities ===
== Combat ==
{{TooltipBox|{{SAI|Retributive Brainquake|w=40}}|image=Generic Psychic.webp|w=100|
{{Main|The Netherbrain/Combat}}
* As a reaction to taking damage, do {{DamageText|10d6|Psychic}} damage to all enemies within 30m and {{cond|Mindbroken|Mindbreak}} them.
The Netherbrain serves as the final boss of Act 3 and of the game. Its defeat marks the end of the main adventure, giving way to the [[Endings]] and the [[Epilogue]].
* {{Saving Throw|INT}} to halve damage.
}}


{{TooltipBox|{{SAI|Orb of Negation|w=40}}|image=Generic Explosion.webp |w=100|
=== Loot ===
* Summon several floating orbs which deal {{DamageText|20~200|Force}} damage to everything within range at the end of the next round.
The Netherbrain cannot be looted as the game ends immediately after it is defeated.
}}


=== Tactics ===
==Related Literature==
====Accessing the Netherbrain ====
* {{MdRarityItem|Accelerated Grand Design}}
* [[Dimension Door]], [[Arcane Gate]] and [[Misty Step]] are all useful spells to have assigned or distributed as scrolls for moving from the entrance to "[[Atop the Netherbrain]]", over to the Crown of Karsus.
* {{MdRarityItem|Elder Brain Domination}}
* Stepping anywhere on the brainy surface will summon tentacles, so it may be easier to approach from the two platforms on either side. Otherwise, if intending to sprint across, using a character who can avoid [[Opportunity Attack]]s, such as one with the [[Mobile]] feat.
* {{MdRarityItem|Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda}}
* [[Globe of Invulnerability]] is also useful for protecting the caster of [[Karsus' Compulsion]]. '''However''', the nearby [[Mind Flayer]]s will still be able to {{cond|Stunned|stun}} creatures inside the globe, which ends the spell prematurely.
* {{MdRarityItem|Next Steps}}
** Tossing Mind Flayers over the edge with moves like [[Telekinesis]] will not kill them, as they will just reappear atop the Netherbrain.
* {{MdRarityItem|On Illithids, Volume XXVI}}
* Only party members can enter the Netherbrain's Psyche (or '''The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain'''), so once the portal is open it is no longer necessary to continue fighting other enemies.
* {{MdRarityItem|The Astral Prism Heist}}


==== Fighting the Netherbrain ====
==Related Quests==
* On [[Tactician]], the Netherbrain will have 450 hit points.
* {{Quest|Confront the Elder Brain}}
* The Netherbrain's hit point total can be reduced initially from rolling a natural 20 for the final skill check in the [[Morphic Pool]]
** {{SubQuest|Control the Elder Brain}}
* For each round, the first attack against the Brain will cause it to use [[Retributive Brainquake]] which will damage everything in range
** {{SubQuest|Destroy the Elder Brain}}
* The Brain will use [[Orb of Negation]] to summon several orbs which cause damage at the end of the next round. These orbs will destroy the platforms beneath them, so it is important to move characters off of any marked platforms. Further, the brain should be quickly killed before all platforms are destroyed.


==Achievements==
==Achievements==
Line 100: Line 106:


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery heights="200">
<gallery heights="250px" mode="packed">
File:Wayne-chu-bg3-elder-brain-render-wayne-chu-3.jpg|Concept art
File:Wayne-chu-bg3-elder-brain-render-wayne-chu-3.jpg|Render by Wayne Chu
File:Wayne-chu-bg3-netherbrain-render-waynechu-2.jpg|Illusion
File:Wayne-chu-bg3-netherbrain-render-waynechu-2.jpg|Render by Wayne Chu
File:Crown of Karsus nether.jpg|Crown of Karsus close-up
File:Crown of Karsus nether.jpg|Crown of Karsus close-up render by Wayne Chu
File:Confront the Elder Brain Quest.jpg|Cinematic
File:Confront the Elder Brain Quest.jpg|Cinematic
</gallery>
<center>
<gallery heights="200px">
File:Netherbrain.webm|Cinematic
File:Netherbrain.webm|Cinematic
</gallery>
</gallery>
</center>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{div col}}{{reflist}}{{div col end}}
 
==Notes==
{{notebegin}}
* Grants 1,400 experience when killed.
{{noteend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{FRWiki|The Netherbrain|long}}
{{FRWiki|The Netherbrain|long}}


{{NavAct2Finale}}
{{Mind Flayer Colony}}
{{NavBaldursGate}}
{{Upper City}}
[[Category: Aberrations]][[Category: Bosses]]
[[Category:Aberrations]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mind Flayer Colony]]
[[Category:Characters in the Upper City]]
[[Category:Characters in Act Two]]
[[Category:Characters in Act Three]]
[[Category:Bosses]]

Latest revision as of 17:20, 24 November 2024

Overview Combat

The Netherbrain is an Aberration of massive proportions that serves as the final boss of the game. An Elder Brain empowered by the ancient Crown of Karsus Crown of Karsus, the Netherbrain is the overarching antagonist of the game, its insidious plans having set in motion the events of the story.


Portrait The Netherbrain.png
“
Bhaal's Chosen placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born.
„
— The Netherbrain

Overview[edit | edit source]

Background[edit | edit source]

An Elder Brain enslaved by the Crown of Karsus Crown of Karsus, the Netherbrain is the true identity behind the Absolute and its enigmatic cult that quickly spread all over the Sword Coast. Chained and under control of the Chosen of the Dead Three, in truth, the brain is the mastermind behind their plans, using the proud Chosen merely as pawns to serve it the Crown, amass an army and plant the seeds to control over Baldur's Gate and beyond.

Gameplay[edit | edit source]

  • The Netherbrain is a level 20 Aberration type Elder Brain
  • It serves as the main antagonist throughout the game, as well as the final boss
  • Mentioned first in Act 1, it briefly appears at the end of Act 2 before becoming a proper enemy during Act 3
  • Depending on story choices, its fate can vary and affect the endings of the game
  • Dialogue choices can have an effect on its HP when entering the final battle

Description[edit | edit source]

Appearance[edit | edit source]

The Netherbrain is a gargantuan elder brain easily towering above most buildings in the Lower City. The brain is flesh colored, with crimson blood vessels and purple-blue chitinous growths emerging from the sides and the top, shaped in menacing spikes running along its dome, the flesh noticeably darker where the growths surface. It has an extremely long spinal cord and tentacles adorn the front of the brain. The Crown of Karsus sits on top of its head, simple yet well-made, adorned with rose jewels and intricate details.

When interacted with, it uses an illusion that grants it the visage of a familiar mind flayer. A huge face appears at the front of the brain, skin pale blue with eyes dark orange and pitch black pupils. The tentacles are larger, resembling that of a nautiloid, allowing it to emote similarly to other illithid.

Personality[edit | edit source]

Highly intelligent and extremely devious, the Netherbrain is a cruel creature, willing to do anything to achieve the Grand Design. It views any creature other than illithid is lesser, and is perfectly willing to use its followers as pawns. The Netherbrain also shows some curiosity when discussing its plans with the Urge, impressed by the latter's cruelty, but lost interest the moment they were removed from the plan. Though chained, its immense appetite for domination and destruction made even Ketheric and Gortash wary, taking careful steps to keep it subdued.[1] Much like other illithid, self-preservation guides its actions and, if defeated and facing destruction, it submits to the victors in order to survive.

History[edit | edit source]

Before the events of the game, a Mind Flayer Colony was established under Reithwin Town and what would later be Moonrise Towers. With the colony steadily growing unbeknownst to the inhabitants of the town, in time, an Elder Brain would emerge to lead it into furthering the Grand Design, a sacred mission to restore the once vanquished illithid empire.

At some point during his efforts to take over Baldur's Gate, Enver Gortash Enver Gortash stumbled into the colony when visiting Ketheric Thorm Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise and, sensing an opportunity, hastily formulated a plan: using the Crown of Karsus Crown of Karsus, an ancient artifact of immense power belonging once to the archwizard Karsus of Netheril, he would enslave the brain in order to harness its power and take over the Sword Coast in Bane (God) Bane's name.[2] Together with his partner, the Bhaalspawn, they hired the services of a diabolist named Helsik Helsik to provide passage to Mephistar, lair of Mephistopheles and location of the crown. With the crown obtained, the pair returned to Moonrise to join Ketheric and chain the elder brain, yet after the Bhaalspawn placed the crown on the brain,[3]Orin Orin the Red, second in command of the Bhaalspawn, betrayed her superior, slaying them and pronouncing herself the new Chosen of Bhaal Bhaal.[4]

With the brain under control, the Chosen of the Dead Three begin their plan of taking over the Sword Coast, coming up with the Cult of the Absolute, a sect dedicated to the figure of the Absolute, the name given to the newly enslaved brain. Using it, they would hatch tadpoles to infect the population of important cities and amass as army to take over the entire coast, luring them with the promise of a powerful, new goddess that welcomed the meek, the outcasts. The netherese magic of the crown allowed them to create special tadpoles that would remain in their victims in a suspended state of ceremorphosis, able to be controlled psychically while not becoming properly illithid yet.[5] This way, the group would be able to target important targets while maintaining the ruse of religious fervor instead of the more sinister truth.[6][7]

Unbeknownst to the Chosen three, the brain was willing to go along with the Bhaalspawn's plan until they began infighting. The brain then began plotting, and one of its plans included the Astral Prism, an ancient arcane item that was the key to breaking the control of its masters.[8] While the brain could be controlled so long as all three netherstones were separate from the crown, it was still able to guide events to its favour. The Netherbrain, the elder brain's new form after being infused with the crown's netherese magic, granted the The Emperor Emperor its freedom so it could retrieve the Prism, and planted the knowledge of Orpheus Orpheus' power, setting in motion its grand plan for liberation.[9]

Involvement[edit | edit source]

Act One[edit | edit source]

Though the Netherbrain never makes a physical appearance throughout Act One, its voice, under the guise of the voice of the Absolute, is first heard by the party in one of three locations: outside the Goblin Camp, the area exits of the Wilderness leading to the Mountain Pass, or at the elevator which connects Grymforge to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, whichever is visited first by the party. It attempts to command the party to obey its Chosen by controlling their tadpoles, but its efforts are prevented by the Mysterious Artefact, which disrupts its communication. The Dream Guardian later states that it has attempted to command the player character's tadpole to transform them into a Mind flayers several times, but that they continue to block its efforts.

Act Two[edit | edit source]

The Netherbrain makes its first physical appearance toward the end of Act Two, where one of its tentacles emerges from beneath Moonrise Towers. The brain itself is encountered later on, at the end of the Mind Flayer Colony, where it is revealed to be the true identity of the Absolute. It is also revealed that the brain is under the control of the Chosen of the Dead Three, Ketheric Thorm, Enver Gortash, and Orin the Red, through the use of the Crown of Karsus Crown of Karsus and its Netherstones.

At the end of Act Two, the brain emerges from the colony and commands the Absolute's armies to march on Baldur's Gate. The brain itself is also moved to Baldur's Gate by the remaining Chosen, who hide it beneath the city.

Should the player character attempt to proceed back to Act One, against the Dream Guardian's warnings, the Netherbrain will overwhelm their defenses and appear before them, forcing their transformation and resulting in an instantaneous game over.

Act Three[edit | edit source]

With the defeat of Ketheric Thorm by the party and the resulting loss of his Netherstone, the remaining Chosens' control over the brain is severely weakened. As a result, the brain makes frequent attempts to break free from its enslavement, resulting in regular psionic outbursts that are believed by the rest of the populace to be earthquakes. Knowing the threat that this poses to their plan, both Gortash and Orin attempt to convince (or coerce) the party to kill the other Chosen and bring their respective Netherstones to them, in order to reestablish control over the brain.

Once the party confronts the brain in the Morphic Pool, the brain reveals that it orchestrated the entire series of events leading up to their confrontation. The player character will attempt to dominate the brain with the rejoined Netherstones, but it overwhelms them, prompting the Emperor to force the party into the Astral Prism for safety. The Emperor explains that the brain in its current state is too powerful for any mortal to bring under control again, and that only an illithid has the mental capacity to dominate the brain.

With its free will fully restored once again, the Netherbrain proclaims that it will achieve the Grand Design, rising from beneath the city to reveal itself. It commences a full-scale assault on Baldur's Gate, forcing many tadpoled civilians to transform and commanding the hordes of the Absolute's armies to attack, while simultaneously summoning a fleet of Nautiloids to provide additional support. With the help of an illithid, the party manages to battle their way to the brain itself, where the illithid can use the Netherstones to enter the brain's mind and defeat it once and for all.

Once beaten, the Netherbrain yields to the party, proposing that they take control of it and rule in a last-ditch effort to spare its own life. From here, the party can choose to have their illithid ally destroy the brain, or betray it and take control of the brain, and the Absolute, for themselves. If the latter option is selected, the player character will stab the illithid and seize the Netherstones, taking a seat atop the brain and proclaiming themselves as the Absolute.

If choosing to kill the brain, the illithid ally will order the brain to destroy all of the tadpoles, including the party's, before killing itself. Overwhelmed by the Netherstones, the brain is forced to comply, and it falls into the sea, sinking along with the Crown of Karsus into the harbor, thwarting the Grand Design once more.

Combat[edit | edit source]

Main article: The Netherbrain/Combat

The Netherbrain serves as the final boss of Act 3 and of the game. Its defeat marks the end of the main adventure, giving way to the Endings and the Epilogue.

Loot[edit | edit source]

The Netherbrain cannot be looted as the game ends immediately after it is defeated.

Related Literature[edit | edit source]

Related Quests[edit | edit source]

Achievements[edit | edit source]

A-Hero of the Forgotten Realms.jpg

Hero of the Forgotten Realms
Save the day: kill the Netherbrain and destroy the Absolute tadpoles.


A-Absolute Power Corrupts.jpg

Absolute Power Corrupts
Reign with terror: take control of the Netherbrain and bend the world to your will.


A-Sins of the Father.jpg

Sins of the Father
Claim your Throne of Blood: take control of the Netherbrain for Bhaal and break the world.


Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Render by Wayne Chu

    Render by Wayne Chu

  • Render by Wayne Chu

    Render by Wayne Chu

  • Crown of Karsus close-up render by Wayne Chu

    Crown of Karsus close-up render by Wayne Chu

  • Cinematic

    Cinematic

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Elder Brain Domination by Ketheric Thorm Ketheric Thorm
  2. ↑ Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  3. ↑ Morphic Pool, lines spoken by the Netherbrain when confronted by the Dark Urge and their companions.
    "You placed the Crown upon me in the depths of Moonrise Towers, and there I was born. (...) Your plan was devious, your cruelty unparalleled. I would have followed it, were your mind not destroyed by your sister. But with you gone, the three pitiful Chosen fought like children in your wake. I gave them power to harm one another with, while I crafted my design."
  4. ↑ Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  5. ↑ Accelerated Grand Design by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  6. ↑ Memoir Notes with Recent Addenda by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  7. ↑ Next Steps by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  8. ↑ The Astral Prism Heist by Enver Gortash Enver Gortash
  9. ↑ Morphic Pool, lines spoken by the Netherbrain when confronted by the party.
    "Who do you think told the Chosen about the Astral Prism? Who do you think planted the knowledge of Orpheus' power, and the fear of what it could do? When the Chosen sent my thralls to retrieve the Prism - who do you think let the 'Emperor' slip its leash, knowing it would be the one to bring you to me?"

Notes[edit | edit source]

  • Grants 1,400 experience when killed.

External links[edit | edit source]

The Netherbrain on the Forgotten Realms Wiki

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