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{{Infobox creature | {{Infobox creature | ||
| name = Ketheric Thorm | | name = Ketheric Thorm | ||
| identity = Male | |||
| image = | | image = | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| Line 14: | Line 15: | ||
| class = [[Paladin]] | | class = [[Paladin]] | ||
| subclass = [[Oathbreaker]] | | subclass = [[Oathbreaker]] | ||
| size = Medium | | size = [[Medium]] | ||
| race = Undead [[High Half-Elf]] | | race = [[Undead]] [[High Half-Elf]] | ||
| type = [[Undead]] | | type = [[Undead]] | ||
| hometown = [[Moonrise Towers]]<br>[[Reithwin Town]] (former) | | hometown = [[Moonrise Towers]]<br>[[Reithwin Town]] (former) | ||
| family = Melodia (wife, deceased)<br>[[Malus Thorm]] (uncle){{ | | family = Melodia (wife, deceased)<br>[[Malus Thorm]] (uncle){{ref|A [[Tissue and Organ Register|note written by Malus Thorm]] found in the House of Healing refers to Ketheric as nephew, thus it can be safely inferred that Malus is indeed his uncle.}}<br>[[Gerringothe Thorm]]{{ref|It's unclear what degree of kinship Ketheric and [[Gerringothe Thorm|Gerringothe]] share. It can be presumed she's his aunt following Malus' situation, however, notes and narration mention that Ketheric dug up many of his ancestors tombs, which could indicate she could be a far older relative if necromancy was practiced on the corpse too.}}<br>[[Thisobald Thorm]]{{ref|Ketheric's kinship with [[Thisobald Thorm|Thisobald]] is not quite clear, either. Though Thisobald refers to Ketheric as "father", neither Ketheric nor Isobel ever acknowledge him in dialogue or otherwise. Given that Ketheric and [[Balthazar]] have desecrated the Thorm mausoleum and resurrected Isobel, it's possible that Thisobald is another resurrected relative and refers to Ketheric as father not in the paternal sense, but as "creator".}}<br>[[Isobel Thorm]] (daughter) | ||
}} | }} | ||
General '''Ketheric Thorm''' is the Chosen of {{CharLink|Myrkul}}, and one of the leaders of the enigmatic [[Cult of the Absolute]] and serves as one of the main antagonists in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. | General '''Ketheric Thorm''' is the Chosen of {{CharLink|Myrkul}}, and one of the leaders of the enigmatic [[Cult of the Absolute]] and serves as one of the main antagonists in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. | ||
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{{TOC|limit=3}} | {{TOC|limit=3}} | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
Once the governor of [[Reithwin Town]], personal | Once the governor of [[Reithwin Town]], personal tragedy, loss and grief drove him down the path of darkness and violence, the eventual result of which was his defeat in battle a century ago by the combined forces of the [[Harpers]] and druids of the [[Emerald Grove]]. Now, risen from the grave to lead the Absolute's forces as their general, he seeks to destroy [[Baldur's Gate]], spread the cult of the Absolute, and have his daughter {{CharLink|Isobel Thorm|Isobel}} with him once again. | ||
=== Background === | === Background === | ||
Risen from the grave a hundred years after the events that lead to his downfall, Thorm serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game, being introduced during Act 1 through dialogue and in-game notes first. As the party searches for ways to cure their tadpole situation, many clues point towards Moonrise Towers and Ketheric himself and the party is ultimately tasked with bringing | Risen from the grave a hundred years after the events that lead to his downfall, Kethric Thorm serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game, being introduced during Act 1 through dialogue and in-game notes first. As the party searches for ways to cure their tadpole situation, many clues point towards Moonrise Towers and Ketheric himself and the party is ultimately tasked with bringing him down in order to rid the Shadowlands from its curse. | ||
By exploring Moonrise Towers, through subsequent battle with him, and later exploring the [[Mind Flayer Colony|Illithid colony]] under the stronghold, the party discovers there is an elaborate conspiracy behind the tadpoles in their heads. Ketheric's alliance with {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}} is also exposed, along with his plans to secure [[Gortash's Netherstone|all]] [[Orin's Netherstone|three]] [[Ketheric's Netherstone|Netherstones]] for himself {{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Elder Brain Domination}} found underneath the floorboards by the bed in Kethric Thorm's quarters.}} . Also in the process of the fight against him, it's revealed it was {{CharLink|Myrkul}} that brought Ketheric back from the dead. With Thorm dead, the party now have one of the Netherstones that power the trio, and the clues to their next destination: Baldur's Gate. | |||
=== Gameplay === | === Gameplay === | ||
* Ketheric is a level 11 [[Undead]] boss that retains some features of his past life as a [[Half-Elf]], and one of the main antagonists in the game. | * Ketheric Thorm is a level 11 [[Undead]] boss that retains some features of his past life as a [[Half-Elf]], and one of the main antagonists in the game. | ||
* He can be found throughout Act 2, while being referenced through dialogue and notes in Act 1. | * He can be found throughout Act 2, while being referenced through dialogue and notes in Act 1. | ||
* Fighting him is required in order to obtain his Netherstone and proceed with the story. | * Fighting him is required in order to obtain his Netherstone and proceed with the story. | ||
* In combat, he | * In combat, he is most similar to an [[Oathbreaker]] [[Paladin|paladin]], able to cast a form of Smite with his attacks, as well as having access to Aura spells and able to raise Undead minions. | ||
* Despite his status as a boss, Ketheric can still be disarmed, knocked prone or affected by other types of weapon abilities. | * Despite his status as a boss, Ketheric can still be disarmed, knocked prone or affected by other types of weapon abilities. | ||
* True to his skill as a general, Ketheric commands his allies to focus their attacks on targets he deems especially | * True to his skill as a general, Ketheric commands his allies to focus their attacks on targets he deems especially troublesome via [[Deadly Orders]]. | ||
* The outcome of the quests relating to the [[Nightsong]], as well as dialogue checks, can influence the encounters with him. | * The outcome of the quests relating to the [[Nightsong]], as well as dialogue checks, can influence the encounters with him. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
===Appearance=== | ===Appearance=== | ||
Ketheric has straight, grey hair kept shoulder-length and tucked behind his pointed ears. His countenance is severe, face wrinkled both by his glare and age, and he keeps a thick, full beard that connects to his hair. Ketheric wears a simple circlet with the skull of Myrkul, and an extravagant, | Ketheric has straight, grey hair kept shoulder-length and tucked behind his pointed ears. His countenance is severe, face wrinkled both by his glare and age, and he keeps a thick, full beard that connects to his hair. Ketheric wears a simple circlet with the skull of Myrkul, and an extravagant, well-crafted suit of armor that marks him as the Chosen of the Lord of Bones. His Netherstone rests on his chest, secured by an ornate gold cage. | ||
=== Personality === | === Personality === | ||
Though best described as a man | Though best described as a man tormented and transformed by grief, his daughter {{CharLink|Isobel Thorm|Isobel}} speaks of a loving, doting father while she was growing up, one who had the admiration of his subjects for being just and fair, full of love for his wife who he adored more than anyone else. Tragedy, however, would turn him into a bitter, wrathful man, willing to cleanse Reithwin from any Selûnites to spite the {{CharLink|Selûne|Moonmaiden}} for abandoning him. | ||
Whatever the man he once was, the Ketheric the party encounters is a callous one, evident by his dismissal of {{CharLink|Minthara}} and the goblins, ordering their torture and execution for failing him. Though courteous when needed, he will quickly condemn the party to death should they defy his orders. Above all, however, he is relentless in his pursuits, willing to burn the entire world just to be reunited with his daughter.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 3}}}} | Whatever the man he once was, the Ketheric the party encounters is a callous one, evident by his dismissal of {{CharLink|Minthara}} and the goblins, ordering their torture and execution for failing him. Though courteous when needed, he will quickly condemn the party to death should they defy his orders. Above all, however, he is ruthless and relentless {{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Suelto's Ethics of War}} on the floor near a makeshift shrine to Myrkul in Kethric Thorm's quarters.}} in his pursuits, willing to burn the entire world just to be reunited with his daughter.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 3}}}} | ||
Though | Though his loss and anguish moved him to change his patron god twice in search of relief, he proved to be an ardent believer of each while serving them: for Selûne, he built Moonrise Towers in her honour, for Shar, he built a grand temple under town in her name and for {{CharLink|Myrkul}}, he amassed a great army ready to raze Baldur's Gate to the ground. | ||
Through it all, he kept {{SmRarityItem|Crumpled Note|a note from Isobel}} close to him, showing that deep down a small part of him still remembers the man he once was. | Through it all, he kept {{SmRarityItem|Crumpled Note|a note from Isobel}} close to him, showing that deep down a small part of him still remembers the man he once was. | ||
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=== Conversion to Shar === | === Conversion to Shar === | ||
Grief-stricken and unable to cope with his loss, Ketheric Thorm renounced the worship of the Moonmaiden and turned to {{CharLink|Shar}}, the Lady of Loss.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 1}}}}{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Tablet Fragment (3)}}}} | Grief-stricken and unable to cope with his loss, Ketheric Thorm renounced the worship of the {{CharLink|Selûne|Moonmaiden}} and turned to {{CharLink|Shar}}, the Lady of Loss.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 1}}}}{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Tablet Fragment (3)}}}} | ||
Moonrise Towers, once a bastion of Light, turned into a symbol of darkness and grief | Moonrise Towers, once a bastion of Light, turned into a symbol of darkness and grief; Thorm systematically erased all Selûnite trace of the town, forcing all believers of the Moonmaiden to convert to Shar, flee, or die.{{ref|From a [[Shadow Vestige#Reithwin Town|Shadow Vestige]]: "An older man turns his head away in shame. His neighbors would not renounce Selûne - now they hang in the town square."}} Those who remained devout to Selûne did so in secret, arranging a {{Quest|Investigate the Selûnite Resistance|fledgling resistance}} even as Sharran spies began to infiltrate their gathering places.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Investigation Notes}}}} | ||
In Ketheric's downward spiral into darkness, Shar compelled him to build an army of Dark Justiciars beneath his home town in order to cleanse the world of Light. Ketheric lured | In Ketheric's downward spiral into darkness, Shar compelled him to build an army of Dark Justiciars beneath his home town in order to cleanse the world of Light. Ketheric lured Isobel's lover, Aylin, whom he had once quarreled with under [[Selûne]], and trapped her in a prison. He had the immortal demigod serve as a perpetual sacrifice for Dark Justiciar initiates – a design of his closest confidante, the necromancer {{CharLink|Balthazar}}.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Ornate Letter}}}}{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Teachings of Loss: Dark Justiciar}}}} | ||
As terror gripped | As terror gripped the town he had previously served so faithfully, the [[Harpers]], a loose organization that roots out villainy, saw that Ketheric had committed "Murder, Slavery, and Desecration of Temples Most Holy." They began to seek an alliance to end his reign.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Scroll of Evidence}}}} | ||
Reithwin soon became the site of a wintertime battle between Ketheric's army and the combined forces of the [[Harpers]] and [[Druid|druids]] of the {{FRWiki|Emerald Enclave}}.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|The Price of Pride}}}} Ketheric's Justiciars repelled the combined forces, and the Harpers {{SmRarityItem|Letter of Surrender|unsuccessfully attempted surrender}}.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Harper's Testimonial}}}} | Reithwin soon became the site of a wintertime battle between Ketheric's army and the combined forces of the [[Harpers]] and [[Druid|druids]] of the {{FRWiki|Emerald Enclave}}.{{ref|{{SmRarityItem|The Price of Pride}}}} Ketheric's Justiciars repelled the combined forces, and the Harpers {{SmRarityItem|Letter of Surrender|unsuccessfully attempted surrender}}. {{ref|{{SmRarityItem|Harper's Testimonial}}}} All the while a {{SmRarityItem|Mason's Log|devil's bargain}} was struck with {{CharLink|Raphael}} beneath the town by the Selûnite-in-secret {{CharLink|Infernal Mason|Morfred}} as well as {{CharLink|Yurgir}} and his [[Merregon Legionnaire|merregons]]; they then worked to annihilate Ketheric's Dark Justiciar army. | ||
In the end, the Sharran army was defeated, {{Quest|Break Yurgir's Contract|virtually all Dark Justiciars were | In the end, the Sharran army was defeated, {{Quest|Break Yurgir's Contract|virtually all Dark Justiciars were slain}}, and finally Ketheric himself perished {{ref|Ketheric's first death, and the timeline of his immortality, isn't explained in the game. He survived a poisoning by the Harpers, and {{SmRarityItem|The Waning Moon: Consignments|Thisobald wrote}} that it was because Ketheric was immortal. If that's true, it's not clear how he later was able to be killed.}}. And yet, before the final blow was struck and his defeat was sealed, he unleashed a [[Shadow Curse]] upon the land - a curse that would persist long after his demise, afflicting all battle survivors and any remaining inhabitants who did not flee. His body was later buried in the [[Thorm Mausoleum]]. | ||
=== Chosen of Myrkul === | === Chosen of Myrkul === | ||
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More than a hundred years later, Thorm would be brought back from the dead by {{CharLink|Myrkul}} as General Ketheric Thorm. The God of Death tasked the general to form an alliance with the apostles of the other two of the [[Dead Three]] and bring death to the world, offering in payment the resurrection of Ketheric's daughter Isobel. | More than a hundred years later, Thorm would be brought back from the dead by {{CharLink|Myrkul}} as General Ketheric Thorm. The God of Death tasked the general to form an alliance with the apostles of the other two of the [[Dead Three]] and bring death to the world, offering in payment the resurrection of Ketheric's daughter Isobel. | ||
After reviving his daughter | After reviving his daughter with help of Balthazar, Ketheric's plan at a family reunion failed. When the revived Isobel saw his broken visage, she fled into the darkness, protected by her goddess Selûne. The town had been ravaged by Ketheric's death rattle, the Shadow Curse. Looming over the town for a century, all within had either died outright from it or been twisted into horrific monsters. | ||
Undeterred, empowered by Myrkul, and granted immortality by the Nightsong, Ketheric began amassing an army of followers of the [[Absolute]] in order to march to Baldur's Gate and sow destruction. | Undeterred, empowered by Myrkul, and granted immortality by the Nightsong, Ketheric began amassing an army of followers of the [[Absolute]] in order to march to Baldur's Gate and sow destruction. | ||
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== Involvement == | == Involvement == | ||
Though the party learns about Ketheric during Act 1, his involvement in the [[Cult of the Absolute]] is only explored during Act Two, allowing them to meet Ketheric himself at Moonrise Towers before or when it's sieged. | Though the party learns about Ketheric during Act 1, his involvement in the [[Cult of the Absolute]] is only explored during Act Two, allowing them to meet Ketheric himself at Moonrise Towers either before or when it's sieged. | ||
===Act Two=== | ===Act Two=== | ||
====Moonrise Towers throne room==== | ====Moonrise Towers throne room==== | ||
The Party's first encounter with Ketheric Thorm starts with the general judging | The Party's first encounter with Ketheric Thorm starts with the general judging members of the Absolute's forces from the [[Goblin Camp]], including {{CharLink|Sazza}}, {{CharLink|Fezzerk}}, and {{CharLink|Minthara}} if any of them are still alive. Should Minthara be alive, he will send her to the dungeons to be punished, and is left with the goblins. {{CharLink|Drenn}} then attacks him out of fear and desperation. Even when impaled and nearly decapitated by her with a halberd, he shrugs off the wounds as if they were minor annoyances; Ketheric then kills her to make an example of the futility in resisting him. He will leave the fate of the remaining goblins to the party. | ||
The party can visit him before the finale by going on the top floor of Moonrise Towers. | The party can visit him before the finale by going on the top floor of Moonrise Towers. If noticed attempting to go through the door that leads to him, everyone around it will turn hostile. | ||
While speaking to NPCs such as {{CharLink|Jaheira}}, {{CharLink|Z'rell}}, and {{CharLink|Balthazar}}, it will be revealed, to some capacity, that a magical relic grants Ketheric immortality. Assisting Balthazar will reveal that sometime between his life as a Sharran | While speaking to NPCs such as {{CharLink|Jaheira}}, {{CharLink|Z'rell}}, and {{CharLink|Balthazar}}, it will be revealed, to some capacity, that a magical relic grants Ketheric immortality. Assisting Balthazar will reveal that sometime between his life as a Sharran and his time serving Myrkul, Ketheric Thorm had discovered the {{CharLink|Aylin|Nightsong}} and used it to render him unkillable. | ||
====Atop Moonrise Towers==== | ====Atop Moonrise Towers==== | ||
The party may encounter him again at the top of [[Moonrise Towers]] during the siege and are granted a quick exchange with him before combat. Should Isobel be dead, he will recount his life story, and his sacrifices, blaming the party for her death, but not punishing them, as he wishes to keep up the façade of the Absolute's judgement. If {{CharLink|Aylin}} was saved, she will interrupt the conversation and combat will soon begin. Otherwise, the encounter begins as normal. | The party may encounter him again at the top of [[Moonrise Towers]] during the siege and, if so, are granted a quick exchange with him before combat. Should Isobel be dead, he will recount his life story, and his sacrifices, blaming the party for her death, but not punishing them, as he wishes to keep up the façade of the Absolute's judgement. If {{CharLink|Aylin}} was saved, she will interrupt the conversation and combat will soon begin. Otherwise, the encounter begins as normal. | ||
Once his health drops to around 25%, Ketheric will flee down into the [[Mind Flayer Colony]]. | Once his health drops to around 25%, Ketheric will flee down into the [[Mind Flayer Colony]]. | ||
If, however, the party chose to let Balthazar take the Nightsong in the Shadowfell, Ketheric will offer the party to pray at the altar of the Absolute. Doing so will skip the fight at the top of the tower and the party will instead end up imprisoned in a pod in the Mind Flayer Colony where Balthazar is tasked with recycling the party into zombies and retrieving the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}}. It's then necessary to break out of the pods and defeat Balthazar | If, however, the party chose to let Balthazar take the Nightsong in the Shadowfell, Ketheric will offer the party to pray at the altar of the Absolute. Doing so will skip the fight at the top of the tower and the party will instead end up imprisoned in a pod in the Mind Flayer Colony, where Balthazar is tasked with recycling the party into zombies and retrieving the {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}}. It's then necessary to break out of the pods and defeat Balthazar to continue. | ||
Eventually, the party finds Ketheric having a conversation with {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, revealing the true form of the Absolute. The party will then engage Ketheric once more and when he falls, the last portion of the fight will begin, this time against the {{CharLink|Apostle of Myrkul}}. | Eventually, the party finds Ketheric having a conversation with {{CharLink|Enver Gortash}} and {{CharLink|Orin|Orin the Red}}, revealing the true form of the Absolute. The party will then engage Ketheric once more and when he falls, the last portion of the fight will begin, this time against the {{CharLink|Apostle of Myrkul}}. | ||
If asking Ketheric to repent by passing multiple Persuasion and/or Intimidation checks both atop Moonrise Towers and in the Mind Flayer Colony, then the first half of his fight in the Mind Flayer Colony will be skipped as Ketheric gives himself to Myrkul. | If asking Ketheric to repent by passing multiple Persuasion and/or Intimidation checks, both atop Moonrise Towers and in the Mind Flayer Colony, then the first half of his fight in the Mind Flayer Colony will be skipped as Ketheric gives himself to Myrkul. | ||
Defeated for good, Ketheric's body will contain the {{SmRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone|first Netherstone}}. | Defeated for good, Ketheric's body will contain the {{SmRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone|first Netherstone}}. | ||
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Ketheric serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game and must be fought thrice in it. His defeat marks the end of the act and allows the party to proceed to their next and final destination: Baldur's Gate. | Ketheric serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game and must be fought thrice in it. His defeat marks the end of the act and allows the party to proceed to their next and final destination: Baldur's Gate. | ||
=== Loot === | === Loot === | ||
{{div col}} | {{div col}} | ||
*{{MdRarityItem|Crumpled Note}} | *{{MdRarityItem|Crumpled Note}} | ||
*{{MdRarityItem|Flail of Myrkul}} {{ | *{{MdRarityItem|Flail of Myrkul}} {{ref|Available only if disarmed during the first encounter atop Moonrise Towers.}} | ||
*{{MdRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone}} | *{{MdRarityItem|Ketheric's Netherstone}} | ||
*{{MdRarityItem|Ketheric's Shield}} | *{{MdRarityItem|Ketheric's Shield}} | ||
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*{{Quest|Lift the Shadow Curse}} | *{{Quest|Lift the Shadow Curse}} | ||
*{{Quest|Resolve the Abduction}} | *{{Quest|Resolve the Abduction}} | ||
== Related literature == | == Related literature == | ||
=== Act 1 === | === Act 1 === | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Druid Notebook}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Scroll of Evidence}}, results of a Harper investigation, and the genesis of the plans to attack Ketheric with the Emerald Enclave | * {{MdRarityItem|Scroll of Evidence}}, results of a Harper investigation, and the genesis of the plans to attack Ketheric with the Emerald Enclave | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Undelivered Letter}} | |||
=== Act 2 === | === Act 2 === | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Beheading the Bitterroots}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Damaged Journal}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Dark Justiciar's Journal}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Graveyard Diary}}, disillusioned Reithwin citizen hopes for Ketheric's death on the eve of the Harpers' attack | * {{MdRarityItem|Graveyard Diary}}, disillusioned Reithwin citizen hopes for Ketheric's death on the eve of the Harpers' attack | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Halfred's Note}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Innkeeper's Journal}}, a Mason finds that the masonry has been raided, and everyone inside taken | * {{MdRarityItem|Innkeeper's Journal}}, a Mason finds that the masonry has been raided, and everyone inside taken | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Journal Log of True Soul Korliss}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Letter to Ketheric}}, Melodia's deathbed letter | * {{MdRarityItem|Letter to Ketheric}}, Melodia's deathbed letter | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Madeline's Ledger}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Mason's Log}}, Selûnite resistance member asks Raphael to kill the [[Dark Justiciar|Dark Justiciars]] | * {{MdRarityItem|Mason's Log}}, Selûnite resistance member asks Raphael to kill the [[Dark Justiciar|Dark Justiciars]] | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Missive from Gortash}}, a letter from Lord Gortash, describing the [[Prologue|crash of the nautiloid]] and urging Ketheric find the Mysterious Artefact | * {{MdRarityItem|Missive from Gortash}}, a letter from Lord Gortash, describing the [[Prologue|crash of the nautiloid]] and urging Ketheric find the Mysterious Artefact | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Notice (Malus Thorm)}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Olam's Journal}}, aasimar Harper records the first death of Ketheric, and the beginnings of the shadow curse | * {{MdRarityItem|Olam's Journal}}, aasimar Harper records the first death of Ketheric, and the beginnings of the shadow curse | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Prisoner's Journal}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Recruiting Gnolls}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Sharran Registry}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Stained Book (Thorm Mausoleum)}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Suelto's Ethics of War}}, a book which shows how Ketheric deals with those he regards as enemies | |||
=== Act 3 === | === Act 3 === | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Journal of Enver Gortash}} | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Ornate Letter}}, a letter from Ketheric to {{CharLink|Lorroakan}}, explaining in general terms how his [[Invulnerable_(Condition)|invulnerability]] stems from the Nightsong | * {{MdRarityItem|Ornate Letter}}, a letter from Ketheric to {{CharLink|Lorroakan}}, explaining in general terms how his [[Invulnerable_(Condition)|invulnerability]] stems from the Nightsong | ||
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* {{MdRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 3}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 3}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Elder Brain Domination}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Elder Brain Domination}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Your Kind of Curiosity}} | |||
{{div col end}} | {{div col end}} | ||
| Line 188: | Line 191: | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Taking the Groves Off the Table}} | * {{MdRarityItem|Taking the Groves Off the Table}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|The Price of Pride}} | * {{MdRarityItem|The Price of Pride}} | ||
* {{MdRarityItem|Unsent Letter (Ketheric Thorm)}} | |||
{{div col end}} | {{div col end}} | ||
== | ==Achievements== | ||
{{ | {{Achievement|No Free Lunches}} | ||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery heights="250"> | |||
Ketheric Model.png|Ketheric's model | |||
Edward-vanderghote-ketheric.webp|Character portrait by Edward Vanderghote | |||
alena-dubrovina-kethericportrait-1.webp|Character render by Alena Dubrovina | |||
Early_Chosen.png|Early Design of the Chosen | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Notes and References== | |||
{{notebegin}} | {{notebegin}} | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{noteend}} | {{noteend}} | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Latest revision as of 07:47, 22 December 2024
| Overview | Combat |
“Our darling will live again. What kind of man would I be if I didn't raze the world entire for her sake?„
Overview[edit | edit source]
Once the governor of Reithwin Town, personal tragedy, loss and grief drove him down the path of darkness and violence, the eventual result of which was his defeat in battle a century ago by the combined forces of the Harpers and druids of the Emerald Grove. Now, risen from the grave to lead the Absolute's forces as their general, he seeks to destroy Baldur's Gate, spread the cult of the Absolute, and have his daughter Isobel with him once again.
Background[edit | edit source]
Risen from the grave a hundred years after the events that lead to his downfall, Kethric Thorm serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game, being introduced during Act 1 through dialogue and in-game notes first. As the party searches for ways to cure their tadpole situation, many clues point towards Moonrise Towers and Ketheric himself and the party is ultimately tasked with bringing him down in order to rid the Shadowlands from its curse.
By exploring Moonrise Towers, through subsequent battle with him, and later exploring the Illithid colony under the stronghold, the party discovers there is an elaborate conspiracy behind the tadpoles in their heads. Ketheric's alliance with Enver Gortash and Orin the Red is also exposed, along with his plans to secure all three Netherstones for himself [4] . Also in the process of the fight against him, it's revealed it was Myrkul that brought Ketheric back from the dead. With Thorm dead, the party now have one of the Netherstones that power the trio, and the clues to their next destination: Baldur's Gate.
Gameplay[edit | edit source]
- Ketheric Thorm is a level 11 Undead boss that retains some features of his past life as a Half-Elf, and one of the main antagonists in the game.
- He can be found throughout Act 2, while being referenced through dialogue and notes in Act 1.
- Fighting him is required in order to obtain his Netherstone and proceed with the story.
- In combat, he is most similar to an Oathbreaker paladin, able to cast a form of Smite with his attacks, as well as having access to Aura spells and able to raise Undead minions.
- Despite his status as a boss, Ketheric can still be disarmed, knocked prone or affected by other types of weapon abilities.
- True to his skill as a general, Ketheric commands his allies to focus their attacks on targets he deems especially troublesome via Deadly Orders.
- The outcome of the quests relating to the Nightsong, as well as dialogue checks, can influence the encounters with him.
Description[edit | edit source]
Appearance[edit | edit source]
Ketheric has straight, grey hair kept shoulder-length and tucked behind his pointed ears. His countenance is severe, face wrinkled both by his glare and age, and he keeps a thick, full beard that connects to his hair. Ketheric wears a simple circlet with the skull of Myrkul, and an extravagant, well-crafted suit of armor that marks him as the Chosen of the Lord of Bones. His Netherstone rests on his chest, secured by an ornate gold cage.
Personality[edit | edit source]
Though best described as a man tormented and transformed by grief, his daughter Isobel speaks of a loving, doting father while she was growing up, one who had the admiration of his subjects for being just and fair, full of love for his wife who he adored more than anyone else. Tragedy, however, would turn him into a bitter, wrathful man, willing to cleanse Reithwin from any Selûnites to spite the Moonmaiden for abandoning him.
Whatever the man he once was, the Ketheric the party encounters is a callous one, evident by his dismissal of Minthara and the goblins, ordering their torture and execution for failing him. Though courteous when needed, he will quickly condemn the party to death should they defy his orders. Above all, however, he is ruthless and relentless [5] in his pursuits, willing to burn the entire world just to be reunited with his daughter.[6]
Though his loss and anguish moved him to change his patron god twice in search of relief, he proved to be an ardent believer of each while serving them: for Selûne, he built Moonrise Towers in her honour, for Shar, he built a grand temple under town in her name and for Myrkul, he amassed a great army ready to raze Baldur's Gate to the ground.
Through it all, he kept 
a note from Isobel close to him, showing that deep down a small part of him still remembers the man he once was.
History[edit | edit source]
Governor of Reithwin[edit | edit source]
A devout worshipper of Selûne, Thorm lived with his wife Melodia and daughter Isobel near the town of Reithwin as governor of the region. Such was his devotion to the Moonmaiden that he would commission a local mason, Morfred, to construct a grand bastion in her honour: Moonrise Towers.
Yet disaster struck the Thorm family when Melodia passed away, leaving Ketheric to raise their daughter alone.[7] With a child in his care, Ketheric persevered, and though doubts plagued his mind, he kept the Selûnite ways. As Isobel grew older, their happy years had a sour note: he disapproved of a budding relationship between his daughter and an immortal Aasimar visiting the town, Dame Aylin, daughter of Selûne.
The conflict would be cut short, however, as tragedy would befall Ketheric once more, and his daughter Isobel passed away.[8]
Conversion to Shar[edit | edit source]
Grief-stricken and unable to cope with his loss, Ketheric Thorm renounced the worship of the Moonmaiden and turned to Shar, the Lady of Loss.[9][10]
Moonrise Towers, once a bastion of Light, turned into a symbol of darkness and grief; Thorm systematically erased all Selûnite trace of the town, forcing all believers of the Moonmaiden to convert to Shar, flee, or die.[11] Those who remained devout to Selûne did so in secret, arranging a 
even as Sharran spies began to infiltrate their gathering places.[12]
In Ketheric's downward spiral into darkness, Shar compelled him to build an army of Dark Justiciars beneath his home town in order to cleanse the world of Light. Ketheric lured Isobel's lover, Aylin, whom he had once quarreled with under Selûne, and trapped her in a prison. He had the immortal demigod serve as a perpetual sacrifice for Dark Justiciar initiates – a design of his closest confidante, the necromancer Balthazar.[13][14]
As terror gripped the town he had previously served so faithfully, the Harpers, a loose organization that roots out villainy, saw that Ketheric had committed "Murder, Slavery, and Desecration of Temples Most Holy." They began to seek an alliance to end his reign.[15]
Reithwin soon became the site of a wintertime battle between Ketheric's army and the combined forces of the Harpers and druids of the 
Emerald Enclave.[16] Ketheric's Justiciars repelled the combined forces, and the Harpers 
unsuccessfully attempted surrender. [17] All the while a 
devil's bargain was struck with Raphael beneath the town by the Selûnite-in-secret Morfred as well as Yurgir and his merregons; they then worked to annihilate Ketheric's Dark Justiciar army.
In the end, the Sharran army was defeated, , and finally Ketheric himself perished [18]. And yet, before the final blow was struck and his defeat was sealed, he unleashed a Shadow Curse upon the land - a curse that would persist long after his demise, afflicting all battle survivors and any remaining inhabitants who did not flee. His body was later buried in the Thorm Mausoleum.
Chosen of Myrkul[edit | edit source]
“I'll tell you a story, True Soul. About a man who sold himself piece by piece.„
More than a hundred years later, Thorm would be brought back from the dead by Myrkul as General Ketheric Thorm. The God of Death tasked the general to form an alliance with the apostles of the other two of the Dead Three and bring death to the world, offering in payment the resurrection of Ketheric's daughter Isobel.
After reviving his daughter with help of Balthazar, Ketheric's plan at a family reunion failed. When the revived Isobel saw his broken visage, she fled into the darkness, protected by her goddess Selûne. The town had been ravaged by Ketheric's death rattle, the Shadow Curse. Looming over the town for a century, all within had either died outright from it or been twisted into horrific monsters.
Undeterred, empowered by Myrkul, and granted immortality by the Nightsong, Ketheric began amassing an army of followers of the Absolute in order to march to Baldur's Gate and sow destruction.
Tasked with the recovery of the mysterious artifact, the only object capable of thwarting the Dead Three's plans, he ultimately fails and falls at the hands of the party.[19]
Involvement[edit | edit source]
Though the party learns about Ketheric during Act 1, his involvement in the Cult of the Absolute is only explored during Act Two, allowing them to meet Ketheric himself at Moonrise Towers either before or when it's sieged.
Act Two[edit | edit source]
Moonrise Towers throne room[edit | edit source]
The Party's first encounter with Ketheric Thorm starts with the general judging members of the Absolute's forces from the Goblin Camp, including Sazza, Fezzerk, and Minthara if any of them are still alive. Should Minthara be alive, he will send her to the dungeons to be punished, and is left with the goblins. Drenn then attacks him out of fear and desperation. Even when impaled and nearly decapitated by her with a halberd, he shrugs off the wounds as if they were minor annoyances; Ketheric then kills her to make an example of the futility in resisting him. He will leave the fate of the remaining goblins to the party.
The party can visit him before the finale by going on the top floor of Moonrise Towers. If noticed attempting to go through the door that leads to him, everyone around it will turn hostile.
While speaking to NPCs such as Jaheira, Z'rell, and Balthazar, it will be revealed, to some capacity, that a magical relic grants Ketheric immortality. Assisting Balthazar will reveal that sometime between his life as a Sharran and his time serving Myrkul, Ketheric Thorm had discovered the Nightsong and used it to render him unkillable.
Atop Moonrise Towers[edit | edit source]
The party may encounter him again at the top of Moonrise Towers during the siege and, if so, are granted a quick exchange with him before combat. Should Isobel be dead, he will recount his life story, and his sacrifices, blaming the party for her death, but not punishing them, as he wishes to keep up the façade of the Absolute's judgement. If Aylin was saved, she will interrupt the conversation and combat will soon begin. Otherwise, the encounter begins as normal.
Once his health drops to around 25%, Ketheric will flee down into the Mind Flayer Colony.
If, however, the party chose to let Balthazar take the Nightsong in the Shadowfell, Ketheric will offer the party to pray at the altar of the Absolute. Doing so will skip the fight at the top of the tower and the party will instead end up imprisoned in a pod in the Mind Flayer Colony, where Balthazar is tasked with recycling the party into zombies and retrieving the 
Mysterious Artefact. It's then necessary to break out of the pods and defeat Balthazar to continue.
Eventually, the party finds Ketheric having a conversation with Enver Gortash and Orin the Red, revealing the true form of the Absolute. The party will then engage Ketheric once more and when he falls, the last portion of the fight will begin, this time against the Apostle of Myrkul.
If asking Ketheric to repent by passing multiple Persuasion and/or Intimidation checks, both atop Moonrise Towers and in the Mind Flayer Colony, then the first half of his fight in the Mind Flayer Colony will be skipped as Ketheric gives himself to Myrkul.
Defeated for good, Ketheric's body will contain the 
first Netherstone.
Combat[edit | edit source]
Ketheric serves as the main antagonist of Act 2 of the game and must be fought thrice in it. His defeat marks the end of the act and allows the party to proceed to their next and final destination: Baldur's Gate.
Loot[edit | edit source]
Related Quests[edit | edit source]
Related literature[edit | edit source]
Act 1[edit | edit source]
Druid Notebook
Scroll of Evidence, results of a Harper investigation, and the genesis of the plans to attack Ketheric with the Emerald Enclave
Undelivered Letter
Act 2[edit | edit source]
Beheading the Bitterroots
Damaged Journal- Dark Justiciar's Journal
- Graveyard Diary, disillusioned Reithwin citizen hopes for Ketheric's death on the eve of the Harpers' attack
Halfred's Note
Innkeeper's Journal, a Mason finds that the masonry has been raided, and everyone inside taken
Journal Log of True Soul Korliss
Letter to Ketheric, Melodia's deathbed letter- Madeline's Ledger
- Mason's Log, Selûnite resistance member asks Raphael to kill the Dark Justiciars
- Missive from Gortash, a letter from Lord Gortash, describing the crash of the nautiloid and urging Ketheric find the Mysterious Artefact
Notice (Malus Thorm)- Olam's Journal, aasimar Harper records the first death of Ketheric, and the beginnings of the shadow curse
- Prisoner's Journal
Recruiting Gnolls- Sharran Registry
- Stained Book (Thorm Mausoleum)
- Suelto's Ethics of War, a book which shows how Ketheric deals with those he regards as enemies
Act 3[edit | edit source]
- Journal of Enver Gortash
Ornate Letter, a letter from Ketheric to Lorroakan, explaining in general terms how his invulnerability stems from the Nightsong
Books by Ketheric Thorm[edit | edit source]
Notes by Ketheric Thorm[edit | edit source]
Cargo Shipment
Invasion Plans for Baldur's Gate (Moonrise Towers)
Invasion Plans for Elturgard (Moonrise Towers)
Invasion Plans for the Sword Coast (Moonrise Towers)- Missive from Ketheric
- Missive From Moonrise
- Ornate Letter
- Old Letter
Tablet Fragment (1)- Tablet Fragment (2)
- Tablet Fragment (3)
- Taking the Groves Off the Table
The Price of Pride
Unsent Letter (Ketheric Thorm)
Achievements[edit | edit source]
No Free Lunches
Defeat the Apostle of Myrkul before it consumes any necromites.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Ketheric's model
Character portrait by Edward Vanderghote
Character render by Alena Dubrovina
Early Design of the Chosen
Notes and References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ A note written by Malus Thorm found in the House of Healing refers to Ketheric as nephew, thus it can be safely inferred that Malus is indeed his uncle.
- ↑ It's unclear what degree of kinship Ketheric and Gerringothe share. It can be presumed she's his aunt following Malus' situation, however, notes and narration mention that Ketheric dug up many of his ancestors tombs, which could indicate she could be a far older relative if necromancy was practiced on the corpse too.
- ↑ Ketheric's kinship with Thisobald is not quite clear, either. Though Thisobald refers to Ketheric as "father", neither Ketheric nor Isobel ever acknowledge him in dialogue or otherwise. Given that Ketheric and Balthazar have desecrated the Thorm mausoleum and resurrected Isobel, it's possible that Thisobald is another resurrected relative and refers to Ketheric as father not in the paternal sense, but as "creator".
- ↑
Elder Brain Domination found underneath the floorboards by the bed in Kethric Thorm's quarters.
- ↑
Suelto's Ethics of War on the floor near a makeshift shrine to Myrkul in Kethric Thorm's quarters.
- ↑
Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 3
- ↑
Letter to Ketheric
- ↑ Mason's Log
- ↑ Diary of Ketheric Thorm, Vol 1
- ↑
Tablet Fragment (3)
- ↑ From a Shadow Vestige: "An older man turns his head away in shame. His neighbors would not renounce Selûne - now they hang in the town square."
- ↑
Investigation Notes
- ↑
Ornate Letter
- ↑ Teachings of Loss: Dark Justiciar
- ↑
Scroll of Evidence
- ↑
The Price of Pride
- ↑ Harper's Testimonial
- ↑ Ketheric's first death, and the timeline of his immortality, isn't explained in the game. He survived a poisoning by the Harpers, and Thisobald wrote that it was because Ketheric was immortal. If that's true, it's not clear how he later was able to be killed.
- ↑
Missive from Gortash
- ↑ Available only if disarmed during the first encounter atop Moonrise Towers.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Chosen on the Forgotten Realms Wiki
- Ketheric Thorm on the Forgotten Realms Wiki
- Myrkul on the Forgotten Realms Wiki