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Absolute
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.„
Act One
 | Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers for Act 1. |  |
The Absolute is first mentioned in Act One. Most of the goblins in the area have converted to worshiping the Absolute, and are gathering as an army under their banner. Followers of the Absolute can be found searching the Wilderness for survivors of the wreck.
The Absolute seems to be tied to the mass abductions and Illithid activity. Those infected with a Mind Flayer Parasite are known in the cult as True Souls. Other followers of the Absolute are branded with the Brand of the Absolute. Those who are infected with a Mind Flayer Parasite can exert some degree of control over people who are branded.
Upon approaching the Goblin Camp the player may experience a vision from the Absolute. It is revealed that the Mysterious Artefact has been protecting the player and their companions from the influence of the Absolute.
| “ | These are my Chosen. They speak for me. |
„ |
| — A vision from the Absolute |
If Speak with Dead is cast on the Mind Flayer corpse near Dror Ragzlin and asked about the Absolute, the player receives this vision:
| “ | 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
| Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers for Act 2. |  |
During the finale of Act Two, once the player reaches the end of the Mind Flayer Colony, the Absolute's true identity is revealed: it is not, in reality, a god of any sort, but an enslaved Elder Brain, under the control of its supposed Chosen: Ketheric Thorm, 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. 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
| Spoiler warning: The following content contains unhidden spoilers for Act 3. |  |
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 alliance is made with Gortash or not, the party must confront 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.
With the help of an illithid, the party is able to dominate the brain using the Netherstones. In a last-ditch effort to save itself, the brain surrenders to the player, proposing that they take control and rule together. Should the player choose to do so, they can betray the party and control the Elder Brain, killing their illithid ally (unless the player themselves is an illithid) and enslaving their companions. They take a seat atop the Netherbrain, proclaiming themself as the new Absolute.| “ | "In MY name." |
„ |
| — The player, now the Absolute |
Otherwise, should the brain be destroyed, it orders the destruction of all remaining tadpoles, freeing any True Souls did not transform from the Absolute's influence and bringing an end to the Cult of the Absolute.
Related Items
Absolute's Protector
Absolute's Talisman
Absolute's Warboard
Faithbreaker
Gloves of Power
Ring of Absolute Force
Vision of the Absolute
Pilgrim's Curse
Letter to the Absolute
Related Quests
Notes
- 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.