Should You Free Orpheus or Trust the Emperor in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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The choice between freeing Orpheus, the Githyanki prince, or trusting the enigmatic Emperor is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll face in Baldur’s Gate 3. There is no easy answer. The optimal choice depends entirely on your desired ending, your tolerance for moral ambiguity, and the characters you wish to keep by your side.
Generally, players seeking the least personally transformative path and those who value certain companions highly are better off siding with the Emperor. Those prioritizing Githyanki liberation and willing to make significant sacrifices for what they perceive as the greater good may find freeing Orpheus more aligned with their goals.
Now, let’s break down the nuances of this pivotal decision.
The Emperor: A Pragmatic Ally with Hidden Depths
The Emperor presents himself as a pragmatic solution to the illithid tadpole threat. He offers protection within the astral prism, shielding you and your companions from complete transformation. Siding with him appears to offer stability and a higher chance of survival, at least initially.
The Benefits of Trusting the Emperor
- Protection from Illithid Transformation: The most immediate benefit is maintaining your current form. The Emperor’s power keeps the tadpoles at bay.
- Strategic Advantage: He possesses knowledge and abilities crucial to fighting the Netherbrain, making him a valuable asset in the final battle.
- Fewer Immediate Casualties: Siding with the Emperor avoids the immediate animosity and potential loss of companions that freeing Orpheus can trigger.
The Drawbacks of Trusting the Emperor
- Moral Ambiguity: The Emperor’s true nature is questionable. He’s a mind flayer, and his motivations remain shrouded in secrecy.
- Potential Betrayal: While the Emperor’s betrayal isn’t inevitable, he is ultimately self-serving. If he perceives Orpheus as a greater threat than the Netherbrain, he might abandon you.
- Loss of Lae’zel: Lae’zel, a staunch Githyanki warrior, will vehemently oppose siding with the Emperor, who she sees as a usurper and enemy of her people. Persuading her to stay requires a very high roll.
Freeing Orpheus: A Risky Path to Githyanki Liberation
Orpheus represents a more idealistic, but significantly riskier, path. Freeing him is a direct challenge to the Emperor’s power and unlocks the potential for Githyanki liberation, but it comes at a steep price.
The Benefits of Freeing Orpheus
- Githyanki Liberation: Releasing Orpheus offers the Githyanki a chance to break free from the tyrannical rule of Vlaakith.
- Moral High Ground (Potentially): For those who struggle with the Emperor’s manipulative tactics, freeing Orpheus feels like the ethically superior choice.
- Alternative Protection: Orpheus can also provide protection from the Illithid influence, although it often requires him to take drastic measures.
The Drawbacks of Freeing Orpheus
- Immediate Hostility from the Emperor: The Emperor will turn against you and become a formidable enemy in the final battle.
- One Companion Will Become a Mind Flayer: In order to defeat the Netherbrain someone will become a mind flayer.
- Potential Death: This ending can lead to Orpheus death.
- Loss of the Emperor: You’ll lose a powerful ally and access to his unique abilities and knowledge.
- Complex Moral Implications: Orpheus, while a figure of hope, is still a Githyanki prince with his own agenda, which may not align perfectly with your own.
Making Your Choice: Key Considerations
Before making your decision, consider these crucial aspects:
- Your Character’s Alignment: Are you playing a benevolent hero, a ruthless pragmatist, or something in between? Let your character’s moral compass guide your decision.
- Your Companions: How important are specific companions to you? Are you willing to lose Lae’zel for the sake of the Emperor, or vice versa?
- The Ending You Desire: Do you prioritize personal survival, Githyanki liberation, or the complete destruction of the Netherbrain at any cost?
- Resourcefulness: If you are more tactical you could choose to do what it takes, even becoming an illithid yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 common questions players have about the Orpheus vs. Emperor choice, along with comprehensive answers:
1. Will I become a mind flayer if I free Orpheus?
Yes, someone will. At the start of Act 3, the Emperor will tell players that keeping Orpheus contained is the only thing preventing the party from turning into Illithids. If Orpheus is freed, someone will be doomed to become a Mind Flayer to control the Netherbrain.
2. What happens to the Emperor if you free Orpheus?
By telling the Emperor you wish to free Orpheus, he will completely reject you and leave the prism to join the Netherbrain’s forces. He’ll become an enemy you must face in the final battle.
3. Is freeing Orpheus the good ending?
Freeing Orpheus, and then having him become a Mind-flayer to destroy the Netherbrain and then submitting himself to death is considered by many the “Best ‘Good’ ending.”
4. Can I save both Emperor and Orpheus?
No.
5. What does Lae’zel do if you side with the emperor?
Any romance with Lae’zel will be broken by choosing to side with the Emperor and failing a DC30 Persuasion roll. She will thank you for past battles but leave you with the promise her future battles will be without you.
6. Is the Emperor evil in BG3?
Though your choice to trust the Emperor is completely up to you as a player and your character’s morals, by definition of his actions, we can safely say that he is not purely good.
7. What happens if you side with the emperor?
By siding with the Emperor, you’ll give the Netherstones to the Emperor.
8. What happens if you side with Orpheus?
He will state (although the narrator admits that you are uncertain if he is being genuine) that he will truly miss you and wishes you may see each other again. However, if you Persuade him to control the Netherbrain and rule the world with you, he’ll turn you into his thrall.
9. Does the Emperor betray you in BG3?
First things first, freeing Orpheus will make the Emperor betray you and join the Netherbrain, since you’re taking away his protection, which means you’ll have to fight him during the final battle.
10. What happens if Orpheus dies BG3?
When you finally beat the Netherbrain and the Emperor shackles it you can either let him destroy it, or brutally stab him and take control of the brain for yourself. In this ending, Orpheus dies, and so Vlaakith continues to rule over the Githyanki.
11. How do you convince Orpheus to live bg3?
On a successful DC20 Persuasion check, Orpheus can be persuaded to live rather than die at your sword. After requesting Lae’zel face Vlaakith, he’ll find a far corner of the realms to stay in complete solitude and witness the liberation of the githyanki people thanks to Lae’zel and Voss.
12. What happens if you turn into an Illithid bg3?
Later in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll then be presented with the option to open your mind to the Supreme Tadpole if you choose to side with the Emperor. Doing so will turn you into a full illithid; your character will transform into a fully-fledged Mind Flayer, and they’re pretty powerful.
13. How to avoid turning into a Mind Flayer bg3?
You can choose to roll for Intelligence and concentrate on the thoughts, give into the feelings, break away and leave, or simply break away and kill it. Giving into the Mind Flayer will essentially end your run.
14. How do you get Orpheus and Eurydice back together?
You are referencing another game: Hades. While even in death they are separated, you can reunite them by completing the side quest, “Musician and Muse.” To access this quest, you’ll first need to pay one Diamond to the House Contractor to release Orpheus from imprisonment, then find Eurydice in Asphodel.
15. Should I help the Emperor in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Saving them comes down to a matter of personal preference rather than any clear benefit in terms of gameplay. However, sticking with the Emperor throughout Baldur’s Gate 3 makes more sense for the story unless playing as a githyanki or focusing heavily on aiding the githyanki on that playthrough.
Conclusion: Embrace the Complexity
Ultimately, the choice between freeing Orpheus or trusting the Emperor is a reflection of the moral complexities at the heart of Baldur’s Gate 3. There is no objectively “right” answer. The best choice is the one that aligns with your character’s values, your desired ending, and your willingness to accept the consequences of your actions. Analyze the article in full, then do not let anyone sway you when making your own decision, because as a seasoned player you know that one wrong choice can and will have serious consequences.
For more information on the learning aspects of games like Baldur’s Gate 3, explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.