The Emperor Pulls the Old Bait and Switch.. Again. Part 7 of Series [ Release BG3 ]

[@wolfen26]

"I used to be an adventurer like you... then I took a tadpole to the brain." would've been perfect. lol.

[@epli72]

My first instinct was that the emperor might feel a bit lonely as a single mind-flayer without colony. Then again... maybe introduce him to Omeluum? :'D

[@Mmogurl]

Very good possibility.. even though he seems to lack some of the more human emotions.. there definitely still seem to be some that remain.

[@catandrobbyflores]

​@@Mmogurldid you do the hidden quest under baldur's gate? This guy was someone more than just an adventurer.

[@jyntonic]

They did such a bloody good job writing The Emperor that, while I never trusted them, I was still conflicted about siding with it or not. But the thing that made the choice easier for my first playthrough was their biggest lie - "I saved you." It says that over and over and over again. But the truth is: The Emperor put the tadpole in our eye. Everything our characters go through is because he chose us as the people he wanted to use. My soldier Seldarine Drow Tav couldn’t look past that.

[@blearyeyedchangeling]

wait is he the one who put the tadpole there? i thought it was a different mindflayer

[@CapucineNighly]

I think once people connect the dots more on who The Emperor is and his past. It starts to make sense and romancing him on another playthrougj would be hard..

[@Ennasalin]

Spoiler! If he is the one who put the worm in our eye then he works directly with Orin which is incorrect for Tav I think, but probably correct for the rest on that specific Ship.

[@CapucineNighly]

@@Ennasalin Doubt the Chosen of the Dead 3 worked with The Emperor. He was hiding in the artifact throughout the whole time when he finally found it. Otherwise he would of been under control of the big brain. Then again he was forced to work under Gortash and then he escaped. But then how come he sounded so surprised when he found out The Absolute was a giant Elder brain under the control of the Dead 3...? 🤔 story got some plot holes to fill in.

[@Ennasalin]

@@CapucineNighly Read at your own discretion because high spoilers follow :). Pretty much the same way he was surpised by Moon Towers despite him knowing everything about it. He was lying through his teeth or tentacles in this case. When you play DU, you find out that, you were the first ever that has been infected. Even more, they have been experimenting on you mercilessly and the person who put the tadpole in your eye was in fact Orin because she wanted your place. ( it furthers the quest "open your scars". The place and the info you get by examining the pod next to where you free Mizora and talking with Kressa) Unless he was working under Orin which probably had a deal with Ketheric/Myrkul I cannot see how this is possible. Infecting people was like the second stage of their conquest and plan. The machinations and preparations started long before that and you were part of making it happen yourself. DU and Gortash were the ones who stole the crown from Mephistole's vault but Orin always despised Gortash.

[@DamashiTheKaotic]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately saw this as a pyramid scheme. My first run I was very torn on if I should give in or not, but ultimately I decided to take the next step, because those end game illithid powers are very hard to say no to. Hard pass on becoming a full illithid though (I'd like to keep my soul thank you very much). The Emperor is imo one of the most fascinating characters in the game, because he is a person thats very hard to trust, super manipulative, but someone I wouldn't consider to be evil. If I was to give him an alignment it would be true neutral. Also hope to see a series on Gale's romance, because it is almost completely different from what was in EA, and it is absolutely my favorite in the game.

[@Mmogurl]

Yes! I've seen some of Gale's romance already and definitely want to do a series on that as well. I'm also still trying to pursue Halsin, but he's eluded me so far! Eventually I'll get everyone romanced and make a series.

[@Ennasalin]

@@Mmogurl Halsin is hard tied to events you do in the story. He confesses to you in act 3 :).

[@yonker1337]

He's just based off The Adversary. Which is what the emperor represents but it seems they didn't want to write the lore that way.

[@aviendha1154]

Nah he’s evil in my opinion. Lawful evil. He’s just not following the same laws as the player character. He kills tonnes of people and just justifies it. Astarion is the true neutral.

[@CapucineNighly]

Man reading the lore on The Emperor and doing Wyll's quest, you find out a few interesting things. If it isn't obvious already, the Emperor is Balduran(yep, founder of Balder's Gate). Him and Bylenne weren't friends, he was actually controlling her for decades. When she finally broke lose, she ended up having a stroke, hence that convo with Wyll. I'm really on the fence with Balduran now, after finding that info... It felt like he never loved our MC. Just use them as a means to an end. Hells even Astarion ends up loving you at the end of his char quest, once you choose the right choices. This catfish romance just leaves me empty...

[@3ofClovers]

He lost me at wanting me to change my body, like go in a ditch. You take me as is or not at all. Sealed the nail in the coffin with the Pyramid scheme tho like I would drag friends into that shit 😂

[@Mmogurl]

LOL I know!! It's so sketchy lmao.. but I kind of love that they put it in the game. It makes for a lot of really interesting diverging paths for future playthrus.

[@siennahartle9069]

But you get to eat his brain in the end 😂😂😂

[@DNDragonmare1]

The biggest red flag suggesting the Emperor is just manipulating us SPOILER: after evolving you gain proficiency in deception and persuasion…

[@calliopedanceparty]

From the Emperor’s perspective as a methodical and tactical thinker, you are up against Bhaal and Bane and their chosen as well as an Elderbrain and also everyone under the thrall of the Absolute. Tough odds. And as he himself became so much more powerful and intelligent when he became illithid, he sees the player potentially doing so as increasing the chance of victory. It’s possible it’s all just a huge con, but unless your perspective is it’s just not possible for a mindflayer to be anything but an evil deceiver, Omeluum notwithstanding), it’s also possible that he’s simply laying out his personal calculations for the highest likelihood of success and saving Faerûn

[@Mmogurl]

I'd agree to that.. but sometimes his estimations of your character can be insulting. The truth can go a long way with certain people.. it can also really screw you with certain people.. Even still, he should have calculated the very high possibility that he'd be caught in his lies/omissions.

[@Anastasia-ii2yy]

About people not noticing: In act 3 there is a conversation between Blurg and Omeluum where first asks how Omeluum can walk around city freely, and was answered that Omeluum just makes people see someone else - Blurg, for excample Also in prison there is a safelock with notes from inrerrogation where one person is saying that he saw Duke Beline (instead of Emperor) And, not to mention that our character also saw another person instead of Emperor:)

[@Mmogurl]

I don't know if I found that or not, I'll have to keep an eye out on my second playthru

[@Anastasia-ii2yy]

@@Mmogurl if you are about interrogation notes, they are in underwater prison ( Iron Throne) so they are easily skipped because of all the pressure around. Though the information written in there... we'll, imho it's very silly and unrealistic. All of the information. It's about how Gorthash found about Emperor, but it's stupid from any angle you look at it... 🙁

[@sneis95]

Love your videos 😊 I'm on my 3rd playthrough and the Emperor is still my favorite character in the game, although the majority of characters are wonderfully written with their own appeal and unique personalities. I know a lot of people disliked his attempt at manipulation on us, but I like to think of it as, if this setting and situation were real, individuals like the Emperor would be the ones you'd want on your side. He's cunning and and intelligent and has a plan A, B, and C. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the rest of the game with him!

[@Xoxo.TheAuthor]

Another amazing video, thank you for all your hard work (and glad youre feeling better)! ❤

[@khaelith8192]

My first run I was playing a goodie two shoes Monk and my immediate response was hell no. He then tried to force this change upon me. Which made me lose all trust with him.

[@Mmogurl]

Yeah I'll be talking about that in the next vid.. it was def not cool.

[@khaelith8192]

@@Mmogurl There really is so many different options and outcomes in nearly every conversation you have with so many NPCs that I can see why there are dozens upon dozens of endings. Kind of mind blowing. On a side note, I really enjoy your videos and also hope you are recovering well from being ill!

[@mlj3347]

Yeah, he’s extremely transparent. I think it’s the first encounter with The Guardian that he says something like, “You’re transforming/I won’t ever let you become a mindflayer.” He then proceeds to pressure you about the tadpoles multiple times, even when you say no over and over. IMO he can’t truly empathize with humans anymore due to his own transformation; when you view all his dialogue with this in mind, he’s says things in a very deliberate way that he believes will emotionally manipulate humanoids.

[@Call-me-Creeds]

Got so upset I had to do skill checks to deny the worm... had to squish it to make a point. ;-; He really hated me saying no...

[@monozuki]

Initially I too was just too shocked lol. I got over the first shock during the conversation, when we started talking about being similar just about got my feet back under me and then wham! he slams you down again, pushing for more! He's a little like a shark: he sees an opening and swims in for the kill. No hesitation, just push forward a little more, gain a little more ground. But then again: can we even blame Emperor? What would we do in his place? Give up and be a thrall? Kill ourselves? Go mad? Or do whatever was necessary to secure our autonomy and a life for ourselves in this fucked up situation? He's a manipulating schemer, a SQUID, and our lives are solely in his hands (at that time).. but there is.. a very human *fire* in him, if that makes sense? It's that very fire that my original Tav sees when he looks at Emperor. It's why he trusts him, even though he sees the manipulations and the schemes. Even though I - as my Tav's driver - DON'T trust Emperor one bit. This cognitive disonance between us (me and my Tav) is, imo, a stunning achievement and a testament to the depth and complexity of this story, as it was the game that nurtured my Tav into enough of a solid person that he is able to disagree with me, his creator, taking on a life for himself as it were. So in the end, I've not yet progressed past this.. debacle on my main Tav as I (as the driver) am still getting in grips with the fact that my Tav WILL embrace The Tentacles Within... and most probably at some point fuck a squid. And gods help me break it off with Astarion first because if there's one thing both me and my Tav do agree on, it's that cheating is just not gonna happen.

[@alexissly8951]

What is very interesting how you look at the emperor's reactions to things the Sav learns along the way, discovering an Illithid colony under moonrise they act surprised, but have they not been there before and they even respond by stating as such, so are the reactions a lie?

[@Mmogurl]

Wow! That's a really good point that I hadn't really considered when putting the videos together.. because by the time you find out.. it's after the fact of being to Moonrise! But you're 100% right! >_> I don't like that at all! Like even sending you there.. he knows what he's sending you to. He knows what the Absolute is all along!

[@alexissly8951]

@@Mmogurl have you done his mission in act 3? Have you fought the dragon?

[@pul0y]

I accepted it right away on my first run as I was RPing a utilitarian character. And you don't even become a mindflayer..just ugly..which is easy to deal with using mods. But yeah, go with RP choices.

[@ReplicatorFifth]

I actually betrayed the Emperor last minuet by freeing the Prince. I decided all his allies end up dead or meat puppets (if you got a different way He reveals Duke Stalmane was his puppet as a spiteful shock of horror) Even without that you find documents about how Staleman has extreme brain damage and was comatose when they find her body after the Emperor was returned to the Elder Brain. Orpheus was very reasonable even though he was angry he didn't attack and I got to fight the Emperor and his Dream Visitor army at the final battle with the Elder Brain. The Emperor is spiteful and manipulative and I fell hook line a sinker for his manipulations first playthrough.

[@DNDragonmare1]

I betrayed him because Voss promises the githyanki will hunt you down for the rest of your days if you don’t free Orpheus. Which I figured would happen if you side with the Emperor: you know Vlakith’s secret and killed Orpheus. You’ll be hunted down by either faction of the Githyanki. I guess the only way to truly partner with the Emperor in the end is to become a full mind flayer, because he offers you such a partnership as a mind flayer, otherwise he doesn’t care and leaves.

[@ReplicatorFifth]

@@DNDragonmare1 Voss bugged out in my first playthrough. He just disappeared after the first encounter lol

[@leevie8335]

i'm doing some mental math on past conversations with the Emperor and I'm actually wondering if he ever really had to fight the Absolute on OUR behalf? in the past, he always made fighting the Absolute seem like this huge struggle, when in reality it was Orpheus' power. So was the migraine he had in the Pajama Episode caused by Orpheus or his honor guard instead? The "wave after wave" he spoke of, was he referring to the attacks from Orpheus' crew, or just the Absolute, or both? I already assume when he said "they need me" he was referring to the intellect devourers we came across - which, sorry babe but the only pets my apartment allows are cats - but the rest is pretty up in the air

[@robjohnson3095]

Classic being seduced by the dark side, eh? Spoilers! BTW, Gortash has notes written down about how he discovered the Emperor, apparently Mr E was using some kind of mind control so while in his company, most people ignored the oddities. For example, there is a note from a servant who noticed he was serving brains after the fact. In other words, he was using a psionic version of disguise self, probably the same technique he was using to appear as the Dream Lover til now. It's interesting to note that Mr E's side quest (for himself, not us :) is revealed here, that he is trying to propagate his kind of independent minded illithid - normally illithids are part of a group mind controlled by an Elder Brain, independent illithids like Mr E and Omelluum are rare. However, any discussion of this should include Mr E's role on the nautiloid at the beginning, which is his biggest and most important Lie of Omission.

[@Mmogurl]

Very interesting.. I've found a lot of the notes throughout my gameplay, but you can always miss some things. Someone else told me something about how he was mind controlling Belynne too.. which is pretty messed up especially when he uses his relationship with her as a sort of humanizing/ romantic angle.

[@catandrobbyflores]

That was a different mindflayer. Emperor has purple eyes and the one that tadpoles you has yellow

[@robjohnson3095]

I've been thinking about this a bit. From the various notes and things said in the game, a rough timeline of events seems to be: The Emperor had an intimate relationship with Belynne for quite awhile, to the point of developing a mental link with her. Gortash caught Mr E and brought him to the Elder Brain, while he was being processed, Belynne had a seizure which weakened her. Notably, being rich, she could have afforded the high level spells to cure her, but didn't, and was hostile towards Gortash and friends, who eventually killed her. This part is Speculation: I thought at first Belynne had been puppetted or otherwise controlled, as that's the illithid way, but if that had been so I think the Absolute would've easily been able to gain control of her. Instead, I think the Emperor, with his last breath of freedom, fried the part of her brain that would make her vulnerable to psionic influence (hence, she doesn't cure the damage), and she tried to fight back afterwards instead of fleeing, which Mr E probably told her to do.

[@robjohnson3095]

You know what, that seems like a continuity error and worthy of a bug report. There's a lot of documentation in the game that the escaped nautiloid was the Emperor's ship, that's why the cultists were trying to kill anyone from the ship right at the start. You could say the eye colors might mean Mr E was still under control of the Absolute at that time, but I don't think that jibes with what we can find out in the game. After all, there are dead illithids in the ship in that scene, so I think it's pretty clearly shortly after Mr E rebelled.

[@theninjaguy2]

​@@robjohnson3095 Emperor can't be among the mind flayers we encounter in the prologue or opening cutscene because shadowheart already has the prism in her possession, and I'm pretty sure Shadowheart doesn't get ahold of the prism until after Emperor is already inside.

[@Jenova-rk9mh]

I was all for being turned into a mind flayer. I've loved those guys since forever and I really wanted those tentacles. 😂 Even better when it made my dreamy boyfriend happier 😌😌😌 No, but really, from the trailers I was hoping to get a mind flayer-route and I was so happy that you could embrace your potential 🥰

[@Mmogurl]

LOL This comment is even better with a name like Jenova. Didn't Jenova have tentacles in one of the fights? xD Anyway, yeah I wasn't too against it, but I wanted to keep my options open with Astarion's romance too.. so it was kind of hard to deal with the whole situation lol.

[@Jenova-rk9mh]

@@Mmogurl UMMM- lmao, I did honestly NOT think about that. But yeah, she does have them sometimes, doesn‘t she. 😂 Tentacles are great, ok? 🙏 But for real, I see why you would be hesitant if you‘re not ready to go full illithid. I‘m already curious to see how you handled the situation and I hope you feel better now 💕

[@noctoi]

Aaagh this is where our stories skew!! I will be sticking my the Emporer next run, but this time around I need to stand by Lae'Zel. I finally got to know and love her, and I can't stand to turn on her this run. I shall console myself with Astarion and help Lae'Zel. Ugh I cannot wait to start my next run though! Dark Urge Spore Druid redemption run with Romanced Astarion and Emporer. Gonna be so goooood!!!! 🥰

[@sy1-0]

[Spoilers ahead for choosing not to trust the Emperor] My first playthrough I was very vocal to the Emperor about not trusting him at all. When he saw he couldn't sway me he did a full 180º on his personality and said something along the lines of "I tried to make it more pleasant for you, but make no mistake: You ARE my puppet. And you will do what I say be it pleasantly or not" (I don't actually remember the exact words its been a while) Been pretty hard to do a trusting run after that now that I know the truth ooc lmao. Also, y'know, I play DnD for around 15 years so I'm very aware of mindflayers and what they are

[@moroporoyolomoroporoyolo371]

My barbarian did not hesitate not even asking what the special worm does Emperor's reaction was funny X'D I roleplayed my barbarian to extremely loyal to ones who saves him so he trusted Emperor 100% sometimes he might be impulsive that it sometimes annoyed Emperor but their dynamic was suprisngly fun

[@NytSong]

The partial change is interesting.

[@ed3nn]

In my Honest opinion i always do wylls quest along with the squid boi romance for uh spoilery reasons

[@datbadassunicorn2832]

Handsome squidward…is sus.. 😂😢😅

[@florenmage]

Having a mind flayer buddy (who would not betray me) sounds awesome on paper. But I really don't want to become a mind flayer. I don't see becoming a genderless alien as evolution. I'm going to keep my fun bits. At least he asks for consent first though. I suppose we must give him credit for that.

[@MayaPatch]

Well Omeluum is cute. At least he's focused on scientific researches xD And the fact he got caught and imprisoned in the Iron Throne might tell us that he was indeed free from the Brain influence and wanted mind his business xD

[@stories5596]

My first instinct was 'hell no' as well, but when going through the options, it's very clear that the game wants you to do this. So I changed, and then walked around to my party to see how they would react to me, if it was different, and when I saw it wasn't going to effect anything except my illithid powers (and my handsome face...that was kinda sad) I kept with it, but I didn't change anyone else in my party after Astarion's response, which I thought would be positive, but was heartbreaking.

[@MarieCurtis92]

The Emperor is so suspect. And he's such a liar, twisting this little bit of information and then that little bit of information. Telling half truth, after half truth. I would never in a million years trust this very ambitious squid. Become a mind flayer, on purpose? Hell no.

[@Mmogurl]

Make that one count for the HELL NO category xD

[@seras1231]

If you pass the wisdom check, you get to keep the tad pole and he brings it up later after..... things

[@Mmogurl]

Oh we're getting there! xD

[@garland336]

That pyramid scheme tho

[@Mmogurl]

Now go recruit all of your friends! :) We'll be super powerful.. for reals! No side effects!

[@Ennasalin]

Well, there is 1 thing I can tell you; you must do the game as Dark Urge. Everything will make so much sense and a LOT of answers will fill in a lot of the missing puzzle pieces. Only the Dark urge can give you the actual context of some situations. Also, it will probably leave you with more questions than when you originally started :p.

[@nadiehtje10]

I denied the “evolved” form but failed my roll and became ugly 😂😂 I am digging the powers though The flight is sexy as fuck and then theres that one ability that lets you use actions and bonus actions interchangeably, combine that with a displacer beast form and you can do 6 attacks in one round its so cool Probably even more if you’re a rogue with the thief subclass

[@junpeidaman]

I miss this series :') I know you've been fixated on another 2D guy now but I hope one day you pick back up the BG3 vids oh and the Emperor is bae 🥰

[@Isus24-s8e]

So in the end it is not said directly what race he was right? Based on his story (and what we could see looking at his body type and hands) he looks like a human/elf/half elf to me. Is that accurate?

[@Anastasia-ii2yy]

He was elf, I think. At least if you do quest about dragon and at the beginning look at paintings on wall (at the very entrance) you character will mention "elf and dragon"... If my memory is correct

[@Isus24-s8e]

@@Anastasia-ii2yyThank you! I think i skipped the painting then. I wish we would've gotten more information about his past.

[@Anastasia-ii2yy]

@@Isus24-s8e it's the first painting If your character pass the check(?) they will say "an elf and a bronze dragon allies at sea"

[@Mmogurl]

Yep! I was going to say but Anastasia already did.. that he used to be an elf.

[@kokoro9301]

He really is one of the most intriguing characters. When he offered the celestial tadpole, i was saying no, no, hell no outloud 😅. (What if i go full ugly and astarion drops me! Lol)

[@Mmogurl]

LOL! I had the same thought xDD Man I have more to share about that later tho!

[@PinkMarshmallows]

Astarion won't drop Tav for the celestial tadpole, at least I don't think (there is a video here on yt where a Tav took the celestial tadpole and they tried to break up with Astarion, as Tav thought s/he was ugly, but Astarion started to panic and didn't want to break up). He will tell Tav that he needs some time after Tav becomes a full mindflayer (tall, purple, and tentacles).

[@xModronx]

Spoiler! I triggered the scene (my Tav pissed him off by saying that he does a great impression of being a human) in which Emperor shows Tav that he took control over Stelmane's mind and caused the stroke (if I understood the scene correctly). If Tav is not being nice to him, he straight up says that they are nothing without him ("You are my puppet").

[@sophiacousland3452]

I don’t trust this squid one bit. He’s ambitious, manipulative, and constantly telling half-truths. I don’t see green flags flying or him being honest. I only see red flags and evidence that he cannot be trusted. Freeing Orpheus is the best solution in my opinion over trusting the Emperor.

[@matchhead89]

I agree personally. He’s been odd to me since the moment we first spoke. Every word out of his mouth, every “scene” he created seemed tailored. Maybe he does want to stop the Chosen 3 and keep his independence. But nothing he’s said to me seems like he truly cares about the fate of faerun, or even you.

[@PinkMarshmallows]

But, but, tentacles.

[@sophiacousland3452]

@@matchhead89 Exactly. We are only a means to an end, a tool to help him reach his goal of stopping the Dead 3 and keeping his independence. He has said nothing to make me think that he genuinely cares for Tav or the fate of Faerun. He puts on a good show, I’ll give him that, but it’s all an act. It’s not unfamiliar, as Astarion has a similar tactic of trying to get on Tav’s good side in order to ensure protection from Cazador and betrayal. But Astarion at least has the guts to be genuine and honest, and quits with the bullshit if you show him care and patience.

[@sophiacousland3452]

@@PinkMarshmallows Tentacles are not worth it my friend.

[@PinkMarshmallows]

@@sophiacousland3452 Lol, to you maybe.

[@13ANE13]

🎉🎉🎉

[@serenenightful]

My character doesn’t want to be a flayer. If emp can read minds he should know that about Tav. Also don’t like killing the honor guard, but you have no choice they attack… The whole baldurian thing is odd to me.

[@matchhead89]

Im playing my character as manipulative as The Emporer. Straight up, I had no idea who the guardian was until the reveal in my own game, but I could sense he was being manipulative. I always chose the friendly but distant dialogue choices, and the moment he revealed himself, I knew my characters was going to make him feel as safe as posssible until we could find a way to free Orpheus. I gotta give it to the writers, Act 3 has so many instances of “oh fuck, this could change everything end game and beyond.” And I’ve been actually weighing my options.

[@deathknelle3868]

Do not trust The Emperor, he even admits in dialogue that he mind controlled Stellmane and how he "refined" his subterfuge through you by playing to your emotions.

[@theagg]

This is where it all went wrong for my character, what with having sided with the Emperor and listened to his spiel, I like the end of the vid here refused to evolve, that being a step too far but nonetheless, after he then presented that damn Astral Tadpole to me, despite my best efforts to resist, I failed my Wisdom DC and well, with the narrator then telling me that since I had already consumed tadpoles, the allure of yet more power was too much to resist and my characters face tells the rest of the story...oh dear. The writing for the scenes post this unwanted transformation are a bit odd, in that when talking to companions at camp, my dialogue options are written as if these new astral tadpole powers are something I wanted, as if I had willingly undergone that transformation. The writers here should have, given the 'refusal' option we select in the prism, had the dialogue reflect it wasn't what we wanted but somehow succumbed to. For example when Lae'zel or Halsin comment with words to effect that you chose it, we should have had the option in dialogue to say 'no, I didn't but.." As it is, my Tav spent time moping around camp, not wanting to look in a mirror and feeling pretty down and isolated about this change. If only she had been wiser... Strange also that the narrator is also lying here, with regards to what Orpheus would do were you to release him....naughty.

[@Princessfakir]

Im waiting 😂😂😂😂 2 know

[@annaqura3360]

Next part?😊

[@Mmogurl]

As soon as youtube stops causing trouble and after a quick break, yeah I'll be back to finishing this :)

[@annaqura3360]

I beg you! I need to know how your run was :) I am such a sucker for my guardian xD made him too sexy and now I have to deal with it :< @@Mmogurl

[@Ashley1Black]

I used a lot of tadpoles before this point, so I had to either throw the tadpole on the floor and step on it (which seemed rude and would have taken away the option if I changed my mind) or succeed a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw. Even with three inspiration points, I couldn't pass the save. The dice have spoken, so I decided to live with the consequences. I looked like something that crawled out of a grave, but got very fun and OP powers. Except for being insecure about my looks, I didn't regret it.

[@tameelah3839]

When he offered to enhance my tadpole I was a straight up no way. Red flags went up everywhere. I hadn't even thought of it as an option so the thought of changing just gave me the creeps.

[@CapucineNighly]

Guuuurl... When he said that Tav is better going full Mindflayer, an instant red flag warning popped in my head. I thought he was protecting Tav from turning into one... Bruh.. Don't pull the same hogwash you did to Bylenne on to Tav. Sus lvl

[@SRWill64]

I would have to say a hard No. Never. Maybe as a 'what would happen?' But as an actual playthrough...NO.

[@lunabloodstone]

Well the astral worm doesn't have any long term consequences (well except the rotting teeth and veins).

[@undeadsophie3421]

As soon as I saw mind flayer, I could not trust him again. Sure, using a sexy guy form helped with getting through to my character, but did it have to be the perfect man in her mind? He could have presented himself with the same appearance to everyone in the party. It was manipulation from the start. Then wanting me to push his tadpole on my friends like I was trying to get them to do drugs or something?? I squished it! He got a little angry but never mentioned it again.

[@Ennasalin]

That is what gave it away that he is just a manipulative a-hole. " who do you dream at night" and then reveals himself as a slimy squid. I was... well I didn't sign up for this... Also, there was a scene in EA where he shows you some scenes of a city in ruin, burning saying that you could be its conqueror. When I reached the end as the Dark Urge it all fell into place with so much damn context.

[@spctvl03]

So for my current run, Gale and I are partners, I'm playing a female attracted to males so I said to the Emperor that I preferred his other look lololol. But anyway, up to this point I was the only one who absorbed tadpoles, so my brain was maxed out on the inner powers. So after I absorbed the tadpole, Gale was like "GIVE ME THE POWER LIKE YOU!" lolol, so now Gale and I are half-Ilithid lovers. I'm hoping for some polyamory with The Emperor so we'll see where this goes lololol. The rest of my companions were like, hell no stay away from me with that tadpole.

[@Ben1159a]

I took a hard pass on transforming, nope, not happening.

[@Mmogurl]

xD

[@PinkMarshmallows]

I read on the Baldur's Gate 3 subreddit, that The Emperor will ghost Tav if s/he doesn't become a mindflayer at endgame. I don't know if that's true or not, but by how he's pushing on Tav to become a mindflayer, it seems plausible.

[@Isus24-s8e]

He kinda does but it's not really confirmed. Everyone is supposed to go and celebrate and he says that he won't join you because people in the city won't be pleased to see him. He leaves yet might come back eventually.

[@datbadassunicorn2832]

On my game I was really kind to emperor.. then when he gave my that tadpole I tried to force me to change and I had to do a dice roll. 😢 luckily it failed but I was more then a bit angry..😅

[@GabrielLeonars]

what is that staff you have on Gale omg im going crazy !! xD

[@PinkMarshmallows]

It's called the Mourning Frost. You make it in Act 1. You have to find all 3 parts and combine them. Icy Crystal, Icy Metal, and Icy Helve, and they are all in the Underdark.