Third Baldur's Gate: Free Orpheus—Side with the Emperor?
Act 3 of Baldur's Gate presents players with a critical choice: should they side with the mind flayer Emperor or free Orpheus, the captive Githyanki prince? For the party, individual characters, and the fate of Faerûn, this decision has major ramifications.
Setting Orpheus free in Baldur's Gate 3: The Orphic Hammer Path
Using the Orphic Hammer to release Orpheus will appeal most to those who want not to become Mind Flayers. Either trading the Crown of Karsus with the cambion Raphael or robbing him will provide the hammer. But trading the crown ends negatively since Raphael uses his authority to subjugate Avernus and the Nine Hells. Stealing the hammer is a dangerous idea since it means a challenging fight against Raphael.
By freeing Orpheus with the Orphic Hammer, the Emperor will be offended and the fight against the Netherbrain will get more difficult. But this path stays away from the instantaneous mind flayer transformation for the party as whole. It also satisfies Lae'zel, committed to saving Orpheus.
Orphic Hammer advantages and disadvantages
The benefits and drawbacks of the Orphic Hammer are broken out here:
Pros
Cons
Releases Orpheus effortlessly.
Difficult to get
Steers clear of mind flayer transformation
Trading for it has major consequences.
Pleases Lae'szel
Stealing it runs the danger of a hard struggle with Raphael.
generates more possibilities.
fuels the Emperor's wrath.
Assisting Orpheus: A Sacrificial Decision
Players can designate someone to replace Orpheus should they be unable to find the Orphic Hammer. Karlach, the player character, will offer herself since her limited time left with her malfunctioning Infernal Engine calls for volunteer work. Whichever replaces Orpheus, they will turn into a mind flayer and devour Orpheus's brain. Although this is bad, it keeps the party from turning into mind flayers overall.
Preventing the Mind Flayer Change
One can destroy the Netherbrain and free Orpheus without anyone turning into a mind flayer by means of another approach. Using the Netherese Orb, Gale—should he be in the party—can offer himself a sacrifice. Before accepting to take Orpheus's place, players must persuade the Emperor and Orpheus of Gale's plan. Gale's death makes this a difficult and dangerous road.
Side with the Emperor: Tough Choice
Side with the Emperor means avoiding the mind flayer transformation, but it comes at a major price. Furious at the Emperor's behavior, Lae'zel will probably turn on the party, maybe sparking a death struggle. Furthermore, Karlach, who is dedicated in releasing Orpheus, will be heartbroken by this choice and maybe leave the party. This decision will sour ties and result in the loss of important friends.
Emperor's Side Benefits and Drawbacks
Following the Emperor has advantages and drawbacks as follows:
Advantage
Cons
avoids mind flayer transformation for the whole party.
Lae'zel probably will switch to the party.
Simplifies the Netherbrain fight.
Karlach most certainly will leave the party.
Raphael has no chance of ruling Avernus.
Bad influence on ties with Lae'zel and Karlach
The last choice is sacrifice and loss.
Whether Orpheus should free himself or side with the Emperor is a difficult question with no simple solution. Both decisions call for sacrifices; there is no assured "good" result.
Whether the party is ready to embrace mind flayers is the most crucial element to take under account. If not, then supporting the Emperor is probably the wiser decision even if it means losing friends. This choice emphasizes the tough decisions Baldur's Gate 3 players have to make since every decision has effects and there is no simple road to success.
