The Complexities of Gortash's Deal
Lord Enver Gortash is a complicated character in Baldur's Gate 3. He appears to be a villain, but there are some benefits to siding with him. So, the question remains, do you work with Gortash to bring about his ambitious, world-conquering plans or kill him dead?
The Deal with Gortash
The player character (Tav) first meets Gortash near the end of Act Two, just before the party's confrontation with Ketheric Thorm. Gortash and Orin (another member of the Absolute's chosen) escape before the fight even begins, and they return as the main antagonists in Act Three.
When the party arrives at Baldur's Gate, they're stopped at several checkpoints. Today is Gortash's coronation as Archduke at Wyrm Rock Fortress, and he doesn't want to be interrupted. The party, however, is different. Gortash asks to meet with them, and surprisingly, he's not angry that they killed Ketheric. Gortash wants to take over the world. His plan involves stealing Orin's Netherstone and taking control of the Elder Brain. He doesn't want to get his hands dirty, though, so he makes a deal with the party. If the party brings him Orin's Netherstone, he'll call off his guards and allow them to explore Baldur's Gate freely.
Should You Side with Gortash?
Karlach, a member of the party, is against the idea of working with Gortash. He is the one who sold her to Zariel, causing her hellish ordeal, and she hates him. If Karlach's affinity with the party is already low, she might leave if the party chooses to work with Gortash. It might also hurt your chances of romancing her.
Wyll, another party member, has a personal investment in Gortash's dealings as well. Gortash has Wyll's father, the Duke of Ravengard, captive. Wyll is more practical about the situation, however, and doesn't seem to mind working with Gortash.
If the party decides to side with Gortash, Tav will receive subliminal messages from the Illithid inside their mind. This "Emperor" believes that working with Gortash is the wisest choice, as it will allow the party to explore Baldur's Gate unhindered.
The Emperor thinks Gortash will keep his word and call off the Steel Watch. The Emperor also suggests that the party can always change their mind later and kill Gortash if they choose. However, even if the party helps Gortash accomplish his goals, the plan won't work out in the end. Gortash plans to take the Netherstone to the Morphic Pool and fight the Elder Brain. The Elder Brain, however, will see Gortash as useless and kill him on the spot.
What If You Kill Gortash?
If the party chooses not to accept Gortash's offer, he'll attack. Karlach will offer to kill him immediately. Tav must pass a Persuasion check to talk her down. Refusing the deal is an option that many party members will approve of, except Wyll. Attacking Gortash means fighting (and likely killing) the Duke of Ravengard as well.
Regardless of what you choose, a battle with Gortash is unavoidable. He is a powerful enemy, and he has many level 11 Steel Watchers at his command. These soldiers can easily swarm the party and defeat them. The best strategy is to divide and conquer, using balconies as choke points and casting Area of Effect spells to deal damage over time.
- The Steel Watchers are vulnerable to Lightning damage, so spells like Call Lightning and Witch Bolt can be very effective.
Gortash is also quite dangerous himself. He can attack from a distance with his Fabricated Arbalest. He can also blind the entire party with Dazzling Ray, slow their movement with Tyrant's Bindings, and deal heavy damage with Unarmed strikes. He can also summon manifestations of Tyranny and gain temporary hit points.
If the party defeats Gortash, they will be unable to complete several Act Three quests. The Iron Throne prison, which is important for rescuing Wyll's father and saving the Gondians, becomes unavailable. The party will also lose access to the following quests: Disable the Steel Watch, Avenge the Drowned, Retrieve Omeluum, and Stop the Presses.
The Best Outcome
The best option is to accept Gortash's deal temporarily and then turn on him later. This allows you to explore Baldur's Gate without any restrictions and allows you to complete other quests. It also gives you the opportunity to disable the Steel Watch and rescue Wyll's father before you take Gortash down.
You can also choose to be noncommittal when Gortash approaches you. By refusing to give a yes or no, you can tell Gortash that you need time to think about his offer. This option gives you the same benefits as accepting the deal without any of the drawbacks. The city guards will let you in, and you won't get any disapproval from your party members. You can still explore Baldur's Gate and then come back and decide whether to kill Gortash or help him.
The choice of whether to work with Gortash or not is entirely up to the player. It depends on the personality of your character and the choices you have made throughout the game.
About Baldur's Gate 3
Developed by Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3 is an upcoming RPG set to be released in August 2023. Players create a character and embark on a journey, either solo or cooperatively. The game features turn-based combat.
