Freeing Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3: Making the Right Decision
Deciding whether to free Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a significant choice with far-reaching consequences. It is an important decision that requires careful consideration. This guide will provide insights into which path makes the most sense in this pivotal moment.
If you are invested in helping Lae’zel and the Githyanki, then it is recommended to free Orpheus in BG3. However, if Lae’zel is not in your party or you do not care about the fate of her people, releasing the prince may not have a significant impact on the overall outcome. Nevertheless, having Orpheus by your side can provide valuable assistance during the game’s final act, regardless of your personal investment.
Freeing Orpheus is not solely about the Githyanki, though. If you find the Emperor to be a morally corrupt character or believe that he deserves a different fate, it is yet another reason to bring Orpheus into the final battle.
As with many other decisions in BG3, freeing Orpheus carries consequences. The outcome can vary depending on your approach, and there is a possibility of losing major characters in the story.
How to Free Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3
In order to free Orpheus, you must first obtain the Orphic Hammer from the House of Hope. Once you have the hammer, progress through the game until you reach the “Confront the Elder Brain” quest. Beyond the point of no return, the Emperor will pull you into the Astral Prism. Choose to defy him and use the Orphic Hammer to break the red crystals that bind Orpheus’s chains.
Consequences of Freeing Orpheus in BG3
If you choose to free Orpheus, The Emperor will automatically become your enemy. While you don’t need to fight him immediately, he will leave your party to join the Netherbrain. This is because the Githyanki harbor a deep hatred for the Illithids, and The Emperor had completely different plans for the finale of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Freeing Orpheus also presents a difficult choice. Since releasing him causes the Emperor to leave your side, you will need to find another Mind Flayer to join your party. The only way to achieve this is by having someone in the Astral Prism undergo the transformation.
If you are unwilling to subject yourself or any of your party members to this horrifying bodily change, the newly liberated Githyanki prince reluctantly offers to become the Mind Flayer on your behalf.
Should You Allow Orpheus to Become a Mind Flayer in BG3?
If you’re aiming for the most fulfilling outcome for Orpheus and Lae’zel in BG3, it is advisable not to let Orpheus become a Mind Flayer. Although there are advantages and disadvantages to this choice, for the best ending with Lae’zel, it’s crucial to ensure that Orpheus remains a Githyanki. This, however, requires another party member to undergo the process of becoming a Mind Flayer.
The most suitable candidate for willingly undergoing ceremorphosis is Karlach. By transforming into a Mind Flayer, Karlach’s doomed fate can be altered, freeing her from the threat of her infernal engine devouring her. On the other hand, allowing anyone else to become a Mind Flayer would simply result in them becoming The Emperor’s replacement, ultimately leading to a worsened fate.
Consequences of Orpheus Becoming a Mind Flayer
If you choose to have Orpheus become a Mind Flayer, he will join your ranks as a Mind Flayer Monk. This grants him access to his natural monk abilities, along with the additional powers that come with being a Mind Flayer. As a result, he becomes a more formidable fighter, but at the cost of forfeiting his role as the Githyanki prince and liberator. Instead, he will request Lae’zel to take up arms and confront the tyrant queen in his place.
Consequences of Orpheus Remaining a Githyanki
If you decide to let Orpheus remain a Githyanki, he will fight alongside you as an average monk. While he may not be the most impressive combatant, he still proves to be a valuable asset with his fists. More importantly, this choice allows him to maintain his opportunity to free the Githyanki people from the grip of the tyrant queen after dealing with the Netherbrain. However, one of your own party members will need to take on the role of becoming a Mind Flayer instead.
What Happens if You Don’t Rescue Orpheus in BG3?
If you choose not to rescue Orpheus in BG3, he will meet his demise. The emperor will remain as your ally and fight alongside you, but he will insist on consuming Orpheus to gain the necessary power to use the Netherstones against the Netherbrain. You won’t have to sacrifice any party members to become Mind Flayers by following this path. However, if you desire the power of an Illithid and wish to consume Orpheus yourself, you can still opt to become one. Alternatively, you can let Karlach become a Mind Flayer to alter her fate, but note that Orpheus still needs to be consumed.
Naturally, Lae’zel will not be pleased with this outcome. If you can pass a DC 30 persuasion check, you may convince her to allow you to take Orpheus’s brain. However, if you fail, you may find yourself in a fight where you have to kill her. Even if you attempt to use non-lethal damage during the encounter, she will die. Of course, if you want to avoid her anger altogether, you have the option of not bringing her with you when confronting the Elder Brain. What she doesn’t know won’t harm her.
Before you can free Orpheus in BG3, it’s important to meet him first. If you’re unfamiliar with Orpheus and unsure whether you should help The Emperor or not in the Astral Plane of BG3, we’ve got you covered. Check out our comprehensive guide for all the information you need.
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