Herbie Murray
In Baldur's Gate 3, players have the option to sleep with the Emperor, a Mind Flayer with whom the player character can forge a romantic relationship. This opportunity arises in Act 3, after the player has defeated Ketheric Thorm and entered the Elfsong Tavern basement to explore the Emperor's old hideout. By making certain dialogue choices, protecting the Emperor in combat, and learning about their past, players can pursue this romance. The Emperor will even change into their Dream Guardian form during the intimate moment if players are averse to tentacles. While sleeping with the Emperor does not impact relationships with other characters, it does have consequences for the player character's storyline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game | Baldur's Gate 3 |
| Nature of the relationship | Fleeting, takes place in a dream |
| Effect on other relationships | None |
| Effect on player character | There are character implications going forward |
| Emperor's form during the act | Dream Guardian form or true form |
| Emperor's former lover | Duke Belynne Stelmane |
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What You'll Learn
The Emperor is a mind flayer
In Baldur's Gate 3, players can choose to romance the Emperor, a Mind Flayer. The Emperor is an ally who guides the player character and protects their minds from the influence of the Absolute. Despite being a Mind Flayer, the Emperor is not hostile towards the player character. In fact, the Emperor is the one that has been protecting the player character from their fate and shielding them from turning into a Mind Flayer.
To pursue a romance with the Emperor, players must first gain their trust by not displaying disgust at their true form and not outright rejecting the Astral Tadpole they offer. Players can also ask about the Emperor's past relationship with Duke Belynne Stelmane, which brings the Emperor closer to the player character. Once the player character has earned the Emperor's trust and affection, they can choose to consume the Astral Tadpole, which will make them more compatible with the Emperor.
The romance scene with the Emperor can take place in Act 3 of the game. After defeating Ketheric Thorm and restoring the Shadow-Cursed Lands, players will set up camp outside Baldur's Gate. Here, players can choose to make love with the Emperor without changing form or as the Dream Guardian. Despite being a Mind Flayer, the Emperor will change into their Dream Guardian form for the intimate moment if asked.
Romancing the Emperor has no effect on other relationships in the game. However, it can have character implications as the player character's bond with the Emperor grows stronger, so does their desire to consume the Astral Tadpole. Additionally, if the player character chooses to persuade the Emperor to control the Netherbrain and rule the world with them, they will become the Emperor's thrall, losing their free will and agency.
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Players can choose the Emperor's form
In Baldur's Gate III, players can choose the Emperor's form. The Emperor is a mind flayer, a genderless, soulless, sadistic predator with zero empathy or remorse. Despite this, players can pursue a romantic relationship with the Emperor.
At the start of Act Three, players are attacked at camp by githyanki warriors. After three turns, players must reach a portal or be given the order to turn. Once they reach the portal, they will race to the battle and come face-to-face with the Emperor. The mind flayer reveals themselves to be the player's Dream Visitor, a Guardian who has been shielding the player from their fate.
To pursue a romance, players must defend the Emperor from the githyanki forces and stop them from freeing Orpheus. There are several ways to earn the Emperor's affection. If players have not already consumed the Astral Tadpole, the Emperor will urge them to do so, mentioning that it will make them more compatible.
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Consuming the Astral Tadpole strengthens your bond
The Emperor encourages you to embrace your illithid potential and make use of the tadpole, and this decision has far-reaching consequences. Consuming the tadpole grants you access to higher-tier Illithid Powers, which are otherwise inaccessible. It also unlocks every power in the first tier of the Illithid Powers skill tree and the "Fly" Class Action node. Additionally, consuming the tadpole allows you to share these powers with your companions, enhancing their Illithid powers as well.
However, this decision goes against one of the game's main goals, which is to get rid of the tadpoles and prevent future mind flayer transformations. It is presented as a choice that may have negative repercussions, but these consequences never fully manifest. Ultimately, the choice to consume the Astral Tadpole is a major decision that impacts the narrative and your character's journey.
Sleeping with the Emperor is a separate choice that does not directly relate to consuming the Astral Tadpole. While it may seem like a benign option, it can lead to intense judgment from your companions. However, it does not have any significant consequences on your relationships or the game's outcome.
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It has no effect on other relationships
In Baldur's Gate 3, players can choose to romance the Emperor, a Mind Flayer, in Act 3. This is done by first investigating the Emperor's old hideout, where players can learn about the Emperor's past and former lover, Duke Stelmane. Players must then take a long rest at camp, after which they will be summoned in their dreams to speak with the Emperor, who will suggest that the relationship is deepening.
Despite being able to romance the Emperor, players can continue other relationships as if nothing happened. Even if the player character is in a committed relationship, romancing the Emperor has no effect on other relationships. This is unlike other companions, where flirting or sleeping with another companion typically affects the player's relationship with their primary partner. However, there are character implications for the player character going forward. As the player's bond with the Emperor grows stronger, so does the desire to consume the Astral Tadpole, which the Emperor encourages as it will make them "more compatible". While the player can choose to give the tadpole to a party member, the Emperor would prefer if the player became half-illithid.
The Emperor is an intriguing character who finds the player in their dreams and guides them through the first two acts of the game. Their voice becomes more prominent as the player gets closer to the Absolute, learning the truth about their tadpole and the real threat to Baldur's Gate. The Emperor also stands at the player's side to face down the mind flayers, despite being one themselves, and players must decide whether they trust the Emperor or not.
While the Emperor romance option is currently brief and takes place while the player is asleep, there is unused code that suggests that Larian Studios considered making the Emperor a more romanceable character. This includes the possibility of players being able to sleep with the Emperor twice, indicating that the character is currently underdeveloped. As Larian Studios has consistently added new content to the game post-release, it is possible that the Emperor's character will be further fleshed out in the future.
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It's one of the tamest sex scenes in the game
The Emperor is a Mind Flayer in Baldur's Gate 3, a video game that has seen several updates and additions to its storylines and dialogues based on player feedback. Players have the option to romance the Emperor in Act 3 of the game. To initiate the romance, players must first investigate the Emperor's old hideout, located beneath the Elfsong Tavern, and learn more about the Emperor's past. After taking a long rest at camp, the Emperor will appear in the player's dreams, making romantic overtures.
Despite being a sex scene with a Mind Flayer, it is considered one of the tamest in the game. Players have the option to make love without the Emperor changing their form, or they can choose to make love as the Dream Guardian, a form that the player got to design themselves. The Emperor will change into the player's preferred form for the intimate moment. While there is a brief flash of a tentacle, it is not as explicit as other potential romantic encounters in the game, such as with the drow siblings.
The Emperor romance is unique in that it does not affect the player's relationships with other companions, even if the player is in a committed relationship. However, there are still character implications, as the player's desire to consume the Astral Touched Tadpole, which grants Illithid powers, grows stronger with their bond to the Emperor. The Emperor encourages the player to consume the tadpole, stating that it will make them more compatible. While this decision is left to the player, it is a significant aspect of the Emperor's storyline and the potential transformation it brings is a key consideration when pursuing this romance.
The Emperor is an intriguing character who guides the player through the first two acts of the game, and their bond deepens as the player gets closer to the Absolute, learning more about the tadpole and the threat to Baldur's Gate. The Emperor's true form is not typically seen, and players must make specific choices to encourage the Emperor to reveal themselves. While the Emperor romance is a tame and intriguing option, it is important to note that it is a fleeting moment in the game, and the Emperor remains a non-playable character with limited development.
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Frequently asked questions
Romancing the Emperor in Baldur's Gate 3 is a unique experience. Unlike other companions, your relationship with the Emperor remains in the Astral Plane, and it doesn't seem to affect other relationships. However, there are character implications going forward, and you may find yourself with a desire to consume the Astral Tadpole, which the Emperor may urge you to do.
To initiate a romance with the Emperor, you must first gain their trust. This can be done by choosing favourable options in conversations, protecting them in combat, and exploring their past by investigating their old hideout beneath the Elfsong Tavern. After a long rest, the Emperor will appear in your dreams, making advances. You can choose to accept their advances and proceed with the romance.
The Emperor gives players a choice: to make love without changing form or to make love as the Dream Guardian, which the player designed themselves. The scene is tame, with a bit of levitation and a flash of a tentacle.
