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ThroughoutBaldur’s Gate 3, you spend most of your time fighting the Absolute and the mind flayer invasion (unless, of course, you’ve decided to join their cause). However, you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with one in your camp, even romancing them if you choose.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Romance Astarion
The Emperor stands vigilantly at your side to face down the mind flayers, despite being one themselves. Whether you trust them or not depends on your view of the situation and if you believe they have your best interests at heart. Regardless, you won’t want to squander this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meld minds.
Who Is The Emperor?
This article contains spoilers for Act Three, starting from the moment you leave the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
The Emperor is an intriguing individual whofinds you in your dreamsand guides you through the first two acts. Their voice becomes more prominent as youget closer to the Absolute, learning thetruth about your tadpoleand the realthreat to Baldur’s Gateand the Sword Coast.
Unlike other companions, thereisn’t any meter for approvalor a long personal questline. Rather, the Emperor’s romance istied to the main questlineobjectives.
As youprogress through the story, you’ll have numerousopportunities in your dreamsto grow closer and solidify your bond. However, nothing can truly be acted onuntil you reach Act Three, where the Emperor reveals themselves to you at last.
Where To Find The Emperor
You don’t find the Emperor, theEmperor summons youin their time of need.At the start of Act Three, you’ll be attacked at camp by githyanki warriors. You’ll only havethree turns to reach the portalthat’s opened, or you’ll be given the order to turn.
Once you reach the portal,race to the battlewhere you’ll come face-to-face with the Emperor. The mind flayer reveals themselves to be yourDream Visitor, the Guardianwho has been shielding you from your fate.
Topursue a romance, you’ll need todefend the Emperorfrom the githyanki forces andstop them from freeing Orpheus.
How To Gain The Emperor’s Approval
Toearn the Emperor’s affection, there are a few things you’ll need to do.
For starters,do not display disgustat their true form or outright reject the Astral tadpole they give you.
Should You Consume The Astral Tadpole?
After the battle, the Emperor will explain more to you, andgrant you the Astral Tadpole. Should youchoose to consume it, you will earn theEmperor’s favor and approval.
If you don’t want to consume it, you cansay that you’ll think about it. The Emperor understands that this is a heavy decision to make, andyou won’t lose any standingwith them if you choose to keep your current form.
How To Get The Emperor’s Romance Scene
If you haven’talready pursued the Dream Visitorduring Acts One and Two, there are opportunities for you toromance the Emperorin Act Three. There aretwo main waysto ensure you win the Emperor’s heart.
Hold The Emperor’s Hand
During a long rest,the Emperor will summon you tospeak with them. Listen to them openly, andcomfort them when possible. This includesholding their handto offer support. Thedialogue choices don’t matterso long as you are not cruel to them.
verify to ask about Duke Belynne Stelmane when prompted. This brings the Emperor to talk about their past relationship, however intimate, which brings them closer to you.
That means youshouldn’t outright reject themor call them a monster. They might be a mind flayer, but they’re stillthe Guardian that’s shielded youfrom the order to turn all this time.Trust breeds trust, which leads to romance.
Learn The Emperor’s Past
Upon entering theElfsong Tavern basement, you’ll be prompted tofind theEmperor’s old hideout. The promise of loot and information should draw you in, especially if you want toromance the mind flayer.
You’llneed to investigate everything, from the cutlery set to the wardrobe. The information you find willexplore more of the Emperor’s past, making them feel more open and vulnerable with you.
Once you’ve done that,take a long restat camp. If all goes well, you should besummoned in your dreamsonce again tospeak with the Emperor.
Many events unfold in Act Three, so you may need to take several long rests to trigger the event.
Upon meeting with the Emperor again, they’ll suggest that things feel like you’removing towards a deeper connection. To encourage this,follow these dialogue choices:
First choice:
Select either"True.“or"You’re trying to flirt with me now?“Upon selection, the Emperor will ask if you’d like to deepen your bond.
Second choice:
Select either"I’m not stopping you.“or"Perhaps.“This will prompt the Emperor to lift you both into the air, drawing you near.
Third choice:
Choose to"Lean in towards it"or"Take its tentacle in your hand, invite it in.”
Fourth choice:
If you pass your intelligence check, you’ll have an additional dialogue option here. So long as youdon’t say you’re having second thoughts, you will continue through the scene.
How To Romance The Emperor In Mind Flayer Form
You have the option to romance the Emperorin their true form. If youpass your intelligence check, you unlockexclusive dialogue optionsto fast-track this route.
Otherwise, when given the choice, tell the Emperoryou prefer themin this state; no illusions or disguises. The scene will continue with you and the Emperoras you meld mindsand become one.
How To RomanceThe Emperor As The Dream Visitor
If you don’t pass the intelligence check, you will havean alternative choice. The Emperor will ask if you’d prefer them ina more familiar bodyto make the experience easier.
If you accept, they willassume the form of your Dream Visitor, the Guardian you designed at the beginning of the game alongside your character.
Regardless of your choice, youawaken next to the Emperorin mind flayer form. Aftera brief interruptionfrom your party members, who inadvertently witness the whole thingthrough your shared connection, the Emperor moves the plot forward.
If you haven’t alreadyconsumed the Astral Tadpole, the Emperor will urge you to use it again. This time, they’ll mention that it will make you twoeven more compatibleif that’s any incentive. You’ll be sent back to camp where you’ll awakenas if nothing happened.
How The Emperor’s Romance Impacts The Story
Unlike other companions, your relationship with the Emperorremains in the Astral Plane. Despite your party members tuning in through their own dreams,no one will mention itto you at camp.
Even if you are in a committed relationship, romancing the Emperorhas no effect. However, there arecharacter implications going forward.
As your bond grows stronger, so too does thedesire to consume the Astral Tadpole. While it can be given to a party memberwith enough persuasion, the Emperor would prefer if it were you who became half-illithid.
Aside from theawkward encounter with your companions, you can continue on as if nothing happened. However, your relationship with the Emperoris forever changed, and your character’smorals may be compromisedafter fighting against the mind flayers so strongly.NEXT:Baldur’s Gate 3: Romance Guide
