Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3 - The Githyanki warrior and true heir of Gith, who once saved the world from the illithids, is now trapped within an artifact, its power used by the Emperor in the Astral Plane to quell the negative influence of the parasites and the Elder Brain.
From the guide you will learn where to find and how to free Orpheus in Baldurs Gate 3. And also what impact this will have on the ending of the game.
Where to find Orpheus
Prince Orpheus is imprisoned in an astral prism, a special artifact that has been in the inventory almost from the beginning of the game. With its help, the heroes often travel to the astral plane during the course of the plot, and between the second and third acts they even fight the Gith there, seeking to free Orpheus. However, the chance to break the prince's shackles will only appear at the very end.
You will get to this location regardless of the ending: after the first unsuccessful battle with the Netherian brain, in the finale of the third act, the Emperor will be able to pull the heroes into the astral plane of the artifact for the last time. It is at this moment that you will have to decide: break the shackles of Orpheus or allow the Emperor to absorb his power.
How to Free Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3
There is only one way to break the shackles of Orpheus in the astral plane - to use Orphic Hammer. However, the action does not guarantee that the prince will retain his previous appearance - after being freed, he will volunteer to become an illithid. To avoid Orpheus becoming a mind flayer:
- Become the mind flayer instead of Orpheus.
- Sacrifice Karlach, giving her the opportunity to become a mind flayer. This choice will keep Orpheus in his appearance.
Keep in mind that the release of Orpheus directly conflicts with the interests of the Emperor, who wants to obtain the Netherian stones and absorb the heir of Gith in order to seize his powers and save Baldur's Gate with his own hands.
With the Orphic Hammer
The Orphic Hammer is the only legendary weapon that can break the bonds of Orpheus. You can get it in two ways:
- Simple, but with consequences: in “Weasel Shares”, enter into a contract with Raphael, under which you agree to give him the crown of Karsus after defeating the Absolute.
- Challenging but no-strings-attached: Infiltrate the House of Hope and steal Raphael's hammer.
Find out the details of each scenario in our guide dedicated to To the Orphic hammer.
Having the hammer in your inventory, in the last scene in the astral plane, choose the following lines in dialogue with the Emperor:
- "I don't believe a word you say."
- "Enough! I have the hammer, I will free Orpheus."
The Emperor will disappear and the opportunity will open to free Orpheus from his shackles. Approach the two red crystals on either side of the prisoner and attack them with the Orphic Hammer.
Donate Karlach
Having broken the impenetrable sphere protecting Orpheus, the heroes will face a difficult choice: in order to unlock the power potential of the Netherian stones and finally defeat the Netherian brain, one of the characters will have to become a mind flayer. If the squad has Karlach, then she will propose her candidacy. This is one of the few endings where the demon hunter saves Baldur's Gate, survives and feels completely normal, so perhaps this choice isn't entirely bad for her.
Become a Mind Eater
After freeing Orpheus, volunteer to become the mind flayer in his place. This choice leads to the ending of Ceremorphosis, will allow you to defeat the Netherian Brain and does not mean the guaranteed death of the main character.
Is Orpheus worth saving?
If you agree with the Emperor's plan and do not break the cage, then Orpheus will die. In this case, there will be no way to know how the story of the Githyanki people ends in the final scene. If Orpheus is saved, the emperor will merge with the Netherian brain and simply disappear. Saving the prince does not impose restrictions on the most important choice after the final battle with the Netherian brain. In the event branch where Orpheus is freed, the hero is free to choose between the same alternatives as in the case of the Emperor branch:
- Become the Absolute yourself.
- Order the brain to destroy all the larvae and itself.
Thus, the liberation does not have a significant impact on the events of the ending, but it adds Orpheus and his dialogue to the final scene of the game, and also enriches the ending of Laezel and the Githyanki people.
If Orpheus becomes a mind flayer after being freed, then the above choice cannot be made. The heir of Gith will do as he sees fit.
We hope that the guide helped free and save Orpheus in Baldurs Gate 3 without turning him into a mind flayer. If you have any questions, ask them at comments to Article. Check out other useful Baldur's Gate 3 guides in the relevant section of our website.
