Did I get the best possible ending?

[gbuglyo]

Obvious spoilers ahead, so only read on if you have finished the game.

I only played a single playthrough (it was still very long) so I have no basis of comparison, but it still feels like a very good ending with some caveats. I freed Orpheus and destroyed the Netherbrain, but became a mind flayer in the process. My MC did not take his own life but is living a secluded life to avoid the temptation of eating the brains of sentient creatures. (I did get the urge to eat Shadowheart's brain at the reunion, and while I managed to fight it off, it felt both disturbing and morbidly humorous.)

I did not romance anyone but made sure that all my companions survived. Whenever possible, I allowed them to make their own choice about their fate, and they all seem content with their lives. Wyll left his father in control of Baldur's Gate and lost his warlock powers but still became the Blade of Avernus working with Karlach to fight Zariel. Shadowheart allowed her parents to sacrifice themselves to free her from Shar's influence, but seems over it and is living a happy life. Gale is back on Mystra's good side, living as a teacher. Lae'zel is working with Orpheus to fight Vlaakith. Astarion cannot walk in the light anymore but is still grateful for freeing the vampire victims.

My question is, was there a way I missed to pull it all off and get a good ending with my MC staying human so I wouldn't have to hide from the world?

[Shirayuki Mizore]

Mind Flayer is always required but it doesn't have to be you. It can be also Karlach or Orpheus or just leaving the job to the Emperor.

The best alternative to improve ending further I guess would be to allow The Emperor to control the stones and destroy the brain. That way nobody has to become Mind Flayer. However it is kinda weird writing in that regard.

There is dozen of evidence that he is evil or at least extremely manipulative (through his whole life, not just for your quest where it was somewhat excusable at times). So from story perspective it doesn't make sense to trust him (despite the fact he will keep his word) with such task even if ultimately it will provide you better results.

It will complicate things with Lae'zel but you won't have to be Mind Flayer.


The other alternative is to allow Orpheus to become Mind Flayer. With some strong persuasion check you can convince him to not kill himself and lead Githyanki people once again.

[kbiz]

Originally posted by gbuglyo:

I allowed them to make their own choice about their fate...

That was my initial playthrough too.

I stayed human.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by Shirayuki Mizore:

Mind Flayer is always required but it doesn't have to be you. It can be also Karlach or Orpheus or just leaving the job to the Emperor.

The best alternative to improve ending further I guess would be to allow The Emperor to control the stones and destroy the brain. That way nobody has to become Mind Flayer. However it is kinda weird writing in that regard.

There is dozen of evidence that he is evil or at least extremely manipulative (through his whole life, not just for your quest where it was somewhat excusable at times). So from story perspective it doesn't make sense to trust him (despite the fact he will keep his word) with such task even if ultimately it will provide you better results.

It will complicate things with Lae'zel but you won't have to be Mind Flayer.

Yeah, but in my playthrough, the Emperor wanted to consume Orpheus, and I was having none of that (he was also blatantly taking me for a fool claiming that Orpheus would attack me if freed, while Kith'rak Voss clearly said he wouldn't). If that's what you're referring to as the factor that complicates things with Lae'zel, I don't see it as a better ending as it essentially dooms the githyanki.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by kbiz:

Originally posted by gbuglyo:

I allowed them to make their own choice about their fate...

That was my initial playthrough too.

I stayed human.

Nice! How?

[kbiz]

Originally posted by gbuglyo:

Originally posted by kbiz:

That was my initial playthrough too.

I stayed human.

Nice! How?

How did I stay human? Or, actually, half-elf? I let Orpheus go full illithid. He's Orpheus. Out of the frying pan. Into the fire.

But I like that Larian let me to allow them to choose their fate. And outcomes vary by their attitude towards you. That's why Shadowheart got killed on my last playthrough. Dammit. Cool game though.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by kbiz:

Originally posted by gbuglyo:

Nice! How?

How did I stay human? Or, actually, half-elf? I let Orpheus go full illithid. He's Orpheus. Out of the frying pan. Into the fire.

Ah, I see. I asked him about that at first, but he seemed really sad and reluctant. It seemed the noble thing to say "Okay, I will do it."

[kbiz]

Originally posted by gbuglyo:

Originally posted by kbiz:

How did I stay human? Or, actually, half-elf? I let Orpheus go full illithid. He's Orpheus. Out of the frying pan. Into the fire.

Ah, I see. I asked him about that at first, but he seemed really sad and reluctant. It seemed the noble thing to say "Okay, I will do it."

Choose your own adventure. This game is full of it - in a good way.

[Aeriar]

There is no best ending. You always need to make some compromise. Either you become illithid or you let Orpheus or Karlach do it or you let the Emperor eat Orpheuses brain or Gale blows up. The question is, what is the best option for you or your character.

[gbuglyo]

Originally posted by rebecca.carfold:

There is no best ending. You always need to make some compromise. Either you become illithid or you let Orpheus or Karlach do it or you let the Emperor eat Orpheuses brain or Gale blows up. The question is, what is the best option for you or your character.

Thanks for the clarification. In that case, the ending I got is the one I consider the best.