Risque Baldur’s Gate 3 Scene Reveals Major Story Plot Hole (Or Does it?)

Romance is a big part of Baldur’s Gate 3, but love scenes can actually be revealing in more ways than one. The ability to romance various characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 contributes greatly to the game’s charm. It endears players to their companions, raises the stakes when the party’s in danger, and ensures there’s always something new to explore on repeat playthroughs. Comparing romantic routes, swapping stories of love or disaster, and picking favorites has been a beloved pastime of BG3 players since it was still in early access.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]

But romance can also be distracting. One potential romantic encounter actually creates a pretty big plot hole, but most players aren’t liable to be looking in that direction when the scene comes up. As strange and seemingly inexplicable as it is, there are a couple of explanations that could account for the discrepancy. They require a bit of outside-the-box thinking, but they’re not too much of a stretch.

Non-Origin Characters Can Catch Tav Sleeping With The Emperor

Despite not having Illithid tadpoles in their head, non-Origin characters can spy on Tav’s love scene with the Emperor in Baldur’s Gate 3. There are two categories of playable characters in Baldur’s Gate 3: Origin and non-Origin characters. Mechanically, the only difference is that Origins can be controlled as the primary player character, where non-Origins must be recruited as companions. In-game, the only difference is that Origins are infected with Illithid tadpoles, while Origin characters are not. This serves a few purposes in the story, but principally, it means Origin characters have access to Illithid powers that non-Origin characters don’t.

Tav and their companions are able to take on a variety of Illithid powers throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. These have different functions, but one they all have from the very beginning is the ability to meld minds, to see into each other’s thoughts and memories. This is how they all recognize one another as Mind Flayer captives when they first meet, instantly turning total strangers into natural allies. And the principal force encouraging them to take on further and stronger Illithid powers is a mysterious figure known only as The Emperor.

The Emperor first presents himself as an entirely different character, known as The Guardian or the Dream Visitor. Made on starting a new save file, this is a customizable character of any gender or race who appears to Tav in dreams and guides them forward in the story. Eventually, The Emperor reveals that this was only a disguise – he’s been a Mind Flayer the entire time. From this point on, Tav can choose either to turn against or to side with The Emperor in Baldur’s Gate 3.

It’s a complicated decision with many routes and reverberating effects, but what’s most important is that Tav eventually has the opportunity to romance The Emperor. If all goes well, they can share a night together. However, this may end in an awkward moment in which several of Tav’s companions catch them in the act, to their utter disgust. Although the dialogue at this moment reads, “It seems the tadpole allowed you to share more than you would’ve liked with your companions,” sometimes, companions without tadpoles may get a look at this scene, too.

Why Non-Origin Characters Can See Tav With The Emperor

Of course, there may be a reason that non-Origin characters appear in this scene, even if they’re not infected. The Emperor seems to exist solely to manipulate Tav. When their companions catch the two lovers together, The Emperor is quick with an explanation. Usually, he says, he’s able to prevent the tadpole-infested companions from looking into each other’s heads. However, distracted by Tav’s wiles, his defenses momentarily fail, and the others are able to peek at what the two of them are doing. But what if that’s a lie?

It’s entirely possible that The Emperor knows exactly what he’s doing when he lets Tav’s companions see them together. They may not even be there because of the tadpole – The Emperor could’ve opened a portal at camp, or simply have beamed the image of himself and Tav together into their minds. This could serve to embarrass Tav in front of their friends, further distancing them from their more Illithid-resistant companions. Or, it could’ve been an effort to convince the other Origin characters to side with the Emperor, a way to show them what they’re missing out on.

How To Romance The Emperor In BG3

For the curious, it takes a bit of work to get to this scene. First, Tav should try and be as friendly as possible with The Guardian when they begin meeting in dreams. When they meet face-to-face for the first time, Tav should avoid getting into a fight with The Emperor, and agree to work with him. It may also help to accept The Emperor’s offer of a stronger tadpole when the opportunity presents itself.

The Emperor will shortly appear in another of Tav’s dreams, and speak of his old partner Duke Stelmane. Tav has many opportunities to comfort him, and then, at the end of the scene, to hold The Emperor’s hand. Obtaining The Emperor’s treasure from his old hideout may grant a few extra brownie points. If all else has gone well, The Emperor will comment on their evolving relationship with Tav. They’ll need to respond with, “True,” to seal the deal.

This is a rare scene, and even then, the companions who appear while Tav is with The Emperor seem to be random. So in most cases, Halsin, Jaheira, and Minsc won’t even show up. However, the scene has interesting implications. The fact that The Emperor can hide information from some of the companions is very revealing of his own manipulation. And he may have only invoked Tav’s companions here to further toy with their psyche. Whatever the case, it’s an interesting detail that adds a lot of character to one of the strangest romances in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Released

August 31, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

ESRB

M

How Long To Beat

50 – 100 hours

Prequel

Baldur’s Gate 2