Originally Posted by IrenicusBG3
Originally Posted by GM4Him
but when the scope has already been set to extreme insanity, prior to the events of this game, it's kinda hard to then slam on the breaks and not continue with the insanity.

Not quite. It would be a perfect time for a pause, if they did desire. Like a DM, you can tell the story that you want. Many gamers don't know BG1 or 2 story and even fewer will know FR lore, Larian had a full blank page to do whatever they wanted (and indeed they claimed that).

Originally Posted by GM4Him
And think about it. BG1 and 2 were about a demi-god striving to either embrace or reject his/her demi-god heritage. In the end, they had a choice whether to become a god/goddess or not.


Not exactly, as you don't know that for much of BG1, and, in BG2, you are trying to retrieve your soul.

Bioware could have done the Time of Troubles and had every deity in the game, but instead, Bhaal is in the background and what you actually see in the game is the conflict between Bhaalspawns. And again there is the Iron Shortage and other subplots fleshed out in the worldbuilding that make you care about the world you are in.

All right. I see your point. So, in other words, they COULD have started BG3 with you being some nobody from some small village near Elturel. The Cult of the Absolute is some rumor spreading around the area. Who are they? What are they up to? You investigate because you're a mercenary or a cleric on a holy quest or whatever. As you go, you learn more and more about these fanatics. They're infected with something, but what?

Meanwhile, you're having strange dreams. Who is this dream lover? Why are the dreams weird? Why are you suffering from strange pains?

Later in the game, you learn about illithid tadpoles and how Netherese magic is altering them, creating True Souls... And you're one of them. Memories return. You were abducted by an illithid and infected also. You are even a catalyst, a leader tadpole is in your head. Now unknown entities are after you, and you don't even realize your full potential. And what does Bhaal have to do with it all, for you find out he's involved.