I have literally just noticed this today as I was re-watching some of the older videos Larian put out. He certainly seems to fit the role of tyrant one would expect from someone associated with the god of tyranny but Gortash is not wearing Bane's symbol and I can't see it anywhere in the background either. Kethrik wears Myrkul's symbol very visibly, right in the center of his forehead, and of the very few glimpses we have of Orrin the Red we have a screenshot of her standing in front of wall with a giant symbol of Bhaal...but Gortash isn't wearing or associating with Bane's handprint symbol at all. Gortash wears an entirely different symbol that looks like the head of a devil with horns going out in all directions and has a very long togue. Now we know Gortash was raised by devils so if he's not an avatar of Bane or associated with Bane somehow, then who is he representing? And where is Bane at?
Seems logical to me ... When you are aspiring to post of a politician, you dont wear shirt with writing "i serve the God of tyranny"
The thing is he already has total power, and it's not like he's trying to win people over to vote for him or anything. He really doesn't seem to have much in the way of reasons to hide as it doesn't seem like he he has much goodwill left to lose, which he almost certainly doesn't care about at this point.
Seems logical to me ... When you are aspiring to post of a politician, you dont wear shirt with writing "i serve the God of tyranny"
+1
Exactly and the same applies to the Zhentarim symbolism. If he showed something like that openly outside of Zhentil Keep, Gortash would be removed from Baldur's Gate immediately.
Gortash probably only pays lip service to Bane and is using the Cult of the Absolute for his own benefit. Each of the Chosen are radically different from the other and the hows and whys they worship one of the Dead 3 is probably deeply tied to their own personal motivations and background.
Gortash probably only pays lip service to Bane and is using the Cult of the Absolute for his own benefit. Each of the Chosen are radically different from the other and the hows and whys they worship one of the Dead 3 is probably deeply tied to their own personal motivations and background.
There is something he says that screams like potential foreshadowing...a brittle alliance cannot be mended, it can only shatter. And as we all know the alliance of the dead three has not been anything more than brittle since before they became gods, and I doubt that it is more stable now. Even as they work together now in BG3, it's more than likely they each have schemes to come out on top at the expense of the others. I wonder precisely how aware Gortash is of this. And the decor on his clothing is also very interesting. I wonder if his loyalty might actually belong to the dragons...or if he is a dragon himself.
My guess would be that he worships Gargauth, as the clip showed us, the alliance is a shaky one. He's Lawful Evil but Gargauth focuses on corruption and betrayal instead of tyranny. Of course Asmodeus is also a possibility.
Which would explain his rise to power. In decent to avernus the party could choose to take the shield to hell with them and doing so would free Garauth from his prison. Looks like Larian chose that ending.
My guess would be that he worships Gargauth, as the clip showed us, the alliance is a shaky one. He's Lawful Evil but Gargauth focuses on corruption and betrayal instead of tyranny. Of course Asmodeus is also a possibility.
Which would explain his rise to power. In decent to avernus the party could choose to take the shield to hell with them and doing so would free Garauth from his prison. Looks like Larian chose that ending.
The symbol of the Absolute is a combination of the icons of The Dead Three. There are three lieutenants, each of whom thematically relate to one of the Dead Three. It’s Bane.
As to the OP- maybe he has a giant Bane tattoo across his entire back. 🤷🏻♂️
I think @Darth_Trethon is referring to the symbol on the right shoulder at 1:15 which is different from the symbol of the absolute.
I think we have more than one faction - it's not clear that Raphael is serving the absolute and, as a cambion, he could be serving any of the powers of hell.
It could be the tricksters at Larian are misleading us, Maybe Banes lieutenant has not been reveled. Coming to a PC near you in one week!
DRAGON FIRE-AND DOOM Dragons? Splendid things, lad-so long as ye look upon them only in tapestries, or in the masks worn at revels, or from about three realms off... Astragarl Hornwood, Mage of Elembar - Year of the Tusk
It could be the tricksters at Larian are misleading us, Maybe Banes lieutenant has not been reveled. Coming to a PC near you in one week!
Or perhaps it's Gargauth himself - which would fit with the "It isn't *you* I answer to" line. Kethric is saying "my god is just as power as you are"
Gargauth's original form is a fanged and clawed humanoid with horns and jagged shards of bone jutting out of his face and back.
Quote
When manifesting for the first time to people, he wears an intricate disguise meant to convey his handsomeness and nobility, usually as a personable sage. He has appeared in the guise of a variety of races, but the Outcast only rarely appears as a female. Regardless of the species he manifests as, people almost always find him to be the most charming, amusing and knowledgeable being that they had ever met. Gargauth typically wears swash-topped boots, jerkins with slit and puffed sleeves, velvet-lined cloaks and similar finery, and usually carries huge sparkling knuckle rings, pendants, buckle ornaments, and cloak pins.
As Gargauth spends more time in one place, his true nature becomes apparent as his flesh and clothing rot and twist, horns and jagged shards erupt from his face and back, and he grows claws and fangs. By this time, though, those under his influence are usually enspelled so as to be unaware of his deadly nature.
This would explain why he looks so disheveled - perhaps the glamor is starting to fade.
My guess would be that he worships Gargauth, as the clip showed us, the alliance is a shaky one. He's Lawful Evil but Gargauth focuses on corruption and betrayal instead of tyranny. Of course Asmodeus is also a possibility.
Which would explain his rise to power. In decent to avernus the party could choose to take the shield to hell with them and doing so would free Garauth from his prison. Looks like Larian chose that ending.
It is also implied that he is the one who sold Karlach to Zariel. His infernal clothing might be an indication of some sort of deal between Hell and the Absolute. The Cambion Raphael seems especially interested in the Party. Astarion has an infernal poem/contract scarred on his back. Wyll's patron is a Cambion who's father (according to her from leaked dialogue) is a person of note in the Nine Circles. And all of this just after the Descent of Elturel into Avernus? Hell and it's denizens are definitely connected somehow.
My guess would be that he worships Gargauth, as the clip showed us, the alliance is a shaky one. He's Lawful Evil but Gargauth focuses on corruption and betrayal instead of tyranny. Of course Asmodeus is also a possibility.
Which would explain his rise to power. In decent to avernus the party could choose to take the shield to hell with them and doing so would free Garauth from his prison. Looks like Larian chose that ending.
I think you may be on to something. Knight of the Shield or Gargauth in disguise would make perfect sense for the symbol that Gortash wears since this is the description of Gargauth: "He was a clawed and fanged monster with jagged shards and horns that jutted from his face and back".
