The Emperor dialogs did not go the way I thought they should, and the sex scene diverted away from what could have been a very poignant conversation. I think Larian rushed into sex too quickly. Be careful if you go on a date with Larian!
** SPOILER BELOW **
The Emperor backstory is very interesting: a human with a famous namesake becomes infected and eventually turns into a Mindflayer. Through some chance or luck, it acquires immunity to the hive mind control and regains its lost human memories. It knows it cannot ever become human again, and so embraces the illithid form, but yet it has the human desires for freedom, self-worth, and most especially, acceptance. I suspect this character may even be "The Hidden" from BG II.
We also have Omeluum, who through the arts of magic has also attained an independence not normal to illithid kind. It also has the same basic desires as the Emperor. In fact, in the underwater Iron Throne scene, depending on how you play it, Omeluum will choose to sacrifice itself in order to save others. There is no lie or manipulation there!
Withers said that illithids do not have (apostolic) souls. What would the Emperor or Omeluum say to that, and how might they be able to prove otherwise? Why does the Absolute call its tadpole thralls, "True Souls"? I would have much preferred more thematic development along those lines. Perhaps in the sequel?
