I'm starting to suspect that the Absolute is Mystryl...at least a piece of her lost upon her "death" and rebirth as Mystra. Gale said that he wanted to give his goddess a part of herself. But maybe this part gained consciousness. It's still bitter and reeling due to what happened. It feels betrayed and lost. Now it wants absolute loyalty. Absolute power.
It has Netherese magic at its disposal and tries to regain its strength. That explains why infected describe the Absolute as "her". Also, it may be the reason why Shar decided to interfere via her followers - it's stated that Shar tried to usurp Mystryl's power, so if she felt that Mystryl's coming back in any shape or form, she tried to stop her from becoming stronger. Also, since Mystryl has connection with both Shar and Selune, this is why they used Shadowheart, who is tied to both goddesses - as if Shar expected the Absolute to spare Shadowheart and try to turn her into a True Soul.
Plus, Mystryl was known for her ability to bestow her amazing, reality-bending power upon anyone - and take it away. She could control time itself. That fits the description of the true soul Edowin "Don't fight her...Such...power".
Also, I think that Gale plays a major part in all that. He never stated when he turned himself into a ticking timebomb, so there is a high chance he triggered this chain of events. If you try to use your connection to pry into his mind, you'll feel Netherese magic pushing back. Moreover, we never instantly launch a telepathic link with Gale, while it's instantly triggered with Lae'Zel, Shadowheart, Astatrion and Karlach. But Gale remains a closed book.
This theory doesn't explain why the Absolute's symbol is the combo of the symbols used by the Dead Three, though. In general, the Absolute's ways differ a lot from those used by Bhaal, Bane and Myrkul. At the beginning, the Absolute is sweet and welcoming, dropping the act when the victim won't stop resisting. And even then she doesn't punish directly, but she is confident that the victim would regret being that independent and self-aware, that they'll come back begging for help. I can't imagine none of Dead Three acting this way.
Can they be assisting Mystryl, making it easier for her to gather forces? Probably. Why would they assist her? Maybe, she is offering them something they really want to have - or because she needs allies against Mystra, who will try to put her foot down and ruin all her plans. After all, Bane hates Mystra and won't miss an opportunity to get rid of her.
Last edited by Madame Killkoy; 21/04/21 05:58 PM.