At the Gates (2023) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

The story’s ending varies depending on these choices. If the player takes control, they become the new Absolute, which is seen as the ultimate "evil" ending. If they destroy the Elder Brain, the city is saved, and each companion’s fate is revealed in brief epilogues, showing what they do in the aftermath—ranging from fighting Vlaakith with Lae'zel to helping Karlach with her engine, or pursuing their own goals. If Orpheus becomes a mind flayer, he asks Lae'zel to continue her rebellion, or, if the player refuses, he kills himself. Karlach's fate hinges on her transformation, either surviving as a mind flayer or succumbing to her engine’s explosion, with alternative options to return to Avernus or stay with Wyll.

Following the main ending, a detailed epilogue is unlocked, showing six months later at a party organized by Withers. Here, the player can see how each character has fared—whether they’ve become adventurers, rulers, or vigilantes—depending on their personal quests and choices made during the game. This post-game reflection adds depth to the characters, highlighting their journeys and the consequences of the player’s decisions. Ultimately, the ending of Baldur's Gate 3 is shaped by tough choices—whether to dominate, destroy, or leave the Elder Brain behind—that echo through not only the city’s fate but the destinies of each of its characters.