This is actually quite a deep conundrum surrounding the concept of freedom, so this question is rather philosophical in nature because it delves into the nature of who we truly are.
Throughout the entire saga you struggle against overwhelming odds, battling through the wilderness, cities, even politics and religion. You love, you lose, you literally die, and you return to life. You have known friends, enemies, and betrayals. What an adventure it has been! Finally, the long road ends and the conclusion arrives in the form of a difficult choice:
1. Godhood. Become the next Lord of Murder. This choice is of the power-seeking evil path, but it is so hard not to want it considering everything you have been through. After all, who wouldn't want to be a God? The temptation is great. Apart from being evil, however, this choice is also the choice of "not-freedom" (you are a slave to destiny and have never made your own path in life - you were just an actor in a script, a creature born to fulfil a prophecy). If you choose to follow the path of Godhood, you have never escaped your sire's shadow and will merely be Bhaal Junior. But it is a satisfying choice to make because the story "ends" there. Your goal is accomplished. There is closure. (Please do not argue that you could "overcome" this dark essence and somehow be a force for good - there is absolutely nothing in the game to suggest this, and much to suggest the opposite. Such an argument is the mere wishful thinking of having your cake and eating it. This is definitely a choice of succumbing to power, evil, and darkness, which is the whole point behind such a difficult decision at the end of a long saga.)
2. Freedom. This is the good or neutral choice. Your own path indicates that although you have given up on Godlike power, you are also choosing a path of independence. The entire saga can be viewed as an overwhelming task you had to do in order to throw off the chains of your birth. After it is over and done with, you are ready to cast away the shadow of the past and be truly free for the first time - no more prophecy, nothing you HAVE to do... Just life as you wish to live it. Whether you want to be a farmer or an adventurer, mercenary, Baron or anything else is entirely up to you. Though you do not get to be all-powerful or immortal via this choice, it is the choice of the person who wishes to be truly free, no matter the cost (ie, giving up Godhood). This can be incredibly satisfying too, if chosen, because the story does not "end" there - you can imagine all sorts of different things the Bhaalspawn gets up to post-TOB. But perhaps some people like definitive closure so this would not appeal to them.
Who knows? The choice is yours.
The point of this poll is what did you choose and why? Obviously for those of us who have played the game more times have experienced both paths, but this question is asking you what would you choose if *you yourself* were making such a decision? No reloads, no do-overs: Just a one-time choice.
It doesn't matter what you picked on your first playthrough, or tenth. All that matters is that you've thought thoroughly about this decision and are able to make up your mind one way or another. What is the right choice for you and why?
It is a very strange decision to make because it seems counter-intuitive in many ways. Surely, as a God you would have attained ultimate freedom, because you have so much power. Yet it isn't. The true path of freedom lies in not being ultimately powerful in this instance. This choice would be one of freedom if you had chosen this path for yourself. For example, what Irenicus was trying to do is a choice born of freedom. He isn't a Bhaalspawn but wanted Godlike power. He *freely* chose that path. Ditto Amelyssan. You didn't (nor did Sarevok). You were born into destiny, and the question remains: Will you shake yourself free of it, or be chained to it - but as a God?
"Weak," mortal, and free? Powerful, immortal, but a slave to both destiny and a taint within?
(I have not presented a third option because the game itself doesn't give us one.)
Godhood, or Freedom?
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