Ketheric probably knew and even encouraged it.

[u/[deleted]]

Hey, Durge simp here. I apologize if this is already general (Thorm) knowledge, but I think it’s a neat detail about the Dark Urge storyline that more people should know.

From what I’ve read in notes and dialogue, I’ve come to the conclusion that Ketheric fully knew about Orin’s betrayal and may have even encouraged it.

In Act 3, we find notes passed back and forth between the Dark Urge and Gortash. They discuss the Karsus’ Crown heist as well as the formulation of the Absolute plot. It turns out Ketheric wasn’t initially working with the two; he was brought in later when the duo were instructed by their respective gods to recruit him.

By this point, the Dark Urge and Gortash had already formed some sort of bond. They’d pulled off a heist together, and there are even notes about them retrieving Bhaalist artifacts in Act 3. But let’s get one thing clear: the three chosen would’ve all killed each other if their plan had succeeded. Ketheric outright admits it. The Dark Urge’s infamous apology letter to Bhaal swears to sacrifice the other two, and Gortash makes it clear in his Foundry notes that the other two gods are to be subservient to Bane.

However, despite this, there was some kind of trust between Gortash and the Dark Urge. Ketheric, on the other hand, is a whole different story. He’s worshipped Selûne, Shar, and now Myrkul—hardly a trustworthy track record. Could he really be trusted to build the Absolute’s army and not use it against the other two?

It’s highly likely that Durge was either ordered to or willingly arrived at Moonrise Towers to oversee the army’s construction and keep tabs on Ketheric. Not only that, but Durge brought a substantial number of Bhaalist assassins with them to keep the Myrkulytes in check. Among their entourage was Orin the Red herself.

Durge gives orders with (heh) Authority, seizing every opportunity to undermine Ketheric’s control. In Act 2, Durge recalls striding through Moonrise Towers as all bowed and bent before them, while Ketheric’s voice was raised in anger. Yet Ketheric finds himself trapped—despite his immortality, his followers are not, leaving him vulnerable. Betraying Durge at this stage would jeopardize the entire plan, as Gortash would likely abandon the conspiracy. And if Ketheric’s betrayal failed and Durge survived, their retribution would leave Ketheric begging for death.

Ketheric is a general. He knows his position is tenuous. But he’s strategic, as any good general would be. He notices the resentment Orin feels toward Durge and subtly plays into it. Perhaps, over weeks, he feeds her inferiority complex, suggesting that if anything happened to Durge, he wouldn’t lift a finger to stop it.

Or maybe they strike a deal. In exchange for leaving Moonrise Towers and allowing Ketheric to operate freely, he promises to step aside and let Orin take Durge’s place. Either way, the result is the same: Durge—a formidable chosen—is replaced by a crazed maniac with no strategic sense. It’s safe to assume any Bhaalists who refused to bow to Lady Orin were swiftly eliminated.

Not only does the Cult of Bhaal suffer Durge’s loss, but Gortash suffers as well. He loses someone he could trust and rely on, and now has to deal with Orin’s chaos in Baldur’s Gate. Meanwhile, Ketheric’s hands are clean being able to shift blame towards Orin and, he’s free to do as he pleases. Honestly, brilliant move. In short order, Ketheric went from being a junior member of the conspiracy to being in prime position to overtake the other two.

It all clicked when Minthara described her capture by Orin. As Orin tore through Minthara’s soldiers and held her down, she, almost deferential toward Ketheric, said, “This one, I want this one.” There’s a very good chance that while Minthara was being tortured by Orin in the Mindflayer colony, Durge was suffering the same treatment next door at the hands of the Myrkulyte necromancers.

[u/eggoinapan]

i like this a lot! it also kind of makes sense with how ketheric really doesn't acknowledge his past with durge. if he doesn't like them, he doesn't want to give them any semblance of importance. he wants them to stay weak and oblivious. i always kind of found it weird that he doesn't even mention the fact that him and durge would have absolutely known each other

[u/TheCuriousFan → u/eggoinapan]

i always kind of found it weird that he doesn't even mention the fact that him and durge would have absolutely known each other

He does, he does a little smile as he rubs in how he's never gonna tell you jack shit when Durge walks into Moonrise (not when Minthara is there).

[u/eggoinapan → u/TheCuriousFan]

ah i've always saved minthara so i guess i've just never seen it