Evading the Elder Brain
The 'Emperor' as interrogated by Gortash, Part 3 Gortash: When we captured you, you were a rogue, an autonomous illithid beyond the power of the elder brain that transformed you. Emperor: That is correct. Gortash: When we brought you back into the psionic ambit of our hovering friend the Absolute, your defences were overwhelmed and you returned to your former servile state. Emperor: Also correct. Gortash: How did you escape the control of the elder brain in the first place? Emperor: In my original humanoid form, I possessed an exceptionally strong personality - so much so that even after ceremorphosis I was still substantially 'myself'. Of course, I concealed this beneath a semblance of perfect servitude. Gortash: And that's why the elder brain was willing to send you out of the colony on scouting missions? Emperor: Yes, as I told you before. Gortash: How long did you feign mental slavery before you were able to escape? Emperor: Thirteen and three-quarters years. Gortash: Until finally you were given a mission to Baldur's Gate, distant enough to be out of the elder brain's control? Gortash: Remarkable. Gortash: And you don't mind that we've brought you back under psionic control? Emperor: I am entirely devoted to the needs of our elder brain and of its masters. Gortash: You're not lying about that, right? Emperor: Correct. That would be impossible.