Gortash is one of the primary antagonists in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3. Upon meeting him face to face for the first time, he will attempt to make a deal with you. Kill the other main antagonist, Orin, take her Netherstone, and control the Elderbrain with him.
Accepting his proposal will make the rest of the game flow a bit easier for you. Now you only have to deal with one antagonist instead of two. However, there are a few things that you’ll need to give up in order to forge the alliance. Check out this guide to learn if it’s worth it.
Updated April 13, 2026, by Ben Jessey: Several years on from its release, people are still loving Baldur’s Gate 3. However, many are still unsure whether they should trust the unsavory Gortash during their playthroughs. So, we thought we’d update our guide with all the information you could possibly want to know about what happens if you accept or reject his offer of an alliance.
Outcomes Of Taking The Deal With Gortash
When Gortash proposes the deal, he promises that you’ll be able to navigate through the city without being harmed by him or any of his people. He is true to his word on this front. You’ll be able to focus most of your attention on taking down Orin and wrapping up some side quests without a problem.
Taking the deal will net you some major disapproval with Karlach, but she won’t completely turn on you if your approval with her is currently strong.
However, you won’t be able to complete certain quests and stay on his side. For example, you won’t be able to complete the Disable the Steel Watch quest or head into the underwater prison and save Wyll’s dad.
If you accept his deal and return with Orin’s Netherstone, Gortash will ask you to give both Netherstones to him. This is actually a test. You have to refuse to hand them over to make Gortash respect you, and the alliance will be formed.
Later on in the story, if your alliance with Gortash remains intact, he will come with you to face The Netherbrain. It will not end well for your new ally, as The Netherbrain will kill him, prompting laughter from Karlach if she is in the party.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Break Wyll’s Contract?
Wyll must make an important decision in Act 3 regarding his father and his contract with Mizora. Make sure it’s the right one.
Outcomes Of Refusing The Deal With Gortash
There aren’t many cons to refusing the deal with Gortash, as long as you are respectful.
If you refuse his deal and threaten him, then you must face him in your first encounter, which is a mistake, as he has a bunch of Steel Watchers helping him. So, it’s better to either agree to his deal and betray him later or not commit at all.
If you don’t want an alliance, you will eventually have to fight him. Beyond that, though, not much else happens, and you’ll still be able to navigate around the city without care, for the most part.
Plus, you’ll keep your approval with Karlach up (unless you don’t bring her to the fight), and you won’t be locked out of doing any side content.
Should You Take Orin’s Deal Instead?
Gortash isn’t the only one who will offer a deal. Orin has a proposal of her own. She wants you to kill Gortash, take his Netherstone, and then come to the temple of Bhaal to fight her.
So, even if you accept her offer, you still have to battle her anyway. All she wants is for you to eliminate Gortash first and bring his Netherstone to her.
It’s a less friendly offer than Gortash’s proposal. In fact, she has actually secretly kidnapped one of your allies and is using them as a hostage. She threatens to kill them if you don’t do what she says.
Her threats may push you into going after Gortash first, but it doesn’t make much of a difference. You can still save the hostage either way.
Baldur’s Gate 3: All Answers For The Trial Of Love
Regardless of who you’re romancing, put your relationship to the test with Zethino’s Trial of Love at the Circus in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3.
