#balduran

Disclaimer: I'm going with the fact that Larian already kind of fucked up the known timeline from the previous games to do the whole Balduran-Emperor thing, especially since Ed Greenwood is saying Balduran was a human, Larian says he was an elf.

(which is HILARIOUS because Balduran didn't care much for elves per his logbook.- "Bloody elves would do well to remember that the sea belongs to no one, save the gods that guard her. I shall avoide the northerly passage just the same, if only to prevent another overzealouse boarding party. Such paranoia from the "Fair Folk..."") My headcanon for this is he went through a reincarnation spell at some point. Was a human, now an elf, does not Identify as an elf. Would fit his theme on getting transformed into other things against his will too.

Onto the actual theory:

So looking into it more, The Wandering Eye was literally found wrecked on a werewolf island. The Sword of The Emperor works against Shapechangers- like werewolves. That lines up with previous' games version of it. So that part of the lore didn't change.

He didn't go to Moonrise to seek treasure. He went looking for a cure or management of Lycanthropy. Because...WHY GO BY HIMSELF? He's used to working with a crew so he isn't exactly a lone wolf type, I'm sure *someone* would have eagerly went along with Balduran, who was famous even in his time, on an adventure. Or he could have Ansur come along again. But he didn't even *TELL* Ansur he was going!

If Ansur had known he had went there, it wouldn't have taken 10 years to drag his friend back. (Ansur apparently can just *tell* it was him, idk maybe knows Balduran/The Emperor's soul or something.)

Instead, he went alone. Maybe he was ashamed he was the same kind of being that may have killed/transformed his crew. Why he sought a place more isolated instead of a Selûnite temple in a city.

House Thorm were known Selûnites at some point. And Balduran would have known about Selûne being the goddess of good Lycanthropes because, as a sailor, would know stuff about Selûne to begin with.

And lycanthropes are NOT eaten by mindflayers for some reason. Hence instead of becoming a snack, he got tadpoled instead.

…will return once we have again seen far off shores. The men are restless, but the promise of wealth rivaling our last voyage will keep them well in line… …weather is clear and we shall make Anchorome in goodly time, of that I have no doubt… …have calmed the crew, though nervouse they will remain. I blame them not, for it was not a pleasante encounter in the least. Bloody elves would do well to remember that the sea belongs to no one, save the gods that guard her. I shall avoide the northerly passage just the same, if only to prevent another overzealouse boarding party. Such paranoia from the "Fair Folk…" …arrived in Anchorome, and I am remembered by a goodly number of people, not all fondly… …but "His Grace" has deemed me worthy to proceed through his lands. I am quite sure the two hundred-strong complement of the Wandering Eye aided in the decision. Still, we were received in goode humore, and I will not request tribute… …adventure it has been! Such wealth as this… only in the deepest ruins of home. Here it is almost for the taking, with only a measure of "diplomatic" discussions as the cost… …attacked, and barely made it to the ship in time. Dradeel did warn of such, but who is to trust a worde from his mouth? I do sweare, his senses seem addled at the best of times… …the crew, but a larger share for the remaining will keep them well and truly happy. I shall conscript replacements from the local populace this night, and we shall set our sails at dawn… …delays, but with one hundred and fifty new hands, one must except the going to be slow at the start. They seem quite calm and orderly, not at all as I expected… …should have searched! We cast him out, but his words… eady inflamed the crew. I know not what was worse, the shaman's constant… or the reaction of the crew when he was committed to the sea. Their eyes are… and resigned. I dislike a crew with no fire in their bellies, but I do suppose it is better than a fire in the hold… …weather unseasonable, and the moode does worsen. As well, beetles have beset the food stores, and we shall surely be hungry long before reaching the coast of home… …set aground to forage. It is a small isle, but it will yield what we need. Perhaps I shall… on my own while the crew… time on land will do them goode… …original men seem quite shallow in the face, quite different from the pallor of the new recruits, but all are most definitely ill…

Oh hey, look, the Helm of Balduran appeared in BG2 also. :O It's in a random drawer in Irenicus's quarters in his dungeon at the start of the game.

Looks nothing like it does in BG3 rofl.