The mindflayer that infects the pc in the intro certainly looks like the Emperor. No other in the game with that same sized collar as the Emperor.

How could I not name my Dark Urge bard Dirge?

I’m kinda in the same boat. I’m doing a second playground with a human Bard Dark Urge, named Dirge of course, and I’m having trouble going full evil. I’m picking every Bard and Dark Urge text when I’m given those options but I’m not going out of my way to be evil yet.

The auto industry lobbied to kill public transportation back in the day to sell more cars. For a recent example see Ellen Musk and the Hyper Loop.