Baldur's Gate 3 - The Biggest Secret of Early Access?

[@WolfheartFPS]

NOTE: There was an update to the quest and the debuff is no longer permanent if you fail a check while reading the book. ALSO the book is more likely to be "The Book of Vile Darkness" rather than the ritual of unmaking book. Do we need "nicer" companions? - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWm4iYSvrK6inpo Become a Channel Member - kzbin.info UCi3RdvCWYMzdF-iUgG_0xLQ/join Join my discord! - discord.gg/4GyD7ZR Wolf Apparel Store - www.teespring.com/stores/wolf-apparel-7 Stay Updated On Future Vids - Follow my Twitter - twitter.com/wolfheartfps Instagram - instagram.com/wolfheartfps Support the Channel Patreon Become a Channel Member - kzbin.info/door/i3RdvCWYMzdF-iUgG_0xLQjoin Patreon - www.patreon.com/WolfheartFPS Wolf Apparel Store - www.teespring.com/stores/wolf-apparel-7

[@marconeves1979]

Gotta say, this video was AWESOME!! Like a little D&D lore story short film. BRAVO, Wolfheart!

[@WolfheartFPS]

@@marconeves1979 I really appreciate the feedback Marco! More to come for sure.

[@pablosanhueza5290]

Would be interesting if gale turned out to not be gale at all but Karsus or if the orb held part of Karsus himself. Karus is the wizard who tried to kill Mystra and earn his godhood. There seems to be a few mentions about this story ina play where you meet the ogre mercs and gale himself. I don't think its coincidence that he mentions this story to you. felt more of a "how do you feel about this moment" than "hey look at me making the same mistake this guy made". when you delve into his mind you also are given context about how hungry the orb is. feels more like an entity than just a thing.

[@pablosanhueza5290]

but thats just my theory

[@LordDynal]

Might be too old to see this, but they added a book in the back of one of the wooden caskets, it has a book which proves your theory. The book notes thinks akin to "I've hidden my red robes" and "I haven't heard the word "Thay" since I arrived here." Could be fun to go back and do a video on what thoughts proved correct and which ones missed the mark!

[@izanagiuzumaki7325]

We're gonna be in for a seriously rough time if a lich comes looking for that book in Act 3 and Gale already ate it in Act 1 Side note, love that the BG3 content creators are always shouting each other out ❤

[@WolfheartFPS]

haha right! Harbs is great. He certainly deserves more exposure.

[@johnbutterly1748]

IF thats the case he'll probably permakill gale and abosrb him for the knowledge

[@bretthughes27]

For someone like me that never played BG1&2, or D&D, well crafted videos on lore like this from you , and Harbs Narbs, have significantly increased my enjoyment of BG3, and made me appreciate just how much thought, and effort Larian is putting into a game that is already my 2nd favorite of all time. Thank you!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Awesome & great to hear. Thank you.

[@cdave2006]

2nd favorite of all time, oh I must check this game again. I lost interest.

[@bretthughes27]

@@cdave2006 May depend on when you lost interest. I didn't start playing until Patch 4, and the improvements since then have been significant.

[@cdave2006]

@@bretthughes27 I went checking if the game launched. I will wait for the launch and play it. I liked divinity original sin 2 and baldur's gate dark alliance (just an hack and slash coop on console back in the day of 2004 or something) and Dragon age origin (the first one)

[@bretthughes27]

@@cdave2006 Until now DOS2 was my 2nd favorite RPG, Witcher 3 & its 2 DLCs being my favorite. For me, the learning curve to get good at BG3 has been steeper than DOS2, so EA has made it possible without spending an inordinate amount of time. Given the current size of Act 1, BG3 is going to be huge when done. Hopefully it doesn't turn into A Song of Ice and Fire.

[@85iraira]

In the apprentice's pack in the spider cave there's a journal or a note confirming that the book was stolen from Thay and that the student wants to return it and thus win the ability to go home. And unless the timeline is a bit messed up it seems that the student was hiding in the spider cave from his his master because that journal/note says that Illyn Toth was killed by the dark justices before the zulkirs got to him. so his master marks him as gone before the raid, but the apprentice knows of the outcome of the raid on the village. It'll be fun to see how this book ties into the plot, will it be just something possibly connected to Astarion's personal story line or will it also tie into the main plot.

[@davekat]

I want to draw attention to something the narrator says once you open the book. The line about "darkening suns" is a nice reference to the Illithids who are also wrapped up in this plot. In the Spelljammer material, 2-3 planets over from Toril is a planet that was subjugated by the Illithids. They cannot exist on the surfuce under bright sunlight, which is why they hide in the Underdark on Toril. In this world they found a way to permanently darken that world's sun to make the planet fully habital by them. Note that the driver of the nautiloid ship seemed to be unaffected by the sunlight when he opened the windshield cover, another curious detail.

[@HarbsNarbs]

That was amazing Wolfheart, I loved the style. I don't actually know much about the Ritual of Unmaking but I'm going to start digging into it! I love a mad theory. Also thank you very much for the shoutout :)

[@WolfheartFPS]

Hey Harbs. Please do some digging! Would love to hear your ideas on all of this. Some folks in the comment section also mentioned some other possible books that it could be. Very interesting ideas, especially the one who mentioned "The Book of Vile Darkness."

[@ReplicatorFifth]

I know this quest well since giving Necromancy of Thay to Astarion results in a big chunk of approval Thanks for the Lore

[@WolfheartFPS]

Anything that Astarion can interact with I expect you to know well 😂 Thanks for watching Replicator.

[@ReplicatorFifth]

@@WolfheartFPS your not wrong >.>

[@hekatebleble4800]

@@ReplicatorFifth can't wait for the game to show us that giving the book to Astarion is bad parenting 🤣 I feel it in my bones.

[@ReplicatorFifth]

@@hekatebleble4800 there is no doubt. The question is if Astarion can handle it. In Larian games, each of the companions can be played as an origin. They are main characters in their own right. We can’t yet without some file wizardry, but it’s somthing to think about

[@hekatebleble4800]

@@ReplicatorFifth I know people theorise it's going to be something "wholesome", like Astarion is going to use it to "resurrect" himself out of undeath and became a mortal elf again, but I'd rather have it be this vile thing it appears to be. I just find the concept more interesting. If it turns out to be something the book can do, I'd be satisfied if that was just an option, the other one would be using it's power to achieve less noble goal.

[@rickc-arelsii6276]

I love how even though I've over 800 hours into this early access, your videos make me want to "gather my party and venture forth" yet again.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Rick... GET OUT THERE AND THUNDERWAVE SOME DAMN BARDS!!!!!

[@majorpain8569]

I played through the whole game didn't know you could move boxes.

[@WCOG93]

This quest was fun as hell. If you wild shape into spider you don't have to fight to get that gem.. also always thought it was some kinda necronomicon reference, cool to see this get tied into previous lore

[@WolfheartFPS]

Great idea!

[@nimbinkwe3555]

I'm angry that I never thought of that before 😑🤣 my friends and I just finished whooping the phase spider queen and i, the druid, could have just turned into a spider THE WHOLE TIME 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@loafofbread9400]

@@nimbinkwe3555 or just thunderwave it into the pit

[@smellycatbutts]

Queen Spidey dies so easily with a warlock in the party, provided they have the appropriate upgrades to eldrich blast.

[@tomtom7955]

most stuff in D&D is a hat tip to older fantasy and pulps, HP Lovecraft was mentioned as a author among many others to draw inspiration from as a dm in the back of the OD&D book. Somethings in OD&D had to actually be changed to avoid lawsuits from the Tolkien estate.

[@TheRealMuckluck]

The ritual of the Unmaking was disrupted through the combined efforts of the last remaining Zulkirs, the Brotherhood of the Griffon (mercenary company originally founded in Thay, led by the spellplague-enhanced war mage... Azoth Fezim, I think?), as well as a mixed bunch of Zulkir loyalists and hired mercenary forces. They realised Szass Tam har conquered Thay basically to turn it into one gigantic spell focus / ritual circle for the Unmaking, by constructing a number of gigantic fortesses in a particular design and pattern. The rebel forces first smashed one such fortress, which it turned out that Szass Tam could spare. Thus, they launched a suicidal attack against a second fortress. They succeeded, just barely, which ruined Tam's plans ... for the moment. But Tam is immortal, and his pact with Bane gave him one thousand years to rule before he would become Bane's slave. On the other side of the conflict, the setback was more total. Every single rebel leader, with the exception of Captain Fezim, were killed in the final assault. In other words, if Tam attempts the Unmaking again, he does so with all his original enemies dead, save one mercenary captain, who is very uninterested in continuing the conflict.

[@mysticjose2304]

The book tells you that you feel capable of three things: Felling Mountains, Darkening the Sun and Speaking with the Dead. We currently get the speak with the dead spell. My guess is that we will get spells for the other 2 at a later level in the game. We also might have to deal with the consequences of using dark magic.

[@WolfheartFPS]

I like that thought.

[@dlbrownmac]

That is the feeling I got from this quest. Every time you level up, check the book to see if you can progress.

[@n.henzler50]

"darkening the sun" is something that would pique the interest of many Underdark denizens, including drow and mind flayers. I wonder just who might crawl out of the woodwork looking for that book.

[@RipleyAtHome]

Maybe a clever piece of foreshadowing too? Darkening the sun could also be a nod to Cazador (spelling?) Since he is the cruel vampire master of best boy Astarion... So if Speak with dead foreshadows dead three, Darkening the Sun foreshadows Cazador.. what would felling Mountains be? Or even which mountain?

[@dlbrownmac]

@@RipleyAtHome can’t wait to find out!

[@karlsweeney2328]

I'm stoked there's Forgotten Realms lore I'm actually familiar with coming to BG3. Great video, Wolf. Keep up the good work.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks Karl!

[@dlbrownmac]

I think it will be awesome if BG 3 ties together several stories in a nice package. It would also be nice to let Larian do epic stories and the team from Solasta do smaller more regionally focused stories.

[@Munditiae]

Within the last year following your channel and enjoying the community on your discord and the streams I can honestly say I am impressed with the level of effort and passion you put into this channel. This video is definitely one of my favorites and I appreciate it! Keep up the great work!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks so much Mundie. It truly means a lot. Sometimes I question if it is worth putting in the extra time to make videos in the style that I typically do, but comments like these remind that it is worth it!

[@Elessar0wind]

As someone else mentioned, matches pretty well with the book of Vile Darkness, which is connected to Vecna, who might as well be Szass' role model.

[@WolfheartFPS]

love it

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

Robe of Vecna was an item in BG2 and in its describtion was a bit of lore (if I remember).

[@johnpage1622]

That would explain why it looks like human flesh... basically the dnd version of the necronomicon. This could include finding the hand of vecna I believe and possible dungeon delving.

[@Elessar0wind]

@@johnpage1622 speaking of the hand of Vecna, it can be found in the DiA 5E adventure, and we know BG3 not only has already taken us to hell, but is taking place sometime after said adventure. The fate of the hand just might be touched on.

[@eversuperman]

I did this quest through to completion on my wizard. While the reward may seem underwhelming, pulling together the different pieces and completing this was intriguing. That's the kind of elements I want in my Baldur's Gate game. This is one of the things that give me confidence that the finished product will be a worthy successor, despite the drastic change in game play. Now if only we get to hear "Go for the eyes, Boo!"

[@RubyLime1]

Awesome stuff - it's nice to have the quest laid out with added context through lore! There's a journal in the cellar that specifies Ilyn Toth is trying to restore life to someone with the help of the book; "This will take time. Will the zulkirs find me before I can bring *her* back?" No idea who this mystery woman could be, but she must be pretty important if he betrayed his homeland and stole the necromancy of thay for it... The trouble he's having with it might suggest it's someone that's been dead for a really long time. Idk, just speculating.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Nice find! Sad that I missed that one.

[@TheLoopyTiger]

@@WolfheartFPS If it’s the book I’m thinking of, it’s in the coffin furthest from the mirror. I suspect that the woman is in the coffin closest to the mirror because it’s the only one with flowers and a headstone.

[@RubyLime1]

@@TheLoopyTiger Oh didn't notice it was next to a coffin like that! Good to know

[@verticalpenguin7108]

So if the reasons a normal resurrection spell don't work are dead for more than a century, not free or willing, and didn't die of old age then If this guy is a standard human then the dead for over a century seems less likely with someone he personally cares about. I suppose if it was his mum died of old age could have happened but if a lover or sister or daughter, probably not I'd guess that either this woman doesn't WANT to be brought back, or else she might otherwise tie into the death god plots (since as well as nods to the dead three we have Jergal) and like died at her appointed time as per Kelemvor or something, cause needing such a powerful book to bring someone back feels he'd either have to be going against something powerful, or doing it against her will

[@jurgen4466]

Maybe its this Book Prior to his capture and hanging, Arvik Zaltos was in possession of The Tome of Blasphemous Magic, a spellbook loaned to him by Szass Tam himself, for his mission. The book was filled with bizarre necromantic rituals and twisted variations of existing spells.

[@WolfheartFPS]

I'll have to check that book out. Thanks jurgen!

[@jurgen4466]

@@WolfheartFPS you welcome 😃

[@Theportraitdude]

Holy crap I had no idea most of that was even in the game. Your deep dives are BY FAR the most well organized and easily digestible that I have found for BG3. Fantastic work and thank you for all you do!

[@Khotetsu]

There's a book trilogy about Szass Tam's attempt to cast The Unmaking and the War of the Zulkirs that was published in 2008, called The Haunted Lands (consisting of the books Unclean, Undead, and Unholy, with one of your pictures of Szass Tam in the video actually coming from the cover of the third book). A quick summary is that the war lasted about 100 years, from 1375 - 1478. Szass Tam betrayed his fellow Zulkirs and attempted to crown himself as king of Thay using an army of undead that he created in secret, in order to unify the country under his rule alone to build a ring of fortresses across the country that together created an arcane circle he would use to draw enough magic from the lands of Thay itself to power not just The Unmaking, but a Remaking of reality afterwards that would obliterate everything, including the pantheons of gods, and see Szass Tam set as the only god of this new reality. In the middle of this war, in the year 1385, the goddess of magic, Mystra, was murdered, completely obliterating the Weave of magic. Szass Tam, attempting to win a decisive battle with the Zulkirs while all the casters in the realm were in disarray and unable to cast magic, made a contract with Bane at this time, pledging his soul in service of Bane in 1,000 years time, in exchange for power, the service of Bane's clerics, and knowledge of how magic worked with the death of Mystra to win the war. His plan was ultimately stopped by a few brave souls including a bard who was involved in the entirety of the 100 years of the war, a monk of the Long Death, and the remaining exiled Zulkirs and their armies (the war saw a lot of betrayal and switching sides by many of the Zulkirs, oftentimes betraying one side only to later betray the other side and switch allegiances again). At least one of the fortresses was destroyed, breaking the arcane circle and making the entire thing useless to Szass Tam's plan, though apparently all the Zulkirs were killed in the final battle with the lich and the books end with Szass Tam planning the conquest of nearby regions to start all over again, thinking, "I still have 900 years before Bane comes to collect my soul, plenty of time for The Unmaking." Also of note, Fastrin's book is described in the series as being a book bound in cracked black leather. Certainly nothing as unique as the book we find in the quest (though Larion certainly could have changed that if they wanted to). Now for some theory crafting: I believe that the book is an artifact used by the school of necromancy in Thay, and the three things mentioned by interacting with it might be a reference to feats performed by Szass Tam and his necromancers during the War of the Zulkirs, as I distinctly remember Szass Tam covering the entire country in a permanent gloom after the Zulkirs fled - all the better for his legions of vampires and other creatures vulnerable to the light of day to control the country. Speaking with the dead is obvious, as that's kind of the core aspect of the whole necromancy thing. I can't remember exactly anything about felling mountains, but I do remember some important events happening in the mountains around Thay (Szass Tam's base of operations for his undead army was located under one of those mountains).

[@SCP01986]

This was really informative! Surprising how so much incredible content can be so easily missed, I'm excited to see what future updates will bring and how relevant the book really is. I suspect a lot of bad things considering it's great and evil power, would be interesting to see how it affects Astarion/Gale in future!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks much.

[@hekatebleble4800]

If it turns out to be this truly epic, legendary book of awesomeness and Gale just eats it like it's your typical cursed spear, just as he does in the EA and nothing else happens, it'll be annoying. Funny, but annoying.

[@greygoblin9491]

This game series is where I learned the term, loot everything... Lots of hidden treasure to find.

[@scrap257]

Hopefully if Larian decides to add a necromancy path in the game this book will play an even larger role. Maybe returning it to Szass Tam in return for power? Only time will tell.

[@stalliondave9338]

wow i somehow managed to fumble my way all the way through this quest in my first playthrough, having you lay it out like this makes me feel like my luck stat is op

[@alexbjork7982]

Amazing video! Found this secret on my own but didn't know how deep the quest was at all!

[@alex-uw4mm]

and this is why we need the necromancy subclass. i wanna go full skellington boss

[@WolfheartFPS]

hell yeah ☠️

[@nyarparablepsis872]

Whatever the lore behind the book is, I love it that Larian made it look like straight out of the Evil Dead movies!

[@KurenTV]

This was a really cool deep dive :D Thanks as always for another great video!

[@fistan5447]

6:00 I checked what you said about BG2. Was kinda shocked to hear about Szass Tam because i finished BG2 about 20-30 times, and never even noticed he was there. Apparently, it was added in Enhanced Edition so i would not call that lore canon.

[@hondawilky]

I ran across a bottle with similar writing on it, and I decoded it with one of the rings I found on an orphan Deep Gnome in the Grimforge. When decoded, I discovered it said, “Drink your Ovaltine.” A crummy commercial?!?! Really, Larian? 😎😊

[@overbuiltlimited]

😜🤣

[@Illythid]

Holy shit I missed this completely. Managed to get into the lab and to the mirror but failed to summon the little guy and get that far. I LOVE THIS! Lorian is doing such an amazing job and cannot thank you enough for finding and helping solve these quests. The possibilities are crazy for future content!

[@evenmoor]

I usually feed it to Gale. Seems like a good way to get rid of such an obviously cursed object and keep Gale from blowing up at the same time!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Haha it’s a good way until it turns Gale evil and he takes over the world and makes you his slave 😈

[@ReplicatorFifth]

@@WolfheartFPS ahhhh

[@guilhem7200]

@@WolfheartFPS Actually we still don't now what might happen if we specialise Gale in necromancy. Will he still "eat" the book, or will he study it?

[@stefanvas6984]

My character trusts Astarion with his life. Not with this book, though. So same reasoning, same choice. I did make sure that I gave the book to Gale when he asked for something to consumer and not a moment before. I never allowed him to look into it. I always assumed the consumption destroyed the artifact and used the energy to tame the orb in his chest. It will be really bad (for my character) if the nature of the artifact influences Gale. :D

[@LordShrub]

I didn't know about the quasit. This game is truly an iceberg of hidden stuff.

[@WolfheartFPS]

I hope we get to keep Shovel as a familiar pet!

[@radiantblog]

The perfect evening: enjoying my pizza, alone at home, it’s showing and wolfheart uploaded a new video 👍🏻

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thank you 😊

[@orarinnsnorrason4614]

This is great. But kredit goes to the narrator voice actress. She does a fantastic job, incredible how she changes her tone when conveying diffrent emotions through the text. Edit: I once did a one shot session as a DM where the main villain was a Red Wizard. I read some stuff about them but I didn't really dive deep because 1 it was for a one shot and 2 I didn't want to spoil to much to me as a player.

[@jackrambo3071]

There is actual novels that delve specifically into the plot line you are talking about. The griffon mercenary (I think that’s what it was called, been a few years since I read it) leader who was once a captain in thay returned with his party and waged a war against szas tam will the sole purpose of stopping the unmaking. This saga also goes into the effects of the spellplague resulting from the death of the goddess of magic

[@Khotetsu]

Glad somebody else remembers those books! The series is called The Haunted Lands.

[@dominika3762]

I give the book to Astarion as it seems he may be able to get something from the book. And I love how he yells at the book and even says he won't kill "them". Well, maybe Shadowheart (insert random companion). And the little hello.

[@KoiPondDreams]

This was such a great video!! D&D lore is so cool! More videos like this in the future would be amazing!!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks Jeff!

[@chrispetersen4863]

Excellent vid Wolfheart!

[@zoriononline]

On the upside down board at the start. Well it could be interperted in 2 ways from my pov. Upside down or reverse meaning - not welcome. The other is if you take army, and they have flag upside down, its a signal that something is wrong.

[@topgamer101]

I will admit, I never usually do much with scrolls. Don't find the concept all that interesting personally, so most of the time they either just get sold for extra cash or given to the wizard for extra spells. I was completely unaware using that scroll from the coffin actually summons a NAMED creature that you can converse with. That is genuinely interesting, even if I probably know all the info he could have told me by this point. Also as someone who hasn't done much with D&D or Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, and doesn't intend to go play those really old games, videos like these are nice cause they give me an easier way to learn about all the ridiculous shit that exists in this universe. XD

[@thx1138tab]

What I loved in this quest as well is what we learned about the apprentice from its journals in the cave chamber down the well. His dream of becoming a true child of Loth... When I realized that the gem was placed at the feet of the giant spider: all made sense in such elegance. Pure genius and I guess not 1% of players noticed or cared. Praise Larian for this thorough work on coherence and details in balance of a light storyline with nothing too obvious.

[@fatim0nster]

The apprentice and the elven arachnomant lady are two different characters. They just happen to be in that cave, that's why it's so easy to confuse the two. If you read the Lolth worshipper's diary carefully it reveals that she was a high elf obsessed with the idea of getting closer to her goddess by transforming into a spider matriarch. It's kind of implied that spider queen boss is her. The apprentice was trying to escape back to Thay with the stolen book key through those tunnels when sharrans killed his master.

[@killercarzilla]

I like how relaxing and informative this video was, thanks!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thank you Carli

[@rovers141]

When you brought the red wizards up, I immediately started thinking about Edwin. I completely forgot about him even though he was one of my favorite companions so many years ago when BG2 came out. It would be cool if we get to see him again, but he should be dead and gone long before the BG3 timeline. But maybe he decided to destroy the red wizards since he wasn't on good terms with them, so he went on yet another search for power and went mad, eventually becoming a lich and we get to fight him? Lol it's a stretch, I just loved his character. He needs a good send off!

[@ralanr7]

On Patch 7 I was able to get through the mirror through intimidation or just chucking a rock through it (barbarian option). No flaming sphere happened.

[@karlbannsonr]

If you use the sorcerer options (and pass them all) you learn that living magic was forced into the book, and then further forced to perform necromancy against its will. It wants you to read it so that it can share its insanity with another. You can even calm the spirit of the book, putting the living magic to rest.

[@pwillet]

The Ritual of Unmaking was attempted by Szass in the book 'Unholy'. i'll have to read up on exactly what it entailed and how it was stopped but it involved making a magic circle of a mation wide scale 'Szass specifically took over they as sole ruler and build special keeps to make his attempt and apparently since he was foiled he now can't use the lands of thay again to try this.

[@TheGodTell]

all of these and it's just early acceess. I LOVE how well built and thought the storyline of this game already

[@WolfheartFPS]

Same. So much do dig into and we are just getting started with only having early access!

[@althebeastly]

I'm happy to say I found this one on my own 😀after seeing the scratch mark thing n book case I knew there was some type of switch around took me a few minutes but fun quest...I didn't know about the hidden language though pretty cool

[@Nnx1ful]

"pleasant for a lich" reminds me of the perk in total war "Fast (for a dwarf)"

[@Favmir]

You can anser the mirror without knowing the lore beforehand. I didn't know about this at all but have seen the name of the mirror's master and his stance in one of the notes in-game.

[@Akaz_Cosplays]

it would be awesome if this book is just a small mission in the main game but in a DLC you get to go to thay with it.

[@volodymyrfomin8053]

Wow, that was really awesome! I did not know about this! Thank you, Wolfheart!! Great video, it will be awesome to see more similar ones from you!:)

[@WolfheartFPS]

No problem thanks for watching.

[@sakarakit5835]

WolfPack best Pack!

[@ReplicatorFifth]

Damn Straight, Sakurakit!

[@dravious]

Awooo

[@WolfheartFPS]

Dernnnnn straight! Skal

[@Cahos_Rahne_Veloza]

I feel that this particular Book of Thayan magic IS similar to the "Book" Gale tells you, the player, he once opened that led to his affliction. Which is why in my playthroughs I always let him read it to double his burden LOL! Also I have no prior deep knowledge of DnD lore to know about the stuff required to answer the mirror's questions except for the stuff I read in the various books I found near the apothecary shop.

[@tiagopedrosa6746]

I love this kind of lore videos. Keep it coming!

[@Suzanne_sf]

Thank you for the information especially about the lore of the book. If you give the book to Gale, at least in my playthrough, he doesn't absorb its magic just read it. However, if you give the book to Astarion, you get extra lines of him doing his best to read the book and it is really funny so that I don't even have to go through the actual reading where you have all of the saving throws to see all of the cutscenes, so far I think there is either one or two of these cutscenes. I forgot how I found out about all of this but it was from someone on KZbin. (Also, if you give Astarion the book, he somehow picks up the Speak with the Dead spell anyway.)

[@WolfheartFPS]

Great info. Thanks Suzanne

[@Suzanne_sf]

@@WolfheartFPS You're welcome Wolf.

[@OldMusicFan83]

I have considered playing a lawful evil Necromancer after my first ‘good’ play through. This would make an excellent quest

[@chandrathebard]

well there are a book series about it, that sass tham creates a "death ring" but that ploy gets foiled by some mercenaries, and since the ritual is now broken, he needs to repaier it by making death rings all over the continent

[@corvuscorax6906]

It would be interesting to get a Necromancy subclass and the book having some secret interaction for that class

[@katarinakremberg1319]

indulging us with quality content, Wolf) and Astarion covers ))

[@WolfheartFPS]

Astarion is always the best click bait 😂

[@huntercarr3273]

It makes me think of the Ancient Ritual scroll that is found in the "living" floor of the Chapel.

[@markwg1035]

Great video, Wolf. I usually give this book to Gale to eat. But your analysis means that I will be keeping it to see if it comes into play later on in the game.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thank you Mark. Perhaps letting Gale eat it will also have some interesting effects on him come the full game.

[@EASTSIDEDELI]

Really good video champ.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Appreciate it

[@ksufan83]

Thanks for researching all this. I had no idea. I just got the book. I am definitely sneaking past the spider from now on.

[@jurgen4466]

The Art of Necromancy was a heavy tome.[3] History Within this volume Kazerabet detailed her research within the art of necromancy covering nearly two centuries of study. The tome contained spells focused on necromancy and a list of undead complete with their strengths and weaknesses. Detailed information regarding dark and powerful magic items was covered in the book, including the secret method for recharging the unique handglyphs used by the ancient geomancers of Nog and Kadar. The tome also served as a history of the Necromancer Kings of Sahu.[1][3][2] The Art of Necromancy also contained a complete dictionary for the Kadari language.[3] Magic items covered within the Art of Necromancy included: Handglyphs of power Amulet of terror Horn of the exalted dead Nether scarab

[@Deadknight67]

I did the quest in a previous patch a while back, I didn't summon the Quasit nor I remember having to slot a gem in the book but I still was able to read it and only got the spell to talk with the dead. I was disappointed to be honest. Although it seems they are making quest more and more complex and adding details, that's nice. I also felt the rest of the book might have later use though it's only early access. I'm sure some people in Baldur's gate would be interested or could tell you things about the book.

[@TheMarcHicks]

That squirrel was hilarious 😆

[@esqueejy]

THE INFIERNADEX. I wonder if the Thay references could be a misdirection. Richard Baker's Blades of the Moonsea trilogy takes place in around 1479 DR (4th edition timing) and covers a bunch of stuff, but notably includes the main character Geran Hulmaster of Hulburg (his family rules it) having several dealings with the powerful lich Aesperus (aka the King In Copper). Hulburg's big taboo is disturbing any of the tombs in the barrowfields outside Hulmaster. Aesperus used to rule the northern Moonsea hundreds of years prior (around 1050 DR) and made a deal with the Hulmaster ancestor, Rivan, to basically leave them be as long as he was left to rule his dead in the barrowfields outside the city and that no tomb raiding occurred. Trying not to spoil anything here, but of course the trilogy involves some tomb raiding having occurred, and the important part of that is that the INFIERNADEX is uncovered. Yes, powerful spellbook of necromancy that would be a great source of WTF for having somehow disappeared during 4th ed. and turning up now in 5th ed. I will go with this as my guess because why not. Szass Tam would literally do anything to get that tome, so maybe there's something to the Thay references, but maybe it's misdirection and we'll get to meet the King in Copper instead. Whatever the case, that's my guess for what the book is (not having played any of this yet hehe). Obv the trilogy involves Moonsea, which would be a great destination in BG3, but the story also involved landing on one of Selune's Tears and travel to Myth Drannor, where Geran was trained as a swordmage...also cool places to visit if the game takes us there (not to mention Hulberg too). Another name to pay attention for might be Rhovann Disarnnyl, a moon elf that plays into that whole story.

[@ZacharyWhittall]

would of liked a clearer reference or easter egg to Evil Dead but haha pretty cool. thank you for putting this on spotlight. i couldn't find the gem until your video :D

[@jasminpoljak6115]

If I remember well. Somebody managed to destroy one of the special ziggurats the lich needed for the ritual. I think I read it in the Gryphon brotherhood novels.

[@narutouchiha4236]

Your making me wanna play this game even tho I dont ever played nothing like this, most Rpg thing I truly played was Skyrim and some Witcher 3

[@Spungle15]

I wish the book taught more than just the Speak with Dead spell. Hopefully it will be updated by the time BG3 is released.

[@IgnoreMeImWrong]

"figuring all this out" I found a book randomly, I found a gem randomly and I randomly opened it and now Astarion is whacky.

[@DSzaks]

I did all of this quest line in several times in my playthroughs.... Accept the part where summon that quasit. The game gives you no indication that that is a unique item. Just looks like any other worthless scroll to toss into the pile at my camp that I will never use. They really need to mark it somehow, in order to indicate it's abnormal. Maybe name it Scroll of Summon Shovel or something. I don't think my quest log ever updated past investigating the cellar either. Might be some missing/finicky progression triggers contingent on activating that scroll. As a side note you can also give the book to Gale to suck up in his magical black hole. Though if this is really the book w/ the ritual of unmaking it seems like an awfully big anti-climax to just burn it or send it into the void w/ no lead up.

[@cernunnos_lives]

Yes more Forgotten Realms lore. Love your excellent channel programs. Probably more about the organization's in Faerun that are in the game. The necromancer in question Ilyn toth, was around 100 years ago. The whole village was destroyed shortly afterwards.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Hey Cernunnos. Thank you. In case you missed it, I did already do some lore videos on a few of the factions such as The Emerald Enclave, The Zhentarim, and The Harpers. Those can be found under my “Baldurs Gate 3 Lore” playlist. 🙏

[@cernunnos_lives]

Oh sweet

[@cernunnos_lives]

This whole quest line is pretty interesting. I'm wondering if Shadowheart has anything to do with this. If maybe she was from here over a century beforehand.

[@GabrielleduVent]

Interesting. That means Ilyn Toth was around the area when my Kalach-Cha was stomping around Mulsantir.

[@cheftel222]

I wonder what happens to Gail if he consumes this book. He is always hungry for magical items

[@WolfheartFPS]

I think he says something along the lines of “wow this was a really really powerful artifact.”

[@Laughing_Crow]

I suspect that someone (unknown to us at this point) is aware of the book and seeking it. (From something obscure I came across in a previous playthrough but can't recall. As I've started a new character, I'll be on the lookout for it). Also, Gale wants to read it, not consume it, seems significant.

[@WolfheartFPS]

I think Gale does eat it if you give it to him?

[@Laughing_Crow]

@@WolfheartFPS Previously, I usually destroyed the book. But playing a Sorcerer now, I'm going to keep it. I will offer it to Gale and see if he does consume it magically. But I really want to hold on to it in case it becomes a bargaining chip or has another use further on in the game. Like you, I think this has a lot more to unfold in the game.

[@Laughing_Crow]

I offered the book to Gale without the amethyst. He says, "Hmmm. We'll need to find a way to open the book first." If you read the book, put the gem in and then give it to Gale, he reads the book (Astarion disapproves). "You watch Gale Perusing the book with a true wizard's fascination. A few pages in, something startles him." Gale then says;" A rough read indeed... I'll give it my undivided attention at a more appropriate time." Then he puts the book away. However, a little while later he does consume the book. However, I will keep the book for now and see if there is someone else that is looking for the book.

[@Shadow-ov1iz]

At first I thought she was a follower of Szass with her being a necromancer and all. My entire party got toasted alive for making that assumption.

[@katie5998]

If you kill the spider queen, you get a powerful robe that deals poison damage and makes poison spells more powerful. If you wear it why casting magic missile, you deal major damage. I can't wait to play this quest once we get the necromancy subclass for wizard.

[@WolfheartFPS]

Magic missile is not poison damage.

[@katie5998]

@@WolfheartFPS I know. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it adds poison damage to your other attack spells. I'm doing a sorcerer run rn and have it on and it works great with magic missle. It adds (from what I can tell from my own gameplay) a 1d4 additional poison damage to spells--but I could be off. With magic missle, this damage is accounted for each missle you launch. I'm guesstimating based on how much damage it's added to my attack roles. Honestly 100% worth the spiderqueen bossfight. Especially later on when they add the necromancy subclass.

[@rosswoodland6449]

Love the lore vids man. great stuff

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks Ross. Appreciate you.

[@AdaramKalantas]

I have nothing to add with regard to the theory you propose. It seems plausible, to be sure. This was a good video; part walk through, part lore, part theory craft. Fun! What's especially cool for me is that after 175+ hours in EA, I had never found that special mephit. Sure - I found the scroll, but I am too much of a hoarder and never cast things unless I absolutely must!! Now I might have to start casting everything right away! Question: Do you think we will be able to go back into Act 1 areas after we make our way into Act 2?

[@abrahameltaeb4667]

All of this is covered in richard lee beyers books about this are called unclean, undead, and unholy. It goes over Saz Tams attempt and failure to complete the ritual and the hero's in that story line foil his plans....for now. It's a good read to be honest

[@chandrasivaram]

Liked these short story quests, pls do more for other secret quests for other games like Divinity Original Sin 2 .

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@williamprice1542]

Great video, thanks for all the hard work gathering the information. I had gotten the book, and used it on several different playthroughs, but didn't really appreciate it ! I was one of those guys who just thought ok, another way to get speak with dead...lol

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks William. I’m not sure if my theory is correct, but I am fairly certain that the book will have more content associated with it.

[@angie73568]

i love optional quests like this, it reminds me a little bit of the doctors quest in fallout 1or2

[@WolfheartFPS]

Same!

[@gnorley]

Yeah make sure that once you give it to Astarion you have passed all the checks and acquired all the info from the book, a couple of spells, because you cannot get the book back from Astarion. Also, the sorcery answer does work, but not how one would expect it to. Also, I hope they make Shovel permanent. I love how wizards like me are able to pursue this dark knowledge!

[@jurgen4466]

Just kill Astarion. Problem solved 😎

[@gnorley]

@@jurgen4466 I keep him because traps etc

[@WolfheartFPS]

Shovel would be an awesome permanent familiar pet.

[@Darkenedster]

Nice music at the outro (the video is cool overall)

[@WolfheartFPS]

thank ya Darken. All lore videos go out to you.

[@Shadow.Dragon]

Great video!!! Love the theory crafting. With so much detail in BG3 and my propensity to check out/"collect" everything, this may be the last game I ever buy! LOL!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Nah Shadow Baldur’s Gate 4 in 2035!! Lol

[@Balevolt]

Hey I just did this quest, I didn't open at the book and looking at it damages my sanity but I did this quest. I'd play it more if the game didn't run like I dead fish on my computer.

[@millesabords1654]

For this video format ? Yes, I'd like more of those :) What is the piano piece extract at the end (I loved it) ?

[@WolfheartFPS]

The song is called "The French Library" by Franz Gordon.

[@Hypoksi]

I like how they have us enter the cellar from the second floor.

[@AlgorithmMockery]

One of your better videos. Well done 👍🏻

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks J C

[@robertmckee9272]

I didn't think this was a secret. This quest was in the game very very early, pretty sure it was in at the launch of early access, back in October 2020.

[@saafewolf69]

I knew that bookcase moved, but thought it was something they'd add later. Going to play, now.

[@WolfheartFPS]

nice! Get on it Kent

[@Jeff-mv2br]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who said "Klaatu verata necktie" out loud when picking this up

[@scottlavale1502]

Love this type of video's man!!!!

[@WolfheartFPS]

Great to hear. More to come. Thanks Scott

[@lastone5556]

Are you still going to do the D&D modules? You did an awesome job narrating the first one.

[@WolfheartFPS]

I recently released (2 months ago) part one for Rime of the Frostmaiden. Currently working on part 2 (takes so damn long haha) If you missed it here is the link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJaWhnSsltF-q7s

[@LethargicHades]

Since the school of necromancy will be avaliable upon release, I wonder what response we will get from the book then.

[@TheSubso]

When I saw "This could be bad"i thought this is about some big issue with the early access :DDD

[@zipli_]

While I'd love the idea that it's a powerful artifact, the fact that it can be destroyed so easily makes me doubt it. All of the major and even minor artifacts share the trait of being almost impossible to destroy, needing very specific tools or ways to get rid of them. This book only needs a level 1 spell or better yet, a radiant damage cantrip to turn it to dust, although there's always to possibility that the quest isn't finished yet and you'd actually need to do something more in the release.

[@esqueejy]

True, but they have to bend things a bit to give you "choice" I think. It's just another way of representing that you abandoned that line of questing...and, just maybe, has a different result than if you just put it down and leave.

[@MushroomGlow]

I just started this game about two day ago for the first time as Iv never even played a game like this. I remember finding the cellar but that’s about how far I got. I left the cellar thinking I’m sure Iv missed something and now I know! Thx for this content 👏👍

[@WolfheartFPS]

Thanks for watching! Enjoy the game

[@MushroomGlow]

@@WolfheartFPS I certainly am at the moment. I can’t wait to get home in the evenings and progress and learn more and more each night. I hope there’s a lot more interesting things to still explore and venture through. I also hope the developers keep doing a excellent job as the game is pretty dam good so far! 👏