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There is a strange, hidden cave in The Underdark that harbors interesting creatures in a dire situation.Baldur’s Gate 3is full of secret scenarios that you may not find during your first playthrough, and saving the kuo-toa in the Festering Cove is one of these hidden scenarios.
The Festering Cove is located near the Arcane Tower and mushroom portal leading to the Teahouse. The entrance is riddled with explosive plants. Entering this cove is a great way to earn some extra XP and potentially receive a generous buff. You may even earn some inspiration points if you play your cards right.
Updated July 18, 2025, by Sean Murray:To please BOOOAL, we have updated this guide with BOOOAL-approved formatting changes which make it easier to understand the consequences of attempting to convince the kuo-toa that BOOOAL is just a fey creature and not an all-powerful god. We’ve also given this guide more links to other helpful Baldur’s Gate 3 topics.
What To Say To Save The Kuo-Toa?
There is a very specific series of dialogue choices you must make tostop the kuo-toa from believing this redcap is a God.As you attempt to assess the situation you have walked into, you can make multiple different observations with skill checks.
The first thing you should do when talking to everyone is todamage BOOOAL’s image a little. This does not require a skill check.
It does not matter which skill check you choose, so choose whichever one you have a higher ability with, especially if you have advantage with one.
After succeeding in the skill check, you will have a few options. You may change your mind and allow the kuo-toa to worship BOOOAL,rewarding you withBOOAL’s Sickle.The other options will initiate a fight.
Choosing this dialogue option after succeeding in the previous skill check willinitiate a fight with only BOOOAL. Any other option will aggroboth BOOOAL and the kuo-toa.
By choosing this dialogue option,you will only have to kill BOOOAL, and the kuo-toa will be free.
The kuo-toa will ask for guidance after the fight. you’re able to eitherintroduce them to a new God or allow them to worship youas their newfound God.
You will be able to send them away to find more devotees or to stay and worship. Either way, they will be friendly, andyou will still receive BOOOAL’s Sickle.
What Happens If You Can’t Save The Kuo-Toa?
If you fail skill checks or cannot find a way to save the kuo-toa,they will aggro against you alongside BOOOAL.You will either have to kill all the kuo-toa and BOOOAL, or you will have to obey BOOOAL’s wishes.
You do not gain much by killing everyone, so try to avoid a total massacre.
The kuo-toa carry BOOAL’s Arms, a common melee weapon. BOOOAL carries an ordinary sickleunless acquired by other means.
If you can’t save the kuo-toa and do not want to murder them,you can please BOOOAL by murdering one of your companions or agreeing to kill for him. Bydoing either, BOOOALwill reward you with his sickle.
If you choose to sacrifice a companion, BOOOAL will give you the BOOOAL’s Blessing permanent buff.This buff provides advantage on attack rolls against bleeding creatures so long as kuo-toa are worshiping BOOOAL.
