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Baldur’s Gate 3is full of pivotal moments where your choices can permanently alter the storyline of your playthrough. Some decisions even carry the weight of losing companions, either by driving them away or leading them to an inescapable fate. One such crucial crossroads emerges when you meet Gandrel the Gur in the Sunlit Wetlands or Putrid Bog.
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The potential consequences of this encounter are huge and far-reaching; whether for narrative immersion or optimized gameplay, it’s important to understand the full spectrum of outcomes. This guide aims to provide insight into the full spectrum of outcomes to help you make the most informed choice to fit your gameplay and roleplay goals.
Spoiler Warning
The following article contains spoilers for some details of Astarion’s quest.
Where To Find Gandrel The Gur
Gandrel the Gur(X:-26, Y:242)can be found in the area known as theSunlit Wetlands(orPutrid Bog, if you pass theInvestigation or Nature checkto discern the illusion magic masking the area).
The Sunlit Wetlands / Putrid Bog iswest of the Emerald Groveandsouth of the Blighted Village.
Gandrel himself will be standing a few stepssouthwest of the Riverside Teahouse waypoint, and to thesoutheast of Auntie Ethel’s cottage.
What To Do With Gandrel The Gur
Though mild-mannered and polite, Gandrel quickly reveals there is more to him than meets the eye—he ishunting down one of your companions,Astarion.
If you hadn’t already learned about Astarion’s secret, Gandrel will inform you thatAstarion is a vampire spawn, and that Gandrel has been ordered tocapture himandbring him back to Baldur’s Gate.
Option 1: Give Astarion Up To Gandrel
Choosing togive up Astarion to Gandrel—by outing his identity and then affirming that you are giving him up—will cause Gandrel to knock Astarion out instantly and take him away.
Alternatively, if Astarion isnot in your partywhen you meet Gandrel, you can also give Gandrel directions to your camp. This will lead toGandrel abducting Astarion overnight.
Giving Gandrel directions to your camp willdisplease several of your companions, who worry that you’ll give up on them easily if they find themselves in a similar plight.
Giving up Astarion here willremove him permanentlyfrom your party, concluding the"The Pale Elf" questline.
Because Astarion can be apowerful addition to the partyand hasstrong ties to the storyline of Act 3, you may want to consider this option only if you are playing a strongly good-aligned character and this fits your roleplay goals!
Option 2: Help Astarion Kill Gandrel
You can also choose to side with Astarion, refusing to give him up to Gandrel. This will result in a fight with Gandrel.
Choosing the"Pity, not like it’s a real vampire" option, then “What do you think, Astarion?”, thenallowing Astarion to attack Gandrelwill gain you approval with Astarion.
Gandrel is a Level 5 human with extremelyhigh Dexterityandhigh Strength, Constitution and Wisdom scores. This makes himresistantto spells and cantrips thatforce their targets to make saving throws—such asSacred Flame,Vicious Mockery,etc.
Target his lowIntelligenceorCharismaif possible, and rely on attack rolls with spells and weapons to whittle him down.
Choosing to side with Astarion and kill Gandrel will progress his personal storyline greatly andimprove your relationship with him.
After this encounter, Astarion will confide in you about hiscenturies of slavery under the Vampire Lord Cazador, believing Gandrel to have been a servant of Cazador sent to drag him back into slavery.
Option 3: Leave Peacefully
You’ll also have the option tointerrupt Astarionbefore a fight can break out andleave the conversation peacefullywithout Gandrel learning of Astarion’s identity.
This willdisplease Astarion, but Gandrel willremain alive.
If he lives, Gandrel will reappear in Baldur’s Gate in Act 3 along with his Gur tribe, which will start the"Investigate Cazador’s Palace" questline—tying intoAstarion’s personal quest.
