Throughout your journey inBaldur’s Gate 3, you’re constantly met with choices that shape your adventure. These decisions, big or small, influence how your companions perceive you and can even pivot the storyline in unexpected directions. One such crossroads emerges in Balthazar’s laboratory, the secret room behind his Bookshelf Puzzle.
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Here, you’re faced with the choice of harnessing Balthazar’s knowledge to craft a Shadowlantern, a modified Moonlantern capable of summoning a shadow wraith, or taking the righteous path by destroying the ritual circle and purging its dark magic. It’s a classic dark side versus light side predicament, and this guide will help understand the ramifications of each choice.
Because this encounterties heavily into Gale and his relationship with Mystra, we recommend having him in your party forextra lore. Gale can also help youbypass a tough skill checkin this encounter.
Crafting The Moonlantern In Balthazar’s Laboratory
A thorough exploration of Balthazar’s Laboratory reveals unsettling experiments. He’s been torturing creatures in the name ofcrafting Moonlanterns to shieldthe Absolute’s armiesfrom the Shadowcurse.
IfGale is in your partyor if you’re playing amagic-based class(like a Wizard), you’ll realize that you can tap into this research toforge an enhanced lanternof your own.
Your companions will have varied reactions to this. Some might nudge you towardsembracing this dark power, while others maycaution restraint. Gale, in particular, voices concerns about Mystra, his patron and the Goddess of magic, who wouldfrown upon dabbling in the dark arts.
Regardless, the choice remains yours. If you’re brave, you can attempt tocraft the lantern solo. Be warned that doing this requires success on a staggeringDC 30 Arcana check, a roll impossible to reach for most characters.
On the other hand, if you haveGale in your party, letting him craft the lantern willbypass this challenge, letting you craft the Shadowlanternwithout a skill check.
To craft the lantern, grab theDead Pixie and Broken Moonlanternitems from the table where the Ritual Circle is, andcombine them in the Ritual Circle.
The resultingShadow Lanternholds the power to call fortha shadow wraith,much like the ones you’ve been facing in the Shadowcursed lands, to fight by your side.
After this, Gale will comment on thelack of repercussions from Mystra, wondering about—but ultimately rejecting—the concept of freedom from the goddess he’s dedicated his life to.
Destroying The Ritual Circle In Balthazar’s Laboratory
Not feeling the whole dark arts vibe? You can, instead, opt to reject the malevolent magic at play bydestroying the ritual circle entirely. This task is as easy aschoosing the dialogue option—no check required.
If Gale is in your party, he will ask to be the one to do this deed. If you allow him to, Gale gainsMystra’s Benevolence, a sign of the goddess’s approval at the moral decision.
This boon gives Galeadvantage on Concentration Checks, which is fantastic to have for theWizard class, whose inherent frailty makes themvulnerable to breaking concentrationon important sustained spells during combat.
Note that the player character is also able to erase the circle, but youwill not gain the Mystra’s Benevolencebuff.Only Galeis able to receive it.
Whether you decide to tap into forbidden powers or uphold the sanctity of magic, the consequences are sure to ripple through your journey.Choose wisely!
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