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There are tons of characters you need to learn about or heroically rescue within Act 2 ofBaldur’s Gate 3. This is the largest and possibly the hardest part of the game so far. Learning more about Orpheus, a Githyanki prince, is one of the easier tasks in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Finding out about Prince Orpheus' history involves finding all three history books, or rather history discs, around the world. These discs can only be translated and understood by a Githyanki. If you made a Githyanki character, you’re in luck.
Updated July 27, 2025, by Sean Murray:Those looking to discover the history of Prince Orpheus need look no further. We’ve updated this guide with improved formatting and more breakout tips to make deciphering the books of Orpheus that much easier.
Where To Find History Of Orpheus Part One
The first book can be found within the Arcane Tower in The Underdark. The Arcane Tower is right beside the Overgrown Tunnel portal and The Underdark Beach.
You have tosneak through, or fight through, the defenses of the Arcane Towerto reach inside.Once inside, you must turn on the basement generator.
Two different Githyanki texts can be found on one of the higher floors of the tower.One is on a desk that is against the elevator, like in the photo above.The other Githyanki disc ison a bookshelf adjacentto it.
How To Decipher Githyanki Text
You candecipher these texts by either being a Githyanki character yourself or by handing the piece over to Lae’zel. A lot of people keep Lae’zel at a distance thanks to her attitude, but you might need her for this quest.
You canplace the disc into Lae’zel’s inventory,control Lae’zel, and thenread it.
Where To Find History Of Orpheus Part Two
This might be where you first found a piece of Orpheus history.TheGithyanki Creche Lae’zel has been looking foris within the Rosymorn Monasteryin the Mountain Pass.Inside the Monastery, there is a combat training room.
A young boy, named Young Varrl, can be found getting beaten by the professor. After this scene, you canspeak with Varrl to reveal he is following the teachings of an old Githyanki textworshiping Orpheus.
This is where you learn that thesehistorical texts about Prince Orpheus are forbiddenand blasphemy to the Githyanki who follow Vlaakith. You canconvince Varrl to hand over the book.
If you fail an ability checkduring the discussion between Varrl and his combat instructor Sa’varsh Kethk,Varrl will be killed. If this happens,the historical text can be looted from his corpse.
Where To Find History Of Orpheus Part Three
Part three of the history of Prince Orpheus may be the hardest to reach.It is located within Ketheric Thorm’s bedroom. There is a way to make your way to this location without bloodshed.
You canenter Moonrise Towers on good terms.It’s okay if you’re lying. You canpretend to be a follower of the Absolute.Convince Ketheric and Z’rell that you are a follower, andZ’rell will then allow you accessto Ketheric’s room.
Make sure no one spies you stealingthings from his room.
Part Three of the Prince of Orpheus text will be right beside the bedroom door, on a shelf. (See photo above)
There isnothing else you can do to progress with this quest until you reach Act 3and enter Baldur’s Gate. You will be tasked with freeing Prince Orpheus, but won’t actually be able to until the very end of the game.
