Baldur’s Gate 3: Exploring Balthazar’s Room

Baldur’s Gate 3 Balthazar’s room is a location within Moonrise Towers. It is an important area that players can access during BG3’s second act. In this room, players encounter a puzzle involving a bookcase that needs to be solved to access a hidden area with valuable rewards.

Where To Find Balthazar’s Room In BG3

Baldur’s Gate 3 Balthazar’s room is deep within Moonrise Towers, an ominous structure in the shadow-cursed lands. More specifically, adventurers can find their quarters on the first floor at coordinates X:-132, Y:-182. However, this room is initially inaccessible behind a locked door. 

This is how the path I recommend for finding the Batthzar’s Room:

1. Players seeking to access Balthazar’s room have two options – either obtain a key from Disciple Z’rell through diplomatic persuasion or attempt breaking in themselves with a successful DC 15 Sleight of Hand check.
2. Once inside, expect to be greeted by a macabre scene.
3. Balthazar’s quarters are filled with bloody ritual items, sacrificial altars, and numerous corpses in various states of dismemberment.
4. Take care not to rush into handling any artifacts, as many are protected by deadly traps.

Bookshelf Puzzle Walkthrough

Upon entering Balthazar’s quarters, your party may notice several books protruding out from a large shelf on the western wall. Getting close enough prompts an automatic Perception check to inspect them more closely. With success, you’ll reveal four books sticking out in various spots along the case. Interacting with each produces different results, so choose wisely!

1. The book in the top right corner is the correct one to start the puzzle.
2. Selecting any other book triggers traps like lightning strikes or poison gases.
3. The right book elicits an audible click and unlocks a small altar for the next step.

Finding The Necessary Heart

1. With the puzzle initiated, the party must now locate a beating heart to continue, so search the room for clues directing them to an appropriate heart.
2. A book titled “Attention Acolytes” on a nearby table indicates fresh, pulsing hearts serve the Absolute best.
3. Hearts can also be obtained from the sacrificial altar in the middle of the room.
4. Adventurers short on options can also loot the viscera and corpses scattered around Balthazar’s quarters.

Unlocking The Hidden Passageway

1. Heart in hand, return to the small altar unlocked when starting the puzzle, and interact with the altar again to place the heart inside.
2. Doing so prompts the large bookshelf to slide backward, revealing a hidden passageway.
3. What lies beyond depends on player actions up to this point, but negotiating the puzzle successfully provides access to Balthazar’s secret ritual chambers, but be wary of the magical hazards nearby.

Secret Passage And Rewards

Passing the bookshelf puzzle grants access to Balthazar’s hidden ritual chamber. A large ritual circle adorns the middle of the room, promising unique interactions. Those wishing to explore fully will also notice battered Moonlanterns and a deceased pixie lying on an examination table, hinting at Balthazar’s illicit experiments.

The choices I made here not only impacted the immediate gameplay but also influenced the characters’ development and relationships. I was presented with several options here:

1. Destroy the Circle: Opting to destroy the ritual circle is often considered the morally upright choice.
   • This might be driven by concerns over the potential consequences of Balthazar’s experiment.
   • By dismantling the circle, players could prevent any potential harm or misuse of its powers. 
2. Forge the Shadow Lantern: Another option is to proceed with Balthazar’s experiment and create the Shadow Lantern.
   • This choice might have more immediate benefits, such as gaining access to a powerful spell or summoning ability.
   • The Shadow Lantern’s creation involves using a specific broken lantern and a dead pixie within the ritual circle.
3. Character-Specific Choices: The decisions made regarding the ritual circle might differ depending on whether the player is controlling the character directly involved in the experiment, like Gale, or making a choice on behalf of another character.
   • The ramifications of the decision could vary, including distinct buffs, advantages, or consequences based on who is making the choice.

Looting The Laboratory

A thorough search of the laboratory can uncover valuables as well. A locked chest contains useful gear like a Coldbrim Hat and Elixir of Necrotic Resistance. Clever adventurers can also claim two special inspiration points from their experience with the puzzles and passage.

1. The first inspiration point, “Secrets of the Necromancer,” is awarded automatically upon entering the ritual room.
2. Additionally, exiting without setting off any traps or reanimations earns “A Little Too Familiar with the Grotesque” as well.

Moonlantern Location

Moonlanterns are unique artifacts that can shield and protect travelers from the corrupting shadows permeating the cursed lands. As such, passing through such areas safely requires the protective light of a moonlantern.

1. Fortunately, Baldur’s Gate 3 Balthazar’s room quarters contain one such lantern.
2. After navigating the room’s puzzles and hidden passages, search near Balthazar’s desk in the southern half of the chamber.
3. A Moonlantern can be found on a small table next to a large cabinet and telescope.
4. Those who fought and defeated Kar’niss or completed other quests may already possess a Moonlantern. 

This is it from my side. I hope you now know how to find Baldur’s Gate 3 Balthazar room! Check out the detailed guide on Baldur’s Gate 3 Withers. While you are at it, visit the BG3: BEST Class For Githyanki.

Next

• Baldur’s Gate 3: All Feats
• Baldur’s Gate 3: What Is Max Level?
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Sorcerer: BEST Build Guide
• Baldur’s Gate 3: All Companions