Act Two

Act Two of Baldur's Gate 3 takes place after Act One, as the player enters the Shadow-Cursed Lands to reach Moonrise Towers and find the heart of the Cult of the Absolute.

Leaving the Wilderness, the party discovers the devastating impact of the Shadow Curse, twisting the land and turning any who linger in it into shadow-cursed beings and shadows. While searching for Moonrise Towers, they can find help from either a caravan of Absolutists, a group of Harpers, or simply brave the curse alone.

Companions

Three additional companions can be recruited in Act Two, if they survived the events of Act One and the player completes their requisite quests.

• Halsin (Lift the Shadow Curse)
• Jaheira (must survive the assault on Moonrise)
• Minthara (Decide Minthara's Fate)

Summary

Act Two continues the party's quest to rid themselves of their illithid tadpoles. Their search leads them to Moonrise Towers, located somewhere in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, and the Cult of the Absolute whose activities are based there.

To first reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands, the party must find an entrance; by travelling through the Mountain Pass or through the Underdark. Once there, they discover the scope of the cult's plans, and the considerable danger they pose.

The party will also find a small resistance gathered at the Last Light Inn, protected by the Selûnite cleric Isobel, and led by a group of Harpers and Flaming Fists.

After the Absolute's presence departs from the Shadow-Cursed Lands, the party's travels will lead them towards Baldur's Gate, beginning Act Three.

Point of no return

Travelling to the Shadow-Cursed Lands or Rosymorn Monastery Trail from Act One before resolving the Rite of Thorns will cause it to be completed, automatically ending most quests involving the tiefling refugees, and the goblin/druid conflict. Otherwise, the player will still be able to return to the Wilderness and Underdark and complete the majority of lingering quests at any point.

The point of no return in Act Two takes place much later, inside the Gauntlet of Shar. Another alert will trigger, and after this point it becomes impossible to return to the Wilderness; all of its waypoints will be inaccessible, and all incomplete quests will automatically end.

Quests

Main article: Act Two quests.

Main quests

The main quest of Act Two is Infiltrate Moonrise Towers. This quest serves as a wrapper and is composed of multiple sub-quests, which will become available to the player once they begin interacting with the world and various characters.

Act 2 Spoilers! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

• Seek Protection from the Shadow Curse
• Follow the Convoy
• Capture Isobel the Selûnite Cleric
• Resolve the Abduction
• Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic
• Find the Nightsong
• Defeat Ketheric Thorm

Side quests

Act 2 Spoilers! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

• Lift the Shadow Curse
• Wake up Art Cullagh
• Punish the Wicked
• Investigate the Selûnite Resistance
• Find Arabella's Parents
• Find Rolan in the Shadows
• Rescue the Tieflings
• Rescue Wulbren
• Find Zevlor
• Find Mol
• Kill Raphael's Old Enemy
  • Break Yurgir's Contract
• Rescue the Grand Duke
• Decide Minthara's Fate

Locations

Ruined Battlefield

An aerial view of a portion of the Ruined Battlefield.

Main article: Ruined Battlefield

The Ruined Battlefield is the entry point and first location visited in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This huge, devastated area is the aftermath of a war that took place more that a century ago, fought by Dark Justiciars against Selûnites, Harpers and druids from the Emerald Grove.

Last Light Inn

Bird's-eye view of the inn.

Main article: Last Light Inn

The Last Light Inn is an old, somewhat rundown building which operated as an inn in its heyday. Found by Isobel, she now protects the inn, and its current occupants of Harpers and Flaming Fists, from the curse with a Selûnite moon shield.

If the tiefling refugees survived the attack on Emerald Grove, some will have found shelter here.

Reithwin Town

The statue of Ketheric Thorm in the square of Reithwin Town.

Main article: Reithwin Town

Reithwin Town is an old Selûnite town that straddles the River Chionthar, the through-road leading towards Baldur's Gate. It was a wealthy town, as evidenced by its extensive stonework and elaborate architecture, now home only to cursed creatures and shadows.

Exploring the town reveals the influential presence the Thorm family had during its day; from their expansive Grand Mausoleum to the remnant Thisobald, Gerringothe and Malus Thorm still performing their jobs in the town's empty buildings.

Moonrise Towers

Moonrise Towers shrouded in magical shadow.

Main article: Moonrise Towers

Moonrise Towers is one of the main locations in Act Two, and the centre-point of many quests. In the distant past, the Towers used to be a temple to Selûne, a monument for the Selûnites of Reithwin Town.

All traces of Selûne now gone, and Shar's dark curse covering the land, Moonrise now acts as the base of operations for the Cult of the Absolute, lead by the immortal Ketheric Thorm.

Grand Mausoleum

Entrance to the Grand Mausoleum.

Main article: Grand Mausoleum

The Grand Mausoleum is a location north-west of Reithwin Town, found just beyond the graveyard in the northern part of town. It is the Thorm family mausoleum, and final resting place of Ketheric Thorm's wife, Melodia.

Gauntlet of Shar

The entrance to the Gauntlet of Shar.

Main article: Gauntlet of Shar

The Gauntlet of Shar is the major dungeon of Act Two, featuring many puzzles and combat encounters. It also acts as a major step in the quest Find the Nightsong, and has great significance to Shadowheart and her personal quest.

Completing the gauntlet leads the party into the final stages of Act Two, locking off areas from Act One.

Notes

• Act Two was not available during Early Access.