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| image = Vampire Spawn in Flophouse.jpg | | image = Vampire Spawn in Flophouse.jpg | ||
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[[File:Vampire Spawn in Flophouse.jpg|thumb|The Black Mass approaches.]] | [[File:Vampire Spawn in Flophouse.jpg|thumb|{{noexcerpt|The Black Mass approaches.}}]] | ||
'''Investigate Cazador's Palace''' is a [[quest]] in [[Act Three]] of Baldur's Gate 3. It can be started by speaking with [[Ulma]] in [[Rivington]] or the vampire spawn at [[Fraygo's Flophouse]]. | '''Investigate Cazador's Palace''' is a [[quest]] in [[Act Three]] of Baldur's Gate 3. It can be started by speaking with [[Ulma]] in [[Rivington]] or the vampire spawn at [[Fraygo's Flophouse]]. | ||
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=== Cazador's Palace === | === Cazador's Palace === | ||
Cazador's Palace can be accessed via the Central Watch Tower | Cazador's Palace can be accessed via the Central Watch Tower {{Coords|-53|-64}}, near the [[Lower City]] Central Wall [[Ancient Sigil Circle|Waypoint]], by climbing up the stairs. A number of charmed guards try to stop the party, but can be persuaded or intimidated into standing down. Alternatively, casting {{SAI|Calm Emotions}} on the guards will cancel the charm effect and cause them to leave the area. Follow the way north to reach the door to Cazador's Palace. Once inside, the palace will be surprisingly empty of vampires, but holds a conspicuously large ballroom door that is locked. | ||
The way forward is through the ballroom. Two things are needed to enter: a {{SmRarityItem|Szarr Family Ring}} and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language. | The way forward is through the ballroom. Two things are needed to enter: a {{SmRarityItem|Szarr Family Ring}} and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language. | ||
==== The Signet Ring ==== | ==== The Signet Ring ==== | ||
[[Vilhelm]] can be persuaded or deceived into revealing that Godey has the signet ring that can unlock the door. Godey is in the kennels in the lower floor. Godey is waiting in ambush | [[Vilhelm]] can be persuaded or deceived into revealing that Godey has the signet ring that can unlock the door. Godey is in the kennels in the lower floor. Godey is waiting in ambush {{Coords|-1289|982}}, but a perception check reveals him and he can be called out. If Astarion is in the party, Godey asks what he has brought him: | ||
* | * {{Dialogue option|Cazador hired me to capture Astarion. I'm here to deliver.|roll=Deception|dc=15}} | ||
* | * {{Dialogue option|Lay a hand on me and lose it, bones.|roll=Intimidation|dc=15}} | ||
Astarion insists that they need to get into the ballroom. Godey states that he was told not to open the ballroom no matter what. | Astarion insists that they need to get into the ballroom. Godey states that he was told not to open the ballroom no matter what. | ||
* | * {{Dialogue option|Your master needs Astarion for the ritual. He'll be furious if you stop us joining him.|roll=Persuasion|dc=20}} (if Astarion knows the ritual's purpose) | ||
* | * {{Dialogue option|Cazador gave me orders too - Astarion needs to be returned no matter what.|roll=Deception|dc=20}} | ||
* | * {{Dialogue option|How about I start breaking bones and keep going until I find that key?|roll=Intimidation|dc=20}} | ||
* {{Dialogue option|''Attack.''}} | |||
Succeeding the checks makes Godey relinquish the ring. Otherwise, he becomes hostile and the key has to be looted from his body. | Succeeding the checks makes Godey relinquish the ring. Otherwise, he becomes hostile and the key has to be looted from his body. | ||
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==== The Passphrase ==== | ==== The Passphrase ==== | ||
[[File:Cazador Passphrase Book Location.jpg|thumb|Location of the Kozakuran dictionary.]] | [[File:Cazador Passphrase Book Location.jpg|thumb|Location of the Kozakuran dictionary.]] | ||
A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk | A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk {{Coords|-1243|976}} suggests that one of the spawn has misplaced the dictionary used to decipher the passphrases. | ||
The {{SmRarityItem|Kozakuran Dictionary}} can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic | The {{SmRarityItem|Kozakuran Dictionary}} can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic {{Coords|-1299|967}}. Here, the the [[Cursed (Condition Type)|cursed]] corpse of [[Victoria]] afflicts {{Condition inline|Vitality Drain}} ({{DamageText|4d6+4|Necrotic}} per turn) upon anyone entering, Casting {{SAI|Remove Curse}} on Victoria's body will end her {{Condition inline|Sapping Curse}} and make the room safe. Alternate solutions include use of {{SmRarityItem|Elixir of Necrotic Resistance}} or [[Jump]]/[[Flight (Condition)|Flight]] to cross the hazard. The dictionary is in a mahogany wardrobe to the west of the bed. Reading the book gives the phrase to enter the ballroom. | ||
==== In the ballroom ==== | ==== In the ballroom ==== |
Latest revision as of 20:20, 2 August 2024
Investigate Cazador's Palace is a quest in Act Three of Baldur's Gate 3. It can be started by speaking with Ulma in Rivington or the vampire spawn at Fraygo's Flophouse.
Objectives[edit | edit source]
Walkthrough[edit | edit source]
Finding the Palace[edit | edit source]
Finding the Spawn[edit | edit source]
Two of Cazador's spawn, Petras and Dalyria, can be found chatting about the Black Mass in Fraygo's Flophouse on the upper floor (X:-21, Y:76). Astarion immediately threatens them for information, but can be persuaded to hold back. Unfortunately, the spawn know little, beyond that preparations for the Black Mass are well underway. It's also clear that the spawn believe they too will become ascended if the ritual is successful.
The Gur Camp[edit | edit source]
There is a Gur Camp in RivingtonX: 102 Y: -12 led by Ulma. Ulma tells the party that Cazador has done immense damage to her tribe and even stolen their children. She wishes to have them back, or at least revenge taken if the children are already dead. If Astarion is in the party, he can be told that it's the least he can do to get vengeance for the Gur, which he will agree to. Ulma states that the Gur have tried and failed to infiltrate Szarr Palace but that a spawn could do it.
Potential Abduction[edit | edit source]
Several of Astarion's fellow vampire spawn attempt to kidnap him after the party has entered the Lower City and long rested. Failing to stop them before they drop Astarion to 1hp results in Astarion being kidnapped and sent to Cazador's palace. Once there, he is tortured by Godey, who uses magic to attempt to force Astarion to obey Cazador. This starts a saving throw, but even if it's failed, the tadpole within Astarion emits a psionic wave that disrupts the spell. Godey becomes hostile after failing to collar Astarion and must be defeated. The party can regroup with Astarion in the kennels.
Cazador's Palace[edit | edit source]
Cazador's Palace can be accessed via the Central Watch Tower X: -53 Y: -64, near the Lower City Central Wall Waypoint, by climbing up the stairs. A number of charmed guards try to stop the party, but can be persuaded or intimidated into standing down. Alternatively, casting on the guards will cancel the charm effect and cause them to leave the area. Follow the way north to reach the door to Cazador's Palace. Once inside, the palace will be surprisingly empty of vampires, but holds a conspicuously large ballroom door that is locked.
The way forward is through the ballroom. Two things are needed to enter: a Szarr Family Ring and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language.
The Signet Ring[edit | edit source]
Vilhelm can be persuaded or deceived into revealing that Godey has the signet ring that can unlock the door. Godey is in the kennels in the lower floor. Godey is waiting in ambush X: -1289 Y: 982, but a perception check reveals him and he can be called out. If Astarion is in the party, Godey asks what he has brought him:
- [DECEPTION] Cazador hired me to capture Astarion. I'm here to deliver. (DC 15)
- [INTIMIDATION] Lay a hand on me and lose it, bones. (DC 15)
Astarion insists that they need to get into the ballroom. Godey states that he was told not to open the ballroom no matter what.
- [PERSUASION] Your master needs Astarion for the ritual. He'll be furious if you stop us joining him. (DC 20) (if Astarion knows the ritual's purpose)
- [DECEPTION] Cazador gave me orders too - Astarion needs to be returned no matter what. (DC 20)
- [INTIMIDATION] How about I start breaking bones and keep going until I find that key? (DC 20)
- Attack.
Succeeding the checks makes Godey relinquish the ring. Otherwise, he becomes hostile and the key has to be looted from his body.
The Passphrase[edit | edit source]
A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk X: -1243 Y: 976 suggests that one of the spawn has misplaced the dictionary used to decipher the passphrases.
The Kozakuran Dictionary can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic X: -1299 Y: 967. Here, the the cursed corpse of Victoria afflicts ( 4d6+4
Necrotic per turn) upon anyone entering, Casting on Victoria's body will end her and make the room safe. Alternate solutions include use of
Elixir of Necrotic Resistance or Jump/Flight to cross the hazard. The dictionary is in a mahogany wardrobe to the west of the bed. Reading the book gives the phrase to enter the ballroom.
In the ballroom[edit | edit source]
Once in the ballroom, a number of werewolves notice the party. They state that no one is meant to enter while the ritual is occurring, and become hostile. Move to the door to the southwest after defeating them to find an elevator down to Cazador's dungeon.
Cazador's Dungeon[edit | edit source]
After descending the elevator, a hallway to the west connects to Cazador's chambers. It contains the skull of Cazador's former master, Vellioth, and by interacting with the skull and passing three DC 15 Wisdom checks, the party can gain more information about him. They will also receive the Black Mass Scroll, whether the checks are passed or not.
To the north, there are several people in cages, who will call out to the party. If Astarion is in the party, one man recognizes him. It turns out that this is Sebastian, the first victim Astarion brought back to Cazador. Sebastian can be persuaded or deceived into revealing how to unlock the cages - Cazador's staff. The cell across the way can also be interacted with - it contains several Gur children who were captured and turned into vampire spawn. If they are told that Ulma sent the party, they also share that the staff is the key to opening the cells.
A Special Weapon[edit | edit source]
Within Cazador's dungeon, a lower level can be reached using Feather Fall, Misty Step, or Fly to jump down the hallway to the northwest of the elevator. Alternatively, a button below the western room can be activated with a range weapon, causing a massive chandelier to begin travelling up and down: this can be used an an ersatz elevator to travel to and from the lower level.
On the lower level, the Pelorsun Blade can be found in a room to the east, in a buried and trapped rosewood casket X: -1926 Y: 853. This weapon deals radiant damage, which is highly effective against Cazador. Additionally, there is a locked (DC 30) crypt gate here connecting to the Lower City Sewers - Gloomy Ascent. The dungeon cannot be reached from the sewers until the gate has been unlocked from this side.
Confronting Cazador[edit | edit source]
Cazador is in the ritual chamber north of the prisoners' cells.
If Astarion is in the active party, he will conclude the dialogue by attacking Cazador in a rage, only to be trapped in a ritual circle (). Cazador will then attack, along with several bats, werewolves, and fallen Gur hunters. Astarion can be rescued from imprisonment via the Help action, allowing him to rejoin the fight -- in which case Cazador and Astarion will engage in additional repartee during the battle. If Astarion is not released in three turns, the ritual succeeds, and Cazador becomes a Vampire Ascendant.
If Astarion is not in the party, then Cazador can be persuaded to allow the party leave so they can bring Astarion back, or they can simply start the fight with him without Astarion. If Astarion was never recruited, or if he was killed (such as staking him in camp), then he will be at the ritual as a zombie.
Note that if Astarion is in the party but kept well back out of sight (e.g. up at the top of the stairs) then the fight will begin without Astarion. However as of Patch 6 if Astarion attempts to join the fight later and Cazador is still alive, the battle will be interrupted by the cut scene in which Cazador traps Astarion in the ritual.
This fight can be very challenging. Cazador is a high-level spellcaster and gains power from the ritual victims, inflicting high necrotic damage to nearby party members. However, his profound weakness is , which can easily be caused by cast prior to the battle and then reapplying it in new locations as he tries to escape from the sun's rays. Protecting the party's Daylight caster with can help keep the situation from getting out of control. On lower difficulty levels he can also be pushed off the platform to his death; unlike most enemies, he will then return to his coffin, where he can be looted or otherwise interacted with.
Outcomes[edit | edit source]
Once Cazador is defeated, he returns to his coffin in an attempt to enter a healing sleep. Interacting with the coffin has Astarion pry Cazador out of it. Astarion will attempt to use the ritual for himself, and requests the party for assistance. The party can agree, attempt to persuade Astarion against using the ritual, or simply refuse to help. If Astarion was not recruited or died, the only option is whether to kill or release the prisoners.
Ending 1: Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension[edit | edit source]
If the party agrees to assist Astarion, he completes the Rite of Profane Ascension by carving the runes into Cazador's back and sacrificing the six spawn and seven thousand souls. Astarion becomes a Vampire Ascendant, gains new powers and arguably warps his personality. When Ulma and the Gur arrive, they find him responsible for the deaths of their children and only one can come out alive - Astarion or the Gur - although this encounter can theoretically be avoided by sneaking out through the lower level of the dungeon.
Ending 2: Astarion is persuaded not to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension[edit | edit source]
If Astarion is persuaded not to use the ritual, he kills Cazador without performing the Rite of Profane Ascension, then he remains a vampire spawn for the rest of his days.
Astarion has the choice to kill the seven thousand victims, release them, or leave them in the cells. If the prisoners are freed, the other spawn lead them to live in the Underdark. Astarion sees killing the victims as mercy, as they never learned how to control their hunger. If he decides to leave them, Astarion breaks Cazador's staff and says that he is done with this place and done with all of them. Breaking the staff renders it inavailable as a quest reward. Regardless of the choice, the Gur do not attack Astarion and see him as having redeemed himself. If any other vampire spawn was killed during the Cazador fight, the ritual cannot be completed and Astarion kills Cazador without attempting to perform the ritual, and moves onto the choice regarding the imprisoned spawn. The dialogue with the Gur and the other companions will proceed as if Astarion chose to give up on the ritual himself.
Ending 3: Astarion is refused or cannot be persuaded to stop the rite[edit | edit source]
Astarion can leave the party permanently during this quest. If the party fails to persuade Astarion or refuses to help him with the ritual, he will leave the party after deciding to keep the spawn locked up, stating that he is done with Cazador, this place, and the party. If Astarion was allowed to start the ritual, the party can interrupt him by killing Cazador while the ritual is in progress, doing so will stop Astarion's ascension and cause him to become hostile, attacking the party.
Quest Rewards[edit | edit source]
If Cazador is defeated:
Rhapsody as loot from Cazador
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion does not complete the Rite of Profane Ascension:
- Aid of Ulma and the Gur for Gather Your Allies
If Cazador is defeated and Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension:
- Aid of Astarion's servants of the night for Gather Your Allies
- Astarion gains the passive feature Vampire Ascendant which grants the actions Ascendant Bite and Misty Escape, and an additional 1d10
Necrotic damage to weapon and unarmed attacks
Woe as additional loot from Cazador
Notes[edit | edit source]
- As of Patch 1, there is a glitch where the vampire spawn will not take Astarion if he isn't in the party. The spawn will keep attacking him even though he's downed, making the only way to end the fight defeating the vampires.