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(up to date tag; rewrite and add references to other pages relevant to the final portion of the quest)
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[[File:Thay Book Unlocked Quest.jpg|thumb|The Necromancy of Thay is opened...]]
{{ up to date | 2023-09-09 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->[[File:Thay Book Unlocked Quest.jpg|thumb|The Necromancy of Thay is opened...]]
'''Unlock the Ancient Tome''' is a sub-[[quest]] of [[Search the Cellar]] in [[Act One]] of Baldur's Gate 3. It is initiated upon finding the book [[Necromancy of Thay|"The Necromancy of Thay"]] in the [[Blighted Village]].
'''Unlock the Ancient Tome''' is a sub-[[quest]] of [[Search the Cellar]] in [[Act One]] of Baldur's Gate 3. It is initiated upon finding the book [[Necromancy of Thay|"The Necromancy of Thay"]] in the [[Blighted Village]].


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=== Reading the Book ===
=== Reading the Book ===
With both the Dark Amethys and the Necromancy of Thay in the party's inventory, click on the Necromancy of Thay. This starts a dialogue with the party inspecting the tome. Select ""Place the amethyst in the slot on the book's cover" to unlock it.
With both the [[Dark Amethyst]] and the [[Necromancy of Thay]] in the party's inventory, click on the Necromancy of Thay. This starts a dialogue with the party inspecting the tome. Select 'Place the amethyst in the slot on the book's cover' to unlock it.


From here, there are several options:
From here, you have several options:
* Open the book
* Open the book and read it
* Give the book to Astarion
* Give the book to [[Astarion]] or [[Gale]]
* Drop the book and proceed with [[Destroy the Ancient Tome]]
* Drop the book and proceed with [[Destroy the Ancient Tome]]


If the book is opened, it requires three Wisdom checks. The first is DC 10, the second is DC 15, and the third is DC 20. Passing the first check grants the [[Speak with Dead]] skill and passing two of the checks grants a buff, [[Forbidden Knowledge]], which grants a +1 to Wisdom saving throws. Failing results in the [[Whisps of Madness]] and [[Baleful Knowledge]] debuffs. Once all three checks are complete, the book snaps shut.  The book has more secrets to unlock.
If you choose to open and read the book, you must pass three Wisdom saving throws to avoid being cursed. See the [[Necromancy of Thay]] page for full details on this interaction. Turning at least one page of the book grants the [[Speak with Dead]] spell and the [[Forbidden Knowledge]] buff. Once you've passed all three saving throws, the book snaps shut. It has one more secret to reveal, but you must first reach the [[Lower City]] in [[Act Three]] to unlock its full potential.


Choosing to give the book to Astarion results in approval points from him and a special cutscene at camp.
Choosing to give the book to [[Astarion]] grants approval points from him and a special cutscene at camp.


=== Unlocking the Book's Secrets ===
=== Fully Unlocking the Book's Secrets ===
More hints about the Necromancy of Thay can be found within the Silent Library within the [[Gauntlet of Shar]]. One of the books refers to a Tharchiate Codex that can unlock the tome's true power. Additionally, speaking with [[Mystic Carrion]] in the [[Lower City]] of Baldur's Gate reveals that [[Sorcerous Sundries]] holds the Codex in its lower vaults.
More hints - not mandatory - about the Necromancy of Thay can be found throughout [[Act Two]] and [[Act Three]]:
* In the Silent Library within the [[Gauntlet of Shar]], one of the books refers to a Tharchiate Codex that can unlock the tome's true power.
* A book on necromantic tomes on the rooftop of [[Moonrise Towers]] also makes reference to the Tharchiate Codex.
* By speaking with [[Mystic Carrion]] in the [[Lower City]] of Baldur's Gate, you can learn that [[Sorcerous Sundries]] holds the Codex in its lower vaults.


The Tharchiate Codex can be found in the Elminister Section of the Sorcerous Sundries' vault. Interact with the book again and the spell [[Danse Macabre]] is granted.
Once you've reached the [[Lower City]], proceed to the [[Sorcerous Vault]]. You'll find {{SmIconLink|Book WizardyGenericF.png|The Tharchiate Codex}} in the Elminister section of the Vault, which can be unlocked by opening doors in this order: Silverhand -> Evocation -> Wish.


If the book was given to Astarion, then he must be the controlled character and have the Tharciate Codex to fully understand it.
Note: If you previously gave [[Necromancy of Thay]] to [[Astarion]] or [[Gale]], they must be the controlled character and also hold {{SmIconLink|Book WizardyGenericF.png|The Tharchiate Codex}} in order to fully comprehend the text and unlock its secrets.
 
Read {{SmIconLink|Book WizardyGenericF.png|The Tharchiate Codex}}, which will curse you with {{SmIconLink|Mental Fatigue Condition Icon.webp|Tharchiate Withering (Condition)|Tharchiate Withering}} (see the [[The Tharchiate Codex|Codex]]'s page for full details). Finally, read [[Necromancy of Thay]] once more and pass one last {{SavingThrow|WIS|dc=20}} to receive {{SmIconLink|Danse Macabre Icon.png|Danse Macabre}} and complete the quest.


==Rewards==
==Rewards==
* 80xp
* 80xp
* [[Speak with Dead|Speak With Dead]]
* {{SmIconLink|Speak with Dead Icon.png|Speak with Dead}}
* [[Danse Macabre]]
* {{SmIconLink|Danse Macabre Icon.png|Danse Macabre}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Retrieved from "https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Unlock_the_Ancient_Tome"