Editing The Counting House

{{PageSeo
| title = The Counting House
| image = Tim-coddens-tim-coddens-thecountinghouse-01.webp
| description = The Counting House is a a heavily guarded banking and storage facility located in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate in Act Three. 
}}
<div style="float: right; text-align: center; margin: 4px;" class="noexcerpt">{{#widget:Lower City Map|transform=translate(-1771.8164494815805,-2688.775399644337) scale(3.482202253184501)|w=300px|unique_name=map-counting|caption=The Counting House and its docks on the map.}}</div>
[[File:Tim-coddens-tim-coddens-thecountinghouse-01.webp|thumb|right|Entrance of The Counting House.]]
'''The Counting House''' is a heavily guarded banking and storage facility located in the [[Lower City]] of [[Baldur's Gate]] in [[Act Three]]. It is found along the southern coast of the Lower City, between [[Flymm Cargo]] and [[Old Garlow's Place]], and encompasses the counting house, it's underground storage facilities, and the docks to the south-west.

== Overview ==
=== Obtaining a Bank Pass ===
To enter further into the bank, the party must show a [[Bank Pass]] to [[Cashguard Captain Faril]] or use diplomacy. The Bank Pass will allow access to the lower levels of the bank, including the safes and vaults. 

The pass can be purchased from [[Head Clerk Meadhoney]] for a large sum of gold. Alternatively, if a {{SAI|Detect Thoughts}} or [[Insight]] check during the dialogue is succeeded, the party can persuade him into giving a "temporary" pass which is, in fact, just a normal pass. Alternatively  the pass can be stolen from the Head Clerk's office upstairs, on a cabinet at {{Coords|-102|-180}}. If progressing through the [[Aid the Underduke]] quest, it's also possible succeed a [[Persuasion]], [[Intimidation]], or [[Deception]] check to convince Meadhoney to give the pass to the party.

=== The Counting House - Safes ===
[[File:Konstantin-melnik-vaults1.png|thumb|right]]
The Counting House Safes are found immediately after proceeding down the stairs and through the Vault Door at {{Coords|-91|-158}}. Each safe is tucked behind an ornate iron door that cannot be interacted with; bypassing each requires teleportation like {{Sai|Misty Step}}, [[Arrow of Transposition]], or intangibility effects like {{Sai|Gaseous Form}}. Keep in mind that locks cannot be picked while in Gaseous Form. Level 10 transmutation wizards can pass through the vaults with [[shapechanger]] for no recourse cost by flying around the gates. These safes each have a {{Ability check|Sleight of Hand|20}} lock. The contents of the safes and where to find the keys is listed in the [[The_Counting_House#Notable loot|Loot-Section]] The keys follow the naming convention "Counting House Safe n°X Key". Lockpicking and looting these vaults will '''not''' trigger any security response.

=== The Counting House - Vaults ===

Through the door directly opposite the safes, on the left-hand side from the entry corridor, are the Counting House Vaults. Sigil circles protect each vault, teleporting trespassers back to the entryway should they walk, fly, or jump over them. These circles can be bypassed with effects like '''Misty Step''', careful jumping around their edges, or by disabling them by pressing the two buttons located at {{Coords|-971|797}} and {{Coords|-975|797}}. These buttons can be activated with a ranged attack. These vaults each have a {{Ability check|Sleight of Hand|25}} lock. The contents of the safes and where to find the keys is listed in the [[The_Counting_House#Notable loot|Loot-Section]]  The keys follow the naming convention "Counting House Vault n°X Key". Lockpicking and looting these vaults will '''not''' trigger any security response.

=== The Counting House - High Security Vaults ===
[[File:Konstantin-melnik-vaultpuzzle1.png|thumb|right]]
At the deepest part of the Counting House, beyond a vault door requiring a {{Ability check|Sleight of Hand|99}}, are the High Security Vaults. This "impossible" lock can be bypassed in numerous ways:

* Entering the passcode to open the door by walking over four of the nine pressure plates in a correct order. Reading {{RarityItem|Flintdigger's Abridged Dwarven History}} (in the Head Banker's office on the top floor, at {{Coords|-93|-181}}) hints at the password being 1-3-5-6.
** Unlimited attempts are allowed, so it's possible to brute force the passcode until all four symbols are entered in the correct order.
* As hinted in {{RarityItem|Cleaning Staff Note}} at {{Coords|-947|789}} and {{RarityItem|Counting House Vault Rules}} in the stack of scrolls at {{Coords|-958|772}}, by creating an [[Electrified Surface|electrified surface]] and short-circuiting the lock.
* Brute forcing {{RarityItem|Thieves' Tools}} on the door until a critical success is rolled.

Venturing into the High Security Vaults for the first time will trigger a battle between [[Cult of Bhaal|Bhaal Cultists]] and Counting House workers, with the cultists always hostile. The [[Reaper of Bhaal]] enemies start the fight invisible and hidden in the hall alcoves and will attempt to flank the opponents. Winning the fight and speaking to head banker [[Rakath Glitterbeard]] will initiate the quest [[Return Rakath's Gold]].

These high security vaults each have a {{Ability check|Sleight of Hand|30}} lock that has {{Cond|Enchanted Security}} which prevents [[Knock]] spells from opening it. The contents of the safes and where to find the keys is listed in the [[The_Counting_House#Notable loot|Loot-Section]]  The keys follow the naming convention "High Security Vault n°X Key". Lockpicking and looting these vaults will '''not''' trigger any security response.

=== Counting House docks ===
[[File:Counting House Docks.png|thumb|right]]
Docks line the southwestern perimeter of the Counting House. They can be reached through the door at {{Coords|-114|-193}} connecting to the antechamber descending into the vaults, or from the southern end of [[Flymm Cargo]] and the eastern end of [[Water Queen's House]]. Being spotted by any of the dock patrols, which include two [[Steel Watcher (creature)|Steel Watchers]], will at best result in ejection, and at worst a fight.

Cargo boats and locked treasure chests are strewn about the docks. Each chest requires either a {{Ability check|Sleight of Hand|10 or 15}} to unlock. Though none of chests contain unique loot, claiming them all will garner a windfall of [[valuables]], [[scrolls]], [[potions]], and raw [[gold]]. Two {{RarityItem|Smokepowder Barrel|alias=Smokepowder Barrels}} and an excellent vista of the city's port can be reached by climbing to the top of the locked tower at {{Coords|-161|-219}}. Travelling west from there leads to the [[Lustrous Lass]], a ship steeped in disease and carrying a deadly [[Cursed Imp]] stowaway.

=== Notable characters ===
* [[The Stone Lord]]
* [[Rakath Glitterbeard]]
* [['Jaheira']]

==== Counting House staff ====
* [[Meadhoney|Head Clerk Meadhoney]]
* [[Faril|Cashguard Captain Faril]]
* Twelve [[Cashguard Artillerist]]s
* Nine [[Cashguard Basher]]s

==== Cultists of Bhaal ====
* Two [[Death's Head of Bhaal]]
* One [[Invoker of Bhaal]]
* Four [[Reaper of Bhaal|Reapers of Bhaal]]

=== Related quests ===
* [[Aid the Underduke]]
* [[The High Harper]]
* [[Return Rakath's Gold]]

== Notable loot ==
Loot not found in a vault:
* {{MdRarityItem|Amulet of Restoration}} - In a chest titled 'Private Stash' {{coords|-85|-185}} in the eastern room down the very first flight of stairs.
* 2x {{MdRarityItem|Smokepowder Barrel}} - At the top of the locked tower at the Counting House docks {{coords|-161|-219}}.

=== Safes ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align: left;"
|-
!width=7%| Safe No.
!| Key and its location
!| Loot
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 1
|
[[Counting House Safe n°1 Key]] - Found in an Opulent Chest {{Coords|-1308|1020}} in the [[Szarr Palace]], in the room left of the main ballroom. A button in the room to the right needs to be pressed, which will open the left door and close the right door
|{{unbulleted list|
*{{RarityItem|Ruby}}
*{{RarityItem|Bronze Goblet}}
*{{Gold|108}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 2
|
[[Counting House Safe n°2 Key]] - Sold by [[Skittle]] at [[Heapside Prison]] in the [[Basilisk Gate Barracks]] in the [[Lower City]]. Since the key costs nothing, it must be gained through Trade instead of Barter{{Verify}}
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Greataxe +2}}
* {{RarityItem|Shortsword +2}}
* {{RarityItem|Triumphal Helm}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 3
|
[[Counting House Safe n°3 Key]] - Found in a DC10 locked Heavy Chest {{Coords|1459|841}} in [[Bonecloak's Basement]] underneath [[Bonecloak's Apothecary]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Pouch containing:
:2x [[Alchemy]] ingredients
:2x [[Elixir]]s
:Around {{Gold|100}}
* {{RarityItem|Potion of Universal Resistance}}
* {{RarityItem|Elixir of Battlemage's Power}}
* {{RarityItem|Superior Elixir of Arcane Cultivation}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 4
|
[[Counting House Safe n°4 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Head Clerk Meadhoney]] in The Counting House main lobby
|{{unbulleted list|
* None
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 5
|
[[Counting House Safe n°5 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Harvard Willoughby]] at the [[Elfsong Tavern]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
*{{Gold|467-509}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 6
|
[[Counting House Safe n°6 Key]] - Found in a Backpack {{Coords|978|1203}} in a hidden base through a DC15 locked Hatch {{Coords|61|-123}} by the eastern docks in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Backpack containing:
: {{RarityItem|Rope}}
: {{RarityItem|Mug}}
: 1-2 {{RarityItem|Potion of Healing}}
: 2x [[Elixir]]s
: Around {{Gold|13}}
* Another backpack containing:
: 1 [[Potion]]
: 1-2 [[Coatings]]
: {{RarityItem|Disguise Kit}}
: {{RarityItem|Thieves' Tools}}
: Around {{Gold|22}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 7
|
[[Counting House Safe n°7 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Oliver Tefoco]] at [[Beehive General Goods]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Angelic Scion Outfit}}
* {{RarityItem|Celestial Sandals}}
* {{RarityItem|Black Flare Leather Outfit}}
* {{RarityItem|Solemnity Outfit in Green}}
* {{RarityItem|Wizard Hat}}
* {{RarityItem|Raffish Garb}}
* {{RarityItem|Opalescent Outfit}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 8
|
[[Counting House Safe n°8 Key]] - Found in a mailbox {{Coords|65|-95}} above the entrance to the [[Guildhall]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* 4x {{RarityItem|Gold Ingot}}
* 2x {{RarityItem|Silver Ingot}}
* {{Gold|560}}
}}
|}

=== Vaults ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align: left;"
|-
!width=8%| Vault No.
!| Key and its location
!| Loot
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 1
|
[[Counting House Vault n°1 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Captain Grisly]] in [[The Blushing Mermaid]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Opulent chest containing:
: {{RarityItem|Diamond}}
: {{RarityItem|Onyx}}
* {{Gold|107}}
* {{Gold|250}}
* {{Gold|580}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 2
|
[[Counting House Vault n°2 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Oloric Witmirth]] in [[Elfsong Tavern]] in the [[Lower City]]. {{Verify}}
|{{unbulleted list|
* Traveler's chest containing:
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Expeditious Retreat}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Speak with Dead}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Web}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Sleep}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Feather Fall}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Mage Armour}}
: {{RarityItem|Scroll of Protection from Evil and Good}}
: {{Gold|114}}
* {{RarityItem|Scroll of Disintegrate}}
* {{RarityItem|Scroll of Otto's Irresistible Dance}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 3
|
[[Counting House Vault n°3 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Alan Alyth]], the barkeeper of [[Elfsong Tavern]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Wine rack containing:
: {{RarityItem|Balor Ale}}
: 2x {{RarityItem|Gulthmeran Reserve}}
: {{RarityItem|Arabellan Dry}}
* Wooden crate containing:
: 2x {{RarityItem|Highsun Liqueur}}
: {{RarityItem|Marsember Ice Wine}}
* {{RarityItem|Barrel-Aged Callidyrran}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 4
|
[[Counting House Vault n°4 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Roger Highberry]] in [[Highberry's Home]] in the [[Lower City]].
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Beach at Dusk}}
* {{RarityItem|Struck Match}}
* {{RarityItem|Full Body Depiction of a Tiefling}}
* {{Gold|495}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 5
|
[[Counting House Vault n°5 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Avery Sonshal]] in [[Felogyr's Fireworks]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Pouch containing:
: {{RarityItem|Jacinth}}
: {{RarityItem|Silver Band}}
: {{RarityItem|Agate}}
: {{Gold|55}}
* {{RarityItem|Scroll of Revivify}}
* {{Gold|1220}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 6
|
[[Counting House Vault n°6 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Omotola]] at [[The Glitter Gala]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Gilded chest containing:
: {{RarityItem|Diamond}}
: {{RarityItem|Sapphire}}
: {{RarityItem|Ruby}}
: {{RarityItem|Plate (Valuable)|alias=Plate}}
: {{RarityItem|Fork}}
: 2x {{RarityItem|Gold Ingot}}
: 2x {{RarityItem|Silver Ingot}}
: 202 {{RarityItem|Gold}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Tray}}
* {{RarityItem|Bronze Goblet}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Goblet}}
* {{RarityItem|Polished Necklace}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Glass}}
}}
|}

=== High security vaults ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;text-align: left;"
|-
!width=8%| Vault No.
!| Key and its location
!| Loot
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 1
|
[[High Security Vault n°1 Key]] - Found in a Display Case {{Coords|4972|704}} in [[Ramazith's Tower]] (accessed via a portal in [[Sorcerous Sundries]] in the [[Lower City]]), underneath the invisible barrier. 
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Nymph Cloak}}
* {{RarityItem|Spell Savant Amulet}}
* {{Gold|251}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 2
|
[[High Security Vault n°2 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Lady Jannath]] in [[Lady Jannath's Estate]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Jannath's Hat}}
* {{RarityItem|Perfumed Days, Passionate Nights}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Pendant}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Necklace}}
* {{RarityItem|Verdelite Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Ring}}
* {{Gold|512}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 3
|
[[High Security Vault n°3 Key]] - Found in [[Cazador]]'s Sarcophagus {{Coords|-1926|947}} in [[Cazador's Dungeon]] underneath the [[Szarr Palace]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|The Long Arm of the Gur}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Pendant}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Necklace}}
* {{RarityItem|Verdelite Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Gold Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Peridot Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Amulet}}
* {{Gold|551}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 4
|
[[High Security Vault n°4 Key]] - Found in an Opulent Chest {{Coords|-246|-249}} on the second floor of the [[Water Queen's House]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Trident of the Waves}}
* 4x {{RarityItem|Pearl Necklace}}
* {{Gold|234}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 5
|
[[High Security Vault n°5 Key]] - Found in a Safe {{Coords|-34|203}} hidden behind a painting on the top floor of [[Wyrm's Rock Fortress]] in [[Wyrm's Crossing]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Ravengard's Scourger}}
* {{RarityItem|A Father's Diary}}
* {{Gold|517}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 6
|
[[High Security Vault n°6 Key]] - Found in an Opulent Chest {{Coords|-48|102}} in the northwestern section of the [[Iron Throne]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}}
* {{RarityItem|The Astral Prism Heist}}
* {{RarityItem|To Take Control}}
* {{RarityItem|Shield Steward Interrogation Log}}
* 2x {{RarityItem|Gold Ingot}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Ingot}}
* {{Gold|112}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 7
|
[[High Security Vault n°7 Key]] - Can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Nine-Fingers Keene]] in the [[Guildhall]] in the [[Lower City]] [[Lower City Sewers|Sewers]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* Heavy chest containing:
: 4x {{RarityItem|Toy Block}}
: {{RarityItem|Stuffed Bear}}
: {{RarityItem|Practice Sword}}
: {{RarityItem|Training Shield}}
: {{RarityItem|Ball}}
* {{RarityItem|Knock Knuckle Gloves}}
* {{Gold|528}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 8
|
[[High Security Vault n°8 Key]] - Found in a Jewellery Box {{Coords|-398|-1591}} in the [[Cloister of Sombre Embrace]] underneath the [[House of Grief]] in the [[Lower City]]
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|The Patriar Blackmail Files}}
* {{RarityItem|Skeletons in Patriar Closets}}
* {{RarityItem|Silver Necklace}}
* {{RarityItem|Ruby Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Peridot Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Polished Ring}}
* {{RarityItem|Black Diamond}}
* {{RarityItem|Ruby}}
* {{RarityItem|Pearl}}
* {{Gold|261-268}}
}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align: center;"| 9
|
[[High Security Vault n°9 Key]] - Reward for completing [[Return Rakath's Gold]] or can be looted or pickpocketed from [[Rakath Glitterbeard]] in The Counting House
|{{unbulleted list|
* {{RarityItem|Elegant Studded Leather}}
}}
|}
<!-- commenting this out for now, probably to be removed
====Cashguard====
* [[Galleass]]
* [[Helenia]]
===== Artillerist =====
* [[Dadger]]
* [[Erus]]
* [[Faona]]
* [[Heen]]
* [[Jacko]]
* [[Loretta]]
* [[Morra]]
* [[Smathers]]
* [[Thamberg]]
* [[Theoda]]
* [[Triava]]
* [[Yonni]]
===== Basher =====
* [[Brammels]]
* [[Dugg]]
* [[Edvidge]]
* [[Forstum]] 
* [[Humgoole]]
* [[Karol]]
* [[Mofty]]
* [[Nickelow]]
* [[Vikki]] 
==== Cashier ====
* [[Stivvo]]
==== Clerk ====
* [[Chervis]]
* [[Zollerix]]
=== Customers ===
* [[Brialavant]]
* [[Brid Hunley]]
* [[Gilla Merrun]]
* [[Legarioll]]
* [[Mevelenora]]
* [[Skonal Dehann]]
* [[Vrindula Mardassus]]
==== Death's Head ====
* [[M'alice]]
* [[Feona]]
==== Invoker ====
* [[Grice]]
==== Reaper ====
* [[Deera]]
* [[Onilla]]
* [[Shrev]]
* [[Skoan]]
-->

== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="200">
Tim-coddens-tim-coddens-thecountinghouse-06.webp|Interior of The Counting House.
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== External links ==
* {{FRWiki|Counting House|long}}

[[Category:Locations]][[Category:Act Three Locations]]