Arcane Tower

The Arcane Tower overlooking the Ebonlake.

Underdark
Decrepit Village
↑
		Arcane Tower	→	Selûnite Outpost

The Arcane Tower is a Location within the Underdark in Act One of Baldur's Gate 3. The tower overlooks the Ebonlake, and belongs to Lenore De Hurst. However, she has not returned home in over a decade.

Overview

Access

The Arcane Tower is in the south-west corner of the Underdark map. This area is recognizable by its neatly built stone entryway that opens to a front garden featuring two Arcane Turrets. It can be reached through the Torchstalk Gulch, recognisable by its dark brown paths paved with deep red mushroom clusters and spots of Torchstalk that cast floating embers into the air.

The area is divided roughly into the entry area, each floor of the tower, and the garden outside the ground floor. Upon initial approach, the doors are shut and the central elevator is disabled; the floors must be accessed through other means.

The party can use the fungus platforms growing around the tower to  Jump their way down to the ground floor, starting either from the southern balcony of the Second floor, or from the breach in stone railing near entrance at X: 3 Y: -296 (just behind the turret). It is a good idea to cast  Feather Fall to prevent unnecessary fall damage. Alternatively, using  Fly or teleporting (via  Misty Step) also gets the party down without issues.

Dealing with the Arcane Turrets

An active Arcane Turret

The Arcane Tower is guarded by automated Arcane Turrets. They are automatically hostile and shoot at the party whenever they are in the line of sight and in range; there is a targeting indicator which can show this. Anything that breaks this line of sight (e.g. solid obstacles or  Fog Cloud) effectively stops the attacks.

The turrets shoot and attack in real-time exploration mode as well as in turn-based mode. However, it is recommended to turn on turn-based mode to make movement and controlling the party more manageable.

In general, there are a few approaches to dealing with these the Arcane Cannons:

• Attacking - the cannons can be directly damaged and rendered inoperable. They have some resistances, and vulnerability to Lightning.
• Override - the cannons can be shut down once restoring power on the generator on the ground floor.
• Running by / Stealth - this is best done in turn-based mode as it allows the party members to move cover-to-cover between turns.
• Anti-Magic - as the Arcane Cannons are magical constructs, they can be shut down by placing a Sussur Bloom near them, because of their  Sussur Antimagic Field.
  • Sussur Blooms can be found in the garden at the bottom of the Arcane Tower, or at the Sussur Tree in Dread Hollow.
  • Attacking a Cannon while it is shut-down by the Anti-Magic field destroys it, as opposed to "knocking it out".
  • Cannons which have previously been rendered inoperable but not destroyed can actually be revived by the Sussur Antimagic Field, by first placing and then taking back a Sussur Bloom near them.

Ground floor (generator room)

The door to the Ground floor is locked (requires DC 15 Sleight of Hand check to lockpick). However, it can also be opened with a lever from inside, and a Hole at X: -50 Y: -304 (detected with DC 5 Perception check) allows any small summon (like  Mage Hand) to seep inside and use the lever.

Once inside, the clues on how to restore power to the generator of the Arcane Tower are clear: several Withered Blue Petals on the floor near its furnace, and also a book titled Treatise on the Antimagic Properties of Sussur Tree Flowers on the workbench nearby.

A Sussur Bloom must be inserted in the power generator. Sussur Blooms can be found at the Garden just outside the door, or taken from the giant sussur tree in the Dread Hollow.

The party must interact with the Power Generator to bring up the crafting menu and use it to combine the machine with a Sussur Bloom. The Arcane tower comes to life, granting 25 xp and the inspiration  Regeneration for party members with the  Guild Artisan background. Once the generator is powered, the Arcane Turrets power down, the Arcane Braziers become lit, and the elevator can be used to ascend and descend between the floors.

At halfway from the generator room to the elevator chamber, at X: -53 Y: -284, in a Gilded Chest lies the Uncovered Mysteries necklace. Also, the barrels and crates around the elevator and in the generator room contain a fair amount of alchemical ingredients, mostly of mushroom and crystal derivation.

First floor (greenhouse)

This floor can only be accessed by the restored elevator, by flying, or by using the platforms on the exterior fungus on the south side of the tower. This is a level that contains all the mushrooms required for the quest  Help Omeluum Investigate the Parasite.

The other notable item on this floor is the Threadbare Book containing the phrase: "How can I trust? How should I know? How can I show myself, my darkest me?", which provides an additional option for interacting with Bernard on the roof.

Second floor (main entrance)

The main floor can be accessed directly through the front door of the tower, or via the elevator after it is powered. Opening the Main Door requires succeeding on a DC 15 Sleight of Hand check, or it can be broken down - it has  Medium Toughness and 36 hit points. Alternatively, there is a broken window to the left of the door that can be entered. Opening this door prior to the restoration of power leads to a confrontation with two Arcane Turrets, one of which is stationed right across the broken window.

A Dusty Book can be found on this floor. After reading, it changes its title to Evil's Ascent.

On the northern balcony is the Chest of the Mundane, which is revealed as magical with a successful Arcana check. Taking the clutter from the chest in the inventory, or placing a Sussur Bloom near the chest, dispels the illusion to reveal some scrolls and Mystra's Grace. The latter can provide the party an additional casting of  Feather Fall which can help them avoid some damage trying to access the ground floor. Observing the effects of the chest grants the inspirational event  Trash & Treasure for characters with the  Guild Artisan.

The southern balcony does not contain any notable items, but lets the party access the exterior fungus platforms to the lower levels.

Third floor (bedroom)

The Roads to Darkness book on Lenore's desk.

This floor can only be accessed by the restored elevator or by flying. If wanting a peaceful interaction with Bernard, this floor contains documents the party can inspect prior to ascending to the fourth floor (roof).

The book The Roads to Darkness can be found on the desk at the South-Eastern corner at X: -25 Y: -297 and a Torn-Out Paper on the table close to the elevator at X: -35 Y: -286. The book contains a stance that leads Bernard to take the player character for the tower hostess, while the separate page provides them with an additional interaction with the automaton.

The Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part One: Betrayal can be found on top of a bookshelf at X: -31 Y: -296. If Lae'zel is in the party, she can read it straightaway; if she is not available, the disc can be read after picking up and using the The Careful Art of Tir'su Ciphers from the table near the elevator at X: -32 Y: -292, or after succeeding on a DC 20 Intelligence check. Also, the player character may discuss the disc with Lae'zel upon returning to the camp. Either way, deciphering the disc starts a quest  Discover the History of Prince Orpheus.

Aside from the books and notes, the magical ring Mage's Friend can also be looted on this floor in a wooden chest by the bed, at X: -29 Y: -273.

Lastly, there is an interactable button at the north-eastern corner of the tower which appears to do nothing when pressed. To function, the party must retrieve and equip the Dog Collar from the grave at the Dread Hollow at X: -41 Y: -212, prior to interacting with it. Doing so reveals the button served as a food dispenser for Lenore's pet, Myrna, as a piece of Raw Steak appears, but only if the button is pressed by the same party member who wears the collar. If the collar had been dug up, but was not equipped, or the button was pressed by another character, the party member currently having it in the inventory or wearing it comments, feeling it vibrating. The button can be pressed multiple time, but gives the treat only once and after that its mechanism is deactivated.

The Handwritten Letter (Letter from Amarith after the first reading) on Lenore's desk sheds some light on Myrna's story, and also on reasons that caused a Bulette to roam around the tower. If Myrna's grave in the Dread Hollow has not been inspected by the party by this moment, reading the letter adds an option to place an Autumncrocus on it, earning approval from Gale, Karlach and Wyll.

The fourth floor (roof)

This floor can only be accessed by the restored elevator or by flying. Upon arriving at the floor, a dialogue is triggered with Bernard, who is standing guard by the elevator along with a group of Animated Armours.

Bernard speaks only in poetry, with the scattered lines found throughout the Arcane Tower serving as various command phrases for him. In the first meeting, if the party read The Roads to Darkness they can respond with "Or art though friend, a rescue from my lonely wake?" which prevents Bernard from becoming hostile and attacking. Successfully doing this grants the party 50 XP, and also earns the  Heart of the Creator inspirational event to any party member with  Entertainer.

Afterwards, there are several dialogue options / commands the party can use with Bernard, depending on what they have read (see #Bernard's commands).

The Guiding Light ring can be obtained by reciting "How can I trust? How will I ever know? / How can I show myself, my darkest me?" from the Threadbare Book on the first floor, or by destroying Bernard in combat. It cannot be pick-pocketed. Destroying Bernard (or commanding them to drop their weapon) also grants the party the Light of Creation.

There is also a lever next to a bookshelf at X: -40 Y: -296, which can be noticed with a DC 18 Perception check. This is an alternate way to open the wall on the first floor that leads to the basement.

Lastly, there is the Stool of Hill Giant Strength at X: -26 Y: -272, behind one of the Animated Armours. Party members can sit on the stool and notice its magical effect, as well as its disappearance once they stand up. If they break the stool, they can obtain the Club of Hill Giant Strength from its debris.

The basement (secret room)

Flying down to the secret basement room.

There are several ways to access the basement:

• Using the elevator with Guiding Light equipped (an additional "Basement" button appears at the controls)
• Using  Fly or  Misty Step to go through a gap from the first floor
• Using  Mage Hand or a ranged attack to activate a lever under the staircase to open the wall
• Activating the lever on the fourth floor hidden next to a bookshelf.

In the basement, aside from more Tongue of Madness and Timmask Spores, the party can also find the Staff of Arcane Blessing leaning against a table, The Sparkswall in a gilded chest, and an assortment of scrolls in the chest and various rows of books.

Layout

Arcane Tower layout

Level	How to access	Notable elements
Ground floor (Generator)	The exterior Garden can be access by flight, jumping or teleporting on outside the tower. The locked ground floor itself can be accessed by the Back Door or through a Hole in the wall.	Contains the generator that allows you to restore power to the tower. The elevator itself is located on a mezzanine, with the rest of the basement beneath it.
1st Floor (Greenhouse)	Can be reached by the elevator, flight, or by jumping or teleporting on the mushrooms on the tower exterior.	Contains the quest related items Tongue of Madness, Timmask Spores). If the party don't want to explore the rest of the tower, they only have to visit this one floor.
2nd Floor (Main Entrance)	Can be accessed by the Main Door. Or flight and elevator if approaching from another level.	Contains the Chest of Mundane with Mystra's Grace + two Scrolls) and 2x Arcane Cannons.
3rd Floor (Bedroom)	Can be reached by the elevator and / or flight.	Contains key elements that allows the party to converse with Bernard and other constructs peacefully.
4th Floor (Roof)	Can be reached by the elevator and / or flight.	This level contains Bernard, and the Guiding Light ring which is one method to visit the basement.
Basement (Secret Room)	Can be reached by the elevator with the Guiding Light ring equipped, by flying or using  Misty Step through a gap from the 1st level, by using  Mage Hand to activate a lever under the staircase, by using a bow to activate the lever under the staircase through the staircase, or by activating the lever on the 4th floor hidden next to a bookshelf.	Contains treasures - including the Staff of Arcane Blessing, The Sparkswall, and another set of the quest items Tongue of Madness, Timmask Spores).

Bernard's commands

Line	Action	Required book
"How can I trust? How will I ever know? / How can I show myself, my darkest me?"	Bernard gives Guiding Light to the player character.	Threadbare Book (first floor / greenhouse)
"These empty sheets are all that's left of you. / The last of all the thoughtless gifts you gave."	Bernard gives the player character a Potion of Greater Healing.	Patched Parchment (table next to Bernard, fourth floor)
"The silence stretches on - I'm all alone. / Please, can I hold your hands, for just a while?"	Bernard hugs the player character and reassure them. It speaks as if the player character is Lenore.	Torn-Out Paper (third floor / bedroom)
"Or art thou friend, a rescue from my lonely wake?"	Bernard acknowledges the player character as their master, and remains passive.	The Roads to Darkness (third floor / bedroom)
"There is a light in every living thing. / It's crawling t'wards the surface to survive."	Bernard and the nearby Animated Armours become hostile and attack.	Evil's Ascent (second floor / main entrance, marked as Dusty Book before reading it)

Characters

• Bernard

Creatures

• Arcane Turret
• Animated Armour

Related quests

•  Discover the History of Prince Orpheus
•  Help Omeluum Investigate the Parasite

Nearby locations

View from the South

Torchstalk Gulch

To the east of the tower, this unnamed area of the Underdark has deep red mushroom clusters and spots of Torchstalk that cast floating embers into the air. The corpse of an unfortunate Drow can be found, having been killed by an unexpected fall.

The party can climb mushrooms along the wall to reach an upper level. Some of these mushrooms are illusions that de-materialise when stepped on or discovered with a DC 10 Investigation check. There are also some mushroom circles, one behind an illusory wall, on the upper level and below. These connect to each other, until the circle in the Overgrown Tunnel is used. They can then be used to travel to the Overgrown Tunnel near the the Riverside Teahouse and back.

Festering Cove

Main article: The Festering Cove

The Festering Cove is a partially hidden location on a separate Underdark map, where Kuo-toa worship their "god", BOOOAL. It can be reached by climbing down the cragged rock in Torchstalk Gulch X: 80 Y: -241.

Loot

Notable items obtained in this location, whether looted, purchased, or obtained as a quest reward:

• Skybreaker inside a locked chest in-front of the tower X: 27 Y: -298

Ground Floor (generator room)

• Uncovered Mysteries

First floor

• Timmask Spores
• Tongues of Madness

Second floor (main entrance)

• Broken Machineries
• Mystra's Grace inside the Chest of the Mundane

Third floor (bedroom)

• Mage's Friend in a chest at the foot of the bed on the 3rd floor

Fourth floor (roof)

• Broken Machineries
• Club of Hill Giant Strength from breaking the Stool of Hill Giant Strength on the 4th floor of the tower
• Guiding Light looted or gifted from Bernard after using the appropriate play line
• Light of Creation looted from Bernard (can also use  Command: Drop)

Basement (secret room)

• Staff of Arcane Blessing
• The Sparkswall
• Timmask Spores
• Tongues of Madness
• Level 3 Spell Scroll (randomised)

Alchemy

Apart from Timmask Spores and Tongue of Madness, which can be freely looted only in the Arcane Tower, this location is the only place where the player character can obtain Broken Machinery (on the fourth floor and also in crates on the second floor) used to craft Elixir of Lightning Resistance.

Literature

This list does not include books obtainable also from other sources and in other regions

• De Hurst's Diary
• Evil's Ascent - seen as "Dusty Book" until first read
• Letter from Amarith - seen as "Handwritten Letter" until first read
• Letter to Yrre
• Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part One: Betrayal
• Patched Parchment
• The Careful Art of Tir'su Ciphers
• The Roads to Darkness
• Threadbare Book
• Treatise on the Antimagic Properties of Sussur Tree Flowers

External links

• Arcane Tower on the Forgotten Realms Wiki