Spaw

Sovereign Spaw is a myconid in Baldur's Gate 3. It is the Sovereign of the Myconid colony in Ebonlake Grotto.

“

((*flesh-talker. I show you a memory. watch and listen*))

„

— Spaw

Overview

Sovereign Spaw's colony was attacked by duergar slavers who were trying to recapture Thulla, a runaway deep gnome slave the Myconids were giving safe harbour to. They were able to repel the deep dwarves, but sought help to finish off the invaders.

Involvement

Act One

Spaw telepathically engages the party from afar when they pass through Rapport Spores for the first time. Spaw explains using imagery that duergar invaders have been killing their young, and then threatens the party with images of strangulation.

The party must convince Spaw they come in peace to enter the Ebonlake Grotto:

• [PERSUASION] Conjure tranquil memories in hopes of calming the sovereign. (DC 5)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] THREATEN ME AGAIN. I DARE YOU. (DC 10 )
• [GITHYANKI] [INTIMIDATION] Utter a githyanki war cry. Did you truly wish to risk battle with me? (DC 10)
• [INTIMIDAITON] Do you truly wish to do battle with a great warrior? (DC 10)
• [DUERGAR] [PERSUASION] Kneel in submission. I am not of the killers' clan. (DC 10)
• [PERSUASION] Kneel in submission. I mean no harm to you. (DC 10)
• [PERSUASION] I am a traveller seeking adventure. (DC 5)
• [INSIGHT] Seek understanding. Focus on the sovereign's song. (DC 5)
  • I sense your fear. I've come to aid you.
• [INTIMIDATION] My purpose is private. Let me pass, and I will leave you unharmed. (DC 5)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] ROAR. (DC 5 )
• [BARD] Hum a peaceful tune in harmony with the sovereign.
• [BARD] [GITHYANKI] Mumble an ancient gith axiom in rhythm with the sovereign.
• [DROW-ELF] [DROW HALF-ELF] [DEEP GNOME] The Underdark is my home. I do not need your permission to be here.
• [OATH OF THE ANCIENTS] I am nature's bulwark. Where good things grow, I lend my protection.
• [OATH OF DEVOTION] To do what is right. To do my duty.
• [OATH OF VENGEANCE] I seek retribution for those who cannot.
• [OATH OF THE CROWN] I am a servant of the law in lawless places.
• [OATHBREAKER] I have no 'purpose'. I simply am. That is enough.
• Tell the truth of the parasite. You only seek safe passage in your search for treatment.

If there is a Duergar in the party, the options change slightly and become harder to reflect their attitude against them:

• [PERSUASION] Conjure tranquil memories in hopes of calming the sovereign. (DC 10)
• [DUERGAR] [PERSUASION] Kneel in submission. I mean no harm to you. (DC 10)
• [PERSUASION] Kneel in submission. My duergar companion means you no harm. (DC 10)
• [INTIMIDATION] If I wanted you dead, you would be. Don't tempt me. (DC 10)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] ROAR. (DC 10 )

When they come face-to-fungi in the Ebonlake Grotto, Spaw asks the party to slay the duergar that threaten its colony.

If the party slay the duergar, or a bard convinces Spaw to believe they are already dead ( DC 20 Deception check) Spaw goes further and requests Nere's head, ending the Absolute's push through the Underdark. If the party complete this quest, Spaw transforms the dead drow's head into a Blooming Drow Head and celebrates with a little dance.

Glut

The party can turn on Spaw as part of  Avenge Glut's Circle. Attempting to coup Spaw turns the entire colony hostile against Glut and the party, but this battle can be ended prematurely by focusing on Spaw alone. Once Spaw is dead, the rest of the colony turns neutral again as they immediately accept Glut as a new sovereign. This grants the  New Management inspiration to party members with the  Haunted One background. The mere fact of first supporting Glut in his plans for a coup and then picking a whichever side earns another inspirational event:  Warmonger ( Charlatan background).

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 Animating Spores ()

Release spores at a corpse to animate it as a spore servant under your command.

 Range: 3 m / 10 ft

Recharge: Per turn

 Fist ()

Damage: 6~36

3d8Bludgeoning

+ 3d4Poison

Lash out with a fungal hand.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

 Multiattack ()

Damage: 16~72

4d8 + 4Bludgeoning

+ 4d8 + 4Bludgeoning

Aim multiple attacks at a target.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

Loot

• The Sovereign's Key

Related quests

•  Avenge Glut's Circle
•  Defeat the Duergar Intruders
•  Deliver Nere's Head

Gallery

• 

  Render by Luna Wullaert

• 

  Render by Luna Wullaert

Notes

• The tooltip of Spaw's animating spores mentions that it can only be used on one target at a time; however, Spaw can use it each turn as long as there are valid targets.
• When Spaw initially greets the party telepathically, it commands them to "descend" to it, despite the party needing to climb up a large series of mushroom "steps" to get to it.

External links

• Spaw on the Forgotten Realms Wiki