Necromancy of Thay is a Story-related Book related to the Search the Cellar Quest.
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It. Is. Not. Too. Late.
Properties
Rarity: Story Item
Weight: 0.5 kg / 1 lb
Price: 14 gp
Where to find
- In the Apothecary's Cellar beneath the Blighted Village, behind a locked gate, on an altar.
- To access the hidden portion of the cellar containing the book, you must move a wardrobe by pulling a lever hidden behind a box, then speak with the magic mirror and either intimidate it or correctly answer its questions:
- What think you of the Zulkir known as Szass Tam? 'Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.'
- Why might one use balsam ointment? 'To clean a wound.'
- If you could see anything in me, what would it be? 'I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.'
- The locked gate in front of the book can be lockpicked as of release. The Rusted Key found on a shelf in the next room (near the lever that opens a shortcut back to the cellar entrance) can also be used to open the door. Alternatively, spells like
Misty Step can be used to bypass the gate.
- Note that taking the book will trigger a trap. To avoid this, you can enter turn-based mode and place an item of similar weight (like another book) on the pedestal, or simply disarm the plate itself by stepping close enough to the book to make the perception check, or by disarming the two nearby statues.
- To read the book, you must obtain the Dark Amethyst from the Whispering Depths, which can be accessed from the well or the blacksmith's basement in the Blighted Village. The Amethyst is guarded by a Phase Spider Matriarch. X: -550 Y: -350
- See Notes and Trivia for the possible paths that can be taken with this book.
Notes and Trivia
Act One
- The Necromancy of Thay has three main paths that can be chosen, each with different outcomes.
- Give to Gale for his condition or to Astarion. Giving it to one of these Companions will net you approval from the one you've given it to, and disapproval from the other. Once a companion has obtained the book, you cannot transfer it to another.
- Destroy the book. The book can be destroyed only by
Radiant damage. Destroying it will net you disapproval from both Astarion and Gale. However it will net you approval from Karlach, Lae'zel, and Wyll if you bring them in your party.
- Read the book for its dark secrets. Interact with the book and use the option to insert the Dark Amethyst to unlock it. In total, three pages of the book can be turned. Each page you turn prompts a progressively harder Wisdom Saving Throw (DC 10, 15, and 20). The following possible events can occur:
- Failing one Saving Throw curses you with Whispers of Madness (
Disadvantage on Wisdom Checks for 50 turns).
- Failing two or more Saving Throws curses you with Baleful Knowledge (
Disadvantage on Wisdom Checks until cleansed by
Remove Curse).
- Some classes receive special options to modify or lower these DCs; all such special options result in the same overall outcomes.
- Bards may make Performance checks with the same DCs.
- Sorcerers may make Charisma saves with DCs of 5, 10, and 15.
- Warlocks may make the first save using Charisma with a DC of 5. The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.
- Wizards may make the first save using Intelligence with a DC of 5. The other pages will use the default Wisdom saves.
- Shadowheart is given a special option (as a Cleric of Shar) for turning the third page, offering a Wisdom ability check with a DC of 10 (in contrast to the 20 DC Wisdom saving throw).
- Astarion is given a special option: "Drink in the darkness, embracing it, and turn the page" for turning the third page, offering a Wisdom ability check with a DC of 15 (in contrast to the 20 DC Wisdom saving throw).
- Some classes receive special options to modify or lower these DCs; all such special options result in the same overall outcomes.
- Turning at least one page permanently grants the reader Spell Slot. . This can be cast as a and does not consume a
- Turning three pages, regardless of success, grants the Forbidden Knowledge tag and passive feature.
- Closing the book before turning three pages leaves the Search the Cellar quest incomplete and allows the character to reopen the book again later.
- Failing one Saving Throw curses you with Whispers of Madness (
- Once the book has been opened by one character, it will not open for any other character. Once all three pages have been turned, the book will refuse to open again for anyone until more knowledge is gained later in the game.
- After reading, the item quote will change from 'It. Is. Not. Too. Late.' to 'Look. Away.'
Show Spoilers
Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.