Baldur's Gate 3: Unveiling the Secrets of the Temple of Bhaal (Save Orin's Victim and Explore Hidden Treasures!)

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Where to Find the Entrance to the Temple

How to Survive Manslaughter Chasm

The Temple Approach

In Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3, players are tasked with finding and infiltrating the Temple of Bhaal as part of one of the main quests. Regardless of whether players have already worked closely with Orin the Red, they must still discover a means of accessing her sanctuary in order to deliver Gortash's severed head to her.

Investigate the Murders (or Commit Some More)

In order to access the Temple of Bhaal, players must possess the Amulet of Bhaal. Acquiring this amulet involves meeting with the Murder Tribunal. While a detailed guide for the "Investigate the Murders" quest is available, here is a brief summary:

Get the Bloodstained Parchment from one of the murder sites in the South Span of Wyrm's Rock or in the Lower City.

Visit Cora Highberry and warn her.

Visit Figaro Pennygood and confront the murderer.

Take the murderer's "handbag" to Candulhallow's Tombstones and press the button hidden behind a painting.

Use the murderer's hands to enter the presence of the Murder Tribunal.

Either kill the Tribunal or become an Unholy Assassin to get the Amulet of Bhaal.

Where to Find the Entrance to the Temple

Players ought to be aware of the fact that taking down the Tribunal in Baldur's Gate 3 will trigger a warning indicating that Orin will become upset. However, despite this circumstance, the party has the opportunity to carry out multiple long rests before she ultimately decides to harm her captive.

Various entrances on the western side of the region provide players with access to the sewers beneath the Lower City. The round sewer entrances can be used by the party to enter, while the Guild hideout features two locked doors that serve as entry points to the remaining sections of the sewer system.

The entrance to the Temple of Bhaal is located north of the sewer area, adjacent to a waypoint named "Undercity." In addition to referencing the waypoint, players can recognize this spot by the distinctive circular blood droplets symbolizing Bhaal.

A significant stone door obstructs access and cannot be opened by lockpicking. However, it does respond when players present the Amulet of Bhaal, requiring additional evidence of their faith. Players are welcome to be truthful, as the murder of the Tribunal serves as a valid act of devotion to Bhaal, the God of Murder.

How to Survive Manslaughter Chasm

Beyond the door lies a lifeless body accompanied by a warning written on a parchment. Just beyond this message, a gang of Bhaal devotees patiently await to ambush the party. Among them is a formidable figure known as Ghislev, the Farslayer of Bhaal. During his turns, Ghislev will unleash the lethal incantation of Bhaal's Power Word Kill. Should he successfully complete his five-round chant, every member of the party within the confines of Manslaughter Chasm will meet their demise.

Ghislev stands on the opposite side of the chasm, while various factions of Bhaalites stand as obstacles between them. The initial group to engage the party consists of three Reapers of Bhaal positioned on a cliff, yet more adversaries will emerge as party members descend the cliff's edge and traverse the connecting pillar spanning the chasm.

Ghislev possesses a defense known as Unstoppable 5, which is an exclusive trait for Bhaalites. This defense reduces all attacks against Ghislev to dealing only 1 damage, regardless of their original power. Unstoppable 5 remains active for the next five hits. Additionally, as long as Unstoppable is in effect, Ghislev cannot be thrown, shoved, or restrained.

To secure victory in this battle, it is crucial to eliminate Ghislev. Not only will this prevent the triggering of Power Word Kill, but it will also cause all other combatants to disappear. One effective strategy is to position a Wizard or Sorcerer close to Ghislev by utilizing Misty Step or Dimension Door to traverse the chasm. The spellcaster can then unleash Magic Missile at the third level against Ghislev, benefiting from each missile counting as a separate hit for Unstoppable.

The Temple Approach

If a party member crosses the chasm, Ghislev will often teleport to the area exit, although this still brings him relatively close to the bottomless pit. It should be noted that he has a mere 68 hit points, making him vulnerable once his Unstoppable charges are depleted. Nonetheless, regardless of how this scenario unfolds, players have the opportunity to explore the area once the enemies disappear, and can proceed further when they feel prepared.

Down the road from Manslaughter Chasm lies the entrance to the Temple of Bhaal. Along this path, players will encounter statues reciting a prophecy familiar to those who have played the first two Baldur's Gate games. Additionally, there are various containers along the way that are worth exploring, and at the end, players will come across the scene of a tragic murder where they can discover the head of Dribbles the Clown. Specifically, the head can be found on the body of Wilting Alex.

There are no adversaries or riddles present in this area; however, there exists one final checkpoint where players can return to camp for a final opportunity to fully restore their energy. Moreover, there is an alternative pathway leading towards the location of the Absolute, although the Emperor will caution the party against venturing forth as they have not yet acquired all three Netherstones. Once the players are prepared, proceed towards the door and present the Amulet of Bhaal.

How to Slay the Slayer

The party is welcomed by the friendly inhabitants of the temple, granting them the freedom to proceed towards the main altar where Orin awaits. Alternatively, players can venture along a hidden path to access Orin's personal chamber from the side, although this choice does not affect the ultimate confrontation. Nevertheless, some players may opt to initiate the battle from the lower staircase instead of the upper set.

If Gortash is alive when the party approaches Orin, a party member must successfully deceive, intimidate, or persuade her with a check of at least 25 to spare her hostage's life. However, even if Gortash is dead and the protagonist is an Unholy Assassin, Orin will transform into the Slayer and launch an attack. Considering Bhaal's identity as the God of Murder, this outcome is expected.

As the Slayer, Orin possesses the ability Unstoppable 7, and the Bhaal worshipers surrounding the altar will replenish her charges at the conclusion of each round. These worshipers are protected by Sanctuary, making them impervious to direct attacks but susceptible to area-of-effect spells. Another strategy to penetrate Orin's defenses involves casting Magic Missile at level five, followed by the remaining party members unleashing their entire arsenal upon her.

Once Orin falls, the chanters surrounding the temple will cease their chanting and launch an attack. However, dealing with them is far easier than facing the Slayer. The remaining members of the temple will remain passive, leaving it up to the players to decide whether or not to engage them in combat. Regardless of the choice made, players should thoroughly search Orin's body for her weapons, Bloodthirst and Crimson Mischief, as well as her studded leather armor +2. Additionally, players can explore her quarters, where they will come across a deceased dragonborn (unless the protagonist is The Dark Urge) and a shrine dedicated to Orin's deceased mother.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available for macOS and PC, with a release date for PS5 set for September 6.