Baldur's Gate 3: Unveiling Volo's Ersatz Eye - Master the Art of Seeing Invisibility!

In Baldur’s Gate 3, players have numerous options for customizing their character. From a comprehensive character creation tool to a diverse class and subclass system, the game offers a wide range of choices. Additionally, players can modify their character through various in-game tasks and quests, which can have temporary or permanent effects on their character.

Engaging in a side quest involving a comical and unlucky storyteller named Volo unlocks a unique customization option. Volo is just one of several NPCs who can assist players in removing the parasite from their character's head. However, players may want to consider the reliability of trusting someone who tends to exaggerate and spin tales. Here's everything you need to know about Volo and the impact of his Ersatz Eye in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Where to Find Volo in Baldur's Gate 3

The bard Volo can be initially encountered by the player at the Druid Grove, where he can be spotted interrogating a bear and making detailed observations regarding recent goblin activities that have occurred in the vicinity. Upon engaging in a conversation with the player, Volo discloses his discovering of the goblins' peculiar fixation on the Absolute. Intrigued by this peculiar behavior, he resolves to conduct a firsthand investigation of the goblin encampment in order to gather more information for his captivating tale.

How to Start and Complete the Quest “Rescue Volo”

The player is not required to have initially encountered Volo in the Druid Grove in order to initiate their quest. Instead, upon reaching the Goblin Camp, they will have the opportunity to converse with Volo and subsequently proceed to rescue the bard from the goblins.

Upon arriving at the Goblin Camp in BG3, located west of the Blighted Village, players will have the opportunity to encounter Volo once again. In the midst of the courtyard, Volo is being held captive and reluctantly entertaining the goblins with his unconventional poetry. Desperate for help, Volo pleads with the player to rescue him from his captors, triggering the initiation of the quest titled "Rescue Volo."

The player should proceed northwards and make their way into the Shattered Sanctum. Inside, they will encounter a goblin named Warrior Trinzas, with whom they will engage in a brief conversation. If the party is accompanied by the goblin Sazza, they will be granted passage after a short cutscene involving the two goblins. Alternatively, the player will need to convince Trinzas to allow them to continue. Of course, as is customary, the player can always resort to violence, which will result in a challenging battle against Trinzas and her accompanying guards.

Once the player has successfully convinced or overcome Trinzas, they can advance into the Sanctum, where they will come across True Soul Gut delivering a lecture to their followers. The party should proceed up the stairs located immediately to the right upon entering the room (not the staircase beyond Gut). There, they will discover the goblin torture chambers. On the upper level, in the third chamber on the right, the party will find Volo trapped inside a cage, guarded by another goblin named Gribbo.

The player has two options: they can convince Gribbo to give them the key to Volo's cage, or they can choose to fight and kill Gribbo to take the key from her body. Regardless of their choice, once the player has the Cage Key, they can release Volo from his wooden prison. It is recommended that the player speaks to him and invites him to their camp, where they can discuss their mind flayer parasite situation.

Please note that Volo might not immediately appear at the player's camp, so they may need to take multiple Long Rests before he arrives.

Speak With Volo at The Party’s Camp

At their camp, the player can converse with Volo, who will establish his residence in the camp and volunteer to delve into their predicament with the mind flayer parasites. Prior to proceeding, however, he will need to conduct some research, necessitating the player's completion of another Long Rest.

Should You Let Volo Operate?

After completing his research, Volo provides the player with the opportunity to engage in a conversation. During this exchange, the player is presented with a choice to grant permission for Volo to undertake the task of removing the parasite. This decision holds tremendous significance, as it can drastically and irreversibly transform the appearance of the character the player has selected for the surgery.

The player is offered the option to have Volo carry out a surgery to eliminate the parasite from their head through their right eye. However, Volo's method raises concerns due to its aggressive nature, involving the insertion of numerous picks directly into the player's eye. Consequently, this procedure will cause substantial harm and necessitate the removal of the affected eye.

The audio in the scene where Volo pierces the player's eye with his pick can be unsettling for some players. As a result, some players may prefer to skip this cutscene.

During the surgery, the player has the option to change their mind and ask Volo to stop. If they do so, they will receive a temporary debuff called Bleeding Eye, which will heal quickly. The player can then talk to Volo again, who will offer to perform the surgery. Volo is willing to operate on any member of the player's party, but the surgery can only be done once. To proceed, the player simply needs to choose the desired party member and speak to Volo.

Volo’s Ersatz Eye: Pros and Cons

Expectedly, Volo's attempts to eliminate the parasite from the player's eye are destined to be unsuccessful, considering he is a bard, not a doctor. Nonetheless, his failure results in the affected player being left with an empty eye socket that Volo resolves by offering his Ersatz Eye.

This new and improved eye will entirely substitute the player's right eye, resulting in a permanent transformation of its visual aspect. Unlike concealing a character's helm, this alteration in appearance cannot be reversed. Therefore, players should carefully contemplate this aspect if they have a preference for maintaining their character's initial appearance.

Volo’s Ersatz Eye provides the player with a useful passive ability: the ability to detect invisible creatures within a nine-meter range. The only drawback is the change in appearance of the player's eye. This ability is similar to the Level 2 Divination spell See Invisibility, but it remains active at all times without any cost to the player. While enemies can still attempt a saving throw to avoid being seen, this passive buff is highly beneficial and may be worth the visual sacrifice for the player.

It's important to mention that the character cannot possess both Volo’s Ersatz Eye and the Hag’s Eye from Auntie Ethel. However, this should not pose a significant issue, as the disadvantages of the Hag's Eye outweigh its benefits. It is something to consider, especially if the character has already given their eye to Auntie Ethel.

It is possible to obtain Volo's Ersatz Eye by killing Volo in the Camp, but it is strongly advised against. Even if the player decides not to participate in his surgery, Volo will still remain in the Camp and provide valuable Merchant services for convenience. It is therefore recommended to allow the bard to stay.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently accessible on PC. The game will be released for PS5 on September 6, 2023, and a version for Xbox Series X/S is currently being developed.