Lae'Zel's Fate: Unlocking the Secrets of Zaith'Isk in Baldur's Gate 3

Players who opt for the Mountain Pass route towards the end of the first act in Baldur's Gate 3 will eventually stumble upon a Githyanki crèche. Here, the party can uncover information on how to rid themselves of the Illithid parasite residing in their minds. The solution involves the use of a suspicious device called the Zaith'isk, specifically designed for extracting tadpoles.

At this point, players in Baldur's Gate 3 are presented with a significant decision: should they enter the purification pod themselves or delegate the task to Lae'zel? Although it may not initially appear crucial, the choice made here will have significant ramifications throughout the remainder of the game. Let's explore the outcomes of this encounter.

Should Lae'zel Use the Zaith'isk?

The short answer is: most likely not. Since the beginning of the game, Lae'zel has been insistent on visiting the crèche, making it seem like the obvious choice to let her use the Zaith'isk. However, players should avoid doing so because using the Zaith'isk on anyone will result in a permanent debuff, which will be particularly harsh for Lae'zel.

Once Lae'zel takes a seat on the Zaith'isk, the machine will aggressively "purify" her from the tadpole. Players have three opportunities to convince her that the Zaith'isk is actually doing the opposite. The challenge lies in the fact that the skill checks required to persuade Lae'zel have a Difficulty Class of 30, making them extremely difficult to succeed unless players are exceptionally skilled in persuasion in the realm of Faerun.

Regardless of the outcome, Lae'zel's survival is guaranteed during the operation. Even choosing to observe or provoke her will lead to her enduring. The catch is that she will then suffer a permanent -2 penalty to all of her ability scores.

If players opt to utilize the Zaith'isk themselves, Lae'zel will express disapproval but ultimately comply. The same procedure will commence, but this time the skill checks will be slightly easier. Certain classes, such as Warlocks, have access to special options that can lower the difficulty of these checks, thereby increasing the chances of success. However, failing the checks will still subject the character to the debuff, so it is advisable to save before attempting this.

Players can alternatively choose to bypass this step entirely. Instead of visiting the infirmary, they can proceed directly to the commander's room and attempt to request an audience with the inquisitor. By doing so, players will not be able to progress through Lae'zel's companion quest in the usual manner. However, they will still have the opportunity to reach the Blood of Lathander once they confront the inquisitor further within the facility. Baldur's Gate 3 is currently accessible on PC, with a PS5 version slated for release in the near future.