Mastering Baldur's Gate 3: Conquering the Harpies and Rescuing Mirkon

Baldur's Gate 3 offers a wide range of creatures and enemies for players to encounter, befriend, or battle in combat. One such group is the Harpies, known for using their angelic-sounding songs to lead unsuspecting souls to their demise.

The Harpies are a challenging first encounter in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3, requiring players to strategize carefully during combat. In this encounter, players will also come across a young Tiefling boy named Mirkon, whose fate can be influenced by the decisions made by the party during the battle.

How to Find the Harpies in Baldur's Gate 3

mirkon bg3-3 - How to Find the Harpies in Baldur's Gate 3

To come across the Harpies in Baldur's Gate 3, you will first need to start a quest called Investigate the Beach in Act 1. This quest becomes available when you head towards Emerald Grove, where the Druids and Tieflings are staying. Upon arriving at Emerald Grove, make your way towards the area where the Druids are performing the Idol Ritual. Just to the left of this spot, there is a gate that leads to a path up to the cliff that overlooks the area.

Emerald grove beach path - Follow this path through the gate, and you will notice a trail that splits two ways

As you walk through the gate, you'll come to a point where the trail splits into two paths. Take the left path that leads you downhill towards the beach. Along the way, you'll hear a beautiful song that gets louder as you get closer to the shore. At the end of the path, you'll see a young Tiefling boy in the water, completely engrossed in the music. When you spot him, the Investigate the Beach quest will be activated and added to your journal. If you need help finding the exact location of the beach on the map, check out the screenshot below.

harpy fight - At this point, you can leave and come back to the beach later if you need to heal up before combat or purchase some extra items to give yourself an upper hand

After exploring the beach, you have the option to take a break to rest and prepare for combat or stock up on items. Remember, Investigate the Beach quest is time-sensitive, so taking too many breaks may cause you to miss out on completing it. When you're ready to face the Harpies, head back to Secluded Cove beach and talk to Mirkon. You'll soon realize he's being controlled by a captivating song. Shortly after, the Harpies will appear, and the battle will begin.

mirkon and the harpies

How to Defeat the Harpies & Save Mirkon in Baldur's Gate 3, Explained

harpies bg3-1 - How to Defeat the Harpies & Save Mirkon in Baldur's Gate 3, Explained

During combat, the Harpies' song lures Mirkon closer to them, leading to his eventual demise. This same effect will also affect any party member who fails a Wisdom Saving Throw. Under the spell of the Harpy Song, characters cannot take any actions, bonus actions, or reactions, and must move towards the Harpies at their maximum speed. Each party member gets a chance to make a WIS Saving Throw on their turn in combat. If successful, they break free from the trance and can act normally. Mirkon also makes these saves and will flee to safety if he succeeds, using the Disengage Action.

In this combat situation, it is crucial to prioritize protecting Mirkon, as he is more vulnerable than your other party members. You can also try to disrupt the Harpies' concentration by attacking them. A successful hit will snap all affected characters out of the trance. Focus on attacking the singing Harpies, unless one poses a direct threat to Mirkon in close combat. Remember, if a party member dies, you can use a Scroll of Revivify or Withers to bring them back. However, if Mirkon dies, there is no way to revive him.

Harpie lure - The second thing to consider in the fight against the Harpies is that much of the terrain is water, which will slow your movement speed

Another important factor to keep in mind when battling the Harpies is the terrain, which is mostly water. This can significantly reduce your movement speed, especially for melee-focused characters. In such situations, it is advantageous to have ranged weapon users or Spellcasters take advantage of the high ground to deal damage effectively.

To efficiently defeat this combat encounter, start by focusing on the initial singing Harpy and continue attacking until it is eliminated. Other Harpies may start singing as well, so make sure to target them next to prevent being lured in. It is important to protect squishy characters, especially casters, by keeping them out of melee range since Harpies can take them down easily.

Harpies have the ability to fly, allowing them to swoop down and reach your party members easily. To counter this, consider using the Disengage Action when necessary. This action will allow your more vulnerable party members to move away from the Harpies without risking being hit by devastating Opportunity Attacks.

Once you've cleared the Harpies, a grateful Mirkon will ask you to visit Mol at 'the Dragon's Lair', a hidden Tiefling hideout in Baldur's Gate. To uncover its location, seek out a young Tiefling boy named Doni.

Finding the Tiefling Hideout & Talking to Mol

mol-1 - How to Find the Tiefling Hideout & Speak to Mol in Baldur's Gate 3

To discover the Tiefling Hideout, also known as the Dragon's Lair, in Baldur's Gate 3, your first step is to find Doni at Emerald Grove. Doni is located close to the entrance of this hidden lair, near the spot where Mattis and Silfy operate their shop scam.

doni location - Click on Doni to speak to him, and when you are given dialogue options, tell him that you would like to see the Dragon's Lair

Click on Doni and choose the option to ask him about the Dragon's Lair. He will then show you the secret hatch to enter the hideout. You can easily spot the hatch on the map as it is located behind Doni, just a small pile of rocks. Finding it should be a breeze now, whether you do it immediately or later.

speak to doni - Next, you'll need to enter the hatch and descend the ladder into the Dragon's Lair

After entering the hatch and climbing down the ladder into the Dragon's Lair, you'll come across a hideout where orphaned Tiefling kids reside under the leadership of a girl named Mol. When you find Mol, she will express her gratitude for helping Mirkon, saving Arabella, and showing mercy to Silfy. Mol will share with you that the group of kids are preparing to journey to Baldur's Gate, resorting to risky scams and theft to survive and eventually find safety. You have the option to support their cause by donating, which Mol will remember in the future when you meet her again in the game.

Just one more thing left to do! Head over to the Dragon's Lair and look for Mirkon. When you talk to him, he'll be thrilled to see you and mention that Mol suggested he thank you. He'll share a touching story he wrote as a way to show his gratitude, making it one of the most memorable notes you'll come across in your journey.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive guide to encountering and defeating the Harpies in Baldur's Gate 3, offering detailed strategies for protecting Mirkon and emerging victorious. The inclusion of screenshots and a map aids in visualizing the encounter, making it accessible to players of all levels.

The article also highlights the significance of subsequent interactions with Mol and Mirkon, showcasing the interconnectedness of the game's narrative and the impact of player choices. The touching story written by Mirkon as a gesture of gratitude adds an emotional depth to the encounter, leaving a lasting impression on players.