Unleashing the Dark Arts: Power Plays with the Necromancy of Thay Book

In Baldur's Gate 3, players can immerse themselves in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, brought to life on PC and PS5 by Larian Studios. Within this game, players will encounter a multitude of captivating creatures, formidable enemies, and intriguing quests to conquer. An early quest, titled "Search the Cellar," can lead players down an unexpected path. This quest can be initiated in the Blighted Village during Act 1. After stumbling upon a journal in the home of the village alchemist, players are tasked with uncovering the true identity of the alchemist and exploring the mysterious contents hidden within the cellar beneath the house.

How To Open The Necromancy of Thay

Throughout their journey in Search the Cellar, players will uncover the truth that the alchemist was not simply a humble villager, but rather a Red Wizard of Thay who had been exiled. Despite his banishment, he continued his research in secret. Deep within the wizard's hidden workshop, which is safeguarded by a locked grate and various traps, players can stumble upon a significant discovery - a book titled The Necromancy of Thay. This tome is both incredibly powerful and perilous, yet it remains sealed until a character retrieves the Dark Amethyst from the depths beneath the village known as the Whispering Depths.

To access the Whispering Depths, players have two options: they can descend through the village well or breach the wall within the Blacksmith's cellar. Eventually, they will come across the Phase Spider Matriarch's lair, where the Dark Amethyst can be found. Defeating the resilient Phase Spider Matriarch may prove challenging, but victorious players will locate the Dark Amethyst amidst the bones on the western side of her lair. With the Dark Amethyst in their possession, players can simply utilize The Necromancy of Thay from their inventory, which will present the option to unlock the book.

What To Do With The Necromancy of Thay

The powerful magical tome known as the Necromancy of Thay possesses its own will. Players have the option to destroy it rather than opening it by inflicting radiant damage, such as the Cleric's Guiding Bolt spell, on the book. On the other hand, if players choose to read it, they will need to pass successive and challenging Wisdom Saving Throws to unlock its secrets.

Upon successfully passing enough of these Saving Throws, players will acquire all the knowledge the book offers, and it will forcefully close. This newfound wisdom grants the reader a boost to their Wisdom Checks and Saving Throws, along with the ability to cast Speak With Dead once per Long Rest, allowing for permanent activation. To gain further knowledge from the Necromancy of Thay, players must progress to Act 3 and discover a book called Tharchiate Vigor within Elminster's Vault. Successfully overcoming the curse on Tharchiate Vigor will enable players to access the remaining content of the Necromancy of Thay, unlocking the ability to resurrect ghouls after each Short Rest.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC and launches September 6 on PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S port also in development.