Unveiling Baldur's Gate 3: Unraveling the Secret of Grand Duke Ravengard

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Wyll's Decision and Mizora's Pact

How to Reach Duke Ravengard

How to Rescue the Grand Duke

During Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3, players have the opportunity to rescue Counselor Florrick from the flames of Waukeen's Rest. They will discover from her that Grand Duke Ravengard, who is Wyll's father, has been taken captive by Absolutist cultists. Interestingly, despite their efforts, players will not be able to locate Ravengard in Act 1 and must progress to Act 2 in order to find him.

However, it is important to note that even in Act 2, players cannot rescue Ravengard. Despite this, they can still free other characters such as the tieflings, deep gnomes, and Zevlor from the clutches of the True Soul. Only in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3 will players finally have the opportunity to liberate Ravengard and bring him safely back to their camp.

Duke Ravengard's Location in Act 2

If Counselor Florrick manages to survive Act 1, players will discover her at the Last Light Inn in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. She entrusts the party with a quest to locate and rescue the Grand Duke, whose abductors she has traced to Moonrise Towers. However, Ravengard is not imprisoned within the tower, nor is he in the pods located in the Mind Flayer Colony beneath it, unlike Zevlor.

Instead, players will have their first opportunity to catch a glimpse of Duke Ravengard when the party overhears the champions of the Dead Three discussing their plans. This occurs towards the conclusion of the Mind Flayer Colony section, just before the second and third phases of the Ketheric Thorm boss battle. Prior to the fight commencing, Ravengard and the other two champions depart, meaning players will not encounter him again until Act 3.

Wyll's Decision and Mizora's Pact

Upon their next encounter, Grand Duke Ravengard shocks the party as he publicly declares Gortash as the newly appointed Archduke of Baldur's Gate, an authoritative role that Gortash devised to seize control over the city. While Ravengard remains alive and in good health, he is unquestionably swayed by the insidious influence of the Absolute. This extraordinary event transpires during the players' initial arrival at Wyrm's Rock Fortress.

Mizora can be found on the main level of the prison, usually when Wyll is in the party. Once the party has gone upstairs to speak with Gortash and Ravengard and returned downstairs, Mizora will initiate a conversation. She reveals that Gortash has already sent Ravengard to a hidden location, and she knows where that is.

The conversation continues later when the players return to camp at the end of the day. Mizora, accompanied by two witnesses, aims to either reinstate or deepen Wyll's Warlock pact with her. In return, she promises to disclose the whereabouts of Duke Ravengard and offer her assistance in rescuing his father. Declining her offer will result in her threatening Ravengard's life. Keep in mind that there are no opportunities for a second chance to end Wyll's pact, and Mizora's claim about Ravengard's fate may not be entirely accurate. Nevertheless, freeing Ravengard becomes significantly easier with Mizora's aid.

One final, crucial reminder: It is essential for players to address Wyll's contract prior to saving Duke Ravengard. In the event that the party arrives at Ravengard's confinement without speaking to Mizora, he will have already met his demise. Interestingly enough, neglecting Mizora is more detrimental to Ravengard's survival than declining her proposal.

How to Reach Duke Ravengard

Following Gortash's ascension to the title of Archduke, Grand Duke Ravengard can be located within a submerged penitentiary. The pathway leading to his confinement is perilous and intricately tied to the ongoing Steel Watchers mission. To maintain Lord Gortash's support, players are advised against attempting a rescue mission for Duke Ravengard.

Players should begin by making their way to Flymm Cargo, a warehouse located south of the Blushing Mermaid and across the water from the Grey Harbor Docks waypoint. Although the door is locked and off-limits, players can avoid detection by accessing the warehouse through the roof and entering through the locked door on the southern side. Once inside, they will encounter a pack of wargs, large wolf-like creatures that will engage in combat upon sight. However, as these wargs do not possess any spells or ranged attacks, they should not pose a significant threat at this stage of the game.

After defeating the wargs, players should proceed to the northwest corner of the warehouse. In this corner, there is a covered hatch hidden beneath boxes and crates. This hatch leads to an underground prison. Additionally, there is another entrance to this area through a greasy slide in the city sewers. Directly across the chamber, players will uncover a concealed submersible bay.

Redhammer the Deviser serves as the captain of the submersible. The party has the option to use either Intimidation or Deception to prompt Redhammer to discuss the Iron Throne, an underwater prison where Gortash holds Ravengard and several Gondian hostages. Subsequently, the party's speaker can apply Intimidation, Persuasion, or Deception to convince Redhammer to transport the party down. It is crucial to choose the appropriate skill, as the Persuasion check is set against a 10, while the Deception check is set against a 25.

How to Rescue the Grand Duke

When the party approaches the Iron Throne in the submersible, Gortash will contact them, warning them to stay away. Unfortunately, there is no secret entrance into the Iron Throne. Despite this, players should still proceed. Gortash will activate explosives in the underwater prison. Once the party reaches the prison, they will have six rounds to rescue as many prisoners as possible before sahuagin begin to invade the base.

Duke Ravengard is held captive in the central cell located in the room to the east of the docking site. Like the other cells in the base, players can open his cell by interacting with the lever adjacent to the door. Opening the cell does not require an action. Quickly eliminate any sahuagin in the path and prioritize using all available actions for dashing.

After freeing Ravengard, players can control him as a party follower. However, they are unable to access his inventory to equip weapons, armor, or give potions, which poses a problem due to Ravengard's low starting hit points of 29. The outcome varies based on whether Wyll renewed his contract. If he did, Mizora will intervene by casting defensive spells on Ravengard, enhancing his defense and movement speed. Alternatively, if Wyll did not renew his contract, Mizora will summon a group of six "Combustion Belly Spiderlings." These creatures will attempt to reach Ravengard and explode upon contact. However, players have the option to dispatch a party member to eliminate them before they reach the duke, thus ensuring his safety.

Players should strive to rescue as many hostages as they can. Specifically, there are two groups of three prisoners in the room west of the entrance, and one prisoner on the far side of the room where all the sahuagin appear.

If there is at least one member of the party at the bottom of the ladder to the submersible (they don't necessarily have to be inside), the game will continue. However, those who remain in the base when it explodes will wash up on the beach as lifeless bodies. The survivors can use regular means to revive or resurrect their party members, but any Gondians (or Duke Ravengard) will remain deceased. If Ravengard manages to survive, he will head to the party camp for a tense reunion with his son.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC, and a PS5 version is set to release on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S version is currently in development.