Baldur's Gate 3: Uncovering the Blighted Village Secret Alchemist's Cellar

Exploring the Blighted Village in Baldur's Gate 3 can be a thrilling adventure, but it's not just about fighting monsters and completing quests. The village holds a secret that can be uncovered with a little bit of effort and curiosity. One of the most exciting secrets in the village is the Alchemist's Cellar, which is located beneath the southeast building right beside the Blighted Village waypoint.

How to Find the Alchemist's Cellar in Baldur's Gate 3

To start the search for the Alchemist's Cellar, enter the southeast building and read the journal sitting on the bar. This will begin the Search the Cellar quest with the objective of finding the cellar. Look for a wooden hutch on the floor, which is located behind the bar counter and wine rack.

Entering the Alchemist's Cellar and the Secret Mirror Room

Pulling the lever will reveal a secret room behind the bookcase to the right. Enter this room to find an even deeper mystery that the Alchemist seems to have been hiding.

Encountering the Magic Mirror and the Riddles

At the end of the room lies a talking Ornate Mirror with some riddles to solve. Be careful not to upset the mirror, as this will result in a battle with the undead in the caskets behind you.

Here are the correct answers to the Ornate Mirror's questions:

• Question: Speak your name. Answer: Tell it your name.
• Question: Step forward and declare yourself an ally. Answer: Yes, an ally! I'm an ally of your master's.
• Question: What think you of the zulkir known as Szaas Tam? Answer: A foul lich. May he die a thousand more deaths.
• Question: Tell me, why might one use balsam ointment? Answer: I read a doctor's journal — he used balsam to clean a wound.
• Question: If you could see anything in me, what would it be? Answer: I'd look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.

Avoiding the Traps in the Cellar's Secret Laboratory

To enter the next secret room, pull the lever to reveal a locked door. To unlock this door, you'll need to disarm the trap using a Trap Disarm Kit. Each attempt to disarm the trap will require a new kit, so make sure you have a few in your inventory.

Once inside the room, disarm the gargoyle traps to the sides and interact with the book to the left. Be careful not to leave before disarming the last trap under the book.

The Necromancy of Thay: Should You Keep or Destroy the Book?

The Necromancy of Thay is an evil, flesh-covered necromancy book that requires an oval-shaped key to open. The key can be found in the Whispering Depths or in the Philgrave's Mansion basement in Act 3's Lower City area.

Once you have the key, you can open the book and decide what to do with it. Here are your options:

• Give it to Gale to consume. This won't give you any benefits, but it will satisfy Gale's appetite.
• Give it to Astarion. He's eager to read the book, and you'll get some special camp cutscenes if you hand it over to him.
• Read the book yourself. You'll need to pass three skill checks, but if you succeed, you'll get some nice benefits, including the Forbidden Knowledge passive and the Danse Macabre spell.
• Destroy the book using Radiant damage. This won't give you any benefits, but you'll get the approval of a few party members and the peace of mind of not having an evil book in your pocket.

We recommend keeping the book, as it doesn't harm anyone to keep it in your pocket. Plus, with the traps disarmed, you can leave the area with the book in your inventory without any trouble.

Escaping the Cellar

To exit the cellar, pull the lever on the room's rightmost end, and the stone blocking the path will lift. Climb the stairs to return to the Blighted Village.