Conquering the Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur's Gate 3

The Gauntlet of Shar is a hauntingly beautiful dungeon in the Underdark of Baldur's Gate 3, where the faithful test their worthiness. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to complete the Gauntlet of Shar quest in BG3.

Starting the Gauntlet of Shar Quest

The Gauntlet of Shar is part of Shadowheart's companion questline, Daughters of Darkness. To initiate this quest, you'll need to recruit Shadowheart and progress through her storyline. As you play, Shadowheart will share her troubles and give you side quests to complete. You'll have the opportunity to explore the Gauntlet of Shar in Act Two, as it's the primary dungeon in that area.

Locating the Gauntlet of Shar in BG3

The Gauntlet of Shar appears near the start of Act Two in Baldur's Gate 3. You can find it across the river west of the Last Light Inn. The entrance is called the Thorm Mausoleum, which features a journey inspired by Ketheric Thorm, the leader of the Absolute Cultists at Moonrise Tower.

To prepare for the journey, we recommend bringing Astarion and Shadowheart, as they play key roles in certain parts of the puzzle. Additionally, Raphael, the devil you met in Act 1, will be waiting outside, and Astarion will want to speak with him during the campaign.

Before you begin, make sure to prepare several short rests for your BG3 party. The encounters in the Gauntlet can be challenging, and taking breaks will be essential. You'll always have the option to return to the main camp for a Long Rest if needed.

Solving the Thorm Mausoleum Painting Puzzle in BG3

When you enter the first floor of the Thorm Mausoleum, you'll notice the area is bare and decaying. Look for books and journals left behind by Thorm, detailing his journey and the loss of his wife. These details are crucial to solving the puzzle in the next room.

In the dining room, you'll find three paintings with hidden buttons underneath. Characters with high Perception will detect these buttons. Activate the paintings in the following order:

• Moonrise Towers
• Grief
• General

Activating the paintings correctly will reveal a secret entrance behind the General painting, unlocking the Gauntlet of Shar dungeon.

Solving the Gauntlet of Shar Statue Puzzle in BG3

The first puzzle in the Gauntlet of Shar temple features a large statue at the center of the room. To solve the puzzle, you'll need to lower the four braziers in the corners of the room and extinguish their lights. However, if you trigger any traps, darkness will fill the room, and your party members will take damage.

To solve the puzzle, separate your party members and have them spread out to the four locations with levers. Use Dash to reach these locations quickly. Some party members may reach the levers before others, but this is okay. When the lights go out, the statue will reveal a second glowing circle. Bring one party member through this circle to activate the brazier.

Alternatively, follow the path outlined in the image above to complete the puzzle without triggering traps.

Completing the Trials in the Gauntlet of Shar

The main focus of the Gauntlet of Shar is completing three trials: Faith-Leap Trial, Soft-Step Trial, and Self-Same Trial. You can complete these trials in any order, but we recommend completing the Faith-Leap trial last, as it's the most challenging.

Completing the Faith-Leap Trial in BG3

The Faith-Leap Trial is located on the bottom floor, on the left side. Begin the trial by having Shadowheart provide a small cut of blood at the ceremonial bowl. The trial features a dark path that you must navigate to reach the end. Take a screenshot of the area to help you navigate the darkness successfully.

Alternatively, use a character with the Fly spell or potion to bypass the puzzle.

Completing the Soft-Step Trial in BG3

The Soft-Step trial is a straightforward encounter. Choose a character with high Sleight of Hand and Stealth checks to bypass the shadows patrolling the area and unlock the Lockpicking checks. Be careful, as triggering the shadows will teleport you back to the start.

Completing the Self-Same Trial in BG3

The Self-Same trial is a combat-focused encounter where you'll face mirrored images of your party members. Use characters with Radiant damage to take down the mirrored images. Make sure to have a few party members with this ability to increase your chances of success.

Completing the Silent Library Riddle in Baldur's Gate 3

Located on the bottom floor of the Gauntlet of Shar, the Silent Library features several Dark Justicars and a black orb. Destroy the orb to remove the silence from the area and progress through the encounter.

Find the book Teachings of Loss: The Nightsinger Book on the north bookshelf to advance to the hidden room in the Silent Library. Bring the book to the center pedestal to complete this portion of the Gauntlet of Shar.

Defeating Orthon in the Gauntlet of Shar

Finally, proceed to the east side of the dungeon to defeat Orthon. This encounter can be challenging, so make sure your party members are leveled, equipped, and upgraded.

Need more advice? Check out our complete Baldur's Gate 3 guide for battle strategies, story tips, and gameplay breakdowns.