How to Complete the Punish the Wicked Side Quest in Baldur's Gate 3
While exploring the Shadow Cursed Lands in Baldur's Gate 3, you may stumble upon a mysterious individual known as He Who Was, performing a necromancer ritual. This encounter will initiate the Punish the Wicked side quest, where you'll be asked to help He Who Was punish a deceased woman's soul.
Initiating the Punish the Wicked Side Quest
To begin the Punish the Wicked side quest, head to the far east in the Shadow Cursed Lands, just up and to the right of the Last Light Inn. Be prepared to encounter Wraiths along the way. As you approach He Who Was, you'll trigger a cutscene, and he'll ask for your assistance in retrieving Madelaine's Ledger.
Who is He Who Was?
He Who Was is a Shadar-Kai Gloom Weaver seeking justice against Madelaine, a woman he claims is responsible for the deaths of several individuals at a local tavern. His mission is to punish her soul and bring peace to her victims. Notably, He Who Was displays a cruel demeanor, unlike other Shadar-Kai beings.
Madelaine's Ledger Location
He Who Was will ask you to retrieve Madelaine's Ledger, which is in the possession of Thisobald Thorm. To find the ledger, head to the Waning Moon, where Thisobald Thorm is located. You can defeat him by drinking him under the table or engaging in combat.
How to Beat Thisobald Thorm
Thisobald Thorm can be defeated in one of two ways: by drinking him under the table or fighting him in combat.
Drinking Thisobald Thorm Under the Table
About the easiest way to handle Thisobald is to drink him to death. You'll need a high-Constitution or Sleight of Hand character to pass several dice checks. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to drink him under the table:
- Engage Thisobald in a drinking contest, where you'll have to pass three rounds of drinks.
- After each round, you'll need to tell a story and pass a Performance check. If you fail, you'll have a chance to save yourself with a Deception check.
- Make it past the third drink, and Thisobald will become drunk, causing his belly to burst, resulting in his death.
Fighting Thisobald Thorm
Apart from drinking Thisobald to death, you can also engage him in combat. However, be warned that this might be a challenging fight, as Thisobald is immune to Piercing, Slashing, Bludgeoning, and Thunder damage. Ensure you have a variety of items and a spell caster in your party.
Once you've defeated Thisobald, hop over the counter and pass a Perception check to spot a loose floorboard. There, you'll find Madelaine's Ledger.
Completing Punish the Wicked
Return to He Who Was and provide him with Madelaine's Ledger. He'll cast a ritual, allowing Madelaine's soul to use his body as a vessel. She'll reveal information about the Dark Justiciar and the events that transpired at the tavern.
You'll have three options to handle Madelaine, each requiring a Persuasion check:
Punishment Options:
- Stabbing herself (DC14 Persuasion check): Ask Madelaine to stab herself as a form of punishment.
- Calling her a coward (DC10 Persuasion check): Tell Madelaine that she's a coward, and she'll agree, leaving the vessel.
- Telling her it wasn't her fault (DC10 Persuasion check): Inform Madelaine that the events weren't her fault. If you pass the check, He Who Was will become hostile.
Punish the Wicked Rewards
If He Who Was survives Madelaine's punishment and is pleased with the outcome, he'll reward you with:
- 27 gold
- A pair of Raven Gloves, allowing you to summon Quothe the Raven in combat
Remember to check out more of what Baldur's Gate 3 has to offer, including other side quests and content in Act 2.