How to Find (& Access) Ilyn Toth’s Lair in Baldur’s Gate 3

The early access version of Baldur’s Gate III, which covers act one of the game, has many secrets like the lair of Ilyn Toth. Ilyn Toth is not a living character, he is only referred to via his journal, which isn’t found in the open terrain. This is one of the puzzle box type places that players may find if they explore enough.

As this is based on the early access version of the game, some things may change once it is officially out. However, this is the best and easiest way to get into the necromancer’s lair, which has several interesting books, herbs, gems, and lore that can give the player more insight into the world around them. As it is a necromancer’s lair, players should be wary of skeletons.

How to Find Ilyn Toth’s Lair in Baldur’s Gate III

Players can find the first access point along their journey to the lair in the Blighted Village. After fighting, or persuading, past the rooftop goblins, players should enter the dilapidated building on their left. This appears to be some sort of apothecary. Players can read the apothecary’s ledger on the counter to discover that there is more of their facility beneath the ground.Behind the front counter is a trap door into the basement. This basement has no enemies, but is quite dark and holds several potions, poisons, and herbs. Make sure to read the Doctor’s Log in the room to the left, as it will come in handy later. It is rather empty though as it leads into a back wall with a large bookcase. At the bookcase players and their comrades will either fail or succeed on an investigation check. On a succeeding roll, they will notice scratch marks on the floor beneath the cabinet, meaning that it has the capability of being moved. Unless one of the parties is incredibly strong, they will need to find the lever.On the same back wall of the basement as the bookcase, to the left are a stack of boxes. Throw the top box in the stack to reveal the lever. Pull the lever, and the bookcase will move, revealing a deep cave opening. Follow through the deep cave to end up in an opening with several different coffins on the floor. Going through this area tends to cause graphical issues, such as missing walls and pieces of characters, but zooming out and adjusting the camera can help.Once the player has reached the coffins, whether they are sneaking or not, skeletons will begin hopping out of the coffins. One will hop out and start running around the room to wake the others. The best option here is to kill the awake one or two before it gets the rest up. The others will not wake unless touched by the first one.After defeating them, head to the left end of the coffin area and open the casket nearest to the pillar. Inside is a “Dark Journal,” the journal of Ilyn Toth. Read this to learn more about Ilyn. Within the player can learn about Ilyn Toth’s past, which will help them open the Ornate Mirror to the far right end of this cavern.

How to Enter Ilyn Toth’s Lair in Baldur’s Gate III

Players may want to save before trying to enter through the Ornate Mirror. If any of its questions are answered incorrectly, it will destroy the party with fireballs. When interacting with the mirror, different characters will give the players different options and information. Gale tends to give the player the most background on the subject.

The first question the mirror asks is for the player to speak their name. If the player tells it, Ilyn Toth, it will know better and ask again. Answer either a fake or real name. The mirror will respond that it doesn’t recognize your name and asks the player to tell it if they are a friend or foe. Players should claim themselves an ally. It will then ask for the player to confirm this position by answering what they think of the Zulkir Szass Tam.

From reading the Dark Journal, players should know that Ilyn Toth was running from the Zulkir. However, if players pass a History check, they can also learn more about the Zulkir and what they did. Players should respond that Szass Tam is foul. Now that the mirror knows the player is not of the Zulkir, it will ask how to use balsam ointment.

The player may not need to read the Doctor’s Log depending on their background, however, this will ensure that the player can answer correctly. The answer is to clean wounds. Finally, it asks it’s last question, what would the player wish to see in the mirror. Depending on the background of the player, they will have different options for this one. For an original character, the answer is to get the worm out of your head. In general, answering whatever leads to the player’s survival and gain are the options the mirror will like.

With the lair now open to the player, they can grab several more potions, herbs, and books from the library. There is one specific book of importance down here, The Necromancy of Thay. This book is on a pedestal behind a locked and gated door. Depending on the load of the game, sometimes the book will already be missing from the pedestal, causing the gargoyles to shoot fireballs at one another. In this case, after the trap stops going off, the book is usually on the floor behind the pedestal in the mesh of cobwebs. Pick up the book for another scene.

Each of the comrades that have come along for the trip will comment as to what they would do with the book. However, that choice is still up to the player. Tuck the book in the player’s pack to deal with it later, leave it behind, or put it away.

Baldur’s Gate III early access is available now on PC.

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