Summary
In a game with as much to do and explore asBaldur’s Gate 3, there are going to be a lot of hidden secrets that even the most detail-oriented players will miss. That’sespecially true for Act 2, which has players stumbling around in the darkness of the Shadow-Cursed Lands with little to guide them other than a flimsy lantern or a fairy bauble.
Few of these secrets are mandatory to advance the story or finish the game, which is why many players never discover them. For those who are completionists or gamers who just want the satisfaction of discovering a few obscure bits of dialogue or lore, there are plenty of hidden secrets in Act 2 ofBaldur’s Gate 3, but some are more notable than others.
Updated on June 19, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose:It’s been less than a year since the game’s official launch, and in that time, BG3 has done morethan sweep The 2023 Game Awardsand the DICE Awards. In 2024, the game has also won Game of the Year, along with Best Audio and Best Design from the Game Developers Choice (GDC) Awards. There are so many accolades at this point that Larian Studios CEO Sven Vicke could make a new suit of armor out of them. The news that his studio won’t be making BG4, however, is a disappointment. In the meantime, players can enjoy updates, patches,and even a few more story endings, some uncovered by digging into the many secrets found in the game.
8Thisobald’s Poison Recipe
Find The Secret Ingredient
The Waning Moon might have been full of life and cheer at one time, but the Shadow Curse has made it and its former occupants undead shadows of their former selves. Players will have to visit this location if they want to get some information about Kethric Thorm from Thisobald and find Madeline’s Ledger for He Who Was, so they shouldn’t miss the handy items and secret poison recipe in the back room.
There’s some great loot here anyway, but players shouldn’t get so distracted that they miss the book sitting on the desk. It’s got an incomplete recipe for a lethal poison that can be thrown or used as a weapon coating.
If they pass an Insight check, players can read the smeared text about where there’s a shipment of Corpse Rose Petals waiting to be claimed. This is the final ingredient in the recipe forThisobald’s Poison, which will now appear in the Alchemy book.
7Dammon’s Forge
He Can Do More Than Fix Karlach
Some secrets are hidden in plain sight, and this is one of them. It’s commonly known thatvisitingthe blacksmith, Dammon,with two pieces ofInfernal Ironis necessary if players are hoping to help Karlach by repairing her engine, but there are several other things he can fix and improve upon meeting him at the Last Light Inn.
When speaking to Dammon, gamers should pay close attention to their dialogue options. If one comes up that says, “I have some material I think you can use,” then there’s something in the player’s inventory that Dammon can improve or change. The Infernal Alloy that they can get from the Grymforge is one example; it’s used to make three pieces of armor for the Helldusk set.
6Darkmaw The Wicked
Most Players Walk Right Past Him
There’s a massive stuffed bear in the foyer of the Last Light Inn, and it’s more than just a random decoration. It’s the infamous Darkmaw the Wicked, who ruled the area from the Wood of Sharp Teeth to Cloakwood with an iron paw.
Players can only find this out by clicking on the bear and passing a Nature check. It’s an interesting bit of local lore and a Sword Coast legend, but the beast’s presence here poses some questions for players to ponder: How was the mighty beast defeated, and who was responsible?
5The Power Of His Majesty
Not Just Another Cat
There are several catsinBaldur’s Gate 3, and all of them are special, but this one has an important secret for those trying to win the heart of a certain Pale Elf. Most Companions approve when Tav is kind to animals, but Astarion seems especially fond of His Majesty, a cat that makes his home in the Last Light Inn.
Players should ensure that they have the power toSpeak with Animalsfirst, either via a spell or potion, and they must also haveAstarion as a party memberwhen they talk to His Majesty. Flattering the cat and viewing him with admiration, despite how unfriendly he is, earns players two approvals from the sassy Elf. That’s generous for such a short conversation with an NPC that many players miss.
4The Crack In The Wall
A Persistent Mystery
In a far eastern corner of the Shadow-cursed Lands is a curious secret mystery that remains unsolved. It’s a landmark that seems to recall a much older time before there was a curse placed on this part of the land.
Next to the campsite where He Who Was can be found, if the party travels further east, they’ll come to a strange dead end. It’s a gruesome area, littered with skeletons and the wreckage of what used to be a wagon.
The secret here is that there is a bright light glowing through the rocky wall at the farthest end, which looks like it might lead to daylight. It seems that this used to be one of the passages that travelers could use before the curse took hold, but it’s a secret the land keeps to itself now.
3Steelclaw
The Silent Killer Of Moonrise
Another one of the memorable cats in the game,Steelclawis hidden on the stone walkway that circles Moonrise Towers. Use Speak with Animals and she’ll be happy to tell players all about her hunting prowess, sparing no nauseating details.
If the character they’re playing happens to be one of the more notorious Origin characters, the Dark Urge, Steelclaw will recognize the player from previous encounters. Part of the story here is that the Dark Urge used to visit the Towers as one of Bhaal’s chosen, and one of the related quests is to search through Moonrise and find anyone who might recognize Orin’s wayward sibling. Don’t overlook the local critters, who see and hear everything.
2The Secret Of The Mace
There’s More Than One Way To Fool A Lathander Worshipper
The puzzle that allows you totakethe Blood of Lathanderwithout blowing the place up isn’t tough to figure out. What is awkward, however, is finding the right weapons for the right altars, and there’s one that seems to be missing. A pro tip is that any old weapon works on the alters, provided they’re the proper size.
That means you can dig up Stockhold’s grave and steal his mace if you want, but the rusty one sitting next to a skeleton on the ground floor works just as well. The long sword is already there and the battleaxe is in a room with a Spirit Guardian. Any old Warhammer will also do, just like the mace, so you don’t have to bother the giant eagles upstairs.
1The Lying Blue Jay
Ask Any Ornithologist
While the party isexploring the Mountain Pass, they’ll meet a few interesting animals. Players should make sure that they have the Speak with Animals spell active because some of the creatures here have interesting stories to tell, but some are also jerks who attempt to deceive the player, so it’s important to stay on guard.
One of these isa blue jay,and he tells the player that some eagles have stolen his original nest and asks them to get it back. The nest he’s referring to, however, is the giant eagle nest on the roof of the Monastery. It’s pretty obvious the location he’s talking about isn’t a blue jay nest, but it’s up to the player if they want to humor the jay or not.
Siding with the blue jay is the more evil option, so if players are looking for a more sinister role-playing experience, this is the best choice. If they need a Warhammer for the stained glass puzzle, the giant eagle has one in her nest.
