While exploring Baldur’s Gate 3, players come across a wide array of items—from sturdy weapons and protective armor to oddities used in alchemy and enchanted artifacts. Among these is a dark and ominous gem known as the Dark Amethyst. This item surfaces in the game during the first act and plays a pivotal role in a specific quest. This guide explains where to locate it and how to use it effectively.
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How to locate the Dark Amethyst
In the opening act, the Dark Amethyst emerges as a key piece for the quest titled “Search the Cellar.” To access the essential area, players must descend into Whispering Depths, an underground cavern accessible by tumbling through a pit or by entering a hole in the blacksmith’s house in the village of Extinct. The journey into this dim, echoing space sets the stage for a sequence of discoveries that shape the early game.
Once within Whispering Depths, a skeletal remains near coordinates X:-493, Y:-367 holds a journal that triggers the quest “Necromancy of Thay.” Reading the journal opens a trail of clues and new objectives for curious players. The environment is tense, filled with environmental storytelling and warnings that hint at deeper plots and forbidden knowledge.
Before chasing the basement referenced in the journal, players should secure the Dark Amethyst. The item is guarded by the Phase Spider Matriarch, an electrical-odd boss who inhabits Whispering Depths. Locate her at approximately X:-553, Y:-356. The arena is a webbed trap of danger where quick reactions and careful planning pay off. Destroying the web she’s tethered to disrupts her defenses—if timed correctly, the Matriarch can be brought low with a burst of strategy and skill.
In the right spot, the Dark Amethyst rests on the ground beneath the spider’s nest. It can be claimed by defeating the Matriarch in combat or by leveraging stealth with a character who excels in agility, such as a Rogue, to sneak in and retrieve the gem without a direct confrontation. This choice lets players tailor their approach to their party’s strengths.
Engaging in combat is often the more lucrative path. After defeating the Phase Spider Matriarch, players can obtain the Poisoner’s Cloak—a piece of apparel that enhances poison-based spell power. Even if the cloak isn’t worn by a party member, defeating the boss rewards valuable experience that early on can influence the party’s progression and skill progression trajectory.
How to use the Dark Amethyst effectively
The Dark Amethyst serves as a key to the book titled “Necromancy of Thay” and functions as a quest item for the objective “Search the Basement.” The book itself is concealed in a basement beneath the pharmacist’s house, located behind the teleportation point in Extinct Village at coordinates X:-647, Y:-364. This setting invites players to explore both environmental storytelling and puzzle-solving elements as they pursue the narrative rewards.
Inserting the Dark Amethyst into the hole on the book’s cover reveals the contents of “Necromancy of Thay.” Progressing through the book requires three Wisdom checks of increasing difficulty, with the final check demanding a score of 20. To improve the odds, a companion capable of casting the spell “Instruction” can grant a +1d4 bonus to these checks when cast on the caster. A helpful ally like Shadow Heart can support this assembly of abilities, adding strategic depth to the party’s magical toolkit.
Passing all three checks yields a permanent buff that allows the spell “Talking to the Dead” to be cast without consuming a spell slot. This enhancement provides a meaningful strategic edge in later encounters and raises the party’s capacity to gather information from the dead, which can influence subsequent choices and outcomes in the campaign. A separate manual details how this mechanic operates for players who want a deeper understanding of its implications.
Reading the book does not end the journey. The player returns to the same thread in Act Three, rejoining Gale’s questline as events unfold at Baldur’s Gate Ramazit Towers. The narrative threads weave together, and the Dark Amethyst remains a recurring element in the evolving plot, highlighting how early discoveries can echo through the adventure with lasting consequences.
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Source: VG Times