The Answer Lies In Darkness BG3 Quest Clues And Solution Guide
Navigating the ancient chambers inside the Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur's Gate 3 presents players with intricate environmental puzzles that demand careful observation. Upon stepping into the main room housing a large statue, an ominous voice whispers a cryptic clue: "the answer lies in darkness". Understanding how to interpret this riddle is key to lowering the magical forcefield and acquiring the Umbral Gem needed for story progression.
Deciphering the Cryptic Riddle
The central puzzle revolves around a massive statue of Shar surrounded by a glowing magical forcefield that repels anyone who attempts to walk straight toward it. The clue indicates that light is actively hiding the path forward, meaning you must remove all light sources in the chamber. By paying close attention to the surrounding environment, players can identify hanging lanterns that cast light throughout the room.
How to Lower and Extinguish the Lanterns
To douse the room in darkness, you must first navigate to the four small side rooms located around the perimeter. Inside each side room, disarm any active traps and pull the levers mounted on the walls to lower the purple thurible lanterns from the ceiling. Once lowered, interact directly with each lantern to extinguish its flame until the central chamber is completely dark. Make sure to douse any light spells or lanterns equipped on your companions, such as the Blood of Lathander or a Moonlantern, so the room remains fully unlit.
Navigating the Revealed Magical Maze
When all light sources are eliminated, glowing purple runes will illuminate across the floor, revealing a hidden maze pattern leading toward the statue. Select a single high-dexterity character to carefully walk through the openings in the glowing lines without stepping directly on the magical runes. Reaching the center allows you to interact with the altar or gem interactable, disabling the protective field and unlocking the door to deeper trials.
Alternative Methods and Clever Solutions
For players looking to bypass the standard lantern process, creative spellcasting offers direct shortcuts. Casting a Darkness spell directly over the statue or using specific obscure fog mechanics can blind the magical sensors, allowing you to walk straight up and grab the gem. Additionally, characters with high jumping distance or flight can sometimes bypass sections of the floor mechanics altogether. Knowing these mechanics makes progressing through the Gauntlet of Shar much smoother for any adventuring party.