To progress Gale’s companion quest in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must find the Annals of Karsus: a tome containing forbidden magical lore. Despite Gale believing it can be bought from Sorcerous Sundries, Baldur’s Gate’s premier shopping destination for magical items, this is incorrect. The Annals of Karsus is sealed away in the vault and the only way to obtain it is to break in.

Sorcerous Sundries is located in resolving the Nightsong side quest by confronting the wizard Lorroakan. To find the Annals of Karsus, speak to Tolna Tome-Monger at the back of the first floor; she’ll reveal its location but refuses to sell it, forcing you to break into the vault.

How To Break Into The Sorcerous Sundries Vault In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)

Pick The Lock To Tolna's Office To Open A Portal To The Vault

Head to Tolna’s office on the floor above. The door is locked, so you or one of your party must pick the lock to gain entry. It’s a DC15 check, and unfortunately, the floor is being patrolled by Animated Armor guards who won’t hesitate to challenge you. You need to be hidden when picking the lock, opening the door, and entering the office. The guards have a clear view of the door at all times, so your party needs to be hidden or invisible.

The easiest way to access the office is to become invisible, either by throwing an Invisibility Potion or using the Invisibility spell. The spell is available to Bards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Wizards, and Druids at class Level 3, Level 7 Arcane Trickster Rogues, and Level 8 Eldritch Knight Fighter in BG3.

After you've picked the lock, head inside the office with your party. Once you close the door, the guards won’t be able to see you anymore. From here, interact with the Clasped Book on the bookshelf near the door to open a portal to the Vault. However, don't forget to grab the Basement Chest Key from the table before you head through!

How To Find The Annals Of Karsus In Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3)

Avoid Traps & Through Doors In The Correct Order To Gain Entry

Once you’ve left the portal, head towards the wooden door and through it to find the entrance to the Restricted Area. It’s locked, but you can a DC15 Sleight of Hand check to open it. The room beyond has three doors and lots of traps, so be careful not to step on any of them. To find the Annals of Karsus in BG3, you must through the doors in the correct sequence.

However, if anyone in your party has the Knock spell, you can simply use it on the Karsus door to get what you need. If not, through the Silverhand, Abjuration, and Silver doors (in that order) to find a lever that unlocks the Karsus door. Head through the Demon door to return to the start, then enter the Karsus Vault. Inside the Karsus Vault, grab the Annals of Karsus from the shelf.

Other magical secrets are available in this area. You can find the Akabi’s Jackpot at the Circus, so you will know to expect trouble. Make sure to explore off the beaten path to spot walls that may be illusions.

If you kept the Necromancy of Thay, you can also find the Tharchiate Codex to unlock the book’s final secrets. Furthermore, on a bookshelf in the Karsus section of the Sorcerous Vault at X: 319 Y: 1000, you can find the very rare Scroll of Dethrone.

How To Use The Annals of Karsus In BG3

Advance Gale's Companion Quest & Obtain The Scroll of Dethrone

After you've retrieved what you came for, you can then exit the Vault through the portal and fast-travel to leave Sorcerous Sundries without being seen. Once back at camp, give the Annals of Karsus to Gale, and you can progress to the next stage of his companion quest. Though patched, if you still encounter a bug in which there is no option to give the book to Gale, select him and then place it in his inventory, and have him read it that way.

Furthermore, players should also know that reading the Annals of Karsus is the only other way to obtain the Scroll of Dethrone , if you didn't grab it in the vault or if you simply want two party to learn it. After you've read the text, the Scroll will appear in your inventory and any Wizard in your party may scribe the scroll to learn Dethrone. Dethrone is a level 5 Necromancy Spell that can only be used once per long rest in Baldur's Gate 3.

Source: YouTube/Omaha