Summary
- Stealing an invitation to Gortash's coronation is the simplest and lowest-risk way to enter Wyrm's Rock Fortress in Baldur's Gate 3.
- Another option is to undertake one of two criminal investigations, gaining access to the fortress by helping Investigator Valeria or Manip Nestor.
- The party can also sneak into Wyrm's Rock Fortress or try talking their way in, but those are the most dangerous ways to enter.
Before the party can enter the titular city of choices can change everything in Baldur's Gate 3, so it's important to form a solid plan and understand the consequences of each step.
Wyrm's Rock Fortress first appears near the beginning of Act Three in Baldur's Gate 3. It's a huge tower guarded by intimidating, heavily-armored guards of the Flaming Fist mercenary organization. They're blocking all access to the city because Lord Gortash, a devilish politician and the main antagonist in the latter third of the game, is celebrating his coronation. Express permission is required to even enter the Lower City. There are a few ways to get inside, but the guards don't make it easy. However, there's a simple, painless way to get through the gate, and it's located just steps away.
Stealing An Invitation Is The Easiest Way Through Wyrm's Rock Fortress In Baldur's Gate 3
The best way to get past the guards of Wyrm's Rock Fortress is to steal an invitation to Gortash's coronation. It's simple, low-risk, and can be done quickly in the immediate area of the gate. First, the party must pay a visit to Sharess' Caress in Wyrm's Crossing, just south of the fortress. Inside, they can talk to the proprietor Mamzell Amira, who'll try to guess at their ultimate fantasy. Lead her questions until she mentions a character called the Stern Librarian, and then press further. Mamzell will it that the woman who usually plays that role, Ffion, has gone missing. Offer to help, and she'll fork over the Sharess' Caress Rooms key.
Ffion's room contains a journal that reveals she was staying at Fraygo's Flophouse, but the party has bigger fish to fry. As it turns out, the key Mamzell gave the party opens all the doors in the building. Head for the one called Nymph's Grotto, on the east side of the balcony. From there, it's as simple as checking around the edge of the fountain near the back wall for a letter entitled "Archducal Coronation - ission ." Pick this up for immediate age through Wyrm's Rock Fortress, no questions asked.
Solving A Murder Can Also Get You Through Wyrm's Rock Fortress In Baldur's Gate 3
It may take a little more effort, but it's also possible to gain access to Wyrm's Rock Fortress by aiding in a murder investigation, in case the party feels stealing an invitation is a morally objectionable decision in Baldur's Gate 3. In order to do so, they'll have to travel to Rivington, and follow their nose for rumor to the Open Hand Temple. There, they meet the best detective this side of Baldur's Gate: the hollyphant Investigator Valeria. She explains that a priest, Father Lorgan, has been murdered, and asks for help finding clues. Thus begins the quest "Open Hand Temple Murders."
There are three clues to pick up in the area, but only one is necessary to move on. The first can be found by casting speak with dead on Father Lorgan and asking him who killed him. A second is located in a locked chest within the Temple's Novice Quarters. The third and final clue is the body of Brilgor, who's already been buried in the graveyard. Dig him up and cast speak with dead again, and he'll explain, like Father Lorgan, that he was killed by a dwarf wearing red in the tunnels beneath the Temple.
Again, there are multiple ways to get into the tunnels. The first is to use the hatch in the kitchen, then a Perception check to spy two buttons near emblems on the wall. It's also possible to get down there by climbing down the well across the road from the Temple, shooting a winch inside, and following the path to a cave entrance. Once in the tunnels, the party will have to fight a group of shapeshifters. Loot them to pick up a Flower Key. This opens the wardrobe at Fraygo's Flophouse where Ffion's body is hidden, along with a list of the killer's targets.
That's enough for Valeria. Return to her at Sharess' Caress, and she'll ask the party to escalate the case by sharing it with authorities inside Baldur's Gate. She'll give them a Lower City to get through Wyrm's Rock Fortress, which the guards accept easily. This transitions into a new task, "Investigate the Murders," but the party already has a way into Baldur's Gate and doesn't need to progress the quest line in order to continue.
Investigating Suspicious Toys Is Another Way Into Wyrm's Rock Fortress In Baldur's Gate 3
Another quest in Rivington can help the party get through Wyrm's Rock Fortress. A character named Manip Nestor, just east of the Rivington waypoint, may solicit the party for donations to his toy drive. If they a DC 20 Persuasion check, he'll let them drop off their gifts themselves. While inside, they should look for a wooden crate full of teddy bears. An Investigation check reveals that these toys aren't as cute and cuddly as they seem - they're actually bombs. Disarming them will cause Manip to run inside, where the party can ask him about the deadly teddies. He'll blame Arfur Gregorio, who lives a short distance away.
The stealthiest party member should sneak into Arfur's house and pick the lock on the hatch to his basement. They must look out for traps as they proceed to the back of the room, where there's a locked chest with an incriminating receipt inside. When confronted, Arfur will deny everything, blaming the people at Felogyr's Fireworks instead.
Felogyr's is on the other side of Wyrm's Rock Fortress, though, so once the party explains the situation to the guards, they can through. The "Investigate the Suspicious Toys" quest can be completed in an explosive showdown at the fireworks shop.
You Can Just Sneak Into Wyrm's Rock Fortress In Baldur's Gate 3
Of course, the party can just break into Wyrm's Rock Fortress. It's probably the most direct route, but also the most dangerous. Around the corner from the main entrance, there's a small crack in the wall. The party will have to jump to get there, but it's a long way down. Someone will have to cast feather fall to reach it safely.
On the other side of that crack is a locked cell in Wyrm's Rock Prison. The party can escape by either picking the lock or breaking down the door, but they'll have to a Deception check with a Difficulty Class of 15 to convince the guards they're not doing anything wrong. Otherwise, they'll have to fight their way out.
ing Dialogue Checks Is A Difficult Way To Get Into Wyrm's Rock Fortress In Baldur's Gate 3
Of course, it's always possible to sweet-talk the guards at Wyrm's Rock Fortress. The one who addresses the party, Blaze Elin, can be convinced with successful dialogue checks that the party belongs inside. Everyone's allowed to try a Persuasion check by offering a bribe. Certain classes may have access to other options: warlocks can try deception, barbarians intimidation, and so on. These aren't easy, but a willingness to save scum in Baldur's Gate 3 helps. Their DCs can go up to 30, so the character taking on the interaction will need to be very convincing to get into Wyrm's Rock Fortress with words alone.
There are many ways to get through Wyrm's Rock Fortress, but they're not all ideal. Side quests take too much work. Dialogue checks are best avoided due to their high difficulty. Stealing an invitation is the easiest way into the title city of Baldur's Gate 3, but the side quests are still worth taking on for their introduction to the region, their characters, and their rewards.
