Should you Protect the Convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The cultists can lead you to Moonrise Towers, but the Harpers prepare an ambush. Should you protect the convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Should You Protect the Convoy in Baldur's Gate 3 Drider Kar'niss

The Shadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2 in Baldur’s Gate 3 are dark and foreboding. Attempting to make your way through them without a source of light can be deadly. Furthermore, a simple torch may work early on, but if you want to go deeper into the ruins and reach Moonrise Towers you’ll need something stronger. The convoy of Absolute cultists can be your way in, though you’ll have to submit to the Drider guide leading the way. However, halfway there the convoy comes under attack. Should you protect the cultist convoy or switch allegiances at this point in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Significantly, this post will contain some spoilers for early Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3! It will also include information about how this quest can impact your Act 2 progress

Finding the Convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3

BG3 Ruined Battlefield location Kar'niss Moonlantern Oliver Luminous Gloves

The best way to find the Absolute convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3 is to approach the Shadow-Cursed Lands from the Mountain Pass/Rosymorn Trail at the end of Act 1. The path down from this entrance will lead you straight down to a group of cultists waiting for a True Soul to summon their guide. They can be persuaded that you are a True Soul, given your obvious connection to the tadpoles. However, to summon the guide you will have to have a very specific item called the Spider’s Lyre.

Baldur's Gate 3 Spider's Lyre BG3

There are four different ways to obtain the Spider Lyre:

  1. Loot it from Minthara after killing her at the Goblin Camp
  2. Side with Minthara against the Emerald Grove and receive the Lyre as a reward at the party
  3. Loot it from Nere after killing him at the Grymforge
  4. Side with Nere and convince him to help you get through the Shadow-Cursed Lands

Once you have the Spider’s Lyre and have met the group of Absolute cultists, play the instrument. You can do this even if you are not a Bard character. Afterward, a Drider will appear carrying a bright, shining lantern. After some conversation, follow him down the path to Moonrise Towers. Keep close and out of the shadows.

Choosing to Protect the Convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3

Choosing to Protect the Convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3 Harpers

As you follow the Drider Kar’niss down the path you’ll come across the ruins of a building. One of your characters may pass a Perception check and mention that it’s a good place for an ambush. Kar’niss himself will stop, saying that something is not right. He calls out, demanding that whoever is there show themselves. Immediately, a group of Harpers will come out of hiding and attack the convoy.

Consequently, this is where you get to make the crucial decision: Should you protect the convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3? You can choose to switch sides and attack Kar’niss and the rest of the Absolute cultists alongside the Harpers. Or, you can choose to defend the convoy and kill the party of Harpers.

These are the only two choices that you can make in this scenario. There is no way to stand back and be neutral in this conflict.

Consequences of Protecting the Convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3

BG3 Druid Jaheira Casting Spell

If you choose to protect the Absolute convoy in Baldur’s Gate 3, then after successfully killing the party of attacking Harpers you can continue on your way to Moonrise Towers. When you reach the Towers, Kar’niss will vouch for your party with the guards and you can enter without any additional trouble. There are a several useful vendors inside, along with an NPC who can give you a potion to permanently increase your strength.

Baldur's Gate 3 Moonlantern BG3

This is also where you can encounter Act 2 protagonist General Ketheric Thorm and at least temporarily convince him you’re a loyal True Soul. However, if you want to be able to leave the Tower and travel back again safely through the Shadows you will have to find your own working Moonlantern.

Baldur's Gate 3 Moonrise Towers First Floor location Moonlantern Z'rell Cloak of Elemental Absorption Mimic

You can find one inside of Balthazar’s Rooms on the floor above the main entrance. Simply head up the stairs behind the throne in the audience room. You will need to either have the key to these rooms or have a party member with a high Sleight of Hand for lock-picking. The Moonlantern will be sitting out, leaning against a rack just to the right of the desk on the central platform in the middle of the room.

Reaching Last Light Inn After Protecting the Convoy

Furthermore, when you leave the Towers and go back out in the Shadow-Cursed Lands you may reach the Last Light Inn. You’ll be challenged at the entrance by Jaheira, and you’ll have to convince her to stand down. Curiously, she does not seem to be aware that you attacked and killed her Harper party. Although this may be a consequence of the fact that they are all dead and there was no one to report your actions.

Moreover, killing the Harper party does not lock you into an allegiance with the Absolute cultists. You can still choose to side with Jaheira and stand against Ketheric Thorm.

Consequences of Siding With the Harpers During the Ambush

BG3 Last Light Inn location Jaheira Dammon Talli Alfira Rolan

If you choose to side with the Harpers during the attack and help them destroy the convoy, then the Harpers will tell you about the Last Light Inn and encourage you to seek it out. This refuge from the Shadows can be found almost directly north of the ambush site. The Harpers will take the Moonlantern from Kar’niss, which you will need to cut through the shadows and reach Moonrise Towers.

Therefore, it’s best that you go directly to the Last Light Inn from here. You’ll have to convince Jaheira you are not a threat to gain access, and afterward, she’ll encourage you to go upstairs at the Inn and speak to the Cleric Isobel. Isobel will then give you the Moonlantern so you can successfully make your way through the shadows to infiltrate Moonrise Towers.

Therefore, while this requires a bit of a detour you will still be able to reach Moonrise Towers with the protection of a Moonlantern. Once you reach the Towers, you will still have an opportunity to convince the guards that you are a True Soul who belongs there. They will let you pass, and you can visit the merchants and other NPCs as normal.


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