Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn — FAQ & Walkthrough
General Information
This FAQ covers the most frequently asked questions for Baldur's Gate II, organized by chapter, characters, and strategy. There are many spoilers throughout — use Ctrl+F to search for a keyword whenever you're stuck. If you're trying to work through the game on your own, stop reading now.
Questions are sorted by chapter and quest. Depending on how you play, you may encounter a quest earlier or later than listed.
FAQ
A. Spoiler Warning
There will be many spoilers in this guide, especially in the walkthrough sections. Skip any section you don't want spoiled. I'd advise doing a simple search for a key word or phrase whenever you're stumped.
B. Chapter I
Q1: How do I free Minsc from his cage?
A1: Simply talk to him and exhaust one of the dialogue trees. Minsc will free himself shortly thereafter.
Q2: How do I free Jaheira from her cage?
A2: The key to her cage (along with some equipment — some of it may be magical if you imported a character from BG1) can be found in the room to the northwest.
Q3: How do I free Frennedan?
A3: The key to his cage is in the main room outside his prison.
Q4: What's the deal with Rielev?
A4: Put him out of his misery and then go take the cells to the other life support pods. The other people there will give you a few clues about the other quests here.
Q5: Where's the flask that will free Malaaq?
A5: The dryads have it.
Q6: What do I do with the dryads' acorns?
A6: Hold onto them for awhile — you won't be able to do anything with them until you accept the quest that takes you to the Windspear Hills.
Q7: The Cowled Wizards have taken Imoen prisoner — what do I do?
A7: There's nothing you can do about this just yet. Saving Imoen is one of the game's major plot arcs.
C. Chapter II
Q1: Where am I going to raise 20,000 gold?
A1: Once you get into the meat of the game, the money will come fast and furious. You'll have spent well over 100k gold by the time the game is done. The price will come down a bit before all is said and done.
Q2: Should I ally with the Shadow Thieves or Bodhi's rival guild?
A2: The Shadow Thieves are the lesser of two evils. All will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Q3: How do I get into the Harper's base at the Docks?
A3: The first time you leave the city, you'll encounter a poisoned Harper. Take him to the headquarters to learn that it's a Harper base. If Jaheira is with you, the Harpers will be willing to give you a quest to prove yourself. You'll also see a familiar face nearby (Xzar). Accept his quest and infiltrate the building. You'll need a Harper amulet to bypass the guardians upstairs, so make free with the contents of the rooms to the northeast.
Q4: Can I get Xzar to join?
A4: No. He won't be around for too long anyway.
Q5: I killed a bunch of Harpers and Jaheira renounced her membership — now what?
A5: You'll have to protect Jaheira, who's now a renegade, from a number of determined pursuers who may surprise you while you travel outdoors. At some point, Jaheira will leave your party when you rest outside, but you can go back to the Harper HQ and pick her up on the second floor.
Q6: How do I open the secret door in the northern part of the Sewers? I've tried everything.
A6: There'll be a Sewer Key deep inside the Windspear Hills that will open this door.
D. Chapter III
Q1: Where can I find the rakshasa whom the Trademeet genies are chasing?
A1: She's hiding in a house on the east side of the Druid grove. She'll reveal herself if you bring the genies on your scent.
Q2: Where's the guy in red who buried Tirdir?
A2: You can intimidate Sethle the gravedigger. Seek out your quarry in the southern portion of the Bridge District.
Q3: What's going on in the back of the Copper Coronet?
A3: Why don't you free Hendak and find out?
Q4: What's up with Quallo's riddles in the sewers underneath the Copper Coronet?
A4: You need four pieces to put it all together. Check the sewer grate in the big drainage room, the twisted skeletons in the corridor, the "friend" of Quallo, and the uppity bunch of kobolds for the necessary components.
Q5: Who's the "skinner" killer in the Bridge District?
A5: Reijek Hidesman — prove his guilt by talking to the witnesses and getting opinions from the nearby storekeeper. Confront Reijek yourself and search the premises carefully. Don't worry about him getting away; you'll meet him again in Trademeet.
Q6: What's the point of carrying around some stitched-together human flesh?
A6: You can combine it with Silver Dragon scales (in the Underdark much later) if you talk to Fael in Umar Hills. As the Tanner's Note suggests, buy a copy of the History of the Zhentarim to get him to open up.
Q7: Where can I find a caretaker for the orphan Risa?
A7: There's an honorable Paladin named Kamir on the other side of the Graveyard District.
Q8: How do I get past the second shadow barrier in the Temple Ruins?
A8: You can't open it, but you can go through it. There are several tunnels that branch off of the room filled with lava. There are a few secret passages and several important items that can only be found by sweeping your mouse over any conspicuous-looking container objects.
Q9: I found half of a note about something hidden in the rock formations outside, but can't find anything.
A9: This won't come up again unless you're a Ranger taking to protecting Umar Hills. After the local dryad enlists your aid, you'll be able to find the cache of mithril quite easily.
Q10: Liches, dragons, beholders, and vampires are brutal — what's a poor hero to do?
A10: You don't necessarily have to fight them all when you first get the quest or first meet them. Wait until you're suitably equipped or high enough in levels to tackle them.
Q11: I killed a bunch of other vampires but Bodhi's nowhere to be found — what gives?
A11: Go into one of the western rooms (the one with 3 crypts in it) and stake all the recuperating vampires. Bodhi will put in an appearance.
E. Chapter IV
Q1: How do I get into the asylum?
A1: Shut down the local brothel to make a couple of local connections. You can either take a wardstone off the dead fingers of a Cowled Wizard living in a house on the east, or talk Desharik the Pirate Lord into giving you a free ride.
Q2: How can I beat Bhaal? My attacks don't seem to be fazing him!
A2: You need to run and talk to Imoen inside of Candlekeep first.
Q3: Yoshimo's turned against me — is there anything I can do to bring him back?
A3: No. Kick his ass. Don't forget to redeem him later, though, at a Temple of Ilmater (there's one in Waukeen's Promenade).
Q4: Some of these riddles are perplexing — a little help?
A4: The riddles are fun but not too difficult, especially because they give you a list of things to choose from. Just take a second to think about it.
Q5: Should I trust Saemon?
A5: No, but you might as well go along for the ride anyway.
F. Chapter V
Q1: How do I get inside the Drow City? I don't fancy fighting them all.
A1: Visit the Svirfneblin in the northwest of the Underdark. Do them a favor, and they'll tell you how to make nice with Adalon the Silver Dragon.
Q2: How do I get Adalon's eggs back?
A2: You'll be forced to run several quests for Phaere. After you complete them all (don't dally too long or you'll be denounced), she'll set you aside and ask you to steal and replace the eggs. If you were nice to Soulafein, he'll slip you another set of replacement eggs to fool Phaere.
Q3: I've been captured by the illithid and they're making me fight for their amusement — what now?
A3: After your first battle with some umber hulks, you'll be able to open the door next to you. You can plot with the Githyanki to break free.
Q4: How do I open some of these doors in the Mind Flayer city?
A4: You'll need to free the slaves by acquiring some of the mind flayer eggs and using them on the slave machinery. You'll be able to create 4 slave collars using the big machine in the corner. Don't waste any of them except when you nab an illithid for the express purpose of opening an otherwise sealed door. There'll always be an illithid in the egg room, so don't despair if you've killed all the others.
G. Chapter VI
Q1: I killed Drizzt in BG1 and now he's pissed — what can I do?
A1: If you're sufficiently penitent or reasonable, you can win Drizzt over. Take all the help you can get when confronting Bodhi.
Q2: Where is Bodhi and the Rhynn Lanthorn?
A2: Go back to the beginning. She's hanging out in her old haunts.
H. Chapter VII
Q1: Can you help me with something here?
A1: No — go enjoy the game.
Characters
Where's Aerie?
In the circus tent in Waukeen's Promenade. Her "uncle" is Quayle — he won't join, but when he requests help later, that'll lead you to Haer'Dalis.
Where's Korgan Bloodaxe?
Chillin' in the Copper Coronet.
Where's Valygar Corthala?
Hiding out in Umar Hills. The Cowled Wizards are interested in him — he is the key to the Planar Sphere in the Slums District.
Where's Anomen Derlyn?
He's a member of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. He is the only male NPC with whom a female character can get romantically involved.
Where's Cernd?
Chillin' in the dungeon in Trademeet.
Where's Jan Jansen?
He'll be hawking his wares in the Government District. His equipment is mostly lame, despite what you've heard.
Where's Yoshimo?
You should stumble upon Yoshimo as you leave Irenicus' lair.
Where's Nalia De'Arnise?
Chillin' in the Copper Coronet and looking for help. If her snotty betrothed runs off with her, prove that he likes to hang out in hives of scum and villainy — one of the soldiers who accompanies him will give you all the clues you need.
Where's Keldorn Firecam?
You'll bump into him in the Sewers just outside the Cult of the Sightless Eye.
Where's Mazzy Fentan?
Chillin' in a cell in the Temple Ruins — you'll need a key from the Shadow Jailor to free her. Her home is in Trademeet, and she also has a subquest in and around the Copper Coronet.
Where's Haer'Dalis?
You first have to rescue Haer'Dalis from the clutches of a wizard who makes his base in the Sewers. You may also have to chase after him and rescue him from the clutches of a cambion.
Where's Imoen?
(smack)
Where's Jaheira?
(double smack)
Where's Edwin Odesseiron?
Accept the quests of the Shadow Thieves (through Yoshimo at first) and prove Mae'Var's treachery — Edwin will offer to join you.
Where's Viconia deVir?
She's warming her toes by a fire in the Government District. You'll have to fend off some angry fanatics to free her.
Are Mazzy, Edwin, and Haer'Dalis extraordinary?
Yes — they have abilities far above and beyond those indicated by their character class alone.
Which NPCs will fall in love with my character?
Female NPCs who may romance a male PC: Aerie, Nalia, and Jaheira. Anomen is the only male NPC romance option (for female PCs).
Strategy & Miscellaneous
Where are all the parts of The Equalizer?
The pommel is in Irenicus' lair, and the other two parts are in the Underdark in the possession of an Elder Eye and the Elder Brain.
Why are golems such a pain?
Golems all have a large amount of magic resistance and different types are immune to different things. Fight them with +2 weapons at minimum, and keep in mind that different golems are immune or resistant to different types of damage (slashing, bludgeoning, piercing) as well as magic.
How do I fight dragons?
Very, very carefully. You can go through the game without having to kill a single dragon, but you're missing out on a lot of loot and experience. There are four good pieces of dragon-killing equipment: long sword, halberd, shield, and helmet. Cast all your defensive spells beforehand, and summon up to 5 monsters to serve as fodder. The dragons have different breath weapons and abilities, so let that influence your equipment and spell choices. Mages should emphasize Magic Missile, Melf's Acid Arrow, and Flame Arrow. Good offensive priest spells include Holy Smite, Flame Strike, and Bolt of Glory. Also have Breach and Pierce Magic handy, as the dragons are expert spellcasters. For a cheesy option, you can sometimes fire off a Cloudkill or three before they are activated as enemies — they'll be dead or mostly dead by the time they react.
How do I fight vampires and the more powerful undead?
Pick up Azuredge from the Copper Coronet and find the Mace of Disruption in the vampire lair in a pool of blood — both have a chance to instantly kill the undead. Make sure you have a cleric capable of casting Restoration, or carry scrolls. Other good anti-undead weapons include Flame Tongue and the Bone Club.
How do I fight liches?
Liches are tricky opponents, mostly due to the Time Stop spell. Wait until level 13 or so before tackling them — before then, your saving throws simply won't be good enough despite whatever defensive spells you've cast. It really hurts when a lich casts Time Stop and then Finger of Deaths half your party. Breach and Pierce Magic will serve you well here too.
What's on the Bonus CD?
A new shopkeeper named Jovul in the Copper Coronet who sells Icewind Dale-related equipment — some very good magical weapons.
What's on the Collector's Edition CD?
A new shopkeeper named Deidre in the Adventurer's Mart who sells Planescape: Torment-related equipment: the most powerful armor in the game (Balduran's Plate, Robe of Vecna) as well as decent weapons and miscellaneous magical items. Each bonus vendor sells 10 items each.
Strongholds
(Forthcoming)
