Baldur's Gate 3 has so much for you to do that it's hard to not be consumed by it. Being over 75 hours long with just the main campaign, it's no wonder new things are being discovered almost daily. This includes various quests, items, collectibles, and more.
One quest that puzzles some is how exactly to get Volo's Ersatz Eye. If you want a fairly simple and quick quest then this might be for you as it doesn't involve too much to complete. However, be warned that there's no going back once you have it.
Updated by Isabella Risoni on August 17, 2023: In Baldur's Gate 3, you have numerous opportunities to upgrade your character's abilities and gain new traits. The Ersatz Eye is just one example of the many ways you can do this. Because new information is being found every day on this game, it's important we give you the most recent and updated information possible. We updated the article to include more recent Related links and a new Featured photo. We also added internal links and added some insight as to whether your character would benefit from getting this surgery.
Location
Since you will have to complete the Ersatz Eye side quest first, you must head to the Blighted Village. You must make your way to the Goblin Camp which will be west of that village. Volo should be waiting in the middle of this campsite for you to talk with.
Ersatz Eye Quest
It is suggested to have a party of 3 just in case fights break out on your way to and during this mission. You will find Volo performing for the goblins. When you initiate any dialogue that doesn't involve "leave", the goblins will promptly take Volo back to his cell. This cell will be located in Shattered Sanctum, the next location you must go to in order to free Volo.
If you're simultaneously doing the Owlbear Quest, so long as you had a long rest after speaking with the mother, the cub should be nearby in the camp. This will allow you to potentially obtain the Owlbear Cub for your camp, granted the other party members agree.
Gain Entrance
Just north of the Goblin Camp, you'll need to pass through some heavy oak doors. You will either need to fight your way through the Warrior Trinzas or choose the right dialogue options to convince them to let you through. Fighting with the guards is much more difficult than just trying to convince her to let you through. If you do choose to fight, make sure you and your party members are prepared.
Locating The Cell
Once you're past the guards, you must now locate Volo's cell. If you enter the main room after the Warrior Trinzas, you should climb up the stairs to the right of you. You shouldn't be questioned quite yet by anyone you pass. You will come to the Abdirak's Bloodied Shrine and next to it will be Volo's cell. Gribbo the goblin will be standing there guarding it.
Gribbo Interaction
Alright, you have a choice here. You can either kill Gribbo or attempt to reason with her. The dialogue results you receive will obviously depend on you, your charisma, and persuasion. However, the following results from the dialogue as it will be dependent on your rolling of Illithid Wisdom, Intimidation, Detecting Thoughts, and Deception. Obviously, if you choose to leave then you won't be able to convince her as the conversation will have ended.
You can even go back and review your dialogue history later on.
Meet Volo At Camp
For the sake of the mission, it doesn't matter what the outcome was whether you killed Gribbo or not, Volo will most likely be released either way. You will approach his cell and speak with him. When you are able to speak with Volo again, you must ask him to come to your camp. After you've done that, you yourself will head back to the campsite to meet with him.
If you mention to him that you have a Mind Flayer parasite that is stuck inside your brain, he will proceed to find a way to help after some back and forth dialogue. Your choices may differ from others depending on your Charisma and if you have a Charisma Scaling Class. Once you take a long rest, you must speak with him again. When you do speak with him, he will now be in possession of the magic Ersatz Eye.
Should You Let Volo Perform Eye Surgery?
You must choose not only whether you should go through with getting the eye replacement but who exactly in your party will have the surgery. This surgery will be permanent and can not be reversed once you have it done.
This is a magic eye and with it, you will have the ability to see invisibility. Previously it was an item that you could pickpocket from Volo, but that has since disappeared as an option to obtain the eye that way. Remember, this is a permanent surgery and you will be stuck with seeing invisibility. Ultimately it will be up to you whether you want to get this eye surgery.
The only real downside here is that you now have two different eyes, and it'll be different from the one you initially selected during character creation. Though seeing invisibility definitely outweighs this minor con. You can always change your appearance if you decide a different look would suit your new eye better. The magic powers you will now possess will be a constant thing for your character.