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Baldur's Gate 3's roleplaying aspects are a real treat for old and new players alike. However, it is not just the social or combat sections of the game that make it great - it's also the encouraging attitude towards exploration present in every facet of the game's design. Wandering off the beaten path will often lead to interesting puzzles and shiny trinkets.
Such is the case with the Owlbear Cave, where enterprising players can meet an Owlbear Cub who can become a companion and unlock a magically sealed Gilded Chest. However, opening this chest isn't as simple as picking a lock - you'll be zapped if you try. Instead, there is a puzzle to solve.
Updated by Abigail Angell on August 25th, 2023: For players who want to weigh their options regarded the Gilded Chest in the Owlbear Cave and Shadowheart, we've included more detailed information about the possible choices, DC difficulties, and consequences.
Where To Find The Owlbear Cave
You'll find the Owlbear cave on the left side of the Druid Grove in Act 1. Going up the hill outside the Grove's gate will lead you to a group of people, one of whom was injured by an Owlbear. Speak with them however you like, and the cave lies just across the stream behind them.
Inside the Owlbear Cave, there is a rock you can climb down to go straight to the chest. This allows you to bypass the Owlbear encounter without fighting it or talking to it.
How To Open The Glowing Chest
The Glowing Chest will need to be opened with an unusual key. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to get and use that key:
- Hop across the gap to the statue behind the chest. This can be done even by weak characters without the help of spells.
- Once there, walk around in the area behind the statue until someone succeeds in a Perception check. If you have Gale in your party, he will also roll Arcana to give you an additional clue about opening the chest.
- A successful check will reveal a sheet of paper, which you need to pick up.
- Hop back over to the chest, and have your character with the highest Religion (besides Shadowheart) stand in front of the chest while reading the sheet of paper. If your player character isn't up to the task, Gale or Wyll are the best choices.
- If the character succeeds in their reading, the chest will lose its Arcane Lock. It can then be looted normally.
How To Open The Gilded Chest Near Shadowheart
If Shadowheart is in your party when you find the Shrine to Selune in the Owlbear Cave, she'll have a lot to say. As a follower of a rival goddess, Shadowheart doesn't approve of your character collecting trinkets from Selune. While she doesn't try to stop you from picking up the prayer to open the chest, she will object to opening the chest itself with a forced dialogue.
This is an informative scene in Shadowheart's story. If you choose to persuade or question her, you will get the chance to learn much more about her - even if you fail the check. Despite this compelling incentive, a failed check might later prevent you from romancing Shadowheart, so cautious players might choose to avoid the conversation altogether by leaving her outside.
During this scene, she will express distaste for any items in the chest and will suggest you leave them behind. You will have four options here:
- An Insight check to get more information about her motivations (DC15). This can be done, and then you can choose one of the remaining three.
- An Intimidation check to brute force your way to take the items in plain view (DC 10). While this will get you the items, Shadowheart doesn't like it much - use it with caution.
- A Persuasion check to convince her that taking the items is a good idea (DC 10). This option is ideal if you have a character with decent Charisma and care about Shadowheart's Approval.
- Leaving the chest unopened. This is the least risky option, and Shadowheart's approval of you rises if you do this. However, you won't get the loot from the chest.
If you do not open the chest and leave it, or you fail your check and try to open it anyway then you will be faced with a Sleight of Hand Check. The DC for this check is 15, and failing it will cause her to lose trust in you a moderate amount. Succeed, however, and you can loot the items without Shadowheart's knowledge.