Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 72 - Technically Not Infidelity

Storyline (what’s happening)

• Raphael’s brothel plot continues in the background: The group is still working toward potentially breaking into Raphael’s house in Hell to steal the Orphic Hammer, but they postpone it for nearby priorities.

• Hunting the missing librarian (Fon) leads to a “flophouse” investigation:

  • The team searches for Fon (the missing stern librarian).
  • They find her goods/money and learn she’s been killed.

• A bigger conspiracy: the “Dread Tribunal” / cult framing scheme

  • In Fon’s/related rooms, they discover a bloodstained parchment describing a ritual entry into the dreadlords tribunal and instructions to:
    • kill listed targets,
    • frame corpses as murder by the Cult of the Absolute,
    • bring proof (victim hand) and walk in blood.
  • This reveals that the Cult of the Absolute is being blamed, but the murders are part of a larger scheme.

• Open Hand Temple murder mystery (to help refugees + clear blame)

  • The group returns to the Open Hand Temple, where worship/aid has been suspended due to the murder of Father Logan.
  • A detective character (“flying elephant” investigator) pushes a narrative blaming a politically convenient refugee target (Brilgore).
  • By investigating crime scenes, corpse testimonies, and poison evidence, the group finds Brilgore was not the murderer.
  • They learn the killings were likely connected to the cult/hand-based access system: Father Logan’s hand was removed as part of enabling entry/credentials.

• Shira’s crypt and the amulet spirit’s granddaughter twist

  • The group uncovers Sister Shira Clawwin in the temple crypt.
  • She’s tied to an amulet spirit’s curse (not just a simple murder).
  • The grave indicates Shira’s body is an empty husk and her spirit has fled.
  • The group fights and defeats a resurrected/possessed threat tied to the curse: a cursed “laughing monk” plot to pass on Tasha’s Hideous Laughter at great cost.

Gameplay highlights & key strategies / tactics used

• Detecting vampires/spawn and using character knowledge

  • The team discusses how to verify whether someone is a vampire spawn (eyes/teeth vs. character sheet checks).
  • They identify meaningful NPCs quickly using “narrative importance” cues (names/titles/stat weight and dialogue behavior).

• Stealth/thievery optimized to avoid detection

  • Uses minor illusion to draw attention, then switches to turn-based mode.
  • Recommends/action economy tactics:
    • Hide with bonus action, then lockpick with main action so both chests can be handled in a single round.
  • Uses Thieves’ tools and leverages success via high bonus/rolling discipline.

• “Secret room” access and interrogation/corpse clues

  • Lock-breaking leads to a secret room containing books, poisons, and the key parchment.
  • Corpses can be interacted with using “talk to dead”-style evidence to extract:
    • how someone died,
    • who killed them (often by disguise description),
    • where the body was taken,
    • links to underground tunnels.

• Cult access plan logic (hand-based “proof” concept)

  • The parchment implies entry requires killing/hand collection and corpse framing.
  • The group pivots strategy from “needless murder” to:
    • identify which targets are dead,
    • possibly use existing bodies/hand proofs,
    • and later investigate tunnels/weapons so they can prove the real story.

• Combat: extreme power stacking vs. cursed/reanimated enemies

  • Against the cursed monk’s undead/possessed allies, they lean into AOE/stacking effects:
    • Rage to enable “giant lightning cleaver” style output,
    • Radiating orb stacking via Stunning Strike + bonus punches,
    • using radiant debuffs to reduce enemy effectiveness (“radiating orbs” cause lots of missed attacks).
  • Uses tactical positioning and utility movement:
    • considers escape tools (force tunnel), but picks the option that actually affects enemy threat.
    • focuses targets down until the main threat is eliminated.

• Risk management with powerful cursed items

  • They repeatedly note the need to equip/unequip the “elemental necklace/amulet focus” at the right time to avoid missing buffs or triggering hazards.

• Temple investigation as evidence gathering

  • Uses corpse testimony + witness contradiction:
    • the “detective” claims Brilgore did it;
    • investigation shows poison, paralysis, torture mechanics, and tunnel concealment.
  • Looks for definitive missing items:
    • they determine the temple authorities never found the murder weapon, making it a key proof point.

Key quest objectives / next steps implied

• Clear the Open Hand Temple plot and fully prove the truth by:

  • finding the missing murder weapon in tunnels/hidden areas,
  • using recovered evidence to restore refugee aid (and reopen the temple).

• Follow the larger cult thread

  • The “dread tribunal / cult of Bál framing” is connected to:
    • missing hand/credentials,
    • underground passages,
    • and potential routes to confronting Orin (and/or manipulating cult dynamics).

• Expect more secrets inside the temple

  • The episode ends with strong suspicion of hidden doors/tunnels still unexplored—setting up the next episode’s investigation.

Gamers or sources featured

• Many a True Nerd (John / narrator)