The House of Hope is a locked, dangerous mansion in Avernus where the devil Raphael runs his affairs. I’ve spent dozens of hours in that place and still find new tricks; honestly, it’s equal parts theater and trap. If you want to get in, grab loot, free Hope, or face Raphael, read this carefully — I’ll tell you what works, why it works, and where people usually screw up.
Quick reality: there are two main entry routes. One is to buy the ritual components and password from Helsik at the Devil’s Fee shop in the Lower City. The other is to take those components from her safe upstairs (lockpicks, Knock, or a clever teleport will save you). In my experience the price can be negotiated; I once paid half because of a Persuasion check, but there are exceptions — it depends on your playstyle and companions.
🏰 How to enter
- Buy the ritual items and password from Helsik (Lower City).
- Steal the components from Helsik’s lockbox (requires lockpicking or magic).
Watch this: the ritual needs a few specific items placed on the circle. Try subtlety first; brute force will trigger fights that won’t work the way you expect. By the way, I’ve noticed disguises (as a Tiefling or servant) save many fights.
💎 What to bring — the essentials
| Item | Why | Find it |
|---|---|---|
| Fire resistance elixir | Less damage vs infernal attacks | Alchemy shops / crafted |
| Revive scrolls (Revivify) | Undo a party wipe | Vendors / crafted |
| Potion of Speed | Action advantage | Vendors |
| Thieves’ tools | Open locks and chests | General stores |
Bring a high-Charisma speaker for checks, a rogue or Sleight of Hand expert, and a counterspell-capable caster. This doesn’t always work the same every run (depends on your party), but those roles cover most surprises.
🗝️ Layout and secrets
The foyer opens into the archive, boudoir, feast hall, and prison below. I’ve found the archive holds dangerous contracts and the best scrolls; the boudoir hides personal safes. You’ll need persistence: secret buttons and hidden vaults are common (one of them is behind a bookshelf — seriously, look).
// Ritual components example (arrange on the circle)
- Diamond
- Incense
- Skull
- Infernal marble
- Coin of Mammon
(That code-style list is just to help remember the set.)
Quote from experience: “Search everything; if a container has a face on it, it probably bites.”
⚔️ Fighting Raphael — practical tactics
Raphael’s encounter favors actions and positioning. In my playthroughs the fight becomes a war of attrition if you don’t remove his allies fast. Kill the healers and controllers first. Use area denial spells and high single-target burst to avoid summons overwhelming you. Counterspell matters a lot. Surprisingly, sometimes avoiding a full fight and using dialogue options gives a better outcome—yes, really.
Controversial note: killing Raphael outright can ruin story beats some players value; others say it’s the only honest ending. Which side are you on?
🎭 Freeing Hope — consequences
Hope is held in the prison below. Freeing her gives you a strong ally and additional dialogue options later in the game (and it changes how certain quests resolve). This choice shifts more than loot; it can alter companion reactions and a few late-game scenes. There are exceptions, of course — sometimes freeing her complicates other deals you’ve already made.
📜 Contracts and what to take
The archive stores contracts that affect major storylines if destroyed or altered. Read every contract before burning it: some free people, others trigger wider consequences. We found that breaking certain infernal contracts can change NPC fates in Act 3.
- Helldusk armor pieces: high-tier defensive gear (check safes and private rooms).
- Gauntlet items and scrolls: salvage or sell depending on your build.
- Soul coins and contractual papers: important for side characters.
✨ Rewards and outcomes
Rewards are not just gear. Freeing Hope, destroying contracts, or sparing Raphael create different epilogues and companion reactions — that matters if you care about endings. I once saved Hope and later got a scene with meaningful dialogue on 06 August 2025 that changed a companion’s fate (small reward, big feeling).
“Stealing from a devil is fun until you realize the universe keeps track.”
One counterintuitive tip: sometimes leaving one contract intact gives better long-term benefits. It sounds odd, but in my runs a single preserved contract kept an NPC alive later on — and I needed that later.
Final practical checklist
- Negotiate or steal Helsik’s ritual items.
- Bring fire resistance, revives, speed, and thieves’ tools.
- Clear allies fast in the fight; use counterspell.
- Read contracts before acting — consequences ripple.
There’s a rhythm to the House of Hope: plan, probe, then strike. Be prepared to improvise (I stumbled in my first run and learned faster the second time). Between us, the best stories come from mistakes as much as triumphs. Good luck — may your dice roll well!
Emoji hint: 🃏 = deception works, 🔥 = watch fire, 🔐 = lockpicks rule.
