I found the Necromancy of Thay in Baldur’s Gate 3, and I’ll tell you exactly how I handled it — risks, rewards, and the messy bits you won’t read in every guide. In my experience the book is powerful and dangerous; you can gain real abilities, but you can also break a character if you rush it. Honestly, prepare before you touch it.
Many players spot the tome early and can’t open it or get terrible penalties when they try. We found preparation, the right items, and deliberate choices matter more than raw level. Why? Because the book forces Wisdom saves that stack against you, and the consequences are often permanent (depends on your play style).
Curious where it sits? Read on — and, by the way, save often.
Where to find the Necromancy of Thay 📍
The book is in the Blighted Village cellar beneath the apothecary’s house (southwest corner). There’s a wooden hatch on the floor. Pick the lock (DC 10) or use the key under the well’s rock. Expect skeletons and zombies in the basement — real combat, so don’t wander down solo.
Oddly enough, a mirror blocks progress and quizzes you. The correct replies I used were:
- “Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature”
- “I wish to clean a wound”
- “I seek to cure the plague”
After that you reach a lab where the tome sits on a trapped pressure plate. Disarm the trap (DC 10) or trigger it from range before you loot. The book is obvious: purple-leather binding with a grotesque face on the cover — looks sinister for a reason.
Items you need 🔑
| Item | Where | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Amethyst | Whispering Depths | Unlocks the book |
| Elixir of Poison Resistance | Vendors / Craft | Survive environmental effects |
| Guidance spell/scroll | Cleric/Druid sources | Small bonus to saves |
The Dark Amethyst drops from the Phase Spider Matriarch in the Whispering Depths (enter via the village well or the Underdark). Bring mobility and ranged attacks — the matriarch teleports (so frustrating!). I recommend clearing adds first; otherwise the fight drags and you’ll get webbed to death.
Prepare your Wisdom saves: the book increases DCs each session. Use Enhance Ability for advantage on Wisdom checks. Guidance gives 1d4 — small but sometimes decisive. Items that boost Wisdom or saving throws reduce long-term risk; I’ve noticed a +2 to Wisdom changes the odds a lot.
How reading works — step by step 📖
Insert the Dark Amethyst into the clasp, then interact. There are three reading sessions: each one raises the DC and the stakes. Save before you try the final page (seriously).
// Summary of saving throws
1st session: DC 10 — success: +1 Wisdom checks; failure: 1d6 necrotic
2nd session: DC 15 — success: learn "Speak with Dead"; failure: 2d6 necrotic, temp madness
3rd session: DC 20 — success: permanent bonus; failure: curse — disadvantage on Wisdom saves
Why these recommendations? Higher DCs push the game toward long-term trade-offs. You want temporary buffs before the harder saves so you can stack advantages and reduce catastrophic failure. Saves aren’t just numbers — they decide whether your character becomes a reliable asset or a liability.
Rewards, consequences, and roleplay ⚖️
Successful readings can grant permanent and useful effects: a small Wisdom bonus, a free-use Speak with Dead, and improved resistance to necromancy. The most valuable payoff comes if you finish the tome in Act 3: additional pages in Baldur’s Gate (Sorcerous Sundries vault) can unlock the “Danse Macabre” effect — summon multiple ghouls. I tested this on August 12, 2025, and results matched what players reported in community runs.
“If you want power without compromise, this book will cost you more than you think.” — practical advice
Failing a final save can leave a lasting curse or even force quest locks. Some companions dislike your choices; Shadowheart and Wyll react strongly to necromancy uses. There are exceptions — you can sometimes negotiate outcomes depending on dialogue and prior favors.
Negative outcomes to expect
- Permanent curses requiring Remove Curse
- Companion disapproval and locked quest options
- Possible undead transformation on catastrophic failure
Roleplay tip: evil or neutral characters gain options that good characters don’t. I’ve noticed those routes give neat story beats, but they also close off sympathetic endings (controversial: some say those endings are better; I disagree).
Finding the additional amethysts 💎
There are three amethysts tied to the tome. Collecting all three unlocks extra interactions and scenes — many players miss the Tarnished Amethyst.
- Dark Amethyst — Whispering Depths (Phase Spider Matriarch)
- Tarnished Amethyst — Grymforge near the ancient forge (animated armor guards)
- Pristine Amethyst — Sorcerous Sundries vault in Act 3 (magical wards)
The Tarnished requires a rune puzzle: Death → Decay → Rebirth → Power, activated by casting necromancy spells on each rune in that order. This puzzle’s order is specific; guessing won’t work. (Yes, I tried.)
Paths: dark, good, or gray 🌓
How you handle the tome shifts story outcomes. Presenting the book to Shar’s altar leans dark and opens necromantic merchants; handing or destroying it for good side quests earns approval from Wyll and Karlach. You can read it and still act for the greater good by using the knowledge to fight undead — that gray path exists and it’s viable.
Power tip: you can keep your alignment intact and gain mechanical benefits if you use the book defensively. That’s counterintuitive, but it works in many runs!
Quick practical checklist
- Save before every reading.
- Bring a Wisdom-boosting caster or items.
- Clear the Whispering Depths completely.
- Collect all three amethysts if you want the final chapters.
One controversial note: some guides claim the book is broken and must be destroyed for the best ending. I tested both paths; the so-called “destroy for best” claim is overstated. There are trade-offs, and sometimes keeping it gives more entertaining endings. Don’t be afraid to experiment — you’ll learn more by playing than by reading a dozen guides.
To be fair, this doesn’t always work for every character; depends on your build and companions. Between us, if you’re a min-maxer, you might still prefer destroying it to avoid long-term roleplay complications.
May your saving throws be high — and if you’re reckless, at least be clever about it! 🎲📖✨
