I found the Dark Amethyst under the Blighted Village well, and I’ve seen players miss it more than once. In my experience this gem is the exact key you need to read the Necromancy of Thay, but getting it will test your patience and tactics (and yes, it’s optional).
Where the amethyst lives 🏚️
The entrance sits behind the blacksmith’s forge. Pull back the loose stones near the anvil and you’ll spot the well. Descend with care — the Whispering Depths below is full of webbed corridors and patrols.
Quick tip: rest, potions, and a high-Perception scout help. Honestly, I’ve watched parties rush down and get swarmed.
How to go down — pick one
- Jump and take fall damage (risky).
- Feather Fall or Fly to avoid injury.
- Rope down slowly if you’ve got patience.
Why choose one over another? Because conserving resources matters. If you’ve got limited spell slots, rope or stealth will save your wands for the boss. Depends on your niche and party makeup.
The spider gauntlet
The matriarch teleports, summons smaller spiders, and uses poison. Here’s a simple table (values shift with patches; see the note below):
| Stat / Trait | Typical Behavior |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Ethereal movement, sudden repositions |
| Summons | Calls smaller phase spiders to flank |
| Damage types | Poisonous bites; vulnerable to fire and radiant |
As of March 12, 2025, enemy values were tuned across several areas, so exact HP and AC can differ by patch. I’ve noticed that calling out weaknesses (fire, radiant) still works reliably.
Battle advice: spread out to avoid chain hits. Take out adds first. Use burst fire or area flames to break webs and deny summoning space. Keep casters safe. Use barrels or ledges if you can shove a spider into a chasm (watch this — players forget environmental kills).
Rhetorical question: want a cleaner fight or fewer surprised wipes?
Alternatives — stealth and trickery
Some of us prefer not to wrestle the matriarch. We found invisibility, Pass Without Trace, and a well-timed Misty Step let you slip in, grab the amethyst, and bolt. It’s not foolproof — patrols sometimes mess you up — but it preserves resources for later fights.
Counterintuitive insight: sneaking can cost more time but save long-term campaign resources. Surprisingly effective if you’re conserving spells for a boss later in the act.
{
"requirements": ["Invisibility or stealth 20+", "Teleport option", "At least one healer"]
}Unlocking the Necromancy of Thay (the book)
The apothecary cellar holds the tome. You’ll pass a trapped corridor and a mirror puzzle. Once you’ve got the amethyst, you can attempt to open the book. There are three Wisdom-based checks (DCs vary by game version). Save before you try.
Why prepare for saves? Because failing can give lasting debuffs. To improve odds, use Guidance, Enhance Ability (Owl’s Wisdom), and an Inspiration point if you’ve got it. These things raise your success rate — simple math, better outcomes.
What reading does — and the risks
Successfully reading can grant a permanent Speak with Dead effect in some runs and altered dialogue options. However, there are trade-offs: companions may object, and some NPC reactions change. To be blunt — Wyll and Karlach are likely to scowl if you embrace necromancy (depends on your companion choices).
“I read it and paid for it later,” someone told me once — and they weren’t exaggerating.
Controversial point: I think avoiding the book can be smarter for roleplay-focused parties. Some players argue it’s mandatory for lore; that’s debatable. To be fair, the power is tempting but not always worth the social cost.
Practical checklist
- Find blacksmith forge — check well behind it.
- Descend safely (rope/Feather Fall preferred).
- Clear or sneak past spiders; grab amethyst.
- Secure book in apothecary cellar, save, then attempt reads.
There are exceptions — sometimes a glitch or a companion’s presence changes trigger states. If something won’t work the way you expect, reload an earlier save and try a different order of actions.
Analogy: think of the Depths like a locked attic — messy, cobwebbed, and full of things that bite. The amethyst is the dusty, obvious thing that everyone misses because they don’t look up.
One last bit — a mild stumble here: if you rush, you’ll pay; if you over-prepare, you’ll waste spells — find a middle ground. Between us, I prefer a steady, prepared approach. Happy hunting, and don’t be shy about making a risky choice (sometimes that’s how you learn)! 🎮✨
