Baldur’s Gate 3: Conquering the Gauntlet of Shar – A Guide to Umbral Gems

Deep within the Underdark, nestled in the depths of Baldur’s Gate 3, lies a challenging and mysterious domain – the Gauntlet of Shar. This hidden temple, dedicated to the sinister Goddess of Darkness, presents a series of trials designed to test your party’s mettle, strategy, and faith (or lack thereof). At the heart of these trials lie the Umbral Gems, vital components needed to progress through the main questline.

A step-by-step guide on the Gauntlet of Shar:

1. Finding the Entryway

• Your journey to the Gauntlet of Shar begins in the Selûnite Outpost. Once there, speak with Minthara, the Goblin leader. Depending on your choices in earlier interactions, you might need to battle your way through the outpost.
• Upon defeating Minthara or gaining her favor, she’ll reveal a secret elevator that leads directly into the heart of the Gauntlet of Shar.

I went to bed at 3 am last night because I wanted to finish the Gauntlet of Shar quest and I’m running on 3 hrs of sleep and it was worth it. So far this is one of the best cut scenes along with freeing Nightsong. The ending tho, what in the marvel universe 🤣 #BaldursGate3 pic.twitter.com/bkEC5CxIxB

— Ariam (@Ariam_Jan) March 20, 2024

2. Yurgir’s Challenge: The Umbral Gem of Combat

• Upon entering the Gauntlet, you’ll be greeted by the ghostly visage of Yurgir, a powerful agent of Shar. He’ll challenge you directly. Defeating him and his minions in combat will reward you with your first Umbral Gem.

3. The Trials of Shar: Umbral Gems of Skill

• Beyond Yurgir, a series of chambers await, each dedicated to the Sharran faith and containing a unique trial to overcome:
  • The Soft Step Trial (Umbral Gem of Stealth): This challenge tests your ability to navigate invisible platforms. Carefully observe your surroundings to identify disturbances in the air or use magic to reveal the hidden path.
  • The Self Same Trial (Umbral Gem of Illusion): This trial confronts you with mirror images of your party. Deduce the true forms of your companions by carefully examining their actions and behaviors, then attack the imposters to proceed.
  • The Faith Step Trial (Umbral Gem of Faith):  A true leap of faith awaits, as you must cross an invisible chasm shrouded in darkness. Trust your instincts and remember – sometimes even seeing isn’t enough. (Hint: Turn up your brightness settings).
• Successfully completing each of the three trials rewards you with another Umbral Gem.

4. The Orthon’s Lair: An Unexpected Gem

• Return to the main chamber of the Gauntlet and follow the path to the right, leading downwards. You’ll encounter a cavern filled with corpses. Be cautious as the Orthon, a powerful creature and old nemesis of Raphael, lies in wait.
• Defeating the Orthon grants you his Umbral Gem, the fourth and final one needed to progress in the Gauntlet. Be aware that this also ties into Astarion’s questline and killing the Orthon can affect your standing with him.

5. Activating the Portal

• With all four Umbral Gems, return to the central chamber of the Gauntlet.
• Approach the central device and place the Umbral Gems in their respective slots. This will activate a mystical portal, allowing you to travel deeper into the Shadowfell and unravel more secrets tied to your tadpole affliction.

Jaki's adventures in the shadowlands continue!

Saved Thaniel, entered the Gauntlet of Shar, convinced Yurgir to off himself, and ate some spider meat. It didn't taste very good.

Also hit level 8, so they're now paladin/bard/cleric/rogue/sorcerer/wizard/ranger/druid~ pic.twitter.com/lYa8dvlFGj

— Cass ✨ (@loonymarshian) March 16, 2024

Additional Tips:

• The Gauntlet of Shar is a challenging area. Prepare your party with appropriate potions, scrolls, and spells of healing and protection.
• Consider your party composition when entering the trials. Stealthy characters will excel in the Soft Step Trial, while a keen eye is valuable for the Self Same Trial.
• The Orthon is a formidable foe. Utilize strategic positioning and spells that exploit its weaknesses.

With these insights and a touch of Shar’s blessing (or lack thereof), you are prepared to conquer the Gauntlet of Shar and claim its hidden treasures. May the shadows guide your way!

FAQs

• Where is the entrance to the Gauntlet of Shar?

  • You’ll find the hidden entrance to the Gauntlet of Shar inside the Selûnite Outpost. Talk to Minthara, the Goblin leader. Depending on your previous actions, you may need to fight her or gain her favor to access the elevator that descends into the Gauntlet.

• Can I avoid fighting Yurgir?

  • Unfortunately, no. Yurgir’s challenge is a mandatory encounter as you enter the Gauntlet. Prepare for a difficult battle.

• What’s the best way to complete the Soft Step Trial?

  • Carefully observe your surroundings to identify disturbances in the air that mark the invisible platforms. You can also try using magic spells that reveal hidden objects. Take it slow, as falling off can result in damage.

• I’m stuck in the Self Same Trial – how do I identify the real party members?

  • Pay close attention to their mannerisms, speech patterns, and combat choices. Look for inconsistencies – real party members won’t attack each other while impostors might.

• Is there a specific order for completing the Shar trials?

  • No, you can tackle the Soft Step, Self Same, and Faith Step trials in any order you choose.

• Can I skip the fight against the Orthon?

  • Yes, technically you can avoid the fight. However, by killing the Orthon, you gain the final Umbral Gem, progress Astarion’s quest, and have a chance at valuable loot.

• What happens if I lose a trial or die in the Gauntlet?

  • If you fail a trial, you can retry as many times as necessary. If a character dies, you can try to revive them or reload an earlier save.