How to free Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3

By the end of your journey in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll learn a lot more about the Absolute, and the Emperor’s ability to shield you from it. The Emperor trapped Orpheus, the githyanki prince, in the Astral Plane. He uses his power to suppress the Absolute’s influence. You can choose to find out how to free Orpheus of his chains. He can help fight the Elder Brain, and aid in Lae’zel’s quest, so we’ll explain how you can free Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: ‘Free Orpheus’ quest guide

Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t exactly point you in the exact direction for finding a way to rescue the githyanki prince. There are essentially two pathways you can go about this, one that keeps him alive, and one that allows you to syphon his power. How you free Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3 is by using the Orphic Hammer to break the chains. If you’re not interested in keeping him alive, you can get either the Emperor or an Illithid-turned party member to eat his brain and syphon his power.

How to get the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you decide to head down this path, you’ll have to go through Raphael. This cambion devil owns the hammer, and you can find him at the Sharess’ Caress in Wyrm’s Crossing. Talking to the woman at the front desk reveals that you can visit a devil here, which is Raphael.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Once you find him, you can make a deal. Raphael will give you the Orphic Hammer and help cure your parasite problem in exchange from the Crown of Karsus. This is the crown that the Elder Brain uses, and it’s highly powerful. This is a pretty shady deal, as you have no idea what Raphael wants to do with the crown. Nevertheless, you can accept the deal, and he’ll give you the Orphic Hammer.

How to steal the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3

Screenshot by PC Invasion

If you don’t like this deal, there’s actually a way to steal the Orphic Hammer. Make your way to the Devil’s Fee in the Lower City. You’ll need to find some ritual items in the building upstairs to gain access to a portal for the House of Hope. You can purchase them from the lady at the front desk, but its extremely pricy.

• Diamond: Locked in a medium-sized chest.
• Incense: Sitting on a table.
• Skull: Inside a wooden box.
• Infernal Marble: Locked in a large chest.
• Coin of Mammon: Locked in a small chest beside the bed.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

All five items are available throughout the upstairs room, but make sure you have a few Thieves’ Tools on you. Then, you’ll want to place each item on the ritual circle as the image displays above. Once that’s complete, a portal to the House of Hope in Avernus opens up.

Now that you’re in Raphael’s abode, find the Archive. You’ll notice the Orphic Hammer here, but you need to do some things before you can steal the Orphic Hammer. First, you must deactivate the protective shield surrounding it. You’ll find a button below a painting in the Boudoir. To get past the shield protecting the entrance to the Boudoir, either convince the Archivist in the Archive for a pass, or pickpocket it from him.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Then, you’ll need to defeat the Haarleep laying in the bed of the Boudoir. You’ll find the Safe Key on his body, then press the button below the Raphael painting, and open the safe! Read the notes, and you’ll discover the secret words you need to say to deactivate the barrier.

If you go through with this and steal the Orphic Hammer, you’ll end up fighting with Raphael. Now that you have the Orphic Hammer, the next time you make it to the Astral Plane is before you fight the Elder Brain. Break the chains that hold Orpheus in tact, and he’ll be free!

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.