Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive, sprawling mess of consequences. You think you’re just doing a favor for some grieving aquatic druids, and suddenly you’re stuck choosing between a cool new robe and the lives of a dozen gnomes. That’s the reality of the quest Avenged the Drowned BG3, a late-game side mission in Act 3 that feels like a simple murder mystery but quickly spirals into a moral headache. Most people stumble into it by wandering around the Grey Harbour, seeing the funeral for Holli, and thinking, "Sure, I'll help find the beast that killed her."
But the "beast" isn't what you think.
Honestly, the quest is a masterclass in how Larian Studios rewards players for being observant and punishes them for being impulsive. If you just go in guns blazing, you lose out on some of the best gear in the game. If you're too soft, you miss a satisfying ending to a tragic story.
How to Start Avenged the Drowned Without Getting Lost
You’ll find the starting point at the Water Queen’s House. It’s that beautiful, slightly damp temple on the southwestern edge of the Lower City. Look for Allandra Grey, the Flood Tide. She’s leading a funeral for one of her sisters, Holli, who was apparently mauled by a "metal monster" in the harbor.
Talk to her.
She'll give you the quest to find the killer. Now, if you’ve been paying attention to the rumors around the docks, you might have heard about a giant mechanical beast. Your map will point you toward the harbor, specifically near the Flymm Cargo warehouse. This place is crawling with Worgs, so be ready for a scrap the second you step inside.
Inside Flymm Cargo, there’s a loose pile of crates in the corner. Move them. There's a hatch underneath that leads to the Subaquatic Dock. This is where things get complicated because this quest overlaps directly with "Save the Gondians" and "Retrieve Omeluum."
The Red Hammer Dilemma
Down in the basement, you won't find a shark or a sea monster. You’ll find Red Hammer the Deviser and his submersible, the Iron Throne.
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It turns out the "beast" that killed the waveservant was just a submarine. Red Hammer is a dwarf who works for Gortash, and he’s been ferrying prisoners to an underwater lab. When you confront him, you have a few choices. You can kill him on the spot, you can take a bribe to leave him alone, or you can force him to take you down to the Iron Throne.
Pro tip: Don't kill him yet. If you kill Red Hammer immediately, you lose your ticket to the Iron Throne prison. That means no saving Wyll’s dad, no saving the Gondians, and no saving our favorite Mind Flayer, Omeluum. You need that sub.
The smartest way to play this is to convince Red Hammer to take you down there. Once you finish the daring rescue mission—which is easily one of the most stressful, turn-limited encounters in the entire game—you’ll return to the dock. That’s when the ladies from the Water Queen’s House show up. They want Red Hammer's head. Literally.
Why the Choice Actually Matters
Larian doesn't make it easy. Red Hammer is a jerk, sure, but he’s also a skilled engineer who helps you save dozens of lives. On the other hand, the Waveservants of Umberlee are a bit... intense. They follow a chaotic sea goddess who demands blood for blood.
If you hand Red Hammer over, they kill him. If you protect him, you have to fight the Waveservants.
Most players choose to hand him over. Why? Because the reward for completing Avenged the Drowned BG3 is the Wavemother’s Robe.
This isn't just a fashion statement. The Wavemother’s Robe is one of the best items for a healer or a cold-based caster in the game. It gives you:
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- Temperature Adaptation: Resistance to Fire and Cold damage.
- Watery Revival: If you start your turn standing in water, you regain 1d4 Hit Points.
- Create or Destroy Water: A free level 1 spell.
But the real kicker is the AC. It’s a cloth armor that actually looks incredible on almost every character. If you’re playing a Druid or a Tempest Cleric, this robe is basically mandatory for your end-game build.
Navigating the Iron Throne Successfully
Since you need to go to the Iron Throne to finish this quest anyway, let's talk about not failing it. You have about 5 to 8 turns (depending on your difficulty setting) to get everyone out before the whole place implodes.
Bring Haste. Bring Misty Step. Bring Dimension Door.
You need to split your party. Send your fastest character (usually a Rogue or someone with the Mobile feat) toward the southern cells to grab the Gondians. Send someone else to the east to find Omeluum. If you have the Arcane Gate spell, now is the time to use it.
The biggest mistake people make here is trying to kill all the Sahuagin. Don't do that. They will keep spawning. Your only goal is to open the doors and get everyone back to the ladder. If a prisoner dies, the quest still continues, but the Wavemother won't be as happy with you if you don't at least deal with the submarine pilot afterward.
The Moral Gray Area: Is Red Hammer Worth Saving?
Honestly? Not really.
From a gameplay perspective, Red Hammer provides no benefit after the submarine trip is over. He doesn't show up as an ally in the final battle. He doesn't give you a legendary weapon. He just sits there.
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The Waveservants, however, offer that sweet, sweet loot. It feels a bit cold-blooded to hand a guy over to be executed after he just helped you save Duke Ravengard, but this is Baldur’s Gate. Sometimes you have to be a bit of a mercenary to get the best gear.
If you're playing a "Lawful Good" Paladin, you might feel a ping of guilt. You might even find yourself in a position where your Oath is at risk. Breaking an oath over a dwarf who works for a tyrant? It happens more often than you'd think.
Hidden Details You Probably Missed
There’s a small detail most players overlook in the Water Queen’s House. If you explore the back areas and read the journals, you realize the relationship between the city and the temple is incredibly strained. The temple feels like it’s losing its grip on the harbor, which is why they are so desperate for a public execution. They need to show the city that Umberlee still has power.
Also, if you have a Warlock in your party, specifically one with a Great Old One or Fathomless-adjacent flavor, the dialogue options here are top-tier. The game recognizes your connection to the deep.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re currently staring at Red Hammer and wondering what to do, follow this checklist to ensure you get the best outcome:
- Talk to Allandra first. Do not go to the warehouse before starting the quest, or the triggers can get a bit wonky.
- Enter Flymm Cargo via the roof. It’s easier to surprise the Worgs that way.
- Negotiate with Red Hammer. Agree to go to the Iron Throne. Do not kill him in the basement.
- Save the Prisoners. Focus on the Duke and the Gondians. If you have to leave a few behind to save the majority, do it. The clock is ticking.
- Return to the Docks. When the Waveservants confront you, make your choice. If you want the Wavemother’s Robe, you must let them take him or kill him yourself and present the body.
- Loot the Robe. Equipping it on a character like Shadowheart or a custom Druid will significantly increase their survivability in the final Act 3 boss fights.
The quest Avenged the Drowned BG3 is a perfect example of why this game won Game of the Year. It takes a simple "go here, kill that" prompt and turns it into a multi-layered narrative challenge that ties into the main plot, character backstories, and high-end gear progression.
Don't rush it. Take the time to explore the submarine dock, read the notes, and decide what kind of hero (or villain) you want to be in the face of the crashing waves.
Once you have the Wavemother's Robe, head over to the nearest dyer. The default green is okay, but hitting it with some Cobalt or Black and Furnace Red dye makes it look like something straight out of a high-fashion fantasy magazine. You've earned the right to look good while saving (or breaking) the city.