You’re wandering through the Grymforge, dodging traps and trying not to fall into the lava, when you find it. A Sentient Amulet. Most players pick it up because it looks like decent loot, but then the laughing starts. That’s the BG3 spirit of the amulet, a long-dead Monk with a serious case of the giggles and a tragic backstory that stretches all the way to the city of Baldur’s Gate.
It’s one of those quests that feels like a minor distraction until it isn't.
Honestly, the first time I found this thing, I thought it was just a cursed item I’d eventually sell to Dammon or Arron for a few gold pieces. But Larian Studios loves these weird, multi-act threads. The spirit inside isn't just a random ghost; he’s a man named Shirra Clarwen’s grandfather—or at least, he’s looking for his granddaughter, Shirra. Finding him is easy. Keeping your sanity while he’s equipped? That’s the real trick.
Finding the Sentient Amulet in Grymforge
Getting your hands on the amulet requires a bit of platforming and a high tolerance for fire. It’s tucked away in a locked Adamantine Chest at coordinates X:-624 Y:431. You’ll see a platform surrounded by lava. Don’t just jump in. Use Misty Step or a high-strength character to reach the chest.
When you open it, the BG3 spirit of the amulet introduces himself. He’s been trapped for a long time, and he’s suffering from a literal curse of laughter. He wants you to take him to Wyrm’s Crossing to find his family. If you agree, you get a Rare amulet that lets you cast Shatter and Talk with Dead, plus a unique Ki Restoration ability for Monks. It’s a powerhouse item for Act 1 and Act 2, but it comes with a massive "however."
The Cost of the Giggles
Every time you use the amulet's abilities, you have to pass a Wisdom Saving Throw. If you fail? Your character starts laughing uncontrollably. It’s Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, but flavored as a psychic burden from a dead guy. It can ruin a stealth run. It can waste a turn in a boss fight. It’s annoying. Yet, for a Monk build, that Ki Restoration is basically a must-have. You’re trading your dignity for more Flurry of Blows.
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Tracking Down Shirra Clarwen in Act 3
Most people forget about this quest by the time they hit the lower city. You’ve killed Ketheric Thorm, you’ve dealt with the Githyanki, and the Monk is still just chirping away in your inventory. But to finish the quest for the BG3 spirit of the amulet, you have to find the Open Hand Temple in Rivington.
Talk to Sister Yannis. She’s the one managing the chaos at the temple after the recent murders. When you ask about Shirra, she gives you the bad news: Shirra has been dead for about a year.
This is where the quest gets somber. The spirit doesn't want to just be "found." He wants to pass on his curse. You have to go into the crypt underneath the temple. It’s the same crypt you visit for the "Solve the Open Hand Temple Murders" quest, so it’s efficient to do both at once. Look for the sarcophagus of Shirra Clarwen.
The Big Choice: Taking the Curse or Passing it On
Once you interact with Shirra’s body, the BG3 spirit of the amulet realizes his granddaughter is gone and decides her corpse is a "good enough" vessel. He animates her body for a brief, creepy conversation. This is the climax of the quest, and it’s where you have to make a choice that actually impacts your character's stats.
He wants to be free. He asks you to take his place or help him find peace.
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Option 1: Accepting the Curse
If you agree to take the Monk’s madness, you’ll have to pass two separate Saving Throws (Wisdom or Constitution). If you succeed, you get the "Bestowed Passive" which is basically the Tasha’s Hideous Laughter spell but it doesn't cost a spell slot. If you fail the rolls? You lose two points of Wisdom permanently. That’s a brutal penalty for most classes.
Option 2: Refusing the Spirit
If you refuse to take the curse, the spirit gets angry. You’ll have to fight Shirra’s reanimated corpse and a few other zombies in the crypt. It’s not a hard fight by Act 3 standards. Once they’re dead, the quest ends. You don’t get the special spell, but you keep your Wisdom score intact.
Why Monks Specifically Need This Item
If you aren't playing a Way of the Open Hand Monk, the BG3 spirit of the amulet is mostly just flavor. But for Monks, the Ki Restoration is a game-changer. In Act 2, when encounters get longer and you’re burning through Ki points to keep enemies stunned, having a way to refresh those points without a short rest is massive.
The Shatter spell is also surprisingly useful. It’s an area-of-effect thunder damage spell. Since Monks usually lack big AoE options early on, the amulet fills a tactical hole in their kit. Just be ready to save-scum those Wisdom checks if you’re using it in the middle of a delicate combat encounter.
Common Bugs and Fixes
Because this is a long-running quest that spans three acts, things can get weird. Sometimes the spirit won't trigger his dialogue when you enter the crypt. Usually, this happens if you’ve already cleared the murders and moved on. If he’s quiet, try equipping and un-equipping the amulet while standing directly over Shirra’s coffin.
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Another weird quirk: if you lose the amulet or sell it in Act 2, you obviously can’t finish the quest. There is no way to "find" him again if he’s gone. Check your camp chests. I’ve definitely left him in a random backpack on Karlach and forgotten about him for twenty hours of gameplay.
Practical Steps for Your Playthrough
To get the most out of this quest without ruining your build, follow this sequence:
- Grab the amulet early. Get it as soon as you reach the Grymforge. Use a character with high Wisdom (like Shadowheart) to carry it so the random laughter checks don't hit as hard.
- Use it for the Ki Restoration. If you have a Monk, this is your best-in-slot necklace until you find the Sentient Amulet’s upgraded version or the Amulet of Greater Health.
- Finish the Temple Murders first. It’s easier to clear the hostiles in the Open Hand Temple crypt before you trigger the spirit’s final scene.
- Buff up before the sarcophagus. If you plan on taking the curse, cast Resistance or use a Potion of Heroism. Those Wisdom saves are no joke, and a permanent -2 to Wisdom is a heavy price to pay for a level 1 spell.
- Consider the narrative. If you’re playing a "good" character, putting the spirit to rest is the most thematic choice. Taking the curse feels like a very "Dark Urge" or power-hungry move.
The BG3 spirit of the amulet is a perfect example of how Baldur’s Gate 3 rewards exploration. A tiny item found in a chest in a volcanic basement turns into a multi-act tragedy about family, madness, and the price of immortality. It’s worth doing at least once just to hear the voice acting—the Monk’s laughter is genuinely unsettling.
Check your inventory right now. If you have a dusty silver amulet sitting there, head to Rivington. It’s time to put that laughing ghost to bed.