You're deep under Wyrm's Rock Prison. The air is damp, the torches are flickering, and you’re trying to prove to a legendary undead dragon that you’re actually a good person. Welcome to the Wyrmway. If you’re stuck in the Chamber of Justice BG3 trial, don't feel bad. It’s easily one of the most cryptic puzzles in Larian’s massive RPG, mostly because the game expects you to play detective with some very blurry paintings and a bunch of shadowy entities.
Most players stumble into this room after dealing with the Chamber of Courage or the Chamber of Strategy. It looks simple. There's a statue of Balduran, some art on the walls, and a judge shrouded in shadow who looks like he’s having a very bad day. Basically, you need to "sentence" a thief. But if you just start clicking things, you're going to end up in a fight you probably weren't prepared for.
The Mystery of the Shrouded Paintings
When you first walk in, the room is filled with a thick, purple fog. This is the "Shadow Curse" of the trial, and it’s obscuring the truth. The statue of Balduran tells you a story about a man caught stealing. It’s a classic moral dilemma. Was he a starving beggar? Was he a greedy opportunist? To solve the Chamber of Justice BG3 puzzle, you have to look at the three paintings in the center that are currently covered in darkness.
The problem is the Judge. That spectral figure in the middle of the room, the Judge, is keeping the truth hidden. If you try to interact with the paintings while they are shrouded, nothing happens. Or worse, you get blasted.
Clearing the Fog
You need a way to get rid of that "Shrouded" condition. There are a couple of ways to do this, and honestly, one is much easier than the other.
- Remove Curse: This is the "correct" way. If you have Shadowheart in your party, or any Cleric/Wizard with Remove Curse prepared, just cast it on the Judge. Boom. The shadows lift, and you can actually see the paintings.
- Daylight or Light Spells: Sometimes you can cheese the visibility with high-intensity light spells, but Remove Curse is the intended mechanic here.
- Banishment: Some players have reported success banishing the Judge, but why waste a high-level spell slot when a simple curse removal does the trick?
Once the shadows are gone, you’ll see three paintings: The Cell, The Gallows, and The Freedom. Each represents a potential punishment for the thief in the story.
Which Sentence is Just?
Here is where people get tripped up. You aren't just picking a random punishment. You have to pick the one that fits the "Justice" theme of Balduran. The story told by the surrounding murals (the ones on the outer walls) explains that the man was caught stealing, but the context matters. He wasn't some high-stakes heist master. He was someone caught in a bad spot.
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The paintings on the outer walls tell the story. Look at them. No, seriously, go look at them. They show the man’s life and his crime. You’ll see "The Unjust Goods" and "The Absent Friend." The narrative basically frames him as someone who was once good but fell into shadow.
Selecting the "Cell" Painting
The answer is The Cell.
Why? Because in the eyes of Balduran’s trials, execution (The Gallows) is too harsh for the crime, and letting him go entirely (Freedom) ignores the fact that a crime was committed. Justice, in this specific lore-heavy context, is rehabilitation and fair incarceration.
To finish the Chamber of Justice BG3 trial:
- Click on the painting titled The Cell.
- Your character will pick it up (it goes into your inventory).
- Walk over to the empty stone plinth in the center of the room.
- Interact with the plinth and "insert" The Cell painting.
If you did it right, the statues will glow, the Judge will vanish peacefully, and you’ll be one step closer to meeting Ansur. If you mess up? Prepare for a scrap with some undead sentinels. They aren't impossible to beat, but they are a massive pain if you're already low on resources from the other trials.
Why This Trial Matters for Your Build
You might be wondering if it's even worth the hassle. It is. Completing all four trials in the Wyrmway—Justice, Insight, Strategy, and Courage—is the only way to access the final chamber.
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Inside that chamber lies the Balduran’s Giant Slayer, arguably the best greatsword in the entire game. If you have a Barbarian or a Fighter (like Lae'zel or Karlach) in your party, this sword is a game-changer. It doubles the damage from your Strength modifier on a hit. It's ridiculous. You also get the Helm of Balduran, which heals you every turn and makes you immune to being stunned.
Basically, you’re doing a bit of art criticism and curse removal in exchange for becoming a literal god of the battlefield. Pretty fair trade.
Common Bugs and Frustrations
Let's be real: Baldur's Gate 3 is a massive game, and sometimes the Chamber of Justice BG3 gets a bit wonky.
I've seen instances where the paintings don't become interactable even after casting Remove Curse. If that happens, try toggling your "Alt" key to see if the labels pop up. Sometimes the hitboxes for the paintings are just slightly off. If all else fails, a quick save and a quick reload usually fixes the script.
Also, make sure you aren't accidentally standing in the way of the plinth when you try to place the painting. The pathfinding in these tight ruins can be a bit finicky.
Tactical Advice for the Wyrmway
If you're tackling the Chamber of Justice, you're likely in Act 3. You should be around Level 10 to 12. Don't rush this area. The Wyrmway is designed to test your understanding of the game's mechanics—not just your ability to hit things hard.
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- Bring a Cleric: Between Remove Curse in this chamber and the healing you'll need for the Trial of Courage, a Cleric is non-negotiable.
- Check your Inventory: You’d be surprised how many people pick up the "Cell" painting and then forget it's in their inventory, wandering around the room for twenty minutes wondering why the puzzle won't solve itself.
- Read the Lore: The paintings actually tell a decent story if you take the time to look at them. It’s one of those rare moments where Larian rewards you for actually paying attention to the world-building instead of just skipping dialogue.
Honestly, the Chamber of Justice BG3 is a breath of fresh air compared to some of the combat-heavy slogs in the lower city. It’s a quiet, atmospheric moment that forces you to think about what "justice" actually means in a world where gods and monsters are real.
What to do next
Once you've placed the painting and cleared the trial, head back to the main hub of the Wyrmway. You’ll need to ensure the other three chambers are lit up. If this was your last one, the large dragon-head doors will finally open.
Make sure your party is fully rested before you go through those doors. I cannot stress this enough. What lies ahead is one of the most mechanically demanding boss fights in the game. Check your potions, equip your lightning resistance gear, and maybe give your party a quick "Heroes' Feast" if you have the spell slots. You're going to need every hit point you can get.
Go pick up the painting of The Cell, put it on the plinth, and go get that legendary loot. You've earned it.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
- Verify you have Remove Curse or a Scroll of Remove Curse before entering the Wyrmway.
- Clear the Chamber of Strategy by using a high-Intelligence character (or Gale) to solve the chess puzzle in two moves.
- Equip Lightning Resistance gear or prepare the Protection from Energy spell for the upcoming fight with Ansur.
- Check your "Wares" tab to ensure you didn't accidentally sell any critical quest items if the paintings aren't appearing.