Look, the first time you lay eyes on that massive, shadow-cursed monolith, it’s intimidating. You’ve spent hours trekking through the Shadow-Cursed Lands, probably keeping a torch or the Pixie’s Blessing active just to stay alive, and then you see it. Moonrise. It's the centerpiece of Act 2 in Baldur’s Gate 3, and honestly, figuring out how to infiltrate Moonrise Towers BG3 is where the game stops holding your hand and starts testing if you’ve actually been paying attention to the plot.
Most people think "infiltrate" means "sneak in through a back window." In BG3? Not necessarily. You can walk right through the front door. Ketheric Thorm’s goons are arrogant. They’re expecting "True Souls." If you’ve got a parasite in your head, you’re technically on the guest list.
The "Front Door" Strategy: Why Social Stealth Wins
You don't need to be a Rogue with 20 Dexterity to get inside. In fact, the most rewarding way to infiltrate Moonrise Towers BG3 is to simply lie to everyone. When you approach the main gates, the cultists see your Tadpole. They think you're one of them. Use that. Walking in as a "True Soul" gives you access to traders, lore, and—most importantly—the chance to rescue prisoners before the final confrontation.
If you go in guns blazing too early, you're going to have a bad time. The ground floor is packed. There are Acolytes, Adepts, and those annoying Orthon beasts. Plus, if you start a fight in the lobby, you might accidentally trigger the death of the prisoners in the basement.
Talk to Disciple Z'rell. She’s the one running the day-to-day operations while Ketheric sulks upstairs. She’s terrifying, but she’s also your ticket to the inner sanctum. She’ll give you a quest to find Balthazar. Take it. It’s the easiest way to gain "VIP" status in the tower.
Dealing with the Gnolls
Inside the kitchen, you’ll find Linsella. She’s "training" gnolls using the Tadpole. It’s pretty messed up. You can actually use your own Illithid powers to sever her connection. If you do it right, the gnolls realize she’s been enslaving them and... well, they eat her. It’s a great way to remove an enemy and gain some chaotic allies for later, or at least clear the room without a massive brawl.
Rescuing the Prisoners (Do This FIRST)
This is the part everyone messes up. If you go to the Shadowfell to deal with the Nightsong before you infiltrate Moonrise Towers BG3 prisons, the prisoners die. Period. Wulbren, the Tieflings, all of them. Gone.
You have to go to the basement early. Talk to the guards. You can try to bribe them or use a high Persuasion roll to convince them you’re there to "interrogate" the captives. Once you’re in the cell block, don't just open the doors. If you open the doors, the guards will just slaughter them in the hallway.
Instead, give Wulbren a hammer. If you don't have his specific hammer, any bludgeoning weapon usually works. He’ll break the back wall of the cells. You should also head to the back docks area behind the cells to break the chains on the boats. This ensures they have a getaway vehicle.
It’s a frantic few minutes. You’ll probably have to fight the Warden. She’s got some decent loot, including the Spellmight Gloves if you're lucky with her drops or the surrounding chests. Pro tip: Silence is your friend here. If the Warden can’t call for help, the rest of the tower stays oblivious to your jailbreak.
The Secret Entry Points
Maybe you killed everyone at Last Light Inn and the "social" route is closed. Or maybe you just like climbing. There are other ways to infiltrate Moonrise Towers BG3 that don't involve the front bridge.
- The Side Trestle: To the left of the main entrance, there’s a series of rocky crags and wooden platforms. You can jump or Misty Step up there to reach the higher balconies.
- The Kitchen Windows: There are several spots around the side of the building where a Druid in wild shape (like a cat) or someone with Gaseous Form can slip in unnoticed.
- The Rooftop Climb: If you’re feeling gutsy, you can use Fly or Enhanced Leap to get onto the rafters from the outside.
Why bother? Because Ketheric’s room is upstairs. If you’re looking for dirt on him—specifically how he became immortal—you need to get into his private quarters. There’s a dog named Barnabus guarding the area. You can actually talk to him using Speak with Animals. He’s tired. He’s bored. You can convince him to let you pass or even turn him against his masters if your Charisma is high enough.
Balthazar’s Secret Lab
While you’re poking around the upper floors, look for a suspicious bookshelf. There’s a puzzle involving protruding books and a human heart. Yes, it’s macabre. Putting the heart on the pedestal opens Balthazar’s secret room. Inside, you’ll find a Moon Lantern that actually works, plus a whole lot of evidence that the "Absolute" isn't exactly what the cultists think it is.
The Point of No Return
I can’t stress this enough: The Gauntlet of Shar is the trigger.
The game warns you. A little pop-up says "Make sure you finish your business." Believe it. Once you finish the Gauntlet and decide the fate of the Nightsong, the "infiltration" phase of infiltrate Moonrise Towers BG3 is over. The Harpers will assault the tower (if they're alive), and the whole place turns into a massive war zone.
If you haven't bought the unique items from the vendors yet—like Roah Moonglow or the bugbear trader Lann Tarv—do it now. They have some of the best Act 2 gear, including the Titanstring Bow and various high-level potions. Once the assault starts, these vendors usually disappear or become hostile.
Combat Tips for the Big Assault
When the infiltration ends and the fighting starts, the lobby of Moonrise becomes a meat grinder. The cultists love using Hunger of Hadar and Black Hole. It’s annoying.
To survive the push:
- Control the rafters. Get your archers and casters up high immediately.
- Focus on the Acolytes. They keep the front-line fighters shielded.
- Use Counterspell. The enemy mages at Moonrise love to spam Fireball. If you can shut them down, the Harpers might actually survive the first three rounds.
Jaheira is a powerhouse here, but she’s also a bit suicidal in AI mode. If you can, talk to her before the fight and convince her to join your party as a "follower" so you can control her actions. It keeps her from leaping into the middle of ten enemies and dying instantly.
Actionable Steps for a Successful Infiltration
- Check your buffs: Ensure the Pixie’s Blessing is active before you even approach the bridge. It’s much better than carrying a lantern.
- Talk, don't fight: Walk into the main hall and trigger the cutscene with Ketheric and the Goblins. It sets the stage and gives you free rein of the first floor.
- Visit the Docks: There are crates down there with Tadpole specimens. If you’re leaning into the Illithid powers, it’s a gold mine.
- Rescue the Tieflings/Gnomes: Go to the prison before you enter the Shadowfell. This is the single biggest "fail state" for players in Act 2.
- Loot Ketheric’s Room: Find the letters and the diary. It provides context for the boss fight and might even give you dialogue options to make the final encounter slightly easier.
- Clear the "hidden" enemies: There are some eyes and guards in the rafters. Taking them out quietly while you're still "friendly" makes the eventual Harper assault much smoother because there are fewer reinforcements to deal with.
Infiltration isn't just about getting inside; it's about dismantling the cult from the inside out. By the time you actually have to fight Ketheric Thorm on that rooftop, he should already be missing his prisoners, his gnolls, and his best secrets. That's how you win.
Next Steps for Your Campaign
- Equip Bludgeoning Weapons: Before entering the prison, ensure someone has a maul or hammer to hand to Wulbren.
- Manage Your Long Rests: Once you start the jailbreak, try to finish it before resting, as NPCs can sometimes "reset" or move positions.
- Check Vendor Stock: Visit Lann Tarv and Roah Moonglow immediately upon entry to secure high-tier gear before they become unavailable.