You’ve finally reached Rivington. The shadow-cursed lands are behind you, and the gleaming spires of Baldur’s Gate are right there. But before you can even cross the bridge, you're hit with a grizzly crime scene at the Open Hand Temple. Father Lorgan is dead. The investigators think it’s just another refugee-on-healer crime, but anyone who’s spent ten minutes in Faerûn knows nothing is ever that simple.
The Open Hand Temple Murders is one of the most sprawling, intricate quests in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3. It isn't just a side quest; it’s the thread that pulls you into the dark, jagged heart of the Absolute’s plot within the city. If you ignore it, you’re missing out on some of the best gear and narrative payoff in the game. Honestly, it’s easy to get lost because the game doesn't hold your hand. You have to be a detective. You have to talk to the dead. You have to look under the floorboards.
The Crime Scene at the Open Hand Temple
Sister Yannis is stressed. She’s the one you’ll find near the entrance, arguing with Investigator Valeria—a Hollyphant who is, frankly, doing a terrible job. Valeria has already decided that a refugee named Brilgor killed the Father and then took his own life. Case closed. Except, it isn’t. If you talk to Yannis, she’ll practically beg you to look deeper.
Go to the infirmary. You’ll see Father Lorgan’s body. If you have someone in your party who can cast Speak with Dead, now is the time to use it. Lorgan’s spirit will tell you he wasn't killed by Brilgor. He’ll describe a "dwarf in red." This is your first real clue, and it’s a big one. It shifts the entire perspective of the murder from a random act of violence to a targeted assassination.
Most players just look at the body and leave. Don't do that. Go out to the graveyard and find Brilgor’s fresh grave. Dig him up. Use Speak with Dead on him too. The poor guy is devastated even in death, confirming he loved the Father and would never hurt him. This gives you the evidence you need to prove Valeria wrong, though getting her to listen requires more than just words—you need the murder weapon.
Descending Into the Crypts
The real meat of the Open Hand Temple Murders happens underground. Inside the temple, in the kitchen area, there’s a hatch. Go down. You’ll find yourself in a cellar that leads to a series of caves and crypts. There’s a hidden wall here. You need to pass a Perception check to find the buttons hidden behind two signs on the walls in the room with the tombs.
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Push them. The wall slides away, revealing a gruesome scene.
You’ll be jumped by several doppelgangers. They aren't particularly tough if you’re level 10 or 11, but they can be annoying with their shape-shifting. Once they’re dead, loot everything. One of them carries a "Flowery Key." This key is the literal lynchpin for the next phase of the quest. More importantly, search the immediate area—specifically near the altar or the wooden platforms. You’ll find a hole or a gap where the murder weapon, Stillmaker, is hidden.
Stillmaker is a very rare dagger that can cast Hold Person. It’s also the definitive proof that the murder was a professional hit. But the most disturbing find is a severed torso. Why would a killer leave just the torso? Because it’s a ritual. This is Bhaalist work.
Using the Flowery Key at Fraygo’s Flophouse
Now you have a key and no door. The Flowery Key has a number on it: 10. You need to head further into Rivington, past the South Span Checkpoint. If you can’t get past the Steel Watchers, you might need to find a way around or use some invisibility, but usually, by this point, you have enough reputation or gold to squeeze through.
Look for Fraygo’s Flophouse. It’s a tall, cramped building right near the bridge. Go to the top floor. There’s a wardrobe that looks suspicious. It doesn't have a handle. Use the Flowery Key on it, and it clicks open, revealing a hidden room.
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This room is a goldmine of evidence.
- The Bloodstained Parchment: This is a hit list. It contains names of people all over Baldur’s Gate who are marked for death.
- A Diary: This explains the motive. The murders are a tribute to Bhaal, meant to sow chaos before the Chosen of Bhaal makes their move.
- The Evidence of Orin: It becomes clear that Orin the Red is pulling the strings here, using doppelgangers to frame refugees and incite a riot within the city walls.
Dealing with Investigator Valeria and Gauntlet Devella
With the hit list in hand, you need to find Valeria. She’s usually across the street at Sharess’ Caress, drinking her weight in wine. When you show her the list, she finally snaps out of her laziness. She’ll realize this is way bigger than a temple murder and send you to speak with Gauntlet Devella at the Elfsong Tavern in the Lower City.
Getting into the Lower City is its own ordeal, but once you’re there, the quest shifts from "who did it" to "stop the next one." Devella is actually competent. She’ll take the list and tell you to try and save the people on it.
This is where the quest merges with "Investigate the Murders." You’ll have to track down people like Cora Highberry or Figaro Pennygood. You usually find the "dwarf in red" (whose name is Dolor) right as he's about to strike. If you’re fast, you can save the victims. If you’re slow, you’ll just find more bodies and more severed hands.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Playthrough
A lot of people think the Open Hand Temple Murders is just a way to get some XP. It’s so much more. This quest is your primary ticket into the Bhaalist Understory. Following this path leads you directly to the Tribunal of Murder, where you’ll face Sarevok Anchev—a name that should ring bells for anyone who played the original Baldur’s Gate games.
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Moreover, saving the victims on the list earns you powerful allies and unique rewards. Figaro, for instance, sells some of the best endgame armor for rogues and bards if you save his life. If you let him die, you lose access to his shop for the rest of the game.
It also drastically changes how you approach Orin. By dismantling her murder cult from the bottom up, you gain a clearer understanding of the power struggle between her and Gortash. It makes the eventual confrontation at the Temple of Bhaal feel earned rather than just another boss fight on a checklist.
Common Mistakes and Missable Details
I've seen people get stuck because they can't find the buttons in the crypt. Seriously, just hold down your "highlight objects" key or move the vases. They’re right there.
Another big mistake is forgetting to loot the "Bloodstained Parchment." Without that physical item, Devella won't trigger the next stage of the quest in the Lower City. You’ll be stuck wandering around Rivington wondering what you missed.
Also, don't kill the Hollyphant. I know Valeria is annoying and lazy, but she’s part of the "Gather Your Allies" quest line later on if you play your cards right. Plus, she’s a flying elephant. Why would you want to kill a flying elephant?
Actionable Steps for Your Investigation
To wrap this up efficiently, follow this sequence:
- Talk to Yannis and the dead bodies at the temple immediately.
- Find the hidden buttons in the cellar (X: -63, Y: -5) to enter the hidden cave.
- Kill the doppelgangers and pick up the Flowery Key and the dagger "Stillmaker" from the dirt pile/hole nearby.
- Go to Fraygo's Flophouse, open the secret wardrobe on the top floor, and read every single document on the desk.
- Present the hit list to Valeria at Sharess' Caress to get your pass into the Lower City.
- Head to the Elfsong Tavern and find Devella to start the "Save the Victims" phase of the hunt.
This isn't just a quest about a dead priest. It's a race against time. The more you linger in Rivington, the more names on that list get crossed off in blood. Get moving. Orin isn't going to wait for you to finish your long rest before she sends her assassins out again.