You finally made it to Rivington. After the absolute nightmare that was the Shadow-Cursed Lands, seeing the sun and some greenery feels like a fever dream. But the Open Hand Temple isn't exactly the peaceful sanctuary it looks like from the outside. Honestly, it’s a crime scene. A messy one. If you’re like me, you probably walked in expecting a quick chat with some monks and ended up knee-deep in a sprawling conspiracy involving shapeshifters, flowery keys, and a very grumpy flying cat.
Father Lorgan is dead. The investigators—specifically Investigator Valeria, a hollyphant who is clearly more interested in her next drink than actual justice—have already decided it was a simple case. They’ve pinned it on Brilgor, a refugee who also happens to be dead. Case closed, right? Wrong.
The Open Hand Temple is the gateway to one of the most complex questlines in Baldur's Gate 3. It’s easy to miss the crucial evidence if you don’t know where to look, and if you rush it, you’re going to lose out on some of the best gear and story beats in Act 3.
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Finding the Hidden Entrance
Most people bumble around the kitchen or the dormitory for twenty minutes before realizing the real action is happening downstairs. You need to get into the crypt. There’s a hatch in the kitchen. Just use it.
Once you’re down there, you’ll see the tombs of past monks. It looks quiet. It isn’t. If you go to the room with the two statues, you’ll notice something’s off. Look at the walls behind the statues. Notice those tiny buttons? Yeah, those. You need to hit both of them to open the secret door.
I’ve seen players get stuck here because they try to "solve" a puzzle that doesn't exist. It’s just buttons, guys. Hit them.
Behind that wall is where the Open Hand Temple story actually gets dark. You’re going to find a bunch of doppelgangers. They aren't friendly. They’re part of the Absolute’s plot to destabilize the city before you even reach the lower city gates. Kill them, loot them, and pay close attention to the "Flower-Key" you find on their bodies. That key is your golden ticket to the rest of the quest.
The Problem With Speak with Dead
Here is a tip that’ll save you a headache: bring someone who can cast Speak with Dead.
If you talk to Father Lorgan’s corpse, he’ll tell you he wasn't killed by Brilgor. He’ll describe a "dwarf in red." This is your first real breadcrumb pointing toward the larger Bhaalist conspiracy. But don't stop at Lorgan. Talk to the doppelgangers you just killed in the caves. Talk to Brilgor. The game gives you these tools for a reason, and in the Open Hand Temple, the dead are way more honest than the living.
Valeria won't believe you at first. She’s a hollyphant with a bad attitude. You need hard proof. That means finding the murder weapon.
Where is the actual dagger?
Finding the weapon is the part that trips up most people. After you clear out the doppelgangers in the cave under the temple, search the area near the altar and the wooden platforms. There’s a hole. Or rather, a gap in the rocks near the water.
You’ll find a dagger called "Stillmaker."
It’s a Very Rare ritual dagger. It’s not just a quest item; it’s actually a decent weapon for a rogue or a bard since it lets you cast Hold Person. But for the sake of the quest, it’s the smoking gun. It’s coated in a specific type of poison that matches Lorgan’s wounds.
Once you have the Stillmaker and the Flower-Key, you’ve basically solved the local mystery. But the Open Hand Temple is just the tip of the iceberg. The key opens a secret room in Fraygo's Flophouse across the bridge. That’s where the "Investigate the Murders" quest really kicks into high gear.
Dealing with Tara and the Tabbies
Let's talk about the roof.
If you have Gale in your party, you absolutely must go to the roof of the Open Hand Temple. You’ll find Tara, his tressym friend. She’s been eating the local messenger pigeons. Aside from being a cute character moment, she’s part of the "Find the Missing Letters" quest.
If you don't have Gale, you can still talk to her using Speak with Animals. She’s got a big personality. Honestly, she’s more helpful than the official investigators. She’ll give you a ring or some items if you handle the dialogue right, but the real value is just the lore and the connection to Gale's backstory.
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Why the Open Hand Temple Matters for Your Build
It’s not just about the murder. The Open Hand Temple is a thematic hub for Monks.
If you’re playing a Way of the Open Hand Monk, this place feels like home, even if it’s currently a mess. There is a specific piece of gear you can get later in the city that references this temple, but while you’re here, make sure you loot the chests in the living quarters.
There’s a lot of food. Act 3 eats through camp supplies like crazy because you’ll be long-resting more often to trigger story beats. The temple kitchen is a gold mine for supplies. Don't be "noble." Take the cheese. Take the wine. You’re going to need it when you’re fighting literal gods in a few hours.
The Refugee Crisis Context
The Open Hand Temple isn't just a dungeon; it’s a narrative device.
The tension between the monks and the refugees outside is a microcosm of what’s happening in Baldur’s Gate. You’ll see the Flaming Fist being aggressive. You’ll see the donations being hoarded or contested.
How you interact with the NPCs here—like Brother Bill or Sister Yannis—actually shifts your standing with certain factions. If you’re playing a Paladin, be careful. Some of the "pragmatic" choices here can lead to an accidental Oathbreak if you aren't prioritizing the protection of the innocent.
Step-by-Step: Don't Miss These Details
- The Kitchen Hatch: It’s hidden behind some crates. Don't just look for a door; look for a floor panel.
- The Crypt Buttons: They are on the walls in the room with the tombs. You have to pass a Perception check to see them, so bring Astarion or someone with high Wisdom.
- The Flower-Key: Don't sell this! It’s a quest item. It looks like a normal key, but it has a floral motif. It belongs to a chest/door in the Flophouse.
- The Blood Trail: In the caves, there are blood smears leading toward the back area where the doppelgangers hide. Follow them. It’s the most literal "follow the breadcrumbs" moment in the game.
Common Misconceptions
People think you have to turn in the quest to Valeria immediately. You don't. In fact, if you go to her too early without the dagger or the list of targets you find in the Flophouse, she’ll just insult you and tell you to go away.
Another big mistake? Ignoring the "Sentient Amulet." If you did the quest in Act 1 or 2 involving the Cursed Monk, the conclusion of his story happens right here in the Open Hand Temple. You need to go to the basement, find the specific tomb of his granddaughter (Shirra Clarwen), and complete the ritual.
This is a huge deal because it either grants you a powerful Tasha’s Hideous Laughter-style ability or gives you a permanent debuff if you mess up the rolls.
Actionable Insights for Your Playthrough
To get the most out of the Open Hand Temple, you need to treat it like a detective RPG rather than a combat encounter.
- Cast Speak with Animals before talking to the cats around the temple. They saw the "scary men" go into the basement.
- Loot the doppelgangers thoroughly. One of them carries a "Commendation" letter that links the murders directly to Orin the Red.
- Find the secret room in the Flophouse immediately after finishing the temple basement. This updates your map with all the murder targets in the Lower City, allowing you to save NPCs and gain huge chunks of XP.
- Use the Stillmaker dagger if you have a high-dexterity character. Even if you don't use it as a primary weapon, the Hold Person spell is a game-changer in the crowded street fights of Act 3.
The Open Hand Temple isn't just a side quest. It is the thread that, when pulled, unravels the entire political stability of Baldur's Gate. Take your time, look under the floorboards, and don't trust the hollyphant.