In the enchanting yet treacherous world of Baldur’s Gate 3, players are drawn into the mysterious allure of the Riverside Teahouse, a seemingly quaint establishment that hides sinister secrets beneath its surface. As adventurers navigate through the Sunlit Wetlands, they encounter Auntie Ethel, a seemingly benevolent figure whose true nature as a cunning hag unfolds in chilling revelations. This guide delves into the intricacies of the Teahouse, offering essential tips on how to uncover hidden paths, confront magical illusions, and ultimately rescue Mayrina from Ethel’s clutches. Prepare for a journey filled with peril and intrigue, where every choice could mean the difference between salvation and doom.
Question Auntie Ethel
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players encounter Auntie Ethel as part of the quest to save Mayrina, a pivotal character intertwined with the game’s narrative. Initially found at Zevlor’s Camp, Auntie Ethel presents herself as a helpful figure, offering assistance with the Mindflayer tadpoles plaguing the party. However, her true nature is revealed at the Riverside Teahouse, where she embodies the role of a deceptive hag. Players must navigate through illusions and traps to uncover her lair, ultimately confronting her to rescue Mayrina. This encounter is not only crucial for advancing the story but also showcases the blend of mystery and danger that defines the game’s immersive world.
The Save Mayrina side quest will begin after meeting two brothers, Johl and Demir, arguing with Auntie Ethel. Check out the above video, which will guide you step by step through all stages of the quest.
You will meet three characters in the forest, south of the goblin camp. During the conversation with Ethel, choose the dialogue options accusing her of kidnapping the woman. After the conversation is over, the witch will disappear, and the brothers will head towards the swamp. Follow them to discover the witch’s hideout.
When you reach the marshes, you must pass an intelligence check. If you don’t pass, you will need talk to the sheep. During the conversation, perform the Animal Handling skill check, and then select the BAA dialogue option. When the illusion disappears, the terrain will change and all the enchanted Redcaps will revert to their true form.
The Redcaps will not realize that the illusion has been broken, so they will not attack you. But it’s better to defeat them now, since the witch isn’t here. Set your companions correctly on the battlefield and defeat 4 small opponents.
Head towards the hut. Inside, you will find Mayrina. During the conversation, tell the woman what happened to her brothers. Mayrina will disappear – this will trigger the first fight with Auntie Ethel.
First fight with Auntie Ethel
In the encounter with Auntie Ethel, players face a challenging battle that is pivotal to the storyline in Baldur’s Gate 3. The fight begins dramatically when Ethel sets Mayrina’s cage on fire, forcing players to act quickly to save her from imminent death. As the battle unfolds, Auntie Ethel employs her signature trickery by summoning illusory clones of herself, complicating the fight further. Players must identify and target the real Ethel while managing the clones, who can inflict significant damage. Successfully defeating her not only advances the plot but also offers valuable rewards, including a permanent boost to one of your character’s abilities, making this encounter both crucial and rewarding for players navigating the complexities of the game.
If you have already defeated all the Redcaps from the marshes earlier, the first fight with the witch should not give you any trouble.
Use only basic attacks and don’t let yourselves be killed. The witch will manage to escape to her hideout.
Save Mayrina
In the “Save Mayrina” quest of Baldur’s Gate 3, players embark on a perilous journey to rescue Mayrina from the clutches of the sinister Auntie Ethel. This side quest initiates in the Sunlit Wetlands, where players encounter a tense confrontation between Mayrina’s brothers and Ethel, who is accused of kidnapping their sister. As players delve into Ethel’s lair, they must navigate various challenges, including illusions and a burning cage that threatens Mayrina’s life. The quest culminates in critical choices regarding a mysterious wand that can resurrect Mayrina’s deceased husband, Connor, leading to different outcomes based on the player’s decisions. Successfully saving Mayrina not only progresses the story but also reveals deeper layers of character motivations and moral dilemmas within the game.
After discovering the truth about Auntie Ethel, follow her to her hideout in the Teahouse in the marshlands. Interact with the hearth to extinguish it and proceed to the secret room. At the bottom, you will find the Overgrown Tunnel.
Approach the big doors by the elf and interact with them. When you pass the skill check, you will discover that the door is another illusion. Do not put on the masks lying on the table. Turn the camera so that the cursor is behind the door and send your companions there. The whole party should be able to go through the door without any problem.
In the next room, you will find several enemies. Defeat them all and jump over the waterfall to the further part of the hideout.
First, try to properly position your party and ambush your opponents to gain an advantage.
Beware of poison clouds and traps scattered on the ground. To make your way through, you can first burn the gas, and then extinguish the flame (poison clouds will return, so you need to hurry up). Another option is simply to run over an obstacle. Keep moving further into the tunnel until you reach the room with the witch and Mayrina.
Defeat the hag
To defeat Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must navigate through her deceptive Riverside Teahouse, which is actually a façade concealing her true lair, the Gnarled Teahouse. Upon entering, the party will encounter various illusions and magical traps, requiring keen perception and strategic planning. The battle with Ethel begins after players uncover her true nature as a hag, and they must be prepared to face not only her but also the illusions she conjures to confuse and mislead them. Utilizing skills like Arcana checks or Animal Handling can help break her illusions and reveal the path forward. Successfully defeating Ethel will involve a combination of tactical combat and clever use of the environment to overcome her magical defenses.
The second fight with Auntie Ethel will not be so easy. The witch knows many spells and casts an illusion on herself which creates more witches. This fight also has a time limit. Mayrina is imprisoned in a burning cage, so watch the health points of the wooden cage to prevent it from falling down.
Before starting the battle, it’s best to properly set up your party. The fight with the witch will only begin when you approach the cage, so hide all your companions in the shadow and send the ranged characters and mages to the back of the cage, preferably so they can stand on a higher ground.
Eliminate the fake witches first. Use powerful spells like Magic Missile for this. When only the real witch remains, focus your attacks on her. However, if you don’t get rid of her fast enough, Auntie Ethel will cast an illusion again and create more fake witches.
When the witch has about 20 health points left, she will fighting and ask you for a truce. You can play this out in several ways:
- continue the battle
- ask her to release Mayrina
- negotiate with the witch and receive a reward from her
- pass the skill check to free Mayrina and receive a reward from the witch
Search the lair for a way to help Mayrina
To search the lair for a way to help Mayrina in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must navigate through Auntie Ethel’s deceptive Riverside Teahouse, which is actually a front for her sinister hideout. Upon entering, players will discover that the fireplace conceals a hidden passage leading to the Overgrown Tunnel. Here, they will encounter various obstacles, including a gnarled door that requires clever problem-solving to pass. Players can either succeed in an Arcana skill check to reveal the door’s true nature or use items like the Whispering Masks to bypass it. Once inside, they must confront Auntie Ethel and her illusions while searching for a means to assist Mayrina, who is trapped within the witch’s clutches. Successfully navigating this treacherous environment is crucial for rescuing her and ultimately deciding her fate.
If you have saved Mayrina and driven away or killed the witch, you will still need to help her find the cure for her husband.
If you killed the witch, search her body. You will find a wand there called Bitter Divorce. If the witch has escaped, check the last room in her hideout. The wand will be lying on the table. Use the portal and go outside.
Talk to Mayrina. You will have the following options to choose from:
- break the wand and thus not resurrect Mayrina’s husband
- revive Maryina’s husband, but keep the wand for yourself
- revive Mayrina’s husband and return the wand
What secrets lie within the Riverside Teahouse
The Riverside Teahouse, also known as the Gnarled Teahouse, is a deceptively charming location in Baldur’s Gate 3, nestled within the Sunlit Wetlands. However, beneath its quaint facade lies a web of dark secrets orchestrated by Auntie Ethel, a cunning hag. The true nature of the Teahouse is shrouded in illusion, masking its sinister reality and the horrors that transpire within.
Secrets of the Riverside Teahouse
- Illusions and Deception: The Teahouse appears inviting but is actually an illusion. Players can break this facade through various means, such as attacking disguised Redcaps or confronting Auntie Ethel directly, revealing the true Gnarled Teahouse.
- Hidden Pathways: An illusionary wall behind the fireplace leads to Auntie Ethel’s lair, the Overgrown Tunnel. This secret passage becomes accessible through successful Perception checks.
- The Well of Deception: A well near the entrance appears to contain fresh water but is actually filled with dead flesh. Drinking from it provides temporary hit points at a cost—vulnerability to Psychic and Acid damage after a Long Rest.
- Auntie Ethel’s True Form: Upon breaking the illusion or engaging with her, players witness Auntie Ethel transform into her true hag form, showcasing her malevolent nature and setting the stage for confrontations that blend negotiation with combat.
- Victims of the Hag: The lair contains remnants of Ethel’s past victims, including petrified beings and those trapped in torment, serving as a grim reminder of her dark magic and manipulative deals.
Exploring the Riverside Teahouse not only unveils these secrets but also challenges players to navigate moral dilemmas and combat encounters, making it a pivotal location in their adventure.
What is the significance of the illusionary wall in the Riverside Teahouse
The illusionary wall in the Riverside Teahouse serves as a crucial narrative and gameplay element in Baldur’s Gate 3, revealing the true nature of the seemingly benign location. Here are the key significances of this illusion:
1. Unveiling the True Lair
The wall, which is located behind the fireplace, conceals the entrance to Auntie Ethel’s lair, known as the Overgrown Tunnel. Approaching the fireplace triggers Perception checks for players to notice the illusion, allowing them to pass through and uncover the dark secrets hidden within Ethel’s domain. This transition from the deceptive Teahouse to the more sinister lair marks a pivotal moment in the storyline, shifting the player’s understanding of their surroundings.
2. Encountering Auntie Ethel
Breaking through this illusion not only leads players deeper into the game but also provokes a hostile reaction from Auntie Ethel. This encounter emphasizes her cunning and manipulative nature, as she uses illusions to protect herself and her secrets. Players must be prepared for combat or negotiation immediately after discovering this hidden passage.
3. Thematic Depth
The illusion reflects broader themes of deception and appearances versus reality within Baldur’s Gate 3. The Teahouse, with its inviting atmosphere, contrasts sharply with the horrors that lie beneath, symbolizing how evil can masquerade as good. This thematic element enhances player immersion and engagement with the story.
4. Gameplay Mechanics
From a gameplay perspective, this illusionary wall introduces mechanics that encourage exploration and critical thinking. Players must utilize skills like Investigation and Perception to navigate their environment effectively, fostering a sense of agency and discovery in their quest4.
In summary, the illusionary wall is significant not only for advancing the plot and deepening player engagement but also for highlighting key themes of deception that permeate Baldur’s Gate 3.
