In Baldur’s Gate 3, the enigmatic House of Hope beckons adventurers into the depths of Avernus, where deals with the devil can lead to salvation or damnation. To unlock its secrets, players must first navigate the treacherous waters of negotiation and ritual at the Devil’s Fee, a shop owned by the cunning Helsik. Here, a high-stakes bargain awaits: will you pay the exorbitant price for entry, or will you outsmart her to gain access to this hellish domain? Prepare for a journey filled with legendary treasures and formidable foes, as you step into a realm where every choice could alter your fate forever.
How to enter the House of Hope?
To enter the House of Hope in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must first travel to the Devil’s Fee, a shop located in the northern part of the Lower City. Here, they will encounter Helsik, who plays a crucial role in the process. Engaging with her is necessary to initiate the ritual that opens the portal to the House of Hope. Players need to either pay a fee of 20,000 gold, negotiate it down to 10,000 through persuasion, or agree to retrieve a powerful artifact for Helsik. Once this is settled, players must ascend to the second floor where they will find a ritual circle. To activate it, they need five specific items: a skull, a diamond, incense, a coin of Mammon, and an Infernal Marble. Arranging these items correctly on the ritual circle will create a portal leading into the House of Hope, where players can find valuable items and face significant challenges ahead.
You’ll meet Raphaela in act 3 at Sharess’ Caress in Rivington. The devil will offer you a pact, in exchange for your promise to bring the crown, he will also give you the Orphic Hammer. Depending on whether you agree or refuse, you’ll unlock a quest related to sneaking into Raphael’s house.
If you have allied with the Githyanki, you’ll also meet Kith’rak Voss at the stairs in Sharess’ Caress.
After talking to Raphael, return to the first floor of the building and talk to Korilla, who will be standing at the counter. Persuade her to tell you how to get to the devil’s house. She will tell you about a certain person who helped Gortash sneak into the House of Hope.
Go to the Devil’s Fee in the Lower City and talk to Helsik. When you tell her that you want to get to Raphael’s house, the woman will offer help for a fee. You can make an ability check to reduce the amount, or perform another check and make a deal with her in which you’ll have to steal the Gauntlets of Giant Strength for her.
How to perform the Halsik’s ritual?
To perform Halsik’s ritual in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must first acquire the necessary components from Helsik at the Devil’s Fee. The items required include a skull, a diamond, incense, a coin of Mammon, and an infernal marble. After obtaining these items, head to the upper level of the Devil’s Fee where you’ll find a blood-stained circle. Follow the instructions provided in the ritual guidebook given by Helsik to place each item in the correct position within the circle: the skull at the west point, the diamond at the northeast, incense at the north, coin of Mammon at the northwest, and the infernal marble in the center. Successfully arranging these items will open a portal to the House of Hope, allowing you to enter this challenging dungeon.
When you receive the book and items needed to perform the ritual, go to the second floor of the Devil’s Fee. Halsik will remove the trap in front of the door by the stairs and you’ll be able to explore the entire building.
To open the portal to the House of Hope, put the items from Halsik’s pouch in their proper places:
- Place the skull on the star point near the altar.
- Place the coin in a circle to the right of the skull.
- Place the incense in a circle on the opposite side from the skull.
- Place the diamond in the circle on the left side of the incense.
- Place the Infernal Marble in a large circle in the centre of the pentagram.
When all the items placed in the pentagram light up, a portal leading to Raphael’s house will open.
You can also find all items from Halsik in cupboards and chests in Devil’s Fee. So, you don’t have to make a deal with her to perform the ritual and get into the House of Hope. But without her help you won’t get rid of the trap in front of the door on the second floor.
What are the risks of failing to complete the ritual correctly
Failing to complete the ritual correctly in Baldur’s Gate 3 can lead to several significant risks and consequences:
- Immediate Combat Encounter: If the ritual is performed incorrectly, players may trigger an alarm that summons enemies, leading to an unexpected battle against powerful foes, including devils and other infernal creatures. This can overwhelm unprepared parties, especially since the House of Hope is designed as a challenging dungeon area where long rests are not possible.
- Loss of Resources: Incorrectly executing the ritual may result in wasted materials and gold, as players might need to gather the required items again or pay Helsik for another chance. The cost of performing the ritual can be steep, and failing it means losing valuable resources that could have been used elsewhere in the game.
- Permanent Consequences: Certain failures can lead to irreversible outcomes, such as losing access to specific quests or storylines. For instance, if players raise the alarm during the ritual and attempt to exit while holding critical items like the Soul-Sworn Contract, it can trigger a game-over scenario, effectively ending the playthrough5.
- Social and Narrative Implications: In a broader sense, failing rituals can alter relationships with NPCs and factions within the game. For example, failing to uphold a bargain with Helsik may result in hostile interactions or missed opportunities for alliances later in the story.
Overall, meticulous attention to detail during the ritual is crucial to avoid these pitfalls and ensure a successful entry into the House of Hope.
What social consequences can arise from ritual failure
Failing to complete a ritual correctly can lead to several social consequences that impact the individuals involved and their broader community. Here are some potential repercussions:
- Loss of Trust and Credibility: A failed ritual can undermine the credibility of the ritual specialist or leader. If a community perceives that the ritual was not performed properly, it may lead to skepticism regarding the specialist’s abilities, resulting in diminished trust and authority within the community.
- Social Stigmatization: Participants in a failed ritual may face social stigma or blame, particularly if the failure is attributed to individual mistakes or perceived inadequacies. This can isolate individuals from their community or lead to negative reputations that affect future social interactions.
- Disruption of Community Cohesion: Rituals often serve as vital social functions that reinforce community bonds. When a ritual fails, it can create discord among participants, leading to conflicts or divisions within the group. This disruption can weaken social ties and diminish collective identity.
- Crisis of Belief: A significant failure may prompt a crisis of belief among community members, causing them to question their cultural practices and the efficacy of their rituals. This can lead to broader existential doubts about their traditions and beliefs, potentially resulting in shifts away from established norms.
- Increased Vulnerability to External Threats: In some contexts, failed rituals may be interpreted as signs of disfavor from deities or spirits, making communities feel vulnerable to external threats—be they natural disasters or rival groups. This perception can lead to increased anxiety and a need for further rituals to appease these forces, creating a cycle of dependence on ritual practices.
These consequences highlight the intricate relationship between rituals and social dynamics, emphasizing how failures can reverberate through both individual lives and community structures.
