Baldur's Gate 3: Interactive Map Prologue, Act 1

Embark on an epic journey through Baldur’s Gate 3 with our comprehensive interactive map, designed to guide you through the intricate landscapes of the Prologue and Act 1. As you navigate the perilous Nautiloid and the expansive wilderness of Faerûn, discover hidden treasures, recruit formidable companions, and uncover secrets that could change your fate. Whether you’re escaping from mind flayers or battling goblins in the Druid Grove, this map is your essential companion, ensuring you never miss a crucial item or quest. Prepare to shape your destiny in a world where every choice counts and adventure awaits around every corner.

On this page of our Baldurs Gate 3 guide, you can find interactive maps of the locations from Prologue and Act 1 of the campaign. Among the locations, we have Nautiloid, Overgrown Ruins, Druid Grove, The Risen Road, Underdark, Waukeen’s Rest, Blighted Village, Riverside Teahouse, Goblin Camp, and Shattered Sanctum. On individual maps, among other things, we’ve marked meeting places of companions, important locations, unique NPCs, secrets and treasures, closed passages and containers, merchants, traps or bosses.

Nautiloid – Prologue

The prologue of Baldur’s Gate 3, titled Escape the Nautiloid, thrusts players into a chaotic scenario aboard a mind flayer ship under siege by Githyanki warriors. As the player character awakens in a pod, they quickly discover they are infected with a Mind Flayer tadpole, setting the stage for a desperate escape. The objective is to navigate through the ship, encountering various allies like Lae’zel and Shadowheart, while overcoming formidable foes and solving puzzles to reach the helm. Ultimately, players must connect the transponder to warp out of Avernus, avoiding a plunge into Hell and marking the transition into the game’s first act.

The airship Nautiloid is a part of Mind Flayers’ fleet and on board it the Prologue takes place. The whole segment takes around 1 hour to complete. The events on the ship lead to its crash and you won’t be able to explore it anymore, but in the Roadside Cliffs area you can find its wreck, where you can search for loot and any possible survivors.
During the section on the ship, you’ll be able to recruit your first potential companions. In case of Laezel, there aren’t any prerequisities, while Shadowheart has to be freed from her capsule first. Additionally, you’ll have a chance of recruiting a temporary companion My – a talking brain that has to be extracted from character Myrthal first.
On the ship, you’ll mainly face imps, and these battles are mandatory. They will be standing between you and the captain’s bridge which you need to reach in order to activate the transponder. Interacting with this device concludes the Prologue.

Overgrown Ruins

The Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3 serve as a haunting reminder of a once-thriving civilization, now reclaimed by nature. As players navigate through these dilapidated structures, they encounter remnants of the past intertwined with lush vegetation, creating a striking contrast between the crumbling architecture and vibrant flora. This area is not only visually captivating but also rich in lore, offering clues about the history and events that led to its desolation. Adventurers must explore carefully, as the ruins are teeming with hidden dangers and treasures, making every step a blend of discovery and peril.

The Ruins are the first location visited in Act 1, as the beach is where you’ll wake up after surviving the crash.
The crypt north from the beach is the first dungeon of the game. There are a few possible ways of accessing it. You can, for example, attempt to open the southern door, find the northern hatch, or reach the northern chapel. The path through the chapel involves a fight against looters and there are some vines there to climb.
During the exploration of the crypt, you’ll need to avoid traps and survive encounters with monsters (among others, skeletons). There are also some secret pathways here, and additionally you can collect loot from sarcophaguses and other containers. Moreover, you can encounter Hooded Skeleton here and find unique Amulet of Lost Voices.
In the vicinity of the crypt entrance, you can encounter Shadowheart and recruit her into the party as a companion. She will appear at crypt entrance only if you haven’t freed her during the Prologue.
In the ruins area, you’ll also find your first Ancient Rune Circle. They serve as fast travel destinations, but to be able to teleport to location of need, you need to discover a circle in that area first.

Roadside Cliffs

Roadside Cliffs serves as an intriguing introduction to the expansive world of Baldur’s Gate 3, immediately immersing players in a landscape filled with peril and opportunity. Located near the Overgrown Ruins, this area is characterized by its rugged terrain and scenic vistas overlooking the ocean. Players will encounter various challenges, including hostile creatures and environmental hazards like treacherous grapevines that can inflict damage. As adventurers explore this region, they will also have the chance to recruit key companions, such as Gale and Lae’zel, who play pivotal roles in the unfolding narrative. The cliffs not only set the stage for early quests but also encourage exploration, with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered along the rocky edges and beneath the surface.

This region is north-west from Act 1 starting location. Most of the area is taken by the wreck of Nautiloid – the airship from the Prologue. While searching the wreck, a confrontation with Mind Flayers may occur, and you may also encounter Intellect Devourers.
There is a choice of recruitable companions in this region. Astarion will join willingly once you find him southwest of the wreck, same as Gale who can be encountered at an Ancient Rune Circle north from the wreck.
Recruiting Laezel, who is imprisoned in a cage north of the wreck is more problematic. Tieflings can be dealt with through diplomacy or combat, and then you need to open the cage where githyanki is held.

Druid Grove

Druid Grove, also known as the Emerald Grove, serves as a crucial location in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3. This area is a sanctuary for Tiefling refugees, overseen by the Druid Kagha in the absence of their leader, Halsin. The grove is under threat from aggressive goblin factions, leading to heightened tensions as the druids prepare a powerful ritual known as the Rite of Thorns, which could displace the Tieflings. Players will encounter various quests here, including “Steal the Sacred Idol” and “Save the Refugees,” making it a pivotal point for character interactions and moral decisions that can significantly impact the storyline. The fate of both the druids and the Tieflings hinges on the player’s choices, setting the stage for deeper narrative developments as the game progresses.

Druid Grove is the largest friendly location from Act 1. Upon arriving at the grove for the first time, it is necessary to first help defeat a group of goblins, who have set up at the southern entrance. Only after winning this battle will you be allowed inside. Alternatively, you can also help the goblins attack the grove and for that, you need to meet with their leaders in the goblin camp. Teaming with the goblins will make peaceful interactions with the grove impossible.
In the grove area there is a potential companion, Wyll, whom you can recruit to the team. If you helped the goblins attack the grove, then the chance to recruit Minthara will also appear.
In the grove you can meet many traders. Among them Arron (potions, scrolls, clothing, melee weapons, lockpicks), Dammon (melee and ranged weapons, armor, arrows), Auntie Ethel (potions, alchemy ingredients) and Mattis (Thieves Tools, rings).
From the grove, you can enter the Emerald Grove sublocation. A visit here will be required in the course of the main story. In Emerald Grove, you can find Archdruid Kagha and Nettie, who will offer help in removing the parasite. Another location adjacent the Grove is Underground Passage dungeon, filled with traps and optional combat.

The Risen Road

The Risen Road serves as a pivotal location in Baldur’s Gate 3, marking the beginning of players’ adventures in Act 1. This area is designed for characters at levels 3-4 and is rich with quests, enemies, and notable items. Players will navigate through various challenges, including encounters with gnolls and the opportunity to rescue key NPCs, such as the Grand Duke. The map features significant landmarks like the Broken Bridge and Waukeen’s Rest, guiding players through a narrative filled with exploration and combat. Engaging with the environment and its inhabitants is crucial for progressing through the unfolding story and completing various objectives on this treacherous road.

In The Risen Road, you can encounter Karlach and even recruit her, but only after you help the tiefling in solving the problem of the paladins that hunt her. Alternatively, you can side with paladins to hunt and kill the tiefling woman. Among the paladins is Cyrel, a merchant offering potions, scrolls, arrows, and thieves tools.
The area is filled with gnolls and other monsters. Nevertheless, most fights can be avoided by choosing different roads or by sneaking. You also have to watch out for traps.
In the cave to the north, a group of survivors from an attack on a caravan are hiding. You can help them defend against a massive gnoll attack or let them be massacred.

Waukeen’s Rest

Waukeen’s Rest serves as a pivotal location in Baldur’s Gate 3, situated along the Risen Road. This area is marked by a burning inn where players encounter a dramatic rescue mission involving trapped characters, notably Florrick and Benryn. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the presence of the Flaming Fist mercenaries, who are attempting to control the chaos. Players must navigate both combat and decision-making to save these individuals, with choices impacting the storyline and character development. Successfully managing this encounter not only rewards players with unique items but also deepens their engagement with the unfolding narrative of the game.

The most important area of this region is the burning Waukeen’s Rest inn, and you can take action by extinguishing the flames and saving the prince who is in the burning buildings.
In the western part of the region, you can encounter a Githyanki patrolled by Kithrak who has a dragon mount. Fighting them is not an easy task. In the same place you will also find an exit to the world map.

Blighted Village

The Blighted Village, formerly known as Moonhaven, is a pivotal location in Act One of Baldur’s Gate 3, situated in the Wilderness between the Druid Grove and the Goblin Camp. This once-thriving settlement has fallen into disrepair, overtaken by goblins, worgs, and ogres following brutal raids by Sharran forces. Players will encounter various challenges here, including ambushes and combat scenarios, as they navigate through its dilapidated structures filled with secrets and quests. Key areas within the village include a windmill where players can rescue a captive gnome and a schoolhouse guarded by ogres. Exploring Blighted Village is essential for uncovering its lore and progressing through the game’s intricate storyline.

The village is guarded by goblins, and they will stop the party when attempting to enter it from east or south. You can defeat them by force or try to convince them, or simply sneak through.
The most important areas of Blighted Village are the necromancer’s house (there is a secret pathway leading to the large cellar on the ground floor), the building with ogres (possible approaches – combat, completing a check, or collapsing a part of the building), and windmill (you can help the gnome who is harassed by goblins). There are also several entrances to Whispering Depths dungeon here (well, cellar of the north building).
Northeast of the village you can find an Owlbear nest. Either defeat this strong monsters (preferably with a Cleric in your party) or complete a skill check and avoid combat. Both variants allow careful searching of the nest.

Goblin Camp

The Goblin Camp in Baldur’s Gate 3 serves as a pivotal location during Act 1, presenting players with a rich tapestry of quests, challenges, and narrative depth. Situated west of the Druid Grove, this area is populated by various goblin factions, including notable leaders such as True Soul Gut, Minthara, and Dror Ragzlin. Players can approach the camp through stealth or direct confrontation, utilizing unique abilities like Illithid powers to manipulate goblins or engaging in combat to gain access. The camp is not only a battleground but also a site for critical interactions, such as rescuing the bard Volo and navigating complex moral choices that can influence the story’s progression. Exploring the Goblin Camp is essential for gathering resources and uncovering secrets that shape the player’s journey through the game.

There are several entrances to the western goblin camp, and the main entrances are guarded by the camp guards. To get past them you can attack, lead the conversation skillfully or find one of the secret pathways (e.g. fallen tree, climbing), that allow easy access to the guarded location. At the south-western end of the camp there is a world map entrance.
In the camp, there is a merchant named Grat (melee weapons, torches, potions). You will also encounter sleeping goblins (sneaking, combat, Ilithid powers) and Crusher (various reactions to his demand of kissing the foot).
Entrance to Shattered Sanctum is also found here. To access this location, you can either open a heavy oaken door on the lower level or destroy a cracked wall in the northern part of the camp – the second variant allows for stealth approach.

Shattered Sanctum

Shattered Sanctum serves as a pivotal location in Baldur’s Gate 3, accessible after players successfully infiltrate the Goblin Camp. This area is rich in lore and gameplay opportunities, featuring various sub-areas like the Bloodied Shrine and Worg Pens, where players can encounter significant NPCs such as Gribbo and True Soul Gut. As players navigate this complex environment, they will engage in quests that reveal deeper narratives, interact with formidable enemies, and discover notable items that enhance their journey. The Shattered Sanctum not only challenges players with combat but also invites them to make choices that influence character relationships and story outcomes.

The sanctum is a large underground location in the goblin camp. You can enter through the main door or a secret upper entrance. The second way allows avoiding goblin guards and opens a possibility of a stealthy approach to the sanctum.
There are 3 goblin leaders in the Sanctum – Gut, Dror Razglin, and Minthara. Depending on the choices made in the story, you’ll either try to eliminate all the leaders, or ally with the goblins to attack Druid Grove. Additionally, Minthara is a potential companion, but you need to choose to help the goblins.
There is a merchant in the Sanctum, Roah Moonglow (sells weapons, armor, potions, scrolls, arrows). You will also meet a few prisoners being tortured by the goblins – these are Liam, Abdirak, and Volo.
One of the pathways lead to Worg Pens and there you’ll meet a bear that is a shapeshifted druid Halsin. You can help Halsin in getting rid of the goblins, and then make efforts to add him as your companion.
A separate location here is the Defiled Temple. Major areas here are a prison (you’ll find yourself here after drinking the potion from Gut) and a room with moon puzzle. Additionally, in the temple you can find an entrance to Underdark (a new major underground location).

Riverside Teahouse

The Riverside Teahouse, located in the Sunlit Wetlands during Act One of Baldur’s Gate 3, serves as a pivotal setting in the game. This seemingly quaint establishment is actually the lair of Auntie Ethel, a deceptive hag who ensnares adventurers with her illusions and sinister intentions. Upon entering, players encounter Mayrina, a distressed captive, and are faced with morally complex choices regarding Auntie Ethel’s dubious offers of assistance. The true nature of the Teahouse is revealed through a Perception check that uncovers an illusory wall leading to the Overgrown Tunnel, where further dangers and revelations await. This location not only enhances the narrative depth of the game but also challenges players with its blend of exploration and ethical dilemmas.

The Teahouse, along with connected Fetid Bog is located in the south-western part of Act 1 map, south from Blighted Village and Goblin Camp.
In the northern part of the Bog, you can find Johl and Demir – you can be a witness to their argument with Auntie Ethel about the kidnapped Mayrina. You can either ally with the witch and kill the men or promise to help find Mayrina.
The titular Tea House is located in the south-western part of the region and is a home to Auntie Ethel. The meeting with the witch has several possible outcomes and may involve wanting to free Mayrina or get rid of the parasite. If you anger Ethel, she will teleport to her hideout and an opportunity will arise to explore a new underground location with an entrance hidden behind a chimney.
There are some smaller encounters in the bog, e.g. with Frog (Speak with Animals spell will be useful) or a vampire hunter Gandrel (there is a unique interaction if Astarion is with the active party). Aside from the above, you’ll encounter monsters and numerous traps, especially in the eastern part of the bog.

What are the most hidden secrets in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3

Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3 is filled with hidden secrets that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Here are some of the most intriguing discoveries players can make:

Key Hidden Secrets in Act 1

Owlbear Cub Companion: After defeating the Owlbear, players can persuade Krolla to give them an Owlbear Cub as a pet, adding a unique companion to their party.
Necromancy of Thay Book: Found in the Apothecary’s cellar beneath the Blighted Village, this book offers unique bonuses if read successfully. It also ties into quests that extend into Act Three, making it a valuable find.
Secret Letter in the Putrid Bog: Players can uncover a letter addressed to Kagha in the Emerald Grove, initiating the Investigate Kagha quest and revealing dark secrets about her character.
Sussur Tree Location: Venture into the Underdark to locate the Sussur Tree, which is guarded by insectoid creatures. Looting its bark can yield powerful crafting materials.
Zhentarim Hideout: This complex hideout contains an elevator leading to the Underdark. Players must navigate security measures to access it, which can be missed on first playthroughs.
Hidden Paths and Areas: Throughout Act 1, players can discover multiple secret paths, such as underground areas in the Druid Grove and hidden routes behind structures that lead to valuable loot and encounters.
Unique Weapons and Items: Scattered across the act are over 60 chests containing rare weapons and treasures. Notably, players can find Zhalik’s Everburn Blade on the Nautiloid, which is lost if not looted immediately.

These secrets not only enrich the narrative but also provide essential resources and companions that can influence your journey through Faerûn. Exploring off the beaten path is crucial for uncovering these hidden gems.

What are the best strategies for finding all 30 mysteries in Act 1

To uncover all 30 mysteries in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can employ several effective strategies that enhance exploration and ensure no secrets are missed. Here are the best approaches to finding these hidden treasures:

Strategies for Finding All 30 Mysteries

Utilize an Interactive Map: Leverage detailed interactive maps available online to pinpoint locations of mysteries, treasures, and important NPCs. These maps can guide you through the expansive wilderness and Underdark, making it easier to track down elusive secrets .
Thorough Exploration: Make a habit of exploring every area meticulously. Look for hidden paths, caves, and areas behind structures. Many mysteries are tucked away in less obvious locations, so don’t hesitate to venture off the main roads .
Engage with NPCs: Interacting with various NPCs can provide valuable hints and initiate quests related to mysteries. Some NPCs may offer information that leads to hidden items or locations .
Complete Side Quests: Many mysteries are tied to side quests. Completing these quests not only rewards you with experience but often reveals hidden areas or items crucial for uncovering all mysteries .
Use Spells Wisely: Spells like Detect Magic and Speak with Animals can reveal hidden objects or provide insights into the environment. These spells can help you discover secrets that are otherwise difficult to find .
Investigate Unique Locations: Focus on key areas known for their mysteries, such as the Druid Grove, Blighted Village, and the Underdark. Each location has its own set of secrets waiting to be discovered .
Pay Attention to Environmental Clues: Look for visual cues in the environment that might indicate a hidden passage or a secret item. For example, unusual markings on walls or peculiar formations may lead to discoveries .
Loot Everything: Always loot containers, chests, and bodies. Many mysteries involve finding specific items that can only be obtained through thorough looting .

By employing these strategies, players can maximize their chances of discovering all 30 mysteries in Act 1, enriching their gameplay experience in the captivating world of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Interactive Map Prologue, Act 1