Where is the hidden entrance to the House of Hope in Baldur's Gate 3?

The House of Hope is a hidden location in Baldur's Gate 3 that serves as a key area in the game's narrative, particularly in Act 3. It is tied to the story of Raphael, a devil who plays a significant role in the game. Accessing the House of Hope requires careful exploration and interaction with specific NPCs and items. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to find and enter the House of Hope.

To begin, you need to reach Act 3 of the game, where the city of Baldur's Gate becomes accessible. The House of Hope is not a location you can stumble upon by chance; it requires deliberate steps to unlock. The first step involves interacting with Raphael, who appears earlier in the game. He offers a deal to the player, and while you can refuse his offer initially, you will need to engage with him again in Act 3 to gain access to the House of Hope.

In Act 3, Raphael can be found in Sharess' Caress, a brothel located in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. When you enter Sharess' Caress, head upstairs and look for a room where Raphael is waiting. He will offer you a deal involving a powerful artifact called the Orphic Hammer. This hammer is crucial for freeing a key character later in the story. Raphael will invite you to the House of Hope to discuss the deal further. This is your opportunity to gain access to the hidden location.

Once you agree to meet Raphael in the House of Hope, you will need to find a way to travel there. The House of Hope exists in the Nine Hells, specifically in Avernus, the first layer of Hell. To reach it, you must use a portal. The portal is located in the Devil's Fee, a shop in the Lower City. The shop is run by a tiefling named Helsik, who specializes in infernal artifacts and rituals. Helsik can open the portal for you, but it comes at a cost.

To convince Helsik to open the portal, you can either pay her a significant amount of gold or pass a persuasion check. If you choose to pay, it will cost you 20,000 gold, which is a steep price. Alternatively, if you have a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion, you can attempt to negotiate the price down or even get her to open the portal for free. This is where character building comes into play. Having a character like Wyll or a custom character with high Charisma and the Persuasion skill can save you a lot of gold.

Once the portal is open, you will be transported to the House of Hope. This area is filled with traps, puzzles, and powerful enemies, so itÔÇÖs important to prepare your party before entering. Make sure your party is well-rested and has plenty of healing potions, scrolls, and spell slots. The House of Hope is a challenging area, and you will face tough combat encounters, including a boss fight with Raphael himself.

One common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of the House of Hope. The enemies here are strong, and the environment is filled with traps that can deal significant damage. ItÔÇÖs important to take your time and explore carefully. Use characters with high Perception to detect traps and disarm them. Rogues or characters with the Sleight of Hand skill are particularly useful here.

Advanced techniques for navigating the House of Hope include using stealth to avoid unnecessary combat and conserving resources for the final battle. You can also use spells like Invisibility or Misty Step to bypass certain obstacles. Additionally, the House of Hope contains several powerful items and secrets that can aid you in your journey. Be sure to explore every room and interact with every object to uncover these hidden treasures.

In terms of D&D rules, the House of Hope is a great example of how the game implements planar travel and infernal contracts. The Nine Hells are a well-known location in D&D lore, and the mechanics of traveling there align with the rules of the tabletop game. The use of portals and the involvement of devils like Raphael are classic elements of D&D storytelling.

In summary, accessing the House of Hope in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful planning and interaction with key NPCs. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully enter this hidden location and uncover its secrets. Remember to prepare your party for the challenges ahead and take advantage of your characterÔÇÖs skills to navigate the dangers of the House of Hope.