How to Get the Tharchiate Codex

The Tharchiate Codex is a legendary book in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) that can be found in the Elminster Vault of Ramazith's Tower. Read on to learn more about the Tharchiate Codex, its effects, as well as how to get it during the Lorroakan questline!

The Tharchiate Codex Effects

Gives a Permanent HP Buff After Removing the Curse

The first character that interacts with the Tharchiate Codex will get a debuff called Tharchiate Withering, reducing their Constitution by 5 while the effect is in place. However, as soon as you use Remove Curse to take away this debuff, the same character will get a permanent buff called Tharchiate Vigour.

In Baldur's Gate 3, Tharchiate Vigour will grant the affected character 20 Temporary Hit Points after every Long Rest. This is perfect for Wizards or Sorcerers that have small HP pools even after reaching Level 12.

Progresses the Necromancy of Thay Questline

Additionally, after reading the Tharchiate Codex you will be able to read the final pages of the Necromancy of Thay. Pass a DC30 Wisdom Check while reading to complete the cursed book's associated quest and receive the Danse Macabre bound action that allows you to raise 6 ghouls after every Short Rest.

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How to Get the Tharchiate Codex

Found Inside the Elminster Vault of Ramazith's Tower

How to Get the Tharchiate Codex Summary

1. Go to Sorcerous Sundries
2. Defeat or Ignore Lorroakan
3. Jump Down Using the Levitated Furniture
4. Press the Vaults Weave Button
5. Go to the Vault's Restricted Area
6. Open the Elminster Vault
7. Loot the Elminster Vault

Go to Sorcerous Sundries and Report on the Nightsong

To obtain the Tharchiate Codex, you will first need to progress the Nightsong questline you started back in Acts 1 and 2. Upon reaching the Lower City of Baldur's Gate, make your way to Sorcerous Sundries and report that you know a thing or two about the Nightsong.

At the second floor of the shop, take the Purple Portal to reach the top of Ramazith's Tower where the wizard Lorroakan is waiting for you.

Find the Nightsong Quest Guide

Defeat or Ignore Lorroakan

If you informed Dame Aylin (Nightsong) that Lorroakan is looking for her, then prepare for a fight. As soon as you teleport up, you will be given the choice to hand over the Nightsong or fight Lorroakan to maintain her freedom.

However, if you did not tell Nightsong that Lorroakan is looking for her, then you can simply waltz into the Sorcerous Vault without having to fight Lorroakan (can still be done afterwards).

Jump Down Using the Levitated Furniture

There is one spot at the top of the tower where you can see Floating Furniture. Use them to jump down to the lower level of Ramazith's Tower. The camera can be finicky during this platforming section and your allies can fall if they stack their jumps. Make sure to control your party one-by-one to avoid any mishaps.

Press the Vaults Weave Button

At the perimeter of this circular room will be different Weave Buttons. Use a See Invisibility Spell, an Elixir of See Invisibility, or a Scroll of See Invisibility to view the plaques underneath each of the Weave Button pedestals. Press the Weave Button that has the Vaults plaque to reach the Sorcerous Vault.

Look for the Window with Purple Weavemoss Behind It

If you don't have the spell, elixir, or scroll handy, then you can instead look for the Weave Button with a window that has Purple Weavemoss behind it. This will be the Weave Button that leads you to the Sorcerous Vault.

Go to the Restricted Area of the Sorcerous Vault

The Tharchiate Codex will be found in the Restricted Area of the Sorcerous Vault. Explore the area until your reach a door labeled as the Ramazith Door. Pass a DC15 Sleight of Hand Check to successfully lockpick it and unlock the way to the Restricted Area.

Open the Elminster Vault

Before you can enter the Elminster Vault that contains the Tharchiate Codex, you will first need to solve a puzzle that takes you to the lever that unlocks it. Go through these doors to reach the lever that opens the Elminster Vault:

1. First, go through the Silverhand Door.
2. Next, enter through the Evocation Door.
3. Go through the Wish Door behind you to find the Elminster Vault Lever.
4. Go through the Foresight or Invulnerability Doors to return to the starting room.

Do note that all of these rooms will have traps. Make sure you explore carefully to avoid setting anything off during the process of unlocking the Elminster Vault.

Loot the Tharchiate Codex from the Elminster Vault

Enter the now unlocked Elminster Vault. Lockpick the display case inside (DC20, Sleight of Hand) to access the Tharchiate Codex. But, before you read and loot the Tharchiate Codex make sure you are picking the right character to receive its permanent buff (squishy Sorcerers or Wizards benefit the most from this buff).

The Tharchiate Codex will curse the first person who reads it. However, if you use Remove Curse on the afflicted character, they will gain a buff called Tharchiate Vigour which grants them 20 Temporary Hit Points after every Long Rest.

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