How to Get the Powerful Danse Macabre Spell in BG3

To begin, locate the Necromancy of Thay book. Enter the Whispering Depths via the Well west of the waypoint (a marker on your map you've manually placed as a destination) in the Blighted Village, or through the Wooden Hatch behind the counter in the Alchemist’s house. The latter is generally easier.

In the Alchemist’s cellar, move the top crate to reveal a lever. Pulling this lever moves a bookcase, opening a new path. Be cautious of undead in nearby coffins.

Head southeast and find stairs leading to a magic mirror. Save your game before interacting. Answer the mirror’s questions: “Tell it Your Name,” then “Foul, Wretched Creature.” For the next question, choose “He Used Balsam To Clean A Wound” (this option is guaranteed if you read the Healer’s Notes in the previous room). For the final question, choose either Option 2 or 3.

Warning: Failing any check at the mirror will spawn a Golem-like Guardian. You must defeat it or quick load.

In the next room, find a Rusted Key on a shelf in one of the western side rooms. This key opens the Iron Gate.

Before picking up the Necromancy of Thay book, disarm the numerous traps in the room, including the one directly beneath the book.

To use the Necromancy of Thay book, you need a Dark Amethyst, which acts as a key. This requires defeating the Phase Spider Matriarch or sneaking past it.

Return to the Whispering Depths via the Well entrance in the Blighted Village. Head west, defeating Ettercaps and Phase Spiders until you reach the far west.

The Phase Spider Matriarch is on the floor above. The Dark Amethyst is on the floor below, next to the wall. You can use stealth or invisibility to acquire the key, but it may require luck and save-scumming.

Once you have the Dark Amethyst, return to your camp.

Open the Necromancy of Thay book. You will need to pass three increasing Wisdom checks: DC10, DC15, and DC20. The character who reads the book will gain the Danse Macabre spell, a level 5 Necromancy spell that uses INT as its spellcasting ability. Choose a character adept in both Wisdom and Intelligence.

After passing the checks, the book will close. You must then travel to the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate in Act 3 to find the Tharchiate Codex, which is needed to translate the book.

Head to the Sorcerous Sundries shop in the center of the Lower City map.

Inside Razamith’s Tower (accessible after progressing Nightsong’s quest sufficiently for Lorroakan to grant access), jump on floating furniture to reach the floor below.

Here, you will find puzzles. One puzzle rewards the legendary Markoheshkir, but this requires completing the Arcane Brazier puzzle.

Around the room’s perimeter are pedestals with hidden plaques. Use a See Invisible spell or potion to reveal their functions. Interact with the pedestal marked “Vaults.”

You will be transported to the vaults, a series of rooms with teleporting doors and traps. The Tharchiate Codex is in the Elminster room.

To reach the Elminster room, navigate through the following teleporting doors: Silverhand, Evocation, and Wish.

In the Elminster room, pull the lever to complete the process.