Temple District

Explore the Temple District in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, featuring the Temples of Helm, Lathander, and Talos, plus the challenging Guarded Compound.

Temple of Helm

Sir Lothtyran offers temple services and sells non-unique weapons and armor up to +2, along with potions and protection scrolls.

Temple of Lathander

Dawnmaster Kreel provides temple services and has a well-stocked shop, including a Staff of Striking, useful for backstabs but not durable for general melee. Two locked containers are next to Kreel; unlocking them is fine, but peeking inside will make the temple hostile. You may need to steal from them later. A trapped chest on a platform in the east contains two Potions of Extra Healing. You can find two more Potions of Extra Healing and a Scroll of Protection From Poison on the platforms at the top left. Outside the temple, you will witness Gaal, a cult representative, addressing a crowd. A temple representative will argue against him. Some peasants will consider Gaal's eye-ripping ritual. After Gaal and his followers leave, an alignment-dependent temple representative will ask to speak with you back at the temple. He will request you infiltrate and investigate the cult below the sewers and advise seeking out a Paladin named Keldorn.

Temple of Talos

Outside the temple, Miranda attempts to convince a Talassian priest that her daughter is his child; she will try the same with you if you speak to her, but you can safely ignore her. In the southeast corner is a locked safe containing a Wand of the Heavens and five Potions of Extra Healing. A nearby chest holds more Potions of Extra Healing and an Antidote. Mistress Ada, in the southwest room, sells worthwhile items, including a Cleric's Staff +3. In the dormitory to the north, a trapped chest contains a Potion of Storm Giant Strength and a Scroll of Protection From Cold. Other containers hold minor loot.

Guarded Compound

This area is part of a cut quest line and is dangerous if you are unprepared. If you are prepared, you can obtain one of the best weapons available before the expansion.

Guarded Compound - Ground Floor

Warning: Buff up with Protection From Evil, Remove Fear, and fire resistance before entering. Inside, Sion and Ketta will remark on your presence. If you do not leave, they will teleport away, summoning enemies: a Nishruu, four Ettercaps, an Efreeti, and a Glabrezu demon. Prioritize the Nishruu, then the Efreeti. Protection From Evil will cause the demon to ignore you and help fight the other enemies. You earn 0 XP from this battle. The eastern rooms are uninteresting. The northwest bedroom contains six chests (one trapped) with a Morning Star +2, a Scroll of Protection From Poison, and minor loot. Other rooms hold nothing of interest. Heal and save before proceeding upstairs.

Guarded Compound Upper Floor

You will face a high-level party: Koshi (Kensai), Maferan and Olaf Rasmussen (Fighters), Stalman (Cleric), and Sion (Mage). Ketta (Thief) starts invisible and will attempt backstabs. Cast Web twice to hinder movement, followed by Greater Malison to keep them stuck. Cast Insect Plague on a fighter to maintain focus. Drop a Cloudkill on the Web and summon allies like Skeleton Warriors and a Fire Elemental. Focus your fighters on Koshi first. Use missile fire and area effect magic against those stuck in webs. Insect Plague may keep Sion occupied and help kill him, despite his Chain Contingency. Use Detect Illusion to counter Ketta and eliminate her as a priority target. After these three are defeated, the remaining enemies are easy to finish. Loot Koshi's remains for Celestial Fury +3. If your PC has katana proficiency, this weapon is viable until the expansion. If not, a companion can use it later. You can also find a Katana +1, a Battle Axe +2, a Short Sword +2, a Two-Handed Sword +2, a Mace +2, Plate Mail +1, two Full Plate +1 armors, Leather Armor +3, a Large Shield +2, a Helm of Defense, a Helm of Charm Protection, Oil of Speed, eight Potions of Extra Healing, and seven Potions of Invisibility. The northeast and southeast rooms contain minor loot and access to the eastern room. The safe holds gold and a Wand of Fear. Remove a deadly trap from tables to find two Spears +3. The northwest room has three trapped chests with wands of Frost and Paralyzation, magical ammo, and minor loot. A wardrobe in the southwest room contains a Sling +2. The western room is accessible from here but has nothing of interest.

High Hall of the Radiant Heart

This is the headquarters of the knightly order Anomen aspires to join. You will find Dorn outside and can recruit him after dealing with some macho posturing. If Anomen is in your party, he and Dorn will fight initially.