Okay, so I’ve been messing around in Baldur’s Gate 3, and I hit that point where you gotta choose: Temple of Selûne or the Mountain Pass. Both lead to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, but they’re, like, totally different vibes. I spent a good chunk of time weighing my options, and here’s how it all went down for me.
My First Time Through (Underdark All the Way)
First time? I went full Underdark. I mean, it’s right there after the Goblin Camp, so it felt natural.
So, I started exploring. I:
- Found the entrance in the Defiled Temple, right under the Goblin Camp. It’s that big ol’ puzzle on the floor.
- Solved the puzzle. Took a bit of fiddling, I had to rotate the circles to get the dark spots pointing the right way.
- Entered the Underdark, and wow, it was HUGE.
I’m not gonna lie, I got a little lost in the Underdark at first. There’s so much to do! But, it’s good to explore. I:
- Fought some Minotaurs. Tough dudes, but manageable.
- Met the Myconid Colony. Those mushroom guys are kinda weird, but alright. They have quests!
- Explored the Selûnite Outpost. This is important, because it’s the other side of the path.
- Dealt with a Spectator. That was a crazy fight! Lots of eye beams.
- Found the elevator to Grymforge!
Grymforge is where things really picked up. It’s a whole Dwarven city, and the path to the Shadow-Cursed Lands is there. At Grymforge, I:
- Fought even MORE Duergar. Seriously, so many Duergar.
- Freed some Deep Gnomes that are enslaved.
- Dealt with Nere. I am not going to spoil it, but it’s a big decision.
- Took a boat! After everything is clear in Grymforge, you can find a boat that heads to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
The Second Time: Taking the High Road (Mountain Pass)
Okay, so on my second playthrough, I decided to try the Mountain Pass. I wanted to see what the Githyanki Creche was all about, and I heard there was some cool loot. Getting there is way easier, I simply:
- Found the path north of the Blighted Village.
- Headed straight for the Rosymorn Monastery.
The Mountain Pass is way different than the Underdark. It’s all bright and sunny (at first), and the vibe is totally different. There, I:
- Dealt with some Githyanki patrols. They’re tough, but if you’re prepared, you can handle them.
- Explored the Rosymorn Monastery. It’s a beautiful place, but there are secrets…
- Found the Creche Y’llek. It is under the monestary.
The Creche is a whole thing. It’s where the Githyanki raise their young, and it’s full of intrigue and conflict. Inside, I:
- Met a bunch of Githyanki. Some are friendly, most are not.
- Dealt with a doctor… and maybe got more than I bargained for.
- Fought a LOT of Githyanki.
- Got to a new area of the Shadow-Cursed Lands, but from a different entrance than the Underdark route.
My verdict?
Honestly, both routes are awesome. The Underdark is bigger and has more to explore, but the Mountain Pass has a more focused story with the Githyanki. I like the Underdark more, but that’s because I love exploring. If you want a more direct path with a cool side story, go Mountain Pass. If you want a giant, sprawling underground adventure, go Underdark. Either way, you’re in for a treat!
