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Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Solve Balthazar’s Protruding Book Puzzle in BG3

Find out how to solve the Bookshelf Puzzle in Balthazar's Observatory without dying to the booby traps in BG3.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Balthazar Thorm, the Ketheric advisor, finds himself ensnared in the far reaches of the northwestern Shadow Cursed Lands in the Gauntlet of Shar. Yet, his influence reverberates to this distant place, a study replete with organs and unusual book demands, excluding those penned by Volo. Treasures await, concealed behind a Protruding Book puzzle in Balthazar’s room in Moonrise Tower. But beware, for unless you can unravel the puzzle, the lethal gas, electrifying jolt, and rising undead threat could well claim you first.

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How to Reach Balthazar’s Room in Baldur’s Gate 3

Screenshot by Gamepur

Balthazar’s Observatory is on the Moonrise Tower’s first floor. Complete the main hall’s goblin torture scene and head upstairs to reach it.

After speaking to Disciple Z’rell upstairs, follow him outside the advisor’s Observatory. Then, command a character with high Sleight of Hand to hide and lockpick the door on the top right to access Balthazar’s Room in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to Solve Balthazar’s Bookcase Puzzle in Baldur’s Gate 3

Which Protruding Book Isn't trapped BG3
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The bookcase has four rows of protruding books to be examined, alongside two genuine bookshelves stocked with volumes. Keep in mind that interacting with any of the incorrect protruding books will trigger a trap. Although the lightning bolt is momentary and the noxious gas fades, and even the rising undead can be vanquished; there’s only a limit to the torment a party can endure.

How to Solve Bookshelf Puzzle BG3
Screenshot by Gamepur

To solve the bookcase puzzle in BG3’s Baltazar’s Room, follow these steps:

  1. Examine to protruding book on the bookshelf’s top right.  
  2. This will prompt an altar to pop out to the bookshelf’s right.
  3. Pick up the heart lying on the table behind you and place it on the altar.
What to Do With the Heart Balthazar BG3
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This will cause the bookshelf to split in two and reveal a hidden room with treasure chests waiting to be lockpicked and plundered.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Change Your Character’s Class

Now that the puzzle has been cracked take some time to explore all the secrets in this room. Even better, head out to the balcony and lockpick the room beside it.


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Author
Image of Cande Maldonado
Cande Maldonado
Though Cande started her journey in the video game industry as a localization specialist six years ago, she soon realized that her true calling was to annoy NPCS, smash virtual pottery, and complete every side quest available in RPGs. Throwing that useless degree out of the window, she has been writing professionally for the past three years ever since. Her passion for games dates to 2006, when she mounted a Chocobo for the first time. Under Nintendo and Square Enix's chokehold, she will willingly pour hours upon hours into reaching 100% completion in the longest roleplaying games ever made. But hey, who needs fresh air and sunlight when you can just live in Ivalice?