Throughout your journey in Baldur's Gate 3, you're constantly met with choices that shape your adventure. These decisions, big or small, influence how your companions perceive you and can even pivot the storyline in unexpected directions. One such crossroads emerges in Balthazar's laboratory, the secret room behind his Bookshelf Puzzle.

RELATED: Baldur's Gate 3: What Should You Do In The Githyanki Creche Infirmary

Here, you're faced with the choice of harnessing Balthazar's knowledge to craft a Shadowlantern, a modified Moonlantern capable of summoning a shadow wraith, or taking the righteous path by destroying the ritual circle and purging its dark magic. It's a classic dark side versus light side predicament, and this guide will help understand the ramifications of each choice.

Because this encounter ties heavily into Gale and his relationship with Mystra, we recommend having him in your party for extra lore. Gale can also help you bypass a tough skill check in this encounter.

Crafting The Moonlantern In Balthazar's Laboratory

A thorough exploration of Balthazar's Laboratory reveals unsettling experiments. He's been torturing creatures in the name of crafting Moonlanterns to shield the Absolute's armies from the Shadowcurse.

If Gale is in your party or if you're playing a magic-based class (like a Wizard), you'll realize that you can tap into this research to forge an enhanced lantern of your own.

Your companions will have varied reactions to this. Some might nudge you towards embracing this dark power, while others may caution restraint. Gale, in particular, voices concerns about Mystra, his patron and the Goddess of magic, who would frown upon dabbling in the dark arts.

Regardless, the choice remains yours. If you're brave, you can attempt to craft the lantern solo. Be warned that doing this requires success on a staggering DC 30 Arcana check, a roll impossible to reach for most characters.

On the other hand, if you have Gale in your party, letting him craft the lantern will bypass this challenge, letting you craft the Shadowlantern without a skill check.

To craft the lantern, grab the Dead Pixie and Broken Moonlantern items from the table where the Ritual Circle is, and combine them in the Ritual Circle.

The resulting Shadow Lantern holds the power to call forth a shadow wraith, much like the ones you've been facing in the Shadowcursed lands, to fight by your side.

After this, Gale will comment on the lack of repercussions from Mystra, wondering about—but ultimately rejecting—the concept of freedom from the goddess he's dedicated his life to.

Destroying The Ritual Circle In Balthazar's Laboratory

Not feeling the whole dark arts vibe? You can, instead, opt to reject the malevolent magic at play by destroying the ritual circle entirely. This task is as easy as choosing the dialogue option—no check required.

If Gale is in your party, he will ask to be the one to do this deed. If you allow him to, Gale gains Mystra's Benevolence, a sign of the goddess's approval at the moral decision.

This boon gives Gale advantage on Concentration Checks, which is fantastic to have for the Wizard class, whose inherent frailty makes them vulnerable to breaking concentration on important sustained spells during combat.

Note that the player character is also able to erase the circle, but you will not gain the Mystra's Benevolence buff. Only Gale is able to receive it.

Whether you decide to tap into forbidden powers or uphold the sanctity of magic, the consequences are sure to ripple through your journey. Choose wisely!

NEXT: Baldur's Gate 3: How To Rescue Wulbren And The Tieflings In Moonrise Towers