Helping Oskar Fevras in Baldur’s Gate 3: A Painless Guide
One of the most universally disliked quests in <em>Baldur’s Gate 3</em> involves assisting Oskar Fevras in his struggle against a haunting possession. This quest technically begins in Act One, when players have the opportunity to rescue the troubled artist from the clutches of the Zhentarim hidden beneath Waukeen’s Rest. However, the real challenges arise in Act Three, as players arrive at the Jannath family estate, which is eerily haunted. Oskar is engaged to the lady of the house, but his fixation on a past love has resulted in her ghost taking over the entire mansion, creating a spectral dilemma that players must navigate.
The quest itself has intriguing elements, yet completing it demands that the player’s party traverse one of the most frustrating and tedious sections of the game, filled with invisible specters and debilitating traps. Many players opt to bypass this quest entirely rather than endure the ordeal of saving Oskar just for the sake of his reward. However, there are several strategies that can enhance the experience, turning this harrowing task into a more manageable and less torturous journey for players.
Efficient Strategies for Successfully Completing the Quest
Minimum Requirements to Rescue Oskar Effectively
The first crucial aspect to understand about the quest to liberate Oskar is that players are not required to explore the majority of the Jannath Estate while it remains haunted. There will be ample opportunity after the quest concludes to loot for gold and gear, negating the need to comb through each room for various chests and safes. The most straightforward approach to this quest involves heading directly to the essential rooms: the bedroom, where Lady Jannath and the possessed Oskar are located, and the atelier on the top floor, which holds the key to resolving the haunting.
If players have already acquired the Torch of Revocation, they can bypass much of the initial quest by heading straight to the atelier to incinerate the cursed painting. This strategy can significantly reduce the time spent on the quest, although it does require some level of meta-gaming to execute effectively.
The first destination should be the bedroom, where players will discover Oskar’s possession and initiate this quest segment. The next stop is the atelier to retrieve Oskar’s cursed painting, which must be destroyed using the Torch of Revocation. This valuable item can be obtained from the Mystic Carrion, who requires the player’s assistance in defeating Thrumbo as part of another quest. Finally, players must return to the bedroom to confront Oskar directly. Interestingly, because certain parts of the manor can be accessed from the exterior by flying up to the balcony, players can often skip many of the unnecessary rooms and focus solely on the two critical locations.
Navigating the Haunting Traps and Enemies in Jannath Estate
Strategies to Minimize Room Exploration for Efficiency
However, there are several rooms that players must traverse, and these areas are replete with hostile ghosts and treacherous traps. Poltergeist enemies stealthily roam the hallways, while Vengeful and Tortured Souls lie in wait within candelabras, ready to unleash damaging spells on unsuspecting characters. Additionally, Cursed Skulls lurk near stairwells, capable of flinging characters back down if they end their turn too close. Each of these threats requires specific strategies to navigate effectively and safely.
Cursed Skulls are particularly vulnerable to force and bludgeoning damage, making them easy targets for a warlock utilizing 
eldritch blast or a monk employing unarmed strikes, allowing players to move past them with ease. Poltergeists, on the other hand, suffer from disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws while invisible, so casting area-effect spells like 
fireball or 
cone of cold can effectively catch them in the blast. The candelabras, while annoying due to their harmful effects, are best avoided altogether, as attacking them will summon an enemy that can prove even more troublesome to deal with.
Defeating Ghosts and Successfully Rescuing Oscar
Preparing for the Quest with Effective Strategies
The most effective and reliable strategy for successfully completing this quest involves starting by ascending to the balcony, provided that players have already obtained the Torch of Revocation from the Mystic Carrion. Additionally, players may consider using a Potion of See Invisibility or acquiring the eye from Volo after allowing him to attempt to remove Tav’s eye; this will enable them to see the Poltergeists and confront them directly. Players should proceed up the stairs, engage with Jannath, and continue ascending while dealing with the skulls en route.
Maximizing speed is essential, as it allows players to rush past the ghosts, since defeating all the enemies is not a requirement for quest completion. Utilizing abilities such as the illithid power Fly, Boots of Speed, or spells like haste can significantly enhance navigation through this challenging area.
Ultimately, after reaching and destroying the cursed painting, the party can return to the bedroom and choose to either allow the ghost to kill Oscar or protect him from her wrath. After resolving the situation, any remaining spirits will be expelled from the estate, granting players the freedom to loot the area to their heart’s content. If Oscar survives, players may even get the chance to have him paint something for them. Overall, despite the execution of this area being less than ideal, Baldur’s Gate 3 consistently provides avenues for players to navigate challenging spaces more efficiently.
Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an upcoming role-playing game set to release in August of 2023. Players will create a character to embark on a large-scale journey and can do so solo or cooperatively with a friend. Combat is a turn-based style this time around.
- Platform(s)
- PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
