You've finally reached the Lower City. The smoke of the Wyrm's Rock crossing is behind you, and if you played the original games, you're probably itching to find a certain Rashemani ranger and his "miniature giant space hamster." But here is the thing: The High Harper quest in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most easily "bricked" storylines in the entire game.
If you don't play your cards exactly right, you lose two of the most iconic companions in RPG history. Permanently.
Jaheira isn't just some legacy cameo; she is the lynchpin for everything that happens in Act 3 regarding the Stone Lord. If she dies at Moonrise Towers—which happens more often than not if you let the AI control her—this quest effectively vanishes. You’re left wandering the sewers with no way to talk sense into the big guy.
The Danthelon's Dancing Axe Trap
Most players start this quest by heading to Danthelon's Dancing Axe in Rivington. It’s a cramped little shop that smells like old metal and secrets. Talk to Entharl Danthelon. If Jaheira is in your party, he’ll give you a rusty key.
Go to the basement.
Honestly, the "Harpers" waiting down there are a total vibe check. If you’re paying attention, they act weird. Geraldus, the young Harper, looks like he’s about to have a panic attack. That's because they aren't Harpers. They’re doppelgangers.
Quick Tips for the Basement Fight:
- Don't rush in. Let Jaheira take the lead.
- Focus the Doppelgangers. They hit harder than they look once they shift.
- Save Geraldus. He’s the only real Harper left in that room.
Once the dust settles, the quest shifts focus. You aren't just looking for a Harper cell anymore; you're hunting the Stone Lord.
Dealing With Nine-Fingers and the Guildhall
The trail leads to the Guildhall, hidden deep in the sewers. You can get in through a manhole near the Basilisk Gate or by "persuading" the thugs in the alley.
Nine-Fingers Keene, the head of the Guild, is not a fan of Jaheira. They have history, and not the fun kind. Keene is convinced the Stone Lord is a mindless brute ruining her business. She’s partially right.
Wait, who is the Stone Lord? If you haven't figured it out yet, it's Minsc. But he’s not himself. He’s got a parasite in his brain and a "fake" Jaheira (another doppelganger) whispering in his ear.
You need to head to the Counting House. Nine-Fingers is planning an ambush there, and if you aren't fast, her assassins will do your job for you—by killing Minsc.
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The Counting House Vault Puzzle
This is where people usually get stuck. You need to get into the High Security Vaults. You can talk your way in or use a Vault Pass, but once you’re down there, there is a floor puzzle.
To open the main vault door, you have to step on the symbols in a specific order. Think of the keypad like a phone:
- Top Left (1)
- Top Right (3)
- Middle Left (5)
- Middle Right (6)
Do not let your whole party wander onto the tiles. Use one character. If you mess up, the floor resets and sends out a nasty pulse.
Once inside, you'll finally see him. Minsc bursts out of a mimic (classic) and then disappears into the sewers. You’re left to fight off a bunch of Bhaalists. Don’t waste your best spells here; the real fight is coming up in the Abandoned Cistern.
The Abandoned Cistern: Don't Kill the Ranger
Finding the entrance to the hideout in the sewers involves a valve puzzle. You have to balance the water level and the heat.
- Turn the Water Valve until the gauge is in the blue.
- Quickly turn the Heat Valve until it matches.
- If you time it right, the big door opens.
CRITICAL STEP: Before you initiate the fight with Minsc, open your "Passives" menu. Toggle Non-Lethal Attacks to ON.
If you kill Minsc with a fireball, a stray arrow, or a standard sword swing, Jaheira will leave your party on the spot. She might even turn hostile. You lose both of them.
Knock him out. Just him. You can kill everyone else, especially that fake "Jaheira" doppelganger.
Convincing the Emperor
After the fight, the Emperor—your "guardian"—will tell you to leave Minsc behind. He’ll say Minsc is too chaotic, too unpredictable, and a liability to the plan.
You have to stand your ground.
- Tell the Emperor that Minsc is Jaheira's friend.
- Remind him that we need every ally we can get.
- If you have to, pass the Persuasion check.
Eventually, the Emperor relents and extends the protection of the Prism to Minsc. The big guy wakes up, screams about his head, and then starts smashing walls looking for Boo.
What Most People Miss
The High Harper quest is more than just a recruitment mission. It’s a closure arc for Jaheira. If you take her to her house in the Lower City (it’s a beautiful place called Elerrathin's Home), you get a ton of extra dialogue about her children and her past.
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Also, if you're playing as the Dark Urge, this quest feels completely different. Jaheira is one of the few people who truly understands the weight of a Bhaalist legacy. Her reactions to your choices during the final confrontation with Minsc can be some of the most poignant writing in the game.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
- Check your party: Make sure Jaheira is actually in your active party before entering the Counting House or the Sewers. The dialogue triggers are notoriously finicky if she’s back at camp.
- Equip a Melee Weapon: Remember that non-lethal damage only works with melee attacks. Spells and arrows will still kill him.
- Visit the Guildhall after: Talk to Nine-Fingers again once Minsc is recruited. Depending on your choices, you can secure the Guild's help for the final battle.
The quest is officially complete once Minsc and Boo are safely in your camp and you've had that first, chaotic conversation with them. Just don't forget to keep a save file from before the Cistern—the "Non-Lethal" toggle has a habit of turning itself off at the worst possible moments.