Gorion's Ward and company are transported here when the party is knocked unconscious by the the special gas cloud utilized by Irenicus after they have entered the living room of Spellhold.
A cut-scene begins as Irenicus divulges his scheme to steal the bhaalspawn's soul essence of Gorion's Ward in order to remove the curse Irenicus is under. Six Shadow Thieves are encased in glass tubes, along with the Ward, and they are killed in the ensuing procedure to steal the Ward's soul. When the last Shadow Thief dies, the fourth dream sequence takes place. When the dream is over, the party is transported from the laboratory to Level 1 of Bodhi's Hunt to begin the Escaping the Asylum quest.
Bodhi is now in charge of the party's fate and hunts down the party as they attempt to navigate the hazardous asylum labyrinth.
After managing to work through the various labyrinth dungeons, as well as the tests of the Apparition, the party is now back in the basement after having transitioned from the Final Judgement Spellhold Test. Saemon Havarian will greet the party and advise them to seek out the residents on the main floor. The party convinces the mentally disturbed inmates to help defeat Irenicus. A cut-scene return to the basement begins battle with Irenicus in his laboratory. Once the fight is over and Irenicus has left the building, the party has the option of going through a portal in the basement and follow the escaped Irenicus and Bodhi to wherever it may lead. Or they could accept Saemon Havarian's word once again and try a different plan.
Description[]
This area is below the Spellhold Main Floor. The area is mostly one large rectangle in shape, with four off shooting chambers connected to it. The center of the area is a walled-in central block, occupied mostly by a laboratory of sorts. There are two doors into that lab. There are also seven jail cells, also connected to the central block with cell doors accessible from the corridor (these doors are locked).
A corridor runs continuously around the perimeter of the central block. From the corridor a traveler can access all the doors to the lab, jail cells, the portal room, a storeroom and the two exit chambers.
On the map[]
- Automap Marker "Exit" (to AR1508 Final Judgement Spellhold Test) (
361.1365) - Automap Marker "Exit" (to AR2100 Unknown destination) (
1981.1429) - Automap Marker "Exit" (to AR2100 Spellhold Main Floor) (
1494.245)
Gameplay and walkthrough (abbreviated)[]
First entry and Saemon Havarian[]
The party appears in a "L" shaped chamber from the Final Judgement Spellhold Test. Immediately the NPC Saemon Havarian will step into view and address the party (even if the party is invisible). He'll say:
- "Ah, there you are! I see that you've weathered the storms of this place with reasonable pluck and health. It does me good to see you alive."
The party can select from some replies, and various dialogue will ensue. It can be confrontational, neutral at times and very smooth depending on the selections. In the end, Saemon has offered some reasons and information and then advice regarding Irenicus. He says:
- "Irenicus is a power indeed. I have seen no chips in his armor of spells. You would need an army to face him, and I suggest that there is one to be had. The inmates of this place are a resource to be tapped. Release them, and their anger and frustrations will strike at Irenicus. That is my suggestion, and I leave the workings of it to you. Upstairs, your army awaits. Use it, or you will perish."
With certain core game companions in the party there will be interjections from Jaheira, Anomen, Edwin Odesseiron, and Viconia DeVir for example. Most agree that this suggestion would be a good idea. Afterwards, Saemon walks briskly away and disappears.
The player's journal will update at this point, reading:
- "Escaping the Asylum: After the maze I encountered Saemon Havarioan again. I don't know if I can trust him, but he seemed genuine in abandoning Irenicus's unprofitable plans. He offered advice if I am to challenge Irenicus. I will need an army, and there is one to be had in the asylum... the captive mages. Of course, I would be mad to free them, but he may have a point. Saemon left before I could question him further."
Facing Irenicus right away[]
Regardless of if the party allowed Saemon to live and leave the basement, if the party desires they can buff, prepare, psyche themselves up and quaff potions etc. Then move forward and enter the laboratory to face Irenicus. Attention is now drawn to what Saemon said about using the army of inmates or perishing. If Edwin was in your party, you may recall that the Thayan mage thought that was a load of rubbish and NOW was the time to take revenge on your hated antagonist. If Anomen is in the party, he also didn't think much of Saemon's suggestion.
If any party member enters the laboratory (invisible or hidden does not matter) then Irenicus, who is alone stands next to the same apparatus control platform that stole Imoen's and Gorion's Ward soul essence. Irenicus will say:
- "You were a fool to think you could attack me without help. I know you inside and out. I've taken your very soul. I've no use for the rest of you!"
The player character, and the entire party are killed. The death animation is played, and it is game over.
The portal room[]
Located on the eastern side of the map and along the perimeter corridor - this room has a locked door that can't be opened without a specific key. If examined, a text is displayed, reading:
- "This door is completely covered in magical wards. Someone very powerful must want to keep this passage from being entered. There is no physical or magical way to open it at present."
The storeroom[]
Along the northern portion of the perimeter corridor is a closed door. If opened, there appears to be storage area. Two containers can be searched through with various items that can be obtained. One item of interest is the First Journal of Jon Irenicus. this will provide some insight into the main antagonist's personal thoughts, as his own words lay out the impressions and plans he considered. There could be some useful information within for the player. Also, there are a fistful of Arrow of Dispelling items, which are uncommon in BG2.
Exit to the main floor[]
Behind another closed door is a room with an ascending staircase to the Main Floor.
The battle with Irenicus in the basement[]
Treasure[]
(see "Map Notes" in InfoBox gallery for "T" locations)
T1[]
T2[]
- 90
- First Journal of Jon Irenicus
- Arrow (×160)
- Arrow +1 (×40)
- Arrow of Dispelling (×5)
- Dart (×80)
- Dart of Wounding (×60)
- Bolt (×120)
- Bullet (×120)
- Throwing Dagger (×20)
Gallery[]
Mod gallery[]
- This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
- Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
| Spellhold |
Main Floor • Basement |
| Bodhi’s Hunt | |
| Spellhold Test |
Cave • Crushing Trap Room • Fire Room • Kobold Room • Lever Room • Myconid Room • Sahuagin Room • Spore Room • Troll Cave • Elven Table • Final Judgement |