Hidden dialogues, a world-saving fish, and a unique encounter which can lead to an instant game over are just a few of the many secrets locked behind the Nether Stones. Because of how completely nonsensical some of these scenarios are, I'm confident almost no one has ever seen them. Which is why in this video, I've explored the Nether Stone's hidden fail-safes and will share the illogical decision-making necessary to pull them off.
Before I get to the super secret parts, I'll cover the basics regarding these Nether Stones. The first Nether Stone obtainable in the game comes from Krick once he's been defeated in the Mind Flayer Colony. These Nether Stones are required to complete the game, but they can still be moved out of your inventory. When dropped on the ground, it prompts a message from your Dream Guardian to pick it back up. 'I wouldn't recommend losing that. We can't defeat the brain without that stone.' These voice lines serve to combat poor decision-making and will grow in frustration should you continue this idiotic behavior. 'Are you trying to annoy me or just careless?'
Attempts to leave the Mind Flayer Colony without the stone will be blocked by The Dream Guardian, and if ignored, will lead to the first of many instant game overs related to these Nether Stones. All Nether Stone-related game overs use the same cut scene of the Elder Brain finding the player and turning them into a Mind Flayer.
Where it begins to get a bit more interesting though is after the G-yankee are defeated at the end of Act 2. You can drop the Nether Stone inside the Prism without any message from the Emperor. This is the only area in the game that you're not told to pick it back up, and the game doesn't prevent you from entering Act Three without the stone. So, did we manage to outdo the devs and soft lock ourselves? Surprisingly no, as the Emperor chimes in to say, 'You left K's Stone behind. I sent it to your camp.'
If we check the map after this dialogue, there's a new marker titled Bal Stone. Traveling to this area begins an encounter with several swagen. When they're slain, you'll find they have the Nether Stones that you dropped inside the Iron Throne. Once looted, the Emperor has one final comment, 'Of course, you are as lucky as you are careless. Do not let the stones out of your sight.' This beachside battle is not a special or unique encounter and it always appears for players who walk in the area regardless of what you did with the Nether Stones.
This made me want to find out what happens if these were already dead when you first entered the Iron Throne. So I killed these fish people again, traveled to the Iron Throne, dropped my Nether Stones and returned to the surface. Once again, the Emperor instructs us to search the shore. Only this time, when I traveled to the marker, there was a different voice line, 'Wait, that hum of Ne's power. It's coming from the merchant.' You can then speak with Old Troutman to learn that he found a few shiny bits in his latest catch while fishing, and will have the Nether Stones available for purchase at the low, low price of three gold each.
After looting the stones, there's one last funny remark from the Emperor. 'To think the world could have ended thanks to a pack of scavenging cobs. If your fingers are so slippery, leave the Nether Stones in your camp.' I wanted to rerun that test, though, because the first message from the Emperor about that encounter was to slay them before they escape. Surely Larion didn't account for anyone losing the easiest fight in the game, right? So, I passed my turns, and after five turns of doing nothing in a row, the Cobalts really did escape. They disappeared forever with the Nether Stones, leading to an instant game over.
Considering it took nearly a year for me to find this, I wonder what other secrets could still remain in Baldur's Gate 3. If you've learned anything new in this video, leave a like to help out the channel. If you've ever encountered these situations or know any important details I missed, let me know in the comments below. As always, thanks for watching.
Q: What are some of the secrets hidden behind the Nether Stones? A: Hidden dialogues, a world-saving fish, and a unique encounter which can lead to an instant game over are just a few of the many secrets locked behind the Nether Stones. Q: How can the Nether Stones be obtained in the game? A: The first Nether Stone obtainable in the game comes from Krick once he's been defeated in the Mind Flayer Colony. Q: What are the consequences of ignoring the Nether Stones? A: Attempts to leave the Mind Flayer Colony without the stone will be blocked by The Dream Guardian, and if ignored, will lead to the first of many instant game overs related to these Nether Stones. Q: What happens if you drop the Nether Stone inside the Prism? A: The game doesn't prevent you from entering Act Three without the stone, as the Emperor chimes in to say, 'You left K's Stone behind. I sent it to your camp.' Q: What happens if the Nether Stones are left with the fish people at the Iron Throne? A: Old Troutman will have the Nether Stones available for purchase at the low price of three gold each. Q: Can losing the Nether Stones lead to a soft lock in the game? A: Yes, losing the Nether Stones can lead to an instant game over if the Cobalts escape with the stones. Q: What are some interesting encounters related to the Nether Stones? A: There are encounters with swagen and fish people that involve the Nether Stones, leading to unique dialogues and consequences.
