Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players a living, breathing world filled with interesting characters and their stories. Some want nothing from you, some want gold, some want favors, some want souls, and some of them want blood.
Found in Moonrise Towers, Araj Oblodra is one such character. A Drow from an exiled house, she is looking for something very specific to sate her curiosity: True Soul blood. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you should give it to her.
Updated by Hamza Haq on October 17, 2023: New links have been incorporated into the content to reflect the most recent information available for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Where To Find Araj Oblodra
Approach Araj Oblodra in the room directly to the east of the throne room (where you see General Ketheric Thorm for the first time). Zealot Niram guards the room, but it is unlocked. Simply enter, and you’ll find Araj Oblodra standing near a desk pushed up against the wall. Talking to her will reveal that she is interested in the blood of a true soul and is willing to offer you a unique potion in exchange for it.
Select the dialogue option, “And what exactly are you planning to do with your share?” This will trigger a History Check, which will reveal that Oblodra is part of an exiled Drow house, House Oblodra, a family known for their experimentation with Illithids and their powers.
Passing this check will unlock a unique dialogue option where you can confront Araj about the fact that the reason she wants your blood is not because you’re a True Soul but because you have the Illithid parasite in your head. Araj will be shocked to have you discover her secret.
In exchange for your silence, she will sweeten the pot by giving you an extra 200 Gold if you agree to her proposal to take your blood. If you fail the history check, you don’t get the extra gold, but the offer is still on the table.
Should You Give Your Blood To Araj
Yes, you should. There is no downside to giving Araj Oblodra your blood. You will obtain a powerful potion that you cannot craft yourself and the opportunity to unlock an even more incredible reward later on.
If you give her your Blood, the crafted potion will depend on what your race is. Here is a table explaining every possible reward you can get for giving her your blood.
Race |
Reward |
Description |
---|---|---|
Human |
Elixir of Human Versatility |
Proficiency in all skills until next Long Rest |
Elf |
Elixir of Elven Elegance |
Gain 10m additional movement speed, immunity to ‘Charmed,’ and Darkvision until next Long Rest |
Half-Elf |
Elixir of Half Elven Healing |
You and your surrounding allies regain hit points equal to your constitution score upon consumption |
Gnome |
Elixir of Gnomish Ingenuity |
Gain proficiency in sleight of hand checks and learn ‘Knock’ till the next Long Rest |
Dwarf |
Elixir of Dwarven Resiliance |
Add your proficiency bonus to saving throws until you succeed on 3 of them or take a Long Rest |
Half-Orc |
Elixir of Half Orcish Fury |
If you are downed before the next Long Rest, you revive with 1 HP |
Tiefling |
Elixir of Tiefling Vice |
Gain the ability to cast ‘Thaumaturgy‘, ‘Hellish Rebuke,’ ‘Burning Hands‘, and ‘Flame Blade‘ once until your next Long Rest |
Halfling |
Elixir of Halfling Luck |
Advantage on skill checks until your next Long Rest |
Githyanki |
Elixir of Githyanki Providence |
Gain the ability to cast ‘Misty Step‘, ‘Blur‘, and ‘Invigorating Leap’ until your next Long Rest |
Dragonborn |
Elixir of Dragonborn Prowess |
Gain an advantage on persuasion checks, the ability to cast a level 3 spell depending on your subrace (Fireball, Lightning Bolt, etc.), and resistance to an element depending on your subrace |
Halfling, Human, Elven, and Dragonborn elixirs are the most useful ones. The rest are extremely situational and you’ll rarely find a use for them unless you use them at the perfect moment.
Talking to Araj Oblodra with different companions retriggers the event, and she extends the same offer to every one of your companions if they have a tadpole inside them. Lae’zel, Astarion, Shadowheart, Karlach, Gale, and Wyll can all get potions of their own, determined by their race. This will also allow you to pass the History Check using different companions to get additional gold when you give Araj their blood.
You can swap out party members and talk to Araj with each one separately to get multiple different elixirs every time she gets a new dose of blood from one of your companions. This will give you a free sample of multiple potions that can come in handy during a particular encounter.
Disguise Self doesn’t change the nature of the reward. Your original race decides what elixir you get.
Regardless of whether or not you choose to give Araj Oblodra your blood after meeting her in Moonrise Towers, she will appear again during Act 3. Her shop, Crimson Draughts, is directly east of the Blushing Mermaid in the lower city. Be careful when you meet her, her new concoction is not nearly as beneficial as the first one she gives you.
What Happens If Astarion Drinks Araj Oblodra’s Blood
After giving you the elixir as a reward, Araj will ask you to talk to Astarion. If he’s there, this is where you can allow him to jump in, and if he isn’t there, you will need to bring him with your party to the camp. Select the option, “My Vampiric Friend? Sure, I can bring him here.” to agree to bring Astarion.
Bring Astarion and talk to Araj, and you’ll find out that she’s a vampire fangirl and has wanted to be bitten since she was a child. Astarion hates the idea. He’ll inform you that Araj’s blood is rancid, foul, and unappealing; he doesn’t want to drink it. You have two options:
- Force Astarion to drink Araj’s blood. Araj will reward you with the Potion of Everlasting Vigor; consuming it will give whoever drinks it a permanent +2 to Strength. Astarion disapproves.
- Don’t force Astarion to drink Araj’s blood. Araj will not give you the potion. Astarion approves.
If you’re not romancing Astarion, there is no reason to reject Araj’s offer. Astarion’s approval can be earned back eventually, and he doesn’t leave your party if you force him to drink. But, if you’re romancing Astarion, forcing him to bite Araj can result in him breaking up with you. Here is how to avoid that happening.
How To Avoid Astarion Breaking Up With You
If you’re involved with Astarion romantically, the next time you set up camp after the bite, he will confront you. If you don’t select the right dialogue options, he will leave you. Here are the options you need to choose to keep the relationship alive.
- I hope you’re alright.
- You can still throw your body at me, any time.
- How do you want me to see you?
- I care about you.
- Open your mind so he sees you care.
Choosing these dialogue options will make Astarion see sense and not leave you. But remember to drop-kick a few puppies next time you’re out and about with him to put a smile on his face. He deserves it.