How to solve the Silent Library puzzle in Baldur’s Gate 3, explained

You’ll encounter an awful lot of puzzles in Larian Studios’ entry into the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, all of varying challenge levels. The Silent Library puzzle, found deep into Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3, is one such example. Here, we’ll walk you through how to complete the Silent Library puzzle in BG3, and the rewards you’ll get for doing so.

What’s the strategy for solving the Silent Library Puzzle?

Solving this puzzle is thankfully a relatively straightforward affair. In order to solve the Silent Library puzzle, you’ll need to carry out the following steps in order:

1. Enter the Silent Library at the bottom of the Gauntlet of Shar after the third trial room and Thorm Mausoleum. Be wary as you’ll have some Dark Justiciars to get past first. You’ll get here naturally through Shadowheart’s quest.
2. Unlock the large gate at the far end of the room with a lockpick, and enter the chamber with the small circular plinth or altar. Watch out for traps here.
3. Examine the top of the altar. A message here reads “What can silence the Nightsong?”
4. To answer the riddle, you need to slot a book into the altar. Head back to the bookshelves, and find the second bookcase along from the entrance.
5. Disarm the trap on this bookcase, and pick up the book from it titled “Teachings of loss: The Nightsinger”. The Nightsinger is another name for Shar, and the book describes how only she can silence the Nightsong.
6. Return to the altar and insert the book into it. This will complete the puzzle, and unlock the path to the treasure within the library.

What Silent Library puzzle treasure is on offer?

Completing the puzzle will open access to the vault, where you’ll be able to pick up some great treasure. The centerpieces though are the Spear of Night and the Dark Justiciar Helmet, both rare and powerful magic items. The helmet offers a +1 bonus to saving throws for both Constitution saves and against spells. It also reduces the roll needed for a critical hit while the wearer is obscured. The Spear of Night does a pretty mediocre 3-10 damage, but it does have a +1 to weapon enchantment and is the only weapon that can kill the Nightsong.

✓ You don’t have to kill the Nightsong

Even after getting the Spear of Night, a high Persuasion check will let you save Nightsong and still progress the main storyline. This is one of the game’s primary branching paths, especially in Shadowheart’s personal story.

That covers how to solve the Silent Library puzzle in BG3. If you find you can’t effectively wield the treasure within, don’t forget that you can always respec and change your class, subclass and abilities as needed to make more effective use of it, or any other goodies you find on your adventures. If you’re still trying to figure out similar puzzles though, like the Defiled Temple puzzle, then we’ve got you covered.