Baldur’s Gate 3 – How to unlock the Sinister Door in Cazador’s Palace

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How do you open the Sinister Door in Cazador’s Palace in Baldur’s Gate 3? This large door is brimming with power and requires a few items to get through. If you, like many, want to complete Astarion’s questline, you will need to get through this door to reach the vampire lord Cazador.

The Sinister Door is located in the Szarr Palace in the city of Baldur’s Gate and is near the lower city waypoint. Before entering this area, you will want to have a strong Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3 as there will be plenty of fights ahead.

Be sure to change your party member in Baldur’s Gate 3 if you don’t think you are strong enough to take on the vampires participating in the ritual. Also, build up the vampire spawn companion Astarion so he is ready to face the end of his quest. Here is how to unlock the Sinister Door in Cazador’s Palace in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to unlock the Sinister Door in Szarr Palace in Baldur’s Gate 3

To unlock the Sinister Door in Baldur’s Gate 3, you need the Szarr Family Ring and the Kozakuran Dictionary. You cannot use Thieves’ Tools to unlock the door. The Signet Ring is the key that opens the door while the dictionary allows you to remove the seal placed on the door.

After obtaining both items found in the Szarr Palace, interact with the door. You will simply need to read the incantation and insert the ring. On the other side, you will need to fight a werewolf or two before proceeding.

Szarr Family Ring location in Baldur’s Gate 3

First up is the Szarr Family Ring. After entering the palace and locating the Sinister door, go through the curtain to the right and go to the lower level of the palace. Down here, locate the door to the kennel. You will meet a skeleton named Godey.

A screenshot of a sinister door in a video game.
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During a conversation with the skeleton, you can pass a persuasion (Charisma) check to obtain the ring or simply kill him and take it off the pile of bones of Godey’s Body that remain. The fight is pretty easy and shouldn’t cause you too much trouble.

Kozakuran Dictionary location in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Kozakuran Dictionary is also downstairs. Locate the bedroom door near an NPC named Syrin. Inside the bedroom is a dead body that is emanating necrotic energy. You can easily use the Misty Step spell or jump to avoid the necrotic cloud. Dimension Door also works to avoid taking damage.

A screenshot of a room in a video game featuring a mysterious door.
Image by VideoGamer

Open the mahogany wardrobe in the room to find the dictionary inside. Now that you have both items, make your way back to the door. You can unlock the door with both the ring and the dictionary as it will allow you to read the doorway and the ring acts as the key.

Now that you can open the Sinister Door in Cazador’s Palace, you may want to prep your team. Make sure you have a strong Karlach companion build. Of course, you can also check to see where we rank all of the Baldur’s Gate 3 companions. Are your companions the best?

Can you open the Sinister Door without the Szarr Family Ring and dictionary in Baldur’s Gate 3?

No. Unfortunately, both items are needed to open the door and progress Astarion’s quest.

Where are the Szarr Family Ring and Kozakuran Dictionary located in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Both items are located in the Szarr Palace. The ring is held by Godey in the Kennel room and the dictionary is in the wardrobe in the bedroom.

About the Author

Aden Carter

Aden Carter is a guides writer for VideoGamer with a focus on action RPGs and adventure games. When he isn't busy writing, he is spinning tales with his friends at the local game shop.

Baldur’s Gate 3

  • Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
  • Genre(s): Adventure, RPG, Strategy
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