There are a variety of ways to gain an edge during combat encounters in D&D-based games. For instance, Baldur's Gate 3 includes a variety of ways to give a character a buff, something that gives them extra armor, spellcasting, lock-picking abilities, or skills like Talking to Animals or 
Feather Fall.
Most buffs are temporary, lasting until the next Long Rest (Eldritch Armor) or through a few turns of combat (Bless). When it's possible to get a permanent buff, like Loviatar's Love, Baldur's Gate 3 players are advised to take the opportunity to get it, even if it takes them out of their comfort zone. A follower of Loviatar would argue that's the whole point.
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Updated on April 21, 2024, by Nahda Nabiilah: While exploring the Shattered Sanctum during the investigation of the Goblin Camp in Baldur’s Gate 3, players will see all kinds of NPCs hanging around the area. One of them is Abdirak, a devoted follower of Loviatar, or the Maiden of Pain. Upon speaking with him, you need to pass a History check to recognize the 'love' of the Patroness of Torturers. If Tav deals with this situation correctly, they will earn a permanent buff called Loviatar’s Love.
Where To Find The Shattered Sanctum In Baldur's Gate 3
There's a fairly sophisticated Torture Chamber in the Shattered Sanctum, but the adventuring party in Baldur's Gate 3 must first pass through the Blighted Village and the Goblin Camp to get there. Both locations are located to the west of Druid Grove and Ravaged Beach.
Depending on the race of the main character and how well they do on checks for Strength and Charisma, it's possible to charm or intimidate your way through both of these locations without doing any fighting.
- The Blighted Village. There's a lot to do in this location, and there's a convenient waypoint for when it's time to return. Continue west to reach the Goblin Camp.
- The Goblin Camp. The Shattered Sanctum is a location within the Goblin Camp. There's also a convenient waypoint here for when it's time to come back and engage the Goblin leaders, rescue Volo, chase a chicken, and otherwise explore the location.
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How To Enter The Shattered Sanctum In Baldur's Gate 3
Walk in through the big main door guarded by a large but amicable ogre, past where Volo is performing, or take the shortcut through the Worg Pens.
Before engaging with any of the three leaders in this location, getting the buff is recommended. Loviatar's Love is most helpful in combat.
Find The Torture Chambers
Two main torture chambers are located on the Sanctum's eastern side. If entering through the main doors, turn to the right. If coming in through the Worg Pens, go south. Abdirak is in the northern one. He's facing the eastern wall, praying.
If Volo has been taken back to his cage, he's in the room two doors south of Abdirak. If attacking his "owner" is part of the plan for freeing him, visit Abdirak and get the buff first.
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Speak To Abdirak In Baldur's Gate 3
Abdirak is kneeling in front of a Bloodied Shrine, an arch built into the wall. Speak to him, and he will explain that he was here to both supervise and participate in some torture. He'll also give the player some exposition on the nature of Loviatar worship and how it revels in pain.
There's a book on the table next to Abdirak entitled " 
On Receiving Her Grace." The player can't take it, but they can read, and if they do so, the priest will give them the choice of torture device. Options are a dagger, an ax, or what Abdirak uses on himself. This is Loviatar's symbol and her personal favorite, the cat-o-nine tails.
- Agree To His Offer. Abdirak will offer, with no small amount of enthusiasm, to give the player a demonstration of Loviatar's wisdom. When the character faces the same wall where he was praying, he begins.
- Get Through Two Dice Rolls. Every time Abdirak hits the character with his torture tool, they have to pass a dice roll. Succeed in three dice rolls, and Abdirak will be elated with the character's fortitude and how they embraced the spiritual fulfillment of pain. However, he'll comment that Loviatar prefers a more authentic response.
- Fail Once. The awkward part is failing at least one of the rolls. Try to choose an ability that doesn't have a bonus or isn't one of the character's strongest. Abdirak's reward for enduring his torture session is the buff Loviatar's Love.
The player has a variety of choices for their dice rolls. They can choose Intimidation, Performance, Constitution, and possibly a race or class-based choice. Choose depending on the character's strengths and weaknesses, although some options may be more obvious than others.
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Loviatar's Love In Baldur’s Gate 3
After Abdirak's lesson is complete, the character is given the permanent buff, Loviatar's Love. This gives the player a +2 bonus to attack rolls and saving throws for the next three turns every time their health drops below 30%. That's a powerful advantage in combat, and it is not removed by rest or time.
This will gain approval from Astarion and Shadowheart, should they be in the player's party. It will also inspire Shadowheart by connecting with her Acolyte background and give her the A Kiss Without Mercy inspiration goal.
The Goddess Loviatar
She goes by many names throughout Faerûn, and the players will learn a few if they listen to Abdirak preach. Loviatar is also called The Maiden of Pain, The Willing Whip, and the Patroness of Torturers. Like her followers, her alignment is Lawful Evil, and the equally malevolent god Bane is her consort.
In related artwork and media, The Maiden of Pain is often seen wielding her whip and dressed in her usual studded leather. Loviatar is often found in torture chambers, whereas her follower Abdirak can be found in Baldur's Gate 3.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
