Baldur’s Gate 3 takes you to several locations where you can explore and mostly need to survive and one of these places is the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Your party will end up traversing through this dark region to make your way to the Moonrise Towers, which is where you continue your search for the Absolute.
The thing is, getting to the Shadow-Cursed Lands is quite easy but surviving the dangers in the area can prove to be a challenge for some.
Shadow-Cursed Lands Entrances
There are two ways for you to reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands, which is to either take the Mountain Pass or to travel to it through the Grymforge.
Grymforge Elevator
The Grymforge may be reached once you make your way to the Underdark and near the area where the Duergar Boat docks, there is an elevator that you can take to the surface.
Using the elevator will bring you to a path that leads into the Shadow-Cursed Lands and accessing it is not that hard since the two Duergar guarding it can be killed without alerting the others.
You may find the elevator to the east just after you get off the Duergar ship and have been speaking to the Duergar who intercepts you.
It is up to you if you would like to complete the quests at Grymforge before heading to the Shadow-Cursed Lands as this can help you equip for the challenge that lies ahead.
Rosymorn Monastery Trail Mountain Pass
The Mountain Pass leads you to the Trielta Crags and from here you can make your way to the west to find the other entrance to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Before you make it to the entrance though, you will encounter two Death Shepherds who are accompanied by their minions.
Once you have entered through the Mountain Pass, take the path heading to the west instead of going to the Rosymorn Monastery to the north.
You will eventually run into a man named Elminster, who is a friend of Gale and will add more to The Wizard of Waterdeep quest before you reach the entrance to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Shadow Curse
The Shadow-Cursed Lands is dangerous and this is not only because of the creatures that lurk around but also because of the Shadow Curse.
If you are surrounded by darkness with no other source of light, you will start to succumb to the Shadow Curse, which damages you to the point where you die.
A character that dies from the Shadow-Curse will rise as an Undead spawn, attacking your party if they are nearby. (They be hostile)
How To Stay Protected From Shadow Curse?
To stay protected from the Shadow Curse, you will need to keep the darkness at bay and this requires using or creating sources of light.
1) Stay Close To Fire
Fire is a good way to produce light and this will help keep the darkness away as long as one of your members is holding a torch or if you are near campfires, braziers, and other types of fire.
2) Creating Light
Certain abilities allow you to create light such as the Light spell, which conjures a bright light that emits from your weapon. (Spell affects the weapon of who it is cast on)
3) Equip The Blood Of Lathander
If you manage to obtain The Blood of Lathander, wielding the weapon will emit a radiant light that will protect you.
Not only does the Legendary Mace protect you from the curse, but it also blinds enemies and deals extra damage against the shadow enemies in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
4) Blessing of Selune
Reaching the Last Light Inn will eventually bring you to meet Isobel, a cleric who will be able to bestow upon your party the Blessing of Selune.
The Blessing of Selune will protect you against most of the darkness until you reach areas where the influence of the shadows is stronger.
Further buffs to provide you with protection against the deeper areas with darkness include gaining the Pixie Blessing, and wielding a Moonlantern or a Shadow Lantern.
Verdict
Getting to the Shadow-Cursed Lands can be done depending on which path you take and the roads that lie ahead will be different.
You will either be meeting the Harpers after taking the Grymforge path or be ambushed by them if you join the Absolute Caravan from the Mountain Pass. (You have different choices to make)
The important thing to keep in mind is that you should always have light with you and making your way to the Last Light In will provide you with sanctuary.