Players of Baldur’s Gate 3 will encounter numerous puzzles and challenges throughout their adventure in Faerun. Some of these take the form of enticing chests, luring the player in with the possibility of valuable treasures contained within. There are multiple types of chests the player will encounter: some which are unlocked, some locked but requiring a simple key or picking the lock, and others that are sealed shut and can be opened by only solving its puzzle.
Information given by the game about a possible answer to the mystery typically takes the form of riddles. The player must interpret these riddles to figure out how the chest may be opened. The Toy Chest located in Grymforge is an example of such a chest, and this is how players can unravel its puzzle and claim the treasure of Harper's Stash in Baldur's Gate 3.
Updated September 5th, 2023: The Harper's Stash in Baldur's Gate 3 is easy to miss for players who aren't checking every possible nook and cranny during their adventure. As players scout around the Grymforge, they can find a craggy rock that leads down to a cliff with multiple chests sitting around. Unfortunately, things aren't what they seem and players that aren't familiar with how to solve the Toy Chest Puzzle in BG3 might find themselves overrun with enemies. To better help players avoid danger and uncover the Harper's Stash in BG3, the following guide has been updated with a video.
How to Open the Toy Chest and Reveal Harper's Stash
Midway through Baldur’s Gate 3’s Act I, the player may find themselves tempted to explore the deep underground caverns of the Underdark. Gaining entrance to the Underdark can be challenging, but once the player and their party have made it inside, there are many secrets and treasures to discover.
Upon reaching the Decrepit Village, near the center of the Underdark's map, the player can board a boat and sail to Grymforge. Grymforge is an expansive cave filled with dwarven ruin, threats, and treasures, and is home to the Adamantine Forge.
As with many other regions, while exploring Grymforge, the player will discover multiple chests. Some of these chests are easily opened, but there are a handful that are more difficult to loot. Deep in Grymforge, around coordinates (X:-691, Y:379), the player will find a Harper symbol on the ground, indicating the presence of a nearby treasure chest.
But if the player interacts with any of the three treasure chests, it will be revealed that they are in fact Mimics in disguise, and the player will be instantly drawn into combat. The Mimics will, of course, grant experience and offer drops after their defeat.
Not far from the Mimics, the party may catch sight of a small Toy Chest seated at coordinates (X:-701, Y:376). The Toy Chest’s description states that it is, “A tiny chest perfect for tiny hands,” however it can’t be opened simply by putting a smaller race to the task nor by use of an Enlarge/Reduce spell on a party member. In fact, the Toy Chest isn’t the true treasure at all.
In the player’s previous exploration of Grymforge, they may have come across a book which provides the solution to the secret to unlocking the hidden treasure in this area. The player will need to pass an Investigation check to deduce that the trick to the puzzle of the Toy Chest is to use a Light spell. However, locating and interacting with or obtaining the book is completely unnecessary.
There are multiple methods the player can employ to “open” the Toy Chest, including the following:
- Cast the “Light” Evocation Cantrip
- Cast the “Produce Flame” Conjuration Cantrip
- Cast the “Daylight” Evocation Spell
- Utilize a Scroll that generates Light (such as Scroll of Flame Blade)
Depending on the party’s level, either Gale or Shadowheart may have learned Light or Daylight, which will make easy work of this puzzle. Successfully inflicting Light on the chest will reveal a larger Harper’s Chest, the one previously indicated by the rune and guarded by the terrible Mimics. The player can then use Thieves’ Tools or pass a Sleight of Hand check to unlock the Harper’s Chest to collect the treasure within.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC. The PlayStation 5 version will be available on September 6th, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is still in development.