How to get started in Blizzard in Baator
The Blizzard in Baator mod is designed for high-level characters who have completed the lion’s share of the original campaign, including Sigil, Ravel’s Maze, Curst, and Carceri. The expansion allows you to jump straight into the action even if you don’t have an active save file.
Starting the Expansion
Once the mod is properly installed, players can begin their journey in one of two ways:
a) Zombie #000 – allows you to fast-track straight into the expansion’s storyline (optional)
If you don’t have a save file but want to start directly with the expansion, you will find a new NPC called Zombie #000 upon waking up in the Mortuary, in the same room where you meet Morte.
- Zombie #000 allows you to quickly level up your character and advances the story to the starting point of the mod. To trigger this, you must choose to “let the memories flood your mind” during your conversation with the zombie.
- The zombie will also let you quickly select your alignment, faction, and companions, as well as determine the outcomes of key events from the base campaign.
- You can use the shop to pick out appropriate items, and your companions will also start with suitably better equipment.
- Don’t forget to level up your characters. The enemies in Blizzard in Baator are significantly tougher, so it’s best to prepare your party accordingly.
- Additionally, the zombie will hand you a scroll that allows you to teleport directly to the Northeast Hive, where a messenger is waiting for you.
b) Natural progression – no shortcuts
If you prefer to start the expansion using an old save file, or by playing through a fresh playthrough from the beginning, the Nameless One must complete the entire story sequence that concludes Carceri. Only then will Tergush’tekhn — the NPC who initiates the expansion, appear in the Smoldering Corpse Bar.
The Road to the Ditch
You can initiate the expansion in the following way:
- In the Northeast Hive, near the Dustman Monument, you will meet a messenger who will hand you a note from Tergush’tekhn. You can find the fiend himself inside the Smoldering Corpse Bar.
- Alternatively, you can ignore the messenger and head straight to the bar. Just remember that the Nameless One must be at an advanced stage of the main campaign (as mentioned above).
Hive – Smoldering Corpse Bar
Tergush’tekhn can be found in the back room of the tavern, accompanied by two Abishai who are already well known to the Nameless One. He is the one who will introduce you to the expansion’s storyline. He will task you with finding the Fury-Vehement and hand you a helmet that belongs to her. This will trigger a memory sequence – as it turns out, the Fury apparently knew the Nameless One long before he became immortal.
Tergush’tekhn will also reveal that the Fury went missing in Mephistar, located in the eighth layer of Baator, Cania – a frozen realm of betrayal and despair.
The Nameless One can accept the quest to bring her back, but to do so, he must first find a way to Cania. To aid in this, Tergush’tekhn directs the party to Professor Mawu, currently staying at the Civic Festhall, who should know more about the portal leading to the eighth layer of Baator.
You can also question the Abishai about Cania (requires Wisdom 14+) and Mephistar.
The Clerk’s Ward – Civic Festhall
Inside the lecture hall of the Civic Festhall, you will find Mawu, an expert on doors, gates, and portals. Mawu will explain the concept of shifting portals and strongly advise against searching for a one-way portal to Cania (warning that it could easily result in freezing to death or being torn to shreds).
She won’t be able to provide the exact location of the portal, but she will direct you to Elvra Syne, an acquaintance of the wereshark Manohae, who has successfully located this portal before.
Mawu can also share a specific vision with you, provided the Nameless One belongs to the Sensates faction (experiencing this vision permanently increases the Nameless One’s Charisma by +2). Furthermore, if you ask Mawu about the most unexpected answer she has ever discovered – and pass a high Charisma check (18+, followed by 24+) – she will begin to reveal the alleged true identity of the Lady of Pain. Unfortunately, she will die before she can finish her thought.
If Mawu dies (either at the hands of the Nameless One or as a result of trying to reveal the Lady’s identity), you will find a journal on her corpse containing the necessary information to continue the main quest.
With the information obtained from Mawu (or her journal), you can then return to Tergush’tekhn at the Smoldering Corpse Bar.
Hive – The Smoldering Corpse Bar (again)
The Nameless One can inform Tergush’tekhn of the clues received from Mawu and point out that the search must continue in the Ditch. Tergush will then reveal that their associate – an imp named Prod – is already operating down in the Ditch.
To reach the Ditch, you must head to the Docks. Tergush explains that a tout is lingering near the tavern entrance who can take you to the Docks for a small fee (10 copper pieces). However, if your Dexterity is 19 or higher, you can secure a free trip simply by shadowing the guide.
The Hive Port
The tout will lead you to the Hive Port, a new location that serves as a bridge between the original campaign and the expansion content. If you wish to return to the Hive at any point during this stage, simply speak with the tout again.
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At the docks, you can speak with the Ware-shack Manager to store items from your previous adventures for a fee. He will also let you rest if you pay for lodging. Conversing with him reveals more about the Ditch, and if you are persuasive enough (Charisma 17+), he will offer to sell you a mysterious pouch (for 1,000 copper pieces, or 750 if your Charisma is 20+). Inside, you will find the Greater Coin of Fate (this will be useful for Ayryn Farlight in the library; you can also use it during the ambush on Ulfbrand or squander it on the cranium rat races).
On the bridge, you will be cut off by red Abishai. One of them will catch Tergush’tekhn’s scent on you and force a confrontation. This battle serves as an initial benchmark for the expansion’s overall difficulty. If your party cannot defeat these foes, you should consider powering up – for instance, by taking a trip to UnderSigil. You can completely avoid the fight if you lie and claim you already slaughtered Tergush near the Gatehouse (requires Charisma 20+).
The Ferry Captain standing by the boat will take you to the Ditch for 30 copper pieces.
Warning: If you are carrying the Modron Cube, a Monodrone on the boat acting as the captain’s portable portal detector will immediately flag a problem. If this happens, you must leave the cube with the Ware-shack Manager.
The captain only appears in this location during the day. If you arrive at night, your best bet is to pay the Ware-shack Manager for storage, which will also allow you to rest inside the building until morning.