How To Solve Free The Artist in BG3

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If you happen to encounter Gnolls near Waukeens Rest while exploring in Baldur’s Gate 3, you might also come across Rugan and Olly, two men who need your help. Approaching from the Gnoll’s side, Rugan and Olly might leave you to fight alone. But if you find them first, they’ll join your fight. Regardless of how it happens, they’ll lead you to the Zhentarium Hideout during Act One.

Your main goal is to get their cargo safely to the hideout. If you deliver it as is, you’ll gain the group’s trust. If you choose to open the cargo, you’ll find a flask containing an unusual creature that you can keep for later. Either way, head to the hideout—this is also where you will meet Oskar to see how your choices affected him.

Updated February 26, 2026, by Kaitlyn Peterson:
This guide now includes details on how to find and rescue Oskar from the Zhentarim Hideout, in addition to previous tips about saving Oskar in Lady Jannath’s estate.

How to Free Oskar from the Zhentarim Hideout

When you arrive at the Zhentarim Hideout (X: -113, Y: 613), which should be marked on your map after meeting Rugan and Olly, make your way inside until you find a merchant named Brem. Talk to him, and he’ll ask if you want a portrait painted by his pet artist.

If you ask about the artist, you’ll get a dialogue option to convince Brem to release Oskar. Depending on your skills and choices, you’ll need to pass a check to persuade Brem, or you can buy Oskar outright if you’re unable to convince him. Successful persuasion or payment will free Oskar.

Speak with Oskar afterward to share the good news. He’ll tell you about himself, stating that he’s engaged to a wealthy woman in Baldur’s Gate who promises to repay your party if you lend him some gold for his journey. Whether you lend him money or not, he’ll leave, and the “Free The Artist” side quest continues in the city until you reach Baldur’s Gate.

Where Is Oskar in Baldur’s Gate?

In Act Three, you’ll find Oskar after gaining access to the Lower City, which is past the bridge north of South Span Wyrm’s Crossing. You can persuade the Flaming Fist guards to lower the bridge or find another way inside.

Once in the Lower City, head west past Lower City Central Wall and Bloomridge Park until you reach Lady Jannath’s Estate. Outside, her butler will be muttering to himself. Inside, you’ll hear chaos—furniture crashing, chairs flying—which indicates a fight. Lady Jannath and Oskar are on the second floor in her bedroom.

Lady Jannath mentions that Oskar is possessed and asks you to find a way to end the curse. After speaking with both, a fight will trigger.

How to Subdue Oskar

Lady Jannath requests that Oskar be subdued without lethal force. Enable non-lethal attacks by toggling the “Passives” setting at the bottom of your HUD (or on your action wheel on consoles). After activation, any melee attack will deal non-lethal damage, preventing Oskar from dying during combat.

Note: Non-lethal attacks only apply to melee; spells will still deal lethal damage.

How to See the Ghosts

During the fight, poltergeists and invisible entities will be present. To see them, you need an ability to reveal invisible creatures, such as:

Volo’s Ersatz Eye (if previously obtained)
A See Invisibility potion
The spell See Invisibility
The Faerie Fire spell

Once you’ve subdued Oskar, the ghosts will vanish, and the fight will end.

How to Break Oskar’s Curse

After the fight, you can ascend Lady Jannath’s house to locate the source of the possession. However, you won’t be able to stop it, and a tough battle will ensue if you attempt.

Instead of going upstairs directly, you should acquire the Torch of Revocation. A character in Baldur’s Gate holds this item and requires your help to get it. Return to the Lower City near Basilisk Gate, proceeding west past Sorcerous Sundries, then south.

There’s a building south of the Heapside Strand waypoint, seemingly sealed and inaccessible. Approach from the west side and find a magically sealed stone door, which can be opened using spells like Knock or by brute force with a strong character.

Inside Philgrave’s Mansion, Mystic Carrion will ask you to find parts of his missing crew member, Thrumbo. The quest location is close to Philgrave’s mansion—leave the mansion, head back to the Heapside Strand waypoint, and then look for a broken balcony to the right of the stairs. Vines will lead you down into a small shack, where blood traces lead to a wardrobe.

Loot the wardrobe, and Thrumbo will jump out. To help Oskar, you may kill Thrumbo or steal the Jar of Mystic Carrion’s Heart from him. The jar contains a part of Mystic Carrion, and giving it to him can persuade him to increase your reward and hand over the Torch of Revocation.

While Mystic Carrion will still request Thrumbo’s body parts as part of his side quest, you can return to Oskar with the torch afterward.

How to Get Upstairs in Lady Jannath’s Estate

Once armed with the Torch of Revocation, return to Lady Jannath’s house. As you go up the stairs, you’ll be affected by Phantasmal Force for ten turns. CSursed Skulls will try to Thunderwave you back down, so your goal is to get at least one party member to the attic.

Many ghosts are invisible initially. You don’t need to defeat every ghost—just ensure someone makes it upstairs. The Skulls will only push back the first time you encounter them. Use fire or force damage to weaken the Skulls, or cast spells like Remove Curse to get past the obstacles blocking the stairs.

To avoid or bypass the ghosts altogether, use a nimble character with Misty Step or Fly spells. A balcony across the hall from Jannath’s bedroom can be reached by jumping out the window—then use Fly or Misty Step to reach the rooftop balcony, providing quick access to the attic and avoiding the poltergeists.

On the rooftop, pick up clues and interact with paintings, easels, and hidden panels. Using the Torch of Revocation on a secret painting will break the curse, and the ghost haunting the estate will head directly to Lady Jannath’s room in an attempt to attack Oskar—unless you intervene. Burning the hidden painting will make the ghosts disappear, allowing you to return downstairs to protect Oskar and finish the quest.