You can get The Caravan Strongbox chest during the quest “Find the Missing Shipment” in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can acquire this quest during Act 1 once you talk to Zarys inside the Zhentarim Hideout or go east of Waukeen’s Rest on the Risen Road.
There, you will notice a group of traders being ambushed by some Gnolls. Kill them to save Rugan, who will ask you to deliver the box back to Zarys in the hideout. At this point, you can make two decisions. Either open the box and steal its contents or deliver it intact to the hideout.
Each choice has a unique outcome that can and will affect your future endeavors. We have explained both in detail below.
What happens if you open the Caravan Strongbox in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The caravan strongbox is locked and can only be lockpicked by passing a DC20 Sleight of Hand check. It contains the following items.
- Iron Flask
- 11 Gold
- Invisibility Potion
Iron Flask is a one-time consumable item. Upon checking it, you need to pass a DC10 perception check to find out that it is hiding an evil entity. Once you use this item (either by opening or throwing it), Spectator will come out of it. It is a level 5 enemy and attacks you immediately. However, you will not get any rewards for killing it.
Zarys will refuse to accept the opened box, and the whole Zhentarim hideout will get aggressive towards you. This will lock you out of the following things.
- Merchant Brem and his wares.
- Free the Artist side quest.
- An option to enter the Underdark from the hideout unless you kill all the Zhents.
If you return the Caravan Strongbox to Zarys?
But if you decide to hand over the Caravan Strongbox unopened to Zarys, she will give you Harold in return, which is a rare Crossbow. She is available at the following coordinates (X: 276, Y: -245) inside the Zhentarim hideout.
The merchant Brem (X: 299, Y: -246) will also expand his inventory and offer many new items, including the Titan string longbow and Joly Vest. You can also get a 14AC vest in Brem’s shop in Baldur’s Gate 3.
If Zarys refuses to accept the unopened caravan Strongbox, this means Rugan has still not reached the hideout. Make sure to take a long rest, and he will be there. If Rugan gets killed, Zarys won’t accept the box at all.
You definitely should Not Open the Caravan Strongbox in Baldur’s Gate 3
It is better to return the Caravan Strongbox to Zarys as you can access various items from Brem’s Shop in the Zhentarim Hideout. You will also get your hands on the rare crossbow item, which is a perfect fit for the Lae’zel build.
But if you choose to open the Caravan Strongbox, the spectator which comes out of the Iron Flask does not give any reward. And 11 gold with an invisibility potion is not as good as the opportunity to get a rare crossbow and access several other items and quests in return.
