In Baldur's Gate 3, the bearcub cub is a possible pet of the main character, which can live in the camp if tamed. To do this, you will have to perform a series of actions: find the cave where the baby lives, talk to his mother, and then save his feathered friend from the goblins and get closer to him. In this guide, we'll show you how to do all this and unlock the secret achievement “I'll be twice as happy now!”
Where to find the bear's cave in Baldur's Gate 3
Before you go looking for the bear's cave, we advise you to make sure that you are able to talk to animals using a spell or potion. So, move to the Emerald Grove Neighborhood, and then move west. You will soon find the corpse of Edovin (X: 147, Y: 441) on the ground, with Brynna and Andrik bending over it. It was they who first mentioned these feathered monsters.
Having dealt with the followers of the Absolute one way or another, continue down the path and then turn right and you will see a cave entrance ahead (X: 96, Y: 447). Once you enter it, you will find yourself in the Medvesycha's Nest.
Note: By the way, not far from the entrance to the nest you can find a dog named Shkryab, who can also become yours pet. Be sure to find him in order to later receive a secret achievement.
Kill the bear's mother or not kill him
After entering the cave, run forward and turn right at the fork. Soon you will see an adult bear owl and a cub (X: -343, Y: -108). Before interacting with them, use the Talk to Animals spell, the Animal Speech ability (Wizard), or a potion of communication with animals. Otherwise, the beast is likely to attack you.
Note: If If you don't have the required enchantment or elixir, make a Survival, Training, or Performance check during the cutscene to avoid starting a battle with the beast.
Enter dialogue with the bear. Next, you can either kill the adult or spare it. Below we will consider both options.
The bear was spared
If you do not want to kill the animal, then after starting a conversation with it, select the following answer options:
- You wounded. You have half a spear sticking out of your head.
- “Let me go, or I will finish off your cub—and then you,” or “Just let me go. I will not touch you or your cub.” Here you will need to pass an Intimidation (10) or Persuasion (10) check.
As a result, the beast will not attack you, and you can safely leave the cave. By the way, you will unlock the Mother's Fury inspiration for the Drifter. However, the bear's mother will still die, since the cave will be raided by goblins, who will finish off the feathered defender, and take the baby to their camp.
Note: If you have already cleared the goblin base by this time , then do not rejoice ahead of time, since the mother of the cub will still be killed – this time by a detachment of goblin hunters that has separated from the main group.
They killed the bear's cub
If you fail your ability checks or want to destroy a dangerous animal, you can simply attack the beast and then kill it. Next, a new cut-scene will begin in which you can spare the bear cub or finish it off. If you want to tame an animal, then you need, of course, to choose the first option.
The cub, as if nothing had happened, will begin to eat the carcass of its mother (as we will learn in the future, this runs in the family). If you try to interact with him, you will only see a phrase that the animal is very passionate about its occupation.
Before leaving the cave, be sure to examine the corpse of the killed bearfish to pick up the tip of a broken spear, which can be connected to the shaft a broken spear (taken from Edovin's corpse) to obtain the rare two-handed weapon Vision of the Absolute.
In the back of the cave you can also find a headless skeleton with good armor and a bear's egg (note right away that the second animal will not hatch from it), which can be passed off as a Githyanki egg in one of the side quests.
Thus, no matter your choice, the bear's mother will still die – either from your hands or from the goblins. The first option is suitable for villains, and the second is for those who play a good hero (plus, companions with a good alignment will approve of your action).
How to save a bear cub
Now return to the camp parking and select “long rest” to wait for the new day to arrive. Return to the Bear's Nest. You will find a dead adult here (don't forget to examine her corpse in order to pick up the tip of a broken spear) and the bodies of goblins. The cub, apparently, was taken to the camp.
Note: If after scrolling the time the bear is still alive or the baby does not appear in the goblin camp, then rest for a few days. Sooner or later, this storyline will move forward.
Next, go to the goblin camp and get to the central square (X: -111, Y: 431). If this is your first time coming here, then first watch the scene with Volo (a man with a mustache standing on the platform) by talking to him. Next, talk to Krolla, who is standing next to the baby bear baldurs.
You will need to choose the following answers during a conversation with her:
- First, let's face it – this is not chicken. This is a bear owl.
- “I have more important things to do than chase poultry,” or you can first ask about chicken hunting, and then say, “This is cruel. I don’t want to take part in such fun.”
After the dialogue is completed, the bear will start running around the area. Use a spell or potion to talk to animals, and then catch up with the baby and chat with him. Select answer: “I have a camp. You will be welcome there.” The animal will be happy to go there, but because of the fear of the goblins, it will not dare to leave them.
Approach Krolla again and chat with her. Tell him that you are leaving and taking the bear with you. Of course, she won't like it, but you can persuade her by passing an Intimidation, Persuasion, or Wisdom (illithid ability) check. The cub will immediately run away.
Note: Before talking about leaving, you can play a game of kurogonism, asking the bear to play along with you. In this case, you can easily win and take the prize from Crolla. This should no longer affect taming.
How to tame a bear owl
Now return to camp and choose a long rest. You will need to miss a few days until the cub comes to you. However, we recommend that you just continue to complete the main and side quests and, sooner or later, the animal will visit you.
When you first visit, he will ask you for food, so choose the following actions:
- Get a piece of something edible from your backpack.
- Throw food to the little bear.
The animal will then run away. Rest in the camp again once or twice, and the little bear will come to you again. He will show you his wounded paw. Pass a Medicine, Survival, and/or Nature (10) check to heal the baby. If you fail, the cub will no longer visit you, so we recommend saving before rolling the die.
After this, the bear owl will remain in your camp. You can talk to him by drinking a potion or casting a spell. He won't tell you anything interesting yet. Then for the third time he will bring you a dead bird, thereby becoming your new pet.
How to open the achievement “I Now I’ll be twice as happy!”
How to tame Shkryab
For this achievement you will need the dog that we talked about at the beginning of the article. You can find it just above the entrance to the bear's nest at the following coordinates – X: 86, Y: 467. Don't forget to drink the potion or activate the spell to talk to the dog.
During a conversation with Skryab, tell him the following:
- “What happened here?” or “Who is this?”
- Pass an Attention, Intimidation, or Persuasion check (10).
- He's unlikely to wake up.
- You can go if you want with me.
- If he doesn’t wake up, find me by smell. I have a camp.
Now return to the camp and select “long rest”. The next day you will see Shkryab in the parking lot. Talk to him again. As a result, he will remain in your camp.
Pet Skryab and the bear cub
So, after taming the bear cub and the dog, rest in the camp until a new scene starts. You will hear a terrible scream. Hurry to this sound. You will see your pets lying together. Choose the following action options (without using the animal communication skill):
- Call them.
- Look meaningfully at Skryab and nod towards the cub: “Is everything okay?” . Here you will need to pass a Training test (5).
- Pet Shkryab.
- Pet the bear.
If you drink a potion or If you cast a spell to communicate with animals, the conversation will go a little differently. You can choose any answers to find out why the baby was screaming. It turned out that he had a terrible dream with goblins. You will also learn that the little bear had an older brother, but his mother ate him. Now it’s clear why he devoured his parent with such pleasure.
Finish the conversation and get a bronze achievement. You can also then watch how Shkryab plays with the little bear in the camp.
