If you read the Tharchiate Codex—a codex required to complete The Necromancy of Thay—in the Elminster’s Vault in Baldur’s Gate 3, you will be cursed with the Tharchiate Withering Curse in BG3.
Fortunately, the Tharchiate Withering Curse can be removed with ease if you know what to do. Here’s how to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3:
What is the Tharchiate Withering Curse in BG3?
The Tharchiate Withering curse is a curse that you get afflicted with when you read the Tharchiate codex after you go inside the Elminster Vault. The codex shows you amazing magic you can use to control the dead, but this information comes with a cost.
The Tharchiate Withering curse lowers the Constitution of the character who read the book by five points, and in turn, reduces their maximum health, which can make things difficult for them in battle.
How to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse in BG3
There are two ways to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse in BG3. The first way is by yourself and the second way is with your trusty companion, Shadowheart.
The Shadowheart method is the best way to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse because it requires no leveling or learning Remove Curse.
How to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse by yourself in BG3
If you’re playing a Cleric, Paladin, Warlock, or Wizard, you can remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse yourself by casting Remove Curse on yourself, which is a level five Abjuration spell. Simply click on it or press the hotkey and target yourself or any other character inflicted with the curse.
How to remove the Tharchiate Withering Curse with Shadowheart in BG3
If you’re not playing any of these classes but have recruited Shadowheart as a companion, you can use her to remove the curse. She knows the Remove Curse spell by default. Switch to her and cast the spell on whichever character has been inflicted. She is an excellent companion for this very reason, especially when built correctly.
The Tharchiate Vigor buff in BG3
Once you remove the Tharchiate Withering curse with either of these methods, you’ll receive the Tharchiate Vigor buff. The Tharchiate Vigor buff is a passive bonus that grants the previously cursed player +20 Temporary Health Points.
Since this is the opposite of the Tharchiate Withering Curse, it’s a pleasant and helpful surprise. After you’ve been de-cursed and buffed, you can now proceed with the Necromancy of Thay. If you brought it, you’ll finally be able to read it here. This grants you the Danse Macabre spell, which allows you to summon six ghouls to fight alongside you in battle.
