Look, I love Astarion. I also love not being impaled by an ancient vampire. So when Baldur's Gate 3 dragged me into Act 3 and pointed me toward Cazador's Palace—also known as Szarr Palace—I did what any reasonable player would do: I panicked, looted everything, and forgot to bring a rogue. 🙃

In 2026, this game is still eating my free time like a vampire spawn at a blood buffet. The palace sits in the Central Wall section of the Lower City. You learn about it by confronting vampire spawn outside the Outer City. And yes, keep Astarion in your party. Why? Because unique dialogue options are fun, and also because I enjoy not being turned into a pincushion.

Getting Past The Guards: Lie, Fight, Or Improvise

The first hurdle is the servants guarding the entrance. You can attack them, which is honest but messy. Or you can trick them with a high Deception check. Having a Bard or Warlock in your party helps because both usually have high Charisma, and Charisma is the stat that makes your lies sound like expensive truth. Why fight when you can gaslight? That's basically the Baldur's Gate 3 motto.

Once inside, find the Sinister Door. It's at coordinates (X: 70, Y: -55), at the end of the northern hallway. You'll know it because it looks sinister. Shocking, I know. The door won't budge without two specific items, and the palace residents are not exactly helpful. You may have to interact with them, whether they're hostile or just judgmental.

The Szaar Signet Ring: Godey, You Beautiful Bonehead

The Szaar Signet Ring is held by Godey, a skeleton guard. To find him, speak to Vilhelm in the main hall. Then pass a DC 18 Persuasion, Intimidation, or Deception check. I chose Deception because my character's moral compass is more of a spinning top. If you succeed, Vilhelm tells you Godey is past a secret door in the lower levels.

Now, here's the important part: if Astarion isn't in your party, Godey attacks immediately. If Astarion is with you, you get special dialogue options that might convince the skeleton to hand over the ring without a fight. Godey is a tricky enemy, so unless you enjoy surprise necromancy, bring the vampire. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. My cleric is still complaining.

The Kozakuran Dictionary: A Wardrobe, A Curse, and My Poor Decisions

After you get the ring from Godey in the Kennels area, head south until you reach a door. With a high enough Arcana check, you'll sense a Sapping Curse—necrotic energy that makes the room ahead feel like a bad breakup. Open the door and navigate through the curse until one party member reaches the Wardrobe next to the bed. That's where the Kozakuran Dictionary hides.

How do you get there without melting? Use Misty Step or Fly if you have them. It's much safer than watching your whole party play 'the floor is necrotic lava.' A Scroll of Remove Curse also removes the effect, letting you loot the rest of the room. And oh, the loot: the Ornate Chest contains the Helmet of Grit, a Scroll of Globe of Invulnerability, and plenty of gold. Is it worth the risk? For fashion and money? Always.

Opening The Sinister Door (Finally)

Once you have both the Szaar Signet Ring and the Kozakuran Dictionary, return to the Sinister Door. Read the magical incantation from the ring, using the dictionary to translate the arcane writing. The door opens, and you're one step closer to Cazador. Congratulations! You've traded a dungeon crawl for a boss fight. What could possibly go wrong?

Here's a quick cheat sheet:

Final Thoughts From A Sleep-Deprived Player

Would I do this quest again in 2026? Absolutely. Would I forget to bring Astarion? ...Maybe. The man has opinions, and most of them are about murder. But his companion quest is one of the best in Baldur's Gate 3, and reaching Cazador's ritual chamber is worth every failed Deception check.

So grab your ring, translate your dictionary, and open that Sinister Door. Just don't blame me if you hear a vampire lord laughing somewhere in the dark. 🧛🩸