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QuestsupportingSide missionModerate

Free the Artist in His Atelier

A Baldur's Gate 3 side quest that begins in the Zhentarim Basement and concludes at Lady Jannath's Estate, where you must confront the spirit haunting Oskar Fevras.

RoleA multi-act rescue and investigation quest involving Oskar Fevras, Lady Jannath, Kerri Evenfield, and a cursed painting.
Statusavailable
Importancesupporting
RewardA portrait of your character from Oskar may be received after completing the quest.
TimeVariable; the quest spans Act 1 and Act 3.
  • Quest typeSide quest
  • Acts involvedAct 1 and Act 3
  • Starting areaZhentarim Basement
  • Ending areaLady Jannath's Estate
  • Primary threatMalevolent spirit
  • Key itemTorch of Revocation
  • DifficultyModerateEditorial classification; unverified.

The difficulty label is an editorial estimate rather than an in-game rating.

Key takeaways

The quest is divided between an early freedom decision and a later supernatural investigation.

  • Free Oskar in Act 1 Find Oskar Fevras in the Zhentarim Basement and either pay Brem for his freedom or use dialogue skills to convince Brem to release him.
  • Return to Baldur's Gate The storyline resumes at Lady Jannath's Estate in Act 3, where a haunting involving poltergeists and cursed skulls must be investigated.
  • Obtain the required torch Mystic Carrion provides the Torch of Revocation, the item needed to destroy the cursed painting connected to Kerri Evenfield.
  • Expect moral decisions The quest asks the party to decide how to treat Oskar and how to regard his relationship with Lady Jannath, so the resolution is not purely mechanical.
  • A portrait may be the reward Completing the quest can result in Oskar giving the player a portrait of their character.

Overview

Free the Artist in His Atelier is a side quest that begins with Oskar Fevras in the Zhentarim Basement and continues much later at Lady Jannath's Estate in Baldur's Gate.

The first part of the quest takes place in the Act 1 Zhentarim Basement. Oskar Fevras is being held there, and the party can intervene by purchasing his freedom from Brem or by using dialogue skills to persuade Brem to release him. This decision establishes whether Oskar leaves the basement as a free man and allows his story to continue into Act 3.

The quest resumes at Lady Jannath's Estate in the city of Baldur's Gate. The estate is under supernatural attack, with poltergeists and cursed skulls creating hazards as the party investigates what happened to Oskar and why the building has become dangerous. The investigation is not simply a rescue operation: it also reveals the importance of Oskar's past relationship with Kerri Evenfield.

Progress in the estate requires the Torch of Revocation, which is obtained from Mystic Carrion. The torch can destroy the cursed painting binding Kerri Evenfield's spirit, making it the key tool for resolving the haunting. The quest also presents moral choices about Oskar's fate and his relationship with Lady Jannath, and completion can lead to a portrait of the player character from Oskar.

Where this sits

Initial encounterOskar is held in the Zhentarim Basement.
Freedom decisionBrem can be paid or persuaded to release him.
Estate investigationThe quest resumes at Lady Jannath's Estate.
Haunting resolutionThe Torch of Revocation is used against the cursed painting.
  1. 1Find Oskar FevrasquestLocate the artist during the Zhentarim Basement section.
  2. 2Secure Oskar's freedomchoiceResolve the confrontation with Brem through payment or dialogue.
  3. 3Reach Act 3progressionContinue the story until the quest resumes in Baldur's Gate.
  4. 4Investigate Lady Jannath's EstateinvestigationDeal with the estate's supernatural dangers.
  5. 5Acquire the Torch of RevocationitemObtain the key item from Mystic Carrion.
  6. 6Destroy the cursed paintingresolutionBreak the binding connected to Kerri Evenfield.

The quest begins in Act 1 but cannot be fully resolved until its Act 3 continuation.

Requirements

The quest requires access to its two act-specific locations and the ability to resolve Brem's decision in Act 1.

  • RequiredReach the Zhentarim BasementThe opening encounter with Oskar Fevras takes place in the Zhentarim Basement during Act 1.
  • RequiredResolve Brem's decisionPurchase Oskar's freedom from Brem or use dialogue skills to convince Brem to release him.
  • RequiredReach Baldur's Gate in Act 3The second part of the quest resumes at Lady Jannath's Estate after the story advances to Act 3.
  • RequiredObtain the Torch of RevocationMystic Carrion is the source of the torch required to destroy the cursed painting.

Objectives

  1. Find Oskar Fevras in the Zhentarim Basement.The quest starts by locating the artist among the Zhentarim.
  2. Secure Oskar's release from Brem.Use payment or dialogue skills to make Brem release him.
  3. Investigate Lady Jannath's Estate.Return to the storyline in Baldur's Gate and examine the haunted estate.
  4. Survive the estate's supernatural threats.Poltergeists and cursed skulls make the investigation dangerous.
  5. Obtain the Torch of Revocation from Mystic Carrion.The torch is the key item needed for the quest's central supernatural task.
  6. Destroy the cursed painting.Use the Torch of Revocation to break the binding on Kerri Evenfield's spirit.
  7. Resolve Oskar's fate and his relationship with Lady Jannath.The conclusion includes moral choices rather than a single neutral outcome.

WalkthroughSpoilers

  1. 01

    Locate Oskar Fevras

    Enter the Zhentarim Basement

    Begin the quest in the Zhentarim Basement during Act 1 and look for Oskar Fevras among the Zhentarim. Speaking with him establishes that the artist is being held and gives the party a chance to intervene before leaving the area.

    Location: Zhentarim Basement

    TipTalk to Oskar before resolving the situation so you understand why he wants to leave.

  2. 02

    Negotiate Oskar's release

    Speak with Brem about Oskar

    Brem is the NPC who controls Oskar's immediate fate. Start the conversation with Brem and look for the available resolution that either uses your resources or relies on dialogue skills to change his mind.

    Location: Zhentarim Basement

    Watch outDo not leave the opening encounter unresolved if you want Oskar's storyline to continue into Act 3.

  3. 03

    Secure Oskar's freedom

    Purchase Oskar's freedom or persuade Brem

    The game allows two broad approaches: purchase Oskar's freedom from Brem or use dialogue skills to convince Brem to release the artist. The precise approach depends on the options available to your character, but both routes serve the same immediate objective.

    Location: Zhentarim Basement

    Checkpoint
  4. 04

    Reach the quest's continuation

    Allow the story to advance to Act 3

    This quest spans Acts 1 and 3, so its next major stage is not completed in the basement. Continue the campaign until the party reaches Baldur's Gate, where the thread resumes at Lady Jannath's Estate.

    Location: Baldur's Gate

    TipTreat the Act 1 conversation as the setup for a later return rather than expecting an immediate conclusion.

  5. 05

    Investigate the estate

    Go to Lady Jannath's Estate

    In Act 3, visit Lady Jannath's Estate to continue investigating Oskar's situation. The estate is haunted, so the location itself is part of the encounter rather than a safe place to conduct a normal conversation.

    Location: Lady Jannath's Estate

    Watch outThe estate contains hostile supernatural hazards, including poltergeists and cursed skulls.

  6. 06

    Find the source of the haunting

    Search through the haunted estate

    Advance through the estate while dealing with the supernatural activity. Poltergeists and cursed skulls can disrupt movement and combat, so keep the party prepared to respond as the investigation reveals the connection between Oskar and the haunting.

    Location: Lady Jannath's Estate

    TipApproach the investigation as both an exploration problem and a combat encounter; the environmental threats are central to this section.

  7. 07

    Acquire the Torch of Revocation

    Obtain the Torch of Revocation

    Locate Mystic Carrion and secure the Torch of Revocation before attempting the final supernatural resolution. The torch is the specific item identified by the quest as necessary for destroying the cursed painting.

    Location: Mystic Carrion's area

    Watch outAttempting to resolve the painting without the required torch may leave the quest's central binding intact.

  8. 08

    Break Kerri Evenfield's binding

    Destroy the cursed painting

    Use the Torch of Revocation to destroy the cursed painting that binds Kerri Evenfield's spirit. This action addresses the supernatural cause of the estate's crisis and moves the quest toward its final conversation and moral resolution.

    Location: Lady Jannath's Estate

    Missable
  9. 09

    Complete the quest's moral resolution

    Resolve Oskar's fate

    After the haunting has been addressed, decide how to handle Oskar's fate and his relationship with Lady Jannath. The quest recognizes different moral positions, so choose the response that fits your character rather than assuming every outcome is equivalent.

    Location: Lady Jannath's Estate

    Checkpoint
  10. 10

    Claim the available reward

    Collect Oskar's possible reward

    A completed resolution can result in receiving a portrait of your character from Oskar. Check the outcome of the final interaction before leaving the estate so you do not overlook the quest's potential reward.

    Location: Lady Jannath's Estate

Mission mechanics

This quest uses delayed progression: the opening decision occurs in Act 1, while the major investigation is reserved for Act 3. That structure means the player must remember Oskar's earlier situation and recognize Lady Jannath's Estate as the point where the thread becomes active again.

The estate section combines investigation with hostile environmental encounters. Poltergeists and cursed skulls are specifically identified threats, so party positioning and careful exploration matter even though the quest's core objective is narrative rather than a conventional battlefield mission.

The Torch of Revocation is the quest's gating item. Mystic Carrion is the named source, and the torch has a precise purpose: destroying the cursed painting that binds Kerri Evenfield's spirit. The item therefore connects the investigation to the final resolution instead of serving as a general combat reward.

What works and what does not

Strengths

  • Its Act 1-to-Act 3 structure gives the quest a longer narrative arc than a single-location side activity.
  • The opening freedom decision supports more than one style of play by allowing payment or dialogue-based persuasion.
  • The haunted estate gives the later investigation a distinct mechanical identity through poltergeists and cursed skulls.
  • The cursed painting and Torch of Revocation provide a clear connection between the investigation and its resolution.

Weaknesses

  • The long gap between the opening and continuation can make the quest easy to forget.
  • The quest's exact resolution depends on moral choices, so players seeking one unambiguous outcome may find the conclusion less direct.
  • The available facts do not establish a complete room-by-room route through Lady Jannath's Estate.

Best uses

  • Start the quest when exploring the Zhentarim Basement so Oskar's freedom is addressed early.
  • Return to the estate with the Torch of Revocation in hand rather than treating the haunting as an ordinary investigation.
  • Use the quest's choices to role-play a consistent position on Oskar's actions and his relationship with Lady Jannath.

PhasesSpoilers

  1. 1

    The Zhentarim negotiation

    Starts: Speaking with Oskar and Brem in the Act 1 Zhentarim Basement.

    The opening phase is a social confrontation over Oskar's freedom. The party can pay Brem or use dialogue skills to persuade him to release the artist.

    • Resolve Oskar's status before leaving the basement.
    • The supported routes are payment and dialogue-based persuasion.
  2. 2

    The estate haunting

    Starts: Entering the Act 3 continuation at Lady Jannath's Estate.

    The estate is haunted by poltergeists and cursed skulls. The party must investigate while managing these supernatural dangers.

    • Poltergeist activityTell Supernatural activity reveals itself as the party searches the estate.Answer Keep the party prepared for hostile encounters while advancing through the investigation.
    • Cursed skull hazardsTell Cursed skulls are part of the estate's dangerous supernatural environment.Answer Treat them as hazards to account for during exploration rather than ignoring them while pursuing the objective.
    • The estate is not a passive investigation site; its hazards can interfere with progress.
    • The source pack does not specify enemy counts or individual attack patterns.
  3. 3

    The painting resolution

    Starts: Obtaining the Torch of Revocation from Mystic Carrion and reaching the cursed painting.

    The torch is used to destroy the cursed painting that binds Kerri Evenfield's spirit. This breaks the central supernatural connection and leads into the quest's moral conclusion.

    • Secure the Torch of Revocation before attempting this objective.
    • Expect the final outcome to involve choices about Oskar and Lady Jannath.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

  • Purchase Oskar's freedom from Brem.

    Oskar is released through a payment-based resolution, allowing the quest to continue as an Act 3 storyline.

  • Use dialogue skills to convince Brem to release Oskar.

    Oskar is released through persuasion rather than purchase, preserving the same broad progression into the later part of the quest.

  • Destroy the cursed painting with the Torch of Revocation.

    The binding on Kerri Evenfield's spirit is addressed and the estate's central supernatural conflict moves toward resolution.

    Spoiler
  • Choose how to handle Oskar's fate and his relationship with Lady Jannath.

    The quest's moral outcome changes according to the party's response, although the supplied material does not specify every resulting variation.

    Spoiler

Checklist

  • Find Oskar Fevras in the Zhentarim Basement.This is the Act 1 starting point.
  • Speak with Brem about releasing Oskar.Brem controls the initial resolution.
  • Use payment or dialogue skills to secure Oskar's freedom.Either supported approach can release him.
  • Reach Baldur's Gate in Act 3.The quest resumes later rather than ending in Act 1.
  • Visit Lady Jannath's Estate.This is the location of the haunted investigation.
  • Prepare for poltergeists and cursed skulls.Both are identified threats in the estate.
  • Find Mystic Carrion.The Torch of Revocation is obtained from this NPC.
  • Take the Torch of Revocation to the cursed painting.The torch is required for the binding-related objective.
  • Destroy the cursed painting.This addresses Kerri Evenfield's binding.
  • Resolve the choices involving Oskar and Lady Jannath.The quest includes moral decisions at its conclusion.
  • Check whether Oskar provides a portrait reward.A portrait of the player character may be awarded.

Failure conditions

  • Leaving Oskar's Act 1 situation unresolvedThe quest depends on securing Oskar's freedom from Brem, either by purchasing it or by persuading Brem to release him.
  • Reaching the haunted estate without the required itemThe Torch of Revocation is required to destroy the cursed painting, so the central binding objective cannot be completed without it.
  • Ignoring the estate's supernatural hazardsPoltergeists and cursed skulls make Lady Jannath's Estate dangerous during the investigation; treating the location as harmless can expose the party to avoidable trouble.

On failure

The source material does not specify individual reload checkpoints, death states, or every way the quest can become unavailable. Those details require confirmation in-game.

Rewards

  • Portrait of your character
    Completing the quest can result in Oskar giving the player a portrait of their character.
  • Oskar's freedom
    The Act 1 resolution frees Oskar from the Zhentarim's custody and enables the later continuation of his story.

AftermathSpoilers

The haunting is tied to Oskar's past

Destroying the cursed painting with the Torch of Revocation addresses the binding of Kerri Evenfield's spirit. The remaining resolution concerns Oskar's fate and his relationship with Lady Jannath, and the outcome can include a portrait of the player character from Oskar.

Trivia

  • Free the Artist in His Atelier is unusual in that its story begins in Act 1 and resumes in Act 3.
  • The quest's title points to Oskar's role as an artist, while its later objectives focus on a painting and the spirit bound to it.
  • The opening obstacle can be handled through either a material solution or a dialogue solution.
  • The quest combines a freedom negotiation, a haunted-estate investigation, and a moral resolution involving personal relationships.

Sources

Relationships

Characters

  • Oskar FevrasQuest subjectThe artist whose freedom and supernatural crisis drive the quest.
  • BremAct 1 negotiationCan release Oskar through payment or persuasion.
  • Mystic CarrionKey item sourceProvides the Torch of Revocation.
  • Kerri EvenfieldSpirit in the paintingThe spirit bound to the cursed painting.

Locations

  • Zhentarim BasementStarting locationThe Act 1 location where Oskar is held.
  • Lady Jannath's EstateAct 3 locationThe haunted estate where the quest resumes.