All time-sensitive quests in BG3 – Baldur’s Gate 3

One of the best aspects of Baldur's Gate 3 is how it handles its narrative and branching storylines. Depending on how I proceed, I've encountered different scenarios through my various playthroughs. However, some many quests and encounters are time-sensitive, especially in Act 1. Let's look at what you can miss in Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur's Gate 3 - Time-Sensitive Quests Listed

The following quests, events, and encounters can be missed due to time sensitivity and rests in Baldur's Gate 3. Redditor Neville_Lynwood and fellow players have created a master list of these, but be warned, there are massive spoilers. Here are the time-sensitive quests, events, and encounters you can miss in Baldur's Gate 3.

Time-sensitive quests in Baldur's Gate Act 1

• Owlbear
  • The Owlbear in the cave dies after one rest upon entering the cave but not resolving it yourself.
• Grymforge Main Quest
  • Nere and some Gnomes will die if you long rest or visit the camp, exit the zone after entering twice.
• Druid Grove Ritual (Conflicting Information)
  • The Druid Grove ritual will complete and close off the grove after an estimated 10 long rests.
• Lae'Zel and Mountain Pass
  • Lae'Zel dies if she goes to confront the Githyanki party by herself and you go to camp or rest. Triggers if you move far enough away as well.
• Halsin and Goblin Camp
  • Halsin will escape if you kill at least 2 of the Goblin Leaders or leave the camp with Minthara to attack the Grove upon taking a long rest.
• Waukeen's Rest
  • NPCs will die inside the Burning Inn if you leave the area after discovering it.
• Cliffside Harpies
  • If you do not investigate the beach after triggering the quest, the Harpies will kill the Tiefling.
• Gnoll Ambush on Caravan
  • The Zhentharim Guards will die if you take a long rest after discovering the area.
• Windmill Gnome
  • The Gnome tied to the windmill will disappear after an undetermined amount of time.
• Myconid Village Gnome
  • Thulla will die if you do not give her the antidote within an undetermined number of rests or move to Act 2.
• Tiefling Bard
  • The quest to compose a song together disappears after clearing the Goblin Campl
• Tiefling Thief
  • The Tiefling Thief will die if not saved from Kagha by an undetermined time, but confirmed after clearing the Goblin Camp.
• Myrena's Brothers
  • Can be saved if you do not tell them you'll rescue their sister or knocking them out. Knocking them out has mixed results, making the option of not planning to save Myrena the best option.
• Bugbear Ambush
  • The Tiefling girl with the telescope only dies after progressing in the main story, number of rests does not appear to affect this encounter.
• Goblin Prisoner
  • If you free Halsin, the Goblin Prisoner will be killed in the Druid Camp.
• Wounded Illithid
  • The injured Mind Flayer in the wrecked ship will disappear after a while. Seems tied to main story progression and not rests.
• Ethel's Shop
  • Ethel can be encountered in the Grove selling potions. She will disappear after enough time or if you explore the swamp.
• Grove Gate Battle
  • If you do not reach the gate within a period of time, the forces outside the gate die, including Wyll. Additionally, the Tiefling who is killed on top of the gate will eventually be buried, and you can get unique dialogue by speaking to the other Tieflings.
• True Soul and Followers
  • If you discover the wounded True Soul and his followers, but rest before interacting with them, they will disappear.
• Gale Magic Item Requests
  • Gale asks for magic items after resting twice, or when his approval reaches fair. Certain locations also seem to trigger this.

Related: Things To Do Before Leaving Act 2 in Baldur’s Gate 3

Time-sensitive quests in Baldur's Gate Act 2

• Moonrise Tower Prisoners (Conflicting Information)
  • Will be lost if Shadowfell is completed.
• Roland
  • Rolan will die if he leaves the Last Light Inn. Avoid exploring the western part of this area until you get the quest to rescue him and his siblings.
• Drider Ambush
  • The Drider and his followers can disappear if you ignore the Ambush Mission.
• Halsin and the Shadow Portal
  • If you do not follow Halsin to the beach after starting the quest to save Thaniel, or take a long rest, he will die.

Related: Things to do before completing Act 3 – Baldur’s Gate 3

Time-sensitive quests in Baldur's Gate Act 3

• Printing Press Quest
  • If you long rest as the quest starts, the newspaper will publish bad things about your group.
• Kidnapping/Companion Death
  • Orin kills the refugee girl in camp and kidnaps your companion, but the girl's death can be prevented by long resting after getting Baldur's Gate. If you rest enough times, your companion will die, but seems tied to completing the Tribunal.
• Councilor Florric
  • Councilor Florric will be sent to prison and executed after five long rests.
• Gortash Coronation
  • If you kill Orin and take a certain number of rests or leave the area, everyone but Gortash and his guards will die.
• Mystic Carrion
  • You must destroy Carrion's heart before killing him or he respawns. His heart moves to a new location if you wish to destroy it and kill him again.
• Duke Ravengard
  • After getting the ultimatum from Gortash in Redhammer's submersible, you have six turns to rescue Duke Ravengard before the prison explodes, meaning you lose all NPCs and party members who do not make it out.
• Harper Hideout
  • You can lock yourself from the Harper Hideout at Wyrm's Crossing by resting outside of it without going in.
• Murder Investigation
  • Many of the targets in the Lower City can die after arriving in this location but can be saved.

For more information on Baldur's Gate 3, check out Should you recruit Minthara in BG3? – Everything you lose & gain and Baldur’s Gate 3 Origin Characters Special Abilities on Pro Game Guides.