House of Hope
The House of Hope is Raphael's private fortress in Avernus, visited to steal the Orphic Hammer (or a signed contract) and plunder the devil's personal vault. Infiltrators must bypass the Archivist, obtain a secret phrase from the Boudoir, rescue the imprisoned cleric Hope, and survive a climactic confrontation against Raphael to escape back through the portal.
- Region
- Avernus
- Levels
- 12
- Getting there
- Through the ritual portal on the second floor of the Devil's Fee (north of Lower City Central Wall waypoint) (X: -6491, Y: 2919)
- Connects to
- Devil's Fee, House of Hope Prison
- Related quests
- Acquire the Gauntlets for Helsik · Deal with the Devil · Escape the Deal · Free Orpheus · Save Hope
- Services and people
- Hope · Haarlep · Archivist · Restoration Faucets
- Enemy types
- Cambions · Imps · Hellish Spheres · Merregons · Vengeful Spectres · Raphael · Korrilla · Yurgir
The short version
What matters
- •Steal the Orphic Hammer, Amulet of Greater Health (sets CON to 23), and Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength (sets STR to 23) from the Archive pedestals.
- •Use the infinite restoration faucets in the Boudoir to fully replenish all spell slots and health between major battles.
- •Rescuing Hope and keeping her alive through the foyer battle rewards the monk best-in-slot Gloves of Soul Catching.
Common mistakes
- •Agreeing to give Haarlep your "mind and soul" in the Boudoir, which instantly triggers an unpreventable Game Over.
- •Forgetting to disarm the DC 20 Sleight of Hand pressure plates on the Archive side pedestals before taking the loot, sounding the alarm prematurely.
- •Casting heavy Radiant damage spells while Raphael's cambions hold Fleeting Protection, which reflects double the damage back onto the caster as Fire damage (Raphael instead counters with Punish Divinity to stun the caster).
Walkthrough
The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.
-
1
Foyer and Banquet Hall
When you step through the portal into the entrance foyer, speak kindly to Hope’s projection to receive Debtor's Attire disguises that allow you to explore freely without fiends attacking. Walk through the main halls and banquet area past Korrilla and the oblivious debtors to scout the estate while unhindered.
Tip: Debtor disguises let you explore the entire upper floor peacefully until you trigger an alarm or attack someone.
Watch out: Attacking any resident or removing your disguise prematurely turns the entire estate instantly hostile.
-
2
Raphael's Secret Treasure Vault
Head down the north hallway directly opposite the Boudoir entrance to find an Inert Infernal Gem on the wall (X: -6481, Y: 2942). Pass a DC 10 Wisdom check followed by a DC 20 Arcana check on the gem to slide open the secret chamber wall. Step inside to loot the Helldusk Helmet, the Staff of Spellpower, Mol's infernal contract from a pedestal, and 666 gold.
Tip: Use Guidance and an Arcana-proficient character for the DC 20 check to avoid triggering the knockback trap.
Watch out: Failing the ability checks on the Inert Infernal Gem triggers a blast that pushes characters backward, dealing damage.
-
3
The Archive Infiltration
Enter the western wing's Archive to consult the Archivist after speaking with Hope's projection near the doorway. Pass dialogue checks to pose as Verillius Receptor—Zariel's High Inquisitor—to cow the Archivist into giving you the Boudoir Invitation pass. Examine the Orphic Hammer (or your contract) under its arcane barrier in the center, and locate the trapped side pedestals holding the Amulet of Greater Health and Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength.
Tip: Deceiving the Archivist gives you peaceful passage through the mystic force curtain leading into Raphael's bedroom.
Watch out: Do not touch any items on the pedestals yet; removing them triggers the alarm before you have the counter-charm words.
-
4
The Boudoir and Haarlep
Walk north through the Mystic Force Curtain using your Boudoir Invitation and confront the incubus Haarlep lounging upon Raphael's bed. Refuse to surrender your soul to initiate combat against Haarlep and their vengeful imps, then loot the Helldusk Gloves and Raphael's Safe Key from Haarlep's remains. Move to the wall painting to the left of the bed, press the hidden button to reveal Raphael's wall safe, open it to read the note revealing the counter-charm words ("Give me my heart's desire"), and drink from the nearby bath faucets to restore your party's resources completely.
Key fight: HaarlepTip: The restoration bath faucets in the Boudoir can be reused infinitely before you leave, acting as a full Long Rest between every fight.
Watch out: Surrendering both your mind and soul to Haarlep results in an instant, irreversible Game Over.
-
5
Heist in the Archive
Return to the Archive and disarm the DC 20 Sleight of Hand trap plates beneath the side pedestals to pocket the Amulet of Greater Health and Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength. Speak the safe's passphrase ("Give me my heart's desire") to dismiss the barrier over the center display, then seize the Orphic Hammer (or your contract). Grabbing the central quest item immediately sets off sirens across the estate, mutating all debtors into fiends and spawning roving hellspheres.
Tip: Disarm the pressure plates under the side pedestals before taking the gear to prevent setting off alarms early.
Watch out: Forgetting to disarm the plates or grabbing the center artifact before you are completely prepared will permanently plunge the estate into alert.
-
6
Rescuing Hope
Fight through the alerted hallways to the eastern wing and descend the hatch down into Hope's Prison (X: -6450, Y: 2985). Eliminate the two Spectators and six vengeful imps stationed on the platforms, then loot the Burnished Ring directly from a defeated Spectator. Equip the Orphic Hammer and strike the two glowing infernal crystals anchoring Hope in midair to free her so she joins your party as a playable cleric.
Key fight: Hope's Prison SpectatorsTip: Keep your distance from platform edges to prevent imps or Spectators from knocking party members into the bottomless void.
Watch out: Hope can only be liberated using the Orphic Hammer; any other weapon will bounce off her binding crystals harmlessly.
-
7
Showdown at the Entrance Foyer
Return to the Boudoir bath taps to fully refresh your spell slots and health, then proceed to the entrance foyer where Raphael blocks the exit portal alongside Korrilla, Yurgir, and six cambions. Pass a DC 30 Persuasion check on Yurgir to convince him to switch sides and fight Raphael alongside your party. Focus down the four Soul Pillars in the corners to break Raphael's empowered state, knock out Korrilla with non-lethal attacks if you wish to spare her, and finish Raphael off to loot the Helldusk Armour before speaking to Hope at the portal for the Gloves of Soul Catching.
Key fight: RaphaelTip: Use radiant-resistant barriers or silence and destroy all four corner pillars quickly to strip Raphael of soul charges.
Watch out: Divine Intervention or radiant damage can backfire lethally against Raphael and his cambions due to Fleeting Protection/Radiant Retort.
Choices here
What you decide here and what it leads to.
Haarlep's Proposal
Speaking with Haarlep in the Boudoir
- Surrender body→ Haarlep peacefully hands over the safe key and later takes your form on Toril, but you miss out on looting their Helldusk Gloves
- Surrender mind and soul→ Instant Game Over as your soul is consumed
- Refuse and fight→ Killing Haarlep lets you loot the Helldusk Gloves and safe key
Most players pick: Refuse and fight
Point of no return for getting the Helldusk Gloves.
Hope's Rescue
In the sub-level prison with the Orphic Hammer acquired
- Smash the crystals with the Orphic Hammer→ Hope is freed, joins your party as a high-level Cleric ally for the escape, and rewards the legendary Gloves of Soul Catching if she survives the boss fight
- Abandon or ignore Hope→ Hope remains imprisoned, and you lose access to her combat assistance and unique item rewards
Most players pick: Smash the crystals with the Orphic Hammer
Requires the Orphic Hammer; you cannot return to free her once you exit through the main portal.
Korrilla's Fate
During the final escape battle against Raphael at the portal
- Kill Korrilla→ Korrilla dies permanently, causing Hope to mourn her sister during the post-battle dialogue
- Knock out Korrilla with non-lethal melee damage→ Korrilla survives the fight, and Hope gratefully thanks you for sparing her sister
Most players pick: Knock out Korrilla with non-lethal melee damage
Lethal spells, ranged attacks, and Yurgir's AoE attacks will easily kill her due to her low HP (24 HP).
Yurgir's Allegiance
Dialogue with Raphael and Yurgir at the exit portal
- Pass the DC 30 Persuasion check→ Yurgir betrays Raphael, fights alongside your party as a powerful ally, and becomes a summonable ally for the final battle in the endgame
- Fail the check or attack→ Yurgir fights alongside Raphael as an enemy boss minion
Most players pick: Pass the DC 30 Persuasion check
Extremely high DC 30 check; using Inspiration or Charisma-boosting buffs is strongly recommended.
Checklists
Don't miss 0/10
Secrets
0/2
Key fights
Enemies: Haarlep (Incubus) and 6 Vengeful Imps
Threats: Notable abilities: Ethereal Escape (becomes invulnerable/invisible after being damaged), Incubus's Charm (mind controls target), Draining Kiss, flight, while Imps cast Eldritch Blast and Fire Bolt
Weaknesses and resistances: Weaknesses: susceptible to burst damage before triggering Ethereal Escape, and vulnerable to crowd control like Hold Monster/Tasha's Hideous Laughter; Resistances: resistant to cold, fire, lightning, poison, and non-magical physical damage
Tactics: Tactics and positions: Station high-initiative martial or burst casters right next to the bed or at the room's threshold/chokepoint to burst Haarlep down before his turn; eliminate surrounding Vengeful Imps with area-of-effect spells like Cone of Cold or Ice Storm
Rewards: Rewards: Helldusk Gloves, Key to Raphael's Safe, Raphael's Safe combination, and access to the Orphic Hammer/Contract
Enemies: 2 Spectators and 6 Vengeful Imps
Threats: Notable abilities: Eyestalk Actions (Paralyzing Ray, Fear Ray, Wounding Ray), flight, bite attacks, and Vengeful Imps harassing with ranged fire/force attacks
Weaknesses and resistances: Weaknesses: low Dexterity and susceptible to blind, prone, or crowd control (e.g., Hold Monster, Banishment); Resistances: resistant to radiant damage
Tactics: Tactics and positions: Utilize the narrow elevated entrance ledge and stone staircase leading down to the prison cell as a defensive high-ground chokepoint; pull the first Spectator backward out of range of the second to fight them separately, using Counterspell to negate paralyzing eye rays while breaking Hope's crystal bindings with the Orphic Hammer
Rewards: Rewards: Burnished Ring (casts Paralyzing Ray), freeing Hope as a full companion for the escape
Enemies: Raphael (Fiend/Ascended Fiend form), Korrilla, Yurgir (if not persuaded), and 6 Vengeful Cambions
Threats: Notable abilities: 4 Soul Pillars (granting Soul Charge to empower Raphael's Hellfire spells, multi-attacks, and Ascended Fiend transformation), Soul Consumption, Hellfire Blast, Beguiling Presence, and Cambions casting Rays of Fire/Draining Kiss
Weaknesses and resistances: Weaknesses: Soul Pillars are vulnerable to Bludgeoning and Force damage; Raphael is susceptible to crowd control spells such as Hold Monster, Otto's Irresistible Dance, and Tasha's Hideous Laughter; Resistances: Raphael is immune to Fire and Poison, resistant to Cold, Lightning, and non-magical physical damage, and punishes radiant spells with Fleeting/Radiant Retort
Tactics: Tactics and positions: Pass DC 30 Persuasion check at the portal doorway chokepoint before combat to turn Yurgir to your side; rapidly destroy the four Soul Pillars with Force damage (e.g., Eldritch Blast, Disintegrate, Smokepowder/Runepowder Bombs, or bludgeoning weapons); use Globe of Invulnerability around your party near the entrance to safely absorb Raphael's high-damage Hellfire bursts; inca
Rewards: Rewards: Helldusk Armour, 1,400 XP, Raphael's Diary notes, and the freedom to exit the House of Hope portal
Enemies
Uses Soul Pillars to augment stats and transforms into an Ascended Fiend form
Incubus that charms characters and can phase out after taking hits
Fiendish flying aberrations deployed in Hope's Prison that inflict debilitating eye rays
Tips
- Use the Restoration Faucets inside Raphael's Boudoir before claiming the hammer to freely replenish all health and spell slots as if taking a full Long Rest.
- In the battle against Raphael, target the four corner Soul Pillars first to strip away his offensive empowerment and lower his defenses.
- A DC 30 Persuasion dialogue check can turn the Orthon mercenary Yurgir to fight as your ally against Raphael rather than your foe.
Not listed for this area: shops and people.
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