In Baldur's Gate 3, there are many characters ready to join your adventure. Not all of them are easy to find, sometimes requiring a series of additional actions. In this guide, we'll explain how to tame the owlbear cub almost at the very beginning of the game and settle the animal in your squad's camp.
After exploring the Druid's Grove, you will eventually head to the goblin camp. The conflict between these two groups occurs at the starting location, right after the illithid shipwreck. It doesn't matter which side you decide to support, the main thing is not to hurry straight to the goblin camp.
From the Grove, head east into the forest. Try to stick to the right side of the map, so you definitely won't miss the necessary place. If you are already on the bridge leading to the goblin-occupied village, turn right just before the gates.
You need to find a cave. It is large enough to notice the entrance without any checks. Inside, you will find a female owlbear and her cub. There is also a small shrine with a locked chest. You can freely explore the cave before interacting with the animals.
The situation can develop differently. Firstly, you can kill the mother on your own initiative or support several goblin minions preparing to attack. However, in no case should you kill the cub. After the battle, an additional choice will appear, where the little owlbear must remain alive.
Depending on your characteristics, the battle can be avoided. The «Speak with Animals» skill will be very helpful. If everything works out, just leave the mother alone, and after another long rest, the goblins will kill her themselves.
Don't forget to explore the shrine. There is a locked chest that deals damage every time you try to open it. To bypass the protection, jump to the large statue and examine it from the back. If you are attentive enough, you will find a Selunite prayer sheet. Read the prayer in front of the chest and take the contents.
Regardless of how the situation in the nest ends, leave the place, leaving the cub alone or with its mother. Now, you will have to find it in the goblin camp.
You will visit the camp as part of the story. Initially, you will pass through the captured village, where aggressive archers will immediately meet you, but they are quite easy to persuade to let you through.
The next obstacle will be the guard at the entrance to the camp. Try to talk him into letting you in; otherwise, you will have to clear the entire camp, which is a long and difficult fight. If you decide to eliminate the goblins, we advise killing them in small groups so that the others do not raise the alarm.
In the lower left corner of the main hall of the camp, find a goblin named Krolla. If the cub is not nearby, take a long rest, and it will definitely appear. Talk to Krolla to unlock the option «Chasing the Chicken». Before that, you should also talk to the bard-historian, who is held captive nearby. The option you need may not activate without talking to the prisoner.
So, you have two options. Either say that the goblins' game is cruel and persuade Krolla to give the animal away just like that, or actually play the game. Don't hesitate to threaten; any option where you have the most chances to pass the check will do.
In the game itself, you need to herd the owlbear cub to the end of the track into a pen. We recommend talking to the cub. Here, «Speak with Animals» will again be very helpful. Calm the owlbear cub and offer it to stay with you. As soon as you take the animal from the goblins, you can return for a long rest. Usually, it takes from one to three such rests for the cub to appear.
Once the owlbear cub appears, feed it. Unfortunately, you cannot take the animal into the combat squad, but you can communicate and interact with it at the camp.