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Emerald Grove
| Wilderness | ||||
| Forest | ← | Emerald Grove | → | Secluded Cove |
| ↓ | ||||
| Roadside Cliffs | ||||
“By Silvanus, the Forest Father, we are granted balance.
By Silvanus, the Old Oak, all death begets life.
By Silvanus, the Treefather, our turmoil is calmed.„
Overview[edit | edit source]
The Emerald Grove occupies a vast part of Wilderness north of the Nautiloid Wreck and east of the Forest. It also is connected to the Risen Road location. Entering this area for the first time grants the party 10 XP at level 2, 30 XP at level 3, and 40 XP at level 4.
The Emerald Grove consists of several distinctive parts, including the large cavern known as the Hollow, the basin of consecrated land encompassing the Sacred Pool and the Inner Sanctum, and a rocky rivershore part known as Secluded Cove. Parts of it are connected together by the Underground Passage.
As the party arrive at the Emerald Grove, they learn of tensions threatening to tear the place apart. In the absence of Halsin their First Druid, the druids of the Emerald Grove are currently led by Kagha. Prior to the game events Halsin provided temporary refuge for the tiefling refugees from Elturel, led by Zevlor.
However, since then the relationship between the two groups has become strained. The Emerald Grove is on high alert due to the aggression of nearby goblins, as well as sightings of various beasts like gnolls on the adjacent territories. Kagha blames the tieflings for the worsening of the environment. To protect the Emerald Grove, she has ordered the druids to perform the Rite of Thorns, which would seal the Emerald Grove off from the world. The tiefling refugees must leave before the rite is concluded. Most druids in the grove share her point of view, or comply with it.
Emerald Grove ramparts[edit | edit source]
The entrance to the Emerald Grove is protected by the overgrown portcullis which can only be opened with a winch above the gate. Next to the winch is a war horn that can 
the defenders and their allies if the grove is attacked. Several tieflings keep watch on the top of the ramparts. If any tieflings die during the events of Act One, their remains may be found in the burial site nearby at X: 180 Y: 445.
The path from the ramparts' portcullis leads into the Hollow. There are two descends to the small ground in front of the cavern entrance: a wooden ladder and a path past the grave site. Also, a side path leads to a makeshift lookout post on the eastern rocky hill, from where the party can reach the elevator down to the Sacred Pool.
When the party arrive at the Emerald Grove, Aradin, Barth, and Remira are rushing toward the gate, pursued by a pack of goblins. The goblins kill the gatekeeper Kanon, trapping the three adventurers outside and forcing them and the party into combat. Wyll enters the fray, leaping from the ramparts to help defend the Emerald Grove. If all allied defenders survive, 
inspiration is granted to characters with the 
background.
If the party head to the ramparts immediately upon entering the Emerald Grove, they can speak with Kanon's sister Arka. Regardless of whether the party interact with her, Arka proceeds to the Makeshift Prison with Memnos following her.
On the path leading into The Hollow within the Emerald Grove, Aradin and Zevlor argue about the goblins' attack. Upon approaching, the dialogue with both starts automatically. The party can decide whether to try and calm both down, or take any side; the location of Aradin and his crew afterwards depends on the outcome.
After the argument, Zevlor thanks the party for defending the Emerald Grove and asks them to speak with Kagha to prevent the Rite of Thorns from being completed. This initiates the 
quest. If the subquest has not been started yet, the party can learn of Nettie through Zevlor, which adds this subquest under .
Near the main entrance of the Emerald Grove, Nadira can be found on the hill east of the ramparts at X: 242 Y: 451. She is being stalked by a Bugbear Assassin and is murdered if the party fail to rescue her. If saved, however, Nadira is suspicious towards the party, accusing them of "reeking of Avernus' stench". If convinced, she awards the party with a 
Soul Coin. Interacting with Nadira's telescope provides the party with a glimpse of locations to the northwest: the burning Waukeen's Rest inn and the red dragon, hovering presumably over the Mountain Pass.
From Nadira's lookout post, a path winds down from the hill toward an elevator to the Sacred Pool. The elevator is initially blocked in its lower position by the slumbering bear Tuffet, who must be coaxed to move. Otherwise, 
can be used to descend. At X: 262 Y: 467 a buried chest can be found, containing gold and random alchemical ingredients. It requires a 
DC 12 Survival check to detect it.
Near the upper level of the elevator at X: 239 Y: 467, an aggressively territorial squirrel named Timber hops around. The party can decide whether to placate the squirrel or to punt her into the nearby rocks. The Dark Urge can only control this choice if 
is active. Otherwise, their body acts on its own. Killing Timber in this way awards to them, if it has not been obtained yet. If placated, Timber gives the party a rare alchemical ingredient, a 
Hyena Ear.
The Hollow[edit | edit source]
The Hollow is a cavernous location north of the ramparts. It encompasses sublocations as the Secluded Chamber and the Tiefling Hideout and provides entrance to the Sacred Pool. The Underground Passage connects the Hollow to the Inner Sanctum of the Emerald Grove and to the Forest. There is also an option to reach the Risen Road through it.
The majority of the tiefling refugees are gathered here, as well as several traders. Wyll can be recruited into the party here, and also Shadowheart, if she has not joined prior.
Various encounters within The Hollow can progress personal quests of Karlach and Lae'zel, start global quests like , as well as evolve the main quest .
Sacred Pool[edit | edit source]
The Sacred Pool lies in the heart of the Emerald Grove. It occupies a basin north-west to the Hollow and provides access to the Inner Sanctum via the stone door at X: 25 Y: -10 and to the Secluded Cove via a path to the northeast. At its southern side, an elevator leads to the Emerald Grove ramparts.
The 
Idol of Silvanus rests at the centre of giant cromlech in the middle of the basin, surrounded by druids performing the Rite of Thorns.
Several notable characters, like Volo and Alfira, can be encountered in or near the Sacred Pool proper. Also some quests, like , and can be progressed here.
Inner Sanctum[edit | edit source]
The Inner Sanctum is a subterranean location accessed through the stone door in the Sacred Pool. It is a series of caverns, divided with stone doors and marked as distinct sublocations on the map: the Servants' Quarters, the Druids' Chambers, and the Enclave Library. The Inner Sanctum is also connected with the Underground Passage via a trapped antechamber in its farmost end. The Hidden Vault of the grove is accessible via the secret passage in the library.
Four frescos line the central cave of the Inner Sanctum, depicting the history of the Emerald Grove. If Shadowheart is in the party and her true worship has already been revealed, studying the frescos progresses her .
Several druids can be encountered in this part of the grove, notably Kagha, the acting leader of the druids, and Rath reside in the central cave. Halsin's apprentice Nettie can be found in the Druids' Chambers. She can unlock the door to the Enclave Library.
Also, in the Inner Sanctum the party can resolve the quest, as well as progress the quests and .
Secluded Cove[edit | edit source]
The Secluded Cove is a series of paths over rocky cliffs running to the river shore, connected with patches of knotted roots, and several separately standing rocks as well. It can be accessed from the Sacred Pool or jumping from above.
The area offers the quest where Mirkon must be saved from several Harpies. This quest has an impact on further interacting with the tiefling children out- and inside the Tiefling Hideout.
Underground Passage[edit | edit source]
The Underground Passage is a tunnel connecting the Hollow and the Enclave Library with the Forest. It is trapped with several guardian statues which hurl flames at any trespassers in sight. The flames deal 2d6
damage and also inflict 3 turns of 
on a failed DC 12 
Dexterity saving throw.
In the passage the party can save Findal from several goblins scouts searching a path inside the grove.
The party can use the passage to provide themselves a means to unlock the Enclave Library without dealing with Nettie, and to resolve quests like as well.
History[edit | edit source]
The frescos in the Inner Sanctum depict the legacy of the Emerald Grove. It was founded by the 
who consecrated this land in the name of Silvanus, one of the gods of nature.
Having claimed the land, the Druids set to drive out the monsters from their new demesne. They mustered all the might of nature to prevail.
However, their strife was not over. Referred to as the "Darkest Hour", the Druids enter a concord with the Harpers to fight "the shade" - the growing aggressive presence of the followers of 
in the region, led by the general Ketheric Thorm.
Together, they battled against Sharran army. The final fresco depicts a group of victorious allies, a Sharran helmet lying broken at their feet.
Interactions with frescos and their possible results are listed in the article describing the Inner Sanctum.
-
By claw and tooth, from root to thorn,
The Old Oak's grove, to wildlings sworn. -
The forest rose with claw and tooth,
To tear the darkness from its roots.
-
In darkest hour, a concord made,
Twixt harp and wild against the shade. -
The towers seized, the battle done,
The moonrise broke the Darkest One.
Waypoints[edit | edit source]
This location contains the following 
:
- Emerald Grove Environs X: 246 Y: 423
Locations[edit | edit source]
Characters[edit | edit source]
Aradin's Crew[edit | edit source]
Druids[edit | edit source]
Shadow Druids[edit | edit source]
Tieflings[edit | edit source]
Animals[edit | edit source]
Other[edit | edit source]
Traders[edit | edit source]
Speak with Dead[edit | edit source]
- Ned'Cirannis in the Enclave Library X: -444 Y: 15
Loot[edit | edit source]
Amulet of Silvanus - under a rock near Ormn
Broodmother's Revenge - carried by Kagha
Cap of Curing - near Alfira in a 
Gilded Chest
Gloves of Power - carried by Za'krug
Key of the Ancients - carried by Nettie and Findal
Nature's Snare - Underground Passage in a 
Heavy Chest
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring - carried by Strange Ox
Quest items[edit | edit source]
Quest rewards[edit | edit source]
Related quests[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
North East -
South East -
Concept art by Dan Iorgulescu -
Concept art by Dan Iorgulescu
Notes[edit | edit source]
- Several things are mentioned to have happened "yesterday", the day before the party arrives at the grove. Sazza was captured (Arka: "A goblin we captured yesterday."), and Rikka killed a goblin (Rikka: " I got a goblin myself, yesterday. Shot her through the throat.").
