Save Arabella

Arabella could use a hand.

Save Arabella is a Quest available in the Emerald Grove, and begins when nearing the Sacred Pool.  Kagha, acting leader of the druids, is holding a tiefling child captive. Her parents want to make sure she is okay.

“

Girl? You mean parasite.

„

— Kagha, lover of all nature's children

Objectives

Find Arabella.

• "We learned that a child named Arabella is being held by the druids on charges of theft. We should check on her."

Save Arabella.

• "We found Arabella in the druid's lair. She's being judged by Kagha, the leader of the druids, and is clearly in trouble."

Return to Arabella's Parents.

• Intevene: "We managed to save Arabella, who immediately ran to her parents."
  • "Arabella is safe - her parents are grateful for our intervention."
• Do nothing: "Kagha's snake killed Arabella. Her parents should be informed."
  • Tell the truth: "We told Arabella's parents what happened. They were devastated."
  • Tell a lie: "We lied and told Arabella's parents that she was fine. They'll learn the bad news eventually - but not from us."

Walkthrough

Upon approaching the Druid's Chambers, the party can encounter a group of Tiefling Refugees arguing with the druids inside.  Komira and  Locke ask the party to head into the Chambers and check on their daughter  Arabella. Arabella was caught stealing the  Idol of Silvanus, a component that can be used in a magical ritual; the druids are using it in this way to seal off the Grove from outsiders.

The druids at the gate initially try to stop the party but, unless attacked or ignored repeatedly, soon relent and let them through. Upon entering the Druid's Chambers, Arabella can be found standing in judgement in front of  Kagha. Also present are some other druids and Kagha's restless, venomous snake  Teela. The party can watch and do nothing, in which case Teela bites and kills Arabella. If choosing to attack, a large-scale fight begins between the druids and the tieflings in the whole grove, where the druid  Rath then fights on the side of the tieflings.

To avoid both, the death of Arabella and the start of a fight, the party can attempt to reason with Kagha:

• [LAE'ZEL] [INTIMIDATION] Free the whelp, or I run your belly through with a blade. (DC 10)
• [DRUID] [NATURE] The girl is no threat. Jailing her disrupts nature's balance. (DC 10 )
• [NATURE] Don't druids cherish harmony? Jailing the girl disrupts nature's balance. (DC 12)
• [TIEFLING] [NATURE] Don't druids cherish harmony? Jailing the girl disrupts nature's balance. (DC 15)
• [PERSUASION] Release her. I'll see that she stays out of trouble. (DC 12)
• [DRUID] [PERSUASION] Release her. I'll see that she stays out of trouble. (DC 10 )
• [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] Release her. I'll see that she stays out of trouble. (DC 18)
• [DRUID] [PERSUASION] A seed nobly sown renders the sweetest fruit. Be noble - set her free. (DC 10 )
• [DRUID] [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] A seed nobly sown renders the sweetest fruit. Be noble - set her free. (DC 15)
• [OATH OF THE CROWN] [PERSUASION] I am sworn to uphold the law. I will judge this transgression. (DC 10)
• [PALADIN] [PERSUASION] I am versed in the ways of justice. Make your case, and I will pass judgement. (DC 10)
• [MONK] [PERSUASION] You act rashly - as a cornered viper would. Free the child or more tieflings will interrupt you. (DC 10 )
• [BARD] [PERSUASION] Silvanus was more concerned with 'nobly sown seeds' than punishing children, was He not? (DC 15)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] RELEASE HER. NOW. (DC 15 )
• [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] She's just a cub. Let her go, or tangle with me. (DC 15)
• [DETECT THOUGHTS] [WISDOM] Read Kagha's mind.
  • You've proven your authority. Now prove your mercy.
• [DRUID] [ANIMAL SPEAKING] Tell the snake to put Kagha at ease. The girl belongs with her own brood.

If the check is failed, there is another chance to convince Kagha to see reason:

• Your snake is prepared to kill this child. Do you want her death on your hands? (if passive DC 5 Nature check passed)
• [INTIMIDATION] Imprisoning her empowers the refugees. Are you willing to risk insurrection? (DC 10 )
• [BARBARIAN] [STRENGTH] Call off your snake or it goes in my dinner pot tonight. (DC 10)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] CALL OFF YOUR WORM. (DC 10 )
• [PERSUASION] Let the child go, so she can spread word to the others of your might. (DC 10 )
• [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] Let the child go, so she can spread word to the others of your might. (DC 15)

If succeeding any of these checks, Arabella is saved. Otherwise, Teela bites and kills Arabella. Whatever the outcome, the party can report it to her parents, which completes the quest.

Consequences

If ⁠Save the Refugees is resolved in favor of the tieflings, Arabella's fate has significant consequences:

• Arabella's survival is a key factor in Kagha's fate
• If Arabella survives, she can be found in:
  • Act Two, starting the quest ⁠Find Arabella's Parents
  • Act Three, as part of ⁠Gather Your Allies (provided she survives Act Two)

Companion Approval

Passing a Persuasion or Nature check:

 +8  +5  -1  +5  +5

Passing the Intimidation check as Lae'zel or talking to Teela with  Speak with Animals as a Druid:

 +8

In either case, if Gale has been recruited, his approval increases even if he is not present. This is one of several actions which advance the first stage of his personal quest, ⁠The Wizard of Waterdeep.

Quest rewards

• 45 XP
•  Komira's Locket, if Arabella is saved
• ⁠Not On My Watch (⁠Urchin background)
• ⁠Snake Whisperer (⁠Folk Hero background)