Emerald Grove
The Emerald Grove serves as an early-game sanctuary where druids and displaced tiefling refugees clash under the impending threat of a goblin army. Players can investigate leadership conspiracies, rescue captives, resolve the territorial tensions peacefully or violently, and search for remedies to their parasite.
- Region
- Wilderness
- Levels
- 2-4
- Getting there
- North from the Roadside Cliffs / Ravaged Beach, past the Emerald Grove Environs waypoint to the stone gate (X: 216, Y: 411)
- Connects to
- The Hollow, Sacred Pool, Inner Sanctum, Secluded Cove, Underground Passage, Wilderness
- Related quests
- Save the Refugees · Find a Cure · Investigating Kagha · Save Arabella · Steal the Sacred Idol · Investigate the Beach · Save the First Druid · Defeat the Goblins
- Services and people
- Dammon (blacksmith / trader) · Arron (trader) · Auntie Ethel (trader) · Mattis (trader) · Nettie (healer) · Zevlor · Kagha · Rath
- Enemy types
- Goblins · Bugbears · Worgs · Harpies · Wood Woads · Mud Mephits · Shadow Druids · Druids
The short version
What matters
- •Intervene to save Arabella from Kagha's snake, as her survival secures powerful alliances, rewards, and major storylines in Acts 2 and 3.
- •Rescue Mirkon from the harpies at the Secluded Cove to gain safe passage into the Tiefling Hideout and unlock Mol's questlines.
- •Acquire the Rune of the Wolf to open the Hidden Vault beneath the Enclave Library for the rare glaive Sorrow and the Robe of Summer.
Common mistakes
- •Attacking Kagha immediately upon Zevlor's request causes the druids to purge The Hollow, killing Dammon, Alfira, and all tiefling allies.
- •Stealing the Idol of Silvanus while the Rite of Thorns is still running sparks grove-wide warfare; halt the ritual first via investigation or defeating the goblin leaders.
- •Failing to cure Pandirna before interacting with the crates in her shed prompts her to shout for guards, quickly turning the tieflings hostile.
What you can skip
- •You can safely ignore Auntie Ethel's cure offer in The Hollow, as her full questline and proper resolution await in the Sunlit Wetlands.
Walkthrough
The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.
-
1
Defend the Outer Gate
Approach the gate at X: 216, Y: 411 near the Emerald Grove Environs waypoint to trigger an ambush where you must defeat Za'krug's goblin raiding party alongside Wyll and the tieflings. After the battle, head inside the gateway courtyard to de-escalate the brawl between Aradin and Zevlor before advancing further into the settlement.
Key fight: Emerald Grove Gate BattleTip: Climb onto the raised earthen ledge to the north for high ground advantage against the goblin archers.
Watch out: Avoid firing explosive spells near friendly tiefling defenders, as hitting them can turn the entire grove hostile immediately.
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2
Explore The Hollow
Walk down into The Hollow to recruit Wyll near the training dummies, converse with the refugee leader Zevlor, and trade with vendors like Arron, Dammon, and Auntie Ethel. Talk to the arguing tiefling siblings Rolan, Cal, and Lia to convince them to stay, interrogate Zorru to advance Lae'zel's search, and converse with the Strange Ox using Speak with Animals.
Tip: Cure Pandirna's paralyzed legs in the locked storage shed using Lesser Restoration to loot the area without angering her.
Watch out: Watch your coin purse around the scammer children Mattis and Silfy, or keep a companion watching nearby to catch them in the act.
-
3
Handle the Makeshift Prison
Head west from The Hollow into the Makeshift Prison cave where Arka has drawn a crossbow on the caged goblin Sazza. Step between them to talk Arka down if you intend to spare Sazza, or choose to let Arka take her vengeance. If you decide to free Sazza, pick the cage lock and guide her out through the hidden rear ledge entrance leading directly into the Underground Passage.
Tip: Freeing Sazza provides a non-violent escort route directly through the gates of the Goblin Camp.
Watch out: If you let Arka shoot Sazza, you forfeit the easiest peaceful entry route to the Goblin Camp and lock yourself out of Sazza's long-term storyline.
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4
Descend to the Sacred Pool and Cove
Follow the southeastern downward trail to the Sacred Pool at X: 243, Y: 507, where you will find druids conducting the Rite of Thorns around the Idol of Silvanus while Volo interviews a bear. Head down to the water's edge at X: 262, Y: 481 to move a flat stone near the fishing bear Ormn, then ascend the path above to help Alfira compose her ballad before proceeding east toward the Secluded Cove at X: 298, Y: 541 to defeat the singing harpies and rescue the tiefling boy Mirkon.
Tip: Use Silence or Calm Emotions when battling the harpies at the Secluded Cove to neutralize their Luring Song.
Watch out: Grabbing the Idol of Silvanus while the ritual is active will incite the druids to immediately slaughter the tiefling refugees.
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5
Infiltrate the Tiefling Hideout
Return to the path between The Hollow and the Sacred Pool to locate the mute boy Doni, who will reveal the secret hatch to the Tiefling Hideout if you saved Mirkon or give the proper gesture. Alternatively, small-sized characters or druids using Wild Shape can squeeze through the small crevice at X: 224, Y: 564. Speak with Mol inside to accept her thievery jobs, including an optional request to steal the sacred idol.
Tip: Bringing Mirkon's recommendation makes Mol receptive and helpful rather than suspicious of your party.
Watch out: Threatening Mol or angering the children will cause them to run to the adults, turning the tiefling guards hostile against you.
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6
Confront Kagha in the Emerald Enclave
Open the stone door at X: 223, Y: 525 to enter the Inner Sanctum, where you must immediately intervene to stop Kagha's viper Teela from biting the captured child Arabella. Head into the Servants' Quarters to search Kagha's chest at X: -487, Y: -7 for evidence of her treason, then speak to Healer Nettie in the adjacent library, resolving her parasite interrogation peacefully to avoid being forced to drink wyvern toxin.
Tip: If you want to stop the Rite of Thorns without bloodshed, expose Kagha's Shadow Druid ties instead of attacking her on sight.
Watch out: Attacking Kagha in an unprovoked assault triggers an immediate grove purge where the druids kill the tieflings throughout the settlement.
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7
Access the Hidden Vault
In the Enclave Library, locate the central wolf monument surrounded by pedestals and insert the Rune of the Wolf to open the hidden staircase.
Tip: Rath will hand you the Rune of the Wolf willingly if you rescue Halsin and resolve the grove's conflict.
Watch out: Do not leave the area or let the grove seal behind the Rite of Thorns before claiming the vault loot, as the entrance becomes inaccessible.
Choices here
What you decide here and what it leads to.
Rolan's Departure
Talking to Rolan, Cal, and Lia arguing in The Hollow
- Convince them to stay→ Rolan and his siblings stay to protect the refugees; they survive to Act 2 where Rolan rescues tieflings, and can become a powerful ally in Act 3
- Let them leave / tell them to flee→ Rolan abandons the grove; multiple tiefling refugees die during the Act 2 ambushes, Cal and Lia die, and Rolan becomes bitter and hostile to you in Act 3
Most players pick: Convince them to stay
Required to keep all tiefling refugees alive for the "Leave No One Behind" achievement.
Fate of Sazza
Entering the Makeshift Prison where Arka points a crossbow at caged goblin Sazza
- Intervene and save Sazza→ Unlocks *Save the Goblin Sazza*, allows breaking her out through the Underground Passage to gain peaceful entry to the Goblin Camp
- Allow Arka to execute Sazza→ Sazza dies immediately; locks out her questline and the "She Cannot Be Caged!" achievement
Most players pick: Intervene and save Sazza
Allowing Arka to shoot an unarmed prisoner breaks Oath of Devotion for Paladins.
Arabella and the Viper
First entering the Druid's Chambers in the Inner Sanctum
- Pass Nature/Persuasion/Intimidation checks to plead for Arabella→ Arabella is spared and returned to her parents; rewards Komira's Locket and unlocks her appearances and questlines in Acts 2 and 3
- Fail checks, attack Kagha, or stay silent→ Arabella tries to run and is fatally bitten by Teela; triggers grief and potential retaliatory violence from her parents
Most players pick: Pass Nature/Persuasion/Intimidation checks to plead for Arabella
Directly attacking Kagha during this cutscene triggers a grove-wide civil war where the druids slaughter the tiefling refugees.
Nettie's Poisoned Thorn
Consulting Healer Nettie about the tadpole inside the Enclave Library
- Swear to take the Wyvern Toxin if you show symptoms (or pass checks to pacify her)→ Nettie gives you the Wyvern Toxin peacefully and lets you leave
- Refuse to cooperate or act hostile→ Nettie scratches you with the poisoned thorn, locks the stone slab door, and forces a fight to the death
Most players pick: Swear to take the Wyvern Toxin if you show symptoms (or pass checks to pacify her)
Killing Nettie turns the surrounding chamber hostile if not done stealthily, but does not aggro the entire grove.
Confronting Kagha
Exposing Kagha with evidence found in the Sunlit Wetlands (*Investigate Kagha*)
- Pass Persuasion checks to redeem Kagha→ Kagha sides with you against Olodan's Shadow Druids; the Rite of Thorns immediately stops, Kagha lives to face Halsin's reprimand, and Druid players earn the Pale Oak staff
- Attack Kagha or side with the Shadow Druids→ Kagha fights alongside the Shadow Druids and dies, dropping the Broodmother's Revenge amulet; the Rite of Thorns is halted by her death
Most players pick: Pass Persuasion checks to redeem Kagha
Must be resolved before rescuing Halsin from the Goblin Camp, or the quest auto-fails.
Stealing the Sacred Idol
Accepting Mol's quest *Steal the Sacred Idol* in the Tiefling Hideout
- Steal the Idol after halting the Rite of Thorns (by exposing Kagha or eliminating the goblin leaders)→ Safely deliver it to Mol for the powerful Ring of Protection (+1 AC, +1 Saves)
- Steal the Idol while the Rite is active→ Immediately triggers an all-out bloodbath where the druids turn hostile and massacre the tieflings
Most players pick: Steal the Idol after halting the Rite of Thorns
Point of no return: Mol permanently leaves the area once the tieflings pack up, closing the window to turn in the idol.
Checklists
Don't miss 0/10
Secrets
0/1
Key fights
Enemies: Za'krug, Goblin Archer, Goblin Tracker, Goblin Booyahg, Goblin Brawler, Bugbear, Worg
Threats: Absolute's Bane, Reckless Warcry, Pack Tactics, Bite
Weaknesses and resistances: None notable
Tactics: Use ranged Sneak Attacks and high-ground advantage to eliminate goblin archers while Emerald Grove defenders occupy the frontline melee enemies.
Rewards: Gloves of Power, Goblin Scimitar, Spiked Shield, gold
Enemies
Four flying monstrosities encountered on the shoreline of the Secluded Cove that mesmerize targets with their Luring Song.
Shops and people
- Arron: Sells camp supplies, potions, spell scrolls, lockpicks, disarm toolkits, arrows, and basic weapons.
- Dammon: Sells martial gear, metal armors, weapons, and handles infernal iron forging.
- Auntie Ethel: Sells basic potions, herbal remedies, and alchemy ingredients before she relocates to the Sunlit Wetlands.
- Mattis: Sells trinkets, lucky rings, and miscellaneous junk in the Hollow.
Tips
- Cast Silence or prepare Calm Emotions prior to confronting the Harpies in the Secluded Cove so party members are immune to the entrancing song and can keep Mirkon from drowning.
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