How do I recruit the deep gnome in Baldur's Gate 3?
To recruit the deep gnome in Baldur's Gate 3, you are likely referring to Barcus Wroot, a deep gnome who appears in the game and can become a temporary ally or provide assistance during certain quests. While Barcus is not a full companion like Shadowheart or Astarion, he plays a significant role in the story and can be encountered in multiple locations. Here is a detailed guide on how to interact with and potentially recruit Barcus, along with tips and considerations to ensure you make the most of your interactions with him.
Barcus Wroot first appears in Act 1, during the quest "Rescue the Gnome." This quest begins when you encounter him tied to a windmill in the Blighted Village. The windmill is located in the northern part of the village, and you will notice a group of goblins tormenting Barcus. To recruit his help or at least ensure his survival, you need to intervene. There are several ways to approach this situation. You can engage in combat with the goblins, use dialogue to persuade or intimidate them, or even sneak around to free Barcus without alerting the goblins. If you choose combat, be prepared for a fight, as the goblins will attack you. If you prefer a non-violent approach, you can use your character's Charisma-based skills to convince the goblins to leave Barcus alone. For example, a character with high Persuasion or Intimidation can talk the goblins down, making the encounter easier.
Once Barcus is freed, he will thank you and provide some information about his situation. He mentions that he was captured while searching for his friend, Wulbren, who is also a deep gnome. This sets up a later questline involving Wulbren and the deep gnomes. Barcus will not join your party permanently, but he will remember your kindness and may assist you in future encounters. It is important to note that if you fail to save Barcus at the windmill, he will not appear later in the game, and you will miss out on potential rewards and story developments.
In Act 2, Barcus reappears in the Underdark, specifically in the Myconid Colony. Here, he is involved in a quest called "Find the Missing Boots," where he asks for your help in locating a pair of boots that were stolen by duergar. Completing this quest will further strengthen your relationship with Barcus and the deep gnomes. The boots can be found in the duergar camp, and returning them to Barcus will earn his gratitude and potentially unlock additional dialogue or assistance in future quests.
One common mistake players make is ignoring Barcus or failing to save him at the windmill. This can lead to missing out on valuable story content and rewards. Additionally, some players may not realize that Barcus's quests are interconnected with other deep gnome-related storylines, such as Wulbren's fate. Paying attention to these connections can enhance your overall experience and provide deeper insights into the game's lore.
Advanced techniques for interacting with Barcus include using stealth or illusion magic to avoid combat at the windmill. For example, a character with the Invisibility spell or high Stealth skill can sneak past the goblins and free Barcus without alerting them. This approach can be particularly useful if your party is not well-equipped for combat or if you want to conserve resources for later encounters. Additionally, having a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation can make dialogue-based solutions more effective, allowing you to resolve conflicts peacefully.
From a D&D rules perspective, the interactions with Barcus involve skill checks such as Persuasion, Intimidation, and Stealth. These checks are based on your character's abilities and proficiencies, so building a character with high Charisma or Dexterity can improve your chances of success. The game also incorporates the concept of alignment and moral choices, as saving Barcus and helping the deep gnomes aligns with a good or neutral alignment, while ignoring or harming them may align with an evil playstyle.
In summary, recruiting Barcus Wroot and ensuring his survival involves careful decision-making and strategic planning. By saving him at the windmill, completing his quests, and paying attention to the interconnected storylines, you can build a positive relationship with the deep gnomes and unlock additional content. Avoiding common mistakes, such as neglecting Barcus or failing to use your character's strengths effectively, will help you make the most of your interactions with him. Whether you choose combat, dialogue, or stealth, your choices will have lasting consequences on the story and your relationships with the deep gnomes.
Barcus Wroot first appears in Act 1, during the quest "Rescue the Gnome." This quest begins when you encounter him tied to a windmill in the Blighted Village. The windmill is located in the northern part of the village, and you will notice a group of goblins tormenting Barcus. To recruit his help or at least ensure his survival, you need to intervene. There are several ways to approach this situation. You can engage in combat with the goblins, use dialogue to persuade or intimidate them, or even sneak around to free Barcus without alerting the goblins. If you choose combat, be prepared for a fight, as the goblins will attack you. If you prefer a non-violent approach, you can use your character's Charisma-based skills to convince the goblins to leave Barcus alone. For example, a character with high Persuasion or Intimidation can talk the goblins down, making the encounter easier.
Once Barcus is freed, he will thank you and provide some information about his situation. He mentions that he was captured while searching for his friend, Wulbren, who is also a deep gnome. This sets up a later questline involving Wulbren and the deep gnomes. Barcus will not join your party permanently, but he will remember your kindness and may assist you in future encounters. It is important to note that if you fail to save Barcus at the windmill, he will not appear later in the game, and you will miss out on potential rewards and story developments.
In Act 2, Barcus reappears in the Underdark, specifically in the Myconid Colony. Here, he is involved in a quest called "Find the Missing Boots," where he asks for your help in locating a pair of boots that were stolen by duergar. Completing this quest will further strengthen your relationship with Barcus and the deep gnomes. The boots can be found in the duergar camp, and returning them to Barcus will earn his gratitude and potentially unlock additional dialogue or assistance in future quests.
One common mistake players make is ignoring Barcus or failing to save him at the windmill. This can lead to missing out on valuable story content and rewards. Additionally, some players may not realize that Barcus's quests are interconnected with other deep gnome-related storylines, such as Wulbren's fate. Paying attention to these connections can enhance your overall experience and provide deeper insights into the game's lore.
Advanced techniques for interacting with Barcus include using stealth or illusion magic to avoid combat at the windmill. For example, a character with the Invisibility spell or high Stealth skill can sneak past the goblins and free Barcus without alerting them. This approach can be particularly useful if your party is not well-equipped for combat or if you want to conserve resources for later encounters. Additionally, having a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation can make dialogue-based solutions more effective, allowing you to resolve conflicts peacefully.
From a D&D rules perspective, the interactions with Barcus involve skill checks such as Persuasion, Intimidation, and Stealth. These checks are based on your character's abilities and proficiencies, so building a character with high Charisma or Dexterity can improve your chances of success. The game also incorporates the concept of alignment and moral choices, as saving Barcus and helping the deep gnomes aligns with a good or neutral alignment, while ignoring or harming them may align with an evil playstyle.
In summary, recruiting Barcus Wroot and ensuring his survival involves careful decision-making and strategic planning. By saving him at the windmill, completing his quests, and paying attention to the interconnected storylines, you can build a positive relationship with the deep gnomes and unlock additional content. Avoiding common mistakes, such as neglecting Barcus or failing to use your character's strengths effectively, will help you make the most of your interactions with him. Whether you choose combat, dialogue, or stealth, your choices will have lasting consequences on the story and your relationships with the deep gnomes.