Free the Gnomes

Key takeaways

The name covers several connected rescue situations. Approach each one as an environmental problem first and a combat encounter second.

• Inspect the windmill controls At the Blighted Village, stop the windmill with the brake lever. The release lever is the dangerous option and can kill Barcus Wroot. Windmill rescue
• Prepare explosives for Grymforge The cave-in blocks access to True Soul Nere and the enslaved Deep Gnomes. Philomeen can provide a Runepowder Vial that serves as one way to clear the debris. Grymforge rescue
• Treat Moonrise Towers as a prison break The Moonrise Towers objective involves rescuing gnomes and tieflings from cells. Bludgeoning weapons, stealth and guard distraction all support different approaches. Moonrise Towers rescue
• Expect consequences for survivors The rescues can change the fates of recurring supporting characters, including Wulbren Bongle, so completing the escape is more important than simply collecting prison loot. Aftermath

Free the Gnomes

Free the Gnomes is best understood as a rescue thread rather than one isolated encounter. Across Baldur's Gate 3, it covers efforts to save Deep Gnomes and other captives from people who treat them as disposable labor, prisoners or obstacles.

The earliest recognizable version begins in the Blighted Village, where Barcus Wroot is tied to a spinning windmill. The immediate problem is not simply reaching the village or defeating its hostile inhabitants: the windmill has two controls, and selecting the correct brake lever is essential. The release lever can send the windmill spinning faster and cause Barcus Wroot to die, so inspecting the mechanism before pulling a lever is a central part of this rescue.

The larger Act 1 thread takes place in Grymforge. Deep Gnomes are being forced to excavate a cave-in so that True Soul Nere can be reached, turning the rescue into a time-sensitive conflict between the captives, their duergar overseers and the situation behind the rubble. Players need a way to clear the obstruction, including explosives such as the Runepowder Vial obtained from Philomeen, before deciding how to handle Nere and the duergar factions.

A later rescue at Moonrise Towers expands the objective to both gnomes and tieflings held in the prison. The escape depends on preparation, timing and controlling the prison's guards rather than treating the cells as a straightforward battle. Bludgeoning weapons can help break through prison barriers, while distraction and careful movement can reduce the need for an immediate full confrontation. The outcome also affects supporting characters such as Wulbren Bongle and contributes to the Under Lock and Key achievement when the rescue is completed successfully.

Where this sits

Requirements

The precise requirements depend on which part of Free the Gnomes you are pursuing. Exploration access, a solution to the local obstacle and a plan for the captors are more important than a fixed item checklist.

• RequiredReach the relevant rescue areaThe thread uses separate locations in the Blighted Village, Grymforge and Moonrise Towers, so the required route changes with the objective.
• RequiredInspect interactable mechanisms and barriersThe windmill contains multiple levers, while later rescues use cave-in debris, prison cells and prison walls as the main obstacles.
• RequiredBring a way to clear the Grymforge cave-inExplosives are relevant to the excavation, and Philomeen is associated with the Runepowder Vial solution.
• RecommendedPrepare for faction conflictThe Grymforge outcome can involve the duergar rebels, Nere and the captors holding the Deep Gnomes.
• RecommendedCarry a bludgeoning weapon for the prison escapeBludgeoning weapons can help break through prison walls or barriers during the Moonrise Towers rescue.
• OptionalPlan stealth or distractionAvoiding or separating prison guards can make the Moonrise Towers escape more manageable than starting unnecessary combat.

Objectives

1. Stop the windmill safelyUse the brake control in the Blighted Village before attempting to free Barcus Wroot.
2. Rescue Barcus WrootReach the gnome after the windmill is stopped and avoid the control that can cause his death.
3. Reach the Grymforge cave-inFind the Deep Gnomes being forced to excavate and assess the obstruction blocking True Soul Nere.
4. Obtain explosivesSecure a suitable explosive solution, such as the Runepowder Vial linked to Philomeen.
5. Resolve the Grymforge confrontationDecide whether to oppose the duergar captors directly or work with duergar rebels against Nere.
6. Free the Moonrise Towers prisonersRescue both the gnomes and tieflings from their cells using force, stealth or a combination of both.
7. Protect the survivorsComplete the prison escape without allowing the rescue objective to collapse through an avoidable death.Optional

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Locate Barcus Wroot

   Find the windmill in the Blighted Village

   Enter the Blighted Village and locate the spinning windmill where Barcus Wroot has been tied. Approach the building carefully, because the local area can contain hostile creatures and the gnome's life depends on what you do at the mechanism.

   Location: Blighted Village

2. 02

   Identify the safe control

   Inspect the windmill controls before pulling a lever

   Go inside the windmill and identify the two controls rather than activating the first one you see. The mechanism includes a brake lever and a release lever, and confusing them can turn a rescue into a death.

   Location: Windmill

   TipRead the labels and choose the brake lever; do not use the release lever.

   Watch outThe release lever can cause the windmill to accelerate and kill Barcus Wroot.

3. 03

   Stop the windmill safely

   Stop the windmill with the brake lever

   Activate the brake lever to bring the windmill to a stop. Once the blades are no longer turning, return to the area where Barcus Wroot is bound and continue the rescue rather than leaving the mechanism running.

   Location: Windmill

   Watch outUsing the wrong lever can permanently lose the rescue opportunity for Barcus Wroot.

   CheckpointMissable
4. 04

   Rescue Barcus Wroot

   Free Barcus Wroot

   With the windmill stopped, interact with Barcus Wroot and release him. This completes the immediate Blighted Village rescue, while the character can remain relevant to later gnome-related developments.

   Location: Windmill

   Missable
5. 05

   Assess the cave-in

   Reach the Deep Gnomes in Grymforge

   Travel to Grymforge and find the Deep Gnomes working at the cave-in. The rubble is not merely scenery: it blocks access to True Soul Nere and places the gnomes under forced labor while the excavation continues.

   Location: Grymforge

   TipTalk to the workers and inspect the blocked route before committing to a fight.

6. 06

   Obtain explosives

   Find a way to clear the debris

   Acquire an explosive solution for the cave-in. Philomeen, a runaway gnome, is associated with the Runepowder Vial, which can provide the force needed to open the route and continue the rescue.

   Location: Grymforge

   Watch outDo not treat the rubble as an ordinary locked door; progress requires dealing with the excavation obstacle.

7. 07

   Reach True Soul Nere

   Open the route to True Soul Nere

   Use the explosive approach at the cave-in and continue through the newly opened path. This brings the forced-labor crisis to its confrontation point and gives you the opportunity to decide how the captives should be defended.

   Location: Grymforge cave-in

   Checkpoint
8. 08

   Resolve the conflict

   Choose a side in the Grymforge conflict

   When the confrontation develops, you can oppose True Soul Nere and the duergar captors, or cooperate with duergar rebels who are also willing to fight him. The choice changes who stands with you during the encounter and how the liberation is carried out.

   Location: Grymforge

   TipConsider which faction is actually committed to ending the gnomes' forced labor before agreeing to an alliance.

   Watch outA poor combat or faction decision can leave the captives exposed to the same people who were exploiting them.

   Missable
9. 09

   Find the prisoners

   Locate the prison at Moonrise Towers

   In Act 2, enter Moonrise Towers and find the prison holding gnomes and tieflings. The prison layout and its guards make an immediate attack only one possible solution; first establish how the cells and escape route are connected.

   Location: Moonrise Towers

10. 10

    Prepare the prison break

    Prepare the escape route

    Before freeing the prisoners, arrange tools and positioning for the breakout. Bludgeoning weapons can help with prison walls, while stealth or distractions can keep guards from turning the rescue into a wider battle.

    Location: Moonrise Towers prison

    TipSeparate the task of opening a route from the task of dealing with guards so that the prisoners have somewhere to go.

    Watch outStarting combat without an escape plan can expose the captives to danger and make the rescue harder to complete.

    Checkpoint
11. 11

    Free the prisoners

    Rescue the gnomes and tieflings

    Open the cells and help both groups leave the prison rather than treating only the gnomes as the objective. Use the prepared route and manage guards as needed, keeping the escape focused on getting the prisoners out safely.

    Location: Moonrise Towers prison

    Missable
12. 12

    Finish the prison rescue

    Complete the Moonrise Towers escape

    Follow the rescued prisoners through the escape route until the prison break is complete. A successful rescue affects the future of characters such as Wulbren Bongle and unlocks the Under Lock and Key achievement.

    Location: Moonrise Towers

    CheckpointMissable

Mission mechanics

Free the Gnomes repeatedly turns an environmental object into the key to progress. The windmill is a clear example: the player must distinguish between a brake and a release control, and the wrong interaction has an immediate lethal consequence for Barcus Wroot. This makes observation and interaction order more important than raw combat power.

The Grymforge section is structured around access. The Deep Gnomes are already present, but their forced excavation cannot continue toward True Soul Nere until the cave-in is cleared. Explosives, including the Runepowder Vial associated with Philomeen, give the player a way to convert a blocked route into a confrontation and then a faction decision.

Moonrise Towers emphasizes escape management. Prison walls and guards create separate problems, so a strong plan may combine a bludgeoning weapon for barriers with stealth or distractions for the patrols. The rescue is successful only when the prisoners are actually freed, making control of the route and protection of the captives more important than simply winning a nearby fight.

What works and what does not

Phases

1. 1

   Environmental rescue

   Starts: Approaching the windmill in the Blighted Village

   The first danger is an interaction puzzle, not a boss fight. Stopping the windmill safely preserves Barcus Wroot and opens the immediate rescue.

   • Wrong leverTell The windmill presents both a brake lever and a release lever.Answer Choose the brake lever and avoid the release lever.
   • Inspect the controls before activating either one.
   • Treat Barcus Wroot's survival as the priority.
2. 2

   Cave-in and excavation

   Starts: Finding the Deep Gnomes at the Grymforge rubble

   The gnomes are trapped in a forced-labor situation while the cave-in blocks access to True Soul Nere. The phase ends when the debris is cleared.

   • Forced labor pressureTell The Deep Gnomes are being made to excavate by duergar captors.Answer Secure explosives and decide how to oppose the captors.
   • Look for the Runepowder Vial linked to Philomeen.
   • Do not assume the rubble can be bypassed without addressing the excavation.
3. 3

   Prison escape

   Starts: Entering the Moonrise Towers prison

   The rescue combines cell access, prison barriers and guard management. The safest approach depends on whether the party favors force, stealth or distraction.

   • Guard responseTell Guards can turn an escape attempt into a broader confrontation.Answer Use positioning, stealth or distraction before opening the cells.
   • Prison barriersTell Walls and routes can obstruct the prisoners' escape.Answer Use bludgeoning weapons to help break through walls or barriers.
   • Prepare the route before releasing the prisoners.
   • Rescue both the gnomes and tieflings rather than abandoning one group.

Grymforge confrontationSpoilers

• Location
  Grymforge, beyond the cave-in
• Health
  Not specified in the source material

Obtain explosives, clear the cave-in and assess the duergar positions before committing to the confrontation. Players can choose to side with the duergar rebels against Nere, then use the resulting opening to liberate the Deep Gnomes from forced labor.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

• Pull the brake lever at the windmill

  The windmill stops and Barcus Wroot can be rescued safely.

• Pull the release lever at the windmill

  The windmill accelerates and Barcus Wroot can die, losing the rescue opportunity.

  Spoiler
• Use explosives associated with Philomeen to clear the Grymforge cave-in

  The route to True Soul Nere opens and the forced-labor crisis reaches its confrontation.

• Side with the duergar rebels against True Soul Nere

  The confrontation can become a joint fight against Nere and creates an opportunity to liberate the captives.

  Spoiler
• Use stealth or distraction during the Moonrise Towers prison break

  The party can reduce unnecessary combat while concentrating on opening the cells and moving the prisoners out.

• Complete the Moonrise Towers rescue successfully

  The gnome and tiefling prisoners escape, the fates of characters including Wulbren Bongle are affected, and Under Lock and Key is unlocked.

  Spoiler

Checklist

• Find Barcus Wroot at the windmill in the Blighted VillageDo this before leaving the area if you want to complete the immediate rescue.
• Identify the brake leverThe windmill has a separate release lever that can be fatal.
• Stop the windmill before freeing Barcus WrootThe safe order is to stop the machinery first, then release the gnome.
• Reach the Deep Gnomes at the Grymforge cave-inTheir forced excavation is the central Act 1 rescue problem.
• Locate an explosive solutionPhilomeen is associated with the Runepowder Vial.
• Clear the cave-in and reach True Soul NereThe rubble blocks the route to the confrontation.
• Decide how to handle the duergarDuergar rebels can be used as allies against Nere.
• Find the Moonrise Towers prisonThe Act 2 rescue includes gnomes and tieflings.
• Prepare a route through the prisonAccount for both barriers and guard response.
• Carry or acquire a bludgeoning weaponIt can help break prison walls or barriers.Optional
• Free both prisoner groupsDo not stop after rescuing only the gnomes.
• Finish the escape and confirm the rescueThe Moonrise Towers objective must be completed, not merely started.

Failure conditionsSpoilers

• Use the release lever at the windmillThe release lever can accelerate the windmill and cause Barcus Wroot's death.
• Fail to protect the prisoners during the Moonrise Towers escapeA rescue attempt can fail if the captives are left exposed while the party starts an uncontrolled confrontation.
• Lose the opportunity to resolve the Grymforge crisisThe Deep Gnomes remain in danger while they are forced to excavate, and a poor confrontation or faction decision can prevent their liberation.

Rewards

• Experience
  Rescue objectives and their associated confrontations provide experience.
• Loot
  The linked encounters can provide loot, although the source material does not specify a fixed item list.
• Supporting-character outcomes
  Completing the rescues influences the fates of characters such as Barcus Wroot and Wulbren Bongle.
• Under Lock and Key
  Successfully completing the Moonrise Towers rescue unlocks this achievement.

AftermathSpoilers

Trivia

• Free the Gnomes is a useful umbrella name for multiple rescue situations involving Deep Gnomes and other captives rather than one single combat encounter.
• The Blighted Village windmill rescue tests whether the player distinguishes a brake control from a release control.
• The Moonrise Towers prison break combines gnome and tiefling rescue objectives in the same location.
• Philomeen's Runepowder Vial provides a memorable connection between a runaway gnome and the Grymforge cave-in.

Relationships