Save the Grymforge Gnomes

Key takeaways

The quest combines an environmental obstacle, a time limit, and a confrontation that changes the situation in Grymforge.

• Start from more than one location The quest may be opened by healing Thulla at the Myconid Colony or by speaking with Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge. Starting points
• Bring an explosive solution The gnomes are sealed behind a cave-in. Finding explosives, especially runepowder, is central to opening the way. Cave-in
• Do not treat it as a normal side errand Too many long rests or leaving the area can cause True Soul Nere to die before the party clears the rubble. Time pressure
• Expect the rescue to become a confrontation Freeing the trapped area triggers a pivotal encounter involving Nere and nearby Duergar forces. After the cave-in

Save the Grymforge Gnomes: overview

Save the Grymforge Gnomes is an Act 1 rescue quest centered on deep gnomes enslaved by Duergar and trapped behind a cave-in in Grymforge.

The quest can begin through several routes. Healing Thulla at the Myconid Colony can draw attention to the plight of the deep gnomes, while speaking with Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge can place the problem directly in front of the party. These openings lead toward the same urgent situation: gnomes are trapped behind rubble, and the trapped True Soul Nere is also in danger.

The immediate obstacle is the cave-in blocking access to the gnomes. Clearing it requires explosives, and runepowder is a particularly useful option. Philomeen is important because she possesses runepowder, making her a potential source of the material needed to break through the rubble rather than leaving the party dependent on a slower or less direct solution.

This is not a quest to postpone casually. Taking too many long rests or leaving the area can cause the situation to resolve against the party, with True Soul Nere dying while trapped. Once the cave-in is cleared, the rescue becomes a political and combat confrontation as Nere turns on the gnomes and the surrounding Duergar forces become involved.

The outcome contributes to the longer deep gnome storyline that continues beyond Grymforge. Saving the gnomes and speaking with Barcus Wroot can provide rewards and preserve his place in the party’s continuing journey, making the quest relevant even after the immediate danger in Grymforge has ended.

Where this sits

Requirements

Reach a relevant starting point and prepare to deal with the Grymforge cave-in without allowing the situation to expire.

• RequiredAccess to the Myconid Colony or GrymforgeThe quest can be initiated through Thulla at the Myconid Colony or through Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge.
• RequiredA way to clear the cave-inThe trapped gnomes cannot be reached until the rubble is removed. Explosives such as runepowder are useful for this task.
• RequiredTime managementAvoid taking too many long rests and avoid leaving the area before dealing with the trapped situation.
• RecommendedConversation with Barcus WrootSpeaking with Barcus Wroot after the rescue helps connect this quest to his continuing role in the story.

Objectives

1. Find the trapped deep gnomes in Grymforge.Follow the information from Thulla, Barcus Wroot, or Lunkbug to the cave-in and identify the blocked rescue site.
2. Obtain explosives to remove the rubble.Look for a viable explosive solution, with Philomeen's runepowder serving as a key option.
3. Clear the cave-in before the situation expires.The quest is time-sensitive because the trapped True Soul Nere can die if the party rests too often or leaves the area.
4. Resolve the confrontation after the rubble is cleared.Freeing the blocked area triggers a pivotal encounter with Nere and surrounding Duergar forces.
5. Speak with Barcus Wroot after the rescue.The conversation can lead to rewards and preserve Barcus Wroot's potential role in the party's wider journey.

WalkthroughSpoilers

1. 01

   Open the rescue quest and learn what has happened.

   Learn about the deep gnomes' danger

   Begin by healing Thulla at the Myconid Colony, or investigate the situation directly by speaking with Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge. These conversations establish that deep gnomes are enslaved by Duergar and that a group is trapped behind a cave-in.

   Location: Myconid Colony or Grymforge

   TipIf you already have access to Grymforge, speaking with Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug keeps the investigation focused on the immediate rescue.

2. 02

   Find the blocked rescue site.

   Reach the cave-in in Grymforge

   Travel to the blocked section of Grymforge and inspect the rubble separating the party from the trapped gnomes. The area is also connected to the danger facing True Soul Nere, so treat the cave-in as an urgent objective rather than a landmark to revisit later.

   Location: Grymforge

   Watch outDo not spend the quest's limited time wandering away from the area or taking unnecessary long rests.

3. 03

   Secure an explosive solution.

   Search for explosives

   Prepare a method for breaking through the rubble before attempting to resolve the rescue. Explosives are required for the central obstacle, and runepowder is a useful option; Philomeen is the key character associated with obtaining it.

   Location: Grymforge and Philomeen's location

   TipPlan the conversation with Philomeen as part of the rescue route, because her runepowder can provide the material needed to clear the cave-in.

4. 04

   Free access to the trapped gnomes.

   Use the explosive solution on the rubble

   Apply the explosives to the cave-in blocking the gnomes, then deal with the consequences of opening the sealed area. The rescue cannot progress while the rubble remains in place, and clearing it changes the encounter from a preparation problem into an active confrontation.

   Location: Grymforge cave-in

   Watch outThe opening is a major transition in the quest. Be ready to respond immediately instead of assuming that removing the rubble ends the mission.

5. 05

   Resolve the confrontation triggered by the rescue.

   Face True Soul Nere after the cave-in

   Once the passage is opened, True Soul Nere confronts the gnomes, and the surrounding Duergar forces become part of the crisis. Resolve this confrontation according to the party's chosen approach, keeping the rescue objective in mind while dealing with the immediate threat.

   Location: The cleared cave-in in Grymforge

   Watch outThis is the quest's pivotal spoiler point: clearing the rubble does not produce a quiet evacuation, because Nere's response brings the Duergar conflict to the forefront.

6. 06

   Complete the rescue and establish the immediate outcome.

   Confirm the gnomes' outcome

   After the confrontation, check that the rescued deep gnomes have survived and that the immediate Grymforge crisis has been dealt with. The exact aftermath depends on how the confrontation was resolved, so speak to the relevant survivors rather than leaving as soon as combat ends.

   Location: Grymforge

7. 07

   Collect the quest's aftermath and continue Barcus Wroot's story.

   Speak with Barcus Wroot

   Find Barcus Wroot after the rescue and follow the conversation through its conclusion. This is the step that connects the Grymforge events to the longer deep gnome narrative and can preserve his potential involvement in the party's continuing journey.

   Location: Grymforge or the post-rescue meeting point

   TipDo not overlook Barcus Wroot after the main confrontation; the quest's continuing value is not limited to clearing the cave-in.

Mission mechanics

The quest is built around a timed environmental rescue. The cave-in is the physical gate that prevents access to the deep gnomes, while the death of True Soul Nere supplies the time pressure. The party therefore has to balance exploration with urgency: gathering the information and explosives needed for the rescue is useful, but excessive long rests or leaving the area can make the trapped situation fail before the party returns.

Explosives are not merely incidental loot in this quest. They are the practical answer to the rubble, and Philomeen's possession of runepowder makes her a central part of the preparation phase. The party should consider the search for her and the negotiation around the material as part of the mission's core mechanics rather than as unrelated exploration.

The rescue also has a deliberate two-stage structure. Before the rubble is removed, the problem is locating the gnomes and finding a way through. After the cave-in is cleared, the game shifts into a confrontation involving Nere and nearby Duergar forces. This means players should prepare for an encounter before committing to the final step of opening the passage.

The quest's resolution has continuing narrative weight. Barcus Wroot is not only a character encountered during the Grymforge events; speaking with him after the rescue can lead to rewards and maintain his potential place in the wider journey. The deep gnome storyline also continues beyond this Act 1 objective.

What works and what does not

Encounter phasesSpoilers

1. 1

   Cave-in preparation

   Starts: The party learns that deep gnomes are trapped behind rubble in Grymforge.

   Not applicable

   The initial phase is an investigation and preparation problem. The party must reach the cave-in, understand the urgency, and find explosives capable of opening the blocked route.

   • Treat the cave-in as a timed objective rather than a normal exploration marker.
   • Philomeen is associated with runepowder, which is useful for this phase.
2. 2

   Rubble clearance

   Starts: The party applies explosives to the cave-in.

   Not applicable

   Removing the rubble opens the route but also advances the quest into its pivotal confrontation. The party should be ready for an immediate change in the situation.

   • Prepare before committing to the explosive solution.
   • Do not assume that freeing the passage ends the quest.
3. 3

   Nere and the Duergar confrontation

   Starts: The cave-in is cleared and access to the trapped area is restored.

   Not specified

   True Soul Nere confronts the gnomes, while surrounding Duergar forces become involved. The party must resolve this crisis to determine the immediate outcome of the rescue.

   • Nere's confrontationTell The confrontation begins after the cave-in is cleared and Nere is no longer trapped behind the rubble.Answer Be prepared to respond immediately and keep the fate of the gnomes as the central objective.
   • Duergar forcesTell The surrounding Duergar become part of the encounter once the rescue opens the area.Answer Account for the wider hostile presence instead of focusing only on Nere.
   • Resolve the confrontation before leaving Grymforge.
   • Afterward, speak with Barcus Wroot to continue the quest's aftermath.

Choices and consequencesSpoilers

• Initiate the quest through Thulla at the Myconid Colony.

  The party learns about the endangered deep gnomes before reaching Grymforge and can approach the rescue with that context.

• Initiate the quest by speaking with Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge.

  The party discovers the problem directly at the location where the cave-in and enslavement crisis are unfolding.

• Use an explosive solution involving runepowder.

  The party gains a practical way to clear the cave-in; Philomeen is the key character associated with the material.

• Take too many long rests or leave the area before resolving the crisis.

  The quest can fail because True Soul Nere may die while trapped.

  Spoiler
• Speak with Barcus Wroot after the rescue.

  The conversation can provide rewards and preserve Barcus Wroot's potential involvement in the party's later journey.

  Spoiler

Quest checklist

• Learn about the trapped deep gnomesUse Thulla at the Myconid Colony, or investigate through Barcus Wroot or Lunkbug in Grymforge.
• Reach the Grymforge cave-inLocate the rubble blocking access to the gnomes.
• Find an explosive solutionRunepowder associated with Philomeen is a useful option.
• Avoid unnecessary long restsThe trapped True Soul Nere can die if the situation is postponed too long.
• Do not leave the area before resolving the rescueLeaving Grymforge can cause the quest to fail.
• Clear the cave-inThe gnomes remain inaccessible until the rubble is removed.
• Resolve the Nere and Duergar confrontationThe rescue triggers a pivotal confrontation rather than ending immediately.
• Speak with Barcus Wroot afterwardThis can lead to rewards and continue his storyline.
• Record the deep gnome outcomeThe quest contributes to a longer narrative arc beyond Act 1.Optional

Failure conditionsSpoilers

• Take too many long restsThe trapped situation is time-sensitive, and excessive long rests can cause True Soul Nere to die before the party clears the cave-in.
• Leave the area before completing the rescueLeaving Grymforge while the gnomes and Nere remain trapped can cause the quest to fail.
• Delay after learning about the cave-inOnce the party understands the danger, unnecessary exploration or postponement can consume the time available for the rescue.

Rewards and aftermathSpoilers

• Quest rewards
  Completing the rescue can provide rewards, although the supplied information does not specify individual item names.
• Barcus Wroot's continued involvement
  Saving the gnomes and speaking with Barcus Wroot can preserve his potential to join the party's wider journey.
• Deep gnome storyline progress
  The outcome advances a longer narrative arc that continues beyond this Act 1 quest.

AftermathSpoilers

Trivia

• The quest can be discovered from both the Myconid Colony and Grymforge, allowing different routes into the same rescue story.
• Runepowder is associated with Philomeen and serves as a notable solution to the cave-in problem.
• The quest links an environmental hazard, a time-sensitive rescue, and a faction confrontation in one Act 1 storyline.
• Barcus Wroot's involvement gives the Grymforge rescue consequences beyond the immediate fate of the trapped gnomes.

Relationships