A significant portion of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s first act revolves around the Emerald Grove, a sanctuary for druids now facing peril. Goblins are attempting to breach the area, and a group of Tiefling refugees is seeking refuge, which is escalating tensions among the residents. Kagha, the grove’s leader, has decided to perform a magical ritual known as the Rite of Thorns to isolate the grove from outside threats. This ritual requires a special artifact: the Idol of Silvanus, which players can locate at the heart of the grove.
For players aiming to prevent the Rite of Thorns and protect the Tieflings from being expelled, acquiring this idol early on becomes a critical mission. However, stealing it poses challenges, and doing so without inciting violence is even trickier. Fortunately, there are ways to secure the Idol of Silvanus while maintaining harmony in the grove. Successfully stealing the idol might also grant players the chance to help someone in need.
What Guards the Idol of Silvanus?
How Stringent is the Druid’s Security?
The Idol of Silvanus may seem accessible, but it is surprisingly well-protected, even though it’s located in an open area. When players arrive in the grove, the idol is actively used in the Rite of Thorns, surrounded by several druids closely monitoring it. Diverting all these druids’ attention at once proves nearly impossible. If any druid spots a player attempting to snatch the idol, they will intervene immediately.
Many players might think of using magic to become invisible, employing spells like fog cloud, 
darkness, or even 
invisibility. However, these tactics prove ineffective with the idol. Area-of-effect spells that obscure the vision of NPCs dissipate near the idol, while attempts to remain invisible or stealthy often fail once players approach the artifact. Even if they succeeded, this approach would create chaos within the grove.
Preventing Conflict in the Druid’s Grove
Prevent Druids from Blaming the Tieflings
The primary challenge of stealing the idol lies not in the act itself but in its consequences. If players successfully take the idol, the druids will promptly accuse the Tiefling refugees. This triggers a confrontation in the grove, risking the lives of many characters on both sides and jeopardizing several quests during the first act. To avert this situation, timing the idol theft with a specific moment in the first act’s storyline becomes crucial.
Avoid defeating goblins before stealing the idol; doing so will alter the status of the Tieflings and cause the idol to be removed from its location.
Players must investigate Kagha before attempting to take the idol and complete her questline to alleviate some tension within the grove. Kagha collaborates with a faction of druids looking to dominate the grove, and uncovering her intentions enables players to confront her.
This confrontation leads to a battle with Kagha and the shadow druids hiding in the grove. The outcome can either result in Kagha’s defeat or in swaying her to join the players’ side. Once this happens, the Rite of Thorns ceases, reducing animosity between the Tieflings and druids, meaning the druids will no longer hold the Tieflings responsible if the idol goes missing.
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BG3: One Act 1 Decision Is The Most Disturbing Way To Deal With Emerald Grove
It’s easy for the Emerald Grove situation in Baldur’s Gate 3 to end in violence, but one specific method has the most horrific results.
Interestingly, many druids stationed around the idol may vacate their posts, leading to decreased vigilance during the theft. A clever method for hijacking the idol with minimal consequences involves having a character steal it in broad daylight and subsequently being caught by the druids. They will briefly knock out the characters and place them in a makeshift jail cell. However, as long as the idol remains in the character’s inventory upon being knocked out, it won’t be returned to its original spot. Instead, it will end up in the locked evidence chest, which stands completely unguarded.
Where to Deliver the Idol After Theft
A Tiefling Who Will Pay Handsomely for the Magic Item
Once players have procured the idol, they can escape the jail cell and unlock the evidence chest to acquire the Idol of Silvanus without anyone suspecting a thing. They can then choose to keep the idol or take it to a Tiefling who has a vested interest in it. This Tiefling is Mol, the leader of a group of child bandits hidden in a cave within the grove. Mol intends to sell the idol in Baldur’s Gate to help her gang of kids make their mark in the city as fledgling thieves.
Handing the idol to Mol does not impact her relationship with the party, aside from altering a few dialogues in Act One. She can still be recruited as an ally in Act Three regardless.
Transferring the idol to Mol is more than just a generous act; she will reward players with a valuable 
Ring of Protection, a significant boon in BG3’s early stages that proves much more advantageous than the magic properties of the Idol of Silvanus. However, it is vital to initiate the quest with Mol before disrupting the Rite of Thorns, as Baldur’s Gate 3 may encounter bugs that prevent players from giving it to her afterward. In any case, this strategy stands as a reliable method to halt the druid’s ritual, retrieve the idol peacefully, and receive a reward for the effort.
