The Totem of Defiance in Avowed is an excellent choice for enhancing stealthy Ranger builds, but to obtain it, you’ll need to gather all seven fragments scattered throughout the Emerald Stair. Some fragments are easy to find, while others are hidden in perilous locations, so prepare yourself for a challenge. The denizens of the Living Lands can pose significant threats as you seek out this totem for Skaen, but I’ve outlined the locations of each Totem of Defiance piece below to assist you.
Locations of Avowed Totem of Defiance Pieces
To initiate your quest for the Totem of Defiance, purchase the Fragments of the Offering quest item from Lluisa Mercel at the Farmer’s Market. This kicks off the hunt for the seven fragments, but exercise caution: many of the totem pieces lie on the treacherous western side of the region. It’s advisable to upgrade your items in Avowed to at least Exceptional quality before setting out.
After you acquire the core of the Totem of Defiance and place it at your Avowed Party Camp, you can start attaching other pieces to it, unlocking special buffs with each addition until the totem is fully assembled. Keep in mind that only one totem can be activated at a time. If you’re following this guide along with the Avowed Totem of Rightful Rulership guide, remember to enable the "Compass – God Shrine Totem Pieces" option in the UI menu, as it is turned off by default.
Here’s where you can find all seven pieces of the Totem of Defiance in Avowed:
Avowed Totem Core
"To find the totem of the Quiet Slave, an ancient tower you must brave."
The core is located on the northern cliff of the Delemgan Glade, situated on the west side of the Emerald Stair. To get there, fast travel to the Plateau Junction beacon and head southwest past the Godless Sinkhole. At the cliff’s end, you’ll see a crumbling tower known as the Shrine to Skaen. Climb up to the top to discover the Schemer’s Offering totem base.
Avowed Sacrificial Dagger
"Left alone in fallow fields, the ritual blade thirsts for skin freshly peeled."
The Sacrificial Dagger is relatively easy to find early in the game. Head to the abandoned farms on the northern side of the map, searching behind the larger building on the east. You’ll locate the dagger, which is pinned to a wall next to a note.
Avowed Idol of Covert Plots
"In a place of worship amidst moldering rot, this idol continues to scheme and plot."
This idol resides in a ruined church on the western edge of the Grim Wetlands near the Infested Camp. You’ll need to take a roundabout route to reach it. Begin by heading south along the cliff wall until you find a gate that you can unlock with a lockpick.
To enter, proceed through the gate, and then go right up the hill, leading to the sporeling-infested camp. At the cliff edge, look for a broken bridge that connects to a hole in the church’s roof. Jump across and drop down to collect the idol from the shrine before unbarring the main doors for your exit.
Avowed Idol of Secret Hatred
"In a damp hollow its sibling waits full of rage, while its previous owner decays with age."
This idol is hidden within the Ancient Grotto, a small dungeon with two entrances. I recommend taking the lower entrance near the river chasm for easier access. Upon entering, veer right and crawl through a small tunnel. You’ll find a skeleton clutching the idol inside a small cave.
Avowed Idol of Violent Rebellion
"From on high the third surveys the land, sowing the seeds of revolt near at hand."
You can find the Idol of Violent Rebellion in the Ranger Headquarters tower at the eastern end of the Emerald Stair map. Start by climbing the south side of the tower via the ladder that leads to a hole in the wall. Continue ascending to the top, where you’ll find the idol secured inside a wooden box.
Avowed Obsidian Prayer Beads
"In a verdant glade where old ruins crumble, you will find beads dark and umbral."
To reach the Obsidian Prayer Beads, head across the tree root bridge from the core location into the glade. In the main clearing, you’ll notice ruins atop a cliff to the west. The beads are located on these ruins, and you’ll need to navigate a pathway through an archway to reach them. Follow the path up and around, climb onto a rock ledge, and leap to the balcony where a skeleton lies next to the prayer beads.
Avowed Effigy Necklace
"Hidden in ruins of heathens long gone, the octet of skulls sings its silent song."
The Effigy Necklace is the only totem piece tied to a quest that requires progress in the main storyline. You’ll need to complete the "Ancient Soil" quest to explore the Nadu Tedek ruins. After some magical events, a door will open, granting you access to the depths of Nadu Tedek.
Once you descend the spiral staircase, go into the hallway and turn left. Have Giatta activate the shock switch on the wall to open the next door. Inside, climb onto a tree branch by freezing the water below to create a platform, then hop up to where the necklace rests on a table.
Buffs from the Avowed Totem of Defiance
In addition to the core, each fragment of the Totem of Defiance grants an enhancement, whether it’s to your combat skills or Avowed Attributes. This totem is particularly beneficial if your build focuses on Ranger abilities, stealth, and damage over time.
Here are the buffs provided by the Totem of Defiance:
- Furious Frenzy: Second Wind activates Flurry of Blows.
- The Slave’s Patience: Grants +2 Constitution and +2 Dexterity.
- Hidden Hatred: Increases damage against unaware enemies by 25%.
- Kill the Master: Boosts damage towards "skull" enemies.
- Bitter Thoughts: Critical Hits deliver high levels of Poison Accumulation.
- A Vengeful Victim: After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 10 seconds inflicts additional damage equal to 20% of the damage you received, stacking with Retribution.
Each main region has an Avowed totem to collect, providing various buff options. While hunting for these totem pieces, keep an eye out for treasure maps that lead to more loot, such as the Avowed Woedica’s Inheritance and the Avowed Intimidating Feline Codpiece maps found in Dawnshore.