Baldur’s Gate 3 has lots of unique quests and storylines with many different outcomes. It’s almost impossible for any two players to have exactly the same experience, with every playthrough being entirely unique. Choices players make can completely change the fates of certain characters, or put players at a tactical advantage or disadvantage.

Most quests in BG3 won’t change much depending on the order a player decides to complete them in. With all the unique ways players can progress, Larian gives players lots of freedom to create their own stories without much restriction. However, postposting one of the main quests will result in a unique cutscene which adds some extra flair to one of Act 1’s most iconic events.

If You Save The Deep Gnomes Before Saving The Grove, Barcus Joins The Tiefling Party

Going To Grymforge Before Killing The Goblin Leaders Makes The Tiefling Party More Satisfying

The fate of the Emerald Grove in Act 1 is the first major story-changing event in Baldur’s Gate 3. Depending on whether players decide to raid the grove with Minthara or eliminate the leaders of the raid, they will be rewarded with a party of tieflings or goblins to celebrate their victory. It is usually only after the party where there will be any incentive given for players to get to Moonrise Towers, which can be reached through the Underdark.

Due to the usual story progression, it’s unlikely that first-time players will venture into the Underdark before saving the Grove. Though it is still part of the first act, many people consider it more of a transition between the first and second acts, and would have been dissuaded from entering due to it being a completely new area. However, those who save Barcus from the windmill as well as the rest of the deep gnomes from Grymforge before travelling back to save the grove will experience an exclusive scene where Barcus sets off some fireworks to celebrate.

How To Save The Deep Gnomes Before Defeating The Goblins

Make Sure To Go Back To The First Map In Act 1

After saving Barcus from the windmill, the quickest way to get to the Underdark is by going down the well in the Blighted Village. This leads down to the “Whispering Depths,” where players need to fall or jump into the chasm below where the Phase Spider Matriach can be found. Though if players would rather focus on other areas of the game first, there’s also an entrance in Auntie Ethel’s lair, as well as in the Zhentarim basement in Waukeen’s Rest.

Feather fall needs to be cast on any character jumping into a chasm, otherwise it will result in an instant death.

Usually, players will be encouraged to use the entrance in the ruined Selunite temple in the Goblin Camp, but in this case, it’s easier to come back to the goblin leaders later. This is because getting past Priestess Gut and her bodyguard is more trouble than it’s worth when there are several other entrances to the Underdark which are easier to access.

Once players have reached the Underdark, they need to complete the “Save the Grymforge Gnomes” quest without letting the deep gnomes die. This excludes Meerna, who is almost always killed in a cutscene by True Soul Nere.

Assuming he wasn’t caught in the crossfire of the fight with Nere or killed by the Duergar, players will then be able to invite Barcus to rest in camp. Afterward, they can fast travel or trek back out of the Underdark and continue with the Emerald Grove quest as long as they haven’t progressed into Act 2. They can then experience one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most beautiful secret cutscenes.