While exploring the Emerald Grove, you’ll witness Meli stealing a Brass Locket from Barth. In this guide we’ll show you how to track down the locket and return it to its rightful owner.
Map
Points of Interest 1 – Barth 2 – Confrontation
Exits A – Concealed Hatch B – Small Hole
Background
When you approach Barth (#1), one of the surviving members from Aradin’s adventuring band, a thief named Meli will sneak up behind him and steal a Brass Locket from him. Barth will notice the theft, and he’ll chase Meli to the east, where they’ll start arguing with each other (#2). When you catch up with them, you’ll be able to influence how the confrontation unfolds:
You can steal the locket from Meli and give it to Barth. This will impress Meli.
If you “keep quiet and watch,” then Barth will slap Meli, causing Meli to drop the locket. Barth will pick it up, but a guard named Ikaron will come over to see what’s going on. If you pass a DC-15 Persuasion check, then you’ll diffuse the situation. Otherwise, Ikaron will punch Barth, knocking him down.
If you take Barth’s side, then you’ll have two options:
If you beat a DC-15 Intimidation check, then Meli will give the locket back. But if you fail the check, then Meli will call for the guards, and Ikaron will come over. If you pass a DC-15 Deception, Intimidation or Persuasion check, then Meli will give the locket back. Otherwise, he’ll get away with it.
If you beat a DC-5 Persuasion check, then you’ll be able to ask Meli why he stole the locket. He’ll reveal that it looks like the amulet his mother used to wear. This will soften Barth’s heart, and he’ll allow Meli to keep it. Otherwise, Meli will give the locket back. If you fail the Persuasion check, then Meli will drop the locket and Barth will get punched, just the same as in the “keep quiet and watch” option above.
If you take Meli’s side, and if you pass a DC-10 Intimidation or Persuasion check, then Meli will keep the locket — and he’ll giggle disturbingly when he runs away with it. If you fail the check, or if you try to back out of the confrontation, then Meli will give the locket back.
If Meli successfully steals the Brass Locket, then you’ll trigger this quest.
Walkthrough
After stealing the Brass Locket, Meli will make a beeline for the Tiefling Hideout. To follow him, you’ll have to use one of its two entrances:
A concealed hatch (Exit A). There are multiple ways to detect this hatch, all involving talking to Doni, who normally stands right next to it. See our Emerald Grove guide for details.
A small hole (Exit B). Only small creatures — like tiefling thieves — can use this entrance.
Inside the hideout, you’ll meet Mol, the leader of the tiefling thieves. If you’ve helped one of her minions — Arabella during the quest Save Arabella, Meli during this quest, Mirkon during the quest Investigate the Beach, or Silfy during the quest Find Your Belongings — then she’ll be happy to see you, and she’ll allow you to wander around freely in the hideout. Otherwise, she’ll demand that you leave before she counts to ten. If you don’t, then she’ll flee the hideout and call for the guards, and you’ll probably get arrested. So wait until you’ve helped one of the thieves first.
You’ll find the Thieves’ Stash in the back of the hideout. The Brass Locket will be inside. You’ll find Barth back where he started (#1). If you simply hand over the locket to him, or if you demand payment first, then he’ll give you a whopping 7 gold for it. But if you beat a DC-10 Intelligence check to read his mind, then he’ll give you a slightly more whopping 23 gold for it. If you decide to keep the locket, then you’ll have to fight Barth — plus Aradin and Remira — but you’ll find 50 gold and more on his corpse. The tieflings won’t care if you kill Barth’s adventuring band.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll earn 15 xp for completing the quest.
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Steven Carter
Starting with cassette tape games on the TRS-80, Steven has been playing, creating, and writing about games for a long, long time. This makes him experienced, not old. Lately, Steven has been focusing on walkthroughs, making sure everybody knows how to solve Towers of Hanoi puzzles.
