If you’re diving into the rich and complex world of Baldur’s Gate 3, you already know that the choices you make can ripple through your entire campaign. One choice that can have a massive impact is deciding whether to recruit or rescue certain characters you come across. Today, we will talk about one such character who’s not just any run-of-the-mill NPC—he’s a gnome with a knack for getting into tight spots but could be a game-changer for your story. Meet Barcus Wroot!
This quirky little character first pops up while you’re wandering through the Blighted Village, where you’ll find him in a rather precarious situation—stuck on a windmill, of all places. Well, helping Barcus can have some surprising and rewarding outcomes later in the game. So, thinking about how to add this intriguing gnome to your list of allies? Stick around as we guide you through everything you need to know about recruiting or rescuing Barcus Wroot in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Meeting BG3 Barcus Wroot for the First Time
Amidst the chaos and ruins in Blighted Village, you might spot a curious sight—a gnome spinning uncontrollably on a windmill, and that’s our Barcus Wroot. You will find him in the western part of the village but he’s not having the time of his life.
As you get closer, you’ll notice he’s not alone. A bunch of goblins are gathered around, making bets on how long he’ll last up there. If you ask me, the situation is completely against this gnome. However, you’ve got some choices to make there. You could go full-on warrior mode and kick some goblin butt to free him, or you could use your silver tongue to convince these goblins to find their fun at any other place.
During my playthrough, I decided to go the diplomatic route. Managed to convince the little troublemakers that there were better ways to entertain themselves. It’s all about reading the room—or, in this case, the pack of goblins.
Rescuing Barcus Wroot in Baldur’s Gate 3
After you’ve shooed away those goblins or showed them who’s boss, it’s time to get Barcus off that spinning nightmare of a windmill. Once you’ve put the brakes on the windmill, you can finally approach Barcus and help him down. Now, expect a little sass—this NPC isn’t the type to shower you with thanks. Honestly, he’s a bit skeptical about your intentions, probably wondering if you will toss him back up for another round.
But after a quick chat with you, he realizes you’re not one of the bad guys and decides to walk away. And then, he will be gone, but don’t worry, this isn’t the last you’ll see of him. If you think this is where the Barcus Wroot saga ends, you’re in for a surprise. That tricky gnome can pop back into your life when you least expect it.
So, you’ve had your first rendezvous with Barcus, saving him from a dizzying fate. But he will need your help once more, and this next part is important if you want him to accompany you on your journey ahead. So, on to Act 2 and another dicey situation for our gnome friend.
Second Encounter and the Act of Saving Him Again
In Act 2, Barcus Wroot makes another entrance into your storyline. This time, you’ll stumble upon him at Gyrmforge, and is he in another pickle. Barcus and some of his gnome buddies are caught by the Absolute Cultists and are working on freeing their leaders. It’s like this guy has a magnet for trouble or something.
Barcus is in this cave-in situation, and you and your crew need to get those rocks out of the way to save him. Once you’ve done that, you might expect a big, hearty “thank you” from our gnome friend. Spoiler alert: Barcus is still the same skeptical guy you met back at the windmill, but he’ll at least acknowledge you’re not out to get him.
Convincing Barcus Wroot to Join Your Camp
So you’ve saved Barcus not once but twice! You’d think he’d be ready to throw you a gnome-sized parade or something by now. After you free him from the cave-in at Gyrmforge, you’ll get the chance to chat and extend him the invitation to your camp. This is it, folks—the golden opportunity to bring Barcus into your circle.
If you’re new to Baldur’s Gate 3, here’s where the game’s mechanics matter the most. You’ve got one shot, one roll of the dice, to persuade Barcus to join your camp. If you’ve got a character with high charisma, now’s the time to bring them out. Initially, Barcus will be like, “Eh, thanks but no thanks.” But don’t give up! That’s what the persuasion roll is for. Nail it, and you’ll have yourself a new camp companion.
If you manage to convince him, he won’t become a party member actually, but he will hang out at your camp and even tag along as you head to the big leagues in Baldur’s Gate 3. And possibly, you’ll want him there for what comes next.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Why You Should Recruit Barcus Wroot?
Having Barcus around can really spice things up in the endgame. Sure, he might not be slinging spells or wielding a sword alongside you, but he has that diplomatic knack that can be useful.
When you finally make it to Baldur’s Gate, you’ll be entangled in some pretty complex politics, especially when it comes to the Ironhands and their leader, Wulbren, versus Gortash and the Steel Watch. Tensions are high, and things can get messy there but with Barcus at your side, he’s got a thing or two to say about this whole conflict.
With his nuanced understanding of the political landscape, Barcus can be your ace in the hole. He’ll step up and use his diplomatic skills to try and defuse the situation between the Ironhands and Gortash. And this isn’t just for show; his actions can actually lead to one of the good Baldur’s Gate 3 endings. Seriously, having this gnome around can turn your good ending into a great one!
So, what’s the moral of the story? Do NOT underestimate the power of making good terms with Barcus Wroot. He might come off as just another quirky NPC, but he can change the tide in ways you wouldn’t imagine. All those steps you took to find, save, and persuade him to join your camp? Trust me, they pay off big time in the end.
Furthermore, we have also covered other BG3 guides such as can you save Karlach in BG3, Dark Urge best class in Baldur’s Gate 3, or should you kill Anders or Karlachk the Devil in BG3? You can also visit our guides hub to check out all the latest information about the games.
