Rite of Thorns (ritual)

The Rite of Thorns is a Silvanite ritual performed by the druids of the Emerald Grove.

The Ramparts of the Emerald Grove after the Rite of Thorns has been completed.

“

The Rite of Thorns. It is the Treefather's gift, that none come to harm. When we speak the final prayer, the Great Vine will sprout forth. The grove will be cloaked in bramble and thorn. No one enters, no one leaves. Sanctuary.

„

— Kagha describes the Rite

Overview

The ritual is being performed by the order of acting First Druid Kagha. Once the ritual is complete, the Emerald Grove will become completely inaccessible to the party. This change is permanent. It prevents the Grove from being attacked by Minthara's forces and will turn her against the party if they were prevously allied.

The Idol of Silvanus is an important material component to the Rite of Thorns. The Rite was temporarily disrupted when the young tiefling Arabella stole the Idol.

Rite of Thorns

The rite is being performed in the Sacred Pool of the Emerald Grove. The druids Elwyn, Karrik, Aelar, Inwe, and Tahan can be found chanting around the Idol of Silvanus.^[1] The chant has six lines, with each new line spoken by the next chanter. Since there are only five chanters, they will all eventually chant all six lines.^[2]

“	Hostes subeunt. Protege nos. Muni nos. Defende nos ab imminentibus aequilibrio tuo. Complexum tuum, ad terra ortum, ad nos defer. Ab spiritu humoque, arculeus vitisque. In umbram cretus, sanguine iuratus. Aggeniculamur in umbra tua, Pater Arborum.	„
	— Chant of the Rite of Thorns

^[3]

The party can learn more about the Rite during the Quest Investigate Kagha, which can start when reading the scroll Rite of Thorns in the Servants' Quarters. After speaking to Kagha, a Druid player character may note that the Rite of Thorns is a rare practice, outlawed in most circles for causing more harm than it eases.

Following the lead in the Half-Torn Note will lead the party to finding the Letter to Kagha. This letter reveals that performing the Rite of Thorns is a step towards turning the Emerald Grove into another domain of the Shadow Druids.

Completion Triggers

The Rite of Thorns can be indirectly completed by the party's actions. So far, four distinct actions can trigger the completion of the rite, they are as follows:

Killing Zevlor and a large number of Tiefling refugees at the Emerald Grove.
Annoying the druids enough to trigger a cutscene (stealing the Idol of Silvanus or attacking them).
Travelling to the Mountain Pass or Shadow-Cursed Lands before rescuing Halsin during Rescue the Druid Halsin.
Killing Kagha and getting a long rest without killing every other druid.

Notes and references

↑ It is possible to enter the grove by casting Fly and then flying up near where the horn is.
↑ The amount of Long Rests is not a trigger for completion.
↑ The chant appears to be Latin. A rough translation: "The enemy attacks. Protect us, fortify us. Defend us from threats to your balance. Your complex, rising from the earth. Bring it to us. From the spirit and the earth, the thorn and vine. He crept into the shade, sworn by blood. Let us sleep in your shade, father of trees", Rite of Thorns (rough translation), Reddit.

External Links

Rite of Thorns on the Forgotten Realms Wiki

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[1] It is possible to enter the grove by casting Fly and then flying up near where the horn is.

[2] The amount of Long Rests is not a trigger for completion.

[3] The chant appears to be Latin. A rough translation: "The enemy attacks. Protect us, fortify us. Defend us from threats to your balance. Your complex, rising from the earth. Bring it to us. From the spirit and the earth, the thorn and vine. He crept into the shade, sworn by blood. Let us sleep in your shade, father of trees", Rite of Thorns (rough translation), Reddit.

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