Minthara & Halsin react to the "Rite of Thorns" after it seals the Grove

[@rjai5003]

“You think some roots and branches can stop me?” -Minthara, shortly before getting stopped by some roots and branches

[@ThisIsAHandleOrSomething]

You can actually get back in with a teleport but I only tried that back in EA.

[@brittanysheets8782]

@@ThisIsAHandleOrSomething i got inside with some misty steps, everyone there was hostile

[@What_do_I_Think]

@@brittanysheets8782 No wonder, enraged by the shadow druids

[@Luca-tw5nt]

Minthara: you believe their roots and branches can stand against the absolute? it will FALL *5 mins later* the druids enchantment is impassible 👁️👄👁️

[@pativi6643]

Hahaha

[@knightofthetime]

Had me rolling ngl

[@ThearyRhines-pe2er]

The way she also underestimated the Rite of Thorns but gets mad at you for the same thing LMAO

[@Kasiarzynka]

Certified drow behavior: IT'S ONLY A MISTAKE IF you MADE IT. (At least as far as I understood drow society from the dnd wiki, lmao)

[@efaristi9737]

@@Kasiarzynka Drows don't make mistakes. They just have incompetents underlings.

[@SaraAdrian]

She has to have someone to blame or she will get punished at Moonrise.

[@RainbowEssence-c3w]

Everybody's talking about Minthara's hilarious reaction but goddamn poor Halsin! 😭I didn't know it was possible to rescue him after the Rite of Thorns gets completed.

[@KollbjornYT]

Halsin is a 300 Year Old Druid, Leader of the Grove, and there are clearly druids loyal to him in there but he just...gives up? He just let's the Shadow Druids win?

[@thisislame2207]

@@KollbjornYT There is a reason the rite of thorns is normally banned amongst druids, because there really isn't a well known way to take care of it once it happens. Knowing D&D magic and the fact it requires a numerous number of druids to even accomplish in the first place tells me it would require something like a chosen of silvanus to deal with. Problem is Silvanus doesn't have a chosen, and any ultra power magic users (8th or 9th) that aren't malicious are super ultra fuckin rare. I'm sure a wish spell could solve it.

[@elenalizabeth]

@@thisislame2207 I mean couldn’t fire take care of it? It’s plants isn’t it?

[@ToeBeanCozy]

I didn't even know it actually got completed. I genuinely thought I had all the time in the world xD

[@Foxtrox7616]

​@@elenalizabeth If it was so easy then it wouldn't be such a big deal. I guess the magic at work here works beyond just "plants"

[@Diresilence]

It took a bit, but... The Rite of Thorns does, basically, what they said it does. it seals off an area in nigh impassable, magic roots, that seal everything out and everyone in. Sounds great for druids, right? Well, except it seals everything in, and there's really no way back out without very high level magic, or direct divine intervention. From what little I could find, druids stopped doing it as most circles who actually pulled it off would ultimately end up killing eachother, as there really wasn't variation in how the circle would change, everything would pretty much remain protected, and as such the druids would have nothing to do but ultimately resent not being able to leave. Halsin is bummed because he more or less knows that the best case scenario is that they survive, but most likely all the people and animals within are dead within a few years

[@krystalneko4094]

For how story relevant the impassibility of the rite is, it's weird how they included a way to sneak in anyway that you just can't bring up in conversation.

[@Diresilence]

@@krystalneko4094 The rockface where you can sneak out the goblin? Probably either forgotten about, or maybe it got sealed in as well.

[@krystalneko4094]

@@Diresilence and you can actually just misty step through the thorns too

[@Diresilence]

@@krystalneko4094 That's pretty funny actually. "How did you get in." "Misty Step."

[@mrjones2721]

Most of the druids were jerks, so I’m more sad for the animals than for them. Though it makes you wonder how sweet Halsin wound up with a grove of prcks.

[@philipphachenberg4799]

This is literally the first time I have ever even heard of the possibility of the druids completing the rite. Fucking incredible

[@saiduqyulesca4885]

If you go to the mountain pass before stopping the rite, they cast the spell.

[@brendagalvaomartinsnunes4440]

@@saiduqyulesca4885 oh my god i didn't know that! I remember the first time I played, I streamed on discord so a friend could watch (he had played the game like 7 times at that point) and i still hadn't progressed much and i got to that scene in moutain pass where you see Voss landing and my friend was like "i wouldn't do this rn if i were you" so i backed away and went to do something else. Thank god he warned me cause damn

[@thunder2275]

@@brendagalvaomartinsnunes4440 you can actually do everything in the creche but the moment you enter the shadowlands/take the elevator it will auto-advance a bunch of stuff in act 1. The mountain pass just warns you cause the enemies there are pretty strong for the lv 3-4 players that usually find it early

[@Selnathorn]

@@brendagalvaomartinsnunes4440 I also think there is a hard time limit on how many long rests you can do before they complete it, but it probably is a rather high amount likely needing you to make several unnecessary long rests to achieve it. And I also think the timer only starts after talking to Khagha.

[@Exitsauce]

⁠@@Selnathorn There is no time limit. As long as you don’t progress the story or instigate a fight with the druids, the grove remains open.

[@merikijiya13]

500+ hours into this game and I didn’t even know this was possible.

[@Mulluns]

So basically, everyone loses. Druids trap themselves forever, Halsin can no longer return, and Minthara throws a tantrum.

[@yeeeze7461]

Yeah i got this in my first playthrough since i didn't know going to gith place would trigger it. It's pretty much all is lost scenario

[@oroontheheels]

Her confident quirky smile before absolute failure. I love her so much lol. (Not thinking that she was planning whole ass genocide there xD)

[@arcanegamer2723]

Shes gonna kill all the trees now

[@martinnolhaf3151]

I personally would not call it a genocide. Maybe I am this pedantic about it because I am German. Its a slaughter, a massacre, a (viking) raid, because the Tieflings or Druids do not get killed because of the species or their believes. But because the Absolute wants something. There could only be Dwarfes there, or Femal Human fighters or basically anybody. The Absolute would attack that place either way.

[@AirLancer]

Minthara: Bro, we've got this. Minthara 5 minutes later: Bro, we don't got this.

[@CrusasTheOrc]

I looked it up a bit and there’s several triggers for this event: -Kill either Kagha or Zevlor (each of them will give you a quest to assassinate the other, but do not kill all the druids) then long rest -Travel to the Mountainpass before resolving the conflict at the grove -Contrary to popular belief, multiple longrests do not trigger this event In order to save Halsin, you need to rescue him then tell him to wait in the prison area, he will remain there until you have dealt with the goblin or this event triggered then you can tell him about it

[@devonvox5618]

It should be noted that killing Kagha as a result of Investigate Kagha will not trigger the rite of thorns and instead will result in the ritual actually stopping, allowing you to also complete Mol's quest for obtaining the idol.

[@salamantics]

Contrary to your comment, yes long resting enough will cause the rite of thorns to complete. Zevlor and Kagha were still alive in my playthrough.

[@Alonepistachio]

@@salamanticsreally? How many long rest does it takes? Cuz thats never happened to me so Im guessing it’s quite the high number?

[@jackripley3906]

​@@AlonepistachioThey're either lying, picked a fight on accident but killed no one, or they accidentally wandered into the mountain pass

[@Ashhley_the_shawty]

​@@salamantics no offense but you're wrong there's no long rest limit😅

[@kylehalpern6695]

Minthara " are you saying that you have given up on the absolutes will so easily as to just give up by some thorns and branches." 😂

[@estranna]

How is the voice acting for Halsin so good with the face acting being so flat? You hear the pain and devastation in his voice, but his face hardly changes

[@kuddlecat]

Limitations with motion capture, to reach expressive levels of animation you'd need to hand animate everything

[@estranna]

@@kuddlecat they did it with Astarion, didn't they? But perhaps Astarion was one of the most valuable assets in the game, so Larian gave him the privilege

[@kuddlecat]

@@estranna ehhh I would argue that even Astarion has some stiff facial expressions but also Halsin was added as a romance option later. Also worth noting that Neil newborn was one of the mocap directors for the game so that might've influenced the result in Astarion? lol

[@krystalneko4094]

The game has thousands of voice lines and this is a route most people wouldn't even think of so they probably have it pretty low on the touch-up priority list or they just straight up forgot about it. iirc a lot of the hand keying had to be added post-launch anyway to the much more popular companions like in the first 2 patches.

[@valartman2671]

​@@estranna some companions are just less fleshed out than others

[@ladyselin35]

Thats why either Kagha or Shadow druids dies for me.

[@MarkATorres1989]

I've killed both on many play through. Though rarely do I spare Kagha if I'm playing the redemption type character... and only if I want that staff.

[@water9043]

You get the staff either way if you're a druid

[@garrettcarter5622]

Kagha and Wulbren would be the Bastard Power Couple of the Century.

[@Geni-yh1pv]

@@MarkATorres1989everyone deserves Chance of redemption

[@MarkATorres1989]

@@Geni-yh1pv True, though at times those types just double down on their mind set. In Kagha's case, if you don't reveal the Shadow Druids and persuade her to change her ways. Kagha just doubles down and gives off veiled threats that she has not changed her ways. Worst when you fail to save the tiefling girl, or cause it, Kagha only briefly panics and then continues with her mindset.

[@mugen3603]

Can't believe they did this. Over a few dozen goblins. And these guys can literally turn into bears and wolves to fight. But they didn't even try. They would rather run and hide forever instead.

[@OrderRealm]

Several dozen goblins, giant spiders, ogres, gnolls, drow, bugbears, and wargs.

[@nerilei29]

Halsin looks devastated, it's very sad. He has to watch his grove being destroyed and there is nothing he can do about it. However, I didn't know that he could be saved after the ritual was completed. I wonder how much more this game has to offer.

[@aranyaphoenix]

Poor Halsin! My sweet man-bear! 😭😭😭

[@Garbagecant24]

Felt bad for the big guy. He has such a kind soul

[@KollbjornYT]

Halsin just giving up is such a "bruh" moment

[@CornBreadtm1]

Everyone in the grove is dead. It's a few years of goodberries and create food and water till everyone goes mad and starts eating each other. It's basically Fallout vaults. 99% are just corpses.

[@suitov]

And Halsin doesn't know it, perhaps fortunately for him, but there are three people already in there who are going to start a revolt and take control. After they groom their little whiskers.

[@jujudisasters]

Minthara's little temper tantrum was the best part

[@Mikkyjaws]

I've never does this route... I assume allbthe entrances are closed off, like the cliff side where lakrissa is sitting, and secret tunnel?

[@phenixqc3197]

there is a way if not patch to misty step inside

[@6I6l6.]

i forgot my astarion inside the grove when it was sealed lol theres nothing and no one inside.

[@JohnSmith-bn5mi]

Minthara: You think they can overcome the fury of *The Absolu-* Oh shit, yeah, that's pretty strong... Gotta save face somehow though.

[@babiifrshj07]

I can't believe the rite of thorns can be finished. How? How does this happen?

[@B1izzardHawk]

Traveling to another area like the mountain pass was how it happened with me. By that point, Halsin was dead

[@andrewbuchanan1506]

If you incite violence between the tieflings and druids, such as stealing the idol for Mol.

[@riptidetube123]

you can steal the idol but only after dealing with the shadow druid situation, anytime before causes a battle between the druids and tieflings

[@addison_1661]

@@riptidetube123 nah when you defeat the goblin leaders you can grab it when you send them to camp. Mol is in camp at night

[@paragonvice1128]

It happens after you either kill Zevlor and long rest, incite violence (but leave and long rest before you kill everyone), or if you move on to either the mountain pass or the shadow-cursed lands without resolving the act 1 grove/goblin confrontation

[@TheAusar]

I didn't even know this could happen...

[@What_do_I_Think]

The irony is, that Minthara misses out a very important thing: (small spoilers ahead) The reason Minthara wants to attack the grove in the first place is "the weapon" -- the thing, the Tav carries around with him/her -- so there is basically no reason to be mad about ....

[@angryvaultguy]

But she doesn't know tav has it she thinks it's in the grove, that's why she's mad

[@What_do_I_Think]

@@angryvaultguy I already knew. But thank you for the reminder.

[@Aishyo]

I was curious about what would happen if they went through with it. thanks for showing

[@okayolek]

you dont have to fight Minthara once the grove is sealed and she will be your ally in act 2 if you just leave for the creche area and come back. she doesn't even show up at the grove, the journal entry just says she's pissed off and when you return to the goblin camp, she's gone already

[@South_Wall]

Everyone talk about the Halsin or Minthara reactions. But nobody mentioned how cursed this squad looks like

[@abcdefghij337]

I looked at Astarion’s booty shorts and went “Oh no. Look how they’ve massacred my boy.”

[@mintkit1064]

It's very hard to take them seriously when Shadowheart and Astarion are standing behind a bespectacled Tav in their unders and pj's 😂

[@juliaconstantine8325]

i absolutely did not know that the rite of thorns can be completed!! i've had this game for a year!!!

[@thewidow7864]

I tried this, but Halsin was already dead when I went for him.

[@cuteandfluffypikachu3405]

I came across this on my last play through and I thought it was some glitch 🤣😂🤣

[@THCRAnimalSanctuary]

Poor dude looks like hes about to burst into tears. So sorry, Halsin.

[@tylertheultimatebadass87]

1:55 Oh my! Oo-la-la Astarion. What *are* you doing to me?

[@menotme4602]

I didn't even know that they could really do this

[@tynus293]

This at least gives Halsin a reason to not come back to the grove. Makes more sense than when he just decides to abandon it after he returns.

[@manbearpig6025]

Does this recruit Haslin to your party? (As a playable?) or do you still need to complete his questline in act 2?

[@xAfterTomorrowx]

ps you still gotta complete his questline. this is just an alternate scenario of the whole grove questline

[@introvertedmaestro]

I love the glasses and the horns!

[@AshGreen359]

Where do you get the glasses?

[@thornelson1411]

How do you get both Minthara and Halsin alive at the same time and the rite of thorns? I kinda want to do this for a lawful evil playthrough

[@alyonamironova7290]

1. Do not talk to Netty, so you don't have the idea about Halsin. 2. Come to mountain pass. 3. Long rest. 4. Make sure the grove is sealed. 5. Come to goblins camp and do not talk to leaders. 6. Save Halsin, goblins in other rooms won't be hostile. 7. Speak to Minthy. This may be not 100% working since Halsin may become an AI npc wishing to kill Minthara, but I'm sure there should be some way to handle it.

[@blackmoon2128]

Radaon of Elden Ring is also a druid confirmed, did the rite of thorns in the erdtree and whatnot.

[@grymmoire]

I cannot take this video seriously with your character wearing glasses and Astarion wearing shorts

[@Rymdpandan]

Some people thought that the game was too horny, this person thought the game wasn't horny enough.

[@someonestolebigboi-imbigboi]

damn halsin cannot catch a break in act 1

[@olifdoe]

Please tell me what mod you use for the horns for Tav

[@jinxpianista]

1:47 I love how she looks like she is screaming "NOOOOO!" to the sky

[@Jayk-kz7sh]

The immediate cut to Minthara throwing her hands up in defeat was the best part! 😂 It was like she was a classic cartoon villain for a second

[@goliathxanatos706]

Question: If the Rite of Thorns is up, can you still enter the grove through the hidden goblin tunnel? It leads directly inside the grove behind the prison. Never tried it myself, so I wonder if it’s still open.

[@elenalizabeth]

Goblin tunnel? I’ve never found it, where is it?

[@somerandomgamer8504]

@@elenalizabeth The entrance inside the grove is on a ledge just beside the prison. The other end is along the path towards the Blighted Village.

[@dawiddymaczewski4692]

It is also blocked unfortunately.

[@cletusmcyeetus5975]

Even if you somehow managed to enter the grove after the Rite of Thorns is done, everyone in the grove would attack on sight. Unless you're planning to loot, I really don't recommend going back in.

[@erikburzinski8248]

​@@dawiddymaczewski4692 hi kyubey

[@triscitbiscuit6894]

My first run, I murdered kagha and didn’t regret it at all

[@Emma-se5wm]

same. i also failed my persuasion rolls while confronting her about the shadow druids, and died to her and the shadow druids twice before winning the fight on the 3rd try. rath was the only one who lived. every time i died i tried to persuade her but failed the roll, so it was a sign that she needed to be put down in my ranger playthrough.

[@Hercules1-v9m]

Casually pulls out a tourch.

[@francescoarmandcalosanarez1043]

How is there few party members?

[@XxAmayaSanxX]

Omfg poor Halsin 😭😭😭

[@kajetankrakowski1368]

what mods are you using for your tav?

[@quelithe]

How do you get this scene with Halsin? I always save him before rite is done.

[@Mattsothelioma]

Ok so I’m willing to admit there’s probably more to it then *just some impressive shrubbery” But like what even *is* this rite? Like Halsin’s reaction makes it seem like they sealed the grove into some tiny little pocket dimension for all eternity…

[@MarkATorres1989]

That is exactly what it did, and only high level casters could possibly open up and unseal the groove at that point. Sadly, none of the druids in the groove are even close to being strong enough.

[@EdMan6623]

I presume no matter how much you cut off or burn, the thorns will just keep growing back, making it impossible to get through them.

[@Antonin1738]

dang, I need those glasses & face mods, looks cool!

[@KanaHyoshi]

I have stolen the idol every single time. I forgot about the rite.

[@mervynyevu277]

Reactions aside, where did you find those outfits? 🤔 especially Astarion's at the last scene?

[@moth6084]

I'm almost sure that they are from basket full pf equipment mod

[@Agiantpansy]

Stupid Halsin seems to have forgotten he can just turn into a bird and fly up and over the thorns.

[@Asri_]

You can't. I've tried as a bird. It's a divine ritual, not just a wall of plants.

[@ghostlyswat12]

You think he’d be able to turn into a bird and fly in

[@TheStrongVirus]

My friend was so convinced that completing the rite and her extreme behaviours meant she was a spy for the absolute. (Because in her play through she got the tieflings to leave and the druids sealed themselves in) That when I mad my friend join the absolute with me (thinking I was doing an evil play through) we took over the grove and my friend thought it a good idea to go in via the druids lift… where she was quickly killed by the Druids before the goblins had reached the last teiflings. I guess that’s one way how you find out the Druids were just led by a mad woman. Not a cult spy.

[@asyanimasi3d]

Where do you got the spectacle... Your charecter is sooooo cute

[@marcnolan2409]

I didn't know the rite could be completed

[@kiemugen9830]

lolwut? this rite is really can be finished?? so thaaats why this stupid teleport is not inside this groove...

[@nicholaswopperer5092]

Where is that shadowheart outfit from?!

[@Kamn_exe]

That's what I'm asking. Where do you guys find all this drip??

[@Konpekikaminari]

That's Lae'zel's camp outfit/undergarments

[@JamesDante]

Mods bro

[@welcometoapollocabin2432]

WAIT THE RITE OF THORNS CAN ACTUALLY HAPPEN

[@sageoftruth]

This is game modded? How is it that you have 5 people in your party?

[@davido.1233]

Based on what I've witnessed in my last playthrough, I think I did the right thing in stopping the druids from sealing themselves in and saving Minthara from the Absolute.

[@michellevi4919]

Where does everyone get all these fun fashion things? Everything except the undies I stole from shadowheart looks like someone looted it from a trash can at goodwill.

[@the_infinexos]

Can't the druids just turn into birds and fly over

[@Blastopia]

Can’t Halsin turn into a bird and go in the Grove?

[@CornBreadtm1]

When he leaves he turns into a mouse and that's how he gets out of the goblin camp. So he didn't need rescue and could leave at any time...

[@deffdefying4803]

Of course but that would ruin the drama of it all.

[@Asri_]

No, you can't get into the Grove in any animal form. (I tried.)

[@Blastopia]

@@Asri_ not in game but in the lore he should be able to turn into something really small or anything that can fly

[@jerome6191]

If you knock her out will she joine you in act 2?

[@knightmare1267]

Minthara? Yes

[@mangomage33]

When does the rite actually finish?

[@101nine8]

And then the shadow druids kill everyone inside 😂 (id imagine anyway. Hopefully kagha first)

[@pativi6643]

How does the rite complete anyways?

[@itsCaptainEli]

I'm not entirely sure, I believe taking a ton of a long rests without preventing it, or heading into the later act 1 zones, the mountain pass and Grymforge, without preventing it first. Admittedly I've never let it happen, so I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard a few theories.

[@pativi6643]

@@itsCaptainEli Oooh, progressing the game into Act2, without solving the issue must be it. There's after all a message that warns you if you are sure you want to progress the game, because the state of the world will change. I know that even with tons of long rests, the quest won't progress, someone was checking it.

[@itsCaptainEli]

@pativi6643 I'm not sure if it's act 2 per se or not, because I don't think you can even go back to the grove after passing into the shadow cursed lands.

[@restlessteela]

the way i trigger the Right of thorns is by attacking a druid (especially one of the druids performing the ritual) and then I run away from battle and hide in kagha's chamber so I'm able to go to camp and long rest after you wake up you'll be kicked out and the Grove will be sealed, even the fast teleport point on the map for the grove will be gone

[@pativi6643]

@@itsCaptainEli Oh you definitely are able to access Act 1 areas after you progress to the Shadow Cursed lands. Act 1 areas becomes inaccesible only sometime later during Act 2, not sure where the point of no return is exactly though, I think Moonrise Towers?

[@Mithcoriel]

Ooh, you're wearing the nymph's head outfit. A mod?

[@StrawberryQuestions]

Your tavthough….. gorgeous

[@Darkstar2425]

PLEASE MODS PLEASE MODS PLEASE MODS! Thank you. Much love.

[@WingXCustom]

If that grove is sealed off forever, i hate to break it to you but those Druid'ls are gonna starve

[@Rementra]

Let them eat Goodberry.

[@aristotelesdelaetneto7878]

Not forever, after they get corrupted I’m pretty sure they would reopen and it wouldn’t take long at least half of the druids accept being corrupted before the grove being closed.

[@ponglenis9273]

Folks see this and act like monthara is a good person

[@Lysirius]

The most boring answer, I wonder if the second option would also lead to confrontation?

[@FalloutGuy22]

Rare Minthara L

[@LolUGotBusted]

Your title doesn't sit rite with me

[@restlessteela]

LMAO 😭ty for noticing, i fixed it

[@dreamerofthorns]

It's cuz either: Remove the 's from halsin and give reacts that s Or Make it say reactions

[@restlessteela]

tysm im a not a native eng speaker so i appreciate the help

[@dreamerofthorns]

@@restlessteela of course, no problem ^-^ you're doing great, btw

[@6I6l6.]

god i love mintharas va

[@chriswho12345]

is the secret passage to the left of the grove entrance sealed as well? it's a cave so it shouldn't be affected. lol btw speaks a lot of the thorns if the devs have to make bs to make the ritual actually result in safety (from you!)

[@Asri_]

No, the whole Grove is shut including the cave and the cliff outside Zevlor's room.

[@benjaminrosendallarsen1969]

Honestly didn't even know the rite could be completed XD always side with the Tieflings

[@DevilWolf000]

5 man party ? Bruh stop cheating.

[@knightmare1267]

Bruh its a single player game

[@velinas_]

This is an interesting variant. How to rescue Halsin without helping the entitled tiefling lot. I like this solution.

[@dantefiore8442]

The tieflings who if they leave are gonna be butchered are entitled? Bruh

[@velinas_]

@@dantefiore8442 The same tieflings who let their brats run wild and steal from the people they are asking for aid ( the adventuring party and the druids). The same tieflings who instantly other Lae'zel and want to kill her simply because she is unfamiliar to them. Most of them, with a few exceptions, act awful and hardly deserve aid. The player's party and the druids don't owe the devil-kin anything.

[@basedcabba]

I'm convinced Kagha herself wrote this comment.

[@velinas_]

​@@dantefiore8442They could have chosen to behave better towards the people whose aid they request. It makes a considerable difference. The druids and the adventuring party do not owe them anything.

[@CornBreadtm1]

@@velinas_ They are actually well behaved and help defend the grove from all attacks as the first line of defense. Only the kids act up but they are kids, so they are suppose too. The druids literally do nothing till goblins get into the grove. Which is idiotic. You'd think they'd supervise the Tieflings at least, but no they literally leave all defense to the Tieflings. While blaming them for all of their troubles and trying to kick them out. The Tieflings also are the ones getting supplies. A druid tries it and get captured and let goblins into their secret entrance like an idiot. Basically when you first see the goblin attack on the grove, if you didn't interfere and there were no Tieflings, they would have wiped out the grove from 2 angles with no escape route.