Baldur’s Gate 3: Stop the Windmill and free the Gnome

The wilderness in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3 is a treacherous place. You’ll have plenty of adventures as you explore it, and so will the other characters you meet. One example of a character in the middle of an adventure is the gnome you meet early in your campaign. Monsters are giving him a hard time, but you can intervene. Here is our guide telling you how to free the gnome in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3 – how to free the Gnome

As you make your way through the central portion of the Blighted Village, north from the front gate, you’ll come across a windmill. Some monsters are messing around with a gnome named Barcus Wroot. They have secured him to a windmill with rope and are laughing about his distress. As you approach, the Rescue the Gnome objective is added to your journal. To free the Gnome, you must first persuade his tormentors to leave, and then you must deactivate the contraption and untie him.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

If you have a persuasive character in your group, such as a bard, the first step should be relatively easy. You can talk to Fezzerk to begin a dialog. Ask, ‘What the hells are you doing?‘ Then follow up with, ‘Let me rephrase that – why are you doing this?‘ Finally, say, ‘Fun’s over – release the gnome at once.‘

You should pulse with authority and find you have several options about how to proceed from there. I chose the ‘Intimidation‘ option. It has a high difficulty rating, but my bard got a stat boost. You can save shortly ahead of the event, then reload your save if necessary. Properly intimidated, Fezzerk leads his confused minions away, leaving you alone with the gnome. I suspect it’s also possible to simply kill the monsters and then free the gnome, but I always prefer a peaceful resolution.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Your next step is to get the gnome down from the windmill. You accomplish this task by heading around the side of the building. There is a doorway.

Pass through the doorway and find the large spinning gears, just beyond the ladder. Pull the ‘brake’ lever to stop the contraption. Then head back outside to talk to the gnome and free him.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.