Avowed Guide: Emerald Stair Totem Fragments & Dawnshore Secret Vendor

There’s something deeply satisfying about hunting down godly relics in Avowed, especially when the god in question is Skaen, patron saint of secrets, knives in the dark, and righteous revenge. After combing every root-choked ruin and foggy marsh of the Emerald Stair, I can confidently say this is one of the most rewarding totem hunts Obsidian has designed, not because it’s easy, but because it respects players who explore, experiment, and pay attention.

Below is a fan-written, no-nonsense, fully reworked guide to the Emerald Stair God Totem, written in the spirit of a gaming magazine column or a long Reddit post from someone who actually cleared the zone instead of rushing a checklist.

Totem of Defiance – All Fragment Locations

You’ll need seven pieces total: the base and six fragments. Once assembled at camp, the Totem of Defiance unlocks Skaen-themed passive bonuses that reward retaliation, stealth, and controlled aggression.

1. Totem Base – The Schemer’s Offering

Location: Shrine to Skaen, western Emerald Stair. Fan take: This is classic vertical level design done right. The ruined tower west of Delemgan Glade looks intimidating, but the glowing blue mushrooms and rock ledges clearly telegraph the path upward. Think like a platformer player, not a traditional RPG looter, and you’ll reach the altar at the summit.

2. Obsidian Prayer Beads

Location: Delemgan Glade. Fan take: Found on a corpse overlooking the arena courtyard near the Delemgan Queen’s throne room, this fragment quietly tells a story. Someone fought, someone lost, and Skaen claimed what remained.

3. Idol of Violent Rebellion

Location: Ranger Headquarters, far east of the region. Fan take: If you see a massive signal fire, you’re in the right place. Climb the lookout tower and check the crates at the very top. The view alone makes this one memorable.

4. Sacrificial Dagger

Location: Abandoned Farms, northeastern Emerald Stair. Fan take: This fragment is easy to miss because it’s hiding in plain sight. On the north side of the main building, the dagger is pinning a note to a boarded doorway. It’s subtle, cruel, and very on-theme for Skaen.

5. Idol of Covert Plots

Location: Grim Wetlands Church. Fan take: The front door is barred, but a hidden switch on a statue lamp opens a side entrance. Inside, the idol rests quietly on a bench at the back of the church, making this feel more like a forbidden discovery than standard loot.

6. Effigy Necklace

Location: Naku Tedek Grounds, lower levels. Fan take: Usually accessed during or after the Ancient Soil quest, this fragment combines shock panels and ice platforming. It’s a small mechanics check that feels satisfying instead of annoying.

7. Idol of Secret Hatred

Location: Ancient Grotto. Fan take: Near one of the exits, look for a crawl tunnel lit by pink plants. This is exactly where a god of secrets would hide an idol, and it’s a great example of environmental misdirection.

Why the Totem of Defiance Is Worth the Effort

Once assembled, the Totem of Defiance turns your character into a quiet powerhouse. After taking damage, your next attack deals a percentage of that damage back, and additional bonuses improve critical hits and stealth synergy. It’s not flashy, but it’s smart, especially for rogue, hybrid, or retaliation-focused builds.

Quick Reference Table

Avowed Dawnshore After Dark: The Hidden Merchant Every Player Misses

If there’s one thing Avowed does exceptionally well, it’s rewarding curiosity. Dawnshore looks straightforward at first glance — Paradis, docks, a few obvious vendors — but if you play it like a checklist RPG, you’ll miss one of the most useful merchants in the entire early game.

Yes, I’m talking about that missing merchant icon. No, your map isn’t bugged. And yes, Obsidian absolutely did this on purpose.

The “Secret” Dawnshore Merchant — What’s Really Going On

Early on, many players notice a merchant marker in Dawnshore with no merchant in sight. After plenty of aimless wandering, the truth turns out to be refreshingly intentional world design rather than a glitch.

This vendor hides depending on the time of day, and finding them is less about quest markers and more about paying attention to the environment.

• Come at night — this matters more than the game tells you
• Search outside the main Paradis routes near rocky edges
• Look for torchlight marking a shallow cave entrance
• Speak to the merchant inside to unlock their normal shop location

Once you interact with them, the merchant will later appear at their proper shop during the day. It’s a subtle mechanic that quietly rewards players who explore instead of rushing objectives.

Dawnshore Merchants That Actually Matter

Not all vendors are worth your gold. If you’re hunting Adra, unique gear, or treasure maps that lead to real rewards, these merchants should be on your radar.

• Sanza — Located in Paradis Hightown, essential for treasure maps and regional quests
• Lynna — Found at Claviger’s Landing, sells a key map leading to unique armor
• Gweneth — A reliable blacksmith in the Market District with Adra and solid gear
• Merylin — Specializes in magical weapons and armor that stay relevant longer than expected

Avowed Guide: How to Dual Wield & Best Wizard-Archer Build

Why Treasure Maps Are Worth Your Coin

Treasure maps in Dawnshore are not filler collectibles. They often lead to secret mechanics, hidden switches, and unique rewards that outperform early crafted gear.

Many treasures are hidden behind false walls, button-activated panels, or unmarked caves that you’d never find without a map or careful exploration.

Vendor Tricks the Game Never Explains

A few practical tips that can save you time and frustration early on:

• Force vendor restocks by entering and exiting your party camp around five times
• Buy Adra early whenever it appears in vendor inventories
• Sell early-game gear instead of scrapping it to maintain gold flexibility

Quick Merchant Overview

Veteran Tips

Buy clue notes from Lluisa Meleer at the Farmer’s Market if you want to roleplay instead of beelining objectives. Combine this hunt with the Mapping the Living Lands quest for efficient exploration XP. Lore fans should cross-check discoveries with the Pillars of Eternity Wiki to fully appreciate Skaen’s influence.

Final Fan Verdict: The Emerald Stair totem hunt isn’t just a collectible checklist. It’s a showcase of Obsidian’s environmental design philosophy, rewarding curiosity and patience. If Avowed continues delivering content at this level, it’s well on its way to becoming a modern RPG classic.

Dawnshore quietly teaches players how Avowed wants to be played. Slow down, explore at different times of day, watch the environment, and trust that secrets are hidden deliberately.

The secret merchant isn’t just another vendor. It’s a signal that curiosity pays off, and in Avowed, attention is often rewarded with power.