Skip to content
Guiding Beacon
Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Guiding Beacon

Follow this guide to complete the Guiding Beacon quest in Pathfinder: Kingmaker, involving Kesten Garess, Bartholomew, and a horde of trolls. Learn strategies and rewards.

By ···10 min read·Multi-source verified
1 reading this guide  

Follow this guide to complete the Guiding Beacon quest in Pathfinder: Kingmaker, involving Kesten Garess, Bartholomew, and a horde of trolls. Learn strategies and rewards.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    When the New Troll Sightings event triggers, return to the Lone House area. Kesten Garess will inform you about advancing trolls and mention Bartholomew.
  2. 2
    Navigate through the area, which is now overrun by various trolls including Trolls and Branded Trolls. Be aware of traps scattered around.
  3. 3
    Specifically, you will encounter:
    • Three Trolls and a Branded Troll on the western end.
  4. 4
    Two Trolls and a Branded Troll fighting three Bandits on the road.
  5. 5
    Two Branded Trolls and two Trolls on the eastern part of the road.
  6. 6
    Numerous Trolls and Branded Trolls fighting Summoned Giant Spiders.
  7. 7
    A Troll and Branded Troll in the middle of the woods.
  8. 8
    Two Trolls and two Branded Trolls near a petrified rock troll in the northwestern corner.
  9. 9
    A Branded Troll and four Trollhounds near Bartholomew’s laboratory.
  10. 10
    Reach Bartholomew’s laboratory (the shack behind his house). Ensure your party is healed and buffed before entering.
  11. 11
    Enter the laboratory and head downstairs. You will find up to three trolls (two Trolls, possibly including Dimwit, and a Branded Troll) attacking Bartholomew. If turn-based mode is active, disable it to avoid party bottlenecking at the doorway, then re-enable it once the doorway is clear.
  12. 12
    Prioritize saving Bartholomew. Use debilitating spells like _Glitterdust_ on the far trolls and _Hideous Laughter_ on the Branded Troll.
  13. 13
    Cast _Haste_ on your party to increase damage output. Focus attacks on the Branded Troll.
  14. 14
    Heal Bartholomew if necessary, and consider applying buffs like _Displacement_ or _Stoneskin_ to him.
  15. 15
    Defeat the trolls while keeping Bartholomew alive.
  16. 16
    Loot the Branded Troll for a Torag’s Pendant and The Crusher (+2 Greatclub with Oversized property).
  17. 17
    Talk to Bartholomew. He will thank you, mark the location of the troll stronghold (Dwarven Ruins) on your map, and give you a Wand of Acid Arrow.
Tips
  • The battle to save Bartholomew can be challenging and may require multiple attempts due to its reliance on RNG.
  • Debilitating the trolls with spells is crucial, as Bartholomew is vulnerable and may not survive direct attacks.
  • Summoned creatures may not be effective as the trolls are focused on Bartholomew.
  • Healing Bartholomew is more important than healing the trolls.
  • 375 XP
  • 90 XP
  • Torag’s Pendant
  • The Crusher (+2 Greatclub)
  • Wand of Acid Arrow

100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content