The Gilded Vale

Learn how to navigate the Encampment in Pillars of Eternity, find the Springberry, and recruit companions Calisca and Heodan.

Walkthrough:

1. After creating your character, Caravan Master Odema will warn you of dangers and advise you to find a Springberry for your Rumbling Rot, which currently inflicts a debuff reducing Fortitude and Concentration by -3.
2. Exhaust Odema's conversation options. He will assign Calisca, a Level 1 Fighter (Meadow Folk, Dyrwood, Explorer) with skills in Athletics, Lore (2), and Survival (2), to accompany you.
3. Explore the surroundings. Search the crate to the right of the camp for clothing and a Lockpick. If you have Mechanics skill, pick the Difficulty 1 lock on another crate to gain 10XP and a Potion of Minor Endurance.
4. Find Heodan the trader to the left of the encampment. Search his nearby crate for 10cp and a Potion of Minor Regeneration. Speak to him to learn about him and the Aedyr Empire. Your initial response can grant a Disposition point (Passionate, Clever, or Cruel). Asking about his move to the Dyrwood can grant a Diplomatic or Rational point. Heodan pays 75% of purchase price, offering 75cp for found clothes.
5. Head southeast from the Encampment to find a fallen tree blocking your path. Go through a gap in the ruins' wall and examine the far wall for an Orlan's Cradle fungus (crafting ingredient).
6. Return to the Encampment and head southeast past a tree with a lantern and a low wall. Ignore the bridge across the stream for now.
7. Continue southeast until you find two dead bodies. Loot them for a Leather Armor and a Lockpick.
8. Return to the ignored bridge, cross it, and proceed to the remains of a camp. Search a bivouac for Beer. Toggle scouting mode (L3) to detect a hidden object in another tent.
9. Search the hidden object to find The Disappointer, a unique but Terrible pistol. Continue to the edge of the map to find a Dyrcap (crafting ingredient).
10. Return to Heodan, who will pay 150cp for The Disappointer.
11. Head northwest from the Encampment. Find Admeth's Wyrt growing by the side of the path. Go through the opposite gap and you will be attacked by a Young Wolf. Defeat it, partially unlocking its bestiary entry and earning 24XP (the only XP from combat). Loot the Wolf Hide (sellable for cp).
12. Past a deer carcass, find the Springberry bush. After picking it, Calisca will ask about your background and goals, which will pad out your character biography. You can question Calisca about herself.
13. The quest updates. Before looking for Sparfel, search the west for Burned Lady.
14. Return to the lantern tree; Sparfel may have been there. Go back across the bridge to find waterskins on the ground. Clicking them triggers a scripted sequence where Sparfel reappears with an arrow in his back.
15. You will be ambushed by two Glanfathan Hunters (axe and bow). Send Calisca after one while you engage the other. Loot their bodies for a Hunter bow, Hide armor, and cp.
16. Head back across the bridge to the camp. Upon returning to the lantern tree, you will be attacked by three more Glanfathan Hunters (two axemen, one archer). Loot them.
17. Return to the Encampment. Most companions are dead, but Heodan is alive. The Glanfathan Leader orders you to disarm.
18. If you have Lore ranks, choose an additional response. Do not agree to lay down your arms. The option