The Emerald Stair region in Avowed is packed with secrets. But if the investigative legwork required to complete the Totem of Defiance gets tiring, we’ve got you covered. This totem can provide powerful buffs like attack bonuses and weapons inflicting poison on foes. Read on to learn where you can find all seven relics and how the Totem of Defiance can take your combat builds to the next level.

Starting the Totem of Defiance Quest¶

Pick up one of the relics associated with the Totem of Defiance to trigger this quest. If you want some clues to these relics, meet Lluisa Melcer near the Farmers’ Market Beacon. She will have a document you can purchase that gives you some helpful hints. While this won’t mark the precise location of these items, the clues will give you a general idea of where they might be. Don’t worry about deciphering them. Follow the maps below and finish your collection with some fast travel point hopping.

Here’s a table that covers the bonuses you can get by clearing the Totem of Defiance quest.

Totem of Defiance Fragment Perks¶

The Schemer’s Offering Totem Core¶

“To find the totem of the Quiet Slave, an ancient tower you must brave.”

Start with the totem core since you’ll need it for the other relics to work. Head north from the Delemgan Glade Beacon (west of Emerald Stair) and you’ll find yourself at the Shrine to Skaen. It’ll involve a bit of parkour through rocky terrain but it’s fairly straightforward. Pick up The Schemer’s Offering at the altar. That should let you use any fragments you acquire later on.

Obsidian Prayer Beads¶

“In a verdant glade where old ruins crumble, you will find beads dark and umbral.”

The first relic is also near the Delemgan Glade Beacon. This time, head further west from the fast travel point. If you haven’t cleared The Animancy Method quest that involves getting an Adragan Heart, the mushroom-like creatures and forest spirits will turn hostile as you approach. Steer clear of them or take them down as you head west. The Ranger’s invisibility skill is a good option here. You’ll eventually find yourself at a large clearing. Here, keep climbing rocks and tree roots until you find the Obsidian Prayer Beads next to a corpse.

Effigy Necklace¶

“Hidden in ruins of heathens long gone, the octet of skulls sings its silent song.”

The next relic can be found in the Nadu Tedek ruins. You’ll gain access to it near the Nadu Tedek Party Camp during the main story with Giatta. Once you’re inside, you’ll spot a locked door on the left with a yellow shield glowing above it. Use an electric grenade to activate the generator on the wall to open this door. Head inside, toss an ice grenade to freeze the water, and jump to a table to find the Effigy Necklace.

Idol of Violent Rebellion¶

“From on high the third surveys the land, sewing the seeds of revolt near at hand.”

For once, the clue is fairly simple to decipher. This relic sits at the Ranger Headquarters east of Fior mes Iverno. The Rolling Crags Beacon gets you there quickly and a fair bit of platform hopping will get you to the top of the tower. You’ll find the Idol of Violent Rebellion here on some crates.

Idol of Secret Hatred¶

“In a damp hollow its sibling waits full of rage, while its previous owner decays with age.”

Head north from the Nadu Tedek Grounds and you’ll find yourself at the Ancient Grotto. It’s got a fast travel point so use it if you’ve already explored the area. Enter the cave and you’ll spot the bear Old Nuna. Defeat the bear and the other enemies to collect a bounty later. Go north and you’ll find an area with red water. While an ice grenade can create a bridge, you can jump over objects to cross this obstacle. Crawl through a tunnel here and you’ll find the Idol of Secret Hatred near a corpse.

Idol of Covert Plots¶

“In a place of worship amidst moldering rot, this idol continues to scheme and plot.”

Use the Grim Wetlands Party Camp to travel to this relic. It’s to the northwest of Emerald Stair and you can also use the Plateau Junction Beacon if you haven’t unlocked the party camp. To enter the barred house and get the relic, head to the left side of the barred door and press the switch on the lantern held by a statue. Alternatively, jump into a hole in the roof by crossing a broken wooden bridge near the house. Once you’re inside, you’ll spot the Idol of Covert Plots near a statue.

Sacrificial Dagger¶

“Left alone in fallow fields, the ritual blade thirsts for skin freshly peeled.”

This relic is fairly simple to find. Simply go north from the Abandoned Farms Beacon. You’ll find the Sacrificial Dagger pinned to a note on one of the houses. Now that you have all the God Totem fragments, teleport to any camp spot to assemble the totem. After some dialogue between the gods, you’ll receive a couple of solid buffs for your next encounter. That covers how you can piece together the Totem of Defiance in Avowed.