Baldur's Gate 3: Rolan Full Quest Walkthrough
by T Santhosh
Updated Sep 05, 2023
Rolan in the Shadows of BG3
In the vast and enthralling world of Baldur's Gate 3, players are presented with an intriguing and immersive quest known as "Rolan in the Shadows." This captivating questline comes to the forefront subsequent to the successful rescue mission involving the Tieflings and Wulbren from the clutches of the menacing cultists at Moonrise Tower.
Within the realm of this quest, players assume the role of intrepid adventurers, embarking on a mission to locate the resilient survivor named Rolan. Rolan, driven by an unshakeable determination to reunite with his abducted friends, has courageously ventured into the enigmatic realm known as the Shadow Curse.
This ambitious undertaking propels players into a narrative replete with suspense, mystery, and the imperative need for strategic decision-making. As players navigate through this quest, they find themselves navigating a treacherous path fraught with challenges, all while striving to ensure Rolan's safe return and the triumphant reunion of friends amidst the shadows.
Baldur's Gate 3: Rolan Full Quest Walkthrough
In Baldur's Gate 3, you'll encounter several characters with multi-act storylines, and one such character is Rolan. When players initially meet Rolan, he comes across as an arrogant and self-centered spellcaster who boasts about his apprenticeship with the renowned wizard Lorroakan. However, as his questline unfolds, players will discover a different side to him. Throughout all three acts of BG3, players must find and interact with Rolan to advance his questline. Follow these steps precisely and ensure the safety of his siblings to successfully complete Rolan's quest.
Rolan's Journey in Act One
In Act One, you first encounter Rolan in the Emerald Grove, where he is among the Tiefling refugees. He proudly mentions his forthcoming apprenticeship with the prestigious wizard Lorroakan once he arrives in Baldur's Gate. You can find him in The Hollow, towards the rear of the Druid Grove. Here, he deliberates whether to stay or leave in the face of the approaching forces of the Absolute, alongside his siblings Cal and Lia.
To progress Rolan's storyline, players must persuade him to remain in the Emerald Grove until the Goblin threat is eliminated, as the Druids and other Tieflings could greatly benefit from the presence of a powerful wizard. You can use persuasion skills or leverage the Dragonborn or Ranger background options to convince him.
After convincing Rolan to stay in the Druid Grove, talk to him again to learn more about his upcoming apprenticeship under Lorroakan. He enthusiastically (and, perhaps, arrogantly) reveals his eagerness to reach Baldur's Gate for this opportunity. After dealing with the Goblin Camp and celebrating with the Tieflings, your paths will part, and you won't encounter Rolan again until Act Two.
Rolan's Journey in Act Two
In Act Two, Rolan can be found taking refuge at the Last Light Inn, alongside other Tieflings. Here, players discover that the Tieflings who fled the Druid Grove were ambushed by followers of the Absolute, and Zevlor seemingly betrayed them. Most Tieflings were taken to Moonrise Towers, and whether they survived remains uncertain. Rolan, however, is determined to rescue his siblings, Cal and Lia.
After speaking with Rolan at the inn, where he appears to have indulged in some alcohol, he will leave to rescue Cal and Lia by himself. Unfortunately, his arrogance alone is insufficient to dispel the Shadow Curse. Once he departs, head to the southernmost bridge leading to the western part of the Shadow-Cursed Lands (Reithwin Town). From a distance, you should witness combat and health indicators. It is crucial for the party to reach Rolan quickly, as his questline will end if he perishes.
Rolan finds himself battling Shadowcursed Undead far to the south of the Last Light Inn. Activate turn-based mode to minimize the damage Rolan takes, draw the attention of the Shadowcursed Undead away from him, and provide healing support to ensure his survival during the encounter.
After saving his life, speak to him again at the Last Light Inn. Rolan may be somewhat bitter, acknowledging that he couldn't accomplish this task alone. However, after rescuing the Tieflings from the prison at Moonrise Towers, which also rescues Cal and Lia, Rolan's attitude begins to change.
Rolan's Journey in Act Three
Once you and the refugee Tieflings reach Baldur's Gate, following the resolution of Act Two and the defeat of Ketheric Thorm, you won't encounter Rolan again until you enter Sorcerous Sundries. This magical emporium also serves as the entrance to Lorroakan's tower and becomes accessible once you reach the Lower City from Rivington. Rolan appears to be managing the front desk, but things are not as they seem.
Throughout the game, Lorroakan has been searching for the Nightsong, a secret that Rolan hinted at as far back as Act One. By the end of Act Two, players will know the truth about the Nightsong. After revealing your knowledge of the Nightsong's whereabouts to Lorroakan and speaking with her at the camp, she departs to seek vengeance against another potential oppressor. The next encounter with Lorroakan prompts a critical decision.
Despite being under Lorroakan's tutelage, Rolan has discovered that his master is an arrogant bully at heart and a sadistic teacher. He turns against Lorroakan, provided Cal and Lia are rescued, leading to a battle with the tower's current head wizard.
After defeating Lorroakan (and experiencing an impactful cutscene involving the Nightsong), Rolan exposes the extent of Lorroakan's cruelty as his teacher. He expresses regret for his earlier rudeness towards the player, sincerely thanks them, announces his intent to take control of the tower, and pledges his allegiance in the upcoming battle against the Absolute. With that, Rolan's quest is finally concluded!
How to Find Rolan in the Shadows in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, Rolan is a survivor of the assault by the Absolute cultists on the Tieflings. If you choose to rescue the Emerald Grove from the goblin threat during Act 1, you'll find Rolan at the Last Light Inn, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. He mourns his inability to prevent the Absolute cultists from capturing his family and taking them to Moonrise Tower.
In the BG3 quest "Find Rolan in the Shadows," you'll locate Rolan to the southwest of the Shadowed Battlefield Waypoint. He can be found at the end of a path left of the bridge, just before reaching the Tollhouse, where you must confront Gerringothe Thorm.
Upon reaching Rolan, he is likely to come under attack by two Shadows, and your task is to protect him. While the battle may not be as intense as previous encounters, ensuring Rolan's safety is paramount. After rescuing Rolan and engaging in conversation with him, he may be down on himself, but the important thing is that he's alive.
Upon completing the conversation, Rolan will return to the Last Light Inn, where he reunites with his family. Head back to the inn and interact with Rolan, who is engaged in a passionate argument with his family. After concluding the conversation, you will be rewarded for successfully reuniting them, thereby concluding the "Find Rolan in the Shadows" quest in Baldur's Gate III.
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3, a masterful creation hailing from the imaginative minds at Larian Studios, beckons players into a realm teeming with intrigue and boundless adventure. Set as the third installment in the iconic Baldur's Gate series, the game weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of storytelling, strategic engagement, and immersive exploration.
At its core, Baldur's Gate 3 presents players with a dynamic and interactive experience, a rich fusion of the captivating elements of the Dungeons & Dragons universe with the immersive capabilities of modern video games. The game's release in early access for Windows garnered widespread acclaim, setting the stage for subsequent releases across various platforms.
As players traverse the meticulously crafted landscapes, they are confronted with weighty decisions that shape the course of the narrative, engaging in adrenaline-pumping battles that test their mettle and unraveling the mysteries embedded within the game's intricate world. With each player's journey being uniquely their own, Baldur's Gate 3 exemplifies the power of interactive storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the realm of gaming.
Baldur's Gate 3 Gameplay
Baldur's Gate 3 is a role-playing video game that offers both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes. Players have the option to create one or more characters and assemble a party with computer-generated companions to embark on the game's story. Additionally, players can team up online with others, using one of their characters to form a cooperative party.
In contrast to previous entries in the Baldur's Gate series, Baldur's Gate 3 features turn-based combat, similar to Larian Studios' earlier games Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II. However, this time, the combat system is based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules, adding depth and strategy to the gameplay.
Baldur's Gate 3: Rolan Full Quest Walkthrough - FAQs
You can first meet Rolan in the Emerald Grove, among the Tiefling refugees, during Act One of the game. He can be found towards the back of the Druid Grove.
Persuading Rolan to stay in the Emerald Grove is crucial for his questline. It ensures his involvement in later acts and contributes to the progression of his character development.
After Rolan leaves the Last Light Inn to rescue his siblings, you can locate him by heading to the southernmost bridge leading to the western part of the Shadow-Cursed Lands (Reithwin Town). From a distance, you will see combat indicators, and your goal is to reach him quickly to prevent his questline from ending.
In Act Three, the main conflict in Rolan's quest revolves around his discovery of the true nature of his mentor, Lorroakan. Players must decide whether to support Rolan in his rebellion against Lorroakan, provided they have rescued his siblings, Cal and Lia.
To complete Rolan's quest, follow the questline through all three acts of the game. Ensure his safety during critical moments, such as when he faces the Shadowcursed Undead in Act Two. Make choices that support his character development and lead to his confrontation with Lorroakan.