Return the Locket

Meli has stolen a locket.

Return the Locket is a quest in Act One of Baldur's Gate 3. It can be started by speaking with Barth or Meli at the Druid Grove.

Objectives

Retrieve the stolen locket.

• "We met an adventurer called Barth who accused a tiefling child of stealing his locket. We suspected the child but couldn't get the locket back."
• "An adventurer called Barth accused a tiefling child of stealing his locket. The adventurer was knocked out by a guard, and the child got away with the locket."

Return the stolen locket.

• "An adventurer called Barth accused a tiefling child of stealing his locket. Surprisingly, we found the locket on the child - Barth will want it back."
• "We found a locket stashed away - it's probably the same one Barth had stolen from him."
• "Unsurprisingly, we found the stolen locket in the child's pockets. Barth will want it back."

Quest Complete

• "We returned the missing locket to Barth - free of charge."
• "Barth begrudgingly rewarded us for finding his locket."
• "We ignored Barth's protests and kept the locket."
• "Barth was killed before we could return his locket."
• "We never discovered what happened to the adventurer's locket - or whether the child was lying."
• "We weren't able to return the locket to the adventurer."

Walkthrough

When the party first enter the Hollow, an event occurs with one of Aradin's adventurers, Barth, and a young tiefling child, Meli. Upon approaching Barth at X: 168 Y: 544, Meli pickpockets him, stealing a Brass Locket. Barth realizes that he has been robbed and chases the child. If nothing is done, Barth eventually attacks Meli and is dragged away by guards.

The party can intervene by speaking with Barth or Meli. Meli continuously denies that he has the locket, while Barth insists it was him. The dialogue options change depending on whether or not Arabella is alive.

Siding with Meli

If Meli is sided with, Barth is angered and Meli escapes:

• Don't you dare lay a finger on that child
  • [PERSUASION] You're the one making threats - to a child. Pull yourself together. (DC 10)  +1  +1  +1
  • [PALADIN] [INTIMIDATION] Whatever you do to the child, I'll repay ten-fold. (DC 5)  +1  +1  +1
  • [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Strike the child, go on. See what happens. (DC 10 )  +1  +1  +1
  • [INTIMIDATION] Raise a hand to that child and you'll lose it. Your choice. (DC 10)  +1  +1  +1
  • [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] Just warning. I've dealt with your type before, human. (DC 10)  +1  +1  +1

Siding with Barth

If the party decide to take Barth's side and pass a Persuasion ability check, they can ask Meli why he took the locket. Barth is initially dismissive, but Meli claims that it looked like his mom's, and Barth decides to let Meli keep the locket. After this scene Meli laughs, because his bluff worked.

• You better do what he says, boy.
  • [PERSUASION] You're not fooling anyone, boy. Why'd you take it? (DC 5)
  • [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] That bauble worth a thrashing? (DC 15 )
  • [INTIMIDATION] Do you really want to take a beating over some jewellery? (DC 15)
  • [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] Just give it back, boy. You're better than this. (DC 5)
• [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] DO AS HE SAYS, OR JOIN THE SNAKEBITTEN GIRL IN HER GRAVE. (DC 5 )
• [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Thieving children wind up dead around here. Do as he says. (DC 5 )
• [INTIMIDATION] Better do what he says, boy. There's already one thief to bury today. (DC 5)  -1  -1  -1
• [TIEFLING] [PERSUASION] Just give it back, boy. You're better than this. (DC 5)
• [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] That bauble worth a thrashing? (DC 15 )
• [INTIMIDATION] Do you really want to take a beating over some jewellery? (DC 15)
• [PERSUASION] You're not fooling anyone, boy. Why'd you take it? (DC 5)

Monk options

Monks can ask for everyone to call down, and then composedly ask for cooler heads:

• [MONK] I think it would benefit everyone to calm down here. What happened? (if Arabella is alive)
• [MONK] Theft and revenge have already killed a child here. Calm yourselves - explain what happened. (if Arabella died)

There are similar options as if Barth was sided with, however there is another option:

• [MONK] [PERSUASION] Let us find balance. The child will return the locket - and the adult will act his age. (DC 15 )

Doing nothing

Alternatively, the party can opt to do nothing, which leads to an altercation where Barth slaps Meli, who then calls for Ikaron.

• I tried to give you a chance. You're on your own.  -1  -1
• Keep quiet and watch.  -1  -1
• Forget it. I don't want any trouble.

Ikaron arrives

If failing to intimidate Meli or not getting involved, Ikaron approaches. He asks what is going on; the party can either call Meli a thief, and convince the guard to side with Barth by passing a DC 15 Persuasion or Intimidation check, or side with Meli to let him get off free.

Additionally, the party can pickpocket Meli before speaking to him, in which case a new dialogue option appears:

• Relax. The boy's good, but I'm better - here's your locket.

If this happens, Meli is suitably impressed and runs off; the locket can be returned to Barth.

Returning the locket to Barth

Lastly, if Meli escapes, the locket is stored inside a thief's chest at the Tiefling Hideout. Lockpicking the chest and stealing the locket back allows the party to return the locket to Barth. He then is grateful and also thanks party if they stopped him from slapping Meli because he lost his cool.

• You man this locket? How much is it worth to you?
  • Thank you kindly.  +1  -1
  • [DETECT THOUGHTS] Read his mind. (DC 10)
    • It's the last thing of mum's I have... it's worth everything to me.
      • I think you can up your offer a little. It was a gift from your mother, after all.  -1  +1

• Heirloom, is it? Been in your family long?
  • [PERSUASION] Not much of an heirloom then... unless there's a tale behind it, maybe? (DC 15)
  • [DETECT THOUGHTS] Read his mind. (DC 10)
    • Was in another family right up 'til mum stole it. But it's mine now - all i have.
      • [PERSUASION] Come on, spit it out. What aren't you telling me about the locket? (DC 10)

Quest rewards

Gold

• Stealing the locket back and giving it back to Barth while he is talking to Meli:  0 gp
• Bringing the locket back after stealing it from the Tiefling Hideout:
  • If asking for nothing Barth gives the party  25 gp.
  • If asking for reward, Barth pays  50 gp.

Inspiration

•  Blood Price ( Criminal backgrounds) - if telling Barth that the party got the locket back, but not giving / selling it back to him he becomes hostile.
•  Family Comes First ( Urchin backgrounds) - if Meli was convinced to tell the truth about the amulet.
•  Protect Your Own ( Urchin backgrounds) - for protecting Meli