Totem of Defiance locations in Avowed game piece guide

A mysterious power awaits in the wilds of Avowed: scattered across the Emerald Stair, seven elusive fragments of the Totem of Defiance lie hidden, each granting potent bonuses to those clever enough to piece them together. From treacherous ruins to secret grottos, this guide reveals every location you’ll need to complete the Schemer’s Offering-and unlock the totem’s full potential for your party.

All seven fragments of the Totem of Defiance are hidden around Emerald Stair and its capital, Fior mes Ivérno. As soon as you find one piece of the totem (or purchase the “Fragments of the Offering” key item from Lluisa Melcer at the Coastal Farms), you’ll receive a quest to find and complete the Schemer’s Offering. The quest, however, is full of cryptic riddles.

Here’s where to find all Totem of Defiance pieces in Emerald Stair in Avowed, and what bonuses you’ll receive upon completing the totem.

All Totem of Defiance locations in Avowed

The Totem of Defiance in Avowed is assembled by collecting seven unique pieces scattered throughout the Emerald Stair region. To begin, locate the Totem Base at the Shrine to Skaen in the northwest, atop a series of platforms. The remaining six fragments-Idol of Covert Plots, Sacrificial Dagger, Idol of Secret Hatred, Effigy Necklace, Idol of Violent Rebellion, and Obsidian Prayer Beads-are hidden in distinct locations such as the Grim Wetlands, Abandoned Farms, Ancient Grotto, Naku Tedek, Ranger Headquarters, and The Delemgan Glade. Each piece provides a specific passive bonus when slotted into the totem at your party camp. Once all fragments are collected and assembled, you’ll unlock powerful buffs and a special cutscene, making the Totem of Defiance one of the most rewarding collectibles in the game.

There are seven pieces of the Totem of Defiance scattered around Emerald Stair.

To start reconstructing the totem, you’ll need to find the totem’s core (the Skaen totem base), which we’ve labeled as number one in the map above. Once you’ve placed the totem’s core at the totem shrine in the party camp, you can add the totem’s fragments (numbers two through seven on the map) to gain powerful buffs. Each god totem grants up to six buffs – including bonuses to your attribute points – but you can only have one god totem active at a time.

Before searching for the totem pieces, we recommend turning on the “Compass – God Shrine Totem Pieces” setting at the bottom of the UI menu. Turning on this setting will make god totem pieces visible on your compass, and make it slightly easier to pinpoint their exact location in-game.

Above, you can find a map of all Totem of Defiance locations. Or you can consult the table of contents below to jump to a corresponding detailed description of how to get a specific piece.

Totem of Defiance core location (#1)

The Totem of Defiance core, also known as the Schemer’s Offering base, is located at the top of the Shrine to Skaen in the Delemgan Glade, on the western side of the Emerald Stair region. To reach it, start from the Delemgan Glade Beacon or the Rock Arch Beacon fast travel point, then head east until you see a large archway. From there, go north and climb the terrain leading to the base of the shrine. Ascend the broken pathways and platforms-requiring some parkour-until you reach the summit of the shrine, where the Totem Core awaits. Collecting this base is the first step in assembling the Totem of Defiance, allowing you to add the six additional fragments found throughout the region for powerful attribute bonuses.

The Totem of Defiance Totem Core can be found at the top of the Shrine to Skaen on the western side of Emerald Stair.

To find the Totem Core, follow these steps:

Travel to the Delemgan Glade Beacon.
Follow the path to the east and stop before the large archway.
Follow the path to the north and climb the terrain to the base of the Shrine to Skaen.
Climb the broken pathway to the top of the shrine to find the Totem Core.

Sacrificial Dagger location (#2)

The Sacrificial Dagger, the second fragment for the Totem of Defiance in Avowed, is located at the Abandoned Farms area on the northeastern side of the Emerald Stair region. To find it, travel north from Fior Mes Iverno until you reach the Abandoned Farms marker. Upon arrival, you’ll need to deal with spiderling enemies and a larger Wood Crawler at the entrance. Once the area is clear, head to the back of the northeastern building. Look for a note pinned to the outside wall by a dagger-this is the Sacrificial Dagger fragment. The game may prompt you to read the note, so move your cursor carefully to pick up the dagger itself.

The Sacrificial Dagger can be found on a barricaded doorway at the Abandoned Farms on the northeastern side of Emerald Stair.

To find the Sacrificial Dagger, follow these steps:

Travel to the Abandoned Farms Beacon.
Head to the northern side of the northeastern building to find the Sacrificial Dagger.

Idol of Covert Plots location (#3)

The Idol of Covert Plots, the third Totem of Defiance fragment, is located in the Grim Wetlands at the northwestern edge of Emerald Stair. To reach it, head to the ruined church building near the Infested Camp on the west side of the Wetlands. The entrance is barred, so you’ll need to find the secret switch on the lantern held by the statue beside the shack. After defeating the skeletons outside, use the switch to open the side entrance. Inside, you’ll find the Idol of Covert Plots on a table near another statue. This area is guarded and may require some platforming or careful exploration to access, but once inside, the fragment is easily collected.

The Idol of Covert Plots can be found inside a building with a collapsed roof in the Grim Wetlands, which can be found in the northwestern corner of Emerald Stair.

To find the Idol of Covert Plots, follow these steps:

Travel to the Plateau Junction Beacon.
Follow the path to the north until you reach burnable vines and a bridge leading to a building on your right.
Cross the bridge and drop down into the building to find the Idol of Covert Plots on top of the altar.

Idol of Secret Hatred location (#4)

The Idol of Secret Hatred is located inside the Ancient Grotto dungeon, found in the southwestern part of the Emerald Stair region. To reach it, travel to the Ancient Grotto Beacon and enter the cave, staying alert for Old Nuna, a powerful bear that prowls the area. Once inside, proceed to the first open chamber where Old Nuna rests. From there, dive into the water on the right and follow the path until you reach a fork; take the torch-lit route to find the Idol of Secret Hatred lying beside a skeleton.

The Idol of Secret Hatred can be found inside the Ancient Grotto dungeon, which is located in the southwestern area of Emerald Stair.

Be wary as Old Nuna, a bear with a bounty, lurks inside the Ancient Grotto.

To find the Idol of Secret Hatred, follow these steps:

Travel to the Ancient Grotto Beacon.
Enter the Ancient Grotto dungeon and proceed until you reach the first open room, which happens to be where Old Nuna rests.
Dive into the pool of water on the right side of the room and follow the path to its end.
Drop down onto the path below and turn to the right to find a fork in the road.
Take the rightmost path lit with torches to find the Idol of Secret Hatred beside a skeleton.

Idol of Violent Rebellion location (#5)

The Idol of Violent Rebellion, the fifth piece for the Totem of Defiance in Avowed, is located on top of the Ranger Headquarters in the Emerald Stair region. To reach it, head to the eastern side of Emerald Stair and find the Ranger Headquarters building-the same place where you meet Ranger Acierno and begin the Steel Resolve side quest. Start by circling to the right side of the building to find a stack of boxes, climb over them, and use a ladder to access the upper level. From there, carefully jump across the gap to reach the terrace, then continue left and jump another gap until you spot a ladder leading to the roof. Climb to the top, where you’ll find the Idol of Violent Rebellion waiting to be collected.

The Idol of Violent Rebellion can be found at the top of the Ranger Headquarters on the eastern side of the Emerald Stair.

To find the Idol of Violent Rebellion, follow these steps:

Travel to the Rolling Crags Beacon.
Head to the southern side of the Ranger Headquarters and climb up the stairs.
Stand on top of the pile of jars and jump to the canopy with the ladder above it.
Climb up the ladder and parkour your way to the top of the Ranger Headquarters to find the Idol of Violent Rebellion.

Obsidian Prayer Beads location (#6)

The Obsidian Prayer Beads, the sixth piece of the Totem of Defiance, are located deep within the Delemgan Glade on the western edge of the Emerald Stair region. To find them, fast travel to the Delemgan Glade beacon, cross the spiked or broken bridge, and follow the path to the left until you reach a ruined, silo-like structure. Climb up this structure to drop into the main area of the glade. If you encounter enemies, deal with them before proceeding. Under the archway, turn left into a cavern and follow the path past a tree trunk. Climb the rocky path on your left, cross the tree trunk to an upper floor, and make a final jump onto a concrete platform. The Obsidian Prayer Beads will be found next to a decaying skeleton at the top. This fragment is well-hidden and may require some platforming, but securing it will allow you to add it to the Schemer’s Offering at your camp, unlocking powerful buffs such as increased poison accumulation on critical hits.

The Obsidian Prayer Beads can be found beside a skeleton on the western side of the Delemgan Glade, which is located on the western side of Emerald Stair.

You do visit the Delemgan Glade during “The Animancy Method” main story quest, so we recommend you wait until you reach this point in the story to grab this fragment.

To find the Obsidian Prayer Beads, follow these steps:

Travel to the Delemgan Glade Beacon.
Cross the bridge to the west and enter the Delemgan Glade.
Climb up the terrain in the southwestern corner and follow the path until you reach a stone ramp leading towards a large tree branch.
Head up the ramp and branch, and follow the path to the left.
Jump across the gap to find the Obsidian Prayer Beads.

Effigy Necklace location (#7)

The Effigy Necklace, the seventh and final Totem of Defiance piece, is found deep within the Naku Tedek Grounds in the Emerald Stair region. Access to this area is only possible during the main quest “Ancient Soil,” when you visit Naku Tedek with Giatta near the end of the Emerald Stair storyline. After entering the main building, carefully descend the spiral stairs into the pit, then take the left path at the bottom. You’ll encounter a locked door powered by an Essence Generator; use an Electric Lily Seed or a shock spell to activate it and proceed. Inside, freeze the pool of water with an ice spell to create a bridge, then climb the large tree branch to reach the higher platform. The Effigy Necklace will be on a stone table to your right. Once collected, return to your party camp and place the Effigy Necklace on the Schemer’s Offering Totem Base to unlock its combat buff, which causes your next attack to deal 20% of the damage you received from an enemy within 10 seconds, stacking with Retribution.

The Effigy Necklace can be found on top of a stone table inside Naku Tedek.

The Effigy Necklace is only obtainable after you visit Naku Tedek with Giatta during the “Ancient Soil” main story quest, which is near the end of the Emerald Stair quest line.

To find the Effigy Necklace, follow these steps:

Travel to the Naku Tedek Party Camp.
Enter Naku Tedek and enter the doorway behind the Adra.
Proceed through the doorway at the bottom of the stairwell and turn to the left to find an essence generator.
Shock the essence generator with Giatta’s Spectral Jolt ability, an Electric Lily Seed, or a Shock spell to open the door.
Go inside the room and turn to the right to find a large tree root that reaches the upper floor.
Freeze the water ahead of you with a Frost spell or an Eye of Rymrgand and cross the frozen pathway onto the tree root.
Climb up to the second floor and turn to the right to find the Effigy Necklace.

All Totem of Defiance bonuses

Activating the Totem of Defiance in Avowed grants a powerful suite of passive bonuses that enhance both your survivability and offensive capabilities. Once fully assembled at your party camp, the totem provides the following enhancements: Furious Frenzy, which causes your Second Wind ability to cast Flurry of Blows; The Slave’s Patience, giving you +2 Constitution and +2 Dexterity; Hidden Hatred, increasing your damage against unaware enemies by 25%; Kill the Master, which boosts damage against enemies marked with skull icons; Bitter Thoughts, making your critical hits inflict high poison accumulation; and A Vengeful Victim, allowing your next attack within 10 seconds of taking damage to deal an extra 20% of the damage you received, stacking with Retribution. These buffs make the Totem of Defiance especially valuable for players who favor aggressive and tactical playstyles.

Once you have all of the Totem of Defiance pieces, head to the Totem Shrine at your party camp and reassemble the Schemer’s Offering. Activate the totem to receive the following buffs:

Furious Frenzy: Second Wind casts Flurry of Blows
The Slave’s Patience: 2 Constitution, 2 Dexterity
Hidden Hatred: Increases your damage against unaware enemies by 25%
Kill the Master: Increases your damage against enemies displaying skull icons near their health bars
Bitter Thoughts: Critical hits deal high poison accumulation
A Vengeful Victim: After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 10 seconds deals 20% of the original damage you receive (stacks with Retribution)

Where are all the hidden locations of the Totem of Defiance fragments in Emerald Stair

The Totem of Defiance in Avowed is assembled from a base and six hidden fragments scattered throughout the Emerald Stair region. Here are the exact locations for each piece:

Totem Base (Schemer’s Offering):
Found at the top of the Shrine to Skaen in the Delemgan Glade, northwest Emerald Stair. Climb the platforms at the shrine ruins to reach it.
Idol of Violent Rebellion:
Located atop the Ranger Headquarters on the eastern edge of Emerald Stair. Climb the building using ladders and platforms to reach the roof.
Idol of Secret Hatred:
Hidden in the Ancient Grotto cave, southwest Emerald Stair near the Overgrown Homestead. Enter the cave, follow the path to the first open area, then take the lower left path. At the first fork, turn left and crawl through a small opening to find the idol by a corpse.
Obsidian Prayer Beads:
In the westernmost part of Emerald Stair, inside the Delemgan Glade ruins. Cross the broken bridge, follow the right path, and climb a low tree and rocks to reach a ledge with the beads.
Idol of Covert Plots:
In the Grim Wetlands at the northwestern edge of Emerald Stair. Find a shack north of the “Grim” map label, defeat skeletons, and use the lantern switch by the statue to access a secret entrance. The idol is inside near another statue.
Sacrificial Dagger:
Found in the Abandoned Farms area, northeast Emerald Stair. Enter the northeastern building near the beacon to find the dagger at a barricaded entrance.
Effigy Necklace:
This final piece is referenced in video guides as being found in the region, but some written guides only list six fragments plus the base. If you’re missing a piece, check the area around the Farmer’s Market or consult your in-game compass after enabling the god totem tracking feature.

All pieces can be collected in any order. Once assembled at your camp, the Totem of Defiance grants powerful passive bonuses.

Are there any secret pathways leading to the Totem of Defiance fragments in Emerald Stair

Yes, several Totem of Defiance fragments in Emerald Stair are accessible only by discovering or navigating secret pathways and hidden entrances:

Effigy Necklace: This fragment is locked behind a main story event. You must bring Giatta to open a secret entrance inside Naku Tedek. After entering, go down the stairs and look for a door leading deeper in.
Idol of Covert Plots: Found in the Grim Wetlands (northwest Emerald Stair), this fragment requires finding a hidden entrance beside a shack. The entrance is unlocked by activating a lantern switch held by a statue next to the shack. Enter through this secret side entrance to find the fragment near another statue inside.
Idol of Secret Hatred: Located in the Ancient Grotto (southwest Emerald Stair), this cave contains multiple secret areas. After entering, proceed to the first open area, then take the bottom left path. At the first fork, turn left and look for a tiny opening on the bottom right-crawl through to find the fragment on a corpse.
Obsidian Prayer Beads: To reach this fragment in the Delemgan Glade ruins (western Emerald Stair), you must cross a broken bridge, follow a narrow right-hand path, and climb a low tree and rocks to access a hidden ledge.

Other fragments, such as the Idol of Violent Rebellion (atop the Ranger Headquarters) and the Sacrificial Dagger (inside a barricaded building in Abandoned Farms), require climbing or finding less obvious routes, but do not involve secret switches or hidden entrances to the same extent.

In summary, several Totem of Defiance pieces in Emerald Stair are deliberately hidden behind secret pathways, requiring careful exploration, environmental interaction, or progression in the main story to access them.