A Player's Guide to Finding Skaen's Totem of Defiance in Avowed's Emerald Stair

Let me tell you, hunting down Skaen's Totem, also known as the Totem of Defiance, in Emerald Stair was one of the most rewarding side activities I tackled in Avowed. As of 2026, this remains one of the best early-game pursuits for any player looking to gain a serious edge. It's the second major totem set, following Woedica's from Dawnshore, and consists of seven distinct pieces: the Schemer's Offering base, the Sacrificial Dagger, the Idol of Covert Plots, the Idol of Secret Hatred, the Idol of Violent Rebellion, the Obsidian Prayer Beads, and the Effigy Necklace. Placing each piece in your camp grants unique, powerful buffs that are absolutely game-changing in the challenging Emerald Stair region. While you can technically find them in any order, I learned the hard way that a strategic route saves a ton of backtracking. So, let me walk you through my personal journey to assemble this formidable artifact.

First things first, I always recommend buying the clues. It's a small investment that gives you a fighting chance. Head southeast from the main hub of Fior mes Inverno to the Coastal Farms area and the Farmer's Market. Look for a building with two purple lights flanking the entrance; inside, you'll find the merchant Llucia Melcer. For 500 Skeyt, she sells the Fragments of the Offering clues. Now, I'll be honest—these clues are cryptic one-line rhymes. They're more like poetic riddles than a map marker. If you're like me and prefer a clearer path, following the order I used will streamline your search immensely.

Here's the optimal route I settled on after a bit of trial and error:

1. Idol of Violent Rebellion at the Ranger's Headquarters.

2. Sacrificial Dagger near the Abandoned Farms.

3. Idol of Covert Plots in the Grim Wetlands.

4. Schemer's Offering (the totem base) at the Shrine to Skaen.

5. Obsidian Prayer Beads in the Delemgan Glade.

6. Idol of Secret Hatred in the Ancient Grotto Cave.

7. Effigy Necklace inside Naku Tedek (requires main story progress).

Starting from the Farmer's Market, I headed north to the Ranger Headquarters. After chatting with the rangers out front (which can kick off a new quest), the real fun began. I had to go around the back of the tower and start parkouring my way up. It was a bit of a leap-fest across ledges, but eventually, I found a ladder leading to the top platform. The Idol of Violent Rebellion was just sitting there on some crates, waiting to be claimed.

From there, I trekked northwest to the Abandoned Farms. If you have the Farm Xaurips bounty active, it's easy to spot. The Sacrificial Dagger wasn't hidden in a chest; it was dramatically stabbed into a letter on the back wall of one of the houses. I cleared out the Xaurips around level 8 without too much trouble, but you can always try to sneak in and out if combat isn't your style.

The next leg took me west toward the Grim Wetlands, near the "Elder Offerings" quest marker. The Idol of Covert Plots is located inside a barred building with some skeleton enemies out front. To get in, don't bash the door—look up! I scaled the cliffs overlooking the area, jumped across a broken bridge (watch out for spore enemies up there!), and dropped down to access the building. The idol was on a table inside.

Now for the totem base itself, the Schemer's Offering. From the Idol of Covert Plots, I headed south until I saw the Shrine to Skaen. For a precise landmark, it's southwest of the Plateau Junction Beacon. This shrine required another round of parkour to reach its summit, where the base was waiting.

The Obsidian Prayer Beads were a short hop away in the Delemgan Glade. I fast-traveled to the Delemgan Glade Beacon (just south of the shrine) and headed west across a ravine. The beads were perched at the highest point in the glade's rear. I opted to sneak past the area's boss and enemies to grab them, though if your gear is upgraded, it's a great time to fight and also collect the Adragan Heart.

For the Idol of Secret Hatred, I made my way to the southern island of Emerald Stair, the Naku Tedek Grounds. Before crossing the bridge into Naku Tedek proper, I followed a ravine south until I came across the Ancient Grotto Beacon. Inside the Ancient Grotto cave, I faced Nuna, a formidable boss bear, and her spore minions. You can fight or sneak; the choice is yours. The idol was on a body in the cave's depths, and it came with a fantastic bonus: the unique Ring of the Founder.

The final piece, the Effigy Necklace, is gated by the main story. Once Giatta escorts you into Naku Tedek and you progress far enough to start a generator and open a locked door, you'll get your chance. Look for a tree branch you can access by freezing the water in front of it. This path leads to the secret room containing the necklace.

So, why go through all this trouble? Let me break down the incredible bonuses you get for completing Skaen's Totem in your camp:

• Kill the Master: This ability is a lifesaver in Emerald Stair, especially with the large number of skeleton enemies. It lets you instantly defeat weaker minions when you kill a stronger enemy.

• Bitter Thoughts: Inflicts poison accumulation, which is one of the most effective and satisfying damage-over-time effects in the game.

• Other Buffs: You also get stat boosts and resistances that make you significantly more durable and deadly.

I started using these bonuses as I collected the pieces, and the difference was night and day. If you missed Woedica's Totem in Dawnshore, this set is even more critical. Assembling Skaen's Totem is a classic Avowed adventure—part exploration, part puzzle-solving, and wholly rewarding. It transforms your capabilities in Emerald Stair and is, without a doubt, well worth the journey.