While exploring the Blighted Village, you run into a group of Goblins who appear to be bullying a Dark Gnome and have tied him to a windmill.
The windmill has been activated and this is torturing the Dark Gnome who is crying out for help, which requires you to deal with the Goblins.
After dealing with the Goblins though, the next thing to do is to figure out how to stop the windmill before you can get the dizzy Dark Gnome down from it.
Where To Find the Windmill?
The windmill is located within the Blighted Village and can be found if you head to the northwest part of the area.
You can hear the Dark Gnome, who is later revealed to be Barcus Wroot, shouting from a distance as the Goblins continue to toy with him.
Once you approach the Goblins in the area, a cutscene will begin where you are confronted, which can end in bloodshed or the enemies leaving depending on your dialogue.
How To Stop the Windmill?
The first thing you will need to do is get rid of the Goblins in the area and once this is done, you may enter the windmill through an entrance at its side.
There will be two levers that you may interact with and the one you should choose is the Brake Lever, which will stop the windmill.
Choosing the wrong lever will result in the windmill spinning even faster which later causes Barcus Wroot to end up being killed. (The same happens if you do nothing and leave)
Who is the Dark Gnome?
Barcus Wroot is a Deep Gnome, who comes from the Underdark as this was originally his home before he decided to move to Baldur’s Gate.
It was in the city that he found an amulet that he had given to his friend, but this was found bloodied around someone else’s neck.
This leads Barcus Wroot to search for his friend Wulbren in hopes that he may still be alive, and he will continue his search if you help him down from the windmill.
Should You Save Barcus Wroot?
Saving Barcus Wroot can lead to him revealing the location of his pack, which he decided to get rid of as it slowed him down and got him captured by the Goblins in the first place.
If Barcus Wroot survives, you will later encounter him in Act II at the Last Light where he becomes a trader who sells the following items:
- Acrobat Shoes
- Gloves of the Automation
- Ring of Geniality
Barcus Root will also reward you with the Brilliant Retort (Grenade) if you complete the Rescue Wulbren quest.
In Act II, you may find Barcus Wroot amongst the other Ironhand Gnomes in Angleiron’s Cellar where he asks you to help Wulbren and spare the Gondians.
Should you ensure that the Gondians are free from the Steel Watch Foundry, you may persuade Barcus to become the new leader of the Ironhand Gnomes, replacing Wulbren.
Verdict
Being a Dark Gnome that originates from the Underdark, your party sees that it is strange for Barcus Wroot to be so far from his home, but he explains that he has been away for a long time.
Barcus’ friend is indeed alive, and this is revealed later as you progress through the acts of the game, where you eventually reunite the two of them.
Saving Barcus is a good way to obtain additional gear, especially if the items that he sells become useful later as you progress through the game.