While exploring the Risen Road, you will come across Hyenas who later transform into Gnolls, and will fight your way past a bunch of them.
You may come upon several footprints that lead to a cave where Gnolls have trapped two men named Rugan and Olly.
Saving Rugan and Olly is your choice, but this encounter won’t be the first time you meet them, and depending on your choices, they will live or die.
Where To Find Rugan and Olly?
Rugan and Olly may be found to the north of the Risen Road, which is a straight path if you head north from the Blighted Village. (You cross over to the Risen Road)
You may encounter Hyenas that transform into Gnolls as well as fully-grown Gnolls as you make your way north.
Rugan and Olly may be found in a cave and if you are undetected by the Gnolls in the area, you will see that they are fighting for their lives.
How To Save Rugan and Olly?
To save Rugan and Olly, you will need to attack the Gnolls to divert their attention as the two men will cower in their cave until the fight is over.
Among the Gnolls, they will have a leader named Flind (Gnoll Warlord) who also has a tadpole within their skull, which can be an advantage later.
It would be best to take out the Hyenas that are with the Gnolls before they transform before deciding to focus on the weaker Gnolls or targeting Flind first.
Once the fight is over, Rugan will speak to you and thank you for your help and you can find out more about the shipment they are protecting and even convince them to give it to you.
How To Defeat Flind?
Upon approaching the area where the battle is taking place, you have the option to take out Flind first or prepare to attack the other Gnolls and Hyenas.
You will have the option to speak with Flind if you don’t attack her and she can be convinced to turn on her fellow Gnolls or may be sent with them to attack Rugan and Olly.
Defeating Flind will allow you to obtain the following items:
- Skull
- Bone
- Shattered flail (Rare Flail)
- Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen
Finding Rugan and Olly in Zhentarim Basement
It is later revealed that Rugan and Olly have a shipment that needs to be delivered to the Zhentarim and your choice between the conversation after the battle affects their fate.
Should you convince Rugan and Olly to surrender their shipment to you or steal it from them, this will result in Rugan being tortured in the Zhentarim Basement and Olly killed.
Should you allow them to deliver the shipment, you may later earn Zarys’ trust and gain access to Brem’s Secret Shop. (Zarys will also reward you with the Harold (Rare Heavy Crossbow)
Verdict
Rugan and Olly are apparently on a mission to escort valuable items to the Zhentarim Basement, and should they fail, their fate will be dire.
You may deliver the shipment yourself to get the rare crossbow as a reward, but you won’t get it if you take it by convincing Rugan.
Ensuring that the shipment is delivered will give you access to unique items that are available only in the Zhentarim Basement.