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Make Brithvar’s deal before freeing Nere
Find Brithvar and Kur near the cave-in before interacting with the rubble to speak to Nere. Brithvar distrusts anyone he thinks is a True Soul. Deny that you are connected to the Absolute using an available dialogue option and pass its check; the listed routes include DC 10 checks. Then agree to help Brithvar take Nere down over the gold Nere owes him. This agreement is what makes Brithvar’s mutineers turn against Nere when he is freed. See Elder Brithvar’s BG3 Wiki page and the quest page for Find the Explosives.
Watch the rescue timer
Interacting with the rubble to speak with Nere starts the quest timer. It advances when you take a long rest or leave Grymforge. On the second advance, Nere dies, the duergar and gnomes leave, and the quest fails. Make the deal and gather what you need to clear the cave-in before triggering the timer. The Nere quest page details the timing.
Clear the cave-in
Explosives, including a Smokepowder Satchel, are a straightforward way to break the rubble. Sufficient force or bludgeoning damage can also work. The cave-in has 44 HP and Medium Toughness, so an individual hit must deal at least 22 damage to damage it. These are the cave-in mechanics listed by the Free True Soul Nere quest page.
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After using explosives, watch for lingering fire on the ground. It can damage Thrinn and start combat unexpectedly; turn-based mode can help you manage movement around the hazard.
Trigger the mutiny and defeat Nere
When freed, Nere immediately attacks Meerna. Object when he threatens the gnomes. If you made Brithvar’s deal, Brithvar interrupts to point out that Nere owes the duergar money, starting the conflict. Side with Brithvar to fight Nere and his loyalists with the mutineers. If you side with Nere instead, Brithvar and his mutineers become your opponents. Defying Nere before securing the deal can turn the whole duergar group hostile. The dialogue branches are covered on the Nere and Free True Soul Nere pages.
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Get Brithvar to release the gnomes
Beating Nere does not automatically free the deep gnome slaves. If Brithvar is allied, talk to him after the fight and ask, “And the slaves? What about them?” Then pass a DC 10 Persuasion or Intimidation check to persuade him to release them. Speak with the rescued gnomes before taking a long rest, because they may leave. The follow-up is described in Save the Grymforge Gnomes.
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If you side with Nere, the gnomes can still be released after the fight through a DC 15 Wisdom check that lets you enter Nere’s mind and make him free them. That is a separate route from persuading Brithvar.
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There is also a route in which Nere abandons the Cult of the Absolute: fight his mercenaries before freeing him, then reveal the cult’s connection to mind flayers. Outcomes differ by branch, so do not assume this route produces the same alliance or quest state as siding with Brithvar. See Nere and Free True Soul Nere for the related quest paths.
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