The Heart of the Forest

A-To Deep Woods B-Setara's House C-Campsite D-Altar E-Dire Bear Cave

In the campsite to the north, you'll find a vial of poison. Its reason for being here will be made clear soon. The south cave that's home to a 12th-level dire bear is a good place to visit for some experience points and some loot. But there are two more-important places to visit. First, let's see what the witch knows.

Setara's House

A-To the Heart of the Forest B-Bree C-Setara D-Library

When you find Setara, she won't help you unless you have the Mirror of Vanity from the Nymph's House. Give it to the witch, and she will give you the key to Bree's cell along with Setara's Gem, one of the Serpent's Gems for Elaith. Free Bree, then loot the house. Don't miss the Imaskarran Tome of Resonance--it's in the glowing bookshelf in the library.

The Altar

Once you've explored Setara's House and the Dire Bear Cave, go to the altar in the southeastern corner of the Heart of the Forest. Examine the altar, then plunge the ceremonial dagger (from the Nymph's House) into your chest.

The Realm of the Spirit

A-From the Heart of the Forest B-Relmar C-Spirit Poison Antidote D-Spirit of the Wood E-Portal

In this strange realm, you'll encounter a fairly incoherent dwarf named Relmar (12th-level fighter). His circuitous rambling will tell you why he's here (to poison the spirit) and what you can do about it (find the antidote hidden in the rocks to the west). He'll attack you, and you should take his journal from the corpse.

Get the antidote, then find the spirit in its grove to the east. It will attack (5th-level fighter/2nd-level magical beast/11th-level sorcerer), and it's immune to most every type of magic but elemental. When the spirit surrenders, you can cure it of the poison with the antidote, or you can kill it. If you choose the former, you will be transported back to the forest. Choose the latter, and you'll have to use the portal to the south.