All Totem of Defiance locations and buffs in Avowed

Looking for all Totem of Defiance locations in Avowed? The Totem of Defiance is split into seven pieces that you’ll need to collect around the Emerald Stair region of Avowed. This totem is ideal for a ra💞nger build as it provides extra Constitution, Dexterity and critical hit damage. For all Totem of Defiance locations, see below.

How to complete the Totem of Defiance quest in Avowed

To activate the Totem of Defiance quest in Avowed, you can either pick up one of the Totem pieces right away or purchase the ‘Fragments of the Offering’ quest item from Lluisa Melcer at the Farmers’ Market, south of Fior mes Iverno. Alternatively, follow our guide for every Totem🐟 of Defiance piece location.

The Schemer’s Offering location

The Schemer’s Offering is the base of the idol and is located at the Shrine to Skaen (west beyond The Wildwoods). To find it, follow 🐬these ste🔯ps:

• Start at the Delemgan Glade Beacon and walk towards the cave opening opposite.
• Go through the arch, up the stairs and push the button on the wall above to go through the next door.
• Continue past the bridge to the left.
• To the left of the hut, there will be several platforms. Climb up these and work your way up to the top of the shrine.
• Pick up the totem base from the altar.

Obsidian Prayer Beads location

Whilst you’re in the area after obtaining the Schemer’s Offering, you can also collect the next Totem piece from The Delemgan Glade. You will enter this area during the main quest ‘The Animancy Method,’ so you may wish to wait until then to get this Totem piece. I found that if I went straight to the heart of the area 𒁃and spoke to the main NPC there, all of the𝐆 enemies became pacified afterward, making traversal much easier. Follow these steps for the Obsidian Prayer Beads:

• Start at the Delemgan Glade Beacon and walk across the large bridge of tree roots.
• Turn right and walk around the main path.
• Turn right again, through an alcove of trees.
• Continue on this path, through the cave opening and past the sleeping bear and Sporling enemies.
• On this path, you’ll come across a large tree forming a bridge to a higher platform. Jump on it. (If you walk around the tree, there will be stones you can use to jump to it).
• Walk up the tree and turn left.
• Follow the ridge and jump onto the levelled section of the wall.
• There will be a body ahead next to the Totem piece.

Idol of Covert Plots location

The Idol of Covert Plots is located within the sealed chapel to the east of the Infested Camp. Follow these steps to get it:

• Start at the Plateau Junction Beacon (northwest of Tama’s Cabin).
• Travel downhill until you see the chapel in the distance.
• Take the higher trail above the chapel, as it will be locked from within.
• Follow the higher trail and take out any of the Sporling enemies that spawn here.
• Go towards the chapel roof; you’ll see a section you can platform across.
• Follow these platforms and land inside the chapel.
• Turn around and loot the Totem piece from the chapel altar.

Idol of Secret Hatred location

The Idol of Secret Hatred is located within the Ancient Grotto, south of The🔯 Wildwoods. To grab this Totem piece for yourself, follow these steps:

• From the Low Forest Clearing Beacon, take the left-side of the forked path.
• Just before you reach the bridge, take the dirt path to the right.
• Continue straight ahead, past the mushroom enemies, and you’ll encounter the Ancient Grotto Beacon and the cave entrance into the Grotto.
• Go through the cave.
• Kill Old Nuna and take her bounty if you haven’t already done so. 
• Dive into the pool of water to the right of the cave entrance.
• When you emerge, climb up the cave platform and then drop down into the cave chamber below.
• Continue right, and you’ll see a green-hued beacon. Next to it is a crawl space.
• Crawl forward, and you’ll enter a clearing containing a skeleton, book, ring, and the Totem piece.
• If you exit and take the path left, you’ll find an exit to the cave.

Effigy Necklace location

The Effigy Necklace is located a short distance away from the previous Totem piece, within Naku Tedek. However, you must play through the main questline to obtain this one, as its location is only accessible via the ‘Ancient Soil’ main quest. If൩ you have progressed this far, follow these steps to retrieve the necklace:

• From the Ancient Grotto, travel past the Sporling camp and turn right on the main road to gain access to the main bridge into Naku Tedek.
• Go up the first, then the second set of stairs and into the temple itself.
• Enter the doorway behind the Adra.
• Travel down the spiral stairs and into the chamber beyond.
• Turn left, towards the set of stairs. There will be a sigil on the left side that Giatta can interact with (use the Spectral Jolt command).
• This will shock open the door at the top of the stairs. Proceed.
• Either cast a cold spell on the water or shoot the Eye of Rymrgand plant on the right–side wall. This will summon frozen platforms that you can use to get across the water to the tree on the other side.
• Once you’re across, climb up the tree and onto the ledge. Continue, and you’ll see the Effigy Necklace on top of a table.

Sacrificial Dagger location

The Sacrificial Dagger is located in the Abandoned Farms, directly north of Fi✱or mes Iverno. Follow♐ these steps to pick it up:

• Start at the Abandoned Farms Beacon.
• Follow the path upwards and around.
• Head towards the fourth building from the left.
• Walk towards the back of the building. There will be a boarded-up door, and the Dagger will be embedded in it, with a note pinned underneath.

Idol of Violent Rebellion location

The Idol of Violent Rebellion is located at the top of the Ranger Headquarters. To retrieve it, follow these steps:

• Spawn at the Rolling Crags Beacon, east of Fior mes Iverno.
• Head up the path towards the main building and jump onto the porch area to the right.
• Scale up the building using the various platforms and ledges. You can start by jumping on top of the pile of kegs and then onto the porch roof.
• Once you’ve made your way up to the top, the Idol piece will be on top of some boxes to the right of a large beacon.

How to use the Totem of Defiance in Avowed

Once you have all seven pieces of the Totem of Defiance, travel to a party camp and interact with your totem statue base to unite the pieces and activate it. The base is a cluster of rocks, usually to the left of where Ka💞i stands. 

You can only have one Totem active at a time, so choose wisely. This Totem provides buffs that best support a Ranger build.

All Totem of Defiance buffs

Like other Totems in the game, the Totem of Defiance offers six buffs. These are:

• Furious Frenzy: Second Wind casts Flurry of Blows.
• The Slave’s Patience: +2 to Constitution and Dexterity.
• Hidden Hatred: Increases damage against unaware enemies by 25%.
• Kill the Master: Increases damage against ‘skull’ enemies.
• Bitter Thoughts: Critical Hits deal high Poison Accumulation.
• A Vengeful Victim: After taking damage from an enemy, your next attack within 10 seconds deals +20% of the original damage you received.

That rounds up our guide to all Totem of Defiance locations and buffs in Avowed. If you want to find the other Totems, see our guide to all Totem of Rightful Rulership locations or our Totem of Revelations rundown.