Neera's Hidden Refuge

Neera's Hidden Refuge is her companion quest in Shadows of Amn campaign, its storyline will be continued by Destroying the Order of Eight Staves quest, which doesn't require the completion of this quest to trigger.
== Prerequisite ==
You'll first need to find Neera before starting her quest. Go to Bridge District, head south till you hear three peasants talking about the shadow thief bodes, travel further south, then back to the area entrance, there you'll witness Neera rescue a girl named Mereth from some Red Wizards of Thay (no comments from Edwin if he's in party). You'll encounter her again in your next travel, unlocking Wild Forest, where Neera is waiting to join near the entrance.
Edwin can't be in the same party with Neera and will either leave or prevent the questline from advancing at certain stages; Neera herself is also not necessarily needed to be brought along. Her presence will be required at some points in order to proceed with the quest, but the game does this automatically (as does in her companion quests in BG1 EE).
== Wild Forest ==
This entire area is a wild surge zone, so it's probably a good idea to keep spellcasting at a minimum.
Our goal here is to make it to the north-eastern corner of the map, start out by following the road to the north-east, you'll find a gnome named Quaid (x=1620 y=2840), who turns out to be an illusion and will be launching Fireballs if you press him too much. The trapped cart behind contains some goodies to loot:
*Diamond
*
*
*
*
*
Actually, you have to be careful with traps throughout the forest. There are several of them along the path.
Continue east, a few foes (Wolf, Giant Spider, Sword Spider) and a few traps to disarm (x=2060 y=2600), (x=2100 y=3000), (x=3400 y=3070), (x=4700 y=2090), (x=3270 y=1400).
Explore north along the western end of the map, keeping an eye out for traps (x=620 y=2600), (x=1800 y=2100) as you go. North of where Quaid's cart is a Speaking Snake (x=2150 y=1780), again a verbal deterrent that is trying to fend off transpassers.
Continue north to find a group of Gnolls being chased by an "Ettin", unfortunately the creator wild mage shows incompetence again and the illusion vanishes, the Gnolls, annoyed by the trick, turn on you and get themselves killed. The Gnoll Captain will drop random goodies. Trap here, be careful (x=360 y=1360).
Head over to the bridge (x=4370, y=720), which seems inaccessible at first, just walk Neera over to it and she'll expose the illusion to get through. Alternatively, find A Pile of Gravel in a ditch (x=4600 y=1100) south-east of the bridge, and with it reveal the true state of the bridge, then cross it. Exit this area and travel to the Hidden Refuge.
Beware of the Polymorph trap (x=3345, y=3132)! Approaching it from below, Neera warns you about it, then two squirrels wander in and become ogres, then attack.
== Hidden Refuge ==
This entire area is a wild surge zone.
2000 xp each party member upon arriving here. Neera is near the starting point if you dismissed her earlier, and in order to get in the refuge, she must be in party. It's impossible to have both her and Edwin in the party at the same time, and Edwin will leave immediately at this stage if Neera joins. 
After meeting Hayes and Telana at the gate, your next move is to find Daxus Taralom, but before that, explore a bit, people around the camp have their own affairs, it’s recommended to complete these mini quests before triggering Daxus's rescue in Delosar's Inn for more rewards there and after.
* Knocktor the Fizzled - Talisman of the Hearthfire (3500 XP)
* Mironda - A new beer for Mironda (3500 XP)
* Barad Ding - Barad Ding's eight cats
* Amanis Khal & Kirik Khal - Amanis Khal's Missing Son (3500 XP)
* Mereth - Mereth's hairband
* Zaviak - Where's Wilson?
* Reginald - Pester him with dialogue, stand your ground and don't leave him be. Reginald will eventually try to strike you with fists. Let him do so, and no need to retaliate. In a few rounds he’ll cease attacking - wait a bit for him to return to his original spot then talk to him again. This will result in some dialogue that he has learned a valuable lesson in restraint. This small scuffle will bode well for you later in the questline.
Treasures around the camp:
* (x=1240 y=758) 2 RNDTRE01.itm, RNDTRE02.itm
* (x= 1204 y=919) RNDTRE01.itm, RNDSCR01.itm
* (x=1371 y=1110) RNDMAG01.itm
* (x=1331 y=526) RNDTRE01.itm, RNDTRE02.itm, RNDSCR02.itm
== Finding Daxus Taralom ==
Now on to main quest line, talk to Hayes first if you wish, then Telana, go to the Bridge District in Athkatla. Hayes will be waiting south-west of Delosar's Inn, go inside to find Daxus Taralom on the lower floor with the bar and patrons. Note that if you don't have Neera with you, then Daxus won't start the performance required for the quest to continue. If you have Talisman of the Hearthfire, tell Daxus to teleport with it so that you only have to fend off one enemy wave plus a 5000xp later, it doesn’t matter if you talk to Hayes again afterwards but his dialogue may lead to some clue... otherwise decline Daxus’s offer to aid you in battle, you don’t want an unexpected surge mid-battle in the presence of many innocent bar patrons, including a few Amnian Guardsmen. After defeating the Red Wizards and mercenaries which teleport in abruptly to prevent Daxus from leaving with you, you may elect to leave Daxus behind and then proceed outside the Inn to scout for more Red Wizards. And there are another group awaiting you. Deal with the reinforcement outside, then Hayes will take Daxus away via teleportation (if he's still around and hasn't used the Talisman earlier). Note that from an experience gaining standpoint, using the Talisman will net your party an additional 5,000 XP later on in the quest.
Back to Hidden Refuge, you'll find it in a sorry state, many are gone, Telana is here, as are Mereth and Kirik, if you completed their quests. After talking to Telana, we’re off to the Red Wizard Enclave in Waukeen's Promenade.
== Red Wizard Enclave ==
== Back to camp ==
Returning to the Hidden Refuge after completing the Red Wizard Enclave adventure, report back to Telana, the party receives 10,000 XP. Neera will ask to come along with your party, agree and you’ll receive Mechanical Bird, which is worth either or xp to Strange Collector in Amkethran during the Throne of Bhaal campaign (at the Zephir inn; Neera has to be in your party). Talk to Telana again to receive Robe of Goodman Hayes, speak to Reginald (if you talked and saved him previously) for The Brick +2. Now, although optional, there's one more thing to do before we wrap this quest up, let's go find the traitor in Trademeet.
== The loose end ==
Enter Vyatri's Pub in Trademeet and you'll find Hayes drinking himself to death. You have a choice here. You can help him to that end and then bring the Bloodied Tunic of Hayes back to Telana, which she'll have mixed feelings about. Or you can speak with him and leave the man to his wretched depression, showing some mercy.
== See also ==
* Destroying the Order of Eight Staves
==Mod content==
===People involved===
:Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
OHNAMANI.jpg|thumb|Amanis Khal, a human Wild Mage greets you at the Hidden Refuge. She is mother to Kirik. 
OHNBARAD.jpg|thumb|Barad Ding, gnome Wild Mage found in the Hidden Refuge. Help him find his missing cats.
OHNHAYES.jpg|thumb|Hayes, human Wild Mage is found initially in the Hidden Refuge.
OHNKING.jpg|thumb|"King" Gramm, gnome Wild Mage with delusions of royalty.
OHNKIRIK.jpg|thumb|Kirik Khal, a shy and stuttering boy, son of Amanis Khal.
OHNKNOCK.jpg|thumb|Knocktor the Fizzled, a Wild Mage with a knack for creating talismans, and prone to wild surges.
OHNMERET.jpg|thumb|Mereth, a girl within the refuge, who seeks a special hairband
OHNMIRON.jpg|thumb|Mironda, dwarven Wild Mage, who is a bit of a drinker, and wants a special cask of ale. 
OHNREGI.jpg|thumb|Reginald, half-orc Wild Mage found in the Hidden Refuge. He is a short-tempered lad with anger management issues. Perhaps you can help?
OHNTELAN.jpg|thumb|Telana, human Wild Mage and wife of Hayes. She is found in the Hidden Refuge
BDZAVIAK.jpg|thumb|Zaviak, a Wild Mage who is really into the natural scene and spiritual connection. Says a Bear named Wilson is the best.
== Sources ==
* Baldur's Gate II Enhanced Edition walkthrough by Haeravon