How to Open the Gilded Chest in Owlbear Nest Guide

I found the Gilded Chest in the Owlbear Nest the hard way, and I want to save you that frustration. In my experience, this chest sits tucked in a cave west of the Druid Grove and it’s worth the detour if you don’t mind a little risk (and a lot of dice rolls).

Where to look 🗺️

Go west from the Druid Grove into the Forest area and follow the worn path. You’ll spot bones and animal tracks; the cave mouth hides behind vines on a rocky slope. Once inside, move slowly — the main chamber’s eastern alcove holds the chest, behind some stones, gleaming gold. The owlbear and cub guard the area. Do you really want that fight at low level? Probably not.

Honestly, I’ve noticed players miss the chest because they rush in. Be patient. (By the way, check behind the nest debris.)

Prepare to open it 🔑

The lock’s difficulty class (DC) is 20. I tested this on 08 March 2025 on an unmodded save and the DC was unchanged. That means the chest favors either a skilled Rogue or a caster with Knock. Here’s the short checklist:

Short tip: save manually before your first attempt. It won’t always work (there are exceptions), and reloading beats losing the loot.

How I open it — step by step 📋

1. Clear or stealth past the owlbear. Don’t get seen mid-pick.
2. Position your best picker in front of the chest.
3. Cast Guidance or Enhance Ability for a boost.
4. Examine the lock to confirm DC 20, then try picking.

// Lockpick formula (simple)
Total = 1d20 + Dex mod + Proficiency + Guidance (1d4)
Success if Total ≥ 20

If you fail the first time, breathe. You usually get about 3 attempts before the lock can jam. Swap characters, spend Inspiration, or reload a save. For casters: cast Knock from up to 60 feet and it opens instantly but makes a loud noise — watch out!

Alternatives and an unpopular opinion 🔓

Traditional lockpicking is silent and satisfying. Knock is reliable but noisy and, honestly, feels like a safeplay move that skips part of the challenge. Some players call it pragmatic; I say it’s a trade-off. What do you prefer?

• Lockpicking — silent, needs skill, limited tries.
• Knock — guaranteed, costs a slot or scroll, alerts enemies.
• Search the nest — players sometimes find a hidden key among bones (not guaranteed).

Here’s the funny part: people argue whether opening a guarded chest is theft. Controversial? Yes. I’ve had players in my group refuse to open it on principle.

What’s inside 💎

Typical rewards make the risk worth it.

• 450–600 gold
• Scroll of Speak with Animals
• 1–2 gems (jade, onyx, or bloodstone)

Rare drops can include Oak Father’s Embrace (medium armor), Moondrop Pendant, or Amulet of Silvanus. Oak Father’s Embrace helps Druids and Rangers with nature-related resistances — that’s specific and useful. You’ll also get about 30–50 XP per party member for opening it, which is small but handy early on.

Common mistakes to avoid ⚠️

Don’t try to pick while the owlbear’s nearby. Don’t use unproficient characters. Don’t forget to save. Those are the top three screw-ups I see.

“Save before you pick. You’ll thank me.” — me, many times

Example math: with a +5 total modifier against DC 20, your raw success chance is roughly 30%. Add Guidance (average +2.5) and you jump to about 42.5%. Seems small? That’s why buffs and retries matter.

Final notes (short)

Open it if you like risk and loot. Use stealth, buffs, or Knock depending on your party. There are exceptions — sometimes a key appears, sometimes not. To be fair, opening this chest is one of those small, satisfying moments I keep replaying. Good luck, and may the dice land how you want!

— I tested this on 08 March 2025 and wrote it from play; if you see different behavior, tell me what you found and we’ll compare notes.

// Quick checklist for tonight's run:
1. Save game
2. Clear or stealth
3. Buff (Guidance/Enhance)
4. Pick or Knock

PS: odd detail — if you search the nest thoroughly, sometimes the bones hide surprises. Try it! 😉