The Homestead Hall

The Homestead serves as your central hub and sanctuary throughout your adventures in Divinity: Original Sin. It's a dimension outside of time and space, accessible through Star Stones, and offers invaluable services and opportunities for character development. Understanding its mechanics and unlocking its full potential is crucial for any aspiring Source Hunter.

Unlocking the Homestead

Your first encounter with the Homestead, and its enigmatic inhabitants, occurs after discovering your first Star Stone. This typically happens during the quest "The Murder Scene and Discovering a Strange New Realm" in Cyseal. Upon interacting with the Star Stone, you will be transported to the Homestead for the first time.

First Star Stone: Found in the Cyseal Mortician's office, on the body of the murdered Councillor Jake.
Subsequent Star Stones: Keep an eye out for these powerful artifacts throughout your journey. Each new Star Stone you activate will unlock a new room or feature within the Homestead, expanding its utility.

Key Areas and Services

The Homestead is divided into several distinct areas, each offering unique benefits. As you activate more Star Stones, these rooms will become accessible.

The Main Hall

This is your initial entry point and central gathering area. It houses several important NPCs and features:

Zixzax, the Imp: Your primary guide and companion within the Homestead. He provides lore, hints, and manages the portal system. Speak to him regularly for updates on new rooms and events.
The End of Time Portal: Located in the center of the Main Hall, this portal allows you to travel back to any activated Waypoint in Rivellon. It's your primary means of fast travel.
The Great Chest: A shared storage chest accessible by all your party members. Use this to offload excess loot, crafting materials, and quest items. It has infinite storage capacity.

The Hall of Heroes

Unlocked by activating a specific Star Stone (often one found later in Act 1 or early Act 2), this room is vital for managing your party composition.

Recruiting Companions: Here, you can find and recruit various companions to join your party, or dismiss existing ones. This is where you'll manage your roster beyond your initial two Source Hunters.
Respec Options: While not immediately available, later in the game, a special NPC may appear here offering character respec services for a fee, allowing you to reallocate attribute, ability, and talent points.

The Hall of Secrets (Crafting & Enchanting)

This room, usually unlocked after another Star Stone, becomes your dedicated crafting and enchanting hub.

Crafting Stations: You'll find various crafting stations here, including an Anvil, a Furnace, and a Mortar and Pestle. These are essential for combining items, forging equipment, and brewing potions.
Enchanting Altar: A powerful altar that allows you to enchant weapons and armor with special properties, provided you have the necessary ingredients and recipes.

The Hall of Darkness (Vendors & Services)

Another Star Stone unlock will grant you access to this area, which often features specialized vendors.

Specialized Merchants: Depending on your progress, you might find merchants selling rare skillbooks, unique equipment, or crafting components that are difficult to acquire elsewhere. Their inventory often refreshes or expands as you advance.
Mysterious Stranger: Occasionally, a mysterious figure might appear here offering unique services or quests.

The Hall of the Loremaster (Lore & Quests)

This room, once unlocked, provides deeper insights into the game's lore and can sometimes offer new quest opportunities.

Ancient Bookshelves: Interact with these to uncover hidden lore, background stories, and sometimes even crafting recipes or quest hints.
The Loremaster: An NPC who can provide information on various topics, including the history of Rivellon, the nature of Source, and the current political climate.

Homestead Strategy Tips

Frequent Visits: Make it a habit to visit the Homestead regularly, especially after activating a new Star Stone. Zixzax will often have new dialogue or point you towards newly unlocked areas.
Inventory Management: Utilize the Great Chest extensively. It's your best friend for keeping your inventory clear and organized, especially for crafting components.
Crafting Hub: Before embarking on major expeditions, always check the Hall of Secrets. Crafting powerful potions, scrolls, and enhancing your gear can make a significant difference in combat.
Companion Management: Don't be afraid to experiment with different party compositions using the Hall of Heroes. Some quests or combat encounters might benefit from specific skill sets.
Lore Exploration: The lore found in the Hall of the Loremaster isn't just flavor text; it can often provide context for quests, reveal hidden secrets, or even hint at future challenges.