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Alchemist's Grotto (daytime)
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Alchemist's Grotto (evening)
Alchemist's Grotto is the starting area for the Apprentice in Grow: Song of the Evertree. In this small bastion of security from the effects of The Withering, the Apprentice studied for many years to perfect the Alchemy necessary to craft new World Seeds and save the Evertree.
Alchemist's Grotto is a small area, containing the Alchemy House, home of the Everheart Alchemists' Guild, which, by the time of the events in Grow: Song of the Evertree, is reduced to just the Apprentice and two constructs: Book and Coppertop. There are also a very small garden, which occasionally sprouts Flowers; a well; a few Trees (including one that can be cut down); a small waterfall and pool, with a bridge that crosses the tiny stream coming from the pool; and a roost where Kazumi lives. A single white Harmony Stone can be found near the exit that leads to the Meadow Quarters district, and the entrance to the Treeheart Chamber can be found here as well, although it is covered with vines of The Withering at first. Once the Everkin have re-introduced themselves, a secret passage opens leading to Everkin Alley and the portal to Where-Ever.
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Alchemy House and its well
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Bridge, waterfall, choppable Tree, and garden
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Archway leading to Meadow Quarters, the Harmony Stone, and the waterfall and choppable Tree
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Entrance to Treeheart Chamber (blocked by The Withering), entrance to Everkin Alley, and Kazumi at their roost
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Overhead view of Alchemist's Grotto
Hidden about the area can be found a few small Chests, including one locked Gold Chest (which cannot be reached until Meadow Quarters is unlocked).
Although there are a number of areas within the Grotto whose names display at the top of the screen with a musical flourish like new discoveries, there is no discovery list for Alchemist's Grotto, and none of these locations count towards any District's discovery list.
In order to unlock the Meadow Quarters and begin building Towns, the Apprentice must first complete a few tutorial days, including sprouting a World Seed and tending the resulting World a couple of times, learning to sing, and meeting the Everkin. Once all of those conditions are met, Book will draw the Apprentice's attention to the Harmony Stone which has begun to glow with the Apprentice's connection to the Song of Myora. Once the Apprentice sings to the Stone, the Withering is pushed back away from the archway leading to the Meadow Quarters, and that District and Town become unlocked and accessible.
Alchemist's Grotto has a marker on the Map that indicates the Alchemy House, but when directed there, Kazumi instead lands the Apprentice outside at their roost.