It's a long story, but I don't have a Druid in my party nor will I in the future. How does it end up without one? What happens when I return to Trademeet? If you know XP differences, that would be great too. Thanks.

The grove has an intern-leader so-to-speak until a Druid of high enough level (14) can challange him for leadership. If you dont have a druid PC the Grove will just stay as it is - an intern leader waiting patiently [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Without a druid, you just wont get it as a stronghold, if im not mistaken. The druid must also be your PC character, IIRC.

SPOILERS
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Cernd should be right near the doorway to the area where Faldorn is at. Talk to him and still tell him that you do not want to add him (but want him to face Faldorn). You will end up meeting Faldorn with Cernd there, he will challenge and (likely) defeat her, and then you just go back to Trademeet to get your reward. You lose the 14,000xp for defeating Faldorn (since Cernd is not in the party, you do not get the xp) and do not get the staff of thunder and lightning (I just sell the thing anyway), but no other penalty.

You could also try the "all-strongholds-mod", that enables you to do all the strongholds in the game even if you are not the correct character class.
Download adress of this fine mod is sure listed under the mod-thread on top of the main BG 2:SoA page on IW. I love this mod. Latest when I played the game for the second time I wanted to do all stronghold quests. Along came the mod.