Yes I am playing on linux, and yes it is v0.308, and I have already done as you suggest with loading an earlier save and getting to that point. If it helps i can send you my saves if it will help?
Viewing post in [RPG] GROVE: "Dark Places" (v0.308) comments
Hey Dagoth,
I ran through the area on an Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS VM and it all seems to be working as intended (GROVE version 0.308). Do you mind telling us which distro you're using? I suspect that there is a compatibility issue.
Whatever the case, I've uploaded your save with all your items on you just after the equipment recovery moment:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YpbH-FQWjAaTLFeSutWjsQ2p_WomX_L9/view?usp=share...
Hope that helps you out :)
-RegalBuster