I know the feeling, Milee! If I could have gotten that many hours in the first time around, I would have done the same thing. I remember the conversation with Dandelion, but don't remember anything that would have suggested your theory. I will really have to pay attention to that conversation this time!

I don't remember when I got the Spector Oil recipe, but it could have been from a scroll. Try an Antiquarian to see if they have it. I'm buying all the books and scrolls I can this time. I missed a few quests last time because I didn't have an entry in my Bestiary.

Congrats on wiping that crypt clean, Alice! I got caught in there when my Cat ran out once too. I didn't have a torch either, so had to rely on the little map in the upper right of the screen which shows you moving through the corridors of the crypt. Creepy! I fought a bunch of alghouls with no light once too!

Abigale will buy stuff, but only certain things that have to do with her being a witch. I can't remember for sure who else buys stuff, but it seems to me there are a couple of other people. I'm trying to keep my inventory cleaner this time around, but not having much luck.

Been playing since 5 am this morning - still in Chapter 2. I just did the autopsy on the prisoner and not sure what I'm supposed to do next. I still need one of the sephirots - the map keeps glowing on 'ole detective Raymond's house so I'm assuming he has it - just not sure what I have to do to get it from him. I have no idea if I'm asking the right questions or not - guess time will tell.

Alice I did most of my fighting in the crypt in the dark - never knew about the Cat potion until Chapter 2

5 am! Holy cow, syd! You are truly dedicated! Or hooked, as the case may be. Count me in with the second category.... note the posting time - 3:00 am! I just dragged myself out of the game and must get some sleep now...

Syd, how on earth did you manage the crypt playig all of it in the dark? Hope you found the torch in the trunk.

Drac - it is 2.30pm here and still haven't found time to load the game. Now you might understand why I lag so far behind everyone. It takes me an hour to do a chore others might complete in 5 minutes.

Not that I am complaining - I'm so blessed in having so many friends here at GameBomers. Am really looking forward to getting my new specs soon. At the moment I have the screen enlarged 120%.

And we are blessed with having you Threads. Hope you enjoy it when you are able.

Thanks oldman for the suggestion of luring the wraiths away from the circle one by one. I knew I should have asked here before consulting that walkthrough which says to stay within the circle. Staying within the circle condemns you to fighting 3 wraiths at a time.

I chose to help the Scoiatel but if I ever replay the game I will try to play neutral. I made some mistakes in earlier choices and look forward to correcting those decisions in later games.

I've now made it to ch. 5. Each chapter is like starting a new game except that you're stronger and richer. The hardest thing about each new chapter is finding that first trader so you can unload the loot.

What nickie said Threads - you are a joy to be around and my day brightens considerably every time I see one of your posts. As far as you being so far behind - not to worry - my husband and I are leaving on the 3rd for a Caribbean cruise (our first) and won't be back until the 13th - I'm sure by the time I get back you'll be way ahead of me

As to fighting in the dark - I used the torch as a weapon - it worked rather well if I do say so myself. Also used it when I fought in the sewers and couldn't see.

I made it into Chapter 3. Killed Ramsmeat - he and his cohorts were tough - had to reload about 7 times before I managed to get them all. Felt kind of bad about it - he was a sleeze ball but he kind of grew on me.

Drac I think you have me beat by a long shot - 3 am????

Wow, just started the game! Looney, you're so right - Geralt is easy to fall in love - or lust - with. I'm trying to get the hang of everything right now, and there's something I seem to be mucking up already. I just got the aard spell, or whatever that is. I'm throwing them at the mage when the game allows me to, and it knocks him down, but then he gets back up. I keep doing this. What am I not doing right to get the game to progress?

Hi

Well, I am hoping to get a play tonight and manage a bit of "catch-up"

After being away over Christmas I am lagging even further behind all you Die Hards

Cheers and a :newyear: to you all

Mad

Nickie, can I assume you are in the first part of the game yet where you are in Kehr Moren? Your Aard isn't much use here except to knock down a wall or something - I can't remember. Arm yourself with that steel witcher's sword and try to get the hang of switching between the 3 styles of fighting. For some opponents you will use the fast style and some you will need the group or strong style. The group style is very effective when you are fighting more than 1 opponent.

Have you chosen which part you will do - help Triss in the lab or help kill the Frightener?

Drac, sorry I'm so late getting back. All those hours and days playing the game has left me with a pile-up of things undone in real life. I don't dare load the game until other things are taken care of or I'll be right back where I started! Drat...housework, food, and ironing are soooo boring .

I've bought every book and scroll in the game that I could find and no Specter Oil recipe anywhere. Maybe it'll pop-up in chapter 3 somewhere. I'll keep looking when I next load the game.

Yes, exhaust conversations with both Dandelion and Shani at the party. Sober up between conversations or you might not get it all. Afterward, bed Shani and she'll give you more info. If you remember, please let me know what you think about my theory.

Nickie - Your going to love this game! Are you still playing without the patch? I found I had a lot more game time after the patch...and a lot less sleep .

I had to drag myself out of it this afternoon to take down the Christmas tree. Poor kitty now no longer has her favorite thing to play in!

I just did the converstion and I have to say it is an intrigueing possibility. Perhaps our questions will all be answered in the sequel because they sure did leave the ending wide open for one!

Yeah, at this point I'm playing patchless, but I'm in the very beginning. My server won't stay on the time it takes to download the patch. I guess if it becomes a problem I'll try and download through filefront instead of through the game.

Drac, I'm supposed to knock down a magical wall in the very first part that acts as a tutorial, so I can get in the lab. But where do I focus the spell? It doesn't seem to do anything unless I point it at a mage behind the wall (and he just keeps getting back up). It must be something simple I'm not doing, since it doesn't seem to be ringing any bells.

OK. I started another game in the difficult mode. When you and Leo first go down to the lab, you gain the Aard and what you are supposed to break down is the pile of rocks to the right blocking the entrance out. Go back upstairs and talk to the rest. Then you will have to decide whether to help Triss or help slay the Frightener. If you help Triss, you will have a battle with the mage, Savola. I noticed that when you are in the circle with him (kill all the guards first), you can't strike him until you knock him down with Aard first. If I tried to whack at him without it, he seemed to have some kind of force field around him and I couldn't hit him.. So I knocked him down with Aard and then ran up and whacked away. It took a long time, but I finally got him.

Does this help?

It sure does Drac, thanks so much! I was aarding away at that magical film that was crossing the doorway. Guess my hair would have become as white as Geralt's at the rate I was going before anything happened. Going to go look for the rocks now. Thanks again!

Nickie - If you can get the patch it might not be a bad idea. I found it so discouraging as things progressed to have to start all over again. Then again you might get lucky and not have the same issues so many others did. Good luck either way.

Drac -

Oh how hope there's a sequel !!!

Nickie, could I burn both the patches to a CD and send to you via snail mail? If you are having any issues with long loading times between scenes such as going in and out of houses in the Outskirts of Vizima, the 1.2 patch is invaluable. My issues were minute compared to some people, but it still helped my enjoyment of this game exponentially.

If you would like me to do this, PM me your snail mail address and I'll have it in the mail ASAP.

See, Milee, since you raised this question, I'm REALLY leaning that way! It totally flew past my brain at the time. Just THINK of the sequel with this scenario! Think I'll posit the question on the Witcher forum!

Would you do that Drac? That's so very kind of you! It would be nice to have before I get into it.

Oh, and I don't know if this has to do with it, but

Hi all :HNY:

Can anyone remember the blue lights which appear - found 4 in and around the crypt in chapter one. They give a choice of performing one of three rituals or 'do nothing'. (think the are called power point).

When I found the fourth I clicked on the first ritual a second time. Was that right or wrong - anyway, how do these rituals affect the player?

Ummmm - in the introducion cut scene after installing and seeing Geralt in a hefty stone coffin I did wonder

even if he does enjoy blueberries.

threads I read in the manual that the powerpoints will take the toxins away but when I click on it I only get the option to perform magic or do nothing so I must have missed one or two of them. The one that takes away the toxins is the Purfication Ritual.

I never got the option to party dardy with Shani - guess I didn't talk to her enough. Will that mess up my game? I definitely see me playing this one over again.

You're right Milee, the game crashed on me in chapter one. First it went into a slow mode where I could hardly do anything, and then when I went back to a save, it crashed and I had to reboot completely. But what a game! I'm really looking forward to getting back to it. Easy to like that fella!

Nickie, I just burned both patches for you. I got an error saying the 1.1 patch didn't verify, but it seems to work. I went ahead and installed the 1.2 patch from the CD on top of itself in my game and it worked, so hopefully it will work for you. I'd go ahead and install the 1.2 patch and see how it goes. I know it worked wonders for Milee!

I also had to add the picture from The Witcher Christmas card they sent me. I set it as my wallpaper and Looney and I have our theories as to who all the characters are!

Probably won't get to town today, but will get it in the mail on Wednesday.

Thanks so much fellow Witcher! I can't wait to start playing again (well, of course I have to, but you know what I mean ) Geralt is mine,mine,mine!

Hi everyone,

I brought this game, but I haven't installed it yet. Right now I'm playing Gothic 1 and I have a stained glass project that I must work on. So Geralt will have to wait for me.

Nickie - So nice of Drac to be sending you the patch. I'm sure you don't need both patch versions. Starting from a scratch game you only need to install v1.2 (like I did). It will make a huge difference like it did with me and I don't have a video card that is recommended beyond the medium specks to play the game. I also didn't have to turn anything down, but did turn grass levels to low just in case along with shadows. I do that anyway in games if the option is there because I don't like either effect...messes with my eyes to much and I see things better if I can turn these two effects off (or down).

Yes, Geralt is easy to fall in love with....my kind of man and I love the white hair and scars (I've never liked the 'pretty' boys). With the new mystery take we've come up with about his past, listening to his old friends takes on a new meaning.

Syd - The party with Shani was just a side quest and won't mess anything up if it's missed. The quest doesn't come up until after you've done the Autopsy quest with her. Then the next time you talk with Shani she'll invite you to a party (you have to get the booze for her).

Alice - My brain just went dead on me, but I know you can only use the places of power twice a day. the rest of it I'll have to look up unless someone else here remembers .