I'd stay away from 1.3 right now anyway. That's the one that may not allow your saved games to work correctly.

As long as you can draw your sword when you need to, you should be good to go!

Drac-

I am playing on my Vista Ultimate and so far have not had any problems with it. I was glad to have it as I had problems with the 1.2, so it could be Vista. But I agree with you, if it works why change it.

Take care

maggie

Yup, maggie, the operative word here is "may!"

So, I'm being asked to take sides in the Swamp. Eight of the Sephrots placed, and the Sqirrels and the Knights of the Holy Grand Snivelling Wet Blanket have each asked me to lead their parties to the Golem graveyard.

So -- do I fob them both off? If so, what will happen. I'm not really a law'n order kind of gal, but the squirrels are just a wee bit bloodthirsty for my taste.

I also not even close to solving the "case." I made a bit of an oopsie and told Vizima I knew he was innovent but I also gave the elf's letter to Vincent as well. Not sure what kind of havoc that will wreak, but I do NOT want to end up on the side of the humans. Have I messed this up? I've got so many quests goin at oncce I got confused.

hagatha-

Yes, you will have to take a side at sometime or not get help later in the game. I chose the Order, the Squirrels were not human and Geralt felt he should go with the humanside. One time I want to help the Squirrels and see what the difference is. Can you get the letter back from the detective to give it to the Dwarf?? If you feel you must stay with the Squirrels, go for it, I found myself with many things to do at the same time too. Luckily I just went slow the first couple of times through and did not push myself.

Good Luck

maggie

I'm stuck, more or less.

The quests I have left are:

1. to talk to Shani (and I don't get any new dialogue whenever I do, whether I talk to her at her house or in the hospital)
2. to find a lost boy. The Dryad denies it...
3. to place two more of the whatsits in the obelisks in the swamp to open the Tower.
4. To deal with the Golem.
5. To deliver some ancient wine to someone in the inn at night, but he hasn't been there when I've gone.
6. Decide who to support inthe swamp, Squirrels or humans.
7. Get some blood or guts or some other squirmy part of some creature that I can't find, for Kalkstein.

According to my journal the only suspects left are Kalkstein and the big guy that has his own house -- you know, whatshisname, striped pants that just absolutely scream "walk on the wild side," hangs around in bars. I thought Vincent should still be a suspect, but he's not, apparently.

Although I have to say, that detective with the sad story about the dead family looks like a psycho killer to me. I think it's him. Never trust a thin man with a pointy collar, a monocle and a deadpan voice. They're trouble. I reckon it were him what done it, his family and now this, this...whatever this crime is that I'm trying to solve. I've been runing around so much I can't remember what it is.

Anyway, I've been running around in circles for a while not knowing what to do next. The only dialogue I have left with either of the two suspects is about Salamandra. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

hagatha-

Shani is at her house at midnight. You won't find the lost boy till Vaska tells you that the Salamandra took their men and split them up in camps to do their dirty work.
The wine in the evening at the inn.
Talk to the chief Dryad and he will mention a lightening rod, you need to get one made by someone in town.
That is blood Kalkstein wants, Ghoul Blood.
You have to choose who to side with, go with what you feel is fair.

Hope some of this is help. Did you download and print out the walkthrough from either Gamepressure or Gamebanshee? Both are very good and will help with all but the last I mentioned. The Golem has one of the stones. Has Vaska given you the playing card yet? If she has show it to Kalkstein. I hate to say more and ruin your story for you.

Maggie

Yes, pretty much all that maggie said! However, you also have a choice to not take either side and remain neutral. I did neutral the first time and picked the Squirrels the second time. I don't know if I can stomach the Order, but I suppose I should take their side at least once!

Ghoul blood requires killing a bunch of ghouls. You will find them down in the sewers amongst other dark and creepy places.

The lost boy will be in a cave somewhere after you talk to Vaska, as maggie says.

Vincent will turn out to be a very interesting character!

Having fun yet???

I would tell Vaska that the Dryads don't have the boy, if you haven't already. I think that quest continues into the next chapter. Talk to her completely to get a lightning card that you need to show Kalkstein. This should set other things in motion, including eventually talking to Shani. Just for laughs, has the old woman at Shani's house thrown you out yet???
Don't worry, the story will kick in as you progress. Each time you play you can choose different ways to play - none of them will leave you at a dead end.

I could never bring myself to join the Order. Joining with the squirrels made it more fun, I think.

Nickie-

I am glad to hear you say that about the squirrels, I am going on their side next game, I had a feeling you did. Why was it more fun???

Maggie

Hagatha - do you make sure you have the appropriate quest clicked as active in the log? That was a mistake I once made. You will not get the correct dialogue if it isn't the 'active' quest.

Hagatha, I can't tell you how many times I thought I was completely stuck in the game the first time I played. But something always happened to get it moving again. Like Nickie says, you won't ever get to a dead end.

Of the two I've played - neutral and Squirrels - I definitely preferred going with the Squirrels. Yaaevin does get down from his high horse a bit later and they help you out a lot.

Threads, you should still get all dialogues in the game, even if the quest isn't the one highlighted. If you don't have the quest highlighted, the directions on the little map won't be what you need though.

Maggie, you'll just have to play as a friend to the Squirrels and see.

Nickie and Drac-

Thanks for all the help, I will have to play again and only help the squirrels. You are right about clicking on the right quest. I was stuck so many times the first game I almost gave up, but it is so much fun and now I really enjoy the game. The Best Game I have played in years.

Thanks

maggie

I have told Vaska that the Druids don't have the boy and got the resultant reward, and I have spoken to Kalkstein and had the appropriate dialogue. Shani's dialogue does not change, no matter where or when I speak to her. I think I must have enough ghould blood for Kalkstein, so I wonder why no dialogue opens up for that quest?

Anyway, I'll just keep at it and see what comes of it. If nothing else, I can always go back to the Swamp and kill monsters for experience.

Edit: No, it's ghoul marrow, not blood, that I need. I just killed a bunch of them down in the cellar on the wine quest, but got no marrow, only blood. Oh well.

hagatha

The marrow is in the swamp I believe, check each ghoul you kill. Has Vaska told you that the Salamandra has taken their men to work for them? If so check the cave for the boy, also kill Salamandra. Check where woodcutters use to be and another group there and a man at the Druid camp will help if Vaska gives the right answer. Did Shani have the party yet, did she ask you to get wine?? Have you bought and read all the books that everyone has to sell, you can resell them or dump them, but you need information in your file about the books to sometimes start a quest.

Good Luck

maggie

It sound like you need a book that gives you the Ghoul Marrow option when you kill them. Do you have Ghouls in your Bestiary yet?

Did you go to the book seller in Vizima and buy all the books, when your pointer is on one, the information will tell you if you have read it. If you have not read it, you need to buy any and all you need, then one by one right click on each to read, which it will then put the information in your Bestiary. You can then sell them back to the guy. Same way with any other book, Kalkstein has some and I think the Druids do too. You will also find books in some houses, I just steal them as we are allowed and read and drop them or sell them.

maggie :spring:

Yep, I have ghouls in my journal. Sort of like having ants in yer pants, I guess.

OK. So I got the autopsy done, but I refuse to believe it's K. Way too obvious. I think it's that creepy detective.

Another question:

Do I absolutely have to get into the graveyard? Vincent is mad at me and I can't find Thaler. I didn't need to get into the graveyard because the Gravedigger brought the body out to the hospital, but it srikes me that I've gone wrong somewhere. Kalkstein is the only suspect I have left, but I doubt it's him, and anyway, that creepy detective has vanished.

hagatha-

You can wait to get into the graveyard till part 3, that is what I did, could never do it in part 2. Let Vincent stay mad at you, it will not change yet, Thaler, has a place to stay in his house, it is behind the bookcase sort of in a corner, he sits there on a chair, try him in the late evening and you will find him in bed. Your instincts are right about that detective, but I shall leave it at that. If you feel it is wrong, redo the autospy and you will find the person responsible in another sentence.
Have you done any gambling at the Inn? Also gamble with Carmen and gamble with all you can if you have the time, not the most important, but probably on your list. Have you picked up the dice. Play with any Dwarf that will play with you.

Good Luck

maggie

Some of this doesn't make sense -- and that's partly because, I think, some of the journal entries don't seem to be updating when they should. For instance, the gardener's Echinops contract would not update, and would not update, and then all of a sudden it showed that I'd completed it. Same with the Half-elf quest. The autopsy pointed to Kalkstein, and Raymond said basically that was it. Then all of a sudden I had a notation in the journal telling me I should tell Ramsmeat I knew he was innocent. But now when I go to Raymond, he's talking about confronting Ramsmeat. None of it really makes much sense.

I'll see if it's possible to do the autopsy again. But I asked all of the questions offered the first time.

Ah, never mind. Can't do the autopsy again -- and I'm not reloading. I've played too long since then. The only options I've got are to confront Ramsmeat - and I've established his innocence, apparently, although god knows how, none of this actually makes a lot of sense to me -- or confront Kalkstein, and that also makes no sense since now I've had the dialogue options that suggest Raymond is guilty. Vincent tells me if I have any real evidence he'll help me, but that's it, Thaler hasnothing to say unless I prove him innocent, which I apparently can't do. This is too much like my job. Whatever. I'll go confront Ramsmeat and Kalkstei, then nobody will tak to me and the game will be over.

Edit -- nope, can't cnfront Ramsmeat -- he's in the cemetary and i can't get in there.

Hey Hagatha,

I've read where this one can have some twists in it. I wish I could help further, but I've only played through the game once and this particular segment was pretty linear for me. Maybe this might help as it lists some of the permutations in the conversations.

Vizima Confidential

There are no permutations in any of the conversations any more. Vicent gives me the same dialogue every time. Thaler will not let me into the cemetary unless I prove his innocence and none of the important characters have anything to say about him. Vincent wont talk to me. The only dialogue option I have with Kalkstain is to accuse him. Not a good idea, because then he won't talk to me any more either.

Raymond wants me to go after Ramsmeat, but I can't because neither Thaler or Vincent will talk to me, so I can't get into the cemetary. Visima has been proved innocent, and he has no dialogue options left. Shani wants to have a party and I have to get her some wine. But nobody has any dialogue left relating to the quest except Raymond. I'm pretty sure it's game over.