A Complete Guide to 'In the Eternal Fire's Shadow' Quest in The Witcher 3

Unravel the Mysteries of the Eternal Fire's Shadow

Commencing Your Journey: Initiating the Quest 'In the Eternal Fire's Shadow'

To embark on the 'In the Eternal Fire's Shadow' quest, players must journey to the ominous Devil's Pit, situated within the central Velen region. This location lies to the south of Novigrad and southwest of Oxenfurt. Upon arrival, seek out the Eternal Fire Deacon and accept his plea for assistance, marking the beginning of this intriguing adventure.

Delving into the Depths: Navigating the Caves of the Devil's Pit

Upon entering the Devil's Pit, players will first need to overcome a group of deserters. After securing the area, proceed deeper into the caves through the northwest exit, which is identifiable by double doors adorned with peculiar white symbols. The caves are rich with various treasures, and it is advisable to thoroughly explore and collect all loot before advancing, as access to these items will be lost once the quest concludes.

Uncovering Secrets: Investigating Clues and Crafting Potions within the Caves

Beyond material gains, the caves hold crucial clues. Players can discover multiple corpses, Witcher symbols, and five notes penned by a character named Reinald. For those who have previously completed Keira Metz's quests, her magic lamp can reveal the presence of ghosts. A meticulous investigation will unlock additional dialogue options and a potion recipe that will prove beneficial in an upcoming boss encounter. Throughout this exploration, a mysterious voice will attempt to guide you; ignoring its immediate suggestions and exploring alternative paths often leads to discovering more information. For instance, when confronted with a fork in the path, choosing the left route instead of the voice's recommended right will yield further insights.

The Elixir of Preparedness: Mastering the Creation of Reinald's Philter

Key clues for crafting Reinald's Philter are found at the alchemy station, where you should read the priest's testament, and within a reddish shack located in the large room inhabited by the ghosts of plague victims. Here, you will find the recipe and necessary ingredients for the philter. Once these clues are gathered, two optional objectives become available: consulting Geralt's bestiary to understand the Red Miasmal's weaknesses and brewing Reinald's Philter, a concoction designed to simplify the impending boss fight. To create the potion, access the alchemy menu, navigate to the 'quests' section, and select Reinald's Philter to craft it.

Confronting the Entity: Liberating Reinald from His Captivity

At the conclusion of the Devil's Pit, a large arena awaits, where a mysterious figure, claiming to be Reinald, is ensnared within rock formations. To release him, employ the Aard sign, a powerful telekinetic blast. However, the rescue is not complete, as Reinald is possessed by the Red Miasmal. To gain an advantage in the ensuing battle, as detailed in the Red Miasmal's bestiary entry, players can apply specter oil to their weapon, utilize the Yrden and Aard signs to trap and expel the entity, or consume Reinald's Philter. It is crucial not to give the philter to Reinald, as doing so will intensify the fight; instead, Geralt should consume it himself.

The Dual Battle: Strategies for Defeating Possessed Reinald and the Red Miasmal

The boss encounter against Reinald unfolds in two distinct phases. Initially, you must defeat Possessed Reinald, who frequently employs a Quen shield. Avoid attacking him while his shield is active to conserve stamina. To efficiently dislodge the Red Miasmal, cast the Yrden sign to trap it, followed by an Aard blast. The second phase involves confronting the Red Miasmal in its spectral form. Be wary of its teleportation abilities and the minions it summons. It also possesses a potent ranged attack, necessitating quick dodges whenever it teleports.

Consequential Choices: Determining the Quest's Final Outcome

Following the battle, Reinald will request that you bring the priest to him. Your decision here significantly impacts the quest's conclusion. Choosing to retrieve the priest initiates a confrontation at the Devil's Pit, where the priest's fate hinges on your subsequent dialogue choices. Refusing to bring the priest leads to an argument with Reinald, who eventually relents, and Geralt proceeds to burn his body, preventing any meeting with the priest. If the priest was not brought, Geralt can either disclose the full truth to the priest outside or state that the specifics are inconsequential; regardless, the priest will remain unconvinced of the Eternal Fire cult's transgressions. However, if you did bring the priest, two main outcomes are possible. A positive outcome sees the priest survive, renounce the Eternal Fire, and establish a hospital at the Devil's Pit, leading to Reinald's ghost finding peace. Conversely, a negative outcome results in Reinald murdering the priest, remaining restless, and the Devil's Pit becoming infested with ghouls. Achieving the favorable outcome requires making a compelling case for the priest, ideally through multiple supportive dialogue options, such as "Boy's innocent" and "Don't need a church to do good, priest." Conversely, critical remarks like "Reinald's right" and "Crimes like these can't be forgiven" will lead to the priest's demise. Regardless of the ending, completing the quest rewards players with all diagrams for the Forgotten Wolven armor and weapons, which can then be crafted after undertaking the 'Scavenger Hunt: Forgotten Wolf School Gear Diagrams' treasure hunt.