Accept Iulian Codrin's optional plan before duelling Ambrus. Follow the hut investigation, swamp trail, scroll and five pillars. The Tatzelwurm Gland is an additional branch for keeping Iulian alive, not a requirement to find the scroll.
Start at the lodge
- Track the optional meeting during The Gilded Gauntlet. Agree to Iulian's plan at Codrin's Hunting Lodge and follow him.
- Deal with the wolves, inspect the body near the shrine, then investigate Vera's worktable and trapping equipment inside her hut. Speak outside afterwards.
Find the scroll
- Follow the waterside traps to the one beside a stump. Use Focus on the muddy tracks and follow them to the ritual altar.
- Investigate Vera's surroundings, then follow blood and slime to the clearing. Search the scattered papers for the ritual scroll.
- Read the additional pages nearby to reveal the optional gland objective.
Choose the brew
- For the survival branch, follow slime to the rock gap, defeat the Pale Ravager and loot the Tatzelwurm Gland.
- Return the scroll and finish the mixture at the altar. Decide whether to add the gland; save before committing.
Complete the daytime ritual
- Use Astral Communion in daylight. Begin with the highlighted pillar bearing one X and continue counterclockwise as objectives advance.
- Clear the enemies after the third and fifth pillars. Dodge the Fallen Witch's projectiles sideways and leave her close-range area attack backwards.
- Return to Iulian and complete the remaining brew and hex. Killing him or abandoning the ritual fails the quest.
Continue to the duel
The poison plan has its own deadline; the duel requires nighttime. Follow the Ambrus guide for timing and dialogue checks.