In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the quest “Ghoul in the Amphitheater” is a unique and intriguing mission featured in the Blood and Wine expansion, which brings Geralt of Rivia to the picturesque yet perilous lands of Toussaint. The quest involves unraveling the haunting mystery of two deceased actresses in the abandoned amphitheater and dealing with the consequences of their untimely deaths. This walkthrough is designed to guide you through the process of completing this side quest, from uncovering its secrets to handling the combat challenges that it presents.
Amphitheater Location
The journey begins by locating the abandoned amphitheater, a structure that stands in ruins on the map, situated across the serene Lake Tussent. When undertaking the Knight-Mercenary mission, you may stumble upon this forgotten venue. Geralt’s task is to inspect the vicinity closely. Among the signs of neglect and decay, he finds the body of a young woman lying by an opening in the wall. Here, Geralt’s journey into the mystery commences.
Initial Investigation
Upon examining the deceased woman’s corpse, Geralt discovers a bottle of wine and a diary. The diary reveals that the woman was an aspiring actress who idolized the renowned Elsa from Toussaint. Her ambition drove her to the amphitheater, where Elsa once graced the stage. Unfazed by dark tales surrounding the deaths of those who dared imitate Elsa, she met her end at the theater’s fence. The notes in the diary also provide insights into lighting the amphitheater’s candles and recount Elsa’s last performance.
Lighting the Candles
To solve the initial puzzle within the quest, Geralt must light the candles strewn across the amphitheater. This task requires starting from the left side with Geralt’s back to the actress’s corpse. Utilizing the Igni sign, each candle is ignited sequentially. As Geralt proceeds, it is crucial to activate his witcher senses to trace the path of the deceased actress, which leads back to her final resting place.
Confronting the Ghoul
Before engaging further with the artifacts left behind by the actress, Geralt should prepare for an imminent confrontation by consuming the bottle of wine retrieved from her body. This act conjures a ghoul to the stage, setting the scene for a battle. Combat strategy against the ghoul involves coating Geralt’s silver sword with specter oil and employing the Yrden sign to limit the creature’s movements.
As the battle unfolds, the ghoul summons skeletal minions to its aid, complicating the fray. It is essential to maintain focus on the ghoul to prevent it from regenerating health. At this point, utilizing the Quen sign can offer additional protection against incoming attacks from both the ghoul and its skeletal allies.
Unlocking the Amphitheater’s Secret Chest
After overcoming the ghoul and its minions, Geralt’s next task is to explore the amphitheater to uncover a concealed niche that contains hidden treasures. This niche can be identified by its distinctive iron grille, located amidst the ruins of columns that form the perimeter of a passage. When found, the niche reveals a chest full of treasures and Elsa’s diary.
Unraveling the Curse
Reading through Elsa’s diary reveals a bitter truth: Elsa had cast a curse upon herself, vowing to unleash her wrath upon the world should she die unexpectedly. The amphitheater and its surrounding territory stand testament to her ire. Understanding this foretells the end of the quest, as players unravel the events leading to Elsa’s tragic demise.
Concluding the Quest
The “Ghoul in the Amphitheater” quest falls under the treasure hunt category and plays a significant role in obtaining the exceptional silver sword, Aerondight. This quest contributes to validating Geralt’s embodiment of the “Five Virtues”—valor, honor, wisdom, compassion, and generosity. “Ghoul in the Amphitheater” specifically tests the virtue of wisdom, urging players to thoughtfully engage with the storyline and the challenges it presents.
Final Thoughts: The Lady of the Lake
Once all five virtues are demonstrated through various quests, Geralt’s journey leads him to a hermit on an island in Toussaint. Here, the hermit poses a challenge to Geralt, involving a final battle with the guardian of the Lady of the Lake. The complexity of this battle depends upon the difficulty level, but successful completion results in the Lady of the Lake bestowing upon Geralt the legendary sword Aerondight, thus marking the end of an arduous yet fulfilling quest path.
