In the Claws of Madness is a very important Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition side-quest, which must be completed during the first act of the game.
This quest allows you to retrieve one of the ingredients required by Anezka to lift the curse from Newboys talisman (Melitele’s Heart side-quest).
Additionally, while completing this quest you will be able to find a very powerful weapon. The following walkthrough explains how to finish In the Claws of Madness and where to look for the items mentioned above.
If you decide to play In the Claws of Madness after the side-quest called Malena, then you already have In the Claws of Madness added to your journal.
It was activated while searching for Malena in the ruins of the hospital located south of Flotsam. In this case, the side-quest was started while talking to Rupert, in the said ruins; however, if you didnt complete Malena, you can start In the Claws of Madness by talking to Cedric in the village of Lobinden.
Tell him you are looking for work and he will ask you to search the ruins for two missing adventurers.
After you get the quest, travel south and until your reach the ruins. Rupert will soon appear and will tell you his story. Stay alert because after your conversation with him you will be attacked by Nekkers.
Quest Description
“Not far from the ruins, Geralt found the first traveler. Rupert was sobbing a tree, evidently looking for something. The moment he saw the Witcher, he started begging for help for his friend Gridley, who disappeared in the ruins. The Witcher heard the howling of Nekkers and understood this was no joke. He reached for his sword.”
When to start
Before The Kayran: A Matter of Price
Walkthrough
After you kill the Nekkers, using your silver sword and fast attacks, start exploring the ruins. Eventually, you will find the entrance to the hospitals basement.
When you reach the first hallway you will see a Nilfgaardian Ghost, and you must follow it. Jump down through the window on the right wall. When you reach the floor, turn right and search the chest near the wall, behind some barrels. Pick up the notes inside, and then take out the Wraiths attacking you.
Combat Tip: Land heavy attacks and use the Yrden and Quen Signs to defeat these creatures.
Note: Pick up the Essence of Death dropped by the Wraiths, because Anezka needs one to lift the curse from Newboys talisman.
Exit the room, and go right, and you should see the Spectre again. Continue to follow the ghost and ignore the cells and the ghosts that appear. Eventually you will reach a large room, and you will have to jump again.
First take out the Wraiths, and then look for a glowing chest near a wall.
Note: Make sure you loot the items inside the chest, because you will find a new weapon: the Robust Cutlass.
Equip it, and then follow the only corridor to exit the room. Continue to follow the Ghost and you will find Gridley, standing near a wall. He is terrified, and you have to find a way to calm him.
Near Gridley you should see a fire burning, and while facing the fire, to the right is an entrance which takes you to a room. Inside, you will find the tranquilizers and an adjacent chamber where you will find a chest.
Take the tranquilizers back to Gridley, then talk to him. You will find out that the only way to stop the curse on the hospital is to find and talk to the Nilfgaardian Ghost (first room to the left). He agrees to stop the haunting if you give him Gridley and Rupert.
Talk to Gridley again and exit the hospital. Outside you have to decide your next move.
Tell Gridley and Rupert that they have to follow you inside (trick them) and the Ghost will take care of the rest, or tell them the truth and they will inform you that you can trick the Ghost by replacing their hearts.
The latter choice will require a journey to Flotsam where you must visit the butcher and purchase two pig hearts. After you get the hearts, give them to the Nilfgaardian Ghost.
Both decisions will end the current quest.
