Nearly two years after its release, CD Projekt Red’s next-generation update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues to captivate players with its atmospheric additions, most notably the narrative-driven quest titled "In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow." Added to the critically acclaimed open-world RPG in December 2022, this compelling side mission draws direct inspiration from the live-action adaptation of the franchise on Netflix, offering players the chance to acquire the coveted Forgotten Wolf School armor diagrams modeled directly after the signature gear worn by Geralt of Rivia on screen.
Set against the grim backdrop of Velen, the quest plunges players into a dark mystery centered around an old, sprawling mining operation ominously known as "The Devil’s Pit." For players looking to master the intricacies of the mission, navigate its moral dilemmas, and secure the highly sought-after schematics, understanding the path through the depths of the cave system is essential.
How to Start ‘In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow’ in The Witcher 3
The journey begins in the central expanse of the Velen region, specifically at The Devil’s Pit—a sprawling, half-finished quarry situated south of the bustling city of Novigrad and southwest of Oxenfurt. Upon arriving at the site, players will encounter an anxious Eternal Fire Deacon standing near the entrance. Agreeing to listen to the cleric’s pleas initiates the quest, tasking Geralt with investigating the dark forces and unsettling occurrences festering deep within the abandoned mine.
Navigating the initial phase of the assignment requires cutting through a hostile group of deserters occupying the upper levels of the pit. Once these adversaries are cleared, players must descend further into the quarry and locate the entrance to the cave system through the northwest exit. This specific pathway is easily identifiable by a set of heavy double doors marked with strange, chilling white symbols, serving as the threshold into the dark mysteries below.
Search the Cave ‘In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow’
Stepping beyond the double doors brings Geralt into a damp, expansive network of tunnels. The caves are richly stocked with environmental loot, encouraging players to thoroughly scavenge the area before attempting to free the mysterious voice calling out from the depths of the pit. Game progression permanently locks these caverns once the quest concludes, making comprehensive exploration during the initial run vital for resource acquisition.
Beyond standard materials, the tunnels hold numerous environmental clues that shed light on the tragic history of the location. Scattered throughout the subterranean passages are deceased bodies, familiar Witcher symbols, and a series of five distinct notes left behind by a tormented witcher named Reinald. Players who have previously completed the questline alongside the sorceress Keira Metz can utilize her magic lamp to reveal lingering spectral presences and gain deeper narrative context. While these investigative steps remain technically optional, thorough exploration directly unlocks expanded dialogue trees and crucial crafting recipes that significantly ease the impending boss encounter.
While navigating the labyrinthine tunnels, a disembodied voice frequently urges Geralt forward or attempts to steer him away from specific paths. Paying attention to these cues and deliberately choosing the alternative routes—such as heading left when instructed to go right at a fork in the road—yields critical background information necessary for understanding the true nature of the threat trapped below.
How to Craft Reinald’s Philter in ‘In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow’
Piecing together the narrative puzzle relies heavily on two specific locations within the cave network. The first is an abandoned alchemy station where players can read the priest’s revealing testament, and the second is a reddish shack situated within the large chamber haunted by the ghosts of plague victims. Inside this structure, Geralt can uncover both the specific recipe and the necessary ingredients required to brew Reinald’s Philter.
Uncovering these clues unlocks two optional objectives: reviewing the Red Miasmal entry within Geralt’s bestiary to study tactical weaknesses, and brewing the specialized potion via the alchemy menu under the quest tab. Preparing this concoction provides a distinct advantage heading into the climactic confrontation at the bottom of the mine.
How to Free Reinald in ‘In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow’
Reaching the terminus of The Devil’s Pit reveals a vast subterranean arena where a figure is visibly trapped within stone stalagmites, urgently claiming to be the long-lost witcher Reinald. Freeing him from this geological prison requires casting the Aard sign to shatter the mineral encasement with a concentrated telekinetic blast.
However, the rescue mission quickly takes a sinister turn as the freed figure reveals he is heavily compromised by an ancient, malevolent entity known as the Red Miasmal. During the initial dialogue exchange, the possessed Reinald requests the newly crafted potion. Handing the brew directly to Reinald complicates the ensuing battle; standard strategy dictates that Geralt should consume the potion himself to retain the upper hand against the entity.
The combat encounter unfolds in two distinct phases. The first phase pits Geralt against Possessed Reinald. Because the adversary constantly maintains a protective Quen barrier, attacking directly while the shield is active drains stamina unnecessarily. Expert witchers can disrupt the possession by deploying the Yrden sign to restrict the entity’s movement before following up with an Aard blast to expel the Miasmal from the host body.
Once separated from the witcher, the Red Miasmal assumes its true, non-human form for the second phase of the fight. This monstrous entity possesses dangerous capabilities, including the ability to teleport across the arena, summon hostile minions, and unleash a potent ranged attack that demands precise timing and immediate evasion maneuvers.
‘In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow’ Quest Outcomes
Following the intense battle, a final narrative choice presents itself regarding whether to summon the waiting priest from the surface down into the depths of the cave to face Reinald.
Choosing not to bring the priest results in a return to the surface, where Geralt can either relay the harrowing truth of what transpired in the quarry or dismiss the details as irrelevant. Regardless of the chosen dialogue, the zealous priest remains steadfast in his denial, refusing to acknowledge the dark crimes committed in the name of the Eternal Fire cult.
Alternatively, involving the priest introduces a branching set of narrative conclusions determined by Geralt’s rhetorical persuasion. Selecting supportive dialogue options in defense of the priest steers the narrative toward a favorable resolution. In this positive outcome, the priest experiences a profound crisis of faith, abandons the Eternal Fire, and dedicates his future to establishing a hospital within the repurposed confines of The Devil’s Pit, allowing Reinald’s spirit to finally find eternal peace. Conversely, failing to defend the priest adequately leads to a tragic outcome where Reinald executes the cleric in cold blood, leaving his spirit restless while The Devil’s Pit falls into permanent ruin, ultimately becoming overrun by ghouls.
Regardless of the specific narrative path or moral alignment chosen during the dialogue sequences, completing the quest awards all necessary diagrams for the Forgotten Wolven armor and weapon sets. Players can then undertake the associated treasure hunt, titled "Scavenger Hunt: Forgotten Wolf School Gear Diagrams," to gather the remaining components and craft the complete Netflix-inspired equipment set.
