Go Right To The Source, And Ask The Horse

Gallop to the old stone steps and threshold of a wooded glade by the river, just east and a little north of Dun Tynne Crossroads, and enter Pinastri’s Hermitage. Pinastri herself is kneeling near her cow, and seems to be in distress, shouting at an unseen spirit to stop tormenting her. She no longer trusts her senses, and asks if you’re a man. Answer as you wish. She tells you a demon, or wraith, haunts her and gives her no rest.

It torments her from the trees, but can only be seen once she drinks a brew. Optionally ask her what the demon looks like (an enormous evil horse), and more importantly, what the brew is made from (graytop, a variety of toadstool thought extinct). Graytop produces some powerful side effects, revealing the hidden and immaterial, but the torment persists even without the hallucinogenic properties of the fungus. Agree to help rid Pinanstri of her demon, bumping up the payment if you wish (note that she pays in potatoes).

Begin a thorough inspection of the hermit’s abode, where you find the following clues using your Witcher Senses:

• Dead moths at the foot of the door: attracted to some ghosts, which could mean the hermit’s ravings have an element of truth to them.
• Parchment on a table, “The Flagellant’s Manifesto”: the hermit is also a member of this self-harming cult, the Eighth Day Flagellants. Read the document if you wish.
• Graytop fungus on the table: a strong hallucinogen, and thought extinct.
• Drops of blood on the bed pillow, and a trail to the window: The window itself is closed tight, so head around outside to the foot of the window.
• A trail of blood starts at the pillow, and can be followed across the ground to a rose-covered arch.

Step under the arch, until you surmise that something is drinking the hermit’s blood at night.

Return to Pinastri, optionally ask her about her life as a flagellant, then inform her that some kind of wraith is tormenting her. The problem is, you can’t exterminate the specter if you can’t see it. It’s agreed that she brews a concoction using graytop. Mention the side effects if you want, before agreeing to this dicey plan. You can prepare before you drink it, if you wish.

You take a swig, and come to a few hours later with the exceptionally potent smell of clover wafting through your nostrils, and a strange blue haze enveloping your vision. Oh, and Roach is speaking to you.