Follow the swallow symbols and solve the horse-symbol section to continue through the ruins. During Nithral’s shield phase, clear the summoned hounds instead of attacking the invulnerable boss. Save before entering so you can replay a checkpoint without losing the rest of the campaign.
Rats, gas and the horse puzzle
Destroy both rat nests when that objective appears. In the poisonous areas, avoid carrying an open flame into the gas. Follow Ciri’s swallow clue rather than investigating every animal symbol indiscriminately.
The horse section requires two matching symbols, including one reached through the pool. Return through the route after inspecting them and continue to the activated portal. If the quest seems unchanged, check whether you completed both interactions rather than only locating one picture.
Protect Keira
During the frost sequence, remain with Keira’s protective area and defend her while she closes the rifts. Progress depends on completing that protection sequence. Running far ahead to chase a marker can make the encounter harder without advancing the objective.
Separate the boss phases
- Attack Nithral during the vulnerable phase.
- When the shield appears, stop spending attacks on it.
- Clear the summoned hounds that sustain the encounter.
- Resume attacking when the shield phase ends.
This is the documented encounter mechanic, not a claim about a current damage threshold or an optimal Remastered build. Check your healing supplies before another attempt rather than repeatedly entering with the same depleted inventory.
Do not miss the optional lamp
Continue Keira’s final interaction and the Eye of Nehaleni sequence to leave the main quest. If you agree to help with the optional lamp, use the four-statue solution. The next Velen story lead is Ladies of the Wood.
Sources and version limits
- GameBanshee: Wandering in the Dark — Original-game walkthrough; checked October 4, 2026. Quest route, not a verified 5.x playtest.
Sources checked October 4, 2026. We have not personally tested these steps on your save or hardware. Historical mechanics and reported fixes retain the limits above.