This town has the most convoluted layout in any game ever, so I won't even attempt to describe it. If you feel lost, just wander around until you find what you're looking for. If you're standing on a quest marker and still can't find what you're looking for, it may be above or below you. If a quest marker seems to be in a door right in front of you that you can't get in, try going around to the other side of it; the quest target may be inside a different building.
Most of the side quests and main quests are intertwined, so feel free to complete them at the same time, up until the part of "Royal Blood" when the riot starts. "The Eternal Battle" where you must enter the mist will set into motion the final part of the Chapter, and you won't be able to complete any more quests.
Before doing anything, complete "Prelute to War: Aedrin," and "The War Council." Next you'll want 3 Grapeshot Bombs in order to do "Subterranean Life" and "Hey, Work's on in the Mines," which starts while you're in the Mines.
You'll want the book Harpies - Daughters of the Gale, and 7 Harpy Traps before leaving town for "The Harpy Contract." Get the book from Felicia Cori, who's near the main gate during the day. Buy at least 7 Harpy Traps from Earso, who's inside the main gate and up the hill to the south (or you can buy the Formula from him and make them yourself). Many quests can only be completed in the middle of the main quest "Hunting Magic," so advance that to the point where Cecil Bergon agrees to unlock the door from the Quarry to the Lair.
When "Royal Blood" get to the point where riots start, the game tell you that you have limited time. You don't, but you will need to complete things in a certain order. If you want to just let Prince Stennis be executed, then you can say so, and the quest will end, with other marked as failed. But if you want a fair trail for him, and the maximum EXP, do the following in order:
1) During the riot, speak only to the dwarves and peasants.
2) Do "The Walls Have Ears" until it says "wait for events to unfold."
3) Do "Suspect: Thorak" until it says "wait for events to unfold."
4) Advance "Baltimore's Nightmare" by killing Thorak. Be sure to loot his Key and the Beaver Cap. Don't turn it in yet.
5) Finish "Suspect: Thorak" by looting Thorak's chest in his home of Oclan's Receipt.
6) Turn in "Baltimore's Nightmare" to Cecil Burdon.
7) Return to the riot and use the evidence you collected.
The consequences: If you get Stennis the fair trial, he'll be found guilty but crowned king anyway. You'll also have to go after Henselt later for his blood. If you let Stennis die, Saskia's rule is stronger, and you can get the Royal Blood right away.
When you've done everything you can, start "The Eternal Battle" and go through the mist. During "Where is Triss Merigold?" after you've crossed over to the Kaedweni camp, find a house in the southwest corner of the map. There are some barrels on the side of the house. Blow them away with Aard, then go down the hatch into the basement. You'll see three candles, and you'll need to light them in this order: the furthest one from the entrance, the one in the middle, the one closest to the entrance. Inside the secret room that opens, loot Malget's Notes to start the side quest "From a Bygone Era," which you'll finish in Chapter III.
last modified 8 May 2020