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In the firstThe Witchervideo game, Geralt visitsa region called the Swamp Forestin chapters 2 and 3. This swamp features ten mysterious monoliths (also called obelisks), and it’s not fully obvious what they’re for.
However, players ofThe Witcherwill eventually discover that the monoliths are part of a quest called “A Mysterious Tower,” which is a primary quest for chapter 2. This means players will need to figure out what these monoliths do and how to activate them if they want to complete the game. Fortunately, finding the obelisks and gathering the sephirah that activate them is easier than one might expect.
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The Monolith Locations
All told, there are ten monoliths in the Swamp Forest region. Each one has a unique name, and each one shows up on the in-game map as a point of interest until Geralt activates them. Normally these points are black, but the above map shows them in light purple to make them stand out. Geralt can interact with a monolith and place an item inside, but the only items the obelisks accept are the sephirah with the same name.
The sephirah are key items that Geralt collects throughout chapter 2. They all come from different locations, and while the game provides hints it’s up to players to track them all down. Notably, the word “sephirah” and both the names and locations of the monoliths are references to the Tree of Life, an ancient concept from the Jewish Kabbalah.
Starting “A Mysterious Tower”
The quest “A Mysterious Tower” can begin the moment Geralt speaks with Kalkstein, who lives on the north end ofthe Temple Quarter in Vizima. Kalkstein wants to open a magically locked tower in the swamp southwest of the city, and the first things he needs are a pair of books:The Secret GatesandAin Soph Aur. Both books can be obtained from the dwarf Golan Vivaldi, although players may have trouble speaking to him depending on their choices in chapter 1. Players can also get a second copy ofAin Soph Aurfrom Gramps' Hut in the Swamp Forest, which is the solitary hut north of the brickmakers' village.
Geralt can read the books to get hints on where to find the sephirah and what to do with them, but the best option is to give them to Kalkstein straight away. Kalkstein will read the books and create a set of notes, and these notes provide far more useful hints.
The Sephirah Locations
Some sephirah are only available after Geralt brings the books to Kalkstein, while others can be obtained early.
Once all the sephirah are in place and the monoliths all activate, the door to the tower will open and chapter 2 will be almost complete. As such, players should make sure they complete every side quest before placing the last sephirah. Geralt can return to Vizima and the Swamp Forest in chapter 3, but not every quest will still be active.
The Witcher: Enhanced Editionis available now on PC and macOS.
