The quintessential mage is a wizened old man in a tower full of magical marvels. His dwelling is a testament to his magical talent and knowledge. The mages ofThe Witcher 3are the same, for the most part. In the side quest Of Dairy and Darkness, you will plunder an executed mage’s manor for any treasures that he may have left behind.

Related:The Witcher 3: Strangers In The Night Side Quest Walkthrough

These secrets happen to be well-fermented and are pungent enough to curdle even Geralt’s senses. While the quest’s reward is more than enough to justify the effort and expense to claim, the experience alone makes the quest worth completing.

Starting Of Dairy And Darkness

Assuming that you have notstarted the quest by visiting Aeramas' Abandoned Manor,you can get it bypurchasing a Lizard Figurinefrom a shop in the north of Novigrad.

You will have tobuy the Lizard Figurineto complete the quest, making it most convenient to buy itbefore searching the manor.

A screenshot of The Witcher 3’s map, showing where a shop is located.

This establishment issoutheast of St. Gregory’s Bridge,in the wealthier part of the city. You will need toclimb up the slopeto find it facing a large square. The merchant running the store is pleased to announce thathis wares were taken from the recently burned Aeramas.

You can buy other quest items such as the bookThe Curious Cases of Virtuous Veggafor the questFree Spiritfrom this merchant.

A screenshot of The Witcher 3’s shop interface, with the mouse hovering over the Lizard Figurine needed for the quest.

Once you have the Lizard Figurine, the quest will automatically begin, guiding you to the manor outside the city.

Entering The Manor

The manor is a charred ruin, having been destroyed during its owner’s arrest. Do not fret about your 36 crown investment; it is linked to amagic circle drawn on the second floor.

Climb up the stairs andlook at the floor.You should be able to easily spot it on the ground, thoughyour Witcher Senses will highlight itas well.

A screenshot of Geralt standing over a magic circle in a partially destroyed manor, with his Witcher Senses highlighting it in red.

Geralt willuse the Lizard Figurineto activate the portal, letting you enterAeramas’hidden chambers.

The Cheese Maze

As soon as you get through the portal, Geralt will comment on the smell. As it turns out,Aeramas was a cheese magewho had kept his life’s work in the chambers that you currently inhabit.

You will have tonavigate through the cheeseto get further into his lab. This task is complicated by thefoul stench of the cheese,creating a poisonous cloud that willdamage Geralt’s healthif inhaled.

A screenshot of Geralt looking at a large chamber made of magical and deadly cheese while holding a torch.

You willnot be able to disperse the stencheven if you try normally reliable methods like Aard or Igni.

This maze is far from complicated.Look for a cheese pedestal thatdoes not emit poison.It is the first part of a trail of other safe pedestals. It is asimple paththat you can confidently traverse.

A screenshot of Geralt approaching a portal in Aeramas' dungeon.

There will beanother portalat the end of the room that will bring you to the next area.

Flooded Chamber

The portal will bring you to a room thathas a large pool of waterin the center. You are looking for anunderwater passage to the northof the pool that will lead you to a subsequent room.

Don’t let your guard down. A foglet willemerge from the mistfilling the room and attack you.

An annotated screenshot of The Witcher 3, showing Geralt walking down a slope with an orange circle indicating where he should go.

Foglets have the annoying ability toturn invisible in mistandcreate clones of themselves.This nonsense can be countered bythrowing a Moon Dustat the monster as soon as it fades in the mist. You can alsouse Aardto knock it out of the mist if timed correctly.

To exit the room,search the table in the middle of the room for the Bull Figurine.Like the Lizard Figurine, it is used toactivate a portalin the lab that will take you to the next room.

A screenshot of Geralt investigating a table in The Witcher 3, where the Bull Figurine can be found.

How To Disable The Magic Barrier

You arenow in the final roomwhich has ared magic barrierstanding between Geralt and the loot. You will have touse Igni on a pair of crystalsto disable the barrier.

The first one,to the north,is alone in an alcove. Just walk over andcast Ignion it. If successful, it willglow orange,signifying that it has been activated.

Geralt walks toward a bright, dangerous-looking magic barrier in a dark cave, with a statue in the middle.

The second oneis on the opposite, in the south.It is concealedunder illusionary rocksthat you will need to dispel withThe Eye of Nehaleni.As with the first crystal,cast Igni on it.

With both crystals activated, the barrier will collapse, allowing you to reach your treasure. It is aSteel Sword called The Emmentalerand theSnake Figurinewhich you need to leave the chamber.

A screenshot of Geralt’s Witcher Senses in The Witcher 3 highlighting an important item in red.

The Emmentaleris a Relic Steel Sword thatincreases Fire damage and Igni Sign Intensity.

When you are ready to leave,climb the stairsbehind the statue and activate the portal toreturn to the surface.

A screenshot of Geralt’s Witcher Senses highlighting a pile of rocks in red, indicating that it is a dispel-able illusion.

The portal will bring you to a chest that has the diagram forEnhanced Feline Armor.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough