Exploring the subterranean caverns of Velen in The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt often forces players to rely heavily on their sharp investigative skills. During the side quest involving the sorceress Keira Metz, players encounter a locked stone doorway guarded by a sequence of ancient braziers. Successfully opening this portal requires deciphering a cryptic riddle written in Elder Speech about four proud guardians.
Understanding the Elven Riddle
The cryptic message describes the specific order in which the four statues flanking the stone door must be lit. It mentions that the first guardian to ignite his flame does not stand at either end of the line. Furthermore, the second guardian stands right next to the first while the remaining figures are identified by their specific musical attributes or accompanying beasts.
Failing to light the braziers in the correct sequence results in a penalty, as dangerous wraiths will immediately spawn to attack Eivor or Geralt. To avoid these tedious skirmishes, players simply need to carefully analyze the spatial hints provided within the translated inscription. Taking your time to observe the layout helps ensure you can safely bypass the magical defense mechanism altogether.
The Correct Brazier Lighting Sequence
For players who prefer to skip the deduction process, the absolute solution follows a definitive mathematical pattern from left to right. First, approach and light the third statue, which is located immediately to the right of the central inscription stone. Next, move directly across to ignite the second statue, which stands just to the left of the door marker.
After completing these initial steps, you must activate the fourth statue situated on the far right end of the chamber. Finally, walk to the opposite side of the room to light the first statue on the far left. Once this exact sequence is completed, the massive stone door will smoothly slide open to reveal the hidden laboratory.
Exploring the Laboratory and Claiming Rewards
Inside the newly accessible sanctuary, Keira Metz will successfully locate and claim the mysterious magic lamp she was searching for. However, players should not rush back to the surface immediately because the room contains several optional treasures. Climbing the nearby stone ledges allows you to discover a valuable Place of Power that provides a permanent ability point.
Venturing deeper into the adjacent corridors leads to an encounter with a powerful golem guarding additional loot containers. Defeating this construct rewards you with rare crafting diagrams and high-tier armor pieces. After gathering all the hidden materials, you can safely use your magical items to dispel the final illusion blocking the exit cave.
