Revision 1

The Bittersweet Toast is the optional poisoning route within The Gilded Gauntlet. Iulian Codrin offers a way to weaken Ambrus before the duel, with an additional ingredient that can spare the donor from the poison itself.

Starting the quest

Reaching Vera

Ask what Codrin wants and where to meet him. Making your own way to the lodge avoids the one-segment escorted journey. At the lodge, agree to follow Iulian immediately; postponing the trip adds a campfire wait.

Follow him through the forest, defeat the wolves and investigate Vera's empty hut. Inspect her traps by the water, then follow the footprints into the swamp. Find her body and follow the blood trail to recover the scattered ritual instructions.

The optional gland

The instructions identify a Tatzelwurm gland that can keep the poison from killing Iulian. Follow the slime trail into the cave, kill the Pale Ravager and loot the gland. Add it when preparing the brew if you want this protection. It does not guarantee that Iulian survives later events.

Completing the ritual

Bring the instructions back to Iulian and finish the brew. This portion requires daytime Witchcraft. Use Focus Mode to identify the active ritual pillar and Astral Communion to activate it. Complete the first three pillars, defeat the spirits, then activate the remaining two and defeat the next wave, including the Fallen Witch.

Have Iulian finish the drink to complete the plan. Killing him or abandoning the ritual when he asks you to stop fails the quest. Finishing returns the route to The Gilded Gauntlet; the poisoning is optional for defeating Ambrus.