Newbie to the Witcher games.

It's been a while since I played it, I did 3.5 PT's Dandelions quests killed me in the 4th one so not sure I remember how long my first PT took but at a guess I'd say 200+ hours. I tried to look on GOG to see the exact hours but I'd need to install the game and move the save files from another drive but the last time I played it was 2016!!!! 

Oh, I don't intend to skip any of the games.  Like the Mass Effect games it's a series and like with those games I want to see a beginning, middle, and end.

I'll check out the vid.

Wow, what a coincidence?  Last night after exploring Vizima took out the local gang that was bothering Carmen and her girls.  Then decided then decided to head to the swamp and 10 drowned dead.  This specific type of Drowner does not exist so far.  Found a small village met an npc named Gramps.  Agreed to escort him to the chapel.  Was attacked by 2 plant monsters that keep on killing me.  So that's where I am trying to kill the plant monsters.  I have a couple of saves before I left Vizima for the swamp in case I  messed up.  I am playing this blind and just going by my gut.

Oh I forgot two days ago the tavern in Vizima was attacked and the killers used the weapons I gave the Scoa'tael back in Chapter I.  I can't let this happen again I must remain neutral.

Thanks for those tips you are a lifesaver.

I know what you mean I still remember all of the decisions I made with my first character in Dragon Age: Origins and that was back in 2009.  I am almost done with my third PT of MELE as well.

Ah well that's what replays are for.  To see what you missed the first time.  Anyway I got the hell out of the swamp and am now back in the city.  Those plant monsters kept on killing me then I noticed I was doing barely any damage.  I would do only one point of damage each hit.  So I left to see if I could do any other quests and level up and perhaps buy new gear.

I finally defeated that plant monster. It was only one and apparently it was the top dog for that species. I had to drink 4 potions before the fight, one was a swallow, the other restored endurance, and one improved my dodging and parrying, and lastly the antivenom which only gave 70% resistance. I had to do a lot of dodging which I suck at. If it was on controller I wouldn't have a problem but on keyboard it's hard for me. So I killed the bastard took it's "head" and gave it to the guard captain. Back at the swamp I brought Gramps to the chapel. I explored the rest of the swamp encountered Drowner Dead and some monster that when it dies it explodes into a poison mist. They are difficult when they're are more than one plus Drowners join in the fight. Had to fight some ghouls found two of their victims. Back at the Brickmaker village the old lady told me about a boy that had gone missing. She believed the druids kidnapped him to turn him into a dryad.

Went to the druids and spoke to one of them and a dryad, they both told me the boy was not there. Went back and told the old lady. Gramps is a cannibal!!! Found him in his shack eating human remains. Let him go for now, because he had the second book for the Mystery Tower. Will kill him before I leave area. Found an area with some golems frozen in time. I collected the 10 drowner dead tongues, the 10 wolf pelts, and need one more root from the lesser plant monsters. Then have to solve mystery of the mage tower.

Did a lot tonight. Went to the detective Raymond and followed his leads. Accused Kalkstein of leading Salamandra. Felt kind of bad accusing him because my gut told me he was innocent. Found out that the Vivaldi bank payed the Professor's fine. Spoke to Vivaldi and he said he did no such thing. I believed him. Spoke to Rammsmeat and he too seem to be telling the truth. Heard some disturbing rumors about the detective. Spoke to a messenger about their ties to Salamandra had to get him drunk to talk. He directed me to the merchant who's name starts with an L.

The merchant told me he is a part of a group that fights Salamndra. He paid me well for all of the Salamandra pins I collected. Spoke to the detective and asked about the rumors. He basically said they were false. He insisted that Rammsmeat and Kalkstein were apart of Salamndra. (Started getting suspicious of him.) Killed Rammsmeat had no evidence fight was hard because of his thugs. Questioned Kalkstein and he got offended. Went back to the detective and he said he had a plan to draw Kalkstein. we were to go to the mage's tower in the swamp. He gave me the last Seriphot I needed.

Back at the swamp I activated all ten shrines and got access to the tower. Went in learned a new sign and found a book. Went back outside and the detective was really the mage who lead the attack on the Witcher stronghold. Had a tough fight with both him and the professor. They poisoned Geralt and left him for dead. Triss saved me and Chapter III began in her apartment in the Trade Quarter. She asked to place three sensors around the Trade and Temple Quarters. When placing the second sensor finally got access to the cemetery. Killed a bunch of ghouls, alghoul's, and vampiric beasts. Finally got three alghoul marrow for Kalkstein.

Went back to Kalkstein's house teleported to the mage tower told him the alghoul marrow, and asked about the mage's tower. He told me he was happy with what he has found. Placed the last sensor and teleported to Triss. Told her all three sensors were placed.

Yes, I did.  But I do not know how to look for the magical source.

Edit:  Oh wait a minute!  Was it vibrating because the mage was impersonating the detective?

Oh that was a nice little touch.  I should pay attention to the amulet more.  I only accused him twice and dropped it.  I was very suspicious of him though.  He wanted Rammsmeat and Kalkstein framed no matter what.