Begin the Source of Inspiration quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Brushes with Death DLC. This guide covers initiating the quest, finding Valerian flowers, repairing the dress, unlocking the “Poet’s Gut” achievement, and locating the secret shrine of Veles while contending with bandits.
How to Start the Source of Inspiration Quest
To initiate the Source of Inspiration quest from the Brushes with Death DLC, you have to finish up the Sketchy Situation quest first. Immediately after that, walk into Trosky Castle and speak to Good Master Voyta. He will mention a shrine related to the pagan god Veles and his wish to find it. He will also refer to some old lady who lives north of Tachov and should know where the shrine is.
Finding Kvyetoslava and the Valerian Flowers
If you’ve located Vidlák Pond by now, fast travel there; that will save some precious time. The old woman, Kvyetoslava, is close by. The poor lady struggles with remembering things but will suggest Valerian flowers used to help her remember- someone used to bring her those.
To help her, you will have to find five Valerian flowers. Ask her again where to find them, and she will suggest near the stream or meadow at her cottage. Start walking north from her location and in no time, you will stumble upon clusters of Valerian. Two patches will be plenty. Grab them and return to her.
Repairing the Dress
Turning over the flowers for her, Kvyetoslava will recall a dress she once wore, now in a sorry state. You will be asked to repair it. If you are carrying a tailor’s kit, you may fix it on the spot; otherwise, you must go to Troskowitz and seek the help of the local tailor.
Unlocking the “Poet’s Gut” Achievement
This is where everything becomes rather interesting. When the dress is given to her following the repair, you will enter the critical part involving four dialogue skill checks; passing all four is required for earning the Poet’s Gut trophy/achievement.
You will need high stats, around 20 Charisma, and approximately 20 Scholarship, for this to succeed.
- You can increase Scholarship by reading books bought from scribes or by visiting Scribe Erazim at Trosky Castle, who can train you for 200 Groschen.
- For Charisma, buy clothes from the tailor in Troskowitz that boost your stat.
Once you’re ready, approach Kvyetoslava again and go through the dialogues; just make sure you do not choose dialogue option number three. Pass all the checks, and you have your achievement.
Veles Shrine Location
With the achievement out of the way, talk to her again to get more details about the shrine. She’ll give you three possible locations, but only one of them actually matters:
1. Rocky hill between the ponds
2. Stream near Nebakov Fortress
3. River tributary by Lower Semine Pond – This is the correct one
Ignore the first two and head for the river near Lower Semine Pond.
Bandit Encounter at the Shrine
Travel to Nebakov Fortress and head west into the forest until you hit the quest marker. When you arrive, you’ll find four bandits guarding the area.
You’ve got two options here:
- Go in loud – take them all on at once in a full fight.
- Play it stealthy – wait until around 1 a.m., when they’re all sleeping. You can sneak up and stealth kill them one by one with a dagger.
After dealing with the bandits, feel free to loot their bodies and the nearby chest. Then, examine the shrine to complete your objective.
Wrapping It Up
Once the shrine is inspected, return to Voyta and let him know what you found. He’ll accompany you back to the site. After a short cutscene, the quest will be complete.
