In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls” quest, you finally infiltrate Trovsky Castle, but not as planned. Instead of a triumphant entry, you’re a criminal tasked with rescuing Capon…again. This guide will walk you through the castle’s secrets and how to recover from this predicament. You’re on a tight, twelve-hour deadline to save Capon, and your limited access to the castle makes things tricky. Luckily, choosing the right “community service” jobs, like hauling sacks, picking locks, or brewing a potion for the chamberlain, can open the necessary doors.
For Whom the Bell Tolls Guide
In Whom the Bell Tolls quest, your main goal is to find and talk to Thomas, but getting to him won’t be an easy task. You need to navigate the castle’s challenges, reach Thomas, and figure out how to save him from the trouble he’s in. Follow these steps to get through this important part of the story.
Hauling the Sacks and Pick the Lock
Start by hauling the sacks the guard points out to a nearby shed. Pick up a sack and follow the other laborers past the first gate and up the hill. Once you’ve carried three, talk to the Blacksmith you passed each time and ask for more work. He won’t be too welcoming at first, but if you insist, he’ll eventually let you work at the forge. To do that, you’ll need deeper access into the castle—something he’s willing to grant. Head to the smithy, grab the materials from the chest, and craft a horseshoe.
While you’re there, check the shelf next to the chest for a red urn—it contains Charcoal and a Lockpick, both useful for later. Once the horseshoe is ready, bring it to the groom. Ask about his past work, and he’ll offer to sell you Lockpicks for 12 Groschen each. If you’re short on money, the Cobbler’s Kit on the table behind him is a great way to earn some, sell it along with your shoes, and you should have enough. Don’t worry, you’ll get your shoes back soon.
Once you have at least one Lockpick, go back to the forge and talk to the Cook, who’s frustrated about a locked chest she needs opened. Offer to help, and she will take you to the noble’s kitchen. Whether you actually unlock the chest or not, you’ll still gain access to the kitchen—where you’ll find the Chamberlain.
Brewing a Potion for the Chamberlain
The Chamberlain is dealing with a severe stomach ache, and while he’s not particularly fond of you, he’s desperate enough to accept your help. If your Scholarship and Survival skills are high enough, you can figure out what’s causing his illness. He’ll then grant you access to the surgeon’s workshop to brew him a potion. If you can’t diagnose him correctly, he’ll dismiss you. In that case, head to the pantry above the kitchen and steal an Apple with at least 50% condition – you will need it later.
Reaching the Surgeon’s Workshop
If you’ve followed the previous steps, you should have free access to the surgeon’s workshop. If not, you’ll need to be a bit sneaky. Either way, your goal is to reach the top of The Crone Tower.
The Crone is on the west side of the castle. Climb the stairs along the inner wall to enter the kitchen at the base of the tower. A guard will be there waiting for food – if the Chamberlain sends you, he’ll let you pass. Otherwise, you’ll need to hand over that Apple you stole earlier.
Once at the top of The Crone, look for a bold red door – that’s the entrance to the surgeon’s workshop. Inside, behind the next door to the right, you’ll find Katherine rummaging through the surgeon’s belongings. Tell her you’re there to make medicine for the Chamberlain, and she’ll demand a reason to help you.
How to Convince Katherine
When Katherine questions why she should help, respond with, “Because you’ve no business being here.” She’ll begrudgingly agree and tell you about the locked chests in the other room, where you can either find the potions you need or the recipes to make them yourself. If she refuses, you’ll still have to proceed the same way. The chests are locked with Hard locks, but the one by the shelves contains both required potions: a Digestive Potion and a Fever Tonicum.
If you can’t pick the locks, don’t worry. Check the shelves in the surgeon’s workshop for his journal – it contains the recipes for both potions. Once you’ve read it, grab the necessary ingredients from the chest near the Alchemy station, which has a Very Easy lock. The only missing ingredient will be a lump of Charcoal, which you should already have from the red urn at the Smithy.
How to enter the Chapel
With both potions ready, return to Chamberlain Ulrich and give him the Digestive Potion. Though reluctant, he’ll take it and, in return, grant you access to the chapel. However, if you failed to diagnose him earlier, he won’t accept the potion. In that case, you’ll have to sneak your way into the chapel to deliver the Fever Tonicum to Thomas instead.
Head up the stairs behind the Chamberlain and continue through the Maiden Tower to reach the chapel. You can also access it by taking the stairs at the back of the pantry above the kitchen. Keep following the steps upward until you arrive at the chapel door.
If you fail to diagnose the Chamberlain, you’ll need to sneak your way up. The only real obstacle is a single guard blocking the stairs. To get past him, throw a rock away from his position to create a distraction, then slip by unnoticed and continue toward the chapel.
Inside, you’ll find Captain Thomas unconscious, with his sister Adela desperately trying to help him. Offer to give him the Fever Tonicum, and while she’ll be wary at first, she’ll eventually allow it. Once you administer the potion, a cutscene will begin.
How to gain reputation from Otto
At last, you come face-to-face with Otto von Bergow, marking the moment for Hans and Henry to complete their mission in Trosky. Otto begins by apologizing for his Chamberlain’s actions, and how you respond will influence your reputation with him. To earn the best possible outcome, choose the following dialogue options: “There’s nothing else the Chamberlain could have done,” “We all have our share of the guilt,” and “Betray is a strong word.”
Once the conversation wraps up, Otto von Bergow entrusts you with your next objective – travel to Nebakov and meet Jaromir Nebak. With that, your journey continues as the next quest, “Back in the Saddle,” officially begins.
