Withering Away is the second prologue quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker. It starts automatically after finishing All Good Things. Your main goal is to get medicine for your sick mother before evening mass.
My father has a list of chores ready for me, as usual. I better get to it.
I need to get ready for the day and dress up.
Once you wake up, your father will tell you to chop some firewood. Before doing so, open the chest in your room, take the clothes inside, and put them on.
I need to chop up some firewood so we can cook breakfast.
Leave the room and step out into the inner courtyard, then approach the chopping block and axe to chop three logs into pieces. Reward: 250XP, Firewood (Quest Item).
I have to fetch Dad the firewood.
Head to the kitchen and throw the chopped firewood into the hearth. This will trigger a cutscene where you'll need to choose whether to try force-feeding your mother or not. Regardless of your choice, she won't eat anything. Reward: 250XP and 25 Denarius.
I should get my sword - it's a dangerous world out there.
Grab the sword - Training Sword - leaning against the wall across the hallway. Don't forget to open your inventory and equip it.
I need to go to Anca and fetch new herbs to help my mother. She's getting worse and it's Blood Mass tonight...
The front door of the house will unlock, allowing you to head outside. You are free to explore Laslea Glen and complete any available side quests, but keep your eye on the clock in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Most of these quests consume a bit of time, and when the clock ticks over to nighttime, you will automatically go to the church to meet the vrakhiri, unable to complete anything you didn't do.
The hut where Anca lives is located in the forest southwest of the village. Head there, approach the door, and knock.
Anca's not at home. I need to find her.
Follow the path behind the house. Approach Anca, whom you will see near the river flowing nearby, to trigger a cutscene. You can observe what Anca is doing and then talk to her about it, which will irritate her a bit, or you can get straight to the point of your visit.
Anca agreed to help. I need to follow her back to her hut.
Follow Anca back to her hut. She will give you the necessary herbs and explain how to prepare them - "Brew three scoops of this mixture, with water that's hot, but not quite boiling."
When asked how much you should pay her, she will reply that this time she needs double the rate, giving you three choices.
The next important choice involves whether you want to practice Latin with Anca or not. If you do, it will trigger an extra side quest - Page-Turner, which will cost you an additional time segment.
Reward: Instructions from Anca (Quest Item), Anca's Herbs (Quest Item), 500XP
I have the herbs from Anca - now I need to bring them back to Dad and read the recipe.
Return to your house. As you approach it, a cutscene will trigger where you witness a conversation between your father and Vladimir.
Once it ends, you will begin preparing the potion for your mother. Remember the instructions Anca gave you - so select:
Once the potion is ready, you will give it to Esme, bringing this quest to an end.
Reward: 100XP
If you managed to brew a potion, even if not necessarily correctly, and give it to your mother.
I did what my father asked of me - what my mother needed of me. I gave her the herbs - let's hope that's enough to keep her safe.
If you failed to return with the herbs before dusk fell.
I haven't managed to get the herbs for my mother in time. Now she will have to face Brencis at her weakest. May the Heavens protect her.
If any time remains before the end of the day, the next quest will be "Like Father, Like Son". The main quest "Sacred Covenant" will also begin.
