At a Crossroads: Iorveth's Path

Follow Iorveth's Path in Witcher 2. Craft Kayran Skin Armor for the Backbone achievement and accumulate Orens for the Miser achievement.

This path focuses on Iorveth's storyline, offering a different perspective and unique achievements. Prepare for decisions that impact the narrative, such as choosing whether to return Iorveth's sword or punch him when ambushed by Roche's Blue Stripes. This guide recommends playing on Easy/Normal/Hard difficulty for your first playthrough to maximize achievement collection.

To obtain Achievement #18 – Backbone, craft a suit of armor from the Kayran's Carapace. After slaying the Kayran, loot its remains for the Kayran Skin. Turn in the Main Quest – The Kayran A Matter of Price to receive the Diagram – Kayran Skin Armor. Crafting requires:

• Robust Cloth x14
• Hardened Leather x6
• Kayran Skin x1
• Twine x8
• 375 Orens

Robust Cloth and Hardened Leather diagrams can be purchased from the Mysterious Merchant near Flotsam Harbor for 176 Orens each. Fioravanti in Flotsam Townsquare also sells these components. Farm Nekker parts from caves for Orens to purchase components, resetting NPC inventories by waiting 24 hours. Craft the armor at any Craftsman to unlock the achievement.

For the Miser achievement, accumulate 10,000 Orens. This is typically achieved in Act III. Strategies include:

• Selling the Melitele Amulet from the Prologue to Anezka in Lobinden (Act I) for 200 Orens.
• Convincing merchants in Act I to pay double for the Kayran (1000 Orens).
• Selling all weapons and armor as soon as better gear is acquired.
• Engaging in fist fights, dice poker, and arm wrestle quests with maximum stakes (quicksave before to reload if you lose).
• Killing Harpies in Act II and collecting their feathers, which sell for 9 Orens each.
• Collecting Kaedweni swords at the end of Act II, selling for 30 Orens each.

Do not buy the Ban Ard Armor from the Mysterious Merchant in Act II, as it can be found later after defeating a golem in a cave during "Where is Triss Merigold?" (Iorveth's path).