Old Friend of Mine

Old Friend of Mine is a secondary quest in Act II of The Witcher, set in Vizima’s Temple Quarter and centred on Shani, the medic who seems to know rather more about Geralt’s past than he does. It starts when you talk to her at her house or at St. Lebioda’s hospital, where she is fighting the plague and needs a few favours.

First she wants celandine for a plague remedy, then she and Dandelion decide to throw a party, which means Geralt is on booze duty and has to bring a guest. Expect drinking, singing, a grumpy grandmother downstairs and some interesting memories. Finish with red roses and Shani shares a useful secret about Thaler, and possibly a good deal more than that.

Walkthrough

Talk to Shani at the hospital or her house. She asks for five celandine blossoms; harvest them in the Swamp Forest or bring ones left over from Act I. When you hand them in, you can ask her for a lesson on one of the Act II monsters.
After Anatomy of a Crime, Shani and Dandelion plan a party. Buy Cherry Spirit Cordial, Mettina Rosé and Temerian Rye from the waitress at the Hairy Bear and deliver them to Shani.
Invite a guest: Carmen, Siegfried or Zoltan.
At the party, talk to everyone and drink when asked. Your guest suggests taking something from Grandma downstairs; grab it before you get drunk, or sober up with Wives’ Tears or an hour of meditation.
Buy red roses from the gardener and give them to Shani at her house to finish the quest.

Quest Consequences & Choices

Guest: only changes the party itself. Carmen makes Shani jealous, Siegfried sings, Zoltan mostly sits there.
Roses: answer “You’re blushing” and Shani reveals that Thaler heads Vizima’s secret police, then spends the night with Geralt. Answer “No problem” and you only get the Thaler information, and need another bouquet to try again.