# Exethanter's Notes

> From the Curse of Strahd game wiki (it covers the whole game, spoilers included): https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/exethanters-notes.html. Unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy, not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast.

> [!infobox]
> **Type:** Side quest
> **Region:** [The Amber Temple](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/regions/the-amber-temple.md) · level 10
> **Given by:** [Exethanter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/exethanter.md)
> **Starts at:** [The Amber Temple: the Library](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-amber-temple-the-library.md)

## Summary

Exethanter, the last Warden of the Amber Temple, has forgotten what he was doing this morning. His notes have come unpinned.

## Walkthrough

### Getting the quest

In the Amber Temple, take the library passage from [The Amber Temple: Hall of the Faceless God](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-amber-temple-hall-of-the-faceless-god.md) into [The Amber Temple: the Library](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-amber-temple-the-library.md). [Exethanter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/exethanter.md) sits in his study at the back, at any hour, pinned all over with notes. Ask him "There are so many notes pinned to you. What were you doing this morning?" He is almost certain he was busy. The pins work loose when he walks, five scraps have fallen into his lap, and he asks you to look them over. The quest starts at **Asked**.

You can ask on your first visit. The question doesn't wait on a level, the wardens' word or [Something with a Lid](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/something-with-a-lid.md).

### Step by step

1. **Read the five scraps.** They're the steps of one small job, out of order: take the copper kettle down to the well; set it on the hob and speak the small word of kindling; measure two spoons from the grey tin into the pot while it warms; stay by the hearth until it whistles; pour. Exethanter asks which comes first, then which comes next, and so on.
2. **Pick the first scrap.** The answer is "The scrap about the well." If you'd rather have a clue, try [Investigation DC 12] "(Check which scrap was written first.)". A pass shows the well note is the palest (his ink-pot freezes in the night, so the earliest line is always the faintest) and puts it first for you. A fail shows nothing and you can roll again.
3. **Pick the kindling.** "The scrap about the small word of kindling."
4. **Pick the tea.** "The scrap about the grey tin." (The blue tin is cemetery dust.)
5. **Pick the wait.** "The scrap about waiting for the whistle." The pouring scrap goes last by itself, and the quest moves to **Done**.

A wrong pick costs nothing. He corrects you mildly ("Otherwise the kettle is quite empty, you see") and you choose again from the same step, as often as you like.

### Choices and endings

There's one ending. The notes say he was making tea. He shuffles to the cold hearth, speaks a quiet word that smells of cedar, and the copper kettle gives a thin whistle. He pours everyone a cup: each member of the party gains Heroic Inspiration. Wren (+1), Liriel (+1) and Kip (+1) approve. There's no gold or item.

Afterwards, ask "Is the kettle still warm?" He has pinned the five notes to his left cuff, in order, with two pins each.

### If you're stuck

- **He isn't in his study?** Once [Master Vosk](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/master-vosk.md) has been dealt with, Exethanter goes down to the sanctum in [The Amber Temple: the Vaults](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-amber-temple-the-vaults.md) and waits there to ask about the wardens' last rite. Down there he only talks about the rite. Answer "Seal it. Nobody should ever bargain here again." or "Leave it open. We may need what's here." and he goes back to his study ("Not yet." leaves him waiting in the vaults).
- Don't attack him. Choosing "(Attack the lich.)" starts a very hard fight, and there's no tea after it.

## Rewards

**What your companions think**

- **Wren Featherfoot:** +1 you put Exethanter's notes in order, and he made tea
- **Liriel Dawnsong:** +1 you put Exethanter's notes in order, and he made tea
- **Kip Smudgewick:** +1 you put Exethanter's notes in order, and he made tea

## Journal

> [!quote]- Every journal entry and hint
> **Asked**: Exethanter has forgotten what he was doing this morning. Five of the notes pinned to him have come loose, out of order, and he can't tell which goes where.
> *Hint:* Talk to Exethanter in the Amber Temple and ask about his notes.
>
> **Done** (the end: success): Put in order, the notes said what he was doing this morning: making tea. Exethanter made us a cup.

> [!abstract]- Every skill check in its conversations
> - Investigation DC 12: (Check which scrap was written first.)

## Related

- **People:** [Exethanter](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/people/exethanter.md)
- **Places:** [The Amber Temple: the Library](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/locations/the-amber-temple-the-library.md)
- **More in The Amber Temple:** [Something with a Lid](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/something-with-a-lid.md), [The Amber Debt](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-amber-debt.md), [The Amber Temple](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-amber-temple.md), [The Guide to the Temple](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-guide-to-the-temple.md), [The Wailing Hall](https://curseofstrahd.app/wiki/quests/the-wailing-hall.md)