Short answer
Choose a manual by the ability you want, then use its named landmark or quest below. Swordmastery books come from training and military or bandit locations; Witchcraft books come from supernatural activities. Read the book before committing Skill Points and story time to training.
Key facts
- Named routes cover both Swordmastery and Witchcraft ability manuals
- Finish prologue training before Sacred Covenant if you want its reward
- Missing the prologue manual does not mean its ability has only one acquisition route
- Finding a manual does not remove the Skill Point and time cost
- Vampirism progression uses Corruption rather than manuals
Where each progression path comes from
The three skill trees use different discovery methods. Bandai Namco's Skills & Power bulletin explains the acquisition patterns in this table. The named routes that follow come from PC Gamer's retail guides, with the prologue deadline from PowerPyx's quest walkthrough.
A location can contain a manual without being the only place to obtain that book. Keep the ability name separate from the camp or quest name when checking your inventory.
| School | Where to look | What unlocks the next step |
|---|---|---|
| Swordmastery | Places used by soldiers or bandits; selected fencers | Find, earn, or buy a combat manual |
| Witchcraft | Ancient ruins, haunted places, and magic practitioners | Find or buy a magic manual |
| Vampirism | No manual route | Raise Corruption by feeding on blood |
Charge: prologue reward and a later route
PC Gamer records Charge as the reward for Like Father, Like Son, after Withering Away. It also lists another copy in the Soldier Camp chest east of Parlita, in Boar's Back. That later location gives players who missed the prologue reward another route to the book.
PowerPyx places the training quest before Sacred Covenant and records a one-segment cost. Follow Pieter from home to the mountain ruins. After training, choose the farewell response to keep questing; agreeing to wait with him advances straight to the Blood Mass.
- 1
Check the current prologue objective and remaining time before starting optional activities.
- 2
Complete Withering Away, then finish the training quest while it is available.
- 3
Inspect the quest reward and read the manual in your inventory.
- 4
At the skill screen, compare the displayed points and time cost with your remaining plans.
Swordmastery manual routes
These selected locations are reported in PC Gamer's Swordmastery guide. Check the camp chest for the named book.
| Manual | Landmark | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Swing | East of Laslea, near Outlaw's Gorge shrine | Open the hillside Bandit Camp chest. The camp remains available after the prologue. |
| Swiftness | Briar Sloughs, northwest of Stoneward Post | Search the Bandit Camp chest in the forest. |
| Artery Strike | St. Tyna's Grove, north of Ambrus's fort | Take the road toward the convent and loot the Soldier Camp chest. |
Witchcraft manual routes
PC Gamer's Witchcraft guide records these quest and Ancient Circle rewards. Read the activity's current requirements before starting it.
| Manual | Landmark | Acquisition |
|---|---|---|
| Ravenous Flock | Laslea Glen, across the river west of Laslea Gate shrine | Complete Pilgrimage of Power: Bear Trouble. |
| Cycle of Ruin | Western Briar Sloughs, at the west end of Cursed Chasm | Finish the Ancient Circle in the ravine. The descending path is northwest of Coward's Path shrine. |
| Soul Reaping | Maragir Wealds, in the forest east of Maragir | Complete the Ancient Circle. |
From finding a manual to learning its ability
Keep three things separate: obtaining the book, reading it, and paying for the ability or upgrade. The official progression bulletin says Skill Points are shared across the trees and learning abilities also advances time.
Before leaving a location, check the book name and the matching skill entry. If training is too expensive, keep the route marked and return to the skill screen when your plan allows it. Finding several manuals does not require spending every point immediately.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Book collected | Manual name and the quest, chest, or merchant that supplied it |
| Book read | The corresponding Swordmastery or Witchcraft entry |
| Training affordable | The points and hourglass cost displayed for this upgrade |
| Time planned | Whether training leaves enough time for your next quest |
Common questions
Can I get Charge if I missed the prologue training?
PC Gamer lists another Charge Manual in the Soldier Camp chest east of Parlita in Boar's Back. Check that route before restarting solely for the book.
Are these the only copies of each manual?
No. These are selected routes, and the cited retail guides also describe other copies and merchants. Match the book to the ability or upgrade you need.
Does finding a manual automatically learn the ability?
Check that the book has been read, then inspect the matching skill. Training still requires the points and time shown in the game.
Do vampire skills need manuals?
Vampirism progression uses Corruption from feeding. The official bulletin describes manuals for Swordmastery and Witchcraft instead.
