TL;DR
- The Cult’s Recipe is a side quest given by Dexter in the Old Camp marketplace.
- You need to steal Kalom’s Recipe from Cor Kalom’s chest in the Swamp Camp.
- Take Baal Parvez as your escort — the road to the Swamp Camp is very dangerous alone.
- At the Swamp Camp, ask Lester to guide you to Cor Kalom’s Laboratory.
- Wait until nightfall at 1 AM before attempting to open the chest — Cor Kalom sleeps then.
- The chest lockpick solution is: Plate 4 left x6, Plate 2 right x5, Plate 1 left x4, Plate 4 right x2, Plate 3 right x2.
- Bring the recipe back to Dexter for 350 EXP, 3 Dreamcalls, and his vote.
How to complete The Cult’s Recipe in Gothic 1 Remake is something a lot of players get stuck on. Dexter sends you all the way to the Swamp Camp to steal a recipe from Cor Kalom — but the road there is packed with enemies that can kill you fast, and the chest holding the recipe has a multi-lock puzzle that is easy to fail without the right combination. This guide walks through every step, including the exact lockpick solution for Cor Kalom’s chest.
If you are still getting settled in the Old Camp, our guide on the best way to get started in Gothic 1 Remake covers the early priorities before taking on quests like this one.
What Is The Cult’s Recipe Quest
The Cult’s Recipe is one of several side quests that make up the Admission to the Old Camp main story chain. To officially join the Old Camp and get Diego’s recommendation, you need to earn approval from a number of Key Figures. Dexter is one of them, and this quest is what gets you his vote.
Dexter wants you to steal the Sleeper Cult’s secret alchemy recipe — a powerful formula that Cor Kalom keeps locked up in his laboratory at the Swamp Camp. Cor Kalom will not hand it over willingly. That means you are going in as a thief.
Completing this quest earns you 350 EXP, 3 Dreamcall consumables, and Dexter’s approval, which counts toward your Old Camp admission progress.
Step 1 — Talk to Dexter in the Old Camp
Dexter is found in the marketplace on the south side of the Old Camp, near the campfire. You will also find Fisk and Whistler in the same area. Dexter may approach you automatically on your first visit near him. If not, walk up and start the conversation.
Exhaust all of his dialogue options to properly trigger The Cult’s Recipe quest. He explains that he needs Kalom’s Recipe from the Swamp Camp and points you east on the map. He may also offer to sell you a map of the Colony — worth buying if you do not already have one. Our guide on how to get a map in Gothic 1 Remake explains your options.
Before you leave the marketplace, buy some Lockpicks from Mordrag. Head east past the fire pit toward the arena and look for him nearby. Carry at least two or three — you do not want to run out mid-lock. For a full breakdown of how the lock system works, check our guide on lockpicking in Gothic 1 Remake.
Step 2 — Get Baal Parvez to Escort You
Do not try to reach the Swamp Camp alone at this stage of the game. The route is full of enemies that will kill you before you get close, especially without proper armor. The solution is Baal Parvez.
Baal Parvez is a cultist with face tattoos. Find him near the campfire in the same marketplace area as Dexter, or sometimes near Torrez. Speak to him and ask about the Sleeper. Keep asking to learn more, then agree to visit his camp. He will offer to escort you to the Swamp Camp.
Follow him closely and let him handle the tougher enemies on the road. Stay near enough to get XP from kills. You earn 200 experience just for arriving safely. Once you reach the Swamp Camp entrance, Baal Parvez heads back on his own — from here, you are on your own.
Step 3 — Enter the Swamp Camp and Find Lester
At the Swamp Camp entrance, speak to the Templars guarding the gate and tell them you want to join. They will let you inside. Once you are in, look for an NPC named Lester near the entrance.
Talk to Lester and ask him: “Can you help me find my way around?” Then select Cor Kalom’s Laboratory. Lester will walk you directly to the lab entrance. If you lose him or arrive at another time, follow the signposts marked with test tube symbols — they point toward the lab.
At the lab entrance, go up the spiral staircase all the way to the top. Cor Kalom’s Laboratory is at the top level, where you will find Cor Kalom working at his alchemy station. His apprentice may also be present.
Speak to Cor Kalom if you like, but asking him for the recipe directly does nothing. He will refuse. The only way to get it is to steal it from his chest.
Step 4 — Wait Until 1 AM to Open the Chest
The chest you need is right next to Cor Kalom’s workbench, tucked against the wall to his left. Do not attempt to open it while he or his apprentice are watching. If anyone sees you, the situation will turn hostile fast.
Wait until 1 AM. At that hour, Cor Kalom goes to sleep and the guard outside the lab leaves his post. This gives you a clean window to enter, reach the chest, and pick the lock without being seen. If you need to pass time in the game, our guide on how to sleep and pass time in Gothic 1 Remake explains how to do that.
Also check that Cor Kalom’s apprentice has his back turned or has moved away from the chest area before you start. The lockpick process takes a moment, and you do not want an interruption mid-sequence.
Step 5 — Open Cor Kalom’s Chest (Lockpick Solution)
The chest has four lock plates, numbered from front to back as Plate 1, Plate 2, Plate 3, and Plate 4. Here is the exact solution to open Cor Kalom’s chest in Gothic 1 Remake:
- Plate 4 — move left 6 times
- Plate 2 — move right 5 times
- Plate 1 — move left 4 times
- Plate 4 — move right 2 times
- Plate 3 — move right 2 times
Follow these steps in order and the chest will open. Take Kalom’s Recipe from inside. This is the item Dexter needs.
If you want to practice the lockpick system on a lower-stakes chest first, read our guide on how to open Scatty’s chest in Gothic 1 Remake — it is a good introduction to multi-lock puzzles.
Step 6 — Return to Dexter and Collect Your Reward
With Kalom’s Recipe in your inventory, head back to the Old Camp. Retrace the route you and Baal Parvez used, or open your map with M and navigate back. The road is the same — still dangerous, so move carefully and stick to the path.
Find Dexter back in the Old Camp marketplace and hand over the recipe. He will confirm the job is done and give you his approval for the Admission to the Old Camp quest. Your rewards are:
- 350 EXP
- 3 Dreamcall consumables
- Dexter’s vote toward Old Camp admission
Completing this quest also earns you 5 points toward the Admission to the Old Camp progress. Every vote counts, and Dexter’s is one of the more straightforward ones to lock in once you know the steps.
Tips for Completing The Cult’s Recipe Smoothly
- Always take Baal Parvez. Going alone before you have decent armor and combat skills is a death sentence. Let him clear the dangerous enemies and collect the XP.
- Carry extra lockpicks. If you run out mid-puzzle, you have to leave and come back. Buy from Mordrag before you go.
- Time the chest at 1 AM. This is the safest window. Daytime attempts while Cor Kalom is active carry a high risk of getting caught.
- Loot the rest of the lab if it is clear. The Swamp Camp lab may have other useful items if no one is watching. Do not leave empty-handed beyond just the recipe.
- Do not kill Cor Kalom or his apprentice. It is not needed, and it can cause complications if you later want to interact with the Swamp Camp for other quests.
Running low on Ore Nuggets for lockpicks and other supplies? Our guide on how to get money (Ore Nuggets) fast in Gothic 1 Remake covers the best early methods to keep your wallet full.
How The Cult’s Recipe Fits Into Admission to the Old Camp
The Cult’s Recipe is one of seven side quests tied to the Admission to the Old Camp main quest. Completing it gives Dexter’s approval, which is one of the votes you need for Diego to formally accept you as a Shadow. Other quests in this chain include tasks for Thorus, Fingers, and other Key Figures in the camp.
Early decisions in the Old Camp can affect how smoothly things go. If you are weighing your options on NPC choices, our guide on whether to kill or spare Grim in Gothic 1 Remake covers one of the key early calls that also affects your standing around the camp.
Where to Buy Gothic 1 Remake
Gothic 1 Remake is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pick it up through these official stores:
- Gothic 1 Remake — Official Site (THQ Nordic)
- Gothic 1 Remake on Steam (PC)
- Gothic 1 Remake on PlayStation Store (PS5)
- Gothic 1 Remake on Xbox Store
- Gothic 1 Remake on Amazon (PS5 Physical)
- Gothic 1 Remake at Best Buy
- Gothic 1 Remake at Walmart
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dexter in Gothic 1 Remake?
Dexter is in the marketplace on the south side of the Old Camp, near the campfire. You will find him close to Fisk and Whistler. He may walk up to you automatically when you first enter the area.
How do I get to the Swamp Camp safely in Gothic 1 Remake?
Find Baal Parvez in the Old Camp marketplace. Ask him about the Sleeper, then agree to visit his camp. He will escort you to the Swamp Camp and fight through the dangerous enemies on the road for you.
What is the lockpick solution for Cor Kalom’s chest?
Move Plate 4 left 6 times, Plate 2 right 5 times, Plate 1 left 4 times, Plate 4 right 2 times, then Plate 3 right 2 times. Follow that order exactly and the chest will open.
When should I open Cor Kalom’s chest?
Wait until 1 AM. That is when Cor Kalom goes to sleep and the guard leaves his post, giving you a safe window to open the chest without being seen.
What are the rewards for completing The Cult’s Recipe?
You get 350 EXP, 3 Dreamcall consumables, and Dexter’s vote toward Admission to the Old Camp. It also gives you 5 progress points in the main Old Camp recruitment quest.
Can I ask Cor Kalom for the recipe instead of stealing it?
No. Asking Cor Kalom directly does nothing — he refuses every time. The only way to get Kalom’s Recipe is to steal it from the locked chest in his laboratory.
