How to Cleanse Corrupt Books in Fisch (March 2026) Kareth Quest

Updated by Ashish Arya
November 11, 2025
Gaming Guides

How to Cleanse Corrupt Books in Fisch Hall of Whispers

The Cultist Lair update in Fisch has brought back the ancient cult of the Great Dreamer, and with it comes one of the most atmospheric quests in the game. I’ve spent hours exploring the eerie Hall of Whispers, and I’m here to guide you through every step of Kareth’s Amulet Fragment quest. This green-hooded cultist needs your help cleansing corrupted texts, and trust me, the reward is absolutely worth it.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll show you exactly how to find Kareth deep within the Hall of Whispers, the precise locations of every corrupt book, and the fastest strategies to complete this quest. Whether you’re racing to assemble the complete Dreamer’s Amulet or just want to experience the haunting atmosphere of this underground library, this guide has everything you need.

Kareth’s Amulet Fragment Quest Overview

Quest Element	Details
Quest Giver	Kareth (Green-hooded cultist NPC)
Location	Hall of Whispers (Below Cultist Lair Door 1)
Objective	Cleanse 8 corrupted books
Reward	Kareth’s Amulet Fragment
Difficulty	Easy (No combat or special items required)
Time to Complete	5-10 minutes
Prerequisites	Access to Hall of Whispers via Cultist Lair Door 1

Before you can even think about cleansing books, you need to understand what makes this quest special. Unlike other Cultist Lair quests that require catching specific fish or finding hidden objects across multiple locations, Kareth’s quest is refreshingly straightforward. You’re looking for interactive books on bookshelves—but don’t let the simplicity fool you. The atmospheric tension of the Hall of Whispers, with its whispering echoes and shadowy corridors, makes this one of the most memorable quests in Fisch.

How to Reach Kareth in Hall of Whispers

Finding Kareth isn’t as simple as walking up to an NPC in Moosewood. This green-robed cultist is hidden deep within the Cultist Lair’s second level, and getting there requires completing several prerequisite steps that I’ll break down for you.

Step 1: Get to the Cultist Lair

The journey begins at Terrapin Island, one of the most important locations in Fisch’s endgame content. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

Navigate to Terrapin Island at coordinates 0, 150, 2000. You’ll need to reach the Terrapin Hideaway, which is the hidden cave entrance located on the island.

Important weather requirement: The entrance only opens during Foggy Nights. This is absolutely crucial—without the right weather conditions, you won’t see the lever that opens the Cultist Lair entrance.

To create the perfect conditions, you’ll need two totems:

Sundial Totem (makes it nighttime)
Smokescreen Totem (creates fog)

Both totems can be purchased from various merchants around the map. If you don’t have these yet, check out our complete Fisch codes guide for free rewards that might include totem items.

Once you’ve created a Foggy Night, look for the glowing green lever inside the Terrapin Hideaway cave. Pull this lever, and a massive door will open, revealing the entrance to the Cultist Lair. Good news—once you’ve unlocked it, the entrance stays permanently open for all future visits!

Step 2: Unlock Cultist Lair Door 1

After entering the Cultist Lair, you’ll find yourself in a large central chamber with several NPCs and a fishing pool. But Kareth isn’t here—he’s behind the first door, which requires three specific items to unlock.

Walk to the far end of the chamber, and you’ll see Cultist Lair Door 1 with three pedestals in front of it. Here are the items you need:

Left Pedestal – Albino Moon Wood:

Catch regular Moon Wood from Snowcap Island or other locations
Appraise the Moon Wood at an appraiser until you get the Albino variant
Alternative method: Use a rod with the Noir enchantment to fish for Albino Moon Wood directly

Right Pedestal – Sparkling Enchant Relic:

Fish anywhere with decent luck stats until you catch an Enchant Relic
Take it to an appraiser and keep appraising until you get the Sparkling version
You can also purchase these from Merlin’s Shop on Sunstone Island if you have the coins

Center Lock – Key of Whispers:

This is the easiest item to obtain
Simply fish in the pool directly in front of Door 1 inside the Cultist Lair
It’s a yellow exotic item, so use a rod with high luck stats for faster results
The drop rate is quite good, so you should get it within 10-20 casts

Pro tip: Many players report better Key of Whispers drop rates during daytime hours in-game, though this isn’t officially confirmed.

Once you have all three items, place them on their respective pedestals. The Albino Moon Wood goes left, Sparkling Enchant Relic goes right, and then hold the Key of Whispers and press E while standing near the central lock. The door will unlock with a satisfying animation, revealing an elevator behind it.

Step 3: Descend to Hall of Whispers

Interact with the elevator, and it will descend into the depths, taking you to the Hall of Whispers—one of three sub-locations within the Cultist Lair. The atmosphere changes dramatically as you descend. The lighting turns greenish, and you’ll hear eerie whispers echoing through the corridors.

When the elevator stops, walk forward through the green-lit hallway. You’ll pass massive bookshelves lined with ancient tomes, ladders leaning against the walls, and chandeliers casting supernatural light. Continue straight through the chamber and pass through the doorway at the far end.

There he is! Kareth stands near a small reflective pool, wearing his distinctive green hooded robe. A glowing “New Quest” indicator floats above his head, impossible to miss. Walk up to him and interact to begin the quest.

Starting Kareth’s Quest

When you speak with Kareth for the first time, he’ll tell you about the corrupted texts that have been tainted by the cult’s forbidden rituals. These books contain dark knowledge that must be cleansed before they corrupt further. He needs your help to purify these texts scattered throughout the Hall of Whispers.

Accept the quest when prompted. Unlike some Fisch quests that give you detailed instructions or markers, Kareth simply tells you to cleanse the corrupt books and sends you on your way. Don’t worry—I’ll tell you exactly where they all are.

How to Cleanse Corrupt Books?

This is where the quest gets interesting. The corrupt books are hidden among hundreds of normal books on the bookshelves throughout the Hall of Whispers. Here’s everything you need to know to find and cleanse them all efficiently.

Understanding the Cleansing Mechanic

The game doesn’t give you a quest marker or highlight the corrupt books. Instead, you need to manually scan the bookshelves by moving your mouse cursor over individual books. When your cursor hovers over a corrupt book, it will change into a hand icon (👋). This is your signal that you’ve found one of the books that needs cleansing.

Once you see the hand icon:

Click on the book immediately
Your character will perform a cleansing animation
You’ll see a faint glow or sparkle confirming the cleansing
Sometimes you’ll hear a subtle sound effect

The book will then become permanently cleansed and won’t show the hand icon anymore. You need to find and cleanse a total of 8 corrupt books to complete the quest.

Where to Find All Corrupt Books?

After speaking with Kareth, turn around and head back toward the hallway you came from. The corrupt books are all located on the bookshelves in this main corridor area of the Hall of Whispers.

Here’s my proven systematic approach to find all the books efficiently:

Start from the left side of the hallway:

Begin at the bookshelves closest to Kareth’s location
Move your mouse cursor slowly across each shelf, starting from the bottom and working your way up
The bookshelves are quite tall, so you’ll need to aim at different heights
Some books are at eye level, others are near the floor, and some are on the upper shelves

Work your way along the wall:

Continue moving along the left wall, checking every bookshelf thoroughly
Don’t rush it’s easy to miss a book if you’re moving your mouse too quickly
The hand icon only appears when your cursor is directly over a corrupt book

Check both sides of the hallway:

After completing the left side, cross to the right side of the hallway
Repeat the same systematic scanning process on these bookshelves
Some corrupt books are located near the ladders that lean against the shelves

Don’t forget corner shelves:

A few books are positioned on shelves in corners or alcoves
These are easy to miss if you’re not thorough
Check behind decorative elements and near the chandeliers

Important camera angles:

Adjust your camera view to look at shelves from different angles
Some books are slightly hidden behind shelf geometry
Try zooming in and out to get better angles on suspicious areas

Pro Strategies for Faster Completion

After helping dozens of players through this quest, I’ve identified several strategies that dramatically speed up the process:

The Grid Method: Imagine each bookshelf divided into a 3×3 grid. Systematically scan each section of the grid before moving to the next shelf. This prevents you from accidentally missing books.

The Diagonal Sweep: Move your mouse in diagonal patterns across each shelf. This covers more ground than horizontal or vertical movements alone and catches books you might otherwise miss.

Lighting Awareness: The Hall of Whispers has uneven lighting. Some shelves are well-lit by chandeliers, while others are in shadow. Pay extra attention to darker areas where books are harder to see.

Sound Cues: Turn up your game volume. When you cleanse a book, there’s often a subtle audio cue that confirms the action. This helps you know you’ve successfully cleansed it without having to double-check.

Coordinate with Friends: If you’re playing with friends who also need to complete this quest, you can call out book locations to each other. Once one player cleanses a book, it doesn’t affect other players’ ability to cleanse the same book in their own quest.

For more tips on optimizing your Fisch gameplay, check out our best money-making methods guide to ensure you’re always earning efficiently.

How to Know When You’re Done?

Unlike quests with progress trackers, Kareth’s quest doesn’t show you how many books you’ve cleansed. Here’s how to confirm you’ve found them all:

The definitive test: Once you’ve scanned all the bookshelves and can no longer find ANY books that trigger the hand icon, you’re finished. Go through the entire hallway one more time just to be absolutely sure.

Common completion time: Most players find all 8 books in 5-10 minutes. If you’ve been searching for longer than 15 minutes, you’re probably missing one in a hard-to-spot location. Focus on corners, high shelves, and areas behind decorative elements.

Still can’t find them all? Try these troubleshooting steps:

Restart your camera by zooming all the way in and back out
Exit and re-enter the Hall of Whispers to reset any visual glitches
Double-check you actually clicked on books when the hand icon appeared (sometimes the click doesn’t register)

Collecting Your Reward

Once you’ve cleansed all 8 corrupt books, it’s time to claim your hard-earned reward. Return to Kareth’s location near the pool. Walk up to him and interact again.

Kareth will thank you for your assistance in purifying the corrupted texts. He’ll express relief that the dark knowledge has been contained and the library is safe once more. Then he’ll present you with your reward: Kareth’s Amulet Fragment.

What is Kareth’s Amulet Fragment?

This green-glowing fragment is one of five essential pieces needed to craft the Dreamer’s Amulet, the most powerful accessory in the Cultist Lair update. The fragment appears in your inventory as a mystical shard with green energy emanating from it.

The Fragment’s Role:

It’s part of the Dreamer’s Amulet crafting recipe
Required to progress deeper into the Cultist Lair
Cannot be traded or sold to other players
Stays in your inventory permanently once obtained

The Other Fragments You’ll Need:

To craft the complete Dreamer’s Amulet, you need to collect fragments from four other NPCs:

Eldran’s Amulet Fragment – Find three blue cultist markings on Terrapin Island
Maelira’s Amulet Fragment – Catch specific fish species (Tetra, Slickhead, Loach, Dragonfish, Sinocyclocheilus)
Varn’s Amulet Fragment – Collect 9 Leviathan Letter notes scattered throughout the lair
Sythra’s Amulet Fragment – Reignite 10 lanterns using Sythra’s Wick

Once you have all five fragments, take them to the Amulet NPC located behind Cultist Lair Door 2, and they’ll craft the Dreamer’s Amulet for you. This powerful amulet is required to open the Central Gate and access the Sanctum, where the legendary Leviathan Hunts take place.

For more details on assembling the complete amulet, check our comprehensive guide on Fisch’s Luminescent Cavern and keystones.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After watching countless players attempt this quest, I’ve identified the most common errors that cause frustration:

Mistake #1: Scanning Too Quickly

The Problem: Players rush through the bookshelves, moving their mouse cursor too fast. The hand icon only appears when your cursor directly hovers over a corrupt book, and fast scanning causes you to miss books entirely.

The Solution: Slow down. Methodically scan each shelf section by section. Think of it like searching for a specific book in a real library—you need to look at each book individually.

Mistake #2: Ignoring High and Low Shelves

The Problem: Most players naturally scan at eye level, missing books positioned on very high or very low shelves. The booksh elves in the Hall of Whispers extend from floor to ceiling, and corrupt books can appear anywhere.

The Solution: For each bookshelf, scan in three passes: bottom third, middle third, and top third. Adjust your camera angle to look up and down as needed.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Behind Geometry

The Problem: Some corrupt books are partially hidden behind structural elements like shelf edges, ladders, or decorative items. Players scan right past them because only part of the book is visible.

The Solution: When you find a suspicious area where a book might be hiding, adjust your camera to multiple angles. Move left and right, zoom in and out, and try different viewing positions.

Mistake #4: Clicking Without Confirmation

The Problem: Players see the hand icon and immediately click, but sometimes the click doesn’t register due to lag or being too far from the book. They assume the book is cleansed and move on, but it’s actually still corrupt.

The Solution: Always wait for the visual confirmation (glow/sparkle) after clicking. If you don’t see it, click again. Better to double-check than to finish your sweep and realize you’re missing a book.

Mistake #5: Starting Before Unlocking Door 1

The Problem: Some impatient players try to complete other Cultist Lair quests before properly unlocking Door 1, leading to confusion about where Kareth is located.

The Solution: Follow the prerequisite steps in order. You MUST unlock Door 1 and take the elevator down before you can access Kareth and start this quest.

Advanced Tips for Quest Completion

Want to complete Kareth’s quest like a pro? Here are some advanced strategies I’ve developed:

Optimal Rod Setup: While you don’t need a fishing rod for this quest specifically, having good equipment for gathering the Door 1 materials matters. Use a rod with high luck stats (like the Katana Rod or rods from the Underground Music Venue) to speed up getting the Key of Whispers.

Brightness Settings: The Hall of Whispers is intentionally dark and atmospheric. Increasing your game’s brightness in settings (without ruining the ambiance) can make spotting books easier, especially on darker bookshelves.

Solo vs. Group Play: This quest can be completed solo without any issues. However, if you’re playing with friends, coordinate your search patterns. One player can check the left side while another checks the right, cutting completion time in half.

Stream-Friendly Approach: If you’re streaming or recording, consider doing a single comprehensive sweep while talking through your search pattern. This creates better content than rushing and then having to backtrack.

Server Considerations: Unlike some Fisch quests, this one isn’t affected by server population or timing. You can complete it in a quiet early-morning server just as easily as a peak-time crowded one.

Why This Quest Matters

You might be wondering: “Why should I bother with Kareth’s quest when there are flashier challenges in Fisch?” Let me explain why this quest is actually crucial to your progress:

Gateway to Endgame Content: The Dreamer’s Amulet (which requires Kareth’s fragment) is mandatory for accessing the Sanctum and participating in Leviathan Hunts. These hunts offer some of the rarest fish in the entire game.

Low Effort, High Value: Compared to other fragment quests that require extensive fishing, item gathering, or solving complex puzzles, Kareth’s quest is remarkably simple. It’s essentially free progress toward the Dreamer’s Amulet.

Atmospheric Experience: The Hall of Whispers is one of the most beautifully designed areas in Fisch. The eerie atmosphere, mysterious lore, and excellent environmental storytelling make this quest memorable even if it’s mechanically simple.

Completion Satisfaction: There’s something deeply satisfying about systematically clearing all the corrupt books and seeing the quest complete. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual fishing mechanics.

Foundation for Future Content: The Cultist Lair update continues to expand. Having all fragments collected positions you perfectly for whatever new content the developers add to this storyline.

If you’re looking to maximize your Fisch experience, be sure to check out our complete rod progression guide to ensure you have the best equipment for all upcoming challenges.

Troubleshooting Guide

Running into issues? Here are solutions to the most common problems players encounter:

Problem: I can’t find Kareth

Verify you’ve unlocked Door 1 and taken the elevator down
Make sure you’re in the Hall of Whispers, not the main Cultist Lair chamber
Walk all the way through to the back room with the pool

Problem: No hand icon appears on any books

Ensure you’ve actually accepted the quest from Kareth
Try restarting your game client to fix potential visual glitches
Move slower and scan more methodically—you might be going too fast

Problem: I cleansed all books but quest won’t complete

Do one final thorough sweep—you likely missed one
Check corners, high shelves, and behind ladders specifically
Try different lighting times (day/night cycles) to see if visibility improves

Problem: The elevator won’t work

Confirm all three items are correctly placed on the pedestals
Make sure the door actually opened (there should be a visual animation)
Try exiting and re-entering the Cultist Lair

Problem: I can’t get Albino Moon Wood

Keep appraising regular Moon Wood the albino variant is somewhat rare
Consider using the Noir enchantment method if you have access to it
Check with friends who might have extras to spare (though trading may be limited)

What Comes After Kareth’s Quest?

Congratulations on completing Kareth’s Amulet Fragment quest! But your journey through the Cultist Lair is far from over. Here’s what you should tackle next:

Collect the Other Fragments: Focus on gathering the remaining four fragments from Eldran, Maelira, Varn, and Sythra. Each quest offers unique challenges and rewards.

Unlock Cultist Lair Door 2: This requires Darkened Ancient Wood, a Shiny Enchanted Relic, and the Key of Oaths. Door 2 leads to the Passage of Oaths, where you’ll find more NPCs and quests.

Craft the Dreamer’s Amulet: Once you have all five fragments, visit the Amulet NPC behind Door 2 to craft the complete amulet. This powerful item provides significant stat bonuses and is essential for final areas.

Access the Sanctum: Use the Dreamer’s Amulet to open the Central Gate and enter the final area of the Cultist Lair, where the most challenging content awaits.

Participate in Leviathan Hunts: These special fishing events spawn in the Sanctum and offer opportunities to catch exclusive, legendary fish that appear nowhere else in Fisch.

For players interested in maximizing efficiency, our Night of Fireflies event guide provides strategies for catching rare nocturnal fish that can help with other Cultist Lair quests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Kareth located in Fisch?

Kareth is located in the Hall of Whispers, which is the second level of the Cultist Lair. You must first unlock Cultist Lair Door 1 by placing Albino Moon Wood, Sparkling Enchant Relic, and Key of Whispers on the pedestals, then take the elevator down. Kareth stands near a small pool in the back area of the Hall of Whispers, wearing a distinctive green hooded robe.

How many corrupt books do I need to cleanse for Kareth’s quest?

You need to cleanse exactly 8 corrupt books to complete Kareth’s Amulet Fragment quest. These books are scattered throughout the bookshelves in the main hallway area of the Hall of Whispers. Look for books that make your cursor change to a hand icon when you hover over them.

What do I get for completing Kareth’s quest in Fisch?

Completing Kareth’s quest rewards you with Kareth’s Amulet Fragment, a green-glowing mystical item. This fragment is one of five pieces required to craft the Dreamer’s Amulet, which is essential for accessing the final areas of the Cultist Lair and participating in Leviathan Hunts.

Do I need any special items or rods to cleanse the corrupt books?

No, you don’t need any special items, fishing rods, or consumables to cleanse the corrupt books. The quest simply requires you to find and click on the interactive books scattered throughout the Hall of Whispers. However, you do need specific items (Albino Moon Wood, Sparkling Enchant Relic, and Key of Whispers) to unlock Door 1 and access the Hall of Whispers in the first place.

Can I complete Kareth’s quest with friends or does it have to be solo?

You can complete Kareth’s quest either solo or with friends present. Each player has their own set of corrupt books to cleanse, so multiple players can work on the quest simultaneously in the same area without interfering with each other. Friends can even help by calling out book locations they find, though each player must click the books themselves.

Why can’t I find all the corrupt books in the Hall of Whispers?

The most common reason players can’t find all corrupt books is scanning too quickly or missing books on very high or very low shelves. Try these solutions: slow down your cursor movement, check every shelf from floor to ceiling, examine corners and areas behind ladders, adjust your camera to different angles, and do multiple complete passes through the entire hallway. Some books are cleverly hidden behind shelf geometry and require changing your viewpoint to spot.

How long does Kareth’s quest take to complete?

Most players complete Kareth’s quest in 5-10 minutes once they reach the Hall of Whispers. The prerequisite steps (unlocking Door 1) typically take 15-30 minutes depending on how quickly you can gather the required materials. The book-cleansing portion itself is quick if you search systematically.

What’s the fastest way to get the items needed for Cultist Lair Door 1?

The fastest method is to fish for the Key of Whispers first (it drops quickly from the pool in front of Door 1), then focus on getting an Enchant Relic and appraising it until you get the Sparkling version. For Albino Moon Wood, your best bet is using a rod with the Noir enchantment if you have access to it, or catching regular Moon Wood and appraising it until you get the Albino variant.

Is Kareth’s fragment required for any other quests besides the Dreamer’s Amulet?

Yes, Kareth’s Amulet Fragment is specifically required to craft the Dreamer’s Amulet, which in turn is mandatory for opening the Central Gate to the Sanctum. Without completing Kareth’s quest, you cannot progress to the final areas of the Cultist Lair or participate in Leviathan Hunts, making it an essential quest for anyone serious about Fisch’s endgame content.

Can I trade Kareth’s Amulet Fragment to other players?

No, Kareth’s Amulet Fragment cannot be traded, sold, or transferred to other players. Each player must complete the quest themselves to obtain the fragment. This is true for all five amulet fragments—they’re account-bound and non-tradeable to ensure players experience the full quest line.

Final Thoughts

Kareth’s Amulet Fragment quest represents everything great about Fisch’s Cultist Lair update: atmospheric locations, clever integration of game mechanics, and meaningful progression toward powerful rewards. While the quest itself is mechanically simple—just finding and clicking books—the journey to reach Kareth and the larger context of assembling the Dreamer’s Amulet makes it a satisfying experience.

The Hall of Whispers stands as one of the most beautifully designed areas in Fisch. The developers clearly put tremendous effort into creating an immersive environment that feels mysterious and slightly unsettling without being frustrating to navigate. The green lighting, whispering sound effects, and the sense of uncovering forbidden knowledge all contribute to making this quest memorable.

From a gameplay perspective, Kareth’s quest is perfectly positioned in the difficulty curve. It’s not so easy that it feels trivial, but it’s also not punishingly difficult like some other Cultist Lair challenges. For players who might feel intimidated by fishing challenges or complex puzzle mechanics, this quest offers a welcome change of pace and an accessible entry point into the lair’s deeper mysteries.

As you continue your journey through the Cultist Lair, remember that this fragment is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The five fragments, when combined into the Dreamer’s Amulet, represent your ticket to some of the most exciting endgame content Fisch has to offer. The Leviathan Hunts, rare fish species, and exclusive crafting materials that await you make every step of this journey worthwhile.

For more comprehensive Fisch guides, strategies, and the latest codes and updates, bookmark this page and check back regularly. The world of Fisch continues to expand with each update, and staying informed is key to maximizing your fishing adventure.

Now grab your best rod, venture into the depths of the Hall of Whispers, and may your book-cleansing be swift and successful. The Dreamer’s Amulet awaits, and with it, the secrets of the ancient cult!