Act III, Loc Muinne Part V -- Where is Triss Merigold?

Act III, Loc Muinne Part V -- Where is Triss Merigold?

You have chosen to save Triss over saving the Kingdom...  Well, I cannot fault you, she is the love of your life, and you are not Temarian after all...  You have to do what you have to do!  So from the central plaza follow the marker to the Ambassador and take him hostage, and use him to gain access to the camp.  You will shortly discover that while he may be a great Ambassador, he turns out to be a lousy hostage!

Renuald appears and takes out the Ambassador, and you then face a battle with a large number of foes -- after you take the first group out your path through the encampment is blocked by the gate being closed, which means you have to find an alternate route up and over!

Head up the nearby ladder and along the walkway, killing the Archers at the far end, then jump down and make your way along the walkway, jumping down twice at the end to drop into the far courtyard.  Above you across the courtyard are a number of foes and a succession of soldiers will drop down off of the far wall to battle you -- kill them all and then climb up to trigger a CS and demand that Triss be freed. 

Regardless of your conversation choices you will end up in a fight with the Battle Mage and some other soldiers because the whole point behind his drawing you into conversation was to stall for time so his troops could arrive!  He tells you that Triss was part of the plot to kill the Kings -- could that be true?  He claims that she confessed -- but remember he is just buying time so probably he is full of crap!

When the battle ensues it would be a good idea to take out the Battle Mage quickly, or the supporting troops, whichever gives you the most trouble.  Once you eliminate them all you end up fighting -- and killing -- Renuald.  After he dies loot his body to obtain the key and then head down the stairs to the dungeons and talk to Triss as you free her.

Saving Triss leads to Many Revelations

She is very happy to see you -- and she has not lost her sense of humor -- ask about the Lodge and you will explain the choice you made...  You ask her frankly about her role in the Kingslayers and she tries to explain to you that she was not calling the shots.  Sile and Phillipa were calling the shots, and they froze Triss out she says.  Sile did not want Triss involved because of her relationship with The Witcher.  She says that they used her...  Do you believe her?  I do!  So I said so.

Triss tells you about the formation of the lodge, and Phillipa's plans to create a magical government -- move your way through the conversation and you will learn what Sile and Phillipa's plans were for the Pontar Valley.  Asking her why she did not tell you reveals that she did not put together the facts until after you were forced apart -- Triss explains that she tried to seek out Phillipa and was attacked when she arrived at her house, and turned into a statue.  It turns out that Phillipa's lover was the attacker, and a Nilfgaardian spy!

Whew!  What a story!

You get the chance to ask for details on many of the previous plot points -- and you should go ahead and do that -- starting at the bottom work your way up through the chat choices, and you will learn what Triss knows about the different issues.  Triss then suggests that you will learn more at the Council and Conclave talks...  Triss is still enthusiastic about the talks as she believes that they will correct much of the problems that the lodge system created.

The quest advances and your new goal is to lead Triss out of the camp.  When you get outside Triss suggests that you should not arrive at the talks at the same time, that you should split-up.  You agree to do so and that ends the quest Where is Triss Merigold, delivering 2,500 XP your way and a couple of Levels!  The quest A Summit of Mages is now flagged.