Side Quests: Novigrad

Act I: Novigrad Side Quests

To make this guide easier to use we break each of the Acts up into their logical components, with the Side Quests divided as makes sense for that purpose. The following are the side quests for the main story that take place during the period in which you are based in Velen/Novigrad...

A Dangerous Game

Help Zoltan obtain the cards

Flagged when you turn up for the Cabaret Quest -- Suggested Level: 12

Zoltan Chivay has never had much luck in business. No exception to this rule was the time he tried to acquire and sell three valuable Gwent cards. At this time Gwent was reaching the peak of its popularity and collectors were paying a fool's fortune for rare cards.

Zoltan was not alone in sticking his pan in this raging torrent and hoping to strike gold. Yet there was a another player in Novigrad, one wanting to grow his already-sizable fortune, interested in flipping rare cards.

Duke was his name, but many felt he would soon be known as Whoreson the Third - for he was even more ruthless than Whoreson Junior. This Duke stood in Zoltan's path to riches. Luckily, Zoltan had a friend named Geralt of Rivia who decided to step in and get him the cards he so desperately desired.

Of course you agree to help but, when you arrive at Zed's something is wrong. He does not answer your knocking. So using the ladders and scaffolding nearby you get to the top floor and enter via that door, and find his dead body!

Searching the house with your Senses you check his body but, upon going downstairs you discover the REASON he is dead. And you kill them!

Now grab the card they found and then continue searching to find the chest under the stairs with the Ledger. Taking the card and book back you show it to Zoltan...

After you chat head to get the Natalis card then meet Zoltan for the other....

When you arrive you find Earl already there with a knife to Rav's back and you end up having to play him for both the card and Rav's life! Don't lose, right?

After you beat him he decides he is not paying up and so, well, you have to kill him and his buddy. Now, we did NOT have a problem with that! Time to meet Zoltan!

When you arrive you talk to him and tell him about the visit with Rav then you head in and then he tells you the plan... It's not a great plan, just saying, but still...

As you are about to make your way out some of Cleaver's muscle shows up to collect Caesar... Too bad for him, but good for us, as we get out without a scene!

When you arrive at the scene you find that Duke has taken the money and killed the buyer and he now wants the cards! Zoltan tells you to chase him while he deals with the thugs - so you do!

Sadly Drowners get to Duke before we can, but as Duke has been a major pain we are going to take the money AND his life. Problem solved.

Don't be a fool - take the cards not the coin! Either way that completes the quest so nice job!

Objectives

• Get the Fringilla Vigo, Isengrim and Natalis cards for Zoltan

• Find a way into Zed's home

• Search Zed's home using your Witcher Senses

• Find the Isengrim card

• Find Zed's ledger using your Witcher Senses

• Bring the card and Zed's Ledger to Zoltan

• Get the John Natalis card from Ravik

• Meet Zoltan in front of Caesar Blitzen's house

• Search upstairs in Caesar Bilzen's home using your Witcher Senses

• Let Zoltan know you've found the card

• Go to the meeting with Zoltan's buyer

• Chase Duke

A Deadly Plot

Plan the assassination of a King

Flagged automatically -- Suggested Level: 14

Upon finding Dijkstra mingling among the fugitive mages, then watching him assist them in their fight, Geralt got the sinking feeling the erstwhile spy would want a favor in return. He could not have been more correct, for as soon as the mages had set sail for Kovir's hospitable shores, Dijkstra confessed that he had set in motion a plot to assassinate Radovid and asked the Witcher to meet him promptly at the Passiflora.

When you hook up with Dijkstra at the bordello you discover he has a very cush headquarters - and he gets right down to business, explaining the plan and some history. Roache arrives and the conversation takes a different path.

They have a missing man who has information that they need - and they want you to find him!

When you meet with Gregor you learn what he knows and you head for the first clue - the wagon on the road. When you get to the site examine the clues and follow the trail of shoes, then talk to the Rock Troll...

The Troll basically tells you that they snatched the guy to force him to make them shoes! Whoa! Be an idea to find that Troll cave, right? When you find the cave you just need to find the shoemaker,

In the cave you find Thaler and have a chat with him - and the trolls... You can convince them to let him go if you try - or you can threaten them and fight. I prefer not to fight Rock Trolls - but that is just me...

You escort him back to his wagon, and finish your chat. You don't learn much - sigh. That completes the quest - and hey! We did not have to kill any Kings! How about that?

Objectives

• Meet Dijkstra at the Passiflora

• Talk to the Redarian liaison

• Find he shoemaker's wagon

• Follow the trail of clues

• Talk to the Troll

• Find the Troll's cave

• Find the shoemaker in the troll's cave

• Escort Thaler

A Matter of Life and Death

Meet with Triss

Flagged automatically during the Mission Count Reuven's Treasure -- Suggested Level: 12

Of all the so-called "witches" they hunted, there was none the witch hunters wanted more than Triss Merigold, a sorceress of unequaled power. Even in hiding she had proven a thorn in their side, masterminding an underground net of hideouts and covers, keeping other mages out of the hunters' blood-stained hands. When Geralt entered the city, he met up with his dear friend and sometime love. And when the time came that she needed his help with her endeavor, she did not hesitate to ask.

Triss fills you in about the contact request - which sounds pretty fishy...

You meet the man and follow him to the meeting place - as you follow him you get attacked by a group of thugs and must defend him. At the meeting the plan gets hammered out - they will throw a ball, you show up with Triss, and maybe help Albert escape capture.

Head to the elf tailor's shop and buy the outfits you and Triss need.

After you arrive at the party there will be a few interactions as you make your way to the main area. When you arrive there note the "!" that marks the Gwent Tables. Go and play - you can win a few good cards there!

When you meet with Ingrid she asks to speak in private - and when you do you get the full story. The plan is set, you talk to Albert, and then you and Triss wait for him in the maze. When he arrives you switch masks and that gets you attacked by the hunters - who you beat down, then meet Albert and Triss at the stables, where you get your weapons back and then you part company....

Objectives

• Meet Triss Merigold at her hideout

• Meet the Vegelbud's servant at the fishmarket. He's wearing a blue shirt and has keys hanging from his belt.

• Use your Witcher Senses to find the man

• Follow the Vegelbud's servant

• (Optional) Buy a new outfit. Doublet, trousers, and boots.

• Buy a fox mask for Triss

• Buy a mask to wear to the masquerade ball

• (Optional) Put on your new doublet, trousers and boots before going to Triss

• Bring Triss the Fox Mask

• Meet Ingrid Vegelbud

• Find Albert Vegelbud. He's wearing a panther mask.

• Wait on the bench with Triss

• Find Triss in the labyrinth

• Get out of the labyrinth

• Defeat the Witch Hunters

• Meet Triss and Albert in the Stables

An Eye for An Eye

Talk with Roche

Flagged during the Mission Get Junior -- Suggested Level: 12

Vernon Roche fell into dour spirits after Geralt's conversation with Radovid at the chess club. He didn't want to say right then what had blackened his mood. Instead, he asked the Witcher to come talk to him at his hideout near Oxenfurt.

You get the details of his problem from him at the camp and then meet up at the Hanged Man's Tree, where you help him by tracking Ves. But no, she attacks as you prepare!

You must run down and kill the soldiers to save her life!

After the battle and a long conversation the quest is completed.

Objectives

• Meet Roche at his Camp

• Meet Roche at the Hanged Man's Tree

• Kill the soldiers

• Save Ves

A Walk on the Waterfront

Assist the dandy

Flagged at a "!" on the waterfront - Suggested Level: 12

A certain nobleman asked Geralt for a bit of assistance. He wanted the Witcher to accompany him on a stroll through a rather dodgy part of Novigrad. The richman's clothing alone would get him killed in that quarter, so Geralt agreed to help.

After you answer the call to a "!" on the map you end up defending a nobleman who then hires you as an escort...

Objectives

• Escort the nobleman

Black Pearl

Help an old soldier fulfill a promise

Flagged at the "!" in western Novigrad - Suggested Level: 13

When men sense death's approach, they try to finish all manner of unresolved business. Some write wills, others pay off debts and still others make up with estranged relatives.

Nidas, a battle-hardened vetern from Novigrad wanted to tie off a rather atypical loose end: acquiring the black pearl he had once promised his beloved wife. As he had reached an advanced age, he would not be able to journey to the black pearl beds of Skellige by himself - so he hired the Witcher to assist him.

Add this to our to-do list in the Isles!

Nidas is waiting for you on the wreckage of the ancient bridge out on the cuts, and after you greet him he asks you to accompany him as he searches for that special pearl!

When you reach the beach near the beds he asks you to dive down and find him that special black pearl - and of course you do!

After you swim out to the marker area and BEFORE you dive, you should really do two things: First make sure your Crossbow is selected for the action bumper and second, make sur eyou have the Killer Whale Potion selected in one of your instant use slots. Then use the Killer Whale Potion before you go under as that gives you additional breath endurance under water!

After you find the Black Pearl immediately head back to him because he is going to be attacked by some Drowners and you need to rescue him!

After you do rescue him and deliver the peral, you learn he cannot pay you because he does not have any coin to pay you with! He asks you to meet him back in Novigrad where he will pay you good and proper. So um yeah, we can do that....

Back in Novigrad

When you arrive at the Inn he quickly and happily pays you the reward you are due. Then you have a conversation that leads to a pretty sad tale... Sigh. But that does end the quest - so well done!

Objectives

• Meet Nidas near the collapsed bridge to the east of Arinbjorn

• Follow Nidas to the pearl bed

• Find a black pearl using your Witcher Senses

• Return to Nidas

• Meet Nidas in the Golden Sturgeon to collect your reward

Cabaret

Visit with Dandelion

Flagged automatically at the end of the last Novigrad Mission -- Suggested Level: 14

At last I was free - and never had the nectar of libterty tasted so sweet. No matter how I slurped, I could not imbibe it fast enough. I filled every waking hour, and quite a few sleeping ones, with fevered activity - there was so much to do, and so little time in which to do it! Since the Witcher had proven a true and reliable friend time and time again, I asked him for help, and he readily agreed to provide it.

When you arrive at the Thyme you find that Dandelion and Zoltan are being beset by some mafia types who do not like them being in this business... completing the conversation flags a new quest, A Dangerous Game!

Inside Priscilla and Dandelion are having it out and then she leaves so you can chat him up... That leads to an explanation about the spat, and then he describes his plan to you... This is another bad plan, but hey he is a friend so we have to help, right?

After you visit Irina head to the marker to meet Dandelion...And you learn the plan. Really NOT a good plan... But you do it.

When you return to the bordello you find that some decisions have to be made and you are called on to lend an opinion...

Unfortunately when that is all said and done still no Dandelion, so you will just have to go look for him... You find him at Polly's and learn that there is a staffing issue.

You help Dandelion find the key, go in, and talk things out...

You agree to get the new placards for him - which is another adventure as it turns out that involves beating on some debt collectors, and going to the races... I just chose to pay off his debt to smooth the way - YMMV.

Head back to Dandelion. Just when you think it has all worked out Priscilla gets attacked on opening night... Someone tried to KILL her! They took her voice, they took her looks, they may as well have killed her outright.

This quest is now complete and merges into the next in the chain, Carnal Sins.

Objectives

• Meet Dandelion at the Rosemary and Thyme

• Borrow a prop sword from Madam Irina

• Meet Dandelion near Sophronia's house after dusk

• Fight the Crimson Avenger

• Meet Dandelion in the morning at the Rosemary and Thyme

• Find Dandelion

• Look for the key using your Witcher Senses

• Open the door to Polly's home

• Find Raulic and get the placards from him.

• Talk to Raultec in the Vegelbuds' residence

• Return to Dandelion

Carnal Sins

Find the scum who attacked Priscilla

Flagged automatically from the quest Cabaret -- Suggested Level: 16

Telling this story, my dear reader, will tax me greatly. It is a dark and somber one, encompassing the greatest sorrow my heart has ever known. It all started the day of the grand opening of my cabaret.

Everything had been spit-polished to perfection - all that was left was to wait for Priscilla, whose performance was to be the crowning moment of this glorious evening. Yet when the doors of the Chameleon burst open it was not she who stepped inside.

Instead, it was a messenger from the Vilmerius Hospital. His face pale, and his countenance dour, he informed us Priscilla had been badly wounded in an assault - and was currently tottering on the brink of death.

It is time to deal with the scum who attacked her - and when we say deal, we mean kill.

Head to the mortuary where you can examine the other victims, and then learn what you can. Then you get tossed out after being discovered!

Chatting with the corpse collector adds to your knowledge in general terms, while investigating the sites adds even more....

When you arrive at the alley you get a message saying that the coroner wants to see you - there has been a new victim.

The clues are adding up and it is pointing at the church.... And you find the name of the next victim!!

Thanks to the interference by the guards you miss catching the killer - but you do find a clue on the old woman's body... Head to Kate's now.

You arrive just in time and kill the *******! That felt good...

Head back to talk to Dandelion and that completes the quest...

Objectives

• Go meet with Von Gratz

• Talk to Dandelion

• Talk to Dandelion

• Go through the sewers to get to the mortuary

• Find the Dwarven Woodcarvers body using your Witcher Senses

• Examine the place where the woodcarver died using your Witcher Senses

• Investigate the alley where Priscilla was attacked using your Witcher Senses

• Find Eustace the corpse collector

• Talk to the coroner

• Get to the Vegelbud Estate

• Find Sweet Nettie at Crippled Kate's

• Talk to Dandelion about Priscilla's condition

The Dwarven Document Dilemma

Obtain the stolen Documents for the Dwarf

Flagged from the quest giver Roslan Muggs at the East Bridge - Suggested Level : 2

One of the individuals Geralt met in his travels was a dwarf by the name of Rostan Muggs. This cocksure runt talked Geralt into retrieving some stolen Documents for him.

At the other side of the bridge you find the bottle that was used to attack the dwarf, and realize that thanks to its unique contents you can track the attacker....

When you follow the trail it will take you to a peasant on a bench outside of the town - but he tells a different story than Muggs told - he makes himself out to be the victim here but, well, he won't deal and you are NOT paying him for those Documents. No way. So you basically give him the ultimatum and he puts up his fists to duke it out with you!

This bloke is very slow - so if you very quickly go into fast attack you only have to hit him TWICE to knock him down, at which point he gives up, and you unlock the Achievement: Fist of the South Star (15g) Defeat an opponent in a fistfight without taking any damage.

Of course this presumes you did not previously unlock that Achievement in a fistfight you fought earlier, like when you were doing Fists of Fury: Velen - which is entirely possible. But not likely.

Either way you get the Documents and the quest updates...

When you return to Muggs you get some more information about what really happened... It turns out that he really did lose the deed to the townhouse in a card game... You are nice and even though the little bas... Guy conned us into getting the deed back for him, we did agree to do the job and a Witcher's word is his bond, so we hand them over and collect the agreed upon reward.

That completes the quest.

Objectives

• Go to the place where Muggs was attacked and examine it using your Witcher Senses

• Use your Witcher Senses to follow the clues to find Muggs' attackers

• (Optional) Confront Muggs about his story OR get the Documents from Gerd

• Defeat Gerd

• Compare Muggs' and the attacker's accounts

Empty Coop

Solve the mystery of missing chickens

Flagged at the "!" in the countryside of Novigrad -- Suggested Level: None

An old woman in Velen asked Geralt for an unusual favor. Some time ago her hens had gone missing from her hen house. Based on the tracks she had found, the woman suspected some two-legged creature with wolf-like paws was responsible. Geralt decided to investigate this mysterious being.

The monster turned out to be a horrific one - a 10 year old boy! After you talk to the boys in the woods go back to the old woman and ask her to take them in. She might!

Objectives

• Find out more about the contract

• Find out what's stealing the old woman's chickens using your Witcher Senses

• Convince the old woman to take in the children

Fencing Lessons

Teach Rosa to fence

Flagged during the Mission Broken Flowers - Suggested Level: 12

Geralt had learned that Rosa var Attre was a passionate devote of the art of swordplay. The fencing lesson Geralt had given her while searching for yours truuly had thrilled her to the core - and left her asking the Witcher if they could meet again for a repeat. Geralt had plenty of experience teaching young women with fiery personalities how to swing swords and so agreed.

When you arrive for the lesson you learn that Rosa is out - and asked that you join her. When you arrive she dismisses her guard and asks you to come with her to the bridge where she demands you battle with her using real steel... Try not to kill her right?

After the fight she tricks you and runs off - you have to track her down fast! You arrive just in time to save her and then send her on her way home.

Objectives

• Go to the var Attre residence tomorrow to give Rosa fending lessons.

• Tell the guard captain about the fencing lessons

• Meet with Rosa

• Follow Rosa

• Defeat Rosa

• Use your Witcher Senses to find Rosa

Fists of Fury: Novigrad

Defeat the opponents in Fist Fighting

Flagged from the Notice Board in Novigrad - Suggested Level 23

Geralt found out a series of fistfights was being organized in Novigrad. He had participated in such fights in the past and grown to like the feel of his fists pounding into some lunkhead's skull. He decided to take part.

This is pretty simple - just beat all three and you willl get to challenge the Regional Champ - so just do it!

Objectives

• Defeat Gorgeous Georg

• Defeat Archibald O'Neill

• Defeat Iron Mortimer

• Fight the Tailor for the Novigrad Title

Following the Threads

Deal with the Monster

Flagged in the Bits Notice Board - Suggested Level 11

While wallowing in the Bits, Novigrad's worse and most notorious slum, the Witcher took a contract on a monster committing horrendous murders under the cover of darkness. At the time, he never suspected that a story starting in the gutter would end in a luxurious manner.

Note: Even though the description USES the word "contract" this is classed as a Side Quest by the game. So Side Quest it is!

When you turn up a the marker you do not actually get to speak with the Supervisor - though you do learn from the guard some details - including that some other hunter has turned up for the contract on the beast.

Head to the marker and use your Witcher Senses to see what there is to see... Which is three different clues that help you barrow down the type of monster.

You track the monster tot he docks then need to look on the other side of the water for where it emerged.

On the opposite shore you discover that the beast left the water at the dock.

The lair turns out to be the shack on the dock and when you get inside you find a brother Witcher Lambert doing battle with it. You step in and help slay the beast, and then have a chat.

You end up splitting the reward with him - but this time you get to see the Supervisor yourself - your brother dies not take no for an answer. Before you can collect that reward Lambert loses it and you end up needing to kill some guards!

You follow him inside and he puts you off, asking you to meet him at the Seven Cats.

You meet Lambert outside of town and ask for the explanation - and he proceeds to tell you the story of his mate who was a Witcher from the School of the Cat who he really liked a lot. He explains what ended up happening to is buddy Aiden - and you discover that this is a vengeance mission!

So you both head in to chat with Vienne - and she does not react quite the way you might expect. You question her to learn what there is to be had from her, and then you decide whether she lives or dies. I chose lives.

You agree to split up the task of interviewing the targets - and then part company... At this point since we have not been to the Isles yet we do not have a Fast Travel Point there. So for now we set this one on the back-burner and continue with the Novigrad quests. Once we arrive in the Isles we can resume it...

In Skellige

Onc eyou arrive you need to head to the island to the far south - bear in mind that there are maps you can buy from different Merchants and Innkeepers that will reveal Fast Travel Sings - including that one - so you might want to do that first.

When you arrive in the search area you get a CS with the guards - if you comment that you did not know he was a God-fearing man, they declare you a snoop and attack!

After you clear out the guards read the notes you find on them - Orders from Hannomd - that sort of explains their reaction...

Loot what you want and then go looking for the Shrine and Hammond and have your chat with him asking after Karadin. It seems that Hammond is not really all that cooperative - so sadly you are forced to kill them all!

Read the note that you loot from the body - Letter Written on Elegant Stationary - from which you learn that Karadin is in Novigrad and he is estranged from Hammond. Your next task is to meet Lambert at the Nowhere Inn back in Novigrad...

Back in Novigrad

When you meet back up in Novigrad you exchange information - filling in the blanks for each other - and then Lambert IDs the man and you head for his house!

When you arrive it turns out that you were expected - and are invited in. The man turns out to be a Witcher himself, from the School of the Cat! Geralt has a lengthy conversation with him, and then you have to make a decision...

This is one of those morality decisions where it is not clear whether what you decide will have effects later on. You have to decide where your moral compass points - but we don't think Witchers should kill Witchers, so we decided to let him live. Besides he really seems to have changed!

That decision completes the quest.

Objectives

• Talk to the supervisor

• Examine the crime scene using your Witcher Senses

• Follow the monster that is prowling the area by using your Witcher Senses

• Find the place whee the monster emerged from the water using your Witcher Senses

• Find the ekimmara's lair by following its tracks using your Witcher Senses

• Kill the ekimmara

• Talk to the Supervisor

• Talk to Lambert

• Go to Faroe and look for Hammond

• Find the shrine where Hammond prays

• Meet Lambert at the Nowhere Inn

The Gangs of Novigrad

Meet with Cleaver to deal.

Flagged automatically as part of the main story -- Suggested Level: 9

When Geralt entered the Novigrad bathhouse, he happened to walk into a meeting of the city's criminal underworld. Becoming an unwitting participant in their conversation, he learned of the conflict between the Triumvirate made up of the King of the Beggars, Sigi Reuven, and Carlo "Cleaver" Varese on the one hand, and Whoreson Junior and the unknown powers backing hm on the other.

Cleaver in particular wanted Whoreson gone and offered Geralt help in finding and getting to the *******, which suited Geralt's interests. They say hands aplenty make for lighter work, and Geralt had every reason to believe this applied to gang warfare as much as it did to cleaning a barn, so he graciously accepted the gangster's offer.

Objectives

• Talk to Cleaver

• Meet Cleaver's dwarves outside the casino

• Destroy Whoreson Junior's Casino

• Meet Cleaver's dwarves outside the arena

• Destroy Whoreson Junior's Arena

Gwent: Big City Players

Beat the players and win their unique cards

Flagged from a Novigrad Notice Board - Suggested Level: None

Novigrad is a cosmopolitan city, a true melting pot of diverse diversities. It thus comes as no surprise that the Free City contains a multitude of top-class Gwent players from all strata and races, each linked by the fact that they possess highly powerful cards. Geralt decided to make the rounds of the Novigrad Gwent circuit and win these cards for himself.

Your first opponent is the Dwarven Banker - be sure to exchange any odd coins for Crowns as well - and once you beat him he gives you your next opponent.

Serenity is the madam of a bordello you have some history with - and once you beat her she points you at your next opponent - but not for this quest mind you because beating HER completes the quest.

Defeating that fourth opponent completes the quest and gets you some nice cards. Well done!

Objectives

• Win Vimme Vivaldi's unique card.

• Win a unique card from the Marquise Serenity

• Win a unique card from Dijkstra

• Win a unique card from a member of the Scoia'tael band

Gwent: Old Pals

Obtain a card from Vernon Roche

Flagged while talking to Zoltan -- Suggested Level: None

Gwent is played for pleasure, a pleasure that is highest when playing in good company - and the best company of all is that of old and true friends. Geralt thus sought out some of his long-time companions for a hand or two of Gwent - and the chance to win powerful cards from each of them.

Track down Roche and play him for his card....

After you complete Following the Threads you can talk to Lambert and opt to play him, then just beat him to get his unique card, Triss Merigold. Collecting that card completes the quest.

Objectives

• Win a unique card from Vernon Roache

• Win a unique card from Thaler

• Win a unique card from Lambert

Gwent: Playing Innkeeps

Beat the Innkeeper at Gwent

Auto-Flagged - No Suggested Level

It is an innkeeper's job to tend to his guests' needs. Usually this takes the form of serving strong drinks and listening to tales of loves lost and woulds received. Yet at times a patron will wish to play a hand of Gwent, which is why all good innkeepers keep a deck at the ready at all times.

And the excellent ones - they keep excellent decks, full of top-notch cards that can provide an evening of challenge and excitement to even the most refined Gwent player. Geralt was determined to win some of these cards for himself.

Note: As you can only win ONE card from each of the players you play Gwent with you should take notice of the color of the prompt in the menu - if you have already played and won the card that they offer, the prompt will be dull - used - whereas if you have not, it will be brighter. Use that as your guide to who you still need to play.

It may also be a good idea to keep a note to keep track of who you have played so you know going in that you have or have not played them. Or won their card. Also note that Innkeepers are NOT the only people you can play Gwent with - they just happen to apply to THIS quest.

Your match with Stjepan is every bit the challenge that was foretold - the man is a wizard at Gwent and what is more, he has a massive Collection of cards that allow him to match you for whatever deck you choose to play. But patience and care will see you victorious and then? Then he reveals the name of your next target!

You now have two choices to make - head to the Inn at the Crossroads to do battle, or head for the Inn in the Main Square at Novigrad and do battle.... I chose the Inn at the Crossroads as the logical next match and made my way there not by Fast Travel but on foot so I could reveal some of the "?" that the Notice Board in Oxenfurt had revealed.

Your victory at the Inn at the Crossroads does not add an additional name or marker to the quest, so it is off to Novigrad to see what the battle there will wrought...

As you face off against Olivier be assured that beating him is the final bout for the quest. That is to say that he is the final Gwent match for this Side Quest - so beat him roundly, just be warned that most of the time he will be using a Monster Deck - so plan your strategy accordingly.

Objectives

• Win Stjepan's unique card

• Win a unique card from the innkeep at the Inn at the Crossroads

• Win Olivier's unique card

Haunted House

Visit the haunted house

Flagged from a Notice Board in Novigrad - Suggested Level: 7

While strolling the bustling streets of Novigrad, Geralt came across a most intriguing notice. It suggested the man named de Jonkheer had sold some poor fool the house which Sara, the lovable yet mischievous godling, used as her dwelling and playground. The notice made it clear the new owner was not amused by his unwanted tenant's pranks. Geralt decided to check up on Sara and see how she was doing...

When you arrive you find that Corrine has befriended Sara. Well that is good news indeed.

That completes the quest!

Objectives

• Visit the haunted house again

High Stakes

Win the High Stakes Gwent Tourney

Flagged from the Notice Board in Novigrad - Suggested Level: 26

Geralt is hardly an ace gambler. He has had a few good runs in dice poker tournaments, true, but these were always local affairs against opponents whose skill level left much to be desired. A tournament in the world's greatest metropolis - now that was a horse of an entirely different color.

The high entry fee and stringent deck requirements scared off amateurs, so only wealthy professionals had signed up. Everything was in place for play at a high level in exciting company - in other words, my friends, for pure pleasure.

The cost to play is $1000 - but getting in requires you to have a good deck as it will be inspected...

Note: The reason that this has so high a level is not because you will do combat but because even if you have a deck that qualifies for this tourney, if you are lower than that level chances are really really slim you can actually WIN. And losing will cause the quest to be failed, so we strongly suggest you pay attention to that level guide.

This quest gets rather complicated once you beat the dwarf and are invited by the girl to chat on the balcony. Basically what she tells you is that there is a plan afoot and she wants you to play a part. For half the jackpot. Whether you do or not will have a decided impact on what you get - if anything - at the end... Maybe.

When we played through it at Level 26 - the suggested level - the results were as follows:

Won our match against Bernard Tulle (He used Northern Realms Deck I used Scoia'tael)

Talked to Sasha on the balcony

Sort of agreed to her plan. We think.

Won our match against Sasha (She used Nilfgaardian Deck I used Northern Realms)

Won our match against the Finneas (he used Scoia'Tael we used Northern Empire)

When we beat Finneas he got very aggro and started a fist fight, claiming that us mutants cheated him. Here is the thing - this may be unfair but you HAVE to beat him, If you lost the fight to him, you have to restart. Sucks but this is just the sort of Peat that they are famous for.

Based on the questions and comments that we have seen this fight - and the higher level fights like in Skellige - are a problem for a lot of players. I you have trouble with them consider the following advice: The fight style that works best is attrition.

Block the opponents blows four or five times then pop them with one of yours and you do a small amount of damage. Rinse and repeat and you WILL win. Just saying.

If you STILL have trouble with this do not try to do anything fancy - a fast way to deal with this unwanted fight is to immediately block and keep your block up. When he does a heavy swing, do THREE fast hits and then raise your guard. All of the damage you do happens on the third hit. While you can sometimes land a fourth blow more often than not you get hit for doing it, so three is the number, and the number is three!

Once you defeat that racist blowhard, you finally need to play Gwent against Count Tybalt.

the Count opts for the Monsters Deck - which can be very hard to beat! For our part we chose to use the Northern Realms deck - that was an easy call to make as it has one of the best offensive defenses against the Monster Deck.

When you complete this victory you will unlock the Achievement Gwent Master (15g) Defeat Tybalt and win the Gwent tournament held at the Passiflora.

You will also learn that the place has been robbed - your prize? Gone! Of course that does not mean you are done - Sasha shows up and tells you it was not her - and then reminds you that the agreement stands and you must recover the coin together. Agree with her on that to continue the quest.

Sasha gets you past the guard and to the crime scene, at which point you need to investigate!

Check the clues - the body, the drag marks and then the arrow in the post, then head down and look behind the brothel, where you find the other end of the line. You also sense a cinnamon scent...

As you follow the trail you find another clue that leads you to a warehouse Sasha knows of...

When you reach the marker Sasha is waiting for you - and fills you in on the occupants. You have to find a way into the warehouse...

Using the scaffolding in the read go in through the window, at which point you get to kill the bandits inside.

If you accept her invitation to dinner you get laid - if not, not. Hey, these are the parts of the game that Conan played for!

When you wake up Sasha is gone - but she did leave you a note. Nice of her. Take it, read it, and carve another notch in your belt! You dog you!

That completes the quest - and gains you some good rare cards!

Objectives

• Find the scribe in the Passiflora and sign up for the high-stakes Gwent tournament.

• Talk to the Scribe

• Mingle with the other contestants

• Win your match against Bernard Tulle

• Meet Sasha on the balcony

• Return to the common room

• Win your match against Madam Sasha

• Win your match against Finneas

• Beat Finn up - good

• Win your match against Count Tybalt

• Follow the guard to the crime scene

• Investigate the crime scene using your Witcher Senses

• Check for clues behind the brothel using your Witcher Senses

• Use your Witcher Senses to see where the scent leads to

• Meet Sasha at the warehouse

• Find a way to get into the warehouse

• Check what's going on

Little Red

Defend the village

Flagged from a "!" in the countryside at a village -- Suggested Level: 15

Geralt's travels took him to a certain village whose inhabitants were clearly anxious about something. It turned out they were expecting a gang of bandits led by a woman known as Little Red to attack at any minute. She was out for blood of a certain Bertram who she claimed had wronged her. Geralt promised to help defend the villagers.

Do what you think is right... When I talked to Red and found out what Bertram REALLY did, well... I let her have him.

Objectives

• Wait until dusk for Little Red's band to attack

Message from an Old Friend

Solve the mystery

Flagged from a Book Seller in Novigrad - Suggested Level: None

Geralt stopped by a certain Novigrad book merchant whose owner recognized him at once. He said someone had left a book with him a long time ago with instructions to give it to Geralt if he ever got the chance. This naturally piqued the Witcher's curiosity.

Sadly, the book dealer did not know the book's exact present location, only that it had a red cover and that Geralt should look for it in his stacks of dusty tomes and manuscripts.

Before you begin this a few words of advice... First, this is the book dealer with the proper shop, not the one that is set up in the square. Second, while finding the book he speaks of IS important to the quest, we strongly suggest that you ALSO examine the inventory of this merchant and purchase and read any Books you have not yet read in the game - because each can add to your Bestiary and other knowledge.

Once you have read them you can sell them back, no worries there - but adding as much information about potential enemies in the game as you can, as early as you can will give you an edge towards beating them when you DO encounter them. Just saying...

Oh and you can also play him at Gwent!

There are a number of Books that your Senses will reveal, all of which are flagged as Quest Items. These are:

The Merry Adventures of Muriel the Lovely Harlot, Illustrated Edition

The Treatment of Furuncles Through Cauterization: A Study

My Manifesto - The Life of Jacques de Aldersberg

Moribundia: The Vampire's Last Likeness

Tyromancy, or the Noble Art of Cheese Divination

One of these Books will contain another Quest Item - Letter from "A" - so once you have collected them all, read the books and then read the letter.

Reading the Letter completes the Quest.

Objectives

• Find a book with a red cover using your Witcher Senses

• Read the letter you found folded inside the book "My Manifesto"

The Nobleman Statuette

Discover the secret of the statue

Flagged when you meet with Triss - Suggested Level: 14

While examining a Novigrad stallkeeper's wares, Geralt spied a remarkable jade statuette. It was in the form of a nobleman, and emanated a strange energy. The Witcher decided to purchase it and show it to Triss.

Talk with her about the statuette and she will take it and reverse the spell on it... The grateful nobleman rewards you and then departs. Odd.

After the spell is reversed and a short conversation that completes the quest. Well done!

Objectives

• Talk to Triss about the statuette

Novigrad, Closed City

Find hte injured thief

Flagged from a "!" marker near the port -- Suggested Level: 11

After Geralt and Triss raided their outpost and killed Menege, the witch hunters decided to exact revenge on mages and freaks of all kinds. The city swarmed with armed units searching for anyone with slightly pointy ears or a whiff of the occult about them.

Turns out though as you track the wounded man down that it was not one of their mates, but a Witch Hunter they were after and they meant him no good. Well good for them! Hate those Hunters! That completes this short diversion of a quest.

Objectives

• Track the smell of blood and sewer much using your Witcher Senses

• Follow the missing man's trail using your Witcher Senses

Now or Never

Meet Triss

Flagged automatically after A Matter of Life and Death completes -- Suggested Level: 14

Triss Merigold, with whom you, dear reader, are already well acquainted, decided to evacuate all mages still alive to a place far removed from the front lines - Kovir. This was no simple task, and so the sorceress asked the Witcher for help. Geralt agreed out of concern for the persecuted mages' fate - and Triss' fate most of all...

You have to help Triss make up her mind that two are not worth risking all, then help her get to the meeting place at the Inn. From there you lead the way through the sewers.

Basically you battle your way through all kinds of monsters, knock a path through the walls to pass through a library and eventually you get to the port. So well done!

Of course hunters show up at the end but you and Dijkstra fight them off. You say your goodbyes to Triss and she gets on the ship with her mage friends and they depart...

Objectives

• Meet Triss

• Follow Triss

• Kill the Eternal Fire Guards

• Enter the sewers

• Find a path through the sewers

• Find a way to cross the rat's feeding ground

• Meet Dijkstra at the port

Of Dairy and Darkness

Find the mages Treasure

Flagged from a merchant in west Novigrad - Suggested Level: 9

A Novigrad merchant told Geralt about a mage named Aeramas. The poor man had, like so many of his colleagues, met a gruesome death on a pyre. With no surviving heirs, his expansive rural residence was now abandoned - and, if the rumors about this eccentric sorcerer are true, inside it awaited a great many curiosities and valuables.

Note: You need to purchase the objects that are marked for the quest in the merchants inventory. Those are the Lizard Figurine, Jade Figurine, an Old Wine from Toussant, and a book titled The Curious Case of Virtuous Vegga.

When you arrive examine the Witcher symbol on the outside wall then go up and in and examine the Magic Circle. That updates the quest. That opens the portal so all you need to do is step in!

You end up in what must be Aeramas' work lab... And it seems he was a Tyromancer!

The problem is of course that the rooms are full of poison gas... The trick to getting through them is to make your way to the clear areas that are in between the gas areas until you reach the staircase on the other side on the right back of the room. Climb up and then follow that to another portal which you open and step through. If you have trouble seeing the way, use a Cat Potion.

When you reach the other staircase the quest updates, instructing you to investigate the Dungeons.

After you step through the portal the quest updates again telling you to find your way through the flooded chamber.

Ignore the large open area and instead follow the narrow channel to the left, diving under as needed ot pass through. On the other side swim to the edge end climb out then follow the path. You will need to jump a gap to reach his lab but once there, kill the monster that is waiting for you (it is Level 5), then loo the lab.

Use your Witcher vision to see the illusion and dispel it, then go in to the chamber that is revealed and loot it! When you are done use the portal in the lab to go to the next area, which is the Vault.

It has a force field protecting it - use yoru Igni Sign on the control on the right, then dispel the illusion on the left and use Igni on that controller and the barrier will fall. Head inside and explore and loot that area, being sure to get the special sword in there.

When you are doing use the portal in here to the estate. Loot the Feline Armor Upgrade that is here - that will update one of the Scavenger Hunt Quests. There is also his last Journal Entry here - grab and read that.

That completes the quest!

Objectives

• Search Aeramas' residence using your Witcher Senses

• Use Aeramas' artifacts to activate the portal

• Use the portal in Aeramas' residence

• Find a way to pass through the tyromancy rooms

• Investigate Aeramas' Dungeons

• Find your way through the flooded chamber

Of Swords and Dumplings

Find out about Hattori

Random Flag / Talk to Blacksmith - Suggested Level 24

To a Witcher, a sword is like a lover. He must caress it, care for it, devote some time to it each night. But as with lovers, there are times one comes across a specimen so superior and not one's own that one cannot help but consider replacing the old with the new.

Geralt was fully aware of these principles, so when he heard about the legendary swordsmith named Hattori, a tingle ran down his spine, butterflies tool flight in his stomach, and he resolved to find the craftsman.

After the meeting and deal - and ambush - you need to hire a bodyguard for Hattori - and he has just the guy in mind... You have to cut a deal with him to get him to take the job.

With Sukurs help you raid the warehouse and obtain the crafting supplies, and after a few days Hattori makes you an awesome sword!

Objectives

• Talk to Hattori in his dumpling shop.

• Go to the docks after dusk to meet Hattori's supplier

• Help Hattori make a deal with his supplier

• Escape the ambush

• Talk to Hattori at his dumpling shop

• Enlist Sukrus from Skellige as Hattori's bodyguard

• Convince the Skellige merchant to pay his debt to Sukrus or destroy his goods.

• Tell Sukrus you solved his problems

• Return to Hattori

• Gather Sukrus and his boys

• Get into Ernst van Hoorn's warehouse

• Use your Witcher Senses to find the crates containing crafting supplies and mark them with chalk 3/3

• Talk to Hattori about the sword he promised you

• Return to Hattori later to see if he's finished your sword

Out on your ****

Clear the bar and bordello

Flagged from a "!" in front of Crippled Kate's - Suggested Level: 14

Near Crippled Kate's, Geralt encountered a sobbing woman. He never had been able to walk unmoved past a troubled maiden and so inquired if he could be of any help. She asked if he could go inside Crippled Kate's and toss out the band of drunken Skeillgers which had taken over the establishment.

Objectives

• Get rid of the drunken Skeillegers

Spooked Mare

Recover the missing mare (and solve the mystery)

Flagged by talking to the peasant off the road ("!" marked) - Suggested Level: 12

Geralt met a man who claimed one of his horses had been stolen by some kin of woodland spook. The Witcher promised to bring back the missing mare.

Using your Witcher Senses follow the mare's tracks all the way until you trigger a CS of an encounter with an elf - arrange to take the missing horse off of his hands and then return to the horse to the enclosure.

That's the completed quest thank you very much!

Objectives

• Find the missing horse using your Witcher Senses

• Lead the horse into the enclosure

Redania's Most Wanted

Talk to the witch hunters

Flagged automatically by the Mission A Favor for Radivid -- Suggested Level: 12

THey say chess is the game of kings, and Radovid proved this point twice over during his meeting with Geralt. First, by playing the royal game at the Oxenfurt Chess Club while they met, and then by treating Geralt like a pawn he could send out to do his bidding. His requested move? Witcher takes sorceress: his spies had reported finding signs of Philippa Eilhart's presence in the elven ruins outside Novigrad.

Geralt was to go there and retrieve her. Normally Geralt resisted attempts to command him around the board, but he owed Radovid a favor - and had his own reasons for wanting to find Philippa...

Talk to the hunters and then go into the hideout by placing the tile on the wall - which drops the barrier. You can now go in and search! Head through the portal, take out the Nekkers, then use Aard to power the cell so you can open the next portal!

When you get through you find one of the hunters and chat with him to learn what he knows.

After you get the crystal and head through the portal you have to find another one and power up the next portal.. The missing crystal is in the tunnel below in the first chamber. Grab that and place it then power it and hit the next portal!

You will need to defeat the Ifrit below -- you will need to stun it with Aard then attack with your sword. When it recovers just stun it again and it will be an easy kill!

Search the lab completely noting each clue, and then make your way out...

Note: This was the first mission that I played that actually caused the game to crash - so you may want to save BEFORE you exit the hideout up the stairs as that is where it crashes on me. YMMV.

You may have to kill the hunters to get out with the crystal - we did. So first go see Triss and talk to her about the crystal -- and when you give it to her she recovers what information that there is to be recovered.

Reporting back to the King ends the quest.

Objectives

• Talk to the witch hunters in front of Philippa's hideout.

• Open Philippa's hideout

• Use Aard to activate the crystal

• Place the crystal in the right spot

• Use Aard to activate the crystal

• Find the missing crystal

• Place the crystal

• Use Aard to activate the crystal

• Search Philippa's hideout

• Talk to Triss about the crystal from Philippa's megascope

• Tell Radovid what you learned about Philippa

Thou Shalt Not Pass

Obtain a pass for the bridge to Novigrad

Flagged at the bridge north and west of Hanged Man's Tree - Suggested Level 7

The Redanian army had placed blockades on the crossings of the Pontar, something which at one point proved quite inconvenient to the Witcher. The guards refused to let him cross without showing a special pass issued by high command.

Back at the bridge head there is a gold "!" that marks the dealer in passes - and for just $100 he will sell you one... Buy that and the quest updates.

It is not clear if this is really meant to only be used when you are ready to actually access Novigrad - but as there are two ways to obtain the pass - buy one for $100 or do the Witcher Contract Woodland Beast - once you HAVE obtained one pass or both you may as well USE them to complete the quest, right? That does NOT mean we are going to head into Novigrad as that would just confuse everything at this point but still.

No reason not to complete the quest for a nice 75 XP right? I don't know about you but for me it was very hard to resist just keeping going north!

Objectives

• Acquire a pass granting permission to cross the Pontar

• Use the pass to cross the Pnntar

The Volunteer

Investigate the mystery

Flagged from the Oxenfurt Notice Board - Suggested Level: 13

While meandering through the sunny bit war-damaged lands near Oxenfurt, Geralt's sensitive ears picked up a very strange sound - something between off-key singing and the bellowing of a stuck pig. Geralt would be a poor excuse for a Witcher if he did not investigate such a matter.

When you reach the designated search area use your Witcher Senses - note that there is also a "!" Quest Marker nearby and whoa! The giver is a Rock Troll!

You have an interesting if odd conversation with the Rock Troll to learn what happened exactly. The Rock Troll seems to have been a victim of sorts here - as the conversation winds down you learn that the Rock Troll wants paint. And hey! We bought some paint that was flagged for a quest - could it be THIS quest??

Indeed it is! Excellent! Saves us the trip! So you paint the shield for the troll who immediately starts singing again... Yeesh! But hey, you get your reward and that completes the quest! Excellent again!l

Don't know about you but at first I thought WE were the Volunteer from the title, then we worked it out that the TROLL was it. Not us. Heh.

Objectives

• Look around the area

• Deliver the Paint to the Troll

The Warehouse of Woe

Clear the warehouse of monsters

Flagged from a "!" on the northwest side of town -- Suggested Level: 13

Geralt can hardly spend a day in even the most seemingly idyllic village without being asked to kill a monster, so it should come as no surprise such requests came to him in Novigrad as well. On one occasion he was asked to clean out a warehouse of nekkers. The two owners - a man and a dwarf - blamed each other for attracting the monsters there in a plot to gain sole control over the building.

After you kill the monster examine the clues and then go report to the Guard... It sucks that the tracks belonged to the dwarf because that racist human really deserves some hurt. Ah well, cannot lie...

Objectives

• Kill the monsters

• Tell the guardsman what happened in the warehouse