Arena: Into the Pit

Your next area of investigation is the subterranean sewer section in the Bits district, which Whoreson Junior has turned into an illegal fighting arena. Head to the northeastern part of the city. The gated entrance is guarded by two of Whoreson’s bouncers. Speak to these inked idiots, who aren’t about to let the likes of you in here. You can:

• (100 Crowns) Bribe them with a bag full of money. This works, unsurprisingly.
• (Axii Delusion Level 3) Flummox them into letting you in, telling them you’re here to fight.
• (Invitation) Wander The Bits District, looking for a poor fellow in this impoverished slum being set upon by thugs. Expect the fracas in the area close to the arena entrance, and the Vilmerius Hospital. Loot the corpse of this victim—a man named Zdenek, who you may remember from previous adventures—and show this invitation to the bouncers.
• Threaten them. This turns into violence, and means your entire investigation of the arena occurs using your steel sword rather than subtlety.

There are two main ways you can complete this objective:

Arena Agitator—You can speak to the man in charge of the arena; Igor (also known as Hook). Then you can face a variety of opponents in combat for prestige and coin, before concluding your investigation.

Senseless Slaughter—You can simply use combat to solve your problems, either with Cleaver’s dwarves backing you up, or on your own.

Arena Agitator: A Murderous Mutant!

Descend the sewer steps, through two gates, and listen to the henchmen talking about the proposed fights scheduled in the arena. Head south, passing some fisstech addicts, then head east passing a locked gate on your left, passing guards and gaining an audience with Igor himself. You tell him you need work; perhaps as protection. Igor seems interested. Don’t mention Whoreson’s name, but otherwise answer however you wish. He wants to test your mettle. Survive three bouts in the arena, and you’ll be put to work. Agree to this. You have time to prepare after agreeing.

You appear in the arena (and there is no escape). Igor whips up the crowd with talk of your murderous nature, and then introduces your opponent(s):

Bout #1: Gustav Roene: A hardy man, but with little combat prowess. You can:

Swiftly kill him. The crowd goes wild.

Spare him as he has three children. The crowd isn’t happy, but Gustav is; he helps you during all the subsequent bouts!

Bout #2: The Hairy Brothers: Two Skelligers who are double the trouble. Although you may yell at the last remaining brother to yield, he is too proud, and must be slain. The crowd goes apopleptic with bloodlust!

Bout #3: A Wyvern appears, and must be brought down to earth with a thug (and possibly a Sign or crossbow bolt). Dodge, weave, and watch that breath! The mob is freaking out!

Bout #4: Wait, wasn’t this three rounds? Well, you’re tested with a pair of Endrega. Consult the Bestiary chapter of this guide if slaying these terrible insects is beyond your competence.

Bout #5: Boris! A large lumbering bloodthirsty bear pads out to maul you. Return the favor, and expect a protracted combat. End him, and you conclude your career as a pit fighter.

As the applause dies down, a figure appears on the balcony above. He introduces himself as Cyprian Willey, known to most as Whoreson Junior. Answer as you wish. Whoreson is about to leave when Igor comes running into the arena. Cleaver’s dwarves are in the tunnels! Whoreson orders all of them killed. Along with you! Instead of a peaceful solution, you must now resort to brutal bloodshed and slay every enemy throughout this sewer! A Senseless Slaughter is inevitable!

Senseless Slaughter: A Massacring Mutant!

Exploring Whoreson’s arena ends in combat no matter how careful or respectful you try to be. Prepare for battle when one of the following activities occur:

You visit Cleaver (Main Quest: The Gangs of Novigrad), agree to slay every one of Whoreson’s men, meet up with a group of dwarves prior to visiting the arena, and launch an all-out strike into the sewers without worrying about a brief career as a pit fighter. Charge!

You speak to Igor and mention the name of Whoreson. This causes suspicion, and you’re deemed a threat. Let battle commence!

You manage to complete all bouts of arena combat, after which Cleaver’s dwarves arrive anyway, no matter what your previous choices. Whoreson’s thugs turn on you. Big mistake! Dismembering time!

Arena Conclusion: The Redanian Connection

Tear through the assembled thugs, including Igor. When everyone not under five foot tall is dead, begin a reconnoiter of the area. Begin by finding the corpse of Igor, near his throne to the west of the arena balcony, and search it. You’re looking for a key.

Approach the chair Igor sat on, and unlock the small chest on the side table. Aside from a gold ring, there’s a message in here. Access your Inventory menu and read it.

The message tells of a hidden lock box with valuables inside it. Fortunately, the route to find it—down the corridor leading from the upper level toward the arena, turning so your back is to the grating and then looking to the wall opposite you—is easy to follow. Turn from the throne and head west down the tunnel. Turn right (north) through the arch grating. Turn right again (east) and run down the sloping tunnel, which curves to the right (south). Then turn left (east) and locate the scraping on the ground of the alcove along the far wall. This signifies a secret door. The wall torch to open it is on the wall, just right of you (left of the rubble pile). Light and interact with it. Step through the wall opening, and gather the following from the secret stash:

Access your Inventory menu and read the letter; it tells of King Radovid’s displeasure at Whoreson for not ridding Novigrad of the other members of the “Big Four” (Dijkstra, Cleaver, and Bedlam). It is signed “M.” This knowledge should definitely interest Dijkstra, so return to the Bathhouse, and visit Dijkstra in his library office. There’s a wealth of conversation options here (about your investigation progression, Dijkstra’s own contact with Radovid, and chats about Radovid plucking the eyes out of the sorceress Philippa Eilhart), but tell him that Junior is working with the Redanians. Answer however you wish. You ask Dijkstra if he has a contact among the Redanians. He doesn’t, but you do! Remember the former commander of the Blue Stripes? Vernon Roche! He’s holed up in a camp near Oxenfurt.

• Continue Main Quest: Get Junior and visit the casino.
• Continue Main Quest: Get Junior and visit Vernon Roche.
• Continue Secondary Quest: The Gangs of Novigrad, visit Cleaver, and claim your reward.
• Start and conclude Secondary Quest: Honor Among Thieves and visit Francis Bedlam, King of Beggars.