Radovid's Iron Fist

The combined forces of Radovid, his witch hunters, and the Eternal Fire have transformed the city of Novigrad into a death trap for anyone even considered to be a mage. Approach a gate, and you may see a hapless victim being accused of witchcraft for brewing a herb potion! Attempt to enter the city, and you’re stopped by the Temple Guard, who demand to see your pass. What pass? One that confirms you aren’t a mage.

Tell the guard you don’t have a pass, and he begins to instruct you on the ways to prove you aren’t a mage so you can get one. Fortunately, he’s stopped by a second guard, who hands him the pass, whispering “regards from Sigi Reuven” as he leaves. You are now free to move about the city, but be prepared for an increase in witch hunter activities across town. One of the mages burning in the town square, for example, was Triss’ “friend” who you met during Secondary Quest: A Matter of Life and Death. The situation for the mages is¬¬¬ getting desperate. Can you help?

Before you do, you may wish to engage in one (or both) of the following quest activities:

PLAN 1: SOMETHING SMELLS OFF

• Head to the filthy street junction just north of the Golden Sturgeon. A trio of bandits beckon you over (find them near the rickety fence). They hope you can help them find an injured mate of theirs. Agree to help to further this quest. Ask for clues, and they tell you he came from the sewers.

• Pick up the scent using your Witcher Senses along the cobblestone street just northeast of the bandits. Examine the following as you locate the scent:
• Boot prints with traces of sewer slime. There’s a mark on the ground nearby, too. Continue to the wiped handprint on the stone wall. Head down an alleyway just left of the handprint, heading north. Head up the steps to the market stall. Then continue northwards along the long, shallow stone steps to the outer wall of the witch hunters’ compound, and the man you seek is by the bushes.
• This isn’t a friend of the three bandits, but rather a Witch Hunter, lying wounded and ready to be killed by them. Feel free to:

Let the murder occur, and obtain payment (a small amount of crowns) from the bandits.

Stop the murder, killing all three bandits and receiving a shocked thanks from the Witch Hunter. We wasn’t expecting help from the likes of you. The wounded Witch Hunter asks to be patched up. You can agree (you automatically appear inside the hospital), or leave him to fester.

At this point, the quest concludes.

PLAN 2: A HAUNTING WE WILL GO

Head to the Temple District of Novigrad, and locate the noblewoman (she’s at the north end of the main covered bridge), who seems to be having trouble with some supernatural entities in her abode. Agree to help her, and she leads the way.

Follow the woman northwards, along the main street, to her dwelling – part of the imposing stone gatehouse – and defeat two witch hunter guards inside. You accuse her of attempting to trap her, and she’s sly with her answers before giving up some rather interesting information; the first of three treasure keys! Perhaps this is the reward to take? It seems so, as the woman promptly flees the scene. Now check the corpses of the foes you slaughtered for a Warrant (either body has one).

Open your Quest Items inventory and read the warrant you picked up. It refers to three bandits said to be in possession of magic contraband:

• Lussi the Fox, hiding on Temple Isle near the bridge.
• Fritz, hiding near the Crooked House.
• Walter, last seen in the Lacehalls (Putrid Grove).
• It seems Lussi was the startled noblewoman you just spoke with. Now to find the other two!

PLAN 2: FINDING THE SECOND TREASURE KEY

• You have one key already. Now to find the other two. These can be approached in either order (though the following route is optimal), and the general objective location was listed in the warrant:
• The further of the two bandits has dropped his key, which can be found close to the area just behind (south of) Crippled Kate’s brothel. Simply find the bag behind the back door, on the deck, near the small market square.

PLAN 2: FINDING THE FINAL TREASURE KEY

• The nearer of the two bandits is close to the Crooked House (where Triss Merigold resides). Head there, until the objective area appears on on your minimap, and begin searching using your Witcher Senses.
• There’s a Concerned Citizen’s Sermon on the ground, near some wooden stairs. Head up the stairs, turn right into the dwelling, and find the remains of Fritz inside. He’s long dead. Stay inside this hovel, head up the stairs, to a small landing (past a torch recently used), and search the desk for a key and note.

The reason to find the keys in the order listed is due to the fact that the safe all three keys unlock is adjacent to the desk you found the letter about treasure on. Read the letter, then turn left, unlock the safe (which holds a variety of excellent treasure), and conclude this quest