After The Auction:don’t Expect A Warm Welcome

During the intermission, Vivaldi introduces you to Horst Bordosi himself. Feel free to answer his gruff determination about your uninvited status, in whatever way you deem appropriate. It doesn’t matter as you’re unceremoniously removed from the building, and dumped outside with two guards to fistfight. Defeat both guards (ideally using fists and Aard).

Afterward, a hooded stranger beckons you to an intriguing chat regarding a different possibility of gaining entry into the auction house. Further instructions await at a nearby herbalist’s hut. Head north and a little east. As you ascend the hill the hut is on, prepare to fight a wounded wild boar. The hut itself has a trio of Fallen Knights, bandits in the armor of soldiers. Remove them as a threat, enter the hut, and speak with the Halfling merchant. You can:

• Trade, ask about master formulae, or play Gwent.
• Ask him for some “yarrow extract;” the password The Stranger mentioned.

You’re prompted to descend into a small cellar, where The Stranger reveals his true intentions. During the conversation regarding a forthcoming raid on the Borsodi auction house’s vault, feel free to ask about The Stranger’s name, the House you’re here to steal, and what he wants from the vault.

Once you agree to the plan in principle, a crew to help perform this breaking and entering must be assembled; both for getting inside the building and opening the vault itself. There’s also the Redanian patrols to waylay, too. Ask about each one during the chat.

GETTING INSIDE: BREAK-IN ARTISTS REQUIRED

As the initial plan is to assault the auction house from the rooftops, The Stranger’s favorite break-in artist is Eveline Gallo, a circus artist going by the name “The Ermine.” She has a troupe she’s associated with, camped nearby.

The other option is the Halfling Hugo Hoff, who’s notched up more break-ins than you’ve felled monsters. He’s modest in size, but quite the climber, and he is apparently holed up somewhere in Oxenfurt.

This starts Main Quest: Open Sesame: Breaking and Entering.

OPENING THE VAULT: HIRING A SAFECRACKER

You require someone skilled in the arts of vault-opening. To this end, The Stranger has knowledge of two possible safecrackers. The first is Casimir Bassi, a specialist in controlled explosions. The problem with this dwarf is that he’s retired, lives in Alness, and might turn down the offer.

The other possible hire is the North’s most famed safecracker, Quinto. The problem with him is that has infamy has resulted in numerous arrest warrants, and he’s been nabbed by a “prick mercenary” named Hans of Cidaris. You’ll need to rescue him.

This starts Main Quest: Open Sesame: The Safecracker.

CULLING THE PATROLS: A CLEANSING MIXTURE

You both agree the Redanians need to be indisposed, not slaughtered. You’re to approach the garrison’s cook, convince him to spike the soldiers’ nosh with something to keep them bedridden with gastrointestinal problems. You have a perfect formula to brew. This starts Main Quest: Open Sesame: Witcher Seasonings.