Before The Auction: Vimme’s Interesting Associates

YAROMIR INTERACTION: HE’S AN AVID COLLECTOR

Walk over to the wall of paintings, which is being admired by the hoity-toity art dealer, Yaromir. He has disdain in his voice, and looks down his long nose at the likes of you. Before chatting to him, you may want to further your art appreciation by memorizing the following pictures:

Start your chat with Yaromir. You can make a rude response about not caring to learn about art. But it is recommended you tell Yaromir you have “a bit” of knowledge about art. Yaromir takes this as an opportunity to embarrass both you and the dwarf, as he’s sure you can’t tell a van der Knoob from a da Linci, and asks you to point out which painting is by Edward van der Knoob, the master from Maribor. You can:

• Choose the pastoral, the view of Novigrad, the still life, the battle scene, or tell Yaromir you have no idea; all answers are met with a scoffing and belittling reply. The conversation ends.
• Indicate the portrait of the merchant, and Yaromir is taken aback, asks for a brief word in private, and apologizes for his impertinence. He tells you a secret; there’s a van Rogh in the forthcoming auction. Though this painter is a virtual unknown, the bookseller Marcus Hodgson is a fierce admirer. Buy the painting at auction, and you might sell it at a good profit, perchance? If you can trust that Hodgson, of course. This starts Secondary Quest: Avid Collector.

If you learn about the van Rogh painting, after this information has been imparted, Vimme asks you what that chat was all about. You can:

Tell him you were told to buy the van Rogh. This causes the dwarf to bid for the painting in the auction, forcing you to purchase it at a higher price if you want it.

Tell him “nothin’ special,” and the dwarf is none-the-wiser (and you can purchase the van Rogh for a song).

HILBERT INTERACTION: HE’S A RIGHT CARD

A man recently coming into wealth, Hilbert has his eye on a few fancy baubles, but he’s also here to get a quick game of Gwent in with his Nilfgaardian Empire deck. After asking what deck you use (answer as you wish), he asks for a quick game. Then Vimme asks for a quick cut of your winnings. Agree or disagree with either option (feel free to maximize your bet at 250 crowns if you’re confident). Lose the game, and you disappoint the dwarf. Win the game, and you receive the following (only available here, and during this one game):

COUNTESS MIGNOLE INTERACTION: SHE’S A COLLECTOR OF VEDYMINAICA

Vimme introduces you to a lady of a certain age, and one that instantly recognizes your medallion. She is a keen collector of objects related to the Witcherly profession.

Ask her where she developed this interest, and she mentions a happy past, but doesn’t elaborate. She does, however, allow you to view a selection of alchemy formulas, as well as four pieces of Viper gear. This is your only opportunity to purchase the following:

After a chat about the auction, the Countess hopes you might use your preternatural abilities to locate a missing earring. Oblige, head up onto the exterior balcony, and examine a spilt wine goblet. You soon realize the Countess has an ulterior motive for asking you outside; she wishes to learn more about a man she once knew with tenderness, Vesemir. Answer her as you wish, and leave her to her melancholy thoughts.