Objectives:
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Look to your minimap as you walk back into the town square, and find stationary targets (beggars and thieves), the latter of which become moving targets (thieves) once a crime is committed. One of the latter has already stolen a purse from a bystander, and has disappeared into the crowds. Watch from a safe distance for another pickpocket crime to be committed, and follow the thief. Or, feel free to ask around, finding a number of beggars that offer a variety of knowledge about Novigrad; though not much of it is useful to your current objective.
Chatting: The Old Sow’s Farrowed Piglets
Head west from your starting location, finding a beggar such as the one perched on the wooden scaffolding at one of the corners of the square (as shown). Start a conversation—you may need to leave and come back again or choose another beggar—but always choose the first speech option; don’t mention Putrid Grove yourself. Eventually, you and the beggar brings up the location on your own. He describes where Putrid Grove is (in Lacehalls, and neither putrid, nor a grove), and a possible passphrase to use (“the old sow’s farrowed piglets”) when speaking with the sentry. Simply run to this location (south, and across the bridge), to a large and sturdy door. Your quest updates.
Tracking: The Deft Thief’s Nimble Digits
Begin to follow the thief you saw as you emerged from the townhouse courtyard. Or, if you spook a thief, or wish to speak to a beggar or two beforehand, simply remain in the square until a thief makes a pickpocket, and begins to walk. With keen eyes and minimap watching, you’ll soon be able to follow one of these ne’er-do-wells. Trail your thief as he heads east, and turns right (south), into an open-air theater (the Butcher’s Yard Theater). Here, you’re waylaid by a beggar attempting to fleece you of your crowns. He holds no information on the King of Beggars, so politely decline this shakedown, follow the thief east down the alley with the washing and straw hut, and drop down to the lower street. At this point, the thief makes a switch; giving his loot to a second pickpocket.
One is a decoy; following him (across the bridge to the south) leads to a short and rough-and-tumble ambush, where you must fistfight the foes that spotted you tailing one of their own. The leader of these thugs, once you knock everyone down, mentions a possible passphrase to use to enter Putrid Grove (“the old sow’s farrowed piglets”).
Or, you can follow the fellow with the actual loot, who heads along the side of the canal, toward the fishmarket.
At this point your quest updates:
Objective:
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