A Mediocre Merchant

Approach the forlorn merchant tending to a damp camp. Shouting for you to come over, he explains he ignored the warnings and became a cropper in the nearby swamp, losing his wares. He’s particularly concerned about a little box, and hopes you can find it for him. Agree to his request and set off down the road to the objective area (northwest).

Use your Witcher Senses and examine the cart tracks that lead off into the swamp. Then wade into the unpleasant water. A few methodical moments later, and you should stumble upon the cart, riddled with arrows. With your senses, inspect the dead horse, and the remains of a merchant—both struck by arrows from a well-aimed bow.

Expect a confrontation with a drowner or two as you inspect the clumps of swamp trees surrounding the ruined cart. The strongbox is under one of these thickets. Loot it. Of course, your detective work has solved the mystery of how the cart left the road. The “merchant” seems to have ambushed the transport and then mislaid its spoils.