The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: Side quests, Free City of Novigrad - walkthrough The Witcher 3 Guide

Last update: 13 October 2021

This page of the Witcher 3 Wild Hunt guide contains a walkthrough for all side quests that involve or take place in Free City of Novigrad. The guide shows e.g. how to help the courtesan in Catherine Bootlegger, how to start a friendship with Hattori, what is the use for lizard figurine, how to help Triss in Vegelbuds' residence, how to find Flippa Eilhart for Radovid, how to get Gwent cards for Zoltan, and how to defeat the Ekkimare in the mill.

• Warehouse of Woe
• Fists of Fury: Novigrad
• The Dwarven Document Dilemma
• The Nobleman Statue
• Out on Your Arse!
• Fencing Lessons
• Of Swords and Dumplings
• The Gangs of Novigrad
• Of Dairy and Darkness
• Honor Among Thieves
• A Matter of Life and Death
• An Eye for An Eye
• Redania's Most Wanted
• A Deadly Plot
• A Dangerous Game
• Cabaret
• Carnal Sins
• A Feast for Crows
• Novigrad, Closed City
• Following the Thread
• Black Pearl
• A Message From an Old Friend

Warehouse of Woe

This quest starts in the docks (M6,1). You will see a quarrel between a man and a dwarf. You will be hired to clean the warehouse behind them from a nekker lurking inside (level 13). After you deal with him, you can search for some clues with the witcher senses - in the corner you will find fragments of the cage in which the creature was held.

After leaving the warehouse you can deduce which owner has freed the nekker. The dwarf did it, but you can choose the man if you want. No matter the decision you will receive 60 crowns.

Fists of Fury: Novigrad

Near the city entrance (M6,5) illegal street fights are organized. You can participate in them - to do it, talk with the man holding the participants list in his hand. To get through each phase of the competition you will have to defeat only one challenger. Others can be found in different parts of the city. The maximum bet price is 50 crowns. Your first enemy is Archibald O'Neil.

Second enemy is Gergoeus Georg (M6,6). You will find him in the inn at the port. Maximum bet size is 80 crowns. The organizer of the event will want you to take a powder. If you agree, you will receive more money, but your win statistics will get worse, so it is better to defeat the enemy (you can agree to lose and then defeat your challenger as well).

Iron Mortimer (M6,7) is your third opponent. This time the bet price is up to 95 crowns. After a victorious sparring, you will be able to fight for the champion title. To do it, go to the Farcorners. The last enemy is Tailor (M6,8). He isn't hard to beat if you have a good tactic. The bet price is up to 120 crowns.

How to fight in order to win? All you need to do is block enemy attacks at last moment, it allows you to perform a counter - it is best to counter with strong hit and add two light ones. Don't be too aggressive, enemy can counter as well.

The Dwarven Document Dilemma

Talk with Muggs dwarf near the bridge outside the city (M9,12). He will ask you to find his documents. First go to the beginning of the bridge - there you will find a broken alcohol bottle. Its smell will lead you to the person who has the documents, sitting in front of the inn. Remember - there is no point in returning without the documents! So take them from the man in one of three ways:

1. Use Axii sign (awarded with bonus experience),
2. Fight him (three hits should be enough),
3. Win the documents in card game (Gwent).

Now you can return to the quest giver - the dwarf will reward you with only 20 crowns.

The Nobleman Statue

This quest becomes available after you find Triss (an event that takes place during the Pyres of Novigrad story quest). Go to the merchant (M6,13) and buy a Jade Figurine. Take it to Triss (M6,14).

Rest of the quest is a cutscene during which the figurine will be dispelled. After the quest you will receive 30 crowns and lesser Axii rune.

Out on Your Arse!

The quest becomes available after completing the main quest Pyres of Novigrad. Talk to the courtesan standing in front of the Catherine Bootlegger (M6,24). She will ask you to get rid of the Skelligians from inside the building. You can do that in three ways:

1. Duel - fist fight with the group leader,
2. Fight with the group - three people,
3. Using Axii sign, rewarded with additional experience.

No matter the option you choose, if you manage to throw away the unwelcomed guests you will receive 15 crowns from the girl, even if you refuse taking the reward.

Fencing Lessons

After the Broken Flowers story quest ends and you accept the Rose var Attre offer of fencing lessons, go to her house the next day in the evening (M6,23). You won't find her in the city, the guard will tell you that she is at the bridge leading to the inn outside the city.

Go to the marked place. After a short walk through the bridge, a short battle will start. Later, follow the girl's trail to the inn. There, you will meet two drunk men hitting on the girl - you can bribe them with 50 crowns, fight them or use Axii. No matter the choice and the answer in the conversation with Rose, the quest will end.

Of Swords and Dumplings

You will receive this quest by asking the craftsmen you met about the master of sword crafting. You will find one in Novigrad - his name is Hattori (M6,26).

You can also start this quest by visiting his dumpling shop in the city center. There you will learn that the elf has abandoned his line of work. Your task will be to help him reclaim the job.

First phase will be meeting with the craftsman in the docks after sunset. You will go to negotiate the prices with the supplier. During the conversation with the King of Beggars' man, negotiate the price by picking the less aggressive options - when a dialogue option that requires quick decision appears, say that you decline the contract. Then the deal will be made - even 25%. Then Cleaver's dwarfs (level 23) will come and the battle will start. The guy with whom you have talked is immortal so you don't need to worry about him and, when the situation becomes dire, you can let him take care of the rest of the enemies.

After the battle you must run through the exit shown by the elf. Destroy the brick wall with the Aard and run to the docks. After the cutscene, the first phase of the quest will end. Return to Hattori - he will ask you to find a bodyguard for him. The mercenary called Sukrus is participating in a fist fight behind one of the inns. When you walk close, you will have to fight him.

No matter if you win or not, you will be invited to a conversation. You will receive a task: you must destroy the honey delivery or convince Sukrus' brother in law to pay. Go to the dock, on the ship you will find the merchant you were pointed to. You can convince him to pay Sukrus with Axii sign or you can destroy three honey barrels. Of course if you destroy the goods, the crew won't be just watching, but if you do it fast enough, you won't have to fight them. After that, return to the inn. No matter how you solved the problem, after the conversation in the inn, go back to Hattori.

After the conversation with the craftsman, talk to Sukrus. You will have to meet him after the sunrise at the target warehouse. The building will be guarded by a dwarf - use Axii or bribe him (200 crowns). Walk inside and mark three chests above which you will see a smell mark (with witcher senses). Leave the warehouse. No matter what dialogue options you choose, you will have to fight (group of bandits, level 23-25). Once the combat ends, go back to the elf.

From now on, you have access to a master blacksmith that can make unique weapons for you. Hattori is having a shop as well in which you can buy greater runes and other items. You will receive a unique steel sword "Blade from the Bits" for the quest, but it's not the best sword that can be found.

The Gangs of Novigrad

The quest becomes available after completing the main quest Get Junior. First, you must go see Cleaver (M6,25). Then, visit the arena and Junior's casino. You can enter the arena alone - the dwarves will join you when it gets hot. In case of the casino, you must first meet them in a nearby alley and talk to one of the dwarves. Walk into the casino, kill everyone and go back to the quest giver.

If you clean only one location with dwarves, you will receive only half of the payment - 150 crowns. If you cooperate with dwarves in both cases - 300 crowns.

Of Dairy and Darkness

The quest can be started at the merchant (M6,13) by buying the lizard figurine from him. A quest will appear that can be completed in Oxenfurt's forest. There, you will find a burned house and a magic circle inside. Place the figurine there to activate the magic portal.

You will move underground. The first trap is a small labyrinth through which you must pass while avoiding the cheese fumes. You can cheat the trap by walking carefully through the rocks on the left side. After walking up, you can activate another portal.

In the next room you must swim through the corridors until you reach a laboratory protected by a monster. After killing it, you can search the room: on the desk you will find a journal and next to another portal - illusion in the rocks.

You will teleport to the last room where you must remove the magic barrier. To do it, use Igni sign on the artifacts on two sides of the room (the one on the left is hidden behind an illusion). The barrier will drop and you will be able to take the sword - Emmentaler. In the chest you will find another figurine. Now leave through the stairs and open the teleport that will take you back to the burned house.

Honor Among Thieves

During the main quest Get Junior you will find a midget Rico on the highest floor of the casino. If you help him get out, he will tell you to go to the Putrid Grove (M6,18) to get a reward from the King of Beggars. When you go to him, you will receive a great sword "Eirlithrad" and an armor.

A Matter of Life and Death

This quest will start automatically after interrogating the spy during the Count Reuven Treasure quest.

Go to the second floor of Triss' hideout in Novigrad. Someone has reached out to her who offered a large amount of money for a favor. But the sorceress is not sure if it's not a trap. Offer her your help. She should meet the servant of the quest giver on a fish market. You will recognize him by a blue shirt and a keychain on his belt.

Your contact will be standing in the center of the fish market. After a short conversation, he will tell you to follow him. While walking through one of the passages, you will be attacked by three bandits on the 12th experience level. After a while, Triss will join you two. Ingrid Vegelbud, the mistress of the messenger is asking the sorceress to help in hiding her son who is an alchemist and recently has trouble with the Witch Hunters.

The action is to be done during a mask ball. However, first you must buy proper clothes and the masks. To do it, go to Elihal's shop. It's the same tailor which you visited during the Broken Flowers quest. To complete this phase you must buy a fox mask for Triss and any other mask for yourself. Buying the whole outfit, doublet, shoes and trousers is not required. However, if you don't do it, the sorceress won't be happy. If you decided to buy those expensive items, don't forget to put your clothes on.

Once you finish shopping, go back to the hideout. Together you will go to Vegelbud Residence. Inside, one of the guests will start harassing Triss. You can react in two ways. First, you can beat him up. You can simply walk away as well. At the top of the stairs you will meet the old friend of the sorceress - Moritz Diefendel.

Go deeper to the residence until you meet Ingrid. After a short conversation, you will be able to search for her son in order to get him to a safe place. He wears a panther mask and is somewhere in the middle of the party. You will find him near the park. His mask will be blue. Now you must wait for the right moment - the fireworks show.

To wait it out, go to the garden and sit on the bench. After a short conversation and drinking wine by Triss, you will have to follow her into the garden. During a short scene you can kiss her - this is a step towards potential romance with Triss. However, you will have only few seconds to react.

Then the fireworks will start and Albert will join you. He and Triss will walk away. You will have to join them after some time. When you try to get out of the labyrinth, you will be attacked by three witch hunters on level 12 - a fist fight. Now go to the stables. This is when your group journey ends.

An Eye for An Eye

The quest is received automatically during the conversation with Roche in Get Junior story quest. He will ask you to meet with him at the Hanged Man's Tree in Velen (M2,1).

When you reach it you will both go to the village attacked by the Nilfgaardians. When you get close, Ves' health bar will appear. You must save her.

You should run immediately to her and throw a bomb - it won't harm her. Then defeat other soldiers. Finally, you can decide whether you want to finish or spare the remaining Nilfgaardian soldier by putting yourself on the side of Ves or Roche.

Redania's Most Wanted

After a conversation with Radovid, if you have dealt with Junior already, the king will order you to find Philippa Eilhart.

Go to her hideout (M8,9) and interact with the burned body. After a short conversation with the Witch hunters you will receive a key - a mosaic fragment. Enter the hole and, at the magic lock, turn right and place the mosaic fragment (use witcher senses) in order to open the passage.

After walking through the portal, you will face some nekkers (level 9), a while further you will find an inactive teleport. Use witcher senses to find an activating crystal - it doesn't work but you can fix it with Aard sign. Behind the portal you will find one of the Hunters - use Axii to make him give you the crystal that opens the portal or fight with your fists with him. On the other side of the fire you will find a chest and a love Letter to Philippa inside.

Go further and place the received crystal between the branches, on the right from the entrance. Again, activate it with Aard sign. In the room behind the portal you must take care of a group of nekkers. After that, turn left - walk down, kill other nekkers and take another crystal. As before, place it behind another passage and activate it.

Behind another portal you will find a chest with guard shoes diagram. In the large chamber you will have to face a golem - the fire elemental. You can play with oils or bombs, but the truth is few hits are enough to defeat him. The thing is, getting close to him makes you burn. Because of that, after dealing few hits, you can switch to crossbow and explosive bombs or keep using the sword and healing potions.

Walk to the next chamber and explore it. The megascope and energy crystal lying near the pillar in southern part of the room are most important.

After you take it you can go back to Radovid and report to him. However, there are Witch hunters (level 10) waiting at the exit - if you don't want to give them the crystal or if you lie that you have found nothing, they will attack you. But if you don't give the crystal to Radovid, you won't receive the payment from him - 135 crowns.

A Deadly Plot

Despite huge expectations for the quest in which king Radovid gets killed (the quest impacts the ending of the storyline), your part in the assassination is small.

After completing the Now or Never quest, talk with Dijkstra in Passiflora (M6,27).

First go to the guard post on the Pontar river and talk to the guard named Gregor. You will obtain some information and, if you haven't already got one, a pass that allows you to get through guarded passages. Then go to the marked location to the South.

There you will find a shoemaker's wagon, maybe few wolves (level 5) and tracks created by shoes. It will lead you to a cave troll that will guide you to the nearby cave. There you will find the missing Thaler. You must help him escape the trolls by lying to them or simply killing them. After leaving the cave, go with your new companion to the wagon and your part in the quest will end.

A Dangerous Game

You will start the quest by talking to Zoltan in front of the Rosemary and Thyme (M6,28) after completing the main quest A Poet Under Pressure. The dwarf has got into some financial trouble and you will have to obtain three precious Gwent cards for him.

Once the conversation ends, go to Zed's house. It will be locked - you will get inside through the second floor on which you will get by using the ladder on the right from the door. On the first floor you will find the corpse of the owner, downstairs there are two robbers.

After killing them, use your witcher senses to see some clues on the door under the stairs. Destroy the boards with Aard and take the book from the chest. The key can be found on one of the robbers, similarly to the gwent card you're looking for - Fringilla Vigo. Go back to Zoltan. Now you will receive the names of two more targets. You can visit them in any order you want.

Go with your friend to the house of Caesar Bilzen. After the conversation during which you can act however you want, go to the first floor. Examine the knife on the shelf, after a moment the drawer will open. Inside you will find a key to the lock hidden in the bookshelf. After using it, a secret passage to the upper floor will open. In the drawer in front you will find a jade statue - if you haven't completed the Now or Never side quest and Triss is still in the city, she can help you with using it.

Examine the owner's collection - you can take some items. Among the collection you will find the gwent card you seek - Isengrim. After taking it, you can go back to the dwarves. When you start the conversation, Cleaver's men will appear (two dwarves). You can fight them or leave Bilzen for them.

Go to the inn to meet with Ravik. He will suggest you play cards with him. Since after losing he will attack you, winning doesn't give you any profits. After defeating the enemies go back to Zoltan with the newly obtained card - Natalis.

The dwarf will lead you to the place where someone was supposed to buy the cards from him. Instead, after you get there, a battle with a group of enemies will start. You don't need to participate in it - your task is to capture the boss that is running away with money. You will get him in the sewers - there you can decide whether you let him go or kill him. Zoltan prefers the latter. When you return to him, he will offer you money or previously obtained cards for the help. If you choose money, you will receive 150 crowns. We recommend taking the cards - they may help you complete the deck.

Cabaret

You will be able to start this question after you free Dandelion during the main quest A Poet Under Pressure.

Meet with the bard in his tavern Rosemary and Thyme (M6,20). He needs money so he came up with a plan in which you have a major role. First go to Irina you know by now and borrow a wooden sword from her.

Go near your victim's house where you will meet Dandelion after the sunset. You will receive a script. However, you don't have to hold it - the words you speak and the combat might go however you want. Then go to the tavern in the morning for a short conversation - pick the decoration style or leave the decision to Priscilla.

Then you must go to the woman who knows choreography. Dandelion is currently trying to get to her. A spare key can be found in the bucket on the right from the door. When you walk inside, let the bard talk or take the initiative and start a fight. No matter the decision you make, you will receive another target - meeting with a halfling responsible for posters.

When you reach his house, you will find two robbers inside - beat them up and they will tell you that the owner has gone to Vegelbuds residence for horse rides. When you meet him there, he will tell you about his troubles. You will have three options - paying his debts (200 crowns), winning the race for him or going back to Dandelion without the posters. It is wise to participate in the race - you will additionally receive 80 crowns and a master saddle. Then go back to Dandelion. You will end this quest and start a new one - Carnal Sins. We described it below.

Carnal Sins

During the conversation with Dandelion in the Cabaret side quest you will learn that Priscilla has been attacked. Your job is to find the person responsible. First you will go with the medic to the morgue through the sewers full of drowners. At the destination you will be looking for a body of a dwarf that has been attacked by the same assassin.

Once the autopsy ends, you must examine three places to find clues that will lead you to the madman. Eustace, the corpse collector will be closest from where you currently are. To make him talk, you can pay him 200 crowns or use Axii sign.

After that, meet the brother of a dead Dwarf at the crime scene. You will get to the alley through the wooden door on the street's side - you must knock. After a short conversation, examine the tracks. The one leading to a workshop is the most important. Inside, examine other tracks and then go to the next target.

In the alley where Priscilla was attacked, you will find few trails. Additionally, you will be attacked by three townsmen who will think you are the murderer. The guard at the gate will tell you to meet with the coroner, so go to the morgue after you search the crime scene. After a short conversation you will learn the name of another victim - Patricia Vegelbud. Go to her immediately. The guard at the gate will let you in.

After a short cutscene, you will be hunting the killer. However, he will run away because of the residence guards. You don't need to kill any of them - after a short battle you will be captured and taken to the mansion. After reading a message about another victim go to Catherine Bootlegger. In the room on the highest floor, you will find the girl and one of the "clients" - if you kill him, you will receive diagrams. You can also use Axii sign or ignore the situation.

The final place is a warehouse pointed by the guest in the brothel. There you will find your target. Immediately after entering prepare for a battle with vampire (level 16) . The combat shouldn't give you any trouble, especially if you use fire bombs or the ones with silver. Igni and vampire oil should be useful as well.

After the battle you will receive a diagram for assassin boots and, at the corpse, mutagen and "Deargdeith" sword. Finally go back to Dandelion.

A Feast for Crows

The quest will start after you examine the body of a corpse (M6,29) and the key next to him. When you will walk near it, you will hear Geralt saying that he smells something. Check the source of the smell and you will find a nearby hut.

Inside you will find Cleaver's men. They will give you a choice - you can either fight them or give them the key you found at the corpse for a small reward of 20 crowns. The battle won't be easy, you better prepare for it. Your enemies will be three dwarves on level 20. The main trouble will be the lack of space, so use many bombs and Igni in order to eliminate them as quickly as possible. At one of the bodies you will find a sword diagram. Go to the floor - near the body you will find a chest that can be opened with the key. Inside you will find shoes, 200 florens and 50 crowns.

Novigrad, Closed City

After completing Get Junior story quest, the city of Novigrad will be closed and Witch Hunters aggression will increase. That's when you can take this quest, when you meet one of the three men, for example near the Catherine Bootlegger (M6,30), who have a key and a Hunter that has a note about two other associates. When you get close, the man will be attacked by the Hunters. Use Aard to throw them down and stop them from killing the target.

Second target can be found on the Temple Isle. A woman will talk to you. She will ask you to follow her to her house. As one could expect, it's a trap. Inside two Witch hunters (level 11) are waiting for you. One of them has another key.

The last one can be found in the south-eastern part of the map, in a house to which you walk through the stairs. Inside you will find only a body; however, with the witcher senses you will find a suspicious torch on the first floor. Light it up and a secret passage will open. Behind it you will find the last key and a safe with the treasure. Inside you will find some alchemy ingredients and Nigredo formula.

Following the Thread

You will see this job on the notice board in Novigrad (M6,4). Go near the Southern gate. A guard is standing in front of the questgiver's house - he will answer your questions and direct you to nearby shed so that you can investigate the trail: blood, body and monster marks.

Follow the trail until you reach the river. Swim through it and enter the mill - there you will find an Ekimmara (level 11) and your colleague - Lambert. After eliminating the beast together go take the reward. Don't pick the option to move immediately - Ekkimara's skin is a valuable alchemy ingredient, it is better to take it now and join the other witcher later.

After a short conversation with the questgiver you will have to take care of three guards (level 11). Then, after a cutscene, go to the inn on the south. The dialogue options won't impact the outcome.

Talk with the elf in the inn. After the conversation, if you pick dialogue option that you don't care, you will have to kill her and her four companions (level 11). But if you say not to kill her - you will walk away in peace.

Then Lambert will tell you to go search for new trail at Skellige islands. Find a boat - more details can be found in the Destination: Skellige quest walkthrough. At this point the part of the quest that takes place in Novigrad ends.

If you haven't unlocked Skellige yet, first you need to complete Destination: Skellige story quest which is described in detail on a separate page of the guide. Othewise, you can simply use fast travel to get to your destination.

When you reach Skellige, go to the Faroe island on the south. There get close to the village in the center of the island. It is currently occupied by pirates. When you get there, the guards at the gate will stop you. If you tell them that you will come back later (you won't ask too many questions), you will be able to get to next target marker. Otherwise, you will have to take care of the whole group of pirates.

Group leader - Hammond, about whom you have heard from Lambert, is standing with three guards near a shrine. Before walking to them, prepare yourself for combat as it will be inevitable. After the conversation and take care of the enemies pick up the letter that can be found near the corpses and read it. You will also find a Gwent card (not unique). No go back to Novigrad and meet with Lambert.

After a short talk you will go together to the house of witcher Jad Karadin.

{ramkaniebieska}Important - if you tell Lambert that you will join him, during the walk you can play Gwent with him.{ramkaniebieska}

After arriving and talking with the witcher, you can decide whether you will spare him or kill him, as Lambert suggests. The battle isn't hard, your companion can actually handle it by his own. After the battle you will receive "Eirlithard" sword diagram and a rune.

Black Pearl

Behind the inn (M6,11) you will find a man named Nidas. He will ask you to contact him on Skellige Islands, where he will want you to help him in finding a black pearl

You will meet again with the man at the coast of Skellige (M13,4). He will ask you to swim to the pointed place and to dive in order to find the black pearl. It can be found in the southern part of the circle marked by the quest. While on the way, you can collect other pearls in the mussels, they are quite valuable.

When you return to the coast, quickly take care of drowners attacking your questgiver. After the conversation you will learn that Nidas currently doesn't have the payment for you. But he will promise to pay his debts once you find him in the inn in Novigrad. However, you shouldn't rush there too fast - you will receive only 10 crowns.

A Message From an Old Friend

In the center of Novigrad you will find a book trader (M6,31). If you talk to him, you will receive a very short side quest in which you must find a mysterious message.

Walk on the first stairs and stop at its second row. By using the witcher senses you will be able to take a book in which you will find a message (you can collect other books as well). Read the massage in the book to complete the quest and receive experience and 51 crowns.