When passing through the town of Lindenvale inThe Witcher 3,you might come across one of the game’s many contracts in Contract: The Merry Widow. This contract pits you against a lower-level monster ideal for witchers that have only just begun their search for Ciri.

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To finish it, you will need to survive several combat encounters and successfully defeat a powerful monster to claim your trophy and earn your payment. If you are struggling with finding all the clues or have been sent to an early grave one too many times, this guide will help you survive and win.

Where To Start Contract: The Merry Widow

Like many contracts, the issuer has left anotice on the town’s notice board. In this case, it is inLindenvale,in Velen’s eastern area. you’re able to also start the contract by talking to the gravedigger, at the edge of the town.

you’re able to also start the short questThe Fall of the House of Reardonat Lindenvale. You will be able to earn more money and even meet a familiar face from The Witcher 2, should this person have survived.

A screenshot of Geralt talking to a villager at his run down home with dialogue options visible.

The gravedigger is a man of few words, exchanging just enough to give Geralt an understanding of the situation. Lindenvale’sgraves have been dug upwith the bodies eaten. The villagers had tolerated the situation for a time, until a child had gone missing. The gravedigger believes that the creature eating corpses is the same one that attacked the child.

You cannegotiate your contractor accept it outright.

Investigating The Cemetery

You will not have to travel far to find the cemetery and thepack of wild dogsthat have begun to call it home. The dogs will promptly attack you andmust be put downbefore you’re able to begin investigating.

The dogs can bechallenging enemies to defeat.If you are struggling, attempt to useBeast OilandQuenwhile fighting them.

Geralt backs away from a pack of wild dogs in an overgrown cemetery on an overcast day.

Once the cemetery is returned to a relatively safe state, you cansearch it for clues.Geralt caninvestigate the excavated gravesto develop his hypothesis on what the culprit is. The graves themselves do not yield any conclusive evidence.

To get started on the real hunt, you will have tocircle to the back of the cemeteryand use your Witcher Senses to find alarge splotchto investigate. Geralt willpick up the scent of cadaverinefrom it.

A screenshot of Geralt looking at a half-exposed corpse, outlined with his Witcher Senses.

For reference, this is essentially the smell of rotting corpses. Geralt’s Witcher Senses will help himsniff out a trailto a small, abandoned hut not far from the cemetery.

Searching The Hut

On first inspection, the hut is in a terrible state. Whatever inhabits it had created a nest and a ritualistic collection of human skulls. Geralt will need toinvestigate three cluesto come to a conclusion.

This isdirectly opposite the entrance.

The Pot

Filled with human bones, you can find iton the right of the entrance.

A Circle of Skulls

This macabre decoration isnext to the pot.

The witcher reasons that onlya grave hagwould check all the boxes. It has both intelligence and an appetite for dead things to match the behavior Geralt has observed. He decides topick up the skullsand use them as bait tolure the grave haginto a fight.

How To Defeat Mourntart

The target of the contract is called Mourntart, apowerful grave hagthat had grown strong by feasting on Lindenvale’s dead and through a ritual. You will need toreturn to the cemeteryto battle it. Enter the chapel andinteract with the pedestalto lure it in.

Meditating before the fightwould be advisable. You would want tohave a full array of potions and bombsfor this fight.

A screenshot of Geralt looking down at a large patch on the ground.

Mourntart isno mere necrophage.This monster boastsplenty of healthand islethal at close to medium range.You will need to be mindful oftwo attacks.

Claws

Mourntart canquickly attack with its claws,often with little warning. It canchain several attacks together,quickly ripping Geralt and your health bar apart.

Tongue

Mourntart’slong, venomous tonguewill lash out,sweeping across a wide areaalmost instantly.Dodging may not be enough to avoid getting hit.Itdoes not always poisonGeralt, which is a small mercy.

In essence, Mourntart is afast grave hagthat will have to be countered with theappropriate potions and signs.You should follow theBestiary’s recommendationsfor fighting her.

A screenshot of Geralt looking at a nest inside an abandoned hut.

Necrophage Oil

As a necrophage, this is a no-brainer. Applying the oil will automaticallymake your attacks deal more damageto Mourntart.

Black Blood

This witcher potion willinflict damage on Mourntartwhenever it deals damage to you. This is great if not for the fact thatyou have to take damage for it to have an effect.This may be too restrictive at higher difficulties, thoughalchemy-based buildswould benefit from the extra potion.

Yrden

Mourntart’s speed can becountered by Yrden,slowing it down and giving you more of a chance to avoid its attacks.

Quen

It would be foolish to avoid using this sign. It will block at least one hit and canstop the poison from taking effect.

Once Mourntart is slain and its trophy looted, you can return to the gravedigger for your reward, ending the quest. Another questWitcher Wannabe, will become available several days after you complete this quest.

Geralt cuts at a grave hag at night as magical energies swirl around the two of them.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough