Velen is a vast place, with plenty of places for people to hide. Even a master tracker like Geralt would struggle to find someone in the war-ruined swamp. To help, Yennefer has directed the witcher to Hendrik, a Nilfgaardian spy that is said to have a lead on her location.

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In one ofThe Witcher 3’smain quests, Geralt will need to find where the spy is staying, getting involved with some of the game’s most influential factions in the process. While light on combat, this quest has its fair share of challenging decisions and investigations for you to navigate.

Starting The Nilfgaardian Connection

This quest starts at the end ofImperial Audience,after Yennefer shares the results of her investigation with Geralt before the two part ways. It is one of three quests that guide Geralt through his search.

At thelowest recommended level,this quest should be completed before the other two. It is scaled to players that are just starting out.

Geralt rides toward an inn by a road through a swamp on a cloudy day.

The Nilfgaardian Connection brings Geralt to Velen, a swampy wasteland that Ciri had been spotted in. Its first objective is to travel to theInn at the Crossroadsto learn where Hendrik lives. A quest marker will guide you right to it.

You will pass by apriest of the Eternal Firealong the way. Speaking to him will start the questFuneral Pyres,an easy quest that yields valuablemoney and experience points.

Geralt looks over his shoulder at a bar, distracted by people out of shot.

It is best to do this quest early in your search. Doing so will bring you through a sizable part of the region, allowing you tounlock fast travel pointsthat make future travel through the region easier.

Dealing With The Bandits At The Inn

The people at the Inn are visibly frightened of something that is quickly approaching. For once, they aren’t afraid of the witcher. Instead, they are fleeing from agroup of thugs that work for the Bloody Baron, a local warlord that has taken control of Velen.

These thugs interrupt Geralt before he can question the Innkeeper and promptly begin to mock the Witcher. How Geralt responds is up to you, though there will beconsequences for your decision.

Geralt talks to a local in a frozen-over village

Threaten the thugs.

Choosing to threaten the bandits with death willanger them and start a fight.At the very least, you will have to defeat the groupinside the inn.The Innkeeper will beupset and afraidthat the Baron will exact some kind of revenge.

Tell them that you are a Witcher.

The thugs will understand the threat Geralt poses and willrefrain from escalating the situation, leaving him alone to question the Innkeeper. The latter is grateful for peace.

Buy them a round.

Geralt can avoid conflict byoffering to buy the thugs a drink. They are initially suspicious and canstill turn hostile if you choose to provoke them.The Innkeeper will be relieved that the situation does not escalate.

While the thugs are clearly unpleasant people, choosing to fight them will makesubsequent quests much more challenging.The Bloody Baron will not take kindly to his men being killed and willrespond accordingly.

A screenshot showing the location of an interactable candle inside a building.

Regardless of the outcome, the Innkeeper will tell Geralt thatHendrik lives in Heatherton, a nearby town, and mentions that he saw some strange lights coming from it.

Uncovering Hendrik’s Fate

Geralt notes that Heatherton is unnaturally cold as he arrives, something that is made obvious by the ice covering the ground. Any questions will have to wait; there is a lone survivor trying to fend off a pack of wild dogs. Hemust be savedbefore anything else happens.

The dogsare fast enemiesthat will try to use their numbers to overwhelm you.Beast Oilwill be effective against them and will make the fight much easier.

Once saved, the survivor tells Geralt that theWild Hunt had destroyed Heatherton,torturing Hendrik and killing everyone in the village except for him. He shows Geralt where Hendrik’s home is.

As always, things Geralt can interact with areoutlined in red when using Witcher Senses.

With his lead killed, Geralt will have toinvestigate Hendrik’s homefor clues. Enter the house andinspect Hendrik’s body,laying on the ground. You will need tosearch his bootto find a key.

This key is used on atrap door hidden under a rug,in the next room. Descend into the basement andinteract with a candlemounted by the doorway inside to open up a hidden area. Geralt will find a book hidden inside and will successfully decipher its contents, getting two leads.

This ends The Nilfgaardian Connection and starts the questsBloody BaronandHunting a Witch,two leads that might lead him to Ciri.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough