The side quest “At the Mercy of Strangers” in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” offers players a classic example of the moral dilemmas they must navigate as Geralt of Rivia. This brief yet meaningful quest, encountered early in the game, presents players with a decision that not only impacts the immediate storyline but also influences future events in the game world.
Quest Location and Initial Encounter
The quest “At the Mercy of Strangers” can be found in the vast and desolate region of Velen, specifically not far from the Hanged Man’s Tree. After Geralt enters Velen, traveling east through the village of Mulbrydale will lead him toward the coast where he will hear desperate cries for help. Following these cries will reveal a man named John Verdun, bound and under attack by a group of drowners. The necrophages are a common sight in the bogs of Velen, making it imperative for players to act quickly and dispatch the creatures threatening Verdun.
John Verdun: A Man in Distress
Once the drowners are taken care of, Geralt can approach Verdun and initiate a conversation that reveals more about the man’s plight. Verdun claims to be a deserter from the Temerian army, abandoned by the refugees he was traveling with after they discovered the truth about him. Tied and left to the mercy of monsters, Verdun’s predicament stirs an ethical debate about whether his actions as a deserter justify his cruel treatment.
- Option 1: Set John Verdun Free – Geralt can choose to untie Verdun, setting him free and receiving his gratitude. However, this choice does not offer any immediate material reward. Instead, Geralt’s actions here will unfold further repercussions later in the game.
- Option 2: Leave Verdun to his Fate – Alternatively, Geralt can decide to leave Verdun bound to the tree. Should he return a few days later, he’ll discover additional drowners and Verdun’s lifeless body, indicating his grim end. This choice ends the quest immediately.
The Aftermath of Your Decision
If You Freed John Verdun
Choosing to spare Verdun sets in motion a chain of events that comes to a head later in the game. If Geralt unshackles Verdun, he can be encountered once more north of the Pontar region. Verdun will have established himself as the leader of a group of bandits, overtaking a former refugee camp.
When Geralt meets Verdun again, the man will offer a meager sum of 50 crowns as a token of gratitude. This sum, though somewhat useful in the early stages of the game, pales in comparison to the potential earnings should Geralt decide to confront Verdun and his bandit group violently. Upon choosing confrontation, players can kill Verdun and his cohorts, collecting more substantial rewards from looting their bodies and equipment.
Thus, Geralt must again make a moral choice: accept a small token of gratitude from a man turned bandit or eliminate a nascent threat to local refugees.
- Accept the Payment – By taking Verdun’s offer, players choose to let Verdun continue his banditry, potentially allowing him to harm more innocents in the future. This course also concludes the quest with minimal reward.
- Choose to Fight – By deciding to put an end to Verdun and his bandits, Geralt prevents further bloodshed. The fight rewards the player with more lootable materials and the moral satisfaction of having removed a threat from the land.
If You Left Verdun to Die
For players who opted to leave Verdun, the quest closes with the discovery of his corpse, devoid of any follow-up events or further complications. This path allows Geralt to continue his journey unencumbered by Verdun’s presence in the world but may leave players questioning the ethical accountability of their decision-making.
Analyzing the Consequences
The decision regarding John Verdun is emblematic of “The Witcher 3’s” open-ended storytelling ethos and moral complexity. While the choice to save or abandon Verdun does not drastically alter the central plot of the game, it does offer players an avenue to engage more deeply with Geralt’s character and the world he inhabits.
| Choice | Immediate Consequence | Long-term Result |
|---|---|---|
| Set John Verdun Free | Verdun is free but unrewarded immediately. | Encounter Verdun and his bandits later; choose to accept payment or fight. |
| Leave Verdun to Die | No follow-up rewards or quest continuation. | Verdun’s body can be found; quest concludes. |
The choice reflects moral themes prevalent in the Witcher universe: the consequences of pragmatic decisions, the greyness of morality, and the ripple effects of seemingly minor actions. Each player may weigh Geralt’s role not only as a monster hunter but as a dispenser of justice or pragmatism, driven by individual philosophical inclinations.
Concluding Thoughts
“At the Mercy of Strangers” embodies the richness that “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” brings to its players, offering both a satisfying combat experience and a dense moral landscape. As the game unfolds further, players will likely encounter more situations that echo the ambiguous nature of Verdun’s side quest, reflecting the game’s overarching commitment to immersing players in a world replete with tough moral decisions. This particular quest, with its memorable set-up and impactful decisions, encapsulates why “The Witcher 3” remains lauded for its narrative depth and character-driven storytelling.
