“Blood Ties,” a secondary quest in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” takes place in the tumultuous landscape of Velen. This particular mission unravels the complex and harsh realities of wartime, exposing players to the emotional turmoil and difficult choices that Geralt of Rivia often faces. This detailed walkthrough aims to guide you through the objectives, provide insights into potential consequences, and help you decide the best course of action during this poignant quest.
Quest Overview: “Blood Ties”
To embark on the “Blood Ties” quest, players must approach a distressed noblewoman in the vicinity of the Nilfgaardian Army Group ‘Center’ Camp. Through her, Geralt learns about her missing son, Hrodeberth, a soldier whose sudden cessation of correspondence has plunged her into despair. This mission requires players to uncover the truth about Hrodeberth’s fate, navigating a path fraught with emotional and moral challenges.
Initiating the Quest
Upon reaching the Nilfgaardian camp, players will find the noblewoman seated under a makeshift tent near the merchants. She expresses her distress over the lack of information regarding her son, Hrodeberth, a soldier in the Nilfgaardian army. Despite her numerous attempts, the camp’s soldiers, particularly the quartermaster Tavar Eggebracht, have been uncooperative. Geralt agrees to help unveil the truth behind her son’s disappearance, kicking off the quest.
Approaching Quartermaster Eggebracht
Engaging with Quartermaster Tavar Eggebracht presents you with multiple options to extract information:
- Bribery: Geralt can choose to pay Eggebracht 150 crowns, which will earn the player 10% experience as a return reward.
- Intimidation with Axii: For those who have invested skill points in Axii (Delusion level 2), there’s the option to use this influence to earn an increased experience bonus of 35%.
- Leverage Previous Relationships: If you have previously completed the “Contract: Patrol Gone Missing” quest favorably, Eggebracht will divulge the information without requiring payment or magical persuasion.
Through one of these methods, you learn that Hrodeberth and a group of soldiers attempted to desert their post. While some deserters were captured and executed, others, including Hrodeberth, fled into the nearby swamps. Eggebracht is unsure if Hrodeberth was among those caught.
Tracking Hrodeberth’s Trail
With the information acquired, Geralt must now set out to trace Hrodeberth’s whereabouts. The journey takes you northwest of the House of Respite. Engage your Witcher Senses as you enter the designated search area to locate clues.
- Initially, examine tracks near a dead horse to start piecing together the deserters’ trail.
- Following the trail leads you to a body, but a closer examination confirms it is not Hrodeberth.
- Continue the pursuit, potentially facing ghouls along the path, until you discover a group of executed deserters. One of these bodies has red hair, similar to Hrodeberth’s description.
- Upon inspecting the corpse, Geralt notes the need for concrete proof of its identity. Examine the surrounding area to find an unsent letter beneath the body, substantiating its identity as Hrodeberth.
Deciding the Narrative for the Mother
Returning to the noblewoman, players face a significant choice: presenting the truth or fabricating a tale to cushion the emotional blow.
| Option | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Telling the Truth: Inform the mother that her son deserted and faced execution. | The mother initially denies the possibility until Hrodeberth’s letter is presented. She reads the letter, finally accepting the tragic reality. |
| Lying to Spare the Pain: Lie by stating he perished in battle with honor. | Though the letter remains a testament to the true events, the mother accepts your narrative, drawing solace from the lie about his honorable death. |
Regardless of your choice, the quest concludes with Geralt receiving 10 crowns and experience points. The journal entry will document the event as if the truth was told, ensuring the game records the factual sequence within its lore.
Unfolding the Aftermath
The quest’s emotional weight is underscored by the noblewoman’s grief and the stark realities of war highlighted in Hrodeberth’s letter. The narrative challenges players to reflect on their chosen path and its resonation within the game’s broader moral tapestry.
Note on Game Mechanics
- Persisting Items: The letter obtained during the quest remains in your inventory post-completion. Players who wish to remove this can utilize console commands with the item code “mq1055_letters”.
- Dialogue Consistency: Post-quest dialogue with the noblewoman remains unchanged, even after completing the quest, indicating room for further narrative exploration.
- Name Discrepancy: Players may notice that the son’s name is spelled as both “Hrodeberth” and “Hrodberth” in different parts of the game. This does not affect the quest’s completion but adds an interesting textual observation for attentive players.
Conclusion
The “Blood Ties” quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a testament to the game’s depth and the moral complexities it presents. Through meticulous decision-making and narrative engagement, players experience the emotional gravity of Geralt’s adventures. The choices made here are not merely about actions; they plunge deep into morality, legacy, and the echoes of warfare. Each player’s path promises a unique and introspective journey, one that resonates profoundly with the ethos of The Witcher saga.
