The secondary quest “Defender of the Faith” in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is located in the Velen region and involves repairing damaged shrines along the roadside. This quest is not only an interesting diversion but also gives players an opportunity to explore the philosophical elements integrated into the game. Below is a detailed guide on how to complete the quest, including the locations of all the shrines and strategies to combat any enemies encountered during the mission.
Walkthrough
The quest begins when Geralt encounters an old woman who is distraught over the vandalization of religious shrines in Velen. She can be found near two of the shrines:
- Between Blackbough and Crow’s Perch
- Near Duén Hen
Regardless of where you find her, she asks Geralt to repair the first shrine. For his work, she offers him 10 experience points (XP).
Objectives
- Fix all the damaged shrines
- Defeat the vandals
Shrine Locations
| Location | Coordinates | Enemies |
|---|---|---|
| First Shrine | Between Blackbough and Crow’s Perch | No enemies (if done second) |
| Second Shrine | Duén Hen | Endrega Warrior (if done second) |
| Third Shrine | Between Byways and Frischlow | Wolves (if done second) |
Players are free to fix the shrines in any order they prefer, but certain orderings can minimize combat encounters:
- Fix the shrine near Duén Hen first
- Fix the shrine between Blackbough and Crow’s Perch second
- Fix the shrine between Byways and Frischlow third
Detailed Route
First Shrine: Between Blackbough and Crow’s Perch
Approach the shrine and interact with it to start the quest. Geralt repairs the shrine for the woman, who asks him to fix the rest of the shrines in the area to earn 10 XP.
Second Shrine: Duén Hen
Travel to the shrine near Duén Hen. If you choose to fix this shrine second, you will encounter an Endrega Warrior. This enemy is a challenging combatant that utilizes poison. Avoid its stinger and forward dash, using sidesteps and firebolt potions to deal substantial damage. Upon defeating the Endrega Warrior, repair the shrine to earn 25 XP.
Third Shrine: Between Byways and Frischlow
Move to the final shrine between Byways and Frischlow. If encountered second, a pack of wolves will spawn. Deal with them using strong attacks and avoid being overwhelmed by their numbers. Once the area is secure, repair the shrine.
Encounter with Vandals
The last shrine you repair will have a group of students vandalizing it. These students, influenced by radical philosophy, have decided to destroy shrines in the area. When you arrive, you have a choice:
- Choose to let them continue their vandalism (this fails the quest)
- Choose to stop them (results in combat).
If you choose to stop them, you will engage in combat. You can fight them with swords or fists. If you do not draw your sword, they will also revert to a fistfight. Using Axii to stun them can make the battle easier by opening opportunities for critical hits. They are relatively low-level enemies, so defeating them should not pose a significant challenge.
Quest Completion
Once you have defeated the vandals, the quest will be completed, and you will receive an additional 50 XP.
Journal Entry
The journal entry for this quest outlines Geralt’s stance on religion. While Geralt personally maintains a “live and let live” policy, he decides to help the woman who asked him to restore the shrines. As he repairs the shrines, he discovers that a group of young men from the Oxenfurt Academy are responsible for the vandalism. The students are influenced by radical philosophers and have taken an anti-religious stance, leading to the desecration of the shrines.
If Geralt intervenes and stops the vandals, the quest resolves with a fight. If he decides to let them continue, the quest fails. With Geralt’s victory, he will have upheld the sanctity of the religious shrines, concluding the quest successfully.
Trivia
- This quest references philosophical and religious ideas, including Friedrich Nietzsche’s “God is Dead” and Karl Marx’s “Religion is the Opium of the Masses.”
- The title “Defender of the Faith” might refer to Philip Roth’s short story or a historical title given to monarchs.
With this detailed guide, completing the “Defender of the Faith” quest should be straightforward. Efficiently handling the order of the shrines and managing combat encounters will make the quest easier to complete, further immersing players in the rich world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
