The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is brimming with diverse quests that immerse players in a world of intrigue, mystery, and complex creatures. Among these is the contract quest titled “An Elusive Thief,” set in the bustling city of Novigrad. Entrusted with tracking down a crafty doppler masquerading as a common thief, Geralt of Rivia must employ both his combat prowess and detective skills to unravel this scenario. This detailed walkthrough will guide you through the steps to locate the elusive doppler thief amidst Novigrad’s bustling main market and explore the outcomes of your choices.
Initiating the Quest
The quest “An Elusive Thief” can be embarked upon by acquiring a notice labeled “Contract: Imp” from the notice board located in Hierarch Square within Novigrad. This task is one of many side quests that the game offers, each contributing uniquely to the overarching narrative and character development. Upon picking up the note, the quest will automatically begin, and you will be directed to speak with Sylvester Amello, the merchant who issued the contract.
Sylvester Amello will provide a detailed account of the issue, explaining that a mischievous imp has been causing significant financial losses at the marketplace. Although the creature has not physically harmed anyone, its actions are detrimental to the economic activities of the merchants, prompting a call for intervention. After listening to Sylvester’s plight, Geralt’s journey to capture the shapeshifting imp commences.
Exploring the Marketplace
Equipped with the information provided by Sylvester, make your way to the bustling market square during the day to begin your investigation. The market is rife with activity, beckoning the adept sense of smell and keen sight offered by Geralt’s enhanced Witcher abilities. Activate your Witcher Senses to detect any hints left by the doppler at the scene.
Beneath Geralt’s vigilant scrutiny, footprints akin to those of a large cat become visible on the ground. These tracks, glowing ominously under the influence of Geralt’s senses, offer the first tangible lead in the pursuit of the doppler. Follow the footprints carefully, taking note of their erratic path that meanders through the marketplace.
Tracing the Imp’s Steps
- Follow the red footprints through various corners of the market using Witcher Senses.
- Climb over any obstacles if the trail leads you vertically, within safety standards.
- Investigate dropped objects and clues that corroborate the imp’s trail.
The path from the tracks leads to an inconspicuous house within the nonhuman district. This area is diverse in its ethnic makeup, providing a plausible hideout for the sneaky doppler. Enter the house to investigate further and gather clues that elucidate the identity and intentions of the shapeshifter.
Gleaning Insights from the Hideout
Inside the house, search meticulously for any documentary evidence that might reveal more about the culprit. During the search, you will come across a “Short Letter” placed on a table. This letter holds essential clues about the doppler’s motives and previous actions in its scripted lines. Apart from the letter, ransack the premises to find a set of clothes strewn near a bed, indicating recent habitation or disguise taken by the imp.
Confronting the Doppler
Having gleaned enough information from the letter and the clothing, proceed to follow a critical scent trail leading out from the premises. This scent emanates from the doppler itself, guiding you to a Temple Guard who is distributing food. Here, under the guise of an innocent bystander, lies the cunning shapeshifter. The guard’s apparent benevolence belies its true identity, prompting Geralt to call out the doppler.
Chase and Consequence
With its cover blown, the doppler attempts to evade capture by taking off into the throng of activity surrounding the market. Chase it down, using Geralt’s superior speed and reflexes to quickly corner the shapeshifter. Upon capture, a combat scenario is triggered where the doppler assumes Geralt’s form, attempting to fight with stolen abilities and skills.
- Engage the doppler in combat, leveraging your knowledge of signs and tactics unique to Geralt.
- Exploit the doppler’s weaknesses, as the duplicate is inherently weaker than the original.
Ultimate Decision: Kill or Spare
Upon defeating the doppler in combat, a pivotal choice lies before you. Players must decide whether to kill the doppler, leaving its legacy in Novigrad void, or spare it, allowing it to continue its existence elsewhere. Each choice comes with distinct consequences and rewards:
| Choice | Consequence | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Spare the doppler | Imparts a lesson of mercy while securing a promise from the doppler to vacate Novigrad. | 25 XP, 215 Crowns, Diagram: Gnomish Gwyhyr |
| Kill the doppler | A decisive action prompting disquiet among some quarters but securing all possible rewards from Sylvester. | 182 Crowns, Doppler Trophy, Doppler Mutagen |
Choosing to spare the doppler comes with an interesting narrative twist: the creature leaves behind a parting gift, a potent weapon diagram, and a monetary reward. In contrast, choosing to kill it results in acquiring unique loot but at the cost of potentially circumventing alternative solutions.
Closure with Sylvester Amello
Following the resolution of the doppler dilemma, return to Sylvester Amello in the market square for closure on the quest. Depending on the choice made, his response will vary, ranging from gratitude to mild disappointment. Regardless, your involvement concludes the contract with impactful rewards and experience points alongside your new title: the resolver of the doppler problem.
The “An Elusive Thief” quest poignantly demonstrates the moral complexities and shades of gray inherent in the world of The Witcher 3. It tests players not only in their tactical ability to track and confront adversaries but also in their capacity for empathy and understanding toward non-human entities. Exploring the often-unsettling dynamics between human society and fantastical beings brings players face-to-face with ethical decisions echoing through the game’s vivid storylines.
Overall, this quest exemplifies the intricate design and multifaceted storytelling that the developers at CD Projekt Red have masterfully crafted, reinforcing The Witcher 3’s reputation as a pioneering narrative-driven RPG in modern gaming.
