The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a game renowned for its expansive open world and intricate storytelling, and it is rich with hidden quests and lore. One such quest is “Berengar’s Blade,” a secondary quest that promises lucrative rewards to those who manage to complete it. This quest takes players through Kaer Morhen, one of the most iconic locations in the Witcher universe, as they seek a powerful silver sword diagram. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of how to start, complete, and unlock the secrets of this hidden quest in The Witcher 3.
Quest Overview and Importance
“Berengar’s Blade” is a secondary quest located in the Kaer Morhen valley, and it unlocks the diagram for crafting the silver sword Tor’haerne, which is considered one of the best at its level. Completing this quest before certain game events is crucial, as failure to do so renders the quest inaccessible later. The quest becomes unavailable once you begin the council in “The Battle of Kaer Morhen,” so plan your movements in the game accordingly.
Suggested starting level for tackling this quest is 27. The main reward, apart from experience and game currency, is the Tor’haerne sword diagram, allowing you to craft this exceptional weapon.
Initiating the Quest
The first step to triggering “Berengar’s Blade” is locating Berengar’s notes. To find these, venture to the western side of Kaer Morhen’s courtyard. The notes are stored in a chest within the remnants of a cell-like room situated amidst the courtyard ruins. Once you retrieve and read the notes, Geralt, the protagonist, will decide it is best to consult his mentor, Vesemir, to glean further insights into Berengar’s unfinished sword.
Consulting Vesemir
After reading the notes, the next step is to find Vesemir within Kaer Morhen. Vesemir will recount how Berengar had initiated the crafting of a silver sword but had lost the diagram in a confrontation with a chort, an exceedingly vicious monster. Vesemir advises Geralt that the losing of the diagram occurred near a cave accessible by heading down the river, suggesting this as the path to continue.
Making Your Way to the Chort’s Cave
Your destination, the chort’s cave, lies to the southeast of Kaer Morhen. This isn’t a straightforward journey due to the absence of direct pathways and the presence of aggressive wildlife like drowners and wolves. Therefore, ensure Geralt is well-prepared for combat before embarking. Along the riverbank, be vigilant for telltale signs of a cave entrance, which marks the lair of the chort.
Inside the Chort’s Cave
- Enter the cave with caution. Equip Geralt with the Relict Oil to improve your chances against the chort.
- The cave is infested with the monstrous chort, known for attacks similar to those of fiends, though lacking hypnotic abilities. Be prepared to dodge with agility and counter with quick strikes.
- After defeating the chort, use Geralt’s Witcher Senses to explore the cave for valuable loot.
Finding the Tor’haerne Diagram
With the chort defeated, focus on locating the diagram. Search the inner depths of the cave until you find a sack containing the treasured Tor’haerne diagram. Collecting this completes the quest, and you earn 50 experience points as part of the quest’s rewards. The diagram allows you to construct a formidable relic-level silver sword that boasts enhanced armor piercing and critical damage capabilities.
Additional Treasures
While exploring, keep an eye out for other treasures within the cave. Aside from the sword diagram, there exists a chest concealed behind stalagmites containing the Superior Wolven Boots diagram. Ensure you collect it to avoid future backtracking to this remote location. These items greatly augment Geralt’s capabilities and are a valuable addition to any player’s inventory.
Quest Completion and Notes
The quest concludes once you have the Tor’haerne diagram in your possession. Players should bear in mind several important considerations:
- Failure to acquire the Tor’haerne diagram before starting “The Battle of Kaer Morhen” results in this quest’s permanent conclusion.
- If the sword diagram is already in your inventory before initiating the quest, “Berengar’s Blade” will not trigger.
- Options to progress the quest vanish after Vesemir relocates or becomes unavailable post “Isle of Mists” mission.
- Bugs have been noted in the quest, such as issues with mounting horses in the vicinity post-Isle of Mists and improper quest log displays, though these are easier to manage with updates.
An Insight into Berengar and Kaer Morhen
This quest not only showcases the opportunity to attain a powerful weapon but also delves into the backstory of Berengar, a witcher who perishes in the first Witcher game. Finding remnants of Berengar’s journey within Kaer Morhen offers players a tangible connection to past narratives and emphasizes the rich lore in The Witcher universe.
Kaer Morhen, once a bustling witcher school, now stands mostly abandoned, yet quests such as “Berengar’s Blade” breathe life into its forgotten corners. By completing this quest, players partake in honoring a legacy left by previous witchers and contribute to Geralt’s growth by expanding his arsenal and wealth of knowledge.
Combat Strategy and Preparations
Facing the chort demands preparedness. Here are key pointers for a successful battle:
- Preparation: Apply Relict Oil on your silver sword before entering the cave.
- Combat: Chorts have slow but powerful strikes. Positioning and dodging are crucial to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Signs: Use Aard to create openings and Quen for protection against head-on assaults.
These tactics empower Geralt in efficiently dismantling the chort threat, reclaiming the sword diagram, and effectively bringing “Berengar’s Blade” to a triumphant conclusion.
Conclusion
“Berengar’s Sword” in The Witcher 3 is a quintessential quest that combines combative skill with narrative depth, offering both substantive rewards and an enriched story experience. Whether you’re going into battle, engaging with comrades like Vesemir, or piecing together the faded history of Kaer Morhen, each step through “Berengar’s Blade” underscores the intricacy and engagement that defines The Witcher 3’s gameplay. The journey embodies not just the pursuit of material gains but the discovery of stories rooted in one of gaming’s most vibrant worlds.
