The Pyres of Novigrad — The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Walkthrough

Guide Geralt through 'The Pyres of Novigrad' quest in Act 1 of The Witcher 3. Navigate Novigrad and uncover key narrative points.

"The Pyres of Novigrad" is a main quest in Act 1 of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, leading Geralt through the bustling city of Novigrad. This quest is part of a larger chain that includes "Ciri Fleeing the Bog" and "Family Matters – Part 4." It precedes other significant quests like "Novigrad Dreaming" and "Broken Flowers," guiding the player deeper into the game's narrative.

The Pyres of Novigrad Quest Overview

This quest is a crucial part of the main story progression in Act 1. It is one of several quests that will lead Geralt through the Novigrad region, introducing him to key locations and characters.

• Main Quest Chain:
1. Ciri Fleeing the Bog
2. Family Matters – Part 4
3. Ciri's Story: Out of the Shadows
4. The Pyres of Novigrad
5. Novigrad Dreaming
6. Broken Flowers
7. Get Junior – Part 1
8. Count Reuven's Treasure – Part 1
9. Get Junior – Part 2
10. Ciri's Story: Visiting Junior
11. Get Junior – Part 3
12. A Favor for Radovid
13. Count Reuven's Treasure – Part 2
14. The Play's the Thing
15. A Poet Under Pressure

As you venture into Novigrad, you will encounter various points of interest. The non-human settlement of Farcorners, located south of Novigrad, offers a Notice Board near the Portside Gate Signpost. Interacting with this board will mark Undiscovered Locations and reveal two new Witcher Contracts.

Exploring Novigrad

The Novigrad region is vast and holds many secrets. While exploring, you might come across a Blacksmith on the southeastern side of Oxenfurt, between the bridges to the Novigrad Gate and the Oxenfurt Academy. This Blacksmith uses a Monster Deck in Gwent.

Currently, most Witcher Contracts are too high level. Focus on Secondary Quests or exploration before tackling these.

DLC Expansions

The game also features two DLC expansions:

• Hearts of Stone: A shorter expansion set in the Novigrad Region.
• Blood & Wine: Takes place in the new region of Toussaint.

Both expansions have highly Missable elements within their Main Questlines, so proceed with caution.

Achievements and Side Activities

• Pest Control Achievement: To earn this, you need to destroy all Monster Nests in an area. There are 29 Monster Nests in the Velen/Novigrad region, or 5 in Skellige. The guide recommends earning this in Skellige later, but feel free to explore Velen/Novigrad.
• Secondary Quest – A Favor For A Friend: After lifting a curse, return to Keira. She will ask you to locate a missing package from Novigrad. Travel to Hangman’s Alley, find the remnants of a wagon, and collect Keira’s ingredients.