Lilac and Gooseberries

Speak with Visemir to begin the quest.

Defeat five ghouls that attack after the conversation. Only one or two will attack at a time.

Travel a short distance west down the road and locate the Crystal Skull quest item in the shrubs to the right of the road using your Witcher Sense.

Mount your nearby horse and follow Visemir. You will unlock the Crossroads and Ransacked Village fast travel markers.

A scene will play, after which you should ride into the town ahead.

Approach the tavern for a scene that progresses the quest.

During the tavern dialogue, you will receive a tutorial on dialogue options and shop usage.

Once you regain control of Geralt, speak with the three indicated people in the tavern.

You can speak to the peasants at a nearby table. Using your AXII sign (a magical ability) on them for information yields 25XP.

Speak to the Scholar at the table nearest the bar. Playing a card game called Gwent with him will activate its tutorial and unlock it for use elsewhere.

Speak to Gaunter O'Dim by the door to receive information that updates your objectives.

Leave the tavern; a scene will play and you will be attacked by ruffians. Use your AXII sign during the conversation to reduce their numbers by one and gain 25XP.

Defeat the remaining two thugs in hand-to-hand combat using counters and follow-up attacks.

Head to the nearby notice board and grab the notices to pick up the side-quests: Contract: Devil by the Well and Missing in Action.

Travel north to the Nilfgaardian outpost. Speak with the guards before entering the gate.

Go to the nearby tower to speak with the leader, which will lead into the next quest, The Beast of White Orchard.