:rubbs hands:
:stretches shoulders:
Apparently, according to some dev on witcher forums, it is an early quest in opening area - and because some players might not pay any attention to it, they dumbed it down completely.
Because there MIGHT BE some players who will play the game while paying no attention to what they are doing.
Its execution and narrative points are one of the dumbest ive ever seen. Baring quests in Wasteland 2 which are again stupider then anything bethesda and bioware ever done.
- ninja edit- hmm... maybe i was wrong there. It would be more fair to say its a tie between this, W2 and Facepalm 3.
***
A guy pretending he is a merchant but is really a guerrilla soldier is waiting by a road, after he killed some cart driver from an ambush, in order to get his box of medical supplies.
This is your hook into the further quest about some disease affecting everyone in that area. (which is ok as an idea)
The medicine was going to some Nilfgard garrison.
So, after he kills that cart driver, the horses panic and run away into a nearby swamp... because thats horses do, they just love swamps so much. Especially when they are frightened or panicking because in such cases horses go to even scarier place!
How he killed the horse in the swamp is a mystery. Maybe he ran after them. Because people run as fast as horses.
maybe he just shot them and the cart driver and then the horses ran into a swamp!
Because thats what horses do.
But he couldnt get the loot because some drowners appeared.
So, genius as he is he decided to just go back about 20 meters put an exclamation mark over his head and wait for some Witcher to arrive. Because that's what you do when you telepathically know that a Witcher will be passing there randomly.
- edit - and obviously thats what you do when you are trying to get medicine for your friends who are sick from some mysterious deadly plague. -
Of course he also knew that those "monsters" will not come and just kill him - because he knows their disengagement range.
Here comes Geralt as he knew he would as he waited indefinitely.
and stops to investigate the strange magic exclamation sign over the guys head.
He pretends he is the owner of the cart and it was his horse and loot but he got attacked by monsters.
Of course Geralt just buys this and says "yeah ill go get your box".
Because thats what Witchers do.
***
Up pops the quest compass showing Geralt where all of it is and enemies waiting. In this game the quest and item compass has been integrated into Geralt himself as his "senses".
He goes there, kills a few drowners and then starts talking to himself - or really the player, telling the player what to look for and what to do and what it all means.
There is a giant arrow sticking out of the horse with an icon to click on it.
Once you click on it - the Geralt tells the player what that means.
"An arrow, interesting, didnt mention this. I should take a look around."
In case of the body his comments are more appropriate since you cannot see the details of that wound yourself - and he doesnt tell you what that actually means. Atleast at first.
Im not sure how come that the body of the cart driver is also in a swamp, with an arrow wound in his neck, but no arrow. Maybe the drowners ate it.
"Square in the neck, good shot."
And then you get a flashy "Quest updated!" sign.
"Either the merchants got serious memory issues, or hes lying"
Says Geralt then.
Uses the quest-item compass senses to find a box and get another "quest updated!" flashy sign.
***
He comes back to the guy.
The guy who thought its a smart thing to lie to a Witcher saying it was his cart and horses that got killed by monsters - while knowing fully well that the horse and the driver were there to be found, with his arrows sticking out of them (except the one drowners ate).
And he has a big bow strapped to his back, knowing full well that isnt enough for anyone to figure it out. Because there MIGHT BE some players who are so fucking stupid.
He tries to lie again but Geralt isnt buying it... because he can hear his heart sudenly... ?
But he couldnt hear it the first time.
Then the guy just runs away as Geral stupidly stands in place and watches that mini cutscene.
Luckily the magical radar on the minimap is showing where the guy is going all the time and he has a much slower horse.
Geralt catches up
time automatically slows down
Geral takes just one swing with a sword, doesnt even hit the guy...
And we get a cutscene, in which Geral can decide to take the guy to that garrison or just let him go - because.
Then another cutscene where Geralt and the "prisoner" are teleported god knows where, into that Nilfgardian camp, with the guy completely free and even with his bow still strapped to his back.
Geralt talks and talks with the guards, the guy just stands there with a stupid face,
not doing anything, except making stupid faces as his only facial animation.
Geralt opts to ask for money for his service of catching a killer and bringing the medicine to a sick garrison,
The soldier calls him greedy because of it.
10/10 gaem of the year
citizen Kaine of RPGs
with Tits and no SJW-ing not serious RPG and so far I am not dis-pointed.
