Guides / The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition

Nilfgaardian Garrison

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition guide · Investigating Yennefer's trail ✓ Checked against sources

Geralt visits this military stronghold in northwestern White Orchard while pursuing Yennefer's trail during the main quest "Lilac and Gooseberries". The commander, Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve, possesses intelligence regarding Yennefer but requires Geralt to slay a rampaging griffin in exchange, initiating the quest "The Beast of White Orchard". After completing the hunt, Geralt returns here with the griffin's head to obtain Yennefer's destination.

Region: White Orchard
Levels: Level 1–3
Getting there: Follow the main road northwest from the Mill / Ford in White Orchard and cross the long wooden approach bridge over the Ismena River up onto the fortified bluff.
Connects to: The Ismena River and wetlands to the south/east, The Sawmill / Hunter’s Woods to the southwest, The White Orchard Mill area to the southeast
Related quests: Lilac and Gooseberries · The Beast of White Orchard · Something Ends, Something Begins

Services and people

Merchants 1

Quartermaster · Sells gear and provisionsNear the entrance courtyard at the quartermaster's forge

Quest NPCs 1

Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve · Bargains information on Yennefer in exchange for slaying a royal griffinCommander's table on the upper ramparts

Services 1

Quartermaster · Amateur blacksmith crafting and repair servicesLower level near an anvil and grindstone at the quartermaster's forge

The short version

What matters

•Bargaining with Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve to advance the search for Yennefer and unlock "The Beast of White Orchard".
•Leaping across the fractured entry bridge gap to collect the Dorian Sword from the isolated iron chest.
•Using the Quartermaster's anvil, grindstone, crafting, and repair services in the lower courtyard.

Walkthrough

The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.

1
Cross the fractured entrance bridge

When you approach the military fortress on the rocky bluff in northwestern White Orchard during "Lilac and Gooseberries", walk across the outer wooden approach. At the entrance steps before the main gate, turn around and perform a running jump across the watery gap onto the severed middle section of the stone bridge spanning the water opposite the entrance gate. Open the iron chest sitting on this isolated ruined arch of the fractured entrance bridge to obtain the Dorian Sword.

Dorian sword: Found inside an iron chest sitting on the isolated ruined arch/pillar of the fractured entrance bridge. NewA secluded chest on the fractured entrance bridge reached by sprinting and jumping across the gap from the top of the outer stairs.

Tip: Sprint before leaping across the gap from the top of the outer gate stairs to easily clear the water.
2
Visit the Quartermaster in the courtyard

Enter through the main gate into the entrance courtyard where soldiers drill. Head to the provisions store on the lower level near an anvil and grindstone to meet the garrison's Quartermaster. You can use his amateur blacksmith services to browse gear, craft items, or repair damaged equipment.
3
Unlock the secret walkway behind the courtyard gate

Head toward the locked gate in the fortress courtyard near the makeshift operating infirmary area. Climb out through the broken open window frame to the right of the locked gate onto an exterior wooden platform ledge, blasting the crumbling wall or breakable wooden barrier with the Aard Sign if needed. Loot the dead soldier's body on the ledge to obtain the Scratched Key, then unlock the gate from the opposite side.

A locked interior gate accessible by scaling the broken window wall to the right, blasting a weak wall with the Aard Sign, and traversing the exterior ledge to loot a body holding the gate key.
4
Negotiate with Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve

Climb to the commander's quarters and makeshift tower infirmary situated on the upper ramparts of the garrison outpost. Speak to Captain Peter Saar Gwynleve at his commander's table to bargain for intelligence regarding Yennefer's whereabouts. Agree to slay the royal griffin to trigger the quest "The Beast of White Orchard".
5
Return with the griffin's head

Once you complete the hunt, return to the garrison outpost and report back to Captain Peter. Present the griffin's head to the captain to conclude your agreement and secure the information you need on Yennefer.

Checklists

Items May be incomplete

0/1

Dorian sword: Found inside an iron chest sitting on the isolated ruined arch/pillar of the fractured entrance bridge.

Secrets May be incomplete

0/2

A secluded chest on the fractured entrance bridge reached by sprinting and jumping across the gap from the top of the outer stairs.A locked interior gate accessible by scaling the broken window wall to the right, blasting a weak wall with the Aard Sign, and traversing the exterior ledge to loot a body holding the gate key.

Shops and people

Quartermaster: Amateur blacksmith services (crafting weapons like the Viper School silver sword, disassembling, and repairing gear) alongside crafting components and equipment

Tips

Be extremely cautious when jumping across the ruined bridge gap or maneuvering along the broken stone ledges, as a mistimed leap will lead to fatal fall damage.

Not listed for this area: enemies.

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White Orchard

Royal Palace in Vizima

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Sources checked: noobfeed.com, questcompendium.com, ign.com, fandom.com, thegamer.com, fextralife.com