Navigating the treacherous political landscape of Novigrad requires making split-second decisions that carry heavy moral weight and unexpected ripple effects. During Triss Merigold's crucial evacuation questline, players are presented with a difficult choice regarding whether to step aside and rescue two hidden mages. This choice guide examines the direct consequences of your actions to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your playthrough.
The Dilemma of the Hidden Mages
As you work against time to lead the persecuted spellcasters out of the city, Triss informs you about a pair of mages who are trapped in their nearby lodgings. Anisse and Berthold are terrified, surrounded by witch hunters, and completely unable to escape without your direct combat intervention. However, choosing to divert your attention to rescue them drastically alters the timeline of the broader evacuation operation.
If you decide to ignore their plight to prioritize the larger group, the two mages face a grim and definitive fate at the hands of their captors. Deciding whether to intervene requires balancing individual lives against the safety of the entire underground network.
Consequences of Saving Anisse and Berthold
Choosing to help Anisse and Berthold ensures their survival, allowing them to successfully board the rescue boat alongside the other refugees. Geralt must clear out a squad of witch hunters in a tense skirmish to guarantee their safe extraction from the building. While this choice feels morally fulfilling, the delay directly impacts another critical ally stationed elsewhere in Novigrad.
Because of the extra time spent conducting this rescue, the witch hunters manage to raid the Kingfisher Inn ahead of schedule. This tragic shift in timing leads directly to the untimely death of Olivier, the brave innkeeper who supported the mages. Losing Olivier means his unique Gwent card becomes permanently unavailable through normal interaction, though it can later be looted from his desk.
Prioritizing the Main Evacuation Path
If you choose to bypass the trapped couple and proceed directly with the main escape plan, the operational timeline shifts significantly. Olivier remains safe at his post since the witch hunters do not launch their premature raid on the tavern. This alternative path keeps a valuable merchant and safehouse operator alive for the remainder of your time in the city.
Unfortunately, this efficiency comes at a terrible cost for the isolated magical community. Anisse and Berthold will not survive the night, leaving a somber mark on your overall rescue record. Players must ultimately decide if sacrificing a key local ally is worth saving two desperate refugees.
Strategic Recommendations for Your Playthrough
From a gameplay perspective, players heavily invested in collecting rare items should secure Olivier's Gwent card before initiating this quest. Doing so removes the mechanical penalty of his potential death, allowing you to make your moral choice freely based purely on narrative roleplay preference. Both outcomes offer distinct narrative weight that showcases the grim reality of the city's conflict.
Ultimately, saving the two mages provides a more complete rescue narrative for players aiming to maximize the number of survivors. Consider your long-term goals for Novigrad's citizens before confirming your final decision during this high-stakes mission.
