The Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt introduces players to the vibrant yet dangerous region of Toussaint. Among the many contracts scattered across this fairytale land, one particular secondary quest challenges your moral compass beyond standard monster hunting. Navigating this narrative requires a balance of investigation and philosophical decision-making regarding wildlife conservation.
How to Unlock the Toussaint Contract
To begin this unique contract, Geralt must visit the notice board outside the Cockatrice Inn to pick up the official posting. Alternatively, players can stumble directly into the quest area by exploring the wilderness north of the Dun Tynne Crossroads. Arriving at the designated camp reveals a group of merchants who desperately need a witcher to handle a nearby beast threat.
Speaking with the local supervisor provides the necessary context regarding recent deadly attacks blamed on a legendary silver basilisk. Geralt must negotiate his fee and gather preliminary observations before tracking the creature into the dense forests. Preparing the right inventory items like Draconid oil and Grapeshot bombs early ensures you are ready for any outcome.
Following the Monster Tracks
Using your enhanced witcher senses, look for disturbed ground, broken branches, and chemical residue left near the ruined campsite. The trail winds through dangerous rocky terrain, leading players toward a secluded nesting ground hidden in the cliffs. Along the way, you will discover evidence of another faction that complicates the straightforward hunting contract.
Before reaching the beast, Geralt encounters a group known as the Crinfrid Reavers who have been hired by different clients to exterminate the creature. This meeting introduces a critical conflict of interest that shifts the objective from a simple tracking mission into a complex socio-political debate. You must carefully weigh the arguments presented by both the desperate merchants and the aggressive hunters.
Sparing or Killing the Silver Basilisk
The core of this guide rests on the ultimate choice Geralt faces when encountering Count Boris, the protector of the rare basilisk named Iocaste. Boris argues that the creature is the last of its kind and behaves predictably unless provoked by territorial expansion. Choosing to spare the silver basilisk rewards you with gold from the count and preserves an endangered species, though it angers the merchants.
If you decide that public safety outweighs conservation efforts, you must side with the Reavers to slay the magnificent draconid. This triggers a challenging boss fight where you must use Aard to knock the flying monster down and deal quick silver sword strikes. Killing the beast satisfies the merchant guild and grants traditional monster trophies but leaves a tragic mark on the ecosystem.
Consequences and Quest Rewards
The immediate fallout of your decision alters how certain characters interact with Geralt during the remainder of his journey through Beauclair. Sparing the beast means the Reavers leave peacefully, but the merchants vow to hike prices for your future visits to their shops. However, this peaceful path is highly favored by players looking to demonstrate the virtues necessary for other endgame achievements.
Completing the contract with a lethal resolution provides immediate experience points and lets you loot rare crafting components from the carcass. The choice remains an excellent example of how the developers craft scenarios where there is no objectively perfect ending. Ultimately, your choice reflects how you choose to define the personal code of a professional monster slayer.
