Witcher 3 Contract Mystery of the Byways Murders
This quest can be acquired via a notice posted on the Oreton Notice board.
After nabbing the notice from the board in Oreton, you can talk to the Nilfgaardian commander in the town who will fill you in with a little more detail on the contract. Once you are through with him, make your way to The Byways to the southwest.
When you arrive at The Byways, you’ll need to kill a group of five Level 23 Ghouls that inhabit the area. Killing them all off will trigger a conversation with some of the villagers.
Following your little chat, a large yellow investigation area will appear on the map. Activate Witcher Sense and you can inspect the following:
- Dead dog on the ground just by your current position.
- Dead soldier to the left of the house with the villagers in front.
- Dead soldier by the house to the left missing part of the roof.
After examining the Dead soldiers, a scent trail will appear whilst in Witcher Sense. Follow this until you reach a locked door. At this point one of the villagers may approach you, if not return and speak to them. Keep pressing them during the conversation until they give you the Key.
Head back to the door and open it. Use Witcher Sense to examine the fur shreds next to the trap door here to discover what you are up against.
Note: At this point, you’ll earn 25XP.
Climb down the ladder beneath the loose floorboards and make your way through the cave. Drop down until you reach the elven ruins below. When you reach the bottom of the next ladder rest and prepare – as soon as you enter the next doorway you’ll need to fight.
Boss: Sarasati (Ekimmaras)
Sarasati is an Ekimmaras and as such, shares most of its moves with the Werewolves you will have no doubt have encountered by now. These include the damaging leaping attack, as well as several close-medium range melee attacks and a lunge with his mouth. The Ekimmaras is different in that it can become invisible, effectively disappearing and re-appearing to attack when you are not expecting it.
You’ll need to look out for its outline in the environs (you can still make it out if you look closely when it is cloaked). Fortunately leading it through an YRDEN trap can force it out of its invisible state as well as slowing it down slightly. It is also weak against IGNI, so be sure to utilise this when you see an opening.
It is best not to get greedy and stay too close for too long as this boss can do a lot of damage. Roll away from his lunge and dodge his melee abilities whilst quickly following up with attacks of your own (or an IGNI blast) before backing off and repeating. Keep dodging and chipping away at his health bar until it falls.
Once the monster is dead, loot it for an Ekimmaras Trophy, Ekimmaras Mutagen and any other goodies it was carrying. You’ll also want to have a quick look around the room for a couple of chests (one of them contained Diagram: Torlunn in my game). Head back out of the cave to The Byways and speak with the villagers.
Note: At this point, you’ll earn 25XP and 210 Crowns.
Now we can fast travel back to Oreton and speak with the Nilfgaardian commander and report on what has happened to end the side-quest.
Note: At this point, you’ll earn 300XP and 195 Crowns.
Note: For completing this contract, you’ll earn the ‘Fearless Vampire Slayer’ achievement/trophy.