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Background

You'll trigger this quest when you read the note "Contract: Apprentice Gone Missing" on the notice board in Brunwich in the Novigrad Far Outskirts (#1).


Walkthrough

The note will mention that Herbalist Otto Bamber's apprentice Folkert has gone missing. To learn more about the disappearance, you'll need to visit Otto in his hut located to the northeast of Oxenfurt (#2). Otto will tell you that he sent Folkert into the Deadwight Wood to collect Han Fiber, but that he hasn't yet returned. He'll also let you know that Folkert is a halfling with light-colored hair.

To search for Folkert, you'll need to head over to the Deadwight Wood (#3) and turn on your witcher senses. In the northeastern part of the forest, you'll find Folkert's cart. When you examine it, you'll spot some blood, which will give you a trail to follow. The trail will lead you north to Erde.

In Erde (#4), you'll discover that the village is deserted except for a married couple. The couple will tell you that Folkert got wounded while picking herbs, but that he refused to leave before collecting what he needed, and went back out into the forest where wolves probably finished him off.

The story from the couple won't sound convincing, but you'll have two ways to proceed:

• If you believe the story and relay it to Otto, then you'll receive 200 crowns 50 xp
  
  
• If you discount the story and continue your investigation, then you should use your weapon or Aard to break into the abandoned house next door to the couple. You'll find months-old bloodstains there, but when you ask the couple about them, they'll just claim that that's where they gut game.
  
  To find real evidence, you'll need to explore around the couple's house. You'll quickly detect the smell of rotting meat, and when you follow the odor, you'll find some crates sitting on top of a hatch. After destroying the crates, when you go through the hatch, you'll discover Folkert's body, gutted and processed for meat.
  
  When you return to the couple, they'll claim that they only take leftovers from the wolves, and they'll beg you for mercy. This will give you two options -- to let them live or not. Then when you return to Otto, you'll be given two more options -- to tell him exactly what happened or not. Regardless of your choices, you'll receive 200 crowns and 100 xp.
  
  Note: If you kill the couple, then you'll find a Rusty Key (which will allow you to enter their house) and Strange Meat on their corpses.

1 - Brunwich


2 - Herbalist's Hut


3 - Deadwight Wood


4 - Erde