Navigating the complex narrative paths of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt frequently brings players face-to-face with dark moral dilemmas and unforgettable companion side quests. One of the most engaging and intricate storylines in the game is Following the Thread, an optional assignment that unites Geralt of Rivia with his fellow witcher, Lambert. This quest blends detective work across multiple regions with a deeply personal tale of revenge, making it a favorite for players who appreciate narrative depth.
Tracking the Beast in Novigrad
The journey begins quite unexpectedly when you pick up a monster contract from a notice board in Novigrad regarding a mysterious nighttime killer. Upon tracking the creature to an abandoned warehouse near the docks, you discover Lambert is already locked in fierce combat with a powerful ekimmara. After helping him defeat the vampire, you quickly learn that he is not actually hunting the monster for money, but rather pursuing the supervisor of the area for personal reasons.
Following this intense encounter, you must interrogate a corrupt supervisor named Jad Karadin, who supposedly manages the trade operations. Unfortunately, this confrontation turns violent, forcing you to eliminate the guards while Lambert chases down crucial information. This initial phase sets up a global hunt, expanding your objectives far beyond the city walls into new territories.
Hunting Targets Across the Map
To locate the remaining members of the targeted crew, the witchers decide to split their efforts across the continent. Lambert travels toward Tretegor to track down a contact named Selyse, while Geralt is tasked with finding a pirate commander named Hammond in the Skellige Islands. You must sail to the remote island of Faroe and explore the village of Trottheim to advance the investigation.
When you confront Hammond at his shrine encampment, the situation rapidly escalates into a brutal battle against his entire pirate faction. Defeating this dangerous leader rewards you with a critical letter that contains coordinates and details about their hidden operations. Reading this document exposes the secret connections binding the group together and reveals the ultimate destination of the quest line.
The Final Confrontation and Moral Choice
Armed with new evidence, you reunite with Lambert outside a luxurious estate in the wealthy district of Novigrad. Here, you discover that Jad Karadin has completely abandoned his former life of violence to become a successful merchant and a dedicated family man. As you enter the home, he openly admits to his past misdeeds but begs for mercy, claiming to have reformed completely.
This pivotal moment forces you to make a definitive choice that determines the fate of the former assassin. You can choose to allow Lambert to fulfill his desire for vengeance, resulting in a swift and bloody execution of the merchant. Alternatively, Geralt can convince his hot-headed companion to spare the man, walking away peacefully while leaving Karadin to care for his adopted children.
