Philippa Eilhart is a character that is continually referenced inThe Witcher 3.As Radovid’s former advisor and the source of his hatred toward the Lodge of Sorceresses, her actions have a lasting impact on the setting. While she may have seemed little more than a background character, the quest Blindingly Obvious brings her back to the forefront.

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Triss and Yennefer, trying to reform the Lodge, set their sights on finding the missing sorceress. The former manages to track her down, though she needs Geralt’s help in ensuring her safety. Chasing a sorceress is no small thing which is where this guide may come in handy.

Helping Triss

This quest is connected toFinal Preparations,which has Geralt and his allies preparing for a decisive confrontation with Eredin and the Wild Hunt. To start this part of the story,talk to Triss on the Chamelon’s second floor.It is Dandelion’s tavern, in Novigrad.

Triss will befurious with Geraltthanks to his involvement with Ciri’s revenge mission prior to this quest. While the game presents you with three options and a limited time to answer,there are no consequences for each choice.

Triss Merigold gives Geralt an angry look, with her hands on her hips, as they talk in an inn.

She will focus on the task at hand, explaining thatPhillipa has been stuck in an owl’s bodyand had been owned by none other than Zoltan. As fate would have itZoltan had lost her in a card gamenot long ago. You will need to help Triss track her down.

A cutscene will play,teleporting the two of youto a secluded fountain suitable for Triss' magic. The spell works, showing the pair thatPhillipa is at Dijkstra’s bathhouseand in the grasp of someone who despises her.

A screenshot of a cutscene in The Witcher 3, with a large fireball in the foreground, in front of Geralt.

Storming The Bathhouse

With no time to waste,Triss will lead Geralt to the bathhousewhere you can hear Phillipa laying waste to the people inside. Dijkstra, already in a foul mood,tells Triss to stay outside.You can disagree, thoughTriss will willingly comply.

You will have tofight Dijkstra’s mind-controlled menas you rush toward the runaway sorceress. These enemies are your usual run-of-the-mill swordsmen that will not take much effort to defeat. Make your way tothe other end of the bathhouseandtake the ladder down.

Geratl confronts a moss-covered troll in the sewers of Novigrad.

Don’t worry about pulling your punches;Geralt will not kill any of Dijkstra’s men.They will survive whatever you throw at them.

After taking the ladder, you willfight a handful more menbefore coming face-to-face with Bart. If your interaction with the troll inCount Reuven’s Treasurewas any indication, he is as harmless as they come.

A screenshot of a blindfolded woman casting magic in the sewers of Novigrad.

He will confront Geralt, compelled to follow Phillipa’s orders to block the way for any pursuers. You will have a chance toconvince him to let you pass.For all of his good intentions, Bart is easily fooled.Tell him that you want to help Phillipato have him peacefully stand down. The alternative would be to kill him.

If you do decide to kill Bart, make sure to useOgroid Oilto improve your damage against him. Unfortunately, youwill not receive any useful itemsfrom killing him, making it a wasteful endeavor.

A screenshot of the final decision in the quest Blindingly Obvious, with two options displayed.

Confronting Phillipa

With the coast clear, you will need torun through the sewersto reach Phillipa. She isin a large chamber,standing on the second floor. Unfortunately, her natural suspicion has hersummon a fire elementalin an attempt to stop you.

The fire elemental is not much more than a road block for Geralt. It is predictably,vulnerable to Elementa Oil.It is most dangerous when alight, increasing its damage and adding a chance to set Geralt on fire. These flames can bedoused by Aard or a Northern Wind bomb.Just verify not to set it on fire. That willstrengthen the flames.

Defeat it andrun up the stairsto restrain Phillipa. Without her eyesight, she willnot be able to run further.When you get close enough, a cutscene will play, ending this section.

Completing Blindingly Obvious

With the rogue sorceress in tow, you will need toconvince Dijkstra to let her go.The former lovers have a storied history in the worst way, with Phillipasending assassins after Dijkstra.

You have two options here,either telling him what the Emperor is after,orshoving him aside.The former will lead to a diplomatic resolution, with the spymaster agreeing to let Geralt go and opening the door toone of the game’s most important storylines,Reason of State.

Be aware that choosing toshove Dijkstra aside is a massive understatement.It involves Geraltpunching Dijkstra in the face and breaking his remaining leg.You may be misled by the tame description.

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