Quick Links
While deforestation isn’t as much of a problem inThe Witcher 3as it is in our world, the forests of the Northern Realms tend to be better at protecting themselves. A group of dwarven lumberjacks discovered this unfortunate reality in the side quest, Contract: Lord of the Wood.
Related:The Witcher 3: Disturbance Main Quest Walkthrough
Geralt will have to avenge the group after taking on the contract from their employer in Novigrad’s outskirts. You’ll need to stay alert as you search the forest for the monster responsible and cut it down. This quest is meant to be taken on near the end of the game, bringing a challenge to match.
Where To Start Contract: Lord Of The Wood
You’ll want to visitCunny of the Goose,on Novigrad’s southern outskirts to start this quest. You’ll find a notice titled"Contract: Devil in the Woods"on the nearby Notice Board. Read it and head into the inn.
The contract issuer,Brean Hotsch,is standing by the entrance, waiting for a witcher to answer his request. He’ll explain that a team of lumberjacks he’d hired had beenkilled in the woods,with only one member surviving. He needs someone tokill whatever was responsibleto allow operations to continue.
You will have a chance tonegotiate your paymentbefore accepting the quest.
Starting The Investigation
Before you head out to the site of the attack, you shouldtalk to the survivor at the inn.He’s opposite Brean and honoring his fallen friends with drink. He gives abrief account of the attack,enough to narrow down a search area but not enough to identify the monster.
Head over toLogger’s Hut,the lumberjacks' work site a short distance away from the inn.Use Geralt’s Witcher Senses to find wheel tracksleft on the dirt road. They lead to the abandoned wagon left deep in the woods.
There’ll be agroup of nekkersthat you’ll probably have to fight along the way. Make sure tomeditate and restore your suppliesafter besting them.
There areseveral clues to investigateat the wagon. They’ll lead to thedwarves' camp and their bodies.By inspecting their wounds and the circumstances around the attack, Geralt deduces that the monster responsible isa leshen.
Where To Find The Totem
Leshens use their supernatural abilities to remain hidden in forests, waiting for a favorable moment to strike. To force the monster into a confrontation, Geralt needs todestroy its totem.
Crows tend to gather around the structures, giving a clue as to its location. While the quest provides you withfour locations,the one you are looking for isfurthest from the east.
Once you’ve found it,cast Aard on the totemto destroy it. The young leshen won’t take kindly to its destruction and willconfront Geralt in a cutscene.
How To Defeat Kernun
As arelict primarily comprised of wood,Kernun’s weaknesses are apparent.Relict Oilwill improve your damage against it whilesetting it on fireis an effective way toinflict considerable harmover time.
Attacking Kernun while it is in its smoke form is not advised.It will reflect damage back at you, which isn’t a good thing.
Be mindful of the leshensticking its arms into the ground.This telegraphs an attack that hasroots burst up from the groundand damage Geralt.
After killing it, be sure tocollect the trophybefore returning to Brean for your reward.
Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
