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InThe Witcher 3quest Where Children Toil, Toys Waste Away from the Blood and Wine expansion, Geralt has found his first concrete lead in his search for Dettlaff. With Regis' help, Geralt has identified an unlikely witness, a bootblack that Dettlaff frequently visited in Beauclair.
Related:The Witcher 3: Enchanting Explained
It’s a welcome break from traipsing about remote cemeteries and long-forgotten vampire fortresses in Toussaint, instead bringing you to Beauclair, where the deadliest enemy is little more than a disgruntled shopkeeper. While this quest is easy, there are a few hidden quirks within that can affect your future endeavors in the area, which we hope to help with.
Meeting The Bootblack
After completingLa Cage au Fouand successfully brewing the Resonance potion with Regis, Geralt dives into Dettlaff’s memories. Amidst the emotional turmoil and violence in the vampire’s mind, Geralt finds a common thread; a bootblack in Beauclair. Considering that Dettlaff had murdered the only other person in his memories, Geralt has no choice but tofind the bootblack.
You canvisit the mill where de la Croix was slainby finding it in the questAmidst the Mill’s Grist,which will only be available until youcomplete this quest.
The bootblack’s stand is where Geralt expects, on a street in Beauclair. While child labor laws are visibly lax in Toussaint, the boy maintains his work-life balance and is only presentduring his working hours from 8am to 8pm.
Geralt will find him beingconfronted by a trio of angry menwho are accusing the boy ofpouring his excrement onto the street,dirtying any boots unfortunate enough to be caught in the muck. They intend to rectify the situation bybeating the boy.
Ethics aside, your investigation cannot continue if the boy is incapacitated. Geralt will step in,starting a brawl regardless of which option you chose.
While the quest willcontinue regardless of your success in the fight,you will receivea larger experience point reward for winning.
If things are looking dicey, you are allowed todown potionsduring the fight.
The fight will be broken up by the city guard, who willarrest the menfor fighting. Having earned his audience, Geralt will try to question the bootblack.
Negotiating With The Bootblack
In a move both frustrating and endearing, the bootblack willonly part with his valuable knowledge for 500 crowns.He assures Geralt that the money will be an investment into his business, though you do have a few options with the boy.
Pay The Full Sum
While the price is certainly high, the information is crucial.Paying the 500 crowns will get you the information with minimal fuss.
This deed will count asproof of Geralt’s generosityin the quest toget Aerondight,one of the game’s most powerful swords.
Negotiate For A Lower Price
If you try tohaggle the price down,you will be confronted with thesame menu used to negotiate your bounty rewards.While itappears possible to lower the price to 250 crowns,good luck convincing this young entrepreneur to accept that.
Use Axii
The brat might be asking too much for such simple information. If you haveDelusion at Level 2,you cancorrect his expectationsand force him tosurrender the information for free.
While Geralt makes some headway with his attempt, the boy will not tell Geralt where Dettlaff lives. Fortunately, Regis will come to the rescue, offering the bootblack a new cleaning fluid thatconvinces the boy to give up the valuable information.
With your business concluded you canfollow Regis to Dettlaff’s home.
Searching Dettlaff’s House
The building in question isstill in Beauclair,by the waterside. While Geralt is thwarted by Dettlaff’s locked door, Regis falls on his supernatural talents andtransforms into mist,entering the house through a window and letting Geralt in.
It becomes immediately obvious that Dettlaff lives in a toy shop, with all kinds of dolls, figures, and other delightful gadgets lining the shelves. Geralt will have tosearch the store for cluesabout Dettlaff’s location.
Geralt’s Witcher Sensesare less useful in this building. It willhighlight toys throughout the shop,making it difficult to spot the actual clues.
You are looking fortwo clues,both on the second floor. There isnothing relevant on the first floor.
Note In A Bottle
The first clue isat the top of the stairsand is aransom notekept in a bottle, nestled in a woven basket.
Ituses Dettlaff’s loveras a hostage, forcing him tocomply with the blackmailer’s demands.
Letters Next To The Desk
Look to theright of Dettlaff’s deskfor a pile of papers with each of his victims' names written on them. Geralt and Regis deduce that the author had acquired ink from Nazair to write the letter.
After inspecting both clues, Geralt will leave toreport his findings to the Duchesswhile Regis remains to talk to Dettlaff.
Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough
