A Poet Under Pressure

Main quest Part 1 · 28 of 35 → Novigrad suggested level 13 On the world map

“A Poet Under Pressure” is a main quest in Novigrad in The Witcher 3 (recommended level 13). In the “Part 1” section of the story it is quest 28 of 35. Those involved include Cirilla, Dandelion and Dijkstra. It rewards experience and crowns.

From the journal

Ah, what times those were, times of adventure, action and unexpected twists around every corner! As you surely recall, Ciri and I escaped from Whoreson Junior's headquarters only to wind up trapped in a corner by the Temple Guard. Ciri managed to get away, but I was captured and tossed in the Temple Isle dungeons. From there I was to be transported to Deireadh, the infamous Oxenfurt prison, to await my execution - and here my tale would surely end, had my friends not devised an ingenious plan to ambush the transport.

Yet even the best-laid plans can go awry if fortune deems it so. The ambush succeeded only partially, as one of the guards tossed me on his horse and fled in the heat of the action. Not losing my cool for my second, I quickly concocted a plan of my own, and it had almost come to fruition when Geralt burst in and broke me free in his typical clumsy yet, granted, effective way. But do not think me ungrateful or cold-hearted - any irritation I felt soon faded in the sincere joy that filled my heart upon seeing my old friend once more.

Enemies in this quest 1

Drowners Level 18

Choices with consequences (3) (spoilers)

The game remembers these answers and comes back to them later.

„Don't feel like it.“
„Can't say.“Affects: The Play's the Thing
„I want to attack a temple guard transport.“Affects: The Play's the Thing

Objectives

(Optional) Ask Dijkstra for help rescuing Dandelion.
Meet Zoltan at the site of the ambush. Map
Talk to Zoltan when you're ready to start the ambush. Map
Chase Dandelion's abductor.
Follow the smell of Dandelion's cologne using your Witcher Senses. Map
Explore the area in front of the hut in the woods. Map
Enter the halflings' home via the secret passage. Map
Free Dandelion.
Defeat the witch hunter.
Untie Dandelion.
Go in the direction indicated and look for tracks using your Witcher Senses. Map
Use your Witcher Senses to pick up the trail. Map
Ask if anyone from the camp has seen Dandelion's abductor.
Find a way into the hut.