Contract: Lord of the Wood

Witcher contract Side quests · 146 of 159 → Novigrad suggested level 25 On the world map

“Contract: Lord of the Wood” is a witcher contract in Novigrad in The Witcher 3 (recommended level 25). The contract leads to “Leshens”. The weaknesses of “Kernun” are Dimeritium bomb, Relict oil and Igni Sign. It rewards experience and crowns. The first objective: Talk to Brean Hotsch.

From the journal

While traversing the woods outside Novigrad, Geralt came across some monster tracks that struck him as unusual. He decided it was worth his time to see what sort of beast was prowling around this close to the North's great metropolis.

A certain halfling named Brean Hotsch had hung a notice stating he was in need of a professional monster slayer. Geralt decided to see what was the matter.

Read on (2 paragraphs) – reveals how the quest unfolds

After a detailed investigation of the shrubbery and thicketry lining the forest floor (what exactly he looks for during such investigations is a complete mystery to me - I see nothing but endless chances to tear one's hose), Geralt concluded he was tracking a leshen. In order to defeat this elusive monster, he would first need to provoke it into attacking him. That's right, dear reader: he planned to deliberately provoke a leshen - the very thought sends shivers down my spine.

Once Geralt had defeated the leshen, the halfling paid up without making any fuss. There's no denying it: Brean Hotsch proved himself an honorable individual.

Choices with consequences (1) (spoilers)

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

„Farewell.“

Objectives

Talk to Brean Hotsch.
Lure the leshen out by destroying its totem. Map
Kill the leshen.
Take a trophy.
Check the nearest notice board. Map
Collect your reward from Brean Hotsch.
Use your Witcher Senses to follow the sounds and find the leshen's totem. Map
Investigate the site of the monster's attack. Map
Talk to witnesses.
Find the woodcutter's hut where Hotsch is staying. Map
Find the site of the attack using your Witcher Senses. Map
Use your Witcher Senses to follow the wagon tracks to where the monster attacked. Map

Hunted creature

Leshens

Enemies

Kernun

Weaknesses

Kernun

Rewards

The quest pays out in several stages; depending on your path and the outcome you will not get all of them.

250 XP + 260 crowns
25 XP

Notice on the board

Contract: Devil in the Woods

Dear witcher, sir (if any be present hereabouts, that is)

I've a hunch - eh, what am I saying - I'm dead certain that the woods I was lucky enough to gain possession of - or at least, I felt lucky about that till recently - that these woods are home to a cruel evil, a devil of some kind. I hired a gang of dwarven loggers not long back to harvest lumber. Strapping lads, every last one having cut down many a mighty tree in his life. So you can imagine my surprise when said loggers disappeared, all save one, and he claimed to have seen a monster. I've marked out a bounty for freeing my stretch of woods from all foul creatures, and dearly hope that soon I will have the pleasure of giving it to someone.

Sincerely,

-Brean Hotsch