When traveling through Velen during The Witcher 3's early stages, you may come across a man tied up by a riverbank and threatened by a pack of hungry drowners. This man, John Verdun, takes center stage in a short quest, At The Mercy Of Strangers, if you choose to rescue him.
You'll have to choose between untying him or leaving him to his fate, defenseless and at the mercy of monsters. It's a big decision, especially from his perspective, which is why this guide will help you find the quest and help you understand the longer-term consequences of that choice.
Updated on November 1, 2026, by Kaitlyn Peterson: This article has been updated for clarity to ensure you find all the information you need to complete this quest as easily as possible! We've also included a bit more information on what becomes of John Verdun, so you can decide for yourself if the consequences are worth the reward.
This quest is not far from Hanged Man's Tree, where Geralt first enters Velen. Head east, through Mulbrydale, until you reach the coast. There, you'll hear a man screaming for his life and under drowner attack.
You will need to protect him from the necrophages. Once they've been slain, Geralt will talk to the man. Considering that he's been tied up and left for dead, it would behoove you to ensure that he's an upstanding member of society.
The man introduces himself as John Verdun, a Temerian deserter who had been tied up by the caravan he tried to escape with. With this information, you can decide if you want to set him free or leave him to die.
You must release Verdun to experience the second half of this quest. If you let him die, things will end here. That said, he does go on to do some pretty awful things after you free him, which is something to consider, but you will have the option to kill him later too.
Later on, you can find him north of the Pontar, between the Widows' Grotto and Ursten Fast Travel points. He's done well for himself and has come to lead a group of bloodthirsty bandits that have killed several refugees.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.thegamer.com/the-witcher-3-at-the-mercy-of-strangers-side-quest-walkthrough/
