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Choose based on what matters more: killing the Scoia’tael and reporting them earns 30 crowns and a Letter of Safe Conduct; sparing them and reporting them earns the letter but no crowns; sparing them and concealing what you found earns no captain’s reward. The last option also honors Geralt’s promise to Vernossiel if you gave her your word. There is no single best choice: the decision trades off the group’s survival, Geralt’s promise, and the captain’s reward.
Spoilers for the Woodland Beast contract.
What is the Woodland Beast choice?
The contract claims a monster is attacking Redanian transports outside Novigrad. Geralt investigates the site and tracks the attackers, only to discover that the “beast” is a Scoia’tael commando led by Vernossiel. He can fight the group or leave them alive; sparing them opens a second choice about what to tell the captain. The Witcher Wiki’s quest overview describes the branches, and GameBanshee’s walkthrough details the rewards.
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What does each choice give you?
| Choice | Captain’s reward | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Kill the Scoia’tael and report them | 30 crowns and a Letter of Safe Conduct, after showing a Squirrel Tail as proof | The group dies; this is the largest stated immediate reward. |
| Spare the Scoia’tael and report them | A Letter of Safe Conduct, but no crowns | The group lives, but reporting them after promising secrecy can lead to a later confrontation. |
| Spare the Scoia’tael and say you found nothing | No reward from the captain | You keep the group’s location from the captain and honor a promise to Vernossiel, if you made one. |
GameBanshee reports that the Letter of Safe Conduct may be needed for Thou Shalt Not Pass. The reward amounts here are in-game outcomes described by that walkthrough, not player statistics.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhich option should you choose?
Kill and report for the full stated reward
Choose this if you value the captain’s full reward more than the Scoia’tael’s survival. Geralt must show a Squirrel Tail as proof to receive the 30 crowns and the letter.
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Spare and report for the letter
Choose this if you want the Scoia’tael to live but still want the Letter of Safe Conduct. You receive no crowns. If Geralt promised Vernossiel he would keep the group’s location secret, she may later confront him near Glory Gate if she considers the report a betrayal; this consequence is reported by the Witcher Wiki’s Vernossiel entry.
Spare and conceal the discovery to keep your word
Choose this if honoring Geralt’s promise matters more than receiving the captain’s reward. Tell the captain you found nothing; this branch pays nothing.
Rank #2
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Does this choice affect the wider story?
The Witcher Wiki’s quest notes say Vernossiel and her squad leave their camp after the contract. Depending on the outcome, they leave on their own or appear to be ambushed by Redanian forces. The sources cited here do not establish a broader main-story or war outcome from this decision, so it is best treated as a local quest and character choice rather than a proven major story branch.
Quick Recap
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