A Grain of Truth

A Grain of Truth Written by Andrew Woodward Based on the short story by Andrzej Sapkowski [[Info]] [[Begin]]

In the village of Blackbough located in western Velen, Geralt of Rivia finds a contract posted to the town's bulletin board. [[<Read Contract>]]

Geralt pulls the piece of parchment off the notice board. [[<To Inn>]] [[<To Forest>]]

"Aye. Hoped for a quick response to my posting, never imagined a Witcher'd walk through the door." [["That won't be a problem, I hope."]]

"She's about 20 or so, long brown hair. Last I saw her she was wearing a fine blue dress. Left for the forest 2 mornings ago to, er, pick berries. Hasn't returned since." [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [["Let's talk coin."]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Ah, dangerous spot they are. There's a beast livin' out in the old manor house. I suspect that monster 'as something to do with all this. Oh, I fear for my poor Ania." [["Didn't think to mention this 'beast' in your notice?"]]

"Yes, yes. I know you Witcher's don't do nothing outta the kindness of your dear hearts. What'll you be expecting for a job like this?" [["150"]] [["200"]] [["250"]] [["300"]]

"Nay, not a problem. I'll take what help I might get. What do ye need to know?" [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [["Let's talk coin."]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Thank you, Witcher. I trust you'll solve this unfortunate mystery in swift fashion. Oh, how I miss my dear Ania." [[<To Forest>]]

Sigmund shifts uncomfortably. "I didn't want to scare off any strapping young adventurer lookin' for work now did I? Regardless if that beast does have something to do with the mystery of my dear daughter or not, I'll pay you greatly for the demon's head on a platter!" [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [["Let's talk coin."]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Seems fair enough to me." [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Aye, I can manage that." [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Oh, alright. Ah, you Witchers don't come cheap..." [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"Blasted Witchers! Just love profiting off the heartbroken and distraught, don't ye? Fine, have it your way." [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Multiple disappearances?"]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

The young woman is clearly dead, covered in blood. There are bite marks all around her neck. Geralt notes that the injuries look like the work of a wild animal, or some sort of beast. The woman has brown hair and is wearing a blue dress. If he spoke to Sigmund at the Inn, Geralt comments that it matches the description of Ania. [[<Investigate further.>]]

Geralt uses his Witcher senses to pick up the trail of a creature that looks to have fled the scene. The tracks lead even deeper into the forest. [[<Follow the tracks.>]]

The trail leads Geralt to a rundown manor house surrounded by a brick wall and metal gate, the tracks continuing into the courtyard. Using his Witcher senses, Geralt notices the gate is weak enough to be forced open using the Aard sign. [[<Use Aard on the gate.>]]

A blast of wind exits the Witcher's hand, knocking the gate off its hinges. Geralt steps into the courtyard, examining a well-kept rose garden lining the path up to the manor. He follows the path to the front door. [[<Knock.>]]

Before he can knock, Geralt hears the sound of something moving swiftly through the forest, charging at him. He pulls out his sword. Silver, for monsters. Twigs crackle and snap beneath the feet of whatever creature is barreling forward, until with a crash the beast breaks through the woods into the courtyard. The beast is vaguely human in form, running on two legs in the torn and tattered clothes of a nobleman, yet is covered in brown fur with the huge head of a grizzly bear. Geralt points his sword at the creature, stopping it in its tracks. "Flee, mortal man!" roars the beast. "Or... Or-" [[<"Or what?">]] [[<Attack the beast.>]]

"Or I'll devour you! Tear you into tiny pieces!" The beast stamps its legs, huffing and puffing. Geralt gives the creature a cold stare, squinting slightly. Neither moves. "So," says the witcher, "are we going to carry on standing like this then?" "Stop pointing that sword, and we will see." [[<Put away the weapon>]] [[<Attack the beast.>]]

The witcher and the beast fight in the manor courtyard. It is an intense, bloody duel. The beast poses a worthy challenge, but is no match for the witcher. It roars as Geralt quickly delivers the final blow, cutting him down. [[<Return to Blackbough.>]]

Geralt sheathes his sword. The beast drops its guard in return. "Are you really not frightened of me?" [[<Should I be?">]]

The beast clears its throat. "Pox on it," it says, "would you like to come in? It is not often I come across one who doesn't scream and run at the mere sight of me." [[<Accept the invitation.>]]

"You may call me Nivellen," says the beast as it steps past Geralt, who keeps his guard up. "Geralt." "Greetings, Geralt. Come inside." Nivellen opens the door to the manor. [[<Follow Nivellen inside.>]]

Geralt follows Nivellen into the manor. "Lights, please." Nivellen says to nobody in particular. Suddenly the room fills with warm light, as every candle in the building is lit at once. "The house does as I command," he says to Geralt, "so don't try anything." The manor is as decrepit on the inside as the outside would make it seem: cracks in the floor, paintings fallen from the walls, wallpaper tearing at its edges. The two walk into a moderately sized dining hall. "Food, please." Requests Nivellen. In a flash plates full of lavish food and goblets of wine appear on the table. "I hope you're hungry, friend." [[<"Starving.">]]

The two sit across from each other. "What are you doing here, Geralt?" Nivellen asks. [[<"I'm lost.>]] [[<"Hired to kill you.">]]

"We both know that's not true. I've shown you great hospitality, Geralt, I hope you can repay me with honesty. You're a witcher, that much I know. I can only assume you were hired to kill me. What I want to know is this- why haven't you done it yet?" [[<"I only kill monsters. Not sure about you yet.">]]

"Well, I figured as much. A witcher showing up on your doorstep uninvited can only mean one thing, can't it? So then, Geralt, why haven't you done it?" [[<"I only kill monsters. Not sure about you yet.">]]

"What luck!" chuckles Nivellen. "A witcher with a code of honor. Are you all like that? Can't be, you'd never make any coin that way!" Nivellen laughs to himself as Geralt takes a drink of wine. [["Do you live here by yourself?"]] [["What happened to you?"]] [[<"I'm looking for a missing girl. Know anything about that?">]]

Geralt gives a description of Ania, the missing girl. He does not mention that he found her dead. "Aye. I know the lass you speak of. She was here just yesterday. Left in the evening, though, haven't seen her since. Am I to assume she's gone missing?" [[<"What was she doing here?">]]

Nivellen takes a long sip of wine. "Of course," he says. "Who would live here with me? Nobody can bear to look at me for longer than a second without fainting. Nobody but you, that is." [["What happened to you?"]] [[<"I'm looking for a missing girl. Know anything about that?">]]

"What do you mean, witcher?" questions Nivellen. "I mean you weren't always the way you are now. You were human once, were you not?" "Aye. But that is quite a long tale. A sad one, at that. Full of details I would, frankly, rather forget. No, I shall not delve into it." [[(Use Axii) "Tell me."]] [["Do you live here by yourself?"]] [[<"I'm looking for a missing girl. Know anything about that?">]]

Geralt waves his hand slightly, calming Nivellen's mind with the Axii sign. "Fine. If you must know... I was young at the time, and stupid. The lads in this gang I found myself in wound me around their fingers and we soon began doing things which- terrible things. One day we robbed a temple. A priestess was there. The lads overpowered the priestess and stripped her, then said I had to become a man. Well, I became a man, stupid snot that I was, and the priestess spat into my face and screamed something.” [[“What?”]]

Nivellen takes a long pause, looking past Geralt at the wall. “That I was a monster in human skin so I should become a monster in monster's skin. Something else about love, and blood... I can't remember. She must have had the dagger, a little one, hidden in her hair. She cut her arms open, we were both covered in- in so much blood. The gang and I fled, far as we could get. The next day I woke up just as you see me now." Nivellen sighs and sniffs. "The boys, they started screaming at me, attacking me. I wanted to yell at them, tell them to stop, but instead I just roared. And I thrashed and clawed and the next thing I knew I- they were dead. Torn apart. So I ran, and ran, and ended up here. That was 12 years ago." [["Do you live here by yourself?"]] [[<"I'm looking for a missing girl. Know anything about that?">]]

"Ah, well... a bit of a convoluted question, that is. As you can guess, I've been cursed with this body of a beast. I know that in old fairy stories it is always love that undoes a curse, and seeing as I've tried nearly everything else imaginable I figure the solution to my problem must be something to do with love. This in mind, I've made a deal with some of the locals in the village over. I pay them, great sums of money I might add, to live with me for a few months, one at a time, in the hopes that eventually one will fall in love with me, lifting the curse. Ania was here for... a date, you could say." [[<"And you sent her away?">]]

Nivellen shifts in his seat. "Yes. As I explained to her and her father I am finished making these sorts of deals." Geralt grunts, scrunching his nose. "Her father was with her, you said?" he asks Nivellen. "Aye, Sigmund was his name." [[<"Why did you stop making deals?">]]

Nivellen sighs and stands from the table, then walks to the window. "I found true love, Geralt. I am madly in love and yet, well, look at me." Geralt raises and eyebrow. [[<"I thought you lived here alone.">]]

"I did not lie to you, Geralt. My true love does not live here. She visits me when the sun sets and the moon is bright. We walk about the garden together. My Vareena, I see her in my dreams. She isn’t another merchant's daughter, Geralt, or another attempt to find a grain of truth in old folk tales. It's serious. We love each other." [["Tell me more about Vareena."]] [[<"You know your Vareena probably isn't human, right?">]]

"Of course I know that. Rusalka, I suspect. Frightened of humans, they are. Meaning I wouldn't want to break this curse even if I could. Not now. I love Vareena and she loves me. I'm content with that." Geralt grunts. [[<"When did Vareena first appear to you?">]]

"She's Slim. Dark. Rarely speaks, and in a language I don’t know. She doesn’t eat human food. She disappears into the forest for days on end, then comes back." [[<"You know your Vareena probably isn't human, right?">]]

"If it will wipe that look of suspicion off your face, so be it." [[<Explore the manor.>]]

[[Search the bedroom.]] [[Search the courtyard]]

Geralt uses his witcher senses to investigate the main bedroom. Empty bottles of wine are strewn about the room, patches of fur are found around the bed. Geralt notes that nothing seems out of the ordinary. [[Search the courtyard]]

Geralt steps down a wooden staircase into the basement. Cobblestones line the floors and walls. It is dark, but using his witcher senses Geralt is able to investigate points of interest. Multiple splatters of dried blood are visible along the walls and floors. At the center of the room rests a bed of hay and twigs, in the fashion of what appears to be some sort of nest. Old bones are strewn across the room. Geralt notes that they are mostly animal. Mostly. Once everything has been discovered, Geralt grumbles to himself that this couldn't be the work of a rusalka, which are usually harmless, and that he needs to have a word with Nivellen. [[<Return to Nivellen.>]]

Geralt heads outside into the rose garden. Using his witcher senses, he is able to sniff out spatterings of dried blood on some of the roses. They seem to form a trail leading to the back of the house. [[Follow the trail of blood.]] [[Search the bedroom.]]

The blood leads to a wooden hatch behind the building, most likely leading to the basement. It is locked, but appears weak enough to shatter with a blast of Aard. [[<Use Aard on the hatch.>]]

With a wave of his hand, the lock snaps and the cellar door swings open in front of Geralt. [[<Search the basement.>]]

"She's not harmless at all," the witcher continues. "Incredibly dangerous, in fact." "Not my Vareena," Nivellan says. "She wouldn't hurt a fly. Where would you get such an idea?" [[<"Vareena is using you.">]] [[<"Vareena must be killed.">]]

"She's influencing your mind. All she wants is a place to live. What better spot than a manor in the middle of nowhere protected from all outsiders by a ferocious beast?" "You're wrong, Geralt. She loves me. And I love her." [[<"She's killing people.">]] [[<"She doesn't love you.">]]

"I found the missing girl dead. Bite marks at the throat. Vareena is dangerous, you must know that." "That's not true. It- it can't be." [[<"She's a monster. You don't have to be.">]]

"Killed?" shrieks Nivellen. "I won't let you touch her, witcher." [[<"She's killing people.">]] [[<"Get out of my way, or else.">]]

"She doesn't love you, Nivellen. She can't." "Why? Why can't she?" [[<"She's a monster. You don't have to be.">]]

Nivellen takes a long pause. Tears well up in his eyes. He sighs. "She will return here come nightfall, you may wait for her in the courtyard. Do what you must, witcher." "It is no easy feat to overcome a vampire's manipulation. There's some human in you yet, Nivellen." Nivellen steps out of the way. [[<Return to the Courtyard.>]]

Geralt leaves the cellar. Nivellen walks back inside the manor, closing and bolting shut the door. The courtyard is quiet and empty, save the red roses blowing softly in the wind. Geralt prepares potions and reads up on vampires, preparing for the fight to come. [[<Meditate until nightfall.>]]

Time passes quickly as the witcher meditates in the courtyard. He breaks from his trance at the sound of a woman singing in the forest beyond the manor's gate. It is dark out, but the witcher's keen eyes allow him to see clearly with the help of the moon shining faintly above. Twigs snap and crackle in the forest as something approaches the manor. The singing is in a language Geralt does not know, but it is soft and piercing. [[<Draw sword.>]]

The witcher draws his silver sword. The singing grows louder and louder, until eventually a creature emerges from the woods and walks through the broken gate. The creature walks on two legs, and is mostly human in form save for long claws extending from its fingers. It has long black hair and grey skin, clothed in a flowing white dress. The vampire charges Geralt. [[<Fight.>]]

Geralt and Vareena fight madly in the courtyard. Blood spills from each, staining the roses a darker shade of red. The fight is difficult and tense, but the witcher eventually gains the upper hand, leaving Vareena wounded on the ground. Before he can deal the killing blow, however, Nivellen bursts through the manor front door. "Wait!" he yells. "Please, Geralt. Please don't. We can help her, can't we? Change her? A kiss from her true love may do it!" [[<"This isn't a fairy tale.">]]

'A Grain of Truth' is meant to serve as the "proof-of-concept" for a speculative sidequest for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. This game uses a recreation of the conversation system present in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Some dialogue options do not advance the story and are only there to provide additional information. Angle brackets (<>) indicate choices that will advance the narrative. [[Main Menu]]

'Missing: Ania My daughter, Ania, has gone missing. This is the latest in a series of disappearances that have plagued our town. Anyone who finds her or whatever fate has befallen her shall be generously rewarded. Last seen heading into the forest near the Inn. You'll find me there if you wish to speak. - Sigmund Hoorn, Alderman of Blackbough' [[<Accept Contract>]]

Geralt enters the inn, scanning the room. He sees a man in fine clothes sitting alone at a table in the back corner. He walks up to the man. [[<"Alderman?">]]

Geralt investigates the last known location of Ania, picking up and following her trail deep into the woods. After a little while, he comes upon a clearing. At the center of the clearing, laying on a bed of grass, rests the body of a young woman. [[<Investigate the body.>]]

"More than just Ania, yes. Folk started leavin' and not turning up again a little over 8 months ago. Not just girls like Ania, neither. Men, women, animals even." [["Tell me more about your daughter."]] [["Tell me about the woods."]] [["Let's talk coin."]] [[<"I'll tend to this.">]]

"About 8 months ago. I told you it's serious, Geralt." The witcher narrows his eyes, then stands. [[<"I'm going to have a look around, if you don't mind.>"]]

Geralt returns to the courtyard, finding Nivellen tending to the rose garden. [[<"When's the last time you've been in your basement?">]]

"Oh, I don't know. Months, certainly. Vareena doesn't like me in there. It's her space, she says." [[<"Vareena is a vampire, Nivellen.">]]

The witcher and Nivellen fight in the manor courtyard. It is an intense, bloody duel. Nivellen poses a worthy challenge, but is no match for the witcher. He roars as Geralt quickly delivers the final blow, cutting him down. [[<Return to Blackbough.>]]

"Or else what, witcher? You'll cut me down, too?" [[<"She's killing people.">]] [[<"Last Chance.">]]

"You will not harm my love, my Vareena. You say you kill only monsters? I hope you've made up your mind about me." Nivellen lunges at Geralt. [[<Attack Nivellen.>]]

"I know that!" Nivellen yells. "You know damn well I would know that! But I'm begging you, witcher, to let me try." [[<"No point.">]] [[<"Do what you must.">]]

Nivellen kneels down beside the writhing vampire. "Vareena, my Vareena," he says, leaning in for a kiss. For a moment it appears as if Vareena is reciprocating as she leans towards Nivellen. The second before their lips meet, however, she lets out a sharp hiss, revealing her fangs, and in a flash bites Nivellen on the neck. He howls and pulls back, grabbing his neck. "Mine," the piercing voice of Vareena calls, "or nobody's." [[<Kill Vareena.>]] [[<Help Nivellen.>]]

"I'm sorry, Nivellen," continues Geralt, "but it's too dangerous. Stay back." "Fine, witcher. Fine..." [[<Slay Vareena.>]]

Vareena is far more wild and desperate than before as the two duel again. Once more, Geralt eventually gains the upper hand. This time, however, he finishes the job. With a swift stroke of his silver sword, Geralt slashes through Vareena's neck, decapitating her. [[<Check on Nivellen.>]]

The witcher rushes to Nivellen's side, giving him a potion. Nivellen gulps it down. In this time, Vareena has regained some of her strength and stands to fight again. [[<Finish the fight.>]]

The two duel again, this time Vareena far more wild and desperate than before. Yet again, Geralt eventually gains the upper hand. This time, however, he finishes the job. With a swift stroke of his silver sword, Geralt slashes through Vareena's neck, decapitating her. The night is quiet and dark for a few moments, until a flash of light shines from behind Geralt. [[<Investigate the light.>]]

With a swift stroke of his silver sword, Geralt slashes through Vareena's neck, decapitating her. "Get out of here, witcher. Now." Nivellen mutters through teary eyes. Geralt nods. [[<Return to Blackbough village.>]]

Geralt finds the Alderman in the same inn as before, seated at the same secluded table. [[<"Solved your monster problem.">]]

Geralt kneels to Nivellen's side. He is dead, still clutching his neck. The fur beneath his eyes wet with tears. Geralt stands. [[<Return to Blackbough village.>]]

Geralt returns to Nivellen's side, the source of the light. Nivellen the beast lays there no longer. Instead, a young man with pale complexion rests on the grass. He twitches slightly, then opens his eyes. The young man lifts his head, then rubs his eyes. Looking at his hands, he stands abruptly. He feels different parts of himself in disbelief. "Geralt! How come? How did this-" Nivellen laughs. Between bouts of laughter Nivellen notices Vareena on the ground. [[<"Don't look.">]]

"Let's get inside," continues Geralt, "we both need medicine." [[<Help Nivellen inside.>]]

The two, arm in arm, help each other inside the manor. After awhile they find themselves sitting by the fire, bandaged and well fed. Nivellen has a large blanket draped over him. "After so many years," he sighs, "how is it possible?" [[<"There's a grain of truth in every fairy tale.">]]

"Love and blood," Geralt continues, "possess a mighty power. Sorcerers have been racking their brains over this for years, but they haven't arrived at anything except that-" "That what, Geralt?" Geralt turns his gaze from the blazing fire to Nivellen. [[<"It has to be true love.">]]

The two watch the fire in silence for a little while longer. Finally, Geralt stands. "Goodbye, Nivellen." "Goodbye, Geralt. And thank you." [[<Return to Alderman Hoorn.>]]

Geralt finds the Alderman in the same inn as before, seated at the same secluded table. [[<"Solved your 'beast' problem.">]]

Geralt finds Alderman Hoorn at the inn, in the same spot as before. [[<"Solved your monster problem.">]]

"And what of my Ania?" Sigmund replies. "Dead. I'm sorry. Killed by a monster in the woods." "Oh, god. Oh, my poor Ania..." Sigmund takes a moment to compose himself. "Your fee, witcher. Take it and leave me in my sorrow." [[<Take the money.>]]

Geralt accepts the payment and heads outside, toward another adventure. A small voice emerges amongst his thoughts questioning if things with the mysterious beast of the manor could have gone differently. Regardless, another contract is complete. [[Main Menu]]

"And what of my Ania?" Sigmund replies. "Dead. I'm sorry. Killed by a vampire in the woods." "Oh, god. Oh, my poor Ania..." Sigmund takes a moment to compose himself. "Your fee, witcher. Take it and leave me in my sorrow." [[<Accept reward.>]] [[<Deny reward.>]]

Geralt accepts the payment and heads outside, toward another adventure. A small voice emerges amongst his thoughts questioning if things with Nivellen could have gone differently. The witcher, however, feels assured that all is as it should be. Regardless, another contract is complete. [[Main Menu]]

Geralt refuses to take the money from the grieving man and heads outside, toward another adventure. A small voice emerges amongst his thoughts questioning if things with Nivellen could have gone differently. The witcher, however, feels assured that all is as it should be. Regardless, another contract is complete. [[Main Menu]]

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A Grain of Truth

Written by Andrew Woodward
Based on the short story by Andrzej Sapkowski

Info

Begin