The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt presents players with an incredibly detailed world filled with political intrigue and hidden side activities. Among these narrative gems is the Novigrad Closed City quest, a multi-part secondary mission that highlights the growing desperation within the northern metropolis as the Temple Guard tightens its grip. Navigating this hidden storyline requires careful tracking as it does not always trigger through traditional notice boards or obvious quest markers.
How to Unlock and Access the Quest Paths
To begin this encounter, players must advance the main story far enough to witness the lockdown of the metropolitan area by Radovid's oppressive forces. The quest itself can actually be initiated in two completely separate locations within the city boundaries, depending on which NPCs you encounter first. One common starting point involves tracking down a group of bandits trying to break into a house near the gate of the city hierarchy.
Alternatively, players can trigger the sequence by speaking to a fearful woman named Lussi standing near the St. Gregory's Bridge district. She will request Geralt's protective assistance to clear out monsters that have allegedly taken over her estate. Accepting her plea plunges the witcher directly into a web of conspiracy involving hidden keys and hunted citizens trying to escape persecution.
Tracking Down the Three Golden Keys
The core objective of the Novigrad Closed City assignment revolves around gathering three unique keys belonging to partners who attempted to flee the lockdown together. If you started the journey with Lussi, you will claim the first key directly from her after defending her from undercover witch hunters. She will then provide hints regarding the remaining two partners who hold the other pieces of the puzzle.
The second key is held by a man named Walter, who is actively being pursued by Temple Guards near the southern parts of the docks. Players must intervene quickly to save him from his attackers or search his body if he falls during the chaotic skirmish. The third and final key belongs to Fritz, whose house is located within the wealthy residential district of the city.
Locating the Hidden Treasure Vault
Upon arriving at Fritz's residence, you will discover that he has already met a grim fate at the hands of the local authorities. You must utilize your enhanced witcher senses to investigate the upper floors of his house to locate his hidden clues. Lighting a specific torch on the wall will reveal a secret compartment containing a detailed ledger explaining their shared asset pool.
With all three keys secured in your inventory, you can finally unlock the heavy safe hidden within the room structure. Opening this chest rewards players with rare crafting components, valuable coin, and unique armor pieces that make the effort worthwhile. Completing this objective successfully brings a dramatic conclusion to the localized narrative of these doomed business partners.
Crucial Tips and Missable Quest Triggers
It is absolutely essential to note that this specific assignment is highly sensitive to main story progression and must be completed before certain late-game events. If players advance too far into the final acts involving the major political assassinations, the NPCs associated with this task will disappear permanently from the map. Taking the time to explore side alleyways during Act Two ensures you do not miss this complex dark fantasy content.
Furthermore, because the quest relies on multiple dynamic world events, it can occasionally conflict with other active side activities in the area. Keeping multiple save files before exploring the major urban zones is a wise choice for any completionist looking to experience everything the Continent has to offer. Managing your journey carefully allows you to maximize your experience points and witness the full depth of CD Projekt Red's masterwork.
