The Witcher 3 - A Poet Under Pressure, Breakneck Speed, cellar key, trapdoor
How to complete the Poet Under Pressure quest by tracking down Dandelion. We'll also explain how to finish Ciri's Breakneck Speed quest.
This page covers A Poet Under Pressure, Breakneck Speed, cellar key and trapdoor. If you're looking for more assistance, our Witcher 3 walkthrough can help.
Now that your rescue plan is almost complete, leave the city and use the objective marker to meet with Zoltan at the rendezvous point. Speak with him and, once Priscilla arrives, agree to let her stay (if you so choose). Next, you can either play a game of Gwent to pass the time or begin the rescue mission immediately.
A Poet Under Pressure
Use your Witcher Senses to pick up the trail
Once Dandelion has successfully (and unexpectedly) escaped the convoy, the action resumes in the midst of battle. Take care of any opponents in the immediate vicinity and activate your Witcher Senses. Run toward the objective marker (dealing with any more guards that strike) and locate the hoof prints at the top of the hill.
Begin following the trail through the undergrowth and, as you near the water's edge a little way on, keep watch for drowners. Take down any that stray too close to your position and continue following the trail when it's safe to do so. Eventually, you'll reach the end of the track - enter the camp nearby.
Ask if anyone from the camp has seen Dandelion's abductor
Speak to the peasant hammering his sword then resume your search.
Use your Witcher Senses to pick up the trail
Dandelion's trail continues a little way beyond the peasant you just engaged. Activate your Witcher Senses and follow the hoof prints along the path heading north-east. Leave the road a little further on and climb the hill as the trail continues. Stop when you reach the horse's body.
How to rescue Dandelion from the hut's cellar
Explore the area in front of the hut in the woods
Activate your Witcher Senses and examine the horse corpse. Next, work your way along the path toward the hut in the north-east. Speak to the halflings converging nearby and ask about the hut's other entrance to receive the cellar key.
Enter the halflings' home via the secret passage
Head north toward the hut and make your way around to the back of the building. Locate the trapdoor in the grass then use the key to unlock it.
Free Dandelion
When you're ready, open the trapdoor and descend the ladder. At the bottom, work your way along the corridor and loot the chest to the left. You'll find the Angrenian Cuirass armour inside, along with a few other goodies - note that the armour is relatively heavy so ensure that you're not overburdened before proceeding. In the next room, locate the ladder in the north-west corner and make your way up into the hut. Pass through the nearby door and defeat the witch hunter.
Untie Dandelion
With the soldier defeated, loot his body and untie Dandelion. Rejoin your friends outside then work your way through the dialogue options to kickstart another flashback.
Our Witcher 3 walkthrough and guide can help you with the main story, including the Wandering in the Dark and Family Matters missions, and eventually, one of several Witcher 3 endings. There's plenty of side content, too, including Witcher 3 Contracts, White Orchard quests, Velen quests, Novigrad quests and Skellige Isles quests. Elsewhere, learn about the best Witcher 3 builds, the best Witcher 3 mods, how to make money in Witcher 3, find Places of Power locations, and learn how to do Witcher 3 crafting and Witcher 3 Alchemy And when you're done with all those - we can help you through expansions with our Hearts of Stone walkthrough and Blood and Wine walkthrough.
Ciri's Story: Breakneck Speed
Flee towards Temple Isle
Don't expect any preamble when the action switches back to Ciri. You're immediately accosted by numerous foes intent on bringing you down. The good news is that you won't have to engage any of them if you stay on your toes: simply hammer your dodge boost and speed through the city streets, winding your way along the road in the direction of the objective marker.
Come to a halt when you spy Dandelion by the side of the track. A large number of henchmen stand guard up ahead, and you'll need to eliminate them in order to proceed - don't forget to use your Blink ability for effective crowd control. With all enemies defeated, run through the door nearby.
Back in the present, work your way through the various conversation options to bring your current quest to a close. Note that this grants access to the Cabaret secondary quest. Return to the Rosemary and Thyme in Novigrad if you want to pursue it.
- Keep reading for our guide to finishing The Witcher 3 - Destination Skellige, the next quest in the game.
- Stuck somewhere else? Head back to the first page for the rest of our Witcher 3 walkthrough.