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'Twisted Firestarter' is a short side quest Geralt can take on at the start of his adventures in The Witcher 3. Like much of White Orchard's content, it serves as something of an introduction to the game's systems whilst functioning as a swiftly entertaining time in its own right.

Related: The New Witcher Game Should Be All Side Quests

Willis has put up with sour looks and more than his fair share of bullying from the other townsfolk, but it may be an understatement to say things have escalated now that someone has burned down his forge. If you're looking to have Geralt intervene, here's what you'll be facing every step of the way.

Updated on November 30, 2022 by Quinton O'Connor: We've revamped this page to add further information on the quest as well as its consequences and rewards.

Make sure you complete this quest before taking on the main quest entitled 'Lilac and Gooseberries', or you'll be locked out from finishing it forever!

Tracking The Arsonist

Map Twisted Fire Starter quest location marker start TheGamer White Orchard Woesong Bridge The Witcher 3

Quest Start Location: From the Woesong Bridge, Willis' burnt forge is towards the far end of town on the left. Alternatively, this should pop up on White Orchard's notice board, as well. From there, follow our play-by-play below to complete the quest.

You may or may not encounter a quartet of drowners around the time you deduce the arsonist encountered them. If it's nighttime, you will; if it's daytime, you'll skip the fight, as they won't be around to ambush Geralt.

  1. After speaking with Willis, use Geralt's Witcher senses to pick up a set of human tracks behind the building.
  2. Follow the tracks to the banks near the Woesong Bridge. (There's a bottle of alcohol Geralt can examine along the way.)
  3. Examine the tracks next to the boat to deduce the arsonist removed his boots and waded through the water to cover his trail.
  4. Continue under the bridge and look for more tracks on the same bank further upstream. You'll see the arsonist's boots lying where the tracks pick up again. Examining the area will reveal the arsonist had a scrap with some drowners but escaped with superficial wounds.
  5. Keep following the tracks back through the village and into a house.
  6. The house is full of useful early game items so take a moment to establish sound looting habits and set yourself up for prosperous adventuring throughout the rest of the game.
  7. Geralt will find the injured arsonist in the back room of the building.

Related: The Witcher 3: Everything You Need To Know About Enemy Upscaling

Dialogue Choices And Outcomes

Twisted Firestarter Geralt Napp Axii escort turn in option White Orchard The Witcher 3

​​​​​​The arsonist called Napp will try to bribe Geralt to let him walk free, leaving the Witcher with two options.

Dialogue

Outcome

1. "No chance. You're coming with me."

This option requires Geralt to make a second decision, as Napp will not go willingly.

  1. Fistfight Napp.
  2. Use Axii. This is the easiest option and awards an additional 25 XP.

2. "Fine - but no more arson."

If Geralt agrees to let Napp off the hook, the vandal will pay the Witcher off with 20 Crowns, but this way, Geralt forfeits the additional XP and the increased XP from turning Napp in, and Geralt needs all the XP he can get at this stage in the game.

If Geralt decides to turn Napp in to Willis, no matter how he goes about subduing him, he will need to escort the arsonist back to the forge.

You can toggle on Geralt's walking speed to keep better pace with the confounded and or injured arsonist as he staggers quite slowly, but Geralt can still trigger the cutscene with Willis even if Napp is still making his way to the forge.

Should You Turn In The Arsonist Or Let Him Go?

Witcher 3 Arsonist White Orchard

If Geralt turns in the arsonist by delivering him to the forge and into the hands of the Nilfgaardians, Willis will reward Geralt with a shop discount, and it is assumed the arsonist's fate is a swift hanging. The hanging of one of their own will set the townsfolk against Willis if you check in with the blacksmith again after the quest, and Geralt will urge him to leave town if the dwarf loses the soldiers' protection.

However, even if Geralt accepted the bribe and let Napp go, Willis' post dialogue remains the same, and the blacksmith will still be on the outs with the townsfolk. The only difference is a reduced XP reward and having to pay full price at Willis' shop.

Discount or not, we can't recommend doing dealings with Willis seeing he's an overpriced swindler, to begin with. Buying or selling to Willis is a common pitfall many players fall prey to in the early game. Though if you must offload some materials with Willis, successful completion of the 'Twisted Firestarter' quest will make those trades marginally more reasonable.

Next: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough