Balls and banquets are some of Geralt’s least favorite things in the world, something that he is keen to remind his sorceress friends. Despite his protests,The Witcher 3drags him to several such events. In “A Matter of Life and Death”, Geralt finds himself forced to attend a particularly lavish party when helping Triss with an important task.

Related:The Witcher 3: Contract: Deadly Delights Side Quest Walkthrough

In a quest that is halfway between a self-aware spy novel and a networking event, you will need to mingle with Novigrad’s elite while trying to save an unwitting boy from the Witch Hunters. There is a lot you’re able to miss out on in this quest, so be sure to read this guide.

A Sorceress In Need

Triss will ask Geralt for help after completing their violent investigation of the Witch Hunter’s Outpost inCount Reuven’s Treasure.She will explain more ather home in Novigrad.

Her house is in The Bits, inNovigrad’s east.It’s hard to miss, leaning against an adjacent building. You will meet her landlords at the entrance. While they are unfriendly, they will not stop you from meeting Triss above.

Triss Merigold stands in the middle of a medieval city wearing a hood to disguise her identity.

Continuing with this quest will interfere with quests that Triss is involved in such asThe Soldier StatuetteandRedania’s Most Wanted.Try tocomplete those questsbefore starting this one.

At her room, Triss tells Geralt that she hasbeen offered a much-needed donationby Lady Vegelbud, a prominent noblewoman, for a favor. With her mage-smuggling operation churning away, Triss cannot afford to ignore the opportunity.

A screenshot of The Witcher 3, with a man in a blue top standing with his hands on his hips in the Novigrad Fish Market.

Where To Find The Vegelbud Servant In A Matter Of Life And Death

She asks Geralt to help hermake contact with the Vegelbudsby finding a servant in Novigrad’s market. There, you will need to find a mandressed in a blue tunic and carrying a large bundle of keys.

The servant isstanding by the bridge at thesouth of the market,not far from the guardsman that Geralt speaks to duringDeadly Delights.

A wide angle screenshot of Geralt and Triss walking into a lavish estate at night.

While he is unwilling to deal with Geralt, he eventually concedes and begins leading Geralt away. You will beambushed by Witch Huntersafter a short distance. You will have todefeat all of themto continue.

With the danger over, Triss joins the pair. He tells them that Lady Vegelbud needs Triss toevacuate her son from the citybefore the Witch Hunters arrest him for learning alchemy.

Sigi Reuven, wearing a pig mask, talks to Geralt and Triss at a ball. They are standing next to a buffet table overflowing with food.

Lady Vegelbud hasorganized a masquerade ballas cover for her son’s escape. Triss sends Geralt tobuy a pair of masksand suggests that hepurchase some formal attire.

Visiting Elihal

The talented tailor Elihal, one of Dandelion’s friends fromBroken Flowers,stocks both the masks and the formal attire, if you are so inclined. The former is mandatory while the latter isan optional objective.Simply visit his shop on theoutskirts of Novigradto purchase the items.

The masks are sold for practically nothing while the clothes will cost youseveral hundred crowns.Fortunately, youdo not have to purchase the clothes.

A screenshot of Geralt and Triss approaching a noblewoman at her estate during a party.

Attending The Ball

Once the preparations are complete,go back to Triss' flatfor a final conversation before leaving for the party.

Make sure todon the formal attire before speaking to Trissif you have chosen to wear it.

A screenshot of Geralt staring at a quest objective in the center of the shot.

At the entrance, the guards willtake your weapons away,regardless of what you choose to say. Stripped of your weapons and armor, you can finally enter the famous Vegelbud estate.

It won’t take long before the first of many social challenges presents itself. A drunk noble mistakes Triss for another woman, rudely making demands of her. You havetwo choices with dealing with him.

Beat The Snot Out Of Him

Geralt canshut the man up in a fistfight, causing a scene.

Leave Peacefully

You can choose to have a cooler head andleave the drunk alone.

This option willprovide you will a small XP reward.

There will bea second encounterbefore entering the party proper. Anold acquaintance of Triss’will speak to the pair. While it is an unpleasant conversation,the conversation only has one outcome.

With the first challenges out of the way, you may finallyenter the party proper.

Making The Most Of A Matter Of Life And Death’s Party

As Triss alluded to throughout the quest, this party is no ordinary banquet. It is a grand affair that Novigrad’s rich and powerful will attend. As a result, you will have the opportunity tointeract with familiar facesand face some otherwise inaccessible Gwent opponents.

Networking

The distinguished guest list means that some of Geralt’s most politically prominent acquaintances are present. Interacting with these guestsis completely optional.

Sigismund Dijkstra

The former spymaster is at thefood tables to the northof the estate.

Morvran Voorhis

You can encounter him on thesouthern part of the estate,near the Gwent table.

Maria Louisa La Valette

She is in theopen area to the south of the estate.

Playing Gwent

There is aGwent tournament in the south part of the estate,indicated with ayellow exclamation mark.Participating willallow you to earn unique cards.

You willfailCollect ‘em Allif you do notwin the tournament.Make sure to emerge victorious if you are a Gwent addict.

The tournament consists of three opponents thatare tough, but not unbeatable.To make things easier, you canplay repeatedly until you win,without penalty.

Commencing The Operation

You canspeak to Ingrid Vegelbudat any time during the party. Doing so willlock you out of the other activities.

Lady Vegelbud will tell Geralt tolook for her sonand tell him to be ready to escape. You can find him talking to some guests at thesouthernmost search circle.While it is apparent that he does not grasp the gravity of the situation, hetells you to meet him inside the hedge maze.

With nothing to do but wait, Geralt and Triss head to a quiet place in the maze. This cutscene is as fun as it is important because it will determine if you canpursue a romance with Triss.

The most important choice iskissing Triss.Choosing not to do so willlock out her romance.

The younger Vegelbud will enter the maze at the appointed time, interrupting the awkwardness or tension, depending on what you have chosen. With little time to waste,Triss asks Geralt to swap masks with him.

This decision proves to be essential. Geralt will beambushed by Witch Huntersshortly after. They will assume that Geralt is the Vegelbud thanks to the masks and attack, starting a brawl. You will have tofistfight the three Witch Huntersand emerge victorious to continue the quest.

Unlike other fistfights,Geralt can use his Signs.Make full use of this and let loose with offensive spells while maintaining Quen. It will give you an edge over your assailants.

Geralt will reunite with Triss and the Vegelbuds right before they leave. After some parting words, she departs Novigrad andwill not be available for any side quests that involve her.It will also be continued in the questNow or Never.

Next:The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough