Hope Burns Bright

Hope Burns Bright is a quest in Chapter V which Geralt undertakes if he chooses the Scoia'tael path.

Walkthrough
Like The Flame that Cleanses and Under a Fiery Sky, this quest sees Geralt fight his way to the field hospital aided by his ally (in this case, Zoltan), deal with the street fighting, and make it to the swamp cemetery. It is the framing quest for Chapter V as Geralt officially declares that he has chosen a path, the Scoia'tael path.

This quest begins when Geralt meets Zoltan Chivay on the dike, having first spoken with the presiding official upon reaching the Dike. Zoltan greets him warmly, but explains that there is still much work ahead. The dwarf also lets the witcher know that Shani has set up a field hospital in Old Vizima. The two then set off to find Shani, but they must first fight their way through the soldiers of the Order who blocking the only path to the former capital.

As our hero reaches the gate, we are treated to a cut scene of King Foltest himself, recently returned from abroad. As the regent and his retinue make their way through the chaos inside the gate, they are suddenly ambushed by more Scoia'tael intent on assassinating the king. Victory, and indeed the monarch's survival, seem far from assured when who but the Grand Master of the Order of the Flaming Rose should appear to save the day.

De Aldersberg warns the king that his aid might not be so timely in the future and demands total control over the Viziman forces. Foltest rejects this proposal outright and the two part coolly. The king and his entourage are about to return to the castle to discuss further strategies when the main gates open revealing Geralt.

At first, Foltest seems hardly pleased to see the witcher and grumbles about it to Velerad, but ultimately demands that Geralt accompany the entourage back to the castle for a chat.

Back at the castle, the king sets two tasks for the witcher: delivery the princess from the striga curse and eradicate Salamandra. He also sneaks in a little chit chat about women and a quick round of dice poker. He tells Geralt that Triss Merigold, Velerad and Count de Wett are at his disposal as trusted advisors of the court and dismisses him. Monarchs can be so rude!

Geralt takes the opportunity to converse with the royal advisors. After consulting each of them, he decides to explore the castle a bit more. A group of courtiers is dancing and watching them is a noblewoman who seems to be alone. The witcher introduces himself and learns that his newest acquaintance is Antoinnette, from the duchy of Toussaint.

She suspects they have met before, but amnesiac as our hero remains, he has no memory of the event and just shrugs off the idea. Undeterred, Antoinnette cuts to the chase and asks the witcher if he would be willing to render a small service, in return for a reward, of course. Geralt agrees and bids her farewell. Just then, he is summoned once again to speak with Foltest, but this time in the regent's private chambers.

The two revisit the tasks at hand and the king gives Geralt leave to kill Adda, if necessary, but admonishes him that this should be done only as a last resort and must absolutely spare the princess any pain or suffering. Otherwise, Foltest tells the witcher that his friends will suffer a similar fate. He then takes a moment to sneak in a little chit chat about women and a quick round of dice poker and then sends our hero on his way, telling him to speak with the chamberlain about travel arrangements back to Old Vizima.

Once back in the old part of town, Geralt is met by Zoltan. He explains there are two bands of refugees who need to escorted to the field hospital set up by Shani, but the path is blocked by all the fighting in the streets. He tells the refugees can not make it alone so the two set off to first find the hiding citizens and then take them to the hospital where at least here is still some measure of relative safety. Some very amusing conversations ensue while trying to rendezvous with the refugee groups, most notably about the calls and mating habits of "polar tigers".

Geralt and Zoltan nevertheless find them and escort them safely to the field hospital. Mission accomplished.

Zoltan
Zoltan asked me to help him get to Old Vizima. We'll escort the refugees to a safe hospital. I promised Zoltan I would help escort the refugees to a safe hospital.

The Striga
I met Shani at the hospital, but we were interrupted by a messenger who told us that a striga was seen in town. I have to tend to the monster. First and foremost, I must deal with the striga.

Refugees
Zoltan asked me to help him. We must round up the refugees and lead them out of the city. We must gather the refugees and lead them out of the city.

Another Group
We gathered a group of refugees, just as Zoltan asked. I must protect them as we look for another group. We need to collect another group of refugees.

Hospital Bound
Zoltan and I have gathered both groups of refugees. We must escort them to the hospital. The refugees need to be escorted to the hospital.

Knights of the Order
I eliminated a group of attacking knights of the Order. Others have probably surrounded the hospital. I must face them. I must face the knights of the Order outside the hospital. (3000 XP)

To Shani
I dealt with the "striga"... I can now return to the hospital and speak with Shani. I can return to the hospital and speak with Shani.

Defense
Knights of the Order have broken into the hospital. I must defend the wounded. I must defend the wounded from the knights of the Order.

The Barricade
We're attacking the barricade, the Order's last line of defense in Old Vizima. We're attacking the barricade, the Order's last line of defense.

Toruviel's Commando
The knights have engaged Toruviel's commando by the hospital. I must help her! I must help Toruviel.

An Invitation
I helped Toruviel against the knights of the Order. I should follow her now. I should follow Toruviel.

The Fight is Won
White Rayla is dead. The knights of the Order are fleeing. It looks like we won that fight. It seems we have won this fight.

Assaulting the Barricade
I'll join the battle for the barricade. I'll join the battle for the barricade.

Flanking on the Right
We're making our way to the right flank. We must break through the first barricade. We're breaking through to the right flank!

Flanking on the Left
Time to attack on the left. We need to break through to Toruviel! We're attacking the other flank in an effort to get to Toruviel.

Yaevinn's Plan
Toruviel claims Yaevinn is planning something. We must create a diversion, draw attention away from him... A frontal attack would be best. I'm beginning to sound like Zoltan... We're mounting a frontal attack to draw attention away from Yaevinn.

The Refugees Lost or The Refugees Saved
Flucht aus dem Ghetto Hope Burns Bright L'évasion du ghetto Fuga dal ghetto Płonąca nadzieja