At the Fore

"At the Fore"
Details
Path	Roche's path
Chapter(s)	Chapter I
Location(s)	La Valette Castle
Related	The Dungeons of the La Valettes

At the Fore is a primary quest from Prologue in The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. It begins when Geralt is being interrogated by Vernon Roche in the Dungeons of La Valette Castle and is recounting all the prior events during the siege of La Valette Castle.

Choose the option "The assault" during the dialog with Roche to begin the quest.

Associated Quest

• The Dungeons of the La Valettes, choices in the current quest affect the course that quest

Walkthrough

Spoiler warning: Significant plot details follow.

Foltest and Geralt are in the siege tower, ready to approach the fortress walls. As the door opens, the fight with La Valette soldiers begins. Geralt's goal is to protect and follow the king. This battle is not particularly hard, since Geralt is helped by Temerian men. Both the Aard and Quen signs can be useful. Enemies can be easily dispatched by casting Aard when they are close to the edge of the ramparts, to throw them from the walls.

When the battle finishes, Foltest orders Geralt to defeat the ballista defenders in the courtyard and prepare the machine. This is part of Barricade quest. After accomplishing this task, Geralt follows the king's steps once more. They enter a large round tower, where Count Etcheverry and his men block the way. Since there are more skilled armored knights among them, you can use Yrden and Quen to paralyze them and protect yourself. When all the enemies have been defeated, king Foltest continues onward until he reaches a barricade at the base of a tower. There are some crossbowers which are preventing the king's men to proceed. On the top of the tower where the rebels' commander, Aryan La Valette waits. Foltest asks him to surrender but the young baron has no intention of so doing. So the king orders Geralt to stop Aryan, or convince him to surrender.

Geralt approaches the tower, defeating the archers and all the soldiers blocking his path. You can use Quen to protect himself from the ranged attacks. Then he reaches the top of the tower to confront Aryan. Note that if you decide to fight him, it is advisable to meditate before Geralt climbs the last step, and take some potions to prepare yourself.

The witcher and Aryan confront each other. Note that the choices made during this conversation will influence the course of The Dungeons of the La Valettes quest.

Geralt chooses to fight Aryan and his men

This battle can be quite hard, so it is advisable to be prepared. There are archers on the edge. You need to kill them at first, protecting you with Quen. Try to dodge Aryan's knights blows. The best tactic is to take them next to the wall and cast Aard to throw them from it. You can also dispatch them using Yrden. When you have eliminated the most of Aryan's men, focus on their leader. When Aryan dies, the rest of his army will surrender at once.

Geralt convinces Aryan to a regular duel, without his men

Fighting Aryan alone is not too difficult. Just dodge or block his blows. Then use the Signs: Aard can help you to remove Aryan's guard, or Yrden to paralyze and hit him. When you kill Aryan, the rest of his men will surrender at once.

Geralt convinces him to surrender

No battle is needed if you succeed in persuading Aryan. The young baron and his troop will drop their weapons and surrender.

Journal entry

The siege tower reached the walls and spewed forth its load of Temerian soldiers and knights. The battle was joined. Foltest fought in the vanguard. The witcher fought by his side, protecting the king. Led by these two, the soldiers moved towards the nearest tower, securing the walls one section at a time.

This was, as has been said, the family seat of the La Valettes, one of the most eminent houses in all Temeria. Brave soldiers loyal to Baroness Mary Louisa and her son Aryan defended it. The finest swordsman among them was the fair Sir Etcheverry, who stepped into Foltest's path atop the wall. This was a mistake, as it was the witcher who took up the knight's gauntlet.

The loyalist army pushed the enemy back, with Foltest at its head and Geralt but a step behind him.

The assault lost its momentum at the foot of a tower held by Aryan La Valette and a troop of skilled archers. Foltest was prepared to take heavy losses, but Geralt could not agree to more bloodshed without good cause. In addition to a strong arm, the witcher also possesses a lithe tongue, a fact to which many a sorceress can attest. He stealthily made his way to the top of the tower to parley with the proud, young baron.

If Geralt persuades Aryan to give himself up:

Geralt explained the situation to Aryan in simple, soldierly words. The baron belonged to a rare breed — he was proud and rash, but no fool. La Valette chose to spare the soldiers who had stood so loyally by his side and surrendered the fortress. Not everyone followed that order, but Foltest's victory was nonetheless assured.

If Geralt is forced to kill Aryan:

The rules of chivalry allow leaders to decide the outcome of a battle through a duel and thus spare their soldiers. Aryan was a man of honor and wanted to save the men who had stood so loyally at his side. He decided to cross swords with the witcher one on one.

La Valette was known as a consummate swordsman, but Geralt was no weakling, either. It was a fierce fight that ended with the young nobleman's death. His men honored the duel's result and surrendered the fortress. Foltest's victory was assured.

Significant plot details end here.

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