Dead Hand of the Past

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"Dead Hand of the Past"

Details
Chapter(s)	1
Location(s)	Outskirts
Source	Declan Leuvaarden
Reward	200 + 2000 XP
Related	None
ID	q1012_burial

Dead Hand of the Past is an optional quest in Chapter I given by Declan Leuvaarden.

Walkthrough

Geralt meets a merchant at the Country Inn called Declan Leuvaarden. Declan's friend has disappeared in a cave beneath the walls of Vizima while trying to avoid the quarantine and bring goods into the city. This person has encountered monsters before, so if he has been killed, it follows that the monsters are not to be taken lightly.

Declan explains that he would like the witcher to find his missing friend for 200 , but failing finding him alive, the orens should cover a "decent burial". When pushed on what a decent burial would entail, Declan intimates that the crypt beneath the Reverend's church would do in a pinch. This is indeed a good thing as it turns out that Declan's friend has fallen prey to echinopsae.

The burial itself is not as easy as one might expect either, as Geralt is confronted by the King of the Wild Hunt in the crypt beneath the Reverend's chapel, just as he is trying to place Leuvaarden's friend's remains in the crumbling sarcophagus. They discuss destiny, catch up on old times and, based on your choices during the conversation, the King either leaves with an ominous promise or he calls forth the spectre of the recently deceased Leo. It appears that Leo holds Geralt responsible for his death and a skirmish ensues.

After the fight, Leo's remains reveal a piece of red meteorite ore, useful in forging a better sword. Geralt could really use a better sword right about now...

Notes

Not all the phases listed below are desirable; only five are necessary: The Cave, Remains, The Burial, Payment and Companion Buried.
To earn the Reverend's trust you have to light the five shrines of the Eternal Fire.
Declan can be a bit hard to find, but he does appear at the Inn sooner or later. If he is not there when you first go, then come back another time.
If you complete the burial portion of this quest but do not get your reward from Leuvaarden before the attack in the inn, you can collect your reward from Leuvaarden in Chapter II.
The echinopsae in the cave will respawn infinitely, one need only leave the cave and then go back in.
There is only one dialogue path to avoid fighting Leo, and to tell off the quite conceited King of the Wild Hunt by saying "there is no destiny", "no", and "prove there is no destiny". Even if you do this, the journal entry for the King of the Wild Hunt (under Characters) will still state that it summoned Leo to fight you - obviously a bug or oversight. Also, if you do not fight Leo, then Alvin will appear in the chapel as you leave, telling Geralt that the Reverend wanted to beat up on the boy, upon which Geralt sends Alvin back to Abigail (even if you're mostly done with Act I and have already killed the Reverend).
Since Leo's specter is indeed a specter (surprise!), Specter Oil proves great when fighting him.

Phases

The Cave

The merchant Leuvaarden's companion disappeared in the cave beneath the city walls — a cave supposedly infested with monsters. The merchant asked me to bring his friend back or bury him if he's dead. He promised to pay me 200 orens, no matter the outcome. I have to find Leuvaarden's companion in the cavern beneath the city walls.

Remains

I found human remains in one of the echinopsae. That must've been Leuvaarden's companion... Now I need to bury him. I should talk to Leuvaarden again. I need to bury Leuvaarden's companion. I should talk to the merchant again. (500 XP)

The Burial

Leuvaarden suggested I bury the body in the Reverend's chapel. I guess I should ask the Reverend for permission. I should ask the Reverend for permission to bury the body in the chapel.

The Chapel or Permission or Burial Place

The Chapel

As the Reverend is dead, I shouldn't have any problems burying the body in the church. I can bury the body in the chapel. or

Permission

The Reverend gave me his permission to bury the body. I should enter the church, find a place for the burial. I should bury the merchant in the chapel's cellar. or

Burial Place

The Reverend refuses to let me inside the church. I have to earn his trust somehow. Somehow, I need to convince the Reverend to let me bury the body in the chapel.

Payment

I buried Leuvaarden's companion. It's time the merchant paid me. I need to see Leuvaarden and collect my payment. (500 XP)

Leuvaarden

	If Geralt finds Leuvaarden in the Outskirts: After what happened in the village, I doubt I'll find Leuvaarden here. He has probably hidden behind the city walls. I should look for Leuvaarden in Vizima. or
	If Geralt fails to find Leuvaarden in the Outskirts: Maybe I can find Leuvaarden in Vizima. If I do, I'll collect payment then. Maybe I can find Leuvaarden in Vizima.

Companion Buried

I buried Leuvaarden's companion and got paid well for it. The merchant fulfils his end of the contracts he makes... though strange contracts they are. I mean, I'm a witcher not a gravedigger... I buried Leuvaarden's companion and got paid well. (200 , 1000 XP)