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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Flame of Hatred

By
Nathan Garvin

There’s little love lost between the Church of the Eternal Fire and mutants like Geralt; whatever lofty ideals this cult espouses, Geralt’s experiences with its practitioners have been marred by their small-minded intolerant bigotry, greed, hypocrisy and violence. When a rabble-rousing street preacher starts spewing venom at the Witcher, then, it’s no big surprise… but that doesn’t mean Geralt has to let the priest’s words go unchallenged. This page will provide a walkthrough for the secondary quest The Flame of Hatred in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

Quest Objectives

Starting The Flame of Hatred

One of Novigrad’s many freeform quests, you’ll stumble across this quest by exiting Hierarch Square via its southeastern corner - just follow the street east from the signpost. Before long you’ll find a Preacher standing in front of a small crowd along the side of the road. When the Preacher sees Geralt he’ll start insulting Geralt, and all you have to do to start this quest is talk to the Peacher. Like most freeform quests in Novigrad, if you delay or leave the area without starting it, it’ll resolve without you.

(1 of 2) East of Hierarch Square you’ll find a Preacher rousing up a crowd at Geralt’s expanse.

East of Hierarch Square you’ll find a Preacher rousing up a crowd at Geralt’s expanse. (left), The location of this quest on the map. (right)

Confront the Priest

The first (and perhaps only) phase of the quest is simple enough; talk to the Preacher and you’ll get three dialog options. Pick either “How many people’s lives have you saved?” or “Shut up, or I’ll shut you up.” and you’ll put the Preacher in his place in such a way that even the crowd gathered around will turn on him, recognizing a blustering coward when they see one, no matter what robes he might be wearing. The first option is particularly satisfying, but either choice leads to the same outcome - the Preacher being cowed into silence. If you decide to be the bigger man and pick the third option, “Waste of words…” the Preacher will dismiss you. Either way you’ll earn 10 EXP, but if you wish to trigger the next phase you need to pick one of the first two options to publicly embarrass the Preacher.

Respond to the Preacher however you wish, but if you want to set up the second phase of the quest you need to pick one of the first two options.

Deal with the Priest’s Thugs

If you embarrassed the Preacher earlier you’ll be accosted by some Guards (Lv10) as you travel through Novigrad. A few days have to pass before this will trigger, and you’ll encounter these Guards near a well east of Hierarch Square, north of the Tretogor Gate signpost and west of the Southern Gate signpost. After confirming your identity they’ll ask you to surrender your weapons, but it should be clear they’re up to no good, and however much you might want to roleplay being a goody-two-shoes, there’s nothing to be gained by dying over some bigot Preacher’s hurt feelings.

Violence is inevitable, and if you retained your weapons you’ll have an easier time of things, as these Guards are garden variety one-handed weapon wielders. If you surrendered your weapons you’ll just have to make do without them. Fortunately these foes are weak enough that you can just dodge their attacks and pelt them with Igni until they’re dead, perhaps mixing in the odd punch if signs aren’t getting the job done fast enough. Kill the Guards and you’ll recover your weapons if you gave them up. Either way, you’ll get 25 EXP and the quest will end.

(1 of 2) If you embarrassed the Preacher publicly you’ll be accosted by some Guards a few days later.

If you embarrassed the Preacher publicly you’ll be accosted by some Guards a few days later. (left), If you surrender your weapons, just use Igni, otherwise you can cut them down with your swords like any other common human warriors. (right)

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    CD Projekt
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS4, Switch, XB One
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    24 June 2015
  • Last Updated
    23 July 2024
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin (Haeravon)

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You are Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster-hunter known as a Witcher. You’ve fully regained your memories since your miraculous revival and escape from the Wild Hunt, and have cleared your name of the false accusations of regicide. In the wake of the assassination of Foltest, king of Temeria, the north have been rent by warfare as Nilfgaard launches its third major invasion, and the northlands have been united under the insane king Radovid. Overshadowing these petty politics is the mysterious return of Ciri - Geralt’s adopted daughter, who is now being pursued by the Wild Hunt.

The guide offers the following:

  • A full walkthrough that’s more than just a listing of quests-it’s an “ideal chronological order” that will get you through the whole game and allow you to see and do everything the game has to offer.

  • Side quests, including monster contracts and treasure hunts for obtaining powerful Witcher sets.

  • Descriptions of decisions, quests, and events that influence the various endings of the game.

  • Crafting and Alchemy information.

  • General strategies on how to take down foes large and small, monstrous and humanoid, boss or mundane.

  • Information on how to complete all the Gwent quests and obtain all the Gwent cards, including detailed Gwent strategies.

  • Trophy/Achievement information.

MASSIVE UPDATE: 7th September 2016 ongoing

  • Added DLC quests “Fool’s Gold” and “Scavenger Hunt: Wolf School Gear”.
  • Organisational changes in the Velen section of the walkthrough to reflect the increased level of Griffin School Gear.
  • Organisational changes throughout the walkthrough to provide a “no skulls” path through the game.
  • Added Death March difficulty tips and commentary throughout the guide.
  • More XP reward numbers included.
  • Walkthrough now includes additional information based on patch changes.
  • Various typo and grammar fixes.
  • Added DLC pages for Blood & Wine, Heart of Stone
  • Lots more quality of life improvements

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