During the pivotal Now or Never quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Geralt of Rivia faces a difficult moral dilemma regarding two stranded mages. Triss Merigold asks for your assistance in rescuing Anisse and Berthold before evacuating the mages from Novigrad. This decision carries immediate and long-term consequences that affect character survival and storyline outcomes.
Choosing to Help Anisse and Berthold
If you agree to help Triss rescue the young mages, you will travel to their hideout and defend them against witch hunters. Successfully protecting Anisse and Berthold ensures their safe escape from Novigrad alongside the rest of the mages. However, taking this detour delays your arrival at the Kingfisher Inn, resulting in the death of Olivier the innkeeper.
Choosing Not to Help the Mages
If you decide against helping Anisse and Berthold, you and Triss proceed directly to the Kingfisher Inn to begin the escape through the sewers. Going straight to the inn saves Olivier's life, as witch hunters will not kill him during the extra time. However, leaving Anisse and Berthold behind means they are captured and killed by witch hunters.
Impact on Romance and Story Progression
Choosing whether to assist Anisse and Berthold directly influences Geralt's relationship options with Triss Merigold. Agreeing to help Triss keeps your romance path open, allowing you to ask her to stay in Novigrad later in the quest. Refusing to help her initial request altogether can lock you out of the romance route and alter her story arc.
Which Choice Should You Make?
The optimal decision depends on whether you prioritize saving individual lives or securing a romance with Triss. Players seeking to pursue Triss's romance should always choose to save Anisse and Berthold. If you prefer to save Olivier or are not romancing Triss, skipping the detour provides a faster path through the quest.
