Kill the Scoia’tael and report them for the largest stated immediate reward: 30 crowns and a Letter of Safe Conduct. Spare them and report them to get the letter without crowns, or spare them and conceal what you found to honor your promise to Vernossiel—though the captain gives no reward in that branch. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize the Scoia’tael’s lives, Geralt’s word, or the captain’s payment.
Spoilers for the Woodland Beast contract follow.
What is the Woodland Beast choice?
The contract claims that a monster is attacking Redanian transports. Geralt investigates the attack site and tracks the culprits to a Scoia’tael partisan group led by Vernossiel. The “beast” is not a monster: it is the commando. Geralt can fight the group or leave them alive. If he spares them, a second decision follows: report their involvement to the captain or say Geralt found nothing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - Xbox One | $27.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Witcher Wiki’s quest overview covers the branches, while GameBanshee’s walkthrough describes the rewards.
What does each choice pay?
| Choice | Report to the captain? | Stated immediate result |
|---|---|---|
| Kill the Scoia’tael | Yes | 30 crowns and a Letter of Safe Conduct after showing a Squirrel Tail as proof. |
| Spare the Scoia’tael | Yes | A Letter of Safe Conduct, but no crowns. Vernossiel may later confront Geralt if she feels he betrayed her after he promised secrecy. |
| Spare the Scoia’tael | No; say nothing was found | No reward from the captain; Geralt keeps their location secret. |
GameBanshee reports that the Letter of Safe Conduct may be needed for Thou Shalt Not Pass. The 30 crowns are the stated in-game reward for killing and reporting, not a broader estimate of what the quest is worth.
#1 Best Overall
- If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th!
- Play as a highly trained monster slayer for hire.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year edition brings together the base game and all the additional content released to date.
Which option should you choose?
Kill and report for the full stated reward
Choose this if the Scoia’tael’s fate is less important to you than getting both the letter and the 30 crowns. Geralt must show the captain a Squirrel Tail as proof.
Spare and report for the letter
This preserves the group’s lives and still gets Geralt the Letter of Safe Conduct, but earns no crowns. If Geralt promised Vernossiel he would keep the group’s whereabouts secret, reporting them can carry a later character consequence: the Witcher Wiki’s Vernossiel entry reports that she may confront him near Glory Gate and try to kill him if she feels betrayed.
Spare and conceal for the promise
If keeping Geralt’s word and withholding the Scoia’tael’s location matter most, spare them and tell the captain nothing was found. That branch gives Geralt no reward from the captain.
Recommended Free Tools
Does the decision change the wider story?
The Witcher Wiki’s quest notes say that Vernossiel and her squad leave their camp after the contract, either on their own or apparently after a Redanian ambush, depending on the outcome. The available accounts do not establish a broader main-story or war outcome from this decision, so it is best understood as a choice about the immediate reward, Geralt’s promise, and the group’s fate—not as a proven way to change the war.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
