Where To Start The At The Mercy Of Strangers Quest
When you travel through Velen in the early stages of The Witcher 3, you may find a man tied up by a riverbank, threatened by a pack of hungry drowners. This is John Verdun, and rescuing him starts the short quest “At The Mercy Of Strangers.”
Should You Kill John Verdun Or Take His Coin
The quest begins not far from the Hanged Man’s Tree, where Geralt first enters Velen. Head east through Mulbrydale, then continue to the coast where you’ll hear a man screaming while under attack by drowners. Defeat the necrophages and talk to him; his ties show he’s a desperate survivor.
John Verdun introduces himself as a Temerian deserter who was bound by the caravan he tried to flee. He is tied up and left for dead, so you’ll want to verify his story before deciding his fate.
If you free Verdun, the quest continues; if you let him die, the story ends here. After you release him, he later joins a bandit group that commits terrible acts, though you can track him down later and kill him if you wish.
Later in the game you can find Verdun north of the Pontar, between the Widows’ Grotto and Ursten fast‑travel points. He now leads a ruthless gang that has murdered several refugees. Grateful for your earlier aid, he offers you a choice: accept his 50 Crowns as a reward, or kill him and his gang.
Taking the coin gives you a modest sum early on, but it’s not a large amount. Killing Verdun and his men lets you loot their equipment, which can yield a much bigger profit in the long run. Your decision shapes his future and the rewards you receive.