Final Preparations in The Witcher 3: The Lodge, Ciri's Choice and the Three Novigrad Quests
Witcher 3 Final Preparations: the three quests it tracks, how earlier choices change it, and the Lodge meeting choice that affects Ciri's ending.
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Updated October 2026. Final Preparations brings everyone back to Novigrad after Bald Mountain. Triss and Yennefer want to bring back the Lodge of Sorceresses to fight the Wild Hunt, Ciri has unfinished business in the city, and you have to gather allies. The quest is mostly a hub for three other quests, but it ends with one of the most important choices for Ciri's ending, and a lot of what you did earlier in the game shows up here.
Quick answer
How it works: Final Preparations tracks three quests: Payback (Ciri), The Great Escape (Triss) and Blindingly Obvious (Dijkstra).
Ciri and the Lodge: tell her "You'll do fine on your own." and watch through the keyhole instead of going in. That counts in Ciri's favor.
Good news: fast travel works again once you reach the Rosemary and Thyme. It was blocked since The Isle of Mists.
Next: Yennefer sends you to check on Avallac'h (Through Time and Space).
What Changes Based on Earlier Choices
| Earlier choice | What you see in Final Preparations |
|---|---|
| Romanced both Triss (Now or Never) and Yennefer (The Last Wish) | The quest It Takes Three to Tango becomes available. See our romance guide. |
| Killed Junior in Get Junior | You talk to Dudu instead of the other contact. |
| Keira in For the Advancement of Learning | If you sent her to Kaer Morhen, she has left it. If you let her go to Radovid, she was executed and A Final Kindness becomes available. See our Keira guide. |
| Helped the mages in Now or Never | Radovid's witch hunters burn nonhumans instead. If you didn't, mages are burned. |
| Joined the plot against the king in Reason of State | The story continues after you talk to Dijkstra in Blindingly Obvious. |
Final Preparations Walkthrough
1. Back in Novigrad
A week after you killed Imlerith, go to Dandelion's inn, the Rosemary and Thyme. Talk to Zoltan (answer however you like), then to Dandelion and Yennefer. Wait for daylight. From here, Final Preparations becomes a tracker for three quests.
2. The Three Quests
| Quest | With | What it's about |
|---|---|---|
| Payback | Ciri | Ciri's unfinished business in Novigrad |
| The Great Escape | Triss | Getting the mages out of Novigrad |
| Blindingly Obvious | Dijkstra | A meeting with Dijkstra and Radovid's fate |
3. Meet the Lodge at the Rosemary and Thyme
When all three are done, go back to the inn and talk to Triss. Yennefer and the Lodge of Sorceresses are meeting there, and they want Ciri. Ciri is at the top of the stairs.
4. Ciri's Choice (Important for the Ending)
| What you do | What happens | Counts for Ciri? |
|---|---|---|
| Say "You'll do fine on your own." and watch through the keyhole | Ciri handles the Lodge herself; her confidence grows | Positive |
| Say "Going with you." and back her up inside | Ciri relies on Geralt; her confidence drops | Negative |
This is one of the choices that decide Ciri's fate at the end of the game. If you want the good ending, let her face the Lodge alone. See our Witcher 3 endings guide.
5. Check on Avallac'h
The Lodge invites Ciri to join them. Yennefer asks you to go and see how Avallac'h is doing. Final Preparations ends and Through Time and Space begins.
Video: Final Preparations
Frequently Asked Questions
QShould I go in with Ciri to the Lodge meeting?
No, if you want the good ending. Tell her "You'll do fine on your own." and watch through the keyhole. That's a positive choice for Ciri.
QWhich quests are part of Final Preparations?
Payback (Ciri), The Great Escape (Triss) and Blindingly Obvious (Dijkstra).
QWhen does It Takes Three to Tango happen?
Only if you romanced both Triss and Yennefer. It becomes available during Final Preparations.
QCan I fast travel again?
Yes. Fast travel comes back when you reach the Rosemary and Thyme. It's a good time to finish side quests and contracts.
QWhat comes after Final Preparations?
Through Time and Space, when Yennefer asks you to check on Avallac'h.
Before this: Bald Mountain. More: Yennefer, Triss and all Witcher 3 quests.
Sources: in-game quest text and journal; steps and earlier-choice effects checked against the Witcher Wiki and Fextralife pages for Final Preparations. Screenshots: gameplay frames from YouTube walkthroughs by LivePlayHQ, Lesley-Ann J and Riley Scott Gaming.
Kai Mercer covers game news, free games, release calendars and guides for xGamerss.
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