The Nilfgaardian Connection in The Witcher 3: Walkthrough, Inn at the Crossroads Choice and Hendrik's Hidden Notes
Witcher 3 The Nilfgaardian Connection: what to say to the Baron's men at the Crossroads inn, the key in Hendrik's boots, the trapdoor and the hidden notes.
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Updated October 2026. The Nilfgaardian Connection is the first main quest in Velen, right after Imperial Audience. Yennefer sends you to find Hendrik, an imperial agent who may know where Ciri went. It's a short quest, but one choice at the Inn at the Crossroads changes how the Bloody Baron's men treat you later, and Hendrik's hut hides the clues behind a key, a rug and a candlestick.
Quick answer
Steps: ride from the Hanged Man's Tree to the Inn at the Crossroads, then to Heatherton, then search Hendrik's hut.
The inn choice: pick "I'm a witcher" or buy the thugs a drink if you want an easier start at Crow's Perch. "Back off or die" starts a fight.
Hendrik's hut: the cellar key is in his boots, the trapdoor is under the rug (use Aard), and the candlestick in the cellar opens a hidden chest with his notes.
Next: two leads, the Bloody Baron at Crow's Perch or a witch near Midcopse. You choose the order.
The Nilfgaardian Connection Walkthrough
1. Start at the Hanged Man's Tree
When you leave the Vizima palace, the game sends you to the Hanged Man's Tree in Velen. Riding up to the tree also adds the other Act I main quests to your journal: In Ciri's Footsteps, Pyres of Novigrad (Novigrad) and Destination: Skellige (Skellige). Follow the marker through Mulbrydale and across the river to the Inn at the Crossroads.
On the way you pass the start of two side quests, Funeral Pyres and At the Mercy of Strangers. Both are quick, so it's worth doing them now.
2. The Inn at the Crossroads
Ask the innkeeper about Hendrik, or listen to the couple at the nearby table. When Geralt sits down, the inn empties and the Bloody Baron's thugs walk in. You get three answers:
| Answer | What happens | Later effect |
|---|---|---|
| "Back off or die." | The thugs attack. More of them wait outside; the back door lets you skip them. The innkeeper still tells you about Hendrik, but is upset about the mess. | Getting into Crow's Perch is harder in Bloody Baron. |
| "I'm a witcher." | The thugs leave you alone. The innkeeper tells you about Hendrik and about the Baron. | Easier entrance at Crow's Perch. Careful in Family Matters: if you tell the soldiers at the Pellar's hut you are a witcher, they know you killed their friends. |
| "Care for a drink?" | A follow-up line lets you start the fight or calm it down. The drink costs nothing and you learn more about the Baron. | Same as the answer you end on. |
If you choose the peaceful route but then talk to one of the seated thugs, they attack anyway. No answer blocks the Bloody Baron quest; the kinder choices only make the way in easier.
If it does come to a fight, the thugs are easy. Keep Quen up and use our combat tips for beginners if you're still getting used to the timing. The innkeeper also plays Gwent and sells cards, which makes this a good place to start a deck (see our Gwent cards guide).
3. Heatherton
The innkeeper points you to Heatherton, a small village nearby. A man there is being attacked by rabid dogs. Kill the dogs and talk to him: the Wild Hunt came through the village, singled out Hendrik, tortured him for information and killed him. He shows you Hendrik's hut.
4. Search Hendrik's Hut
- The key: use your Witcher Senses on Hendrik's body. The cellar key is in his boots.
- The trapdoor: it's hidden under the animal skin rug. Blow the rug away with Aard or examine it.
- The hidden chest: in the cellar, light the candlestick on the wall. It opens a hidden compartment with a chest holding Hendrik's notes.
Read the notes. They give you two leads on Ciri, and the quest ends.
Bloody Baron or Hunting a Witch: Which First?
| Lead | Where | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Bloody Baron | Crow's Perch | The Baron saw Ciri. This starts one of the best story chains in the game. Full walkthrough: Bloody Baron and Family Matters; for the endings, see the Bloody Baron good ending guide. |
| Hunting a Witch | Near Midcopse | Hendrik's notes mention a witch near Midcopse who may know something about Ciri. You can do it before or after the Baron. |
You can do them in either order. Most players go to Crow's Perch first because it's on the way and the Baron's story pulls you along.
Rewards
| Quest | Reward | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| The Nilfgaardian Connection | A small amount of XP, plus loot in Hendrik's cellar | Bloody Baron, Hunting a Witch |
Video: The Nilfgaardian Connection
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat should I say to the Baron's men at the Inn at the Crossroads?
"I'm a witcher" or buying them a drink keeps things calm and makes getting into Crow's Perch easier. "Back off or die" starts a fight. Either way the story continues.
QWhere is the key in Hendrik's hut?
On Hendrik's body. Use your Witcher Senses and search his boots.
QHow do I open the trapdoor in Hendrik's hut?
It's under the animal skin rug. Use Aard to blow the rug away, or examine it, then use the key.
QHow do I find Hendrik's notes?
In the cellar, light the candlestick on the wall. It opens a hidden compartment with a chest that holds the notes.
QWho killed Hendrik?
The Wild Hunt. They raided Heatherton, tortured Hendrik for information about Ciri and killed him before Geralt arrived.
QWhat comes after The Nilfgaardian Connection?
Two main quests: Bloody Baron at Crow's Perch and Hunting a Witch near Midcopse. You choose the order.
Before this: Imperial Audience. More: all Witcher 3 quests and our Velen region guide.
Sources: in-game quest text and journal; steps and dialogue outcomes checked against the Witcher Wiki and Fextralife pages for The Nilfgaardian Connection. Screenshots: gameplay frames from YouTube walkthroughs.
Kai Mercer covers game news, free games, release calendars and guides for xGamerss.
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