More Witcher 3 Impressions

The Water Hag is a new monster to The Witcher 3.

Now that I feel that I have a decent idea about the controls and general interactions in The Witcher 3 I have decided to spend some time exploring.  One feature that has been added is an area map that features these big, blaring question marks that indicate a location of significance.  I have decided to make it my goal to explore all of these locations to find out what's behind the question mark.  Some locations are formerly populated areas that have been overrun by monsters--so far most of these monsters have been relatively low-level and fairly easy to exterminate.  Once you've eliminated the monsters in the area the local populace will happily return.  The perk of clearing out these areas is a nice experience point boost and access to new merchants.  At other locations there are groups of monsters who might be guarding loot.  I killed a new monster called a water hag who had taken up residence in a swamp and was guarding a chest full of loot.  I've also wiped out some drowners (and nearly blown myself up by not paying attention to explosive barrels nearby) and some wolves who were guarding loot.  There are also numerous deserter camps populated with angry humans who will pursue you if you come close.  Wiping out these camps is a good idea as these deserters seem to have hoarded some valuable loot.  I've also found a monster nest but haven't been able to cobble together the ingredients to create a bomb to destroy the nest.

Geralt takes on a noonwraith.

One of the tasks I completed was to help Geralt complete a contract to clear out a mysterious creature from a well close-by.  I have found that the impact of the war stretching across the Northern Kingdoms is often alluded to.  In this contract a man asks Geralt to clear away the well because the water from the river has become too polluted by the corpses floating down it for his family to drink.  His daughter has been sickened by drinking the water and the only other nearby source of water is a well that is being guarded by some sort of angry spirit.  Once you investigate the area you discover the nature of the creature guarding the well.  I am appreciating the investigative quality and the fact that like in the books, Geralt is seeking to break the curses on an area to help clear it of monsters.  Rather than simply slaying the monster Geralt has to figure out what type it is and then puzzle out the method to break the curse.  In the case of the "devil by the well," Geralt discovers that it is a noonwraith--the disembodied spirit of a bride who met a violent end but which is stuck in the physical world because of the attachment of an important object.  The quest involves figuring out what this object might be, finding it, performing the ritual to remove the spirit and then killing the spirit to free it.

My biggest difficulty thus far has been cobbling up enough money to buy certain items I need.  I'm still a little boggled by the dismantling/crafting system.  Every time I pick up a piece of junk I question whether I should be dismantling it or simply selling it.  Generally it's a good idea to keep a semi-large collection of crafting materials but my cash flow problems are concerning.  I've been trying to gauge the value of the items that are dismantled versus the crafting materials that are created.  I would like to craft a grapeshot bomb so that I can take out a monster nest but need some orens to buy some calcium equum.

I haven't been able to craft any upgrades for Geralt but did stumble across some nice items in a couple of the guarded treasure troves.  Geralt is now sporting a Kaedweni jacket that is fairly hideous as well as some new gloves and pants.  After managing to kill a much higher level bear at a place of power, I found a fairly nice sword to upgrade Geralt's current steel sword.

I plan to continue exploring the map to find some new treasures, places of power, or deserters to wipe out.  I also plan on pursuing the main questline and slaying the royal griffin to learn the location of Yennefer.  One major conflict I'm seeing so far is between trying to placate the Nilfgaardian force in the area or staying loyal to the local armies.  The Nilfgaardian commander seems like a decent guy who is genuinely concerned for the villagers in the area.  Most likely the Nilfgaardian's will turn out to be a bunch of murderous jerks, but for now they seem to be decent.