The Now or Never quest in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt represents one of the most pivotal storyline moments in Novigrad. Geralt assists Triss Merigold in helping the remaining mages escape the city's relentless witch hunters. Completing this mission requires careful decision-making as it directly impacts character relationships and future quest availability.
Prerequisites and Quest Activation
Before triggering this quest, players must complete previous Novigrad storylines including A Matter of Life and Death. It is also highly recommended to finish any side quests involving Triss before starting this path. Taking care of lingering tasks ensures that no secondary story threads are left incomplete before she attempts to leave the region.
Rescuing the Mages in Novigrad
Upon arriving at Triss's hideout, Geralt must help her decide whether to save two young mages, Anisse and Berthold, or proceed directly to the sewers. Choosing to rescue the duo adds a extra fight against witch hunters, though it slightly alters the fate of local allies. Pathing through the dark underground sewers requires defeating hordes of aggressive rats and a powerful Katakan monster.
The Docks Battle and Key Decisions
After reaching the Novigrad harbor, Geralt and Sigismund Dijkstra must hold off incoming waves of witch hunters to protect the fleeing mages. Once the battle concludes, Geralt faces a major romantic crossroads with Triss Merigold on the wooden docks. Choosing to express true love prompts her to stay behind, while bidding farewell allows her to sail safely to Kovir.
Consequences and Long-Term Impact
Successfully completing this mission unlocks follow-up political quests, such as A Deadly Plot, which shapes the future of the northern realms. However, failing to finish Now or Never before advancing too far into the main story will cause the quest to fail permanently. Players should double check their quest log to guarantee all related character arcs are properly fulfilled.
