The Witcher 3 - The Great Escape, Zoltan, free Margarita, ruins

As soon as the stranger makes a break for it, dash out of the door and give chase. Follow him through the streets (use your mini-map to locate him if he gets too far ahead), then clamber up the ladders onto the roof. Next, run along the walkway and scramble up the ledges.

The Great Escape

Once you've apprehended your target, you'll automatically head to Crippled Kate's. Ask the man about his escape from Deireadh and the drunken guards, then work through the dialogue options to plan your next move.

(Optional) Ask Zoltan for help

It seems that the prison's guards have a fondness for drink. Return to the Rosemary and Thyme, then ask Zoltan for help freeing Margarita. Wrap up the conversation then go meet Yennefer.

Meet Yennefer at the bridge into Oxenfurt

You'll need to make it all the way to Oxenfurt to continue the quest. Either go the long way round on horseback or fast travel to Oxenfurt's Novigrad Gate. Once you reach your destination, follow the objective marker to Yennefer's waiting spot. Speak to her to proceed.

Enter the prison through the well

Follow Yennefer through the streets and, once you arrive at the well, hop on in.

Search the ruins

Begin exploring the waterlogged ruins by heading north-east through the tunnels. Once you reach the steps, climb out of the water and take a right. Head into the chamber and deal with the grave hag loitering around. Approach the locked door in the south-eastern corner of the room to discover your next objective.

Find the missing part of the mechanism using your Witcher Senses

When you're ready to proceed, head through the archway to the north-east and drop into the water. Dive down then swim through the opening directly ahead. On the other side, climb out onto dry land and follow the passage as it bends around to the left. As you enter the next room, immediately look left to locate the mechanism on the wall. Examine it and take the lever. Explore the area to unearth some decent loot then begin retracing your steps.

Repair the mechanism and open the door

Follow the objective marker back to the busted mechanism and use the lever on it to proceed. Yank the lever then head through the now-open door. Head toward the brittle wall and shatter it with Aard. Pass on through to the other side.

How to track down Margarita

Find the sorceress Margarita

Deal with the ghouls that attack, then follow the passage to the south-east. Note the small locked gate on the left when you reach it, then climb up the ledge to your right. Continue to the end of the tunnel then scramble up the next ledge to the right, passing into the illuminated chamber. The room's exit lies to the south-west - however, before leaving, glance right and examine the glowing item near the table to swipe the sewer key. This unlocks the gate you noted earlier.

For now, though, head through the door to the south-west and climb the stairs. Pass through the door on the right at the top, then immediately deal with the witch hunters in the area. Once they're out of the picture, continue into the room and locate Margarita.

Get the key

Next, you need to retrieve the warden's key. Follow the objective marker to the north-east and take down the witch hunters on the other side of the door. Climb the stairs, turn right and pass through the doorway leading out into the courtyard. Thanks to Zoltan, the guards in the area are drunk. Hug the wall and carefully make your way towards, and then up, the stone steps to the left. Continue up into the warden's chamber and prepare to take him down.

Search the commander's body and find the key to the cell door

Once the warden is dead, search his corpse and grab the key.

Open the cell

Retrace your steps and return to Margarita's cell. Unlock it to proceed.

Get out of the prison

With Margarita rescued, head back upstairs and out into the courtyard. Once again, climb the stone steps on the left and, at the top of the first flight of stairs, take a hard right. Travel along the wall and follow it around until you reach the hole to the left. Drop on through then, back outside the prison walls, return to Zoltan. Say you'll go with him to wrap up the quest.

Final Preparations (continued)

Meet Yennefer and the Lodge of Sorceresses at Dandelion's inn

Next, climb to the top floor of the tavern and speak with Ciri on the landing. Ask her what Yennefer wants then agree to tag along too. Listen to what the Lodge has to say then work your way through the dialogue options to bring things to a close.

- You can find the rest of our Witcher 3 walkthrough from the first page of this article.