SPOILERS AHEAD! YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!
The final quest of The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone is upon you. You’ve traveled the world and dealt with all types of vagrants in order to fulfill the three wishes of Olgierd von Everec. After the ending of the previous main quest, Scenes From a Marriage, you will be in possession of the violet rose given to the late Iris von Everec by Olgeird himself.
Whatsoever a Man Soweth kicks off with you heading to the Alchemy Inn located in Oxenfurt where Olgierd told you to inform his subordinate of your success. When you arrive, the man you’re looking for is there, but you’ll have to talk with Master Mirror first. He reminds you of a certain aspect of the verbal contract you two had made that was easily glossed over. To fulfill your end of the bargain, you must have Olgierd meet both you and Master Mirror at the Temple of Lilvani.
Before doing so, there is an optional objective that will have you meet Shani. You can embark on this little excursion in order to say your goodbyes, win a valuable Gwent card, and receive another optional objective that leads the player to Professor Shakeslock. The professor was sought out by Olgierd von Everec to do research on Master Mirror in an attempt to find out how to get out of their pact. Visiting him will grant you tons of information and a way to defeat the man who branded you, if you feel that is the right choice to make.
Whether you choose to partake in the optional objectives or not, you’ll still have to head to the Temple of Lilvani. There, you will have to make a choice that determines how the game will end.
Do you side with Master Mirror and complete your agreement or do you instead side with Olgierd von Everec after witnessing his tragic tale?
Keep Your Word and Side With Master Mirror
Once Master Mirror reveals that he has deceptively fulfilled one of Olgierd von Everec’s wishes, you will have to choose whether to watch everything play out as agreed or to side with Olgierd. Choosing to leave the situation as is leads to a cutscene in which you get to see the horrors that Master Mirror is capable of.
After this, you will have a brief conversation with this mysterious being and finally be relieved of the brand he bestowed upon you at the beginning of Hearts of Stone. At this point, he will remind you of your reward and you will have to choose.
The options are:
- “Wanna be as swift as the wind.”– The item Caparison of Lament Saddle will be added to your inventory. It grants +100 Horse Stamina.
- “Never wanna go hungry again.”– The item Horn of Plenty will be added to your inventory. It is an infinite supply of food that can be used to offer vitality regeneration in and out of combat. +40 vitality outside of combat, and +25 while in combat over 5 seconds.
- “A bottle of vodka that’s always full.”– The item Botomless Carafe is added to your inventory. It grants infinite alcohol so you will never have to worry about not having enough for all your potions and concoctions.
- “Wanna be rich.”– 5000 Crowns.
- “I don’t want anything from you.”– You get nothing, good day sir.
No matter which option you choose, the credits will roll and you will have completed The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone.
Betray Master Mirror
Betraying Master Mirror isn’t as simple as just standing beside Olgierd and pulling out your sword. He is far too cunning and powerful to allow things to end just like that. Geralt proposes a deal to play a game. If Geralt wins, both he and Olgierd go free. If he loses… well, let’s just say you don’t want to lose.
You’ll awaken in a twisted version of the temple you were just standing in and will hear a riddle:
“To all things and men I appertain,
and yet by some am shunned and distained.
Fondle me and ogle me til you’re insane,
but no blow can harm me, cause me pain.
Children delight in me, elders take fright.
Fair maids rejoice and spin.
Cry and I weep, yawn and I sleep.
Smile, and I too shall grin.
What am I?”
The answer to this riddle is found within the world you’ve been cast into. You will be on a timer with Specters lining the path. Simply spread Specter Oil on your blade (just in case you have no choice but to fight) and equip Quen to mitigate any passing damage.
You will want to run straight through this puzzle so that you don’t run out of time. Ignore any specters you can and just keep to your path in order to get through with ease. There will be valuable treasures along the way, stop to pick them up if you must but always keep the timer in mind.
The path you’ll want to follow in order to get through this quickly and easily is:
- Straight ahead on the initial path. Make a right when you come across two specters and cross the wooden bridge.
- After the bridge you’ll round a corner, keep heading straight towards the stone archway up ahead.
- Follow this path and you’ll reach stone ruins to your left and a path along a cliff to your right guarded by a large Specter. Take the path on the right. (If you climb the broken stairs to your left first, though, you’ll find the Venomous Viper Silver Sword.)
- Follow this path and climb the rocks ahead. Continue straight past the glowing tree and then make a left when the road forks.
- You’ll come upon a cave filled with gold and treasure. Loot it if you want or make a left in front of it. (If you do decide to loot it, make a right when you exit).
- Follow this path straight into the cemetery, then run past the two specters straight into the huge manor.
- Once you enter the front door their will be a hallway leading down, enter it.
At the end of that final step, you’ll drop through the floor into a room filled with mirrors. Ignore the mirrors (they explode before you can do anything to them anyway) and make your way around to the fountain that is ahead and slightly to the left of where you entered from. Use Aard on the wall behind this fountain and you will have solved the riddle.
Congratulations, you have defeated Master Mirror and Olgierd will gift you Iris, his powerful saber for your assistance.
For more guides, tips, tricks, features, and information on The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone be sure to check out our wiki.
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