The Fate of the Merhojed Captive: A Kingdom Come Deliverance Deep Dive
The Merhojed captive presents a pivotal decision point in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. After interrogating him, you must take the captive to Rattay jail. However, the journey to that decision, and the nuances surrounding it, are far more complex and impactful than a simple hand-off. Your choices surrounding the captive ripple outwards, affecting quest outcomes, relationships, and even the overall tone of your playthrough. This guide will navigate you through the interrogation, the subsequent choices, and the consequences that follow.
The Interrogation and its Aftermath
The interrogation itself is a test of your skills. Successfully extracting information hinges on your Persuasion, Intimidation, or even combat prowess. The goal is to uncover the truth about the bandit attack on Merhojed and, crucially, the fate of Matthias. The information gleaned from the captive will influence your next steps. Key questions to ask revolve around:
- The bandits’ motives for attacking Merhojed.
- The location of their hideout.
- Matthias’ involvement (or lack thereof).
Once you’ve squeezed the necessary information from him, and optionally discovered what happened to Matthias, you’re faced with a critical decision: what to do with the captive? The main objective points to taking him to Rattay jail. But before you drag him all the way there, remember these considerations.
Delivering Justice: The Road to Rattay
The journey to Rattay with the captive isn’t just a scenic ride. It’s an opportunity (or a potential hazard). Keep these points in mind:
- Bandit Encounters: Transporting a prisoner increases your chances of being ambushed by the captive’s former comrades. Be prepared for a fight.
- Moral Implications: Do you believe the captive deserves to be turned over to the authorities? Or are you considering a more…direct approach?
- Alternate Endings: Depending on the information extracted, you might consider dealing with the bandits yourself before involving Rattay. This, of course, has consequences.
Reporting to Sir Radzig
Before carting your captive off to Rattay, make sure you visit Sir Radzig at the lookout point by Talmberg. He needs to hear your report on the situation in Merhojed and what you have discovered about the bandits. This step is crucial for advancing the main questline and ensuring you receive proper acknowledgement for your efforts. Radzig’s reaction will also vary depending on the choices you’ve made regarding the cure and the captive.
Optional Objectives and Their Impact
The “Optional” objectives in this quest are anything but insignificant. Here’s how they tie into the captive and the overall storyline:
- Finding Matthias: Learning Matthias’ fate adds depth to the narrative. Whether he’s alive and relocated to the monastery or, tragically, deceased, knowing the truth informs your actions and adds emotional weight to your decisions.
- The Remedy for Merhojed: Curing the afflicted villagers drastically alters the outcome of the quest. A healthy Merhojed will provide you with better resources and trade opportunities later in the game. Remember the correct remedy: Valerian, Thistle, and Charcoal. The incorrect remedy, Valerian and Wormwood, won’t work.
- Searching the Bandit’s Corpse: While morally questionable to some, searching the corpse of any bandit you kill can reveal valuable items, including weapons, armor, and perhaps even clues related to their operations.
FAQs: Navigating the Moral and Practical Choices
1. What happens if I kill the captive instead of taking him to Rattay?
Killing the captive provides a quicker resolution, but it closes off avenues for further investigation. You might miss out on potential leads to other bandit camps or information that could be valuable to Sir Radzig. It also has implications for your character’s morality and reputation.
2. Where exactly is the Rattay jail?
The Rattay jail is located within the Rattay castle complex. Once inside the castle walls, head towards the main keep. The jail is typically found near the guardhouse and barracks.
3. What information do I absolutely need to get from the captive?
At a minimum, you need to learn the location of the bandit camp and any information about their leadership. This is crucial for completing the main quest objective.
4. Is it possible to persuade the captive to reveal information without resorting to violence?
Yes, if your Persuasion skill is high enough, you can convince the captive to cooperate without resorting to violence or intimidation. This approach can yield more accurate and complete information.
5. Can I sneak into the bandit camp before interrogating the captive?
Technically, yes. However, doing so without knowing their patrol routes and defenses is extremely risky. Interrogating the captive first provides valuable intel that significantly increases your chances of success.
6. Does the remedy I choose for Merhojed affect my interactions with the captive?
Not directly. However, a healthy Merhojed will create a more stable and cooperative environment, potentially influencing how people perceive your actions regarding the captive. Remember to purchase Valerian and two Thistles from Brother Nicodemus.
7. Where can I find Brother Nicodemus?
Brother Nicodemus is a monk at the Sasau Monastery, where he works as the local physician at the Sasau Infirmary, with the assistance of Brother Elias.
8. What if I fail the interrogation entirely?
Failing the interrogation makes the next steps significantly harder. You’ll have to rely on guesswork and potentially stumble into the bandit camp unprepared. It’s strongly recommended to either improve your skills or reload an earlier save.
9. Does Sir Radzig reward me for delivering the captive to Rattay?
Yes, Sir Radzig will reward you upon hearing your report and delivering the captive. The reward may vary depending on the overall success of your investigation and the choices you’ve made.
10. Are there any long-term consequences for killing the captive?
The immediate consequences are minimal. However, consistent acts of violence and disregard for the law can negatively impact your reputation with certain factions and characters. Consider the Games Learning Society and how moral choices impact engagement in game settings. You can find more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
11. What if the captive escapes while I’m transporting him to Rattay?
If the captive escapes, you’ll need to track him down and recapture him. This can be a challenging task, as he’ll be actively trying to evade you. Failure to recapture him could result in the bandits being alerted to your presence.
12. Does the time of day affect the difficulty of transporting the captive?
Yes, transporting the captive at night increases the risk of bandit ambushes. The darkness provides them with cover and makes it harder to spot potential threats.
13. Can I use the captive to lure the bandits into a trap?
While not explicitly designed for this purpose, you could potentially use the captive as bait. However, this is a risky tactic that could easily backfire.
14. What if I’ve already completed the quest and didn’t follow these steps?
Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a non-linear experience. If you’ve already completed the quest, the consequences of your choices will be baked into your game world. You can’t go back and change them.
15. Are there any mods that affect the Merhojed captive quest?
Yes, numerous mods on sites like NexusMods can alter the quest, making it easier or harder, adding new dialogue options, or even changing the ultimate fate of the captive. Explore the modding community to tailor the experience to your liking.
Navigating the Merhojed captive scenario requires careful consideration and strategic decision-making. Understanding the nuances of the interrogation, the implications of your choices, and the potential consequences will ultimately determine the outcome of this pivotal quest and your overall success in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.