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  • Where To Start Contract: Dragon
  • Finding The Trail
  • Herding The Goat
  • How To Kill The Forktail

No fantasy game is complete without a battle with a dragon, and The Witcher 3 is no exception, sort of. Despite the species' near-extinction, one of the game's Witcher Contracts has been put out against a supposed dragon. If the notion of meeting such a creature or slaying a variety of flying lizard appeals, you may want to look for Contract: Dragon in Skellige.

Related: The Witcher 3: Woe Is Me Side Quest Walkthrough

Such endeavors aren't easily completed, of course. Not only is a dangerous monster about to make an attempt on Geralt's life, but you will have to master the art of goat herding which you may need this guide for.

Where To Start Contract: Dragon

Like most Witcher Contracts, this one starts by finding the notice or by speaking to the client. In this instance, you'll find both in the town of Fyresdal, on Ard Skellig. It's the harbor on the island's southern coast.

While you're here, you may want to look into another venture, Contract: Skellige's Most Wanted. It's not just another Witcher Contract. Taking on the job will have Geralt go on an investigation where everything's been turned on its head and is well worth experiencing.

At the town's notice board, look for Contract: Dragon. Reading it will start the quest and guide you to Vagn, the village elder. He'll explain that two men had been killed by a dragon and needs the beast culled. He won't give any further details, though you can negotiate your pay before accepting the job.

Your first port of call is at a nearby house where the dead men's bodies have been kept. Their mother, Karli, is grieving there as well. She'll give Geralt a cold welcome until he explains that he's going to kill the monster.

Karli will be more than happy to let Geralt investigate her sons' corpses. This won't be a challenging investigation, with Geralt learning everything he needs to know at a glance. Most notably, the bodies lack burn marks.

Finding The Trail

With nothing else to investigate at Fyresdal, you need to head out of town to the search area. Look for a dead cow covered in claw marks. Geralt will note that the dragon lacks the strength to lift the beast.

After inspecting the carcass, look at the rocks to the northwest, where Geralt will find a trail of blood to follow. It'll lead to a dog's body at a Forktail's nest. With the monster's identity solved, Geralt heads back to Fyresdal for some bait.

Herding The Goat

Figuring that there's nothing more effective than live bait, Geralt will ask the elder for a goat to lure the dragon out. The man will gladly provide an animal for the task, though getting it to the nest is another problem entirely.

You'll need to get the goat from Fyresdal to the nest, which is much easier said than done. The beast will have to be nudged from the town to its demise. It'll only move away from Geralt, making the process difficult.

Remember that goats have eyes on the sides of their heads, giving them a 270-degree field of view. You want to appear at the edge of their vision to nudge it in a roughly forward heading.

Alternate between its left and right sides to keep it on track.

It'll be a frustrating task, though catharsis will quickly arrive when the forktail swoops from the sky and kills the animal once you get it near the nest. Sanity returns to the quest, with your final task being the eradication of the monster.

How To Kill The Forktail

The Dragon of Fyresdal may be a flying lizard, but it's just a forktail instead of a grand beast. If you've never faced this kind of foe before, be especially aware of its poisonous tail. The appendage has a surprisingly long reach and can kill you in a blink.

You can render its tail ineffective by downing Golden Oriole. The potion will make Geralt immune to poison, with a fully-upgraded version making the poison heal Geralt instead.

Of course, you shouldn't forget about its razor-sharp talons and teeth, mundane as they may be. The forktail will lash out with these implements with surprising speed. While these won't poison you, they will inflict heavy damage on Geralt if they land. Fortunately, these attacks are predictable and can be easily dodged.

If you're feeling brave, you can parry its bite. This will open it up for a few hits and would be worth bragging about, though it's far more difficult than just dodging out of the way.

The forktail's wings are worth remembering as well. It'll take to the skies and fly around Geralt if given the chance. Downing it will leave it vulnerable for a few precious seconds, letting you get a few free hits in before it gets back on its feet.

Like other flying monsters, you can ground the beast by hitting it with a crossbow bolt, a Grapeshot bomb, or Aard. If the opportunity presents itself, cutting it while it's flying works too.

Once the monster has been slain, loot its body for a trophy before returning to Fyresdal to claim your reward. You'll have a final choice to make here.

Tell The Elder It Was A Dragon

You'll receive the full reward for killing the monster.

Tell The Truth

The elder will not be impressed and will only give half the reward.

Next: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough