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  • Shani And The Crypt
  • Inside The Crypt
  • The Wedding
  • Other Info

The Witcher 3 has two major DLC expansions, both starting with their own new quest that opens up into a brand-new story. After completing 'Evil's Soft First Touches,' the first main quest in the Hearts of Stone DLC expansion, you'll be given two quests: 'Open Sesame!' and 'Dead Man's Party.'

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In 'Dead Man's Party,' you'll be tasked with showing Olgierd von Everec's brother a good time. However, the poor guy has been dead for a few years. If you're looking to complete this strange quest, here's everything you'll need to know.

Updated on January 18, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: We've split the last section of our guide into several sub-headings to help improve flow, which you may or may not notice - or care about, understandably. More importantly, we've added a few more bits on how to achieve your objectives throughout this fun and quirky quest.

Shani And The Crypt

The first thing you'll need to do in this quest is head toOxenfurt and find Shani's place, marked on your map. She'll be there with a group of guards, but they don't pose a threat, so don't fear them. You'll have a short discussion here, then be told to meet Shani near the Von Everec Family Crypt, which will now be marked on your map as well. Geralt is hoping Shani will help find Olgierd's brother, Vlodimir von Everec. So, head to the crypt to find Shani waiting for you.

She'll be making a wedding wreath and ask you to attend with her. She doesn't really give you a choice. Next, you'll need to head down into the crypt, while Shani waits outside for you. Apply some specter oil to your blade, as you're about to fight some pretty tough wraiths.

Inside The Crypt

After you defeat the wraiths, you'll need to find the coffin of Olgierd's brother, Vlodimir. However, use Aard on a breakable wall that you can detect with your Witcher Senses and go through the passage that you uncover. In here, you'll find a body with a crypt key, which can be used to open another room with some enemies and loot in it. Then, use your Witcher Senses again to find Vlodimir's grave, which will have a saber on it.

Equip the censer that Shani gave you and apply the incense you received to all the rooms marked on your map. Finish by lighting the votive marked in the middle of the room. Be prepared for battle before you light the votive though, because as soon as you do, you're going to be in combat against some ghosts.

Defeat the five ghosts and Vlodimir will appear, heartily amused by what just took place. Geralt will explain why he's here, and become possessed by Vlodimir. Shani will wake you/Vlodimir up and his ghost will fall head over heels for her. You'll next need to head to the wedding with Shani.

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The Wedding

The wedding mostly consists of a long cutscene with a bunch of activities. If you participate in these activities, you can earn a ton of experience points as well as some items. Some of them are mandatory, while others are optional. Every time you finish a mandatory activity, some time will pass, until midnight arrives and Vlodimir's spirit will need to leave.

The mandatory activities include the following: pig herding, helping the fire swallower, shoe fishing, and playing Gwent. The additional, optional activities include drinking at the tables, dancing, talking to the women, and talking to Shani inside the barn.

Pig Herdin'

For the pig-herding task, you'll need to chase two pigs into a pen. Using Axii to do this will count as cheating, and you won't earn a prize. Complete this challenge without Axii, and you'll win the King of Swineherd's crown. It has a nice gold bonus boon, so it's worth having.

After this task, Shani will tell Vlodimir that he needs to live up to his claim of being able to seduce any woman on sight. Head toward the woman she picks out and try to woo her. Her brothers won't be happy and will attack you, so get ready for some combat.

Shoe Fishin'

One activity is shoe fishing, which is a strange little game near the pond. Talk to the people here and they'll tell you how it works. Shani throws her shoe in, and you have to find it. There are other shoes, though, so head to the left side and find it in a corner. You'll get more experience points if you find it first try.

Fire Swallowin'

Next, head to the two people talking about a dog. Apparently, this dog chased away a Fire Swallower. You can use your Witcher Senses to find the tracks and follow them. His hat can be found on the way. Use Axii on the dog or chase it away once you find it, and the Fire Swallower will come down from the tree.

Dialogue options here will determine whether he returns or leaves. Axii and some Crowns can prevent his departure. On the way back, you'll be escorting the Fire Swallower and a boar will attack. You can kill this boar with ease and return to the party. If you allow the Fire Swallower to leave, though, Vlodimir will offer to juggle instead.

Gwent Playin' And So Forth

The final mandatory activity is playing Gwent. There will be some Halflings sitting at a table. You won't win any cards if you win these rounds, but if you lose, you'll be forced to wear the Ass's Ears for the remainder of the party, which will influence dialogue with other characters.

You can participate in the optional activities if you decide, but they aren't necessary to advance the quest. If you complete all the available activities, you can earn an achievement called 'Let the Good Times Roll.' (Except on Switch, since Nintendo's console lacks an achievement system.)

After the first few mandatory events, you'll enter the barn with Shani to dance. You'll have a conversation with Gaunter O'Dimm at this point as well. From there, you can resume participating in the wedding events.

After finishing the four mandatory activities, the clock will strike midnight and Vlodimir will need to leave. Luckily, he'll write you a letter for Olgierd.

Other Info

It's important to note that there are two things you can do during this quest that you might miss.

The first is fairly straightforward: a Gwent card. During the wedding, head outside the barn to find a ladder up to the loft on the upper floor. Climb it to a place where you can find Shani and speak with her. Also, while here, look for the Cow Gwent card. This card appears to do nothing, but it actually summons the Bovine Defense Force in the next round — a powerful Chort card.

A second thing you can miss during this quest is an opportunity to romance Shani. Toward the end of 'Dead Man's Party,' you'll gain access to a secondary quest called 'A Midnight Clear.' This quest will lead to a development in your relationship with Shani if you complete it. It'll fail if you don't complete it before 'Scenes From a Marriage.'

NEXT: The Witcher 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough