Whatsoever a Man Soweth: Full Walkthrough for Hearts of Stone’s Finale

Whatsoever a Man Soweth is the last main quest of the Hearts of Stone expansion, and it forces one decision that shapes the entire ending. Geralt either lets Gaunter O’Dimm claim Olgierd von Everec’s soul, or he challenges O’Dimm to a battle of wits to set Olgierd free. The catch is that the second option only exists if you do a specific optional step earlier in the quest.

Quick answer: Visit Shani and Professor Shakeslock before the Temple of Lilvani to unlock the option to help Olgierd. Doing so lets you fight O’Dimm, earns the relic steel sword Iris, and gives access to the Viper venomous silver sword.

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Start at the Alchemy Inn in Oxenfurt

The quest begins automatically after Scenes From a Marriage. Head to the Alchemy Inn in Oxenfurt to meet Olgierd’s man, but you will find Gaunter O’Dimm waiting instead. When a drunk interrupts, O’Dimm stops time to speak with Geralt privately, then kills the man for the intrusion once the conversation ends.

O’Dimm gives you a straightforward order: take Olgierd to the Temple of Lilvani so they can complete the contract’s last requirement. Once Olgierd has gone, speak with his man; he says Shani has been asking for you.

Meet Shani and Professor Shakeslock to unlock the alternate ending

This whole detour is optional, but skipping it removes the choice at the temple. If you go straight to Olgierd, the quest plays out exactly as if you decided not to get involved. Talk to Shani first, and she will point you toward Professor Premethine Shakeslock at the Oxenfurt Academy, who once helped Olgierd try to break the pact.

Follow Shani to the Academy. The guards only let her through, so you need another way in.

Go back to the bridge you crossed and dive into the river. Swim around to the marker on the western side of the island and kill the Drowned Dead along the shore.

Approach the wall so Shani drops a rope, then climb up. After the cutscene she leaves, and four Witch Hunters attack. Kill them.

The professor’s door is locked. Climb the ladder and scaffolding across from the house, jump to the balcony, and use Aard to blast the door open.

Go below and talk with Shakeslock. Select every dialogue option. He says O’Dimm’s weakness is a wager: as a compulsive gambler, he cannot turn one down. During their conversation, a bookcase collapses and kills the professor.

Loot his body for the journal and the front-door key, then leave. Climb the guard tower near the wall you first scaled and dive back into the water to escape.

This is your last visit to the Academy grounds and your final chance to say goodbye to Shani. It is also where you can win the Olgierd von Everec Gwent card from her, so grab it now if you are collecting them.

The choice at the Temple of Lilvani

Reach the temple through the caves east of Toderas. If you cleared Contract: Phantom of the Trade Route earlier, you already know the area. Take the path that continues down rather than up toward the old draconid nests, and it leads into the temple.

A cutscene plays where Geralt gives Olgierd the violet rose (or a painting of it). O’Dimm arrives, reveals the mosaic moon floor to satisfy the contract’s final clause, and moves to claim Olgierd’s soul. A timed dialogue then appears with two options.

[Help Olgierd.] Geralt challenges O’Dimm to a game of wits, frees Olgierd, and receives the Iris steel sword.
[Don’t get involved.] O’Dimm takes Olgierd’s soul, removes the brand from Geralt’s face, and grants one wish as a reward.

The option to help Olgierd only appears if you spoke to Shakeslock. Without that step, O’Dimm claims the soul with no input from you. Create a manual save here before committing.

All O’Dimm wishes and rewards if you don’t get involved

Choose this and the quest ends after O’Dimm grants a single wish. You never see him or Olgierd again. Each wish maps to one reward.

Wish	Reward
Wanna be as swift as the wind	Caparison of Lament (saddle, +100 Stamina)
Never wanna go hungry again	Horn of Plenty (40 Vitality regen, reusable)
A bottle of vodka that’s always full	Bottomless Carafe (endless alchemy alcohol)
Make me rich	10,000 Crowns (5,000 before Patch 4.0)
Don’t want anything from you	No reward
Wanna know where Ciri is	Advice for the best Ciri ending

The Ciri wish only appears if you have not yet reached The Isle of Mists, or during a standalone expansion playthrough. O’Dimm cannot locate her, but he reminds Geralt how to secure the good ending: make her laugh, let her vent her rage, grieve with her, instill courage without acting in her stead, and never let her feel sold out.

Solve Master Mirror’s riddle to save Olgierd

Pick Help Olgierd and O’Dimm drops Geralt into a twisted world with a countdown timer. The answer to the riddle is a mirror, but not one you can shatter. The timer drains slowly on its own and faster when you poke at the decoy points of interest, so keep moving. The Foglet, Hym, and Gargoyle specters can be ignored or killed for XP.

Follow the trail away from the temple. When you reach the first fork, leave the ruins alone and choose the path on the right.

Pass the Foglet specters and cross the bridge. When the path splits again, take the left.

Go under the bridge and take the left path. At the next split, go right toward the red glowing point of interest and deal with the Hym specter.

Turn your back on the red marker and take the left-hand trail. Continue to its fork, then choose the left route toward the house atop the hill.

Get past the two Gargoyle specters guarding the manor and go inside. Ignore O’Dimm’s taunts.

Descend the steps in the direction of the mirror. Have at least half your health before the drop; Quen will not protect you from the fall.

After falling into the courtyard, ignore the mirrors that shatter when you approach. Find the dry fountain, examine the cracked wall behind it, and cast Aard to break it. Water fills the fountain, revealing the one reflection O’Dimm cannot destroy.

Grab the Viper venomous silver sword

The riddle realm holds the only Viper venomous silver sword in the game, so it is worth the short detour. At the third fork, where you would normally handle the Hym specter, go up the stairs beside the red glow. The sword is lodged in a stone at the top. Pull it out and you will still have enough time to finish the riddle.

A treasure cave is another stop along the way. Once across the bridge, follow the right-hand route to a glowing cave containing Orens, gems, and crafting materials. Looting it is optional, and you can do so safely before moving on.

How you know it worked

Solving the riddle sends Geralt back to the real world, out of O’Dimm’s grasp. Olgierd thanks him, gives him the relic steel sword Iris, and vows never to make another wish. Your reply during their farewell has no effect on the outcome. Helping Olgierd earns 200 XP; walking away gives you 150 XP. Either choice brings the Hearts of Stone story to an end. Iris ranks among the game’s strongest steel swords. Its strong attack hits twice, while fast light strikes set up an unblockable heavy attack that costs you some health.