Honestly, walking into Kuttenberg for the first time in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is a total trip. The scale of the city is massive, but it’s the people that’ll get you. If you’ve been following the main questline, you eventually hit a point in Into the Underworld where you need to track down a guy named Goatskin. This leads you straight to a shady tavern called the Hole in the Wall. Here, you meet Chenyek, a guy who clearly doesn't trust outsiders.
He’s not just going to hand over information for free. Well, he might if you have a silver tongue or enough Groschen, but the most "canonical" way into the Kuttenberg underworld involves proving you’re not just some illiterate peasant or a loyalist spy. He’s going to quiz you on your reformist knowledge. Specifically, he’s going to grill you on KCD2 Wycliffe first thesis details.
If you blink, you’ll miss it. The timer on these dialogue options is aggressive.
Passing the Quiz: What is Wycliffe’s First Thesis?
When Chenyek leans over that table and asks you what Wycliffe’s first thesis is, you might be tempted to guess something about the Pope or the Bible. Don't. The answer you’re looking for is Repentance.
In the context of the game’s world—and the actual 45 articles of John Wycliffe that were circulating in Bohemia at the time—this refers to the idea that true penance isn’t about paying the church for indulgences. It’s an internal state. For a guy like Chenyek, who's basically running a guild of the "lower" sorts, this ideology is bread and butter. It’s about stripping away the fancy robes and getting back to what matters.
👉 See also: Playing Return to Monkey Island Switch: Why It Feels Like the Series Finally Came Home
But the quiz doesn't stop there. He’s got two more questions to make sure you’re actually "one of them."
- Which estate has the greatest reformatory potential?
Answer: The commoners! (Chenyek is a populist through and through). - Who is the rightful King of Bohemia?
Answer: Wenceslas! (Even though he’s a "lazy drunk" according to half the NPCs, he’s the legitimate king in the eyes of the reformers compared to Sigismund).
If you nail these, he’ll actually respect you. He might even buy you a beer.
Why Wycliffe Matters in KCD2
You’ve probably heard the name Jan Hus mentioned a thousand times in the first game. Hus was the local hero, but John Wycliffe was the "Morning Star of the Reformation" all the way over in England. His writings were like wildfire in the University of Prague.
By the time Henry is running around Kuttenberg in 1403, the Archbishop has already been ordered to burn Wycliffe’s books. The game does a great job of showing how dangerous this stuff was. Just carrying a pamphlet with Wycliffe's theses could get you thrown in a dungeon, or worse.
The Underworld Connection
The reason KCD2 Wycliffe first thesis is even a thing in a thieving quest is because the reformist movement and the criminal underworld in Kuttenberg are weirdly intertwined. The "poor" aren't just beggars; they're a political force. By answering Chenyek correctly, you’re not just passing a trivia test. You’re signaling that you’re part of the "underground" that hates the corrupt high-clergy just as much as they hate the guards.
If you fail the quiz? It's not a game over. You can usually pay 200 Groschen to shut him up or use a Speech/Intimidation check if your stats are high enough. But honestly, answering the questions is the most satisfying way to play it.
The Feast for the Poor Side Quest
Nailing the Wycliffe question unlocks a pretty cool side quest called Feast for the Poor. Chenyek will basically tell you that if you want to prove your worth to the guild, you need to help out the less fortunate.
This isn't just "hand out bread." It’s Kingdom Come, so it’s complicated. You’ll end up stealing sausages from Sigismund’s supply lines (because why not hit the invaders where it hurts?) and replacing them with cabbage to cover your tracks.
- Tip: Bring at least one cabbage with you before you head to the warehouse south of the city.
- Pro Tip: If you have Mutt with you, tell him to "Stay" outside. He is a total stealth-killer in small spaces and will alert every guard in a ten-mile radius.
Historical Accuracy vs. Gameplay
Is the "first thesis" actually Repentance in real-world history? It’s a bit of a simplification for the sake of a video game. Wycliffe’s actual "45 Articles" were complex theological arguments. However, the first of his famous 95 Theses (wait, that was Luther, see how easy it is to get confused?) often centered on the idea that the life of believers should be one of repentance.
Warhorse Studios loves their history, but they also know that reading 14th-century Latin law at a bar isn't exactly "peak gameplay." They chose Repentance because it perfectly encapsulates the shift from Church-controlled salvation to individual faith.
What to do next in Kuttenberg
Once you've cleared the "Into the Underworld" hurdle and satisfied Chenyek's curiosity about your theological leanings, you're officially "in." This opens up the Thieves' Guild activities in Kuttenberg.
If you’re looking to maximize your time in the city, I’d recommend hitting up Miller Kreyzl at the Semine Mill. He’s the one who can actually teach you how to lockpick properly if you’re still struggling with those "Very Hard" chests in the warehouse. Also, keep an eye out for Knuckles inside the Hole in the Wall; he’s got an optional objective during the sausage heist that’ll net you some extra wine and some "Quickfinger" potions.
Don't just rush the main story here. Kuttenberg is dense, and the political tension between the Wycliffites, the Hussites, and the Royalists is where the best world-building happens. Just remember: Repentance, Commoners, Wenceslas. That’s your golden ticket.