You’re wandering through Velen, probably just trying to find some Gwent players or a halfway decent blacksmith, when you see it. A notice on the board at the Inn at the Crossroads. Some guy named Bruno is looking for his brother, Mikel. Seems simple enough. You’re a Witcher; finding people is basically half the job.
But then you see the suggested level. Level 33.
If you’re like most players, you probably found this notice when you were level 5 or 10. You might have even wandered into the mine southwest of the Border Post by accident, only to be turned into a snack by a giant spider. It's a classic Witcher 3 trap. This contract, officially titled Contract: Missing Brother, is one of the most deceptively difficult early-game pickups that actually belongs in the late-game.
The Mystery of the Mine Near the Inn at the Crossroads
The setup is pretty standard for Velen. Bruno is sitting in the corner of the Inn at the Crossroads, looking miserable. He tells you Mikel went off to a nearby mine with some refugees to hide from the war. They haven't come back. Honestly, in Velen, "they haven't come back" usually means they've been eaten, but Bruno holds out hope.
Once you head to the mine—which is just a short trek southwest from the Border Post—you’ll find the usual Witcher signs. Bloody bits. Scraps of clothing. Huge, four-legged monster tracks.
Inside, the atmosphere shifts. It’s dark, damp, and full of water. You’ll have to do a lot of swimming. Pro tip: if you’re using mods like the HD Reworked Project or certain weather mods, players have reported a weird bug where the cave appears "too flooded," making some paths unreachable. If the water levels look impossibly high and you can't progress, try disabling those texture mods temporarily.
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Finding the Survivors (and the Bad News)
As you explore, you’ll find a survivor. A woman hiding on a high ledge. You have to use a lever to lower a bridge so she can get out. She’ll tell you what you already suspected: a massive monster attacked them. Mikel? He didn't make it.
Geralt finds Mikel’s body deep in the lair. It’s not a pretty sight. But the contract isn't just about finding the guy; it’s about "solving" the problem. That problem is an Arachas queen named Harrisi.
How to Kill Harrisi Without Losing Your Mind
Harrisi is a beast. Literally. She’s a venomous Arachas, and if you're under-leveled, she will one-shot you before you can even say "Wind's howling."
Before you even step into her main chamber, you have to deal with the eggs. There are 12 egg sacs scattered throughout the tunnels.
- Group 1: In the first underwater tunnel area.
- Group 2: Behind another submerged path.
- Group 3: In the final chamber area.
Use Igni or Aard to pop these. If you don't destroy them, Harrisi will summon a small army of young arachasae during the fight. Trust me, you don't want a dozen tiny spiders jumping on your back while a giant one is trying to poison you.
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Essential Combat Gear
- Golden Oriole: This is the MVP. Superior Golden Oriole actually makes poison heal you. Since Harrisi spits venom constantly, this turns the fight from a nightmare into a cakewalk.
- Insectoid Oil: Don't forget to coat your silver sword. That extra 10-50% damage is the difference between a 2-minute fight and a 10-minute slog.
- Yrden and Quen: Harrisi is fast for her size. Use Yrden to slow her down and Quen to survive the occasional hit.
- The Gwyhyr Sword: While you’re in the mine, look for a Nilfgaardian soldier's body in one of the side alcoves. He’s carrying a Gwyhyr, a very solid steel sword that’s worth grabbing.
The fight itself is a game of patience. Dodge her leaps, get two or three hits in, and back off. If she starts glowing or huffing gas, get clear. If you’re really struggling, some players have found success kiting her with the crossbow or just spamming heavy attacks with Rend if you have the Bear School gear.
The Reward: Why Bruno is a Massive Jerk
After you’ve killed Harrisi and taken your trophy (which gives a 5% bonus to finding extra herbs—kinda underwhelming, honestly), you head back to the Inn.
This is where the quest gets annoying. Bruno asks about Mikel. You tell him he’s dead. Bruno then decides that since you didn't bring his brother back alive, he’s not going to pay you the full amount. He offers you a measly 84 crowns.
You have three ways to handle this:
- "I risked my life": You take the 84 crowns like a chump. You get 200 XP, but it feels bad.
- "Give me the reward" (Axii Level 3): If you have Delusion Level 3, you can Jedi mind-trick him. This is the best outcome. You get the full haggled price (around 300+ crowns) plus an extra 40 XP for using the sign.
- "I'm not going to beg": You walk away with zero money but a whopping 300 XP. Honestly, in the late game, 300 XP is worth way more than 300 crowns.
Most people get mad at Bruno. I get it. The guy just lost his brother. But trying to stiff a Witcher who just killed a giant venomous spider is a bold, and frankly stupid, move.
Actionable Tips for Your Journal
If you haven't finished Missing Brother Witcher 3 yet, keep these points in mind so you don't waste your time:
- Check your level: Don't attempt this before level 30 unless you really know what you're doing. A level 5 Geralt will die in one hit.
- Destroy all 12 eggs: It makes the boss fight significantly easier. Use your Witcher senses to find the ones tucked away in the underwater tunnels.
- Bring the right potions: If you don't have Golden Oriole, you're going to have a bad time.
- The Axii Trick: Make sure you have the Delusion skill equipped before talking to Bruno if you want your gold. If you don't care about the money, take the 300 XP "walk away" option for the fastest leveling.
- Loot the bodies: There's a lot of decent loot in the mine, including the Black Unicorn diagram in some versions/chests and the aforementioned Gwyhyr sword.
This quest is a great example of why The Witcher 3 is so beloved. It's not just a "kill X monsters" task. It’s a story about war refugees, a grieving brother, and the harsh reality that a Witcher can't save everyone. Sometimes, the "happy ending" is just getting paid and moving on to the next monster.
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To wrap this up, head to the Inn at the Crossroads and talk to Bruno. If the quest isn't appearing, check the notice board again. Just make sure you're geared up for a fight that's a lot messier than a simple search-and-rescue.