Bad Blood Quest Guide: KCD2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 immerses players in a realistic medieval world filled with intricate quests that test investigative skills, combat prowess, and moral decision-making. The Bad Blood side quest stands out as an early opportunity to engage in detective work, tracking down a missing person amid village rivalries and dark secrets. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, helping you locate key characters, gather evidence, and resolve the conflict in ways that maximize rewards and story impact.

Quest Overview and Prerequisites

Bad Blood becomes available shortly after progressing through initial main story tasks in Troskowitz, typically post-wedding events. Return to Bozhena’s hut—the herbalist who aided you and Hans Capon at the game’s start. She reveals her daughter Pavlena’s disappearance, sparking the investigation. No specific skill levels are required, but Speech, Investigation, and combat perks enhance success rates.

• Quest Giver: Bozhena the Herb Woman
• Location: Starting camp/hut near Troskowitz
• Objectives: Investigate disappearance, rescue target, confront antagonists
• Rewards: Groschen, reputation boosts, items (varies by choices)

Launching the Investigation: Initial Steps

Begin by speaking to Bozhena directly. Exhaust her dialogue to learn Pavlena was last seen with a local, possibly linked to family feuds. Optionally, search Pavlena’s room upstairs for clues like a misplaced hat, straw bedding disturbances, and personal items indicating recent activity. These optional finds unlock dialogue branches later.

Head to Troskowitz village next. Inquire with locals to piece together Pavlena’s movements:

• Woodcutters: Near camp outskirts; they mention sightings with Roman.
• Jezhek the Cooper: Check his alibi; reveals tensions with farmer Jakesh.
• Bailiff: Official insights into village disputes.

These conversations mark new locations on your map, directing you toward suspects.

Uncovering Clues in Suspect Homes

Pursue leads to Roman’s house, a woodcutter’s dwelling. Climb the ladder to his room and examine belongings: scattered items, a suspicious ditch leading to a stream outside. This evidence suggests a rendezvous gone wrong.

Return to Dushko (another woodcutter) with findings. He points to a forest clearing downhill from Roman’s, following the stream past fallen trees and two boulders. High Investigation skill highlights interactable spots automatically.

Crime Scene Analysis and Rescue

At the clearing, inspect the picnic remnants, blood spatters, a dead pig carcass, and a corpse. If you have the dog Mutt, use his scent-tracking perk on bloody items for guided paths. Follow the trail to Pavlena’s location, bound and guarded.

A confrontation ensues with captors, including Ota and Straw the farmhand. Choices here branch the quest:

• Persuasion/Impression: “Confess peacefully” or calm Straw—avoids combat, reveals Jakesh’s role.
• Intimidation: Forces info but risks hostility.
• Combat: Defeat guards to free Pavlena directly.

For the best ending, negotiate: Mention Bozhena sent you, reveal Pavlena’s pregnancy (if clued), and broker peace. This saves everyone without kills.

Confronting the True Culprit: Farmer Jakesh

Post-rescue, return Pavlena to Bozhena for herb woman rewards. Intel points to Jakesh as the instigator, fueled by old grudges. Locate his farm west of Troskowitz, near horse pens. Straw hides nearby, confirming details.

Options for Jakesh:

• Reconciliation: High Speech check—mediate feud, everyone lives, max reputation.
• Kill: Direct combat; quicker but lowers village standing.
• Report: Inform authorities, neutral path.

Reconciliation yields the optimal outcome: Bozhena’s gratitude, items like potions, and 100+ groschen.

Alternative Paths and Missable Content

Bad Blood features branching narratives based on prior quests and stats:

• Dog Assistance: Mutt tracks blood effortlessly if recruited earlier.
• Alibi Checks: Verifying Jezhek/Bailiff unlocks suspicion meters.
• Pregnancy Reveal: Optional from room search; key for Ota negotiation.

Missing the stream ditch leads to wandering; stick to compass. Combat scales with gear—perk up Strength/Armor before fights.

Best Ending Strategies

Achieve the top reward by prioritizing non-lethal resolutions:

1. Search all rooms thoroughly.
2. Use Speech/Impression on Straw/Ota.
3. Reconcile with Jakesh via dialogue.

This nets full XP, reputation in Troskowitz, and ties into larger story arcs. Lethal paths still complete the quest but diminish gains.

Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips

• Stuck on Stream: Hug the water from Roman’s backyard; ignore cut trees.
• Guard Fight: Flank with bow, use bushes for cover.
• Stat Boosts: Brew Speech potions from Bozhena’s herbs.
• Save Often: Auto-saves trigger at key dialogues.

Quest ties into realism—poor hygiene or hunger hampers checks.

Integration with Main Story

Completing Bad Blood boosts Troskowitz relations, easing later tasks like bailiff favors. Pavlena’s fate echoes in camp dialogues, enriching immersion.

FAQ

Q: Where exactly is the clearing?
A: From Roman’s house, follow the rear ditch/stream downhill to boulders and picnic spot.

Q: Can I save Pavlena without fighting?
A: Yes, via Speech checks mentioning Bozhena and pregnancy.

Q: What if I kill Jakesh?
A: Quest completes, but miss best rewards; Bozhena disapproves.

Q: Is Mutt required?
A: No, but simplifies tracking.

Q: Best rewards?
A: Reconciliation path: potions, groschen, reputation.

Why Bad Blood Matters in KCD2

This quest exemplifies Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s depth—blending sleuthing, RPG choices, and consequence. Mastering it sets up stronger alliances for Bohemia’s turbulent paths ahead.