In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, one of the more memorable and challenging side quests is called ‘Pestilence.’ This mission sends players to the village of Merhojed, which has been struck by a mysterious illness. What makes this quest unique is how it leans heavily on realism and forces players to use observation, dialogue, and even some medieval medical reasoning to determine the correct diagnosis. The fate of the villagers depends on getting the treatment exactly right. Making the correct diagnosis and mixing the correct potion are critical steps, and a single mistake can result in multiple deaths. For players who value immersion and attention to detail, Pestilence is a highlight of the game.
Understanding the Pestilence Quest
The Setup in Merhojed
When players first arrive in Merhojed, they find that almost the entire village has been struck down by a deadly sickness. The symptoms are widespread and growing worse by the day. You are tasked by Sir Radzig to investigate and help the villagers, making it one of the rare quests where combat takes a backseat to logic and investigation.
The Challenge of Diagnosis
Unlike other RPGs where a magical cure or a simple fetch quest solves a problem, Kingdom Come: Deliverance challenges the player to diagnose the illness correctly. You’re not given the answer outright you must gather it from careful questioning, reading texts, and examining symptoms. Making the wrong diagnosis results in the deaths of the sick villagers and may affect later events in the game, including your relationship with certain characters.
Steps to Getting the Right Diagnosis
1. Speak with the Sick Villagers
Start by talking to Melichar, the bailiff of Merhojed, and then gain access to the stable where the ill are being kept in quarantine. Speak with the patients to learn about their symptoms. Some key things you’ll notice include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen
These clues are critical. Take note of everything they say and how their conditions are described. Some of the villagers may be more coherent than others, offering more detailed accounts of how the illness developed.
2. Examine the Environment
The next step is investigating the village itself. Speak with locals and examine what might have caused the outbreak. One important clue is that the illness began after some soldiers and villagers ate meat from a dead animal. You’ll find out that a cow died suddenly and its meat was not properly disposed of. This is a key lead.
3. Visit the Monastery
To continue your investigation, you need to travel to the Sasau Monastery and speak with Brother Nicodemus. He is a healer and scholar who can help you with identifying the disease and crafting the cure. He’ll recommend that you look through the medical texts in the monastery’s library.
4. Read the Medical Book
Reading the medical book in the monastery provides essential information. It helps compare the symptoms of various illnesses. You’ll find that the combination of symptoms especially the gut-related distress and the consumption of tainted meat strongly indicates that the disease is poisoning from dysentery or foodborne illness, rather than something like plague or fever from poor hygiene.
The Correct Diagnosis: Poisoning
After evaluating the symptoms and cause, it becomes clear that the villagers are suffering from poisoning due to tainted meat. This is the right diagnosis, and it leads you toward the correct treatment method. Recognizing the illness as poisoning is what ultimately allows you to save the villagers.
Why Other Diagnoses Are Incorrect
- Plague: Does not match the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea and is not tied to meat consumption.
- Common cold or fever: Too mild and lacks the gastrointestinal symptoms shown.
- Spiritual curse: Mentioned by superstitious villagers, but this is a red herring.
The logical deduction points squarely to food poisoning, most likely from anthrax-infected meat, based on the information provided in the quest.
Preparing the Correct Remedy
1. Potion of Charcoal, Thistle, and Nettle
Once the diagnosis is clear, Brother Nicodemus helps you create the cure. The correct potion includes:
- Charcoal to absorb toxins
- Thistle to reduce inflammation
- Nettle to strengthen the immune system
Using the alchemy bench, you must brew the potion carefully. You will need to follow the alchemical steps in exact order, ensuring that you do not make a mistake in heating, grinding, and mixing. Timing matters in this process, just like real medieval alchemy. If you’re not confident with potion making, you can ask Nicodemus to brew it for you, but crafting it yourself adds to the immersion.
2. Distribute the Cure
After creating the potion, you must administer it to the sick. Brother Nicodemus will help with this part if he is present. Once the villagers begin to recover, your success in the mission becomes evident. Melichar and the rest of Merhojed will express their gratitude, and this will affect how future characters interact with you.
Consequences of Success or Failure
What Happens If You Succeed
Saving the villagers has several positive effects:
- Improved reputation in Merhojed and surrounding regions
- Better relations with Brother Nicodemus and the monastery
- Potential new allies and quest opportunities later
It’s one of the more rewarding non-combat quests in the game and gives you a real sense of accomplishment through reasoning and problem-solving.
What Happens If You Fail
If you make the wrong diagnosis or don’t act quickly enough, several villagers including Timmy’s family and others will die. This not only affects your standing with the community but can also lock you out of certain future events or make completing later quests more difficult.
Tips for Completing the Pestilence Quest Smoothly
- Save your game before starting the quest, especially before crafting the potion.
- Take notes on the symptoms described by each villager.
- Don’t rush take your time to read the book and ask the right questions.
- Practice potion brewing before the quest if you’re unfamiliar with the process.
- Pay close attention to what each character says. Clues are subtle but essential.
The Pestilence quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a perfect example of the game’s dedication to historical realism and immersive storytelling. It encourages players to think critically, investigate thoroughly, and rely on their wits rather than weapons. The right diagnosis poisoning unlocks a deeply satisfying resolution that rewards patience and careful observation. Whether you’re a veteran player or new to the world of Bohemia, this quest offers a standout experience that showcases the game’s depth and attention to detail.