Vernon Roche
| Vernon Roche | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Character |
| Affiliation | Blue Stripes |
| Location | |
| DLC | Base game |
Vernon Roche is the commander of the Blue Stripes, the special forces of Temeria. He was once one of King Foltest's most trusted men. He now leads a guerrilla war from a hideout in a cave near Oxenfurt. Geralt seeks him out in the quest Get Junior, and Roche later becomes a key plotter against King Radovid.
Lore
Time and again Roche has proven himself loyal, effective and thoroughly professional. Few can match his skill at putting down revolts, fighting off Nilfgaardians or wiping out bands of Scoia'tael. After King Foltest's murder, Geralt was blamed for the crime. Roche came to believe the witcher was innocent, and the two hunted the real assassin together.
By the time the story begins, Roche has lost his king, his men and his homeland. He fights a guerrilla war against the far stronger occupying army, with assassinations, ambushes and night raids. For this war he depends on Redanian help, though he clearly takes no pleasure in working with Radovid.
Story
Geralt needs a way to Whoreson Junior, and Dijkstra points him to Roche. Roche takes Geralt with him to meet his Redanian contact, who turns out to be King Radovid himself. Radovid tells Geralt where to find Whoreson Junior, in exchange for a future favor.
Roche and Dijkstra later ask Geralt to find Thaler, a fellow plotter. Thaler went undercover among the Nilfgaardians and then disappeared. In time it comes out that Roche is part of a plot to kill Radovid. He has realized that the mad king will never allow a free Temeria once the war is over. That makes Roche himself a liability, and a likely target.
If Geralt joins the plot, Roche takes part in the killing in person. When Radovid orders Geralt's death on the bridge to Temple Isle, Roche and his men attack and save the witcher. Radovid's death is meant to win Temeria its freedom. For that, Roche is willing to strike a deal with Nilfgaard. This plays right into Dijkstra's hands. Dijkstra turns on his allies, and his men surround them. If Geralt does not step in, Roche dies on Dijkstra's orders. If Geralt does step in, Roche escapes the bloodbath. Nilfgaard then wins the war, and the emperor agrees to restore Temeria.
If Geralt asks Roche to help defend Kaer Morhen, Roche keeps his word. He comes to the keep and lends his great fighting skill against the Wild Hunt.
Relationships
Geralt is an old ally of Roche. Dijkstra and Thaler are his fellow plotters, though Dijkstra betrays them in the end. Roche serves Radovid only out of need, and plots his death.
Quests
| Quest | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Get Junior | Main Quest | Novigrad |
| Reason of State | Secondary Quest | Novigrad |
| Blood on the Battlefield | Main Quest | Kaer Morhen |
| The Battle of Kaer Morhen | Main Quest | Kaer Morhen |
| Brothers In Arms: Novigrad | Main Quest | Novigrad |
| An Eye for an Eye | Secondary Quest | Novigrad |
| A Deadly Plot | Secondary Quest | Novigrad |
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