There's some monster in the woods outside Novigrad doing great damage to our war effort. Anyone who tracks it down and kills it will not only fulfill a patriotic duty and bring the inevitable victory of the united northern forces under the leadership of our brave King Radovid one step closer, but will also get a sizable coin reward as recompense for his trouble.
Monsters, like men, each have their own individual tastes and preferences. According to legend, dragons like to savor the delicate notes of virgins, while ghouls delight in the powerful flavors of rotting flesh. In the woods outside Novigrad, meanwhile, a beast had cropped up with a predeliction for Redanian transport wagons. Not surprisingly, the captain of the nearby guardpost did not appreciate this culinary choice and put out a bounty on the monster's head.
If Geralt kills the Scoia'tael after telling them he'd keep their secret:
It turned out the woods did not hide a "shaggy fuck-knows-what," as the captain of the guard put it, but a band of Scoia'tael. They were the ones attacking the transports. Geralt promised not to betray their secret, but in the end he changed his mind. You might say, dear reader, that he acted dishonorable, and you'd probably be right - but those Scoia'tael were no innocents themselves.
It turned out the woods did not hide a "shaggy fuck-knows-what," as the captain of the guard put it, but a band of Scoia'tael. They were the ones attacking the transports. Though the witcher codex would recommend charting a neutral course in such a situation, Geralt sailed according to his own moral compass. His needle pointed decidedly towards the elves' much-deserved death.
If Geralt leaves the Scoia'tael be:
It turned out the woods did not hide a "shaggy fuck-knows-what," as the captain of the guard put it, but a band of Scoia'tael. They were the ones attacking the transports. The witcher codex would recommend charting a neutral course in such a situation - and Geralt, feeling the pain of the elves' lot in his very marrow, duly followed that recommendation.
Objectives
Talk to the commander of the guardpost by the bridge to Novigrad
Examine the site where the transport was attacked using your Witcher Senses
If you tell the guard about the elves he'll highlight of the tensions between humans an non-humans with some banter.
If you leave the elves alone but decide to tell the guard at the bridge about them. The elf female commander will ambush you later in the game claiming that you betrayed her. One possible ambush spot can be found just outside Novigrad near the Glory Gate signpost at night.
The spot the Elves are camped at is marked as a Bandit Camp on your minimap. If you kill the elves, you can find a treasure chest at the site. If you leave the elves alone, leave the site, and return shortly thereafter, all the elves will be gone and you can still loot the chest.
Video
Vernossiel and Geralt- Woodland Beast Contract. All 3 Options (Witcher 3 - Scoia'tael Quest - Velen)
