All - sorry for such a basic question but I'm brand new to gaming and The Witcher 2 is what I bought to start. I can't figure out how Geralt gets past the gate. Thanks,

OB

You need to be more specific, which gate are you stuck on?
If you have cleared the area, and the gate is the one Foltest is waiting on the other side of, go back to a room you came past and there is a large wheel that opens the gate.
You click on it and then button mash to fill the bar.

olnorton - it's the gate to the monastery or temple, the first gate he comes to. It doesn't show anybody on the other side of the gate.

OB

I don't understand about the gate pic. This is right after Vernon Roche interrogates Geralt at the prison, near the beginning of the game. It's the temple gate, and Geralt is talking to 'sire', Fenn, and Vernon Roche. I couldn't do a screenshot,

OB

The game can begin differently depending on how you reply to Roche.
Have you fought the dragon yet?
In the post above, see the attachment "gate.jpg" Click on it.
In that screenshot, it shows the quest I'm on is "TO THE TEMPLE" Find a way inside the temple grounds.
What does yours say?

And for screenshots you need an external program, I just use the free version of bandicam. https://www.bandicam.com/

Sorry, I didn't see your attachments. Yes, that screenshot called gate.jpg is where I am. I have not fought any dragons. Thanks,

OB

Alright.
Well if you look at the mini map in the gate pic, you will see a few buildings directly behind Geralt.
Then look at the mini map in the sitting man pic and you will see the same buildings at the very top, but now Geralt is further down. To follow the quest you have to use Ard in the gate behind the sitting man to continue.
However you don't have to go straight there.
There is loot to be had, and people you can save for XP in that area first if you choose.

Once you go down the well and fight your way through, you will eventually meet up with Foltest still on the other side of the gate. By then you will have the key to the gate house room with the wheel I mentioned in my very first post.

Good luck witcher.

Well I don't see a sitting man. Is there a clear and concise beginner's guide for this somewhere? The stuff I see on uTube that says beginner level is not.

OB

You should have no problem finding the group in the Kneeling jpg.
If you do, use the shape of the buildings in the mini map in the pic and compare with where you are on the mini map.

Walk past the group and behind the sitting man (Sitting jpg) is a flimsy wall you can destroy with Aard.(flimsywall jpg)

Move forward and a little to the left, and you'll have to fight 3 men.
Then you can climb down the well.

Try using this guide, it seems pretty good.
https://guides.gamepressure.com/thewitcher2assassinsofkings/guide.asp?ID=11280