The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone, the first expansion for the critically acclaimed game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt by CD Projekt RED, immerses players in a new narrative involving Geralt of Rivia, the enigmatic Gaunter O’Dimm, and a nobleman named Olgierd von Everec. This expansion is known for its compelling storyline and the moral choices that lead to drastically different endings. Here, we will explore both the “good” and “bad” endings of Hearts of Stone, the steps required to achieve them, and the consequences for the characters involved.
Overview of Hearts of Stone
The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone introduces players to new characters and challenges. Geralt meets Gaunter O’Dimm, a cunning and seemingly omnipotent entity, and Olgierd von Everec, a nobleman who has sold his soul to O’Dimm in exchange for immortality. As part of a pact made years ago, Olgierd must fulfill three wishes set by O’Dimm, with Geralt acting as the perennial intermediary to ensure the outcomes.
The climax of this expansion occurs during the final main quest, “Whatsoever a Man Soweth,” where players, as Geralt, are faced with a pivotal choice. This choice determines whether Olgierd’s soul is saved or surrendered to O’Dimm, thus leading to the “good” or “bad” ending, respectively.
Good Ending: Saving Olgierd
Achieving the “good” ending, where Olgierd’s soul is saved from O’Dimm, requires completing specific tasks and making pivotal choices. This section outlines the steps involved to ensure Geralt outsmarts O’Dimm and saves Olgierd’s soul.
Steps to Achieve the Good Ending
- Initiate Contact with Shani: At the start of the final quest “Whatsoever a Man Soweth,” Geralt should decide to meet with his old friend, Shani. She is essential to unlocking the path to the good ending.
- Meet Professor Shakeslock: Shani advises Geralt to seek out Professor Premethine Shakeslock. The professor provides crucial insights into O’Dimm’s nature and helps Geralt understand how to thwart him.
- Head to the Temple of Lilvani: Following the meeting with Shakeslock, Geralt needs to proceed to the Temple of Lilvani, where he will encounter Olgierd.
- Challenge Gaunter O’Dimm: When O’Dimm arrives to claim Olgierd’s soul, Geralt must choose the “Help Olgierd” option, instigating a challenge against O’Dimm.
Solving O’Dimm’s Riddle
O’Dimm presents a riddle to Geralt that he must solve within a specific time limit. The riddle goes as follows:
“To all things and men I appertain, and yet by some am shunned and disdained. Fondle and ogle me till you’re insane, but no blow can harm me, cause me pain. Children delight in me, elders take fright, fair maids rejoice and spin. Cry, and I weep, yawn, and I sleep, smile, and I too shall grin.”
Geralt must navigate O’Dimm’s surreal world, aiming to head north, despite twists and turns, to find the answer, which ultimately is ‘reflection.’ At a house filled with mirrors, O’Dimm shatters them to impede progress. The real solution lies in using Aard on an inactive fountain to create a reflective surface. This action solves the riddle and frees Olgierd’s soul from O’Dimm’s clutches.
As a token of gratitude, Olgierd gives Geralt one of the rarest steel swords in the game, significantly concluding the expansion.
Bad Ending: Allowing Olgierd to Die
The “bad” ending where Olgierd’s soul is claimed by O’Dimm can be reached either through neglecting the necessary steps to unlock the good ending or outright choosing to abandon Olgierd. This outcome, though less satisfying, offers immediate rewards from O’Dimm.
Steps to Achieve the Bad Ending
- Neglect Key Meetings: By not meeting Shani or professor Shakeslock, Geralt forfeits the chance to learn how to save Olgierd, setting the stage for the bad ending.
- Make a Choice: If Geralt does encounter O’Dimm during the climax, choosing “Don’t get involved” will result in Olgierd’s soul being claimed.
Once Olgierd’s soul is taken, O’Dimm offers Geralt several boons as compensation. These include:
- The Caparison of Lament horse saddle, for increased swift movement.
- The Horn of Plenty, providing an endless supply of food.
- A Bottomless Carafe offering a never-ending supply of vodka.
- 5000 crowns, converting to a substantial sum of in-game money.
- Advice on finding Ciri, which, while informative, doesn’t directly aid in her location.
- The option to refuse rewards, leading to more experience points.
While this ending is tragic, it highlights the consequences of neglecting relationships and the moral weight Geralt carries throughout his journey.
Consequences and Reflections
The two endings of Hearts of Stone serve as stark reflections of Geralt’s character and the choices players make on his behalf. The good ending, characterized by the triumph of wit and moral conviction, leaves players with a sense of fulfillment and continuity for Olgierd’s redemption arc. On the other hand, the bad ending, a testament to the costs of forsaking moral duties, provides immediate material rewards but carries the weight of loss.
Both endings in Hearts of Stone are crafted with depth and purpose, exemplifying CD Projekt RED’s skill in providing meaningful, consequence-driven narratives. Whether players choose to save Olgierd or let him succumb, each ending serves the overarching theme of the game: the complex interplay of fate, choice, and consequence in the world of The Witcher.
Ultimately, Hearts of Stone enriches The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt by introducing intricate moral dilemmas and leaving players with unforgettable experiences that resonate long after the game ends.
