The main quest “Family Matters” in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers several pivotal choices and side objectives that can greatly impact your experience and the story’s progression. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough of each option and decision, ensuring you navigate this complex quest effectively.
- Starting the Quest: “Family Matters”
- Optional: Side Quest “Ciri’s Room”
- Meeting the Pelar
- Optional: Save the Stable Hand and Horses
- First Major Decision: Deal with the Botchling
- Option 1: Destroy the Botchling
- Option 2: Transform the Botchling into a Lubberkin
- Investigate Voytek the Fisherman’s Hut
- Optional: Find Tamara in Oxenfurt
- Return to Crow’s Perch
- Concluding “Family Matters”
- Detailed Breakdown: Decision Impacts
- Summary of Consequences
Starting the Quest: “Family Matters”
After arriving in Velen—often referred to as “No Man’s Land”—you’ll embark on a main story quest called “Bloody Baron.” Head to Crow’s Perch and meet Baron Phillip Strenger, which completes “Bloody Baron” and initiates “Family Matters.”
Early in the quest, you’ll shift to “Ciri’s Story: The King of the Wolves,” and then continue to explore the baron’s castle using Geralt’s Witcher Senses to discover clues in the rooms. Complete optional side quests like “Ciri’s Room” to gather background information. Return to the baron with your findings, and he will direct you to the Pelar’s hut for further investigation.
Optional: Side Quest “Ciri’s Room”
Before proceeding to the Pelar, it’s beneficial to complete the optional side quest “Ciri’s Room.” This brief task involves exploring a room where Ciri stayed and talking to Gretka, a young girl Ciri saved. Completing this quest will offer additional context about Ciri’s time in Velen and is straightforward, involving a quick inspection of the room and conversations.
Meeting the Pelar
Follow your map marker to the Pelar’s hut, dismiss or deal with the soldiers outside, and converse with the Pelar. During this interaction, you’ll learn about Botchlings. The Pelar will require your assistance in another side quest, “A Princess in Distress,” where you need to escort his goat, Princess.
Optional: Save the Stable Hand and Horses
Upon returning to Crow’s Perch, you will find the stables on fire. You have a choice here:
- Save the Stable Hand: Cut left towards the burning stable, climb the ladder, and use Aard to clear debris. Open the stalls to free the horses and exit through the doors. If successful, you’ll receive 20 Crowns.
- Ignore the Fire: Proceed to the castle to see the baron directly.
Regardless of your choice, interact with the guards and proceed. After confronting the baron, you’ll have to decide how to handle the Botchling—either destroy it or transform it into a Lubberkin.
First Major Decision: Deal with the Botchling
You will have two primary choices when dealing with the Botchling:
Option 1: Destroy the Botchling
- Combat: Engage the Botchling using Cursed Oil and the Axii Sign to mitigate its attacks. The Botchling may summon Wraiths during the fight.
- Post-battle: Take the blood from the defeated Botchling to the Pelar. Follow him to Wolven Grove and participate in a ritual that involves fighting Wraiths and keeping three fires lit with Igni.
Successfully completing the ritual will provide information leading you to a fisherman’s hut.
Option 2: Transform the Botchling into a Lubberkin
- Escort: Follow the baron, who will carry the Botchling to the castle’s entrance. Use the Axii Sign to soothe the Botchling whenever it fusses and glows green, summoning Wraiths.
- Funeral: After reaching the burial site and setting up the ritual, wait a day to summon the Lubberkin and then follow it to gather further clues.
Either method will lead you to the same destination, Voytek the fisherman’s hut, converging the storyline paths.
Investigate Voytek the Fisherman’s Hut
Upon arrival at Voytek’s hut, engage in a lengthy conversation to learn about the whereabouts of the baron’s family. Here, you’ll gain crucial information about Tamara, the baron’s daughter, who is residing in Oxenfurt.
Optional: Find Tamara in Oxenfurt
This step is optional but highly recommended for completionists. Traveling to Oxenfurt to converse with Tamara fulfills another objective in “Family Matters” and provides deeper insight into the family dynamic.
- Travel: Head northeast to Oxenfurt, utilizing the map marker for guidance.
- Discussion: Speak with Tamara for a more comprehensive understanding of her perspective and circumstances.
Return to Crow’s Perch
Head back to Crow’s Perch and discuss your findings with the baron. This conversation will grant new insights about Ciri, transitioning into another segment of her story, “Ciri’s Story: The Race.” Additionally, you may need to visit Crookback Bog to complete “Ladies of the Wood,” another pivotal quest that offers branching outcomes.
Concluding “Family Matters”
After completing “Ladies of the Wood,” converse with the baron again, moving to “Ciri’s Story: Out of the Shadows.” Upon leaving, you’ll receive a new quest, “Return to Crookback Bog,” which provides closure to the baron’s storyline and ties all decisions made throughout “Family Matters” together.
Detailed Breakdown: Decision Impacts
| Decision | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Destroy Botchling | Engage in direct combat, take the blood to the Pelar, complete the ritual with Wraith battles, ultimately leading to the fisherman’s hut. |
| Transform Botchling | Escort the Botchling, using the Axii sign, transform it into a Lubberkin, follow it to gather clues, leading to the fisherman’s hut. |
| Save Stable Hand | Receive a reward of 20 Crowns, but it does not significantly impact the main storyline. |
Summary of Consequences
Ultimately, whether you choose to destroy the Botchling or turn it into a Lubberkin, both paths lead to Voytek the fisherman’s hut, converging the storyline. The choices made during “Family Matters” impact the narrative and Geralt’s interactions but converge towards a similar outcome in terms of advancing the plot.
By understanding and following these steps and considerations, you can navigate “Family Matters” in The Witcher 3 with a thorough understanding of each option and its implications, ensuring a comprehensive and satisfying quest completion.
