How to Save the Stablemaster and Horses from the Fire in The Witcher 3 (“Family Matters”)

In “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” the quest “Family Matters” is a critical part of the game’s narrative and is packed with morally complex decisions and optional objectives that can impact the storyline. One such optional task is saving the stable master Oswin and the horses trapped in a burning stable. This occurs when you return to Crow’s Perch during the questline. Successfully completing this task provides additional rewards and showcases the dynamic world of decisions and consequences in the game. This guide will walk you through the steps to save Oswin and the horses, ensuring a successful rescue operation.

Initial Set-Up and Context

In “Family Matters,” after completing the “Bloody Baron” quest and progressing through “Ciri’s Story: The King of the Wolves,” you’ll end up returning to Crow’s Perch to meet with Baron Phillip Strenger. Upon your return, the stables will be engulfed in flames, and you’ll be faced with a choice: ignore the fire or attempt to save those trapped inside.

Choosing to Save the Stable Hand and Horses

When you enter Crow’s Perch and approach the burning stables, you will encounter two guards. At this point, you are given the dialogue option to respond to the situation:

• “I’ll try” – agrees to rescue the stable hand and the horses trapped in the fire.
• “Here to see the baron” – ignores the fire and proceeds to continue the main quest.

Choosing to save the individuals in the stable is highly recommended as it reinforces Geralt’s character as a hero and grants a reward of 20 Crowns from Oswin later.

Executing the Rescue Operation

To successfully navigate the burning stable and save Oswin and the horses, follow these steps:

Step 1: Entering the Stable

From the guards’ position, turn left and sprint across the courtyard toward the stable. Climb the ladder located to the left of the main stable door. This provides access to the upper levels of the stable where the fire is less intense, allowing you to navigate more safely.

Step 2: Clearing the Path

Once inside, you’ll need to use the Aard Sign to clear any debris obstructing your path. This will allow you to move deeper into the stable. Additionally, look for chests or containers that may hold lootable items; securing supplies can often benefit you in the long run.

Step 3: Managing Air Supply

Inside the burning stable, you may need to manage your breath meter. To refill it, head to the right towards the main doors of the stable but avoid opening them yet. Standing near the doors provides fresh air and refills your breath meter.

Step 4: Opening Stalls

Progress through the stable, opening all the stalls containing horses. This is a crucial step to allow the horses to escape once you open the main door. You won’t directly interact with Oswin, but releasing the horses ensures their safety.

Step 5: Exiting the Stable

After opening all the stalls, return to the main doors and open them to create an escape route for the horses. This will trigger a cutscene showing the horses and Oswin escaping to safety.

Post-Rescue Interaction

After successfully rescuing the stable hand and the horses, you’ll need to deal with the Baron in a drunken state. A fistfight ensues, which is a straightforward, unarmed combat sequence. Defeat the Baron to trigger a cutscene and progress further into the questline.

Further Choices and Consequences

Post-rescue, the next significant decision involves handling the Botchling, a cursed and monstrous fetus that the Baron buried. Here, Geralt is presented with two choices:

Option 1: Attack the Botchling

If you choose to attack the Botchling, prepare for a challenging fight. The Botchling is weak to Cursed Oil and the Axii Sign. Additionally, it summons Wraiths to aid it during the battle. Once defeated, Geralt will collect the Botchling’s blood and return to the Pellar for a ritual.

• Preparation: Apply Cursed Oil to your silver sword.
• Fighting Strategy: Use Axii to control the Botchling and deal with the summoned Wraiths promptly.

Option 2: Turn the Botchling into a Lubberkin

This option transforms the Botchling into a protective spirit known as a Lubberkin. This choice involves a ritual that requires you to follow the Baron while he carries the Botchling back to the castle. During this journey, several Wraiths will attack, and you’ll need to soothe the Botchling using the Axii Sign.

• Stick Close: Stay near the Baron to prevent the Botchling from transforming mid-route.
• Use Axii: Calm the Botchling when it glows green to avoid transformations.
• Combat: Defeat Wraiths as they appear to protect the Baron and yourself.

Ritual Completion

After reaching the castle, the ritual involves burying the Botchling and summoning the Lubberkin by waiting a day. The Lubberkin leads you to key locations that unveil more about the Baron’s wife and daughter, taking you to Voytek the fisherman’s hut.

Voytek’s Hut and Finding Tamara

Regardless of how you deal with the Botchling, your path converges again at Voytek’s hut. Through a lengthy conversation with the fisherman and his family, you learn about the location of the Baron’s daughter, Tamara.

Optional Objective: Find Tamara in Oxenfurt

Following Voytek’s information, head northeast to Oxenfurt to locate Tamara. Although optional, finding her can clarify further objectives in “Family Matters.” Tamara resides in a house within Oxenfurt. Speak to her to understand her perspective and why she is estranged from the Baron.

Returning to the Baron

Once you have sufficient information and insights from Tamara and other leads, return to the Baron. At this point, the Baron divulges more about Ciri, and you will play a segment called “Ciri’s Story: The Race.” This detour helps provide more narrative depth and context to the ongoing story.

Next Steps in Family Matters

After learning about Ciri, your next major objective is to find Anna, the Baron’s wife. This leads you to the Crookback Bog and a questline called “Ladies of the Wood.” Completing this quest is essential to progressing through “Family Matters” and understanding the full extent of the Baron’s story.

Final Outcomes

Retrieving Anna and convincing Tamara to return with you can lead to different narrative outcomes, influencing the later story arcs and character interactions. Completing the “Return to Crookback Bog” quest will tie up many of the story threads introduced in “Family Matters.”

Summary

Rescuing the stable master Oswin and the horses is a small yet meaningful part of “Family Matters” in “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.” This optional task not only offers a rewarding experience but also deepens the immersive choices available to players. Through challenging conflicts, moral dilemmas, and strategic decisions, this guide ensures you navigate these complex scenarios successfully, enhancing your overall experience in the captivating world of The Witcher 3.