In the vast landscape of RPG gaming, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” has consistently stood out for its rich narrative and intricate quest design. One of the more challenging quests in the game is “Ugly Baby,” which connects the mysterious creature Uma to the overarching narrative of finding Ciri. Below, we will provide a detailed walkthrough for this quest, along with guidance on discovering Triss’s earring, and all the choices you will encounter.
To navigate through this comprehensive guide, we will break down the quest into its respective stages and corresponding choices, detailing each component of the walkthrough:
Overview of ‘Ugly Baby’
“Ugly Baby” is a key quest in The Witcher 3’s Act Two, which requires players to deal with Uma, a cursed creature believed to hold the secrets to Ciri’s whereabouts. This quest begins after completing earlier quests, mainly “The Calm Before the Storm.” Our protagonist, Geralt, pairs with Yennefer to attempt reversing the curse that binds Uma. Before we dive into the detailed walkthrough, let’s examine the prerequisites and objectives for this quest.
Prerequisites and Objectives
| Prerequisite Quest | Key Activities |
|---|---|
| “The Calm Before the Storm” | Unveil Ciri’s last known activities in Skellige |
Initially, “Ugly Baby” requires players to complete three interconnected quests to progress: “Disturbance,” “To Bait a Forktail…,” and “The Final Trial.” These serve as preparations at Kaer Morhen, an ancient stronghold and home to the Witchers’ School of the Wolf.
Stage 1: Collecting Uma
The journey to unravel Uma’s secrets begins at Crow’s Perch, where Geralt must retrieve Uma from the Bloody Baron’s stables. Depending on whether you’ve completed the “Family Matters” quest, you will interact with either the Baron or his Sergeant to take custody of Uma. Following this, instruct the stablemaster that Uma is coming with you, which will eventually lead to a cutscene depicting Geralt’s travel to Kaer Morhen.
During your journey, your path will be interrupted by Nilfgaardian troops, leading to an encounter with Emperor Emhyr. Your diplomatic skills will come into play as you convince Emhyr of Uma’s significance to the case before proceeding to Kaer Morhen.
Stage 2: Arriving in Kaer Morhen
Upon reaching Kaer Morhen, your immediate task is to consult Yennefer in the fortress, resulting in the activation of three sub-quests. Here are concise guides to completing each of these necessary steps:
Sub-Quest: Disturbance
- Yennefer will provide a device, the Potestaquisitor, to detect magical disturbances within Kaer Morhen.
- Navigate to the main hall and use the device to uncover disturbances near the boxes by Vesemir.
- Once discovered, return to Yennefer to conclude this part of the quest.
Sub-Quest: To Bait a Forktail…
- Join Eskel in tracking a forktail dragon, assisting with gathering Spinal Fluid required by Yennefer.
- Utilize Witcher Sense to follow tracks leading to the creature’s den. Combat strategy suggests using Grapeshot Bombs and Aard Sign.
- Chase the injured Forktail into its lair and finish the battle. You have the option to engage in a friendly race with Eskel back to Kaer Morhen for additional XP.
Sub-Quest: The Final Trial
- Accompany Lambert to retrieve a phylactery. You will face various threats, including Harpies and Drowners.
- Decipher the echoes of a boy’s cry in the cave, encountering Foglets if explored, or simply bypass to continue the quest.
- At a high peak, resolve interactions with Trolls through combat or persuasion to proceed with the task.
Completion of these sub-quests signals the resumption of “Ugly Baby,” leveraging the skills and access prepared by Geralt’s previous efforts.
Stage 3: No Place Like Home
Vesemir initiates an alternative attempt to lift Uma’s curse, giving Geralt time to bond with former allies. This is a crucial narrative part where choices can affect dialogue and relationship contexts, especially involving Yennefer.
- Participate in the companions’ drinking session, during which more personal quests, like romancing Yennefer post “The Last Wish,” come into play.
- If not delving deeply into romance quests, return to conversations for XP bonuses.
Stage 4: Completing Ugly Baby
With sub-quest prerequisites fulfilled and Vesemir’s trial pending, Geralt is required to brew the Decoction of the Grasses. This potion is pivotal for the Trial, acting as a catapult into the “No Place Like Home” narrative.
Following these brewing procedures, “Ugly Baby” concludes with the success of the ritual, opening pathways to subsequent quests such as “The Isle of Mists.”
Finding Triss’s Earring
While navigating Kaer Morhen, you might stumble upon a discarded bed in the courtyard. This investigation reveals Triss Merigold’s earring, a subtle Easter egg suggesting players have the option to return this item during dialogues with her, further enriching individual character arcs and depth.
The retrieval and possible return of Triss’s earring serve as a narrative touchstone, enriching player immersion and character interactions.
Conclusively, the “Ugly Baby” quest in The Witcher 3 masterfully entwines narrative progression with player agency, underscoring its pivotal role in unveiling the enigmatic links binding Ciri and Geralt’s journey. Balancing intricate storytelling with decision-based dynamics, this quest exemplifies The Witcher 3’s allure and offers meticulously crafted gameplay to reward strategic intellect and empathic choices.
